First Looks category archive

(Date corrected–copy and paste pasted me one.)

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, April 24th, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.

Moved below the fold because it autoplays on some systems.

Read more »

Roy Edroso explains how Cliven Bundy is standing on a principle:

Extremism in the defense of freebies is no vice.

Shaun Mullen explains.

A trend?

Jobless claims increased by 2,000 to 304,000 in the week ended April 12 from a revised 302,000 the prior period that was the lowest since September 2007, a Labor Department report showed today in Washington.

(snip)

The four-week average of claims, a less-volatile measure than the weekly figure, dropped to 312,000, the lowest since October 2007, from 316,750 the week before.

Claims may be in for some bigger swings in coming weeks as the Easter holiday, which varies from year to year, can complicate the adjustment of claims data for seasonal variations.

The number of people continuing to receive jobless benefits declined by 11,000 to 2.74 million in the week ended April 5, the fewest since December 2007.

When I have to fly somewhere, I do everything I can to avoid Allegheny Airline U. S. Air U. S. Airways, because, call it what you may, it’s still Agony Airlines.

Turns out, they can’t ever twit properly.

SNL on Republican “rebranding”:

Via C&L.

Reg Henry listens.

My wallet has been acting up. Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed in a recent ruling that money is a form of free speech vital to democracy, my greenbacks want to get out and buy the best politicians they can. Without, of course, any hint of corruption.

Read the rest.

I grew up with hunters.

My father did not hunt, but my cousin and his friends did. I know that the steak in the grocery store did not somehow magically appear encased in cellophane. Somewhere, an animal died so we could dine on its bits.

Humans are omnivores. I can live with that (see the recipes link, up there, at the top of the page.)

Here are some essential hunting tips.

Off to drink liberally.

Drinking Liberally is a gathering place for liberals. Socialize and laugh in a friendly atmosphere.

When: 6 p., Tuesday, April 8.

Where:
Uno Chicago Grill
5900 Virginia Beach Blvd
(Janaf Shopping Center) (map)

Tuesdays for Norfolk, Thursdays for Virginia Beach to make it easier for persons with commitments on either day to catch at least one per month.

Shawn Mullen mulls over music.

Warning: Language.

Just read it.

Via Juanita Jean.

Brian Greenspun decided that, after a lifetime of paying into the system, it was time to sign up for his Social Security benefits. What he saw at the Social Security Office gave him pause (emphasis added).

And although many of us argue about the rightness and wrongness of government assistance for those in need, few of us ever have the opportunity to actually touch someone who is living the nightmare of not having enough. Of anything.

So before you argue the merits of smaller government — code for reducing the money set aside for people in real need — take a trip to the Social Security office.

I know looks can deceive, but I saw no one that day who didn’t appear so obviously in need of the few assistance dollars they would get from their visit to the office. Young, old, sick, challenged and generally lost and silent in our great society, they filled the room and waited for someone to help.

Remember, in GOP-speak, an “entitlement” is money that goes to someone who is not already rich.

Shopped by Facebook.

For you rock historians out there:

Off to drink liberally.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, March 27th, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.