ThinkFast: January 22, 2008
ThinkFast: January 22, 2008
“The federal investigation into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys could jolt the political landscape ahead of the November elections.” Congressional investigations “appear to be far narrower than a sprawling inquiry launched by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General and the Office of Professional Responsibility.”
President Bush’s attempt to revive the world’s biggest economy “was greeted with heavy skepticism on Tuesday as markets tumbled across the globe.” Markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney all fell farther in late trading Tuesday than they had all day on Monday.
“The Federal Reserve, confronted with a global stock sell-off fanned by increased fears of a recession, cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday.”
Bloomberg writes that President Bush has become a “supplicant” to the Saudis for assistance to overcome a recession. “The Saudi monarchy once depended on the U.S. to protect its reign and its oil from foes like Saddam Hussein. These days, President George W. Bush needs the world’s biggest exporter of crude more than it needs him.”
Early in the Bush administration, the White House “scrapped a custom archiving system” for e-mail records “that the Clinton administration had adopted under a federal court order.” “The Bush White House also recorded over computer backup tapes” for archiving e-mails, “even though a similar practice landed the Clinton administration in legal trouble.”
“The percent of Army recruits with a high school diploma dropped last year, continuing a trend that has worsened since the start of the Iraq war,” according to a new report by the National Priorities Project released Tuesday. In 2007, “nearly 71 percent of Army recruits graduated from high school,” falling short of the Army’s goal of 90 percent.
Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court legalized abortion, the U.S. has seen a drop in the rate of abortions to its “lowest level in more than three decades.” NPR reports this morning that at anti-abortion groups in at least six states “are pursuing constitutional amendments called human life amendments that would grant legal status and rights to an embryo.”
“Undocumented immigrants are driving up the number of people without health insurance.” The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 59 percent of the nation’s undocumented immigrants are uninsured, and they represent about 15% of the nation’s 47 million uninsured people.
And finally: In yesterday’s CNN Democratic presidential candidate debate, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was asked about “novelist Toni Morrison’s salute to Bill Clinton as ‘the first black President.’” Obama replied: “I would have to investigate more Bill’s dancing abilities and some of this other stuff before I accurately judged whether he was, in fact, a brother.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Stock market looks to open down 500 points. Fed Cuts Interest Rates 75 basis points.
Not Good Enough. Not Even Close. To prevent a total economic catastrophe…
(a) The defense budget needs to be cut 25% IMMEDIATELY. Then cut another 25% in the short-term.
(b) Any income over $5 million dollars needs to be taxed at 90%.
(c) Hedge funds need to pay 35% in tax, not 15% capital gains rate.
(d) Corporations need to start paying taxes again, at the same rate “people” do. Most pay NO taxes at all
(e) The occupation of Iraq must be ended TODAY and ALL troops brought home, saving $6 billion a month.
…and most importantly, the President MUST be IMPEACHED TODAY and the looting of the treasury by his Corporate Fascist Criminals investigated and prosecuted.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 amBush is the Saudi’s bit(h.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 amBloomberg writes that President Bush has become a “supplicant†to the Saudis for assistance to overcome a recession. “The Saudi monarchy once depended on the U.S. to protect its reign and its oil from foes like Saddam Hussein. These days, President George W. Bush needs the world’s biggest exporter of crude more than it needs him.â€
SO much for the vaunted Bush “jawbone”. 4000 years ago, Samson was able to defeat the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, so I’m not quite sure why Bush’s jawbone doesn’t work nearly so well in that part of the world. He is a much bigger ass than any mere donkey.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 amGood Morning 2Million and Marcus….Good job…..Blessings
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am“The federal investigation into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys could jolt the political landscape ahead of the November elections.â€
This sounds like good news, but I’ve become such a skeptic when it comes to this president and this congress that I’ll believe it when I see it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 am“The percent of Army recruits with a high school diploma dropped last year, continuing a trend that has worsened since the start of the Iraq war,†according to a new report by the National Priorities Project released Tuesday. In 2007, “nearly 71 percent of Army recruits graduated from high school,†falling short of the Army’s goal of 90 percent.
Just wait–once Bush’s economy really gains control, the Army will be flooded with M.B.A.s and PhDs!
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 am“…a sprawling inquiry launched by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General and the Office of Professional Responsibility.â€
Yeah right. Like the Bush Justice Department is going to do any real investigation into it’s own crimes. I won’t hold my breath.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 am“Undocumented immigrants are driving up the number of people without health insurance.†The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 59 percent of the nation’s undocumented immigrants are uninsured, and they represent about 15% of the nation’s 47 million uninsured people.
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Cue the trolls using this to justify their argument that nothing should be done to help the uninsured in 3…2…1…
Never mind that even if 15% of the nation’s uninsured are undocumented immigrants, this means that 85% of the uninsured are still American citizens or people who are here legally.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 amThe Fed has cut the interest rate by 75% in order to prevent a stock market crash.
Frankly, I am waiting for the chance to report on “Red Febuary” when it becomes clear just what this means for the deficit and America’s national debt.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 amPresident Bush’s attempt to revive the world’s biggest economy “was greeted with heavy skepticism on Tuesday
That’s because his answer to the problem will only make it worse in the long run. A short infusion of cash into the system (rebates to taxpayers) coupled with a reduction in corporate income tax rates is NOT going to turn this overextended economy around. Corporations already pay a fraction of what they paid in the 1950’s and many pay no income taxes due to incorporating outside the US. If we made corporations pay their fair share of the taxes, our economy wouldn’t be in the trouble it is in now.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 amThink Ostrich still has its head in the sand concerning Sibel Edmonds, just like the rest of the American Corporate Media. How are you going to continue pretending she doesn’t exist now that an anonymous letter links her case to Valerie Plame?
(an anonymous letter) claims the government official warned a Turkish member of the network that they should not deal with a company called Brewster Jennings because it was a CIA front company investigating the nuclear black market. The official’s warning came two years before Brewster Jennings was publicly outed when one of its staff, Valerie Plame, was revealed to be a CIA agent in a case that became a cause celèbre in the US.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/21/6514/
** This story, about the selling of nuclear secrets to criminal regimes around the world by Washington insiders, and an FBI coverup of an investigation into it, is making front page headlines around the world. But not one major media outlet in America has even mentioned it!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 amat least six states “are pursuing constitutional amendments called human life amendments that would grant legal status and rights to an embryo…
Why is that embryos have more protection than adults? In addition, conservatrons have no issue with fertility drugs, which alter embryonic states, but DON’T USE STEM CELLS, or we’ll violate religious standards.
What’s next, cloning soldiers so we can fight an eternal war?
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 amThe Federal Reserve, confronted with a global stock sell-off fanned by increased fears of a recession, cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday
1) Unprecedented. Fed has not in the last 25 years cut rates this deeply in one go, has never as far as I can tell cut rates between meetings this deeply. They cut by only 50 bps after 9/11. This is bigger, much bigger.
2) Irrespective of whether this was the right move, the futures market gapped further on it. If the Fed was hoping to give a lift to the stock market, that looks like it has failed.
