The Only Adult In The Room [Archive] - Page 3

ms_m

01-30-2011, 05:56 PM

White House quietly prepares for a post-Mubarak era in Egypt

The White House stance has been even-handed as officials have suggested President Hosni Mubarak might stay in power if freedoms, competitive elections are allowed. But an insider says the U.S. is not ready to keep Mubarak in power at all costs.

Reporting from Washington —

A tight-lipped White House is taking an even-handed approach to the crisis in Egypt, suggesting that President Mubarak might be able to hold onto power if he allows competitive elections and restores individual freedoms. But inside the Obama administration, there are signs that officials are preparing for a post-Mubarak era after three decades.

One former senior administration advisor said he had spoken to his old colleagues inside the Obama administration in recent days about the unrest in Egypt. As early as last Wednesday, the Obama administration recognized that they would not be able to prop up the Mubarak regime and keep it in power at all costs, the former official said.

More [[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-na-white-house-egypt-20110131,0,6627312.story)

The reporting here [[http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/) is extremely interesting

Although Al Jazeera/English has been banned and the reporters credentials revoked, they continue to report. Some anchors being more even handed than others but overall, balanced reporting.

FYI: It's also been brought to my attention that Al Jazeera.com and Al Jazeera.net are not the same, with the .net being affiliated with the news network and the .com not affiliated. Haven't confirmed but I have notice a difference between the two in terms of the .com reporting rumors as facts and .net being almost anal in stating what has, and has not been confirmed.

There are also videos being posted from various parts of Cairo and other areas on Youtube. These videos are being done by citizens who have found ways to get around the internet blackout.

ms_m

01-31-2011, 10:54 AM

Op-Ed Columnist

The Tea Party Wags the Dog

By FRANK RICH
Published: January 29, 2011

ANY lingering doubts about Barack Obama’s determination to appropriate Ronald Reagan’s political spirit evaporated just before the State of the Union. No American brand is more associated with Reagan than General Electric, and it was that corporation’s chief executive, Jeffrey Immelt, who popped up as the president’s new wingman when the White House rolled out its latest jobs initiative on Jan. 21. Obama’s speech on Tuesday, with its celebration of the nation’s can-do capitalist ingenuity, moved him still closer to Reagan’s sweet spot as a national cheerleader. The president even offered a remix of the old Reagan-era G.E. jingle “We bring good things to life” — now traded up to the grander “We do big things.”

Obama’s rhetorical Morning in America is exquisitely timed to coincide with the Gipper’s centennial — and, of course, the unacknowledged start of his own 2012 re-election campaign. It’s remarkable how completely the G.O.P. has ceded the optimism of its patron saint to the president just as the country prepares for a deluge of Reaganiana. Obama’s post-New Year’s surge past a 50 percent approval rating — well ahead of both Reagan’s and Bill Clinton’s comeback trajectories after their respective midterm shellackings — may have only just begun.

There was no drama to Obama’s address — just a unifying theme, at long last, as he reasserted the role of government in rebooting and rebuilding the country for a new century and putting Americans back to work. The president wisely left any theatrics to his adversaries, and, as always, they were happy to oblige.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/opinion/30rich.html?_r=3&hp)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 10:57 AM

South Sudan referendum: 99% vote for independence
30 January 11 04:51 ET

Some 99% of South Sudanese voted to secede from the north, according to the first complete results of the region's independence referendum.

A total of 99.57 percent of those polled voted for independence, according to the referendum commission.

Early counting had put the outcome of the ballot beyond doubt, indicating Southern Sudan had secured a mandate to become the world's newest nation.

The poll was agreed as part of a 2005 peace deal to end two decades of war.

Final results from the 9-15 January vote, which Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has said he will accept, are expected early next month.

If the result is confirmed, the new country is set to formally declare its independence on 9 July.

Hundreds of officials and diplomats gathered in Juba at the grave of rebel leader John Garang for the first official announcement of the results.

'The prayer of a country'

The revered South Sudanese leader died in a plane crash just days after signing the January 2005 peace agreement ending more than 20 years of conflict between the black Christian-dominated south and the mainly Arab Muslim north.

"The prayer I say the people of Southern Sudan have been waiting for for 55 years, the prayer of a country," Episcopalian Archbishop Daniel Deng said as he opened the ceremony.

"Bless the name of this land, Southern Sudan," he said.

According to the commission website, 3,851,994 votes were cast during the week-long ballot.

Five of the 10 states in Sudan's oil-producing south showed a 99.9% vote for separation, the lowest vote was 95.5% in favour in the western state of Bahr al-Ghazal, bordering north Sudan, Reuters reports.

North and south Sudan have suffered decades of conflict driven by religious and ethnic divides.

Southern Sudan is one of the least developed areas in the world and many of its people have have long complained of mistreatment at the hands of the Khartoum government.

The BBC's James Copnall, in Khartoum, says independence for the South now seems inevitable.

Our correspondent adds that though the South Sudanese are celebrating that their dream of having their own country is a massive step closer there are still issues to resolved - including underdevelopment and inter-ethnic conflict.

Tough negotiations remain on how to divide up economic resources between north and south - which has the bulk of oil, he adds.

Re posted from BBC [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-africa-12317927)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 04:39 PM

Tea Party Gets Early Start on G.O.P. Targets for 2012

By KATE ZERNIKE
Published: January 29, 2011

Leaders of more than 70 Tea Party groups in Indiana gathered last weekend to sign a proclamation saying they would all support one candidate — as yet undetermined — in a primary challenge to Senator Richard G. Lugar, the Republican who has represented the state since 1977.

They are organizing early, they say, to prevent what happened last year, when several Tea Party candidates split the vote in Republican Senate primaries, allowing the most establishment of the candidates to win with less than 40 percent.

The meeting in Sharpsville was hardly the exception. Just three months after the midterm elections, Tea Party organizers are preparing to challenge some of the longest-serving Republican incumbents in 2012.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/politics/30teaparty.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 04:41 PM

U.S. Auto Sales May Reach Second-Fastest Rate in 17 Months
By Craig Trudell - Jan 31, 2011 12:01 AM ET

U.S. automobile sales in January may have reached the second-fastest pace in 17 months, aided by rising business spending and consumer confidence.

January vehicle deliveries, to be released tomorrow, may have run at a 12.4 million annual rate, the average of six analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The seasonally adjusted rate in December was 12.6 million, the fastest since the government’s “cash for clunkers” program in August 2009.

Spending on equipment and software rose at a 5.8 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, showing businesses were investing in a recovering economy. Humphrey & Associates Inc., a family-owned electrical contractor in the Dallas area, added seven Chevrolet trucks and vans to its fleet in December after delaying the purchases during the recession.

More [[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/u-s-auto-sales-may-reach-second-fastest-rate-in-17-months.html)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 04:42 PM

Consumer Spending in U.S. Rose More Than Estimated
By Shobhana Chandra - Jan 31, 2011 8:42 AM ET

Consumer spending in the U.S. rose more than forecast in December, capping its strongest quarter in more than four years.

Purchases, which account for about 70 percent of the economy, increased 0.7 percent after climbing 0.3 percent the prior month, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Incomes increased for a third month, and the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation advanced at the slowest pace on record.

Households are driving demand at companies from Coach Inc. to Ford Motor Co. and bolstering the recovery. The economy needs even faster growth to reduce unemployment, which is projected to average more than 9 percent this year, one reason Fed policy makers are pushing ahead with a second round of monetary stimulus worth $600 billion.

More [[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/consumer-spending-in-u-s-advances-more-than-estimated-as-incomes-increase.html)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 04:43 PM

Rallying Against The Koch Agenda, Van Jones Warns Of ‘Excessive Concentrations Of Economic Power’
By Brad Johnson at 9:55 am

This weekend, David and Charles Koch, the co-owners of the $100 billion Koch Industries pollution conglomerate, hosted their annual meeting in Palm Springs to coordinate strategy and raise funds for the conservative movement. For decades, the Kochs have quietly led a political agenda to concentrate America’s wealth and power among the richest few in the name of “liberty,” at the expense of the health and opportunity of the middle class.

At an event organized by Common Cause to “Uncloak the Kochs,” Center for American Progress senior fellow Van Jones described the threat that concentration of economic power poses to American liberty, democracy, and justice:

I hear a lot of talk now about liberty. There is a movement in our country that has grown up, the Tea Party movement, that has raised the question of liberty, and I say, “Thank goodness.” I’m glad that someone’s raised the question of liberty. There’s nothing more precious to an African American than liberty and justice for all. I’m glad to hear that somebody’s concerned about liberty.

Video [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_X8ZBFPopM&feature=player_embedded)

Full Article [[http://thinkprogress.org/)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 09:54 PM

Five Things You Need to Know about the Egyptian Armed Forces
Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011
by Steven Cook

There has been a lot of talk about the Egyptian military the last few days. In light of this commentary, I thought it would be a good idea to offer the top 5 things people should know about the armed forces:

1. The senior officers are the direct descendants of Gamal Abdel Nasser and the Free Officers who built the Egyptian regime. The military has been a primary beneficiary of this political order and have not had to intervene overtly intervene in politics until now because the system worked relatively well under a brother officer. The armed forces, especially the commanders, are deeply enmeshed in the Egyptian economy.

2. It is tremendous relief that the military has declared that it will not fire on protestors, but also not unexpected. The Egyptian military is not the Syrian armed forces, which was willing to kill many thousands to save Hafiz al Assad in 1982. The officers have long regarded keeping Egypt’s streets quiet the “dirty work” of the Interior Ministry. Yet the declaration about restraint also has to do with internal military dynamics. There is a split in the armed forces between the senior command on the one hand and junior officers and recruits on the other who would refuse to fire on protestors. This has long been the Achilles heel of the Egyptian military. They senior people never know whether those people below them will follow orders. As a result, rather than risking breaking the army, the military will not use lethal force to put down the protests.

Full Article [[http://blogs.cfr.org/cook/2011/01/31/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-egyptian-armed-forces/)

ms_m

01-31-2011, 10:22 PM

Al Jazeera English Is Finding an Audience
By BRIAN STELTER

Published: January 31, 201

White House officials have turned to Al Jazeera English among other television channels to monitor the mounting protests in Egypt. But most Americans lack the same ability to tune in to the broadcaster, which is based in Qatar, because cable and satellite companies in the United States have largely refused its requests to be carried.

With the network’s coverage of the crisis drawing praise, however, Al Jazeera executives said Monday that they planned to renew their lobbying to be carried on cable systems across the United States..
“I sincerely hope now is the turning point,” Al Anstey, the managing director of Al Jazeera English, said by telephone from Doha, Qatar. The channel has won some American fans in recent days because of its live stream on the Internet, which has garnered more than 1.6 million views in the United States.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/world/middleeast/01jazeera.html?hp)

Better late than never:)

Brian Williams To Anchor From Cairo
"NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams will be the first network evening news anchor to broadcast from Cairo.

The Huffington Post has learned that Williams is in the region and will anchor live from Cairo Monday evening. NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel has been the network's primary presence in Egypt as the protests have unfolded.
CBS News says it is working out details to send "Evening News" anchor Katie Couric to the region.*

ABC News says that "This Week" anchor Christiane Amanpour, who anchored live from Cairo Sunday and contributed to all of ABC's weekend newscasts, will continue to lead the network's coverage for all its broadcasts.
Other American news anchors in the region include CNN's Anderson Cooper and CNBC's Erin Burnett.

*Update: CBS News announced Monday afternoon that Couric would anchor the "CBS

Evening News" from Cairo beginning Tuesday evening.

Re-posted from Huffington Post [[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/brian-williams-to-anchor-_n_816416.html)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 03:32 AM

In Crowd’s Euphoria, No Clear Leadership Emerges
By ANTHONY SHADID
Published: January 31, 2011

CAIRO — In the tableau of revolution that Tahrir Square has become, the very passions that have inspired the protests here were countered Monday by a question that could determine whether President Hosni Mubarak relinquishes nearly 30 years in power: Who will speak for people who have never had a voice?

The defiance of Mr. Mubarak’s government only grew Monday, as the protests in the sprawling square swelled from hundreds before dawn to tens of thousands by dusk. Mothers hoisted children on their shoulders shouting the refrain of this revolt: “The people want the fall of the government!”

Calls went out for even bigger crowds on Tuesday, as organizers sought to gather momentum and the government reeled. But across the square, trepidation inflected the growing euphoria. Many protesters suggested that the coming days will test whether a popular uprising outpaces an inchoate opposition that has so far failed to keep up.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/world/middleeast/01square.html?hp)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 04:36 AM

Interesting dynamic or perfect storm in the making?

1. An ally whose people are protesting against social conditions and oppression but don't have a clear leader to replace the old leader

2. An ally with an entrenched religious/ political ideology and skiddish [[with powerful lobbyist in your country)

3.Both allies in the Middle East

Like James Bond, I like my Middle East intrigue lightly shaken, not stirred.

What does change in Egypt mean for Israel?

4:44 PM Mon, Jan 31, 2011
Tod Robberson / Editorial Writer

Israel always behaves according to Israel's interests. Israel doesn't do what's best for Lebanon or Jordan or Egypt. Israel does what's best for Israel. But when Egypt sinks into chaos and its longtime dictator heads toward the exit door, all of a sudden, Israel cares deeply about Egypt. If another not-so-friendly government takes power in Egypt, I think Israel's behavior could change dramatically.

Whoever takes control in Egypt, the next leader will have to be mindful of the extreme unpopularity Israel has on the streets. That is, Israel's West Bank settlements policy and near total isolation of Gaza are what's most unpopular. If a less compliant, more forceful government takes power in Egypt, Israel might start to rethink the wisdom of its own intransigence. That would be good for all -- especially if it causes the Palestinians to ease away from their unmovable position.

But ever since Israel withdrew from Gaza and walled itself off from the West Bank, it has behaved as if it could take or leave peace with the Palestinians. And Mubarak has only served to promote Israeli complacency by sending the constant message: Don't worry, no matter what you do, the worst response you'll get from Egypt is a wag of the finger and public statement of concern.

Full Article [[http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/what-does-chang.html)

Hezbollah Chooses Lebanon’s Next Prime Minister

By ANTHONY SHADID
Published: January 24, 201

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A prime minister chosen by Hezbollah and its allies won enough support on Monday to form Lebanon’s government, unleashing angry protests, realigning politics and culminating the generation-long ascent of the Shiite Muslim movement from shadowy militant group to the country’s pre-eminent political and military force.

Hezbollah’s success served as a stark measure of the shifting constellation of power in this part of the Middle East, where the influence of the United States and its Arab allies — Egypt and Saudi Arabia — is seen by politicians and diplomats as receding, while Iran and Syria have become more assertive.

American diplomats tried to forestall the triumph of Hezbollah’s candidate, Najib Miqati. Although the final votes will be cast Tuesday, Mr. Miqati won the decisive vote from a politician who said he had to deal “with the reality on the ground.”

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/world/middleeast/25lebanon.html)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 09:50 AM

Israel shocked by Obama's "betrayal" of Mubarak
By Douglas Hamilton

JERUSALEM | Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:54pm EST

[[Reuters) - If Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is toppled, Israel will lose one of its very few friends in a hostile neighborhood and President Barack Obama will bear a large share of the blame, Israeli pundits said on Monday.
Political commentators expressed shock at how the United States as well as its major European allies appeared to be ready to dump a staunch strategic ally of three decades, simply to conform to the current ideology of political correctness.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told ministers of the Jewish state to make no comment on the political cliffhanger in Cairo, to avoid inflaming an already explosive situation. But Israel's President Shimon Peres is not a minister.
"We always have had and still have great respect for President Mubarak," he said on Monday. He then switched to the past tense. "I don't say everything that he did was right, but he did one thing which all of us are thankful to him for: he kept the peace in the Middle East."

Full Article [[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/31/us-egypt-israel-usa-idUSTRE70U53720110131)

U.S. urges Egypt's Mubarak do more, sends envoy

By Steve Holland and Andrew Quinn
WASHINGTON | Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:18pm EST

[[Reuters) - The United States urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to do more than name a new government in response to mass protests and sent an envoy to Cairo to reinforce the message.
Former U.S. ambassador to Egypt Frank Wisner was on the ground in Cairo as U.S. officials sought to bring pressure on Mubarak without openly calling on him to step down.

Officials said the Egyptian government needs a path to a credible presidential election in September as part of an "orderly transition." Also needed are a lifting of emergency law and negotiations with a broad cross-section of Egyptians, including opposition groups, they said.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Wisner "has the opportunity to gain a perspective on what they're thinking and what their ideas are in terms of process that we've clearly called for."

Still walking a diplomatic tightrope, the White House insisted President Barack Obama was not calling on Mubarak to step down after a week of street protests against him and said it was up to the Egyptian people to decide their future.

More [[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/31/us-egypt-usa-idUSTRE70R6A920110131)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 09:52 AM

Jordan's king appoints new prime minister after protests

[[Reuters) - King Abdullah of Jordan, a close U.S. ally, Tuesday replaced his prime minister after protests over food prices and poor living conditions, naming a former premier with a military background to head the government.

A Jordanian official said the monarch officially accepted the resignation of Samir Rifai, a wealthy politician and former court adviser, and asked Marouf Bakhit to form a new cabinet.

Demonstrators inspired by mass protests in Tunisia and Egypt had called for Rifai's dismissal.

More [[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/01/us-jordan-idUSTRE7103G720110201)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 01:38 PM

February 1, 2011, 11:00 am
Democrats Pick Charlotte for 2012 Convention
By JEFF ZELENY

The Democratic Party announced Tuesday that Charlotte, N.C., will be the site of its 2012 national convention, with the city winning out over St. Louis, Minneapolis and Cleveland as the place to formally kick off President Obama’s re-election bid.

Mr. Obama, who plans to accept the Democratic nomination at the convention, signed off on the choice after party officials made recommendations from four finalist cities that have been locked in an intense competition for months. The convention is set to begin Sept. 3, 2012.

The selection of Charlotte underscores the belief of Mr. Obama and his advisers that they can compete – and win – in a Southern state. In the 2008 campaign, Mr. Obama won the primary election and went on to become the first Democratic candidate since Jimmy Carter to carry North Carolina in the general election by building a coalition of black voters and many of the state’s new residents who have been drawn to North Carolina because of banking and high-tech jobs.

More [[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/democrats-will-meet-in-charlotte-in-2012/?ref=politics)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 02:22 PM

Op-Ed Contributor

Allying Ourselves With the Next Egypt

By JOHN KERRY
Published: January 31, 2011
Washington

EVEN if the protests shaking Egypt subside in the coming days, the chaos of the last week has forever changed the relationship between the Egyptian people and their government. The anger and aspirations propelling a diverse range of citizens into the streets will not disappear without sweeping changes in the social compact between the people and the government — and these events also call for changes in the relationship between the United States and a stalwart Arab ally.

President Hosni Mubarak must accept that the stability of his country hinges on his willingness to step aside gracefully to make way for a new political structure. One of the toughest jobs that a leader under siege can perform is to engineer a peaceful transition. But Egyptians have made clear they will settle for nothing less than greater democracy and more economic opportunities.

Ushering in such a transformation offers President Mubarak — a great nationalist ever since his generation of young officers helped their country escape the last vestiges of British colonialism — the chance to end the violence and lawlessness, to begin improving the dire economic and social conditions in his country and to change his place in history.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/opinion/01kerry.html?_r=1&hp)

ms_m

02-01-2011, 03:52 PM

Obama Urges Mubarak Not to Run Again

By MARK LANDLER
Published: February 1, 2011

WASHINGTON — President Obama has told the embattled president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, that he should not run for another term in elections in the fall, effectively withdrawing American support for its closest Arab ally, according to American diplomats in Cairo and Washington.

Al Arabiya television, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mr. Mubarak would announce in a nationwide address Tuesday evening that he would not run for another term.

The message was conveyed to Mr. Mubarak by Frank G. Wisner, a seasoned former diplomat with deep ties to Egypt, these officials said. Mr. Wisner’s message, they said, was not a blunt demand for Mr. Mubarak to step aside now, but firm counsel that he should make way for a reform process that would culminate in free and fair elections in September to elect a new Egyptian leader.
More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/world/middleeast/02transition.html?hp)

Reports are saying Murbarak will be releasing a statement shortly. There isn’t any sign what he will say and or do but simply saying he will not run in Sept., will not satisfy the protesters. They want him to stand down ASAP!

ms_m

02-01-2011, 03:58 PM

Op-Ed
For Egypt's Mubarak, push has come to shove

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Obama administration has done a creditable job of gently edging Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak toward some sort of gilded exile. Now it's time to push. Hard.

Cherished ideals of democracy and cold exigencies of realpolitik both demand that U.S. officials do whatever is in their power - which, frankly, may not be much - to hasten Mubarak's departure. Help him fuel the presidential jet and load the gold bullion, if necessary. Send him a postcard from the French Riviera saying "Wish you were here."

The administration's gradually toughening rhetoric has been appropriate, for the most part. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's initial assessment that the autocratic Egyptian government was "stable" and Vice President Biden's refusal to call Mubarak a "dictator" were obviously wrong, yet it's easy to understand why they would have trouble believing that popular protests might actually bring down such a durable and ruthless regime.

More
[[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/31/AR2011013104490.html?hpid=opinionsbox1)

juicefree20

02-01-2011, 04:20 PM

Still Doing it Ms. M, huh?

These politicians should be paying you. I wish that I knew President Obama. You're doing a better job than most of the 'experts' in getting the messages out.

ms_m

02-01-2011, 04:31 PM

LOL

Thanks Juice but all I'm doing is reading, watching, listening, learning and posting. There are quite a few people on the net doing the same thing.

During the health care debate, Democratic net bloggers started to split into factions, one side was pro Obama the other side anti Obama. Those on the pro side finally were fed up and started sites that were dedicated to supporting the President and putting out news many don't get to see and or hear.

Right now I'm simply fascinated with what's going on in Egypt.

Thanks again for your kind words but I'm better with grass roots type support than working in a structured environment. I wouldn't last two days in the WH....LOL

ms_m

02-01-2011, 05:06 PM

Mubarak is speaking. So far nothing but rhetoric, lies and blaming the protest on radicals as oppose to taking responsibility for what's going on. He's saying he never wanted power and only wanted what was best for the Egyptian people.

Sounds as if he plans to stay until the end of his term and then walk away and let the people decide their new leader by elections.

Don't think that's going to fly but he's still speaking and no reaction from the protesters yet.

ms_m

02-01-2011, 05:12 PM

He said he will die on the soil of Egypt and be judged by history. [[sounded like Bush)

Translation: I don't plan to go anywhere.

ms_m

02-01-2011, 05:20 PM

The analysis seems to be, apparently Mubarak was trying to walk away with his respect intact. His [[non spoken framing) you can choose to let me have my respect or chaos.

The protesters basically said, eff you, leave, get out.

So much for respect.

Stay Tuned

ms_m

02-01-2011, 05:34 PM

My take, Mubarak wasn't simply talking to the Egyptian people but the EU, Israel and the US.

My paraphrasing: I've helped maintain stability here for 30 years, let me walk away on my terms and with my dignity, or you get chaos.

ms_m

02-01-2011, 06:27 PM

Pro Mubarak and Anti government protesters are clashing in Alexandria. The Army isn't intervening but they are shooting in the air to try and stop them. It's not working.

ms_m

02-01-2011, 08:50 PM

Obama: Egypt's Transition 'Must Begin Now'
He praises young demonstrators, along with the military

By John Johnson, Newser Staff
Posted Feb 1, 2011 6:29 PM CST

[[Newser) – President Obama said he spoke to Hosni Mubarak again today and told him that Egypt's transition to new leadership "must begin now." In his own speech, Obama didn't explicitly call for Mubarak to step down earlier than September, though the Washington Post quotes insiders as saying the administration wasn't thrilled with Mubarak's pledge to remain in power until the fall, even though he won't seek re-election. Protesters didn't like it, either.

"He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that change must take place," said Obama. He said he told Mubarak of "my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now." Obama also called for opposition figures to be involved in the process. He praised the nation's young demonstrators for providing "inspiration" to the world and lauded Egypt's military for its restraint.

Re-posted [[http://www.newser.com/story/111052/obama-egypts-transition-must-begin-now.html)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 12:01 PM

Clashes Erupt in Cairo Between Mubarak’s Allies and Foes

CAIRO — President Obama’s calls for a rapid transition to a new order in Egypt seemed eclipsed on Wednesday as a choreographed surge of thousands of people chanting support for the Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak fought running battles with a larger number of antigovernment protesters in and around Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

The mayhem and chaos — with riders on horses and camels thundering through the central square — offered a complete contrast to the scenes only 24 hours earlier when hundreds of thousands of antigovernment protesters turned it into a place of jubilant celebration, believing that they were close to overthrowing a leader who has survived longer than any other in modern Egypt.

Such was the nervousness across the Arab world, spreading from its traditional heart in Egypt, that the leader of Yemen offered on Wednesday to step down by 2013 — the latest in a series of autocratic leaders bending to the wave of anger engulfing the region.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/middleeast/03egypt.html?_r=1&hp)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 12:47 PM

Reports indicate the pro Mubarak protesters are two fold:

1. Regular citizens who want the anti protesters to stop so their lives can go back to normal [[banks, school, businesses are closed, food supplies are low and cost are spiraling out of control)

2. Thugs [[criminals) who are deliberately trying to cause chaos

The latter are allegedly backed by the Mubarak Regime although they are denying this

Unconfirmed reports say hundreds killed and injured

Anderson Cooper and his crew were injured and possibly other US reporters [[no serious injuries)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/1protest.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/protesters2.jpg

ms_m

02-02-2011, 01:33 PM

It’s being alleged that the increase of pro Mubarak started after rumors were spread that people would not receive any paychecks until the anti protesters leave.

Note: Anti protesters were peaceful for days and it wasn’t until the pro Mubarak demonstrators came on the scene that chaos began.

It’s also being reported that many of the pro Mubarak supporters rode into the crowd on horses and camels and are plain clothes police. [[ID’s have been confiscated that seem to prove this) The army has not intervened, although to be fair, both sides are Egyptians and the Army did say they would not harm Egyptians.

The army is asking the anti government protesters [[the peaceful guys) to leave.

My personal opinion, this [[chaos) has all been manipulated and orchestrated by the Mubarak regime.

To reiterate and paraphrase Mubarak speech from the other night:

I’m the one that has been responsible for the stability of Egypt for 30 years, without me chaos will ensue. “I will die on Egyptian soil”…. [[before I leave – my words)

UPDATE
It's now being reported that Mubarack has ordered the police to get involved and will shoot. Army is warning protesters to go inside and take cover.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 01:57 PM

Envoy for Obama tells Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step aside

Frank Wisner, an envoy sent to Cairo at President Obama's request, tells Hosni Mubarak that he should not be part of the 'transition' that the U.S. has called for. 'This message was plainly rebuffed,' says a source.

By Peter Nicholas and Christi Parsons, Tribune Washington Bureau

February 1, 2011, 12:12 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. envoy in Cairo told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that he needed to step aside and allow a new government to take shape without him but was rebuffed, according to Middle East experts who have discussed the matter with the Obama administration.

Frank Wisner, a former ambassador to Egypt who has good relations with the Mubarak regime, traveled to Cairo at President Obama's behest to talk to the Egyptian leader about the country's future.

Wisner delivered a direct message that Mubarak should not be part of the "transition" that the U.S. had called for, according to Middle East experts who spoke on condition of anonymity.

More [[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/sc-dc-0203-us-egypt-web-20110201,0,981825.story)

Update
Reports are saying, Egyptian State TV [[controlled by Mubarak) are now terrorizing the citizens by reporting hundreds of thugs are hitting the streets and heading towards Tahrir Square [[in Cairo) where the peaceful protesters are.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 02:17 PM

One reporter just made a great point. When the anti government protesters started preparing their peaceful protest the other day, they were all frisked before entering the square to make sure they didn't have any weapons. On the flip side, the sudden appearance of the pro Mubarak protesters are obviously armed and looking for violence.

The Anti protesters [[the peaceful guys) seem determined to maintain control of the square until Friday when they are planning a new major protest against Mubarak.

For now there is a stand still between the two groups. Who will end up controlling the square by Friday is up in the air.

Robert Gibbs is now speaking and saying the violence needs to stop and the Mubarak's transition needs to begin now!

ms_m

02-02-2011, 03:58 PM

Clashes Erupt in Cairo Between Mubarak’s Allies and Foes

By ANTHONY SHADID, DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and KAREEM FAHIM
Published: February 2, 2011

CAIRO — The Egyptian government struck back at its opponents on Wednesday, unleashing waves of pro-government provocateurs armed with clubs, stones, rocks and knives in and around Tahrir Square in a concerted effort to rout the protesters who have called for an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s near-30-year rule.

After first trying to respond peacefully, the protesters fought back with rocks and Molotov cocktails as battles broke out around the square. A makeshift medical clinic staffed by dozens of doctors tended to a steady stream of anti-government protesters, many bleeding from head wounds.

As the two sides exchanged volleys, the military restricted itself mostly to guarding the Egyptian Museum and using water cannons to extinguish flames stoked by the firebombs. And on Wednesday night, state media broadcast an order from the government for all protesters to leave the square.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/middleeast/03egypt.html?hp)

Note: If anyone is wondering about the Egyptian police versus the Egyptian Army
The people do not trust the police but they do trust the Army although, that trust may deteriorate. The controls to keep weapons out of the square during the peaceful march were conducted by the Army and civilians.

Ironically they did not perform those same strict security measures today when pro Mubarak crowd showed up.

The idea that Mubarak brings stability to the country is really being pushed hard now. Divide and conquer seems to be the theme and agenda.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 04:12 PM

I posted this up-thread, but wanted to reiterate the “position” of the Army.

Five Things You Need to Know about the Egyptian Armed Forces [[http://blogs.cfr.org/cook/2011/01/31/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-egyptian-armed-forces)

The new VP of Egypt, Omar Sulieman is making appeals to the anti government protesters to go home. Basically saying, if you go home then we can begin a dialogue.

Now that things are getting ugly it seems the internet service is coming back to Egypt.

You can hear gunfire although the Murbarak Regime is denying they are firing. Pretty hard for the pro democracy crowd to fire since they were frisked for weapons prior to their peaceful demonstration.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 04:58 PM

For months and months I have heard critics accuse the President of being Bush light. Then the situation in Egypt arise and critics are upset because the President tried his best not to get in the middle of the situation while still supporting the rights of the Egyptian people to protest for democracy.

Not getting in the middle is the exact opposite of what Bush would have done since he and Cheney would have invaded Egypt by now in order to “liberate” the people.

Now the President is getting more forceful in his language telling Mubarak, speed it up dude you need to start the transition now not later, but critics are saying, that’s not enough.

No matter how many times the US has screwed up in the past, at some point we have to change our ways. Why get mad now, when that’s exactly what this President is trying to do?

Egypt started this protest as a social protest not a political and ideological one. But so many want to step in and turn this political.

I have been really impressed reading and hearing many of the personal accounts from these Egyptian pro democratic protesters. Last night when I first saw signs of violence, you could see many of the pro democracy protesters trying to get things under control and quell the violence.

This morning many were saying they didn’t have any problem with the pro Mubarak protesters because, "that’s how democracy works” but they did have a problem with their violent behavior which is understandable.

I also heard one pro democratic protester push back on the idea that the US should get involved, she said, “I appreciate the sentiment but this is our fight, it’s up to us to handle this.” That’s adult behavior, that’s taking responsibility. The world could learn something from these young people.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 06:40 PM

Time for Mubarak to step down: John McCain
Joshua Lott/Reuters

John McCain has called for Mubarak to step down

WASHINGTON — Top U.S. Senator John McCain, shortly after talks with President Barack Obama, urged embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday to “step down and relinquish power.”

“Regrettably the time has come 4 Pres Mubarak 2 step down [[and) relinquish power,” McCain said in a post on the microblogging site Twitter roughly an hour after discussing the bloody political crisis in Egypt with Obama.

“It’s in the best interest of Egypt, its people [[and) its military,” said the lawmaker, Obama’s rival for the US presidency in 2008 and the top Republican on the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

Agence-France Presse

Read more [[http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/Time+Mubarak+step+down+John+McCain/4212828/story.html#ixzz1CqIE9TFf)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 07:44 PM

Posted at 5:50 PM ET, 02/ 2/2011

Senate defeats Republican-led health-care repeal effort

By Felicia Sonmez
Updated: 6:25 p.m.

The Senate on Wednesday night defeated a Republican-led effort aimed at repealing the entire national health care overhaul, with lawmakers voting strictly along party lines.

All 50 Senate Democrats present and one independent voted to nix the repeal measure, while all 47 Republicans voted in favor of proceeding. Sens. Joe Lieberman [[I-Conn.) and Mark Warner [[D-Va.) were not present. The measure was offered on Tuesday by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [[R-Ky.).
Republicans would have needed the support of 13 Democrats due to a Democratic-led procedural move setting up a 60-vote hurdle for the measure to move forward.

Democrats' unanimous opposition to the repeal measure came even as several vulnerable lawmakers up for re-election in 2012, including Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin [[W.Va.), Claire McCaskill [[Mo.), Jon Tester [[Mont.) and Ben Nelson [[Neb.), had come under pressure to support repeal.

Full Article [[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/02/senate-debates-health-care-rep.html?hpid=topnews)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 08:00 PM

It looks as if the pro Mubarak supporters are about to start an all out war against the pro democracy supporters. They are erecting barricades around Tahrir Square and shooting out the street lights. If they rush the pro democracy supporters, these people will be trapped with nowhere to go.

Reports are saying many of these Mubarak supporters are being recognized as members of the police.

Update:
Both sides now seem to have barricades up and some type of fire bombs are being thrown from the pro Mubarak side.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 08:41 PM

How the White House Approached Egyptian Turmoil

Marc Ambinder - Marc Ambinder is the White House correspondent for National Journal and a contributing editor at The Atlantic.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The reality by late last week, as Obama and his advisers came to conclude, was that Egypt 2.0 would be a reforming Egypt as well. The sooner Mubarak understood this, the better. And of course, given that the protesters focused so cleanly on Mubarak as the source of their discontent, he would have to go. But Obama insisted that his team not call for regime change. For one thing, though protesters might suddenly experience a flood of positive feeling toward the United States, given the general level of anti-U.S. hostility inside the country, at least as assessed by intelligence reports, any government seen as being endorsed by the U.S. would risk legitimacy in the long-run.

"We recognize that the bar on the street is set at a place we could never possibly reach," the administration official said. "They want the U.S. to declare Mubarak needs to leave now. We're not in the business of regime change."
"As the president said in Cairo, Bush's freedom agenda has turned into a proxy for regime change, like getting rid of some leaders and replacing them with leaders more friendly to the U.S.," the official said. "The president believes that for these reforms to be real and lasting, these reforms need to be indigenous and lasting and pushed by the people."

Full Article [[http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/how-the-white-house-approached-egyptian-turmoil/70646/#)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 08:47 PM

The Egyptian Revolution Is Not About Us

…Since nobody knows what comes next in Egypt, I find the
confidence with which many recommendations are now being made very hard
to take.

Feb 2 2011, 9:24 AM ET By Clive Crook

The uprising in Egypt has produced the greatest torrent of wisdom of
hindsight since, oh, since the Great Recession. Yes, it's as long ago as
that since we saw so much delayed predictive power.

America should have forced Mubarak out sooner seems, all of a sudden,
to be the prevailing view. I cannot say it was obvious at the time.
Maintaining the sullen peace between Egypt and Israel was worth
something to the West and to the region, wasn't it? But the regime was
sure to come apart at some stage, it is [[now) argued. Better to get in
front of the curve.

When you make this kind of argument for far-sightedness in economic
affairs--on deficit reduction, for instance--you can expect to be told
that "in the long run, we are all dead". That argument is wrong, of
course: in the long run, we are not all dead. But the consequences of
failing to curb public borrowing are far easier to predict than the
consequences of pushing Mubarak out earlier would have been--supposing
that the US could even have done it. Stability and peace [[however
uneasy) are not to be given up lightly, especially when what replaces
them is so uncertain. Getting in front of the curve on Iraq did not work
out all that well. Obviously, we should have known that all along...

Full Article [[http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/the-egyptian-revolution-is-not-about-us/70642/)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 09:05 PM

Arab World Faces Its Uncertain Future

By ANTHONY SHADID
Published: February 2, 2011

Dignity was a word often used Wednesday, and its emphasis underlined the breadth of a movement that is, so far, leaderless. Neither the Brotherhood nor a handful of opposition leaders — men like Mohammed ElBaradei or Ayman Nour — have managed to articulate hopelessness, the humiliations of the police and the outrage at having too little money to get married, echoed in the streets of Palestinian camps in Jordan and in the urban misery of Baghdad’s Sadr City. For many, the Brotherhood itself is a vestige of an older order that has failed to deliver.

CAIRO — The future of the Arab world, perched between revolt and the contempt of a crumbling order, was fought in the streets of downtown Cairo on Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of protesters who have reimagined the very notion of citizenship in a tumultuous week of defiance proclaimed with sticks, Molotov cocktails and a shower of rocks that they would not surrender their revolution to the full brunt of an authoritarian government that answered their calls for change with violence.

The Arab world watched a moment that suggested it would never be the same again — and waited to see whether protest or crackdown would win the day. Words like uprising and revolution only hint at the scale of events in Egypt, which have already reverberated across Yemen, Jordan, Syria and even Saudi Arabia, offering a new template for change in a region that long reeled from its own sense of stagnation.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/middleeast/03arab.html?hp)

ms_m

02-02-2011, 09:26 PM

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/ChristiansandMuslims.jpg
Christians protecting Muslims during prayers

http://twitter.com/NevineZaki/status/32962119850790912

I'll say this again, the world could learn a lot from these young people.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 09:43 PM

Twitter Feed

Human Rights Defender| Online Media| Digital Activism| Digital Security| Editor of Egyptian Blog for Human Rights
http://twitter.com/...

Ramy Raoof
NDP thugs are turning around to enter Tahrir Square to attack us. We are trying to spread to block the 7 streets leading to here. #Jan25
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Ramy Raoof
just to clarify- what you saw on fire in the live stream video is a big tree. Its not a car, building or the museum. A tree. #Egypt #Jan25
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Ramy Raoof
we are gaining control again over Tahrir Square and expanding, and defending our demo from their attacks. #jan25 #egypt
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Ramy Raoof
so now the pro-mubarak group are on a bridge above us and throwing stones and molotof... #jan25 #egypt
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Ramy Raoof
ramyraoof is broadcasting LIVE at http://bambuser.com/...
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Ramy Raoof
many people are here in Tahrir Square, very hopeful, strong and united. More and more ppl are supposed to join us thursday & friday. #Jan25

A pundit just made an in interesting point on McCain's statement.

By having a "respected" Republican as well as a major Republican critic of the President's say Mubarak needs to step down, it gives the Obama Administration political cover with Israel, by showing a united American front.

If this is true, I'll give McCain props on this call.

ms_m

02-02-2011, 10:46 PM

I haven't been watching BBC but it's being said they are reporting the Muslim Brotherhood is behind the pro democracy protesters. THIS IS NOT TRUE! I've been following this for days and this is a diverse group of people from all walks of life.

The pro democracy supporters are saying they must stay. They are saying how can they trust the Mubarak Regime in anything they say. This regime has oppressed them for 30 years and now sending thugs and police to intimidate and or kill them.

One protester is saying the gunshots seem to be aimed at their legs and feet although there is a report someone was just killed.

The democracy protesters are saying they are willing to die in the square if necessary. Their only weapons are rocks, glass, sticks etc., the pro Mubarak side have guns.

ms_m

02-03-2011, 12:15 AM

Can't confirm but this was just reported

Obama administration officials are carrying the message that the military is being told they can either side with Mubarak or side with Egypt's future. Earlier King reported that the cut off of military aid is being used to pressure the military. Also he reported that Clinton and Gates are making calls.

It doesn't sound like anyone in the administration is even bothering to talk to Mubarak at this point

ms_m

02-03-2011, 12:19 AM

BTW...it's a waste to talk to Mubarak at this point. The only thing that can stop this now is for the Egyptian Army to intervene on behalf of the pro democracy protesters...women, children and unarmed civilians!

ms_m

02-03-2011, 01:07 AM

Al Jazeera/English is reporting that NYT reports Mubarak is behind the violence on the protesters. Al Jazeera points out that they are showing restraint in reporting this because they're not sure.

They say it's clear that pro-Mubarak supporters have been assaulting protesters but they can't confirm Mubarak is behind it. AJE correspondent seems to think they're acting on their own. They seem to not be pro-Mubarak as much as they are anti-protester and anti-Al Jazeera.

It’s being reported George Bush Sr. called Mubarak asking him to step down. [[per Andrea Mitchell/MSNBC)

It’s been said Bush Sr. is probably the most connected of any of the former Presidents when it comes to relations...you don't run the CIA for years without making connections. As much as Presidents/former Presidents may disagree politically on internal matters, former presidents are always willing to help out with international matters for the good of the country.

ms_m

02-03-2011, 01:09 AM

Mubarak’s Basij

Posted on 02/02/2011 by Juan Cole

On Wednesday, the Mubarak regime showed its fangs, mounting a massive and violent repressive attack on the peaceful crowds in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo. People worrying about Egypt becoming like Iran [[scroll down) should worry about Egypt already being way too much like Iran as it is. That is, Hillary Clinton and others expressed anxiety in public about increasing militarization of the Iranian regime and use of military and paramilitaries to repress popular protests. But Egypt is far more militarized and now is using exactly the same tactics.

The outlines of Hosni Mubarak’s efforts to maintain regime stability and continuity have now become clear. In response to the mass demonstrations of the past week, he has done the following:

1. Late last week, he first tried to use the uniformed police and secret police to repress the crowds, killing perhaps 200-300 and wounding hundreds.

2. This effort failed to quell the protests, and the police were then withdrawn altogether, leaving the country defenseless before gangs of burglars and other criminal elements [[some of which may have been composed of secret police or paid informers). The public dealt with this threat of lawlessness by organizing self-defense neighborhood patrols, and continued to refuse to stop demonstrating.

Full Article [[http://www.juancole.com/)

Why Egypt 2011 is not Iran 1979
Posted on 02/02/2011 by Juan Cole

Alarms have been raised by those observing the popular uprising in Egypt that, while it is not itself a Muslim fundamentalist movement, the Muslim fundamentalists could take it over as it unfolds. The best-positioned group to do so is the Muslim Brotherhood. Some are even conflating the peaceful Brotherhood with radical groups such as al-Qaeda. I showed in my recent book, Engaging the Muslim World, that the Muslim Brotherhood has since the 1970s opposed the radical movements. In any case, the analogy many of these alarmists are making, explicitly or implicitly, is to Iran in 1978-79, which saw similar scenes of massive crowds in the street, demanding the departure of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, their king.

Misagh Parsa argued that the revolution of 1978-79 was made by several different social groups, each for its own reasons. The revolution was fought against the monarchy, which presided over an oil-exporting economy that had gone into overdrive because of the big fourfold run-up of prices in the 1970s. Many felt that they were not sharing in that prosperity, or were inconvenienced by the Shah’s authoritarian government.

More [[http://www.juancole.com/)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 02:29 AM

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution
inevitable.” - JFK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj87fYm26s4&feature=player_embedded

ms_m

02-03-2011, 03:29 AM

Khaleed Saeed was a 28 year old young man who was killed by the Egyptian police. The police tried to cover up his death by saying he died from suffocation after swallowing drugs. When the anonymous blogger below created a Facebook account to highlight this death, he posted a picture of Saeed’s body. His face and head were smashed in. It attracted the attention of people from all over the world, including Human Rights Groups. Suddenly, two Egyptian policemen were arrested and put on trial for Khaleed Saeed’s murder.

This event, the events in Tunisia and living under oppressive rule for 30 years, are the roots of what is happening in Egypt today.

The article below was written months ago but it will help people understand how things escalated to this point and why the young in Egypt decided, they have had enough.

The young people of Egypt [[and many older ones as well) don’t care about another person’s religion or political ideology. They want to be treated with respect. They want the freedom to speak freely, to make a decent wage and live a decent life. They want democracy in a secular society.

There is a lot of evil in this world and a lot of evil people from all diverse backgrounds, but as hard as it is, for many Americans to believe, not everything in the Middle East is about Isarelies, Arabs, oil, terrorism and religious extremist.

We are all Khaled Saeed: Redefining political demonstration in Egypt

Noha El-Hennawy
Wed, 04/08/2010 - 12:53

“Khaled Saeed” is the username of the email address he uses to connect with his angry followers. He won’t be pushed to reveal his name or even minor details about his identity. He can only be heard through G-talk, as he believes his IP address, and potentially his location, can be traced using Skype. The death threats he says he receives make him nervous about any carelessness that could expose his identity.

When asked to identify himself, he simply says: “I am a young Egyptian man who is not satisfied with the conditions of our country.”

With a high level of invisibility, this young man has succeeded in creating and maintaining “We are all Khaled Saeed,” a Facebook page which serves as a platform for his peers to express their outrage over the death of Khaled Saeed, to organize, and to share ideas about the most unconventional tactics of political resistance.

Full Article [[http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/we-are-all-khaled-saeed-redefining-political-demonstration-egypt)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 05:07 AM

It's now being rumored that dialogue has started between the members of the opposition parties [[democracy protesters) and Omar Suleiman [[Mubaraks' VP) No word which opposition party or their names. None of this has been confirmed.

ms_m

02-03-2011, 06:52 AM

U.S. reexamining its relationship with Muslim Brotherhood opposition group

By Craig Whitlock
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 3, 2011

As it braces for the likelihood of a new ruler in Egypt, the U.S. government is rapidly reassessing its tenuous relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood, an opposition movement whose fundamentalist ideology has long been a source of distrust in Washington.

Although the group has played a secondary role in the swelling protests that are threatening to topple President Hosni Mubarak, U.S. officials have acknowledged the political reality that the Muslim Brotherhood is poised to assume at least a share of power should Egypt hold free and fair elections in the coming months.

On Monday, in what analysts said was a clear reference to the Brotherhood, the White House said a new government in Egypt should "include a whole host of important non-secular actors."

Full Article [[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/02/AR2011020206550.html)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 07:34 AM

Early Maneuvering on Possible Shutdown

By CARL HULSE
Published: February 2, 2011

WASHINGTON — Democrats do not intend to shut up when it comes to a potential government shutdown.
Well aware that a 1995 budget impasse during the early days of Republican control of the House backfired on the new majority, Democrats are moving pre-emptively this time to frame the battle on their terms.

There are two reasons: They say that focusing early on the issue could deter Republicans from pushing ahead with demands for spending cuts that Democrats say are unacceptable. At the same time, they are making the case that voters should hold Republicans accountable if things do go off the rails in the coming months.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/us/politics/03debt.html?ref=politics)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 07:38 AM

Egypt unrest: PM apologizes for Tahrir Square violence

Egypt's prime minister has apologized for the fighting between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which killed five people and wounded several hundred.

Ahmed Shafiq pledged to investigate the violence, calling it a "fatal error".

"This is a fatal error," Mr Shafiq told the privately-owned al-Hayat television. "When investigations reveal who is behind this crime and who allowed it to happen, I promise they will be held accountable and will be punished for what they did."

"There is no excuse whatsoever to attack peaceful protesters, and that is why I am apologizing," he said, urging the protesters "to go home to help end this crisis".

Mr Mubarak has said that he will serve out his current presidential term, which ends in September, but will not run for re-election.

Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood have rejected government calls for negotiations, saying Mr Mubarak must leave office first.

Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain issued a joint statement condemning the violence and calling for a political transition that "must start now".

Full Article [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-middle-east-12351831)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 12:24 PM

Protesters Clash Again on Cairo’s Streets

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and ALAN COWELL
Published: February 3, 2011

CAIRO — The Egyptian government broadened its crackdown on Thursday to the international media and human rights workers, in an apparent effort to remove witnesses to the battle with anti-government protesters.

Armed supporters of President Hosni Mubarak attacked foreign journalists, punching them and smashing their equipment. Men who protesters said were plainclothes police officers shut down news media outlets that had been operating in buildings overlooking Tahrir Square.

An informal center set up by human rights workers in the square was seized, and a group of journalists was stopped in their car near the square by a gang of men with knives and briefly turned over to the military police, ostensibly for their protection. Two reporters working for The New York Times were released on Thursday after being detained overnight in Cairo.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/world/middleeast/04egypt.html?_r=1&hp)

Reporters in Egypt Under Broad Assault
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and J. DAVID GOODMAN

Published: February 3, 2011

CAIRO — Many journalists covering the protests in Egypt were detained or attacked on Thursday, and representatives of human rights groups were also a target.

Egyptian security police raided the Hisham Mubarak Law Center, where many nongovernmental organizations operate, according to witnesses in Cairo. The police ordered people at the center to lie on the floor and disabled their mobile phones, the witnesses said. Two people were being interrogated.

The Egyptian state news agency asked foreign reporters and crews to move out of all the hotels near Tahrir Square in Cairo, the focal point of antigovernment protests, on Thursday.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/world/middleeast/04journalists.html?ref=middleeast)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 01:12 PM

Should have known he would find a way to back pedal….

McCain Calls Middle East Pro-Democracy Movement A ‘Virus’

Sen. John McCain [[R-AZ) has grudgingly supported the anti-government movement in Egypt and called on President Hosni Mubarak to step down yesterday. But appearing on Fox News host Greta Van Susteren’s show last night, McCain suggested he has serious reservations about the larger pro-democracy movement sweeping the Arab World from Tunisia to Jordon. McCain called the populist movement a “virus” that threatens Israel, and warned that we are in “probably the most dangerous period of history” of American involvement in the Middle East:

VAN SUSTEREN: But Israel must be completely on edge because this is one of the two Arab countries that recognize them.

MCCAIN: Yes. And the other Arab country, Jordan, is — the president has just had to replace the whole government. He wouldn’t be — excuse me, the king, King Abdullah, has had to replace the whole government. This virus is spreading throughout the Middle East. The president of Yemen, as you know, just made the announcement that he wasn’t running again.

This, I would argue, is probably the most dangerous period of history in — of our entire involvement in the Middle East, at least in modern times. Israel is in danger of being surrounded by countries that are against the very existence of Israel, are governed by radical organization

Full Article [[http://thinkprogress.org/)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 02:47 PM

Op-Ed Contributor

Egypt’s Bumbling Brotherhood

By SCOTT ATRAN
Published: February 2, 2011

AS Egyptians clash over the future of their government, Americans and Europeans have repeatedly expressed fears of the Muslim Brotherhood. “You don’t just have a government and a movement for democracy,” Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, said of Egypt on Monday. “You also have others, notably the Muslim Brotherhood, who would take this in a different direction.”

The previous day, the House speaker, John Boehner, expressed hope that Hosni Mubarak would stay on as president of Egypt while instituting reforms to prevent the Muslim Brotherhood and other extremists from grabbing power.

But here’s the real deal, at least as many Egyptians see it. Ever since its founding in 1928 as a rival to Western-inspired nationalist movements that had failed to free Egypt from foreign powers, the Muslim Brotherhood has tried to revive Islamic power. Yet in 83 years it has botched every opportunity. In Egypt today, the Brotherhood counts perhaps some 100,000 adherents out of a population of over 80 million. And its failure to support the initial uprising in Cairo on Jan. 25 has made it marginal to the spirit of revolt now spreading through the Arab world.

Full Article Here [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/opinion/03atran.html?_r=1&ref=opinion)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 02:55 PM

Opposition Groups would be any group opposed to the NDP [[Mubarak’s Regime)

Meet Egypt's Power Brokers
— By Jaeah Lee

| Thu Feb. 3, 2011 4:00 AM PST

Protesters rage on in Egypt, but who's negotiating its political future behind the scenes? On Sunday, Egypt's political opposition groups formed a 10-person Negotiation Steering Committee that is strategizing to pressure President Hosni Mubarak's regime to step down. Since the protests broke out a week ago, opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei has stated he has the political backing necessary to form a "unity government" and that the committee is capable of "running a smooth transitional period." But there is disagreement over ElBaradei’s leadership among the committee, which represents a wide range of political interests and ideologies. Here's a run-down of the committee members:

1. Mohamed ElBaradei: ElBaradei, the most internationally prominent figure in the Egyptian opposition movement, heads the National Association for Change [[NAC), a broad opposition coalition [[which includes the Muslim Brotherhood) that emphasizes democratic constitutional reforms. When he was heading the International Atomic Energy Agency, ElBaradei won the Nobel Peace Prize [[2005) for his efforts to curb nuclear proliferation. In the 2011 protests ElBaradei, a secular liberal, has emerged as the widely supported choice for Egypt's next president. But his support isn't unanimous: his time abroad has earned him criticisms that he lacks an understanding of Egypt's daily political life.

2. Ayman Nour: As chair of the Ghad [["Tomorrow") Party, Nour leads the liberal-secular faction in Egypt. Nour, a politician and lawyer, has used his platform to call for constitutional reform, limiting presidential powers, and opening up the presidential elections to multiple candidates. He garnered international attention in 2005 when the Mubarak regime sentenced him to prison on charges that he forged documents when setting up the party. His absence left a power vacuum and a subsequent series of internal struggles plagued the party. Nour, released from prison in January 2009 on health grounds, was re-elected as chair last August.

More [[http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/02/meet-egypts-power-brokers)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 04:05 PM

The Mubarak Regime is now barring foreign journalist and cameras from Tehrir Square making it almost impossible to get any live visuals of what is going on, with the exception of a few grainy satellite shots.

Many foreign journalist have been beaten and or detained. An Al Jazeera repoter is missing and four have been arrested.

ms_m

02-03-2011, 05:37 PM

Dean Rejects Gingrich’s ‘Radical Islam’ Fearmongering: ‘Radical Anything Is What’s Bad’

By Faiz Shakir on Feb 2nd, 2011 at 12:45 pm

Later this month, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King [[R-NY), who has referred to American Muslims as the “enemy living amongst us,” will hold hearings to investigate the influence of radical Islam on America. King has said that he is focused on the U.S. Muslim community because “that’s where the radicalizing threat is coming from.”
Yesterday, a coalition of civil rights and faith groups sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner [[R-OH), advocating that King should broaden the scope of his hearings beyond targeting the Muslim community and examine “violence motivated by extremist beliefs, in all its forms.” The ranking member on King’s Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson [[D-MS), endorsed the spirit of that request.

In his own letter to King, Thompson cited data from the Department of Homeland Security noting that neo-Nazi groups pose as much – or greater – threat than do Islamic extremists. “I believe that this Committee’s exploration of the current and emerging threat environment should be a broad-based examination of domestic extremist groups,” Thompson wrote, “regardless of their respective ideological underpinnings.” King quickly brushed off the request to broaden the scope of the hearings. “I don’t believe it warrants an answer,” King said of the letters. “I am too busy preparing for the hearings.”

Read More [[http://thinkprogress.org)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 05:40 PM

Republican Hopefuls Are Saying Little About Egypt

By JEFF ZELENY
Published: February 3, 2011

WASHINGTON — A parade of prospective Republican presidential candidates have been visiting the Middle East in recent months, making pilgrimages that are the first steps in a methodical process of building credibility in foreign policy.

But as the diplomatic crisis in Egypt has intensified this week, elevating foreign affairs above domestic political skirmishes, the potential Republican candidates and the party’s leaders in Congress have, with only a few exceptions, had little to say.

As a result, President Obama has had the moment practically all to himself — for better or worse — as he gingerly proceeds without a sustained counterargument on a matter that could reshape United States foreign policy for years. The lack of debate underscores the relative absence of muscular Republican voices on foreign affairs in general — a sharp contrast to way things were four years ago, when President George W. Bush’s Iraq policy was a flashpoint between the two parties at this point in the election cycle.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/us/politics/04republicans.html?ref=us)

Hague confronts Egypt over street violence

Thursday, 03, Feb 2011 06:05
By Ian Dunt

William Hague has issued a thinly-veiled threat to the Egyptian regime over the violence taking place on the streets of Cairo.

The capital has been the scene of extraordinary violence today, between anti-government protestors and groups of thugs patrolling the city.

Thirteen people are understood to have died in the running battles.

More
[[http://www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/foreign-journalists-attacked-as-violence-erupts-in-egypt-$21387027.htm)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 05:47 PM

Gangs Hunt Journalists and Rights Workers

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and J. DAVID GOODMAN
Published: February 3, 2011

CAIRO — Security forces and gangs chanting in favor of the Egyptian government hunted down journalists at their offices and in the hotels where many had taken refuge on Thursday in a widespread and overt campaign of intimidation aimed at suppressing reports from the capital.

By evening, it appeared that none of the major broadcasters were able to provide live footage of Tahrir Square, the epicenter of antigovernment protests. Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya television networks said their journalists had been hounded from the street and from the vantage points above the square where cameras had been placed, and both CNN and BBC appeared to be relying only on taped footage of the square. Jon Williams of the BBC said via Twitter that Egyptian security had seized the news agency’s equipment from the Cairo Hilton “in an attempt to stop us broadcasting.”

The Egyptian state news agency had earlier asked foreign reporters and crews to move out of all the hotels near the square.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/world/middleeast/04journalists.html?hp)

ms_m

02-03-2011, 05:51 PM

The man is delusional...

Mubarak: I Want To Quit But If I Do, Egypt Will Sink Into Chaos
Rachel Slajda | February 3, 2011, 3:33PM

In his first interview since violence broke out in Cairo yesterday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says that he wants to step down immediately, but cannot because he's afraid Egypt would sink into chaos.

Mubarak gave a brief interview to ABC News' Christiane Amanpour in the presidential palace today.

From Amanpour:

He said he's fed up with being president and would like to leave office now, but cannot, he says, for fear that the country would sink into chaos.

"I was very unhappy about yesterday. I do not want to see Egyptians fighting each other," he said of the violence, which, by most accounts, was provoked by Mubarak supporters that may have included plainclothes police officers, government employees and people paid to attend the rallies.

More [[http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/mubarak_i_want_to_quit_but_if_i_do_egypt_will_sink .php?ref=fpb)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 01:14 AM

7am. Friday, [[in Egypt)
The Day of Departure.....This is what the pro democracy protesters are calling today.

Things are relatively quiet for now but the clamped down on journalist, no live news coverage, coupled with the Army now wearing riot gear isn't a good sign of possible things to come.

ms_m

02-04-2011, 01:26 AM

The best real time news coming through at the moment seems to be from blog feeds and Twitter:

7:03am: Our producer says there appears to be a security build-up at Tahrir Square, with troops in riot gear standing next to tanks at the outskirts of the square

BloggerSeif Ali Seif
@SarahKaram1 on phone with a Tunisian friend here with us, people stopping cars in his part of Cairo looking for specific people #Jan25

BloggerSeif Ali Seif
@MoAm84 they are after specific bloggers?

MoAm84 Amira Charkaoui
@BloggerSeif @SarahKaram1 told u..they are on bloggers..u guys get info out you're the big leak...we know they are on you guys..

MoAm84 Amira Charkaoui
@BloggerSeif yes most active on site! be carefull plzzz..u know wht I mean bro!

BloggerSeif Ali Seif
@MoAm84 can you keep us posted on this topic please whenever you can? Do you suggest us two leave the apartment? #Jan25

MoAm84 Amira Charkaoui
@BloggerSeif change location if possible yes..will keep u posted ..be carefull plzzz...they follow u from here do not give any info on loc.

ms_m

02-04-2011, 01:37 AM

None of the networks here or abroad are able to get any live feeds through so far. A few are reporting but can't get close to the Square for fear of being beaten or jailed.

This blogger has been sending reliable real time Tweets over the last week. [[He's in Tahrir Square with the protesters)

Democracy Now!’s Sharif Kouddous on the Ground in Cairo, Egypt [[http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2011/1/29/sharif_kouddous_reporting_live_from_cairo_egypt)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 02:42 AM

If you're trying to get through to the link above, it may be timing out. Democracy Now is getting a lot of hits.

On another note, this young man is placing himself in a lot of danger. The Egyptian authorities are doing everything possible to create a media blackout of today's protest. Journalist and bloggers are being targeted aggressively.

As long as he stays inside Tahrir Square, he should be ok. Hopefully

ms_m

02-04-2011, 02:47 AM

Egypt imposes media blackout

Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's regime is stepping up its crackdown on media as government's efforts to crack down on protesters have failed.

Pro-Mubarak vigilantes have stepped up their attack on journalists amid fresh protests in Cairo's Tahrir square.

Mubarak's vigilantes have stormed hotels in Cairo hunting for foreign journalists.

Campaign of intimidation

The move is seen as a concerted campaign to intimidate international journalists and impose a news blackout on Egypt's massive anti-government protests.

Medics say several journalists and foreign nationals are among the dead and wounded.

A Press TV correspondent says the vigilantes broke into the journalists' center in the capital Cairo earlier Thursday.

Foreign correspondents, photographers and cameramen reporting on the violence have also said that Mubarak's vigilantes have attacked them.

Full Story [[http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163442.html)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 02:52 AM

Egypt update: Swedish journalist Bert Sundström stabbed in Cairo [[videos) [[http://www.examiner.com/us-headlines-in-national/egypt-update-swedish-journalist-bert-sundstr-m-stabbed-cairo-videos?cid=parsely#parsely)

Also read, Anderson Cooper seems to be determined to go on air tonight but whether he can go on air live is another story.

ms_m

02-04-2011, 03:13 AM

No more free passes for Egypt and other Arab autocracies

By Eugene Robinson
Friday, February 4, 2011

Bargains with the devil never end well. For decades, successive U.S. administrations have embraced autocratic, repressive regimes in the Arab world - and now, as we see in the bloody streets of Cairo, it's time to pay the price.

Officials in Washington could do little more than watch helplessly Wednesday as goon squads loyal to dictator Hosni Mubarak made a violent attempt to drive pro-democracy protesters out of Tahrir Square. Before learning of the deadly raid, White House chief of staff Bill Daley gave this honest assessment: "We don't control this. And even though we like to think at times that we can control everything in the world . . . it truly is not up to us."

Not at this point, obviously. President Obama's call for Mubarak to begin a transition "now" has drawn haughty defiance from the dictator and his courtiers. "Now" apparently means "in September, maybe" - Mubarak says that he will not run for president this fall and that he did not intend for his son to succeed him, although few believe a man so accustomed to ruling like a pharaoh could preside over a genuine democratic transformation.

More [[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/03/AR2011020305171.html)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 03:45 AM

Gimme Shelter

Why is Hosni Mubarak clinging to power? Maybe because the life of an exiled dictator isn't what it used to be.
BY SCOTT HORTON | FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Time was when a dictator like Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, watching his hold on power crumbling in the face of an uprising, had plenty of retirement options. Odds were he could find a quiet life in one of Europe's posher watering holes: Mougins in the hills above Cannes, on the shores of Lake Geneva, or maybe a smart Belgravia townhouse. He generally had plenty of cash parked outside the country and often would take a last dip in the treasury on the way out the door. To be sure, he had to keep his wits about him to avoid anarchists and assassins, and he had to avoid too much obvious meddling in his homeland's politics lest this jeopardize his host's grant of asylum. But he could usually look forward to a peaceful and comfortable run for his waning days.

So why is Mubarak trying to squeeze a few more months out of his three-decade career in office and avowing his intentions to stay in Egypt rather than packing for the Riviera? It may be because exile isn't what it used to be; over the last 30 years, things have gotten increasingly difficult for dictators in flight. Successor regimes launch criminal probes; major efforts are mounted to identify assets that may have been stripped or looted by the autocrat, or more commonly, members of his immediate family. I witnessed this process myself, twice being asked by newly installed governments in Central Eurasia to advise them on asset recovery measures focusing on the deposed former leader and his family.

More menacingly, human rights lawyers and international prosecutors may take a close look at the tools the deposed dictator used to stay in power: Did he torture? Did he authorize the shooting of adversaries? Did he cause his enemies to "disappear"? Was there a mass crackdown that resulted in dozens or hundreds of deaths? A trip to The Hague or another tribunal might be in his future. Slobodan Milosevic, who died while on trial there, and Charles Taylor, whose prosecution there is expected to wind up later this month, furnish examples that any decamping dictator would need to keep in mind.

Full Article [[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/02/gimme_shelter)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 04:10 AM

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/untitled.jpg

Live Streams are finally coming in.
50K reported in the Tahrir Square and more flooding in although the Army seems to be turing many people away.

ms_m

02-04-2011, 09:37 AM

Where Were the Tunisian Islamists?

By OLIVIER ROY | GLOBAL VIEWPOINT/TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Published: January 21, 2011

FLORENCE — The novel characteristic of the first peaceful popular revolution to topple a dictatorship in the Arab world is that there is nothing Islamic about it.

