Hopefully this makes you chuckle.

Republicans regret endorsing Yakima candidate By The Associated Press

YAKIMA — Republican Party leaders in Yakima now regret endorsing a successful city council candidate in light of a blogging scandal.

The mayor has called for newly elected City Councilman Rick Ensey to step down after he acknowledged his wife had posted anonymous blogs that included unfounded rumors his opponent had been arrested for drunken driving.

Republican Party chairman Jim Keightley says the blog incident exposed character flaws that violate principles valued by Republicans.

funny, we never hear any Republican trolls talking about how much worse Saudi Arabia is than Iran or syria when it comes to financing fighters against the US in Iraq!

DETROIT -- The news that Saudi Arabia is the nation providing the greatest number of foreign fighters in Iraq underscores the lies and duplicity at the foundation of President George W. Bush's policies in the Middle East.
When the undersecretary of the Treasury in charge of tracking terror financing points to Saudi Arabia as a continuing conduit for millions of dollars to al-Qaeda, and the president ignores the assessment and then certifies that "Saudi Arabia is cooperating with efforts to combat international terrorism," you know the fix is in.

Bush and the State Department are silent when a Saudi court orders a woman who was gang raped to a punishment of 200 lashes and six months in jail, as the civilized world howls with outrage over the latest abomination from a judicial system otherwise known for torture and public beheadings.

The House of Saud is never called the ruthless regime it is. It's always referred to as the more benevolent-sounding "kingdom." Bush has never used the terrorism label when describing the Saudis, despite indisputable evidence that they are providing people and money to spread terror and export the religious fanaticism rooted in the Saudi brand of Islam, ultra-conservative Wahhabism.
Protecting international oil interests and his family's wealth explains why Bush continues to turn a blind eye to everything the Saudis do

http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/gallagher342.html

tonight we get to see just how terrible things could be if democrats start damaging each other to the point where the eventual nominee can't get elected,

think president romney, president guiliani, president thompson, president mccain....then think more supreme court right wing nuts, no progress on global warming, the continued destruction of the public schools, the further "relaxing of regulations on corporations" and so on...

then get scared, wake up and get back to work for democrats.

Is there such a thing????

Good and Decent Republicans?

Some Americans sacrifice everything while others grow ever more obscenely wealthy off their deaths. Men and women were sent to battle without properly armed vehicles, and there is no Republican outcry. Halliburton makes record profits while tons (literally) of money is missing and cannot be accounted for. American values get corrupted as we wink and nod at torture, and the good and kind people who still call themselves Republicans remain silent.

People who call themselves Christian and Republican are remarkably unconcerned about the cynical uses of fear to justify a whole range of things that are neither Christian nor Republican nor American, even, in the best sense of what that word stands for. Good-hearted Republicans are far too silent about things like Abu Ghraib, and surely betray their root values as fiscal conservatives when they remain silent about the extraordinary debt being run up by the Bush administration.

And kind-hearted Republicans remain quiet when George W. Bush issues one of his only vetoes to knock down health care money for poor kids. This is the same guy who simply has never met a spending bill he didn't embrace, especially when those bills were awash in dough for the richest one-percent of the nation, the group he once referred to in a cynical joke as "my base." Bush also described his base of support as "the haves and the have mores." Where is the outcry from good Republicans who believe that the president of these United States is elected to serve all of the people, not just those with the biggest homes, yachts, and bank accounts?

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/11244

think president romney, president guiliani, president thompson, president mccain....then think more supreme court right wing nuts, no progress on global warming, the continued destruction of the public schools, the further "relaxing of regulations on corporations" and so on...

Posted by gregg on November 27, 2007 at 06:36 PM

a little throw up came up in the back of my throat, just reading those names, Gregg.

this is one I posted on prior thread,

Bush Clones!

"While George Dubya Bush will be in office for fourteen more months, many have already labeled him the worst President in modern American history. They complain that the Bush legacy will extend well beyond January of 2009 when the next President takes office. Political observers lament he has had the "reverse Midas touch," where he's worsened every aspect of American foreign and domestic policy he's blundered into. Bush's most lasting negative legacy is his autocratic leadership style, which has inspired other politicians to emulate his tactics and ethics. As a result, we see mini-Dubyas running for President and Dubya clones ruling other countries.

Bush has had a distinctive and destructive presidency. One characterized by dogmatic inflexibility: he came into power with a militant conservative agenda - cut taxes, reduce government restrictions on business, expand role of the military, and promote American empire - and has not deviated from this. Even in the face of evidence that it was counterproductive, Bush has steadfastly pursued his program: when he launched his "war" on terror, he could have asked the American people to make a common economic sacrifice and pay higher taxes, but he refused to do this. His administration ran up unprecedented deficits while claiming to be "stimulating" the market.

Now, as Republicans struggle to find a 2008 presidential candidate, the top four contenders - Giuliani, McCain, Romney, and Thompson - are running as mini-Dubyas. Giuliani and Romney, in particular, take the stance we're like George Bush, only smarter. All four support the President's ill-considered war in Iraq, but argue they would do a better job of "winning" it.

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/11254

Sheesh, just reading this article you end up with whiplash...

NEW YORK (CNN) -- It was 1993 and Kelli Conlin remembers her excitement as a member of Mayor-elect Rudy Giuliani's transition team.

"It's always exciting to have a new mayor coming in but this was a moderate Republican and moderate Republicans are hard to find," Conlin said in an interview at her New York office.

Conlin is president of New York's largest abortion rights organization and was appointed by Giuliani to the city's Human Rights Commission. She still calls Giuliani a friend, but bristles at much of what she hears from him on abortion lately.

As mayor, Giuliani personally signed a proclamation designating "Roe v. Wade Anniversary Day" on the 25th anniversary of the landmark abortion rights ruling.

Now, as a presidential candidate, Giuliani has said, "I'm against abortion -- I hate it."

Conlin said she never heard anything like that when Giuliani was in office.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/26/giuliani.abortion/index.html

bbl,

Posted by DemocratKickingAss on November 27, 2007 at 04:06 PM

That is so weird cuz I am a "friend" on her original offical my space site. I never saw the one YOU put up. Wow! Ok well I've added my name at both now.

oh BAK - catching up - way behind but wanted to post this for DKA.

I just heard that recent zogby poll that has hillary losing to every PUG is an ONLINE poll!!

I've taken MANY of those. You go to the site, put in your email and take the poll. You have to WANT to take it. DAH. Makes sense now.

Doobie if you read this;

explain to me what an OLIVE burger is from Pickwick?

And is it any good?

