Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Is this a bit like waiting for Godot?

I say Bill Clinton, but he's not a woman.

tt

How bout Judge Jordan?

He was a clerk for Sandra Day O'Connor, a partner at a law firm, and a District Atty before becoming a District Ct Judge.

And unlike an appellate judges who only read briefs and have oral argument - district judges are dealing with trials and seeing day after day how the laws impact the lives of people.

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

And it's that time again.

White House Correspondent's Dinner.

Craig....you know what not to do.

tt

Mark Twain on Senators:
There are many Senators whom I hold in a certain respect and would not think of declining to meet socially, if I believed it was the will of God. We have lately sent a United States Senator to the penitentiary, but I am quite well aware that of those who have escaped this promotion there are several who are in some regards guiltless of crime--not guiltless of all crimes, for that cannot be said of any United States Senator, I think, but guiltless of some kinds of crime.
- Mark Twain in Eruption

Senator: a person who makes laws in Washington when not doing time.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927

OT again, but worthy...
Dave Bing is now Mayor-elect of Detroit. The long nightmare of the Kwame Kilpatrick saga is over, and Ken Cockrell, Jr. has been beaten by Mr. Bing, a stalwart businessman (Bing Steel) and former NBA all star.

Sonia Sotomayor is my guess for the new Supreme Court justice.

I still say we need some estrogen on that court. Maybe those of proper age will be a little light on it but must still have a little estrogen.

And C-Bob if you aren't still snipe hunting on the other thread, you have a new blog post....

http://cbhopibluecornexperiment.blogspot.com/

ct, good morning. watch out for those cunningly clever bayou bugs... maybe they're the ones munching your corn.

oldsea, just saw your post on cbob's corn page. here's one answer to your pole bean question in case he hasn't responded yet:
"The Three Sisters of Native American agriculture, corn, beans and squash, are an ancient and fascinating subject to share with young children. Used by various tribes throughout North America, the system is a simple but profound example of companion planting*. The three plants are companions; they help each other by maximizing growing conditions for one another. The corn, tall and firm, grows in the center of a circular bed and serves as a support for climbing pole beans. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil, important for nitrogen loving, heavy feeding corn. The squash surrounds the corn and beans and covers the ground, serving to hold moisture in the soil, and – as Native American lore explains – the prickles on squash stems act as repellant to pests such as hungry raccoons."

http://www.theorganicreport.com/pages/519_the_three_sisters_corn_beans_and_squash_activities_for_the_classroom.cfm

No Pat it isn't the lubber grasshopper yet. It is most likely the rabbits. I kind of created a habitat for rabbits because I wasn't gardening at my house anymore. Now they think my little corn plants are just their MREs. (meals ready to eat)

I don't have the time, with sis and work, right now to find and set up some kind of fence protection. Maybe, it it ain't too late, after sis leaves I can attend to that.

Hey Ct, thanks for the info, that is basically what I wanted to do, just didn't know if companion planting was allowable in the Experiment. Love reading your posts !

dexter, here's a blurb on sonia you may not have seen

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2009/05/04/spotlight-on-sonia-sotomayor-and-elana-kagan/

bet these potential nominees are shuddering at the inevitable army of amatuer shrinks, nitpickers and muckrakers pawing threw their pasts and personalities.

Fortunately I don't have too many pests- Just hoping the wharf rats don't smell the garden!

Sea, that is Pat you want to thank.

here is an opinion piece from the Christian Science Monitor about Obama's pick for the SC...... it is written by Kermit Roosevelt..... a former clerk for Souter....

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0504/p09s01-coop.html

renee, as the resident trekkie guru and expert, what did you think of (may 4) newsweek's cover story "how 'star trek' taught us to dream big"....

based on your posts, you remind me of one of my favorite characters, troi's mom, lwaxana.... so full of life....
that's meant as a compliment btw

Oops! sorry Patd, got a cup of coffee going now, guess I needed it.

ct, re your rabbit robbers, a make-do solution could be anything handy from the attic or trash pile like an old birdgage, screen, etc, placed over the little plants while you're away and until you can install a fence.

patd....
HA.... I'm honored to be compared to such a lively person who lives life on her own terms..... thanks...

I haven't done anything trekkish in years.... and I don't read newsweek.... so didn't see the article you're referring to..... but I do think Star Trek helped us to imagine what this planet would be like without war..... and made a lot of kids get interested in science.... and yes.... dream big.....

good idea to add native americans to the sc appt list. how about someone like wilma mankiller, first female leader of a major tribe?

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

TY Bethy. This morning I'm fully recovered from yesterday. :)

Tomorrow would have been my Mom & Dad's 80th anniversary. They eloped at the end of Mom's sophomore year at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. She didn't finish college for another 40 years and then went on for her masters.

In any case, the timing of their marriage, by legend, presaged the Great Depression.

flatus, don't be so hard on yourself. you weren't that bad a baby were you?... anyway it's called post partum nowadays, not the great depression.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225716

Renee, Inez Tenenbaum is a person I think should be considered for the SC.

"...it's called post partum nowadays, not the great depression."

oy vey

Happy cinco de seis, Prez Obama. ((lol))

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225697

Correspondents' Dinner Oh My!!!! Someone inflate the magic bubble so Craig can just roll down the street.

Warren - sorry to butt in again with the same ole disagreement, but Judge Jordan? I don't want no person with ANY kind of ties or relationship with Ms O'Connor to be no stinkin' nominee for scotus - jus'
sayin' .

Now I'll leave you and shall try to fall asleep again.

Mornin'-

Craig, what Tiptoe said.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225697

In case you've forgotten . . . appletinis, trees - STAY AWAY FROM BOTH.

Flatus....
I had to goggle Inez Tenenbaum and it looks like your wish will not be granted...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22157.html

but if it helps... one of my all time favorite movies is The Royal Tenenbaums... :0)

Led by Sessions, the Republicans are against it no matter who Obama names:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/05/06/supreme_court/index.html

Choice now for Supreme Court..
This will be very telling.

Question? Does Barack want to be two terms?
If so this will force his Centric elements, from a very complex person, to not over think it...

Otherwise - He may be on the way to a One Term - and if Hyper Inflation hits from all of the Barack - Dem Stimulus... and then a Liberal Judge ... Oh My - He will discover that as many people voted against McCain as for Barack.

And..
If all of my above does hit..

The Republicans will simply say - Well that is Justice

http://cbhopibluecornexperiment.blogspot.com/

Carol, I just went over and looked at your post. Another good one. Maggie is sooo cute!

Sea,
I had missed your post over on CBobs site, but just saw it now. What a beautiful place to meditate! And a great post. I love visiting that site.

CBob,
I saw there had been comments left on your site, but I couldn't get to them or leave any. It may have been a computer glitch on my part, and I'll shut down later and try again. Just wondering if there's been problems.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/the-specter-hangover.html#comment-225679 "I had no time to put her in one of those Cesar Millan submissive postions to show who is boss "here. No time to fuss at Maggie either."

... ah ha.... so that's how it's done. My dogs still don't know who the boss is. (who am I kidding, we all know the cats are the bosses)

That is nice though that your sis is so good to Maggie.

blue, wouldn't that be seis de Mayo? Just wonderin'.

