Two Weeks Too Late

The NY Times celebrates Tax Appreciation Day with one of their dumber guest pieces ever.

Everyone’s Income Taxes Should Be Public

Disclosure of tax payments would make it easier to hold politicians accountable. It also would help to reduce fraud and economic inequality.

Say what? The NSA is hoovering up my cell phone metadata in an attempt to track terrorists and the Time freaks out, but publish everyone's tax returns? Great idea!

Social scientists would love this, and maybe we would move closer to Equal Pay For Equal Work if people knew each other's paychecks.

But as to just what he is proposing, it's hard to say. Early on, its about Trump:

Almost a century later, it’s time to revisit the merits of universal public disclosure. Democrats in Congress are fighting to obtain President Trump’s tax returns under a separate 1924 law, written in response to related concerns about public corruption. That issue could be resolved, at least in part, if Congress embraced the broader case for publishing everyone’s tax bill.

Now as then, disclosure could help to ensure that people pay a fair share of taxes.

A bit later, we are following the property tax model, which is a ridiculous analogy (sales and liens are publicly recorded, unlike my salary, and low-ball appraisals for a mayor's friends would stick out like a sore thumb, but still:

Calling for more disclosure may seem discordant at a time of growing concern about privacy. But income taxation is an act of government, not an aspect of private life. Property tax records provide a reasonable model. Local governments disclose the name of the property owner, the value of the property and the amount of taxes owed and paid. The same information should be available for income taxes — nothing more is necessary.

Well, with Medicare and soon enough, Medicare For All, my use of medical services is very much a matter of public interest. I don't foresee a groundswell to put that on the web.

But if the suggestion is to include a top-line income figure and a bottom-line tax liability, how will that help my colleagues gauge my salary relative to theirs? What if my also spouse works? What if I have investment income? Or deductions for medical care I'd rather not publicize?

If he is calling for detailed disclosure researchers will be grateful but no one will agree. If it is cursury summary data, it won't mean anything. Sounds like another well-thought through progressive proposal induced by Trump Derangement Syndrome. Should have been run on April 1.

NO DEAD HORSE LEFT UNBEATEN: The Earnest Author forgot to include his own tax info with this op-ed piece, and he fails to note that the NY Times could disclose many more salaries of their top reporters and staff than they do. Despite mentioning the Scandinavian practice he also omits this sort of detail:

“It is obvious that openness is significant,” said Stein Reegard, chief economist of the Norwegian Confederation of Trades Unions. “At least for a better-informed public debate about the different levels of wages in society, whether it’s a question of leaders’ wages or equal pay.”

But the evidence is unclear and OECD economist Herwig Immervoll said there was no obvious correlation between income transparency and pay disparities. A 2015 Eurostat report showed a gender pay gap of around 15 percent in Sweden and nearly 19 percent in Finland, compared to an EU average of just over 16 percent.

Yeah, well, whatever.

Comments

[henry]

another vid of Notre Dame burning in Paris:

https://twitter.com/pzf/status/1117839242418368513

[henry]

The progs turned voyeurism into exhibitionism via sexting (see Bezos, or not)...

now they are going for it with financial voyeurism (aka envy).

which sin is next?

[Tom R]

Reposted from last thread.

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1001139404805738498?s=21

Wikileaks weighs in on the QAnon phenomenon.

Obviously Wikileaks is opposed to the US’ attempts to bring Assange to justice. Among pro-Trump supporters there is a split between people who believe QAnon is legit while some believe it’s just trolls on 4/8chan that are having fun jerking everyone’s chains and believing their fabricated predictions. One thing no one can deny is that whoever is behind QAnon they have consistently supported Trump and attacked the Deep State. That makes the following comment from the embedded article come across as misinformation.

So on one hand we’ve got WikiLeaks insiders saying QAnon is a likely psyop designed to Pied Piper the populist right into supporting establishment agendas

Who in their right mind that has been following the QAnon phenomenon would ever make the claim they are supporting the establishment agenda? They are clearly pro-Trump/pro-MAGA and anti-Deep State/Swamp.

