ThinkFast: March 11, 2009
ThinkFast: March 11, 2009
President Bush “will give his first post-presidency U.S. speech in Erie, Pa., on June 17 to the Manufacturer & Business Association, which serves companies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.” Bush’s first speech will be March 17 in Calgary, Canada.
“No one wants [President Obama] to fail,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) claimed in an interview with Bloomberg. “But saying ‘no’ to bad policy is not saying ‘no’ to everything.” McConnell was singing Rush Limbaugh’s praises at the CPAC convention last month.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said yesterday that she is open to the possibility of passing a second stimulus package. House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) said “he’s already instructed his staff to start drafting a second stimulus proposal. Obey said his staff is preparing the outline of a stimulus bill but he cautioned there is no timeline to move on it.”
The largest poll ever conducted by Gallup shows that “the percentage who reported having trouble paying for needed health care or medicines during the previous 12 months rose from 18% in January 2008 to 21% in December.” Gallup’s chief scientist says each percentage point “represents about 2.2 million people.”
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, former Fed Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan argues that the Fed didn’t cause the housing bubble. “The interest rate that mattered was not the federal-funds rate, but the rate on long-term, fixed-rate mortgages,” Greenspan writes in explaining the inflation of the housing bubble.
Army Lt. Gen. Michael Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told Congress yesterday that “Al Qaeda has expanded its presence in Afghanistan, taking advantage of the sinking security situation to resurface in the country it was forced to flee seven years ago.” Maples cited Al Qaeda’s efforts as one of the reasons President Obama ordered additional troops to Afghanistan.
The Justice Department has launched a civil-rights investigation of the over-zealous, anti-immigration Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio after months of mounting complaints that deputies are discriminating in their enforcement of federal immigration laws.
“Four million to five million voters did not cast a ballot in the 2008 presidential election because they encountered registration problems or failed to receive absentee ballots,” according to a study that will be presented to the Senate Rules Committee today. Another two million to four million registered voters were “discouraged” from voting due to administrative hassles, like long lines.
Vice President Joe Biden is expected to name Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske as the nation’s drug czar today. Kerlikowske has been widely expected to get the position, but an announcement was delayed while he was vetted. Kerlikowske’s agency “will no longer have Cabinet-level status,” but he “will have a seat at the table,” according to an administration official.
And finally: “The act of bestiality is a step closer to becoming illegal in Florida.” A state Senate committee voted to slap a third-degree felony charge on anyone who has sex with animals. But “animal-husbandry practices are permissible,” according to the bill. “People are taking these animals as their husbands? What’s husbandry?” asked a confused Sen. Larcenia Bullard. “Some senators stifled their laughter as Chairman Charlie Dean explained that husbandry it was the rearing and caring of animals.”
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“What’s husbandry?” asked a confused Sen. Larcenia Bullard.”
The dumbing down of America reaches new depths…
March 11th, 2009 at 9:05 amSpeaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said yesterday that she is open to the possibility of passing a second stimulus package.
I think you got it yesterday when you all passed the spending bill… It was full of projects that should add jobs at state levels.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:08 am“Four million to five million voters did not cast a ballot in the 2008 presidential election because they encountered registration problems or failed to receive absentee ballots,” according to a study that will be presented to the Senate Rules Committee today. Another two million to four million registered voters were “discouraged” from voting due to administrative hassles, like long lines.
So, Obama won by 75 million votes, not 65 million, then…
March 11th, 2009 at 9:09 am“People are taking these animals as their husbands? What’s husbandry?” asked a confused Sen. Larcenia Bullard.
Holy Crap! She’s a democrat!
March 11th, 2009 at 9:11 amBush’s first speech will be March 17 in Calgary, Canada.
Tentative subject: “How to fail upward and ruin the country.”
March 11th, 2009 at 9:13 amAwwww. No more ‘family’ outings to Florida for the Cretin family.
(self-depreciating snark)
March 11th, 2009 at 9:13 am“People are taking these animals as their husbands? What’s husbandry?” asked a confused Sen. Larcenia Bullard.
Ignorant rednecks our one of our nations biggest problems. They refuse to educate themselves, and then spread their nonsense ‘beliefs’ to their friends and family.
