Now, let's analyze the whole thing with some perspective and some common sense, shall we?
Ace takes us through a review of certain members of congress over the years:
Ace then questions the whole potential "credit crunch" meme that's been going around if we don't take the bait... ummm, bailout hook, line and sinker. His charts show that that is NOT the case.
Ace then goes on to show a video that charts the housing prices 1890-2008 (in the guise of a roller coaster for visual demonstration purposes). The years appear in the lower right corner of the video (you have to go to this link to watch it). At the very end is the actual chart/graph – it appears very briefly, but you can pause the video to get a better view of it. Remember that graph/chart when you view the last video (below).
Then via Moe Lane at RedState, Protein Wisdom takes us through a detailed accounting of the problem over the years with an effective 11-minute video that explains the housing bubble/financial crisis. It points to the CRA Act of 1977 (Jimmy Carter) which unhinged housing prices from the rate of inflation, then the January 31, 1995 executive order from Bill Clinton that relaxed the regulations and forced banks to supply risky loans, then to Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, then to Obama. This video goes fast, so use the pause button repeatedly to see all the gory the details:
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Some links & resources on Fannie/Freddie bailout fiasco (Part 1)
RedState has been one of the main blogs that has been following this whole mess closely, so I'd suggest going there for regular info (though that's not the only place, so I suggest getting a balanced inflow of info on the whole matter).
One thing that RedState has been concerned about is the valuation of the MBS that the federal government would be buying in the $700 billion bailout. As Blackhedd says,
Blackhedd then goes into the "root causes" of the problem.
The House of Representatives, yesterday, voted down the bailout bill that went from 4 pages in length to over 110 pages long (with a lot of pork attached). A ton of Democrats voted "No" (94, or 40% of the Dems) along with the 134 Republicans (67% of the Repubs). Twelve (yes, 12) of the Dems committee members votes "No" despite Nancy Pelosi pointing fingers at those across the aisle. Now why would that be? Karl Rove explains here:
One thing that RedState has been concerned about is the valuation of the MBS that the federal government would be buying in the $700 billion bailout. As Blackhedd says,
Get the valuation too low, and a lot of banks and Wall St. firms will bust because of the capital losses. Get it too high, and it’s a big transfer of wealth from the taxpayers to Wall St...
[On Sept 23] in open Congressional testimony, Bernanke finally spilled it: the purchases are to take place at “a price close to the hold-to-maturity price.”
I’ll say it straight out: that would be far higher than the current market for these securities. The Troubled Asset Relief Plan is a bailout of Wall Street, at taxpayer expense. Pure and simple.
This puts everyone in a very difficult position, for two reasons: First, it’s morally wrong and politically a disaster.
Blackhedd then goes into the "root causes" of the problem.
The House of Representatives, yesterday, voted down the bailout bill that went from 4 pages in length to over 110 pages long (with a lot of pork attached). A ton of Democrats voted "No" (94, or 40% of the Dems) along with the 134 Republicans (67% of the Repubs). Twelve (yes, 12) of the Dems committee members votes "No" despite Nancy Pelosi pointing fingers at those across the aisle. Now why would that be? Karl Rove explains here:
Obama regarding McCain, "He's Right!"
(Via HotAir)
Almost immediately after the first debate between McCain and Obama, the McCain camp puts up this video:
So, exactly how many times had Obama agreed with McCain during the debate? Nine times! As Captain Ed illustrates:
Almost immediately after the first debate between McCain and Obama, the McCain camp puts up this video:
So, exactly how many times had Obama agreed with McCain during the debate? Nine times! As Captain Ed illustrates:
Well, I think Senator McCain’s absolutely right that we need more responsibility …
Well, Senator McCain is absolutely right that the earmarks process has been abused …
And he’s also right that oftentimes lobbyists and special interests are the ones that are introducing these kinds of requests ….
Now, John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he’s absolutely right.
But John is right we have to make cuts. [And then Obama refused to note even a single cut he'd be willing to make.]
Senator McCain is absolutely right that the violence has been reduced as a consequence of the extraordinary sacrifice of our troops and our military families.
And, John, I — you’re absolutely right that presidents have to be prudent in what they say.
Now, Senator McCain is also right that it’s difficult.
Senator McCain is absolutely right, we cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran.
Monday, September 29, 2008
I'm Back!....
Thou hast returned!
I'll eventually get around to posting this week. Tons of stuff to post about.
Patience.
I'll eventually get around to posting this week. Tons of stuff to post about.
Patience.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Off-line for a few days...
I shall be off-line for a few days while I travel cross-country to attend a family wedding, and will be back to blogging sometime early next week.
I'm sure you can all go on without me for a few days.
If not, then check out the great links in my blog rolls over on the left column.
I'm sure you can all go on without me for a few days.
If not, then check out the great links in my blog rolls over on the left column.
Update on the Bailout Issue...
RedState has two posts which point to a serious problem with the Paulson/Bernanke bailout.
Valuation is the key:
Blackhedd continues:
Meanwhile, Pejman has a free-market approach to the situation.
UPDATE: Michelle Malkin says "Kill the Bailout" because of it's link to the illegal immigration debacle. Student Loans and Car Payments are also being added to the bailout bill. More info here.
UPDATE #2: McCain suspends campaign, pulls all ads, pulls out of Friday's debate (which is a foreign policy debate), and heads back to D.C. to work with the House & Senate leadership and the Bush administration to hammer out a workable bill. McCain has asked Obama to do likewise. Obama (so far) has refused.
UPDATE #3: Ace has a post that explains that because the bailout will consist of the government buying actual assets of value (property) as opposed to just paper, the potential "loss" will be far less than the initial proposed $700 billion shell out, and that the government could end up making money since they'd be buying the properties at a deep discount. Although, that still doesn't answer the questions of government takeover (even if for a short term), oversight, valuation on the mortgage-backed securities, and all the pork/earmarks that Congress is trying to tack onto the main bill.
Ace also has another link to this article from Bloomberg.com, which analyzes things further.
Also, thanks to Ace, there's this report from Fox News:
Finally, here's the text of President Bush's address to the nation tonight on the issue.
Valuation is the key:
Bernanke finally gave us an (elliptical) answer to one of the questions that most concerns Wall Street about the bailout plan: the valuation at which distressed mortgage-backed securities will be purchased. The other question, whether there will be a deal in Congress at all, remains unanswered.
