As the Winter Olympics Open, Putin Showcases a Defiant Russia
"You are prepared to lose your identity and live out the rest of your life as a waiter or a dockworker?"
SOCHI, Russia----On Friday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin will entertain world leaders at a reception under soaring, Corinthian-style columns and a giant, sparkling chandelier in the Atrium ballroom of the Stalin-era Rus Sanatorium.
"Yes."
It will be one of the most exclusive events of the Winter Olympics here, but Mr. Putin's guest list has some big gaps. Few of the Western world's most prominent leaders will be there, declining entreaties to attend, according to diplomats and government officials.
"You are prepared to commit suicide, if and when we order you to do so?"
Instead, Russia's president will be surrounded by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko. North Korea is sending its second-highest official, even though the country has no athletes competing at the Sochi Games.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
February 6, 2014.
Immigration Overhaul Stalls
"Yes."
House Speaker John Boehner squashed growing expectations that Congress would rewrite immigration laws this year----dealing a setback to the White House, a swath of U.S. businesses and a bloc of fellow Republicans seeking to improve their party's chances with Hispanic voters.
"If, for example, it would somehow serve our interests to throw sulphuric acid in a child’s face----are you prepared to do that?"
Rank-and-file Republicans have voiced few complaints about the GOP's latest ideas for an immigration overhaul, which include some legal status for most of the 11.5 million people in the U.S. illegally. But many balked at debating an issue that divides Republicans and feared giving the president a legislative victory in an election year. Some suggested pushing the issue to 2015, when Republicans might have control of the Senate and more leverage.
"Yes."
Many in GOP ranks also expressed distrust that President Barack Obama would enforce any law they pass. "There's widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws," Mr. Boehner told reporters. "It's going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes."
"Yes."
House Speaker John Boehner squashed growing expectations that Congress would rewrite immigration laws this year----dealing a setback to the White House, a swath of U.S. businesses and a bloc of fellow Republicans seeking to improve their party's chances with Hispanic voters.
"If, for example, it would somehow serve our interests to throw sulphuric acid in a child’s face----are you prepared to do that?"
Rank-and-file Republicans have voiced few complaints about the GOP's latest ideas for an immigration overhaul, which include some legal status for most of the 11.5 million people in the U.S. illegally. But many balked at debating an issue that divides Republicans and feared giving the president a legislative victory in an election year. Some suggested pushing the issue to 2015, when Republicans might have control of the Senate and more leverage.
"Yes."
Many in GOP ranks also expressed distrust that President Barack Obama would enforce any law they pass. "There's widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws," Mr. Boehner told reporters. "It's going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes."
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
February 5, 2014.
Inside the Microsoft CEO Search: How Satya Nadella Was Chosen
"To betray your country to foreign powers?"
The search for a new Microsoft Corp. MSFT -1.46% leader was taking its toll.
"Yes."
It had been five months since Steve Ballmer announced he was stepping down as chief executive, and more than a year since the company's board had directed faster change at the once dominant technology giant.
"You are prepared to cheat, to forge, to blackmail, to corrupt the minds of children, to distribute habit-forming drugs, to encourage prostitution, to disseminate venereal diseases----to do anything which is likely to cause demoralization and weaken the power of the Party?"
Relations between Mr. Ballmer and co-founder and Chairman Bill Gates, as is their habit after decades of friendship, waxed and waned through the process and at times came under strain, people familiar with the men's relationship said. At times directors disagreed with actions of their fellow board members, or bristled at the media scrutiny of their search process, said other people familiar with the matter.
"To betray your country to foreign powers?"
The search for a new Microsoft Corp. MSFT -1.46% leader was taking its toll.
"Yes."
It had been five months since Steve Ballmer announced he was stepping down as chief executive, and more than a year since the company's board had directed faster change at the once dominant technology giant.
"You are prepared to cheat, to forge, to blackmail, to corrupt the minds of children, to distribute habit-forming drugs, to encourage prostitution, to disseminate venereal diseases----to do anything which is likely to cause demoralization and weaken the power of the Party?"
Relations between Mr. Ballmer and co-founder and Chairman Bill Gates, as is their habit after decades of friendship, waxed and waned through the process and at times came under strain, people familiar with the men's relationship said. At times directors disagreed with actions of their fellow board members, or bristled at the media scrutiny of their search process, said other people familiar with the matter.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
February 4, 2014.