Does the fact Wikileaks is trying to spread misinformation that QAnon is trying to advocate an establishment agenda a signal that QAnon could be legit? Wikileaks claims QAnon is running a psyop. The US military is well versed in running psyop operations. It’s been a viable tactic to defeat the enemy for generations. I imagine there are numerous people working for the Defense Intelligence Agency more than capable of running a psyops campaign like QAnon. Of course my confirmation bias of being a Trump supporter and Army vet is kicking in on that possibility.

[Extraneus]

I don't the gov't should have any right to know how much money we make. For the most part, these are private transactions between free citizens. Taxing consumption via a national sales tax is much more consistent with the Constitution, notwithstanding the 16th Amendment.

[Beasts of England]

Very sad news about Notre Dame!

[Narciso79]

The most interesting detail is what Steve McIntyre has pointed out the indictment is a stretch.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
2m2 minutes ago

So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!

[Extraneus]

OBAMA ADVISER’S BOOK IS RANKED 1,030 ON AMAZON. HOW DID IT MAKE NYT’S BEST SELLER LIST?

Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to former President Barack Obama, published a book that ranks dismally on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble, but was placed on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Anomalies around the book’s sales figures in industry databases have some in the book business questioning whether Jarrett, who’s rumored to have received a million-dollar-plus advance, paid a company to game the numbers.

Her book, which was published April 2, is number 1,030 on Amazon’s list of top sellers and has only three reviews on the site. It similarly ranks 1,244 on Barnes and Noble where signed copies are being sold for less than the suggested retail for unsigned copies.

Yet the book was also 14th on the NYT bestseller list.

“Given the organic sales of that book and the fact that during the entire week of rollout it barely cracked the top 100 on Amazon, there’s no way the book should have a place on the NYT Best Seller list. Inconceivable,” one prominent book industry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “There’s likely an effort to game the system, it’s the only explanation.“

Apparently there are companies that you can pay to game the system. They buy 10,000 books, and voila. Best seller!

For a price, companies such as Result Source will help authors buy their way onto the bestseller list. The bestseller lists exclude bulk sales, so they work by buying large numbers of books in a way that appears as manual, individual sales. The purchases are also concentrated during one week, ensuring that its numbers are high enough to place in the top 10 during its crucial launch week, even if it means stockpiling and trying to resell those books over a long period of time.

“They just take three months worth of their events books, all their corporate clients and speeches, and they funnel them through this company,” the editor said.

Result Source generally bought between 10,000 and 11,000 copies in the first week in order to ensure a spot on the bestseller list, he said, another red flag with Jarrett’s 12,600 number. “Is that 11,000 bulk sales and then only 1,600 copies? If Viking paid $1 million and the organic sales were 1,600 …”

[MissMarple2]

The Rose Window!

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
8m8 minutes ago

Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday’s @TheMasters, & to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM!

[Tom R]

Narciso @ 1:42

I have followed McIntyre going back to his days of debunking Mann’s infamous Hockey Stick graph. Tweets like the one below now make me question his ulterior motives.

https://twitter.com/climateaudit/status/1117826501439737856?s=21

[Jim Eagle]

Go to the link and scroll down to The Frame.

http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/la-cathedrale/architecture/

This is why it could be a real catastrophe in the making.

[Narciso79]

Well hes got part of it right nusrat front and Its new alliance operates out of Idlib province but hes strongly on the anti intervention angle.

[MissMarple2]

BREAKING VIDEO! THE SPIRE AT THE NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL HAS JUST COLLAPSED.pic.twitter.com/p1zTyPNXXD

— Breaking News Feed (@pzf) April 15, 2019

Video at link!

