Breaking news in antitrust

Breaking news this morning - and good news at that!  This morning, the Department of Justice has filed suit to block AT&T from buying T-Mobile.

This same issue had been discussed earlier on this blog last month.

It is imperative that AT&T be permanently blocked from purchasing its smaller rival.  Such a merger would concentrate the national cell service market and place it in the hands of only three companies, the smallest and lowest cost of which (Sprint), could possibly be forced out of the market by two titan rivals.

More to follow...

A wake-up call to Rick Perry: Evolution is real

This is a compelling and artfully written opinion piece by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins.  Such an articulate and forceful piece is a rare find, and this one certainly merits sharing and much discussion.  The introductory snark would make any liberal and/or Democrat snicker, but Dawkins goes on to make a nearly legal or mathematical argument for the strength of evolution as a scientific fact.

Richard Dawkins piece can be found here.
 

Washington Monument cracked in quake

The Washington Monument prior to the quake

According to a Politico blurb, unofficial reports of the Washington Monument tilting after yesterday's earthquake led park officials to inspect the national monument for damage.  As it turns out, the rumors we all heard on local radio yesterday proved untrue: the monument is still upright.  Sadly, however, a crack has formed near the top of the obelisk, and the structure and surrounding area are closed to the public until further notice.  

The Case for taxing the rich: Warren Buffet

In this compelling op-ed piece written by Warren Buffett in the New York Times this morning, the legendary investor and billionaire makes the case for properly taxing the super-rich in this country.  It is certainly refreshing to see a wealthy individual stand for shared sacrifice in this time of great need, and it is equally enjoyable to see some one so influential deconstruct the anti-tax, anti-government propaganda proliferated by the far right for the past three decades.

Read Mr. Buffet's op-ed here.

11th Circuit's blow to healthcare reform

In a ruling issued just yesterday, the 11th Circuit ruled that the individual mandate - the provision within the Affordable Care Act which would make nearly all Americans purchase health insurance - was unconstitutional. Suits brought in other circuits have yielded very different outcomes, and indeed this was the first ruling against the provision, with a Clinton appointee siding with an H.W. Bush appointee on the issue of the mandate.

The DOJ must now either ask for the entire 11th Circuit to review the decision, or ask to be granted certiorari by the Supreme Court.  It seems very clear where this is headed...

Full story here.

S&P lowers "rating" of US; investors buy US bonds

Yes, the same ratings agency that missed the entire mortgage-backed securities scam in 2008 just downgraded our country's credit rating.  How does the market react?  By selling private sector stocks and buying US Treasury Bonds.

Full text here