The young Tunisian street peddler who triggered the revolt by publicly burning himself reminds us of the Vietnamese Buddhist monks in 1963 or of Jan Palach in Czechoslovakia in 1969 — an act of precisely the opposite nature from the suicide bombings that are the trademark of present Islamic terrorism.

Even in this sacrificial act, there has been nothing religious: no green or black turban, no Allah Akbar, no call to jihad. It was instead an individual, desperate and absolute protest, without a word on paradise and salvation. Suicide in this case was the last act of freedom aimed at shaming the dictator and prodding the public to react.

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/opinion/22iht-edroy22.html?_r=2)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 10:24 PM

I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor

Egypt Crisis Has Nine Arab Leaders Worried
YEMEN

President Ali Abdullah Saleh came to power in 1978. He rules over the poorest country in the Middle East and has already shown he has been seriously rattled by events in Tunisia and Egypt.
It had been widely anticipated that he would try to pass power on to his son. He has now said he will not do this and will step down when his current term ends in 2013.

ALGERIA
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika won power in 1999 with the backing of the army in an election that was widely viewed as fraudulent.
In attempt to head off further protests, he has announced that a state of emergency - which has been in place since 1992 - will be lifted. He has also announced plans for new job creation schemes.

JORDAN
Real power in Jordan rests with the monarchy.
King Abdullah II took over from his father King Hussein in 1999. He has sacked his government and announced a pro-reformist prime minister in the wake of the protests in Tunisia and Egypt.
It is thought people in Jordan will accept change under the monarchy rather than attempt to personally remove him from power.

SAUDI ARABIA
The Al Saud dynasty holds a monopoly of power. Political parties are banned and the opposition is organised from abroad.
King Abdullah succeeded the late King Fahd in 2005. He is seen as being untainted by corruption and favours reforms which are balanced towards Saudi traditions.
The Shia represent 10% per cent of the Saudi population and feel deeply marginalised. There have been frequent confrontations and street fights with the security forces but Saudi Arabia is one of the least likely autocratic Arab nations to face upheaval.

SYRIA
Political power is held by a small elite and the opposition is repressed. The Alawite-controlled pan-Arab Baath party took control in 1963. Bashar al Assad came to power in 2000 after the 30-year rule of his father.
The government justifies an existing state of martial law because it remains at war with Israel. A referendum in 2007 endorsed al Assad as president for a second seven-year term. He was the only candidate.

LIBYA
Colonel Gaddafi led a successful military coup against King Idris in 1969.
Whilst introducing a system of governance based around 'people's committees' he retains absolute power. In recent years he has come in from the cold diplomatically on the world stage.
There is growing anger that Libya's resulting new wealth from its oil industry is not being passed down to its people. He is seen as a man who would do anything to retain power.

KUWAIT
The al-Sabah family has ruled since 1991. There is an elected legislature which has become increasingly assertive in recent years - the first Arab country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament.
In May 2009, four women were elected to the National Assembly. But the ruling family holds most of the key cabinet posts and political parties are not permitted.

MOROCCO
Mohammed VI became the monarch in 1999. Under the constitution the king can dissolve parliament and dismiss or appoint the prime minister.
Despite continuing reforms, ultimately power remains in his hands. He has initiated political and economic changes and launched an investigation into human rights abuses during his father's rule.

THE PALESTINIANS
The Palestinian Authority has not held elections since 2006, leaving the president Mahmoud Abbas and parliament members in office after their elected terms have ended.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Egypt-Crisis-Arab-Leaders-Fearful-Of-Their-Positions-After-Tunisia-And-Egyptian-Protests/Article/201102115922939?lpos=World_News_First_World_News_F eature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15922939_Egypt_Crisis:_Arab_Leaders_Fe arful_Of_Their_Positions_After_Tunisia_And_Egyptia n_Protests

ms_m

02-04-2011, 10:25 PM

A Tale of 2 Employment Surveys, at a Glance
A tale of 2 employment surveys, covering both households and businesses, at a glance

The Associated Press
By The Associated Press
February 4, 2011 [[AP)

The unemployment rate fell sharply last month, to 9 percent from 9.4 percent in December, yet employers barely added any jobs. So how did the rate fall so much?

It's because of the two separate surveys the government uses to measure employment.
One is called the payroll survey. About 140,000 companies and government agencies send forms to the Labor Department with information about how many people they employ. They also provide data on wages, hours and other details.

More [[http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=12844080)

ms_m

02-04-2011, 10:26 PM

February 4, 2011 3:06 PM
Ronald Reagan Myth Doesn't Square with Reality

About 10,000 people will gather this weekend at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California to honor what would have been the 100th birthday of former President Ronald Reagan -- among them Dick Cheney, the Beach Boys and Sarah Palin.

Reagan, who served as president from 1981 -1989 and died in 2004 at the age of 93, is widely considered the patron saint of conservatives; ask a prominent conservative their hero, and odds are they'll point to the Gipper. [[The adulation is so widespread that candidates at a debate last month among the candidates to be RNC chairman were asked their hero - "aside from President Reagan.")

Reagan is perhaps most often invoked by those who cast him as having held the line against tax increases. Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist, for example, often points to Reagan when calling for lower taxes and spending cuts; he says, by contrast, "tax hikes are what politicians do when they don't have the determination or the competence to govern." Conservatives also hail Reagan as a budget cutter willing to make hard choices to keep spending in line.

It's certainly true that Reagan entered office as a full-throated conservative vowing to cut both spending and taxes. And he quickly followed through on part of that promise, passing a major reduction in marginal tax rates. [[According to author Lou Cannon, the top marginal rate fell from 70 percent when he came into office to 28 percent when he left.)

More [[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20030729-503544.html)

ms_m

02-05-2011, 12:39 AM

Don't Fear Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

We need not demonize it nor endorse it. In any case, Egyptians now will decide their fate and the role they want the Ikhwan to play in their future.

Egypt, Middle East Unrest, Middle East, Governance, Islamic World
Bruce Riedel, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Saban Center for Middle East Policy
The Daily Beast
January 28, 2011 —

The Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia has sent a shock wave through the Arab world. Never before has the street toppled a dictator. Now Egypt is shaking, Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year-old regime faces its most serious threat ever. The prospect of change in Egypt inevitably raises questions about the oldest and strongest opposition movement in the country, the Muslim Brotherhood, also known as Ikhwan. Can America work with an Egypt where the Ikhwan is part of a transition or even a new government?

The short answer is it is not our decision to make. Egyptians will decide the outcome, not Washington. We should not try to pick Egyptians' rulers. Every time we have done so, from Vietnam’s generals to Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai, we have had buyer’s remorse. But our interests are very much involved so we have a great stake in the outcome. Understanding the Brotherhood is vital to understanding our options.

The Muslim Brethren was founded in 1928 by Shaykh Hassan al Banna as an Islamic alternative to weak secular nationalist parties that failed to secure Egypt’s freedom from British colonialism after World War I. Banna preached a fundamentalist Islamism and advocated the creation of an Islamic Egypt, but he was also open to importing techniques of political organization and propaganda from Europe that rapidly made the Brotherhood a fixture in Egyptian politics. Branches of the Brotherhood grew across the Arab world. By World War 2, it became more violent in its opposition to the British and the British-dominated monarchy, sponsoring assassinations and mass violence. After the army seized power in 1952, it briefly flirted with supporting Gamal Abdel Nasser’s government but then moved into opposition. Nasser ruthlessly suppressed it.

Read Full Article [[http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2011/0128_egypt_riedel.aspx)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/untitled-3.jpg

The Crescent and the Cross were created by this Egyptian flag maker to represent the unity between the Egyptian Christians and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.

Muslim Brotherhood: Protect Churches; Mufti Exempts Egyptians from Friday Prayer
Post by H.A. Hellyer

It feels like the calm before the storm. Well, calm is probably not the best word – we’re still hearing gun-fire in the distance. Having said that, we know that some of our neighbors are periodically shooting off rounds in order to alert us all to their presence, and feel that we’re in a secure environment.

But still, for the first time since this whole chaos took off and we started patrolling our streets, we’ve been ordered by the army to return to our homes. They invoked the curfew—the same curfew that has been in place for days, but which no one paid attention to when it came to setting up roadblocks and ensuring the safety of our neighbourhood. But, it seems, the army feels everything is calm enough that people should stop. That’s a good sign, one hopes.

On the other hand: there are huge fears about what might happen after Friday prayers tomorrow. Particularly around Tahrir Square. People were talking about a bloodbath ensuing, after the violence of the last couple of days. Others were hearing reports that at least on Thursday night, the protestors were fairly few in number in comparison to before.

More [[http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/hahellyer/4178/muslim_brotherhood%3A_protect_churches%3B_mufti_ex empts_egyptians_from_friday_prayer/)

The people that created the Pyramids will find to a way to recreate their country.

ms_m

02-05-2011, 12:44 AM

What Influence Does Washington Have in the Arab World?

André de Nesnera | Washington, D.C. February 04, 2011

U.S. President Barrack Baa has once again called on Egyptian President Hon Embark to begin now an orderly political transition process leading to free and fair elections. It remains to be seen what influence - if any - Washington has over developments in the Arab world in general, and in Egypt in particular.

Many analysts believe Washington's credibility with what is known as "the Arab street" - or Arab public opinion in the Middle East - is very low.

One of those is Aaron David Miller, a former senior State Department official, now with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

More [[http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/-What-Influence-Does-Washington-Have-in-the-Arab-World-115324079.html)

ms_m

02-05-2011, 01:08 AM

30 January 2011 - The National: A universalism to the pleas from Cairo's streets

By Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Regional Security IISS–Middle East.

The Arab street, it turns out, is no myth. And when it congregates, it is around themes and grievances that have universal meaning: a yearning for human dignity, social justice and political empowerment.

From peoples that have been endlessly portrayed as uniquely prone at succumbing to extreme ideologies and falling for demagogues [[and have done so at times), this is ample confirmation that they are driven by the same motives as people elsewhere.

One need not be a nihilist to realise that the sclerotic, underperforming Arab political order is in need of profound revamping. In fact, the conditions of such upheaval have been around for years, if not decades. The state of the three core Arab countries, Egypt, Iraq and Syria, once the region's cultural and economic engines, is nothing but sad. The Arab Human Development Report may sound like a tedious read but it is an essential one: it catalogues how societal and political factors converge to make the current status quo untenable.

The litany of Arab ills is not new. Populations are growing; many youth are unemployed, with 33 per cent of Egypt's youth staying at home; underemployment is hitting in particular the educated youth like Mohammed Bouazizi whose suicide awoke Tunisia; poverty is rising because robust growth has often created more inequality; nepotism, corruption and state repression have alienated citizens. Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Yemen also had in common upcoming successions that, had they gone the way their rulers wanted, would have consolidated and perpetuated the hold of narrow elites [[as has successfully happened in Syria). The Arab social contract is simply fracturing.

More [[http://www.iiss.org/whats-new/iiss-experts-commentary/a-universalism-to-the-pleas-from-cairos-streets/)

ms_m

02-05-2011, 02:05 AM

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

Part2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Lh_Ai7IlU&feature=fvwrel

Part3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-RE_rkopB8&feature=relmfu

Part4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8Ex6uhCvk&feature=relmfu

ms_m

02-05-2011, 03:27 AM

Muslim Brotherhood rejects Khamenei calls for Iran-style Islamic state
created 02/04/2011 - 22:01, updated 02/05/2011 - 00:50

GVF — Egypt’s main opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood have rejected calls by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for an Islamic Revolution similar to the Iranian revolution of 1979 to be established in Egypt.

“The MB regards the revolution as the Egyptian People’s Revolution not an Islamic Revolution” said a statement published on the Muslim Brotherhood’s official website just hours after Khamenei's remarks on Friday, while “asserting that the Egyptian People’s Revolution includes Muslims, Christians, from all sects and political.”

On Friday and during Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly seized the opportunity to exploit the Egyptian uprising and called for an Islamic state to be installed in Egypt. Khamenei said that the recent wave of Arab revolts was an "earthquake" triggered by the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

More [[http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2011/feb/04/2724)

ms_m

02-05-2011, 03:36 AM

Saboteurs attack Egypt-Israel gas pipeline-TV
Sat Feb 5, 2011 7:17am GMT

CAIRO Feb 5 [[Reuters) - Saboteurs blew up a pipeline that runs through Egypt's North Sinai and supplies gas to Israel, state television reported on Saturday, although it was not immediately clear what impact the blast had on gas flows.

"Saboteurs took advantage of the security situation and blew up the gas pipeline," a state television correspondent reported, saying there was a big explosion. He also blamed the blast on "terrorists".

Residents in the area also reported a huge explosion and said flames were raging in an area near the pipeline in the El-Arish area of north Sinai. [[Writing by Edmund Blair)

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE71401720110205

Game Changer?

Egypt's economy will be hurt by this the most

Mask men seen fleeing the scene

No group has taken credit

Egypt State TV [[the propaganda arm of the Mubarak Regime) are blaming "terrorist"

ms_m

02-05-2011, 04:08 AM

Blast Update:

No casualties reported. Small amount of explosives involved. Gas leakage and fire have been contained.

Most likely suspect
[[unconfirmed)
disgruntle local Egyptian group and or individual in Northern Sinai, taking advantage of the current situation

2nd Update
Although the pipeline into Israel seems to be intact, it's being reported the pipeline into Jordan may have been disrupted.

ms_m

02-05-2011, 11:19 AM

Head of Egyptian gas co. says explosion caused by leak
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS
02/05/2011 15:17

Blast in El-Arish that caused shut off of natural gas flow to Israel and Jordan was originally called terror attack.

The head of Egypt's natural gas company on Saturday said a fire at a gas terminal in the northern Sinai Peninsula was caused by a gas leak.

Saturday's fire, preceded by an explosion, did not cause casualties. However, officials had to shut off the flow of gas to neighboring Jordan and Israel to contain the blaze.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=206919

ms_m

02-05-2011, 01:19 PM

I said this several days ago.

Only the military can tell Egypt's Mubarak to go

[[AP) – 6 hours ago

CAIRO [[AP) — Ultimately, only the military can tell President Hosni Mubarak — one of its own — that it's time to step down.

Egypt's most powerful and most secretive institution has so far given no hint of whether it will abandon the 82-year-old former air force commander and accede to protesters' demand for his ouster after nearly three decades of autocratic rule.

But it will likely do whatever it takes to preserve its status as the final source of power in the country and the economic perks it gets from the regime and from the considerable sector of civilian business ventures it has carved out for itself.

The army is clearly torn.

If it asks Mubarak to spare the country more violence and step down, it would throw the door wide open to the possibility of the first civilian president, ending the hold it has had on power since a 1952 coup overthrew Egypt's monarchy. Every president since has come from the military.

More [[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gdIU7kBMtmI_nB33pdw5c0nzQOQQ?docId=26d550d3e 75d43de8258c01d0d6b2ca5)

The pro democracy protesters don't care about the "so call" concessions coming from the Mubarak Regime. They do not trust Mubarak and his merry band of criminals.

The West, the EU, Israel and everyone and their mother need to get it through their head, not having one leader to speak for them is NOT an issue for the protesters, their issue is the Mubarak Regime, it goes, there is room for negotiation, it stays, it's a stand still or a potential bloodbath.

ms_m

02-05-2011, 02:28 PM

Bad link for above article, sorry.

New link below

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gdIU7kBMtmI_nB33pdw5c0nzQOQQ?docId=26d550d3e 75d43de8258c01d0d6b2ca5

ms_m

02-05-2011, 04:29 PM

News Analysis

In Turkey’s Example, Some See a Map for Egypt

By LANDON THOMAS Jr.
Published: February 5, 2011

As Egypt struggles to reinvent itself, many experts in the region say that it might look to Turkey for some valuable lessons.

Arriving at a template that effectively integrates Islam, democracy and vibrant economics has been a near-impossible dream for Middle East reformers stretching back decades. To a large extent, Egypt’s inability to accommodate these three themes lies at the root of its current plight.

But no country in the region has come closer to accomplishing this trick, warts and all, than Turkey. As a result, diplomats and analysts have begun to present the still-incomplete Turkish experiment as a possible road map for Egypt.

“Turkey is the envy of the Arab world,” said Hugh Pope, project director for the Turkish office of the International Crisis Group. “It has moved to a robust democracy, has a genuinely elected leader who seems to speak for the popular mood, has products that are popular from Afghanistan to Morocco — including dozens of sitcoms dubbed into Arabic that are on TV sets everywhere — and an economy that is worth about half of the whole Arab world put together.”

Full Article [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/world/middleeast/06turkey.html?_r=1&hp)

ms_m

02-05-2011, 06:07 PM

A Short Primer on Egypt Now
By Brian Ulrich, on January 29th, 2011

The following is a guest post by Noor Khan

Basic Egypt facts

Egypt has about 80 million people and is the most populated Arab country. It is the 2nd most populated African country. The per capita income is about $5500, but the income gap is very large, with the vast majority of people living on about $5/day. It is a net exporter of petroleum, but not a major one. Many Egyptians work in the Petro-states or the West and send money back for their families. The three largest sources of hard currency in Egypt are tourism, the Suez Canal, and remittances from abroad. The literacy rate is between 60% and 70%, pretty good for Africa. About 85-87% of Egyptians are Sunni Muslim and 10-12% are Coptic Christian. Egypt gets 1.3 billion in military aid from the USA.

Egypt has NEVER experienced a real democracy. Despite being technically independent since 1922, it was under British colonial control until the Free Officers “Revolution” in 1952. Since Nasser and the Free Officers were pretty popular, the time is often looked back on nostalgically, especially by the lower classes, but it was a military government. Since Nasser’s death in 1970, Egypt was ruled by Anwar Sadat until he was assassinated in 1981 and M. Hosni Mubarak since then. Upon coming to power, Mubarak instated an Emergency Law which suspends many constitutional protections and basically gives the state complete jurisdiction for anything falling under the category “security.” There is no guaranteed right to privacy, free speech, assembly, press, or even a trial. Although there are a number of members of the judiciary who have tried to maintain its independence from the state, they are regularly thwarted and often removed or worse.

The political party which controls the country is the National Democratic Party. Other parties are allowed, but kept weak; the Muslim Brotherhood is technically banned but still the biggest party in opposition. When the elections are relatively free, they carry about 20% of the votes. There are periodic “elections” for a parliament that has no real power, and Mubarak is “re-elected” regularly with more than 90% of the vote. Recently, it has been clear that he expects his son Gamal to be “elected” after him [[he’s 82), although there has always been a chance that another military strongman will take over, since Gamal is not from the military. Among the major contenders are Omar Suleiman, who was just named vice president, Ahmed Shafiq, who has just been made prime minister, and Sami Annan the Army Chief of Staff [[who was in the USA on Wednesday).

Why are Egyptians in the streets protesting?

First of all, they want a real democracy. No one is fooled by the “elections” that just play musical chairs with the people already in power. They want real choices. Yes, many want the choice to vote for the Muslim Brotherhood. But that has NOT been the major theme in these protests, and in fact has been less important than anyone expected. The real issue is that the people want fair and free elections with all choices on the table. They want what most Americans want here.

[[Note: The Brotherhood has condemned political violence, recognizes the Constitution and is NOT a terrorist organization. It is also not out to destroy Israel, although it certainly is not interested in putting Israel or America’s desires above those of Egyptians.)

Another issue is the use of torture by the police, who are protected by the Emergency Law. It has become endemic to the point that no one expects NOT to be tortured if arrested. And the reasons for arresting you can be as simple as not moving out of the way of a police officer fast enough. People disappear and die in police custody on a regular basis, and if the “arrest” is supposedly for “political crime,” there is very little the family or even lawyers can do. It is estimated that there are close to 10,000 political prisoners in Egypt at any given time. [[See “We are all Khaled Said” on Facebook for more on the issue of torture in Egypt.)

The third is corruption. It is almost impossible to get anything done in Egypt without knowing someone or bribing someone. This is at every level of society. You need to bribe government officials to run a business, get a permit for anything, avoid a trumped up fine, get or keep a public sector job, or even get a driver’s license in fewer than five visits. Education is supposedly free, but government schools are so bad that only the most desperate will send their children there. For example, the average class size of a 7th grade Arabic language class in a public school in Cairo [[from my sister-in-law, who is a teacher) is about 70 students. Health care is about the same. You literally have to budget about 25% of hospital costs for an operation for “tips” so that nurses and doctors will help you. Private care is better, but no less corrupt. You want to install a new pipe? Plan on having to pay at least three different people bribes to get the paperwork to do it “legally.” Buildings literally fall down in Egypt all the time, as quality codes can’t be enforced because of corruption. The list goes on.

Connected to the corruption is the bureaucratic inefficiency. It takes hours just to pay your electric or phone bill. Getting a copy of your birth certificate will require a full day off work, trekking to multiple offices, plus the bribes. And it’s not like you can avoid the bureaucracy either, because EVERYTHING needs government pieces of paper. For my Egyptian driver’s license I needed to go to the Interior Ministry to get a stamped copy of my marriage certificate to prove I was Egyptian [[because I am married to the Egyptian whose name is on my Egyptian passport, which I had) and then the Foreign Affairs Ministry to get them to translate it and then another office to get it stamped. Then I had to bribe someone to say I had driven a stick shift for the test, because my own car was an automatic. Then I was told I couldn’t put my degree on the license [[occupation is listed on these things) because it was from the USA. Despite having a Fulbright to Cairo University and all the documentation from the Bi-National Commission, I was supposed to take my degree to the Ministry of Education to get it endorsed and then do another set of acrobatics. I decided it was easier to be listed as “uneducated” on the license. My sister-in-law was born on February 4, but the certificate of passing high school has a mark on it so it looks like February 14. After weeks of going between different government offices to get this fixed so that her college degree would be registered correctly, we finally gave up. We made a mark in front of the 4 on her birth certificate and enrollment paper. So now her birthdate is the 14th. It’s easier to forge than to correct a government mistake. Imagine this kind of rigmarole every time you needed to do paperwork of any kind.

The last problem is the poverty. Prices have risen over 12% in the past few months, but food has risen the fastest. Meat has gone up 23%, sugar about 30% and tomatoes even more. In a country where most of the population spends about 50% of its income on food, this has been devastating. People can’t put food on their family, as W would say. Yes, things are tough everywhere, but they are very bad in Egypt, and the government is spending billions on weapons and the security apparatus which protects them from the people more than it protects Egypt from any external threat. Plus, the fat cats in government and their “private sector” cronies are very visibly flaunting their ill-gotten gains. The gap between the rich and the overwhelming majority of poor is huge, but now the middle class is shrinking quickly – sliding down, not going up. There are thousands of luxury housing units going up all over Cairo, while the majority of the people are packed like sardines in tiny apartments with deteriorating infrastructure. “Let them eat cake” is the government’s attitude.

So who do the Egyptians want in charge?

Good question – why don’t we let them vote on it? Realistically, it will take at least a few months to arrange for free elections. Until then, Egyptians will accept a transitional government they trust to turn over power to a new elected civilian government. They might even trust the military to do it, but I don’t think so. The two most trusted people by the masses are probably Mohamad al-Baradei, the former head of the IAEA, and Amr Moussa, the head of the Arab League. Maybe another will appear. Opposition leaders such as Ayman Nour and Noman Goma’a would probably not want the job, as they would want to run for Parliament. Could elections be held fairly? I don’t know. Egypt does have some reliable figures in the judiciary, but I personally would prefer international observers. Would the Egyptian masses? Again, I don’t know. Most Egyptians I know distrust international organizations and are very leery of threats to their country’s sovereignty, perhaps for good reason.

What should the US and other governments do?

Support democracy. The people are actually quite clear. It is time for us to stop supporting dictators who we think are more reliable than a free people. And it is time we stopped thinking our foreign policy and economic concerns should be more important to other countries than their own. There is much more I could say here, but I’ll stop now.

Noor Khan is an assistant professor of history at Colgate University, with a specialty in modern Egypt.

Don't know why I can't get the link to work but I'll simply post the article
Re-posted from American Footprints

ms_m

02-05-2011, 06:13 PM

Most Egyptians I know distrust international organizations and are very leery of threats to their country’s sovereignty, perhaps for good reason.

Egyptians don't want to be colonized? I wonder why? Oh yeah, been there, done that!!!

ms_m

02-06-2011, 05:07 AM

News Analysis
As Mubarak Digs In, U.S. Policy in Egypt Is Complicated

By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: February 5, 2011

Twelve days into an uprising in Egypt that threatens to upend American strategy in the Middle East, the Obama administration is struggling to determine if a democratic revolution can succeed while President Hosni Mubarak remains in office, even if his powers are neutered and he is sidelined from negotiations over the country’s future.

The latest challenge came Saturday afternoon when the man sent last weekend by President Obama to persuade the 82-year-old leader to step out of the way, Frank G. Wisner, told a group of diplomats and security experts that “President Mubarak’s continued leadership is critical — it’s his opportunity to write his own legacy.”

Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton immediately tried to recalibrate those remarks, repeating the latest iteration of the administration’s evolving strategy. At a minimum, she said, Mr. Mubarak must move out of the way so that his vice president, Omar Suleiman, can engage in talks with protest leaders over everything from constitutional changes to free and fair elections.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/world/middleeast/06policy.html?_r=1&hp)

ms_m

02-06-2011, 02:34 PM

Egypt Stability Hinges on a Divided Military

By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: February 5, 2011

WASHINGTON — A classified cable sent to Washington from the United States Embassy in Cairo in 2008 reported that a disgruntled midlevel Egyptian officer corps referred to the country’s powerful defense minister, Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, as “Mubarak’s poodle” — incompetent and archaic but intensely loyal to his now-besieged president.

Another of the secret embassy cables obtained by WikiLeaks leveled even harsher criticism at Field Marshal Tantawi, telling Gen. David H. Petraeus, then the head of United States Central Command, that under the field marshal’s leadership, “The tactical and operational readiness of the Egyptian Armed Forces has decayed.” Nonetheless, the December 2008 cable concluded, he “retains Mubarak’s support, and could easily remain in place for years to come.”

As a 12-day-old revolution rocks the foundations of Egypt, the Obama administration is now embracing a transition process backed by Field Marshal Tantawi and other top military leaders that would ease their longtime benefactor, President Hosni Mubarak, from power. But whoever becomes the new president after elections in September, American officials say that the rich and secretive Egyptian military holds the key to the governing of Egypt, the country’s future and by extension to the stability of the Arab world.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/world/middleeast/06military.html?ref=middle

ms_m

02-06-2011, 03:16 PM

America’s Journeys With Strongmen

By SCOTT SHANE
Published: February 5, 2011

Mr. Brzezinski says Egypt’s prospects if Mr. Mubarak is toppled are brighter than Iran’s in 1979: “The army is respected and has a lot of support across the country. There is a middle class of sorts. And the Muslim Brotherhood is still under control,” reducing the risk that a theocratic regime would emerge.

Mr. Brzezinski was Mr. Carter’s adviser when Mr. Sadat signed the historic peace treaty with Israel’s Menachem Begin, and while he now says Mr. Mubarak’s time has passed, he by no means considers American support for him to have been a tragic mistake. “I would say it was a good deal for the U.S. and for Egypt,” he said. Mr. Mubarak consolidated peace in the region and was a “modernizer” at home, he said. “Historic change outpaced the modernizer, as often occurs.”

When Mr. Obama said on Tuesday that an “orderly transition” in Egypt “must begin now,” for instance, Mr. Brzezinski winced. “I wish he’d said ‘should begin now.’ ”

“It sounds like an order,” he said. “Egypt is a proud country, and Egyptians aren’t going to listen to orders. They might listen to suggestions.”

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/weekinreview/06shane.html?ref=middleeast&pagewanted=all)

ms_m

02-07-2011, 01:44 AM

Betting on News, AOL Is Buying The Huffington Post
By JEREMY W. PETERS and VERNE G. KOPYTOFF
Published: February 7, 2011

The Huffington Post, which began in 2005 with a meager $1 million investment and has grown into one of the most heavily visited news Web sites in the country, is being acquired by AOL in a deal that creates an unlikely pairing of two online media giants.

The two companies completed the sale Sunday evening and were expected to announce the deal Monday morning. AOL will pay $315 million, $300 million of it in cash and the rest in stock. It will be the company’s largest acquisition since it was separated from Time Warner in 2009.

The deal will allow AOL to greatly expand its news gathering and original content creation, areas that its chief executive, Tim Armstrong, views as vital to reversing a decade-long decline.

More [[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/business/media/07aol.html?_r=1&emc=na)

There so much irony here I don't even know where to begin.

...Arianna Huffington....the Rupert Murdoch of the Progressive Left....lawd love a duck

ms_m

02-07-2011, 01:50 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7jEkR33HOE&feature=player_embedded

The number one reason I could never be POTUS - I would have punched O'Reilly in the nose and walked off!

ms_m

02-07-2011, 06:15 PM

The Muslim Brotherhood are beginning to sound more like politicians than radicals.

Maybe this should be titled: Boogeyman Moves Mainstream!

Egypt protests: Muslim Brotherhood's concessions prompt anger

Egypt protests have sought Mubarak's removal. The Muslim Brotherhood suddenly dropped that demand in talks Sunday, angering participants in Egypt protests and causing an apparent split in the group's ranks.
Cairo

Three senior leaders of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, all of whom have suffered arbitrary imprisonment and torture at the hands of President Hosni Mubarak’s regime, sat shoulder to shoulder at a press conference in what should have been a moment of great triumph.

Two Brothers had just come from the group's first formal talks ever with a government that has hounded the Brotherhood, Egypt’s oldest and best-organized opposition group, for generations. Along with secular democracy activists and reform-minded tycoons, they sought to present a united front for reform to Vice President Omar Suleiman, the former spymaster whose career was largely built on crushing Islamist movements.
But the moment had a hint of a climbdown. The Brotherhood backed off its demand that Mr. Mubarak step down immediately and make other concessions, for apparently little concrete in return. Suddenly, the one clear demand uniting them with the youths in Cairo's Tahrir Square – Mubarak's resignation – was gone.
EXCLUSIVE MONITOR PHOTOS: Egypt in turmoil

The Sunday afternoon talks drew outrage in the square, where protesters described the Brother's concessions as helping the establishment buy time and find a way to preserve one-party rule here beyond September elections, in which Mr. Mubarak has promised not to run. They also expressed concern that Mr. Suleiman was leading the reform movement into a trap.

“I don’t know what [senior Brotherhood leader Esam el-] Erian is thinking, I really don’t,” said a secular protest leader, who’s spent years trying to bring the Brotherhood into a broader reform camp. “We all know who Suleiman is and what he’s capable of. This is splitting the Brotherhood and could leave all of us isolated and in danger.”
The Brothers, ever cautious and aware that they bear the brunt of regime repression when they join protests, were slow to participate in the demonstrations that broke out on Jan. 25 and have struggled to craft a united front ever since.
A split Brotherhood?

A sign of the split came soon after Mr. Erian, who has done at least eight stints in jail, and his two colleagues spoke. He declared the current parliament “illegitimate," but said that the Brotherhood will give negotiations a chance to work, particularly regarding Mr. Suleiman’s promise of constitutional reform.
“We wanted the president to step down but for now we accept this arrangement,” said Mohamed Saad El-Katatni, a member of the Brotherhood’s Guidance Council. “It’s safer that the president stays until he makes these amendments to speed things up because of the constitutional powers he holds.”

Full Article [[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0207/Egypt-protests-Muslim-Brotherhood-s-concessions-prompt-anger)

ms_m

02-07-2011, 10:43 PM

February 07, 2011

Extra Bonus Quote of the Day

"I read that answer several times, and I still really don't know what she's saying."

-- White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, quoted by USA Today, responding to Sarah Palin's weekend criticism of President Obama on Egypt.
USA Today [[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/02/gibbs-to-palin-huh/1)

The Palin quote Gibbs is referring to:

It’s a difficult situation. This is that 3am White House phone call and it seems for many of us trying to get that information from our leader in the White House, it, it seems that that call went right to, um, the answering machine. And, uh, nobody yet has, uh, explained to the American public what they know, and surely they know more than the rest of us know, who it is who will be taking the place of Mubarak. And, um, no, not not real enthused about what it is that is being done on a national level from DC in regards to understanding all the situation there in Egypt and, um, in, in these areas that are so volatile right now, because obviously it’s not just Egypt but the other countries too where we are seeing uprisings. Uh, we know that now more than ever, we need strength and sound mind there in the White House. We need to know what it is that America stands for, so we know who it is that America will stand with. And, um, we do not have all that information yet.

