ThinkFast: January 12, 2009
ThinkFast: January 12, 2009
President Bush has “presided over the weakest eight-year span for the U.S. economy in decades. … The number of jobs in the nation increased by about 2 percent during Bush’s tenure, the most tepid growth over any eight-year span since data collection began seven decades ago.” Additionally, Americans’ incomes grew “more slowly than in any presidency since the 1960s, other than that of Bush’s father.”
“It does look like a great eight years, aside from the last quarter, unfortunately,” said Ed Lazear, chairman of Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers. “In the long term, things look good. The reason things look good is this economy will rebound, and it will rebound strongly.”
Roll Call reports that some top business lobbyists are privately grumbling “that they lack the kind of access they had at the beginning of the Bush administration and wonder if their agendas are being taken seriously.”
Barack Obama and congressional leaders “plan to move soon to block the estate tax from disappearing in 2010. … In making their case for the restoration, Democrats contend that such a large additional tax break for the rich shouldn’t go into force halfway through Mr. Obama’s proposed economic-recovery package.”
President Bush will hold his final White House press conference this morning at 9:15 am. “The President will make a brief opening statement, commenting on the important role the White House press corps has in covering presidents and the White House, and then will take questions,” spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
Prince Harry has apologized after video surfaced of him referring to a fellow soldier as “our little Paki friend” and saying another soldier wearing a head cloth made him “look like a raghead.”
In a surprise visit to a “dangerous Taliban-stronghold area of Afghanistan” yesterday, Vice President-elect Biden promised U.S. support for that country’s “struggle against terrorism, drugs and corruption.” Biden explained, “I am very interested in what becomes of this region, because it affects us all.”
In a new report, the GAO documents a list of “13 urgent issues requiring the attention of Barack Obama and the 111th Congress during the first year of the new administration.” The GAO put improving the image of the U.S. abroad at number 5 on the list, writing that it is “more critical than ever” that the U.S. do so.
Human Rights Watch said yesterday that “Israel’s military has fired artillery shells with the incendiary agent white phosphorus into Gaza and a doctor there said the chemical was suspected in the case of 10 burn victims who had skin peeling off their faces and bodies.” An Israeli military spokeswoman refused to comment on the charge, saying only that the army was acting “in accordance with international law.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) won a procedural vote yesterday in “an unusual Sunday session to advance a big package of public lands bills being held up by Republican Tom Coburn.” The 66-12 vote to take up the bill, which sets aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as wilderness, “is the latest episode in a long-running feud between Reid and Coburn.”
“Federal prosecutions of immigration crimes nearly doubled” to reach “more than 70,000 immigration cases in the 2008 fiscal year,” in a move that has “siphoned resources from other crimes” and that some prosecutors call “demoralizing.” Mark Agrast, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, told the New York Times that “[p]rosecutorial priorities are expected to change after President-elect Barack Obama takes office.”
And finally: After eight years of loyalty, Deputy Assistant to the President Gordon Johndroe is finally breaking his silence: he doesn’t really like President Bush’s beloved dog, Barney. “I think America has been shielded from Barney somewhat,” he said. “You know Barney is fickle.” According to ABC News, Johndroe “has kept his feelings quiet, because of the president, who he says shows Barney unconditional love — whether he deserves it or not.” Last year, Karl Rove admitted that he thinks Barney — who recently bit a White House reporter — is a “lump.”
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Roll Call reports that some top business lobbyists are privately grumbling “that they lack the kind of access they had at the beginning of the Bush administration and wonder if their agendas are being taken seriously.”
And why should their “agenda’s” be taken seriously. They were taken seriously for the last 8 years and look where we are.
Perhaps we will have a president for “we the people” instead of “we the corporations”.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:04 amthen will take questions….
That doesn’t necessarily mean he will answer the questions. If there is one thing Bush is a master of, it’s not answering a question when he doesn’t like it.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:07 amThe GAO put improving the image of the U.S. abroad at number 5 on the list…
More on this:
In today’s highly volatile global environment, it is more critical than ever that the United States effectively coordinate, manage, and implement its public diplomacy and strategic communications activities to affect foreign public opinion,” the GAO said.
[...]