When you watch the Dow today, just imagine, if Chimpy had had his way, that’s where your retirement savings could be.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 am“The Bush White House also recorded over computer backup tapes†for archiving e-mails, “even though a similar practice landed the Clinton administration in legal trouble.â€
Well, seeing that the Bush White House has landed in zero legal trouble for what they have done, thanks to a complicit Congress, it makes sense that they would ignore the law and thumb it’s noses in our faces.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 amIn 2007, “nearly 71 percent of Army recruits graduated from high school,†falling short of the Army’s goal of 90 percent.
They also didn’t let in people with criminal records like they do now. Oh well, when you have used up all your cannon fodder on occupying a country against it’s will, I guess you have to find new cannon fodder somewhere. George Bush has broken our military and it’s going to take many years to fix it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 amNPR reports this morning that at anti-abortion groups in at least six states “are pursuing constitutional amendments called human life amendments that would grant legal status and rights to an embryo.â€
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This means that as soon as a blastocyst is implanted in a uterus wall, that embryo will be issued a Social Security number, given a name, and be counted as a tax deduction. A person’s age will be marked from the time of conception, not the time of birth. And abortion will be a capital crime, with pregnant women facing execution if they undergo the procedure.
Is this what those “human life amendments” mean?
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am“Undocumented immigrants are driving up the number of people without health insurance.â€
That’s one of the reasons why companies like to hire undocumented immigrants. They don’t have to give them health insurance and the worker is in no place to complain. They also pay them much less than their regular workers and again, they can’t complain.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 amThe fact that Barack and Hillary are trading insults while the economy breaks into a million little pieces tells me they’re clueless.
Will one of them have the courage to say the defense budget is a cancer metastized out of control and needs to be slashed 25%?
Anyone not willing to cut the defense budget is not sincere about wanting to save the economy.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 amNasdaq opens down 5%, that’s a mini-crash!
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 amAnd the armchair commandoes will whine and sit on their duffs.
Does anyone remember this democracy was founded by revolution.
Millions of people in the streets…….millions. Peaceful, millions in the streets.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 amBush has basically committed to making sure the Saudi a$$ stays well-kissed. Never mind that most of the 9/11 terrorists were Saudi. Never mind that a good portion of the money funding terrorism comes from Saudi Arabia. We won’t invade Saudi Arabia or even hold the Saudis accountable. Instead, we’ll invade Iraq and Iran. Maybe even Syria. Anybody except the Saudis.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 amBloomberg writes that President Bush has become a “supplicant†to the Saudis for assistance to overcome a recession…
Much like an undeveloped Primate, swinging a sword out of step, out of touch and soon, out of office.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:33 amIs this what those “human life amendments†mean?
Comment by missmolly
You forgot what they will do to a woman if she has a miscarriage. That miscarriage killed her “baby” so she should be held accountable.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 am“The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday.â€
Stocks are plummeting…
Yes – those tax cuts for the wealthy are doing wonders for our economy.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 am“The percent of Army recruits with a high school diploma dropped last year, continuing a trend that has worsened since the start of the Iraq warâ€
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Eventually, the only requirement to get into the Army will be a beating pulse. The days of when our proud all-volunteer Army was composed of people who met high standards for admission will be history.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 amMiss Molly (@16),
The report also said that such amendments would permit the prosecution of women who have mis-carriages! This is just disgusting! A mis-carriage is already a tragedy, but to brand it a crime as well??? Leave the poor people alone!
They have no empathy in their souls. This should disqualify them from influencing our laws. Never vote for someone who refuses to walk in your shoes!
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 amStock market looks to open down 500 points. Fed Cuts Interest Rates 75 basis points.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
Evil spaniard posted this yesterday. I reposted it twice trying to get people to talk about it while it was going on but they were more interested in plungers posts…..go figure…
All world markets drop 5-7percent…..in one day……this is staggering
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080121/ap_on_bi_ge/world_markets;_ylt=AjNKVfqcz3sn4NmRijtcdj2s0NUE
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 amObama replied: “I would have to investigate more Bill’s dancing abilities and some of this other stuff before I accurately judged whether he was, in fact, a brother.â€
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At least he has a sense of humor…
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 amThis is a serious question looking for a serious answer.
Can someone explain how increasing the tax revenue to the government regardless of the source ( corporate, wealthy, middle class etc. ) helps the ecomomy.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 amComment by Deep Thinker
First you explain how you pay for a war with massive tax cuts for the wealthy.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 amThe fact that Barack and Hillary are trading insults while the economy breaks into a million little pieces tells me they’re clueless.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — January 22, 2008 @ 9:29 am
No its because issues are boring, but drama/controversy sells, their Corporate owned Media Masters that line their pockets told them so.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 amMust have a good show for the rubes, don’t ya know?
The Federal Reserve, confronted with a global stock sell-off fanned by increased fears of a recession, cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday
Comment by Dumb_Fox — January 22, 2008 @ 9:24 am
They’ve just assured themselves runaway inflation. The Fed cannot fix this mess. The only answers are in my post #1.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 amAt least he has a sense of humor… -Comment by missmolly
Obama has to, given the unmanaged ‘debate’ forum. MSM is trying to pigeonhole Obama & Clinton into backbiting each other to ‘make news’ as the debate unfolds. Then they can claim exclusivity on the footage and increase their dismal ratings.
CNN has become Fox Lite. How in the Hell are we supposed to give any credibility to a forum asking if Bill Clinton was the first Black President?
How about the real issues of the day instead of what Wolfie Blitzer thinks might up his ratings?
Up yours, Blitzer, along with your dismal ratings.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 amCan someone explain how increasing the tax revenue to the government regardless of the source ( corporate, wealthy, middle class etc. ) helps the ecomomy.
Comment by Deep Thinker
no but I can give you examples……Clinton did it in the 90’s seemed to work.
I can also give you examples of the opposite and the result…..oh…that would be right now..today…..world market crashes….see 1 & 27
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 amIs this what those “human life amendments†mean?
Comment by missmolly
You forgot what they will do to a woman if she has a miscarriage. That miscarriage killed her “baby†so she should be held accountable.
Comment by bilbobaggins — January 22, 2008 @ 9:36 am
A miscarriage is an Act of God. As such, God should be held accountable.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 amPresident Bush’s attempt to revive the world’s biggest economy
Eight years into the job and this drunk is still trying to pep talk the markets. I swear he must be the dumbest fcuk on the planet. I look forward to more utter incoherence later today, when he will once again shame the office with his fetid stupidity.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 amThey’ve just assured themselves runaway inflation. The Fed cannot fix this mess. The only answers are in my post #1.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — January 22, 2008 @ 9:49 am
It’s not the only answer, but I agree there is not much the Fed can do to arrest this bear market.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 amThe Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 59 percent of the nation’s undocumented immigrants are uninsured, and they represent about 15% of the nation’s 47 million uninsured people.
- – - -
Sorry, hate to be an optimist here, but is anyone else impressed by the fact that 41% of undocumented immigrants actually HAVE health insurance?
