ThinkFast: July 16, 2009
ThinkFast: July 16, 2009
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In the Wall Street Journal today, Karl Rove “continues to argue that only Republicans can get us out of the economic mess that they created.” Offering advice to Obama, Rove suggests more tax cuts: “House Republicans offered an alternative recovery package of immediate tax cuts and safety-net measures that cost half as much as Mr. Obama’s stimulus program.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took center stage on Wednesday, delivering what the State Department billed as a major foreign policy address. The Obama administration, Clinton said, “is attempting to build a ‘multi-partner world’ in which governments and private groups work collectively on common global problems and in which the United States does not shun dialogue with its adversaries.”
Politico notes that, after American International Group paid out $165 million in bonuses to top executives in March, Congress exploded in a political orgy of outrage. “But when the news broke late last week about a second, $235 million round of AIG bonuses, the halls of Congress resounded largely with, well, silence.”
Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), a leader of the conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats, told CNN yesterday that “he and other group members may vote to block House Democrats’ health care bill from passing a key committee if they don’t get some of the changes they want.” “We remain opposed to the current bill, and we continue to meet several times a day to decide how we’re going to proceed,” said Ross.
In a speech today at a U.S. Steel Corp. plant near Pittsburgh, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk is expected to say that “the Obama administration is ‘going to bat for American industrial workers’ through greater protection of labor rights and more aggressive monitoring of overseas trade practices.”
Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s responses yesterday in Senate testimony were “music to [the] ears” of business lawyers. “In business, the predictability of law may be the most necessary,” Sotomayor said. “Business lawyers said the comments signaled an appreciation of the practical needs of companies.”
Prisoners at Bagram prison — the largest U.S. detention facility in Afghanistan — “have refused to leave their cells for at least the past two weeks to protest their indefinite imprisonment.” Information of the prison-wide protest “came to light when the International Committee of the Red Cross informed the families of several detainees that scheduled video teleconferences and family visits were being canceled.”
President Obama’s political operation, Organizing for America, began running ads yesterday “targeting fellow Democrats and centrist Republicans urging them to support the president’s call for health care reform this year.” The 30-second TV commercial, which will run in eight states and on national cable television, “does not mention the senators by name, but it does ask viewers to call Capitol Hill.”
And finally: During his questioning of Sotomayor yesterday, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) quizzed her about her interest in the classic TV show Perry Mason. “It amazes me that you wanted to become a prosecutor based on the show, because in ‘Perry Mason’ the prosecutor on that show lost every week,” Franken said. Except one case, Sotomayor responded. Lightening the mood, Franken used his final question to ask which episode that was. Sotomayor confessed she had no idea. “Didn’t the White House prepare you?” Franken asked.
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Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), a leader of the conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats, told CNN yesterday that “he and other group members may vote to block House Democrats’ health care bill from passing a key committee if they don’t get some of the changes they want.”
A minority group within the Democratic Party thinks they should have the majority opinion. What’s wrong with this picture?
If you’re represented by one of these dogs, please call their office & inform them you won’t vote for them next November. Tell them the time for obstructing real health care reform is long past.
Get with the program or get out of the Party!
July 16th, 2009 at 9:06 am“House Republicans offered an alternative recovery package of immediate tax cuts and safety-net measures that cost half as much as Mr. Obama’s stimulus program.”
Well, I propose an alternative alternative recovery package of cute kittens. It will cost less than either Obama or the Republican’s plans, and clearly the GOP does not view effectiveness as a relevant benchmark.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am“Offering advice to Obama, Rove suggests more tax cuts”
_____________________________________________________________
Oh, geez. WHY do people still listen to those who can only play this song? We have seen that tax cuts are wonderful if the goal is to make the rich richer, but they do very little to enhance the lot of the poor and the middle class — those whose participation we need to get the economy back on its feet.
It’s time for the GOP and their mouthpieces to get a new song and dance.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:07 amNews Analysis piece in the NY Times today argues that Republicans have won in the Sotomayor hearings, as it will be more difficult to appoint liberal nominees in the future.
I don’t think so.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:15 amDr. Hussein Matt says:
Birther Soldier Fired From His Civilian Defense Contracting Job
Next stop: Court Martial!
_____________
It is simply astonishing to watch the rightwing/GOOP freak show roll on unabated or unimpeded in the least by reality these days, huh?
On one flank, Dennis Miller and Bill Kristol are laying claim to the word “progressive”… like THAT’S going to change anything…
On the other flank, the “birthers” somehow imagine they’re going to knock Obama out of the WH over this F-in’ silly birth certificate nonsense…
And now, here’s comes Porky Pig himself, KKKarl, leading the charge right up the middle, telling everyone that the only people who can get out of the mess we’re in is the very same people who put us into it in the first place.
What will come next… will MC Cheney take the stage to do some rappin’ and bust a few moves?
