Reasons to be skeptical about Obama’s chances

With all the hope created by the Obama presidency, it is out of fashion to be cynical. But Jim Vandehei and John Harris of Politico offered reasons to be skeptical about Obama’s chances, including:
– Some of Washington’s biggest blunders occur when the government moves to do big things with big support. Bush won the much-regretted Iraq war resolution of October 2002 with strong Democratic backing. The current economic crisis produces similar pressure to get on board the train – never mind for sure where it’s going.
– No matter how much confidence Obama or other politicians project, the reality is the current economic crisis has totally scrambled the intellectual assumptions of almost every policymaker. Improvisation is the only proper response. But the chances that improvisation will take the country to exactly the right destination – without some serious wrong turns along the way – seem very slight.

159 Comments

  1. Mary_Caruso
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:27 am | Permalink

    I don’t think it would be possible for any human who rises to this level of world leadership to do things perfectly.
    But the fact that Obama is intelligent, pragmatic, thoughful, and honest means he’ll probably make fewer mistakes that many of his predecessors.

  2. Raptor
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:46 am | Permalink

    hope. change. hope. change. hope. change.

    specifics and actions will be a refreshing change instead of continuing campaign speeches. skeptical? Yeah, I don’t think any mortal human can live up to the hype thus far….

  3. Mary_Caruso
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:53 am | Permalink

    At least he’ll give it his best shot, and I think we’ve all learned a lot in the last 8 years. I doubt you’ll see Obama playing golf during a natural disaster or appointing horse judges to the head of FEMA. I can go on and on, but you get my drift. We’re a wiser nation after everything we’ve been through during the last administration. Obama will be held accountable.

  4. hardworkinman
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:16 am | Permalink

    Phillip Brownlee, Hope was created by the media, lets be clear, the media built this guy up above anything he could possibly realisticly live up to. The only hope I have is that we survivie this guy. If he isn’t 100% sucsessful the media will be the blame. I HOPE his inability to repeat the oath of office isn’t an example of how he operates without a teleprompter.

  5. outlander
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:24 am | Permalink

    The business cycle is cyclical. This one a little more complicated. But the economic problems will all shake out and we will recover as long as Obama doesn’t start thinking (and acting like) he can really control it.

  6. outlander
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:29 am | Permalink

    I doubt you’ll see Obama playing golf during a natural disaster or appointing horse judges to the head of FEMA.

    ———–

    Well, he appointed a tax cheat (or ignoramous) to head the agency overseeing the IRS.

    He is just a guy Mary. He will goof up like everyone else. If you put him on a pedestal, you will end up disappointed. Faith in a man is faith misplaced.

  7. Monkeyhawk
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:32 am | Permalink

    “outlander” gives us –

    “The business cycle is cyclical.”

    Who are you?

    George WMD Bush’s gaffe-writer?

  8. george
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:38 am | Permalink

    The News Media with their daily report of job loss, poor consumer confidence, bailouts, poor future outlooks, and big headlines about our poor economy has led to this economic downturn. Now since the Messiah has been elected, the news media can help turn around for the good ;what they have been bad mouthing for the last year.

  9. outlander
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:41 am | Permalink

    Insert:, (is, by definition).

    Thank you Monkey, for your important work.

  10. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:44 am | Permalink

    “Phillip Brownlee, Hope was created by the media, lets be clear, the media built this guy up above anything he could possibly realisticly live up to.”—hardworkinman

    And what’s really scary is Obama isn’t smart enough to know that, he has been convinced too.

  11. DavidB
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:44 am | Permalink

    LOL!!! blame the media… thanks for the morning grins….

  12. Monkeyhawk
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:46 am | Permalink

    “george” chimes in with –

    “The News Media with their daily report of job loss, poor consumer confidence, bailouts, poor future outlooks, and big headlines about our poor economy has led to this economic downturn.”

    Yeah, right.

