Though he wasn't tapped for any position in the McDonnell Administration, the governor-elect did reach across the aisle and appoint Sen. Mark Herring to the new Technology Working Group advisory panel.
Now keep in mind, that there's no one else on the panel yet and it's only "advisory," but even still it does show some genuine bipartisanship as it is certain to give Herring a big boost in what will be a tough reelection campaign.
Dedicated to the proposition that intellectual acuity is not a prerequisite to political discourse
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Something Akin to Academics
With a battle brewing over the chairmanship of the Loudoun County Republican Committee, let me say that I, like many blogging about it, don't know Strother and don't trust Sell. Though he has certainly put in his time, I fear that Sell will bring back the divisiveness of the Protic era. And, since I haven't even heard of anything she's done (as also seems to the case with other LCRC members), I wonder about Strother's agenda.
All that said, I'm reminded of a saying about the college faculty politics: they're so vicious because there is so little at stake. That's not that the LCRC chairmanship is nothing to care about; it's just that so many people get so worked up about something that, in the end, just isn't worth it.
All that said, I'm reminded of a saying about the college faculty politics: they're so vicious because there is so little at stake. That's not that the LCRC chairmanship is nothing to care about; it's just that so many people get so worked up about something that, in the end, just isn't worth it.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Something You Won't Read in the Post
As Karl Rove writes in The Wall Street Journal, President Obama's first year approval rating is the lowest ever! And that's one thing you'll never see in the liberal press. To be fair, though, the second lowest was Ronald Reagan - and things worked out pretty well for him. Check out the ratings.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
And Another Hypocrite.
Following on the heels of Mr. Obama's curious Nobel peace prize acceptance speech is the runner up for political double-speak of the year. Sen. Mark Warner, while decrying the phenomenal increase in federal spending, nonetheless just voted FOR the largest budget in history.
Have some guts, Senator, and vote your supposed conscience.
Unfortunately, I am reminded of a quote often miattributed to Alexis de Tocqueville,:
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Orwell Would Be Proud
Peace means War, apparently. Paradoxically, the president defends the need for war while at the same time accepting the world's highest honor for peace.
I certainly agree with Mr. Obama that America must rely on military might to preserve liberty - and herself. It's just interesting that he would choose to make those statements before the Nobel committee. I wonder if they're having second thoughts . . . .
I certainly agree with Mr. Obama that America must rely on military might to preserve liberty - and herself. It's just interesting that he would choose to make those statements before the Nobel committee. I wonder if they're having second thoughts . . . .
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Not so easy to get out of Afghanistan is it, Mr. President?
Interesting that Obama is now put in a position of breaking yet another campaign promise, this one being to get out of the wars that have been keeping terrorism on the other side of the world. You'll recall the first one he broke was even before he was elected, backing out of his pledge to take public campaign funds and thus limit his own campaign expenditures.
Part of me wants to gloat at the broken promises, but the better part of me is glad that Obama is not completely giving in the the left wing that would have us fold our tents in the Middle East and bring the troops home now, regardless of what that would do to national security.
Part of me wants to gloat at the broken promises, but the better part of me is glad that Obama is not completely giving in the the left wing that would have us fold our tents in the Middle East and bring the troops home now, regardless of what that would do to national security.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Now What Do You Do, Mr. President?
Faced with an uncooperative Iranian government, the International Atomic Energy Agency has thrown up its collective hands and effectively said, "We give up."
Obviously, the situation presents another test for President Obama and his international policy. Almost just as obvious is the likelihood that the president will cower to Tehran in another example of a foreign policy that seeks only to appease.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
BCS Craziness
Back to college football.
Desperate for respect and legitimacy the Bowl Championship Series recently hired former Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer to "spiff up its image." Interesting selection. Though Fleischer does now run a firm that specializes in training athletes on how to handle the media, he was the press secretary for a president who had one of the lowest approval ratings since Nixon. Good luck with that, BCS! Let's see how YOUR ratings and rankings do.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Air Rights
Interesting story out of Minnesota. Continental Airlines passengers diverted to Rochester, Minnesota in the middle of the night "were kept waiting nearly six hours inside the cramped regional airliner amid wailing babies and a smelly toilet even though they were only 50 yards from a terminal." Despite repeated pleas from the captain of the flight, employees of another airline in the terminal, Mesaba, refused to open it to the stranded passengers. Continental was fined $50,000 and the other airline, Mesaba, was fined $75,000 by the Department of Transportation, a first for the Department.
I hope the FAA starts handing out these fines like Snickers on Halloween. How is it that airlines believe they have some superior right to imprison people in a titanium tube for as long as they want? Oh, wait, that thinking is coming from the same geniuses who ran those companies into the ground (no pun intended). If it's the result of goofy FAA regulations, then those regulations must be fixed.
At any rate, and despite industry moaning, an airline passengers bill of rights undoubtedly is long overdue and necessary. I'd suggest we reach out to our own Frank Wolf, a member of the House Transportation Subcommittee, to lead the charge. He only has one of the nation's largest airports in his district, for Pete's sake. In the meantime, I sure wouldn't fly Mesaba.
I hope the FAA starts handing out these fines like Snickers on Halloween. How is it that airlines believe they have some superior right to imprison people in a titanium tube for as long as they want? Oh, wait, that thinking is coming from the same geniuses who ran those companies into the ground (no pun intended). If it's the result of goofy FAA regulations, then those regulations must be fixed.
At any rate, and despite industry moaning, an airline passengers bill of rights undoubtedly is long overdue and necessary. I'd suggest we reach out to our own Frank Wolf, a member of the House Transportation Subcommittee, to lead the charge. He only has one of the nation's largest airports in his district, for Pete's sake. In the meantime, I sure wouldn't fly Mesaba.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Mangi-NO
Putting aside, for a moment, petty distractions like the health care debate and the floundering economy, I'd like to focus on something of utmost importance - college football. And, more specifically, let's focus on this big tub of goo. I normally try to avoid personal attacks, but Mark Mangino deserves everything anyone throws at him.
His personal attacks on his players (like telling players they would end up back in the ghetto from whence they came or that one player would end up a drunk like his father) are unforgivable. And he doesn't deny saying those things either, claiming that he was set up by people simply seeking fame.
Keep in mind that these are teenage college students, struggling to make better lives for themselves. Granted, football coaches are traditionally tough on players to "take them down before building them up," but Mangino's actions crossed the line - by a long shot. Remarks like those do nothing to motivate a player, unless you want to count motivating a player to ring his fat neck.
Kansas should fire the jerk immediately - and "for cause" so he forfeits any buy-out clause. Let's see how it responds.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Lou Dobbs for Senate?
I can't bring myself to even write that he would run for president. Not that I don't like the guy, I'm just tired of people with no political experience running the White House. I do like the idea of a Senate run, though. He has the name recognition and a strong conservative following. More on it here
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Help Wanted
Governor-elect McDonnell's transition team has created a website for those interested in serving the Commonwealth under a McDonnell administration. Let's hope the new administration can attract some talented people to lead us out of this economic malaise.
Oba-Wow!
How apt is it that the most socialist president in American history is now the darling of the Chinese Communist establishment? Love this article on how much the Chinese are afraid of offending the President. Or is it that the President if afraid of exactly this reaction back home and has asked his buddies in Bejing to shut it down?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Civilian Trial for Yamamoto?
Isoroku Yamamoto, the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7, 1941, died before the war was over when his plane was shot down by an American fighter. Had he survived the war, do you think he would have been tried for terrorism in a San Francisco CIVILIAN court by a CIVILIAN judge and jury? Of course not, yet that's exaclty what the Obama administration is doing with respect to the admitted mastermind of the September 11 attacks, Ron Jeremy . . . uh, . . . I mean Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. As one of the family members of a victim aptly put it, ""We have a president who doesn't know we're at war."
