Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head
Little by little, the truth is leaking out: [Q] - When it comes to the Wall Street meltdown, Rep. Barney Frank is considered the engineer of the financial train wreck, a bostonherald.com instant poll shows. Frank (D-Newton), chairman of the House Financial Services panel, is plastered with blame even more so than President Bush or former fed chief Alan Greenspan. Some readers argue all you have to do is click over to YouTube and listen to Frank, in the fall of 2003, swear “Fannie and Freddie (are) not in a crisis!” and are “fundamentally sound financially.” Whoops, guess not. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been taken over by the government and are under a grand jury investigation. More than 5,000 responders to a bostonherald.com poll posted mid-day yesterday are calling for heads to roll: - http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1122387 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
Plus they float away into the lakes, rivers and seas and are ingested by those fancy fish everyone craves.//Today I took my canvas tote to Aldi for my second visit. It was packed with shoppers! ( One I had noticed- sort of a dreamy man- wound up next at the municipal liquor store for discount Tuesday.) And the upscale grocery store-Lunds, nextdoor- had few cars in its lot. The day before, loss leaders had flown off the shelves of Rainbow.//Hint: Keep your canvas bag light- or rent a cart for a quarter. On Oct 1, 1:12 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 17.6 million barrels of oil a year On Sep 30, 11:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: The Gratitude Campaign
My hope is that our military recruits return to society with values and disipline unlike the gangs and loafers of youth that are tearing our cities apart. On Sep 30, 5:38�pm, wncs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is pretty neat.(30 second video)... Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how or it felt awkward? Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement to get the word out. Please everybody take just a moment to watch... . The Gratitude Campaign and then forward it to your friends! http://www.gratitudecampaign.org:80/shortmovie.php --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: This week is going to be a Test in the Markets...
It is a great time to buy for those who can, i.e. with cash or credit. The real problem is loss of trust and the government tinkering with an economic maelstrom. I remember stories about deals being worked out on the back of an envelope or with a handshake- these days one needs a lawyer or an accountant. On Sep 30, 10:46�am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nothing was done for the Crisis b y our Government. And yet the Market is UP Today... Imagine that. On Sep 30, 4:03�am, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One star no reply On Sep 30, 3:33�pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sep 29, 7:54�pm, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The center of finance may move to Boston. Too Late... After Sarbanes-Oxley it moved to London.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Palin Implicated By Witness in ‘Troopergate’ Probe
Palin Implicated By Witness in ‘Troopergate’ Probe http://www.pubrecord.org/component/content/359.html?task=view An Alaska woman who owns a company that processes workers’ compensation claims in the state has told an independent investigator that she was urged by the office of Gov. Sarah Palin to deny a benefits claim for Palin’s ex brother-in-law, a state trooper who was involved in an ugly divorce and child custody dispute with Palin’s sister, despite evidence that the claim appeared to be legitimate, according to state officials who were briefed about the conversation. Murlene Wilkes, the proprietor of Harbor Adjustment Service in Anchorage, had originally denied that she was pressured by Gov. Palin’s office to deny state trooper Mike Wooten’s claim for workers compensation benefits. But Wilkes changed her story two weeks ago when she was subpoenaed by Steven Branchflower, the former federal prosecutor who was appointed in July to probe allegations Gov. Palin, Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, abused her office by abruptly ousting Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, state officials knowledgeable about her conversation with Branchflower said. Monegan has said he felt pressured by Gov. Palin, her husband, Todd, and several of her aides to fire Wooten. Branchflower’s investigation centers on whether Palin fired Monegan because he refused to fire Wooten. Palin initially welcomed the investigation, which was approved unanimously in July by the state’s Legislative Council, which has a Republican majority. However, after McCain picked Palin in late August to be his vice presidential running mate, national and state Republicans began suggesting that the investigation was a partisan witch-hunt against Palin. Despite pressure from the McCain-Palin campaign – and the refusal of Todd Palin and some Palin aides to honor subpoenas seeking their depositions – senior Alaskan legislators said Branchflower still intended to finish his report on the controversy by Oct. 10. The workers’ compensation issue is likely to be a major focus of Branchflower's report, according to state officials knowledgeable about the course of the investigation. Wilkes has a $1.2 million contract with the state to handle workers compensation claims. Her contract with the state was up but her firm was recently given a new contract--for $1.5 million--despite the fact that there were others who provided the state with a lower bid than Wilkes’s firm. One of the other applicants who submitted a lower bid has appealed the decision. Wilkes told Branchflower she believed it was impressed upon her from Palin's office that she would lose the contract if she did not deny the claim, state officials knowledgeable about her testimony said. Although Wooten did receive worker's compensation benefits for about three months, his claim was suddenly denied and he was forced to hire a lawyer and appeal the issue, which dragged on for more than six months. The adjuster who denied the benefits was Johanna Grasso, who used to be employed by Wilkes's firm. But it is unknown if the denial of Wooten's benefits was due to interference from Palin's office. According to John Cyr, the executive director of the Public Safety Employees Association, the union that represents Wooten and other state troopers, Wooten was approved for workers compensation benefits in January 2007. He filed for benefits due to a back injury he suffered when he pulled a dead body from a wrecked automobile and slipped on icy pavement. The same month Wooten started receiving workers compensation benefits, Todd Palin began following Wooten around “snapping pictures of him,” Cyr said. “Frank Bailey was getting people to say that [Wooten] was lying on his worker’s comp form,” Cyr said. “The governor’s family was following Mike around everywhere. They forwarded that information to the worker’s comp division.” Cyr said Wooten had been received his benefits checks totaling $11,000 without any problems until “somewhere between the end of March and the first of April.” “Out of nowhere [Wooten’s] workers comp claim was contravened, which basically means he got a letter saying he wasn’t entitled to benefits anymore,” Cyr said in an interview. Documents show that a state lawyer intervened in the case. Wooten “hired an attorney and filed a counterclaim against the state. Eventually, in November 2007 there was a settlement. Part of that settlement included an operation on [Wooten’s] back in California. This was a serious injury and he was flat broke and had to file for bankruptcy because his claims were denied. There was absolutely a personal vendetta against this trooper by the governor and the governor’s staff.” However, according to documents in Wooten’s case, the trooper had a preexisting condition that resulted in his disability claims being denied. But Branchflower has obtained evidence that extends beyond Wilkes’s statements that shows the denial of
Re: This week is going to be a Test in the Markets...
Capital gains penalities are just that- you pay when you inherit- pay when you sell- pay when you make a profit. So some sit on land and valuables and there is no action. In the meantime, inflation and the Antiques Roadshow soars the supposed value. Look at your property taxes! Then remind yourself that you accepted being entrapped by an effete system.//If banks think so little of savings rewards and so much of debt interest, why should we care if they fail?// If Wall Street rewards speculators instead of investors, do we really admire this system? On Sep 29, 7:58�pm, Jim Willis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As much as I hate to, I have to disagree with you Garr. If we do nothing we will face a 18 month recession. If we bail out Wall Street and support the behavior that got us here, we will suffer a TEN YEAR DEPRESSION. Government can play a role however. They could cut capital gains taxes to zero and follow that with a cut or removal of corporate tax rates. This would infuse trillions of dollars into the markets and make this a private bailout. What must be remembered is how we got here, a subject that no one has addressed. Freddie and Fannie, conjoined with the democrats. Someone needs to go to jail and the best place to start is Cristopher Dodd and Barney Frank. On Sep 29, 7:44�pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If we do nothing the average American will suffer, regardless if they had anything to do with it or not... On Sep 29, 5:36�pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I really don't give a damn about you or the guy next door. I believe in the constitution. You take your Bush bailout if you want it. When the economy fails, I'll be here, eating squirrel, 'possum, and 'coon with Travis. I'd like to know when you started supporting the Dems. I wouldn't assume you knew this was a Bush bailout. I'm not surprised to find that, even when I oppose the Dems, we are still have opposing views. I stand for the country without regard to party. You stand with the Dems only because they want to pass the Bush/ Paulson plan. On Sep 29, 8:07�pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nearly 2/3 of All American own Stocks... I guess you believe the guy next door is an Elitist. On Sep 29, 4:52�pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Who gives a shit about the elite markets. What about the average American? On Sep 29, 3:49�pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: WIth the Jewish Holiday, we are not likely to see any Legislation until the end of the week. This is going to show us just how strong our Markets/Economy truly is...- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
Moreso in foods you nuke or cook in Teflon at high heat. If you use those frozen entrees, nuke them in a glass pie plate with a square of wax paper on top if they are packaged in plastic. And some can liners are also under scrutiny.// Back to the past prior to plastic! :-) There was time when things were made to last and be repaired, when homemaking was a revered art- alas, this was prior to our toss-away society. Women no make dinner- they make reservations. On Oct 1, 4:05 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: that is true the plastic leaches into what is store in the plastic . On Oct 1, 3:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
no longer On Oct 1, 4:19 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Moreso in foods you nuke or cook in Teflon at high heat. If you use those frozen entrees, nuke them in a glass pie plate with a square of wax paper on top if they are packaged in plastic. And some can liners are also under scrutiny.// Back to the past prior to plastic! :-) There was time when things were made to last and be repaired, when homemaking was a revered art- alas, this was prior to our toss-away society. Women no make dinner- they make reservations. On Oct 1, 4:05 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: that is true the plastic leaches into what is store in the plastic . On Oct 1, 3:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
US 'casino' mentality blamed for planet's meltdown
US 'casino' mentality blamed for planet's meltdown By ALAN CLENDENNING – 12 hours ago SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Astounded by the U.S. government's failure to resolve the financial crisis threatening the foundations of the global free market, fingers of blame are pointing at America from around the planet. Latin American leaders say the U.S. must quickly fix the financial crisis it created before the rest of the world's hard-won economic gains are lost. The managers of big business took huge risks out of greed, said President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, whose economy is highly dependent on U.S. trade. What happens in the United States will affect the entire world and, above all, small countries like ours. In Europe, where some blame a phenomenon of casino capitalism that has become deeply engrained from New York to London to Moscow, there is more of a sense of shared responsibility. But Europeans also blame the U.S. government for letting things get out of hand. Amid harsh criticism is a growing consensus that stricter financial regulation is needed to prevent unfettered capitalism from destroying economies around the globe. And leaders of developing nations that kept spending tight and opened their economies in response to American demands are warning of other consequences — a loss of U.S. influence globally and the likelihood that the world's poor will suffer the most from greed by the biggest players in global finance. They spent the last three decades saying we needed to do our chores. They didn't, a grim-faced Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday. Even staunch U.S. allies like Colombian President Alvaro Uribe blasted the world's most powerful country for egging on uncontrolled financial speculation that he compared to a wild horse with no reins. The whole world has financed the United States, and I believe that they have a reciprocal debt with the planet, he said. It's harder for European leaders to point the finger directly at the United States since many of their financiers participated in the recklessness. London was home to the division of failed insurer AIG that racked up huge losses on credit-default swaps, and many reputable European banks disregarded risk to load up on higher yielding subprime assets. But the House's rejection Monday of the U.S. bank bailout proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson provoked a sharper tone and warnings that America must act. Though global markets on Tuesday recovered some of the ground they lost in a worldwide slide the day before, politicians from Europe to South America insisted the risk of a further plunge remains high. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on U.S. lawmakers to pass a package this week, saying it was the precondition for creating new confidence on the markets — and that is of incredibly great significance. In an unusually blunt statement from the 27-country European Union, EU Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger said: The United States must take its responsibility in this situation, must show statesmanship for the sake of their own country, and for the sake of the world. The crisis also has strengthened voices in France and Germany calling for EU regulations to eliminate highly deregulated financial markets, despite objections from Britain, which along with the U.S. is considered by some to practice a freer form of Anglo-Saxon capitalism. This crisis underlines the excesses and uncertainties of a casino capitalism that has only one logic — lining your pockets, said German lawmaker Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialists in the EU assembly. It also shows the bankruptcy of 'law of the jungle' capitalism that no longer invests in companies and job creation, but instead makes money out of money in a totally uncontrolled way. The U.S. government's failure to apply rules that might have prevented the crisis is seen as a betrayal in many developing countries that faced intense U.S. pressures to liberalize their economies. In some developing nations, state enterprises were privatized, currencies were allowed to float against the U.S. dollar and painful measures were taken to bring down debts. These advances are at risk now that credit is drying up. Countries with commodities-based economies are particularly vulnerable since more industrialized nations could reduce their demand for everything from soy to iron ore. It doesn't seem fair to me that those of us who endured so much hunger in the 20th century, who began to improve in the 21st century, should have to suffer due to the international financial system, Silva said. There are going to be a lot of people going hungry in the world. Just before meeting with Silva on Tuesday, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez said he believes a new economic order is in store for the planet. What's to blame? Imperialism, the United States, the irresponsibility of the United States government, said the self-avowed
Re: A debate ?moderator? in the tank for Obama
this election has brought about the death of journalism. On Oct 1, 6:13 am, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A debate “moderator” in the tank for Obama My first syndicated column of the week, filed this afternoon, shines light on PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, who will moderate Thursday’s only vice presidential debate. Try as she might to deflect questions about her impartiality, her biases — and her conflict of interest — are clear. But don’t you dare breathe a word about any of this. You know what will happen if you do… RACIST! Sidenote: TVNewser reports that Ifill has broken her ankle, but she’s still going to do the debate. But will she disclose her conflict of interest? Inquiring minds want to know. Ask the Commission on Presidential Debates if she will acknowledge her conflict of interest: 202-872-1020. And here’s the e-mail address of Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hopefully, their email system works better than the House. Tons of readers recommend that Sarah Palin open her debate remarks by congratulating Ifill on her book and asking her to tell everyone the title. *** A debate “moderator” in the tank for Obama by Michelle Malkin Creators Syndicate Copyright 2008 My dictionary defines “moderator” as “the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting.” On Thursday, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill will serve as moderator for the first and only vice presidential debate. The stakes are high. The Commission on Presidential Debates, with the assent of the two campaigns, decided not to impose any guidelines on her duties or questions. But there is nothing “moderate” about where Ifill stands on Barack Obama. She’s so far in the tank for the Democrat presidential candidate, her oxygen delivery line is running out. In an imaginary world where liberal journalists are held to the same standards as everyone else, Ifill would be required to make a full disclosure at the start of the debate. She would be required to turn to the cameras and tell the national audience that she has a book coming out on January 20, 2009 – a date that just happens to coincide with the inauguration of the next president of the United States. The title of Ifill’s book? “Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” Nonpartisan my foot. Ifill’s publisher, Random House, is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Mass. Governor Deval Patrick. The official promo for the book gushes: “In The Breakthrough, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power…Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the ‘black enough’ conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.” Ifill and her publisher are banking on an Obama/Biden win to buoy her book sales. The moderator expected to treat both sides fairly has grandiosely declared this the “Age of Obama.” Can you imagine a right-leaning journalist writing a book about the “stunning” McCain campaign and its “bold” path to reform timed for release on Inauguration Day – and then expecting a slot as a moderator for the nation’s sole vice presidential debate? Yeah, I just registered 6.4 on the Snicker Richter Scale, too. Despite the protestations of her colleagues that she will be fair, Ifill has appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows over the past several months to cash in on her access to the Obama campaign. She recently penned a fawning cover story on the Obamas for Essence magazine that earned much buzz. The title? “The Obamas: Portrait of an American Family.” A sample of Ifill’s hard-hitting investigative journalism, illustrated with Kennedyesque photos of the Obamas and children posing at home on the backporch and by the piano: “Barack Obama is sitting in the back of his rented luxury campaign bus with its granite counters and two flat-screen TVs. The Illinois senator’s arms are wrapped around his wife, Michelle, whom he doesn’t get to see much these days. At this very moment he is, of all things, singing.” During the Democratic National Convention, Ifill offered her neutral analysis before Michelle Obama’s speech on NBC News: “A lot of people have never seen anything that looks like a Michelle Obama before. She’s educated, she’s beautiful, she’s tall, she tells you what she thinks and they hope that she can tell a story about Barack Obama and about herself…” During the
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
murky, are you really that stupid? On Oct 1, 5:23 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Obama, if elected, will wilt away his Messiah image quickly. Might be the worst- beyond Bush 43. On Oct 1, 12:41 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you really that foolish ? On Sep 30, 6:58 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: murky murky murky. can not you read? there are quotes in there taken directly from the prosecutors own mouths saying they are part of a truth squad. barry gestapo was found out and now they are trying to hide. too late. On Sep 30, 6:52 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: this is nothing more than the hysterical rantings of a republican propagandist ! On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Palin Implicated By Witness in ‘Troopergate’ Probe
yawn On Oct 1, 4:50 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Palin Implicated By Witness in ‘Troopergate’ Probe http://www.pubrecord.org/component/content/359.html?task=view An Alaska woman who owns a company that processes workers’ compensation claims in the state has told an independent investigator that she was urged by the office of Gov. Sarah Palin to deny a benefits claim for Palin’s ex brother-in-law, a state trooper who was involved in an ugly divorce and child custody dispute with Palin’s sister, despite evidence that the claim appeared to be legitimate, according to state officials who were briefed about the conversation. Murlene Wilkes, the proprietor of Harbor Adjustment Service in Anchorage, had originally denied that she was pressured by Gov. Palin’s office to deny state trooper Mike Wooten’s claim for workers compensation benefits. But Wilkes changed her story two weeks ago when she was subpoenaed by Steven Branchflower, the former federal prosecutor who was appointed in July to probe allegations Gov. Palin, Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, abused her office by abruptly ousting Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, state officials knowledgeable about her conversation with Branchflower said. Monegan has said he felt pressured by Gov. Palin, her husband, Todd, and several of her aides to fire Wooten. Branchflower’s investigation centers on whether Palin fired Monegan because he refused to fire Wooten. Palin initially welcomed the investigation, which was approved unanimously in July by the state’s Legislative Council, which has a Republican majority. However, after McCain picked Palin in late August to be his vice presidential running mate, national and state Republicans began suggesting that the investigation was a partisan witch-hunt against Palin. Despite pressure from the McCain-Palin campaign – and the refusal of Todd Palin and some Palin aides to honor subpoenas seeking their depositions – senior Alaskan legislators said Branchflower still intended to finish his report on the controversy by Oct. 10. The workers’ compensation issue is likely to be a major focus of Branchflower's report, according to state officials knowledgeable about the course of the investigation. Wilkes has a $1.2 million contract with the state to handle workers compensation claims. Her contract with the state was up but her firm was recently given a new contract--for $1.5 million--despite the fact that there were others who provided the state with a lower bid than Wilkes’s firm. One of the other applicants who submitted a lower bid has appealed the decision. Wilkes told Branchflower she believed it was impressed upon her from Palin's office that she would lose the contract if she did not deny the claim, state officials knowledgeable about her testimony said. Although Wooten did receive worker's compensation benefits for about three months, his claim was suddenly denied and he was forced to hire a lawyer and appeal the issue, which dragged on for more than six months. The adjuster who denied the benefits was Johanna Grasso, who used to be employed by Wilkes's firm. But it is unknown if the denial of Wooten's benefits was due to interference from Palin's office. According to John Cyr, the executive director of the Public Safety Employees Association, the union that represents Wooten and other state troopers, Wooten was approved for workers compensation benefits in January 2007. He filed for benefits due to a back injury he suffered when he pulled a dead body from a wrecked automobile and slipped on icy pavement. The same month Wooten started receiving workers compensation benefits, Todd Palin began following Wooten around “snapping pictures of him,” Cyr said. “Frank Bailey was getting people to say that [Wooten] was lying on his worker’s comp form,” Cyr said. “The governor’s family was following Mike around everywhere. They forwarded that information to the worker’s comp division.” Cyr said Wooten had been received his benefits checks totaling $11,000 without any problems until “somewhere between the end of March and the first of April.” “Out of nowhere [Wooten’s] workers comp claim was contravened, which basically means he got a letter saying he wasn’t entitled to benefits anymore,” Cyr said in an interview. Documents show that a state lawyer intervened in the case. Wooten “hired an attorney and filed a counterclaim against the state. Eventually, in November 2007 there was a settlement. Part of that settlement included an operation on [Wooten’s] back in California. This was a serious injury and he was flat broke and had to file for bankruptcy because his claims were denied. There was absolutely a personal vendetta against this trooper by the governor and the governor’s staff.” However, according to documents in Wooten’s case, the trooper had a preexisting condition
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
that is good advice thank you . On Oct 1, 5:19 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Moreso in foods you nuke or cook in Teflon at high heat. If you use those frozen entrees, nuke them in a glass pie plate with a square of wax paper on top if they are packaged in plastic. And some can liners are also under scrutiny.// Back to the past prior to plastic! :-) There was time when things were made to last and be repaired, when homemaking was a revered art- alas, this was prior to our toss-away society. Women no make dinner- they make reservations. On Oct 1, 4:05 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: that is true the plastic leaches into what is store in the plastic . On Oct 1, 3:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
he is our only hope for the country to survive ! On Oct 1, 5:23 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Obama, if elected, will wilt away his Messiah image quickly. Might be the worst- beyond Bush 43. On Oct 1, 12:41 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you really that foolish ? On Sep 30, 6:58 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: murky murky murky. can not you read? there are quotes in there taken directly from the prosecutors own mouths saying they are part of a truth squad. barry gestapo was found out and now they are trying to hide. too late. On Sep 30, 6:52 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: this is nothing more than the hysterical rantings of a republican propagandist ! On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Palin Implicated By Witness in ‘Troopergate’ Probe
i keep waiting for you to post something even a little bit intelligent and it just never happens . On Oct 1, 6:28 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: yawn On Oct 1, 4:50 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Palin Implicated By Witness in ‘Troopergate’ Probe http://www.pubrecord.org/component/content/359.html?task=view An Alaska woman who owns a company that processes workers’ compensation claims in the state has told an independent investigator that she was urged by the office of Gov. Sarah Palin to deny a benefits claim for Palin’s ex brother-in-law, a state trooper who was involved in an ugly divorce and child custody dispute with Palin’s sister, despite evidence that the claim appeared to be legitimate, according to state officials who were briefed about the conversation. Murlene Wilkes, the proprietor of Harbor Adjustment Service in Anchorage, had originally denied that she was pressured by Gov. Palin’s office to deny state trooper Mike Wooten’s claim for workers compensation benefits. But Wilkes changed her story two weeks ago when she was subpoenaed by Steven Branchflower, the former federal prosecutor who was appointed in July to probe allegations Gov. Palin, Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, abused her office by abruptly ousting Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, state officials knowledgeable about her conversation with Branchflower said. Monegan has said he felt pressured by Gov. Palin, her husband, Todd, and several of her aides to fire Wooten. Branchflower’s investigation centers on whether Palin fired Monegan because he refused to fire Wooten. Palin initially welcomed the investigation, which was approved unanimously in July by the state’s Legislative Council, which has a Republican majority. However, after McCain picked Palin in late August to be his vice presidential running mate, national and state Republicans began suggesting that the investigation was a partisan witch-hunt against Palin. Despite pressure from the McCain-Palin campaign – and the refusal of Todd Palin and some Palin aides to honor subpoenas seeking their depositions – senior Alaskan legislators said Branchflower still intended to finish his report on the controversy by Oct. 10. The workers’ compensation issue is likely to be a major focus of Branchflower's report, according to state officials knowledgeable about the course of the investigation. Wilkes has a $1.2 million contract with the state to handle workers compensation claims. Her contract with the state was up but her firm was recently given a new contract--for $1.5 million--despite the fact that there were others who provided the state with a lower bid than Wilkes’s firm. One of the other applicants who submitted a lower bid has appealed the decision. Wilkes told Branchflower she believed it was impressed upon her from Palin's office that she would lose the contract if she did not deny the claim, state officials knowledgeable about her testimony said. Although Wooten did receive worker's compensation benefits for about three months, his claim was suddenly denied and he was forced to hire a lawyer and appeal the issue, which dragged on for more than six months. The adjuster who denied the benefits was Johanna Grasso, who used to be employed by Wilkes's firm. But it is unknown if the denial of Wooten's benefits was due to interference from Palin's office. According to John Cyr, the executive director of the Public Safety Employees Association, the union that represents Wooten and other state troopers, Wooten was approved for workers compensation benefits in January 2007. He filed for benefits due to a back injury he suffered when he pulled a dead body from a wrecked automobile and slipped on icy pavement. The same month Wooten started receiving workers compensation benefits, Todd Palin began following Wooten around “snapping pictures of him,” Cyr said. “Frank Bailey was getting people to say that [Wooten] was lying on his worker’s comp form,” Cyr said. “The governor’s family was following Mike around everywhere. They forwarded that information to the worker’s comp division.” Cyr said Wooten had been received his benefits checks totaling $11,000 without any problems until “somewhere between the end of March and the first of April.” “Out of nowhere [Wooten’s] workers comp claim was contravened, which basically means he got a letter saying he wasn’t entitled to benefits anymore,” Cyr said in an interview. Documents show that a state lawyer intervened in the case. Wooten “hired an attorney and filed a counterclaim against the state. Eventually, in November 2007 there was a settlement. Part of that settlement included an operation on [Wooten’s] back in California. This was a serious injury and he was flat broke and had to file for bankruptcy
Re: A debate ?moderator? in the tank for Obama
