ThinkFast: February 24, 2009
ThinkFast: February 24, 2009
President Obama will appoint “a full-time, high-level envoy” to Sudan to deal with the Darfur genocide, actor George Clooney said, after meeting with Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House last night. “The administration has assured me that Darfur is one of a small handful of foreign policy reviews being undertaken at the [most senior] level,” Clooney said, adding that “they assured me this is high on their agenda.”
According to a new Department of Health and Human Services report, “health care costs will top $8,000 per person this year…an increase of $356 per person from last year.” The Medicare trust fund “is running out of cash more rapidly, and could become insolvent as early as 2016.” HHS estimates that health costs “will reach $13,100 per person in 2018, accounting for $1 out of every $5 spent in the economy.”
“Publicly funded family planning prevents nearly 2 million unintended pregnancies and more than 800,000 abortions in the United States each year,” according to a new report by the Guttmacher Institute. The report also found that every dollar spent on family planning “saves taxpayers $4 in costs associated with unintended births to mothers eligible for Medicaid-funded natal care.”
The government is facing “mounting pressure” to invest billions more in “some of the nation’s biggest banks, two of the biggest automakers and the biggest insurance company.” AIG “indicated on Monday it was now negotiating for tens of billions of dollars in additional assistance,” while Citigroup “could raise the government’s stake…to as much as 40 percent”. Additionally, Ford and Chrysler are seeking $22 billion.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has tapped veteran diplomat Dennis Ross as her special adviser on the Persian Gulf region. Ross, who worked on the Middle East peace process for Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, “will be asked to provide Clinton with assessments, strategic advice and perspective.”
Obama is expected to announce former Democratic Washington governor Gary Locke as his choice to lead the Commerce Department. Locke was the first — and only — Chinese-American to ever be elected governor of a state, serving from 1997-2005. In 2003, Locke gave the Democratic response to President Bush’s State of the Union address.
Obama also tapped Harvard physicist Ashton Carter yesterday to be the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer. Due to his scientific background, Carter is expected to “be a whiz at the technical aspects of his new job.” The choice of Carter is drawing criticism, however, from “defense insiders” who say “he lacks experience dealing with the industry he’ll work closely with.”
Former CNN and MSNBC conservative anchor Tucker Carlson is joining the libertarian CATO Institute as a senior fellow. “I’ve admired the Cato Institute since I first read its publications,” he said. Carlson will write a book on the state of the American political system.
58 percent: Americans who favor voting rights in the House for D.C. residents, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll. The bill passed a Senate committee on Feb. 11, and is up for a procedural vote in the full chamber today. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who led opposition to the bill in 2007, now says he expects the measure to pass.
And finally: Some lawmakers are already planning to stake out prime spots in the chamber tonight for President Obama’s address. The Hill writes that there will likely be a “wave of members of the Congressional Black Caucus” in key spots, including Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL). In the past, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) “became annoyed when a colleague stole her seat” and cursed about it, according to a cameraman within earshot. However, don’t expect Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) to be angling for a kiss from the President this year.
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Neocon Dennis Ross joins Paul Wolfowitz in the State Department. Wolfie heads the committee charged with preventing spread of WMD.
Iran is in their sites.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:10 amdon’t expect Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) to be angling for a kiss from the President this year
Personally, I hope Little Shelley McBimbo is sitting close enough to the aisle so that Obama can whack her upside the head as he passes. She needs some kind help to restart her brain. That just might do the trick!
February 24th, 2009 at 9:16 amAccording to a new Department of Health and Human Services report, “health care costs will top $8,000 per person this year…an increase of $356 per person from last year.”
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And how will an unemployed person, who lost his/her health benefits along with their job, pay for this? And what if this person has a family, costing $8,000 per family member?
Well, according to the trolls, they should have “planned ahead”.
This has already become insane. Even if we can’t get universal health care overnight, can we at least get the need to make a profit out of the system?
