ThinkFast: February 4, 2009
ThinkFast: February 4, 2009
President Obama said last night that he had “screwed up” with his nominees who withdrew over tax issues yesterday. “I’ve got to own up to my mistake, which is that ultimately it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules,” said Obama. Andrew Sullivan notes that “it has taken Obama two weeks to say something that George W. Bush couldn’t manage to say in eight years.”
Last night, Karl Rove delivered a speech at Loyola Marymount University in California. “One man loudly denounced Rove as a ‘traitor’ before he was escorted out. A woman held up a pair of handcuffs and said she would like to see Rove wearing them.”
President Obama’s chief economic adviser Larry Summers said Obama “has been prepared to walk a long mile for bipartisan support” for the stimulus package, but that he won’t compromise on weakening the bill’s impact. Summers said Obama wanted to keep his tax cuts, including those conservatives have criticized, and said that if Republicans don’t support the bill, “it defines those who aren’t prepared to support major action to help the economy.”
The Senate pushed the cost of the economic recovery package above $900 billion yesterday with amendments that added “billions for medical research and tax breaks for car buyers.” At the same time, the Senate rejected an amendment “that would have added $25 billion in public works projects to the recovery bill, including highway construction, public transportation and water and sewer projects.”
Elizabeth Edwards will publish her second memoir in May, called “Resilience.” The book will discuss the re-emergence of her cancer in 2007, as well as Edwards’ “remarkable grace and courage…when the very private matter of her husband’s infidelity became public fodder,” according to the publisher’s catalog description.
Former senator Chuck Hagel has signed on to be a “distinguished professor in the practice of national governance” at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, teaching students about “bipartisan governance.”
Officials have described Obama’s approach to South Asia “as a refusal to be rushed, using words such as ‘rigor’ and ‘restraint.’” “We know we’re going to get [criticism] for taking our time,” said a senior official. Stability is becoming “a higher priority than democracy in Afghanistan.”
Despite reports yesterday that Citigroup was “exploring the possibility of backing out” of a $400 million sponsorship deal with the Mets, the bailed-out financial firm now says that it is sticking with it. “In conversations this morning, Citi reinforced that they will honor our legally binding agreement,” read a statement by the Mets yesterday. Citigroup has received $45 billion of taxpayer money through federal bailout.
Yesterday, Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee “unveiled a set of principles that will guide their efforts to craft legislation aimed at slowing global warming.” The document was “short on details but set a goal of creating a cap-and-trade system designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ‘to levels guided by science to avoid dangerous climate change.’”
And finally: After raising the ire of Michelle Obama, Ty Inc. — the company that created Beanie Babies — has decided to retire its controversial dolls Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia. A statement on the company’s site read: “In deference to the wishes of the First Family, Ty Inc. has officially retired the Ty Girlz names Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha. We have renamed the dolls Marvelous Mariah and Sweet Sydney.” The dolls, which went for $9.99 when they were on the market, are now going for as much as $152 on eBay.
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It’s so refreshing to have adults in the house.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:05 amSomeone who admits a mistake, how refreshing!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:06 amKarl Rove is evil.
Obama admitting that he screwed up is certainly going to take the sting out of any right wing indignation. But even more than saying he screwed up, he also said that he took total responsibility, even though it was his people doing the vetting who failed.
I also think there are a lot of reichwingers who are grinding their teeth today in frustration. They have to know that the American public is going to make a comparison between Obama and Bush, who never once in 8 years admitted he screwed up much less took responsibility for his actions.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:12 amit has taken Obama two weeks to say something that George W. Bush couldn’t manage to say in eight years
Yeah whatever. This is like comparing Mother Teresa to the Unabomber… scuse me while I sit here hoping Obama will measure up well to our best presidents, not the worst.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:13 amLast night, Karl Rove delivered a speech at Loyola Marymount University in California. “One man loudly denounced Rove as a ‘traitor’ before he was escorted out. A woman held up a pair of handcuffs and said she would like to see Rove wearing them.”
I suspect that Rove is going to see a lot of this in the coming months and years.
