ThinkFast: November 24, 2008
ThinkFast: November 24, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama will announce his economic team later today in a press conference with Vice President-elect Joe Biden in Chicago. “Obama’s transition team is working with lawmakers on Capitol Hill so that on Obama’s first day in office, Jan. 20, 2009, an economic stimulus package has passed both houses of Congress and is awaiting his signature.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed the need for “a pretty big package” to stimulate the economy. “In my view, it has to be between $500 and $700 billion, and that’s because our economy is in serious, serious trouble.” Due to the state of the economy, Obama is reportedly “leaning toward letting a Bush tax cut for the wealthy expire on schedule in 2011 rather than repealing it sooner.”
Hailing Obama’s cabinet selections, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos added, “We have not seen this kind of combination of star power, brain power, and political muscle this early in a cabinet in our lifetimes.” NBC’s Andrea Mitchell added that Obama’s “all-star cabinet” is comprised of the “smartest people he can find.”
In an interview with a Japanese television network, President Bush said he believes the Iraq war was a success and is “very pleased” with what is happening there. “People have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful,” he added.
Three bomb attacks in Baghdad killed at least 20 people today, including a suicide bombing near an entrance to the U.S.-protected Green Zone. The attacks come as Iraqi lawmakers prepare for a vote this week on a security pact with the U.S. and are seen by some as “a calculated show of insurgent defiance” towards the agreement.
“Marine Corps leaders are devising a plan” to send additional combat troops to Afghanistan “to wage aggressive warfare against the Taliban that they expect could take years.” The plan, which has to be approved by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Centcom Commander Gen. David Petraeus, calls for more than 15,000 troops.
Yesterday, the U.S. government “agreed to inject an additional $20 billion into Citigroup Inc. and back up to $306 billion worth of the giant bank’s assets in a bid to help stabilize the firm.” In return, Citigroup will give the Treasury preferred shares, “adhere to executive pay limits and implement a government program designed to help make home loans more affordable for struggling borrowers.”
“Private health insurance plans, which serve nearly a fourth of all Medicare beneficiaries, have increased the cost and complexity of the program without any evidence of improving care,” according to new studies. One study found that “growth in private plans had driven up costs because the government pays them 13 percent more on average than what it would spend for the same beneficiaries in traditional Medicare.”
A new study by the Children’s Health Fund finds that children of displaced families from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita “have serious health and mental ailments.” For example, “41% of children younger than 4 were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia” and “55% of elementary-school-aged children had a behavior or learning problem.”
“A new network of monitors that is to track lead emissions from factories has been scaled back” after the White House intervened “at the last minute” to weaken last month’s EPA ruling limiting toxic metal particles in the air. The White House changed an EPA plan to require lead monitors next to any factory emitting at least half a ton of lead a year, raising the threshold to a ton of lead or more.
And finally: Last night, Stephen Colbert debuted “A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!.” In the new special, Colbert “not only tries to outsmart a bear, but he also takes on Yuletide songwriting, eggnog spices and his talented guests, including John Legend, Feist, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello.” Keith, for example, sings a song about the so-called “War on Christmas.” Watch a preview here.
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Remember how as Nov 4 approached the usual suspects were calling Obama presumptuous for already having a working transition team?
November 24th, 2008 at 9:07 am“Private health insurance plans, which serve nearly a fourth of all Medicare beneficiaries, have increased the cost and complexity of the program without any evidence of improving care,” according to new studies.
AND, i read last week that premiums for women are 40% higher…
evidently women use health providers more often…
November 24th, 2008 at 9:12 amok, but what happened to the “pool” idea?
“People have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful,”
No-one combines stupid and insulting in a single sentence quite like Bush/
November 24th, 2008 at 9:12 amok, but what happened to the “pool” idea?
There hasn’t been a lifeguard.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:15 amKeith, for example, sings a song about the so-called “War on Christmas.”
i dunno… i don’t think he was joking…
toby keith is an azz…
November 24th, 2008 at 9:15 amoh yea, PLC, there’s that…
November 24th, 2008 at 9:16 am… White House intervened “at the last minute” to weaken…
everything…
just doing anything he can to make it a mess…
which only figures, since he promised to make the transition easy…
EV’ryday is opposite day in bushco bizzarro world…
November 24th, 2008 at 9:19 amDon’t forget:
“We’ll put a boot in yer a$$, it’s the American way”
-Toby Keith.
