Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Craig, watch out for sandwiches. You know what happened to Mama Cass... Glad you are alright!

Well, at least they're something that's made in the USA.

Uh-oh...it's Friday the 13th. I'd better stay in with the covers pulled up for the next 24 hours.

I would really like to know why my comment was removed from here. Are people allowed to call others liars and frauds, but when someone is defending themselves their remarks are removed?

Call me a cynic Lampe, but I don't believe you are you say you are. You write like Monica Goodling. What if I turn into gordo, and start demanding your real birth certificate ? Isn't that the way you folks work ?

And I'm sorry, but when homeless people are called plants at political events, it gets my back up. Here's hoping none of us end up living in our cars. You post calling a homeless woman a plant, and then you get all puffed up. Zero empathy , for a crying homeless woman trapped living in a park. And everyday, more Americans are moving into their cars, if they are lucky enough to have one to move into.
If that woman in Ft. Myers was acting, then forget the Oscars. We have the all time best actress in the history of theater. Fly her to Hollywood.
So have an outrage on me Lampe. Put it on my tab, Put it on that shelf next to all those other psyhco drama statues.

Hi, Ivy - I didn't mean to jump between ETom and Ree, but I think someone else remarked also, and that surprised me, and made me curious as to what I wasn't understanding about Ree's posts. If the second comment hadn't been made, it would have all gone over my head. I really don't understand some of the comments made here about others cuz I like everyone.

Lampe -I don't know about any remark of yours that wasn't posted. I just read several of yours on the last blog.

I will agree with you on the subject of the homeless woman to the extent that I am always leery of stories of a miracle being performed by a single meeting with a politician.

I don't know the deails of this incident - just saw that a woman told Obama she was homeless, and got a house. I don't wonder if the person is a plant, but I do wonder if the story is as simple as it seems. Any way, I am as skeptical as you are, about all such stories not just this one.

So I guess, CBob, that makes me as stupid as Lampe by your standards, but I'm not insulted - it's hard to insult me, as I've said before. That's partly because I think everyone is entitled to an opinion, and partly because I know myself better than others - if they knew me was well as I know myself, I'm sure they wouldn't want to insult me -HA!

CBob - you asked a question that got me thinking: when was the last time a president answered a question from a homeless person? I kinda think that several have without even knowing it. Anybody at a town hall meeting might be homeless, it seems to me.
If that woman was determined to get there in order to ask her question, good for her.

I suspect Bush kept so many out of his town hall meetings that a homeless person couldn't get in. But I do think it is a real possibility that the Clinton's were in the way of talking with the homeless, and it wouldn't surprise me that it happened. I would think it would really energize Bill.

As I held our new baby tonight - he's so little! 3 weeks- I had two thoughts.

How in the world could anyone look at this little bundle of life and see sin?????????????? The doctrine of original sin is a sin in itself. Christianity and Islam both are way too wound up with sex. My thought is that it's because sex causes a loss of control, and the hierarchy want to control their people themselves.

My second thought was that our new baby was born on Inauguration Day, an auspicious day. That means, as he is 3 weeks old, so is Obama's administration - they were born on the same day.

There's been a lot of growth since then in that little body, and in the new administration. The media is putting out a lot of info and opinion - they need to get some self-control, start to ease up on speculation and consider different possibilities and interpretations.

Sorry, Ivy - now I am going to jump into this because I see some irony here. Frankly, I do think that anything which is posted openly and publicly is matter for discussion from anyone. I certainly expect others to respond to anything I say, or else I wouldn't say it.

CBob and Lampe - it seems to me that you are accusing yourselves as well as each other.

You are both questioning the authenticity of some one you don't know. Lampe thinks this woman might be aplant, and CBob thinks Lampe might be a plant.

Lampe - I think that post might be on the last blog.
G'night!

I got back online to let you all know that it is pouring rain outside now and sounds so wonderful!!!!!!!!! In February we have had about two inches of rain - that's on my gauge on my patio which is somewhat sheltered.

Now apparently the systems are stacked up out in the Pacific like planes at JFK. Might could rain all weekend - how's that for a Texas phrase? my favorite.

Oh, and Jamie - I vote for Asilomar and any time except for birthdays in my family - HA!

Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone,
For the times, they are a chang - in'

--young bobby dylan

that looked so nice here's the rest of it.......

Come writers and critics who prophecies with your pen
And keep your eyes wide the chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon for the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who that it's namin'
For the loser now will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'
Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don't criticize what you don't understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand
For the times they are a-changin'
Come senators, congressmen please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside and it's ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'
The line it is drawn the curse it is cast
The slow one now will later be fast
As the present now will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'

Good article by Krugman today:

Republicans committed to voodoo

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/opinion/13krugman.html?ref=opinion

Sorry sturge, but Dylan's words sound a little hollow. The times ain't changing. Except for the worse, maybe. Tax cuts for the rich. Middle finger to the middle class. Tax cuts for the big business. Middle finger to education.

The only rattling and shaking going on is the sound of people moving out of their homes while bankers take bonuses.

As Nixon supposedly said to Hunter Thompson:

Fu@k the doomed.

to paraphrase an old phrase:

the wheels of change grind exceeding slow......but they also grind exceeding small.....

I put that dylan song up for Cbob's post on last thread.....about GOP being the dinosaur party and all that......

Change is happening......it aint fast but it's steady.....even tho all the while there is nothing new under the sun and all that, the humans keep getting generally smarter in spite of the insecure neanderthalians' blanketing attempts to keep things the way they like them.......

actually........sorry to slander the neanderthalians.....they always get a bad rap......and they seem to have been a pleasant enough people.....except when them crow-munions started in with their "neanderthal jokes"............

Patsi.......ask strom thurmond's black daughter if the times has changed any.........lol

typical crow-munion "neanderthal joke":

Hey.....whaddya call it when you take big clubs and beat some neanderthals back into the stone age and steal their cave?

A good start.

"sorry to slander the neanderthalians"

ROFL

"sorry to slander the neanderthalians"

I stole that line from a Marvin Hamlisch song.........

imagine.......you're sitting in your house, drinkin' a beer and watchin' a little tee-vee......and a damn plane just falls out of the sky right on top of you........holey coley.....

and then......... every day and night millions of americans are flying by each other in opposite directions at seventy miles an hour in little metal boxes only inches apart........

Humans is nuts.

Cars: my shop is located on The Road of Death. Just the trees directly in front of my brother's house have claimed many lives......it doesnt make much news, maybe a little blurb in the paper, but if all the trees on this road which have resulted in death from SUV-OAK collision had a wad of plastic flowers tacked on them and a little wooden cross hammered into the ground at their feet........Then if you throw in trucks, motorcycles and old pony-acks this road would look like a long skinny cemetary.............

There's these two McMansion Islands located off the end of my island...... all the people building the homes there must travel with their huge pick-up trucks and trailers across what used to be little back roads lined with ancient oak trees.....they have to blend in with the vehicles of the bunches and bunches of people who inhabit the two Big Mac Islands........It's an automobile steeplechase with high stakes for not making the jump.........

the hotly contested expressway proposed across the old farm land of the island to the two big mac islands is a big topic around these here parts........

oh.....left out all the semi trucks of the building materials, furniture, restaurant food etc etc..........semi's on this road....(little back country two-lane road with the trees mostly no more than a foot from the road edge).....they will scare you crapless....especially when they veer to the center to avoid hitting the low hanging limbs of the mighty oaks......ha.......you can see right now big chunks of metal imbedded in overhanging limbs......

they been farming this island almost since charleston was charles towne ........so what you have is Highway safety and efficiency vs. ancient farmland with a big highway run thru it......

I figure......let the market decide.

lol

well......either the market or the next hurricane.........

"A Sandwich for Every Taxpayer"

friend of mine from kain-tuck used to sing:

The economic theory of "trickle".......the rich get a sandwich and the poor get a pickle........

$13 on Friday the 13th?

Lucky Day…

Hey maybe President Obama will nominate someone that can stick - No Tax Problems, No State influence charges and Maybe Pres Obama will cross the isle not as a show or brave soldier trying to move people but with big open ears and real intent to be inclusive.

The President has had his run with influence – and a gesture is sweet and politically expedient – but a shallow marketing ploy.

I would rather see him just stand up and announce his Social plans then keep trying to hide them and sneak them in – and also the faux openness appears to have little depth.

Morning all
Sturge, Looks like I might be going down your way next week to St. Simons. Am keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey what if you are paid Every other week or once per month.
I am EOW - so that means I get a bigger refund - $26

And not fair - the once a month get $52 in their paycheck.

Come on how can this be right.

O Sea........yes......I'd heard that georgia also had some sea islands.........i never believed it but I guess I'm making progress......

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We spend 50 percent more of our economy on health care than any nation on earth," he says. "We have the largest uninsured population of any major industrialized nation. We have above average infant mortality, below average life expectancy, and much higher than average medical error rates for an industrialized nation," Walker points out.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/01/60minutes/main2528226.shtml?source=search_story

I could agree with the tax cuts - and after all lots of the talk is just talk with the AMT - which at the end of all the calcualations is the simple way it should all be done anyway for personal.

We do need Tax incentives for industry - keep it simple and incentive behavior - Like Solar Energy (power - water). Home Ownership...

Few and simple

The tax breaks are just disgraceful. They won't help any middle to low income people in the least. And the congress knows that. Give a billionaire a break and cut education. Great idea.

I could agree withNO tax cuts.... To simplify the code

Sturge- never been to your sea islands. Is the water blue there?

Sea, for blue water head to Guam--absolutely pristine--superb shelling, etc, etc.

Hey Flatus, we got blue water up here. Its brownish in GA, never could get use to that. My brother loves it though, he says its "life".

Sea, I couldn't afford going to your neighborhood. I have this absolute lust for lobster that would put Stinky and me on the street. :)

no blue water here......murky dark green and brown.....with pluff mud underneath in the creeks......

http://www.charlestonwiki.org/Pluff_mud

Well, Flatus, if you can deal with a rambling wreck, a big loud irish family, a bunch of teenagers coming and going and a crazed chocolatier, being on your own for meals, you are always welcome. Summertime is sublime, really all you need is a place to hang your hat. I got a nice porch though overlooking the harbor and packy! I work a lot but always happy to kick back at cocktail hour!

That invite is extending to my other friends here of course too.

Good Morning all
Sea your just the sweetest!! Your fudge too!! I will order again soon....

mornin'.

sturg, it may be early, but this gets my vote for post of the day.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199897

"The economic theory of "trickle".......the rich get a sandwich and the poor get a pickle........"

my friend, you are on a roll today. (Yes, I know...)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199879

Bethy, Not to get your hopes up, but I sent a couple of suggestions for Craig's book tour and his agent wrote back that if she can get the Pacific Grove book store, she might come as well if it meant Asilomar. :-)

pogo.....lol.....that belongs to Ruester.....townes' guitar player and sidekick for a while.....

I got up later than usual this morning. What put the burr under Joe Scarborough's saddle this morning? He was rude, loud, bullying, insulting and talking over everybody.

I know he can be rambunctious and sometimes it's fun, but this AM he was really on a tear.

Hey Tony, not really making fudge for a few months, made truffles this week though! Whenever you're up north you know you're welcome here!

Hey, Flatus, there may be hope for you yet.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=757661

Lobster prices ain't what they used to be.

Jamie good morning, Could you please post the email for his publisher? Meant to write it down and now have forgotten which post it was on.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/politics/2009/02/11/stimulus_battle/
Here's a bit of Joan Walsh

"Party on, GOP"

"I think Obama should say: Party on, GOP. But we're not going to let you continue to wreck our economy the way you have these last eight years. According to Gallup, Americans back Obama's stimulus plan, and Obama, overwhelmingly this week, despite some missteps on appointees as well as the stimulus sales job. He's got political capital to spend -- I mean, invest -- and if he does it wisely, even Republicans will prosper. He's got to call their bluff on this."

Happy to have the soothing sounds of the cattle auctioneer back, couldn't really do Joe's Polka on a regular basis.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199923

Thanks Sea-Kathleen........

Daiper Dave Vitter holds forth on judicial nominees - somehow sees wanting judges with empathy for the poor as akin to dictatorship.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/02/diaper-dave-vitter-suggests-obama-wants-dictatorship

Maybe he got one of those STDs that rot your brain. He's one mo-ron who needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and be thought a fool instead of opening it and removing all doubt.

OSH

Diane Nine at ninespeakers@usa.net

I can't believe that one of the 9/11 widows was in that Continental crash.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ioFnI4UjrmuBj79rn9OxkgjaKqxw

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199891

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8IHMctrKCg

Change we can believe in (LOL)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199915

Thank you, Sea, that's most gracious. I wish we could travel more, but we can't. In any case, your destination would be very high our list!

$13 bucks a week..give it to us every week ...

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

Thanks Craig, that was pretty funny, it reminds me of old joke during the depression when poor people take turns eating on alternate days...is it my turn to yet:) Don't go crazy with that $13.00 everybody. My Dad told me stories when he was a kid, during the depression, he was orphaned, and his Aunt Peg would give him a silver dollar each weekend, when he was able to visit them from the orphanage. He said, he could get a huge fat hamburger for a nickle during the depression, he could really stretch that dollar.....Which reminds me of Wimpy from Popeye: I would gladly pay you Thursday for a Hamburger today:) Now I'm getting hungry, I guess I better get used to it LOL!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199871

Lampe, i just noticed your comment and wanted you to know I did not remove your comment, wasn't up at that hour. DId it have 3 or more links? Or coud have been eaten by a tech monster. This is an open thread, everything goes.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199924

Pogo, I figure it would take 5-lobsters for Stinky and me--more if I make some lobster Newburg. And then we would have to multiply all that by 2.5 to handle our family in the immediate area.

But, all that said, I will go exploring for a low cost air shipper. :)

This may have been posted (sorry do not have time to read all posts), but the Obama town hall meetings have that revival tent feel....place your hands on me Mr. President!

flatus, I was just joshing about the lobsters - I knew they were cheap last fall after seeing an article that quoted a lobsterman as saying that he could now eat lobsters because they were cheaper than hamburger. Still, $8 a pound ain't bad for that delicacy.

OSH,

I'm planning on having breakfast in Altamont tomorrow. Is EC likely to be around or, is he enjoying life in some warmer climate at this time of year?

Hmm, I did find 6-pounders for $9 a pound. And add about that much for Fedex. But the thought was nice.

Wouldf those sandwiches happen to be bologna sandwiches, Craig? LOL!

You people who wanna complain aboput the 13 dollar tax cuts remind me of the people at work who complained at work on Thursday when the company bought us Valentines cookies and put a 2 cookie limit on them! They should have been happy we got any cookies at all!

OK, admitting that I'm one who on bad days has difficullty seeing patterns in things, and looking at the Judd Gregg Commerce nomination withdrawal, I'm trying to divine some underlying pattern, unifying principle, philosophy for the department, or some common thread of any sort behind the nomination first of Bill Richardson then Judd Gregg for Commerce Secretary and am frankly coming up completely empty. Anyone got anything to offer on this one other than that both Richardson and Gregg both were governors (albeit in Greggs case in the distant past) and both ultimately withdrew their names from consideration? I'm befuddled.

Ed- Are you going to the Home Front? Such a great restaurant with all the WWII memorabilia about. Try their sausage too , it's great.
Sorry my Dad won't be there, he is in GA till after the magnolias bloom. But just mention him there, everybody knows him, he did the oil and the stain glass in the window too! I'm Kathleen or Kathy. If you see the guy with the cowboy hat in the back left hand corner, please say hello to him for me too, He's the old police chief and one of the last cowboys left. Did a great video about them which won an important award (can't remember the name though). And don't believe a word he says about me, I deny it all!

flatus, 6 pounders? Dayum, them's huge lobsters.

Rumor has it that former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be joining a division of Compuware in Dallas, Tx.

Gregg said he couldn't have supported Obama 100%.

flatus, this is what I saw last year that made me make the joking comment about lobsters:

http://consumerist.com/5107436/recession-bargain-lobsters-are-cheap-cheap-cheap

But these are some big lobsters.

http://www.wholesalelobster.com/fromthedocks.html

Corey, if that was meant to be in response to my request for assistance, you might have said they both had a pulse when chosen (at least I think Gregg is alive). Aside froma couple of folks here, I don't think anyone could honestly say they could support Obama 100% of the time.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199938

Ree, I've prolly told this before, but your "take turns eating" story reminds me of the kid in my brother's class who was one of 12 children in a family that had only 10 coats in their closet. He showed up at school one day coat-less and the teacher asked, where's your coat? He said, "I overslept."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199947

Pogo,

The only connection I can spot between the two nominees is that Commerce handles two areas that have heavy state involvement: The Census, and NOAA http://www.noaa.gov/ weather. I don't know enough about how either works, but I would think that knowing your way around state governement would be a big help for the Department.

No, that was a headline I read, Pogo.

OSH,

Yes, I'm hitting the Home Front at your suggestion. I'll look for the chief and give him your regards. Don't worry, I know how those old-timers can make up stories, so I'll only believe the good stuff.

Disclaimer: I'm going to withhold my definition of "good" until I find out how much they give me to work with.

It really is true the more things "Change", the more things remain the same.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashpr.htm

well, jamie, that's more than I saw. :-)

OK, Corey - still . . .

Pogo, you keep enticing me with those lobsters, I'll get you for elder abuse. :))

Ed- LOL, have a great breakfast. Coming down 146?

Jamie- thank you!

Reality check----per Paul Krugman--the unresolved banking/financial crisis--- provides a less than reassuring observation of what is happening.

Geithner's plan wasn't bad, rather it was vague.

"Over all, the effect was to kick the can down the road. And that's not good enough."

So far Obama's response has been "fiscal expansion large enough to avert the worst, but not enough to kick-start recovery; suport for the banking system, but a reluctance to force banks to face up to their losses. It's early days yet, but we're falling behind the curve.

"I've got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach--a feeling that America just isn't rising to the greatest economic challenge in 70 years. "

"There's still time to turn this around. But Mr. Obama has to be stronger looking forward."

"Failure to Rise"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/opinion/13krugman.html

Ed- Cindy & Jack, the owners, were huge fundraisers for the WWII memorial in DC. Jack also collects army tanks like the one you'll see outside. Quirky village Altamont!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199947

Pogo...don't feel bad, because there is no pattern. The Commerce post traditionally goes to some fat cat/politico type who will raise buttloads of money for the re-election. Not sure that Richardson fit that bill, and Gregg definitely not.

I hope Obama goes the more traditional route for his third try.

This graphical representation of the stimulus package from today's Wall Street Journal is the single best depiction I've seen of how it's built. It's definitely worth clicking, printing out...and maybe even taping to the fridge door for future reference.

http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/WSJ_Stimulus_021209.pdf

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199958

Disingenuous BS. The Bill was posted on the USGPO website on Jan. 23, was debated in both houses of congress, passed in each in different forms, was taken to conference committee and negotiated to a final form, which was then posted on the web at about 5:00 yesterday. The House has a history of the bill posted on its website that makes it pretty easy to see what was deleted, etc. - mostly at the insistence of the 3 Rep. senators who voted for cloture, btw. If Boner and the Repugs don't know what the bill looks like, it's because they have pissed around for the past 2 1/2 weeks without reading it and knowing what of the original bill they did and did not agree because they were too busy posturing to do their jobs. Having idiots like Drudge and hags like Coulter call the dems down for not posting the negotiated version of the bill for 48 hours (what, Boner didn't have anyone involved in the conference committee? - I find that hard to believe) is just more of the same BS we've come to expect from the Repugs in Congress. Luckily, it appears the American people aren't being fooled by this idiocy.

Craig...excellent plug for Martin's! You even worked in a visual of one of the great paintings! (Although I would have preferred one of the fox-hunting watercolors.)

Ivy Green,

It makes you wonder what todays kids are in for? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...Obama is going to make us all real "STRONG"

LL, wait a minute - I thought this was a spending bill - isn't that what the detractors in the frickin' repug party are calling it. It appears that spending is the smallest of the 3 components of the bill as the WSJ characterize them. And you mean the WSJ - print arm of the repug party - has had the time not only to read the entire bill, but to analyze and publish a graphic representation of it? Hmmm. I wonder what Boner's staff has been doing - dreaming up talking points instead of reading?

For C-Bob's global warming file -- fish migrating to warmer waters:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/02/12/fish.migration.study/index.html

Thanks Craig: There was a few moments this morning where I turned into my EVIL-TWIN. It really is better those comments never posted.

My favorite passage from Krugman's article today -

"But it’s now clear that the party’s commitment to deep voodoo — enforced, in part, by pressure groups that stand ready to run primary challengers against heretics — is as strong as ever. In both the House and the Senate, the vast majority of Republicans rallied behind the idea that the appropriate response to the abject failure of the Bush administration’s tax cuts is more Bush-style tax cuts.

"And the rhetorical response of conservatives to the stimulus plan — which will, it’s worth bearing in mind, cost substantially less than either the Bush administration’s $2 trillion in tax cuts or the $1 trillion and counting spent in Iraq — has bordered on the deranged.

"It’s “generational theft,” said Senator John McCain, just a few days after voting for tax cuts that would, over the next decade, have cost about four times as much. "

Ree, perhaps you should consider that before being too critical of Obama making us strong - in comparison, Bush was engaged in trying to make us Titans. And I hope you were as outraged at the Bush tax cuts and the Iraq spending (btw, remember when Dumya mocked Kerry for suggesting Iraq would cost as much as $14B?) as you are at the stimulus.

But now, lunch.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199969

thanks, Lard, all credit goes to producer Andrew. he's a visual genius and i just do what he tells me to

btw, i hope some of you are making clips for our next hard times video -- andrew can have a lot of fun with it:
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/create-your-ode-to-the-financi.html

New drug czar:

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1879306,00.html

Those in the GOP, whose hell-bent stance is to be the Party of "NO", will find its return karma in 2010 and 2012 when the American public will have their turn to vote No! It is unfortunate for them that the GOP continue to Place themselves on the wrong side of history and that which is good.

However, the Stimulus, Rebuild America Package will do a lot more for future generations than your rheteroic which does nothing but pollute the air.

The Big Boys get million$. We get sandwishes.

Congress kills plan to recover Wall Street bonuses

By MATTHEW DALY –
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have killed a plan that would have forced financial institutions to compensate taxpayers if they paid their executives large bonuses after receiving federal bailout money.

The Senate had approved the repayment plan as part of an effort to crack down on Wall Street firms that paid huge bonuses — some in the millions of dollars — to their top executives even as they received taxpayer money in the federal bailout last fall.

The provision was removed as House and Senate negotiators hammered out final details of the $789 billion economic stimulus legislation this week.

A spokeswoman for Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said no one spoke against the amendment when Wyden introduced it on the Senate floor. "Somehow, it got stripped out behind closed doors," said the spokeswoman, Jennifer Hoelzer.

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=76405753568&h=BchNW&u=N4PRN

Craig - Get your tux ready.

"Comedian Wanda Sykes will be this year's entertainment at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner May 9th."

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/events/whca_books_wanda_sykes__108571.asp?c=rss

The gentlewoman from California speaketh too much?

"If accurate, what this says is that Pakistani involvement, or at least acquiescence, has been much more extensive than has previously been known," he said. "It puts the Pakistani government in a far more difficult position [in terms of] its credibility with its own people. Unfortunately it also has the potential to threaten Pakistani-American relations."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-uspakistan13-2009feb13,0,4776260.story

Umm, TX is not gonna turn any bluer, but everybody's gotta have a dream.

"But I take Kay Bailey Hutchison at her word, which is that she intends to run for governor and that she intends to resign her seat. If that happens we will have a great candidate in Texas."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/DN-senateseat_13tex.ART.State.Edition1.4e8dc3d.html

O'REILLY SENDS THOMAS FLOWERS

Not sure if this counts as the apology that some have demanded from Bill O’Reilly for calling Helen Thomas a wicked witch after the President’s press conference, but I just learned from her that he has sent flowers. Helen’s only comment about this little dustup: “I would like to thank Bill O’Reilly for the flowers.”

Estelle Bennet of the Ronetts passes away - age 63

http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20090213/comcast.estellebennett/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7pmwqDLxU0

one more cow, bartendar, for my friends

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/coke-has-a-rival-rsss-cow-urine-cola/421641/

actually, this sounds better than the recycled stuff astronauts drink....

too bad there's already a mad cow cocktail. the following would be more fitting for a name like mad cow:
two shots of stoli pertsovka (pepper vodka) in gau jal (cow water)
or maybe it could be called a re-pee-ter

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199985

Helen's next move: Flying over FOX News headquarters and skywriting "SURRENDER BILLO!"

Question:
Is it agreed that those that use tax payer funds need to be frugal and watch the costs?

How is Princess Nancy P flying to Europe for her Crown? This is clearly more important then our crisis.

Taxpayer expense?

Now also the big talk of President Obama - and his concern for global warming - why is he flying that big 747 and escort jets. Walk the talk? Not so far.

Just like a more open process- come now what is happening to this bill?

No Confidence - Which is why we are seeing a tank in the market

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/abolish-lieutenant-governors.html#comment-199786

thanks, cbob... and for an encore headline:

CRAWFORD CHUCKS CHICKEN CHUNK
renown pundit critiques wmal luncheon

a rose by any other name....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/13/blackwater-changes-name-xe

Ping, it's an official trip -- of course it's at taxpayer expense.

Ask the Secret Service about the jet - I think they have more say in it than he does.

The bill is in the hands of the legislature - divided government and all that.. The transparency you mock was there wrt the admin when the bill as outlined by the admin in the form of H.R. 1 was posted 3 weeks ago.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199968

Why what we're seeing in the market happen is open to debate. It could be continued resposne to 1.2 million new unemployment claims in the past 2 weeks or to the news that Europe sunk further into recession than the US in the closing months of 2007, either of which could give traders indigestion, stimulus bill notwithstanding. The glass is hardly clear.

interesting that blackwater is now calling itself xe (pronouced zee).... remember the '69 film?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_(film)

. . . oh, and the Times believes that today's Wall Street slide is because of new bank fears and in spite of the stimulus.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/02/13/business/business-us-markets-stocks.html

Thanks for the great work on the economy, George.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/business/economy/13fed.html?em

Yep, those tax cuts are a great way to stimulate the economy and help individuals build wealth in the process.

New news:
--------------
"Why?

Is it a coincidence that both the Occidental lawyers and the Obama lawyers have addresses at 100 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles? And, that Woocher, selected as a "Southern California Super Lawyer, 2009" practices "political law" -- what's "political law?"

There's at least 48 legal cases attempting to gain access to various documents from Obama's past. In this one case, Obama is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to hide his bona fides, and using a "Super Lawyer" to do it. You do the math. Obama is spending millions to hide his past from the American People.

Why?

Watch this case. Occidental's lawyers say they have to comply with Gary Kreep's subpoena. Watch to see how Obama's lawyers attempt to manipulate the justice system to quash this subpoena.

Why?"

http://www.theobamafile.com/ObamaLatest.htm

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199989

Lardo, That was the WW of the West not East. Of course, since my former MIL finally departed at 90, the WW of the West may no longer be available for duty either.

astroturfing for Obama an African American Lady has an opinion on that very subject, this isn't news to a lot of folks.

http://cinie.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/knock-it-off-bots/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_(film)

Patd - You can't really say that you "love" a film like that, but it starred one of my favorite actors Yves Montand and was a must see at the time. Both dramatic and frightening.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199996

Rez, If he only had a brain, that might be worth something.

Thanks for that link, Rez. This about said it all: "Cooper has emerged as the dissident-in-chief among House Democrats (a role he's been rehearsing since 1994, when his refusal to pull his "compromise" healthcare proposal helped kill the Clinton plan)."

He never should have been elected in Nashville...after losing to Fred in the previous senate race, he moved into this district specifically to run for Bob Clement's seat when Bob ran...

Then, because he is a gazillionaire, he had the money to buy up huge tv time early in the primaries. That caused the media here to consider him the only game in town.

He hates Hillary because he thinks she is for "socialized medicine" -- jumped into the tank for Obama -- and now starts to stab him in the back.

I sent him a couple of emails reminding him that Tennessee may be red, but Nashville isn't -- all you ever get back is a boiler plate answer.

Bill O'Reilly sends flowers....probably a funeral wreath. He's such an a-hole.

Pogo.. Craig’s Post a few back about Obama lighten up was on track – I would change it to President Obama – Use your gift and focus on one thing at a time.

I would like to see him use his gift with a single focus and real leadership only on the economy and Stimulus.

Get this fixed and the Social agenda elements can be next.

Stimulus is not only the cash. Stimulus is the vision that things can and will get better. Combine the two and you have the opportunity to be truly effective.

What has happened is non Stimulus – Non Business job elements are a contamination – and President Obama is distracted and not focused – not delivery the correct direction and leadership.

The likes of Nancy and Harry - with their new found king of the sand box attitude - And Pres Obama quickly paying the political bills – is the cause and end result NO CHANGE.

I expected so much more – Now we see which Obama is showing up.

We have the resources – we have the will

Right now we have a void in leadership – One that I really expected the Persuasive Obama to master -

His focus is simply not where it needs to be.

Once the good starts again it will be as contagious – it is early and he can CHANGE his ways. After all it is Words – Just Words

New Bank fears go away if you get Balance Sheets back into play and stop the slide - or you keep sliding.

Asset Values in the Catch 22 - just hope not a death Spiral.

No positive leadership is the cause

How to know if a state will be red ... See if they share religious attitudes like Iran.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/114211/Alabamians-Iranians-Common.aspx

25 People most responsible for the current economy.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877351_1877350,00.html

Craig,
You have known George Stephanopoulos in the past? During Carter Admin?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200011

ping, have known him since he worked for Gephardt, but not as far back as Carter, don't think he worked worked for Jimmy

Too Funny.

http://sarah-palin-2012.blogspot.com/2009/02/saving-world-with-935-gazillion.html

Pogo... Like I told Brain the other night, I cannot read 1578 pages - The point is not $1.00 of anything but Jobs and Business Stimulus - Or Housing...same as jobs.. Should be in the bill.
And it must be sustainable not gas on a fire, or sugar to a diabetic - more crash later.

Sad for the Dem's then if they do not get it and sad for us. We are a Capitistic Market Economy - and those that make it happen - are very concerned by the direction.
How can the words Immigration - other then to protect American Jobs- be included in such a bill?

Barack is No Lincoln or JFK.... He needs to find their values.

Top nine economic mistakes Bush made:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1872229_1872230,00.html

this whole Time issue is a pretty good roundup of all the forces driving the economy into the ditch.

HEY ET... This

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123447992613179615.html

Europe going the RIGHT direction - So you all want to learn from Europe -- GOOD IDEA

The shift in Germany appears to confirm a European trend of political conservatives on the rise. In the U.K., the Conservative Party is widely expected to win elections that Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown must call by May 2010. France and Italy don't face elections soon, but opinion polls suggest the center-right governments of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi would win easily if votes were held today.

Good link Jamie...
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200019

Gosh - Who was in control between Reagan and Bush that things changed?
Let me go get a cigar and think about it....

When Ronald Reagan slashed taxes on capital gains and high earners in the early 1980s, inflation was pushing the middle class into top tax brackets, financial markets had been stuck in a funk for 15 years and income inequality had been declining for almost five decades. Like him or not, the man's actions fit the times — and the U.S. economy boomed for most of his two terms in office. Bush came to Washington facing almost diametrically opposing economic conditions, yet he offered up the same solutions as Reagan. Guess what: they weren't what the economy needed.

May God welcome those lost in last nights tragedy home. I think it was St. Thomas More, who said " There is no sorrow on earth that Heaven cannot Heal."

Ponzi scheme puts Mother Maybelle's guitar and Bill Monroe's mandolin at risk:

http://tinyurl.com/cvwmgr

All this stuff about the economy and the stimulus bill and the miscreants who made the mess pales in importance to the Journal's page one article on why people react with nausea and revulsion when confronted with the scent of cilantro.

I feel vindicated.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123446387388578461.html?mod=todays_us_page_one

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200023

Ping, Those tax cuts were a mistake. These boom/bust cycles almost always reflect tax rates that are too low. The best level seems to be in the 60 -70% for the top bracket (ala Kennedy) with no more that four or five brackets. You can adjust for inflation as needed, but the majority of government spending should be directed at the middle class. Anything that makes them healthier financially and makes it easier for them to work, the healthier the economy will be and the richer those on the top end will get so that they are still gaining even with the higher rates.

Deprive that broad middle as was done from Reagan on, the sicker the economy will get. All social spending should be directed at moving the most people possible into that central swath. The ideal would be only those so disabled as to be unable to function in the market place would be left at the lower end. It's obvious we are a long way from the ideal and by depriving social spending particularly in education, child care, and healthcare, that is going to get worse.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200025

Pogo - It''s 5 O'clock somewhere - lets go talk over a beer

Little argument with your points but note the successful public sector elements behave in a Free Market Capitalistic manner.

The VA in Healthcare made the best improvements once they shifted into this model and empowered the local VISN to act. Not perfect but much better.

" people react with nausea and revulsion when confronted with the scent of cilantro. "

ROFL, Flatus -- kind of how I feel about fennel and anise.

But Jamie the NYTimes article disagrees wtih you.
It praised Reagan and the Economy.
Again - What happened tafter Reagan and before the second Bush had to take over?
Why does the Times not explore this element?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200031

I suppose they couldn't go back to Washington and Jefferson for the original argument. Regan was most guilty for union destroying actions that have had a real negative long term effect and cuts in social spending at the Federal level that started so many of the larger states down the road to insolvency.

Besides, I don't always agree with the NY Times so they are allowed to disagree with me on ocassion.

I donated a bunch of furniture to the Holland Rescue Mission this afternoon.

Ping, if I were in FL, I'd take you up on that - hell, I'd buy. Frankly, what I know of the bill is what I read in the papers (well, what passed for them on the internets), and from what I read, the vast majority of the bill puts money into circulation in the economy either directly or indirectly by a short route. Even looking at the portions of the bill that fallinto the "Aid" catgory - 38% of the bill - most of those dollars appear to be going to programs that will either retain or hire employees with the money received. I get the impression that the bulk of the criticism of the bill - aside from the sheer size of it - is not aimed at the fact that the dollars are going to be spent on programs that will increase employment, but rather that the critics don't like the type of programs that will be doing the spending. I can't understand why Republicans who wrap themselves in the mantle of Reagan would cry over a stimuls bill coming from a democratic White House and Congress that has 38% of it in the form of tax cuts - except of course that the tax cuts are targeted at wage earners who earn $150,000 or less. Ah, perhaps therein lies the rub.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200030

Patsi, me, too. Two of the vilest flavors/aromas anyone ever tried to make into something edible (or drinkable).

Gad! Boner is disgusting. How he can stand up and say they had a "better idea" when he and his icky ilk have done nothing for the past eight years but drive the economy farther and farther down the road to discussion.

Patsi, Pogo, do caraway seeds affect you the same way?

When all is said and done in the stimulous package mess, what we know for a fact is this: the Republicans are going to try and destroy this presidency, just like they tried to destroy Bill Clinton's. (Probably with the help of some so-called conservative Democrats.)

Bi-partisan doesn't work with this crowd. I don't know why anyone ever thought it would.

Flatus -- absolutely. I hate caraway.

flatus, patsi, pogo...

clearly you have never experienced the joy of walking thru the herb garden at the national cathedral.....

you three probably are turned on by the disgusting aromas of limburger and kidney pies and the diesel exhaust mixed in with the urinal smells of the boston t.

:(

Ping,

I thought Reagan's economic policies were a disaster to the middle class. He made interest on consumer debt, including automobiles, nondeductible while allowing the deductibility of vacation homes for the wealthy. He conscientious worked against unionism. And, he made people in the military pay for his arms programs through deferral of cost of living allowances.

Over the years his actions have personally cost me well over $100k. Guess who ended up with that money?

Here's one off my little list who never will be missed.

NC head of KKK Dies

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20090213/Obit.NC.Klan.Leader/

Patd, reminds me...I'm going to have to get a couple more of their herb charts, if they still make them.

with regard to the t, however, the music is sublime.

flatus, I'm no fan of them, but if they show up in bread or cracker, I can tolerate them. Might explain why I'm not particularly fond of Germand and Austrian food. Now the beer . . different story.

pat, not so much.

Jamie - Not 8 Years - Not since 2006.....

Flatus - I thought getting money to the gov't and paying taxes was Patriotic and the moral thing to do?

Pogo... After I have Brain pay for my dinner I will look forward to the beer...

Patsi - And Dems do not try to destroy Bush? (an easy target) ?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200033

Corey,

Good move on your part and thanks for sharing that and inspiring an idea. I'm going to give my $13 to a charity...I will select a new one, one I've never donated to in the past. I'm thinking it will be the Jimmie Hale Mission. They always send me mail at the holidays telling how many they can feed with just a few donated dollars.

remind me never to serve you guys any kummel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCmmel

patd -- I'll take the smells of basil, sage, lavender.....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200038

Patsi,

Unfortunately the Republican party has driven off virtually all of their classic fiscal conservatives and all of their moderate social branch. All they have left are the business bought and social brain dead and yes they will try to destroy this presidency.

It's time to take them out and force them to rebuild with a real Republican party instead of these leftover dregs.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200038

Patsi
That's just what the Republicans are trying to do! I hope President Obama has abandoned this crazy idea that the Republicans will ever support him in anything.I say to Grace(my Republican business partner)all the time, Bill Clinton did welfare reform and balanced budgets and left a surplus and Republicans still did everything they could to bring him down and I'm supposed to believe if President Obama is restrained in spending Republicans will support him,been there done that...NO Thanks....President Obama needs to move forward with his agenda and to hell with the Republicans at this point..IMO

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200047

Ping

Effective 8 years. There was a borderline majority as of 2007, but not a conclusive enough majority to enable an overide of a promised presidential veto. Sorry. They get the blame for the whole eight years.

Jamie-- Which part of the Republican party would i belong?

Tony B - Good Point at the end of your post
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200052

I agree with the Move Forward and stop hiding your agenda Mr President - Be proud and loud on what you want to do....

Stop playing the games of Faux crossing the isle.. It is only show - As President Obama has an agenda - He thinks he can CHANGE em...
Like the person that thinks they can change their spouse - It aint going to happen.

So listen to tonyb39 and Nancy -
COME CLEAN MR President - it would be better for our country so we can see the truth of your direction

The Republicans have decided to de-brand rather than re-brand.

Limbacrats

Their soul searching lasted about as long Obama's honeymoon.

Ping -
Your government funded Koran is on it's way in the mail.

"Patsi - And Dems do not try to destroy Bush? (an easy target) "

Ping -- I think they did just the opposite...they played along too much.

Well, Ping, if we ever get into driving distance of the same bar, you can take me up on the offer - and who knows, it could happen.

But now I'm leaving for the weekend - extended by a day if I decide to take Monday off. Everyone have a good one.

Some good news for homeowners with troubled loans

Both JPMorgan Chase & Citigroup today announced a weeks-long foreclosure moratorium while they await release of Pres. Obama's plan to deal with these matters.

Chase said its moratorium will apply to loans it owns & services.

Citigroup is incluidng its own loans as well as those on which it has reached agreements with the relevant investors.

It remains to be seen exactly how many troubled loand this will cover.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123454524404184109.html

Some good news for homeowners with troubled loans

Both JPMorgan Chase & Citigroup today announced a weeks-long foreclosure moratorium while they await release of Pres. Obama's plan to deal with these matters.

Chase said its moratorium will apply to loans it owns & services.

Citigroup is incluidng its own loans as well as those on which it has reached agreements with the relevant investors.

It remains to be seen exactly how many troubled loand this will cover.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123454524404184109.html

Sorry about the double post---it has a mind of its own.

patd -- I'm pretty sure I'd hate kummel....but the worst smell in the world involves a drink called Slivovitz...take a bunch of American GIs, add one late night party in Germany, where they all crash on your floor...then awaken and wade through the gaseous room to make them coffee the next morning. It should have been grounds to divorce my husband...

New Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Flavors

Yes, Pecan!

Ben & Jerry created the "Yes Pecan!" ice cream flavor for Obama.

For George W. they asked for suggestions from the public.

Here are some of their favorite responses:

Grape Depression
The Housing Crunch
Abu Grape
Cluster Fudge
Nut'n Accomplished
Good Riddance You Lousy Motherf*cker... Swirl
Iraqi Road
Chock 'n Awe
WireTapioca
Impeach Cobbler
Guantanmallow
ImPeachmint
Heck of a Job, Brownie!
Neocon Politan
RockyRoad to Fascism
The Reese's-cession
Cookie D'oh!
Nougalar Proliferation
Death by Chocolate... and Torture
Freedom Vanilla Ice Cream
Chocolate Chip On My Shoulder
Credit Crunch
Mission Pecanplished
Country Pumpkin
Chunky Monkey in Chief
WMDelicious
Chocolate Chimp
Bloody Sundae
Caramel Preemptive Stripe

:-)

I signed the impeach bush petition a couple years ago and have received emails ever since. Today I received an email from them, but they have changed to indictbushnow.org Definitely wanted to see him impeached, not so sure about indicting him.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200054

Ping,

I think you may be one of the die hard real conservatives trying to come up with a workable fiscal policy that doesn't owe its soul to either the global corporate structure or the far right bible thumpers.

There really was a time when Republicans and Democrats could work together. Unfortunately I think that started dying somewhere back in the early 80s

As for herbs ....... There are dozens of basils. Try the lime.

Patsi -
Thanks for the story, I'm about to read it. The signals from nature are rarely mentioned as part of a whole picture. In southern Arizona, it's animals moving up the mountains. In California it's butterflies moving north along the mountains. The bush line is marching north in the Arctic.

Taken as a single bit of information these news stories are treated as a curiosity, but as part of a larger story, they become the most compelling evidence just how fast the world is changing.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199966

I think Obama and co should just tell the Repugs to "sod off" and be done with it. They've led us into the financial, international and social crises we are now experiencing. Why on earth would any Democrat want to put one of those money junkies in his administration.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199990

You are being ridiculous as usual. The President of the United States will most certainly fly in the official Air Force One plane. Certainly for the leader of the free world, such a plane would not only be wise, it would be a necessity.

If this is really where Obama's head is right now, it's the best news I've heard all week...

From Politico

Hardened Obama plans new fights

"Translation: Yes, the president will continue to do obligatory outreach to the GOP, but he’s not going to be burned again by an out-of-power and toothless minority for the sake of appearances."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18827.html

Bilbray just pulled the ol' switcheroo. Claim something is in the stimulus bill that isn't there. He says it contains a high speed train from LA to Vegas.

That is a lie. There is a grant for the development of high speed rail, but no specific routes or projects are named nor have any of the states named specific projects.

It is this kind of balderdash that totally pisses me off.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29169631/

Same article...more good news:

"His initial decision to give House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the liberal House Democratic caucus so much leeway in drafting the stimulus bill allowed Obama to be tarred with some of the most controversial items in the package. Going on the road means he is able to soar over Pelosi’s head as well as Republicans."

YES!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-199999

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt8Q7Fsa_Vs

"Taken as a single bit of information these news stories are treated as a curiosity, but as part of a larger story, they become the most compelling evidence just how fast the world is changing. "

This is so true, C-Bob....and every time someone reads one of them, they should put it together with the last story they read involving something similar.

Lardo

You and me both. I want him to stand up to both sides and lead. The people will let him know when they think he is right.

Also, Jamie...I think the 60-vote cushion to invoke cloture in the Senate is nice, but it's not an absolute necessity.

Let Obama and the Dems push their agenda, with the public largely on their side, and then let's see if the Senate GOP really has the guts to filibuster.

And screw the House GOP, period.

It's balls-to-the-wall time.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200022

Ping, it is no surprise that England will go conservative again. The Labour Party of Tony Blair served on bended knee to criminal Bush and involved themselves as part of the "coalition of the killing". The same is true in Italy. According to Vanity Fair, Berlusconi was one of the henchmen that the Bush administration set up to make the case for war in Iraq. That Berlusconi is a crook and an idiot doesn't seem to bother many Italians. Most don't even seem to mind that when he is about to be called into judiciary, his coalition quickly passes a law which makes his previous actions not Illegal. One can also look at his tight connection with the Mafia and then say "yeah Italy is going in the right direction". As for Germany, the social democrats were reduced from majority in the German government, to a second tier. Whether this trend will continue remains to be seen. As for Sarkovsky, he is running well since marrying YOUNG beautiful Italian model and singer, Carla Bruni ...

One of the main reasons for the rise of the right are fears that it is too easy for "non desirables" to be accepted as refugees in the country. The growing Islamist populations are starting to worry many people who are motivated to support the right wing, based on a large cross section of "undesirables" in Europe.

But the social security systems will be protected... the populace will demand it... Tha's all.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200079

Besides, even with the 60 vote cushion, how can one bank on every Democrat abiding the "party line"? Dems are not that disciplined and with the conservatives and liberals in the party, it will probably be difficult a lot of the time, to get a consensus.

"Claim something is in the stimulus bill that isn't there. He says it contains a high speed train from LA to Vegas."

I'd like to know the reality of this story....because I heard the same thing on NPR today -- but I believe the moderator said it. If it is untrue, then the Republicans really are out there weaving their liars web.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200084

Patsi, I included a link in that post. There is money for high speed rail, but no specific states or routes are in the stimulus bill. That will be based on which lines or upgrades are considered most valuable or necessary.

Las Vegas many be one of the routes as that has been in the planning stages for a long while without funding, but no the bill did not specify it.

The link Lardass provided today showed 8 billion in high speed rail, no specifics though. Thanks for the link Lardass, it was clearer than I've seen.

13.00 per week is 676.00 per year

Anyone who doesn't want their 13.00 should pick a charity like Ivy Green suggested. I really liked that suggestion, thanks Ivy.

" I included a link in that post"

Yes, I saw it, but the article left a lot unsaid. I just want to know how much actual misinformation the Republicans are getting to the press....

"Poor Hillary, the logic follows, relegated to the non-sexy assignment of ... East Asia."

and

"I posted that because I figured many of you would be interested in seeing it"

ROFL

Regarding the $13 a week...all those tax cuts should have been canned.

Anyone watching CNBC?......The Wall Street pundits/fund managers were just reeling over this bill..... almost crying like little babies.....wow, they are peddling fear as fast as they can.

Their next guest is supposed to support the bill , somewhat.

is that anything like buying a vowel?

I was also surprised at the size of the tax cuts proportionate to the whole stimulus bill. If nothing else, Obama has made it clear he tried and he listened and repubs got stuff they wanted. If this works, and I think it will help, repubs won't get any credit.

Repubs are taking a desperate gamble, but that's probably all they can do.

Jamie - I like the sound of that possibility of Asilomar.

Just saw a tv ad ranting about global warning being a big hoax - rather remarkable. This guy's simplistic attitude was "I'd know how to fix all this trouble" which is what I'll bet w used to say for years, before getting the chance to fix it his way. Mouth breathers and knuckle draggers!

bethy , I saw that too, I think that was the ceo or president of the weather channel.......(the guy speaking)

I was shocked watching it !

When I was in college I'd sometimes take an exam without reading the material. The end result was predictable, and my parents would ask me, 'and why are we paying your tuition?'

Apparently I am not alone as most Congressmen are going to vote on the stimulus package without having bothered to read it.

Maybe they'll do better, but I doubt it.

"$13.00 per week is 676.00 per year."

Yes it is, before taxes.

"before taxes" true enough - so donate what's left if don't want the money....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200111

UB,

Donate that money to charity and you are stimulating the economy because they will turn around and purchase what they need to fulfill their mission.

The more money changes hands before ending up in a pile of ash in the treasury somewhere, the healthier the economy is.

Not quite sure how that works in a paperless "do it all on the internet" economy, but the principle is probably the same.

Jamie,
I know, and I think it's a great idea. Charities and non-profits have been severely hurt by the economy and the weaknesses in banks....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200094

Patsi,

It was very general as there are very few specifics in the spending potion of the stimulus bill. Almost all of it is pots of money either to distribute to the states for certain classes of expenditures or to assist with their budgets or to increase the budgets of certain federal departments to use for long delayed projects.

Once they get the final approved bill up on line, we can all go over it with a fine tooth comb, but if you hear a Republican say that they are distibuting condoms to three year olds or something equally rediculous, you can bet it isn't in there.

Just found a place for everyone to start hunting for the needles in the 1000 plus page package

http://www.readthestimulus.org/

UB - wasn't that un-real? I was watching on an angle but could see something underneath that mentioned
the weather channel so you might be right.

What a cave man! The weather channel talks a lot about global warning - wonder what the politics there are. If he is a big shot there, that ad is going to cause an uproar!

I gotta get to my tv - Inside Edition just came on! I can't stand this kind of show.

Increases in the income tax rate only affect the middle class. The poor(?) don't pay taxes, and the rich(?) can afford them, it is the ones in the middle who will be asked(?) to makes changes to their life styles.

By the way. That is a right wing site, so try to overlook the snarkies

". . . he is the only “President” who has refused to produce the most basic information concerning his background that includes his college records, his original vault copy of his birth certificate (under seal), health records, thesis, billing and client records, etc, etc, etc. while proclaiming to aspire to an open and transparent presidency.

Most recently, a California suit has been filed against Occidential College to have the college produce Obama’s records while he was in attendence.

Why is this information so important? Because the information ” could reveal on what name Obama attended classes at Occidental and whether he attended on scholarship money intended for foreign students"

http://hillarynme.wordpress.com/2009/02/13/obamas-continued-assult-on-the-constitution/

The working poor pay taxes.....don't they?....I thought that any income over 600.00 per year was taxed?

Here you go. Try not to go blind reading the thing

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:7:./temp/~c1116kdwYp::

You have to scroll through all of the things that were struck out in the interest of compromise before you get to what is left over.

Buffy Sainte Marie ... The Big Ones Get Away...

"One step at a time
Polarity Hill
If the bad guys don’t get you
then the good guys will

With angels on the take
and gangsters in the yard
Hey don't the wars come easy
Hey don't the peace come hard"

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

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200121

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmzKADYpGq0

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200122

Not once you deduct the allowable such as personal or child exemptions, child care, medical etc.. They end up with a number way below zero. This is why a single head of household will get a refund even though they don't pay (instituted under Reagan) as an encouragement to keep working.

bethy - did you see it????It said his name, and that
he is the founder of the Weather Channel.....

Thanks Jamie....I just remember always paying taxes when ever I worked, even when in college.

Buffy Sainte Marie _ Fallen Angels

I got a man in the USA
He runnin' guns with the CIA
He's the best that being bad can be
Lord he think he do it all for me
What's it matter if you're green or red
The Yankee dollar or the commie threat
when the real power in the real world gonna
deny it all anyway

[snip]

You believe in the system from the top on down
Potential is a beautiful thing
It's hard to keep believing in the big time
Now you're sinking in the wind
Star light Star bright
Somebody going down tonight
Told the truth when it was time to lie
Got it right "

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

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200107

Truth - Very little of the bill was changed. Its just more whining.

They had plenty of time to read the bill before the changes (or have their aides read to the illiterate). All they had to do was read the changes. If you will look above, you will see all those changes neatly listed with "Struck Out". I'll give them the benefit of a doubt and assume that they no how to read the alterations in a bill without the bigger than one syllable words being explained to them.

that they no how

that they KNOW how

my brain doesn't like homonyms

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200128

UB, Unless you had a pretty high paying part time job, it sounds as if you needed a tax preparer. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200121

Hey GORDO...I was watching Obama's presser today, and I could have sworn that the White House decorators are subtly weaving in some Kente cloth motifs into the East Room curtains. I think sub-Saharan Africa might be taking over our government.

Could you get on that right away? Could be your big breakthrough.

lol.... Jamie..... I like to see one of those old pay stubs and see if I am remembering correctly.

LL perhaps he will find out that Obama is actually a fembot....

New news:
--------------
Social Security has been served

"As per President Bush's January 16th's Executive Order, Social Security has been served."

http://defendourfreedoms.us/2009/02/13/social-security-has-been-served.aspx

Craig

Just got back from a long long nap (2 day's ) and wouldn't you know it---you post a friggin thread on Religion,,,,,I might have had a cpl of short lines to write about that you know haha,,,

As far as for Hillary Clinton bieng contained ,controlled,,constrained,,,Dick Morris doesn't know her like he claims he does,,,,,not even the big Dawg could keep her constrained,,,she is too much ( for Padt) of a cutlass.

SEA

I meant every word of it.....and your son ---cool

Patsi---I thought of the perfect song for the little tocalla ,,,,Maria of my heart,,from the movie Latin KIngs---I think that was the name of it-----that Antonio Bandaras sang,,,perfect..

Tony---You have mail,,,,I talked to Chloe,,,and sent you a message about it.

C-SPAN Sunday Morning

The Historians survey's release will answer:

Which presidents are ranked in the top five by historians?

Which presidents are ranked in the bottom five by historians?

Which presidents have advanced the most since the 2000 Historians Survey?

Where do historians rank recent presidents?

Tune in to C-SPAN's Washington Journal on Sunday, February 15, at 9am ET to learn the results and hear from historians

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200135

ET--very funny. If Obama starts firing bullets from his tits, I'm sure the WH Press Corps will notice.

But for the record, I'm trying not to be too snarky or mean to GORDO. Let's give him his due. He's not really a racist or conspiracy theorist or general fear monger, and I've known him on several occassions to do very nice things for others that no one else is ever aware of or would ever conclude from his generally offensive behavior here. In real life, he'd give you the shirt off his back! Trust me!

(I hope the Greek Chorus of Trailmix is listening. I'm being SO civil tonight. I want points for that.)

Strug

Tomorrow on the science channel ----11 a, m,

Understanding
Beauty
TV-G, CC

The collective knowledge of philosophers and mathematicians of the past, as well as modern day artists, scientists, models and musicians form the basis for a look at what people find beautiful and why.

Lardo

Glad to hear that about Gordo. Still the attorney that subpoened Social Security, Dr. Orly Taitz made me laugh with this little request:

http://www.oilforimmigration.org/facts/?p=680

I'm sure one of the commenters or lurkers here will be able to help her. I haven't stopped laughing long enough to look it up.

Solar,
Why such a long nap? the flu? or was it just good sleeping weather?

UB---hi

No just a joke,,,I can only sleep 6 hrs per day,,,,,,,and I agree with you about taxes and the poor, they par a lot of taxes,,,sales tax,,, gas tax,,,etc,,,,and I would also give my $13.00 per week to the red cross,,,

A very special cpl of hours on the si channel tomorrow IMO,,,gonna tivo it,,,,new information came up,,,even all religions acknowledged Darwin,,,they can't handle the truth HA!

3:00 pm
(60 minutes)



Galapagos - Beyond Darwin Part One
TV-G, CC

State-of-the-art scientific equipment is used to explore the world of the Galapagos archipelago that Charles Darwin couldn't explore in 1835. New discoveries are made about both marine and terrestrial life.

4:00 pm
(60 minutes)



Galapagos - Beyond Darwin Part Two
TV-G, CC

State-of-the-art scientific equipment is used to explore the world of the Galapagos archipelago that Charles Darwin couldn't explore in 1835. New discoveries are made about both marine and terrestrial life.

5:00 pm
(60 minutes)


What Darwin Didn't Know

TV-G, CC

Darwin gave us the most sensational idea in biology,evolution by natural selection. Evolutionary biologist, Armand Marie Leroi, takes the greatest puzzles Darwin faced and tells the story of the surprising discoveries that resolved these problems.

thats one ill give you 1 more before i respond, make that 2,,that way no one can blame me!

I am not following, Solar? about the nap?

oh never mind

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200143
---------------------------
Dr. Orly Taitz urgently needs Linda Starr’s phone number

"Interesting concerning the suit with the 60 day seal. written by Linda Starr, January 05, 2009

... if he can’t prove he was a US citizen when he was the Illinois State Senator, or the Us Senator, he can go to jail and pay huge fines and damages. Quo Tam fits the description of Phil’s action that has been under seal. And in that suit, it isn’t up to Phil to prove he wasn’t fraudulently collecting money from the government taxpayers for a seat he wasn’t eligible to hold. He has to prove he WAS ELIGIBLE to stay out of jail. ...

PS that is the importance of this secret suit.
written by Linda Starr, January 05, 2009"

http://www.oilforimmigration.org/facts/?p=680

UB---sorry,,,,it was just a short break from here,,,,thats all,,,,and they also pay,,utility taxes,,,water,,phone,,,,,the hidden government phone taxes that no one can figure out ,,, property taxes,,,what r u up too?

Chole

You and that other sweetie,,,Emma Nichole have a very nice V day tomorrow,,,,,oh and give my hoss an apple for me,,,but not so fast,,,a chocolate covered apple ((((((:0)))))))))

Just how do you have a "secret suit"?

I'm sure if Linda Starr wants to be found, she will be glad to make herself available.

Oh nothing, other than work and swim meets, which I think are over for the season, looking forward to spring, and warmer weather.......

Many things on hold as we weather the economic storm....

It's a weird kind of limbo....

I suspect just a sunny warm day will make me forget about all the issues...at least for a short while.....

everyone have a nice night

~peace

Just ran across this on another blog
Very funny IMO, enjoy

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
If you spend it on gasoline it will go to Hugo Chavez, the Arabs and Al Queda
If you purchase a computer it will go to Taiwan.
If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
If you buy a car it will go to Japan and Korea.
If you purchase prescription drugs it will go to India
If you purchase heroin it will go to the Taliban in Afghanistan
If you give it to a charitable cause, it will go to Nigeria.

And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer (domestic only), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/

Jack

"secret suit"

This is FACT -- I've heard Phil Berg refer to it many times on netcasts. It's some sort of legal requirement that the lawsuit can't be discussed in detail by Berg.

Linda Starr works with Berg on these issues.

Berg and Taitz are not friends -- they are in competition.

For the past cpl of days,,,,I have been working at down town Chicago,,,,,there is a 7---11 right across the street from where we are putting in steel stairs and an elevator shaft,,,,I kept looking out the window to make sure that on one harmed my trk,,,I noticed a cpl of people that looked like they shouldn't be there,,,then it hit me,,,,they were homeless,,,this was about 1 am -----we have been working about 14-18 hrs per day,,,today we took some time of waiting for more mtls,,,,any way the next time that I some one wanted coffee I went and the same guy was hanging around the from door of the 7-11,,,,,when I cam out he looked at me sorta shy,,,I looked into his eyes,,,,and he looked down ,,,and away from me,,,,I said hello,,,he looked at me,,and asked if I could spare some change,,,,I gave him $10.00,,,,,i see a lot of people asking for cash,,,this guy was embarrassed,,,,it is pretty dangerous now at 3-6 stories up with no stairs and all ,,,,but if he is still there when there is clean up or unloading trks I will ask him if he wants to earn a few bucks,,,,two things,,,,,I felt good about the prospect of helping him a little,,,,but then I feel pretty bad that he has to beg for eating $,,,,,wonder what he did for a living?? there are a lot of people out at that time of night,,,,that look like that it seems...too bad,,,,get that stimulus $ out there now,!!!,,,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200136

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200133

You've met him in person? FASCINATING...

Well if I was right about the banks then boy oh boy are we in trouble.

One economist has had it right all along ~ Nouriel Roubini who not only predicted this economic chaos but now adds ~ " The U.S. banking system is effectively insolvent in the aggregate; most of the U.K. banking system looks insolvent too; and many other banks in continental Europe are also insolvent .... Only nationalization can break the cycle that is fostering gargantuan taxpayer rip-offs for the benefit of "financial supermarket monstrosities." http://www.rgemonitor.com/roubini-monitor/255507/it_is_time_to_nationalize_insolvent_banking_systems

http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2009/02/12.html#a2276

Jack, don't worry. I already built and shipped a lot of Jeep door panels to Venezuela this week.

From the comments at the same lnk posted above

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/02/stimulus-package-explained-qa/#comment-145853

I think it’s time to dust off the Pizza Recovery Act. Give all Americans vouchers for 10 large pizzas at the restaurant or delivery of their choice ( no frozen grocery store pizzas ). The wheat is from KS, the cheese is from WI, the tomatoes are from IN and CA. Obviously, the help is local. And later, when obesity causes pre-mature deaths, the taxpayers will save on healthcare and Social Security. Maybe we could include a few cokes too, but eaters should pay their own tips.

Thank God, the "pot activists" aren't boycotting pizza places, Jack! LOL!

Corey

For Venezuela don't those panels have to be bullet proof?

Or maybe that is Columbia.

Glad your back working.

Jack

Leather armrests, Jack.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200164

the Pizza Recovery Act is brilliant, whsky. Wish you would record that while eating your favorite slice on a webcam for our hard times video. we could add some jingles from pizza commercials

Craig

It would make a good one but I'm afraid it is beyond my technical expertise.

Jack

Tony

I wish that was my project...nice one at that,,,,,but it belongs to friend of mine,,,he gave me a job,,,,managing consulting,,,and a lot of labor,,,,glad that im in shape for it,,,,but I do have to admit,,,,,at the end of the night,,,my ass is dragging,,,,took a shower at 4 a m the first day,,,took about 45 min,,the hot water felt so good,,,but i will get used to it again,,,every thing is ok with you? have a nice day tomorrow,,,I will probably working,,,,,my sweetheart tomorrow is gonna be a cold piece of steel, and a welding machine,,,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200164

Jack, There is a tour the Fresno school kids go on called "grow a pizza". They are taken to a farm set up with most of the items you name. I think they make it a vegetarian pizza so the children don't have to think of the little piglets being slaughtered.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200176

I'll get together with Renee. We can see who does the best Madam DeFarge imitation.

Good Night All. Have a good one.

Last sad note. British Madoff investor commits suicide after losing life's savings

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090214/NEWS-US-MADOFF-BRITAIN/

Can't we at least put this guy away for manslaughter?
His wife deserves her own cell as well ... pulling millions out before the Feds shut him down.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200173

Solar
I'm doing good.Its nice to have work of any kind in this economy,I have gained 2 new seasonal clients in last 2 weeks so I feel lucky and I've also been doing some power washing of decks and sidewalks for some of my clients above and beyond my regular work.Its nice to make some extra as there's always something popping up like I had to get 4 new tires yesterday for the car and an alignment $500 that quick...Don't forget about your sweetie Judy tomorrow Solar Man....Have a good one....

Lard _ I will certainly give you points for your civility
tonight, and for addding new info to our knowledge of Gordo. Tganks.

There's a good article on TPM about the Judd Gregg fiasco. The entire Repub noise machine has been out touting him as a hero for having stuck with his Repub ethics....TPM though, didn't mention that some of the press has helped them out. Chris Matthews brushed aside the census issue (which is the real problem) and keeps up the "he's his own man" meme.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/the-bizarre-burgeoning-legend-of-judd-gregg.php

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200172

oh c'mon whsky, get a web cam and microphone from radio shack or wherever

In New Opinion, Minnesota Election Court Seriously Damages Coleman's Chances
By Eric Kleefeld - February 13, 2009, 6:02PM

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/in-new-opinion-minnesota-election-court-seriously-damages-colemans-chances.php

CBob - you'll like this altho it's just a drop in the bucket.
On the news tonight a spokeman for Serious Materials who makes green building materials is hiring and expects to keep hiring, even more now with the stimulous bill. Silicon Valley puts a lot of energy into the eneral atmosphere, I think.

Good clips.

Craig and the rubber chicken.

Sounds horrible!

Glad you survived.

For God's sake, BE CAREFUL!!!!

tt

There were all these hideous movies on today like "The Shining". Tomorrow's Valentine's Day. WTH??

Ah. but today was Friday the 13th.

I prefer the sappy love movies to the terror ones.

tt

NEW YORK (AP) — Estelle Bennett, one of the Ronettes, the singing trio whose 1963 hit Be My Baby epitomized the famed "wall of sound" technique of its producer, Phil Spector, has died at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 67.

Bennett's brother-in-law, Jonathan Greenfield, said police found her dead in her apartment on Wednesday after relatives had been unable to contact her. The time and cause of death have not yet been determined. Greenfield is the manager and husband of Bennett's sister, Ronettes

Ronettes - Be My Baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ONH3hIjO3c

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200185

Of course not Jamie.. the courts don't punish money junkies the way they do the common criminal. Like I said before, if Madoff had been a young black, down on his luck guy and wrote a few bad checks, he'd already be some hairy dude's bitch in prison by now....

Estelle was my favriate Ronnette.........I mean aside from Ronnie who wasn't technically a Ronnette......

some hairy dude's bitch in prison by now....

Is that a line from a Tennessee Williams' play?

no wait......that was Marat Sade............

The Hairy Ape

Eugene O'neill

When Hairy Met Sally

The Trouble with Hairy

Hairiest Truman

"....a race to the top instead of a race to the bottom"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/feb/13/glaxo-smith-kline-cheap-medicine

way hay and up she rises early in the morning!

arise, ye lazy landlubbers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGyPuey-1Jw&feature=related

""....a race to the top instead of a race to the bottom"

I foresee many Americans realizing that they'd be better off living in a third world country.

PS, patd -- I'm sure you saw that in the UK schoolbooks are changing "drunken sailor" to "grumpy pirate" so as to discourage drinking.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7860869.stm

But maybe if pirating makes enough of a comeback, they'll change back from pillagers to drunkards....

Perky little ditty for the morning Patd.

Yes, Patsi, I told one of my Mexican inmates, who will eventually be deported not to worry we will probably be fighting to get into his country soon.

Glad to see Solar is back. I was worried.

Good morning
patd- good start to the day!

I'm surprised Politico had anything positive to say....they've been pretty damned snarky in recent weeks.

And I hate to say it, but the Democrats are losing the PR and message war. We've known that those right wing think tanks have long groomed young wingers for television, and that they have their marching orders....

They are now out in droves. Democrats need an army of media savvy people to counter these people. I've read that part of our problem is that the big money in the Democratic party doesn't concentrate on think tanks as much, but tends to spread their contributions around....and while that's admirable, it has also left us without a much needed army in training.

The light rail to Vegas talking point is still out there and NOBODY is calling people on it. (Except Jamie...ha)

I am wondering if the Republicans who didn't support this stimulus bill are betting on the fact that because most people aren't very patient, why we got into this mess in the first place, they will be very angry when things don't turn around quickly.

Do you guys think that Obama's number may go down when the economy doesn't turn around instantly? I know he warned that this wasn't going to happen overnight but many probably aren't listening to that.

"Nothing in the numbers support your premise Patsi"

What? The popularity polls that have shrunk over 20 points? That's a win?

Why do Democrats care so much about why the Republicans didn't vote for the stimulus bill? If this bill proves to be a success, then the Democrats will control both Congress and the White House for many, many elections to come. Of course if it proves to be a failure, the Republican's courage to vote against the bill will pave the road back to re-take Congress, and eventually the White House.

http://buchanan.org/blog/2009/02/pjb-buy-american-or-bye-bye-america/

"PJB: ‘Buy American’ — or Bye-Bye America"

"The reaction of Barack Obama, a NAFTA skeptic in 2008 with bumper stickers that read, “Buy American, Vote Obama,” was to genuflect to the gods of globalism and recant his economic patriotism."
“I think it would be a mistake … at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for the United States to start sending a message that somehow we’re just looking out after ourselves,” he told Fox News. We don’t want to “trigger a trade war,” he told ABC."

Will Maureen Dowd be as acerbic, and polemical in her writing style when covering the Obama administration?

She might play nice until she senses that Obama is ignoring her, like Bill Clinton did...then she'll go for the throat.

Torture and Renditions Part 2: No change whatsoever
“New Team, Old Position”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2009021302936.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

http://www.thedailybeast.com/video/

"In a speech Friday to the Asia Society, Sec. of State Clinton said the U.S. is prepared to normalize relations with North Korea – if the country abandons its nukes."

The other day there was breaking news on CNN saying that North Korea was seen to be preparing to launch a missle. After that announcement I never heard or saw another word about it. I wonder why.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200244

Carol
I remember that too and was thinking the same thing.I don't no?

Carol
no=Know,Ha.I'm trying to do my cleaning and post.My brain is overloaded!

They said word came from the Pentagon. Was it a mistake or does someone want to hush it up?

Craif Feruson really nailed accused woman-beater/singer Chris Brown last night. He was talking about the new Friday the 13th movie. He said it was a movie about a man who terrorizes young woman. We have a word for that...it's Chris Brown! He then proceeded to say "YOU DON'T HIT WOMEN...YOU LITTLE (BEEP!)."

Tony, I can read shorthand. No need to fix it.

Why is having high speed rail between Las Vegas and LA a problem?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200204

Sturgeone,

Maybe we aren't the Muppets after all

http://www.letov.ru/MaratSadeAvignon.jpg

Carol

Thanks for the shout out,,,,,and Patsi is right about the need for the D's to have any army that can get out their message,,,the R's even have colleges that train people for a certain job( position) Rush L --in radio ,, Laura Ingram,,,,etc,,,and staying on message since Reagan,,,is how they beat all of the D's candidate for POTUS except Clinton,,,,,,he was on message,,,and had a war machine,,,so if the D's want Obama to be successful getting the message and Damage Control will be essential,,,,,Im already a little pissed at him-----I can see that is was a good thing for him to fly all around the country and talk to the people directly,,,I like that,,,,,,what I did not like was all the waste afterward,,,,,had to fly back to DC just to get his family and fly to Chicago, and then had the balls to take a helicopter to Hyde Park,,,,,his family souled have been in Chicago waiting for him (she has a sec, no?) a limo would have taken him to his home no?,,,,,a helicopter is a waste of energy conservation,,,,and that is the bad thing about it,!!,,,

Patd

Before you do anything with that sailor, I want to join him for a few tipples

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN8I07Zccmk

High Speed rail

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Did-Stimulus-Just-Give-California-High-Speed-Rail.html

All the taining in the world and Democrats have candidate colleges as well, won't give you access to the media. There have been several posts in recent times on the lack of balance in terms of Democrats and Republicans.

The media sucks at providing news...especially sucks at journalism. The American public should know that by now and seek information outside the mass media to educate itself.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200225

Patsi,

Rachel did a number on the idiot calling high speed rail "waste" last night. Of all the money in the package, the numbers for rail repair and modernization is among the purest "stimulus" in the bill. It creates jobs, it cuts pollution, it improves transportation, and you get more bang for your buck due to all the suppliers.

Lalaland to Sin City rolls so easy off the tongue. I'm with you that we need some people out there willing to get in the rightwingers faces, talk over them and call them the liar's that they are while pointing out the stupidities and errors.

The trouble is that Democrats tend to play nice as do the thoughtful Republicans. The hard right, wacko, dittoheads just regurgitate marching orders. Since they don't need to be accurate or analyze anything, they just vomit on air, and unfortunately, the cable media let's them get away with it for fear of sounding biased.

"Why is having high speed rail between Las Vegas and LA a problem?"

It isn't for me -- but the wingers are using it.

My main question about the LA to Vegas light rail is whether it is even in the bill or if the right made it up.

http://www.gallup.com/Home.aspx

The American public is not fooled by the media or gooper craptastic arguments. The only reason they keep saying this stuff is because of bad redistracting policies --they all live in safe districts --Orange Counties everywhere. Do you really like a maroon like Patrick McHenry could get elected anywhere but the safest Republican district in the country?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200227

It's mean of me, but I would love to challenge all of the Congress Critters who voted against the bill on whether or not their district should get any of the benefits?

How about an ad: "Your Senator said no, but we are going to help you anyway".

There is money for high speed rail no specific projects are mentioned.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-stimulus-rail14-2009feb14,0,2367517.story

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/02/high_speed_rail_in_the_stimulus.php

The problem is letting the dippy goopers call high speed rail pork. Much of the current crisis can be attributed to out of whack oil prices and economy dependent on cheap fuel
this is a program to end that but the flat earth society is going down screaming pork....and their enablers in the media are giving them a megaphone.

Patsi,

The Bill doesn't specifically state that a particular route is to be built. It just sets a sum of money to be used for high speed rail.

The only reason the right uses the Los Angeles to Vegas talking point is because that route has been planned for a long time. The principal route that will probably go first is the one KGC posted about a north south high speed rail that is desperately needed.

Even though many people still like the drive, the communter air traffic in the skies over California is positively insane. A high speed rail would relieve the congestion that is a horrific accident waiting to happen.

Californians already voted the money for the LA/Sac high speed rail last fall.

It goes without saying that the results of this year’s Election Day will determine the course of history in a big way. However, also on the ballot this November 4 in California will be a proposal that could very well influence the future of transportation in the US for years to come.

Voters in California will be asked to decide on Proposition 1A, a $10 billion bond measure for high-speed rail in California. The biggest single infrastructure project ever built in the US, the 800 mile high-speed rail line would link northern and southern California. This video, from KQED in San Francisco, takes a closer look at some of the environmental aspects of the revolutionary plan.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/california-votes-on-high-speed-rail.php

It passed.

Another --observation while out and about ,,,,the price of crude was very low at around 33 dollars per ,,,,the price at the gas pump was at 2 dollars per gal,,,it should be around $1.30 per gallon,,,this would give people more $ to spend on things that they don't need like food no?----the Oil corps complain that they are not making $ while post ing 45 bil profits wtf?? get cars like that little Mini over at England that gets 80 miles to the gallon,,,this will help,,,is it not legal here? the one that gets 80 per gl.
Animal----I will bet you my future tomato garden ---that Obama is proven to be just another politician,,,,just like your comment suggests!

Tony---in answer to your question
You want your brain to work properly,,,,stop drinking the Obama kool aid,,,,and or the pool water in Florida haha,,,,and I don't celebrate Valentine's day ---or any other day that is scheduled for me to acknowledge---while I was in advertising sales for 8 years ---it really turned me off ---we started to prepare for Chr ist mas around Aug,,,or Sept,,,,the only thing that I personally celebrate is my sons birthday,,,and my wifes,,,,not cards ---I write them little notes,,,,I insist that my son write me a note,,so I can put it by my desk,,,,but when it comes down to kids Im all for any day that they are happy,,,so even tho I don't like the commercialism of it all---they are what counts,,,,,like you U R a big kid to me so be happy today,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200260

KGC, This is one of the reasons Gregg backed out of the Commerce job. The Census is what is used to draw the Congressional districts. The Census is under Commerce but there was talk of there being a White House oversight roll.

A lot of those "safe" districts could go away as of 2011 because of the 2010 census. If the count truly reflects the minorities and movement within the population, 2012 could see an overwhelming Dem takeover unless the Republicans can find some way to gain real input into the process.

Arlen Specter is a hog farmer is this is pork, the NE is likely to be the biggest beneficiary.

Some time next week, you should be able to keep track of where and when the Stimulus money is spent

http://www.recovery.gov/

Gregg is an idiot, re drawing districts isn't done on the national level. Moving a way from safe districts is a factor of who draws the lines not who does the counting. And there are plenty of safe Dem seats that have the same impact.

Iowa and the State of Washington have done the most to prevent outrageous abuses in drawing district lines.

"There's still a year before Americans start filling out their census forms. But even before President Barack Obama has named a new director for the U.S. Census Bureau, Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have begun bickering about how that person will carry out the once-a-decade job of cataloging the country's population.

The trouble started with Obama's surprise nomination of Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire to head the Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau.

Gregg once voted for a broader budget measure that would have abolished the agency, and he also opposed increased funding for the 2000 census. Gregg's record raised concerns about his commitment to an accurate census count, a priority for minority groups that have historically been undercounted."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5goqAmjdeaCK_SV8Q5POVStW0F7BgD969KRJO3

Why people wanted the census agency to report to the Office of the president as well

Once again the pig goopers try to have it both ways.

Can't people just take Greyhound from L.A. to Las Vegas? That's what I did. LOL! I'm kidding, course. Although, I did take Greyhound from Pasadena to Las Vegas.

"How about an ad: "Your Senator said no, but we are going to help you anyway".

I love this idea, Jamie!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200270

KGC, The drawing of districts is done at the state level, but the way the Census is done controls the numbers the states work with. Since this affects the number of districts apportioned to each state. With all the movement to the sun belt in the past decade, there are going to be a lot more Democrats in those districts and it will be harder to gerrymander a pure Republican district for the election.

Now it may work exactly the opposite up in Utah/Montana/Idaho area ... lots of "white flight" movement up there.

In any case this Census will be interesting. Funny Bill Schneider just made the same point on CNN about the difference a White House role could make.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200273

Corey, They usually take the Greyhound out of Las Vegas. :-)

The energy break through I've been hoping for :

Hamsters On Treadmills Provide Electricity Through Use Of Nanogenerators

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213115020.htm

KGC

California is notorious for the Democrats working with the Republicans to preserve those Republican "safe" enclaves even after the voters have repeatedly voted that they want all of the districts to be squared as uniform as possible and contrained within counties etc. Somehow, all those "safe" seats stay that way. Used to gripe me no end.

"Consider his campaign pledges: It wasn’t too long ago that Obama promised to “tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over.” Ah, the corporate lobbyist, every candidate’s favorite whipping boy. “They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president,” Barack once swore to his sea of idolizing worshipers.

That was then; this is now. President Obama has allowed seventeen exceptions to the no-lobbyist rule. And remember that “sunlight before signing” pledge, giving citizens enough time to read a bill — and offer their opinions on it — before it is signed into law? Well, that’s gone to the wayside, too."

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/obamas-broken-promises-were-entirely-predictable/

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200278

CBob,

The up side, hamsters breed really really fast ... renewable resource.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/a-sandwich-for-every-taxpayer.html#comment-200266

Solar
HA! It took me so long to acquire a taste for the Obama koolaid and now you want me to stop drinking,wont be to hard for me to put the stuff down.I think President Obama is a typical politician and have thought that always.I think the same of President Clinton but he has a record of success and the juries still out on President Obama.I'm hoping he will be as great a President as Bill for are countries sake.The only politician I have ever felt wasn't typical was Hillary she stands alone in my eyes and I have never supported a candidate more both in donations and passion than i did her. I think your idea of remembering those you love with special notes to them sounds great,i do that only inside the store bought card...

Thought for the day :
" Show affection, it will probably meet with pleasant response. "

1817 Frederick Douglass African-American abolitionist/lecturer/editor
1895 Nigel Bruce Baja Mexico, actor (Son of Lassie, Spider Woman)
1913 Jimmy Hoffa Teamsters leader who disappeared in 1975
1937 Magic Sam rocker (Chicago Bluesman)
1947 Judd Gregg (Representative / Senator -R-NH, 1981- )

1349 2,000 Jews burned at the stake in Strasbourg France
1803 Apple parer patented by Moses Coats, Downington PA
1848 James K Polk became 1st President photographed in office (Matthew Brady)
1859 Oregon admitted as 33rd state
1876 A G Bell & Elisha Gray apply separately for telephone patents; Supreme Court eventually rules Bell rightful inventor
1889 1st trainload of fruit (oranges) leaves Los Angeles for the east
1912 1st US submarines with diesel engines commissioned, Groton CT
1912 Arizona becomes 48th state
1929 St Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago IL, 7 gangsters killed
1957 Georgia Senate unanimously approves Senator Leon Butts' bill barring blacks from playing baseball with whites
1971 Richard Nixon installs secret taping system in White House
1978 1st "micro on a chip" patented by Texas Instruments
1989 Union Carbide agrees to pay $470 million damages for Bhopol disaster

But Dubai, unlike Abu Dhabi or nearby Qatar and Saudi Arabia, does not have its own oil, and had built its reputation on real estate, finance and tourism. Now, many expatriates here talk about Dubai as though it were a con game all along. Lurid rumors spread quickly: the Palm Jumeira, an artificial island that is one of this city’s trademark developments, is said to be sinking, and when you turn the faucets in the hotels built atop it, only cockroaches come out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html?em

Tony

Just razzing you a little,,,,,,,I think that you have your grande cabeza on right,,,,What I do (I used to do it often) is to take Judy out for a night out and go dancing,,,or go to some new place to eat,,,on t he spur of the moment,,,and this (she says) makes up for my lack of not going along with all of the scheduled sweetheart holiday's,,,she can be my sweetheart,,,on a tuesday,any given day,,,,even on a July the 19th or a little after,,or a little before,hahaha nic memory Huh

FRONTLINE INVESTIGATES HOW THE ECONOMY WENT SO BAD SO FAST

FRONTLINE Presents
Inside the Meltdown
Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 9 P.M. ET on PBS

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meltdown/

"Let's talk about lying, shall we?

Obama, of course, lied about knowing Tony Rezko. He lied about campaign finance, he lied about NAFTA, he lied incessantly about his Iraq war stanceS, he lied about his corrupt father, he lied about Selma, he lied about his voting record, he lied about his accomplishments as a "community organizer," he lied about Ayers, he lied about Wright, he lied about lobbyists, he lied about representing change -- and, of course, he lied about his alleged opposition to warrantless spying.

Obama has a pathological phobia for the truth, and his supporters are starting to sense this. Many of them still refuse to express their discomfort; many of them try to squelch the interior voice saying "You've been conned."

http://cannonfire.blogspot.com/2009/02/kicking-fido.html

Posted by: Jamie Author Profile Page | February 14, 2009 12:39 PM

Bingo. Unfortunately no one had figured out a way to make the process completely political proof. Iowa and the state of Washington did make some rules which prevent some of the more egregious gerrymandering.

I hope Bill Schneider pointed out Gregg was the reason the whitehouse put in the extra layer of protection in terms of Census management.

Carol

Just looked those pics that you sent me,,,,I can't down load that information for some reason,,,adobe did not let me do it,,I will keep trying,,,and let you know

Animal

Just talked to Chloe,,,I know that you like it when she is around,,,,she says that she will be back soon.

Jamie, I mentioned this before, but a month or two ago, the Amtrak Pere Marquette route that runs between Chicago and Grand Rapids and usually takes about 4 hours, took 16 hours to get from Chicago to Grand Rapids. It was a huge deal here. The state of Michigan wanted answers. The answers they got from Amtrak weren't sufficient enough. One delay was another train on the tracks that they had to wait for. Then the engineers reached their 12 hour shift limit and they had to stop the train. They stopped it 20 minutes outside of Holland. The 12 hours in delays were not completely accounted for. I didn't mind Amtrak, other than it was a long trip from Michigan to Pasadena. I didn't like Greyhound because the bus left from L.A. When it got to Pasadena, people were sleeping on the bus. My Uncle and I couldn't find 2 seats next to each other. We had to sit apart from each other from Pasadena all the way to Barstow, which is when we switched buses for the rest of the trip to Las Vegas.

Rez,

That blog has so many errors in it that it plays right into the argument that the right wing doesn't care if what they say is true. They only care if what they say is believed.

i.e. "It’s not a coincidence that it includes billions for unscrupulous grassroots organizations like ACORN "

The hot button word is "Acorn" which isn't mentioned at all in the stimulus bill. There is money to assist in neighborhood recovery/rebuilding programs, so they can say "like ACORN" and get away with the hatred, because the lies about ACORN are already believed from the campaign.

South Carolina's got principle! I like it. I'm moving there.

It's Valentine's Days kids .............. everybody have a chocolate.

Let us speak of love. For example I love the headline today that told me , little rodents wearing stylish little vests that make electricity are not just science fiction anymore.
I really love that story. That's 5 min. on SNL folks.

Making those vest sounds like a crappy job.

Solar,

I copied the narrative that explained the pics and pasted it in an email.

Carol

Yes, but it doesn't apply in that instance.

There were 2 of these this week. The other is pretty cool, and just as off beat as the hamsters story.

New Shock Absorber Harvests Energy From Bumps In The Road, Increases Fuel Economy

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090212181904.htm

--------------
I wish I was a 22 year old electrical engineer.

Champ -
RE Vests for hamsters

They had to send off to El Paso for tiny instruments.

yeah, it applies to the gov. i thought u meant me

Lots of cool things coming out of MIT these days.

Love your thoughts for the day C-bob.

You ain't wrong about everything Gordo. Those things bother me too. Never really liked Koolaid no matter what flavor.

I think my owls are back. Heard them chattering up a storm last night even though no sightings yet. Maybe they were having sex.

Well, it beats Bud Light. Have a Yeungling.

"...challenge all of the Congress Critters who voted against the bill on whether or not their district should get any of the benefits? "

jamie, start with mitch mc first. ky doesnt do bad at the trough. bet he'll take some of the credit even tho he voted against.

Patsi..I rarely watch Chris Matthews anymore..unless he has a guest I want to hear..

I've been bothered by Pres. Obama's stumbles, particularly the Judd Gregg selection. Obama is smart and I think he is learning from the missteps.

I am glad that people I have little respect for::such as Bill Richardson and Tom Daschle ( a terrible Senate leader) won't be in the cabinet.

I like it that Pres. Obama has begun to strike back at the G.O.P..Just because he extends the hand of bipartisanship doesn't mean he needs to take their knotheaded abuse.

It's been a week since the Australians had "Black Saturday" , 12 fires are still burning in this summer from hell down under. 7,000 are now homeless. The numbers on this story tend to freeze, and then jump dramatically. The dead have been at 181 , but the coroner is preparing for as many as 300. Burying these people is very grizzle business, and the search area is 2.000 square miles.

I found this quote on Bloomberg enlightening :
“Australia is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season due to record high temperatures, drought, high wind and low humidity,” Salazar said in the statement."
That's our Interior Sec. being quoted.

Australian Bushfires Burn as U.S. Sends Assistance
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aPaJFDz0RiCc&refer=home

CT -
Owls ..... It's early in the year, and a good spot, is a good spot.
Funny your story of the owls was one small cost of a hurricane that was long gone.

CT -
Owls ..... It's early in the year, and a good spot, is a good spot.
Funny your story of the owls was one small cost of a hurricane that was long gone.

Carol

Thanks will look at it,,,hey it's Sat..night and joke time,,,I know that you get a lot of them from you inmates,,,,I get mine from the FTA community and can top any ones,,,,,you just mentioned sex,,,wanna hear a spicy one( a joke)that doesn't have on swear word in it? Yeah I thought you would here u go

HOW 2 SAY

A Russian woman married a Canadian gentleman . The lady was not very proficient in English, but did manage to communicate with her husband.

One day, she went to the butcher and wanted to buy chicken legs. She didn't know how to put forward her request, and in desperation, clucked like a chicken and lifted up her skirt to show her thighs. Her butcher got the message, and gave her the chicken legs.

Next day she needed to get chicken breasts, again she didn't know how to say it, and so she clucked like a chicken and unbuttoned her blouse to show the butcher her breasts. The butcher understood again, and gave her some chicken breasts.

On the 3rd day, the poor lady needed to buy sausages. Unable to find a way to communicate this, she brought her husband to the store...
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What were you thinking?
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Hellooooooo, her husband speaks English!

The platform seems to have developed a sputter .
Beware of ghost posting.

NEW THREAD

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/craigs-miss-america-valentine.html

Looks like another big week coming up,
AP source: UAW walks away from GM concession talks

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gQgUOyKXc5hI1xlodHs6HM8r5nCQD96BI6481