The Red Sox have traded Justin Masterson and prospects Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price to the Cleveland Indians for C/1B Victor Martinez, and returned recently acquired 1B Adam LaRoche to his original team way back when, Atlanta, for 1B Casey Kotchman.
Both trades seem like good deals for the Sox (though I don't understand the Braves logic), but this creates a logjam for the Sox at 1B, so don't rule out another trade before the deadline closes in 2 minutes.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Gingrich's American Solutions Group Pulls in $8.1 Million
Well garsh, Newt, that's quite a bit of money for someone to play around with. With that kind of dough, you can probably explore quite a few different approaches to get your message out in the next few years, especially that 2012 year coming up.
Just saying.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25666.html
Just saying.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25666.html
Frank Looks To Impose Populist Wage Controls
Banks, financial advisers and other financial firms would have to disclose their bonus plans to federal regulators, who would have the power to ban compensation packages they believe would encourage “inappropriate risks” by firms or employees.
We all ache when financial industries, especially those that took taxpayer dollars, receive huge payouts. But that is a reason to stop bailing companies out, not to give the government the right to micromanage the finances of a private corporation. THAT is what leads to "inappropriate risks", or lack of risk, as the case sometimes may be. If a corporation gives out inappropriate bonuses and fail, let them suffer for it.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25640.html
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25640.html
Americans Still Not Willing To Make Choices
Since the stimulus package, Americans have seemed to understand that it is better to ride out a recession than to pour out what little is left in the federal purse. Unfortunately, they continue to refuse to accept, to fix the hole Presidents Bubama (as in, Bush & Obama) have torn in the budget, that they will have to take some combination of spending cuts and tax raises.
A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows 53%-31% refusing to take cuts in services (that number increases to 42% if you let them only cut "a few things"), with 56%-41% opposing tax hikes.
The good news, politically, is that people are (slightly) less willing to accept an increase in taxes than they are to letting go of some domestic/economic aid. That will help Republicans in 2010, and especially 2012, when the President is forced to make some tough choices.
Unfortunately, this crisis is not about politics. It is about an American government that is threatening to lose all sense of fiscal reality and fall into a debt trap that would ensnare every citizen, and probably the entire world. The next Republican leader will hopefully be the one who can combine conservative austerity measures with the Roosevelt-Kennedy skill at rallying the country behind a necessary cause. And he is probably going to have to raise taxes too. It is impossible to know who that is (David Petraeus, if he chose to enter politics, comes to mind), but for the sake of everyone, pray they're out there.
A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows 53%-31% refusing to take cuts in services (that number increases to 42% if you let them only cut "a few things"), with 56%-41% opposing tax hikes.
The good news, politically, is that people are (slightly) less willing to accept an increase in taxes than they are to letting go of some domestic/economic aid. That will help Republicans in 2010, and especially 2012, when the President is forced to make some tough choices.
Unfortunately, this crisis is not about politics. It is about an American government that is threatening to lose all sense of fiscal reality and fall into a debt trap that would ensnare every citizen, and probably the entire world. The next Republican leader will hopefully be the one who can combine conservative austerity measures with the Roosevelt-Kennedy skill at rallying the country behind a necessary cause. And he is probably going to have to raise taxes too. It is impossible to know who that is (David Petraeus, if he chose to enter politics, comes to mind), but for the sake of everyone, pray they're out there.
Trading Deadline!
Today is the Major League Baseball trading deadline. Republican punk will be on it if the Boston Red Sox end up getting Roy Halladay, Victor Martinez, or some other surprise acquisition.
Additionally, any shockers around the league will be reported here.
As always, we highly recommend www.mlbtraderumors.com for up to date new and underground reports on what might happen this afternoon.
Additionally, any shockers around the league will be reported here.
As always, we highly recommend www.mlbtraderumors.com for up to date new and underground reports on what might happen this afternoon.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
In Other Say Anything News...
Now that I've heard Max Beems Von Beemenstein play a song off the greatest album ever written by a high schooler for the first time since he was in high school, it's is also time to get stoked for new stuff from the best band currently in existance.
October 13, 2009 baby!!!
And here is another great song:
October 13, 2009 baby!!!
And here is another great song:
Say It Ain't So, Papi...
Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were among the 104 major league players listed as having tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, lawyers with knowledge of the results told The New York Times.
A sad day for all fans of baseball, not just the Red Sox.
Source: ESPN
A sad day for all fans of baseball, not just the Red Sox.
Source: ESPN
What Republicans Need to Convince People Of To Win On Health Care
Polls consistently show Republican talking points winning on major issues related to health care. For example, majorities believe that under the Democrat plan their health care costs are going to rise, they will have less freedom in choosing their doctor, they will be in danger of losing their current plan (which they like a lot), the deficit will explode even more than it already has, and the system will become even more complex. Additionally, the country is evenly split on whether President Obama is doing a good job on the issue.
Despite all of this, majorities still trust the President and the Democrats more than the Republicans to fix health care. Why is this?
The key number could be this: a majority of Americans believe the President is trying to be bi-partisan and the Republicans are not. While we should continue to fight the battle of policy as the Democrats plan is a huge step in the wrong direction, this is the number we need to turn around. Anyone following the plan knows that President Obama's idea of bipartisanship is no different than the one Bush had: write a plan and tell the other party they need to agree or accuse them of "stonewalling." Meanwhile, the Republicans in the Senate are working closely with Max Baucus and his truly bipartisan team developing a plan everyone can agree with.
People are beginning to catch onto Obama's arrogance. It is the reason his personal favorabilities are finally falling and have actually caught up with his steadily decreasing job approval scores. This is what Republicans need to make the public aware of: we realize we're not in the majority, it was the will of the people, but the White House only wants those of us who agree with them; they don't want our input. But we'll keep trying to get the American people the best plan possible.
Once people believe it, we'll have the moral upperhand, which is necessary to allow the GOP, typically the party of the Mind, to acquire the claim to the heart as well. And the heart is the key to health care.
See Polls Here: http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm
Despite all of this, majorities still trust the President and the Democrats more than the Republicans to fix health care. Why is this?
The key number could be this: a majority of Americans believe the President is trying to be bi-partisan and the Republicans are not. While we should continue to fight the battle of policy as the Democrats plan is a huge step in the wrong direction, this is the number we need to turn around. Anyone following the plan knows that President Obama's idea of bipartisanship is no different than the one Bush had: write a plan and tell the other party they need to agree or accuse them of "stonewalling." Meanwhile, the Republicans in the Senate are working closely with Max Baucus and his truly bipartisan team developing a plan everyone can agree with.
People are beginning to catch onto Obama's arrogance. It is the reason his personal favorabilities are finally falling and have actually caught up with his steadily decreasing job approval scores. This is what Republicans need to make the public aware of: we realize we're not in the majority, it was the will of the people, but the White House only wants those of us who agree with them; they don't want our input. But we'll keep trying to get the American people the best plan possible.
Once people believe it, we'll have the moral upperhand, which is necessary to allow the GOP, typically the party of the Mind, to acquire the claim to the heart as well. And the heart is the key to health care.
See Polls Here: http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm
How Can The Yankees Do It?
How is it possible that the Yankees are 11-2 since the All-Star break...without an off-day! Meanwhile, of course, the Red Sox are 4-8, including a 5 game losing streak at one point.
No commentary...just wanting Roy Halladay and/or Victor Martinez that much more.
No commentary...just wanting Roy Halladay and/or Victor Martinez that much more.
Coffee Project - Oh Sweet Pickle
A most beautiful song of dedication to the one constant best friend a man has: his dog. Also available for free download over at the Paper & Plastick (the vinyl/download-only label ran by some members of Less Than Jake) website.
Manchester Orchestra - I've Got Friends
Great song off of the amazing new album...also available for free on their website, so download this!
P.S.
There is a real video on youtube which can't be embedded, if you want to check it out.
P.S.
There is a real video on youtube which can't be embedded, if you want to check it out.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Isaac Hayes For Congress
http://www.isaachayesforcongress.com/
It's for real...unfortunately, this is a different Isaac Hayes and not the reincarnation of the soul legend (and South Park Chef who left because of his belief in Scientology). If only...Isaac Hayes vs. Jesse Jackson Jr. does sound awesome though.
Hat Tip: Ben Smith
It's for real...unfortunately, this is a different Isaac Hayes and not the reincarnation of the soul legend (and South Park Chef who left because of his belief in Scientology). If only...Isaac Hayes vs. Jesse Jackson Jr. does sound awesome though.
Hat Tip: Ben Smith
Great Birthers Quote From National Review
"Like Bruce Springsteen, he has a lot of bad political ideas; but he was born in the U.S.A."
911 Caller in Stupidgate Sad That Obama Didn't Invite Her To White House
Good god. See Barack! This is what happens when you stick your nose in local business!
A lawyer for the woman whose 911 call set in motion a racially charged controversy over the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates is suggesting her client is being snubbed by not being invited to the White House Thursday to join the president, Gates and a Cambridge police sergeant for a beer.
“The highly trained guys who reacted badly are getting together tomorrow for a beer at the White House, and that is a good thing,” said Wendy Murphy, attorney for 911 caller Lucia Whalen. “The one person whose actions are exemplary will be at work tomorrow in Cambridge. I don’t know, maybe it’s a guy thing.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25569.html#ixzz0Mfo7KiRA
A lawyer for the woman whose 911 call set in motion a racially charged controversy over the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates is suggesting her client is being snubbed by not being invited to the White House Thursday to join the president, Gates and a Cambridge police sergeant for a beer.
“The highly trained guys who reacted badly are getting together tomorrow for a beer at the White House, and that is a good thing,” said Wendy Murphy, attorney for 911 caller Lucia Whalen. “The one person whose actions are exemplary will be at work tomorrow in Cambridge. I don’t know, maybe it’s a guy thing.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25569.html#ixzz0Mfo7KiRA
Columbine Dad Uses Tragedy For Political Purposes
While the so-called Thune amendment that would have allowed permited people to carry concealed weapons across state lines was of questionable quality, the decision of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence to use Tom Mauser, father to one of the victims of the Columbine Massacre a decade ago, holding up his son's shoes was disgusting politics. The Columbine shootings did not involve concealed weapons or buying weapons across state lines. This was just an attempt to guilt voters into calling Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennett for having the gall to support the amendment while being Democrats. And it was sick, sympathy politics that denegrates a terrible event in recent history.
Ahnuld Watch: New Film Industry Tax Credits Take Effect
All eyes are back on the biggest RINO (that's Republican-In-Name-Only) in the country, Arnold "bounce the bi's off the tri's" Schwarzenegger, as California approved inevitable Oscar winners Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 and Naked Gun 4 for tax credits under "The five-year, $500 million incentive program, signed into law in February, began accepting applications on July 1. In a statement, Schwarzenegger said the tax credits were crucial for retaining film and television productions — and the economic multiplier effects - in California."
Oh Ahnuld. You do not understand that the reason the movie industry is starting to spread out is the same reason every other major industry is leaving: high taxes and regulations. Meanwhile, Texas, arguably the most fiscally conservative state in the nation, is barely feeling a recession and is getting a constant influx of new citizens. Seriously, a U-haul rental from San Francisco to Houston costs nearly three times as much as the same distance and time going the other way. That is the market speaking in spades right there.
So here's an idea: rather than taking away revenue from one of the largest budgets disasters in American history, you should remove the many subsidies for favored industries you've instituted as Governor and lower taxes for ALL industries (and more importantly, people). Hollywood will come back, as there are economies of scale already, but then the market will form new industries in other areas where California has comparative advantage, that you are nowhere near smart enough to realize.
Maybe than you can run a conservative government instead of a Corporatist one. Again, just a thought.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25556.html#ixzz0MfcGzePb
Oh Ahnuld. You do not understand that the reason the movie industry is starting to spread out is the same reason every other major industry is leaving: high taxes and regulations. Meanwhile, Texas, arguably the most fiscally conservative state in the nation, is barely feeling a recession and is getting a constant influx of new citizens. Seriously, a U-haul rental from San Francisco to Houston costs nearly three times as much as the same distance and time going the other way. That is the market speaking in spades right there.
So here's an idea: rather than taking away revenue from one of the largest budgets disasters in American history, you should remove the many subsidies for favored industries you've instituted as Governor and lower taxes for ALL industries (and more importantly, people). Hollywood will come back, as there are economies of scale already, but then the market will form new industries in other areas where California has comparative advantage, that you are nowhere near smart enough to realize.
Maybe than you can run a conservative government instead of a Corporatist one. Again, just a thought.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25556.html#ixzz0MfcGzePb
NPR Poll Shows Republicans Winning In General 2010 Midterms!
By 1%, meaning statistically the two parties are running even, but still big news!
"I know it is a long way off, but thinking about the elections in 2010, if the election for U.S. Congress were held today, would you be voting for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate in your district where you live?"
Democrat Republican Other (vol.) Unsure Refused
7/22-26/09
42 43 3 10 2
Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/2010.htm
"I know it is a long way off, but thinking about the elections in 2010, if the election for U.S. Congress were held today, would you be voting for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate in your district where you live?"
Democrat Republican Other (vol.) Unsure Refused
7/22-26/09
42 43 3 10 2
Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/2010.htm
Strange Bedfellows: Republicans Are Joined By Greens In Opposing Maine Tax Reform
If the endorsement of the Wall Street Journal editorial board and The Economist magazine weren't enough to let the Maine Republican Party know they were wrong in opposing the Democrats' tax reform, this should be the final sign needed. The GREEN PARTY...yes, the party of Ralph Nader, Jello Biafra, and Pat LaMarche...is joining the Republicans in opposing the reform by calling it a "flat tax."
A quick recap of the reform: it would simplify the current four-tiered progressive income tax code that ranges up to 8.5% for the top bracket by cutting it to 6.5% for families earning under $250,000 and 6.85% for everything above that. To make up for the lost revenue, it expands the sales tax to cover previously exempt favored industries such as amusements, repairs, tourism, etc. and raises the tax by 1% on lodging and meals. So basically, it makes the tax code simpler, flatter, and broader. In essence, more fair and a step in the direction Republicans supposedly want.
Lower and flatter income taxes are always a good thing because it creates incentive for workers to keep working. Broader taxes mean that the state will avoid the trap seen in California, New York, and some European countries, whereby all the taxes come from a small percentage of the population and once a recession hits, revenue plummets.
Republican opposition to this package is based solely on politics. They smell blood, thinking that the Democratic control from top to bottom within the government during a recession will allow them to retake the Blaine House for the first time in 16 years and the legislature for the first time in 30+ by whipping up populist rage. And it is this kind of petty, anti-ideological politics that explains why they haven't.
Read More: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6664630.html
A quick recap of the reform: it would simplify the current four-tiered progressive income tax code that ranges up to 8.5% for the top bracket by cutting it to 6.5% for families earning under $250,000 and 6.85% for everything above that. To make up for the lost revenue, it expands the sales tax to cover previously exempt favored industries such as amusements, repairs, tourism, etc. and raises the tax by 1% on lodging and meals. So basically, it makes the tax code simpler, flatter, and broader. In essence, more fair and a step in the direction Republicans supposedly want.
Lower and flatter income taxes are always a good thing because it creates incentive for workers to keep working. Broader taxes mean that the state will avoid the trap seen in California, New York, and some European countries, whereby all the taxes come from a small percentage of the population and once a recession hits, revenue plummets.
Republican opposition to this package is based solely on politics. They smell blood, thinking that the Democratic control from top to bottom within the government during a recession will allow them to retake the Blaine House for the first time in 16 years and the legislature for the first time in 30+ by whipping up populist rage. And it is this kind of petty, anti-ideological politics that explains why they haven't.
Read More: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6664630.html
Maine's Public University Fiscal Crisis
This month, the independent task force charged with standing Maine's public universities on a firm fiscal footing, released their report (read highlights here: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6600967.html). While much of what was recommended makes sense (standardised accounting standards, cut low-enrollment classes and departments that constantly graduate less than 5 students a year, etc.), it doesn't get to the root of Maine's problem.
Public universities are just like any other state-subsidised corporation; they do not act within financial reality. Honestly, beyond community colleges that teach life skills needed to keep communities running and prepare students not yet ready to enter a four-year college, the government probably has no place in the higher education game. Since that is not politically realistic, let us look at a radical proposal for opening these colleges up to the market while preserving our support of education.
The reason public universities are so distorted is due to the state subsidy that allows them to offer lower in-state tuition. How about we replace this subsidy with refundable tax credits for all Maine high school graduates to attend any college they want. This way, someone who wants to attend Colby (or Bates or UNE or an Ivy or Daniel Webster or...the list could continue forever), would not have a perverse incentive to attend a school that is less right for him.
This would mean some of the universities would probably shut down. But that wouldn't be a bad thing. High school students would still receive the subsidy to attend college, and stronger schools like UMO (with its engineering and forestry programs) and UMF (with teaching) would be even better off as they would not be filled with high school graduates better suited elsewhere.
Finally, and bringing us back to the original point, strong chancellors like Rebecca Wyke (a Democrat this blog could get behind if she decided to throw her hat in for a higher office) would be able to truly see what U Maine's finances look like.
Public universities are just like any other state-subsidised corporation; they do not act within financial reality. Honestly, beyond community colleges that teach life skills needed to keep communities running and prepare students not yet ready to enter a four-year college, the government probably has no place in the higher education game. Since that is not politically realistic, let us look at a radical proposal for opening these colleges up to the market while preserving our support of education.
The reason public universities are so distorted is due to the state subsidy that allows them to offer lower in-state tuition. How about we replace this subsidy with refundable tax credits for all Maine high school graduates to attend any college they want. This way, someone who wants to attend Colby (or Bates or UNE or an Ivy or Daniel Webster or...the list could continue forever), would not have a perverse incentive to attend a school that is less right for him.
This would mean some of the universities would probably shut down. But that wouldn't be a bad thing. High school students would still receive the subsidy to attend college, and stronger schools like UMO (with its engineering and forestry programs) and UMF (with teaching) would be even better off as they would not be filled with high school graduates better suited elsewhere.
Finally, and bringing us back to the original point, strong chancellors like Rebecca Wyke (a Democrat this blog could get behind if she decided to throw her hat in for a higher office) would be able to truly see what U Maine's finances look like.
Jim Johnson, Eagles Defensive Coordinator, Passes Away at 68
Mr. Johnson had been suffering from cancer and took a leave of absence in May. He had been the Eagles assistant for all 10 years of Andy Reid's run, and the team was second in the league in sacks over that span, not to mention the 7 NFC East championships, 5 NFC championship game appearances, and the NFC championship.
Coach Johnson interviewed for many head coaching jobs, but took it as an honor that he got to see two of his long-time assistants, Steve Spagunolo and Jim Harbaugh, get top jobs with the Rams and Ravens, respectivally. Please take a moment to pray for the family of a man who went too young.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4362093
Coach Johnson interviewed for many head coaching jobs, but took it as an honor that he got to see two of his long-time assistants, Steve Spagunolo and Jim Harbaugh, get top jobs with the Rams and Ravens, respectivally. Please take a moment to pray for the family of a man who went too young.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4362093
Brett Favre To Stay Retired
Now let's see how Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels handle their team blatently and whole-heartedly pursuing a washed-up former great. That shows real confidence, Vikings.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4362093
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4362093
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Michigan Democratic Party Shows It Has No Clue
What would you do if you were the party in control of a large state with the highest unemployment rate in the nation and a dying industry at the center of your economy. If you are the Michigan Democratic party, you raise your minimum wage to a job-stifling high of $10!!!
While there are arguments for the minimum wage, such as that it prevents worker exploitation, there is no way around the fact that it benefits only low-income workers who keep their job, while forcing employers to let some other employers go/raise prices to pay for those raises. Money doesn't come from thin air.
It is rare that we see such an obvious case of a group ignoring facts to stick to basic ideology, and (in their mind) win working class votes.
Read more on the MDP's populist turn: http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/07/27/would-a-10-minimum-wage-save-michigan-democrats.aspx
What Norm Coleman Looked Like In High School
As a former (and possibly again) long-haired man, I'm disappointed that my first reaction to this picture was: maybe Senator Franken isn't so ridiculous.
Obama Considers NYPD Too Good To Get Federal Funds
This is the backwards logic applied by Democrats in Washington. If there is a problem, throw money at it. If you are doing something right, ignore it. Over the last 15 years, the NYPD has turned New York City from one of the most dangerous to one of the safest cities in the world, while also creating its own counter-terrorism force that the Department of Homeland Security would be wise to study. They've been forced to keep taxes higher than fiscal conservatives Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg would like in order to keep their budget under control. Rather than rewarding their good work by giving them COPS funds, letting them free up budget space for use elsewhere and/or tax cuts, the Obama administration said no because of "insufficient crime and budgetary problems." Here is Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Ray Kelly:
"The decision to deny New York City funding from the COPS grant program is disappointing, to put it mildly. To punish our police department because they have driven down crime with fewer resources shows the backwards incentive system that is sometimes at work in Washington. Denying that funding because New Yorkers have already dug into their pockets to maintain our City’s sound fiscal stewardship and pay for our exceptional policing doesn’t make sense. Lastly, the attacks on New York City were attacks on the nation and we should be receiving strong federal support for the NYPD to fight terrorism in the nation’s largest city."
"After two successful terrorist attacks at the heart of the nation’s financial center, there should be substantial and continuing federal support for the NYPD in its counterterrorism and conventional crime fighting missions. We shouldn’t be penalized for succeeding on both counts, and mainly on our own dime, over the last seven and a half years."
Source: http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0709/more_cop_problems_2227b9cc-106a-46e3-a6cc-45a39f965d6d.html
"The decision to deny New York City funding from the COPS grant program is disappointing, to put it mildly. To punish our police department because they have driven down crime with fewer resources shows the backwards incentive system that is sometimes at work in Washington. Denying that funding because New Yorkers have already dug into their pockets to maintain our City’s sound fiscal stewardship and pay for our exceptional policing doesn’t make sense. Lastly, the attacks on New York City were attacks on the nation and we should be receiving strong federal support for the NYPD to fight terrorism in the nation’s largest city."
"After two successful terrorist attacks at the heart of the nation’s financial center, there should be substantial and continuing federal support for the NYPD in its counterterrorism and conventional crime fighting missions. We shouldn’t be penalized for succeeding on both counts, and mainly on our own dime, over the last seven and a half years."
Source: http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0709/more_cop_problems_2227b9cc-106a-46e3-a6cc-45a39f965d6d.html
Monday, July 27, 2009
AFI - Medicate
The first 1:20 of Medicate, a track off the upcoming AFI album Crash Love, leaked! Will have to listen a few more times to make an educated opinion, but first instinct: not that original (right down to the classic Davey squeal at the beginning), but still showing AFI's talent. Kind of like decemberunderground.
Check it out here: http://aficrashlove.blogspot.com/
Check it out here: http://aficrashlove.blogspot.com/
Red Sox Considering Blockbuster?
Sports-related posts have been few and far-between on Republican Punk (much more so than intended), but this is a big one. The Boston Red Sox (and Tampa Bay Rays) are both considering massive trades that would lead to them acquiring both C/1B Victor Martinez AND reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee. The Rays currently have the best offer because of their willingness to part with Wade Davis, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, but the Red Sox have more they could potentially offer, with the major hold-up being the Sox' hesitation to deal Clay Buchholz, their top young pitcher. We'll be keeping an eye on this one!
Hat Tip: MLB Trade Rumors
Hat Tip: MLB Trade Rumors
T-Paw Named Vice-Chair of the RGA!!!
Title says it all. New national spot for the leader of the (self-titled) Sam's Club Republicans.
Why Would Anyone Want A Medicare-Based Public Plan?
It is time to address a small, but important, issue in the health insurance reform debate. Many "progressives", including Reps. Lynn Woosley and Anthony Weiner in recent Politico editorials, want, as a subsitute for politically unpalatable single-payer, a public plan based on Medicare. Any impartial analysis shows that this is an awful idea. Even if you support the concept, Medicare, in its current form, has been a cost boondoggle. There is no reason to make the same mistake twice.
So why would any sane person support this proposal. Because Medicare (along with Medicaid) is the only socialized health care currently in this country, and is next to impossible to cut politically. A public plan based upon it would accomplish two things:
So why would any sane person support this proposal. Because Medicare (along with Medicaid) is the only socialized health care currently in this country, and is next to impossible to cut politically. A public plan based upon it would accomplish two things:
- Prevent Republicans and moderate Democrats from ever removing it if it begins to show that it was a mistake/unnecessary/too costly. Health debates would always have to be fought on the left's terms, just as entitlement reform and health debates in England and Canada are.
- Put in place the basis for a complete government take-over of one-sixth of the U.S. economy through a single-payer system, as soon as a bad conservative (see: GWB) gets elected, leading to a liberal follow-up willing to put such a plan in place.
Hillary Clinton: Best Secretary of State Since Baker?
Ok, maybe the title is a little bit of hyperbole 7 months into the new administration, but she has thus far shown that maybe we were wrong to write off "smart power." She seems to have mastered the balance, both rhetorically and in action, between tough talk and diplomacy. This clip is the highlight:
Too bad she wasn't running foreign policy instead of health care during her husband's administration.
For more great highlights from her interview, including comments on North Korea, Russia, and her elbow, check http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25426.html
Too bad she wasn't running foreign policy instead of health care during her husband's administration.
For more great highlights from her interview, including comments on North Korea, Russia, and her elbow, check http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25426.html
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Gingrich Shows Obama Love
For most prospective 2012 presidential candidates, you can judge their interest by the rabid way they go after the president. But for former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, it is important he improve his negatives with moderates. Which may explain why he tweeted this (deserved) praise:
President Obama’s strong commitment on education reform is a good start and he is showing considerable courage indemanding real change
Hat Tip: The Hill
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sen. Barbara Boxer 45 - Fmr. HP CEO Carly Fiorina 41
The title says it all. Maybe I'll be coming out to work for you instead of Meg Whitman next year, Carly. You're my girl!
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/california/election_2010_california_senate
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/california/election_2010_california_senate
Armadillo as Liberty
Tom Coburn is quickly becoming my favorite senator. Here is an excerpt from his floor speech on the stimulus:
"You know, in Oklahoma, I trap armadillos in my yard. They come in, they'll ruin a little yard, because they like grubworms. So all you gotta do is put a few marshmallows out, put a marshmallow or two in the trap cage, and you'll catch those suckers. We'll that's what Washington is doing to American liberty...
We steal your liberty. We steal your freedom. We steal your choice...
Now there's two things I do with those armadillos, one of two things. I either put 'em in the back of my pickup and take 'em 10 or 15 miles away from my property, or I shoot 'em. And that's exactly what's gonna happen to us. We're either going to be carried far away from what we know and trust and believe in to be right, or we're gonna be extinct as a nation."
Hat Tip: Glenn Thrush
P.S.
Bias in Mr. Thrush's writing has gotten really bad in recent weeks. If you remember, about a week ago Mr. Thrush thought Zell Miller was being racist by using Gorilla Glue to metaphorically glue President Obama to his chair. Well, he hasn't been afraid to let his bias slip in recent weeks, and this post was no different. He made a big deal out of the fact that Mr. Coburn shoots the Armadillos in his yard. Good. Frickin'. Lord.
"You know, in Oklahoma, I trap armadillos in my yard. They come in, they'll ruin a little yard, because they like grubworms. So all you gotta do is put a few marshmallows out, put a marshmallow or two in the trap cage, and you'll catch those suckers. We'll that's what Washington is doing to American liberty...
We steal your liberty. We steal your freedom. We steal your choice...
Now there's two things I do with those armadillos, one of two things. I either put 'em in the back of my pickup and take 'em 10 or 15 miles away from my property, or I shoot 'em. And that's exactly what's gonna happen to us. We're either going to be carried far away from what we know and trust and believe in to be right, or we're gonna be extinct as a nation."
Hat Tip: Glenn Thrush
P.S.
Bias in Mr. Thrush's writing has gotten really bad in recent weeks. If you remember, about a week ago Mr. Thrush thought Zell Miller was being racist by using Gorilla Glue to metaphorically glue President Obama to his chair. Well, he hasn't been afraid to let his bias slip in recent weeks, and this post was no different. He made a big deal out of the fact that Mr. Coburn shoots the Armadillos in his yard. Good. Frickin'. Lord.
Another Group Supports Evidence-Based Medicine, But Again On A Case-By-Case Level
This time, it is The American Academy of Otolaryngology:
We, too, are in favor of evidence-based medicine that supports quality patient care. President Obama’s statement highlights the complexity of medical decisions like this. However, the AAO-HNS is disappointed by the President's portrayal of the decision making processes by the physicians who perform these surgeries. In many cases, tonsillectomy may be a more effective treatment, and less costly, than prolonged or repeated treatments for an infected throat.
For the past several years, the Academy has been developing clinical guidelines based on evidence and outcomes research, including ‘Quality of Life after Tonsillectomy,’ a January 2008 supplement to the journal Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. We are in agreement with the President’s statement that physicians, patients, and hospitals should make the decisions, based on the evidence, about what’s best for patient care.
Key points in bold.
Hat Tip: Politico
We, too, are in favor of evidence-based medicine that supports quality patient care. President Obama’s statement highlights the complexity of medical decisions like this. However, the AAO-HNS is disappointed by the President's portrayal of the decision making processes by the physicians who perform these surgeries. In many cases, tonsillectomy may be a more effective treatment, and less costly, than prolonged or repeated treatments for an infected throat.
For the past several years, the Academy has been developing clinical guidelines based on evidence and outcomes research, including ‘Quality of Life after Tonsillectomy,’ a January 2008 supplement to the journal Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. We are in agreement with the President’s statement that physicians, patients, and hospitals should make the decisions, based on the evidence, about what’s best for patient care.
Key points in bold.
Hat Tip: Politico
Stupidgate, Continued
It should come as no surprise that the President was forced to take time to address the issue personally today, as Robert Gibbs, his Press Secretary and a close advisor and friend, has seemed to show quite a bit of arrogance on the White House's part. If this is how the President really feels, maybe we were wrong to think that his statements were blown out of proportion.
First, Gibbs made it political when no one was looking at it as anything more than a question of the Presidents' beliefs:
"I think the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed McCain," Gibbs fired back at reporters, referring to Obama's Republican opponent in the 2008 election. "If I'm not mistaken."
Then there is the infamous non-apologetic apology. You know, the kind you give as a kid when you're ashamed, not for what you did, but for getting caught.
"I think he would regret if realized how much of an overall distraction and obsession it would be" in the press, Gibbs said, adding that the president's involvement with the issue is probably finished. "I think he's said what he's going to say on this."
While the President is not a reverse racist or a radical, as Rush Limbaugh likes to think, he is clearly arrogant and eternally political; not unlike previous presidents, but not the image he wants to be putting off.
First, Gibbs made it political when no one was looking at it as anything more than a question of the Presidents' beliefs:
"I think the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed McCain," Gibbs fired back at reporters, referring to Obama's Republican opponent in the 2008 election. "If I'm not mistaken."
Then there is the infamous non-apologetic apology. You know, the kind you give as a kid when you're ashamed, not for what you did, but for getting caught.
"I think he would regret if realized how much of an overall distraction and obsession it would be" in the press, Gibbs said, adding that the president's involvement with the issue is probably finished. "I think he's said what he's going to say on this."
While the President is not a reverse racist or a radical, as Rush Limbaugh likes to think, he is clearly arrogant and eternally political; not unlike previous presidents, but not the image he wants to be putting off.
Stupidgate
Obama really stepped in it. Here's the original comments:
The response from pundits is interesting, especially the cop himself, stating his support for the president, but also that Obama should have stayed out of the matter, as well as Bill Cosby. The fact is, it was a local issue and President Obama should have treated it as such. Both sides (including the President) admit we don't know everything, and whenever that is the case, we should stay out of it.
The response from pundits is interesting, especially the cop himself, stating his support for the president, but also that Obama should have stayed out of the matter, as well as Bill Cosby. The fact is, it was a local issue and President Obama should have treated it as such. Both sides (including the President) admit we don't know everything, and whenever that is the case, we should stay out of it.
Henry Waxman Threatens To Forego His Committee
When you can't get what you want, ignore everyone else:
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has threatened to bypass his own committee and move a sweeping health care bill to the House floor if conservative Democrats in the Blue Dog Coalition don't agree to back the package.
Waxman had agreed to include language in the bill that would grant an outside commission authority to recommend cuts to government-funded health care programs. According to Ross, he had also agreed to include Senate language that would let doctors and other health care providers negotiate rates with the government-sponsored public health care plans.
But in the Friday session, Waxman told the group that he was taking both concessions off the table, Ross said afterward.
Even Democrat leadership, such as Whip Jim Clyburn and DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen are uncomfortable with this blatently unfair move. But this is the hard-nosed (no pun intended) old-liner Waxman we're talking about, so we'll see.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25380.html#ixzz0MCkZMMPI
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has threatened to bypass his own committee and move a sweeping health care bill to the House floor if conservative Democrats in the Blue Dog Coalition don't agree to back the package.
Waxman had agreed to include language in the bill that would grant an outside commission authority to recommend cuts to government-funded health care programs. According to Ross, he had also agreed to include Senate language that would let doctors and other health care providers negotiate rates with the government-sponsored public health care plans.
But in the Friday session, Waxman told the group that he was taking both concessions off the table, Ross said afterward.
Even Democrat leadership, such as Whip Jim Clyburn and DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen are uncomfortable with this blatently unfair move. But this is the hard-nosed (no pun intended) old-liner Waxman we're talking about, so we'll see.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25380.html#ixzz0MCkZMMPI
T-Paw Has Some Strong Words For ObamaCare
On what has apparantly (and unintentionally) become the most talked-about topic on Republican Punk, the favored 2012 candidate of this blog has stepped up with some strong rhetoric on the topic:
What you don't see in this video is Governor Pawlenty urging the party to not make health care about Obama, but rather attack the (very bad) policy behind it. He also takes an early 2012 shot at one of the frontrunners, Mitt Romney, by pointing out that the Massachusetts health plan did not contain costs and that the state is now looking for a federal bailout.
What you don't see in this video is Governor Pawlenty urging the party to not make health care about Obama, but rather attack the (very bad) policy behind it. He also takes an early 2012 shot at one of the frontrunners, Mitt Romney, by pointing out that the Massachusetts health plan did not contain costs and that the state is now looking for a federal bailout.
At Least Someone's Trying
Rep. John Tanner (D-TN) is taking on the futile, but notable, task of reforming redistricting.
So Tanner has once again — for the third Congress in a row — introduced legislation that would end political gerrymandering by nationalizing standards for congressional districting and taking away redistricting power from State Legislatures. Tanner’s bill would require each state to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to redraw congressional district lines, with its members equally appointed by the two parties in the statehouse. The group’s chairman would be elected by the original commissioners.
The national standards in Tanner’s bill seek to ensure that districts reflect organic communities, rather than surgically carved out blocs of voters. The redistricting commission would aim to make districts equal in population size, adhere to traditional boundaries such as city limits and maintain contiguity and compactness.
They specifically would not be allowed to take into consideration voting history, party affiliation of voters or consequences for the incumbent.
Anyone who ever complains about the lack of moderation and consensus on even the simplest issues in Congress needs to call their representatives and senators and ask them to support this legislation.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25365.html#ixzz0MCaC3uiD
So Tanner has once again — for the third Congress in a row — introduced legislation that would end political gerrymandering by nationalizing standards for congressional districting and taking away redistricting power from State Legislatures. Tanner’s bill would require each state to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to redraw congressional district lines, with its members equally appointed by the two parties in the statehouse. The group’s chairman would be elected by the original commissioners.
The national standards in Tanner’s bill seek to ensure that districts reflect organic communities, rather than surgically carved out blocs of voters. The redistricting commission would aim to make districts equal in population size, adhere to traditional boundaries such as city limits and maintain contiguity and compactness.
They specifically would not be allowed to take into consideration voting history, party affiliation of voters or consequences for the incumbent.
Anyone who ever complains about the lack of moderation and consensus on even the simplest issues in Congress needs to call their representatives and senators and ask them to support this legislation.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25365.html#ixzz0MCaC3uiD
Scary Numbers Concerning Afghanistan
From the neew AP-GFK poll:
"Do you favor or oppose the war in Afghanistan?"
Favor Oppose Unsure Refused
44 53 3 1
President Obama needs to get on the bully pulpit on this, because we are not fighting a war of choice here. If Afghanistan falls, Pakistan falls, and that is as close to a worst case scenario there is.
Source: Polling Report
"Do you favor or oppose the war in Afghanistan?"
Favor Oppose Unsure Refused
44 53 3 1
President Obama needs to get on the bully pulpit on this, because we are not fighting a war of choice here. If Afghanistan falls, Pakistan falls, and that is as close to a worst case scenario there is.
Source: Polling Report
WTF, Peter Mills?
What is Peter Mills, a Republican state senator and candidate for Governor of Maine in 2010, doing speaking at an Obamacare rally. He starts by stating that he is "offering a different perspective" and he didn't say anything that directly relates to the House very liberal plan, but he also didn't say anything remotely close to Conservative reforms (portability, moving tax benefits to individuals instead of tying them to jobs, entitlement reform, pooling, etc. al.) While it is nice to see someone standing up for what they believe in even if it opposes their party, he adds "bipartisan" legitimacy to a very partisan process thusfar (with a quick shoutout to Max Baucus in the Senate, who is trying against all odds to make it bi-partisan). Mr. Mills, while a very smart and honorable man, faces quite a challange explaining things like this to primary voters, especially if either an electable conservative (Paul LePage, mayor of Waterville, for example) or a more popular-with-conservatives moderate (Peter Vigue, CEO of Cianbro, for another example) runs.
Hat Tip: As Maine Goes
Hat Tip: As Maine Goes
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Dems Want To Pull Military Information Funding
The Defense Department wants nearly $1 billion next year for its greatly-expanded Information Operations programs. But lawmakers are putting on the brakes, saying the end product is often ineffective “propaganda” and a costly distraction from the military’s core mission.
The House Appropriations Committee fired the first shot Tuesday, ordering deep cuts from the 2010 budget and the termination of many IO activities now underway. Altogether the Pentagon’s $998 million request would be cut in half, and the remaining funds frozen until the Defense Department submits a fuller accounting of its plans and where the money has been going since 2005.
Iran has "propaganda" in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Lebanon. Syria has "propaganda" in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. Russia has "propaganda" in Eastern Europe. China has growing "propaganda" all over the world. Meanwhile, the Pentagon tries to counter it with a program to show people that we are not the charicatures they think we are, and the Democrats want us to fight a war one-handed.
And people wonder why Hobbes prefered the sole sovereign.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25327.html#ixzz0M76hV9UR
The House Appropriations Committee fired the first shot Tuesday, ordering deep cuts from the 2010 budget and the termination of many IO activities now underway. Altogether the Pentagon’s $998 million request would be cut in half, and the remaining funds frozen until the Defense Department submits a fuller accounting of its plans and where the money has been going since 2005.
Iran has "propaganda" in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Lebanon. Syria has "propaganda" in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. Russia has "propaganda" in Eastern Europe. China has growing "propaganda" all over the world. Meanwhile, the Pentagon tries to counter it with a program to show people that we are not the charicatures they think we are, and the Democrats want us to fight a war one-handed.
And people wonder why Hobbes prefered the sole sovereign.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25327.html#ixzz0M76hV9UR
Obama's Explanation Of "Comparative Effectiveness"
At the risk of the inevitable new post from Charles Wulff, here is the President explaining sacrifices we'll have to make:
Asked about sacrifices Americans might have to make in terms of access to specialists or intensive treatment at the end of life, Obama insisted that no one would have to give up any useful medical service under the plans being debated in Congress.
"They're going to have to give up paying for things that don't make them healthier," Obama said, claiming that only waste needed to be cut from the system. "Speaking as an American, I think that's the kind of change you want..Why would you want to pay for things that don't work?"
"Can I guarantee that there are going to be no changes in the health-care delivery system? No, the whole point of this is to try to encourage changes that work for the American people and make them healthier," Obama said later.
While this sounds well and good, Obama is selling an imaginary free lunch here. No matter who or how, what he is proposing means someone other than an individual's personal physicians and the individual himself will be making decisions about their medical choices. While private insurance (and if it happens, the "public plan") also restricts what a person can have done, a better way to improve health care would be to make health insurance more portable and give people more choice than just what their employer offers, while switching payment methods to being focused on outcome rather than procedue. This would mean that people would be making decisions on what they would be covered for in advance when they pick their insurance, and once they have to make medical decisions, it will be the doctor who knows them best helping them decide what the best use of their money is, instead of some distant government bueracracy.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25307.html#ixzz0M73ZsdUQ
Asked about sacrifices Americans might have to make in terms of access to specialists or intensive treatment at the end of life, Obama insisted that no one would have to give up any useful medical service under the plans being debated in Congress.
"They're going to have to give up paying for things that don't make them healthier," Obama said, claiming that only waste needed to be cut from the system. "Speaking as an American, I think that's the kind of change you want..Why would you want to pay for things that don't work?"
"Can I guarantee that there are going to be no changes in the health-care delivery system? No, the whole point of this is to try to encourage changes that work for the American people and make them healthier," Obama said later.
While this sounds well and good, Obama is selling an imaginary free lunch here. No matter who or how, what he is proposing means someone other than an individual's personal physicians and the individual himself will be making decisions about their medical choices. While private insurance (and if it happens, the "public plan") also restricts what a person can have done, a better way to improve health care would be to make health insurance more portable and give people more choice than just what their employer offers, while switching payment methods to being focused on outcome rather than procedue. This would mean that people would be making decisions on what they would be covered for in advance when they pick their insurance, and once they have to make medical decisions, it will be the doctor who knows them best helping them decide what the best use of their money is, instead of some distant government bueracracy.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25307.html#ixzz0M73ZsdUQ
The Wild - We Will Drive These Warlords Out
Please check out this band at QuoteUnquote.com, where you can download their EP (along with LOTS of great music, especially Bomb The Music Industry!) for free.
Ohhh... we'll build the brightest cities you can see from outer space,
but we'll know there's nothing brighter than a peaceful man's face.
We'll know that everyone's related in some kind of way, A
nd like family we'll love without understanding or doubt.
We'll plant a seed and watch it sprout,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
Well.. the answers still blowing in the wind despite all the efforts of politicians.
But no breeze will ever loosen our grip,
we'll rise our fists with a grin!