OK, I just talked with my first likely swine flu victim last night. An old friend, who until last week I had not seen for 19 years, spent Friday night chaperoning a brownie troop function of some sort and spent the night "two feet away from" his neighbor, with whom he was talking. The next day the neighbor got sick and yesterday was confirmed to have swine flu. My friend got sick the day before yesterday and is waiting on his results. They closed the school in their community and are keeping all the little rugrats home. The good news - he and his family are moving within about an hour and a half from here (after he gets well andis no longer infectious, I hope).

pogo, calculate the exponential effect of contagion and a brownie troop. mind-boggling

Chloe- That serene photo is CT's.

Chloe- I've had problems commenting on Cbob's site as well, but now I just sign in by Name and no more problems.

Pogo, Scary story...I'm certainly glad that I'm using a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. :(

I sent several of you "Stand By Me" Playing for Change has another song "Chanda Mama" released on the web as well as a DVD you can purchase.

http://www.playingforchange.com/

Music and voices are such a good thing.

Ping, you're dreaming. Obama is not going to move the court any further to the right than it already is, an dnominating a centrist would do that. Bush made ideological purity a litmus test for court nominees while he had the opportunity, following the lead of every president from Reagan forward (although the court has its way of changing some of its members more toward the center, or in Souter's case, to the other wing). And now the wailing and gnashing of teeth is beginning from those RWers who were more than happy to see conservative Circuit judges appointed as long as it was RW judges being put on the bench but have seen the light now that the prospect of a progressive from the Circuit bench might be the nominee to replace Souter. Too bad - come June or so the RWers won't be able to do a damn thing about it, and if I were Obama, I'd nominate whoever the hell I wanted (my vote is for Sotomayor) and let teh obstructionsist show their stripes. Then we might see who the voters think should be term limited. I hope they would think it was time for Hatch and the village idiot Sessions to find a new line of work - but I don't really expect that.

Oh... I thought. that looked like her river, Sea.
Sorry to hear about you broken pitch fork. But like your idea of planting the beans with the corn. I plan on putting other things there too. Today a few cucumber seeds.

pat, my friend and I did discuss that - he lives on the outskirts of Boston - think there might be the threat of it spreading?

flatus - I don't think these viruses spread like the ones that steal your identity and lock up your computer. =D

Bob's list of planted peppers was interesting. When I have lots of the things, I'll dry the ones Stinky can't use while they're fresh.

I like using the dried ones for making hot sauces. I can mix or match the peppers as my mood dictates. I'll generally zap the peppers in the food processor before I start boiling them. I never remove the seeds.

When I finished my MBA, I seriously considered doing a PhD in public health; I wish I had done it.

Flatus, if you had, you would have known that. :)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225734

Ping,

And once more prove that Republicans doing all the wrong things and then leaving the Democrats a huge mess to clean up while they do absolutely nothing to help is a successful way to get back to more wealth and power for fewer and fewer people.

"I'll generally zap the peppers in the food processor before I start boiling them. I never remove the seeds."

Flatus, I thought you said you had colitis? (or maybe I'm thinking of someone else). I don't think you're supposed to eat peppers with that particular ailment though.??

Jobs

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/business/economy/06hire.html?hp

Specter

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/the-keystone-states-most-junior-senior-senator/?hp

This politics thing can get complicated, can't it?

"-- Should the judge be an umpire or an empathizer?

Chief Justice John Roberts memorably likened the judge to a baseball umpire, dispassionately applying existing rules to call balls and strikes.

President Obama is more, well, touchy-feely. As he weighs a replacement for retiring Justice David Souter, the president said, he wants "someone who understands that justice isn't about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a case book; it is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people's lives." That "quality of empathy," he said, is "an essential ingredient for arriving at just decisions and outcomes.""
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/05/06/behind_the_blindfold_96349.html

This is one of the most comprehensive articles I have seen re: potential nominees:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/SCOTUS/story?id=7480719&page=1

My favorite part of the article is two of the criticisms of of Granholm are:

-"She was born in Canada and made an appearance on the Dating Game."

(OK - Canada I can understand - but what's a matter with the dating game!!)

Chloe, I have Crohn's Disease, a relative of ulcerative colitis.

I, like most others with these diseases develop their personal lists of what their GI systems can and can't handle. I do fine with spicy foods so long as I apply some common sense along with the picante. But, things such as peanuts or chocolate will cause immediate distress.

I am fortunate enough to be on Remicade--it, in essence, gives me a life despite the Crohn's.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225749

Flatus --

Go for it! It's never too late...

I would like to write about the fallacy of the GOP's - we want a judge who "follows the law," not one who relies on "empathy" - argument.

Judges are going to follow the law - but the fact is - when a case gets to the S. Ct. - there is often a lot of "grey area." In other words, if it was a clear question of just "following the law" - there would not be differing interpretations of that law amongst the appellate courts in order to create a need for the S. Ct. to rule.

Deciding between differing interpretations is a matter of judgment - it is not making law. I think Obama probably chose his words poorly by using "empathy" - but I see what he is getting at. And ironically - I believe it echoes all the calls - by conservatives and liberals alike - for a Justice with "life experience."

This is what fills in that "grey area." This is what allows a judge to identify with or reject arguments made by the parties - and understand how the law has a real life impact on people.

Statutory interpretation is one thing. But the other keys to a persuasive legal opinion are reason and common sense. And common sense comes from experience.

Hot peppers will cure what ails ya.

'I, like most others with these diseases develop their personal lists of what their GI systems can and can't handle."

I should have known that Flatus. Everyone has different things they can tolerate.

"Hot peppers will cure what ails ya."

Yes Buford, I remember that's what Hillary always said during the primary. She loves spicy food too, and swears by what you just said.

Very good analysis of the quality that may be most important in selecting a Souter replacement in the
article Renee posted this a.m. from the CS Monitor---the ability to influence/persuade other justices.

"But if an appointing president has to lean in one direction or the other, a coalition-builder is better than a genius who alienates potential allies."

(Kermit Roosevelt, former Souter clerk & law professor at University of Pennsylvania law school)

"Statutory interpretation is one thing. But the other keys to a persuasive legal opinion are reason and common sense. And common sense comes from experience."

I couldn't agree more Warren. Just glad Obama is in charge this time.

Woo hoo!!! I just got a pruducer's email for CBS Sunday Morning News!!

Sea, What does it say?

Warren....
"empathy" may seem like a poorly chosen word to you.... a male.... but it is not to me.... a female....

the biggest problem I see with the SC is that it members appear to be aloof.....
even the females ones.....

Sandra Day O'Connor really didn't understand all the anger over Bush v Gore and doesn't to this day..... I've heard her numerous times on NPR shows and she refuses to discuss that case...... in short.... she is one cold fish....

IMO..... the SC needs another female..... we are after all, over 50% of the population.... and one that thinks, feels, and acts like a female......

Obama's got this one exactly right, IMO..... and if he makes good on this....
it will go a long way to healing some of the still hurting feelings over the way he talked about Hillary during the primary.....

just my 2 cents.....

Sea!! Wonderful!!!

oooooooohhhhhhhhh.....

great news, Sea!

It's a better email address than just sending to their general mail that who knows who will read it.

warren, of course you are right. Nitwits like Hatch and Sessions are trying to repackage that old "original intent" and "strict contructionist" argument, which the public doesn't seem to buy anyymore, and which is nothing more or less than code words for conservative justice - also known as reading past the bill of rights.

If Roberts' assessment were correct, there would be precious few 5-4 decisions - and of course that is the presumption any more when it comes to cases involving the first 10 amendments.

