Well, Gov. Helmethair, aka Tricky Ricky Perry, can talk all he wants about the resilience of the Texas economy, but the Dallas housing market puts the lie to that claim.
Of most concern, I think, is that new housing starts are off even more than new home sales from a year ago. And, the market is still oversupplied.
But, a study says the Metroplex has little risk of home prices being lower two years from now.
Well, I guess area homeowners will see … two years from now.
July 07, 2009
The man who broke AIG
Vanity Fair, fresh off of smoking Sarah Palin, has a much more in-depth piece on Joseph Cassano, the man who led AIG’s financial products unit into the toilet.
Cassano, without using the mathematical models of his predecessor, became willing to take on ever more risk, and to apply corporate risk modeling to consumer financial risk, in a very small nutshell.
And AIG CEO Hank Greenberg and the board apparently either didn’t know, or didn’t want to know, what he was doing. Nor did Greenberg’s successor, as, ironically, AIG was downgraded from AAA to AA the day he retired, even while Cassano was adding more subprime loans to his credit default swap portfolio.
And, losing the AAA rating, per a Cassano agreement, required it to start posting collateral on these CDSs. And that’s when trouble really started.
It’s a complicated story, but well worth a read.
Cassano, without using the mathematical models of his predecessor, became willing to take on ever more risk, and to apply corporate risk modeling to consumer financial risk, in a very small nutshell.
And AIG CEO Hank Greenberg and the board apparently either didn’t know, or didn’t want to know, what he was doing. Nor did Greenberg’s successor, as, ironically, AIG was downgraded from AAA to AA the day he retired, even while Cassano was adding more subprime loans to his credit default swap portfolio.
And, losing the AAA rating, per a Cassano agreement, required it to start posting collateral on these CDSs. And that’s when trouble really started.
It’s a complicated story, but well worth a read.
Benedict mashes up Rand and Steinbeck?
In what, per the NY Times, sounds interesting at least, Pope Benedict XVI has released his third encyclical, this one on the world economy.
The encyclical, “Charity in Truth” in English, was reportedly delayed while the Vatican took stock of the severity of the current global recession, while still being finished in time for the upcoming G8 summit in Italy.
Oh, that Ayn Rand-John Steinbeck mashup?
Also, in what has already raised objections from conservative American Catholics like Michael Novak, Benedict says that due to the global nature of the crisis, more international regulations are needed, and places like the UN need to empower poorer countries more.
From the encyclical itself, Benedict has an answer to the Novaks of retrenchant conservative Catholicism, and any success theology Protestants who might be reading as well:
That said, the call for changes appears reflected in the title. And, a quick scan of the encyclical shows a lot of Steinbeck and not much Rand.
To see if you agree, read the whole story, which then links to the encyclical.
The encyclical, “Charity in Truth” in English, was reportedly delayed while the Vatican took stock of the severity of the current global recession, while still being finished in time for the upcoming G8 summit in Italy.
Oh, that Ayn Rand-John Steinbeck mashup?
“There are paragraphs that sound like Ayn Rand, next to paragraphs that sound like ‘The Grapes of Wrath.’ That’s quite intentional,” Vincent J. Miller, a theologian at the University of Dayton, a Catholic institution in Ohio, said in a telephone interview.
“He’ll wax poetically about the virtuous capitalist, but then he’ll give you this very clear analysis of the ways in which global capital and the shareholder system cause managers to focus on short term good at the expense of the community, of workers, of the environment.”
Also, in what has already raised objections from conservative American Catholics like Michael Novak, Benedict says that due to the global nature of the crisis, more international regulations are needed, and places like the UN need to empower poorer countries more.
From the encyclical itself, Benedict has an answer to the Novaks of retrenchant conservative Catholicism, and any success theology Protestants who might be reading as well:
I am aware of the ways in which charity has been and continues to be misconstrued and emptied of meaning, with the consequent risk of being misinterpreted, detached from ethical living and, in any event, undervalued. In the social, juridical, cultural, political and economic fields — the contexts, in other words, that are most exposed to this danger — it is easily dismissed as irrelevant for interpreting and giving direction to moral responsibility.
That said, the call for changes appears reflected in the title. And, a quick scan of the encyclical shows a lot of Steinbeck and not much Rand.
To see if you agree, read the whole story, which then links to the encyclical.
Brooks logs in with no Palin defense
In fact, for her style points at least, David Brooks’ new column gives The Quitter with a Twitter™ a bit of comeuppance.
That’s followed by him giving Obama thumbs up for exemplifying some of those same graces.
Were you talking about And, that “on the other hand” last graf increases the “shush” value, although still applied with decorum.
Here was a woman who aspires to a high public role but is unfamiliar with the traits of equipoise and constancy, which are the sources of authority and trust.
That’s followed by him giving Obama thumbs up for exemplifying some of those same graces.
Were you talking about And, that “on the other hand” last graf increases the “shush” value, although still applied with decorum.
Gonzo finally gets a job
But, contrary to the most fervent hopes of former Attorney General, and former White House Counsel, Alberto Gonzales, he won’t be replacing Bud Selig as commish of baseball. He won’t even be getting a cush Austin or Houston job.
Nope, he’s headed further west, to the windy plains of Lubbock.
Nope, he’s headed further west, to the windy plains of Lubbock.
Obama tells Rahm to shut up on dissing public option
As I blogged a while ago, earlier today, President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, said the White House was okey-dokey with no public option in any healthcare reform.
(For more on Rahm’s statements see this blog post.)
Well, apparently, the progressive advocates that Obama is trying to get to shut up and stop bothering more conservative Democratic Senators have even bothered the Prez himself. From Russia (with no love?), Obama told Rahm, politely STFU.
And, Ezra Klein piles on.
But, we already have a voice of caution, and rightfully so.
Jane Hamsher says she doesn’t see much difference between Emanuel’s initial comments and Obama’s follow-up.
Let’s read Obama’s statement carefully:
But, in a neolib world, a “trigger” idea like Emanuel first mentioned would theoretically do that.
So, good catch by Jane.
Oh, if you want to keep holding the feet of Rahm, and Sens. Nelson, Hagen, Feinstein, Landrieu, etc., to the fire, sign the petition.
(For more on Rahm’s statements see this blog post.)
Well, apparently, the progressive advocates that Obama is trying to get to shut up and stop bothering more conservative Democratic Senators have even bothered the Prez himself. From Russia (with no love?), Obama told Rahm, politely STFU.
And, Ezra Klein piles on.
But, we already have a voice of caution, and rightfully so.
Jane Hamsher says she doesn’t see much difference between Emanuel’s initial comments and Obama’s follow-up.
Let’s read Obama’s statement carefully:
“One of the best ways to bring down costs, provide more choices, and assure quality is a public option that will force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest.
But, in a neolib world, a “trigger” idea like Emanuel first mentioned would theoretically do that.
So, good catch by Jane.
Oh, if you want to keep holding the feet of Rahm, and Sens. Nelson, Hagen, Feinstein, Landrieu, etc., to the fire, sign the petition.
Healthcare – look at France and Netherlands
The Boston Globe has a great article similar to a PBS “Frontline” episode about a year ago. Both show there are many ways to skin a national healthcare cat, with government involvement, but not in the top-down way of Great Britain or Canada.
Here’s Jonathan Cohn’s nut graf, from a month of investigating heathcare coverage in France and the Netherlands:
And, other than a modest difference on cancer, these doctors actually treat many diseases and syndromes better than we do here.
That said, here’s nut graf two:
But, significant chunks of the Obama Administration think anything that involves more direct government intervention in the healthcare sector is radical.
Here’s Jonathan Cohn’s nut graf, from a month of investigating heathcare coverage in France and the Netherlands:
Not once did I encounter an interview subject who wanted to trade places with an American. And it was easy enough to see why. People in these countries were getting precisely what most Americans say they want: Timely, quality care. Physicians felt free to practice medicine the way they wanted; companies got to concentrate on their lines of business, rather than develop expertise in managing health benefits. But, in contrast with the US, everybody had insurance. The papers weren’t filled with stories of people going bankrupt or skipping medical care because they couldn’t afford to pay their bills. And they did all this while paying substantially less, overall, than we do.
And, other than a modest difference on cancer, these doctors actually treat many diseases and syndromes better than we do here.
That said, here’s nut graf two:
Of course, reforming health insurance in the US isn’t going to turn this country into France or the Netherlands overnight, any more than it would turn the US into Britain and Canada. The truth is that the changes now under consideration in Washington are relatively modest, by international standards.
But, significant chunks of the Obama Administration think anything that involves more direct government intervention in the healthcare sector is radical.
Best Southwest and Cedar Hill make Business Week
Specifically, Randy Haran, CEO of Texas Air Composites, gets cited, for his company’s use of open-books management.
What open-books management means is that, you train your employees in the basics of finance and accounting and — your books are open to them. Talk about business transparency. And, in today’s day and age, I’m sure it’s a method of boosting employee involvement.
So, read the full story to learn more and see if it might fit your business.
What open-books management means is that, you train your employees in the basics of finance and accounting and — your books are open to them. Talk about business transparency. And, in today’s day and age, I’m sure it’s a method of boosting employee involvement.
So, read the full story to learn more and see if it might fit your business.
Atlantic and WaPost hypocrisy fest
As readers who follow national politics may already know, the Atlantic Monthly didn’t comment on the Washington Post’s “pay-to-play” salons because it’s been doing pretty much the same thing and, so far at least, is even less repentant than the Post.
Speaking of that, though, the Post says it will conduct an internal investigation of it’s own salon plans and how they got to be the way they did.
Given that Publisher Katherine Weymouth has refused to fall on the sword herself, and still isn’t:
(As if the flier invitation is the only thing wrong about this)
And Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli really can’t be as ignorant of what happened as he claims, it’s clear that “internal investigation” means scapegoat searching.
Let’s let Post political reporter Dan Balz talk about that:
It appears new marketing exec Charles Pelton, already fingered for the fliers about the salons, would be scapegoating target No. 1.
That said, how different is this from newspapers spiking, toning down, delaying, or otherwise bollixing up stories for fear of offending major advertisers?
Not much. So, in that sense, this is nothing new.
Speaking of that, though, the Post says it will conduct an internal investigation of it’s own salon plans and how they got to be the way they did.
