Reinforcements

Strike One
What is striking in listening to the Israelis discuss their predicament is how similar the debate sounds to so many previous ones, despite the changed geopolitical circumstances. In most minds here, the changes do not demand a new strategy, simply a redoubled old one. (NYT, 11/16/2012)

Oh those stubborn Israelis! Every time the pesky folks over at Hamas or Hezbollah fire rockets at them, the Israelis do the same old thing. Defend themselves.

Let Them Eat Cake
The snack giant endured $52 million in workers' comp claims in 2011, according to its bankruptcy filing this January. Hostess's 372 collective-bargaining agreements required the company to maintain 80 different health and benefit plans, 40 pension plans and mandated a $31 million increase in wages and health care and other benefits for 2012.

Union work rules usually required cake and bread products to be delivered to a single retail location using two separate trucks. Drivers weren't allowed to load their own vehicles, and the workers who loaded bread weren't allowed to load cake. On most delivery routes, another "pull up" employee moved products from back rooms to shelves. (WSJ, 11/16/2012)

Why do corporations move manufacturing overseas when they can? Why does Wal Mart fight unionization? Now you know.


Out Of Town
President Barack Obama landed in Thailand's capital for a whirlwind Asia trip that begins with this longtime ally and includes a high-profile visit to Myanmar, the first by a sitting U.S. president. (WSJ, 11/18/2012)

Fiscal cliff, Benghazi questions, Middle East rockets......I'm outta here!