ThinkFast: September 17, 2008
ThinkFast: September 17, 2008
“Democrats in Michigan are trying to block what they call a Republican effort to deny voting rights to people facing foreclosure,” filing “for an injunction to prohibit the GOP from challenging Michigan voters whose homes are on foreclosure lists.” The tactic is a form of “voter caging.”
President Bush “will not attack Iran to halt its nuclear weapons program before his term ends in January,” former Cheney adviser David Wurmser told The Jerusalem Post yesterday. “No, Bush won’t go,” said Wurmser, adding that “his certainty” had to do with the fact that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice now has “the upper hand in the administration in her struggle with Cheney.”
In her first speech since her husband publicly admitted an extramarital affair, Elizabeth Edwards yesterday said she is discouraged that health care may fall lower in the nation’s priorities. “We don’t want health insurance, we want health care,” she said. “Shame on us if we don’t take the momentum…and translate it into a policy.”
The House voted Tuesday to end the moratorium on new offshore oil drilling. The measure would “let states decide whether to permit energy exploration 50 to 100 miles off their coasts” and “allow drilling 100 miles or more offshore regardless of a state’s wishes.”
On the trail today: Barack Obama campaigns in Elko and Las Vegas, NV. Joe Biden is in Wooster, OH. John McCain and Sarah Palin hold a town hall meeting in Grand Rapids, MI.
Alaska’s attorney general said state employees subpoenaed in the ethics investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin — known as “Troopergate” — will not testify and has asked for the subpoenas to be withdrawn. Palin is also “turning over questions about her record as Alaska’s governor to John McCain’s presidential campaign,” which is part of a GOP strategy to “carefully shape her image for voters in the rest of the country.”
Even in the midst of a trial over concealing more than $250,000 worth of improper gifts, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) continues to rake in earmarks for his state. According to an analysis by The Hill, “Stevens’s earmark share in the defense bill is more than $200 million,” which includes $10 million for a coal-to-liquids facility and “$2 million for hibernation genomics.”
In a dramatic reversal last night, the government seized control of the nation’s largest insurer, AIG. The Fed agreed to “lend up to $85 billion to AIG,” and “the U.S. government will effectively get a 79.9% equity stake in the insurer.” The deal “gives the government broad powers to force the sale of assets, cancel dividend payments to shareholders and replace the chief executive.”
“Attackers exploded a vehicle bomb outside the main gate of the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on Wednesday in what appeared to be a well-coordinated assault.” The attack killed 16 and is the “second attack against the mission in six months.”
“The ozone hole over Antarctica, a doorway for harmful solar radiation, is bigger than last year, a worrying sign to scientists studying global warming,” according to the World Meteorological Organization. The “area of atmosphere without ozone has grown to 27 million square kilometers (10.4 million square miles), 8 percent larger than the maximum reached in 2007.”
And finally: Gold-medalist Olympian Ryan Lochte joined several federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill yesterday at a press conference on muscular dystrophy, a disease to which he lost a family member. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) was so excited that he left a luncheon with Vice President Cheney to meet Lochte. “Guess what I’ll be telling my wife about when I get home?” he said. At the event, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) admitted that she wasn’t a very good swimmer: “I had a little bit of trouble with the deep end in the second grade.”
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Can someone please put the pieces together.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:00 amJohn McCain insistance that the economy is “Fundamentally Strong” in the time of major economic downturn just shows that John McCain is “FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG” for this country.
Republicans Sue Republicans To Help Palin
Here is an interesting twist on the McCain campaign’s determined effort to shut down the investigation of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s abuses of power in what has come to be known as the “Troopergate” scandal. If Palin did so abuse her office, she could face any number of penalties, up to and including impeachment as governor. That would make it harder to pitch Palin as an “original maverick” reformer.
The McCain camp has tried a number of moves since Palin’s selection to close down the bipartisan inquiry — which was approved by the state’s Legislative Council but is being conducted by a respected former prosecutor — into the governor’s alleged wrongdoing. If Alaska was a typical state, this partisan move might have worked.
Now, McCain’s aides have gotten a handful of legislators who are tied to the campaign to file a suit in Alaska’s Superior Court demanding that the investigation be halted. The clear goal is to prevent the completion of what is likely to be a damning report regarding Palin’s misdeeds before election day — as was evident when McCain aides suddenly began appearing on national news shows, fully briefed and ready to cheer on the suit, just moments after Alaskans learned it was being initiated.
The five legislators name French and another Democratic legislator, Kim Elton, in the suit, as well as special investigator Stephen Branchflower and the Alaska Legislative Council. Here’s the amusing part: The Alaska Legislative Council is a permanent interim committee of the Legislature and is responsible for conducting the business of the full Legislature when it is not in session.
The Council, which approved the Troopergate inquiry and is paying for it, and which has stood behind French despite the partisan attacks, is made up of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats.
TheNation
How in the world can McCain claim this is partisan, when Palin was the highest approval rating as Governor in the US? LOL The Alaska Legislative Council is stacked in her favor, and trying to reduce this to a bipartisan witch-hunt is ridiculous.. LMAO it is a Republican Suing Republican to Save a Republican’s Image or Embarrassment from Impeachment before an Election… only in the GOP …..
**Footnote: Palin’s third interview is scheduled with Katie Couric on 9/29 & 9/30—will Katie ask her about “Troopergate” and her idea of an open & transparent government?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:02 amCaging is illegal. What happened to the rule of law? Oh, that’s right, Republicans don’t have to obey laws. IOKIYAR.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:03 amNew Studies Report Wide Disparity in Health Care Plans
Barack Obama and John McCain are both proposing more than $100 billion a year in spending for health care, but the candidates’ plans have vastly different goals, and vastly different outcomes.
New studies from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center and the policy journal Health Affairs suggest that Obama’s proposal would eventually cover more than 34 million of the roughly 47 million Americans currently without insurance, while McCain’s would cover at best 5 million uninsured.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/16/new_studies_report_wide_dispar.html
September 17th, 2008 at 9:04 am“Democrats in Michigan are trying to block what they call a Republican effort to deny voting rights to people facing foreclosure,” filing “for an injunction to prohibit the GOP from challenging Michigan voters whose homes are on foreclosure lists.” The tactic is a form of “voter caging.”
I like these Democrats with spines and a sense of indignation far more than I did the previous spineless and apathetic version of Democrats… Perhaps they’ve just finally found something worth fighting for?
I also saw that Obama has started a lawsuit in this same vein to protect voters rights in places trying to deny them. Excellent!
September 17th, 2008 at 9:08 amIn her first speech since her husband publicly admitted an extramarital affair, Elizabeth Edwards yesterday said she is discouraged that health care may fall lower in the nation’s priorities. “We don’t want health insurance, we want health care,” she said. “Shame on us if we don’t take the momentum…and translate it into a policy.”
Unfortunately, no major candidate–neither McC(umst)ain nor St Barry the Tan–holds anything like a similar position.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:09 amThe measure would “let states decide whether to permit energy exploration 50 to 100 miles off their coasts”
With the exception of the Gulf Coast, where oil rigs are already prolific, aren’t the large majority of the remaining coastal states blue (i.e. environmentally conscious)? How ironic.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:10 amUnbelievable, one thing we can truly count on is Obama standing up to voter fraud, and not throwing his hands up and walking away if the GOP succeeds in stealing this election.
Unlike Kerry in 2004, who promised a full investigation and flipped to conceding in 12 hours.
I like these Dems with spines, too! And I hope the Spined oust the Spineless in Congressional leadership in January.
PEACE
September 17th, 2008 at 9:12 amIn a dramatic reversal last night, the government seized control of the nation’s largest insurer, AIG. The Fed agreed to “lend up to $85 billion to AIG,” and “the U.S. government will effectively get a 79.9% equity stake in the insurer.” The deal “gives the government broad powers to force the sale of assets, cancel dividend payments to shareholders and replace the chief executive.”
