ThinkFast: January 30, 2009
ThinkFast: January 30, 2009
President Obama chastised Wall Street executives yesterday for distributing over $18 billion in bonuses in 2008. “That is the height of irresponsibility. … There will be time for them to make profits, and there will be time for them to make bonuses. Now is not that time,” Obama said.
In a USA Today op-ed, Vice President Biden announced that he will “lead a task force on the middle class” that will make sure that the benefits of economic growth “reach the people responsible for it.” Working with the Education, Commerce, Labor and HHS secretaries, Biden’s task force will examine ways “to raise the living standards of middle-class families.”
Today, Exxon Mobil “reported a profit of $45.2 billion for 2008, breaking its own record for a U.S. company, even as its fourth-quarter earnings fell 33 percent from a year ago.” Exxon’s previous record was $40.6 billion in 2007.
President Obama has approached Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) about becoming commerce secretary, “a step that could open the way to significant shift in the balance of power in Congress” as New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, would most likely to pick a Democrat to replace Gregg. Though Gregg refused to comment on the discussions, his office confirmed that he had been approached.
In a 66-32 vote yesterday, the Senate voted to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program by $32.8 billion over the next 4 1/2 years. As the AP notes, “Nine Republicans joined 57 Democrats in voting for the bill. No Democrat voted against it.” The bill now heads to the House.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) has said he will “use all legal means available to confiscate Wall Street bonuses paid out at the end of last year.” Dodd said the bonuses “are unacceptable at a time when the government is pouring tens of billions of dollars into banks to shore up the ailing financial market.”
The chief judge at the Guantanamo Bay war court declined President Obama’s request to freeze military commissions, “saying he would go forward with next month’s arraignment of an alleged USS Cole bomber in a capital terror case.” The other two Gitmo war court judges had granted military prosecutors “four-month delays so the new administration could study detainees’ files and its legal options.”
After voting for the economic recovery package, Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) “said he was concerned about the bill’s inclusion of an extra $20 billion for food stamps.” Progress Illinois reminds Lipinski of the stimulative effect of food stamps.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland yesterday Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan “stormed off a stage” after criticizing Israeli President Shimon Peres for his country’s invasion of Gaza. Peres blamed the violence on Hamas while Erdogan accused Israel of “turning Gaza into a prison and killing 1,300 Palestinians.”
Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen said defense budget cuts may target spending on weapons. Mullen said he expects the entire federal government will come under pressure for budget cuts and “the Department of Defense is going to have to do its share. … It’s important for all of us in defense to look realistically at what our requirements are.”
And finally: President Obama plans to have a bipartisan congressional get-together for Super Bowl Sunday. Invitees include Steelers fan Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) — who’s going to bring some “Eat’n Park Cookies” — and Arlen Specter (R-PA) — who’s still deciding whether or not he can come. Obama also invited Cardinals fans Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ), who have both declined.
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how tone-deaf do you have to be to give out bonuses while begging for handouts from taxpayers?
January 30th, 2009 at 9:05 amAs the communists say, “a capitalist will sell you the rope you hang him with.”
January 30th, 2009 at 9:10 am“At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland yesterday Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan “stormed off a stage” after criticizing Israeli President Shimon Peres for his country’s invasion of Gaza.”
In case anyone is misled – Erdogan reportedly stormed off because of David Ignatius’ crappy performance as moderator, not because of anything Peres said.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:13 amUmm – isn’t Obama the new Commander-in-Chief guy?
January 30th, 2009 at 9:13 amThe chief judge at the Guantanamo Bay war court declined President Obama’s request to freeze military commissions
Is this guy a Bush appointee? What kind of stupid does this Judge buy into? This is the will of the people and the President…
January 30th, 2009 at 9:15 amPresident Obama chastised Wall Street executives yesterday for distributing over $18 billion in bonuses in 2008.
Last night on Countdown one of Keith’s guests said that what Obama needs to do is to tell any financial institution involved in this that asks for more government money that they will not get any more money unless the people who got these bonuses return them. I like that idea!
January 30th, 2009 at 9:15 amAt least not all Republicans are voting in lock-step.
By the way, it would be nice if the 9 were identified here, so Progressives can thank them for doing the right thing.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:16 amWorking with the Education, Commerce, Labor and HHS secretaries, Biden’s task force will examine ways “to raise the living standards of middle-class families.”
How about he also work on raising the living standards of poor people, many of whom were once middle class.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:17 amPresident Obama has approached Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) about becoming commerce secretary, “a step that could open the way to significant shift in the balance of power in Congress” as New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, would most likely to pick a Democrat to replace Gregg.