Can you imagine what his attorneys will come up with? Among the most likely defenses: (a) post-partum depression; (b) it was another Ron Jeremy look alike; and, my favorite (c) it's all a big misunderstanding - he was just trying to sell a screenplay.
Can you imagine what his attorneys will come up with? Among the most likely defenses: (a) post-partum depression; (b) it was another Ron Jeremy look alike; and, my favorite (c) it's all a big misunderstanding - he was just trying to sell a screenplay.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Indeciderer in Chief
President Obama "ponders" what to do in Afghanistan. Wonderful. What "more information" could he possible need? What is it that the generals could not have told him already? How many more troops will die while he delays? It is simiply a pathetic ruse for indecision and cowardice.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Cold War - 20 Years Later
One of the single greatest victories of America is winning the Cold War. I'd even put it ahead of winning WWII.
We won that war because of a relentless opposition to totalitarianism led, primarily, by Republicans who saw it as America's place to control the epidemic enslavement of the human spirit. We did not beat communism because we negotiated nuclear development with the Soviets. We did not put an end to the domino effect by offering aid packages to the East Germans.
We won that conflict, one of the most significant in the history of mankind, because we knew well our obligation to our fellow man to preserve freedom everywhere - and we had the courage act upon it.
We won that war because of a relentless opposition to totalitarianism led, primarily, by Republicans who saw it as America's place to control the epidemic enslavement of the human spirit. We did not beat communism because we negotiated nuclear development with the Soviets. We did not put an end to the domino effect by offering aid packages to the East Germans.
We won that conflict, one of the most significant in the history of mankind, because we knew well our obligation to our fellow man to preserve freedom everywhere - and we had the courage act upon it.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Super Tuesday
No, it's not an election post. This Tuesday, John Allen Muhammad is set to die by lethal injection for the Washington-area sniper murders in fall 2002. See the stories here.
A few thoughts on that. First, I'm proud that Gov. Kaine has kept his word on the death penalty. Though he opposes it on religious grounds, he has proven true to his word and not let that get in the way of following the law. Second, I can only hope the Supreme Court lets justice be done.
A few thoughts on that. First, I'm proud that Gov. Kaine has kept his word on the death penalty. Though he opposes it on religious grounds, he has proven true to his word and not let that get in the way of following the law. Second, I can only hope the Supreme Court lets justice be done.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Young, Rich and Suburban
Interesting article in today's Post about Loudoun's young, wealthy demographic - undoubtedly driving anti-growth people up the wall.
Ha stinking ha.
Ha stinking ha.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Nominees for Biggest Loser
Though Obama certainly captures the title on the national level, the biggest loserin yesterday's election on the local level is . . . envelope please . . . the Loudoun Independent. In running a filthy story that even the Post wouldn't touch, it debased itself to a schocking new low. And now with Tag having conquered the 32nd despite those wretched allegations, the "other LI" has shown that it not only has no class, but no relevance either.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Three more years! Three more years!
Tonight will be the first major setback for the Obama administration as it moves closer and closer to ensuring Republican victories in 2010 and 2012. Virginia is a lock for the Republicans which is particularly telling of Obama's lack of clout. A recently-dubbed swing state, Virginia is the best indicator (and least better than Virginia) of the way the entire nation is feeling. And that can't be a good feeling for the Dems.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Danger Will Robinson!
The robocalls must stop! I don't care if its about a conference call with God, I do not want to be automatically called with a pre-recorded message during the dinner hour. We must get three a day. Some of these fundamentalist organizations, in particular, just don't get that repeated calls on the same topic are very counterproductive.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Big Tuesday Coming
Republicans will win big on Tuesday. McDonnell, as good a candidate as he is, is greatly helped by the Democrats hybris and insane economic policies. Expect McDonnell, Bolling and even Cuccinelli to win. Also, expect significant pick ups in the the VA HOD - Greason and Comstock among them.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Vote No on Negative Campaigning
Though he claims that his campaign was not "responsible" for the appalling attack fliers on Tag Greason, Mr. Poisson has never disclaimed whether he knew about the effort. Moreover, he does not state that he ever tried to stop wave after wave of the mailings that, because they are open post cards, make every parent shutter.
