From The Swamp - The World According To Greg

Volume 1 Issue 43

January 17, 2003

One Year Left

Tax Questions, More Dems in the ring, and a new beginning

That's right folks, one year from this Sunday, January 19, 2004, Iowa Democrats will trek through the snow to their local meeting houses for the Iowa Caucuses, and the race will really begin. With more and more Dems throwing their hats in the ring every week, it will be interesting to see how many can get enough money and support to stick it through to next January. And that means we have a whole damn year of these idiots running without any votes! After we get the announcement's done, I'd anticipate a "silent phase" of the campaign...a "phony campaign" if you will.

Well, it's a lovely brisk cold day here in the Nation's Capital...which reminds me of wanting to remark about how great this winter has been, it's actually been like a real winter! Although yes, I have enjoyed our average temp 60 degrees winters of the past few years, it is nice to have a real winter, complete with regular snow (and even snow that doesn't panic the whole city! oh, and btw, good job to our friends at the weather bureau...3 to 6? more like 1...). I know people often bitch about the cold, but the thing is, it's better than the 110 degree heat we get here during the summer, because you can always put a coat on, or nestle indoors under a blanket. Plus, the air is fresher, and it's just nicer outside. But, if you don't like it, don't worry...I'm sure by April we'll all be dying under the oppressive heat that usually forms our summer's here. Isn't it strange that after the hottest summer we've had in many years, we're having the snowiest winter? (Note, I say snowiest instead of coldest, because the average temperature for this winter is actually still above average!). Anyways...

And finally, this will likely mark the last Swamp of Volume 1. Beginning on Tuesday, after the King holiday, the Swamp will move to its permanent home at www.fromtheswamp.com. All subscriptions should be carried over to the new domain, if you don't get a Swamp Tuesday, e-mail us at service@fromtheswamp.com and we'll figure it out. There may be some kinks, but we'll see. There may also be a trial run on Monday, but it would be a blank. We'll also begin taking new subscription requests again next week. It's exciting times here, and I just want to take the time to thank all of you who have been a part of this from start-up, when it was just a time saving device to help me send some interesting stuff to a handful of friends without annoying them. Special thanks to our "swampmaster" for getting everything set up. On to the insanity!

The White House...who the hell runs this place?

Why George Ryan has an affinity for prisoners: Discussing former Illinois Governor George Ryan's decision to empty death row is tough to do unless you know something about the man

Author Scott Turow defends Ryan

Think your taxes are complicated now? As we get into tax season, many (like me!) are finding their taxes are quite complex. And just wait until Bush's new plan gets enacted. One of the problem is that every time a "new" clean tax code is enacted (a la 1986) people set in with deductions for this, tax credits for that, etc. Yes, it's good because it provides targeted tax relief, but it does keep things complex, keeping those folks at H&R Block busy

Paul Krugman blasts the tax cut, and Bush's willingness to run deficits...while also hinting that he thinks Bush may be drinking again (ok, it's a stretch, but the metaphor is out there)

Especially if you're poor! The "tax the poor" mantra is back out in the open! Of course, its still stupid

And think you're rent is expensive now? It's probably nothing compared to what it costs to live in Libreville, Gabon, the world's 4th most expensive city, after Tokyo, Osaka, and Hong Kong. Most expensive in America? New York....at #11!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/200301 16/wl_nm/economy_cities_priciest_dc_2

From my Cold, Dead Hands: Congress is begging the patent holder not to shut off their Blackberries. Sounds like someone's addicted. Actually, most of the Members of Congress I know are addicted

Look Who's Running for President: Joe Biden is putting off his decision to increase his profile on foreign policy

Look Who's Running for President 2 (Free registration required): Looks like former Illinois Senator Carol Mosely Braun is a go. This one really came out of left field

Look Who's Running for President 3: Al Sharpton plans to try to raise money from Jews, saying Liberman doesn't have a hold on the constituency

Look Who's Running for President and not doing his day job: John Edwards must have really given up on keeping his Senate seat in 2004. He has missed a bunch of votes so far in this Congress while out raising money. Maybe he's just trying a new strategy...if he doesn't cast any votes then he can avoid being attacked for stating any opinions!

I guess he's running for President: You have to check this out

Look Who's Running For President - A Scorecard Update (1/17):

Card Movement Today: Carol Mosely Braun moves into considering...and may be in by the end of the day. I've also put Hillary on the "out" list, as she won't be actively running, though apparently the GOP fears she may be the VP selection, or even the dark horse at a deadlocked convention...

Update from the Confederacy: Trent Lott (R-Confederacy) continues to weld some power, though he misses being majority leader. Bill Frist, watch your back! And why was Lott posing for photo's with Frist's interns? Does that strike anyone else as weird?

And you think College is expensive now: The State University of New York is planning to raise tuition 40 percent.

Calling All Cars: The most frustrating feature in cars today? The "check engine" light, which is mandated by the federal government. Now if only someone could figure out what it means...

By the Light of a Red Moon: China plans to send a man into space by the end of the year

In Defense of the Eagles Fans: A Philadelphia writer defends the rowdy crowd

Job Posting: Anyone want to be the "Duckmaster" at the famed Peabody hotel in Memphis?

A fascinating "yardstick": Do Women's hemlines predict the economy?

Innovative Product of the Day: No comment.

Have a fantastic weekend! See you in the "new" Swamp next week!

Gregory S. Gadren

Swamp Archives

Previous January Next
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 

Interesting Links

Today's Most Cited Sources

Greg Recommends

Look Who's Running
For President Scorecard

Google Search




brain-determined

Problems with the site? Email the Swampmaster.
All original material © Gregory S. Gadren 2002-2010.
Everything else © the original owners.