February 24th, 2009 at 9:18 amCarter doesn’t have experience? He sat alongside ex-Defense Chief William Perry at the corporate board table.
Ashton Carter serves on the board of the Board of Global Technology Partners, a defense oriented investment firm. In the past Mr. Carter served on the Advisory Board of Draper Laboratories, a high tech government contractor that designs accurate and reliable guidance, navigation and control systems for the Department of Defense and NASA.
He’s in the PEU camp, private equity underwriter. Will he bring greed and leverage to the Pentagon?
Mr. Carter was also a member of the Committee on Science and Technology for Countering Terrorism. That group produced L. Paul Bremer, who botched to Coalition Provisional Authority.
For those who want links they can be found in my two year old piece:
http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2006/06/strange-convergence-on-stories.html
Ashton Carter is uniquely qualified and connected to continue corporafornication.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:19 amThe report also found that every dollar spent on family planning “saves taxpayers $4 in costs associated with unintended births to mothers eligible for Medicaid-funded natal care.”
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But…but…but…the fundies believe that birth control and sex education leads to a lot of wanton sex!
They don’t realize how money spent on family planning not only cuts down on the number of unwanted babies, but it also cuts down on the number of abortions. You’d think they’d see this as the lesser of two evils, wouldn’t you?
February 24th, 2009 at 9:23 amAccording to a new Department of Health and Human Services report, “health care costs will top $8,000 per person this year…an increase of $356 per person from last year.”
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This has already become insane. Even if we can’t get universal health care overnight, can we at least get the need to make a profit out of the system?
Which layer of profit? The Insurance Industry’s, or the Health Care Industry’s? After all, this capitalistic system of health care has given us the best health care system money can buy — if you have the money, that is.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:23 amAshton Carter Global Technology Partners
http://gtp-llc.com/partners.cfm
In addition to his public service, Dr. Carter is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the MITRE Corporation, and the Advisory Boards of MIT’s Lincoln Laboratories and the Draper Laboratory. He is a consultant to Goldman, Sachs, Inc. and Mitretek Systems, Inc. on international affairs and technology matters, and speaks frequently to business and policy audiences. Dr. Carter is also a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Physical Society, the International Institute of Strategic Studies, and the National Committee on U.S., China Relations.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:23 amThe government is facing “mounting pressure” to invest billions more in “some of the nation’s biggest banks…
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Are banks just BEGGING to be nationalized? It seems that Krugman’s description of “zombie banks” is spot-on.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:24 amstateofthedivision Says:
This all about him not being an ‘insider’ and knowing which palms to grease. As the level of accountibility rises, the sense of discomfiture coming from certain areas that have had 8 years of free reign is becoming palpable….
February 24th, 2009 at 9:26 amCarter lacks experience? What kind of research did Politico do? His bio says:
A longtime member of the Defense Science Board and the Defense Policy Board, the principal advisory bodies to the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Carter continues to advise the U.S. government as a member of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s International Security Advisory Board, co-chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Policy Advisory Group, a consultant to the Defense Science Board, a member of the National Missile Defense White Team, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on International Security and Arms Control.
His corporate board roles and longtime association with the Pentagon imply continued corporafornication. Now Change Means No Change from W.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:27 am“Publicly funded family planning prevents nearly 2 million unintended pregnancies and more than 800,000 abortions in the United States each year,” …
Yet, repugniscum continue to oppose expenditures for such programs, they continue to oppose abortion, and they continue to oppose aid, medical and educational needs for those children who are born.
They falsely claim the religious/moral high ground; it’s hard to accept that Jesus would have been on board with their harsh philosophy.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:28 amMichael Steel, of the RNC, has declared “retribution” for the three republicans who voted for the stimulus.
You either walk in lock step or they will break your knees.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:29 am58 percent: Americans who favor voting rights in the House for D.C. residents, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
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This should be a no-brainer. Why we have U.S. citizens living on U.S. soil not getting congressional representation is beyond me. Yet, because these citizens tend to favor one party, the other party fights against their getting a voice.