Wherever the responsibility for the mailings may rest, the delegate's response is wholly unconvincing -- and yet another reason to vote for Tag Greason.
Wherever the responsibility for the mailings may rest, the delegate's response is wholly unconvincing -- and yet another reason to vote for Tag Greason.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
You Got Just What You Asked For
NBC Nightly News ran a story tonight about how credit card rates have increased recently. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news_with_brian_williams The explanation attributed to the credit card companies was that their costs have increased. The real reason, which even the banks admit, is that the new Credit Card Act has, in fact, forced banks to increase rates to marginal, and even good, customers to make up for their upcoming inability to change rates on customers who pay late. And now, Joe-on-the-street is complaining about how his interest rate is increasing. Waa waa. This is exactly what happens when socialist policies are implemented -- the good subsidize the bad.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Turn Out the Lights . . .
The party is over for Creigh Deeds. Despite the fact that Obama, Clinton and Warner are scheduled to appear over the next few days, the Dems are running from him. And for good reason. He's a crappy candidate and will get his clock cleaned by McDonnell. McDonnell did a great job of sloughing off "thesis gate" with compelling testimonials from the women he appointed or worked with as AG. Not to mention, he had a positive attitude in his talk about building jobs and roads for Virginians.
Deeds, on the other hand, ran nothing but a negative campaign. No real vision. And the Dems are already trying to protect the president, saying that Deed's loss wasn't Obama's fault.
Deeds was never strong, but the most significant factor is that Virginians already are sick of the socialist agenda advanced by Obama and the Dems.
Deeds, on the other hand, ran nothing but a negative campaign. No real vision. And the Dems are already trying to protect the president, saying that Deed's loss wasn't Obama's fault.
Deeds was never strong, but the most significant factor is that Virginians already are sick of the socialist agenda advanced by Obama and the Dems.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Let them pay! Let them pay (it back, that is)!
After having seen strings magically appear since taking TARP money as their "patriotic duty," several financial institutions receiving TARP money have expressed a strong interest in repaying the money early. Now, we see there are even strings attached to that!
Reuters is reporting that healthy banks will only be allowed to give back money it took from the taxpayers if it is in "national economic interests." So how many things are just wrong with that condition? Well, first, the banks will know whether they can handle repayment better than any government bureaucrat. Second, it is inherently in the "national economic interest" to reduce the government control of the banking industry. Simply put, the government has created such a mess with respect to this TARP money - from the insistence that banks take it to the limits on executive compensation and now to the new restrictions on repayment - that the sooner the "investment" is repaid, the better everyone will be.
Reuters is reporting that healthy banks will only be allowed to give back money it took from the taxpayers if it is in "national economic interests." So how many things are just wrong with that condition? Well, first, the banks will know whether they can handle repayment better than any government bureaucrat. Second, it is inherently in the "national economic interest" to reduce the government control of the banking industry. Simply put, the government has created such a mess with respect to this TARP money - from the insistence that banks take it to the limits on executive compensation and now to the new restrictions on repayment - that the sooner the "investment" is repaid, the better everyone will be.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Buckley Must Go!
Twice, Supervisor Buckley has voted against a higher tax rate and both times did so because the hike wasn't high enough! Keep in mind that Loudoun now has the highest real property tax rate in the Commonwealth, and keep in mind further that this is one of the worst economic times in recent memory. Her actions and her statements are wildly out of step with both local sentiment and common sense solutions to this economic downturn.
One can only hope that she will be held accountable, and that her opponent in the next supervisory election (which, sadly, is two years away) will hold her to that position.