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Brilliant move from a political standpoint. Find a Republican from a state with a Democratic governor. Offer him a job to lure him out of the Senate, where he can be replaced with a Democrat. Republican won’t take deal, of course, but President gets points for “reaching across the aisle”. And if the Republican DOES take the deal, the Democrats score by gaining another one of their own. Win-Win for the Dems.
But I’m not cynical enough to believe this was Obama’s only motivation, although I’m sure the benefits crossed his mind (he’s not an idiot). If Obama approached Gregg for Secretary of Commerce, it’s because he believes Gregg would be a good fit for the job. As Obama and his team attempt to get the economy moving again, the commerce secretary is going to be a player in any game plan toward this objective. Obama wouldn’t risk appointing somebody bad for the team just to gain a Dem in the Senate.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:17 amSo White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says President Obama invited some congressional folks over to watch the Super Bowl
Here’s the we’ve been able to track down on the Senate side (in between asking questions about the stimulus, of course).
Arlen Specter (R) and Bob Casey (D) were two who would represent the Steelers. Casey will be there but according to Specter’s office he might have to get out of it, as his staff is sorting his day’s schedule.
Representing the Cardinals are Republicans John McCain and Jon Kyl. McCain announced for whatever reason he will not attend and Kyl also declined as he is “planning on watching the game with his family.”
I mean, which is more important? Accepting an invite from the President of the United States to attend a party at the White House, or risk a drubbing by radio puke and GOP Party Leader Rush Limbaugh?
January 30th, 2009 at 9:18 amAre my eyes playing tricks on me…..
or is that John McCain holding the mic boom?
Glad to see that at least GOP talking-head isn’t completely useless………….
January 30th, 2009 at 9:19 amThe chief judge at the Guantanamo Bay war court declined President Obama’s request to freeze military commissions…
Ok, Obama is Commander in Chief. I also think that makes him in charge of Guantanamo. So, perhaps he needs to tell the judge rather than ask.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:19 amJoint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen said defense budget cuts may target spending on weapons.
I vote they start with the “Star Wars” system.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:21 amPresident Obama chastised Wall Street executives yesterday for distributing over $18 billion in bonuses in 2008.
Last night on Countdown one of Keith’s guests said that what Obama needs to do is to tell any financial institution involved in this that asks for more government money that they will not get any more money unless the people who got these bonuses return them. I like that idea!
But they need to give out those bonuses in order to keep the talent that bankrupted the company in the first place! You just don’t get it. Without those bonuses, those highly talented individuals will seek and secure employment with other companies, where they will repeat their past performance. It would create “Cripple-Down” economics.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:22 amRantingTommy Says:
how tone-deaf do you have to be to give out bonuses while begging for handouts from taxpayers?
To be fair, many of the bonuses were awarded before they asked for taxpayer money. But that doesn’t excuse what they did. They knew they were in financial trouble and were going to be needing help when they gave the bonuses. I always thought that bonuses were awarded for good work, not for running your company into a ditch.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:22 amIt is so damned refreshing to have an adult running the show in the White House again.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:25 amFrom the McClatchy article:
”On its face, the request to delay the arraignment is not reasonable,” the judge, Army Col. James Pohl
Interesting. For seven years or thereabouts, no trials. Suddenly there’s a new boss in town and a four month delay is unreasonable.
These people are seriously messed up.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:26 amWhat needs to be done is every dollar of the wall street welfare money (thanks repugs and neocons — another “mission accomplished” there) needs to be accounted for. Any money not accounted for OR not used for the purpose it was intended (mainly to free up the credit lines is the canard we were fed) is to be immediatedly returned. Regardless of what excuses are given.
I won’t be holding my breath, though. I get the feeling that, like the oil barons, these wall street frauds will get to keep their free taxpayer money that the Bush administration gave to them.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:28 amPresident Obama chastised Wall Street executives yesterday for distributing over $18 billion in bonuses in 2008.
The only taxpayer funding these guys should get is a cell and an orange jumpsuit.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:33 amBriseadh na Faire Says
January 30th, 2009 at 9:16 am
By the way, it would be nice if the 9 were identified here, so Progressives can thank them for doing the right thing.