Fcuking.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:20 amMoron.
Israeli P.M. Ehud Olmert had dinner with Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams (of Iran-Contra pardon fame). Olmert will meet with Bush, Cheney, Rice, Hadley, members of Congress and Jewish leaders during his visit.
British Foreign Minister David Miliband called Iran’s nukes and immediate threat.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:21 amwell folks, that’s all for me today… probably…
have much to do today… taking the train to chicago in the morning… thanksgiving in the city!
i may check in and opine sporadically…
take care… enjoy your turkey day!
Happy Holidays!
November 24th, 2008 at 9:24 amObama’s cabinet selections…star power, brain power, and political muscle…all-star cabinet
Another administration of ‘the best and brightest”?
November 24th, 2008 at 9:24 am“President Bush said he believes the Iraq war was a success…
Three bomb attacks in Baghdad killed at least 20 people today…”
Chicken George WTF has a strange standard by which to measure success. If it were 200 people per day would he again claim “Mission Accomplished?:
November 24th, 2008 at 9:28 amGuess who purchased credit default swaps on financial institutions, then shorter their stock? This is akin to buying insurance on your neighbor’s house and burning it down.
Citi, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, etc.
The big money boys bet against each other. We’re supposed to bail them out.
Credit remains frozen.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:29 amoh yea… i’ve been waiting for TP to do something on this:
Radio Host Continues to Be Investigated for Drug Companies Ties
eFluxMedia – 50 minutes ago
By Alice Carver Dr. Fred Goodwin, a popular radio host of the NPR program, “The Infinite Mind,” has reportedly received over $1.3 million from 200 to 2007 in exchange for his promotional lectures for drugmakers.
Radio Host Has Drug Company Ties New York Times
(Update 1) NPR Radio Host Received $1.3 Million From Drug Companies dBTechno
TopNews – I Really Should Study – That Happened! – PsychCentral.com
all 30 news articles »
http://news.google.com/?ncl=1272924976&hl=en&topic=m
whodduthunkit…
see yaz!
November 24th, 2008 at 9:29 amUncle Ho Says:
Obama’s cabinet selections…star power, brain power, and political muscle…all-star cabinet
Another administration of ‘the best and brightest”?
After eight years of “dumber and dumberer”, yes.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:32 amObama has asembled the best and the brightest for his team — he hit the gound running after November 4th — and we are far better for it.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:32 amTsk-tsk sayers were sniffing as they clucked about the audacity of Obama’s assertive direction — you’d think they weren’t Americans who need to see improvement in our economy, as well as foreign affairs.
Bush has evidently checked out, he’s phoning it in these days. Americans know it and world leaders see it also.
Obama has stepped into the void and taken charge – as much as he can before January 20th – it appears that people are more than willing to give him support.
I’m surprised that Stephen Colbert would lower his standards and be anywhere near Toby Keith. After Keith’s disgraceful bashing of the Dixie Chicks for telling the truth about Bush and his illegal war, Keith should have been banished to the Siberian salt mines. Instead he continued on his hateful ways. Just a year or so ago I watched an interview with the pompous little redneck who, when asked if he would apologize to the Chicks said “I will never apologize for my patriotism.” Toby, there is a difference between being patriotic and being an idiot. You’ve obviously not learned that difference yet.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:33 am“Marine Corps leaders are devising a plan…to wage aggressive warfare against the Taliban that they expect could take years.”
Shorter version: Let’s kill’em harder?
In the past year the US has been killing nearly as many civilians as they have Taliban fighters.
Marines are notoriously aggressive and culturally unsuitable for what is supposed to be and needs to be a battle for “hearts and minds” that should sap the Taliban of local support over time.
The military is always working on contingency plans, but at first blush this sounds like Gates and Petraeus are trying to write policy.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am“People have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful,” he added.
If by “people” he means the “coalition of the willing”, they took their troops out because they no longer felt that they could occupy a country against their will, unlike us. Fortunately for the Iraqi people, Iraq has decided to take control of their own destiny and are kicking us out of there.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:34 amI’d like to know Obama’s reasoning for leaning towards keeping the Bush tax laws in place until 2011?
At this pace there will no longer be a middle class to steal from.