So, what’s up with Rove supposedly talking to the special prosecutor in Attorneygate? Can he have “selective executive privilege”? And when he is talking to her, is she going to put him under oath? If not, she should not waste her time.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:14 amOK adding for medical research is great,tax breaks for car buyer is ludicrous because people are losing jobs faster than can be found and then the senate rejects a public works project when the re-pukes wanted more for infrastructure, I don`t get it .It is time to RAM this up their collective “POOP SHOOTS” and get on with fixing this country, Phuck the re-pukes and their hatred of Obama, middle and working America.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:14 amUmm, Tom Daschle is the one who screwed up…
February 4th, 2009 at 9:14 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says: I also think there are a lot of reichwingers who are grinding their teeth today in frustration.
Let’s hope this is a lesson to the American voting population that electing a smart, humble and hard-working moderate trumphs electing a guy you might wanna have a beer with…
February 4th, 2009 at 9:15 amDumb Fox the Average Golfer Says:
it has taken Obama two weeks to say something that George W. Bush couldn’t manage to say in eight years
Yeah whatever. This is like comparing Mother Teresa to the Unabomber… scuse me while I sit here hoping Obama will measure up well to our best presidents, not the worst.
This is true, but the comparison is not going to be lost on the American public. I can’t imagine that the Republican’ts are happy about this. The public must be saying “wow, an honest president…how different and how wonderful”.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:15 amAt the same time, the Senate rejected an amendment “that would have added $25 billion in public works projects to to the recovery bill, including highway construction, public transportation and water and sewer projects.”
We did things there way for 20 of the last 28 years, and look at where we are now. Enough! We voted for change, and dmn it, we meant it!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:19 amtheir way…
February 4th, 2009 at 9:19 am“Only a few weeks in and Obama screwed up, AND THEN HE ADMITTED IT!!!!! Obama is a self-admitted failure!!!!”
Goop talking point of the week — cue trolls to repeat this crap in 3…2…1….
February 4th, 2009 at 9:19 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Obama admitting that he screwed up is certainly going to take the sting out of any right wing indignation.
I love your posts, BHB, but you need some edumacayshon on the species we call “wingnut”.
Had Obama not said this, the wingnut refrain would have been “yabooyuckmooslimughtraitoraarghhboonyaduh and this completely proves my point”.
As it is, the wingnut refrain is “yabooyuckmooslimughtraitoraarghhboonyaduh and this completely proves my point”.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:20 amNevar Says:
Umm, Tom Daschle is the one who screwed up…
And the people doing the vetting. I wonder if Obama knew about these tax problems before he announced his pick of Daschle. But, once he did and it came out, he was in a double bind. He wanted Geithner to be appointed and if he asked Daschle to drop out once the tax problem became publicized, he would have had to ask Geithner to drop out too.
I am really sick to death of what is going on in what claims to be our MSM today. As Rachel Maddow said last night, you would have thought Daschle resigning was a national emergency. All the important things that are happening are being ignored while the right wing MSM has a field day bashing Dashcle and by fiat, Obama. I think the MSM better be careful here. With Obama at a 75% approval rating and their constant harping on small missteps and ignoring the big picture, more and more people are going to be rejecting them and going to the only true independent news source, the Internet.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:21 amDespite reports yesterday that Citigroup was “exploring the possibility of backing out” of a $400 million sponsorship deal with the Mets, the bailed-out financial firm now says that it is sticking with it. [...] Citigroup has received $45 billion of taxpayer money through federal bailout.
They need to give the money back, now, with interest (about the same rate as they charge average people). This set of double standards is going to be the final nail in the coffin of Capitalism that Karl Marx spoke about…
February 4th, 2009 at 9:23 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
This is true, but the comparison is not going to be lost on the American public.
Hope so.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:23 amIt’s sorta stupid to give people a tax break to buy a new car when the sorry state of highways and bridges will shake them to pieces in a couple of years.
They’ll have to pay a lot of money to get them repaired, or go out and buy a new one…
Oh…. wait…
February 4th, 2009 at 9:26 amNevar mynd….
It is truly shocking that there are so many high-profile figures who think they can get far without past problems/errors/scandals being exposed. Edwards runs for Prez, knowing he had an affair, and perhaps a kid, on his sick wife? Whatever is going on with Richardson? And now a whole flurry of Obama nominees?