They’ve lost their minds completely…
July 16th, 2009 at 9:18 amMore tax cuts.
The race to the lowest global common denominator on taxes and worker pay/benefits continues.
Health care reform is part of that race, as employers shed that pesky health insurance benefit to individuals forced to maintain coverage. Kathleen Sebellius told Jon Stewart last night that employers are dropping or cutting the benefit as they spoke, 12,000 new uninsureds a day.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:19 amAnother WSJ article with KKKarl’s tired projection throughout.
The last paragraph is especially telling;
Rove accuses Obama of using the same Orwellian tactics that kept Bushco in power.
So disturbing……
July 16th, 2009 at 9:21 amstateofthedivision says:
More tax cuts.
The race to the lowest global common denominator on taxes and worker pay/benefits continues.
Health care reform is part of that race, as employers shed that pesky health insurance benefit to individuals forced to maintain coverage. Kathleen Sebellius told Jon Stewart last night that employers are dropping or cutting the benefit as they spoke, 12,000 new uninsureds a day.
Yeah, the problem with the insurance industry is that it’s an industry. Any program that tries to fix the problem without changing the profit margin of the industry is bound to fail. We tax payers should not be footing the bill for those greedy bastards.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:27 amYou are such a g damned idiot.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:27 amOnce again KKKRove babbling nothing of importance.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:27 amIt’s time for the repugniscum to sing a different song — the old tax cuts will solve everything is tiresome.
Rove’s suggestion for additional tax cuts is merely the Grover Norquist philosophy — aid the wealthy, shrink the government through starvation, make it unable to function, then flush it down the drain.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:27 amThe Republic of Stupidity says:
And now, here’s comes Porky Pig himself, KKKarl, leading the charge right up the middle, telling everyone that the only people who can get out of the mess we’re in is the very same people who put us into it in the first place.
With the very same song, over and over again . . . somehow, this is particularly appropriate. (hint: watch it all)
July 16th, 2009 at 9:28 amTwelve months ago I lost my job and, therefore, my health insurance is now with COBRA with the clock ticking and six months left before I have to find my own insurance. As a the sole person in my private practice, I cannot find insurance with the same coverage and decent cost as a larger business can offer. My premiums will double under the current system. My health hasn’t changed in the past year, only the fact that I don’t belong to a large pool of insured. I want an overhaul of the system so that insurance coverage is more portable and stable. Universal coverage, particularly with a single-payor system, would put people like me in a large pool and keep the premiums at least tolerable. Let’s get healthcare reform done.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:30 amTax cuts are the Republican version of leeching. Just keep applying till the patient dies.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:31 amCry me a river Karl Rove. This is your mess that you dropped in Obama’s lap. Then you play games with what was said. Example:
Where id Summers say it would be jobs that would show almost immediate improvement. In fact, we have seen some immediate improvement in the areas we would expect to see improvement. Jobs are a lagging indicator, meaning they are one of the last things to improve. Just today it was announced that initial claims are now at there lowest level since January. That is an improvement. The fact that Rove is dishonest in his assessment is a given. The fact that Rove is wrong on the facts comes as no surprise either. Everything that has gone wrong has Rove’s fingerprints all over them. Why anyone would want to listen to anything he has to say just boggles the mind.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:31 amThe blue dogs haven’t gotten the message yet have they?
July 16th, 2009 at 9:31 amObstruct this health care plan — then start seeking another job, because you won’t get reelected.
As additional stink emanates from the Cheney death squad efforts two things become remarkably clear…
1. They were just as incompetent as we all suspected.
2. Cheney & Addington MUST go down.
Mr. Holder, here’s your target. The American people will support a thorough investigation of these bastards. What they did was reflective of a 3rd world country & an insane dictator.
Let’s get some criminal charges in place before Big Dick’s ticker finally explodes.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:33 amKarl just misses the thrill he gets when “tax cuts” trickle down his leg.
PEACE
July 16th, 2009 at 9:34 amAl Franken is my new Senator….That felt good to type…
oh and Dick killed Paul Welstone with his hit squads..
KMAMF
pax mundo
July 16th, 2009 at 9:36 amLet’s see, who was in office when the government surplus was given away? When an illegal war was paid for in “off budget” funding — hen billions are unaccounted for, and when no-bid contracts were the norm?
Who was in office when energy policy was made secretly in the executive office, with no oversight?
Who was in office when the middle class was screwed?
Oh, and by the way, when the entire economy was on the precipice of absolute failure, who was in office for the years leading up to that potential collapse?
July 16th, 2009 at 9:38 amDr. Hussein Matt says:
Birther Soldier Fired From His Civilian Defense Contracting Job
Next stop: Court Martial!
i dunno…
i have this sneaking suspicion that president obama will “open his heart” and let the idjit off with a lecture or such…
he would completely befuddle the birthers et al with that direction… jailing cook would turn him into a “martyr” of sorts…
just a feeling i’ve got…
obama may not do it overtly, but i’d almost bet on this one…
July 16th, 2009 at 9:38 am<emIn the Wall Street Journal today, Karl Rove “continues to argue that only Republicans can get us out of the economic mess that they created.” Offering advice to Obama, Rove suggests more tax cuts: “House Republicans offered an alternative recovery package of immediate tax cuts and safety-net measures that cost half as much as Mr. Obama’s stimulus program.”
This is like asking your dog to clean up it’s own poop that’s stinking up your entire back yard.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:46 amdamned eming anyhoo…
July 16th, 2009 at 9:47 amkaty says:
katy, I don’t think so, not in this instance. Claiming that the CinC isn’t his CinC, that he refuses to recognize the President as CinC, that he refuses to report for duty that he himself requested, isn’t a minor infraction by a disgruntled, but otherwise patriotic, service member.
I hope you’re wrong and President Obama doesn’t allow this opposition “victory”, however small.
PEACE
July 16th, 2009 at 9:48 amDr. Hussein Matt says:
i have this sneaking suspicion that president obama will “open his heart” and let the idjit off with a lecture or such…
I think that’s a stretch.
He can’t, because he’s “not the President.” He couldn’t commute a sentence for the guy, because then the Major would have to admit that Obama was, in fact, his president.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:48 amGood morning, campers.
So,KKKarl Rove thinks that only the Rethuglic party can solve the economic mess the GOP has created.
That is like the story of the fox guarding the chicken coop.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:49 amThe fox picks the coop cleans, then expects the next crop of chickens to be left to his tender care.
Caption:
‘It’s OK, Turdblossom. Farting in a meeting isn’t the end of the world.
Hell, my Dad once threw up in the face of the Japanese Prime Minister’.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:52 amAnyone catch “The Colbert Report” last night? Hysterically, Colbert demanded to be placed on Olbermann’s “Worst Person in the World” list, insisting that he is as much a right wing news outlet as FOX News is. Spot on Mr. Colbert and good luck!
July 16th, 2009 at 9:53 amI’ll be watching the Judiciary Committee hearing today to see if Al and Sonia have the answer to which case Perry Mason lost.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:54 amthe United States does not shun dialogue with its adversaries.”
That’s called not being a cowardly dry drunk weenie.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:54 amOff the subject but Sen. Kyl is an a$$hole.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:55 amCould that have been the episode where Della Street did it?
July 16th, 2009 at 9:57 amBobwurst says: @#10
…Any program that tries to fix the problem without changing the
(fact that they are a for profit industry)
is bound to fail.
Hope you don’t mind the edit…
July 16th, 2009 at 10:02 amI visited MMFA this morning,Theres a post on beck going crazy on a caller about health insurance. If you didnt see it I highly recommend it.I know how hard it is to listen to this clown but Its outragous.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:02 amWho should we listen to? This guy:
Karl Rove “continues to argue that only Republicans can get us out of the economic mess that they created.”
Or this guy:
“Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.”-Albert Einstein
July 16th, 2009 at 10:08 amranus69 says: Off the subject but Sen. Kyl is an a$$hole.
Jefferson Beauregard Sessions too! Have you ever seen such a little man with such a BIG chip on his shoulder? Pathetic!
July 16th, 2009 at 10:13 amThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Sotomoyar, when asked about ethnic prejudices by pimpsqueak Sessions, should have said, ‘well, at least I wasn’t denied a judicial appointment due to my overt racism, as you were, Senator.’
July 16th, 2009 at 10:17 amState, you condemned Obama’s efforst to reform health care by saying it is making the problem worse.
Bite me. you are such a g damned idiot.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:19 amWhat’s with that picture?
Are Bush and Rove comparing notes about Jeff Gannon/James Guckert and his prowess in the sack?
July 16th, 2009 at 10:22 amThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
#43 it looks like bush just said to rove, im so proud of you for helping dick and i screw over the country.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:27 amYou only get that out of respect state. You make ignorant, broad statements and expect what? Rebuttal? Respect?
I think you should re-evaluate your goals.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:29 amstateorwhatever: And your contributions to TP have been what?
July 16th, 2009 at 10:30 ami hope i’m wrong too, mom and matt…
good point gummitch…
just wanted to put that possibility out there…
it’s more probable that it’s out of his hands…
but, whatever, the guy’s gonna be an idjit heee-ro…
July 16th, 2009 at 10:32 amHe pastes in op-ed pieces from right wing sites and calls it news.
I think he works for faux.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:37 amI did not read the article, nor the linked analysis, but going on the capsule description above, I rather think the opposite; Obama nominated a moderate, middle-of-the-road judge, and the Republicans are fighting with everything they’ve got to take her down.
Next time Obama has the chance to nominate someone to The Court, he should push the envelope. Go for a real liberal. Republicans have already shot their wad; they won’t be able to go any further than they’ve gone against Judge Sotomayor, and their familiar cries will fall on deaf ears.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:41 amstateofwhatever. Was just asking, seeing as you were attacking another poster, and I was trying to figure out were you are coming from. You’ve had 4 posts so far, and only one had anything to say, besides attacking someone. So. what gives?
July 16th, 2009 at 10:43 amstateofthedivision says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
It looks like at least 10 people have a problem with your posts here at TP, state.
A thinking person may come to the conclusion your comments are the issue. Maybe you should rethink how you come across and your attitude. Just saying…
July 16th, 2009 at 10:46 amCan we please stop bickering???
I for one have no problem with stateofthedivision’s posts. Some people happen to be left of the Obama’s administration.
State was just defending himself from another poster’s insult.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:46 amSorry kiddo, I found his original post insulting and I have the right to respond. Who made you the moderator?
If you like them then go to his personal blog, he has one but no one visits it.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:53 amCan I just say thank God for Bernie Sanders?
July 16th, 2009 at 10:53 amFred says:
mary lacewing says:
Can we please stop bickering???
I for one have no problem with stateofthedivision’s posts. Some people happen to be left of the Obama’s administration.
State was just defending himself from another poster’s insult.
Sorry kiddo, I found his original post insulting and I have the right to respond. Who made you the moderator?
Uh, she just expressed her own opinion, something which you have no problem doing yourself. There’s no reason for you, in turn, to insult her.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:58 amRalph @ #55: I saw that yesterday and, as usual when in the presence of brilliance, I had to ask myself how I missed something so obvious. Thank God there are people out there to correct my close vision…
July 16th, 2009 at 10:58 amit’s looking really obvious that some are abusing the voting
for petty personal reasons…
here’s another one for ya…
July 16th, 2009 at 11:08 amShe insulted me by saying I insulted state. She made it personal.
If someone posts here I have a right to respond. I can’t control how insulting everyone is but I can be competitive if they want to play that game.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:08 amangels81,
stateorwhatever: And your contributions to TP have been what?
Assuming you want a serious answer, see Hat Tip (HT- )
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/04/townsend-intelligence/
Otherwise, I’m a poster like everyone else.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:18 amSomeone tell KKKarl Rabbies that his puppet the Chimperor followed every single retarded idea that came out of the RW clowns for 8 years, and look at what successful legacy he built and how much better the USA is after the Chimperor and new-clowns left. Also, let’s not forget the GOPiggie party in complete disarray.
So, KKKarl. STFU.
You don’t have “the math”
No. I take that back. Keep barking the new-clown’s mantras.
Go train Moose Boogers to parrot the talking points.
Don’t forget to teach her the classic “tired of Washington insider politics” as she parrots “the LBRUL MEDIA,” “out of control BIG GOVERNMENT” and “take back Mooseilla”
Almost forgot. Teach Moose Boogers to take the public pledge of “NO NEW TAXES” and “MORE TAX CUTS”
THAT ought to be her sure ticket.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:23 amFred. Don’t let the voting get you down. It could always be worse.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Thanks for that link Ralph.Its nice seeing a politician putting the American people first.What he said makes alot of sence to me.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:38 amImagine buying a used car, which left you abandoned regularly, and the same guy, call him Karl, who sold it to you, is claiming he, and he alone, can fix your problem, by buying another car from him.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:43 amstateofthedivision says:
Looks like its the bickering between you and fred that got marked down, not your original post.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:50 amJust like some of fred’s are now getting negatives for his.
b-cup, just to let you know, I haven’t given you a vote down on any of your posts since the new format was introduced. In fact, I’ve given you several votes up as a way to counteract Votes Down that in my view you didn’t deserve.
I fully expect to vote down comments of yours in the future, if you choose to stick around as an active member of the community. But when your comments are substantive and reasonable, I will welcome them whether I agree or not.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:14 pmObama’s Dennis Blair defends CIA, says didn’t need to inform Congress (as reported on MSNBC).
July 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pmFor an article with Blair’s stand:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071503856.html?nav=hcmodule
July 16th, 2009 at 4:20 pmThe problem with sound-bite criticisms of our economy, may be precisely that they lack proper acolades like: esteemed, valued, precious, fragile, powerful, or an outstanding domestic economy! Real measures of our society, have not included authoritative reports of some or any combinations of decreased food stuffs, overall housing, warm or sufficient clothes, or even decreased theatres and museums? p.s. sufficient copies of the Scriptures, and A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, are being utilized; as well, dinners of chow mein, hotdogs, or soul food, are still plentiful!!
July 17th, 2009 at 1:17 pm