Obama says he's serious about tackling deficits

Sigh. It's the spending, stupid.

Jimmy Dean, singer, sausage businessman, dies at 81; known for 'Big Bad John' in 1961

More than a sausage king, the Country Music Hall of Famer was a man of many talents. He said this about being careful with his money:

I've seen so many people in this business that made a fortune. They get old and broke and can't make any money. ... I tell you something, ... no one's going to play a benefit for Jimmy Dean.

Sounds like a Texan. RIP.

Texas leaning toward 10-team Big 12

I don't know whether to believe this given it's coming from Bristol, but Texas and Oklahoma shouldn't be in the Pac-10 until the Big One drags California into the ocean.

Bernanke warns US of "unsustainable" debt level

Er... ya think?

How a silly phone for teens reveals Microsoft's plan for us all

Microsoft has an opportunity to do what Apple hasn't quite figured out and what Google can't quite pull off.

Don't Sugarcoat It

This post has been moved to here.

Rival chains secretly fund opposition to Wal-Mart

The hired gun is a well-known player in American folklore, that the concept's been adapted to the astroturf era is not much of a surprise.

Wooden dies at age 99

Calling him a "sports Abraham Lincoln" may be a bit hyperbolic, but not by much.

Israel and the flotilla

As the Chicago Tribune puts it: "Pardon us, though, if we don't join the condemnation. Israel has a right to defend itself and a keen interest in preventing arms from reaching Gaza. There's a nasty neighbor in control of that territory, just a short-range rocket away."

Part human, part machine transistor devised

I sense a sci-fi/horror/adventure flick in the offing.