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Home > Opinion > Mike Luckovich > Archives > 2008 > January > 18 > Entry

Give it a rest

By Mike Luckovich | Friday, January 18, 2008, 10:11 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Permalink | Comments (276) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorial Cartoon

Comments

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Well, so much for Mitt’s chances.

Look at what happened to the last person cartoon boy drew at his inauguration a bit too early {slow loading page, worth the wait}

Aaaaarrrrggggyyyeeeeaaahhh!!!

Bwa.

~~~~~

Look at the Code Pinkos at the Urinal, giving free campaign ads to the lib RINOS and showing their public education mathematical wizardry:

{{{{Florida Republicans hold their primary on —->Saturday, six days before Super Tuesday<—- when more than 20 states, including Georgia, hold primaries or caucuses.}}}}

And on the sixth day God created dimwit liberals.

~~~~~

They publicly insult them and then they buy them off:

{{{{In South Carolina the polls have registered an ongoing shift of black support to Obama. The latest Rasmussen figures: Obama, 64 percent; Hillary, 20 percent. This despite the fact that Bill and Hillary have been assiduously working the local black leaders, to the point of giving one leader a $200,000 public relations contract in exchange for his endorsement.}}}}

$200,000 public relations contract in exchange for his endorsement?

This is democracy at work?

This is “change?”

~~~~~

{{{{Six weeks ago, I attended a focus group of Democratic voters, and the blacks at the table didn’t think Obama had a chance; as one Philadelphian put it, “No matter how intelligent the gentleman might be, he could be a rocket scientist, but people still don’t want a black in office.” But Obama’s decisive win in Iowa, and his narrow loss in New Hampshire, both predominantly white states, have apparently convinced many blacks that he has sufficient crossover appeal. As Cleveland Sellers, a black South Carolina scholar and civil-rights veteran, those finishes “were tremendous motivators, freeing those voters to come out to the polls.”}}}}

{{{{Now, they’re back on offense, playing for the highest stakes, and their target is a black guy who embodies the black American dream. If Ku Klux takes him down, she will face a massive repair job in the black community, needing to mend both the Democratic coalition and the family brand.}}}}

She’s a loser any way you look at it.

And don’t it figure that Code Pinko would back the loser?

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Listen to this jackas-s from “News”weak tell America to do what it is ALREADY doing:

{{{{The most intelligent strategy for the United States now is a combined political and military one. If we are to engage in peacekeeping, the operation needs to be internationally recognized, sanctioned and supported—as it was in Bosnia. We should call an international conference on Iraq and get the support of other countries—crucially Iraq’s neighbors—for this new mission. There should then be a joint international push to get the Iraqis to make the kinds of political deals that will turn the ceasefires into lasting peace. Over the next year if the violence continues to decline, countries like India, Poland and South Africa could be persuaded to relieve American troops. With sustained and focused efforts, over time, American forces could draw down substantially. The mission could then become what it was always billed as, a genuinely international effort to assist the Iraqi people in founding a new nation.}}}}

I can’t believe people still take these strokers in the drive by media seriously.

Talk about living in a bubble.

Imagine this as-shole two years from now, “they only won in Iraq cause of what I told them to do.”

Jag off.

~~~~~

{{{{Or as economist David Gitlitz recently put it on National Review Online: “If the U.S. is capable of talking itself into an economic downturn, we may be on the cusp of the first recession in history caused by a bad mood.”}}}}

It ain’t the “U.S.” talking itself into a recession, it is the drive by media in their never ending conquest for political power that is doing it.

Luckily, we aren’t that stupid.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

White House Endorsement Watch K Street Endorsements

Phil Anderson (Navigators) Alexander Annett (Patton Boggs) Elliott Berke (Barbour, Griffith & Rogers) Henry Bonilla (The Normandy Group) Michael Bromberg (Capitol Health Group) Cesar Conda (Navigators) John Feore (Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal) Amy Flachbart (K&L Gates) Ben Ginsberg (Patton Boggs) Nate Gatten (American Capitol Group) Gregg Hartley (Cassidy & Associates) Ron Kaufman (Dutko Worldwide) Ed Kutler (Clark & Weinstock) Drew Maloney (Ogilvy Government Relations) Fred McClure (Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal) Phil Musser (New Frontier Strategy) Darryl Nirenberg (Patton Boggs) David Norcross (Blank Rome) Jason Roe (Federal Strategy Group) Bill Simmons (Dutko Worldwide) David Tamasi (Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide) Robb Watters (The Madison Group) Vin Weber (Clark & Weinstock) Tom Worrall (Whitmer & Worrall)

Source: Roll Call 1/21/08

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

The Top 10 Conservative Idiots, No. 321

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

If you were wondering how McCain got to be the “front” runner:

{{{{The value of the early primaries is diminished enormously by the crossover votes. They preclude the determination of a consensus candidate. But they do enable the media to spin an imaginary consensus around the early winners and around the issues the media – not Republican voters — believe are most important.}}}}

{{{{The Republican Party has allowed its opponents to capture the primary process. If Republicans are going to choose a nominee they can rally around, they have to compel the candidates to take stands on the issues that matter to them most. Unless a candidate does that, he can’t possibly win in November.}}}}

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

BRITISH MEDIA CONFIRMS FBI NUKE COVER-UP

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

{{{{A couple of weeks ago, a Democrat operative told me his biggest fear was the Hillary would win the nomination by destroying Obama and that would split the Democrat base and black voters. Political parties put themselves together, usually, to support a candidate — and no party does it better than the Democrats do — however, can Hillary stand any higher negatives as a result of her antics? The answer is she will do anything she thinks is necessary to win, regardless of the cost to the Party. The Clintons are for their own acquisition of power, not for “democratic principles.”}}}}

Bwa.

By Blogoholics Anonymous

January 21, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

You two are sucking the life out of this blog.

Losers, both of you.

By Sara Gilford

January 21, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Why didn’t Mike Luckovich draw Bush ears on Romney? I dont get the cartoon. Where’s the little dog holding a sign? It doesn’t make sense to me. I like cartoons. I want cartoons. I dont get this cartoon, it’s not fair. Is that a high five, or a heil five, mitt being GOP and all. (seinfeld).

I dont get the cartoon. Why doesn’t the justice have bush ears? It doesn’t make sense to me. I want to read cartoons with little dogs and big ears.

By Copyleft

January 21, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Ahhh, life is good for real Americans (i.e., Democrats). We’ve got a fine set of frontrunners anyone could be proud of, and any of the three would make an excellent President.

Meanwhile, the Republicans are running around confused, holding their noses and trying to find the “leader” they hate the least. The Mormon? Nah. The evangelical nutjob? Nah. The pro-choice crossdresser, the sleepytime actor, the failed “war hero” who pushed campaign finance reform, the anti-Iraq war populist? Nothing but bad choices for a coalition that’s barely holding together.

Wheeee!

By Wanna Bet

January 21, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Blogoholics Anonymous is DUH?

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

How Much Is That Superpower In the Window?

By John in Tampa, FLA

January 21, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Bad toon Mikey…it’s like you phoned it in today.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

ITN 8:04

Right out of the box you cite a partisan source that misrepresents the theme of the interaction.

Initially, the AP reporter called Romney a liar for stating his campaign was not run by lobbyists. The reporter, who couldn’t grasp the difference between running something and advising, continued to take issue. In fact, he later said he wasn’t interested in semantics.

Astonishing comment by a journalist. If they don’t understand the meaning of words, they should find another profession.

Look at it this way. If, after the election, Kaufman (the lobbyist in question) had written on his resume that he’d run Romney’s campaign, I think the same reporter would have “reported” he lied as he didn’t “run” anything - he just gave advice or proposed positions.

No one disputes lobbyists aren’t all over Washington. A better case could be made they “write” legislation. In many times staffers lift entire sections from lobbyists’ “suggestions.” And that hasn’t changed under our “new” Democratic Congress.

“Change” seems to be a pretty good theme.

8:06

Care to explain the soundbite “outsourced war”?

Or are you prepared to pony up another few hundred dollars a year so we can increase the Defense budget by enough billions to pay for a few thousand more soldiers to take over security?

Sara

To me, the Romney trait L concentrates on is the chin. L said the ears weren’t based on an obvious characteristic - they just generated the most reader reaction.

To me, the cartoon is about pandering. So besides Romney, lots of candidates would fit in the cartoon.

Luckoduh

Here’s an article right up your alley. Seems Obama considers Bill Clinton makes statements not supported by facts and it’s become a habit.

I wonder what his first clue was?

Link: ABC reports Obama takes issue with Clinton’s remarks

Out for a while -

By DirtyDawg

January 21, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Reading the ‘knee-jerk’ reactions to Luckovich’s cartoons reminds me of just how far gone Georgia is. Makes me think that they ought to replace ‘Wisdom, Justice and Moderation’ on the State Seal with ‘Cognitive Dissonance’.

By The Race

January 21, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

MLK’s Birthday: we can live the dream.

MLK is our greatest living orator. His words are alive now as then, and just as we needed to be told how to act then we will now act in fulfillment of that great dream.

Obama ‘08 It’s change, but it’s also destiny.

MLK had a dream. We have a destiny.

By @@

January 21, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday ml.

You give us Mitt Romney?

Give it a rest indeed….

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Paul -

Guess what?

I am a partisan. You are too.

You don’t understand the concept “out source” war? PUH-lease. How many regular army boots could we put on the ground for the same amount of money that we are spending on contractors?

By Copyleft

January 21, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Conservatives still don’t realize how they’ve screwed themselves for another entire generation with Bush’s shameful record. He’s our new Nixon, our 21st Century Joe McCarthy: a far-right failure to hold up as an example of how “Republicans are worse” on every conceivable issue!

The right-wingers have forfeited their right to complain about ANYTHING Hillary or Obama or Edwards does. Because nothing those three could do will even compare to to what Bush has already done. Hillary’s ruthless and ambitious… so what? Bush condones torture and called the Constitution a “g- d——ed piece of paper.” Edwards has insurance industry ties? Big deal; Bush sold out our environment and our economy for the sake of his Big Oil buddies. Obama lacks foreign policy experience? Hah! What’s the worst that could happen—he gets us entangled in a stupid, unwinnable war in the Middle East, like Bush did?

The next Democratic president has carte blanche and a get-out-of-jail-free card, folks—-all thanks to your idiotic blind loyalty to another embarrassing loser, George W. Bush. “Bush was worse” will be the universal, and inarguable, response to ANY criticism leveled at ANY Democrat for decades to come. And we Democrats just can’t thank you enough for this gift you’ve given us.

Wheeee!

By Paul

January 21, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

ITN

Of course I have an opinion - but I generally line up by issue, not by Party.

We don’t outsource war. Some see this as semantics, but it’s not. Laws governing use of military forces or civilian forces are quite clear.

We “outsource” certain functions throughout government that are not inherently governmental in nature. The idea is the government should not compete with the private sector (now there’s a novel idea).

So what gets outsourced (at least in the military context) are certain noncombat functions - security, dining facilities, custodial, supplies delivery, etc. And those decisions are made largely on the basis of cost savings. If it was the same amount of money, or even within ten percent, it would have remained a government function.

Unless an Eskimo (or pick your favorite noun) owned business bids. They get it automatically. Even without the cost savings.

You may want to read up on the Office of Management and Budget’s Circular A-76 Program, Performance of Commercial Activities.

The crack about paying more in taxes was just that - a playful hearkening back to our “if you support the war then your kids should enlist” discussion. Seems consistent that if people don’t like these security contractors (and I think they’re way out of control - but legislation can correct that) and want it to go back to the military, then advocates should be prepared to dig into their wallets in the form of additional taxes to make it happen.

Given it takes about nine or ten people to support one front-line soldier, and there’s a lot of equipment, buildings, etc involved, adding even a few thousand new soldiers is a pretty expensive proposition.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Stimulus issues

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

U.S. stock futures point to major decline on re-open

By Paul

January 21, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

ITN 10:20

I’m beginning to get a bit concerned that you might just actually believe some of the links you post. Used to be the antigovernment conspiracy nuts were on the farfarright - John Birchers and such. Now it seems they’ve migrated to the farfarleft. The arguments of both, as I see it, are pretty much equally weak, misleading and vapid.

Well, maybe they’ll settle down when the administration changes. Or maybe not. Combine true believers with the opportunity to make some bucks and this stuff will continue.

By The Race

January 21, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

We, as people, knew instinctively how to form a more perfect government. We knew how to place shackles of our own design upon the untrustworthy machine of our governance, because we had lived long under the fruition of the great compromises born when security outweighed justice. That’s why history kept repeating itself until we, as people, finally saw that the price of freedom is death.