Anyone have any good sites on Welfare myths? I have one from 1992, but would like to find one more recent. I’m trying to show one of those ignorant rednecks that poor people’s welfare only costs him a pittiance each year, as opposed to bombs, bullets, and corporate welfare.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:14 amI see Bush is back to working hard again. He gets $150k per speaking engagement (unless it is in Dallas, where he gives them a break at 100k), private plane, and accommodations and he is doing one speaking engagement per month…which will probably last less than an hour.
At least the poor, overworked man can now give up the ruse of clearing brush. How tiresome that was!
As to ‘animal-husbandry,’ we are doomed as a nation. When our elected officials are that friggin’ stupid, we are done. Stick a fork in every one of us. These people are making decisions which affect every American life. To say we are in trouble is a huge understatement. We are truly screwed.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:14 amunbelievable, I think you may have to go state-by-state for welfare stats. I had to do that for something I was looking for a few months ago…and then each state budget differs in how you read it; how they line item each entry, whether they break it out or bundle it.
It was a long, tedious process. Good luck.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:18 amMs_Joanne Says: It was a long, tedious process. Good luck.
I was hoping someone had already done the hard work, and there was a link to it ;). Someone did in 1992, and it was very clear that poor people are falsely accused of being a burden to our society. I guess since we have become less tolerant of racism, Conservatives had to find someone else to hate…
March 11th, 2009 at 9:23 amLooks like that talking point didn’t resonate too well with the public. Republicans have made it quite clear they care more about getting elected than about helping this country. They put party loyalty above loyalty to country. Rush called it correctly, they do want President Obama to fail, but they’re too cowardly to come out in public and say so.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:23 amAnd while herr Bush gets six-figures for giving a C-Student speach, who gets stuck with the tab for his security? Lest we forget, this man is a War Criminal who is still walking around free as you please, and getting paid to talk!
March 11th, 2009 at 9:25 amPeople are taking these animals as their husbands?
Only goats. So they can have kids, you know.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:28 amI was watching Schuster on Countdown last night and he reported that some council is looking into the whole war-crimes thing and has already warned Obama that they will not allow the US to stand in their way.
It’s about time. We will never do anything (and I don’t know how we could considering the chicken-shit goopers in this country, who don’t care anything about people let alone right or wrong, would completely block the whole process) so I am glad an external entity is doing it. I don’t remember who Schuster said was doing it…anyone watch it last night?
March 11th, 2009 at 9:33 am“No one wants [President Obama] to fail,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) claimed in an interview with Bloomberg. “But saying ‘no’ to bad policy is not saying ‘no’ to everything.” McConnell was singing Rush Limbaugh’s praises at the CPAC convention last month.
Except you asshat Republicans have, in fact, been saying “no” to everything. Go back to your cave, Gollum. Leave the governing to the adults.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:38 amMs Joanne,
I believe Shuester was talking about the UN. That should set off the black helicopter set…
March 11th, 2009 at 9:38 amPresident Bush “will give his first post-presidency U.S. speech in Erie, Pa., on June 17 to the Manufacturer & Business Association, which serves companies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.”
Eight years ago the Manufacturer & Business Association, served companies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Now, those companies are in China, so they have nothing better to do than listen to speeches by the a$$wipe who helped the Chinese take away our manufacturing base.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:46 amU.S. official: Obama won’t cut military aid to Israel
President Barack Obama will not cut the billions of dollars in military aid promised to Israel, a senior U.S. administration official said Wednesday.
The $30 billion in aid promised to Israel over the next decade will not be harmed by the world financial crisis, the official told Israel Radio. He spoke on condition of anonymity.
Rahm, Axelrod or someone else in the open and transparent administration?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1070318.html
March 11th, 2009 at 10:03 amPay to watch the worst president in US history read a speech written by some right-wing nut…there isn’t enough gold in the world to coerce me to go through that torture.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:04 amSomeone needs to tell McConnell that whenever you have a sentence with a syntax: ” ‘this’ BUT ‘that’ “, the function of the word ‘BUT’ means, in effect, “disregard everything which has preceeded and pay attention starting now”.
