Thinking Right

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

December 12, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. “Transportation money should be spent where it delivers the most congestion relief for the dollar.” No. Transportation money should be spent wherefrom it is derived; otherwise it simply becomes a hidden general revenue tax. And general revenues ought not be so spent. If funds arise from taxes on gasoline for passenger cars, on passenger car infrastructure needs; if from taxes on gasoline for MARTA buses, on MARTA bus infrastructure needs; if from other tax revenues, on general population needs.

The election of Mr. Cao has no more meaning than the election of Obama. Political policies matter, political people do not.

“Not every problem has a government solution.” But most problems have a government cause. In the specific case of renters and foreclosure, I don’t see the problem. That has been the law forever.

The “Car Czar” is not the beginning of the end of the American car industry. It is the end of the end of the American car industry. The beginning of the end was CAFE. Then safety “standards.” Then pollution “standards.” Every element of the American automobile industry is profitable, except those portions the car-makers have to maintain to keep CAFE standards. An industry wrecked by Congress, not by the market.

Commissioner Oxendine is a conventional bureaucrat, one who believes industry revolves around him. And just think, this guy really believes he could be a competent governor, despite his grasp of economics. RINO.

Why should the government of Atlanta differ significantly from its most conspicuous citizens, the panhandlers?

Honest judges could cure the problem with red light cameras. But won’t.

Don’t know either Kaul or Crofton, but I am also favorably inclined toward Ms. Crofton. You wonder why one with such class ran for a political position. Maybe noblisse oblige. If so, truly an endangered species.

The purpose of the Georgia School Boards Association is to perpetuate the existence of Georgia School Boards. Does anyone seriously believe they would vote themselves out of existence if one irrefutably proved their absence would strengthen schools? Friend Glenn surely has this in mind when he notes the many dozens of discrete political entities in the state, most of which contribute to the screw-up of the “education” system in the state. (I have mixed feelings on Glenn’s argument – I am more inclined to attribute the problem to “monopoly” than to “surfeit of political entities,” but I yield to his expertise in that field.)

I saw the Comptroller’s report on re-defaults, had a hearty laugh. The report greatly embarrassed the head of FDIC, who promoted them so heavily for the past 18 months. She’s an idiot. If you simply have to blow a lot of either taxpayer money or private capital to subsidize a market, be sure you subsidize the portions that work, not the portions that do not work.

Senate luster? Those words go together like “Brittany Spears” and “modesty,” or “democrat” and “economics.” Once you get past Tom Coburn (OK), Jim DeMint (SC), Jon Kyl (AZ), and rarely Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby (both AL), there is not a lot of luster in the Senate. Looters, not luster. Well, take that back – Jim Bunning (KY) pitched two no-hitters, one a perfect game. True luster, but in a different field. Another exception: Bob Corker’s “auto bailout compromise,” rejected last night, showed meritorious and creative thinking. He was previously on my lists of “lightweights” and “wishy-washy moderates” but maybe he deserves re-evaluation. I’ll watch him.

By Peadawg

December 12, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Thank God this bailout didn’t pass. All these bailouts/handouts are getting ridiculous.

By Mid-South Philosopher

December 12, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim.

I have not been on the blog for a while. Someone has to try and garner the “wealth” for Barry Obama to start “spreading around” come January 20th!

Several points from Thinking Right today:

The first Vietnamese-American elected to Congress…well, they are no better that the rest of us to sink into the cesspool of politics!

Renters being evicted because their landlords fail to pay the mortgages…yes, sad but true, it is legal. However, our snot of a General Assembly should enact legislation that would require a 60 day notice and that would jail the delinquent landlords until such time as those evicted renters secure other living arrangements!

Caroline Kennedy in the Senate from New York…makes about as much sense as Goofy Glenn Richardson remaining the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

And speaking of that august body of losers, I hope the General Assembly doesn’t do too much damage come January. However, with all the challenges of the Bush Recession and the failed economy, what do you bet that they will fowl-it-up!?!

With regard to your perennial call for vouchers, what has happened to the “re-authorization” of No Child Left Behind (No Teacher Left with One)?

At least, Santa Claus is coming to town, soon…somewhat leaner…but he will be here!

By Three man crush

December 12, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Yesterday my two best friends – Bruce and Ciscero – staged a protest at Hartsfield-Jackson airport. In opposition to the injustice done to honorable Sen. Larry Craig. We did a tap dance-daisy chain-chorus line in a bathroom stall. Not quite satisfied, we repeated the act at Peachtree-Dekalb. Tired, but still glowing we went to Briscoe field to dance again, before finally ending up with a curtain call in the Gwinnett County jail.

By BlogFather

December 12, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Redlight Cameras! I got my ticket in the mail last week. The camera must have been broken or something, because what I got was a police sketch artist version of my violation. It didn’t even look like my camry. This is the second redlight camera ticket I’ve gotten. The first time, I guess the cops didn’t study the photo at all, because it showed a beer can being thrown from my window, and I was wearing a ski mask, and dragging a shopping cart hooked on my rear bumper, (with the baglady). The cops didn’t notice all the illegal aliens in my back seat neither.

I think a countdown at red light cameras is a good idear.

By Old Vet

December 12, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Any decent American has a degree of gratitude for our fighting forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the war is so far away that we have no concept of what our troops go through on a daily basis. We can conjure images of men and women in harm’s way, but that really doesn’t confirm what really goes on. To us, here in America, we can only hope for the best. We can pray for them collectively, or individually if we know some of them, but otherwise we’re really spectators.

There’s a way to get involved, albeit not in a big way. We can support our troops by sending gifts that will certainly improve morale and uplift spirits. That said, it would seem that sending gifts is complicated and expensive.

Not so. Here’s how.

The MILI-FRB…OK, it’s the Military, Flat Rate Box, but it’s the place where you can put as much as you want of whatever it will hold to say “thanks” to our troops overseas. The US Postal Service has a special rate Priority box intended for military overseas delivery. For $10.95, you can load up this box with all sorts of goodies, and send it priority to our troops. The box has no weight limitations. The Post Office says it must simply not be loaded to the point where it’s bulging. In other words, it needs to retain its original size which is 12 inches by 12 inches by six inches deep.

Any post office should have these boxes. They’re free. You should be able to find them anywhere (hey, my little remote post office in the mountains of western Wyoming has them…yours should too). Technically, the box says MILI-FRB. It also says AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU……Our Military Men and Women……..Americasupportsyou.com

Here are some things I’ve learned, but I want to say I’m indebted to Christina Holden for sleuthing this out and making me aware of the program. Christina lives in Maryland, and helps my Wounded Warrior hunts as a volunteer by working with troops in nearby Walter Reed Hospital. She does all the coordinating and logistics on her own time and expense, and tells me she cannot go to a grocery store without a smile on her face and being excited about buying “stuff” for the troops.

First, the Priority box. Be sure it has no stains on the exterior. If so, you are inviting inspection by handlers, which in turn could lead to a bit of pilferage (someone with a sweet tooth might like those candies), or disorganization within the box, or, if nothing more, delayed delivery.

Pack the box with care. Remember, you can load it with bricks, rocks, or lead weights. Weight is immaterial, but the more carefully you load it, the more you can stuff into it.

You must attach customs form 2976-A, which is available at all post offices. On that form you indicate the senders and addressee’s name and addresses as well as the description of the contents. Tip.. You don’t have to say the box has 6 packages of M&M’s; 2 bag’s of Frito’s; eight packs of gum, etc. Just list the basic contents: candy, chips, gum, etc.