    If the evil news people hadn’t reported what’s going on no one would have noticed their jobs had been shipped overseas, no one would have noted they had no money to pay their balloon mortgages, no one would have noted $4.50-a-gallon gasoline.

    It’s the “EVIL Media’s” fault for noticing reality. Ol’ “george” would have been a lot happier if there were no “EVIL Media!”

    Ignorance is bliss.

    And reality has an obvious liberal bias.

  13. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:47 am | Permalink

    The following quotation should be required reading by all elected officials at federal, state and municipal levels. Especially OBAMA!

    “You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

    You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”~~~ The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 – 2005

    It might also be added that a country cannot be taxed into prosperity!

  14. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:56 am | Permalink

    I’m shocked. I tell you, I’m shocked.

  15. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:59 am | Permalink

    Oh for crying out loud…

    Google adrian rogers. He’s a preacher with no background in economics.

    You think obama will listen to THIS guy? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAH!

    “According to one author, the pastor once responded to a question about biblical references in support of slavery during biblical times by saying, “I feel slavery is a much maligned institution. If we had slavery today we would not have such a welfare problem.”

    “On the topic of pastoral endorsement of political candidates, he wrote that it is a pastor’s duty to influence the political decisions of the members of the pastor’s congregation. A pastor need not, however, endorse a specific candidate (and, under Internal Revenue Service regulations, a church cannot do so without losing its tax-exempt status). He wrote that “[i]f [a pastor] has done his job his members will prayerfully and correctly use the standard of God’s Word to select the right candidate.”

    Dr. Rogers…”supported a boycott of Disney because of the company’s supposed promotion of homosexuality.”

    And he’s quoted like he knows something about economics? He entered the ministry when he was 19. WTF does he know about economic?

  16. wichhick
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:59 am | Permalink

    monkey..are you all saying you all are not smart enough to read your mortgage contract, don’t know when the sign says gas is $4.50, that is what it really means….odd you would admit what we already know about you all

  17. RFL
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:59 am | Permalink

    Blowback is allready billowing against Obama’s reckless, ill-thought out decisions.

    “9/11 Families Outraged by Obama Call to Suspend Guantanamo War Crimes Trials”

    “I see no reason why we should delay these proceedings. Let justice be served,” said Jefferson Crowther, whose 24-year-old son, Welles, was killed in the Twin Towers after he saved the lives of several others.

    “Critics blasted Obama’s decision, which they said would delay justice in cases that have already been waiting for the better part of a decade.”

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/21/families-outraged-obama-suspend-guantanamo-war-crimes-trials/

  18. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:00 am | Permalink

    …and they say they dont want a theocracy?

  19. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:01 am | Permalink

    I guess these families have more standing than the “Jersey Girls” 9/11 widows? Remember, they were critical of bushco.

    IOKIYAAR

  20. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:02 am | Permalink

    “Hope was created by the media, lets be clear, the media built this guy up above anything he could possibly realisticly live up to.”—hardworkinman”

    So everyone is now going to realize that Obama really cannot walk on water?

    Must be the holes in his hands and feet.

  21. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:10 am | Permalink

    “Dr. Rogers…”supported a boycott of Disney because of the company’s supposed promotion of homosexuality.””

    Well good for him, he’s absolutely correct, just as he is on his economic knowledge. Homosexuality, including the chicken farmer, is sick, queer, disgusting, and a sign of a very maladjusted pervert.

  22. Monkeyhawk
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:17 am | Permalink

    “Boxlock20″ breaks out the bold font –

    “You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.”

    At least you didn’t attribute this to Lincoln. That’s an improvement.

    Part of the “Change.”

    ;^)

    “What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.”

    Yeah. Parenthood is “socialism!”

    In the good ol’ days, we pulled our kids out of 4th Grade and made ‘em earn their keep… in the mines!

    “The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

    Like when the Pentagon takes away people’s privately-owned B-2 bombers and forces them into defending the nation!

