The Hollywood Liberal

Administration proposes listing Arctic seals as threatened
The Obama administration proposed listing six subspecies of ice-dependent seals as threatened under the Endangered Species Act on the grounds that diminishing sea ice in the Arctic threatens their survival.

Right Turn: Flushing $200,000 down the drain?
Politico reports: The incoming Republican House leader proposed plans to build female members a new restroom off the House floor, but the project could cost the taxpayers at least $200,000, according to a congressional aide who has seen the cost estimates…. The aide says there is no plumbin…

The Plum Line: Scott Brown comes out in favor of DADT repeal
This is potentially important. The statement just out from Senator Scott Brown’s office:

The Challenges of a Rising China

The Rich Can Afford It, But Can We?
David Harsanyi, Denver Post
Few displays of phony generosity and bogus earnestness are more irritating than watching a stinking rich tycoon advocating that others shell out more in taxes.”People at the high end, people like myself, should be paying a lot more in taxes. We have it better than we've ever had it,” explained Warren Buffett, who must be aware that “people like him” number somewhere in the low single digits.But, please, go for it, Mojambo. Hand it over if you're feeling compelled. And if your “please-tax-me- more” companion Bill Gates feels equally bonded to the virtues…

Rangel Censured: Is Tide Turning in DC?
Michael Goodwin, New York Post
The fall of Charlie Rangel is bigger than the fate of one 80-year-old man. It is the tale of hubris, of arrogance drunk with power, meeting its match in an aroused citizenry.His story is Washington's story.Rangel was brought down by when he did his dirty deeds as much as what he actually did. The rules of the political game are changing before our eyes. Finally, and clearly, a new reform era is beginning in America.

The Jobs Emergency Requires Action
Robert Reich, Salon
This post originally appears at RobertReich.org This is not a recovery. It’s a continuing jobs emergency and it demands action.We learned this morning that unemployment rose to 9.8 percent in November and employers added only 39,000 jobs. Private employers added 50,000 — the smallest gain since January. Government employment continued to shrink.We’re heading in the wrong direction. In October, the jobless rate was 9.6 percent, and employers added 172,000 jobs. Private-sector job growth totaled 160,000.At this rate unemployment won’t return to its pre-recession…