Just as our great civil war was ordained the moment we signed our imperfect constitution, our destiny today is enforced by the words written on our souls by Martin Luther King: this is how we, as people, should see.

Happy Birthday, MLK.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

{{{{By Anti Radical!!!!January 21, 2008 10:20 AM HOUSTON - A mailer from a congressional candidate’s campaign contains a photo of his head attached to an image of a different body that makes him look thinner. Republicans just can’t allow us to forget what a bunch of lying, dirty, filthy, unprincipled, unethical, and callous scumbaggs they REALLY and TRUELY are!!!}}}}

Hey Spammie!!!:

{{{{Katie Couric Gets Faux Thin-Using a remarkable new technology called “photoshop.” Hot Air has the details, including the fauxtographic evidence. This is a good example, however, of what you should be on the lookout for when it comes to Couric—if you can’t trust her to be honest about her own image, how can you trust her with the news?}}}}

I got to give credit to you though, Spammie!!!, at least you aren’t celebrating some Republican’s illness or death today, like your scumbag as-s usually is.

POS.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Paul,

“Of course I have an opinion - but I generally line up by issue, not by Party.”

Me Too. That is clearly part of the definition of Partisan.

The rest of that post is gibberish. Contractors cost more than soldiers.

Oh, and Paul, I have never been in the least concerned about you.

There is little or no far, far left in this country anymore. Just an ever expanding middle that is left to your reactionary, radical right.

By The Race

January 21, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

A man becomes what people deduce about his behavior. MLK spoke to us about how we were relying on our better angels when only the best would do. MLK told us to discard those compromising spirits for justice.

Would you vote for MLK on super tuesday? How do you really feel, america?

By Paul

January 21, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

ITN

“There is little or no far, far left in this country anymore.”

LOLOLOLOL!!!!! You never cease to crack me up.

Ummm, on what issue have I taken a reactionary position? Some have been pretty radical. Comes with being progressive.

“Oh, and Paul, I have never been in the least concerned about you.”

I understand. You did indicate you’re generally Liberal, didn’t you?

The brief on the outsourcing of previously-performed government functions was gibberish?

Let me try rephrasing. Succinctly.

Law states government agencies shall turn over to civilian firms those functions not inherently governmental. This has been in place for decades. The decision to retain as a government function or as a civilian contractor function is based largely on cost savings. If a function is run by a contractor, it is by definition less expensive than having government do it. Therefore, by definition, having civilian firms provide security for State Dept and Legislative branch personnel is cheaper than having US military provide security.

Simple?

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Simple. Yes.

Accurate. No.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

ITN

In what did I err?

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Soldiers Versus Defense Contractors

By Anti-Radical

January 21, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

LEEDS, Mass. - Peter Mohan traces the path from the Iraqi battlefield to this lifeless conference room, where he sits in a kilt and a Camp Kill Yourself T-shirt and calmly describes how he became a sad cliche: a homeless veteran.

Oh yeh, King George and his Republicans troop killers just love our soldiers to death. Use em up, extend their tours to the point of turning them into raping, murderous thugs, break em mentally and physically and then dump em back on the streets of Your Hometown, USA without a home or a pot to pee in.

And, of course, Republicans all the while refuse to accept any responsibility for the plights of abused, driven, and neglected homeless veterans. Instead they blame the veterans for being too weak, overpriviledged, pampered, brainwashed by the liberal press, overtaxed, etc, etc, etc. Same tired old clichés from the same tired old political party that has managed to mangle the blind trust and faith that a gullible american public placed in them not just in 2000 but in 2004 as well!!! (<— this always lights Duhl-able’s fuse…..snicker!!!, cough!!!, hack!!!)

You got me Duh’rling, I’m really n truely Anti-Radical, I confess. Now what??? Duh!!! Yuk, yuk, yuk!!!

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

State Department Use of Contractors Leaps in 4 Years

By Bosch

January 21, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Good morning all!

Hey Paul,

Did you watch the movie?

Not much for opinion today -

Happy MLK Day everyone!

Off the big city! Watch out! The Bosches are coming!

By Paul

January 21, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

ITN 11:21

I’m glad to see you cited a NYT piece whose concepts I’ve written about in the past - as an advocate.

I also am glad to see you agree with the article and one of the earliest proponents of many of the concepts - Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld from 2001!

You’re in good company.

But it does not address, at all, the cost of military forces performing security details vs civilian contractors providing security details.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

ITN

The amount paid is irrelevant. Simply means the DIA is giving up many, many manpower spaces. Each function, say an analysis section, is costed out. Gov’t determines how many people it takes to perform the function and their grades. There are also cost factors to account for all the people it takes to support these people - people like human relations, personnel, supervisors, etc.

So DIA identified the functions and computed the cost to perform it. Then contractors came in with their bids to perform the same service. They obviously were cheaper by at least ten percent than the DIA.

So now many thousands of people at DIA will lose their jobs. Or will be hired by the contractor at reduced wages and benefits.

Who do we pin this on? The Democratic Congress that controls the legislation? //sarc// //just a reversal of the “blame Bush” syndrome”//

Hi Bosch!

Sure did! Got up Saturday, fixed breakfast, did some work, and at 7am put on the movie. Aussies have a way with movies, don’t they? I was thinking “there’d better be some more ABBA music soon” when the talent contest hit. Funny!

BTW - I didn’t become aware of ABBA until they’d passed their heyday. Explains why I wasn’t familiar with the other group.

Have a great day. Bit cold for a parade, though.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

ITN 11:35

What’d you do - watch the Comedy Tour last night? LOL!

Always insightful to question the process by which such conclusions are drawn. On some, the report’s spot on - don’t see many Reps as advocates for min wage increases. Then again, in his first term Clinton was offered a deal by the Rep Congress to index min wage to cost of living. Permanently. Turned it down. Politics wins again.

Other things - Do you favor X? Answer - 85 percent YES!!! Followup question: What if you have to pay for it? Answer - 5 percent YES!!!

Question: Do you favor reducing our reliance on foreign oil? YES! What if we ban SUVs, pickup trucks and V8 engines in cars? Answer: HECK NO!

People are always bighearted in general ways. Not so much, though, when they personally have to pay for it or give something up.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Today is the day.

One year from today, the Clintons take back the White House to start cleaning up w’s mess.

Lets hope, w will not destroy our country anymore than he already has in the last year of his disaster.

By The Race

January 21, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

It’s okay.

It’s okay that a man is judged not by the content of his character, but by how much he sells out to gain success.

It’s okay that a society wears the cloak of tolerance by appointing a handful of minorities to conspicuous power so that the racial status quo can reign supreme.

It’s okay that truth is drowned out by the sheer volume of ignorance.

It’s okay, cause it’s MLK’s birthday.

Where are you, America?

By Paul

January 21, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

getalife

But who’s counting? Not you, surely!

:-)

By getalife

January 21, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Paul,

I have to give w one prop.

His economy gave me high stock prices which I dumped when it peaked and the price of my gold is peaking.

Yahoo :)

By Paul

January 21, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

getalife

Well you did better than 90 percent of Americans. And better than 90 percent of the fund managers.

Ever thought of starting the Getalife Mutual Fund? .05 management fee - you’d be rolling in it!

I’m in!

By Shawny

January 21, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

This woman scares me.

More gov’t control. Now over free market economics.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Thompson contemplates dropping out of race

OH! Who will weep with Duh?

By getalife

January 21, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Paul,

It takes a lot of reading, common sense and some luck.

Some folks are investing in foreign markets and today they are taking a hit.

By @@

January 21, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

O.K., I’ve gotta get this confession out of the way.

My father always promoted conservation of resources. My family and my siblings have carried that forward into our adult lives but I refuse to pay $37,000+ plus for a car. My brother will, but I won’t!

Heck, I never buy a car unless it’s ten years old with reasonable mileage. A new car depreciates rapidly the minute you drive it off the lot. It’s insane to invest in such a venture.

(((The study says, in part, “While acknowledging that some existing technologies could reduce the fuel consumption of new cars in the next 10-15 years, the study noted that these would increase the cost of cars and trucks and it would take decades before all the current 200 million cars on the road are replaced.)))

The Comerica Automotive Affordability Index says that the average cost of a passenger car today is $27, 958. If CAFE standards add $900 to the price of a car, it will raise the average car price to $28,858; but if the CAFE regulations cost closer to $10,000 to implement, the average price could go up to $37,958.

I’ll be conserving my resources thank you very much; but I’ll be an environmental polluter for the ensuing decades.

Sorry….you can’t have my all. I’m very much into recycling.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

We know @@.

You are the me generation.

It will take sacrifice to get off of oil and this will not happen with the me generation.

The new form of patriotism will be to go green and we know the me generation is not patriotic and cheers on the destruction of country.

By @@

January 21, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

(((We know @@.)))

(((You are the me generation.)))

Oh poo Getalife. There are alot more people than ME who couldn’t afford a new car simply because they DON’T have the money. I do! I choose to spend it wisely.

So in essence I’m just letting the less fortunate know that I share their pain.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

EPA Asserts Executive Privilege against Embarrassment

This is the kind of crap, the me generation and @@ cheer on.

Dude.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

getalife 12:28

Well, you know what Mark Twain said about common sense?

Common sense is not so common!

@@

Once read the average car goes through several owners and goes nearly two hundred thousand miles in its life. That was long ago, before cars were a reliable as today.

So by driving an older car you are reducing the demand for resources a new car would claim. And a ten-year old car can still be pretty clean, pollution-wise.

I love cars. But it’s like art - I don’t have to buy everything I see. They are a depreciating asset. You can buy a new or newer one - and get the advantages of pollution control and safety devices. Then drive it ten years. At least.

I’m skeptical of studies saying how much something will cost. You may not remember, but mandating air bags was going to be the death of the auto industry.

getalife

I think it’s all generations. They want what they want.

I do not think this is an area to defer to a theoretical “free” market (however it’s defined). It will take government-imposed standard. When you’re dealing with hundreds of millions of vehicles it’s a national security issue.

Some will argue it’s a loss of personal freedom. So are low-flow toilets.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

ITN 12:49

Too bad it wasn’t cut more. Talk about waste.

Look at it this way. You buy a house but have nothing to put in it. You spend 35,000 for furniture, dishes, etc.

Next year do you need to spend $35,000?

But if someone handed you $35,000 could you find ways to spend it?

Welcome to Federal Budgeting 101.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

{{{{By Anti-Radical January 21, 2008 11:23 AM Oh yeh, King George and his Republicans troop killers just love our soldiers to death. Use em up, extend their tours to the point of turning them into raping, murderous thugs}}}}

Oh yeah, Spammie!!!, Anti Radical POS, you libs support our troops so much that you call them “raping, murderous thugs” even though it has been proven they murder and rape 5 TIMES LESS THAN THE GENERAL NON MILITARY POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES DOES.

Turns out, despite your scummy little lies, the military creates a better class of citizens.

Does this FACT stop the wormy POS maggots from Code Pinko from creating false make believe stories and then spreading the lie about our brave soldiers?

{{{{The veterans budget of over $47.5 billion proposed by the Clinton-Gore Administration for fiscal year 2001.}}}}

Check this out dimwit:

{{{{Details of President Bush’s proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2002 released by the White House on April 9, included expenditures of $51.7 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The budget request allocates $22.3 billion for the veterans’ health care system, a $1 billion increase compared to this year’s estimated expenditures.}}}}

Bushie jacked the Veteran’s Administration spending in his first year by over 4 billion of what the KKKlintoon’s were spending, a 10% increase before we were even fighting a war.

Again, do POS liberals lie about America because they love her or because they love the democrat party?

GFY.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Why Hillary gets it and she does “support the troops”

Duh.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

That picture had to be Photoshopped. //sarc//

He signed it but he didn’t want to. //sarc//

Krauthammer had an interesting observation on the Hillary-Obama dust-up. He said it was the result of years of enforced political correctness wherein any discussion of an idea not in line with the prevailing view was attacked as racist. Witness affirmative action. So Hillary makes a point and she’s clueless some will respond… as they have for years.

By Landon Smith

January 21, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

wow, that was an astonishing comment you made at 10:45, Race. In the shortest language possible you commemorate this country on an important holiday.

Other bloggers just chew the fat. You communicate.

By @@

January 21, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Paul @ 1:08:

Well you know what they say….

“Live free or die driving.”

All of my recent cars—that would be two in the last 15 years, have been equipped with what my daughter used to call “a Cadillac pooter”.