[Jane]

I had to repost this because I don't want anyone to miss it:

MM,

That's very cool. And this is for you JIB from a friend on Facebook:

The debate over 1986 and 2019 will be a rich one, the kind that will never be decided. Whom among us can say which man hit the better shot into the green at Red Bud? Which hug between father and son was most meaningful? Would Tiger worry that his final round of 70, acquired by cunning and patience, lacked the luster of Jack’s 65, the last ten holes of which looked like Secretariat at The Belmont? Would Jack conclude that, even though he was 46, and Tiger only 43 in the moment, that he had never faced the injuries, delicate surgeries, and painful rehab that Tiger endured to claw his way back?

I’m certain of one thing. Next year, on Tuesday of Masters Week, the two men will sit side by side at The Champion’s Dinner. One will pass the other the salt and pepper. Their eyes will meet, and an unspoken truth will pass between them:

“It’s good to be us. It’s good to be at Augusta. It’s good to have given to the world what Bob Jones wanted us to give.”

[Narciso79]

The towers only about 300 feet they couldn't get anyone close enough to spare near 800 years of history?

[jimmyk]

“At least for a better-informed public debate about the different levels of wages in society, whether it’s a question of leaders’ wages or equal pay.”

Yes, by all means let's accommodate envy and covetousness by providing more information to the envious and covetous. What could go wrong?

[Tom R]

Narciso @ 1:58

A broad generalization but IMO a substantial segment of the anti-interventionist crowd, especially the paleocons on the extreme right, are anti-Semites who just hate the idea that US foreign policy in the Middle East benefits the continued existence of Israel. I’m not saying this applies to McIntyre but who else besides Democrats would advocate for a change in US foreign policy that benefits Iran and harms Israel? If Iranian units are operating in Syria, I’m perfectly fine with the Israelis destroying them.

[Beasts of England]

The Flèche (spire) over the transept and altar is gone. It included a fragment from the Crown of Thorns.

[MissMarple2]

Narciso,

I have a friend watching on Fox. Shep said (yeah, I know it's Shep) that they couldn't get water up to where the fire is. My friend says the firemen don't seem to know what to do.

Macron is now trying to figure out how to save the art. THIS FIRE HAS BEEN BURNING SINCE 11:30 EASTERN!!!!!

[MissMarple2]

Beasts,

What a tragedy!

[henry]

Tom R, "who else but Democrats"... McCain and the crew of the SS Cuck plus the Chamber of Cronies last I looked. (You can say they are not Republicans if you want).

[D]

So sorry about Notre Dame Cathedral.
It was beautiful when I saw it last summer.
Captain:
Baldwin Wallace cutting ties with the United Methodist Church because they will not elect LGBTQ people as leaders.

[Jim Eagle]

This is breaking my wife's heart and mine. Every time we are in Paris we would visit Notre Dame. A nice respite from the heat or rain or just for some quiet reflection time. A real ice pick to the heart.

[henry]

does Macron pay violin by chance?

[Tom R]

BTW a long time ago Thomas Wictor said that Saudi commandos were operating in Syria posing as ISIS insurgents to fight against Assad and the Iranians. This conjecture was largely based on how well armed and coordinated the insurgents were combined with the fact the US military under Trump was openly supporting them.

[MissMarple2]

Jack,

They really should have dumped water on it from aerial tankers, like Trump said. I don't even know if France has any, though.

[jimmyk]

Incredible that they had no plan for how to fight a fire there, especially given the renovations going on.

No doubt it will be rebuilt, but obviously impossible to reproduce.

[henry]

Not that this helps anything:

Breaking News Feed @pzf
2m

Notre Dame was built in the 13th century, but it was ransacked in the French Revolution and largely rebuilt in the 1840s.

The spire that just fell went up about 150 years ago.

[MissMarple2]

Paul Sperry
‏ @paulsperry_
5h5 hours ago

BREAKING: Documents Show Mueller 'Distorted' Evidence in Court Filings, Raising Questions about the Objectivity of His Final Report

[henry]

Microbiome update:

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2019/04/14/Treating-gut-bacteria-could-help-ease-autism-symptoms/1051555164001/?sl=1

[GUS]

Macron is on scene. Yay!!

[Beasts of England]

That's true, henry, but the relics (three in total) will be harder to replace.

[Old Lurker]

Rose Window and all the others are made of glass and lead. Lead melts at about 650F.

Mortar and Limestone both do funny things in high heat.

As Jack, says, structural wood...

And, depending on how much water they are pumping from the Seine into the structure, I wouldn't want to vouch for the integrity of the hand dug and hand constructed foundations and footings. (We aren't talking about Romans with their magic hydraulic cement here. We are talking Frenchmen, working for priests, centuries after the Romans vacated.)

[MissMarple2]

Washington Examiner
‏Verified account @dcexaminer
6m6 minutes ago

UPDATE: The roof of the #NotreDame Cathedral in Paris has completely collapsed: https://washex.am/2Xdmakn

[Beasts of England]

The roof has now completely collapsed.

[Beasts of England]

I'll let Miss Marple handle the rest of the breaking news. :)

[Old Lurker]

Jimmy. "No doubt it will be rebuilt, but obviously impossible to reproduce."

I, for one, have some doubt about that. Just as I complain that the collective US DNA is different from generations past, that is even more true for the French.

[GUS]

Oh Dear, shepTARD doesn't want to hear what might have happened...... ON HIS WATCH.

[MissMarple2]

Does anyone now if this is true?

Pardes Seleh
‏Verified account @PardesSeleh
24m24 minutes ago

the famous saint sulpice church in paris was lit on fire just last month. the month before that an attack on st. nicholas in northern france, and another fire lit in saint alain cathedral in south-central france.

there seems to be a recurring theme here.

[Old Lurker]

Beasts "but the relics (three in total) will be harder to replace."

Tru Dat, those clever artists are hard to find these days.

JK! JK!

[Jim Eagle]

Don't be surprised if the full structure collapses. Hard to believe that they didn't have adequate "pompiers" with the hydraulics to cover a historic structure such as Notre Dame. Poor planning by the safety and security services including the highest echelons of the federal and city governments.

Shep is such an ass. Had a guy on who is there and he made a comment about how the government and the media will spin the cause of the fire in very PC terms. Shep said, "we are not going there, my show, I will decide what you will say and what I will hear". Back to the game.

[Beasts of England]

I ain't touching that one during Holy Week, OL!! ;)

[MissMarple2]

French official talking on Fox said to Shep this was like France's 9/11 and also mentioned those 4 churches burning. Shep shut him down and said no speculation.

My friend said the guy was obviously going to Muslim set and SHep wasn't going to allow it.

[GUS]

Then he said......GET ME MY FUCKING DRINK.

Oh they write themselves.

[Old Lurker]

:-) Beasts,

As I said, JK. JK.

Sad beyond comprehension.

[Jim Eagle]

Mrs. JiB tells me that about 50-60 years ago there was talk about raising Notre Dame and building something different (modern?) there.

[MissMarple2]

If this is terrorism Macron will be out by tomorrow.

[D]

Such a tragedy!
I remember daddy posting from his favorite cafe nearby.
Why do all the good things have to be removed or go up in flames?

[Captain Hate]

“It’s good to be us. It’s good to be at Augusta. It’s good to have given to the world what Bob Jones wanted us to give.”

Jim Caviezel starred in "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius" who came from nowhere to become the first golf superstar only to retire at 28 because the competitive urges were destroying him. He made a few blunders such as badmouthing the Old Course at St Andrews before making amends by insisting that the trophy stay there after he won and returned to Atlanta, making him a favorite of the locals. ANGC is his gift to the golf world.

[MissMarple2]

Jack,

Why would anyone want to do that? It was a huge tourist attraction and a work of art!

[Beasts of England]

Yes it is, OL. I'm glad the younger Beasette got to see it a few years ago...

[MissMarple2]

My daughter saw it when she was in college. She will be heartsick.

[MissMarple2]

Melania Trump
‏Verified account @FLOTUS
38m38 minutes ago

My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Praying for everyone’s safety.

[Jim Eagle]

MM,

I don't know but Mrs. JiB said it was a case study assignment in her Architecture curriculum in her University in Brussels. Next to St. Peter's in Rome, and St. Patrick's in NYC, it is the most popular Cathedral in the world.

A lot of the construction workers in Paris are Muzzie, so don't be too surprised that is how it started. An acetylene torch is easy to light, and even easier to start a wood fire on scaffolding. The fact that Fox still has that corrupt personality tells me all the Left's criticism seems misplaced.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

President in Minnesota.

[Captain Hate]

I wonder what Ailes thought he saw in Shep.

[James D.]

If this is terrorism Macron will be out by tomorrow.

We'll see. I have my doubts on that.

[rse]

newsweek did a story about a month ago. https://www.newsweek.com/spate-attacks-catholic-churches-france-sees-altars-desecrated-christ-statue-1370800

Easter Week and preempting a macron speech on the economic divide in france set for tonight.

[rse]

You can also tell what an empty suit david muir is because he has nothing intelligent to say about a place and city he has been to.

[Old Lurker]

Maryrose "Why do all the good things have to be removed or go up in flames?"

It is a metaphor of the times, MR.

[lyle]

One of our illustrious host’s tweets is highlighted on a post about donkey-chompers at twitchy. Dude’s a cyber media gorilla. 😉

[GUS]

A gay man who did as he was told.

[lyle]

It is a metaphor of the times

Sigh.

[Marlene]

My daughter is heartbroken. The son-in-law proposed to her in Paris.

That fire doesn't look contained at all! Terrible.

[JM Hanes]

There's the most incredible video of the Notre Dame fire here.

I think it may actually be live, because there's no timing bar..

https://news.yahoo.com/live-updates-fire-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-173732973.html

[rse]

This seems like horrific legal advice. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-15/lori-loughlin-and-mossimo-giannulli-plead-not-guilty-college-admissions-scandal-0

Her demeanor was extraordinarily inappropriate and now this. BS on the excuse about her daughters.

[JM Hanes]

There was a secondary fire in the tower to the right, which I believe has been put out, as the fire hose near the tower is now being aimed toward the central interior. The building to the left looks like an absolute inferno. Not seeing a lot of water being delivered.

[Porchlight]

WTF Paris. They don't seem to have done anything whatsoever to put it out, including when it was much much smaller.

[Porchlight]

BTW I'm pretty sure some people did something to start this, and some other people are probably dancing in the streets just blocks away from the flames.

[Jim Eagle]

rse,

You never know with juries who see Aunt Becky. Sometimes people can't separate fiction from reality. I agree with terrible advice but its like betting on a 2,500 to 1 nag in the Derby. You never know:)

[clarice]

carried over from dead thread:

OL=Incorrigible Lurker

Gus, my sister was in town this weekend for my mother's 100th birthday and brought sad tidings--Jake's was sold and now stinks.

[Dave (in MA)]

I wonder how many allahu akbars were uttered when that fell.

[Jim Eagle]

porch,

Unpossible. Newark and the Jersey City how-down were proven false, right?

[Jim Eagle]

...hoe-down....

[Old Lurker]

:-) Clarice.

HB to your Mom. You have what, 50%, chance for her genes?

[JM Hanes]

CBS has a knowledgable commentator here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbmWOfdXcQ

[Narciso79]

Happy birthday for your mother clarice.

Where did they find this Muir character he had nothing to say.

[JM Hanes]

Well, he's gone now, and it's back to the generalists.

[Jim Eagle]

HB to Clarice's mom. 100 is a milestone for anyone's life. One well lived that produced a Clarice Feldman. Not bad. Not bad at all.

[Porchlight]

Happy birthday and congratulations to your mother, Clarice. That's wonderful.

[GUS]

Say it isn't so Clarice!!!! I'm going there tomorrow, to check. 16th and NORTH.

Clarice, the new owner is Brian Miller of MILLER BAKERY.

FAMOUS RYE BREAD1!!!!!!!!!!!! And Bud Selig still owns the other half.

