SAR #12333

Riots seldom end well.

Chess: Tell Susan Rice that it's nothing personal. The Republicans will attack and smear any nominee for State who isn't John Kerry, because they think that Scott Brown could win Kerry's Senate seat.

The Sun Also Rises: Russia, Denmark, Switzerland, and Spain have joined France in announcing support for UN recognition of the Palestinian state, while Britain continues to 'consider' such support and the US continues to bow to Israel on this as on so many things. Israel has backed off its promise to topple any and all Palestinian leadership if the UN extends recognition.

Sand, Line In? Too bad the White House hasn't given the rest of us the same promise “that Social Security benefits won't be cut as part of negotiations” to reduce the deficit that Bernie Sanders (I-VT) says he's received. In that Social Security contributes neither to the deficit nor the debt, there is no reason the topic should even be under discussion.

Squeaky Wheel: Expect Congress to start second guessing the Corps of Engineers' management of the Mississippi river now that the lower levels threaten Archer Daniels Midland's business.

What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? Remember those pallet-loads of US currency that were shipped to Baghdad, only to disappear? Seems like the now defunct Kabul Bank helped nearly $1 billion slip away into the pockets of the gangsters that run Afghanistan "political elite". Not to be left out, Russia is reported to have sent "200 tons of cash" to Syria to help support Assad.

Pointless Question: Do American shoppers care how many Bangladeshi young women making 21 cents an hour burn to death as long as they can continue to get 'Always low prices, always,' and continue to 'Live Better'?

Slip Sliding Away: The EPA says that BP will be “temporarily suspended” from winning new contracts with the federal government. Temporary is the operative word, because BP is currently the Pentagon's biggest fuel supplier, and if the fuel supply is disrupted the wars will come to a halt. And the US isn't about to stop any of its wars.

Innumeracy: Average tuition and fees at public, four-year colleges have risen 72% since 2000, while average wages for 25-34 year old grads has fallen 14.7% in the same period. Want to talk about student debt delinquency?

Choir, Preaching To: David Cook says: It’s Time to Stop Killing in Secret. Actually, it is long past time to stop using murder to impose our will on the entire world, period. Obama is worried – a bit late – that there are no guidelines, not realizing that the guideline on killing people should be “Don't do it”.

One for the Gipper: Alan Grayson (D-FL), calling Walmart "the largest recipient of public aid", says he will be examining why such a profitable company's employees are paid such low wages that they are "forced" to sign up for Medicaid, food stamps and housing assistance. This amounts to a taxpayer funded subsidy for the retailer. "The taxpayer" he said, "is getting fed up of paying for these things when, Walmart could give every employee, even the CEO, a 30 percent raise and still be profitable."

New And Unimproved: John Boehner appointed 19 white males to chair House committees, no blacks, no women. Didn't he get a copy of the exit polls?

Porn O'Graph: Housing recovery reaches 1966 levels.

The Parting Shot:

Deceptive packaging.