What? Government assistance? Where is the Republican outrage?!
Appalling that our tax dollars are going to help a very greedy and fat insurance pig while 47 million Americans have ZERO health care, and the rest are one real illness or injury away from joining them…. This is unacceptable.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:13 amI inadvertently listened to the reading of the Bill in the well of the House last night.
The most prominent feature of the first Title was that it dealt with allocating leases, not with the actual drilling ofr energy.
In other words, its a farouking goddam scam to make more money for Exxon.
Suuu-prahs, suuu-prahs…
September 17th, 2008 at 9:14 amWhy would either party want to prevent any American from voting?
Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of “freedom” and “democracy”?
I am extremely proud, as unb said, of these Michigan Democrats who aren’t going to take this bull shiite!
Off topic:
September 17th, 2008 at 9:15 amHere’s a picture of the flooding in downtown Kalamazoo.
My business is basically 3 blocks to the left, but luckily, is on a hill, so we were not affected.
The “area of atmosphere without ozone has grown to 27 million square kilometers (10.4 million square miles), 8 percent larger than the maximum reached in 2007.”
Buillions of years of evolution have brought us to where we are today, and within a century or two, the human species will manage to destroy it all. Clearly, evolution makes more mistakes than advances.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:16 amtokin librul Says: Unfortunately, no major candidate–neither McC(umst)ain nor St Barry the Tan–holds anything like a similar position.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Obama has said that he will hold a discussion with many people, on CSPAN so we can watch, and amend his current policy to include the best ideas. That’s a world of difference from McCain’s privitization approach that will make health care less affordable.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:20 amIf you read the whole piece on the Jerusalem Post, an Israeli attack with U.S. containment of any blowback is clearly on the table.
1. Weeks after saying no. Bush gave approval for 1,000 of our latest bunker buster bombs to our 51st state, Israel
2. Bush declared an Iranian shipper a terrorist organization requiring the U.S. Navy to seize the ship in U.S. controlled waters. A precipitating naval incident? Maybe.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:20 amCheney always gets his way, even if it’s surreptitiously.
spencers mom Says: Unbelievable, one thing we can truly count on is Obama standing up to voter fraud, and not throwing his hands up and walking away if the GOP succeeds in stealing this election.
It makes me feel hopeful that the Cons won’t be able to steal another election. But I don’t underestimate their willingness and desperation to try…
We have a fighter this time. I hope he sets a new precident for future Democrats.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:22 amThe “publicization” of Wall Street continues. Bush should open up a sovereign wealth fund, paid for by the already beleagured American taxpayer.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:22 amObama leads McCain by 2 points: Reuters poll
Democrat Barack Obama has a 2-point lead in the U.S. presidential race on Republican John McCain, whose choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate helped shore up support for both candidates, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
Obama leads McCain among likely voters by 47 percent to 45 percent, within the poll’s 3.1 percent margin of error. He gained ground in the last month among independent and women voters and on the question of who could best manage the faltering U.S. economy.
The Illinois senator wiped out McCain’s 5-point August lead among independents and expanded his edge over McCain among women, two crucial swing voting blocs in November.
Obama now has a statistically insignificant 1-point edge over McCain among independents and has a 7-point lead among women, up from a 2-point advantage last month.
Link
Some good news to start the morning. But I still can’t believe more people haven’t woken up to the fact that Republicans, if elected will ruin any chance of them having retirement funds left. Or any Health Care Benefits…..
September 17th, 2008 at 9:24 amAlecto Says:
Can someone please put the pieces together.
John McCain insistance that the economy is “Fundamentally Strong” in the time of major economic downturn just shows that John McCain is “FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG” for this country.
Good morning, Alecto. How convenient to accuse Obama of “politicizing” the faltering of Wall Street. Pointing out the republican policy in action, or lack thereof, I forgot, is a no-no exploitation.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:25 amunbelievable Says:
With the exception of the Gulf Coast, where oil rigs are already prolific, aren’t the large majority of the remaining coastal states blue (i.e. environmentally conscious)? How ironic.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:10 am
________
Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida all swing pretty red, though Virginia is about to have two Democratic senators and has a Democratic governor.
They also receive a crapload of tourism dollars at their beaches every year, so the fight over whether they actually participate in offshore drilling will be a toss-up between industries.
But we should remember that this issue has nothing to do with actual exploration – if it were, the oil companies would be exploring in the millions of acres of land they already have. They’re not going to be doing any actual drilling offshore any time soon. This is all about an election-year asset gift to the oil industry.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:26 amGreat post Freedom Rebel (as usual).
September 17th, 2008 at 9:27 amYesterday I challenged the 23%’ers to list the positives.
Today, I’d again like to know the good that Bush has done for this country, and with McCain voting over 90% of the time with Bush, how he’ll continue those positives.
(Of course, I’m not holding my breath for any type of coherent responses from the right)
unbelievable Says:
In a dramatic reversal last night, the government seized control of the nation’s largest insurer, AIG. The Fed agreed to “lend up to $85 billion to AIG,” and “the U.S. government will effectively get a 79.9% equity stake in the insurer.” The deal “gives the government broad powers to force the sale of assets, cancel dividend payments to shareholders and replace the chief executive.”
What? Government assistance? Where is the Republican outrage?!
Appalling that our tax dollars are going to help a very greedy and fat insurance pig while 47 million Americans have ZERO health care, and the rest are one real illness or injury away from joining them…. This is unacceptable.
Not just Government assistance, but the taking of TAX dollars. The one thing that Wall St. hates is taxes. And here we see they get their collective asses saved by…TAX dollars. Not just government policy or law, but tax dollars.
I bet an enterprising Economics thesis would be to compare the taxes paid by all of Wall St. either ccorporation or just the workers vs. those up in Harlem.
I wonder who gets the better return on the taxes paid?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:27 amGood morning, Freb. I’m glad you’re back. The AM felt unusually hollow w/o your information feed and warm personality, but I do know there are days where one simply can’t show.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:29 amFreedom Rebel Says: Obama leads McCain by 2 points: Reuters poll
Remember who they poll… I am convinced from other telltales that Obama’s actual lead is much higher.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:29 amunbelievable Says:
Appalling that our tax dollars are going to help a very greedy and fat insurance pig while 47 million Americans have ZERO health care, and the rest are one real illness or injury away from joining them…. This is unacceptable.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:13 am
_________
They’re our tax dollars? Are you sure? Aren’t we just borrowing the bailout money from China?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:31 amsatirev Says:
Cindy McCain and Charles Keating are presently partners in real estate endeavors.
Satirev, do you have a link? This is most interesting!
I’m wondering if or when Obama/Biden will bring up Keating as it is so apropo in this financial meltdown.
Remind Americans who don’t remember Keating, are too young, or who are just too lazy to retain facts that McCain was part of a huge financial scandal just 20 years ago. Make him defend what he did, and explain!
PEACE
September 17th, 2008 at 9:32 amMcWars Says:
Alecto Says:
Can someone please put the pieces together.
John McCain insistance that the economy is “Fundamentally Strong” in the time of major economic downturn just shows that John McCain is “FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG” for this country.
Good morning, Alecto. How convenient to accuse Obama of “politicizing” the faltering of Wall Street. Pointing out the republican policy in action, or lack thereof, I forgot, is a no-no exploitation.
Are you snarking, or are you alluding that I am somehow bashing Obama? Cause if it is the latter, you are too close to your computer screen dude, the electrons are jumping off the screen and making your head get nutsy.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:32 amWurmser can say what he wants, but Baker, Kissinger, and Powell’s speaking out indicates an internal White House battle is still in play.
Cheney doesn’t play fair, not in the least.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:33 amMcCain’s had a supremely bad 48 hours. If people aren’t guffawing, they’re bought into the full McCon.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:35 amhussein toasterhead Says: Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida all swing pretty red, though Virginia is about to have two Democratic senators and has a Democratic governor.
