Priorities

28 states argue that the feds can't require people to buy health insurance, an essential link in the financing of health reforms aimed at broadening access. But the Port Authority of NY/NJ wants to charge drivers $12 to use the Holland Tunnel to pay for the construction of the new World Trade Center Tower -- essentially a private real estate deal. I care a lot that 49 million Americans have no health insurance. I couldn't care less whether anything ever gets built at Ground Zero.

Uncertainty

Why do so many of the talking heads on Fox whine these days that they deserve to be shielded from "uncertainty"? I live with lots of uncertainty. Everyone I know lives with uncertainty. Who's entitled not to? Why? I thought dealing effectively with risk was what separated the pros from the amateurs in the "free market."

Irene

Power's back, finally. We all bitched and moaned because we're comfortably middle class and entitled. Our needs are supposed to come first. Imagine if we were among those who get up every day knowing they're LAST on everyone's priority list...like those people in the 9th Ward in New Orleans, or I guess some of these people in Paterson. That would suck. Thinking of them today.

Quake

We just had a no foolin' around earthquake. In Berkeley Heights, NJ. The third floor folks in this building are evacuating. (We're not, up on 5.) Hm.

Once Upon a Time in the Near Future

Me, trying to enter an appointment in my smart phone's calendar:  Invalid information? WTF?

Facebook Notification:  Beep. [actually, more of a swoosh]

Me:  What?

Facebook Notification:  You have a conflict at that time.

Me:  I do? 

Facebook Notification:  Yes. You're going to be in New York at a concert.  Lil Wayne. Click here to choose a payment option for your tickets.

Me:  No I'm not.

Facebook Notification:  Yes you are.  Look at your calendar. Click here to choose a payment option for your tickets.

Me: Huh? I didn't set that up.

Facebook Notification:  No.  I did it for you.  Click here to choose a payment option for your tickets.

Me:  What do you mean you did it for me?

Facebook Notification:  A service.  Cool, isn't it?  You like Lil Wayne. He was doing a show within 50 miles of [your current location -- click here to choose a different location].  And you were free at that time.

Me:  How did you know I was free at that time?

Facebook Notification:  Calendar.  In your smart phone. Click here to choose a payment op...

Me:  No, I don't like Lil Wayne anyway.

Facebook Notification:  Sure you do.  You Like Barack Obama.

Me:  So what if I like Barack Obama?

Facebook Notification:  People who Like Barack Obama overwhelmingly Like Lil Wayne.

Me:  But...

Facebook Notification:  Besides, one of your Friends and 27 people who should be Friends of yours Like Lil Wayne.

Me:  But I never bought any tickets.

Facebook Notification:  You never paid for your tickets.  I bought them for you.  Click here to choose a payment option for your tickets. You can choose your Alumni MasterCard ending in *3376 or your Chase Visa ending in *3222.  Or Paypal.

Me:  How the hell do you have my credit card numbers?

Facebook Notification:  A previous purchase from one of our Prime Partners, plus statistical inferences, plus public information sources.

Me:  What public information sources?

Facebook Notification:  That information is a trade secret.

Mascot

If the Tea Party is going to be a genuine force in American politics, it's going to need the trappings of a serious party. They should start with an animal mascot, analogous to the Republicans' elephant. I strongly suggest...the lemming.

Excess

I believe the biggest drag on the US economy is excessive corporate productivity.