DJing the Debt Ceiling Talks

Debt ceiling talks break down...again!  Obama and Boehner knock twice on the pipe.

"Knock Three Times" by Tony Orlando and Dawn

Good Night Valentine !

   From one of my favorite sites: Awesome Thing #301 : Laughing in Bed

And whether you’re giggling in the bunks with your brother, whispering in sleeping bags at a slumber party, or just lazing around on a sleepy Sunday morning with your wrinkly sweetheart of fifty years… well isn’t it a beautiful moment when you’re suddenly smiling in pitch blackness and laughing in a pajama-clad moment of intimacy.

Laughs in bed are a little bonus at the end of a long day.

Egypt: Hoping for Better Future!

After a long 30 year winter of military dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak, hope springs eternal.  Congratulations to Egypt people for ousting a corrupt despot.


It is important to remember that the uprisings have for the moment resulted in a military junta.  I suppose a military council is better than a military dictator.  But please remember this is just the end of the beginning for Egypt.  And that Egypt is now exactly back where it was in the 1950s after its military ousted the British colonists.  There is no parliament, no constitution and military rule.

Help! My New Charlotte Property Tax Notification Shows A Huge Increase

New Property Tax Values Shock Some Owners


Charlotte property homeowners have 30 days to respond to newest real estate tax accessments. 

In 2006 (at the top of the market), we appealled our property tax valuation and it was dropped 15%. Since then the real estate market has dropped roughy 20%,   But Charlotte has seen fit to increase our property value by 22%. 

Appeal your property value assessment now!  I am.  At least local real estate appraisers will have have great business for the next month.

FYI - The Charlotte Observer has many interactive tools for viewing tax assessment valuations

More Catholic School Boosting

Educating Our Children: Catholic Schools Doing More With Less


A 2009 comparison between public and Catholic school SAT scores show that public school students had an overall average of 496 points on the critical reading portion of the test while Catholic school students scored 533 points on the same portion. Catholic school students outscored their public school counterparts by an average of 23 points.


What makes the numbers more impressive is that Catholic high schools spend more than $2,000 less per pupil than public schools.  In Charlotte, I currently pay roughly $3,000 annually for elementary school education and approx 3,500 for a middle school student.   In addition to providing a great educational foundation, our local Catholic system  innovatively uses technology tools to enhance learning.  

Can iPads, MacBooks help students learn?  Charlotte Catholic High School is taking part in a pilot program to find out

As part of a semester-long pilot program to test new technology in the classroom, Charlotte Catholic High School has given select classes iPads and MacBooks for use in the classroom.

About three weeks ago, two junior U.S. History classes and one senior Discrete Math class began testing some of Apple's best-selling products to see which is the most effective teaching tool.

The laptop classroom (a teacher leading classroom discussions with laptop-enabled students) is already a reality in many elite private New York City schools, with the concept stretched into the establishment of a few experimental  private "laptop schools."  

God, Can You Hear Me Know?

Bless me iPhone for I have sinned

An iPhone app aimed at helping Catholics through confession and encouraging lapsed followers back to the faith has been sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the United States.


"Confession: A Roman Catholic App," thought to be the first to be approved by a church authority, walks Catholics through the sacrament and contains what the company behind the program describes as a "personalized examination of conscience for each user".

I know the Catholic Church is trying to modernize itself, but this seems rather silly to me.   It may however, bring you spiritually closer to your phone.

Another Reason to Post a Glam Facebook Pic?

It might end up on an internet dating site!

Dating’ Site Imports 250,000 Facebook Profiles, Without Permission

The site Lovely-Faces.com was launched this week, with profiles — names, locations and photos — scraped from publicly accessible Facebook pages. The site categorizes these unwitting volunteers into personality types, using a facial recognition algorithm, so you can search for someone in your general area who is “easy going,” “smug” or “sly.”

The site's homepage message slyly states:  "Welcome to the only dating site that lists real people, sincerely posting their real data and picture. You'll feel comfortable watching them. Just like in Facebook."

Both are true statements. First, The dating site (legally) mined publicly available Facebook page profile pictures and data. Second, it took a page from Mark Zuckerberg's playbook who famously hacked Harvard University computers to get pictures of coeds for his "Face Mash" website, which preceded Facebook.
Karma! Ha!

What this means to you:  Either completely remove your public picture for assured privacy OR post your greatest glam shot if you're game for some unintended internet exposure.

(All kidding aside, social networks are pushing out ethical and legal boundaries on data sharing and digital communications.  Some may be progressive and "good," but there is are many negatives to network info sharing too.)

Most Feel Good Story from Sunday's Charlotte Observer! (It was about Our School)

Marine, Students inspire each others 

After corresponding with St. Patrick students while in Afghanistan, Chris Nagel tells them how much their support meant to him and others.