Blackhedd continues:
If you’ve been following my posts, you know that the most critical variable in the proposed purchase by the Treasury of up to $700 billion in MBS and related assets, is the valuation. Get the valuation too low, and a lot of banks and Wall St. firms will bust because of the capital losses. Get it too high, and it’s a big transfer of wealth from the taxpayers to Wall St.
I’ve been trying to get some sense for how Paulson and Bernanke are seeing this, for days now. Yesterday in open Congressional testimony, Bernanke finally spilled it: the purchases are to take place at “a price close to the hold-to-maturity price.”
I’ll say it straight out: that would be far higher than the current market for these securities. The Troubled Asset Relief Plan is a bailout of Wall Street, at taxpayer expense. Pure and simple.
This puts everyone in a very difficult position, for two reasons: First, it’s morally wrong and politically a disaster. Second, it represents a misallocation of resources that can only hurt the economy later.
Meanwhile, Pejman has a free-market approach to the situation.
UPDATE: Michelle Malkin says "Kill the Bailout" because of it's link to the illegal immigration debacle. Student Loans and Car Payments are also being added to the bailout bill. More info here.
UPDATE #2: McCain suspends campaign, pulls all ads, pulls out of Friday's debate (which is a foreign policy debate), and heads back to D.C. to work with the House & Senate leadership and the Bush administration to hammer out a workable bill. McCain has asked Obama to do likewise. Obama (so far) has refused.
UPDATE #3: Ace has a post that explains that because the bailout will consist of the government buying actual assets of value (property) as opposed to just paper, the potential "loss" will be far less than the initial proposed $700 billion shell out, and that the government could end up making money since they'd be buying the properties at a deep discount. Although, that still doesn't answer the questions of government takeover (even if for a short term), oversight, valuation on the mortgage-backed securities, and all the pork/earmarks that Congress is trying to tack onto the main bill.
Ace also has another link to this article from Bloomberg.com, which analyzes things further.
Also, thanks to Ace, there's this report from Fox News:
Finally, here's the text of President Bush's address to the nation tonight on the issue.
The 20%...
Here is an excerpt from a post I entered in this blog four years ago:
I still hold to this view - that there is anywhere from 10-20% of the electorate who are the determining factor of any presidential election. In 1992 it was 19% (who voted for Perot). In 2000 it was probably a little less than 10%, given how tight and contentious that election was. This year, I had figured it would be in the 10-15% range.
Well, this report says that it's at 18% (and their ain't no Ross Perot to give 'em a semi-viable third option):
Forgive me if I pat myself on the back. It's not often that I do that, but I like being proven right - again - four years hence.
As I had stated way back in July when I first started this blog, there is only one true “national” election every four years. And, going back to the earliest presidential election that records popular votes (1824), you will always find a minimum of approximately 40% of the population that will always vote for the losing candidate no matter what. There are a couple rare exceptions to this rule, but even that secures 35% to the loser.
What does this mean? It means that any given election will have 40% of the population on either side of the electoral divide, leaving the remaining “middle” 20% for the candidates to fight over. In some elections, this “middle” group of citizens will make up [much] less than 20% of the electorate (such as in 2000), in other cases you find them so disenfranchised (I hate that word, but you get my drift) that they take their vote elsewhere (see the 19% Perot got in 1992). They may just stay at home and not even bother to vote.
But, in the end, there’s always… ALWAYS… a 10-20% middle group that determines which way the election will go.
Now, this middle 10-20% is a feckless bunch. They don’t take politics too seriously. They make up their minds in the last few weeks of the campaign. They sway in the breeze on issues that the majority of the voters take very seriously. Sometimes they may include the odd mix of the pro-life or fiscal-conservative democrat, or the pro-abortion or social liberal republican, thereby never fully happy with the choices at hand. They complain about being in the minority and not being given any attention to. Yet, this group is exactly who gets the most attention in each election. And they have more power than they even realize. This group drives the other 80% of the population (and the politicians) absolutely crazy.
This is NOT a monolithic bunch that can be swayed as a whole. Each tiny segment of this small group of the electorate is made up of a multitude of views with varying positions, differing emotions, shifting priorities. But, each individual will be ultimately affected by that one key issue (whatever that is for that individual) that will determine whether he or she votes D or R, something else, or not at all.
I still hold to this view - that there is anywhere from 10-20% of the electorate who are the determining factor of any presidential election. In 1992 it was 19% (who voted for Perot). In 2000 it was probably a little less than 10%, given how tight and contentious that election was. This year, I had figured it would be in the 10-15% range.
Well, this report says that it's at 18% (and their ain't no Ross Perot to give 'em a semi-viable third option):
A recent AP-Yahoo! News poll found that 18 percent of likely voters are up for grabs — undecided or willing to change their minds — little more than five weeks before Americans choose between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
Forgive me if I pat myself on the back. It's not often that I do that, but I like being proven right - again - four years hence.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Obamessiah's "Ayers Connection"...
UPDATED
RedState starts us off. Stanley Kurtz at the Wall Street Journal has been doing all the investigative legwork, and finally has his first article on the connections between Obama and U.S. terrorist William Ayers (this is the guy who bombed the Capitol and the Pentagon in the 70s, and has - to this day - been unrepentant about it and wishes he could've done more damage).
This is very disturbing.
Stanley Kurtz has another article today (9/24) continuing the investigation.
RedState starts us off. Stanley Kurtz at the Wall Street Journal has been doing all the investigative legwork, and finally has his first article on the connections between Obama and U.S. terrorist William Ayers (this is the guy who bombed the Capitol and the Pentagon in the 70s, and has - to this day - been unrepentant about it and wishes he could've done more damage).
This is very disturbing.
Stanley Kurtz has another article today (9/24) continuing the investigation.
More Fannie/Freddie News...
UPDATED
Check out RedState's recent posts on the financial situation with Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, AIG and the federal bailout. The first post attempts to explain what the heck happened. The second post attempts to explain what would happen if we don't do the bailout.
Newt chimes in on a list of questions and concerns before any bailout is done. Ace of Spades also chimes in. AllahPundit also summarizes and questions.