Good evening, all.

then we have Giuliani. Pro Abortion, Pro Partial birth abortion, Pro Gay marriage, Pro Gun controls, Pro Illegal Immigrants ! ANYBODY in their right mind, who thinks a 60 year old man who has been PRO all these things all his life, is Suddenly going to change his mind and put in far leaning Right wing Judges to go against all these things, is smoking some bad stuff !!

Posted by PamB on November 27, 2007 at 06:15 PM

Ah, Pam?

Bush had never cared one way or the other about all these issues his whole life and he appointed Right wing judges. Funny what running for King of the World will do...and what wanting to hold on to it will make it easier to do.

Is Giuliani a member of the all those closed-door, secret world organizations you mentioned earlier today? Or is he just married to the Mob...and head of his own crime family?

Good Evening,

Just wondering how many of you out there remember all the bank and savings & loan failures during Bush 1. Including one with Bush's son Neil called Silverado Savings and Loan!

When Silverado Savings and Loan collapsed the taxpayers footed a $1 billion dollar bill.

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

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 07:02 PM

Dawn,

Is that where the trolls are busy squireling around when they aren't here?

Bush had never cared one way or the other about all these issues his whole life and he appointed Right wing judges. Funny what running for King of the World will do...and what wanting to hold on to it will make it easier to do.

But, Sandy,

Bush was not out there for years Touting that he was Pro Abortion, Pro Gay, providing a Sanctuary city for Illegals, etc.

Read Blue's 6:44 above. These were Giuliani's long time views. He did not have to be to get Mayor of NYC.

It would be like our Resident troll, who is adamantly anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-illegal running for President, Suddenly swinging over to Pro Abortion,Pro Gay, Pro illegal, and naming judges who would uphold these views. At 60 years old, you just don't turn it off and go the opposite way, no matter what your lying Campaign promises say. He may fool a lot of people into voting for him, but I can't see him following thru on the rest.

Hybrid: One of the primary precipitating factors in the demise of the savings and loans of the late 80s was a bill called the St. Germain (?spelling) bill. It was authored by and then pushed through congress by (then lobbyist) Fred Thompson. Were you aware of that?

It would be like our Resident troll, who is adamantly anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-illegal running for President, Suddenly swinging over to Pro Abortion,Pro Gay, Pro illegal, and naming judges who would uphold these views. At 60 years old, you just don't turn it off and go the opposite way, no matter what your lying Campaign promises say. He may fool a lot of people into voting for him, but I can't see him following thru on the rest.

Posted by PamB on November 27, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Sorry Pam but I must disagree. The resident troll seems to actually believe in those things. I don't think Giuliani believes in anything but cold, hard cash. He is for sale to the highest bidder, always has been - always will be. He, like most of the National Republican Politicians, will believe anything you want him to if you pay him enough.

If you missed Firedoglake's Jane Hamsher on C-Span recently, here is the video in 7 parts. She did a fantastic job, and some of the callers were just weird. She was great.

Jane Hamsher rocks on C-Span

Also here is one of my all time favorite folk singers singing about George W and Iraq. Well-done video.

I Got a Letter from old George W

Who knew PamB was a closet Giuliani supporter? She agrees with all of his long-held positions. Yet she protests wildly about his perceived shortcomings. Protests a bit too much, wouldn't you say?

Greetings, NUTROOTS!

Did anything bad happen in Irag that we can all celebrate tonight? How's that white flag sale going?

PamB has trouble distinguishing between the Saudi government, who loves us with our F-16s for sale, and a segment of their Arab population who hates us for supporting Israel and allowing our women to walk around showing their faces. It's the Iranian government who hates us. They say it publicly every chance they get.

Geez. Pay attention to the rest of the world. Read something besides [half]truthout.org.

