ThinkFast: February 23, 2009
ThinkFast: February 23, 2009
President Obama will host dozens of advisers and adversaries at the White House today for a fiscal responsibility summit, “the first meeting toward a strategy to address the long-term fiscal health of the nation.” “I will convene a fiscal summit of independent experts and unions, advocacy groups and members of Congress,” Obama announced in his weekend radio and Internet address.
“Seventy-three percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday say they’re very or somewhat scared about the way things are going in the United States. That’s six points higher than in an October poll.” Nearly eight in 10 say things are going badly in America.
As the number of widows in Iraq has swelled during six years of war, “their presence on city streets begging for food or as potential recruits by insurgents” has begun to symbolize the breakdown of Iraqi self-sufficiency. Government and social service organizations “say the women’s needs have come to exceed available help, posing a threat to the stability of the country’s tenuous social structures.”
A secret task force of more than 70 American military advisers has been training Pakistani soldiers and paramilitary troops “in an effort to root out Qaeda and Taliban operations that threaten American troops in Afghanistan and are increasingly destabilizing Pakistan.” The program, which started with the approval of the Pakistani government last summer, is “a much larger and more ambitious effort than either country has acknowledged.”
President Obama plans to announce the appointment of Earl Devaney, the inspector general of the Interior Dept. and a former Secret Service agent, as chairman of the new Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. Devaney’s investigation led to Steven Griles pleading guilty for lying to Congress in the Jack Abramoff scandal.
Supporters of D.C. voting rights “believe that they are on the verge of their biggest victory in at least 30 years.” “I think the votes are there. I think it’s going to pass the Senate,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), referring to the bill that would create a full House seat for the District, set to be taken up by the chamber this week
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has landed a “three-book deal with Crown Publishers, starting with a memoir about her years in the administration of President George W. Bush.” The agreement is worth at least $2.5 million, and her first book is planned for 2011.
A measure legalizing same-sex civil unions passed the state House in Hawaii last month and “now goes before the Senate, where a divided committee is scheduled to vote on Tuesday.” Gov. Linda Lingle (R) “has declined to comment on the bill, and it is unclear whether she would veto it.”
Army Emergency Relief (AER), which is the biggest charity inside the U.S. military, “has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet,” the AP reports today. Though AER “grew into a $345 million behemoth” between 2003 and 2007, the charity spent just $64 million on direct aid to military families in that time period.
And finally: Education Secretary Arne Duncan has acknowledged the negative impressions surrounding No Child Left Behind and called for giving it “a new name.” This announcement has prompted “scores of educators, policy wonks and assorted rabble-rousers” on the site Eduwonk to come up with some not-so-serious suggestions: the Act to Help Children Read Gooder, Rearranging the Deck Chairs Act, Could We Start Again Please Act, and the Double Back Around to Pick Up the Children We Left Behind Act.
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AER is just one broken facet in a broken system that has left our Vietnam and Gulf war veterans in the lurch almost as bad as how we abandoned our Filipino warfighter obligations. Shame is assuaged by greed every day.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 amPresident Obama will host dozens of advisers and adversaries at the White House today for a fiscal responsibility summit, “the first meeting toward a strategy to address the long-term fiscal health of the nation.”
Wow, what a concept. Long term strategic planning by a President. There may be hope for this country after all.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 amThe two Mad Lieberman’s meet face to face to plot Israel’s future violence:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304850871&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 amThat’s six points higher than in an October poll.” Nearly eight in 10 say things are going badly in America.
Queue the trolls to say that this is proof that Obama is a failed President.
I fear that the damage the Bush Crime Family did to this nation is going to be with us for a very long time.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 amU.S. Concedes Afghan Attack Mainly Killed Civilians
An airstrike by the United States-led military coalition killed 13 civilians and 3 militants last Tuesday in western Afghanistan, not “up to 15 militants” as was initially claimed by American forces, military officials here said Saturday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/world/asia/22afghan.html?_r=1&ref=world
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 amRecovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. Devaney’s investigation led to Steven Griles pleading guilty for lying to Congress in the Jack Abramoff scandal.
