What Will Sarah Do?

It's just not fair, I tell ya. That Sarah Palin, is all about helping people. She's savin' Alaskans lots of money by resignin'. I mean she could have gone and billed the state for 18 months worth of campaignin' for higher office, but she's a real honest gal. She is too good for the state, think of what she will do to us as president, you betcha! (Uh, she'll quit after the mid terms and run for pope?)

Not all members of the GOP want the good Ms. Palin anywhere near their district as Nov. 2010 approaches. Unless the candidate is running for office in a 100% batshit crazy, very red district, Palin is not an asset, she's just an ass.

As an ass, she would confuse the voters. Voters know that all asses are Democrats, therefore by presenting Palin's ass, the GOP would be encouraging voters to vote for the Democratic candidate. Politics can be quite asinine.

Vulnerable GOPs want Palin to stay home

It's a Very Tarpy Timination

We've all heard the expression, "where there's smoke there's fire." Okay here's some smoke, now get ready for a massive bonfire courtesy of Obama's fine fiduciary finaglers.

Oversight panel warns of $2B in TARP losses

I wonder how large a fire you can build will a few billion in ones?

GM is now American Moters?

I have avoided posts about GM for awhile. That company has sucked for decades. Now it has gone bankrupt and sold itself to itself (and the U.S. government). It could not survive on its own, but the same team of managers are running US GM. They've cut the number of brands down and think they will be able to compete. Really? As I said it's the same players. I have a feeling we taxpayers are going to be taking our GM selves to bankruptcy court in the near future. Only then it will be for total liquidation (it should have been Chapter 7, not 11 this time).

What was the old saying, "What's good for GM in good for the country?" I guess that means we should sell the US to say, China. Oops, we already have. Where do you think we borrowed the money to buy GM? We are never going to get out of this mess.

With Sale of Its Good Assets, G.M. Tries for a Fresh Start

That headline cannot be true because GM does not have any good assets. We bought a pig, no poke.

Obama to meet Hitler Youth

Okay, that may not be fair, Ratzy was only a kid and there wasn't anything else to do in Smallburg, Prussia. The war ended. His side lost. But to his credit, he's rehabilitated himself. Look at his hat and car. He's the Pope. Hey, Pope Ratzy, guess who's coming to call? Got your checkbook handy?

Obama schedules meet and greet in the Vatican!

Obama has some experience with Catholicism--

Later Friday, Mr. Obama, a former Catholic school student who says his thinking in some ways has been profoundly influenced by the church, is to visit Pope Benedict [RATZY] XVI.

Hmm, that brings back memories. My thinking was affected by being slapped up side the head with one those giant rosary beads the Nuns wore. Did you ever catch a crucifix in the back of your head? Holy mother of god, that hurts. Thankfully, my life in parochial school lasted only one week. Then I went back to a civilized public school. Wonder what influenced Obama? Rulers? Pencil Sharpeners? Thumbscrews?

New Nation Day

Oh boy it's almost new nation day. We celebrate whenever a liberty loving, democratic nation is born. Get ready, Kurdistan is coming down the chute to become a.... Hold it. The Kurds are part of the purple fingered peoples republic of Iraq. The Kurds cannot become an independent state with oodles of oil. Hey, all that oil belongs to the USA. Something is very wrong here. I hope someone has told the new hard working president to get on the phone and alert big oil that they will need to find salesmen and lawyers who speak Kurdish.

Kurds Defy Baghdad, Laying Claim to Land and Oil

Yeah, Kurdistan, that's why we shocked and awed the Iraqis. We wanted to liberate the Kurds from the yoke of Iraqi tyranny. Hey, weren't there BMWs, al-Quesadillas, and that Sammsonite guy involved, or am I forgetting the past? I'm so confused, why did we invade Iraq?

I wonder what the Turks are thinking about this morning?

AIG Update

It's summertime in the septic tank economy. That can mean only one thing. Yep, it's bonus time again at AIG. AIG gave the world a gift. They hosed the global economic system. As they began to totter, someone, probably a big stockholder, declared "they are too big to fail." Our government heard that lament. Then we, the taxpayers, through the actions of our vastly experienced government folks, were able to buy the damn firm. It's as though AIG securitized itself and we provided the collateral. They were saved. They did not fail because they are now owned by the U.S. Treasury. The bosses at AIG felt so good they gave each other large bonuses to celebrate their most successful securities sale (con) to date.