I’d say that Florida and Virginia are purple. And Florida, with its tourism industry, is pretty opposed to rigs lining their coast.
That leaves GA, NC, and SC, versus WA, OR, CA, NJ, NY, ME, CT, MA, RI, DE and NH.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:36 amsatirev Says:
Alecto: It’s like Bush repeating ad nauseum ‘WE DON’T TORTURE – WE DON’T TORTURE’.
Of course, but I would just like to see them juxtapose the words Fundamentally SOUND with Fundamentally WRONG.
Simple to grasp.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am“Democrats in Michigan are trying to block what they call a Republican effort to deny voting rights to people facing foreclosure,” filing “for an injunction to prohibit the GOP from challenging Michigan voters whose homes are on foreclosure lists.” The tactic is a form of “voter caging.”
Good to see this on the radar. I hope this makes the rounds nationally and further exposes the republican’s grasping at straws to deny vulnerable people their sacred voting rights. It’s time to put these cheat-to-win criminals in their place.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:37 amThis is how the re-pukes work,challenging our right to vote, they can`t win legally on the issues so they cage in any way possible.This is what the re-pukes bring to the table, KKKarl Rove politics.These are pathetic and desperate people who want to keep ruining this country with their deregulation and dismissal of our constitutional rights and privileges.McPalin keeps saying the fundamentals of our economy is sound.McPalin is like a cornered animal and will lie, cheat and steal this election if possible.Wake up America the Re-pukes are not dead yet and we can`t count them out until Nov 5th.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:38 amMy apologies, Alecto. I left something incomplete.
Good morning, Alecto. How convenient of McCain to accuse Obama of “politicizing” the faltering of Wall Street. Pointing out the republican policy in action, or lack thereof, I forgot, is a no-no exploitation.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:39 amAlecto Says: I wonder who gets the better return on the taxes paid?
No doubt the Welfare system for the poor is a miniscule fraction of what it is for the wealthy, yet the Cons scream bloody hell over a dime of tehir taxes going to the truly indigent, while remaining utterly silent on coroporate bail outs. Such typical Republican hypocrisy…
September 17th, 2008 at 9:39 amunbelievable Says:
That leaves GA, NC, and SC, versus WA, OR, CA, NJ, NY, ME, CT, MA, RI, DE and NH.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am
______
Yup. And since SC is right in the path of at least one major tropical storm per year, there could be a lot of people opposed to having an annual toxic flood.
And as I said, this ain’t about drilling. If the oil companies actually wanted to “drill here, drill now,” they’d already be doing it on the land they have.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:40 amhussein toasterhead Says: They’re our tax dollars? Are you sure? Aren’t we just borrowing the bailout money from China?
Yes, we do still pay taxes that are misapproriated. In addition to wasting our taxes, they also use money from China and the next 27 generations.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:42 amSo, Bush is presently emptying out the U.S. coffers of every last nickel and dime. There will litterally be nothing left, and it will take decades to payback the loans we have needed to take from China to fill the gaps they have allowed.
We Arrest, Try, and Hang Traitors.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:47 amSmall firms ‘are lifeblood’
A campaign, which started in Sheffield and aims to boost local trade and preserve town centres, is heading for the party conferences.
The Keep Trade Local campaign was the brainchild of local members of the Federation of Small Businesses and has been taken up by the Federation at national level.
Now, the FSB is planning a series of sponsored events at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative conferences.
FSB Regional Chairman Tony Cherry said: “Small businesses are the life-blood of the UK economy and they need to be heard consistently and constantly.
“Many rural communities in particular – which once boasted the thriving village shop, the post office, the bank and several pubs – are now bereft of all these facilities. The campaign is the last bulwark in the battle to defend the British retailing tradition as we know it.
“Failure is not an option: every week in the UK 50 independent shops and 25 pubs are lost permanently, and local post office franchises are in a state of near-meltdown.”
http://www.thestar.co.uk/business/Small-firms-39are-lifeblood39.4485830.jp
**Although this article comes from a UK newspaper, the same is true here in the United States. We hear all about gigantic corporations, which by their own mismanagement have either gotten bailed out or allowed to fail, but what about the thousands of small businesses (many of which are the life-blood of small towns) that are failing? If you happen to live in one of these small towns you are probably painfully aware of these failures and the financial impact it has had on so many lives, but it doesn’t get much notice in the larger metropolitan areas. Since it is MY money being used to prop up these gigantic business which are failing, why didn’t antone ask ME how to spend that money? Personally, I would much rather sink my tax dollars into these business (which are often just “innocent bystanders”) in this financial debacle. How far do you think $79.9 billion go?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:49 amoh c’mon, TP!!!
you’re wasting bandwidth here……
just post my comment!
September 17th, 2008 at 9:50 ami’ll try again… the 4th time
September 17th, 2008 at 9:52 amConsidering national polls have a conservative-bias, things aren’t looking so good for Miss Alaska these days:
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/09/16/poll-palins-favorables-slip-by-10/
September 17th, 2008 at 9:52 amAs McIIIrd tries to blabber about reform, let’s visit
Here
And recall how he voted for S900 in the 106th congress.
What was S900? you ask?
S.900
September 17th, 2008 at 9:52 amTitle: An Act to enhance competition in the financial services industry by providing a prudential framework for the affiliation of banks, securities firms, and other financial service providers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gramm, Phil [TX] (introduced 4/28/1999)
TexasFred is wondering about what he hears is 10 damaged platforms.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:52 amhttp://texasfred.net/archives/2269
fook it
September 17th, 2008 at 9:54 amThe challenge of keeping entertainment value suppressed with the weight of real issues remains, but appears to be retaking center stage. Democrats can take their pick from wide array of issues in their favor, and two of them — linking McCain to George Bush and his lack of Economic knowledge — seem to pack the hardest punch.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:55 amsatirev Says:
toasterhead: Didn’t we just discover that Bush banned photos of the massive oil leaks from the platforms during Katrina?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am
______
During Katrina? That I haven’t heard about.
FAA has issued a temporary flight restriction for a portion of the Texas coastline, apparently to keep the airspace clear for rescue and relief operations. This would seem like a pretty standard operating procedure – they also issue these for wildfires and airshows and “VIP movements”, so I’m not all that suspicious of the motives.
There are some hi-res aerial photos of the TX coast at NOAA, just fyi.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:56 amsatirev,
September 17th, 2008 at 9:58 amThe best was the second comment at the bottom, about how the Democrats wanted release from the Strategic Oil Reserve, and now they got it.
U-friggin-believeable.
Thanks Toaster
September 17th, 2008 at 9:58 amsatirev
September 17th, 2008 at 10:00 amWe should change the
“Drill, Baby, Drill Meme”
into
“Drill…where you have leases”
#24 DRxJ Says:
Great post Freedom Rebel (as usual).
Yesterday I challenged the 23%’ers to list the positives.
Today, I’d again like to know the good that Bush has done for this country, and with McCain voting over 90% of the time with Bush, how he’ll continue those positives.
(Of course, I’m not holding my breath for any type of coherent responses from the right)
Good Morning DRxJ :
What this administration has done to this country in 8 years is indefensible, their greed and lack of foresight has turned this country on it’s head. I’m glad to see some of the media starting to attack McCain on these points and his lying.. I don’t think they are going to be able to find any positives to list on this one…
At least Bush had the grace to cancel a speech yesterday on Economy. He is the last person I want to hear lying through his teeth as we all watch Wall Street get knocked to it’s knees.