[Jane]

Maybe Aunt Becky plans to pay off the prosecutors!

[Jane]

53.7. OL

[clarice]

I'm told Miller isn't making rye bread any more, either, Gus. The world is coming to an end.

[glasater]

I must have missed the part of Lesley Stahl's interview on 60 Minutes last evening where she asks Pelosi about her tax returns and why she and Mr Pelosi haven't submitted them for review by the US public..

Heartbreaking news about Notre Dame. I memeber daddy's discourses on that area when his work took him to Paris.

If I had better google-fu skills I'd try to track his comments down. DaveinMA?

[glasater]

Happy Birthday to you Mom, Clarice.

[GUS]

Clarice, ironically, Brian Miller is not related to the MILLER'S who founded Millers' famous rye back in the 20's.
They make the PRETZILLA BUNS that Bob Uecker shills for.

[Momto2]

The question I have is IF this was a terrorist (Muslim) related act, will they claim credit?

[Jim Eagle]

Jane,

daddy would have had a great view of the fire from his perch in The Great Canadian pub.

https://www.facebook.com/tgcparis/

[James D.]

You never know with juries who see Aunt Beck

Honestly? I’d probably vote to acquit her, simply on my total distrust of the department of justice, and my wondering why going after her was so much more urgent than going after literal traitors who damaged our national security, got American citizens killed, and ripped off taxpayers for tens of millions of dollars.

That, and wondering why the school presidents and deans who HAD to know this crap was going on, aren’t sitting next to her at the defendant’s table.

[JM Hanes]

The crossing roof has clearly collapsed into the interior. I don't see how they'll save any of that part of the building. Perhaps the outer face of the transepts might survive. It looks like most of the nave is burning too, although that may just be light emanating from the main fire. There is still some hint of fire inside one of the towers which seems persistent The hose on the right seems to alternate between the tower and the knave, which makes me wonder about whether or not they just don't have the fixtures or the pressure to man multiple hoses there? Anything that does survive is going to remain a safety nightmare, I should think.

[Dave (in MA)]

glasater:

https://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2016/07/if-you-are-not-nervous-about-the-upcoming-election.html

?

[Old Lurker]

Jane, spiked by that procedure prep I mentioned above, mine is 24.0 for a day or two.

You and I both are now at the point of asking is more good or bad?

Mrs. OL is sure sick of it, but like you, the diet works fine with me.

Maybe A-mom will tell us how much is enough...

[Old Lurker]

Mom "The question I have is IF this was a terrorist (Muslim) related act, will they claim credit?"

This is one of those times when "assume nuthin" until some fact-facts are known.

[Buckeye]

Carried over from previous thread:

One of our members is a retired cardiac surgeon from Columbus. His course there, which I forget, but not Muirfield, put together a 4 man team, which included John P. McConnell, of Worthington Industries and Blue Jacket ownership.

JiB

Next time you see him ask if it was Scioto Country Club.

It is in my old neighborhood and is the iconic course in Columbus. It is where Jack learned to play.

Buckeyette's best childhood friend's family are members. Dad is Chief of Oncology at OSU.

They are members of our church and I played the course with him, Chris Spielman, and one of our young pastor no longer at the church.

The young pastor is a Libtard, which doesn't sit well with Chris. He was in his face the whole time we were out.

As you can well imagine, Chris can be a bit intimidating:)

We also played Muirfield. Tougher.

[Jim Eagle]

Buckeye,

I think that is it. The surgeon is Charlie Bush. Something like 4K open heart surgeries. Makes sense McConnell would be a member since his Dad founded Worthington tears before Jack founded Muirfield. He probably belongs to both.

[GUS]

I think I'll wait until John Patrick Frey weighs in, before I blame Trump for the FIRE.

[Marlene]

Caveat just cut off Bill Donohue. No discussion,no speculation.

[Dave (in MA)]

GUS, they were going to put the fire out, but when they saw Trump's tweets about how terrible it was, they decided to let it burn.