Just the fact that he has set up this board and is staffing it should show this country that President Obama is serious about spending the money wisely and as little corruption as possible, unlike our “no accountability” former President.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 amThough AER “grew into a $345 million behemoth” between 2003 and 2007, the charity spent just $64 million on direct aid to military families in that time period.
Well, that’s disgusting. WTF are they doing with the money?
Just one more thing President Obama has to add to his ginormous list of things that need fixing. When I think of how much he has accomplished in his first month vs how much needs to be done, I think Obama is off to a good start. He has made some decisions I disagree with, but until I know what’s behind those decisions, I will not condemn him for them.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 amHaaretz reported:
Iran to begin operation of first nuclear power plant
The long-delayed preliminary phase of operations for Iran’s first nuclear power plant will begin on Wednesday, the state atomic energy agency said Sunday.
A nuclear official in Russia, which is helping build the plant, however, said no major milestone is expected on Wednesday.
“The pilot stage operation of the power plant will start on Wednesday,” Iranian atomic agency spokesman Mohsen Delaviz told the state news agency.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1066074.html
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 amSupporters of D.C. voting rights “believe that they are on the verge of their biggest victory in at least 30 years.” “I think the votes are there. I think it’s going to pass the Senate,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), referring to the bill that would create a full House seat for the District, set to be taken up by the chamber this week
It’s way past time that D.C. should have had representation in Congress (with the right to vote). But Hatch supports it ONLY because Utah also gets an extra seat out of the deal.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 amRant raises profile of CNBC on-air personality Rick Santelli
Chicago Tribune – …
no doubt what it was all about…
good for you, azzhole… thanks for helping.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 amCNBC reported America’s Sovereign Debt Fund will take a 40% ownership stake in CitiBank. After $45 billion and guarantees on $301 billion in bad assets, I thought taxpayers already owned Citi. It’s market cap is a fraction of taxpayer cash and guarantees.
Another bad deal for taxpayers.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:26 amEducation Secretary Arne Duncan has acknowledged the negative impressions surrounding No Child Left Behind and called for giving it “a new name.”
My personal favorite: Act to Help Children Read Gooder
Honorable mention to: Double Back Around to Pick Up the Children We Left Behind Act
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 amHere’s some accountability for you: urge Obama to fulfill his campaign promise to REPEAL Bush’s tax cuts for the rich, and do it quickly, not wait for them to lapse on their own. The nation needs that money, and it needs it now. And before he starts messing with our Social Security- the only thing many of us have standing between us and utter destitution- he should lift the SS ceiling and levy SS taxes on every dollar earned, not just on the first $102k. And close the loophole that allows congress to use the surplus (steal our retirement funds).
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 amIn fact, where’s the petition? I’ll sign it!
George W. Bush would have gone on vacation.
Myst
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 amEducation Secretary Arne Duncan has acknowledged the negative impressions surrounding No Child Left Behind and called for giving it “a new name.”
No Crumbs Left Behind
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 amI wonder what this so-called charity, AER, pays its top executives. I bet they’re helping themselves to nice fat salaries and perks.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 am[...]
Patricia Papernow, a psychologist from Hudson, Mass., and expert on blended families, said tensions from combining families, as Brown’s father and Houk were doing, were “pretty normal in a new stepfamily.”
“It looks awful from the outside and sort of unspeakable, but these are the kinds of feelings that are pretty normal in a new stepfamily,” Papernow said. “You just hope there’s not a loaded gun around.”
really.
i sure hope they are checking his video and game collection…
the saddest story ever…
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 amNo Testing Corporation Left Behind
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. Devaney’s investigation led to Steven Griles pleading guilty for lying to Congress in the Jack Abramoff scandal.
Just the fact that he has set up this board and is staffing it should show this country that President Obama is serious about spending the money wisely and as little corruption as possible, unlike our “no accountability” former President.
I agree that this is a good idea, but I don’t know about the appointment of Devany as its head. It’s one thing to run an investigation, quite another to run a government agency. I don’t know anything about this guy, and he may well do a fantastic job. On the other hand, what experience does he have being an effective admin?
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 amNo Desire to Learn Left Unsquashed
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 amLet’s hope Condi reveals enough to get her into the docket at Den Hague.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:38 amFreddie Mac’s lobbyist paid Newt Gingrich $300,000 according to the AP.
Fannie Mae paid board member Ken Duberstein over $1.8 million over a multi-year period for regulatory advice, according to SEC filings.
Untouchable Republicans helped create the mess.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 amThe Jerusalem Post has a less inflammatory article on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear test. For those interested:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304854008&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 amNo Childrens learnin behind left.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 amBobwurst Says: It’s one thing to run an investigation, quite another to run a government agency. I don’t know anything about this guy, and he may well do a fantastic job. On the other hand, what experience does he have being an effective admin
Devaney is the Inspector General, an administrative position in control of the investigatory arm of the Interior Department. Sounds like an equivalent job description to his new position.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 amWhy Doesn’t the Army Support the Troops?
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 amAs the number of widows in Iraq has swelled during six years of war, “their presence on city streets begging for food or as potential recruits by insurgents” has begun to symbolize the breakdown of Iraqi self-sufficiency. Government and social service organizations “say the women’s needs have come to exceed available help, posing a threat to the stability of the country’s tenuous social structures.”
It is a complete shock to the NeoCons that they HAD social structures. They’re such children, after all.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 amWhen do Democratic elections create a state of emergency? That’s what Netanyahu says.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3676185,00.html
If he can’t form a coalition, then Livni or Barak get a shot. It doesn’t seem an emergency, unless Israel has other plans. Bloody Olmert still has the reigns until a new government if formed.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 amIf you missed this on Rachael Maddow, it is worth a look.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:47 amCan anyone provide a reasonable explanation other than what this looks like; another Obama reversal/screwing?
Obama administration backs Bush, tries to kill ‘lost’ White House emails lawsuit
After the telecom immunity, after extension of bush’s ’state secrets’ horse sh¡t, and Obama’s penchant for apparently collecting lobbyists and touting “transparency,” I keep seeing Obama as running on liberal issues, then screwing the Constitution after securing the office.
I’ll reserve my “This Is Bullsh¡t” can ‘o wup@ss until after anyone has attempted to talk me down, otherwise, Obama is longterm placed on my aggressive/microscope sh¡tlist.
This ‘change’ feels more like getting smacked upside the head with a bag of nickels…
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 am“A secret task force of more than 70 American military advisers has been training Pakistani soldiers and paramilitary troops “in an effort to root out Qaeda and Taliban operations that threaten American troops in Afghanistan and are increasingly destabilizing Pakistan.” The program, which started with the approval of the Pakistani government last summer, is “a much larger and more ambitious effort than either country has acknowledged.”
Sounds an awful lot like the Latin American “Death Squad” programs to me.
“Who can train guerillas by the dozens, send them out to kill their untrained cousins? F—ing-a-man, cia man”
change indeed.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 amShitty Bank & Skank of America, as Bill Maher so eloquently noted Friday night, want more of our money.
What should we do?
How about this…
Why not just go ahead and nationalize? Remember, the longer we live with zombie banks, the harder it will be to end the economic crisis. -Paul Krugman / NYT / 2-23-09
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 amBoycott Citibank and Bank of America. FORCE them under, and let your congresscritters know that’s exactly what you’re doing. Maybe if the sentiment that “I refuse to do business with CB / BOA” becomes widespread the justification for the endless convoy of bailouts will be eroded. These corporations NEEDED to die and the government saved them so they may further provide substandard service and economic risk to us all. Why do we keep counting on the people who CREATED (and made boatloads of money doing it) the situation to RESOLVE the situation?
Geithner, Bernanke, Paulson, Frank, McConnell, Pelosi, Reid and all the others too numerous to list…
f*** you all.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 amAyn Rand was right, apparently.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 amceltic cynic Says:
I wonder what this so-called charity, AER, pays its top executives. I bet they’re helping themselves to nice fat salaries and perks.
