Jeff Stein of CQ appears to very upset that people are saying some unkind things about Porter Goss and his friends in the intelligence community. At his blog post from May 1, He rails against “conspiracy theories,” and “wild imaginations,” and complains that people have been misrepresenting what he’s been writing. It's as if people just don’t understand that his piece was supposed to be an anonymous hit job on Jane Harman, and they’ve been twisting it around to make his good friend Porter Goss seem like the bad guy! Stein has had to resort to using ALL CAPS to make people understand how innocent Goss is.
Stein says one writer asked "Why Did Goss finger Jane Harman?"
Stein writes: “Well, the short answer is that he didn't, as was made plain in my stories, which were corroborated by the New York Times and Washington Post.”
Stein:
“The drift of the latest commentary on the case is that Porter Goss, the former Republican congressman who headed the CIA during 2004-2006, was out to "get" Harman, his Democratic nemesis on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, when he was its chairman.”
"According to my sources and theirs, Goss was duty bound to notify congressional leaders that Harman had become enmeshed in a national security investigation, and that the FBI intended to question her about a wiretapped conversation she had with a suspected Israeli secret agent."
I like the passive voice there. But how did Harman “become enmeshed in a national security investigation?”
According to Stein’s original story on April 19, Harman is said by “former national security officials to have been picked up on a court-approved NSA wiretap directed at alleged Israeli covert action in Washington.”
So some anonymous national security officials may have overheard Harman, and informed the Dept. of Justice, and some other anonymous national security officials told Stein about it.
Maybe some, maybe all, of these anonymous officials work for Porter Goss. But maybe not. After all, he says there were from the NSA, not the CIA. So how did Porter Goss get involved at all?
Stein says that some people are now claiming that “Goss sought approval to pursue an investigation from both former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, but was rebuffed."
This is incorrect, says Stein.
“No. Goss sought clearance merely to NOTIFY then-House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi that Harman had been heard making potentially prosecutable statements on the wiretap.”
Furthermore, of course, the CIA has no power to "investigate" Harman, or anyone in the U.S., in the usual sense of the word.
Goss is an innocent bystander, you see, a stickler for the law who just wanted to notify Denny and Nancy, not the FBI or Justice.
Stein:
"Over at The Cable, Laura Rozen endowed the CIA director with even further power and motivation to "go after" Harman, writing, "Goss's decision to authorize a FISA warrant that would tap a former fellow lawmaker and rival seems potentially troubling."
"It would indeed be troubling if that were in fact what Goss did. But the problem with Rozen's assertion is that Goss had no power to "authorize a FISA warrant." As Rozen must know, that power belongs to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court, upon petition by the Justice Department.”
True, but this is highly disengenuous, since an application for a FISA warrant had to go through, and be approved by, Porter Goss on its way to the FISA court, which never turns down an application. (It never got as that far, because Gonzalez didn't pursue it).
But Stein left out of his original story the most interesting part: how did a conversation of an American, “overheard” on an NSA wiretap, initiate a non-investigation investigation? The answer doesn’t have to be sinister, but it might tell us whether proper procedures were followed, what the motivations of the people involved were, and who was “out to get” who.
On April 19, Stein wrote that after Bush DOJ lawyers, that oh-so-trustworthy, ethical crowd, somehow got their hands on the NSA transcripts with Jane Harman, they wanted to start an investigation.
Stein writes:
“First, however, they needed the certification of top intelligence officials that Harman’s wiretapped conversations justified a national security investigation."
"Then-CIA Director Porter J. Goss reviewed the Harman transcript and signed off on the Justice Department’s FISA application, two sources said."
"Goss, a former Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, deemed the matter particularly urgent because of the high rank of Harman, a Democrat, on the Intelligence panel.”
Ok, so maybe Goss was more than a bystander.
But is it true “they needed the certification of top intelligence officials” to investigate Jane Harman? No, it is not true.
Why couldn’t they get a Title III warrant like normal people? Why did these (also unnamed) officials want to go to a Foreign Intelligence Court to wiretap a Congresswoman? Doesn’t that take the “foreign” out of foreign intelligence??
Anyway, Goss did indeed approve of the FISA wiretap of his former fellow member of Congress, and deemed it “urgent.” Sadly for Goss, though, the investigation never happened.
Stein says:
“[Laura] Rozen further muddies the issue by referring to "DOJ's burgeoning investigation into Harman." Not only was a Justice Department "investigation" of Harman not "burgeoning," it had not even begun, as I and others have reported, based on first-hand sources.“
Gee, I wonder how Laura Rozen got the impression there was a “burgeoning investigation?” Maybe because the whole point of Stein’s article was to imply there was an alleged ironclad case against Harman before Gonzalez got involved and stopped it.
On April 19 he wrote this: “Justice Department officials decided there was sufficient evidence to initiate an FBI investigation of Harman. But at the last minute, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales aborted the plan….”
And this: “Another piece of news is that contrary to reports the Harman investigation was dropped for lack of evidence…”
And this: “Gonzales, President George W. Bush’s top counsel before becoming attorney general, who intervened to stop the Harman probe…”
And this: “As for there being no evidence to support the FBI probe the source with first-hand knowledge of the wiretap transcript called that “bull****.”
And this: ”Justice Department attorneys in the intelligence and public corruption units who read the transcripts decided that Harman had committed a crime...”
And this: “The Justice Department attorneys were prepared to pursue a case against Harman…”
And this: “Pelosi and Hastert were never notified and the investigation of Harman was effectively dead.”
Sure sounds like an investigation to me.
Heck, even in the May 1 post blasting Laura Rozen, where he writes, “The Justice Department was investigating secret Israeli operations in the United States, not Harman. (And now even that investigation has evidently come up empty).”
He also writes:
“Back in 2005, however, what the congresswoman was overheard saying to the wiretap target was troubling enough to prompt an investigation of her.”
Stein’s original desperation to imply that there was an investigation of Harman, and then later deny it heatedly, is odd.
Stein concludes, rather defensively:
“Everything else written about hidden agendas in this case is speculation, which, by the looks of instant commentary on the AIPAC case, will undoubtedly continue to take the place of reporting on this sordid affair.”
Indeed, it is speculation and it sordid. Since we have no idea who Stein’s sources are, all we can safely say is that we are getting selective and I might add, patently illegal, leaks from probable-NSA wiretaps, overhearing people they weren’t even investigating, clearly designed to make it look like Rep. Harman did something when no investigation was ever started, or if it was, didn’t go very far. And Harman never did get to Chair that Committee.
Quite frankly, Stein seems pretty desperate to cover for Porter Goss and the other Gosslings, almost to the point of advocacy. Which is interesting.
On April 19 Stein wrote:
"The first director of national intelligence, John D. Negroponte, opposed an FBI investigation of Harman, according to officials familiar with his thinking, and left it to Goss or FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III , to decide what to do."
Goss was head of the CIA. As Stein correctly points out, he should have no role at all in a criminal investigation of an American.
So why did the director of national intelligence leave it up to the head of the CIA “what to do” about a Democratic Congresswoman?
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Harman and the NSA
Th New York Times, April 15
The Justice Department has for more than two years been investigating aspects of the N.S.A.’s wiretapping program.
As part of that investigation, a senior F.B.I. agent recently came forward with what the inspector general’s office described as accusations of “significant misconduct” in the surveillance program, people with knowledge of the investigation said. Those accusations are said to involve whether the N.S.A. made Americans targets in eavesdropping operations based on insufficient evidence tying them to terrorism.
The CQ Harman story, I submit, is not about Jane Harman. It's about the NSA protecting its turf.
Add this the even larger debate about whether the NSA should be in charge of domestic cyber securtity, including of private organizations.
The legal and operational problems surrounding the N.S.A.’s surveillance activities have come under scrutiny from the Obama administration, Congressional intelligence committees and a secret national security court, said the intelligence officials, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because N.S.A. activities are classified. Classified government briefings have been held in recent weeks in response to a brewing controversy that some officials worry could damage the credibility of legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts.
So the NSA is being investigated by:
1. The Bush DOJ
2. The Obama DOJ
3. Congress
4. The FISA Court
Is it possible that the NSA is sending a message to all of the above?
The Justice Department has for more than two years been investigating aspects of the N.S.A.’s wiretapping program.
As part of that investigation, a senior F.B.I. agent recently came forward with what the inspector general’s office described as accusations of “significant misconduct” in the surveillance program, people with knowledge of the investigation said. Those accusations are said to involve whether the N.S.A. made Americans targets in eavesdropping operations based on insufficient evidence tying them to terrorism.
The CQ Harman story, I submit, is not about Jane Harman. It's about the NSA protecting its turf.
Add this the even larger debate about whether the NSA should be in charge of domestic cyber securtity, including of private organizations.
The legal and operational problems surrounding the N.S.A.’s surveillance activities have come under scrutiny from the Obama administration, Congressional intelligence committees and a secret national security court, said the intelligence officials, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because N.S.A. activities are classified. Classified government briefings have been held in recent weeks in response to a brewing controversy that some officials worry could damage the credibility of legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts.
So the NSA is being investigated by:
1. The Bush DOJ
2. The Obama DOJ
3. Congress
4. The FISA Court
Is it possible that the NSA is sending a message to all of the above?
Abuse of FISA
According to the Congressional Quarterly article regarding Rep. Jane Harman, when Justice Department officials wanted to open a new criminal investigation into a sitting member of Congress, they decided not to use normal channels to apply for a warrant, but tried to go through the procedures designated under the FISA law and the secret FISA court. A law and court specifically created to monitor not Americans, but foreigners. This would have required Alberto Gonzalez to state and justify his belief that the target of the wiretap was a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power. Apparently if Porter Goss followed the law, he did certify that the information sought was foreign intelligence information and that the information could not reasonably be obtained by normal investigative techniques. "Agent of a foreign power" means, among other things, someone who knowingly engages in any clandestine intelligence activities. Interestingly, both John Negroponte and Michael Hayden, neither Fourth Amendment zealots, rejected the application to wiretap Harman.
This seems strange at first, but considering that the conversation was originally overheard via a FISA-court approved NSA wiretap, it makes sense. Now consider that the original conversation as reported by CQ directly implicated Alberto Gonzalez and lesser officials, and it looks like the national security officials did not trust the Department of Justice to approve or oversee a normal domestic wiretap. CQ says Goss thought wiretapping Harman was "urgent." However, FISA warrants still need the AG's approval, and - guess what - Gonzalez turned them down.
So now we have a NSA officials who catch a peculiar but not unusual Beltway conversation involving Harman, Pelosi and officials in the Bush DOJ. They and unnamed DOJ attorneys working on national intelligence want to wiretap, but decide not to apply to a federal judge. Instead, perhaps out of habit, using FISA, (this part is unclear) they ask Negroponte, who says no, then Hayden, who turns them down, until finally Porter Goss says yes, only to have it rejected by the now disgraced Gonzalez. Disgruntled and disgusted, after the torture memos are released, they tell their story to CQ, even though they admit no laws were ever really broken.
We should be disturbed by NSA wiretaps being distributed all over Washington, being used in attempt to justify further FISA wiretaps on Americans, including members of Congress in the opposition party, and, when those efforts failed, the contents of the original wiretaps being leaked by rogue officials in order settle inter-agency scores?
Follow up on something Josh Marshall said - wiretapping members of Congress is dangerous territory, but using a *secret* court to do so is extremely dangerous.
This seems strange at first, but considering that the conversation was originally overheard via a FISA-court approved NSA wiretap, it makes sense. Now consider that the original conversation as reported by CQ directly implicated Alberto Gonzalez and lesser officials, and it looks like the national security officials did not trust the Department of Justice to approve or oversee a normal domestic wiretap. CQ says Goss thought wiretapping Harman was "urgent." However, FISA warrants still need the AG's approval, and - guess what - Gonzalez turned them down.
So now we have a NSA officials who catch a peculiar but not unusual Beltway conversation involving Harman, Pelosi and officials in the Bush DOJ. They and unnamed DOJ attorneys working on national intelligence want to wiretap, but decide not to apply to a federal judge. Instead, perhaps out of habit, using FISA, (this part is unclear) they ask Negroponte, who says no, then Hayden, who turns them down, until finally Porter Goss says yes, only to have it rejected by the now disgraced Gonzalez. Disgruntled and disgusted, after the torture memos are released, they tell their story to CQ, even though they admit no laws were ever really broken.
We should be disturbed by NSA wiretaps being distributed all over Washington, being used in attempt to justify further FISA wiretaps on Americans, including members of Congress in the opposition party, and, when those efforts failed, the contents of the original wiretaps being leaked by rogue officials in order settle inter-agency scores?
Follow up on something Josh Marshall said - wiretapping members of Congress is dangerous territory, but using a *secret* court to do so is extremely dangerous.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Precision Torture
NYT:
The memos include what in effect are lengthy excerpts from the agency’s interrogation manual, laying out with precision how each method was to be used. Waterboarding, for example, involved strapping a prisoner to a gurney inclined at an angle of “10 to 15 degrees” and pouring water over a cloth covering his nose and mouth “from a height of approximately 6 to 18 inches” for no more than 40 seconds at a time.
But a footnote to a 2005 memo made it clear that the rules were not always followed. Waterboarding was used “with far greater frequency than initially indicated” and with “large volumes of water” rather than the small quantities in the rules, one memo says, citing a 2004 report by the C.I.A.’s inspector general.
Surprise, surprise.
The memos include what in effect are lengthy excerpts from the agency’s interrogation manual, laying out with precision how each method was to be used. Waterboarding, for example, involved strapping a prisoner to a gurney inclined at an angle of “10 to 15 degrees” and pouring water over a cloth covering his nose and mouth “from a height of approximately 6 to 18 inches” for no more than 40 seconds at a time.
But a footnote to a 2005 memo made it clear that the rules were not always followed. Waterboarding was used “with far greater frequency than initially indicated” and with “large volumes of water” rather than the small quantities in the rules, one memo says, citing a 2004 report by the C.I.A.’s inspector general.
Surprise, surprise.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The brief in Jewel v. US
Ok, I just read the brief in Jewel v. US, regarding the surveillance claims and alleged violations of ECPA, SCA, the Wiretap Law and FISA.
The DOJ makes two arguments. One, that Congress has not waived the Federal government's right to be immune from lawsuits in this area. Therefore the court must dismiss the case.
Two, that regardless of the merits of the suit, (in other words, let's assume the government broke the law and would otherwise be held to account in a court of law) the court must not hear the case due to special circumstances. Namely, that to hear to the suit would disclose information about intelligence gathering activities which would cause exceptionally grave harm to national security. This includes facts about the programs Bush authorized after 9/11 and before FISA was revised.
Incidentally, the brief states that allegations that the Bush progam collected information from people in the US are "false" but then states they can't prove that, because to do so would reveal secrets. The brief also states that even to admit that the government was working with AT&T, for example, would harm national security.
The brief also seeks summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiffs can't make a prima facie case, since - you guessed it, the facts they would need to show standing and injury, in other words, that they were personally wiretapped - are also secret.
It's worth noting that this is a brief, not a policy statement, nor is it only about FISA, nor is it a defense of Bush's violations of the law, though it could be read that way, or even a denial that they did break the law. It's a motion to dismiss a lawsuit because revelations during the ensuing litigation would harm national security.
Two immediate solutions would be Congress to re-write the laws to waive immunity, and for the judge in this case to review the DOJ claims in private. Also, of course, to ask Obama himself - in a press conference, perhaps - how, even conceding the facts in this case, plaintiffs such as these can seek justice, under his Presidency.
The DOJ makes two arguments. One, that Congress has not waived the Federal government's right to be immune from lawsuits in this area. Therefore the court must dismiss the case.
Two, that regardless of the merits of the suit, (in other words, let's assume the government broke the law and would otherwise be held to account in a court of law) the court must not hear the case due to special circumstances. Namely, that to hear to the suit would disclose information about intelligence gathering activities which would cause exceptionally grave harm to national security. This includes facts about the programs Bush authorized after 9/11 and before FISA was revised.
