ThinkFast: October 14, 2009
ThinkFast: October 14, 2009
Major U.S. banks and securities firms are on pace to pay their employees a record-high $140 billion this year, the Wall Street Journal reports. “This year, employees at the companies will earn an estimated $143,400 on average, up almost $2,000 from 2007 levels.”
The Treasury Department is pressing bailed out insurance giant AIG “to reduce a $198 million bonus pool,” according to a report by TARP inspector general Neil Barofsky. According to Barofsky, pay czar Kenneth Feinberg “has recommended to AIG that the full $198 million not be paid out in full,” but “has not yet made a specific recommendation to AIG about how much the insurer should reduce the payments.”
Twenty-seven labor unions announced their opposition to the Senate Finance Committee’s health reform bill because they oppose a tax on Cadillac health care plans. Health insurers are also opposing the Baucus bill because they want a stronger individual mandate penalty. The drug industry, however, is backing the bill.
“For the first time in more than 35 years, the U.S. military has met all of its annual recruiting goals,” largely driven by young people facing the “economic downturn and rising joblessness.” Overall, the “Defense Department brought in 168,900 active-duty troops, or 103 percent of the goal for the fiscal year,” along with “104 percent of the goal for recruitment of National Guard and reserve forces.”
“Between New Year’s Day and next November, as many as five Bush administration officials — including the former president himself — will rehash history in hardback,” which may be bad news for “Republicans looking forward to the first Bush-free election in a decade.” But former Bush campaign aide Mark McKinnon thinks it will be good for the GOP, saying that “Republican candidates in 2010 are going to consider asking for [Bush's] help.”
Following a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said his country opposes placing additional sanctions on Iran. Lavrov told the press that Russia is convinced that “threats, sanctions and threats of pressure in the current situation…would be counterproductive.”
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) will announce today that he is resigning from his congressional seat to become the head of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. Wexler is expected to make a statement from his Boca Raton office at 10 am.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman — and Medal of Honor veteran of World War II — Daniel Inouye yesterday embraced Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s call for more troops in Afghanistan. Inouye said McChrystal’s assessment and conclusions are “correct” and “what is needed if we are to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan.”
The EPA yesterday released a document buried by the Bush administration showing that the agency concluded in December 2007 that “six gases linked to global warming pose dangers to public welfare, and wanted to take steps to regulate their release from automobiles and the burning of gasoline.”
And finally: “Tom DeLay may be a wild thing on the dance floor, but when it comes to boosting ratings, he seems to have two left feet,” reported the Los Angeles Times yesterday. Although the former congressman was supposed to “spice up” this season’s “Dancing with the Stars,” the tv show is going through “its worst season since it first premiered in the summer of 2005.”
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“Between New Year’s Day and next November, as many as five Bush administration officials — including the former president himself — will rehash history in hardback,” which may be bad news for “Republicans looking forward to the first Bush-free election in a decade.”
Bring It On!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:03 am“Republican candidates in 2010 are going to consider asking for [Bush's] help.”
In 2010 the voters surely need to be reminded of exactly whose policies crashed the economy and hollowed out the middle class.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:04 amYeah, but I want to see a breakdown of which employees are getting the increases. I bet it’s not the lowest paid ones.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:04 amBut former Bush campaign aide Mark McKinnon thinks it will be good for the GOP, saying that “Republican candidates in 2010 are going to consider asking for [Bush's] help.”
“Help” doing what ?
Speaking in public ???? These Bushies continue to be nauseatingly fascinating ………
October 14th, 2009 at 9:05 amthe U.S. military has met all of its annual recruiting goals,” largely driven by young people facing the “economic downturn and rising joblessness.”
Kinda get the feeling that is what the old administration was trying to do. you know break the middle class and well as long as you have poor you have cannon fodder for your wars.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:07 amBut former Bush campaign aide Mark McKinnon thinks it will be good for the GOP, saying that “Republican candidates in 2010 are going to consider asking for [Bush's] help.”
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I see Bushbots are as delusional as ever. I predict about as many Republican candidates will ask for Bush’s help next year as there were Republican candidates who asked for Nixon’s help in 1976.
Unless, of course, the “help” they ask for is that Dubya make himself scarce. Any Bush presence will only help the Dems.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:11 am“Republican candidates in 2010 are going to consider asking for [Bush's] help.” . . . “Help” doing what?
It’s probably republicans from western states who have a lot of brush are their ranches. Or it could be republicans who need help cleaning out their liquor cabinets.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:12 amThe wingnuts think Bush is going to help them in 2010? I think the wingnuts are deluding themselves, because Bush could be facing a war crimes trial. I bet that would help the Republicans a lot.
Now if we could just get Eric Holder to get off his lazy ass and prosecute Bush and Cheney for their war crimes.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:12 amGodspeed, Mr. Wexler. You’ll be missed.
It’s not surprise that the Baucus Bill is meeting stiff resistance from…basically every pressure group out there. Expect Reid to push away from the “cadillac tax” towards increased income taxes on the wealthy (remember how Obama pledged to return the tax rate on those earning over $250k to 39%? Now would be a good time to do so…) and an expansion of the “sin tax”. Granted, the sin tax (on fatty. salty, and sugary foods) is regressive as hell and will target the poor disproportionately higher, there’s a legitimate basis for it when you’re talking about raising revenue for a healthcare bill. As far as the public option goes…Snowe is tipping her hand a bit. She’s still pushing for the trigger, but this morning said that the trigger could kick in immediately..which is actually quicker than what the President proposed. Either an immediate (or immediate-enough…you know, like within six months) trigger or the opt-out plan should placate the Blue Dogs and get Snowe-Collins-Voinavich-Lugar on board. And something resembling true healthcare reform should be law by the end of the year.
But..I could be wrong.
Inouye backs the troop surge in Afghanistan. I still think it’s the wrong move. But I’m not going to argue too vigorously with a man who lost an arm for his country.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:15 amBring back Bush before we forget how bad he was! “Cheney and the Chimp” …the best show since “Bonzo and the Gipper!”
October 14th, 2009 at 9:15 am“This year, employees at the companies will earn an estimated $143,400 on average, up almost $2,000 from 2007 levels.”
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When I saw this, my first thought was that I’m obviously in the wrong line of work. Then it occurred to me that this is more likely a mean average than a median one, and all it says is that the peons are probably still getting peon wages, while the executives are raking in gazillions of dollars.
And if that “average” went up a couple thousand, imagine how much a CEO’s compensation rose?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:18 ampay czar Kenneth Feinberg “has recommended to AIG that the full $198 million not be paid out in full,” but “has not yet made a specific recommendation to AIG about how much the insurer should reduce the payments.”
Might I suggest a reduction of say, 600%?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:21 amMajor U.S. banks and securities firms are on pace to pay their employees a record-high $140 billion this year, the Wall Street Journal reports. “This year, employees at the companies will earn an estimated $143,400 on average, up almost $2,000 from 2007 levels.”
Like MsMolly, I’m way more interested in the definition of ‘employees’. If that’s front line grunts, sans managers, then OK. Let’s see how that pay is split amongst execs, managers and grunts. Eh?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:23 amGood News! Head birther nut job Orly Taitz was hit with a 20.000 dollar fine for abusing the court of Judge Land in the Georgia case. Orly has 30 days to pay the fine to the court in Georgia or it will be passed to the US attorneys office for collection.
The Judge also warned Orly, that frivolous appeals to the courts sanction can lead to further sanctions and fines.
This court order will also be forwarded to the Calif. bar for further action.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:23 am“Between New Year’s Day and next November, as many as five Bush administration officials — including the former president himself — will rehash history in hardback,”
I sense some good ol fashioned Tom Sawyer whitewashing in our immediate future.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:24 amAngels81,
Is that a $20.00 fine or a $20,000 fine?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:27 amIt is going to become necessary to set the wages and bonus’ that corporations pay to their highest paid employees as a percentage of the wages of the lowest paid employees.
We cannot trust corporations to manage their own affairs.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:29 amLevi, thats $20,000.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:33 amGen. McChrystal is asking for up to 80,000 more American troops even as he warns that rampant government corruption there may prevent victory against the Taliban and al-Qaida, according to U.S. officials briefed on his conclusions.
A still-secret document by McChrystal that requests more troops is expected to be among the topics discussed Wednesday when President Barack Obama meets with his national security team to hash out a strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Even with additional troops, McChrystal concluded that corruption still could let terrorists turn Afghanistan back into a haven, according to officials at the Pentagon and White House.
So we may send more troops anyway?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:39 amCorporations are not people, and as such we should feel no need to treat them with the same respect!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:40 amMcChrystal was featured in last night’s ‘Frontline’ on PBS.
He’s a good publicist, as far as military men go. He’s also determined to double down on troops.
Could someone please ask him why he ‘point guarded’ the Pat Tillman cover up?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:43 amWhy would they think a questionable politician would spice things up on a dancing quasi reality show.
Seriously, what the f, wtf?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:01 am1) Dan Inouye is a senile phuck.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:03 am2) This year, employees at the companies will earn an estimated $143,400 on average, up almost $2,000 from 2007 levels.” EDIT: “This year, employees at the companies will receive an estimated $143,400 on average, up almost $2,000 from 2007 levels.” People “EARN” money in fruitful, productive pursuits, which has nothing to do with investment banks, except in building or tearing ‘em down.
3) Tillman was assassinated, on orders from ‘division.’ You cannot call it ‘getting fragged’ cuz that’s bottom-up reprisal; his murder was top-down.
“For the first time in more than 35 years, the U.S. military has met all of its annual recruiting goals,” largely driven by young people facing the “economic downturn and rising joblessness.”
Mission Accomplished
October 14th, 2009 at 10:06 amThe skeletons just keep showing up. Wonder what’s next.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:09 amFred, may I dream of a series of trials, sentencing and gallows?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:15 amtokin librul says:
3) Tillman was assassinated, on orders from ‘division.’ You cannot call it ‘getting fragged’ cuz that’s bottom-up reprisal; his murder was top-down.
WTF>>>>>>> are you talking about?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:19 amYour disrespect for the armed forces is disgraceful. First off, Inouye..besides being a decorated veteran who gave an arm for his country..voted against both Gulf Wars.
And whatever meds you’re on, double the dosage. Tillman was killed in a friendly fire incident. It got covered up. It’s reprehensible that the army covered it up, but to suggest that military leaders plotted to have him killed is delusional at best and borderline treasonous at worst.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:26 amI hate to guess. Did they ever get Dick Cheney’s man-sized safe open?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:27 amNot a surprise, but…
Susan Collins just came out in support of passing healthcare legislation.
I’m pretty sure Maine’s started work on human cloning. Have Snowe and Collins ever disagreed on an issue? Any issue..?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:36 amEnnuiDivine says:
Your disrespect for the armed forces is disgraceful. First off, Inouye..besides being a decorated veteran who gave an arm for his country..voted against both Gulf Wars.
Very highly decorated veteran as he`s also a Medal of Honor recipient.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:37 amMy party loves recessions because not only does it force the masses to compete for the adoration of tyrannical employers, providing them choice & competition, it sends more people in the military so we have the manpower to start as many wars as we want on a whim. The Republicans have truly transformed this country. The entire country looks like the deep south right now. America!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:48 ambut to suggest that military leaders plotted to have him killed is delusional at best and borderline treasonous at worst.
Being a veteran, I have seen how the military thinks and works. I reckon I’m entitled, cully…
October 14th, 2009 at 11:17 am3) Tillman was assassinated, on orders from ‘division.’ You cannot call it ‘getting fragged’ cuz that’s bottom-up reprisal; his murder was top-down.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:20 am—
Have you shared you knowledge of this with his family? I am sure your testimony would be welcomed by them…
tokin librul says:
Being a veteran, I have seen how the military thinks and works. I reckon I’m entitled, cully…
Well thats true being a Combat Vet myself, I also have the right to call BS on you.
What unit was you with and how long?
Cause you should also know how friend fire accidents happen. The bad part was the Army try to hide the fact.
And if you are a Vet why dish a fellow vet such as Inouye?
October 14th, 2009 at 11:23 amThe all volunteer Army is an invitation to reckless policies as we have seen. A nation should not go to war without the full support of its people and the risks and sacrifices shared equally and fully by all, rich and poor; educated, not; all races; and all creeds. One veteran’s view!
October 14th, 2009 at 11:26 amAccording to Barofsky, pay czar Kenneth Feinberg “has recommended to AIG that the full $198 million not be paid out in full,” but “has not yet made a specific recommendation to AIG about how much the insurer should reduce the payments.”
So we’ll keep getting screwed.
“For the first time in more than 35 years, the U.S. military has met all of its annual recruiting goals,” largely driven by young people facing the “economic downturn and rising joblessness.”
Replacements for those being killed in Afghanistan.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:31 amBut former Bush campaign aide Mark McKinnon thinks it will be good for the GOP, saying that “Republican candidates in 2010 are going to consider asking for [Bush's] help.”
Hey it’s great that they want to help out Democrats.
EnnuiDivine says:
Granted, the sin tax (on fatty. salty, and sugary foods) is regressive as hell and will target the poor disproportionately higher, there’s a legitimate basis for it when you’re talking about raising revenue for a healthcare bill.
It’s hard enough for the poor to feed their families as it is. Why is it ok to hit them with this tax? Yeah, there are better choices. But a lot of people don’t have the money to buy the best foods and access to stores to get them.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:43 amSign the petition:
http://rushisaracist.com/?utm_source=rgemail
October 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pmwill rehash history in hardback,”
Uh, doesn’t that imply that they will be telling the truth ? Somehow I doubt truth will be anywhere near their books.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:04 pmMust be nice to be in the high-fidelity first class traveling set. estetik
October 19th, 2009 at 7:29 amThank you for your sharing.!
October 19th, 2009 at 8:48 am