Meanwhile, Flopping Aces gives a chronology of the Bush administration's many attempts to try to get Congress to do something about the growing problem - dating all the way back to 2001!
And then, for a little humor (because we all need a little levity to ease the tension with this whole mess), you have The Obamessiah getting tongue-tied... again.
Check out RedState's recent posts on the financial situation with Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, AIG and the federal bailout. The first post attempts to explain what the heck happened. The second post attempts to explain what would happen if we don't do the bailout.
Newt chimes in on a list of questions and concerns before any bailout is done. Ace of Spades also chimes in. AllahPundit also summarizes and questions.
Meanwhile, Flopping Aces gives a chronology of the Bush administration's many attempts to try to get Congress to do something about the growing problem - dating all the way back to 2001!
And then, for a little humor (because we all need a little levity to ease the tension with this whole mess), you have The Obamessiah getting tongue-tied... again.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Deep Doo-Doo in the AstroTurf...
First, what is "AstroTurfing"?
American Thinker explains that here.
Then Ace posts not one, not two, but three posts on something serious developing.
The Anchoress fills in some more details.
Captain Ed chimes in on some analysis.
The Jawa Report has EVERYTHING.
Something tells me that the Obama campaign is royally screwed.
UPDATE: The doo-doo's getting deeper. Click here, here, and here.
UPDATE: Now Ace has a potential connection between this Winner & Associates guy and GeekEsque (known for viral postings over at Daily Kos, including disseminating the same video and bogus Palin story). Seems that they work less than a quarter mile down the same street from each other. Hmmmmmmm.
UPDATE: A follow-up from the Jawa report.
American Thinker explains that here.
Then Ace posts not one, not two, but three posts on something serious developing.
The Anchoress fills in some more details.
Captain Ed chimes in on some analysis.
The Jawa Report has EVERYTHING.
Something tells me that the Obama campaign is royally screwed.
UPDATE: The doo-doo's getting deeper. Click here, here, and here.
UPDATE: Now Ace has a potential connection between this Winner & Associates guy and GeekEsque (known for viral postings over at Daily Kos, including disseminating the same video and bogus Palin story). Seems that they work less than a quarter mile down the same street from each other. Hmmmmmmm.
UPDATE: A follow-up from the Jawa report.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Financial Mess 101...
The Anchoress has a long post with links to Mark Levin and an article from Investor's Business Daily, among other key links.
Want to know when the problems started? One must look at two key points in time: the Community Investment Act of 1977 that "forced banks to lend to uncreditworthy borrowers"; and January 31, 1995 when another executive order made "regulatory revisions which authorized sub-prime loans in the secondary market." And how Bush (on Sept 11, 2003) tried to stem the tide with Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. McCain also warned of impending disaster in 2005. These warning fell on deaf ears.
Read EVERYTHING in the Anchoress' post, including all the links. All of this is a MUST READ!
Want to know when the problems started? One must look at two key points in time: the Community Investment Act of 1977 that "forced banks to lend to uncreditworthy borrowers"; and January 31, 1995 when another executive order made "regulatory revisions which authorized sub-prime loans in the secondary market." And how Bush (on Sept 11, 2003) tried to stem the tide with Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. McCain also warned of impending disaster in 2005. These warning fell on deaf ears.
Read EVERYTHING in the Anchoress' post, including all the links. All of this is a MUST READ!
Sunday Funnies...
Said by my parish priest at the being on his homily this morning:
A nun was teaching her 2nd grade class the Bible story about Lot's wife who looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Johnny raised his hand and said, "My mom once looked back while she was driving the car, and turned into a telephone pole."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Palin's E-mail Hacker Caught - Possible Connection to Obama Campaign
Looks like the Feds have found the young man who hacked into Sarah Palin's personal e-mail account (the hacker's father is a Democrat State Rep from Tennessee). If you scroll down the linked post you find this little gem:
From a commenter at Terry Frank (who has screengrabs of David Kernell's Facebook page):
"There is an apparent connection between David Kernell and David Plouffe. If you do a Technorati search for “david kernell” (http://www.technorati.com/search/%22david+kernell%22?authority=a4&language=en) and then click on Videos about David Kernell, the first video you see i[s] of David Plouffe (Campaign manager for Obaman). He probably did the video for Plouffe.
This is not a casual connection."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
UPDATED: Fannie, Freddie & Barackie in beddie (and Little Joey say paying more taxes is patriotic)...
UPDATED & REPOSTED
(MAJOR MAJOR hat-tip to Ace)
UPDATE: Looks like McCain is hitting Barack hard on the stump on The Obamessiah's connection to the Fannie/Freddie movers-n-shakers.
And now McCain's latest ad on the connection:
Ace of Spades has an even more detailed compendium here.
Wizbang points to a Washington Post article which corrects Obama's misleading attacks on McCain.
And here's John McCain's second ad on the subject:
MEANWHILE, Babblin' Joe Biden claims that paying more taxes is patriotic. I kid you not. He actually made that claim ON CAMERA:
So anyone who makes over $250,000/year is unpatriotic if they don't pay more taxes? Ummm... the company I work for is a small company, with 10 employees. It's a DBA owned & run by a husband & wife. So ALL revenues generated by the business qualifies for breaking that so-called benchmark. MANY, MANY small businesses across this country are run under DBA, LLC or Sole Proprietorship and would fit under this lame definition. Which means that under The Obamessiah's tax plan the company I work for would pay significantly more taxes.
We're just now getting out of a rough stretch due less to the national economy than to delays in product development & release for sale. If the Obama/Biden tax plan went into effect this year, I'd not only be out of a job, but the company itself could very easily have been either shut down or at least severely diminished in size (staff, square-footage, vendors, revenues, profits, everything). Let's also not forget that the Top 5% of American's currently pay 60% of the taxes, while the bottom 20-40% pay either nothing or close to nothing in taxes.
JOE BIDEN & BARACK OBAMA CAN GO KISS MY EFFIN' A**!!!
And John McCain has yet ANOTHER ad taking on Babblin' Joe B.:
(MAJOR MAJOR hat-tip to Ace)
UPDATE: Looks like McCain is hitting Barack hard on the stump on The Obamessiah's connection to the Fannie/Freddie movers-n-shakers.
And now McCain's latest ad on the connection:
Ace of Spades has an even more detailed compendium here.