Thank you for the compliment. It has been a rough few days watching all of this unfold. Plus, I’m worried about how everyone’s 401 k’s are going to take a pounding. I know I have lost money over the last couple of years. This has got to turn around soon for all of us if we want to retire someday…
Have a good day !!!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:03 amthem_libs Says: Obama parties with Hollywood celebs: ‘This is not a sitcom’…
Your parents should restrict you from internet access until you first learn how to think. Seriously.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:05 amSatirev @ 45,
Thank you so much! Interesting read. Now, if we can only get the media to pick this up and do a real investigation.
I wonder if Cindy and Charles Keating are still business partners. I hope someone connects all the dots!
I’m going to forward this to everyone I know, including a few bloggers who are known to dig, dig, dig.
PEACE
September 17th, 2008 at 10:06 amthem_libs Says:
Barack Obama partied with Hollywood celebrities Tuesday night and with the help of Oscar-winning singer and actress Barbra Streisand raised an eye-popping $9 million for his presidential campaign and the Democratic Party.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:00 am
__________
Raised $9 million, eh?
So what was that you were saying about the Obama campaign being dead in the water?
September 17th, 2008 at 10:08 amSooo, all these super rich celebrities gave money to help elect a guy that WILL raise their taxes (they are super rich) in order to help their country.
Wow, these Hollywood ‘elitists’ must really love their country to support someone that will make them pay their fair share.
Go Patriotic Hollywood Elite!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:09 am#26 McWars Says:
Good morning, Freb. I’m glad you’re back. The AM felt unusually hollow w/o your information feed and warm personality, but I do know there are days where one simply can’t show.
Good Morning McWars :) We got hit very hard in Ohio on Sunday from what the weathermen tell us is effects from Hurrican Ike. I was trying to do some of the clean up from that storm. My neighbor & I have a 120 ft tree laying across our backyards. It still hasn’t been removed because all the companies are busy trying to clean up around the area. Trees down, large limbs everywhere, electric lines comprised, & debris in the streets.
We made it through the high winds intact that is all that matters. Property can be fixed, it’s just going to be very time consuming. Her garage is totaled and so is our joint fence between our properties.
I missed being here and seeing everyone post… Thanks for missing me, I certainly missed talking to you.. :)
Have a good day…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:11 amlast try:
Economists take critical view of health plans
WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain’s health plan won’t lower the ranks of the uninsured. Barack Obama’s fails to curb the soaring cost of health care, meaning initial gains in helping more people buy health insurance would eventually be undermined.
That’s the azzessment of health care economists who critiqued the plans of the two presidential candidates.
check out the last sentence…
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3QFmojE8Ft12Stb5Eru_cHBwqxgD937J6600
September 17th, 2008 at 10:12 amare ya kidding me? it was that word again…
the last sentence:
The journal subjected the plans to a sort of devil’s advocate an-alysis. Once the unsolicitated review of McCain’s plan was reviewed and accepted, the journal sought out economists who would take a similarly tough look at the Obama plan. The reviewers of the Obama plan included Gail Wilensky, an unpaid adviser to the McCain campaign.
huh. wonder why they didn’t print the name of the “unpaid adviser” to the obama campaign who reviewed the mcCHEAT plan…
oh, wait… maybe there wasn’t one…
imagine that…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:14 amFR, all praise and thanks to the FSM for that tree missing you and landing in your yard instead!!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:15 amthem_libs Says:
Seriously, to whom are you trying to appeal? You are tabloid trash, son.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:16 am#28 unbelievable Says:
Freedom Rebel Says: Obama leads McCain by 2 points: Reuters poll
Remember who they poll… I am convinced from other telltales that Obama’s actual lead is much higher.
Good Morning unbelievable ;) I couldn’t agree with you more. I was just glad to finally see a poll that put him ahead. I’m tired of all the ones that show him behind. I just don’t believe that for a minute…. Good to see you as always….
September 17th, 2008 at 10:16 amYeah, it’s a real shame that entertainers who make ridiculous amounts of money want to see 9 mill go to a good cause.
Phhhhht!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:17 amMcCain likes Town Halls because they are small groups of people and McCain can ONLY attract small groups of people. Because the small room is full, McCain gets the illusion that he can bring out people to hear him sleep. He only brings out people that are jacked up on caffeine because just listening to McCain can put most people to sleep.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:18 amSome days ago, most Americans had never heard of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Now, following her Vice Presidential acceptance speech, viewed live by more than 40 million people, Palin is viewed favorably by 58% of American voters according to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey. The self-described ‘hockey mom’’s poll ratings, if they are to be believed, are that of a rock superstar who is rated now higher than either McCain or Democrat Obama. The same Bush-Cheney propaganda apparatus that made the nation believe that Saddam Hussein was the new Hitler and that Georgia was a helpless victim of ruthless Russian aggression after 8.8.08 in Georgia is clearly behind one of the most impressive media propaganda efforts in recent history—the effort to package Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska for less than 19 months, to be the American dream candidate. Her religious roots are something she has been deliberately vague about. It’s worth a closer look.
As I discuss in some detail in my soon-to-be-released book, Full Spectrum Dominance: Totalitarian Democracy in the New World Order, one of the most significant transformations of American domestic politics over the past three decades since the early 1970’s, when George H.W. Bush was head of the CIA, has been the deliberate manipulation of significant segments of the population, most of them undoubtedly sincere believing people, around the ideology of ‘born-again’ evangelical Christian Fundamentalism to create something known as the Christian Right. Within the broad spectrum of fundamentalist denominations there are some currents which are particularly alarming. Sarah Palin comes out of such a milieu.
The phenomenon of the rapid spread within the United States since the 1980’s of evangelical Pentecostalism is a political phenomenon which has become so influential that the two elections of George W. Bush as well as countless races for Senate or Congress often depend on the backing or lack of it from the organized Religious Right.
The spawning of some Christian Right sects also creates an ideology to drive the shock troops willing to literally ‘die for Christ’ in places such as Iraq or Afghanistan, Iran or elsewhere that the Pentagon needs their services. That ideology has been used to build a fanatical activist base within the Republican Party which backs a right-wing domestic agenda and a military foreign policy that sees Islam or other suitable opponents of the US power elite as Satanism incarnate. How does Sarah Palin fit into this?
The CNP: manipulating religion to political ends
Many of the religious evangelical groups in America are coordinated top-down by a secretive organization called the Committee on National Policy. Former close Bush adviser, Rev. Ted Haggard, was a member of the Committee on National Policy until a sex and drugs scandal forced him out in late 2006.
Haggard was Pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs described as the ‘evangelical Vatican,’ and was head of the National Association of Evangelicals. Ted Haggard was also a member of a highly significant and little-understood sect known as Joel’s Army or the Manifest Sons of God, the same circles which spawned Sarah Palin.
Another noteworthy member of the CNP as was Grover Nyquist, the man once described as the ‘Field Marshall of the Bush Plan.’
The CNP, created in the early 1980’s during the Reagan era, is the nexus for several odd and quite powerful organizations. It was described by ABC’s Marc J. Ambinder as ‘the conservative version of the Council on Foreign Relations.’ CNP Members include names such as General John Singlaub, shipping magnate J. Peter Grace, Texas billionaire Nelson Bunker Hunt, Edwin J. Feulner Jr of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, Rev. Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Jerry Falwell, Tim LaHaye and most of the prominent names in the Christian Right around Bush. It has included prominent politicians including Senator Trent Lott, Senator Don Nickles, former Attorney General Ed Meese, Col. Oliver North of Iran-Contra fame, and Right-wing philanthropist Else Prince, mother of Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater the controversial private security firm.1
CNP members have also included not only the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Unification Church, definitely a bizarre formation whose founder openly states that he is superior to Christ. The CNP as well reportedly includes the Church of Scientology.2
CNP member and GOP strategist, Gary Bauer, links both. Bauer’s Family Research Council was a signatory of the Scientology Pledge to remove psychology from California schools and replace it with L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics. Bauer was also a speaker at Sun Myung Moon’s Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Conference in 1996.