____________________________________________________________
Here are the nine GOP Senators who voted Yea:
Alexander – TN
January 30th, 2009 at 9:34 amCollins – ME
Corker – TN
Hutchison – TX
Lugar – IN
Martinez – FL
Murkowski – AK
Snowe – ME
Specter – PA
coskibum Says:
The chief judge at the Guantanamo Bay war court declined President Obama’s request to freeze military commissions
Is this guy a Bush appointee? What kind of stupid does this Judge buy into? This is the will of the people and the President…
January 30th, 2009 at 9:15 am
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Maybe so, but the government has two other branches. From what I heard on Rachel Maddow this morning, the issue the judge had is that there was no legal basis for holding up cases based on the premise that the Military Commissions Act might be changed in the future.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:37 amGood news story for Democrats.
Political party affiliation has tilted hugely in our favor. Congrats once again to Howard Dean, I think.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:38 amGood morning, campers. TGIF!
Bilbo: You are right, as CIC, all Obama has to do is to call the Pentagon and say; You WILL halt the military commissions effective immediately/
And their response had best be:Sir! Yes Sir!
It appears that Blush Limpdick is the de facto head of the Rethuglic party. What with all the GOoPers falling all over themselves to kiss his rectal ring and following his directives lockstep to impede any economic recovery package.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:39 amPoor repugs, just don’t know what to do. When Obama said “bipartisan” they IMMEDIATELY assumed that it meant what THEY meant when they said it (repug definition of “bipartisan”: ‘everyone does everything our way’). Now that he is truly reaching across the aisle, and even trying to open up other less business levels of assosciation (like the super bowl gathering) the repugs really don’t know how to react. I think fear is one emotion that comes up because they just really don’t get it at all. Everything to them is SUPPOSED to be partisan politics, therefore anything that appears friendly or reaching across the aisle MUST be something to hurt the repug party and benefit the dem party, because THAT IS WHY THEY WOULD DO IT.
It is both sad and disgusting, and it clearly demonstrates that they have nothing to offer a representative democratic political system. They only know “my way” politics, and cannot comprehend any longer anything that breaks party line. Their weakness is clearly displayed in how strongly they are now beholden to Limbaugh – a radio show entertainer: a far, far right wing shock-jock whose whole schtick is to stir up people along strict partisan lines. A divisive voice of hate, and they must bow to him and fear him. They are at least used to fear, so it comes natural.
If they do not learn to become bi-partisan, and learn what a real compromise is, and start to put the country and the people of this country before their party, they WILL find themselves ouotside of politcs, as individuals and as a party. Not really a loss for America. So keep it up, repug hatefilled losers. Hang onto that party line until the bitter, bitter end.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:41 ammisshusseinmolly @ 21 Says:
Been reading that of all the Rs, Corker is the most eager to work with Obama – thinking is that blue tide flowing southwards will next hit Tennessee, and Corker and his local buddies are thus needing to put some distance between themselves and the GOP crazies.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:44 amLimbaugh hates America.
Limbaugh wants to see America fail in this already troubling time.
Limbaugh is the directive voice of the Republican party.
Therefore, the Republican party wants to see America fail.
Ignore the repugs. Do not give anything to them that they do not EARN by showing that THEY are TRYING to be, actually, bipartisan.
THEY must EARN the respect of being allowed to be heard. Until they diplay that they have EARNED the right, they deserve to be treated kindly, but not given any credence (like mentally challenged children). THEY do not understand this.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:48 amI have to say the vengeful part of me wants to see the states where both Republican Senators voted no, not get any of the funds. Those states shares (from Arizona, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Utah, South Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho and Wyoming) would be divided among the other states. But I would hate to see the unchristian virtues of these Republicans destroy the lives of innocent children who need this health care.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:48 amThe chief judge at the Guantanamo Bay war court declined President Obama’s request to freeze military commissions, “saying he would go forward with next month’s arraignment of an alleged USS Cole bomber in a capital terror case.”
This judge gave as his defence the “independence of the judiciary.” Only problem is, the guy is a MILITARY judge, which gives him one option of “independence.” If he disagrees with the President, he can resign. He cannot override a decision by the Commander in Chief.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:49 amPresident Obama chastised Wall Street executives yesterday for distributing over $18 billion in bonuses in 2008. “That is the height of irresponsibility. … There will be time for them to make profits, and there will be time for them to make bonuses. Now is not that time,” Obama said.
These folks, just like Bernie Madoff, are poster boys for the Republican Party. If bush were still in office and still had a republican congress, Madoff and these Wall Street executives would all be receiving the Medal of Freedom and other accolades from the right wing. Limbaugh, and others of his ilk, would be singing the praises of these crooks for the rest of the year. Right wingers are just plain insane. No two ways about it.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:50 amPresident Obama chastised Wall Street executives yesterday for distributing over $18 billion in bonuses in 2008. “That is the height of irresponsibility. … There will be time for them to make profits, and there will be time for them to make bonuses. Now is not that time,” Obama said.