The truly scary part is not the statement, but the people who read it and think, it not only makes sense, but makes this woman qualified to be president.

chidrummer

02-07-2011, 11:28 PM

LOL!! I heard that statement over the radio this morning and almost ran off the road. I'm trying not to think about it, because when I do, my mouth keeps hitting the floor.

ms_m

02-07-2011, 11:35 PM

I feel ya Chi.

At first, I thought it was a joke, then I thought, WTF?

Now I think

RUN, SARAH, RUN:cool:

chidrummer

02-09-2011, 03:59 PM

I liked the stand off with O'Reily the other day. Good job, Pres.

On the other hand, check out how serious the unemployment problem really is -

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/careers/real-unemployment-number/19833935/

ms_m

02-11-2011, 12:42 AM

President Obama Remarks on Wireless

Marquette, MI
Thursday, February 10, 2011

President Obama said the world is witnessing history unfold in Egypt and that the United States will continue to support an orderly and genuine transition to Democracy in that country. The President then continued with a speech on efforts to expand high-speed wireless networks.

The President has set a goal of providing 98% of Americans with access to so-called 4G wireless networks capable of handling large amounts of data like streaming video. This event was held at Northern Michigan University in the city of Marquette.

Video [[http://c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-Remarks-on-National-Wireless-Initiative/10737419524-1/)

ms_m

02-11-2011, 12:43 AM

All aboard: California high-speed rail planners prepare to put out billions in contracts

February 9, 2011 | 4:03 pm

California’s bullet train planners Wednesday cracked open the flood gates for bidders expected to rush in seeking billions of dollars in construction work projected to start next year.

Requests for expressions of interest were sent to thousands of large and small contractors worldwide that may want a piece of the first phase of the $43-billion network that is supposed to connect the Bay Area and Southern California with trains running up to 220 mph.

Officials portrayed Wednesday’s announcement as a milestone for one of the largest public works project in the nation’s history, an endeavor that could ultimately create hundreds of thousands of construction and other jobs.

Full Article [[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/02/all-aboard-california-high-speed-rail-planners-put-billions-in-contracts-out-for-bid-worldwide.html)

ms_m

02-13-2011, 03:34 PM

This is obviously more opinion than fact and the attitude towards HRC is rather harsh but it does seem like a plausible reason for all the mix messaging that came from the administration.

Did I Pick the Right Horse?
by BooMan
Sat Feb 12th, 2011 at 07:47:33 PM EST
Why, yes. Yes, I did:

Last Saturday afternoon, President Obama got a jarring update from his national security team: With restive crowds of young Egyptians demanding President Hosni Mubarak’s immediate resignation, Frank G. Wisner, Mr. Obama’s envoy to Cairo, had just told a Munich conference that Mr. Mubarak was indispensable to Egypt’s democratic transition.

Mr. Obama was furious, and it did not help that his secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mr. Wisner’s key backer, was publicly warning that any credible transition would take time — even as Mr. Obama was demanding that change in Egypt begin right away.

Seething about coverage that made it look as if the administration were protecting a dictator and ignoring the pleas of the youths of Cairo, the president “made it clear that this was not the message we should be delivering,” said one official who was present. He told Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to take a hard line with his Egyptian counterpart, and he pushed Senator John Kerry to counter the message from Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Wisner when he appeared on a Sunday talk show the next day.

[[http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2011/2/12/194733/027)

ms_m

02-13-2011, 03:35 PM

the link didn't post, sorry

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2011/2/12/194733/027

ms_m

02-14-2011, 11:15 PM

An interesting and brief breakdown on what’s going on in the Middle East right now.

I think one of the most interesting things, none of these uprisings are about politics or ideologies. To me this is a sign that radical extremism in the Middle East is losing ground not gaining ground.

Social justice, equality, freedom, these are the issues of the day no matter what political or religious belief you may hold. It’s a concept that seems to be getting lost in the rhetoric and fear mongering in the Western World.

Resistance spreads in Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Algeria, Libya+*
by Meteor BladesUnfollow for Daily Kos
Mon Feb 14, 2011 at 11:05 AM PST

With the revolutionary events in Tunisia and Egypt as their inspiration, rebels have begun or are continuing protests throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Every country's unique history and current circumstances are shaping what happens, but these ad hoc resistance movements all have one thing in common: they are heavily youth-based even though older people participate, and tools like Facebook and cell-phone texting play a major role in what's happening.

Iran: Thousands of Iranians clashed with security forces Monday in Tehran. Police fired tear gas and paintballs in the first major street demonstrations since December 2009, when eight protesters were killed. Arriving silently in small groups, protesters appeared in Azadi [[Freedom) Square despite a government ban. Among the chants were "Death to the Dictator!" Reports said that, in some cases, young protesters retaliated against security personnel by beating them. Iranian authorities earlier in the day surrounded the house of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to keep him from attending the protest.

Bahrain: The pungent smell of tear gas was also evident Monday in villages around Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. Rubber bullets were fired into peaceful crowds. The government, which is Sunni Muslim, tried cash payments to buy off the country's Shi'ite majority ahead of today's protests, which took place under the name "Day of Rage." The following cell-phone video showing security forces clashing with protesters was taken in the Karazan, near Manama, around 5 p.m. local time Sunday.

Yemen: A fourth day of protests took place in the capital of Sanaa Monday, with some of the thousands of demonstrators responding with stones to counter-demonstrators and police wielding truncheons, tasers, knives and tear-gas guns. About 3000 protesters marched from Sanaa University towards Al Tahrir Square in the center of the city. Chanting "No corruption after today" and "After Mubarak, Ali," they demanded that President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years, step down immediately. The city has seen nearly daily protests since January. Saleh has said he will not run again when his seven-year term ends in 2013 and has entered talks with a parliamentary alliance that was previously leading the protests.

Algeria: Algeria, facing increasing anti-government protests, has shut down social media web sites, according to some sources. The National Co-ordination for Change and Democracy, an anti-government coalition of opposition parties, human rights groups and unions, seeks to end the rule of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Some 30,000 security forces stopped a demonstration slated for Saturday, but the coalition has said that, despite the ban, it will hold protests every week until the president quits. While Algeria operates under some of the same circumstances as Egypt and Tunisia, including a population that is 60 percent under age 30, a 30 percent unemployment rate, rising food prices and corruption, the president is a figurehead, with the real power held by the military behind the scenes. Some 10 to 15 generals are in charge. Unlike in Tunisia and Egypt, where the army remained neutral or sided with the protesters, that will not happen in Algeria.

Libya: With Muammar Gadhafi in power since 1969, Libya suffers some of the same problems as the rest of North Africa and the Middle East - arbitrary and authoritarian rule, a young population suffering from 30 percent or more unemployment, and profound corruption. But Libya contains the largest proven reservoirs of oil on the African continent and Gadhafi can afford to buy people off in ways that neither the Egyptian nor Tunisian rulers could do. And unlike some of the nations in revolt, there are not even fake elections or a pro-forma opposition in a phony parliament.

Gadhafi has placed three of his sons as heads of different parts of the military. Large numbers of the dictator's "green" thugs routinely spy on the population, and the erratic but iron-fisted ruler is not shy about imprisoning or murdering dissidents. My American-born wife left Libya in 1983 after students were hanged by the government on the campus at Al Fateh University and high school students were bused in to watch. More students were hanged or shot on February 17, 1987. Dissidents inside and outside Libya have chosen the 17th as the day for what they hope will be a large anti-government protest in Tripoli, the capital. There may also be protests in the country's second-largest city, Benghazi. Dissidents at various anti-government web sites have reported that some 100 protesters were arrested in Tripoli on Saturday.

ms_m

02-19-2011, 01:22 PM

Local Business Community May Be Starting To Turn Against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
Our guest blogger is Mike Elk, a freelance labor journalist and third generation union organizer based in Washington, D.C. You can follow him for more updates on Wisconsin on twitter at @MikeElk.

The key to winning the battle in Wisconsin is how much endurance the protestors will have in remaining vigilant and how much pressure they can force the business community to bring to bear on Governor Walker. It remains unclear whether people are willing to skip work and other important things for the weeks that it might take to win this fight. Every day, the Wisconsin GOP has dismissed the protests saying they won’t last another day, but each day the protests get bigger by estimates of about ten thousand people each day. These protests have been successful in gaining a great deal of public support. A new statewide poll shows that 65 percent of Wisconsin residents think that Walker has gone too far in his attack on public employees.

The protests do appear to be growing and have entered the realm where they are no longer something being planned through rigorous amounts of organizing, but are happening spontaneously as people get inspired by the events. Dozens of smaller protests are popping up at smaller cities throughout Wisconsin and students walk out of numerous schools across Wisconsin. Many union members and activists across the country are beginning to organize car pools to travel to Madison.

Full Article
[[http://thinkprogress.org/)

ms_m

02-19-2011, 01:29 PM

The Koch Brothers are the major backers of the Tea Party Movement and just one of many reasons we need to learn more about Campaign Finance Reform.

It would also shut down or at the very least curtail the power of lobbying groups like AIPAC...but that's another story for another day if anyone is truly interested in justice as oppose to bashing. shrugs

Koch Industries Slashed WI Jobs, Helped Elect Scott Walker, Now Orchestrating Pro-Walker Protest
Wisconsin’s newly elected Republican Gov. Scott Walker is facing a growing backlash over his attempt to cut pay and eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees in his state. Although Walker is claiming his power grab is an attempt to close a budget gap, the budget “crisis” was engineered by Walker as soon as he got into office. As Brian Beutler reported, half of the budget shortfall comes from Walker’s own tax cuts for businesses and other business giveaways enacted in January.
A number of the big business interests standing with Walker are beneficiaries of his administration’s tax giveaways. But the greatest ally to Walker is the dirty energy company Koch Industries. In response to the growing protests in Madison, Koch fronts are busing in Tea Party protesters to support Walker and his union-busting campaign. Last night, MSNBC’s Ed Schultz reported on the involvement of Club for Growth and the Koch-financed Americans for Prosperity in the pro-Walker protest scheduled tomorrow. Watch it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXdBEXls1GU&feature=player_embedded

Read More [[http://thinkprogress.org/)

chidrummer

02-24-2011, 01:44 AM

...In the meantime, the truth is all we have. We can't afford free speech:cool:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110223/ts_yblog_thelookout/separate-but-unequal-charts-show-growing-rich-poor-gap

If more people in this country understood this and what's been perpetrated on most of us since 1980's, there might be a revolution in this country that the rest of the world could watch on their TV's.

ms_m

05-25-2011, 02:21 PM

A few links that might interest some of you.

CHART: Bush Policies Dominant Cause Of National Debt
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/chart-bush-policies-dominant-cause-of-debt.php?ref=fpb

Someone mentioned in the comment section that all income brackets benefit from the tax cuts and that’s true but if you take a look at the link below, it will show you who benefits the most.

DISTRIBUTION AND COST OF BUSH TAX CUTS

http://www.faireconomy.org/files/Distribution_and_Cost_Bush_TaxCuts.pdf

…and as much as I am trying to stay away from partisan bickering there is something that is turning into a pet peeve for me….the use of the word “entitlement.” Please note I didn’t say the word itself but the use of the word.

People who have worked all of their lives contribute approximately 12.4 percent of their hard earn income into Social Security and Medicare…..the other percentage is contributed by their employers……for the life of me I can not understand why ANYONE would feel that you are not ENTITLED to benefit from your own money. I can not understand why feeling ENTITLED to benefit from your own money is a bad thing.

ms_m

05-25-2011, 03:04 PM

For those of you who would like to follow in the footsteps of Grover Norquist and shrink the Federal government so small it can be drowned in the bath tub….take a look at what State governments are doing and how it will impact not only the middle class, poor and disenfranchised but the economy as well. If you shrink the Feds you place the total burden of society on the States....how would shrinking the Fed and increasing state governments make your ideological principles ring true?

An Update on State Budget Cuts
At Least 46 States Have Imposed Cuts That Hurt Vulnerable Residents and the Economy
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1214
By Nicholas Johnson, Phil Oliff and Erica Williams
Updated February 9, 2011

Ideology, political talking points and plain old fashion hate make for great sound bites but in reality they don’t help this country, they harm it.

Politics and politicians can be frustrating as hell but do not let emotion get the best of you. Read, research, be skeptical in your trust and always verify…and then verify your verification. Informed voters make better decisions.

On that last note here is some food for thought....

Texas is running a surplus....so why is Gov Rick Perry pissed because he was turned down for FEDERAL AID for the fires? Why would a state running a surplus and a governor who claims we need smaller federal govt. AND once declared loudly and proudly he wanted to succeed for the union ask for help from the FEDS?

....and don't even get me started on "BONER, Cantor and the wonder boy Ryan ...

Also, you betcha.....to show you I can be fair, I'm ready to stick my foot up Reid's [[Dem) behind too but that's another story for another day!

ms_m

05-25-2011, 04:10 PM

Well would ya looky here………I love the internet…..LOL

Section Four of the Fourteenth Amendment, which directs, in no uncertain terms, that "the validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned."

THIS is the speech I want to hear!!!!!!!

Please note it’s not a real speech but the speech that President Obama should/could give to congress and the country!!!! It would blow the entire debt ceiling BS sky high….

The Speech Obama Could Give: 'The Constitution Forbids Default'
By Garrett Epps

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/04/the-speech-obama-could-give-the-constitution-forbids-default/237977/

ms_m

05-26-2011, 12:41 AM

The anatomy of a talking point!

47% of households will pay no income taxes.

I wonder how many people reading the above statement believe that 47% of households are deadbeats because they don’t pay taxes. I’m guessing a lot more than will ever admit so please, do not feel you have to answer this question. I only want to show just one example of why people are so confused and mislead by talking points and why it’s important to become informed.

The above has spread throughout the conservative community like wild fire [[and I’m guessing quite a few liberals and Independents are pissed by it as well)

Why wouldn’t you be pissed, you work your butt off, pay your fair share of taxes and suddenly find out that 47% of household don’t pay? Aww hell no…that’s not right.

The more you think about it the more pissed you become until you find yourself going on your fave conservative forum and posting things like:

I believe the half that don't pay taxes are the ones working for this administration, the average American would go to jail if they don't pay their taxes!

I want to know what percentage of households actually get a check from the govt. ie bought votes

I believe the half that don't pay taxes are the ones working for this administration, the average American would go to jail if they don't pay their taxes!

And one of my faves:

If they dont pay then why should we?
BOYCOTT ALL UNION GROCERY STORES!
Obama and the Democrats [[commies) have committed treason

Well folks, I’m going to let you in on a little secret….47% of household really don’t pay income taxes and you know why? Either their income was too low, or they qualified for enough credits, deductions and exemptions to eliminate their liability.

Think about that for a second, let it sink in. Now ask yourself, does that really make them deadbeats or are many people just plain poor and our tax codes and policies are out of wack?

For you diehards who still want to think of them as deadbeats, check this out.
This is the current 2011 tax bracket for a single filer.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/taxbrackets.jpg
Check out the top line and multiply 0 x 10%. What do you get?

Now explain to me how a person making 0 dollars can pay income tax?

Many of you are making 0 dollars, many qualified for enough credits, deductions and exemptions to eliminate your liability altogether. Guess what, that makes you part of the 47%.

So why did you [[collective you) let a talking point drive you to the brink of thinking the worse about 47% of households in America when it’s possible you, a friend a love one may be in the 47%?

Why did the commenter’s above say the things they said?

You may or may not like the answer but it’s a question that needs to be asked and confronted by all of us, no matter the ideology or political belief.

I happen to use taxes as an example of how talking points can create a false reality but it can be Taxes, Social Security, Medicare, Gays, Religion, Racial Groups Repubs/TP, Dems, Immigration issues, the President or so much more.

People in this country are being used, they are being manipulated and they are being divided to further the agenda of politicians, corporations and big money interest groups that don’t give a rat’s arse about them. Do you want to be one of those people?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_04/023260.php

ms_m

05-27-2011, 02:04 AM

“600,000 young adults have taken advantage of healthcare reform” [[Updated)

Some 600,000 young adults have taken advantage of a healthcare reform provision allowing them to stay on their parents’ insurance policies, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.
The liberal think tank said young adults are increasingly delaying care because they can’t afford it and praised the healthcare law’s coverage expansion.

Close to half of all currently uninsured people between 19 and 29 will gain coverage under Medicaid once it expands in 2014, the report says. About one-third will be eligible for subsidies to buy private insurance through a newly created health exchange.

“To ensure a more stable future for graduates and their families, it is critical that federal and state policymakers continue implementing all provisions of the Affordable Care Act over the next three years,” the Commonwealth Fund said.

http://thehill.com/images/stories/blogs/healthwatch/commonwealth.pdf

One of these 600,000 may be your child. That means if they were to suddenly become ill, YOU don't have to foot the bill...and that saves you money.

Next time you hear....why don't the Dems have a Medicare plan....just remember they do, it's called the Affordable Care Act, it passed in Congress [[last year) and has been signed into law....ANOTHER talking point DEBUNKED....:)

Let's see what else can we talk about....oh yeah, although the media is staying pretty quite on this one.....President Obama became THE FIRST US President in history to address the British Parliament.

Now for those of you who don't like the man you're saying....so?

...but for those of you with a grasp and appreciation of history you understand what a big deal and honor that is....he gave a great speech but a day earlier he seemed to have gotten stuck in time and signed the date 2008 in the Queens book instead of 2011....oooooooooooooo, the horror

He also received love in Ireland[[ although his tank of a car got stuck on a ramp...it was actually pretty funny, especially the reaction from the crowd...LOL) in France and I'm going to go out on a limb and say he'll get love in Poland too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp85zRg2cwg&feature=player_embedded

Other distinguish dignitaries that have addressed the British Parliament are Charles De Gaulle, The Pope and Nelson Mandela.

Lots of cool pics here:

http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/

Oh yeah and the big ding from the Repubs today [[rolling eyes) seems to have come from boring Pawlenty....who you say....don't worry, a lot of people don't know who he is but he wants to be President....anyhoo...he made some tired joke about Pres. O drinking a Guinness in Ireland.....guess he forgot St Ronnie [[Reagan) did the same thing and it's what you call.....DIPLOMACY!.

There are so many cringe worthy and laughable lines coming from the potential Repub nominees I don't even know where to begin but I'm going to start and end with my fave from Newton the Newt Gingrich.

and I paraphrase [[but not by much)

whatever I said.... and you see it written in print or posted in a video....don't believe it because I didn't say it.

THE END

ms_m

05-27-2011, 02:40 AM

P.S. Apparently there is some auto sign signature machine thingy that allows a President to sign a bill while he's away from the WH.

Before the midnight deadline he signed the Patriot Act extension. I'm not happy with that one and lo and behold it happens to be an issue I agree with Rand Paul on [[who knew) but I continue to support the POTUS and never expected to always agree with him.

Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. [[shrugs)

NITE

ms_m

05-27-2011, 08:59 AM

Let’s talk about the debt ceiling!

First and foremost I am not an economist but there are two people [[that I know of) on this forum that are pretty dayum good with this type of stuff that can step in and correct anything I’m about to say.

Doug and Chi please take note.:)

I’ve been reading comments on various sites that I find disturbing [[other than the regular hate stuff) and it seems people are totally confused about the issue of the debt ceiling and our deficit. They are two separate issues and for the Repubs to link them together seems fiscally irresponsible based on what I’ve read.

Debt ceiling refers to money already spent.

Deficit refers to the gap between proposed spending and proposed revenues.

We are in deep debt, of that there is no doubt but truth be told we can raise the debt ceiling whenever we want, to whatever we want. It’s good to have for two reasons that I can come up with, it helps [[theoretically) us stay within our means when it comes to spending but [[realistically) raising the debt ceiling assures our creditors that we are good for the money and that the US of A WILL NOT default on it’s loans and is not in bankruptcy.

BTW contrary to belief, the US is not broke. In debt up to it’s neck but not broke. Tying the debt ceiling to our deficit and not raising said ceiling will send the message we are too broke to pay our bills because we have too much debt. [[at least that's how I see it)

No one knows for sure what will happen if the ceiling isn’t raised [[raising it has never been an issue until now and was raised several times while Bush was in office….I think 9 times but I’ll have to go back and check that) I personally don’t think it’s prudent and responsible to find out what will happen. As I said to someone recently….there are times a sneeze sends the markets into chaos [[a slight exaggeration but not by much)

Do we need to reform and make cuts in spending, of course we do but we don’t need to cut benefits to American citizens in order to do that. Cutting wasteful spending, fraud and inefficiency PLUS raising revenue will solve our problem rather nicely… we need to make oil companies cough up tax money but since that legislative ship has sail for this Congressional Session, they get to skate a little while longer. We need to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan [[completely) and Libya too as far as I’m concerned but barring all of this, there is a simple solution that would fix out debt problems. [[although not completely eradicate it)… let the Bush tax cuts expire and bring tax rates back to the Clinton era…problem solved and we can move on to the next manufactured political controversy.

Does that mean your taxes will go up, you betcha but raising taxes during the Clinton era didn’t cause any major hardships [[generally speaking), the economy was doing relatively well, and rich folks were paying their fair, although there was a time their fair share was 90%. During Clinton it was only 39% so it seems to me they are getting off easy.

No one likes to have their taxes raised but if you’re going to fall for the okee doke and panic over our debt, we all need to make the sacrifice to do something about it. Spreading the sacrifices around is not only the morally right thing to do but the fair thing to do. Dumping sacrifices only on the backs of the elderly, the middle class and the poor...not so much.

Think about this for a sec….in 28 years, when have the Republicans created a fiscally sound plan that worked?

Trickle down econ didn’t work [[for the majority anyway)

Tax cuts didn’t create any jobs

and

Deregulation didn’t work

All of the above plans were created by the Republicans and yes I’m aware Clinton signed the repeal of the Glass Steagall act [[deregulation) but the plan was introduced by two Republicans and passed by a Republican congressional majority. [[I don’t care for the, “Big Dog” but he did leave a projected surplus at the end of his term.) Think about this as well, in the last 28 years and while Republicans were in charge, why did our government grow if they are so concerned about smaller government?

NOW all of a sudden we MUST have a smaller government [[even though States come running to the Feds when they need help) and Wonder boy Republican Ryan thinks he has the cure to all the country’s problems….

28 years of failed fiscal policies, run away spending during the Bush years with two wars not paid for and a sorry Medicare D prescription drug plan that sucks, wasn’t paid for and only helps the pharmaceutical companies…all of this and we are suppose to believe a Republican has a credible plan to address fiscal responsibility???? A plan that even Newt called social engineering [[before he was spanked back in line)

Yo, all you believers, I have a lovely beach front condo on S Las Vegas Blvd for sale…..any takers?

ms_m

05-27-2011, 12:46 PM

Alabama Lawmaker Abandons GOP Over New Law Aimed At Teachers
Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 26, 2011, 7:32PM

This is the money quote:

I will never choose the Party over the people again," he said.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/alabama-lawmaker-abandons-gop-over-teacher-rights-stripping-law.php

The Democratic Party is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but this current crop of Republicans, generally speaking, do not care one twit about the people in this country other than their corporate overloads. [[who will turn on them once they serve their usefulness)

Contrary to many, I don’t think all Republicans are bad. I actually watched and enjoyed William F. Buckley as a kid and also like the writings and humor of his son. Unfortunately the new breed of Repub/TP are disgusting. Between their ideological purity mindset, blatant lying and hypocrisy, lockstep thinking and extreme evangelical overtones, they make Nixon and Reagan look like Liberals. From what I've observed, the TP can’t stand Newt. Now think about that. When Newt isn’t conservative enough for you, something is seriously wrong.

ms_m

05-27-2011, 01:15 PM

Russia Joins Western Chorus For Muammar Gaddafi To Go

"Colonel Gaddafi has deprived himself of legitimacy with his actions. We should help him leave," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in Deauville.
He said Russia would use its dialogue with the Libyan authorities to "help Mr Gaddafi take the right decision."

Sounds like a Russian offer is about to be made that ole curly top may not be able to refuse…not to mention some serious backdoor diplomacy going on at the G8….very interesting!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/russia-gaddafi-quit-libya_n_868074.html

ms_m

05-27-2011, 01:54 PM

House GOP Fights To Keep Federal Contractors' Donations Secret
Ryan J. Reilly | May 26, 2011, 4:40PM
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/house_gop_fights_to_keep_federal_contractors_donat .php?ref=mblt

Corporate Donations Ban Unconstitutional, Judge Rules
MATTHEW BARAKAT 05/27/11 12:13 PM ET
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/corporate-donations-ban-ruling_n_868085.html

Wisconsin Governor Walker Signs Voter ID Law, Angering Democrats
By Gia Grier McGinnis
Published May 27, 2011

Read more at Suite101: Wisconsin Governor Walker Signs Voter ID Law, Angering Democrats http://www.suite101.com/content/wisconsin-governor-walker-signs-voter-id-law-angering-democrats-a373078#ixzz1NZnFDqxT

Secret campaign donations becoming legal, corporations seen as people, money considered free speech, restrictive voting laws….all brought to you by the Republican Party.

I rest my case…..

ms_m

05-27-2011, 02:07 PM

…and to add insult to injury

A Cornered Animal Is A Dangerous Animal

Public polling, the NY-26 outcome, and other objective indicators make it clear Republicans have boxed themselves into a political corner with their plan to end Medicare. It's a big problem for them politically, and there's no easy way out, especially since virtually every Republican in Congress is now on the record, with a vote, that they favor gutting Medicare.

So how are they gonna get out of this jam? Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [[R-KY) just made it clear in a briefing with reporters on the Hill: They're going to hold the government's debt limit as hostage in order to back their way out of this political tight spot.
How? McConnell just announced he will not support raising the debt ceiling unless big Medicare cuts are part of the deal.

Translation: Unless Democrats get us off the hook by agreeing to deep Medicare cuts [[meaning Democrats can no longer attack Republicans for wanting to eliminate Medicare), then we're going to force the federal government into default on its debt.

What if McConnell extracted substantial other cuts from the White House to achieve the GOP's spending cuts goal? No matter, McConnell says. If Medicare cuts aren't part of the deal, then no dice on the debt ceiling -- U.S. economy and world financial system be damned.

It's as stark as that. And the decision for Democrats is equally stark: Do you negotiate with hostage-takers?

Full Report:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/mcconnell-medicare-must-be-cut-to-raise-debt-limit.php

per the Constitution we can't default so I'm not sure how this will finally play out but just the fact that the Repubs/TP would be willing to throw the entire country and world economy under the bus just to save their own necks, SHOULD tell you everything you need to know about these people. If not and as Stevie would say.....heaven help us all!

ms_m

05-27-2011, 06:33 PM

Ryan Says His Plan Repeals The 'Raid' Obama Made To Medicare. It Doesn't
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/ryan-says-his-plan-repeal_n_868038.html

THERE WERE NO CUTS TO BENEFITS. NONE, NADA ZIP.

Seven Falsehoods About Health Care: Big myths about the current debate

"The claim that Obama and Congress are cutting seniors’ Medicare
benefits to pay for the health care overhaul is outright false, though
that doesn’t keep it from being repeated ad infinitum.

The truth is that the pending House bill extracts $500 billion from projected Medicare spending over 10 years, as scored by the Congressional Budget Office, by doing such things as trimming projected increases in the program’s payments for medical services, not including physicians. Increases in other areas, such as payments to doctors, bring the net savings down to less than half that amount. But none of the predicted savings – or cuts, depending on one’s perspective – come from reducing current or future benefits for seniors."

Do you think I'm only standing up for the President...then READ THE BILL and check it out for yourself....it's all there!

ms_m

05-27-2011, 07:02 PM

BTW folks....Wonder boy took everything out of the ACA act for his wonderboy plan EXCEPT...those 500 billion dollar cuts......yep, the same 500 billion dollar cuts he is trying to con you into believing the Dems took in benefits are the same billion dollar cuts in his bill...

he is a fraud....the Repubs/TP are a fraud, anyone who repeats their BS is a fraud......again, you don't have to believe me, do the research.

ms_m

05-27-2011, 07:50 PM

I need to make a correction. I said Texas was running a surplus, they are running a deficit and a pretty big one. Perry has been there for 8 years and has run the state into the ground but Texas voters keep putting him back in....scary thought

I Apologize for the mistake.

ms_m

05-27-2011, 08:46 PM

House Republicans Have Voted To Cut Over $1 TRILLION From Medicare Since 1991

While Republicans in both chambers of Congress continue to spread the falsehood that Democratic health care reform cuts Medicare [[it doesn't), House Republicans have in fact voted to cut $1.02 trillion from Medicare since 1991 - on top of their refusals to increase payments to Medicare physicians.

1991: Republicans Voted To Cut $52.4 Billion From Medicare

89 Republicans Voted To Cut Medicare $25.2 Billion Over Five Years. In 1991, 89 House Republicans proposed and voted for a substitute amendment to the Fiscal

1992 Budget Resolution that would have cut Medicare $25.2 billion over five years. The substitute amendment, introduced by Rep. Gradison [[R-OH), was rejected. [CQ.com; H. Con. Res. 121, Vote # 70, 4/17/1991]

105 Republicans Voted To Cut Medicare $27.2 Billion Over Five Years. In 1991, 105 Republicans voted in support of a substitute amendment introduced by Rep. Kasich [[R-OH) to the Fiscal 1992 Budget Resolution that would have implemented cuts in Medicare. Specifically, the substitute amendment would have "cut entitlement programs by $6.4 billion in fiscal 1992 and $48.6 billion over five years, including cuts in Medicare, totaling $27.2 billion over five years." The motion was rejected. [CQ.com; H. Con. Res. 121, Vote #69, 4/17/1991]

1992: Republicans Tried To Slash $138.4 Billion From The Americans Most In Need

57 Republicans Voted To Cut Medicare And Medicaid $138.4 Billion Over Five Years.

In 1992, 57 House Republicans voted for a substitute amendment to the Fiscal 1993 Budget Resolution - Spending Freeze introduced by Rep. Dannemeyer [[R-CA) that would have "cut Medicare and Medicaid entitlement programs by $138.4 billion over five years." The substitute amendment was rejected. [CQ.com; H. Con. Res. 287, Vote # 38, 3/4/92]

1993: Republicans Voted To Cut $34 Billion From Medicare

156 Republicans Voted To Cut $34 Billion From Medicare. In 1993, 156 House Republicans voted for an "amendment to cut federal spending by $90 billion over five years through various proposals, including $34 billion in Medicare cuts, $52 billion of discretionary spending cuts and $4 billion in other entitlement cuts and user fee increases." The motion failed. [CQ.com; HR 3400, Vote #609, 11/22/93]

1995: Republicans Votes Would Have Cost Medicare $292.6 Billion

227 Republicans Voted Twice To Cut Medicare By $270 Billion. In October 1995, 227 Republicans voted for the misnamed Medicare Preservation Act of 1995, which cut $270 billion from Medicare over seven years. The bill passed. In November 1995, 232 Republicans voted to adopt the conference report on the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1995, which reduced spending on Medicare by $270 billion over seven years. The bill passed. [HR 2425, Vote #731, 10/19/95; HR 2481, Vote #812, 11/17/95]

• 84 Republicans Voted To Cut An Additional $22.6 Billion From Medicare. In

1995, 84 House Republicans voted for the Conservative Republican Substitute to the

FY 1996 Budget Resolution. The substitute bill would have cut Medicare by an additional $22.6 billion, on top of the $270 billion in cuts already contained in the budget. The amendment failed. [H.C.R. 67, Vote #343, 5/18/95]

1996: Republican Votes Took $158.1 Billion From America's Seniors

212 Republicans Voted To Cut Medicare By $158.1 Billion. In 1996, 212 House Republicans voted to adopt the conference report on the Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution, which contained $158.1 billion in Medicare cuts over six years. The bill passed. [H.C.R. 178, Vote #236, 6/12/96]

1997: Republicans Passed A Budget That Cut $115 Billion From Medicare

219 Republicans Voted To Cut $115 Billion From Medicare. In 1997, 219 House Republicans voted for passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which "cut total projected entitlement spending over five years by about $137 billion, including a $115 billion reduction in Medicare." The bill passed. [CQ.com; HR 2015, Vote #241, 6/25/97]

2002: Republicans Supported Drastic Medicare Cuts

206 Republicans Voted To Kill A Resolution That Sought To "Repeal Cuts In Payments To Hospitals That Serve Low-Income Patients...And Ensure Necessary Medicare And Medicaid Funding." In 2002, Rep. Sam Farr [[D-CA) introduced a resolution that would "express the sense of the House that Congress should" work on legislation that would repeal cuts to health programs, including Medicare. Rep. Kenny Hulshof [[R-MO) motioned to table the resolution, effectively killing it with the agreement of 206 Republican votes. The motion to table passed. [CQ.com; accessed 12/4/09; HR 854, Vote #440, 10/3/02]

2003: Republicans Refused To Increase Medicare Payments To Doctors And Rural Hospitals

208 Republicans Voted Against A Measure That Would Take Medicare Competition Savings And Put It Toward Increasing Payments To Medicare Physicians. In 2003,

208 House Republicans voted against a "motion to instruct House conferees to reject provisions of the House bill that require the traditional Medicare program to compete with private plans to provide Medicare benefits by 2010, and reject provisions of the Senate bill that establish an alternative payment system for preferred provider organizations in highly competitive regions. The savings from the rejection of these provisions would be used to increase payments to physicians for Medicare services." The motion was rejected. [CQ.com; HR 1, Vote #615, 11/6/03]

215 Republicans Voted Against Increasing Medicare Payments To Rural Hospitals. In

2003, 215 House Republicans voted against a "motion to recommit the joint resolution to the House Appropriations Committee with instructions that it be reported back with language that would continue payment rates for physician services under Medicare at fiscal 2002 levels and increase the base payment amount that hospitals in small urban and rural areas receive through Medicare to the same as that for larger urban hospitals." The motion failed. [CQ.com; H J Res 18, Vote #18, 2/5/03]

2008: Republicans Cut $20 Billion From Medicare Doctors

59 Republicans Voted To Cut $20 Billion From Medicare Physician Reimbursement. In

2008, 59 House Republicans voted to maintain a 10.6% scheduled cut in reimbursement rates for doctors serving patients who receive Medicare. The motion passed. [Kaiser Health News, 7/16/08; HR 6331, Vote #443, 6/24/08]

2009: Republicans Voted To Slash $210 Billion From Medicare Doctors
172 Republicans Voted To Cut $210 Billion From Medicare Physician Reimbursement. In

2009, 172 House Republicans voted against blocking "a 21 percent cut scheduled to take effect in January 2010, and increase the payment rate based on the Medicare economic index." The vote would have restored $210 billion in scheduled physician reimbursements. The measure failed. [Congressional Quarterly, accessed 12/4/09; New York Times, 11/19/09; HR 3961; Vote #909, 11/19/09]

For a selection of Republican votes in the Senate that cut Medicare, click here. http://politicalcorrection.org/factcheck/200912010001

Bills and voting records are easily verifiable. Just google bills and voting records by name or chamber….eg. House or Senate

ms_m

05-27-2011, 09:49 PM

Rep. Tom Graves [[R-GA): Fear The Autopen!
Benjy Sarlin | May 27, 2011, 3:42PM
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/rep-tom-graves-r-ga-fear-the-autopen.php?ref=fpb

For example, if the president is hospitalized and not fully alert, can a group of aggressive Cabinet members interpret a wink or a squeeze of the hand as approval of an autopen signing?