Wizbang points to a Washington Post article which corrects Obama's misleading attacks on McCain.
In 2006, he pushed for stronger regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- while Mr. Obama was notably silent. "If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole," Mr. McCain warned at the time.
And here's John McCain's second ad on the subject:
MEANWHILE, Babblin' Joe Biden claims that paying more taxes is patriotic. I kid you not. He actually made that claim ON CAMERA:
So anyone who makes over $250,000/year is unpatriotic if they don't pay more taxes? Ummm... the company I work for is a small company, with 10 employees. It's a DBA owned & run by a husband & wife. So ALL revenues generated by the business qualifies for breaking that so-called benchmark. MANY, MANY small businesses across this country are run under DBA, LLC or Sole Proprietorship and would fit under this lame definition. Which means that under The Obamessiah's tax plan the company I work for would pay significantly more taxes.
We're just now getting out of a rough stretch due less to the national economy than to delays in product development & release for sale. If the Obama/Biden tax plan went into effect this year, I'd not only be out of a job, but the company itself could very easily have been either shut down or at least severely diminished in size (staff, square-footage, vendors, revenues, profits, everything). Let's also not forget that the Top 5% of American's currently pay 60% of the taxes, while the bottom 20-40% pay either nothing or close to nothing in taxes.
JOE BIDEN & BARACK OBAMA CAN GO KISS MY EFFIN' A**!!!
And John McCain has yet ANOTHER ad taking on Babblin' Joe B.:
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Palin's email was hacked...
You read that correctly. Sarah Palin had her email account hacked by a left-wing group who then bragged about it. RedState has the links and an excellent summary.
Michelle Malkin has more.
"Sarah Palin is now under the protection of the United States Secret Service, which means that they are going to very interested in this attack.
"Let me put this succinctly: everybody who had a hand in this is [expletive deleted]ed."
Michelle Malkin has more.
A reminder that terrorists still want to kill us...
U.S. Embassy in Yemen attacked, killing 16 people. Al-Qaida is claiming credit.
... also...
Arrests were made in connection to the attack in New Delhi by Indian Mujahideen (who also appear to have done two other bombings in India in july, killing an additional 45 people).
... also...
Arrests were made in connection to the attack in New Delhi by Indian Mujahideen (who also appear to have done two other bombings in India in july, killing an additional 45 people).
AIG and the Fed Takeover... sort of...
Blackhedd over at RedState has a long and informative post regarding the overnight "takeover" of failing AIG by the feds:
He continues:
Read the whole post to get his initial summary of the situation.
UPDATE: RWN has a post which shows that McCain was ahead of the curve on the whole Fannie/Freddie situation, with excerpts from a McCain speech addressing his fellow congressional colleagues in 2005. QandO points out that Bush was ahead of the curve five years ago.
"As of June 30, [AIG's] balance sheet shows total assets of $1.05 TRILLION, against liabilities of $972 billion... AIG contains a great many very healthy, very well-capitalized, very profitable businesses, and it generates enormous cash flow... [it] became clear to Treasury and Fed officials that they didn’t want to see an 11 filing, with technical defaults all over a $1 trillion asset portfolio."
He continues:
"The New York Fed will create a special credit facility for AIG. It will last for 24 months, during which time AIG may borrow up to $85 billion, at an interest rate of three-month dollar LIBOR plus 850 basis points.
"That’s about 14% or so at the moment. You need the interest rate to be a penalty rate, to force AIG to use other capital sources in preference. The new facility is only for use as a last resort. Otherwise AIG would have an overwhelming, unfair competitive advantage. It's quite likely that AIG will end up never borrowing from the $85 billion credit line at all...
"It’s expected that the company will use the 24 months to sell off its assets and pay its obligations as they come due, becoming a continually-smaller company in the process."
Read the whole post to get his initial summary of the situation.
UPDATE: RWN has a post which shows that McCain was ahead of the curve on the whole Fannie/Freddie situation, with excerpts from a McCain speech addressing his fellow congressional colleagues in 2005. QandO points out that Bush was ahead of the curve five years ago.
Lame attempts at being artistic # 6...
MUD RIVER CANYONS
LAVA FLOW
PETRIFIED FINGERS
ONE-EYED WOODFACE
DASHING PINE
* All five pics are of wood/bark/trees
LAVA FLOW
PETRIFIED FINGERS
ONE-EYED WOODFACE
DASHING PINE
* All five pics are of wood/bark/trees
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Fannie, Freddie & Barack - Part 2
Via my friend, Rick.
Read the whole thing here.
Change, huh?
"... Throughout the campaign season Obama has attacked Wall Street’s financial sector and run a campaign based largely upon his “good judgment”. The problem with Obama’s rhetoric rests in the fact that tucked away in his database of 2.5 million donors is the approximately 180,000 power brokers that have funded nearly 60% of his campaign. Included in this list are the more than 594 campaign bundlers including 15 lobbyist bundlers who have accounted for over $140 million in contributions. Included in this list are just 36 bundlers accounting for over $18 million dollars, with two bundlers raising over $1 million, and one over $2 million. These amounts are impressive considering that just 552 individuals have accounted for nearly 1/3 of his total campaign contributions. Of course determining the occupation can be tricky considering the Obama campaign lists nearly 100 bundlers as having unknown occupations, nearly 100 who are listed as "self-employed", and dozens of "homemakers" and "retired" individuals.
Among Obama's campaign contributors are many Lehman Brothers Executives, such as CEO Richard Fuld ($2,300), President Joseph Gregory ($4,600) and dozens of other top Lehman Executives. On June 19th, Lehman shareholders filed suit against Fuld and Gregory for the company’s exposure in the subprime market. In addition to dozens of Lehman executives are Obama's bundlers from Lehman Borthers who have raised top dollar for the campaign. Direct contributions from Lehman Brothers have exceeded $395,000 for Senator Obama..."
Read the whole thing here.
Change, huh?
Oil now under $92/barrel...
While others fret over the likes of Bear Sterns (which got bailed out by the federal government, and then bought by Chase), and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac (which also got some protection with the federal re-org), and Merrill Lynch & Countrywide (which both got bought by BofA), Lehman Brothers now filed for Chapter 11, and insurance giant AIG is on the brink...
OH NO! THE SKY IS FALLING!
