Romney and Gingrich are Tied in South Carolina

Apparently the last debate and negative press stories about Romney's business record lately have helped New Gingrich surge to a statistical tie in South Carolina. If the former Speaker of the House should win on Saturday things all of a sudden look muddled. But very few people think that Gingrich has a chance of winning the nomination; nor are Santorum or Paul, for that matter.

There is talk of a brokered convention. But that hasn't happened in decades. The likely scenario is a long, drawn out primary season in where Romney wins by reason of his superior establishment support and money. The possibility of someone other candidate jumping in is also highly unlikely. Nowadays you have to win primaries to win the nomination.

Revelations about Gingrich's personal life has the potential of stopping the spectacular momentum he is seeing now. But he would certainly continue to make life for Romney difficult in the weeks to come.

CBS:

In a South Carolina ARG poll conducted January 11-12, Romney was leading Gingrich 29 percent to 25 percent. Gingrich's rise in the poll can in part be attributed to Tea Party supporters -- 28 percent backed Gingrich in the earlier poll, while 43 percent support him now.

Romney is clearly aware of the threat Gingrich poses. At a campaign stop in Charleston, South Carolina today, the former governor accused Gingrich of being in a "fantasy land" for saying he helped create jobs during the Reagan years.

In addition to Romney's attacks, Gingrich will have to overcome any doubts voters may have about his character, particularly since his second wife, Marianne Gingrich, charged in an interview with ABC News that the GOP presidential candidate wanted an "open marriage."

Weather Records 2011: Average Global Temperature Was 11th Hottest On Record

Weather Records 2011: Average Global Temperature Was 11th Hottest On Record - The Huffington Post

The world last year wasn't quite as warm as it was for most of the last decade.

Still, official U.S. weather records say the average global temperature in 2011 was the 11th hottest on record.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated the average temperature as 57.9 degrees Fahrenheit. That's 0.9 degrees warmer than the 20th century average. In fact, it was hotter than every year in the 20th century except 1998.

The Democratic Party Abandons Occupy Wall Street Movement

The Democratic Party Abandons Occupy Wall Street Movement | Ology

They were never supportive of Occupy in the first place. Let's not forget that most of cities where OWS were kicked out of their sites were by Democratic Mayors.

December ends 3rd poor year for home building

December ends 3rd poor year for home building

Builders ended 2011 with a third straight year of dismal home building and the worst on record for single-family home construction, despite modest improvement at the end of the year.

The data show that the housing market likely remains years away from full health.

ABC’s Brian Ross: Gingrich ‘bombshell’ a request for ‘an open marriage’ with ex-wife

Like I said before, Newt Gingrich is a pig:

A Thursday night, ABC “Nightline” interview with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s second ex-wife, Marianne Gingrich, is set to reveal that Gingrich asked her for an open marriage so that he could carry on an affair with one of his staffers, current wife Calista Gingrich.

The allegation was revealed by ABC’s Brian Ross on “Morning Majority,” a radio show on WMAL in Washington, D.C. The interview, set to air on Thursday night, could perhaps have an immediate impact on the contest for the Republican presidential nomination.

Gingrich is not denying the charge:

Newt Gingrich sought an "open marriage," his former wife, Marianne, told ABC News in an interview airing tonight.

Marianne Gingrich told ABC's Nightline that the former House speaker asked her if he could remain married to her while also seeing another woman, Callista Bisek, his current wife.

Marianne Gingrich added that she doesn't think Gingrich has the moral character to be president.

Before excerpts were released, Gingrich dismissed the interview airing tonight as an old story that isn't particularly newsworthy.

The former House speaker told NBC's Today show this morning: "I'm not going to say anything negative. I think the people who have known me a long time are credible on my character."

Best-Paid Pastors Make Hundreds Of Thousands To Millions Of Dollars Annually

This is disgusting. Like eveything else in America, religion is big business:

Even before the recession, most spiritual leaders of small towns and big cities across the United States earned meager salaries, with annual pay for Catholic priests and imams ranging from $25,000 to $30,000 and the average Protestant pastor making $40,000 a year, according to a recent survey.

Yet, even in difficult times, some churches and pastors are soaring. While not a definite guide nor complete, HuffPost Religion has has compiled a slideshow of some of the best-paid pastors in America. For several, their high income comes not only from employment as pastors, but also from TV appearances, book sales and charity management.

Full article

Video: Markos Moulitsas "Embarassed" by the Democrats' Support for SOPA, PIPA

The founder of Daily KOS shows honesty that is rare coming from the pro-Democrat press. He decries the fact that it's Democrats in Congress that are still fighting for SOPA when the Republicans are running away from the issue. It's all that Hollywood money. That's all they care about.

