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One out of two ain’t good: President Barack Obama’s approval rating has hit 50 percent in the latest CNN/ORC International poll, the first time in eight months a simple majority of Americans have said they approve of his job as president. So remember, kiddies: If you want to go into a field where being halfway successful is considered good, try politics or baseball.
Give us a break: Congressional leaders have agreed on a proposal to extend the payroll tax cut, which lowers a person’s mandatory contribution to Social Security. You know, the same Social Security program that is financially insoluble and dealing with a rapidly aging population of baby boomers that makes it virtually impossible that anyone younger than 40 will ever reap its benefits? Oh well, enjoy your extra 2 percent tax break, everyone.
Better than the average Joe: Joseph Kennedy III, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, announced that he is running for a congressional seat in Massachusetts, marking a potential return to Capitol Hill for one of America’s most (in)famous political families. Regardless of your political leanings, this is cause for celebration. A Congress without a Kennedy is like “Jersey Shore” without The Situation, just nowhere near as interesting. Fun fact, President John F. Kennedy actually called his abs The Situation Room.
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Driving down gadget use: A new series of federal guidelines outline recommendations for automakers to make it impossible to use many electronic devices while driving. Actions recommended for prohibition under the guidelines include texting, making phone calls, browsing the Internet or entering information into a car’s navigation system. While the guidelines don’t outline ways for manufacturers to comply, several companies are already rolling out compliant cars. So be on the lookout for the new Audi Electromagnetic Pulse, Ford World War II Bunker and Chevy Subterranean.
Underwear? Under lock and key: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian man who attempted to blow up a plane with a bomb hidden in his underwear on Christmas in 2009, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday. Abdulmutallab, a devout Muslim, said last October that the bomb was a “blessed weapon” which he would use to avenge mistreated Muslims around the world. Despite the coverage the trial received, you can still expect men to talk about items in their underwear being “blessed weapons” for the foreseeable future.
The truck stops here: About three years after flirting with bankruptcy, General Motors announced a record profit of $7.6 billion for 2011, a 66 percent increase over 2010. This means that union-represented GM workers will receive $7,000 due to corporate profit sharing. In other news, GM has now pulled ahead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, though analysts say its pro-union stance may be a deal breaker with conservative voters.
