ThinkFast: October 15, 2008
ThinkFast: October 15, 2008
Budget officials announced yesterday “that the federal deficit has soared to a record $455 billion. … The final accounting for fiscal 2008 produced a larger shortfall than had been projected, reflecting the start of federal efforts to address the economic emergency.” The previous record deficit had been $413 billion, reached in 2004.
The Bush administration “issued a pair of secret memos to the CIA in 2003 and 2004 that explicitly endorsed the agency’s use of interrogation techniques such as waterboarding against al-Qaeda suspects.” CIA director George Tenet requested the memos “more than a year after” the program began because “senior CIA officials were troubled” that the White House had never endorsed it in writing.
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL), “who faces accusations that he had an affair with a former aide and paid her to keep quiet about it,” was also reportedly “having an affair with a second woman around the same time, a person close to his campaign told The Associated Press on Tuesday.”
The number of U.S. jobs paying a poverty-level wage increased by 4.7 million between 2002 and 2006, according to a new report by The Working Poor Families Project. “The alarming news is that both the number and percentage of low-income families increased during this period,” said Brandon Roberts, co-author of the report. “This was a time when we had solid and robust economic growth.”
20 days to go: John McCain and Barack Obama will engage in their third and final debate tonight at Hofstra University in New York. Sarah Palin is in Dover, NH, and Joe Biden campaigns at Ohio State University.
John Podesta suggests that if John McCain wants to change the dynamic of the race, he could consider pledging to serve only one term and announcing his picks for a bipartisan Cabinet. Such a long-shot gamble might help “restore the perception of seriousness that his campaign has been so desperately lacking in recent weeks.”
A soon-to-be completed U.S. intelligence assessment portrays the situation in Pakistan as “very bad,” “very bleak,” and “on the edge,” according to U.S. officials who spoke to McClatchy. One official summarized the estimate’s conclusions about the state of Pakistan as: “no money, no energy, no government.”
Bush administration officials, in their last weeks in office, “are pushing to rewrite a wide array of federal rules with changes or additions that could block product-safety lawsuits by consumers and states.” The language is “aimed at pre-empting product-liability litigation into 50 rules governing everything from motorcycle brakes to pain medicine.”
After Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) proposed a “spending freeze on everything but defense,” his campaign appears to be walking the promise back. Yesterday, aides to McCain said his budget also includes “a specific carve-out for spending on science.” “You’ll definitely see, under John McCain, more spending on research,” senior policy adviser Ike Brannon said.
And finally: Yesterday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued an unusual dissent that was more “Supreme Court noir” than traditional legalese. Roberts wrote a dissent from denial of review in Pennsylvania v. Dunlap, “a fairly routine drug arrest case raising ‘probable cause’ issues.” Mystery writer Paul Levine speculated on Roberts’s shift: “My guess is that the Chief lost a bet with Scalia on the baseball playoffs. If Roberts wins the next wager, Scalia will have to write an opinion in iambic pentameter.” Read Roberts’s writing here.
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>was also reportedly “having an affair
> with a second woman around the same time,
take it from senator craig, if “the dude looks like a lady” its not cheating..
October 15th, 2008 at 9:05 amJohn Podesta suggests that if John McCain wants to change the dynamic of the race, he could consider pledging to serve only one term and announcing his picks for a bipartisan Cabinet. Such a long-shot gamble might help “restore the perception of seriousness that his campaign has been so desperately lacking in recent weeks.”
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I doubt that even that would help. Instead of restoring a perception of seriousness, it would just emphasize a perception of desperation — and the campaign has been showing so much desperation lately that it looks painful to even those of us who aren’t McCain supporters.
McCain has shifted his message and his tactics so many times that he appears to have no focus at all. Another major shake-up would just look like a Hail Mary pass — fooling no one.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:07 amAfter Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) proposed a “spending freeze on everything but defense,” his campaign appears to be walking the promise back. Yesterday, aides to McCain said his budget also includes “a specific carve-out for spending on science.” “You’ll definitely see, under John McCain, more spending on research,” senior policy adviser Ike Brannon said.
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Lemme get this straight. McCain wants to freeze spending on everything but defense. Except Social Security (he can’t touch that). And except interest on the national debt (he can’t touch that, either). And except entitlements yet to be decided. And except scientific research. And except aid to Israel (and other foreign countries). And except anything else anybody can talk him into.