Ummm... not really. The market is shaking itself out like it always does when it's gotten too big for it's britches. Like the Dot Com Bubble, the Gold Bubble, the Housing Bubble, and now the Oil Bubble. Oil has now dropped well below $100 per barrel, settling today at $91.15 (the lowest since early February). And with the effects of the "Drill Here, Drill Now" about to kick in soon, that means even lower prices in the market. Some are actually complaining that it's a "bad" thing that oil prices are dropping, and that the value of the dollar is increasing against the Euro.
Sorry... these are GOOD things. A strong dollar, with low fuel costs, less dependence on foreign oil, an increase in jobs due to the domestic energy boom that's soon to start, plus more manufacturing jobs due to the increase in border security and crackdown in illegal immigration, and housing prices getting back to normal, combined with overpriced stocks getting corrected, failed corporations either correcting themselves via reorganization, bankruptcy, buyout or folding up tent, and a more effective federal oversight (without burdensome over-regulation or an automatic overly aggressive Fed bailout) is - repeat after me - "A GOOD THING!"
No need to panic, people. They ain't panicking on Wall Street. They did for one day. Then cooler heads prevailed once they stepped back and assessed the situation with clearer eyes and a broad overview.
The only people who actually WANT to see the markets crash, and who consider this a "good" thing in a perverse sort of way are the MSM and The Obamessiah. Now THAT should cause you concern.
OH NO! THE SKY IS FALLING!
Ummm... not really. The market is shaking itself out like it always does when it's gotten too big for it's britches. Like the Dot Com Bubble, the Gold Bubble, the Housing Bubble, and now the Oil Bubble. Oil has now dropped well below $100 per barrel, settling today at $91.15 (the lowest since early February). And with the effects of the "Drill Here, Drill Now" about to kick in soon, that means even lower prices in the market. Some are actually complaining that it's a "bad" thing that oil prices are dropping, and that the value of the dollar is increasing against the Euro.
Sorry... these are GOOD things. A strong dollar, with low fuel costs, less dependence on foreign oil, an increase in jobs due to the domestic energy boom that's soon to start, plus more manufacturing jobs due to the increase in border security and crackdown in illegal immigration, and housing prices getting back to normal, combined with overpriced stocks getting corrected, failed corporations either correcting themselves via reorganization, bankruptcy, buyout or folding up tent, and a more effective federal oversight (without burdensome over-regulation or an automatic overly aggressive Fed bailout) is - repeat after me - "A GOOD THING!"
No need to panic, people. They ain't panicking on Wall Street. They did for one day. Then cooler heads prevailed once they stepped back and assessed the situation with clearer eyes and a broad overview.
The only people who actually WANT to see the markets crash, and who consider this a "good" thing in a perverse sort of way are the MSM and The Obamessiah. Now THAT should cause you concern.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lawyer Candidates... since 1980
Here's something I did not know. I found this info from another blog site last week. I, for the life of me, cannot remember which one it was, and I need to verify this. But it appears to be true that...
Since 1980, the only Republican candidate for either President or Vice President who was a lawyer or who attended law school was Bob Dole in 1996.
1980 - Reagan/Bush Sr.
1984 - Reagan/Bush Sr.
1988 - Bush Sr./Quayle
1992 - Bush Sr./Quayle
1996 - Dole*/Kemp
2000 - Bush Jr./Cheney
2004 - Bush Jr./Cheney
2008 - McCain/Palin
Since 1980, the only Democratic candidate for either President or Vice President who was NOT a lawyer or who did NOT attended law school was Jimmy Carter in 1980.
1980 - Carter*/Mondale
1984 - Mondale/Ferraro
1988 - Dukakis/Benson
1992 - Clinton/Gore
1996 - Clinton/Gore
2000 - Gore/Liebermann
2004 - Kerry/Edwards
2008 - Obama/Biden
Kinda says it all, doesn't it?
Since 1980, the only Republican candidate for either President or Vice President who was a lawyer or who attended law school was Bob Dole in 1996.
1980 - Reagan/Bush Sr.
1984 - Reagan/Bush Sr.
1988 - Bush Sr./Quayle
1992 - Bush Sr./Quayle
1996 - Dole*/Kemp
2000 - Bush Jr./Cheney
2004 - Bush Jr./Cheney
2008 - McCain/Palin
Since 1980, the only Democratic candidate for either President or Vice President who was NOT a lawyer or who did NOT attended law school was Jimmy Carter in 1980.
1980 - Carter*/Mondale
1984 - Mondale/Ferraro
1988 - Dukakis/Benson
1992 - Clinton/Gore
1996 - Clinton/Gore
2000 - Gore/Liebermann
2004 - Kerry/Edwards
2008 - Obama/Biden
Kinda says it all, doesn't it?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Voting Campaign for Catholics...
(Major hat-tip to West Coast Catholic who found this on American Papist's site who got it from CatholicVote.com)
Oil Approaching $100/barrel...
That's right. What was once a high of $147/barrel in mid-July, the price of a barrel of oil today on the open market is down to $103/barrel and is close to breaking below the $100 mark. If Hurricane Ike causes no major disruption in the Gulf, I'd expect the price to continue to drop even further.
As I've said before, there were two major forces affects the price of oil in recent years: speculators (see here) and OPEC & supplying nations unfriendly to the U.S. (see here).
Well, it seems that OPEC is trying to stave off the drop in oil prices by cutting off supply, while propping up Iran and Venezuela. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
On another note, if the July 11 price of oil was $147/barrel, with the national gas price at $4.11/gallon (and in my area of California is settled at $4.65/gallon), then given that the current price is now $103/barrel -- that's a reduction of 30% off of the high -- shouldn't that translate to $2.88/gallon nationally and $3.25/gallon for my area?
So, why is the national gas price still at $3.65/gallon? And why is the gas price in my area still $3.77/gallon?
Just wonderin'...
As I've said before, there were two major forces affects the price of oil in recent years: speculators (see here) and OPEC & supplying nations unfriendly to the U.S. (see here).
Well, it seems that OPEC is trying to stave off the drop in oil prices by cutting off supply, while propping up Iran and Venezuela. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
On another note, if the July 11 price of oil was $147/barrel, with the national gas price at $4.11/gallon (and in my area of California is settled at $4.65/gallon), then given that the current price is now $103/barrel -- that's a reduction of 30% off of the high -- shouldn't that translate to $2.88/gallon nationally and $3.25/gallon for my area?