“It smells like rockin eggs” she would say.

She was so cute—still is!

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

CREW ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL NEWS AT THE TIME THE WHITE HOUSE E-MAIL WENT MISSING

It’s the Nixon tapes on steroids!

By RW-(the original)

January 21, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

“We cannot ignore the recent improvements both in the security and political situation in Iraq,” Staffan de Mistura, head of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said in a speech to the Security Council.

When the UN starts to get it before the Democrats do where does that place today’s Democrat Party?

By Paul

January 21, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

ITN

Well, your “sources” are batting 1000 today. Or is it 100? Never could keep those sports metaphors straight.

BOR did several followups - spoke of overstating, sarcasm, etc. to make a point, which was John Edwards is painting the homeless vet issue as caused by Pres Bush’s economic policies. Reality is the great majority have drug and alcohol addictions. So that was the context.

Even Joe Califano, good Democrat, now the Chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Drug Abuse at that bastion of neocon thought, Columbia University, agreed.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Paul

Bull.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

O’Reilly

Basically, O’Reilly did a Paul.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

{{{{By IN THE NEWS January 21, 2008 1:27 PM Hey Duh Will you sign this?}}}}

Hey Prop: I got something you can sign.

{{{{Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by — no one keeps national records on homeless veterans — the VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And nearly 400,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year.-2007}}}}

400,000 a year.

Well, let us just look and see how the pinkos did when they were in charge:

{{{{The Urban Institute, in conjunction with the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC) done in —->1996,<—— projected that: Each year, 2.3 million to 3.5 million people experience homelessness in America. By taking 23% of that range for veterans, that would indicate ——->there are between 529,000 and 840,000<——- veterans who are homeless at some time during the year.}}}}

And guess what, dimwit, we hadn’t even started the “war for oil” in 1996.

GFY.

Lying POS.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

ITN

Erudite, insightful and convincing.

Ever heard of an original source?

Like I say, if I want to learn about the principles of the Democratic Party, I don’t ask the Republican National Committee. Or Sean Hannity.

By @@

January 21, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Not only did that good Democrat support BOR’s point—but there was a woman who worked with veteran’s programs who questioned the use of the word homeless.

“Homeless,” she said “does not mean they are living on the streets. They’re in rehab facilities…half-way homes or living with parents, relatives or renting.”

It’s so nice when someone directly involved can take us beyond the rhetoric used by vote-seeking politicians.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

ITN

Did you read your link? Califano nowhere said the economy was the driving factor in the plight of homeless vets.

That was the subtext story for John Edward’s misrepresentations.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Thanks Duh.

Your reluctance to sign sends the signal loud and clear.

Talk about your run of the mill POS.

No surprises, eh?

By W stands for worst

January 21, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

ITN,

I just signed and feel much better about it. Have you signed Kucinich’s petition to impeach Cheney?

http://www.democrats.com/impeach-cheney-congressional-record

By getalife

January 21, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Here is another one to sign

Don’t count on our friends from the right to do the right thing.

They will always let you down.

They cheer on the gop no matter the damage done to our country.

The gop are spewing about cutting this, cutting that, fiscal conservatism, yet they continue to borrow billions for Iraqi welfare and stick your kids with the bill. 100 years in Iraq is insane.

How pathetic.

By @@

January 21, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

(((Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Jan. 21 overrode a decision by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, official Iranian media reported. In response to a request by the conservative-dominated Majlis, Iran’s parliament, Khamenei ordered Ahmadinejad to implement a law that calls for $1 billion from the Currency Reserve Fund to be spent on supplying natural gas to remote villages. The president had declined the measure for budgetary reasons.)))

(((Khamenei’s counteracting Ahmadinejad represents another significant development in the ongoing power struggle in Tehran, and it has a direct impact on U.S.-Iranian negotiations on Iraq, which are currently stalled.)))

and we wind the clock tighter!!!! BOING…

Be patient and sleep well America—the “little hand” will fall off in Iran

By John

January 21, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

You R so right, Landon Smith. The Race’s comment @10:45 made a Lincolnesque assessment of our state of the union as eloquent as can be made. I was moved. He’s a true patriot, a throw back to an earlier time when words had meaning and power. Nowadays, the comments I read are all so overpanted, (when the authors should be depanted). What do these eager people think they have to say to fix an emotion? It makes a person lose interest.

It doesn’t help that all of the blogs today contain the same syntactical stubble which makes me suspicious that the same two or three people are writing 95% of the comments. It’s like that on every blog. That’s why nobody reads them.

By W stands for worst

January 21, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

getalife,

Another execellent petition that now has my signature…

By Wendy

January 21, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

John, I noticed that too. The majority of the comments that seem to lean right have the same feel to them, like they were written in a boiler room by coached writers, who are payed not to stray too far from the formula. Why bother? It’s like crickets at night, just making noise for no reason other than they need black flag.

pssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

By RW-(the original)

January 21, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Obama calls Billy Jeff a liar

He just figured that out? The guy must not be all that bright.

ITFS,

Nice in depth factual and well thought out argument at 1:40. Did you come up with that all by yourself?

By Wendy

January 21, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

See everyone? Cheney says GFY, so duhng thinks it’s okay. he’s become totally unhinged just like the majority of people who’s lives are lies.

And I think it’s a damn shame that cheney’s mother didn’t raise him to be a nicer girl.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Oh my, using the remembrance services of a great man, in a church no less, to claw at each other’s throats:

{{{{With former President Bill Clinton standing not 20 feet in front of her, Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin took what appeared to be a political shot at the former president’s comments about Barack Obama’s candidacy.}}}}

{{{{Speaking at the 40th annual MLK commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Franklin said the country is on the “cusp of turning the impossible into reality. Yes this is reality, not fantasy or fairy tales.”}}}}

{{{{Today, after Franklin’s remarks, the crowd of more than 2000 rose to its feet - except for Bill Clinton, who sat in his front pew seat and clapped politely.}}}}

I guess the Ku Klux Klintoons aren’t a big hit in the Atl, eh?

Bwa.

By Spread em

January 21, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

There’s at least four bloggers on here who are the same person.

The Race

Landon Smith

John

Wendy

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

What’s that you say John?

{{{{That’s why nobody reads them.}}}}

Run along Mr. Magoos.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Yes duh,

President Clinton took the high road and praised MLK like she should but she took a cheap shot which will help Clinton get elected.

By Tom

January 21, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Monica Lewinski was the face that launched a thousand polemics about the post-potus’s hocus-pocus with the pole-honkus by his pocahontas.

What a polecat that clinton is.

By mm

January 21, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Duh at 1:13,

Please provide proof concerning your comment:

{{{you libs support our troops so much that you call them “raping, murderous thugs”}}}

Some troops have been accused and convicted of rape (not many).

Several weeks ago some Blackwater thugs were accused of rape. Any charges pressed? Hasn’t been on the news. Must be that liberal media protecting big business.

So who does the Bush administration support? Our troops (who were busted for rape) or the big business buddies (whose rapes are being ignored).

Keep supporting the GOP you scumbag.

Good luck with Fred.

By @@

January 21, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

O-:MG!!! Do you mean to tell me that Shirley Franklin dared to insult the man who defines the Democratic Party…THE BILL CLINTON?

We’ll be witnessing bulging eyes and popping veins—I just know it!

We can count on him.

Dems can count on him too. Well, not really but they have for a long time so….

Enjoy your fruitless labor.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Yes @@,

She took a cheap political shot and The President took the high road.

President Clinton just got her more votes thanks to that cheap shot mayor.

By @@

January 21, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Getalife:

When are you gonna get it? It’s in the personal perceptions and yours are duly noted.

Doesn’t make any difference though cause you’re not African American.

Now come on over and let me knock some sense into that thick skull of yours. We don’t complicate the issue in the GOP.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

{{{{By mm January 21, 2008 2:56 PM Duh at 1:13, Please provide proof concerning your comment: {{{you libs support our troops so much that you call them “raping, murderous thugs”}}}}

mental midget: Here you go-

{{{{By mm January 21, 2008 2:56 PM So who does the Bush administration support? Our troops (who were busted for rape)}}}}