are you trying to make some kind of point ? On Oct 1, 6:13 am, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A debate “moderator” in the tank for Obama My first syndicated column of the week, filed this afternoon, shines light on PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, who will moderate Thursday’s only vice presidential debate. Try as she might to deflect questions about her impartiality, her biases — and her conflict of interest — are clear. But don’t you dare breathe a word about any of this. You know what will happen if you do… RACIST! Sidenote: TVNewser reports that Ifill has broken her ankle, but she’s still going to do the debate. But will she disclose her conflict of interest? Inquiring minds want to know. Ask the Commission on Presidential Debates if she will acknowledge her conflict of interest: 202-872-1020. And here’s the e-mail address of Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hopefully, their email system works better than the House. Tons of readers recommend that Sarah Palin open her debate remarks by congratulating Ifill on her book and asking her to tell everyone the title. *** A debate “moderator” in the tank for Obama by Michelle Malkin Creators Syndicate Copyright 2008 My dictionary defines “moderator” as “the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting.” On Thursday, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill will serve as moderator for the first and only vice presidential debate. The stakes are high. The Commission on Presidential Debates, with the assent of the two campaigns, decided not to impose any guidelines on her duties or questions. But there is nothing “moderate” about where Ifill stands on Barack Obama. She’s so far in the tank for the Democrat presidential candidate, her oxygen delivery line is running out. In an imaginary world where liberal journalists are held to the same standards as everyone else, Ifill would be required to make a full disclosure at the start of the debate. She would be required to turn to the cameras and tell the national audience that she has a book coming out on January 20, 2009 – a date that just happens to coincide with the inauguration of the next president of the United States. The title of Ifill’s book? “Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” Nonpartisan my foot. Ifill’s publisher, Random House, is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Mass. Governor Deval Patrick. The official promo for the book gushes: “In The Breakthrough, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power…Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the ‘black enough’ conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.” Ifill and her publisher are banking on an Obama/Biden win to buoy her book sales. The moderator expected to treat both sides fairly has grandiosely declared this the “Age of Obama.” Can you imagine a right-leaning journalist writing a book about the “stunning” McCain campaign and its “bold” path to reform timed for release on Inauguration Day – and then expecting a slot as a moderator for the nation’s sole vice presidential debate? Yeah, I just registered 6.4 on the Snicker Richter Scale, too. Despite the protestations of her colleagues that she will be fair, Ifill has appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows over the past several months to cash in on her access to the Obama campaign. She recently penned a fawning cover story on the Obamas for Essence magazine that earned much buzz. The title? “The Obamas: Portrait of an American Family.” A sample of Ifill’s hard-hitting investigative journalism, illustrated with Kennedyesque photos of the Obamas and children posing at home on the backporch and by the piano: “Barack Obama is sitting in the back of his rented luxury campaign bus with its granite counters and two flat-screen TVs. The Illinois senator’s arms are wrapped around his wife, Michelle, whom he doesn’t get to see much these days. At this very moment he is, of all things, singing.” During the Democratic National Convention, Ifill offered her neutral analysis before Michelle Obama’s speech on NBC News: “A lot of people have never seen anything that looks like a Michelle Obama before. She’s educated, she’s beautiful, she’s tall, she tells you what she thinks and they hope that she can tell a story about Barack Obama and about herself…” During the Republican
Re: A debate ?moderator? in the tank for Obama
anyone ever notice that all the moderators tend to be liberal obama supporters? On Oct 1, 6:43 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you trying to make some kind of point ? On Oct 1, 6:13 am, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A debate “moderator” in the tank for Obama My first syndicated column of the week, filed this afternoon, shines light on PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, who will moderate Thursday’s only vice presidential debate. Try as she might to deflect questions about her impartiality, her biases — and her conflict of interest — are clear. But don’t you dare breathe a word about any of this. You know what will happen if you do… RACIST! Sidenote: TVNewser reports that Ifill has broken her ankle, but she’s still going to do the debate. But will she disclose her conflict of interest? Inquiring minds want to know. Ask the Commission on Presidential Debates if she will acknowledge her conflict of interest: 202-872-1020. And here’s the e-mail address of Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hopefully, their email system works better than the House. Tons of readers recommend that Sarah Palin open her debate remarks by congratulating Ifill on her book and asking her to tell everyone the title. *** A debate “moderator” in the tank for Obama by Michelle Malkin Creators Syndicate Copyright 2008 My dictionary defines “moderator” as “the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting.” On Thursday, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill will serve as moderator for the first and only vice presidential debate. The stakes are high. The Commission on Presidential Debates, with the assent of the two campaigns, decided not to impose any guidelines on her duties or questions. But there is nothing “moderate” about where Ifill stands on Barack Obama. She’s so far in the tank for the Democrat presidential candidate, her oxygen delivery line is running out. In an imaginary world where liberal journalists are held to the same standards as everyone else, Ifill would be required to make a full disclosure at the start of the debate. She would be required to turn to the cameras and tell the national audience that she has a book coming out on January 20, 2009 – a date that just happens to coincide with the inauguration of the next president of the United States. The title of Ifill’s book? “Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” Nonpartisan my foot. Ifill’s publisher, Random House, is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Mass. Governor Deval Patrick. The official promo for the book gushes: “In The Breakthrough, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power…Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the ‘black enough’ conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.” Ifill and her publisher are banking on an Obama/Biden win to buoy her book sales. The moderator expected to treat both sides fairly has grandiosely declared this the “Age of Obama.” Can you imagine a right-leaning journalist writing a book about the “stunning” McCain campaign and its “bold” path to reform timed for release on Inauguration Day – and then expecting a slot as a moderator for the nation’s sole vice presidential debate? Yeah, I just registered 6.4 on the Snicker Richter Scale, too. Despite the protestations of her colleagues that she will be fair, Ifill has appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows over the past several months to cash in on her access to the Obama campaign. She recently penned a fawning cover story on the Obamas for Essence magazine that earned much buzz. The title? “The Obamas: Portrait of an American Family.” A sample of Ifill’s hard-hitting investigative journalism, illustrated with Kennedyesque photos of the Obamas and children posing at home on the backporch and by the piano: “Barack Obama is sitting in the back of his rented luxury campaign bus with its granite counters and two flat-screen TVs. The Illinois senator’s arms are wrapped around his wife, Michelle, whom he doesn’t get to see much these days. At this very moment he is, of all things, singing.” During the Democratic National Convention, Ifill offered her neutral analysis before Michelle Obama’s speech on NBC News: “A lot of people have never
Re: US 'casino' mentality blamed for planet's meltdown
the republican deregulating of the banking industry is what caused this On Oct 1, 6:02 am, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: US 'casino' mentality blamed for planet's meltdown By ALAN CLENDENNING – 12 hours ago SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Astounded by the U.S. government's failure to resolve the financial crisis threatening the foundations of the global free market, fingers of blame are pointing at America from around the planet. Latin American leaders say the U.S. must quickly fix the financial crisis it created before the rest of the world's hard-won economic gains are lost. The managers of big business took huge risks out of greed, said President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, whose economy is highly dependent on U.S. trade. What happens in the United States will affect the entire world and, above all, small countries like ours. In Europe, where some blame a phenomenon of casino capitalism that has become deeply engrained from New York to London to Moscow, there is more of a sense of shared responsibility. But Europeans also blame the U.S. government for letting things get out of hand. Amid harsh criticism is a growing consensus that stricter financial regulation is needed to prevent unfettered capitalism from destroying economies around the globe. And leaders of developing nations that kept spending tight and opened their economies in response to American demands are warning of other consequences — a loss of U.S. influence globally and the likelihood that the world's poor will suffer the most from greed by the biggest players in global finance. They spent the last three decades saying we needed to do our chores. They didn't, a grim-faced Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday. Even staunch U.S. allies like Colombian President Alvaro Uribe blasted the world's most powerful country for egging on uncontrolled financial speculation that he compared to a wild horse with no reins. The whole world has financed the United States, and I believe that they have a reciprocal debt with the planet, he said. It's harder for European leaders to point the finger directly at the United States since many of their financiers participated in the recklessness. London was home to the division of failed insurer AIG that racked up huge losses on credit-default swaps, and many reputable European banks disregarded risk to load up on higher yielding subprime assets. But the House's rejection Monday of the U.S. bank bailout proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson provoked a sharper tone and warnings that America must act. Though global markets on Tuesday recovered some of the ground they lost in a worldwide slide the day before, politicians from Europe to South America insisted the risk of a further plunge remains high. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on U.S. lawmakers to pass a package this week, saying it was the precondition for creating new confidence on the markets — and that is of incredibly great significance. In an unusually blunt statement from the 27-country European Union, EU Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger said: The United States must take its responsibility in this situation, must show statesmanship for the sake of their own country, and for the sake of the world. The crisis also has strengthened voices in France and Germany calling for EU regulations to eliminate highly deregulated financial markets, despite objections from Britain, which along with the U.S. is considered by some to practice a freer form of Anglo-Saxon capitalism. This crisis underlines the excesses and uncertainties of a casino capitalism that has only one logic — lining your pockets, said German lawmaker Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialists in the EU assembly. It also shows the bankruptcy of 'law of the jungle' capitalism that no longer invests in companies and job creation, but instead makes money out of money in a totally uncontrolled way. The U.S. government's failure to apply rules that might have prevented the crisis is seen as a betrayal in many developing countries that faced intense U.S. pressures to liberalize their economies. In some developing nations, state enterprises were privatized, currencies were allowed to float against the U.S. dollar and painful measures were taken to bring down debts. These advances are at risk now that credit is drying up. Countries with commodities-based economies are particularly vulnerable since more industrialized nations could reduce their demand for everything from soy to iron ore. It doesn't seem fair to me that those of us who endured so much hunger in the 20th century, who began to improve in the 21st century, should have to suffer due to the international financial system, Silva said. There are going to be a lot of people going hungry in the world. Just before meeting with Silva on Tuesday, Venezuelan leader Hugo
Re: The Gratitude Campaign
the greatest way to show gratitude for our returning troops is to fully fund the VA and vote out of office any politician who supported bush ! On Sep 30, 6:38 pm, wncs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is pretty neat.(30 second video)... Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how or it felt awkward? Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement to get the word out. Please everybody take just a moment to watch... . The Gratitude Campaign and then forward it to your friends! http://www.gratitudecampaign.org:80/shortmovie.php --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: US 'casino' mentality blamed for planet's meltdown
The rest of the world would be best served if they engage in the process of disentangling their economies from the US for the next few years. With the bank melt down, the American consumer will be restricted...if they don't cut up their credit cards on their own, the credit card companies will demand their return. This would be a good thing for many countries in the long run,,, they will be forced to build their self reliance, and their culture. They will also have an opportunity to develop trading relationships in other areas of the world. If they develop on the basis of a level playing field. that would be something to celebrate. On Oct 1, 6:58 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: the republican deregulating of the banking industry is what caused this On Oct 1, 6:02 am, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: US 'casino' mentality blamed for planet's meltdown By ALAN CLENDENNING – 12 hours ago SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Astounded by the U.S. government's failure to resolve the financial crisis threatening the foundations of the global free market, fingers of blame are pointing at America from around the planet. Latin American leaders say the U.S. must quickly fix the financial crisis it created before the rest of the world's hard-won economic gains are lost. The managers of big business took huge risks out of greed, said President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, whose economy is highly dependent on U.S. trade. What happens in the United States will affect the entire world and, above all, small countries like ours. In Europe, where some blame a phenomenon of casino capitalism that has become deeply engrained from New York to London to Moscow, there is more of a sense of shared responsibility. But Europeans also blame the U.S. government for letting things get out of hand. Amid harsh criticism is a growing consensus that stricter financial regulation is needed to prevent unfettered capitalism from destroying economies around the globe. And leaders of developing nations that kept spending tight and opened their economies in response to American demands are warning of other consequences — a loss of U.S. influence globally and the likelihood that the world's poor will suffer the most from greed by the biggest players in global finance. They spent the last three decades saying we needed to do our chores. They didn't, a grim-faced Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday. Even staunch U.S. allies like Colombian President Alvaro Uribe blasted the world's most powerful country for egging on uncontrolled financial speculation that he compared to a wild horse with no reins. The whole world has financed the United States, and I believe that they have a reciprocal debt with the planet, he said. It's harder for European leaders to point the finger directly at the United States since many of their financiers participated in the recklessness. London was home to the division of failed insurer AIG that racked up huge losses on credit-default swaps, and many reputable European banks disregarded risk to load up on higher yielding subprime assets. But the House's rejection Monday of the U.S. bank bailout proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson provoked a sharper tone and warnings that America must act. Though global markets on Tuesday recovered some of the ground they lost in a worldwide slide the day before, politicians from Europe to South America insisted the risk of a further plunge remains high. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on U.S. lawmakers to pass a package this week, saying it was the precondition for creating new confidence on the markets — and that is of incredibly great significance. In an unusually blunt statement from the 27-country European Union, EU Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger said: The United States must take its responsibility in this situation, must show statesmanship for the sake of their own country, and for the sake of the world. The crisis also has strengthened voices in France and Germany calling for EU regulations to eliminate highly deregulated financial markets, despite objections from Britain, which along with the U.S. is considered by some to practice a freer form of Anglo-Saxon capitalism. This crisis underlines the excesses and uncertainties of a casino capitalism that has only one logic — lining your pockets, said German lawmaker Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialists in the EU assembly. It also shows the bankruptcy of 'law of the jungle' capitalism that no longer invests in companies and job creation, but instead makes money out of money in a totally uncontrolled way. The U.S. government's failure to apply rules that might have prevented the crisis is seen as a betrayal in many developing countries that faced intense U.S. pressures to
OBAMA and DEMS are a POWERFUL FORCE IN NEVADA--Will Nevada Go Blue in November?
Thanks to Obama's incredible community organizing skills, and the fact that even stalwart red states are READY FOR CHANGE, it looks likely that Obama will win Nevada. Democratic Party registration is now 76,000 more registered voters; in 2004, there were more Republicans than Democrats. Bush won by 21,000 votes. All Obama has to do is keep the Dem votes from the last election and get a third of the newly registered Democrats, and Nevada will vote BLUE in the presidential race this year! Oh, and John McCain? He's been running around like a chicken with his head cut off, flitting here, flitting there, with little in the way of apparent strategy or plan, and certainly not the ability to get things done like Obama can. Oh, and McCain chose Sarah Palin as his VP, which is his worst decision on the most important decision he will make in the most important political race of his lifetime. --- (BEGIN QUOTE) http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-nevada30-2008sep30,0,342781.story From the Los Angeles Times CAMPAIGN '08 In Nevada, Democrats are on a roll Obama has built one of the most formidable political operations the state has ever seen, and party registration is up. Even so, the presidential race there remains a dead heat. By Mark Z. Barabak Los Angeles Times Staff Writer September 30, 2008 RENO — By just about any measure, now is a fine time to be a Democrat in Nevada. Barack Obama has built one of the most formidable political operations the state has ever seen. Party registration is soaring. The Republican governor, Jim Gibbons, may be the most unpopular state executive in the country. The economy, which thrived for decades, is in frightfully poor shape -- for months Nevada has led the nation in home foreclosures, and unemployment stands at a 23-year high -- handing Democrats a bludgeon with which to pound the GOP. For all of that, however, the state's presidential race is a dead heat, making Nevada one of a dozen or so states that could decide the contest between Sen. John McCain and the senator from Illinois. The numbers are going Obama's way. There are 76,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans statewide, and the party has posted big gains in the Las Vegas and Reno areas, where most voters reside. Four years ago, registration tilted Republican, and President Bush won Nevada by 21,500 votes. All Obama needs is to get a third of those new Democrats and those numbers turn around, said Eric Herzik, who teaches political science at the University of Nevada, Reno. But the numbers tell only part of the story in the nation's westernmost battleground. Nevada is a state with a broad libertarian streak, an aversion to taxes, affection for guns and open contempt for its major landlord, the federal government, which controls 90% of state land. All of that makes it tough for a Democrat to compete statewide -- even one who isn't black and with an odd-sounding name. Given those pluses and minuses, there may be no better test of Obama's campaign strategy than here in Nevada, a state that has gone with the winner in all but two presidential elections over the last century. To win the White House, Obama hopes to dramatically boost the number of voters in November, pulling in casual participants as well as those -- particularly young people -- who have never cast a presidential ballot. It is a calculated risk; one advantage for McCain, here and elsewhere, is that Republicans tend to be much more certain to show up on election day. Democrats have done a tremendous job increasing registration, said Chuck Muth, a GOP strategist in Carson City. The big question is whether they'll be able to turn those people out. The answer could depend on people like Lori O'Neil. The 52-year-old single mother earns minimum wage overseeing housekeeping at Elko's Motel 6. She skipped the last two presidential elections but has registered this time to vote for Obama. The economy -- tough times . . . rough for everybody, she said -- was a big reason. Food. Gas. Everything goes up, and it just gets harder and harder every day, O'Neil said, leaning over a wooden barricade at an Obama rally this month in Elko. The Democrat, she said, seems to be for us poor people out there. To ensure that O'Neil and others like her make it to the polls, the Obama campaign has built perhaps the largest turnout operation in Nevada history. In the past, Democrats tended to rely on organized labor to handle their grass-roots and get-out-the-vote efforts. That worked well in Las Vegas and Clark County, where building trades and the Culinary Union, representing tens of thousands of casino workers, enjoy considerable clout. But Republicans often made up the difference by winning handily in Washoe County, which includes Reno, and swamping the Democrats in Nevada's 15 other counties, known collectively as the rurals. Bush carried some of those counties by 3 to 1 or better in 2000 and 2004. This
Re: This week is going to be a Test in the Markets...
Many people who do not own stock directly, do have some kind of pension plan for their old age. Some of these plans, unless carefully regulated have been buying stocks for years. Many years. This has been a good thing for the last (almost) thirty years because the funds have been allowed to grow on behalf of their owners. Capital gains are another matter, If capital losses are also factored into the equation. there are quite a few traders who can expect a tax break. It is the whole picture that matters. The other trick is to hang on, hopefully I can reduce my expenses, and possibly my standard of living so that the losses of the last few weeks will not be made permanent. At the time of retirement, it is important to have an accurate forcast of expenses, and of what goods are necessary, and what is discretionary. Some expenses will disappear, e'g. commuting expenses. Once the mileage is reduced, most insurance companies reduce their premiums.. so tell your agent quickly. Of course if you walk for excercise, you might also pick up a few groceries at the same time. What becomes possible at that point, is that your income can be minimized, and thus your exposure to tax. I have done sufficiently well at controlling my personal expense collumn, that I have little need to go to my savings, but I ;have so far been able continue to contribute to my retirement savings. What a retiree may have more of is the time to do things for themselves. There was some effort at developing income trusts in Canada, but that was a politicians broken promise...that won't soon be forgotten. On Oct 1, 5:00 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Capital gains penalities are just that- you pay when you inherit- pay when you sell- pay when you make a profit. So some sit on land and valuables and there is no action. In the meantime, inflation and the Antiques Roadshow soars the supposed value. Look at your property taxes! Then remind yourself that you accepted being entrapped by an effete system.//If banks think so little of savings rewards and so much of debt interest, why should we care if they fail?// If Wall Street rewards speculators instead of investors, do we really admire this system? On Sep 29, 7:58 pm, Jim Willis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As much as I hate to, I have to disagree with you Garr. If we do nothing we will face a 18 month recession. If we bail out Wall Street and support the behavior that got us here, we will suffer a TEN YEAR DEPRESSION. Government can play a role however. They could cut capital gains taxes to zero and follow that with a cut or removal of corporate tax rates. This would infuse trillions of dollars into the markets and make this a private bailout. What must be remembered is how we got here, a subject that no one has addressed. Freddie and Fannie, conjoined with the democrats. Someone needs to go to jail and the best place to start is Cristopher Dodd and Barney Frank. On Sep 29, 7:44 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If we do nothing the average American will suffer, regardless if they had anything to do with it or not... On Sep 29, 5:36 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I really don't give a damn about you or the guy next door. I believe in the constitution. You take your Bush bailout if you want it. When the economy fails, I'll be here, eating squirrel, 'possum, and 'coon with Travis. I'd like to know when you started supporting the Dems. I wouldn't assume you knew this was a Bush bailout. I'm not surprised to find that, even when I oppose the Dems, we are still have opposing views. I stand for the country without regard to party. You stand with the Dems only because they want to pass the Bush/ Paulson plan. On Sep 29, 8:07 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nearly 2/3 of All American own Stocks... I guess you believe the guy next door is an Elitist. On Sep 29, 4:52 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Who gives a shit about the elite markets. What about the average American? On Sep 29, 3:49 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: WIth the Jewish Holiday, we are not likely to see any Legislation until the end of the week. This is going to show us just how strong our Markets/Economy truly is...- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: The Gratitude Campaign
Hi wncs - hope you're feelin' fine :)
On Oct 1, 9:02 am, wncs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
{{{Running!!}}}
On Oct 1, 8:25 am, Running [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
very cool, thank you
On Sep 30, 6:38 pm, wncs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
This is pretty neat.(30 second video)... Have you ever seen one of
our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your
thanks, but weren't sure how or it felt awkward?
Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be
used and has started a massive movement to get the word out.
Please everybody take just a moment to watch... . The Gratitude
Campaign and then forward it to your friends!
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org:80/shortmovie.php-Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
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For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum
* Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/
* It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls.
* Read the latest breaking news, and more.
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John McCain Rewrites Alaska's History for Alaskan (P.S. I just call it lying)
The following is a commentary by Les Gara (Alaska Rep.) about the flat- out LIES the McCain has spoon-fed it's gullible supporters about Sarah Palin's history in Alaska. For you fiscal conservatives you may like this: Even after all of Palin's vetoes (for things like the WIC program), State spending has been up 20% since she took office. Hmmm...didn't she say she had CUT SPENDING? -- Over the past few weeks we Alaskans have been scratching our heads over the interesting claims the McCain campaign has made about our Governor. A lot of them have been news to us. Governor Palin’s nomination to the McCain ticket has created unusual common ground for Alaskans. Whether we support her or not, we’ve been furrowing our eyebrows a lot lately as we watch the McCain campaign re-write Alaska history. As a legislator who’s both agreed and disagreed with Governor Palin, I know some of her positions are difficult to sell. Some are not. But to avoid that whole messy thing of explaining controversial positions, the spin doctors running the McCain campaign are doing what got George Bush elected. Many campaigns spin in the gray areas, where the truth isn’t clear. But the McCain campaign’s taken a page from Karl Rove, and decided to spin past the margins. They’re pitching the verifiably false as true. During the August Republican National Convention, Alaskans heard for the first time that our Governor opposed a national symbol of federal pork, what folks in the Lower 48 call the “Bridges to Nowhere.” We didn’t know that. In her 2006 Governor’s campaign, when her opponents took the risk of telling boomers these two bridges might be too expensive – candidate Palin said she supported them – and said she’d work to get more Congressional money for them. Now the campaign has a new line, that Governor Palin “told Congress thanks, but no thanks” for this money. That’s a problem. See, she never could have said that. Congress debated our Alaska’s request for $400 million in bridge money in 2004 and 2005, before Palin was elected Governor. A national outcry against these projects, at a time when a Republican Congress was pushing pork over effective relief for Hurricane Katrina’s victims, forced Congress to re-write this earmark. Alaska ultimately got the money in 2005, but the Congressional language requiring that we spend it on these bridges was deleted. We said thank you. Governor Palin never opposed this funding. She never offered to return it when she took office in 2007. Then there’s the claim by Senator McCain that our Governor has been a “maverick” fighting federal earmarks. We didn’t know that either. Alaska takes more federal earmarks per capita than any state in the country. Governor Palin asks for them. She, like her predecessors, happily accepts them. Alaska’s budget contains hundreds of millions in earmark dollars. Alaska politicians love earmarks, and campaign on their ability to get them. We also heard at the Convention that Governor Palin’s been a budget cutter. But in Governor Palin’s two years as Governor state spending has gone up by 20%. She did veto projects, and I supported those vetoes. But after vetoes, there’s still been a 20% budget hike. Depending on your views, a 20% spending increase might be defensible. It’s not defensible to make people believe you cut the budget when you didn’t. Here’s what else I know about my state. We have the third worst children’s health insurance program in the nation. The Governor wouldn’t support cost-effective measures to extend insurance to the 10,000 children of Alaskan working parents who cannot afford coverage. She campaigned against a recent proposal to prevent large strip mines from spilling toxic chemicals into Alaska’s salmon waters – something that’s raised the ire of fishermen and Alaska Natives in remote Southwest Alaska communities. Thirty-five to forty percent of our kids don’t graduate from high school, and we can’t convince Governor Palin to join the 41 other states that have accepted the science showing statewide pre-k education helps kids succeed when they don’t have other good options at home. There are a lot of important issues to discuss this campaign. They should be debated honestly. So far, as Senator McCain’s joined Barack Obama’s call for change, he’s only succeeded at changing the truth. -- --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
PALIN lies to COURIC! Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace
LOL, she makes Bill Clinton with the chance of getting a blow job look downright honest. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_norad_sarah_palin_has_no_role_in_guardin.html NORAD: Sarah Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace despite claims in Katie Couric interview BY JAMES GORDON MEEK DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 5:21 PM Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks to CBS news anchor Katie Couric in their interview last Wednesday. WASHINGTON - When Russian bombers approach American airspace and U.S. Air Force fighters are scrambled, Sarah Palin's phone doesn't ring. The Alaska governor has no command authority over the guardians of U.S. airspace despite her recent suggestion otherwise. She doesn't have any role in that process, Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Daily News. The authority to launch and respond to a Russian incursion lies with the Alaska NORAD Region commander - Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, he said. Palin said last week that her foreign policy experience includes facing the Russians. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America - where do they go? It's Alaska, Palin told CBS' Katie Couric. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, she said. Moscow's bombers have skirted Alaskan airspace 20 times, thugh they have not violated it, during Palin's governorship, officials said. When F-15 and F-22 interceptors scrambled from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage in response, John McCain's running mate was not speed-dialed with the news. The commander does not call the governor, Herritage said. Steven Biegun, a McCain foreign policy adviser, said Palin is informed of the fly-bys by her National Guard commander. The Alaska Air Guard, which Palin oversees, performs airspace-watching missions only under NORAD command, and does not fly interception sorties. Palin did get an annual Air Force briefing in February. She asked a lot of questions and seemed generally curious, recalled Herritage, who was there. She was very interested in Russian long- range aviation. (END OF QUOTE) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: why is barry so scared?
All of the above.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 5:43 AM, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
why did barry turn down McCains plan to meet every week in front of
real people, asking the two of them real questions?
could it be barry needs his teleprompter in order to sound
intelligent?
could it be that he needs to know the questions ahead of time in order
to sound intelligent?
could it be he is afraid the people would really see what an empty
suit is really is?
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5 Murder Capitals of the World
From: *Travis* Date: Tue, Sep 30, 2008 Subject: 5 Murder Capitals of the World http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4480 http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4480 Reliable global crime statistics are hard to come by, but here are five cities that stand in a class all their own when it comes to brutal, homicidal violence. Caracas, Venezuela Population: 3.2 million Murder rate: 130 per 100,000 residents (official) What's happening: The capital of Chávez country, Caracas has become far more dangerous in recent years than any South American city, even beating out the once notorious Bogotá. What's worse, the city's official homicide statistics likely fall short of the mark because they omit prison-related murders as well as deaths that the state never gets around to properly categorizing. The numbers also don't count those who died while resisting arrest, suggesting that Caracas's cops—already known for their brutality against student protesters—might be cooking the books. Many have pointed the finger at El Presidente, whose government has failed to tackle the country's rising rates of violent crime. In fact, since Chávez took over in 1998, Venezuela's official homicide rate has climbed 67 percent—mostly due to increased drug and gang violence. Ramón Rodríguez Chacín, who recently resigned as interior minister, claimed in July that homicide has dropped 27 percent since January—but experts say he's just playing with numbers. As for Caracas, some speculate that its murder rate is closer to 160 per 100,000. PIETER BAUERMEISTER/AFP/Getty Images Cape Town, South Africa Population: 3.5 million Murder rate: 62 per 100,000 inhabitants What's happening: A European bastion in the heart of turbulent South Africa, picturesque Cape Town nonetheless has the country's highest murder rate. The city's homicides usually take place in suburban townships rather than in the more upscale urban areas where tourists visit. According to the South African Police Service, most of the Cape Town area's violent crimes happen between people who know one another, including a horrific case last year in which four males doused a female friend in gasoline and lit her on fire. Occurring just outside city limits, the incident apparently happened after the assailants had taken hard drugs, the use of which has risen along with Cape Town's violent crime rate. The whopping 12.7 percent rise in the city's murder rate from 2006 to 2007 certainly has local politicians worried, especially as South Africa prepares to host the 2010 World Cup. The government has hired more police officers to prepare for the tournament, which could help cut crime in soccer-fan hot spots. But until better efforts are made to police Cape Town's poverty-stricken townships, it's unlikely that the murder rate—an average of 5.9 per day—will see any major drop. MARIO TAMA/Getty Images News New Orleans, United States Population: 220,614 to 312,000 (2007); estimates vary due to displacement of people after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Murder rate: Estimates range from 67 (New Orleans Police Department) to 95 (Federal Bureau of Investigation) per 100,000 What's happening: With its grinding poverty, an inadequate school system, a prevalence of public housing, and a high incarceration rate, the Big Easy has long been plagued with a high rate of violent crime. Katrina didn't help. Since the hurricane struck in 2005, drug dealers have been fighting over a smaller group of users, leading to many killings. On just one four-block stretch of Josephine Street, in the city center, four people were murdered in 2007 and 15 people shot, including a double homicide on Christmas day. A precise murder rate is hard to pinpoint because the population is swelling quickly, approaching its pre-Katrina numbers. Whether you use New Orleans's own figures or the FBI's, however, the city remains the most deadly in the United States, easily surpassing Detroit and Baltimore with 46 and 45 murders per 100,000 people, respectively. ALEXEY KONDRASHKIN/AFP/Getty Images Moscow, Russia Population: 10.4 million Murder rate: 9.6 per 100,000 (estimate) What's happening: Moscow's murder rate is nothing compared with that of Caracas or Cape Town, but the city still ranks way above other major European capitals. London, Paris, Rome, and Madrid, for instance, all had rates below 2 murders per 100,000 in 2006. The Russian capital's homicide rate is down 15 percent this year from last, but the recent surge in hate crimes—including the deadly beating of a Tajik carpenter by a gang of youths on Valentine's Day—suggests that the lull might be temporary. Sixty ethnically motivated killings have already happened this year, part of a sixfold increase in hate crimes committed in the city during 2007. Several of the murders have been attributed to ultranationalist skinhead groups like the Spas, who killed 11 people in a 2006 bombing of a multiethnic market in northern Moscow. The
Mysterious Mr. Obama Admits He Was Dual Citizen
From: *Travis*
Date: Tue, Sep 30, 2008
Subject: Mysterious Mr. Obama Admits He Was Dual Citizen
http://www.israpundit.com/2008/?p=3269
Mysterious Mr. Obama Admits He Was Dual Citizen
By Harold Hoffman, Britannia Radio
Democratic Presidential candidate (of constant change) Barack Hussein Obama
has admitted that he was born a dual citizen–of the United States and Kenya.
He says his Kenyan citizenship automatically expired in August 1982. Click
here for the story.
( see this interpretationArticle II Requires that one be a Natural Born
Citizen, and in terms of the Law as understood by the Framers, *anyone with
Dual Citizenship could not be Natural Born*. It does not matter that they
no longer hold that Citizenship, they fall into the same bracket as a
Naturalized Citizen because they have/had Divided Allegiance.)
But Obama has yet to address another question: was he a triple citizen–of
the United States, Kenya, and Indonesia? More important, is he still a dual
US and Indonesian citizen?
Obama's Indonesian stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, registered Obama for school in
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, under the name Barry
Soetoro, and listed his religion as Muslim and his citizenship as
Indonesian, according to an apparently authentic registration certificate.
In addition, there are credible reports that Obama may have used a foreign
passport to travel to and from Pakistan and between Pakistan and India
during a mysterious trip he made in 1981 with his Pakistani roommate after
transferring to Columbia University from Occidental College–one year before
his Kenyan citizenship supposedly expired. Obama could have used a Kenyan
passport or an Indonesian one.
Indonesia is a hotbed of Muslim separatism and Islamist terrorism. It is
inconceivable that a US President and Commander-in-Chief could also be an
Indonesian citizen–or any kind of dual citizen, for that matter.
UPDATE: Did the dual citizenship issue distract and weaken Obama before the
Presidential debate Friday night? Some veteran Democrats wonder. Their
candidate seemed tired and defensive, as if he had just been hit by bad
news.
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Re: Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head
Lard-ass Frank is an excellent example of why we need term limits on the
bastards.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 2:20 AM, d.b.baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Little by little, the truth is leaking out:
[Q] - When it comes to the Wall Street meltdown, Rep. Barney Frank is
considered the engineer of the financial train wreck, a
bostonherald.com instant poll shows.
Frank (D-Newton), chairman of the House Financial Services panel, is
plastered with blame even more so than President Bush or former fed
chief Alan Greenspan.
Some readers argue all you have to do is click over to YouTube and
listen to Frank, in the fall of 2003, swear Fannie and Freddie (are)
not in a crisis! and are fundamentally sound financially.
Whoops, guess not.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been taken over by the government and
are under a grand jury investigation.
More than 5,000 responders to a bostonherald.com poll posted mid-day
yesterday are calling for heads to roll: -
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1122387
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Re: Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head
Amen to that Travis! Before anyone believes anything coming from BF's mouth we must remember what also goes in his mouth. ; - ) CW I like to call Barry this: Barf Ovomit. - Original Message - From: Travis To: PoliticalForum@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:31 AM Subject: Re: Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head Lard-ass Frank is an excellent example of why we need term limits on the bastards. On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 2:20 AM, d.b.baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Little by little, the truth is leaking out: [Q] - When it comes to the Wall Street meltdown, Rep. Barney Frank is considered the engineer of the financial train wreck, a bostonherald.com instant poll shows. Frank (D-Newton), chairman of the House Financial Services panel, is plastered with blame even more so than President Bush or former fed chief Alan Greenspan. Some readers argue all you have to do is click over to YouTube and listen to Frank, in the fall of 2003, swear Fannie and Freddie (are) not in a crisis! and are fundamentally sound financially. Whoops, guess not. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been taken over by the government and are under a grand jury investigation. More than 5,000 responders to a bostonherald.com poll posted mid-day yesterday are calling for heads to roll: - http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1122387 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head
CW: I was in DC when his boy friend was running his call-boy service out of
Frank's home.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 8:38 AM, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
*Amen to that Travis! Before anyone believes anything coming from BF's
mouth we must remember what also goes in his mouth. ; - )*
**
*CW*
*I like to call Barry this: Barf Ovomit.*
**
**
**
- Original Message - *From:* Travis [EMAIL PROTECTED]
*To:* PoliticalForum@googlegroups.com
*Sent:* Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:31 AM
*Subject:* Re: Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head
Lard-ass Frank is an excellent example of why we need term limits on the
bastards.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 2:20 AM, d.b.baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Little by little, the truth is leaking out:
[Q] - When it comes to the Wall Street meltdown, Rep. Barney Frank is
considered the engineer of the financial train wreck, a
bostonherald.com instant poll shows.
Frank (D-Newton), chairman of the House Financial Services panel, is
plastered with blame even more so than President Bush or former fed
chief Alan Greenspan.
Some readers argue all you have to do is click over to YouTube and
listen to Frank, in the fall of 2003, swear Fannie and Freddie (are)
not in a crisis! and are fundamentally sound financially.
Whoops, guess not.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been taken over by the government and
are under a grand jury investigation.
More than 5,000 responders to a bostonherald.com poll posted mid-day
yesterday are calling for heads to roll: -
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1122387
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Obama Justifies Terrorists
From: *Travis* Date: Tue, Sep 30, 2008 Subject: Obama Justifies Terrorists http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.1308/pub_detail.asp September 29, 2008 Exclusive: Sen. Obama Says Hamas and Hezbollah Have 'Legitimate Claims' Nicholas Guarigliahttp://www.familysecuritymatters.org/authors/id.60/author_detail.asp Sen. Obama's former top foreign affairs advisor, Robert Malley, recently had to resign his role in the Obama campaign due to holding meetings with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Mr. Malley's favorable views of Hamas have been widely known for years. Malley had written extensively, sometimes co-writing articles with the late Yasser Arafat's advisor Hussein Agha, blaming Israel, not Arafat, for the failure of the Camp David talks. Had Malley's views on (and meetings with) Hamas not been unveiled, who knows where Mr. Malley would have ended up in a potential Obama administration? Perhaps he would have been the Secretary of State. This is a sad and frightening possibility, or probability, because Sen. Obama is the least-vetted man in U.S. political history. Nobody likes gotcha! politics. Both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama have made serious gaffes during the course of this election, which began earlier and has lasted longer than any other election in American history. Both men are being recorded and watched at all times, and they're human. Missteps and goof-ups are to be expected. Just ask Joe Biden. But this issue is different. In a *New York Times* article, written by David Brooks on May 16th of this year, Sen. Obama made a very revealing admission that has gone overlooked by the mainstream press. The article, entitled Obama Admires Bush, focused on Sen. Obama's views regarding the Middle East. The Bush in question was George H.W. Bush, the senior, and throughout the interview Obama displays his affection for old-school James Baker/Brent Scowcroft foreign policy realism. About midway through the interview, however, the man who wants to be President of the United States gave a whopper of a quote. In Brooks' words: The U.S. needs a foreign policy that looks at the root causes of problems and dangers. Obama compared Hezbollah to Hamas. Both need to be compelled to understand that they're going down a blind alley with violence *that weakens their legitimate claims* (emphasis mine). Why has no one to date has asked the would-be Commander-in-Chief what he means by legitimate claims? Certainly there is a large distinction to be made between Palestinian and Lebanese innocents vs. the terrible Hamas and Hezbollah organizations. The former have aspirations which, if addressed, would help the United States geopolitically. But the latter? To suggest these terrorist groups have legitimate claims? Something does not sit right, there. To be fair, Mr. Obama acknowledges that the two groups are conducting vicious violence, and previously in the article asserts that Hezbollah is not a legitimate political party. Which is all well and good. So what does he mean when he says Hamas and Hezbollah, specifically, have legitimate claims? They both consider themselves at war with the West, they both want to destroy Israel, and they both want to impose a puritanical version of Islam over their people. Clearly, any grievances they might have – which to the amoral and relativist would seem legitimate – should be overlooked and ignored, no? This is more than a gaffe. It occurred during an interview with a respected journalist. It is in print. What are the implications of this statement? Is Sen. Obama implying he opposes Hezbollah and Hamas merely due to their *actions* and not their beliefs? Is he solely against what these Jihadist groups *do*, and not what they represent? That's like hating the gas chambers but excusing the fascism; opposing the gulags but delving into the nuances about the legitimacy of Stalinism. The Third Reich complained about a raw deal at Versailles and a lack of * Lebensraum*, or living space, for the white race. The Bolsheviks harped about the excesses of the *bourgeoisie*. None of these claims, legitimate or not, were even considered by Western statesmen serious about the continuity of the Western way of life – and rightly so. Hamas and Hezbollah could stop the neck-slicing and car bombing tomorrow, and they would still be theocratic and neo-fascistic movements attempting to usurp their citizenry and democratic principalities in Palestine and Lebanon. In fact, that is the route most Jihadist groups go: they use insurrection and terrorism to achieve governmental power and the apparatus of the state, then they morph into dictatorial regimes which no longer need to rely primarily on asymmetrical violence to brutalize their population and threaten their neighbors. It is a disgrace that Sen. Obama has not had the chance to clarify himself, and an even further disgrace that nobody has held his feet to the fire on this issue (amongst others). Hezbollah and Hamas have
Latest headlines from Bloomberg's confirm world wide route of capitalism. Long live the Internationale.
* Dow drops over 100 points in first hour of trading as credit freezes up. •U.S. Stocks Drop on Concern Economic Growth to Slow; GE, Ford Shares Fall •Cash-Starved Corporations Scrap Dividends, Tap Credit Lines to Raise Funds •Lehman's Hedge-Fund Clients Left in Lurch as Prime-Brokerage Assets Frozen •Financial Bond Spreads in Europe Widen to Record on Bank Funding Concerns •Xstrata Raises Lonmin Stake to 25% After Scrapping Planned $9 Billion Bid •Moscow Builders Halt Projects as Credit Crunch Threatens Real Estate Boom •Daimler, Porsche Drop After Carmakers Predict Worsening Market Conditions •Senate Sets Bailout Vote, Sweetens Package With Boost in Deposit Insurance •Bush, Paulson Lobby Industry, Congress in Bid to Salvage Bank Rescue Plan --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Breaking News from Bloomberg’s confirms the failure of the bailout and “the death agony of capitalism” (Leon Trotsky) And the fat lady sings…………………… .
Latest headlines from Bloomberg's confirm world wide route of capitalism. Long live the Internationale. M.A. Johnson wrote: Princip I'm not going to define minute. I think we both know the regulation in the states is benign. MJ And hence the CORE of this fantasy world in which you live. Hey, if it does not FIT your religious ideal ... no problem ... we will just PRETEND it does. Regulations serve multi-fold ... from hampering innovation, to protecting entry into the marketplace. Joe wanting to facilitate lenders and borrowers a place to contract with one another (perhaps for a fee for his efforts) [gee, that would be capitalism] ... as a bank ... must adhere to reams and reams and reams of Government regulations, mandates and the like that you want to pretend are non-existent. Princip and if Free Trade is the answer,no regulation of any kind does that suppose anybody can just become a doctor without any medical practise or 'regulation' and the market will decide who are good doctors or not? MJ As opposed to the Government deciding who is and is not qualified because they jump through arbitrary hoops? Yes, we already established the fact that you oppose capitalism. So YOU do not believe you (and others) should be FREE to contract with your local auto mechanic ... having him remove your appendix? You really think People are too stupid to make informed decisions? Princip How many patients will die before the market has spoken?? MJ Praise be to Government, Amen. So, in your world, People are too stupid to make decisions for themselves ... they need omniscient Bureaucrats (let me guess, elected by majority) to dictate and mandate for them. We will ignore the problem with these stupid People having the ability to properly choose these leaders Regard$, --MJ Every citizen who has produced or acquired a product, should have the option of applying it immediately to his own use or of transferring it to whoever on the face of the earth agrees to give him in exchange the object of his desires. To deprive him of this option . . . solely to satisfy the convenience of another citizen, is to legitimize an act of plunder and to violate the law of justice. -- Fr�d�ric Bastiat --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: PALIN lies to COURIC! Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace
JOE JIDEN LIED TO kATIE cOURIC WHEN HE TOLD HER FRANKLIN ROSSEVELT GAVE A T.V. ADDRESS TO THE NATION WHEN THE DEPRESSION BEGAN BACK IN 1929. FACT:: ROOSEVELT WASN'T PRESIDENT THEN AND T.V. WASN'T INVENTED YET. On Oct 1, 8:21�am, PoliticalAmazon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: LOL, she makes Bill Clinton with the chance of getting a blow job look downright honest. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_norad_... NORAD: Sarah Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace despite claims in Katie Couric interview BY JAMES GORDON MEEK DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 5:21 PM Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks to CBS news anchor Katie Couric in their interview last Wednesday. WASHINGTON - When Russian bombers approach American airspace �and U.S. Air Force fighters are scrambled, Sarah Palin's phone doesn't ring. The Alaska governor has no command authority over the guardians of U.S. airspace despite her recent suggestion otherwise. She doesn't have any role in that process, Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Daily News. The authority to launch and respond to a Russian incursion lies with the Alaska NORAD Region commander - Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, he said. Palin said last week that her foreign policy experience includes facing the Russians. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America - where do they go? It's Alaska, Palin told CBS' Katie Couric. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, she said. Moscow's �bombers have skirted Alaskan airspace 20 times, thugh they have not violated it, during Palin's governorship, �officials said. When �F-15 and F-22 interceptors scrambled from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage in response, John McCain's running mate was not speed-dialed with the news. The commander does not call the governor, Herritage said. Steven Biegun, a McCain foreign policy adviser, said Palin is informed of the fly-bys by her National Guard commander. The Alaska Air Guard, which Palin oversees, performs airspace-watching missions only under NORAD command, and does not fly interception sorties. Palin did get an annual Air Force briefing �in February. She asked a lot of questions and seemed generally curious, recalled Herritage, who was there. She was very interested in Russian long- range aviation. (END OF QUOTE) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: PALIN lies to COURIC! Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace
I finally had time to watch the Palin/Couric interview and was stunned at how ill-prepared Palin was for this. It was evident in her stammering and in her mannerisms that she had no clue how to answer some of Couric's questions. She proved her inadequacy by bringing Daddy John with her the next time, like a little kid who has to drag a parent in to stand up for them. I'm surprised she wasn't twirling her hair the whole time. If she can't stand up to Katie Couric, how does anyone expect her to run this country?! On Oct 1, 9:21�am, PoliticalAmazon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: LOL, she makes Bill Clinton with the chance of getting a blow job look downright honest. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_norad_... NORAD: Sarah Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace despite claims in Katie Couric interview BY JAMES GORDON MEEK DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 5:21 PM Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks to CBS news anchor Katie Couric in their interview last Wednesday. WASHINGTON - When Russian bombers approach American airspace �and U.S. Air Force fighters are scrambled, Sarah Palin's phone doesn't ring. The Alaska governor has no command authority over the guardians of U.S. airspace despite her recent suggestion otherwise. She doesn't have any role in that process, Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Daily News. The authority to launch and respond to a Russian incursion lies with the Alaska NORAD Region commander - Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, he said. Palin said last week that her foreign policy experience includes facing the Russians. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America - where do they go? It's Alaska, Palin told CBS' Katie Couric. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, she said. Moscow's �bombers have skirted Alaskan airspace 20 times, thugh they have not violated it, during Palin's governorship, �officials said. When �F-15 and F-22 interceptors scrambled from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage in response, John McCain's running mate was not speed-dialed with the news. The commander does not call the governor, Herritage said. Steven Biegun, a McCain foreign policy adviser, said Palin is informed of the fly-bys by her National Guard commander. The Alaska Air Guard, which Palin oversees, performs airspace-watching missions only under NORAD command, and does not fly interception sorties. Palin did get an annual Air Force briefing �in February. She asked a lot of questions and seemed generally curious, recalled Herritage, who was there. She was very interested in Russian long- range aviation. (END OF QUOTE) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: An Open Letter to my Friends on the Left
The route is on. Long live the Internationale. Down with imperialism and her capitalist apologists. On Oct 1, 1:56 pm, M.A. Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In the early 1990s, Congress eased Fannie and Freddie's lending requirements (to 1/4th the capital required by regular commercial banks) so as to increase their ability to lend to poor areas. Congress also created a regulatory agency to oversee them, but this agency also had to reapply to Congress for its budget each year (no other financial regulator must do so), assuring that it would tell Congress exactly what it wanted to hear: things are fine. In 1995, Fannie and Freddie were given permission to enter the subprime market and regulators began to crack down on banks who were not lending enough to distressed areas. Several attempts were made to rein in Fannie and Freddie, but Congress didn't have the votes to do so, especially with both organizations making significant campaign contributions to members of both parties. Even the New York Times as far back as 1999 saw exactly what might happen thanks to this very unfree market, warning of a need to bailout Fannie and Freddie if the housing market dropped.An Open Letter to my Friends on the LeftSteven Horwitz Department of Economics St. Lawrence University [EMAIL PROTECTED] September 28, 2008 My friends, In the last week or two, I have heard frequently from you that the current financial mess has been caused by the failures of free markets and deregulation. I have heard from you that the lust after profits, any profits, that is central to free markets is at the core of our problems. And I have heard from you that only significant government intervention into financial markets can cure these problems, perhaps once and for all. I ask of you for the next few minutes to, in the words of Oliver Cromwell, consider that you may be mistaken. Consider that both the diagnosis and the cure might be equally mistaken. Consider instead that the problems of this mess were caused by the very kinds of government regulation that you now propose. Consider instead that effects of the profit motive that you decry depend upon the incentives that institutions, regulations, and policies create, which in this case led profit-seekers to do great damage. Consider instead that the regulations that may have been the cause were supported by, as they have often been throughout US history, the very firms being regulated, mostly because they worked to said firms' benefit, even as they screwed the rest of us. Consider all of this as you ask for more of the same in the name of fixing the problem. And finally, consider why you would ever imagine that those with wealth and power wouldn't rig a new regulatory process in their favor. One of the biggest confusions in the current mess is the claim that it is the result of greed. The problem with that explanation is that greed is always a feature of human interaction. It always has been. Why, all of a sudden, has greed produced so much harm? And why only in one sector of the economy? After all, isn't there plenty of greed elsewhere? Firms are indeed profit seekers. And they will seek after profit wherethe institutional incentives are such that profit is available.In a free market, firms profit by providing the goods that consumers want at prices they are willing to pay. (My friends, don't stop reading there even if you disagree - now you know how I feel when you claim this mess is a failure of free markets - at least finish this paragraph.) However, regulations and policies and even the rhetoric of powerful political actors can change the incentives to profit. Regulations can make it harder for firms to minimize their risk by requiring that they make loans to marginal borrowers. Government institutions can encourage banks to take on extra risk by offering an implicit government guarantee if those risks fail. Policies can direct self-interest into activities that only serve corporate profits, not the public. Many of you have rightly criticized the ethanol mandate, which made it profitable for corn growers to switch from growing corn for food to corn for fuel, leading to higher food prices worldwide. What's interesting is that you rightly blamed the policy and did not blame greed and the profit motive! The current financial mess is precisely analogous.No free market economist thinks greed is always good.What we think is good are institutions that play to the self-interest of private actors by rewarding them for serving the public, not just themselves. We believe that's what genuinely free markets do. Market exchanges aremutuallybeneficial. When the law messes up by either poorly defining the rules of the game or trying to override them through regulation, self-interested behavior is no longer economically mutually beneficial. The private sector then profits by serving
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
The only hope Barack Hussein holds for Americans are those buying into the Marxist delusion of utopia that is without Christianity, guns and free speech. On Oct 1, 5:35 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: he is our only hope for the country to survive ! On Oct 1, 5:23 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Obama, if elected, will wilt away his Messiah image quickly. Might be the worst- beyond Bush 43. On Oct 1, 12:41 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you really that foolish ? On Sep 30, 6:58 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: murky murky murky. can not you read? there are quotes in there taken directly from the prosecutors own mouths saying they are part of a truth squad. barry gestapo was found out and now they are trying to hide. too late. On Sep 30, 6:52 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: this is nothing more than the hysterical rantings of a republican propagandist ! On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
U.S. Factories Contracted at Faster Pace in September
U.S. Factories Contracted at Faster Pace in September By Timothy R. Homan Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Manufacturing in the U.S. contracted in September at the fastest pace since the last recession as sales slowed, signaling the credit crisis is spreading beyond Wall Street. The Institute for Supply Management's factory index dropped to 43.5, the lowest level since October 2001 and less than economists anticipated, the Tempe, Arizona-based group reported today. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction. The housing slump has already spread to autos, and other industries may soon follow, as mounting foreclosures, tougher lending rules and rising unemployment choke off consumer spending. While exports have so far kept manufacturing from slipping much more, weakening economies around the globe are also causing overseas sales to slow. ``Manufacturing could be on the brink of a collapse,'' said Lindsey Piegza, a market analyst at FTN Financial in New York. `There are no orders, no jobs and there is really no incentive for businesses to invest. The credit crisis is compounding the problem.'' Stocks added to losses after the report and Treasury securities extended gains. The Standard Poor's 500 index fell 1.8 percent to 1,145.6 at 10:42 a.m. in New York. The ISM index was projected to drop to 49.5 from August's 49.9, according to the median of 72 economists' forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey. Estimates ranged from 48 to 51.1. Job Market Other reports today signaled the U.S. continues to lose jobs. ADP Employer Services said companies in the U.S. cut an estimated 8,000 workers from payrolls in September after a 37,000 decrease in August, according to figures based on payroll data. ADP said today's estimate didn't take into account a strike by about 27,000 machinists at Boeing Co. or the job losses following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Firing announcements increased 33 percent in September from that same month last year, Chicago-based Challenger, Gray Christmas Inc. said in a statement. The Commerce Department also reported that construction spending stalled in August after a revised 1.4 percent drop the previous month that was more than twice as large as previously estimated. Private residential building increased for the first time since March 2007 and work on commercial projects fell for a fourth month. Orders from overseas have weakened as economies abroad falter. ISM's export gauge fell to 52 from 57 the prior month. Orders Slump The purchasing managers' gauge of new orders for factories decreased to 38.8, also the lowest since 2001, from 48.3 the prior month. The production measure dropped to 40.8 from 52.1. ``I just can't imagine that we'll see a lot of strength in the index in the next few months,'' Norbert Ore, chairman of the ISM survey, said in a conference call. ``It appears to be very similar'' to the last recession in 2001, he said. The index of prices paid plunged to 53.5, the lowest since January 2007, from 77. Energy prices have retreated from their peaks in July, when a barrel of crude oil reached $147. The employment index declined to 41.8, the lowest since 2003, from 49.7 in August. Companies are cutting back on investments and hiring as consumer spending wanes. A deteriorating labor market also is causing Americans to limit purchases to necessities such as food and fuel. Chrysler LLC, the third-largest U.S. automaker, said last week that it planned to fire about 250 workers as part of a plan to cut 1,000 salaried positions by Sept. 30. The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company's U.S. sales dropped 24 percent through August, more than twice the industry's 11 percent decline. Growth to Slow The U.S. economy, the world's largest, probably grew at a 1.2 percent annual rate during the third quarter, down from 2.8 percent the prior three months, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists from Sept. 2 to Sept. 9. Since then, economists at JPMorgan Chase Co., Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. have cut their forecasts as consumer spending stalled and the credit crisis brought down Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., American International Group Inc. and Washington Mutual Inc. A narrowing of the trade deficit as exports jumped and imports fell was the biggest contributor to growth in the second quarter, adding 2.9 percentage points, the most since 1980. That is likely to diminish as economies in Europe and Japan falter. -- With reporting from Mike Ramsey and Bill Koenig in Southfield, Michigan. Editor: Carlos Torres To contact the reporter on this story: Timothy R. Homan in Washington at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Last Updated: October 1, 2008 10:44 EDT --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our
U.S. Stocks Drop After GE Estimates Cut; Ford Falls on Forecast
U.S. Stocks Drop After GE Estimates Cut; Ford Falls on Forecast By Eric Martin Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks fell and the Standard Poor's 500 Index extended its worst monthly drop in six years as General Electric Co.'s profit estimates were cut and an industry report showed manufacturing contracted more than forecast. GE, the second-largest U.S. company by market value, dropped 7.4 percent as Deutsche Bank AG said profits will be hurt by ``deterioration'' at its financial-services unit. Ford Motor Co. tumbled 7.9 percent after saying earnings in Europe will decline. Cabot Oil Gas Corp. tumbled 6 percent to lead declines in all 40 energy companies in the SP 500 as crude prices slid on speculation the economy will slip into recession. The SP 500 lost 22.2, or 1.9 percent, to 1,144.16 at 10:05 a.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 176.82, or 1.6 percent, to 10,673.84. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 28.11, or 1.3 percent, to 2,063.77. About four stocks declined for each that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. ``The cards are on the table and a recession is coming,'' Henry Herrmann, chief executive officer of Waddell Reed Financial Inc. in Overland Park, Kansas, which manages $70 billion, told Bloomberg Television. ``Our focus is going to be on things like dividend yields, solid brand names, consumer staples, less cyclical exposure.'' The SP 500 erased about one-third of its 5.4 percent gain yesterday. Stocks extended declines after the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index for September slid to 43.5, below the 49.5 reading forecast by economists in a Bloomberg survey. The benchmark index for U.S. equities jumped the most in six years yesterday as expectations grew that lawmakers will salvage a $700 billion rescue package to buy bad loans from banks. Even with yesterday's advance, the SP 500 had its worst month since 2002 in September, declining 9.1 percent, and tumbled 8.9 percent for the third quarter. GE Tumbles GE lost $1.89 to $23.61. Deutsche Bank AG analysts cut their 2008 earnings estimate 9 percent to $2 a share and their 2009 profit projection to $1.95 a share. The worsening in conditions at GE Capital is ``driven by tighter credit markets, asset shrinkage and debt pay- down,'' analyst Nigel Coe wrote in a research note. ``We also eased back our industrial assumptions,'' Coe said. ``More important than the bailout plan will be next year's economy,'' Marc Faber, managing director of Marc Faber Ltd. and publisher of the Gloom, Boom Doom Report, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. ``I would rather sell on strength.'' `Clarifications' Banks slid on speculation regulators will reject calls to suspend fair- market accounting rules that some members of Congress blame for worsening credit-market losss. Bank of America, the second-largest U.S. bank by market value, lost 78 cents to $34.22. Citigroup Inc., the fourth- biggest, slipped 1.1 percent to $20.29. The Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ``clarifications'' on how banks should interpret existing rules requiring them to review assets each quarter and report losses if values decline. A moratorium isn't being considered, said people who declined to be identified because the plan hasn't been completed. SEC spokesman John Nester declined to comment. FASB spokesman Neal McGarity didn't return a phone call seeking comment. Ford Slumps Ford Motor Co. dropped 41 cents to $4.79. The world's third-largest automaker said second-half profit at its European unit will decline on sagging demand for new vehicles and rising raw-material costs. Cabot Oil Gas slid $2.21 to $33.93, leading the SP 500 Energy Index to a 2.9 percent tumble. Crude for November delivery fell $1.74, or 1.7 percent, to $98.90 a barrel. Prices are down 33 percent from the record $147.27 a barrel reached on July 11. The Senate agreed to vote on the banking legislation along with a measure temporarily raising the limit on federal deposit insurance to $250,000 from $100,000. Also linked to the legislation is a two-year extension of tax breaks that will save individuals and corporations about $149 billion over the next decade. European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said in a Bloomberg Television interview that U.S. lawmakers must pass a rescue package ``for the sake of global finance.'' He added that a pan- European approach to the banking crisis is unlikely, saying ``we are not a fully-fledged federation with a federal budget.'' Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index gained 1 percent, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 1.6 percent. The yield on the two-year Treasury note fell 6 basis points, or 0.06 percentage point, to 1.9 percent. Libor Retreats The cost of borrowing in dollars overnight fell from a record after funding constraints tied to the end of the third quarter passed, easing an unprecedented freeze in lending between banks. The London interbank offered
Cash-Starved Companies Scrap Dividends, Tap Credit
Cash-Starved Companies Scrap Dividends, Tap Credit (Update1) By Kelly Riddell Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Carmike Cinemas Inc., the third- largest U.S. theater chain by screens, suspended its dividend, while Duke Energy Corp., owner of utilities in five U.S. states, tapped $1 billion from a credit agreement and RC2 Corp., the maker of infant and preschool products, canceled an acquisition. The paralysis in credit markets is changing how U.S. companies do business as banks pull back on loans or make them prohibitively expensive. Some companies are closing plants and stores, postponing takeovers and grabbing any available credit in a fight for survival. ``If businesses don't have access to capital, smaller companies in particular, they might get wiped out,'' said Alec Young, a New York- based equity strategist at Standard Poor's. ``It's impossible to quantify how expensive this crisis is going to be for Corporate America; there's unlimited downside.'' Ford Motor Co., the second-largest U.S. automaker, said it repaid $1.5 billion in debt that was due today, without giving details. Analysts said yesterday they expected Ford to make the payment in cash and not tap an $11.5 billion revolving credit line. Slumping auto sales and surging borrowing costs may boost U.S. new-vehicle dealership closures as much as 40 percent this year, the National Automobile Dealers Association said yesterday. Deal Scrapped Circuit City Stores Inc. and memory-chipmaker Spansion Inc. face higher interest expenses and slowing sales, analysts said. In the last week, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. scrapped a financing deal and newspaper publisher McClatchy Co. said it renegotiated credit lines. Banks more than doubled the interest rate they charge each other for borrowing dollars overnight, known as the London interbank offered rate, to a record 6.88 percent yesterday, the British Bankers' Association said. Adding to the financial stress was the U.S. House of Representatives' rejection of a $700 billion bank-rescue plan Sept. 29 and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. on Sept. 15. ``It's almost inconceivable that there won't be an enormous slowdown in the U.S. markets and with that, increased joblessness, lower employment and higher bankruptcy rates, both personal and corporate,'' Michael Vogelzang, who oversees $2 billion as chief investment officer at Boston Advisors LLC, said in an interview yesterday. ``Businesses are going to have to adapt.'' Carmike Cinemas halted its dividend payment and spent $10 million to pay bank debt, the Columbus, Georgia-based company said in a statement yesterday. Over the past four quarters, Carmike said it made $9 million in dividend payments. It has $285 million in bank debt, down from $302 million on Dec. 31. Credit Agreement Duke has $650 million in bonds coming due this year, $442 million scheduled to mature next year and $500 million in 2010, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Chief Financial Officer David Hauser said Duke is drawing from its credit agreement because it wasn't clear whether it would be able to secure more than $1 billion in new financing this year as planned. RC2, the maker of Learning Curve products, sank the most in more than a year in Nasdaq trading yesterday after canceling its acquisition of Publications International Ltd.'s children's publishing unit, citing difficulty obtaining financing. Citation Corp., a closely held auto- parts maker, said it postponed an acquisition planned for earlier this year due to the tightening credit markets. ``People are concerned with pending acquisitions especially if they are going to be financed via the debt markets or via bank-syndicated credit lines,'' Timothy Conder, a St. Louis- based analyst with Wachovia Securities Inc., said in an interview yesterday. `Unraveled a Week Later' ``Things you thought you had done last week get unraveled a week later,'' Citation Chief Executive Officer Douglas Grimm said in a telephone interview yesterday. ``The difficulty in the credit markets and your ability to negotiate with the banks is affecting everyone.'' Vancouver-based Angiotech said last week that it wouldn't be able to meet the terms of a financing deal with Ares Management LLC of Los Angeles and New York-based venture capital firm Leaf Venture Partners, citing lowered revenue expectations and cash shortages. The developer of drug-coated medical devices said it plans to cut jobs, close a U.S. plant and delay a new product. Sacramento, California-based McClatchy, the publisher of the Miami Herald, announced Sept. 26 it negotiated an amendment with banks on its $1.18 billion credit line, agreeing to higher interest rates and borrowing limits in exchange for more lenient terms on cash flow. Circuit City Circuit City, the second-largest U.S. consumer-electronics company, hired turnaround firm FTI Consulting Inc. as an adviser, according to two people familiar with the appointment. The interest rate on Circuit City's
Major media beating bailout drums
Not only have the major media become active cheerleaders for the bailout, they are now actively propagating the lie that we taxpayers have changed our minds about it. Furthermore, they have surreptitiously closed comment on any of their articles about the bailout. If there was any doubt that this country has become an oligarchy, that doubt is now removed. Ian --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
rigs, Tough to find any liquid in a bottle NOT made of plastic anymore. When I was a kid milk and other liquids came in glass bottles and coated paper cartons. On Oct 1, 2:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
mike, Sure he is. On Oct 1, 12:41 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you really that foolish ? On Sep 30, 6:58 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: murky murky murky. can not you read? there are quotes in there taken directly from the prosecutors own mouths saying they are part of a truth squad. barry gestapo was found out and now they are trying to hide. too late. On Sep 30, 6:52 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: this is nothing more than the hysterical rantings of a republican propagandist ! On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
Houkster, Bull-fucking-shit. Empty partisan rhetoric, shit throw up against the wall in the hope some of it will stick. On Oct 1, 9:26 am, Houkster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The only hope Barack Hussein holds for Americans are those buying into the Marxist delusion of utopia that is without Christianity, guns and free speech. On Oct 1, 5:35 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: he is our only hope for the country to survive ! On Oct 1, 5:23 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Obama, if elected, will wilt away his Messiah image quickly. Might be the worst- beyond Bush 43. On Oct 1, 12:41 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you really that foolish ? On Sep 30, 6:58 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: murky murky murky. can not you read? there are quotes in there taken directly from the prosecutors own mouths saying they are part of a truth squad. barry gestapo was found out and now they are trying to hide. too late. On Sep 30, 6:52 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: this is nothing more than the hysterical rantings of a republican propagandist ! On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Breaking News from Bloomberg’s confirms the failure of the bailout and “the death agony of capitalism” (Leon Trotsky) And the fat lady sings…………………… .
M.J. Regulation deciding who or who not can practise as doctor is hardly arbitary. It is empirically decided by acknowledged experts in the field. In the state of nature which is essentially what your calling for we end up with shamens who dance around chanting songs expecting the dead or dying to walk like lazarus. I'm sorry but its axiomatic and right that we should have a centralised authority deciding what is best in certain situations. On Oct 1, 3:12 pm, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Latest headlines from Bloomberg's confirm world wide route of capitalism. Long live the Internationale. M.A. Johnson wrote: Princip I'm not going to define minute. I think we both know the regulation in the states is benign. MJ And hence the CORE of this fantasy world in which you live. Hey, if it does not FIT your religious ideal ... no problem ... we will just PRETEND it does. Regulations serve multi-fold ... from hampering innovation, to protecting entry into the marketplace. Joe wanting to facilitate lenders and borrowers a place to contract with one another (perhaps for a fee for his efforts) [gee, that would be capitalism] ... as a bank ... must adhere to reams and reams and reams of Government regulations, mandates and the like that you want to pretend are non-existent. Princip and if Free Trade is the answer,no regulation of any kind does that suppose anybody can just become a doctor without any medical practise or 'regulation' and the market will decide who are good doctors or not? MJ As opposed to the Government deciding who is and is not qualified because they jump through arbitrary hoops? Yes, we already established the fact that you oppose capitalism. So YOU do not believe you (and others) should be FREE to contract with your local auto mechanic ... having him remove your appendix? You really think People are too stupid to make informed decisions? Princip How many patients will die before the market has spoken?? MJ Praise be to Government, Amen. So, in your world, People are too stupid to make decisions for themselves ... they need omniscient Bureaucrats (let me guess, elected by majority) to dictate and mandate for them. We will ignore the problem with these stupid People having the ability to properly choose these leaders Regard$, --MJ Every citizen who has produced or acquired a product, should have the option of applying it immediately to his own use or of transferring it to whoever on the face of the earth agrees to give him in exchange the object of his desires. To deprive him of this option . . . solely to satisfy the convenience of another citizen, is to legitimize an act of plunder and to violate the law of justice. -- Fr d ric Bastiat --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: PALIN lies to COURIC! Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace
lew, No dummy, he did not lie he made a mistake. What are you YELLING ABOUT? On Oct 1, 9:35 am, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: JOE JIDEN LIED TO kATIE cOURIC WHEN HE TOLD HER FRANKLIN ROSSEVELT GAVE A T.V. ADDRESS TO THE NATION WHEN THE DEPRESSION BEGAN BACK IN 1929. FACT:: ROOSEVELT WASN'T PRESIDENT THEN AND T.V. WASN'T INVENTED YET. On Oct 1, 8:21 am, PoliticalAmazon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: LOL, she makes Bill Clinton with the chance of getting a blow job look downright honest. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_norad_... NORAD: Sarah Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace despite claims in Katie Couric interview BY JAMES GORDON MEEK DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 5:21 PM Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks to CBS news anchor Katie Couric in their interview last Wednesday. WASHINGTON - When Russian bombers approach American airspace and U.S. Air Force fighters are scrambled, Sarah Palin's phone doesn't ring. The Alaska governor has no command authority over the guardians of U.S. airspace despite her recent suggestion otherwise. She doesn't have any role in that process, Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Daily News. The authority to launch and respond to a Russian incursion lies with the Alaska NORAD Region commander - Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, he said. Palin said last week that her foreign policy experience includes facing the Russians. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America - where do they go? It's Alaska, Palin told CBS' Katie Couric. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, she said. Moscow's bombers have skirted Alaskan airspace 20 times, thugh they have not violated it, during Palin's governorship, officials said. When F-15 and F-22 interceptors scrambled from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage in response, John McCain's running mate was not speed-dialed with the news. The commander does not call the governor, Herritage said. Steven Biegun, a McCain foreign policy adviser, said Palin is informed of the fly-bys by her National Guard commander. The Alaska Air Guard, which Palin oversees, performs airspace-watching missions only under NORAD command, and does not fly interception sorties. Palin did get an annual Air Force briefing in February. She asked a lot of questions and seemed generally curious, recalled Herritage, who was there. She was very interested in Russian long- range aviation. (END OF QUOTE)- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Step into the light Democrats
Hey Hollywood,
It takes a quorom in the House and a 2/3's majority in the Senate to get a
Bill passed. So, no, it was not that the Republicans who were incompetent
or in collusion, as the short video demonstrates, just the opposite was
happening.
The other day, Gaar mentioned that now was not the time to point fingers. I
have come to the conclusion that it is the time to point fingers, and I
respectfully disagree with Gaar.
If now is not the time to point fingers, when is? The fact is, we, the
people of America have been sold a bill of goods by the Democrats, and I
think that the Democrat Party needs to be exposed for the frauds that they
are. Of course, they deny it, as they deny their whole agenda, when
confronted.
There is no American, (including you!) that can look at the facts
objectively, and come to any other conclusion, that the Democrats in this
Nation attempted to give free housing to those that could not afford it, and
pad their pockets in the process. Don't get me wrong, there are some
Republicans that are caught up in this mix, and I want their ass hung out on
a sling too!
In truth and fact, (as the video depicted) the Republicans have been
calling for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform for at least four years, and
more like ten years!
If I find fault with the Republicans, it was that they were not yelling and
screaming how bad our Nation's financial situation was, loud enough! The
Republicans should be faulted for not raising the alarm bells long ago, and
informing the American people. What I find despicable, is the likes of
Barney Frank and Chris Dodd now acting as if they did nothing wrong, and are
trying to lie their way out of it. These are truly the ones that are
playing Partisan politics!
Here is the statement that Congressman Davis released to Sean Hannity
yesterday:
Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the
recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage
affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the
concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic
colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong.
By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the
early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the
securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it
comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go
around for both sides.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431209,00.html
Bill Cliinton said on September 26, 2008:
I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in
resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was
president, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_ADS?SITE=DCUSNSECTION=POLITICSTEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Although not perfect, Congressman Davis's statement still acknowledges my
point, and should make every American stand up and take note! Congressman
Davis's statement goes on, in a partisan attempt to blame Republicans for
not tightening the regulatory scheme, when in fact, it was the Clinton
Administration and Robert Rubin who was pushing for the deregulation. Former
Goldman Sachs partner Robert Rubin, who was President Clinton's Treasury
Secretary. In a 1995 speech and testimony to Congress, Rubin advocated the
Bill, and professed the Clinton Administration's intent to repeal the
Glass-Steagall Act:
The banking industry is fundamentally different from what it was two
decades ago, let alone in 1933….[T]he industry has been transformed into a
global business of facilitating capital formation through diverse new
products, services and markets. U.S. banks generally engage in a broader
range of securities activities abroad than is permitted domestically… Even
domestically, the separation of investment banking and commercial banking
envisioned by Glass-Steagall has eroded significantly.
*
http://www.theminorityreportblog.com/story/pilgrim/2008/09/19/the_players_in_paving_the_way_to_the_wall_st_meltdownmhtml:{F13FC907-ED16-4625-B99F-FC7402DA3B1C}mid://0154/!x-usc:http://www.theminorityreportblog.com/story/pilgrim/2008/09/19/the_players_in_paving_the_way_to_the_wall_st_meltdown
*
* *
By the mid 1990s, the Clinton Administration had in fact adopted a quota
system , and unabashedly favored expansion of, and the empowered use of
the Community Reinvestment Act, believing that a governmental response to
economic problems in inner cities is generally more effective than a market
solution. Eugene Ludwig, President Clinton's Comptroller of the Currency
and head of the Office of the Comptroller and Currency, was a strong
proponent of expanding the reach of Community Reinvestment Act. He said in
his confirmation hearing that his first priority as Comptroller would be to
eliminate discrimination from our financial
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
LMAO, Anyone with a brain knew that the response was to refute the lie with the truth. Another 'hollow' victory. Hell, this article was a lie, no one said they were going to take anyone to court. I posted this the first echo cycle this BS came out. On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Prosecutors on Obama 'Truth Squad' sound retreat
Obama, if elected, will wilt away his Messiah image quickly. Might be the worst- beyond Bush 43. On Oct 1, 12:41�am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: are you really that foolish ? On Sep 30, 6:58�am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: murky murky murky. �can not you read? �there are quotes in there taken directly from the prosecutors own mouths saying they are part of a truth squad. �barry gestapo was found out and now they are trying to hide. �too late. On Sep 30, 6:52 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: this is nothing more than the hysterical rantings of a republican propagandist ! On Sep 30, 6:24 am, mark [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they might violate Missouri ethics laws, have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising that they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. As WND reported, prosecuting attorneys Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce originally announced on KMOV-TV in St. Louis their participation in Obama's Truth Squad, pledging to defend the candidate from untruthful ads with an undefined immediate response. Whether it is directly attributable to the (McCain) campaign or to one of the soft money operations, McCulloch told the station, if they're not going to tell the truth, somebody's got to step up and say, 'That's not the truth. This is the truth.' The move prompted Missouri's governor to object that the prosecutors were using police state tactics to squelch information hurtful to the Obama campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, wrote Gov. Matt Blunt in a statement. The party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment. A spokesperson for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, however, told WND that the televised Truth Squad announcement was misunderstood. The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their minds, said spokesperson Susan Ryan. Neither (Joyce) nor anybody involved in this has any intention of prosecuting anybody. When asked if the initial announcement suggested legal ramifications for crossing ethics laws in Missouri, Ryan confirmed, Unfortunately it did suggest that, but the 'Truth Squad' has no intention of prosecuting anyone for this. Further, Ryan insisted, attorneys McCulloch and Joyce are participating in the Truth Squad as part of their private citizenship, on their own time, and in no way in their capacity as prosecutors. That's not how they announced it, objected Gov. Blount in an interview on Fox TV's America's Newsroom talk show. They rolled it out as prosecutors willing to take actions as prosecutors.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
Christ, how do you libs get out of bed in the morning with all the deadly threats that surround you and the myriad of conspiracies meant to destroy you afoot? On Oct 1, 11:24 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: rigs, Tough to find any liquid in a bottle NOT made of plastic anymore. When I was a kid milk and other liquids came in glass bottles and coated paper cartons. On Oct 1, 2:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Step into the light Democrats
The genesis of this problem came with Carter's community reinvestment act. This legislation became a bludgeon for asshole activist groups like ACORN to threaten banks with to lower their standards for lending. Fannie and Freddie exacerbated the situation astonomically when, pressured by the Clinton administration to provide more loans in minority commiunities, lowered the lending guidelines (credit score, downpayment amount, debt-to-income ratio). Banks and mortgage brokers merrily complied (bank lending guidelines mirror Fannie or Freddie guidelines so mortgages can be sold in lots), since these unwise loans were just being combined into mortgage backed securities and sold to Fannie, Freddie, brokerage houses, pension funds etc. It was a big party of ineptitude and greed until the inevitable shit hit the fan and the house of cards came down. Just another liberal, do-gooder policy gone bad. On Sep 29, 11:43 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jim W, Far from your best effort lad. Long on hysterical rhetoric, short on common sense. Yes, the Democrats did give the people Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Your quite welcome. Why of course lad. I know just tons of burger-flippers at McD's that own homes worth $250,000.00. Dosen't everyone? Pure nonesense. Enjoyed the little youtube clip. The date I noted was late 2004. If I'm not mistaken the Republicans controlled both the Congress and the White House. And yet were either unwilling or unable to address effectively the problems you seem to see so clearly. Wonder why? In the case of unwilling, that would mean they were in conclusion with the evil Democrats. In the case of unable, that would make them incompetent. Wouldn't it? The current situation is the responsiblity of both Democrats and Republicans. And the media stopped doing their job decades ago. BOTH parties are simply desperately trying to avoid as much responsibility by throwing mud at the otehr and rapidly and thickly as possible. You lads have fun trying to blame all the problems of this country solely on Democrats and/or liberals. Let's just hang approx. 50% of the leadership of both parties and see if that helps get the point across. Your post was partisan bullshit. Very well written bullshit, but bullshit nevertheless. On Sep 29, 7:27 pm, Jim Willis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a sane world, democrats would be too ashamed to show their faces in public much less have the unmitigated audacity to blame President Bush and the republicans for our current financial woes. The common denominator in all of our market meltdowns is Freddie and Fannie, the sandbox of the Democratic Party. Democrats were in charge of the two behemoth bastions of bullish bloviating while their incestuous Democratic leaders in Washington held the curtain hiding their indiscretions. Good work if you can get it and by the way, our responsible media ignored the whole damn thing. And, this wasn’t an accidental oversight by powerful Democrats, oh no, what we have seen from the left only confirms a suspicion I’ve held for some time; they are out to destroy this country. There can be no other conclusion when an objective observation is undertaken. It was the democrats that gave us Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Suffer just one of these institutions hoisted upon the American taxpayer and insolvency will eventually follow. It is the democrats who insure we will continue to fund our enemies by placing our natural resources off limits. It is the democrats who created the sub-prime mortgage ensuring those flipping burgers at McDonalds are granted access to $250,000.00 homes. It was the democrats who created welfare thereby obligating taxpayers to support people they don’t know and lifestyles they are disapproving of. It is the democrats who reward poverty, a guarantee that we will have more of it. It is the democrats who punish success by engaging in class warfare and confiscatory tax burdens on achievement. By these acts and others, no reasonable contrarian explanation is possible. We have a party whose leadership is hell bent on destroying America as it currently exists. Exploring their motives for this destruction is Pavlovian in nature as a majority of the electorate cannot fathom such heresy. Yet, here it is, on display daily from the loony liberal left. Personally I care as much about their motives as I do about the latest Rap Song or what Brittney is doing these days; for me their motives are irrelevant and inconsequential. Our focus should not be on such trivialities or trappings but instead upon destroying them politically. And, for those huddled masses of democrats across the fruited plane they will have to look past their hatred of George Bush and realize their party has left them. Remember, Ronald Reagan began his political career as a democrat and said, “I didn’t leave the democrat party, they
Re: Step into the light Democrats
Hey Zebnick, I agree with everything that you wrote. I would only emphasize, that under the Clinton Administration, the Democrats exacerbated the situation, (like your example with ACORN) and these individuals, specifically Barney Frank who still heads the House Banking and Financial Services Committee, should be investigated, and forced to resign is position. On Oct 1, 1:29 pm, Zebnick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The genesis of this problem came with Carter's community reinvestment act. This legislation became a bludgeon for asshole activist groups like ACORN to threaten banks with to lower their standards for lending. Fannie and Freddie exacerbated the situation astonomically when, pressured by the Clinton administration to provide more loans in minority commiunities, lowered the lending guidelines (credit score, downpayment amount, debt-to-income ratio). Banks and mortgage brokers merrily complied (bank lending guidelines mirror Fannie or Freddie guidelines so mortgages can be sold in lots), since these unwise loans were just being combined into mortgage backed securities and sold to Fannie, Freddie, brokerage houses, pension funds etc. It was a big party of ineptitude and greed until the inevitable shit hit the fan and the house of cards came down. Just another liberal, do-gooder policy gone bad. On Sep 29, 11:43 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jim W, Far from your best effort lad. Long on hysterical rhetoric, short on common sense. Yes, the Democrats did give the people Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Your quite welcome. Why of course lad. I know just tons of burger-flippers at McD's that own homes worth $250,000.00. Dosen't everyone? Pure nonesense. Enjoyed the little youtube clip. The date I noted was late 2004. If I'm not mistaken the Republicans controlled both the Congress and the White House. And yet were either unwilling or unable to address effectively the problems you seem to see so clearly. Wonder why? In the case of unwilling, that would mean they were in conclusion with the evil Democrats. In the case of unable, that would make them incompetent. Wouldn't it? The current situation is the responsiblity of both Democrats and Republicans. And the media stopped doing their job decades ago. BOTH parties are simply desperately trying to avoid as much responsibility by throwing mud at the otehr and rapidly and thickly as possible. You lads have fun trying to blame all the problems of this country solely on Democrats and/or liberals. Let's just hang approx. 50% of the leadership of both parties and see if that helps get the point across. Your post was partisan bullshit. Very well written bullshit, but bullshit nevertheless. On Sep 29, 7:27 pm, Jim Willis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a sane world, democrats would be too ashamed to show their faces in public much less have the unmitigated audacity to blame President Bush and the republicans for our current financial woes. The common denominator in all of our market meltdowns is Freddie and Fannie, the sandbox of the Democratic Party. Democrats were in charge of the two behemoth bastions of bullish bloviating while their incestuous Democratic leaders in Washington held the curtain hiding their indiscretions. Good work if you can get it and by the way, our responsible media ignored the whole damn thing. And, this wasn’t an accidental oversight by powerful Democrats, oh no, what we have seen from the left only confirms a suspicion I’ve held for some time; they are out to destroy this country. There can be no other conclusion when an objective observation is undertaken. It was the democrats that gave us Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Suffer just one of these institutions hoisted upon the American taxpayer and insolvency will eventually follow. It is the democrats who insure we will continue to fund our enemies by placing our natural resources off limits. It is the democrats who created the sub-prime mortgage ensuring those flipping burgers at McDonalds are granted access to $250,000.00 homes. It was the democrats who created welfare thereby obligating taxpayers to support people they don’t know and lifestyles they are disapproving of. It is the democrats who reward poverty, a guarantee that we will have more of it. It is the democrats who punish success by engaging in class warfare and confiscatory tax burdens on achievement. By these acts and others, no reasonable contrarian explanation is possible. We have a party whose leadership is hell bent on destroying America as it currently exists. Exploring their motives for this destruction is Pavlovian in nature as a majority of the electorate cannot fathom such heresy. Yet, here it is, on display daily from the loony liberal left. Personally I care as much about their motives as I do about the latest Rap
Re: This week is going to be a Test in the Markets...
On Oct 1, 6:00 am, margareth [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This has been a good thing for the last (almost) thirty years because the funds have been allowed to grow on behalf of their owners. It has been a good thing for more than 30 Years... Pick ANY 10 Year Period, for the last 150 Years or so, and you will find that the Stock Market out performs ANY OTHER Investment Vehicle, bar none. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Breaking News from Bloomberg’s confirms the failure of the bailout and “the death agony of capitalism” (Leon Trotsky) And the fat lady sings…………………… .
On Sep 30, 4:44 pm, M.A. Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: MJ scratches head The have Shampoos for that sort of thing... ;-) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Gwen Ifil: Negroes For Obama
Meet the moderator: [Q] - Gwen Ifill of the Public Broadcasting Service program Washington Week is promoting The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, in which she argues the black political structure of the civil rights movement is giving way to men and women who have benefited from the struggles over racial equality. Ifill declined to return a WND telephone message asking for a comment about her book project and whether its success would be expected should Obama lose. But she has faced criticism previously for not treating candidates of both major parties the same. During a vice-presidential candidate debate she moderated in 2004 – when Democrat John Edwards attacked Republican Dick Cheney's former employer, Halliburton – the vice president said, I can respond, Gwen, but it's going to take more than 30 seconds. Well, that's all you've got, she told Cheney. Ifill told the Associated Press Democrats were delighted with her answer, because they thought I was being snippy to Cheney. - http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.viewpageId=76645 Thanks, Affirmative Action. Thanks, Public Broadcasting. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Where does it say...
Something tells me that Liberals like to think that their Reading between the Lines counts... On Oct 1, 4:01 am, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: attackpq4.jpg 53KViewDownload --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: An Open Letter to my Friends on the Left
And who is tied right in the middle of this entire mess, with his Community Service work for ACORN? Why that would be none other than Barack Obama. On Sep 30, 8:56 pm, M.A. Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In the early 1990s, Congress eased Fannie and Freddie's lending requirements (to 1/4th the capital required by regular commercial banks) so as to increase their ability to lend to poor areas. Congress also created a regulatory agency to oversee them, but this agency also had to reapply to Congress for its budget each year (no other financial regulator must do so), assuring that it would tell Congress exactly what it wanted to hear: things are fine. In 1995, Fannie and Freddie were given permission to enter the subprime market and regulators began to crack down on banks who were not lending enough to distressed areas. Several attempts were made to rein in Fannie and Freddie, but Congress didn't have the votes to do so, especially with both organizations making significant campaign contributions to members of both parties. Even the New York Times as far back as 1999 saw exactly what might happen thanks to this very unfree market, warning of a need to bailout Fannie and Freddie if the housing market dropped.An Open Letter to my Friends on the LeftSteven Horwitz Department of Economics St. Lawrence University [EMAIL PROTECTED] September 28, 2008 My friends, In the last week or two, I have heard frequently from you that the current financial mess has been caused by the failures of free markets and deregulation. I have heard from you that the lust after profits, any profits, that is central to free markets is at the core of our problems. And I have heard from you that only significant government intervention into financial markets can cure these problems, perhaps once and for all. I ask of you for the next few minutes to, in the words of Oliver Cromwell, consider that you may be mistaken. Consider that both the diagnosis and the cure might be equally mistaken. Consider instead that the problems of this mess were caused by the very kinds of government regulation that you now propose. Consider instead that effects of the profit motive that you decry depend upon the incentives that institutions, regulations, and policies create, which in this case led profit-seekers to do great damage. Consider instead that the regulations that may have been the cause were supported by, as they have often been throughout US history, the very firms being regulated, mostly because they worked to said firms' benefit, even as they screwed the rest of us. Consider all of this as you ask for more of the same in the name of fixing the problem. And finally, consider why you would ever imagine that those with wealth and power wouldn't rig a new regulatory process in their favor. One of the biggest confusions in the current mess is the claim that it is the result of greed. The problem with that explanation is that greed is always a feature of human interaction. It always has been. Why, all of a sudden, has greed produced so much harm? And why only in one sector of the economy? After all, isn't there plenty of greed elsewhere? Firms are indeed profit seekers. And they will seek after profit wherethe institutional incentives are such that profit is available.In a free market, firms profit by providing the goods that consumers want at prices they are willing to pay. (My friends, don't stop reading there even if you disagree - now you know how I feel when you claim this mess is a failure of free markets - at least finish this paragraph.) However, regulations and policies and even the rhetoric of powerful political actors can change the incentives to profit. Regulations can make it harder for firms to minimize their risk by requiring that they make loans to marginal borrowers. Government institutions can encourage banks to take on extra risk by offering an implicit government guarantee if those risks fail. Policies can direct self-interest into activities that only serve corporate profits, not the public. Many of you have rightly criticized the ethanol mandate, which made it profitable for corn growers to switch from growing corn for food to corn for fuel, leading to higher food prices worldwide. What's interesting is that you rightly blamed the policy and did not blame greed and the profit motive! The current financial mess is precisely analogous.No free market economist thinks greed is always good.What we think is good are institutions that play to the self-interest of private actors by rewarding them for serving the public, not just themselves. We believe that's what genuinely free markets do. Market exchanges aremutuallybeneficial. When the law messes up by either poorly defining the rules of the game or trying to override them through regulation, self-interested behavior is no longer economically mutually
Vote for Oil Sanity
VOTE FOR OIL SANITY During the McCain /Obama debate of 9-26-08, Senator Obama repeated his frequent claim that we can’t drill our way out of our petroleum problem. He is absolutely correct provided the Democrats win this election. The congressional ban on exploration and production of oil and natural gas on 85% of our offshore areas expired on October 1, 2008. These offshore areas contain an estimated 85.9 billion barrels of oil.1 Our total consumption of oil is 2007 was 7.4 billion barrels of oil.2 This area could therefore produce an estimated 100% of our oil consumption for over 11 years. On 8-25-08, Senator Obama said that if we inflated our tires to the proper level, we would reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4% and probably save more oil than we’d get from Senator McCain’s plan to eliminate the offshore drilling ban.3 The Democrats have vowed to reinstate this ban on exploration and drilling right after they win the election. Our reserves could be much larger than the above estimates because exploration has been banned for 26 years and exploration technology has greatly improved during that period. The 26 year drilling ban on 85% of our offshore territory which the Democrats promise to reimpose have caused our excessive gasoline prices and bankrupted our economy. The hundreds of billions of dollars which we presently pay to our enemies each year is a major cause of our financial crisis. The economy of our enemies in Russia, Venezuela and Iran are completely dependent on their oil and natural gas revenue. We need a new drilling objective. Our objective should be to drastically lower the world price of oil and natural gas. We would do this if we produced the oil we consume. We need an emergency strategic plan which includes massive drilling with the highest of priorities. It is now obvious that the potential dangers to the environment caused by drilling or by more carbon dioxide emissions are minimal compared to the present real danger of survival. All federal restrictions on drilling and exploration should be permanently abolished. The affected States should decide where drilling is prohibited. Our ultimate strategic plan should also include nuclear electrical power generation and battery-powered vehicles. We will, however, continue to require oil and natural gas because they are essential raw materials for many vital industries. If we will unleash our Free Enterprise System to solve the world’s petroleum problems, we will prove once again the superiority of our system to the oppressive systems of our enemies. A Patriotic Citizen 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil reserves 2. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet crd crpdn adc mbbl m htm 3. http://blogs/abcnews.com/poloticalpunch/2008/08/obama-pushes-ba.html --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Inside Obama’s ACORN
Hm... Seems none of the Liberals/Democrats want to discuss Barack Obama's Prime Time Role in this Financial mess. Anyone wonder why? On Sep 30, 10:36 am, d.b.baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Good work, Gaar. Let's hope McCain forcefully addresses Obama's connection to ACORN. On Sep 30, 1:16 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDZiMjkwMDczZWI5ODdjOWYxZTIzZGIy... Foundation Money Although it’s been noted in an important story by John Fund, and in a long Obama background piece in the New York Times, more attention needs to be paid to possible links between Obama and Acorn during the period of Obama’s service on the boards of two charitable foundations, the Woods Fund and the Joyce Foundation. According to the New York Times, Obama’s memberships on those foundation boards, “allowed him to help direct tens of millions of dollars in grants” to various liberal organizations, including Chicago Acorn, “whose endorsement Obama sought and won in his State Senate race.” As best as I can tell (and this needs to be checked out more fully), Acorn maintains both political and “non-partisan” arms. Obama not only sought and received the endorsement of Acorn’s political arm in his local campaigns, he recently accepted Acorn’s endorsement for the presidency, in pursuit of which he reminded Acorn officials of his long-standing ties to the group. Supposedly, Acorn’s political arm is segregated from its “non- partisan” registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, but after reading Foulkes’ case study, this non-partisanship is exceedingly difficult to discern. As I understand, it would be illegal for Obama to sit on a foundation board and direct money to an organization that openly served as his key get-out-the-vote volunteers on Election Day. I’m not saying Obama crossed a legal line here: Based on Foulkes’ account, Acorn’s get-out-the-vote drive most likely observed the technicalities of “non-partisanship.” Nevertheless, the possibilities suggested by a combined reading of the New York Times piece and the Foulkes article are disturbing. While keeping within the technicalities of the law, Obama may have been able to direct substantial foundation money to his organized political supporters. I offer no settled conclusion, but the matter certainly warrants further investigation and discussion. Obama is supposed to be the man who transcends partisanship. Has he instead used his post at an allegedly non-partisan foundation to direct money to a supposedly non-partisan group, in pursuit of what are in fact nakedly partisan and personal ends? I have no final answer, but the question needs to be pursued further. In fact, the broader set of practices by which activist groups pursue intensely partisan ends under the guise of non-partisanship merits further scrutiny. Consider the 2006 report by Jonathan Bechtle, “Voter Turnout or Voter Fraud?” which includes a discussion of the nexus between Project Vote and Acorn, a nexus where Obama himself once resided. According to Bechtle, “It’s clear that groups that claimed to be nonpartisan wanted a partisan outcome,” and reading Foulkes’s case study of Acorn’s role in Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign, one can’t help but agree. Radical Obama Important as these questions of funding and partisanship are, the larger point is that Obama’s ties to Acorn — arguably the most politically radical large-scale activist group in the country — are wide, deep, and longstanding. If Acorn is adept at creating a non- partisan, inside-game veneer for what is in fact an intensely radical, leftist, and politically partisan reality, so is Obama himself. This is hardly a coincidence: Obama helped train Acorn’s leaders in how to play this game. For the most part, Obama seems to have favored the political-insider strategy, yet it’s clear that he knew how to play the in-your-face “direct action” game as well. And surely during his many years of close association with Acorn, Obama had to know what the group was all about. The shame of it is that when the L. A. Times returned to Obama’s stomping grounds, it found the park he’d helped renovate reclaimed by drug dealers and thugs. The community organizer strategy may generate feel-good moments and best-selling books, but I suspect a Wal-Mart as the seed-bed of a larger shopping complex would have done far more to save the neighborhood where Obama worked to organize in the “progressive” fashion. Unfortunately, Obama’s Acorn cronies have blocked that solution. In any case, if you’re looking for the piece of the puzzle that confirms and explains Obama’s network of radical ties, gather your Acorns this spring. Or next winter, you may just be left watching the “President from Acorn” at his feast. — Stanley Kurtz is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and an NRO
Re: Bostonians Calling For Barney Frank's Head
On Oct 1, 6:31 am, Travis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Lard-ass Frank is an excellent example of why we need term limits on the bastards. Yeah, let's hole EVERYONE to the same standard we want to hold the least common denominator to?!?!?!?!? I don't get this line of thinking? If we find someone who we like and that does the Job well, why shouldn't we be allowed to Elect them as many times as we like? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Just let a Racehorse Run
I say, get her up to speed on this whole ACORN thing, and let her loose on Obama... On Sep 30, 6:01 pm, Jim Willis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don’t you just wish John McCain would shut the hell up? I mean really, if the highlight of his speech is a critical guess as to the angle of his comb over then why even bother. If I hear from him once more that now is not the time for blame and what is needed is bi-partisanship I swear I’m going to break a chair on that comb over thus creating a permanent part. If this isn’t the time for partisanship and blame someone please tell me when the time is. That’s the problem with this anointed bailout. No blame has been assigned as have no remedies been proffered that would repair the financial policies that led us to the precipice. I want to see the perp walk of Fannie and Freddie executives, “all democrats” and attend the perfunctory water boarding and summary hanging. I need that for closure. Look, there is a small circle of liberal democrats who almost brought down our entire economy and friggin John McCain doesn’t want to assign blame. Fine John, but please stop adulterating our Sarah by having her parrot your talking points. You know, you can take this to the bank, when McCain does anything to rally the conservative base, you can bet your ass he will eventually spit in our eye. What the white haired Napoleon doesn’t get is that this is a gold mine, not just for him but the entire Republican Party. We have the democrats, bent over with their shorts down and John McCain is offering lube. Now is not the time to go milquetoast, now is the time to go mad dog mean and take it to these greedy social engineers and mop the damn floor with them. It’s time to take the gloves off John and go medieval on these mental midgets and rap this thing up. Look, if you don’t have the testicular fortitude to boat this bass then take your bulldog of the leash and watch it all on Fox news. Stop trying to turn Sarah into a republican stepford wife and let her be her. Let’s face it, and UN-deny an undeniable truth, McCain is in this only because of the plot twist that is Sarah Palin. She is his ticket to ride. McCain needs to stop treating her like a plow horse and let her run like the thorough bred she is. If you want to win John, if I may call you John is this; the democrats own this financial meltdown and you seem unwilling to actually pin that tail on their donkey. Let Sarah do it and stop controlling her. Put Sarah in the coliseum with those rascally democrat lions. My guess is they’ll be a rug on her vice presidential floor. Conservative Springfield 30 Sep 08 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: New Posts
There are plenty of discussions happening here on all sorts of Topics. No one decides what is important for other's here... I find it curious that you don't join some of the discussions that ARE in fact discussing the most important issues and instead decide to complain that there are not enough of them? Care to join the ACORN discussion, and explain why you believe Barack Obama should not be held responsible for his Role in this Financial mess we are in? On Sep 29, 4:54 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm just glad to see Mark's and Travis' ridiculous spamming of the board when there is a legitimate subject to be discussed. I came here in hopes that people would be having a discussion of the most important issue of the day. My bad. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: This week is going to be a Test in the Markets...
Yes rigs, we do admire the System... Because for each failure and corrupt person there are many more who do the right thing, we just don't hear about them, like we do the criminals. We Americans seem to be fixated on the terrible side of our Society, while ignoring the things that have, and continue to make us a Great Nation. On Oct 1, 2:00 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Capital gains penalities are just that- you pay when you inherit- pay when you sell- pay when you make a profit. So some sit on land and valuables and there is no action. In the meantime, inflation and the Antiques Roadshow soars the supposed value. Look at your property taxes! Then remind yourself that you accepted being entrapped by an effete system.//If banks think so little of savings rewards and so much of debt interest, why should we care if they fail?// If Wall Street rewards speculators instead of investors, do we really admire this system? On Sep 29, 7:58 pm, Jim Willis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As much as I hate to, I have to disagree with you Garr. If we do nothing we will face a 18 month recession. If we bail out Wall Street and support the behavior that got us here, we will suffer a TEN YEAR DEPRESSION. Government can play a role however. They could cut capital gains taxes to zero and follow that with a cut or removal of corporate tax rates. This would infuse trillions of dollars into the markets and make this a private bailout. What must be remembered is how we got here, a subject that no one has addressed. Freddie and Fannie, conjoined with the democrats. Someone needs to go to jail and the best place to start is Cristopher Dodd and Barney Frank. On Sep 29, 7:44 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If we do nothing the average American will suffer, regardless if they had anything to do with it or not... On Sep 29, 5:36 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I really don't give a damn about you or the guy next door. I believe in the constitution. You take your Bush bailout if you want it. When the economy fails, I'll be here, eating squirrel, 'possum, and 'coon with Travis. I'd like to know when you started supporting the Dems. I wouldn't assume you knew this was a Bush bailout. I'm not surprised to find that, even when I oppose the Dems, we are still have opposing views. I stand for the country without regard to party. You stand with the Dems only because they want to pass the Bush/ Paulson plan. On Sep 29, 8:07 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nearly 2/3 of All American own Stocks... I guess you believe the guy next door is an Elitist. On Sep 29, 4:52 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Who gives a shit about the elite markets. What about the average American? On Sep 29, 3:49 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: WIth the Jewish Holiday, we are not likely to see any Legislation until the end of the week. This is going to show us just how strong our Markets/Economy truly is...- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Regulators approve U.K. bank rescue
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/01/business/01bradford.php BRUSSELS: European Union regulators on Wednesday cleared the British government's rescue of mortgage lender Bradford Bingley, saying it did not violate rules on government aid to companies. The measures described can be authorized as rescue aid in line with the EU guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring or liquidating firms in difficulty, the European Commission said in a statement. The British government on Monday said it was taking over Bradford Bingley's £50 billion, or $89 billion, mortgage and loan books as turmoil from the U.S. credit crisis spread across Europe. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the move was needed to stabilize the financial system. EU regulators need to approve government aid to companies and the Commission moved fast to clear the deal. The British government also paid out £18 billion to facilitate the sale of Bradford Bingley's savings business, including its entire retail branch network, to Banco Santander of Spain. Santander, the second largest bank in Europe, said it will be paying £612 million for Bradford Bingley's 197 branches and £20 billion of deposits. Bradford Bingley was the third major British bank to run into trouble since credit crunch began just over a year ago. Northern Rock was nationalized in February, and HBOS sold itself to Lloyds TSB Group on Sept. 18, to stem a sharply falling share price. The EU said the state funding to enable the sale of Bradford Bingley's deposit book and the working capital and guarantee arrangements represented state aid, but it could be permitted under EU rules allowing for urgent structural measures. The regulators found that Santander had not received any state aid as it had paid the market price for Bradford Bingley's retail deposit business. The EU said British authorities had promised to give them a restructuring plan for Bradford Bingley by March 29. Bradford Bingley was particularly vulnerable to the credit crunch because it specializes in buy-to-let mortgages. Rising mortgage rates mean that investors who took out loans to buy properties for renting out are no longer able to cover their mortgages repayments with their rental income, and many are defaulting on the loans, especially the 17 percent of Bradford Bingley borrowers whose incomes had not been verified by the bank. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
545 PEOPLE
545 PEOPLE By Charlie Reese Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes? You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does. One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices -5 45 human beings out of the 300 million - are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank. I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton- picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes. Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.Who is the speaker of the House?She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to. It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist. If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the Army Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ. If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation,' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do. Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees. We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess! Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Navratri Nightmare
NAVRATRI NIGHTMARE Troubled Galaxy Destroyed Dreams: Chapter 75 Palash Biswas Navratri nightmare A stampede — not terrorism — has killed 147 devotees, many of them young, in a country where faith runs deep but not the belief in perfecting fool-proof crowd management methods. ... | Read.. Jail jolt to Rizwan officer Ajoy Kumar today became the first IPS officer to be sent to jail in Bengal in recent memory. ... | Read.. Act or fact? Over to you, your honour If you have proficiency in English, some knowledge of cricket and do not “imagine anything in the mind”, are you an actor? ... | Read.. Suicide glare on bosses Police are on the lookout for two managers of Nokia, the telecom company, to investigate allegations that they drove a young engineer to death. ... | Read.. TIME FOR A MEAL In West Bengal, people have to die, preferably in noticeably large numbers, of having nothing to eat before the government starts talking about starvation. Then, too, most of the talk is about how the deaths are caused by disease rather than starvation, never mind if the diseases themselves — tuberculosis or dysentery — are because of acute scarcity of food forcing people to live on ants’ eggs or even just soil. This time, it is a survey by the government itself that has decided to come clean with West Bengal’s shocking starvation statistics — with the familiar hedging, of course, around what exactly to call the phenomenon. Around five lakh people, most of them above 60 years old, live in “starvation-like” conditions. (What, one wonders, is the difference between living as if one were starving and actually starving? Is the former better, or less uncomfortable for the government, than the latter?) The concentration of the starved, according to the survey, is in the districts that have been intermittently in the news, for years, precisely for this reason. And something else that is not new is the junior panchayat and rural development minister’s knee-jerk, and entirely ad hoc, offer of a solution in the form of serving one or two cooked meals to those who prove themselves to be in such a condition. Brazen denial of the facts, short-term and politically advantageous solutions, and refusing to look at the larger systemic factors have always constituted the Left Front government’s familiar and expected reaction to starvation. Be they the displaced tribals of Amlashol or the out-of-work labourers and their families in north Bengal’s tea- gardens, the government has chronically refused to deal with the situation by addressing the fundamental causes of why people are failing to provide themselves with food. This time, the irony is in the fact that the very panchayats that have failed to make the public distribution system and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme work among the rural poor are now planning to provide meals to the starving, or the quasi-starving. From the distribution of below- poverty-line or job cards, to the deflecting of the PDS rice to the open market, both systems are mired in the corruption and greed of politically empowered middle-men. This had even led to an extended outbreak of food riots in the recent past. Nothing about this survey, and about the government’s reaction to it, is new or cause for any fresh hope. Deep declarations What the PM talked about when he talked about love Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s declaration of “deep love” among Indians for the president of the United States of America, George W. Bush, needs to be defended. Or at least put into context. As one of the two score or so men and women — including of... | Read.. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081001/jsp/opinion/index.jsp Decline in capital inflows as a result of ongoing global financial turmoil may see India's foreign exchange reserves depleting by USD 39 billion during 2008-09, says a report by global banker Goldman Sachs! US congressional blessing is the last hurdle to the Indo US Nuclear deal and the strategical pact, which the Bush administration believes will secure a strategic partnership with the world's largest democracy, help India meet its rising energy demand and open up a market worth billions! It helped the Much wanted resurgence of Indian market, finance and money as well! US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday scheduled a vote for Wednesday evening on a deal to end the three-decade ban on US civilian nuclear trade with India, a Senate aide said. President George W Bush wants to secure the agreement before he leaves office on January 20 and the State Department has mounted an all-out effort, including phone calls and visits to the Capitol by Rice, to win passage. The deal passed the House of Representatives by a margin of 298-117 on Saturday and the Democrats who control the Senate appeared to have overcome opponents within their own party. Extending its gains for the second straight day the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today regained the 13,000-point level on the back of
The Corporate State Fails
The Corporate State Fails by Sheldon Richman, October 1, 2008 According to popular myth, the current financial turmoil is the result of Bush administration deregulation. One problem with that theory: there was no deregulation. The last banking deregulation, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley bill, was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1999. Oops. Gramm-Leach-Bliley undid the New Deal-era Glass-Steagall Act, which for no good reason separated commercial banking from investment banking. The act was finally scrapped because the artificial separation of banking functions prevented diversification and made American banks vulnerable to full-service foreign competition. Repeal of Glass-Steagall doesn’t mean banks have not been subject to myriad regulations by the federal and state governments. Besides, Glass-Steagall has nothing to do with today’s troubles. So the turmoil is not the spawn of deregulation. What then? We distinguish between regulation and intervention. It is possible for the government to abstain from regulating while still intervening ruinously in markets. For example and this is at the root of the current problems the government can subsidize, underwrite, or even require foolish lending practices that the free market would prevent or punish. Such a program is every bit as interventionist as restrictive regulation is because it keeps the market process from working properly. The financial debacle can be fully accounted for by the government’s decades-long campaign to enable people to buy more housing than they can afford and then to underwrite the mortgages through its creations Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, i.e., the taxpayers. To put it in the simplest terms: Republican and Democratic governments deliberately shifted the risk of dubious mortgage-writing from lenders and borrowers to the public. This has been portrayed as a noble effort to make the American Dream accessible to all, regardless of income or credit-worthiness. In fact, it was a massive subsidy to special economic interests: bankers, homebuilders, and the real-estate profession. It was the corporate state in action, and a dismal failure. So now the taxpayers are to be forced to make good on the guarantees that economically ignorant politicians issued in their name. President Bush and Congress are conspiring to spend at least $700 billion they don’t have to buy bad loans and securities from struggling lending institutions. The bill could go far higher. This is more than the Pentagon spends in a year, more than has been spent on the Iraq invasion and occupation. The government doesn’t have the money, of course. It’s already running a $400 billion budget deficit. So it will have to borrow or print it. Either way, the public will suffer, through lost private investment and higher prices and interest rates. This money will be entrusted to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The administration’s draft of the bailout package contains this little gem: “Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.” Even if Congress changes this provision, it will do no good. Do you really think Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd, enablers of Fannie and Freddie, know what they are doing? Has anything been learned from the debacle? Precious little. Here’s the diagnosis made by John McCain, presidential candidate of the supposedly free-market, small-government Republican Party: “The financial crisis we’re living through today started with the corruption and manipulation of our home-mortgage system. At the center of the problem were the lobbyists, politicians, and bureaucrats who succeeded in persuading Congress and the administration to ignore festering problems at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” This is incoherent. The problem lies not in ignoring problems but in the government privileges and guarantees extended to Fannie and Freddie and by extension to the whole lending industry. McCain claims he was on top of this issue three years ago. He’s wrong. He supported a bill not to abolish Fannie and Freddie, which is what was needed, but to have them watched by an “independent” regulator rather than by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In other words, McCain missed the problem altogether. Barack Obama has no better understanding of what’s going on. But let’s hear no more about Republicans’ loving limited government. http://www.fff.org/comment/com0810a.asp --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Step into the light Democrats
On Oct 1, 9:36 am, Keith In Tampa [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The other day, Gaar mentioned that now was not the time to point fingers. I have come to the conclusion that it is the time to point fingers, and I respectfully disagree with Gaar. I stand corrected... I had believed, back then, that we may be facing a Financial meltdown if we didn't do something, and quick. I bought their Bullshit, hook, line and sinker. I now see that the Market is much more resilient than I had thought, at first, and I have had time to mull over things and have decided you are correct, we NEED to find the answers to why this happened, so we can make sure we stop it from happening again. And hence my now going on and looking at ACORN and the Role they played in all of this... And who do I find in the middle of ACORN? Why Barack Hussein Obama, of course... Does that surprise anyone? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: The Vote is failing in the House...
What you wish to say is the conditions needed for the Democrats to enact a bill without Bush's signature... That however is not the case here... Pelsoi fail to even try to twist Democratic arms... The Congressional Black Caucus is united in opposition... Why isn't Obama seeking to twist their arms??? Democrats control Congress... It is up to them to make the trains run on time... Pelosi is being partisan here... The shame is you demand the GOP give cover to the NO votes within the Democratic party... On Sep 30, 5:46 pm, studio [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sep 30, 11:51 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sep 30, 8:48 am, studio [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: By one vote they are, but it needs a 2/3rds majority vote to pass. No it doesn't. You are either ill informed, or a Liar. Clarification: 2/3rd's vote = veto proof. Still doesn't matter, McCain wasn't able to deliver but an extra 4 votes with less than 33% of Republicans voting approval. You seem to think Democrats should be the only ones approving a Republican Presidents request...which of course is utter non-sense. Can you say trounced? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: PALIN lies to COURIC! Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace
What is disturbing about Palin's latest lies about her history is that she is consistently lying to inflate her experience. IMO, this shows she is aware of the fact that her actual experience does not prepare her to be VP or president. She knows it, we know it, McCain surely knows it...hell, even my potted fern knows it. So why is she on the ticket? Palin has repeatedly done what Hillary Clinton did on a couple of occasions: lie about what happened in the pass to prop up her claims of being ready to lead on Day #1. The rightwingers blasted HRC for it (as did I), but the majority of rightwingers are now silent about Palin doing the same thing. That NORAD had to come forward and basically call the GOP's VP candidate a liar--is unprecedented. I can find no refernce to such an intervention ever having had to take place in the past. -- On Oct 1, 7:49 am, wncs [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I finally had time to watch the Palin/Couric interview and was stunned at how ill-prepared Palin was for this. It was evident in her stammering and in her mannerisms that she had no clue how to answer some of Couric's questions. She proved her inadequacy by bringing Daddy John with her the next time, like a little kid who has to drag a parent in to stand up for them. I'm surprised she wasn't twirling her hair the whole time. If she can't stand up to Katie Couric, how does anyone expect her to run this country?! On Oct 1, 9:21 am, PoliticalAmazon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: LOL, she makes Bill Clinton with the chance of getting a blow job look downright honest. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_norad_... NORAD: Sarah Palin has no role in guarding U.S. airspace despite claims in Katie Couric interview BY JAMES GORDON MEEK DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 5:21 PM Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks to CBS news anchor Katie Couric in their interview last Wednesday. WASHINGTON - When Russian bombers approach American airspace and U.S. Air Force fighters are scrambled, Sarah Palin's phone doesn't ring. The Alaska governor has no command authority over the guardians of U.S. airspace despite her recent suggestion otherwise. She doesn't have any role in that process, Air Force Maj. Allen Herritage, spokesman for the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Daily News. The authority to launch and respond to a Russian incursion lies with the Alaska NORAD Region commander - Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, he said. Palin said last week that her foreign policy experience includes facing the Russians. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia, as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America - where do they go? It's Alaska, Palin told CBS' Katie Couric. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, she said. Moscow's bombers have skirted Alaskan airspace 20 times, thugh they have not violated it, during Palin's governorship, officials said. When F-15 and F-22 interceptors scrambled from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage in response, John McCain's running mate was not speed-dialed with the news. The commander does not call the governor, Herritage said. Steven Biegun, a McCain foreign policy adviser, said Palin is informed of the fly-bys by her National Guard commander. The Alaska Air Guard, which Palin oversees, performs airspace-watching missions only under NORAD command, and does not fly interception sorties. Palin did get an annual Air Force briefing in February. She asked a lot of questions and seemed generally curious, recalled Herritage, who was there. She was very interested in Russian long- range aviation. (END OF QUOTE)- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
Zeb, Feel free to disprove and of the data mentioned. You have something against good health? Brush your teeth with DDT every morning if you wish, use a pillow stuffed with asbestos, I personally don't give a fuck. On Oct 1, 12:14 pm, Zebnick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Christ, how do you libs get out of bed in the morning with all the deadly threats that surround you and the myriad of conspiracies meant to destroy you afoot? On Oct 1, 11:24 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: rigs, Tough to find any liquid in a bottle NOT made of plastic anymore. When I was a kid milk and other liquids came in glass bottles and coated paper cartons. On Oct 1, 2:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Pain
Gaar, I'm all for holding people responsible for their actions, both Republican AND Democrats. You only seem interested in holding Democrats responsible. On Sep 30, 11:56 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: holly, Why does it not surprise me that YOU would not hold those responsible for their actions? On Sep 30, 9:52 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaar, Gee, why am I not surprised? On Sep 30, 11:17 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Democratic Leadership. Most notably Frank, Dodd and Obama... They should be Voted out of Office. On Sep 30, 9:14 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaar, And exactly who in your opinion is most responsible and what form should the pain take? On Sep 30, 11:08 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sep 29, 5:19 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Was this about the Bush/Paulson bailout? If so, where do you stand on it. I'll try to take the opposite side. Oh, well, I might as well tell you I am against the bailout. Now, you can choose sides. I am FOR some type of Government action, be it a suspension of some Taxes or a change in the Accounting Rules, that will help work out some of the problems being experienced, but I also favor causing those who are most responsible some pain for their bad decisions...- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Step into the light Democrats
That's pretty funny coming from someone who tries to blame the President and Republicans for everything. On Oct 1, 1:09 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Keith, How could you possibly disagree with Gaar? He's never wrong, just ask him. No, it's not the time to endlessly point fingers. It will accomplish absolutely nothing. Now is the time to find long-term solutions. Here's what you seem to be saying. When the Republicans are the majority in the Congress they can accomplish nothing due to Democratic obstructionism. And when they are the minority they can accomplish nothing because they are not the majority. Your main goal seems to be nothing other than to make endless excuses for the Republcans, period. On Oct 1, 11:36 am, Keith In Tampa [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey Hollywood, It takes a quorom in the House and a 2/3's majority in the Senate to get a Bill passed. So, no, it was not that the Republicans who were incompetent or in collusion, as the short video demonstrates, just the opposite was happening. The other day, Gaar mentioned that now was not the time to point fingers. I have come to the conclusion that it is the time to point fingers, and I respectfully disagree with Gaar. If now is not the time to point fingers, when is? The fact is, we, the people of America have been sold a bill of goods by the Democrats, and I think that the Democrat Party needs to be exposed for the frauds that they are. Of course, they deny it, as they deny their whole agenda, when confronted. There is no American, (including you!) that can look at the facts objectively, and come to any other conclusion, that the Democrats in this Nation attempted to give free housing to those that could not afford it, and pad their pockets in the process. Don't get me wrong, there are some Republicans that are caught up in this mix, and I want their ass hung out on a sling too! In truth and fact, (as the video depicted) the Republicans have been calling for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform for at least four years, and more like ten years! If I find fault with the Republicans, it was that they were not yelling and screaming how bad our Nation's financial situation was, loud enough! The Republicans should be faulted for not raising the alarm bells long ago, and informing the American people. What I find despicable, is the likes of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd now acting as if they did nothing wrong, and are trying to lie their way out of it. These are truly the ones that are playing Partisan politics! Here is the statement that Congressman Davis released to Sean Hannity yesterday: Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong. By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go around for both sides. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431209,00.html Bill Cliinton said on September 26, 2008: I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was president, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_ADS?SITE=DCUSNSECTIO... Although not perfect, Congressman Davis's statement still acknowledges my point, and should make every American stand up and take note! Congressman Davis's statement goes on, in a partisan attempt to blame Republicans for not tightening the regulatory scheme, when in fact, it was the Clinton Administration and Robert Rubin who was pushing for the deregulation. Former Goldman Sachs partner Robert Rubin, who was President Clinton's Treasury Secretary. In a 1995 speech and testimony to Congress, Rubin advocated the Bill, and professed the Clinton Administration's intent to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act: The banking industry is fundamentally different from what it was two decades ago, let alone in 1933….[T]he industry has been transformed into a global business of facilitating capital formation through diverse new products, services and markets. U.S. banks generally engage in a broader range of securities activities abroad than is permitted domestically… Even domestically, the separation of investment banking and commercial banking envisioned by Glass-Steagall has eroded significantly.
Re: Pain
Show me what the Republicans did to foster this situation, and I will gladly look at and discuss it... Unlike you. On Oct 1, 1:43 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaar, I'm all for holding people responsible for their actions, both Republican AND Democrats. You only seem interested in holding Democrats responsible. On Sep 30, 11:56 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: holly, Why does it not surprise me that YOU would not hold those responsible for their actions? On Sep 30, 9:52 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaar, Gee, why am I not surprised? On Sep 30, 11:17 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Democratic Leadership. Most notably Frank, Dodd and Obama... They should be Voted out of Office. On Sep 30, 9:14 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaar, And exactly who in your opinion is most responsible and what form should the pain take? On Sep 30, 11:08 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sep 29, 5:19 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Was this about the Bush/Paulson bailout? If so, where do you stand on it. I'll try to take the opposite side. Oh, well, I might as well tell you I am against the bailout. Now, you can choose sides. I am FOR some type of Government action, be it a suspension of some Taxes or a change in the Accounting Rules, that will help work out some of the problems being experienced, but I also favor causing those who are most responsible some pain for their bad decisions...- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: New Posts
you want cheese with your whine, sgt? On Oct 1, 2:21 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There are plenty of discussions happening here on all sorts of Topics. No one decides what is important for other's here... I find it curious that you don't join some of the discussions that ARE in fact discussing the most important issues and instead decide to complain that there are not enough of them? Care to join the ACORN discussion, and explain why you believe Barack Obama should not be held responsible for his Role in this Financial mess we are in? On Sep 29, 4:54 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm just glad to see Mark's and Travis' ridiculous spamming of the board when there is a legitimate subject to be discussed. I came here in hopes that people would be having a discussion of the most important issue of the day. My bad. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
imaging if Hannity or Rush were moderating the debates
the dems and the liberal ms would be so apoplectic over this they would have to be heavily medicated for weeks. so why then are all the moderators so far been libs? and the one tomorrow night is writing a book on barry to boot. what is up with that? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Ideas for a Plan to Solve the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
(Rec'd from author) From: Travis Subject: Ideas for a Plan to Solve the Subprime Mortgage Crisis Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 4:15 AM *Ideas for a Plan to Solve the Subprime Mortgage Crisis* *Rene Guerra*** Years of malicious policies by the Democrats and stupid mistakes by home buyers have created an economic nightmare in America , but $700 billion ---and probably more--- in new debt for worthless mortgages, and a systemic drift toward socialism and autocratism is not the answer. The solution to the problem cannot be worse than the problem itself; it cannot be a bailout that wastes taxpayer money, foments socialism and implants autocratism. It has to be a workout based on free-entrepreneurialism, which is one of the greatest assets of America . A partial plan is presented at the bottom. The problem must be solved at its superficial manifestations and at its roots. Furthermore, the solution must also include prophylactic measures that prevent similar problems in the future. To that effect, a brief review of the origin and development of the crisis fits here. On the one side, the Democrats craftily perverted and inversed the pro-free enterprise goals of the Bill Clinton administration Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramm-Leach-Bliley_Act of 1992 into a piñata in the housing market, where credit unworthy individuals were given mortgage loans that they couldn't pay; Ninja loans, were called those instruments of credit that in essence was bad paper, mere Monopoly money. *Ninja = a member of a Japanese feudal organization practicing clandestine activities.*** In a jujitsu-like massive operation, the Democrats used the pro-capitalism momentum-generating-power of GLBA to create critical conditions that would eventually lead to pushing America further toward socialism. The genuine intention of GLBA is to promote capitalism but the Democrats maneuvered to use GLBA to promote capitalism's antithesis: socialism. *Jujitsu: a Japanese martial art mainly consisting of cleverly attacking an opponent by using his/her strength and weight to her/his disadvantage, rather than engaging in attacking him/her directly.*** Using GLBA as the lever and the Carter Administration Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment_Act of 1977 as the fulcrum, the Democrats created a clever mechanism to manipulate the housing market into a great chaos, conducive ultimately to socialism. And, in the process, it conduced as well to the enrichment of some Democrat apparatchiks, such as Jamie Garolick (the very one who built the walls between the national security agencies, which contributed heavily to 9/11), Franklin Raines, James Johnson, Penny Pritzker and others who, by the way, are very close to the Obama campaign. Add to it that Senate Banking Commission Chairman Christopher John Dodd (aka Chris Dodd) became the largest beneficiary of Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac political contributions, followed by none else than Barack Hussein Obama, in second place. Using CRA and GLBA, the Democrats pushed Fanny and Freddy to in turn push banks to make Ninja loans like in giving away candy in a piñata party. Fanny and Freddy bought the phony paper by boxcar loads. The big investment-banks (Lehman Brothers and the rest here in the U.S.A. and abroad, went into a piranha frenzy buying the worthless paper from Fanny and Freddy, in the illusion that if the two Fs were selling them in their condition of Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_sponsored_enterprises, they had to be good . . . although they neither looked nor were good, at all. On the other side, hundreds of thousands of entirely credit unworthy, giddy homebuyers jumped into the occasion and gingerly applied and obtained their Ninja loans. They perfectly knew that they couldn't pay those loans; however, they went ahead with it. The realtors who sold them the homes knew it too; however, they went ahead with it. The banks that made the loans knew it too; however, they went ahead with it. The bubble that *Ninja-ism* ---along with other causes that would take too long to discuss here--- had contributed to create in the housing market had to burst. And, in the aftermath, the Democrats would push for the statization of the resulting failing financial entities under the disguise of a bailout that taxpayers would pay for. Pure socialism, the end result would be. Duplicitously clever creatures, the Democrats indeed are; they make the American people pay from their own pockets for the yoke ---socialism--- that they will be enslaved with. Thanks to true conservatives ---that is, conservative talk show radio anchors, some conservative columnists, some Fox Business Channel and Fox Business Channel anchors, and hundreds of conservative bloggers and Internet journalists--- Americans are aware of what is going on and have, by the tens of millions, realized
Re: Ideas for a Plan to Solve the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
Overthrow capitalism Travis wrote: (Rec'd from author) From: Travis Subject: Ideas for a Plan to Solve the Subprime Mortgage Crisis Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 4:15 AM *Ideas for a Plan to Solve the Subprime Mortgage Crisis* *Rene Guerra*** Years of malicious policies by the Democrats and stupid mistakes by home buyers have created an economic nightmare in America , but $700 billion ---and probably more--- in new debt for worthless mortgages, and a systemic drift toward socialism and autocratism is not the answer. The solution to the problem cannot be worse than the problem itself; it cannot be a bailout that wastes taxpayer money, foments socialism and implants autocratism. It has to be a workout based on free-entrepreneurialism, which is one of the greatest assets of America . A partial plan is presented at the bottom. The problem must be solved at its superficial manifestations and at its roots. Furthermore, the solution must also include prophylactic measures that prevent similar problems in the future. To that effect, a brief review of the origin and development of the crisis fits here. On the one side, the Democrats craftily perverted and inversed the pro-free enterprise goals of the Bill Clinton administration Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramm-Leach-Bliley_Act of 1992 into a pi�ata in the housing market, where credit unworthy individuals were given mortgage loans that they couldn't pay; Ninja loans, were called those instruments of credit that in essence was bad paper, mere Monopoly money. *Ninja = a member of a Japanese feudal organization practicing clandestine activities.*** In a jujitsu-like massive operation, the Democrats used the pro-capitalism momentum-generating-power of GLBA to create critical conditions that would eventually lead to pushing America further toward socialism. The genuine intention of GLBA is to promote capitalism but the Democrats maneuvered to use GLBA to promote capitalism's antithesis: socialism. *Jujitsu: a Japanese martial art mainly consisting of cleverly attacking an opponent by using his/her strength and weight to her/his disadvantage, rather than engaging in attacking him/her directly.*** Using GLBA as the lever and the Carter Administration Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment_Act of 1977 as the fulcrum, the Democrats created a clever mechanism to manipulate the housing market into a great chaos, conducive ultimately to socialism. And, in the process, it conduced as well to the enrichment of some Democrat apparatchiks, such as Jamie Garolick (the very one who built the walls between the national security agencies, which contributed heavily to 9/11), Franklin Raines, James Johnson, Penny Pritzker and others who, by the way, are very close to the Obama campaign. Add to it that Senate Banking Commission Chairman Christopher John Dodd (aka Chris Dodd) became the largest beneficiary of Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac political contributions, followed by none else than Barack Hussein Obama, in second place. Using CRA and GLBA, the Democrats pushed Fanny and Freddy to in turn push banks to make Ninja loans like in giving away candy in a pi�ata party. Fanny and Freddy bought the phony paper by boxcar loads. The big investment-banks (Lehman Brothers and the rest here in the U.S.A. and abroad, went into a piranha frenzy buying the worthless paper from Fanny and Freddy, in the illusion that if the two Fs were selling them in their condition of Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_sponsored_enterprises, they had to be good . . . although they neither looked nor were good, at all. On the other side, hundreds of thousands of entirely credit unworthy, giddy homebuyers jumped into the occasion and gingerly applied and obtained their Ninja loans. They perfectly knew that they couldn't pay those loans; however, they went ahead with it. The realtors who sold them the homes knew it too; however, they went ahead with it. The banks that made the loans knew it too; however, they went ahead with it. The bubble that *Ninja-ism* ---along with other causes that would take too long to discuss here--- had contributed to create in the housing market had to burst. And, in the aftermath, the Democrats would push for the statization of the resulting failing financial entities under the disguise of a bailout that taxpayers would pay for. Pure socialism, the end result would be. Duplicitously clever creatures, the Democrats indeed are; they make the American people pay from their own pockets for the yoke ---socialism--- that they will be enslaved with. Thanks to true conservatives ---that is, conservative talk show radio anchors, some conservative columnists, some Fox Business Channel and Fox Business Channel anchors, and hundreds of conservative bloggers and
ACORN's role in the current crisis
tile of pic should be: Ignorance is bliss. From: *Travis* Date: Tue, Sep 30, 2008 Subject: ACORN's role in the current crisis ACORN: Association of Crappy Organizations Recruiting Numbnuts O'S DANGEROUS PALS BARACK'S 'ORGANIZER' BUDS PUSHED FOR BAD MORTGAGES By STANLEY KURTZ [image: Chutzpah: ACORN's drive to lower mortgage standards paved the way for the meltdown - yet last week, it was holding protests like this one in Florida, trying to get a cut of the financial-market-rescue bill.] Chutzpah: ACORN's drive to lower mortgage standards paved the way for the meltdown - yet last week, it was holding protests like this one in Florida, trying to get a cut of the financial-market-rescue bill. Posted: 3:53 am September 29, 2008 http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/os_dangerous_pals_131216.htm?page=0 WHAT exactly does a community organizer do? Barack Obamahttp://www.nypost.com/news/p/obama_barack/obama_barack.htm's rise has left many Americans asking themselves that question. Here's a big part of the answer: Community organizers intimidate banks into making high-risk loans to customers with poor credit. In the name of fairness to minorities, community organizers occupy private offices, chant inside bank lobbies, and confront executives at their homes - and thereby force financial institutions to direct hundreds of millions of dollars in mortgages to low-credit customers. In other words, community organizers help to undermine the US economy by pushing the banking system into a sinkhole of bad loans. And Obama has spent years training and funding the organizers who do it. THE seeds of today's financial meltdown lie in the Commu nity Reinvestment Act - a law passed in 1977 and made riskier by unwise amendments and regulatory rulings in later decades. CRA was meant to encourage banks to make loans to high-risk borrowers, often minorities living in unstable neighborhoods. That has provided an opening to radical groups like ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) to abuse the law by forcing banks to make hundreds of millions of dollars in subprime loans to often uncreditworthy poor and minority customers. Any bank that wants to expand or merge with another has to show it has complied with CRA - and approval can be held up by complaints filed by groups like ACORN. In fact, intimidation tactics, public charges of racism and threats to use CRA to block business expansion have enabled ACORN to extract hundreds of millions of dollars in loans and contributions from America's financial institutions. Banks already overexposed by these shaky loans were pushed still further in the wrong direction when government-sponsored Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac began buying up their bad loans and offering them for sale on world markets. Fannie and Freddie acted in response to Clinton administration pressure to boost homeownership rates among minorities and the poor. However compassionate the motive, the result of this systematic disregard for normal credit standards has been financial disaster. ONE key pioneer of ACORN's subprime-loan shakedown racket was Madeline Talbott - an activist with extensive ties to Barack Obamahttp://www.nypost.com/news/p/obama_barack/obama_barack.htm. She was also in on the ground floor of the disastrous turn in Fannie Mae's mortgage policies. Long the director of Chicago ACORN, Talbott is a specialist in direct action - organizers' term for their militant tactics of intimidation and disruption. Perhaps her most famous stunt was leading a group of ACORN protesters breaking into a meeting of the Chicago City Council to push for a living wage law, shouting in defiance as she was arrested for mob action and disorderly conduct. But her real legacy may be her drive to push banks into making risky mortgage loans. In February 1990, Illinois regulators held what was believed to be the first-ever state hearing to consider blocking a thrift merger for lack of compliance with CRA. The challenge was filed by ACORN, led by Talbott. Officials of Bell Federal Savings and Loan Association, her target, complained that ACORN pressure was undermining its ability to meet strict financial requirements it was obligated to uphold and protested being boxed into an affirmative-action lending policy. The following years saw Talbott featured in dozens of news stories about pressuring banks into higher-risk minority loans. IN April 1992, Talbott filed an other precedent-setting com plaint using the community support requirements of the 1989 savings-and-loan bailout, this time against Avondale Federal Bank for Savings. Within a month, Chicago ACORN had organized its first bank fair at Malcolm X College and found 16 Chicago-area financial institutions willing to participate. Two months later, aided by ACORN organizer Sandra Maxwell, Talbott announced plans to conduct demonstrations in the lobbies of area banks that refused to attend an ACORN-sponsored
Step into the light Democrats
Hollywood, Here are the facts. Let's Review: In 2004/early 2005, a Bill captioned, the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2004/2005, sponsored by Republicans, .John McCain, Elizabeth Dole, John Sununu, and Chuck Hagel, was put before the Congress. The Bill was blocked, by the Democrats in the Senate, and the majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-190 The summary of the Bill, written by Congressional Services: 1/26/2005--Introduced. Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to establish: (1) in lieu of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency which shall have authority over the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (2) the Federal Housing Enterprise Board. Sets forth operating, administrative, and regulatory provisions of the Agency, including provisions respecting: (1) assessment authority; (2) authority to limit nonmission-related assets; (3) minimum and critical capital levels; (4) risk-based capital test; (5) capital classifications and undercapitalized enterprises; (6) enforcement actions and penalties; (7) golden parachutes; and (8) reporting. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation. Transfers the functions of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Banks to such Corporation. Excludes the Federal Home Loan Banks from certain securities reporting requirements. Abolishes the Federal Housing Finance Board. = The Bush Administration called for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reforms repeatedly, all to fall upon deaf ears by the Democrats. Bush Called For Reform of Fannie Mae Freddie Mac 17 Times in 2008 Alone... Dems Ignored Warnings http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/09/bush-called-for-reform-of-fannie-mae.html In 2003, the Bush Administration was encouraging and pushing the Congress to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, all which fell upon deaf ears by the Democrats, who fought change to Freddie and Fannie vociferously: http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/16/whose-policies-led-to-the-credit-crisis/ == Here is the statement that Congressman Davis released to Sean Hannity yesterday: Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong. By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go around for both sides. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431209,00.html Hollywood?? What part of this do you, or any individual who has not figured out the Democrat socialist agenda, not see yet? What part of this, are ya'll having a hard time either accepting or understanding? As I have stated, if the Republicans can be blamed, it should be for not sounding the alarm bells loud enough, over the fraud pepetrated by these despicable Socialist Democrats! Although Congressman Davis's statement still acknowledges my point, and should make every American stand up and take note, Congressman Davis's statement goes on, in a partisan attempt to blame Republicans for not tightening the regulatory scheme, when in fact, it was the Clinton Administration and Robert Rubin who were pushing for the deregulation. As I mentioned earlier this morning, former President Clinton said on September 26, 2008: I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was president, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_ADS?SITE=DCUSNSECTION=POLITICSTEMPLATE=DEFAULT Former Goldman Sachs partner Robert Rubin, who was President Clinton's Treasury Secretary. In a 1995 speech and testimony to Congress, Rubin advocated the Bill, and professed the Clinton Administration's intent to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act: The banking industry is fundamentally different from what it was two decades ago, let alone in 1933….[T]he industry has been transformed into a global business of facilitating capital formation through diverse new products, services and markets. U.S. banks generally engage in
Re: New Posts
Frank: I am one of those loyal Americans wh sent emails and sent
hand-written personal letters to my MC's about this insane bailout.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 5:03 PM, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
ACORN is not a discussion point, its right wing bile. The bailout of
the rich for their predatitive lending practices is unheard of and
amounts to little more than theft. Barack Obama has been the most
vocal supporter of the Bill, while 60% of the democrat lawmakers voter
for the bill and 67% Reps voted against it .
Public opposition killed this bill, as millions of Americans voiced
their anger by text and e-mailing their representatives which nearly
caused a meltdown of the system, such was its volume.
Congressmen that saw their seats at risk at the coming elections if
they voted in favor of the bill voted no. Such is the level of
criminality of the two party system today. Congressmen said screw this
bill, I am going to look after myself first.
Sarges point is a valid one, as the most important issue regarding the
future of the way we live, the economic meltdown is assiduously
avoided as it poses questions no-one wants to tackle. How can
legitimate debate take place without address this problem, upon which
all else hinges?
On Oct 2, 4:21 am, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
There are plenty of discussions happening here on all sorts of Topics.
No one decides what is important for other's here...
I find it curious that you don't join some of the discussions that ARE
in fact discussing the most important issues and instead decide to
complain that there are not enough of them?
Care to join the ACORN discussion, and explain why you believe Barack
Obama should not be held responsible for his Role in this Financial
mess we are in?
On Sep 29, 4:54 pm, SgtUSMC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I'm just glad to see Mark's and Travis' ridiculous spamming of the
board when there is a legitimate subject to be discussed.
I came here in hopes that people would be having a discussion of the
most important issue of the day. My bad.
--
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Re: The fat lady sings......................
Good grief Travis, I was trying to have a little snack here. ;- )
- Original Message -
From: Travis
To: PoliticalForum@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: The fat lady sings..
This must be one of your favorites.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 10:02 AM, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
The fat lady sings..
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Re: Breaking News from Bloomberg’s confirms the failure of the bailout and “the death agony of capitalism” (Leon Trotsky) And the fat lady sings…………………… .
I agree with you completely. The transition from capitalism to socialism absolutely requires a centralized authority, precisely for the reasons you have stated. Any references I may have made to the contrary are based on the the theory of whither the state, something which I will never see in my life time, or are made to childishly annoy M.A.Johnson. Are you affiliated with any organizations? I am active in the Australian branch of the Socialist Equality Party. We had a public meeting last night on 70 years sinc the founding of the Fourth International and the crisis of the US and world economy. It was very well attended by broad sections of the working class and youth and continued late into the evening. On Oct 2, 2:34 am, Princip [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: M.J. Regulation deciding who or who not can practise as doctor is hardly arbitary. It is empirically decided by acknowledged experts in the field. In the state of nature which is essentially what your calling for we end up with shamens who dance around chanting songs expecting the dead or dying to walk like lazarus. I'm sorry but its axiomatic and right that we should have a centralised authority deciding what is best in certain situations. On Oct 1, 3:12 pm, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Latest headlines from Bloomberg's confirm world wide route of capitalism. Long live the Internationale. M.A. Johnson wrote: Princip I'm not going to define minute. I think we both know the regulation in the states is benign. MJ And hence the CORE of this fantasy world in which you live. Hey, if it does not FIT your religious ideal ... no problem ... we will just PRETEND it does. Regulations serve multi-fold ... from hampering innovation, to protecting entry into the marketplace. Joe wanting to facilitate lenders and borrowers a place to contract with one another (perhaps for a fee for his efforts) [gee, that would be capitalism] ... as a bank ... must adhere to reams and reams and reams of Government regulations, mandates and the like that you want to pretend are non-existent. Princip and if Free Trade is the answer,no regulation of any kind does that suppose anybody can just become a doctor without any medical practise or 'regulation' and the market will decide who are good doctors or not? MJ As opposed to the Government deciding who is and is not qualified because they jump through arbitrary hoops? Yes, we already established the fact that you oppose capitalism. So YOU do not believe you (and others) should be FREE to contract with your local auto mechanic ... having him remove your appendix? You really think People are too stupid to make informed decisions? Princip How many patients will die before the market has spoken?? MJ Praise be to Government, Amen. So, in your world, People are too stupid to make decisions for themselves ... they need omniscient Bureaucrats (let me guess, elected by majority) to dictate and mandate for them. We will ignore the problem with these stupid People having the ability to properly choose these leaders Regard$, --MJ Every citizen who has produced or acquired a product, should have the option of applying it immediately to his own use or of transferring it to whoever on the face of the earth agrees to give him in exchange the object of his desires. To deprive him of this option . . . solely to satisfy the convenience of another citizen, is to legitimize an act of plunder and to violate the law of justice. -- Fr d ric Bastiat --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
Who the FUCK do you think gives a FUCK about what the FUCK you don't give a FUCK about? Yet, you FUCKING feel the FUCKING need to FUCKING respond to FUCKING posts to FUCKING say you FUCKING don't give a FUCK? Why oh FUCKING why??? You have developed a new addiction Woody - addiction to verbally abusing others on the Internet. There *must* be a program for you. ASSHOLES ANONYMOUS??? - Original Message - From: Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: PoliticalForum PoliticalForum@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 4:17 PM Subject: Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags Zeb, Feel free to disprove and of the data mentioned. You have something against good health? Brush your teeth with DDT every morning if you wish, use a pillow stuffed with asbestos, I personally don't give a fuck. On Oct 1, 12:14 pm, Zebnick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Christ, how do you libs get out of bed in the morning with all the deadly threats that surround you and the myriad of conspiracies meant to destroy you afoot? On Oct 1, 11:24 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: rigs, Tough to find any liquid in a bottle NOT made of plastic anymore. When I was a kid milk and other liquids came in glass bottles and coated paper cartons. On Oct 1, 2:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum
Re: 545 PEOPLE
Right On.!!!
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 2:21 PM, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and
then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans
are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against
inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on
appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank
does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine
Supreme Court justices -5 45 human beings out of the 300 million -
are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the
domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that
problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated
its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally
chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound
reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to
coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-
picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million
dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject
it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's
responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that
what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con
regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive
amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a
Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating
deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot
force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole
responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and
approving appropriations and taxes.Who is the speaker of the
House?She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow
House members, not the president, can approve any budget they
want.If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if
they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not
replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of
incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single
domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545
people.When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people
exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that
what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in
IRAQ.
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite
retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it
that way. There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they
hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and
advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to
regulate and from whom they can take this power.Above all, do not
let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied
mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation,' or 'politics' that
prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are
their bosses provided the voters have the gumption to manage their
own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel
Newspaper.
--
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Penny-Wise Politics
From: Travis Subject: [tsowell] Penny-Wise Politics Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008, *Penny-Wise Politics *Thomas Sowell Wednesday, October 01, 2008 Congress is never more ridiculous than when it tries to look like it is serious. In the midst of a major national financial crisis, what was one of the first things Congress zeroed in on? The pay of Chief Executive Officers of financial institutions. If all those CEOs agreed to work for nothing, that would not be enough to lower the bailout money by one percent. Anyone who was really serious would start with the 99 percent and let the one percent come later, if at all. But however insignificant the pay of CEOs is economically, it is big stuff politically. Whatever the shortcomings of the Democrats, they are consistent in their message, and class envy is a great part of that message. People who say that they cannot understand how CEOs in general get so many millions of dollars seem not to realize what a trivial thing they are saying. Most people do not understand most things. But that is no reason to have national policy guided by their ignorance. I do not understand one percent of what there is to understand about the very computer on which these words are being written-- nor about the Internet on which these words will be transmitted to the syndicate that distributes this column. I don't have a clue about how a syndicate is run, much less how much someone should be paid for running it. What really sets some people off is the fact that a CEO who has mismanaged some corporation into losing billions of dollars is rewarded with a severance package worth millions. Think about it. If the CEO's decisions are costing the company billions, it is a bargain to get him out the door immediately for millions, rather than having his departure delayed by either internal struggles or battles in the courts. It is the same principle if you are married to someone who is impossible to live with. The divorce may cost far more than the marriage-- and still be worth every cent of it. But what about the social justice of it all? Such questions seem to carry great weight with people who act as if they are God on Judgment Day. But one of the little overlooked differences between themselves and God on Judgment Day is that God does not have to worry about what is going to happen the day after Judgment Day. Rewarding someone for being impossible to live with may offend our feelings, just as rewarding someone for mismanaging a company does. But the real question is-- what is the alternative and how will that alternative affect the future? Politically imposed limits on the pay of CEOs is one of the most penny-wise and pound-foolish things that can be done. The difference between a top-notch CEO and a second-rate CEO can be billions of dollars on the bottom line. That is what drives up the pay of CEOs. If you want someone who will be top-notch in running organizations as huge and complex as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, there is no point offering $5 million a year if similar enterprises elsewhere are paying $20 million for people with the kind of ability required. Who is going to take a $15 million pay cut to go run these enterprises, in addition to having to put up with politicians? The money that can be saved by limiting CEO pay is chump change compared to the money that can be lost because you cannot attract top-notch talent. Congress itself is a classic example of what can happen when penny-wise policies restrict the caliber of people who can be attracted. No top-level doctor, lawyer, economist, engineer or CEO can become a member of Congress without taking a big pay cut, perhaps costing that person's family millions of dollars over a lifetime. On the other hand, if you paid every member of Congress a million dollars a year, it would cost less than the cost of even a small government boondoggle, much less a whole agency. It is not that the turkeys in Congress today deserve a raise. They don't even deserve their current pay. But that is the very reason for attracting different people. Cheap politicians are actually very expensive and the same principle applies to CEOs. http://townhall. com/columnists/ ThomasSowell/ 2008/10/01/ penny-wise_ politicshttp://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/10/01/penny-wise_politics __._,_.___ Messages in this topic http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tsowell/message/5233;_ylc=X3oDMTM0dDdlOHRpBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQzNDQyNTUEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwMzc1BG1zZ0lkAzUyMzMEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjIyODQyNjA1BHRwY0lkAzUyMzM- (1) Reply (via web post) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tsowell/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwcWNuM24xBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQzNDQyNTUEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwMzc1BG1zZ0lkAzUyMzMEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDcnBseQRzdGltZQMxMjIyODQyNjA1?act=replymessageNum=5233| Start a new topic
Re: Regulators approve U.K. bank rescue