Incidentally, the brief states that allegations that the Bush progam collected information from people in the US are "false" but then states they can't prove that, because to do so would reveal secrets. The brief also states that even to admit that the government was working with AT&T, for example, would harm national security.
The brief also seeks summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiffs can't make a prima facie case, since - you guessed it, the facts they would need to show standing and injury, in other words, that they were personally wiretapped - are also secret.
It's worth noting that this is a brief, not a policy statement, nor is it only about FISA, nor is it a defense of Bush's violations of the law, though it could be read that way, or even a denial that they did break the law. It's a motion to dismiss a lawsuit because revelations during the ensuing litigation would harm national security.
Two immediate solutions would be Congress to re-write the laws to waive immunity, and for the judge in this case to review the DOJ claims in private. Also, of course, to ask Obama himself - in a press conference, perhaps - how, even conceding the facts in this case, plaintiffs such as these can seek justice, under his Presidency.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Big Winner in Firing of Rick Wagoner
The big winner in the story of the firing of GM's former CEO Rick Wagoner is Scott Murphy, running in a special election in upstate NY. If I were Murphy, I would used the next 40 hours to let everyone know that while George W. Bush and the Republican party gave away your money to companies like AIG without restrictions, President Obama and the Democrats are finally holding corporate America to account, and are demanding real change for companies asking for a bailout.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Budget Crisis Averted?
The New York Times:
Albany Agrees on a Plan to Raise Taxes on Top Earners
Gov. David A. Paterson and leaders of the Legislature have reached a deal to temporarily raise taxes on New York’s highest earners in order to close the state’s yawning budget deficit, lawmakers and officials involved in the talks said on Saturday.
The new plan, which would expire after three years, would represent the largest state income tax increase in recent history, significantly larger than the surcharges imposed from 2003 to 2005, when the state last faced a major recession.
The plan would raise $4 billion a year by creating two new tax brackets, the highest one affecting those who earn $500,000 or more. If approved by rank-and-file lawmakers in the Assembly and State Senate, the tax increases would be a major victory for unions and liberal advocacy groups and a signal of the new balance of power in Albany, where Democrats won control of both houses of the Legislature and the governor’s office in last year’s election.
Although the proposed tax has been called a “millionaires’ tax,” it would affect those with incomes starting at $300,000, who would be taxed at a rate of 7.85 percent. The highest bracket would carry a tax rate of 8.97 percent — the same as New Jersey’s current highest rate.
Albany Agrees on a Plan to Raise Taxes on Top Earners
Gov. David A. Paterson and leaders of the Legislature have reached a deal to temporarily raise taxes on New York’s highest earners in order to close the state’s yawning budget deficit, lawmakers and officials involved in the talks said on Saturday.
The new plan, which would expire after three years, would represent the largest state income tax increase in recent history, significantly larger than the surcharges imposed from 2003 to 2005, when the state last faced a major recession.
The plan would raise $4 billion a year by creating two new tax brackets, the highest one affecting those who earn $500,000 or more. If approved by rank-and-file lawmakers in the Assembly and State Senate, the tax increases would be a major victory for unions and liberal advocacy groups and a signal of the new balance of power in Albany, where Democrats won control of both houses of the Legislature and the governor’s office in last year’s election.
Although the proposed tax has been called a “millionaires’ tax,” it would affect those with incomes starting at $300,000, who would be taxed at a rate of 7.85 percent. The highest bracket would carry a tax rate of 8.97 percent — the same as New Jersey’s current highest rate.
THE NEXT SHOE TO DROP
The insurance industry could be the next shoe to drop in the financial crisis, a big hedge fund warns. "We think the insurance industry now is essentially where the banking industry was 12 months ago," according to the 5½-page report by Bridgewater, which is distributed to a tight circle of clients.
Bridgewater said the worst of the insurers' problems have yet to emerge. It noted that the industry could be forced to come up with as much as $59 billion in fresh capital as a result of downgrades on assets these companies are sitting on. Insurers are also big owners of commercial real-estate loans, and that market is widely expected to falter as a result of corporate cutbacks and depressed office rents. On top of that, Bridgewater projects the industry will have to shell out as much as $800 billion on so-called whole-life policies, which essentially are life-insurance policies with a savings component. Historically, during rough economic times, holders of these policies tend to draw down on money built up in these accounts whenever they're short on cash.
Bridgewater said the worst of the insurers' problems have yet to emerge. It noted that the industry could be forced to come up with as much as $59 billion in fresh capital as a result of downgrades on assets these companies are sitting on. Insurers are also big owners of commercial real-estate loans, and that market is widely expected to falter as a result of corporate cutbacks and depressed office rents. On top of that, Bridgewater projects the industry will have to shell out as much as $800 billion on so-called whole-life policies, which essentially are life-insurance policies with a savings component. Historically, during rough economic times, holders of these policies tend to draw down on money built up in these accounts whenever they're short on cash.
REPUBLICANS AGAINST WALL STREET
March 26 (Bloomberg) - A special U.S. congressional election in upstate New York may provide an early referendum on a politician who’s not on the ballot: President Barack Obama.
The race in New York’s 20th district will replace Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat who was appointed to fill Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate seat when she became secretary of state. The March 31 election between Democrat Scott Murphy and Republican Jim Tedisco has taken on broader significance because the candidates have made their dispute over Obama’s $787 billion economic-stimulus bill the campaign’s central issue.
Murphy, 39, has hammered Tedisco over his opposition to the stimulus plan, and Tedisco, 58, has criticized Murphy for supporting legislation that allowed AIG executives to receive million-dollar bonuses. The Republican’s ads, in turn, tie Murphy to AIG and government waste. This week, Tedisco staged a walk down Broadway, the main street in Saratoga Springs, to highlight the "greed and indifference on Wall Street and in Washington" that’s hurt people on Main Street.In a March 24 debate hosted by New York’s WNYT Channel 13, Tedisco vowed to “fight against waste and stand up and blow the whistle on Wall Street’s greed” while Murphy highlighted his support for Obama’s stimulus plan.
This ridiculous strutting peacock has no shame at all, does he?
The race in New York’s 20th district will replace Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat who was appointed to fill Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate seat when she became secretary of state. The March 31 election between Democrat Scott Murphy and Republican Jim Tedisco has taken on broader significance because the candidates have made their dispute over Obama’s $787 billion economic-stimulus bill the campaign’s central issue.
Murphy, 39, has hammered Tedisco over his opposition to the stimulus plan, and Tedisco, 58, has criticized Murphy for supporting legislation that allowed AIG executives to receive million-dollar bonuses. The Republican’s ads, in turn, tie Murphy to AIG and government waste. This week, Tedisco staged a walk down Broadway, the main street in Saratoga Springs, to highlight the "greed and indifference on Wall Street and in Washington" that’s hurt people on Main Street.In a March 24 debate hosted by New York’s WNYT Channel 13, Tedisco vowed to “fight against waste and stand up and blow the whistle on Wall Street’s greed” while Murphy highlighted his support for Obama’s stimulus plan.
This ridiculous strutting peacock has no shame at all, does he?
NICE IF YOU CAN GET IT
The funds would help GM meet its goal of
receiving $6 billion from Canada, Germany, the U.K.,
Sweden and Thailand on top of the $16.6 billion it requested from the U.S. to avoid bankruptcy.
receiving $6 billion from Canada, Germany, the U.K.,
Sweden and Thailand on top of the $16.6 billion it requested from the U.S. to avoid bankruptcy.
AP Hypes Fake Notre Dame Controversy
Criticism Over Obama Invite Mounts at Notre Dame
By Tom Coyne, Associated Press Writer Tom Coyne, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 27, 9:08 am ET
Many Catholics are angered by Obama's planned appearance at the May 17 ceremony because of his decisions to provide federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and international family planning groups that provide abortions or educate about the procedure.
The consensus Thursday on the campus of the nation's most-prominent Catholic university was that any president should be welcomed at Notre Dame.
Then why you did write the fucking story???
By Tom Coyne, Associated Press Writer Tom Coyne, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 27, 9:08 am ET
Many Catholics are angered by Obama's planned appearance at the May 17 ceremony because of his decisions to provide federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and international family planning groups that provide abortions or educate about the procedure.
The consensus Thursday on the campus of the nation's most-prominent Catholic university was that any president should be welcomed at Notre Dame.
Then why you did write the fucking story???
Monday, March 23, 2009
How Does Tom Friedman Stay So Topical?
According to Tom Friedman, there are no adults in charge in Washington. We know this because Eric Cantor is acting like a partisan jerk, Congress is objecting to the AIG bonuses, and President Obama, the top person in Washington... well he went on Jay Leno, so he's just as bad as a third world dictator.
It's probably the laziest column to write -- "a pox on both their houses" -- while you pontificate on what real leaders would really do - take the high, non-partisan road, of course. Weirdly, though, Tommy still believes in business self-regulation, and of course he believes corporate executives, Wall Street financiers even, basically have hearts of gold and sleep wrapped in Betsy Ross' American flag.
See, all Obama had to do was go on national tv and ask the bonus recipients to give the money back. This would be a "great national mission" - giving back millions in unearned, undeserved tax money while remaining obscenely rich being much like going to the moon, or landing on the beaches of Normandy. This would elevate the President, says Friedman, although, oddly, the bonus recipients themselves would be worse off than under the so called "punitive" tax Tommy finds too "banana republic" for his taste. Strangely, he capitalizes the term, perhaps unable to distinguish between the concept of third world nation and a high-end retail chain for bored suburban teenagers.
Anyway, he caps it all by quoting his anonyous Indian buddy and the CEO of some company which helps reluctant businesses "build ethical cultures". Also he quotes fictional anonymous friends who tell him they are depressed listening to the news. Finally, Friedman channels the DJ robot from the Simpsons, attacking - no really - the "clowns" who are balloning in importance and distracting us from the really important stuff. How does Tommy stay so topical?
It's probably the laziest column to write -- "a pox on both their houses" -- while you pontificate on what real leaders would really do - take the high, non-partisan road, of course. Weirdly, though, Tommy still believes in business self-regulation, and of course he believes corporate executives, Wall Street financiers even, basically have hearts of gold and sleep wrapped in Betsy Ross' American flag.
See, all Obama had to do was go on national tv and ask the bonus recipients to give the money back. This would be a "great national mission" - giving back millions in unearned, undeserved tax money while remaining obscenely rich being much like going to the moon, or landing on the beaches of Normandy. This would elevate the President, says Friedman, although, oddly, the bonus recipients themselves would be worse off than under the so called "punitive" tax Tommy finds too "banana republic" for his taste. Strangely, he capitalizes the term, perhaps unable to distinguish between the concept of third world nation and a high-end retail chain for bored suburban teenagers.
Anyway, he caps it all by quoting his anonyous Indian buddy and the CEO of some company which helps reluctant businesses "build ethical cultures". Also he quotes fictional anonymous friends who tell him they are depressed listening to the news. Finally, Friedman channels the DJ robot from the Simpsons, attacking - no really - the "clowns" who are balloning in importance and distracting us from the really important stuff. How does Tommy stay so topical?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Meet the Press with Christina Romer & Eric Eric Cantor - March 15, 2009
Meet the Press
March 15, 2009
Guests:
Christina Romer
Rep. Eric Cantor
************************
Gregory: are we in a war? I love those
Romer: yes - it’s great that means Obama can seize bankers off the street and put torture them without charges
Gregory: but McCain said the fundamentals of the economy were strong just like Bammy
Romer: yes but he was an out of touch idiot
Gregory: are the fundamentals strong or not
Romer: well sure the earth still has a crust
Gregory: so John McCain was right
Romer: yelling at clouds is not the answer
Gregory: was Bush wrong?
Romer: we were all wrong
Gregory: so that proves you could be wrong
Romer: well sure
Gregory: so don’t the people deserve to know what you’re not planning to do?
Romer: huh?
Gregory: has the stimulus failed?
Romer: give it one more week
Gregory: Paul Krugman says you don’t spend enough
Romer: but he didn’t take into account Obama bought his kids a playhouse
Gregory: will Obama tax employees health care?
Romer: no
Gregory: but I read he would
Romer: where?
Gregory: the National Enquirer - also Lindsay Lohan is in trouble again!
Romer: idiot
Gregory: is it off the table?
Romer: which table?
Gregory: THE table!
Romer: oh that table
Gregory: Bailouts for AIG?
Romer: we’re all very angry about that
Gregory: so what are you going to do?
Romer: we’re writing a strongly worded letter urging them to give the money back
Gregory: so it’s like Albert Brooks in Life in America
Romer: right
Gregory: aren’t we going to war with no troops?
Romer: you know dancin’ dave I had I heard you were a true moron
Gregory: but we have no top people at the Dept of Treasury!!
Romer: I’m sure the nation will survive
Gregory: but you need people with experience on Wall Street to get us out of the mess Wall Street created!
Romer: hey we have very high ethics
Gregory: [ sobs ]
Gregory: we need a detailed blueprint for the next four years!!
Romer: you’re very silly
Gregory: but the first thing FDR did was build a highway on the West side of New York!!
Romer: I don’t think that’s right Gregory
Gregory: the hardest thing is to admit the Pile is made of Shit
Romer: we’re working on admitting that
Gregory: so how do square that Shit Circle?
Romer: I’ll let Obama try sell you that crap
Gregory: what should consumers do now?
Romer: save money but also tomorrow go out and buy a car you can’t afford
[break]
Gregory: hey Congressman is the economy recovering?
Cantor: I’d like to think so but let’s face it - Bush left us with a mess and we need socialism for small businesses
Gregory: oh really - what’s your solution to the crisis?
Cantor: help all the little wonderful puppy and kitten businesses who can’t get loans
Gregory: so what? Ayn Rand would say fuck ‘em
Cantor: Government should get out of the way by guaranteeing all business loans
Gregory: you oppose big government spending and borrowing except for your business friends?
Cantor: right - Obama’s Treasury Dept should take over the American banking system
Gregory: so are you a socialist?
Cantor: Republicans believe we should plant magic beans all over America and then harvest the gold that blossoms thereof
Gregory: interesting - is that all?
Cantor: Oh no - we all plan to bash Barack Obama for not having a blueprint for Any Randian Socialism
Gregory: will you vote for the budget bill?
Cantor: no it’s has to be very focused on helping people in my state
Gregory: fair enough
Cantor: Obama is trying to do much and instead of not doing anything which is much more impressive
Gregory: the GOP just discovered spending problems after 30 years of spending like crazy insane people
Cantor: that’s doesn’t give Democrats an excuse to be as bad as Republicans!
Gregory: did you ever oppose spending??
Cantor: no because Republicans love America and the flag and apple pie and the troops
Gregory: that sounds a little like hypocrisy
Cantor: but there’s a train to Disneyland!!
Gregory: you supported 46,000 earmarks
Cantor: yes but Obama is a magic negro here to save us all
Gregory: you gotta be fucking kidding me
Cantor: look we are very troubled that just because Americans completely rejected the GOP liberal policies are being implemented
Gregory: that is a surprise to you?
Cantor: yes because only Republicans understand America
Gregory: Did Congress drop the ball on the economic crisis?
Cantor: yes we need to follow Ayn Rand’s example and have more Randian Regulation
[ break ]
Gregory: are the Dems hypocrites for saying things have gotten better?
Liesman: but things are better!
Tavis Smiley: I hate bad bailouts
David Frum: I am expert on the Depression
Gregory: why is Obama bad?
Frum: because the stimulus is not big enough
Liesman: coming from you that’s stupid
Frum: true - but that’s no excuse
Katty Kay: Europeans don’t care about the recession because they still have health care and at least there are no concentration camps
Gregory: Jon Stewart pointed out that the media failed - is that true?
Liesman: sadly yes
Gregory: that’s pretty horrible - let’s go to economic expert Tavis Smiley
Smiley: Greed is not speed! Wall Street is not Main Street! Poverty is not Dougherty!