Yeah, I bet he writes ‘em a VERY harsh letter…
January 30th, 2009 at 9:50 amHe cannot override a decision by the Commander in Chief.
wanna bet?
January 30th, 2009 at 9:51 amHe cannot override a decision by the Commander in Chief.
It was a request, not a decision.
i.e. It came from the Requester, rather than the Decider.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:57 amMcCain and Kyl — let them stay home and look like the petulant fools they are.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:59 amFewer repugs voted for the SCHIP this time than previously.
That tells me that they have dug in their heels and will continue to obstruct all programs.
BTW
January 30th, 2009 at 9:59 amThere is a full page ad in the Chgo. Tribune today against the stimulus package, advocating tax cuts instead.
CageyCretin
January 30th, 2009 at 10:00 amI personally think that consistent bipartisanship is impossible with the modern day GOP. It is too narrow and rabid in its ideology to be negotiated with. Many of the actually believe that Americans rejected them because they “abandoned their principles” not because their principles created a despicable torture regime and caused a near meltdown of the global economy. O may be able work with the senate GOPers but, to rephrase a cropped quote from Harry Ried, “the house is lost”. O’s open hand method is the right way to start an administration, but if the GOP continues to stomp and pout, he has to move on. I believe the American people care more about results of legislation than the do about the party breakdown. If O and the dems spend time accommodating the GOP at the expense of results, look for a repeat of 1994.
Correct me if Im wrong, but it is a MASSIVE breach of etiquette to turn down an invitation to the White House.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:01 amThese republicans are like school on Sunday: no class.
Gitmo judge Pohl – a holdover from the Bushies – has decided to make a one-man-stand against a request from the White House — what does he think he will gain?
January 30th, 2009 at 10:02 amThe Cole happened 9 years ago – waiting 120 days is now impossible?
winddancer Says:
This judge gave as his defence the “independence of the judiciary.” Only problem is, the guy is a MILITARY judge, which gives him one option of “independence.” If he disagrees with the President, he can resign. He cannot override a decision by the Commander in Chief.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:49 am
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Yes, but don’t they function as an extension of the judiciary branch into the military system? They may sit in the executive branch, but their powers are judicial. Military judges have the power to send people to prison or hand out the death sentence – they should not serve “at the pleasure of the president” if the military justice system is to maintain any semblance of credibility.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:02 amMonument to Bush shoe-throwing shines at Iraqi orphanage
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — For the war-beaten orphans of the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit, this big old shoe fits.
A huge sculpture of the footwear hurled at President Bush in December during a trip to Iraq has been unveiled in a ceremony at the Tikrit Orphanage complex.
LINK
So this monument was built before the one Neocons said would be built in Shrub’s honor?
PRICELESS.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:03 amExxon may be reporting record profits – shamelessly unapologetic. Their shareholders are happy. Tax cuts will benefit them and their dividend shares.
Other companies are laying off people, paying bonuses and closing some locations not because they are losing money, but because pfotis are down. So they are not suffering like their former employees are suffering — they are simply mot making the excess that they once were.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:05 amFood stamps?
January 30th, 2009 at 10:05 amI guess allowing people to purchase food is subsidizing a luxury.
Marie Says:
There is a full page ad in the Chgo. Tribune today against the stimulus package, advocating tax cuts instead.
-
o Reagan tried it… it failed. Then he raised taxes
o Bush I tried it… it failed. Then he raised taxes
o Bush II tried it… it failed. Then he doubled down on them… and the economy nearly imploded
o Obama… Keep the cuts for those under 250K and small businesses. Then beef our infrastructure, physical, social, and intellectual.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:07 amSen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) has said he will “use all legal means available to confiscate Wall Street bonuses paid out at the end of last year.”
i believe it was howard fineman who called for this on countdown last night…
it would be of benefit to let DODD know how much we appreciate his effort… let’s hope it works.
http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3128
January 30th, 2009 at 10:08 amErdogan has the balls to publicly condemn Israel – I hope he is not the only one.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:08 amRantingTommy Says:
how tone-deaf do you have to be to give out bonuses while begging for handouts from taxpayers?
I’m kind of iffy on this. None of the news items I’ve seen are saying whether these are bonuses to executives for company performance or bonuses to individual brokers for personal performance. Most Wall Street jobs work mostly on a commission structure so that the bulk of their pay technically counts as “bonuses.” And it’s not like every broker on Wall Street lost their clients money – even in a downturn, that would be statistically unlikely. So if some of the brokers made money for their clients, they should get paid. And it’s not even like every financial company did poorly – even in a downturn, that would also be statistically unlikely. If some of the companies turned a profit, then their executives should get paid.