And the only way we can get movement on this is to come up with something that looks like the Missouri Compromise, which means throwing Utah a bone.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:31 amFormer CNN and MSNBC conservative anchor Tucker Carlson is joining the libertarian CATO Institute as a senior fellow. “I’ve admired the Cato Institute since I first read its publications,” he said. Carlson will write a book on the state of the American political system.
I know I’m looking forward with eager anticipation for Tucker’s book. Actually, I think I’ll hold off for the leather-bound numbered and signed edition that is sure to be issued by a major publishing house to celebrate this important event.
Srsly.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:32 amMarie Says
February 24th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Michael Steel, of the RNC, has declared “retribution” for the three republicans who voted for the stimulus.
You either walk in lock step or they will break your knees.
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Just out of curiosity — has anybody ever heard a Democratic leader declare “retribution” for a party member who failed to toe the party line on a vote? I’m racking my brain, but I can’t think of a comparable instance of this kind of thinking on the Dem side of the fence.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:33 amre 12:
Great! They’l be welcome to walk across the aisle anytime they want. Remember JIm Jeffords.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:35 amFormer CNN and MSNBC conservative anchor Tucker Carlson is joining the libertarian CATO Institute as a senior fellow. “I’ve admired the Cato Institute since I first read its publications,” he said. Carlson will write a book on the state of the American political system.
Working title of Carlson’s book: Bowties are for sissies.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:37 amMiss Litella: “What’s all this I hear about Ashton Kutcher becoming the chief weapons buyer at the Pentagon? What does Mr. Demi Moore know about weapons? Just because some second-rate actor on That ’70’s show says something is “da bomb” doesn’t mean he’s qualified to purchase arms! That’s what’s wrong with this country! Why, I think…”
Jane Curtin: “Umm…Emily — that’s Ashton Carter, not Ashton Kutcher.”
Ms. Litella: “Ohhh — that’s different. Never mind!“
February 24th, 2009 at 9:42 amand now rupert apologizes:
As the Chairman of the New York Post, I am ultimately responsible for what is printed in its pages. The buck stops with me.
Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people. Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted.
Over the past couple of days, I have spoken to a number of people and I now better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused. At the same time, I have had conversations with Post editors about the situation and I can assure you – without a doubt – that the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation. It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such.
We all hold the readers of the New York Post in high regard and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:55 amThe government is facing “mounting pressure” to invest billions more in “some of the nation’s biggest banks, two of the biggest automakers and the biggest insurance company.”
I can see investing in the auto companies since they directly and indirectly employ millions of Americans. As far as the banks and AIG are concerned, nationalize them and get it over with. Why should we continue to pay for their bad business decisions?
February 24th, 2009 at 9:58 amPublicly funded family planning prevents nearly 2 million unintended pregnancies and more than 800,000 abortions in the United States each year
Now wait one minute. If you’re pro-life, don’t you want to PREVENT abortions and unwanted pregnancies? Well, lookie here, a study that shows how EDUCATION can and does make a difference.
I look forward to the antagonists to discredit the study.
Hey, aren’t righties always talking about “fiscal responsibility”?
February 24th, 2009 at 9:59 amThe report also found that every dollar spent on family planning “saves taxpayers $4 in costs
Well, there you go!!!
Michael Steel, of the RNC, has declared “retribution” for the three republicans who voted for the stimulus.
Okay, let me get this straight. The majority of USA citizens support and are in favor of the stimulus package. Three republicans did not lock and step vote, instead following what they believed would help the economy. And they face “retribution”? Sorry, Mr. Steele, but it appears you seek vengeance on the people.
I would absolutely love to have our antagonists defend this!
… did i just hear correctly?
that rupert murdoch himself has apologized for that ugly cartoon?