Neither the Repugs nor the Dems give a hoot about justices who will closely read and adhere to the literal wording of statutes. Dems want justices who believe the USConst. is a living document that grants expansive rights to individuals; Repugs want justices who believe the opposite.The linchpin is abortion, and people who are willing to be honest about the process behind filling SCOTUS vacancies will admit that. Fact is, it's a political game, and since Roe v. Wade it has been staged as a series of Kabuki performances designed in part to provide a stage for Senators to try and shape public opinion about the scope of the right to privacy. Bush got his anti-abortionists, Clinton got his right to lifer, and Obama will get his.

All this other stuff is interesting to mull over, but in reality is just a collection of sub plots to divert our attention from the one defining issue for SCOTUS nominees, or not.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/toles_sketch.html

That should have been Clint got his women's right to choicer. (No I haven't lost my mind - yet).

"It's a better email address than just sending to their general mail that who knows who will read it."

Oooh, Good! Word it carefully and hopefully it will get to the right person. I know that general mail address doesn't usually feel like it's going anywhere.

but if it helps... one of my all time favorite movies is The Royal Tenenbaums... :0) RR

We can drink and go to the movies together --you have brilliant taste!

A judge from outside the monastary... I nominate Judge Marilyn Milian --I believe she is hispanic

Renee:

Trust me - I am a big fan of "empathy" and I have quite a strong feminine side myself.

I was speaking solely in terms of the "politics" - not the substance.

I think Ruth Marcus gets it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/05/AR2009050502928.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

And it should have been ClintON in my correction - sheesh.

Just a question for pogo... is there any government post, other than president, that requires being born in the US? Do SC judges HAVE to be born in the US?

Awesome oldsea!!

Good Morning,
I just wanted to follow up on a post I placed yesterday. I have been so busy, but I wanted to share some facts regarding Obama’s foreign policy. Sorry to interject over the speculation regarding SCOTUS pick. Maybe a Muslim is in order. Well........

First, it is important Obama officials understand the game behind what many Muslim leaders say as opposed to what they do and teach their followers. Yesterday I posted a link to Islam Watch in which the author tried to explain why many Muslim leaders use deception and lies without much moral doubt. The article traced the logic to the strategy expressed in a literal review of the Koran. As far as the Mullahs, here is an interesting follow up:

http://www.islam-watch.org/Logical/Hadiths-Lies-of-Mullahs.htm If you think clerics, Mullahs and extremist leaders are not playing a lethal game, think again.

Now understand what Hamas means when it says:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/05/025986print.html

Today Obama is sending delegates back to Syria to unite our “common interests” as Ahmadinejad visits Damascus to conference with 10 Palestinian groups in Assad’s terror capital of the world. Having silenced the trial over the Hariri murder, having watched Assad celebrate Bashir of the Sudan, having seen Syria supply new weapons to Hizb’Allah and kick IAEA out what does the US get in return for bringing Assad out of the cold?

Last, what we don’t read is still important. I mentioned Russia along with the countries sticking it to us ever since Obama became President. I mentioned Belarus many months ago when explaining how Iran gets some of their toys from Russia and China. While Obama has zip to show for his gesture tour, Russia is playing a dangerous game. Does anyone here really care?

http://debka.com/headline.php?hid=6055 Red Line

Also, it is rumored that Ahmadinejad cut his Chavez/Hizb’Allah meeting short over fears the Israeli air force was about to destroy the entire Iranian air force assembled in one place before a large air show. Their planes were immediately spread out after being warned by Russia. Do Americans have a clue what is going on? Is Obama really telling us the truth?

Sure the pirates are still at work. Russia is in a row with Canada. With Pakistan however becoming a huge failure to anticipate by Barak, Saberi still sitting in jail and NK shipping material to Iran, history will not likely be kind to this moment in our foreign policy. Hamas and Hizb’Allah still prepare for war with Israel as cells try to destabilize neighboring countries. They are using the very tactics mentioned in my two links to Islam watch. I suggest the US administration understands this high stake game, how the extremists use deception and fear only the stick. It will take more than Gates calming allies over US strategy. It will take more than sweet talk and media stroking to divert a troubling future coming our way.

And Solar, you are wrong about the Jewish Lobby, but that is another time. I don’t work for the Jewish Lobby and I had huge objections to Freeman as I do with Zbig, Power, Rice, Malley, Skeletor and others. If you want to know what an Obama Grand Bargain looks like, just consider his moves regarding Iran, Syria and even Israel. Not comforting at all, is it?

IMHO, no correspondents dinner will ever top Stephen Colbert's... that may have been the defining moment for the Bush admin.

ty, only the VP. Aside from that, none that I know of. (Although each person in the chain of succession to the POTUS slot would have to be in order to serve as POTUS, but the Veep is the only other one who must be natural born).

I am being so bad this morning..... I really "should" be working.....;)

KGC.... I really have to contemplate a trip to northern CA...

Warren.... I hear you.... I have a strong "manly" side..... you know... I can't think of a better word that means the opposite of feminine.....

tylenol..... I agree with you about the Stephen Colbert dinner appearance...
and yes..... it seemed to rip the mask off of the Bush administration.....

Thanks all , am typing up a letter now to be sent to of courseJamie first to be edited and then on! Her website is so magnificent, I can now direct media there.

I'm glad the American public has repudiated an orginalist approach. Nope, what our founders intended should not count anymore....lol

Max, disingenuous as always.

I see that old snarlin' Arlin had his seniority reduced. Couldn't happen to a nicer fellow. He's probably;y wondering if he can get his seniority back if he switches back to the GOP.

Yeah, disingenuous as always. How so? Because I don't buy your quick summary? Maybe you meant sarcastic, which I was. Sure, Republicans don't like the Bill of Rights. Perhaps the House version of the their New Press Rights Bill is a good take on the Bill of Rights.

The Commerce Clause? Dems said little as local government forced people to sell their land and then did whatever they deemed a good return for the community...lol. And gee...Dems really understand the 2nd.

In any case, the idea that originalism and understanding intent v expanding intent to whatever the present public climate dictates is a great finish to our wonderful Constitutional experiment.

Don't you think? Sarcasm again NP, sarcasm.

Great observation or Arlen. Now wouldn't it be funny if he lost to Ridge?

Is judge Wapner on the short list?

I say Judge Judy.

At this point, Hillary would find it more interesting than SECSTATE.

I meant the Dems House version of the new Press Rights Bill. Now that is a great take on the Bill of Rights. Seems the "people" really mean paid journalists........

Oh Craig, why are still so silent on this topic of Press Freedom. Oh and by the way, in a not so secret report by a Syrian Freedom of the Press group, the Syrian government is blasted for their totalitarian control and jailing of journalists. The report claims Assad has increased his crack down on social networking since Obama became President. Same is true in Iran.

I keep thinking of the US as Alfred E Nueman...."what, me worry?"

Max,,,,,,,,On April 4th the President of Israel,,Shimon Peres,,on the eve of talks with Obama, was at the AIPAC meeting,,espousing war with Iran,,,he said that they(Iran) has nuclear weapons ,,,and will attack Israel,,,,,as I told you before,,,this completely false,,even if they had it,,,it would be completed suicide for them to attack,,,,first of all 50% would die from the blow back that it would cause,,,and then we would wipe out the rest of them ourselves,,,making it impossible for anyone to live there ever again,,,,so they don't really need the weapon IMO,,,they do deserve (civillians) energy for homes,,,and for businesses no? I personally don't give a shit about the Military,,,let them kill themselves,,,,hey how about hand to hand combat with Israel,,,,I can get behind that,,,,but leave the fuckin civillians alone.