I would’ve thought that number would be closer to 0%.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 amA miscarriage is an Act of God. As such, God should be held accountable.
Comment by dim wit — January 22, 2008 @ 9:52 am
That guy is always a no-show in court, though.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 amAnd abortion will be a capital crime, with pregnant women facing execution if they undergo the procedure.
Is this what those “human life amendments†mean?
Comment by missmolly — January 22, 2008 @ 9:28 am
If this is the case, then women who have a miscarriage should be arrested for involuntary manslaughter. It’s only fair.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 amNasdaq opens down 5%, that’s a mini-crash!
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
No one here seems to understand what this means……people, this is the story of the day….maybe the story of the month, year, maybe the 21st century…..
how many times in your lifetime have you seen the markets move 5%…..??In one day….
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 am“The federal investigation into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys could jolt the political landscape ahead of the November elections.â€
This sounds like good news, but I’ve become such a skeptic when it comes to this president and this congress that I’ll believe it when I see it.
Comment by missmolly — January 22, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Agreed, missmolly. We all see how the Scooter Libby trial turned out…
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 amWhat’s next, cloning soldiers so we can fight an eternal war?
Comment by Zimzone — January 22, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Just offer amnesty to illegal immigrants by saying they have to join the armed forces for a couple of years.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 amYes, I appreciate that there are many sharp economic minds on TP ! It should be very interesting to hear how the candidates respond to today’s market news.
I assume all the Repubs. will call for more tax cuts.
Will any of the Dems, other than Kucinich (but the public has been banned by corporate America from hearing him), call for cuts to the Defense Budget? Will any call for tax increases ? I’m not expecting much of anything from Hillary, Barack and John. Maybe they’ll surprise me. I doubt it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 amThis is a serious question looking for a serious answer.
Can someone explain how increasing the tax revenue to the government regardless of the source ( corporate, wealthy, middle class etc. ) helps the ecomomy.
Comment by Deep Thinker — January 22, 2008 @ 9:47 am
It allows the government to invest in infrastructure and public-works projects that create jobs and provide a short-term injection of money into the economy, while also boosting the social safety net and helping individuals and families mitigate the consequences of an economic recession.
Interesting reading:
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 amhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Deal
Nasdaq opens down 5%, that’s a mini-crash!
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — January 22, 2008 @ 9:31 am
Check the Yahoo live feed. It is fluctuating up and down by the second. If you haven’t moved all of your stocks, bonds, CDs, and other Fiat money to metals, better do it ASAP.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 amWhat’s next, cloning soldiers so we can fight an eternal war?
Comment by Zimzone — January 22, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Why not? It worked for Emperor Palpatine…
Well, until he got defeated by a bunch of friggin Muppets.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 amWhat did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Well it’s not something you would hear about in the media – but on a trip to LA yesterday, I noticed something strange. In California (I don’t know if its nationwide) organizations can “adopt” a portion of the highway, and then volunteers of these organizations will do maintenance on that section of the highway they have adopted. Anyway, while going through the border checkpoint just north of Oceanside, I noticed that the section of the highway around the border guards’ station has been adopted by the Minutemen. I’d sure like to know who ok’d these schmucks to have that particular section of highway. I think it’s an intimidation tactic.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 amAgreed, missmolly. We all see how the Scooter Libby trial turned out…
Comment by Bad Eye — January 22, 2008 @ 10:00 am
And how no one else has been charged.
We need some Democrats to grow a spine, then demand:
“Mr. President/Vice President, what did you know and when did you know it?”
They can grow organs in a lab, can’t they grow some new Democrat spines?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:06 amThey tried to grow Republican hearts, but they just rotted.
Yes, I appreciate that there are many sharp economic minds on TP ! It should be very interesting to hear how the candidates respond to today’s market news.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
I guess not 2mill……You would think that no one here understood that the unfolding events over the last two days may indicate that we are not only in a recession but something much worse…..guess other things are more important…..they won’t be though if this thing doesn’t level off…..you will be fighting over bread in a line…
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:10 amI guess not 2mill……You would think that no one here understood that the unfolding events over the last two days may indicate that we are not only in a recession but something much worse…..guess other things are more important…..they won’t be though if this thing doesn’t level off…..you will be fighting over bread in a line…
Comment by Fred — January 22, 2008 @ 10:10 am
I’m sure TP will have several posts where they catch Bill Kristol saying something contradictory! Now that’s IMPORTANT!
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 amCan someone explain how increasing the tax revenue to the government regardless of the source ( corporate, wealthy, middle class etc. ) helps the ecomomy.
Comment by Deep Thinker
I’ll take a stab. If we increase taxes, we can actually pay for the stuff we’re spending money on (like this awful war). If we can actually pay for stuff, we stop increasing debt. If we can have extra left over, we can start reducing debt. And as we reduce debt, the value of the dollar goes up, stocks start to rebound, and the US economy gains strength vs. the rest of the world. Right now, with the ever increasing debt (delivered to you via the ‘fiscally responsible’ Republican administration), the US dollar continues to fall.
Simple enough for you?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:18 amCan someone explain how increasing the tax revenue to the government regardless of the source ( corporate, wealthy, middle class etc. ) helps the ecomomy.
Comment by Deep Thinker — January 22, 2008 @ 9:47 am
One example: Just imagine if the Energy Bill, which recently passed, ended the tax breaks and subsidies to the oil companies (it didn’t). But just imagine if it did. That revenue could be used to build one million windmills across the country. That could put thousands of people to work.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 amComment by Dumb_Fox — January 22, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Much like the Republican candidates are going to pep talk the states by “encouraging” them to make changes in the health care industry to make it more affordable and accessible to individuals.
Examples:
Romney: Encourage states to eliminate the cumbersome insurance regulations that drive costs up and providers out of the market.
McCain: Give states the flexibility to, and encourage them to experiment with: alternative forms of access; risk-adjusted payments per episode covered under Medicaid; use of private insurance in Medicaid; alternative insurance policies and insurance providers; and, different licensing schemes for medical providers.
Giuliani: Rudy will encourage states to improve health care quality and make health insurance more affordable by offering block grants to encourage innovation, reduce health costs, enroll eligible uninsured, and solve adverse selection issues.
Huck: I advocate policies that will encourage the private sector to seek innovative ways to bring down costs and improve the free market for health care services.
Question: what if the states say “no” to this encouragement? What then?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 amBuy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.
Comment by good_golly
you might want to avoid tall buildings…….you know if you jump out of a one story building it wont be so bad.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 amBuy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.
Comment by good_golly
I wonder if this is what your 1929 republican couterparts were saying………..
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 am#54 – “Buy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.” Comment by good_golly
I’ve got a bridge to sell you! It’s cheap and in a high-traffic area in New York City! ;-)
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 amWhere’s all the trolls defending this Piece of crap President and the “great” economy?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 amAddendum to my previous post:
1. The info regarding the health care industry was copied directly from each candidate’s web site, and
2. Yes, the “what then?” question is rhetorical, but still I ask.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 amTotally unrelated
Ward Connerlly is Back.