'Current TV' Video Link

Bank of America reverses loss and earns $2 billion

You see. The banking fees weren't needed. You made a profit anyway.

Bank of America made $2 billion in the last three months of last year, reversing a loss from a year earlier. It offset legal expenses over mortgages and losses in its investment banking business by selling debt and its stake in a Chinese bank.

[...]Bank of America, one of the largest credit card issuers, said customers who paid bills a month late declined for the 11th consecutive quarter. New credit card accounts also grew 53 percent, and the division posted a profit of $1 billion.

Already dealing with an image problem after the 2008 financial crisis, Bank of America caused an uproar last fall when it announced a $5 monthly fee for its debit cards. The bank quickly backed off.

Banks have been raising all types of customer fees. They say they need to make up lost revenue because a federal law that took effect last year caps what banks can charge stores for purchases paid for with the swipe of a debit card.

Full article

Santorum edged Romney in Iowa, final tally shows

It is irrelevant. The Iowa Caucus is not a winner take all. It will have no impact since Santorum way behind in South Carolina. But it will matter to the media. They'll make a big deal out of it. It fits with the current trend lately of the press' piling on Romney as they did with the other frontrunner candidates. In the end, Romney will still be the nominee:

Republican officials say the final count of the Iowa caucuses puts Rick Santorum ahead of Mitt Romney by 34 votes, but no winner will be declared because votes from eight precincts are missing.

Romney, the front-runner in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, initially had been considered the winner by 8 votes in the event's closest finish ever.

Iowa Republicans are to announce the tally Thursday morning.

Republican officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to pre-empt the announcement , said Santorum would end up with 29,839 votes to Romney's 29,805.

Source

News Corp. Admitted Phone Hacking Cover-Up, Hacking Victims Say

So why isn't Murdoch being prosecuted:

The British newspaper arm of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has acknowledged to victims that executives covered up the scale of illegal activity by destroying evidence and lying to investigators, victims' lawyers said on Thursday.

In a statement that could further damage the company's reputation, lawyers for victims who have reached settlements said the agreements were based on News Group Newspapers acknowledging senior executives tried to hide evidence.

"News Group has agreed to compensation being assessed on the basis that senior employees and directors of NGN knew about the wrongdoing and sought to conceal it by deliberately deceiving investigators and destroying evidence," the statement said.

The lawyers issued the statement on Thursday as they prepared to tell a judge in a London court that many of the most high-profile victims - who include sports stars, actors and politicians - were ready to settle their claims.

The court was told that 19 of the first 26 cases have entered into formal settlement agreements.

Full article

Obama rejects oil pipeline from Canada, triggering loud controversy

Obama might not give a damn about the environment, unlike his supporters, but he is a politician. And this is an election year. He knows that he would be undermine his re-election chances. The President has a weak backbone and he'll bend when necessary. But if re-elected you can bet he'll renege and give the oil interests what they want:

The Obama administration on Wednesday denied a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada, touching off a torrent of criticism from Republicans - whom the White House blamed for forcing a decision.

President Barack Obama, who was under a 60-day deadline imposed by congressional Republicans, left open the door to approve the 1,661-mile pipeline in the future. He also suggested the possibility of an alternative pipeline that could get Canadian oil sands crude to refineries and ports in Texas.

The company that wants to build Keystone XL, TransCanada Corp., said Wednesday it would apply for a new permit that, if approved, would allow the pipeline to be built by late 2014.

The decision was fraught with political complications for Obama over issues of energy security, jobs and the environment. Environmentalists had made the project a test case on whether the administration was serious about fighting climate change. And though Obama didn't rule out future pipelines, they declared victory.

Full article

Meet The Top 5 Democratic Targets Of The SOPA/PIPA Protest

Even the most principled members of Congress cannot say no to big moneyed interests:

Two Republican co-sponsors of PIPA have dropped their support, but here are five Democrats who must be targeted if the protests are to be successful.

The beautiful thing about the Internet is that it represents a vast seemingly endless galaxy of freedom. The problematic thing about the Internet can be the unorganized chaos in which this realm exists in. The organizers of the SOPA/PIPA blackout protest should be congratulated for what they have managed to accomplish in this environment. Already, Republican co-sponsors of PIPA, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) have dropped their support for the bill. (Republican Rep. Ben Quayle has dropped his sponsorship of SOPA in the House).

One of the major disappointments for liberals and progressives is that many of the liberal heroes of the Senate have announced their support of this censorship disguised as anti-piracy legislation. It is important that these Democrats get the message that they are betraying some of their most vocal supporters by sponsoring and/or supporting PIPA.

Full article

Maine college has biomass plant for heat, energy

Maine college has biomass plant for heat, energy

- Government should encourage alternative energy technology and then allow the private sector to get involved.