Posted by PamB on November 27, 2007 at 06:43 PM

I'm going to re-post from the other thread. LET'S FLOOD THAT BILLIONAIRE WITH THESE QUESTIONS!.

~~~~~~~~~~

I just thought of 2 questions I'd like to see asked at tomorrow night's Pug lie fest.

FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

1) Which of your opponents do you think is most likely to continue the policies and practices of the Chimp?

2) Are you willing to continue the policies and practices of the Chimp, yes or no?

(heh heh, They refuse to mention that asswipe by name, well FORCE them to, and see how fast they either run away from him and embarrass the Chimp, or run toward him, and lose 70% of the vote and have to rely on the 'stupid 30'.)

I think I'll e-mail this to Anderson Cooper.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 27, 2007 at 04:19 PM

Please feel free to tell CNN that doing "Gotcha" questions for Dems means that "Gotcha" questions are valid for Pugs, too.

Then tell Anderson Cooper that "Gotcha" questions, if 'deferred' can come back to bite him on his Billionaire ass.

Look out, here come the bestiality porn links, AGAIN.

You're right, Doo-Bee-Doo-Doo.

Asking Hillary for a straight answer is GOTCHA! journalism at its best.

Posted by SandyH on November 27, 2007 at 07:18

It explains also her lack of on line support compared to those that are not spending much time reading and blogging.

She's never even been in 3rd place ON line. From all the on line polls I've seen.

I like them all. The D's. But it's apparent she's not got much support from places like DU or KOS or even here much. I don't know many blogs that do support her. Certainly not Huffington post.

If she manages to win with all the NON support she's not getting from the blogs it will be surprising. I kind of thought the blogs were more powerful than that.

doobie did you see my question above about olive burgers? sounds awful.

U.S. Mortgage Crisis Slams Property Values, Revenue

By Michael B. Marois

Nov. 27 (Bloomberg) -- The worst U.S. housing recession in 16 years will drive down property values by $1.2 trillion next year and slash tax revenue by more than $6.6 billion, according to a report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

California, the hardest-hit state, will suffer a $630.6 billion decrease in property values that will cut property tax revenue to local governments by almost $3 billion, the study estimated. The New York City region will see the greatest slowdown in economic output because of the mortgage crisis, according to the report...

www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=atgFG_y3hGqY&refer=home

The ripple effects of this fiasco are going to have repercussions for generations. Not only will it affect state and local finances, it will also affect the middle class lifestyle hard.

Citizens will be denied public services that are necessities and they will be paying higher taxes to cover the short fall in tax revenues...not to mention taking hits on their portfolios and pension funds.

When you think about a person's home being their main investment, this is going to be a major blow to the baby boomers that are depending on their home's value as retirement equity.

Everything is being taken away from the middle class at the time this vast voter block needs it the most.

Some see voters as passive fools who will believe anything they are told. But it's been my experience in talking to those that actually vote that they get quite upset about politicians who cross them and whom they think have stolen away what they worked for all their lives.

This scandal, or more accurately this scam, is only beginning to unfold. There is going to be a price paid by those who encouraged this fiscal irresponsibility.

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 07:40 PM

I plan to vote for the democratic candidate, no matter who it is. I support Senator Biden (D. DE) because I like his policies the best and I think he can and will do the most to avoid WWIII. I don't dislike Senator Clinton (D.NY), I just feel that Senator Biden is the better choice.

Posted by sunny on November 27, 2007 at 07:35 PM

some A hole call in just now FIRST called himself a Kucinich FREAK then went on toe call those of us considering CLINTON - FREEPERS!!! FK that!!

FDL has let her blog go to her head me thinks. Didn't she used to be a red head? Looked that way to me when I saw her on the panel in Vegas at the yearly kos event. hmmph.

marymac_memphis,

The St Germain Bill was signed into law with an overwhelming margin of 272-91 and President Reagan signed it into law! ...show me where the bill states people like bush's son's were allowed to mismanage the funds with the savings and loan trust accounts or make ridicules loans.

Right, ...it's the same argument as the Democrats authorized Bush to go to war based on real WMD's!!! They touched it so their finger stink theory by x-tian reich's!!

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 07:09 PM

Just stopping by the 'puter getting ready for the pork chops, but...

WHAT THE HECK IS A "PICKWICK BURGER"? (Other than the movie theater in Hillary Clinton's home town I have no idea. Doesn't a burger at a GREAT Art Deco MASTERPIECE seem a little odd?).

Pickwick Theatre

Burgers in a THEATER??

If this is what you mean, just Google.

The Pickwick Theatre

Silent Film Movie Palaces
While most silent movie houses have been replaced by the mega multiplex movie theatres in our modern world, a few still remain. The Silent Film Society of Chicago has several screening sites — the Portage Theatre in Chicago, the Pickwick in Park Ridge, IL, and the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. With their giant movie screens, these historic theatres recall the bygone days of the silent era.

(...)

The Pickwick Theatre
5 South Prospect
Park Ridge, Illinois

GREAT PLACES!!

(P.S., they DO have sound. The Tivoli in Downers Grove is the 2nd theater built for sound movies, and the FIRST permanent one (the prototype was an experiment) and it STILL has white gloved ushers, live organ music, and during the 70's showed porn. Go figure.

Rating Democrats on Electability

another perspective from another blog

this one Clark's blog. Seems they like Biden a lot over there. (read some of the comments if you get a chance)

And then there is this from MYDD

Clinton & Clark(my dream ticket) Campaign In Iowa

Russia's Izvestia Reports:

President Asshole is going to declare war on the UN

A unilateral proclamation of independence for Kosovo is tantamount to "a declaration of war and an act of hostility towards the United Nations.

DPD

from her myspace she states she loves them and it mentioned Chicago so I figured you may know or remember as you are NOT some kid on here.

Hillary's Interests

Favorite food to cook: I’m a lousy cook, but I make pretty good soft scrambled eggs.

Desert island necessity: A good book.

Favorite reality TV program: American Idol.

Favorite fitness activity: Speed walking.

Worst habit: Chocolate.

Sleeping-in time: I feel lucky when I can sleep until 7 a.m.

Hidden talent: I love crossword puzzles.

Last music purchase: Carly Simon’s Into White.

Cars you drive: For security reasons, we drive in Secret Service vehicles but the Service lets us use a Ford hybrid when we’re home in New York.

Home task that needs tending: Organizing my closets.

Last work of non-fiction read: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Pets at home: Seamus, our Lab.

Best and worst grades or subjects in school: I always loved history and got good grades, but I never did well at math.

Item that most reminds you of where you came from: Olive burgers from the Pickwick in Chicago.

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 07:40 PM

Dawn,

If Senator Clinton doesn't have much support on the progressive blogs, it's her own fault for not reaching out and pushing at least one of their causes. Would that be seen as too radical on her part?

Heaven forbid, we don't want her to look radical to all those moderate voters who aren't going to vote for her because they can't see what she is going to do for them either.

Poor victim. She trys so hard not to be touched by the unclean to appeal to the likes of Harpo and Frosty. And progressives don't give her credit for it.

Hey, I have a radical thought!

If you change your mind and pay for own expensive trip to Greece only after the taxpayers in your district shine the spotlight on your plans, you were really never very ethical in the first place.

If you ran against an opponent's lack of ethics, score extra points for hypocrisy.

Google News: Zack Space, D-OH

SandyH, if the progressives mattered, even in the Democratic Party, Kucinich would have a double-digit lead in the polls.