He could also stand to hear that the American people said ‘NO’ to bad policy resoundingly in the 2008 election (policy that he’d championed for 8 years), and his own ability to discern good from bad was utterly discredited and compromised.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:06 amI hope Bush pays through the nose for ‘crowd-screening services’ and that they turn out to still be spectactularly and humilitatingly ineffective. It would please me to no end to have him spend all his money in a vain attempt to shield himself from the contempt and scorn of the world at large. I am so glad that such services are no longer my responsibility as a taxpayer.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:13 amHannity:
No, you call yourself a Christian. Big difference.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:14 amBloomnberg reported:
Private-equity investors are taking advantage of a provision in President Barack Obama’s stimulus package that allows companies to defer taxes related to buying back debt until 2014 and then spread the payments out over five years.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=apUN4GkGPA.I&refer=us
That benefit amounts to a $25 billion tax benefit for PEU’s. Sen. Max Baucus inserted the provision into the stimulus, which President Obama approved. No sign of his campaign promise, an IRA penalty waiver for homeowners tapping their retirement to save their home.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=apUN4GkGPA.I&refer=us
March 11th, 2009 at 10:20 amWWJW: Who Would Jesus Waterboard?
March 11th, 2009 at 10:20 amAlan Greenspan’s attempt to duck responsibility for the housing bubble absolutely beggers belief. The notion that the federal funds rate and long-term fixed interest rates were not related, or that the housing market was not also inextricably tied to short-term adjustable rate mortgages is utterly absurd. Greenspan’s interest rate manipulations had exactly the effect on housing that he intended. He just didn’t expect the bubble to pop.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:20 amI’m sorry, but WHO NAMES THEIR CHILD ‘LARCENIA’???
Moreover, wouldn’t you be a bit hesitant to VOTE for someone named ‘Larcenia’???
March 11th, 2009 at 10:26 amThe act of bestiality is a step closer to becoming illegal in Florida.”
Does this mean Rusty Limpballs will have to leave the state?
declared Hannity, “and I’m a Christian.”
Is it true that KKKlanity spends all of his off air time in a Confessional?
March 11th, 2009 at 10:28 amIn other news, Congress ditches transparency in the stimulus.
http://washingtonindependent.com/33273/congress-caves-on-online-contracts
March 11th, 2009 at 10:30 amFlorida needs to outlaw bestiality? With Jeb Bush as Gov?
But getting serious. Let me guess that if a man has sex with a beast, he goes to jail, but if he has sex with a prostitute she goes to jail. Yep, I was right, it must be Florida, I can’t see how my logic is screwed….
March 11th, 2009 at 10:35 amPelosi needs to keep her mouth shut about another ’stimulus package’.
First let’s see the results of ‘banks bailouts’ of Bush,and the big money which is yet to be spent of Obama’s huge first stimulus.
We cannot run our overnment on ’stimulus’ spending.
Either we cut expenses…or increase revenues.
But Congress members of both parties are not feeling the crunch, they are getting in fact an automatic pay raise every year.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:36 amPelosi has been a miserable Speaker,from start.
Bush speaking to manufacturing, isn’t that like returning to the scene of the crime?
Time police, save us!
March 11th, 2009 at 10:45 amNo wonder we’re in sure dire economic straights! Phil Graham pushed Das Capital Uber Alles deregulation, because Capitalists are good Christians and would only do right by their neighbors, and their neighbors wife. Greenspan would fail econ 101 and Charley Rangel can’t figure out how to do his taxes. That the “best and the brightest” avoid working for the government sure is evident with these puds as an example.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:08 amWe stillhave a drug czar after 30 years of losing the war on drugs? Can’t we just decriminalize it and move on? Sure save a lot of law enforcement lives, not to mention billions of dollars. We could just hang a Mission Accomplished banner in the office. I bet we could find on cheap on the internet.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:14 amLooks like stupid Senators are not limited to Republicans.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:15 amWH budget director grilled on health plan details
“But on exactly what the administration does and does not favor on the benefits and coverage side, you should not expect and you will not be receiving definitive answers from me,” Orszag said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/10/AR2009031001207.html?hpid=sec-health
March 11th, 2009 at 11:29 amFederal Whistleblowers NOT protected as hoped by stimulus bill.looks like we have republicans who dont want people blowing the whistle at the CIA..shocking..