They embarrass themselves, but how many others do they need to take down with them?
PEACE
February 4th, 2009 at 9:27 amA statement on the company’s site read: “In deference to the wishes of the First Family, Ty Inc. has officially retired the Ty Girlz names Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha.
Their maturity and conciliation is refreshing. Perhaps the era of hubris is finally coming to an end?
February 4th, 2009 at 9:27 amThis morning I flipped on CNN briefly only to see about 30 screens with the President’s face and heard the newest complaint, he’s too transparent and he’s destroying the specialness of the presidency by not being mysterious enough, or some such bunk.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:27 amsenator ensign was just on Wash Journal pointing out how FDR did not help the country by all of the government spending. ensign pointed out that under FDR the unemployment rate was 17%, but ensign did not mention that unemployment was at least 25% when FDR came in and that the economy was on the way up (as graphs show), but, as Krugman points out, FDR got on a conservative economics track and the country started back down. ensign is another one that wants to follow rush into Obama failure land.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:28 amOh, and conservatives (read: “obstructionist party of “no” “), that is an example of TRUE leadership: taking responsibility for the actions of those you lead. I know, republican leaders don’t do that and corporate overlords don’t do that — they all get rewarded for ruining their companies so bad that they need taxpayer socialized welfare to keep their bonuses. But, part of being a leader is being responsible for all things occurring under your leadership, good and bad (shall we take 9/11 as an example? Let me see…. do the conservatives (obstructionist party of ‘no’) accept that as Bush’s failure…. hmmmm… no.
Pansies.
Obama, in a few weeks, has already displayed considerable leadership skills. I salute him.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:28 amAt the same time, the Senate rejected an amendment “that would have added $25 billion in public works projects to to the recovery bill, including highway construction, public transportation and water and sewer projects.”
Wait a minute. I thought that the Republican’ts were now all about infrastructure spending. Boy, they are all over the map, aren’t they.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:35 amI just heard on the radio that Israel plans to expand settlements in the West Bank. I did not hear if it was planned by the current government or by netanyahu. Whichever, it is a deliberate rejection of any obtaining of any peace in the area.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:36 amBearCountry Says: I just heard on the radio that Israel plans to expand settlements in the West Bank.
60 Minutes did a segment on this a couple weeks ago, and there were Israelis who believe it is their ‘divine right’ to settle there.
I thought they weren’t going to forget what happened in Nazi Germany? Because, clearly, oppressing others in the name of invisible sky wizards shows a complete lack of recall.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:39 amLast night on the way home from work, I was listening to Randi Rhodes. When they had the news segment, which I believe they get from ABC, the announcer said “And the stock market had a strong rally today based on the fact that the Republicans have introduced their own stimulus package”. That kind of reporting MAKES ME CRAZY. They have no idea why the stock market rallied yesterday any more than they know why it drops on any given day. And, I don’t think I have ever heard them say “the stock market rallied today because Obama did…..”
We really do need to do something about the media consolidation that has happened over the last 8 years. As long as three major conservative-owned corporations control 90% of our media, we are going to continue to be in trouble. He who controls the media, controls the message.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:40 amShayne Says:
…heard the newest complaint, he’s too transparent…
Naturally. Remember TeeVee Rule #2 – whatever happens is good for Republicans.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:40 amAnyone watch Rachel Maddow last night? She echoed what I’ve been saying for a few days now (not that she reads my juvenile posts).
Here we are in an economic crisis, with thousands of jobs EVERY DAY being eliminated, with hundreds lining up in Miami for 35 available jobs, with a MAJORITY of Americans wanting the stimulus package to pass, and we have a media blitz (and right wingers foaming at the mouth) about Obama’s pick regarding Daschle.
Who happened to own up to his error and pay the back taxes and fine.
Our 44th president owned up to the mistake (he didn’t have to) and rightfully announced that there will not be “two set of standards”. And then immediately communicated what is important. THE ECONOMY!
Daschle is just a blip on the radar, and should be soon forgotten.
People freezing to death in their own homes should not!
And another thing, certain Republican Senators are calling for their own stimulus, chalked full of tax incentives.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:41 amExcuse me, but isn’t that what got us into this mess in the first place? Because it sure as hell didn’t make the 90% of Americans prosper!
Last night, Karl Rove delivered a speech …. A woman held up a pair of handcuffs and said she would like to see Rove wearing them.”
To which Rove responded, “I’d like to see your 10 year old son in them. You betcha (wink).”
From the article, Rove said,
“The Army Field Manual prohibits `good cop, bad cop,”‘ Rove said. “All that stuff you see on CSI – the Army Field Manual prohibits it … If you stop collecting that information, you begin to make America more at risk.”
First, that is a flat lie (the manual DOES permit that technique). That is a subtle shift from the arguing for torture directly.
THEN Rove uses CSI as evidence of successful use of the technique? REALLY? Zeus’ buttcrack, WTF is Rove on? A television show scripted to entertain is the “proof”? I guess he went to CSI because the “24″ angle wasn’t working out for them too well.
And, to conclude the statement, he had to end it on the fear meme. Fear, fear, fear.
To paraphrase the idea: “If we can’t treat these enemies in manners totally at odds with our laws and our morals then they WILL destroy us completely.” Wow. The willingness to give up all that one stands for in the false belief that that will preserve what you stand for….. insanity at its finest. Kind of like a pro-lifer deciding that the best way to preserve lives is to blow up buildings with people in them (oh, wait… these morons DO do that, don’t they?).
February 4th, 2009 at 9:44 amTwo months into his presidency and Obama has already made two mistakes. Eight years of His Presidency and Bush made no mistakes. The conclusion is obvious, folks. If you want a government that doesn’t make mistakes, you gotta vote for Republicans. That’s all there is to it.
Obama’s made two mistakes in two months. How many more “mistakes” are we going to have to put up with before he gets impeached?
I know I said I hope Obama fails. I just didn’t think he would go down this quickly. We need to impeach him, and Biden, and the rest of those failure Democrats until we get a Republican in the White House once again.
Not that I’m running, mind you, but did you see where I have more power with you, the people, then the rest of those clowns running the Republican Party? I’d make a great president, you know, because I don’t make mistakes. So, in a way, I’d be like President Bush, one of the greatest Presidents this country has ever had. He went through His entire Presidency without making even one little mistake. No one can beat that record. The best they can do is tie.
Now I’m not saying to go out and buy Rush 2012 bumperstickers or anything like that. But I wouldn’t mind going on the campaign trail with Palin – she’s hot.
[/Limbaugh]
February 4th, 2009 at 9:45 am22. BearCountry Says:
There’s a book you need to read. It’s called “How to Lie with Statistics”. It might enlighten you.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:46 amDRxJ Says:
Anyone watch Rachel Maddow last night? She echoed what I’ve been saying for a few days now (not that she reads my juvenile posts).
Last night was classic Rachel. She can say more with her facial expression than most people can say with hundreds of words. I have thought often about Molly Ivins and what a national treasure we lost. I think that Rachel Maddow is our new national treasure. I wonder if she and Molly ever met. I think they would have really clicked. They are like kindred spirits.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:48 amDamn! Italics got in my whole last post.
Frikkin’ gremlins.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:48 amBriseadh na Faire Says:
Two months into his presidency..
I think you mean two weeks. But, come to think of it, considering how much he has accomplished in those two weeks, it does feel like an average two months of a presidency.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:49 amBriseadh na Faire Says:
You had me going until the “Palin – she’s hot” part. The pus-gut druggy doesn’t swing that way. She’s too old and has the wrong apparatus.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:52 amjust here… haven’t read a thing…
this headline at googlenews intrigued me… anyone want to find out what it’s about? …. i don’t do fox.
Democrat: Obama Team ‘Encouraged’ Defiance of Pelosi on Stimulus
February 4th, 2009 at 9:54 amFOXNews – 57 minutes ago
A conservative Democrat who voted against the House stimulus package says President Obama quietly encouraged him to oppose the “messy bill.
Good morning Dynamo. Here for your morning dose of attention little guy? Well I salute you. Now you have been noticed by a real person, so run along now.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:55 amDynaMORON, you brainless fool. Take your abject stupidity to the shortbus. Ride to the special school, sit in the corner with your dunce cap on and drink a tall cool glass of STFU
February 4th, 2009 at 9:57 amThe Senate pushed the cost of the economic recovery package above $900 billion
The obstructionist party of ‘no’ has made their strategy and goals clear: they will do everything that they can to see this administration (and, thus, America) fail. They will pretend to be cooperative and then they will obstruct anyhting that might look successful. They do not want America to recover — it would make them look bad (because it would make the democratic leadership look good). So, yeah, they whined about not enough tax breaks, not enough infrastructure, and then when those things got added, they suddenly change their position to ‘too much infrastructure”. The dittoheads will just go along with what they are told, ignoring the inconsistent positions (logical thinking is NOT a hallmark of conservative ideology — and by testimonial evidence, accurate memory is not a conservative trait, either).
They will whine to get things included, then they will whine THAT those things are included. They are trying to fix the game by playing on both sides.
I suspect that Obama will, at some point, tire of these childish obstructionist strategies. But he probably won’t shut them out completely, either. Reasonably, he should not. And a few of the cons COULD pull their brains out of their posteriors and start doing the job the American people hired them to do — which is NOT being concerned with corporate America.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:58 amDynamut,
I pretty much know that you’ll completely ignore all challenges made forth by any one of us, which definitely shows weakness in your ability to discuss and debate issues, but, would you mind defending your statement that the majority of American voters screwed up in electing Barack Hussein Obama for president who actually took responsibility.
Who actually formed a committee to make sure those in high positions followed the “letter of the law”.
Thank you in advance for your thought provoking, intelligent rebuttal.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:01 amDynaMORON 41
And YOU are stupid.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:06 amDynamo Says:
O.k., Dynamo Humm (got a 40 dollar bill?), I’ll comment before i depart for a bit:
Eleven Released Gitmo Rejoin Terrorist Group
Aren’t we glad Obama is restoring our moral standing in the world? This is going to be great!!
Well, let’s see: we can follow the process that AMERICA has always held as just, and fair, and moral… which means releasing people that you have no proof of having commited crimes. What is more, then, is if they are on the battlefield then shoot them. I have no problem with that. Armed enemies on a battlefield are valid targets. What is your problem with that?
No, the American people screwed up by electing you.
That is your opinion, and you are entitled to it. But regardless, Obama IS YOUR president now. Suck it up. We did for 8 years of Bush. You CAN complain, but that does not change the fact: the conservative obstructionist party of “no” is distinctly the MINORITY in America.
These are among 18,750 projects listed in “Ready to Go,” the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ wish list for funding from the stimulus bill moving through Congress. The group asked cities and towns to suggest “shovel ready” projects for the report, which it gave to Congress and the Obama administration
O.k. What part of “shovel ready” do you not get. If the project will CREATE JOBS for some people, that gives jobs and adds money that will be put into the economy (as the paid workers go and pay bills and buy food and clothes). What does the project matter? Shovel ready projects are not necessarily infrastructure to benefit society (which is socialism, by the way — like all infrastructure), but they ARE jobs ready to go NOW (”shovel ready” … making any sense?). Did you know that in the dpression recovery there were projects that had no value BUT to put people to work (like brick walls being built in cities that had no other purpose BUT to give people work). If you don’t see how that helps the economy, then you are a retard.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:10 amObama: ‘I screwed up’ _ Daschle nomination gone
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama on Tuesday abruptly abandoned his nomination fight for Tom Daschle and a second major appointee who failed to pay all their taxes, fearing a lingering ethics dispute would undercut his claims to moral high ground and cripple his presidency in just its second week. “I screwed up,” Obama declared.
No, the American people screwed up by electing you.
Dynamo, you’re really a one trick pony aren’t you? Your first link faults the Saudi rehabilitation program – NOT Obama. ANd in any event, when were these men released? During Bush’s administration!?
Your second link is already up on TP. It’s refreshing to have a leader who takes responsibility as opposed to your Repug ilk.
Your third link describes a list of submitted projects – NOT projects that have been designated funding as far as I can tell.
You stink.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:11 amDynamo Says:
EugeneDebs Says:
——————————————————————————–
DynaMORON, you brainless fool. Take your abject stupidity to the shortbus. Ride to the special school, sit in the corner with your dunce cap on and drink a tall cool glass of STFU
HAHAHAHAHA your funny!!
Your funny? Our funny? My funny?
You sucky!
First off, why link a story already featured on TP? Way to provoke! Ooooh – a President who doesn’t shrink from responsibility like a coward! OUCH, that stung Dynamo!
Second, you have no point of view that can’t be explained in a single sentence – proving what a deep thinker you must be.
Third, you’re an idiot – plain and simple.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:15 amIt is refreshing to have a Chief Executive willing to admit and own up to his mistakes, correct them and move on.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:23 amHow absolutely adult!
Typical of the AP coverage and “analysis” is more crap from Charles Babington, couched as backhanded praise:
February 4th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Wells Fargo defends, then cancels Vegas junket
By DANIEL WAGNER and MATT APUZZO, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – It’s a tradition for Wells Fargo & Co. to reward top employees with a lavish junket. In previous years, though, the company hadn’t just received a $25 billion bailout from taxpayers.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Wells Fargo had booked 12 nights, beginning Friday, at the Wynn Las Vegas and the Encore Las Vegas.
“Let’s get this straight: These guys are going to Vegas to roll the dice on the taxpayer dime?” said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, a West Virginia Republican who sits on the House Financial Services Committee. “They’re tone-deaf. It’s outrageous.”
The company initially defended the trip. But within hours, investigators and lawmakers on Capitol Hill had scorned the bank, and the company canceled.
Ah, a large dose of public scorn seems to work wonders, eh?
February 4th, 2009 at 10:30 amWhat a change! A president who took responsibility for a team error.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:38 amThe buck stops.
Repugniscum played an enormous role in the financial mess we are in — from Bush to the Republican-led Congress, with the aid of a few greedy Dems, yet they are today “resolute” in their opposition to the stimulus plan.
Reporters are only too happy to plant their microphones in front of repugs blathering faces, almost as eager as they are to pronounce the Obama honeymoon is over, as they criticize him for not performing miracles in 14 days.
Repugs are concerted in their stubbornness to see that the bill does not pass, even as Americans are suffering more each day. Their solution is as always, tax cuts for the wealthy –
February 4th, 2009 at 10:43 amthe wealthy have become so on the backs of the working people, yet they believe it is their right to step on their necks as they grab more for themselves.
Cheney is reviving his old “we will be attacked, and it will be the Democrats’ fault” scare tactics again.
If there was truly a god, Cheney would not be speaking today.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:45 amWhere in the hell are the Dems who support the stimulus package and want to get it passed ASAP?
All I see are blue dogs (DINOs) and rethugs on TV, and conservative run print media finding fault with minutiae.
Obama has even said that the issues on which criticisms that are making headlines make up only a tiny fraction of the total package.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:51 amRepugs continue to speak about items that have already been removed, and remain steadfastly in support of their beloved tax cuts — the same philosophy that brought us this disaster.
Shayne, I had the same thought this morning — they are critical of Obama for being too open and too much in the news — WTF? they want more secrecy??
February 4th, 2009 at 10:52 amShayne and Marie,
I wonder if this new nostalgia for the good old days of super-secrecy is from people who prefer the father figure type of president. Things are tough these days and they just want someone to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything for you. Trust me.”
These people may not like watching the ‘getting your hands dirty’ part of it – they just want someone to fix all of their problems. Then they can go back to watching TV or whatever.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:04 amTwo problems remain: 1) Now the dolls they sold with the Malia and Sasha names are huge collector items, which sort of blows away the whole idea of honoring the First Family’s privacy and dignity, and 2) The company simply changed the names on the dolls and THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE DOLLS.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:05 amThe New York Times, Fox News, and the rest of the media successfully drummed Daschle out of national service and then celebrate by running front page stories about the stunning reversal. Yes, you won, Daschle isn’t serving. Now please show a little humility. I’d be impressed at our “watchdogs” if they hadn’t been so stunningly ineffective throughout the last administration.