Given that Publisher Katherine Weymouth has refused to fall on the sword herself, and still isn’t:
Weymouth said she was on vacation last week and did not see the invitation that was sent out in her name
(As if the flier invitation is the only thing wrong about this)
And Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli really can’t be as ignorant of what happened as he claims, it’s clear that “internal investigation” means scapegoat searching.
Let’s let Post political reporter Dan Balz talk about that:
“I think everyone still has questions about how this collective breakdown occurred. This was not just two people in a room. There were a number of discussions about it. That part concerned me. Everyone knows the dinners were a bad idea.”
It appears new marketing exec Charles Pelton, already fingered for the fliers about the salons, would be scapegoating target No. 1.
That said, how different is this from newspapers spiking, toning down, delaying, or otherwise bollixing up stories for fear of offending major advertisers?
Not much. So, in that sense, this is nothing new.
Chorus growing for second stimulus
Adding to the continued drumbeat of folks like Paul Krugman, informal Obama advisor and former Clinton cabinet member Laura D’Andrea Tyson has added her insistence that the original plan was nice, but not enough. She said the February stimulus bill will have more effect in the second half of this year, but that the economy is “a sicker patient” than the Obama Administration first recognized.
She doesn’t note that it’s a sicker patient than Team Obama yet wants to admit, either.
It’s not a lost art for presidents to whistle in the economic dark as part of their moral bully pulpits. But, you have to act, behind that.
Also, Obama is trying to get both healthcare reform of some sort, and a climate “control” bill, through the Senate. He probably doesn’t want to do any more right now, not that he’s necessarily doing that much with either one of those.
She doesn’t note that it’s a sicker patient than Team Obama yet wants to admit, either.
It’s not a lost art for presidents to whistle in the economic dark as part of their moral bully pulpits. But, you have to act, behind that.
Also, Obama is trying to get both healthcare reform of some sort, and a climate “control” bill, through the Senate. He probably doesn’t want to do any more right now, not that he’s necessarily doing that much with either one of those.
Airlines still seeking for bottom
Domestic volume leader Southwest Airlines has lifted its carrying percentage, but only by further cutting flights. And, it has just launched a new sale.
Yet another Dallas Ponzi scheme busted
This one falls just short of $500 million and, like others, involves oil and gas issues.
Pretty soon, Big D is going to look back 20-25 years on the S&L crisis and call it a time of moral wholesomeness, if this keeps up.
Pretty soon, Big D is going to look back 20-25 years on the S&L crisis and call it a time of moral wholesomeness, if this keeps up.
Palin quits because Alaska is broke
Per the third webpage of an ABC story about the 10 states in the worst economic condition, Alaska is at No 6. In fact, the budget deficit is bad enough, and Alaska has become so dependent on one income source, that it’s possible the state might have to cut its socialistic “Permanent Fund.” Guess “Mama Bear” is pretty timid when it comes to facing the prospect of angry, greedy Alaskans wanting “their” money and not getting it. And, for all her bluster, she is probably clueless about Peak Oil, too.
Read the full story to see what other states might be giving California a bit of a run for the “No. 1” spot in a race nobody wants to win, as well as how the GOP is getting about as obstructionist in a few of these states as in the Leaden State.
Take Obama-hospitals deal with grain of salt
The WaPost, with Ms. Health Insurance, Ceci Connolly, writing away trumpets an offer by hospitals of $155 billion in savings over a decade as offering hope to the 47 million, and counting, uninsured Americans.
But, the devilish details say most of this won’t help national healthcare:
So, only 25 percent of the savings — if they all materialize — will help the uninsured.
I’m not arguing Medicare and Medicaid don’t need the help. Just that this is NOT a big deal for national healthcare. And, it’s not the $200 bil that Team Obama first said that hospitals could save. It’s a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Beyond that, more than anything else, as with Big PhRMA’s $80 bil offer a week or so ago, this looks like a chance to buy off the idea of public option.
But, the devilish details say most of this won’t help national healthcare:
Most of the savings — about $100 billion — would come through lower-than-expected Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals, said the two industry sources. About $40 billion would be saved by slowly reducing what hospitals get to care for the uninsured, they added. The reductions would probably not begin for several years, after a significant number of people have enrolled in the new insurance programs.
So, only 25 percent of the savings — if they all materialize — will help the uninsured.
I’m not arguing Medicare and Medicaid don’t need the help. Just that this is NOT a big deal for national healthcare. And, it’s not the $200 bil that Team Obama first said that hospitals could save. It’s a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Beyond that, more than anything else, as with Big PhRMA’s $80 bil offer a week or so ago, this looks like a chance to buy off the idea of public option.
Froomkin to Huff Post – will it work?
Glenn Greenwald rightly says it’s a good move overall, but given the Greek Goddess’ own inside-the-Beltway connections, and Huffington Post’s often bald-faced Obamiac cheerleading, there could be tensions.
Supposedly, Froomkin has full editorial freedom. But, didn’t he have that at the Washington Post, too?
So, I will not hold my breath too long over him and Arianna.
For example, what if the Huff Post starts cheating on “fair use” issues again?
Supposedly, Froomkin has full editorial freedom. But, didn’t he have that at the Washington Post, too?
So, I will not hold my breath too long over him and Arianna.
For example, what if the Huff Post starts cheating on “fair use” issues again?
Wall Street to Sacto – drop dead
Several big banks have said nyet to California state IOUs. Read the story for the details, and more on Cali’s latest on budget issus.
All the Leaden State needs now is for voters to pull a Gray Davis on Der Ahhnold.
All the Leaden State needs now is for voters to pull a Gray Davis on Der Ahhnold.
Palin won’t stop lying or being ignorant
In an interview with ABC, after her resignation, she did both.
In her continuing passive-aggressive hunt for fame, she said she can’t believe all the media hype over her “I’ll resign soon” speech.
Adding to her passive-aggressive fame-courting, the Anchorage Daily News says each major media outfit had to interview her separately, 10 minutes at a time.
Andrew Purdum was right about her narcissism. Maybe that’s part of why she went to six colleges.
She also lied again, to the ADN, about “no wrongdoing” from all the ethics investigation. Guess fines don’t count?
She then said, to ABC, if she were president, the White House “department of law” would protect her from baseless allegations.
The full interview has other babbling, too.
And, her stupidity factor? If you’re giving multiple separate interviews, that’s just more chances to stick your foot in your mouth.
In her continuing passive-aggressive hunt for fame, she said she can’t believe all the media hype over her “I’ll resign soon” speech.
Adding to her passive-aggressive fame-courting, the Anchorage Daily News says each major media outfit had to interview her separately, 10 minutes at a time.
Andrew Purdum was right about her narcissism. Maybe that’s part of why she went to six colleges.
She also lied again, to the ADN, about “no wrongdoing” from all the ethics investigation. Guess fines don’t count?
She then said, to ABC, if she were president, the White House “department of law” would protect her from baseless allegations.
The full interview has other babbling, too.
And, her stupidity factor? If you’re giving multiple separate interviews, that’s just more chances to stick your foot in your mouth.
Team Obama backs off public option again
Rahm Emanual himself said public option isn’t important, just creating competition among private insurance, ignoring — deliberately, I’m sure — that this is one of the powers of public option, single payer national healthcare.
Well, we know Rahmbo isn’t that naïve, even speaking Kumbaya for his boss, so suspect a fishing-for-campaign-dollars fix is in.
“They’ve made an assessment reform is going to happen, so it’s better to be part of that than not,” Mr. Emanuel said (of private insurers).
Well, we know Rahmbo isn’t that naïve, even speaking Kumbaya for his boss, so suspect a fishing-for-campaign-dollars fix is in.
Lobbying makes strange bedfellows on healthcare
How else can you explain former GOP and Democratic House Majority Leaders, Dick Armey and Dick Gephardt, both doing healthcare reform lobbying for the same New Jersey healthcare company?
It also makes for a slower slog through the Senate, and that’s part of what these lobbyists count on.
The Gephardt involvement shows that, once again, the Democratic Party is often just a whiter shade of pale.
It also makes for a slower slog through the Senate, and that’s part of what these lobbyists count on.
The Gephardt involvement shows that, once again, the Democratic Party is often just a whiter shade of pale.
Hitchens – latest apologia pro Iraq
Christopher Hitchens is never going to apologize for his drunken boo-hooing for Kurds and his blanket support for invading Iraq.
His latest off-the-wall claim? Invading Iraq was the catalyst for Iran’s new reform push.
Oh, that’s a goodie. Not true, but a goodie.
His latest off-the-wall claim? Invading Iraq was the catalyst for Iran’s new reform push.
Oh, that’s a goodie. Not true, but a goodie.
July 06, 2009
Class-based carbon and climate control? I like it!
Reuters says a new study from the National Academy of Sciences has a provocative new way to address carbon dioxide and global warming.
Within the U.S., then, if 11 tons per person were the target (actually, of course it needs to be lower), the U.S. (and the Eurozone, which would also be over that level) could figure out how to cut that figure on individually-focused policies.
China? We would internationalize carbon emissions cap and cap-and-trade systems. Not that I’m a huge fan of the WTO, but it would stand to reason that it would be the administrative and regulatory body.
And, here in the U.S., if it read to a “yacht tax,” fine by me. And, spare me the bullshit about how many people work on building yachts. Besides, they can build more plebian-type boats anyway.
Anyway, read the whole story. This is huge. Huge enough to throw a grenade into the Copenhagen round of climate change negotiations.
For example, if world leaders agree to keep carbon emissions in 2030 at the same level they are now, no one person's emissions could exceed 11 tons of carbon each year. That means there would be about a billion "high emitters" in 2030 out of a projected world population of 8.1 billion.
By counting the emissions of all the individuals likely to exceed this level, world leaders could provide target emissions cuts for each country. Currently, the world average for individual annual carbon emissions is about 5 tons; each European produces 10 tons and each American produces 20 tons.
Within the U.S., then, if 11 tons per person were the target (actually, of course it needs to be lower), the U.S. (and the Eurozone, which would also be over that level) could figure out how to cut that figure on individually-focused policies.
China? We would internationalize carbon emissions cap and cap-and-trade systems. Not that I’m a huge fan of the WTO, but it would stand to reason that it would be the administrative and regulatory body.