Before I left the service (many years ago) I spent a short time working in the AER office. It is (was?) a military-run entity — not a profit entity. The employees consisted of military persoanell of varying rank (with a captain in charge of the office as a whole) and a couple of non-military loan -officers who were still government employees (G-somethingorothers). So – to MY knowledge, there is no one to steal “profits”. I don’t get it, EXCEPT that AER does not pimp itself — soldiers have to come in on their own (our office also ran a food pantry for service families in need). So, a lot may be just unawareness of the system. The money was also, in many (not all — some were grants) cases considered to be a loan (though a toothless one — SO many refused to pay the money back, and AER has no legal recourse).
So, on THIS one, I really don’t get it, unless it is a case of not educating the soldiers about the availability of the service. But it is not a “charity” in a civilian sense — it is a part of the military.
Just sayin’.
However, criminality is still possible.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 amOops… forgot: I guess my main point is that AER has NO execs (the Sgt. Major was TOP dog, as far as AER was concerned).
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:02 amOnly governments can get credit rolling
In a January presentation, the Carlyle Group, one of the world’s biggest private-equity players, was positively salivating over the opportunities suddenly presented by companies in financial distress. The presentation talked about recapitalizing “over-leveraged but otherwise viable companies … By doing so, we anticipate [private-equity firms] will be able to gain control of high-quality assets at a very low cost.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090223.RREGULY23/TPStory/Business
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:03 amPaul Krugman made the point yesterday that we have already nationalized a lot of small banks. The only real issue is, do we also do the same for some of the toxic big banks. Krugman feels that this is the only way we will have any chance to fix any of this mess.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:03 amDon’t just nationalize the banks – extract wealth from the people responsible for this mess to help pay for it as well. Prosecutions would be a great place to start.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 am* HELP *
PLEASE HELP SAVE OUR COURTHOUSE
it’s on the National Historic Register, but the rubes want to tear it down… i can’t believe the vote is as it is…
a pavilion??? jeez…
http://effinghamcountydemocrats.blogspot.com/
to the right:
What should happen to the Old Efffingham County Courthouse?
* THANKS *
(i s’pose it’s cheating, but too bad… i hate it when beautiful old historic buildings are torn down… there is a brand new ugly building just opened for county business and courts)
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:07 amEU Calls For ‘New World Governance’
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 amGibbs called Iran an urgent problem that has to be addressed. “We can’t delay addressing it,” he said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1065810.html
Yet, Obama hasn’t announced his special advisor for Iran, neocon Dennis Ross (Bloomberg & Reuters reported the story).
There is no Iranian envoy. “Can’t delay” means what? Does Israel have plans?
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 amRepublican proposed bill requires ISPs and Wi-Fi operators to keep activity logs for 2 years to “aid law enforcement”…for the children, of course.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 amBoycott McDonalds;
Workers comp denied to McDonalds employee shot after protecting a customer.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 amread more. http://www.rawstory.com
stateofthedivision Says:
and if Israel attacks, the Iranians would have to cross Iraq to retaliate, essentially turning our men there into human shields for Israel. Myself, I’m tired of seeing Americans pay / die for Israel.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 amBoycott McDonalds…
McDonalds is now importing it’s beef almost exclusively.
There is an ongoing argument whether it is South American, or Australian/New Zealand beef.
McDonalds can hardly be trusted to give an honest answer.
The stuff isn’t good for you anyways.
Boycott Wal-Mart while you’re at it. It’s easy…
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 amMcDonalds f+++ing sucks anyway. Bottom of the barrel fast food and their prices aren’t really that competitive to justify the huge difference in quality.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 amThis is the Associated Press article on Obama’s obfuscation:
Obama administration tries to kill e-mail caseBy PETE YOST – 1 day ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration, siding with former President George W. Bush, is trying to kill a lawsuit that seeks to recover what could be millions of missing White House e-mails.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hsG0My2Q3Eu9Sj2PSupnj4xeQXxAD96G4J9G0
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 amWhich makes one wonder “Why”? Why would Obama want to protect Bush?
