This is the Video of the Man Crashing His Jetpack on Live TV
The title of this story pretty much says it all. But Alex Alvarez sums it up pretty well:
In the following video, please enjoy what happens when “John” attempts to fly his jetpack for a live Fox Five Morning News segment during the San Diego Yacht and Boat Show. And know that, yes, you are an awful human being for laughing at this.
(via Buzzfeed)
Gov. Rick Perry Continues With Prayer Event Plans, Says He Wants ‘God’s Will to Be Done’
A group of Texas atheists may be suing to stop Gov. Rick Perry’s involvement in “The Response,” an upcoming day of prayer and fasting, but their efforts have done little to shake the Republican politician’s faith and determination. Perry is sticking by his original plans to be involved in the massive Christian event on August 6 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. On Thursday, he appeared on “Today’s Issues,” a program on the American Family Radio Network, to reiterate the gathering’s spiritual importance.
According to CBN News’ The Brody Report, Perry told hosts Tony Perkins and Tim Wildmon that the prayer event will be about asking God to forgive all of us “for the sins that we have committed.” When asked what he wants the event to accomplish, he says he wants “God’s will to be done.”
Perry‘s statements don’t just apply to the general public; he believes they apply to him as well, explaining that he wants, “God helping me, guiding me, giving me direction.” Below, listen to the complete interview:
Reaction to Perry’s involvement in the event has been diverse. On the Houston Press’ web site, one commenter wrote:
…the state is sanctioning something entirely defenseless: talking to imaginary beings, hoping that they might hear your thoughts and then take action to help you. It’s primitive, and has no place in a modern world.
What if he were to declare “Texas’ Imaginary Friend Day”, and play up the idea that we all have an imaginary friend and that it’s ok to talk about him and talk to him.
While skeptics will surely find offense in the event, evangelicals will likely welcome it. Below, find Perry’s official endorsement of “The Response”:
Perry is an unabashed conservative who very clearly has no problem being public about his faith. His endorsement of a Christian prayer event, in itself, is certainly newsworthy (especially considering the response). But, bigger questions surround the governor’s possible intention to throw his hat into the 2012 presidential race. Politico sheds further light on his potential candidacy and his related comments about the role of faith in his political career:
We noted a Houston Chronicle report yesterday that Rick Perry told business leaders in May that he believed that he’d been placed in the governor’s office “in this place at this time to do [God’s] will.”
…Just a few days ago, Perry suggested on the Salem Radio Network’s “Janet Mefferd Show” that the grassroots interest in him as a presidential candidate might be a sign of something bigger.
“It’s been an incredible outpouring,” Perry said. “And I can tell you that has given me the calmness in my soul that, you know, God sends messages through a lot of ways and through a lot of messengers.”
While Perry seems to believe his decision should be based on God’s direction, there are also practical concerns that govern any campaign in its infancy (i.e. does he have enough support to wage a viable run for the presidency). National Journal has more:
Speculation about Perry has been fueled by reports that the governor and [Dave] Carney, [Perry’s political strategist], have called an array of GOP officials across the country, including in the pivotal early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Carney acknowledged the calls began in earnest after the Independence Day holiday, but he said they are a genuine attempt to gauge Perry’s level of support should he decide to run—not a thinly veiled attempt to put together a campaign…
…As a governor of the country’s second-largest state with an enviable job-creation record, he would immediately become one of the field’s strongest candidates.
Whether Perry will launch a bid for the presidency is still up in the air. If he does decided to jump into the race, though, his willingness to speak so openly about the need for faith in public life will surely make him an appealing candidate to many on the right.
S&P Places U.S. on Negative CreditWatch, Could Lower Rating as Early as This Month
Perhaps the current economic and political climate lends one to believe that, where our once stellar AAA credit rating is concerned, anything is possible. And sadly, that seems to in fact be the case.
Standard & Poor‘s has placed its ’AAA’ long-term and ‘A-1+’ short-term sovereign credit ratings on the U.S. on negative CreditWatch.
According to the rating agency, CreditWatch is used to mark the “substantial likelihood of S&P taking a ratings-action within the next 90 days, or in response to events presenting significant uncertainty to the creditworthiness of an issuer.”
S&P released a statement saying Thursday’s CreditWatch placement signals a “one-in-two” likelihood that, due to the “political debate on the debt ceiling,” it will lower the long-term rating on the U.S. within the next 90 days. However, it could happen even sooner than that. According to S&P, if the debt ceiling debate continues, the agency has stated it could lower the long-term rating on the U.S. as early as this month and “leave both the long-term and short-term ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications pending developments.”