Now, as the firm, U.S. AIG, continues to decrease in value, the aces at the helm want to hand out more bonuses. I guess they are for still being alive. Only, this time they have a Compensation Czar who can provide guidance. I think the Czar works for Tim, so bonuses will be approved. And their boss, that Obama guy, will have another chance to make a fine populist speech about evil bonuses and then continue to do nothing about firms that are too big to fail. We have been, are, and will remain screwed. And we do it do ourselves, we vote for these bums.

AIG Seeks Clearance For More Bonuses


Just for fun, go to the end of the article and read the last two paragraphs first. Then go to the beginning and read the rest.

The Truth is Hard Work and Complicated

Once again the CIA may become the focus of national attention. Did the CIA hide a program from Congress? Did they lie about the program? Of course they did. They can't help themselves. That kind of behavior is in the genes of the folks who work there. And that is why we need oversight and periodically have to air out the little boy's club. Hm, can we rid ourselves of this club?

Of course, with the GOP flat on its butt, they will use this issue to score points against the evil Nancy. As they rail against the Speaker, most of us will lose sight that they will be defending unethical and illegal behavior along the way. Does it matter whether the illegalities were committed under a Republican or Democratic president? It shouldn't, but politics is a game of contributions and votes. Even though party does not matter, what does matter is how the intelligence challenged members of Congress think it may affect their reelection.

Sadly, as the pols in the Congressional clubhouse dare each other to knock chips from each others shoulders (on cable news of course) and Obama defends the CIA (with a really good speech), we will watch ourselves edge a bit closer to becoming the world's first super banana republic. Enjoy the piece.

Secret Program Fuels CIA-Congress Dispute

What Does the Senator's Mom Do for Him?

This is weird. All I can do is shake my head and scratch my butt. The guy is a rich old white guy and his parents are taking care of his business? He's a U.S. Senator? Come on now. Oh, forgot, he's from Vegas, that explains it....

Ensign's Parents Gave Mistress's Family $96k

Well, not really. Will someone explain this to me. Thanks.

Ahmathewinnerdude Update

The fat lady from Iran is still in New York gnoshing on bagels. So, that means she hasn't sung and the presidential election celebration can continue.

Thousands of protesters streamed down avenues of the capital Thursday, chanting "death to the dictator" and defying security forces who fired tear gas and charged with batons, witnesses said.


Will Allah switch sides? It's a mystery. Stay tuned.

Hundreds protest in Iran, defying crackdown vow

What Toxic Assets

When I read a piece like this one on toxic assets I get a stomach ache. I remember all the discussion over the past few months and now wonder why they even bother. Maybe they ought to just give the money away, it will be about the same.

So much for accountability, openness, and hell let's toss in regulation too. Obama and friends are taking care of their friends. Unfortunately, I along with at least 85% of the county, am not amongst his financial friends.

Treasury's toxic-asset plan turns out smaller than expected

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down

What about that blatherskite Sanford? Should he resign or stay on? Let's face it, he is a bit of a vain, egotistical, crybaby. But, then that's normal for all politicians. He was just stupid; ditto on normal. His zipper slipped, so what? He deserves more. He is the face of South Carolina. They voted for the gasbag. Besides, the Lt. Gov. is not fit to serve as Gov. and the Speaker of the SC House doesn't want to be demoted to Lt. Gov. I think Sanford and South Carolina go well together.

Sanford should resign according to polls

Find the bad guys?

We better get Hank Williams Jr. busy writing a song for the feds. He did a fine job on that TV football thing "Are you ready..." Why, you ask? Well, no one is going to be able to be a federal contractor soon. ObamaCo is glomming onto Bush's E-Verify system and expanding its less than stellar functionality. Our smooth talker in chief wants all businesses to use the damn thing to confirm that all employees are okay, immigration wise. Don't forget immigration will be an issue in 2012.

Look, Feds and software are not a good mix, particularly Bush league software that was implemented as a revenue transfer mechanism. I can see it now, all the folks born in the USA will be exposed as illegals and all the illegals will be certified to work. And the damn thing will be, no one will bat an eye at the outcome at all.

Government to Require Verification of Workers

Obama seems to be quite partial to all things Bush (but then it actually began under Clinton).

Who is getting goosed?

The Obama hustle is alive and well. He told us jobs were forthcoming as we rebuild our infrastructure. We might have asked for a few more details like exactly where and when and to what effect?