why don't these people shut the f up. I am so sick of religious freaks.

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A Christian group based in Southern California sued the state Tuesday to overturn a law that prohibits discrimination against gays in schools.

Murrieta-based Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Diego. It was joined by the Northern California chapter of Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based Christian legal group.

The groups filed suit on behalf of several teachers and a student who claim the law, which was passed this year, is unconstitutionally vague and violates student privacy by changing the definition of gender in California's education code.

Christian groups sue over California student-discrimination law

Posted by SandyH on November 27, 2007 at 08:09 PM

it's clear she's been running a national campaign from the get go and she knows she's not perfect and the BASE bloggers are very persnickety.

I figure, she knows she will never be able to adequately answer some of the questions that still piss off the far left. (some of it rightly so imo) but she's probably worried more about the MAJORITY of this lazy ass country that's NOT paying attention like we are.

She's really doing a great job trying to be everything to everyone and I do give her credit for it. My head would explode!

I suspect this is exactly what she needs to do though. The political game is still too dirty for a pure of heart candidate (even like Obama sadly), jmo.

you need to, at some point, be able to get down and dirty with the dirt in order to clean it up.

Unless you are a prissy or a prick and have to wear gloves. Never gets clean enough with gloves. You can't FEEL the clean. (you may avoid toxic chemicals however unless you use something mild)

anyway - lol

Pam and I are good friends you FREAK of the jungle!

Something your monkey ass would never understand.

SYPH - shut your pie hole

The only way for TRUE PROGRESSIVES to get into the majority is for us to "sneak" in ....... kind of like the lying neocons did posing as moderates.

That's the kind of dirty play I hate but understand may have to be done until we get enough of us in the government to really start making some decent changes.

HELL a LOT of local progressive majors, governors, etc are already doing their part on their own. Which is kind of how we work isn't it? We all have basically the same goal just getting there is totally an individual sport with us. (we need to learn to sneak in better) hehe.

just my analogy

lol mayors not majors

heh

OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH, Sorry, Dawn.

Olive Burgers from the Pickwick in Chicago.

Although I've never had them there, they are DEE-LISH! (Now that I think about it, there is a diner next to the theater, probably called the "Pickwick Diner". I've had coffee and a sweet roll there, and more than a few BLT's. My bank was across the street).

Just your basic 1/3 pound chunk o' ground sirloin smothered in green and black olives, with choice of cheese, mushrooms, lettuce, onions, etc, and they usually come with a dill pickle, slaw, and fries or onion rings. I liked the ones at "Snack-Time - Round the Clock", which, as the name implies NEVER closed. (Well protected, too; what with all the cops getting larger by the minute instead of fighting crime on the upper middle class "mean streets" of the 'Land beyond O'Hare'.

The 24 hour joints usually have good ones, because they count as grease burgers with a salad, ALL ON THE SAME BUN!!

YUMMERS!

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 27, 2007 at 08:56 PM

sounds yummy (minus the olives) lol

and Sandy -

if that is true - that she's done NOTHING for Progressives then explain to me why the HEAD and MOST members of the Progressive Caucus are supporting her????? I don't get it. And I also have been scanning her votes this year. She is more Liberal than Moderate. jmo. I'm sure it frustrates you as you are leaning or committed to JE but I'm just trying to be fair in my own mind.

Good evenin, I cracked up when I read this one. Joe Klein is a hack. When are people going to stop listening to him?

Joe Klein: Accuracy??? We don’t need no stinkin’ accuracy!
By: Nicole Belle @ 12:02 PM - PST

Glenn Greenwald has been following Time Magazine’s Joe Klein and his increasingly bizarre (and demonstrably false) assertions on FISA and the Democratic majority.

Salon (watch ad for site pass):

Joe Klein has just posted yet again about his FISA confusion, and it has now moved well beyond farce into an almost pity-inducing realm. If Time has any dignity at all, someone there will intervene and put a stop to this. It’s actually difficult to watch.

In the last five days alone, Klein has now written five separate times about his FISA debacle, and is further away than ever from having any idea what he’s even talking about — first was the column itself; second was the Swampland post the same day in which he emphatically defended the accuracy of what he wrote in response to my post; third was the post yesterday in which Klein said he “may have made a mistake in [his] column this week about the FISA legislation” — the understatement of the year; fourth was an Update he added to that post this morning claiming that he did speak to a Democrat but “may have misinterpreted a Democratic source’s point” and “if [he] did, a correction will appear in the print magazine next week”; and now, his fifth effort in tonight’s post, actually worse than all the others, in which he still professes confusion after “spen[ding] the past few days nosing around in the ongoing dispute about what the House FISA Reform bill actually says.”

The result of all this “nosing around”: “I’ve reached no conclusions.” And he then unleashes this:

I have neither the time nor legal background to figure out who’s right.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/27/joe-klein-accuracy-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-accuracy/

==================================================

So, Joe Klein, if you don't have a clue about the legalities involved why are you opining? It's time to call these media hacks out. I am glad there are people like Glenn Greenwald out there doing just that.

And the hits keep coming! I glad to see that Chimpy hitting streak of appointing cronies and baffoons is going strong.

Yet Another Bush Crony Appointee’s Breathtaking Incompetence, Including Planted Pressers
By: Nicole Belle on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 4:02 PM - PST

We’ve posted about Julie Myers when she was nominated. RawStory’s Nick Juliano has found that she has done her job just as so many of these Bush crony appointments have: very, very incompetently. Obviously immigration must be a TOP issue for the White House to have Myers at the helm. (/snark)

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/27/yet-another-bush-crony-appointees-breathtaking-incompetence-including-planted-pressers/

Speaking of food...

Right now one of the local PBS stations is having one of their veiwer beg-a-thons and they are premiering something called "Foods of Chicago", which highlights the crapola that we all have been eating for a Century that had its roots or popularity kick started here.

Pretty cool show.

If you need a good laugh, check out the GOP netroots:

GOP Netroots flops again
By: John Amato @ 5:02 PM - PST

As much as they try to put on a happy face, their interest in having an active roll in politics is limited to attacking brown people. Case in point. The NRCC started a YouTube contest five weeks ago:

(T)he NRCC launched a project to get supporters to create their own campaign videos attacking Democrats. If successful, this project would defy a pattern where Republican grassroots activists never take action into their own hands.

The NRCC also said:

After the judging panel views the videos, the top five videos will be hosted on NRCC.org and voted on by the general public.

They only got “FIVE” submissions…Chris Bowers votes for…

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/27/gop-netroots-flops-again/

================================================

What a bunch of moonbats and goofballs.

oh my gawd and if you had asked ME in 1997 if I would be trying to understand and perhaps DEFEND Hillary Clinton in 2007 as she runs for President I would have laughed you OUT the door!

ya just NEVER know do you? (chuckle)

What's Really in the RESTORE Act
by Congressman Rush Holt

I was pleased to see Time Magazine columnist Joe Klein acknowledge that he "may have made a mistake" in his column attacking the House Majority ("The Tone Deaf Democrats") and misrepresenting the RESTORE Act. Unfortunately, Mr. Klein still professes confusion toward the bill's contents and continues to question whether the House should have passed it in the first place.

