The Week Ahead®

A look at some of the people and events making news this week…

Question: Who said this? - “I’m not going to rest or be satisfied until the leak is stopped at the source, the oil in the Gulf is contained and cleaned up, and the people in the Gulf are able to go back to their lives and their livelihoods.” Question: Who is about to embark on his third vacation since the leak began?

Thank goodness that's been taken care of...now he can take that break he so richly deserves!

Add oil: With the Obama Administration’s ban on offshore drilling, companies are closing down operations in U.S. waters…and moving them to international locations…where rules aren’t as stringent…oh, and taking thousands of American jobs with them.

Add “break time!”: I think this makes it 39 rounds of golf since taking office – Hope & Change & Tee Times.

Just making sure to plug all the holes...

According to The Washington Post, “In an effort to replicate the tea party's success, 170 liberal and civil rights groups are forming a coalition that they hope will match the movement's political energy and influence. They promise to ‘counter the tea party narrative’ and help the progressive movement find its voice again after 18 months of floundering.” They’re calling it the “One Nation” movement. Previously, it was known as the “Democratic Party.”

What is Jerry Brown’s plan to fix the budget mess in California if he should be elected governor? It’s a secret, of course…

Another '60s-'70s politician had a "secret plan"...

Of course they’re not the only ones: “California Republicans seek to unravel Obama's health care law”

Did you hear the one about the Veep who flies into LA for an appearance on “The Jay Leno Show” and causes hours of delays at Los Angeles International Airport? Yeah, real funny.

This is what happens when Al Gore moves into the neighborhood: “ What summer? Record cold at LAX as July gloom continues”

Speaking of global warming: How did actor/activist Leonardo DiCaprio balance concerns over “warming” with his desire to see the World Cup in-person? Why, fly on a private jet to South Africa, of course…

News item: “PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton says he's frustrated that international donors aren't making good on a lot of the earthquake aid they promised for Haiti. In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of the six-month anniversary of the quake, Clinton says donors have given only 10 percent of the aid they promised. Clinton is co-chairman of the commission overseeing reconstruction aid.” Somewhat related news item: “Clintons Eyeing $10.9 Million Home In Bedford Hills”

Irony thy name is "Clinton"...

So explain the argument for bigger government…again: “Inflated Federal Pay: How Americans Are Overtaxed to Overpay the Civil Service”

I know we promised to never mention LeBron James but this bears mentioning – why did LeBron choose Miami (Florida) over Cleveland (and Ohio)? Well, one reason is that the high cost of living in the latter, particularly when it comes to taxes, can be punishing. Just ask Tiger Woods and a host of other big-time athletes and celebs why they’ve moved to Florida and the reason most cited: no state tax. In LeBron’s case, signing with Miami stands to make him millions more in the long run.