    “When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.”

    And, using the same “logic,” when all income, wealth, capital gains, and property go to only one person, s/he might have a little extra cash hanging around to, y’know, keep the barbarians at the gate.

    “You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”

    It might also be added that a country cannot be taxed into prosperity!”

    You’ve convinced me, “george!”

    This very minute I’m gonna go out and buy a fire truck and hire fire fighters to sit around all day on the off chance my house will catch on fire. I’ll hire private police to protect me, and only me.

    My sewer problem will be a lot cheaper, since all I’ll have to do is pump my toilet’s contents to my neighbor’s lawn. Then it’s his problem!

  23. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:22 am | Permalink

    Heheheheheh. I think he’s trying to live up to his idol. When he says this:

    “Homosexuality, including the chicken farmer, is sick, queer, disgusting, and a sign of a very maladjusted pervert.”

    It’s no surprise, considering his idol, adrian rogers, says this:

    “I feel slavery is a much maligned institution. If we had slavery today we would not have such a welfare problem.”

    Birds of a feather and all. Bawks. How appropriate.

  24. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:25 am | Permalink

    Whoa….look at the rise I got out of the immature Monkey, ha ha!
    What’s a matter Monkey, you know it’s true but can’t stand it.
    You know what Dr. Adrian Rogers is talking about. He is taking about income redistribute, NOT reasonable taxation for the common good.
    What a disingenuous jerk you are.

  25. Monkeyhawk
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:27 am | Permalink

    “ksfarmgrrl” –

    Have you seen these?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhpdcqNB3SY

  26. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:27 am | Permalink

    Heheheh. It’s going to be four years of daily calls to whiiiine one one to fetch the waaaaaaambulance for these guys.

    Good thing we have socialized emergency care. They’d go broke if they had to pay for their own waaaaaaambulance rides.

  27. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:28 am | Permalink

    ‘redistribute’ should be ‘redistribution’ of course.

  28. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:32 am | Permalink

    Monkeyhawk Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:27 am
    Have you seen these?

    Simply a propaganda ad, trying to politically sway opinion…..but false.

  29. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:35 am | Permalink

    O.M.G.

    How can families, telling their stories and sharing their lives, be “false”?

    Just get that bigotry out there, boy. You’ll feel so much better after showing who you really are.

    God must be so proud of you….

  30. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:37 am | Permalink

    Just go to Monkeyhawk’s link. Then you will see what these people of god think is “sick, queer, disgusting, and a sign of a very maladjusted pervert.”

    It will tell you a lot about them, and their beliefs, that they think it’s “false”.

  31. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:38 am | Permalink

    Heheheheh. Still laughing….

    These are the folks who follow a leader who says “I feel slavery is a much maligned institution. If we had slavery today we would not have such a welfare problem.”

    And they expect obama to listen to THEM?

  32. outlander
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:41 am | Permalink

    “I feel slavery is a much maligned institution. If we had slavery today we would not have such a welfare problem.”

    ———-

    kfg’s source on that quote is “one author”. Chuckle…

  33. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:44 am | Permalink

    Yap on chicken farmer. You can’t convince me, nor will you change what GOD has pronounced as an abomination.
    Homosexuality is condemned as a prime example of sin, a sexual perversion. The Christian can neither alter God’s viewpoint nor depart from it.
    It’s up to you farmer….up to you.

  34. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:49 am | Permalink

    And, using the same “logic,” when all income, wealth, capital gains, and property go to only one person, s/he

    Monkeyhawk, you do realize that about half of all U.S. households now own stock? Either direct ownership via brokers (or DRIP’s), much through a myriad of mutual funds, and billions in 401K, 403b,etc…

    Many millions of Americans were/are affected by the markets decline DIRECTLY via equity ownership. Seniors particularly since we have the wealthiest senior population in our history. That’s why there is talk of changing IRA rules which affect those age 70 and over (they are forced to make withdrawals from investments). So much wealth will be lost, and no time/job to recover by these seniors – the rules do need to change for them.