Gregory: what should have been done to stop Americans buying a big house?
Frum: Bush should probably not have lied so much
Smiley: how about fewer tax cuts for the rich?
Frum: that’s crazy talk
Kay: journalists didn’t ask any sensible questions
Liesman: well in their defense - they’re idiots
Gregory: Steele is pro-choice now??
Frum: Steele is warm and exciting and fresh
Gregory: you make him sound like an Oreo Pop Tart
Frum: He’s the best thing to happen to the Republican party since stovepipe hats
Gregory: so when will he be fired
Frum: next week
Smiley: I tell you dude you’re not going to get black voters with this weirdo
Frum: he’s not black - but he’s got great blackiness
Gregory: and we’re done
March 15, 2009
Guests:
Christina Romer
Rep. Eric Cantor
************************
Gregory: are we in a war? I love those
Romer: yes - it’s great that means Obama can seize bankers off the street and put torture them without charges
Gregory: but McCain said the fundamentals of the economy were strong just like Bammy
Romer: yes but he was an out of touch idiot
Gregory: are the fundamentals strong or not
Romer: well sure the earth still has a crust
Gregory: so John McCain was right
Romer: yelling at clouds is not the answer
Gregory: was Bush wrong?
Romer: we were all wrong
Gregory: so that proves you could be wrong
Romer: well sure
Gregory: so don’t the people deserve to know what you’re not planning to do?
Romer: huh?
Gregory: has the stimulus failed?
Romer: give it one more week
Gregory: Paul Krugman says you don’t spend enough
Romer: but he didn’t take into account Obama bought his kids a playhouse
Gregory: will Obama tax employees health care?
Romer: no
Gregory: but I read he would
Romer: where?
Gregory: the National Enquirer - also Lindsay Lohan is in trouble again!
Romer: idiot
Gregory: is it off the table?
Romer: which table?
Gregory: THE table!
Romer: oh that table
Gregory: Bailouts for AIG?
Romer: we’re all very angry about that
Gregory: so what are you going to do?
Romer: we’re writing a strongly worded letter urging them to give the money back
Gregory: so it’s like Albert Brooks in Life in America
Romer: right
Gregory: aren’t we going to war with no troops?
Romer: you know dancin’ dave I had I heard you were a true moron
Gregory: but we have no top people at the Dept of Treasury!!
Romer: I’m sure the nation will survive
Gregory: but you need people with experience on Wall Street to get us out of the mess Wall Street created!
Romer: hey we have very high ethics
Gregory: [ sobs ]
Gregory: we need a detailed blueprint for the next four years!!
Romer: you’re very silly
Gregory: but the first thing FDR did was build a highway on the West side of New York!!
Romer: I don’t think that’s right Gregory
Gregory: the hardest thing is to admit the Pile is made of Shit
Romer: we’re working on admitting that
Gregory: so how do square that Shit Circle?
Romer: I’ll let Obama try sell you that crap
Gregory: what should consumers do now?
Romer: save money but also tomorrow go out and buy a car you can’t afford
[break]
Gregory: hey Congressman is the economy recovering?
Cantor: I’d like to think so but let’s face it - Bush left us with a mess and we need socialism for small businesses
Gregory: oh really - what’s your solution to the crisis?
Cantor: help all the little wonderful puppy and kitten businesses who can’t get loans
Gregory: so what? Ayn Rand would say fuck ‘em
Cantor: Government should get out of the way by guaranteeing all business loans
Gregory: you oppose big government spending and borrowing except for your business friends?
Cantor: right - Obama’s Treasury Dept should take over the American banking system
Gregory: so are you a socialist?
Cantor: Republicans believe we should plant magic beans all over America and then harvest the gold that blossoms thereof
Gregory: interesting - is that all?
Cantor: Oh no - we all plan to bash Barack Obama for not having a blueprint for Any Randian Socialism
Gregory: will you vote for the budget bill?
Cantor: no it’s has to be very focused on helping people in my state
Gregory: fair enough
Cantor: Obama is trying to do much and instead of not doing anything which is much more impressive
Gregory: the GOP just discovered spending problems after 30 years of spending like crazy insane people
Cantor: that’s doesn’t give Democrats an excuse to be as bad as Republicans!
Gregory: did you ever oppose spending??
Cantor: no because Republicans love America and the flag and apple pie and the troops
Gregory: that sounds a little like hypocrisy
Cantor: but there’s a train to Disneyland!!
Gregory: you supported 46,000 earmarks
Cantor: yes but Obama is a magic negro here to save us all
Gregory: you gotta be fucking kidding me
Cantor: look we are very troubled that just because Americans completely rejected the GOP liberal policies are being implemented
Gregory: that is a surprise to you?
Cantor: yes because only Republicans understand America
Gregory: Did Congress drop the ball on the economic crisis?
Cantor: yes we need to follow Ayn Rand’s example and have more Randian Regulation
[ break ]
Gregory: are the Dems hypocrites for saying things have gotten better?
Liesman: but things are better!
Tavis Smiley: I hate bad bailouts
David Frum: I am expert on the Depression
Gregory: why is Obama bad?
Frum: because the stimulus is not big enough
Liesman: coming from you that’s stupid
Frum: true - but that’s no excuse
Katty Kay: Europeans don’t care about the recession because they still have health care and at least there are no concentration camps
Gregory: Jon Stewart pointed out that the media failed - is that true?
Liesman: sadly yes
Gregory: that’s pretty horrible - let’s go to economic expert Tavis Smiley
Smiley: Greed is not speed! Wall Street is not Main Street! Poverty is not Dougherty!
Gregory: what should have been done to stop Americans buying a big house?
Frum: Bush should probably not have lied so much
Smiley: how about fewer tax cuts for the rich?
Frum: that’s crazy talk
Kay: journalists didn’t ask any sensible questions
Liesman: well in their defense - they’re idiots
Gregory: Steele is pro-choice now??
Frum: Steele is warm and exciting and fresh
Gregory: you make him sound like an Oreo Pop Tart
Frum: He’s the best thing to happen to the Republican party since stovepipe hats
Gregory: so when will he be fired
Frum: next week
Smiley: I tell you dude you’re not going to get black voters with this weirdo
Frum: he’s not black - but he’s got great blackiness
Gregory: and we’re done
The Chris Matthew Show - March 15, 2009
The Chris Matthew Show
March 15, 2009
Matthews: can Obama cure my illness?
Fineman: no he must explain how all lending works
Tweety: I love you - you’re the best! -- but you’re not bashing Obama enough
Burnett: did you know Banks are not America’s biggest lenders!
Tweety: who are?
Burnett: mafia loansharks
Tweety: Timmy Geither is confusing!!
Sorkin: Look who talking
Fineman: he’s too much of an insider - he’s a green eyeshade guy
Tweety: so who’s doing the White House public relations?
Fineman: Larry Summers
Tweety: oh no
Burnett: all we know is that it’s very important that the big bankers stay rich
Tweety: will Obama give me more money?
Sorkin: everyone thinks we should have a bigger stimulus
Fineman: it will never happen
Tweety: who will stop it?
Fienman: John Boehner and the Electric Randians
Tweety: what’s wrong with America?
Burnett: we borrowed too much money
Tweety: so let’s borrow more money?
Burnett: yes also let’s name some more airports after Ronald Reagan
Tweety: are we all bottoms now?
Burnett: not yet
Sorkin: Jon Stewart will get me for whatever I say
Tweety: don’t flatter yourself opie
Tweety: OMG Obama has abdicated all his power to Rahm Emmanuel!!!
Fineman: that’s right - Congress is writing all the spending bills!!
Tweety: I love it!!
Kornblut: it’s crazy just because Obama is trying to get things done
Tweety: but it’s not like Hillary with health care in 1993!
Tweety: Obama is scaring the money people!!
Sorkin: that’s all you ever say idiot
Tweety: Obama is doing everything which means he has given away all his power!
Fineman: he’s a stud but he needs to get on the road
Sorkin: you just complained that he was on the road too much!!
Fineman: that’s true -- but the point is that he sucks
Burnett: Wall Street thinks he’s doing a good job
Tweety: no no no!
Burnett: the good news Nebraska is hiring telemarkers and casinos in Iowa are doing well!
Fineman: If Franken finally the nasty pro-unions bill will pass
Kornblut: people love the troops which will be good when martial law comes
Sokin: Hank Paulson was right!
Burnett: recovery by 2010!
Sorkin: recovery by 2009 but you just won’t feel it
Kornblut: the Dems will fail!
Fineman: Nes! No!
Tweety: you’re all so smart!
************************************************
March 15, 2009
Matthews: can Obama cure my illness?
Fineman: no he must explain how all lending works
Tweety: I love you - you’re the best! -- but you’re not bashing Obama enough
Burnett: did you know Banks are not America’s biggest lenders!
Tweety: who are?
Burnett: mafia loansharks
Tweety: Timmy Geither is confusing!!
Sorkin: Look who talking
Fineman: he’s too much of an insider - he’s a green eyeshade guy
Tweety: so who’s doing the White House public relations?
Fineman: Larry Summers
Tweety: oh no
Burnett: all we know is that it’s very important that the big bankers stay rich
Tweety: will Obama give me more money?
Sorkin: everyone thinks we should have a bigger stimulus
Fineman: it will never happen
Tweety: who will stop it?
Fienman: John Boehner and the Electric Randians
Tweety: what’s wrong with America?
Burnett: we borrowed too much money
Tweety: so let’s borrow more money?
Burnett: yes also let’s name some more airports after Ronald Reagan
Tweety: are we all bottoms now?
Burnett: not yet
Sorkin: Jon Stewart will get me for whatever I say
Tweety: don’t flatter yourself opie
Tweety: OMG Obama has abdicated all his power to Rahm Emmanuel!!!
Fineman: that’s right - Congress is writing all the spending bills!!
Tweety: I love it!!
Kornblut: it’s crazy just because Obama is trying to get things done
Tweety: but it’s not like Hillary with health care in 1993!
Tweety: Obama is scaring the money people!!
Sorkin: that’s all you ever say idiot
Tweety: Obama is doing everything which means he has given away all his power!
Fineman: he’s a stud but he needs to get on the road
Sorkin: you just complained that he was on the road too much!!
Fineman: that’s true -- but the point is that he sucks
Burnett: Wall Street thinks he’s doing a good job
Tweety: no no no!
Burnett: the good news Nebraska is hiring telemarkers and casinos in Iowa are doing well!
Fineman: If Franken finally the nasty pro-unions bill will pass
Kornblut: people love the troops which will be good when martial law comes
Sokin: Hank Paulson was right!
Burnett: recovery by 2010!
Sorkin: recovery by 2009 but you just won’t feel it
Kornblut: the Dems will fail!
Fineman: Nes! No!
Tweety: you’re all so smart!
************************************************
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Stimulus
I would like Paul Krugman to tell us how much more he thinks the stimulus package should be.
Also, he implies that Obama could get more money through Congress now if he asked, but how realistic is that?
Also, he implies that Obama could get more money through Congress now if he asked, but how realistic is that?
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Obama Offers to Work With Russia
New York Times:
WASHINGTON — President Obama sent a secret letter to Russia’s president last month suggesting that he would back off deploying a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons, American officials said Monday.
Damm good idea.
WASHINGTON — President Obama sent a secret letter to Russia’s president last month suggesting that he would back off deploying a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons, American officials said Monday.
Damm good idea.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Will Obama get concessions from the Auto Industry?
It sounded like Rahm Emmanuel, appearing on Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer, suggested that in exchange for a bailout of the big three auto makers, the administration expects support for Obama's proposals on national reform for Energy and Health Care policy.
Which, if true, is pretty damm smart.
Which, if true, is pretty damm smart.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
HECK OF A JOB, STUPID
The Los Alamos nuclear weapons laboratory in New Mexico
is missing 69 computers, including at least a dozen that were stolen last year, a lab spokesman said. No classified information has been lost, spokesman Kevin Roark said.
The watchdog group Project on Government Oversight on Wednesday released a memo dated Feb. 3 from the Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration that said 67 computers were missing, including 13 that were lost or stolen in past 12 months.
Roark initially confirmed those figures, but later updated them. He said a total of 80 computers were lost or stolen in 2008, but 11 were recovered.
is missing 69 computers, including at least a dozen that were stolen last year, a lab spokesman said. No classified information has been lost, spokesman Kevin Roark said.
The watchdog group Project on Government Oversight on Wednesday released a memo dated Feb. 3 from the Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration that said 67 computers were missing, including 13 that were lost or stolen in past 12 months.
Roark initially confirmed those figures, but later updated them. He said a total of 80 computers were lost or stolen in 2008, but 11 were recovered.
Space is a Big Place - But Not Big Enough
Big Satellites Collide 500 miles Over Siberia
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two big communications satellites collided
in the first-ever crash of its kind in orbit, shooting out a pair of massive debris clouds and posing a slight risk to the international space station. NASA said it will take weeks to determine the full magnitude of the crash, which occurred nearly 500 miles over Siberia on Tuesday.
NASA believes any risk to the space station and its three astronauts is low.
It orbits about 270 miles below the collision course. There also should be no danger to the space shuttle set to launch with seven astronauts on Feb. 22, officials said, but that will be re-evaluated in the coming days.
"We knew this was going to happen eventually," said Mark Matney,
an orbital debris scientist at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Oops.
**********************************************************************
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Two big communications satellites collided
in the first-ever crash of its kind in orbit, shooting out a pair of massive debris clouds and posing a slight risk to the international space station. NASA said it will take weeks to determine the full magnitude of the crash, which occurred nearly 500 miles over Siberia on Tuesday.
NASA believes any risk to the space station and its three astronauts is low.
It orbits about 270 miles below the collision course. There also should be no danger to the space shuttle set to launch with seven astronauts on Feb. 22, officials said, but that will be re-evaluated in the coming days.
"We knew this was going to happen eventually," said Mark Matney,
an orbital debris scientist at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Oops.
**********************************************************************
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Real America Gets the Truth. We Need the Stimulus.
Everyone gets it but the out-of-touch Republicans in Congress in thrall to Ayn Rand. Will they pay any price at all?
'No' Vote On Stimulus Package Irks Those 'In The Trenches'
By James Oliphant
February 3, 2009
Cape Coral, Fla. — Jim Burch is a proud man from a proud town. "It breaks my heart to say we need help," he says.
And so Burch, the mayor of Cape Coral, was not happy when his congressman, Rep. Connie Mack, voted against the $819-billion stimulus package last week, joining every other Republican House member in opposing the bill.
"Politics has no business where the people and the despair I see in my city are concerned," said Burch, who had traveled to Washington last month to press for passage of the stimulus bill.
Burch's unhappiness shows the tension over the massive spending and tax-cut bill between Republicans in Congress, who generally oppose the legislation as it is now formulated, and state and local officials, who say their communities need an infusion of federal money.
The mayor, whose office is nonpartisan, said the package could provide millions of dollars for local projects. The city might be able restart the upgrade of its sewer and water systems, a project that ended several months ago for lack of funds, taking more than 1,000 jobs with it.
Many local Republicans disagree with Mack's vote. Ray Judah, a Lee County commissioner, said he hoped Mack would "recognize the critical need for infusion of funds for capital projects and job creation." Judah said that local boards are the ones "in the trenches . . . who clearly understand the importance" of the package.
Republican state Rep. Gary Aubuchon added that stimulus dollars would "enable commercial development and reduce unemployment." The state's highest-profile Republican, Gov. Charlie Crist, has been an advocate for the package, which could send as much as $10 billion to Florida.
'No' Vote On Stimulus Package Irks Those 'In The Trenches'
By James Oliphant
February 3, 2009
Cape Coral, Fla. — Jim Burch is a proud man from a proud town. "It breaks my heart to say we need help," he says.
And so Burch, the mayor of Cape Coral, was not happy when his congressman, Rep. Connie Mack, voted against the $819-billion stimulus package last week, joining every other Republican House member in opposing the bill.
