Welcome to CNH’s Water Cooler, where fellow Hubsters commiserate and comment on current events, or whatever you like, while our boys Jon and Stephen are away.
Hello Hubsters! On behalf of all of us here at the Hub, Happy New Year to you! Undoubtedly we all look forward to TCR coming back full force next week, and seeing what Stephen and co. have in store for us. Needless to say, the headlines have been nonstop since the show went on break; there was no holiday lull this year. Grab a paper cup and let’s chat.
Just as we were savoring the last wonderful episode of TCR in 2012, with Mavis Staples, Sean Lennon, Jeff Tweedy, and The Harlem Gospel choir singing a beautiful rendition of “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”, only hours later and in rather dissonant fashion, we were faced with yet another violent, terrible tragedy in Newtown, CT. Suddenly, the issue of gun control brought itself once again to the national conversation, punctuated by yet another tragedy on Christmas Eve when two responding firefighters in New York were senselessly gunned down – by a convicted felon who had illegally begotten his firearms.
Someone said to me that they were grateful that Stephen and Jon were on break and subsequently didn’t have to try and address these events, as they were, and I suppose that’s a blessing. However, I am hopeful that in the ensuing months with the “task force” that VP Joe Biden has been entrusted with will come up with something to keep our children and our streets safer. Renewing the “Assaults Weapons Ban” that Biden sponsored in 1994 has been bandied about as a strong possibility, for example. I hope to see Jon and Stephen tackle the topic of gun control in the coming months- perhaps we will be seeing more of Sweetness as a result?
***
And of course, the next big story: say it all together now, The Fiscal Cliff! Despite knowing about the pending expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts forever, Congress decided to wait until the last minute (and then a few minutes after the last minute) to tackle some fundamental aspects regarding the Cliff- finally, permitting those making $450,000 or less to keep their tax cuts. After receviving the dubious honor of being the least productive Congress since the 1940s, the paralysis in Washington is so advanced, it is unfortunate that our government seems little poised to do much else than small band aid reforms, and only under the most intense, do-or-die sense of urgency. Let’s hope the 113th Congress fares better – hopefully, we’ll get some of the incoming frosh Congressmen to appear on BKAD. Wishful thinking?
Nevertheless, we do welcome in a new year, a new beginning, new resolutions. Here at the Hub we will be bringing you new contributors and much more in anticipation of what is sure to be another year of continued Stephen goodness.
Certainly there have been many more lighter topics in the news lately, particularly with a new Kardashian scion on the horizon. Kimye! So now we turn it over you to let us know what’s on your mind….
What stories do you think Stephen and/or Jon would cover right now? Was there anything that happened this week which prompted you think, “Stephen would have totally talked about that”?
Feel free also just to chat around the CNH office’s Water Cooler. Fandom is also friend-dom.
Water Cooler — Ringing in the New Year Edition
Welcome to CNH’s Water Cooler, where fellow Hubsters commiserate and comment on current events, or whatever you like, while our boys Jon and Stephen are away.
Hello Hubsters! On behalf of all of us here at the Hub, Happy New Year to you! Undoubtedly we all look forward to TCR coming back full force next week, and seeing what Stephen and co. have in store for us. Needless to say, the headlines have been nonstop since the show went on break; there was no holiday lull this year. Grab a paper cup and let’s chat.
Just as we were savoring the last wonderful episode of TCR in 2012, with Mavis Staples, Sean Lennon, Jeff Tweedy, and The Harlem Gospel choir singing a beautiful rendition of “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”, only hours later and in rather dissonant fashion, we were faced with yet another violent, terrible tragedy in Newtown, CT. Suddenly, the issue of gun control brought itself once again to the national conversation, punctuated by yet another tragedy on Christmas Eve when two responding firefighters in New York were senselessly gunned down – by a convicted felon who had illegally begotten his firearms.
Someone said to me that they were grateful that Stephen and Jon were on break and subsequently didn’t have to try and address these events, as they were, and I suppose that’s a blessing. However, I am hopeful that in the ensuing months with the “task force” that VP Joe Biden has been entrusted with will come up with something to keep our children and our streets safer. Renewing the “Assaults Weapons Ban” that Biden sponsored in 1994 has been bandied about as a strong possibility, for example. I hope to see Jon and Stephen tackle the topic of gun control in the coming months- perhaps we will be seeing more of Sweetness as a result?
***
And of course, the next big story: say it all together now, The Fiscal Cliff! Despite knowing about the pending expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts forever, Congress decided to wait until the last minute (and then a few minutes after the last minute) to tackle some fundamental aspects regarding the Cliff- finally, permitting those making $450,000 or less to keep their tax cuts. After receviving the dubious honor of being the least productive Congress since the 1940s, the paralysis in Washington is so advanced, it is unfortunate that our government seems little poised to do much else than small band aid reforms, and only under the most intense, do-or-die sense of urgency. Let’s hope the 113th Congress fares better – hopefully, we’ll get some of the incoming frosh Congressmen to appear on BKAD. Wishful thinking?
Nevertheless, we do welcome in a new year, a new beginning, new resolutions. Here at the Hub we will be bringing you new contributors and much more in anticipation of what is sure to be another year of continued Stephen goodness.
Certainly there have been many more lighter topics in the news lately, particularly with a new Kardashian scion on the horizon. Kimye! So now we turn it over you to let us know what’s on your mind….
What stories do you think Stephen and/or Jon would cover right now? Was there anything that happened this week which prompted you think, “Stephen would have totally talked about that”?
Feel free also just to chat around the CNH office’s Water Cooler. Fandom is also friend-dom.