Daily Archives: Sept. 20, 2008

Invent, baby, invent!

Sept. 20, 20086:03 a.m.

“Why would Republicans, the party of business, want to focus our country on breathing life into a 19th-century technology (fossil fuels) rather than giving birth to a 21st-century technology (renewable energy)?” asked columnist Thomas Friedman. “It reminds me of someone who, on the eve of the information technology revolution, is pounding the table for ‘Typewriters, baby, typewriters!’
“Of course, we’re going to need oil for many years, but instead of exalting that — with ‘Drill, baby, drill!’ — why not throw all our energy into innovating a whole new industry of clean power with the mantra ‘Invent, baby, invent’? That is what a party really committed to ‘change’ would be doing.
“I dwell on this issue because it is symbolic of the campaign that John McCain has decided to run. It’s a campaign now built on turning everything possible into a cultural wedge issue — including even energy policy, no matter how stupid it makes the voters and no matter how much it might weaken America.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Economy, Presidential race | Comments (208)

Open thread 9/20

Sept. 20, 20086:01 a.m.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Open thread | Comments (198)

Late-night comics on Wall Street

Sept. 20, 20086:00 a.m.

With this week’s economic news, you have to laugh to keep from crying:
“Experts say we’re going through what’s known as a lock, stock and barrel financial phase. You know what that is, and how that works? People are locked out of their homes, their stocks are worthless, and the oil companies have us over a barrel. That’s how it works.” — Jay Leno
“I don’t think President Bush gets it. He doesn’t really understand these economic issues. Like today, he was asked if customers should be concerned by all these bank closings. And Bush said, ‘If the bank is closed, you just use the ATM.’” — Leno
“I’m not sure if Sarah Palin knows what to do about the economy either. Do you think she has any experience? She was asked today what to do in a bear market. And she said, ‘Well, you should shoot it, then skin it.’” — Leno
“Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin today said she thinks the economy needs some shaking up and some fixin’. I’m pretty sure that is also her recipe for oven-baked chicken.” — Jimmy Kimmel
“Both presidential candidates reacted to the market turmoil today. Barack Obama laid out a detailed five-part plan, but John McCain’s plan is much simpler. He’s just going to have his wife fix it.” — Craig Ferguson

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (20)