<<< Leftward Ho ---

Dems Could Still Get 60 Senators

2008-11-08T12:29:00.000-05:00

Maaaaaybe:

Vote counting still going on... The scenario for Democrats reaching a filibuster-proof 60 Senators told here.

A Night To Remember

2008-11-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

Not the best quality video, but nonetheless, moments to savor... :

The 1st Day of the Rest of the U.S.A.'s Life

2008-11-05T03:33:00.001-05:00

The torch is passed...

-- Our 8-Yr. National Nightmare Ending --

2008-11-04T22:17:00.003-05:00

At 10:15 pm. on Nov. 4, 2008, Americans appear to be taking their country BA(ra)CK!!!!

(...may the rest of the world forgive us for the last 8 years)

Election Eve

2008-11-03T04:28:00.001-05:00

You Betcha

2008-11-02T05:59:00.003-05:00

The now famous prank call from 'France's Prez Sarkozy' to Sarah Palin:

As a Saturday Night Live sketch this would be funny... only this IS REAL!

Another Reason To Vote For Obama

2008-11-02T05:43:00.002-05:00

On Saturday Dick Cheney endorsed John McCain for Prez --- as to what took him so long to do so, one can only imagine that the McCain team has been begging him all along NOT to issue a public endorsement...
(And Cheney stiiiiill must be having heart palpitations at the thought of turning his office over to Sarah Palin.)

The Voting Machine Concern

2008-11-01T23:39:00.000-04:00

Here.

November

2008-11-01T11:48:00.001-04:00

HEYYY, we made it to November without a major October Surprise!! ...it's beginning to look like there actually will be elections this year --- that doesn't in any way pass judgment on the integrity/accuracy of the electronic voting machines, but at least it appears there will be votes cast and counted this coming Tuesday. Then we shall see what happens from Nov. through January 20.

Not-So-Random Thoughts

2008-11-01T06:36:00.001-04:00

Received via email... not sure where this originates from:

Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?.....think
about it. Would the country's collective point of view be different?

Ponder the following:
What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including
a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?
What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe
disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while
he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain
killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five?
(The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?
What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included
discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many
occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?
..................................................................................

Amen

2008-10-30T12:15:00.000-04:00

Noting the near insurmountable travails that will face the next President, passed along from the current decrepit Administration, columnist Hal Crowther ends a recent commentary, stating simply, "God help Barack Obama if he wins the election. God help us all if he loses."

THE Issues

2008-10-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

The most important issues for voters in this election are:

1. The Supreme Court
2. The intelligence, judgment, competency of the candidates
3. The worldwide economic collapse that is looming (thanks to Republican policies)
4. Foreign policy and the abysmally low (even laughable) stature the U.S. has acquired on the world stage

Kevin Phillips Expounds On the Financial Mess

2008-10-29T16:17:00.001-04:00

Here.

Pretty Much Says It All

2008-10-29T16:06:00.000-04:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/withinreason/2969549497/

More Not-So-Good News

2008-10-29T04:03:00.001-04:00

Credit card industry next to be pummeled, after the mortgage industry, while simultaneously the retail sector should tank as well; not that any CEOs will miss out on their Christmas bonuses. Unemployment could easily rise another 50% over current levels by mid-2009. And some countries abroad will have it much worse.

Not Quite Certain

2008-10-28T14:27:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure at this point which is more totally inane:

that there could somehow stiiiill be voters who remain undecided in this election, or,
that their are individuals, who consider themselves Americans, who would actually cast a vote for the McCain/Palin ticket for the Presidency... duhhhhhhhh!

Bush, Cheney, Rove...

2008-10-28T05:50:00.000-04:00

Senator Stevens Found Guilty of Corruption

2008-10-28T02:53:00.001-04:00

Duhhhh... next they'll be telling us the Pope is Catholic (or Bush is a dweeb). . . .

Education, Anyone...

2008-10-27T03:57:00.000-04:00

Educational Background:

Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A.
Political Science with a Specialization in
International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Obama's Latest Endorsement

2008-10-26T10:09:00.000-04:00

Alaska's largest newspaper endorses Obama... of course.

Come November 5th

2008-10-26T04:13:00.000-04:00

It doesn't look like the Republican toolbox of bribes, blackmail, bluster, and bull, will be enough to elect McCain this go-around, but rigged voting machines are still another matter. Once this election is over the examination of source codes of all electronic voting machines should be a priority (with prosecutions following as needed), and any voting system lacking an accompanying paper trail ought be forever prohibited from our electoral process. ...uhhh, is that not obvious!!!

Like McCain Even Gives A S**t

2008-10-25T16:27:00.003-04:00

http://politicalcommunication.info/

Cowardice, Senility, Incompetency, and Capitulation To Right Wingnuts

2008-10-25T10:16:00.001-04:00

What McCain demonstrated in choosing Sarah Palin...

McCain

2008-10-24T14:55:00.002-04:00

McCain (notice the murderous Biblical name "Cain" embedded in his name... oooooohh!) does not believe in wealth re-distribution, but apparently does believe in:

a. uncapped, unlimited, undeserved salaries for incompetent CEOs
b. multi-million dollar golden parachutes for failed businessmen
c. off-shore bank accounts for evading taxes so millionaires can keep more of what they have rather than employ it for growing the economy
d. $150,000 wardrobe makeovers for lipsticked pitbulls
e. greed, gluttony, adultury
f. the utter insignificance of the Vice-Presidency
g. getting wealthy the old-fashioned way (...by marrying a rich blonde... who inherited it)

Scott McLellan Endorses Obama

2008-10-23T21:59:00.003-04:00

Here. ...Hope he's wearing a bullet-proof vest hereon out (...although it may not help; Cheney usually shoots for the face).

The Wardrobe Fiasco

2008-10-23T21:50:00.003-04:00

While Joe the Plumber's wife is budgeting at Wal-Mart Sarah ('my ~~country~~ looks first') Palin gets made-over from Nieman-Marcus et. al. Here.

Nobel For Krugman!

2008-10-13T09:13:00.001-04:00

Paul Krugman has been awarded the Nobel Prize for economics (...something that Arthur Laffer will NEVER win --- is there a boooooby prize for economics).

Buckley Voting For Obama

2008-10-12T05:03:00.000-04:00

Here.

Speculatin' On McCain's Cooties...

2008-10-11T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here.

Carter Disses Bush

2008-10-11T05:36:00.000-04:00

Former President Carter on the current crisis here.

Reverse Midas Touch

2008-10-10T14:03:00.002-04:00

Hey folks, this morning the Presidork said to stay calm; y'all know what that means.... PAAAAAAAANICK!!!!!!!

Lame Duck to Quack Again Today

2008-10-10T05:31:00.000-04:00

President Hoover to speak again on TV this morning from the Rose Garden (isn't that special!) about the economy (of which he oddly knows nothing). Get your nausea medicine ready.

Possible Summary of the Last 8 Years?

2008-10-09T18:25:00.002-04:00

"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H. L. Mencken

Cleese Skewers Pinhead Hannity

2008-10-09T15:07:00.001-04:00

Ode to Sean Hannity
by John Cleese

Aping urbanity
Oozing with vanity
Plump as a manatee
Faking humanity
Journalistic calamity
Intellectual inanity
Fox Noise insanity
You're a profanity
Hannity

...only problem is, Cleese is WAAAAAAY too kind.

For Visual Thinkers

2008-10-08T16:50:00.000-04:00

"Pharyngula" chimes in on Presidential election here.

Rest of Us Riff-raff

2008-10-08T05:42:00.002-04:00

Keep in my mind that every time John McCain says "my friends" he is only addressing those who make over $249,000 per year...

Boogie Man McCain

2008-10-07T19:34:00.001-04:00

If you want to better understand the McCain campaign keep a lookout for the opening of recently-released "Boogie Man: the Lee Atwater Story" in your local theatres --- the story of scumbag Lee Atwater who made Joseph Goebbels-type campaigning a staple of Republican strategy (gee, too bad he had to die so young).

In other news, clown and hack-writer Jerry Corsi was booted out of Kenya today (kinda wish they'd just kept him).

Down Down Down

2008-10-07T18:14:00.001-04:00

The Dow Jones blipped down again today; 7500-8200 is in sight as an eventual bottom, but a ways off (and then could just sit there for awhile). Hard to tell which would be worse: a worldwide depression lasting 6 months or a simple deep recession lasting years... Either way, thank you Mr. Bush (did you see Sir Clueless on the tube today once again making a total fool of himself --- how the rest of the world must just laugh and laugh and laugh).

But some possible good news here?

2nd Debate Upcoming

2008-10-07T12:16:00.001-04:00

Senile, demented McCain to debate once again tonight, with or without his meds --- he can always substitute some Schnapps. Meanwhile, still no confirmation that Bristol Palin will marry, nor that she is more than 3 mos. pregnant, nor any paternity test on Trig.

Marshall Law?

2008-10-07T05:14:00.000-04:00

Will the economic crisis be the October surprise that sets in motion a Presidential directive, Marshall Law, suspension of the Constitution, and 'postponement' of elections? Some think so. But there are bigger crises that are just as likely.

One Story of Many More to Come

2008-10-07T03:56:00.001-04:00

Here.

Kucinich On the Bailout

2008-10-06T18:15:00.000-04:00

Here.

You Know You Wanna Watch It... Again

2008-10-05T07:03:00.001-04:00

Biden and Palin debate... (SNL version):

Sunday Talking Heads

2008-10-04T01:03:00.000-04:00

The line-up for tomorrow's morning interview shows here.

Bailout Passes

2008-10-03T16:11:00.000-04:00

House passes bailout plan making the Prez a happy camper (...though still 14 cards shy of a full deck).

Tonight... Tomorrow

2008-10-02T13:31:00.000-04:00

Tonight's the night!... Media pundits keep building up tonight's (9 pm.) Vice-Presidential debate unlike any other in previous history --- indeed some are even predicting it will get a higher national rating than any prior debate ever. Judging from clips of Palin's past performances in debate it's hard to imagine how she can do anything but fall flat on her face in this circumstance... on-the-other-hand, even Republicans are setting the expectations for her so abysmally low, that just surviving the encounter may appear a victory.

Far more entertaining should be tomorrow's opening of "Religulous," satirist Bill Maher's hysterical (or heathenous, depending on your perspective) look at that which passes for organized religion :

Senate Votes Thumbs-Up

2008-10-01T21:02:00.002-04:00

As expected Senate votes overwhelmingly for bailout package that still faces some uncertainty in a House vote scheduled for Friday.

Here are the 25 "No' votes from the Senate (an interesting mix of folks):

Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cochran (R-MS)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)

Dorgan (D-ND)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (D-SD)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sanders (I-VT)

Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)
Wyden (D-OR)

Letter From Michael Moore

2008-10-01T20:09:00.000-04:00

Here.

Look, We're Doing Something

2008-10-01T07:08:00.000-04:00

In a move based more on psychology than substance the Senate is set to vote late today on a rescue package for the US financial system, becuz' afterall the sky is falling, the sky is falling.

Wanna Party!

2008-09-30T14:09:00.001-04:00

If you're gonna be around NY city on Oct. 16, and have at least $500 to spare, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are uniting for the first time to perform a joint concert on behalf of the Obama campaign. BaROCK ON!

Palin Failin'

2008-09-30T04:20:00.002-04:00

Fareed Zakaria adds his voice to the chorus on the Palin disaster here. Others have already called for her removal from the ticket, though it is now probably too late for that.

Meanwhile, word is that President Hoover-Bush is going to speak to the nation yet again this morning on matters about which he evokes neither sincerity nor intelligence --- shut your %#$*&!! doofus face you fool --- what part of every-time-you-speak-you-make-matters-worse don't you comprehend. When will the Republicans put a muzzle on the chowder-brain, lest he do yet more harm? Just let the real thinkers and doers do their job, and cast the boneheaded Prez rhetoric far far aside.