"Politics has no business where the people and the despair I see in my city are concerned," said Burch, who had traveled to Washington last month to press for passage of the stimulus bill.
Burch's unhappiness shows the tension over the massive spending and tax-cut bill between Republicans in Congress, who generally oppose the legislation as it is now formulated, and state and local officials, who say their communities need an infusion of federal money.
The mayor, whose office is nonpartisan, said the package could provide millions of dollars for local projects. The city might be able restart the upgrade of its sewer and water systems, a project that ended several months ago for lack of funds, taking more than 1,000 jobs with it.
Many local Republicans disagree with Mack's vote. Ray Judah, a Lee County commissioner, said he hoped Mack would "recognize the critical need for infusion of funds for capital projects and job creation." Judah said that local boards are the ones "in the trenches . . . who clearly understand the importance" of the package.
Republican state Rep. Gary Aubuchon added that stimulus dollars would "enable commercial development and reduce unemployment." The state's highest-profile Republican, Gov. Charlie Crist, has been an advocate for the package, which could send as much as $10 billion to Florida.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
This Week with George Stephanopoulos - February, 1, 2009
**************************************
This Week with George Stephanopoulos
February, 1, 2009
****************************************
Stephanopoulos: Buy American?
Schmidt: screw that - my grandma was a telephone operator and she lost her job to the PhoneBot 2000
Frank: There are British riots hating on Italians - they don't want them taking their Top Chef jobs
Stephanopoulos: that's not good for anyone
DeMint: i have a suggestion - let's cut taxes and regulations!!
Frank: oh yeah that's the problem - not enough regulations
DeMint: [ interrupts ] that's so gai
Frank: shut up ya neocon freak
DeMint: don't call it stimulus when it's government spending
Frank: but it is
DeMint: this is biggest spending ever in history
Frank: no that's the war in Iraq which is apparently free
Stephanopoulos: sorry we're not allowed to talk about that
Frank: well that's the problem isn't it?
FedEx: you have to understand that poor Wall Street types depend on bonuses but then again if you take taxpayer money you should probably not have a $1,400 wastebasket
Stephanopoulos: are teh CEOs idiots?
Schmidt: the best way to compensate CEOs is first with stock and then with taxpayer money
Frank: speaking of the Iraq war this is collateral damage in reverse it’s "collateral benefit" which is when you help people and accidentally aid scumbags
Stephanopoulos: interesting point
Frank: don't underestimate the anger of average American over all this stealing
DeMint: we know cutting taxes jolts the economy immediately
Stephanopoulos: how do we know that?
DeMint: the Heritage Foundation said so
Frank: oh well fuck it then
DeMint: don't call it stimulus when all you are doing is building a bridge - how many Hummers does that buy?
Frank: you are stimulating people from not dying from a collapsed bridge
DeMint: if spending worked America would have the best economy in the world
Frank: Jim why do you hate America??
Stephanopoulos: Obama Failed. To get GOP votes.
Will: Obama let liberals write this bill just because they won the 2008 elections it's outrageous
Stephanopoulos: so?
Will: the protectionism will cost jobs
Stephanopoulos: oh of course
Sanger: the issue is should we kill America like Dems want or fix America like GOP want?
Stephanopoulos: that's it
Woodward: the banks are breaking and liberals want to act without knowing facts - unlike the Bush administration
Stephanopoulos: Obama has failed domestically -
how is he failing internationally?
Radatz: give him time
Stephanopoulos: Afghanistan is Obama's Vietnam
Will: I can't believe Obama got us into Afghanistan it's the size of Texas - is he insane???
Stephanopoulos: who's fault is this?
Will: Obama - and Bill Clinton
Radatz: it's so big the whole idea of going into Afghanistan is crazy!!
Woodward: it's nuts!!
Woodward: When is the peace Obama promised a week ago??? Where is it???
Sanger: he's a failure like Bush!!
Stephanopoulos: so true
Sanger: Obama is going to have invade Pakistan if he aspires to be a great failure like George Bush
Stephanopoulos: should we surrender to the Taliban?
Will: Bush was better because he aspired to greatness and failed where Obama has lower expectations and may succeed
Radatz: the whole idea of being in Afghanistan is ridiculous
Stephanopoulos: did you point this out when Bush was President?
Radatz: no - he gave me a nickname and wiggled his fingers at me once
Woodward: why are we in Afghanistan it's an outrage!!
Radatz: meanwhile Iraq is a paradise
Will: a gangsta's paradise?
Woodward: but but but we have no strategy only a plan!!
Sanger: I agree Obama has made one mistake after another -- first invading Iraq and now Afghanistan
Stephanopoulos: it's crazy
Sanger: Bush was a wonderful President and Obama is very nice but he's no Chimpy
Woodward: speaking from 30,000 feet for a moment
Audience: ban this whiny fucker
Will: the economy here is bad imagine who bad it is in Afghanistan
Stephanopoulos: and all the money Obama wants to spend there!
Sanger: People have begun to understand that Iraq was very expensive
Stephanopoulos: Just in time!
Sanger: and invading Iraq took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan
Stephanopoulos: Truly Obama is a bad President
Radatz: indeed
Woodward: i would like whine some more
[ whine whine whine ]
This Week with George Stephanopoulos
February, 1, 2009
****************************************
Stephanopoulos: Buy American?
Schmidt: screw that - my grandma was a telephone operator and she lost her job to the PhoneBot 2000
Frank: There are British riots hating on Italians - they don't want them taking their Top Chef jobs
Stephanopoulos: that's not good for anyone
DeMint: i have a suggestion - let's cut taxes and regulations!!
Frank: oh yeah that's the problem - not enough regulations
DeMint: [ interrupts ] that's so gai
Frank: shut up ya neocon freak
DeMint: don't call it stimulus when it's government spending
Frank: but it is
DeMint: this is biggest spending ever in history
Frank: no that's the war in Iraq which is apparently free
Stephanopoulos: sorry we're not allowed to talk about that
Frank: well that's the problem isn't it?
FedEx: you have to understand that poor Wall Street types depend on bonuses but then again if you take taxpayer money you should probably not have a $1,400 wastebasket
Stephanopoulos: are teh CEOs idiots?
Schmidt: the best way to compensate CEOs is first with stock and then with taxpayer money
Frank: speaking of the Iraq war this is collateral damage in reverse it’s "collateral benefit" which is when you help people and accidentally aid scumbags
Stephanopoulos: interesting point
Frank: don't underestimate the anger of average American over all this stealing
DeMint: we know cutting taxes jolts the economy immediately
Stephanopoulos: how do we know that?
DeMint: the Heritage Foundation said so
Frank: oh well fuck it then
DeMint: don't call it stimulus when all you are doing is building a bridge - how many Hummers does that buy?
Frank: you are stimulating people from not dying from a collapsed bridge
DeMint: if spending worked America would have the best economy in the world
Frank: Jim why do you hate America??
Stephanopoulos: Obama Failed. To get GOP votes.
Will: Obama let liberals write this bill just because they won the 2008 elections it's outrageous
Stephanopoulos: so?
Will: the protectionism will cost jobs
Stephanopoulos: oh of course
Sanger: the issue is should we kill America like Dems want or fix America like GOP want?
Stephanopoulos: that's it
Woodward: the banks are breaking and liberals want to act without knowing facts - unlike the Bush administration
Stephanopoulos: Obama has failed domestically -
how is he failing internationally?
Radatz: give him time
Stephanopoulos: Afghanistan is Obama's Vietnam
Will: I can't believe Obama got us into Afghanistan it's the size of Texas - is he insane???
Stephanopoulos: who's fault is this?
Will: Obama - and Bill Clinton
Radatz: it's so big the whole idea of going into Afghanistan is crazy!!
Woodward: it's nuts!!
Woodward: When is the peace Obama promised a week ago??? Where is it???
Sanger: he's a failure like Bush!!
Stephanopoulos: so true
Sanger: Obama is going to have invade Pakistan if he aspires to be a great failure like George Bush
Stephanopoulos: should we surrender to the Taliban?
Will: Bush was better because he aspired to greatness and failed where Obama has lower expectations and may succeed
Radatz: the whole idea of being in Afghanistan is ridiculous
Stephanopoulos: did you point this out when Bush was President?
Radatz: no - he gave me a nickname and wiggled his fingers at me once
Woodward: why are we in Afghanistan it's an outrage!!
Radatz: meanwhile Iraq is a paradise
Will: a gangsta's paradise?
Woodward: but but but we have no strategy only a plan!!
Sanger: I agree Obama has made one mistake after another -- first invading Iraq and now Afghanistan
Stephanopoulos: it's crazy
Sanger: Bush was a wonderful President and Obama is very nice but he's no Chimpy
Woodward: speaking from 30,000 feet for a moment
Audience: ban this whiny fucker
Will: the economy here is bad imagine who bad it is in Afghanistan
Stephanopoulos: and all the money Obama wants to spend there!
Sanger: People have begun to understand that Iraq was very expensive
Stephanopoulos: Just in time!
Sanger: and invading Iraq took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan
Stephanopoulos: Truly Obama is a bad President
Radatz: indeed
Woodward: i would like whine some more
[ whine whine whine ]
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Gillibrand!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Street reporter from NBC TV in New York, editorializing:
"Gillibrand appears to be taking it from all sides!"
Evidence: Why, both Peter King and George Pataki don't like her!
Wow!
Street reporter from NBC TV in New York, editorializing:
"Gillibrand appears to be taking it from all sides!"
Evidence: Why, both Peter King and George Pataki don't like her!
Wow!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
OBAMAPHONE
Jan. 21 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama called the
leaders of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority
this morning, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
The president “used this opportunity on his first day in
office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in
pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and
to express his hope for their continued cooperation and
leadership,” Gibbs said.
leaders of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority
this morning, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
The president “used this opportunity on his first day in
office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in
pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and
to express his hope for their continued cooperation and
leadership,” Gibbs said.
THAT WASN'T SO HARD
The president said that when top White House aides leave
government, they are barred from lobbying “for as long as I a
president, and there will be a ban on gifts by lobbyists to
anyone serving in the administration.”
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ok, What the Hell Was in That Man-Sized Safe??
Washington -- Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back while moving boxes and will be in a wheelchair
for today's inauguration.
.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Daniel Libit and Jeffrey Ressner Should Stop Lying
"While Obama’s political opponents were able to use his star power against him during the campaign — remember John McCain’s “Celeb” ad?"
- Daniel Libit and Jeffrey Ressner, Politico
No they're weren't actually, Dan and Jeff. See there's this thing called "the truth," and I hear it's going to be the hip new fad of 2009.
You might want to check it out.
- Daniel Libit and Jeffrey Ressner, Politico
No they're weren't actually, Dan and Jeff. See there's this thing called "the truth," and I hear it's going to be the hip new fad of 2009.
You might want to check it out.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Gregg Easterbrook:
No, that's stupid. And no! I'm not going to bother to explain why!
In other news, it turns out that in Easterbrook's chief complain about the realism of the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, regarding whether there is a luxury hotel in the Atacama Desert, he's full of shit.
Note to Gregg: for a tv show you tell us we should all be watching, you sure do bitch about Friday Night Lights a lot.
"In 2007, Bill Clinton complained that taxes on the rich are too low, yet did not voluntarily tax himself by mailing a check to the United States Treasury. Yours truly wrote, "It is self-promotional hypocrisy for Clinton, or any wealthy person, to proclaim a willingness to be taxed more but then not voluntarily tax himself. Clinton and other rich people who make claims about favoring higher taxes on the wealthy, then hoard their money, want to be admired for seeming to be willing to sacrifice -- without the annoying complication of actually making any sacrifice."
No, that's stupid. And no! I'm not going to bother to explain why!
In other news, it turns out that in Easterbrook's chief complain about the realism of the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, regarding whether there is a luxury hotel in the Atacama Desert, he's full of shit.
Note to Gregg: for a tv show you tell us we should all be watching, you sure do bitch about Friday Night Lights a lot.
Friday, December 19, 2008
JUST PLAY BALL
Brian McNamee, the former trainer of Roger Clemens, has submitted sworn statements by a federal prosecutor to back up his claim that he was coerced into naming the pitcher as a steroid user in a 2007 baseball investigation. McNamee may be granted immunity in a defamation suit Clemens has lodged against him if his evidence convinces a judge that federal agents threatened to prosecute him unless he told a panel led by former Senator George Mitchell what he’d already told prosecutors about Clemens.
In papers filed in Houston federal court today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella, who is investigating the use of banned substances by professional athletes, said he told McNamee that the trainer may become a target if he didn’t cooperate. Parrella said McNamee was given immunity for anything he said during the investigation.
Parrella said in the document that McNamee could have faced criminal charges if he refused to talk to Mitchell. "As part of the Northern District of California's criminal investigation, I requested that McNamee speak to the Mitchell Commission," Parrella wrote. "I told McNamee that speaking to the Mitchell Commission was part of his cooperation with the investigation."
"Why was the federal government there?" Hollingsworth asked. "Why do they care if McNamee talked to Sen. Mitchell? Mr. Mitchell was a private individual doing a private investigation for a private client. Without law enforcement having a purpose, to extend privilege is unheard of in the law. It is a very dangerous precedent to set."
Yeah, yeah, yeah... Clemens is an asshole and steroids are destroying America's youth. That said - why was our federal government threatening anyone with prosecution unless they cooperated with baseball's internal witch hunt/coverup? Because this is Bush's America, of course, which ironically, Clemens once supported so strongly, until it came back to bite him in ass - literally.
In papers filed in Houston federal court today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella, who is investigating the use of banned substances by professional athletes, said he told McNamee that the trainer may become a target if he didn’t cooperate. Parrella said McNamee was given immunity for anything he said during the investigation.
Parrella said in the document that McNamee could have faced criminal charges if he refused to talk to Mitchell. "As part of the Northern District of California's criminal investigation, I requested that McNamee speak to the Mitchell Commission," Parrella wrote. "I told McNamee that speaking to the Mitchell Commission was part of his cooperation with the investigation."
"Why was the federal government there?" Hollingsworth asked. "Why do they care if McNamee talked to Sen. Mitchell? Mr. Mitchell was a private individual doing a private investigation for a private client. Without law enforcement having a purpose, to extend privilege is unheard of in the law. It is a very dangerous precedent to set."
Yeah, yeah, yeah... Clemens is an asshole and steroids are destroying America's youth. That said - why was our federal government threatening anyone with prosecution unless they cooperated with baseball's internal witch hunt/coverup? Because this is Bush's America, of course, which ironically, Clemens once supported so strongly, until it came back to bite him in ass - literally.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Is That a Lot?
Bank of America today said it is working
on a plan to eliminate 30,000 to 35,000 jobs
in the next three years across all businesses.
on a plan to eliminate 30,000 to 35,000 jobs
in the next three years across all businesses.
NOW
Reporting from Washington and Chicago - President-elect Barack Obama today reasserted his pledge to overhaul the nation's healthcare system when he takes office, signaling that despite the economic downturn he would attempt a major reworking of the sector that has eluded presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
"The time is now to solve this problem," Obama said at a Chicago press conference, where he formally announced that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle would head his healthcare team."It's not something that we can sort of put off because we're in an emergency," Obama said.
"This is part of the emergency."
"The time is now to solve this problem," Obama said at a Chicago press conference, where he formally announced that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle would head his healthcare team."It's not something that we can sort of put off because we're in an emergency," Obama said.
"This is part of the emergency."
ANY ENGINEERS NEED WORK?
Abu Dhabi, armed with oil wealth and a $500 billion spending plan, is providing the escape route for engineers as their bets on Dubai’s construction boom turn sour. AAbu Dhabi, where 1 million people sit atop 8 percent of the world’s oil reserves, is pumping money into developing tourist attractions and manufacturing to break away from its dependence on crude. Oil prices have fallen to below $50 a barrel from $147 in July. The spending project, titled “Plan Abu Dhabi 2030,” includes the world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park and museum ventures with the Louvre and Guggenheim.