So, why is the national gas price still at $3.65/gallon? And why is the gas price in my area still $3.77/gallon?
Just wonderin'...
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Fannie, Freddie and Barack...
RedState has some detailed posts on the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac situation.
Post 1
Post 2
Post 3
Post 4
Post 5
But Flopping Aces has an even more interesting post about those two institutions, and political donations to certain candidates. Very interesting to see who comes in #2, 3 and 4 (details are here).
Post 1
Post 2
Post 3
Post 4
Post 5
But Flopping Aces has an even more interesting post about those two institutions, and political donations to certain candidates. Very interesting to see who comes in #2, 3 and 4 (details are here).
Monday, September 08, 2008
Of "the Bomb", the "Nitally Lions", the "57 States", and other fun things...
(UPDATED)
The Obamessiah was near Penn State University, in which he praised the "Nitally Lions":
You know, the Nitally Lions of NPSU - New Penn State University - as in "New Pennsylvania":
Which is probably one of those "57 states" that he visited throughout the primaries:
It was in one of those extra states that he was able to "see" dead people, some of "our fallen heroes":
I'm sure they were the non-surviving survivors of "the bomb" that fell on Pearl Harbor. You know, "the bomb"... that one bomb?:
Then, of course, you have the 10,000 people who died in the Kansas tornado earlier this year:
Umm, Mr. Obama... actually, it was just 12 people who died.
Now, you must remember that The Obamessiah has been known to stretch the truth a bit. Like, when he stated that, “There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Jr. was born.”:
The problem, though, is that Obama was born in 1961. The Selma march took place in 1965.
But you must remember, too, that this is the guy who said, "I can no more disown [Rev. Wright] than I could disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I could disown my white grandmother." And then just 10 days later he does just that:
You'll notice that he suddenly is using a bunch of flags as a backdrop for that speech in Philadelphia, even though he had no problem disrespecting both flag and country by refusing to wear a flag lapel pin or to pledge allegiance to the flag during the primaries:
So, just remember that this is also the guy who claims that we simple people just "get bitter and they cling to guns or religion or antipathy towards people who aren't like them.":
And, of course, we all know his answer to the question, "At what point does a baby get human rights?":
Yes, yes... it's a mad world when someone who not only voted against but also actively fought against the Baby Born Alive Act is a viable nominee for President of the United States:
Bumper sticker can be purchased here (FYI: it's not me selling it.)
The Obamessiah was near Penn State University, in which he praised the "Nitally Lions":
You know, the Nitally Lions of NPSU - New Penn State University - as in "New Pennsylvania":
Which is probably one of those "57 states" that he visited throughout the primaries:
It was in one of those extra states that he was able to "see" dead people, some of "our fallen heroes":
I'm sure they were the non-surviving survivors of "the bomb" that fell on Pearl Harbor. You know, "the bomb"... that one bomb?:
Then, of course, you have the 10,000 people who died in the Kansas tornado earlier this year:
Umm, Mr. Obama... actually, it was just 12 people who died.
Now, you must remember that The Obamessiah has been known to stretch the truth a bit. Like, when he stated that, “There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Jr. was born.”:
The problem, though, is that Obama was born in 1961. The Selma march took place in 1965.
But you must remember, too, that this is the guy who said, "I can no more disown [Rev. Wright] than I could disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I could disown my white grandmother." And then just 10 days later he does just that:
You'll notice that he suddenly is using a bunch of flags as a backdrop for that speech in Philadelphia, even though he had no problem disrespecting both flag and country by refusing to wear a flag lapel pin or to pledge allegiance to the flag during the primaries:
So, just remember that this is also the guy who claims that we simple people just "get bitter and they cling to guns or religion or antipathy towards people who aren't like them.":
And, of course, we all know his answer to the question, "At what point does a baby get human rights?":
Yes, yes... it's a mad world when someone who not only voted against but also actively fought against the Baby Born Alive Act is a viable nominee for President of the United States:
Bumper sticker can be purchased here (FYI: it's not me selling it.)
Celebrating...
... the 6th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday..................... by going to work.
C'est la vie!
C'est la vie!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Uh-oh... Now Biden Has Stepped In It.
UPDATED
Will they EVER learn?
The Catholic Senator from Delaware (and Democrat VP candidate) Joe Biden has opened his mouth and stuck both feet in it while being interviewed by Tom Brokaw on this morning's "Meet The Press" regarding the issue of abortion. He's just following in the footsteps of fellow Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who's also Catholic and is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives - who placed both her feet into her own mouth on the same program about the same issue just two weeks prior.
Insight Scoop has the rundown. So does American Papist and Father Z. All three are well worth reading.
Maybe in two weeks Tom Brokaw will interview the former NYC Mayor, Republican & Catholic Rudy Giuliani, and go for the trifecta. Maybe two weeks after that he can interview former PA Governor Tom Ridge. Then he can have on squishy PA Junior Senator Bob Casey Jr. after that. And then Senator John Kerry. And then Senator Ted Kennedy. And then........
*SIGH*
Well, I know fellow Catholics Senator Sam Brownback and former Senator Rick Santorum will at least get it right. Bobby Jindal and Michael Steele, as well.
Will they EVER learn?
The Catholic Senator from Delaware (and Democrat VP candidate) Joe Biden has opened his mouth and stuck both feet in it while being interviewed by Tom Brokaw on this morning's "Meet The Press" regarding the issue of abortion. He's just following in the footsteps of fellow Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who's also Catholic and is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives - who placed both her feet into her own mouth on the same program about the same issue just two weeks prior.
Insight Scoop has the rundown. So does American Papist and Father Z. All three are well worth reading.
Maybe in two weeks Tom Brokaw will interview the former NYC Mayor, Republican & Catholic Rudy Giuliani, and go for the trifecta. Maybe two weeks after that he can interview former PA Governor Tom Ridge. Then he can have on squishy PA Junior Senator Bob Casey Jr. after that. And then Senator John Kerry. And then Senator Ted Kennedy. And then........
*SIGH*
Well, I know fellow Catholics Senator Sam Brownback and former Senator Rick Santorum will at least get it right. Bobby Jindal and Michael Steele, as well.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Hodge Podge of Political Story Links...