What to put in the box? That’s where the fun begins. The sky’s the limit. Christina and I have polled a dozen or so wounded warriors who have hunted with us, as well as other troops who have served in harm’s way. Here are their suggestions.

First, we often hear that troops would like socks, t-shirts and other items of apparel. “No”, say our guys….. “Mom can send that stuff. We’d prefer fun stuff”

So here’s the suggestion for fun stuff:

Jerky. As hunters, we can make jerky at home or buy it. Jerky is a huge hit in the battlefield.

Baby wipes..wet wipes, you know, the impregnated tissues that clean your body. Troops often go weeks without a shower. These wipes are welcome in that horrible heat

Candy…No chocolate, please. It will melt in the heat. Send coated candies like M&M’s. or licorice, etc.

Gum

Nuts

Lifesavers

Cookies

Pretzels, popcorn, chips such as Fritos, cheezits, etc.

Single-serve drink mixes such as Crystal Light. Kool-aid. Etc, that can be easily added to water

Granola bars, power bars

Small ready-to-eat cups of pudding, jello

Chewing tobacco. This one may have taboos and send up a red flag. Why send this to troops if it’s harmful? Fact is, chew was at the top of the list. On the battlefield it’s like gold. You can omit it if you care to, but for the time being, I’m told our warriors indeed use it extensively. Favorites are Skoal, Copenhagen, etc.

Outdoor magazines, books. When you’re done reading your magazines, consider sending them to our troops. They love hunting books as well.

And etc… Use your imagination. Anything you send will be deeply appreciated.

When packing the box, do so with care. This is the fun part…to stuff it with as many goodies as possible.

But we have yet one more profound consideration. Who do we send the box to? Ideally, we would have a relative or a friend or a friend of a friend who would be the recipient. That way you can inquire what they’d prefer most in the box. If you have no contacts, do this. Contact the local PVA (Paralyzed Veteran’s of America) chapter, or VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) chapter, or call the local military enlistment office for names of troops. Don’t forget the local National Guard. Many units have been deployed.

Loading the boxes can be a fun project for your family or organizations you’re involved with, whether it’s the PTA, Elk’s Lodge, Lion’s, Kiwanis, Rotary, whatever. Kids love being part of it as well.

The way I see it, our troops, men and women both, need to know we care and are grateful for their service and their sacrifice. Regardless of your attitude toward this administration and the war, it’s a sobering fact that our military are out there in the trenches giving their all for our country. And when you send that box and receive an email or letter from that special person in a hostile land…trust me…. you’ll feel a profoundly special satisfaction that will make your troubles seem insignificant. You may need a hanky, too.

By yankee

December 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Why should a renter who is willing to CONTINUE to pay rent be evicted? Banks too dumb to collect money or just too easy to get it from the government.

By deegee

December 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

“Once politicians start exerting control over business decisions, free enterprise is a corpse. ” So why do we need John Oxendine?

Isn’t it ironic that the same senators that railed against immigration reform because illegal immigrants suppress wages and take jobs that Americans would do if they paid more, voted against the auto bailout bill because auto assembly line workers make too much money?

By Darrell B.

December 12, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

I think it was in the 1990’s when the Government took over the Mustang Ranch Brothel in Nevada. It failed. If the Government can’t run a W******* House and Sell alcohol, why do the Dems think they can run the auto business and sell cars that no one wants?

By Do the Math

December 12, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

“Transportation money should be spent where it delivers the most congestion relief for the dollar.”

What money? States, counties and cities are broke. New roads take to long be stimulate the economy and you can’t build your way out of traffic, once its there it is there.

”Bankruptcy is far better”, agreed but, the Big 3 are dead already, and will be sold off, rebuilt and new companies will take over domestic auto production. Stop trying to cause a panic.

All intersection lights already give a timed warning, 3 second yellow, it is just ignored.

Two of the most influential Republics were comedians, Reagan and Bono. A third, George W., is funny as well just not intentionally.

By GaNative

December 12, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Who needs a Car Czar or a bail out for that matters. I’m glad they haven’t gotten a bail out. Why should we bail out a company that can’t sell it’s current inventory? Why pay them to make more cars when consumers are not buying and lenders are not lending?

By BlogFather

December 12, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

The AJC showcases a video library every day of news, art, and entertainment. Today they feature “Our Stupidest Year”, written by Phil Kloer and Bo Emerson. It is a sendoff of “My favorite things” from the Sound of Music. Now those two can write.

Check it out.

Maybe if Michael Vick had bought more cars on the day he went to prison, the auto companies wouldn’t need a bailout.

By PinkoNeoConLibertarian

December 12, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

In my younger days I experienced the landlord default eviction. I had never been late with my rent. I had even received a note from my landlord thanking me for always paying my rent early or on time. One day I get home from work and on my door is a notice of eviction. I have 10 days to vacate the premises. No recourse, no avenue of appeal. I didn’t like it? Tough Crappers! I’m kicked to the curb anyway because the landlord has defaulted and the bank is foreclosing. Since I was not the owner I never saw all the notices from the bank that the owner was getting. I had no warning at all that the mortgage wasn’t being paid.

I was fortunate in that I had been steadily saving for my first home anyway. It just pushed my schedule up a bit and forced me to settle for a little less than I had wanted as I had to use some of those funds for deposits on a new apartment for 6 months. Of course that doesn’t begin to address all the hassles and turmoil of being forced to arrange moving the household, finding a place to live, making all the transfers for utilities, etc. All unexpected while trying to work my 50-60 hour a week job at the same time. Had I been just a little bit younger I would have literally been out on the street since, like most people, I started with nothing.

The landlord? Oh golly gee, they got a blemish on their company financial records. What they did with the rent I had been paying for so long I have no idea.

I think it is extremely ignorant of Jim to say that this type of behavior should be addressed by charities. In my book this constitutes fraud and the landlord should be locked up. The tenants who, through no fault or poor decisions of their own are being tossed out on the streets should absolutely be afforded legal protections. Sometimes the government actually does have to look out for The People.

By Maniac is accurate

December 12, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Red light cameras seem to increase the number of rear end accidents as people slam on brakes the second the light turns yellow. Automated law enforcement fundraising is dispicable.

Seems like a lease holder should retain some rights if the property owner is foreclosed upon. I mean the renter may have a contract (s)he hasn’t broken.

Have you noticed that a dozen auto insurance companies advertise that they could save you an average of $500? Is there one company out there whose rates are $500 more than everyone else?

Notice all the headlines about stories of perversion in Cobb County today? Did you know most AJC editors live in Cobb? I’m not sayin’, but I’m just sayin’ maybe that’s where they should be pulling out of.

Hey, Caroline Kennedy would only add luster to the Senate.

For economy, Jim, perhaps you could advocate vouchers to pave over all of Georgia’s public schools.

By GaLiberal

December 12, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Moron Jim said: Shocker! When the owners of homes don’t pay their mortgages, the renters therein can be booted out. A problem for the General Assembly to address? No. A charity, yes. Not every problem has a government solution.

This is beyond the pale even for a Rethuglicon boot licker such as yourself, MJ. The simple fact is the owner is stealing from the renters. These people pay their rent in good faith to the owner. It is the owners legal duty to provide a place for them to live. That means paying the mortgage on the property. Renters should not be “evicted” and have their belongings cast onto the curb through no fault of their own. If ever there was a need for the government to act, this is one. It would protect thoes who have done nothing and punish thoes who have basically stolen from the renters. Renters don’t get an eviction notice like homeowners. I can only summize that in MJ’s narrow, elitist view he thinks that renters are low lifes that don’t deserve the “courtesy” of any notice.

