- A giant Saudi oil tanker seized by Somali pirates Saturday has been anchored off the coast of Somalia. The cargo in the biggest tanker ever hijacked is estimated to be worth $100 million. — BBC News
- US officials warned lawmakers that more economic aid is urgently needed, even though the Bush administration has decided not to spend more of the $700 billion bailout funds approved in October. Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke appeared at a congressional hearing today, where they described a gloomy economic situation and defended their actions. — New York Times
- Washington DC officials are preparing for as many as four million people to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama, a tally four times larger than any other event. The city hopes to avoid a situation similar to the 1976 bicentennial, when millions were stranded in cars and buses for hours. — Washington Post
- Finland's government plans to raise the alcohol tax by 10 percent, not to raise money but to discourage heavy drinking. Officials say alcohol is the country's most common cause of death.— AP
People Tree
Is anyone else kinda happy that pirates are making a comeback? I'd also like to see mounted knights make a comeback. Their steeds are eco-friendly and green, and they are all about law and order.
1beavis - I find it amusing and kinda frightening. As I mentioned on bella's post int he suggestion box, hijakcing fuel smacks of a Mad Max kind of armageddon. But I am in a mood today (dentist's appointment - ew).
I could not understand what Paulson was thinking with the bailout. I knew he was a political appointee, and the whole thing seemed so very not Republican. I found out yesterday he's a a very liberal democrat... things are starting to come together.
And for the benefit of those not in DC - yes there is hoopla already. I went down to the White House area last weekend and they are pouring concrete foundations for grandstands all over the place. If my hsuband and I weren't so 'Stranger Dnager,' we'd rent out our place for the festivities.
2Yea!!! Two of my post made it!
3I also find the commentary interesting about the credit market tightening. It seems like that needs to happen to a certain degree - we need to get back to lending money only to people who can actually afford fpr pay it back.
I checked back in with our mortgage broker last week (we've been house hunting for awhile now), and we are still eligible for a mortgage. I would imagine this is the same for all people who have money for a downpayment, low debt, and good credit ratings... as it should be.
4Well with the exception of his tax cuts, GW has been a fiscal liberal. It's no surprise that Bush appointed Paulson to that post. They line up well on economic issues.
GL with that dentist appointment.
5Good job bella!
:clap:
6I seriously had an 'ah ha' moment when I found out that Paulson is a Dem. It all started to make sense to me.
Thanks for the GL!
7Where do you think the pirates, will hit next?
8
bella!
9I dunno bella, probably the same places they have been hitting?
It struck me that neither NATO nor the US Navy have any plans to engage the pirates of the Saudi ship.
10Beavis, I thought the exact same thing.
11Yo ho Yo ho.
"Where do you think the pirates, will hit next?"
The Caribbean?
I can't wait for the inauguration! It's gonna be so exciting.
12I can't help but giggle every time I see "pirates" in the headlines. I wonder what they're wearing these days?
13It's too bad Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp aren't involved.
I hope there's top-notch security in place for the inauguration.
14Jude, that would be a site. Didn't these pirates already hit the Caribbeans or maybe that was another group?
15I do vaguely remember that, now that you mention it.
Or the pirates could be penguins, like in Madagascar--that would be cool as well.
16H*ll it may be a gang of them. They are ripping it up from high seas. I wonder will they sell the ship back to Dubai?
17bella you can get posts up on this site? How?
4 million people in DC? Remind me to barracade myself in my house. I don't understand how all those people will get tickets to the inauguration. Isn't it a limited #?
18Pops, I have no idea why I my two stories were posted. I posted them for Martini to read in a group. What is the group called, now? It escapes me.
19Citizen Question Time (THE GROUP)
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