As one of the bill's authors, I want to set the record straight about what's in the RESTORE Act, why it's needed to safeguard Americans from unwarranted surveillance, and ultimately, why it will lead to better intelligence gathering.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-rush-holt/whats-really-in-the-rest_b_74309.html

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 27, 2007 at 09:12 PM

I'm getting a larger TV in a few months and once I do, the 25" is coming back in my room. Then I can REALLY multi task again. LOL

Hey Jersey :-]

US oilman jailed over UN scandal

oh my gawd and if you had asked ME in 1997 if I would be trying to understand and perhaps DEFEND Hillary Clinton in 2007 as she runs for President I would have laughed you OUT the door!
===================================================
Dawn, when you consider the GOP choices what option is there?

Ghouliani ... what a horror!
Freddy Cheeseball Thompson ... hey Freddy, find another TV show.
Mitt Flipper Romney ... what planet is this guy on?
Then it gets weird from there:

Mike Huckleberry
Tancredo
whatever ...

Hey Jersey :-]

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 09:18 PM
=================================================

Hey Dawn ... here late tonight but just had to post a few.

Posted by Johnedwrd on November 27, 2007 at 09:18 PM
===================================================

Hi JE,

Now if he can be tied to the Bushies ... that would be something!

Jersey

The Baptist Preacher - guitar player - karate Endorsed Huckleberry Hound that lost all that weight is about the most PURE Of heart of the lot.

They'd be smart to pick him. He'd LOSE thought to any of our candidates. But, still pretty pure compared to the rest of the line up of GOP-criminals.

lol ;-)

argh

THOUGH

Evening rj,

That would be great. The article says there were 2,200 other companies worldwide involved in the scandal.

bush, cheney and the bush crime family must be involved somewhere along the line.

Mitt Flipper Romney:

The author of a much-discussed op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor -- which charged that former Gov. Mitt Romney said he would likely not appoint a Muslim-American to his presidential cabinet - says Romney's explanation for the comment is a flat out lie.

Mansoor Ijaz, a prominent Islamic businessman, told the Huffington Post that Romney's comments were made in reference to possible cabinet appointments and not, as the former governor has since claimed, in the context of combating Islamic extremism.

"This guy is lying now to the American people," said Ijaz. "He probably never imagined someone would come out and write a piece the way I did. And I think he made a serious mistake in judgment in trying to disown what he said."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/27/author-lashes-out-at-romn_n_74378.html

==================================================

The Mitt Flipper is more than a bit strange.

But, still pretty pure compared to the rest of the line up of GOP-criminals.

lol ;-)

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 09:24 PM
===================================================

Dawn, I would love a campaign against Huckabee. He may be pure but he is a right wing extremist on many issues.

bush, cheney and the bush crime family must be involved somewhere along the line.

Posted by Johnedwrd on November 27, 2007 at 09:26 PM
====================================================

They are good friends with the owner of Hunt Oil. I wouldn't be surprised if Chimpy's buddies were making out like bandits.

I hope you all really take the time to read those votes. Cuz you'd never compare Hillary to a PUG if you did. I don't think that's even fair Jersey. If that's what you were implying?

I think it's more a class warfare thing for some of you all. NOT a dem vs puke campaign.

I'm totally NOT into class warfare mostly because those w/OUT money LOSE! LOL I don't WANT to fight that way.

raqi Constitution Requires Parliament to Approve Long-Term U.S. Presence
By Spencer Ackerman - November 27, 2007, 11:31AM

Yesterday, General Douglas Lute, a top Iraq adviser to President Bush, said that the administration didn't require Senate ratification for its forthcoming long-term security guarantee to the Iraqis. It's unclear whether that's true, and I'll tell you more as soon as I know it. But even if it is, the Iraqi constitution stipulates that Iraq's parliament has to ratify any such agreement. And the Iraqi parliament is a lot more hostile to the idea of hosting U.S. troops indefinitely than the U.S. Senate is.

Take a look at Article 58, Section 4 of the Iraqi constitution. It stipulates that the Iraqi parliament shall ratify "international treaties and agreements by a two-thirds majority." Whether or not President Bush and Prime Minister Maliki can finagle the deal so that it's not a treaty -- as Lute suggested yesterday -- it most certainly is an "agreement."

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004783.php

=================================================

Prediction: Chimpy's latest foolishness will kick off another wave of violence in Iraq. The GOP are doomed if they continue to vest themselves in Bush's failure.

I hope you all really take the time to read those votes. Cuz you'd never compare Hillary to a PUG if you did. I don't think that's even fair Jersey. If that's what you were implying?
===================================================

Dawn, not at all. It's not me that needs convincing. It's people who are Independents that will have to convinced that our candidate is better than the GOP. I think HRC or any Dem candidate is infinitely better than the pack of GOP losers.

I think we need to be careful about convincing each other compared to convincing voters who are much more neutral and quite honestly not very knowledgeable.

Class warfare? How does that figure in this?

Well, the rich are beating the poor real good but what does that have to do with the Democratic candidate per se?

I am familar with Hillary's record. It's not one of a conservative or even a centrist.

With that said, John Edwards is still way closer to my point of view. But, I have no problem with any candidate ...

Ok Jersey

I thought you were saying of the GOP candidates and were including Hillary as one of them cuz she's had a history courting big business......... I'm glad she's come out saying NAFTA needs to be fixed or I'd never even look at her a second time. Same with her promotion of Science. But those are my issues along with others of course.

I like being part of a world community (and want to see it mended) - I'm not at all interested in fencing off the country and turning into protectionists. But that's me.

By the way, the latest issue of The Nation does a nice job discussing the Dem candidates:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071126/intro

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 09:06 PM

Dawn,

I appreciate you trying to be fair and doing the research to compare Senator Clinton's record with others. But if her record is more progressive than others, why is she ashamed to admit it?

I feel like we are being treated like black sheep in the family. There is nothing wrong with my morals or principles or she wouldn't be voting that way. It's like she doesn't want the neighbors to know or that we are advocating something sinful.

I personally think the whole neighborhood is looking for a real change in policy and leadership in this country. If Senator Clinton won't publicly drive the debate on issues that working folks truly want (and need) to be changed, she's going to be misunderstood not only by those of us in the family but also prospective converts in the community at large.

I'm getting frustrated by this masquarade. Clinton keeps walking a tightrope trying not to fall too far right or too left. Everyone would just like her to get down and stand up for what she knows is right.

And this act won't really matter in the end; because if she's nominated, the other side is going to say she is a liberal anyway. It's causing the campaign to be all about her not the problems that need to be debated. It's selfish and she's beginning to make her look like a spoiled princess.

Oh, the hell with it. We all know I'll support her if she wins, but I won't forget the way she acted like such a drama queen. It's not necessary and she has to know it. She playing right into the image that Rove wants her to project.

Enough with discussing her...and her problem.

Posted by SandyH on November 27, 2007 at 09:51 PM

have you ever had a teenage daughter? lol that was my first thought when you said drama queen.

You have NO idea! lmao.

ok you have all the right to your own opinion

You either like her or you don't