So what’s left? I suspect that his grand gesture would only result in cutting a few pennies for the National Endowment for the Arts and maybe a couple of other programs not represented by huge lobbies. Not exactly a gesture that will be a boon for the American people, especially when his tax cuts will more than offset any spending decrease.
We have gotten used to empty, pandering words. But these won’t get him elected. Not this time.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:14 amAn interesting article from 911truth.org:
Monday, October 13 2008 – Other Important News
Evolution of the Apocalypse: Empire’s Demise, Human Renaissance
Carol Brouillet, longtime 9/11 truth and community currency activist, is also candidate for US Representative from California’s 14th District. Following is her interpretation of our current financial meltdown, “Evolution of the Apocalypse: Empire’s Demise, Human Renaissance,” as well as her campaign statement and pertinent information. Video of her candidate statement is below.
Carol Brouillet is a longtime activist who organized three conferences on Strategies to Transform the Global Economy and (the first) marches on her Senators and Congresswoman in January 2002 to Demand a Congressional Investigation of 9-11. She publishes the Deception Dollars, and Co-Founded the 9-11 Truth Alliance, and the Northern California 9-11 Truth Alliance . She organized premieres of films, educational events, marches, rallies for 9-11 Truth, the San Francisco International Inquiry into 9-11, and produced the film Behind Every Terrorist- There is a Bush. She is also a mother of three boys and held a weekly Listening Project in downtown Palo Alto from October 2001 to October 2007, now she holds it once a month on the 11th, in solidarity with other 9/11 Truth activists worldwide. She ran for Congress in 2006 on the Green Party ticket on a 9-11 Truth, Peace, Impeachment platform and will be on the ballot again in 2008. Read the rest of Carol’s bio at questioningwar-organizingresistance.blogspot.com.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:15 am“The number of U.S. jobs paying a poverty-level wage increased by 4.7 million between 2002 and 2006, according to a new report by The Working Poor Families Project. “The alarming news is that both the number and percentage of low-income families increased during this period,” said Brandon Roberts, co-author of the report. “This was a time when we had solid and robust economic growth”.
More to come like this if Mcwars wins(steals).
October 15th, 2008 at 9:15 amCIA director George Tenet requested the memos “more than a year after” the program began because “senior CIA officials were troubled” that the White House had never endorsed it in writing.
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I’m surprised the White House endorsed anything criminal in writing without shredding it or making it disappear. Do these “secret” memos still exist, or do we only have anecdotal evidence from witnesses?
October 15th, 2008 at 9:16 amAnd if all of this wasn’t bad enought, today we see another indication that inflation is heating up and squeezing us on the other end. Stagflation is a reality.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:18 amYesterday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued an unusual dissent that was more “Supreme Court noir” than traditional legalese.
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Oh thank you, Justice Roberts, for giving my best laugh of the morning so far. Now I can’t wait to see Scalia’s iambic pentameter effort (maybe he’ll illustrate it a la Dr. Seuss as well?).
October 15th, 2008 at 9:20 amI wonder when America will wake up and realize 9/11 was caused by our own gov’t?
October 15th, 2008 at 9:23 amThe Bush administration “issued a pair of secret memos to the CIA in 2003 and 2004 that explicitly endorsed the agency’s use of interrogation techniques such as waterboarding against al-Qaeda suspects.”
Bush ~ “We don’t torture”.
Lie.
Why is this president still around? We impeach presidents for lying, don’t we?
October 15th, 2008 at 9:24 amBush administration officials, in their last weeks in office, “are pushing to rewrite a wide array of federal rules with changes or additions that could block product-safety lawsuits by consumers and states.”
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Hey, time is running short, and there’s apparently still some trashing left to do. By the time Bush leaves for Paraguay, he wants to rest easy knowing that he’s left no protections in place for average Americans, and he has cleared all obstacles for the fat cats to get fatter.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:24 amMcCain is being all Mavericky again, suggesting spending freezes. On what? My guess: all regulatory agencies, the Department of Education, and all social welfare programs.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:26 amCIA director George Tenet requested the memos “more than a year after” the program began because “senior CIA officials were troubled” that the White House had never endorsed it in writing.
Tell you what, Alberto Gonzales needs a good lawyer.