As Abu Dhabi plans and invests, the economic slump has taken the shine off of Dubai, which borrowed $80 billion to finance its transformation through projects such as the world’s tallest building, the biggest hotel and man made palm-tree shaped islands packed with luxury homes for bankers and professional athletes. Dubai’s focus on financial services, luxury homes and mass tourism attracted skyscraper designers and road-network planners. It also made the emirate dependent on industries that have been hit hard by the economic slump.
As Abu Dhabi plans and invests, the economic slump has taken the shine off of Dubai, which borrowed $80 billion to finance its transformation through projects such as the world’s tallest building, the biggest hotel and man made palm-tree shaped islands packed with luxury homes for bankers and professional athletes. Dubai’s focus on financial services, luxury homes and mass tourism attracted skyscraper designers and road-network planners. It also made the emirate dependent on industries that have been hit hard by the economic slump.
DO NOT FUCK WITH TINTIN
Belgium Arrests 14 Al-Qaeda Suspects Plotting Attack
Dec. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Belgian authorities detained 14 suspected al-Qaeda members, including one Belgian
national who may have been given instructions to carry
out a suicide attack against an unknown target.
Or Hercule Poirot
Now They Figure It Out
IOKIYAR
NYT:
WASHINGTON — A case brought by a Muslim man accusing John Ashcroft, the former attorney general, and Robert S. Mueller III, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of complicity in post-9/11 abuses reached the Supreme Court for arguments on Wednesday on the most preliminary of questions: How specific must a plaintiff’s accusations of misconduct be before he is allowed to pursue a lawsuit? That is in a sense a garden-variety question of civil procedure. But the case of Javaid Iqbal, a Muslim man from Pakistan who used to be a cable television installer on Long Island, seemed freighted with something much larger, and many of the justices’ questions concerned whether the context in which the case arose, in the charged atmosphere in the fall of 2001, should alter or underscore ordinary legal principles.
Mr. Iqbal was among thousands of Muslim men rounded up after the Sept. 11 attacks. Some of them were considered to be “of high interest,” and they were held in a special housing unit of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. While there, Mr. Iqbal said, he was subjected to daily body-cavity searches, beatings and extreme temperatures. He said he was kept in solitary confinement with the lights in his cell constantly on, that he was called a terrorist and a “Muslim killer,” and that he lost 40 pounds during six months in the special unit.
His lawsuit contends that he was singled out for mistreatment based on his religion and national background. Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Mueller, his lawsuit says, implemented the policies that led to the abuse and condoned it. The two officials say that they are immune from suit, a contention rejected by the federal appeals court in Manhattan last year, at least at the most preliminary stage of the case. In the Supreme Court, the officials argued that Mr. Iqbal’s assertions that they were responsible for any abuses he suffered were speculative and lacked supporting factual allegations.
There was general agreement among the justices that the bar for starting a lawsuit, however low, must at least include plausibility. But the justices seemed divided over whether it was conceivable that the defendants here created or condoned a policy rooted in unlawful discrimination.
Justice David H. Souter said he considered plausible the claim “that the attorney general or the director of the F.B.I. was establishing a policy centered on people with the same characteristics as the hijackers.” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suggested that a 2003 report from the Justice Department’s inspector general may “lend some plausibility” to Mr. Iqbal’s claims. The report found serious abuses by the facility’s personnel. Mr. Garre urged the justices to ignore the report, saying it was outside the scope of the litigation. But he said the report had made findings helpful to his clients’ contention that their own actions, at least, were lawful.
Justice Stephen G. Breyer asked a hypothetical question: would a plaintiff be allowed to pursue a lawsuit against the president of Coca-Cola on the bare accusation that the president had personally put mice in soda bottles? Other justices engaged the question, considering whether such a lawsuit would be subject to sanctions on the grounds that it was frivolous and whether the company’s president would have to submit to questioning under oath at a deposition. “How are we supposed to judge whether we think it’s more unlikely that the president of Coca-Cola would take certain actions,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asked Mr. Iqbal’s lawyer, Alexander A. Reinert, “as opposed to the attorney general of the United States?”
Justice John Paul Stevens suggested that he was uneasy about lightly letting claims against high officials proceed, mentioning his majority opinion in Clinton v. Jones, the 1997 decision that allowed Paula Jones’s sexual harassment case against President Bill Clinton to go forward. A prediction in that decision about the burden the suit would place on the president — “it appears to us highly unlikely to occupy any substantial amount of petitioner’s time” — turned out to be incorrect.
NYT:
WASHINGTON — A case brought by a Muslim man accusing John Ashcroft, the former attorney general, and Robert S. Mueller III, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of complicity in post-9/11 abuses reached the Supreme Court for arguments on Wednesday on the most preliminary of questions: How specific must a plaintiff’s accusations of misconduct be before he is allowed to pursue a lawsuit? That is in a sense a garden-variety question of civil procedure. But the case of Javaid Iqbal, a Muslim man from Pakistan who used to be a cable television installer on Long Island, seemed freighted with something much larger, and many of the justices’ questions concerned whether the context in which the case arose, in the charged atmosphere in the fall of 2001, should alter or underscore ordinary legal principles.
Mr. Iqbal was among thousands of Muslim men rounded up after the Sept. 11 attacks. Some of them were considered to be “of high interest,” and they were held in a special housing unit of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. While there, Mr. Iqbal said, he was subjected to daily body-cavity searches, beatings and extreme temperatures. He said he was kept in solitary confinement with the lights in his cell constantly on, that he was called a terrorist and a “Muslim killer,” and that he lost 40 pounds during six months in the special unit.
His lawsuit contends that he was singled out for mistreatment based on his religion and national background. Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Mueller, his lawsuit says, implemented the policies that led to the abuse and condoned it. The two officials say that they are immune from suit, a contention rejected by the federal appeals court in Manhattan last year, at least at the most preliminary stage of the case. In the Supreme Court, the officials argued that Mr. Iqbal’s assertions that they were responsible for any abuses he suffered were speculative and lacked supporting factual allegations.
There was general agreement among the justices that the bar for starting a lawsuit, however low, must at least include plausibility. But the justices seemed divided over whether it was conceivable that the defendants here created or condoned a policy rooted in unlawful discrimination.
Justice David H. Souter said he considered plausible the claim “that the attorney general or the director of the F.B.I. was establishing a policy centered on people with the same characteristics as the hijackers.” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suggested that a 2003 report from the Justice Department’s inspector general may “lend some plausibility” to Mr. Iqbal’s claims. The report found serious abuses by the facility’s personnel. Mr. Garre urged the justices to ignore the report, saying it was outside the scope of the litigation. But he said the report had made findings helpful to his clients’ contention that their own actions, at least, were lawful.
Justice Stephen G. Breyer asked a hypothetical question: would a plaintiff be allowed to pursue a lawsuit against the president of Coca-Cola on the bare accusation that the president had personally put mice in soda bottles? Other justices engaged the question, considering whether such a lawsuit would be subject to sanctions on the grounds that it was frivolous and whether the company’s president would have to submit to questioning under oath at a deposition. “How are we supposed to judge whether we think it’s more unlikely that the president of Coca-Cola would take certain actions,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asked Mr. Iqbal’s lawyer, Alexander A. Reinert, “as opposed to the attorney general of the United States?”
Justice John Paul Stevens suggested that he was uneasy about lightly letting claims against high officials proceed, mentioning his majority opinion in Clinton v. Jones, the 1997 decision that allowed Paula Jones’s sexual harassment case against President Bill Clinton to go forward. A prediction in that decision about the burden the suit would place on the president — “it appears to us highly unlikely to occupy any substantial amount of petitioner’s time” — turned out to be incorrect.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
George Weston In Talks with Bimbo
George Weston Ltd., the majority owner of Canada’s largest
supermarket chain, said it’s in talks with Grupo Bimbo about a possible sale of its Dunedin U.S. fresh bread and baked goods unit.
Don't get any fresh ideas.
supermarket chain, said it’s in talks with Grupo Bimbo about a possible sale of its Dunedin U.S. fresh bread and baked goods unit.
Don't get any fresh ideas.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Mark Halperin, Right Wing Fanboy
You know what was really disgusting? Mark Halperin desperately begging and pleading with right-wingers such as Hugh Hewitt (at the time serving on the front lines on the war on terror - that is, the Empire State Building) to believe him when he said he really was a good conservative, a fanboy of Karl Rove and George Bush, and the he hated that big meaning Helen Thomas who wasn't nice to George Bush at all, so please believe him when he said he wasn't a liberal.
If it's any consolation to the pathetic Mr. Halperin, I believe him.
From 2006, via the estimable Glenn Greenwald:
Hewitt: "I think my giant unified field theory here is that liberal media has destroyed the necessity of the left having to debate, having to reach a message across, because you guys have always papered over the weakness of their arguments. And so, in essence, by creating an echo chamber, and by allowing them to get away with saying silly things, you’ve destroyed the incentive to be smart and facile."
Halperin: "I agree."
Halperin: "Hugh, you and I have agreed on a lot during this show. For the purpose of jacking up your already sky-high ratings, occasionally you pick fights with me where they don’t exist. But you and I agree about that basic premise. I’m keeping notes here on the things we disagree on."
**************************************************************
Halperin: "If, though, you want to in a casual introduction, lump me in with people in my business who are liberally biased and don’t seem to care about it, I think that’s doing your listeners a disservice. They should read the book and what we say in The Way To Win about how the media’s been liberally biased in presidential campaign coverage, what needs to be done to try to fix it, and why the current system may not be any better with new media. But to lump me in with everybody else, I think, is doing people a disservice, because most of my colleagues, as you know, are in denial about it, or blind to it.
****************************************************************************
Halperin: "Let me say one thing we say in the book about Karl Rove, who I respect and enjoy...I enjoy his company. If you look at the allegations of Karl Rove that have been propagated in Texas and in Washington by the media, the liberal media, and by Democrats, and you look at the allegations, there’s…except for the useful indiscretions to which Karl has admitted, there is no evidence for the allegations against him."
"And the ability of the press to paint him as this evil guy, and say that accounts for his success, is fundamental and outrageous. Maybe he did the things he’s accused of, but to have this guy’s image portrayed and defined by things that are accusations that are unproven, we say in the book is really outrageous."
**********************************************************************
Halperin: "You keep saying how much nice stuff there is in the book about Bill Clinton. The book writes at length, in fact, half the book is about Karl Rove and George W. Bush, and I would believe is one of the most favorable, in terms of judging them, and not treating them as evil, things that have been written about Karl Rove since he came to Washington."
***********************************************************************
Halperin: "I think that the relationship between the Bush White House Press Corps, and the Bush White House press staff has not produced a pretty picture for either side. . . ."
Hewitt: "Does Helen Thomas make you proud?"
Halperin: "She... the questions she asks, that represent a point of view, have no place in the briefing room."
******************************************************************
Halperin: Can I introduce you to my interns from Bob Jones University?
Hewitt: I’m glad that you have one. They must feel like a stranger in a strange world.
Halperin: "No, because within my unit, we’re all about being fair and non-partisan."
*****************************************************************
Hewitt: Did [Bill Clinton] radicalize politics by inventing the politics of personal destruction?
Halperin: I think what Bill Clinton did, we say in The Way To Win is, he helped usher in this freak show. The politics of personal destruction was part of it, but it was also making the office of the presidency undignified, wearing shorts into the Oval Office, answering boxers and briefs…
Hewitt: That was hardly how he made the Oval Office undignified.
Halperin: Well, there’s that, too. But we’re talking about early on in his presidency, with the birth of the freak show, in the early 90’s when he got elected. Obviously, he did more to further this along later on through his personal conduct. But the ability of this president, and certainly this first lady, as we write in the book, to restore some of the dignity, personal dignity to the office, has been quite an achievement in the wake of what Bill Clinton did, given the freak show environment in which we live.
**********************************************************************
Hewitt: Do you see any evidence of superior brainpower in places like Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha, as opposed to Rove and Cheney?
Halperin: Those specifically?
Hewitt: Are they on the same playing field?
Halperin: You want me to compare those specific four people?
Hewitt: Yeah, because you’ve got two leaders…
Halperin: If I were running for president, I’d hire Rove and Cheney over Pelosi and Murtha.
**********************************************************************
If it's any consolation to the pathetic Mr. Halperin, I believe him.
From 2006, via the estimable Glenn Greenwald:
Hewitt: "I think my giant unified field theory here is that liberal media has destroyed the necessity of the left having to debate, having to reach a message across, because you guys have always papered over the weakness of their arguments. And so, in essence, by creating an echo chamber, and by allowing them to get away with saying silly things, you’ve destroyed the incentive to be smart and facile."
Halperin: "I agree."
Halperin: "Hugh, you and I have agreed on a lot during this show. For the purpose of jacking up your already sky-high ratings, occasionally you pick fights with me where they don’t exist. But you and I agree about that basic premise. I’m keeping notes here on the things we disagree on."
**************************************************************
Halperin: "If, though, you want to in a casual introduction, lump me in with people in my business who are liberally biased and don’t seem to care about it, I think that’s doing your listeners a disservice. They should read the book and what we say in The Way To Win about how the media’s been liberally biased in presidential campaign coverage, what needs to be done to try to fix it, and why the current system may not be any better with new media. But to lump me in with everybody else, I think, is doing people a disservice, because most of my colleagues, as you know, are in denial about it, or blind to it.
****************************************************************************
Halperin: "Let me say one thing we say in the book about Karl Rove, who I respect and enjoy...I enjoy his company. If you look at the allegations of Karl Rove that have been propagated in Texas and in Washington by the media, the liberal media, and by Democrats, and you look at the allegations, there’s…except for the useful indiscretions to which Karl has admitted, there is no evidence for the allegations against him."
"And the ability of the press to paint him as this evil guy, and say that accounts for his success, is fundamental and outrageous. Maybe he did the things he’s accused of, but to have this guy’s image portrayed and defined by things that are accusations that are unproven, we say in the book is really outrageous."
**********************************************************************
Halperin: "You keep saying how much nice stuff there is in the book about Bill Clinton. The book writes at length, in fact, half the book is about Karl Rove and George W. Bush, and I would believe is one of the most favorable, in terms of judging them, and not treating them as evil, things that have been written about Karl Rove since he came to Washington."
***********************************************************************
Halperin: "I think that the relationship between the Bush White House Press Corps, and the Bush White House press staff has not produced a pretty picture for either side. . . ."
Hewitt: "Does Helen Thomas make you proud?"
Halperin: "She... the questions she asks, that represent a point of view, have no place in the briefing room."
******************************************************************
Halperin: Can I introduce you to my interns from Bob Jones University?
Hewitt: I’m glad that you have one. They must feel like a stranger in a strange world.
Halperin: "No, because within my unit, we’re all about being fair and non-partisan."
*****************************************************************
Hewitt: Did [Bill Clinton] radicalize politics by inventing the politics of personal destruction?
Halperin: I think what Bill Clinton did, we say in The Way To Win is, he helped usher in this freak show. The politics of personal destruction was part of it, but it was also making the office of the presidency undignified, wearing shorts into the Oval Office, answering boxers and briefs…
Hewitt: That was hardly how he made the Oval Office undignified.
Halperin: Well, there’s that, too. But we’re talking about early on in his presidency, with the birth of the freak show, in the early 90’s when he got elected. Obviously, he did more to further this along later on through his personal conduct. But the ability of this president, and certainly this first lady, as we write in the book, to restore some of the dignity, personal dignity to the office, has been quite an achievement in the wake of what Bill Clinton did, given the freak show environment in which we live.
**********************************************************************
Hewitt: Do you see any evidence of superior brainpower in places like Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha, as opposed to Rove and Cheney?
Halperin: Those specifically?
Hewitt: Are they on the same playing field?
Halperin: You want me to compare those specific four people?
Hewitt: Yeah, because you’ve got two leaders…
Halperin: If I were running for president, I’d hire Rove and Cheney over Pelosi and Murtha.