You cannot simultaneously claim that Daschle is a symbol that Obama does not support ethics and responsibility and also claim that the removal of Daschle from consideration is not evidence that Obama does support ethics and responsibility. Or, rather you can, but it means you are operating in the same logical swamp as Rush Limbaugh and his ilk.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:07 ammary Says:
Shayne and Marie,
I wonder if this new nostalgia for the good old days of super-secrecy is from people who prefer the father figure type of president. Things are tough these days and they just want someone to say, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything for you. Trust me.”
Some imperial father figure. Do these people want royalty or what? This mystery and specialness idea about the Presidency seems to me to be the very antithesis of the Founding Fathers’ idea of democracy.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:08 amGood comparison, traffic violations bad/real criminal activity by gop…good..
classic but predictable.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:59 amCZ-1 Says:
Two problems remain: 1) Now the dolls they sold with the Malia and Sasha names are huge collector items, which sort of blows away the whole idea of honoring the First Family’s privacy and dignity, and 2) The company simply changed the names on the dolls and THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE DOLLS.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:05 am
___________
And Ty got a bunch of publicity out of it, which should translate to a nice bit of profit as people scramble to buy the last remaining Sasha and Malia dolls. Chalk it up as one company saved by the Obama administration, without a bailout or a stimulus bill…
February 4th, 2009 at 12:04 pmoh noes, here’s ms tracy again, all puffed up and struttin some herring around the town square.
with that much red herring, ms tracy, you should really….
….can it!
February 4th, 2009 at 12:14 pmfor t5, real criminals who were approved to lead under bush:
Colin Powell
Douglas Feith
George Tenet
Scooter Libby
Donald Rumsfeld
John Bolton
John Ashcroft
Paul McNulty
Monica Goodling
Kyle Sampson
Tom Delay
Duke Cunningham
Jack Abramoff
Robert E. Coughlin II
Jeff Gannon/James Guckert
Bob Ney
Mark Foley
Katherine Harris
Scott McClellan
Ari Fleischer
Michael Brown
Paul Wolfowitz
Tony Blair
Dan Bartlett
Tim Griffin
Alberto Gonzales
Dick Cheney
George Bush
David Addington
Karl Rove
The list keeps getting longer and guess what, some of these people actually went to jail and more will likely follow…..that’s how you define criminal.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:14 pmms tracy doesn’t understand how her false moral equivalency arguments are complete non-starters.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pmThe difference with Dubbie’s appointees….
…they all lied.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:17 pmAll the talk of infrastructure and the package has very little for “highway construction, public transportation and water and sewer projects.”
That’s because the private sector has hundreds of billions ready to use on privatizing that very infrastructure.
If the feds put up the money, the big money boys won’t get those cush deals from stressed state and local governments.
The public is being shell gamed.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:28 pmLet’s see if we can help you think since you don’t seem to be able to do it for yourself.
No one that you have mentioned so far has been charged with a crime…….does that help you small minded person?
See my list of republicans who you supported, many of which are actually in jail, others charged with trials pending, etc.
You see, you can’t just change reality no matter how badly you need to in order to make your point which is no point at all really……
Bottom line, you’re just plain dumb or vile.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:38 pmProve it liar.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:41 pmTracy__5 Says:
Geithner lied about not paying his taxes…no matter how he tried to gloss over it with his BS excuses.
________
And he paid them, w/ interest and penalties, before feckless clowns like you ever latched onto the whole shebang and desperately tried to make a faaaar bigger bang of it than it deserves to be.
On the other hand, you apparently never had any trouble w/ Botch lying us into an unnecessary and hideously bloody invasion, or torture, or domestic wiretapping… hell, all you’ve ever done here is come mincing out in your cheerleader’s skirt and shaken your pompoms endless for Botch.
GIMME a B…. GIMME an O… GIMME a TCH…
WHAT’S IT SPELL? WHAT’S IT SPELL? GEORGE W BOTCH!!!
February 4th, 2009 at 12:45 pmIf you think things are screwed up then we are happy!!!!
February 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pmGeorge W. Bush said:
February 4th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Welp, it’s been over 3 hours since I nicely challenged Dynamo hum to a debate.
What? No response?
How typical.
Oh, and Tracist__5. It must burn the hell out of you knowing that the leader of the free world for the next 4 years (guaranteed) is of different skin color then what you wish.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:33 pmHa!
