Jonathan Miller's Blog, page 439

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Wealth

The Politics of Wealth

The Shanghai Car Show's rise to prominence pits it against the NYC Car Show. Do you go to see the cars or the models? Be honest! [MSNBC]

Finances are dictating college and career choices according to latest polling data. [Businessweek]

Rising prices are beginning to hit home. [NBC Nightly News]

Don't tell Junior. Boomers are keeping their kids in the dark about their wealth. [Forbes]

Trump-watch continues: Just how rich is he? As rich as he feels! [CNN Money]

Citigroup's...

RPTV's Friday Video Flashback: Jason Atkinson as Honest Abe (2007)

As we begin to celebrate a series of 150th anniversaries of the Civil War and its aftermath, we flash back just four years to a Presidents' Day commemoration on the floor of the Oregon State Senate.

There, our very own Contributing RP Jason Atkinson does his best — and funniest — Abe Lincoln imitation, in a debate with a scary looking "George Washington."

If you can suffer through the poor video quality, it is worth the punch line to Jason's masterful oration. Enjoy:

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of The Planet

The Politics of the Planet

Once again, nature has a better solution than resorting to man-made chemicals. [NPR]

It is the one year anniversary of the BP Oil Spill. A reminder of what happened through pictures of the spill and the aftermath. [Yahoo News]

 Why cities are "greener" than you may think, and how our tax law discourages city living. [Freakanomics]

A healthful and environmentally friendly meal may be closer than you think. [NPR]

Jason Atkinson: Political Words of Wisdom from Homer (Simpson, that is)

Homer Simpson has three phrases that work in every political situation:

"Cover me."

"You're right that is a good idea"; and

"It was like that when I got here."

Brilliant!  Gone are the quotes of Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, and stage right steps America's three-fingered yellow skinned, balding "herald to the masses," keeper of pop-language.  Roll over Danny Webster.

Cover me!

A great phrase used liberally in the western United States in close association with "Hey, hold my beer; I want to...

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Wellness

Want to play doctor? The New York Times' Wellness blog gives readers the chance to solve a real-life medical mystery. [New York Times]

IMS Health's annual report on U.S. prescription spending reveals that in 2010, the top 10 most popular medications were generics for the first time. [Time Healthland]

Those tiresome pop-up ads for the acai berry will finally be off our computer screens, thanks to FTC intervention. [Huffington Post]

Feeling down? Blame it on the pollen… it could be linked to your ...

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Love

The Politics of Love

The RP recently looked at changes in American attitudes towards interracial and intercultural marriages and asked, "Will the idea of gay marriage being illegal in most parts of the U.S. seem absolutely unbelievable in 50 years? Yes." According to this poll, a majority of Americans think it's unbelievable now. [CNN] 

In fact, one church in Louisville, Kentucky, has taken the matter into their own hands, refusing to sign heterosexual marriage licenses until "same-sex couples ...

Andrei Cherny: Individual Age Economics

 

Among the dozens of hats that he wears, Contributing RP Andrei Cherny edits Democracy: A Journal of Ideas .  His post this month reflects on his status as a recovering politician.  But even more, it makes a passionate case for progressive economics in an era that seems to be focused on selfish materialism and me-first politics

Here is an excerpt — the full link is below:

Candidates for office, it has been said, will show up for the opening of an envelope. This is especially true for those...

Tomorrow at The Recovering Politician

Thank Goodness It's Almost Friday…

Friday at 8:30 AM, means it is another debut of a contributing recovering politician. Tomorrow's writer secured his party's nomination for a statewide office, and almost won the general election against a tidal wave election for the opposite party. He also happens to be a published author of an outstanding book on one of the greatest moments in American history — the Berlin Airlift. You will enjoy his well-considered thoughts on today's economic battles.

Contr...

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Speed

Jimmie Johnson

In this week's NASCAR Power Rankings Jimmie Johnson takes the top spot away from Carl Edwards after winning the Sprint Cup race at Talladega this weekend. [ESPN]

Ed Hinton writes that if you didn't like the Talladega race this weekend, then NASCAR just isn't for you. [ESPN]

Amazingly, Junior is not the most mentioned name during race telecasts. Any guess on who is? [Yahoo! Sports]

Ferrarri is worth a lot of money. Have you ever wondered how much? The Italian auto-maker was...

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Immigration

The Politics of Immigration

How does a liberal doctor, beekeeper and naturalist become the force behind an anti-immigration movement that includes members who refer to the President of the United States as "the undocumented worker" in the White House? A fascinating glimpse into the world of anti-immigrant groups and "the most influential unknown man in America." [New York Times]

And as with most things in life, the topic of immigration is not black and white—not even in immigrant communities...