**********************************************************************
Paulson To Announce New Lending
Nov. 25 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve will unveil a lending program to shore up the consumer-finance market, using money from the government’s $700 billion rescue, two people familiar with the effort said.
The Treasury and the Fed will help fund new loans packaged into securities for sale to investors, the people said. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. New York time, said two weeks ago that he wants to spur lending for automobile purchases and college education while also reducing the cost of credit-card debt.
The Treasury and the Fed will help fund new loans packaged into securities for sale to investors, the people said. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. New York time, said two weeks ago that he wants to spur lending for automobile purchases and college education while also reducing the cost of credit-card debt.
Oops
PG&E Diablo Canyon Reactors Near Discovered Fault
Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- PG&E Corp.’s Diablo Canyon reactors
in California are near an offshore fault that could generate an
estimated 6.5 magnitude earthquake, a joint study by the utility
and the U.S. Geological Survey found.
Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- PG&E Corp.’s Diablo Canyon reactors
in California are near an offshore fault that could generate an
estimated 6.5 magnitude earthquake, a joint study by the utility
and the U.S. Geological Survey found.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Sunday Talk Show Lineup
ABC's "This Week" - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif.
One Republican, no Democrats.
CBS' "Face the Nation'' - Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.; Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La.; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.
Three Republicans, One Democrat.
NBC's "Meet the Press" - Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Sen. Richard Shelby; T. Boone Pickens, chairman of the energy investment fund BP Capital.
Two Republicans, One Democrat.
CNN's ''Late Edition'' - Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez; Reps. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Ted Turner, CNN founder and author of a new memoir.
Two Republicans, One Democrat.
''Fox News Sunday'' - Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.; Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.; former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, R-Md.
Three Republicans, One Democrat.
Score: Eleven to Four
One Republican, no Democrats.
CBS' "Face the Nation'' - Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.; Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La.; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.
Three Republicans, One Democrat.
NBC's "Meet the Press" - Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Sen. Richard Shelby; T. Boone Pickens, chairman of the energy investment fund BP Capital.
Two Republicans, One Democrat.
CNN's ''Late Edition'' - Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez; Reps. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Ted Turner, CNN founder and author of a new memoir.
Two Republicans, One Democrat.
''Fox News Sunday'' - Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.; Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.; former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, R-Md.
Three Republicans, One Democrat.
Score: Eleven to Four
Thursday, November 13, 2008
First Puppy
The Obamas need a cute, family friendly, hypoallergenic dog. May I suggest a Golden Doodle?
Sunday, November 09, 2008
MEET THE PRESS - November 9, 2008
MEET THE PRESS
November 9, 2008
Guests:
Valerie Jarrett
Rep. Clyburn
Sen. Martinez
********************
Brokaw: what can we expect from our new Chicago overlord?
Valerie Jarrett: radical change from people like jennifer granholm, paul volcker, and warren buffet
Brokaw: will you people a dark shadow government
Jarrett: no
Brokaw: really?
Jarrett: no really we will be
Brokaw: what did you learn studying the Polk adminstration
Jarrett: don't fuck up
Brokaw: ok let's talk about my money
Brokaw: who else besides Volcker, Summers, Rubin and Buffet
Jarrett: Obamans don't talk out of school
Brokaw: any Republicans
Jarrett: yes we will have Democrats and Losers represented
Brokaw: will you keep some Bush appointees on?
Jarrett: well he's looking for talent - so no
Brokaw: this is going to shock - you John Boner criticizes Obama
Jarrett: oh noes! He'd better resign now!
Brokaw: what about Bill Clinton
Jarrett: i can tell you we are so very eager to talk about the Clintons
Brokaw: are you being sarcastic
Jarrett: who me?
Brokaw: Democrats are always the party of Big Government
Jarrett: You are such an interesting person and apparently a fucking liar
Brokaw: what are Obama's flaws?
Jarrett: He's too inspirational
Brokaw: will Michelle be Laura or be Hillary?
Jarrett: this is the stupidest conversation i've ever had in my life
Brokaw: will she be in the bowels of the White House
Jarrett: you are a true idiot, aren't you?
Brokaw: Puppy?
Jarrett: oh noe don't go there
Brokaw: how did you feel when Obama won
Jarrett: awesome that people saw how awesome he is
Brokaw: what about the failed Obama administration
[ break ]
Clyburn: we have to restore teh economy, rebuild america, fund stem cells, and heal the country
Martinez: lets not worry about who slimed who - the point is unemployment is very high under the Obama administration!!
Brokaw: stimulus program
Martinez: i would like to see checks mailed to foreclosed homeowners in Miami
Brokaw: what else
Martinez: Obama should do whatever Republicans want
Brokaw: given the big win for Democrats should we lower taxes on the rich and cut government spending
Clyburn: are you fucking drunk?
Brokaw: stimulus program
Martinez: i would like to see checks mailed to foreclosed homeowners in Miami
Brokaw: what else
Martinez: Obama should do whatever Republicans want
Brokaw: given the big win for Democrats should we lower taxes on the rich and cut government spending
Clyburn: are you fucking drunk?
Brokaw: should we give the failed auto industry a trillion dollars?
Clyburn: yes every american should get a hummer
Brokaw: you are from the party of free markets?
Martinez: no the the GOP is the party of Free Capitalism - failed businesses get free money from the government when they fail
Brokaw: what about teh deficits?
Clyburn: the coffers are empty and we must govern from the center - i hate the far left they're so lefty
Brokaw: Ted Kennedy wants to divide America - will Republicans support that
Martinez: we as Republicans have to figure out what teh hell we believe
Brokaw: solution to health care is to go to the ER?
Martinez: see it turns out people don't think that's a good idea
Brokaw: given the poor economy isn't it true that we can't do health care in the first four years
Martinez: see children's health care is very divisive we should not attempt that it's so mean and divisive
Brokaw: Earth to Martinez - maybe the reason you went 0 for 3 is because you consider funding health care for kids divisive
Martinez: John McCain was a POW he didn't deserve to lose or the GOP be branded a racist
Brokaw: what is a Republican?
Martinez: we are going to try and figure it out - starting with Mitch Daniels
Brokaw: oh god
Brokaw: Clyburn you're black - did you know Obama is too?
Clyburn: hey some of my best friends are black and descended from slaves
Brokaw: that's very moving
Clyburn: we who worked with the system have been vindicated
Brokaw: Rahm is terrible
Martinez: Boner is moron
Brokaw: hey the Obamas are black! what about all the dysfunctional ones!
Mitchell: we need to get the guys off the corners and the kids in schools
Brokaw: wow can he finally get black families to work?
Mitchell: this dude is a better role model that a rapper or ballplayer
Brokaw: then they can hope to have the world's worst job
Goodwin: hey an economic disaster creates real opportunity for change
Brokaw: hmmmm
Goodwin: like LBJ who I slept with
Brokaw: TMI doris
Meachem: i haz advise for new preznit
Brokaw: do tell
Meachem: Obama is andrew jackson
Brokaw: maybe Obama can be on the $15 bill
Brokaw: he's very eloquent
Meachem: he's a rock star but not one of those elitist ones
Goodwin: Obama echoed FDR in the war when he said we will get there
Brokaw: that's wasn't MLK?
Goodwin: who?
Brokaw: is he black enough
Mitchell: he's President enough!
Brokaw: but not from the inner city
Mitchell: but he's got a white mother and worked in the city - it's fascinating
Brokaw: krauthammer says he's Putin
Meachem: he's actually very tough - who knew??
Brokaw: not a weak intellectual black man?
Meachem: i didn't believe it - but McCain ran a noble campaign
Goodwin: Obama should appoint McCain cabinet
Brokaw: will inner city blacks run the country?
Goodwin: this is a fucking fun time to live in America!
November 9, 2008
Guests:
Valerie Jarrett
Rep. Clyburn
Sen. Martinez
********************
Brokaw: what can we expect from our new Chicago overlord?
Valerie Jarrett: radical change from people like jennifer granholm, paul volcker, and warren buffet
Brokaw: will you people a dark shadow government
Jarrett: no
Brokaw: really?
Jarrett: no really we will be
Brokaw: what did you learn studying the Polk adminstration
Jarrett: don't fuck up
Brokaw: ok let's talk about my money
Brokaw: who else besides Volcker, Summers, Rubin and Buffet
Jarrett: Obamans don't talk out of school
Brokaw: any Republicans
Jarrett: yes we will have Democrats and Losers represented
Brokaw: will you keep some Bush appointees on?
Jarrett: well he's looking for talent - so no
Brokaw: this is going to shock - you John Boner criticizes Obama
Jarrett: oh noes! He'd better resign now!
Brokaw: what about Bill Clinton
Jarrett: i can tell you we are so very eager to talk about the Clintons
Brokaw: are you being sarcastic
Jarrett: who me?
Brokaw: Democrats are always the party of Big Government
Jarrett: You are such an interesting person and apparently a fucking liar
Brokaw: what are Obama's flaws?
Jarrett: He's too inspirational
Brokaw: will Michelle be Laura or be Hillary?
Jarrett: this is the stupidest conversation i've ever had in my life
Brokaw: will she be in the bowels of the White House
Jarrett: you are a true idiot, aren't you?
Brokaw: Puppy?
Jarrett: oh noe don't go there
Brokaw: how did you feel when Obama won
Jarrett: awesome that people saw how awesome he is
Brokaw: what about the failed Obama administration
[ break ]
Clyburn: we have to restore teh economy, rebuild america, fund stem cells, and heal the country
Martinez: lets not worry about who slimed who - the point is unemployment is very high under the Obama administration!!
Brokaw: stimulus program
Martinez: i would like to see checks mailed to foreclosed homeowners in Miami
Brokaw: what else
Martinez: Obama should do whatever Republicans want
Brokaw: given the big win for Democrats should we lower taxes on the rich and cut government spending
Clyburn: are you fucking drunk?
Brokaw: stimulus program
Martinez: i would like to see checks mailed to foreclosed homeowners in Miami
Brokaw: what else
Martinez: Obama should do whatever Republicans want
Brokaw: given the big win for Democrats should we lower taxes on the rich and cut government spending
Clyburn: are you fucking drunk?
Brokaw: should we give the failed auto industry a trillion dollars?
Clyburn: yes every american should get a hummer
Brokaw: you are from the party of free markets?
Martinez: no the the GOP is the party of Free Capitalism - failed businesses get free money from the government when they fail
Brokaw: what about teh deficits?
Clyburn: the coffers are empty and we must govern from the center - i hate the far left they're so lefty
Brokaw: Ted Kennedy wants to divide America - will Republicans support that
Martinez: we as Republicans have to figure out what teh hell we believe
Brokaw: solution to health care is to go to the ER?
Martinez: see it turns out people don't think that's a good idea
Brokaw: given the poor economy isn't it true that we can't do health care in the first four years
Martinez: see children's health care is very divisive we should not attempt that it's so mean and divisive
Brokaw: Earth to Martinez - maybe the reason you went 0 for 3 is because you consider funding health care for kids divisive
Martinez: John McCain was a POW he didn't deserve to lose or the GOP be branded a racist
Brokaw: what is a Republican?
Martinez: we are going to try and figure it out - starting with Mitch Daniels
Brokaw: oh god
Brokaw: Clyburn you're black - did you know Obama is too?
Clyburn: hey some of my best friends are black and descended from slaves
Brokaw: that's very moving
Clyburn: we who worked with the system have been vindicated
Brokaw: Rahm is terrible
Martinez: Boner is moron
Brokaw: hey the Obamas are black! what about all the dysfunctional ones!
Mitchell: we need to get the guys off the corners and the kids in schools
Brokaw: wow can he finally get black families to work?
Mitchell: this dude is a better role model that a rapper or ballplayer
Brokaw: then they can hope to have the world's worst job
Goodwin: hey an economic disaster creates real opportunity for change
Brokaw: hmmmm
Goodwin: like LBJ who I slept with
Brokaw: TMI doris
Meachem: i haz advise for new preznit
Brokaw: do tell
Meachem: Obama is andrew jackson
Brokaw: maybe Obama can be on the $15 bill
Brokaw: he's very eloquent
Meachem: he's a rock star but not one of those elitist ones
Goodwin: Obama echoed FDR in the war when he said we will get there
Brokaw: that's wasn't MLK?
Goodwin: who?
Brokaw: is he black enough
Mitchell: he's President enough!
Brokaw: but not from the inner city
Mitchell: but he's got a white mother and worked in the city - it's fascinating
Brokaw: krauthammer says he's Putin
Meachem: he's actually very tough - who knew??
Brokaw: not a weak intellectual black man?
Meachem: i didn't believe it - but McCain ran a noble campaign
Goodwin: Obama should appoint McCain cabinet
Brokaw: will inner city blacks run the country?
Goodwin: this is a fucking fun time to live in America!
The Chris Matthews Show - November 9, 2008
The Chris Matthews Show
November 9, 2008
*****************************
Tweety: No Drama Obama! Oh noes!!
Obama: the road ahead is long and there are alot of bathroom breaks along the way
Tweety: can he he save my 401k?
Rather: he's bold but cautious - no highs or lows
Tucker: the Man canceled the fireworks cause he didn't want to make John McCain cry
Brooks: he's post-Boomer that's Audacious! But Cautious! He's Caudacious!
Tweety: ha I love it!
Bumiller: unlike Bush he read newspapers
Tweety: he is really is a socialist who will make people wait in line for a heart transplant
Rather: that's bad news for Dick Cheney
Tweety: ha
Rather: i expect him to govern from the center
Brooks: my opinion matters a great deal
Tweety: Ronald Reagan taught us you must get it all done early before you go senile
Brooks: he should no do anything at all
Tucker: bullshit you simpering fop
Brooks: Obama's people are nice and kind -- it's really weird
Bumiller: what planet are you on - Obama is mean
Brooks: no he isn't
Bumiller: ok you've convinced me
Rather: Obama is as optimistic as a frog on a Texas griddle
Tweety: what would you ask Bush?
Bumiller: why are you such a fuck up?
Rather: when are you leaving?
Tucker: nothing from Stupid
Brooks: Obama should ask to have sex with Laura
Tweety: where is the bowling alley?
Tweety: let me relive the ‘68 Convention also the battle of Lexington
Rather [ in 68] : take your hands off me pigs!
Tweety: that was awesome
Tweety: will the GOP love Obama
Brooks: McCain will help Obama depending on how long he lives
Tweety: only John McCain knows how pass legislation
Bumiller: uh...
Tweety: Will Obama offer him a cabinet postition?
Bumiller: uh...
Tweety: Rahm is bad
Rather: that's good
Tweety: uh...
Tucker: he's jerk but he's Obama's jerk
Bumiller: moderate GOP hate Randy Schumerman
Rather: Rahm solves Obama's Jewish problem
Tweety: what else
Rather: Obama must decide where to dump Bill Richardson
Tucker: there were 80,000 undervotes in Georgia - that means people voted for President and then left
Tweety: What about Race Relations!?
Bumiller: blacks and whites gettin' along!
Rather: it's all horseshit
Tucker: they are teh cutest family ever - they will show an upper middle class black family
Tweety: i thought that was teh Cosbys
Brooks: the lesson of this campaign is that America is not a racist country
Tweety: whites secretly voted for Barack but couldn't tell anyone down at the knight of columbus hall - the Obama Effect
November 9, 2008
*****************************
Tweety: No Drama Obama! Oh noes!!
Obama: the road ahead is long and there are alot of bathroom breaks along the way
Tweety: can he he save my 401k?
Rather: he's bold but cautious - no highs or lows
Tucker: the Man canceled the fireworks cause he didn't want to make John McCain cry
Brooks: he's post-Boomer that's Audacious! But Cautious! He's Caudacious!
Tweety: ha I love it!