One can only hope that she will be held accountable, and that her opponent in the next supervisory election (which, sadly, is two years away) will hold her to that position.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
What the Huck?
Interesting article in the Loudoun Times-Mirror in which Governor Huckabee is quoted as saying northern Virginians aren't "necessarily thinking the same way folks like you and me think." The Youtube video clip is here
It could well mean that he was emphasizing the problem of unemployment in Tazewell County, especially relative to northern Virginia, but it sure didn't come out that way. (P.S., apparently the real unemployment in Tazewell is less than in Falls Church).
As a northern Virginian and a Republican, I'm pissed that he's linking me in with the NoVa Dems. And that's the last thing the McDonnell needs to go - give NoVA Republicans a reason to stay home on Election Day.
It could well mean that he was emphasizing the problem of unemployment in Tazewell County, especially relative to northern Virginia, but it sure didn't come out that way. (P.S., apparently the real unemployment in Tazewell is less than in Falls Church).
As a northern Virginian and a Republican, I'm pissed that he's linking me in with the NoVa Dems. And that's the last thing the McDonnell needs to go - give NoVA Republicans a reason to stay home on Election Day.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Where's Jeff?
What am I to make of several mailings over the past few weeks from the RPV signed by the RPV's executive director? Certainly, I have nothing against her, but shouldn't those fundraising letters come from the RPV chairman? Does this mean that even the RPV staff/fundraisers consider Frederick a liability? Even if they don't, shouldn't we have a chairman whose name alone will help, rather than hinder, fundraising efforts?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hearing Footsteps
I received a mailing this weak touting all the great things Del. Poisson supposedly has done for the people of northern Virgina. Looks like they (the Democrats) are really desperate. The mailing discussed bills Del. Poisson has introduced -- even if they went no where. For example, the mailing, paid for by the Democratic Party of Virginia and not Del. Poisson's committee, references his introduction of a bill on insurance for autism. Notably, it does not mention that the bill, and virtually all the bills referenced in the mailer, never even made it out of committee. Even his website reverences only the bills he has introduced.
I have nothing against Del. Poisson on a personal level, but his priorities are misplaced and his political presence is lacking.
Time to give someone else a shot.
I have nothing against Del. Poisson on a personal level, but his priorities are misplaced and his political presence is lacking.
Time to give someone else a shot.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The 32nd House of Delegates Race is On!
Tag Greason kicked off his bid to replace David Poisson as eastern Loudoun’s representative in the House of Delegates this week with a fantastic party at The Dock in Lansdowne. Obviously, the senior Republican leadership is strongly behind Tag. Rep. Wolf along with Delegates May, Rust and Howell were in attendance with a packed room of supporters.
Poisson is vulnerable – and even the Democratic leadership knows it. Witness the robo-calls this week from Poisson paid for not by Poisson’s campaign but by the Democratic Caucus. Keep in mind that the election is six months away and Poisson already is resorting to the detested pre-recorded message tactic paid for by others. I think he hears footsteps . . .
Poisson is vulnerable – and even the Democratic leadership knows it. Witness the robo-calls this week from Poisson paid for not by Poisson’s campaign but by the Democratic Caucus. Keep in mind that the election is six months away and Poisson already is resorting to the detested pre-recorded message tactic paid for by others. I think he hears footsteps . . .
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Oh, FRAP! Not again.
Let’s see if I have this straight. We’re in this economic mess due in no small part to lenders who made loans to people they shouldn’t have. The lenders made high loan-to-value loans such that when the market dipped, those borrowers would rather just lose the house than paying on a mortgage that was under water. As a result, the banks that made those loans lost, and continue to lose, so much money that the taxpayers had to come to their rescue or risk complete economic collapse. Are you with me so far?
So, hey, why should the party end? Let’s do it all again. At least that’s what Prince William County is doing. PWC has a new well-intentioned but badly implemented welfare program called the Foreclosure Rehabilitation Acquisition Program. It offers deferred loans for down payments so that borrowers need to come up with only 1.75% of the contract sale price to buy a foreclosed upon house. And you don’t qualify is you make more than $82,680.
