by Benjamin J. Kirby
For some reason, the New York Times has taken down a piece which included some of the original quotes from Mitt Romney about the attack on the embassy in Libya, where the Ambassaord and other Americans were killed this week, and replaced it with a, well, different, softer piece.
I’m not sure what’s up with this. But earlier this evening the Times ran a story entitled “Behind Romney’s Decision to Attack Obama on Libya.” The byline was David Sanger and Ashley Parker. The big news out of the story was that Romney himself had been the driver of last night’s decision making. That and a lot of other color and interesting news. As I write, it’s still that piece and lede that’s on the front page. But now it’s been replaced (same url) by an almost unrecognizable piece entitled “A Challenger’s Criticism Is Furiously Returned”, bylined by Peter Baker and Ashley Parker.
I first saw the story through a blast email. Then I saw it on the Times website. Then it was gone.
The Times, of course, is saying they "want to add more context to the story" -- bullshit. The Romney Campaign burned up the phone lines to the Times editors trying to get that thing pulled, because their response to this horrifying international incident has been a catastrophe. And now the Times -- a reputable news organization that has, admittedly, had its failings -- is getting sucked into the Fail Vortex, too. It's a real shame.
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The Fed is going to buy up some bonds in an effort to give the economy a little kick. (Yes, that's a link to the New York Times. What? I didn't say they were totally discredited...)
The Fed also said, in a statement following a meeting of its policy-making committee, that it now expects to hold short-term interest rates near zero until at least mid-2015, extending the forecast it made in January by about half a year.
What does this mean? I don't know. I'm not an economist. Based on what I read and understand, it's a modest set of actions trying to sort of goose things into motion, not a magic bullet to fix the economy.
What does it mean politically? I also don't really know. However, I do think that if this does positive things -- anything, really -- in the next fifty or so days, that's nothing but good news for President Obama.
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Sounds like the teacher's strike in Chicago may be winding down. That's good news.
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If you drink soda pop (really, "soda pop"? It's called Coke, people. And no, I don't care if it's a Pepsi.) in New York City, you'll be hunted down like a dog and sent to indefinite detention in Guantanamo Bay.
Just kidding, of course.
Actually, given the obesity epidemic and the diabetes epidemic, you'd think folks would be a bit more understanding. Listen, when our nation collectively eats itself to death, it's time for government action.
Sorry to harsh your Big Gulp jones, but a (shortened) lifetime supply of insulin is too damn expensive.
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The Rays blew their series to the Orioles.
The only consolation is that a Whole Foods might be coming to St. Petersburg.
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It's almost Friday.
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