Virtual Front Page, Thursday, September 16, 2010

We’re back today, and here’s what we have (that was the editorial “we,” of course — or perhaps we should say the royal we, since we no longer represent a board when we say it):

  1. 1 in 7 Americans lives in poverty (WashPost) — The poverty rate hits the highest level in the half-century the gummint has kept such statistics. Yeah, tell me about it.
  2. Senate Passes Bill to Aid Small Businesses (NYT) — Tax breaks and loans, over GOP objections.
  3. U.S. cybersecurity plans lagging, critics say (WashPost) — “More than a year after President Obama made a White House speech proclaiming that the protection of computer networks was a national priority, the federal government is still grappling with key questions about how to secure its computer systems as well as private networks deemed critical to U.S. security.”
  4. Sarkozy attacks Roma row critics (BBC) — “Eef we weesh to bash ze zhipsees, we weel bash ze zhipsees,” said the diminutive French leader. Or something like that. I don’t talk Paris talk.
  5. McConnell defends photograph (The State) — Yeah, I know it was in the paper already, but this just isn’t getting old. A timeless South Carolina tale…
  6. X Prize Marks Fuel-Efficiency Spot For Future Cars (NPR) — Some cool cars. I don’t mean cool like Steve McQueen’s Mustang in “Bullitt,” or like Doc Brown’s DeLorean in “Back to the Future,” but cool nonetheless.

7 thoughts on “Virtual Front Page, Thursday, September 16, 2010

  1. Karen McLeod

    It’s good to see that the bill to help small businesses finally got through. Let’s hope it does enough to bolster the economy. Now, can they get the one re:taxes, and the defense spending bill (with it’s abolition of don’t ask/don’t tell and it’s path-to-citizenship-via-military-service)passed?

  2. Phillip

    Brad, I’m wondering if it’s possible for you to post something about France with a “straight face,” so to speak. Always with the accents or references to “cheese-eating” etc. I admit the French are sometimes easy to make fun of (as Europeans often feel about Americans)…but I’d love to see if you resist the temptation just once!

    After all, we owe our existence to them in large part.

  3. Brad

    Yeah, France just strikes me as a comedy treasure trove. Even though THEY think Jerry Lewis is funny.

    I think it’s something I inherited from the English branches of my family tree. You know, whatever it is in the English that made them produce Peter (Inspector Clouseau) Sellers. Or the rude French guard on the wall in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. (“English kuh-NIG-et!”)

  4. Brad

    And I thought “cheese-eating retirement monkeys” was funny.

    What do you do with a nation of people who are not in any way disadvantaged (so I don’t have to feel sorry for them), but who will take to the streets if you say they have to work (on a truncated schedule by our standards, with a shorter day, a shorter week and longer vacations) until they’re 62 before getting full retirement — after already having their health care for free their whole lives.

    They think they’re VICTIMS! It is to laugh. I make rude noises in their general direction…

  5. Phillip

    That’s a shame about the cheese, Brad, but I know a lot of people in the same boat. Nevertheless, there still is the wine.

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