Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

it's all in the terminology. bridge loan verses bailout sounds so much better. we're dealing with responsible industrial souls rather than dead beat extortionists.

The Fortunes - You've Got Your Troubles, I've Got Mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsK5Qs9Hoss

""Migrant Mother: A Legend of the strength of American motherhood."

http://us.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/02/dustbowl.photo/index.html

Ivy -- thanks so much for linking to this story...it was really good.

C-Bob -- You and Ivy brought back great memories of Estes Park...there was another great bar there that I used to go to...can't think of the name now...

here's an article from last spring on rep. kendrick meek who's now in the news to run against jeb bush for sen martinez seat. it's from a pov different from most articles, in that it's mostly about how he likes cigars (hometown constituent industry) but it does give you an idea about the guy that led a sit-in in jeb's gov ofc.
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Features/CA_Feature_Basic_Template/0,2344,2333,00.html

Thought for the day :
" A closed mouth gathers no foot. "

1110 Syria harbor city Saida (Sidon) surrenders to Crusaders
1534 Turkish sultan Suleiman occupies Baghdad
1619 America's 1st Thanksgiving Day (Virginia)
1867 Grange organized to protect farm interests
1915 Ku Klux Klan receives charter from Fulton County GA
1930 Vatican approves rhythm method for birth control
1952 Killer fogs begin in London England, "Smog" becomes a word
1990 Due to Persian Gulf crisis gas hits $1.60 per gallon price in New York NY

The Bailout plan is as good as the social housing plans. A loser

Good Morning from Chicago...... On the outbound to O-Town

some good stuff from craig's cq colleagues on secrets and leaks thereof in congress:
stein
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/spytalk/2008/12/congress-is-schizoid-on-keepin.html
starks
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=weeklyreport-000002992032

"Thought for the day :
" A closed mouth gathers no foot. "

Excellent thought...

Patsi -
The Continental

spanish version of the closed mouth thought for the day:

en boca cerrado, no entran moscas.

They Go Bankrupt - You have a social safety net for Healthcare. They come back from Bankruptcy.... Like American Airlines.

And because they are and this is the best tool

Who is going to buy from them now anyway....

Craig - Why Queens? Why not Kings? Not very PC

Time to board the plane

Best to all

I think you're right about the Continental, Bob -- and it now reminds me of another favorite in Colorado -- the Little Bear in Evergreen....

Little bear was great.....on morrison road right?
Played a bunch in evergreen at what they called the "SaddleDown" .......had willie's name carved into the bar.......

Whale songs drowned out by human noise pollution
Endangered species' communication critical to survival

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/390534_noisyseas04.html

" You have a social safety net for Healthcare "

Ping have you ever bounced on this net ?

dont jump from too high up.

"Politics is the art of choosing between the unplatable , and the unthinkable. "

Just one more item to add to the Village Idiot's growing tab. The question of the day, week, month, year, 8 years, heck -- the question of the last 28 years is: "Why do Republicans hate America, our economy, our air & water, our soldiers, New Orleans, our people?" With a Republican around, especially when he's the Village Idiot, who needs Al Qaeda? It's almost like they're working together, ya know?

" The wheels of capitalism are greased with the bones of the workers."
Homer Simpson

politics is formed from two words: poly meaning "many" and ticks meaning "blood sucking parasites".

--Larry Hardiman

" dont jump from too high up. "

-------------------
Or hit one of the holes in it either.

Once, again, I still need someone to clarify this for me, please.

If GM was insured by AIG credit-default swaps and the gov't bailed out AIG, why does the gov't have to bail out GM? Shouldn't AIG be able to cover it? Isn't GM trying to double-dip?

When it comes to bailouts I think we really need to be selectively cynical.

IMO, the bailout of the financial industry has as much credibility as Al Gore's 'lock box'. But, the American automobile industry is another, distinctively different, case.

They are victims of the current financial situation as much as anyone else. To say their problems are the result of crappy marketing decisions fades when you compare their diminished sales with those of our Japanese friends. And, to say that the problem is caused by skewed executive compensation is true only if the executives are proved incompetent in the market place.

Every other arrow aimed at the heart of American industry can be similarly deflected. It's time to pull together in saving our domestic manufacturing capability.

Blue -

See Larry Hardiman @ 7:46

michael moore had a point: with wall street it was "how much do you fellers need?" and "coming right up, gentlemen"
With the car guys it was "Go home and write an essay."
and "You've got a lot of nerve coming here in your jets."

Another interesting social aspect to the economy:

"...more and more couples who have broken up are continuing to live under the same roof..."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_re_us/meltdown_divorced_but_together

Bizarre/sad/funny:

"Of course, stealing the Empire State Building wouldn't go unnoticed for long, but it shows how easy it is for con artists to swipe more modest buildings right out from under their owners. Armed with a fraudulent deed, they can take out big mortgages and disappear," the News warned.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081203/ts_alt_afp/usoffbeatnewyorkjusticefraud

Bill Bennett -
Flogging his history book.
I want a follow-up question for Bill. How's his gambling habit ?

DALLAS - AT&T said Thursday It will cut 12,000 jobs, or 4 percent of its work force, and slash capital spending.

Ah, Michael Moore--that great American Publius Cynicus.

"AT&T said Thursday It will cut 12,000 jobs"

There goes my phone and internet service (I assume they mean the whole state (?))

Jack,

Beside that Truckin link:
("Sometimes the lights all shinin on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip its been."

My favorite thing posted last night was:
"But also as you argue back and forth you see a vast variety of views.

And, boy howdy, toto are we ever not in Kansas anymore."

You were right on. :)

"...more and more couples who have broken up are continuing to live under the same roof..."

That sounds miserable...

Well, time to go out in our woods and gather firewood deposited courtesy of last week's strong winds. I figure Stinky has me scheduled for about 2-hours of hard labor.

And AT&T cutting another 4% of its work force. Every once in a while I just want to get as many filthy rich people as possible in a single room and crush them.

It's not jealousy because they are wealthy ... more power to them. It is because they are so incredibly dumb. If you destroy the people who buy your goods and services, you will be destroyed. How difficult is that concept?

Instead, raise prices, go for fast turnover and cheap replacements and gear your whole economy to high profit in the next quarter so you can take the money and run before the crash you created happens.

"It's time to pull together in saving our domestic manufacturing capability."

Flatus, Haven't seen you here as much, good to see you here this morning.

I totally agree with your post.

J P Morgan cutting 9200 WaMu jobs.......

turned one page too far and inadvertently saw this tidbit on the business pages........

Road salt shortage, soaring prices vex states

The central Illinois city recently paid almost $48 a ton to replenish its salt supply, an increase of 30 percent — or $500,000 — over last year. Even so, Barber feels fortunate.

Some towns are paying as much as $170 a ton as salt prices nationwide soar because of shipping problems and surging demand.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28009994/

I started reading the obituaries awhile back.......I noticed lately a vague sense of disappointment if I dont see anyone I know.......lol

Current Summit Conditions
Temperature 29.3°F
Wind 62.9 mph
Direction 244° (SW)
Gust 78.3 mph
Wind Chill 8.9°F
Thursday 8:15 AM

Mt. Washington N.H.

It is trash day
One good thing(for me, not the post office) about the banking problems is the reduction in credit card offers. Living in the zip code we do we were getting constant offers for "repair your credit" type cards. As well as great interest offers because we have good credit. We still get the later but not as many. The others have dried up.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179142

Chloe

What can I say, cheap wine gets the pheeelosofy flowing, ;-0

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179139

CBob

He can't talk about his gambling habit. He's too busy talking about his plagiarism habit.

Has anyone before ever made so much money repackaging the words of others and simply putting their name on the book jacket?

How the "G" got it's tail:

The third letter of the Latin alphabet was a C. This was pronounced hard, like a K (voiceless velar plosive). The letter K of the Roman alphabet was pronounced like a K, as well. K was rarely used, however, and was usually (perhaps, always) followed by the vowel A, as in Kalendae, from which we get the English word calendar.

The letter C also served for the sound of G -- a reflection of its origin in the Greek gamma. The difference is not so great as it looks since it is what's referred to linguistically as a difference in voicing: the G sound is the voiced version of the K or hard C. [The praenomen Caius is an alternative spelling of Gaius; both are abbreviated C. See: How to Read a Roman Name.] When the C and G sounds were separated and given different forms, the second C was given a tail, making it a G, and moved to the sixth place in the Latin alphabet, where the zeta would have been had it been a productive letter for the Romans, which it was not.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/latinalphabet/qt/112908alphabet.htm

" Virtually the entire neoconservative "intelligentsia" (using that term as loosely as it can possibly be used) is one big paean to nepotistic succession -- the Kristols, the Kagans, the Podhoretzes, Lucinanne Goldberg and her boy. Upon Tim Russert's death, NBC News excitedly hired his son, Luke. Mike Wallace's son hosts Fox's Sunday show. The most influential political opinion space in the country, The New York Times Op-Ed page, is, like the Times itself, teeming with family successions and connections. Inter-marriages between and among media stars and political figures -- and lobbyists, operatives and powerful political officials -- are now more common than arranged royal marriages were among 16th Century European monarchs "

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/12/a-family-busine.html

--------------------------------
Jack Welch on Morning Joe

The offspring of 16th Century European monarchs

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179155

CBob

This is the principal reason I don't believe in "conspiracies". It is rarely anybody getting together and plotting some nefarious event. It is usually a group of people who regularly work with, play with, and marry each other engaging in some form of nepotism to keep it all in the family.

