Even a straight news story about her death has to acknowledge the elephant room: She's been a top draft choice for the Dead Pool for years.

Only the most sweet-souled people could not think to themselves, upon hearing of the next drugged/drunken scandal, "She'll be dead in two years."

And so she is.

It was not a complete surprise, but the news was still a huge shock for millions around the world. The size of Winehouse's appeal was reflected in the extraordinary range of people paying tribute as they heard the news...

Addiction consumed her:

...

But in the end, the music was overshadowed by fame, and by Winehouse's demons. Tabloids lapped up the erratic stage appearances, drunken fights, stints in hospital and rehab clinics. Performances became shambling, stumbling train wrecks, watched around the world on the Internet.

Last month, Winehouse canceled her European comeback tour after she swayed and slurred her way through barely recognizable songs in her first show in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Booed and jeered off stage, she flew home and her management said she would take time off to recover.

In her first introduction to the public -- "I don't wanna go to rehab, no, no no" -- she told everyone exactly how she'd die.

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Posted by: Ace at 01:24 PM | Comments (94)
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We've all got them. Guilty pleasures, or hidden gems that nobody else seems to have heard of.

Two of mine: more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:32 AM | Comments (756)
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From the movie Cool Hand Luke.
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Posted by: Monty at 10:24 AM | Comments (128)
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"Dabbling in the grotesque"

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:09 AM | Comments (423)
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(Ace mentioned this piece in his post on the Greek default yesterday.)

Here are other entries in the "Economics at AoSHQ U" series:

What is an economy?
What is money?

Given the confusing stories coming out of the press regarding the debt-ceiling debate, I thought it might be helpful to clear up one area where even veteran financial reporters and politicians confuse things: the difference between a liquidity problem and a solvency problem.

There are two ways to be out of money.

One way is to have a lack of cash to meet an immediate payment or bill or debt-service. This is a common consumer problem, especially among the more hard-up among us: the rent is due on Friday, but I don’t get paid until the end of the month. I have the income to cover the obligation, but I don’t have it at the moment the payment is due. In financial terms, this is a “liquidity crisis”.

An asset that can be quickly converted into cash is considered to be highly “liquid”, whereas an asset that cannot be quickly converted is “illiquid”. "Liquidity" for practical purposes is a synonym for "cash" (or other readily-transferable assets).
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Posted by: Monty at 05:02 AM | Comments (197)
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My wife and I couldn't decide whether we should take a trip to Bermuda or get a divorce. We decided to get divorced. A trip to Bermuda only lasts two weeks, but a divorce is something you have forever. more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 04:24 AM | Comments (113)
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If you're at home and still sober enough to read this, then you've officially lost teh Interhole. If you just rolled in after a night of making the rub-a-dub and you're looking for some good news, bacon sandwiches officially cure hangovers.

"Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids. Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good."

For the military moron on the go
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Posted by: Open Blogger at 06:00 PM | Comments (703)
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Boehner said the talks broke down because he and the President had agreed to $800 billion in revenue increases (over 10 years), but Obama decided to jack that figure up to $1.2 trillion.

Sounds like Boehner already agreed to stop those breaks for "corporate jet owners," but it was Obama who walked away from that agreement.

Posted by: Ace at 03:25 PM | Comments (421)
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It's amazing the national conversation never ever turns to asking why Democrats shouldn't yield and "do the right thing."

Just four votes needed.

But the MFM only wants to talk about Republicans coming to terms.

“The bipartisan House-passed Cut, Cap, Balance bill remains the only plan on the table, the only one that preserves our AAA rating, and is only four Democrat votes away from a Senate majority to end this debt crisis,” said Senator DeMint. “I will work to force another vote on Cut, Cap & Balance next week because the President and Democrats have not offered the American people any other viable solution.

“It is outrageous that every Senate Democrat voted against even allowing a debate on balancing the budget within 10 years, a plan supported by two-thirds of Americans with wide support across all party lines. Why are Senate Democrats so afraid to debate a balanced budget? Cut, Cap, Balance is the compromise plan that passed the House and can end the wasteful spending that caused this debt crisis. It gives the President the debt limit increase he has asked for in return for immediate spending cuts, enforceable spending caps, and a constitutional amendment to force Washington to stop spending more than it brings in.

“The President and Democrats have been beyond reckless in this debate, refusing to offer any serious solution to our fiscal crisis. The only plan the President has offered would increase our debt by $10 trillion and push our nation into bankruptcy.

“I urge Republican leaders to stop letting the President drag you back like children into secret meetings where he pretends to do something constructive. The President created this crisis by irresponsible spending and borrowing that has left our economy in shambles, and if he’s unwilling to simply agree to balance the budget in 10 years then he is not a credible negotiating partner.

“No more closed door meetings, no more phony compromises that don’t solve the problem, no more useless commissions. We have a balanced approach supported by a bipartisan House majority that ends our debt crisis if just four Senate Democrats would keep their promise and support a balanced budget.

“We must pass Cut, Cap & Balance to keep our nation from falling off a fiscal cliff.”

Posted by: Ace at 03:04 PM | Comments (98)
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Apparently the big deal stuff is off the table, other than that same old, same old.

Boehner released a letter to House members explaining it (pdf). He says he's going to start dealing with Reid and Pelosi and cut Obama out.

Obama, "Can Republicans say yes to anything?"

Alternative question MFM will never ask, "Can Democrats ever say no to raising taxes?"

Email statement for McConnell.

McConnell Statement on Debt Talks

‘I appreciate the Speaker insisting on reduced spending and opposing the President’s call for higher taxes on American families and job creators.’

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Friday regarding the announcement that Speaker Boehner will work with the Senate Leadership on deficit reduction legislation:

“It’s disappointing that the talks with the White House did not reach a favorable conclusion, and I appreciate the Speaker insisting on reduced spending and opposing the President’s call for higher taxes on American families and job creators. It is similarly disappointing that the White House has refused to join Republicans in our effort to cut Washington spending now, cap runaway spending in the future and save our entitlement programs and our country from bankruptcy by requiring the nation to balance its budget. Speaker Boehner has informed us that he will work on a new path forward with Leader Reid to develop a solution that will prevent default, without job killing tax hikes, while substantially reducing Washington spending.

“As I’ve said before, it’s time now for the debate to move out of a room in the White House and on to the House and Senate floors where we can debate the best approach to reducing the nation’s unsustainable debt.”

Team Boehner fights back.

WH flip-flopped after Gang of Six, walked away from key areas of potential agreement ... is that leadership, Mr. President?

Obama says he wants Congressional leaders at the White House again tomorrow at 11. The purpose of which is?

Now he's just going through the whole "corporate jet owner" stuff.

Obama says House GOP is not being serious. Of course, the House GOP is the only party that has passed an actual plan.

Obama says Boehner didn't return his call today (RINO!).

Now he says he's "not interested in blame" or "pointing fingers". As someone once said, "YOU LIE!".

Hmmm...

That's the most powerful man in the world. And he sounds impotent and frustrated.

That's a writer for the noted right-wing paper, The New York Times.

Obama says Democrats were willing to step up and do things that would hurt them politically. No mention of what specifically that is beyond "spending cuts". It's like he's a lying sack of shit or something.

This is where the power of the presidency comes in. Obama is doing wall to wall cable coverage (albeit on a summer Friday night). Congressional leaders are stuck doing email and Twitter statements.

Now there are reports Boehner will be going on camera shortly. Should be fun.

Posted by: DrewM at 02:14 PM | Comments (422)
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