Cause who wouldn't die for their best friend?
We'll wipe the sweat from our brow,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
I am constantly trying not to disappear into the cracks in the sidewalks
Of the east village, And in holding my own it's become quite clear
That redemption is not in the atmosphere.
It's in holding a hand and screaming a cheer,
At the top of our lungs so everyone can hear..
Even if we just ease one person's fear.
We are not meant to be alone.
That's why you and me are here right now,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
I am feeling blue like I often do,
It's not like I wanna be with just anyone right now,
Cause I wanna be with you!
So please be the girl that I love tonight.
We'll sing along to a thousand old folk songs..
Yeah we'll sing along to our favorite pop-punk songs!
And we'll wipe the sweat from our brow,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
Ohhh... we'll build the brightest cities you can see from outer space,
but we'll know there's nothing brighter than a peaceful man's face.
We'll know that everyone's related in some kind of way, A
nd like family we'll love without understanding or doubt.
We'll plant a seed and watch it sprout,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
Well.. the answers still blowing in the wind despite all the efforts of politicians.
But no breeze will ever loosen our grip,
we'll rise our fists with a grin!
Cause who wouldn't die for their best friend?
We'll wipe the sweat from our brow,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
I am constantly trying not to disappear into the cracks in the sidewalks
Of the east village, And in holding my own it's become quite clear
That redemption is not in the atmosphere.
It's in holding a hand and screaming a cheer,
At the top of our lungs so everyone can hear..
Even if we just ease one person's fear.
We are not meant to be alone.
That's why you and me are here right now,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
I am feeling blue like I often do,
It's not like I wanna be with just anyone right now,
Cause I wanna be with you!
So please be the girl that I love tonight.
We'll sing along to a thousand old folk songs..
Yeah we'll sing along to our favorite pop-punk songs!
And we'll wipe the sweat from our brow,
And we'll drive these warlords out.
Mark Sanford: Still Talking
Mark Sanford is back with another editorial (http://www.thestate.com/editorial-columns/story/869645.html, if you really care). This time he is coupling his third (or fourth, I forget) public apology with a story about how he has grown personally and a pledge that it will make him a better executive.
This blog will not feed his conceit by posting anything more than a link to that editorial. Mr. Sanford, a man once adored by many (including myself) for his ability to stick to fiscal values even in the face of massive public pressure, has shown his true colors as an egotistical attention whore. He made a mistake, and while it is good that he is making personal, private growth, he has no place sharing it with us. When he made the decision to stay on as Governor of South Carolina, it was with the understanding that this would not affect his ability to govern. Maybe the affair didn't, but the amount of time he takes talking about it clearly does. Cut him loose.
This blog will not feed his conceit by posting anything more than a link to that editorial. Mr. Sanford, a man once adored by many (including myself) for his ability to stick to fiscal values even in the face of massive public pressure, has shown his true colors as an egotistical attention whore. He made a mistake, and while it is good that he is making personal, private growth, he has no place sharing it with us. When he made the decision to stay on as Governor of South Carolina, it was with the understanding that this would not affect his ability to govern. Maybe the affair didn't, but the amount of time he takes talking about it clearly does. Cut him loose.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Hilarious Post on Birthers!
Probably only time I'll ever link to the Daily Kos, but this thing is too funny to ignore. Please read, everyone.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/21/755885/-Shocking-new-evidence-that-cannot-be-ignored
It is about how Obama is the antichrist, with relevant secret codes in the bible to prove it. Now here's a question that he needs to answer.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/21/755885/-Shocking-new-evidence-that-cannot-be-ignored
It is about how Obama is the antichrist, with relevant secret codes in the bible to prove it. Now here's a question that he needs to answer.
Jonathan Martin and Josh Gerstein Lay Out Tough Question No One Will Ask
Great new article on The Politico that asks 10 tough questions that should be asked during the press conference tonight. You know, like the questions that were asked of President Bush for 8 years, and that should be asked in place of stuff like "How is you swimsuit fitting?" and "What is the hardest and easiest parts about moving into the White House?" (real questions).
I highly recommend reading the entire article here (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25265.html), but here are the questions for your perusing.
1) Is it still realistic that both chambers of Congress will pass health care bills before their summer recess in August? And how worried are you that missing the deadline could endanger your hopes of getting a bill this year?
2) Who are you referring to when you cite, as you did in your radio address last week, those “special interests” in health care who “make the same old arguments, and use the same scare tactics?” And what’s the difference between honest objections to a massive overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, and what you consider obstructionism?
3) You have sought to focus attention on Sen. Jim DeMint’s comments alluding to the political benefit for the GOP in blocking healthcare reform, but it’s mostly Democratic members of Congress that your own political apparatus is targeting in TV ads now on the air. Why haven’t you been more successful in convincing members of your own party on this issue so far, and how does DeMint figure into your effort to lobby Democrats?
4) You said during the campaign that you would negotiate the health care bill on C-SPAN. But now you won't even release the names of health care executives who visit the White House for what are closed door discussions. How do you reconcile what you said during the campaign with your approach now?
5) On Monday you said that “folks on Wall Street don’t feel any remorse for taking all these risks; you don’t get a sense that there’s been a change of culture and behavior as a consequence of what has happened." What do you think Wall Street needs to do to show remorse and to change its culture? And isn’t the problem with the economy right now not some Wall Streeters getting bonuses, but the fact that recession is much tougher and deeper than even your administration projected?
6) Attorney General Eric Holder is considering appointing an independent prosecutor to investigate alleged abuses of detainees during the Bush era. When the White House was asked about this, officials repeated your mantra that the country should look forward, not back. What’s your view about when it’s appropriate for the White House to send signals to the Justice Department about what action it should take in regarding a criminal investigation?
7) In announcing the delay of up to six months in the report on detainee policy, White House officials said the issues were “hard” and “complicated” and that you wanted them to “get this right.” Weren’t they hard and complicated when you set the deadline earlier this year? What has changed? And are you still committed to closing Guantanamo Bay prison by January?
8) Your Secretary of State recently compared the North Korean regime attention-craving adolescents. Do you agree with that assessment, and either way, how do plan to proceed toward reining in North Korea’s missile program?
9) Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was recently arrested by Cambridge police at his own home. Now the African-American scholar said he plans to use the experience to focus attention on racial profiling and the black experience in the criminal justice system. Do you think Gates was justified in accusing the police of being harassed for being “a black man in America?”
10) Do you still plan on joining a Washington-area church and attending services?
I highly recommend reading the entire article here (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25265.html), but here are the questions for your perusing.
1) Is it still realistic that both chambers of Congress will pass health care bills before their summer recess in August? And how worried are you that missing the deadline could endanger your hopes of getting a bill this year?
2) Who are you referring to when you cite, as you did in your radio address last week, those “special interests” in health care who “make the same old arguments, and use the same scare tactics?” And what’s the difference between honest objections to a massive overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, and what you consider obstructionism?
3) You have sought to focus attention on Sen. Jim DeMint’s comments alluding to the political benefit for the GOP in blocking healthcare reform, but it’s mostly Democratic members of Congress that your own political apparatus is targeting in TV ads now on the air. Why haven’t you been more successful in convincing members of your own party on this issue so far, and how does DeMint figure into your effort to lobby Democrats?
4) You said during the campaign that you would negotiate the health care bill on C-SPAN. But now you won't even release the names of health care executives who visit the White House for what are closed door discussions. How do you reconcile what you said during the campaign with your approach now?
5) On Monday you said that “folks on Wall Street don’t feel any remorse for taking all these risks; you don’t get a sense that there’s been a change of culture and behavior as a consequence of what has happened." What do you think Wall Street needs to do to show remorse and to change its culture? And isn’t the problem with the economy right now not some Wall Streeters getting bonuses, but the fact that recession is much tougher and deeper than even your administration projected?
6) Attorney General Eric Holder is considering appointing an independent prosecutor to investigate alleged abuses of detainees during the Bush era. When the White House was asked about this, officials repeated your mantra that the country should look forward, not back. What’s your view about when it’s appropriate for the White House to send signals to the Justice Department about what action it should take in regarding a criminal investigation?
7) In announcing the delay of up to six months in the report on detainee policy, White House officials said the issues were “hard” and “complicated” and that you wanted them to “get this right.” Weren’t they hard and complicated when you set the deadline earlier this year? What has changed? And are you still committed to closing Guantanamo Bay prison by January?
8) Your Secretary of State recently compared the North Korean regime attention-craving adolescents. Do you agree with that assessment, and either way, how do plan to proceed toward reining in North Korea’s missile program?
9) Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was recently arrested by Cambridge police at his own home. Now the African-American scholar said he plans to use the experience to focus attention on racial profiling and the black experience in the criminal justice system. Do you think Gates was justified in accusing the police of being harassed for being “a black man in America?”
10) Do you still plan on joining a Washington-area church and attending services?
Health Care Bill May Cover Abortion
On “Fox News Sunday” this past weekend, budget director Peter Orszag said he is “not prepared to rule ... out” taxpayer financing for abortions.
Regardless of how you feel about abortion, there is no doubt that it is a very contentious issue, and no one should be forced to pay for abortion unwillingly, which would happen if:
A) the public plan covers it (paid by tax dollars), or
B) the bill mandates health insurers to cover abortions (which would mean that anyone who wants health insurance would have to pay premiums that would go towards abortion)
Keep an eye on this interesting new front in the health care debate. It has the potential to go undiscussed in the mainstream media, but pay attention to what the actual bill ends up saying before you decide how you feel.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25237_Page2.html#ixzz0M1EJnmsS
Update:
Here's Obama speaking on the question:
KATIE COURIC: Do you favor a government option that would cover abortions?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: You know-- the-- the-- the-- what I think is important, at this stage, is not trying to micromanage what benefits are covered. Because I think we're still trying to get a framework. And my main focus is making sure that people have the options of high quality care at the lowest possible price.
As you know, I'm pro choice. But I think we also have a tradition-- of, in this town, historically, of not financing abortions as part of-- you know, government funded health care. And, you know, my-- you know, rather than wade into that issue at this point-- I think that it's appropriate for us to figure out how to just deliver on the cost savings, and not get distracted by the abortion debate at this station.
Hat Tip: Ben Smith
Regardless of how you feel about abortion, there is no doubt that it is a very contentious issue, and no one should be forced to pay for abortion unwillingly, which would happen if:
A) the public plan covers it (paid by tax dollars), or
B) the bill mandates health insurers to cover abortions (which would mean that anyone who wants health insurance would have to pay premiums that would go towards abortion)
Keep an eye on this interesting new front in the health care debate. It has the potential to go undiscussed in the mainstream media, but pay attention to what the actual bill ends up saying before you decide how you feel.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25237_Page2.html#ixzz0M1EJnmsS
Update:
Here's Obama speaking on the question:
KATIE COURIC: Do you favor a government option that would cover abortions?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: You know-- the-- the-- the-- what I think is important, at this stage, is not trying to micromanage what benefits are covered. Because I think we're still trying to get a framework. And my main focus is making sure that people have the options of high quality care at the lowest possible price.