Religious researchers Paul and Phillip Collins describe the CNP as follows: ‘The CNP appears to be a creation of factions of the power elite designed to mobilize well-meaning Christians to unwittingly support elite initiatives. The CNP could also be considered a project in religious engineering that empties Christianity of its metaphysical substance and re-conceptualizes many of its principles and concepts according to the socially and politically expedient designs of the elite. These contentions are supported by the fact that many CNP members are also members of other organizations and/or criminal enterprises that are tied directly to the power elite.’3
In order to shape public debate over the course of national military and foreign as well as domestic policy, the US establishment had to create mass-based organizations to manipulate public opinion in ways contrary to the self-interest of the majority of the American people. The Committee on National Policy was formed to be a central part of this mass manipulation.
The Committee on National Policy is a vital link between multi-billion dollar defense contractors, Washington lobbyists like the convicted felon and Republican fundraiser, Jack Abramoff, and the Christian Right. It’s at the heart of a new axis between right-wing military politics, support for the Pentagon war agenda globally and the neo-conservative political control of much of US foreign and defense policy.
The CNP has been at the center of Karl Rove’s carefully-constructed Bush political machine. Tom Delay and dozens of top Bush Administration Republicans are or had been members of the CNP. Few details about the organization are leaked to the public. As secretive as the Bilderberg Group if not more so, the CNP releases no press statements, meets in secret and never reveals names of its members willingly.
The elite circles behind the Bush Presidency have crafted an extremely powerful political machine using the forces and energies of the Christian Right and millions of American Christians unaware of the darker manipulations. Is Sarah Palin a part of such darker manipulations?
Sarah Palin and Dominionism
Sarah Palin it appears now, was chosen very carefully as she comes out of the very fundamentalist evangelical circles that the CNP uses to mobilize and shape America’s political agenda.
Palin reportedly drew early attention from state GOP leadership when, during her first mayoral campaign, she ran on an anti-abortion platform. Normally, political parties do not get involved in Alaskan municipal elections because they are nonpartisan. But once word of her evangelical views made its way to Juneau, the state capitol, state Republicans put money behind her campaign. According to researcher, Charley James, “Once in office, Palin set out to build a machine that chewed up anyone who got in her way. The good, Godly Christian turns out to be anything but.”
The religious background of Sarah Palin is not unrelated to her bid to take the nation’s second highest office. She herself has been extremely vague about that background. Given the details, it becomes clearer perhaps why.
Sarah Palin has spent more than two and a half decades of her life as a member of an Alaska church which is part of a fanatical Christian-named cult project that is sweeping across America. Palin comes out of the most radical stream of US Born-Again Evangelism known as ‘Joel’s Army,’ an offshoot of what is called Dominionism and sometimes also called the Latter Rain cult or Manifest Sons of God. The movement deliberately attempts to remain below the radar screen.
A Dominionist soldier in McCain’s Army
Sarah Palin is a product of an extreme fringe of the American Evangelical movement known variously as the Third Wave Movement, also known as the New Apostolic Reformation, or as Joel’s Army, a part of what is called Dominionism. Until 2002 according to their own website, Palin was a member of Wasilla Assembly of God with Senior Pastor Ed Kalnins. Online video clips of Palin speaking from the pulpit of this church are revealing. Curiously, between the time this article was begun on September 9th and the 11th, the video was removed without explanation:
(http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20712.htm.).
As one researcher familiar with the history of the Third Wave Movement or Dominionism describes, ‘The Third Wave is a revival of the theology of the Latter Rain tent revivals of the 1950s and 1960s led by William Branham and others. It is based on the idea that in the end times there will be an outpouring of supernatural powers on a group of Christians that will take authority over the existing church and the world. The believing Christians of the world will be reorganized under the Fivefold Ministry and the church restructured under the authority of Prophets and Apostles and others anointed by God. The young generation will form ‘Joel’s Army’ to rise up and battle evil and retake the earth for God.’4
The excesses of this movement were declared a heresy in 1949 by the General Council of the Assemblies of God, and again condemned through Resolution 16 in 2000.
Sarah H. Leslie, a former Christian Right leader, describes the ideology of Dominionism:
‘The Gospel of Salvation is achieved by setting up the ‘Kingdom of God’ as a literal and physical kingdom to be ‘advanced’ on Earth in the present age. Some dominionists liken the New Testament Kingdom to the Old Testament Israel in ways that justify taking up the sword, or other methods of punitive judgment, to war against enemies of their kingdom.
‘Dominionists teach that men can be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom. They assign to the Church duties and rights that belong Scripturally only to Jesus Christ. This includes the esoteric belief that believers can ‘incarnate’ Christ and function as His body on Earth to establish His kingdom rule. An inordinate emphasis is placed on man’s efforts; the doctrine of the sovereignty of God is diminished.’5
Leslie quotes from Al Dager’s Vengeance Is Ours: The Church In Dominion: ‘Dominion theology is predicated upon three basic beliefs: 1) Satan usurped man’s dominion over the earth through the temptation of Adam and Eve; 2) The Church is God’s instrument to take dominion back from Satan; 3) Jesus cannot or will not return until the Church has taken dominion by gaining control of the earth’s governmental and social institutions.’6
Sarah Leslie pinpoints to the central deception behind the current spread of Dominionism among various Protestant denominations across America today:
‘Dominion theology is a heresy. As such it is rarely presented as openly as the definitions above may indicate. Outside of the Reconstructionist camp, evangelical dominionism has wrapped itself in slick packages – one piece at a time – for mass-media consumption. This has been a slow process, taking several decades. Few evangelicals would recognize the word ‘dominionism’ or know what it means. This is because other terminologies have been developed which soft-sell dominionism, concealing the full scope of the agenda. Many evangelicals (and even their more conservative counterparts, the fundamentalists) may adhere to tidbits of dominionism without recognizing the error…
‘To most effectively propagate their agenda, dominionist leaders first developed new ecclesiologies, eschatologies and soteriologies for targeted audiences along the major denominational fault lines of evangelical Christianity. Then the 1990s Promise Keepers men’s movement was used as a vehicle to ‘break down the walls’, i.e., cross denominational barriers for the purpose of exporting dominionism to the wider evangelical subculture. This strategy was so effective that it reached into the mainline Protestant denominations. Dominionists have carefully selected leaders to be trained as ‘change agents’ for ‘transformation’ (dominion) in an erudite manner that belies the media stereotype of southern-talking, Bible-thumping, fundamentalist half-wits.’7
Wasilla Assembly of God
Sarah Palin comes out of the circles of such Dominionist networks. Sarah Palin was reportedly re-baptized at age twelve at the Wasilla Assembly of God church. Palin attended the church from the time she was ten until 2002, over twenty-eight years. Palin’s association with the Wasilla Assembly of God has continued nearly up to the day she was picked by Senator John McCain as running mate.
Palin is now under investigation for possible improper use of state travel funds for a trip she made on June 8 to Wasilla. Her trip in turns out was to attend a Wasilla Assembly of God ‘Masters Commission’ graduation ceremony, and a multi-church Wasilla event known as ‘One Lord Sunday.’ At the latter, Palin and Alaska LT Governor Scott Parnell were publicly blessed, onstage before an estimated crowd of 6,000, through the “laying on of hands” by Wasilla Assembly of God’s Head Pastor Ed Kalnins, her former pastor.
The pastor, Ed Kalnins, and Masters Commission students have traveled to South Carolina to participate in a ‘prophetic conference’ at Morningstar Ministries, one of the major ministries of the Third Wave movement. The head of prophecy at Morningstar, Steve Thompson, is currently scheduled to do a prophecy seminar at the Wasilla Assembly of God. Other major leaders in the movement have also traveled to Wasilla to visit and speak at the church.