What I’d like to see is bonuses to executives only of companies receiving bailout money. But that doesn’t seem to be the number they’re showing me. Implying, yes. Specifying, no.
Nevertheless, Obama was right to take that opportunity to lay the smackdown.
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Dumb Fox the Average Golfer Says:
“At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland yesterday Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan “stormed off a stage” after criticizing Israeli President Shimon Peres for his country’s invasion of Gaza.”
In case anyone is misled – Erdogan reportedly stormed off because of David Ignatius’ crappy performance as moderator, not because of anything Peres said.
Well, he left because the Ignatius was trying to wrap it up right when things were getting hot and let Peres have the last word, but his best whipping was reserved for Peres. To his face:
Smack!
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Joe Sixpack Says:
I mean, which is more important? Accepting an invite from the President of the United States to attend a party at the White House, or risk a drubbing by radio puke and GOP Party Leader Rush Limbaugh?
If I were Obama I’d be hoping Kyl and Specter don’t show up. Can you think of two people more likely to completely ruin a party? Ugh.
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Briseadh na Faire Says:
But they need to give out those bonuses in order to keep the talent that bankrupted the company in the first place!
The fact that they refer to themselves as “talent” is exactly the problem. I have never seen an executive display any extra-normal skills or abilities in the performance of their duties. Yet they continue to claim they have some kind of special powers such that only they can do their jobs.
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misshusseinmolly Says:
Here are the nine GOP Senators who voted Yea:
I see a notable lack of the Maverick there…
January 30th, 2009 at 10:12 amI also believe that those repugs who vote against the stimulus package should take the high road and refuse to partake in any funds that make it to their state – it would be against their principles.
I am not a mean-spirited person, but the repugs bring out the wrost in me. The recent ice storms have left people in some red states without power (the infrastructure, you know). I don’t want to see people suffer, but if being without power for a couple of weeks makes them realize the ideology of their representatives is working against them, it will be a lesson learned.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:14 amdeebaser Says:
Correct me if Im wrong, but it is a MASSIVE breach of etiquette to turn down an invitation to the White House.
These republicans are like school on Sunday: no class.
I’m sure they’ll have some b.s. excuse about needing to spend time with their constituents — no, not Arizona, silly. Rich people!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:17 amThanks for the nifty links from the other Blogistan, Dynamo.
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Dynamo Says:
Obama shows no concern for the environment by cranking up the white house thermostat.
Dynamo shows no understanding of the scale of the problem by presenting potential symbolic gestures as if they were global factors.
Hey, didn’t you guys make fun of Jimmy Carter for just turning down the White House thermostat in the face of the 1970’s oil crisis?
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Dynamo Says:
Obama keeps appointing lobbyists, libs see no evil
It’s a rule he placed on the people who work for him, not a rule he placed on himself. Let’s count the number of ex-lobbyists (2 now?) and compare that to the number in the Bush administration. And then let’s talk in detail and at length about the effects of having an unrestrained and rampant number of industry lobbyists in government jobs at every level, as opposed to having a very few who have been vetted pre-approved by the President personally.
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Dynamo Says:
A Warning to the President…
House Democrats proceeded to ignore all GOP suggestions as they wrote the bill, shedding tax cuts while piling on spending for every imaginable interest group.
The GOP complained about the Mall lawn, that got cut. They complained about family planning, that got cut. Far more tax breaks for corporations than Dems ever wanted were stuffed in there. So, that’s all lies. And even after doing all that, the R’s voted in lockstep against this.
Let me make this clear early on, because I have a feeling I’m going to have to repeat it a lot over the next four years: Dems are not responsible for how R’s vote. R’s are responsible for how R’s vote. Write that down and stick it on your monitor. If the R’s decide to lockstep against something, it’s because they decided to. It’s not due to some “failure” of Obama, Pelosi, or anybody else. It’s time y’all started taking responsibility for your own choices and actions for once.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:26 amObama did not make a “request” to delay the Gitmo trials. He made an Executive Decision. From that Decision:
Sec. 7. Military Commissions. The Secretary of Defense shall immediately take steps sufficient to ensure that during the pendency of the Review described in section 4 of this order, no charges are sworn, or referred to a military commission under the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and the Rules for Military Commissions, and that all proceedings of such military commissions to which charges have been referred but in which no judgment has been rendered, and all proceedings pending in the United States Court of Military Commission Review, are halted.”
