This is quite a debate. Gingrich called the questions asked by Chris Wallace, ‘Mickey Mouse questions.’ Is it fair for the press to take their own talking points to grill the candidates about said talking points? So far, I can spot some winners.
If you had to pull 4 to move ahead and 4 to stay back, just based on debate performance, who would you allow to advance to the next level?
Michele Bachmann? Herman Cain? Newt Gingrich? Jon Huntsmand? Ron Paul? Tim Pawlenty? Mitt Romney? Rick Santorum?
It’s official now. Ipad trumps big oil. Here’s the story from the Richmond Times Dispatch:
Its lineup of sleek phones, computers and iPods, irresistible to customers even in tough economic times, propelled it to the No. 1 position by market value Wednesday, surpassing Exxon Mobil. Apple’s stock on the open market is now worth more than any other company’s.
Apple’s stock fell for the day, but Exxon’s fell more. Apple finished with a market value of $337 billion, beating Exxon’s $331 billion. A single share of Apple stock now costs $363.
Apple occupies a rarefied spot once held by General Electric and Apple’s own rival Microsoft. Exxon had held the top spot since 2005.
The power shift is a substantial milestone for Apple, which has enjoyed a triumphant comeback since the 1990s, when it struggled to stay afloat before its co-founder Steve Jobs returned to take the helm.
But it’s not just the comeback. Gleacher & Co. analyst Brian Marshall says Apple is giving investors something that has never been seen before. Apple’s numbers are huge, with $30 billion in revenue in the latest quarter, for example. Yet Marshall said the 35-year-old company is “growing like a startup.”
“Even in 2008 and 2009 Apple grew like a weed and the world was coming to an end,” Marshall said.
Washington Post:
Virginia to hold day of mourning for Navy SEALs, others killed in Afghanistan
By Anita Kumar
Gov. Bob McDonnell said that Friday will be a day of mourning for the 30 Americans — including Navy SEALs with ties to Virginia — who died in Afghanistan after Taliban forces shot down their helicopter last weekend.
All state flags will be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk Friday.
McDonnell (R) asked Virginians to donate money to organizations, such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, that provide support and financial assistance beyond that provided by the Defense Department. Other organizations that residents are encouraged to assist include the Armed Forces Relief Trust, Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation.
“The human impact of the loss of these servicemen upon their families, their units, and the Virginia military community are profound,” McDonnell said. “It is with a heavy heart that I ask all Virginians to join me in a day of mourning and remembrance for those who lost their lives defending our country and to offer their support and thanks to the families and military community they left behind.”
Hopefully this day of mourning will include all Virginians who have lost their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan. Perhaps it is time. To not include them somehow minimizes the ultimate price other Virginia troops have paid since the post 9-11 wars have been waged. That sure isn’t the message we want to send from Virginia.
Virginia has a long military history that includes all 4 branches of the service.
