#TheQuench: WTF is a Fiscal Cliff?

My brain hurts.

Where does is start? Where does it end? What happens if we go over? So many questions about this ominous topic. I'm not completely 100% on it, but here's my take of the basics:

WHAT:

Soon and very soon, tax cuts that George W. Bush put into place will officially expire and automated (severe) spending cuts and tax hikes will go into affect. Spending cuts in public programs like:

Energy research (Have you seen the polar ice caps?) 

Water toxic waste (Remember the BP oil spill?)

Clean water programs (Speaks for itself)

Among many others!

Uhm...those seem pretty important to me!

WHEN:

January 2 is the official deadline date.

WHY:

Because last year, President Obama and Congress could not come to an agreement on a budget. The President wants to increase taxes on those earning more than $250,000 a year. Republicans want to cut spending but really don't want taxes to go up. Both sides are being really stingy and holding up progress. 

Ridiculous!

Anywho, whenever you have a few minutes  take a look at the video below for a more detailed explanation.

BONUS: It has drawings! I  don't know about you, I'm a visual learner. The more pictures the better.





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#TheQuench: Why Washington is Mad - Gen. Petreus + Paula Broadwell Scandal

Shame.

(ISAF via Reuters)

This entire ordeal is a mess! In case you're wondering what's with all the hoopla, here we go:

Basically, Congress, and much of Washington are pissed at current CIA Director, General David Petreus. Well, last year, Petreus and Paula Broadwell, the author of his biography, were having an affair. Sending "flirty" emails back and forth. Bla bla bla. Not such a big deal right? Well, Ms. Broadwell apparently got super comfortable and developed diarrhea of the mouth, divulging top secret information during lectures and declaring the General her source! How fresh!

Members of Congress are upset because they found out about the FBI's investigation into the matter like the rest of us. The FBI is saying they have specific protocols in place that restrict the release of information And even the White House had no idea until the day after the election. (Supposedly.)

SMH. The General has stepped down from his position and Broadwell has gone into recluse. And now, Yahoo News reports that another high ranking general, the Commander of Armed Forces in Afghanistan to be exact, has been exchanging illicit emails with a random.

And the topic of the month is, "Why do powerful men cheat?"

Lol. Huh?

Since when does cheating have a face? Let alone a tax bracket....

Anywho, this is is an old story with a new face. Do you think the high level of attention is justified? Do you even care?

See original source here