February 24th, 2009 at 10:03 amI’m running out to get TiVo so I don’t miss a minute of his book tour. :)
February 24th, 2009 at 10:08 amSure, look at how they’ve been persecuting Liebermen. /eyeroll
February 24th, 2009 at 10:10 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
I can see investing in the auto companies since they directly and indirectly employ millions of Americans. As far as the banks and AIG are concerned, nationalize them and get it over with. Why should we continue to pay for their bad business decisions?
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And how about an accounting of the money we’ve already dished out to these clowns? What do they, and we, have to show for it so far?
February 24th, 2009 at 10:12 amTim Geithner has at least one supporter, Randall Quarles of The Carlyle Group:
“You have to remove the uncertainty about asset values, and Geithner’s plan is an efficient way of jump-starting private- sector price discovery of those values,” said Randal Quarles, a former Treasury undersecretary of domestic finance who is now a managing director at the Carlyle Group in Washington.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=ab5ijlUShwkI&refer=home
February 24th, 2009 at 10:14 amHey, TP, thanks for the picture of George Clooney. Nice way to start the day.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:16 amkaty Says:
… did i just hear correctly?
that rupert murdoch himself has apologized for that ugly cartoon?
*
yes katy, it’s true.
huffpo and salon both carry
stories on it (why not tp?)
apparently the editorial staff
at the nypost are catching hell
for the cartoon from murdoch.
*
this is actually getting bigger.
***
February 24th, 2009 at 10:21 amMcCain has claimed that he was a puppet for the RNC in the advertising for his campaign. (Jackson Browne music)
“I was not involved at all in any way in the writing, creation, production, distribution or dissemination of the video, nor do I have any knowledge whatsoever of how this video was written, created, produced or disseminated or who was involved in any aspect of the writing, creation, production, distribution or dissemination of the video,” McCain said.
McCain claims the Republican Party is solely responsible for his campaign ad, and has asked that he be stripped from the case.
The federal judge handling the case disagreed.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:24 amAccording to a new Department of Health and Human Services report, “health care costs will top $8,000 per person this year…an increase of $356 per person from last year.”
It costs that much because multiple layers of private contracts between doctors, hospitals and insurance companies reduces transparency, thereby restricting choices and adding costs to the bottom line. Nobody knows what’s being charged and why, so everybody’s getting away with murder. Even granting that “socialized” services are generally less efficient than private services, no public system could possibly be as inefficient as this, just on the numbers.
.
58 percent: Americans who favor voting rights in the House for D.C.
I agree that it should be there, but I don’t believe in breaking the law. It properly requires a constitutional amendment. We should draft and pass one.
.
Briseadh na Faire Says:
After all, this capitalistic system of health care has given us the best health care system money can buy — if you have the money, that is.
I’ve never seen that proven either. I don’t actually think they have any leg to stand on whatsoever.
.
misshusseinmolly Says:
Michael Steel, of the RNC, has declared “retribution” for the three republicans who voted for the stimulus.
You either walk in lock step or they will break your knees.
Stay on this sinking ship or I’ll shoot you! We’re all riding this baby to the bottom!
Needless to say, I’m very pleased with the direction Steele is taking the RNCC.
.
katy Says:
… did i just hear correctly?
that rupert murdoch himself has apologized for that ugly cartoon?
Correct:
That’s what they should have said in the first place. Hopefully heads are rolling over there, if the big boss has to step in and eat crow because the editors wouldn’t.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:26 amMarie Says:
McCain has claimed that he was a puppet for the RNC in the advertising for his campaign.
Speaking of where the buck stops, that was one of my biggest problems with McCain, and one of the clearest contrasts with Obama. McCain was unable to construct a campaign organization that he was in control of, and it ended up controlling him. That’s not a good sign for someone running for Chief Executive.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:29 amConsumer confidence implodes:
U.S. Consumer Confidence Collapsed to Record Low in February
Confidence among U.S. consumers plunged to a record low in February, signaling spending will slump further as unemployment soars.