Though he was several continents away, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan last year, 1st Lt. Chris Nagel's adopted hometown of Charlotte and his elementary school, St. Patrick Catholic, were never far from his thoughts.

Everyone at St. Pat's knows Chris and his mother, Linda,  a fabulous teacher to my youngest.   Without getting too mushy, this is truly a loving and giving school community. Like a family,  we support each other!

Who Wants to be NC's Next Bigfoot Reality Star?

Then join the "Bigfoot" Meetup Search, Uwharrie National Forest, Sat 2/11 @3 pm

No, this is NOT from The National Enquirer, but courtesy of The Charlotte Observer today:

Animal Plant, a national cable television channel is sending a film crew to a national forest 75 miles from Charlotte to join a Salisbury man in his search for Bigfoot.

Animal Planet plans to document Michael Greene's search for the creature, which Greene says he captured on videotape nearly two years ago. (snip)  He says he baited the creature, using a Zagnut candy bar.

At 3 p.m. Saturday, he said a group of those interested in the case - possibly accompanied by the Animal Planet film crew - will head into the woods.

Hmm...an appeal for volunteers to join  a televised expedition into NC backwoods documenting the search for a mythical creature.  This is a casting call for a zany, 6-episode Animal Planet reality "Bigfoot" Mockumentary with a Blair Witch Project twist!

So....who wants to be NC's version of Snooki ? Note: profanity, lewd behavior and inappropriate stylistic "craziness" are all strongly encouraged!

Democrats Coming to Charlotte for BBQ?

By now I'm sure you know that the Democratic Party will hold its 2012 Convention in our Queen City.  But did you also know that Charlotte showered  Barack Obama with donations in 2008?*

Says Michelle Obama:

"All the contending cities were places that Barack and I have grown to know and love, so it was a hard choice," Obama wrote. "But we are thrilled to be bringing the convention to Charlotte.


"Charlotte is a city marked by its southern charm, warm hospitality, and an 'up by the bootstraps' mentality that has propelled the city forward as one of the fastest-growing in the South," the first lady said in her e-mail. "Vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, the Queen City is home to innovative, hardworking folks with big hearts and open minds.

"And of course, great barbecue," she said.

Great barbeque? What? Charlotte is not known for its barbeque.  That's right, folks, you don't go to Charlotte for BBQ and you certainly can't go to Obama for leadership.

* In full disclosure, I did donate to Obama's campaign in 2010 and for the record, I want my dollars and my change back.

Egypt: The Big Payback

After a week of peaceful Egyptian demonstrations for self-determination and Mubarak's rope-a-dope strategy...here comes the violence thanks to the "Pro Mubarak" protesters.   Mubarak is now trying to incite a "civil war." He couldn't very well use military force to fire on and mow down families in front of the television cameras. 

If you're wondering why the military is doing nothing and where the police are.....they're there and yes, they are doing something.  They are in fact, the civilian-dressed "Pro Mubarak" thugs on horses, camels and motorcycles ( this is how Chalabi mercenaries incited the Iraq Revolution).

The sh$% is about to get real.  Who will pay?

The Big Payback from James Brown

Double Talk Alert: US (NOT) Walking Like An Egyptian?

Is Egypt "contained"?  Is the US supporting Mubarak or the Egyptian people?  Are we -- the US -- at the cusp of a Saigon rooftop evacuation moment ?  Well, the financial markets today seem to be saying (again) buy "the dip" (again).  But our government seems to be preparing for the worst.

Connecticut National Guard Deploying to Egypt

Connecticut National Guard Detachment 2, Company I, 185th Aviation Regiment of Groton has mobilized and will deploy to the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, to support the Multinational Force and Observers.

The unit left Connecticut Jan. 15 for Fort Benning, Ga., for further training and validation. The unit operates C-23C Sherpa aircraft and has deployed three times in the last seven years in support of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The unit will provide an on-demand aviation asset to the Multinational Force and Observers commander to support its mission of supervising the security provisions of the Egypt/ Israel Peace Treaty.

Clinton Recalls All US Ambassadors

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is convening an unprecedented mass meeting of U.S. ambassadors.

The top envoys from nearly all of America's 260 embassies, consulates and other posts in more than 180 countries will be gathering at the State Department beginning on Monday. Officials say it's the first such global conference.

The gathering comes at a time of crisis in Egypt that could reshape dynamics in the Middle East, fallout from leaked diplomatic documents and congressional calls for sweeping cuts in foreign aid.

US Begins Airlifts from Egypt

Washington is to start flying Americans out of Egypt Monday amid growing fears for public safety, the U.S. State Department said.  The voluntary evacuations to Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; Nicosia, Cyprus; and other nearby "safe-haven" European locations will continue until all Americans wanting to leave but unable to get commercial flights are airlifted to safety, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs said.