For years Destruction and I have had a running conversation about just how dumb Americans were….oddly enough, I was the one defending Americans and their intelligence….I am officially giving up my position and bowing in defeat to the master….you win Des!

Until this morning I had never even heard of this auto pen thing but it never crossed my mind to question it since I read it was the signature of the President.

Because I wasn’t familiar I can appreciate someone asking for clarification, that’s fine but implying the President would somehow use the autopen to get around him being incapacitated is as idiotic as they come for anyone that has managed to get through 9th grade Civics.

To imply a President [[and in this case, President Obama) would authorize the autopen from beyond the grave or whatever scenario you want to devise is moronic and takes tinfoil wearing hat folks to a whole new level. Hell I can laugh about lizard people and clones but for an elected official to come out of the side of his neck with something so stupid…..

The fact he signed the bill which this fool voted for causes me more concern than a dayum auto pen and truth be told, the President didn’t even have to sign it. If it didn’t get back to congress in 10 days, it would automatically become law, per the Constitution.

HRC was right, if the man walked on water they would complain he couldn’t swim….

I have never in my life seen and or heard so many insecure, jealous and ignorant people as I have seen in the last two friggin years. Has there been some kind of secret inbreeding program going on that I didn’t know about and suddenly they have been let loose into society?

stephanie

05-28-2011, 10:07 AM

Ms M good to see you back in these parts. I am not as politically astute as you are but I have been following this story and many others regarding President Obama, Newt Gingrich and our savior Paul Ryan,,,,,LOL. I totally agree with you on this current crop of right wingers. IMO the Republican party has always been a rich and elitist group [[and no not the Abe Lincoln group I mean the last 70 years or so) however there was some measure of respect and sanity. When a black male [[President Obama) took office I felt like I was watching a reprise of the KKK mentality with the chants of taking our country back, teaparty movements and of course Mr Beck arising as a new conservative messiah [[even if it was a sideshow to make money) and of course our dear dear Sarah "I gave up the governorship to make money" Palin.

I must tell you that when I heard what the Ryan plan entailed I was sooooo happy because I knew some of the people who were following this man didnt realize what they were going into. Many republicans have now seen this crop of young pretty faces and the evil that is stalking. I dont mean to sound like this is a demonic thing but its one thing to disagree but to lie and say the President wants to take away benefits for the seniors and that is the very thing they want to do is incredible.
I have seen town hall meetings where people who are republican said they were felt like they were lied to and they feel this group would cut into medicare and medicaid and of course just let all of the money go to the big corporations. I want Palin and Bachmann and all of those wingnuts to run. You see what happened in NY! Welcome back.,

144man

05-28-2011, 11:15 AM

"In a survey of fifty countries, America was ranked second-to-last in intelligence. Residents of the USA were outraged.......once the report was slowly explained to them".

[Joke in today's Daily Mirror]

ms_m

05-28-2011, 12:20 PM

Thanks Stephanie, I'm in and out.:)

I try [[although not always succeeding) not to paint people with a broad brush and I’m a firm believer there are exceptions to every rule but generally speaking, I think the following statement is spot on!

Today's Republicans/TP do not believe they are their brother’s keepers. They don’t believe in humanity, morality or the teachings of Christ, a figure that is a central character of their religion. They don’t believe in logic, fairness or compassion; nor do they have an appreciation for the hardships of American’s less fortunate than themselves.

They think “free trade” means that businesses are free to ship American jobs overseas, that businesses are free to deny jobs to American workers and by doing so, “free trade” is good for America. Driving jobs out of America is "just business" to them. If a person loses his income or home because he/she has no job, it’s “nothing personal or their own fault.”

They believe corporations must be given the same first amendment free speech rights as individual citizens so they can "buy" political candidates and elections, despite the fact buying elections works against the best interests of working class Americans and diminishes their political influence.

Pollution, global warming and deforestation are all improvable "myths" of egg-head/tree hugger scientists who are “socialist” enemies of “over-regulated” capitalism. The earth, which right wing fundamentalist claim is less than 6,000 years old, will miraculously heal itself! All we have to do is “pray”.

For today's self-focused/consumed Republican/TP, it's not about right or wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair, rational or irrational. They want what they want, for no other reason than they WANT it, regardless of the consequences to themselves and everyone else! Somehow, that makes "them" feel good about themselves....makes them “feel” safe.

ms_m

05-28-2011, 06:23 PM

It’s not often I run across an article referencing our current economic situation that doesn’t center on politics. [[per se) It’s also rare to find one where the point/counterpoint comments are argued in a reasonable and rational way.

This is fascinating although sometimes a little heady for someone that’s not super knowledgeable about economics [[like me) but it’s not as hard to follow as you may think.

Doug and Chi , you guys will enjoy this and I would love to hear your feedback.

VISUALIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CLINTON SURPLUS

Because I am an equal opportunity political hater – I bring you the counterargument of the Paul Ryan story. It’s unfortunate that I even have to write a story like this, but our world has become so divided down party lines that no one appears to be able to filter their economics without first deciding which side of the party line they stand on. It’s no longer about what’s best for America, but what’s best for the political party you back. But this is a good opportunity to lift the veil from some of the myths that surround the nasty politics of economics.

Many have accused me of taking a political stance when writing about the economy and Paul Ryan specifically. That’s simply not true. I often point to the Clinton years as clear evidence that this is not about politics to me, but pure economics. What do the Clinton years have anything to do with our current predicament? Let’s take a look.

Full Article:
http://pragcap.com/visualizing-the-destruction-of-the-clinton-surplus

ms_m

05-29-2011, 06:16 PM

Several years ago Ralph told me there was no such thing as Utopia. I disagreed, I said something along the lines that Utopia was whatever, whenever and wherever I choose it to be. For the moment, [[no matter how long it last) I choose to be in Utopia:) Happy Holiday everyone and be safe.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

ralpht

05-29-2011, 07:59 PM

I stand corrected, Ms. M.

ms_m

05-29-2011, 08:15 PM

:)

You want to hear what really blows my mind though Ralph. You said that to me back when I was still a newbie almost 6 years ago. [[for those that may not know,my posted join date is incorrect) It often boggles my mind I've been around this joint that long.....must be something in the water, huh?
LOL

Doug-Morgan

05-29-2011, 09:29 PM

An alternative view.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggIQpmUhu10&feature=related

ms_m

05-29-2011, 10:20 PM

hahahahahahahahahahahaha.....great video Doug!

ms_m

05-30-2011, 11:26 AM

The Deficit: Nine Myths We Can’t Afford
Tuesday, 04/27/2010 - 11:01 am by Lynn Parramore

Has the federal government run out of money? Will we have to slash Social Security? Will we have to borrow dollars from China for our children to pay back?
The national debate over fiscal responsibility and sustainability is entering a new, critical phase. Today, an 18-member bipartisan commission to examine the government’s fiscal problem will meet for the first time. Everything is on the table, including Social Security and Medicare.

With so much at stake, the time has come to examine our fundamental assumptions about government deficits and debt. The danger of accepting oft-repeated orthodoxies has been clearly demonstrated in the recent financial crisis. For decades, free market fundamentalism went virtually unquestioned, and we’ve all seen the result - an epic economic catastrophe. We can’t afford to make the same mistake on fiscal responsibility. It’s time to consider alternatives perspectives before we rush down potentially destructive policy paths that could compromise our future.

Myth #1: The government should balance its books like a private household.
Reality: Our federal government is the issuer of the currency, which makes its budget fundamentally different than the average citizen’s.

Discussion of government budget deficits often begins with an analogy to a household’s budget. People say: “No household can continually spend more than its income, and neither can the federal government”. But there are big differences between a household and the federal government. You don’t have the ability to print money in your living room, do you? Well, the government does. So how it finances its own debt and spending is different from the way you do.

A government is the issuer of the currency. The household, on the other hand, is the user. Households are restricted by the need to somehow get money into their bank accounts, or their checks will bounce. The federal government, by contrast, doesn’t “have” or “not have” dollars. There is no vault or lock box where it “keeps” its money. In fact, it makes all of its payments simply by electronically crediting private bank accounts and there is no practical limit to which it can change those numbers up. Spending by the federal government always creates new money in the system, while taxation destroys it. When households and firms pay taxes, the money does not go anywhere; the government simply debits those private bank accounts by electronically reducing the amount of reserves they hold, i.e., by changing the numbers in those bank accounts down.

Government is constrained only by the inflation it can create by over-spending, but its ability to spend is numerically unlimited. Households are constrained by their ability to get dollars from some form income and from borrowing, and both of those have real limits.
~Pavlina R. Tcherneva, Assistant Professor, Franklin and Marshall College

Continue reading here:

http://www.newdeal20.org/2010/04/27/the-deficit-nine-myths-we-cant-afford-10162/

ms_m

05-30-2011, 12:32 PM

PBS Finds Tupac And Biggie Alive In New Zealand
May 30, 2011, 9:57AM

It's a mystery that has perplexed the world since the late '90s: Where are Biggie and Tupac? Last night for a short time, it appeared that PBS had found out when a story appeared on its homepage, "Tupac still alive in New Zealand." Sadly, it was hackers from a group called LulzSec who got into PBS' system and posted this:

Prominent rapper Tupac has been found alive and well in a small resort in New Zealand, locals report. The small town - unnamed due to security risks - allegedly housed Tupac and Biggie Smalls [[another rapper) for several years. One local, David File, recently passed away, leaving evidence and reports of Tupac's visit in a diary, which he requested be shipped to his family in the United States.

Aside from posting the fake story, LulzSec accessed and made public some details from PBS' servers. According to Boing Boing:

The information compromised and published included network, server, and database details and logins, as well as user login data for some PBS staff and contractors. As of 3:24am ET Monday, some defacements are still live on pbs.org.

So, why would someone hack into PBS' website [[which is sort of like picking on an old librarian)? Because PBS' Frontline perpetrated a vicious act of journalism by running a story that was critical of Wikileaks, "WikiSecrets". LulzSec had this to say:

Full article here:

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/pbs-finds-tupac-and-biggie-alive-in-new-zealand.php?ref=fpb

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

John Doe reads [[?) and supposedly comprehends [[?) an article. The article John Doe reads[[?) discuses a fake story that was perpetrated by a group of hackers. The hackers in the story openly admit to faking the story and tells why they did it.

After reading [[?) and comprehending [[?) the story, John Doe types the following comment...If this is true, who cares?

Ask yourself….why would a person who can read and comprehend, start their comment about a FAKE STORY by saying….if this is true??????????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gOLnLz9KjY

ralpht

05-30-2011, 01:05 PM

Ms.M

I'm sorry but I don't remember our Utopia conversation. Must BE the water.....

ms_m

05-30-2011, 01:38 PM

It's not a big deal Ralph. It just happens to be one of those things that stuck in my head. It was doing those crazy, heady days and David was still here. Things were a little heated on the forum and everyone had something to say, including me.:)

You were not being a smart arse or anything like that. In the context of your entire comment you were basically saying, "sht happens, deal with it....LOL

I didn't take offense then and I don't now, it just stuck in my head, that's all. If anyone owes anyone an apology it's me. I could have made my comment without injecting you in it and still made my point. My apologies to you Ralph.

On a side note though, it takes me all of 5 seconds to walk up the stairs and I can't tell you the amount of times I've reached the top and didn't have a clue why I went upstairs. My mom and I have a running joke whenever we forget something. It can't be something wrong with us, it must be something in the water.:)

ms_m

05-30-2011, 06:47 PM

I realized it was time for me to understand how our fiat [[non commodity based) money system works. While reading different articles and comments it slowly started to make sense in a basic sort of way. The light bulb came on when I ran across an analogy that helped put it in perspective. I decided to use the analogy as a guide but rewrite it my way. [[I do that to help the light bulb stay on and shine a little brighter….LOL)

Please understand, there are more moving parts to this analogy that I have not taken into account. This is a very basic version of how I see it. The world of high finance can be simple on one level and highly complex on another.

Many of us [[myself included until recently) believed because we no longer have a commodity [[gold silver etc.) based money system, the Treasury Dept. in collusion with the Fed[[Federal Reserve) printed money out of thin air [[or pushed buttons/key strokes on a computer, depending on your preference of wording) As a result, we have fallen victim to believing comments such as, the govt can’t print its way out of debt. That is a true statement but another true statement is, it doesn’t try.

Does the US Govt. create money? Yes.

Do we have a commodity backed system that backs up the value of that money? No.

That means on the surface, it does seem that money is being printed out of air but there’s more to it.

1. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say the Treasury Dept. prints 20 billion dollars and puts it in a vault at the Federal Reserve.

2. They call you up and say, let’s talk…..as your govt. one of my objectives is to help you prosper but we’re in this thing together so I need your help. I’m going to tax you 10 billion dollars and I need you to send it to me by April15th.

3. You aren’t happy about it but you send the govt 10 billion [[cause you don’t want to go to jail.:)

4. The govt. sends that 10 billion back out into the economy to pay for goods and or services [[we will call these good and or services, widgets)

5. Someone [[employer/consumer) will offer the service or produce the goods and someone will use the service and or buy the goods

6. Let’s say you are the one that produces the goods. That means the 10 billion dollars comes back to you…you hire people to help you make the widgets that the govt. paid you 10billion dollars for and you pay the people you hire a wage. These people not only help you make the widgets, they use the money you pay them to buy the widgets as well. [[along with other consumers)

7. You sell a lot of widgets and make a profit so you decide to go back to the govt and invest 10billion dollars….govt says cool. Govt gives you an IOU [[a treasury bond) that says after a certain amount of time [[let’s say a year) you will get your 10 billion back with interest)

8. End of the year, you get your 10 billion plus interest but it’s April 15th and the govt says, you owe me 10 billion and the process starts all over again

Now here is a caveat……when the govt received your 10 billion in tax money, it destroyed some of it…why…because it knows it needs to keep a balance between revenue/surplus and deficit spending…

You cannot compare a household balance sheet to the govt. balance sheet although you hear that analogy all the time. It’s a left over analogy from the days we had gold backed currency.

The reason you can’t compare is simple…..a household cannot create [[print) money…at least not without going to jail. That means a household has constraints that the govt does not have. [[Govt creates and issues the money) ….it does have a constraint however and that constraint is inflation which they control [[again, in theory)with the proper balance of revenue and deficit spending using a lot of goobly gop formulas and theories that I could not explain if you slapped me up side my head. [[sorry)

Also and you betcha….since you can’t compare house hold balance sheets with the Feds, don’t even bother to think of loans the same way as you think of a household loan, cause in our monetary system is doesn’t work the same way.

In Fed world….loans are more like deposits…..China invest x amount of dollars they have placed in our vault. We debit their account for the money they want to invest and we give them an IOU just like we gave you when you wanted to invest. In the normal sense in terms of how we see household accounts, China didn’t really loan us anything, they simply invested money they already had in our vault. Where did they get the USD you may ask….they sold us a bunch of stuff and we paid them in dollars for that stuff.

Basically it’s all a circular process where the wheels on the bus go round and round……will the wheels ever fall off….sure it’s possible, especially when the system is out of balance but if you have a good monetary policy [[which the Federal Reserve make) and a good fiscal policy and controls made by the Executive/Legislative Branches of govt…policies that insures there is a balance between surplus [[revenue) and deficit….you good to go.

But you need both to create the proper balance. Depending on the economy you may need to tweak one or the other up or down but you do need both to maintain a balance….think of a seesaw…..and think about what happens when a person on one side or the other jumps off…..ouch!

I hope I have interpreted what I’ve learned so far correctly [[I’m still learning)... I also threw a lot of metaphors into the mix but I wanted to paint a picture that would make sense as oppose to a lot of econ jargon. If Doug, Chi, Des or anyone with more knowledge can edit, correct or add.

Bottom line, we are not broke and in the traditional sense, we are not even in debt [[that one blew me away) So why are our elected officials all up in arms POLITICS…..they want your vote and they want to be seen as the one that will fight for you…..disgusting you say….well ask yourself this….do you really want to vote for someone you don’t think will look out for your best interest and the best interest of this country? How else will they get your attention to say look over here, vote for me?

shrugs...that's all part of politics and life

One last thing, for anyone who may be saying, the govt. doesn’t give me crap….I earned my money.……

well answer me this……who created and issued the money in the first place?’

The govt can’t tax you without creating and issuing money first...you can't earn money the govt hasn't created...

....the wheels on the bus go round and round…..:)

I’ve been reluctant to broach this topic because the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. Also, there is so much erroneous info that’s been out here forever, it’s hard to get the false stuff out of your brain and embrace the facts and hard core empirical data. Not to mention economist argue over all the data and formulas to even arrive at the data……yada, yada, yada

But I decided to start the conversation in hopes that some of you will be inspired to do your own research and find out more.

I don’t think all the misinformation and myths will ever be debunked and there is a part of me that is not totally convinced it’s suppose to be but that’s a philosophical conversation I have going on in my own head…..LOL

ralpht

05-30-2011, 08:44 PM

There is no need for you to apologize to me, Ms.M. I realize I was a little caustic in those days. I had much to learn about being a moderator and it showed from time to time back then.

I feel you on the absent mindedness issue. Big time.

ms_m

05-30-2011, 08:56 PM

Oh yeah and....:)

For those that favor a gold and or commodity backed system [[I did at one time) to be honest, either system can be jacked up if the wrong policies [[be they monetary or fiscal are implemented)

In this high tech, fast moving world, fiat systems make sense and once you start to truly understand it you can understand why.

Some will tell you that governments with Fiat systems have always collapsed but what they forget to mention, they didn't collapse simply because of the fiat system/economy but a host of other factors as well. eg. social problems, corruptions, wars, in fighting, and yeah the economy and more.....Good example is the Roman Empire who was around for centuries before it fell and they used the Fiat System. [[albeit not initially)

15-16 centuries isn't really a bad run in the general scheme of things.....we [[USA) haven't even hit the 3rd century mark yet. ;)

ms_m

05-30-2011, 09:57 PM

Romney: Health Of Massachusetts More Important Than Health Of My Political Prospects

The political wisdom holds that Mitt Romney must distance himself from "Romneycare" -- the Massachusetts health care law that is often pointed to as the inspiration for the health care law signed by President Barack Obama -- if he hopes to make a serious run for President.
But it doesn't look like Romney is backing down.

The Boston Globe reports:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/05/30/romney_and_health_care_in_the_thick_of_history/?page=full

"Overall, it was a positive approach,'' Romney said in a Globe interview for this story. "I'm proud of the fact we took on a real tough problem and moved the ball forward.''
"I know this is going to get a lot of conversation,'' he said, "but the health of the people in Massachusetts is more important to me than the health of my political prospects.''
During a 51-minute interview, he used a variation of that line three times.

This is is the way he should have dealt with the healthcare issue from the very beginning. [[IMO) Smart move, it will help with the moderates.

Reminds me of candidate BO in 2008.

Doubt it will play in Tea Party land but it's nice to finally see a Repub candidate not sucking up to them. Will he flip? Stay tuned but it would be nice to see sanity on the campaign trail during the general elections. May mean Pres O works a little harder, but he can handle it. :)

ms_m

05-31-2011, 01:54 PM

This was from an article written in the Wall Street Journal Last week……the vote is today.
It’s also a sick game on the TeaPubs part.

WASHINGTON—Republican leaders will bring a "clean" bill that would raise the U.S. debt limit by $2 trillion to the House floor for a vote next week, aides said Tuesday, with an expectation that the measure will fail.
The move was first floated by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor [[R., Va.) last month as a way to show congressional Democrats and the Obama administration that increasing the debt limit wouldn't be possible without attaching spending controls to the measure. A clean bill wouldn't have spending cuts or caps attached.

As stated in the article it’s not expected to pass because TeaPubs will vote no, with a few exceptions but since they made sure they would only need 2/3’s to defeat the bill [[another political move) It will be defeated in all likely hood.

If the TeaPubs can get Dems going on record to vote NO they split the Dems and will use that as a political message against the Dems.

Another tricky part to this is in the wording of the bill….based on the wording, if the Dems vote YES, it comes off as throwing Pres O under the bus.

To the TeaPubs way of thinking…. either way it’s a win/win situation and shows voters they are not bluffing about not raising the ceiling without getting cuts including wonder boy Ryans I want to Kill Medicare Bill.

They also figure they have an ace in the hole…..this vote has been scheduled to start AFTER the markets close today. If the markets react negatively first thing in the morning, all TeaPubs fingers will be pointed at Dems.

My personal opinion, All Dems should vote PRESENT….hang this crap around the TeaPubs neck and control the messaging. Will that happen….dayum if I know….Dems are not known to vote in lockstep because the Blue Dogs tend to gum up the works.

The main event to all of this will be the reaction of the stock markets in the morning and that could be a very scary proposition and one hell of a setback for the economy.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/untitled-5.jpg

ms_m

05-31-2011, 02:37 PM

On a similar note, although the Constitution say’s we can’t default, no one seems to know who has standing to sue. I’ve looked everywhere for an answer and explanation but I’m guessing since this situation has NEVER happened before, no one seems to want to take a guess as to how things proceed if the Debt Ceiling isn’t raised.

The deadline extension expires in August. By the time the smoke clears, it could be 2013 [[after the Presidential Elections) before the case would even reach the Supreme Court. At which point the economy could be swimming around in the toilet, Palin could be Pres and I’d be on an island selling sea shells by the seashore.

To my knowledge, this has to be one of the most unprecedented political battles in history.

ms_m

05-31-2011, 02:44 PM

P.S.

With such a sorry field of potential presidential candidates, tanking the economy is the only way to the WH for the TeaPubs.

But, but.... we all get screwed if the economy tanks you say....yes Virgina you are correct.....people will vote against their own best interest because they will blame the tanking economy on Pres O.

Welcome to the mind of a TeaPub!

ms_m

05-31-2011, 04:09 PM

Austerity

In economics, austerity is a policy of deficit-cutting, lower spending, and a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services provided. Austerity policies are often used by governments to reduce their deficit spending while sometimes coupled with increases in taxes to pay back creditors to reduce debt. Austerity was named the word of the year by Merriam-Webster in 2010.

I’m Angry

The more I think about this mess the angrier I become. Austerity measures in a commodity backed monetary system I understand because If the country was running a deficit in a commodity based system, [[eg. Gold) ….then curbing and cutting back on spending would be required as well as fiscally responsible. But the USA does not operate in a commodity backed monetary system. We are NOT constrained by how much gold we have or don’t have. We are only constrained by inflation, which can be controlled by several measures including, balancing revenue with spending.

I don’t have a clue how this will finally play out. Many people are already living in austerity in this country. I know I feel like I am and if it gets worse or I end up homeless….what will be will be…. I’ll be pissed, get over it and find a way to survive by hook or by crook.

Jumping out of windows is not an option in my world

Maybe there are politicians who are just as clueless about our monetary system as voters, maybe they never adjusted to a fiat monetary system…maybe they did adjust and understood but for them, it was all about politics; gaining votes, winning, control/power and for some, making money on the side.

I’m angry with Dems, Repubs and 3rd party candidates who may have and in some instances, indeed play us and the system over the years……I’m also angry with myself for not paying closer attention until now.

Yo Jai.....

ship me some of your "special blend" asap....thanks!

ms_m

05-31-2011, 04:28 PM

In Showdown Over Debt Ceiling, Neither Party Is Blinking
By JACKIE CALMES
Published: May 31, 2011

WASHINGTON — In a bit of political stagecraft, House Republicans plan to bring to a vote on Tuesday evening a measure that President Obama and the Democrats were demanding not so long ago: a clean increase in the national debt ceiling, unencumbered by any requirement that spending be cut.

Given that all Republicans and more than a few Democrats oppose any debt-limit increase that is not accompanied by some commitment to future fiscal restraint, the measure is doomed to fail. And for all the talk of economic crisis should Congress fail to raise the debt ceiling by August, the financial markets are likely to yawn at this vote — if only because Republican leaders have privately assured Wall Street executives that this is a show intended to make the point to Mr. Obama that an increase cannot pass absent his agreement to rein in domestic programs.

“Wall Street is in on the joke,” said R. Bruce Josten, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

But beyond this week, Wall Street has reason to be nervous as Congress nears the actual deadline on Aug. 2 to raise the $14.3 trillion borrowing ceiling, said people in both parties and in finance, some of whom asked not to be identified given the sensitivity of the issue.

Investors have grown accustomed to partisan games of chicken that always end with the needed increase in the government’s borrowing authority. But this showdown, many say, is riskier because of the strongly held antispending, antitax views of the many freshman House Republicans combined with the fragility of the economic recovery.

Full Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/us/politics/01fiscal.html?_r=1&nl=us&emc=politicsemailema1

Time to watch Cspan and the vote…..I’ll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

ms_m

05-31-2011, 05:10 PM

House session has resumed but there is a lot of “speechifying” at the moment so I’ve been surfing the net chatter on this thing.

Steny Hoyer [[S-MD) …seems to be trying to urge Dems to vote no in order to “deny the Repubs a political win”

This dude irks me but the fact is, either way Dems vote they are screwed imo. On the surface a yes vote says you want a clean vote on the debt ceiling…that means cuts would be off the table….sounds great but how do you sell that to a public that believes we need cuts…..

A no votes says you don’t want a clean bill which will put cuts back on the table and because of the wording of the bill, it also sends the message, Pres O is the bad guy for spending too much money and forcing congress to make cuts in the first place, next thing you know, services are being cut left and right.... that’s why I say vote present and call it a day.

I continue to support Pres O but do not have any confidence in Congressional Dems when it comes to messaging…..they suck at it!

Hell make the Repubs defend THEIR NO vote to not raise the debt ceiling…..now that this is nothing but political theater, don’t play by TeaPub rules, create your own and throw them off kilter.

ms_m

05-31-2011, 05:49 PM

The Congress finds that the President’s budget proposal, Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2012, necessitates an increase in the statutory debt limit of $2,406,000,000,000.

Still "speechyfying" so while we wait, this is the portion of the bill that throws Pres O under the bus......now for all O haters I can hear you now....it's true, it's true.....in that case, you should not have any problems posting a link to the 2012 Budget Bill....

Oh and if you can't find it.....I understand....

the 2012 Budget Bill didn't pass!!!!!!! The TeaPubs shot it down!!!!!!!

ms_m

05-31-2011, 06:45 PM

They are voting on a motion at the moment and then another motion before the last vote

....Hoyer is now saying vote no or present on the debt ceiling...

I say vote present....LOL

Financial analysts are saying the vote... one way or the other should not affect tomorrow's market because investors are aware this is all BS theater for now. [[my phrasing)

This is an observation and not scientific but in the past, I've noticed motion votes tend to be the same as final votes. It looks like neither side will be voting in lock step [[which explains why TeaPubs pushed for the 2/3 instead of majority vote) but it does look as if it will be defeated....if there are any surprises I'll let you know.

Let's see who wins the next 24 hour messaging war....maybe Dems will surprise me......hahahahaha....hey, it could happen....shrugs

ms_m

05-31-2011, 09:32 PM

Nancy explains today's circus.

My only quibble....I wish politicians didn't feel the need to play politics with a deficit that's not really a deficit but after all these years of people thinking otherwise.....I guess now is not the time to come clean about it....I guess. :[[

TeaPubs managed to split the Dems on this which is what they wanted, we shall see how the messaging goes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu0MnSgQZ1A&feature=player_embedded

sophisticated_soul

05-31-2011, 09:58 PM

Yo Jai ship me some of your "special blend" asap....thanks!

If Jai doesn't come through with his special blend, I got my own version of a special blend that might do the trick. Hell, times are tough maybe Jai and I can both come through. You know, sip, hit, sip, hit, sip, hit. . . . world's looking a lot better. LOL!!

Seriously, I'm glad to see The Only Adult In The Room thread alive and kicking. The amount of research you do is mind boggling. Your concise evaluations of your research have helped me get a better grasp of some very complicated issues. Even though in many cases I wound up disagreeing with you about the issue, when I did get that better understanding. It tells me your research is fair. Your desire to get folks to think about things is honorable. I enjoy calling you friend. Say Hi! to Mom for me. JOsEph:cool:

ms_m

05-31-2011, 10:04 PM

Sophisticated Soul… this is for you.

As I said I will not get into a deep discussion about MMT. [[beyond what I've already posted)

It’s a contentious subject among economist. [[and lay people as well) It’s not a subject I’m interested in debating one way or the other but I decided to post this in the open thread in case others were interested. Folks can do their own research…or not.

Understanding The Modern Monetary System

In this paper I will argue that Functional Finance and Modern Monetary Theory best describe most modern fiat monetary systems. The systems that are applicable to this discussion involve monetary sovereignty, monopoly supply of currency and a floating exchange rate system.

Overview

Modern Monetary Theory [[MMT) is based on the following principles:

• The Federal government is the monopoly supplier of currency.

• The modern floating exchange rate system helps to maintain equilibrium and flexibility in the global economy.

• The currency unit created by the state via deficit spending can only be extinguished by payment of taxes. Therefore, a modern monetary system can best be thought of as a system of debits and credits where government deficit spending credits the private sector and payment of taxes debits the private sector.

Functional Finance is an economic theory based on the following principles:

• The government exists to further the prosperity of the private sector – NOT to benefit at its expense.

• Governments should be actively involved in regulating and helping build the infrastructure within which the private sector can generate economic growth. The economy is a complex dynamical system with irrational participants. It cannot be expected to regulate itself or behave rationally at all times. Therefore, some level of government intervention and involvement is not only beneficial, but necessary.

• Money is always created by the state and must therefore be regulated by the state, however, ultimately the private sector must accept this money as the currency unit. Therefore, the private and public sectors should best be thought of as being in partnership with one another and not opposing forces. Government by the people and for the people is not the antagonist in this story, but rather an entity that should be best utilized to maximize private sector prosperity.

• Government deficit spending and tax collection should be maintained at a rate that does not impose financial hardship on the private sector. Because the Federal government is not a state or household it should not manage its balance sheet for its own benefit. Rather, taxes and government spending should be managed in a way that most benefits the private sector and encourages private sector prosperity.

Read full article here:
http://pragcap.com/resources/understanding-modern-monetary-system

ms_m

05-31-2011, 10:14 PM

HAHAHAHAHAHA....just don't let that card expire....I may have to take you up on your offer. LOL

Thank YOU my friend, coming from you the words mean a lot. I may have to leave again for awhile. I can't keep putting off work forever but as long as the hold up is on another end and not mine....you're stuck with me.:)

I'll be sure to give her the message.....she thinks you're sooooooooo handsome.:)

MUAH!

sophisticated_soul

05-31-2011, 11:03 PM

^^^:)_____

ms_m

05-31-2011, 11:28 PM

My short editorial for the evening:)

The Federal Government was established by the Constitution to provide services to the public. While these services vary considerably, all are designed to improve the lives of the United States population, as well as people around the world.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs041.htm

There are a lot of things you can say about life but you can't say it's dull. [[at least I don't think so)

When the TeaParty folks first hit the scene I was always amused by how they were constantly shouting how much they love the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.. their confusion between the Constitution and the Bills of Rights, their insistence the Founding Fathers were the first to fight against slavery...

but hey, I'm sure those things were all simple mistakes because they study the Constitution so they know what they are talking about...

or maybe those comments were never meant to be "factual statements" or...

why should we believe something they said after they tell us they didn't say it although they did say it and there is video but we should not believe it because they really did say it, cause they said so...

that made my head hurt:eek:

Don't even get me started about their religious rants cause they really are Christians....can't you feel the love.... and they are real Americans too...the rest of us are heathen, communist, socialist marxist, elitist, non patriots.....AKA..."Libruls"

There are so many things our government provides that we take for granted every single day and if these things were suddenly taken away, folks would be all up in arms.

We want government out of our lives.....Hands off my Medicare....:confused:

When Dixiecrats [[now known as BlueDogs) left the Democratic Party in droves after the Civil Rights Act and joined the Repubs, I doubt anyone could have foreseen what the Republican Party would eventually become. TeaPubs!

LIFE....Nope, dull it ain't....pathetic [[at times) but never dull.

Oh btw...for those of you who may not know....the dude Camping that predicted the end of the world on the 21st......well according to the good rev....Judgment Day did in fact come.....

"it was invincible," he said...

Nite Folks.:D

ms_m

06-01-2011, 01:25 AM

Insomnia....sue me...but good luck with collecting...LOL

Some may be wondering why we haven't been told more about how a fiat monetary system works...I was wondering the same thing and it seems to me it boils down to politics....to be more specific....political ideology with ideology being the key word.

One political group believes one thing and think their beliefs are right, another political group believes something else, and think their beliefs are the correct way and then there are 3rd, 4th, 5th etc, political groups and subsets of groups that believe something entirely different from the others….with so many different beliefs all fighting for your attention and vote, where is the incentive in telling a voting population that ideology has nothing to with operating our monetary system? Where is the incentive in informing us, it’s simply a matter of analytical skills and logic….science?

Although I doubt Richard Nixon had this in mind when he took us off the gold standard, one of the interesting things about the fiat [[non commodity based) monetary system, it can be operated in such a way that ideology [[political or otherwise) need not play a part in building our economy. But money matters are an important part of running a government; the economy and all it entails is probably the single biggest issue that truly resonates with all voters. A politician that tanks or is perceived to have tanked the economy [[although in many cases it was probably several politicians on all sides) or a politician that makes a voter feel he/she is depriving them of money/benefits….voter will not be a happy camper. Voters who are not happy campers tend to show their unhappiness during elections. Of course there are exceptions but those exceptions usually apply only when a majority of voter’s wallets and or lifestyles haven’t been severely affected….and…there will always be voters willing to vote against their best interest if they believe others will be deprived but not them.

Where is the integrity in all of this you ask? Well let me answer that with another question. Have you ever noticed how integrity only becomes an issue when a seemingly lack of integrity, involves someone you don’t like? That’s human nature and politicians work to appeal to the human nature in all of us. Its one of the many ways they solicit our votes. Some appeal to the better part of our nature, some to the lower and or extreme part and some appeal to that part somewhere in the middle.

Other than continuing to suggest we all start to do our homework in terms of researching facts and most importantly be more open minded to ideas other than our own, I honestly don’t know how to change things.

Funny, we really are the change we’ve been looking for…..maybe if we stop fixating on who said those words and simply think about what they mean…we’ll figure this all out.

...naaaaw, as my mom would say, that’s too much like right.:cool:

ms_m

06-01-2011, 08:39 AM

Good Morning SDF

Can't stay but a sec., I have errands to run. It's been extremely hot and humid around these parts so getting things done as early as possible is a good idea.

I mentioned politics/ideology as a reason we haven't been told the complete 411 on the fiat monetary system but there is another reason....faith....naaaaw not that kind of faith but faith in the value of US currency. To truly be effective, whether it's backed by a commodity or not, people who have USD, need to feel confident their money is worth something.

Personally, I have faith our money is still worth a heck of a lot more than the value of the paper it's printed on. If I had more of it [[money) I'd probably have even more faith. LOL

I also believe there really are extreme people in the TeaPub that are crazy enough not to raise the debt ceiling and that could cause people to loose their faith in our currency BUT...I also believe, at some point saner heads will prevail and the debt ceiling will be raised. My biggest concern though, at what cost to the 99ers. [[us average folk)

Gotta go...later gators and gatorettes.

ms_m

06-01-2011, 12:32 PM

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack.....and had a thought while I was out....

Confidence is a better word to use than faith.......people need to feel confident their currency is truly of value.

Think about it....when you go to a store and give the cashier a 20 or maybe a 100 dollar bill you feel pretty confident when they swipe that money with their trusty little pen, that 20 or 100 will NOT be counterfeit. If you've ever been unlucky enough to discover that through no fault of your own that currency was indeed counterfeit.....your confidence diminishes a little. [[or a lot depending on factors that are unique to you)

You decide to buy your own little pen and before you spend a 20/100 you swipe it yourself and that makes you confident again....or does it? The reality is this.....the fact you felt the need to buy a pen to check your money says you have lost some confidence in the value of the money you walk around with in your pocket and or purse.

Take that basic example to another level and that's what I mean by having confidence money has value.

Our govt not only creates currency it sets the value of that currency and it wants you to feel confident in that value. If you don't, it means nothing/it's worthless.

If you disagree with me on this....try taking a Confederate dollar to the grocery store to buy milk and see how far your get. LOL

ms_m

06-01-2011, 01:28 PM

Lawd love a duck, here I am trying to defend gubment and they do something like this....geesh

FEMA To Demand That Hurricane Katrina Victims Return Aid Money

NEW ORLEANS -- Nearly six years have passed since Hurricane Katrina drowned New Orleans in misery, but many residents haven't forgiven the Federal Emergency Management Agency for its sluggish response to the storm. Now another delayed reaction by FEMA – a stop-and-start push to recoup millions of dollars in disaster aid – is reminding storm victims why they often cursed the agency's name.
As a new hurricane season begins Wednesday, FEMA is working to determine how much money it overpaid or mistakenly awarded to victims of the destructive 2005 hurricane season. The agency is reviewing more than $600 million given to roughly 154,000 victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and is poised to demand that some return money.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/fema-to-demand-that-hurri_n_869584.html

Before I talk about this article I want to talk about some of the comments I read after the article. One in particular caught my eye.

To paraphrase, it said something like....Ron Paul is right, a private company would never do something like this or they would be out of business....really? I guess they think all businesses are super honest and super efficient and never make mistakes... or in some cases deliberately make mistakes.....nope...they would never do that [[face palm and rolling eyes)

I have an idea, let's get Madoff out of jail and have him set up a private disaster management agency. Too obvious you say, well tell me this, how can you be 100% sure a private agency [[with no gubment controls and regulations) would do any better than the gubment itself?

This is a perfect example of why not thinking things through drives me crazy....It's also a perfect example of how ideology can rule your brain.....ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Ok back to the article....personally, I would tell FEMA to kiss my grits!

There isn't any doubt in my mind there was some fraud being perpetrated....on some level and by some people but this paragraph is the money quote as far as I'm concerned.

Under political pressure to help residents after Katrina, FEMA relaxed its safeguards and paid millions so victims could pay for food, clothing, shelter and medicine and also get started on home repairs.

But that allowed thousands of improper and fraudulent payments. FEMA employees awarded money without interviewing applicants or inspecting property and made errors that ranged from recording incorrect banking information to failing to check whether insurance had already covered damage, according to congressional testimony.

If I make a mistake, it's my responsibility to fix that mistake....and next time be more careful. I'm not condoning fraud but once it's be shown it happened because of not doing due diligence.....

Anyhoo....the gubmnet is run by not only politicians but bureaucrats, none of them are perfect, they make mistakes...but when all is said and done....they do more good than harm. whether we want to accept that or not.

When gubment tells us something/or does something we want to hear and we like....gubment good.....when gubment says or does something we don't like....gubment bad.....

hahahahahahaha....

and then we complain about politicians who flip, flop on issues....ya gotta love it!!!!!

ms_m

06-01-2011, 10:23 PM

There are some things that simply take your breath away. Apparently this was posted in reference to an article about the meeting today between the Prez and the GOP. From what I can gather, it was deleted by a moderator on HP but another moderator decided to repost it…. Funny thing is, I don't feel any anger. There are days all I can feel is pity for people like this. [[although that would probably pissed them off as well)

Seattle 11 Posted the following. Why was it deleted? Who is afraid of being honest.....We have to stop this guy from being successful at any cost. If we don't, the other minorities might get the idea that they too could hold this job. We have to stop him. If we don't, at the rate the Latinos are growing as a population, we will have a Mexican President. Noooooooo! We have to stop them now. Getting him out is not enough, we need everyone to hate him, to believe that he is the worst in history. Go back to where we were when the only one's good enough to hold this position!! "Put them back in THEIR place" THE HATE IS NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS PRESIDENT OBAMA. IT IS DIRECTED TO YOUR AND YOUR CHILDREN. Call it what it is.

He/she said, "call it what it is"…..I call it insecurity and fear. shrugs

ms_m

06-01-2011, 11:10 PM

I read an article today that said Herman Cain was gaining ground among Republican Conservatives and many in the Tea Party were digging him as well. Personally, I think the guy is full of it and nothing more than a conservative shock jock. Has an interesting past as well ....Herman Cain's Enron-esque Disaster [[http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/herman-cain-aquila-lawsuit-2012)

but I think he would be my preferred TeaPub candidate of choice to run against the President.:cool:

I also ran across another article that I found interesting. It was written by a Conservative blogger and he thought it would be a good idea to tell Blacks why they should support Cain. It was along the same lines as Cain's remarks about getting off the "Democratic Plantation" but went a little further.

The writer said [[I'm paraphrasing) Blacks should support Cain because we should be able to identify with him more because he's "Blacker in skin color" [[that's a direct quote) than the President and he speaks a bit of Ebonics.

What a world!

ms_m

06-02-2011, 02:43 PM

The U.S. Constitution: Article 1
Article 1 deals with the legislative branch, the senate and the house of representatives. It grants specific powers and clearly states that no other powers belong to the legislative branch. The powers granted: power of impeachment, power to originate tax bills resides wholly in the house, lay and collect taxes, pay debts, borrow money, regulate foreign commerce and commerce between the states, make laws regarding naturalization, bankruptcies, coin money, establish post offices and roads, grant copy rites and patents, appoint lower courts, punish piracy, declare war, raise armies, navies, militias, and legislate over Washington D.C. directly.

I’m fascinated how many people view the role of our government. Many advocate for smaller government; a govt that stays out of their way and give them free reign. They often cite the US Constitution as the definitive source of their beliefs and would prefer to have private business be responsible for providing services to more than 3 billion people in this country.

Based on their view tax money should only go to the following services and nothing else…
Borrow money
Regulate foreign commerce and commerce between the states,
Make laws regarding naturalization,
Bankruptcies,
Coin money,
Establish post offices and roads
Grant copy rites and patents
Appoint lower courts
Punish piracy
Declare war
Raise armies, navies, militias,
Legislate over Washington D.C. directly.

If the govt were limited to the above, in addition to paying taxes we would also have to pay [[private business) for the following:

A fire dept to put out fires, [[which is actually happening in some parts of the country)

I was going to include police officers as well but I guess we could allow a “militia” to fulfill that need [[a scary thought but doable… I guess)

We would have to pay private business to insure us from natural disaster….and yes many already do that to some degree but think how much higher your premiums would be without Federal Aid

We would pay private businesses to ensure our food is safe, our water supply is safe and the air we breathe is operating free of toxins

Pay for services that would oversee building construction to make sure our buildings are safe, our work areas were safe, our cars were safe, etc.

….and dozens of more services we would pay private business for in order to ensure prosperity and quality of life.

How would we become prosperous going in our pockets weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly or what have you, to pay for these private services?

If you want private businesses to be free to do as they please, why would any of these businesses pay a decent wage to cover the cost it would take for them to provide these services, while still making a profit?

Many services that we currently have are not spelled out in the Constitution and a lot of that has to do with the times the Constitution was written but what is spelled out, our government can tax citizens.

Since we have to pay taxes, doesn’t it make sense to ask [[demand) our govt. provide services? Services that would help offset the cost we would need to pay to the private business sector, if our govt didn't step up to the plate?

ms_m

06-03-2011, 07:04 PM

Democrats Break Down Impact Of GOP Medicare Plan District By District
Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 3, 2011, 5:04PM

House Democrats have broken down the massive changes to Medicare and Medicaid proposed by the House GOP into a convenient take home size.

Democratic Reps. Henry Waxman [[CA) and Frank Pallone [[NJ), voters can now see what Democrats say is the direct impact of the Republican plan to turn Medicare into a voucher system on every congressional district in the country.

Waxman and Pallone have set up an interactive map that allows viewers to pop open a report on the impact of the Medicare change on the population in their community.
Full Article Here:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/democrats-break-down-impact-of-gop-medicare-plan-district-by-district.php

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/InteractiveMap.jpg

Interactive Map Click Here:
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?q=page/district-by-district-impact-of-republican-medicare-plan-and-medicaid-cuts

Scroll down to your State and Representative's name and click. This will give you a breakdown of the impact of Wonder-boy Ryan's Bill in your district

It may take a few seconds to load but it's worth the wait since it could affect you, a family member or friend!

ms_m

06-03-2011, 07:13 PM

If you need a little help
Directory of Representatives
http://www.house.gov/representatives/

I'm afraid I can't help with your specific district but that info should be on your voters reg card. Or you can go to the election board website of your particular state to find your district.

stephanie

06-03-2011, 10:36 PM

Ms M dont you find it interesting that since the Repubs are saying that we should not live in a socialist or communist society that the very things they are against they are promoting! I think in Florida they are trying to pass a bill for mandatory drug testing before you can receive welfare benefits and making it illegal to have abortions or having to tell your parents. Also mandatory drug testing for food stamps and other social programs. I am not against drug testing for the workplace but this is a bit nutty AND if you make more than 5000 a year you will not be eligible for Medicaid! Talk about killing the elderly and throwing people under the bus!

ms_m

06-04-2011, 03:46 AM

It's been that way since the day President Obama took office Stephanie. If he's for it, they are against it, even though it may have been their idea initially.

ms_m

06-04-2011, 05:25 PM

GOP Can’t Handle The Truth: Taxes Are Lower Under Obama Than Reagan
By Pat Garofalo on Jun 1, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Republicans are very fond of saying that the U.S. has “a spending problem, not a revenue problem.” But the truth is that revenue has plunged due to the recession and to continued misguided tax cuts, and revenue needs to be raised to eventually bring the budget into balance. And Reagan knew that taxes were an important part of the budget equation. After all, he “raised taxes in seven of his eight years in office,” including four times in just two years.

Read Full Article Here:
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/06/01/233526/taxes-lower-reagan/

ms_m

06-04-2011, 05:35 PM

I'm not happy with this idea but the truth is we need more revenue not more cuts. The only way to achieve that is to raise taxes. BUT in order for the middle class not to get hit with a large raise, those making more than 250,000K, plus all those large corporations who pay nothing, have to pay as well. After that, the tax code needs to be reformed to get rid of all those loopholes!

ms_m

06-04-2011, 07:22 PM

Truth really is stranger than fiction….LOL

The truth on the bus goes round and round...
By Robert Farley, Louis Jacobson
Published on Friday, June 3rd, 2011 at 4:49 p.m.

When Piper Palin told a reporter and photographer in Philadelphia, "Thanks for ruining our family vacation," we could all sympathize, right?

Who hasn't had a few family vacation doozies.

But if the Palin clan wanted to travel incognito, one wonders if it was the best idea to travel in a bus emblazoned with the U.S. Constitution, Sarah Palin's signature, the address of a website to follow the tour and a "vacation" theme that sounds an awful lot like a campaign slogan.
Full Article:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2011/jun/03/truth-bus-goes-round-and-round/

ms_m

06-04-2011, 07:40 PM

Someone on the forum made this claim once. I wish I had not blown it off but I did. Now it’s time to set the record straight

Said Planned Parenthood’s early objective was to "help kill black babies before they came into the world."

Herman Cain on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 in a talk at a conservative think tank
Cain claims Planned Parenthood founded for "planned genocide"

This presidential election season, Georgia’s homegrown prospect Herman Cain is talking about race.

Cain, a black, conservative Republican, recently said the media is "scared that a real black man may run against Barack Obama."

And there’s this one about pro-abortion rights group Planned Parenthood:

"When Margaret Sanger - check my history - started Planned Parenthood, the objective was to put these centers in primarily black communities so they could help kill black babies before they came into the world," Cain said during a talk in Washington, D.C., at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group.

"It's planned genocide," Cain added. He wants the U.S. Congress to yank funding for Planned Parenthood, which receives about $75 million a year to provide non-abortion health services.
Was Planned Parenthood founded to help kill unborn black babies?

Cain asked his audience to check his history. So, we did.

Politifact not only rated this false but a “pants on fire lie.

Read Full Article Here:
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2011/apr/08/herman-cain/cain-claims-planned-parenthood-founded-planned-gen/

ms_m

06-04-2011, 07:54 PM

Sarah Palin collects a bushel of Pinocchios on her bus tour
By Glenn Kessler

“This Sunday, May 29th, Governor Palin and the SarahPAC team will begin a trip through our nation's rich historical sites, starting from Washington, DC, and going up through New England. The ‘One Nation Tour’ is part of our new campaign to educate and energize Americans about our nation's founding principles, in order to promote the Fundamental Restoration of America.”

If Sarah Palin were better at fact checking she would be so easy to ignore but reading through this article, I realized many people believe the same things she does which is probably why they trust her so much….that thought sends chills through my body….brrrrrr

Full Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/sarah-palin-collects-a-bushel-of-pinocchios-on-her-bus-tour/2011/06/02/AGkNAbHH_blog.html?wprss=fact-checker

ms_m

06-05-2011, 07:47 PM

2012 Election Central seems like a good source of info in you're interested
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/whos-running-for-president-in-2012/

They have Michele Bachmann as undeclared but I read she will be participating in the next GOP debate. [[the 12 of this month I believe) If that's true, she should be declaring soon.

Trying to figure out who is running for President in 2012? Well you've come to the right place. Below is a breakdown of Republican contenders looking to unseat President Obama. These are in no particular order.

Officially Declared*:

Herman Cain
Businessman, Talk radio host
Official Website – Herman Cain 2012 Store

Newt Gingrich
Former US House Speaker & Representative
Official Website – Newt Gingrich 2012 Store

Gary Johnson
Former New Mexico Governor
Official Website

Ron Paul
US Representative from Texas' 14th District
Official Website – Ron Paul 2012 Store

Tim Pawlenty
Former Minnesota Governor
Official Website – Tim Pawlenty 2012 Store

Mitt Romney
Former Massachusetts Governor
Official Website – Mitt Romney 2012 Store

Formed Exploratory Committee:

Buddy Roemer, Former US Representative from Louisiana – Official Website

Roy Moore, Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama – Official Website

Rick Santorum, Former US Senator from Pennsylvania – Official Website

Undeclared:

Michele Bachmann, US Representative from Minnesota's 6th District – Likely

Jon Huntsman, Former Utah Governor, Former Ambassador to China

John Thune, US Senator from South Dakota – Possible

Sarah Palin, Former Alaska Governor – Likely

Mike Pence, US Representative from Indiana's 6th District – Likely

Chris Christie, New Jersey Governor – Unlikely

Rick Perry, Texas Governor – Unlikely

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Governor, Possible

Bob McDonnell, Virginia Governor – Unlikely

Not Runing:

Haley Barbour, Mississippi Governor

John Cornyn, US Senator from Texas

Mitch Daniels, Indiana Governor

Jim DeMint, US Senator from South Carolina

Mike Huckabee, Former Arkansas Governor

Marco Rubio, US Senator from Florida

George Pataki, Former New York Governor

This page will be kept updated as announcements are made.

*Only major candidates who qualify to appear in debates are listed. For a full list, including perennial candidates, see here.

Here is the link for the "here" in that last sentence [[sorry about that)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_ primaries,_2012#Candidates

6-6-2011
Rick Santorum just threw his hat in the ring so he is now in the declared column.

Don’t know who Santorum is? Google him.:eek: BUT WAIT and a WARNING…..if you have a weak stomach or are easily grossed out or offended…don’t read the first thing that comes up in the search engine.

ms_m

06-05-2011, 09:45 PM

I remember having a discussion about Sarah Palin right after she was picked for McCain’s running mate. I didn’t see what she brought to the table other than energizing the extreme right. As it turns out, she has been the worst thing to happen to the Republican Party [[although many, including McCain continue to deny it) She brought the extreme right electorate out in droves and to the chagrin of the Repubs, they haven’t gone away.

There isn’t any doubt that Palin and the other extremist have the ability to raise[[and pocket:)) large sums of money. Add that to the Koch Brothers money and the Tea Party could have a hefty war chest but I believe the moderate Repubs hold more weight and money…People like Bloomberg and his buddies, which is why I found this article interesting.

Donors to G.O.P. Are Backing Gay Marriage Push

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and MICHAEL BARBARO
Published: May 13, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/nyregion/donors-to-gop-are-backing-gay-marriage-push.html

Looking over the TeaPub potential candidates and the only one I see that could seriously give President Obama a run for his money, is the one that I don’t think has a chance in hell of getting the nomination…..John Huntsman. He may be the man to watch in 2016 though. [[if he stops distancing himself from his gubernatorial record)

I also think Romney could be tough against Prez O, but I think in the end, he will divide the party even more than it’s divided now. If Romney gets the nomination, I say look for a 3rd party spoiler candidate to widen that divide.

In 2008 the crazy was confined to Palin, that crazy has multiplied and started earlier than the last presidential election. In theory, people could be so worn out with the crazy by the time Nov. 2012 comes around; they’ll do anything to get rid of it, including voting for the incumbent Prez. LOL

In reality, anything is possible in this race. Stock up on the popcorn, it’s going to be one heck of a show over the next 17 months.

On a side note, if Cain wins the nomination, I will laugh my arse off. Then I'll GOTV for President Obama.[[while still laughing)

ms_m

06-05-2011, 10:08 PM

The White House Blog
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/_mg_2786.jpg
Weekly Wrap Up: “An Example of What the American Spirit is all About"
Posted by Rohan Siddhanti on June 03, 2011 at 06:41 PM EDT
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/03/weekly-wrap-example-what-american-spirit-all-about

ms_m

06-06-2011, 12:38 AM

It’s not always easy to see things in the long term when the short term looks bleak and or stagnant but if I had money, I’d be betting on Detroit right now.

Panel notes manufacturing’s resurgence, says gritty image must be retooled
By Matthew Gryczan

MACKINAC ISLAND — In a reunion of sorts, a panel of experts convened at the Mackinac Policy Conference reached consensus today that manufacturing in Michigan has improved markedly over the past two years.

When members of the panel — Beth Chappell, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Club; William Clay Ford Jr., executive chairman of the board at Ford Motor Co.; Donald Walker, CEO of Magna International Inc.; and Deborah Wince-Smith, president and CEO of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness — last met to discuss how America can be competitive, things looked dire for the future of manufacturing.

Manufacturing has been “moving in dog years,” Chappell said in reference to the speed with which Ford engineered its turnaround, and how General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC already have repaid federal loans that staved off failure of their companies.

Ford went through a lengthy list of advantages that makes Michigan among the world’s top locations for manufacturing: presence of imbedded industries, huge potential customer base and a “tremendous” network of universities that know how to work with large corporations on research and development projects.

“I’m actually very bullish on our prospects going forward,” he said.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110603/FREE/110609933/panel-notes-manufacturing-8217-s-resurgence-says-gritty-image-must

Looks like folks with money are doing just that [[betting on Detroit that is)

Originally Published: June 05, 2011 8:00 PM Modified: June 05, 2011 9:51 PM

‘Shocking' bargain: Gores pays $325M for Pistons
By Bill Shea

One insider familiar with pro sports franchise sales, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was flabbergasted at what Gores paid to assume majority ownership from Karen Davidson.

"That is a shocking price," he said. "If he got the team and the real estate [[for $325 million), are you kidding me? They ripped her face off."

Something tells me 325 mil will be more than enough to help Karen Davidson get her face repaired.:)
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110605/FREE/306059954/-8216-shocking-bargain-gores-pays-325m-for-pistons#

ms_m

06-06-2011, 03:48 AM

The force that is Jon Stewart: Daily Show's ratings now higher than most of FOX News
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:21 PM on 5th June 2011

Jon Stewart is leaping ahead of one of his most popular targets: Fox News.
The comic's TV program, The Daily Show, beat most of the entire Fox News network in terms of total viewers, according to the May Nielson ratings.

Mr Stewart's show averaged 2.3million viewers, while most of the Fox News prime time and day time line up averaged only 1.85million viewers.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1394561/The-force-Jon-Stewart-Daily-Shows-ratings-higher-FOX-News.html#ixzz1OTkm045A

There’s also talk in blog land that Fox is out to sabotage Palin. They don’t want to fire her but supposedly they are trying to make her quit. Recently while doing a story on her they posted Tina Fey’s picture. Maybe a mistake, maybe not but Fox viewers who are Palin fans are threatening to walk because they don’t like the way she’s being [[allegedly) treated by Fox these days.

Also you betcha too….did you guys know there are several Tea Party’s? I didn’t until recently. Tea Party Express is saying they will back Romney if he gets the nomination. Tea Party Nation and Tea Party Patriots members are telling TP Express to go to he__ __ errr heck. :D

I don’t think I have enough popcorn, must buy more…..hahahahahahahaha

ms_m

06-06-2011, 08:12 AM

ECRI: INFLATION PRESSURES WILL CONTINUE TO RECEDE
6 June 2011 by Cullen Roche 5 Comments

The ECRI’s Future Inflation Gauge declined in May from 102.9 to 101. This is one of the few reliable independent inflation gauges. Lakshman Achuthan, Chief Economist of ECRI said inflation pressures are clearly receding:
“With the USFIG hitting a seven-month low, underlying inflation pressures have clearly begun to recede.”

This should pretty much put the imminent predictions of hyperinflation [[http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article24929.html) to rest [[though we should not expect any of the hyperinflationists to be held accountable for their complete and total lack of understanding of the US monetary syste [[http://pragcap.com/resources/understanding-modern-monetary-system)m). *Disinflation is clearly becoming a risk again [[http://pragcap.com/have-oil-and-gasoline-prices-peaked).

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/ecri_fig.jpg

http://pragcap.com/ecri-inflation-pressures-will-continue-to-recede

*Disinflation causes an increase in the real value of money and other monetary items.

BTW for those of you who may be wondering if disinflation is a bad thing [[I was) apparently there is a good, a bad and an ugly scenario. For now, it's good...so let's all be happy our dollars will get more bang for their buck. [[for now)

ms_m

06-06-2011, 08:55 AM

Editorial
They Want to Make Voting Harder?
Published: June 5, 2011

One of the most promising recent trends in expanding political participation has been allowing people to vote in the weeks before Election Day, either in person or by mail. Early voting, which enables people to skip long lines and vote at more convenient times, has been increasingly popular over the last 15 years. It skyrocketed to a third of the vote in 2008, rising particularly in the South and among black voters supporting Barack Obama.

And that, of course, is why Republican lawmakers in the South are trying desperately to cut it back. Two states in the region have already reduced early-voting periods, and lawmakers in others are considering doing so. It is the latest element of a well-coordinated effort by Republican state legislators across the country to disenfranchise voters who tend to support Democrats, particularly minorities and young people.

The biggest part of that effort, imposing cumbersome requirements that voters have a government ID, has been painted as a response to voter fraud, an essentially nonexistent problem. But Republican lawmakers also have taken a good look at voting patterns, realized that early voting might have played a role in Mr. Obama’s 2008 victory, and now want to reduce that possibility in 2012.

Yep….we’ve [[NC) got a Dem governor and Republican controlled legislative body who are trying to reek havoc all over the place. But many of us will still vote early even if Gov Perdue doesn’t veto the bill to limit early voting. IMO, It would be wise politically, if she did. I’m just saying….

I wish this was a news article though instead of an editorial. The media has been too quiet on this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/opinion/06mon1.html?_r=1

ms_m

06-06-2011, 08:25 PM

...lawd love a duck...

KKK: Trying To 'Re-Brand' Itself?

At the Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, a handful of picketers from controversial hate group the Westboro Baptist Church [[WBC) were siphoned off into a corner, as other military family members came to pay their respects.

Members of the hate group have become a ubiquitous presence at funerals in recent years; they can frequently be seen in packs, holding signs emblazoned with “God Hates Fags” or “Thank God For Dead Soldiers.”

But at Arlington last Monday, one group of demonstrators came out to counter-protest the WBC, catching national media attention as they handed out American flags to passersby and denounced the WBC's actions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/06/kkk-westboro-baptist-church_n_871841.html

As long as I can remember, in one way or another, I have been told that there isn’t anything wrong with being a minority in this country 'cause there are laws to protects us…so, could someone riddle me this…..why are folks panicking at the thought of becoming a minority?

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused::confused::rolleyes:

ms_m

06-06-2011, 09:05 PM

6 REASONS WHY HOUSING ISN’T RECOVERING
6 June 2011 by Cullen Roche

Good piece here from Morningstar’s Bearemy Glaser. He cites the 6 reasons why housing isn’t on the fast track to recovery any time soon. With the exception of point 6 [[I think interest rates will likely rise when the economy actually shows signs of organic growth) I couldn’t agree more with every point:

“Last week, I examined the perfect storm of factors that led to the incredible inflation of housing prices and some of the reasons housing prices have fallen back to earth. Although I do believe that prices have stabilized, there are many headwinds that will make it hard to see impressive gains coming anytime soon. This week, we will look at six reasons why demand isn’t likely to pick up.”

1. Unemployment
2. Household Formation
3. Shadow Inventory
4. Underwater Mortgages
5. More Stringent Mortgage Requirements
6. Rising Rate Environment

Read the full piece here.
http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=383192
Source: Morningstar

ms_m

06-07-2011, 10:17 AM

June 06, 2011 8:00 AM

Letting a Diamond slip away
By Steve Benen

Diamond is among the most accomplished economists of his generation, and last year, was awarded a Nobel Prize in economics. And yet, there was Richard Shelby & Co., insisting that Diamond lacked the qualifications to join the board of governors of the Federal Reserve.

As far as the dimwitted senator and his cohorts were concerned, Diamond’s background is not in monetary policy, which necessarily raised doubts about his nomination. It’s true that this isn’t Diamond’s specific field, but it’s hardly a prerequisite — of the five sitting Fed governors at the time of Diamond’s nomination, three were not specialists in monetary economics. One of Bush’s appointees has no advanced degree in economics at all and has never done any academic research in the field.

What did Shelby have to say about this nominee? Nothing — the Republican senator supported Bush’s unqualified nominee, raised no questions about the nominee’s background, and voted for confirmation.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_06/letting_a_diamond_slip_away030049.php

Over and over Republicans have shown they have one objective and one objective only... If the American people get in the way, too bad, so sad, we’re simply casualties of war.

ms_m

06-08-2011, 03:06 PM

GOP Freshman Comes Full Circle On Whether Social Security Is A Pyramid Scheme
Brian Beutler | June 8, 2011, 1:33PM

Yes it is! No it isn't! OK, it is!

Rep. Joe Heck [[R-NV) can't make up his mind about whether Social Security is or is not a pyramid scheme. His latest contention is that it is, indeed, a pyramid scheme that should be privatized, though last week he walked back the same claim.

Last week, the GOP freshman told a group of constituents, "when they first conceived Social Security, they didn't think they were going to be paying benefits for 13-15 years. That's one of the reasons why this pyramid scheme isn't working."
The crowd responded with howls of derision. Under public pressure, and amid growing public unease with Republican plans to phase out existing entitlement programs, Heck swiftly retracted the claim to Nevada's top political reporter, Joe Ralston.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/gop-freshman-comes-full-circle-on-whether-social-security-is-a-pyramid-scheme.php?ref=fpblg

Never thought of this until now but this could be the reason why many of these folks seem... "dizzy.";)

ms_m

06-08-2011, 03:31 PM

PAUL KRUGMAN & RICHARD KOO ARE BOTH WRONG
8 June 2011 by Cullen Roche

There’s been a bit of a spat in the last 24 hours between Paul Krugman and Richard Koo. The two have disagreed on QE since its inception with Koo saying it would do nothing and Krugman maintaining faith in the policy. This is nothing new though. This spat has been going on for decades now. Richard Koo was an early critic of QE in Japan when a young[[er) American economist named Paul Krugman went over to Japan to lecture the Japanese on their policy options as deflation dug its heels in. Dr. Krugman was a very vocal advocate of the policy saying that it could alter expectations and generate positive economic growth. Koo maintained that, in a balance sheet recession, the policy would fail to generate any sort of substantive effect on the real economy. Of course, Koo ended up being right about QE in Japan and he’s now being proven right again about QE in the USA.

Now, I have to admit that I am a bit biased in this fight because I’ve been siding with Koo since QE began, but the facts are the facts. QE does not appear to have done a single positive thing for the economy. A few of us [[myself and Richard Koo) were particularly vocal critics of the policy from its onset and not for the reasons that most others were [[inflation, money printing, debt monetization, etc). It’s now clear that QE didn’t result in hyperinflation, excessive money supply growth, debt monetization and merely generated a margin squeeze on the entire economy, resulted in no real growth and actually resulted in lower real GDP. Thus, it would appear that Koo was right and Krugman was wrong.

But Paul Krugman isn’t having it. Unfortunately, he’s making the same argument he made 9 months ago. He says he wasn’t wrong. He merely claims that he was an advocate of the Fed trying all options and that he was also calling for greater fiscal policy. Let’s review what he actually said:

http://pragcap.com/paul-krugman-richard-koo-are-both-wrong

I love this guy. A lot of it continues to go right over my head but he’s helping to clear away the fog. Yoohoo!:cool:

ms_m

06-08-2011, 11:11 PM

The White House Blog
Getting Insurance at Work
Posted by Nancy-Ann DeParle on June 08, 2011 at 09:30 AM EDT

Employers Have No Incentive to Drop Coverage

Economists agree that employers offer health insurance to help attract and retain the most talented employees. Employers will continue to seek out top talent: and the new law makes it easier for them to do so by tackling health costs and supporting small businesses. Additionally, dropping coverage is unlikely to save money for employers. As Tracy Watts of Mercer said:
“Employers are reluctant to lose control over a key employee benefit. But beyond that, once you consider the penalty, the loss of tax savings and grossing up employee income so they can purchase comparable coverage through an exchange, for many employers dropping coverage may not equate to savings.”

At Odds With History

Health reform in Massachusetts uses a similar structure as the Affordable Care Act. It includes exchanges where people can purchase health insurance, a personal responsibility requirement to bring everyone into the health insurance system and an employer responsibility requirement. The result? Since reform was enacted in Massachusetts more than five years ago, the number of individuals with employer-sponsored insurance in Massachusetts has increased. And job growth in Massachusetts has kept pace with other New England State and the nation.

Unanswered Questions

McKinsey says they obtained their data after they “educated respondents” about reform and that their survey used proprietary research. We don’t know what respondents were told or whether they had the chance to check with their colleagues or crunch the numbers for their business before responding.

The Bottom Line

A central goal of the Affordable Care Act is to reduce the cost of providing health insurance and make it easier for employers to offer coverage to their workers. We have implemented the law at every step of the way to minimize disruption and maximize affordability for businesses, workers, and families. And we agree with experts who project that employers will continue to offer high quality benefits to their workers under the new law. This one discordant study should be taken with a grain of salt.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/08/getting-insurance-work

ms_m

06-09-2011, 06:01 PM

Frank Hull Is A Woman, And Other Good Things To Know About The Eleventh Circuit Health Care Panel
By Ian Millhiser on Jun 6, 2011 at 2:04 pm

Eleventh Circuit Judge Frank Hull

On Wednesday the Eleventh Circuit will become the third court of appeals to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the landmark Affordable Care Act. Although the legal significance of a case has very little to do with the identity of the parties, this case is likely to be one of the most closely watched ACA cases because its plaintiffs include more than two dozen Republican state officials acting on behalf of their states, and because the case against the ACA — weak though it may be — will be argued by conservative superlawyer Paul Clement.

The three judge panel hearing the case includes Chief Judge Joel Dubina, a George H.W. Bush appointee, and Clinton-appointed Judges Frank Hull and Stanley Marcus. Court-watchers, however, should be cautious about reading too much into this panel because of its apparent partisan makeup. Judges Hull and Marcus are both compromise nominees Clinton selected in order to overcome obstruction from the Republican-controlled Senate — indeed, Judge Marcus is a Republican who was previously appointed to a federal district court by Ronald Reagan. Dubina’s partisan credentials might be a bit more secure, as his daughter is a GOP congresswoman who voted to repeal the ACA.

Nevertheless, it is unlikely that this panel will take the same Cee Lo Green attitude towards President Obama’s greatest legislative accomplishment that Judge Roger Vinson took in the court below. Vinson is the only judge in America to toss out the entire Affordable Care Act because he objects to just one provision — and he based his analysis of this question on a brief submitted by an anti-gay hate group. His opinion includes an entirely gratuitous nod to the Tea Party, and a Center For American Progress examination of his opinion identified at least 40 factual and legal errors. Because Vinson went so far out of his way to flag his Tea Party sympathies he could wind up spooking the Eleventh Circuit panel more than he stands to convince them to strike down the law.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/06/06/237386/frank-hull-is-a-woman/

ms_m

06-10-2011, 06:55 PM

Rather interesting when a firm starts to hedge it’s bets on it’s own survey

Controversial McKinsey Health Care Study Creates Major Dissent At Firm
Brian Beutler | June 10, 2011, 4:40PM

The political damage to President Obama's health care law may already be done. But there's a curious backstory to the report this week from a major consulting firm study that found "ObamaCare" would lead to fairly dramatic unintended consequences.

The consulting firm McKinsey & Company was thrust into the political spotlight Tuesday after it published a study -- at odds with the expert consensus -- finding that, once fully implemented, the health care reform law will drive huge numbers of employers to drop or dramatically restructure their companies' health care benefits.

The predictable fallout led Democrats, and several reporters, to press McKinsey for the survey itself -- a request McKinsey has declined on the grounds that the material is proprietary.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/multiple-sources-throw-controversial-mckinsey-health-care-study-under-the-bus.php?ref=fpa

ms_m

06-15-2011, 06:26 AM

Three Most Common Mistakes Made By So-Called Fact Checkers When Assessing GOP’s Medicare Plan
Brian Beutler | June 14, 2011, 3:01PM

Self-appointed independent fact checkers continue to miss the boat on the GOP's Medicare plan. And not just small misses, but big belly flop misses.

The immediate result has been fact-check assessments that ding Democrats for overstating how radical the GOP plan is and give political ammunition to Republicans to use against Democrats. But at a deeper level the misguided fact-checking -- almost always the result of insufficient expertise on Medicare specifically, and health insurance more broadly -- threatens to skew the public policy debate in ways that obscure the truth and complicates the effort to provide the public with a clear assessment of the GOP's plan on the merits.

The list of fact-checker errors and thin analysis is steadily growing but they fit broadly within three general categories. We take them one by one and have the experts weigh in:

Read More
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/democratic-attacks-on-gop-budget-unfairly-pilloried-by-independent-fact-checkers.php?ref=fpb

ms_m

06-15-2011, 08:11 PM

The GOP Goes Soft, Withdraws From the World
by Michael Tomasky

At Monday's debate, we learned that the GOP is no longer the party of George Bush, Dick Cheney, and Don Rumsfeld. Michael Tomasky on the eclipse of the neocons.

Did you notice at Monday night's Republican debate—of course you didn't; you lead a wholesome life, so you didn't watch it—that when it came time for the candidates to attack Barack Obama on foreign policy, they did so with gusto... from the left? Yes—the GOP has gone soft, friends. They hate freedom. They're from Venus, not Mars. Choose your metaphor. If the white feather fits...

Mitt Romney sounded not so terribly different from Obama on Afghanistan, with the crucial difference that he wants out faster. Michele Bachmann and virtually all of them thundered that we had no need to be involved in Libya, least of all by playing second fiddle to France [[a few things don't change). Ron Paul peddled his predictable isolationist wares, and he did so to a rather robust round of applause. Their message with respect to America and the world [[except from Rick Santorum, who mounted a lonely defense of our worldwide military presence) was that we should just stay home and forget about it. For a moment there I looked down to check the width of my lapels to make sure it wasn't 1976 and I wasn't listening to Democrats Fred Harris, Mo Udall, and Birch Bayh

Most pathetically of all, the only time during the entire show that one of the seven started chest-thumping in time-honored Republican fashion about giving fuzzy-wuzzy a whiff of the old grapeshot [[note: ironic historical reference, not a slur), it was Tim Pawlenty trying to sound all manly about bombing Yemen: which is to say, about continuing Barack Obama's policy!

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-06-14/gop-debate-shows-partys-shallowness-on-domestic-foreign-policy/?cid=hp:mainpromo2

...there's always Rick "GoodHair" Perry and his buddies in the John Birch Society....

ms_m

06-15-2011, 10:33 PM

New York Gay Marriage: State Assembly Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill

By Dan Wiessner

ALBANY, June 15 [[Reuters) - The New York state Assembly approved same-sex marriage on Wednesday and the bill is likely to face a vote in the Senate on Friday, where it only needs support from one more senator to pass.
The Democrat-dominated Assembly voted 80 to 63 in favor of the marriage equality bill introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat in his first year in office.

The state-by-state battle over gay marriage has become one of the most contentious U.S. social issues ahead of the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.

"Only second-class states have second-class citizens," said Assemblyman Charles Lavine, a Democrat who voted in favor of legalizing gay marriage.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/15/new-york-gay-marriage-state-assembly-approves-bill_n_877889.html

Way to go New York. This is how a Democratic majority is suppose to work!!!!! This is how DEMOCRACY is suppose to work!!!!!

It simply does not make any sense for any one group of citizens in this country, not to have the same legal rights as all it citizens. Human beings are Human beings whatever their likes and dislikes, color, race, religion, gender, ... and it's great to see adults in the New York State government recognize that fact!!!!

ms_m

06-16-2011, 03:32 PM

Mitt Romney — Net Worth Over $200 Million — Tells Unemployed People ‘I’m Also Unemployed’
Brian Beutler | June 16, 2011, 1:33PM

Mitt Romney's given President Obama all kinds of grief for bemoaning "bumps in the road" to economic recovery. In a viral web video released this week, camp Romney creatively anthropomorphized those bumps as unemployed people still struggling after a years-long economic downturn, all of whom stood up and proclaimed, "I'm not a bump in the road."
Leave it to Romney -- net worth over $200 million -- to completely step on his own message.

"I should tell my story," Romney told a group of unemployed people in Florida. "I'm also unemployed."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/mitt-romney----net-worth-over-200-million----tells-unemployed-people-im-also-unemployed.php?ref=fpb

well boohoo for the 200 million dollar unemployed man….and yet some can’t see why bashing President Obama is NOT going to work to keep fools like this from running, ruling and ruining [[even more than Repubs already have ) this country.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::r olleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::r olleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::r olleyes: etc. etc. etc.

ms_m

06-17-2011, 07:09 PM

Economy

40 Percent Of The Benefits Of Pawlenty’s Tax Plan Go To The Richest One Percent Of Americans
By Guest Blogger posted from ThinkProgress Economy on Jun 17, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Our guest blogger is Michael Linden, Director of Tax and Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Recently, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty [[R) proposed a set of huge new tax cuts that would cost more than three times as much as the Bush tax cuts. His plan to reduce the top individual income tax to the lowest rate in post-war history, cut the corporate tax rate by more than half, and completely abolish taxes on capital gains, dividends, and massive estates would mainly benefit the extremely wealthy. In fact, these tax changes would be even more skewed towards the rich than the Bush tax cuts were.

Using analysis from the Tax Policy Center, we put together the accompanying chart showing just how tilted the Pawlenty tax cuts would be. Nearly 40 percent of the entire benefit of Pawlenty’s plan would go to the richest 1 percent of Americans. The next richest 9 percent would enjoy 25 percent of the total benefit. In other words, under the Pawlenty plan, the richest 10 percent of Americans would reap significantly more than the bottom 90 percent combined:
More:
http://thinkprogress.org/

Politics

Report: Paul Ryan May Personally Benefit From Preserving Billions In Taxpayer Oil Subsidies
By Lee Fang on Jun 17, 2011 at 3:30 pm

Rep. Paul Ryan [[R-WI), the architect of the GOP budget plan, has put forth a plan that calls for ending a number of tax subsidies. However, he has hedged multiple times when asked about oil subsidies. When given the opportunity to end billions in taxpayer giveaways to big oil companies, Ryan voted to preserve the generous subsidies.

The Daily Beast’s Daniel Stone is reporting that Ryan’s protection of billions in wasteful oil subsidies may relate to his own personal fortune. Newly released personal finance disclosures reveal that Ryan and his wife “own stakes in four family companies that lease land in Texas and Oklahoma to the very energy companies that benefit from the tax subsidies in Ryan’s budget plan.” Stone reports that those companies are among his most valuable assets:
More:
http://thinkprogress.org/

ms_m

06-19-2011, 04:57 PM

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ECONOMY IN 2 MINUTES
16 June 2011 by Cullen Roche 98 Comments

Robert Reich describes what’s wrong with the economy in 2 minutes. His bullet points [[thanks to Stephanie Kelton):

• The economy doubles since 1980, but wages flat. Where did the money go…
• All [[or most) of the gains went to the super rich. And…
• With money comes political power. Taxes on super rich slashed, revenues evaporate. This leads to…
• Huge budget deficits. Middle class agitated, fights for scraps…
• Middle class divided. Buying and borrowing slow. Resulting in:
• Anemic recovery/economy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTzMqm2TwgE&feature=player_embedded

I would add one very important point that Mr. Reich misses here. The real destruction has come in the growth of the financialization of the US economy. Since the 1970′s when the financialization of the USA began we have seen an increasing number of would-be entrepreneurs leave productive positions for Wall Street jobs where they largely help devise ways to help separate the middle class from their savings. As the country grew more and more wealthy in the 1980′s and 1990′s [[thanks to entrepreneurs like Bill Gates) the problem compounded because the demand for Wall Street’s services expanded [[higher wealth meant higher demand for protecting that wealth). Wall Street convinces Main Street that the best way to protect their wealth is by giving it to them [[2% at a time) and Main Street doesn’t know any better because they don’t [[and still don’t) understand how the monetary system or the economic system in the USA actually works so they give their money to a trusted “expert”.

The result is fewer Bill Gates’s [[real job producers) and more Gordon Gekkos [[company destroyers). The wealth gap grows as Wall Street’s incomes explode, Wall Street deregulates and the result is a weak middle class, rising inflation [[largely thanks to the wealth disparity), a debt bubble that results from the middle class trying to sustain their standard of living [[“keeping up with the Jones’s!), and ultimately a crash that turns what should have been a garden style recession into a near depression as Wall Street takes advantage of the zero collateral laws to leverage themselves up to the hilt in their never ending search for profit maximization and ultimately even greater pay.

Now we all suffer because of this cannibalization of capitalism.
http://pragcap.com/the-truth-about-the-economy-in-2-minutes

ms_m

06-20-2011, 06:08 PM

Bachmann: Canada Did ‘No Stimulus’ [[Oh Really?)
Eric Kleefeld | June 20, 2011, 5:21PM

One problem: Canada did undertake a major stimulus program.
Bachmann's campaign tweeted earlier on Monday:

Lesson in economic recovery: Consider Canada. No stimulus & unemployment is 20% lower than US. is.gd/jxebtd #tcot #teaparty #canada

It is true that Canada's unemployment in May 2011, the most recent month for which data is available, stood at 7.6%, compared to 9.1% in the United States. But the absolute fact of the matter is that Canada undertook a thorough stimulus program under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party -- one that was relatively smaller than the one here, but given the apples and oranges situation of having different economic needs, it was still a very considerable one. In addition, it should be explained that even this stimulus was undertaken under some very high-profile political circumstances.

Read More

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/bachmann-canada-did-no-stimulus-oh-really.php?ref=fpa

Bachmann has more “pants on fire” lies than any other politician on.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/rulings/pants-fire/

Her track record is so horrific; her campaign manager said every statement she spoke would be fact checked before she spoke one word. Guess they forgot to tell her not to speak without running it by him and his staff first.

ms_m

06-21-2011, 12:42 AM

Florida Tea Party Leader: GOP Medicare Plan A ‘Public Policy Nightmare’
Brian Beutler | June 20, 2011, 11:29AM

South Florida Tea Party Chairman Everett Wilkinson thinks the GOP budget -- and in particular its call to phase out Medicare and replace it with a marketplace for private insurance -- is a total disaster. He's saying that Republicans, including members in his sphere of influence like Rep. Allen West [[R-FL), should back away from it.

In an email to fellow Tea Partiers last week, obtained by The Palm Beach Post, Wilkinson called the GOP plan a "public policy nightmare" that could trigger "huge Democratic wins in 2012," and prompt Republicans to blame the Tea Party for their losses.

"Republicans will lose if they support the Ryan Medicare plan. Americans do not support the [Paul] Ryan plan," he wrote. "Expect the GOP to then blame the Tea Party for losses."

Read More:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/florida-tea-party-leader-gop-medicare-plan-a-public-policy-nightmare.php?ref=fpb

...and the award for best comment goes to:

Oh, the irony! The utter, delicious irony! The same folks who protested against health care reform legislation because it was a move in the direction of "socialized medicine" are now defending a single-payer, government run health insurance program. You just can't make this stuff up!

:D

ms_m

06-21-2011, 01:23 AM

The Rachel Maddow Show

Republican Obstruction Unprecedented!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/RachelMaddow.jpg

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#43473226

ms_m

06-21-2011, 10:05 PM

Bachmann's Unrivaled Extremism

Rep. Michele Bachmann's impressive performance at Monday's debate has catapulted her near the front of the GOP pack, but the radical roots of her ideology remain poorly understood. The Daily Beast’s Michelle Goldberg reports.
June 14, 2011 11:08 PM EDT

In April 2005, Pamela Arnold wanted to talk to her state senator, Michele Bachmann, who was then running for Congress. A 46-year-old who worked at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Arnold lived with her partner, the famed Arctic explorer Ann Bancroft, on a farm in Scandia, Minnesota. Bachmann was then leading the fight against gay marriage in the state. She'd recently been in the news for hiding in the bushes to observe a gay rights rally at the Capitol. So when members of the Scandia gay community decided to attend one of Bachmann's constituent forums, Arnold, wanting to make herself visible to her representative, joined them.

A few dozen people showed up at the town hall for the April 9 event, and Bachmann greeted them warmly. But when, during the question and answer session, the topic turned to gay marriage, Bachmann ended the meeting 20 minutes early and rushed to the bathroom. Hoping to speak to her, Arnold and another middle-aged woman, a former nun, followed her. As Bachmann washed her hands and Arnold looked on, the ex-nun tried to talk to her about theology. Suddenly, after less than a minute, Bachmann let out a shriek. "Help!" she screamed. "Help! I'm being held against my will!"

Arnold, who is just over 5 feet tall, was stunned, and hurried to open the door. Bachmann bolted out and fled, crying, to an SUV outside. Then she called the police, saying, according to the police report, that she was "absolutely terrified and has never been that terrorized before as she had no idea what those two women were going to do to her." The Washington County attorney, however, declined to press charges, writing in a memo, "It seems clear from the statements given by both women that they simply wanted to discuss certain issues further with Ms. Bachmann."

Read More:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/14/michele-bachmanns-unrivaled-extremism-gay-rights-to-religion.html

The fact Bachmann has extreme views doesn't bother me. The fact there are a lot of people out here who share those views, does!

ms_m

06-22-2011, 02:51 PM

Democrats Explicitly Call Out GOP For Sabotaging The Economic Recovery
Brian Beutler | June 22, 2011, 12:36PM

They've made it explicit. Democrats are accusing Republicans of trying to sabotage the recovery -- or at least stall it -- by blocking all short-term measures to boost the economy, even ones they previously supported.
In a Capitol press conference Wednesday, the Senate's top Democrats argued that Republicans don't want to pass measures like a temporary payroll tax holiday for employers because they'll improve President Obama's re-election chances.

"Our Republican colleagues in the House and Senate are driven by putting one man out of work: President Obama," said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin [[D-IL).

The harshest denunciation came from Sen. Chuck Schumer [[D-NY), the man who crafted the Dems' new "jobs first" message.More:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/democrats-explicitly-call-out-gop-for-sabotaging-the-economic-recovery.php?ref=fpa

ms_m

06-22-2011, 07:27 PM

32 Corporations Spent More On Compensation For Top Executives In 2010 Than They Paid In Income Taxes
By Pat Garofalo posted from ThinkProgress Economy on Jun 21, 2011 at 8:30 pm

Over the last few decades, executive pay at large corporations has skyrocketed. Today, American CEOs make 263 times the average compensation for American workers, up from the 30 to 1 ratio in the 1970s. In 2010 alone, CEO pay went up 27 percent while average worker pay went up just 2 percent.

At the same time, corporate tax revenue has plunged to historic lows. During the 1960s, for instance, the United States consistently raised nearly 4 percent of GDP in corporate revenue. During the 1970s, the total was still above 2.5 percent of GDP. But the U.S. now raises less than 1.5 percent of GDP from the corporate income tax.
According to a new report called “S.& P. 500 Executive Pay: Bigger Than …Whatever You Think It Is,” put together by the independent research firm R. G. Associates, there are currently 32 companies that actually spent more on compensation for their top executives in 2010 than they paid in corporate income taxes:
http://thinkprogress.org/

According to Republicans, tax breaks for corporations lead to jobs….think about that for a minute or two…

PIMCO Founder To Deficit-Obsessed Congress: Get Back To Reality
Brian Beutler | June 21, 2011, 11:00AM

One of the most influential investors in the world of finance has a message for lawmakers -- particularly conservative lawmakers -- on Capitol Hill: rejoin the real world.

In a prospectus for clients, Bill Gross, a co-founder of investment management giant PIMCO, says members' of Congress incessant focus on deficit -- and in particular, the manner in which they obsess about deficits -- is foolhardy, and a recipe for disaster. What the country needs, Gross said, is real stimulus now, and a measured return toward fiscal balance in the years ahead.

"Solutions from policymakers on the right or left, however, seem focused almost exclusively on rectifying or reducing our budget deficit as a panacea," Gross writes. "While Democrats favor tax increases and mild adjustments to entitlements, Republicans pound the table for trillions of dollars of spending cuts and an axing of Obamacare. Both, however, somewhat mystifyingly, believe that balancing the budget will magically produce 20 million jobs over the next 10 years. President Obama's long-term budget makes just such a claim and Republican alternatives go many steps further. Former Governor Pawlenty of Minnesota might be the Republicans' extreme example, but his claim of 5% real growth based on tax cuts and entitlement reductions comes out of left field or perhaps the field of dreams. The United States has not had a sustained period of 5% real growth for nearly 60 years."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/pimco-founder-to-deficit-obsessed-congress-get-back-to-reality.php?ref=fpblg

ms_m

06-22-2011, 11:29 PM

Michele Bachmann's Holy War

The Tea Party contender may seem like a goofball, but be warned: Her presidential campaign is no laughing matter

Money quotes:

"All of those people out there aren't voting for Michele Bachmann. They're voting against us."

"There's always this mechanism available to Bachmann," says Elwyn Tinklenberg, the Democrat she defeated in the congressional election that fall. "No matter what they say, there is this attitude that 'these poor Christians are being picked on.'" Cecconi agrees, saying that Bachmann has discovered her blunders only serve to underscore her martyrdom. "I've seen her parlay that into 'Look how downtrodden I am,'" she says. "It works for her."

Here's the difference between Bachmann and Palin: While Palin is clearly bored by the dreary, laborious aspects of campaigning and seems far more interested in gobbling up the ancillary benefits of reality-show celebrity, Bachmann is ruthlessly goal-oriented, a relentless worker who has the attention span to stay on message at all times. With a little imagination, you can even see a clear path for her to the nomination. Though she outraged Des Moines Republicans by blowing off a party dinner in late May, she had already visited the state four times this year and scored key endorsements there. Obamacare progenitor Mitt Romney has already half-conceded Iowa by dropping out of the straw poll there, leaving fellow Minnesotan Tim Pawlenty as Bachmann's main competition for the first big prize of the race.Pawlenty and Bachmann have tangled for years over a variety of issues ranging from school standards to health care to a cigarette tax. Pawlenty reportedly views Bachmann's decision to jump in and spoil his long-planned assault on the presidency as the equivalent to her having crouched over and peed in his Cheerios. Asked about Bachmann's run, Pawlenty seethed, "I'm not running for comic- or entertainer-in-chief."

Even other Republicans, it seems, are making the mistake of laughing at Bachmann. But consider this possibility: She wins Iowa, then swallows the Tea Party and Christian vote hole for the next 30 or 40 primaries while Romney and Pawlenty battle fiercely over who is the more "viable" boring-white-guy candidate. Then Wall Street blows up again — and it's Barack Obama and a soaring unemployment rate versus a white, God-fearing mother of 28 from the heartland.

It could happen. Michele Bachmann has found the flaw in the American Death Star. She is a television camera's dream, a threat to do or say something insane at any time, the ultimate reality-show protagonist. She has brilliantly piloted a media system that is incapable of averting its eyes from a story, riding that attention to an easy conquest of an overeducated cultural elite from both parties that is far too full of itself to understand the price of its contemptuous laughter. All of those people out there aren't voting for Michele Bachmann. They're voting against us. And to them, it turns out, we suck enough to make anyone a contender.

In modern American politics, being the right kind of ignorant and entertainingly crazy is like having a big right hand in boxing; you've always got a puncher's chance. And Bachmann is exactly the right kind of completely batshit crazy. Not medically crazy, not talking-to-herself-on-the-subway crazy, but grandiose crazy, late-stage Kim Jong-Il crazy -- crazy in the sense that she's living completely inside her own mind, frenetically pacing the hallways of a vast sand castle she's built in there, unable to meaningfully communicate with the human beings on the other side of the moat, who are all presumed to be enemies.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/michele-bachmanns-holy-war-20110622

While many on the left and even the media laugh at this woman, she is steadily moving forward… marching to the beat of a different drummer and picking up converts along the way.

Unlike Palin, she does not whine. She uses her so call blunders and mistakes and makes them work for her among her base. She is committed to her cause and will go the distance. She uses and embraces the “crazy” because in her eyes, it’s really not crazy but truth.

Michele Bachmann doesn’t have to pander to ultra conservatives; she is the epitome of the ultra conservative ideology.

Indies will not vote for her [[as a general rule) but the problem is, many Indies and even Dems may sit this election out and if that happens, it will be the same as giving a vote to someone like Michele Bachmann.

ms_m

06-23-2011, 01:41 PM

I should have bet on this because I knew it was simply a matter of time before Herman Cain would “go there.”:rolleyes:

This is the same man that implies that Democratic Blacks have a “slave mentality,” and racist do not exist in the Tea Party.

For someone who believes color doesn’t matter, it’s ironic [[but not surprising) he would use his race as an excuse for being accurately called out by a comedian.

Lawd love a duck, I think I feel a “Cherokee” moment coming...

EXCLUSIVE — Herman Cain: Jon Stewart Attacked Me ‘Because I’m Black’
By Judd Legum on Jun 23, 2011 at 7:58 am

ThinkProgress filed this report from Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Earlier this month, ThinkProgress reported that GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain told an audience in Pella, Iowa that he would not sign a bill longer than three pages. [[Cain later said he was “exaggerating.”)
Jon Stewart picked up on the story, imitating Cain and joking that if Cain was president he would require everything to be shorter: “Treaties will have to fit on the back of a cereal box … The State of the Union Address will be delivered in the form of a fortune cookie.” You can watch the segment here. [[Chris Wallace later replayed the segment during Stewart’s appearance on Fox News Sunday

http://thinkprogress.org/media/2011/06/23/251851/exclusive-herman-cain-jon-stewart-attacked-me-because-im-black/

ms_m

06-23-2011, 04:51 PM

The Clarence Thomas Scandal
Lavish Gifts… Political Fundraisers… Undisclosed Income… Conflicts of Interest… His Family May Have a Stake In Citizens United… Justices Have Resigned For Less

http://thinkprogress.org/

One of the reasons I have always detested political correctness is because it leads to cowardice behavior. One doesn’t need to be “political correct,” they simply need home training and common sense but in our society, Thomas will probably get away with his BS because the “left” will not have the balls to call him out because he is the only Black [[genetically speaking only) sitting on the bench!

Ughhhhhhhhh

If I am proven wrong, it will be a pleasant and welcome surprise but I will not hold my breath.

ms_m

06-24-2011, 11:20 AM

There are times when living in NC can be a pain in my arse and embarrassing as all get out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/wake-county-school-board-_n_808329.html

….and then there are times like these:

North Carolina Dem Governor Vetoes GOP Voter-ID Bill

Eric Kleefeld | June 23, 2011, 5:48PM

Governor Perdue Vetoes House Bill 351
Calls on Legislature to Pass Bill that Protects Votes Instead of Taking Them Away

Gov. Bev Perdue today vetoed House Bill 351 and issued the following statement:

"The right to choose our leaders is among the most precious freedoms we have - both as Americans and North Carolinians. North Carolinians who are eligible to vote have a constitutionally guaranteed right to cast their ballots, and no one should put up obstacles to citizens exercising that right.

"We must always be vigilant in protecting the integrity of our elections. But requiring every voter to present a government-issued photo ID is not the way to do it. This bill, as written, will unnecessarily and unfairly disenfranchise many eligible and legitimate voters. The legislature should pass a less extreme bill that allows for other forms of identification, such as those permitted under federal law.

"There was a time in North Carolina history when the right to vote was enjoyed only by some citizens rather than by all. That time is past, and we should not revisit it.

"Therefore, I veto this bill."

You go Gov!!!!

ms_m

06-24-2011, 05:22 PM

Libya Resolution: House Rejects Measures To Authorize Libya Mission, Cut Off Funding
The House has turned back a Republican-led effort to cut off money for military hostilities in the Libyan war.

The vote was 238-180. It came after the House had overwhelmingly rejected a largely symbolic measure to give President Barack Obama the authority to continue U.S. involvement in the military operation against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

CONFUSED?

The House is totally nutso….they take a SYMBOLIC vote to tell the President he can’t continue in Libya and then they take a second vote that say’s….but you can have the money to continue in Libya…….WTF?

This isn’t embarrassing for the President it’s embarrassing for the country. It says we vote for idiots to represent our interest!!!!!!

I don’t even like the idea of being in Libya but this VOTING EXERCISE WAS CRAZY AND A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME!!!!!