    My point is, there are not just a few at the top with capital gains/investments. There isn’t one executive board room at the top of some evil skyscraper where the evil rich are screwing everyone. MOST AMERICAN’S OWN the corporations.

  35. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:51 am | Permalink

    Waiting for ksfarmgirls remaining one liner:

    Jesus Wept.

    Have seen most the rest already this morning.

    Tape recorder stuck again.

  36. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:56 am | Permalink

    “kfg’s source on that quote is “one author”. Chuckle…”

    And bigotbawks provided NO source for his quote.

    Google adrian rogers. His lunacy is easy to find.

    And bawks? No sanem person would ever try to pry a fact into your closed mind.

    Heheheheheheheheheheheheheheh.

    Boy, they HATE when their leaders’ feet of clay are exposed.

    Worship on boys, worship on.

  37. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:56 am | Permalink

    I wonder if pet rocks will make a come back?

    Have you named your meteorite yet Mary?

  38. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 8:57 am | Permalink

    I’m thinking the waaaaaaaambulance’s first run today must be to amway’s house. You rogers followers better meet him at the hospital.

  39. cosmos_originally
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:09 am | Permalink

    bigotbawks posted, multiple threads

    The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
    ——————————-
    That is false.

    The Technology Challenge: How Can America Spark Private Innovation?
    http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/lazowska/faculty.lecture/innovation/gore.html

  40. bth
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:12 am | Permalink

    “nor will you change what GOD has pronounced as an abomination.”

    do you have an original reference for that claim? Not hear-say.

  41. StevenEDavis
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:17 am | Permalink

    “Monkeyhawk, you do realize that about half of all U.S. households now own stock?”

    And that has worked out real good for so many. Too bad GWB could not get us to put our social security funds into Wall Street.

  42. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:18 am | Permalink

    Save some of you the trouble.

    Cosmos link is to his God, Al Gore.

    It does not support his statement.

    Cosmos doesn’t realize government had to get the money from SOMEwhere to invest in innovation.

  43. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:26 am | Permalink

    StevenDavis if you read my post, I gave an example where it is NOT working out, and a step government could do to protect seniors.

    Additionally, your post is typical but not very rational.

    Americans (over half) invest their money.
    They could put it under their pillows, they could spend it all, and yes, they could have given it all back to your Federal Government to spend wisely (choke,cough,laugh). Where would you put it? Treasuries hold potential, the bond market. But with the projected huge federal spending, not so sure I’d be buying notes right now.

    My point was that there is not ONE person or a handful of rich people with capital gains.

    If you live at the bottom of the pool, you sometimes get a blinder effect and do not realize how most people are swimming at the top.

  44. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:27 am | Permalink

    Note to Philip Brownlee:

    Stop reading Politico!

    Bush did not have “strong Democratic backing” for the war in Iraq. Two million people marched in the street before the war even began.

    Try reading Slate or Salon.com or The Atlantic if you must read on-line political commentary.

  45. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:27 am | Permalink

    “And bigotbawks provided NO source for his quote. “—the perverted chicken farmer

    Don’t call me on such simple things nitwit….you will always lose. Here’s just two but there are dozens.

    http://www.independent.org/blog/?p=528

    http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1818444.aspx

  46. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:29 am | Permalink

    “Bush did not have “strong Democratic backing” for the war in Iraq. Two million people marched in the street before the war even began.”

    Of course the vast majority of both houses of Congress vote for it.
    But then Capn won’t recognize reality if it’s contrary to his agenda.

  47. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:29 am | Permalink

    BTW StevenDavis the major markets are down about 2% today. So it’s Obama’s fault from here out buddy.

    Microsoft has lost confidence in Obama. They are laying off 5,000.
    Housing slumped to lowest level in history.
    Unemployment reaching new heights.