As you know, I'm pro choice. But I think we also have a tradition-- of, in this town, historically, of not financing abortions as part of-- you know, government funded health care. And, you know, my-- you know, rather than wade into that issue at this point-- I think that it's appropriate for us to figure out how to just deliver on the cost savings, and not get distracted by the abortion debate at this station.
Hat Tip: Ben Smith
Some Democrats Want Obama's Next Supreme Court Appointment To Be MORE Liberal
“I think I would be comfortable if a more progressive judge were appointed in the future by President Obama,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a Judiciary Committee member, said in an interview Tuesday. “And I just hope he doesn’t see her as his leftward boundary.”
While (soon to be) Justice Sotomayor is by no means outside of the liberal judicial mainstream, most people would hope that he would not go so far as to appoint a radical, open activist, which is what exists to Sonia's left. This is why it is important that 30ish Republicans oppose her. We can keep our ideals by not attempting a filibuster (not that it would matter) on a qualified appointee with clear majority support, but it sends a message that she is as far as he can go.
Fource: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25252_Page2.html#ixzz0M0y4VkcA
While (soon to be) Justice Sotomayor is by no means outside of the liberal judicial mainstream, most people would hope that he would not go so far as to appoint a radical, open activist, which is what exists to Sonia's left. This is why it is important that 30ish Republicans oppose her. We can keep our ideals by not attempting a filibuster (not that it would matter) on a qualified appointee with clear majority support, but it sends a message that she is as far as he can go.
Fource: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25252_Page2.html#ixzz0M0y4VkcA
Obama/Romney Tied In Potential Matchup
This is a few days old, but I forgot to post it. Sorry, my bad. Anyways, here goes the good news for the GOP from Rasmussen:
If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
This is especially good considering Romney has emerged as the frontrunner (assuming David Petraeus and Condi Rice stay above the fray, as expected). All of this, the frontrunner status and the running neck-and-neck with Obama, have to do with the economy. As long as the economy is struggling and people worry about the deficit and taxes, Romney's CEO "run the government like a business" appeal will be potent. This is especially true now that he has quit the ridiculous attempt to paint himself as an arch-conservative party leader. He is who he is, and like it or not, that is the Republican's best chance (right now) to take back the White House.
Other interesting notes from the survey:
The president, seeking a second four-year term, beats another potential GOP rival, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, by six points – 48% to 42%.
With a margin-of-error of 3%, that is much closer than she has ever run before. At first glance, it would appear that she would have a serious chance. However, if I was a betting man, I would say that her poll numbers will never go higher. The people who don't like her are almost certainly not going to budge, and now that she has left public office, it seems unlikely she will have the platform to swing the very small minority of independents who would be undecided. President Obama does.
Finally, it is very important that she doesn't try to start any third-party bologna:
If Romney secured the GOP nomination and Palin chose to run as an independent candidate, Obama would win the resulting three-way race with 44% of the vote. Romney is the choice of 33% of the voters under that scenario, with Palin a distant third with 16% support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.
She pulls almost entirely from Republicans, moving only 1% of would-be Obama voters into the "undecided" column (which was 3% in a 1-on-1 race) while taking 12% away from Romney (over a quarter of his support). There is no way should could come up with the funds to be anything more than a Ross Perot in 1992 electorally, and makes a Romney win very, very hard since all her support comes from the right.
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2012/2012_match_ups_obama_romney_tied_at_45_obama_48_palin_42
If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
This is especially good considering Romney has emerged as the frontrunner (assuming David Petraeus and Condi Rice stay above the fray, as expected). All of this, the frontrunner status and the running neck-and-neck with Obama, have to do with the economy. As long as the economy is struggling and people worry about the deficit and taxes, Romney's CEO "run the government like a business" appeal will be potent. This is especially true now that he has quit the ridiculous attempt to paint himself as an arch-conservative party leader. He is who he is, and like it or not, that is the Republican's best chance (right now) to take back the White House.
Other interesting notes from the survey:
The president, seeking a second four-year term, beats another potential GOP rival, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, by six points – 48% to 42%.
With a margin-of-error of 3%, that is much closer than she has ever run before. At first glance, it would appear that she would have a serious chance. However, if I was a betting man, I would say that her poll numbers will never go higher. The people who don't like her are almost certainly not going to budge, and now that she has left public office, it seems unlikely she will have the platform to swing the very small minority of independents who would be undecided. President Obama does.
Finally, it is very important that she doesn't try to start any third-party bologna:
If Romney secured the GOP nomination and Palin chose to run as an independent candidate, Obama would win the resulting three-way race with 44% of the vote. Romney is the choice of 33% of the voters under that scenario, with Palin a distant third with 16% support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.
She pulls almost entirely from Republicans, moving only 1% of would-be Obama voters into the "undecided" column (which was 3% in a 1-on-1 race) while taking 12% away from Romney (over a quarter of his support). There is no way should could come up with the funds to be anything more than a Ross Perot in 1992 electorally, and makes a Romney win very, very hard since all her support comes from the right.
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2012/2012_match_ups_obama_romney_tied_at_45_obama_48_palin_42
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
T-Paw Becoming More and More Popular
In his own state...but still, it's a REALLY blue state that just elected Al Franken.
That a boy, Paw!
Very favorably: 28%
Somewhat favorably: 27%
Somewhat unfavorable: 15%
Very unfavorable: 28%
(Courtesy: Public Polling)
Hat Tip: GOP 12
That a boy, Paw!
Very favorably: 28%
Somewhat favorably: 27%
Somewhat unfavorable: 15%
Very unfavorable: 28%
(Courtesy: Public Polling)
Hat Tip: GOP 12
Mayo Clinic Opposes House Health Care Bill
The Mayo Clinic, which President Obama and his supporters tend to (rightfully) hold up as an example of strong health care, even if they do misdiagnose the reasons why it is best in the country, has come out clearly against the health care bill currently floating in the House:
Although there are some positive provisions in the current House Tri-Committee bill – including insurance for all and payment reform demonstration projects – the proposed legislation misses the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. In fact, it will do the opposite.
In general, the proposals under discussion are not patient focused or results oriented. Lawmakers have failed to use a fundamental lever – a change in Medicare payment policy – to help drive necessary improvements in American health care. Unless legislators create payment systems that pay for good patient results at reasonable costs, the promise of transformation in American health care will wither. The real losers will be the citizens of the United States.
Link: http://healthpolicyblog.mayoclinic.org/2009/07/16/mayo-clinic%E2%80%99s-reaction-to-house-tri-committee-bill/
Although there are some positive provisions in the current House Tri-Committee bill – including insurance for all and payment reform demonstration projects – the proposed legislation misses the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. In fact, it will do the opposite.
In general, the proposals under discussion are not patient focused or results oriented. Lawmakers have failed to use a fundamental lever – a change in Medicare payment policy – to help drive necessary improvements in American health care. Unless legislators create payment systems that pay for good patient results at reasonable costs, the promise of transformation in American health care will wither. The real losers will be the citizens of the United States.
Link: http://healthpolicyblog.mayoclinic.org/2009/07/16/mayo-clinic%E2%80%99s-reaction-to-house-tri-committee-bill/
Real Change?
For the most part, the President's flips from his campaign have either been welcomed (Iraq, EFCA) or expected (the fact that the moderate candidate turned into the most liberal president since Lyndon B. Johnson), but some consistinces with the Bush administration are just sad and clearly support the thesis that once you have power, you don't want to give it up:
Democrats consistently ripped President Bush for his "signing statements" on bills -- which essentially gave the administration a legal out to ignore certain provisions in laws.
But now President Obama is doing the same thing -- and his own party is just as unhappy.
Four top Democrats sent a letter to the president Tuesday, saying they were "surprised" that Obama, in signing the war supplemental spending bill, declared he would not be bound by limits on International Monetary Fund money.
Obama has argued that the stringent limitations on IMF funding would interfere with his constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations and diplomacy.
Read More: http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0709/Dem_chairmen_warn_Obama_on_signing_statements.html
Democrats consistently ripped President Bush for his "signing statements" on bills -- which essentially gave the administration a legal out to ignore certain provisions in laws.
But now President Obama is doing the same thing -- and his own party is just as unhappy.
Four top Democrats sent a letter to the president Tuesday, saying they were "surprised" that Obama, in signing the war supplemental spending bill, declared he would not be bound by limits on International Monetary Fund money.
Obama has argued that the stringent limitations on IMF funding would interfere with his constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations and diplomacy.
Read More: http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0709/Dem_chairmen_warn_Obama_on_signing_statements.html
Eric Cantor: Democrats Running An Appropriations Autocracy
From a new Politico editorial:
By the time the remaining three appropriations bills are completed later this month, the Democrats will most likely have passed 12 appropriations bills under an eye-popping 12 closed rules. During the 12 years Republicans controlled the House, which ended in 2006, the most appropriations bills to come to the floor in one year under a closed rule was four. That happened in 1997.
Obey and the Democratic leadership justify their heavy-handedness by claiming that when given open rules in 2007, Republicans used dilatory tactics to hold the appropriations process hostage. (In 2008, Congress packaged most appropriations bills in an omnibus, which it didn’t pass until this past February.) Democrats vow not to allow Republicans to engage in this supposed intransigence again.
Yet the facts belie the Democrats’ argument. In 1995, the first year of the Democrats’ last period in the minority, the House considered appropriations bills on 31 days for a total of 205 hours. Yet in 2007, when Republicans were relegated to minority status, appropriations bills took just 23.3 days for a total of 170 hours. Republicans offered amendments we believed were important, and as the facts indicate, we did not engage in any kind of extraordinary delaying.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25167.html#ixzz0Luoi4sVI
By the time the remaining three appropriations bills are completed later this month, the Democrats will most likely have passed 12 appropriations bills under an eye-popping 12 closed rules. During the 12 years Republicans controlled the House, which ended in 2006, the most appropriations bills to come to the floor in one year under a closed rule was four. That happened in 1997.
Obey and the Democratic leadership justify their heavy-handedness by claiming that when given open rules in 2007, Republicans used dilatory tactics to hold the appropriations process hostage. (In 2008, Congress packaged most appropriations bills in an omnibus, which it didn’t pass until this past February.) Democrats vow not to allow Republicans to engage in this supposed intransigence again.