The rating agency has also placed its short-term rating on the U.S. on CreditWatch negative, stating it is a reflection of its view that the “current situation” poses “such significant uncertainty to the U.S.’ creditworthiness.”
One of the reasons cited for adding U.S. to CreditWatch is due to a perceived risk of the U.S. defaulting on government debt by not raising the debt ceiling.
S&P, in a released statement published by Reuters, goes on to clarify its position on U.S. credit ratings:
– Since we revised the outlook on our ‘AAA’ long-term rating to negative from stable on April 18, 2011, the political debate about the U.S.’ fiscal stance and the related issue of the U.S. government debt ceiling has, in our view, only become more entangled. Despite months of negotiations, the two sides remain at odds on fundamental fiscal policy issues. Consequently, we believe there is an increasing risk of a substantial policy stalemate enduring beyond any near-term agreement to raise the debt ceiling.
– As a consequence, we now believe that we could lower our ratings on the U.S. within three months.
– We may lower the long-term rating on the U.S. by one or more notches into the ‘AA’ category in the next three months, if we conclude that Congress and the Administration have not achieved a credible solution to the rising U.S. government debt burden and are not likely to achieve one in the foreseeable future.
– We still believe that the risk of a payment default on U.S. government debt obligations as a result of not raising the debt ceiling is small, though increasing. However, any default on scheduled debt service payments on the U.S.’ market debt, however brief, could lead us to revise the long-term and short-term ratings on the U.S. to ‘SD.’ Under our rating definitions, ‘SD,’ or selective default, refers to a situation where an issuer, the federal government in this case, has defaulted on some of its debt obligations, while remaining current on its other debt obligations. — We may also lower the long-term rating and affirm the short-term rating if we conclude that future adjustments to the debt ceiling are likely to be the subject of political maneuvering to the extent that questions persist about Congress‘ and the Administration’s willingness and ability to timely honor the U.S.’ scheduled debt obligations.
S&P reportedly believes continued delays in raising the debt ceiling could lead the agency to conclude that a U.S. default is “more possible” than “previously thought.”
However, the agency says that if congress and the administration “agree to raise the debt ceiling” it will try to review the details of the agreement within the next 90 days to “determine” whether it is “sufficient to stabilize” the U.S.’ medium-term debt dynamics.
But according to a UPI report, both Republicans and Democrats will be taking the day off tomorrow:
Debt limit talks ended in Washington Thursday with no plans for negotiations Friday when the White House said the president will hold a news conference.
Citing a Democrat familiar with the talks, The Hill reported negotiators will likely meet during the weekend. A short time after Thursday’s talks ended without an agreement, the White House said President Barack Obama will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. EDT Friday.
The news conference, scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m., is, according to White House officials, to discuss the “the status of efforts to find a balanced approach to deficit reduction.”
The National Journal reports that earlier Thursday Obama encouraged House and Senate leaders to work “over the next 24 to 36 hours” on finding a path forward regarding the debt ceiling.
The Obama administration will reportedly be “on call” over the weekend.
So is the fate of our S&P credit rating worth raising the debt ceiling? Or could our credit rating suffer an even worse fate if we raise the ceiling and borrow more than we can afford to pay back? What say you?
Herman Cain On The Debt Ceiling Crisis And What’s Really Behind It
2012 GOP candidate Herman Cain was a guest on The Steve Gill Show today and the conversation included many topics, but we thought Blaze readers might appreciate Mr. Cain’s take on the Debt Ceiling crisis and why it even happened.
H/T Steve Gill
Want to See the World’s Only Turbine-Powered Batmobile?
Casey Putsch certainly has something to be proud of. The auto restoration genius has completed a real-life Batmobile. The vehicle, which looks about as awesome as it does in the movies, is powered by “…a Boeing turbine engine from a decommissioned military helicopter.” Putsch’s web site has more:
Putsch Racing has taken on an lofty design exercise to create and build the world’s only turbine powered Batmobile. Taking the the fantasy of the 1989 original and making it reality is just the start, but there is one catch, no movie sound effects or audio overlays.
Below, watch him take the super-vehicle for a test drive:
According to Engadget, Putsch also put an iPad in the dashboard (to track GPS coordinates and to serve as an avionics system). Here’s another clip in which you get a good look at the iPad and dash:
Putsch redesigns and repurposes cars for a living, so this vehicle was put together and powered with the utmost knowledge and care. Check out the auto-magician’s other work here.