He ’s trying to cancel affirmative action in 5 mores states.
What the prevaling concensus on this ?
Is there equalility in America today?
Should we have a country that ignores race?
Do you think 40 years is enough to right the wrongs.
Heres one —would you allow your daughter to marry a decent black man?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 amI’m buying today.
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Methinks you’ve been “buying” a lot in the past 7 years.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 amDeep Thinker
When you are at war, you already have a huge expense on the books – which is one very good reason to avoid wars.
Now, everything the government does costs money. People don’t go out and build roads because they think it is good excercise, they want to get paid for their work. The same is true of a lot of other needed public services.
When you cut taxes, or interest rates you cut the ability to pay for these services – which leaves you cutting them, borrowing money to fund them, or both.
The thing is, the vast majority of these services are needed to keep your economy humming. You need people maintaining your roads, your bridges, your levees and your commercial justice system, otherwise busines becomes impractical in America.
Hence, you have this mushrooming debt under Bush. Debt, comes with interest and debt must be paid.
The USSR didn’t collapse because Reagan made pretty noises about tearing down that wall, it collapsed because it was too deeply in debt to continue.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 amCNN has become Fox Lite. How in the Hell are we supposed to give any credibility to a forum asking if Bill Clinton was the first Black President?
Comment by Zimzone — January 22, 2008 @ 9:50 am
Wasn’t it CNN who corralled a student into giving up her serious question to Hillary Clinton in order to ask if she prefers diamonds or pearls? Or was that another network?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 amBuy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:19 am
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:32 amTypically (and intelligently) no one here is buying your useless bullshit……..
No one here seems to understand what this means……people, this is the story of the day….maybe the story of the month, year, maybe the 21st century…..
how many times in your lifetime have you seen the markets move 5%…..??In one day….
Comment by Fred — January 22, 2008 @ 9:58 am
If it’s any consolation, the MSM isn’t ignoring this. It’s the lead story on both msnbc.com and cnn.com — and it’s up at the top on foxnews.com, although the key graphic is for the Oscar nominations.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 amSorry I asked about trolls. It seemed to have summoned one or two. Although I am interested in how they would spin this turd. Here’s one: “Duh, buy and stuff”. With what?
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 amBuy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:19 am
And learn to speak Chinese while you are at it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:37 amWhere’s all the trolls defending this Piece of crap President and the “great†economy?
Comment by ForTruth — January 22, 2008 @ 10:26 am
They’ve been on the phone with their brokers all morning.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:37 amIf it’s any consolation, the MSM isn’t ignoring this. It’s the lead story on both msnbc.com and cnn.com — and it’s up at the top on foxnews.com, although the key graphic is for the Oscar nominations.
Comment by missmolly
well….I think that should scare us even more….if even msm can’t ignore this then……..and it’s really not much of a consolation…..
The dept of treasury now wants us to work with them in a bipartisan effort…..I say, step aside first and let someone competent try to save this situation…
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 amEveryone has to be impressed by the garbage GOP…………
Took them only 7 years to destroy the world’s biggest economy.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 amCNN has become Fox Lite. How in the Hell are we supposed to give any credibility to a forum asking if Bill Clinton was the first Black President?
Comment by Zimzone — January 22, 2008 @ 9:50 am
They’ve resorted to stealing their material from Chris Rock. It’s just pathetic.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 amCNN has become Fox Lite. How in the Hell are we supposed to give any credibility to a forum asking if Bill Clinton was the first Black President?
Comment by Zimzone — January 22, 2008 @ 9:50 am
Wasn’t it CNN who corralled a student into giving up her serious question to Hillary Clinton in order to ask if she prefers diamonds or pearls? Or was that another network? -Comment by missmolly
You’re correct, missmolly. The student’s ‘real’ question was to be about Yucca Mt. & nuclear waste storage. CNN prompted her to ask Hillary if she prefers diamonds or pearls.
That wasn’t a debate last night, it was a concerted effort to boost CNN’s ratings. Blitzer is totally horseshit at moderating, the questions are softer than what Gannon asked Bush, and Kucinich’s name was not mentioned at all.
Fake news / fake channel = CNN
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 amLong term economic stability can only be obtained through balancing the budget and, preferably, paying down national debt. This cannot be done while pouring 1 1/2~ 2 Trillion dollars down the Iraq rathole.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 amBuy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:19 am
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 amAnd here we all believed that Monopoly money was useless outside of playing the game……………
“Buy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.”
Comment by good_golly
Comic-book retailers tremble with anticipation…
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 amyou know golly that ambulance chasers and others who make money from other peoples misfortune are not considered to be good christians….they are basically the scum of the earth…….oh yeah….you’re proud of that distintion……
the bad part is that I hope you actually make money because if you don’t then the rest of us along with you are in deep doo doo
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 amGood post’s all,..It would be interesting to know what kind of attention the CNN debate got….They are on my list of boycotting now so I didn’t watch it…More often than not I rely on the internet for my up to date new’s….Force feeding the public to further the media ajenda is so typical these day’s…There is little real new’s on the TV, just who they want you and I to vote for to further their take over and exclusion of candidate’s that could make a real diffrence…..We are in a real mess in our country and as all here can see we are causing a tusame(sp) around the world…Blessiings
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 amThe contentious debate last night was red meat for the media. They bait the candidates with stupid questions like is Bill Clinton the first black president? What answer was expected there — Obama answered as well as possible, without telling CNN that they are a bunch of ratings whores.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 am“Buy low. Sell high. I’m buying today.â€
How about a slightly-used war of aggression? It sputters and pops, but the conservatives who post all say it runs just fine. Low, low, $16 billion a month payments; assumable, with no downpayment.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:55 amSoon they will blame all miscarriages on the mother – she ate the wrong thing – didn’t eat the right thing, she didn’t sleep, she slept too much – everything will be blamed on her neglect of some kind.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:56 amThe self-righteous make me sick.
Bigfoot,
In the 70’s it was recognized that we needed to get off the oil. We could have started back then. ANWR is not the answer.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 amLong term economic stability can only be obtained through balancing the budget and, preferably, paying down national debt. This cannot be done while pouring 1 1/2~ 2 Trillion dollars down the Iraq rathole.
Comment by Doc Rock — January 22, 2008 @ 10:44 am
And you won’t hear one of the corporate endorsed presidential candidate say this today.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 amsurely to god no one is going to acknowledge the existance of bigfoot today…please…….hasn’t he done enough damage here?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 am“Started buying at 10:00 a.m. Gained 2% since. Suckers.
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:46 am”
Randi Rhodes said, “When someone shows you who they really are, BELIEVE THEM!”
For me, the use of “Suckers” here, speaks volumes – disgusting, immoral, deplorable volumes.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 amComment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
great posts today…….glad you’re paying attention……few seem to be.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 amWe need to build one million windmills by 2010.
And five million more by 2015.
We need to get solar panels on one million rooftops by 2010.
And five million more by 2015.
We need to bring back the electric cars and let the dealershops sell them tax free.
