Theo Spark

Madison Rising and The Star Spangled Banner (Video)...by Mike at TPC

Madison Rising is a rock band that "promotes the principles of liberty, independence, smaller government and personal responsibility."

Madison Rising was last featured here back in December during the OWS debacle in Zuccotti Park when New York City denied them a permit to play and the band followed the law and did not.

In celebration of the Memorial Day holiday, this is Madison Rising playing their rendition of The Star Spangled Banner!

Watch the video at The Political Commentator here.

Bedtime Totty...........

Afternoon Pic Dump............

Re: Brett Kimberlin Day and at least for today, a true bipartisan issue!...by Mike at TPC

Who is Brett Kimberlin and why does he have a day?

This is a must-read article that clearly explains the need for everyone, regardless of political ideology, to join this observance that "celebrates" our right to freedom of speech! If after reading this you agree, please pass it along.

This is reprinted from the blog Simple Justice and is titled:

Blog About Brett Kimberlin Day by Scott H. Greenfield

For many (and by that I mean many) bloggers, the only question is whether someone is friend or foe. It's all about partisanship, fellow travelers in the cause, whatever that cause may be. Sides are chosen because someone else shares your ideology, loves the people you love or hates the people you hate. We're on teams, and our team is against their team.  

At Popehat...

Read the rest of this article at The Political Commentator here.

Corruptio..............from Rico

"Corruptio optima pessima" Aristotle
(the best things when corrupted become the worst)

Change? Here's some more of the promised "change" from the Elmer Gantry of the Democratic Party (C):
- The SEC probed Lehman for the last three years, and has issued a report recommending...nothing.
- The CFTC has been probing allegations of Silver market manipulation for at least as long, but hasn't issued any report. Nothing.

But, you'll get a chance to vote for more of that "change" in November, just remember it will be the same-old, same-old (if not WORSE) corruption.

Afternoon Aviation.........

H/T Jeff

The "Duh" Theory, illustrated...

H/T Shelly

Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms - Sleepy Man Banjo Boys

H/T Pete H

Bonus Babe...........

Watcher's Council winners: The EU "damned if you do damned if you don't" Edition!....by Mike at TPC

Source

The Euro bond: Now there's an idea!

After a period of rising sovereign bond yields in some of the weaker EU members like Spain that was approaching 7% for its 10-year, the solution being pressed to solve the crisis of confidence are Euro bonds. What are Euro bonds?

"...Borrowing costs are rising for many of the single currency's 17-members. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland are among those that must pay sky high interest rates on their debts. But what if France and Germany helped out? What if the biggest economies on the continent agreed to issue euro loans on behalf of all countries in the currency club? A euro loan, or bond, could be issued by one country, but would be underwritten by all of them. Germany would pay more for its debts and Greece would pay less..." (Source)

It's hoped that by providing this lower cost source of funds backed by all of the EU it will ease fears surrounding the unknown risks of a Eurozone break-up that's been causing a run on banks in country's like Greece.

Question: Would Germany ever sign on to taking responsibility for funding growth over austerity for the PIIGS when it was the wild spending of the PIIGS thanks to lower available borrowing costs that helped to bring this crisis on in the first place?

And if Angela Merkel refuses to go along, in part for political and in part for pragmatic reasons, what would happen next to the economies across Europe and by extension the economy of Germany?

Prediction: More rhetoric and promises from the PIIGS that allows Merkel to save face and agree to the Euro bond. Would this solve the Eurozone financial crisis or just prolong it? Stay tuned!

In other words, "damned if you do and damned if you don't" also know as "stuck between a rock and a hard place!"

Visit The Political Commentator here for the links to all of the Watcher's Council articles about the important issues from around the world!

Cartoon Round Up....

Pic Dump...........

New word for the times..............from Rico

The "beverage alert" was truly appropriate for this one. Had I been partaking of ANY adult beverage, I'd be replacing my computer right now!

This is a very good summary of what happens when the people who 'vote' for a living, confiscate the earnings of those who 'work' for a living.

'Fairness' and 'social justice' my. hairy. ass!