That was only one of four European banks that required bailing out. This is not a good thing Gaar, it shows the extent of the meltdown and that the only reason the whole system hasn't gone into freefall is through government intervention. This can't go on for much longer, and even it if it does, the banks aren't lending to each other and no number of bailouts is going to rectify this central problem. Gaar wrote: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/01/business/01bradford.php BRUSSELS: European Union regulators on Wednesday cleared the British government's rescue of mortgage lender Bradford Bingley, saying it did not violate rules on government aid to companies. The measures described can be authorized as rescue aid in line with the EU guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring or liquidating firms in difficulty, the European Commission said in a statement. The British government on Monday said it was taking over Bradford Bingley's �50 billion, or $89 billion, mortgage and loan books as turmoil from the U.S. credit crisis spread across Europe. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the move was needed to stabilize the financial system. EU regulators need to approve government aid to companies and the Commission moved fast to clear the deal. The British government also paid out �18 billion to facilitate the sale of Bradford Bingley's savings business, including its entire retail branch network, to Banco Santander of Spain. Santander, the second largest bank in Europe, said it will be paying �612 million for Bradford Bingley's 197 branches and �20 billion of deposits. Bradford Bingley was the third major British bank to run into trouble since credit crunch began just over a year ago. Northern Rock was nationalized in February, and HBOS sold itself to Lloyds TSB Group on Sept. 18, to stem a sharply falling share price. The EU said the state funding to enable the sale of Bradford Bingley's deposit book and the working capital and guarantee arrangements represented state aid, but it could be permitted under EU rules allowing for urgent structural measures. The regulators found that Santander had not received any state aid as it had paid the market price for Bradford Bingley's retail deposit business. The EU said British authorities had promised to give them a restructuring plan for Bradford Bingley by March 29. Bradford Bingley was particularly vulnerable to the credit crunch because it specializes in buy-to-let mortgages. Rising mortgage rates mean that investors who took out loans to buy properties for renting out are no longer able to cover their mortgages repayments with their rental income, and many are defaulting on the loans, especially the 17 percent of Bradford Bingley borrowers whose incomes had not been verified by the bank. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Gwen Ifill: Negroes For Obama
Well, I guess everyone is comfortable with this pro-Obama debate arrangement. An affirmative-action hack presiding, posing as a neutral moderator. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
France, Germany Clash Over Proposal to Bail Out European Banks
France, Germany Clash Over Proposal to Bail Out European Banks By James Hertling Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) -- France and Germany clashed over whether to create a fund to bail out banks pounded by the global credit crunch, kicking off a European version of the debate that has been raging in the U.S. for two weeks. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde told the German newspaper Handelsblatt in an interview to be published today that a ``rescue package'' was needed to help ``smaller'' European states ``threatened with a banking failure.'' Germany opposed the proposal, with finance ministry spokesman Torsten Albig saying his government ``doesn't support the plan.'' The conflict between the two biggest euro-region economies undermined efforts to build a consensus European response to the financial crisis as a recession looms. Other fissures emerged, as Ireland's decision to guarantee bank deposits and debts prompted criticism by British bankers yesterday that it ``distorted competition.'' Fallout from the crisis that drove Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. into bankruptcy hit Europe this week, with France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the U.K. rescuing four lenders and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pledging to prevent losses for depositors. In the U.S., Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson proposed a $700 billion bailout on Sept. 20 that lawmakers have been struggling to pass. The House of Representatives rejected a version of the plan two days ago. Senate leaders expected the package would win approval late yesterday in Washington and urged opponents in the House to drop their objections. `Non-Starter' A European version of the Paulson plan is a ``non-starter'' because of competing agendas and coordination difficulties, Klaus Baader, chief European economist at Merrill Lynch and Co. in London, said in a Sept. 29 report. Still, he expects increased cooperation among governments confronting the crisis. French President Nicolas Sarkozy may propose the bailout fund at an Oct. 4 meeting that Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean- Claude Juncker said he's attending with leaders of Great Britain, Italy and Germany, as well as European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. The proposed fund would total 300 billion euros ($422 billion), Reuters reported, citing an unidentified European government official. Lagarde, speaking at an event in Paris last night, disputed that figure, without saying whether it would be bigger or smaller. Henri Guaino, a special adviser to Sarkozy, said in a telephone interview that ``France has neither studied nor proposed a plan of that type to its partners.'' The specifics of a coordinated plan notwithstanding, Germany rejects a Europe-wide approach to bank rescues, said Albig, the finance ministry spokesman. `Tailor-Made Solution' ``The idea of applying one solution, one big bang'' should the banking crisis spread ``is not practicable and would create new, enormous problems,'' he told reporters yesterday in Berlin. ``The tailor-made solution is the right way.'' That contrasts with pleas from European Union officials for less unilateral action. Charlie McCreevy, EU financial-services commissioner, yesterday proposed more coordinated oversight and rules that banks hold more capital for asset-backed bonds. ``Capital and strong financial institutions are the lifeblood of an economy,'' McCreevy said in a Bloomberg Television interview in Brussels. As banks hoarded cash, the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, that banks charge each other for one-month loans in euros climbed to an all-time high of 5.07 percent yesterday. The equivalent dollar rate surged to the highest level since January, the British Bankers' Association said. Overnight dollar loans slid from a record of 6.88 percent after funding constraints tied to the end of the third quarter passed. The credit-market turmoil may require a more comprehensive approach in Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said yesterday. ``Considering the exposure of European financial institutions, we might have to start thinking of a systemic plan for Europe if things don't improve on the other side of the Atlantic,'' OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said in Paris. ``The piecemeal approach may not work in Europe either.'' To contact the reporters on this story: James Hertling in Paris at [EMAIL PROTECTED] --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
U.S. Economy: Manufacturing Contracts Most Since 2001 (Update1)
U.S. Economy: Manufacturing Contracts Most Since 2001 (Update1) By Timothy R. Homan Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Manufacturing in the U.S. contracted in September at the fastest pace since the last recession as the credit crisis spread beyond Wall Street. The Institute for Supply Management's factory index dropped to 43.5, the lowest level since October 2001 and below economists' forecasts, the Tempe, Arizona-based group reported today. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction. Today's figures show that manufacturing, which had weathered a domestic slowdown because of record exports, is now starting to buckle as expansions from Japan to Germany falter with the global financial crisis. The housing slump has already spread to autos, and other industries may follow as mounting foreclosures, tougher lending rules and rising unemployment choke off spending. ``This sharp drop is putting maybe an exclamation point behind the word `recession,''' said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group Inc. in Pittsburgh, referring to the ISM report. Stocks slid and Treasuries climbed. The Standard Poor's 500 index fell 0.4 percent to close at 1161.06, spurred in part by concern that General Electric Co.'s profits will dwindle as the company's finance unit shrinks. Yields on benchmark 10-year notes fell to 3.73 percent at 4:40 p.m. in New York from 3.82 percent late yesterday. The ISM index was projected to drop to 49.5 from August's 49.9, according to the median of 72 economists' forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey. Estimates ranged from 48 to 51.1. `On the Brink' ``Manufacturing could be on the brink of a collapse,'' said Lindsey Piegza, a market analyst at FTN Financial in New York. ``There are no orders, no jobs and there is really no incentive for businesses to invest. The credit crisis is compounding the problem.'' Other reports today signaled the U.S. continues to lose jobs. ADP Employer Services said companies in the U.S. cut an estimated 8,000 workers from payrolls in September after a 37,000 decrease in August, according to figures based on payroll data. ADP said today's estimate didn't take into account a strike by about 27,000 machinists at Boeing Co. or the job losses following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The government's September employment report is scheduled for release in two days. The Labor Department is forecast to report a ninth straight month of shrinking payrolls, the longest streak since the 15 months through May 2002, a period that encompassed the last recession. The unemployment rate probably held at 6.1 percent, according to the median forecast. Firings Increase Firing announcements increased 33 percent in September from that same month last year, Chicago-based Challenger, Gray Christmas Inc. said in a statement. The Commerce Department also reported that construction spending stalled in August after a revised 1.4 percent drop the previous month that was more than twice as large as previously estimated. Private residential building increased for the first time since March 2007 and work on commercial projects fell for a fourth month. Orders from overseas have weakened as economies abroad falter. ISM's export gauge fell to 52 from 57 the prior month. The purchasing managers' gauge of new orders for factories decreased to 38.8, also the lowest since 2001, from 48.3 the prior month. The production measure dropped to 40.8 from 52.1. ``I just can't imagine that we'll see a lot of strength in the index in the next few months,'' Norbert Ore, chairman of the ISM survey, said in a conference call. ``It appears to be very similar'' to the last recession in 2001, he said. The index of prices paid plunged to 53.5, the lowest since January 2007, from 77. Energy prices have retreated from their peaks in July, when a barrel of crude oil reached $147. Job Measure The employment index declined to 41.8, the lowest since 2003, from 49.7 in August. Companies are cutting back on investments and on hiring as consumer spending wanes. A deteriorating labor market also is causing Americans to limit purchases to necessities such as food and fuel. Chrysler LLC, the third-largest U.S. automaker, said last week that it planned to fire about 250 workers as part of a plan to cut 1,000 salaried positions by Sept. 30. The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company's U.S. sales dropped 33 in September compared with the same month last year, industry figures today showed. Growth Outlook The U.S. economy, the world's largest, probably grew at a 1.2 percent annual rate during the third quarter, down from 2.8 percent the prior three months, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists from Sept. 2 to Sept. 9. Since then, economists at JPMorgan Chase Co., Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. have cut their forecasts as consumer spending stalled and the credit crisis brought down Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., American International Group Inc. and Washington Mutual Inc. A narrowing
U.S. Auto Sales Fall 27%, Most Since 1991, on Credit (Upd
U.S. Auto Sales Fall 27%, Most Since 1991, on Credit (Update1) By Mike Ramsey and Alan Ohnsman Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. auto sales tumbled 27 percent in September as the credit crisis and slowing economy dragged the industry to its worst month since 1991, when George H.W. Bush was president. Ford Motor Co.'s sales declined 35 percent from a year earlier and Toyota Motor Corp.'s dropped 32 percent, their poorest monthly performances in more than two decades. General Motors Corp.'s slid 16 percent, as incentives helped blunt its decline. Sales fell 37 percent at Nissan Motor Co., 33 percent at Chrysler LLC and 24 percent at Honda Motor Co. The September results extended the industry's slide to 11 consecutive months, the longest in 17 years. The financial crisis caused lenders to toughen loan standards and consumers curbed spending. The reduced availability of loans pinched automakers already hurt by gasoline prices that rose to a record in July. ``There is a psychological impact of all the news about banks in trouble,'' said Tom Libby, an analyst at marketing- research firm J.D. Power Associates in Troy, Michigan. ``If people can wait to buy a car, they'll wait.'' Sales fell to 964,873 cars and light trucks from 1.31 million a year earlier, according to Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey- based Autodata Corp. The annual sales rate was 12.5 million, a drop from 16.2 million in September 2007, Autodata said. U.S. yearly sales reached a record 17.4 million in 2000 and averaged 16.8 million this decade. September's percentage decline was the biggest since January 1991, according to Ward's Auto Forecast in Southfield, Michigan. GM, Ford and Chrysler's U.S. brands' market share for the month rose to 52.3 percent from 50.8 percent a year earlier, as GM's sales fell less the industry's, according to Autodata. Asian companies held 39.9 percent, down from 42.1 percent. General Motors GM's sales of 282,806 cars and light trucks were down from 334,974 a year earlier. Adjusted for one fewer sales day last month compared with September 2007, the drop was 12 percent. On that basis, the average of 5 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg was for a 26 percent decline. ``We again gained retail share, and our total market share looks to be above 27 percent for the month without an increase in incentives,'' said Mark LaNeve, Detroit-based GM's vice president of North American sales, in a statement. GM today said it's replacing offers to all buyers of prices that its employees pay with no-interest loans of as long as six years on many 2008 models. GM's average incentive spending fell 2 percent last month from August to $3,972 a vehicle, according to Edmunds.com. That compares with $2,801 industrywide, almost unchanged from August. The automaker said leasing accounted for 1 percent of sales last month. Across the industry, lenders offered fewer leases and required higher down payments and interest rates, Libby said. Ford Ford said its sales fell to 120,788 from 184,612, the 22nd decline in the past 23 months. Sales of pickup trucks, sport- utility vehicles and vans for its U.S. brands tumbled 39 percent, as it sold 42 percent fewer F-Series pickups. Car sales for the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands fell 19 percent. Ford sales excluding Volvo were 116,734. That was its lowest monthly total since December 1981, according to Autodata. ``An already weak economy compounded by very tight credit conditions has created an atmosphere of caution,'' Jim Farley, Ford's worldwide marketing chief, said in a statement. The automaker is marking the 100th anniversary of the building of its first Model T. In 1924, Ford held 60 percent of the global automotive market, said John Wolkonowicz, auto analyst at Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. In this year's first half, Ford was fourth in worldwide sales, behind Toyota, GM and Volkswagen AG. Toyota, Honda Toyota, second in the U.S. behind GM, said in a statement that September sales fell to 144,260 cars and light trucks from 213,043 a year earlier. The Toyota City, Japan-based company's monthly decline was its steepest since 32 percent in July 1987, said Bob Carter, vice president of its U.S. sales unit, in a conference call. Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, sold 96,626 vehicles, down from 127,200 a year earlier, spokesman Chris Martin said in an interview. The percentage drop was the biggest for the company since November 1981. Sales fell across the Tokyo-based company's product line, except for the Fit subcompact, he said. ``We've done nothing different, but customers just weren't coming into dealerships,'' Martin said. Tokyo-based Nissan, Japan's third-largest automaker, said in an e- mailed release that it sold 59,565 vehicles, a drop from 94,269 a year earlier. Chrysler Chrysler reported sales of 107,349 vehicles, dropping from 159,799. The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company announced new incentives for October, with cash discounts of as much as $6,000 and interest-free, 6- year
Re: Step into the light Democrats
Gaar, Really? Show me where I try to blame GB and the Republicans for EVERYTHING. You should like a little kid whining But MW, you let little Timmy do EVERYTHING and I never get to do ANYTHING, WAA! On Oct 1, 3:51 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That's pretty funny coming from someone who tries to blame the President and Republicans for everything. On Oct 1, 1:09 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Keith, How could you possibly disagree with Gaar? He's never wrong, just ask him. No, it's not the time to endlessly point fingers. It will accomplish absolutely nothing. Now is the time to find long-term solutions. Here's what you seem to be saying. When the Republicans are the majority in the Congress they can accomplish nothing due to Democratic obstructionism. And when they are the minority they can accomplish nothing because they are not the majority. Your main goal seems to be nothing other than to make endless excuses for the Republcans, period. On Oct 1, 11:36 am, Keith In Tampa [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey Hollywood, It takes a quorom in the House and a 2/3's majority in the Senate to get a Bill passed. So, no, it was not that the Republicans who were incompetent or in collusion, as the short video demonstrates, just the opposite was happening. The other day, Gaar mentioned that now was not the time to point fingers. I have come to the conclusion that it is the time to point fingers, and I respectfully disagree with Gaar. If now is not the time to point fingers, when is? The fact is, we, the people of America have been sold a bill of goods by the Democrats, and I think that the Democrat Party needs to be exposed for the frauds that they are. Of course, they deny it, as they deny their whole agenda, when confronted. There is no American, (including you!) that can look at the facts objectively, and come to any other conclusion, that the Democrats in this Nation attempted to give free housing to those that could not afford it, and pad their pockets in the process. Don't get me wrong, there are some Republicans that are caught up in this mix, and I want their ass hung out on a sling too! In truth and fact, (as the video depicted) the Republicans have been calling for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform for at least four years, and more like ten years! If I find fault with the Republicans, it was that they were not yelling and screaming how bad our Nation's financial situation was, loud enough! The Republicans should be faulted for not raising the alarm bells long ago, and informing the American people. What I find despicable, is the likes of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd now acting as if they did nothing wrong, and are trying to lie their way out of it. These are truly the ones that are playing Partisan politics! Here is the statement that Congressman Davis released to Sean Hannity yesterday: Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong. By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go around for both sides. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431209,00.html Bill Cliinton said on September 26, 2008: I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was president, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_ADS?SITE=DCUSNSECTIO... Although not perfect, Congressman Davis's statement still acknowledges my point, and should make every American stand up and take note! Congressman Davis's statement goes on, in a partisan attempt to blame Republicans for not tightening the regulatory scheme, when in fact, it was the Clinton Administration and Robert Rubin who was pushing for the deregulation. Former Goldman Sachs partner Robert Rubin, who was President Clinton's Treasury Secretary. In a 1995 speech and testimony to Congress, Rubin advocated the Bill, and professed the Clinton Administration's intent to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act: The banking industry is fundamentally different from what it was two decades ago, let alone in 1933….[T]he industry has been transformed into a global business of
Re: FAKE Palin Email Interview has Alaskans TICKED OFF!
Sounds like basically the same thing she's been saying on the campaign trail and in other interviewswhatt's fake about it? On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 8:19 AM, PoliticalAmazon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: LOL, check it out! Sarah Palin's big EMAIL interview with the HUGE publication, Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman is really quite a joke. Obviously, she did not prepare those answers, a fact that many of the Alaskans responding to the article made. Actually, the best part of the interview are the comments. Be sure to check them out (they follow the article on the same page). -- http://frontiersman.com/articles/2008/09/30/breaking_news/doc48e1e1294d418713321438.txt FRONTIERSMAN EXCLUSIVE: Palin responds to questions --- --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags
Cold, Calm down sweetheart. If my language is too coarse for you I would suggest that you no longer read my posts. Would you be happier if I had said I don't give a good diddly-darn? Not that i give a shit what makes you happy or not. ;-) WHY? It amuses me to do so. On Oct 1, 5:24 pm, Cold Water [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Who the FUCK do you think gives a FUCK about what the FUCK you don't give a FUCK about? Yet, you FUCKING feel the FUCKING need to FUCKING respond to FUCKING posts to FUCKING say you FUCKING don't give a FUCK? Why oh FUCKING why??? You have developed a new addiction Woody - addiction to verbally abusing others on the Internet. There *must* be a program for you. ASSHOLES ANONYMOUS??? - Original Message - From: Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: PoliticalForum PoliticalForum@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 4:17 PM Subject: Re: Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags Zeb, Feel free to disprove and of the data mentioned. You have something against good health? Brush your teeth with DDT every morning if you wish, use a pillow stuffed with asbestos, I personally don't give a fuck. On Oct 1, 12:14 pm, Zebnick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Christ, how do you libs get out of bed in the morning with all the deadly threats that surround you and the myriad of conspiracies meant to destroy you afoot? On Oct 1, 11:24 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: rigs, Tough to find any liquid in a bottle NOT made of plastic anymore. When I was a kid milk and other liquids came in glass bottles and coated paper cartons. On Oct 1, 2:57 am, rigsy03 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is data that plastics are absorbed into foods you nuke, pack or store. Glass or wax paper, preferred. On Sep 30, 10:31 am, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mike, Anyone considered who much oil is used in the making of plastics? On Sep 30, 4:26 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: America's dirty little oil secret: Plastic Bottles and Bags America consumes 31.2 billion water bottles a year taking 17.6 million barrels of oil to create them. Enough to fuel 1.5 million cars for a year. America consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year taking 12 million barrels of oil. World figures? 154.3 billion water bottles and 500 billion - 1 trillion bags=147.4 - 207.4 million barrels of oil a year. On Sep 30, 5:20 am, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Editorial No More Plastic Bagshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30tue4.html?themc=th Westport, Conn., this month became the latest of a handful of communities to ban some plastic bags. The bags, which have only a brief, useful life, can survive forever in landfills and are of enormous concern to not only environmentalists but local officials who are running out of places to put their trash. Westport’s ordinance will take effect in six months and applies to bags dispensed at checkout counters. Others, like dry cleaning bags, will be exempted. The aim is to reduce litter and encourage customers to tote their groceries in reusable cloth bags. The town’s stand is laudable but will have only a limited effect on what is, after all, a statewide problem. The Connecticut Legislature rebuffed a proposed statewide ban last year. Massachusetts and Maine considered similar bans and also backed down. Americans use and dispose of at least 100 billion bags every year. Although the plastics industry points out that plastic grocery bags are made more from natural gas than petroleum, natural gas is not a renewable resource and contributes to global warming. And about only 5 percent of all plastic bags are recycled nationwide. The rest end up in the trash, hanging in trees or floating in water where they menace marine life. There are other possible remedies, including a constructive idea that has taken hold in Ireland. In 2002, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose a tax on plastic bags. Use of the bags dropped by 90 percent, and proceeds from the tax went to environmental causes. If Ireland is any guide, tax laws may have greater impact on human behavior than recycling laws. Tax law could also be written to apply to an entire state, thus eliminating the need for town-by-town bans. More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 30, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.- Hide quoted
Re: I've Debated Sarah Palin More Than 20 Times -- Here's What It's Like
Biden's in deep shit. He doesn't know how NOT to be an arrogant blowhard, and Sarah connects with Joe and Josephine six-pack quite well. On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 6:13 AM, mike532 [ Republicans for Obama ] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've Debated Sarah Palin More Than 20 Times -- Here's What It's Like http://www.alternet.org/election08/101011/ I know firsthand: She's a master of the nonanswer. Anchorage, Alaska - When he faces off against Sarah Palin Thursday night, Joe Biden will have his hands full. I should know. I've debated Governor Palin more than two dozen times. And she's a master, not of facts, figures, or insightful policy recommendations, but at the fine art of the nonanswer, the glittering generality. Against such charms there is little Senator Biden, or anyone, can do. On paper, of course, the debate appears to be a mismatch. In 2000, Palin was the mayor of an Alaskan town of 5,500 people, while Biden was serving his 28th year as a United States senator. Her major public policy concern was building a local ice rink and sports center. His major public policy concern was the State Department's decision to grant an export license to allow sales of heavy-lift helicopters to Turkey, during tense UN-sponsored Cyprus peace talks. On paper, the difference in experience on both domestic and foreign policy is like the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing a bullet. Unfortunately for Biden, if recent history is an indicator, experience or a grasp of the issues won't matter when it comes to debating Palin. On April 17, 2006, Palin and I participated in a debate at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks on agriculture issues. The next day, the Fairbanks Daily News Miner published this excerpt: Andrew Halcro, a declared independent candidate from Anchorage, came armed with statistics on agricultural productivity. Sarah Palin, a Republican from Wasilla, said the Matanuska Valley provides a positive example for other communities interested in agriculture to study. On April 18, 2006, Palin and I sat together in a hotel coffee shop comparing campaign trail notes. As we talked about the debates, Palin made a comment that highlights the phenomenon that Biden is up against. Andrew, I watch you at these debates with no notes, no papers, and yet when asked questions, you spout off facts, figures, and policies, and I'm amazed. But then I look out into the audience and I ask myself, 'Does any of this really matter?' Palin said. While policy wonks such as Biden might cringe, it seemed to me that Palin was simply vocalizing her strength without realizing it. During the campaign, Palin's knowledge on public policy issues never matured -- because it didn't have to. Her ability to fill the debate halls with her presence and her gift of the glittering generality made it possible for her to rely on populism instead of policy. Palin is a master of the nonanswer. She can turn a 60-second response to a query about her specific solutions to healthcare challenges into a folksy story about how she's met people on the campaign trail who face healthcare challenges. All without uttering a word about her public-policy solutions to healthcare challenges. In one debate, a moderator asked the candidates to name a bill the legislature had recently passed that we didn't like. I named one. Democratic candidate Tony Knowles named one. But Sarah Palin instead used her allotted time to criticize the incumbent governor, Frank Murkowski. Asked to name a bill we did like, the same pattern emerged: Palin didn't name a bill. And when she does answer the actual question asked, she has a canny ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. For example, asked to name a major issue that had been ignored during the campaign, I discussed the health of local communities, Mr. Knowles talked about affordable healthcare, and Palin talked about ... the need to protect hunting and fishing rights. So what does that mean for Biden? With shorter question-and-answer times and limited interaction between the two, he should simply ignore Palin in a respectful manner on the stage and answer the questions as though he were alone. Any attempt to flex his public-policy knowledge and show Palin is not ready for prime time will inevitably cast him in the role of the bully. On the other side of the stage, if Palin is to be successful, she needs to do what she does best: fill the room with her presence and stick to the scripted sound bites. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Re: Step into the light Democrats
Again, pretty funny coming from one of the biggest whiners here... On Oct 1, 3:55 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaar, Really? Show me where I try to blame GB and the Republicans for EVERYTHING. You should like a little kid whining But MW, you let little Timmy do EVERYTHING and I never get to do ANYTHING, WAA! On Oct 1, 3:51 pm, Gaar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That's pretty funny coming from someone who tries to blame the President and Republicans for everything. On Oct 1, 1:09 pm, Hollywood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Keith, How could you possibly disagree with Gaar? He's never wrong, just ask him. No, it's not the time to endlessly point fingers. It will accomplish absolutely nothing. Now is the time to find long-term solutions. Here's what you seem to be saying. When the Republicans are the majority in the Congress they can accomplish nothing due to Democratic obstructionism. And when they are the minority they can accomplish nothing because they are not the majority. Your main goal seems to be nothing other than to make endless excuses for the Republcans, period. On Oct 1, 11:36 am, Keith In Tampa [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey Hollywood, It takes a quorom in the House and a 2/3's majority in the Senate to get a Bill passed. So, no, it was not that the Republicans who were incompetent or in collusion, as the short video demonstrates, just the opposite was happening. The other day, Gaar mentioned that now was not the time to point fingers. I have come to the conclusion that it is the time to point fingers, and I respectfully disagree with Gaar. If now is not the time to point fingers, when is? The fact is, we, the people of America have been sold a bill of goods by the Democrats, and I think that the Democrat Party needs to be exposed for the frauds that they are. Of course, they deny it, as they deny their whole agenda, when confronted. There is no American, (including you!) that can look at the facts objectively, and come to any other conclusion, that the Democrats in this Nation attempted to give free housing to those that could not afford it, and pad their pockets in the process. Don't get me wrong, there are some Republicans that are caught up in this mix, and I want their ass hung out on a sling too! In truth and fact, (as the video depicted) the Republicans have been calling for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform for at least four years, and more like ten years! If I find fault with the Republicans, it was that they were not yelling and screaming how bad our Nation's financial situation was, loud enough! The Republicans should be faulted for not raising the alarm bells long ago, and informing the American people. What I find despicable, is the likes of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd now acting as if they did nothing wrong, and are trying to lie their way out of it. These are truly the ones that are playing Partisan politics! Here is the statement that Congressman Davis released to Sean Hannity yesterday: Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong. By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go around for both sides. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431209,00.html Bill Cliinton said on September 26, 2008: I think the responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress, or by me when I was president, to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MELTDOWN_ADS?SITE=DCUSNSECTIO... Although not perfect, Congressman Davis's statement still acknowledges my point, and should make every American stand up and take note! Congressman Davis's statement goes on, in a partisan attempt to blame Republicans for not tightening the regulatory scheme, when in fact, it was the Clinton Administration and Robert Rubin who was pushing for the deregulation. Former Goldman Sachs partner Robert Rubin, who was President Clinton's Treasury Secretary. In a 1995 speech and testimony to Congress, Rubin advocated the
Re: UH-OH. One of Palin's State Employees Flipped on the Workers' Compensation Scandal
Complete horseshit. From the Anchorage Daily News: --- Wooten's claims case was routine, lawyer says By WESLEY LOY [EMAIL PROTECTED] A lawyer who represented embattled state Trooper Mike Wooten in his claim for workers' compensation benefits said he saw no evidence Gov. Sarah Palin's office interfered in the case. --- PA, this is your weakest smear of Palin yet. You're losing your touch. On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 6:42 PM, PoliticalAmazon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I guess Sarah Palin doesn't yank everyone around by the short hairs in Alaska. One of her employees flipped and described in great detail how Palin prssured her to turn down the WC claim. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
Bank Runs...
A couple of things. First, it's been reported that Bank of America has suspended its construction loans to McDonald's for their add-on coffee bars. Considering the bank, BoA, and the financial strength of McDonald's, suspension/canceling these particular loans doesn't makes sense - particularly because McDonald's is a cash machine, and the loans (about $100,000 per store) are co-signed by the franchisees. Unless, of course, BoA has experienced a run which in turn has severely reduced their liquidity. Second, online brokerages are apparently experiencing a flight of cash, online traders moving their cash to banks - that is, cashing in and getting out. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Thanks for being part of PoliticalForum at Google Groups. For options help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