And, here in the U.S., if it read to a “yacht tax,” fine by me. And, spare me the bullshit about how many people work on building yachts. Besides, they can build more plebian-type boats anyway.
Anyway, read the whole story. This is huge. Huge enough to throw a grenade into the Copenhagen round of climate change negotiations.
Jackie O and RFK? Wow
That’s what the New York Post says is in an explosive new book, an affair of more than four years, up until Bobby’s assassination.
In fact, according to “Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story,” it was Jackie, not Ethel, who told doctors to “pull the plug” on Bobby.
If anybody outside of the Boston Mafia arguably knew the Kennedys, Gore Vidal could be that person:
Don’t worry, if you like tittilation. Author C. David Heymann has the dirt on plenty of other affairs by Kennedys, Kennedy in-laws, and Kennedy clan hangers-on.
In fact, according to “Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story,” it was Jackie, not Ethel, who told doctors to “pull the plug” on Bobby.
If anybody outside of the Boston Mafia arguably knew the Kennedys, Gore Vidal could be that person:
According to Gore Vidal, "The one person Jackie ever loved . . . was Robert Kennedy."”
Don’t worry, if you like tittilation. Author C. David Heymann has the dirt on plenty of other affairs by Kennedys, Kennedy in-laws, and Kennedy clan hangers-on.
Roger Cohen bids farewell to Iran
One of the last American journalists to acquiesce after most Western media got the boot from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Roger Cohen pens a moving, detached farewell to his home for the past several years.
Dicking around on healthcare
What else can you say about former GOP and Democratic House Majority Leaders, Dick Armey and Dick Gephardt, both doing healthcare reform lobbying for the same New Jersey healthcare company? Other than, I’m waiting for Armey to go lobbying at Barney Frank’s door.
Dallas 'tea party' short of promoter hopes - PR spin starts
After the Southfork Ranch Fourth of July anti-government ‘tea parry’ was promoted on everything this side of Facebook — and on Facebook, a turnout of just 25-35,000 is clearly disappointing to Debbie Meyers and other promoters, as well as the people claiming media bias against the still-conservative (on its op-ed pages) Dallas Morning News.
The heat? 101F is not anywhere out of the norm for the Fourth of July in Dallas. Perhaps “tea partiers” have become soft and mushy due to conservative rot, compared to their “good old days” ancestors.
The Snooze came out too early? Eff you; a paper is not a PR organ and you can’t dictate at what time within an event it choose to come out.
The heat? 101F is not anywhere out of the norm for the Fourth of July in Dallas. Perhaps “tea partiers” have become soft and mushy due to conservative rot, compared to their “good old days” ancestors.
The Snooze came out too early? Eff you; a paper is not a PR organ and you can’t dictate at what time within an event it choose to come out.
Anne Applebaum goes postal on Palin
I never thought I would read a doyenne of MSM political commentary use the phrase “Sarah Palin is full of it” to sum up Palin’s resignation speech. But she did.
Global warming expands tropics
Which in turn pushes some subtropical areas further away from the equator. Result? Both southern Australia and the Mediterranean, major agricultural areas, are likely to continue to get drier.
When do we get Biden gaffe damage control?
The Obama White House has hinted that Vice President Joe Biden's apparent giving Israel a green light to bomb Iran was not exactly that, and said nothing new in terms of foreign policy.
Interestingly, neither Times nor AP connected Biden’s foot in mouth to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s request earlier today, via CNN, for talks with Obama. Even apart from that, the sensitivity of Iran right now made this a dumb comment in general.
Meanwhile, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says any such U.S. attack could be “very destabilizing.”
Mark Lynch, aka Abu Aardvark, weighs in at Foreign Policy on just how bad a gaffe this is.
He adds that a Times of London story, with little sourcing, saying the Saudis were giving Israel a similar green light adds to the need for Obama Administration damage control.
Interestingly, neither Times nor AP connected Biden’s foot in mouth to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s request earlier today, via CNN, for talks with Obama. Even apart from that, the sensitivity of Iran right now made this a dumb comment in general.
Meanwhile, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says any such U.S. attack could be “very destabilizing.”
Mark Lynch, aka Abu Aardvark, weighs in at Foreign Policy on just how bad a gaffe this is.
He adds that a Times of London story, with little sourcing, saying the Saudis were giving Israel a similar green light adds to the need for Obama Administration damage control.
Douthat gets Palin half right
Russ Douthat says Palin would have done much better, both personally and politically, by turning down John McCain’s Veep offer. He then, though, shows that the conservative argument that there are no great divides of socioeconomic class in America is just BS when he claims opposition to Palin was class-driven.
Taking him at his word, then the flip is true — opposition to Obama is similarly driven, with an emphasis on the “socio,” not the “economic.”
He also claims much of it was sex-driven. Now, Douthat isn’t a Neanderthal on feminist issues, but still, this one is rich.
Taking him at his word, then the flip is true — opposition to Obama is similarly driven, with an emphasis on the “socio,” not the “economic.”
He also claims much of it was sex-driven. Now, Douthat isn’t a Neanderthal on feminist issues, but still, this one is rich.
Schumer promises public option; lies about Obama support
New York Sen. Charles Schumer promised Sunday that healthcare reform would contain a public option, then lied about President Obama’s support for that.
This would be the same Obama who threatened to use political muscle against groups like MoveOn for running advocacy ads against Democrats who opposed a public option.
“Make no mistake about it, the president is for this strongly. There will be a public option in the final bill,” Schumer said on CBS News’s "”Face the Nation.”
This would be the same Obama who threatened to use political muscle against groups like MoveOn for running advocacy ads against Democrats who opposed a public option.
Dallas ‘tea party’ falls short of promoter hopes
After the Southfork Ranch Fourth of July anti-government ‘tea parry’ was promoted on everything this side of Facebook — and on Facebook, a turnout of just 25-35,000 has to be disappointing to promoter Debbie Meyers, no matter how she tries to spin it.
July 05, 2009
Mullen wants ‘measured’ changed to DADT
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says he wants a measured change to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward gay servicemembers.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he has lawyers looking at ways to selectively enforce the policy.
Come on. It’s more than 15 years now, and this is the best the military will offer? While The One twiddles his thumbs over yet another broken promise?
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he has lawyers looking at ways to selectively enforce the policy.
Come on. It’s more than 15 years now, and this is the best the military will offer? While The One twiddles his thumbs over yet another broken promise?
New Honduras govt open to dialogue with OAS
Or, at least its civilian head, Roberto Micheletti, is. Micheletti said his government had asked to start a dialogue with the Organization of American States, which unanimously suspended Honduras from membership (that country abstaining) last week.
Meanwhile, ousted President Manuel Zelaya either still can’t get his PR “optics” straight or just doesn’t care.
Trying to fly back into Honduras on a plane registered to the Venezuelan government is not dialogue-conducive.
Could we see fracturing in Honduras? Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez repeated his request to Zelaya not to return. Will the church’s word have any sway with the poor? Rodriguez is not the most liberal churchman in terms of social theology.
At the same time, did Micheletti consult with any military leaders before issuing his call for dialogue?
Meanwhile, ousted President Manuel Zelaya either still can’t get his PR “optics” straight or just doesn’t care.
Trying to fly back into Honduras on a plane registered to the Venezuelan government is not dialogue-conducive.
Could we see fracturing in Honduras? Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez repeated his request to Zelaya not to return. Will the church’s word have any sway with the poor? Rodriguez is not the most liberal churchman in terms of social theology.
At the same time, did Micheletti consult with any military leaders before issuing his call for dialogue?
WaPost Palin suck-up a list of mistakes
Just what all DOES giving Israel a green light to bomb Iran. George Bush and his merry band of idiots weren’t even that stupid.
1. Claiming that Palin is uncomfortable playing the victim. My ass, she is. She plays concertmaster violin in the victim orchestra.
2. Making it look like nobody’s ever been satirized on places like SNL to the degree she has. (Maybe this should be 1A?)
3. Claiming, on page 2, that Palin’s “Turkeygate” was a “tradition.” For the Prez of the US, yes; for a governor of Alaska, not at all.
One thing Rucker does get right, though he ignores that it’s all about Palin’s fame, is that it’s all about the money. She’s going to spin this into a book, get big lecture fees …
1. Claiming that Palin is uncomfortable playing the victim. My ass, she is. She plays concertmaster violin in the victim orchestra.
2. Making it look like nobody’s ever been satirized on places like SNL to the degree she has. (Maybe this should be 1A?)
3. Claiming, on page 2, that Palin’s “Turkeygate” was a “tradition.” For the Prez of the US, yes; for a governor of Alaska, not at all.
One thing Rucker does get right, though he ignores that it’s all about Palin’s fame, is that it’s all about the money. She’s going to spin this into a book, get big lecture fees …
Another Biden gaffe – blank checks to Israel
Just like President Barack Obama seems to have a penchant for nonchalantly breaking promises, Vice President Joe Biden is cultivating his gift for sticking his foot in his mouth, or worse.
The latest? Essentially giving Israel a green light to bomb Iran. George Bush and his merry band of idiots weren’t even that stupid.
I mean, Biden is right that we can’t officially dictate another country’s foreign policy.
But, first, we try to do that all the time in private.
Second, given the seriousness of Iran-Israel issues, and hard-line governments now in power in both countries, plus hints that Israel has wanted to attack Iran before but was restrained by BushCo, you just don’t say that in public.
The NYT has more. Interestingly, neither Times nor AP connected Biden’s foot in mouth to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s request earlier today, via CNN, for talks with Obama. Even apart from that, the sensitivity of Iran right now made this a dumb comment in general.
Meanwhile, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says any such U.S. attack could be “very destabilizing.”
Mark Lynch, aka Abu Aardvark, weighs in at Foreign Policy on just how bad a gaffe this is.
The latest? Essentially giving Israel a green light to bomb Iran. George Bush and his merry band of idiots weren’t even that stupid.
I mean, Biden is right that we can’t officially dictate another country’s foreign policy.
But, first, we try to do that all the time in private.
Second, given the seriousness of Iran-Israel issues, and hard-line governments now in power in both countries, plus hints that Israel has wanted to attack Iran before but was restrained by BushCo, you just don’t say that in public.
The NYT has more. Interestingly, neither Times nor AP connected Biden’s foot in mouth to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s request earlier today, via CNN, for talks with Obama. Even apart from that, the sensitivity of Iran right now made this a dumb comment in general.