Geez.

~~~~~

{{{{“The divisions, the stereotypes, the scapegoating, the ease with which we blame the plight of ourselves on others, all of that distracts us from the common challenges we face: war and poverty; inequality and injustice,” Obama said. “We can no longer afford to build ourselves up by tearing each other down. We can no longer afford to traffic in lies or fear or hate. It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late.”}}}}

al-Gitmo: He’s talking about the KKKlintoons, hehehe.

Bwa.

By TiTi

January 21, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Hey everyone! I just invented the new peter piper tongue twister for the ages: “Monica is the face that launched 1000 polemics about the post-potus’s hocus pocus of the pole-honkus by his pocahontas.”

this should replace “ring around the rosey pocket full of posey” which was invented during the plague.

By Goldie

January 21, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Looks like Rudy may lose his own state of NY:

Today’s Siena poll does not bode well for Rudy Giuliani’s Feb. 5 big-state strategy, showing New Hampshire/South Carolina victor John McCain has surged into a 12-point lead over the former mayor in his home state.

Any yet I’m thinking that ultimately it does not matter which Repug ends up going into the General Election, because none of ‘em will win against ANY Dem on the slate… we all know that the voters’ sentiment today for “change” is not just related to gender or race issues, but instead it’s for change against the disastrous Bush regime, and the Repug Party is still Bush-kissing to this day!

By @@

January 21, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

PoliFore titty. I wanna help you here…and discourage you as well.

You’re sucking today! Wanna know why?

You’re working way too hard and for no reason that is apparent to anyone.

Blog on though….

It is your left

OVERS.

By mm

January 21, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Nice try Duh. Are you denying they raped someone? Their fellow soldiers ratted them out. So you think this particular incident was made up? Gosh, I guess those soldiers went to prison for nothing.

Do the crime, do the time.

I noticed you didn’t address the Blackwater rape incident. I guess you want to ignore it same as the Bush Admin.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

No thanks @@.

I love my country and hate seeing what your party has done but it will be over soon.

Just saw an Obama ad that did not take cheap shots like that pitiful mayor did.

It was a very good ad.

By Dusty

January 21, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Goldie@3:21

So…the Repug Party is still Bush-kissing to this day says loyal lib Goldie.

I wouldn’t bring up “kissin’” if I were you and Bill Clinton is around. That’s enough to make everyone laugh. The Casanova kissin’ complex of Bill Clinton is too well known. If I were a Dem I wouldn’t bring any reminders of THAT into the political sunshine.

By Kim

January 21, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Glad you like the material, @@, feel free to steal. Then folks’ll think that YOU’RE the genius instead of the underplugged marital aid you truly are.

By Copyleft

January 21, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Dusty’s still desperately trying to divert attention to Bill Clinton, I see… even as she whines about how “everyone’s campaigning against a guy who’s not even running for office!”

Oh, the irony. It’s always fun to watch Dusty trying to think.

By GaLiberal

January 21, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Again Luckoduh spouts another of his tirades yet not surprisingly provides no cites for his “facts.” Like where did he get that Clinton was trying to “buy” an endorsement? WND or Faux News? Probably just made it up on his own. He’s that desperate.

The Rethuglicons are eating each other alive in their attempt to show who’s the most conservative. Kind of like trying to win the race to the bottom. So he has to make up some smear on the Democrats to distract from the truth. After all, that all the Rethuglicons have - smears and lies. Just look at all the groups they put together to smear and lie about Democrats; like Club for Growth and Swiftboat Veterans for Truth. Too bad these groups won’t tell you that the Rethuglicon’s fiscally irresponsible policies and the reckless, mismanaged Iraq war are responsible for the economy being in a shambles. They just blame the Democrats and call for more tax cuts. But it won’t work because the middle class is squeezed by raising energy, food, and healthcare costs that will offset any paltry ‘tax refund.’ What’s worse is any tax cut will just exacerbate the problem of an increasing budget deficit and decreasing worth of the dollar. No wonder the megabanks are seeking outside money in something other than dollars.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And Luckoduk is living proof.

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

LOOMING

Duh

LOOMING

By Paul

January 21, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

getalife

Just saw an Obama ad on MSNBC. If it’s the same one - he got his money’s worth with the ad agency. Terrific ad.

Goldie

A thought about Obama: he ran on a theme - change - while his opponents (both parties) ran on specific issues. Now all we hear about is change, change, change.

So, who’s the leader with the vision?

Sorry, getalife. Just a question.

ITN

If you’re still reading, usually you’re pretty quick with the links regarding charges of voter suppression and disenfranchisement. I’m just wondering - are your sources silent? Are they ignoring the latest charges of suppression and disenfranchisement? Couldn’t possibly be because the charges were made directly by Sen Obama against the Clinton machine, could it?

getalife, I keep tellin’ ya, it could be like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic….

:-)

By IN THE NEWS

January 21, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

HOW ABOUT A CAPTION FOR THIS PHOTO!

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

{{{{By mm January 21, 2008 3:34 PM Nice try Duh. Are you denying they raped someone?}}}}

I guess I’m waiting for them to be convicted, you know, “innocent until proven guilty.”

The part that you wormy pinkos leave out in your rush to judge our soldiers harshly.

You wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to call them “rapists,” would you?

{{{{I noticed you didn’t address the Blackwater rape incident. I guess you want to ignore it same as the Bush Admin.}}}}

Yyyyyaaaaaaaawwwwwwnnnnnnnnnn.

{{{{WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two teenagers have been arrested on charges that they gang-raped a mother and forced her to have sex with her 12-year-old son, WPBF-TV reported.}}}}

When will Cynthia Tucker and you libs whine about the injustice being done to those…..two teenagers?

Hahahahaha.

I really shouldn’t laugh though, this is a remarkable breakthrough for you pinkos, you have FINALLY found some criminals that you want to punish, shame it just so happens to be some U.S. soldiers.

GFY (Good for you.)

By Paul

January 21, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

ITN 4:11

Some of the best pics don’t need a caption.

Link: No caption necessary

By Paul

January 21, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

ITN

regarding the pic - I preferred the one without the snarky verbiage, but couldn’t readily find the original. As I said, some of the best don’t require a caption. Or any words.

By @@

January 21, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

(((No thanks @@.)))

Thank you for being so polite in your response. The Clintons could learn from you.

(((Just saw an Obama ad that did not take cheap shots like that pitiful mayor did.)))

So does this mean that you’re on he verge of changing candidates again?

PoliFore:

(((Then folks’ll think that YOU’RE the genius instead of the underplugged marital aid you truly are.)))

So as THE GENIUS I can assume that your marital aid is running full blast. How very nice for you….I think? I wouldn’t know about such an apparatus but…

Buzz on…with your leftover luv.

By @@

January 21, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

(((Arabic language daily Al Watan reported Jan. 21 that the government issued an order allowing women to stay in hotels alone.))) Aaaahhhooooo!!!! So what…have they been encouraging women to stay in hotels with men?

There were other reforms (although minor) that preceded but change comes ever so slowly.

(((The latest and perhaps most pertinent example is the Saudi ability to defeat the kingdom’s branch of al Qaeda, which took place in mid-2004. The Saudis got the religious establishment to isolate the jihadists and their sympathizers as “deviants.” Though the process of combating extremism will continue for at least a generation, Riyadh has been able to degrade the jihadists’ operational capabilities.)))

(((Despite its historic ability to work with the religious establishment against radicals, the current massive overhaul the kingdom is undergoing could pose unprecedented problems for Riyadh, because the government is not dealing with a small group of religious elements challenging the state. Instead, it is reshaping the majority by reinterpreting religious texts to pave the way for changes, and this will spark far greater resistance than ever before. As far as Saudi Arabia is concerned, social restructuring and openness are prerequisites to economic reform.)))

Good luck! and I mean that sincerely.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

{{{{By GaLiberal January 21, 2008 3:58 PM Again Luckoduh spouts another of his tirades yet not surprisingly provides no cites for his “facts.” Like where did he get that Clinton was trying to “buy” an endorsement? WND or Faux News? Probably just made it up on his own. He’s that desperate.}}}}

The Duh Report lie??

{{{{In South Carolina, onetime home of the aforementioned Clinton swooning, the polls have registered an ongoing shift of black support to Obama. The latest Rasmussen figures: Obama, 64 percent; Hillary, 20 percent. This despite the fact that Bill and Hillary have been assiduously working the local black leaders, to the point of giving one leader a $200,000 public relations contract in exchange for his endorsement.- http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20080120TheAmericanDebateBailingonClinton.html)}}}}

The Philadelphia Inquirer.

You’re welcome to thumb through their pages and show me any Rush Limbaugh quotes you find, hehehehe.

Dumbas-s.

By @@

January 21, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

O.K., so here’s some of that global economics stuff that leaves me saying “Huh?”

I do think that the markets react to emotion so get unbored you liberals. THINK POSITIVE! I know it’s a foreign concept but YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

(((Global Economy: Blood on Snow in the Markets)))

(((Every stock market of note in the world fell Jan. 21 — and fell hard. All traded on one fear: that the United States is doomed to trigger a global recession.)))

(((Part of the reason the contagion effect raged out of control was that the Americans were not in the pool today. The United States is celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which has shuttered the U.S. markets. With the United States as a benchmark, the markets have traded on — and seen their losses compounded by — their worst fears. The result was blood on snow across markets globally. Since the U.S. market is the last to open on any business day, Stratfor expects Jan. 22 to have a similar feel.)))

(((But none of this means the U.S. markets will live up to expectations. During many ruts based on fears about the U.S. economy, the Americans’ position as the final traders on any given day delivers them two huge advantages. First, they can make up their own minds about how well the U.S. economy has done (or not done) and then impose that mindset on their own market — and on the markets of others.)))

(((Second, when traders liquidate their holdings in fear, they are left with large amounts of cash. Traders generally do not like to keep their assets in cash, since cash earns very little. So what often happens — and Stratfor will not be surprised if it happens Jan. 22 — is that it flees to the United States. After all, the U.S. markets are the last major ones open in the world before the close of business. Anyone who has sold early or who is sitting on cash often sees the U.S. market as the one of last resort, not only from a quality point of view but also from a temporal one.)))

(((This means that when all the blood is scooped out of the snow, there is ample precedent for fears about a U.S. recession resulting in a global stock crash that then fuels a U.S. stock boom.)))

Wouldn’t it be so cool if Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday brought a positive outlook?

Let’s hear it for MLK!!!!

By Paul

January 21, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

@@

4:42

They need all the luck they can get. It’s still a little jarring to hear of a nation founded on one of the most extreme versions of Islam refer to groups as “extremists.” But I suppose if you’re the family in charge any threat to your position will be referred to as “extreme.”

Did you notice the reference of the Saudis saying it will still take a generation to combat these groups? I’d like to see columnists/websites/activists who dismiss the entire concept of Islamofascism/jihadists/militant Islam state why the Saudis are fighting something that doesn’t exist.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

ITN

No more about lobbyists? Or was that just about Romney?

How about this from The Huffington Post:

Hillary Clinton has made the most use, among Democrats, of the special interest community.

Chief Clinton consigliere Harold Ickes represents the International Dairy Food Association, Equitas, and TransCanada Pipelines. Finance Director Jonathan Mantz came to the campaign from the PodestaMatoon lobbying firm where his clients included Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals, General Dynamics, and United Airlines.

Clinton’s chief strategist, Mark Penn, is president and CEO of Burson-Marsteller, a public relations behemoth in the nation’s capital. Although Penn is not a registered lobbyist, his company is part of the WWP Group conglomerate, a “family of companies” including such heavy hitting lobbying firms as BKSH (Alcoa, Kaiser Aluminum, AT&T) and Quinn & Gillespie (Bristol Myers Squibb, Qualcomm, and Microsoft).

Which still begs the question: the implication is that having lobbyists on campaigns is a bad thing.

Is it?

By @@

January 21, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

(((I’d like to see columnists/websites/activists who dismiss the entire concept of Islamofascism/jihadists/militant Islam state why the Saudis are fighting something that doesn’t exist.)))

They exist alright Paul. It’s just that our media/websites/activists see them as the underdogs. The victims of America’s capitalist government. Beats me….I’ve quit trying to understand the other side.

Poor…or not so poor Hugo Chavez is losing his base. Seems he isn’t able to deliver the goods (food and such) he promised. His solution?

Nationalize the farms. That guy is just plain scarey but our leftists love him. He and his social programs are all the rage with leftists here in the U.S.

Go Hugo! Show us what it looks like under nationalized EVERYTHING.

Criminey!

By Paul

January 21, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

@@

Your Chavez post reminded me: I said years back that one of the worst things that could occur for US interests in the Middle East would be “democracy.”

Look at Gaza. Look at Iran. (or Chavez). And what’s the soundbite answer people offer in defense of those regimes? “Well, hey, they were democratically elected.” As of that somehow justifies the actions of the regimes. If anything, it more fully demonstrates the pathology of the population. That’s the real issue, in my mind.

By N-GA

January 21, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Paul,

I believe that there are profound changes occuring in the world’s pecking order, as we post.

The observation has been made many times…empires always fall.

the Egyptians the Romans the Spanish the French the British the United States….

And we are here, and alive to observe it.

BTW, I have been asked to consult (in an advisory capacity) for a very large foreign company that has allocated 100 million USD to use for “opportunistic” investing in US companies. They indicated that this amount is just the beginning. Who do you think will be the next “empire”.

By Democrat National Committee

January 21, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Uh, we have an important announcement to make, Hillary KKKlinton is throwing the South Carolina primary.

There are toooooo many black people there for our Kampaign to be successful.

We are hoping to consolidate our efforts in states where we can do better, namely the White Power northern states like New YorKKK and KKKonnecticut.

And by the way, good job to all you White Folks in South Carolina that kept this a secret and voted in the Repug primary for Hickabee like we instructed you.

Zieg Heil!!

Bwa.

By @@

January 21, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

Paul:

One man’s democracy is another man’s dream. One man’s dream is another man’s democracy. They don’t all look alike but it’s a worthwhile pursuit.

(((“Well, hey, they were democratically elected.”)))

(((If anything, it more fully demonstrates the pathology of the population.)))

Paul, have you forgotten? Bush stole the election. Who demonstrates that pathology? as though I need your answer. It’s the “We can fulfill your dreams” if the other side would just quit stealing ——>OUR<—— (politicians’) WINS. Give me a break!

If I want a dream I’ll vote Democrat.

If I want reality I’ll vote Republican. Realities are tangible and fluid. Dreams are an escape.

By @@

January 21, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

(((If an anti-Islam film is shown in the Netherlands, it will result in repercussions from ——>Muslims all over the world,<—— IRNA reported Jan. 21, citing Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of ——>Iran’s<—— Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.))) Any other Islamic state’s wanna speak up?

(((Boroujerdi said Iran expects the Dutch government to prevent the film’s screening, or else the Majilis will ask the Iranian government to ——>reconsider relations<—— with the Netherlands.)))

(((Former Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Ben Bot ——>has offered to go to Iran to ask for amnesty for Dutch human rights campaigner Abdullah al-Mansouri, who has been sentenced to death,<—— Dutch News reported Oct. 30.)))

Iran’s foreign relations? We won’t put your human rights to death if only you’ll convert to our way of thinking.

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

I got a question for the blog.

Let’s just say that the democrats really do postpone the American dream of a black man becoming president, instead nominating some fat white rich bigot from ArKKKansas and thereby enraging the whole entire black community in the process, uh, who do you think we should offer the Republican Vice Presidency to?

Michael Steele?

Condi Rice?

Janice Rogers Brown?

JC Watts?

Lynn Swann?

I personally like Condi, of course, what a brilliant, well educated, accomplished Vice President she would make, plus, she comes with the added benefit of driving the White Power liberals bat sh.. crazy.

We would have their race hatred on full flaming display for world wide consumption.

What do you think?

By Paul

January 21, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Hello N-GA

Thanks for the observation. Been mostly lite fun today.

I must admit, much of what we see from the US has some of the trappings of “empire.” It’s been occurring for years and it’s not the same as the role of superpower. In fact, IMHO, it weakens (long-term) power.

I suppose the obvious answer is “US.” But I think we’ll be major players for at least a couple more generations. Still and all, forecasting that far out is a pretty iffy proposition.

But as far as major power blocks, or rising influence: I see the Chinese coming right along, especially given their proclivity towards experimenting with various economic models. But there they go with the very traditional model of military expansion as they seek to further economic expansion. So much for progress.

Middle East Islamic Civ? Among more than a few countries, absent sustained oil revenue, and given their lack of developing much else - and with the frustrating aspirations of their populations - I see them more as trouble than major players.

India? Coming right along. Latin America - even as a block - don’t see much basis.

Russia? Likely will continue to flail about the margins. Military force does not a major player make in the new order.

Which is why I’ve thought about the fine balance of retrenchment of military outposts and economic intervention (some of our “empire” characteristics) without going over to isolationism. There are still many who want to look to us - for a variety of things - in spite of our actions the past few years. I think it’d be strengthening. Of course, there’re always the fiscal problems we need to address - but won’t - on the social service/transfer of dollars side - Medicare/Social Security being most ominous.

I hope no “empires” - different from major spheres of influence. I wonder if, instead of the traditional nation-state model we’ll see more alliances among nations. Or single nations with multiple alliances based upon the interest served.

100 mil, huh? Must still see some potential here.

Oh, and be careful about calling yourself a consultant. Or advisor. Let alone a lobbyist. Certain AP reporters’ll accuse you of running the companies you’re assisting (okay, ITN - I’ll let it drop).

By @@

January 21, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Oops! Sorry Paul, my 5:40 sounded a little snarky and it wasn’t my intention.

Bouncing around and all….

By @@

January 21, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Michael Steele

Herman Cain (not mentioned)

J.C. Watts

I have great admiration and respect for Condoleeza Rice but I think her association with Bush would result in a liberal knee-jerk reaction.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

@@ 5:40

From last Thurs, I believe - the day you had the last post - same topic - overdue, but: touche!

Dreams lead to reality.

What’s the saying: the most powerful force in the universe is an idea whose time has come?

Conception: the thought: leads to reality.

Once heard a definition of God: the Creative Power of the Universe. (Rather makes the antireligion rants of some seem somewhat bland). Has an allied question: from whence hails a new thought?

Guess that’s one reason I like the guy - I like the way he thinks.

Notice I said nothing about policy, or positions, or platform. I simply like the way his mind works.

By @@

January 21, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Lynn Swann could carry the nuclear football?

By @@

January 21, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

(((Dreams lead to reality.)))

Only when they’re mine Paul…only when they’re mine. Can’t seem to get into the heads of others if ‘ya know what I mean.

Especially when they’re politicians.

Their dreams could end up being my worst nightmare.

By Paul

January 21, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

@@ 5:59

Not to worry. I thought I knew what you meant. And gave you the benefit of the doubt.

Like last Fri - I made a comment to N-GA about “Silver Leaf.” No good excuse. Was thinking of “silverthorne” - Feist novel - thorn - leaf - whatever - and a couple other things. He knew I meant “Silver Oak” and let it slide.

If only candidates and pundits could get over the “gotcha” attitude as some here have - we’d have a better campaign and media.

See? That’s a reality that may come from a dream!

And a long way to go to make a point!

By @@

January 21, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

If only Paul. There’s a ways to go in this campaign and I’m laying bets there’ll be gotchas come from everyone as it heats up.

I was a liberal when I voted for Reagan. I continued that idealistic dream when I voted for Clinton. My dreams came true with Reagan, but I felt like I’d been had by Clinton. Then I drop in here a couple of years ago and meet the liberal nutjobs? No thanks….it’ll take me years to get beyond the images of them I’ve conjured up in my mind.

Last Thursday you say? Didn’t see anything. Last Wednesday?

Mine: (((Words are cheap. Actions speak!)))

Yours: (((I’m appalled.))) Well of course you are….sometimes I’m a-pauled too. (ISH)

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

{{{{By @@ January 21, 2008 6:05 PM I have great admiration and respect for Condoleeza Rice but I think her association with Bush would result in a liberal knee-jerk reaction.}}}}

@@: That’s the whole point.

Think about it this way- 50% of the voters in America have said that they would not vote for Hillary Klinton under any circumstances, they are better known as the Republicans and John Edward’s supporters (for what other reason would you support John Edwards?)

As it stands right now, 65% of the black voters in America are pro Obama, that number will only grow, after all, the Klintons are mindless red faced savages that will stoop to the lowest levels, they would throw their own mothers under the bus, I figure it will be close to 90% black for Obama by the time this is mercifully over.

From that 90% you have to separate the hopeless, hardcore democrats back out of the forever pis-sed off, so let’s say 75% vote Republican in November.

The massive wave of hate and rage against Condi will only reinforce this scenario.

The end result; reason and sanity win out over treason and vanity.

Bwa.

P.S. Condoleezza Rice rose up from the same neighborhoods that Martin Luther King marched to bring freedom to. She heard his voice and rose, upon her own power, from the ashes of society. She is the fruit of his labor and has soared to the highest levels that this country can offer, her successes are breathtaking. On this day, especially, she should be celebrated for the hope that she brings to all of those who only have hope.

Instead she is loathed.

It makes you wonder.

By N-GA

January 21, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Forgive me. When I read your post about “Silver Leaf”, I assumed you were thinking “Turning Leaf” which is another wine, albeit mass-produced.

When I think next “empire”, I think PRC. It seems to me that empires die when they become morally and financially bankrupt…and when they cease to have a longterm view of everything from financial conservatism to survival of the species.

BTW, I think the nuns hoped that I would one day communicate as eloquently as you. Unfortunately I have let them down. It is primarily because I am out of practice. I think you understand.

By getalife

January 21, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

Funny, how the Obamaniacs on left wing blogs bash President Clinton just like the wingnuts.

And they want President Clinton to chill.

Please, he is a pit bull and if you want him to chill stop praising Reagan and attacking him.

Whaaaaa, whiners.

By @@

January 21, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

If you read here ml just wanted to let you know….GREAT caricature of Romney.

I think you could have been more creative had you used baseball Mitts though.

A catcher’s mitt.

A pitcher’s mitt.

A balk.

A foul ball.

A strike.

A homerun.

It’s all up in their air now isn’t it? One thing’s for sure though…the politicians would be wearing the catcher’s Mitt.

We’re the umpires.

By @@

January 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Andy:

(((@@: That’s the whole point.)))

I got it…just a little late.

I’m the political puritan remember?

You and RW are my political mentors. I’ll be paying closer attention…

I promise. (ISH)

By Paul

January 21, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

@@

It was the final “Words are Cheap. Actions Speak.”

Nice.

N-GA

Nothing to forgive. The message still made its way through.

Turning Leaf? Why, that’s almost as good as Boone’s Farm Strawberry Ripple!

Financially/morally bankrupt: well, our profligacy of the past eight years, the “see no evil” with entitlements and the plethora of new programs: I think you’re seeing it correctly.

And I believe I understand you mean moral bankruptcy as in other than the traditional Judeo-Christian personal action concept.

Both of those factors do cause sadness in a long-term view of our country.

Regarding PRC - I think you may have it. Very traditional in their actions and aims. The military buildup reinforces the classic view. Here we go with more empires.

Nuns, huh? We had a Catholic high school nearby. Some of the girls would come to our dances. I was sooo naively clueless! It was hilarious! Seriously, I couldn’t figure out why they didn’t want to talk about world affairs. Really wondered about those nuns and their teaching.

BTW - this is about the only “practice” I get. Yeah, I do understand.

By coatesmoe

January 21, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Clinton is untruthful? why don´t they say it like it is? Bill Clinton is a G—Da— Lie on two feet.

By Kevin

January 21, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Happy Birthday, MLK!

By Luckoduh

January 21, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

{{{{By @@ January 21, 2008 6:49 PM I’m the political puritan remember?}}}}

Michael Steele is a great choice and I’m sure he will be given much consideration when that time comes.

You have very good, solid political wits about you, never doubt that.

I am simply letting my political deviousness roam free, this whole vice presidential idea has to become a story all of it’s own.

Steele does not yet have the name recognition that Condoleezza does, her name is practically a household word, albeit for the wrong reasons.

This is where the Republican Party Machine Marketing Department comes into play, can you imagine what your average Joe will think once they find out that Condoleezza is not some spawn of satan that eats Iraqi babies?

How many average people do you think knows that she was a classmate of three black children that were killed by racists in a schoolhouse firebombing in Birmingham, Alabama during the 1960’s?

How many people do you think know she was a Professor of Political Science at Stanford?

How many know that she helped Reagan to devise and implement the destruction of the Soviet Union, serving as his Soviet and Eastern European affairs adviser?

A little black girl from Birmingham Al. who could have been burned to death but instead answered freedom’s call, followed Martin Luther King’s Dream to the proverbial mountain top and has done it all with only hope and her own efforts.

Isn’t this what “opportunity” is all about?

Oh, and it helped that she is a Republican too.

They didn’t hold her back.

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Oh my:

{{{{Bill Clinton showed yesterday why he made it into the book “The Art of Napping.” During an appearance at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, the former president was caught nodding off. Clinton was there during a service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.}}}}

Well, I “guess” I shouldn’t be so harsh, if you had been out chasing chubby little chicks all night, would staying awake for some black guy like Martin Luther King be that important?

Bwa.

