Click, watch, laugh, learn

I have often heard it said that ideas have consequences. These days, that is true even when the ideas are wrong, as was the case when two Harvard economists published research recommending austerity measures as a way to promote economic growth. You may have heard that a graduate student from MIT found basic errors in their data which invalidate their claim. Their ideas have been used as justification for cutbacks and other austerity measures around the world.

I've been trying to think of a way to write about this that isn't too wonky. However, thanks to Stephen Colbert, that effort is no longer necessary. All you have to do is click here and here.

Duly noted

Whilst driving to the glorious capitol city of El Cabrero's beloved state of West Virginia, I came upon a bumpersticker with a ribbon of indeterminate color and a picture of a set of brains. The caption read: "Support zombies."

FRIENDS OF WHOM? There is a good op-ed in today's Charleston Gazette by UMWA official and state Delegate Mike Caputo.  It asks a very basic question: where are the so-called Friends of Coal when it comes to supporting real coal miners who are at risk of losing promised benefits from Patriot Coal.

To state the extremely obvious, it's one thing to kiss up to coal companies and quite another to stand with coal miners and communities.

DEFICIT HYSTERIA gets whacked here.

URGENT FISH EATING FLYING DINOSAUR UPDATE here.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED