Tom Daschle, nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services didn't pay taxes. Now, this isn't the somewhat plausible story created by Geithner. This is just plain not paying and perhaps creating deductions for supposed charitable donations. So he should be out.
He should withdraw, much like Governor Richardson did. His proposed position can be filled a little while later. Geithner was a different story for several reasons. One, the time is now for the position to be filled. He is experienced and by most accounts, very smart and dedicated. Also, clearly the markets responded to his original announced appointment. All good things. If there was more time and proper experts, I would have said Geithner shouldn't have been approved either because of the tax issue.
Daschle, whom I opined earlier was not a good choice, is clearly unsuited for public service. His constituents voted him out and Obama should rescind the nomination if Daschle doesn't have the decency to withdraw.
What is with these people any way?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Obama the Anti-Christ?
I came across a little tidbit of info and followed it along through cyberspace. Wow.
There is a site called "Belief Watch" at Newsweeks' site. Here are a few gems:
"Todd Strandberg was at his desk, fielding E-mails from around the world. As the editor and founder of RaptureReady.com, his job is to track current events and link them to biblical prophecy in hopes of maintaining his status as "the eBay of prophecy," the best source online for predictions and calculations concerning the end of the world."
"One of the winning lottery numbers in the president-elect's home state was 666— which, as everyone knows, is the sign of the Beast (also known as the Antichrist). "It is very eerie, and I take it for a sign as to who he really is," wrote one of Strandberg's correspondents."
"Already Barack Obama had drawn the attention of apocalypse watchers after an anonymous e-mail circulated among conservative Christians in October implying that he was the Antichrist."
"According to a 2006 study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, a third of white evangelicals believe the world will end in their lifetimes."
After reading these and others, I couldn't help but go check out this Rapture place.
http://raptureready.com/
The first think I noticed on this page was the top box on the right - looking for donations. As Gomer would say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" Think snake oil, Bernie Maydof, etc.
Anyway, I trust that Barack Obama is not "the beast" and I hope and pray the world isn't going to end on such a low note. We need a few years to right the ship.
There is a site called "Belief Watch" at Newsweeks' site. Here are a few gems:
"Todd Strandberg was at his desk, fielding E-mails from around the world. As the editor and founder of RaptureReady.com, his job is to track current events and link them to biblical prophecy in hopes of maintaining his status as "the eBay of prophecy," the best source online for predictions and calculations concerning the end of the world."
"One of the winning lottery numbers in the president-elect's home state was 666— which, as everyone knows, is the sign of the Beast (also known as the Antichrist). "It is very eerie, and I take it for a sign as to who he really is," wrote one of Strandberg's correspondents."
"Already Barack Obama had drawn the attention of apocalypse watchers after an anonymous e-mail circulated among conservative Christians in October implying that he was the Antichrist."
"According to a 2006 study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, a third of white evangelicals believe the world will end in their lifetimes."
After reading these and others, I couldn't help but go check out this Rapture place.
http://raptureready.com/
The first think I noticed on this page was the top box on the right - looking for donations. As Gomer would say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" Think snake oil, Bernie Maydof, etc.
Anyway, I trust that Barack Obama is not "the beast" and I hope and pray the world isn't going to end on such a low note. We need a few years to right the ship.
Gotta Laugh
COLD IS A RELATIVE THING.
65 above zero:
Arizonans turn on the heat.
People in Wisc/Minnesota plant gardens.
60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Wisc/Minnesota sunbathe.
50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Wisc/Minnesota drive with the windows down.
40 above zero:
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Wisc/Minnesota throw on a flannel shirt.
35 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Wisc/Minnesota have the last cookout before it gets cold.
20 above zero:
People in Miami all die.
Wisc/Minnesotans close the windows.
Zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico ..
People in Wisc/Minnesota get out their winter coats.
10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Wisc/Minnesota are selling cookies door to door.
20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Wisc/Minnesota let the dogs sleep indoors.
30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Wisc/Minnesotans get upset because they can't start the snowmobile.
40 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
Wisc/Minnesota public schools will open 2 hours late
50 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
People in Wisc/Minnesota start saying...'Cold enough for ya?'
65 above zero:
Arizonans turn on the heat.
People in Wisc/Minnesota plant gardens.
60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Wisc/Minnesota sunbathe.
50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Wisc/Minnesota drive with the windows down.
40 above zero:
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Wisc/Minnesota throw on a flannel shirt.
