Zoom or Doom?

Chimps on Xanax... Burris back in headlines (that attention hog)... Hillary Clinton meets Miley Cyrus's favorite people... Japanese politician loves his liquor... Hypocritical beheading... So much going on, but let me start with America's newest, biggest stimulus plan.

Welcome everyone, to the first day of the $787 billion stimulus package. Feel’n any different? I’m not.  But being the understanding person that I am, I’ll give world peace and an economic reform a couple more days... People seem to hate the plan or love plan, but how many of us are truly educated about it?  I don't see anyone deeply breaking down the 1,100 pages for human understanding.  And, although i'd like to research and break it down, I have a midterm tomorrow, sorry to disappoint.  Is this plan going to help us?  I'm sitting here with 2 other tabs open, reading about how republicans and congress hate - no despise - the stimulus plan.  If our government, the people we elect to represent us, feel this is a mistake then how should we feel?

Will this stimulus plan zoom or doom?  The major points of this bill: health care, infrastructure (buildings, roads, power supplies...), education, job creation, and tax cuts.  13.9% of America's population is underemployed (9%) and unemployed (4.9%) (from AC360). 13.9% means more than 11 million people are personally living the idea "life is not fair".  I hate to keep the statistics going, it makes the situation not relatable and the message doesn't sink in as hard. So let me put it this way, 11 million neighbors, 11 million families... 11,000,000 people are now in fear. In fear that they cannot provide food on the table and a roof over their head.  This bill will supposedly save/create 3.5 million jobs (WSJ).  David Gergen (from CNN) says the stimulus plan will "save jobs not create jobs".  He says creating the jobs will be farther down the road.  Gergen adds this may be the first stimulus plan, there maybe a stimulus 2 or even 3.

$282 billion will go to tax cuts, reductions that will affect everyone.  Relief will come to the individual tax payers, as well as companies.  The unemployed will see more benefits, college students will receive up to $2500 in tax credit, public schools will get $22 billion in new tax credit bonds for construction and repair, (WSJ) etc. etc...

Speaking of education, $540 million will help disabled people and rehabilitation.  Colleges will get $60 million for student aid funds.  $100 million will go towards transforming evil teachers into inspirational teachers.  $200 million will go into teacher's pockets.  And a whopping $17,114 million will go to the Pell Grant and other student aid.  Whew!  Thats good enough for now.  I'll save Pres. Obama's $75 billion foreclosure plan for the very end.

$308 B spending
$212 B tax relief
fiscal deficit - expenditures exceed the revenue:
NY $15.4 B
CA $39.6 B
Ali Velshi - Money Summit

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Now onto fun stuff.

Burris just couldn't stay out of the headlines... Paris, Britney, Lindsey, meet your new BFF Roland Burris.  The new Illinois senator is on the front pages again.  Same situation, same controversy, therefore I don't want to go into this.  I read some articles and at this point refuse to waste my time on his quarrel.  However, is Burris resigning?  It doesn't look like it, thats a good thing too.  Burris living the retired life...  Next thing you know, the ex-senator would be at the local nightclub getting his freak on, yelling "firecrotch", and showing paparazzi his commando...  For the sake of everyone Burris, just do your job...

Travis the Chimpanzee attacked 55 year old Charla Nash in an unexpected and viscous attack.  Travis was like a son to 70 year old Sandra Herold, and a pet to the people of Stamford, Conneticut.  This wild animal was a regular neighbor around the neighborhood; the mistake, which almost cause Charla Nash her life.  On monday (2/16/09) Travis was acting weird all day.  Herold gave him Xanax (used against anxiety and panic attacks), but this drug didn't help the chimp.  When Nash arrived for a friendly visit, Travis had stolen keys to escape and mauled Nash, almost to death.  In panic Herold called 911, thinking her long time friend was dead.  She hit Travis with a shovel and grabbed a butchers knife stabbing her 14 year old beloved pet.  When police arrived the chimp had supposedly attacked them, causing the police to shoot the chimp to death.  The chimp had supposedly crawled back to his backyard cage to die.  Did this chimp die because of someone else's stupidity? CNN video. This incident is causing many states to revisit their laws. An alarming number of states have loopholes when it comes to keeping wild animals as pets. Jeff Corwin's view.

More later. Midterm study time.

Wow! that AC360 fight was entertaining. I'll try and post it here if anyone posts it on youtube. Ron Christie battles Roland Martin while Anderson Cooper plays referee and David Gergen sits back and chills. The Gerg-inator looking kewl, as always. Absolutely hilarious! I have to agree with David Gergen on this issue. Racism is still out and about and Ron Christie needs to step out of his comfort of rainbows and unicorns world. ...Seriously, I wish Anderson would have gone A-wall on those two. Too funny.