This if anything should be ample demonstration of what is WRONG with the Rethuglicon view of government and society in general. This is more of the typical Rethuglicon “Igotminesofuckyou!” attitude that I (and others of intelligence) see in MJ’s dribble. Of course, MJ knows that nothing will be done as long as the bigoted Rethuglicons like Glenn Richardson are running the state. Most renters are non-white so who cares if they get thrown to the curb. Many are illegal immigrants so hell with them. They don’t deserve the same protection as good Christian, god-fearing, wealthy White people. Your in good company, MJ. Now go put on your white bed sheet and pillowcase. You’ve got a cross-burning this weekend.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And Moron Jim once again is living proof.

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Two banking giants, Citigroup and UBS, agreed on Thursday to buy back nearly $30 billion in risky auction-rate securities that regulators said the banks had marketed to customers as safe.

By Craig

December 12, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Regarding the car czar, like some Stalinist, when has the federal government ever not mucked something up when it gets its hands on the business of business - or anything else for that matter besides the military and other obvious things it does do well and only should be in charge of? And yes, I’m against any government bailouts. Let the companies die and reorganize naturally. Liberals always scream to conservatives “stay out of my bedroom!” Well, here’s a conservative that screams to liberals, “Stay out of my company!”

Democrats and their beloved government control are going to put this nation in a tail spin like never seen before. Regarding how bad off we are now and reading about all the tens of thousands of job losses, how many of you out there right now know that this morning, nearly 155,000,000 (one hundred and fifty five million) are getting up this morning around the nation and going to a job? How many of you out there right now knew that 8 years ago, when W was about to assume office, that number was at 142 million? Or that when Bill Clinton assumed his second term in 1997, “only” 136 million got up to go to work? Yeah, we are in such a Bush Great Depression, aren’t we? How come the media won’t report the news and facts in this manner?

More good news: Rahm Emanuel is refusing to answer reporters about his involvement in Obamagate. What did he know and when did he know it? Note how the lib media is all but apologetic over the entire Democrat scandal. CNN was pathetic and nauseating last night. Words from Rahm the hack to the media that asked whether he was the Obama “advisor” named in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich:

“You’re wasting your time,” Emanuel said. “I’m not going to say a word to you. I’m going to do this with my children. Don’t do that. I’m a father. I have two kids. I’m not going to do it.” —can you imagine how the media would be in an uproar had that been a Republican?

And let’s give it up for Blagojevich for being so Democratically arrogant that he refuses to step down! It’s going to be a great four years to watch!

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Citadel Investment Group, whose main funds have suffered losses of almost 50 percent this year, will cover “a substantial portion” of its operating expenses this year, a break from passing those costs on to clients.

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

Nortel Networks, the long-troubled telephone equipment maker which is reportedly assessing a possible bankruptcy filing, may be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange because its stock price is less than $1, the company said Thursday.

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Bernard L. Madoff, a legend among Wall Street traders, was arrested on Thursday by federal agents and charged with criminal securities fraud stemming from his company’s money management business.

By findog

December 12, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

The renter issue would be do these people get their deposits, last months rent, or pre-paid rent payments from the deadbeat mortgage holder first or after the lender foreclosing? A good government program would be offering the renters to take over the mortgage, especially if they have established a pattern of paying the rent on time. This does two things: first it reduces the number of empty properties in hard hit communities and two it rewards the kind of behavior that if more people followed would have prevented, or at least reduced, the current housing crisis.

Oxendine is a walking oxymoron. There is no need for collusion because Flo and the Gecko will do the cost comparisons for you to keep prices in flux.

Jim, Jim, Jim… Did you get a ticket recently? Yellow does not mean, “SPEED UP.” If you are traveling at the posted speed limit when the light turns yellow you will not get red lighted if you could not safely have stopped. The people of Georgia have not tested well in math and now you want to encourage them to do physics calculations as they drive though areas with automated signal compliance enforcement. Next you will want sign on drug peddler corners to advertise when narcotics units will be actively enforcing the law so a proprietor and consumer can make an informed decision on breaking the law…

I bet whoever gets to pick Biden’s replacement is just really full of joy that Joe is the new VP.

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Marc S. Dreier, a prominent New York lawyer arrested this week on fraud charges, will be held without bail on wire and securities fraud charges.

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Companies whose pension funds suffered big losses this year will not have to replenish the money quickly under a relief measure that flew through the Senate Thursday and will next go to the president for his signature.

By Maniac is accurate

December 12, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

The guy is arrested for spraying fox urine on a pack of vandalizing teenage scuzzies? At least he didn’t release the foxhounds on them.

Meanwhile, a hot woman often is much hotter once she has four or five decades on the odometer. Or in the case of Sigourney Weaver and Bernadette Peters, six.

By Bankers are Crooks

December 12, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Eight former traders at Fidelity Investments agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million to settle federal regulatory claims that they had accepted gifts like private jet trips from brokers seeking business with the fund company.

By Road Scholar

December 12, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Old Vet: Thanks for the post. Folks, regardless of your affiliation, please forward the post to your friends and co-workers. It the least we could do….

By Redneck Convert

December 12, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Well, when I got home last night the missus was all banged up. I knowed something was wrong when I seen my ladder near the front steps all twisted like a steel pretzel. Turns out she wanted to put some lights on the trailer so people wouldn’t think we’re part of the War on Christmas. Anyhow, the ladder sort of collapsed and she got throwed to the ground. The label on the ladder says it would hold 250 lbs. but it didn’t say nothing about what would happen if you put 340 lbs. on it. I would sue the co. if I could find a decent lawyer. Not a phony like Raghead, but a real lawyer. The ladder must of been made by a bunch of libruls. They can’t do nothing right.

I’m against these red light cameras. They’re unAmerican. I told you all about the time this guy ahead of me stopped right in the middle of the junction just long enough to catch me in the middle when the light turned red. I got the ticket but he was at fault. I could see him even smiling while he was looking in the rear view mirror. Anyhow, you can’t talk to a picture or explain why you axidently run the red light. If the cops are going to give us a ticket, they need to catch us doing something wrong fair and square.

I see this kid in the 1st grade got arrested and kicked out of school for bringing a gun to class. It’s just like a bunch of libruls to deny a little kid the Right to Carry. There’s all kind of dangerous people in the 1st grade and he needs to be able to defend hisself. But no, they got to take away this little kid’s 2nd Amendment rights.

Anyhow, you can tell this guy that wrote yesterday about how he don’t like what I write to kiss my redneck behind. Have a good day everybody.

By GaNative

December 12, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Craig, how many of that 155,000,000 that have jobs are American citizens? Don’t let the job numbers fool you. There’s a Shid Load of workers out there that are not American citizens that inflate the numbers. That’s the problem with this economy. The American citizens who supported this country and provided the tax revenue base are unemployed or underemployed. Our Country, Government and Corporate America has dissed the middle class Americans in favor of cheap labor and now as Reverend Wright says “the chickens have come home to roost”. Now if you happen to be one of the unemployed individuals that is constantly being turned away from potential jobs while non citizens who can barely speak engish or compose a sentence that makes sense is gainfully employed, do you want to sing God Bless America” or “God Dayum America”?** And this situation goes far beyond the politics of democrats and republicans. I don’t give a rats azz who’s to blame, just fix it.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

December 12, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Dear Redneck @ 9:26, “decent lawyer?” Oxymoron. That’s like “honest or competent democrat.” Does not exist.