Two-thirds of the country lives in large metropolitan areas, home to the nation’s worst traffic jams and some of its oldest roads and bridges. But cities and their surrounding regions are getting far less than two-thirds of federal transportation stimulus money.



Cities Lose Out on Road Funds From Federal Stimulus

Maybe everybody ought to move to the rural areas, the roads are better there.

Dog Abuse

More dogfighting raids have occurred. This is not a sport, it is just intolerable human foulness. I am not a real fan of state sponsored executions, but if there is one area in which I might make an exception it's dogfighting. Hang 'em all. If anyone attends one of these depredations, they ought to be hung on the spot along with the miscreants who put on the fight. Let's find homes for the dogs, but be sure we hang the curs who mistreated them. Then make sure we leave them hanging, no burials. Let the ensuing stench be a local reminder.

350 dogs seized in dogfighting raids in 5 states

Obama's OCO East Continues

We have spritzed several thousand troops into southern Afghanistan. We will win this overseas contingency operation. Yes we can! Look,the facts of the matter are, based on the degree of subsequent fighting in Helmand, our mere presence must have frightened the Talibani to death. Oh, there is new fighting and many explosions in formerly more peaceful areas in the north. Gee, I wonder what happened. We must have another spritz! How many spritzs does it take to make a debacle? We may find out.

Massive Bomb Blast Kills 25 in Central Afghanistan

To OCO or Not to OCO

As the coalition of the willing, willingly pulls out of Iraqi cities, the Iraqis have taken to celebrating their new found urban freedom. They are blowing the crap out of each other with car bombs, suicide bombs, and anything else they can pack with TNT and then detonate.

I do hope our commanders in their rural holes in the ground do not become concerned and call their commanderator. They should realize that Iraq, after being shocked, awed, liberated and occupied, is now returning to normal. The massive explosions are nothing but traditional expressions of sectarian love and brotherhood.

We need to help the Iraqis celebrate, let's leave the rurals too! After all, as staunch believer in religious freedom, do we want to get in Allah's way?

Bombings Kill Dozens in Iraq

Is there lying in the District?

Do you believe that employees of the CIA would lie to Congress? How about the president? Would they lie to the American people? Of course they would. The folks in the CIA would lie, less so about the few things that might actually matter and more so about several things employees have done that are unethical to illegal. Despite all the protestations of the appointed officials, we know it is a political game.

The game is called Caesar's wife. Everybody has to be above reproach. That standard is hard to meet, so it's really appear to be above reproach. To look as pure as the driven snow is damned difficult for elected and appointed narcissists. They need massive assistance. Aren't they lucky! They have provided themselves with their own boot straps, they can pull themselves up into a life of honorable deceit and deception. Our government organizations are chock full of classification and secrecy boot straps. The snow never looked so white! Caesar would be proud.

Does secrecy work? Of course it does, it even provides the path to legal lying. If no one can tell the world that someone is a douchebag, then no one will learn that he or she is really a douchebag. Well, no one will find out most of the time, but every once in a while there is an occasional leak. Then, once again, we discover foul douchebaggery. Some like to refer to this bit of institutionalized process as National Security, but its true name is Cover Your Ass (CYA).

By the way, another Congresstype is suggesting that the CIA lies. And of course, the current defender of open and transparent government does not want any changes in the way that the CYA deals with Congress.

House Intelligence Chairman Reyes Says CIA Lied to Committee

From King George to King Barack?

Beware of smooth talkers, they can make you take your eyes off what they are actually about--

The Obama Justice System

PolitiFact

The latest from PolitiFact.com---

It's turning into a deja vu week for us here at PolitiFact. We've been checking videos attacking Sen. Mitch McConnell (from the Democrats) and the stimulus (from the Republicans) and we keep having flashbacks to the 2008 campaign.

The videos use the same techniques to distort the stimulus and McConnell's voting record that we saw time and time again during the 2008 campaign. As Paul Simon (the singer, not the senator) once said, after changes upon changes, we are more or less the same.

Here's your guide to the distortions:

• The Democratic National Committee earned a Barely True for its claim that McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, opposed "legislation to create and protect Kentucky jobs . . . help for the unemployed. . . health care for Kentucky's children, " and "fair pay for women."
  