(h/a Engadget)
Delta Planes Collide on Runway at Boston Airport
Hundreds of passengers were reportedly evacuated from two Delta jets after they collided on a runway at Boston’s Logan International Thursday evening.
While taxing for take-off the wing of a large 767 passenger jet reportedly clipped the tail section of a smaller commuter Comair jet. The commuter plane is reported to have sustained major damage to its tail fin.
But thank goodness for small miracles. Aside from one passenger allegedly complaining of “neck pain” so far no serious injuries have been reported. A Boston Herald report states that most of the passengers weren’t even alarmed.
After the collision, the 767 jet reportedly returned to the terminal to unload its passengers, while the Comair passengers had to be bused back to the terminal.
Major ACORN Donor Scores Big in Second Quarter
JPMorgan Chase & Co., who contributed upwards of $695,132 to president Obama’s 2008 campaign (more than three times the $228,107 McCain received*), reported Thursday that it earned $5.4 billion, or $1.27 per share in the three months ending in June.
The company saw their income rise by 13 percent as the bank collected higher fees from equity and debt underwriting in its investment banking business (“underwriting” is when a financial institution brings newly issued securities to a group of public or private investors).
When a bank underwrites a deal with their client they agree to purchase newly issued securities from the client with the intention of selling them for a profit. The client then pays the bank a premium in order to obtain capital without searching for many smaller buyers. In return for this premium, the bank assumes the risk of holding the newly issued securities, which could lose value and result in a loss.
Profits from JPMorgan’s investment banking, the process by which they assist individuals, corporations and governments in raising capital by underwriting and acting as the client’s agent in the issuance of securities, jumped 49 percent, to $2.1 billion, as the bank collected higher fees.
The bank set aside $2.6 billion for compensation to its investment bankers, down from $2.9 billion in the same period last year. That was above the $1.22 per share that analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast. JPMorgan earned $4.8 billion, or $1.09 per share, in the same period a year ago.
However, despite rising capital generated from higher fees, their lending business staggered in the second quarter. “Despite low interest rates, the bank lost $454 million in its auto and mortgage loan operations, compared with income of $364 million in the prior year,” The Associated Press reports.
But should this come as a surprise? If you raise your debt fees, why would you expect the same customer base to think about borrowing for an auto loan or a mortgage?
“Even in credit cards, a bright spot in recent quarters, JPMorgan‘s customers weren’t spending as much, reflecting a lack of confidence in the economy. The total amount of credit card debt held by JPMorgan fell 12 percent compared with a year ago as its customers spent less. JPMorgan reduced its loan loss reserves by $1 billion as more people paid their bills on time,” AP reports.
JPMorgan’s stock rose 2 percent to $40.57 in pre-market trading Thursday.
It’s important to note that this is the same company that received $25 billion in government bailout money and has donated $5 million to ACORN since 1998.
It is also important to note that the profit they posted was generated primarily through fee increases and debt collection. Not to say that profit is bad. Far from it. The problem is how they made their profit. They posted losses in every category that involved offering goods and services but made large gains in fees and debts.
According to their own reports, customers aren’t investing in loans or using their credit cards. Why? It may be for a host of reasons (such as the ailing housing market or low consumer confidence). It could also be because their core market is too busy paying of the fee increases. Either way, the conclusion is an unhappy one: the customer, who must pay the fee increase, will not be making any sort of return on their “investment” in the bailouts.
This begs the question, “What was that $25 billion for?” Was it for establishing lines of credit or offering loans? In a report written in 2008, the claim was made that several of the recipients of the bailouts would take the money and “just hoard it to protect themselves.” The fact that their profits have been generated primarily through fee increases–as opposed to the sale of a genuine good–makes one begin to wonder whether or not the aforementioned quote was an unfair assessment.
*As clearly stated on Openseecrets.org website, “The organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organization’s PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals’ immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.”
Pawlenty Releases Evangelical-Friendly Ad With Focus on Gay Marriage, Abortion and His Christian Faith
In the midst of some low polling numbers and a less than invigorated campaign launch, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has released a new ad that addresses his faith. Additionally, the video showcases his stances on abortion, gay marriage and other related issues. With 60 percent of Iowa caucus voters describing themselves as evangelicals, the theologically-heavy political ad seeks to help Pawlenty connect with citizens on a spiritual level.