By Road Scholar

December 12, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

First, did Wooten endorse mass transit in his first paragraph? Oh my! It’s about time! Whether you use it or not, using gas tax dollars to pay for transit can help address the congestion on our Interstates and Major State Routes. A rail line/dedicated transit corridor up SR 400 would be of benefit to all who travel that corridor by removing trips to Buckhead and the intercity, thus providing room for vehicles to operate more freely and safely. Add transit service across I 285 and we might even have a Network. Imagine that!

As for the quote “Transportation money should be spent where it delivers the most congestion relief for the dollar.” This is correct. You don’t think that the Interstate highways beyond the metro area are of benefit to Atlanta businesses and households? How would you get your food, clothes and building materials? Rail service improvementsi are also a must.

Finally, those that don’t like or think that red light cameras are unsafe get used to them. If you haven’t noticed, there is a seperate phase (yellow) at the end of the green phase. Red means STOP. Green means GO. Yellow means clear the intersection completely; not speed up! Also there is now an all red phase (all signals are red on all approaches) to allow those who are unattentive or violating the yellow light to totally clear the intersection (like totally), not just pass over the stop bar (ya know the thick white paint on the intersection approach!)

There is no evidence that red light cameras increase the likely hood of crashes (they are not accidents). They do reduce severe accidents. Solution: Obey the laws, plan your trips, get off the cell when driving, and…..pay attention. You are operating a weapon!

By GaNative

December 12, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Craig, how many of that 155,000,000 that have jobs are American citizens? Don’t let the job numbers fool you. There’s a Shid Load of workers out there that are not American citizens that inflate the numbers. That’s the problem with this economy. The American citizens who supported this country and provided the tax revenue base are unemployed or underemployed. Our Country, Government and Corporate America has dissed the middle class Americans in favor of cheap labor and now as Reverend Wright says “the chickens have come home to roost”. Now if you happen to be one of the unemployed individuals that is constantly being turned away from potential jobs while non citizens who can barely speak engish or compose a sentence that makes sense is gainfully employed, do you want to sing God Bless America” or “God Dayum America”?** And this situation goes far beyond the politics of democrats and republicans. I don’t give a rats azz who’s to blame, just fix it.

By Glenn

December 12, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

If we’re going to have a car czar, could we try to get Jay Leno? Carroll Shelby’s a bit long in the tooth.

By Redflex Inc.

December 12, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Well said Road Scholar. See you at the company board retreat in Napa.

By findog

December 12, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Ragnar @8:06

I take exception to the inclusion of Alabama’s Shelby. He is one of the idiots that announced we were targeting OBL through his use of a satellite phone. If just one of the big three had a plant in Alabama you cannot convince me that he would be singing a different tune. The southern strategy of starving the northern UAW to help the southern foreign assemblers will follow the way of the garment industry. When the economy collapses to the point we are not buying enough Hondas and Toyotas those plant will relocate to cheaper sources of labor…

By GaNative

December 12, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Honda and Toyota is suffering right now. They don’t get the press that the American big three does, but their numbers are down too. When folks are not working or you’re working on Temporary Assignments, you’re not going to buy a car no matter who makes it. And lenders are reluctant to lend to folks who are in those categories. This economy is gonna get worse and worse until Middle Class Americans are giving back their jobs and treated like first class citizens. Look in todays paper and you see another Maverick of an Investment and Securities firm arrested. All these crooked deals to make money is landing a lot of folks in jail.

By Aquagirl

December 12, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

We need to spend money on mass transit. Get over it, Jim. Using whatever new math they taught you in school won’t change that fact.

Here’s a suggestion for all you outraged defenders of renters: If you want to know what’s happening with a piece of property BUY IT. Renting has advantages, don’t whine about negative aspects, or demand the government further enable the carefree lifestyle.

By findog

December 12, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Hilarious column from Gwinnett’s Daily

Get your requests in early, or late, as the case may be

By Nate McCullough Copy Desk Chief

U.S. Department of the Treasury Form 700,000,000,000 - Request for Economic Assistance

Business/taxpayer: Please circle one (1) choice throughout. Note: Some choices contain additional instructions. If you choose not to choose to make choices, please fill out Form IRON.E (request for assistance in requesting assistance) OR fill out Form 86 (request for cancellation of request for assistance.) For further assistance, please call the U.S. Treasury and follow the voice prompts. Please note: If you choose this option, your case file will be transferred to our more Earth-friendly TeleBailout system and you will lose the ability to request assistance via paper forms. Once you are connected to TeleBailout, please continue to hold, no matter how long the wait time is (currently between 15 and 16 days). Hanging up will result in disconnection of your phone service.

Dear (Congress/President Bush/President-elect Obama),

Please consider this letter an official solicitation for a (taxpayer-funded corporate bailout/taxpayer economic stimulus package).

The need for this economic assistance is (dire/doesn’t exist, but we/I would like it anyway.) As you are aware, the global economy has (slowed down/melted down), thus causing us to face the most serious financial crisis (in 30 years/since the Great Depression/in history). As you are also aware, (we are/I am) engaged in (the business of making shoddy, overpriced products/loaning money at exorbitant interest rates which we collect using tactics bordering on illegal/the process of trying to pay down a mountain of high-interest debt). (Our/my) ability to continue (operating/paying bills/buying stuff I don’t need) is directly dependent on this economic assistance.

For immediate economic relief, (we/I) request _ (corporations: enter any amount up to $350 billion; individuals: enter any amount up to $350).

(We/I) further request that these funds be provided with no obligation for repayment, except in the case of taxpayer economic stimulus funds, in which case it is understood that the funds will be taxed as income, though not at a rate high enough to repay the Treasury, thus ensuring the budget deficit will increase. As (we/I) have been assured repeatedly by politicians that deficits are unimportant, (we/I) will cease to care about this right … about … now.

(We/I) further request that there be no government oversight of the spending of these funds with the understanding that no records will be kept or provided at any time in the future. All requests for such records will be referred to our (lawyers/accountants) who will be instructed to (stonewall until Hell freezes over/lose them).

(We/I) further request that (we/I) not be required to demonstrate any proof of the need for these funds, as (we/I) were not required to provide any accurate financial information while (soliciting investors for shady deals/applying for loans we/I knew we/I could not pay back).

Failure to provide this financial assistance will have wide-reaching economic ramifications. Without these funds, (please choose one and then circle the appropriate response):

[ ] Union Corporations. We will not be able to (pay executives salaries that rival the Gross National Product of many medium-sized countries/pay union workers salaries and benefits that rival the Gross National Product of many small countries) while eking out a miniscule profit for stockholders (once in a blue moon/never).

[ ] Non-union Corporations. We will not be able to (continue pocketing a 7,000 percent profit by buying products from China for three cents which we then sell for $210/pay $19.95 a year {cumulative} for employees’ benefits packages while passing the rest of the cost on to them and our customers).

[ ] Individuals. I will not be able to buy a plasma television, a cell phone, a computer, every movie and television show ever made on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, a new car and a Chia Pet for myself for Christmas. I will also not be able to pay my interest-only, adjustable-rate (currently 23 percent) 50-year mortgage on my $700,000, one-bedroom house next to the landfill.

Finally (we/I) request that this financial rescue package be passed by Congress without debate, and that all funds be delivered by Friday so all (our/my) checks will clear.

Respectfully requested this __ day of December, 2008.

(Businesses, please only have executives sign who are not currently in jail or under indictment. If all are under indictment, please mark with a dollar sign.)

Republican-friendly requesters: Please submit at least a month prior to Inauguration Day.

Democrat-friendly requesters: Please submit after Jan. 20, 2009.

By Maniac is accurate

December 12, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

I’m all for property rights. But I’m also for the rights of leaseholders. So, I introduce TRB01 “Renters of a property that is foreclosed, shall retain occupancy of the property for sixty (60) days, before vacating at the direction of the property owner.”

All in favor, have a nip of your favorite adult beverage, or some chocolate.

All opposed gfy.

By getalife

December 12, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

“I don’t think it’ll be hard to explain why Senate Republicans had the final say: that’s what the Constitution and Senate rules require. How else would we have passed anything? I do think it’ll be hard for Senate Republicans to explain themselves.

They were invited, repeatedly, to participate in more than a week of negotiations with a Republican White House. They declined.

They were asked to provide an alternative bill. They refused.

Finally, one of their members - Senator Corker of Tennessee - participated in a day-long negotiation with Senate Democrats, the UAW, and bondholders. Everyone made major concessions. Democrats gave up efficiency and emissions standards. UAW accepted major benefit cuts and agreed to reduce workers’ wages. Bondholders signed off on a serious haircut. But when Senator Corker took the deal back to the Republican Conference, they argued for two hours and ultimately rejected it.

Why? Because they wanted the federal government to forcibly reduce the wages of American workers within the next 12 months.

Heard this morning that President Bush may still use TARP money to rescue the automakers. He reportedly doesn’t want to end up as the next Hoover.”

Perhaps it is time to ban the gop.

By BlogFather

December 12, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Good find, finddog! lolrotflmao

By Politicians-R-All-Crooks

December 12, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Idiot Jim: When the renters make their monthly rent in full and on time, but the DEADBEAT landloard fails to pay the motgage with the rent money, but puts it in his fat butted Repuke pocket, then we have a government problem called criminal fraud…you pay your rent a month in advance, and if the landlord knows the bank is repossing the house on the fifth of the month, then the land lord has no right to rent the house beyond the 5th nor to keep you security deposit….Renters being cheated out of their security deposit and the months rent by these deadbead scum Repuke landlords need to get even with a GUN…hunt down the landlord and kill it and every member of its family…..let there be no thieving repuke scum survivors….Neither I nor 99% of your fellow citizens will vote to convict you of any crime, you were just resisting armed robbery….be sure ta put a butter knife in the dead landlords hand….ALL RENTERS SHOULD NOW DEMAND THEIR SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK IN FULL, MAKE SAID DEMAND WITH EXTREME VIOLENCE….

By Peter

December 12, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Jim the relentless baloney thrower……..has ZERO for new ideas…….

Jim which “Charity” should help Renters being put on the street because the land lords did not pay the Mortgage ?

Have you stopped to think Charities are getting less money these days?

Well at least Non Profit Charities…….Wall Street Charities got Plenty of Money From George Bush…………..haven’t they !

Typical REPUBLICAN AGENDA…….. Forget about helping the Poor as usual……. Bail out the RICH !

By GaNative

December 12, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

That’s funny findog, but that’s about how government works. Actually if they really do send some type of Economic Assistance or Stimulus to help those who are suffering, those who need it the most don’t see a dime of it because the state or federal government seizes it for back taxes. Now before all of the “pay your taxes” crowd start hollering, consider that this economy has caused a lot of people to fall in the grasp of the tax man. Count your blessings and yourself fortunate if you’ve escaped them.

By BlogFather

December 12, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Sometimes, when I’m driving, I stick my head out the window and smile for the red light camera.

By Torchbearer is accurate

December 12, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

I flip off the red light camera.

By PinkoNeoConLibertarian

December 12, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Aquagirl, not everyone has a sugar daddy that gives them money to buy whatever they want. Some of us had to start with nothing out of school and work our way up. It takes a bit of time to grow savings to finally buy your own property.

By CommunistAJC

December 12, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

A Little Blago for Everybody

by Jonah Goldberg

There are so many things to love about the Rod Blagojevich scandal it’s hard to know where to begin.

Wait. That’s not right. There are so many bleeping things to love about this bleeping-bleep Blagojevich scandal it’s hard to know where to begin.

For starters, the folks at the Chicago Tribune are Christmas Pony Happy because Blago tried to strong-arm Trib ownership to fire members of the editorial board. Instead, Trib editors will get to have a big tailgate party outside Blago’s cell window.

Newspaper people love that sort of thing.

For the more historically minded, it’s a time for nostalgia. The past comes alive as Chicago’s grand tradition of corruption is sustained for another generation. As the Chicago Tribune once wrote, “corruption has been as much a part of the landscape as corn, soybeans and skyscrapers.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as of 2006, when Blago’s predecessor, George Ryan, was sent to prison for racketeering, 79 elected officials had been convicted of corruption in the past 30 years. Among the perps: 27 aldermen, 19 judges, 15 state legislators, three governors, two congressmen, one mayor, two turtledoves and a partridge in a stolen pear tree. Especially in this holiday season, it’s so very important to keep traditions alive for the kids. In a sense, Blago did it for the children.

For partisans, there’s the schadenfreude that comes with watching the Democrats — self-proclaimed anti-corruption zealots in recent years — explain why Blagojevich shouldn’t be lumped in with Congressmen Charlie Rangel (cut himself sweetheart deals), William Jefferson ($90,000 in his freezer) and Tim Mahoney (tried to bribe an aide he was sleeping with not to sue him; and you thought romance was dead) as part of a new Democratic “culture of corruption” storyline.

There’s the enormous I-should-have-had-a-V8! moment as the mainstream press collectively thwacks itself in the forehead, realizing it blew it again. The New York Times — which, according to Wall Street analysts, is weeks from holding editorial board meetings in a refrigerator box — created the journalistic equivalent of CSI-Wasilla to study every follicle and fiber in Sarah Palin’s background, all the while treating Obama’s Chicago like one of those fairy-tale lands depicted in posters that adorn little girls’ bedroom walls. See there, Suzie? That’s a Pegasus. That’s a pink unicorn. And that’s a beautiful sunflower giving birth to a fully grown Barack Obama, the greatest president ever and the only man in history to be able to pick up manure from the clean end.

Obviously the list doesn’t end there. Blago’s hair not only appears bulletproof but seems to confirm reports that he is the human model for Playmobil action figures.

And you can’t leave out the supporting cast. Mrs. Blago curses like the inmate working the cafeteria at a women’s prison who replies with an f-bomb to anyone objecting to a leaden ladle-thwack of unidentifiable green mush on their lunch tray.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., himself the son of a shakedown artist, is alleged to have offered (through a minion) a half-million bucks for Barack Obama’s vacant senate seat. Jackson replaced former Rep. Mel Reynolds, who went to jail for getting jiggy with a 16-year-old campaign staffer and stayed in jail because of various fraud convictions. Reynolds, in turn, was the “reformer” who had replaced Rep. Gus Savage, the thug-congressman who groped a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire while on a “fact-finding” trip. Savage held off Reynolds’ attempts to replace him for several years by claiming Reynolds was financed by “racist Jews.”