Unfortunately, these loans are destined to fail just as those other high loan-to-value loans failed. All these programs do, at best, is to kick the can further down the road by making risky loans to people least able to afford them and least interested in making payments when times get tough.
So, hey, why should the party end? Let’s do it all again. At least that’s what Prince William County is doing. PWC has a new well-intentioned but badly implemented welfare program called the Foreclosure Rehabilitation Acquisition Program. It offers deferred loans for down payments so that borrowers need to come up with only 1.75% of the contract sale price to buy a foreclosed upon house. And you don’t qualify is you make more than $82,680.
Unfortunately, these loans are destined to fail just as those other high loan-to-value loans failed. All these programs do, at best, is to kick the can further down the road by making risky loans to people least able to afford them and least interested in making payments when times get tough.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Stimulus Bill Has Failed
Thursday, February 26, 2009
“Hard Choices.” Are you kidding me?
In the midst of one of the most challenging economic situations in our history and with a deficit that will far surpass any previous budget, the president is proposing a new, huge, long-term spending that will do absolutely nothing to cure this economic flue. He has proposed a $634 billion health care plan as a “down payment” on universal health care despite having to make some “hard choices” – including tax increases to pay for it. See the story here.
Now is not the time to tax us more. Nor it is the time to spend where it won’t benefit the economy. Unlike the federal assistance to banks, the health care proposal is a permanent governmental entitlement that will only grow bigger over time. There is no economic stabilization effect in this spending. There is no potential for a return on an investment. It simply expands an already nearly unbelievable budget deficit.
And health care spending is just the most recent episode of Democrats Gone Wild on spending issues. Obviously seeing the economic meltdown as an excuse to spend like drunken sailors, the Democrats’ economic stimulus bill authorized spending everything from another $50 million on the National Endowment for the Arts to another $50 million to improve information technology security at the Department of Health and Human Services. Exactly what does that stimulate?
At the same time, Mr. Obama promises to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first time. Please, Mr. Obama, don’t insult us by thinking we’d believe that for a second. There is absolutely no possible way that can happen (with or without any fuzzy math). And for anyone who believes the budget deficit will be any less in four years, I have a few cold fusion reactors I’d like to sell you.
Now is not the time to tax us more. Nor it is the time to spend where it won’t benefit the economy. Unlike the federal assistance to banks, the health care proposal is a permanent governmental entitlement that will only grow bigger over time. There is no economic stabilization effect in this spending. There is no potential for a return on an investment. It simply expands an already nearly unbelievable budget deficit.
And health care spending is just the most recent episode of Democrats Gone Wild on spending issues. Obviously seeing the economic meltdown as an excuse to spend like drunken sailors, the Democrats’ economic stimulus bill authorized spending everything from another $50 million on the National Endowment for the Arts to another $50 million to improve information technology security at the Department of Health and Human Services. Exactly what does that stimulate?
At the same time, Mr. Obama promises to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first time. Please, Mr. Obama, don’t insult us by thinking we’d believe that for a second. There is absolutely no possible way that can happen (with or without any fuzzy math). And for anyone who believes the budget deficit will be any less in four years, I have a few cold fusion reactors I’d like to sell you.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Dodd the Dodo
When I first heard that Sen. Chris Dodd was talking about nationalizing banks, I thought it was hyperbole. How could anyone even talk about socializing the banking system? Well, I've now learned that I should never be surprised by the complete lunacy of some Democratic lawmakers (I'd call him an idiot, but that would be insulting to us idiots). Keep in mind that this guy is the chair of the Senate Banking Committee, for crying out loud.
So here are the details. In sum, Dodd would "temporarily" take over banks like Citi and Bank of America. Brilliant, Chrissy. Feed the panic even more. with irresponsible statements that send bank stocks into a tailspin on concerns of a government take over. See story here. Thank goodness that BofA, Obama and even Barney Frank were quick to denounce such an idea.
My comments on the folly of nationalization, even a "temporary" nationalization, are over on Too Conservative, but, in a nutshell, it would put legitimate, stable privately-owned banks at a severe disadvantage with government-funded banks that neither seek to make a profit nor care about losses.
Dodd's is perhaps the most idiotic, selfish statement I have ever heard an elected representative make - and that includes Eugene Delgaudio (which is saying something).
So here are the details. In sum, Dodd would "temporarily" take over banks like Citi and Bank of America. Brilliant, Chrissy. Feed the panic even more. with irresponsible statements that send bank stocks into a tailspin on concerns of a government take over. See story here. Thank goodness that BofA, Obama and even Barney Frank were quick to denounce such an idea.
My comments on the folly of nationalization, even a "temporary" nationalization, are over on Too Conservative, but, in a nutshell, it would put legitimate, stable privately-owned banks at a severe disadvantage with government-funded banks that neither seek to make a profit nor care about losses.
Dodd's is perhaps the most idiotic, selfish statement I have ever heard an elected representative make - and that includes Eugene Delgaudio (which is saying something).
This Just In:
So big news about a big gamma ray blast. Of course, it happened 12 billion years ago. Good thing we have CNN to keep us on top of things today.
Huge gamma-ray blast spotted 12.2 bln light-years from earth
Thu Feb 19, 3:58 pm ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US space agency's Fermi telescope has detected a massive explosion in space which scientists say is the biggest gamma-ray burst ever detected, a report published Thursday in Science Express said.
The spectacular blast, which occurred in September in the Carina constellation, produced energies ranging from 3,000 to more than five billion times that of visible light, astrophysicists said.
Read the rest here
Huge gamma-ray blast spotted 12.2 bln light-years from earth
Thu Feb 19, 3:58 pm ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US space agency's Fermi telescope has detected a massive explosion in space which scientists say is the biggest gamma-ray burst ever detected, a report published Thursday in Science Express said.
The spectacular blast, which occurred in September in the Carina constellation, produced energies ranging from 3,000 to more than five billion times that of visible light, astrophysicists said.
Read the rest here
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
"A Nation of Cowards"
When one is villified as a racist when using timely events in a political satire (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090218/ap_en_ot/ny_post_cartoon), what do you expect, Mr. Holder (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090219/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/holder_race_16)? The irony, of course, being that the stories appeared together on the same Yahoo! News page.
And, by the way, thank you, Mr. Holder, for calling us a "nation of cowards." With a leader like that, who needs enemies?
And, by the way, thank you, Mr. Holder, for calling us a "nation of cowards." With a leader like that, who needs enemies?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Where is the hope? Where is the change? What happened to "Yes, We Can?"
Apparently, Hope is dead as President Obama repeatedly has tried to lower expectations that his administration can end the recession any time soon. Yes, he's thrown out billions (if not trillions) of new spending on a strictly partisan basis, but don't get your hopes up. Economists don't have much hope http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/62082.html, but, even more importantly, neither does the president. Repeatedly we hear from him that his economic program will not be enough, and repeatedly we hear from him how bad off the economy is.
Obama is, understandably, trying to lower the public's expectations, but it is precisely his negative, can't-do attitude that lowers consumer confidence and further depresses the economy. Indeed, Obama's statements, while perhaps true, are nonetheless self-serving and selfish. The president is the nation's cheerleader-in-chief. He should not sugar-coat the problems of the nation, but he certainly should not exacerbate them, either.
Obama is, understandably, trying to lower the public's expectations, but it is precisely his negative, can't-do attitude that lowers consumer confidence and further depresses the economy. Indeed, Obama's statements, while perhaps true, are nonetheless self-serving and selfish. The president is the nation's cheerleader-in-chief. He should not sugar-coat the problems of the nation, but he certainly should not exacerbate them, either.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Stimulus.virginia.gov
Apparently, the Virginia governor is just as clueless about how to cure the economy as Congress, the president and the Treasury secretary. The one honorable thing about Timmy K, though, is that he apparently admits it.
