Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Hello everyone -- Am I first? Woo hoo!

Cheney and company did capture a bunch of raised-in-USA Arab kids who did such dastardly things as talk trash about Bush and play paintball in Spotsylvania, VA. Remember the "Paintball Jehad"? One kid who was valedictorian of his high school class at Saudi Royal Academy, which got him a free college education in Saudi Arabia. He was taken to one of those CIA-supported torture chambers in SA and held for nearly two years. His parents kept asking the Saudis when he would be released, and the Saudis said -- "He's being held at the request of the US." They asked the US and were told "He's being held by the Saudis." Finally his sister went to Paul McNulty, then US Attorney for Eastern Virginia, and asked that her brother be charged and extradited to the US for trial. McNulty told her, "Now that he has no fingernails, he no use to us." Sister finally got help from Congress, and the kid was extradited and charged with conspiring to assassinate George Bush. His trial was a joke and his parents were broke, so he made a plea deal that sent him to prison for the rest of his life.

good morning, diva et al. where was 60 minutes' credit to alice waters for the white house garden? was it originally in the piece and cut?

well, here is a nod to the activists who imho are responsible for this sensible and timely turn of events.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/03/22/pollan-waters-influencing-food-politics-more-than-we-know/

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/03/22/pollan-waters-influencing-food-politics-more-than-we-know/

cheney (imus' saying applicable here) is stuck on stupid

speaking of stupid, sorry for the double posts.... repetition seems to be a manifestation of stupidity... at least it is in the dick's case.

Sylvia Plath's son commits suicide:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2009/03/sylvia-plaths-s.html

Alicia,

As you write, the entire experience for this boy and his family has been horrendous and indefensible. If there was one thing that separated us from every other country in the world was our absolute respect for habeas corpus. Now, we've lost our innocence.

I am concerned, though, what the thrust of an education completely sponsored by the Saudis would be. But, that's an issue separate from what you have related.

should be:
...world, it was...

diva, do you know whether his case was appealed and when? is there still time to go up the legal food chain? if not, maybe publically revisiting this by a good journalist (maybe a 6o minutes piece) would help.

"If there was one thing that separated us from every other country in the world was our absolute respect for habeas corpus. Now, we've lost our innocence."

Indeed, Flatus. And Alicia -- thanks for that information...I hadn't heard of this particular atrocity. God all mighty.

i thought we lost our innocence in nov of '63......hard to pretend to innocence after something like that........

Thank you, Grampa Cheney, for giving Prez Obama an opening to state his views, again, and help rebuild our status in the world. Now go back to sleep & leave us alone.

"Shut the F*** up, Mr Cheney."

---some Dr. in Katrinaland, Mississippi, speaking for most of America.

oops.....it was "Go F yourself, Mr Cheney"

http://www.spike.com/video/go-fk-yourself-mr/2679414

not to belabor Dr Ben Marble's remarks to the Vice, but here's his story behind the story......

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

mr cheney should do as he's told, if he hasnt already.

David Sedaris is here? You wanna hear what I've been doing to your sister in my mind?

Stop the volley’s from both sides! Like two kids fighting, it is distasteful political banter.

I am surprised that such a cool cat would allow Mr. Cheney to get under his skin? Or did he and this is just another distraction? And a simple answer for what type of minds to run with?... Sorry for those that feel for this simple answer.

President Obama’s rose colored glasses approach is commendable, and let’s hope he obtains the same level of success as President Bush in the matter of foreign terror attacks on our soil!

But the terrorist mind that he refers to I do not think equates US actions in the same manner when you place this up to the public beheadings and many other truly barbaric behavior of this group.

So wrong Mr. President – I would look more at the religious and economic situations as the stimulus for the creation of this evil towards our, what was a Free Market Capitalistic world!

Mr President, I hope that your goal is not to meet them half way.

Oh, come on, Ping -- surely you are not saying Bush hasn't racheted up hatred for America! The man practically drew a bull's eye on the country. And he couldn't care less.

"i thought we lost our innocence in nov of '63..." sturg@7:21

Sturg, I understand what you're saying.

I think that we can multiple types of innocence. Certainly the Kennedy assassination was terrible. But, who can forget the image of the world's leaders walking with the Kennedy family from the White House to the Capitol? Even though we lost our innocence in that one sense, the world shared our grief.

We've always had adherence to constitutional law as being the bedrock of order that made our interpersonal relationships with each other and our government clear and fair. Up until the Bush years, we believed that the law would sort things out fairly. Now, no more.

Flatus -- The young man attended Saudi Royal Academy in Mt. Vernon, VA. My SIL used to head the foreign language/ESL dept. there, and my nieces and nephews also attended there until my SIL opened her own Islamic academy. (My eldest niece and nephew are graduates of SRA.) The curriculum is a lot like any other parochial school -- the regular subjects, but with extra instruction in Arabic and Islam. My SIL's acadamy is Montessori-based for the younger grades, the older children have a more traditional academic program.

I'm not sure the name of the university in SA that he was attending, but I think he was studying something mainstream like business administration.

Patd -- I'm not sure what the next possible legal avenues are planned for these young men. The families were maxed out with the legal fees, the Muslim community in NoVA was trying to raise money for their defense, but most of these people do not have a lot of money -- and given the climate of the times, it was not a popular cause outside of the Muslim community.

flate.....sorry to have intruded upon the subject of your post, I know what you mean also....but the only images I retain from the 63 event is the zapruder film and the image of jack ruby having to go in and finish the deal on the patsy after the patsy got wise and got the drop on Tippet........maybe they flim-flammed around afterward and put masking tape over the holes in our "innocence", but for many people, the ice cream that day turned to crap.......

divs, in all seriousness suggest someone get in touch with one of the producers at 60 minutes with the complete background info... helps if there are good photo ops, handsome articulate people etc... along with the torture stories. sometimes all it takes is a senational story on a slow sunday night.

Patsi,

First - President GW Bush did and does care for this country. No doubt - and I have no doubt he went to bed every night and on each morning the first concern was not another 9/11.
Do I agree with all and everything he did - No way.

But to deliver and to allow such a simplification of answer on 60 Min is what one expects in Campaign mode!

Funny (or Sad) – Think about it… If the election cycle was now – Barack does not win !! Why – He would not have the Iraq element.

Sturg, I remember that extended weekend clearly. I was stationed at Fort Knox and we were on a field exercise. As we were mounting our trucks to return to garrison, we got the news that he was shot. By the time we got to our barracks, he had died.

Soldiers spontaneously grouped into formations as a silent salute to him at the 1700 retreat ceremony.

The next days, we NCOs spent most of our time at our small branch NCO club glued to the TV there. Those images are indelible.

Before I went to Vietnam, Stinky and I spent several days in D.C. going around to our public institutions. And, of course, Mr Kennedy's grave which still looked much like it did on the day of his burial. That was in the autumn of 1965.

corey - Have you read Amy's "I Like You"? It's awesome.

Thanks for your amplification about the schools, Alicia.

When someone, without more details, writes of a Saudi education, I have an image of the radical madrases (is that the right word?) that our press focuses on.

Off to appointments...

From Matt Taibbi's "The Great Takeover" in "Rolling Stone Magazine"

The latest bailout came as AIG admitted to having just posted the largest quarterly loss in American corporate history — some $61.7 billion. In the final three months of last year, the company lost more than $27 million every hour. That's $465,000 a minute, a yearly income for a median American household every six seconds, roughly $7,750 a second. And all this happened at the end of eight straight years that America devoted to frantically chasing the shadow of a terrorist threat to no avail, eight years spent stopping every citizen at every airport to search every purse, bag, crotch and briefcase for juice boxes and explosive tubes of toothpaste. Yet in the end, our government had no mechanism for searching the balance sheets of companies that held life-or-death power over our society and was unable to spot holes in the national economy the size of Libya (whose entire GDP last year was smaller than AIG's 2008 losses).

