Welcome to 201k.com - A Commonwealth Perspective.

Sorry, can't resist this:

Red Cross Dismisses President, Citing Relationship

The American Red Cross today dismissed its president and chief executive, Mark W. Everson, citing his Òpersonal relationship with a subordinate employee.Ó He had been in office for only six months.

(Pause)

Mr. EversonÕs wife, Nanette, served in the White House counselÕs office as the chief ethics officer during the current Bush administration.

Giuliani: US must improve foreign relations

The former New York City mayor said Monday that if elected his approach to foreign policy would be to "Speak softly and carry a big stick," the motto of another New York Republican, Theodore Roosevelt.

Funny, but just the other day we were thinking that the flamboyant Mr. Giuliani, who has never in his life spoken softly, embodies the exact opposite of Teddy's aphorism.

Which is to say, he speaks loudly, and, er...

...nevermind.

More evidence that the world should be run by women:

Attorney General Martha Coakley is urging the state's automobile insurers to lower their 2008 rates, saying their initial filings last week included more than $200 million in extra profits and payments to agents that wouldn't have been allowed by regulators in previous years.

Coakley said the state's average premium would have fallen 11 percent if the extra profit and agent commissions were removed from the company filings.

[Coakley's] office issued a statement in which she said she was asking questions to make sure that information is available to all parties as the state transitions from a system where state regulators set all auto insurance rates to one where companies set their own rates subject to regulatory approval.

We've always loved Martha Coakley, despite her being a prosecutor, and not just because she shares a first name with Paul McCartney's old dog.

The truth is that, here, she's paid attention to something that the papers have missed, and that the governor has either ignored, or willfully colluded on.

So, 201k was considering a checking account at a bank in our neighborhood that will go nameless (Brookline Savings Bank) and went online to check their rates and fees.

My goodness.

To get interest-bearing free checking and pay no fees, you have to keep an average daily balance of $20,000. This is a personal checking account, mind you. For this the bank will pay 0.2% interest. That's 0.2%.

They keep $20,000 of your money, and pay 0.2%. So after a year you'll have $20,040 in your checking account. If your balance drops below $20,000 the fee is $15 a month.

Maybe there are people out there who need that kind of money in their personal checking account -- who knows. But it seems to us that you'd get a better return on your money buying $20,000 in lottery tickets, and the hell with the free checks.

But here's the thing: while we were reading about these enticing banking terms the story broke that another bank in our city had been robbed.

And well, it just sort of struck as ironic that this guy is risking 20 years in prison to steal, what, $1000 from a bank -- while across town a bank is legally robbing people blind.

201k feels strongly that a law should be passed preventing Bill O'Reilly from dragging out his tired "War on Christmas" schtick before Thanksgiving.

It bad enough that the retailers jump the season.

...is vaporware.

Rudy Guliani: Because After Bush/Cheney, America is Actually READY for a President Named 'Rudolph'

Barack Obama: Qualified Shmollified -- I'm CUTE!

Mike Huckabee: When Ron Paul is Not Quite Whacky Enough for You

Hillary Clinton: Right -- Like You'd Have Walked Out on Him

John McCain: If You Won't Vote for Me, At Least Vote for My Bus

John Edwards: Look On the Bright Side: I Won't Have to Debate Cheney This Time

Mitt Romney: Values and Faith Are at the Core of My Being -- But My Advisors Say I Can't Talk About Them So I Won't

Rudy Guliani: Because No One Keeps the Darkies Down Like a Mob Lawyer

Barack Obama: Please Forget That I Campaigned for Joe Lieberman

Mike Huckabee: When You Want a Republican That's REALLY Crazy

Hillary Clinton: Get Over It -- I'm Going to Win

John McCain: Really, I'm Not Like The Others (You Still Buying That?)

John Edwards: I May Be The Most Qualified, But I Still Talk Like Ned Flanders

Mitt Romney: Spin the Wheel - Hear What You Want!

Rosie O'Donnell in Talks to Join MSNBC

By JACQUES STEINBERG and BILL CARTER

Rosie O'Donnell, who abruptly left "The View" on ABC last spring after drawing attention and ratings for her opinions on everything from the Iraq war to her co-hosts, is in serious discussions to return to television atop a new soapbox: a prime-time show on the cable news channel MSNBC, according to executives on both sides of the negotiations who have been briefed directly.

Under one scenario, Ms. O'Donnell would be given the 9 p.m. slot each weeknight on MSNBC...

Countdown with Keith Olbermann followed by Rosie O'Donnell?

Count us in. We'll definitely be watching.