~~~~~~

{{{{A new poll just out from CNN/Opinion Research tied to Martin Luther King Day today finds blacks and whites optimistic and pretty much in agreement — 84% whites, 78% blacks — that a lot or moderate progress has been made toward the civil rights leader’s dream of equality in American society. But hidden near the bottom of the survey of nearly 1,400 adult Americans Jan. 14-17 is some disturbing news for Sen. Hillary Clinton heading into tonight’s Democratic debate in South Carolina and the party’s primary there Saturday. The survey’s numbers show that Americans are more ready for a black president than a female president.}}}}

Good for you America.

I hope you vote that way.

~~~~~

Ahhhhh, “man made global warming:”

{{{{ (CNN) — Bitter cold gripped most of the United States on Monday, with temperatures dipping below normal from coast to coast. Temperatures in the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains were about 30 degrees below normal, CNN meteorologist Bonnie Schneider said. “It’s very hard to find any part of the country that’s warm,” Schneider said. In Presque Isle, Maine, the overnight low dropped to 27 below zero, according to the National Weather Service. Monday’s high in extreme northern Maine was not expected to make it up to zero, the service said, and the wind chill made it feel much colder.}}}}

Brrrrrrr, damn, I hate global warming.

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

{{{{As Obama tried to defend his recent comments about Republican ideas and Ronald Reagan, Clinton interrupted and said she has never criticized his remarks on Reagan.}}}}

{{{{“Your husband did,” said Obama, who has accused the former president of misrepresenting his record.}}}}

{{{{“I’m here. He’s not,” she snapped.}}}}

That’s real fair, have your “husband” pound on the guy from the sidelines and then act like he’s some loose cannon that you have no control over.

How brave.

{{{{Obama, clearly furious with the two-headed Billary beast he faces, reminded the audience, after Hillary tried to throw in his face his pro-Reagan comment from last week, that in the 1980s she was a greedy corporate lawyer.}}}}

{{{{Other upper cuts to the Billary beast ensued. “I can’t tell who I am running against,” he said at one point, interrupting one of Hillary’s moments of lawyerly parsing about what she said (rather than her husband).}}}}

[HILLARY, LOOKING hot under the Armani collar, generated a few boos with some other rough broadsides against Obama, and went into screeching Vladimir Lenin mode after Obama noted her universal healthcare disaster.}(http://www.spectator.org/dsparticle.asp?artid=12616)

Bwa.

{{{{“Senator Obama, it’s hard to have a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote,” ((((((Clinton said to loud boos.)))))) “On issue after issue, you voted present … Whenever someone raises that, there’s always some sort of explanation.”}}}}

Meanwhile, shriveled up in the corner, sucking her thumb, horrified at the mayhem around her:

{{{{John Edwards, who badly trails his two rivals, tried to stay above the fray while pleading for equal time.}}}}

{{{{“Are there three people in this debate, not two?” she whined.}}}}

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

{{{{Seeking to impose an unworkable plan on an unsuspecting public was bad enough, but the pain Hillarycare supporters were prepared to inflict on opponents demonstrates insensitivity in the extreme. A “confidential” memorandum written on May 26, 1993 by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, West Virginia Democrat, to Hillary Clinton was entitled “Health Care Reform Communications.” The Rockefeller memo suggests Hillary employ “classic opposition research” to attack critics who were excluded by the administration from Task Force deliberations and to “expose lifestyles, tactics and motives of lobbyists” to counter and overcome criticism. Rockefeller also suggested news organizations “are anxious and willing to receive guidance (from the Clinton administration) on how to time and shape the (news) coverage.” Rockefeller seems to accept the notion asserted for years by conservatives that the mainstream media are biased in favor of Democrats and their policies. For many, this will not be a revelation.}}}}

All the things that Code Pinko whines about Bushie doing, even though they have absolutely no evidence, and here they are doing the exact same things they were whining about.

Always frisk the liberal first.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

The fed cut the key rate today before the market opens to try to save it from crashing today in a unprecendented move. Thank you.

Obama got a taste of what the gop will do to him if he gets the nomination but Edwards took over that debate tring to win his home State. Edwards won that debate.

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

It’s Still the Economy, Stupid By Phyllis Schlafly

By John in Tampa, FLA

January 22, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

This toon is like deja vu all over again.

By I am so sick of Duh and his long-winded ramblings and mindless drivel that I could just puke

January 22, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Like my name says I …….

By Shawny

January 22, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

See the video of Billy Clinton dozing off at the MLK event on the AJC home page? That is hilarious.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I wonder how many people are dumping their stocks today? The first hour of trading will tell the story.

By My 401K

January 22, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Psssssssssssssssssssssssssss……..

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Attached is required reading for Iraq deniers, neo-cons and luch-o-less

An absolutely excellent critique of the current quagmire in Iraq from a retired Army Colonel/Vietnam Vet who lost a son in Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/18/AR2008011802873.html

Also, neo-cons, how are your stocks doing today. Gosh, W sure had a handle on the economy, doesn’t he!?!

I don’t know why you ostrichs thought “trickle-down” economics would work this time when it didn’t work under that crap-a* actor, Ronnie Raygun!!

You are reaping as you sowed!!!

Bwahahahaha!!!

By Paul

January 22, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

getalife 8:30

“Obama got a taste of what the gop will do to him if he gets the nomination”

So Hillary’s politics to win is no different than the GOP. Ironic, isn’t it?

Then again, if he can take the mud Hillary’s machine tosses about and still get the nomination, does not that mean he can also take the worst the GOP can lob?

But for Edwards - he has no realistic chance. Maybe he’s going for a “kingmaker/dealmaker” at the convention. If he were to bow out now I think you’d see more of his supporters go to Obama than Hillary.

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

So, the world is going to you-know-where, and the little neo-cons laugh because their great Satan, Bill Clinton, dozed off at a MLK celebration.

I’ll bet the little neo-cons weren’t at any MLK celebrations at all!!!

Did you celebrate Confederate Memorial Day yesterday, Shawny?

You’ll love ‘08!!!

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

{{{{In the last five years, the New York Times has declined in value by an astonishing 70 percent. There is no indication that things will get better any time soon. Indeed, as the specter of recession looms, there is every reason to believe that things will get worse. At some point here in the near future, the market capitalization of the New York Times will fall below $2 billion. At that point, a psychological floor will have collapsed and the company will be in play.}}}}

The irony is so damn delicious, the Treason Times is fixing to be swallowed by it’s own propaganda kampaign, hahahahaha, oh my, yes.

You libs keep pushing your story about the economy being “bad,” me, I’m going bargain hunting.

Bwa.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

-450 but should correct to 10,000.

Why Barack Obama Lied Tonight in South Carolina

Clinton was right to attack his record and Edwards was right to attack his present votes.

I don’t trust him.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

ITN 8:59

People donate.

Government takes from someone and gives to someone else. “Donate” is a bit of a misnomer.

getalife

Good move, I agree. MSNBC reported it was the first time since 1984 the Fed had done anything like that.

Shows just how serious things are.

Truthman 9:19

“Iraq deniers”

There are people who deny there is an Iraq?

Joke. Don’t get excited.

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Dow lost 400 points in first 2 minutes of trading

By getalife

January 22, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

duh,

Wall Street loves idiots like you.

They are just starting writing off billion dollar losses.

But, by all means, help your party, they govern for these corps and the CEO will walk off with your money.

Idiot.

By Abomi Nation

January 22, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Where is RB from Gwinnett?

We need an update on that great Bush stock market that the media has ignored. What happened to the updates?

We could also use an update on the real estate market RB. What are them billboards saying today?

Those tax cuts sure helped the economy. I guess now we need a $1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00 tax cut, that should get the economy going again.

DON’T PANIC!!!!!

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Truthman:

See my 8:14

Paul:

Misnomer? Debatable.

Empty shelves. Hungry people?

YES

By Abomi Nation

January 22, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Duh, whats the use of having money if you are just sitting at home all day blogging on the computer?

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

al-Gitmo: Watch in amazement as the people with brains buy up all of the stocks of the people that don’t have brains.

Run with the herd man, sell cheap.

Please.

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Paul,

Touche! Good one!

TM

By Duhddy Knows Best

January 22, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

BUY! BUY!! BUY!!!

By getalife

January 22, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

duh,

I got out. I thought it would correct at 10,000 but investment bankers keep buying.

I may get back in after the Dems take over with some regulation and the banks stop writing off billion dollar losses. But you go ahead and buy, it will help the gop get reelected. Not.

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

NYSE Invokes Rule 48

By getalife

January 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

It is interesting when it hit 14,000 with the price of oil and the dollar tanking.

I thought, there is a scam going on here and got out.

Another interesting moment will be w’s SOTU. He will announce he decided to save Wall Street. Then he will talk about peace as Gaza is exploding.

w’s disasters are interesting but he destroyed our country. Everything this guy touches turns to crap.

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

al-Gitmo: The “futures” wave, based on the euro wienies and Asian skardy cats has passed on through, the second drop was the American dimwit sell off, now watch as the capitalists move in and devour the weak minded.

Bwa.

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Barack Obama Wins Delegate Battle in Nevada

Statement from Barack Obama…

We’re proud of the campaign we ran in Nevada. We came from over twenty-five points behind to win more national convention delegates than Hillary Clinton because we performed well all across the state, including rural areas where Democrats have traditionally struggled. The reason is because tens of thousands of Nevadans came out to say that they’re tired of business-as-usual in Washington and ready for a President who can bring this country together, take on the lobbyists and special interests, and end the politics of saying and doing whatever it takes to win an election. It is the kind of politics that feeds our cynicism and distracts us from taking on the real challenges facing America – an economy that’s left working families struggling, a broken health care system, and a war in Iraq that must end.

We ran an honest, uplifting campaign in Nevada that focused on the real problems Americans are facing, a campaign that appealed to people’s hopes instead of their fears. That’s the campaign we’ll take to South Carolina and across America in the weeks to come, and that’s how we will truly bring about the change this country is hungry for.

Statement from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe…

We currently have reports of over 200 separate incidents of trouble at caucus sites, including doors being closed up to thirty minutes early, registration forms running out so people were turned away, and ID being requested and checked in a non-uniform fashion. This is in addition to the Clinton campaign’s efforts to confuse voters and call into question the at-large caucus sites which clearly had an affect on turnout at these locations. These kinds of Clinton campaign tactics were part of an entire week’s worth of false, divisive, attacks designed to mislead caucus-goers and discredit the caucus itself.

We will investigate all of these thoroughly and would encourage anyone who had concern about actions at the caucus sites to call (866) 675-2008.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

duh,

First, I never believe government numbers because they are not credible.

Second, there are investment bankers who will buy to keep the prices up.

Third, it is way overpriced and has to correct sometime. I heard Bernake spew that now is the time to write off the losses and they are.

Studying the market is like trying to figure why w invaded Iraq. It changes all the time.

By Devastator

January 22, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

getalife,

Why bother getting back into the market when the dems take over? I don’t think increased taxes and terrorism is going to send stocks soaring.

By Kevin

January 22, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Wrong, getapaul, paw-a-wife, or what ever U2 numbskull cretins call yourselves. When the fed moves to wallstreet’s tune, it’s a disaster.

It’s called “How to create stagflation”.

The correct move was 1/4 point here, another 1/4 point in the spring, and if needed, another 1/4 point.

Hey paul, Charles Schwabb called. he wants his chief economist back.

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Buyers return After opening down 460, Dow now off less than 200

Shares fall hard at open despite Fed’s emergency intervention but begin trimming losses in mid-morning action.

Source Market watch

By Kevin

January 22, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

I didn’t get the romney cartoon up top. I mean, why isn’t there big ears on romney, cause the GOP are just puppet clones beholden to special interest money, (read saudis), just like bush cheney. And where’s the little dog holding up a sign condemning his master? I dont get it. I want little doggies, and big ears, but most of all I like little baby bunnies. Awww.

(sometimes when I think about the little baby bunnies I well up.(

By Paul

January 22, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Kevin,

“Wrong.”

Glad to know doing business as usual will guarantee success.

Havta remember that in Nov.

Apocalypse

To tag onto your comment, I’d have expected these blogs to be on fire and the media alight as tens of thousands of voters are not having their votes counted to select their candidates.

I’m referring, of course, to the DNC decision to not count Florida’s delegates. Even though the Rep Legislature and gov passed the bill setting a date other than what the DNC wanted, the DNC “solution” was to disenfranchise voters.

Reps do something dumb, DNC seems bent to do’em one better. Amazing.

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Paul,

If the dems aren’t careful, their going to give this election to the GOP.

Last night’s debate was ugly as hell.

By RB from Gwinnett

January 22, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

By Abomi Nation 9:44 AM

I’m still here, Abomi, laughing at your stupidity as usual. I’ve decided it’s pointless to debate pretty much anything with you because you’re so far removed from reality and honesty, there’s no chance of having a meaningful debate.

Case in point… How many years ago was the tax cut implemented? What happened to the economy when it was implemented? What has happened since it was implemented?

But in your BDS, you equate ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING negative that happens in this nations economy to that event. Either you are a fool, or your dishonest. Take your pick! BTW, it’s still 2,000 pts higher than when Bush took office, even after this drop, moron! With the hit from 9/11.

I’m also laughing at you dishonest liberals hanging on to Obama’s coattails while ignoring the TAX CUT he wants to implement to get the economy moving. Have you missed that news, or do you not have the intellectual honesty to admit your own party leaders would do the same damn thing if they were in charge? And you sit here bashing Bush for it from 6 years ago. You people are pathetic. And dishonest.

By RB from Gwinnett

January 22, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

By Abomi Nation 9:44 AM

I’m still here, Abomi, laughing at your stupidity as usual. I’ve decided it’s pointless to debate pretty much anything with you because you’re so far removed from reality and honesty, there’s no chance of having a meaningful debate.

Case in point… How many years ago was the tax cut implemented? What happened to the economy when it was implemented? What has happened since it was implemented?