World Bank warns of downturn worse than '08

I've been making the argument for some time that the Wall St. bailout only delayed the inevitable. Economic ruin is coming. Maybe this year.

World Bank warns of downturn worse than '08 - Stocks & economy

The World Bank warned Wednesday of a possible slump in global economic growth and urged developing countries to prepare for shocks that could be more severe than the 2008 crisis.

For the United States, the bank cut this year's growth forecast to 2.2 percent from 2.9 percent and for 2013 to 2.4 percent from 2.7 percent.

As reasons, it cited the anticipated global slowdown and the on-going fight in Washington over spending and taxes.

Iranian Student Activist Shot to Death in Texas

Iranian Student Activist Shot to Death in Texas - ABC News

If the Iranian government was behind this attack on American soil we have to retaliate. They obviously have no fear of us.

Florida Hospitals Push for Gun Ban

Florida Hospitals Push for Gun Ban - ABC News

That might not go over well with the gun crowd. They would rather arm granny.

Poll: Twice as Many Americans Believe we are Worse off Since Obama Became President

Poll: Majority of Americans say Obama hasn't Accomplished Much

Mitt Romney is Pulling Away in South Carolina

There are still some in the Press that want you to believe there is still a contest going on in Republican primaries. Although most concede that Romney is the likely nominee. Romney is increasing his lead in South Carolina despite receiving the most criticism he's received at any point since the primaries began some 6 months ago. Even Romney's opponents in the race believe if he wins South Carolina...it's over:

 A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows Mitt Romney has opened up a statistically significant lead among Republican primary voters across the nation trying to decide who should represent their party in this year's presidential election, but it's still a fluid race.

Romney gets 28 percent support among a fractured field of candidates, with Newt Gingrich in second with 21 percent, and Rick Santorum and Ron Paul (each coming off a strong early-state showings) nearly tied for third place with 16 and 15 percent, respectively.

Let's talk about something more important - Romney's ridiculously low tax rate: 

Romney's taxes have emerged as an issue days before the South Carolina primary. He agreed in Monday night's debate to consider making his tax returns public, and then committed to releasing them on Tuesday. But the multi-millionaire candidate now is on the defensive after acknowledging that his effective tax rate is 15 percent, saying most of his income came from investments and speeches rather than earned income. Christie says he wants to remain as governor, but he wouldn't rule out joining a Romney ticket.

Gingrich has ridiculed Occupy Wall Street on several occasions. Now he's sounding like one of them. Welcome to the cause:

Gingrich was holding little back in his criticism of Romney, saying that, in at least some instances, the Bain model has meant "leverage the game, borrow the money, leave the debt behind and walk off with all the profits."

"Now, I'll let you decide if that's really good capitalism. I think it's exploitive. I think it's not defensible," he said.

Gingrich continued that what Romney engaged in "is not venture capital."

"Venture capital is when you go in and put in your capital and you stick it out," he said.

Gingrich has faced rebuke in some quarters as attacking the GOP bedrock of free enterprise in his criticism of Romney and Bain. But he argued Tuesday that raising questions about Romney's track record at Bain should not be confused with an attack on capitalism.

"I'm proud of real capitalists. I'm proud of guys who say to their workers I'm in it with you. If I lose money and you lose a job we lost together because we both tried," he said.

Russia warns West Against Iran Strike, Sanctions

And they are right. The language from the U.S. government is reminiscent of that prior to the invasion of Iraq. The difference is that an attack on Iran would lead to retaliation, most likely against Israel. That could easily lead to escalation:

Russia warned on Wednesday that an attack on Iran would cause a catastrophe and said US and European Union sanctions against Tehran were aimed at triggering popular discontent by "strangling" the economy.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Western sanctions against Iran and talk of a potential attack undermine efforts to revive negotiations aimed at ensuring it does not develop nuclear weapons.

[...]"I have no doubt that it would pour fuel on a fire which is already smoldering, the hidden smoldering fire of Sunni-Shi'ite confrontation, and beyond that (cause) a chain reaction - I don't know where it would stop," he said of an attack.

And unfortunately the Russians are no help:

Russia will block any move at the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Syria or authorise the use of force, its foreign minister has said.

Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not be able to prevent military intervention, but that it would veto any resolution at the Security Council authorising it.

Russia has circulated its own draft resolution critical of both sides in the 10-month uprising in Syria.

Meanwhile, reports say troops have resumed shelling the town of Zabadani.

Overnight, an opposition leader in contact with residents said the army had agreed to a ceasefire with rebels inside Zabadani, which is close to both the capital Damascus and the Lebanese border.

Radwan Ziadeh told the BBC that commanders had been surprised by the strength of local support for the Free Syrian Army and that many soldiers had defected.