While the US election is still over a year away, campaigning is in full swing in many parts of the country.

In the state of Massachusetts, one election promises to get plenty of national media attention.

Last week, noted consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren announced she would seek the office of United States Senator for the Democrats.

Warren, who is a professor at Harvard Law School, writes and speaks extensively on issues relating to consumer finance protection

She’s a strong advocate for protecting consumers against credit card companies, mortgage companies and student loan outfits who

“want to do business… through tricks and traps and fine print and fooling people.”

President Obama sought Warren’s advice in establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this year. However, she was not nominated to head the new agency. Is the protection of consumers exclusively a liberal goal?

A video of Warren on her “Talking Tour” has gotten a lot of traction online. Her knowledge of serious issues and her ability to explain them to non-experts (in a simple, unpatronizing way) have appealed to some voters.

If she wins the Democratic primary, Warren will face incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown, the total dreamboat who won the election to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat in January of 2010. Brown’s success in that election was in part due to the lackluster campaign of his opponent, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, who the Democratic party figured was a shoo-in.

According to Public Policy Polling, Warren leads Sen. Scott Brown by two points–but, of course, it’s still very early.

Is Elizabeth Warren the candidate Massachusetts has been waiting for? Will her advocacy on behalf of the middle class win her their support? We’ve got a long campaign season ahead of us. The race between Warren and Brown is definitely one to watch.

Thanks to Haaretz

Palestine faced  problems yesterday at the UN General Assembly,  thanks, in part to President Obama.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has spanned decades found a new area of discomfort for the President. Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas‘ made a determined effort to earn statehood for the troubled territory at the United Nations.

Many are upset with the UN reaction as well as Obama’s lack of support.

According to, Palestinian-American journalist Ali Abunimah:

A lot was bet on this bid for statehood. It was the last throw of the dice by Abbas, and it came up as bad …. What this all adds up to is absolutely nothing.

Does the United States have time to repair more conflict in the Middle East… with its own problems at home? Or is this just the same old song?

You’re not seeing things. The House loves shutting the government down (or at least striking down bills that would keep it running).

The Fed takes Twist and Shout! to a WHOLE new level.

Losing my R.E.M.

Do you want Puppy custody for these precious pups!