I laugh every time this raises your blood pressure.
Dr. Hussein Matt Says:
Reich-wingers are certainly confused because they worship a failing minority that never admit they make a mistake.
The way wingnuts see it, it’s actually not a mistake if you don’t admit it. So now in their estimation, Obama has already “made” more mistakes than Bush.
They are the political party of stupid people.
.
Tracy__5 Says:
Tax evasion seems to be the norm for those who think we don’t pay enough already. Classic, yet predictable.
“The norm,” huh? How many Cabinet and Deputy posts are there total? Because I’m pretty sure it was significantly more than 3.
.
Tracy__5 Says:
….and no they weren’t “mistakes” especially when you fail to pay your social security taxes year after year the way Geithner did, but apparently this guy was the best Obama could come up with.
Either you’re lying or you don’t know about Geithner’s situation.
In case it’s the latter, I’ll explain again. Geithner apparently was supposed to pay the normally-employer-paid part of his Social Security taxes, and didn’t do that. That’s an error you or I might make if either of us were in that position. In fact, I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing until I heard about it in Geithner’s case. Neither had you. I know I’ve never seen a tax form with a line-item for “Social Security taxes for you that are normally paid by your employer but which you’re supposed to pay since they’re an international non-profit.” It’s probably on the 1040-QXZ.
Now as a conservative, I’m sure you’d agree with me that the tax code is far too complex, and should be simplified. Not (or not only) because taxes are too high, but because it can turn perfectly normal people who fail to follow all of the complicated necessary steps into de-facto criminals. As such, it’s a tool of oppression. However, if you’re going to argue that Geithner must have intentionally evaded taxes rather than making an understandable error, then you’re basically taking the side of overcomplexity in taxation, by blaming a victim of it. Which would make you a Communist.
But this is a wingnut tactic I’m noticing more and more often – hooting and jeering and blaming someone for making a mistake that you (or most people) would totally make if they were in the same situation.
.
LTdan Says:
Screwing things up this early?
He probably should have gone on vacation for six months right after swearing in, huh?
.
LTdan Says:
Who elected this MORON?
America did.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pmSure thing, Tracist__5, I’M the closest racist (and sexist) because I claimed to have a “black” friend, and I also said a single mom attending college was no benefit to society, and then went further and chastised her for being divorced.
In fact, I once got so flustered and angered when a poster here came out and made anti-racial remarks that I thought for sure was directed at me, even though he never mentioned my name.
Oh wait, that was YOU!!!!
February 4th, 2009 at 2:56 pmBWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You can run and hide (deny) your past, but some here who have long memories are not so forgiving. You are S.O.L.
It’s not a bullshit list t5, it’s real and you know it. Just the fact that you expect me to prove each and every one tells me that you want to put me to work so you can blather some more lies……do your own work little girl.
here’s three of them you can start doing homework on:
Tom Delay
Duke Cunningham
Jack Abramoff
Now that’s a criminal!!!!!!!!!
guess what t5, everyone is laughing alright, but it’s at you!!
February 4th, 2009 at 3:40 pm“Sure thing, Tracist__5, I’M the closet racist (and sexist) because I claimed to have a “black” friend”
That claim of mine is fact.
When one has to label his “friends” by skin color, it’s racist.
End.
Of.
Story.
But you’re cute for a bigoted he man woman hater.
And the mental picture painted by rhf of you and your wife was hilarious.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:23 pmSorry, but I’m ROTLMAO!
Tracy__5 Says:
Stupidity seems the norm for you moron republicans. That is DEFINITLY the norm
February 4th, 2009 at 9:14 pmSorry folks, I will not let Tracist__5 have the last word, as he is always so inclined to do. Making dum bass statements on an almost dead thread that no one is paying attention to.
Tracist, care to define “useless c-word”?
Because the only one I could think of is that sorry ass wife of yours who let’s a racist like you utilize it for 10-15 seconds!
Mucking foron!
February 5th, 2009 at 11:03 amTrying to get the last word in, Tracist?
February 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pmZmatter? Wife won’t let you “in”? Probably saves you the embarrassment of your quick draw McGraw status.
ROTFLMAO!