This should be paid for by ending Bush’s tax cuts for millionaires, ending the Iraq occupation and ending tax subsidies to oil companies.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 amComic-book retailers tremble with anticipation…
Comment by barfly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:48 am
I have mint condition #1 issues of Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Daredevil, X-Men, Journey into mystery, Strange Adventures, Mystery in Space, and Tales to Astonish. We paid 10 or 12 cents brand new. But you know what? My wife and I bring out our comics, and enjoy reading them occasionally. Check out their value. Now stocks…..At the current rate, toilet paper will be of more value since they have a use. I also have a mint condition 1971 Dodge Demon 340 that I paid $2500 brand new in 1970. We still cruise in the summer on Sundays, and insurance costs $40 a year. Invest in things that you can enjoy or have Real Value. Not stuff from printing presses with pictures of dead presidents.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 amStarted buying at 10:00 a.m. Gained 2% since. Suckers.
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 10:46 am
You might want to try buying a lower calorie snack, then.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 amYou are misplacing your insults Fred. The term “ambulance chasers†is a derogatory term directed towards Plaintiff’s trial lawyers
Comment by good_golly
no it was just adopted for that use after they met you
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 amThanks.
Isn’t it amazing how a person can make sense when they weigh facts and don’t let ideological dogma color their opinions?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 am“I have mint condition #1 issues of Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Daredevil, X-Men, Journey into mystery, Strange Adventures, Mystery in Space, and Tales to Astonish.”
I used to have many of those – and the old Charleton Comics crew.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 amWhat about Bush’s tax cuts to the middle class? For some reason you didn’t mention those. Do you want to end those too?
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:10 am
Who is funding this? The Chinese and Saudis, of course.
Which of course begs the question, when the Chinese start selling off dollars and want their loans back, will the USA invade China?
Remember what bullies do when confronted with someone meaner and/or bigger.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 amI used to have many of those – and the old Charleton Comics crew.
Comment by barfly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:13 am
I have a Gabby Hayes Comic, which I believe is Charlton
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 amAny one here read OPED new’s article ” is the Dem congress criminaly insane”…today…..Good job Fred..injoy your post’s….Blessings
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 amThe Chinese and Saudis are funding Bush’s middle class tax cut?
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:15 am
They, along with the Kuwaitis and Japanese are funding practically everything right now, since BushCo looted the Treasury. Who do you think is funding the Iraq and Afghanistan fiascoes?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 am98. The Chinese and Saudis are funding Bush’s middle class tax cut?
Comment by good_golly
typical troolll…..distract and make a sensless remark rather than explain why his hero bush’s economic policies have failed so misrably….although many predicted it…..always happens with republicans.
examples..hoover, ike, nixon, raygun, bush1….and now a big surprise…….not….another resession….maybe worse.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 amGood golly, what a weak strawman!
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 amGood job Fred..injoy your post’s….Blessings
Comment by Witch1
thx, trying to follow 2mills lead.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 amOur nation survives on oil. That will not change overnight. We need to start somewhere. Domestic oil production is not the total solution, but it would definately be part of the solution.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Nope. If the U.S. finds even a small reserve of oil, everyone will be focused on that as a “solution” and never get beyond the immediate situation to seek a long-term alternative. Then, 30 years from now O. Bigfoot, Jr. will be touting the same tired solutions. Your “starting somewhere” is not change.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 amDOW nearly back to even on the day. Give it about 10 more minutes. So much for post #1’s chearing for a 500 point “crash.â€
Comment by good_golly
even with what fool……12000…….it was at 14000 less than 30 days ago.
It was at 11000 when bush started in 2000…..it was at 3000 when Mr. Bill Clinton started in the 90’s
got any tennis shoes?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 amConsidering that we haven’t seen the numbers in a nationwide head-to-head poll since 1/13, except for Guilianni, who on 1/15 closed to within to several points after being down 15 – 21 points, tells me that the Dems are waaaaaaaaaay down against their Republican rivals.
Turns out Hill’reh’s use of both the gender and race cards have hurt the Dems, by reminding everyone that she is a woman, and Obama is black.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 amDOW nearly back to even on the day. Give it about 10 more minutes. So much for post #1’s chearing for a 500 point “crash.â€
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Cheering?
The Fed just lowered interest rates 75bp. This is only going to add to inflation which is already runaway. The fed didn’t solve any problems today. They just made them worse.
If you want to trade the market short-term that’s not a bad strategy. However, if you plan to hold those new positions you claim to have long-term you’re gonna get buried.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 am#98. The Chinese and Saudis are funding Bush’s middle class tax cut?
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:15 am
No – they’ll just be receiving it, since most of it will likely be used to pay for gas and cheap goods at Wal-Mart.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 am“Your ’starting somewhere’ is not change.”
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian
You DO know where he’s heading with this, right?
The “n” word.
And I don’t mean a slur-word for blacks…
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 amWard Connerlly is Back.
He ’s trying to cancel affirmative action in 5 mores states.
What the prevaling concensus on this ?
Is there equalility in America today?
Should we have a country that ignores race?
Do you think 40 years is enough to right the wrongs.
Heres one —would you allow your daughter to marry a decent black man?
Comment by jgrant@goldfeinlaw.com — January 22, 2008 @ 10:30 am
A tricky question. Or bunch of questions. Lemme take a stab at them in reverse order.
If I had a daughter, I would be thrilled if she married any kind of “decent” man. Regardless of color. I think any good mother would be (although there are probably moms out there who believe that “decent” has something to do with color).
Is 40 years enough time to right wrongs? Not necessarily. Remember that in the Jim Crow states, it took a century after slavery was abolished before a black person could sip out of any drinking fountain. Hard core prejudices tend to move at a glacial rate.
Should we have a country that ignores race? Yes. Except on occasions when it’s appropriate to celebrate it. I would like to see a country where being of African descent causes about as many ripples as being of Norwegian descent. An American of Norwegian ancestry doesn’t have to deal with discrimination of any kind because of his heritage. His ancestry is never a factor when it comes to jobs, school admission, or housing. Yet he can still celebrate his heritage at Norwegian culture festivals and wave a Norwegian flag on May 17th. Nobody is taking his “Norwegian-ness” away from him. It should be this way for black Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans — all Americans.
Is there equality in America today? Not yet. But it’s going in the right direction. We can pass all the laws we want to, but passing laws won’t change the hearts of bigots. Younger generations tend to be less threatened by people of other races and cultures than their older counterparts. This is a sign of hope.
What’s the prevailing consensus (on affirmative action)? It’s a double-edged sword (and yes, I realize that’s a copout answer). It has given advantages to the disadvantaged and has enabled some people to succeed where they otherwise would have never been able to scale the barriers. On the other hand, it has created some different prejudices. For example, it’s a shame when a black man from a poor background works his butt off to become a top player in a professional field, only to have some look at his achievement as bogus because it’s assumed he benefitted from affirmative action (whether he really did or not).