Walk Like An Egyptian by the Bangles
(From pvtpstr: How this tune failed to civilize Egypt is one of history's major question marks.)

Wikileaks' Absurdist BofA Drama

From the Department of "Waiting for Godot, " we read in today's Charlotte Observer:

In an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday night, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would neither confirm nor deny that Bank of America Corp. is the target of an upcoming "megaleak."

Assange told interviewer Steve Kroft that he wouldn't make any comment on "that upcoming publication," saying "there'll be a process of elimination if we denied some and admitted others.

After Kroft noted that it's possible the Charlotte bank might not be a target, Assange said: "I think it's great. We have all these banks squirming, thinking maybe it's them."

Ugh, this drama is endless.....Assange, your 15 minutes of fame is almost over.  Either you produce your information or shut up and move along please.  Your "megaleak" promise has become a tragicomedy.

Kuwait Hoping to Not to be the Next Egypt

If you don't think this Egypt revolt thingy is dangerous, perhaps you need to convince Kuwait's Emir.  Mideast dictators are scared sh#%less and are now offering free food and money to its citizen serfs.

I don't know if you saw this on Yahoo News earlier this week:

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Monday ordered the distribution of $4 billion and free food for 14 months to citizens as the oil-rich emirate prepares to mark national occasions.

Each of the 1.12 million native citizens will get 1,000 dinars ($3,572) in cash as well as free essential food items until March 31, 2012, the KUNA news agency cited state minister for cabinet affairs Rudhan al-Rudhan as saying.

Prepare for the commodity inflation contagion.  Yes, it will arrive here in the US even though our teevee is saying, "All is Well, Remain Calm."

Everyone Remain Calm!

All hell is about to blow in Egypt and dangerously destabilize the Mideast region, and no one has heard from or seen President Mubarak (America's favorite ME dictator) of Egypt or President Obama.    We have heard from some in the Obama administration:

Hilary Clinton appeared to urge calm and call for reforms. 

The Secretary also called on authorities to reverse what she said were unprecedented steps to cut off communications, which have included curbs on cell phone networks, the Internet and social networking sites.

Although Vice President Joe Biden, in a television interview late Thursday, said he did not think it was time for President Mubarak to step down, Clinton did not directly respond to a similar question posed to her.

WOW!  Where to begin on the US response and leadership...so absent, so unprepared....so totally flat-footed.   If the revolution reaches all the way to Saudi Arabia, it will surely blow up the price of oil and fatally wound the dollar (even more).  Then heaven help the world's commodity prices.

Until either Obama or Mubarak make an appearance, some music for your listening pleasure...

Kashmir by Led Zeppelin

UPDATE: 

Egyptian President (?) Mubarak speaking from an undisclosed location (the inside of his presidential jet?) and promises reforms and for his cabinet to resign.  Huh? Weird that he thinks that will stave off what is fast becoming a revolution.

Sputnik Moment Lost in Space

The State of the Union Speech on Tuesday was a fail. Simple as that.  No great political pairings, no super great outfits and worst of all, no great speech.  Obama's speech was pure hubris.

"Sputnik moment?"  Please!  Put it this way, not even the markets believed Obama would do much of anything in the biotech, alternative energy or infastructure space.  These sectors performed very "meh" following Obama's rhetoric.

Here's what I think -- I think what Marc Faber thinks:

Yes, very depressing.

Capitol Prom Night!

I can't wait to see the political pairings at the State of the Union tonight.

My preliminary vote for Capitol Prom King and Queen "couple" goes to:

and

I'll post on other superlative politico couples after they're revealed tonight.   And hopely what they wore!  Afterparties?

Oh yeah, and the President will speaking about something too.

Democratic Egos and Political Setbacks

Pride goeth before the fall.....

No, I'm not referring to our democratic President on the eve of the SOTU tonight.   I submit two Democratic egos and the two unintendedly hilarious setbacks that will ensue should these events actually transpire:

Liberals trying to draft Keith Olbermann for Joe Lieberman's Senate seat.  Unintended setback: Should Olbermann run, he will publicly be revealed as the greedy gasbag diva that he is.  His stirring-the-pot-for-profit schtick was so evident as he continued his "Bush Mission Accomplished" countdown TWO years into Obama's presidency.   No different that Glen Beck or Sean Hannity, just on the other side of the spectrum.

Emanuel asks Illinois Supreme Court for emergency stay - Unintended setback: Should Rahm continue his dogged pursuit of  Chicago mayoral office, he will undoubtly and quite publicly need the Illinios Supreme Court to help him rout election rules. The stench of Chicagoland politics will be revealed in the process if this electoral foodfight isn't squelched immediately.