35 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Wisc/Minnesota have the last cookout before it gets cold.
20 above zero:
People in Miami all die.
Wisc/Minnesotans close the windows.
Zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico ..
People in Wisc/Minnesota get out their winter coats.
10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Wisc/Minnesota are selling cookies door to door.
20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Wisc/Minnesota let the dogs sleep indoors.
30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Wisc/Minnesotans get upset because they can't start the snowmobile.
40 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
Wisc/Minnesota public schools will open 2 hours late
50 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
People in Wisc/Minnesota start saying...'Cold enough for ya?'
Loyal Opposition
I have read many pieces by right leaning journalists, some emailed to me, some on the Internet. I used to agree with much of what they said. However, since those leanings led to the current mess in the economy and Iraq, I opted to do something about it as I was able - reject the thought at the ballot.
What all these people (so called journalists) seem to forget is three key things:
1. Banks, car manufactures, etc. were bailed out by George Bush first. He opened the door, not Barack Obama. He sent his advisor Paulson to congress and said we need to bailout the banks.
2. U.S. car manufacturers have been selling a second rate product and lost their market share accordingly. People will pay more for a better car. They lost their competitive edge 30 years ago to Honda, Toyota, etc.
3. Bankers, wall street, etc., left to their own devices by George Bush, stole our economy from us. They cheated, lied, and lined their pockets. My generation is screwed because of their unregulated greed. The next generation are going to inherit a miserable economy, debt and outlook. It is no surprise that they rejected the old negative way of thinking.
If ever we needed a loyal opposition, this is it. They just never sound loyal except to getting the next anti-regulatory, rich, white republican male elected. They need to use their voice to encourage good fiscal conservative ideas and inclusion; They need to “speak” with respect for those who differ from them. I don’t see much of that from Mr. Sowell, and the rest of the conservative, negative press. At least he is not a hate-spewer like the Rush L.s of am radio.
They also forget one other huge thing: Americans voted for Barack Obama. Every group, except old white men. Every demographic. And we are not all duped or stupid or see Obama as the Second Coming. I know I am not. We are hopeful that having a positive vision will help fix this for our kids and maybe, just maybe, we won't have to work to 80 years old because of the thieves on wall street that were allowed to run rampant by George W. Bush and steal our futures. George, through his trust in Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, and his inability to ever admit any failure, ruined what should be a time when Laurie and I could enjoy life. He stole it. We are lucky that we made decisions for ourselves and didn't rely on them.
Also, George could have made a huge difference in ecology. He is personally responsible in this area so it is baffling that he did nothing. Similar to Al Gore doing so much for this area and being such a pig personally. Instead of oilman T. Boone Pickens taking the lead in 2008, George W. Bush the oilman could have taken the lead in 2001.
So, the only reasonable thing for people to do is to either support the new president who had little of nothing to do with creating this fiasco, or be the loyal opposition that hopes he can do what his predecessor couldn't - lead.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Barack is Busy
Close Gitmo in a year - that is the Executive Order. Personally I don't care if we torture terrorists, they behead and blow up innocent people all over the world.
Having said that, and feeling slightly tainted for having done so, I guess I don't care if he closes it or not. He promised to do it during the campaign, he was elected overwhelmingly, and therefore should close it. If for no other reason to show that he is a man of his word.
To be sure, other countries will work to find other American faults to bitch about, but such is the nature of the global society. This one is a no brainer. It is an easy target. Take the bad guys and put them in the many maximum security prisons around the country for which we are already spending a fortune.
The scary thing for me is this: The liberal press will hail this move and the conservative nut jobs will rail against it and for what? Political gain. Forget that. He made a decision, lets move on, we have many more issues to tackle. John McCain, a supporter of closing Gitmo needs to stand up and say so. Something like, "I, John McCain, the Original Maverick, say it time to move on to fix as many things as possible, Gitmo is done."
Having said that, and feeling slightly tainted for having done so, I guess I don't care if he closes it or not. He promised to do it during the campaign, he was elected overwhelmingly, and therefore should close it. If for no other reason to show that he is a man of his word.
To be sure, other countries will work to find other American faults to bitch about, but such is the nature of the global society. This one is a no brainer. It is an easy target. Take the bad guys and put them in the many maximum security prisons around the country for which we are already spending a fortune.
The scary thing for me is this: The liberal press will hail this move and the conservative nut jobs will rail against it and for what? Political gain. Forget that. He made a decision, lets move on, we have many more issues to tackle. John McCain, a supporter of closing Gitmo needs to stand up and say so. Something like, "I, John McCain, the Original Maverick, say it time to move on to fix as many things as possible, Gitmo is done."
