Another sign of the times...

Today's news: Dow tumbles 634 points on recession fears -- the sell-off comes in reaction to the downgrade on U.S. debt by Standard & Poor's...

(LA Times): "President Obama tried to reassure the world that U.S. leaders could put aside the political disputes that put the country on the brink of default before a last-minute agreement to raise the debt ceiling. 'Markets will rise and fall, but this is the United States of America,'" Obama said in a midday speech from the White House. 'And no matter what some agency may say, we've always been and always will be a AAA country.' But his comments failed to stop the market slide, which came on the heels of the Dow's 512-point shellacking on Thursday."

Someone let us know when "The Recovery" is over. Let us up -- we've had enough...

"Debt man, talking" -- Obama at today's news conference...

(h/t: Instapundit, bumpersticker; R. Limbaugh, caption)

Are the stars aligned?

California's elections are not far off, but the stars may already be lining up that could spell big changes...

Yesterday, a ballot measure designed to toss California's recently approved Proposition 8 (prohibiting same-sex marriages) died on the vine. For lack of the needed number of petition signatures, the repeal failed to qualify for the November ballot. While the movement isn't dead, it is on ice for at least a couple years. More immediately, this could spell big troubles for U.S. Barbara Boxer (D) and probably Democratic gubernatorial candidate/current state attorney general/former Gov. Jerry Brown (D). While California is a deeply blue state, neither candidate is beloved by party faithful (nor independents). A "progressive" proposition would surely bring more liberal-minded voters to the polls. This turn of events is not good news for Dems...


The battle continues - in 2012? (Photo: LA Times blogs)

While the Dow closed above 11,000, this week, will it last? For the party in power, it had better. But Wall Street ain't Main Street...and Main Street is still hurting. When it comes down to it, voters will always check their wallets - first -before pulling a lever. For the Dems, former Clinton Labor secretary Robert Reich doesn't seem to paint a pretty picture: "The jobs picture still looks Bleak." Which, in a state that still is at or near the top when it comes to joblessness, home foreclosures, commercial real estate problems - and more - voters want to see their personal numbers mirror (if not better) the Dow's.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...er, White House: the president's push for health insurance reform doesn't seem to be helping anyone on either side of the aisle. Support for ObamaCare repeal is at 58% (which, together with a faltering economy, is translating into bad numbers for him - his lowest yet). If the mood persists or worsens, Dem candidates in California - and elsewhere - will need to think about updating their resumes.

Of course, it isn't helping the president's numbers as the personal income of Americans is falling...

Nor is it helping that even the experts are thinking what everyone knows - the recession may not be over...

A bit of advice for California Dems and GOPers, alike: heed the signs.

Things aren't as they appear to be...

That “unanimous” decision to give President Barack Obama the Nobel Prize for Peace? Not so much…

About that Prize money...



What’s worse? Fearing your child is lost among the clouds or seeing your family pimped on Larry King’s show? "Balloon Boy" Falcon Heene accidentally admits "We did it for the show." (Listen close for audio “goodness.”)




The Dow topping 10,000? Not really!




Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) pushing through bill making it “OK to impinge on people's First Amendment freedoms even if they are not conspiring to commit a violent crime or deliberately inciting one, as long as the burden ‘is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.’"

In closing: In the words of Rahm Emmanuel, "Never let a crisis go to waste." Here is South Park's takes on ACORN.

It's Not All Bad News...

The Dow Jones climbed out of its hole today, saw its shadow and...

Today's Dow Jones Industrial Average...better
than yesterday's...or the day before that...

• It's official: Everyone hates the NY Yankees.

• Well, it's good news if you're Bill Gates. (But not if you're Bill Gates and you were counting on those commercials with Jerry Seinfeld scoring.)

Bill Gates (left) and Jerry Seinfeld:
Some people thought it would work.

• And it's good news if you're an ad agency doing spots for the McCain or Obama campaigns. After all the heated rhetoric, conventions, stump speeches, etc., no real movement in the polls.

• If you get to charge Sen. Joe Biden a buck for every time he says you're his favorite, here's some good news.

• Good news if you're a Berkshire Hathaway Inc., type.

Extra: Out of all the economic tumult this week, is there actually a plan to get things going again? Just asking...