World Cup 2014

The draw is complete. The US appears to be in the vaunted group of death.
No expectation of the US winning the whole thing (could happen) but always enjoy every match. If want to observe sports competition at it's best the World Cup is where it happens.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/interactive/2013/dec/18/world-cup-2014-draw-strength-of-schedule

Month Day Year Format

Once again the US stands alone. Oh, and the metric system.

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/dec/16/why-do-americans-write-the-month-before-the-day

Quote from the Pope

Pope Francis or Argentina speaking out against trickle down economics. He's absolutely right.

"The ideology of Marxism is wrong. But I have met many Marxists in my life who are good people, so I don't feel offended," Francis was quoted as saying. Defending his criticism of the "trickle-down" theory of economics, he added: "There was the promise that once the glass had become full it would overflow and the poor would benefit. But what happens is that when it's full to the brim, the glass magically grows, and thus nothing ever comes out for the poor ... I repeat: I did not talk as a specialist but according to the social doctrine of the church. And this does not mean being a Marxist."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/15/pope-francis-defends-criticism-of-capitalism-not-marxist

Creator of The Wire on Capitalism in the United States

David Simon who gave us "The Wire" comments on the the two Americas and how capitalism is failing us.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/08/david-simon-capitalism-marx-two-americas-wire

Domino's Pizza

Domino's Pizza location fires 24 delivery workers for complaining they are being underpaid.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/09/1261419/-Domino-s-workers-fired-for-complaining-about-being-paid-below-minimum-wage?detail=hide

2013 Movies

List thus far with topmost favored. Anything seen this year qualified.
Saw more than expected this year since had NetFlix available once again.

A Separation
A Kid With a Bike
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Gravity
I Wish
North By Northwest
The Cabin in the Woods (Horror as intelligent as it comes)
Addams Family Values (Hysterical)
In Bruges
The Raid: Redemption
End of Watch
Looper
5 Broken Cameras

Others:
From Up on Poppy Hill
Pacific Rim (good fun)
Rear Window
Vertigo
An Enemy of the People (1966)
The Croods
Star Trek Into Darkness
Silver Linings Playbook
Oblivion
Life of Pi
The Host (2006)
Samsara (cinematography)

International Test Scores: US Students Lag (as per usual)

US students lagging in international test scores.
Can this be explained away as usual?

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/dec/03/education-stagnation-study-us-teen-students

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/08/1260118/-If-American-students-test-scores-are-a-wake-up-call-what-should-we-wake-up-and-do?detail=hide

60 Minutes Failure: Lara Logan

Lara Logan of CBS News gave a bogus report on Benghazi few weeks ago and has been granted a leave of absence as a result. Apparently, CBS had been marketing the book of the so called British security operative who was at the compound the night of the attacks. Problem is, he was actually at the beach.
Poor biased reporting deserves to be outed. Too bad Fox News prides itself on propaganda.
Comment couple weeks ago on thank goodness for the first amendment. Where would we be if it were considered a crime to lie on the public airwaves.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/01/1259075/-Give-credit-to-CBS