In his sermons, Kalnins promotes such exotic theological concepts as the possession of geographic territories by demonic spirits and the inter-generational transmission of family ‘curses.’ Palin has also been ‘anointed,’ by an African cleric, Bishop Thomas Muthee, prominent in the Joel’s Army movement, who has repeatedly visited the Wasilla Assembly of God and claims to have effected positive, dramatic social change in a Kenyan town by driving out a ‘spirit of witchcraft.’ 8
As Governor in Juneau, six hundred miles from Wasilla, Palin attends the Juneau Christian Church of Pastor Mike Rose, an Assembly of God Third Wave church.
Sarah Leslie describes the movement which has supported Sarah Palin for most of her life:
‘New Apostolic Reformation. This dominionist sect is a direct offshoot of the Latter Rain cult (also known as Joel’s Army or Manifest Sons of God). Chief architect of this movement for the past two decades is C. Peter Wagner, President of Global Harvest Ministries and Chancellor of the Wagner Leadership Institute. His spiritual warfare teachings have been widely disseminated through mission networks such as AD 2000, which was closely associated with the Lausanne Movement. A prominent individual connected to this sect is Ted Haggard, current head of the National Association of Evangelicals.’9
C. Peter Wagner is quoted by Leslie defining his view of what he calls ‘The New Apostolic Reformation,’:
‘Since 2001, the body of Christ has been in the Second Apostolic Age. The apostolic/prophetic government of the church is now in place. . . . We began to build our base by locating and identifying with the intercessory prayer movements. This time, however, we feel that God wants us to start governmentally, connecting with the apostles of the region. God has already raised up for us a key apostle in one of the strategic nations of the Middle East and other apostles are already coming on board. Once we have the apostles in place, we will then bring the intercessors and the prophets into the inner circle, and we will end up with the spiritual core we need to move ahead for retaking the dominion that is rightfully ours.’– C. Peter Wagner
Wagner, who took over Haggard’s Colorado Springs center when the latter was forced to resign in disgrace, claims that there are as many New Apostolic Reformation churches in the US as Southern Baptist churches. The movement worldwide is estimated as high as 100 million people. And yet its impact is completely under the radar of most researchers outside of those in the movement itself.
An ‘end-time soldier in God’s army’?
All evidence suggests Palin was carefully selected by the leadership of the Bush-Cheney-McCain Republican party to galvanize the Party’s activist Evangelical base, something McCain had been unable to do.
Some theological and political background to the Joel’s Army or Third Wave movement as it is also known, is instructive. It teaches a radical fundamentalist creed that its adherents must actively engage in politics, to become what they term, ‘soldiers in God’s Army.’
The Joel’s Army movement focuses on recruiting young people to sessions of writhing on the floor in uncontrollable ecstasy, calling it a sign of the ‘Holy Spirit.’ Children as young as five speak of having ‘gotten saved.’ The movement is extremely authoritarian according to those conservative Christian churches who have studied and openly oppose the sect as heretical. It teaches a dogma that echoes the infamous Manichean line of George Bush following the shock of September 11, 2001: ‘There are two kinds of people in the World: Those who love Jesus, and those who don’t.’
Until recently a ‘general’ in Joel’s Army was a 32-year old Canadian, Todd Bentley. In one case, on YouTube, clips of his most dramatic healings have been condensed into a three-minute highlight reel. Bentley describes God ordering him to kick an elderly lady in the face. A report published by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a watchdog group, describes the Joel’s Army mass recruiting techniques of Bentley:
‘Todd Bentley has a long night ahead of him, resurrecting the dead, healing the blind, and exploding cancerous tumors. Since April 3, the 32-year-old, heavily tattooed, body-pierced, shaved-head Canadian preacher has been leading a continuous “supernatural healing revival” in central Florida. To contain the 10,000-plus crowds flocking from around the globe, Bentley has rented baseball stadiums, arenas and airport hangars at a cost of up to $15,000 a day. Many in attendance are church pastors themselves who believe Bentley to be a prophet and don’t bat an eye when he tells them he’s seen King David and spoken with the Apostle Paul in heaven…Tattooed across his sternum are military dog tags that read “Joel’s Army.” They’re evidence of Bentley’s generalship in a rapidly growing apocalyptic movement that’s gone largely unnoticed by watchdogs of the theocratic right. According to Bentley and a handful of other “hyper-charismatic” preachers advancing the same agenda, Joel’s Army is prophesied to become an Armageddon-ready military force of young people with a divine mandate to physically impose Christian “dominion” on non-believers.’ 10
Their name comes from their special focus on the Old Testament Book of Joel, Chapter Two. On his website, Bentley declares,
‘An end-time army has one common purpose — to aggressively take ground for the kingdom of God under the authority of Jesus Christ, the Dread Champion…The trumpet is sounding, calling on-fire, revolutionary believers to enlist in Joel’s Army. … Many are now ready to be mobilized to establish and advance God’s kingdom on earth.’
This past March, at a ‘Passion for Jesus’ conference in Kansas City sponsored by the International House of Prayer, or IHOP, a ministry for teenagers from the heavy metal, punk and goth scenes, one Joel’s Army pastor, Lou Engle, called on his audience for vengeance:
‘I believe we’re headed to an Elijah/Jezebel showdown on the Earth, not just in America but all over the globe, and the main warriors will be the prophets of Baal versus the prophets of God, and there will be no middle ground,” said Engle. He was referring to the Baal of the Old Testament, a pagan idol whose followers were slaughtered under orders from the prophet Elijah.
‘There’s an Elijah generation that’s going to be the forerunners for the coming of Jesus, a generation marked not by their niceness but by the intensity of their passion,” Engle continued. ‘The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. Such force demands an equal response, and Jesus is going to make war on everything that hinders love, with his eyes blazing fire.’
Joel’s Army believers are hard-core Christian ‘dominionists,’ meaning they believe that America, along with the rest of the world, should be governed by conservative Christians and a conservative Christian interpretation of biblical law. There is no room in their doctrine for democracy or pluralism. To paraphrase George W. Bush, ‘You’re either with us or you are against us.’
Joel’s Army followers are most often labile teenagers and young adults. They are taught to believe they’re members of the final generation to come of age before the end of the world. Sarah Palin was twelve when she first came into these circles.
Palin recently told interviewer Charles Gibson of ABC News that Georgia should be granted membership of NATO. When pressed on whether this would mean that the US would be obliged to defend Georgia if Russian troops went into the country again, she replied, ‘Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you’re going to be expected to be called upon and help…We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia.’ Is this Sarah Palin a stateswoman with foreign policy experience, or is it Sarah Palin the Dominionist who sees a potential war with Russia as part of an ‘Elijah/Jezebel showdown on the Earth’?
This is the background of the woman who might well become Vice President to a 72-year old President John McCain, a man reported to have severe skin cancer and other major health problems. According to the US Constitutional succession, should McCain be incapacitated or die in office, she would become President.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:18 amthem_libs Says: the usual bullshit
You feign concern that Obama may owe favors to Hollywood celebs. Even though that payback will include a heavier tax burden on said celebs. What favors are you so concerned about exactly? Pretty funny shit coming from a troll who supports an old man who is completely beholden to lobbyists and neocons.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:18 amIn other news a bitter London based baroness feels she has more in common with multimillionaire John McCain than Obama. SO? Will she single -handedly pull McCain’s finances over the top? Highly doubtful.
re: Brian Ross blog-
Palin and McCain’s names are mentioned so much because he’s talking about the investigation into abuse of power by Palin and the lying coming out of the McCain camp. Once again troll…SO?
Two of the three tracking polls, KOS (OK, OK) and Diageo/Hotline Daily have Obama back up by 4, and Gallup has McIIIrd still up by 1.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:19 amThe Palienation has begun with his novelty pick.