So it's time to admit it: We're fools, protagonists in a kind of gruesome comedy about the marriage of greed and stupidity. And the worst part about it is that we're still in denial — we still think this is some kind of unfortunate accident, not something that was created by the group of psychopaths on Wall Street whom we allowed to gang-rape the American Dream.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover/print

Something very unsettling watching President Obama on 60 minutes last night. Reminded me of junior executives I would have to speak with concerning their major screw-ups. Like the President, they were bright, personable, articulate individuals, always jovial, smiling, laughing when asked to provide answers to why their departments and or projects were complete failures. Unfortunately we discovered this type of person usually tends to presented themselves in such a way that their lack of qualifications for the job was overlooked or was explained away by some glib reply. Eventually we had to terminate their employment. That won't be the case for President Obama, he is here for another 3 years 10 months.

Ping Pong- I'm with you- stop the volleys. Not to defend Cheney, think most Americans have figured out that he is a creep. Obama was the first to break the rule in his inaugural speech anyways.. He has proven himself very adept at criticizing and blaming others and uses this tactic frequently. I'm going with distraction.

From Matt Taibbi's "The Great Takeover" in "Rolling Stone Magazine"

The most galling thing about this financial crisis is that so many Wall Street types think they actually deserve not only their huge bonuses and lavish lifestyles but the awesome political power their own mistakes have left them in possession of. When challenged, they talk about how hard they work, the 90-hour weeks, the stress, the failed marriages, the hemorrhoids and gallstones they all get before they hit 40.

"But wait a minute," you say to them. "No one ever asked you to stay up all night eight days a week trying to get filthy rich shorting what's left of the American auto industry or selling $600 billion in toxic, irredeemable mortgages to ex-strippers on work release and Taco Bell clerks. Actually, come to think of it, why are we even giving taxpayer money to you people? Why are we not throwing your ass in jail instead?"

But before you even finish saying that, they're rolling their eyes, because You Don't Get It. These people were never about anything except turning money into money, in order to get more money; valueswise they're on par with crack addicts, or obsessive sexual deviants who burgle homes to steal panties. Yet these are the people in whose hands our entire political future now rests.

Good luck with that, America. And enjoy tax season.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover/print

Posted by: patd Author Profile Page | March 23, 2009 6:54 AM

While both Pollan and Waters are doing a lot to focus attention on the way we eat --the Eat the View campaign --the Whitehouse garden is the work of the kitchen gardeners.
http://www.kitchengardeners.org/

Helping people think about food systems and learning better ways to eat has a lot of support and great leadership. Some people get more publicity but there are a lot of people responsible for the slow but steady progress.

cheney is to "creep" as Ted Bundy was to "mal-adjusted"

From last night on 60 Minutes.

" "The facts don't bear him out. I think he is, that attitude, that philosophy has done incredible damage to our image and position in the world. I mean, the fact of the matter is after all these years how many convictions actually came out of Guantanamo? How many terrorists have actually been brought to justice under the philosophy that is being promoted by Vice President Cheney? It hasn't made us safer. What it has been is a great advertisement for anti-American sentiment. Which means that there is constant effective recruitment of Arab fighters and Muslim fighters against U.S. interests all around the world."

So how does President Obama explain the 1983 truck bomb explosion of the Marine barracks in Lebanon, 1993 WTC bombing, 1998 the bombing of 2 US Embassy's in Africa, the 1996 Khobal Towers bombing, the 2000 USS Cole USS bombing. There has always been a hatred by Muslim fundamentalist fanatics of the West, Cheney didn't event this hatred it has always been there.

I'm not as interested in VP Cheney's comments as I am in President Obama's response. The " but look at what you did" response to me seems childish and beneath the position of the President.

We need a leader. President Obama has 4 years. Fix things and move on.

Buck up and be a LEADER!!!....Damn

The difference is the threat from organizations of terrorists has dropped but the threat from a lone whack job remains.

Cheney, Delay and all the faces of the failed Republican regime should stay out front -- it's just another reminder of what losers they are and that there are no new faces or new ideas coming from the Whigs

mornin'

HMMM, Obama, Cheney. What's apoor boy to do? WADR to Ping and OSH, bullshit. Cheney got an opening and took it. With Bushco's feet of clay he should have passed. He didn't. He made the conscious decision to take a shot at the bully pulpit on national TV, and the bully pulpit responded, appropriately in my opinion. He should STFU about the O admin and write his book about how wonderfully Bushco made the nation safer by starting two wars and finishing none, eroding 50 years of privacy jurisprudence in the process and ramping up heinous human rights abuses to boot - it's cheap criticism he doesn't have to make and he knows will not be taken as constructive by the current admin. Excuse me, but fuck him. OSH, one thing I do agree with you on - most Americans probably have figured out Cheney is a creep.

Oh, and as for Obama's job approval ratings, while this is certainly subject ot change - despite all the AIG and TARP fallout, as of March 16, his approval rating was higher than eithe Clinton or Bush's at the same point in his first term.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/116845/Obama-Approval-Equal-Better-Bush-Clinton.aspx

OK, enough on Obama - I really don't care that much. I just want him to do a good job.

good morning gang....
I watched the 60 Minutes interview..... although I'm sure many on the left were titillated with Obama's remarks concerning Cheney.... I could care less....

what interested me was his response to 2 of Steve Krofts's questions....
1. what was the hardest decision you've had to make so far....
I give Obama an A for saying the decision to send more young men off to war in Afghanistan.... although I disagree with this decision.... at least he gets the gravity of what he's asking for....

2. why are there so many vacant positions still in Treasury....
I give Obama an F for whining about how tough his job is....
he asked us to vote for him for the hardest job in the world, IMO..... told us repeatedly that despite what some were saying he was ready for day one....
hey.... no whining.... and no lame excuses.... even if it ain't cool, roll up your sleeves and get to work....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213182

Patsi,

Thank you for posting the sad news about Nicholas Hughes. My sympathy goes to his surviving sister Frieda. What a tragic legacy they've had to endure of which I have some idea, as my late father's mother destroyed her life in the same manner.

The Middle East is a male dominated society. Males are raised to be strong will persons, they do not look upon their enemies with forgiveness in mind, and do not normally consider surrender unless they have a boot positioned over their throat. President Obama's olive branch video tape message to Iran only embolden Iranian leaders mindset.

Morning, Just finishing yesterdays posts...

Patsi, Is your cat having kittens?

Also, has anyone heard from Solar? Just want to make sure he's doing ok.

I think I know where OSH is coming from....
at the moment..... people are not spending money..... after a surprising decent Xmas...... my sales for this winter have been paltry..... luckily, I don't depend on them to eat or keep a roof over my head....

We too get the Economist magazine.... I was reading an article in it this morning where Obama was being criticized for not filling those Treasury positions and was therefore probably taking advice of how to solve this financial crisis from political people.... the author thought he was being ill served....

if I was in OSH's position of being a single woman and dependent on candy sales in order to eat..... I'd be scared out of my wits right now....

KGC

From Sunday's NYT---2 articles re: organic food production which may be of interest to you.

"Is a food revolution now in season"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/business/22food.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=is%20a%20food%20revolution%20now%20in%20season&st=cse

"How many terrorists have actually been brought to justice under the philosophy that is being promoted by Vice President Cheney?"

I watched the 60 Minutes interview and heard the President raise that question, and it struck me as an odd rhetorical question. As I see it, the former VP was never interested in pursuing justice; he was after "intelligence" and he sought revenge.

"if I was in OSH's position of being a single woman and dependent on candy sales in order to eat..... I'd be scared out of my wits right now...."

Renee, Your post made me think of one that mqw posted last night.