If you gonna tell the man no, take away the money too….$@%^#^%$&*%...but of course it's so much more important to have the appearance of embarrassing the President instead of standing up for a sincere principle...other than attempting to embarrass the President....$@%^#^%$&*%

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/24/libya-resolution-authorization-house-vote_n_883946.html

ms_m

06-24-2011, 09:57 PM

It's official, the NY Senate just passed the Gay Rights Marriage Bill.
Congrats New York, you guys just stepped into the 21st century!

stephanie

06-25-2011, 03:07 AM

Bachmann is teachable and coachable by her consultants unlike Palin who bucked her staff and advisors. Some of this is downright scary because although Palin had a failed reality show [[Sarah Palins Alaska) her 20 year old daughter wrote memoirs....LOL, and she is on the motivational speaking circuit there are enough people out there that believe her! Bachmann has more credibility because whether you believe her or not she does not run away from the media and she takes her lumps. These people will stop at nothing to get rid of President Obama or push their agenda [[forget about President Obama right now) for the rich to be richer and the poor get poorer. What is even scarier is to think that Chris Christie was a contender to run for president in their eyes he was the Republican poster boy. This man is a racist, he does NOT want there to be any union activity or representation and when I saw an intelligent woman asking why are they cutting back on funding for public schools he told her "None of your business". Whether he liked the question or not [[Im not sure if I worded it correctly or left something out) you dont address an american citizen like that he was on a show giving opinions and she had every right to ask him a question regarding govt and not his personal life. Palin has paved the way for Michelle Bachmann now that the republicans have seen the power of a woman candidate and she and her tea party followers will follow through and not give up unlike Miss Sarah. The one man I did admire for ONE reason was Michael Steele. I dont agree with his politics but I give him credit for trying to address the hip hop crowd, not other republican white or black had the courage to take on that chore and although it failed miserably he did try. He was thrown under the bus by his own party and although I knew it was going to happen he was just a token in their eyes to get the black vote. I cant quite put my finger on it but there is something empathetic about him and I would trust him before any of these another ones. Cain and Alan Keys, and Clarence Thomas and people of their ilk believe that blacks have always had opportunitiees since the 1800s!

When I saw Herman Cain at a rally or whatever it was stating that Republicans dont have KKK members "If there are any KKK members here raise your hands". Now first of all if anyone there was going to be a member of any neo-nazi party or the KKK was he stupid enough to think they would raise their hands in public or on camera? When no person raised there hand he said that was proof enough that Republicans are not racist! Michael Steele was not that stupid although I think Herman Cain has a stronger personality. I believe Michelle B is rising to the top pretty fast because of her connections and her tea party affiliates and they will throw money her way to keep her out there you are right Ms M.

stephanie

06-25-2011, 03:11 AM

Ms M I swear I didnt see this before my posting I found it right after I made the statement about Michelle Bachman and my last sentence.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/06/25/devoted_supporters_help_bachmann_raise_small_fortu ne/

ms_m

06-25-2011, 04:26 AM

She's fanatical but she's savvy.

The Re-pubs have a hard road ahead to get to 270 electoral votes but to say it will never happen would be a huge mistake.

It's not the right you have to be concerned with Stephanie it's the left and all the Indies that voted for President Obama in 2008. They thought they were voting for superman. When reality smacked them upside the head they pouted and decided to take their toys home [[and didn't vote during the midterms).....that's how we lost the House and came close to losing the Senate. It can happen again and with all the State laws being passed that could disenfranchise potential Obama voters, the likes of Michele Bachmann could be your next president....

Anyone who doesn't like that idea, needs to make sure they are working to stop that from happening. With the stakes as high as they are, it's never too early to start!

ms_m

06-26-2011, 03:04 AM

CUT, CAP AND BALANCE = R.I.P. U.S.A.
24 June 2011 by Cullen Roche 215 Comments

Is our 1937 moment in the not too distant future? It’s beginning to look that way. House Republicans are using the debt ceiling debate as their bargaining chip to “cut, cap and balance”. According to The Hill this means [[http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/cheri-jacobus/168237-cut-cap-and-balance):

Cut — Substantial cuts in spending that will reduce the deficit next year and thereafter.

Cap — Enforceable spending caps that will put federal spending on a path to a balanced budget.

Balance — Passage of a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution — but only if it includes both a spending limitation and a super-majority for raising taxes, in addition to balancing revenues and expenses.

Of course, this is all being done in the name of avoiding our inevitable insolvency [[there’s no such thing as the USA running out of the currency it has a monopoly supply of, but that’s for another discussion). As I’ve previously mentioned, when the private sector is desirous of paying down debt and acquiring increased savings that savings must come from somewhere. The result of the balance sheet recession is that spenders have been forced to to turn into savers. As the MMT work on sectoral balances proves [[http://pragcap.com/sectoral-balances-and-the-united-states), this savings must come from the foreign sector or the government sector. With the US now running a current account deficit of 4% it is imperative that the government sector run a deficit in excess of 4% in order for the private sector to be able to save. If this were not the case, the private sector would be forced into deficit and the economy would contract. This occurred repeatedly in Japan in the 90′s and is currently occurring in the periphery nations of Europe. Austerity is not helping as so many said it would in 2008. Instead, it is causing near depression throughout the region. Were it not for 10% budget deficits in the USA you can be certain that we would be suffering a similar economic decline. Fortunately, we have not allowed ourselves to be scared by the persistent fear mongering with regards to our imminent [[mythical) insolvency.

Cut, cap and balance is genius politics [[http://pragcap.com/how-the-republicans-can-win-the-white-house) if you’re trying to send President Obama out in 2012 as the worst President of all-time, but it’s awful economics [[yes, it was awful economics under Clinton as well) and the equivalent of walking the US economy out on the plank. The details here are still early in the making, but if we do indeed pass harsh cuts and enforce a balanced budget amendment in the coming years I would get extraordinarily bearish on the outlook for the US economy. 1937 here we come?

Great remarks in the comment section and the links in the article are extremely useful as well.
http://pragcap.com/cut-cap-and-balance-r-i-p-u-s-a

ms_m

06-27-2011, 09:34 PM

The GOP vs. Democracy
Washington assumes both parties deserve blame for our problems. But as Michael Tomasky argues, the true fault lies with the GOP and its maximalist demands.
June 24, 2011 10:58 AM EDT

Today’s GOP is about ideological maximalism on all fronts. Eric Cantor’s withdrawal from the Biden talks shows it again. They cannot negotiate, because negotiating means accepting something you don’t like, which the noise machine will not permit. And worse, because the noise machine wants Obama to fail and is so powerful, Republican office-holders inevitably arrive at that point too. Mitch McConnell in essence admitted Wednesday that Republicans were opposing Obama on Libya for partisan reasons. They can’t be quite so brazen about the economy, so they hide their political motives behind rhetoric about the deficit. It’s high time the Democrats started pulling back the curtain.
More:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/24/gop-out-to-sabotage-american-democracy-by-michael-tomasky.html

ms_m

06-27-2011, 09:43 PM

CHART: States That Cut The Most Spending Have Lost The Most Jobs

Govs. John Kasich [[R-OH), Rick Snyder [[R-MI), and Scott Walker [[R-WI)
There’s a new cult of economic thought sweeping the nation — or at least many Republican [[and even some Democratic) political circles. Its adherents cling to the erroneous belief that sharp government spending cuts will revitalize economic growth and create much needed new jobs

Speaker of the House John Boehner [[R-OH) is an ardent follower of this Cut-Grow cult, as are a number of high profile governors. For instance, Gov. John Kasich [[R-OH) declared, “We’re going to have to reduce spending…to create a platform for economic growth.” When Gov. Chris Christie [[R-NJ) delivered his budget to the state Legislature he argued, “We must continue to cut government spending” to create jobs and prosperity for New Jersey families. Gov. Scott Walker [[R-WI) vowed his budget “lays [the] foundation to create jobs.”

Now these Republicans want the American public to drink a giant glass of their Cut-Grow Kool-Aid. But the data actually show the opposite of their claims to be true: steep spending cuts are hampering economic recovery in some states, while other states that resisted cuts or increased spending are now seeing declining unemployment rates, faster private-sector job creation, and stronger economic growth.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/06/27/255010/chart-states-cut-most-spending-jobs/

The more we begin to understand how our monetary system actually works, the more we will start to realize and understand, cutting our way out of debt is the equivalent of cutting our own throats....but of course the Repub politicians already understand this!

ms_m

06-27-2011, 09:50 PM

GOOD NEWS
if you're making half a million dollars or more a year....:rolleyes:

GOP Blew Up Debt Negotiations To Protect Tax Breaks For People Making $500,000 Or More
By Marie Diamond on Jun 24, 2011 at 4:24 pm

Yesterday House Majority Leader Eric Cantor [[R-VA) and Sen. Jon Kyl [[R-AZ) may well have doomed negotiations to raise the nation’s debt limit when they walked out over a dispute with Democrats about raising revenues. Their theatrics bring the country closer to the brink of financial collapse, and observers have described the move as a “tamper tantrum” and “political grandstanding.” Today, more details emerged about exactly what Republicans are willing to threaten the global economy over to defend.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/06/24/253721/gop-blew-up-debt-negotiations-to-protect-tax-breaks-for-people-making-500000-or-more

ms_m

06-29-2011, 05:34 PM

President Obama's Press Conference

President Obama held a White House news conference today, taking questions from reporters on a number of topics, including the budget & deficit, U.S. military involvement in Libya, same-sex marriage, and Afghanistan.
The President discussed the ongoing negotiations with the GOP-controlled U.S. House and Democratic-led Senate over the budget and taxes. Referring to his proposals to eliminate certain tax incentives to raise revenue, the President said “I spent the last two years cutting taxes for middle-class Americans…it’s only fair to ask an oil company or corporate jet owner to give up a tax break.” Calling on Republicans to work with the White House, he said ““Leaders…rise to the occasion, and they do the right thing for the American people.”
http://www.c-span.org/

http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-Holds-News-Conference/10737422565-1/

If you missed the press conference this morning you should check it out. The President was on point and on fire!

Now if Dems in Congress would act like a cohesive group with a consistent message for more than a minute, day in and day out…

ms_m

06-29-2011, 05:48 PM

Interesting!
Is this what a Repub without a political agenda looks like? Oh my, I'd heard they exist but always thought they were nothing more than mythical creatures:)

Bush-Appointed Former Scalia Clerk Upholds Constitutionality Of Health Care Law On Appeal
Brian Beutler | June 29, 2011, 1:40PM

For the first time, a Republican appointed federal judge -- part of a three-judge circuit court panel -- has ruled that the individual insurance mandate in President Obama's health care law is constitutional.

The Sixth Circuit appellate court panel -- the first appellate court to rule on the question -- dismissed the plaintiffs' claim that levying a penalty against people who choose not to purchase insurance exceeds Congress' Commerce Clause powers. The justices also dismissed the underlying argument that the provision amounts to "regulating inactivity."

The development represents a significant victory for the Obama administration, which is facing numerous challenges to the mandate from individuals, conservative interest groups and Republican governors. A number of district court judges have ruled on the question already, and in a striking pattern, all Republican-appointed judges have ruled against the administration, and all Democratic judges with the administration. Today's development upends that trend.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/bush-appointed-former-scalia-clerk-upholds-constitutionality-of-health-care-law.php?ref=tn

ms_m

06-29-2011, 06:36 PM

Pressed On How Obama Made The Economy ‘Worse’ GOP Says ‘He Passed Health Care Reform!’

The GOP has a new favorite line about President Obama and if the speed with which they've all adopted it is any indication, then it works well with focus groups, and, through sheer repitition, it makes its way seamlessly into news article after news article.

Obama inherited a tough economy, they say, but "he made it worse."
Mitt Romney's saying it, members of the GOP congressional leadership say it over and over again at their weekly press conferences. It's not going anywhere.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/pressed-on-how-obama-made-the-economy-worse-gop-says-he-passed-health-care-reform.php?ref=fpb

... here is my take on the above, and if there are some reading this that will take issue and get upset … get pissed and get over it….

Anyone who believes this new GOP talking point is too dumb to breathe!!!!:mad:

ms_m

06-29-2011, 06:52 PM

IOKIYAR
[[It's Ok If You're A Republican)

Michele Bachmann Defends Medicaid Payments To Husband’s Clinic[/B]
Benjy Sarlin | June 29, 2011, 4:43PM

Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann [[R-MN) is pushing back against charges of hypocrisy over Medicaid payments her husband collected for his therapy practice.

Bachmann's husband, Marcus, runs a Christian counseling agency that has come under scrutiny in the past for its strong religious ties. The Los Angeles Times noted this week that it had received about $30,000 in public funds since 2007, partly federal, to help prepare staff to properly deal with mentally ill patients. On Tuesday, NBC revealed an additional $137,000 in Medicaid payments since 2005, which they said contradicted Rep. Bachmann's claim that her husband only received a training grant that went to employees.

"Medicaid is a valuable form of insurance for many Americans and it would be discriminatory not to accept Medicaid as a form of payment," a spokeswoman for Bachmann's campaign said in a statement on Wednesday responding to questions about the payments. "As a state-sponsored counseling service, Bachmann and Associates has a responsibility to provide Medicaid and medical assistance, regardless of a patient's financial situation."
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/michele-bachmann-defends-medicaid-payments-to-husbands-clinic.php?ref=fpb

ms_m

06-29-2011, 07:03 PM

Lawd Love A Republican/TeaParty duck!
You really can’t make this sht up.

Weeks After Voting For Ryan Budget, GOP Pushing Balanced Budget Amendment That Would Make Ryan Budget Illegal

By Judd Legum posted from ThinkProgress Economy on Jun 29, 2011 at 2:45 pm

Over the next few weeks, you’ll hear a lot from Republicans about the desperate need for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. The Hill reports:

Republican Senators are set to kick off a media blitz to push a balanced budget amendment, beginning Wednesday in D.C. and building up through their July Fourth recess next week, when Members will flood local papers and airwaves with support. [...]

More than a dozen lawmakers will hold a news conference Wednesday morning to reintroduce the bill they touted in March, followed by colloquies on the floor Wednesday and Thursday and multiple television appearances throughout the week. … The aides orchestrating the hometown push for the balanced budget amendment said most lawmakers are slotted to write local opinion pieces, discuss the amendment in local TV appearances, and address the topic in town halls and constituent meetings over the holiday break.
http://thinkprogress.org/

ms_m

06-30-2011, 02:03 PM

I love the smell of snark in the afternoon:cool:

Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011 20:30 ET

The mindless hysteria of right-wing sheep
By Gene Lyons

Politics makes people stupid even in good times. Fear provokes irrationality. Given the parlous state of the U.S. economy, it's no surprise that the national conversation has grown shrill. Even so, the level of vituperation and unreason comes as a continuing revelation.

Not that I'm complaining. As a native of New Jersey, the Insult State [[official motto: "Oh yeah, who says?"), there's no level of invective to which I can't sink. Anybody who writes provocatively shouldn't complain when readers are provoked. Besides, it's less the anger than the sheer, boneheaded illogic that amazes me.

One could compile a textbook on logical fallacies from my email queue. If people used reason in their daily lives as poorly as they do when their political passions are engaged, we'd be in worse shape than we are. Luckily, most don't. Or if they do, civility prevents them from the kind of heedless venting encouraged by Internet anonymity.
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/rush_limbaugh/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2011/06/29/lyons_limbaugh

I’ve found a kindred spirit…
…and the irony, a lot of this will go right over some people’s head….

God Bless America!

ms_m

06-30-2011, 02:22 PM

Yo Des, this one is for you….hahahahah
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/bachmann_crazy1-300x219.jpg

Top 10 Reasons To Be Afraid Of Michele Bachmann
Written by Casey Gane-McCalla, Lead Blogger on June 29, 2011 11:59 am

She may seem like another right wing lunatic, but several right wing lunatics have proved very dangerous. While her antics and gaffes may be amusing, the fact that thousands of people believe and follow her is not. That said, here are the top 10 Reasons To Be Afraid Of Michele Bachmann.

http://newsone.com/newsone-original/casey-gane-mccalla/top-10-reasons-to-be-afraid-of-michele-bachmann/

ms_m

06-30-2011, 03:22 PM

Colbert’s brand of humor is not for everyone. He takes snark and satire to a level I could only dream of achieving but this move is brilliant!!!!!

Since the media can’t seem to showcase the absurdity of campaign finance laws, a comedian will show the way…

Outside FEC, Stephen Colbert Says His 'Super PAC' Is No Joke [[VIDEO)
Ryan J. Reilly | June 30, 2011, 11:50AM

The Federal Election Commission gets it -- Stephen Colbert is punking them. But the FEC treated the Comedy Central host's request for an advisory opinion like anyone else, and on Thursday granted him the ability to form a "super PAC."
Their ruling allows his parent company Viacom to pay for most of their "coverage" of Colbert Super PAC's activities under a press exemption without having to disclose such expenditures as in-kind donations.

Colbert, alongside his lawyer Trevor Potter, appeared at the FEC's public hearing at their headquarters in downtown Washington. After asking Colbert a series of questions about the planned activities of 'Colbert Super PAC' -- such as whether the ads the group creates would run on other channels -- the commission voted 5-1 on an advisory opinion to give him the go-ahead.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/serious_ruling_on_stephen_colberts_campaign_financ e_joke.php?ref=fpa

ms_m

06-30-2011, 03:31 PM

Geithner whipped out his handy pocket-sized Constitution.

Now that is funny on so many levels.

Geither is usually not my fave person in this admin but there are
days like this, ya gotta love’em…..hahahahahahahahaha

Tim Geithner: 14th Amendment Says Debt 'Shall Not Be Questioned'
First Posted: 06/30/11 01:47 PM ET Updated: 06/30/11 02:14 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- At a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, President Obama was asked whether he believed that the debt ceiling was constitutional or whether the 14th Amendment required the government to meet all of its obligations regardless of the debt-limit statute.

Obama dodged the question. "I'm not a Supreme Court Justice, so I'm not going to put my constitutional law professor hat on here," he said about the debt ceiling and a question on the war in Libya.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, however, is less afraid of wearing that hat. At a Politico Playbook breakfast on May 25, Geithner was asked by host Mike Allen about the negotiations over default and the debt ceiling.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/30/tim-geithner-14th-amendment_n_887925.html

ms_m

06-30-2011, 03:57 PM

Orrin Hatch Tacks Anti-Abortion Amendment Onto Korean Trade Deal
First Posted: 06/30/11 12:37 PM ET Updated: 06/30/11 12:54 PM ET

WASHINGTON--Sen. Orrin Hatch [[R-Utah) attached an amendment to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement on Thursday that would ban any organizations that provide abortions, including hospitals, from receiving Medicaid family planning funds -- even if those abortions are to save a woman's life.

The Senate Finance Committee will consider the amendment Thursday afternoon as they begin action on the South Korea pact, despite the fact that there is no connection between the two issues.
"Clearly abortion has absolutely nothing to do with U.S-South Korea trade," Donna Crane, policy director for NARAL Pro-Choice America, told HuffPost. "It's completely insane -- he's looking to bring down trade bills for abortion politics, and frankly for his own politics."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/30/orrin-hatch-abortion_n_887866.html

yep, when I think of Korean Trade Deals I always think abortion….doesn’t everyone?
[[insert face palm here)

Let’s simply screw millions of women, take away their rights to control their own bodies so Hatch can survive politically with the support of the TeaParty:rolleyes::mad:

There's a name for people like Hatch but I'm not in the mood to get banned today!

ms_m

06-30-2011, 04:12 PM

Oh hell, that last article pissed me off to the highest level of pisstivity!!!!!!

First of all, when men all over the world start to have babies, then and ONLY then will I give a flying turd what they have to say about women's rights.

Second, if you're a woman and don't believe in abortion...DON'T HAVE ONE!!!!!

Third and most important, it is the height of hypocrisy, stupidity and inhumanity to champion the rights of an unborn child while dooming many of them to poverty once they get here, by cutting funding for said children, their mothers and or fathers.

Wake up people....you have every right to establish morals and values for you and yours but stop trying to legislate your values and morals on others. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stephanie

06-30-2011, 04:49 PM

I agree Ms M! Im mad about this too!
Stephanie

stephanie

06-30-2011, 04:52 PM

Oh my God! I watch Morning Joe about 3x a week and Mark Halperin the editor or TIME magazine said Obama acted like a dick! Its all over the net and its on youtube and I saw it Mike and Joe were horrified. If you watch the clip Joe kept edging him to say whatever he felt but this was downright disrespectul. Harold Ford Jr sat there like a fool and wouldnt even defend him. I have never seen a president in my life called all of these things and more it lets me know he must be doing something right. Mark has been suspended from his job indefinitely. Ms M I dont know if you have seen this yet or not.

ms_m

06-30-2011, 07:12 PM

I saw it Stephanie and the national and public disrespect of the POTUS from "so call" professionals is nothing new. I didn't want to give Halperin anymore attention than he's already received. Not in the mood to play into the ignorant distraction tactics of these people.

Please understand that is not meant as a "dig" on you. You are always welcome here with your thoughts and opinions and I appreciate the time and effort, you take to read and comment on the articles. Thank you!:)

stephanie

06-30-2011, 10:32 PM

I saw this comment on youtube and I liked it.
Stephanie
As a Reformed Republican. I admire Obama for what he has done, in spite of the hateful crap the GOP has generated to undermine and undercut his presidency. Anyone, who thinks this president hasn't been working for the best of the nation are either blinded by their 'hate' of his race or are simply too simple minded to accept the fact that the GOP 'caused' the mess we are currently suffering through. The Gop is so transparent in their allegiance with Wall Street..its pathetic.
[[end of comment)

Stephanie speaking now..........I saw the presidents press conference and he is right. I see Chris Christie blabbering on tv that the president should be in helping Congress. When did Bush sit in and help Congress? I know President Obama is not perfect but it seems to me behind the scenes he is always working. Notice when they caught Osama Bin Laden [[and I am not one of those preaching Obama found him I know it was our military, Navy Seals, etc) that he didnt hint at it or brag about it and this is when Trump was lashing out about bring on the birth certificate cry. President Obama is not supposed to be in the environment with the Rethugs and Dems screaming and crying his heart out looking over bills [[which some dont read) he has a LOT on his plate this is their job! Had he not showed up for things like the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, or the stepping down and retirement of the Sec of Defense to go work with Congress he would have been labeled as unpatriotic. The one about him not remembering Sasha and Malia's birthday well we all do that! When President Obama speaks its with intelligence, facts and some kind of progression or solution. My only problem with him is that he has got to get rid of this bipartisanship mantra. I am at the point where I dont care if he comes across as the angry black man. If people would stop listening to fear mongers and listen to those outside of mainstream media on how because of Obamacare their children or child can stay on their health insurance, or how the bailout saved jobs and got the auto industry going again they would realize that if he gets in a second term he may be able to finish what he has started. Everything I have seen so far and read has proven to me that the agenda on the right is not to help others its to get rid of President Obama at any cost even if it means the poor not getting helped, and Wall Street getting away with crookedness. Dont get me wrong I KNOW our President is a politician and he may have made some back door deals himself but for the most part he wants to help. Marion Berry made some serious mistakes in his personal life in DC but he wanted to help people.

ms_m

07-01-2011, 12:23 AM

The left has been harmful and hurtful to the president too Stephanie, not as much as the right but both parties, and all sides of the electorate have left him out to dry, and on more than one occasion.

Also too.....:)

Bi partisanship makes sense when you remind yourself he's the POTUS of all the people not just the people on the left:)

Getting people to listen is sometimes nothing more than repetition...that's how the right has done it and it's usually what sticks....unlike the right, just make sure you're repeating facts and the rest will take care of itself sooner or later. Some you will reach, others you will not....that's life.

....and Marion Berry has never been, nor will he ever be, my fave person. I lived in DC during his stint...his way of helping ended up hurting a lot of people and he had them so brainwashed, they all turned around and blamed the "man" for bringing him down. No one brought Berry down but Berry and the ONLY person he cared about was himself. I will forever be angry with him because he had an extraordinary opportunity to really do good and make permanent changes but his selfishness blew it. Not just for himself but for the people in DC who believed and trusted him....some still do, heaven help 'em.

ms_m

07-01-2011, 02:30 PM

Just discovered the latest new thing....

DemRapidResponse....now that's a great tool!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/DemRapidResponse

ms_m

07-01-2011, 02:31 PM

and my new quote of the day....

“The illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler

[[emphasis mine)

ms_m

07-01-2011, 05:10 PM

Stephanie, I just read this comment and although it was referencing an article on the debt ceiling I think it gives an added dimension the President's desire for bi partisanship.

Obama has three conflicting psychological drivers:

1) he respects the process of democratic government;

2) he is a fighter who likes to win [[albeit without chest-thumping); and 3) he wants the country to succeed. Obviously, #1 is often in conflict with #2 and

#3. His tendency is to do everything possible without contradicting #1...

Stephanie I understand how frustrating working with people who are determined to screw you can be....not just for the President but for the electorate but he's the President not simply an ordinary citizen who has only his life and the life of his family to think about.

Also, there are a lot of options he could take that could come back to bite the country in the butt once a Republican takes over the WH and uses the same option for their agenda.

President Obama thinks long term and looks at all sides of an issue.....the electorate thinks...what's in it for me now....

ms_m

07-01-2011, 05:35 PM

Wow, the adult Repubs seem to be coming out of the woodwork…interesting

Fmr. GOP Sen. Alan Simpson Calls Republican Refusal To Raise Revenue ‘Absolute Bullshit’ | Former GOP Sen. Alan Simpson blasted his intransigent GOP colleagues on the Hill today for failing to reach a deal on the deficit. The blunt-talking co-chairman of President Obama’s bipartisan fiscal reform commission slammed Republicans for kowtowing to Americans for Tax Reform head Grover Norquist [[“Republicans can’t be in thrall to him”) and pushed Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to stand fast on the August 2 deadline. Surveying the lay of the current fiscal land, Simpson said, “We’re at 15 percent revenue, and historically it’s been closer to 20 percent.” He added, “We’ve never had a war without a tax, and now we’ve got two. … Absolute bullshit.”

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/30/258821/fmr-gop-sen-alan-simpson-calls-republican-refusal-to-raise-revenue-absolute-bullshit/

ms_m

07-01-2011, 06:45 PM

seek and ye shall find;)…..check out these paragraphs Stephanie [[and of course the article)….they explain even more….

Books of The Times
Journey and Legacy of Obama’s Mother
By CATHERINE LUTZ
Published: May 2, 2011

Not so paradoxically, it was his mother who gave him the bedrock belief that “beneath our surface differences, we’re all the same, and that there’s more good than bad in each of us. And that, you know, we can reach across the void and touch each other and believe in each other and work together.

“That’s precisely the naïveté and idealism that was part of her,” he added. “And that’s, I suppose, the naïve idealism in me.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/books/in-a-singular-woman-janny-scott-portrays-obamas-mother.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

stephanie

07-02-2011, 06:37 AM

Well since you put it that way about the bipartisanship to reach all I guess its the right thing to do not always popular but right. Another Repub I have respect for is Olympia Snowe when she voted for the public option I knew it would get slammed though.

ms_m

07-02-2011, 03:58 PM

Why the GOP Loves the Debt

Republicans portray themselves as champions of fiscal responsibility. But as Michael Tomasky argues, they need the debt to push through their radical and unpopular agenda.
July 1, 2011 10:47 AM EDT

Now Minnesota joins the list of states being gutted by the Republican Party. The government in the state famous for being nice has shut down, because Democratic Governor Mark Dayton wanted to impose a higher income tax on Minnesotans earning $1 million or more a year—a whopping 7,700 people in a state of 5.3 million. There are additional matters—a GOP insistence on a 15 percent reduction in state workers over the next four years, for example. And so the evidence mounts: In Saint Paul and Columbus and Tallahassee and Madison, as in Washington D.C., we are watching something that is no longer a political party in the normal sense, but a group of cynical highwaymen perpetuating a national crisis and then exploiting that very crisis to try to destroy the public sphere.

Full Article
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/07/01/the-gop-party-of-debt-and-deficits.html

ms_m

07-02-2011, 04:34 PM

Back when Barack Obama was running against HRC for the nomination, I remember making the statement that no matter what happens, he would always be in a dayum if you do, dayum if you don't position. [[check the archives)

Over the last few years I've watched that scenario play out time and time again.

A year ago, it was said he didn't have balls, he was spineless, weak, etc [[some of it coming from the left and this very forum)....and now, he's an angry Black man. [[shaking head)

I've seen a lot of angry Black men in my day, Black men that had legitimate reasons for being angry but last week during the news conference, President Obama wasn't one of them. Frustrated, annoyed and I would even say pissed but angry Black man, naaaaaaaw....and I've always had the sneaking feeling that....you really DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS MAN ANGRY!!!!!

ms_m

07-02-2011, 04:53 PM

I realize Mitt is suppose to be seen as the sane one of the "pack," and he's even running ahead of the "pack" but....

I could say he puts his foot in mouth often, but the truth is, he's a straight up liar and now he's probably pissed off a lot of Allentown voters....."who let the dogs out indeed.... woof, woof:rolleyes:

Mitt Romney Visits Abandoned Factory To Spread His Message of Doom
by Kirsten Boyd Johnson
5:13 pm July 1, 2011

Predictably, the factory shutdown was not because of the stimulus, but Mittens just really wanted to stand in the same spot where Obama stood, just for a second, so he could also feel like president.
From the Washington Post:

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski [[D) said in an interview that Obama’s policies did not lead to the factory’s closure. The plant reportedly had longtime financial troubles.

“I don’t think Mitt Romney should be criticizing our community and this economy, because he has no clue why this plant closed — and it had nothing to do with President Obama,” Pawlowski said.
http://wonkette.com/448720/mitt-romney-visits-abandoned-factory-to-spread-his-message-of-doom

ms_m

07-02-2011, 05:55 PM

From Obama, the Tax Cut Nobody Heard Of

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — What if a president cut Americans’ income taxes by $116 billion and nobody noticed?

It is not a rhetorical question. At Pig Pickin’ and Politickin’, a barbecue-fed rally organized here last week by a Republican women’s club, a half-dozen guests were asked by a reporter what had happened to their taxes since President Obama took office.

“Federal and state have both gone up,” said Bob Paratore, 59, from nearby Charlotte, echoing the comments of others.
After further prodding — including a reminder that a provision of the stimulus bill had cut taxes for 95 percent of working families by changing withholding rates — Mr. Paratore’s memory was jogged.

“You’re right, you’re right,” he said. “I’ll be honest with you: it was so subtle that personally, I didn’t notice it.”

Full Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/politics/19taxes.html?hp

ms_m

07-03-2011, 04:38 PM

DON’T GET MAD! GET EVEN: DEFEAT WINGNUTS EVERYWHERE [[Pt. 1)
Posted by Zizi2 on July 03rd, 2011
*ACTION DIARY*

Listen folks! If Halperin’s juvenile antics this past week confirmed anything at all, it is the fact that we should expect even more of this venal behavior from these mediocre silver-spooned DC gate-keepers who will continue to spew right wing ideological gunk cooked up in the dens of America’s corporate powerbrokers, from their gilded beltway media perches. The incorporation of celebrity “journalists” [[that label is pointless!!) and their entire media retinue into the plutocratic corps has been the single most damaging blow to our democracy. They render the “public” in Public Square moot. All we have is simulacra.

Beware, Halperin’s job is to distract us, to shift our focus from the Repug economic and Social Safety net destruction agenda. They will do a whole lot more distracting until the election. WE. CANNOT. LOSE. FOCUS!!! We are in an existential war. Our adversaries are a dimwitted but dangerous cabal of right wing media lackeys, corporate boardroom retrogrades, and their puppets in political office. They don’t want the Republic itself to survive with us the 98% who are not super-wealthy thriving in it. When you are dealing with a faction that has told us who make up America, loud and clear that they will detonate Weapons of Mass Destruction unless we surrender everything including our lives to them, you better believe them. They are not bluffing. They mean it. This is no hyperbole.

And when you have a corporate media that tells us to “cave” to our destruction [[as Jessica Yellin did on CNN), this is no longer an eye-roll moment. It is an asymmetrical war. We have to work harder, smarter, stealthier, and twice as long to BUILD the tiniest of advances, while they can flunk and grift their way to political power just do DESTROY. Yeah the fact that a sizeable portion of this country gives a platform to the Palins, Bachmans, McCains, Rick Scotts, Scott Walkers, Snyders et. al. should tell us all we need to know about how steep our climb ALWAYS is.
http://weeseeyou.com/2011/07/03/don%E2%80%99t-get-mad-get-even-defeat-wingnuts-everywhere-pt-1/