Strategic communications, as described in a Defense Department document in August, involves “integrating actions, words, and images.” Associated with combat, it should “ideally operate at a faster tempo or rhythm than our adversaries,” the document states. In Iraq, that means putting up posters, distributing leaflets, and creating radio and television spots that support the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
So basically, #5 is saying – must have better propaganda.
These people are very messed up.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:15 amDinkledoofue jsut said “Mis-underestimated me” at his dog and pony show this morning.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:20 amGawd, how I despise this fuking asshole.
Chimp-in-chief is giving his final presser.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:34 amThe moron takes no responsibility, nor accountability — all things wrong were not his doing.
His bubble remains in tact.
President Bush has “presided over the weakest eight-year span for the U.S. economy in decades.”
Corporate America sent millions of jobs to Asia (China, India, Vietnam). Domestic job loss fueled ever rising corporate profits.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce dropped their “local jobs dollar multiplier” in favor of the “cheap goods dollar extender”.
CEO pay increased dramatically, risk taking increased as top management swung for the fences.
If eight years of tax cuts didn’t produce a stellar economy, why will they help now?
January 12th, 2009 at 9:36 amNow we know why the economy imploded if Bush and his cronies actually believed all was well until late last year. Unbelievable…
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog/
January 12th, 2009 at 9:37 amAll those minimal flaws coming from Bush minions are efforts to burnish Bush’s legacy. Gordon JohnDroe worked for a dog of a Presidency.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:38 amIsrael used white phosphorous and cluster bombs, news sources reported both facts. Combine these methods with Israel’s siege of Gaza is a supremely inhumane thing to do.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:41 amNo report on Obama’s appointment of neocon Dennis Ross as Special Adviser for the Middle East and Iran? FT and Bloomberg did so last week.
If Bush appointed a neocon to a key role, that fact would be front and center. European progressive websites picked it up, but not TP.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:44 amPrez Monkey doesn’t think America’s standing has been reduced.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:46 amIceman or Fireball?? Make up your mind – somewhere else, preferably.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:46 amTroll dropping on isle 11. flagged.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:47 amNow he’s getting angry in defending himself and his neocon government for his policies – he thinks he is defending the Constitution.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:48 amAnyone noticing the black buttons in Preznut’s ears? Never saw that before.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:53 amBush just said the Federal response to Hurricane Katrina was not slow. Horse Hockey! Ask the folks in Memorial Medical Center, who lingered in a toxic soup for five days. Thirty four patients perished.
That fact was omitted from his White House lessons learned report. Memorial was owned by Tenet Health and rented space to a long term acute care hospital company, LifeCare.
Carlyle Group purchased LifeCare two weeks before landfall. LifeCare lost 24 patients.
A year after George W. made no mention of Memorial, Tenet, LifeCare or the Carlyle Group, brother Jeb was appointed to Tenet Board of Directors.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:01 amHe ended with Barack should have criticism, this after one reported whined over Bush haters.
Conservative opposition-criticism
Progressive opposition-irrational haters
Sorry, the Repugnicant energy protest burst this bubble.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:06 amWonder why he didn’t call on Helen Thomas?
Why didn’t anyone ask about his admission that he approved torture?
January 12th, 2009 at 10:07 amRove calling the dog a lump. *LOL*
January 12th, 2009 at 10:08 amStill up to his old tricks…
“It does look like a great eight years, aside from the last quarter, unfortunately,” said Ed Lazear, chairman of Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers
– - Jumping off the top of a 100-story building is very exhilarating for the first 95 floors too.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:16 amhttp://www.democracynow.org
January 12th, 2009 at 10:29 amIceman or Fireball
There are lots of signs that you and the Obama haters are not going to be happy campers soon.
Wonder why jebby gave us on just a simple senate seat? gw bush has ruined his chances….ha.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:33 amre: Bush’s last presser-
Will he be handing out some more shiny Freedumb Medals to his complicite press corps? If any one group aided him more in pushing his agenda it was this sorry excuse for a press corps. Aside from the ignored Helen Thomas, this pach of suck-ups bent over backwards to feed us bowlfull after bowlfull of Bush propaganda without EVER seriously questioning the Chimps Administration.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:43 amThanks, George!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:52 amYay on #4, I hope we get a grown-up chance to actually discuss the problems with a lack of estate tax without having it dumbed down to “death tax.”