Meanwhile, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says any such U.S. attack could be “very destabilizing.”
Mark Lynch, aka Abu Aardvark, weighs in at Foreign Policy on just how bad a gaffe this is.
More Quitter with a Twitter strangeness
As the AP notes, she skipped Juneau’s Fourth of July parade, even though in town and spotted on the streets watching it. And, she’s apparently going to skip out on any official part in 50th anniversary of statehood celebrations.
If this is her idea of political calculations toward the national stage, then her calculator is broken.
If this is her idea of political calculations toward the national stage, then her calculator is broken.
Obama makes ‘muscle’ threat to advocacy groups
No surprise here, that Der Promise-Breaker would release this one on the Fourth of July, to bury it deep inside the Fourth of July holiday news black hole.I have read several blog posts about Ceci Connelly’s Washington Post story that President Barack Obama’s bitching that MoveOn, et al aren’t playing ball with him on national health care by attacking moderate Democrats.
And, all due respect even to a spot like Firedog Lake, but I don't think they are getting the full import of the issue.
I don’t think Shrub ever complained when right-wing advocacy groups went after “moderate” Republicans on any issue, for one thing.
Second, the “muscle” threat, especially with what that “muscle” might be, being left unspecified. THAT sounds almost Rovian, and I simply haven’t seen that one stressed at all.
Third, I have not read any progressive bloggers ask rhetorically if the White House in some way fingered Connolly for the story.
I mean, here we have the president who either cannot or will not lead on the most important legislative issues of his term, so far, and suddenly he has no problem using the threat of “muscle” and smackdowns against these advocacy groups:
Obama also hinted that efforts are under way to discourage allies from future attacks on Democrats, according to the source, who did not have permission to speak on the record about the discussion.
And, the byline is from Ms. Health Insurance, Ceci Connolly, complete with anonymous comments and all the other inside Washington shinola.
Hey Tony La Russa – where’s Mark DeRosa?
Saturday’s loss to the Reds meant yet another DNP for the just-acquired versatile utilityman.
That said, per Viva El Birdos, Colby Rasmus has to wonder why he isn’t getting more at-bats, too.
That said, per Viva El Birdos, Colby Rasmus has to wonder why he isn’t getting more at-bats, too.
Red Stater Palin can’t even get generals right
Sarah Palin, arguably an knock-down, drag-out, defender of guns, gOd and generals of imperialism, botched even that in her “you won’t have me to kick around anymore” resignation announcement July 3.
It was Oliver Smith at the Chosin Reservoir, not Douglas MacArthur (at the Dai Ichi in Tokyo!) who said “We’re just advancing in another direction,” when the Chinese attacked in the Korean War.
Of course, in some degree of fairness to The Quitter on Twitter, it was her lame-o, personal friend hacks excuse for a gubernatorial staff that actually blew that.
It was Oliver Smith at the Chosin Reservoir, not Douglas MacArthur (at the Dai Ichi in Tokyo!) who said “We’re just advancing in another direction,” when the Chinese attacked in the Korean War.
Of course, in some degree of fairness to The Quitter on Twitter, it was her lame-o, personal friend hacks excuse for a gubernatorial staff that actually blew that.
The many flip sides of Twitter
I’ve already blogged, as well as having written on of my last, to date, newspaper columns, about the positives of Twitter in Iran, combined with the negatives of American solipsism in thinking you’re “doing something” by passing on Twitter messages or whatever.
But, Twitter has even worse sides.
First, there’s its threat to become a backdoor spam blaster, judging by all the porn-site type Twitter followers that want to latch on to me.
Second, there’s people who see one post of mine that agrees with their raison d’etre for blogging, Tweeting, etc., and they decide to become my followers.
Case in point? I write one post about GMO corn in Europe yesterday, Tweet the blog post, and now I have a follower who’s an anti-vaccination, anti-modern medicine conspiracy theorist.
But, Twitter has even worse sides.
First, there’s its threat to become a backdoor spam blaster, judging by all the porn-site type Twitter followers that want to latch on to me.
Second, there’s people who see one post of mine that agrees with their raison d’etre for blogging, Tweeting, etc., and they decide to become my followers.
Case in point? I write one post about GMO corn in Europe yesterday, Tweet the blog post, and now I have a follower who’s an anti-vaccination, anti-modern medicine conspiracy theorist.
FBI – no Palin investigation
Not just a denial of such a thing, but a categorical denial.
Hence, threats by Palin and her attorney, Thomas Van Flein, to get tough with the media, including bloggers, if they kept running stories about a possible feds investigation into the hockey rink to nowhere.
That said, though, the FBI is far and away from the only federal group with investigative powers, though I’m hard-put to see who else would be involved if it’s an issue of alleged construction kickbacks, sweetheart deals, etc.
It’s also funny that The Quitter with a Twitter to has a Twitter parodist.
More seriously, though, what is behind The Quitter with a Twitter’s quitting, if not the Eff-Bee-Eye?
She’s not doing it for the good of Alaska, except her own warped interpretation of that.
Maybe, as some people have noted how thin she is, she’s finally become burned out from being in wayyyyy over her head, just as governor of a state with less than 700,000 people. Combine that with ADD or whatever her other “issue” is, and that’s about as good of an explanation as any this side of my joking comments about her either being gay or else knocked up by Uncle Fester Cheney.
Hence, threats by Palin and her attorney, Thomas Van Flein, to get tough with the media, including bloggers, if they kept running stories about a possible feds investigation into the hockey rink to nowhere.
That said, though, the FBI is far and away from the only federal group with investigative powers, though I’m hard-put to see who else would be involved if it’s an issue of alleged construction kickbacks, sweetheart deals, etc.
It’s also funny that The Quitter with a Twitter to has a Twitter parodist.
More seriously, though, what is behind The Quitter with a Twitter’s quitting, if not the Eff-Bee-Eye?
She’s not doing it for the good of Alaska, except her own warped interpretation of that.
Maybe, as some people have noted how thin she is, she’s finally become burned out from being in wayyyyy over her head, just as governor of a state with less than 700,000 people. Combine that with ADD or whatever her other “issue” is, and that’s about as good of an explanation as any this side of my joking comments about her either being gay or else knocked up by Uncle Fester Cheney.
Iran election – Ahmadinejad wants Obama talks; cleric rebuff Khamenei
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he wants public talks with US President Barack Obama.
I wonder why. Maybe this is the reason. — a top group of Iranian clerics, from the late Ayatollah Khoumeni’s home of Qom, have called Ahmadinejad and his government illegitimate, as well as the sanctioning of the alleged election results by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Clearly, we are nowhere near the endgame in Iran (barring a sudden collapse of Khamenei’s power). Stay tuned.
I wonder why. Maybe this is the reason. — a top group of Iranian clerics, from the late Ayatollah Khoumeni’s home of Qom, have called Ahmadinejad and his government illegitimate, as well as the sanctioning of the alleged election results by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Clearly, we are nowhere near the endgame in Iran (barring a sudden collapse of Khamenei’s power). Stay tuned.
Washington Post publisher passes salon buck
In a special letter to the public, Washington Post publisher Katherine Weymouth, granddaughter of THE Katherine, pretty totally dodges responsibility for the Post’s recent idea of “pay-for-play” salons to bring together Post editorial staffers alongside White House staff and lobbyists, etc.
That’s totally contrary to what she told New York Times reporter David Carr just a day earlier, claiming she took full responsibility for the fiasco.
Carr notes this:
That “explanation” she holds on to in her public letter:
Boy, the Politico will have fun with this!
That’s totally contrary to what she told New York Times reporter David Carr just a day earlier, claiming she took full responsibility for the fiasco.
Carr notes this:
Ms. Weymouth’s excuse — that the salon brochure “completely misrepresented what we were trying to do” didn’t track with many reporters, who have already been contending with cutbacks at the paper.
That “explanation” she holds on to in her public letter:
The flier was not approved by me or newsroom editors, and it did not accurately reflect what we had in mind.
Boy, the Politico will have fun with this!
Honduras – it didn’t start as a coup , but …
I won’t argue that we have a “coup-like situation.”
The “it wasn’t a coup” been my stance from the start, and I’m sticking to it. Certainly not I’ve said from my first post on the subject that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya brought this on himself.
My “not a coup” impression was fortified by an American expat in Honduras, working at an NGO, who started there with the Peace Corps. That’s the type of person who’s normally not that close to conservative, but at the same time, isn’t blind to what’s happening, and what’s behind what’s happening.
At the same time, I’ve also said from the start that it’s never good when the military gets involved in Central American politics. Especially when, as I know without outside reminder, that members of the Honduran military have been trained at the formerly named School of the Americas.
So, as this thing wends along, I’m not alone in seeing this as a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” moment, or alternatively, a “pox on both their houses” issue.
Here’s Michael Tomasky, comparing Zelaya to Michael Bloomberg. He does use the word “coup,” but notes that no instability is likely.
And, the usually insightful Steve Clemons opines:
In doing so, he strikes me as like someone like Andrew Sullivan on Iran — blindly wanting to see blacks and white, where all that exists, not counting the Honduran military, is largely muddled shades of gray, none of them too light.
Zelaya knew into whose bed he had jumped when he snuggled up with Señor Bolivarean, and he knew exactly what tactics he was borrowing. Perhaps among his failures, though, is that, unlike his mentor Chavez, he was never in the military himself.
Also, for people like “American” trying to claim it was just an advisory body he was trying to convene, Clemons sets him straight, noting Article 374 of the Honduran Constitution bars any attempt to alter presidential term limits. Period.
And, I also referred to Zelaya’s Wiki bio; he’s not a choir boy.
“American” cites Counterpunch for a lot of his information. Now, at times, Counterpunch is very good; it’s on my links list, in fact. It goes where more staid folks like The Nation and Mother Jones don’t. But, at times, Counterpunch prints more than its share of conspiracy theorizing and near-conspiracy theorizing.
“James” from the comment thread above possibly has the best read on the situation:
And, speaking of two non-Counterpunch magazines that go beyond Democratic Party liberalism, The Nation does have several pieces. A John Nichols blog is worth reading more for comments than Nichols’ post. Some commenters, unlike John, grasp the complexities involved.
Others, though, claim that Zelaya not only was not a candidate in November, he couldn’t have made himself one.
Oh, really? If he could take one step against the Honduran Constitution, why not a second?
==
Update, Sept. 6, 2017: Per Wiki, I now call it a coup, as I have for more than 18 months. It's convoluted, and neither side is that much in the right, but there you are.
Related to that, as I've moved from left-liberal to some kind of leftist, I have to note that, while Steve Clemons is very insightful, and surely is on the letter of Honduran law, he's also very much inside the bipartisan foreign policy establishment.
The “it wasn’t a coup” been my stance from the start, and I’m sticking to it. Certainly not I’ve said from my first post on the subject that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya brought this on himself.
My “not a coup” impression was fortified by an American expat in Honduras, working at an NGO, who started there with the Peace Corps. That’s the type of person who’s normally not that close to conservative, but at the same time, isn’t blind to what’s happening, and what’s behind what’s happening.
At the same time, I’ve also said from the start that it’s never good when the military gets involved in Central American politics. Especially when, as I know without outside reminder, that members of the Honduran military have been trained at the formerly named School of the Americas.
So, as this thing wends along, I’m not alone in seeing this as a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” moment, or alternatively, a “pox on both their houses” issue.
Here’s Michael Tomasky, comparing Zelaya to Michael Bloomberg. He does use the word “coup,” but notes that no instability is likely.
And, the usually insightful Steve Clemons opines:
In the immediate aftermath of this coup it's difficult to say exactly which side is democratic. President Zelaya's would be referendum was explicitly against the Honduran constitution, yet he insisted on moving ahead with the vote against the wishes of the nation's Supreme Court, Congress, and military. Perhaps his power grab was buoyed by the success of his friend Hugo Chavez' February referendum to end presidential term limits in Venezuela. Zelaya was certainly acting undemocratic, but there's a right way and a wrong way to contain an overreaching leader; forcing him out of the country at gunpoint is certainly the wrong way. This is a tough call to make; one illegal act countered by another.The commenter “American,” in the the comment thread on my post cited above, makes good points as to how the military has turned this into, shall we say, a “coup-like situation.” However, he goes beyond this into a flat-out defense of Zelaya.
In doing so, he strikes me as like someone like Andrew Sullivan on Iran — blindly wanting to see blacks and white, where all that exists, not counting the Honduran military, is largely muddled shades of gray, none of them too light.
Zelaya knew into whose bed he had jumped when he snuggled up with Señor Bolivarean, and he knew exactly what tactics he was borrowing. Perhaps among his failures, though, is that, unlike his mentor Chavez, he was never in the military himself.
Also, for people like “American” trying to claim it was just an advisory body he was trying to convene, Clemons sets him straight, noting Article 374 of the Honduran Constitution bars any attempt to alter presidential term limits. Period.
And, I also referred to Zelaya’s Wiki bio; he’s not a choir boy.
“American” cites Counterpunch for a lot of his information. Now, at times, Counterpunch is very good; it’s on my links list, in fact. It goes where more staid folks like The Nation and Mother Jones don’t. But, at times, Counterpunch prints more than its share of conspiracy theorizing and near-conspiracy theorizing.
“James” from the comment thread above possibly has the best read on the situation:
I think that Alvaro Vargas Llosa has the most spot on description of these events. This was a trap that military walked straight into, turning an unpopular authoritarian who was attempting to break the law into a hero of democracy.Here’s Lhosa’s NY Times column, where he ultimately opines that there are no winners in this situation. (That then said, Vargas Llosa is a flak for paleoconservative/libertarian economics.)
And, speaking of two non-Counterpunch magazines that go beyond Democratic Party liberalism, The Nation does have several pieces. A John Nichols blog is worth reading more for comments than Nichols’ post. Some commenters, unlike John, grasp the complexities involved.
Others, though, claim that Zelaya not only was not a candidate in November, he couldn’t have made himself one.
Oh, really? If he could take one step against the Honduran Constitution, why not a second?
==
Update, Sept. 6, 2017: Per Wiki, I now call it a coup, as I have for more than 18 months. It's convoluted, and neither side is that much in the right, but there you are.
Related to that, as I've moved from left-liberal to some kind of leftist, I have to note that, while Steve Clemons is very insightful, and surely is on the letter of Honduran law, he's also very much inside the bipartisan foreign policy establishment.
July 04, 2009
Obama Lie No. 444 – pressure me from the left
No surprise here, that Der Promise-Breaker would release this one on the Fourth of July, to bury it deep inside the Fourth of July holiday news black hole.President Barack Obama claimed a few months back that he welcomed pressure from the left to push him further forward.
But he now says, on national healthcare, I didn’t really mean that, so stop running those advocacy ads against moderate Democrats.
But, that’s not all.
The president who either cannot or will not lead on the most important legislative issues of his term, so far, suddenly has no problem using the threat of “muscle” and smackdowns against these advocacy groups:
Obama also hinted that efforts are under way to discourage allies from future attacks on Democrats, according to the source, who did not have permission to speak on the record about the discussion.
Finally, note who was “chosen” from the WaPost staff to write this, whether solely because it’s her beat or because Team Obama wanted her.
The byline is from Ms. Health Insurance, Ceci Connolly.
Gail Collins snarks on Palin
NYTimes editorial editor wishes for a pants-down scandal, not the open-wallet one we may get, and regrets SP will inflict herself more on Lower 48 now. Just go read it.
Once again, China passing US on environmentalism
As we approach Copenhagen in December, China approaches passing the U.S. in wind turbines.
True, there may be construction underbids, or corruption, associated with a semi-command economy on such issues.
Nonetheless, Beijing is requiring electric utilities to get 8 percent of their power from nonhydroelectric renewable sources by 2020. Waxman-Markey allows dams built after 1992 to contribute to the U.S.’s desired 15 percent “green” by 2020 standard. It does also allow (theoretically) documented conservation measures to count.
In reality, which will be better, I don’t know. But, aside from China’s continued refusal to commit to overall CO2 cuts, the story shows the U.S. doesn’t have a lot of room, necessarily, to go around browbeating China.
True, there may be construction underbids, or corruption, associated with a semi-command economy on such issues.
Nonetheless, Beijing is requiring electric utilities to get 8 percent of their power from nonhydroelectric renewable sources by 2020. Waxman-Markey allows dams built after 1992 to contribute to the U.S.’s desired 15 percent “green” by 2020 standard. It does also allow (theoretically) documented conservation measures to count.
In reality, which will be better, I don’t know. But, aside from China’s continued refusal to commit to overall CO2 cuts, the story shows the U.S. doesn’t have a lot of room, necessarily, to go around browbeating China.
Next round of foreclosures coming
The L.A. Times details what I first looked at more than a year ago — the likelihood of a second peak in foreclosures.
The Times primarily notes that many people who applied for mortgage modifications didn’t get them, and now their application-time grace periods are about to expire. However, it overlooks that many people either bought new, bought second houses, or refinanced, at the end of the housing bubble, in many cases with Alt-A, if not subprime, loans.
In turn, from my (until now) professional perspective, means more tough times for newspapers. Banks don’t take out ads to sell foreclosed homes. Sheriff’s may do legal ads for tax-delinquency sales, but that’s it. And, more individuals looking to sell, to pinch pennies, will do “for sale by owner” routes.
The Times primarily notes that many people who applied for mortgage modifications didn’t get them, and now their application-time grace periods are about to expire. However, it overlooks that many people either bought new, bought second houses, or refinanced, at the end of the housing bubble, in many cases with Alt-A, if not subprime, loans.
In turn, from my (until now) professional perspective, means more tough times for newspapers. Banks don’t take out ads to sell foreclosed homes. Sheriff’s may do legal ads for tax-delinquency sales, but that’s it. And, more individuals looking to sell, to pinch pennies, will do “for sale by owner” routes.
‘Copenhagen or bust’ for climate control
There is no Plan B in Copenhagen, if this round of global climate change control breaks down either before or during the Copenhagen summit in December.
That’s straight from the mouth of Denmark's Minister for Climate Connie Hedegaard. She admits there are still many hurdles, but stresses they are all political, not technical.
With her statement on the table, will certain GOP Senators do everything they can to deliberately monkey-wrench Waxman-Markey?
That’s straight from the mouth of Denmark's Minister for Climate Connie Hedegaard. She admits there are still many hurdles, but stresses they are all political, not technical.
With her statement on the table, will certain GOP Senators do everything they can to deliberately monkey-wrench Waxman-Markey?
LA Times bias in Honduras?
In an otherwise-good article, Tracy Wilkinson says:
Well, you just called it a coup. Taking one camp’s side.
That said, Wilkinson does note this is more about “politics as usual” ideology as anything, because the two main political parties in Honduras are really two extended families in the 7-million person country. And, Zelaya himself is a timber baron, who, other than in Chavezista style, hasn’t given a tremendous amount of indications of true populism.
Overall, the Times story is very good. But that is a big oops in the middle of it.
The two camps cannot even agree to call the coup a coup.
Well, you just called it a coup. Taking one camp’s side.
That said, Wilkinson does note this is more about “politics as usual” ideology as anything, because the two main political parties in Honduras are really two extended families in the 7-million person country. And, Zelaya himself is a timber baron, who, other than in Chavezista style, hasn’t given a tremendous amount of indications of true populism.
Overall, the Times story is very good. But that is a big oops in the middle of it.
France again rejects GMO corn
That’s despite the claim from the European Food Safety Authority, the European Union’s food watchdog, that Monsanto GMO corn is safe.
Not so fast.
The EFSA refused to follow through on a French request that it examine whether or not GMO crops, often bred to be able to be specially used with herbicides and pesticides by the same company that creates the GMO crop, didn’t perhaps produce chemically super-resistant weeds. EFSA said it wasn’t ready to do that until next year, but went ahead and claimed the corn is safe now.
Nice try.
Not so fast.
The EFSA refused to follow through on a French request that it examine whether or not GMO crops, often bred to be able to be specially used with herbicides and pesticides by the same company that creates the GMO crop, didn’t perhaps produce chemically super-resistant weeds. EFSA said it wasn’t ready to do that until next year, but went ahead and claimed the corn is safe now.
Nice try.
Sea ice lowest in 800 years
Just one more global warming alert that Smokey Joe Barton, Jim Imhofe, etc., will try to deny away.
The REAL real reason for Palin’s resignation
Maybe she isn’t allegedly on the take from a contractor. Then why?
I have some alternative possibilities:
1. She’s lesbian
2. Todd is gay
3. She’s lesbian AND Todd is gay
4. She’s not just pregnant, she’s knocked up — by Levi Johnston
5. She’s lesbian AND Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson is her lover
6. She’s knocked up by the state’s top Democrat, Mark Begich
7. She’s knocked up by Uncle Fester himself, Dick Cheney
8. She’s lesbian and her lover is Audrey from the Palin’s Deception blog, and the two, through joint egg donation fusion, are actually Trigg’s parents
Submit your own. If we get more than 10, I can cull the best and mail it to Letterman.
I have some alternative possibilities:
1. She’s lesbian
2. Todd is gay
3. She’s lesbian AND Todd is gay
4. She’s not just pregnant, she’s knocked up — by Levi Johnston
5. She’s lesbian AND Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson is her lover
6. She’s knocked up by the state’s top Democrat, Mark Begich
7. She’s knocked up by Uncle Fester himself, Dick Cheney
8. She’s lesbian and her lover is Audrey from the Palin’s Deception blog, and the two, through joint egg donation fusion, are actually Trigg’s parents
Submit your own. If we get more than 10, I can cull the best and mail it to Letterman.
July 03, 2009
Palin running from Feds?
With a bit of insight from other blogs, parsing her speech, where she comments/complains about all the taxpayer dollars being spent on investigating her, I think we can guess she needs to resign to get into full-time “lawyer up” mode.
And, exactly WHY would the Whore of Wasilla be resigning, and, perhaps connected and even more, why did she announce it back there, rather than either Juneau or Anchorage?
Maybe it’s because of two structures, one public, one private, that she helped build in Wasilla, Brad Blog suggests. That would be the big “hockey complex to nowhere” and improvements to her house.
Palin might be able to block, sidle around, or whatever, on state investigations, but she can’t outrun the feds. If true, I’m dying to read what Bill Kristol will eventually be forced to write.
Max Blumenthal at The Daily Beast has juicy details on SBS, the contractor for both projects, and one with close connections to First Dumbass Todd, not just Sarah.
So, instead of John Ensign and Mark Sanford, she did not get caught with her pants down. Instead, it was with her wallet open.
According to Alaskan TV, July 26 is the effective date.
A good roundup of conservative takes is at the Anchoress, who herself speculates serious family illness.
Almost everybody out of more than two dozen commenters says she’s politically toast. And, that was before this speculation started getting focused.
Note: For more on “The Whore of Wasilla” and other Palin nicknames, head here.
And, exactly WHY would the Whore of Wasilla be resigning, and, perhaps connected and even more, why did she announce it back there, rather than either Juneau or Anchorage?
Maybe it’s because of two structures, one public, one private, that she helped build in Wasilla, Brad Blog suggests. That would be the big “hockey complex to nowhere” and improvements to her house.Palin might be able to block, sidle around, or whatever, on state investigations, but she can’t outrun the feds. If true, I’m dying to read what Bill Kristol will eventually be forced to write.
Max Blumenthal at The Daily Beast has juicy details on SBS, the contractor for both projects, and one with close connections to First Dumbass Todd, not just Sarah.
So, instead of John Ensign and Mark Sanford, she did not get caught with her pants down. Instead, it was with her wallet open.
According to Alaskan TV, July 26 is the effective date.
A good roundup of conservative takes is at the Anchoress, who herself speculates serious family illness.
Almost everybody out of more than two dozen commenters says she’s politically toast. And, that was before this speculation started getting focused.
Note: For more on “The Whore of Wasilla” and other Palin nicknames, head here.
A good story on my newspaper’s demise
More in-depth, and with more nuance than The (MUST be capitalized) Dallas Morning News story, Brett Shipp of WFAA lets you know just what a community newspaper does and what it means.
Thanks, Brett.
And, he’s right about what a community newspaper does.
The small daily paper in the south Dallas suburbs, Focus Daily News? Doesn’t do obits. Or birth announcements. Or weddings. Or anniversaries. Or engagements.
And, I highly doubt owner Marlon Hanson will change that plan.
His primary purpose for his paper is, as a daily newspaper, to base his revenue on national advertising inserts.
So, if you want any of that “lifestyles” stuff, Best Southwest, and in the old-fashioned way of actually appearing in a newspaper, guess what? You have to pay Dallas Morning News rates for it.
Thanks, Brett.
And, he’s right about what a community newspaper does.
The small daily paper in the south Dallas suburbs, Focus Daily News? Doesn’t do obits. Or birth announcements. Or weddings. Or anniversaries. Or engagements.
And, I highly doubt owner Marlon Hanson will change that plan.
His primary purpose for his paper is, as a daily newspaper, to base his revenue on national advertising inserts.
So, if you want any of that “lifestyles” stuff, Best Southwest, and in the old-fashioned way of actually appearing in a newspaper, guess what? You have to pay Dallas Morning News rates for it.
Fort Worth mayor speaks – for good – on gay bar raid
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, breaking a week-long official silence, actually has something good to say about what needs to be done on the gay bar raid in his city last week.
He wants a thorough review of what happened at Rainbow Lounge – a thorough review conducted by federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney in Dallas, James Jacks, said Moncrief has already discussed the issue with him. And, people associated with the results of the raid are cautiously optimistic:
Go, mayor, go!
He wants a thorough review of what happened at Rainbow Lounge – a thorough review conducted by federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney in Dallas, James Jacks, said Moncrief has already discussed the issue with him. And, people associated with the results of the raid are cautiously optimistic:
Todd Camp, who witnessed the raid and a has been outspoken about the incident, said Moncrief’s request was a start.
“I’m glad that the mayor has said what he said,” Camp said. “There was a very public call for an independent investigation separate from the ones that are ongoing.”
He said a Web site, rainbowloungeraid.com, would be launched Friday to provide information about the raid and the investigations that have followed. And a group will meet next week to form an organization that Camp said he hopes will address how to move forward.
“There’s going to be a lot of good that comes out of this,” Camp said. “Fort Worth is an inclusive city, and I agree with the mayor on this.”
Go, mayor, go!
The Whore of Wasilla is resigning
Claiming she can be more effective outside government than inside (so can my left butt cheek, for that matter), Sarah Palin is resigning as governor of Alaska
Full text of Palin speech, from state website, is here.
According to Alaskan TV, July 26 is the effective date.
If, as all speculation claims, it’s to get an early start on a presidential run, she’s an idiot. Just like in this picture.
Given that there’s a fair amount of resentment to her within the party, and that many Alaskans in the GOP were seeing her as less and less effective by the day, this gives both state- and national-level operatives a chance to sharpen the long knives early.
And, unlike a year ago, and since this is within the party, those knives WILL come out.
She should have stayed in the governor’s mansion and tried to repair her image.
Beyond that, even with the earlier and earlier start to the presidential campaign season, she has two full years now to fall of the radar screen as well as to be sliced and diced.
That said, both that fact and the bald-facedness of her lies, per the second link, show that, without plenty of fortunate outside help, she’s incompetent as a politician.
Per the third link, from local TV, she claims she resigned to avoid lame-duck gubernatorial status since she wasn’t going to run again for that position.
Yeah, you idiot, but until you officially said so, nobody knew that for sure.
And, before the long knives are fully sharpened, after the recent escapades of Sen. John Ensign and Gov. Mark Sanford, some people are going to start speculating what’s in your rearview mirror.
Like, some new affair? More about the Trig Palin pregnancy? Who knows.
Looks like a fair chunk of the conservative blogosphere, starting with the often-insightful Allahpundit, agrees with me and with MSM analysis that this is a career-ender, not finishing out your first term as governor. It doesn't help when many of them talk about the quality of your speech with words like "rambling."
A good roundup of conservative takes is at the Anchoress, who herself speculates serious family illness.
Almost everybody out of more than two dozen commenters says she’s politically toast.
The one exception to the “almost”? Kristol.
Note: For more on “The Whore of Wasilla” and other Palin nicknames, head here.
Full text of Palin speech, from state website, is here.
According to Alaskan TV, July 26 is the effective date.
If, as all speculation claims, it’s to get an early start on a presidential run, she’s an idiot. Just like in this picture.Given that there’s a fair amount of resentment to her within the party, and that many Alaskans in the GOP were seeing her as less and less effective by the day, this gives both state- and national-level operatives a chance to sharpen the long knives early.
And, unlike a year ago, and since this is within the party, those knives WILL come out.
She should have stayed in the governor’s mansion and tried to repair her image.
Beyond that, even with the earlier and earlier start to the presidential campaign season, she has two full years now to fall of the radar screen as well as to be sliced and diced.
That said, both that fact and the bald-facedness of her lies, per the second link, show that, without plenty of fortunate outside help, she’s incompetent as a politician.
Per the third link, from local TV, she claims she resigned to avoid lame-duck gubernatorial status since she wasn’t going to run again for that position.
Yeah, you idiot, but until you officially said so, nobody knew that for sure.
And, before the long knives are fully sharpened, after the recent escapades of Sen. John Ensign and Gov. Mark Sanford, some people are going to start speculating what’s in your rearview mirror.
Like, some new affair? More about the Trig Palin pregnancy? Who knows.
Looks like a fair chunk of the conservative blogosphere, starting with the often-insightful Allahpundit, agrees with me and with MSM analysis that this is a career-ender, not finishing out your first term as governor. It doesn't help when many of them talk about the quality of your speech with words like "rambling."
A good roundup of conservative takes is at the Anchoress, who herself speculates serious family illness.
Almost everybody out of more than two dozen commenters says she’s politically toast.
The one exception to the “almost”? Kristol.
Note: For more on “The Whore of Wasilla” and other Palin nicknames, head here.
WaPost doesn’t need Big Biz salon sponsors
When you have people like Ceci Connelly already in the pocket of the insurance industry
The Politico has a detailed smackdown of the Post’s business side egregiousness. That said, if the Post lost $19.5 million in the first quarter, it’s obviously trying to scrape up money from somewhere.
Ironically, per the Politico story, the first salon was on healthcare (page 3 of story):
Sheee-it.
And, given the CYAs already flying from various Post brass, hell yes, an outside investigation is needed.
