John’s blog

Bit off more than I can chew...

nobody@vox.com(John) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:37:00 -0400

Hey, folks! A co-worker has issued a challenge that I haven't been able to answer. This morning while we were discussing politics [1], he decided that I was a flaming liberal [2] and wanted to know why the folks who protested against the Iraq War ...

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Weasel words

nobody@vox.com(John) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:03:20 -0400

From Senator Stevens: " I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. senator." Either the man cannot construct a sentence to save his life [1] or what he means is that he has submitted a false disclosure form ...

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National debt and Euros

nobody@vox.com(John) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:07:52 -0400

Looking at the exchange rate for euros today and swirling that together with the national debt figures gave rise to the following: On May 25, 2001, the Euro was worth US$0.8591; that is, you could buy $116.28 in Euros for US$100. At that time, th...

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Huh?

nobody@vox.com(John) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:04:30 -0400

One of the strengths of the American system is that it allows itself to make mistakes and then correct them [1]. Today, we were witness to one of them, in Breyer's dissent where he said: "In my view, there simply is no untouchable constitutional ...

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News & Politics QotW: Crossing Party Lines

nobody@vox.com(John) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:00:07 -0400

Have you ever voted outside your own party? Why or why not? Submitted by Soup. Yes, I have. Why? Because I am, first and foremost, an American rather than a Democrat. Though it might surprise my political party's leaders to hear it, they are not...

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Budget Hero

nobody@vox.com(John) — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:34:18 -0400

As you may have noticed, the topic of taxes crops up in my blog from time to time. Recently, I came across a really nifty simulator that allows you to tweak the budget and tax code to see what the result of your priorities would be [1]. I've playe...

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Silly rabbit, tricks are for politicians!

nobody@vox.com(John) — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:42:10 -0400

The political season is upon us, and we shall shortly be subjected to an unremitting cacophony of jackadaws of every feather, calling out for our vote. However, as with all things human, the pol...

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Economic stimulus my...

nobody@vox.com(John) — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:06:57 -0400

Got a letter from the IRS today, telling me when to expect my "economic stimulus" check and ho much it would be. According to them, in six weeks, I can expect a check for $2.25. Let the good times begin! John

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News & Politics QotW: Gas Tax Holiday

nobody@vox.com(John) — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:42:45 -0400

Do you support the gas tax holiday being pushed by Clinton and McCain? As an oil company employee, I should be all for it. At least half of that money will end up in our pockets, based on Texas' experiment. And the expectation of lower prices wi...

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Taxing politics

nobody@vox.com(John) — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:41:58 -0400

The candidates (and PotUS) have filed their taxes, so we can indulge in a bit of ethics checking by comparing the amount that they paid to the amount that they "should" have paid [1]. The numbers are somewhat interesting: GW Bush Filed:...

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