• House Republican Leader John Boehner earned a False for claiming that a town in North Carolina hired someone with stimulus money to solicit more stimulus money. It's a great zinger -- but it's not true.
• And Boehner earned a Barely True for claiming that the stimulus paid for the replacement of a Wisconsin bridge to help a bar called Rusty's Backwater Saloon..
  

Coming later this week: We'll explore whether Obama has flipped on "single-payer" health care. And make sure you check our video on the new Reporters' Center on YouTube. The video, which explains our our fact-checking techniques, was put together at the request of our friends at YouTube.

Pope Ratzy Anti-Semite Update

It looks like Pope Ratzy has come around a bit. He's replaced the prelate that made nice with the anti-Semites in the Pius X Society. Hoyos, is the the guy who lifted the ex-communication bans for Ratzy and he's out. Remember those undos led the rest of the world to give Pope Ratzy some major raspberries. Oh, before we give too much credit to the Pope, note that Hoyas is 80.

Some American, a guy named Levada will take over as Senior Watchdog of Faithiness in the Bureau of the Holy Perpetual Inquisitorial Responsibility Congregation. Levada will continue Ratzy's reconciliation efforts with the Pius X loons. Why, he wants to bring those boneheaded hate mongers back in, beats me. Then again, the regular Catholic Church is short of staff. Loons or no they are priests.

Vatican replaces cardinal in Holocaust controversy

Toxic Assets, What Happened to Them

Do you remember when our mighty Secretary of the Treasury, Tim Joe Billy Bob Geithner, warned us about the evils of toxic assets in our banks, all 19 of them. These things were so evil he could not even call them by their real name, he had to call them "legacy assets" instead.

However, he was a man with a plan and ready to crusade. His plan would take care of those evil assets and solve the bank credit problem. The economy would be saved! Okay, we know the economy hasn't been been saved, what about those toxic doohickeys?

What happened to those bad bank assets? So far, nothing


I guess talk and walk difficulties pervade the Obamadom. For Bush it was just "hard work," for the new crew it's become "complicated and it just takes time." For us, no matter how it's phrased, it's just about the same isn't it.

Kanningjar Spritz

The Afghanistan Spritz is on, but it's not doing well. At least the operation has a cool name. It's know as "Kanningjar" in Afghan. But to our GI Joes and Janes it's "Strike of the Sword!". Uh, will we have to provide swords for all our troops now?

Swords or no, those pesky Taliban aren't playing by our rules. We take months and months to come up with a new plan designed to eradicate them in Helmand province and what do they do? Why they have the nerve to leave the area. They won't come out and fight us. They've moved to other locations. How can we have a fighting season if they won't fight us where we know we will kick their butts. Damn.

Operation Kanningjar

House on Bikes

It's normal when our vastly experienced pols don't quite get it right. Legislation is usually just used as a means to provide earmarks and tax bennies that assure reelection. Even when the intent sounds good, well, what do you expect? So, how about that House bike sharing program?

Was it well thought out and implemented by members of the House? Does it now shine as a tremendous example for a citizenry concerned about greenhouse gases? Did the House provide us an environmental chorus of "Yes, We Can?" Uh, not exactly, they treated themselves about the the same as they treat everything else. At least they are being fair. Who elects these folks?

Capitol bikes gather dust

Bets on whether the program actually bites the dust? Or will it be expanded to include SUVs?

Beware of Docs bearing gifts....

The health industry appears to aiding Obama and the nation. They have agreed to cut billions in costs. Obama says "see, yes we can. Health is on the way." How can I put this, beware of health industry complex folks who come bearing gifts (price reductions). As near as I can figure it, this is just grievance redressing coated in faux patriotism accompanied by crocodile tears of concern for the nation's health care system.

For example, if the normal rate of return applies, then $80 billion in voluntary drug price "cuts" will only cost us about $1.84 trillion in additional new and unplanned costs. And that is to big Pharma alone! Every lobbying dollar yields, on average, about $23. This case is just very public variation on lobbying, it's gutsy. Hope the Obmaians are paying attention and are more concerned about health care than 2012. Damn, we are so screwed.

Health Deals Could Harbor Hidden Costs

The Verb vs. the Noun

Here is a tech story that will be fascinating to follow,particularly so if Google does make inroads and actually has some success. Does this mean Microsoft may have to write code that works on the first release and it might do what it was supposed to do? Good luck to Google, but I have a feeling the Microsofts's marketing muscle will prevail.

