A third option changes the negotiation  —  The conventional wisdom on the fiscal cliff is that there are two options: (1) an Obama-Boehner deal; or (2) no deal, in which case there is no legislation before the end of the year and we “go off the fiscal cliff.”

Lie of the Year: the Romney campaign's ad on Jeeps made in China  —  It was a lie told in the critical state of Ohio in the final days of a close campaign — that Jeep was moving its U.S. production to China.  It originated with a conservative blogger, who twisted an accurate news story into a falsehood.

North Koreans Launch Rocket in Defiant Act  —  SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Wednesday morning that appeared to reach as far as the Philippines, an apparent success for the country's young and untested new leader, Kim Jong-un, and a step toward the nation's goal …

Breitbart Folks Appear to Fake Violence in Lansing  —  When I saw this video-claiming that a “violent mob” destroyed the tent the Koch brothers had paid for in front of the Michigan Capitol-I knew right away it was likely a false flag.  After all, Stranahan, James O'Keefe's buddy, first posted it.

You have the right to not pay union dues  —  Labor groups should have to convince members that their goods and services are worth the price demanded — and not just take the money and run … The battle between unions and state governments continued this week — just as it has for the last two years …

Scientists May Have Finally Unlocked Puzzle of Why People Are Gay  —  Lesbians get it from fathers, gay men from mothers?  —  Scientists may have finally solved the puzzle of what makes a person gay, and how it is passed from parents to their children.  —  A group of scientists suggested Tuesday …

Ravi Shankar obituary  —  Indian virtuoso who took the sitar to the world  —  Ravi Shankar, who has died aged 92 in San Diego, was the Indian maestro who put the sitar on the musical map.  George Harrison called him “the godfather of world music” and it was Shankar's vision that brought …

I Support Clint  —  LANSING, MI Accidents & Personal Crisis  —  About This Page  —  *UPDATE* Thank you all for your amazing display of support!  Because our goal of $2000 was reached by 10am today, and has now (10:48am) been nearly doubled, I have decided to raise it to $5000.

Obama Wins Almost 50% Republicans on Tax Mandate in Poll  —  President Barack Obama won the public argument over taxes so decisively that almost half of Republicans now say he has an election mandate to raise rates on the rich.  —  Majorities of about 2-to-1 also read the election results …

Obama Suggests Raising Medicare Eligibility Age Is On The Table In Fiscal Cliff Talks  —  President Obama didn't rule out raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as part of a comprehensive package to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff,” during an interview with ABC News on Tuesday.

New Army Manual Orders Soldiers Not To Criticize Taliban … Here is a strong indicator that the Obama Administration's crusade to appease Islam has gone too far; a new U.S. military handbook for troops deployed to the Middle East orders soldiers not to make derogatory comments about the Taliban …

Top Executives End Opposition to Higher Taxes  —  A broad swath of the nation's leading chief executives dropped its opposition to tax increases on the wealthiest Americans on Tuesday, while the White House quietly pressed Wall Street titans for their support as well.  —  Multimedia

Eric Holder: Time To Consider National Voting Standards  —  Attorney General Eric Holder said during a speech on Tuesday night at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library that it's time to consider setting national standards for how elections should be handled.

New marijuana laws cause confusion  —  Laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado and Washington state have exposed a wide disconnect between Congress, the administration and voters on an increasingly controversial issue.  —  The newly enacted laws put President Obama in a tricky spot …

The fall and rise of Rockaway  —  We are still recovering from superstorm Sandy  —  An American flag stands on a sand hill in the middle of the street on Beach 127th St. as Rockaway residents rebuild and clean their homes from the devastation caused by superstorm Sandy.

Jimmy Hoffa: ‘Civil war’ looms in Michigan  —  Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa is predicting a “civil war” in Michigan in the wake of Gov. Rick Snyder signing a right-to-work bill into law.  —  “This is just the first round of a battle that's going to divide this state,” Hoffa said on CNN on Tuesday.