And the CIA people had better hope that the Nuremberg defense holds up, that’s all they’ve got.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:26 amThe number of U.S. jobs paying a poverty-level wage increased by 4.7 million between 2002 and 2006, according to a new report by The Working Poor Families Project. “The alarming news is that both the number and percentage of low-income families increased during this period…
The middle class is shrinking, but not because they are moving into the upper and elite classes, but rather because they are falling a notch, into the working class and poor. Notice that neither presidential candidate talks much about the working class and the poor. This emphasis on the middle class is commendable, but there may not be much of a middle class there in coming years, and the gap between the rich and poor will grow even more…
October 15th, 2008 at 9:28 amWith all due respect to John Podesta, public trust in McCain is lacking too much for a one term pledge to be taken seriously. It might make a few knuckle draggers who think he is too liberal more secure knowing that their pin up girl would be next in line but that does nothing for the undecideds. As for announcing a bipartisan cabinet, LIEberman doesn’t count and the odds of anyone on the D side of that equation saying yes before the election are long.
Typically, the comic relief of the article is Gingrich advising McCain to attack more.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:32 amCIA director George Tenet requested the memos “more than a year after” the program began because “senior CIA officials were troubled” that the White House had never endorsed it in writing.
That is really sad. These people were not troubled with what they were doing. They were just troubled because they didn’t have the Bush Crime Family’s permission in writing.
I really don’t see how Bush can escape legal charges once he leaves office considering how much evidence there is of his crimes. I only hope that Obama will follow through and prosecute them all.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:34 amAnd finally: Yesterday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued an unusual dissent that was more “Supreme Court noir” than traditional legalese
Great! give him rave reviews! Maybe he’ll discover his real talent and resign.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:34 amJust cast my ballot here in CA.
It was NOT for McNastypants/Bible Spice.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:35 amBush administration officials, in their last weeks in office, “are pushing to rewrite a wide array of federal rules with changes or additions that could block product-safety lawsuits by consumers and states.”
___________________________________________________________
Leave no citizen unfleeced!
October 15th, 2008 at 9:37 amBush administration officials, in their last weeks in office, “are pushing to rewrite a wide array of federal rules with changes or additions that could block product-safety lawsuits by consumers and states.”
If he can do this without Congress’ approval, then that will mean that Obama can undo what he does. So why would he bother? I’m beginning to think that we need to pass a law of succession that the new President takes office within a week of the election. There is just too much damage Bush can do in the last 90 days and he has no incentive to NOT do damage because he will undoubtedly go down in history as the WORST PRESIDENT EVER.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:39 amSpin Fast</strong>
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) responded to news about his multiple affairs by stating “ I did not have meth-fueled sex with Congressional pages in an airport toilet whilst wearing diapers and any suggestion that I did is completely false! ”
October 15th, 2008 at 9:42 amOne thing I would love to hear from Obama today is a good statement on earmarks to knock down McCain’s so-called superiority on the subject. He needs to say that earmarks are $xxxx which is X% of a budget year. Then he needs to say that some earmarks are frivolous, but that the majority of them are for worthwhile projects like building new sewer plants, etc. Then he can say that he will introduce two earmark bills a year to cover these kind of projects, that they will be totally transparent, and they will not ever be attached to any other bill. That would shut McCain down forever on the subject.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:43 amKay Says:
I wonder when America will wake up and realize 9/11 was caused by our own gov’t?
Because most rational people don’t think it was “caused” by our government. Many do believe, though, that our government allowed it to happen for their political gain.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:46 am#RUCerious Says:
Why is this president still around? We impeach presidents for lying, don’t we?
Only if it is about sex with consenting adults.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:47 amClusterTim:
October 15th, 2008 at 9:50 amIt is hardly private if you keep insisting on telling everyone about it…
Spin Fast
Though there was a 4.7 million increase amongst those earning poverty level wages between 2002 to 2006 the last two years should have added at least 1 million more—good news for anyone in the rocket fuel flavored bottled water and cardboard box industries .
October 15th, 2008 at 9:54 amThe number of U.S. jobs paying a poverty-level wage increased by 4.7 million between 2002 and 2006
O joy! GOP Mess AmeriKKKa & Crapitalism!
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October 15th, 2008 at 9:54 amSpin Fast
White House officials are considering presenting the $455 billion federal deficit as an example of fiscal conservatism. Said one official “I know it looks like a large deficit but it’s actually almost 50% below our projections from January because you know, we thought we’d be winning the war with Iran by now, just in time for the elections, so really we just saved about $200 billion! Yeah, that’s the ticket!”