Google's new operating system to take on Microsoft

Have you been stimulated?

So, how's your economy? Has it gotten any better since the boys and girls at Obama's fun house began to stimulate it? They rounded up $787 billion worth of stimulants. They've distributed, as planned, about 110 billion of them. Everything is on track in their minds, goose-wise. Obamians will spend 25% by the end of the year and the balance by the end of 2010. The economy will be grateful and be healed. Right.

Of course the world is not going according to their pipe dreams. More jobs are being lost. More businesses are closing. It may be getting better for the Obama backers on Wall Street, but as it stands now, let's put it this way, get ready for GOP gains in 2010.

Power of Stimulus Slow to Take Hold

How's your network?

I'm not sure what is accomplished by shutting down networked servers. What would occur if all the various federal computers were overwhelmed and quit? Other than employees would anyone notice? Would the wheels of government come to a halt because a computer turned off? If we have become 100% dependent on the machines, then we do have problem and it's not hackers.

Government Agencies, Washington Post Targeted in Cyberattack

State of the economy

In the mid 80s, household debt was about 65% of household income. It was manageable. Then everybody discovered the wonders of leverage, lots of leverage. By 2007 household debt hit 133% of income. That's not manageable. That's dangerous, particularly when the economy turns to Jello.

Folks have discovered that they now must deleverage. After a year and a half of recession, how is the deleverage of debt doing? Well, we've gone from being $13.9 trillion in the hole, to a mere $13.8 trillion. Wow, that's progress. Ouch.

Why ouch? What happens when a consumer economy has to quit consuming because all the consumers are broke? Like I said, Ouch.

U.S. debt shrinking at glacial pace

Can we get a federal index on this?

Folks whose jobs are based on being elected tend to put a positive spin on everything. We're not in the septic tank, we're starting to climb out, right? Well, we may need to look for other indicators to assess our crappy economy.

Indicators of fiscal health turn up in the most unexpected places. For example, how are sperm banks doing?

Sperm, egg donors increase during recession

I think this means we're still in the septic tank....

Aces at play in the land of the PC

Shouldn't Microsoft be able to make decent, secure software by now? At any rate, if you are on XP and use Internet Explorer, you may have a new serious problem. Oh, they don't have a fix yet.

Microsoft warns of serious computer security hole

Centrists Swamp Scum

Centrist Democratic Senators may give away the healthcare and climate change farms. In other words, whatever bills come out will be akin to the Medicare Part D doughnut hole. They called that gem modernization and they bragged about it. Perhaps we should ask what is a centrist Democrat?

A centrist Democrat is one who puts his or her own person ahead of the nation. Reelection is more important to them than the oath of office that they violate everyday anyway. Centrists are elephants cloaked in donkey skins. A centrist's life has only two dimensions--campaign contributions and reelection votes. Centrists are Gollum like creatures.

Centrists talk like jackasses but carry GOOPER water. Don't keep your hopes up on healthcare, the Senate has yet to act.

How's regulation as we know it going?

The current economic mess is the creation of government. Elected and appointed officials did the bidding of financiers. The government jackasses removed regulations and made sure that no new regulations were created. They did this for a few pieces of silver in campaign contributions and reelection votes. Of course, the voters, must be fiscal masochists. Why else would they have kept on reelecting these same jackasses who intentionally kicked the financial life out of themselves and so many millions of other people? Why else, well stupid comes to mind. So does ill-informed. Are there other attributes that pop into your mind? We'll leave the non-voter attributes for another post.

Here are the first few paragraphs from a story in the WaPo today. It is on regulation. It has all the elements of how we "regulate" our financial industry--

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission will consider new measures to curb speculation in the markets for energy and other commodities, the agency is set to announce today.

The move aims to reduce the volatility of prices but faces resistance from top Wall Street firms, which fear the efforts could cut into profits. Regulators and lawmakers increasingly worry that these firms have used their size and power to inflate the prices of commodities, booking profits in the process.

Concern over such deal-making reached a fever pitch last summer, when oil prices were sky high and people were feeling pain at the gas pump. CFTC data showed last year that a significant amount of trading in oil was concentrated in the hands of just a few speculators. These worries have waned since then, as gas prices have moderated from last year's highs, though a recent run-up in fuel prices may prompt new questions.

