Blogroll Amnesty Day Roundup

Happy Blogroll Amnesty Day!  In the spirit of this blogospheric holiday (the official date is either Feb 3 or Feb 5), celebrators are intentionally linking to other blogs -- including newer and not-so-large blogs -- because link love benefits all of us.

Borrowing an idea from satirist Jon Swift, BN-Politics established an open, year-round blogroll policy: if you blogroll and email us, we'll blogroll you (unless your site promotes spam, gratuitous violence, or something illegal).

For info about this holiday's origins, see Jon Swift, Mahatma X Files, and Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.  Below is a roundup of links to some interesting blog posts.

Hollywood Writers' Strike

No doubt, we've noticed that production of numerous TV shows has stopped since the writers' strike began.  Unions and executives have talked informally but have not informed the anxious public about the discussions.  Notes from a Hack and the TAG Blog have commentary on the situation.

Mr. Bush's "Budget"

Our nation's president hasn't been very fiscally responsible over the last 7 years.  Yes, out of politeness, I am under-stating.  That's Life in the City and the Liberty Abyss point out that our budget deficit will likely top $400 billion this year, as Mr. Bush pushes tax breaks for people who don't need them and cuts benefits to the middle-class and impoverished.  Blogger J.M. Bell sums up Mr. Bush's take:

"American Poor: screw ‘em; Iraqi Poor: Screw ‘em; Afghani Poor: Where’s Afghanistan? That sums it up."

"Poor" is a relative term. It seems that to Mr. Bush "poor" includes hardworking people making under $5 million a year (give or take a million or two).

Government Contractors and Waste

Where are so many of our tax dollars going?  Blue Herald points out that defense contractor ITT Federal Services International has been paid $638 million since 2004 to maintain battle gear for our troops -- though that contractor has reportedly (and repeatedly) approved gear that later flunked inspections. 

This reminds me of the U.S. Navy's paying contractors $885 million (over a 13-year period) for a hybrid-submarine that still doesn't work.

FISA

Mark Rauterkus and Can't Keep Quiet pointed out a firey, must-see Keith Olbermann commentary on FISA and Telecom Amnesty (background here).

Medicaid Woes

The Discourser and Turn Maine Blue discussed the proposed federal Medicaid changes that would take a heavy toll on children and disabled adults. The River Valley Reporter has a major fact sheet on the proposed changes.

Primary 2008 Madness

With Super-Duper Tuesday just two days away, most media just can't help proclaiming  predictions as though they're at a football game or off-track hub -- despite the not-so-reliable nature of political polling data made obvious by clearly erroneous predictions about the New Hampshire primary (and somewhat erroneous predictions about the Iowa Caucus).

Last month, major pollster John Zogby admitted on Jon Stewart's show that polls are uncertain (see video).   The upshot: don't let our media's poll-based predictions stop you from going to the polls to vote.

Blogs Worth Checking Out

Mercury Rising is a personal favorite: one post from today covers a recently lifted gag order re: British soldiers who captured and tortured Iraqis in 2004 -- a story that isn't getting much media coverage.

InvestorsWatch Blog is another favorite, where securities law experts inform the investing public  (e.g., those investing in 401-ks, mutual funds and individual stocks) via posts like this one.

Blogroll Amnesty Day Participants

I understand that numerous blogs are celebrating this holiday. Memeorandum has a partial list of them, which includes: The Reaction, Mike the Mad Biologist, Bark Bark Woof Woof, SteveAudio, Liberal Values, algia, Pharyngula,  Rubber hose and The Garlic.

Other BN-Politics Posts:

* Bombs Kill Dozens in Baghdad Markets

* Gas Prices up, Company Profits High

* High Cost of Private Contractors

* Obama's Hillary & Louise Ad

* Kennedy Family Divided over Hillary and Barack

Comments

[Mark Rauterkus]

thanks for the link.

[Kathy]

Hi Robin, Cupples, Damozel. Just wanted you to know I added Buck Naked Politics to my blogroll.