Yet the facts belie the Democrats’ argument. In 1995, the first year of the Democrats’ last period in the minority, the House considered appropriations bills on 31 days for a total of 205 hours. Yet in 2007, when Republicans were relegated to minority status, appropriations bills took just 23.3 days for a total of 170 hours. Republicans offered amendments we believed were important, and as the facts indicate, we did not engage in any kind of extraordinary delaying.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25167.html#ixzz0Luoi4sVI
60+% of the Country Oppose Stimulus; 60+% Support Stimulus
A new ABC/Washington Post poll shows that polling depends entirely on how you ask the question:
"Would you support or oppose additional federal spending above the 787 billion dollars already set aside to try to stimulate the economy? ... Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?"
StronglySupport SomewhatSupport SomewhatOppose StronglyOppose Unsure
18 17 18 43 3
"Would you support or oppose new federal spending of about 800 billion dollars on tax cuts, construction projects, energy, education, and health care to try to stimulate the economy? ... Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?"
StronglySupport SomewhatSupport SomewhatOppose StronglyOppose Unsure
43 27 9 17 3
This means, despite impressive numbers showing people strongly oppose a general second stimulus and do not want to add to the deficit (see previous polls), Republican hopes that they could regain power simply on the deficit alone were misplaced. Any opposition to stimulus needs to be three-tiered:
"Would you support or oppose additional federal spending above the 787 billion dollars already set aside to try to stimulate the economy? ... Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?"
StronglySupport SomewhatSupport SomewhatOppose StronglyOppose Unsure
18 17 18 43 3
"Would you support or oppose new federal spending of about 800 billion dollars on tax cuts, construction projects, energy, education, and health care to try to stimulate the economy? ... Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?"
StronglySupport SomewhatSupport SomewhatOppose StronglyOppose Unsure
43 27 9 17 3
This means, despite impressive numbers showing people strongly oppose a general second stimulus and do not want to add to the deficit (see previous polls), Republican hopes that they could regain power simply on the deficit alone were misplaced. Any opposition to stimulus needs to be three-tiered:
- The massive deficit (obviously)
- The fact that the previous stimulus did not work and any new one would be ineffective as well
- The particulars of the package must be exposed as not worth it...more so than the last package where Republicans focused on things like birth control, which, while it shouldn't have been in there, was only a small piece.
Source: Polling Report
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pete Wentz Tries To Make Fans Feel Better; Fails
From Alternative Press:
After weeks of cries of anguish from fans responding to the apparent signing of crunk-something trio Millionaires to Decaydance, record mogul Pete Wentz has cleared the air a little. Below is part of what he said on his blog.
I wanted to clear up the rumors and theories and set the record straight about the Millionaires and Decaydance. The Millionaires are friends with Gabe. I am friends with Gabe. Gabe brought them to Crush. Gabe and I are both managed by Crush. They are doing warped tour and Crush wanted their digital ep pressed. Decaydance is downstairs from Crush. We pressed 2,000 copies (future ebay collectors items if you get one with the Decaydance logo). They are NOT signed to Decaydance.
After weeks of cries of anguish from fans responding to the apparent signing of crunk-something trio Millionaires to Decaydance, record mogul Pete Wentz has cleared the air a little. Below is part of what he said on his blog.
I wanted to clear up the rumors and theories and set the record straight about the Millionaires and Decaydance. The Millionaires are friends with Gabe. I am friends with Gabe. Gabe brought them to Crush. Gabe and I are both managed by Crush. They are doing warped tour and Crush wanted their digital ep pressed. Decaydance is downstairs from Crush. We pressed 2,000 copies (future ebay collectors items if you get one with the Decaydance logo). They are NOT signed to Decaydance.
He's A Citizen; Get Over It
Add this to the "will run all moderates out of the party" folder:
This risks being our version of the 9/11 "truther" bull.
This risks being our version of the 9/11 "truther" bull.
Glenn Thrush Read Race Where No Common Sense Person Would
This is disappointing. As a (obviously) huge fan of the Politico, the fact that Mr. Thrush would see any race here is sad.
Former Democrat and former Georgia Gov./Sen. Zell Miller hit the racial tripwire in blasting Barack Obama in a speech to a gathering of lawmakers on Thursday.
Speaking in Atlanta, Miller, a 76-year-old white Southerner with a penchant for the folksy put-down, was railing against the White House in general — and Obama's recent travels to Europe, the Middle East and Mexico in particular.
The AP:
Our globe-trotting president needs to stop and take a break and quit gallivanting around," Miller said, adding that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel needs to put "Gorilla Glue" on his chair to keep him in the Oval Office.
Two black leaders who know Miller well said they were not offended by the remark. The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a civil rights leader, noted the glue is a brand name. "I ignore it," he said. "I consider the source and go about my business."
Yeah, OK. But why not Elmer's, Krazy-Glue, rubber cement, Stick-um or a wad of old gum?
I will say, I did enjoy the Gorilla Glue response:
Peter Ragland, president of the Gorilla Glue Company responds:
"Zell Miller's recent comments have thrust our product and company into the limelight," he wrote in an email from Gorilla Glue Cnetral in Cincinatti. " While our products are known for being strong and tough we certainly would not advocate attempting to glue the Leader of the free world to his chair."
Former Democrat and former Georgia Gov./Sen. Zell Miller hit the racial tripwire in blasting Barack Obama in a speech to a gathering of lawmakers on Thursday.
Speaking in Atlanta, Miller, a 76-year-old white Southerner with a penchant for the folksy put-down, was railing against the White House in general — and Obama's recent travels to Europe, the Middle East and Mexico in particular.
The AP:
Our globe-trotting president needs to stop and take a break and quit gallivanting around," Miller said, adding that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel needs to put "Gorilla Glue" on his chair to keep him in the Oval Office.
Two black leaders who know Miller well said they were not offended by the remark. The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a civil rights leader, noted the glue is a brand name. "I ignore it," he said. "I consider the source and go about my business."
Yeah, OK. But why not Elmer's, Krazy-Glue, rubber cement, Stick-um or a wad of old gum?
I will say, I did enjoy the Gorilla Glue response:
Peter Ragland, president of the Gorilla Glue Company responds:
"Zell Miller's recent comments have thrust our product and company into the limelight," he wrote in an email from Gorilla Glue Cnetral in Cincinatti. " While our products are known for being strong and tough we certainly would not advocate attempting to glue the Leader of the free world to his chair."
$23 Trillion
A series of bailouts, bank rescues and other economic lifelines could end up costing the federal government as much as $23 trillion, the U.S. government’s watchdog over the effort says – a staggering amount that is nearly double the nation’s entire economic output for a year.
If the feds end up spending that amount, it could be more than the federal government has spent on any single effort in American history.
In fact, $23 trillion is more than the total cost of all the wars the United States has ever fought, put together. World War II, for example, cost $4.1 trillion in 2008 dollars, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Even the Moon landings and the New Deal didn’t come close to $23 trillion: the Moon shot in 1969 cost an estimated $237 billion in current dollars, and the entire Depression-era Roosevelt relief program came in at $500 billion, according to Jim Bianco of Bianco Research.
The annual gross domestic product of the United States is just over $14 trillion.
In addition, TARP proves to be the perfect example of how giving government power will inherently lead to further (undemocratic) expansion.
Originally, TARP was intended, Barofsky writes, to facilitate “the purchase, management, and sale of up to $700 billion of “toxic” assets, primarily troubled mortgages and mortgage-backed securities.”
But that plan was soon rejected, and the TARP instead became a grab bag of bailout initiatives, including bailouts for GM, Chrysler and auto parts suppliers as the federal government struggled in real time to contain a spiraling economic disaster.
Barofsky reports that TARP has come to include 12 separate programs that include a total of as much as $3 trillion.
God bless George W. Bush and Barack Obama. I'll be over here, listening to Morrissey and slowly becoming an anarchist.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25164.html#ixzz0Lpgw44MW
If the feds end up spending that amount, it could be more than the federal government has spent on any single effort in American history.
In fact, $23 trillion is more than the total cost of all the wars the United States has ever fought, put together. World War II, for example, cost $4.1 trillion in 2008 dollars, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Even the Moon landings and the New Deal didn’t come close to $23 trillion: the Moon shot in 1969 cost an estimated $237 billion in current dollars, and the entire Depression-era Roosevelt relief program came in at $500 billion, according to Jim Bianco of Bianco Research.
The annual gross domestic product of the United States is just over $14 trillion.
In addition, TARP proves to be the perfect example of how giving government power will inherently lead to further (undemocratic) expansion.
Originally, TARP was intended, Barofsky writes, to facilitate “the purchase, management, and sale of up to $700 billion of “toxic” assets, primarily troubled mortgages and mortgage-backed securities.”
But that plan was soon rejected, and the TARP instead became a grab bag of bailout initiatives, including bailouts for GM, Chrysler and auto parts suppliers as the federal government struggled in real time to contain a spiraling economic disaster.
Barofsky reports that TARP has come to include 12 separate programs that include a total of as much as $3 trillion.
God bless George W. Bush and Barack Obama. I'll be over here, listening to Morrissey and slowly becoming an anarchist.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25164.html#ixzz0Lpgw44MW
Speaker Pelosi Resorts To Blatant Class Warfare
The speaker would like the trigger raised to $500,000 for individuals and $1 million for families, “so it’s a millionaire's tax,” she said. “When someone hears, ‘2,’ they think, ‘Oh, I could be there,’ because they don’t know the $280,000 is for one person.
“It sounds like you’re in the neighborhood. So I just want to remove all doubt. You hear ‘$500,000 a year,’ you think, ‘My God, that’s not me.’”
Once we reach the point where people start voting to screw another group in order to get what they want, truly American liberalism is over. We need to address the decrease in social mobility, so that no one falls for this "well, it's not going to affect me" garbage.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25144.html#ixzz0LpcT6aSv
“It sounds like you’re in the neighborhood. So I just want to remove all doubt. You hear ‘$500,000 a year,’ you think, ‘My God, that’s not me.’”
Once we reach the point where people start voting to screw another group in order to get what they want, truly American liberalism is over. We need to address the decrease in social mobility, so that no one falls for this "well, it's not going to affect me" garbage.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25144.html#ixzz0LpcT6aSv
Carolyn Maloney's Senate Campaign May Be Over Before It Started
Sometimes political correctness goes too far, but there are some things you just can't say. See here:
“It’s the NRA, it’s immigration, it’s all these other things. In fact, I got a call from someone from Puerto Rico, said [Gillibrand] went to Puerto Rico and came out for English-only [education]. And he said, ‘It was like saying n—r to a Puerto Rican,’” she said, using the full racial slur. “I don’t know—I don’t know if that’s true or not. I just called. I’m just throwing that out. All of her—well, what does she stand for?”
Hat Tip: The Politico
“It’s the NRA, it’s immigration, it’s all these other things. In fact, I got a call from someone from Puerto Rico, said [Gillibrand] went to Puerto Rico and came out for English-only [education]. And he said, ‘It was like saying n—r to a Puerto Rican,’” she said, using the full racial slur. “I don’t know—I don’t know if that’s true or not. I just called. I’m just throwing that out. All of her—well, what does she stand for?”