The Politico has a detailed smackdown of the Post’s business side egregiousness. That said, if the Post lost $19.5 million in the first quarter, it’s obviously trying to scrape up money from somewhere.
Ironically, per the Politico story, the first salon was on healthcare (page 3 of story):
“Offered at $25,000 per sponsor, per Salon. Maximum of two sponsors per Salon. Underwriters’ CEO or Executive Director participates in the discussion. Underwriters appreciatively acknowledged in printed invitations and at the dinner. Annual series sponsorship of 11 Salons offered at $250,000 … Hosts and Discussion Leaders ... Health-care reporting and editorial staff members of The Washington Post ... An exclusive opportunity to participate in the health-care reform debate among the select few who will actually get it done. ...
Sheee-it.
And, given the CYAs already flying from various Post brass, hell yes, an outside investigation is needed.
Remember Spaniards and Indians on Fourth
The Spaniards, at the time of the American Revolution, actually had more social freedoms than the 13 colonies/states. Treatment of slaves was less harsh and more defined under law. And, they weren’t “papist thugs.”
So, that’s your anti-jingoistic message for the Fourth of July this year, my American friends.
So, that’s your anti-jingoistic message for the Fourth of July this year, my American friends.
Deflation and its discontents
Paul Krugman has a sweeping riff on the latest job and wage numbers, the possibility of inflation, the growing need for more Obama Administration economic stimulus work and more.
Ironically, or whatever, after that gloom-and-doom tale, he goes on to accuse many of his fellow economists of scaremongering — about inflation. I’m sure Krugman’s right in the short term, but is he right in the long term?
Non-economist and fellow New York Times columnist David Brooks says China disagrees.
Ironically, or whatever, after that gloom-and-doom tale, he goes on to accuse many of his fellow economists of scaremongering — about inflation. I’m sure Krugman’s right in the short term, but is he right in the long term?
Non-economist and fellow New York Times columnist David Brooks says China disagrees.
The pending China-US divorce
David Brooks, in one of his better columns, says three baseline things:
1. Chinese leaders assume American consumers will never have the same 1995-2005 binge;
2. The U.S. government will not get its fiscal house in order
3. Young Chinese, fueled by the Net, have become more nationalistic.
I halfway agree with 1, at least halfway agree with 2, and am not totally surprised by 3.
Results? Brooks says it’s a “divorce.” No. 1 has Chinese leaders pushing internal consumerism, etc. No. 2 is why Beijing keeps attacking the dollar and pushing for a backup global reserve currency. And, No. 3 could be a Pandora’s box.
Read the full column.
1. Chinese leaders assume American consumers will never have the same 1995-2005 binge;
2. The U.S. government will not get its fiscal house in order
3. Young Chinese, fueled by the Net, have become more nationalistic.
I halfway agree with 1, at least halfway agree with 2, and am not totally surprised by 3.
Results? Brooks says it’s a “divorce.” No. 1 has Chinese leaders pushing internal consumerism, etc. No. 2 is why Beijing keeps attacking the dollar and pushing for a backup global reserve currency. And, No. 3 could be a Pandora’s box.
Read the full column.
Zelaya removed himself from office
Octavio Sanchez, former Honduran government minister of culture, spells out the Honduran constitution and how former President Manuel Zelaya essentially removed himself from office:
Now, re both the Obama Administration and the Organization of American States, but focusing on Team Obama.
Does nobody in the State Department have a copy of the Honduran Constitution? Did nobody bother to read one? Ditto in spades for the National Security Council.
And, did nobody point out to Obama himself how wrong he was?
In other words, did Der Leader go on his merry way of talking about a Honduran coup out of ignorance (bad enough), or with eyes wide open (worse)?
I agreed, and still agree, with Team Obama on Iran (though not on Afghanistan, although that's not "level of discord" opposition.) But, the meddling, the amount of meddling, the timetable of meddling?
If we want to talk about a coup, the only coup would have been if Obama prevented the state from removing Zelaya from office.
Meanwhile, Tom Hayden’s been nipping at the Obama-Chavez Kool-Aid.
Update, Sept. 6, 2017: Per Wiki, I now call it a coup, as I have for more than 18 months. It's convoluted, and neither side is that much in the right, but there you are.
Under our Constitution, what happened in Honduras this past Sunday? Soldiers arrested and sent out of the country a Honduran citizen who, the day before, through his own actions had stripped himself of the presidency.
On June 26, President Zelaya issued a decree ordering all government employees to take part in the "Public Opinion Poll to convene a National Constitutional Assembly." In doing so, Zelaya triggered a constitutional provision that automatically removed him from office. …
Our Constitution takes such intent seriously. According to Article 239: “No citizen who has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President. Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform [emphasis added], as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will immediately cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years.”
Now, re both the Obama Administration and the Organization of American States, but focusing on Team Obama.
Does nobody in the State Department have a copy of the Honduran Constitution? Did nobody bother to read one? Ditto in spades for the National Security Council.
And, did nobody point out to Obama himself how wrong he was?
In other words, did Der Leader go on his merry way of talking about a Honduran coup out of ignorance (bad enough), or with eyes wide open (worse)?
I agreed, and still agree, with Team Obama on Iran (though not on Afghanistan, although that's not "level of discord" opposition.) But, the meddling, the amount of meddling, the timetable of meddling?
If we want to talk about a coup, the only coup would have been if Obama prevented the state from removing Zelaya from office.
Meanwhile, Tom Hayden’s been nipping at the Obama-Chavez Kool-Aid.
Update, Sept. 6, 2017: Per Wiki, I now call it a coup, as I have for more than 18 months. It's convoluted, and neither side is that much in the right, but there you are.
July 02, 2009
I am now another journalist out of work
Today, with a day’s notice, my newspaper company, Today Newspapers, officially shut its doors. Since The Dallas Morning News is the god of local media, including for people south of the Trinity whoring after recognition, I give you its official version of the story.
I will have a series of blogs on details.
For people in the Dallas Metroplex, who may think the city of Dallas south of the Trinity is the dark side of the moon and the south suburbs are the planet Mars, besides the closed Today, there’s a five-day daily called Focus, while laughably, to be kind, claims a circulation of 33,000, but, to the best of my knowledge, has never been audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, will likely continue to print the minimum amount of news possible, even with a now-wide-open playing field.
The Snooze? Since for years, it’s ultimate goal and focus has been Collin County, no chance it expands its coverage down here.
And, so, southsiders, that’s your news coverage situation.
In the days ahead, I’ll have more of the specifics.
D
I will have a series of blogs on details.
For people in the Dallas Metroplex, who may think the city of Dallas south of the Trinity is the dark side of the moon and the south suburbs are the planet Mars, besides the closed Today, there’s a five-day daily called Focus, while laughably, to be kind, claims a circulation of 33,000, but, to the best of my knowledge, has never been audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, will likely continue to print the minimum amount of news possible, even with a now-wide-open playing field.
The Snooze? Since for years, it’s ultimate goal and focus has been Collin County, no chance it expands its coverage down here.
And, so, southsiders, that’s your news coverage situation.
In the days ahead, I’ll have more of the specifics.
D
Facebook privacy changes
We Facebookers are supposed to get more control over privacy settings, but that’s not all. Some other changes are coming too.
Why the Khamenei crackdown in Iran?
Roger Cohen offers several thoughts, beginning with the one that Mir Mousavi’s late surge in the Iranian presidential election caught Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei off guard.
Meanwhile, Cohen says both sides in the recent presidential race are struggling with the issue of who reaches out first to the U.S., and in what way.
Meanwhile, Cohen says both sides in the recent presidential race are struggling with the issue of who reaches out first to the U.S., and in what way.
Mental illness is in your 30,000 genes
In an understatement of the month story, researchers say genetic tests for mental illness propensity are far, far away.
Technically, it’s 30,000 gene variations, not 30,000 separate genes, for schizophrenia, but, headlines for blogs or Twitter can’t be too long.
Of course, this is another example, also, of how the highly-touted idea of genetically personalized medicine is just as much just around the corner as are peaceful nuclear fusion power and fuel-cell cars in mass production.
Technically, it’s 30,000 gene variations, not 30,000 separate genes, for schizophrenia, but, headlines for blogs or Twitter can’t be too long.
Of course, this is another example, also, of how the highly-touted idea of genetically personalized medicine is just as much just around the corner as are peaceful nuclear fusion power and fuel-cell cars in mass production.
Sanford sex scuppers book deal too?
It’s clear that whatever semi-delusional dreams South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford had of running for President in 2012 went by the boards when he dropped his pants in Argentina, and possibly elsewhere, over the last several years before getting caught. Now, it looks like a book deal he had is probably also kaput.
Hell, I think Penguin should give him more money if he’ll tell all, including a real confessional of how much of a douche he knew he was, years ago already.
Hell, I think Penguin should give him more money if he’ll tell all, including a real confessional of how much of a douche he knew he was, years ago already.
So, is recovery just around the corner or not?
Answering yes, if faintly, are several indicators, including a slowing pace of layoffs, a slowing pace of manufacturing contraction, etc., along with the prognostications of economists, labor analysts, etc.
But, note that those just indicate recovery seems to be around the corner. They don’t say it’s here yet.
Answering no, or at least, that the corner is at the end of the next block, is a still-rising unemployment rate, expected to hit 9.6 percent. And, some analysts still think it could eventually break the post-World War II high of 10.8 percent.
And, now, later today, both the NYT and the WSJ note that the June unemployment picture was not good.
Take note, though, we’re not there yet, so, this still isn’t yet the worst recession in post-World War II history. Besides, that one, from 1980-82, had a kick-start with the second oil embargo.
Internationally, the Eurozone supports the positive, Japan supports the negative.
But, note that those just indicate recovery seems to be around the corner. They don’t say it’s here yet.
Answering no, or at least, that the corner is at the end of the next block, is a still-rising unemployment rate, expected to hit 9.6 percent. And, some analysts still think it could eventually break the post-World War II high of 10.8 percent.
And, now, later today, both the NYT and the WSJ note that the June unemployment picture was not good.
Take note, though, we’re not there yet, so, this still isn’t yet the worst recession in post-World War II history. Besides, that one, from 1980-82, had a kick-start with the second oil embargo.
Internationally, the Eurozone supports the positive, Japan supports the negative.