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:02 amthe last line of the linked article…
“The (Justice)department defends the government when it is sued.”
I think there are larger issues afoot, that could lead to an actual criminal prosecution of Bush and all of his underlings. Individual lawsuits over contributory issues might compromise or hinder a broader prosecution.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 amI’m only hoping this might be the case.
49. the brown acid Says: Which makes one wonder “Why”? Why would Obama want to protect Bush?
he already has by leading the vote for telecom immunity. All the possible investigations became moot as the telecoms were exonerated and bush’s illegal spying became law..
..retroactively.
This was an indefensible act, yet there are still people overlooking this behavior in order to maintain the mirage of us finally being ’saved.’ We aren’t saved and Obama bears as much scrutiny as any leader.
What we don’t need are Obama’s ‘faithful’ protecting questionable calls. We don’t need a faith-based government, yet that’s what Obamaphiles keeps saying…”be patient; it must be wise because Obama did it, it’s not a flip-flop, it’s admirable that he can change his mind,” ad nauseam. Yet, Obama’s past decisions, telecom immunity, FISA and drilling u-turn continue to send up red flags.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 amObama and Podesta made the NYT for the President’s plans to revamp Social Security:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h25/show
Democrats Resisting Obama on Social Security
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am50.Nevar Says: I think there are larger issues afoot, that could lead to an actual criminal prosecution of Bush and all of his underlings. Individual lawsuits over contributory issues might compromise or hinder a broader prosecution. I’m only hoping this might be the case.
There’s a lot of that going around. Hope….just hope.
It’s, to me, equally insane that after 8 years of lying, misleading and deception; 8 years of having every iota of trust violated, Obama is demanding we ‘trust’ him.
Why?
We trusted him on telecom immunity and he covered up bush’s years of crime. During the primaries, Obama didn’t shy away from statements like “no one is above the law,” then not only puts bush prosecution on the far back burner, but protects bush’s state secrecy abuses.
I don’t trust President Obama at all. Bush & cheney should be indicted, the detainees should have rights to their imprisonment, and the bank CEOs should be fired.
Instead, Obama is looking to appoint a Citigroup CEO to the UK ambassadorship..(via americablog)
Obama’s feet of clay are becoming staggeringly apparent.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 amWell… this is certainly some Fin’ disturbing shite…
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/22/militias/index.html
Glenn Greenwald
SUNDAY FEB. 22, 2009 07:36 EST
Fox News “war games” the coming civil war
Bill Clinton’s election in 1992 gave rise to the American “militia movement”: hordes of overwhelmingly white, middle-aged men from suburban and rural areas who convinced themselves they were defending the American way of life from the “liberals” and “leftists” running the country by dressing up in military costumes on weekends, wobbling around together with guns, and play-acting the role of patriot-warriors.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 am54. The Republic of Stupidity Says: Well… this is certainly some Fin’ disturbing shite…
Saw that. Crazy sh¡t huh? This paragraph encapsulates the republican two-faced desperation nicely:
And this from Hume’s Ghost in a similar vein:
Chilling…
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 pmnegative impressions surrounding No Child Left Behind ….
How come everytime a repub idea fails, the answer is to give it a new name. After all, the problem is clearly the name and not the ideology.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 pmhanshiro Says:
If it’s their guy (or gal) that’s fine because it’s Us and we’re Good; but if it’s a Democrat then it’s Them and they’re Evil.
____________
This frighteningly appears to be the case.
Wasn’t it Betty Davis who said, “Buckle up, folks. It’s going to be a bumpy ride”??
Or sumpin’ to that effect?
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 pmArmy Emergency Relief – because we support our troops ?
First, this emphasizes the need to check out any and all charities. There are so many charities that only give out pennies on the dollars they take in. And some have names invoking children with cancer and drowning kittens that one has to be a &*)(& to refuse their solicitations. Some have names that are almost identical to legitimate charities.