People are naturally tribal. The only thing that ever changes is the nature of the people you consider part of the tribe.

Jamie -
Me and you ought to review his history " book ". As a gambler, I would hope he would do a section on the collapse of the Louisiana Lottery. Today's school children would profit from learning of yet another in America's long list of financial scams. And they'll get a better handle on Louisiana's rich history of corruption.

More proof our bad things are...

"Food stamps, the main U.S. antihunger program which helps the needy buy food, set a record in September as more than 31.5 million Americans used the program -- up 17 percent from a year ago, according to government data.....The number of people using food stamps in September surpassed the previous peak of 29.85 million seen in November 2005 when victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma received emergency benefits..."
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4B28CB20081203?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

Retailers have another ugly month; Wal-Mart shines

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Retailers-turn-another-ugly-month/story.aspx?guid=%7B642EF842%2DEE51%2D408A%2D935D%2DA5000090C45C%7D

Ya know, with some of the numbers out there for retailing, There are going to be some retail establishment that just aren't going to be there in 6 months.
Sears comes to mind, they were not making the adjustment before all this stuff hit.
maybe they will survive as a tool store, that is all I've bought from them in the last 5 years.

Jack

I hope this is a trend.

Viacom
"The New York-based media company said it's suspending senior management salary increases in 2009"

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Viacom-lay-off-850-7/story.aspx?guid=%7B76753997%2DDB0B%2D415F%2D9FBE%2DA0AD75622540%7D

Jack

Chloe -
If you get the full benefits available on Food Stamps, that comes to $4 a day per person. That's a $1.33 a meal.

A gallon of milk is $4.19 here in West Texas.

Jack

Here's some info on Sears as a holding company for K Mart. The idea seems to be to unload unprofitable real estate, keep low end of brands at K Mart and high end at Sears. They lost some Brands because ones like Nike only wanted to sell at high end stores rather than being carried at the low price outlet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sears_Holdings_Corporation

Major job cuts

Viacom 7% reduction of work force.
ATT 12000 jobs gone

Dupont , 2600 positions, 4000 contractors

And those are just the headlines

Jack

NEW YORK – The economy has crashed down on an industry once believed immune from the worst — book publishing — with consolidation at Random House Inc., and layoffs at Simon & Schuster and Thomas Nelson Publishers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_en_ot/books_random_house_6

"If you get the full benefits available on Food Stamps, that comes to $4 a day per person. That's a $1.33 a meal."

CBob,
I know. I don't think they're giving them enough, since I know that my groceries have more than doubled (some how). In our area, there are many organizations that help compensate those on food stamps with extra groceries.

What confused me on that article, is that it said the "USDA estimates that $5 in food stamp spending generates $9 in economic activity." It didn't go on to explain it, and I was wondering if anyone here understand where that figure comes from.

Nike -
No other thing in our culture is so over inflated as shoes.

Oh, and CBob
The article also said hunger groups want Congress and the new administration to increase food stamp benefits as part of an economic stimulus package. I think they'll have to.

Today I want to celebrate New Mexico's first female governor...Diane Denish! Good bye, Bill. Now what will we do with your plane?

Chloe

It has to do with a little phrase "Value Added". It is what happens when money changes hands. In a healthy economy a dollar will change hands six or seven times before it ends up in someone's bank account.

Example: You grow a tree. You chop down the tree and sell the tree to someone in Japan. One step, money goes in your bank account and stops.

You grow a tree. You sell the tree to a furniture maker who makes a night table. They sell the table to a wholesaler who makes a profit selling to retail outlets. Retailer sells to a customer with appropriate markup, takes the profit and pays salaries, rents etc. all of which runs out and gets circulated some more. Customer takes night table home.

In the second example, there is money flowing all sorts of places accruing more and more value until it comes to a stop.

That money in food stamps goes to a super market that pays salaries and overhead, farm suppliers, products etc. The more money flows, the richer it gets.

Chloe -
Truckers pay , stock boys, ....... Numbers on " economic activity " are pretty BBFF.

"Truckers pay , stock boys"

But isn't that all already reflected in the price of the food?

"It has to do with a little phrase "Value Added". It is what happens when money changes hands. In a healthy economy a dollar will change hands six or seven times before it ends up in someone's bank account."

Ok, then, it's because there's extra money thrown out there in the economy that wouldn't have been spent otherwise. right?

Chloe

It is called the multiplyer effect.

When a merchant takes your dollar it doesn't stay in his pocket. he will pay rent , utilities, employees and suppliers. They in turn will spend part or all of what the get in the local economy and so it will cycle each time part of it will go to china but part stays to support the local economy.

Here is a wiki article about the subject. Not well written imo but hey you get what you pay for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplier_(economics)

Jack

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones

too funny, This is from the Will Ferrell site funny or die
Jack Black's take on Prop 8

"It is called the multiplyer effect."

Jack, I understand what you are saying (and avoid wiki when at all possible) :)

Here in Texas, I've always thought that's why the economy does so well (what you call the multiplyer effect). Most everyone works a lot of hours, and everyone seems to spend everything they make. The restaurants, theaters, stores, any kind of entertainment (and especially involving FOOD) do well.

The people here seem to be really into making sure their money keeps changing hands. It works!

gee whiz, electric cars are back, but even they aren't selling:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/04/gwiz-green-car-sales-slump

"Last month the government announced a £100m package to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon vehicles in the UK. It included £20m to buy electric and low-carbon vans for public sector organisations."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/03/bmw-electric-mini-e-launch

Chloe

Partially right. Back to the Tree. Tree goes to furniture maker who add his labor to the value of the tree. Table then gets sold for more than the price of the original tree in order to pay the furniture maker for his time and effort. That is the value added.

At virtually every stage of circulation, someone adds to it in either labor or improvements. That is the multiplyer.

Many countries have a Value Added Tax that you pay whenever you buy something retail. It is a tax on the profit made prior to the final sale of something. You can save your reciepts and if you are a tourist, they will refund the VAT because you are not using the local services that the VAT covers such as health care costs.

Garrison Keillor - Did a piece on gas rationing during World War II . We didn't have gas rationing to save gas. We had an ocean of gas. We did it to save rubber by limiting the mileage on the tires we had on our cars.

When the Dutch East Indies fell to the Japanese, 90% of the world rubber supply was taken off the market.

"multiplyer effect"

lol

OOPS

multiplier effect.

Like I said yesterday, go out there and spend , It is your patriotic duty.

Jack

Jack

"At virtually every stage of circulation, someone adds to it in either labor or improvements. That is the multiplyer."

Yeah Jamie, but it still seems to me that the costs of all those stages are already reflected in the price of what you purchase.

"Like I said yesterday, go out there and spend , It is your patriotic duty."

Ha, and I'm as patriotic as they come.

patd

Part of the problem for the G Whiz is the safety consideration and the fact that the VOLT already has a waiting list and it won't be available for another two years. I'm not sure what the wait is on the even more expensive Tesla. I love the look of the Tesla, but it will be an arm and a leg more than the Volt

http://www.teslamotors.com/

Jack,
Echoing my sentiment exactly....I'm still buying, selling and chasing business....it's why I spend so little time on this blog.....that and the desire not to subject myself to the general pessimism of many ....it's like a cancer....you have to fight it

"They may save our honor, our hopes—and our necks."

Initially hailed "one of the seven wonders of the world," the Willow Run Bomber Plant suffered severe criticism when it was revealed that the factory could not meet production schedules. But by war's end Henry Ford's mile-long assembly line was producing one B-24 bomber every sixty-three minutes.
http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/extra/willow_run/willow_run.html

".....it's like a cancer....you have to fight it"

Or at least avoid it. You're right Jax.

gotta do some work now.

" Amid the gloom of 1942, the United States looked with hope to the B-24 (labeled the Liberator by the British) and its companion bomber, the B-17. "These planes," declared Fortune magazine in April 1942, "represent our supreme bid to regain the initiative. They may save our honor, our hopes—and our necks."