I also believe that the money that we give to Israel for whaterver reason that they see fit,,,,,,,is sent right back to the AIPAC and use our $ to lobby for the death of women and children!!!!!!!!

"Historically Iran sought to enrich mankind. Today, alas, Iran's rulers want to enrich uranium. What for?" Peres added, while failing to mention Israel's own nuclear warheads or its own clandestine nuclear program.

Uranium, the fuel for a nuclear power plant, can serve military purposes only if enriched to high levels of above 90 percent.

According to the latest International Atomic Energy Agency figures, Iran has produced nearly 1,010 kg (2,225 lb) of low enriched uranium (LEU) -- a level "less than 5 percent."

Tehran is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and, according to the UN nuclear watchdog, has not opted to violate the treaty.

Israeli leaders, however, repeatedly attack Tehran's nuclear program and strive to portray Iran as a regime hell-bent on imminent nuclear war.

he US Congress has launched an initiative to give Obama unprecedented powers to punish firms that export gasoline to Iran.

A legislation unveiled last week, supported by AIPAC, looks to tighten screws on the Ahmadinejad government, which imports about 40 percent of its gasoline demand.

"You can affect Israel's future and promote America's interests in the Middle East by urging your members of Congress to support these important initiatives," AIPAC said on its website.

This is while under the reign of a right-leaning government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel seems to be moving down a collision course with the Obama White House.

Robert Satloff, an analyst who joined an AIPAC panel on Sunday, warned of "the potential for a deep disagreement between the US and Israel governments over how to really deal with a nuclear Iran," according to a video on the AIPAC website.

The Netanyahu government also has differences with Washington over the Middle East peace process and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

President Peres, meanwhile, urged the influential lobby to see to the passage of the bill by pushing members of Congress.

Alfred E. Nueman "Worry is Not In our Vocabulary, Until you Run Things" ...

Solar, I didn't answer your question last night.
Cheese Enchiladas.... I almost always have enchiladas, rice and beans, along with a huge amount of chips and salsa. I love it. (...sometimes I throw in a tamale, but never tripetta) )

Solar, What's your favorite mexican food.

Clinton: US regrets loss of life in Afghanistan
"WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Obama administration "deeply, deeply" regrets the loss of innocent life apparently as the result of a U.S. bombing in Afghanistan and will undertake a full review of the incident.

Opening a meeting with the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the State Department, Clinton said Wednesday that any loss of innocent life is "particularly painful.""
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/06/2782200-clinton-us-regrets-loss-of-life-in-afghanistan

"I'm glad the American public has repudiated an orginalist approach. Nope, what our founders intended should not count anymore"

disingenuous - only you said those things. That's how you're being disingenuous.

I couldn't care less that you don't buy my quick summary - the differeing approaches to the meaning of the document fill books, and are way beyond anything other than quick takes here. And your argument that dems didn't cry foul as local governments were condemning private land to give it to commercial developers is simply false - while the New London decision came from the left side of the court (which I uderstood but disagreed with) the hew and cry against such takings was from both sides of the aisle; and that was not a Commerce Clause case, incidentally, it was a Takings Clause case, and frankly, I sided with the dissent in the case (not that I was asked). And the 2nd amendment - bullshit. Wayne LaPierre is no more a defender of the rights granted under the Bill of Rights than Larry Flynt or Norma McCorvey.

And I haven't followed the versions of the press rights bill you mention - got a bill number so I can look at it?

Chloe

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225799

That is one of my favorites,,,,,but I get tired of eating the same things,,,so I have many favorites,,,,I hate to eat at Mexican restaurants,,,cos I can make the meals my self,,,and better than most,,,,,when I do (at my brothers rest.) I always order the chilaquilles with lot of diff side dishes,,( little portions)

One thing that I don't make ,,and I like a lot ,,,is the Sea food Dishes,,,,the combos are great,,,,but what you ordered is very good,,,,and the tripitas,,,was a special that my sister Maria,,,used to make for me,,I agree, they don't sound very good at all,,,,but once that I got over what they were,,,and done right,,,,they are a treat,,,,,,,,,,and quit making that face,,,,you did not eat any!!!!!!

solar - lunch.

Pogo,,,,,,foiled again,,,,,carramba!!

How did you see me make that face??
Solar, I like very simple food. I love to eat, but don't like as much variety as you do. I'm a little weird... I don't like sea food at all, none of it (or much pork either). Just chicken and beef, or no meat is fine with me too. Although I make my enchiladas at home with beef and they are better than the restaurants, imo.

Solar .... You're more adventurous than me -- just a simple lady with simple tastes.

Pogo,,,,,,is Chlo running interference for you ,,she distracted me with all of the Mexican food talks,,,,so I couln't think about lunch (HUH??) well she did a good job of it.

"carramba!!"

I love that word!
Once, when my daughter and I were eating mexican food at our local place in town here, there was a bad storm and the power went out. I'll never forget how funny one of the cooks in the back sounded, when he yelled excitedly.... Ai chijuajua! Carumba!!

"just a simple lady with simple tastes."

Yea,,, I already had you pegged for a no make up type remember,,,,but you are not so simple to me, very interesting,,,and,,,,,,,and,,,,,,and the most intriguing is that you,,,,,,,,,
well I finally said it ,,,don't get mad at me,,,it's true,,,,hahahaha

Pogo did sneak that in on you, didn't he Solar. :)

"well I finally said it"

... you finally said what? Don't leave me hanging here.

"Ai chijuajua! Carumba!!"

Thats redundant,,,,,Carumba,,,,,,is good enough for anything,,the nest time that you eat there ,,,,tell the waiter/waitress ,,,,Caumba this food is good,,,,,,Damn this food is good,,when used like that,,,,,,you will get better service,,,Chijuajua,,,maybe that what they are cooking for you?????

original intent.... I'm not a Constitutional lawyer or anything close..... but it sounds good to me....

yup.... Obama should be out in the fields picking cotton..... and I should just STFU and be burping babies, cleaning the laundry, and frying the bacon in the pan....

and don't think I'm getting into any long winded arguments over it..... it'll never happen..... :0)

Chloe... I do like fresh water fish..... but the stuff that comes from the ocean.... YUK!.... in Annie Proulx's novel "The Shipping News".... which is situated in Newfoundland.... there is a moment where the main character, Quoyle, is trying to order anything but fish in a local restaurant.... he is told...
"eat fish or die"..... if it were me.... I'd die....

nest=next......my fingers also have an accent "-)

Renee, I know that fresh water fish is a lot milder.... but I just have a thing about it now and can't eat it (or won't). I used to eat a little of it, but no more.

"Thats redundant"

Well, It was funnier than hell to us. We've had a lot of laughs, when we remember that. It was the yelling and the high pitched voice he used, and there was hardly anyone in the restaurant except us. It just turned into one of those really funny memories, for some reason.

Solar, It is so much fun talking to you, but my grand baby is waking and will want a walk. I'll check in later.

Renee, Slavery and Women's sufferage -- equality of rights, are not good arguments against strict constructionist (original intent) interpretations. They would say that those were properly dealt with through amendments to the constitution, which, they would argue, is the appropriate mechanism to change the 'original intent' of the constitution.

There are plenty of other arguments against strict constructionalism, however.

'you will get better service"

They'd have to sit at the table with me, in order to give me better service. That's why I go there so much. :)

RR

In Mexico,,,,in the state of Jalisco,,,,,when I was there last,,,,,there is great fresh water fish that you pick out to eat,,,,from the lake of Chapala,,,,,and there are some great towns ,,pueblos that you would love, you are the adventurist type,,,,we even ( my sister Maria) got invited to a wedding that was held in a church that was built by the conquistadors,,,,what beautiful work of art,,,,and to boot,,,they even had (at the last part) a big whit stallion that they rode out of it,,,,I will never forget it,,,it was just so diff.

Yup, in a sense, chloe was my wing man (well wing person) whether she knew it or not - and if she did she was reading my mind - on that lunch thing.

Flatus,,,,,,Pogo,,,,,,anybody,,,,,,

I have been trying to open an email,,that was sent to me,,,and the adobe 6 ,,won't let me open it,,,say's that the codac is not right,,,I have tried opening it with other programs,,,and they won't let me either,,,,is there another version of adobe,,,or something else that I don't know about that could get the job done,,,,,thanks ahead of time,,,

cajunjoe....
the smiley face at the end of that meant it was a joke....

Solar.... I've never been to Mexico.... but I have eaten at Mexican restaurants.... hope that counts.... :0)

seriously.... that wedding sounds beautiful.... and unfortunately.... here in New England.. there aren't very many good Mexican places to eat..... the best place I've ever been to was a little hole in the wall in Page Arizona.... I must get back to the southwest sometime soon..... the colors always inspire me....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225820

Joe is right - and one of the best arguments is that any assertion of what the framers intended beyond what is written in the document and the other documents producd at the time of the convention documenting the discussion of the provisions ultimately incorporated into the document is speculation (nevermind other treatises, letters and publications that were generated by the individual framers before and after the convention - they only give insight into the thoughts of the individuals, not the group). Another decent argument is that the framers left so many gaps - not necessarily on purpose but more as a function of being constrained by their own experiences - that strict construction leaves huge areas of life untouched by the document. Even the framers recognized that the document itself could not be the last word - so they put in what is known as the Necessary and Proper Clause (ever even heard of it?) - Article 1, section 8, clause 18.

Max's snide criticism of the Dems' ignoring the Commerce clause's limited reach (OK, I'm interpreting what I think he was intending his criticism to mean - which should more appropriately be levelled at Congress and the court between about 1930 and 1980 more or less - and which is a valid criticism I might add) can be as easily levelled against the Bush administration over the last 4 years as it flatly ignored any rights we have or thought we had under the 1st, 4th and 6th amendments.

Solar, that's beyond my limited expertise withthe computer. I have had to call the IT guys when I've gotten Codec errors (I assume they have something in common with Codac errors, but I'm guessing). I do know that whatever the current version of acrobat reader is, it's on the internet at adobe's site and is available for free.

Solar, I see that Acrobat is up to version 9 now. Maybe that's the problem.

Renee

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225829

The reason that I told you about that wedding,,is that I see you and Rick Rick,,,as the adventurist types,,,,,and would be curious just like we were,,,,,there is a place called Aguas Clientes,,( Hot Waters) that was below a range of mountain towns,,,,,it had many pools with varying degrees of water temps,,,that we stayed at for 4 days''''we payed the owner to let us plug in our camper( a bus we had converted into a regular camper,,,my borher Manny's,,,and with my instance to save $ so we could see more places....any way,,,,I think that you would have enjoyed all of the scenery(lots of colors),and every community had its own special way of exhibiting them,,,,,and all of the simple people with welcoming attitudes just melted our hearts,,,,they were the best,,,mountain Mexican Hillbilly's ,,,,,some rough taverns ,,,but,,,so are some of the ones here in Il,,and anywhere,,,the rule is don;t let them smell fear,,,,and mind your own biz,,,,,,but after awhile,,,,,it's compadre this,,,compadre that ,,,,they laughed at,,,and with me about my ignorance of Mexico's mountain cultures,,,(lots of fine History that I heard about),,,,you can see the difference of tribes in the faces of the beautiful Indian women,,and the pride of the men,,,and the music,,,drinking,,,,and dancing,,,it never stopped,,,,,,I sometimes close my eyes,,,and Im back there dancing,,,with a senorita,,,,,,,,,,her name was Sue,,,,Huh?? hahaha,,,,sorry got carried away.

Thanks,,, Pogo,,,gonna look into that acrobat 9 and see if I should down load it,,,,Im satisfied with what I have and may not,,,sometimes I think that it effects things the wrong way,,,when I start to mess around with new things,,

The fact is that the "original intent" arguments involve guesswork just like the "living constitution" arguments.

Original intent looks backward - so it is conservative.

Living constitution looks forward - so it is progressive.

warren, yup.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6409750.htm

Another bank gets the boot off their neck....congrats

solar, I just checked and I have Adobe version 8 on my machine. I believe I just clicked "OK" when it told me there was a newer version - and it downloaded seamlessly and just updated the old version. Of course with my advanced case of CRS I could have just as easily tapdanced to "Puttin' on the Ritz" to get it.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225815

Enthralling film...not many movies I like better than its book, but this is one...

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

Solar,

If you aren't applying updates to your major programs, like whatever flavor of Windows you're using, your browser, Adobe, and other things that open files and interact directly with the internet, you're playing with fire. Many of these updates aren't simply to add capabilities but to try to keep up with people determined to do nasty things with our computers.

Solar:

First the Harmon case.

1. http://jta.org/news/article/2009/05/01/1004853/lawyers-credit-obama-team-for-dismissing-aipac-case Now why did they do this? I suggest things are getting pretty nasty and the Israelis haven’t even leaked quite a bit of information. Obama did not want this story to bring up more serious questions of both retribution against Harmon and Obama’s use of secret information in this process.

2. http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2009/04/harmon-tape-leak-shot-across-israels.html Questions that most Democrats don’t want to answer.

3. http://www.scpr.org/news/stories/2009/05/04/19_jane_harman_1_050409.html
Jane Harmon speaks for herself.

In regards to Freeman here is how the Washington Post played it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031104308.html

From the Washington Post:

“Prosecutors said they will ask a judge to dismiss the case against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman because a series of court decisions had made it unlikely they would win convictions. The two are former lobbyists for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, an influential advocacy group.

Rosen and Weissman were charged in 2005 with conspiring to obtain classified information and pass it to journalists and the Israeli government..... Some lawyers and First Amendment advocates have said the case would criminalize the type of information exchange that is common among journalists, lobbyists and think-tank analysts.”

Gee, I guess journalists who engage in this kind of activity all the time must have supported Obama’s ending the case. And we ALL thought this was just AIPAC at work.

But here is where you mix things up.

1. Freeman represented to most Republicans and American Jews another step in the wrong direction. Freeman withdrew without explanation except to wildly attack the “Jewish Lobby” as though only the partisan could ever reject his resume which would have not stood up under scrutiny.

2. ACORN and the ISM crowd Obama is deploying in government is not something you wish to rail about even despite the strong influence they have with Obama. The FBI warns against association with the very groups Obama funded indirectly in Chicago either on boards, privately (Khalidi, etc.) or through Trinity. He has picked various people far from center to advise him in regards to Israel, yet I hear no criticism from you on either his associations or policy as WE SEE IT TODAY, i.e. Syria, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon. Sudan etc.