http://washingtonindependent.com/29959/federal-whistleblowers-not-protected-in-stimulus-bill
March 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am______
unbelievable Says:
Someone did in 1992, and it was very clear that poor people are falsely accused of being a burden to our society. I guess since we have become less tolerant of racism, Conservatives had to find someone else to hate…
March 11th, 2009 at 9:23 am
March 11th, 2009 at 11:55 am______
Of course you would guess that, but you’d be wrong. PRWORA ended the cycle of lifetime welfare. That was the goal of most conservatives who complained about welfare. Some people believe it’s inhumane to keep people perpetually dependent. ;)
george:
March 11th, 2009 at 11:57 amWell hi there little cow-poke, did you watch your fox news this morning ?
laura:
You had better smile little girl. And remember the correct answer.
I don’t really care that Bush is making a speech; I don’t really care what he says.
What I really want to know is this: How big of a markdown in price did Bush give the MBA? Or, perhaps…did HE pay THEM to allow him to give a speech?
ha ha
March 11th, 2009 at 11:59 am______
Peter C Says:
I’m sorry, but WHO NAMES THEIR CHILD ‘LARCENIA’???
Moreover, wouldn’t you be a bit hesitant to VOTE for someone named ‘Larcenia’???
March 11th, 2009 at 10:26 am
______
Dangerous ground there, bud.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:00 pmFrom Gallup:
Americans’ job approval rating of Congress is up an additional 8 points this month, after a 12-point increase last month, and now stands at 39% — the most positive assessment of Congress since February 2005.
Heads up to all of the Democrats who want to block the Obama agenda. Obstructionism and the failure to address serious issues is what makes people hate Congress.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pmThe American people want change, not the same old tired games on Capitol Hill. We expect that from the Republicans. Don’t let the Blue Dogs and conservatives in the Democratic Party be the roadblock to change.
That last comment was from Americablog — Joe Sudbay
March 11th, 2009 at 12:10 pmfreep the quickvote:
March 11th, 2009 at 12:21 pmhttp://www.cnn.com/
Laura admitted that the Iraqi journalist was not the first person to throw a shoe at George.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:38 pmMcConnell is the MINORITY leader. The supposed senate majority leader is Reid. TP, please correct this typo. It is scary to think of McConnell as the majority leader.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:54 pmupright left Says: Of course you would guess that, but you’d be wrong. PRWORA ended the cycle of lifetime welfare. That was the goal of most conservatives who complained about welfare. Some people believe it’s inhumane to keep people perpetually dependent. ;)
Actually, you’re wrong. Again. Under Bill Clinton, due to how great things were for everyone, welfare went from 13 million recipients down to 5 million. Under Bush – the numbers went back up.
Conservative policy is the problem, not welfare.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pmFrom the Wonk Room and a RAND study on health care pay for performance:
A separate study on pay-for-performance schemes in the Annals of Family Medicine, found that doctors resented the intrusion of such plans on the doctor-patient relationship.
Ruth McDonald and Martin Roland of the University of Manchester in England conducted in-depth interviews with doctors in Britain and California, where pay-for-performance programs are being implemented.
In Britain, physicians said the emphasis on computer systems and data collection crowded out communication with patients. In the United States, physicians said they resented the structure of the audit and payment systems, which sometimes distorted the process of care.
March 11th, 2009 at 4:46 pm______
unbelievable Says:
upright left Says: Of course you would guess that, but you’d be wrong. PRWORA ended the cycle of lifetime welfare. That was the goal of most conservatives who complained about welfare. Some people believe it’s inhumane to keep people perpetually dependent. ;)
Actually, you’re wrong. Again. Under Bill Clinton, due to how great things were for everyone, welfare went from 13 million recipients down to 5 million. Under Bush – the numbers went back up.
Conservative policy is the problem, not welfare.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
______
Yeah, the Clinton presidency with Repub congress were some good years, including PRWORA. PRWORA reduced the chances for people to abuse welfare and make it a way of life for generation after generation. That was the conservative objection to welfare, not those who used it as temporary assistance as it was intended. That’s why it’s no longer as much of an issue. But, of course, your response was just a dodge as usual, wasn’t it? ;)
March 11th, 2009 at 6:05 pm