Chloe,
VAT tax is essentially the same as a national sales tax.
I like the idea because you tax consumption. The more you consume the more you pay. Then you can set a threshold where the poor get a refund. Many in Gov't don't like these plans because it removes most tax loopholes and doesn't leave alot of room to to take care of the special interests.

"I'm still buying, selling and chasing business..."

oh, and Jax, maybe it's a Texas thing. :)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179187

I'm in complete agreement.

everything is amazing, but nobody is happy

http://thinkorthwim.com/2008/10/26/everythings-amazing-but-nobodys-happy/

Jax

In the end it is food and housing. As long as there are plenty of both and there is. then we all will survive.

For those on the $1.33 of food stamps. Beans and rice, use your meat as a flavoring.

Jack

use your meat as a flavoring. ...healthier too
the Thomas Jefferson way...meat as a condiment

Jack....back to the bottom of the pyramid for most....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

Blonde -
Here's "Yer Atta Girl"
Great clip ..... Louis kills.

Taxpayers need to buy GM for the paltry share price, take it into dry-dock, fix it up, point it in the right direction and then sell it back to the public for a fat profit. Bottom line is that a whole host of manufacturer retooling, energy creation, infrastructure and distribution development needs to be done to correct decades of neglect. But it's not just the car companies at fauit, it's legislators -- in other words, US -- that let it happen. Plus, by shunning automakers, "we" are cutting off our noses to spite our face.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-neil2-2008dec02,0,5683151.story?track=ntothtml

I've been using this whole downturn as a lesson to my sons.....Watch who whines, complains, moans and generally acts like they have no power.....watch these people and their traits and learn...these types of people will pull you down with them....I tell them to try and associate themselves with people who seek opportunity, who work hard despite tough times and those who can find a way somehow to keep going despite the pessimism around them...

" You're sitting in a chair in the sky "

Jack
I love red beans and rice.....A little sausage goes a long way..

a few years ago, I used to comment that this country is becoming like Russia...now we are Russia. Let's stay in Afganistan...eventhough we have war on our southern border.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179150

Yup.

c-bob...great stuff...sparks from a rotary phone!

Jack,
I'm having some final work done on my homes to finish up the hurricane repairs and my contractor dropped his rates on the last couple of jobs....I asked him why and he said that it was becuase of the recession.....I had to lecture him that was no way to run a business. He already had the job at an agreed price and I wasn't asking for a decrease. I explained that I was paying the agreed price and that I expected him to spend the money......you've gotta fight it...

as for Afghanistan, we should make India our designated fighter...much closer.

as for the auto industry, they are not getting good mileage from capital hill. And the only thing fueling the Christmas retail season is the low price of gas.

Mike -
Great catch from the LA Times -

" Many of GM's strategic missteps -- such as betting large on trucks and SUVs and not investing early in hybrid technology -- were the result of willful shortsightedness at the board level, responding to a financial market in which shareholders look for the quick return.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/rove-likes-obama-so-far.html#comment-178997

Patsi, a staple of the holiday season in the south - but you know that. You use garlic in yours? Makes all the difference. May just have to go home tonight and make some.

c-bob...the government also has a nice little tax deduction for large vehicles for self-employed peeps...realtors were buying hummers like crazy...although the hole is now closed...2004 was a big year for big gas hogs.

Too bad congress isn't listening to the car guy from the L.A.Times.

Blonde,
Got a big fat Yukon Denali under that program....

jax...no more write-offs now...must be totally depreciated by now. Did you sell it?

Then again Cbob

If they had bet strong into the hybrid they would have been in an even weaker position. Sales for hybrids have only been strong for the last year. Now nobody wants them. Sales of the Prius are off 48% compared to the F 150 at 28%.
They were selling what the market wanted and were blindsided by the oil speculation bubble and the credit crash.

Jack

" I want to go to one particular story and that is the plant in Mercedes, the Mercedes plant in Alabama.

As it turned out, as I said Alabama offered $253 million but the state offered to train the workers, clear and improve the sites, upgrade the utilities, buy 2,500 vehicles and it is estimated that that incentive package totaled somewhere around $175,000/per employee to create those jobs there. And on top of this, that state gave this automaker a large parcel of land-around $250-$300 million dollars. That was the same price or cost to them of building a facility.

So we can support our competition but we can’t support an industry that is in need? And this need was not brought about because of what the industry has done. "

http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/04/what-about-the-government-bailout-of-foreign-auto-makers/

Jack...IMHO, hybrids are not the answer. We need to bring hemp back into the picture. Oil, paper, buzz, etc....decriminalize marijuana. Now that is a money maker.

Cbob

Also it is very interesting that the Senator from Alabama is leading the opposition to a bailout for the auto makers. That is if they are American.

Jack

Colorado,
From Alabama's point of view it was a good economic
development opportunity. A comparable analysis would be to see if Michigan made the same offers to
their auto industry. My guess is that they didn't.

In the area of trade, the individual states act independently as countries would. I don't fault Alabama or any state for trying to protect their industries and taxpayers investment.

Posted by: Blonde wino Author Profile Page | December 4, 2008 10:38 AM

not too mention the savings on criminal justice expenses

BW

On the gas guzzlers for self employed. Some of us need larger vehicles. IMO the way to handle that and encourage people to buy smaller ones is with a graduated exise tax on horse power. Then give business owners a larger milage deduction. That way if you just have to drive that hummer then you pay for it. Those that can get by with a smaller car recieve a yearly rebate in their tax refund.

Jack

Jack -
The 30 day stock price thinking screwed them as well. We were running the country for the benefit of a special class of citizens. Share Holders, and their constant need to see growth rates on short term horizons.

I am getting a little concerned about the continueed drop of crude prices. I'm told that $35 - $40/ barrel is a big threshold for new exploration and development projects.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179109

I want to stay at the Stanley Hotel for New Year's Eve, but my hubby says forget it...too expensive.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179190

Blonde, That video was so funny. And I'm so glad you posted Maslow's hierarchy of needs after Jacks post. That was the same thing I was thinking about when I read what he said about food and housing.

The dow is down but my stocks are up

God bless Walmart.
I think I will go there and buy me another string of icicle lights. Can't have too many lights

Jack

jack -

Shelby is playing a dangerous game. He may need help later on when the Germans split to Mexico.

Ivy Green...the Stanley is amazing. The Stanley Steamer was also amazing...

Ivy Green...the Stanley is amazing. The Stanley Steamer was also amazing...

Cbob

Shelby has the same problem GM does. He doesn't think three days out, it is what ever I want now.

Jack

sorry for the stutter

Ivy -
I used to live at the Coach house on the Stanley's grounds.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179229

We are too polite to notice.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179189

The VAT as with most taxes has both positives and negatives. First it is regressive. Even if you give a refund of some sort to those below a certain income, that is on the rear end not the front where they need the purchase price. Second, the wealthy pay less for virtually everything they buy, so again there is a built in favortism and regression. Third rarely is any tax eliminated. If a VAT is to be introduced then the demand should be made that some other tax be reduced or eliminated first, and that no additional tax above the VAT will be instituted without a vote of the general electorate in some way.

Jax

Booms and crashes are part of the oil business. If one can't handle that then your in the wrong business.

I'm just wondering if it is going to be as bad as the last cycle. The $10 a barrel oil in the ninties did a lot to contribute to the high oil prices this year.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179205

That greedy get rich quick idea is always at the heart of any failure.

The Oriental cultures almost always do better in the long run compared to the western nations simply because they are patient and willing to take a tiny profit until they can grown into a behemoth that owns a market.

Bob, good point on the M-B in plant in AL, but Jane misses some points. I know a little about that plant - It's built on a tract of farm and forest land that was not particularly profitable - there's lots of that in the Tuscaloosa area, so the owners sold it to the state. Don't know where the $250-3--M figure for the land came from, but that would buy about half the county. It's in Tuscaloosa County - which was about 60% AA, many deperately poor, when I lived down there. It's adjacent to Green County, which has historically had among the highest unemployment in AL, again, a high rate of intractable poverty among AAs. The 4000 jobs were desperately needed in that area, particularly after the paper and chemical industries on the Black Warrior River shut down. The plant is an assembly plant, which puts German built engines into American built M-Class SUVs. 30 Tier I suppliers have moved to the area and there has been a $7 Billion dollar impact on the AL economy as a result. And it was built when MB & Chrysler were still married, so it did benefit our domestic auto industry to an extent, at least. Here's a fluff piece on the 10 year anniversary of the plant.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-11-2007/0004624033&EDATE=

Would I have rather seen a Ford or GM plant there? You bet. Should we be bailing out the Big 3? You bet. It won't matter - that plant will suffer from the downturn in demand that this economy is bringing on. Who knows, maybe GM will buy the plant to assemble Denalis there.

And Shelby? Turncoat rat bastard.

Oil has dropped 100 dollars in 4 months. Amazing.

Like I said - that plant is being affected.

http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/news.ssf?/base/business/1226654138256860.xml&coll=2#continue

IMO VATs represent the worst of European tax policies.

before I head to work, in honor of Louis...wagon train...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050073/

one of my fav shows from my childhood...horse power wasn't much cheaper, but it was about trip, not getting there in a day.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179213

Hemp is a great crop and a natural to replace tobacco fields. The ban on it is silly due to the low THC content and the many uses. Of course, that brings us back full circle to paving over agricultural lands. We would probably end up importing the Hemp or the products made from it.

Build up not out and why do four people need 3000 square feet of living space anyway?

Jack,
You're right about that...among the Houston oil guys if you don't have a least one good bankruptcy under your belt your not one of the gang....laughs....their saying is that if you're gonna go broke ....Go Big.....:)

...

http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/news.ssf?/base/business/1225440953193620.xml&coll=2#continue

As I said.

"Booms and crashes are part of the oil business. If one can't handle that then your in the wrong business."

And everyone makes enough during the booms that you'd think they'd save enough to get them through the hard times.

But this state really took a hit in the '80's (before I showed up here, but I've heard about it first hand). They decided then to make some well thought through changes, so they'd never have to suffer like that again.

Flatus,
I don't know how the Europeans administer the VAT tax. I do like the idea of taxing consumption instead of production. I've got no illusions though, I'm sure we'd manage to screw up as well as the Europeans.

New rifts have developed on the Wilkins Ice Shelf that could lead to the opening of the ice bridge that has been preventing the ice shelf from disintegrating and breaking away from the Antarctic Peninsula

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Wilkins_Ice_Shelf_Under_Threat_999.html

Jamie....end the hemp prohibition and build a new industry...we are wasting our prisoners as highway trash cleaners...they could be growing hemp....ps...just sent you an email....have a great day all, and please be careful out there...no universal health care for the American peeps.

One thing's for sure Richard Shelby won't be running for governor of Mich.

Ripple effect

http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=73329&lk=s

I cringe every time I hear him talk. He is a neighbor and used to be a friend of my ex sis-in-law, before he screwed the AL Dem party over, that is.

Pogo -
One wonders how many people in Alabama can afford a Benz.

Bob, more than a few, but not as many as in CA I'd wager. I don't think they are building them for the natives. They've built more than a million there and ship them worldwide from that plant. As a happenstance, the dealer that services one of our cars brought me one of the M-Class diesels to use as a loaner - no doubt hoping I'd be sucked in and wan tto buy it. It was a close call. That is one very sweet ride, and if I hadn't read the little notice about using only diesel fuel, I would never have known it wasn't a gasoline powered car. But the pricetag was a bit too high for my wallet.

I've got no illusions though, I'm sure we'd manage to screw up as well as the Europeans.

Posted by: jaxtrader | December 4, 2008 11:19 AM

Meaning??? !!!!!

Platitude of the Day: a non-denominational parody of the BBC's religious "Thought of the Day"

http://boingboing.hexten.net/2008/12/04/platitude-of-the-day.html

"You use garlic in yours? Makes all the difference. May just have to go home tonight and make some."

Pogo -- I use garlic, but very lightly....put too much in once...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179239

Blondie - then sailing would appeal to you - slowly going nowhere at great expense while getting cold wet and ill.

Bush administration welcomes Iraq approval of pact

Thursday, December 4, 2008

(12-04) 07:46 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Iraq's approval of a security pact that sets a three-year timeframe for U.S. troops to leave will put future U.S.-Iraq relations on a strong footing, the White House said Thursday.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the Iraqi presidential council's approval of the agreement was a "remarkable achievement" for both nations. It will guide the U.S. relationship with Iraq and help solidify Iraq's progress toward democracy, she said.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/04/national/w070505S64.DTL&tsp=1

well Iraq is taken care of :))))))))))))))
now what about Afghanistan

Patsi - I've seen dozens of recipes for cheese grits, grit casseroles, etc., and have eaten enough of them to fill a barn. While I love them all pretty much, I always tend back to a pretty simple one - grits, cheese, butter, salt, pepper, a bit of garlic, an egg if I want it a little sturdier and don't dare separate and discard the yolk), and milk just because. If I'm feeling spunky, I use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar, although I have to (and hate to) admit that I've had some that was close to to die for made with velveeta (memories of my childhood - apolgies to Vanilla Fudge).

The irony of the Benz in Bama angle is that no company in the world represents what getting in bed with the government really means, like Mercedes Benz. They slept with Hitler, Richard Shelby should be a walk in the park.

Hell let it fall down , and we'll all start over in a flea market world, where we rip all the copper plumbing out of abandoned casinos in Nevada.
And the "alternative vehicle" of the future is a shopping cart for everyone.

Cbob-you've just described some of the poorer places in the South.

Bob, all that's true enough. Shelby was probably instrumental (although he was in his 1st or just in his 2nd term when the idea came about), but the governor in the early 90s is more likely who was instrumental in getting them there - probably Guy Hunt or Jim Folsom. My money would be on Hunt - an R.

But now, lunch.

KGC,
If we succeed in Afghanistan we will be one of the first. That region has proven ungovernable for a very long time.

Well, the oil story this year is one I always expected, but not the cliff it fell off of. That's as bad as the ride up was. It kills everybody's plans to do the things we need to do.
----------
It's like what Captain Phil said about crab fishing .
"If something goes wrong on one of these boats, that's bad. If something else goes wrong at the same time , you're in big trouble."
The country seems like a crab boat, broke down in the Bering Sea, and the captain is a quivering mass curled - up on the floor of the wheel house.
While the ship drifts, and the Coast Guard is fogged - in at Adak .

Jax-it's been governed by tribal leaders for 1500 years. Instead of just trying to force Western style democracy on the region, why not try to work with what is there?

Rosie -
" you've just described some of the poorer places in the South. "

I'm still going with Barter Town, without the big costume budget.

jax

So true...
I look forward to the change the Obama said he would bring to
foreign policy. I think we should adopt theThree Cups of Tea model

Well, they do have some damn good bargins, especially if you are into Elvis and Jesus paraphinalia.

Rosie,
I agree, we toppled the taliban with almost no US ground troops. I would prefer that we support the gov't with intel and UAV's instead of ground troops.....

Beyond Thunderdome Battle -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hQC3nkftrk

The speech at 1:03
----------------
" Who run Barter Town ? "

KGC,
I think it is inspiring but we'd probably have to be there for a generation providing security to make it work....I don't see the US sticking it out that long...

Off the thread, but...How come when Jews go illegally into Palestinian lands they are called Settlers and not invaders?
http://www.adn.com/24hour/world/story/611224.html
My sympathies go to the Palestinians when I see the Israel Government turning a mostly blind eye to things like this.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179262

Afghanistan has been a problem since the earth was separated from the seas. It just naturally lends itself to a "king of the mountain" kind of game. Whoever is hiding in the rocks has a leg up on anyone who wants the rocks.

A Christmas Story Siskel & Ebert At the Movies 1983

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZusqBw-Vu4

25 years

Off the thread, but...How come when Jews go illegally into Palestinian lands they are called Settlers and not invaders?
http://www.adn.com/24hour/world/story/611224.html
My sympathies go to the Palestinians when I see the Israel Government turning a mostly blind eye to things like this.

oops, dbl post. sorry :(

qhttp://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179273

A Christmas Story was on TNT last night - I caught 4 of my favorite scenes in the movie (Fuddddggge, the Award, Ralphie losing it and beating the crap out of the tall bully and the return of the What I Want for Christmas Essay). MIssed the Santa scene, but hey, whatcha gonna do?

Bully=Scott Farkus (he had yellow eyes)

Tears For Fears - Shout

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WLGMC9B6zw

Rosie, not sure how high Israel-Palestine is on Obama's radar, but his Sec of State nominee has had that as a priority for more than a few years. No one can miss that reaching a resolution of that conflict is critical to security in that corner of the world. Hopefully now that we don't have a cowboy as president and a Russia expert as Sec of State, more attention will be paid to catalyzing stability among the players in that part of the world instead of trying to knock off bad guys and impose purple ink.

Pogo,
Wishful thinking....we're not going to solve the Israel/Palestinian issue. We've had administrations on each spectrum of the approach and none of them has accomplished anything. I'm not one to applaud approaches or intentions......results.....only results....and on that score all have been miserable failures.

rosie, actually it's Scut Farkus (played by Zack Ward) - his name escaped me. Answer courtesy of Wiki. :-)

jax, I don't argue with you there. We'll continue to travel hopefully. One thing that is crystal clear - Ivading Iraq didn't stabilize Israel-Palestine. Hopefully there is more interest there in a solution now. If so, diplomacy might stand a chance. I said might.