I would like to see affirmative action die out gradually. Perhaps phased out in places where non-whites have managed to achieve equality. But it’s still needed in some places where there remains a stark difference between races and how they’re treated. I live for the day when it’s not necessary at all, and people regard discrimination on the basis of skin color as silly as discrimination on the basis of eye color.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 amLook’s like you both are lead horses…..Just continue to remember, “If you aren’t the lead horse your view never change’s”….Blessings, Peace and ya all have a good day if ya can..
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 am“If I had a daughter, I would be thrilled if she married any kind of “decent†man. Regardless of color. I think any good mother would be (although there are probably moms out there who believe that “decent†has something to do with color).”
Now, now, Miss Molly. You seem to have left an option out. What if your daughter was gay? Your “decent” man comment sounded a bit, shall we say, hetero-centric?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 amAlthough given the context, it’s understandable. But just sayin’…
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 amgg, you didn’t answer my question….got any tennis shoes?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 amNow, now, Miss Molly. You seem to have left an option out. What if your daughter was gay? Your “decent†man comment sounded a bit, shall we say, hetero-centric?
Comment by barfly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:32 am
You’re right — I should have considered that possibility. I admit that the question I was responding to was “would you allow your daughter to marry a decent black MAN?” (I should have also pointed out that the person who asked it was assuming the responder(s) would be white.)
Naturally, if I had a gay daughter, I would want her to find a decent partner as well. I think most parents just want their children to have happy and fulfilling lives — at least, I HOPE that kind of parent outnumbers the parents who insist that their children marry a member of “their own kind” of the opposite sex.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 amWith regard to almost 30% of our new troops not having a diploma, this sounds like class warfare at its peak.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 amDrop out of school, join the military.
Be all the cannon fodder you can be.
There is, overall, equality in the United States today
Been to South Central LA lately?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 amDumb Question: How much money would flow into the US Economy if we got what Halliburton doesn’t pay by moving to Dubai ?
Afghanistan and Iraq gave Halliburton a new oil pipeline they had been wanting as well as many juicy defense contracts. (shall I say no-bid ?).
What if we got back the money that Cheney / Bush gave to them ?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 ammarrying for the right reason: Love.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 11:46 am
Then, you support the right of homosexuals to marry for the right reason: Love?
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:53 amBill Clinton, a brother? No, an arrogant phoney like a bush
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:53 amall the while claiming that they are there to help the “little guy.â€
Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:06 am
actually, most of them are republicans. gg, fact-free as a troll can be.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 pmIn the meantime, if we continue to curb domestic oil exploration and production, we are complicit in making ourselves beholden to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia for the bulk of our oil.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 11:56 am
we get a very small amount of our oil from the ME, moron. and y8ou, as usual, are wrong.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 pmOur transition from fossil fuels to something else will be evolutionary as well, and it will be dictated by science, not by government edict or force.
wrong again. it will be dictated by necessity, and a smart, forward thinking government. Which leaves out conservatives entirely. otherwise, we are the Argentina of North America.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pmThe Biblical take on the subject of homsexuality is my guide on that topic.
But then, that wasn’t the original question, was it?
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Actually, the bible contradicts itself several times on matters of love. if y8ou rely on the bible, then you can kill your mother for wearing two different fabrics. Typical of a hateful repuke to pick and choose that wich supports his ignorance and fear.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pmAs the World watches the Stock Market fall Americans can look to the firings as part of that problem. The White House had to stop the DOJ from finding out how the corrupt contracts were done. When an honest attorney got close to the truth he/she was fired. Everyone of the fired attorneys had a case that linked to another some where else. The corrupt is wide and covers many GOP Law Makers. Now as for Hookergate it involves other criminal acts and the unqualified appointed attorneys were put in position to stop names and information from coming out.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 pmLam was working on a case that connected to Wilkes and then the hired prostitutes. What is smart on the GOP side is they used the best hotels for their clients.
Yes who would think any crimes were committed at the Hilton or Ritz Carlton. These guys were smart they used these hotels as their business. They would reserve a room, bring the hookers and the client aka Law Maker there, pay the hooker and get the deal. No over head or 1099 form needed for taxes. Now to make sure no one found out they changed a legal adult service with the crime, they by not bringing any attention to what was really going on. Smart guys just leaked the name DC Madam and the public fell for the lie. Now of course the Hotels knew nothing about it they just took the reservations. Yes the DOJ lawyers were getting to close to the many crimes and names of powerful GOP Law Makers so they had to be fired. Bush appointed loyal attorney even if they weren’t qualified for the job. Now Mikie the new AG knows this and it’s his job to keep a lid on it before the election. If he can’t watch alot of GOP Law Makers resign. This firing was at the heart of the White House corruption for the past 7 years. Putting the loyal Bushies in the Supreme Court was done if anything reached the top. We have to clean out all of the Government offices and the Courts/DOJ before Justice can come back to America.
Well, here comes the “Lefty Patriotâ€, with his usual hateful attitude and personal attacks. He always seems to be intent on bringing down the level of civility and decency among our discussion, doesn’t he?
LP claims to be a college educator. If that were true, I could only imagine what the classroom experience would be like.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
now who is making personal attacks…..thats a big no no to hear you tell it…..what a hypocrite…
I believe i would rather hear from LP and his facts which he is able to back up any day as opposed to your distortions of the truth and outright lies…..how do you like me now?
got any tennis shoes?
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:12 pmAnd if you aren’t worried about the influence of middle eastern oil, LP, then there’s no reason for you to even inject yourself into this conversation.
In other words, the adults are trying to talk here, dear.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Noitece no refutation of the facts of my post, everyone? The childlike moron lies to us, and then calls me names for exposing his lies and ignorance. the adults here do not include you, bigfoot. You don’t even know your own bible.
What a twit.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:12 pmfoot always attacks LP as soon as he enters the discussion because he knows that LP will make him look foolish again.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pmbigfoot is the princess of ad hominem. fact-free and brain-dead, hiding behind his failing bushco. that’s all the proof any adult needs of bigfoot’s fatuous bullshit: he supports bush.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pmIf you can’t be polite, I’ll have to send you to your room.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
F(ck off, bigass. you couldn’t send a postcard.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:15 pmIn other words, the adults are trying to talk here, dear.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
no condesention here……what…..run out of facts to butcher?
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 pmWhy don’t you go back to imitating plunger like you were doing earlier to disrupt the thread foot…….at least he backs up his posts.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pmcome on foot. If you want to talk with the adults how about you defend bush’’s economic policies some more……it made you look really intelligent earlier when you tried……
got any tennis shoes foot?
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:19 pmOur transition from animal-based oils and wood burning, to fossil fuels, was evolutionary.
Our transition from fossil fuels to something else will be evolutionary as well, and it will be dictated by science, not by government edict or force.
Wrong on both counts.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pmWe weren’t depleting the animal oils and wood burning resources at the rate we are depleting the fossil fuel supply when oil technology was being discovered and implemented. It was cheaper to extract oil after the technology matured a little, that’s why we converted.
We’ll need to research alternative sources such as wind, hydrogen and others well ahead of the curve to forego an energy crisis that will destroy our economy.
The government has a legitimate stake, even compelling interest to bolster and foster that R&D.