You-Tubing With Ralph

2008-09-29T20:53:00.000-04:00

Only $12.99 +Shipping

2008-09-29T20:22:00.000-04:00

Here.

Computer Ballot-Rigging Redux

2008-09-29T19:30:00.000-04:00

Que Pasa

2008-09-29T18:02:00.002-04:00

Que pasa everyone... Don't panic folks, stay calm; our lameduck hippy-dippy Doofus-and Chief is right on top of things (...surely that there instills a blissful sense of confidence and security in you?). A deal will get done; a deal better than the swill so far put on the table.

BTW, Dennis Kucinich's take on things here.

Bush-Bin Laden Team

2008-09-29T13:48:00.005-04:00

Quite the tag team: one works to destroy America from within, while the other seeks to destroy America from the outside.
Meanwhile, some Congressmen actually showed a backbone today (refusing to cave to Republican bribes or blackmail) and rebuked the so-called "plan" put forth by the Administration as an emergency measure... HAAAAAA!! Stiiiill awaitin' to see brokers/bankers jumping off rooftops... with or without their golden parachutes. Maybe now powers-that-be will take the required time to fashion details of a real emergency plan, instead of a rush to momentary judgment.
And again this morning the deceitful Prez was on the airwaves begging for support --- will the Repubs ever wake up and realize this man has NO credibility whatsoever; everytime he blathers scripted words on the economy he causes MORE harm, and turns MORE people against any prospective plan --- the man should be put in a straightjacket, handcuffed to a chair in a White House dungeon, and force-fed a liquid diet until mid-January (...when he ought be hauled off to prison) --- what a joke-of-a-spokesperson in emergency times; just crap; indeed buried in his actions of the last two months must be another half-dozen reasons for impeachment, on top of the dozen or so already put on record. "Depression: Bring it ON" --- is that his motto?
Ohhh, and Wachovia, 'nuther itty-bitty-shitty bank, going under today... and the Dow drops another 750+ smidgen points... yeah, bring it on. . . .

Anyone Having Fun Yet?

2008-09-29T03:53:00.003-04:00

The Bush-Paulson window-dressing plan for the economy is finalized and passed on to Congress for a vote commencing today. Meanwhile the worldwide markets remain shaky this morning...
More here.

Tina Fey 2nd Go Around

2008-09-28T04:50:00.002-04:00

Sarah Palin: God's gift to SNL. Live from the Big Apple here it is:

Bill Maher

2008-09-28T04:12:00.001-04:00

New rules from Bill Maher here:

Who's Talkin'

2008-09-28T03:29:00.000-04:00

Line-up for the Sunday morning talking heads shows here.

One Heartbeat Away...

2008-09-27T04:55:00.001-04:00

Has it sunk in yet....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/26/....html

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/.....html

Jes' Speckulatin'

2008-09-27T04:17:00.000-04:00

Could the October surprise be... hmmmm, Marshall Law? :

http://www.lastreporter.com/?p=1385

http://blog.danielraeder.com/2008/09/......html

Nobelists Endorse

2008-09-26T15:56:00.002-04:00

ehhhh, what do a bunch of science geeks know that the thumb-sucking bubbas of the NRA don't...

Now This Explains a Lot

2008-09-26T14:02:00.000-04:00

You've heard we all have a planetary twin, right:

here

Washington Mutual: Bye-bye

2008-09-26T05:15:00.002-04:00

Geee, surprise surprise... overnight the FDIC seizes Washington Mutual and hands it to JP Morgan, in the largest bank failure of all time... soooo far. Funny how quickly these deals take place in the dark of night... when they HAVE to. If you have to sleep, no telling what you'll miss. Got money at Wash. Mutual... better hurry, the lines are likely to be looooong this morning.
Meanwhile, the lame-duck Administration that has no real stake in this crisis (ehhh, pass it along to the next guys, whatever) will try again today to reach some consensus on some sort of faux plan that maybe can be voted on possibly next week to give the appearance of action (...yaaawn). Hey, this Halloween how 'bout we commonfolk all dress up as dogshit, since that's how they treat us anyway!...