Here's the rest of the piece--Rest of Piece

Let's see, we'll think a bit, but big money is worried and gee, the problem may have solved itself? Okay, place your bets. I bet that the CFTC will not deploy a set of strong regulations that actually controls commodities trading in energy. Anyone want to take the bet?

Iran Upadate

Iran's recent election is still being "celebrated." The loser keeps complaining that he was robbed. The winner is making sure he stays in line with the top cleric and the muscle in the Islamic state. The topic cleric calls for lots of violence on dissenters, but fortunately at this point has not followed through in deeds. That could quickly change if enough people decide to have a bit of a new revolution. Then we could witness lots of folks being killed in the name of Allah. Didn't that happen in 1999? Secular governments are odd enough, but let's face it, theocratic governments are bizarre. Perhaps the votes will be recounted yet.

Mousavi Promises To Continue Protests

Guns and Drunks

I don't frequent bars at all. I don't care if folks pack heat in a bar. Actually I do want drunks to bear arms. I figure if the gun nuts want to mix ammo and whiskey, then that's fine with me. It might reduce the number of crazies who breed.

We need more gun fights in cheap bars, in classy bars, in all bars. No one should stand in the way of anyone carrying a loaded gun or rifle into a bar. No one should interfere with a crazy person's right to drink while locked and loaded at a bar. No one should bat an eye or shed a tear for the deaths that will ensue. If they would only kill themselves off soon.

That would be quite nice, wouldn't it? Once the barflys have killed each other off, then please have the evangefundies pack heat for Jesus and let's be sure there's a .45 in every pew.

Last-Ditch Effort Tries to Stop Law Allowing Loaded Guns in Bars

Victory Spritz

The spritz is on in Afghanistan. Obama expanded the scope a skosh. He sort of added another 21,000 troops. Funny how all of our modern presidents seem to like war. Some new troops have arrived and are hiking through the Southern rubble. The Taliban, of course, has left that rubble. Which means most new deaths will not be in the South.

7 US troops killed throughout Afghanistan

If the spritz is not big enough, what will come next, the deluge? What if no one will loan us any more money to blow more crap out of Rubbleistan? Will the commanderator guy then call it quits? It is a most strange world. Has a war ever ended due to the lack of finances to wage the damn thing?

Once Again, Vets Get it in the Shorts

I am tired of elected officials patting themselves on the back and singing their own praises on veterans benefits. Some months back all the self-cogratulatory talk about a new GI Education Law had most folks thinking the current crop of Vets would finally get a fair deal.

We forgot, it's pols, the VA, budgets, and who cares about Vets anyway. Got that Senator Webb? The vastly experienced crowd has not let me down, they have behaved as expected.

It's kind of sad, they have mastered screwing things up so well, that they cannot get it right when they actually may want to. Oh, well, most folks won't read this story, so they'll only remember their elected jerk praising himself and then reelect the shcmuck. I don't who is dumb and who is dumber, the pol or the voter. I expected a bit more from Sen. Webb, but I should not have, he really is a closet Republican.

New GI benefits vary widely by state

Who actually wrote the bill? Who interpreted the law? What are their names and where do they work? It would be nice to know, I'd like to send them a card. Does Hallmark carry a line of "you blow chunks" cards?

Obama's Wars Continue

Our new commander in chief presides over more death in our bungled wars.

Iraq: 4,322

Afghanistan: 719

Note: one of the people most responsible for the 60,000 U.S. deaths in Vietnam, Robert McNamara, died today. We learned nothing from Vietnam, we wage war for no reason.

WeGrrrs

Pesky Uighurs are revolting. Well, they are to Chinese authorities, especially when they pour out into the streets of Xinjiang land. Then, there's only one thing for a government employee to do, they have to start killing people and contain the Uighurs. However, they should know, once you open a can of Uighurs, you can never get them all back in the same can. I think that's one of Confucius's laws.

Ethnic unrest turns to deadly riots in China

Pols on Sale, Congress is Back! 10% Off!

After a 4th of July vacation, Congress is back in business. How can we be so lucky? And what will our elected imps and impettes tackle first? Why, the House will continue to work on one of its primary tasks, spending tax dollars. Several budget bills are done. More will be soon. Will the House finish its job before the August recess? It may. Of course, members of the Senate will just perch and rotate on each others thumbs--it's quite bi-partisan--as they continue in their primary task, debilitating the nation.

Back in session: House readies more spending bills

NWLB?