Man, what isn’t there to love about Chicago politics?

It would be premature, not to mention un-festive, to discard any of these delicious immoral morsels from this cornucopia of corrupt crapulence. Fortunately, there’s no need to single out just one fragrance from this miasma of malfeasance or one dish from this smorgasbord of smut.

But, there is a nice moral to the story here. For the last several years, we’ve heard a lot about “new politics.” We are going to start fresh and put aside the old politics and the old ways. So far, it looks like Obama did nothing wrong, and I hope that remains the case. But it’s worth remembering that there really isn’t any such thing as a “new politics.” Politics is eternal because human nature is unchanging. Even Barack Obama, hero-saint light-worker Jedi Knight Messiah that he is, came from a political culture that would not be unrecognizable to Caligula.

Hopefully, Obama will take away from this the humility that comes with realizing we are all — even The One — built from the crooked timber of humanity. Hence the genius of the Founders who built a government that took our imperfection into account. As James Madison said, If men were bleeping angels …

By BlogFather

December 12, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Flip off the red light camera? But isn’t that a felony in 37 states?

Do we have anyone who shoots at the red light camera here? Does anyone here moon the redlight camera? Perhaps the next motorists-gone-wild video can be pieced together from the red light camera outtakes.

Yes, red light camera outtakes: Hilarious bloopers of motorists driving like morons. you’ll die laughing as you watch this pinhead miss the turn and crash into the camera. Whoops! IS that another beer can? You’ll duck when you see how many clowns actually fire pistols and shotguns toward the red light camera. You’ll cringe as you witness drive by shootings of innocent pedestrians.

Yes, the red light camera captures everything! Women applying lipstick. Women removing their lipstick on the driver’s dipstick. Flashers, sex fiends, back seat groping, pedestrian collisions, squirrel maimings, dog and cat smushes, it’s all there!

Red light camers bloopers, practical jokes, and grand jury evidence.

Now available on DVD.

By Aquagirl

December 12, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Pinko@ 10:52, some of us had to start with nothing in the military and work our way up. Fortunately the military, unlike school, taught me responsibility. If I’d spent those four years swilling beer on a sugardaddy’s dime, I’d have a bigger house by now, since I rented for several years instead of living in substandard base housing. I made it a habit to check the status of the landlord and property where I was living, instead of chucking money at any dim bulb who offered me cheap rent, and trusting them to play fair. I had no problems whatsoever in my rental years. That wasn’t entirely from luck.

By My watch is accurate

December 12, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

38 states. Just went into effect in Rhode Island.

If I’m going to shoot the lights, it will be on a moonless night, from a nest at least 400 yards away with a Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle.

By Politicians-R-All-Crooks

December 12, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

My watch is accurate - WHY WASTE GOOD AMMO ON A TRAFFIC CAMERA…JUST USE A NICE SLING SHOT AND A BALL BEARING….EFFECTIVE AND SILENT.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

December 12, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Dear getalife @ 10:34, you falsely, although typically, blame the republican caucus for the failure of the negotiations. Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.), the lead GOP negotiator, said the sides were on the brink of a deal on the amendment he had offered. Representatives from the United Auto Workers — who were present for most of the negotiations — would not agree to a specific date, Corker said. “We offered any day — any day — in 2009,” Corker said.
An earlier story had more detail on the negotiations. Corker’s four-point plan requires existing bondholders to accept 30 cents on the dollar to help reduce automakers’ debt, and force the car companies and United Auto Workers to bring wages immediately in line with foreign automakers. It also would drop supplemental unemployment payments to workers. He also wants the UAW to agree to take half of the payments they are owed from Detroit’s automakers to fund a trust the union would manage beginning in 2010 to pay for retiree health care. In exchange, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC would get up to $14 billion in emergency loans immediately to help them fund their operations. If they didn’t get concessions by March 15, they would have to file for bankruptcy…. Corker said the UAW could end up owning a very large chunk of GM — perhaps 25 percent of the company — as would existing bondholders. Corker said he spoke to the UAW President Ron Gettelfinger Thursday morning and that he spoke to Fritz Henderson, GM’s president and chief operating officer, last night and this morning in trying to reach a deal. “(Gettelfinger) says the only way the UAW will make concessions us if they see the bondholders have done so first. This legislation makes that happen by March 15,” Corker said. In fact, the UAW was unwilling to take cuts down to the level of the “foreign” competitors in the US as a condition of taxpayer largesse. They would rather see it all die.

By Politicians-R-All-Crooks

December 12, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

AND THE GRAND THEFT: TAXPAYER CONTINUES IN WASHINGASS…The chimp folds, gives in to the GM-UAW extortionists….is there to be no end to the corporate theft????

By Politicians-R-All-Crooks

December 12, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

and the good news just keeps coming in, now we got a million yankee’s freezing in the dark…do ya remember in 73-74 when it was all the rage to leave every light burning in the house, day and night, based on the plan of “burn a light, freeze a yankee?” Well turn all your lights on today and tonight, lets see how many we kin freeze…. Ice Storm Wreaks Havoc On Trees, Power Lines WBZ Boston Play Video Video: Massive Storm Slamming Tri-State Area CBS 2 New York Utilities around New England and in upstate New York now say more than a million homes and businesses are without power after an ice storm swept through the region.

The storm has brought rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow, and in some areas the mix has continued into the day Friday.

The governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire have declared states of emergency.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says 350,000 customers across the state are without power and quick restoration of service to all is unlikely.

Utilities report 326,000 homes and businesses without power in New Hampshire; more than 235,000 in eastern New York; more than 110,000 in Maine; at least 25,000 in Vermont; and 4,700 in Pennsylvania.

By Simple Answers

December 12, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Q: Does Ragtard’s analysis ignore the fact that Sen Corker’s state provides excessive tax subsidies to enable the foreign automakers to operate “more efficiently”?

A: Yes.

Q: Doesn’t said tax subsidy in fact qualify as a government handout?

A: Yes.

Q: Does Ragtard ever mention that the UAW had conceded contract revisions several times in the past 3 years, including total assumption of the Big 3’s retiree health obligations?

A: Don’t be silly.

Q: Aren’t the loudest GOP voices against the Big 3 bailout from states with a prominent foreign automaker base?

A: Yes.

Q: Is it possible that these “nation first” patriots are more than happy to speed the demise of their homestate foreign sugar daddies?

A: Harumph and harumph again!!! How dare you impugn the good names etc blah blah blah.

Q: Doesn’t all this selective omission point to Ragtard as a lying sack?

A: Yes. This is the Simplest Answer of them all.

By Matthew Hooper

December 12, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

A charity should help out renters who get foreclosed on, you say?

Excellent notion! Which charity did you have in mind? You you personally donated something to it?

Or were you, perhaps, proposing to set up such a charity yourself?

The “charity instead of government as safety net” notion only works, after all, if charities are actively supported and funded by everyone.

After all… charity begins at home. Assuming you still have one.

By James

December 12, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

RE: Politicians-all-R-Crooks

Being a Yankee myself, I can assure you that it takes a good deal more than an ice storm that knocks out the power to freeze us out. We have ways of coping with such occurrences.

That said, on the asinine banning of incandescent bulbs: Yes, they produce a lot of heat—about 85-90% of the energy they use is converted in this way. But did you know that in wintertime, this is actually a good thing? You can actually lower the gas bill and the total energy consumption of the house if you leave these things burning for a while.

The fascists in power never thought of this one, did they? Just goes to show how far removed from the real world they can be sometimes.

Also, if CFL’s actually worked as well as the Greenie-Weenies would have us believe, there would be no reason to ban incandescent bulbs—the free market would take care of that all on its own. Most people aren’t as stupid as our Fearless Leaders take us for.

By Simple Answers

December 12, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Is simple answers a moron?

duh.

Is simple answers a retarded reject, or a rejected retard?

duh

Is simple answers a troll.

duh

Is simple answers a stuntwanking jack-me-not?

duh

Is simple answers blog-simple.

duh

What is the sound two fat people make when they use a hot tub under the influence of x-lax?

Simple answers.

By BlogFather

December 12, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Barett 50 caliber? That explains all the maimed squirrels!

By AJC Editorial Awards

December 12, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

Seems the one thing Mr. Wooten forgot to mention is that the only thing less likely to happen than the school board association given a media reward for reporting on vouchers, is the AJC giving its editorial staff a reward for an editor to suggest that we need to give teachers the authority to remove disruptive students from the classroom, so that teachers can actually teach.

For all your tough talk on personal responsibility and rule of law, you’ve never stepped up to the plate and wrote that editorial have you Jim?

By Gator Joe

December 12, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Wooten: You associate a corrupt governor with Caroline Kennedy and Al Franken. First, do you know of any corruption related to Kennedy or Franklin? The fact they are Democrats is probably sufficient for you to disparage them, which is fair enough, since I don’t have a high reqard for most Republican politicians. Finally, you say the senate would lose some of its luster if Kennedy or Franklin, a comedian, were to join the senate, yet you, and your fellow Republicans, didn’t have a problem electing a clown who has dishonored our country and the presidency for the last eight years.

By norman ravitch

December 12, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

If black jurors in the Nichols case are and in the OJ case were unwilling to give black criminals the punishments they deserve what about making blacks ineligible for jury duty — on the grounds that they are inherently prejudiced?

By findog

December 12, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Norman @12:54 Jury nullification is not some new phenomenon, at least here in the south. That is where faith works, if the criminal justice system doesn’t get the God will.

By DB, Gwinnettian

December 12, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I’m thinking this is the sort of “luster” Mr. Wooten pines for.

By Jake

December 12, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

There’s very little evidence that the death penalty is worse than life without parole. In fact no one receiving the death penalty has ever said anything bad about it at all!

By Simple Answers

December 12, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Q: Does the authentic Simple Answers address questions of fact and substance?

A: Yes.

Q: Does the impostor Simple Answers have his head up his @rse?

A: Duh. If he f@rted, it would blow his teeth out.

By Dr. Vajajay

December 12, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

You win the bet, Tom, he DID swing at it.

What a fall guy. What a maroon.

What a dope!

I love it.

chucklesnortbibblepoo

By Steven Daedalus

December 12, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

I love it, Republicans give their cronies on Wall Street and in the banking business billions upon billions to p_ away, but won’t give the working man a dime, I can’t wait to see them all thrown out.

By Steven's Homie

December 12, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Y-y-yeah! R-r-repudlickers do the m-man dirty down dog, but dey g-g-give da cronies b-b-billions!

By REPUBLICANS EVIL TIME IS UP

December 12, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

I AM SO GLAD YOU HICKS RE-ELECTED SUXBY SO THAT YOU DIXIE HICKS WILL RECEIVE NOTHING FROM A DEMOCRATIC OBAMA ADMINISTRATION,IF YOU THINK SUXBY DIDNT DO ANYTHING FOR YOU THIS TIME JUST WATCH AND OBSERVE SUXBY ACTIONS NOT HIS WORDS,SUXBY AND SONNY PERDONT ARE SITTING LIKE FAT CATS WHILE YOU HICKS ARE LOOKING LIKE FAT RATS.

By DebbieDoRight

December 12, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

idiocy from norman: black jurors in the Nichols case are and in the OJ case were unwilling to give black criminals the punishments they deserve what about making blacks ineligible for jury duty — on the grounds that they are inherently prejudiced?

Why not stop there Norman? Don’t say anything else ‘cause someone might either think you’re insane, or that you don’t know a thing abuot American History or for that matter SOUTHERN history!! Don’t wanna give that misconception out do ya?

By lazermike

December 12, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

My favorite this week:

“The Georgia School Boards Association hands out its media awards for excellence in reporting on education issues. Wonder if anybody ever got an award for reporting suggesting that vouchers might be a good thing? I’m guessing not.”

Jim, you work at a major newspaper. You’re a reporter. Why guess anything? How about finding out? Or maybe there’s another reason why you haven’t won this award yet.

P.S. I won one in 1995 while I was a reporter for the AJC. Nothing to do with vouchers, I’m afraid. But I did actually report something.

By Dusty

December 12, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Well, Jim has given us a box of beaucoupe bonbons today. Most interesting is the Senate selection center including the nutty Blago backup, the caramel Kennedy and the Franken coconut chewy. None of these offer any national nourishment, just sweets for the Democratic donkey.

Blago will move faster than a mongoose on a cobra to beat the state senate to a draw on impeachment. He’ll name a “Clean Chicago Community Organizer” to carry on the “faultless” work of his perilous party in Washington. Ayers might help as he has experience in this kind of thing.

Meanwhile, Caroline Kennedy, the last of the Camelot Comrades will enhance the Senate with stardust, sentiment and inexperience as Madame Clinton vacates the vacuous village.

The possibility of Franken as a national joker is a charade imposed by the frozen folk of Minnesota. Would someone please give them a blanket? Sending another joker to congress is like sending chop suey to the Chinese. They’ve got enough already!!

So, thank you, Jim, for the Friday selections. I enjoyed most of them and one was most delectable.

By Wonder Mike

December 12, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

I am Wonder Mike and I’d like to say hello … to the black to the white, the red, and the brown, the purple and yellow.

By Lea

December 12, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Jim, before you brand the people who are continuing to lose their houses as freeloaders, I suggest you read this article that appeared on cnn.com re: why losses continue even if mortgagers claim to be working with homeowners.

HARTFORD, Conn. (CNN) — Yolanda Cruz knew soon after she refinanced her home two and a half years ago she had a problem.

She thought the $1,478 monthly payment quoted by her mortgage broker included taxes and insurance. In fact, Cruz says she asked the broker repeatedly if those costs were included and was reassured they were.

“We just took his word for it, and unfortunately that’s not what it was,” Cruz said.

Soon, she began receiving tax bills from her town of East Windsor, Connecticut. She couldn’t afford to pay them.

“I feel I was taken advantage of,” Cruz said.

Cruz contacted her lender right away - the beginning of a two-year effort to renegotiate her mortgage. She called and wrote letters, and although the mortgage company told her they were willing to work with her, they wouldn’t rework the loan or forgive any arrears.

She says the current loan servicer — America’s Servicing Company (ASC), sent her incomplete paperwork, and even seems to have lost one of her checks.

“When I try to call….I feel I’m getting the runaround first of all, and then we keep going back to the beginning every time.”

Cruz, who sought help from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, tried for months to resolve the problem. All the while she continued to make the monthly payments at rate that she had agreed to in 2005, $1,478. The problem: That payment didn’t cover her taxes or her insurance.

After filing mountains of paperwork, she thought she had a deal: a catch-up payment of $3,000 was supposed to save her house. She sent a bank check via registered mail to her servicer. According to Cruz, ASC said the check wasn’t for the right amount and they would return it to her.