Bumiller: unlike Bush he read newspapers
Tweety: he is really is a socialist who will make people wait in line for a heart transplant
Rather: that's bad news for Dick Cheney
Tweety: ha
Rather: i expect him to govern from the center
Brooks: my opinion matters a great deal
Tweety: Ronald Reagan taught us you must get it all done early before you go senile
Brooks: he should no do anything at all
Tucker: bullshit you simpering fop
Brooks: Obama's people are nice and kind -- it's really weird
Bumiller: what planet are you on - Obama is mean
Brooks: no he isn't
Bumiller: ok you've convinced me
Rather: Obama is as optimistic as a frog on a Texas griddle
Tweety: what would you ask Bush?
Bumiller: why are you such a fuck up?
Rather: when are you leaving?
Tucker: nothing from Stupid
Brooks: Obama should ask to have sex with Laura
Tweety: where is the bowling alley?
Tweety: let me relive the ‘68 Convention also the battle of Lexington
Rather [ in 68] : take your hands off me pigs!
Tweety: that was awesome
Tweety: will the GOP love Obama
Brooks: McCain will help Obama depending on how long he lives
Tweety: only John McCain knows how pass legislation
Bumiller: uh...
Tweety: Will Obama offer him a cabinet postition?
Bumiller: uh...
Tweety: Rahm is bad
Rather: that's good
Tweety: uh...
Tucker: he's jerk but he's Obama's jerk
Bumiller: moderate GOP hate Randy Schumerman
Rather: Rahm solves Obama's Jewish problem
Tweety: what else
Rather: Obama must decide where to dump Bill Richardson
Tucker: there were 80,000 undervotes in Georgia - that means people voted for President and then left
Tweety: What about Race Relations!?
Bumiller: blacks and whites gettin' along!
Rather: it's all horseshit
Tucker: they are teh cutest family ever - they will show an upper middle class black family
Tweety: i thought that was teh Cosbys
Brooks: the lesson of this campaign is that America is not a racist country
Tweety: whites secretly voted for Barack but couldn't tell anyone down at the knight of columbus hall - the Obama Effect
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Clinton For Senate Homeland Security
Show of hands:
Who thinks Senator Clinton would do a better job as Chair of
the Senate Committee on Homeland Security than Joe Lieberman?*
Thought so.
*Who here think she's earned it?
Who thinks Senator Clinton would do a better job as Chair of
the Senate Committee on Homeland Security than Joe Lieberman?*
Thought so.
*Who here think she's earned it?
Friday, November 07, 2008
Georgia Claims on Russia War Called Into Question
By C. J. CHIVERS and ELLEN BARRY
TBILISI, Georgia — Newly available accounts by independent military observers of the beginning of the war between Georgia and Russia this summer call into question the longstanding Georgian assertion that it was acting defensively against separatist and Russian aggression.
Instead, the accounts suggest that Georgia’s inexperienced military attacked the isolated separatist capital of Tskhinvali on Aug. 7 with indiscriminate artillery and rocket fire, exposing civilians, Russian peacekeepers and unarmed monitors to harm.
The accounts are neither fully conclusive nor broad enough to settle the many lingering disputes over blame in a war that hardened relations between the Kremlin and the West. But they raise questions about the accuracy and honesty of Georgia’s insistence that its shelling of Tskhinvali, the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, was a precise operation. Georgia has variously defended the shelling as necessary to stop heavy Ossetian shelling of Georgian villages, bring order to the region or counter a Russian invasion.
Obama was right??
TBILISI, Georgia — Newly available accounts by independent military observers of the beginning of the war between Georgia and Russia this summer call into question the longstanding Georgian assertion that it was acting defensively against separatist and Russian aggression.
Instead, the accounts suggest that Georgia’s inexperienced military attacked the isolated separatist capital of Tskhinvali on Aug. 7 with indiscriminate artillery and rocket fire, exposing civilians, Russian peacekeepers and unarmed monitors to harm.
The accounts are neither fully conclusive nor broad enough to settle the many lingering disputes over blame in a war that hardened relations between the Kremlin and the West. But they raise questions about the accuracy and honesty of Georgia’s insistence that its shelling of Tskhinvali, the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, was a precise operation. Georgia has variously defended the shelling as necessary to stop heavy Ossetian shelling of Georgian villages, bring order to the region or counter a Russian invasion.
Obama was right??
Thursday, November 06, 2008
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"If I cost John McCain even one vote, I am sorry about that,
because John McCain, I believe, is the American hero."
- Gov. Sarah Palin
because John McCain, I believe, is the American hero."
- Gov. Sarah Palin
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Election Predictions
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Barack Obama - 349
John McCain - 189
WINNER OF THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
** BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA **
**************************************************************
States Won by
John McCain:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
West Virginia
Wyoming
States Won by
Barack Obama:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Iowa
Illinois
Massachusetts
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
****************************************
Hey, everyone has a prediction, right? (Not vouched for accuracy.)
Barack Obama - 349
John McCain - 189
WINNER OF THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
** BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA **
**************************************************************
States Won by
John McCain:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
West Virginia
Wyoming
States Won by
Barack Obama:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Iowa
Illinois
Massachusetts
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
****************************************
Hey, everyone has a prediction, right? (Not vouched for accuracy.)
Friday, October 24, 2008
WOR 710 in New York City Attacks Obama's Grandmother
More fun from Jerry Crowley, General Manager of WOR 710 in New York City:
SAVAGE: Do you actually believe he's going to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother with 10 days to go until an election? Do you actually believe that? Do you actually believe he'd be going to Hawaii at this time with 10 days to go? You actually believe that? No, no, no -- no, no, no, no, no. No. There's some other reason that he's leaving the mainland of the United States in the midst of this toe-to-toe struggle right now, and it's got to do with his birth certificate. That's correct. That is correct. 1-800-449 -- but please go to MichaelSavage.com and look at the alleged birth certificate. Look at it very carefully.
SAVAGE: Do you actually believe he's going to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother with 10 days to go until an election? Do you actually believe that? Do you actually believe he'd be going to Hawaii at this time with 10 days to go? You actually believe that? No, no, no -- no, no, no, no, no. No. There's some other reason that he's leaving the mainland of the United States in the midst of this toe-to-toe struggle right now, and it's got to do with his birth certificate. That's correct. That is correct. 1-800-449 -- but please go to MichaelSavage.com and look at the alleged birth certificate. Look at it very carefully.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Reform is a Relative Term
.
Alaska Funded Palin Kids' Travel
Associated Press Writers Brett J. Blackledge,
Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to
travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later
amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.
The charges included costs for hotel and commercial flights for three daughters
to join Palin to watch their father in a snowmobile race, and a trip to
New York, where the governor attended a five-hour conference and stayed
with 17-year-old Bristol for five days and four nights in a luxury hotel.
In all, Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' 64 one-way
and 12 round-trip commercial flights since she took office in December 2006.
In some other cases, she has charged the state for hotel rooms for the girls.
State Finance Director Kim Garnero told The Associated Press she has not reviewed
the Palins' travel expense forms, so she could not say whether the daughters'
travel with their mother would meet the definition of official business.
On Aug. 6, three weeks before Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain
chose Palin his running mate, and after Alaska reporters asked for the
records, Palin ordered changes to previously filed expense reports
for her daughters' travel.
Alaska Funded Palin Kids' Travel
Associated Press Writers Brett J. Blackledge,
Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to
travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later
amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.
The charges included costs for hotel and commercial flights for three daughters
to join Palin to watch their father in a snowmobile race, and a trip to
New York, where the governor attended a five-hour conference and stayed
with 17-year-old Bristol for five days and four nights in a luxury hotel.
In all, Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' 64 one-way
and 12 round-trip commercial flights since she took office in December 2006.
In some other cases, she has charged the state for hotel rooms for the girls.
State Finance Director Kim Garnero told The Associated Press she has not reviewed
the Palins' travel expense forms, so she could not say whether the daughters'
travel with their mother would meet the definition of official business.
On Aug. 6, three weeks before Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain
chose Palin his running mate, and after Alaska reporters asked for the
records, Palin ordered changes to previously filed expense reports
for her daughters' travel.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
COLIN POWELL ENDORSES OBAMA
COLIN POWELL ENDORSEMENT
** BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT **
Colin Powell announced on “Meet the Press” that he is endorsing Barack Obama. He stated that he remains a Republican.
"He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said of Barack Obama.
"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," Powell said.
Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain's judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin, saying he did not think she was ready to be president.
Powell said he was disappointed with some of McCain's campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama's ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.
Powell's said that the two men's response to the economic response played a role. He said that gave him an opportunity to evaluate the two men's "judgment" and way of "approaching a problem."
He praised Obama's "calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach to problem solving."
General Powell gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in support of George W. Bush in 2000. Powell served as Secretary of State under President Bush from 2001 to 2005.
John McCain's campaign noted in response that he has been endorsed by Henry Kissinger and Al Haig.
** BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT **
Colin Powell announced on “Meet the Press” that he is endorsing Barack Obama. He stated that he remains a Republican.
"He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said of Barack Obama.
"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," Powell said.
Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain's judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin, saying he did not think she was ready to be president.
Powell said he was disappointed with some of McCain's campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama's ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.
Powell's said that the two men's response to the economic response played a role. He said that gave him an opportunity to evaluate the two men's "judgment" and way of "approaching a problem."
He praised Obama's "calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach to problem solving."
General Powell gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in support of George W. Bush in 2000. Powell served as Secretary of State under President Bush from 2001 to 2005.
John McCain's campaign noted in response that he has been endorsed by Henry Kissinger and Al Haig.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Obama Passes 270
CNN now has Obama at over 270 electoral votes, based on polling from October 15, 2008.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
SOCIALISM NOW, SOCIALISM FOREVER!
Treasury Bank Plan Said to Include Equity, Bank Debt Insurance
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Treasury has settled on a
broad plan for rescuing frozen credit markets that includes
taking equity stakes in financial institutions and insuring new
senior bank debt for three years, according to a person briefed
on the proposal.
The government may spend as much as $250 billion on buying
non-voting shares of banks and other financial companies, the
person said. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson may unveil the
effort as early as Wednesday.
*************************************************************************
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Treasury has settled on a
broad plan for rescuing frozen credit markets that includes
taking equity stakes in financial institutions and insuring new
senior bank debt for three years, according to a person briefed
on the proposal.
The government may spend as much as $250 billion on buying
non-voting shares of banks and other financial companies, the
person said. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson may unveil the
effort as early as Wednesday.
*************************************************************************
ICELAND IS BANKRUPT. CAN I BLAME BARACK OBAMA YET?
Icelandic Shoppers Raid Stores as Currency Woes Reduce Food Imports
*************************************************
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- After a four-year spending spree, Icelanders are flooding the supermarkets one last time, stocking up on food as the collapse of the banking system threatens to cut the island off from imports. Bonus, a nationwide chain, has stock at its warehouse for about two weeks. After that, the shelves will start emptying unless it can get access to foreign currency, the 22-year-old manager said, standing in a walk-in fridge filled with meat products, among the few goods on sale produced locally.
*************************************************
MYSTERY KILLER VIRUS ON THE LOOSE
Tests conducted at the Special Pathogens Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service in Johannesburg, and at the Special Pathogens and Infectious Disease Pathology branches of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, provide preliminary evidence that the causative agent of the disease which has resulted in the recent deaths of 3 people from Zambia and South Africa, is a virus from the Arenaviridae family.
Analysis continues at the NICD and CDC in order to characterize this virus more fully. CDC and NICD are technical partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
******************************************
Analysis continues at the NICD and CDC in order to characterize this virus more fully. CDC and NICD are technical partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).
******************************************
JOBS, BABY, JOBS!
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton offered a Democratic rejoinder to the Republican chant of "drill, baby, drill." Said the one-time presidential candidate: "Jobs, baby, jobs."
Campaigning for her once bitter rival Barack Obama in Pennsylvania, the New York senator told about 1,500 people at an historic farm in suburban Horsham, that her husband's administration produced a balanced budget and a surplus.
"Now, eight short years later, we've had to add a digit to the debt clock," she said, referring to the digital sign in New York City that tracks the national debt.
Clinton is trying to use her popularity in places like northeast Philadelphia and the city's suburbs to help Obama beat Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain in this battleground state. She did well in both areas in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary six months ago, when she beat the Illinois senator by 10 percentage points.
At the Republican National Convention and various GOP rallies, an oft-repeated chant was "drill, baby, drill," a plea for more oil drilling. McCain and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin back more offshore oil drilling; Palin favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Clinton said Democrats have a better answer: "Jobs, baby, jobs."
DEPT OF GOOD NEWS / BAD NEWS
Buffett's Berkshire Holdings Drop 17% in a Week
Still Outpacing S&P 500
**************************************
Gates Predicts `Significant Recession,' More Job Loss
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates said the U.S. economy is headed for a ``fairly significant recession,'' and that the unemployment rate may peak at more than 9 percent.
***************************************
Still Outpacing S&P 500
**************************************
Gates Predicts `Significant Recession,' More Job Loss
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates said the U.S. economy is headed for a ``fairly significant recession,'' and that the unemployment rate may peak at more than 9 percent.
***************************************
ROLLER COASTER UPDATE
U.S. Stocks Rally on Bank Plan; Dow Has Biggest Point Gain Ever
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks staged the biggest rally in seven decades on a government plan to buy stakes in banks and a Federal Reserve-led push to flood the global financial system with dollars.
************************************
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks staged the biggest rally in seven decades on a government plan to buy stakes in banks and a Federal Reserve-led push to flood the global financial system with dollars.
************************************
THEY’RE GETTING DESPERATE
The chairman of the Virginia Republican Party has compared Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama to Osama bin Laden because of the Illinois senator's past association with Bill Ayers, who has confessed to domestic bombings as a member of the Vietnam War-era Weather Underground.
****************************************
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Chris Matthews Show - September 28, 2008
******************************
The Chris Matthews Show
September 28, 2008
******************************
Matthews: wow they held a debate and Obama didn't use the word motherfucker once!!
Mitchell: Obama failed - he's no ronald reagan
Brooks: i miss reagan
Chris: me too
Brooks: it was too wonky what's up with all the showing-off about all their knowledge at a presidential debate???
Robinson: McCain's problem is that he is an incredible asshole
Kay: he refused to look at the black guy
Matthews: maybe he's like Colbert and can't see color
Brooks: this was the best I've ever seen John McCain
Matthews: that's not good
Mitchell: it's true that McCain had a terrible week but we can cross our fingers that he can turn it around!!
Robinson: they're both going to vote for the bailout!
Brooks: i've been hanging with the common people at applebee's and they tell me that they don't like this
Kay: obama is a stone cold fish who has to pretend he cares about the middle class - John McCain has to pretend he's human
Matthews: who won the week?
Panel: Obama!
Matthews: that's good news for John McCain!
Kay: but it's not the debate that’s the problem - it's that McCain is a doddering fool and that's not going to change
Tweety: i disagree the important thing is Obama won the debate
Brooks: no fair that debate was held at night!
Mitchell: don't count out John McCain yet!
Brooks: McCain really won the debate!
Robinson: that's right
Mitchell: hey John McCain only had two hours to prepare and he was better than Obama
Brooks: oh yeah!
Matthews: OMG it turns out that Sarah Palin is a moron!!
Palin: russian fish invade my space!
Brooks: i admire sarah palin for facing down Putin's reared head
Chris: you like her
Brooks: Sarah the Unready
Kay: the neocons love her she believes in freeance and peeance
Matthews: Kathy Parker doesn't like her and Robert Parker gave 10 points
Mitchell: Juneau, We Have a Problem
Robinson: Biden will respectfully answer the questions and Palin will talk nonsense and the rest of us will squirm uncomfortably
Kay: GOP loves her
Matthews: Palin isn't stupid
Brooks: she will rise to level of mediocrity
Kay: even Petraeus thinks McCain is living in a fantasy world
Robinson: there will be big liberal turnout on election
Mitchell: Sarah Silverman is telling people to schlep to the votes
Brooks: Adam Putnam is leading a pack of angry young white republicans
Tweety: he's adorable - he's the clay aiken of American Conservatism
Mattthews: Paul Newman was a liberal, rich, generous, talented, good-looking, charitable, respected, and told the truth
Kay: wow it's like you and he were matter and anti-matter
Tweety: ha!!