So the Chief Justice at Gitmo has acted in violation of both the Executive Order AND the directions given to him by SecDef Gates. Again, the military prosecutors, military defence attorneys and military judges answer to civilian authority. They can resign but they cannot refuse to follow an order.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:27 amthis b!tch keeps showing up in my daily paper… i do not understand the attraction – except the editor is female…
but cal thomas is another favorite (daddy issues?)…
but this column is a prime example of the LIES this scold always inserts into her screeds…
and this in particular raised the flag… can someone please set it straight for me? :
President Obama was a teenager when some of the smartest liberals in America (dubbed the neoconservatives) were beginning to have doubts about the power of government to do good. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Irving Kristol, Norman Podhoretz, Nathan Glazer, Aaron Wildavksy, and many others observed the effects of Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” initiatives and became sobered up. (A few, including Moynihan, returned to the liberal fold but most did not.)
REALLY???
http://www.creators.com/opinion/mona-charen/where-is-free-market-economics-when-we-need-it-most.html
January 30th, 2009 at 10:27 amHang in there Dynamo. Keep your finger in that dike little buddy, and ignore the tide of liberalism that is drowning you like the rat you are.
Or, you could get a life and stop this stupid gadfly role. If it’s attention that you crave to fill that hole in your psyche, off yourself in public. I promise to read the obit.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:27 amHere’s an idea on deciding whether to help the Wall Street fat cats with another bailout:
if the corporations NEED money to stay afloat, tell them the one condition is that they have to give back at least 50% of their bonuses from 2008.
imagine what that would do for the bailout in significantly reducing how much the US Gov’t has to give them?
of course this would never happen though… the execs for all these companies drove them into the ground BECAUSE of greed, not charity.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:29 amMarie Says:
…if being without power for a couple of weeks makes them realize the ideology of their representatives is working against them, it will be a lesson learned.
That won’t work. The Republicans will just tell them that liberal electricity fairies stole their hard-earned electricity in the name of communism, and they’ll vote even more right wing next cycle.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:29 ammisshusseinmolly, thanks for the list!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:30 amand, of course, you’ve heard this news…
i really don’t know what to think… except ‘what a damn shame…’
Octuplets’ mum ‘already has six’
BBC News – 5 hours ago
A Californian woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this week already has six children, US media has reported. The eight babies were delivered nine weeks early by Caesarean section in a hospital near Los Angeles on Monday.
one article i read stated that this woman did not necessarily get those fertility drugs from a physician… they are available on the web…
holy crap.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:31 amAny bets on how many of those getting part of the $18.2B bonuses will either turn them down or give them back in a fit of good conscience?
January 30th, 2009 at 10:32 amCageyCretin Says:
Poor repugs, just don’t know what to do. When Obama said “bipartisan” they IMMEDIATELY assumed that it meant what THEY meant when they said it (repug definition of “bipartisan”: ‘everyone does everything our way’).
No, no, CC: the word is spelled wrong. The repugs mean exactly what they say: “BUY-partisan.” As Dr. Phil might say after the election, “How’s that working for you?”
January 30th, 2009 at 10:32 amKaty, they were “the smartest liberals” because they turned out really to be neo-cons, like Charen. Therefore, by default, they’re the smartest. It doesn’t matter that their ideology has been completely disproven because they’ll cling to it until death. Or, like Cheney, beyond.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:35 amElBruce Says: Most Wall Street jobs work mostly on a commission structure so that the bulk of their pay technically counts as “bonuses.”
Hmmmmm…. I don;t deny that, but consider that a commission is not the same as a bonus. If they had framed their commissions AS bonuses, then they did so in order to avoid some tax, or some other such loophole. So, if they framed their commissions as bonuses because it let them pay less taxes (or dodge something or other), then screw them anyway — these supposed fiscally responsible types seem to really, really know how to screw with the system, and all display a great disgust for any part of our contry, and even of their beloved capitalism and free market, that does not benefit them directly. If they earned 18 billion in commissions, then they deserve that. It is taxed as income, etc.. If they earned that money in commissions, but have called them bonuses as a loophole, then screw them.
I don’t think the companies should be just punished out of hand: what we NEED to do is have an accurate accounting of every single penny of the welfare money they received and THEN any misuse of the money (paying bonuses, byuing jets, decorating, saving in offshore accounts, etc.) is to require the return of the money, fines, and possibly prosecution of some of those involved for their lying to and theft from the taxpayers.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:35 amwinddancer Says:
So the Chief Justice at Gitmo has acted in violation of both the Executive Order AND the directions given to him by SecDef Gates. Again, the military prosecutors, military defence attorneys and military judges answer to civilian authority. They can resign but they cannot refuse to follow an order.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
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And how is that not a kangaroo court?