"one thing is for sure no matter your political orientation
or viewpoint ' we all are in the same boat'' if it goes
down '' everybody's going to get wet"
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/open-thread-sunday-1.html#comment-213172

... except, some of us will probably be a lot wetter than others. I just hope no one drowns.

KGC

2nd link to NYT

"Eating food that's better for you, organic or not"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=is%20a%20food%20revolution&st=cse

Seems like a number of President Obama's cheerleaders are wandering off the reservation: Frank Rich, Maureen Dowd, Thomas Friedman, Matt Taibbi are viewing the Obama administration with different set of eyes.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover

Sturge-

What would you suggest we do to help ex-strippers and Taco Bell clerks? I'm sure most of them are decent, hard working people that perhaps don't have the opportunity to upgrade their lives. Then again, the Greenwich hedge-funders had every opportunity to upgrade their lives and now they're hanging out in Starbucks every day whining to each other about how bad things are. Maybe Taco Bell is the better place to be. Less stress.

Coreen

Thanks for the link...not too mention in California the standards for organic were undercut by the Federal standards.
The article is good because it points out that eating organic is not enough -- eating smarter is the key.

Eat less meat, eat less salt, give up white flour products --that would be a start and of course eat more fruits and vegetables and as both Pollan and Marion Nestle say --eat less and move more.

As a matter of fact, mqw, I appreciated all your posts last night. Very insightful.

"...think about what you believe to be true'
thats what i try to do here sometimes'take the opposite
viewpoint ' not that i'm right or wrong ' but its a good
thing to examine and think about about what you
believe ' might surprise yourself sometimes'
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/open-thread-sunday-1.html#comment-213162

... mqw did tell me once (a while back), that he likes to things up sometimes. I think that's 'always' a good thing. :)

"Eat less meat, eat less salt, give up white flour products --that would be a start and of course eat more fruits and vegetables and as both Pollan and Marion Nestle say --eat less and move more."

Katherine, You just said in one paragraph, what books take hundreds of pages to say. Bravo!

(I'm glad you said 'white' flour and not all wheat products) :)

"I was in OSH's position of being a single woman and dependent on candy sales in order to eat..... I'd be scared out of my wits right now...."

Renee
I think OSH is using the candy business as a way to get extra money during the off season. I suspect she is now calculating how much she can gouge all those rich summer people. I hope they are feeling really depressed and believe that spending all that bonus cash will relieve some of their blues.

OSH
Charge them all the market will bare, then add a 10% stupidity tax.

Jack

Please what does WADR mean?

What's the 'stupidity tax' for Jack.
They're the ones with all that money.
And if you tasted Sea's candy, you'd know it's a very 'smart' purchase. One of the best I've ever made. :)

"What's the 'stupidity tax' for Jack."

It is a special tax that only tourist have to pay and it goes directly into the pocket of the shopkeeper.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/the-hypocrisy-of-partisans-par.html#comment-212928

Jack --

You'd asked for links to urban gardening sites -- here's one in downtown Bumminham (as sturge calls it) -- Jones Valley Urban Farms.

http://www.jvuf.org/

"it goes directly into the pocket of the shopkeeper."

In that case, I approve!
Go for it Sea!

http://growyoungstown.org/
Youngstown has one of the oldest and best urban garden programs

Ohio State has started a program to support the growth of urban farming in the state

"Eat less and move more"

Best advice for any and everyday. And KGC--that is why I enjoy checking your Seasonal Pantry---opens up new food adventures.

Too bad Obama did not mention the money Cheney pissed away. Cheney's war on terror with its childish bad guy playing cards, bogus terror alerts with color, wasted homeland security investments (talk about pork), etc. would make wall street proud. And we could have gotten rid of Sadam for a pitence of what we are still paying each week for this phony war he created in Iraq. Yep, Cheney pretty much wrecked the US.

Obama Sticker Shock
"President Obama's 2010 budget looks more astounding by the day, especially when someone other than the White House budget office is analyzing it. The latest case of epic sticker shock came Friday when the Congressional Budget Office published, which found that the proposals would increase the federal deficit by $2.3 trillion more over 10 years than the White House had claimed.

Hey, what's a little rounding error among friends."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776518094909023.html

Coreen

Thanks -- I've certainly learned a lot. Many of the under utilized fruits and vegetables are amazing nutritional jackpots.
I didn't think anything beats kale for value --but stinging nettles take the cake (so to speak..)

Pogo, If you're around, Cosmo asked us to tell you he left a WV joke for you toward the end of the last thread.

KGC, Ivy

Thanks for the links. Community Gardening is a great idea but it take more of a commitment to make it work then most people are willing to invest.
I salute those who make it a success.
I have seen several atttempts where the people were more in love with the idea than the on the ground hard work reality.
Time for as gardening metathing here.
"A successful harvest depends on how well you prepare the ground before planting."
Humm, I like that one, its a keeper.

Jack

Chloe

Thanks for caring,,,just took a cpl of days off, nothing to say,,is E. N. starting to stretch out a little? did you stop shrinking? ~)

About Cheney,,,he is total scum,,,,is anyone defends him, are just rooting for their team,,and not him personally,,,that is whats wrong with our country,,,,pick a side and stick with it no matter what,,,,,and the same goes for Obama's side,,,,even in sports ,,,you trade the player that is hurting your team,,,,,,I watched the first few minuets of the Jay Leno Show,,,and turned it off,cos I did not hear a president talking,,,I heard D Axelrod talking,,,,but what, I was really pissed about,,is that he gave that comedienne Leno more legitimate power as a political commentator, and by extension all of the other clowns,,
and let the Vise Pres,,Biden take care of bs like Cheney,,,or some other attack dog no?

If we can economize why can't the president ,,,by going on the Leno Show,,,how much of our $ did he spend,,,security,,,fuel,, etc,,,,by going on the road to bs us again,,,,stay at the White House and work,work harder that when you were campaigning,,,there other way to communicate,,,use the giant sports screen and give us the information on how you are going to tell your team to get their shit together

As long as drugs are illegal --only criminals will benefit
we do create situations for terrorists when we try to control how other people want to live their lives

She's longer 'and' fatter Solar. Doctor says they thin right down, once they crawl.
Thanks for asking. :)

Glad to see you have something to say today Solar.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213243

Chloe
A big number but a little perspective here. That is less than half an Iraq war.

Jack

"we try to control how other people want to live their lives"

... a big mistake.
I think it's human nature though.

"A big number but a little perspective here."

Those numbers are 'way' out of my league Jack. As well as understanding this economy. But I'll take your word for it. Thanks.

Jack, but that war's still happening too. Am I missing something?

Maybe it is all about fighting drug dealers...we have the same issue on our southern border. But, this is nothing new for humans...the First Opium War of the 19th century is a great example of free trade and drugs. I am one for legalization of illicit drugs. Why are we only allowed to abuse prescription drugs? (I know, ask Rush)

Thanks, chloe, I'll go back and check it out.

OSH, with all due respect. I see it used as either a sign that the person responding has read and understands your postiion, but disagrees (always followd by a rebuttal) - btw, that is how I use it - or as a simple dismissal of your stated position.

TiR, with the possible excepton of Freidman, all the columnists you mentioned are paid critics whose cheerleading activities normally occur during campaigns - and often are "agin" positions instead of "for". Freidman is a little different - he's more like Krugman - he has a worldview - his is broader than Krugman, who is more focused on the financial system at a much more "granular" level, but both of them view the admin from their own policy perspectives and comment accordingly. During the campaign, both were supportive of Obama's proposed policies as opposed to McCain's - which they saw as an extension of Bush's, so they could also have been seen as Obama cheerleaders, now off the reservation, but policy based. Krugman's column from today's Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/opinion/23krugman.html

Blonde, In England and New Zealand, there are a lot of drugs that you can get directly from the pharmacist, without a doctors prescription. (although, not the real heavy duty ones) So it's somewhat over the counter. But the pharmacist can make sure you're not getting enough to abuse them. It saves a lot of money on doctors visits, for some of the minor, obvious health problems.

