McClatchy writes about the just released 2008 annual survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau which tells us what most of us had already figured out, that under the Hedgemony the rich got richer, and the rest of us got poorer:

_ The worst is yet to come. “This is just the beginning, or the tip of the iceberg because 2008 was not nearly as bad an economy as 2009,” [Harvard economics professor Lawrence F.] Katz said. The average unemployment rate in 2008 was 5.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in 2007. That pales in comparison with the 9 percent average unemployment rate so far this year, and it’s likely to increase. August unemployment was 9.7 percent, and it’s expected to peak above 10 percent in the months to come.

_ Because real median household income is 4.2 percent lower than it was in 2000, Katz said, “We’ve basically seen a lost decade for the American family,” with only the top earning families doing better now than they were in 2000.

The national poverty rate also hit its highest level since 1997, jumping to 13.2 percent in 2008 from 12.5 percent in 2007. The increase meant that 39.8 million people lived below the poverty line, the most since 1960. That’s up from 37.3 million in 2007. For children, the poverty rate hit 19 percent, or 14.1 million youngsters in 2008. That means 35.3 percent of the nation’s poor in 2008 were under age 18.

As long as the government is focused on making the wealthy Wall Street gamblers happy, these trends will continue. Until we return to the programs and policies that pulled the nation out of the Great Depression things will get worse. If there are no jobs, there is no demand. If there is no demand, supply is irrelevant. If there is no demand, the private sector will not create jobs. Jobs have to come first.

Chambéry – Gap

Distance: 179 kilometers.

Jérôme Pineau regained the Polka Dot Jersey while the peloton kept their enthusiasm in check after getting mugged by the mountains yesterday. Sergio Paulinho won the stage by centimeters over Vasil Kiryienka. They were part of a six-rider break-away that the peloton didn’t even pretend to pursue. The “leaders” showed up 15 minutes after the stage winner.

The stage starts with a sprint then a category 1 climb to the highlands, followed by a category 3, then a 2, and finally the sprint to the finish.

Andy Schleck ( Lux – SAX – 011 ) [Yellow] 49h 00′ 56″
Thor Hushovd ( Nor – CTT – 095 ) [Green] 138 points
Jérôme Pineau ( Fra – QST – 135 ) [Polka Dot] 91 points
Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 195 ) 7 [White]
Team: Caisse d’Epargne GCE ( 161-169 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Sergio Paulinho ( Por – RSH – 027 )
Combative: Mario Aerts ( Bel – OLO – 102 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 1,952.9 kilometers [1,213.5 miles] at an average speed of 39.8 kph [24.8 mph].

OVERALL STANDINGS:

Andy Schleck ( Lux – SAX – 011 ) [Yellow]
2 Alberto Contador ( Esp – AST – 001 )
3 Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 181 )
4 Denis Menchov ( Rus – RAB – 191 )
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck ( Bel – OLO – 101 )
6 Levi Leipheimer ( USA – RSH – 025 )
7 Robert Gesink ( Ned – RAB – 195 ) [White]
8 Luis-Leon Sanchez ( Esp – GCE – 161 )
9 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver ( Esp – KAT – 077 )
10 Ivan Basso ( Ita – LIQ – 041 )
11 Roman Kreuziger ( Cze – LIQ – 044 )
12 Ryder Hesjedal ( Can – GRM – 054 )
13 Nicolas Roche ( Irl – ALM – 081 )
14 Alexandre Vinokourov ( Kaz – AST – 009 )
15 Michael Rogers ( Aus – THR – 118 )
16 Carlos Sastre ( Esp – CTT – 091 )
17 Bradley Wiggins ( GBr – SKY – 031 )
18 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 121 )
19 Thomas Lövkvist ( Swe – SKY – 037 )
20 Andréas Klöden ( Ger – RSH – 024 )

31 Lance Armstrong ( USA – RSH – 021 )
33 Mario Aerts ( Bel – OLO – 102 ) [Red numbers]
43 Anthony Charteau ( Fra – BBO – 153 )
54 Sergio Paulinho ( Por – RSH – 027 ) [Stage winner]
56 Jérôme Pineau ( Fra – QST – 135 ) [Polka Dot]
137 Thor Hushovd ( Nor – CTT – 095 ) [Green]
139 Robbie McEwen ( Aus – KAT – 075 )
149 David Millar ( GBr – GRM – 057 )
151 Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 111 )
152 Alessandro Petacchi ( Ita – LAM – 208 )

So the new cap is in place and BP announces they will be ready to start testing it Tuesday afternoon, but now Gulf of Mexico oil spill to keep flowing as cap test delayed.

As part of the operation they did a detailed seismic survey of the area, and now they want to put off any testing for a couple of days while they look at the data. The purpose of the survey was supposed to be to provide a “before shot” so they could see if closing the cap was causing any problems. It would appear, although no one will admit anything, that there are already problems underground with this wellhead.

Wow! “No one could have imagined …” that there would be problems with the Well from Hell 😈

Update: It would appear that they have also stopped work on the relief well, which really does point to a problem underground.

Update II: Even stronger statement about the condition of the Well from Hell beneath the surface. It sounds like the Federal geologists don’t like the what the seismic survey says.

La Fête Nationale
Bastille Day

Thank you for the help with the Revolution.

Happy Birthday Александра.

Some background.