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama
I watched the inauguration on CNN.com with Facebook. Interesting way to watch as you could read people's (mainly young people) thoughts about what they were watching.
The speech was very strong, which was as I expected. My son's school had it on, but it was only in Spanish. What?
I digress.
I heard him talk about personal responsibility - good. I heard him talk about terrorists and that we will defeat them - good. I heard him talk about working together to get things done - good.
Our problems are many in this country and I hope we all work to help solve them. Whether you voted for him or not, he clearly is smart and committed to trying to lead us out of this ridiculous mess. God Bless him.
The speech was very strong, which was as I expected. My son's school had it on, but it was only in Spanish. What?
I digress.
I heard him talk about personal responsibility - good. I heard him talk about terrorists and that we will defeat them - good. I heard him talk about working together to get things done - good.
Our problems are many in this country and I hope we all work to help solve them. Whether you voted for him or not, he clearly is smart and committed to trying to lead us out of this ridiculous mess. God Bless him.
Another Great Day
Remember when I wrote that we are the envy of the world because we can hold an election and create an orderly transition of power?
Well, today was the day that really brings that home. Orderly transition. Seems simple to us, but ask people from other countries about it and you will know how lucky we are.
Barack Hussein Obama takes over from George W. Bush. Wow!
Well, today was the day that really brings that home. Orderly transition. Seems simple to us, but ask people from other countries about it and you will know how lucky we are.
Barack Hussein Obama takes over from George W. Bush. Wow!
Friday, January 16, 2009
More Minnesota
This just in:
"A hearing has been scheduled in Minnesota next week on Al Franken's request to have a lawsuit dismissed in his bid for the Senate.
If the Democrat isn't able to get the lawsuit by Republican Norm Coleman dismissed, a trial could start Jan. 26.
The dismissal hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
The razor-thin Senate race between the two has Franken ahead by 225 votes after a statewide recount. Coleman's lawsuit raises issues about how the recount was conducted.
Minnesota could be short a senator until the suit is resolved. Franken has sued separately in his quest for state certification to the seat."
Just make them stand out side for a few minutes in Minnesota winter and last man standing is the Senator. Cheaper, quicker, reasonable.
"A hearing has been scheduled in Minnesota next week on Al Franken's request to have a lawsuit dismissed in his bid for the Senate.
If the Democrat isn't able to get the lawsuit by Republican Norm Coleman dismissed, a trial could start Jan. 26.
The dismissal hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
The razor-thin Senate race between the two has Franken ahead by 225 votes after a statewide recount. Coleman's lawsuit raises issues about how the recount was conducted.
Minnesota could be short a senator until the suit is resolved. Franken has sued separately in his quest for state certification to the seat."
Just make them stand out side for a few minutes in Minnesota winter and last man standing is the Senator. Cheaper, quicker, reasonable.
George W. Bush
It was interesting to watch George W. Bush last evening as he said goodbye to the American people in a 15 minute prepared speech. First, I will say that I thought he was quite gracious in talking about Barack Obama. I think he is genuinely pleased that Americans took the next step in our history.
He has aged, as they all do, and had that stupid "W" smirk on his face too much of the time. He didn't get the "deer in the headlight" look though, I suppose because he was reading the speech and not answering live questions.
I agree with President Bush that he did keep us safe from further attacks and I will take him at his word in terms of the advances we made to make that happen. Hard to know. Maybe we were just lucky. However, he gets the benefit of the doubt. Also, as I have written in the past, I thought he did a fine job after 9-11. He even mentioned standing on top of the rubble addressing the rescue workers. Very presidential in my mind.
Apparently his AIDS policy has been well received around the world and I think that is good. I don't know much about it, other than thousands of people die from this disease and whole villages have been destroyed, leaving behind many thousands of orphans. Tragic.
Having said all that, this was really his last real chance to show some spine and fess up that he screwed up majorly with Iraq and with Katrina. Iraq has nothing to do with keeping us safe from terrorism or getting rid of a tyrant. He stated the reason, and the reason was false and he knew it. He was unable to teach all Americans that it is proper to say, "I made a mistake" rather than lie, or try to bamboozle us. Iraq is a disaster and will be for a long time. Katrina simply showed a distinct disinterest in what was going on around him. It seems odd, the lack of response, as he has always struck me as an emotional and caring person. The inaction was disastrous and shameful. He should have been fired right then and there.