The Chris Matthews Show
September 28, 2008
******************************
Matthews: wow they held a debate and Obama didn't use the word motherfucker once!!
Mitchell: Obama failed - he's no ronald reagan
Brooks: i miss reagan
Chris: me too
Brooks: it was too wonky what's up with all the showing-off about all their knowledge at a presidential debate???
Robinson: McCain's problem is that he is an incredible asshole
Kay: he refused to look at the black guy
Matthews: maybe he's like Colbert and can't see color
Brooks: this was the best I've ever seen John McCain
Matthews: that's not good
Mitchell: it's true that McCain had a terrible week but we can cross our fingers that he can turn it around!!
Robinson: they're both going to vote for the bailout!
Brooks: i've been hanging with the common people at applebee's and they tell me that they don't like this
Kay: obama is a stone cold fish who has to pretend he cares about the middle class - John McCain has to pretend he's human
Matthews: who won the week?
Panel: Obama!
Matthews: that's good news for John McCain!
Kay: but it's not the debate that’s the problem - it's that McCain is a doddering fool and that's not going to change
Tweety: i disagree the important thing is Obama won the debate
Brooks: no fair that debate was held at night!
Mitchell: don't count out John McCain yet!
Brooks: McCain really won the debate!
Robinson: that's right
Mitchell: hey John McCain only had two hours to prepare and he was better than Obama
Brooks: oh yeah!
Matthews: OMG it turns out that Sarah Palin is a moron!!
Palin: russian fish invade my space!
Brooks: i admire sarah palin for facing down Putin's reared head
Chris: you like her
Brooks: Sarah the Unready
Kay: the neocons love her she believes in freeance and peeance
Matthews: Kathy Parker doesn't like her and Robert Parker gave 10 points
Mitchell: Juneau, We Have a Problem
Robinson: Biden will respectfully answer the questions and Palin will talk nonsense and the rest of us will squirm uncomfortably
Kay: GOP loves her
Matthews: Palin isn't stupid
Brooks: she will rise to level of mediocrity
Kay: even Petraeus thinks McCain is living in a fantasy world
Robinson: there will be big liberal turnout on election
Mitchell: Sarah Silverman is telling people to schlep to the votes
Brooks: Adam Putnam is leading a pack of angry young white republicans
Tweety: he's adorable - he's the clay aiken of American Conservatism
Mattthews: Paul Newman was a liberal, rich, generous, talented, good-looking, charitable, respected, and told the truth
Kay: wow it's like you and he were matter and anti-matter
Tweety: ha!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
WHO SHOULD DEBATE OBAMA?
John McCain may not show up tonight. Who should debate Obama instead?
1. Abe Simpson
2. Matlock
3. Mr. Potter
4. The Grand Nagus
5. Old Biff from Back to The Future Part II
6. Bob Dole
7. Prof. Hubert Whitehead
8. McCain’s mother
9. Major Major
10. Corrado Soprano
11. Chauncey Gardiner
12. The 2,000 Year Old Man
Who would you choose??
1. Abe Simpson
2. Matlock
3. Mr. Potter
4. The Grand Nagus
5. Old Biff from Back to The Future Part II
6. Bob Dole
7. Prof. Hubert Whitehead
8. McCain’s mother
9. Major Major
10. Corrado Soprano
11. Chauncey Gardiner
12. The 2,000 Year Old Man
Who would you choose??
Where's My Jet Pack?!
Swiss Man Becomes Crosses English Channel With Jet Pack
Swiss pilot Yves Rossy became the first aviator to cross the Channel between England and France using a single jet-powered wing attached to his back. Rossy soared through clear skies during his 37-kilometer (23-mile) flight, then opened a blue and yellow parachute to land safely in Dover. The portion of his flight over water took less than 10 minutes. Rossy postponed an attempt yesterday due to bad weather, saying that he would rather wait than fail. “I would be disappointed to be in the water now and tomorrow it's perfectly blue sky,'' he said yesterday.
Rossy took off from France in a plane and jumped from an altitude of more than 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). His flight started over the French port of Calais. His craft was designed to reach a speed of 190 kilometers an hour.
Spain’s Problem: Too Much Solar Power
Spain Will Cut Solar Plant Subsidies to Check Industry's Growth
Spain's government will cut subsidies to solar-power projects in the next two years as it tries to rein in the industry's growth, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said. The industry has installed more than four times the government's target of 371 megawatts of solar capacity, making the reduction necessary to prevent an overburden on public spending, Fernandez said.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Quote of the Day
“Make no mistake, this is a Democrat bill.”
- Republican Jim DeMint, U.S. Senator from South Carolina, on the bailout bill George W. Bush and Secretary Paulson are currently pushing through Congress, this morning.
Americans Oppose Bailouts, Say Obama Would Best Handle Financial Emergency
Americans oppose government rescues of ailing financial companies by a decisive margin, and blame Wall Street and President George W. Bush for the credit crisis.
Americans oppose government rescues of ailing financial companies by a decisive margin, and blame Wall Street and President George W. Bush for the credit crisis. By a margin of 55 percent to 31 percent, Americans say it's not the government's responsibility to bail out private companies with taxpayer dollars, even if their collapse could damage the economy, according to the latest Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll. Poll respondents say Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama would do a better job handling the financial crisis than Republican John McCain, by a margin of 45 percent to 33 percent. Almost half of voters say the Democrat has better ideas to strengthen the economy than his Republican opponent.
Six weeks before the presidential election, almost 80 percent of Americans say the U.S. is going in the wrong direction, the biggest percentage since the poll began asking that question in 1991.
Americans oppose government rescues of ailing financial companies by a decisive margin, and blame Wall Street and President George W. Bush for the credit crisis. By a margin of 55 percent to 31 percent, Americans say it's not the government's responsibility to bail out private companies with taxpayer dollars, even if their collapse could damage the economy, according to the latest Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll. Poll respondents say Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama would do a better job handling the financial crisis than Republican John McCain, by a margin of 45 percent to 33 percent. Almost half of voters say the Democrat has better ideas to strengthen the economy than his Republican opponent.
Six weeks before the presidential election, almost 80 percent of Americans say the U.S. is going in the wrong direction, the biggest percentage since the poll began asking that question in 1991.
Recession Certain!?
PASSENGERS CERTAIN TO DIE
AIRLINE NEGLIGENT
SALE AT PENNY'S!
Bernanke: Recession Certain Without Bailout
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke bluntly warned Congress on Tuesday it risks a recession, with higher unemployment and increased home foreclosures, if it fails to act on the Bush administration's plan to bail out the financial industry. Bernanke told the Senate Banking Committee that failure to act could leave ordinary businesses unable to borrow the money they need to expand and hire.
AIRLINE NEGLIGENT
SALE AT PENNY'S!
Bernanke: Recession Certain Without Bailout
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke bluntly warned Congress on Tuesday it risks a recession, with higher unemployment and increased home foreclosures, if it fails to act on the Bush administration's plan to bail out the financial industry. Bernanke told the Senate Banking Committee that failure to act could leave ordinary businesses unable to borrow the money they need to expand and hire.
REGULATE, BABY, REGULATE!
Credit Swaps Must Be Regulated `Immediately,' SEC's Cox Says
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox said Congress should grant authority to regulate the credit-default swaps market amid concern the bets are fueling the global financial crisis.
Lawmakers should ``provide in statute the authority to regulate these products to enhance investor protection and ensure the operation of fair and orderly markets,'' Cox told the Senate Banking Committee today at a hearing in Washington. "Neither the SEC nor any regulator has authority over the CDS market, even to require minimal disclosure,'' and that should be addressed "immediately,'' Cox said in prepared testimony at a hearing to consider the government's $700 billion financial rescue plan.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox said Congress should grant authority to regulate the credit-default swaps market amid concern the bets are fueling the global financial crisis.
Lawmakers should ``provide in statute the authority to regulate these products to enhance investor protection and ensure the operation of fair and orderly markets,'' Cox told the Senate Banking Committee today at a hearing in Washington. "Neither the SEC nor any regulator has authority over the CDS market, even to require minimal disclosure,'' and that should be addressed "immediately,'' Cox said in prepared testimony at a hearing to consider the government's $700 billion financial rescue plan.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Billions and billions
Cost of proposed bailout: $700 billion
Gross National Product of Saudi Arabia: $376 Billion
Gross National Product of Saudi Arabia: $376 Billion
Sunday, September 21, 2008
When Socialism Came to America
When fascism comes to America it will come wearing a flag and carrying a cross.
When socialism comes to America it comes as a rich bald white man demanding money for his rich bald white friends.
When socialism comes to America it comes as a rich bald white man demanding money for his rich bald white friends.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Common People
.
Her name was Rothschild
She was a PUMA
She was a member
Of McCain’s Duma
That’s where I
Caught her lie
She said I want to the vote of common people
She said I’ll pretend to like what common people do
She said I want to use common people
She said I want to use common people - people like you
I took her to a CVS
I thought it best
I said now pretend that you have to choose
Between medicine and food
She said she had never laughed so hard
And she just used her credit card
I took her the airport
She was being a good sport
I said what if you didn’t have a private plane
And she said ‘would you please explain’
I said pretend you flight had lost a door
And you had to sleep here on the floor
She said that idea was a riot
And she just would fire the pilot
I took her to a public school
She said where is the swimming pool
I said these books are ineffectual
She called me an intellectual
I said there’s no money for art
She said ‘you think you’re so smart’
I showed her the broken bleachers
And she just blamed the teachers
I took to an emergency room
She knew what one of those was, I assume
I said these people can’t afford health care
She just gave me a blank stare
I said what if you had no insurance for that rash
She said well then I would just pay in cash
I said for once pretend you’re not rich
She ‘but dammit I am, bitch’
I said you don’t know any common people
I said you’ll never see what common people see
I said you’ll never earn the vote of common people
You’ll never earn the vote of common people - people like me
Her name was Rothschild
She was a PUMA
She was a member
Of McCain’s Duma
That’s where I
Caught her lie
She said I want to the vote of common people
She said I’ll pretend to like what common people do
She said I want to use common people
She said I want to use common people - people like you
I took her to a CVS
I thought it best
I said now pretend that you have to choose
Between medicine and food
She said she had never laughed so hard
And she just used her credit card
I took her the airport
She was being a good sport
I said what if you didn’t have a private plane
And she said ‘would you please explain’
I said pretend you flight had lost a door
And you had to sleep here on the floor
She said that idea was a riot
And she just would fire the pilot
I took her to a public school
She said where is the swimming pool
I said these books are ineffectual
She called me an intellectual
I said there’s no money for art
She said ‘you think you’re so smart’
I showed her the broken bleachers
And she just blamed the teachers
I took to an emergency room
She knew what one of those was, I assume
I said these people can’t afford health care
She just gave me a blank stare
I said what if you had no insurance for that rash
She said well then I would just pay in cash
I said for once pretend you’re not rich
She ‘but dammit I am, bitch’
I said you don’t know any common people
I said you’ll never see what common people see
I said you’ll never earn the vote of common people
You’ll never earn the vote of common people - people like me
Feds Approve $22 Bailout of Lemonade Stand
BREAKING:
Feds Approve $22 Bailout of Lemonade Stand
"Too Delicious to Fail," Says Paulson
Feds Approve $22 Bailout of Lemonade Stand
"Too Delicious to Fail," Says Paulson
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
The Chris Matthews Show - September 7, 2008
**********************************
The Chris Matthews Show
September 7, 2008
**********************************
Mitchell: Sarah Palin is the poster child for inclusiveness
Tweety: wow!
Andrea: Obama and McCain will be together at Ground Zero which proves McCain can be non-partisan
Tweety: and what does it show about Obama?
Andrea: that he's a partisan phony
Klein: the convention was an offensive Orwellian nightmare of mooseburgers
Tweety: where was Bush?
Klein: hell they distanced themselves from the Republican party
Tweety: i love it!
Heileman: i heard a rumor than John McCain is a Republican
Tweet: wow do you a newsletter?
Tweety: McCain is the skipper
Andrea: Obama is Gilligan
Norris: Obama has to be a leader and an everyman it's a fine line
Tweety: he's either too street or an elitist
Klein: Obama has to come across as a white human being
Matthews: bomb bomb iran
Tweety: everyone says Obama will get swing voters to let's talk to the one who doesn't - Andrea!
Andrea: John McCain is the best ever!
Klein: oh fer gawd's sake
Tweety: let's talk about Sarah Palin - the mom, the neighbor, the strong female fighting for justice, the PTA
Klein: i love it!
Tweety: she's like a female version of Norma Rae!
Andrea: that's why i love you tweety - you never change
Tweety: who is best person in the history of politics?
Andrea: sarah palin - she fought off the horrible nasty mean terrible liberal bloggers and gave the best speech since the gettysburg address
Klein: yes but she is also stupid
Norris: it's only been 12 days
Klein: A Fortnight of Fuckups
Norris: who cares is he knows where Iran is - she kills moose
Heileman: let's face it McCain is going to die soon
Andrea: she smears with a smile
Tweety: how so
Andrea: she haz lunch-bucket!!!
Klein: but what are her policies?
Mitchell: it doesn't matter she's a hockey mom it's all narrative!
Tweety: biden will be beat her up
Heileman: fuck Biden for calling her sweetie if he ever does
Andrea: i hate Biden for potentially calling her gal or baby or sugartits
Tweety: tell me something I don’t know
Klein: new energy bill is mccain v obama battle
Andrea: Palin will never give an interview it turns out she knows nothing
Heileman: michigan michigan michigan
Tweety: Kwame!
The Chris Matthews Show
September 7, 2008
**********************************
Mitchell: Sarah Palin is the poster child for inclusiveness
Tweety: wow!
Andrea: Obama and McCain will be together at Ground Zero which proves McCain can be non-partisan
Tweety: and what does it show about Obama?
Andrea: that he's a partisan phony
Klein: the convention was an offensive Orwellian nightmare of mooseburgers
Tweety: where was Bush?
Klein: hell they distanced themselves from the Republican party
Tweety: i love it!
Heileman: i heard a rumor than John McCain is a Republican
Tweet: wow do you a newsletter?
Tweety: McCain is the skipper
Andrea: Obama is Gilligan
Norris: Obama has to be a leader and an everyman it's a fine line
Tweety: he's either too street or an elitist
Klein: Obama has to come across as a white human being
Matthews: bomb bomb iran
Tweety: everyone says Obama will get swing voters to let's talk to the one who doesn't - Andrea!
Andrea: John McCain is the best ever!
Klein: oh fer gawd's sake
Tweety: let's talk about Sarah Palin - the mom, the neighbor, the strong female fighting for justice, the PTA
Klein: i love it!
Tweety: she's like a female version of Norma Rae!
Andrea: that's why i love you tweety - you never change
Tweety: who is best person in the history of politics?
Andrea: sarah palin - she fought off the horrible nasty mean terrible liberal bloggers and gave the best speech since the gettysburg address
Klein: yes but she is also stupid
Norris: it's only been 12 days
Klein: A Fortnight of Fuckups
Norris: who cares is he knows where Iran is - she kills moose
Heileman: let's face it McCain is going to die soon
Andrea: she smears with a smile
Tweety: how so
Andrea: she haz lunch-bucket!!!
Klein: but what are her policies?
Mitchell: it doesn't matter she's a hockey mom it's all narrative!
Tweety: biden will be beat her up
Heileman: fuck Biden for calling her sweetie if he ever does
Andrea: i hate Biden for potentially calling her gal or baby or sugartits
Tweety: tell me something I don’t know
Klein: new energy bill is mccain v obama battle
Andrea: Palin will never give an interview it turns out she knows nothing
Heileman: michigan michigan michigan
Tweety: Kwame!
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