The Conference Board’s index declined more than forecast to 25 this month, the lowest level since data began in 1967, from a January reading of 37.4, the New York-based research group said today.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=av4BHgGPQ5Es&refer=home
February 24th, 2009 at 10:30 am…that is all well and fine but that cartoonist needs to be fired along with whatever editor green-lighted it in the process.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:30 amAccording to a new Department of Health and Human Services report, “health care costs will top $8,000 per person this year…an increase of $356 per person from last year.” The Medicare trust fund “is running out of cash more rapidly, and could become insolvent as early as 2016.” HHS estimates that health costs “will reach $13,100 per person in 2018, accounting for $1 out of every $5 spent in the economy.”
But, but, but, ….socialized medicine!!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:33 amThe choice of Carter is drawing criticism, however, from “defense insiders” who say “he lacks experience dealing with the industry he’ll work closely with.”
Excellent.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:35 am“The choice of Carter is drawing criticism, however, from “defense insiders” who say “he lacks experience dealing with the industry he’ll work closely with.””
February 24th, 2009 at 10:44 amRead: “He’s not on our payroll.”
thanks joe and elbruce for the answer about murdoch…
so, it took talking “to a number of people” before he could “better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused.” … wow.
that life in a bubble mentality…
and i agree, sandoz, that “cartoonist” should be fired.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:50 amCarter is on their payroll. He’s Senior Adviser for Global Techonology Partners, a defense industry oriented investment firm.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:52 amWaPo reports on Palin’s laughable defense for per diem payments while living at home:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/23/AR2009022303138.html?hpid=sec-nation
If you can’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:53 amstateofthedivision Says:
Carter is on their payroll. He’s Senior Adviser for Global Techonology Partners, a defense industry oriented investment firm.
Wow, why the objections then?
February 24th, 2009 at 10:58 am6. Brisdaeh na faire says, “After all, this capitalistic system of health care has given us the best health care system money”
Unfortunately, health indicators for the USA place is in a rather mediocre showing for healthcare indicators among the industrialized nations.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am31. El Bruce and Marie
What I still can’t understand is that the repubs tend to run well disciplined campaigns. They have the political machine. But somehow, under McCain, the jaguar became a model T with rootrot.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:14 amCarter’s fellow advisers at GTP LLC:
Duetch-Board director of Citigroup, Cummins, Raytheon, and Schlumberger Ltd
Winokaur-DynCorp
Kaminski-Board director of Bay Microsystems, CoVant Technologies, DFI International, General Dynamics, In-Q-Tel, Inc., and RAND
Hermann-Board of Directors for Orbital Sciences Corporation
Perry-Board of Directors of several emerging high-tech companies.
Carter’s painted as an outsider is fiction. His business and personal relationships are no better than the average Bush appointee.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:49 amhttp://gtp-llc.com/partners.cfm
Carter’s employer and co-workers. Not menitoned in any news pieces.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:50 amthanks for your sleuthing…
February 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pmAshton Carter’s Global Technology Partners has a strategic alliance with Rothschild.
July 2000-Rothschild also formed a strategic alliance with Global Technology Partners, a firm led by former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry, which specializes in the defense and aerospace industries.
Rothschild is an international investment bank. It has offices in over 30 countries around the world, including: London; Paris; New York; Toronto; Frankfurt; Milan; Hong Kong; Beijing; Shanghai; Singapore; Sydney; Melbourne; Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.
http://www.allbusiness.com/banking-finance/banking-lending-credit-services/6468291-1.html
February 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pmProof that Carter’s Global Technology Partners held interests in defense companies:
http://www.pionline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990419/DAILY/904190749/-1/PIDAILY
Behrman Capital sold its majority stake in Condor Systems for $134 million to an investor group led by Global Technology Partners and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II. Behrman will now become an investor in the privately held defense electronics firm.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:06 pmCondor had a tainted history:
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/01/06/daily73.html?q=Condor%20systems
For making false statements, they paid a $1 million fine. Ashton Carter was with GTP during this fiasco.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:14 pm