His Good versus Evil mindset is wonderful if you are making movies or games, but terrible if you are the President of the USA. He did so much harm to our standing around the world. We can no longer think of the USA as a stand alone superpower. This is a global society and what others think of us has a genuine impact on our economics and society.
He failed on immigration, he failed miserably on getting away from fossil fuels (imagine if the oil man took the lead that you now see T. Boone Pickens taking), and "No Child Left Behind" is a great slogan, but has mixed results and reviews.
All in all, and this will be debated for a long time, I personally think he was the worst president in my lifetime, and perhaps of the 20th and 21st centuries.
But I will also say this, he is right when he says we may have disagreed with the hard decisions he made but will appreciate that he was willing to make them. I do appreciate when someone is willing to make a decision.
He has aged, as they all do, and had that stupid "W" smirk on his face too much of the time. He didn't get the "deer in the headlight" look though, I suppose because he was reading the speech and not answering live questions.
I agree with President Bush that he did keep us safe from further attacks and I will take him at his word in terms of the advances we made to make that happen. Hard to know. Maybe we were just lucky. However, he gets the benefit of the doubt. Also, as I have written in the past, I thought he did a fine job after 9-11. He even mentioned standing on top of the rubble addressing the rescue workers. Very presidential in my mind.
Apparently his AIDS policy has been well received around the world and I think that is good. I don't know much about it, other than thousands of people die from this disease and whole villages have been destroyed, leaving behind many thousands of orphans. Tragic.
Having said all that, this was really his last real chance to show some spine and fess up that he screwed up majorly with Iraq and with Katrina. Iraq has nothing to do with keeping us safe from terrorism or getting rid of a tyrant. He stated the reason, and the reason was false and he knew it. He was unable to teach all Americans that it is proper to say, "I made a mistake" rather than lie, or try to bamboozle us. Iraq is a disaster and will be for a long time. Katrina simply showed a distinct disinterest in what was going on around him. It seems odd, the lack of response, as he has always struck me as an emotional and caring person. The inaction was disastrous and shameful. He should have been fired right then and there.
His Good versus Evil mindset is wonderful if you are making movies or games, but terrible if you are the President of the USA. He did so much harm to our standing around the world. We can no longer think of the USA as a stand alone superpower. This is a global society and what others think of us has a genuine impact on our economics and society.
He failed on immigration, he failed miserably on getting away from fossil fuels (imagine if the oil man took the lead that you now see T. Boone Pickens taking), and "No Child Left Behind" is a great slogan, but has mixed results and reviews.
All in all, and this will be debated for a long time, I personally think he was the worst president in my lifetime, and perhaps of the 20th and 21st centuries.
But I will also say this, he is right when he says we may have disagreed with the hard decisions he made but will appreciate that he was willing to make them. I do appreciate when someone is willing to make a decision.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
You Don't See This Everyday
Give the pilot some credit - what are the odds of seeing this picture and there being no fatalities?
Wow.
Minus 30
Minnesota, Minus 30 degrees. Totally unreasonable. The Phoenix Coyotes were in Minneapolis Tuesday night and they were showing really hardy people outside playing broom-ball hockey. It was a heat wave that night at 1 degree.
No wonder I live in Arizona.
No wonder I live in Arizona.
Apple
Been out of it recently - winter cold - so couldn't even decide what was reasonable or not.
Steve Jobs is sick. Steve Jobs is Apple. Think Ipods, etc. The Apple stock didn't explode the last couple of years because of Apple computers. Ipods and I-Phones are the cool gadgets that have peaked the stock.
Having said all that, apparently the lawyers are lining up to sue Apple for not disclosing Mr. Job's medical information quickly enough. No matter what, he has a right to his privacy. He didn't give it up by becoming a CEO. He had a cancer scare in 2004, so investors should have had some reasonable expectation that it could return. Therefore, they shouldn't have invested in Apple if they couldn't live with the risk.
One of the few shining stocks will now get under unneeded pressure, further depressing the economy. Totally unreasonable.
Steve Jobs is sick. Steve Jobs is Apple. Think Ipods, etc. The Apple stock didn't explode the last couple of years because of Apple computers. Ipods and I-Phones are the cool gadgets that have peaked the stock.