I didn't watch the 60 minutes interview figuring that coverage would be run into the ground today. Instead I watched the Dateline. Try to watch it if possible, and then catch part II on Friday.

The actions of the banks, real estate, underwriters, wall street, and insurers were painful to watch. These guys had a steady flow of golden eggs and because of greed, they stabbed the goose. They should all be reminded that they will be spending eternity in the fourth circle of hell and it isn't a nice place.

http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/circle4.html

The really disgusting part is that if they were some ghetto kid with a gun they would be dead or serving life in prison. Instead, they are holed up in their mansions whining about why people don't like them.

Somebody in this crowd really needs to do a whole lot of time and lose every dime they have ever made in their lives. Maybe if the wife and kids are homeless, it will sink in as to what they actually did to the world.

Chloe...both countries have universal health care...they pay for it with a high GST. I have posted this so many times before...we should have attacked the insurance industry FIRST....they are at the core of a rotting America. About 2/3rds of our salaries will go to paying insurance premiums, co-pays, out of pocket. Little left for food, but don't panic, I'm organic!

And this crap tha companies are too big to fail is ridiculous. Break 'em up into little pieces.

The administration provides the details for the plan
to buy the "toxic assets" this a.m. and intially Wall
Street appears to approve---minimal risk with potential
for huge rewards.

However, Paul Krugman, who over the weekend
expressed his disapproval for the plan--goes on record
stating that it will not work. He continues to advocate
for temporary nationalization.

"Financial Policy Despair"

'The Geithner scheme would offer a one-way bet: if
assets go up, the investors profit, but if they go down,
the investors can walk away from their debt.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/opinion/23krugman.html

"...we should have attacked the insurance industry FIRST.....And this crap that companies are too big to fail is ridiculous. Break 'em up into little pieces."

Yes and yes Blonde. You're right.

Fuel at $51.00 per

Bowmac,,,I disagree that the consumer controls the price at the pump,,,If it does,,,it is to a very small degree, by going the speed limit,,we can save a little,,,I would say that any negative event around the world, is an excuse to raise the price,, manipulation,,is not free market IMO,,,,we need to keep it at the present rate or lower,,in order for the recovery to work no??

Blonde, Is your husband still set to get his treatment on the 30th?

Cosmo, thanks - that explains the young mother syndrome here. I'm sure we have one of the best markets for maternity prom gowns in the country. And chloe, thanks for the heads up.

Ree, you rhistorical perspectiveon the terrorist issue us a tad short. Drugs aren't the root of oterrorism - they are just today's means of funding political and religious movements. If you'll recall, we have tried to work with the Afghan government (one of our supposed allies in the war on terror) to suppress poppy cultivation for the past 20 or so years - it's worked so well that last year was a record year for poppy production in Afghanistan. Terrorism is not a result of illegal drugs, nor is communisim in Venezuela - anymore than is it a result of Chavez' oil. Are there connections between them? You bet - it's a quick, easy source of money. I'm sure terrorists have tried to go the Fist International Bank of Terror to get loans for their activities, but th ebank ain't lending, so what's left? Oh yes, drugs. And Chavez chews coca leaves? OK, so do field workers on banana plantations, but I don't see that as a hotbed of internationsal terror or geopolitics.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213252

Chloe,

You're right-on with that one. It's human nature (or human conditioning) to think controlling others is the key to our own well-being when, in fact, we end up neglecting our own well-being by focusing on control of others.

"I disagree that the consumer controls the price at the pump"

I think he was talking strictly supply and demand Solar. I remember Bow saying something about the price of gas going down when everyone was driving a lot less (since it was so expensive). Then the price went down, and everyone is back to normal, driving lots of miles again. Therefore, the price is going back up. It's a never ending cycle.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213257

chloe & blondie, same can be said for Mexico. Farmacias carry all manner of OTC drugs that we need prescriptions for here. I believe it reflects the same stranglehold big pharma has on our government that low prescription drug prices in Canada do.

Jamie,

Also watched the Dateline report on the housing meltdown---the operative word throughout--Greed.

And it was quite true that those obtaining mortgages they could in all likelihood never have the income to repay---when cautioned about this replied--the broker
says "we can refinance to a lower rate in a year"---and they wanted the house--end of discussion.

"It's human nature (or human conditioning) to think controlling others is the key to our own well-being when, in fact, we end up neglecting our own well-being by focusing on control of others."

And you're 'exactly' right Ivy.
I think that the reason it's human nature is because we all think we're right. And if we're right, then anyone who disagrees with us has to be 100% wrong. Therefore, we feel like they must be forced to do things our way, or at least 'enlightened' to our 'correct' way of thinking. That's why, on some level, I always know when I disagree with someone, that we are 'both' right.

chloe...yes, he does his pre-op today. Cleanse on Sunday and in on Monday. We are a bit freaked as we really do not hear much from the doctor. When my Mom had cancer, her oncologist was amazing. I had to travel to Albuquerque for her treatment, however. My husband is not so lucky...we must stay in network in Cruces and we are not confident in the doctor. Although 50 miles away in El Paso the same surgery is done with a radiologist and a needle -- accurate and minimally invasive. Here it will be a laproscope and luck with a republican doctor. He didn't want to do the surgery at first until he saw how easy it was to get to...little digging! Perhaps it is his bedside manner that is upseting us. When we were waiting word on the killing gas coming to Cruces, we saw the office "in boxes"....The first doctor has "good" under his name, our doctor has "bad" under his and the third doctor had "young" under his name. The good, the bad and the young.

I have a question on the temporary nationalization of banks --
what happens to holders of bank stocks and accounts -
does everything remain the same and the feds just act as new management?

If it wipes out current stock holders - I think there is a problem with this plan.

Pogo

As in
"WADR
What a load of crap, did you get your degree out of a crackerjack box?"

Kinda like that?
}8^)
Oh btw
Good morning , hope your day is going fine.
Great day here, windy, great day to own a wind turbine.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213271

Blonde, Sometimes things work out better than you expect.
I understand your frustration, but for some reason, I know everything is going to go right for you both.

I hope you like the hospital where they're doing the work. The hospital is 'always' the most important factor to me, because they set the standards.

Oil at $52.79 now,,,,what happened in just a few minuets?

You can't control the price at the pump,

Yes, Coreen. I've heard the spiel - only with Mrs. P and I it was just what they say since we werevnot marginal borrowers. Since we were offered ARMs when we had no interest in them and no reason - aside from theinitial interest rate - that generally was running about 1 1/2 to 2% less than fixed rate mortgages - I can only assume that they must have been lucrative products for the banks. Banks had every incentive to get people into mortgages whether they could afford them or not, and the banks obviously underestimated the default rate they are seeing now and the level of toxic assets (read mortgages in default and foreclosed properties) they would be sitting on instead of mortgages that were producing income. Before the default rate began to rise along with housing inventories, having the fallback position of a foreclosed property was an asset to a bank since it was something that could be sold at something like FMV more than once after generating money - 90%+ of which was interest. Now it's a liability.

Jack - that would be a subset of my second use of the abbreviation. ;-)

If it's windy there, it will be windy here before long. Day is going just peachily - thanks for asking.

KGC

It is my understanding that nationalization of a bank
even temporarily--whatever timeframe that means---
would wipe out common shareholders---not sure
about preferred or bondholders--that is why I believe
there is so much hesitation to actually take
over a major bank outright.