3. Teenagers are executed in Iran while Saberi sits in prison. Syrian neo-nazis groups roam towns in Lebanon while Assad holds terrorist conventions. Gaza murders Fatah and uses children as shields. THe UN claims terrorists didn't use their facilities despite video evidence. Sudan murders blacks. extremists burn women with acid. Hizb'Allah is working in SA moving drugs for pocket change while developing more proxies close to our border. The list is huge and you rail against US money killing women and children via Israel.

Bravo! You completely minimize the role of Quds and the complete control of Iran by a religious order of 250. You say little as PEOPLE embrace Sharia. Women are murdered in Pakistan. Iran shells northern Iraq. Yep, the list is long and your position? Evil AIPAC, Evil Israel and to hell with the huge storm that is blowing our way as some kind of "man made disaster".. I guess my updates of high tech weapons to Iran and Syria via Belarus, Quds in Sudan and Sinai, NK uranium shipments to Iran, Iranian generals today declaring it will take only 11 days for Iran to exterminate Israel mean little.

Solar, don’t take this personally, but I wonder if you read the links to altruistic cooperation/punishment…lol. I will return to address your opinion as to the importance of nuclear weapons for Iran. I think you misunderstand what they mean to Iran strategically and your context is not really any context at all.

Last, there is a reason why Hamas offered a ten year truce to Israel. It is straight out of the Koran. At this rate, I rather doubt Obama can count on much of the Jewish vote. Perhaps I should link you to Obama’s 2007 speech to AIPAC. Kerry, Obama. Clinton, Edwards and Biden all said that the US should prevent Iran from getting nukes and their delivery systems. IAEA is shouting loudly that Iran has not permitted complete inspections so your claim they are in compliance is false. Were these Democrats lying or did you just not get it? Why then is it a Jewish Lobby to support the very words spoken to AIPAC? Perhaps you forgot Obama’s speech from Iowa as Iranian missiles tested the sky. Obama was very clear and Biden claimed Obama was Israel’s best friend. He was a better friend than anyone Biden ever knew. And Simon P is hardly a Lukid. If he is turning Hawkish, you can surmise what is at stake and how little Obama has done to alter the equation. Oh, he is altering it, but just not i the right direction.

We shall see, won’t we?

From ,,,,A P

Lets go and Bomb Egypt ,,,there is plenty of proof,,here?

Weapons grade uranium found in Egypt
Wed, 06 May 2009 17:59:49 GMT
Font size : [Increase] [Normal] [Decrease]
The UN nuclear watchdog is investigating the discovery of traces of highly enriched uranium (HEU) -- at or near weapons grade level -- in Egypt, reports say.

According to a restricted report conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), UN nuclear inspectors found the traces while verifying Egypt's Non-Proliferation Treaty compliance in 2008.

Although the IAEA report did not specify whether the retrieved samples were weapon grade uranium or not, a senior diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the particles were at or near weapons grade level, or in the stage that could be used for atomic arms.

The report's page-long section on Egypt said the highly enriched uranium (HEU) traces were found in swipe samples taken at Insha's nuclear research site near Cairo 2007-08.

Uranium can be enriched to high enough levels to be used in nuclear warheads.

Egypt has given an explanation about the HEU traces, saying that the traces may have been imported to the country on "contaminated radio isotopes containers."

Radio isotopes are mainly used in scientific and medical research. HEU and low enriched uranium can both be used in making radio isotopes.

The IAEA says that it is the first time such traces have been found since Egypt failed to notify the agency of its nuclear activities in 2004 and that it was continuing its investigation into the matter.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6409594.html

This what happens when you deal with the devil at the crossroads....the deal keeps changing...:)

Max,
I'm curious what you mean about Charles Freeman that "his resume which would have not stood up under scrutiny."

What about his resume does not stand up?

Solar, it would be easy for all those Britherhood and Hamas cells in Egypt to engage in false flag operations. And who said bomb Egypt? Isn't that a bit silly? Don't you think Israel would be alarmed if this was true? Israel doesn't spot Egyptian reactors and heavy water facilities? And right now Egypt and Israel have never been closer (unless you go back before WW2).

On one hand you make little about the IAEA warning over Iran and then you inflate findings regarding Egypt. You don't even mention al-Kibar and that we will likely reward Assad who won't permit IAEA at sensitive sites, nor will Iran. You might want to talk about NK or that Chevez is now working on weapons and nuclear with Ahmadinejad. FARC's own computers prove their desire for dirty bombs.

Israel warned about Syria for some time back, yes?. Then after they bombed al-Kibar the Western Press discounted Israeli claims. Now the Press admits al-Kibar. And how you compare Iran to Egypt is beyond me Solar. It sounds like your conflating to cover a disorganized spin on Obama's Middle East policy and the fact he may very well prove what he said during the primary to beat Clinton was outright lying.

I also see the race card used then as similar to the Jewish Lobby card being played now. Image a GOP candidate dissing Lukid, oblivious that they would likely win the next election. Simply incredible grasp of foreign policy.

Jax, that's one way of looking at it. Also, as they were part of the problem, they've got to be a (continuing) part of the solution.

Jax, That first site you linked didn't work....Were you talking about the B of A article?

Bank of America stocks jump despite stress test result
"Bank of America Corp. rose 11 percent in New York trading as investors speculated the lender can meet U.S. demands for capital by selling assets or converting the government’s preferred stake into common shares.

To the extent that there are banks that need capital, our hope is that many of them will be able to raise that capital through either private equity offers, or through conversions and exchanges of existing liabilities,” Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke told lawmakers at a hearing in Washington on Tuesday.

Banks that want to return money injected by the Treasury since October must show they can borrow from private investors without a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. guarantee, according to people familiar with the matter. Bank of America has sold $47 billion of debt backed by the FDIC, the most of any bank."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6410177.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_W._Freeman,_Jr.

But also;

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/ss_intelligence0182_03_03.asp

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/middle-east/schumer-takes-credit-for-getting-chas-freeman-ousted/

I would say that Freeman's comments, his roles and rumored finacial gains from former positions all consititute resume. His defense of his Israel position is almost as strange as Power.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225821

Chloe,

This gave me a vision of the waiter sitting down and feeding you your meal. :-)

"This gave me a vision of the waiter sitting down and feeding you your meal."

LOL Jamie -- they practically do at that place. They know I need something before I even do. :)

Jamie, Have you heard from Patsi? Just wondering if she came through that storm ok.

Max,,,,relax,,,it was a joke,,,,but can you tell me what Lieberman is up to?,,,and what do you think about him giving Iran 3 months to come clean,,or they will bomb them,,,he's friggin nuts,,if you ask me,,he is over at Italy,,,then I bet he will go to Germany,,,and France,,,his biggest supporters,,,,trying to divert attention about the 2 states IMO,,,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-
for-justice.html#comment-225856

Joe, perhaps that part of Freeman's resume that reflects an unwillingness to unquestioningly adopt AIPAC's view of the Middle East, his suggestion that the Israeli occupation of Arab lands has a negative impact on the Middle East and the prospect for peace there, and that the US has adopted Israel's enemies as its own to its own detriment - to say nothing of his criticism of the conduct of the Iraq occupation as it has impacted US-Arab relations? Or maybe it was his 45 years of foreign policy experience - half of which was with respect to China and the past 20 of which (on and off) was with respect to the middle east? Me, I think it was that AIPAC thing.