Same for all the candidates for some people. I have my own dislikes and problems with dramaKINGS as well! LOL

fair enough I'll leave it at that

she's going to be misunderstood not only by those of us in the family but also prospective converts in the community at large.
====================================================
Sandy, that's why I continue to think Edwards is the better candidate. I think he will have appeal to working people in the undecided/uncommitted "middle" and even some Republicans. The American people are very worried about deteriorating economic conditions. It's not at all class warfare but fairness and opportunity. Let's hope it never gets so bad that it becomes class warfare.

With that said, of course I'll support whomever we nominate. I still think they will appeal to a broader range of people than any of the GOP idiots. But geez, sometimes we act like the primary has already been decided. It's not over until the votes are counted.

LOL ok I won't comment

it's all in a person's own perspective

mine is always on some fringe - I find it refreshing in a way that I could even care about HILLARY considering she's in the majority.

that never happens with me

I'm more a Kucinich, Gravel, Perot type of follower - I usually like the ODD ball and think they have more to offer than the usual in most cases and they NEVER win!

I'm more a Kucinich, Gravel, Perot type of follower - I usually like the ODD ball and think they have more to offer than the usual in most cases and they NEVER win!

Posted by DawnTheOriginaL on November 27, 2007 at 10:06 PM
===================================================
Dawn, I like Kucinich too but I just don't see it happening for him. This may be a bit wrong of me but I would rather see him stay in Congress and keep everyone honest! I can't say I really get Gravel.

Anyway, have a good night all.

Later ...

Jersey

if they are worried about economics then Clinton is a shoe in as her husband left us with a surplus

If they are over 25 they may remember the 90's fondly (as I do)

Posted by rjsnj on November 27, 2007 at 10:10 PM

ok this is a question I've wanted to ask SOME ONE for a long time about Dennis.

With that kind of SMARTS - WHY the HELL is he not Majority WHIP???? Who the heck is Steney??? L O S E R imo - Murtha should have held the spot. But now that I think of it - Y is DENNIS not head of ALL of Congress by now???? yet he's running for CIC?

And Obama should be Head of the Senate (not old man Reid)

and I've opined enough

time to start breaking it down

gnite DNCka Friends and others

until the morrow
Peace

A Special Visit To Give Back in Des Moines
by Crystal Pattersonin in Iowa

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/iowa/

May the Democrat with the largest rack win!!!

(ok now I'm ducking for cover)

It still seems so early to pick anyone...it still seems like anything could happen.

It would be nice to elect a populist President (Gore, Kucinich, Edwards) but I think we might have to take a moderate (Hillary).

I know I bitch here sometimes, but I am a Democrat through and through, and will be voting the party line come what may.

Barbra Streisand Endorses
Hillary Clinton For President

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071127/ap_on_en_mu/clinton_streisand

"Barbra Streisand Endorses
Hillary Clinton For President"

That'll cost her some of those hard-earned moderate votes.

Good Evening to All,

By what authority do Blackwater get to operate in Iraq with such reckless abandon? Let's reverse the situation; would Americans allow or condone another nation sending security troops (mercenaries) into our country and operate with such abandon?

“Blackwater guards pumped on steroids, lawsuit alleges

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A quarter of Blackwater security guards in Iraq use steroids and other "judgment-altering substances," according to a lawsuit filed by the families of several Iraqis killed or wounded in a Baghdad shooting in September.
Blackwater denies the charges.
The suit, filed Monday in Washington, accuses the company of fostering "a culture of lawlessness" among its guards and says the use of excessive force helps the company preserve a key selling point -- the fact that none of its protectees have been killed during the four-year-old war.
"I think there is a whole corporate culture there that essentially rewards the use of excessive force -- shooting first, asking questions later," said Susan Burke, the lead attorney in the case.
The lawsuit accuses Blackwater of war crimes, wrongful death, assault, negligent hiring and emotional distress. The plaintiffs include two wounded survivors of the September 16 shootings around Nusoor Square, in western Baghdad, and the families of five people killed in the incident. Iraqi authorities say the guards killed 17 people in an act of "premeditated murder." “

Hybrid: If you are still here, did you see the post that I left for you earlier this evening regarding the S & L Crisis of the late 1980s?

maryinmemphis,

Since you know the law so well, sight the paragraph in the law that allowed S&L to bypass banking regulations and get themselves in a highly leveraged situation whereby they exceeded the entire asset of the bank plug $1 billion additional debt? Can you sight the paragraph that allowed this fraudulent act? ... mismanagement? ...accounting error? ...poor judgment?

Look at what Bush 2 has done to the USA economy and the exact same patterns emerge. This is what repugnant x-tian reich call supply side economics. Drain all the banks of their funds, tap out all the public trust funds, then claim some obscure law signed by the president was the cause of their fraudulent act, misappropriation of funds, accounting errors!

Please sight the exact line in the bill signed by President Reagan that allow the S&L failure.

What happened in the 1980's is exactly the same pattern of behavior that happened to today's banking crisis? Bush's ignorance of federal law, Bush’s inability or unwillingness to enforce, abrogation of duty, dereliction of duty to protect American assets, forsaking the constitution and his duty to protect and serve the people of USA.

There are laws on the book and this president and the repugnant x-tian reich ignored them.

Now see them with their wall street begging bowls; Can you tell the difference between a wall street whiner begging?

Hey, all you tinfoil hat fans out there. Here's one of the strangest cases to come down the pike since the Bush crime family set up camp in the Oval Office.

Of all the irresponsible things that have happened under their watch, this has to be the most chilling...six lost nukes and the coincidental deaths of six airmen within a month at the same air base.

Incompetence, treason, or maybe domestic terrorism? How could this have happened? And the neocons tell us we need to worry about Iran and North Korea placing a nuke in the hands of Bin Lauden?

MYSTERY AND/OR SECRET:

The Mystery of Minot: Loose nukes and a cluster of dead airmen raise troubling questions

by Dave Lindorff

This article appeared initially in the Oct. 22, 2007 issue of American Conservative magazine.

The American Conservative has discovered that to date, more than a month after the incident, Pentagon investigators have completely ignored a peculiar cluster of six deaths during the weeks immediately preceding and following the B52 flight...

baltimorechronicle.com/2007/112107Lindorff.shtml

Red Cross chief ousted over staff relationship

NEW YORK - The American Red Cross ousted its president, Mark Everson, on Tuesday after learning he had engaged in a "personal relationship" with a subordinate employee.
----------
The Red Cross also released a statement from Everson, who is married and has two children.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21994150/

Another Bush Republican fooling around at work!

Rough day computer crashed, had to work on it.

So Bush said it was for WMD's that we invaded Iraq, not for military bases. What do you know, Bush is negotiating "At Will" for revolving reserves for a long stay in Iraq. Where is this plan we stabilize and leave. Did Petraus know about this? I think not, why did he not tell Congress? Who in Congress is working against "We the people" wanting our troops home?

What idiocy will Bush sign "At Will" at Annapolis without consulting Congress.

You know what, with a Enron head and a feeble Constitution the foundation is crumbling. Bush has a free run on the Savings and Loan treasury, his friends take what they want and leave the bill for US. I think we should start impeaching Congress to Guantanamo.

We do not need any laws with the Bush Royal around, they make them up as the go along screwing the public like Kenneth Lay did.

I wonder if Hillary did not want the troops out, because she knew the Iraq War was about putting a base there.

Hybrid, I think that you may have read the wrong post! I was absolutely agreeing with everything you said and simply adding F. Thompson to the 'Bush Crime Family' as someone on this blog keeps referring to them (appropriately so) but, in any case, I will look for the specific pp and see what I can find.
I love all of your posts and I send you posts to that effect alot! Yours are some of the most well thoughtout posts on this blog. So, in short, I didn't try to critize - I was trying to PRAISE you!
Stick together democrats and together lets build a stronger, more honest America for the next generation and all of the generations thereafter.

hey, just been watching keith oberman. apparently carl rove is writing a book. he is suggesting that dubya wanted wait to go into Irag, but the congress pushed the invasion, not allowing bushy to get enough other countries to help out. so now rove is going to blame the whole rush to war on congress. this is soooo bizarre, and you know they'll be people that will believe this hog wash. somehow they'll find a way to blame the whole thing on the democrats. so now i know why he left the administration early, just so he could split up calif. and blame the iraq war on the congress. amazing!!!!

Hybrid: See Below: If this is not specifically what you need, I can keep looking. Just let me know. But this is a start in the right direction. I copied from the CPA Journal.

I offset by spaces above and below the specific part about the St. Germain Bill.

Jan 1994

Congress, regulators, RAP, and the savings and loan debacle. (regulatory accounting principles)
by Salam, Ahmad W.

Abstract- Misguided regulatory policies enacted to help the thrift industry in the early 1980s only served to exacerbate the financial troubles of savings and loans associations (S&L) later in the decade. In particular, the policy of forbearance, implemented to allow thrifts time to adjust to deregulatory moves, proved to be very damaging to the long-run viability of S&Ls. This policy had a highly destabilizing impact on thrifts since it encouraged S&L institutions to ignore traditional capital requirements, a move which encouraged excessively risky asset diversification. The application of regulatory accounting principles (RAP) and the liberal interpretation of GAAP accounting methods also played key roles in heightening the savings and loans crisis, mainly because they encouraged financial waste and regulatory complacency.

It is estimated that the cost of the savings and loan debacle will cost taxpayers $183 million plus interest. Actions taken by Congress and regulators, as well as regulatory accounting principles (RAP), have been widely cited as major contributing factors for having "misled" and "masked" the speed and extent of the financial deterioration of the thrift industry. A greater understanding of the magnitude and manner in which the actions of Congress and regulators and the use of RAP contributed to the severity of losses suffered by the thrift industry might help those trying to sort out what went wrong.

Although innumerable variables affected the severity of losses suffered by the thrift industry, there were four major legislative and regulatory policy objectives:

1. Enhance both the short-term and long-term economic survival of the thrift industry by reducing the industry's exposure to interest rate risk through asset diversification;

2. "Bide" time for legislative and regulatory efforts to affect an economic recovery by facilitating the avoidance of violations of capital requirements by troubled thrifts which would result in regulatory supervision and/or dissolution ("forbearance");

3. Encourage "leveraged" asset growth through debt financing; and

4. Halt and prevent the massive withdraws of funds by depositors (dis- intermediation).

The Traditional Role of the Savings and Loan Institution

Traditionally, the thrift industry included savings and loan associations and mutual saving banks (sometimes credit unions). The principal activity of the thrift industry was to promote home ownership by providing low-cost mortgage financing. Thrifts commonly distinguished from commercial banks as they were regulated by different agencies and were insured by different insurance corporations. In addition, the balance sheet of thrifts contained different assets and liabilities. The thrift industry was regulated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB) and deposits were insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC).

Thrifts sought funds from depositors in the form of savings accounts and other short-term liabilities. These funds were then loaned to finance the purchase of residential housing through fixed-rate mortgages (long- term assets). The economic survival of the thrift industry depended upon the return on assets (ROA) being greater than the cost of funds (COF). ROA largely reflected the level of long-term interest rates on fixed rate mortgages which were established years earlier. The COF was the rate of interest paid to depositors on savings and short-term time deposits, which reflected current short-term interest rates.

Enhancing Economic Viability

One of the most far-reaching policy decisions of regulators was the decision to enhance the economic viability of the thrift industry by reducing interest rate risk through asset diversification.

Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates result in operating losses and/or decreases in the market value of assets. The exposure to interest rate risk for thrifts was twofold. If the short- term COF increased above the ROA, thrifts could do little in the short run to reduce losses, since ROA was tied almost solely to long-term fixed-rate mortgages. Secondly, if interest rates were to increase, the market value of the mortgage portfolio would decrease, since the fixed cash flows represented by mortgages are discounted by the market using a higher discount (interest) rate. In such a scenario, losses would be realized if a thrift were forced to sell a portion of the mortgage portfolio by the need to increase its cash holdings. Compared to banks, thrifts were particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk due to a lack of diversification in both the type and maturity of their assets.

Due principally to inflationary pressures, interest rates started to rise. The increase in the COF from 7% in 1978 to 11% in 1982 resulted in catastrophic loses in 1981 and 1982 when the COF exceeded ROA. Legislative and regulatory actions were later initiated to enable thrifts to diversify their assets beyond a portfolio of long-term fixed- rate mortgages. Congress responded with the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act (effective March 31, 1980) which allowed thrifts to invest up to 20% of their assets in a combination of corporate debt securities, consumer loans, and commercial paper. Another 3% of the assets could be invested in service corporations.

The Garn-St Germain Depository Institutions Act (October 15, 1982)

permitted even greater diversification. This Act allowed investment in the following assets: commercial, corporate, business, or agricultural loans (10%), consumer loans (30%), loans secured by non-residential real estate (40%), and personal property (10%). Given the investment alternatives described above, diversification of assets for the thrift industry meant diversification into assets of greater inherent risk. Lastly, as thrifts moved into unknown lending areas, the risk of investment in unsound assets also increased.

A Policy of Forbearance

To provide the thrift industry with enough time for deregulatory efforts to achieve a recovery, regulators adopted a policy of "forbearance." Through a number of methods, regulators facilitated the avoidance by troubled thrifts of violations of capital requirements that trigger regulatory supervision and/or liquidation.

Reduction of the Capital Requirement.

Historically, the FHLBB required net worth be at least 5% of assets. (The terms "net worth," "capital," and "equity" are used interchangeably and refer to regulatory capital unless otherwise noted.) Capital requirements act to moderate the growth rate of assets as well as provide a cushion of safety for depositors and other creditors. RAP were used to calculate regulatory net worth, the difference in RAP net worth versus net worth calculated using GAAP ranged from significant to extreme.

The FHLBB reduced the minimum capital requirements from 5% to 4% in November 1980, and then to 3% in January 1982. The immediate result of reduced capital requirements was that many troubled thrifts could avoid, or at least delay, becoming technically insolvent, thus avoiding related consequences. However, in the long run, thrifts that ultimately became bankrupt were in greater financial ruin for having been allowed to operate longer and suffer even greater losses.

