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CNBC’s Rick Santelli has a melt-down on camera and storms off

CNBC’s Rick Santelli has a melt-down on air over the idea that President Obama is now trying to do exactly what he promised he’d do during the election regarding asking the very wealthy to pay their fair share to help balance the budget. The election, by the way, he won decisively, with a majority of Americans supporting slightly higher taxes on the wealthy.

In mid-segment, he throws things at the camera and storms off. Sounds like someone I’d really like to have a conversation with.

And by the way – I also posted today that in the middle of these conversations about raising taxes on the wealthy that US corporate profits hit an all-time high last quarter. But we couldn’t possibly ask the billionaires to pay a little more…?

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President Obama is the worst socialist in the history of the world

Click pic for larger view

The Republican rhetoric about President Obama and the private sector is so common, it no longer surprises: the White House has an “anti-business” agenda, the argument goes, which undermines private enterprise.

And yet, we continue to see new evidence all the time that Obama is the Worst Socialist Ever.

The New York Times reported yesterday, “United States corporate profits reached a record high in the third quarter of this year, even adjusted for inflation, according to a report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.” Check out the chart above.

You’ll notice in the image, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, that post-tax corporate profits collapsed when the economy crashed in 2008, but then sharply improved after Obama became president, reaching their highest point ever this fall.

It’s against this backdrop that the right still complains bitterly that the president is a radical socialist who says mean things about “job creators.” To ask slightly more of those enjoying record profits, Obama’s detractors argue, is an “outrage.”

Indeed, many of the business leaders who’ve benefited under the status quo invested heavily to defeat the president — ostensibly because they’ve been so dissatisfied with the status quo.

(source)

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Music: Newly remastered “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

I’m really in a Christmas music mood today.  Finally hit me, I guess.

Who doesn’t love this CD (and TV special)?  Released this year, this is a newly remastered version of the music with additional tracks. 

Although we have DVDs of those great children’s holiday shows to watch whenever we please now, there was something special in “making sure we didn’t miss Charlie Brown Christmas” or any of the other fab shows way before DVR or DVD.  It really made watching an event.  I kinda miss that today.

But it does create a cool atmosphere when trimming the tree or having friends over to be able to hear this great music. Maybe this recording is what started my appreciation for jazz? Maybe.

If interested, you can download the newly remastered Charlie Brown Christmas at Amazon.

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Macklemore responds to teacher being suspended for allowing student to play “Same Love” in class

A performing arts teacher, Susan Johnson, was suspended from South Lyon’s Centennial Middle School in Michigan for allowing a student play Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ pro-equality anthem “Same Love” in class.

Macklemore responded on his website:

I believe that Ms. Johnson getting suspended is completely out of line and unjust. However, I think it’s important for moments like these to be exposed and for us to pay attention and respond. This level of intolerance and fear is still very active in America, but at times is not completely visible. This incident is just one of tens of thousands that have happened across the country where schools have exposed a latent homophobia, preventing safe space for all young people to feel confident in being themselves. It’s clear that Ms. Johnson felt bullying and “gay bashing” were issues that needed to be addressed, and by doing so, was punished.

I wrote the song “Same Love,” not with the expectation that it would cure homophobia and lead to marriage equality across the US (although that’d be awesome). It was written with the hope that it would facilitate dialogue and through those conversations understanding and empathy would emerge. This incident demonstrates how too often we are quick to silence conversations that must be had. Even if people disagree, there is far more potential for progress when people are vocal and honestly expressing their thoughts about gay rights. When we are silent and avoid the issue, fear and hatred have a far greater life span.

It’s discouraging that a song about love and civil rights has led to a teacher getting suspended from her job. But that’s where we are at. For those of us who get a pit in our stomach when reading a story like this, it just makes it abundantly clear there is far more work to be done.

The school is standing by its decision to suspend Johnson.

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Bo Inspects the 2012 White House Holiday Decorations

Bo makes a final inspection of the 2012 White House Christmas decorations before 90,000 visitors come through the doors of the People’s House this holiday season.

Find out more about the 2012 White House Holiday celebrations, including the special tributes to troops, veterans and military families at wh.gov/holidays.

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Carrie Underwood to star in live NBC broadcast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC

From BroadwayWorld: Five-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood will star in the coveted role of Maria von Trapp in NBC’s live broadcast of “The Sound of Music,” based on the original Broadway musical.

The live telecast of “The Sound of Music” will be a three-hour event on a date to be announced near the holidays in 2013.

NBC is partnering with the acclaimed “Smash” producing team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (film versions of the Oscar-winning “Chicago” and “Hairspray”) for “The Sound of Music.”

“Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn’t be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp,” said Greenblatt. “She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist.”

“We’re thrilled to be presenting the Broadway version of ‘The Sound of Music’ live,” said Zadan and Meron, “and having Carrie Underwood as the star brings it to a new generation who will fall in love with it for the first time as many millions of people already have. It’s a particular joy to us as producers to see this amazing artist stretch into new territory with this classic musical.”

“To have a star like Carrie Underwood perform Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’ – and in such a very special and unique production — is exciting beyond words,” said Ted Chapin, President, Rodgers & Hammerstein. “Part of the magic of Rodgers and Hammerstein is how their work has adapted itself to so many different incarnations, and I am certain the fresh spirit Underwood brings to her own songs will transition into exciting versions of the classic songs we all know and love.”

Carrie’s most recent CD release – “Blown Away” – is fab.  This is one American Idol winner who has truly lived up to the title and opportunities that came with it.  And she just gets better.  Can’t wait for her “Maria” in SOUND OF MUSIC.

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Stocking stuffer ideas: Musicares Person of the Year – Barbra Streisand

With all the excitement about Babs touring – with her sister Roslyn and son Jason included – plus her new CD of previously unreleased material “Release Me,” this DVD release might have escaped some.  Great stocking stuffer idea for the Streisand fan.

On February 11, 2011, Barbra Streisand was honored as the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year.

At a gala event in Los Angeles, Barbra and an all-star cast of guests performed many of the songs she made famous throughout her illustrious career.

Features guests Tony Bennett, Herbie Hancock, Faith Hill, Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, Leann Rimes, Seal, Stevie Wonder, and others, as well as two songs performed by Streisand herself.

Most importantly, proceeds from the sale of this product will provide essential support for MusiCares®, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.  Click here for more info.

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Nevada: Federal judge upholds gay marriage ban

A federal judge in Nevada has rejected a lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal on behalf of eight gay couples challenging the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

On Thursday, Chief Judge Robert C. Jones, of the U.S. District Court in Nevada, said the state can limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.

In its suit, Lamba Legal charged that Nevada’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and relegates same-sex couples “to only a second-class status.”

Jones, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws does not “prohibit … the People of the State of Nevada from maintaining statutes that reserve the institution of civil marriage to one-man–one-woman relationships.”

“Homosexual persons may marry in Nevada, but like heterosexual persons, they may not marry members of the same sex. That is, a homosexual man may marry anyone a heterosexual man may marry, and a homosexual woman may marry anyone a heterosexual woman may marry,” he wrote.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs signaled that the case will likely be appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court.

“This is not the end of this fight,” said a spokesperson for Lambda Legal. “We will appeal and continue to fight for these loving couples, who are harmed by Nevada’s law barring marriage for same-sex couples.”

“We are confident this ruling will be overturned on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,” said Lamda Legal, in a statement.

(source)