Elizabeth Edwards and her agenda get my vote!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:20 amHowlin shit Kay, nice post! No snark intended. Lots of fodder, great stuff…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:20 am#88:
sorry, I didn’t give credit :
Christian Fundamentalism Permeates the Republican Party: Sarah Palin’s links to the Christian Right
by F. William Engdahl
September 17th, 2008 at 10:21 amMcStain and Pallid hold a town hall meeting in Grand Rapids, MI trying to convince them they are good for the American people.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:22 amre: #88
I am sorry about the rather long post. But it’s worth the read.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:25 amPallid is one scary broad.
Katy:
BIOGRAPHY OF GAIL WILENSKY:
Gail Wilensky is an economist, and a Senior Fellow at Project HOPE (an international health education foundation). Wilensky is a Commissioner on the World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, co-chaired the recently completed Department of Defense task force on the Future of Military Health Care, is Vice Chair of the Maryland Health Care Commission and serves as a Trustee of the Combined Benefits Fund of the United Mineworkers of America and the National Opinion Research Center.
From 1990 to 1992, Wilensky was Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration. She also served as Deputy Assistant to President George H.W. Bush for Policy Development, advising him on health and welfare issues from 1992 to 1993. From 1997 to 2001, she chaired the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and from 1995 to 1997, she chaired the Physician Payment Review Commission. From 2001 to 2003, she co-chaired the President’s Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation’s Veterans. In 2007, she served as a Commissioner on the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. Wilensky testifies frequently before Congressional committees and speaks before professional, business and consumer groups. She earned her Ph.D. in economics at the University of Michigan.
http://portal.gopconvention2008.com/people/details.aspx?id=310
**Any questions?
September 17th, 2008 at 10:25 amFreb, here’s hoping for a speedy and safe recovery effort. Between the extra-hard economic hits and voter caging, Ohio seems to always have a full plate.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:27 amClinton blindsided by scheduled event with Palin
Hillary Rodham Clinton has canceled an appearance at a New York rally next week after organizers blindsided her by inviting Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, aides to the senator said Tuesday
Well Obama can write off the Jewish Vote. Damn, Clinton is more of an ally than Lieberman!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:27 am#83 RUCerious Says:
FR, all praise and thanks to the FSM for that tree missing you and landing in your yard instead!!
Good Morning RUC :) It was a hell of a day Sunday… I was just waiting to see what would happen next. I managed to keep my sense of humor through the whole thing…
The tree crew is going to have a heck of a time chopping it up.
Thank you RUC :)
September 17th, 2008 at 10:28 amSome more potential good news today:
an independent scientific review of the Anthrax case, it’s evidence and the FBI’s handling of the case is on the horizon:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603072.html
September 17th, 2008 at 10:29 amMcCain, Republicans Have Twice as Much Cash as Obama (Update2)
Bloomberg – Sep 15, 2008
McCain took in $5.1 million at a Miami fundraiser. …
i’d bet waaay more folks can identify with movie-stars and hollywood celebrities than with the miami ELITE …
just sayin’…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:30 amRUCerious Says:
The Palienation has begun with his novelty pick.
RUC, I heard one of the pundits (sorry, can’t remember who…) say that it appears that McStain/Palin peaked too soon. Added that what appears to be a cover-up of Palin’s activities in Alaska is not going to help them regain ground.
Me thinks J. Sidney is throwing around some more “C” words behind closed doors. And if Palin can’t see that she’s being used, she deserves the distain and scorn coming her way. With the nation now focused on Alaskan earmarks and their windfall oil tax rebates, I don’t think her constituents appreciate the spotlight she’s shined on them.
PEACE
September 17th, 2008 at 10:36 am“Democrats in Michigan are trying to block what they call a Republican effort to deny voting rights to people facing foreclosure,” filing “for an injunction to prohibit the GOP from challenging Michigan voters whose homes are on foreclosure lists.” The tactic is a form of “voter caging.”
That’s a good first move. They then need to contact all the people who are in foreclosure and let them know that they can legally vote. They should advise them to ask for an absentee ballot and to use it to vote rather than showing up at their precinct. That will do two things. The first will be to allow them to vote without being accosted. The second will be to stop the disruption in the polling places.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:37 amunbelievable Says
September 17th, 2008 at 9:10 am
The measure would “let states decide whether to permit energy exploration 50 to 100 miles off their coasts”
With the exception of the Gulf Coast, where oil rigs are already prolific, aren’t the large majority of the remaining coastal states blue (i.e. environmentally conscious)? How ironic.
__________________________________________________________
North Carolina (where I am) is a red state, although when it comes to protecting the Outer Banks, even the reddest of red voters will go all NIMBY. The Outer Banks are rather fragile, and sensitive to just about any kind of environmental change (and any kind of oil spill would be quite damaging), plus they are one of our greatest tourist attractions.
It’s pretty much a given that NC won’t allow any drilling to go on between 50 and 100 miles from shore, and they’re going to be mad as h*ll about any kind of drilling going on even further out.
Oh, and we’re in a hurricane zone here, too.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:37 amPelosi: Dems not responsible for economic crisis
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked Tuesday whether Democrats bear some of the responsibility regarding the current crisis on Wall Street, had a one-word answer: “No.”
WOW!!
RANGEL REJECTS CLAMOR TO QUIT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel will not give up his plum leadership position on one the most powerful committees in Congress, his lawyer said today.
What a dysfunctional party!!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amHillary Rodham Clinton has canceled an appearance at a New York rally next week after organizers blindsided her by inviting Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, aides to the senator said Tuesday
yea… i’ll agree…
that doesn’t look so good…
thought you were a “fighter”, hil…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amIn a dramatic reversal last night, the government seized control of the nation’s largest insurer, AIG. The Fed agreed to “lend up to $85 billion to AIG,”…
My question is, where is the government getting these billions to bail out failing financial institutions? Are we going to borrow it from China?
September 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amThese Xian fundies are the extremists ana!agous to the Islamic Jihad.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amYou have a reading comprehension problem but we knew that. The only mention of of Jewish voters in your link indicate that they plan a rally at the UN. Absolutly nothing to do with the event you are talking about.
You really should try to make a little more sense and maybe someone, somewhere, sometime, will take you seriously. Until then….not so much.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:40 amGail Wilensky is on the Boards of UnitedHealth Group, Gentiva, Cephalon, SRA International and Quest Diagnostic. She voted to sell ManorCare to the Carlyle Group, then landed on their Quality Committee.
Did Gail ask why Carlyle couldn’t save 24 LifeCare patients in a time of crisis, before voting yes on the ManorCare sale?
Gail was head of Medicare/Medicaid under Bush I. She’s a health care coporacrat. That should be kept in mind when reading her recommendations.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:43 amFred, there’s no way in hell I’m ever going to take moronskis like lem thibs seriously, just sayin…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am**Footnote: Palin’s third interview is scheduled with Katie Couric on 9/29 & 9/30—will Katie ask her about “Troopergate” and her idea of an open & transparent government?
She just might. Katie seems to be on a course to rehabilitate her image and she may see asking Sarah Palin tough questions as a way to do it. If Katie does a puff piece on Palin, it is only going to trash her image further.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:43 amthem_libs = good_golly?
September 17th, 2008 at 10:45 amthem_libs Says:
Well Obama can write off the Jewish Vote. Damn, Clinton is more of an ally than Lieberman!
Just wait until the Democrats run an ad showing the guest preacher at Palin’s church saying despicable things about Jews. Palin had been notified ahead of time who would be speaking. She went, she stayed and she didn’t condemn. They need to run this ad in Florida and other areas with a heavy Jewish population.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:45 amShe’s right. You can thank the deregulators…even the right admits it….you know phil grahm….mccains advisor.
Good, Rangel has more integrity in his little finger than any of the gop
Ya know them, you are just pathetic really. Why don’t you explain why the dow is down almost 300 points again today after 8 years of management by the bush/mccain admin…..closing in on the level it was at when Clinton left office……where it made substantial gains….that held.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:47 amthem_libs Says:
Pelosi: Dems not responsible for economic crisis
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked Tuesday whether Democrats bear some of the responsibility regarding the current crisis on Wall Street, had a one-word answer: “No.”