If the judge and the prosecutor and the defense attorney are all on the same team, taking orders from the President, it’s not a justice system, it’s a mockery.
Can the President order the military judge to find a person guilty? To dismiss a case? To ignore evidence?
A judge, by definition can NOT be beholden to the state and the whims of the executive. He or she MUST be beholden to the law, and only the law.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:35 amkaty Says:
one article i read stated that this woman did not necessarily get those fertility drugs from a physician… they are available on the web…
holy crap.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am
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Yet another victory for the free market and deregulation!!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:36 amDNFP Says:
Monument to Bush shoe-throwing shines at Iraqi orphanage
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — For the war-beaten orphans of the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit, this big old shoe fits.
A huge sculpture of the footwear hurled at President Bush in December during a trip to Iraq has been unveiled in a ceremony at the Tikrit Orphanage complex.
So this monument was built before the one Neocons said would be built in Shrub’s honor?
PRICELESS.
Hey, DNFP–remember the genesis of the word “sabotage”? “Sabots” were the wooden shoes thrown by Dutch workers into the huge factory machines which had cost so many of those same mill-workers their jobs. Could we work “sabot” into a comment about Shrub? I envision a new book as well: “A Shoe Grows in Tikrit.”
January 30th, 2009 at 10:42 amwinddancer Says:
Sec. 7. Military Commissions. The Secretary of Defense shall immediately take steps sufficient to ensure
Oh my. Maybe Gates passed it on technically in the form of a request? I can’t imagine this Gitmo judge is actually refusing a direct order. Although if he was, that would make me giddy with poli-drama-junkie glee.
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katy Says:
but cal thomas is another favorite (daddy issues?)…
Cal Thomas makes me wish I had big giant hands so I could fit them around his big giant neck. And that porn-stache makes me ulp! in my throat a little every time I see his picture.
I have no idea how to approach that crazy lady’s bizarre claim. Looks like she’s writing a novel of alternative-universe historical fiction.
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CageyCretin Says:
Hmmmmm…. I don;t deny that, but consider that a commission is not the same as a bonus.
Everywhere I’ve ever worked, a commission and a bonus are legally the same thing. I just think the media is throwing that number out there to make us mad (and we should be!) but not really breaking it down properly.
I think the government should be bailing people out by buying voting stock and then using that stock to put a government appointee on their Board of Directors to represent the taxpayers.
Writing out a contract that would define “misuse” of the funds would be huge and too subject to loopholes. There are just too many ways to spend or invest money, and too many ways to justify it for each expenditure.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:42 amElBruce Says:
Oh my. Maybe Gates passed it on technically in the form of a request? I can’t imagine this Gitmo judge is actually refusing a direct order. Although if he was, that would make me giddy with poli-drama-junkie glee.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
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If so, it’s a victory against the unitary executive.
Even though it’s a disappointment for the President, I guarantee that the Constitutional scholar in Obama is saluting this judge’s action.
And I guarantee that the comic book nerd in Obama is screaming “POOOOOOHHHHHHHHL” in 32-point Comic Sans font with flames shooting out of his eyes and red and yellow shockwaves emanating from his rage-contorted body.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:47 amElBruce Says:
Everywhere I’ve ever worked, a commission and a bonus are legally the same thing.
If you say so. i have never worked for commission, and never worked anywhere that gave bonuses. I as sum ed that they were legally (i.e. tax-wise) separate entities of some kind.
Never as su me (espescially on this site ;0 )
January 30th, 2009 at 10:47 amH. Toasterhead: A judge, by definition can NOT be beholden to the state and the whims of the executive. He or she MUST be beholden to the law, and only the law.
Precisely WHY military commissions, themselves, are the actual “kangaroo court.” They are not an independent branch (the Judiciary) and they are mandated, by the U.S. Constitution, to answer to both the Executive and Legislative Branches.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:47 amone article i read stated that this woman did not necessarily get those fertility drugs from a physician… they are available on the web…
holy crap.
She un-married and living with her parents…
January 30th, 2009 at 10:49 amwinddancer Says:
Precisely WHY military commissions, themselves, are the actual “kangaroo court.” They are not an independent branch (the Judiciary) and they are mandated, by the U.S. Constitution, to answer to both the Executive and Legislative Branches.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:47 am
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Fair enough. I hope that Congress and the President will get to work on repealing this system as soon as possible, then.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:51 amWay to go Dynamo!! You know that a lot of orchids can grow optimally at temperatures around 65 degrees? OUCH – that will burn if you expose yourself to that type of heat for too long! Any thought to the fact that COOLING (cranking the AC) emits greenhouse gases as well?
