THE ECONOMY SHOWS SOME LIFE
FINALLY, SOME GOOD economic news. The economy grew at 5.7% in the fourth quarter, and I hope somehow this can be maintained. We will see. Lots of analysts with lots of reasons; what is important is if this can continue and if it will mean more hiring in the first part of 2010.
OUR VERY ARTICULATE President yesterday in Tampa, Florida on the Middle East: ” The Middle East is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries.” No Teleprompter was present, which perhaps explains his clarity and elequence.
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! The Department of Justice has apparently been asked by the White House to consider other locales for the KSM trial then NYC. Maybe Gitmo? No, I forgot, that’s closed. What? It’s still open? But it’s January, 2010 and he promised it would be closed by the end of the year in January, 2009. Isn’t that the first thing he did after being sworn in?
THE STATE IS GETTING $590 million for high speed rail between Seattle and Portland. Well, not exactly. The money is to help improve Amtrak’s on-time performance between the two cities. Only 2/3s of the trains run on time and Amtrak wants to boost that to 90%. That’s right, half a billion dollars just to make more trains run on time. Washington Policy Center has more at http://washingtonpolicyblog.typepad.com
FOR THE TUESDAY HEARING ON SB 6396, the so-called assault weapons ban, 313 people signed up to testify, 298 against, 14 for and one undecided.
9 Responses to “THE ECONOMY SHOWS SOME LIFE”
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Linda says:
MSNBC says there 6 million unemployed, and FOX says there are 7 million unemployed. It’s probably closer to 7 million. The real unemployment rate is 17% to 20% including all those looking for work and can’t find it. If the Government would send home (whether Russia, France, Canada or Mexico) everyone who did not have a green card two problems would be solved immediately:
(1) More jobs would be available for American Citizens, and…(you don’t pay unemployent for workers who have found jobs)—saving about 2 billion dollars.
(2) Less emergency hospital bills being paid for illegals. (saving about 100 billion dollars).
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Ken Mortland says:
Hmmm…. How does one sign up in advance to testify for a bill? I thought it was first come, first sign up, first speak.
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john vasko says:
In Fascist Italy under Mussolini the trains ran on time. Of course, there were a few other small problems. Looks like Obamalini and his party want to follow in Mussolini’s footsteps. Sen. murray is helping.
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Mardene Patton says:
That high speed rail is OUTRAGEOUS!!! FIX OUR ROADS!
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Brett says:
The 5.7% GDP number is more likely than not temporary and will certainly be revised in the near future.
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Meishelle Haverkamp says:
RE: Wanting to get the trains to run on time – where have I heard that before? Oh yes – Mussolini was a hero to his people because he got the trains to run on time. Definitely a statist goal.
Good to see you this weekend, Kirby! All the best!
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Joe from Everett says:
Hi=speed rail in the US,. WHAT a Joke!
If any care to take a look at the requirements for the track bed, the existing routes will not qualify. as the grade (how inclined the track can rise or fall) and the turn radius requirement are different from the “traction” steam & Diesel engines, e.g.: lower rises and falls and gentler turns.
SO looks like new eminent domain procedure poopoing up, again?
As the old rail corridors are not capable and are restricted in poplulated areas.Maybe that why Mr. Buffet bought the BNSF???
Kirby,
What was it they said about Itallian Fascism?
Oh, yes, “At least the Trains ran on time!”
quaint what.