As to accounts--if you are referring to the deposits in a bank--protection currently--if I remember correctly of $250,000 an account (qualifed by ownership of various accounts)

Chloe...tis my cynical nature to question. I have seen the finest and I agree with you, sometimes second rate can do better. Otherwise, I don't think my hubby would be going through with this. When we viewed the tumor on the scan cd and saw the doctor's face, it was obvious that this was something he could handle. I have been an observer of the medical community for sometime and I miss my late brother-in-law, the doctor. When he was battling cancer, he would discuss how difficult cancer treatment is for most people. He had all of his surgeries done by the finest, didn't have to pay and used to give gift cards to staff for better treatement. It keep him on this earth a year longer than most. It may be money can buy the finest treatment, however, stressing sick people is the American way!

Blonde, cynical is good! You have to watch carefully, and make demands when necessary. I'm sorry about your brother-in-law.

There are ways to get better service while he's in the hospital, that isn't all that expensive. When my daughter was in for 3 days, because of a c-section, we took donuts to the nurses one day, a thank you cake another, and always made sure that they understood our appreciation. You would not believe the extra care and service she got. It was already good, but when you put in a little something extra, then so do they. 'More' of that 'human nature' thing.

Yes, lenders and brokers were making large fees on the various loan products---as previously stated--greed was again the driving force to moving out so many of those loans.

And remember at the time of this lending---these lenders did not hold the mortgages---they were immediately sold and with Wall Street buying them, re-packaging them, selling, re-selling on & on--the initial lender had no liability.

And the difficulty today is trying to find who the ultimate investors are in order to try to compromise/modify the loan and that is only if the borrower can actually make any payment because their income never was adequate to begin with.

Salon article on offshore bank accounts where the billions are being hidden.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/03/23/big_clawback/index.html?source=newsletter

thanks, chloe...it is the same advice from my late BIL. Burritos work well and when the administrator was talking to the man with the killing gas from Phoenix, a burrito was mentioned. We traffic in burritos in this part of the country! : )

Blonde, burritos are good!
Keep us informed.

Ree, sorry, but I still don't buy that drugs are a cause of terrorism or of communism. Any political organization, whether we call it a terrorist organization or not, has at least 2 majoar components - finance and operations. You suggest that there is a cause-effect relationship between the financial end and the operational end - I suggest that is not the case. Everything Schecter says may be true - we may indeed be indfltrated by terrorists through the drug channels into the US - but I propose that it is much more likely that we will be inflitrated with drug distributors and dealers - operatives of the financial operation of the terror organizations - who are here for the express purpose fo setting up reliable supply chains to drain money off to fund their terror operations, not to engage in terrorist mischief.

Drugs are a particularly easy way to get huge sums of US dollars, and while terrorists might have connections to the cartels of Afghanistan or Central and South America, that aspect of their respective operations is just business for the cartels, for whom influencing politics is just good business - put in place the best government you can buy off to leave you the hell alone. If it's socialists because there is a socialist movement in the country (Colombia for example)then they will buy socialsts. If it's communists, they will buy communists. If it's capitalists, ditto. In Central & South American countries, the movements wax and wane, and the only common element to the corruption is money.

Coreen

Thanks --
Don't insurance companies hold a lot of bank stock
nationalization of banks would have quite an impact on the stock market

One final point before I leave, health care workers are also underpaid and stressed. We are in this stew together!

Have a great day, all.

Solar, It does usually seem like we don't have any control over the gas prices. And individually, we don't. (Only as a huge group, which usually feels meaningless).

Individually, all we can do is drive less miles, make new habits and get through all of this the best we can. New circumstances call for new actions. At least, that's the only feeling of control I can get. Just me.

Oh, and Solar. I am so glad to see you back. :)

I don't know if she goes outside of Texas, but for those who live there and might have need of her program, this is how Shelly earns her living as a professional story teller when she isn't doing all the charity things I pass along.

http://spinmeayarn.com/

KGC----Bingo!

But truth be told I do not want Wall Street to be destroyed--- I have been cringing as the market has dropped these past months---since most of us are being severely & negatively impacted---by virtue of the creation of retirement/401k plans---that brought many Americans into the stock market.

I am hoping that Tim Geithner is the "boy genius" that he has been portrayed as---so far today Wall Street is supporting the plan.

Chloe

Just read your e mail,, you R wrong,,,still there,,,always have been.

Thanks Solar .... makes me feel safe. :)
L&L

... have a good day everyone. (I feel like a blog hog)

Coreen

Well that certainly explains the appeal of the "bad bank" to take over the toxic assets and not nationalize

I was not in ANY way defending Cheney. Still dancing a jig that our country isn't under his twisted influence anymore. That doesn't make me like the great and powerful O any better though. And what I said about his criticizing and distraction tactics isn't bullshit. I haven't forgotten that we all spent over a year of listening to him trash the Clintons. Oh and praising the Reagan years, gotta love that one.

I am so thankful for all my good friends here. Don't worry about me. I'll be alright, I'm just like a cat and always land on my feet. I know how to make do. I've got an apartment I rent out and that pays most of my mortgage. I've got the little shop below it and really only costs me the insurance to keep. Islanders always ask me why I don't just rent a storefront up on Circuit Ave., the main drag.here. Well the rents there start at 25 thousand a year and go up to 40 and a whole lot of them are empty now. I also publish a map for Habitat and get paid for that in the winter. Unfortunately lots haven't paid up yet and I get paid as the payments come in. So am hoping to get the rest of my little nest egg and restock the shop when they all realize they have to spend a little bit of money on advertising and pay up on last years bill. I knew last spring we were in a mess as I could see the fear in the merchants eyes then. Lots love to advertise with us so the money stays on the island and provides homes for islanders, I am way behind schedule this year selling but don't think I have any choice. Don't want to close any doors, so I'm just waiting for something positive to instill some confidence in the coming season. Sure wish Obama's visit would be announced. That would do the trick. Hear that Michelle and the girls will be here for most of the summer and Obama will be here the first two weeks of August. Usually I'm up to my elbows in bunnies by now, but am holding off a bit. I've also been expanding my aromatherapy line- just sent art work off to my mold maker for a MV soap. I'll sell it for 5 bucks, which seems to be the magic number right now. Keeping the price on everything under 15 dollars is what I'm looking to do. Antiques aren't selling so I remodeled my shop this last month, consolidated and gave half the space to a friend who is a dealer and has a storage room full of antiques. That way I don't have to spend any money to restock antiques,the shop will have new inventory and I will get a bit of money from what sells. Planning on that blue corn to bring the business some prosperity and fertility too! .So thats my plan and I'm going to be just fine.
Saturday was 50th birthday and my 3 boys planned a surprise party for me, a sister in law even flew in from Carmel Ca. for it. It was a hoot! . Thanks to my family and friends that includes you all, I'm feeling pretty blessed with richness today despite the lack of income at this moment, Thank you. Oh, was thinking of you all at the party- had my friend take a photo of my round firm and fabulous ass in my mini skirt and black leather boots.

No, Ree, I'm not asking chicken-egg questions. I'm saying that the drug trade on the one hand and religious/terror/political movements on the other are separate but find each as useful tools of the other. I don't see any cause-effect relationships between them other than in that context. The Escobars and Guzmans of the world don't IMHO give a crap about terrosim, religion, or politics as long as it doesn't hurt their drug business. If a more "liberal" form of government means less attention to their business, that's who they'll support. I suspect that Guzman was a bigger supporter of Orbrador than he was of Calderon, and for that reason. They aren't that far removed from big oil, big pharma, big finance, etc., here.

Here's an interesting article from today's times about US violence from teh MX drug trade.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/us/23border.html?hp

You might enjoy it.

Just stopped raining here,,,its a little cold,,but the air has that fresh smell to it,,,going for a little run,,,,,Tony Baloney,,,lets go,,,

People spend a lot of $ going on special diets,,and foods,,,,I advised a lot them,,,that there is no excuse(except medical,)to be way over weight, the one thing that we can control, is the way that we treat our bodies,,,we are animals that have to exercise and eat right,,,we all know what that means,,,all the rest is just plain laziness imo,,,I will have a big breakfast when getting back, having your main meal in the morning,,,and a lot of little snack until 6 or 7 at night,,will let you loose weight,,cos U have all day of movement ,that burns that big am meal,,,and when You combine it with exercise ,,you can control your weight easyily ,,

I have people start with cleansing of the body,,,,start with the---Seneca Indian cleansing,,,and then eat the right foods,,for a few months,,lay off the salt,period...and sugar in large quantity,,,after my run,,think I will have a piece of cake,,,I can do that,,,cos I just went on a run to hunt down my food.

,If we can follow some sort of regular exercise,,,we will all have nice firm ass's to show off,,, and some of them in mini skirts-----

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEA,,,,L & L,,,,,,lunch,,,no run first,,,,Pogo wake up and go to lunch ~)

No, no, no, OSH, I didn't mean to suggest you were defending Cheney - no one in their right mind would do that. The only point on which we disagree is whether it was appropriate for Obama to respond. I think it was, and don't see it as an exercise of distraction, but rather convenient focus. To his credit IMHO, Obama is shifting our efforts from the cesspool in Iraq, where we should never have been, to the cesspool in Afghanistan, where at least there are 2 semi- legitimate reasons for our presence.

Congrats on the milestone, Sea. :) The best years are yet to come; take my word for it! (I really mean it.)

Pogo- I'll go with "convenient focus", Think you hit the nail on the head with that great choice of words.:-)

The dow must like the new bank plan from the treasury dept.

It is up over 300pts.

Jack

OSH.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

wow..... you remind me of a lot of my craft friends..... so many of them have had to hobble together a way of making cash flow..... most craftspeople who try to make a living live hand to mouth... but at least it used to be doable.... now it seems to be going the way of the dinosaur....

it seems a lot of crafters are dropping out altogether..... I always get a certain number of letters inviting me to do one craft show or another..... but this year....I'm getting tons of emails too..... and they're not asking.... they are begging me to do the show.... it's not a good sign....

One of my gambling stocks(instead of yeilding to the urge to go to the boats and blow $100 I buy a very risky stock.) BAC , bank of America Is up $1 as I only paid $3.50 I feel the need to install slot machine bells.
Ding, ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding.

Jack

"Oh, was thinking of you all at the party- had my friend take a photo of my round firm and fabulous ass in my mini skirt and black leather boots."

ROFL! Good for you OSH!!!!!

Sea

Fifty is nifty...and truly the best is yet to come.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213313

Just remember to buy the big bottle of advil at Costco

Jack

btw

watching that BAC stock is just like watching the slot machine. you get a little win and the next day you watch it all disappear. The only difference is it hasn't taken all my money yet. So everyday I get to pull the lever.

Jack

Dear Mr. Wet Blanket....err correct that Jack...

OSH, thanks. and 50? You're just a kid!!! Ignore Jack - OK, don't - it's realistic advice he's dispensing.

Solar - thanks - I did - the higher calling called from her car and I didn't even have time to announce it. Now it's more like "belly full, trying not to doze."

so now we know who caused the financial meltdown
it was jack gambling on the market

"...had my friend take a photo of my round firm and fabulous ass in my mini skirt and black leather boots."

Posted by: oldseahag Author Profile Page | March 23, 2009 11:46 AM

Link, please?

Solar, you'd think diets are a bifg money industry or sumpin'. Opus (or was it Milo?) said it best - eat less, exercise more. I've always referred to it as the Opus diet. In the end, it boils down to calories in-calories out. Even the most effective fad diets (don't jump - it's not a perjorative in this context) - like South Beach and Atkins rely on that principle, only they do it through manipulation of the conversion mechanics of the digestive tract so that you can put more food in your mouth without turning it into sugar before it exits at the other end, or like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig which rely on portion control. A month into Atkins (and with close to 20 pounds missing) I was ready to mug someone at our local Italian eatery for a plate of pasta and a canoli.

Pogo.... mug someone for a cannoli...... hell.... I started having nightmares about giant bananas chasing me down the street..... no more Atkins for me....
I am what I am... :0)

and I'd really like you (or Jack) to explain to me how someone collects a 10% stupid tax on non-existent customers.....

we seem to be going into a deflationary mode..... the craft game used to be that one had to learn not to price oneself too low.... it showed you didn't value your work enough..... but nowadays everyone is looking for a bargain... including the rich..... it's not business as usual....

Pogo

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213320

You said a mouth fullllll,,,that is all that it takes,,,,Im in between exercises now,,,but no one needs to give up the foods that they like,,,just a little treat every other day ,,will keep from attacking a poor little Italian,,,,but If your wife is anything like my Judy,,attacking a little stick of dynamite might be a little safer,,haha

Another thing about Medications,,,is that they contribute to the Obesity problem,,,,if people are all drugged out and lethargic,,,how the hell are they supposed to get the exercise that they need?

ps,,,If people learned to JUICE fruits,,and veggies,,,they would not need most of the meds that they use,,,and also use a blender ,,if you don't want to juice,,,

Jack,,,this will cure your aches that you have,,,all except the gambling that is ~)

4-6 carrots,,,I apple,,,little slice of beet,,,,a big handful of kale,,or spinach,,,blend,,,,pour over crushed ice,,,delicious

Jack ,,,I was ,,and will be involved in community gardening,,,empty lots are used in the city be neighborhood residents ( lots,,,of lots) are turned into projects that bring the block clubs together,,,they also combine them,,by planting a lot of flowers,,tulips wherever they can,,,,,I use my machines to turn over the earth,,,and then they go to work,,,even a lot of kids get involved,,,CB I would like to get a nice hand full of the blue corn,,,a new way of getting the interest going for these lots,,,thanks

"how someone collects a 10% stupid tax on non-existent customers."

Renee

OSH is looking forward to all the Obama groupies that will flock to her island while the first family is vacationing there. Obama groupies= easy pickings.
OSH maybe you need to invest in Obama candles.

Renee, I'll noodle that tax question. Tell ya what - find me a nonexistent customer and I'll torture them until they tell us how you can tax 'em. And no, I'll not be doing Atkins again, either - once was enough. I know, we can not do it together.

Solar

" If your wife is anything like my Judy,,attacking a little stick of dynamite might be a little safer,,haha"

Now THAT is a mouthful. (Of course Mrs.P IS a little Italian, so yeah, the dynamite would be safer)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213301

OldSea,

Happy B-Day. You should call yourself Sea Nymph, you are a still a spring chicken!

We are thinking about coming to Martha's Vineyard as a side trip from a convention in Boston in the summer. I would expect there to be crowds, but the rumors you report of a First Family visitation have me wondering if we should come up with Plan B instead?

Ree, I'll bet. Seems everywhere I've ever lived has been designated some kind of drug corridor or distributon hub or some such horseshit (except NH, which relied on Boston for that), and I'm certain none of them coud hold a candle to Texas. I did find it interesting that the AZ border is the No. 1 entry point for drugs from MX into the US. I guess those crazies (what do they call themselves - Minutemen?) that sit there in their lawn chairs trying to dissuade poor mexicans trying to come into the US to make a living ain't as effective as that nutcase Hannity would lead us to believe. Maybe they should try to stop the drug shipments - might mean more to cut down on bad elements from MX than keeping would be Ag workers and waiters from taking jobs from hardworking Americans. Of course those drug folks actually carry GUNS and will SHOOT YOUR ASS if you screw with them.

