There are 42 gallons of oil in a barrel.
Source: Energy Information Administration
Year: 2009
RNC Tax Attack Goes Too Far
The Republican National Committee claims in a new Web ad that Democratic health care plans propose taxes on “charities and small businesses. A doctor’s tax. Taxes on your health insurance. Even a tax on medical supplies.” It’s perfectly true, as the ad says, that “hundreds of billions” in taxes are being proposed – spread over …
Playing Favorites With Chrysler Dealers?
Q: Did the Obama administration target Chrysler dealerships for closure according to their political contributions?
A: The best evidence shows that dealerships with Republican donors weren’t disproportionately targeted – auto dealers overall tend to lean overwhelmingly Republican.
September 28, 2009
In 2007, there were 42,495 new cases of HIV/AIDS in adults and adolescents diagnosed in the U.S., with 74 percent of those for males.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
September 27, 2009
There are 2,139 bridges in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Source: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
September 26, 2009
In 1890, the United States Board on Geographic Names declared that all city names ending in "burgh" should drop the final "h." But in 1911, after protests from citizens, the board said Pittsburgh, Pa., could keep the extra letter.
Source: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Taxing Businesses – and Consumers?
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Campaign for Responsible Health Reform has released a new ad that says politicians in Congress "want new taxes on health care companies, taxes that will get passed on to you."
The TV ad, which began airing Sept. 18 in 13 states, refers to the new Senate Finance Committee bill (aka Sen. Max Baucus’ bill), which proposes a tax on the most expensive health care plans, the type that gave rise to the term "Cadillac plan"
Will Ferrell, Pygmy Horses and Health Insurance
MoveOn.org Political Action’s latest video is a satirical send-up of a public service announcement titled "Protect Insurance Companies." It features a collection of actors – including "Saturday Night Live" alum (and Dodge Stratus driver) Will Ferrell, "Mad Men"’s Jon Hamm and "The State"’s Thomas Lennon – who defend, among other things, the right of insurance CEOs to pursue an American dream that includes a "mini-zoo in your backyard for exotic animals like a white tiger and pygmy horses."
Czar Search
Q: Does Obama have an unprecedented number of "czars"?
A: "Czar" is media lingo, not an official title. But our research shows that George Bush’s administration had more "czars" than the Obama administration.
September 25, 2009
Pittsburgh, Pa., was named by Gen. John Forbes in honor of British statesman Sir William Pitt in 1758. In 1816, it was chartered as a city.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette