"Most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison." -John Lubbock

Reality Check

Read the whole article here:

Since Obama was inaugurated, the Dow Jones has increased more than 50% -- from 8,000 to more than 12,000; the wealthiest recieved a massive tax cut; the top marginal tax rate was three times less than during the Eisenhower years and substantially lower than during the Reagan years; income and wealth inequality are so vast and rising that it is easily at Third World levels; meanwhile, "the share of U.S. taxes paid by corporations has fallen from 30 percent of federal revenue in the 1950s to 6.6 percent in 2009."

Song of the Week

I know it's "fish stick guy," but it does have Kid Cudi and Elton John:

The most important, yet least covered event of the last few days.

Believe me, I feel for Japan. I had some of my best experiences in that island nation... but this is huge. I look forward to our current administration's comments and, more importantly, the policies we create in response.

Video of the Week

Something different:

YELLE - Safari Disco Club / Que veux-tu (exclusive full length edit) from Yelle on Vimeo.

Are we moving forward or backward?

Depressing news in Western Civilization.

I miss Japan

Shinkansen ver.2 from daihei shibata on Vimeo.

Terrorism