Central Perk

sâmbătă, 31 august 2013

Commemorating Labor Day

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President Obama discusses Labor Day and reflects on the contributions of the working men and women in our country. The President says that by recommitting ourselves to the values of working Americans and coming together with common purpose, we can ensure that everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead.

Click here to watch this week's Weekly Address.

Top Stories

50^th Anniversary of the March on Washington: On Wednesday, President Obama spoke from the Lincoln Memorial at the “Let Freedom Ring” Ceremony, which commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington. President Obama was joined by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, along with members of the King family, civil rights leaders, and other dignitaries. Thousands converged from across the country to join in this historic event. In his remarks, President Obama honored the heroes that marched in 1963, but stressed that while the nation has come far in the past fifty years, there is still work to be done.

But we would dishonor those heroes as well to suggest that the work of this nation is somehow complete. The arc of the moral universe may bend towards justice, but it doesn’t bend on its own. To secure the gains this country has made requires constant vigilance, not complacency.

In recognition of the historic March on Washington, Administration officials wrote blog posts reflecting on what the civil rights movement meant for the country, the urgency of continuing that march, and what lies ahead.

For more information, check out six videos that capture our favorite moments of the President with icons of the Civil Rights Movement.

“The Powerbroker” Screening: A day before the President spoke at the Lincoln Memorial, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a screening of “The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights,” a documentary detailing the life and achievements of the civil rights leader. The First Lady also spoke to a group of students who attended the screening.

The thing I want you all to remember, as you watch this film, is that we are here because of that struggle. I'm here because of that struggle. And even though you may think you have some struggles, your paths are a whole lot easier because of the work these men and women did.

Women’s Equality Day: Tuesday was Women’s Equality Day, which commemorates the passage of the 19^th Amendment and celebrates advocates like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Ida B. Wells, who devoted their lives to ensuring that women would have a voice in democracy. In advance of Women’s Equality Day, the President visited Seneca Falls, New York during his college affordability bus tour, where the first Women’s Right Convention was held in 1848. President Obama presented the Women’s Rights National Historic Park with a copy of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, the first bill he signed into law, which makes it easier for women to bring forward pay discrimination claims.

Medal of Honor Ceremony: Also on Tuesday, the President presented the Medal of Honor to Army Staff Sgt. Ty M. Carter. Carter was one of 53 Americans stationed at a remote outpost in Afghanistan when it came under attack by more than 300 Taliban fighters. The President recognized Carter’s courage and strength, both on the battlefield and in speaking openly and honestly about his struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress.

ATF Director Sworn-In: Vice President Joe Biden swore-in B. Todd Jones as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Thursday. The Vice President also announced two new executive actions to reduce gun violence, building on the gun violence reduction plan he and the President presented at the beginning of this year.

Appointment of new U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan: On Wednesday, President Obama appointed Ambassador Donald Booth as the new U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. Ambassador Booth will play a vital role in supporting peace between these two nations.

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Seth's Blog : "Get this over with" vs. ...

"Get this over with" vs. ...

"Get something started."

When you walk into a fast food restaurant, the stated, measured, delivered-on goals are to get the transaction over with as cheaply and quickly as possible. The cashier, the fry cook, everyone is rewarded on running the line just a little faster and just a little more efficiently.

On the other hand, when you are the first time client at a contractor, a bank or even a resort, everyone on the staff ought to be focused on getting something started, not over with. A relationship that might last for many stays. An engagement that might lead to conversations that spread. Trust that might surface new opportunities for both sides. It's not about spending more time, it's about caring enough about the interaction and the other person that you're focused on this person, not the throughput level.

You can't do both at the same time.

• Email to a friend •

vineri, 30 august 2013

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis

Judge Disses CalPERS Lawsuit Hoping to Stop San Bernardino Bankruptcy; City Eligible "as a matter of law based on incontrovertible facts"

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 02:45 PM PDT

In a common sense ruling sure to have union advocates howling, a Federal judge says San Bernardino, California eligible for bankruptcy

Judge Meredith Jury of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, said the city of 210,000, located 60 miles east of Los Angeles, was eligible for bankruptcy protection "as a matter of law based on incontrovertible facts."

The tentative ruling came despite objections by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, or Calpers. The $260 billion pension fund is the city's biggest creditor.

San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy protection one year ago.

If the jury affirms the ruling, it would clear the way for the city to negotiate with its creditors and produce a final bankruptcy plan on which the judge will ultimately have to rule.

The ruling also sets up a high-stakes battle between Calpers and other creditors, including Wall Street bondholders and insurers, over how they will be treated in the bankruptcy.

The preliminary ruling follows a similar judgment for the city of Stockton, California, which was found eligible for bankruptcy protection in April.

"I don't think anyone in this courtroom seriously thought the city was anything but insolvent," Jury said. A city must be insolvent and have proof to have negotiated in good faith with creditors to be eligible for Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy.

Calpers argues that it should not be treated like other creditors and must be paid in full because of California state law. Bondholders argue that federal bankruptcy law trumps state statutes and say Calpers should be forced to fight with other creditors over how much they are paid under an exit plan.

The judge said the one creditor who wanted her to dismiss the bankruptcy was Calpers. But she said: "If Calpers gets all the money they want, under what they say is their statutory right, who isn't going to get paid? All the employees? How is that going to help Calpers?"

If CalPERS gets stiffed and it should (and so should bondholders dumb enough to buy San Bernardino bonds), it will pave the way for cities across the nation to finally get out from under the unfair burden of preposterous union wage and benefit agreements.

This was a welcome ruling.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Freedom Fries are Out - French Fries and French Toast Back In

Posted: 30 Aug 2013 10:29 AM PDT

UK Will Not Join War Against Syria

Yesterday UK Prime Minister David Cameron Lost House of Commons Vote on Syria.

Western efforts to co-ordinate action against the Assad regime in Syria over charges of chemical attacks against civilians were dealt a blow on Thursday night when UK prime minister David Cameron lost a vote in the House of Commons on the issue.

After the vote Mr Cameron said: "It's clear to me that the British parliament and the British people do not wish to see military action; I get that, and I will act accordingly."

Mr Cameron had already had to backtrack on his initial plan to secure parliamentary approval for intervention on Thursday in the face of widespread opposition.

Financial Times Warmongers Pounced Quickly

Today, the Financial Times warmongers and interventionists whined The Syria vote brings to an end decades of delusion

This week's events will have an impact. They will strengthen a rising US perception that Britain is an ally pulling back from the world. Mr Cameron's decision to call a referendum on EU membership fits this picture. Why would Britain weaken itself further by disengaging from Europe?

There lies the danger. It is one thing for Britain to confront reality. In its own way, the US has been doing the same by rationing its interventions in the Middle East. But, even as a diminished power, Britain still has something worthwhile to offer in helping to sustain global order.

There were good arguments for, as well as against, acting to deter Mr Assad's regime from using chemical weapons. For all the cuts, Britain still has a sizeable military, a first-rate diplomatic service and a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. To leave behind the delusions that were the legacy of empire should not be to pull up the drawbridge against a dangerous world.

France Stands Firm

France 24 News reports France stands firm on Syria despite shock UK vote

France has not changed its position on a possible military intervention in Syria, President François Hollande said on Friday, following a vote in Britain's parliament against the motion.

Hollande told French daily Le Monde in an interview that he supported taking "firm" punitive action in response to a Syrian chemical weapon attack he said had caused "irreparable" harm, adding that he would work closely with France's allies to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Mercy! Freedom Fries are Out.
The White House will again serve French Fries and French Toast.

Related Stories

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com