Flatus,,,,,thanks,,,,I have been and will continue to update,,,every since you advised someone else too,,,I will do the adobe update in a little while.

Seems to me that one might disagree with Freeman, think he was the wrong person for the job, raise an eyebrow over his over-the-top withdrawal statements, but you certainly can't say there was any shortcoming in his resume.

One thing actually does stand out -- AIPAC was livid about the appointment and did no holding back in the exercise of their influence to spike it.

LIEBERMAN: "I want to leave that there, I want to go to a different question, Admiral. I know there’s been a lot of controversy over your selection of Charles Freeman to be the .Chairman of the National Intelligence Council. The- seven of our colleagues wrote yesterday on the Intelligence Committee wrote yesterday expressing their concern, I’m concerned, the concern is based, to state it briefly, on two points: one I think is about some questions about some previous business associations the ambassador has had to meet and raise questions about his independence of analysis and the second are statements that he’s made that appear to be, that are inclined to lean against Israel or too much in favor of China. In fact, I gather yesterday and the last few days that leaders of the 1989 protest that led to the Chinese governments’ massacre at Tiananmen Square wrote to President Obama to convey, I’m quoting, “our intense dismay at your selection of Mr. Freeman.” So I wanted to ask you on the public record this morning, we you aware of these comments and associations by Admiral Freeman, by Ambassador Freeman, before you chose him for this position and the concern here is that it suggests he’s more of an advocate than an analyst which is what we want in that position. Second, in any sense, what are you doing about the concerns that have been expressed by people about this selection? "

And financial concerns from CQ:
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003070206

Haven't heard from Patsi and she hasn't updated any of her blogs. I'll shoot off an email to see if there is a response.

Max,
I'd hardly cite statements by Senators as authoritative regarding anything. And the CQ article pretty much explains the 'financial concerns' away.

Your comment that AIPAC did not hold back from their objection to Freeman is not borne out by facts. Schumer in fact, said he killed the Freeman deal, but many who are not associated with AIPAC including those who have problems with his dealings with China and Saudia Arabia were more outspoken than AIPAC. And just because AIPAC and Jews might share an opinion don't make them the same group.

This is not the position for someone like Freeman,

well that's my unAIPAC opinion...lol

Also, given the lack of a case against the two AIPAC "spies", why would it be improper for Harman to listen to AIPAC making their case? Pelosi and Obama come out of this as disengenuous. Note Congress bent the rules to allow Hillary to become SECSTATE, but Pelosi couldn't bend them for Harman. Also Obama is keeping the very same NSA capability that recorded Harman (we don't know, do we?) alive and well.

Chloe,,,,,,I sent Patsi an email yesterday,,,and just checked my solarcrete acct...no reply,,,will try again later on.

Your right, Obama made many statements as a Senator. We are now going to see which ones were truthful.......

It's funny how when Congressional statements serve no purpose they are not credible, but when they support the cause, they are. I remember Murtha getting slammed after he came back from Iraq and said the surge was working. Boy did he get slammed.

Ivy....
say it ain't so.... how could you possibly like the movie The Shipping News more than the book..... although I did love Judi Dench in the movie.....

I have a friend that loves movies..... I took her to see the Shipping News which she wanted to see badly after reading the book for our book club..... I keep telling her that I always prefer the book because movies are just so..... well....
Hollywood..... and whenever I go to make that point now.... I remind her that Julianne Moore played Wavey Prowse.... how could you get more "Hollywoodish" than to have a beautiful actress play a pencil necked ugly geek....

Chloe,
No, the article was about Sterling Bank here in Texas. Front page Chronicle on-line. Don't know why it's not picking up.

Flatus,

No doubt, it's just interesting that given the gov't role in oversight of our financial institutions....noone on the gov't regulation side has lost their job.

Given what's happened, you'd think that the public would be demanding someone's head on the regulator's side.....but oddly not a peep.....wonder why that is?

Max

I want to say right off the bat,, that Israel has the right to defend its self,,,,but,,if they are cought using illegal weapons,,,bombing un buildings,,,that housed only civillians trying to get to shelter,,,and still has a blocked food and medicine,from getting delivered ,how do they think that the rest of the world would see them??,,

,but the last paragraph is sorta what we are talking about,,,,lobbing power!!....it's all over the place.,,,It's all about land,( and religion,,,but mostly land now),,,in 1948,,,,about 700 to 750 Palestinians were forced from Israel,,,and are not allowed to return to this date,,,,lots of land,,,there that they lived on,,and lost forever?

UN report on Gaza incenses Israeli president

A Palestinian schoolboy visits a burnt classroom at a school run by UNRWA in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
A recent UN report incriminating Israel of intentionally killing Palestinian civilians during its recent adventure in Gaza has sparked outrage among Israeli officials.

Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday described the UN inquiry -- which confirmed Israel's "gross negligence and recklessness" during the Gaza war -- as "outrageous" and "one-sided".

"It's outrageous, we shall never accept it. We don't think we have to apologize because we have the right to defend the lives of our children and women", Peres told reporters.

The four-member fact-finding mission on Tuesday charged Israel with intentionally targeting UN personnel and civilians that had taken shelter in UN buildings during its Christmas war with Hamas -- the democratically elected ruler of Gaza.

Nearly 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombing raids on the UN compounds.

The 184-page report, which has not yet been entirely published due to hard Israeli lobbing, also blamed Israel for providing untrue statements to justify its actions alleging that Palestinians had fired from UN premises which were hit by Israeli fire.

thats it for me,,,,,no more of this kind of talk,,takes up too much time,,energy,,,,and bandwith,,,that doesn't let others talk about what they want.

Big Correction,,,,,,700 to 750 thousand

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225876

Joe, I think you are correct. The fact that Lieberman was leading the charge against his appointment speaks volumes. He was torpedoed by AIPAC and the Repugs on the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Middle East Policy Council is a foil of AIPAC, and reasonable minds can disagree on which one is interested in analysis and which one is interested in advocacy. And the monetary compensation of $10,000/yr. from CNOOC is certainly not much of a concern, but Lieberman clearly was throwing everything he could find against the wall and hope that something would stick. Freeman saw the writing on the wall and withdrew his name from consideration.

http://www.mepc.org/main/main.asp

http://www.aipac.org/

There are the links to their websites if you're interested. I

Joe Klein had a different take on the appointment.

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/03/08/the-assault-on-chas-freeman/?xid=rss-topstories

n the end, he may not have been the best choice for the post, but really, put blame where it's deserved. Bebe is smiling.

Ok Jax, I went back and looked (just missing the l in html)

Texas bankers repay $126M in bailout money
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6409750.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/waiting-for-justice.html#comment-225871 Thanks Solar.
A few people have asked about Patsi, and I know she and Jamie are close, so I thought she might know.

Jax, I like their 'Boring is Beautiful' saying -- and I must say I agree with them. It is.

“The banking industry doesn’t really like surprises, it doesn’t like uncertainty,” he said. “We are proponents of the old phrase that boring is beautiful.”

"doesn't let others talk about what they want."