But in your BDS, you equate ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING negative that happens in this nations economy to that event. Either you are a fool, or your dishonest. Take your pick! BTW, it’s still 2,000 pts higher than when Bush took office, even after this drop, moron! With the hit from 9/11.

I’m also laughing at you dishonest liberals hanging on to Obama’s coattails while ignoring the TAX CUT he wants to implement to get the economy moving. Have you missed that news, or do you not have the intellectual honesty to admit your own party leaders would do the same damn thing if they were in charge? And you sit here bashing Bush for it from 6 years ago. You people are pathetic. And dishonest.

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Just imagine all of the mouth breathers desperately trying to buy back their stocks that they sold at a staggering loss first thing this morning.

When will you suckers ever learn?

These bleating “news”paper “business” sections do not have your best interests in mind, they are nothing more than democrat party propaganda centers, whining in hopes of a failed economy.

A blatant, subversive attempt to wreck the economy so that they can win an election.

That’s real sweet, isn’t it?

By Kevin

January 22, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Oh , sure, Paul, I followed that along. Greenspan called. he wants his mandarin to piglatin dictionary back.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Apocalypse 11:13

Several here predicted that the long knives would not be unsheathed by the Rep machine, who would let the Dems do their own thing, but by the Hillary machine.

Seemed like a safe bet. It was.

BTW - one thing about “experience” - in today’s climate, it comes with a lot more baggage.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Kevin

I just don’t see your point about why such small, spread-out, measured actions will have any significant effect given today’s conditions and your wholesale dismissal of any alternate actions. Lots of negative psychology going on in the markets and around the world.

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Paul,

In the end, even the evil mind of the Clintons will not stop destiny!

If Hillary cannot run on her own then she is not fit to be president.

Is Bill going to hold cabinet meetings for her like he’s campaigning for her?

By Paul

January 22, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Apocalypse

There’s another issue. Many, many people grew pretty tired of the vitriolic hatred the farright viewed anything Pres Clinton. But that didn’t seem to come close to the absolute, encompassing hatred of anything Pres Bush by the farleft.

If Hillary gets elected, this will continue.

Sixteen years is long enough. I think many folks are just plain tired of it.

By Scoreboard

January 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Since Bush took office stocks have gone up 2.0%

CD’s did better. LMAO!

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Paul,

What do you think of Obama?

By luckovichisaheadcase

January 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

All of you libs who think that YOU don’t pay enough in taxes already, please send YOUR surplus in to the federal, state and local governments so that they can spend it as they see fit. And when the legislators do spend it in ways you do not like, please do not complain, because you wanted them to have more of YOUR money to spend. I would rather keep as much of mine as possible and spread it around as I see fit. Remember, almost no one sits on his money or stuffs it in a mattress. It will be saved in a bank, be invested, spent or given away as the individual sees fit. These actions (in any combination) will cause the economy to grow and will create jobs for more people and so fewer of us will be dependent upon the government for our livelihoods. This is as true and as fact based as saying that the sun will come up in the east and set in the west. Have a good day and stay out of my wallet.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Apocalypse

I like the way his mind works. He strikes me as a decent, honorable person. He strikes me as falling more on the end of the scale of “service” than “power.” He comes across as thoughtful - what many pounce on as hesitation - strikes me as thinking through. He’s been pretty consistent.

I pretty much discount his opposition to the war as a defining reason to support him, but it plays well with the Party activists. The experience issue? Some parts concern me, not so much amount of experience but exposure to how things work. As I’ve said, JFK didn’t have all that much foreign policy experience, and if he’d deferred to the advice of the military and civilian experts during the Cuban Missile Crisis it likely would have gone terribly wrong.

And giving too much emphasis to “experience” shoots down the idea that possibly people with a history outside government (like a turn-around guy like Romney) may not bring a better perspective than the establishment types.

Based solely on a single instance, he seems more willing to keep all gov’t programs in place and fix problems by taxation rather than by reducing expenditures in areas that have outlived their purpose. That concerns me.

But he seems open to new ideas.

By N-GA

January 22, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

The Fed’s decision to cut the Fed Funds rate by 75 basis points instead of several smaller cuts over time is meant as a signal to world markets that the US is prepared to do whatever is necessary to prevent a serious economic meltdown.

The by-products of the move are many. Credit should free up somewhat. The dollar will drop against other currencies. Businesses and astute investors will take advantage of the change and subsequent pause to position themselves for the still-to-come economic “downturn”.

I think we are in uncharted territory.

By luckovichisafirster

January 22, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it great being lectured about taxes and out of control spending?

What the hell are medicare part d and the trillion dollar iraq war?

Charity?

“We’re going to have a war. It will pay for itself with tax cuts.”

Where do you idiots come up with this nonsense?

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Typical Clinton garbage:

Jan 22, 2008 12:03 PM Subject: Hillary and her Lies! Body: Pass this on to anyone you know! Thanks!

A March 12, 2007 article written by Robert Novak sheds a very revealing light on the true sentiment of Hillary Clinton during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement.

Novak writes of one speech at Selma’s First Baptist Church on the 42nd anniversary of the “bloody Sunday” freedom march there, where Sen. Clinton declared: “As a young woman, I had the great privilege of hearing Dr. King speak in Chicago. The year was 1963. My youth minister from our church took a few of us down on a cold January night to hear [King]… . And he called on us, he challenged us that evening to stay awake during the great revolution that the civil rights pioneers were waging on behalf of a more perfect union.” But Novak’s article states that there’s a big problem with her statement.

The fact is, in 1963, not only was Hillary Clinton a republican, but she was also a staunch supporter of republican Senator Barry Goldwater, well known as a segregationist and one of the most vocal senators adamently against the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is why he lost in his presidential bid to Lyndon B. Johnson. Novak writes “…how then could she be a ‘Goldwater Girl’ in the next year’s presidential election?” He continues, “…she described herself in her memoirs as ‘an active Young Republican’ and ‘a Goldwater girl, right down to my cowgirl outfit.’

Novak adds, “As a politically attuned honor student, she must have known that Goldwater was one of only six Republican senators who joined Southern Democratic segregationists opposing the historic voting rights act of 1964 inspired by King. Hillary headed the Young Republicans at Wellesley College. The incompatibility of those two positions of 40 years ago was noted to me (Novak) by Democratic old-timers who were shocked by Sen. Clinton.

No wonder she and her handlers were tempted to imply the existence long ago of a young lady in Chicago’s suburbs who never really existed.”

She has worked extremely hard to hide many truths about her past, including ordering that her 92 page college thesis that she wrote at Wellesley College be ‘sealed’ and unavailable to the public, an order forced upon the college by Bil

By getalife

January 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Only a total moron will believe anything Novak writes.

He has zero credibilty.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

N-GA

How do individuals position themselves from traditional investments? Doesn’t that perpetuate the sell-offs about which many are concerned?

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

getalife,

I’m going to research this to determine its accuracy.

If its true, then its Obama in ‘08 buddy!

By getalife

January 22, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Only one gop candidate has addressed the elephant in the room.

To cut deficit spending, we have to get out of Iraq.

All the Dems are in the correct position to cut deficit spending and stop borrowing billions and sticking your kids with the bill.

By @@

January 22, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

What…..no new cartoon?

Are you sick ml?

I’m wondering what the “it” is that you’re giving a rest.

Do you have the runs?

By getalife

January 22, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Research Novak.

He is a RW tool.

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

getalife,

I just spoke with someone who is a huge Clinton supporter and they said its common knowledge that she grew up right wing but that is considered a forgiveable sin since its in the past.

If it were anyone else it wouldn’t be.

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Neo-conmen and women’s mantra:

Bush Good! War Good! War profiteering Good! My religion in your government Good! Civil liberties BAD!!

Hillary Bad! Barack Bad, but Hillary badder.

Bad Hillary! Stay in kitchen with MY wife!! Have babies!! Enjoy spousal abuse!! Hillary BAAAADDD!!!!

By Abomi Nation

January 22, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Luckoheadcase, I’ll send in my surplus to the government right after you send in the $20,000.00 you owe for the war.

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Well, Mitt used to be a liberal Democrat.

Is that forgivable?

By Paul

January 22, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

getalife

I haven’t looked at the numbers in quite some time, but absent Iraq, we’d still have an enormous defense budget. Some of the reported numbers are “fun with numbers” - for instance, some will sum the operating costs of the aircraft used in theater, the operations budgets of the units, the pay factors for the soldiers.

But many of those costs would exist if we were in Iraq or not.

A more accurate method is to sum only those costs that exist because of Iraq. Air Force would still fly a bunch of hours. Army would still have a bunch of soldiers - they’d just be stationed elsewhere.

So there are a lot of additive costs. I’m not saying they’re inconsequential, but it probably wouldn’t erase the deficit.

If that’s the elephant in the room, I suppose Social Security/Medicare is the blue whale in the pond?

BTW - I generally argue to cut the defense budget. Now. Significantly. But that’s another windmill.

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

You want Social Security solvent?

Levy the Social Security tax on all income up to $1 million and it will be solvent for generations to come

See, that wasn’t so hard.

Most folks don’t know that SS tax is only collected on the first $94,000.00 in income. After that, all the fat-cat politicians an business people are off the hook for SS, even though they will collect it when eligible (ever seen a rich person NOT take money?).

By getalife

January 22, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Paul,

The gop are borrow and spend. They are the me generation and do not care about sticking the future generation with the bill.

The Clintons have a proven method of cutting the deficit. This is the experience we need at this time.

With a larger Dem majority, they can pass the legislation needed to repair the w economy.

By Apocalypse

January 22, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Truthman,

The only thing that is not forgiveable is your endless dumba$$ posts! The mental health agency that has you in their care should not allow you to use a computer.

Don’t you ever think to respond to the Apocalypse.

By Spence

January 22, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Paul, defense spending has increased 62% since 2001. These budgets do not include the cost of the wars, they are being funded with supplemental budgets. I believe there have been two of them alone in the last year totaling almost 150 billion dollars.

On top of that there is going to be long term costs. Equipment replacement and medical costs will be expensive.

Far, from the wash you imply.

By @@

January 22, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

I have got to comment on last night’s debate. I felt like a little kid who wanted to close my eyes and cover my ears. There was no global warming going on in that room…that’s for sure!

I couldn’t help but giggle though when Obama kept referring to Hillary as the woman candidate and himself as the African American candidate…”and then there’s John” he would say.

Who the heck is John Edwards anyway?

Americans need to know.

By Truthman

January 22, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Hey, love me or hate me at least you’re reading me!!

That’s all any journalist can hope for (ABJ, UGA ‘80)!!

Thanks, and thanks to all my fans out there in Luch-o-land!!

For my allies, much love!

For those who hate? Appreciate!

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

The Fed Blinked: Now, What?

By getalife

January 22, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

What, you thought corporate was going to give up power with hope and unity?

No, it will get ugly in the general. We need fighters to stop the corporate corrupt gop.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

duh’s man dropped out.

Told ya duh.

By Midori

January 22, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Fred Thompson has dropped out, per CNN.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Spence 1:06

Didn’t mean to imply the costs of the Iraq war were a wash compared to the entire defense budget. Far from it. My remark was to getalife to the effect that I doubted eliminating our involvement with Iraq would erase the deficits.

“So there are a lot of additive costs. I’m not saying they’re inconsequential, but it probably wouldn’t erase the deficit.”

As you wrote “wars” I don’t know if you were also including Afghanistan, or the general war with jihadists. Not too many people - including the candidates - advocate withdrawing from those actions.

Off the top of my head, I’d guess the only candidate who would advocate a defense budget reduction would be Ron Paul. Now there’d be an interesting debate. Would touch on local economies, jobs, corporate affiliations, role of military in diplomacy. Dems and Reps would sound like clones of each other. Darn, I’d love to watch that.

getalife

Well, Bill did leave us with a surplus. Gotta give him that -

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

ronny ray-gun chimes in on 2008 selection

By Paul

January 22, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

In the News

Do you suppose you could provide some links to articles from, oh, 2000 talking about the coming recession, how severe it was likely to be, what actions should be taken?

Then maybe some links to what would likely be done under a Pres Gore or a Pres Bush?

Then maybe link to what was actually done to minimize the effects and how well the policies worked?

Then maybe compare those statements and strategies to what is being said by the opposition party and candidates in today’s environment?

I’d guess the major differences would be the obvious - which party is in power and which party wants to take over. Oh, and who to blame.

By RE

January 22, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Wall street to Bush: We are in a big hole here, send help.

Bush to Bernanke: Lets get those boys some bigger shovels.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

RE

Boots. Don’t forget the boots. Knee-high at least.

Not for the hole. For the stuff we’re wading through….

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Readers

Paul vs.Jared Bernstein

Paul vs. Dean Baker

Snarkasm vs. Experience

you’ll make your own minds up

By Dubya failed at finances

January 22, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

“Regardless of the reasons you think it happened, when the Bush administration officially began in January 2001, the federal budget was in surplus. In fact, this was the first time since 1927-1930 that there were four consecutive annual surpluses and it was a reason for celebration and wonder by policymakers.

“Bill Clinton as he left office and Bush as he was taking the oath both said the federal debt would be all but eliminated by around the end of this decade. The Federal Reserve wondered out loud about how it was going to control monetary policy if there were no more Treasury bills, notes, and bonds for it to buy and sell. And academics were discussing whether it was better for the economy to use the surplus to pay down the federal debt or cut taxes.

“All that changed almost as soon as the Bush administration began and the budget surplus that had been projected to grow quickly changed to a deficit. The red ink we were told would quickly turn back into a surplus instead grew into several consecutive nominal all-time-high deficits.”

