I keep trying to stop writing about these things so I don't sound like a broken record, but it's not my fault that they aren't giving us even a single day of rest. Apparently they are now talking about buying up to $2 trillion worth of bad debt in order to try to spur lending again; an amount that should "take care" of the problem once and for all. This is an awful idea for … [Read more...] about Give It A Rest Already — Another $2 Trillion?!
Iraq’s Democracy—Bad for Blackwater
Two stories in the Washington Post today, illustrate that Democracy may be finally budding in Iraq. But they also illustrate that Democracy has its consequences---one of them not very good for an American company. In one story the Post reports: Tens of thousands of policemen and soldiers, doctors at hospitals, prisoners clad in orange jumpsuits and residents forced … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Democracy—Bad for Blackwater
Dick Armey Lives Up to First Name w/ ‘Overboard’ Sexist Remarks on Hardball
But I do want to note that before New York Times writer Bob Herbert addressed the topic of his segment on Hardball, which followed former U.S. Rep. from Texas, Dick Armey's, he specifically issues a call for Armey to apologize. Here's Armey's misogyny oozing out: Here's Herbert's call for an apology: So far, there is no apology from Armey that I can find. … [Read more...] about Dick Armey Lives Up to First Name w/ ‘Overboard’ Sexist Remarks on Hardball
Match THIS for Stupidity: Taxing a House of Cards
by Walter Brasch My wife is a smoker. Except for one year when she quit, she's been a smoker since she was about 18. But she's cut back, from as many as three packs a day to just three cigarettes. And, she now smokes outside the house. At various times, she was asked to show an ID. When in her 20s she saw it as an annoyance. By her 30s and 40s, it was a compliment. Now … [Read more...] about Match THIS for Stupidity: Taxing a House of Cards
House Democrats Reveling in New Bully Role
Long time readers will know that it's a rare day indeed when I find myself agreeing with Michelle Malkin. (I'm pausing to think if I've ever linked to her from TMV.) But following last night's disastrous failure by the House of Representatives to achieve any sort of bipartisan consensus on a stimulus package, I think she is correct in saying that the House version of the bill … [Read more...] about House Democrats Reveling in New Bully Role
Remember the Moderates!
God Bless, David Frum. I've always appreciated Frum, even if I don't always agree with him. He has always been an open-minded sort of fellow, a thoughtful conservative. (Plus, as a native Michigander who lived an hour from the Canadian border, I loved watching his mother, Barbara Frum on the Canadian Broadcasting newsprogram, the Journal.) Frum has an introductory post … [Read more...] about Remember the Moderates!
GOP Lawmaker Apologizes To Republican Powerhouse Limbaugh For Criticism
It's increasingly clear just who The King is in the Republican party. If you criticize The King you could face consequences. So what do you do to try and get out of them? You bow down. Way down: U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey spent today apologizing to the loudest voices of the Republican right — to radio talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, and to former U.S. House … [Read more...] about GOP Lawmaker Apologizes To Republican Powerhouse Limbaugh For Criticism
Republicans Vote Against the American People
The House of Representatives passed an $819-million economic stimulus package this evening. The vote was 244-188. Only Democrats voted for it. 177 Republicans voted against it. The package includes both spending measures and tax cuts. The American people would get some tax relief, money to save or to spend, perhaps to pay the bills and put food on the table, and money would … [Read more...] about Republicans Vote Against the American People
Canadians To Receive Democratic Government Once Again
As many of you will have read below, Patrick Edaburn notes that it appears as thought the political showdown in Canada has finally come to an end and that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives have staved off defeat. Newly appointed Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has agreed to provisionally support the Conservative budget so long as an amendment calling for … [Read more...] about Canadians To Receive Democratic Government Once Again
The Stimulus Bill is a Good Bill
The recently passed House stimulus bill, which received zero Republican votes, is a good bill. It is not a great bill, to be sure. Alice Rivlin, Budget Director under Bill Clinton, offered the objection that the bill has too many long-term elements that should be separated out and debated on at length before being included in a separate package. I think she's right on this … [Read more...] about The Stimulus Bill is a Good Bill
A Number To Ponder
I am sure over the coming days we will be having plenty of discussions about the stimulus package and whether or not it will help solve our problems. We can debate the need for the package or whether it is effective but the fact remains that we are spending a HUGE amount of money here. But I thought one number worth posting tonight. If you combine this stimulus package with … [Read more...] about A Number To Ponder
House Passes $819 Billion Stimulus Bill With No Republican Votes
The House passed the $819 billion stimulus plan President Barack Obama sought, signaling the formal beginning of the new administration's attempts to start to patch up the economy -- and also how bipartisanship may be much easier in concept than to put into practice. The double whammy reasons: (1) The bill will go to the Senate where few expect it will be stalled or not … [Read more...] about House Passes $819 Billion Stimulus Bill With No Republican Votes
Insults and Coca Growing Will Not Appeal to Obama: La Razon, Bolivia
There is a tumult in Bolivia - and the United States and its consumption of cocaine are right at the heart of it, along with charges that the Bush Administration was attempting to topple the government of the first indigenous Bolivian ever to lead that country, Evo Morales. Written by former Bolivian diplomat Manfredo Kempff Suárez on the eve of Bolivia's passage of a new … [Read more...] about Insults and Coca Growing Will Not Appeal to Obama: La Razon, Bolivia
In the Middle East, Obama ‘Confronts Disaster’: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
How challenging is the Middle East environment now being confronted by Barack Obama's newly-minted envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell? Today we offer two perspectives from the French, who know a thing or two about the intrigue and intractability of diplomacy in the region. The first, an editorial from Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace of northwestern France, highlights … [Read more...] about In the Middle East, Obama ‘Confronts Disaster’: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
Oh Canada….. Will Harper Survive (Bumped and Updated)
UPDATE: Liberal leader Ignatieff has said that his party will 'provisionally' support the budget if it is amended to provide regular updates on how the plan is working. This week may be a big week for US politics but it could well be a bigger one in Canada. As readers may recall, last fall Canadian PM Harper and his Conservatives succeeded in staving off the collapse of his … [Read more...] about Oh Canada….. Will Harper Survive (Bumped and Updated)
Scenes From a Spending Spree
The House stimulus bill recalls those old TV game shows with contestants racing the clock to fill shopping carts, items spilling into the aisles in a mad dash to the checkout counter. In the House, $200 million to re-sod the National Mall and $200 million to extend Medicare to cover family planning services fell out yesterday as Democrats keep ransacking the shelves from … [Read more...] about Scenes From a Spending Spree
Buy Partisanship
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Buy Partisanship
Infrastructure For The Future, Stimulus For Now
Commenter CStanley pointed out this article and said: Actually, I'd make the case that there should be three separate bills- one would be the short term relief package (increasing disbursements to states for unemployment benefits, for instance), one should be the stimulus for short term job creation/preservation (like those shovel ready infrastructure projects everyone's … [Read more...] about Infrastructure For The Future, Stimulus For Now
Nuff Said
The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cGuantanamo Baywatch - The Final SeasonDaily Show Full EpisodesDaily Show TicketsMore Funny VideosComedians on Tour Update: And this too. … [Read more...] about Nuff Said
A 40 Year Wish List?
Earlier this week I found myself feeling a bit peeved with Congressional Republicans when they began urging their members to vote against the upcoming stimulus bill. While I remained uncomfortable with huge amounts of tax dollars rushing out the door and a deficit which will shatter all records, I recognize that the economy is in dire straits and the people we elected to office … [Read more...] about A 40 Year Wish List?