.... there's plenty of room here on the internet for all of us (unless Craig complains:))

Stay tuned - it will be interesting to see whether Sessions adn Obama agree on who is and who is not a bomb thrower.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/06/top-republican-sessions-i_n_198046.html

Speaking of idiots . . .

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/may/06/foxx-sends-note-of-apology-to-gay-mans-mother/news/

Virginia Foxx apologizes to Matthew Shepard's mom.

Jax,

An administration was fired. People have gone to jail, have committed suicide, been shamed, etc..

For those who are still in unelected leadership positions, I think a pretty strong message has been received in a way that will have them focusing on oversight and consumer protection in a way we haven't seen in recent years. At least, that's what I hope.

I think right now the military maxim 'If you lead by the balls, hearts and minds will surely follow' is being proved true once again.

I really like Chris Kelly. It's a rare column of his that doesn't make me laugh a bunch of times.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/empathy-for-the-devil_b_197570.html

Renee needed a word that was the opposite of feminine? I can give you 2 words: Anne Coulter.

Read and discuss:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090506/NEWS15/90506045/Guantanamo+North?+Engler+has+eyes+on+UP+prisons

Flatus,
You're right we changed the elected administration, and some from the private sector were fired, shamed and yes even committed suicide.

But what of the bureaucratic gov't component of this debacle SEC, FDIC, Treasury.....last I checked they are all blishfully still in place.......as if they weren't even remotely complicit.....

Flatus,

You're a military man. Try and imagine a military unit that is tasked to guard the safety of our most lethal weapons and all of a sudden 1/3 of them are gone.....Just disappeared overnight.

How many people in that military unit will still be there tomorrow?

Jax,

Maybe we'll just have to wait for the inevitable books to be published.

I bet there're a whole bunch of stories like in the old Justice Dept where the political appointees ran amok totally subverting and cowing committed career civil servants.

The points you raise are certainly valid and worthy of examination and explanation; I just wonder if now is the time for the witch hunt. We used to identify the bad players and shuffle them off to be special assistants to nothing. Perhaps that's what's now being done as an interim measure.

Flatus,
I've no doubt that most of the blame lies in the leadership...not the everyday auditor....

My point is that if we are really going to fix this system then we need to remove the bad apples at every level.

I personally think that every ranking member of the house and senate financial oversight committees should either resign or be removed. Regardless of party affiliation.

I, for one, would see that as a significant positive step towrds recovery.

Flatus,

The military certainly has it's flaws and there are many exceptions but overall I would say that it differs from almost all other gov't jobs in one substantial way.

Both try to reward hard work and success but only with the military does failure actually have consequences. Its not enough to have good intentions...you also actually have to succeed in your assignment......not a requirement at alot of other government agencies.

Well, a couple of comments on the need to replace those who were asleep at the switch. First, we did have an election and many of those who had policy responsibility at the top have been replaced (though not all due to the terms of commission members, etc.) Second, it was not just a matter of not doing their jobs. In many cases the regulatory agencies were emasculated through funding and staff cuts and the general anti-regulatory policies that began in the Reagan administration (and was not turned around by the Clinton administration.) It's not just on the financial regulatory side, the FDA, EPA, CPSC, and a host of others have ceased to see their mission as the protection of the interests of the American people.

New Thread
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/

Cajun,

I agree with all of that. It's just very glaring that some high profile gov't officials haven't been bitten by this finance mess.......

It's just hard to get behind an effort to fix this mess when it appears that the gov't isn't prepared to clean it's house while demanding that private enterprise clean its.

Solar,
Some Israeli soldiers came forward and spoke of things illegal. I have friends in Israel on both sides of the political divide. IDF is not God’s army, nor is the political history of Israel without mistakes and human flaws. I do not accept criminal behavior, but let’s not obfuscate the issue. We are arguing what is most dangerous and horrible. You strip selected “facts” down without their context omitting more egregious crimes and the significance this more threatening behavior means to the US directly. I don’t doubt some in the IDF deliberately tried to send a message to Gazans. Many risking their lives know many Palestinians consider them pigs and apes. Americans have a hard time understanding both the emotions and what words mean in the Middle East. I have been trying to press home both. The rage and contempt of some Israeli soldiers fell upon some of the civilians militants hide behind. More died however from booby traps, human shields and strategic positioning of Hamas in municipal and health facilities. Hamas went on a campaign to slaughter Fatah and little Press is given the complete criminality on the Gazan side. Who cannot feel badly for the innocent? Still, Hamas with Iran’s blessing sent Israel and Barak a hello and started resuming missile attacks on Israel. Some US soldiers didn’t behave so nicely to the Germans. I say this not to minimize criminal behavior, but to question where you are directing your exclusive attention.

The same claims about phosphorous were leveled at Bush and our military. (Most experts said the casualties were astonishingly small given the fight Israel was stepping into. Homes were often called BEFORE the IDF engaged fire. See the Strategy Page.) I cannot however, take such one-sided claims seriously as the world does nothing to prevent the very arms build ups in Gaza and under the watchful eye of the UN in Lebanon which will lead again to these terrible conflicts. I cannot take seriously the inevitable wrong Israel occasions to commit against “mothers and children” when it has never threatened the existence of any neighbors and hails more than a million Muslims. Your position seems the moral equivalency meme rejected by Liberals for more than 5 decades. Peres mentions some of this in regard to Iran;

http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/05/peres.php

I also cannot take very seriously the illogical arguments for present US policy. I am not saying everything is wrong and the course inevitable, butI posted a link that helps to explain the English translation of extremist pronouncements, the Arabic meaning often far from CNN’s take. We don't seem to get the Middle East way of thinking and this misdirects our attention and resources. Even worse, our debate. The Koran prescribes that “weak” Muslims have every right to enter into treaties and policies they plan to betray when sufficiently strong enough. That is why Hamas picked a 10 year truce. It is idiotic to assemble the ramblings of Assad, Ahmadinejad, Hamas, Taliban, Hizb’Allah and others and try to create a reasonable picture; a viable partner for peace. I read how many hardliners are incredulous with laughter at how we think negotiations work.

Saberi sits in prison. So too the two women in NK. Millions of Iranians live under the fundamentalist oppression from a religious cabal of about 250 people and their private army, Quds. Teenagers, gays and dissidents are tortured and imprisoned. Women are beaten when they demonstrate in public. Assad today sports neo-Nazi fascist groups he exports, secret WMD facilities, terrorist havens and a pipeline of money and arms to Hizb’Allah. Yemen is under siege. Sudan’s Bashir laughs at us while routinely hitting Darfur. Lebanon hangs in the balance with clear threats to Egypt and even moderates in Northern Africa. Hamas and Hizb’Allah along with the Muslim Brotherhood seek to topple Western friendly Muslim States and develop a network of proxies by which to hit us when the time comes. Against this clear aggression I do not see how your principles land on the IDF. I haven’t even spoken of Pakistan or Afghanistan, NK or Somalia.

So you speak of the terrible atrocities committed by Israel, forgetting their situation, their global contribution and their most Democratic institution in the Middle East despite it’s warts. I see in this as a pre-emptive apology of sorts for the things to come (our own new man made disater), something of a principled defense of PC using “mothers and children” where you see fit. When the time comes don’t seem surprised the real difference in moral weight and consequence will appear obvious to most Americans. They will want to know how we got in such a complete mess; bargains without reward or verifications, a storm without warning. Yes, we could go on, but perhaps, for now, it is best to give it a rest, a luxury the Israelis don’t have.