O. Bigfoot, what is the “government” in your view?
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm#117 – “economic slow down that had already started in the later months of the Clinton administration.” Comment by good_golly — January 22, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Good try at spin! Too bad the facts don’t back you up. The last peak of the 1991 expansion was in March of 2001!
http://www.nber.org/cycles/recessions.html
“On November 26, 2001, the committee determined that the peak of economic activity had occurred in March of that year. For a discussion of the committee’s reasoning and the underlying evidence, see http://www.nber.org/cycles/november2001. The March 2001 peak marked the end of the expansion that began in March 1991, an expansion that lasted exactly 10 years and was the longest in the NBER’s chronology. On July 16, 2003, the committee determined that a trough in economic activity occurred in November 2001.”
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pmThat’s fine by me, Fred. I don’t think you and I were talking in the first place. I was trying to have a civil conversation with other folks who are actually interested in that kind of thing.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
really? and who might that be? I didn’t see anyone respond to you or your blather….you just spout lies like a water sprinkler and want that to be called a conversation?…..anyone want to stick up for foot on this?
fact: post 132 LP responds intelligently to an asinine statement by you.
fact: post 133 you begin making personal attacks by saying that LP was making personal attacks……
how do you like me now?
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:26 pmI actually have a gay daughter attend ing Law school at Fordham in NY.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 pmI dont like that she’s gay(but I accept it) but she can share a civil union with any decent personshe wants.
But I’m talking about a white person marrying a Black man.
A true sign of this country moving forward.
As for comments that we have racial equality
SURE WE DO!!!!
I live in Phila and we’ve been trying for 3 decades to balance the construction unions . Even with pressure for (not enough thats for sure)
the contruction workers union are still 75% white.
Why is this, because even with forced assilumation the number of blacks is still dismal .
You may think AA should end but for the life of me I still see a world where unless (SOME)white companies are forced to diversify you would see all white worlplaces.
DOW nearly back to even on the day. Give it about 10 more minutes. So much for post #1’s chearing for a 500 point “crash.â€
Comment by good_golly
It’s been a lot more than ten minutes gg…..want to explain this?
Dow current index value: 11,959.57
below 12000……..
ps we are not cheering for it. We’ve been living in fear of it’s inevitability since bush was appointed.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm150
damn….I think I hit a nerve…..I just don’t know what you expect when you take on the world with lies foot…you’re bound to wind up mad at the end of the day…….
how about addressing your bush economy in post 151 if you actually want to discuss something……please try to refrain from saying something that you can’t back up…..just because you say it don’t make it so.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:54 pmlooks like it’s just you and me foot…..consider yourself slapped in the face with a glove.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pmGrow a pair, will ya?
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
No need to, when he can always buy a pair like you do…
Nice Tinker Ballsâ„¢, Footie. I was wondering what you were going to do after the holidays, and I see you’ve discovered the lightweight Spring and Summer choice of gelding trolls everywhere. Ching-ching-a-ling!
BTW, do always take a hit off a canister of helium before you come here, or is your voice naturally that high pitched? Or is it the result of some tragic accident involving a rodent trap and what once were your testicles (which would explain the need for prosthetic genitalia)?
Ching-ching-a-ling… ching-ching-a-ling!
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pmGrow a pair, will ya?
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
he’ll have to loan them to you, a pussy coward who won’t go fight the big, bad muhammadan menace, but will gladly send his wife’s kids to be tools of the Reich. the problem with me calling you a moron is that it is the truth, once again. something you avoid at all costs, as you cherry-pick your fictitious bible stories to find those that support your hate and fear. and your take on the need for oil is another conservative joke. we put a man on the moon, we could replace oil as easily and successfully, but for the republican traitors on the Big Oil teat, especially the pair that is driving the USA into recession and third-world status, the Chimp and his keeper, pacemaker Dick, another pair of warmongering cowards. you have no standing here, bigfoot, you blather your ignorant rightwing talking ponts as if they were actual thoughts, while we all watch the USA slide into recession, led eagerly by your perverts and cross-dressers, the GOP.
Thanks for 9/11.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 pmIf petroleum hadn’t come along, there simply would not have been enough animal oils or timber to maintain the industrial revolution.
You missed a key phrase, “as quickly”. the revolution would have happened over a longer period of time. We are depleting oil as fast or faster than the timber resource. I agree that animal oils were being depleted, but they were primarily used for lighting… And horses were a major source of transport during that period. Wood burning was used for steamships, some locomotives, and in some boiler operations, but so was coal.
Didn’t you contradict yourself about the role of government, or am I misreading that?
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm… groups in at least six states “are pursuing constitutional amendments called human life amendments that would grant legal status and rights to an embryo.â€
the latest in “get out the vote” ballot initiatives?
uuuuuuuuuuuggghhhhhhhh…
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 pmDidn’t you contradict yourself about the role of government, or am I misreading that?
Comment by RUCerious — January 22, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Surely you aren’t expecting biggie to have facts to back up his blastfaxed bullshit points, are you?
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 pmO.Bigfoot, in various posts on this thread you have stated the following:
Our transition from fossil fuels to something else will be evolutionary as well, and it will be dictated by science, not by government edict or force.
The government has a legitimate stake, even compelling interest to bolster and foster that R&D.
I also agree that government needs to play a role by promoting the research of new energy sources, through funding and long-term tax breaks for alternative energies
Now, I have requested that you define “government” as you see it in order to clarify what I see as inconsistencies in your arguments regarding energy.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmyour take on the need for oil is another conservative joke. we put a man on the moon, we could replace oil as easily and successfully,
quote from 155….Na, that’s too progressive to even comprehend/sarcasm
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:05 pmoh boy… i just came in to warm up … “supervising” (aka taking pictures)
the removal of a large rotten silver maple in the middle of my garden…
while the ground is frozen and plants are sleeping… it wasn’t planned for
today, but the guy showed up because of the frozen state and my worry
about destroying the garden beds…
now that’s customer service… and what a job… no cherry picker either…
anyway… carry one, guys… i was just reading the FAST items and had to comment on that one…
back to the wood pile…
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmHere’s my definition/description of “government”: the accumulated power and resources of the people invested in an institution which represents the people’s interests and is able to mobilize that power and resources for the general welfare. Thus, I want “government” to be strong enough to stand up to corporate short-sighted goals, to have sufficient money available to pay researchers for studying long term solutions, and to be able to pay for solutions that are not good enough for corporate profit but are good for the general welfare. Our government must fund alternative fuel research and use NOW. It won’t be able to if it is “drowning in a bathtub” or has no money due to ridiculous tax cuts or if there is no willingness to put people over corporations.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pmWe should have been drilling in ANWR and offshore years ago. That oil would be online now, providing a good percentage of our needs.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Just to put this one talking point to rest: We’ve known for a few years now that opening Alaska for oil drilling will have little or no impact on the amount of oil imported, since the USA consumes about 20million barrels a day, while the ANWR could probably provide some 900,000 barrels a day. The US consumes about 25% of the world’s oil, but has roughly 3% of the world’s proven resources.