Collender also notes: “The Bush legacy also includes one of the most effective efforts to limit the debate and, therefore, minimize the issue, in the history of federal budgeting.”

By N-GA

January 22, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Sorry…I was out picking up a few things for a small dinner party we’re having this evening.

There are a number of “defensive” moves to position oneself for a recessionary episode. One is to identify companies who have a good historical track record for paying dividends. Among those companies, select those whose stock price has recently dropped, or whose PE ratio is at the low end for their industry. These stocks can be attractive if they are paying more than CD’s, and there should be a number of them. 6-7% dividend returns aren’t too bad when interest rates and stock prices are down. They also have the built-in prospect of increasing (over time) in share price, thus increasing overall return. If you buy a stock for $15/share, then sell it in 2 years at $18 (when the market picks back up), then you’ve realized 20% on the share price increase PLUS the dividends! If you use a broker, ask him/her if they can recommend a mutual fund with those characteristics.

Small-scale commercial property can be attractive, especially if you can finance at the new low interest rates and there are long-term reliable tenants. Again, possible positive cash-flow coupled with appreciation as the recession ends.

I’ll be in & out today. I need to caramelize some sweet onions for French onion soup, shred Gruyere cheese, breathe some wine, etc.

Were roasting a prime rib and serving Insignia (a 1994 to contrast with a 2000). An iceberg wedge and roasted parsnips with asparagus tips with saffron aioli.

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

SPEAKING OF SNARKASM… HERE’S A LITTLE

Although it might just be true!

“Bush Calls Top Officials to Discuss How to Blame Recession On Clintons”

By Hillary

January 22, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

[[Well, Bill did leave us with a surplus. Gotta give him that -]]

Was that a comment on my pantsize buster? I may shop the PlusSizes Sur but keep your snide remarks to yourself.

By RE

January 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Paul that stuff we are wading through was part of the plan. That was what we are filling the hole with, keep pumping the poo into the hole and maybe it will look like it isn’t a deep hole.

There are certain dogmas that I hope get put to rest through seeing them over the last 7 years. One is the idea that you can bring peace through forcing democracy at the point of a gun. Instead of an ally in the war on terror, we have a dependant anarchy that will dissolve without our money and troops. I would like to think that this foriegn policy idea will be put to rest and not considered ever again, or at least for another 30 years which seems to be how long our national memory is.

The second dogma I hope gets put to rest is the idea that tax cuts are a panacea and deficits don’t matter. The last 7 years have been a supply side experiment with plenty of deregulation thrown in. In the end they have made the problems worse, not solved them. The world is starting to see that the current political structure has no intention of paying back it’s debts (both gop and dem) and is no longer willing to finance our extravagance. please take a look at the budget breakdown

400 billion dollars spent on interest, per year. The US has become a debtor nation, and the politicians on the right push tax cuts which would push us further into debt bordering on insolveancy, and democrats try to promise more than the government can give with new entitlements.

I would love a single payer health care system, but we can’t afford it right now. I would like less war, but either way, we cannot afford it right now. Social security and medicade will be insolvent in the future, add to that the collapse of the dollar and the beating 401ks are taking, and expect to have you parents as roomates in the future.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

ITN

There you go again. Appeals to authority. One of the prime fallacies. But so often used.

‘Sides which, I believe you missed the point. Wasn’t snarkism. Simply meant: doesn’t this - the circumstance of the coming recession (quick: no google: how many periods of what length before we’re in a recession?) before a change of administrations, the debate about what to do, etc etc. sound eerily familiar? Or maybe you didn’t follow such events in 2000?

And maybe, just maybe, with people vying for power, it’d be interesting to see what they were saying then (in power) and what they’re saying now (wanting to get in power)?

Dubya 3:31

Excellent! So now the question is: will the next administration follow the patterns of the past for success, or to further muck things up?

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

“There you go again. Appeals to authority. One of the prime fallacies. But so often used.”

Now that IS LOL material!

By Paul

January 22, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

N-GA

Thank you very much. Very similar to what my brother recommended a few years back. Great minds think alike. One of these days I might just get smart enough to follow the advice in a timely fashion.

So cut the decline with some funds (which are still worth more than when I bought them so it’s paper loss, correct?) and shift strategy to the new circumstance.

Regarding caramelizing onions for French Onion Soup: from the latest Cook’s Illustrated, reprinted without permission (Be patient when caramelizing the onions in step 2; the entire process takes 45 to 60 minutes.):

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Generously spray inside of heavy-bottomed large (at least 7-quart) Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray. Place 3T butter in pot and add 4 lbs onions halved and cut pole to pole into 1/4-inch-thick slicesand 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, covered, 1 hour (onions will be moist and slightly reduced in volume). Remove pot from oven and stir onions, scraping bottom and sides of pot. Return pot to oven with lid slightly ajar and continue to cook until onions are very soft and golden brown, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours longer, stirring onions and scraping bottom and sides of pot after 1 hour.

Carefully remove pot from oven and place over medium-high heat. Using oven mitts to handle pot, cook onions, stirring frequently and scraping bottom and sides of pot, until liquid evaporates and onions brown, 15 to 20 minutes, reducing heat to medium if onions are browning too quickly. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until pot bottom is coated with dark crust, 6 to 8 minutes, adjusting heat as necessary. (Scrape any fond that collects on spoon back into onions.) Stir in 1/4 cup water, scraping pot bottom to loosen crust, and cook until water evaporates and pot bottom has formed another dark crust, 6 to 8 minutes. Repeat process of deglazing 2 or 3 more times, until onions are very dark brown. Stir in 1/2 C sherry and cook, stirring frequently, until sherry evaporates, about 5 minutes.

Haven’t tried the method but it looks good. Always fun to experiment on company!

Sounds like a great meal! Enjoy!

By Paul

January 22, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

ITN

You never had a language and logic class? Or a rigorous professor who demanded… oh, never mind. Doesn’t require formal education. Plenty can be done on one’s own.

You seem to like links. Here’s a nice one. Many of the examples should be quite familiar as you’ve been here for a while. They really do help in evaluating some things written (or cited) here. Appeals are at 3. The ad hominem attacks you were tossing my way a few days back are at 1.

Link: Fallacy Tutorial

By Midori

January 22, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Getalife&InTheNews,

wanna read something funny?

i almost wet myself reading all the angst :)

By RE

January 22, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Hey Paul,

Not to jab at you, but appeal to authority is a fallacy only when the person is not an authority on the subject discussed.

IE Fallacy: Tom brady is a great quarterback, perhaps the best in the league. He says to improve the economy we should all get a $1000 check from the government.

IE not fallacy: Jared Bernstein is an economist for the last 30 years and sits on many influential policy boards. He thinks Bush has no clue about the economy.

Summation, Appeal to authority is not a fallacy when the subject being commented on is actually an area of expertise.

I had a good logic professor.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

ITN

My apologies. I read the subsequent post and realized it wasn’t you twas tossing the ad hominems a few days back.

By IN THE NEWS

January 22, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Graciously done, Paul.

Gratefully accepted.

By @@

January 22, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Well, you know me and economics…but strategies? I do enjoy the spectator sport of.

I wonder……are the dems gonna be forced into extending the tax cuts AND holding down government waste at the same time. Will that be the next surprise?

I don’t know……I’m just wondering is all.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

RE

Also depends if there is agreement on the definitions, I suppose.

From the particular source I cited, ‘bout midway down it reads

“There is an adequate degree of agreement among the other experts in the subject in question.

If there is a significant amount of legitimate dispute among the experts within a subject, then it will fallacious to make an Appeal to Authority using the disputing experts.”

What’s the old joke - what do you get when you ask for an answer from two economists? Three opinions.

If there’s anything in which there is disagreement among experts, it’s… anything we discuss here!

By MomCat

January 22, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

By getalife January 22, 2008 10:34 AM Studying the market is like trying to figure why w invaded Iraq. It changes all the time.

Just logged on to check the ‘stuff’ today. Gotta say Getalife, this is so true. Oh yes, and about the economy. Some idiots don’t realize when the housing market goes, everything will eventually go. It’s common sense. Remember Raygun’s “trickle down economy?’ Waaa!

By getalife

January 22, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Which one is duh Midori?

He cut and run today, probably passed out on Vodka.

By helene newman

January 22, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

I have (what I think) a great idea for a State of the Union cartoon. since this is timely, and if you accept ideas from fans, please contact me. Thanks

By getalife

January 22, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Poor McInsane, I just saw him reaching out to unite with the Dems on Iraq. I am sure they love that at the Free Republic.

I think it is setting in that we have to stop the deficit spending and borrowing billions in Iraq.

Not good for him in the general.

By Midori

January 22, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

LOL, Getalife - with all those multiple identities Duh exhibits, your guess is as good as mine.

On a somber note: Heath Ledger has died.

By so did all these people

January 22, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

idiot.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

RE 3:47

Democracy takes many forms. But in a form we’d recognize in a fundamentalist Islamic state - doubtful.

More than democracy. What we think of as basic human rights. Women’s rights. Education of women. Want to really help the Iranian middle class opposition? Bust past the Iranian internet censorship and tailor some education courses. ‘Course, if they got caught, their lives wouldn’t be worth much. Iraq - should be much more direct.

It wasn’t many years ago Reps were dogmatic about no deficits. Well, I do think the ‘06 elections show rank and file were sick of their Rep reps and their free-spending, deficit-contributing ways. Pity is, it’s only slowed down under the Dems. But it’s a start and that’s better than nothing.

The other two paragraphs - you’re preachin’ to the choir (okay to use a religious metaphor with you?). Single-payer could not be doable. Seems there may be more success with some big structural changes. It’s one of those areas where almost anything seems better than what we have.

getalife 4:59

Something to consider. Not an appeal to authority. Just an argument made by a political guy about McCain. He has a history of working with Dems to forge solutions. Lots of people like that.

“McCain is, of course, the Republican who, apart from Rudy, would have the best chance to defeat Hillary. She can’t pull the old experience gambit on this long term Senator and his record on everything from global warming to corporate reform to campaign finance to torture to tobacco regulation to immigration reform makes it very hard for Hillary to defeat him. And, because of his appeal to Hispanics left over from his battle for the McCain-Kennedy immigration plan, he is ideally suited to take minority voters, burned by Hillary’s scorched earth policy against Obama, away from the Democrats.”

By Luckoduh

January 22, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

{{{{By getalife January 22, 2008 2:28 PM duh’s man dropped out. Told ya duh.}}}}

Great, so now I have to pick and choose from amongst all the RINOS.

Wonderful.

Guilaini: Took a pinko infested scuzzy and broke New York City where people used to lay on your cars at the stoplights and he turned in it a pinko infested, reduced crime, low tax, balanced budget nice place to visit. Will appoint hard core Conservatives to the bench.

Romney: Leading in the delegate count. Seems to have no position except for what you want him to have. Unfortunately, this also includes what some libs want. Will appoint hard core Conservatives to the bench.

McCain-Feingold: Is an idiot. A blooming idiot. Seems to truly believe that liberals must be compromised with. Only after a horrible death struggle with the Republican base has this idiot begun to see the issues the way his whole freaking party does. Why? Why not the first time? How many things will he side with the pinkos right off the bat? Will appoint hard core Conservatives to the bench. Would bomb Iran at the first sign of any sh.. from them at all. He could very possibly be my choice.

Hickabee: Hahahahahaha, yeah, right.

There are other options, trust me, if this thing makes it to the convention with no obvious front runner and the Repugs revolting at the very sight of these bozos, we could quorum for…..Dick Cheney.

Now that I would go for.

By Kevin

January 22, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Paul’s got a whole lot to say today. Too bad he didn’t pay attention in econ 101.

Today’s Fed move is inflationary. Artificial liquidity in an arena of slow growth? That’s the definition of inflation.

Sell, people. There’s going to be an inflation scare soon, probably spring, that’s going to put the fear of God in us all.

Sell now. Dont buy into the dead cat bounce coming.

ISAIDSELL!

By Paul

January 22, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Luckoduh

I do think you have more fun than anyone here.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

duh,

What name do you use at the Free Republic?

Was that you that posted the picture of the drama queen?

Hilarious.

By N-GA

January 22, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

So long, Fred! We hardly knew ya’…

By Midori

January 22, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

hey 5:23,

you didn’t have to go out of your way to tell everyone you’re an idiot.

some things are as clear as the nose on your face.

By getalife

January 22, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

I will miss her

By Buy Danish

January 22, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

I’ve only been by here twice recently and both toons were about Mitt. Gotta try and tear down the biggest threat, I suppose.

I look forward to a toon about last night’s hysterical Dem debate which can be summarized like this:

My opposition research is better than yours, and you’re a bigger crook than I am!

Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah.

By Paul

January 22, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

getalife

That’s the first thing I though of when I heard the news - “poor getalife.” But I thought I’d be discreet and let it pass.

Why do you think I’ve been pitching McCain at you today? LOL!

By getalife

January 22, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

“According to Sam Stein:

At a recent meeting with the Wall Street Journal editorial board, Republican presidential candidate John McCain admitted he “doesn’t really understand economics” and then pointed to his adviser and former Senate colleague, Phil Gramm - whom he had brought with him to the meeting - as the expert he turns to on the subject, The Huffington Post has learned.

Oh boy. About Phil Gramm, courtesy of the late, much mourned Molly Ivins: When he ran for president in 1996 and finished fifth in Iowa, all the profiles written of him included the line “Even his friends don’t like him.” Self-righteous and strident, Gramm demonized his opponents and used bitter, polarizing rhetoric. During a Senate debate over Social Security, a member pointed out that the proposal under consideration would hurt 80-year-old retirees. “Most people don’t have the luxury of living to be 80 years old,” Gramm scoffed, “so it’s hard for me to feel sorry for them.” Well, there is that.

Yeah Paul, he dumped his wife, who take care of his family while he was being tortured and married money.

By mk

January 22, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

President Thompson…

bwa

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