Having said all that, apparently the lawyers are lining up to sue Apple for not disclosing Mr. Job's medical information quickly enough. No matter what, he has a right to his privacy. He didn't give it up by becoming a CEO. He had a cancer scare in 2004, so investors should have had some reasonable expectation that it could return. Therefore, they shouldn't have invested in Apple if they couldn't live with the risk.
One of the few shining stocks will now get under unneeded pressure, further depressing the economy. Totally unreasonable.
Friday, January 9, 2009
.57142857142857142857
That number represents the percent of Illinois Governors charged with a crime while in office. Actually, that number is 4 divided by 7. 4 of the last 7 Governors of Illinois charged with a crime. These people are like Florida, they can't seem to vote correctly.
This Governor Blago is a democrat and the last Governor, Republican George Ryan, is serving 6 1/2 years in a federal prison for corruption. How unreasonable has government become?
This Governor Blago is a democrat and the last Governor, Republican George Ryan, is serving 6 1/2 years in a federal prison for corruption. How unreasonable has government become?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Gas - Credit - Silver Lining
If ever anyone doubted that gas is a heavily manipulated commodity, surely the recent price rise and plunge is the proof.
Market forces do not force gas prices down $2.50 in 4 months. That is a 60% or so drop and market forces generally change prices by a few percentage points. Think inflation data. 4-5% per year or something like that.
Given that it is highly likely that gas will again rise rapidly, it is lucky the credit makers are being stingy. If they weren't, short-sightedness would allow us to run out and buy a deeply discounted SUV or truck we don't need.
Again, to be clear, if one needs a truck for work or to support their lifestyle (Camping, boating, etc.), then by all means take advantage and buy one if you can. Just don't bitch about the price of gas when next summer it is $4 per gallon again.
The oil producing countries and companies are manipulating the price. They are betting that if they drop the price of oil to really low levels, gas hungry Americans will continue their habits and buy gas guzzling vehicles and be stuck with them. They are correct, that would happen, but maybe the credit crisis will save us from ourselves.
Hey, you gotta look for the silver lining. It is only reasonable.
Market forces do not force gas prices down $2.50 in 4 months. That is a 60% or so drop and market forces generally change prices by a few percentage points. Think inflation data. 4-5% per year or something like that.
Given that it is highly likely that gas will again rise rapidly, it is lucky the credit makers are being stingy. If they weren't, short-sightedness would allow us to run out and buy a deeply discounted SUV or truck we don't need.
Again, to be clear, if one needs a truck for work or to support their lifestyle (Camping, boating, etc.), then by all means take advantage and buy one if you can. Just don't bitch about the price of gas when next summer it is $4 per gallon again.
The oil producing countries and companies are manipulating the price. They are betting that if they drop the price of oil to really low levels, gas hungry Americans will continue their habits and buy gas guzzling vehicles and be stuck with them. They are correct, that would happen, but maybe the credit crisis will save us from ourselves.
Hey, you gotta look for the silver lining. It is only reasonable.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Israel - Gaza
I hope Hillary has her running shoes on as she will be knee deep in the S__T pretty soon.
Israel has a right to protect itself from other lands and people that have a stated goal of destroying the nation of Israel. That Israel always retaliates at a force of 100 to 1 should not be forgotten.
Clearly the terrorists are doing this in order to force Barack Obama into a high profile backing of Israel, thus keeping the heat on the U.S. and allowing the terrorists to continue to recruit young so-called religious fanatics to blow themselves up.
The terrorists love George Bush as he was the best recruiting tool in all the world for them. Now, with high hopes around the world for the much more conciliatory Obama, the terrorist have to push the buttons to sway world opinion against him. Too bad.
Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. need to be wiped out. Pressure the sheiks to give all the oil money to the citizens of their countries and see how fast they stop blowing themselves up. After all, they would have something for which to live.
Israel has a right to protect itself from other lands and people that have a stated goal of destroying the nation of Israel. That Israel always retaliates at a force of 100 to 1 should not be forgotten.
Clearly the terrorists are doing this in order to force Barack Obama into a high profile backing of Israel, thus keeping the heat on the U.S. and allowing the terrorists to continue to recruit young so-called religious fanatics to blow themselves up.
The terrorists love George Bush as he was the best recruiting tool in all the world for them. Now, with high hopes around the world for the much more conciliatory Obama, the terrorist have to push the buttons to sway world opinion against him. Too bad.
Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. need to be wiped out. Pressure the sheiks to give all the oil money to the citizens of their countries and see how fast they stop blowing themselves up. After all, they would have something for which to live.
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