Rapper Lupe Fiasco thrown out of inaugural party after criticizing Obama during performance

“The video also shows Fiasco seemingly doing an a capella freestyle rap away from the microphone while members of the crowd cheer. Buzzfeed quoted Josh Rogin, a writer for The Cable, as saying Fiasco went on ‘an anti-Obama diatribe mid-set’ and stayed on stage for 30 minutes without doing a different song. The footage does show Fiasco talking to security personnel before being led off the stage.” Continue reading

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VA spending more on erectile dysfunction drugs for vets

“The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has almost tripled spending on erectile dysfunction drugs in the past six years as war-related psychological disorders contribute to sexual difficulties. The surge in drug spending reflects the number of troops returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, said Jason Hansman, senior program manager for health and mental health programs at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a New York-based nonprofit group. Both conditions can limit sexual functioning, he said.” Continue reading

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U.S. Navy ship stranded on World Heritage-listed coral reef ignored warnings

“A US Navy minesweeper that has been stuck on a World Heritage-listed coral reef in the Philippines since last week ignored warnings to avoid the area, a government official said on Monday. The comments from the superintendent of Tubbataha marine park, Angelique Songco, added to growing anger in the Philippines over the incident, for which the US Navy has apologised but may still face fines. Park rangers radioed the USS Guardian to advise it was nearing the Tubbataha Reef on Thursday, but the ship captain insisted they raise their complaint with the US embassy, Songco told reporters.” Continue reading

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Japan should let elderly ‘hurry up and die’: finance minister Taro Aso

“Japan’s finance minister Taro Aso said Monday the elderly should be allowed to ‘hurry up and die’ instead of costing the government money for end-of-life medical care. Ageing is a sensitive issue in Japan, one of the world’s oldest countries, with almost a quarter of its 128 million people over 60. That figure is expected to rise to 40 percent within the next half-century. At the same time a shrinking number of workers is placing further strain on an already groaning social security system, with not enough money going into the pot to support those who depend on it.” Continue reading

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Fitch ratings agency highlights threat of aging population time-bomb

“Many advanced economies will be threatened by another, long-term fiscal shock unless they tackle the problem of ageing populations, the ratings agency Fitch warned on Monday. In particular Cyprus, Ireland and Japan, could well see the cost of ageing populations jump over the next decade, the agency said, warning that this would affect the sovereign debt ratings of such countries at some point. ‘Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta and Slovenia face the most severe impact over the very long term,’ Fitch noted.” Continue reading

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Let’s See What Condition Our Condition Is In

Author’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles about Nebraska’s Medicaid program, the Unicameral’s apparent intent to expand it, and the many reasons why expansion is an uncommonly bad idea.  Although they don’t have to be read in order, you can go to the first article, entitled NE Medicaid Expansion: The Race… more

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NY Rep. Israel targets 3-D printed gun magazines

“A New York lawmaker will introduce a bill designed to ban people from making gun magazines with 3-D printers, following a demonstration of a working model by a Texas firearms group. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) will push to renew the Undetectable Firearms Act with an added stipulation banning the manufacturing, ownership, transport or purchase of 3-D printed firearms or high-capacity magazines. Israel said he decided to not just renew, but expand the legislation after his staff discovered footage released by the group, Defense Distributed, of a man firing 86 rounds through a semi-automatic rifle using 30-round magazines created by 3-D printers.” Continue reading

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David Galland: Lessons from the Argentine

“In today’s missive, I plan on sharing just a few of the lessons learned since moving to Cafayate in the Salta province in scenic northwest Argentina. It’s my hope that my observations will be of use to you in getting through the challenging times still ahead for the major developed economies. That’s because, as I probably don’t need to tell you, the Argentines have almost unparalleled experience in surviving the regular financial crises their government has proven so adept at creating. In fact, since Juan Perón took office in 1946, not a single ten-year period has passed without being molested by a serious crisis, and often more than one.” Continue reading

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