Stimulus.virginia.gov is a government website that allows you to enter your favorite pork project for consideration. It has nothing to do with the highest and best use of your money in getting us out of this economic mess. It's just more spending -- plain and simple.
My suggestion: give it all to me and let me decide. My second choice: apple fritters once a week for every person in the Commonwealth.
Those suggestions are about as good as any they'll get.
Stimulus.virginia.gov is a government website that allows you to enter your favorite pork project for consideration. It has nothing to do with the highest and best use of your money in getting us out of this economic mess. It's just more spending -- plain and simple.
My suggestion: give it all to me and let me decide. My second choice: apple fritters once a week for every person in the Commonwealth.
Those suggestions are about as good as any they'll get.
Make More Bad Loans?
Stressing that we “must get credit flowing again to businesses and families,” Treasury Secretary Geithner will now require recipients of TARP money to increase their lending activity and report to Treasury monthly on how their acceptance of TARP money “generate new lending” His remarks, released yesterday, are here
Do more lending? Are you kidding me? Banks are in the business of lending money, and will do so when it makes sense to do so (that is, they’ll lend when they have a good chance of getting it back). That’s the profit motive at work. Unfortunately, this whole mess is because banks got it wrong and lent money to people they shouldn’t have. We don’t need the Treasury now forcing banks to make new loans the banks wouldn’t otherwise make. I mean really. The problem isn’t people not being able to borrow money. The problem is getting people to spend money.
Do more lending? Are you kidding me? Banks are in the business of lending money, and will do so when it makes sense to do so (that is, they’ll lend when they have a good chance of getting it back). That’s the profit motive at work. Unfortunately, this whole mess is because banks got it wrong and lent money to people they shouldn’t have. We don’t need the Treasury now forcing banks to make new loans the banks wouldn’t otherwise make. I mean really. The problem isn’t people not being able to borrow money. The problem is getting people to spend money.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Enough of Bi-Partisanship!
Everyone talks "bi-partisanship" which really means that they just want the other side to come around to their way of thinking. If they don't then the opponent is simply labeled a partisan.
How about this - non-partisanship? What do you say, Congress, about doing what is best for the country regardless of who proposed it or supports it?
How about this - non-partisanship? What do you say, Congress, about doing what is best for the country regardless of who proposed it or supports it?
Bail Out, Part 2
I strongly supported the first bailout bill. Without some way of shoring up the banks, the economic system was certain to fail.
The problem was that we the taxpayers cut a blank check for $750 billion - and we got just what we deserved for such idiocy. Treasury does an about-face on whether the funds would be used for purchasing troubled mortgage assets, but, what's worse, the banks were, quite literally, told by Assistant Secretary Kashkari that it was their "patriotic duty" to take TARP funds. Some banks stepped up and took the money. Now, they're finding out that they really stepped in it with the new strings like limits on executive pay
TARP II is even worse. Rather than directing the funds to avoiding an outright economic collapse, the program is just throwing money at anything that will take it. It's a congressional free-for-all with pet projects galore. Congressional leaders on both sides are right in more closely taking a look at this version. As the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you . . . "
The problem was that we the taxpayers cut a blank check for $750 billion - and we got just what we deserved for such idiocy. Treasury does an about-face on whether the funds would be used for purchasing troubled mortgage assets, but, what's worse, the banks were, quite literally, told by Assistant Secretary Kashkari that it was their "patriotic duty" to take TARP funds. Some banks stepped up and took the money. Now, they're finding out that they really stepped in it with the new strings like limits on executive pay
TARP II is even worse. Rather than directing the funds to avoiding an outright economic collapse, the program is just throwing money at anything that will take it. It's a congressional free-for-all with pet projects galore. Congressional leaders on both sides are right in more closely taking a look at this version. As the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you . . . "
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