What happens if all that re-training of workers for new jobs fails? We spend a lot of money on no worker left behind programs. Is 40% employment of the re-trained an acceptable outcome? What about the other 60%? Would it have been better to do nothing other than extend unemployment benefits? Please don't tell me there is a "No Worker Left Behind Industry Complex" scamming their way to profit. But, in a nation on the pad it would not surprize me one bit.

Job Retraining May Fall Short of High Hopes

IGs

Here's an item to keep your eye on and follow. It involves several of the Instector Generals in various agencies. Are they working? Are they a pain the political tush? What is their status? If they do, do their jobs, and one wants to gut them, does making some of them Cabinet level do the trick? We may be witnessing artfully deployed smoke and mirrors in our open and honest government tent.

Financial Agency IGs Say Bill Threatens Independence

Health Sale

The health care insurance debate lobbying is underway. What motivates the expense of millions every week on all that grievance redressing? Well--

The aim of the lobbying blitz is simple: to minimize the damage to insurers, hospitals and other major sectors while maximizing the potential of up to 46 million uninsured Americans as new customers. Although many firms have vowed to help cut costs, major players such as PhRMA, America's Health Insurance Plans and others remain opposed to the public-insurance option, a key proposal that President Obama has endorsed.

I hope no one really thought the chit chat has or will have much to do with anyone's health, much less care. It's all about maximizing incomes through the transfer of tax dollars to private organizations while minimizing any oversight and controls on performance. Let's face it, $1.4 million a week is a lot of quid looking for lots of quo in return.

Familiar Players in Health Bill Lobbying


This is what we create when we, as a people, do not vote and do not follow politics. Amongst those who vote, how many really are delighted with the current state of health care in the this nation? If it's most of them, then Congress is behaving admirably. Otherwise we voters are to blame for the way our pols treat health care.

We, at least the majority of those voting in the last election, must want exactly what we are witnessing. We, the majority of voters, do not want any national health care or national health insurance. We, the majority of voters, prefer to pretend our heath care system is number one, when it's about 36th in the world and costs more than most other better systems.

We continue to fail ourselves and then turn around and blame whichever political party we oppose. No, our national problems belong to us. They do not belong to pols. Pols are elected by us to work for us. If we have a 98% or better rate of reelecting incumbents, then we must love the current state of government or we are massively indifferent. Do you love the state we are in or do you want to watch American Idol?

We need more experience?

At least he's vastly experienced at buying votes and working with the Military Industrial Congressional Complex--

Obama’s Army pick nets $44M in earmarks

Does this help Obama with the MICC and 2012?

The National Drink

Do you want a well regulated financial industry? Do you want to beat global warming before Richmond, Va. becomes a beach front city? Do you want energy independence? Do you want health care that makes sense? Most folks would answer those questions with a resounding--"Yes."

Okay, do you want a lot bigger government? Do you want a bit more intrusive government nibbling at your privacy? Do you want to pay more in taxes? Do you want to palm off an even larger debt on your grandkids? I have a feeling most folks would scream "No" to the second set of questions.

Something does not add up here. Welcome to contemporary government. We seem to have added a giant twist of American schizophrenia to the Washington Martini. What is the proper role of government? What about paying for it all? Hmm? What's the right proportion of of programs, taxes, and debt?

People want new programs, but are wary of 'Big Government'

How's welfare as we now know it doing?

It doesn't take too much to see the effects of our less than stellar economy. Houses are being foreclosed. More and more people are out of work. Small businesses are struggling and becoming so much flotsam in the sea of unregulated greed. Our elected officials are trying with stimuli, bailouts, and a recovery thing or two. Our elected officials are trying, very trying. For more and more folks, this recession is beginning to feel as if they are sliding down the razor blade of life. Ouch!

Back in lusher times, Bill Clinton, fed his narcicissim with the "1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act," a welfare reform bill. He ended welfare as we knew it, he really wanted to be reelected. It was a sad day when a Democrat broke a 60 year old deal with America's children, but he did. Okay, that was in lusher times. What about the safety net today as we go below the septic tank?

Safety Net Is Fraying for the Very Poor

Pakistan Reminder

Don't forget, Pakistan has lots of nukes. They can make even more nukes. They are battling the Taliban in the western Tribal areas. The Taliban wants to do a couple of things. First, they want to run all of Pakistan. Second, they want to control all of the the nukes too. If they start to bring the war to greater Pakistan, well....