UPDATED:
The Obamessiah's "Community Organizer" credentials are here.
Where The Obamessiah stands on the issues here.
The One's point-man for going after Palin, Howard Gutman, is (get this, now) the defense attorney for Bill Ayer's Weather Underground terrorists/killers.
Democrats at their convention trash the American flags. The McCain/Palin camp have rescued those flags to be used at a Colorado Springs rally.
McCain Haters for McCain here.
Michael Reagan sees his Dad in Sarah Palin here.
And, it's official, more people watched John McCain's acceptance speech than The Obamessiah's. The numbers are in, with two fewer channels airing the speech. Numbers also do not include PBS (just as before), which uses a different tallying method. UPDATE: The PBS numbers are in, and McCain & Obama tied in the ratings, including the PBS numbers, with each getting 42.4 million viewers. For the entire convention, though, the RNC's 3-Day convention averaged 34.5 million viewers while the DNC's 4-Day convention averaged just 30.2 million viewers.
Sarah Palin's full text of her speech. There is the full speech in video, as well as video highlights on the same page as the text.
John McCain's full text of his speech.
The full one-hour speech in video is here below:
The key moment of McCain's speech was the end, with the following text (emphasis mine):
A great commentary on John McCain's "... and they broke me" moment in the speech.
Enjoy the links!
The Obamessiah's "Community Organizer" credentials are here.
Where The Obamessiah stands on the issues here.
The One's point-man for going after Palin, Howard Gutman, is (get this, now) the defense attorney for Bill Ayer's Weather Underground terrorists/killers.
Democrats at their convention trash the American flags. The McCain/Palin camp have rescued those flags to be used at a Colorado Springs rally.
McCain Haters for McCain here.
Michael Reagan sees his Dad in Sarah Palin here.
And, it's official, more people watched John McCain's acceptance speech than The Obamessiah's. The numbers are in, with two fewer channels airing the speech. Numbers also do not include PBS (just as before), which uses a different tallying method. UPDATE: The PBS numbers are in, and McCain & Obama tied in the ratings, including the PBS numbers, with each getting 42.4 million viewers. For the entire convention, though, the RNC's 3-Day convention averaged 34.5 million viewers while the DNC's 4-Day convention averaged just 30.2 million viewers.
Sarah Palin's full text of her speech. There is the full speech in video, as well as video highlights on the same page as the text.
John McCain's full text of his speech.
The full one-hour speech in video is here below:
The key moment of McCain's speech was the end, with the following text (emphasis mine):
On an October morning, in the Gulf of Tonkin, I prepared for my 23rd mission over North Vietnam. I hadn't any worry I wouldn't come back safe and sound. I thought I was tougher than anyone. I was pretty independent then, too. I liked to bend a few rules, and pick a few fights for the fun of it. But I did it for my own pleasure; my own pride. I didn't think there was a cause more important than me.
Then I found myself falling toward the middle of a small lake in the city of Hanoi, with two broken arms, a broken leg, and an angry crowd waiting to greet me. I was dumped in a dark cell, and left to die. I didn't feel so tough anymore. When they discovered my father was an admiral, they took me to a hospital. They couldn't set my bones properly, so they just slapped a cast on me. When I didn't get better, and was down to about a hundred pounds, they put me in a cell with two other Americans. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even feed myself. They did it for me. I was beginning to learn the limits of my selfish independence. Those men saved my life.
I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why. If I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.
A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.
When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn't know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door, my friend, Bob Craner, saved me. Through taps on a wall he told me I had fought as hard as I could. No man can always stand alone. And then he told me to get back up and fight again for our country and for the men I had the honor to serve with. Because every day they fought for me.
I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.
I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.
If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.
I'm going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.
Fight for what's right for our country.
Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children's future.
Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.
Thank you, and God Bless you.
A great commentary on John McCain's "... and they broke me" moment in the speech.
Enjoy the links!
R.I.P. "In A World..."
Don LaFontaine, one of the all-time great movie trailer voice-over guys, past away (is that "past away" or "passed away"???) this week. In memory of the great Don, Ace has posted this YouTube clip. So, let me "invite you" to watch:
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Now, Can McCain Close the Deal?...
TBD after his acceptance speech tonight.
UPDATE: He did what he needed to do. He contrasted himself as a wise, humble and proven servant versus the arrogant, self-anointed empty suit. He left most of the red meat for last night. This was the after-dinner kitchen table discussion. His intent was to continue to draw in the fence-sitting moderates/centrists/independents as well as the disaffected PUMAs. The rousing ending was pitch-perfect.
I may not agree with him on some key issues, but he's reassured me of his core. Although I'm not one of those moderates/centrists, I was on the fence up until last week because I'm a strong social and fiscal conservative. His choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, and her introduction last Friday, and especially her speech last night, basically brought me back off of the fence. I just needed to see and hear McCain present himself tonight to allay any remaining trepidation on my part.
I was NEVER going to vote for The Obamessiah.
I can now PROUDLY pull the lever for McCain/Palin.
The next two months will be very interesting and entertaining. And, with the likes of Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, Mike Pence, John Shadegg, Jeff Flake, Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint and others, the future looks very bright.
UPDATE: He did what he needed to do. He contrasted himself as a wise, humble and proven servant versus the arrogant, self-anointed empty suit. He left most of the red meat for last night. This was the after-dinner kitchen table discussion. His intent was to continue to draw in the fence-sitting moderates/centrists/independents as well as the disaffected PUMAs. The rousing ending was pitch-perfect.
I may not agree with him on some key issues, but he's reassured me of his core. Although I'm not one of those moderates/centrists, I was on the fence up until last week because I'm a strong social and fiscal conservative. His choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, and her introduction last Friday, and especially her speech last night, basically brought me back off of the fence. I just needed to see and hear McCain present himself tonight to allay any remaining trepidation on my part.
I was NEVER going to vote for The Obamessiah.
I can now PROUDLY pull the lever for McCain/Palin.
The next two months will be very interesting and entertaining. And, with the likes of Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, Mike Pence, John Shadegg, Jeff Flake, Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint and others, the future looks very bright.
Category 6 Storm Makes Landfall, Wreaks Havoc...