Following a photo montage, viewers hear first from Pawlenty’s wife, Mary. She leads the more than six minute clip with the following words: “I was raised in a Christian family.” The Washington Post has more:
Mary Pawlenty may well be the real star of the video. The candidate stood silent, watching his wife as she described the role of faith in her daily life, including “a little time with the Lord, spending time with a devotional, a scripture passage, sometimes in prayer, it varies every day.”
Watch the ad, below:
In addition to releasing the evangelical-friendly clip, the Pawlenty campaign has also hired Sarah Huckabee, who helped her father win the Iowa caucuses back in 2008. The campaign sent out a letter signed by Ms. Huckabee that urges voters to support Pawlenty, because he “has the same conservative convictions and executive experience I admire in my dad.”
The Washington Post describes the campaign’s methodology as follows:
The moves reveal the urgency for Pawlenty to do well among Iowa’s evangelical voters at a time when his standing is not improving in polls. Pawlenty is competing for those votes with a fellow Minnesotan, Rep. Michele Bachmann, who is hugely popular among Christian conservatives and whose own standing in recent polls has shot to the top of the field in Iowa since she entered the presidential race a few weeks ago.
In describing the video, Jon Ward of The Huffington Post writes:
Tim Pawlenty may have finally figured out who he wants to be as a candidate…
There are also small touches that will play very well with Christian conservatives….
The ideological meat of Pawlenty’s statement in the video comes when he talks about the separation of church and state. The idea of separation, he says, was “intended to protect people of faith from government, not government from people of faith.”
Numerous outlets point out the fact that the advertisement does more than simply situate Pawlenty among Iowa evangelicals; it also backs up the candidate’s opinions on highly-contentious issues without forcing him to join other candidates as a signatory of a controversial marriage pact.
In a piece entitled, “Tim Pawlenty Loves God, But Not Enough to Sign Iowa Marriage Pledge,” CityPages.com’s Mike Mullen pokes fun at the ad, writing:
The Pawlentys spend a lot of time smiling at each other. It seems like nothing makes them happier than watching each other talk about God…
Other notable images that flash by the screen include an American flag waving in super slow motion, and a baby, who is apparently a big Pawlenty supporter.
Pawlenty has also released a radio ad that addresses his faith:
What do you think? Are these moves just what Pawlenty needs to connect with American evangelicals?
Move Over Mila: Marine Makes Justin Timberlake an Offer He Can’t Refuse
Well, Justin Timberlake’s day just got a little sweeter. Coming on the heels of Marine Sgt. Scott Moore’s proposal (and acceptance) for movie star Mila Kunis to attend the Marine Corps. ball with him in November, Timberlake has now received an enticing invitation of his own.
Corporal Kelsey De Santis, reportedly the only female to serve on the Martial Arts Center for Excellence (MACE) at Marine Corps. Base Quantico, has “called Justin out” to attend the Marine Corps. ball in November with her.
If Timberlake were to accept, he’ll surely run into his “Friends with Benefits” co-star Kunis, who will be arm in arm with her date, Sgt. Moore.
If Timberlake doesn’t accept? Well, all De Santis has to say then is “cry me a river.”
Watch the adorable video of De Santis’ invitation below.
Apparently, there’s even a Facebook page dedicated to getting Timberlake to accept De Santis’ proposal!
Damage Control: WH Vows No Pricey Obama Birthday Bash Until Debt Crisis Resolved
As we brought you earlier today on the blog, plans for a $35,800-per-couple blowout celebration are in the works to mark President Barack Obama’s 50th birthday next month. But now after the word got out about the extravagant bash, the White House has done some backpedaling.
The fundraiser party, planned for Aug. 3 at the Aragon Ballroom in Uptown Chicago, is just one day after the impending deadline to raise the debt ceiling, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Obama’s actual birthday is Aug. 4.
Tickets for the event range from $50 a person to more than $35,000 for couples, which includes dinner with the president and VIP seating at a birthday concert, where Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson is rumored to perform.
All proceeds will go to support Obama’s 2012 reelection fund.
But the White House is pushing back against reports of the party. With deficit talks set to resume later this afternoon, ABC reports senior officials said the celebration would only move forward if negotiations and the debt ceiling deadline have been resolved.
Still, that hasn’t stopped aides from using the extravagant party as a fundraising incentive.
“Campaign aides are pitching free tickets to the bash as part of a sweepstakes for grassroots supporters,” ABC says.