Senate offers single-payer national healthcare plan
Finally, we’re getting a real healthcare reform bill from the Senate Health, Education, Labor Committee, that, on paper at least, offers real national healthcare with a single-payer option; in addition to the single-payer option, the estimated 97 percent coverage is close enough to a cigar to legitimately say this is national healthcare.
I don’t know if the $750/employee fee on companies who don’t cover their employees is high enough, but, it’s a definite start, and certainly in the neighborhood.
And, for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which puts private insurance on a godlike pedestal, there you go — avoid the penalty AND avoid your employees signing up for government health insurance by covering them.
Now, the other question is, does the bill set minimum standards of coverage for private-sector plans? Otherwise, a business could offer “insurance” with a $5,000 annual deductible and only 50 percent copay up to, say $25,000.
I don’t know if the $750/employee fee on companies who don’t cover their employees is high enough, but, it’s a definite start, and certainly in the neighborhood.
And, for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which puts private insurance on a godlike pedestal, there you go — avoid the penalty AND avoid your employees signing up for government health insurance by covering them.
Now, the other question is, does the bill set minimum standards of coverage for private-sector plans? Otherwise, a business could offer “insurance” with a $5,000 annual deductible and only 50 percent copay up to, say $25,000.
July 01, 2009
SC GOP chair says time for Sanford to quit
South Carolina Republican Party Chairwoman Karen Floyd has added her name to the swelling chorus of calls for Gov. Mark Sanford to resign.
“For the past two days, I have been speaking with Republican leaders across South Carolina,” she said in a statement. “There is clearly a growing view that the time may have come for Governor Sanford to remove himself and his family from the limelight, so that he can devote his efforts full-time to repairing the damage in his personal life.”
Also in that swelling chorus? Sen. Jim DeMint.
Meanwhile, Josh Marshall notes that the gov appears to be trying to force his wife to divorce him, so he can go with the flame called Maria, instead of him having to be even more of the bad guy.
So, I disagree with the SC GOP. Let Marky Mark stay for a while. Maybe he will name names on these other women with whom he has “crossed lines.” Or maybe he’ll do the political equivalent of going postal and start spilling the beans on others. Or maybe he’ll tell us about other lines he crossed. (Check those bathroom stalls at Atlanta Hartsfield!)
Do the really right thing, Gov. Stay in office and continue to entertain us.
Whose a clown for a living – Franken or Imhofe?
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, Mr. Anti-Science himself, in claiming the Waxman-Markey bill wouldn’t get more than 35 votes in the Senate, called Al Franken a clown, then justified it by saying that’s what he did for a living.
More on Fort Worth PD anti-gay thuggery
Was it just a routine check for intoxicated patrons at Fort Worth’s Rainbow Lounge last week, or was it possibly homophobic cops “ loaded for bear,” as one patron there claims?
If witness allegations that cops walked in with hands full of plastic handcuffs, well, then the latter is true.
As for Chad Gibson, still hospitalized with traumatic brain injury, patron cellphone photos show him on the floor of the bar, with a dent in the wall just above his head, while Fort Worth cops are disgusting enough to claim he fell down outside and hit his own head on the sidewalk because he was drunk.
Beyond that, if Gibson assaulted an officer or officers, why has he not been charged?
FWPD Chief Jeff Halstead now claims that patrons made advances at his officers. Right. Forty years after Stonewall, I doubt most drunken gay bar patrons, unless incredibly sloshed, would be close to that dumb.
Want to contact somebody? You can find e-mails for all Fort Worth City Council members here.
Here's what I sent to Mayor Mike Moncrief:
Don't be quiet!
If witness allegations that cops walked in with hands full of plastic handcuffs, well, then the latter is true.
As for Chad Gibson, still hospitalized with traumatic brain injury, patron cellphone photos show him on the floor of the bar, with a dent in the wall just above his head, while Fort Worth cops are disgusting enough to claim he fell down outside and hit his own head on the sidewalk because he was drunk.
Beyond that, if Gibson assaulted an officer or officers, why has he not been charged?
FWPD Chief Jeff Halstead now claims that patrons made advances at his officers. Right. Forty years after Stonewall, I doubt most drunken gay bar patrons, unless incredibly sloshed, would be close to that dumb.
Want to contact somebody? You can find e-mails for all Fort Worth City Council members here.
Here's what I sent to Mayor Mike Moncrief:
First, it's appalling from a PR standpoint, if nothing else, that you have yet to publicly comment on this issue. It's appalling beyond bad PR, though.
Second, why aren't officers involved with the Rainbow incident all on suspension? Chad Gibson may die as a result, and a REAL internal investigation would start by suspending officers, I would think.
Third, why are FWPD stories inconsistent with patrons, about where Gibson fell and suffered his head injury, who he fell, and more?
Fourth, if Gibson assaulted officers, why has he not been charged? (And, don't tell me police departments don't issue criminal charges against people in hospitals.)
Don't be quiet!
From gOd to ‘Joe the Plumber’
If I did exist, which I didn’t, I’d tell you to STFU. Stop claiming I am a political oracle.
But, Joe, if you do run, you are a Republican. Make sure you keep your pants on.
But, Joe, if you do run, you are a Republican. Make sure you keep your pants on.
Sullivan is back on Palin watch
Vanity Fair’s Todd Purdum, as part of his long expose on Sarah Palin, discusses the denouement of her pregnancy with Trig, and ventures the simple guess that she absolutely, positively, had to have Trig Palin born in Alaska.
Purdum notes of the state and its mentality:
Fine, Todd, but why did she drive out of Anchorage to Wasilla to go to a hospital surely unprepared for a complicated delivery, if a 44-year-old woman had one?
Andrew Sullivan, after a long absence from Palin watch agrees with me, calling this a non sequitur. And, saying that the MSM not investigating this is an exemplar of why it’s in trouble.
Meanwhile, the story has provoked a new round of GOP infighting, and what’s wrong with that?
Purdum notes of the state and its mentality:
John McPhee wrote, “Alaska is a foreign country significantly populated with Americans. Its languages extend to English. Its nature is its own. Nothing seems so unexpected as the boxes marked ‘U.S. Mail.’” That description still fits. The state capital, Juneau, is 600 miles from the principal city, Anchorage, and is reachable only by air or sea. Alaskan politicians list the length of their residency in the state (if they were not born there) at the top of their biographies, and are careful to specify whether they like hunting, fishing, or both. There is little sense of government as an enduring institution: when the annual 90-day legislative session is over, the legislators pack up their offices, files, and computers, and take everything home. Alaska’s largest newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News, maintains no full-time bureau in Juneau to cover the statehouse. As in any resource-rich developing country with weak institutions and woeful oversight, corruption and official misconduct go easily unchecked. Scrutiny is not welcome, and Alaskans of every age and station, of every race and political stripe, unself-consciously refer to every other place on earth with a single word: Outside.
Fine, Todd, but why did she drive out of Anchorage to Wasilla to go to a hospital surely unprepared for a complicated delivery, if a 44-year-old woman had one?
Andrew Sullivan, after a long absence from Palin watch agrees with me, calling this a non sequitur. And, saying that the MSM not investigating this is an exemplar of why it’s in trouble.
Meanwhile, the story has provoked a new round of GOP infighting, and what’s wrong with that?
No budget deal as Cali issues IOUs
If you were an outside vendor, would you accept a state of California IOU, backed in part by a GOP-dysfunctional state Assembly and Senate? I’m thinking that even GOP businessmen who preach against taxes all the time are going to blink hard at what the anti-tax obstructionism in the Leaden State has now brought about.
OAS takes its turn at Honduras meddling
Interim President Roberto Micheletti and his country have been threatened with suspension from the Organization of American States unless exiled ex-President Manuel Zelaya is restored to power within three days.
Micheletti says he’s ready to talk, whether with the OAS, Obama Administration or the UN, as protests I his favor continued to be larger than those for Zelaya, but nobody will dialogue.
And, Micheletti ready to talk defended the legality of everything done, and confirmed Honduras still plans a regular presidential election in November, as well as noting he would not run in that election and was only serving to fill out Zelaya’s term:
Note also, in case you were unaware, that Micheletti is from Zelaya’s political party. This is not some reactionary.
Meanwhile, Fausta’s blog (definitely right-conservative overall, but good on this issue), with translations of La Prensa articles, note just how long in preparation Zelaya’s clearly illegal referendum had been. It’s been months.
Fortunately, a few folks in the MSM, like Miami Herald’s Glenn Garvin, also know this was not a coup. Like Garvin says, can’t Obama, the OAS and the UN take Micheletti and the Honduran Congress at their word, and just be patient until November?
Micheletti says he’s ready to talk, whether with the OAS, Obama Administration or the UN, as protests I his favor continued to be larger than those for Zelaya, but nobody will dialogue.
And, Micheletti ready to talk defended the legality of everything done, and confirmed Honduras still plans a regular presidential election in November, as well as noting he would not run in that election and was only serving to fill out Zelaya’s term:
“We are acting within the law,” said Mr. Micheletti, a member of Mr. Zelaya's own political party and leader of Honduras’s Congress, who was sworn in as president hours after troops stormed the presidential palace. Mr. Zelaya, he said, “is now suffering the consequences of having broken the law.” …
Mr. Micheletti called for “understanding” from other nations, especially the U.S. “If [the U.S.] does not recognize us, it would be condemning to failure the aspirations of Hondurans.”
Note also, in case you were unaware, that Micheletti is from Zelaya’s political party. This is not some reactionary.
Meanwhile, Fausta’s blog (definitely right-conservative overall, but good on this issue), with translations of La Prensa articles, note just how long in preparation Zelaya’s clearly illegal referendum had been. It’s been months.
Fortunately, a few folks in the MSM, like Miami Herald’s Glenn Garvin, also know this was not a coup. Like Garvin says, can’t Obama, the OAS and the UN take Micheletti and the Honduran Congress at their word, and just be patient until November?
Obama to let former Big Oil lobbyist run EPA region?
Having moved to Lancaster, suburban Dallas, not too long after the brouhaha over Hall’s Waste Management work, also mentioned in the story, I agree that he’s a poor choice for Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 administrator.
I don’t know if he has an inside track over Al Armendariz (a better choice), or anybody else, or not, but I don’t want him.
I don’t know if he has an inside track over Al Armendariz (a better choice), or anybody else, or not, but I don’t want him.
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