Hat Tip: The Politico
Chris Dodd's Lobbyist Hypocrisy
Sen. Chris Dodd’s recent anti-lobbyist comments have drawn a big laugh at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“It is worth noting that over the years you have accepted nearly $1 million in campaign contributions from lobbyists and millions more from PACs,” NRSC Executive Director Rob Jesmer wrote to Dodd. “In fact, during the second quarter of this year alone, almost 40 percent of your total contributions came from PACs.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25132.html#ixzz0LpIFeAd5
“It is worth noting that over the years you have accepted nearly $1 million in campaign contributions from lobbyists and millions more from PACs,” NRSC Executive Director Rob Jesmer wrote to Dodd. “In fact, during the second quarter of this year alone, almost 40 percent of your total contributions came from PACs.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25132.html#ixzz0LpIFeAd5
Bobby Jindal: Eliquent In Prose As Always
I am a Tim Pawlenty man in 2012, but Governor Jindal shows again in his new Politico editorial why he has so much potential. His ability to argue strong, sometimes complex policy in ways everyone can understand (unfortunately, in writing only thusfar) is comparable to Newt Gingrich, but he is without the baggage and character problems. Combined with the success of Lousiana post-Katrina and through the recession (employment that is actually projected to grown in 2009 and expanded health coverage without a government takeover, among other things), there is no doubt why he is a voice that should be listened to. Just not on video or audio. Yet.
Read his short editorial on health care: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25136.html
Read his short editorial on health care: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25136.html
Leahy Plays The Race Card By Saying Republicans Played The Race Card
“You have one leader of the Republican Party call her the equivalent of the head of the Ku Klux Klan. Another leader of the Republican Party called her a bigot,” the Vermont Democrat said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The leadership of the Republican Party came out against her long before we had the hearings, long before they looked at her record. I think that’s unfair.”
“I hope we don’t go back to the day when we used to have African-Americans up for confirmation and say yes, but you belong to the NAACP so we’re really suspicious of you,” said Leahy. “Come on, stop the racial politics. ...”
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, tried to jump in, saying, “Come on, Pat, I want to disagree ...” but Leahy continued
Sessions defended his party as simply conducting a vigorous investigation of Sotomayor’s background.
“No Republican leader said she was a bigot,” said Sessions. “There’s nothing wrong with us asking about her personal views about legal positions that she took as a member of any organization. That’s a normal thing to do.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25138.html#ixzz0LpDii6XZ
“I hope we don’t go back to the day when we used to have African-Americans up for confirmation and say yes, but you belong to the NAACP so we’re really suspicious of you,” said Leahy. “Come on, stop the racial politics. ...”
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, tried to jump in, saying, “Come on, Pat, I want to disagree ...” but Leahy continued
Sessions defended his party as simply conducting a vigorous investigation of Sotomayor’s background.
“No Republican leader said she was a bigot,” said Sessions. “There’s nothing wrong with us asking about her personal views about legal positions that she took as a member of any organization. That’s a normal thing to do.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25138.html#ixzz0LpDii6XZ
Definition of Insanity: We Want A New Housing Bubble!
Politicos on both the left and the right are getting upset with President Obama for his inability to stem rising foreclosures. There are calls for revisiting the idea of letting bankruptcy judges modify mortgages, a terrible precedent that would further trample creditors' rights. Even normally reasonable economists such as Mark Zandi are calling for some kind of new Homeowners stimulus. Of course, Barney Frank and Anthony Weiner (the Hot Dog reps) are looking to loosen Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae's lending standards, this time to help condo owners.
The fact of the matter is that the market is recorrecting itself, and the only way the government could stop this would be to form a new housing bubble through targeted tax cuts and subsidies and reduced lending standards. Unfortunately, some seem to be ok with that, which brings to mind Benjamin Franklin's famous definition of insanity.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25095.html
The fact of the matter is that the market is recorrecting itself, and the only way the government could stop this would be to form a new housing bubble through targeted tax cuts and subsidies and reduced lending standards. Unfortunately, some seem to be ok with that, which brings to mind Benjamin Franklin's famous definition of insanity.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25095.html
Ricky Williams: "License to Touch"
Would you let him touch you?
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-ricky-williams-dolphins-massage-s071509,0,5134744.column
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-ricky-williams-dolphins-massage-s071509,0,5134744.column
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Viva La Revolucion?
Things like this don't help, even if we feel like it sometimes:
Hat Tip: Ben Smith
Hat Tip: Ben Smith
Democrat-Appointed Head of Congressional Budget Office Says What John McCain and Virtually Every Health Economist Has Been Saying For A Year
In an ominous sign for proponents, Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Elmendorf told the Senate Budget Committee that none of the bills he has seen would contain health care costs to reduce them significantly over time. This is the main argument offered by Obama and Democrats as to why Congress can spend $1 trillion and save money.
“In the legislation that has been reported we do not see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount,” Elmendorf said.
“And on the contrary, the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs.”
Elmendorf said health analysts say the way to do it by changing the preferential tax treatment for health insurance.
“We have a subsidy for larger health insurance policies in our tax code, and that like other subsidies encourages more of that activity,” Elmendorf said. “Reducing that subsidy would reduce that.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25031.html
“In the legislation that has been reported we do not see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount,” Elmendorf said.
“And on the contrary, the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs.”
Elmendorf said health analysts say the way to do it by changing the preferential tax treatment for health insurance.
“We have a subsidy for larger health insurance policies in our tax code, and that like other subsidies encourages more of that activity,” Elmendorf said. “Reducing that subsidy would reduce that.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25031.html
Barbara Boxer Called Out On Subtle Racism
Stuff like this is way too common; I'm glad someone finally called her out on this condescending behavior. It is unfortunate that California has become so adverse to Republicans, because she does not represent the state well to people who think it is simply full of liberal elitism and race gentrification.
Hat Tip: The Politico
Harry Reid Attaches Hate Crimes Legislation to Defense Appropriations
In an effort to circumvent GOP opposition, the Nevada Democrat has proposed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act as an amendment to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.
“Those of us who oppose this legislation — and it is important legislation — will be faced with a dilemma of choosing between a bill which can harm, in my view, the United States of America and its judicial system and a bill defending the nation,” McCain said. “I don’t think that’s fair to any member of this body.”
Just another reason we need a Congressional rule that requires that amendments to legislation be germane to the bill's stated topic. It will never happen, but it works very well at the state level, such as in Maine.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25008.html#ixzz0LR57EsRg
“Those of us who oppose this legislation — and it is important legislation — will be faced with a dilemma of choosing between a bill which can harm, in my view, the United States of America and its judicial system and a bill defending the nation,” McCain said. “I don’t think that’s fair to any member of this body.”
Just another reason we need a Congressional rule that requires that amendments to legislation be germane to the bill's stated topic. It will never happen, but it works very well at the state level, such as in Maine.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25008.html#ixzz0LR57EsRg
Obama Within Margin of Error With "Someone Else"
...In looking ahead to 2012, the Poll finds that 42% of voters say they would vote to re-elect President Obama, while 39% say they would vote for someone else. (Note: MoE was 3.5)
Source: http://www.diageohotlinepoll.com/
Update: Left this out from the post. Obama's approval ratings are now below 50% with independents, males, and rural voters, all of which decreased by 15 percentage points. This means that these groups seem to be driving his slowly sliding approval ratings single-handedly. Expect the President to abate the speeches about community colleges and public plans, and increase the amount he talks about farming, self-reliance, and improving the efficiency of government.
Source: http://www.diageohotlinepoll.com/
Update: Left this out from the post. Obama's approval ratings are now below 50% with independents, males, and rural voters, all of which decreased by 15 percentage points. This means that these groups seem to be driving his slowly sliding approval ratings single-handedly. Expect the President to abate the speeches about community colleges and public plans, and increase the amount he talks about farming, self-reliance, and improving the efficiency of government.
Issue Numbers Good for Republicans to Keep Hammering Debt Message
Now that Congressional Republicans have rediscovered their fiscal souls and oppose deficit spending again after 8 years of letting the Bush administration run rough-shod all over them, a variety of polls released yesterday seem to show that this is probably their best issue (along with Gitmo, which is a tad bit more controversial), and a much stronger one than we thought.
These numbers can all be found on Polling Report (most of it here: http://www.pollingreport.com/budget.htm) and don't require much commentary.
These numbers can all be found on Polling Report (most of it here: http://www.pollingreport.com/budget.htm) and don't require much commentary.
- 50% of Americans say they will base their 2010 congressional vote on the candidates feelings concerning Economic Stimulus(stimuli?). The next biggest issue is 23%.
- 54% of Americans are either not very or not at all confident that the last stimulus will ever work. 52% do not even think it will produce jobs.
- Depending on the poll, either a 52%-36% or 61%-33% margin opposes a new stimulus.
- 71% would prefer a slower recovery to an increased deficit.
- And, to those who do not believe people will vote based on deficit issues, 67% (correctly)believe that the deficit affects their everyday lives and finances.
- Finally, President Obama has fallen, for a few polls in a row now, to the point where the country is virtually split right down the middle (with a few undecided) on whether they approve of his economic policies.
Susan Collins Wears A Skirt To Play Softball?
The picture in question. Apparently, she was also wearing pumps. If she's going to represent Maine, we need to get someone in there to give her lessons on playing a competitive game of softball.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2009/07/rs-softball15.html
Hat Tip: Susan Cover
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2009/07/rs-softball15.html
Hat Tip: Susan Cover
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Those Third-Party Concerns May Have Been A Little Hasty
After (soon to be former)Alaska Governor Sarah Palin offered her help to conservative Independents and Democrats around the country, some of the Conservative Media, including Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Mike Huckabee, became uncomfortable and worried that Mrs. Palin might try to start a competing, populist movement on the right. A new Politico article seems to imply they have nothing to worry about:
Interviews with a number of the most conservative Democrats in the House and Senate induced an awkward, stare-at-your-shoes unease when the prospect of appearing with Palin was posed.
Some of the members lunged for elevators, others moved to get into meetings (or at least behind closed doors), and a few just chuckled nervously and replied in a clipped fashion that reflected an immense desire to not discuss the topic at any length.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24943.html#ixzz0LMIVHkUF&C
Interviews with a number of the most conservative Democrats in the House and Senate induced an awkward, stare-at-your-shoes unease when the prospect of appearing with Palin was posed.
Some of the members lunged for elevators, others moved to get into meetings (or at least behind closed doors), and a few just chuckled nervously and replied in a clipped fashion that reflected an immense desire to not discuss the topic at any length.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24943.html#ixzz0LMIVHkUF&C
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