Evening Thread

Enjoy.

One Card

Information (where/when/whichroute) and payment (how/howmuch) have long been barriers for non-regular commute mass transit users. The internet has solved the first problem, with transit agency trip planners and for many cities google maps directions providing people what they need to know. And single payment systems, such as DC's Smartrip or London's Oystercard, which simplify payment and are accepted across multiple travel modes (bus,subway, train, tram), solve the second.

Easier than driving.

Afternoon Thread

enjoy

Really A Bad Plan

As I said before regarding netflix, whatever works for them. They're a non-monopoly business with a nonessential product, and if they think the best way to chase the benjamins is to split their store into two separate ones and create a much shittier product for the consumer they're welcome to do so. I just have a hard time believing that they won't lose tons of customers, as to me their basic business model was always "this is too good a deal to pass up," both in terms of money and ease of use.

For Your Consideration

I'll offer up, without comment, Ezra's presumably informed take on the state of the world...

It's The Day After Friday

I don't think ending Saturday delivery is a major crime against humanity, but it really really would need to be offset by somewhat extended evening and Saturday hours at the actual post offices.

So, Uh, Where's The Peace Then?

Lindsey Graham, of course, is one of the most serious senators when it comes to foreign policy issues, along with his sidekicks Lieberman and McCain.

That they're all complete buffoons seems to matter not to Village bookers.

All We Really Need To Do Is Nothing

Other than the "do something about jobs right now" bit,anyway. I'm quite happy for all of the various dumb dealing with the deficit plans to just go away. Maybe I'm not quite so optimistic about the firmness of that veto threat, but if it's real...

BC3 Assignment #4: 36 Hours

Welcome to the final -- and most difficult -- assignment for Boot Camp 3.

This one will be more involved than the other three, but the prizes have been amped up to reflect that. And I can honestly say that I do not know a single editorial photographer who would not be happy to receive this exact assignment. Read more »

Default

It's hard not to agree with Dr. Doom. Greece should default and leave the Euro.

Logically, therefore, if those three options aren’t possible, the only path left is to leave. A return to a national currency and a sharp depreciation would quickly restore competitiveness and growth, as it did in Argentina and many other emerging markets which abandoned their currency pegs.

Though I don't think it's going to happen.

Burn The Brand Down

Whatever works, but I suspect the geniuses running Netflix Qwikster don't actually have any idea what they are doing. Streaming may be the future, but DVDs were where they had the competitive advantage and customer stickiness. You can get limited catalog streaming anywhere, you can't get an incredibly giant (but by accounts dwindling) DVD library which appears in your mailbox in a day anywhere.

It's A Miracle The Subject Was Broached At All

It's sadly notable that abortion was even suggested as an option, even if a quickly rejected one. That's actually progress.

Overnight

Some super rocking action time.

Sunday Night

Rock on.

Sunday Evening

enjoy

On TV

Seems that Chris Hayes convinced some security guard at MSNBC to let him in and then took over the broadcast.

Never Been Quite Sure

Did people turn on HMOs because they sucked or because of anti-Clinton health care reform rhetoric?

Obviously they weren't all created equal, but my vague memory is they went from the savior of health care to history's greatest monster in the public perception pretty quickly.

Wanker of the Day

Frank Bruni.

Along Those Lines

I don't know for sure, but I'm reasonably sure the risk of stranger abduction on a commuter train is far lower than the risk of severe injury or death for a kid riding in a car passenger seat.

Parse This

Other people are different from me.

The bank's statement comes as UBS boss Oswald Gruebel insisted he would not resign over the incident.

"I'm responsible for everything that happens at the bank," Mr Gruebel told Swiss Sunday newspaper, der Sonntag. "if you ask me whether I feel guilty, then I would say no."