Why create another stimulus to which we have to borrow from, and pay huge interests on. What country would lend the US money. It’s obvious we are not good for it. Hmmm…ok let’s just print more money…yeah…create super inflation…
I don’t know, I am beginning to see what Obama’s means with his change and hope campaign.. I am starting to think there is not much hope for change.
But he is still better then McCain.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:35 amHailing Obama’s cabinet selections, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos added, “We have not seen this kind of combination of star power, brain power, and political muscle this early in a cabinet in our lifetimes.” NBC’s Andrea Mitchell added that Obama’s “all-star cabinet” is comprised of the “smartest people he can find.”
I think what scares me the most, is that finding the ‘best and the brightest’ to help run the United States is seen as unusual. Says a lot about where we were as a country, doesn’t it?
November 24th, 2008 at 9:35 amYesterday, the U.S. government “agreed to inject an additional $20 billion into Citigroup Inc. and back up to $306 billion worth of the giant bank’s assets in a bid to help stabilize the firm.”
Ok, what part of the “US Government” agreed to this and how is that legal? Also, why are we continuing to bail out these banks when no one is doing anything to bail out the homeowners and when Congress seems to be willing to let our auto industry die, taking millions of jobs with them.
We have to do something about our financial system to make it so that only Congress can appropriate money for anything, including bailing out failing banks and wall street investment firms.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:39 amOne study found that “growth in private plans had driven up costs because the government pays them 13 percent more on average than what it would spend for the same beneficiaries in traditional Medicare.”
Oh gee, and would couldn’t have seen that coming.
It’s time we tell the medical insurance vulture industry to take a hike. Put every American on Medicare tomorrow and it will be a done deal. Of course, we would have to remake Medicare and increase the amount they pay doctors and hospitals. Bush has been starving that beast for 8 years and Medicare is no longer paying doctors enough to cover the doctor’s cost of care. Kucinich worked the whole thing out and it sounded like a pretty good plan to me.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:41 amIn an interview with a Japanese television network, President Bush said he believes the Iraq war was a success and is “very pleased” with what is happening there. “People have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful,” he added.
Future generations will wonder what the hell we were thinking with this one. We have to make sure they know that this is exactly what happens to a Democracy when its people are not vigilant of government, as Thomas Jefferson warned us to be.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:42 amFor example, “41% of children younger than 4 were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia” and “55% of elementary-school-aged children had a behavior or learning problem.”
This is a sad testament to what this country has become. No one cared about these people when Katrina happened and no one cares now.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:43 amThis says it all. First we have:
In an interview with a Japanese television network, President Bush said he believes the Iraq war was a success and is “very pleased” with what is happening there. “People have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful,” he added.
Then we have:
Three bomb attacks in Baghdad killed at least 20 people today, including a suicide bombing near an entrance to the U.S.-protected Green Zone. The attacks come as Iraqi lawmakers prepare for a vote this week on a security pact with the U.S. and are seen by some as “a calculated show of insurgent defiance” towards the agreement.
That sure is some success you idiot. goddamn bush is a complete, 100% moron!
November 24th, 2008 at 9:43 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: Of course, we would have to remake Medicare and increase the amount they pay doctors and hospitals.
I recently read an article about how many doctors are leaving the field, converting to ‘non-insurance, cash-only’ patients only, or considering leaving due to the fact that they do not want to be business owners, or deal with insurance paperwork.
One doctor warned that we are going to soon have a doctor shortage if we don’t make serious changes to how they practice.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:46 amBush: “People have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful,” he added.
A lot of troops have been taken out of there in long narrow boxes.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:49 amBritish Foreign Minister David Miliband called Iran’s nukes and immediate threat.
What “nukes”. The nukes they may have in 10 years? WTF is wrong with Great Britain. Where do they find these guys?
I’m worried that Israel is going to bomb Iran some time before Bush leaves office, so that Bush can get involved to “protect Israel”, even though they would be the aggressor.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:51 amA new study by the Children’s Health Fund finds that children of displaced families from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita “have serious health and mental ailments.” For example, “41% of children younger than 4 were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia” and “55% of elementary-school-aged children had a behavior or learning problem.”
Where’s the “pro-life” outrage? Where is their immediate intervention with donations, supplies and open doors? Where are they?
Bombing abortion clinics and hypocritically calling themselves saviours, probably…
November 24th, 2008 at 9:51 amunbelievable Says:
Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says: Of course, we would have to remake Medicare and increase the amount they pay doctors and hospitals.