Ree, yep, there'salways a War On _____. Americans like to be at war with something - it sounds like you're trying to actually do something. Great marketing.

ah, Jack...
you're talking about what she hopes are future customers..... keeping my fingers crossed she gets them too....

maybe things will loosen up this summer.... one can only do the "Obama Dance" of hope....

in the meantime.... I am making an inventory of an older line of housewares to get ready for my big fair in August.... it worked quite well for me last year.... lots of comments on how nice it was to buy lower priced items that were both pretty and useful..... the scarves and shawls are at a standstill...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213268

It was an informative piece and Coreen I agree with your suggestion of how things truly transpired between seller and buyer.

However, I guess it wasn't all that accurate given that no blame was affixed to ACORN or the CRA .~)

With that, I guess I'll "wander off " from the house and get me something for lunch. lol

Ree, Texans apparently have more sense than Arizonans. When Mrs. P first saw the coverage on either Hannity's show (when he oh, so bravely went back and forth through a hole in a chain link fence to show how easy it is to go back and forth to and from Mexico) or on Lou Dobbs' show - she said something like "Those idiots are going to get themselves shot." I didn't know about the getting themselves shot part, but I thought she was pretty well on the mark about them being idiots. I was waiting for Curtis Sliwa, the guy who started the Guardian Angels group (and who Hannity idolizes) to show up and get another 5 minutes exposure while branching into a new line of "protection".

Anybody up for a road trip to South Dakota?

Happy Birthday, OSH! Pictures???

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213209

kgc, agree that there are many, many more in the good eats war that should get more credit. my comment was mainly just curiosity why 60 min would not mention alice since she was their guest only a week before and had talked about her hopes for white house garden. perhaps she should have mentioned the kitchen garden folks and their efforts at that time... guess her not getting notice is a karma payback.

ubns, was that really you at 9:35? good to see you again. have always appreciated the sign-in name you picked (uneducated but not stupid).... very applicable here to many of us who don't know beans about the mysteries of the financial world but do know who are the screwers and who the screwees.

shades of the vw beetle

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/india-car-world-cheapest

"but do know who are the screwers and who the screwees."

Love the concept....

Bush did draw a target on the country when he said bring it on.

Ben & Jerry's has a new cow game for the crowd

http://www.benjerry.com/fun/games/games-cowabunga/index.cfm

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213323

Jack,

She needs to come up with a special "Yes I Candy"

Bethy

You said that U were going to try to keep it short,,,but that 4:37 is ridiculous "-),,,,I won't recognize you that way,,and will think that there is an impostor,keep the old Bethy alive,,,thanks for your answer to me,,,about pic,,,I understand.

Solar - I'm glad you understand re the pix. I'd love to show them all off, but find out that I am way past hyper-worried about their safety in all things. That's another reason I would have been a terrible parent - few minutes go by that I am not aware of their vulnerabilities.

Blonde wino - glad to hear from you. My personal attitude toward docs - anyone - if they seem to diminish you, make yourself bigger, like with a mountain lion. Go armed with a list of questions and ask them in a clear voice but nicely, and if the doc ignores you, repeat the question and look him straight in the eye and speak carefully. You don't want to hurt his ego, but this is serious stuff. Get info from him and anyone else you see, but get enough info. Docs are a different breed, and very hard workers, and I honor them even if they are difficult, but they are no more important than you and your husband. Ask someone what those names 'good' 'bad' and 'young' mean - make it sound like a joke.
This last incident with Natasha Richardson makes me sick. Watching these new babies we have - a total of five under 5 yo - has made me realize how important a mommy is to the littler ones, and daddies, too. I know for a fact that I could kill someone who hurt one of them.

As for Obama going on Leno - I'm glad he did. Papa Bush went to ground for the last half of his term, and it was horrible. W should have been more visible - most of what we saw was "his" orders, not him. We need to see our presidents, I think. He looked good and healthy and tried to make jokes - a healthy attitude.

As for his criticism of Cheny, I'm fine with that too. One of Bill's strong beliefs is that you have to fire back when fired upon. If you leave badness out there with nothing to compare it too, people will think it's good.

As for Taibbi and Dowd etc., this is what I meant talking with Max - when these guys admmit that they made some mistakes with their strong approval of Obama, then they can carp. Otherwise, they sound like spoiled brats to me - or stupid ones.

How many times on tv did someone say he didn't have the experience, only to be told he'd get it - so now they're not happy with him???????????They are the ones who put him there, so they can damn well give him a little time, just as we have to.

There y'are, Solar. this one long enough?

Actually, I'm not finished. These people were too stupid to realize how hard the job is, and how valuable experience is, so they danced the myposian dance of glee, and waxed ecstatic about Obama - the naivete
is breathtaking.

Here's where mqw's point of questioning one's own beliefs would have served everyone better.

And then to add to that, they are reacting so fast and emotionally they should have no reputations left.
Politics is too dangerous a field to let emotions be your guide!

Okay, I think I'm done now.

Except to say, I was thrilled to see your post about doubting and examining your beliefs, mqw. That's the reason I don't have much in the way of opinions, just a few basic ones, and HATE dogma.

finis

"Actually, I'm not finished."

LOL -- Bethy I love your attitude!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213301

Happy Birthday Sea
Love,Love,Love this post of yours.I think your like that Energizer Bunnie(your post gave me the idea) you just keep on on ticking,nothing can stop you!! Great..I also like reading your political views regarding Obama the Democrats,Republicans or whatever.Your views are well thought out and always very practical and you make me think...Thanks for sharing..

Actuaqlly, Patsi, you guys let me get away with so much, I'm getting bolder all the time. I'll try not to go TOO hog wild! Thanks.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213303

Oh Solar
I'm feeling lazy! I just got home from a long day and right now I feel like the hot tub and the sofa...I agree with your thoughts about diet and exercise because it simply works if your consistent about it.I don't deny myself the foods I want to eat but I do eat healthy.I have trained myself to love fruits and vegetables and along with Turkey,Chicken and Salad they are my mainstays.I still have Potato chips and Chocolate ice cream(Breyer's fat free double churned) whenever I want but i find when you can have what you want you don't over do it.Its like debits and credits in your bank account,you eat its a deposit and you exercise its a credit,simple really..How are you?

"She needs to come up with a special "Yes I Candy"

BRILLIANT, Jamie! Marketing moment of the day.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213360

Hi Bethy
Go Hog Wild...You are loved around these parts.....

Bethy,,,,,,very nice,,,you just run off that other Betsy impostor,,,and I also like, what you told------MAXTURE----,,,,I like his points of view,,always have,,,hardly ever agree with all of them,,,,and truly liked the way that he and Jack made me think yesterday,,,,and I also think that he should be himself,,,and if he does what you say,,,to talk about one subject at a time,,,I think that his long post won't be objectionable?

"Yes I Candy"

So just what kind of candy would that be?
An all day sucker?

grin/duck/run

Jack

http://security.nationaljournal.com/2009/01/how-did-bush-succeed-how-shoul.php

Here is a broad spectrum of views regarding Bush's effort on terrorism and a comprehensive spectrum of reasonable options for Obama. By no means is it a consensus. Sure, some ideas are silly and not borne out by facts, but you'll be the judge of that.

How many killed, captured, are real terrorists, have given good intelligence information is largely speculative. Obama's attack was careful not to question the positive results claimed by the Bush administration. His attack on Cheney was more about the preception Bush/Cheney created in the world which hampers our strategy. It may very well be that a smile, a gesture, diplomacy and reason changes little. Capitulation would put a smile on adversaries face, though Obama was careful to attack any group plotting to harm the lives of Americans. That appeared a new marker. I am waiting to hear the plan.

LOL...the typos..

patd-

Yes, that really was me at 9:35. Good to hear from you also. One question about this new bailout plan--can the screwers buy each others toxic assets?