October 15th, 2008 at 9:56 am5th Estate,
I love your Spin Fast. Thanks! :-D
October 15th, 2008 at 10:06 amAfter Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) proposed a “spending freeze on everything but defense,” his campaign appears to be walking the promise back. Yesterday, aides to McCain said his budget also includes “a specific carve-out for spending on science.” “You’ll definitely see, under John McCain, more spending on research,” senior policy adviser Ike Brannon said.
Yes, exactly as Obama has been saying all along! McCain wants to use a hatchet where a scalpel is needed.
If McCain keeps “borrowing” Obama’s ideas and statements, come election day there may only be one candidate on the ballot. “That One.”
PEACE
October 15th, 2008 at 10:08 amAfter the US government and the Congress approved 700 billion dollars for Wall Street mistakes and blunders,we see the home mortgage interest rates are up the last few days ?
October 15th, 2008 at 10:09 amWhile bankers are bailed out by Taxpayers money,
taxpayers are getting the shaft…not even a lower home mortgage interest rate.
Enough of this…
How can this continue?
Lowering Home Mortgage rates should be the most important issue to deal with now,if one is serious about solving this problem we have on hand.
from CNN this morning:
(CNN/AP) — A drunk passenger tried to hijack a Turkish Airlines flight to Russia Wednesday before being brought under control, the head of Turkey’s civil aviation authority has said.
I didn’t know the Nazi Chymp was on the loose this morning…
October 15th, 2008 at 10:14 amjonny Says
October 15th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Just cast my ballot here in CA.
It was NOT for McNastypants/Bible Spice.
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What? You weren’t swayed by all that brilliant, meaningful stuff put out by the Sacramento County GOP?
October 15th, 2008 at 10:15 amMeanwhile we’re in a Global Recession. Recession being a euphemism for Depression. The Powers That Be (who hopefully will not be in power much longer…) utterly despise that “D” Word. It’s much too accurate for comfort…
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:15 am>here is just too much damage
> Bush can do in the last 90 days
yep. there is a team of lawyers studying exactly how many gifts bush can give to big money corporations before he heads back to the private sector. i dont understand this though, i dont see how there any precedent for executive orders to trump laws….even state laws..lets hope the suprememes realize that giving this type of law over-riding power to presidents is a bad idea…maybe obamas almost certain victory will make scabby scalia and uncle thomas rethink their expansive view of executive authority..
October 15th, 2008 at 10:16 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
There is just too much damage Bush can do in the last 90 days and he has no incentive to NOT do damage because he will undoubtedly go down in history as the WORST PRESIDENT EVER.
Did you hear about Palin on Limpballs yesterday? She said she’d continue to attack Obama because she “has nothing to lose.” Really? Does John know that?
Even tireswinging Chris Matthews told a guest that comparing Palin to Hillary was like comparing an igloo to The Empire State Building.
PEACE
October 15th, 2008 at 10:16 am“if John McCain wants to change the dynamic of the race, he could consider…”
October 15th, 2008 at 10:16 amUnfortunately for John McCain, he has painted himself into a corner, and ANY action that he may take at this point will only reinforce the idea that he is “erratic” and a loose cannon.
spencers mom Says:
Did you hear about Palin on Limpballs yesterday? She said she’d continue to attack Obama because she “has nothing to lose.” Really? Does John know that?
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He was taking a nap and missed the memo…
October 15th, 2008 at 10:21 amThink Snark
Secret White House memos endorsing waterboarding may boost sales of Sharpies and Post-It Notes in the increasingly important Republican memorabilia market.
Despite proposing a “spending freeze on everything but defense”, senior policy adviser Ike Brannon said “You’ll definitely see, under John McCain, more spending on research.”
When asked what kind of research McCain would support Brannon replied “oh…you know…anti-wolf-moose-bear devices, reality denial systems, poverty generators...the kind of stuff that other countries simply can’t compete with”.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:29 amThe waterboarding memos combined with our non-elected official’s current free to roam status equates to our government allowing georgie & dick to commit war crimes without being held responsible.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:31 amMemo to our justice system:
A criminal is a criminal, no matter where they work or how much money they have or how disgusting their parents are.
John Podesta suggests that if John McCain wants to change the dynamic of the race, he could consider pledging to serve only one term and announcing his picks for a bipartisan Cabinet.