I recently read an article about how many doctors are leaving the field, converting to ‘non-insurance, cash-only’ patients only, or considering leaving due to the fact that they do not want to be business owners, or deal with insurance paperwork.
I read an article that said the majority of physicians really want universal health care. The only ones who don’t are the people who make big bucks like surgeons and specialists. My physician is probably the only one in Corvallis who is not part of a huge medical practice. She’s all for Universal Health Care, mostly because she thinks that it is an abomination that this country doesn’t consider health care to be a right.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:55 amWar is peace.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:56 amIgnorance is strength.
The Iraq War is a success.
For example, “41% of children younger than 4 were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia” and “55% of elementary-school-aged children had a behavior or learning problem.”
The anemia, undoubtedly, comes from a poor diet caused by the fact that many of these displaced people are in extreme poverty. The behavior and learning problems are probably because of 1) the trauma they suffered and 2) their lack of a stable home life since many of these people have moved 3-4 times since Katrina.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:57 amWe have to do something about our financial system to make it so that only Congress can appropriate money for anything, including bailing out failing banks and wall street investment firms.
Until we force politicians to divest 100 percent from their personal investments (blind trusts are total BULLSHIT), we will never again be a government “by the people, for the people.”
And that’s the end of the entire discussion as it relates to the “bigger problem” – too much personal greed and interest to effectively perform in the “Nations” best interest, PERIOD.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:00 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: She’s all for Universal Health Care, mostly because she thinks that it is an abomination that this country doesn’t consider health care to be a right.
I believe that. You look at what most doctors go through to help people, and there is no way they like the broken system we currently have. I think of the UK doctor in SiCKO who was appalled by the description Michael Moore gave him of our system. For-profit health care should be a crime.
Oddly, the AMA has been fighting national health care as well, ever since Hillary Clinton first brought it up. Guess their board is stocked with those plastic surgeons?
November 24th, 2008 at 10:02 amHappy 149th Anniversary, On the Origin of Species!
Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work on the the theory of evolution and natural selection was published on this day in 1859.
No word yet on whether this milestone will be commemorated with a book-burning in Wasilla.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:03 amsuejester Says: I’d like to know Obama’s reasoning for leaning towards keeping the Bush tax laws in place until 2011?
I’ll take a guess.
Letting the tax cuts expire will be a lot easier than getting engaged in a political fight to rescind them in Congress.
Given the mess the country is in he’s obliged to make some very calculated decisions and to pick his fights very carefully to ensure certain policies are enacted and given a chance to take effect.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:05 amAfter the 2010 mid terms he and the Dems may be in a better position to rescind the tax cuts—so that would then make it easier and take effect January 2011.
Bilbo: The anemia, undoubtedly, comes from a poor diet caused by the fact that many of these displaced people are in extreme poverty.
Although, the report states that their anemia was at twice the rate found in New York’ homeless kids.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:08 amEither way in the end it all points to the need for universal health care.
LAPD ordered 10,000 new TASERs.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:13 amHappy 149th Anniversary, On the Origin of Species!
—-
November 24th, 2008 at 10:17 amAre you summoning bitblt?
Ya just gotta like why Bush weakened the new EPA rule.
So these guys say that they can’t afford better emissions control and they’ll move their nastiness over the border to poison someone else’s kids. Then they say if they have to meet a tougher rule, people will illegally export lead/acid batteries:
As Seth Meyers and Amy Pohler would say, “REALLY?!? REALLY?!?”
November 24th, 2008 at 10:18 amHappy Darwin Day!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:23 amAnyone else starting to grow webbing between the toes?
Nevar Says: Happy Darwin Day!
Anyone else starting to grow webbing between the toes?
Careful, Nevar, you’ll summon up Dick Morris with that toe talk!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:27 amhmmm, good pont.. or Larry Craig for that matter..
November 24th, 2008 at 10:31 am…though it’s less of a tapping now, more like a whapping…
Speaking of Evolution, when’s the last time anyone saw Daryll?
November 24th, 2008 at 10:35 am“41% of children younger than 4 were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia”
the White House intervened “at the last minute” to weaken last month’s EPA ruling limiting toxic metal particles in the air. The White House changed an EPA plan to require lead monitors next to any factory emitting at least half a ton of lead a year, raising the threshold to a ton of lead or more.
