AJC.com > Opinion > Woman to Woman > Archives > 2008 > October > 03 > Entry
Is the U.N. becoming irrelevant?
Andrea Cornell Sarvady, a left-leaning columnist, writes the commentary this week and Shaunti Feldhahn, a right-leaning columnist, responds.
Commentary
During a week that featured the financial markets collapsing like a house of cards, it was easy to overlook the opening of the United Nations’ General Assembly last month. Truthfully, most Americans will only remember the event as Sarah Palin’s world-leader scavenger hunt.
Palin’s lack of foreign policy experience is understandable, if alarming. There was a hint of truth in a recent Saturday Night Live skit that had her comically “disheartened” to learn how many foreigners were at the U.N., promising to “get those jobs back in American hands.”
McCain-Palin and Co. are indeed leading the charge on a foreign policy that is American-centric to a fault. Their proposed “League of Democracies” would be an alliance of like-minded countries with the potential to render the struggling U.N. obsolete, offering a cloak of legitimacy to any military actions we deem necessary.
Yet diluting the power of the United Nations isn’t what most of us want. An international poll from Worldpublicopinon.org shows that 85 percent of all Americans believe that the U.N. should have the right to authorize military force in the case of human rights violations. We value an organization whose nearly 200 members span a vast geographical and ideological range, working together to aid displaced refugees and conduct peacekeeping missions in some of the most treacherous spots on the globe. In addition, a post-9/11 United Nations employed sanctions to halt nuclear proliferation and helped with locating the finances of terrorist organizations. Can a more narrowly defined organization accomplish these same goals? Hard to imagine.
There’s no excuse for the United Nations’ bungling mismanagement and appalling incidences of corruption. Yet we need to fix this troubled organization from the inside, not in spite of its non-democratic members, but because of the opportunities such inclusiveness offers.
Sen. Obama recently noted that “the way we are perceived in the world is going to make a difference in terms of our capacity to get cooperation and root out terrorism.” Putting all our financial and strategic resources into a coalition of “yes-men” countries will not put our country first. By reforming the United Nations— a complex conglomeration of friends, enemies and ever-changing alliances — we will truly make our country safer and stronger.
Rebuttal
The U.N. isn’t becoming irrelevant — it has already made itself irrelevant. While some divisions involve humanitarian work, its main reason for existence - to be a venue for multi-national diplomacy — has become so biased and broken that “fixing it from the inside” no longer seems possible.
Andy didn’t mention the significance of the new U.N. General Assembly president: none other than Nicaraguan Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann. Viscerally anti-American, he was foreign minister under Sandanista dictator Daniel Ortega. In 2004, D’Escoto referred to the United States as “the greatest enemy of the right of self-determination of peoples,” and Americans as “the most ignorant people around the world.”
Hmm. The fact that an ideologue with a deep, public hatred of America could rise to a position that is supposed to be neutral and diplomatic shows just how broken the U.N. is. As the Heritage Foundation’s Brett Schaefer wryly put it in an interview, “It is not in the U.N.’s best interest for D’Escoto to be the face of the General Assembly.”
Each year, we give $5 billion dollars to the U.N. budget — a budget D’Escoto now essentially controls. The United States shells out more money than any other country and yet, according to the State Department, 95 percent of countries who receive aid from us voted against us most of the time. The way we are perceived in the world is indeed crucial — but the U.N. is helping ensure that perception is one of enmity. For all our aid, we are also being thanked with an investigation by the U.N.’s Human Rights Council into “racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” in America.
To say the United Nations is bungling and appalling does not do it justice. To spend time and money to investigate a country in which an African American may be the next president, while ignoring catastrophic human rights issues in Tibet and Darfur shows just how bizarre and senseless the U.N. has become. Or consider the appointment of Richard Falk as human rights investigator — a professor who has compared Israel to Nazi Germany.
It is the U.N. that has become the “yes-man” organization for corrupt and biased regimes. The world needs a credible multi-national diplomatic organization, and it is tragic that the U.N. has ensured that it can no longer play that role.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Gale
October 3, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
About time! WTF was going on yesterday? The webmaster was out sick again? Or was the board given time out for not sticking the the W2W chosen topic? As for this topic, the UN is not irrelevent. It just needs a new direction. Obviously the many states will not agree on a common governance or ideology. IMO, they could do much more if they focus on human rights and human quality of life.
By CommunistAJC
October 3, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
The question should be: Has the UN EVER been relevant.
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
It was my fault Gale! I said it was Friday so JOKESON wouldn’t post and that crashed it! Sorry!
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
UN? useless since Korean Conflict, just like that nuclear bomb droppin’ Truman. The UN Should be moved out of NYC to get rid of all the spies that use that building as thier den. Reopen the UN in Wasilla, see how much more gets done.
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
The UN is kinda like going to a church were everyone hates you. When the money plate comes around you fill it up and as it goes down the row, people take that money out and it never gets to help the poor and downtrodden. Every sermon is about how much you suck. No one at this church talks to you, unless they want something. If you dare refuse the chastise you publically.
It sorta like that….
By Drew
October 3, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
UN? Irrelevant? We wouldn’t send 5 billion dollars a year to something irrelevant, would we? Would we?
After all, they do so much, like… ummm… well…
By Gale
October 3, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
“Reopen the UN in Wasilla”
There’s a thought! I think that is the best thing I’ve read from you , Gandalf!
If memory serves, which it frequently does not, the UN was another feel-good-after-a-war gesture, like building a monument. Does it serve any real purpose? No.
By The Other Jack
October 3, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
The UN occupies some of the most prime real estate in the world.
I’m thinking really nice condos. The assembly hall could be made into an open area with a couple of pools, saunas, stick some Yankee palm tress (plastic palm trees) in there, maybe a nice cabana bar.
We build the new UN in Mandan, North Dakota. Probably an all steel building with plenty of parking. When the council is out of session, we could use the building for county fairs and auctions. Don’t worry, we will give all the members their own locker and none of their offices will be used to keep live stock. Well, at least not big live stock. Maybe a goat or two, but that smell is really not that bad.
The Sioux Native Americans are in pretty bad shape. This would help them. They could open their own casinos. They could give diplomats a nice dinner buffet for $10.99, plus tip. And Mandan is a much smaller town. Fewer limo miles. There are a couple of motels there. I stayed in the TeePee motel back in ‘76 and it was real nice. It got down to -62 one of the nights we were there. That kind of weather keeps people in-doors and out of trouble.
And that 5 billion? We are not going to be able to do that anymore. But they will have that big nice all steel building in Mandan. We will try to get that land out by the Tractor Supply so if they get thirsty during the summer sessions, they can walk across the parking lot and get a bottle of pop out of the machine out by the loading dock.
They should be sure to have change. We don’t want them bothering the nice folks at the Tractor Supply.
By Hockey Mom
October 3, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
The UN will be relevant the day he makes the cut on American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. This election stuff is boring, and getting in the way of good TV shows. I hope it’s over soon. The only votes that matter are the votes you phone or text to the FOX TV network.
By Bob
October 3, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
@Gale: Reopen the UN in Tehran
By Saying the news
October 3, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
We, the government, should forclose on the building as they have not paid the mortgage in years. Throw everyone out and sell the property to Trump and lets build something that works. The UN is just a money pit where we are looked upon as lackies and taken advantage of all of the time. Throw the bums out and lets get a backbone and for every vote against us by another country lets cut 20 million dollars in foreign aid. See how long they continue to vote against us. By the way those of you that donate to UNICEF and the UN food programs….all that money and food goes to the indivual countries military or dictator to sell on the black market. Just thought you would want to know.
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
When I leave this office, the rest of the house is a potpourri of different smells and none of them good.
I had to reply to this … I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you, but that is the funniest thing I’ve read all week. (and it was a week where I needed some funny). Something you might want to investigate about your cat (in addition to random dead critters) … years ago, I had a kitten that needed to be educated on the difference between a flower pot and a litter box. It’s an unpleasant thought, but something else you might want to investigate in regards to your P.U. Potpourri.
as for the U.N. … meh. I got nuttin.
By JustaJew
October 3, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Bah! The UN is useless and gives a forum for whack jobs like Ahmadinejad to spew their hate-filled rhetoric. Disband the whole damn thing. Direct diplomacy has always worked best anyway.
By Gale
October 3, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
There are far better NGOs that serve people in developing countries. What good is a blue helmet soldier that is not allowed to shoot? Wars in the developing countries are about power only because resources are limited and the strong want control of limited resources. The UN does nothing for the root cause of the problems.
By JustaJew
October 3, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Since we’re pretty much all in agreement about the UN, anyone wanna weigh-in on the VP debate?
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
I was always a fan a “Gun Boat Diplomacy”. How did Teddy put it? “Speak softly and command a huge armada of Battle Ships!” or something to that effect. Peace through Superior Firepower! “When in doubt, C-4!”
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Biden came off as mean spirited to me, Palin did a good job of showing what an liar Biden really is.
By The Other Jack
October 3, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
USinUK
The cat goes outside. I have addressed that issue already with vertical twigs in the planters. He’s a good cat, already a mouser.
It has cooled off and the smells have gone away. But Tuesday was pretty bad.
The UN?
Who cares.
By Gale
October 3, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
I’ve been trying to read the VP debate transcript. I could not face listening to Palin’s voice for that long so I did not watch. The transcript is painful in the lengths the candidates went to to avoid direct answers. I know, they always do that. It did not seem as soft on Palin as I expected. But it was tedious in that Biden was restrained from what would have been an easy takedown. If Palin was faced with a real debate on the national stage, and experienced senator like Biden would have torn her limb from limb and left a quivering mass on the stage.
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
GtG -
How did Teddy put it?
yep. you not only got the quote wrong, you got the gist of it wrong, as well. “walk softly and carry a big stick” means DIPLOMACY first, then only fight if you have to.
Palin did a good job of showing what an liar Biden really is.
you obviously haven’t checked the debate fact-checker … neither of them were pure, but Palin was pretty egregious.
Biden came off as mean spirited to me
wow. color me shocked.
By Hockey Mom
October 3, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
I thought Palin was terrific last night! She really showed her stuff. All they needed to do was get her away from those snarling liberal media reporters and their Gotcha! questions like “What have you read?” That’s ridiculous. No one can remember what they read. Who has time to read anyway? Her outfit was awesome, her hair and makeup were perfect, and lets not forget she did everything Biden did last night, but she did it in four inch heels! The Democrats are so over. Americans know whats important and what’s not.
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
FRIDAY SNACKS!!!
In honor of my Mr. USinUK’s birthday which was earlier this week, I made Dorset Apple Cake!! everyone help yourself …
By Joe Blow
October 3, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Have any of these things ever been relevent? UN, NATO, what ever. None of them do the things they were designed to do. NATO will not protect itself. The UN is completely held up by Russia and China who don’t care how many people a dictator kills as long as they can sell them arms or exploit their resources. The US we be smart to dump it’s funding for all of these worthless organizations.
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
EXPAT you got it wrong silly! Teddy’s diplomacy involved bringing a Battleship into port and then negotiating, from a position of strength. Biden isn’t a liar? you are so silly! He is a cretin. Color you silly! Stay on your side of the pond and make nicey nice cakes and such. The Limey’s have a word for it…TWIT! yes that’s it, you silly Twit! Have a good weekend in that socialist wonderland you call home.
By JustaJew
October 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I thought Joe did o.k. in the debate, I’m not thrilled with some of his answers but he at least answered the questions specifically. Did Palin actually answer ANY of the questions? She spoke in HUGE generalities the whole night and on some questions she didn’t really even bother to answer. Listening to her was like going to a car dealership and asking the salesman “I’m looking to buy a Ford Mustang, can you answer some questions about it for me?” and the car salesman answers me by saying “Sure! Let me tell you about this brand new Chevy Impala!”
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
He’s a good cat, already a mouser.
evidently so, by the body count! glad things are getting better … now that it’s cooling off (and probably getting less buggy), you can open the windows :-)
hope you’re doing okay - you’ve been in my thoughts this week :::hugs::: I love fighting with you and know I can give you a hard time, but only cuz you make it so easy ;-)
(heeheehee)
By choppin
October 3, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
If you can heal the symptoms but not affect the cause…you CAN’T heal the symptoms. It’s like the old saying goes…the definition of insanity is doing something the same way but expecting a different result. That $5 BILLION a year belongs to the American people and was earned by each and every taxpayer. STOP THE MADNESS. What is it going to take in today’s world for our government to bone up, take care of the people of this country first and stop throwing our hard earned money into bonfires of irresponsible and immoral inaction. If the survival of your loved ones depended on your ability alone to properly manage our yearly $5 BILLION investment, would you continue to make that investment year after year knowing the U.N. return on investment track record? It wouldn’t even be your choice moving forward because your loved ones would not survive and you would be fired for lack of performance. If you can heal the symptoms but not affect the cause…you CAN’T heal the symptoms. Why is this so difficult to understand? One reason is because it is easier to spend and waste another person’s money than it is your own. Especially when you don’t see the actual hard cash moving from one hand to the other. Fishman for President!!
By JeremiahWright
October 3, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
BECOMING irrelevant? It’s been irrelevant for decades. Completely impotent organization. It wouldn’t stand up to Iraq when Hussein refused to allow inspectors in. It barely stands by the US in Afghanistan. It stands by while people are slaughtered all over the world in places like Darfur. It does nothing with the current Russia/Georgia conflict. What positive thing has it offered this world in the last 10 years? It’s a waste of money.
By Gale
October 3, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
USinUK, after this week in the financial world, you deserve a Friday snack. I’ve sneaking an extra piece for my partner because she loves apple cake.
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
GtG -
Stay on your side of the pond and make nicey nice cakes and such
awwww … so bitter that no one makes you cakes …
and, yes, I’ll be on my side of the pond - and I’ll be voting. and I’ll make sure I think of you while I punch “Obama/Biden” on my card.
:-)
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
taking off early for the weekend …
later, taters!!
By NotFunny
October 3, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
The UN has been irrelevent for a long time and I hate the fact that some of my tax money is deverted to this sorry excuse of an organization. I refuse to put even a penny into those “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” boxes that the schools pressure the kids into carrying on Halloween. I’ll tell any kid who is old enough to understand that they are collecting money for a corrupt organization and they should tell this to their teachers. I suggest to them that they keep for themselves any money they already collected and turn in an empty box.
By USinUK
October 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Gale -
USinUK, after this week in the financial world, you deserve a Friday snack. I’ve sneaking an extra piece for my partner because she loves apple cake.
have a good weekend, my friend!!
By choppin
October 3, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
If you can heal the symptoms but not affect the cause…you CAN’T heal the symptoms. It’s like the old saying goes…the definition of insanity is doing something the same way but expecting a different result. That $5 BILLION a year belongs to the American people and was earned by each and every taxpayer. STOP THE MADNESS. What is it going to take in today’s world for our government to bone up, take care of the people of this country first and stop throwing our hard earned money into bonfires of irresponsible and immoral corruption and inaction? If the survival of your family and loved ones depended on your ability alone to properly manage our yearly $5 BILLION investment, would you continue to make that investment year after year knowing the U.N. return on investment track record? It wouldn’t even be your choice moving forward because your family and loved ones would not survive and you would be fired for lack of performance. It is easier to spend and waste another person’s money than it is your own. This is especially true when you don’t see the actual hard cash moving from one hand to the other. If you can heal the symptoms but not affect the cause…you CAN’T heal the symptoms. Why is this so difficult to understand? It is past time for American citizens to stand up and demand that our earned money and local resources not end up in the hands of the people responsible for immoral pain and suffering around the world. Hard cash supposedly going to ease the suffering of the citizens of North Korea with no record of what it was spent on is just one example of many. Would you trust Kim Jun-il with your daughter, son, father or mother? We as citizens can no longer just assume that every dollar is getting to the people we are trying to help. We must demand accountability and if we don’t get it then we need to immediately change our course and find a better way. The human race depends on it. No one lives on an island in this world and TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE. Fishman for President!!
By choppin
October 3, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
It’s like the old saying goes…the definition of insanity is doing something the same way but expecting a different result. That $5 BILLION a year belongs to the American people and was earned by each and every taxpayer. STOP THE MADNESS. What is it going to take in today’s world for our government to bone up, take care of the people of this country first and stop throwing our hard earned money into bonfires of irresponsible and immoral corruption and inaction? If the survival of your family and loved ones depended on your ability alone to properly manage our yearly $5 BILLION investment, would you continue to make that investment year after year knowing the U.N. return on investment track record? It wouldn’t even be your choice moving forward because your family and loved ones would not survive and you would be fired for lack of performance. It is easier to spend and waste another person’s money than it is your own. This is especially true when you don’t see the actual hard cash moving from one hand to the other. If you can heal the symptoms but not affect the cause…you CAN’T heal the symptoms. Why is this so difficult to understand? It is past time for American citizens to stand up and demand that our earned money and local resources not end up in the hands of the people responsible for immoral pain and suffering around the world. Hard cash supposedly going to ease the suffering of the citizens of North Korea with no record of what it was spent on is just one example of many. Would you trust Kim Jun-il with your daughter, son, father or mother? We as citizens can no longer just assume that every dollar is getting to the people we are trying to help. We must demand accountability and if we don’t get it then we need to immediately change our course and find a better way. The human race depends on it. No one lives on an island in this world and TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE. Fishman for President!!
By The Other Jack
October 3, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
USinUK
Why I otta .. .
I’m doing OK. It’s better that things aren’t around me. No one has returned from Europe and I don’t know anything about anything. I think that helps. She is in my thoughts a lot. It’s the old thing that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.
Have a good weekend over there in the land of meat pies.
(Barbarians, get yourself a hamburger or even more American, a TACO, or PIZZA … Yea! A friggin’ PIZZA!!)
By Bruno
October 3, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Biden came off as mean spirited to me, Palin did a good job of showing what an liar Biden really is.
To be fair, Gandalf, I thought Biden did a good job of remaining polite throughout the debate, although his body language betrayed a desire to rip into Sarah Palin at several junctures, especially following her quip that the Democratic “plan” in Iraq was to basically wave the white flag and surrender. I thought Sarah held her poise very well, although I agree with JustaJew that she was long on generalities and short on specifics. Bottom line: I rate the debate a tossup.
By Bruno
October 3, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
As for the Senate “bailout” announcement on Wednesday night, was I the only one who wanted to vomit when the Dems and Repubs came out of the meeting arm in arm, falling over themselves in complimenting one another for such a good job done? Excu-u-u-u-se me, but what were you guys doing the past few years while this crisis was mounting? Oh that’s right, you were accepting large campaign contributions from the executives who ran FreddieMac and FannieMae.
I say toss all the bums out.
By Ed
October 3, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
The UN is very much Obama, just an empty suit with a funny name. Both need to go away…far…far away.
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Bruno, I guess I just read his body language. We don’t want to wave a white flag in Iraq!
By Jack
October 3, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
JeremiahWright @ 11:29. couldn’t have said it better myself.
By Jack
October 3, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
What’s up Dog?
By Bruno
October 3, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
What’s up Dog?
Howdy, Jack. Just hanging in there these days. Hope you and your family are doing well.
By Bruno
October 3, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Well, it looks like the bailout is a done deal. The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach. So much for working hard and playing by the rules……
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
EXPAT: I am sure you are an accomplished baker, but Mrs. Grey is a gourmet chef, so I ain’t jealous. Good luck with that absentee ballot getting counted, I will make sure and push the GOP ticket at the polling place were I will be #1 in line. Joe Biden! Hehe, that is funny. Do the Brits like that silly twit? What an oxygen thief!
By JK
October 3, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Well, it’s clear that as usual, most people are ignorant when it comes to what the UN actually does. The first, most obvious thing is that it has prevented a Third World War. Second, UNICEF actually helps a LOT of children (it’s disgusting that some would lecture children about how they should instead give money to the likes of Ted Haggard). Third, a LOT of global commerce depends on institutions of the UN, and Georgia’s economy in particular relies on them. Delta Air Lines would not be able to safely operate flights to other countries without the standards established by ICAO, which is part of the UN. UPS would not be able to safely ship dangerous materials without the UN’s standards on hazmat transport. CDC’s doctors and scientists rely on the global networking of the WHO to research and prevent disease. AT&T relies heavily on the standards set by the ITU to make international telephony and the Internet function. Fourth, the UN is an American invention, and one we can be proud of. It’s not perfect, no organization is (corporate, government or any other). However, it is getting better and it has proven essential to combatting global terrorism as the countries of the world band together to fight it.
For those who wish to disband the UN, I ask this: why do you hate America, children, and business?
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 3, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
YOU (DUMBASS)! NATA prevents WW III! UNICEF is a front for the new world order. US Air Force, US Naval Air Power, enough to keep the skies safe. Ever hear of Doctors without Borders? It’s getting better? It’s a cancer, need Chemos and a scalpel most rickity tick! I hate stupid. You want to know why? Cuz you can cure stupid! HEHE (DUMBASS)! If we don’t cut them out completely move them somewhere it sucks, like San Francissy, or deep in the Heart of Texas, somewhere 4 hours south east west or north of Dallas.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
Have a good weekend over there in the land of meat pies
haha … Mr. USinUK’s 2nd favorite food - a good pork pie and a side of picalilly (pickled veg with a whole lotta vinegar and some hot English mustard) … his #1? a good cheeseburger and chips (meaning fries), so you guys have lots in common.
how is Baron von Mouseripper? still keeping your home safe from varmints?
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
JK -
don’t bother presenting GtG with the facts … it just confuses him.
By RF
October 6, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
The UN has tarnished its reputation in the wake of terror attacks since 2000 and its weak stance on nuclear arming of third world countries, especially in the wake of its pullout of inspectors in Iraq some years back. While they have done, and still do, lots of work on trade and humanitarian missions, they’ve dropped the ball in some high profile situations. To me, the fact that they sit calmly and allow the Iranians time to call Israel and the US names and give them an international platform on which to do so only furthers the notion that they are useless. Like many organizations, the UN needs to redefine its role in the world and how it functions to help maintain peace.
On to other, more interesting and nauseating topics. Has anyone seen the new ads coming out from the McCain camp? WOW is this going to get ugly or what? Investigate Palin and its “leftist manipulation”, but try to make up smears on Obama and its “truth”. What a hoot!! I sat and watched a show on Fox News last night just to see if they could show credible evidence of Obama’s alleged ties to terrorists. The best they could do in an hour show was point out that Obama lives in the same neighborhood as William Ayers, who headed up a ragtag organization in, oh, like 1970!! Ayers hosted a meet-and-greet for Obama’s first state senate campaign. Yep, a neighborhood tea is real terror planning at its best. I watched just to see if they could come up with some hard facts before I go cast my early vote, but alas they didn’t. Obama’s camp has already put together a similarly tacky report on McCain’s association with Charles Keating, a once well-known player in the S&L scandal, also almost twenty years ago. Geez, I hate election cycles for just this reason. When you can’t talk about the current issues, throw some mud and hope you can distract everyone. Will they ever learn that all this really doesn’t change the way people vote?
By Lyrazel
October 6, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
As for the bailout I recall when the money was good Americans were spending their credit like there was no bill come due. Stocks were up and stockholders, 401k owners and many were rolling in the fun of cash (but who used cash). Investments tripled—who complained that these were not solid investments but credit? Who complained so many businesses were shipping jobs out of the USA when stockholders stocks were going up? Let the poor jobless shop at WalMart. Yes, remember how flush it has been for the past many years—how so many people got into homes, how so many people used their home equity for stainless steel renovations, how so many people used their home equity to buy new cars, new boats and nobody gave a damn about the bills coming due. Over-inflated housing prices kept builders building all the fancy subdivisions—who dared suggest they were building too many homes? Blind-sighted consumers obsession was with granite countertops and 3 car garages seen as standard equipment. Bigger, better, faster More! I do not see how so many can blame corporations when it was also public spending on a free-for-all on plastic that is partly responsible for this current crisis. You can blame a mortgage lender for bundling loans but you cant blame them because Little Debbie took out a 500,000 mortgage that she knew from day one she could never afford. Why no blame consumers for the mess we are in now?
The UN has lost its relevance and direction. It occupies a choice bit of NYC real-estate that could be sold to pay its diplomats parking tickets. I saw it in its heyday—and it functioned with the leadership needed to guide all countries away from war with unified diplomacy into programs for the betterment of humanity. Like Elvis those leaders and visionaries have left the building. Problem is now—the UN programs take seconds in lieu of the salaries and perks paid to officials officiating the programs.
HockeyMom—Biden’s makeup and wingtips looked fabulous too!
By Ben
October 6, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Maybe if the American people knew the truth, that most UN humanitarian missions turn into a fair for graft, corruption, and even the enslaving of natives for the sex trade, they might not be polling at 85% in favor of more of the same. But as long as the press continues to whitewash the UN, then of course the American people will poll that way.
By The News
October 6, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
USinUK
Took out the air conditioner this weekend and Borus Blue is out on patrol. He shows up in the morning, demanding to be fed. He is named Borus after the Russian Blue cat in the movie Dogs and Cats.
Apple cakes. Meat pies. It’s like you are in another country.
In have grown very fond of a Zestos cheese burger, FRIES (chips are potato chips) and a small chocolate nut sundae.
But this is good food week and I will be eating lots of fish and chicken with fresh veggies. I have put on a little weight and I need to lose it. In fact, I am out the door for a good walk.
By Gale
October 6, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Heard on the radio this morning: (paraphrase) CountryWide is looking to restructure loans in danger of default to payments of no more than 34% of the borrowers income. I listened to the broadcast because CW is my lendor and I thought, “cool. Maybe I can lower my loan interest.” I would not sign onto a loan like that ever. What happened to conventional wisdom of the mortgage not exceeding one week’s pay?
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
TOJ -
In have grown very fond of a Zestos cheese burger
does Atlanta have 5 Guys, yet???
He is named Borus after the Russian Blue cat in the movie Dogs and Cats
cats rule. dogs drool. one of the best lines ever. I hear the name “Boris” and I always think of Boris Badinov from Rocky and Bullwinkle (must get Moose and Squirrel!)
I have put on a little weight and I need to lose it. In fact, I am out the door for a good walk.
did you know that many of us are genetically predisposed to put on weight this time of year? for centuries, our ancestors fattened up before the winter, so it’s in our genes - or overlapping our jeans - to do what we need to do to prepare for privation. (our genes never got the memo that a Publix - or Sainsburys - is never more than 10 min away)
in other words, don’t fight it! give in to the genes! prepare for the horrible Atlanta winter when you need to throw on a jacket as temps go down to a sub-Arctic 40!! ;-)
By RF
October 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Gale- they’ll get a 40 yr. mortgage with all kinds of stips and clauses and strings attached. Problem is, too many of these risky loans were written right up into the past month or so and written without looking at total debt, etc. Unfortunately, CW like many others is going to have to eat some big property value losses in order to make these ridiculous loans work, and that isn’t going to help the stock market for the short term. There are tons of ARM’s and interest-only loans out there that won’t mature for the next several years. We’re three to five years from seeing a true end to this mess if people can’t convert these loans before the ARM period or interest-only period ends. Their values won’t rise and at best MAY return to the purchase price by that time, but I doubt it. If they can keep their jobs, they just have to pray and wait for the eventual outcome. I woudn’t risk losing any more equity in my house right now if CW begged me to refinance. My rate with them is okay now, and not worth the closing costs to refi to save a few bucks a month.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Gale -
What happened to conventional wisdom of the mortgage not exceeding one week’s pay?
I think that went the way of “starter homes in the $60-75K range”
(bless my dad, when I was living in Washington, DC, he said that I should look for a starter home - “something around $75K” … I would have cried if it wasn’t so funny … I had to tell him that he needed to put a 2 in front of that number for a 1-bed flat)
By Gale
October 6, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
5 Guys is overrated, as is WhatABurger, the In&Out Burger and definitely Johhny Rockets. The best burger happens on my grill.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Gale -
The best burger happens on my grill.
so, when are we all invited over?
and do you add stuff to your ground beef? me, I add finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, 1/2 red onion (grated), a couple of cloves garlic (minced) and a good splash of Worcestershire, then let it sit for an hour or so to come up to room temp before cooking. yumyumyum …
I think you’re right about the CW concerning mortgages - right before the property market went into freefall here, banks were offering mortgages for 7x salary … eeeeeeeeeeyikes! 7 X!!! I mean, I understand people wanting to get on the property ladder, but there’s also a funny thing called “eating” … and “not going around nekkid” … and “having enough ££ to put gas in your car” …
By Gale
October 6, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
So right about “starter homes’. It is sad that affordable homes are now in the “wreck” category for low income. What is even sadder is how few people are brought up learning to do moderate repair work around a house. My dad could do all that and built our house mostly by himself. My brother can do a lot of that work. My sister and I were not allowed in the garage because we were girls. ::end of sexist remarks:: The point is, most of us cannot buy a house that needs TLC, so we cannot afford the typical starter. IF the owner kept the house in good repair, they will want to get their investment out of it.
So what is left? Save a whole lot of money while renting. Very hard. Or live with family while saving a whole lot of money. Also very hard. And oh, it helps if you don’t also have a big student loan.
By Gale
October 6, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
USinUK, I just remembered my dad recommending that I buy the house next door to his when I was 27 and flush with my first good paying job. I opted for the new MGB instead. Youth is wasted on the young.
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 6, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Gale, close, but the B.b.b.b.b.est burgers are form my weber grill!
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 6, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Gale, close, but the B.b.b.b.b.est burgers are form my weber grill!
By Gale
October 6, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Ummm, USinUK, your burgers sound good. Actually, I buy my premade with very good beef. Other than steak seasoning sprinkled on while grilling, they are simple. The big issue for me is getting them cooked exactly med-rare. We don’t eat meat much so buying a half pound of ground, trimmed steak takes too much planning. Usually, the smallest we can get is a pound and that is too much. But I think I’ll send the SO on a hunt for some good meat and take the challenge this weekend.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Gale -
What is even sadder is how few people are brought up learning to do moderate repair work around a house. My dad could do all that and built our house mostly by himself. My brother can do a lot of that work.
very true - although my dad is rubbish at moderate repair work (my brother-in-law and brother are the ones who do work around his house). I gotta say, though - the best investment any new homeowner can make is Time/Life books of basic home repair. I’ve dated a number of guys (and married one) who swear by them. I learn by watching and helping, so am good with some things - others, I’d rather not risk the outcome (like electric wiring).
So what is left? Save a whole lot of money while renting. Very hard. Or live with family while saving a whole lot of money. Also very hard. And oh, it helps if you don’t also have a big student loan.
seriously - I can’t imagine entering working life with $40K of loans on my back. good god. the only thing you really can do is either have loads of roommates or it’s back to Chez Parental Units to pay off and save.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
the B.b.b.b.b.est burgers are form my weber grill
GtG - and what kind of cheese do you prefer to top your burger?
By Gale
October 6, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
GTG, I have a feeling there are many best burgers. One day we will need to plan a giant world wide grilling contest. Imagine, grills fired up at precisely 1pm in each time zone. We will have to dispatch naval vessels to those time zones with no place to keep a grill out of the water.
By Gale
October 6, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
And then there is the other little expense to avoid while saving for a house, no children.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Gale -
One day we will need to plan a giant world wide grilling contest. Imagine, grills fired up at precisely 1pm in each time zone
4th of July!! (and, yes, I do keep the 4th even though I live here, now) … the first W2W Burger-Off!
By The Other Jack
October 6, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
USinUK
Wow. That was a good walk.
They have had five guys for a couple of years. I loved them at first, but now they seem a little greasy. But I love the service. I can drive by Wendy’s on the way and note the cars in the drive through. I will drive about two miles to the Five guys, order, get my food and drive back and the cars at the back of the Wendy’s line are still waiting.
I hadn’t thought about the gene fatness. My GF would really ride me to keep in shape, and i couldn’t really blame her. It’s not like I have Brad Pitt’s face or hair so without the body, what did i have to offer? (other than my charming personality)
Gale
Now grilling is my thing. Salmon, burgers, but my favorite is pork chops. I use a home made honey sauce that adds a really nice glaze. But about 20 minutes before I put in the chops, I wrap corn on the cob in a paper towel and foil after I have smothered them in butter, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. The same technique works with cabbage. I hated cabbage until I was shown how to do this.
By The Other Jack
October 6, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
USinUK
Your burgers sound good. And you probably have access to the really good beef that we can’t get here. Well, we can, but it costs a fortune. There are a couple of Argentinian Steak Houses that have opened here. Lots of show, not that good.
So you celebrate the fourth over there? You do realize that is like celebrating VJ Day while living in Tokyo, don’t you?
By Gale
October 6, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
TOJ, my favourite grill is a lamb roast with rosemary speared through it. I am still learning to do veggies without burning them.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Maybe if the American people knew the truth, that most UN humanitarian missions turn into a fair for graft, corruption, and even the enslaving of natives for the sex trade, they might not be polling at 85% in favor of more of the same. But as long as the press continues to whitewash the UN, then of course the American people will poll that way.
Count me among the 15%, Ben.
CountryWide is looking to restructure loans in danger of default to payments of no more than 34% of the borrowers income. I listened to the broadcast because CW is my lendor and I thought, “cool. Maybe I can lower my loan interest.” I would not sign onto a loan like that ever. What happened to conventional wisdom of the mortgage not exceeding one week’s pay?
Gale and RF—In case you didn’t know, Bank of America bought Countrywide a few months ago. Part of the fallout of the credit crisis will be the further reduction of the number of independent lending institutions. Right now, Wachovia is on the auction block as well. Not good for the consumer.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
On the lighter side, did any of you catch the SNL “VP debate”? I was busy on Saturday night, but saw a rebroacast on Sunday morning. IMO, Tina Fey portrays Sarah Palin better than Sarah Palin portrays herself—a little spooky, but totally hilarious.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
TOJ -
So you celebrate the fourth over there? You do realize that is like celebrating VJ Day while living in Tokyo, don’t you?
hahaha … I know, and the mister always says of Independence Day “oh, you’ll come back”. My neighbors think it’s funny (and think that all our holidays are built around food).
It’s not like I have Brad Pitt’s face or hair so without the body, what did i have to offer? (other than my charming personality)
only BP has BP’s face - and if everyone had it, it wouldn’t be considered exceptional. I’m trying to get back into shape, myself … well, a shape that isn’t lumpy in all the wrong places, anyway … so, I’m there with ya, feeling the burn!
And you probably have access to the really good beef that we can’t get here
man, those Scots know a thing or 2 about cows. (they also know a thing or 2 about sheep, but that’s a different discussion)
which reminds me of today’s joke:
if the Rolling Stones had been a Scottish Band, what would the name of their song be??
(wait for it)
Hey McLeod, Get Offa My Ewe
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, CW like many others is going to have to eat some big property value losses in order to make these ridiculous loans work, and that isn’t going to help the stock market for the short term.
I recently saw an interview with Steve Wynn, the real estate mogul, regarding the current loss in value of real estate. His opinion, which mirrors that of Donald Trump and other successful real estate investors, is that the banks should simply auction off these “distressed properties” for their true market value and be done with it, rather than relying on the government to “bail them out” with tax dollars.
On the blog, I’ve seen USinUK singing the praises of the bailout. Personally, I am vehemently opposed to the creation of a “financial czar” (Paulson) who essentially answers to no one—not even our judicial system. There has to be a simpler way to “free up” the short-term credit markets without creating a new bureacracy in Washington.
By Gandalf, the Grey
October 6, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
EXPAT that would be BLUE! (Bleau), but the kids prefer cheddar, freshly slicked of course.
By RF
October 6, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Hey McLeod, Get Offa My Ewe ROFL!! Then I get a picture of Keith Richards in a kilt on the bagpipes….. OMG what a scary thought!!
Burgers marinated in a little soy sauce with a touch of garlic are so out of this world good on the grill. No labor involved if you buy the sirloin patties pre-made. Thats’ my kind of grillin’!
Bruno- I’ve watched the Tina Fey skits several times over and she is scary good at Palin. That will go down in SNL history! Even Biden was done pretty well. I loved Latifah as the moderator for the debate too.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Brunooooooooooooooooo -
I’ve seen USinUK singing the praises of the bailout. Personally, I am vehemently opposed to the creation of a “financial czar” (Paulson) who essentially answers to no one
Paulson is no more untouchable now than he was before the bailout. And the new guy who is going to head up the asset buy-out scheme has to be approved by Congress and will have to give regular reports before Congress.
I’m no more happy about the bailout than anyone else, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
There has to be a simpler way to “free up” the short-term credit markets without creating a new bureacracy in Washington
banks. aren’t. lending. each. other. money.
it’s as simple as that. they are foregoing profit by borrowing and depositing with the central banks because they don’t know other banks’ exposures to crappy securities.
unless the gov’t does a buy-back scheme, how else are these banks going to get the crappy securities off their books and free up lending??
I don’t like it, either - it offends my sense of what the marketplace should be.
but, we’re in a ststorm right now - and it’s a global ststorm, not just limited to your local neighborhood bank.
By RF
October 6, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Bruno- the catch-22 here is that very, very few have the capital right now to even think about buying the distressed loans, even at a deep discount, with the tight credit market. The holders of these loans are going to have to restructure what loans they can and be ready to eat some big losses on a lot of them. I also think those who could buy them are waiting right now for the values to bottom out. Until that happens, nobody wants to touch most of these properties. I also don’t think Paulson is going to get the go ahead with dispensing money without some serious supervision. If anything good comes out of this stinking bailout plan, it’s that for the time being a lot of people will be paying attention to where the money goes which will provide the scrutiny Paulson needs to keeps his zany ideas in check.
By NetBanker
October 6, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Hello?! ~tink, tink, tink~ What’s going on in there? I’ve posted 3 different comments and not a darn thing is showing up on the page even 20 minutes later.
I’m gonna try anyway to chat about the mortgage stuff. I had dinner last night with a friend in the mortgage business. What he’s telling me the banks are seeing a lot of is people simply walking away from their mortgage. Not because they can’t afford to pay, but because the LTV has gone upside down so they don’t have an incentive to pay and are choosing to walk instead. Another thing they’re seeing is people who took a ton of equity out of a house when values were skyrocketing, purchased a second home free and clear with the proceeds, and are now walking away from the first house. Legally the banks can’t go after a borrower’s other assets.
Best truly lazy burgers? Bubba Burgers Onion flavor. I swear they taste just like a Krystal.
By JK
October 6, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Well, Shaunti may be as ill-informed as Gandalf, but at least she’s semi-coherent (and doesn’t argue that world peace will be maintained by the Nebraska Trial Attorneys Association).
Even if we put aside the baseless smears of the UN’s humanitarian work (UNICEF is just a front for the child sex slave trade? Who knew?) and the ludicrous idea that we could just dump everything on the French NGO Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), can somebody answer my question about global commerce? The UN makes Georgia’s economy work, even if conservatives don’t want to admit it.
Delta and UPS couldn’t work without ICAO. AT&T couldn’t work without the ITU. The CDC couldn’t function (certainly not as well as it does) without the access to scientists and data through the WHO (and if God forbid we get a bio-terror attack, we’ll need all the medical knowhow we’ve got).
The UN has never been good at PR. It allows nationalistic whackjobs like John Bolton to turn it into a “New World Order” black helicopter boogeyman without ever really explaining what it is and what it does. Yes, the UN has problems—every government, corporation and non-profit organization in the world does. The key to fixing it is not to abandon it, but to work harder to reform it. The US lobbied hard to get Kofi Annan in as Secretary General, and he was able to do a lot of good reform work, particularly in human rights.
Think of it this way: if you’re dissatisfied with the US government and how inefficient it is, would you pressure your members of Congress and support reform-minded candidates, or would you declare your 1/2 acre an independent nation and starve to death?
By NetBanker
October 6, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Hello?! ~tink, tink, tink~ What’s going on in there? I’ve posted 3 different comments and not a darn thing is showing up on the page even 20 minutes later.
I’m gonna try anyway to chat about the mortgage stuff. I had dinner last night with a friend in the mortgage business. What he’s telling me the banks are seeing a lot of is people simply walking away from their mortgage. Not because they can’t afford to pay, but because the LTV has gone upside down so they don’t have an incentive to pay and are choosing to walk instead. Another thing they’re seeing is people who took a ton of equity out of a house when values were skyrocketing, purchased a second home free and clear with the proceeds, and are now walking away from the first house. Legally the banks can’t go after a borrower’s other assets.
Best truly lazy burgers? Bubba Burgers Onion flavor. I swear they taste just like a Krystal.
By USinUK
October 6, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
RF -
I’ve watched the Tina Fey skits several times over and she is scary good at Palin. That will go down in SNL history
I can see Russia from my house!
definitely will go down in history as one of the funniest SNL lines. ever.
Burgers marinated in a little soy sauce with a touch of garlic are so out of this world good on the grill
try worcestershire sometime instead of soy - just as much saltiness, plus a little extra yumminess. (and what meat isn’t better with a little garlic!)
By Gale
October 6, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
SNL, I don’t watch the show, but the bit of Palin and her flute saying, “So we aren’t doing the talent portion?” was priceless.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
unless the gov’t does a buy-back scheme, how else are these banks going to get the crappy securities off their books and free up lending??
Bruno- the catch-22 here is that very, very few have the capital right now to even think about buying the distressed loans, even at a deep discount, with the tight credit market. The holders of these loans are going to have to restructure what loans they can and be ready to eat some big losses on a lot of them. I also think those who could buy them are waiting right now for the values to bottom out. Until that happens, nobody wants to touch most of these properties.
The bottom line is that there remains a “true market value” for the properties in foreclosure, however low that value may be. As such, we have two choices: (1) Keep pretending that these properties are worth more than they actually are and allow the government to attempt to “prop up” the artificially high proces via a bailout scheme which creates new powers for unelected officials who essentially answer to no one (2) Bite the bullet now, let the properties to be sold for whatever they fetch and allow the stockholders of the lending institutions to take a big hit.
Certainly, option #2 will result in a severe tightening of the credit market which could trigger a deep recession, but it still might be the best way to move forward without saddling our children and grandchildren with a financial burden they don’t deserve.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Delta and UPS couldn’t work without ICAO. AT&T couldn’t work without the ITU. The CDC couldn’t function (certainly not as well as it does) without the access to scientists and data through the WHO (and if God forbid we get a bio-terror attack, we’ll need all the medical knowhow we’ve got).
Sorry, JK, you’re not going to convince me that the UN is “necessary” by citing international standards for telecommunication, flights and shipping. Those standards don’t require a bloated, inefficient, corrupt organization like the UN in order to be established. Your mention of the CDC pretty much seals the fact in my mind that you don’t know what you are talking about. The CDC sucks up somewhere around $6,000,000,000 per year of our tax dollars, and what do we have to show for it? Endless studies about domestic violence and handgun injuries, which have absolutely NOTHING to do with infectious diseases.
By Not quite
October 6, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Um… not really wanting to join the p—- fest today, and can’t speak directly on the UN, but can comment on the CDC since I do know some of those people. Most of the work they do is not only not publicized, but kept seriously under wraps for a number of reasons, not the least of which is protecting the public from what might happen at the facilities if word got out, and includes protecting the scientists themselves from all manner of agenda-driven individuals, including but not limited to PETA, who put these people on their “hit” lists. But if you develop some horrifically scary symptoms, such as bleeding from your eyeballs and puking from your navel while your pee pee turns green and falls off, feel free to let the free market forces help you work through that problem. Have a nice day, everybody.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
I swear they taste just like a Krystal.
Good to hear from you, NetB. As far as the “burger debate” today, I’ll have to put in a vote for Back Yard Burgers. They are the closest thing to a home-made burger that I’ve found. Lately, I just haven’t had a taste for burgers, however. I’ve been sticking with sushi and chicken dishes for the most part.
Hopefully you can vouch for me, NetB, that I’ve been chatting up the credit crisis here on W2W for more than a year now. I specifically remember advising you and the others here late last year to sell off any excess properties and stocks to avoid taking a big hit. I remember answering Mara’s concerns regarding our indebtedness with China by refocusing her attention to the more immediate threat of the credit bubble bursting.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
but can comment on the CDC since I do know some of those people. Most of the work they do is not only not publicized, but kept seriously under wraps for a number of reasons, not the least of which is protecting the public from what might happen at the facilities if word got out, and includes protecting the scientists themselves from all manner of agenda-driven individuals,
I’ve had many, many clients over the years who work for the CDC, including many PhD “scientists” who make $90,000 + per year. The honest ones all freely admit how much waste occurs at the CDC, and how a substantial amount of the “research” done there has nothing to do with infectious diseases. I’m not sure why you prefer Big Brother over market forces, but my experience in life leads me to have more faith in the market.
By Gale
October 6, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
I have a 6 degree connection to CDC as well and I am very happy to keep them functional and their gates tightly sealed.
By Not quite
October 6, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
You’re entitled to your opinion, but I think your characterizations are grossly slanted. First, $90K is not a humonguous annual salary, especially in the private sector. “PhD scientists” actually finished several levels of school, and while many people today buy into the GOP’s “we don’t need no education” mentality, the argument could be made that education, at least in some fields, is indeed worth the cost. Second, employees of any large, private corporation can tell you how much waste occurs in their expenditures that has nothing to do with what the company actually produces. Ask the guy who approves the expense accounts and executive bonus packages — on the condition of anonymity, of course. Third, my idea of Big Brother is government entities that have been granted the right to spy on our personal conversations and records that previously required court-issued warrants to access, and those who’ve successfully sought for years to circumvent constitutional protections like habeus corpus in the interest of “protecting our freedom.” At least that’s the correlation I make from reading Orwell’s book. If you can make the stretch that centralizing information and efforts to eradicate diseases that could potentially affect all of mankind is a BAD thing, then what possible value would there be to disussing it with you? None that I can see. Good luck relying on the generosity of private firms when you’re so diseased no one wants to come near you.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
$90K is not a humonguous annual salary, especially in the private sector.
Sorry, but I think 90K IS a lot of money. But then again, I live in Lilburn….
Second, employees of any large, private corporation can tell you how much waste occurs in their expenditures that has nothing to do with what the company actually produces.
I agree, but at least I’m not FORCED to do business with companies which I think are wasteful.
Hopefully you remember that I am 100% opposed to the Patriot Act and am in full support of our Constitutional rights prohibiting “unreasonable search and seizure”. I was using the term “Big Brother” in a more general way than perhaps Orwell suggested in his book.
If you can make the stretch that centralizing information and efforts to eradicate diseases that could potentially affect all of mankind is a BAD thing, then what possible value would there be to disussing it with you? None that I can see. Good luck relying on the generosity of private firms when you’re so diseased no one wants to come near you.
I would be in full support of the CDC if they would stick to their original mission of protecting the public from infectious diseases. In case you haven’t noticed, they now feel they are the protectors of the public health from all manner of calamities, including injuries from handguns.
As far as what value a conversation with me would create, I’m guessing none, since you’ve made clear your disdain for me many times.
P.S. I’m not planning on relying on anyone’s generosity when I can’t work anymore. That’s what handguns are for.
By RF
October 6, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Net- Hey!! Where ya been? Bubba Onionburgers are soooo good, but they’re sometimes too pricey for my budget! Love ‘em though! I too have heard of people just walking away from big mortgages that they know will be tough to renegotiate. What’s sad is that they can do that without any damage other than a hit on their credit score. And if the property is in one partner or spouse’s name, the other still has the power to buy and take out credit. Walking away without explanation or serious scrutiny ought to be illegal!
(2) Bite the bullet now, let the properties to be sold for whatever they fetch and allow the stockholders of the lending institutions to take a big hit
I think either way we’re in a recession that is going to deepen just because of consumer fear. Even with the government buyouts, which I don’t think will make a serious dent in the total number, there will still be a lot of foreclosures trickling in over the next several years. If, and I say if, the government bank loans will get credit flowing and keep businesses running so we don’t have too many more job losses, we’ll see consumers trying harder to hang onto homes which could slow the decline. Unfortunately, I don’t know when we’ll see the bottom of property values hit, and I know there are a lot of people, me included, who worry about where that fall will end. If the buyouts will bring a stop to that, then let’s go for it so buyers and investors will return to the market and buy up what’s out there vacant. We’ve got to stop that decline and restore confidence in the real estate market somehow.
By Bruno
October 6, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
I think either way we’re in a recession that is going to deepen just because of consumer fear.
I agree, RF. The question is, is it better to take one big loss right now and then try to rebuild the economy based on realistic home prices, or is it better to prop up the economy using falsely inflated home prices for now and hope that the values will slowly realign themselves with the bad mortgages over the next several years? My gut instinct is to say that it is better to let the real estate market determine the true market values of the distressed properties, and not allow the government to get into the mortgage reclamation business.
We’ve got to stop that decline and restore confidence in the real estate market somehow.
Which makes sense as long as the “solution” isn’t worse than the “problem”.
By JK
October 6, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
I would be in full support of the CDC if they would stick to their original mission of protecting the public from infectious diseases. In case you haven’t noticed, they now feel they are the protectors of the public health from all manner of calamities, including injuries from handguns.
You’re not serious, are you? You honestly think that the CDC does nothing with bio-terror weapons like anthrax and smallpox? You’ve bee