Hurricane Sarah caught the mainstream media and the rabid left wing all flatfooted as what they thought would be just a brief summer shower turned out to be a major broadside to their political establishment. Tropical Storm Rudy cleared the way for Hurricane Sarah - a rare Cat 6 storm of epic proportions - to just rip to shreds the Democratic strongholds, leaving nothing but liberal wreckage in her wake.
She made landfall last Friday morning in Ohio, and moved her way through Pennsylvania and Missouri. The media was convinced that she would soon fizzle out, but instead she just built up steam and charged her way into Minnesota leaving everyone stunned. It's looking like Hurricane Sarah will be roaring through all the states for the next two months, at least, without losing strength.
Storm warning officials are urging that, in their own best interests, all left wing pundits and liberal pontificators are best to run for cover before they get caught up in the eye of this fresh and growing mother of a storm.
***THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***
UPDATE: Great, great line from John Hawkins over @ RWN:
UPDATE #2A: Palin drew an astounding 37.2 million TV viewers last night! Just shy of the record 38 million that The Obamessiah drew for his acceptance speech last week. Her speech was broadcast on only 6 networks, while The Obamessiah's was shown on 10. Yet, Palin outdrew The One with Hispanics, despite the fact that Spanish-language networks Univision and Telemundo did not broadcast her speech.
UPDATE #2B: It appears that those ratings do not include PBS nor CSPAN totals. The PBS rating for Palin was an additional 3.9 (Obama had a 4.0). No word on the CSPAN numbers and cable/satellite TV's dedicated DNC & RNC channels. That means that Sarah Palin had more than 41 million viewers Wednesday night!
She made landfall last Friday morning in Ohio, and moved her way through Pennsylvania and Missouri. The media was convinced that she would soon fizzle out, but instead she just built up steam and charged her way into Minnesota leaving everyone stunned. It's looking like Hurricane Sarah will be roaring through all the states for the next two months, at least, without losing strength.
Storm warning officials are urging that, in their own best interests, all left wing pundits and liberal pontificators are best to run for cover before they get caught up in the eye of this fresh and growing mother of a storm.
***THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***
UPDATE: Great, great line from John Hawkins over @ RWN:
"Palin tried to do 3 things with the speech: build up her own resume, push John McCain, and hammer the hell out of Obama. To say she hit a home run at those three tasks is an understatement. Palin delivered a called shot, with the bases loaded, that went out of the park, across the street, crashed through the window of the Obama campaign headquarters, and rolled right up to the empty suit running the operation."
UPDATE #2A: Palin drew an astounding 37.2 million TV viewers last night! Just shy of the record 38 million that The Obamessiah drew for his acceptance speech last week. Her speech was broadcast on only 6 networks, while The Obamessiah's was shown on 10. Yet, Palin outdrew The One with Hispanics, despite the fact that Spanish-language networks Univision and Telemundo did not broadcast her speech.
UPDATE #2B: It appears that those ratings do not include PBS nor CSPAN totals. The PBS rating for Palin was an additional 3.9 (Obama had a 4.0). No word on the CSPAN numbers and cable/satellite TV's dedicated DNC & RNC channels. That means that Sarah Palin had more than 41 million viewers Wednesday night!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Panic, Desperation, Hypocrisy, Hatred...
These are the four words that describe the mainstream media and the radical left.
UPDATE: (Via HotAir)
Patterico has details on the vetting process and why the press is in such a snit.
UPDATE: (Via HotAir)
Patterico has details on the vetting process and why the press is in such a snit.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
And now for something completely different...
It was dreary, cloudy weather for two of the three days this past holiday weekend. But at least I got some sun, sand, ocean and melanin enhancement on Saturday afternoon.
Just getting over a cold and sore throat (pain the the a**).
Went to go see "Henry Poole Is Here" (with Luke Wilson) at the movie theater. A nice, funny yet heartwarming story on faith and tragedy, though I think they could have tweaked the ending a bit.
I also rented the movie "Cashback" on DVD (a cleverly done little indy film from England).
And I'm reading a great book titled, "What's the Matter With California?" by Jack Cashill.
That's about it.
Oh, yeah... and I turn 39 for the seventh time next week. (woo-hoo!)
Just getting over a cold and sore throat (pain the the a**).
Went to go see "Henry Poole Is Here" (with Luke Wilson) at the movie theater. A nice, funny yet heartwarming story on faith and tragedy, though I think they could have tweaked the ending a bit.
I also rented the movie "Cashback" on DVD (a cleverly done little indy film from England).
And I'm reading a great book titled, "What's the Matter With California?" by Jack Cashill.
That's about it.
Oh, yeah... and I turn 39 for the seventh time next week. (woo-hoo!)
Monday, September 01, 2008
The "Punishment" Dichotomy...
(Both Ace and Creative Minority Report post the same response to the news.)
To quote CMR, "'Nuff said."
Rumor is going around that - even though The Obamessiah has denied that his campaign had anything to do with the pushing on the story, would fire anyone who was involved, and has laid claim that family members are and should be off-limits on both sides - there may be evidence that this political scum-bagging may in fact have BO campaign fingerprints all over it. As Drudge would say, "... developing..."
UPDATE: John @ RWN has a concise 7-point post.
UPDATE #2: Michelle Malkin has a post with a great graphic that says it all.
To quote CMR, "'Nuff said."
Rumor is going around that - even though The Obamessiah has denied that his campaign had anything to do with the pushing on the story, would fire anyone who was involved, and has laid claim that family members are and should be off-limits on both sides - there may be evidence that this political scum-bagging may in fact have BO campaign fingerprints all over it. As Drudge would say, "... developing..."
UPDATE: John @ RWN has a concise 7-point post.
UPDATE #2: Michelle Malkin has a post with a great graphic that says it all.
Alaska & National Security...
(Hat-tips to Paragraph Farmer and Wizbang)
BlackFive has a nice little "I did not know that" post about the vital role Alaska and it's governor play in our country's national security:
It continues:
BlackFive has a nice little "I did not know that" post about the vital role Alaska and it's governor play in our country's national security:
Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. It’s on permanent active duty, unlike other Guard units.
As governor of Alaska, Palin is briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism.
It continues:
She's also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security's counterterrorism plans.
Palin is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to the entire country's defense. Given Alaska's proximity to Russia, she may have security clearances we don't even know about.
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