This is what Dumbya calls killing two birds with one stone.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:38 amStephanopoulos stated, “We have not seen this kind of combination of star power, brain power, and political muscle this early in a cabinet in our lifetimes.”
That reminds me of JFK’s comment at dinner with his cabinet, “never before has there been more brain power in this room, except when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
How could the same country elect both JFK and George Bush!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:44 amstateofthedivision Says:
Israeli P.M. Ehud Olmert had dinner with Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams (of Iran-Contra pardon fame). Olmert will meet with Bush, Cheney, Rice, Hadley, members of Congress and Jewish leaders during his visit.
British Foreign Minister David Miliband called Iran’s nukes and immediate threat.
You’ll remember Bush 41 started an incursion in Somalia just weeks before leaving office in late ‘91.
These fu(king busheviks are trying to arrange an Israeli attack on Iran before Obama takes over…
November 24th, 2008 at 10:44 amHow could the same country elect both JFK and George Bush!
Because of the brain power operating out of the public view in hidden back rooms.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:46 amHow could the same country elect both JFK and George Bush!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Simple. It’s not the same country…It hasn’t been anything like the same country, surely, since 1980…
November 24th, 2008 at 10:46 amJamit Says:
How could the same country elect both JFK and George Bush!
In Bush’s case, the word “elect” means appointed by the Supreme Court.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:47 amDemocracy as we know it cannot withstand universal economic globalization, where work always moves to places where there are the lowest wages and standards of living.
Democracy is a middle-class phenomenon. Without a middle-class, more or less independent of the aristocracy/oligarchy, Democracy is meaningless, and probably impossible…
November 24th, 2008 at 10:54 amLast night retired military friends said, “Don’t ask, don’t tell” would soon go away. I smiled and said “that’s great news! People will be able to serve in the military, regardless of sexual orientation.”
They shook their heads no. The repeal is going the other way, the military will be asking and excluding those they don’t like.
I said “but we just had an election. A progressive Commander-in-Chief will be in the White House.” Once again, they shook my faith. “He doesn’t have the power. The military is controlled by the religious right.”
People by the millions voted for progressive change. It’s up to the people who put the Blue team in charge to hold them accountable.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:03 amIn an interview with a Japanese television network, President Bush said more incredibly focking stupid stuff.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:05 amtokin librul Says:
Democracy is a middle-class phenomenon. Without a middle-class, more or less independent of the aristocracy/oligarchy, Democracy is meaningless, and probably impossible…
November 24th, 2008 at 10:54 am
_______
I disagree. Democracy can thrive even in the absence of a middle class, though it may not look like U.S.-style democracy. In Mali, one of the poorest countries of the world, where per capita income is about $3/day, there is a quite vigorous democracy – from national elections down to local commune and village councils.
It seems as if democracy and a middle class are intertwined from an American/European perspective, since the growth of the two coincided historically. However, this was also a conequence of the industrial revolution, which created a new middle class and increased population movements to cities, two conditions more favorable to a democratic system.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:05 amWhat is this crap state? If the religious right controlled the military then there never would have even been don’t ask don’t tell………
not to mention several other unresolvable situations.
They call the president: Commander in Chief. That specifically means the military.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:12 amclusterphuck: FLAGGED FOR SPAMMING!
November 24th, 2008 at 11:16 amThanks Uncle Ho. I don’t know how I missed it.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:18 amdbadass; I will flag that A-hole everytime I see it. Though it make take me a while to spot it, since I post from work.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:31 amFred, I agree with you.
My retired military friends are quite progressive. They are concerned about the direction of America’s military leadership. It seemed worthy of sharing on a progressive website.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:33 amThe Saxby-Lieberman theme knocked the TARP’s $153 million for BPFH off the news pages. The high net worth marketplace needs taxpayer money to keep loaning.
Saxby-evil
November 24th, 2008 at 12:38 pmLieberman-bad
Carlyle Group-free pass
Crusty Old Bastard Says:
“President Bush said he believes the Iraq war was a success…
Three bomb attacks in Baghdad killed at least 20 people today…”
Chicken George WTF has a strange standard by which to measure success. If it were 200 people per day would he again claim “Mission Accomplished?:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
If it were 2,000 a day he would still say mission accomplished. For Bush its all about the photo op. Reality just doesnt enter into it
November 24th, 2008 at 6:12 pm