No Crisis

2008-09-25T20:31:00.003-04:00

We can't be in a real crisis... haven't seen any bankers or brokers jumping off the roofs of buildings yet. In Japan self-respecting, disgraced leaders routinely jump off high-rises... a practice we should maybe emulate here... starting with Bush and Cheney, arm-in-arm.

Meanwhile, Americans are in hock up to their ever-luvin eyeballs to credit card companies at usurious rates. The housing and mortgage crises are just one blip of the overall problem (solving them solves little, just postpones what's coming). Good-bye Christmas, good-bye jobs, good-bye retirements, hello bankruptcies, no matter what this retarded Administration comes up with to save its Wall Street buddies' asses. Ohhh, and if a few foreign nations decide to cash in their bonds... well believe me, you don't even wanna to think about it.

That Lettermen Show

2008-09-25T05:46:00.001-04:00

Humor is truth:

Debate Debate

2008-09-25T05:02:00.000-04:00

What are McCain's true intentions? Here.

Meanwhile, McCain, Obama, and Congressional leaders are being "summoned" to White House to meet with Prez on the economic package, as the emperor-with-no-clothes pretends to get serious 'bout thangs.

A Cartoon Is Worth a 1000 Words

2008-09-24T22:09:00.000-04:00

Here. Says it all.

Awww Wasn't That Special...

2008-09-24T21:37:00.003-04:00

With handlers pointing a gun at his head, the Prez said the scripted words, euphemisms, and political-spin he was told to orate tonight to try and cram the Administration's still-weakly-detailed program down the throats of Congress and electorate... so that 10 years from now we can go through it all again. Not a word about penalties, punishments, or even slaps-on-wrist for those responsible for the current debacle; no guarantees, promises, nor even apologies for the policies that brought forth the situation. No admission of the central role played by deregulation, or why Friedman economics and free enterprise, when deregulated, will ALWAYS and inevitably lead to this outcome. In short, more of the same --- hurry us through the immediate crisis so the financial gurus and execs can start the whole Ponzi process all over again, having learned nothing, except that fear sells.
It is absolutely irresponsible on the part of Congress that this man, this complete tool and hand puppet of monied interests, this empty shell of a leader, this misfit on the world stage, this phony, groveling, unethical, reckless, foolhardy, cowardly stooge of a person, disrespected all over the globe, has not been impeached. Nancy Pelosi, should be ashamed and booted in the keester; her inaction itself, almost treasonous.
...Oh well, is it too early to begin wishing everyone a Merry Christmas --- no doubt by then the Bush team will have the economy rolling along like a well-oiled machine (maybe on the back of a war with Iran)... or, NOT!

McCain Cuts and Runs

2008-09-24T19:46:00.001-04:00

David Letterman on McCain's antics here (or just watch his show tonight).

Truly A Stupid Move

2008-09-24T16:13:00.003-04:00

Tonight Alfred E. Neuman Bush will address the nation in a firesale chat, reading scripted words, regarding the economic crisis ahead (which of course he has no grasp of). Almost any member of the failed Administration could address the financial details better than the Moron-and Chief --- what a stooopid move to put this man in front of the citizenry at a time like this, as if he thinks he's FDR, when he's really Herbert Hoover. Soon he'll be retired to a luxury ranch in Texas receiving complete taxpayer support for the remainder of his life.
On a different channel Bill Clinton will be interviewed by Larry King --- if you want at least some straight talk about the economy from someone who comprehends what is happening, tune in to Larry's show; if you just want more BS than go ahead and watch BuSh flap his lips and smile his smirk... and don't be surprised if you feel impelled to spit at your TV screen.

Meanwhile John McCain pulls an election stunt putting his campaign on hold (conveniently, right before a debate he is unprepared for, was to transpire) to work on the big bad foreboding crisis, like he has anything to offer; he's part of the problem not the solution. What a chickensh** move on his part, as if voters won't see right through it!

Sound Familiar?

2008-09-24T04:35:00.001-04:00

Nigerian scam or NOT!
Touche'

Paulson Plan Viewed As Crap

2008-09-24T00:27:00.001-04:00

Finally the Dems., for once, are standing ground, and saying that an Administration hastily-constructed plan offered in the middle of a supposed crisis, will NOT fly as is. Sweeping in its requests, while vague on details, and obviously with no guarantees whatsoever, and few penalties for those who brought on the situation, the plan is fashioned by an Administration that has no trust or credibility left whatsoever; certainly not among Democrats, but nor among Republican Congressmen up for re-election this year, nor the electorate in general. Fool me once shame on you, fool us twice shame on us. Even V.P. Cheney was unable to get Repubs to walk in lockstep on the proposed plan during a private behind-closed-doors meeting (does Cheney-boy ever have any other kind of meeting). Against Administration wishes, others want caps on, or even give-backs from, the CEOs who have received obscene salaries/compensations in return for the fraud they've transacted on the financial system --- it's the one obscenity the Administration will gladly masturbate to, rather than outlaw.

Officials keep threatening that a "deep deep" or "very dark" or "very long" recession may ensue without quick action --- why don't the cowards just say what they mean: it's already a given that we are in a recession that will get worse; what they really fear is a depression, and not a mere simple 1929-like one either, but a whopping, rapidly-spreading worldwide one, the consequences of which can't even be imagined. But scared li'l cowards that they are (this Administration has spent 8 years acting on, and spreading, only fear), they won't mention the "D" word out loud (you can rest assured it's being mentioned in private meetings) --- if they mention it, citizens might actually act upon it as a prediction of things to come, ooh, oooh, oooooh....

And meanwhile, the FBI is finally investigating some of the disgraced financial firms.

Maybe as the old sentiment goes, we ought just hang the whole rotten bunch, and let God sort them out:

Will Bashes Inane McCain

2008-09-23T13:57:00.000-04:00

Conservative columnist George Will on John 'flustered rookie' McCain here.

Poster Boy or Just Average Repub.?

2008-09-23T06:07:00.001-04:00

Here.

;-)

2008-09-23T06:01:00.000-04:00

"Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them." -- Lily Tomlin

32 Words

2008-09-23T05:48:00.001-04:00

Here.

Spreading the Wealth Around

2008-09-23T05:08:00.000-04:00

Bonuses at bankrupt Lehman Bros. cause concern, here.

Gollll-llleeeee

2008-09-23T04:18:00.002-04:00

The paranoia-driven National Rifle Ass-ociation (and incubator for firearm violence) goes after Obama in current ads for its membersheep, or any others simple-minded enough to listen. Before you know it, if ya ain't vigilant, Al Queda's right to harbor a suitcase nuclear device will be stripped away from 'em in spite a dat der 2nd amendment....

...Just Askin'

2008-09-22T16:46:00.002-04:00

Is it actually possible that there are any thinking Americans left who stiiiiiiiill support this current Administration, or are the 30% who continually show up in polls as supporting Bush just residual semi-comatose riff-raff that will always exist in the nation no matter what???

Economic WMDs

2008-09-22T13:29:00.002-04:00

"We will do something this week --- but if we learned anything from right after 9/11, it's that the biggest mistake is to pass anything they ask for just because it's an emergency" --- that was Patrick Leahy's sage response to the financial emergency package President Bumbledorf and his less-than esteemed braintrust are attempting to cram down Democratic throats.

Better Buy One More John-Boy...

2008-09-22T10:53:00.003-04:00

According to recent news reports John and Cindy McCain own 13 automobiles (1+ for every house they own I guess) --- ohhh my stars! doesn't he realize that's an UNlucky number!!!

It's Monday, Do You Know Where Your Savings Are?

2008-09-22T07:51:00.001-04:00

????????????????????????????????????????????
Probably not, but no matter, neither do millions of other Americans...

For some humor, amidst the economic gloom, here and here.

Merry Christmas... Riiiight

2008-09-21T07:24:00.003-04:00

Whatever salvaging strategy Washington comes up with for the economy in the longer-term, it is almost certainly too late for this year's Christmas season only a few months away. The vitality of many retail establishments is wholly dependent upon the Christmas buying season --- some retail outlets essentially running the entire year in the red only to make it up and turn profitable during the Nov.- Jan. holiday season... UHHHH, not likely this year. Probably will be the weakest Christmas season of the last 50+ years... by far, as consumers further re-adjust their budgets toward food, gas, utility, and debt outlays rather than new gift-purchases.
In the first quarter of next year expect further huge bankruptcies and shake-outs in the retail sector. The best hope is that maybe by then, just maybe, perhaps, possibly, the housing and financial sectors will have hit rock-bottom and begun turning the corner. The election of Democrats to the Presidency and Congress is necessary to change the national psychology, helping to turn things around. Should the same ol' Repubs get elected than come next year keep your eyes focused skyward while walking outside... so you can dodge the folks jumping off buildings.

Sun. News

2008-09-21T06:55:00.003-04:00

Vermont candidate for State Attorney General pledges, if elected, to hire Vincent Bugliosi to prosecute George Bush for murder (don't know that it's really necessary since God has already done so).

Is it just me, or is this funny to picture in anyone's mind: next Tues. while in New York, purported Republican Vice-Prez candidate Sarah Palin is going to meet with Henry Kissinger and with Afghan Pres. Hamid Karzai, shoring up her invisible foreign policy credentials (...how much will THEY be chortling?).

Paul Krugman not smitten with Administration's so-called plan to repair the economy; geee, what's not to like about a plan fashioned by the folks who pretty much got us in this situation to begin with?

Oh Yeah, Like He's Really Gonna Follow THAT Order!

2008-09-21T04:58:00.001-04:00

A U.S. District court has ruled that under the Presidential Records Act Vice-President Dickschtick Cheney must preserve records of his time in office which he and lackey David Addington had argued were not covered by the Act --- as if it even matters at this point: is there any doubt that the Veep has been, and will continue, to destroy official records over the next 4 months, assuming he doesn't ascend to the Presidency in that interim. He, his wife, and Addington, have no regard for the laws or Constitution of the U.S. (nor any other nation for that matter), and unfortunately, in America, the only two ways to remove a sitting Vice-President from office are impeachment and assassination, no matter how shameful and contemptuous his performance in office.

BILLions and BILLions and BILLions

2008-09-20T17:12:00.003-04:00

No, not Carl Sagan on the Universe, but Henry Paulson on the price to U.S. taxpayers to fix the ailing economy (...so that in another couple decades they can break it all over again).
Also, probably the number of analgesics and antacids to be downed by U.S. citizens before this crisis is passed... hmmm, might be a good time to buy into the pharmaceutical industry, or, with suicides on the rise, the coffin or burial industry.

Meanwhile, in far worse news than the silly American economy, Europe's large hadron collider has been shut down for two months of repairs following a major glitch in its first highly-publicized 48 hours of operation.

Sunday Talk Circuit

2008-09-20T07:07:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow the Sunday talking-heads shows will, predictably, be focusing on the U.S. economy and plans to fix it, with Treasury Sec. Henry Paulson making the rounds of several programs to sell the emergency measures (fairy dust?) so far hit upon. The good news is it all drives the apallin' Ms. Palin off the TV screens for now --- actually, maybe not a good thing: since the more the public sees of her, the more the undeserved shine comes off the apple... or should one say the gloss comes off the lipstick.

Surge Schmurge

2008-09-20T05:28:00.000-04:00

"Surge" of no consequence in Iraq, here ... overshadowed by ethnic cleansing.

However, might be worth trying a surge, or at least a scourge, on Wall Street.

It's Everywhere, It's Everywhere

2008-09-20T03:36:00.000-04:00

"The Scent of Fear" article by William Greider here.

Friday

2008-09-19T19:58:00.000-04:00

Big sucker rally on Wall Street last two days after George Herbert Hoover Bush and cronies concoct emergency packaging and window dressing for current stock market ills. The emperor has no clothes and ain't a pretty sight. Luckily, the U.S. Mint and counterfeiters can print up all the money that's needed at will. Wink, wink, nod, nod...

Meanwhile in the also-ran dept., independent Ralph Nader is now on the Nov. ballot in 45 states, and Libertarian candidate Bob Barr on 44 state ballots! Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin and Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney are on the ballot in 37 and 32 states respectively --- none of course having any chance of winning the election, but only acting as spoilers.
Less than 50 days before either Obama/Biden are elected, or the country suffers organ failure and cardiac shock.

Today

2008-09-18T17:09:00.003-04:00

With financial cronies pointing a gun at his head, Duhhhhh!bya emerged from his bunker today to utter more words written by others, that he doesn't comprehend, pretending he's doing something significant whilst Americans suffer. He took no questions, since he's incapable of answering, or even understanding, them. Have I mentioned lately just what a chiseled piece of work this man is. Please forgive us Europe, the brain-dead in this country are allowed by law to vote time and time again. The last time we were involved in a debilitating war and a crashing economy simultaneously, oh yeah, Republicans were in charge then... what a coincidence! Deregulation = lying, cheating, stealing on the part of business; inevitably and without fail -- it's the Amurican Way, and the chickens do always eventually come home to roost. American capitalism, left to its own devices will NEVER take honesty or ethics seriously --- THAT is a blueprint for stagnation and failure. Only through regulation can the playing field be leveled and ethics, honesty, and fairness be imposed upon everyone. For many it's already too late... The Gov't. will continue to look for more and more fools to salvage its geenormous Ponzi scheme; and it will find them... they are us.

Jon Stewart on the economy here.

Just one person's opinion on other matters here.

And anyone for dominoes.

Mr. Bush's Neighborhood

2008-09-18T05:11:00.002-04:00

HEYYYY boys and girls, can you say, "Deeeee-presh-un!" How 'bout "Foooorr-kloe-zhur!" EXXXXcellent!!
Don't worry now, we'll get through all this, and YOU and YOUR children and their children get to pay for it between now and eternity. Thanks for bein' born; we luv ya....

Are We Having Fun Yet???

2008-09-18T03:13:00.000-04:00

Finally a crisis the Bushies can't buy, bribe, or blackmail their way out of... no wonder they're flummoxed! 6th grade economics was never their strong suit. There's nothing left to fear except the G.O.P. itself. And Bin Laden must be laughing himself silly somewhere in a Pakistani safehouse observing America's implosion.

Can You Hear Me NOW?!

2008-09-17T06:27:00.000-04:00

Nader letter to Henry Paulson here.

For Whom The Alarm Bell Toles

2008-09-17T06:17:00.001-04:00

Here.

Getting Used To It

2008-09-17T05:19:00.002-04:00

Carly Fiorina was first 'thrown under the bus' by former employer Hewlett Packard; now word is that the McCain camp is about to throw her under the bus as well for "Biden-like" comments she made about political candidates running business enterprises. Previously-scheduled upcoming TV interviews with her have been canceled. Sorrrry Carly. Don't fear though, there will be plenty of banking executive jobs coming open soon that you can apply for.

Lehman Must Be Really Pissed!

2008-09-16T21:01:00.003-04:00

Just announced: the Gov't. WILL step in afterall to save AIG Insurance from financial disaster (...awww, isn't that special). They stepped in for Bear Stearns, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae, but let Lehman Bros. go under... hmmm, anti-semitism maybe from the Fed.? Guess Morgan Stanley can feel safe now, and Goldman Sachs can start sweatin' bullets! Oy vey...

Impeach Cheney

2008-09-16T19:58:00.005-04:00

Letterman on Cheney here.

Rare historical footage: Cheney and truthiness intersecting, here.

Impeach Cheney, and expose the misdeeds of his loser wife as well; couple of real pieces of work.

Bush and Cheney can barely stand each other at this point (ever since Bush fired Rumsfeld at Laura's request), yet the Cheneys still hold the ultimate reins of power.

Meanwhile David Petraeus cashes in his chips in Iraq, reminiscent of the departure of Paul Bremer, full of faux stories of success and accomplishment that were barely noteworthy. No doubt Petraeus too will get the Medal of Honor in hopes of buying his silence. After next January the floodgates and bloodletting should open for those willing to tell the true story behind this catastrophe of an Administration.