Attack in Pakistani Garrison City Raises Anxiety About Safety of Nuclear Labs and Staff


The Taliban would use the nukes too. They are batshit crazy. Remember what they did to those statues of Buddha. So, how do you feel about retaliatory glass lakes?

Ahmathewinnerdude Update

The Iranian fat lady was visiting New York before the recent election. She tried to return home to Tehran after the election, but the government has closed the borders. Hmm. That means, with respect to the election, it ain't over yet. Why? Because we all know it ain't over until the the fat lady sings!

Leading Clerics Defy Ayatollah on Disputed Iran Election

Saturday Evening Post

Do you remember "The Saturday Evening Post" magazine? I do and thought it went belly up decades ago. Apparently it's been a subscription only rag for years. The circulation is low. Now, the mag is going to try to stage a comeback. I doubt 6 million subscribers are in its future. You never know, they may find the Norman Rockwell of the 21st century to do covers for them.

The old is new again at 'Saturday Evening Post'

Words

I was on the road the other day. I noticed a mileage sign that said "Portsmouth 120 Miles." I don't know why, but I was struck by "Portsmouth." Have you noticed each of us has a mouth, but it's not a "muth." The town has a "mouth" although, it's pronounced muth. Hmm? I wish we did not have all these variant pronunciations of the same word. Okay, I'll shut my muth and continue on to Ports mouth in my Plymuth.

McMouth

I am so glad that McAncient did not McWin and become McPresident. Can you imagine what McCrazyOldBastard would have done to Iran if he was the boss today? McWar?

McCain says Obama slow to embrace Iranian protestors

You Betcha Update

Sarah Palin, a white woman in distress has bumped the guy who wanted to be a white woman in distress, but died first, from dominating the news cycle. As Palin quits her office, we have to wonder what lurks behind her bizarre bit of behavior.

Is she going back to Wasilla? Will she become an aviatrix hunting guide? Will she run for the Senate? Is she dodging a soon to be revealed bit of embarrassing criminality? Or is she throwing her high heels into the 2012 GOP nominee wannnabe emporium a bit early (is that a five inch advantage)?

If she is the face of the GOP, that says less about her and more about the membership of that odd organization of rich old white guys doesn't it. I think Letterman referred to her as a stewardess; is she America's stereotypical stew? (Apologies to flight attendants, use of the image just cannot be passed by.) Sarah for Stewardess of the USA!

Here's a piece on Palin from the WaPo:

Gov. Palin Says She Will Quit, Citing Probes, Family Needs

Victory is at hand?

As everyone knows ObamaCo has strategerated and commanderified a new counterinsurgency operation in Western Rubbleistan. His local commanders in the ground hope to take the area from the Taliban one more time. They will do their very best to retain possession this time round.

Have you noticed there is no nifty term that acts as a short hand reference to the new operation. "Surge" has been used in Iraq, so it is out (it might confuse TV news readers). Also, this operation has a cap on additional troops, so I suggest we call it a Spritz. We are Spritzing Afghanistan! It sounds nicer than surging. As a PR bonus, "spritz" makes one forget about war and think of something like a cool refreshing beverage.

However, as we have begun to spritz in the West, the wily and pesky Taliban have attacked in the East. Quick, we must send all the troops from the West to the East and... Oh, crap, been there, done that. We sent most of our troops from Rubbleistan to Iraq. That bit of flapdoodlery was somewhat less than successful now wasn't it. Pray that our commanders memories are better than the average American's.

That all said, are there any bets on success? Why not just call it a draw and leave teh Rubble to the Rubbleistanis?

Do note: 2 US troops die in attack on base in Afghanistan

4th of July Festivities

It was very nice of the North Koreas to fire several test missiles today. What a wonderful way to celebrate our Independence Day. Seven short range missiles were shot into the Sea of Japan. There may be more, including a long range missile. Of course if they include a warhead on a future missile test, we may will test a brand new glass lake producing device or two on them.

The North Koreans are being very North Koreanish. Let's hope our domestic crazy noise machine just produces noise and does not precipitate any rash action by ObamaCo. To be honest though, given the increased similarities between Obama and Bush these days, I would not be surprized to see them send a bit of shock and awe to the bad hair guy.

Will ObamaCo bring back the axis of evil? As they renamed wars, Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), perhaps the axis will return as the Pivot of Real Knaves (PRKs)?