Your “links” are so toothless they remind me of Jesse Helms.
You stink.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:53 amWriting out a contract that would define “misuse” of the funds would be huge and too subject to loopholes. There are just too many ways to spend or invest money, and too many ways to justify it for each expenditure.
I don’t suggest writing out guidelines. They can justify their accounting or not. The purpose of the welfare was to open up the lines of credit (that was the line I kept seeing, anyway). It will be evident whether they did that or not. I do not think that asking for a full accounting of the funds is unreasonable or difficult to process by a reasonable person. Too many lawyers have been running the governemetn for too long. The law is not about what the loopholes are: that is the immoral approach to laws. Take the laws for what they mean. A reasonable person could look at the books of these companies, with or without their excuses, and tell whether the money was used to help open credit and help the economy, OR whether it was used to bolster the company for the rough times ahead (NOT the reason we were given for the need for all that money). I just do NOT believe that this issue is all that sticky, as long as we lose the whole lawyer approach to every single thing: it is not about what loopholes you can or cannot find: it is about what is right and decent.
Off the soapbox.
:)
January 30th, 2009 at 10:53 amA Californian woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this week already has six children’
What a litter! Perdita will have her 15 minutes of fame, one for each pup.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:00 amRantingTommy Says:
how tone-deaf do you have to be to give out bonuses while begging for handouts from taxpayers?
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I’m not sure “tone-deaf” is the right phrase here, tommy. Perhaps “completely soulless” or “hopelessly addicted to money” would be more appropriate.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:01 amElBruce Says:
Hey, didn’t you guys make fun of Jimmy Carter for just turning down the White House thermostat in the face of the 1970’s oil crisis?
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It is my understanding that GOOPers are currently erecting a giant bronze sweater in honor of this moment, ElBruce…
January 30th, 2009 at 11:07 amnanlichi Says:
A Californian woman who gave birth to octuplets earlier this week already has six children’
What a litter! Perdita will have her 15 minutes of fame, one for each pup.
I’m waiting it out. Generally there’s one or two that won’t sell and by 10 – 11 weeks the last couple could be free. Will they have all their shots?
January 30th, 2009 at 11:36 amThere’s a freak in the office here taking up a collection for that poor woman who just whelped 8 at a time. And, sure enough, the freak belongs to one of those crazy institutions who are against birth control. Cathoholic, Catheteter, Cathol….. something like that.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:02 pmWould someone please tell me why a woman who already has 6 children takes fertility drugs in the first place? I figured she was either Catholic or Mormon, but that’s ridiculous!!
January 30th, 2009 at 12:18 pmSen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said luring Gregg with a cabinet job was “sneaky” because it would put the GOP in a bind and take away a valuable member.
This guy is a comedian.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:33 pmWhining about Democrats being sneaky — poor baby.
Rotten repugniscum who think bipartisanship means doing it their way need to learn a lesson.
Not that Gregg would be a good thing – we may not get the result we want — but Kyl is a joke.
Wall Street CEO’s have been living in a world of excess for so long, they simply can’t comprehend life without the obscene annual bonuses.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:47 pmporno izle
erotik videolar
meh
January 30th, 2009 at 5:05 pmObama team masters Friday evening bad news release:
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s pick for health and human services secretary, Tom Daschle, failed to pay more than $128,000 in taxes, partly for free use of a car and driver that had been provided to him by a prominent businessman and Democratic fund-raiser, administration officials said Friday.
Mr. Daschle, concluding that he owed the taxes, filed amended returns and paid more than $140,000 in back taxes and interest on Jan. 2, the officials said.
The car and driver were provided by Leo Hindery Jr., a media and telecommunications executive who had been chairman of YES, the New York Yankees regional sports network. In 2005, Mr. Hindery founded a private equity firm known as InterMedia Advisors. Mr. Daschle was chairman of InterMedia’s advisory board.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:18 amTom Dascble’s tax error has been in the news since Friday evening. No TP post. This looks more like a defend Podesta’s picks site, than anything progressive.
You have to call out questionalbe behavior to be progressive. This site excelled at doing so under Bush. It’s losing credibility with silence.
February 1st, 2009 at 9:21 amWaPo piece on Daschle this Sunday morning:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/31/AR2009013102021.html?hpid=topnews
February 1st, 2009 at 10:39 amObama keeps rendition in the CIA toolkit:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5636297.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093
February 1st, 2009 at 11:33 pm