Promising one term only would ensure that anyone wary of Palin would not vote for McCain; those who love her are already on board. Choosing a bipartisan cabinet would alienate the GOP base, the only votes McCain can count on.
He would be better off flipping the ticket, putting her in the big office and taking over for Cheney himself, thus continuing the Unitary (Vice) Presidency.
At any rate, a stunt at this point would simply reinforce the “erratic” line that is already bringing him down. It’s too late because the ticket is deeply flawed and people are finally beginning to see the GOP as it really is (stuffed Obama monkeys and Sit down, boy).
October 15th, 2008 at 10:33 amZooey @ 29….
Thanks for your thanks.. some days and some items I can spin, other times it’s just not humanly possible.
I hope everyone else gets a momentary laugh too.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:37 amThere are so many witty (and scary smart/well-informed) TP regulars, I just try to keep up.
Art Says:
“Unfortunately for John McCain, he has painted himself into a corner, and ANY action that he may take at this point will only reinforce the idea that he is “erratic” and a loose cannon.”
Right on, Art. McCain can either go on the attack tonight (Ayers/Bin Laden/Rev. Wright) to satisfy his base, but that turns off Independents. Or he could talk about the issues, which MAY gain a few Indies but will deeply p1ss off his base which has been screaming for blood. Either way it seems that the McCain campaign has jumped the shark. Bush better get on the phone with all his sicophants in the DOJ to crank up voter caging and voter fraud arrests pronto. Isn’t this precisely why they were installed by Gonzo? I think this was supposed to be part of the GOP’s “October surprise” but America so far doesn’t seem to be buying the GOP sh1t sandwhich this year.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:39 amTo the Hon. John Podesta,
I appreciate the fine philosophical underpinnings of your advice to John McCain, but a better appeal to Mr McCain would be for him to retire, and to the GOP to educate themselves on the utter failure of the modern Republican/Conservative philosophy and modus operandi.
Frankly whilst I see the philosophical and intellectual purpose behind offering McCain and Republicans in general some advice, I see no practical purpose in doing so now, if ever.
Example and experience are the best practical teachers conservatives and the GOP have consistently refused to learn–indeed conservatism is anathema to progress and rational compromise so it is impossible to persuade by rhetoric alone. Example and experience can change a person’s views and understanding yet the GOP learned nothing from the Clinton administration and refuse to learn anything from the overall American history which is that an inherently progressive nation (in concept) demands progressive government and that in general a nation that refuses to adapt to conditions and situations beyond its control or refuses to recognize the practical consequences of its own actions is doomed to a fate of self destruction.
Mr Podesta, you are appealing to a man and a generation of Republicans who can’t possibly understand your advice or the import of it, let alone act upon. So don’t bother.
Apart from that, thanks so much for the CAP and Think Progress and all it’s offshoots and thanks for guiding Obama’s transition team as it will be hugely important.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:57 amDid I miss the story about Buckley leaving the National Review because he has a brain?
October 15th, 2008 at 11:05 amSports in public schools has helped destroy our public school system.
Amusing, but Not Funny
October 15th, 2008 at 11:10 am
You mean the most incompetent administration in American history pulled off the trickiest hoax in world history, and fooled everyone in the world, except a few people who got on the web? Far out.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:25 amPakistan has “no money, no energy, no government”, but they got nukes. They sound a lot like the USA.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:37 amJust as we now know that the Bay of Tonkin incident was a lie, the world will eventually know that today’s story from the media regarding 9-11 is a lie.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:47 amEven realclearpolitics has Obama creaming McIIIrd.
And they are as right wing a shill as there is.
Here’s this morning’s “news and commentary” set
- Next President Confronts Staggering to-Do List – Susan Page, USA Today
- McCain’s Duty to Expose Real Obama – Tony Blankley, Washington Times
- Obama Drowning Out McCain in TV Ads – Jeanne Cummings, Politico
- The Great Realignment is at Hand – Brent Budowsky, The Hill
- Obama’s Abortion Extremism – Robert George, Public Discourse
October 15th, 2008 at 1:40 pmTracy__5 Says:
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gw bush’s replacement…now that’s funny. Also relevant…..wake up little fella, you don’t get to direct the conversation.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:28 pmBedava Porno izle,
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March 31st, 2009 at 10:21 am