Cruz said she never got the check back. Instead, she was served with a foreclosure notice. On March 13, Cruz learned that the check had been cashed, but it was not clear who signed for it.

Her experience, say housing advocates, is typical of many who struggle to get the loan servicers to renegotiate loans that are no longer affordable.

“The problem is, the servicer doesn’t have the power to renegotiate a loan,” said Erin Kemple, the Connecticut Fair Housing Center’s Executive Director. “Because they don’t actually own the loan [they can’t] make changes to the payment plan.”

Most mortgages, including the one held by Cruz and her husband, aren’t owned by a single bank. Instead, they are packaged and sold to investors on the secondary market, which means that loan servicers are actually beholden to investors, not borrowers.

“All they are doing is managing this loan for a group of investors, so there’s no way that the investors can be asked, ‘Can we rest this loan?’” said Kemple.

Borrowers like Cruz may be offered a temporary repayment plan, which keeps foreclosure at bay, but tacks the owed money onto to the back of the loan.

“The payments in this kind of workout are unaffordable to the homeowner,” said Diane Cipollone of the National Fair Housing Alliance. “And sometimes homeowners sign it anyway. They don’t know what to do. They know that if they don’t agree their home will go right into foreclosure. But soon they default on the repayment plan, and that’s counterproductive.”

Tales of a rough economy: In their own words And it’s much harder for troubled borrowers to get a deal that permanently lowers their mortgage payments. The Hope Now Alliance of mortgage lenders and servicers, including Citigroup (C, Fortune 500), Bank of America (BOA) and J.P. Morgan (JPM, Fortune 500), says it has kept over one million borrowers out of foreclosure since July. But only about one quarter of them - 278,000 - have actually had the terms of their mortgages modified.

Faith Schwartz, Hope Now’s Executive Director, says the number of loan modifications is increasing. But she admits the vast majority are not getting their payments reduced. “If it’s appropriate, they are,” she said. “The key here is that it’s between the servicer and the borrower. Every circumstance is different.”

Working out a new loan has also been a struggle for Odelle Boykin, a Connecticut home health care worker who housing advocates claim is a victim of a predatory lending.

Boykin says her mortgage broker promised her when she refinanced two years ago at a teaser rate she could afford that she could refinance again when the payments went up. She says when the loan was about to reset in October, with payments shooting up from $1,431 to $1,702 a month, she contacted the servicer, Fremont Investment & Loan, but the company told her it no longer handled refinancing. The payment is set to go up again next month.

“She was basically deceived,” said Karen Nigol of the Housing Education Resource Center in Hartford. According to Nigol, Boykin would not have been able to afford the loan without earning more income than she did at the time of the loan application. Nigol says the mortgage broker listed Boykin as his employee on the application, even though she was unemployed.

By SaveOurRepublic

December 12, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Bankers are Crooks - You should revise your handle to “Central Bankers are Crooks*” (i.e. - the private Fed & their International/Central Banking Cartel brethren).

Red light cameras are part of the slippery slope to an eventual police-state. Have a look at all the surveillance cameras in London’s Iron Triangle (& NYC for that matter) & you’ll get an idea of where our Constitutional rights are heading…right into the rubbish bin of history!

By CommunistAJC

December 12, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Here is how Obama will destroy the American economy. China will destroy us.

Obama can sign U.N. climate pact before U.S. law: Kerry

POZNAN, Poland (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate will let President-elect Barack Obama sign up to a U.N. pact to fight global warming in late 2009 even if U.S. climate laws are not yet in place, U.S. Senator John Kerry predicted on Thursday.

But Kerry, designated head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on the sidelines of U.N. climate talks in Poland that China, India and Russia would also have to promise to cut greenhouse gas emissions to win Senate blessing of any pact.

“It will be like the difference between night and day,” Kerry, of Massachusetts, said of Obama’s enthusiasm for action against climate change after what he said were eight years of inaction under President George W. Bush.

He told Reuters support in the United States for climate action was strong enough to let Obama sign up for emissions cuts under a U.N. pact to be agreed in Copenhagen in late 2009 even if the Senate had not by then agreed matching U.S. climate laws.

“We can have commenced the (domestic) legislative process, we don’t have to have completed it,” before agreeing to cuts under a U.N. treaty, he said.

President Bill Clinton agreed in 1997 to the U.N.’s existing Kyoto Protocol for cutting greenhouse gases until 2012 but never tried to get the pact ratified by a hostile Senate.

Kerry, a Democrat beaten by Bush in the 2004 presidential election, will report back to Obama from Poznan.

By the time of the Copenhagen meeting, domestic legislation might have passed “a couple of committees” but might not have reached the full Senate “because of the economic situation and the budget issues and other things,” Kerry said.

CUTS

Obama has said he plans to cut U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, now about 17 percent above 1990 levels, back to 1990 levels by 2020 and then by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

“Some of us believe he should go further than that” by 2020, Kerry said. “My hope is that … we may even be able to do better.”

Bush rejected Kyoto, which sets 2012 targets for 37 developed nations to cut emissions, saying it was too costly and should have also set targets for developing nations.

Kerry said that all major emitters would have to accept goals for cuts under a new treaty.

“What’s important is that we go to Copenhagen understanding that no treaty is going to pass the U.S. Senate unless it is a global solution. China, India, Russia — all countries have to be part of the solution,” he said.

“China is now the largest emitter in the world,” he said. “China has to reduce, in concrete fixed levels from its current levels. So do we. So does the EU (European Union), so does the rest of the world.” Targets could vary by country.

China says that rich nations must cut most because they pump out most greenhouse gases per person, mainly from burning fossil fuels. In three months, the average American produces more greenhouse gases than the average Chinese does in a year.

Kerry said the Senate would work early in 2009 on a renewable energy bill and on measures to stimulate the economy — including creating green jobs — before turning to climate legislation.

Obama plans to set up a trading system to help cut carbon dioxide emissions. Asked if the United States would eventually get a cap and trade system, Kerry said: “Personally I’d like to see it but you don’t have to have it.”

By SaveOurRepublic

December 12, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

CommunistAJC - Carbon taxation is a total fraud (like “man-caused” Global Warming), but none the less a primary goal of the Envirofascist “Green” (= new “Red”) movement. BTW, socialist Kerry was a member of Skull & Bones at Yale…ala - “Jorge Boosh”, “NWO” Bush Sr, Prescott Bush, President Taft & many other within the B-level of the Globalist Elite.

By Richard Rose

December 12, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Regarding the Senate, when was that body “lustrous”? It was filled with the practiced bigotry of Thurmond, Helms, Lott, Russell and Stennis, condoned by Chambliss and his Republican colleagues.

By catlady

December 12, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

So the man sprays fox urine (diluted) onto the tresspassers and defacers of his property and HE is in trouble?????

By SaveOurRepublic

December 12, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

catlady @ 4:57 PM - That’s the general direction of eroding property rights. The biggest infraction being the notorious Kelo vs. New London decision & the “Supremes” nod to un-Constitutional eminent domain.

By catlady

December 12, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

“Save”—thanks. It is a lot like what we see at school. The kid misbehaves and the teacher gets in trouble.

Around where I live, a tresspasser/defacer will be soaking in urine, all right, but it will be his OWN urine elicited when the homeowner brings the gun out and starts blasting away. I think fox urine is a pretty mild response, in comparison. Marks the miscreants pretty well, as well, and lets their families know “they were there.”