There is simply not enough oil in ANWR to justify opening it for exploration, and drilling for it is only economically justifiable at oil prices higher than they are currently.
Here is a news piece from 2004 on the subject. Read more statistics here.
Liberal environmentalists and Eco-terrorists will put Polar Bears above U.S. national security any day of the week.
If you didn’t spout such nonsense, maybe people wouldn’t take such satisfaction at lobbing insults at you.
The real solution is to wean the US economy off oil, not to prolong its dependency on fossil fuels.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pmComment by Gregor Samsa — January 22, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Don’t expect any of the GOP/Chimpy leg humpers to catch on at any time……These self-same ignoramuses want to trumpet vehicles and power plants now using natural gas and coal as being some sort of stupendous achievement.
Nothing like trying to replace a dirty finite resource , with other dirty , finite resources , is there ?
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pmThat guy is always a no-show in court, though.
Comment by Wayne — January 22, 2008 @ 9:56 am
Repeat offender!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 pmAffirmative action is racism in reverse. It assumes that “minorities†are unable to make it in the United States without government assistance of some sort.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 11:46 am
You see affirmative action as a handout, and I see affirmative action as a playing field leveler.
Imagine two men preparing for a footrace. A fair footrace would be both men running the same distance under the same conditions.
Now suppose one man’s starting blocks get moved halfway to the finish line, while the other man still has to start from the original point. I think anybody would agree that not only is that blatantly unfair to the man who has to run the longer distance, but it’s insulting to the man who gets the advantage since that would suggest his ability is inferior.
OK, different scenario. Both men run the same distance, but one of the men has a brick wall smack dab in the middle of his lane that he has to scale, while the other man does not. Most people agree this is unfair, and would demand that the wall be removed before the race begins.
For generations, non-whites have had to scale walls that white people cannot see or comprehend. Affirmative action just helps some people get over those walls. These people still have to run the footrace themselves.
When the walls disappear, affirmative action will be obsolete. But as long as resumes with the name “Keisha” on them get tossed aside without even being read, in favor of resumes with the name “Emily” on them, the walls are still there.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pmAffirmative action is racism in reverse. It assumes that “minorities†are unable to make it in the United States without government assistance of some sort.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 11:46 am
With pervasive racism, prejudice, and bigotry that denied minorities their rights, that kept jobs, education, away from them, to name a few, government intervention is needed. After all, the government also represents the interests of those minorities; at least nominally.
And the “reverse racism” meme is little more than code words used by white males lamenting the loss of their white privilege, Footie.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pmAhh, well that clears that up! Thanks!
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm“Liberals always gain power through deceptive means…”
What a load of hysterical crap.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pmHow about guaranteeing that funding of inner city schools will be equivalent to suburban, largely white schools??
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pmLiberals always gain power through deceptive means, such as the the idea that people of color will never be able to become successful without some white liberal’s help.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
I have no idea how you got to that bizarre conclusion from what I wrote.
It is not an opinion I share, and I don’t believe it was even hinted at all in my comment.
What I do believe is that government intervention is needed to alleviate inequalities, regardless of the person’s skin color. When skin color happens to be an issue (usually made an issue by the racist, prejudiced, bigotted hatemongers), then government intervention is needed also, obviously.
As I said, the government is supposed to represent the interests of minorities as well.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmA couple weeks back the IDIOT said : “the economy is strong and sound…” what an idiot! We’re seeing the markets tumble, and of course like always the IDIOT does too little too late! I can’t wait to hear what he is going to say next. Funny how time and time again idiot Bush is proven wrong. God is not on your side turkey-faced idiot phoney christian. Time is not on your side either. 7 years of repeated failure. Not a single score from you CHIMP! Grab one of yourt daddy’s guns, press the trigger AND CHECK OUT!
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:26 pmWhite liberals think people of color need their help. That’s racist.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
No, white liberals recognize that people of color have been held back, blockaded, and generally stomped by the whites. Remember slavery? It was abolished over 140 years ago, but it created a class division that still exists today. For generations, whites have had advantages just by virtue of their skin color, while non-whites have had to deal with obstacles we don’t even think about.
White liberals are just trying to level the playing field. We trust that when conditions are equalized, people of any race can strive to succeed on their own.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pmGovernment should represent the interests of all citizens.
Comment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
::sigh::
That is exactly my point…. If minority groups feel they need help, they ask for it. If minority groups ask for initiatives such as Affirmative Action to remain, the government should listen. That’s their job.
Assuming that someone is inadequete to achieve the American Dream solely because of skin color, and needs an artificial boost in order to gain, is racist.
That assumption was never part of Affirmative Action. That program was started to counter the prevalent racism existing at the time. I believe racism is still rampant today and so the program is still necessary.
White liberals think people of color need their help. That’s racist.
One more time, I have never shared that opinion. If you want to argue what someone else told you, you better take it up with them.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pmComment by O. Bigfoot — January 22, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
“Assuming that someone is inadequete to achieve the American Dream solely because of skin color,”
The liberal ideology does not focus on a single “someone”, does not assume any internal “inadequacy”, nor see difficulty attaining the American Dream “solely” on skin color but, rather, the reaction of society to that skin color. Big differences from your strawman.
“and needs an artificial boost in order to gain, is racist.”
It’s not an “artificial boost”. It is the elimination of an “artificial barrier”. Again, big difference.
“White liberals think people of color need their help. That’s racist.”
No, that’s promoting “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pmDo me a huge favor U.Yeti.
Go to the corner of South Alameda and Central Ave in downtown LA, and walk two blocks in any direction, then make a 90 degree turn in either direction and walk two more blocks. Repeat until you are back where you started.
Then come back here and say that we all have equal opportunity.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pmBigFoot, did you have to go to a special training in order to type and string so many strawman arguments together in one single post?
Did you also have to learn to ignore the replies given to you?
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pmComment by Gregor Samsa — January 22, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
Graduate of the University of Oz?
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmO. stinkfoot, read-up. Your government is trying to teach you:
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/majority.htm
On the surface, the principles of majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights would seem contradictory. In fact, however, these principles are twin pillars holding up the very foundation of what we mean by democratic government.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:11 pmGraduate of the University of Oz?
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian — January 22, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Yeah, no kidding…. building strawman arguments that fast has to be a learned skill, even if at Oz ;-)
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pmLiberals always gain power through deceptive means.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
I guess this is what you guys mean by projection. conservatives (who gained power through deceptive means) project thier actions onto other political groups……is that about right?
this country aint been right since bush was appointed….
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm“BigFoot, did you have to go to a special training in order to type and string so many strawman arguments together in one single post?
Did you also have to learn to ignore the replies given to you?”
Comment by Gregor Samsa
Quit making fun of Footie’s “special needs” strawmen.
They have every right to struggle (and sometimes fail), just as much as any normal strawman does, so quit being such a bigot against the handy-straw-capable.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pmComment by O. Bigfoot — January 23, 2008 @ 3:18 am
If this conversation is irrelevant to you and you already have your mind made up, then I guess your real problem is that you have unhealthy fixation with ThinkProgress…
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm