Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Or worse yet, Craig, that what the president wants comes back to haunt us.

His honeymoon started on November 5th, thanks to the extraordinary influence Bush the Lesser allowed him in the policy arena.

He could gain a little time if Daschle came down with serious health problems and Dr Dean was called saving the day.

Rabinowitz wrote a good opinion piece in the Journal on Monday. In essence, she said, Mr Obama's rhetoric is grating on significant numbers of his supporters who are being characterized as having failed the country through moral deficiencies. (I would try to find a link, but I'm out of time--Remicade day.)

Okay -- somebody help me out here...I haven't been paying attention to what Nancy Pelosi has been saying...and got an email from one of my right wing friends. Aside from the BS racist element to the email, can someone tell me what it's about? What new tax system has been discussed? Someone give me the ammunition to answer this.

Here's the email:

Nancy Pelosi wants a Windfall Tax on Retirement Income. In other words tax what you have made by investing toward your retirement. This woman is a nut case! You aren't going to believe this.

Madam speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to put a Windfall Tax on all stock market profits (including Retirement fund, 401K and Mutual Funds! Alas , it is true - all to help the 12 Million Illegal Immigrants and other unemployed Minorities!

This woman is frightening.
She quotes...' We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income, (didn't Marx say something like this?), in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest.' (I am not rich, are you?)

When asked how these new tax dollars would be spent, she replied:
'We need to raise the standard of living of our poor, unemployed and minorities. For example, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help along with millions of unemployed minorities. Stock market windfall profits taxes could go a long way to guarantee these people the standard of living they would like to have as 'Americans'.' (Read that quote again and again and let it sink in. 'Lower your retirement, give it to others who have not worked as you have for it'.

Sounds like something ET would love.

I don't feel that a honeymoon is a luxury we can afford. Obama got our vote and that is all we can afford. Bush had his turn, enabled by the Dems, and bailed out the bankers.

Now the American people need to be bailed out. We don't want a handout, like the bankers, we want to invest in our country, and we want to work. By putting the American people to work, we will improve the stock market, and our miserable 401k accounts.

With this we want advanced regulation of the financial industry. We want more cops in the computers and on the streets. The cherry on the cake will be if Dashle is withdrawn and a regular medical care worker person is recruited (not a lawyer) to regulate the pricing for medical care services, which is the only immediate solution.

I just want to say further that Dashle reminds me of my ex-husband. Here's a guy that trades his services for medical care because he is to good to pay what everyone else has pay out-of-pocket when not really working for anyone. I wonder if there is a clause in his contract that limits MRIs or physical therapy? He also scams a way out of paying FEDeral income taxes by getting a buddy to say, 'Aw heck he was just borrowing my car while I wasn't using it." People that live life like this are not qualified to reform our medical system!

Patsi, I think that your conservative friend was listening to Rush. There is no goldmine in our retirement benefits. Last time I checked I was missing 50% of mine.

OK, snopes has an answer to the email...I'll send this guy the link....unfortunately, it may be too long for him to read...ROFL

http://www.snopes.com/politics/pelosi/windfall.asp

Yes -- my sister, my daughter,and her husband have lost HUGE amounts. I didn't lose anything because I didn't have any retirement money in the first place!

Limiting the amount the rich can invest? Why in the world would she want to hinder investment? Windfall tax on retirement income? 401(k)s have been drastically reduced, so those folks will have a much smaller income stream. She sounds as clueless as the Republicans.

Following on twitter, but not abandoning the blog.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/obama-team-on-damage-control.html#comment-196059

Bowmanc,

Just saw your post at the end of the last thread. Here's a link about Biden's tax-paying remark that he made on the campaign trail. He's not daring to say anything to that effect currently. Don't know if he retracted it. Palin cut him a new one about it, to the delight of the crowd.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26771716/

Craig - Again you cross into Economics - which if I was in feeling real spunking - would comment that you should stay away from both Sports and Economics.

And it is not want Obama wants - it is what the American People need and deserve.

You spout like a little tea pot the partisan Dem talking points related to the success of the job creating tax incentives. Dem taking points in this matter are for the most part like the hot air that erupts from the pot.

What is the direct correlation of our Economic situation following a Dem controlled congress? Not good..

We must get the massive Private Sector going. This is where the stimulus must focus.

The house failed and again allowed social policy to dictate the content of the Dem (oh Nancy would be stimulated if it passed) falsely labeled Stimulus Bill. This must be about one issue – and that is getting Private Sector jobs back on track.

The Senate is at least having debate and a better bill will come versus the trash from the HoR.

Your GPA is dropping

Nice historical piece on the effect of the New Deal on one town (Sacramento)

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1593837.html

My question was whether Pelosi actually said this in the first place. These emails that float around are usually based on something taken completely out of context.

I'm surprised any of my right wing friends still send me anything anyway. I thought I had sufficiently offended them all over their stupid Obama is a Muslim BS. I guess not.

Ah -- good -- Jamie -- you are the person who can discredit this email! Give me the ammo....

Here is one sector of the economy that is stimulated.

http://www.sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=08417597.9039013.1738360.9432455.3354056.584&aID2=133711

The great gun ban theory -- I know some usually middle of the roaders who go ballistic over this issue -- they honestly believe that the Democrats will go house to house searching for somebody's old shotgun....

So, Patsi
Has your friend got any money?

If so send him my way, I've got a deal or two for him.
Between the two of us we can make lots of money,
TAX FREE!!!!!!!!!

or something like that.

Jack

How is his supply of penis enhancers?

Can get him a good deal on those too

Jack

Mornin'

Ping, what do you think Obama wants? Power and control seem to be pretty good guesses.

And just what tax incentives if any do you think work? Both Reagan and Dumya saw the job growth that was allegedly a result of their tax cuts evaporate as the economy rebounded from the initial stimulus because at least in part they created huge deficits and sent the government in to biggest borrower status. According to Repub talking points, (as translated by Dumya) tax cuts create jobs - but according to history the increased job growth is not maintained over time. Last analysis of theeconomic stimulus plan as it current ly exists put about 1/3 of the plan into taxcuts.

And your atribution of the economic situatio to a dem controlled congress is laughable after the repubs controlled all executive and legislative offices for the preceding 6 years and laid the groundwork for the economic collapse, following Dumya's direction on the economy in lockstep fashion. Give me a break.

Patsi.
As the email is not rational and full of falsehoods there is no responce except laughter , imo.

"She quotes...' We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income, (didn't Marx say something like this?), in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest.' (I am not rich, are you?)"

lol, Then WTF, is he worried about? It leaves more for him.

Jack

Oh, and Craig, your GPA might be slipping at AEIU, but it isn't slipping anywhere they teach economics based on history rather than Norquistonomics.

Yes, Ping, we saw what the private sector does with economic stimulus when it is directed toward it - line their pockets and defeat the purpose of the stimulus. You don't believe this stuff do you? You certainly didn't learn it in your econ education - unless you went to Norquist U, that is.

Any stimulus, to be effective will have to have short and long-term components - and this one does. Krugman recently explained it (Friday's column, I believe). And that lack of mixed components is where Reagan and Bush failed - they concentrated on short term incentives (i.e. tax cuts) almost exclusively. They paid for their tax cuts with deficit spending, financed on debt, held by foreign investors, thereby weakening the dollar (and correspondingly the fundamentals of the economy), and setting up a declining economic picture that the Fed cutting interest rates to almost nothing now has little effect on. And they grew the federal government, but ignored job creating projects for infrastructure projects, just as a f'rinstance. Obama has the sense (or advisors with the sense) to avoid the failures of Bush and Reagan - which is IMHO what he wants.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196069

Blue, I'm following You.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196073

Patsi, When it comes to these far right chain letters, you can absolutely depend on the fact that

1. It isn't true
2. If remotely true it is twisted all out of context
3. If true and not twisted, the people passing it don't have a thing to worry about since they will never make that much.

The total intent is to keep the borg part of the party in line and voting out of fear and racism.

And flinty fiscal conservative Judd Gregg was impressed with Obama's plan.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/29/judd-gregg-commerce-secre_n_162378.html

Gregg was governor, then one of NH's congressmen back when I lived there, and as the Reagan revolution was unfolding I went to meet with him to discuss funding for the federal Trio programs. I disagreed with his take on the funding for those programs (thankfully they were refunded) but was struck by his "we'll have to see wehther we can afford to fund them" (direct quote that I remember to this day) approach. There aren't may dems in congress who would have predicted Obama would name Gregg to his cabinet, I'd wager. He seems to have moderated over the past 20 or so years, but he would have been on my short list of Repubs to avoid as a rep in the cabinet for the Obama that I thought was coming into the WH.

Apparently before everything blew up on his taxes, Daschle had been pushing his limo-providing sugar daddy for a big job in the Obama administration -- trade rep or commerce secretary or somesuch.

I don't see how they can keep him after this. Even if they knew and thought it was okay, this whole nomination looks and smells more and more like a dead skunk to me. Somebody needs to bury it.

And bury those goofy, red-rimmed spectacles along with this particular spectacle.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18336.html

What about Daschle and Edu cap

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/daschles_delay_the_backstory_behind_educap.php

If you like Denny's go get a free breakfast today

http://www.dennys.com/

In case anyone missed the fact that the GOP has become a joke,

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18324.html

Now Joe the Plumber is speaking at their Tuesday (today) morning staffers' gathering of the RW crazy wing of the party. Now that should raise the level of dialog in the CWG.

KC, when you show up, NYT agrees with you on Daschle.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/opinion/03tue1.html?_r=2

Joe the Plumber is as laughable as the Obama A-Team of do-nothing senators whose greatest accomplishments have been the Do-Not Call Registry, the Bankruptcy Bill, Iraq War authorization, and grift.

Michelle just made them the most valuable beanies ever. I gotta get to Toys R Us!

Pogo

The Daschle appointment is nothing but pay for play. Daschle's support of Obama gave a lot of credibility to the fledgling campaign. He's been a player in the health care industry ...but for the wrong side.

Jamie - that's 770 calories and 40 grams of fat - all free for 8 hours today. As if I don't have trouble enough not gaining weight without that. I think I'll pass, but thanks anyway. :-)

We used to go to Denny's in Oakland, MD to grab a quick bite - I swear I saw a kid get a huge plate of fries that were covered with chili and cheese and what appeared to be gravy. I thought he'd have a heart attack while we sat there.

Nancy Killefer withdraws ... more tax issues.

It could be that at a certain income tax level, normal ethics go out the window to be replaced by "can I get away with it?" expediency and personal luxury.

Compare to story of the "Miracle on the Hudson" pilot who called the Fresno Libary to say he couldn't return a book on time as it was still on the plane. The Libary forgave the fees and will put a dedication to him on the replacement - A book about Ethics in Business.

Why isn't this man running for office? Probably because he couldn't be bought.

KC, well, it looks like his hill is getting steeper by the day.

Thank you everyone for the good wishes and spirit...and to c-bob, today is the day the music died...a fellow Lubbockite, Charles Holley, was killed in a plane crash.

Off to work, but I wanted to check in....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196098

I've been angry with both Denny's and IHOP ever since they took Buckwheat pancakes off the menu. Am I the last person on earth who really, really likes them? :-)

this is a little story about a little hit song that was used to introduce Sarah Palin to the stage during her 15 minutes of fame this fall. It is called Independence Day. Sung by the writer Gretchen Peters of Nashville.

This song is about much more than the 4 of July. Someone needs to tell Hannidy and Palin about this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D-p-DbsTp8

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196101

Blond

My blog today is dedicated to Holly, Valens, and The Big Bopper

http://jdurward.blogspot.com

There is also a link to that great Detroit series on the men and the music.

Joe the Plumber, champ? If that's who the GOP staffers think offers them hope, then have at. And I wouldn't put the Iraq war authorization in with the other items unless you're willing to say it was a mistake at the time it was entered into - which is absolutely dead contrary to everything Bushco and the Repugs who supported it have said. do not call registry? Guess what - I registered. Guess what else - I don't get the calls anymore. At least it works - unlike Joe the Plumber's Helper.

Swearing in of Holder ---

On of these days someone is going to have the guts to end the swearing in with

"So help me, ME"

Hendrix was a bigger loss than the friggin' Big Bopper. Otis Redding, too.

The entire free world can rest a little easier now that you're not being bothered by telemarketers, pogo.

And of course Iraq War II was dumb from the inception. I never supported it.

Champ,

Hendrix was not even playing guitar when those 3 were killed in that plane crash. Different time different era. Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix stood on those 3 shoulders.

Champ

We will get around to them on their 50th anniversary.
Or at least Otis Redding since he was a particular favorite of mine.

"Has your friend got any money?"

You know, Jack, I don't have any idea if he's rich. He is a big farmer....but don't know beyond that. However, the email he forwarded to me was sent to him by a mutual right wing friend, a doctor....God knows where it originated.

What the HELL is the matter with the Republicans??? Nearly everyone is in agreement that executives and CEOs are getting far too much compensation for the lousy work they do. NO ONE, under ANY times is worth the millions they suck in every year. It is obscene!

President Obama wants to make it clear that banks receiving future federal funds will have to accept limitations on company executive salaries. And what does McConnell say???

" the Senate, Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., urged the administration to proceed with caution.
"I think we're all appalled by these — some of these executive salary arrangements and bonus arrangements and perks and all the rest," he said. "On the other hand, I really don't want the government to take over these businesses and start telling them everything about what they can do. Then you truly have nationalized the business."

So, yeah we're appalled, but we got such hard-ons thinking about the freedom of the economy to apply these excesses that we'll become impotent if the government starts reeling these pigs in. And what's wrong with nationalising business? It's really about corporate greed isn't it? It's about making sure the rich become the super rich and the super rich become the SUPER DUPER rich! To hear the pugs talk about it, you would think government has NO ROLE in managing the economy. Show me an era where that has ever been true. I am just so disgusted with this idea that government should maintain a hands off approach to business.

I am steaming. Nationalize all the multinationals and make sure that workers get a liveable wage with guaranteed pensions, health care and job security. Let the corporate heads make some nominal bonuses, but stop this obscene "get rich quick" schemes that the capitalist oinkers not only do not apologise for, but in fact, work to make themselves even richer.

GRRRRRRRR

" may be Michelle Obama’s first domestic win: “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” are no longer in circulation"

Good for Michelle. I noticed that the media barely acknowledged the biggest issue with those "little girl" dolls. They had noticeable breasts. These girls are "little girls" -- yet the media's whole issue was the money angle. The sexualization of young girls in this culture is out of control.

Champ were you alive to support or not support WW II? Or did you mean Bush's attempted foray into making WW III?

Does anyone know how the billion for Amtrak is going to be spent?

OSH, one could hope that it will be used to start expanding railroad infrastructure as an alternative source of public transport.

"What the HELL is the matter with the Republicans??? "

Same thing that's been wrong with them since the Reagan coup, Tom -- the party has two kinds of people: greedy rich bastards, and people who are dumb enough to believe that the greedy rich bastards will let them in on the deal.

Champ, I don't know about the rest of the free world, but I rest easier not getting the insipid calls.

And we agree on the Iraq war, and on Hendrix (but I do agree that the guys who died in '59 were among the foundation of rock & roll that Hendrix stood on - but his early influences were Elvis, B.B. King, Little Richard and Muddy Waters, among others, I'm sure . . and SRV & even Clapton and just about everyone who came after who picked up an electric guitar stood on Hendrix' shoulders ... and on it goes). btw, HD, Hendrix wasn't playing professionally then - he was just 17 - but he got his first guitar in '57, two years before Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died - and got his first electric guitar in '59. The rest as they say, is history.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196091

Jamie...one of my friends commented that the only drawback of free breakfast at Denny's is that you have to eat at Denny's.

Thank you Patsi... I get so worked up I can hardly maintain a modicum of coherence. It is true that many Repugs don't understand that the "big tent" does not mean that they are part of the in crowd. Kevin Phillips' book "The politics of the Rich and Poor" explored the shifting political landscape during and after Reagan, primarily how many right wing fundamentalists became Repugs due to their cultural wars against secular society. Traditionally Phillips said, people would vote their pocket books... but the arrival of the religious right , and other social conservatives, had created a whole new category of voters. People who vote against their own economic interests in order to end abortion, stop gays, feminists, unmarried couples...et al... What was so interesting is that the people who became Repugs because of this reason actually hadn't a clue that they party they supported was actually hurting them economically.

SOME FUNDAMENTALS!

Pogo I was born in '59. My Dad looked a lot like `Buddy Holly. I will have to scan a pic of him (my dad that is).

I am calm now.. .:) Going to look at kitchens this evening for my new apartment.

Dooty -- RE: Independence Day and Gretchen Peters

Gretchen is one of my best friends. What that YouTube bit didn't explain is that Hannity has been paying GP for the right to use Independence Day as his theme song for years. She didn't like that it was being used for Hannity-BS, but the checks were REAL good. (And she donated a portion of all the money to liberal causes.)

She called me years back, when she signed the deal in the first place, feeling agonized over allowing Hannity to do it. My only question was: "Is he so clueless that he doesn't know what the song is about?"

"HD, Hendrix wasn't playing professionally then - he was just 17 - but he got his first guitar in '57, two years before Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died - and got his first electric guitar in '59. The rest as they say, is history."

I stand corrected. I was just trying to make a point not be historically accurate. :)

Some peoples ideas of history is what they ate for breakfast.

you are a lucky person to have someone like Gretchen Peters as a close friend. I did know that Hannidy uses that song at all his live events. (never been to one but have heard stories).

I really liked the line she attributed to the janitor of the hall in Ft Worth. "Politicians never hear the verses; they only hear the choruses."

Patsi, Mrs. P & I laugh abou that all the time. What, you find it ironic that the self-proclaimed modern champion of the party of family values uses a song about a woman walking out of her marriage as his theme song? I don't get it. LOL

HD, your point is well taken. The fact that Elvis was one of Hendrix' earliest and most powerful influences would probably shock kids who only knew him as Vegas characature.

LL, of course you know this, but Pet Sounds - IMHO the most well produced American pop album of the 60s (and #2 on RS's greatest album list) was a big influence on Paul McCartney. This could explain part of why Sgt. Pepper's (#1 on RS's greatest albums) was what it was - at least that part of the album that was the Sgt. Pepper's theme - which not coincidentally was recorded just after Pet Sounds was released.

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

McCartney's comments about the album are halfway down the article.

Alan Colmes and Imus discuss Daschle this morning on Imus in the Morning.

http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/02/alan-colmes-tell-imus-americans-need.html

"What, you find it ironic that the self-proclaimed modern champion of the party of family values uses a song about a woman walking out of her marriage as his theme song? I don't get it. LOL"

Not just left the marriage...she burns down the house, killing both her and her husband.

And Hannity used the song for every television show for years.

OK, let me rephrase - What, you find it ironic that the self-proclaimed modern champion of the party of family values uses a song about a woman giving up on her bad marriage, burning down the house, killing both her and her husband as his theme song? I don't get it.

;-)

re the lyrics, btw.

http://www.martina-mcbride.com/lyrics/independenceday.shtml

"I don't get it. "

Ha -- same here.....

Citi Bank 's last exec bonus payment exceeded the value of the company, which this morning is only $26.1 million. Stockholders ought to string up the Board of Directors.

Re Mr. Pong's ridiculous stimulus idea : each succeeding tax cut makes the next tax cut less effective. This effect was diagramed by the Laffer Curve, which republicans, following the lead of their god, ronald reagan, have touted for 28 years. Through that time period, republicans passed a vast array of deep cuts. A tax cut at this point would have hardly any stimulative effect.

It is time for a bottom up stimulus that will effect sales, not a business bailout that will be stolen by the ruling caste at best, and or boost production at a time when we are already glutted with goods and services.

What is with these people? Are they all channeling Leona Helmsley?

Performance Czar Killefer Withdraws Candidacy

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123367405418643627.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I'm working my ass off for the next few days...... I'm leaving Thursday for another ski adventure into Maine.... this time Sugar Loaf... with all this talk about guitar players..... the Derek Trucks Band is playing at the ski lodge this Saturday.... Rick and I have tickets..... here's a sample....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkdaCCUH2do

Jamie..... I LOVE Buckwheat pancakes!..... the maple sugaring house restaurant that I've posted about has the best blueberry buckwheat pancakes in the world, in my not so humble opinion.....

Earliest chocolate use found in what is now US

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP SCIENCE WRITER

WASHINGTON -- Chocolate for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Folks may be surprised to know how far back chocolate goes - perhaps 1,000 years in what is now the United States. Evidence of chocolate was been found in Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, N.M., the earliest indication of the tasty substance north of Mexico, Patricia L. Crown of the University of New Mexico and W. Jeffrey Hurst of the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition report in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1501ap_sci_mmmmm_chocolate.html

RR, that Will be a good show. I saw him with Eric Clapton in Boston last year or the year before. That guy can play.

At this critical stage in the economy, it would seem that the Senators would do everything they can to do something, to tell the American people, I am on your side, not always say no to the middle class and little people and always yes to the Special Interest Groups, yes to wars, yes to big oil and their tax breaks, and no to schools, education, infra structure, green jobs, too long denied and neglected. It is a sad fact that for average American citizens, the GOP is becoming the party of NO! We can not depend on the GOP to help us. In 2010, we will know what to do.

Magic deer -

http://snuh.tumblr.com/post/74502775/via-birdscene

During Obama's candidacy, I was very impressed with his staff's organization and efficiency. They always seem to be 1 or more steps ahead of Hillary Clinton's. I guess I expected the same to continue during his presidency. What a DISAPPOINTMENT it has been so far....

What happened to the "clean break from business as usual" in Washington.

The lobbyists....the non-taxpayers....

What happened to the VETTING process?

Daschle has withdrawn his nomination.

UYUNI, Bolivia — In the rush to build the next generation of hybrid or electric cars, a sobering fact confronts both automakers and governments seeking to lower their reliance on foreign oil: almost half of the world’s lithium, the mineral needed to power the vehicles, is found here in Bolivia — a country that may not be willing to surrender it so easily.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/world/americas/03lithium.html?_r=3&hp

Two down in one day. The privileged class is paying for its previously forgiven privileges.

Google Earth Fills Its Watery Gaps

Google Earth gets all this information now and puts it in one place for the littlest kid and the stuffiest grownup to see in a way that hasn’t been possible in all preceding history.”

By choosing among 20 buttons holding archives of information, called “layers” by Google, a visitor can read logs of oceanographic expeditions, see old film clips from the heyday of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and check daily Navy maps of sea temperatures.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/science/earth/03oceans.html?em

I've got a suggestion for HHS. The last time I checked, President Obama had a wife who made a rather large salary because she knows about inner city hospitals.

Shall we do the Jack and Bobby or you get two for the price of one HIllary Care? It would be fun if only to wipe out all the remaining Right Wing Republicans with a mass wave of fatal heart attacks.

RR, Bowman has the gift of understatement. Derek Trucks is amazing - I watched a DVD of his band a cupla weeks ago and JHC are they good. He's a flippin' amazing slide guitarist.

from the Google story -

By hovering over Galveston, Tex., clicking on a pointer and sliding it forward along a bar reflecting years of data, I was able to watch seaside communities expand and then abruptly wash away after Hurricane Ike.

jamie - Great link on Sacramento & The New Deal.

My grandmother said if there ever was a Santa Claus, it was FDR.

I think our elected officials should go talk to folks running food pantries & shelters. I don't think they get it. Heck, we should take away their cars, house keys & wallets for two weeks and see how they manage.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196126

Lardo, Can't quite agree. In 1959 I was listening to virtually every kind of music that was out there: Rock, R & B, Early Folk, Jazz , Standards, and even went to my first Opera. It was such a just plain juicy era with everybody trying everything and smooshing it all together to produce new sounds and movements.

All of those people didn't get obscured, they simply found their audience while becoming famous doing it. Because of the the pioneers and the giants, it was possible to have the unbelievably creative performers that have followed behind them.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196141

Renee,

It figures. The one person who agrees with me is 3,000 miles away.

Geez, Prez Obama can't swing a job offer by the tail without hitting someone with a tax problem.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_killefer

Our shrinking tax base or our shirking tax base?

In 1900 JP Morgan thought the CEO of a company should receive 20 times that of the average employee in compensation.

In Mid Century the ratio was 35 times the average.

By 1990 it was up to 150 times

Currently it is about 400

Most of the developed world is still somewhere in the 40 times range. Using median income for an individual of about $25,000 that would be a million dollars for CEOs elsewhere as opposed to ten million here.

As a strong Hillary supporter, I have to admit I am somewhat gleeful watching those who didn't support her during the nomination process dropping like flies.
Richardson-Caroline Kennedy-Daschle-a coincidence? Are there more scores to settle?

Good, Daschle is gone. I will do another happy Hil'ry dance, just like I did when Bill Richardson had to bow out. (Just remembering his smirky, little performance on The Daily Show when he turned Obama-maniac.)

1959 : A Raisin in the Sun, Sweet Bird of Youth, Requiem for a Nun, J. B. (Chris Plummer debut in the US), The Disenchanted, The Pleasure of his Company,Gypsy, A Touch of the Poet. A lousy year on Broadway.

Ha! If there are two of us on the same wavelength, somewhere there are PUMAs throwing a party for Daschle, whose upance has come.

"1. He may not be a Natural born citizen qualified to serve as President under Article II of the Constitution

He admits he was born to an American mother and a British subject, suggesting dual citizenship at best-1. If he was not born on U.S. soil, and his mother was a minor, she was ineligible to convey US citizenship-2. Under the British Nationality Act of 1948, he was born a British Citizen-3. His paternal grandmother claims to have attended his birth in Kenya-4. Kenya memorializes his place of birth-5."

http://defendourfreedoms.org/flysheet.html
=======================
Kenyan Ambassador admits Obama born in Kenya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH4GX3Otf14

You in the OFOS, Renee?

Daschle will have plenty of time to drive across South Dakota, again, but he may have to use his own car. I wonder if he was using his own car on all of those SD campaign trips?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196165

xr

Don't compare it to this year. You won't be able to stop crying.

Gordo - I can always count on your little theater of the absurd for a laugh.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196158

Jamie...I definitely can't argue with your characterization of that era, and don't think "musical greatness" has to be an either-or proposition. (ie., EITHER Modern Jazz OR 50s rock). Those kinds of arguments never end.

My only point earlier was to say that the playing field is definitely tilted...and pop musicians like Buddy Holly will always, by definition, be given outsized, overhyped media treatment in relation to their actual artistic achievement. And that effect is only multiplied if they met their demise in some spectacular (even if statistically predictable) way, such as a plane crash, that neither adds to nor subtracts from their musical contribution and probably didn't tragically cut short all that much in terms of overall cultural development (eg., see Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, both living into a ripe old age and getting by more or less as caricatures of their younger selves as opposed to ongoing contributors.)

[Oh, and Sturge or Patsi don't get to join this argument. That would be no fair. :)]

Of course they memorialize his "birthplace" now. Geez, how many places claim to have invented the ever-popular hamburger? Same thing. (Notice that nobody wants to take credit for liver & onions.)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196164

Blue,

I don't enjoy Daschle quite as much as he really does know where all the bodies are buried in the Insurance industry. I just didn't trust him to dig them up and put them on display in order to get the necessary changes.

Now Richardson ... Heck, I'm still grinning over sending that one over the cliff where Judas belonged.

Now..
Let's talk about a couple of more important cultural anniversaries that are coming up:

"The Day The Music Got Into A Really Bad Car Wreck But Emerged With Minor Cuts And Bruises." (April 3, 1974)

"The Day The Music's Wife Threw Him Out Of The House And Took Out A Restraining Order" (May 5, 1979)

"The Day The Music Got Gingivitis" (June 19, 1989)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196175

The massive dumping of hormones into the water supply doesn't help. The girls actually are getting the secondary characteristics earlier. We won't discuss what all the pollutants are doing to the boys.

Citi Bank has dropped 14 % to less than $ 24 million.

XR----http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196175

I believe you but do you have a link for that,,,,,Incredible,,info that I was not aware of

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196176

Lardo, How about the whole media blitz when Sir Paul really did become 64.

Everybody sing along:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH7v6wordKs

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196175

Posted by Patsi sorry XR,,,I will look up thread for it

jamie,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/be-careful-what-you-ask-for-mr.html#comment-196174

me, too.

The son of pal of mine who lived in a rural area entered puberty at age 5. The family had a terrible time with him until doctors managed to delay the progress of maturation. I don't know if that was a hormonal issue primarily or if there was also an endocrine tumor, as sometimes happens with sexual precocity.

NEW THREAD

Utility Gives Up on Coal, Pursues Wind Instead

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/utility-gives-up-on-coal-pursues-wind-instead/

Iowa overtakes California in wind power

U.S. Takes Global Lead in Wind Power, Passes Germany

Wind power becomes Europe's fastest growing energy source

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=wind+power&btnG=Search+News

Solar

Pediatrics Bulletin

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/4/505?ijkey=ee0fdea6dd94a1da795a0f6ce97536b9611cbe54&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

Sperm damage and testicular cancer are through the roof in just the space of 25 years in half of all human males.

What it is doing at the lower levels in fish, amphibians and reptiles is starting to verge on catastrophic in disappearing species.

NEW THREAD