January 12th, 2009 at 10:55 amMan, there sure are a lot of pictures of Bush talking while the person standing next to him looks like they just came down with a sudden migraine.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:56 amI don’t know if anyone else noted the pretentious columns in the White House press room. When will those tacky decorations go back to the rental company?
January 12th, 2009 at 11:03 amElBruce Says:
Man, there sure are a lot of pictures of Bush talking while the person standing next to him looks like they just came down with a sudden migraine.
_____________
Actually, that picture was taken in the men’s room at the WH… Botch had just missed and hit his shoe tops… drinking again… heh…
January 12th, 2009 at 11:06 amAn opinion piece in the Christian Science Monitor covers the current Israeli-Palesitian situation and asks Obama to reconsider his Ross appointment.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0112/p09s01-coop.html
January 12th, 2009 at 11:15 amAmericans’ incomes grew “more slowly than in any presidency since the 1960s, other than that of Bush’s father.”
Contrary to the Bush economists cited in the main story, this weekend were reports from non-Bush economists (?real economists?) that the slide looks like it will last long.
Also this weekend were reports of the biggest number of jobs lost since WWII.
Yet – sonny boy runs in his father’s footsteps (and ironically, many explain his behaviors on trying to best his father).
January 12th, 2009 at 11:28 amHey, Chimpy —- is that big ol’ turd shiny enough yet???
January 12th, 2009 at 11:44 amEverybody grab your shoes and have them handy! An avalanche of shoes coming straight to failed illegitimate unelected ruler war criminal’s face. ALL AT ONCE! One way or another this worm will pay for his crimes. No matter how much he and his momma and daddy Bush defend and validate his failed presidency.
January 12th, 2009 at 12:50 pmListen all you coolaid drinkers Bush did a great job protecting us for 8 yrs he had to deal with a recession Clinton left him, (to busy getting a blow job then lied under oath etc, what a guy) had to go to war, had 32 wks in a row of job growth, lowest unemployment in a long time. But here’s the good part, Clinton makes Fanny & Freddy give bad loans, then they start to fail so Bush sends a red flag to the Dems in 93 and again from McCain in 95. Both times the Dems ignored them for two reasons, (1) because they have their hands in Fanny & Freddy (2) alowed all this to happen to make the Reps look bad and to get all those coolaid votes in for mister empty suit Obama. All this economic turmoil just for a vote (OH THEY CARE) suckers the facts are there next time seek the truth and stay away from the liberal media, they will only feed you garabage. We’ll see what happens because you know the Dems usually fall on their face, corruption has a way of making that happen, CAN”T WAIT GOD HELP US NOW!
January 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pmDavidHart Says:
Look you ignorant chunk of STUPID. Your delusions are funny but ignorant to an incredible degree. Bush obviously DIDNT keep us safe for 8 years. I guess you forgot that little incident on Sept 11 01. I cant believe how stupid you are. Bush did NOT inherit a recession from Clinton recessions are real things with actual begginings and the BUSH recession began in APRIL of 01. I have some sympathy for morons like you that can do nothing but regurgitate the stupid lies and distortions the screechmonkey of your choice has instructed you to believe. We get that actual THINKING is far beyond your capabilities. Repitition is all you will ever accoplish. It must suck to be as stupid as you but all you do when you come in here with these moron talking points that have been dealt with a hundred times before is embarass yourself and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are incredibly stupid.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:19 pmI am sorry the above post was to SJV StupidJuvenieVenom. Sorry David dont even know how that happened. I love your stuff
January 12th, 2009 at 2:20 pmHey david after 9:11 he did his job HELLO and kept sorry asses like you save no matter what you say. You’re definitly a clinton supporter he was a real winner shall I tell you why or lets see if you can figure it for yourself. don’t forget mister wounderful clinton was impeached for number of reasons and when leaving the White House caused some damage and things were missing. You honer garbage like that all you want as for Bush the only reason he’s been attacked so visciously during his term is because he’s a GOD fearing man an proclaims that which says alot about those who atttack him! Don’t forget Clinton and congress all agreed that there were WMD’s acording to the Info giving. War is never perfect but when nesseary we need to kick ass! and who knows they could have hidden and or buried them, they had enough time before we finnaly went over there. The facts are there like I said early seek the truth don’t drink the coolaid the liberal media hands, talking about bad propaganda WAKE UP SON! no matter what you say thank GOD Bush was in office when 9:11 happened. P.S you voted for Obama well you’ll get what you dserve not only an empty suit but all the crap the Dems been wanting to shove down our throats. Thanks for all you idiots who voted for him, I hope he proves himself and failes badly so (oh you’re gona like this) Shara Palin can pick up the pieces WOOOHOOO!
