CNBC Is The Fox News Foothold At NBC

See Part II after the page break.

Ylvis' Tribute (?) To Massachusetts (NSFW)

Norwegian comedy group Ylvis have followed up their awesomely bizarre viral hit The Fox with a heartfelt ode to Massachusetts.

A Viewer’s Guide To Tonight’s Southbridge School Committee Meeting

Ken O’Brien

Tonight’s School Committee meeting has seven action items on its agenda (including a late addendum).

Five of these items are flawed illustrating the members’ lack of knowledge about their own rules and proper procedure as well as vague policies.

The first of these is Item XII. C. Vote to establish an Ad-Hoc Wellness Committee.

This committee is required under 105 CMR of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

It is clear from a reading of the regulation that this is a permanent committee with regular annual duties. As such it is not an ad hoc committee.

“The Law Is A Ass…”

So said Mr. Bumble, the unhappy spouse of a domineering wife, in Charles Dickens Oliver Twist. He was responding to being told in court that "...the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction".

Let it never be said that we in the former colonies have lagged behind our British forebears. Here in Massachusetts for example:

• Any person caught eating peanuts in church may be jailed for up to one year

• In Boston it is illegal to take a bath unless prescribed by a physician

• It is illegal to peep into the windows of automobiles in Milford

Lest we castigate our beloved Bay State alone, here is a sampling of other state laws that justify Mr. Bumble’s complete statement, “...the law is a ass - a idiot".

Rupert Murdoch And Fox News’ Blog Trolls

Ken O’Brien

In Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires David Folkenflik, the media correspondent for NPR News, explains how Rupert Murdoch the man behind Britain’s take-no-prisoners tabloids, who reinvigorated Roger Ailes by backing his vision for Fox News, who gave a new swagger to the New York Post and a new style to the Wall Street Journal, survived numerous scandals—and the true cost of this survival. He summarily ended his marriage, alienated much of his family, and split his corporation asunder to protect the source of his vast wealth (on the one side), and the source of his identity (on the other). There were, however, moments when the global news chief panicked. 

Hannity's Credibility On Obamacare Attack Shredded

Writing in October 18th's Salon Magazine Eric Stern says:

I happened to turn on the Hannity show on Fox News last Friday evening. “Average Americans are feeling the pain of Obamacare and the healthcare overhaul train wreck,” Hannity announced, “and six of them are here tonight to tell us their stories.”  Three married couples were neatly arranged in his studio, the wives seated and the men standing behind them, like game show contestants.

BRING ON THE HOUSE OF CARDS!

Southbridge School Committee Agenda October 22, 2013

LOCATION: Robert G. MacKinnon Council Chambers, 41 Elm Street

DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 2013

TIME: 7:00 PM

SOUTHBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA October 21, 2013

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

 TOWN HALL

October 21, 2013 – 6:30 PM

********************

AGENDA

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

Video: Tea Party Holds Comeback Strategy Meeting

Following their defeat on the government shutdown and debt ceiling fight, House and Senate Tea Party caucus members met to reassess their future. Senator John "Bluto" Blutarsky rallied the troops with a rousing speech recalling America's response to Pearl Harbor. He was followed by Representative Eric "Otter" Stratton who crystallized the plans for the group's comeback.

Following is a video of that meeting.

Are You Smarter Than An Orangutan?

Video: Special Southbridge School Committee Meeting, October 10, 2013

Video by Paul Zotos

Following the surprise resignation by School Committee Chairman Patricia Woodruff at its last regular meeting, the committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, October 9. The special meeting had been scheduled prior to the regular Tuesday night meeting. It was attended by five of the remaining six members, with Dr. Thomas O’Leary absent.

It was billed as a meeting intended to address expectations and goals for the committee during the coming year. However, prior to Mrs. Woodruff’s resignation it was widely believed to have her ouster as its true objective. 

Cockroaches And Dog Poop More Popular Than Congress

There's been no shortage of polls out in the last few days showing that Congress has a poor approval rating. Public Policy Polling found that only 8% of voters approve of the job it's doing compared to 85% who disapprove.

In an effort to get some more perspective on those terrible approval numbers though, PPP tested Congress head to head with a couple dozen dubious things to see what came out ahead and for the most part the results for Congress aren't too hot.

A Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Fix

Representative Alan Grayson from Reuters

Warren Buffett calls the debt ceiling a “nuclear weapon, too horrible to use.” Obama administration official Jason Furman says the consequence of a default on U.S. government debt is “too terrible to think about.” When asked about a default, Wells Fargo strategist James Kochan simply commented, “Holy cripes.”

With this crisis, America is risking financial Armageddon. The default of Lehman Brothers on its $613 billion of debt ignited a chain reaction in the financial system, nearly destroying the U.S. economy. A default by the U.S. government on $17 trillion of debt — debt that has been considered the safest in the world — could be far worse. 

Former Southbridge DPW Building Bought By Expert Laser Services, Inc.

Worcester Business Journal reports that the former Southbridge DPW building on Pleasant Street has been purchased by Expert Laser Services, Inc.

Expert Laser Services said it completed the purchase of the building, located at 62 Pleasant St., on Thursday. The building contains about 12,000 square feet of space, according to company spokesman Bob Chernisky. He said the purchase price for the property was $130,000, which doesn't include remodeling costs.