RadioShack to Close About 500 Stores Within Months
"Yes."
On Sunday, RadioShack Corp. RSH -4.84% used comedy, in the form of a Super Bowl ad, to show its stores being dismantled and rebuilt. On Tuesday, the news broke that some of the stores will be dismantled, period.
"To commit acts of sabotage which may cause the death of hundreds of innocent people?"
According to people familiar with the matter, RadioShack is planning to close around 500 locations in the coming months. It isn't clear which of RadioShack's roughly 4,300 stores will be closed and when exactly the closings will begin. The people familiar with the matter noted that it isn't unusual for companies to close stores when going through a restructuring.
"Yes."
The news was a cold dose of reality after the upbeat feeling generated by the commercial, which was widely considered one of the best that aired during the big game Sunday night. In the commercial, RadioShack poked fun at its outdated image by bringing in a crowd of throwback characters from the 1980s, including Hulk Hogan, Erik Estrada and Alf, who purport to want their store back and proceed to tear out the shelves and haul away products.
"Yes."
On Sunday, RadioShack Corp. RSH -4.84% used comedy, in the form of a Super Bowl ad, to show its stores being dismantled and rebuilt. On Tuesday, the news broke that some of the stores will be dismantled, period.
"To commit acts of sabotage which may cause the death of hundreds of innocent people?"
According to people familiar with the matter, RadioShack is planning to close around 500 locations in the coming months. It isn't clear which of RadioShack's roughly 4,300 stores will be closed and when exactly the closings will begin. The people familiar with the matter noted that it isn't unusual for companies to close stores when going through a restructuring.
"Yes."
The news was a cold dose of reality after the upbeat feeling generated by the commercial, which was widely considered one of the best that aired during the big game Sunday night. In the commercial, RadioShack poked fun at its outdated image by bringing in a crowd of throwback characters from the 1980s, including Hulk Hogan, Erik Estrada and Alf, who purport to want their store back and proceed to tear out the shelves and haul away products.
Monday, February 3, 2014
February 3, 2014.
Top Corporate Executives Scored Big in 2013 Rally
"You are prepared to give your lives?"
The stock market is under pressure and investors are feeling pain.
But some executives scored such stunning windfalls last year, due to 2013's market gains, that the recent troubles likely will sting a little less.
"Yes."
Warren Buffett, Jeffrey Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and a handful of other top executives notched multibillion-dollar paper gains from their companies' shares in 2013, highlighting the outsize winnings some corporate insiders made during last year's rally.
"You are prepared to commit murder?"
Mr. Buffett's holdings of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. BRKB -2.34% appreciated by $12.7 billion last year. Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -3.50% shares held by Mr. Bezos jumped by $12 billion in 2013, while the value of Mr. Zuckerberg's stake in Facebook Inc. FB -1.74% surged by $12 billion.
"You are prepared to give your lives?"
The stock market is under pressure and investors are feeling pain.
But some executives scored such stunning windfalls last year, due to 2013's market gains, that the recent troubles likely will sting a little less.
"Yes."
Warren Buffett, Jeffrey Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and a handful of other top executives notched multibillion-dollar paper gains from their companies' shares in 2013, highlighting the outsize winnings some corporate insiders made during last year's rally.
"You are prepared to commit murder?"
Mr. Buffett's holdings of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. BRKB -2.34% appreciated by $12.7 billion last year. Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -3.50% shares held by Mr. Bezos jumped by $12 billion in 2013, while the value of Mr. Zuckerberg's stake in Facebook Inc. FB -1.74% surged by $12 billion.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
February 2, 2014.
Christie's Office Attacks Claims of Former Ally's Lawyer
"No, it is real. The Brotherhood, we call it. You will never learn much more about the Brotherhood than that it exists and that you belong to it. I will come back to that presently." He looked at his wrist-watch. "It is unwise even for members of the Inner Party to turn off the telescreen for more than half an hour. You ought not to have come here together, and you will have to leave separately. You, comrade"----he bowed his head to Julia----"will leave first. We have about twenty minutes at our disposal. You will understand that I must start by asking you certain questions. In general terms, what are you prepared to do?"
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration has attacked the motives of a former ally whose attorney claims the GOP presidential hopeful knew of highly disruptive lane closures on a New York area bridge as they were going on, contrary to the governor's previous statements.