The US achieved its highest hits per bomb ratio in ground directed bombing. The Russians were amazed and Franks created a name, though some problems were swept under the rug. I think only the Israelis have a higher ratio. The Northern Alliance believed we were going to stay. When the Taliban rearmed and organized in Pakistan, the NA began to doubt our staying power. This is one reason why a plan Obama is floating involving Kinseki-like numbers of troops is that it might convince the Northern Alliance and others to join us again. A confidence builder bigger than the surge. Now fancy that? The other plan is to lower expectations, make a deal with the Taliban and get out. I know which position Obama took out hawking Hillary.

Let's see which option plays out in the next weeks and what Obama's base seems to think about it. I'm not sure Obama will announce such news laughing, nor should he. The next poker moves will be critical and our troops being asked to endure overtime. And more horses.

Craig's really stylin' tonight on Countdown -- love the silver and black striped tie.

He looked good, but I keep wondering what iis going on with Shuster's mouth. It's just curious. I wonder if he has some form of palsy?

Max - hey, those were easy to read. Thanks.

By the way, all the talking I've been doing lately has made me modify my answer to your question.

I guess I want the big and vocal supporters of Obama to come out and say they are happy to give him time OR
to say they were wrong and naive and to apologize to those of us they helped push him on, pushing our choice, Hillary, out of it.

Apparently some of them are acting like disappointed children - this is when he needs their vocal support.
Maybe they're afraid to now it's so serious.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/03/obama-fires-back-at-cheney.html#comment-213364

Thanks Patsi,

Give Jack a slap up the side of the head if you pass him :-)

Posted by: jamie44.myopenid.com Author Profile Page | March 23, 2009 8:19 PM

lol...palsy?? He's never going to live down that "pimping Chelsea" remark, is he?

Just to add to the Pogo Ree mexican border discussion today

"Citizens can sign up as Virtual Texas DeputiesSM to participate in border surveillance through this social network. Virtual Texas DeputiesSM from around the country will monitor the streaming video from these cameras 24/7 and report any suspicious activities directly to the Border Sheriffs via email"

http://www.blueservo.net/index.php

Jack

I hear you bethyboo and you said this above:

"How many times on tv did someone say he didn't have the experience, only to be told he'd get it - so now they're not happy with him???????????They are the ones who put him there, so they can damn well give him a little time, just as we have to."

But as I said yesterday, 1. his core base is impatience with him not moving Left enough. And will he really do that? Will he put Israeli in their place, pull out of the Middle East and move towards isolationist positions while busting up evil contracts and ccriminal orporations? I rather doubt it. 2. Others more centrist or moderate who voted for Obama, wanted him to be the Fixer. They ought to give him a chance, you're right, but they have every reason to question "how" he intends to "fix" things despite their dismissing experiance during the campaign, or details. This second group is largely a bratty bunch, except for those center/left liberals who seemed forced to vote for Obama despite misgivings. I dare say many Hillary supporters are in this group and much about Obama so far was expected.

I wasn't sure what kind of Obma success you want which group to be patient for. The Taibbi and Dowd camp?

I'm practicing to be a Virtual Texas Deputy

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

Well I'm a long tall Texan
I wear a ten-gallon hat
(He rides from Texas wearing a ten-gallon hat)
Yes I'm a long tall Texan
I wear a ten-gallon hat
(He rides from Texas wearing a ten-gallon hat)
Well people look at me and they say
Is that your hat
(He rides from Texas wearing a ten-gallon hat)

Well I'm a long tall Texan
I ride a big white horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Yes I'm a long tall Texan
I ride a big white horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Well people look at me and they say
Is that your horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)

Well I was walking down the street
With my shiny badge
My spurs jingling there at my feet
I seen a man a'coming
Coming with a gun and
I just can't be beat

Yes I'm a long tall Texan
I enforce justice for the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I enforce justice for the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Well people look at me and they say
Is you the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)

Well I'm a long tall Texan
Yes I'm a long tall Texan

Dowd has a camp?
I did even know she had a groupie.

Good one Jack as well as the long tall Texan,

Hey, 24 is on......

Lynyrd Skynyrd-T For Texas-1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY63KTMrkTM

Carrion, isn't that a scavenger?

oh, Something lynyrd skynyrd may not have known
T for texas is Blue Yodel# 1

there's old henry strzelecki again.....

Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel No 1

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

carrion, my wayward son.............

Only one carrion per passenger

Thanks all for the well wishes!
Jamie you really are brilliant,what a great name. I was just going to make a baracky road fudge but I've got to rethink it all now.
Jack- LOL, the all day sucker, in my dreams.
Tony-you are such a doll!

I wasn't kidding about that photo, it will be posted.

I talked to a friend at work last night. I had not seen this person in a long time. I asked him where he had been. He said, "I was a victim of road rage. Some guy tried to run me off the road when I was on my motorcycle." He said on Sept. 8th some guy tried to run him off the road and he fell off of his motorcycle. He not only broke his shoulder, but he dislocated it as well. He had 5 pins inserted into his shoulder. He's had months of rehab. A few setback due to his shoulder "freezing". Last night was his first night back at work after 6 months off. The guy who committed road rage got several tickets along with 6 days in jail. Should have been more, but the jails are over-crowded now.

Sturg,

Great answer and another Obama headache

Or was that one per administration Jamie?

OSH

Just combine the two ideas.

Make Barracky Road Fudge

And then advertise:

Yes I Candy - Because it's irresistable.

I've watched pots boil, but I've never seen a pop-up chicken timer pop.

OSH

yes i candy
Something sweet and mild on the outside with a strong dark bitter chocolate on the inside. All around a chunk of pineapple for Hawaii,

Jack

And re: Obama

Cheney smack-talk, B-ball brackets, Kennedy Awards, Camp David, Jay Leno... Hey d-bag(Obama); you're already President. Enough dalliances already.

Good Night all. Have a Good Evening

Obama's favorite candy (currently anyway) is a caramel truffle with seasalt...

Don't let me scare you off, Jamie; just popping in. Duty calls...

Your Lordship
It is all part of the job. If you don't keep on top of the political game you will find it hard to govern. Just ask Jimmy Carter.

Jack

He's blowin' it, Jack. I'm tellin' ya... I toll all uh yas he was GWB Jr.

But I'm not here right now. Later.

LAUGHING????

The Pres is laughing.

It's WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course the GOP can't stand it.

Figures!

tt

"A little Madness
in the Spring
is wholesome even
for the King."

--- Emily Dickinson

Max - I understand the parameters you set for the two groups, but they're a little confining for me. I think the line between the two is very blurred - it's more like one group to me, with a third group consisting of the Hillary supporters who didn't really support him but voted for him anyway, like me and many others here.

I think his real supporters wanted him to accomplish both ends, fix things and move left. They are the ones who should be vocal right now about trusting him and giving him time. Some of them are down right dumping on him, and the others are giving the stage to the repubs.

Those who voted for him as a last resort seem to be more willing to wait and see what he's gonna get done.
We were the sceptical ones and were insulted for it.

I think those in the first group should speak up. I know they have every right and reason to be concerned about how he's going to fulfill his promises. Concern is one thing -criticizing him is something else.

That doesn't neutralize their dogged efforts and responsibilities to get him elected.

If it all goes to hell and beyond, I will hold them responsible - all their complaints are the result of their efforts.I would simply like them to speak out. They were the ones who said he could do no wrong.

There's only one kind of success they want from Obama. The rest of us right now are glad w is gone
and hope Obama moves in a healthy direction. We are the ones who are stuck with hope, and they are whiners.

I wonder how many of the new voters this time will be around for the next pres election.

However, we are splitting hairs here, and wallowing in semantics. I doubt we will resolve it.

"You can get more with a kind word and a gun, than with just a kind word."
Al Capone