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Fox Stoops to New Low

I saw this piece yesterday but I just now have a chance to talk about it. Fox News has done some really bad reporting over the years, pushing stories that simply weren’t true. Now, as a new low, they have used digital editing of photos to make two guys from the New York Times (reporter Jacques Steinberg and editor Steven Reddicliffe ) look uglier. How juvenile!!!

The good folks at Editor and Publisher interviewed the New York Times but were unable to get Fox or News Corp (Fox’s Parent organization) to comment.

steinbergweb Fox Stoops to New Lowreddweb Fox Stoops to New Low

When did America Become Independent from Britain?

July 4, 1776 - NOT. This is a neat video which points out that we didn’t declare our independence on July 4, 1776. This is just a little bit of history. It is painless. Enjoy, and be safe on the 4th of July weekend.

Updated: Sixth Straight Month of Job Losses

You can get out your protractor and pocket calculator and try to tell me that we aren’t in a recession because of this or that, but the fact is, we are in a recession. I wonder, though, how ugly this market going to get.

Senator Obama calls on President Bush and Congress to do more. However, Senator McCain has stated that people are hurting and let’s not do anything.

I found some thoughtful analysis from the Economic Policy Institute.

Update: GM shares have dropped below $10 per share.

Update II: From EPI -

The job market is clearly in recessionary territory. Most industries are cutting jobs, unemployment and especially underemployment are elevated, and perhaps most importantly, wage growth is slowing quite sharply and is well behind inflation. Workers paychecks are under attack from three sides: diminished jobs and hours, slower hourly wage growth, and faster price growth. Moreover, most workers lack the bargaining power necessary to fend off these attacks.

From CNN.com:

Employers trimmed jobs from their payrolls in June for the sixth straight month, as the government’s closely watched report Thursday showed continued weakness in the labor market.

The Labor Department reported a net loss of 62,000 jobs in the month. That matched the job loss figure for May, which was revised higher from 49,000. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a loss of 60,000 jobs.

The June number brought to 438,000 the number of jobs lost by the U.S. economy so far this year. (more… )

Dolley Madison

A portrait of First Lady Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison

Dolley (Payne) Madison was perhaps the first First Lady to be public figure on her own account.

She was smart enough to land James Madison and he was smart enough to listen to her counsel.

From her White House profile

With her charm and her laughing blue eyes, fair skin, and black curls, the young widow attracted distinguished attention. Before long Dolley was reporting to her best friend that “the great little Madison has asked…to see me this evening.”……Dolley’s social graces made her famous. Her political acumen, prized by her husband, is less renowned, though her gracious tact smoothed many a quarrel. Hostile statesmen, difficult envoys from Spain or Tunisia, warrior chiefs from the west, flustered youngsters–she always welcomed everyone. Forced to flee from the White House by a British army during the War of 1812, she returned to find the mansion in ruins. Undaunted by temporary quarters, she entertained as skillfully as ever.”

[Read more →]

Senator Feingold on FISA

Senator Russ Feingold has a little more to say on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): We have more work to do. So, enjoy July 4th, be safe, but get ready to rumble after the holiday.