Night owl chat – Dizzy Gillespie, 1966, BBC Jazz 625

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Groove on, hepcats.

The Deficit Is Falling? You Can Thank President Obama

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Brett Logiurato: The Budget Deficit Just Fell To Its Lowest Level Under Obama

The US budget deficit fell to about $483 billion in fiscal year 2014, almost a $200 billion drop from the previous year and the lowest level of President Barack Obama’s six years in office. The US Treasury Department released the official figures on Wednesday, generally confirming figures released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office last week. It’s the smallest deficit recorded since 2008.

FY2014 was the fifth consecutive year the deficit declined as a percentage of GDP. It is now an estimated 2.8% of GDP, a percentage that puts it below the average of the past 40 years. The Treasury’s figures chalked up the shrinking deficit to increased revenues from taxes and slowed growth in government spending. “It’s really a rise in revenues because of economic growth, because of the policies the president pursued, that we’ve made progress on the deficit,” said Shaun Donovan, the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

More here

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Healthcare? Check! Jobs? Check! Deficit? Check! Report: Lowest Deficit Since 2008 read.bi/1sSMuOq http://t.co/LZn4wrD5fh

—
Kennett Area Dems (@KennettDems) October 16, 2014

On Ebola and the Media Panic Industry

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past few weeks—and if you have, you may want to skip this and stay there where it’s safe—you may have noticed the media has a shiny new toy.

The Ebola outbreak which has reached our shores—infecting less than ten people—has our failed media experiment in a veritable apoplexy. CNN, looking for something to replace it’s 24/7 coverage of MH370 and recapture those golden days of summer, has joined MSNBC and Fox in providing a constant stream of information on the breakout. And by “constant stream of information”, I mean dialing the panic button up to 12 and reporting as if half of the country has been infected with the virus. Rather than a contained outbreak, this Ebola infestation is a new Black Death, scything through the population with grim glee.

Now, I know that it’s hard filling in the time between commercials. A news producer’s job is never easy. But there seems to be something disreputable about media organizations latching on to a very minor outbreak and building it up to be an existential threat to humanity. And, of course, the coverage was nowhere near as manic when the Ebola pandemic was restricted to west African nations. Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea are facing real catastrophic consequences to their economies and social fabric; but, they’re far away, and in Africa, so not worthy of foaming at the mouth coverage.

A Laugh Or Two

Eve: I got an Apple. Adam: ... Eve: ... Adam: ... Eve: What? Adam: I thought we'd decided on Android. Eve: The serpent said this was better.

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Uncle Duke (@UncleDuke1969) July 05, 2014

I hadn't cried all weekend and then the password security asked if I remembered my first pet.

—
Jason Lastname (@JasonLastname) October 12, 2014

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what's on your back? "a katana" what? "it's a japanese sword used...you know what *takes back résumé* I don't think I wanna work here"

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Brent (@murrman5) October 08, 2014

How To Kill a Spider Step 1: Oops, you missed Step 2: Didn't step hard enough Stomp 3: Oh god, he's on your leg Step 4: FUCK IT JUST RUN

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Blind Chow (@BlindChow) January 28, 2014

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I don’t want to be a millionaire, I just want enough money to be able to stare off into the distance while pumping gas.

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  (@tnylgn) February 17, 2014

cop: 'sir do you have any idea how fast you were going?' sorry officer but I just found out that only I can prevent forest fires

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  (@hippieswordfish) August 26, 2014

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*picks up résumé* Tell me about your strengths "Lying on my résumé" Weaknesses? "Not telling people I lie on my résumé"

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būč|{¥ |$0+øp€ (@BuckyIsotope) October 07, 2014

*pulls girlfriend in close for a kiss* *turns her head at the last minute and whispers* -Bring home Taco Bell.

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brandon from school (@bakedbrotatoes) October 07, 2014

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Hell orientation Satan: *annoyed* "Next person to say 'It's hot as hell down here' will-" Guy: "Have hell to pay?" Satan: *Fucking loses it*

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Funkmaster Flexeril (@RxitWounds) September 29, 2014

Don't cry because it's over, smile because for a few miles they believed you were the real bus driver.

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Jason Lastname (@JasonLastname) August 27, 2013

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Mom, it's a battle. Please stop calling it my "rap recital"

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dan mentos (@DanMentos) July 24, 2014

[devil flying helicopter] me: you ever consider callin this bad boy devil [quietly]: here it comes me: a HELL-icopter devil: holy shit lol

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EJ Gomez (@EJGomez) October 01, 2014

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*ex GF pulls up to drive thru where I work* "Big mac please" "Would u like LIES with that?!" *my boss dragging me away* "LIES, LUCY.. LIES!"

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Jazmasta (@jazmasta) January 31, 2014

Daddy can we go to the park?! *looks at 12% battery* "No"

—
PaperWash© (@PaperWash) September 30, 2014

Chat Away

President Obama looks out at the Rose Garden from the colonnade during yesterday’s thunderstorm. Photo by Pete Souza

Rise and Shine

On This Day: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden link arms and sing “We Shall Overcome” during the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. Joining them, from left, are: Harry Johnson, Sr.; Interior Secretary Ken Salazar; and Herman “Skip” Mason (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Today

President Obama has canceled trips to Rhode Island and New York in order to continue monitoring the government’s response to the Ebola outbreak. He now has no scheduled public events today.

12:30 EDT: White House Press Briefing

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!!!! RT @abc7newsBayArea JUST IN: Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits plummet to 14-year low of 264,000. @AP pic.twitter.com/Gq1iEKznLj

— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) October 16, 2014

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On This Day

President Obama meets with, from left, U.S. Trade Representatvie Ron Kirk, former President George H. W. Bush, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, prior to the Points of Light forum at Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas, Oct. 16, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama greets Marine Corps cadets, and Reveille, the Aggie mascot, in the Marine Corps Mess Hall at Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas, Oct. 16, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama says goodbye to former President George H. W. Bush and former Secretary of State James A. Baker, prior to departure from Easterwood Field landing zone, in College Station, Texas, Oct. 16, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Pete Souza: “Neighbors in West Newton, Mass., react as the President headed their way after speaking at an event next door.” Oct. 16, 2010

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President Obama hugs his wife Michelle at the conclusion of his debate against Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York October 16, 2012

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President Obama tosses a football with Press Secretary Jay Carney in the Outer Oval Office, following the Senate vote on the federal government shutdown and debt ceiling, Oct. 16, 2013. Trip Director Marvin Nicholson and Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer watch (Photo by Pete Souza)

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MoooOOOooorning!

Early Bird Chat: Please Proceed

Two Years Ago Today: “Please Proceed, Governor.”

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The second presidential debate in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012

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MoooOOOooorning – Happy Thursday!