In December 1972, the FHLBB adopted a special provision which allowed the minimum capital requirement to be calculated as an average of liabilities and deposits over the five-year period comprising the year of calculation and the preceding four years, rather than on current liabilities and deposits. This provision drastically lowered capital requirements for those thrifts that had expanded most aggressively.

Another provision adopted provided for a reduced net-worth requirement for thrifts that had been chartered for less than 20 years. Under this provision, the capital requirement for relatively new thrifts was calculated by multiplying the existing capital requirement (which was 3% to 5% depending on the time period) by the fraction of the 20-year period the thrift had been covered by deposit insurance. In the most extreme scenario, a thrift in its first year of deposit insurance could reach a debt-to-equity ratio of 666 to 1 (3% capital requirement x 1/20). The FHLBB began phasing out both the five-year averaging and the 20-year phase-in provisions in March 1985.

Inclusion of Certain Promissory "Certificates" in the Calculation of RAP Net Worth. In 1981, the FHLBB allowed thrifts to include income and capital certificates and mutual capital certificates in the calculation of RAP net worth. These certificates were issued by the FSLIC in exchange for promissory notes from weakened thrifts. In 1982, similar net worth certificates were introduced. These regulatory actions further cheapened the capital requirement and reduced once again the number of RAP-insolvent thrifts or thrifts subject to supervisory control. By permitting nearly insolvent thrifts to remain open, the FHLBB encouraged excessive risk-taking by thrifts trying desperately to save themselves.

Lax Enforcement of Net-Worth Requirements. Another factor which enabled troubled thrifts to avoid regulatory supervision or dissolution was inadequate staffing of regulatory enforcement bodies during the early 1980's, the period in which the thrift industry experienced intensive growth. As an example, during the period form 1980 to 1985, the number of FSLIC field examiners declined. In 1980, there were 700 examiners to handle 297 troubled thrifts. By 1985, the number of examiners declined to 679 while the number of troubled thrifts more than doubled to 791.

These regulatory efforts to reduce net worth requirements, (some of which were overt, some relatively covert) effectively postponed the closing of failing thrifts, allowing them to further deteriorate. However, these actions had an even more profound impact on the ultimate severity of losses suffered by the thrift industry; namely, the ability of industry to experience unprecedented growth.

Leveraged Asset Growth Through Debt Financing

A number of actions taken by legislators and the FHLBB not only enabled thrifts to experience unprecedented growth of assets but also provided incentives. Traditionally, regulators used percentage capital requirements to restrict the extent to which assets could be acquired through debt financing and to provide incentives for prudent investment management.

Ability to Grow Through Debt Financing. For thrifts to grow through debt financing, they had to be able to both attract and accept additional customer deposits. The previously described regulatory actions, whicheffectively reduced the capital requirement, directly enabled thrifts to increase their level of debt; this enabled thrifts to accept additional deposits from customers. However, these regulatory actions did not enable thrifts to attract new deposits. In 1980, legislation was passed that enabled thrifts to attract additional deposits by allowing them to pay more competitive rates of interest to depositors via the elimination of Regulation Q and by increasing FSLIC insurance coverage from $40,000 to $100,000 per account. These additional deposits, coupled with a higher leverage ratio, fueled the unprecedented growth of thrift assets.

Incentives. Several important incentives contributed to the tremendous growth of assets. First, the possibility of achieving greater profitability through leveraged growth provided financially troubled thrifts with a potential remedy. Secondly, the possibility of generating large profits with the use of government guaranteed deposits is even more appealing when only a small amount of equity is at risk. Lastly, FSLIC did not adjust insurance premiums to reflect the additional risk attributable to the use of leverage, i.e., the insurance rate structure permitted highly leveraged thrifts to do business "at no additional cost.

Is this what you were looking for? I hope so.

ConnFloyd, You can read the entire interview over on huffpost.com in a column by Dan Abrams. After you read the article, skroll down and read some of the comments. As great as the article making fun of "Rovianating History", some of the comments are even funnier! Check it out.

This is even more bizzare.

Apparently, Cheney was all liquored up on his latest hunting trip and shot at a nuclear waste facility and has yet to tell the White House press secretary?

So here we have the Bush administration staging an unnecesary military invasion half way around the world over suspected WMD and they aren't even guarding nuclear waste dumps in this country with anything more than cameras...a virtual WMD fence?

Hunter shooting at Maine Yankee worries resident Charlotte Boynton

The Maine Yankee unmanned gatehouse concerns a Ferry Road resident who saw a hunter shooting at deer on the property. Maine Yankee officials sway the security is comprehensively supported by local, state and federal agencies.
(Photo Charlotte Boynton)

Staff Reporter
The Wiscasset Newspaper
November 22, 2007

A shooting incident near the Maine Yankee site in Wiscasset is being investigated by the Maine Warden Service, according to Mark Latte, a spokesman for the service.

Maine Yankee was the state's only nuclear power plant until it closed in 1997 and was dismantled. Much of the 800 acres where the plant was located has been sold, but there is still nuclear waste stored in cement casks on the site.

The incident occurred October 30, when a hunter standing on the Ferry Road fired off two shots at four deer standing in a field, about a quarter of a mile from where the nuclear waste is stored. The waste will be stored at the site indefinitely until the federal government fulfills its obligation to provide storage elsewhere...

Ferry Road resident Roger Jones saw the incident.

"I asked the guy what he was doing," Jones said. "I expected guards would come running out of the gatehouse when the shots were fired, but no guards appeared. The hunter acted like he had done nothing wrong."

"What surprised me most was there were no guards in the gatehouse," Jones said. "I was told the area is being observed by cameras. Cameras will not stop a terrorist. The unmanned gatehouse is of great concern for me, living near the site," he said.

"The instructions posted near the gate says, `Visitors and delivery drivers please pull forward and use phones at gatehouse for access information.' A terrorist won't stop for access information," Jones said...

wiscassetnewspaper.maine.com/2007-11-22/hunter_shooting.html

Remember those citizens who called the FBI concerned that there were some Arab men taking flight school lessons without wanting to know how to land the plane?

Alarm bells should be ringing all over Washington D.C. over this. Why isn't the MSM on top of the story?

Just how long will it take before someone in the Beltway decides to take our national security seriously? Tthese Republican doorknobs in the Oval Office are going to get us all blown to smitherins?

Cheney had to be given shock treatments this week. Bush was busy attending Condi's Arab/Israeli tea party. And Obama and Edwards were throwing darts at Clinton. None of the GOP candidates are sure if they are for or against abortion, gay marriage, or illegal hiring...especially if they can make a buck off a lobbying gig...for both sides.

And our troops and National Gurard are in Baghdad pulled off on the side of the road waiting to come home in January, 2009.

Just who is protecting the security of the last great super power these days? A private citizen who had to chase off poachers from an unmanned nuclear site?

It's like a scene from "Fahenheit 911"...but it's real.

Hello SandyH and Dlesterpoet,

1) Republicans in Florida is thinking about giving the highways away to republican friends who are going to tax the people using the road. Then when it is time to fix the roads they are going back to the taxpayers for muni-bond to rep