International businesses are becoming more interested in investing in Haiti, whose unemployment rate hovers around 70%. The poor country seems to be caught in a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem: it needs investment and jobs to create societal stability, but companies are unwilling to set up shop in an unstable country. President Clinton, the United Nations special envoy to Haiti, is trying to help get things moving.
Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley is one connected dude. Blah blah blah blah long NYT article but look at that Kindle DX. Compared to the piles and piles of printed pages surrounding him, I’d say he’s ahead of the curve here.
Awesome site for researching politics & politicians. What did we ever do before Google/the Internet?
The NYT’s description of Obama’s first full day as president notes that when Obama reached the Resolute Desk this morning he found the continuation of an old tradition:
He read the note left behind by George W. Bush, which was sitting in a folder on top of the desk, with a note marked “44.” Mr. Obama was in the office alone for a brief time, aides said, starting his day after a late night celebrating and dancing at inaugural balls across Washington.
It’s touching that even Obama gets a nickname (“44”) from outgoing President Bush. I’m going to miss him.
Piper Palin fixes her brother’s hair. Piper Palin for president!!
Fred Clark on Joe Biden’s role in helping to create the housing meltdown — and economic downturn — that we all know and love.
This commercial has aired multiple times during the Olympics on NBC. Ashley and I were both struck by how little party loyalty McCain has — usually it’s the other party who says we’re worse off than we were four years ago. I don’t think many Republicans will appreciate his attitude.
This tax cut plan is really interesting. Under Obama’s plan, Ashley and I would get more than three times as much money back. Even our parents’ taxes would receive a slightly larger cut.
Still, if I was a millionaire, I know who I’d be a-votin’ for.
(via azspot)
An interesting post on Obama’s position on separation of church and state. (via rodmitch)