January 12th, 2009 at 3:32 pmBusiness lobbyists have been circling like sharks since the economy went into the toilet. Like lobbyists for the financial community, they wanted to ADVISE OBAMA on how to rectify things. These people who were responsible for all that happened to begin with. And now they want a say on how to fix what they broke. What is wrong with this picture?
Lobbyists from business and the financial interests should keep their mouths shut and their heads down. These greedy, selfish, bastards that care for nothing and no one but themselves should be hung for the un-American murderers of the economy. People, right and wrong have no meaning for these corporate killers.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pmSJV:
January 12th, 2009 at 4:26 pmI hope this doesn’t sound rude but I am thinking you most likely aren’t real. Mostly it is the over the top aggressive bolded stuff that shows that seems to indicate that you are trying too hard. Also the complete black and white thought and blanket generalizations. Anyway. Now I have noticed that you make a lot of statement of your beliefs but you state them as if the are facts. Might you be able to offer up stronger tangible supporting evidences. That would go a long way to strengthening your arguments.
Just say
best-
ing.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pmOh and how come you gave up on fmoore?
January 12th, 2009 at 4:52 pmWhat ever you’ll find out coolaid drinkers! HaHaHa
January 12th, 2009 at 4:53 pmKoolaid is spelled with a “K”
January 12th, 2009 at 4:54 pmSJV Says:
My GOD you are ignorant. I find it hard to believe that much stupid can exist in a single body. You are obviously one of the three organic beings in existance that would increase your IQ by filling your head with sand. I guess anyone that needed a rerun of the Rushing Down the drug addiction Mountain show got all they could ask for from your blast of astonishing stupidity. Thank you for the free clown show. It is nice to be reminded that braindead brainwashed morons like you are out there and sometimes vote. Pray they perfect the brain transplant because YOURS is made of sewage.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:27 pmSJV Says:
What ever you’ll find out coolaid drinkers! HaHaHa
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Only the most ignorant of the braindead hiveminders are stoopid enough to misspell Kool-aid. Congrats. You are truly a moron among brainwashed morons. You can pick up your Oxy Contin pin on the way out. If the day EVER comes that you find the ability to think for yourself. Feel free to get back to us.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:29 pm“…some top business lobbyists are privately grumbling “that they lack the kind of access they had at the beginning of the Bush administration and wonder if their agendas are being taken seriously.”
That’s just about the saddest fu(king thing I’ve ever heard.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:49 pmObama is not an empty suit at all, nor does he have an e
empty head.
I am almost done reading his book, “The Audacity of
Hope.” Therefore, I’m talking fact, not opinion.
Read this book and then try to criticize the man.
We all need home businesses. We need to work for our
own selves. I am trying to get such a business started
now.
I believe Obama will be either the best president this
country has ever had or one of the best.
Good night, for now, and everybody cheer up. We are
January 13th, 2009 at 12:30 amextremely lucky to be able to at least toss out the
criminals after 8 years if we can’t impeach them and
try them.
sjv–If Bush IS a truly God-fearing man, how could he violate so many Biblical precepts, commands, and examples? How could he “bear false witness” [lie] to his nation? How could he ignore the poor? How could he use his “God-fearing-ness” [faith-based ministries WHICH ARE NOT WORKING] to cover for his inept handling of the poor, the sick, the needy? The Bible observes that “by their fruits, ye shall know them,” referring to genuine Christians. Mr. Bush’s “fruits” are a legacy of lies, death, despair, failed economy, violation of civil rights, total lack of global respect for the US, increased poverty. . . just how, exactly, does he SHOW–not state, but SHOW–that he is a God-fearing man?
January 13th, 2009 at 11:36 am