So, you apparently think that the Democrats are somehow responsible for our financial meltdown. Would you care to tell us how this could be? Not that I expect an answer.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:48 amthem_libs Says:
WOW!!
_________
Well, considering just how completely the GOOP has controlled the country the last 8 years… ‘n Botch being America’s CEO ‘n all… heh, and now the “lovely Sarah” has identified herself as Alaska’s CEO… might have been a mistake, there, Sarah… linking yourself to Botch in people’s minds like that…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:49 amI know, not a chance in hell of him/her/it making any sense anyway….
Just a quick comment to counter it’s obvious distortions of truth. Seems to be mccains method so it’s good enough for trolls.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:50 amkaty Says:
McCain took in $5.1 million at a Miami fundraiser. …
And exactly how can he do that? He’s now under public financing restrictions. Is he going to thumb his nose at the public financing rules now the way he did in the primary?
September 17th, 2008 at 10:51 amthem_libs Says:
What a dysfunctional p enis!!
Your blow-up doll is speaking out?
September 17th, 2008 at 10:53 amOn the trail today: Barack Obama campaigns in Elko and Las Vegas, NV. Joe Biden is in Wooster, OH. John McCain and Sarah Palin hold a town hall meeting in Grand Rapids, MI.
Notice McCain and Palin stick together. Who’s keeping an eye on whom? :D
September 17th, 2008 at 10:55 amyep, republicans only clammoring for him to quit. This was over a little rental income….pretty minor and all they got.
Where was the republicans outrage when their own has committed much more serious crimes and they supported them staying in thier positions of power. Speaks to the hypocricy of the gop and you.
You can’t just post shit and expect it to fly here. People here are not sheep. They will look up your lies and call you on them. They will read your links and see that you distort the truth.
the gop is the dysfunctional party and are in serious decline. Just ask one.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:00 amThanks for wielding the whip, Fred. These jackasses appear to enjoy the pain…
September 17th, 2008 at 11:02 amMistress Z, it should be apparent. It’s McIIIrd, watching her butt.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:02 amScientists link chemical used in plastics to health problems
Minneapolis Star Tribune – 3 hours ago
BPA was found to cause a higher risk of heart problems, diabetes and liver disease. The FDA repeated its stance that BPA is safe but is studying the issue.
Agency Affirms Plastics’ Safety, as Study Raises Questions New York Times
Researchers link BPA exposure to health concerns Los Angeles Times
got confusion?
September 17th, 2008 at 11:02 amMcDepends’ new ad has him claiming he’s gonna’ “fix Washington” ; what in the fu(king hell has he been doing there for the past 26 years ?
Playing hopscotch ?
September 17th, 2008 at 11:06 amZooey Says:
“Notice McCain and Palin stick together. Who’s keeping an eye on whom? :D”
Morning Zooey! I think they are watching each other’s respective asses. McCain likes the VPILF’s jiggle and Palin keeps an eye on McCain’s posterior for the tell-tale signs that he needs another diaper change. At least she is an expert at SOMETHING!
September 17th, 2008 at 11:06 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
them_libs Says:
Pelosi: Dems not responsible for economic crisis
…
So, you apparently think that the Democrats are somehow responsible for our financial meltdown. …
yep… rush limpballs told ‘em so…
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/09/16/barack-obama-slams-john-mccain-on-the-economy-its-not-believeable/#comment-906248
September 17th, 2008 at 11:11 amFirst off, Pallid is an affront to all the strides women have made in the past 100 years. She’s already set the women’s movement back years…
Being a male feminist, this woman personally makes my stomach turn.
Pallid is a tool. I bet she wasn’t even McStain’s 1st choice, but they had to go after the Christian Right voting block.
I do think Obama has to get a little tougher.
And I do think Biden will make mincemeat out of Pallid in the debate(s)
September 17th, 2008 at 11:24 amThe Carlyle Group is headed to South America. They’re trying to raise $500 million to invest there/
http://www.penews.com/today/index/content/2451855955
September 17th, 2008 at 11:26 amDRxJ Says:
“I’d again like to know the good that Bush has done for this country”
I’ve been asking his supporters this for the last few years and they get so defensive, but can’t ever give a single answer.
Even after I give them a freebie: Bush has made the electorate far more politically conscious and active than I’ve seen in recent memory :)
September 17th, 2008 at 11:32 amvia C&L blog roundup:
September 17th, 2008 at 11:36 amTake action! Email the moderators of the upcoming presidential and VP debates and demand “The Debate We Need”
them_libs Says:
Clinton blindsided by scheduled event with Palin
Hillary Rodham Clinton has canceled an appearance at a New York rally next week after organizers blindsided her by inviting Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, aides to the senator said Tuesday
Well Obama can write off the Jewish Vote. Damn, Clinton is more of an ally than Lieberman!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Jewish vote is ALWAYS heavily Democratic and you are an idiot
September 17th, 2008 at 12:10 pmthem_libs Says:
What a dysfunctional party!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
YOU are a GOPTroll and you call the Dems a dysfunctional party? HA, your capacity for self delusion, not to mention outright idiocy is a joy to behold
September 17th, 2008 at 12:13 pmkaty Says:
“Take action! Email the moderators of the upcoming presidential and VP debates and demand “The Debate We Need””
Done! Everything that I was going to add to “personalize” my message was already there (namely mentioning something about restoring the Constitution).
September 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pmFIFTY GRAND to get your picture taken with sarah and
mcPANDER’s fundy at miami…
she’s a CELEBRITY !!!
.
btw, the fundraiser at hollywood was for the DNC -
the Democratic National Committee.
GO BARACK!
September 17th, 2008 at 12:27 pmA Republican Jewish group is trying to taint Obama:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13516.html
September 17th, 2008 at 12:47 pmkaty Says:
Hillary Rodham Clinton has canceled an appearance at a New York rally next week after organizers blindsided her by inviting Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, aides to the senator said Tuesday
yea… i’ll agree…
that doesn’t look so good…
thought you were a “fighter”, hil…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:39 am
* after hearing ed’s comments about this, after further reflection with more information, i have to change my mind.
hillary did the right thing in cancelling this attempt to stage a photo-op and political tool…
September 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pmWomen’s rights groups endorsed Barack Obama for president Tuesday, asserting the historic selection of a female Republican vice presidential candidate does not make up for John McCain’s lack of support on issues important to women.
“We don’t think it’s much to break a glass ceiling for one woman and leave millions of women behind,” said Eleanor Smeal, chairman of the Feminist Majority Political Action Committee.
Smeal was among leaders from six organizations that announced their endorsement of the Democratic presidential nominee at a news conference.
Obama also won the support of the National Organization for Women, which said it has not endorsed a candidate for president since Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro shared the Democratic ticket in 1984. Ferraro was the first female major-party vice presidential candidate.
NOW backed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primaries. “We join with her in saying ‘no,’” said NOW President Kim Gandy, referring to a line Clinton used at the Democratic convention last month. “No way, no how, no McCain.”
Gandy and Smeal dismissed polls that suggested McCain has received a boost in support from white women after he picked Palin.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:14 pm.
Happy Constitution Day
September 17, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taVwkH_3A4E
.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm.
Bush: Hittin’ The Road…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Zg_Z6P0GE
.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pmThe latest lie? Obama’s giving money to the PLO
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1021786.html
September 17th, 2008 at 3:22 pmThe largest health insurance company in the country is United Health Care – the CEO made 124 million dollars last year.
How’s the free market working for?
Voting thing – Imagine if Thomas Jefferson came out of a time warp – he’d be reduced to tears.
What the hell’s with Nancy Pelosi – caving to a bunch of bullies over oil that equals a drip in the world market. Bad move!
September 18th, 2008 at 12:19 am