SXSW
As happens every March we’re about to be overrun by hipsters. To throw yourself in the mix, grab your skinny jeans and go checkout some shows.
Coulter v Maher
“George Bush spent money like a pimp with a week to live.” – read this and other choice gems here.
Cleveland
Life isnt so hot in The Comeback City right now, with more than 10,000 homes abandoned as a direct result of the mortgage bust.
The Mess We've Made
Want to understand the economic mess in layman terms?
…The earlier peak, which is way over on the left part of the chart, where debt is 100% of GDP, was in 1929. This is a map of twin peaks. One in 1929 and one in 2007.
Does that chart scare you?
Yes. That chart is the most striking piece of evidence that I have that what is happening to us is something that goes way beyond toxic assets in banks, it’s something that had little to do with mortgage securitization, or ethics on Wall Street, or anything else. It says the problem is us. The problem is not the banks, greedy though they may be, overpaid though they may be. The problem is us. We have over-borrowed. We have been living very high on the hog. We are, our standard of living has been rising dramatically over the last 25 years, and we have been borrowing to make much of that prosperity happen.
This American Life tries explains whats gone wrong, and more importantly, why we haven’t been able to fix it. Oh and one more really scarry note form the transcript on the topic of bank nationalization –
… if they WERE planning to take over the banking system … they wouldn’t announce it beforehand. They’d probably say exactly what they’re saying right now … wait till everything’s set up … till they hired enough people and got all their plans in order … and then one Friday evening, they’d make an announcement, and nationalize the banks over the weekend.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my super secret survival bunker.
Geekness alert
I hope this doesn’t shock anybody with how nerdy i actually am, but holy hell this looks like it’s going to be pretty kick ass (as long as J.J. Abrahms doesn’t put Kirk and co on a time traveling island).
The Senate
Events beyond my control yesterday left me running around the Capitol for most of the morning. It’s pretty fascinating to watch the government inaction (and no, I didn’t forget a space there). After waiting in a security line that rivaled an airport to get into the Senate Gallery, I was treated to an hour of recognitions of various high school sports teams, the recognition of NASA day, and pick-your-small-Texas-town day (the fact that they have to share with NASA would seem tot be a little galling to both parties).
After we finally escaped, I made my way int to the House of Representatives which was actually doing something in the form of a no confidence vote for TxDOT (I almost jumped the over the railing to push the ‘yea’ buttons myself)….
A resolution was brought to the floor of the Texas House today that if passed — would have been a vote of no confidence for the Texas Department of Transportation. It was brought to the floor by Houston Rep Garnet Coleman. The final part said lawmakers and the people of Texas had lost confidence in TxDOT.
The resolution caused a bit of a stir on the floor — with lawmakers agreeing with Rep. Coleman’s sentiment — but not wanting to use such harsh language. Coleman pulled the resolution without a vote — but in a press gaggle after he said there was no question he had the votes to get it passed.
There was shouting, gavels being banged for order, the real deal. Of course nothing actually happened with it, the resolution was just brought to the floor, but hell, at least they weren’t recognizing the dedication and contributions of Hutto High School Chess Team.
Road Trips
Good maps histories most epic journeys – from Lewis an Clarke to the Elecric Kool-Aid Acid Test Trip. With pictures, and all other manner of flashy goodness. Who’s ready for a summer road trip?