But specific to AER – as the link indicates, is only separated from the military by a thin veil. I wonder how many folks involved are high ranking brass ?
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 pmAER- did you notice the part about officers shaking down the enlisted ranks for their “contributions”?
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/us/politics/23social.html?ref=politics
Sorry about the bad link I posted in #52
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:21 pmThe Belfast Telegraph reported on Susman, Obama’s possible Ambassador to England. It said:
The 71-year-old Wall Street veteran, retired as vice-chairman of Citigroup Capital Markets on 1 February.
That means Susman helped create the system that imploded. His reward is an Ambassadorship? That’s what bundling more than $800,000 for the Obama campaign can do.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/obama-hedges-credibility-on-big-economy-fix-14199369.html
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 pmNevar Says:
Boycott McDonalds…
McDonalds is now importing it’s beef almost exclusively.
*****
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:40 pmPlease encourage the use of US beef. I got the lowest price ever for the feeder cattle I sold in December. Maybe just the overall state of the economy, but it hurt.
stateofthedivision Says:
“Can’t delay” means what? Does Israel have plans?
Since the beginning…
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm62. OutstandingInMyField Says: Please encourage the use of US beef. I got the lowest price ever for the feeder cattle I sold in December. Maybe just the overall state of the economy, but it hurt.
The only beef I’d encourage is organic, grass-fed that had been 100% tested for mad cow…but the beef industry frowns on that.
Needless to say, I’m not much of a beef industry, factory farm fan.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:49 pmFactory farms and their products SUCK
Wendell Berry was right…
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 pmI hope that by creating this new team that we will actually start addressing the issues overseas. Hearing about how many women are out on the streets begging for food should be an indicator that there is more to come. The Borgen Project (www.borgenproject.org) has facts regarding global poverty and security. At some point it would be easy for Al-Queda to come in and recruit those women, because if they are offering food, shelter, and new schools then they figure they can’t be that bad.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:59 pmhanshiro Says:
Needless to say, I’m not much of a beef industry, factory farm fan.
****
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:00 pmThat’s ok, I’m not much of a factory farm. No hormones or medicated feed, just lack sufficient grass to grow out all my animals.
65.the brown acid Says: Factory farms and their products SUCK Wendell Berry was right…
Whoa, I don’t want to start an argument about beef industry or factory farms, or mis-attribute any of that to 62.OutstandingInMyField.
I meant to clarify my personal position, not to suggest anything beyond that…
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pmIf it was me, I’d be growing hemp…
Doesn’t make any sense to have it outlawed, except to the logging industry lobbyists..then it makes excellent sense.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pmJuan C., that explains Obama’s 25 day silence on Israel’s pummeling of Gaza. Iran is high on the list for Israel’s next round of violence.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm62. OutstandingInMyField Says: Please encourage the use of US beef….
Outstanding, I live in the 2nd biggest beef producing state. While I partially agree with your call for a boycott, unfortunately, when you buy beef, you don’t know where it is from (likewise for spinach, peanut butter, etc.) In fact, one of the Bush legacies is making it almost impossible to indicate the location of food.
I would, as a first step, like to see it mandatory to indicate the locations beef has been at.
Likewise, Bush regs make it so you can’t advertise if you do testing (such as mad cow) in excess of the required number.
But shouldn’t it be my right to choose what I put in my mouth ?
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 pmFood and drug safety are patently laughable. It’s a dice roll every time you take a medicine or eat a peanut butter cracker. A friend almost died from salmonella. He spent 10 days in the hospital, racking up a $26,000 bill. Thank heaven he lived.
My Congressman is on the Agriculture Committee. He’s done nothing about the situation.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 pmObama team makes it official:
Clinton picks Dennis Ross as special adviser for Persian Gulf
A veteran diplomat who has served as Mideast envoy under Democratic and Republican presidents will be a special adviser to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the Persian Gulf region, officials said Monday.
The State Department announced that Dennis Ross will be asked to provide Clinton with assessments, strategic advice and perspective.
Dennis Ross neocon
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1235410696178&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 pm