"Anything that we are capable of," said Winston.
Mr. Christie's office challenged the claims of his former associate, David Wildstein, in a public statement on Saturday. "Bottom line----David Wildstein will do and say anything to save David Wildstein," said the message, first reported by Politico and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
O'Brien had turned himself a little in his chair so that he was facing Winston. He almost ignored Julia, seeming to take it for granted that Winston could speak for her. For a moment the lids flitted down over his eyes. He began asking his questions in a low, expressionless voice, as though this were a routine, a sort of catechism, most of whose answers were known to him already.
"No, it is real. The Brotherhood, we call it. You will never learn much more about the Brotherhood than that it exists and that you belong to it. I will come back to that presently." He looked at his wrist-watch. "It is unwise even for members of the Inner Party to turn off the telescreen for more than half an hour. You ought not to have come here together, and you will have to leave separately. You, comrade"----he bowed his head to Julia----"will leave first. We have about twenty minutes at our disposal. You will understand that I must start by asking you certain questions. In general terms, what are you prepared to do?"
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration has attacked the motives of a former ally whose attorney claims the GOP presidential hopeful knew of highly disruptive lane closures on a New York area bridge as they were going on, contrary to the governor's previous statements.
"Anything that we are capable of," said Winston.
Mr. Christie's office challenged the claims of his former associate, David Wildstein, in a public statement on Saturday. "Bottom line----David Wildstein will do and say anything to save David Wildstein," said the message, first reported by Politico and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
O'Brien had turned himself a little in his chair so that he was facing Winston. He almost ignored Julia, seeming to take it for granted that Winston could speak for her. For a moment the lids flitted down over his eyes. He began asking his questions in a low, expressionless voice, as though this were a routine, a sort of catechism, most of whose answers were known to him already.
Mr. Wildstein's attorney Alan Zegas in the letter released to the Port Authority and the media on Friday said "evidence exists…tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge" of the lane closures while they were still going on during the week beginning Sept. 9.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
February 1, 2014.
Too Much From Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate S-series
"Then there is such a person as Goldstein?" he said.
AS A GREAT MAN with a rhinestone piano once said "Too much of a good thing is wonderful!" Well, Lee, some lovely gentlemen from Stuttgart have brought you a car. The Why of it will have to wait till we appear before our celestial magistrates, but the What is plain enough: one of the world's fastest station wagons (186 mph); the world's quickest wagon—0-60 mph in a sinus-draining 3.6 seconds; and surely one of the most considered and expressive absurdities in the history of consumption. And it's a wagon.
"Yes, there is such a person, and he is alive. Where, I do not know."
The specimen is a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate S-series, a family hauler as 'roided-out as the company's performance division, AMG, can feasibly make it.
"And the conspiracy----the organization? Is it real? It is not simply an invention of the Thought Police?"
Mercedes sold 123 copies of this car in the U.S. last year and, in case you are wondering, no, they don't make any money off them. But the cars have an outsize footprint among enthusiasts, automotive journalists and other ballers. I had one for a couple of weeks----the S-Model 4Matic wagon----and it is basically a five-passenger rally car. It has a panoramic sunroof so God can look down at your passengers' desperation.
"Then there is such a person as Goldstein?" he said.
AS A GREAT MAN with a rhinestone piano once said "Too much of a good thing is wonderful!" Well, Lee, some lovely gentlemen from Stuttgart have brought you a car. The Why of it will have to wait till we appear before our celestial magistrates, but the What is plain enough: one of the world's fastest station wagons (186 mph); the world's quickest wagon—0-60 mph in a sinus-draining 3.6 seconds; and surely one of the most considered and expressive absurdities in the history of consumption. And it's a wagon.
"Yes, there is such a person, and he is alive. Where, I do not know."
The specimen is a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate S-series, a family hauler as 'roided-out as the company's performance division, AMG, can feasibly make it.
"And the conspiracy----the organization? Is it real? It is not simply an invention of the Thought Police?"
Mercedes sold 123 copies of this car in the U.S. last year and, in case you are wondering, no, they don't make any money off them. But the cars have an outsize footprint among enthusiasts, automotive journalists and other ballers. I had one for a couple of weeks----the S-Model 4Matic wagon----and it is basically a five-passenger rally car. It has a panoramic sunroof so God can look down at your passengers' desperation.
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