519. The Fiscal Cliff Hanger

“Fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 are scheduled to go into effect.
Among the laws set to change at midnight on December 31, 2012, are the end of last year’s temporary payroll tax cuts (resulting in a 2% tax increase for workers), the end of certain tax breaks for businesses, shifts in the alternative minimum tax that would take a larger bite, the end of the tax cuts from 2001-2003, and the beginning of taxes related to President Obama’s health care law. At the same time, the spending cuts agreed upon as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will begin to go into effect. According to Barron's, over 1,000 government programs - including the defense budget and Medicare are in line for "deep, automatic cuts."
(tags: Political Series, economy, president, congress, Barack Obama, Economics, money, taxes, laws, Health Care, House of Representatives, Senate, America, United States)

518. Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings

(tags: holiday, christmas, Political Series, Generic Series, Obama, president, Santa Claus, Hope, Barack Obama)

513. Hostess Folds Operations

Twinkies may last forever, but the same can't be said for Hostess Brands Inc., the company that makes the popular cream-filled spongecake.

Hostess has asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to go out of business and lay off 18,500 workers, blaming a strike by members of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union.

"We deeply regret the necessity of today's decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike," Hostess Chief Executive Gregory F. Rayburn said in a statement Friday.

Hostess Twinkies’ CEO tripled his salary to $2.55 million while the company was preparing to go into bankruptcy. And nine top executives saw massive pay raises, some nearly doubling their salary. Ah, another greedy CEO who courageously blamed the union for his failure, while omitting the part about tripling his own pay while preparing to go under.
(tags: hostess brands, twinkie, suicide, Business, Greed, Unions, Political Series)

512. General Petraeus Begins to Fade Away

During their affair, retired Army Gen. David Petraeus and his alleged former mistress Paula Broadwell used a cyber trick known to teenagers and terrorists in an effort to hide their communications. Sources say they often composed draft emails which they both could read on a shared private email account -- without having to transmit the messages.

497. North Korea, cont.

(PYONGYANG, North Korea) — North Korea was poised Thursday to send a rocket into space as the nation's young leader ascended to new top political posts strengthening his hold on power. There was no word early Thursday morning on the timing of the launch, which the North has said will take place sometime between Thursday and Monday. The launch, which the North says is for peaceful purposes, has raised international concern. more: http://alturl.com/nbnop

492. Operation Enduring Freedom

(tags: Political Series, War, US Army, Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, gwot, Terrorism)

488. Mega Millions

Three people won the record-setting Mega Millions jackpot and will receive an equal share of the $656 million jackpot, which amounts to about $218 million each, before taxes, under the annuity option.
Lottery players have dished out a cumulative $1,491,082,267 since the game's last big winner in late January. (more: http://alturl.com/tj7rc)

483. Obama Goes to Florida

Police in Sanford, Fla., have become the target of anger and protest around the country for failing to arrest George Zimmerman after he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
But Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law may have given them little choice.
That law grants immunity to anyone who uses deadly force, inside or outside his home, if he can reasonably claim he was defending himself.
According to 911 telephone records, 28-year-old George Zimmerman described Trayvon as a suspicious-looking black male wearing a hooded sweat shirt.

(tags: Political Series, Politics, Barack Obama, Florida, Murder, Crime, Hoodie, Trayvon, Zimmerman)

481. Soldiers: The 99.9%

(tags: Politics, Political Series, War, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran,  Soldier, Bales, Terrorism, Al Qaeda, Afghanistan, Flag)

480. Mitt Romney Confidence

(tags: Political Series, Politics, Mitt Romney, GOP, election, 2012,  Alfred E Neuman, MAD)

479. Captain America

(Tags: Politics, Political Series, Entertainment Series, Captain America, War,  PTSD, Military, Gwot, Prosthetic)

478. EVOLUTION

(tags: Politics, Political Series, Religion, War,  Evolution, Nukes, Nuclear, Earth, Peace, humans, mankind)

477. Birth Control

(tags: birth control, Political Series, Politics, election, Equality, Women, Smiley Face, Guns, GOP, Election 201)

476. Obama and Netanyahu Confer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Taking sharply different stands, President Barack Obama urged pressure and diplomacy to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his nation's right to a pre-emptive attack. Even in proclaiming unity on Monday, the leaders showed no give on competing ways to resolve the crisis.
and in related news: (CBS News) At a news conference at the White House on Tuesday, President Obama lashed out at Mitt Romney and the other GOP presidential candidates for "the casualness with which some of these folks talk about war," saying their rhetoric on Iran reflects the fact that they "don't have a lot of responsibilities."
and in related news:
UNITED NATIONS – Key U.N. Security Council members began discussing a possible new resolution Tuesday that demands an end to the violence in Syria, first by government forces and then by opposition fighters, in hopes of overcoming opposition from Russia and China.
and in related news:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Taking sharply different stands, President Barack Obama urged pressure and diplomacy to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his nation's right to a pre-emptive attack. Even in proclaiming unity on Monday, the leaders showed no give on competing ways to resolve the crisis.
(tags: Politics, Political Series, Barack Obama, netanyahu, Middle East, War, Flag, Religion)

475. Iran and Russia Vote, 2012

Iran and Russia held national level elections this week, and I think the results went something like this.
(tags: Political Series, Politics, Russia, Iran,  Putin, Ayatollah, election, vote)

474. Rush Limbaugh: Sad Clown

Rush Limbaugh said today he was "sincere" and "heartfelt" in his apology to Sandra Fluke, as he explained that he never believed the Georgetown University student was a "slut" or "prostitute" when he said those words last week. (more: http://alturl.com/sv5oj)

(tags: Political Series, Politics, election, GOP,  Rush Limbaugh, Clown, birth control, 2012)

472. Slut

Is Rush Limbaugh damaging the Republican Party? On Friday Limbaugh drew withering criticism from all colors of the political spectrum for his comment that Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke is “slut” and a “prostitute” for testifying in favor of mandatory coverage of contraception in employer-provided health insurance.

(tags: Political Series, Politics, birth control, Health, Health Care, condom, GOP,  rush, limbaugh, Equality, contraception)

471. Iran Votes

Iranian state media claim a "massive turnout" for the country's parliamentary elections Friday, which are likely to solidify Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's control over conservative rivals tied to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (more: http://alturl.com/7ueym)
(tags: Iran, Political Series, Politics, Ayatollah, Khameni, Flag)

469. The Coming Endorsement

(Political Series, Politics, GOP, 2012, election, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney)

468. Gas Prices

NEW YORK -- The nationwide average for gasoline prices approached $3.74 a gallon Thursday, continuing a steady rise for the 23rd consecutive day, according to the motorist group AAA.
The average price rose 0.7 cent a gallon in the latest 24-hour period, AAA said. A month ago, the nationwide average was $3.44 a gallon.
Gas prices are up 14% so far in 2012. The average price is down 37.6 cents, or about 9.1%, from the record high of $4.11 on July 17, 2008.
(tags: Barack Obama, Obama, Political Series, Politics, Energy, Gas, Fuel, Petrol, Economy, election, 2012, DNC)