FRIDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* There seemed to be widespread relief in some corners today that the Fed will save us all, but that’s not quite what Bernanke said: “The Federal Reserve will take new action to bolster the economy only if conditions worsen further, Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said Friday, adding that he expects a continued economic recovery.”
* Pakistan’s devastating flooding: “Even as Pakistani and international relief officials scrambled to save people and property, they despaired that the nation’s worst natural calamity had ruined just about every physical strand that knit this country together — roads, bridges, schools, health clinics, electricity and communications. The destruction could set Pakistan back many years, if not decades, further weaken its feeble civilian administration and add to the burdens on its military.”
* Former President Jimmy Carter traveled to North Korea to negotiate the release of American Aijalon Mahli Gomes. Carter was successful.
* A Mississippi middle school recently approved a policy whereby class presidents had to be white. Today, the school board changed direction. Good move.
* Where will all the money from Glenn Beck’s rally go? That seems like a fair question.
* I liked it better when fire-department budgets were considered untouchable: “Fire departments around the nation are cutting jobs, closing firehouses and increasingly resorting to ‘rolling brownouts’ in which they shut different fire companies on different days as the economic downturn forces many cities and towns to make deep cuts that are slowing their responses to fires and other emergencies.”
* California’s state university system may be struggling, but one campus wanted Sarah Palin for a speaking engagement. She demanded $75,000 plus expenses, a hotel suite, first class airfare or a private Lear jet, pre-screened questions, and “bendable straws.” She got it, and spoke for about a half-hour.
* Birthers claim to want the president’s birth certificate. What do we call those who want proof of the president’s baptism?
* Bill O’Reilly admitted, in print, that Fox News is “anti-liberal.” Isn’t he supposed to maintain the facade that the Republican network is “fair and balanced,” regardless of ideology?
* The Weekly Standard‘s anti-intellectualism seems more sad than offensive.
* Saving for college really isn’t cheap.
* Some worthwhile follow-up on the CBO’s letter to Sen. Crapo on health care reform repeal.
* And Ahmed Sharif, the NYC cabbie who was attacked this week, said yesterday he’s still glad to be a New Yorker. “I feel like I belong here,” he said. “This is the city actually [for] all colors, races, religion, everyone. We live here side by side peacefully.” Cheers to that.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