Oh, thanks a lot, Pogo. 25 yrs I thought his name was Scott, and now you have to come along and ruin it for me! :p
Jax-if the US would come down a little harder on Israel, about them invading , excuse me, SETTLING Palestinian land, and bombing Palestinian neighborhoods every time someone throws a stone at an Israelie soldier. Please don't think that I think the Palestinians are completly innocent, 'cos they're not. But I most definatly do think that the US policy is terribly skewed.

Pogo,
I don't even think that the islamic fundamentalists even need the Palestinian question anymore to serve as their catalyst for action. They don't even bother with it. . Perhaps, without that outside pressure, the Israelis and the Palestinians could find some common ground....While the Syrians might be persuaded to play ball I doubt that the Iranian's could allow a
successful answer to this issue. They need the conflict to stay festering to achieve their regional goals.

rosie, sorry. ;-)

Rosie,
If it was just the Israelis and Palestinians you're probably right. But it isn't and truthfully it never has been. Certain other arab nations need this conflict to continue and it will until their influence is negated.

"...the VOLT already has a waiting list and it won't be available for another two years. I'm not sure what the wait is on the even more expensive Tesla..."

jamie, here listed are quite a few that are already available.
http://venturebeat.com/2008/01/10/27-electric-cars-companies-ready-to-take-over-the-road/

as to the safety issue, we could help things by lowering the speed limit. ky even made exception in state vehicle laws for zap cars (or any like auto) in order to get them produced there.

Breaking: TVNewser has learned NBC Universal will be cutting up to 500 jobs in a round of layoffs which are now underway at all levels of the company — television, film and parks. That amounts to about 3% of the workforce. An insider with knowledge of the situation says the cuts are expected to continue into next week.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

Bank of America to Stop Financing Mountaintop Mining

The Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the nation’s most powerful environmental groups, has managed to persuade Bank of America, one of the nation’s leading financial institutions, to take a measured stand against certain surface mining practices.

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/bank-of-america-to-stop-financing-mountain-top-mining/

c-bob, doesn't ge own rca/nbc? maybe they have something further planned... you know, the next falling shoe.
some more on nbc http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-36868820081204

maybe tweety knew about this and that's why the campaign

maybe tweety knew about this and that's why the campaign... to cover up being downsized, fired, laid off, scuttled... whatever.. to save face.

They're ripping the tops off mountains in West Virginia coal country to feed our insatiable appetite for power. It's cheaper that way. And the trees and the animals and the flooding? It may not be pretty, but we've got all those dishwashers to run

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/Environment/article/306165

Jax-I'm afraid that without outside influence, Israel would try to just run over the whole area. Remember, a lot of them are just as driven by religious belief as the Islamic fanatics. And they are much better armed.

yeah, c-bob, dishwaskers and other must have goodies. like the ky coal guy in your link said "[A]s all the activists who so eloquently and passionately speak of the ills of coal and mountaintop mining get up in the morning, drink their hot coffee, eat some toast, blow dry their hair while watching the morning news, attend their meetings in a room with lights and warm heat and write to their representatives on laptops and computers while calling others on their charged cellphones, please remember who provides the electricity. It is provided by coal."
mutual guilt trip anyone?

Oh, thanks a lot, Pogo. 25 yrs I thought his name was Scott, and now you have to come along and ruin it for me! :p
Jax-if the US would come down a little harder on Israel, about them invading , excuse me, SETTLING Palestinian land, and bombing Palestinian neighborhoods every time someone throws a stone at an Israelie soldier. Please don't think that I think the Palestinians are completly innocent, 'cos they're not. But I most definatly do think that the US policy is terribly skewed.

Damn it! Sorry, sorry. sorry

"to cover up being downsized, fired, laid off, scuttled... whatever.."

lol

I just ran across the new word " right sizing"

"Layoffs 'right-size' expectations "

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Layoffs-right-sizeexpectations-heading-holidays/story.aspx?guid=%7BD36E4BD7%2DDE4A%2D45B8%2DA22B%2DEB4606239B1F%7D

I've never seen it used if they are hiring. After all hiring is just hiring even if it is to get your work force to the right size.

Jack

more mn ballots missing
http://www.pubrecord.org/component/content/539.html?task=view

Brain,
Two things come to mind....she's tired of the DC ratrace and prefers a more sedate setting to close out her career or......she'd like an exectuive postion on her resume for something bigger later on.

Hello all! Just took a quick look, guess I got a lot of catching up to do and try to find the recipes to put in my TM File. Love cheese grits, I bake mine though. Jack or jaxtrader- Any good recipes for beans & rice? Use to make a good one from The Frugal Gourmet- lost it- it was cajun style I think.

Heard something (half asleep) on the news that someone figures we are going into a depression. Can anyone elaborate?

Rosie Cat- Did you say you are Choctaw? Spoke to my cousin last night and turns out she is Choctaw and Shawnee. I had that all screwed up. I've been looking to see Rezdog-think they might live in the same town.

RosieCat- I agree with you about the settlers- it should be a more pejorative title.

OSH,
Sorry to say that I cheat now with red beans and rice. Zatarains makes an awesome mix that I use as a base and add cajun spices with assorted sausages.
I prefer a kick so its spicy for me.

Daschle and Newt together on Healthcare - Could be a good team
Newt is one of the most studied and engaged in Healthcare of anyone -

Move Forward

jack, rightsizing government was a catch phrase for fl gov lawton chiles in the nineties. he even set up a task force called the productivity enhancement initiative. the feds pursued similar "right-sizing" programs not long after that.

doublespeak?

Regarding food stamps: I worked at a grocery store from 1988-1995. Every first of the month was when people received their food stamps. On that day, we would always start our 10lb meat sales. People on food stamps would come in and buy 10lbs of hamburger and 10lbs of other meats. This 10lb sale usually lasted a week. I always hated those sales as it made our store busier than hell. They had rules for food stamps which had to be followed. People were always trying to buy things they couldn't get with food stamps. Food from the deli wasn't allowed because it was prepared food. People would say to me, "They let me buy these sandwiches last time!" No, they didn't. A lot of people would buy their groceries with food stamps and then pay with cash to buy a carton of smokes afterwards. One mexican gorocery store that was in a predominately hispanic neighborhood got caught allowing people to buy whatever they wanted using food stamps. You know, washing detergents, paper towels etc...they got their food stamp license revoked for that. I don't know how the food stamp thing runs nowadays. I just remember it from when I worked at the grocery store.

And my point earlier on the Auto Bailout - Let em go bankrupt - and instead of filtering the money in a stinking hole - put it directly into a social safety net for the people.
Not that I like it but I would rather see direct use of tax dollars for individual support vs a poorly run company.

OSH- yeah, I'm part Choctaw. If your friend is on the short and stout side, she probably got it from that side of the family. As I mentioned before, Choctaw were a hunter/gatherer tribe, and so we tend to be 'sawed off' in height.

oldsea, they give credit to frugal gourmet as source for this recipe.
http://www.bigoven.com/39532-Red-Beans-and-Rice-2-recipe.html

OSH- yeah, I'm part Choctaw. If your friend is on the short and stout side, she probably got it from that side of the family. As I mentioned before, Choctaw were a hunter/gatherer tribe, and so we tend to be 'sawed off' in height.

Third times a charm. Im outta here.

Rosiethecat- She's my 1st cousin and she is about 5 foot 2 , average in my family!
Jaxtrader- Thank you, I've seen that and will try it, but I need a good recipe with a whole pound of beans to feed all the troops!

Thanks patd, that looks like it too, remember it being greener than most recipes I've seen.

Obama’s Pick of Daschle May Test Conflict-of-Interest Pledge

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: November 19, 2008

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of former Senator Tom Daschle for secretary of health and human services posed new questions on Wednesday about how broadly the new administration would apply Mr. Obama’s campaign promises to limit potential conflicts of interest among his appointees.

At issue is Mr. Daschle’s work since leaving the Senate four years ago as a board member of the Mayo Clinic and a highly paid adviser to health care clients at the law and lobbying firm Alston & Bird.

In a detailed list of campaign promises, Mr. Obama pledged that “no political appointees in an Obama administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/us/politics/20daschle.html

talk about talking out of both sides of your two faces

this was from a blogger called rhonda on cook's link

RED BEANS AND RICE A LA THE FRUGAL GOURMET

1 pound red kidney beans
1 ham bone, or 3 to 4 smoked ham hocks
1 stick margarine (not butter)
2 onions, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup catsup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Tabasco
2 whole bay leaves
1 teaspoon thyme leaves, crumbled
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Melt margarine in a large, heavy pot, and sauté onions, bell pepper and celery until onions just start to color. Add parsley and garlic; sauté a few minutes longer. Add beans, ham bone and water to cover 2-inches over beans. Bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to low, and simmer for about an hour. Watch that the water does not boil down too far. The beans must be covered with water at all times! Add the rest of the ingredients, except the cooked rice and salt, to the pot and more water to cover, if needed. Simmer, partially covered, for a few more hours, or until the liquid has thickened. Add salt only after beans have softened. Serve over cooked rice.
http://www.americastestkitchen.com/ibb/posts.aspx?postID=6190

GAk...the frugal gourmet..he turned out to be quite trip

The real question is there any appointment the kiss his ass grpup wouldn't applaud

KGC, I read about those appointees a few weeks ago. Most of them had ties, that's how they get things done.

kgc, yeah quite a trip. here's one of the obits from seattle http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/food/181592_frugal10.html

oldsea, there a bunch of sites with his recipes if you google jeff smith.

Once again assh-le you prove yourself to be a stupid fr--kin jerk

no wonder you spend all your time online...it's pretty clear there are no real people in your life

Corey

I think you are correct, it is how things get done. Obama shouldn't have said the rules would conflict people out...now he is in the position of violating the rules he set out

It's details, KGC. Shame on you for remembering what he said. LOL!

I've never seen a jackass walking dogs. Post a picture.

thanks again patd, that whole deal certainly came as a surprise. A fine example of why they call molestation a crime of denial. I always felt bad for the family.

Corey, in my year here I never saw anything hostile about you at all. You are pleasant, positive and try (real hard sometimes, not always an easy task) to bring a bit of humor and a lighter note when needed. Thank you.

Obots are cultists who refuse to acknowledge when they have been taken

Thanks, Old Sea Hag. True, KGC.

ps
Corey

I laughed out loud when I read you comment to RR yesterday

You have to have a sense of humor to survive this place, KGC. LOL!

Corey

Boy Howdy aint that the truth!

speaking of not having much of a sense of humor

"(12-04) 12:05 PST MOSCOW, Russia (AP) --

Reveling in his reputation for earthy language, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin unabashedly confirmed a crude outburst against Georgia's president and even took the tirade a step further Thursday.

The French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur reported last month that Putin told French President Nicolas Sarkozy that he would hang Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili by the testicles. The remark came during the August war between Russia and Georgia."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/04/international/i120538S85.DTL&tsp=1

Corey
It looks like the gentleman from NYC, has again proved his superior knowledge. (tounge firmly planted in cheek)

What I find interesting is how the no prepared foods rule can be gotton around. The local Quiktrip can sell the packaged sandwichs if they are unopened. but if you open them and microwave them they can't. If you buy it first then they will let you use the microwave.

There are a number of people who are marginally home less who use that method to get a hot meal. They only have a postal drop for their Social security check and food stamps communication. But they have no where to cook.

Jack

Now that the stamps are a debit card, a big step forward was to make card readers available at farmers markets.

Among many reasons to wish Saxby Chambliss was history was his support for cotton subsidies over food stamps

I had food stamps one winter when the kids were real little. - use to get all choked at the cash register. Was thankful, but I really never could get use to it- would get all choked up at the register. Guess I'm too much of a proud stubborn damn yankee. Never reapplied.

Given all the ag subsidies the US tax payer provides we should all be given food stamps

Food stamp benefits can be used to buy most food items. Some groceries cannot be paid for with food stamp benefits. Here is a list of food items that CAN BE purchased and a list of items that CANNOT BE purchased with food stamp benefits.

food items that CAN BE purchased with food stamp BENEFITs

All food or food products meant to be eaten by people.
Vegetable seeds and food producing plants, roots, and trees. Also, seeds and plants to produce spices and herbs used in cooking foods.
Items considered "health foods" like wheat germ, brewers yeast, and seeds packaged to be eaten by people.
Baby formula, diabetic and diet foods.
Items used in preparing or preserving foods such as spices and herbs, pectin, and shortening.
Snack foods like candy, potato chips, chewing gum, and soft drinks.
Meals prepared for and delivered or served to elderly or disabled food stamp recipients if the public or private organization is authorized to accept food stamps.
Distilled water and ice, if labeled "For Human Consumption".
items that CANNOT BE purchased with food stamp BENEFITs

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
Nonfood items such as soap, toiletries, cleaning products, paper products, cooking utensils.
Items not meant to be eaten by people such as laundry starch, pet foods, seeds packaged as birdseed, and decorative dye; items for food preservations such as pressure cookers, canning jars and lids, paraffin freezer containers and wrapping paper.
Therapeutic products such as vitamins and minerals in any form.
All health aids such as aspirin, cough drops or syrups, and other cold remedies, antacids, and all patent medicines.
Items used for gardening such as fertilizer and peat moss.
Prepared hot foods and hot food products sold in grocery stores, that are hot at the time of sale and ready to be eaten immediately.
Any prepared food (hot or cold) sold and meant to be eaten at the store.

hey.... it's amazing how much work I got done today by avoiding any playtime on this machine.....

Flatus.... good to see you again..... I was wondering where you'd gone....

Corey.... I worked at a small grocery store a couple nights a week to supplement my income just after starting my weaving business...... there was this program called WIC.... women, infants, and children..... it was a program similar to food stamps and had very strict rules about what could be bought with their vouchers..... the only cereals allowed had to be nutritional.... I remember several women trying to buy the sugar laden crap instead.... but the store owner didn't want to lose the program so he followed the rules....

KGC.... oh yeah.... you laughed.... you should have seen my computer screen..... :0)

Cooked a lot of those rice & beans, biscuits, soda bread and real bread (till the yeast got too expensive) .instead.. Way too many carrots. I would scallop and go clamming- had a freezer full of stuffed quahogs. There's an old saying around here- "You never go hungry if you live by the sea". I probably overdid it, my daughter won't eat seafood now. Not a bite, and she lives on an island!

Yeah, we had WIC too. We had all kinds of customers at our store. We had one woman who was a shopaholic. Her husband would drop her off at the store and then come back an hour later. He would then freak out when he saw how much she spent on groceries. He finally started giving her a check for $100 to spend each week at the store. When she went through the checkout she always ended up having to have us put stuff back because she would always go over her $100 limit that her husband had set. There are always these rules. If the stores and their employees don't follow them, they get into trouble. The customer doesn't. My Mom's church used to have a food pantry, but they let another place handle it now. However, my Mom said she and her friends are sponsoring 2 women and their families for this holiday. Last week, the women asked for $100 so they could go buy some meat. My Mom and her friends told her that they weren't gonna give them $100, but they would go grocery shopping for them and buy them $100 in food.

When I was 12, my Dad had his first heart attack and was off work for a few months. My sister was going to college during this time. I never knew it, but we were very close to going on welfare. Luckily, my Mom had a good full-time job and she was able to get us by. She even told my sister that she was thinking of going on welfare during that time. My sister told her that she would quit school and get herself a full-time job to help us get through this difficult time if that's what she had to do. I was completely oblivious to what was going on. They never told me anything about it. I didn't find all this out until I was probably almost 30 years-old.

If you want a friend, buy a dog.

wow.... another lame response bites the dust.....

Corey.... a lot of us went through times like that but were unaware of it....
my dad's paper company went on strike when I was around 12.... and thank god at the time my mother also worked a full time job..... I didn't realize until I was much older how close we were to losing our house....

List of 100 notable books of 2008 --

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/04/arts/100notablet.php?page=4

I haven't read any of them...I swear it's that Google-brain! But I'm going to pick up the Rice-bio - don't know if that's authorized or no...

CONDOLEEZZA RICE. An American Life: A Biography. By Elisabeth Bumiller. (Random House, $27.95.) A New York Times reporter casts a keen eye on Rice's tenure as a policy maker, her close ties to George Bush, and her personal and professional past.

Maybe "Nixonland" too...its author was on this week with Tweety...

NIXONLAND: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America. By Rick Perlstein. (Scribner, $37.50.) Perlstein's compulsively readable study holds that Nixon's divisive and enduring legacy is the "notion that there are two kinds of Americans."

I know, Renee. I guess it was because things didn't seem to change much for me. I mean I always had the necessities, so I never noticed. I'm sure my Mom probably cut back for the things she needed, though. That's the kind of person she is.

Nixon's the One
What a horrible person. And yet by comparison to Shrub sometimes even as creepy as he was he doesn't seem so bad

jamie, thanks for the list of can buys and cannot buys. It appears that the "Prepared hot foods and hot food products sold in grocery stores, that are hot at the time of sale and ready to be eaten immediately.
Any prepared food (hot or cold) sold and meant to be eaten at the store. " language answers the question about prepared food and why those marginally homeless folks had to buy THEN heat sandwiches. Amazing what you can figure out by reading instead of guessing.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179318

And you voted for the what was thought to be the known...

And the question I kept asking....

Which Barack is going to show up?

He is on the RIGHT track

film at 11

Catch up later

I saw 2 stickers on a car tonight. One said "Mitt Romney" the other said "John McCain". Anyway, all the people in my family and my brother-in-law's family, the ones who live around here, all voted for McCain. I doubt they would like an Obama mug.

hey neckless :-) got any snow yet?

Regardless of who you voted for I hate seeing old election adverts and stickers.......I always wonder what the people behind the wheel are trying to say....is it a statement or are you just too lazy to update your car....laughs

pogo...
let me look out the window and see..... wait a minute.... it's a little bit awkward when one has to turn their whole body around.....

nope..... no snow yet....
we've had a few flurries..... we're suppose to get a few inches on Sunday....
Rick is looking forward to skiing on natural snow....

jax, my nephew and his wife (courtesy of her father, the '04 Republican campaign finance chair or something like it for Dumya in AL) have those damn W'04 stickers on their car. I saw the stickers when Ivisited on business last year, shook my head and asked my nephew exactly where I failed.

drivings hard too, no? LOL

Honestly....I'll be the first to point out something that I disagree with. I don't know alot about most of the picks but so far the only thing that disappoints me about PEO picks is purely personal. I simply cannot stand to hear Hillary's voice....it's so "fingernails on a chalkboard" to me that I can't even hear her message.....unfortunately for me her new position will have her voice on quite often.....:)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179370

"W" The President stickers are being replaced with "S" The Coach...

Pogo,
Tell them that its ok to take the stickers off......the car will still run...laughs

"It looks like the gentleman from NYC, has again proved his superior knowledge. (tounge firmly planted in cheek)"

jack, be very careful about the cheek in which that tongue's planted.

patd,
I'm ok reading about Hillary and discussing her postitions....just please, please don't make me listen to her......it's like the hillbilly song blowing up the martians heads on Mars Attacks

it's like the hillbilly song blowing up the martians heads on Mars Attacks

I wish something like that would work in real life...sigh

KGC,
Like I said....its a personal failing....we all have them...:)

oldsea, the recipe posted at 3:36 seemed to be more like the original than the one in the link. did you see it?
good luck with feeding the hoards. have lots and lots of crusty bread and butter for sopping... almost as good as the fishes and loaves act.

jax, did I mention that they live in Buckhead? They wouldn't want to run the risk of being mistaken for a lib'ral there or have to explain to the FIL why they aren't still proud of his idol.

Well, it looks like Bernanke has finally decided to go all Don Quixote on us.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/business/economy/05fed.html?hp

Paulson and Bushco of course are the windmill. Bernanke must have them mistaken for someone who gives a damn.

where are those damn Martians when you need 'em....

we need them to recreate the scene where they evaporate the Congress....

That wasn't a hillbilly singer

That was Slim Whitman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rXIsWo9clA

Jack,
Little before my time...please excuse my ignorance...:)

re hillbilly, jim pense's video "boss man" worth the listen
http://www.hillbillyreport.com/

Gotta run...I've just been informed by the Commander in Chief that we're eating out tonight......:)

Here's just what the Republicans have hoped for....auto crisis causes unions to make more concessions:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/business/04auto.html?ref=washington

Jax

I'm only familiar with his god awful, but successful TV commercial selling his songs. He was a minor star at best. He was from Jacksonville Florida. according to his bio.

http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/whitman_slim/bio.jhtml

Jack

Jack
Jacksonville is my hometown too.....you'd think I'd be better informed.....:)

CBob, I just saw the Nov. ratings on the TVNEWSER page you linked earlier (at 2:08) for it's breaking news, and it looks quite different than what I saw here the other day comparing the top rated shows.

November Ratings: Top Shows, Top Networks
Fox News Channel had six of the top 10 cable news shows for the month of
November in Total Viewers. MSNBC had two and CNN had two. Here's the list.
1. The O'Reilly Factor
2. Hannity & Colmes
3. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren
4. Special Report with Brit Hume
5. Countdown with Keith Olbermann
6. FOX Report with Shepard Smith
7. America's Election HQ
8. The Rachel Maddow Show
9. Anderson Cooper 360 (@ 10pm)
10. Larry King Live
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/november_ratings_top_shows_top_networks_102362.asp

All this chatter about food in the good old days (poorhouse) has me yearning for some commodity (loaf) cheese and peanut butter. My two faves. I would buy either today if I could find some. I don't have a local contact that gets them.

Commodities are a staple on the rez (FDPIR). Years ago I worked in the distribution center for a week and it was the typical inefficient corrupt BIA/Tribal operation :-) WIC vouchers were good for things not available like juice and milk or seasonal items. USDA powdered milk and eggs are horrible but I loved some of the other stuff. I use to make a make a great BBQ mix with the canned shreaded beef. It was all in the process of draining/straining meat. Even tried a pizza once. . . Terrible! I had a decent recipe for the chicken salad (all meat canned in perservatives of course). Yuk.

Now we just hit the casino buffet LOL

Jack, Slim Whitman may have that kind of singing quality that drives people who don't like country yodeling up the wall, but he did all right. Indian Love Call was a ppretty huge hit over here, and he spent 11 weeks on the top of the chart in GB with Rose Marie (can't say I've ever heard it, though). He was a big hit in Great Britain and had the best selling TV marketed record in music history, with almost 1.5 million units sold (sold by that god-awful commercial you remember). Info courtesy of Wiki.

Well everyone have a good one.

Jax should be in awe of Slim Whitman. He fought against odds, never gave up, and when his music went down in US popularity he took it to the UK and became a superstar there. Then, he anticipated the marketing potential of television and began the lengthy "infomercial" type ads that resulted in his selling a boatload of records here in the US. A true up-by-your-bootstraps success story.

One thing I remember about WIC was that people couldn't by individually wrapped cheese slices on it.

"I use to make a make a great BBQ mix with the canned shreaded beef. It was all in the process of draining/straining meat. Even tried a pizza once. "

Does this mean you were already stealing from the poor, Rez? :)

I think they can now buy almost anything...the people I see with these cards seem to be stocking up on every kind of junk food you can name....

Corey- individually wrapped american cheese is labeled Cheese Food. Honestly can't see the difference, but the FDA seems to.

Patd- I'm so sorry, thought I thanked you for that.- just popping in and out between batches- guess I lose track. Yes , that looks exactly like the recipe. I didn't often have a ham bone so I would buy a half pound of ham from the deli, seemed to do the trick!
Rezdog- turns out my cousins are based in Shawnee Oklahoma. Near you?

I guess it's "fake cheese", OSH.

"Does this mean you were already stealing from the poor, Rez?"

?? You hitting the jug again!

A real porker!

osh,

Shawnee is right down the road (25 minutes) from where we lived before moving up here. I know quite few folks that live/lived there.

are we there yet?

Rezdog-Know any Kepharts?

No.. some Capeharts..Tulsa/OKC

No B, it's always been up for grabs whether you were trying to enlist Rez to your fan club, or he you.

jimmie sam gray......that nashville bassist I mentioned singing with townes at the end of lebowski......from oklahoma.........cherokee.................good player.....he says he's still wearing the overcoat I brung him from Moose Jaw.......................

Grays and Sams.....lots of them in Indian Country in OK.

Chloe,

When looking at ratings, always look at 25-54 and then 18-34. Depending on the product, those are the numbers that advertisers buy. Fox demos OLD. Still the numbers for November in 25-54 were good for Fox just not as good as the total watcher numbers.

And here are the top 10 shows in A25-54 demo:

1. The O'Reilly Factor
2. Countdown with Keith Olbermann
3. Hannity & Colmes
4. Anderson Cooper 360 (@ 10pm)
5. The Rachel Maddow Show
6. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren
7. Larry King Live
8. The O'Reilly Factor (Repeat @ 11pm)
9. FOX Report with Shepard Smith
10. Anderson Cooper 360 (@ 11pm)

Children's hospital visit inspires Red Wings:

http://www.freep.com/article/20081204/SPORTS05/812040410/1053/SPORTS05

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179412

You mean Velveeta??

Greta's been following the flare up with the Aruba murder mystery. . plus Mrs. Alaska.

Oh and 18-34 the top 3 are

Olbermann
Maddow
Anderson Cooper

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/original/November%20'08%20(LIVE+SD)%20FINAL%20Year-to-Year%20Programs.pdf

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179406

Patsi,

There is a major difference between "cheese" and "Cheese food or product". One is made from milk, the other from oil with little nutritional value. Until I taught them what to look for, the children didn't understand why "cheese food" got fed to the garbage can.

should have addressed that bit about cheese food to OSH

Later all,

Headed to the rez to donate to the harpoon fund or maybe commit a little thievery of a BJ dealer or two. :-)

Aha. Exact definition of Cheese food and product

In 2002, the FDA warned Kraft that Velveeta was being sold with packaging that described it as a "pasteurized processed cheese food," which the FDA claimed was false ("cheese food" must contain at least 51% cheese). Velveeta is now sold as a "cheese product," using a term for items that contain less than 51% cheese.[3]

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179238

Even if you feel that way Flatus, we have an extremely high standard of living here, and a VERY strong social security system. If Flanders was to break off from Wallonia, it would have one of the highest living standards in Europe. I bitch about paying my taxes, but I know the investment comes back to me.

Jamie "cheese food product" is dreadful !! :-)

Oh yeah and I meant to respond to your comment on "A Star is Born". When I first visited NYC in 198(1?), I had just sent each set of parents a "your son is gay" letter and went to the Big Apple to get away for 10 days. In Greenwich Village there was a theatre holding a screening for the restored version of "A Star is Born"... I was alone and heard about it, and thought "sure why not?". I LOVED IT !!!! I was a bit taken aback by the photo stills in the film, but I didn't mind because I was able to get the intended flavor of the film.

Oh and on a totally different vein, well not totally different, gay icons are gay icons... here is a song by Cher that I think is sooo great. And too bad it wasn't on her Living Proof album. It was only on the version in Japan of all things...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03hU7lIhbPo

Also, I add a song that was from the film STUCK ON YOU. It was supposed to be on the soundtrack, but the soundtrack was never released !

HUMAN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nz_lQ2NKwo

"Aha. Exact definition of Cheese food and product
In 2002, the FDA warned Kraft that Velveeta was being sold with packaging that described it as a "pasteurized processed cheese food," which the FDA claimed was false ("cheese food" must contain at least 51% cheese). Velveeta is now sold as a "cheese product," using a term for items that contain less than 51% cheese.[3]"

Ha, Jamie. You've ruined American cheese for me. I just read this opinion blog that said to buy your American cheese at the deli counter, and I'm going to try that. :)

Mandoline's Slice
http://www.thefoodinmybeard.com/2008/08/21/MandolinesSlice.aspx

ps Thanks for the ratings info too.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179141

Michael Moore cynic? I think Michael Moore is a visionary of the greatness America can achieve. off to bed again...

Meant to ask if it was unbearably cold in New York last night. I tried to watch the show of the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center. One of the few true blessings I have is an ear for perfect pitch. I swear every single singer was singing flat ... i mean nails on a blackboard flat.

I don't know if the younger ones were trying for something soulful or jazzy, but it didn't work.

Dumbest Lawsuit Ever - Poor Gordo
Jonathan Turley on Olbermann tonight.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179381

Heheheheh Jax... except in Italy. My little bambino always refers to the train system in Italy as the "best train system in Africa"...

jamie, I am tired.. when I read your opening line I read "Dumbest Lawsuit Ever - Poor DUMBO"... Then I blinked and say it said "Gordo"... freudian? probably. Goodnight all... I have to wake up in 4 hours.

Jamie -- You may know if this is true....my son tells me that packaged shredded cheese is coated with something to keep it from clumping. So he doesn't like to use it....and shreds cheeses himself. I am basically lazy and would rather buy packaged...ever heard anything about this?

Patsi,

It is coated with an emulsion to prevent mold development and clumping.

" However, the FDA approved the use of natamycin, a microbial-derived compound, by manufacturers to prevent yeast and mold growth"

Chloe,

You can buy American Cheese among the other cheeses, you just have to read the labels. Almost all of the sliced American is food or product, but there is almost always at least one that is real cheese. It's fairly easy to spot since it costs twice as much. :-)

The Deli counter is usually cheaper.

Jamie, the cheese they could buy was "Kraft Deluxe".

You know Jamie, I usually do read labels before I settle on a product and stick with it. Don't know why I haven't on cheese (except that I really don't eat all that much). But I'm going to from now on.

I'm very aware of the nutritional values of most foods and know that bad habits form easily. But sometimes I slip. Thanks for the information.

See you tomorrow.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179447

Patsi,

It's soooo easy to shred your own cheese with the Cuisinart.

Ivy -- I'm wondering which type shredder is harder to clean cheese from....but next time I make something with shredder cheese, I may go the extra mile...ha

Cuisinart?

I use a toothbrush on my old hand held metal shredder. :-)

In case you missed KO

Prop 8 The Musical

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179454

Patsi,

I use the shredding blade that came with the machine. To clean it, I pour on hot or boiling water - any stuck cheese melts right away. My Cuisinart is about 25 years old and still going strong. I bought a replacement which sits unused 'cuz I can't bear to part with the original.

Thanks for the info about the pre-shredded packaged cheese coatings - I didn't know that. All the more reason.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/corporate-welfare-queens.html#comment-179455

Full disclosure...I still use the trusty old hand-held for shredding a cup or less...but for a big fluffy pile of cheddar in an instant, I bring on the power tool. lol

Lots of cheesy posts here tonight!

Jamie- Thanks for the info. Been careful to buy cheese for years., but sometimes the troops request American. Have always been stumped by Land of Lakes American though. What is the difference between Land of Lakes American in the deli and LOL American in the slices. The label is exactly the same except the sliced is cheese food.

Corey- LOL

Grandpa Fred Thompson tells us a bedtime story oh please Grandpa let it have a happy ending SMILE.

http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=32754

Looks like Rachel was out drinking last night in Cali.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE AND NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Defense Secretary Robert Gates outlines his vision for the next Pentagon. Called "A Balanced Strategy: Reprogramming the Pentagon for a New Age,"

Just another hired gun.

btw Lampe - you have a bigger reason for hoping Obama succeeds - even if you are not happy about the election. And that is because he is the next POTUS at a time when the US is facing some of the most critical challenges in recent history.

If Obama wins - so does the US. I would think you would prefer that - rather than having the ability to say "I told you so"...

"Nothing to bash Clinton about, she's an Obamabot now!"

She is Secretary of State, fruitloop. He either needs her expertise, or he needs cover. We'll see which.

The first time you wrote that this evening I choose to ignore it but now feel I should clarify that the 2 nights that I wrote that to you was because you were repeatedly posting to me, aggressively name calling. I know you think you are clever using my words, but sorry it's just not the same situation and am not harassing you. Also noting that you have already started in with name calling again.

that famous Puma Barney Frank sez Obama's act is already wearing thin...

Democrats: Obama needs hands-on economic approach

By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer

Thursday, December 4, 2008
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(12-04) 18:12 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

Democrats are growing impatient with President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to inject himself in the major economic crises confronting the country. Obama has sidestepped some policy questions by saying there is only one president at a time. But the dodge is wearing thin. "He's going to have to be more assertive than he's been," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., told consumer advocates Thursday.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/04/national/w151125S86.DTL&type=politics&tsp=1

I think Obama respects her and appreciates all the work she did for him after she dropped out.

I also think that - despite all their heated battles during the campaign - there is a certain kinship between the two. A bond created by that historic primary because no one else but HRC can relate to what Obama has just been through.

sociopath [(soh-see-uh-path, soh-shee-uh-path)]

Someone whose social behavior is extremely abnormal. Sociopaths are interested only in their personal needs and desires, without concern for the effects of their behavior on others. (Compare psychopath.)

Warren: Can you please explain to me, why when according to you The US is facing the most critical challenges in our History, people would then vote for someone , with the least experience, for the highest office in the land. And, I would no more say I told you so, then you would say that to me had HRC won. would you say that to me?

Two reasons Lampe.

1. Getting beyond partisan gridlock. This was the biggest reason I favored Obama over HRC. Hillary wanted to relitigate the partisan battles of the last 10-15 years. Yes she would have been a great fighter. But I government needs more progress and less fighting.

For Obama, moving past the politics of division was not just a campaign slogan. It is how he lived his life since he never really fit into one group. He spoke about it at the 2004 Convention. Wrote an entire book about it (The Audacity of Hope). And we have seen him put it into practice during his campaign and now with the transition.

2. Foreign Policy. The problems of today - Terrorism and the Economic Crisis - are global problems - not just American problems. They will not be fixed with unilateral solutions (see the last 8 years). Obama (and Clinton) can restore America's leadership in the world by helping America be the force that brings Countries together to solve these problems.

(And if HRC would have won - I would have celebrated the fact that we elected the first female POTUS and hoped for her success.)

Funny how he needs her help now. Seems to me she wasn't good enough to be his running mate. And the only reason he picked her, is because he figured if he gave her a cabinet position, she would not be able to run against him in 4 years. You may believe everything he is selling the American People, but there are alot of us who do not. I just hope we have no more terrorists attacks on his watch, because it could mean the end of all of us.

Biden has always wanted to be a politician before a statesman. He is the quintessential "Hail Fellow Well Met."

" 'Hail fellow well met' is a somewhat archaic English idiom used either as an exaggerated greeting or referring to a person who is sociable and constantly making an effort at winning friends."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_fellow_well_met