    Go ahead, cast another stone.

  48. Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:31 am | Permalink

    Bush did not have “strong Democratic backing” for the war in Iraq. Two million people marched in the street before the war even began.

    Really… How many D senators voted yes?

  49. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:31 am | Permalink

    Bush did not have “strong Democratic backing” for the war in Iraq.

    “strong backing” my a$$. They voted AYE.

    As I posted yesterday:

    So just how many of the 4,000+ dead and 30,000 wounded military are democrats claiming responsibility for? Are you dims working percentages?

  50. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:34 am | Permalink

    Sol wants to play percentages. How sick.

    But it’s old news:

    U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 107th Congress – 2nd Session

    Vote Number: 237 Vote Date: October 11, 2002, 12:50 AM
    Measure Number: H.J.Res. 114
    Measure Title: A joint resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq

    Allard (R-CO), Yea
    Allen (R-VA), Yea
    Baucus (D-MT), Yea
    Bayh (D-IN), Yea
    Bennett (R-UT), Yea
    Biden (D-DE), Yea
    Bond (R-MO), Yea
    Breaux (D-LA), Yea
    Brownback (R-KS), Yea
    Bunning (R-KY), Yea
    Burns (R-MT), Yea
    Campbell (R-CO), Yea
    Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
    Carnahan (D-MO), Yea
    Carper (D-DE), Yea
    Cleland (D-GA), Yea
    Clinton (D-NY), Yea
    Cochran (R-MS), Yea
    Collins (R-ME), Yea
    Craig (R-ID), Yea
    Crapo (R-ID), Yea
    Daschle (D-SD), Yea
    DeWine (R-OH), Yea
    Dodd (D-CT), Yea
    Domenici (R-NM), Yea
    Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
    Edwards (D-NC), Yea
    Ensign (R-NV), Yea
    Enzi (R-WY), Yea
    Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
    Fitzgerald (R-IL), Yea
    Frist (R-TN), Yea
    Gramm (R-TX), Yea
    Grassley (R-IA), Yea
    Gregg (R-NH), Yea
    Hagel (R-NE), Yea
    Harkin (D-IA), Yea
    Hatch (R-UT), Yea
    Helms (R-NC), Yea
    Hollings (D-SC), Yea
    Hutchinson (R-AR), Yea
    Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
    Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
    Johnson (D-SD), Yea
    Kerry (D-MA), Yea
    Kohl (D-WI), Yea
    Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
    Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
    Lieberman (D-CT), Yea
    Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
    Lott (R-MS), Yea
    Lugar (R-IN), Yea
    McCain (R-AZ), Yea
    McConnell (R-KY), Yea
    Miller (D-GA), Yea
    Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
    Nelson (D-FL), Yea
    Nelson (D-NE), Yea
    Nickles (R-OK), Yea
    Reid (D-NV), Yea
    Roberts (R-KS), Yea
    Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
    Santorum (R-PA), Yea
    Schumer (D-NY), Yea
    Sessions (R-AL), Yea
    Shelby (R-AL), Yea
    Smith (R-NH), Yea
    Smith (R-OR), Yea
    Snowe (R-ME), Yea
    Specter (R-PA), Yea
    Stevens (R-AK), Yea
    Thomas (R-WY), Yea
    Thompson (R-TN), Yea
    Thurmond (R-SC), Yea
    Torricelli (D-NJ), Yea
    Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
    Warner (R-VA), Yea

    In the House, 81 Democrats joined Republicans in approving the War in Iraq.
    http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml

  51. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:34 am | Permalink

    Bigotbawks source.

    Dont forget this one.

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2162250/posts

    No comment fleetie about sites telling people what to think?

  52. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:36 am | Permalink

    KSFGrrl and MonkHawk–

    Nice refutation of the radical CONs’ daily recitation of their creed: “selfishness is really, really good.”

    The only (unretired) people I know who don’t have to work are the rich. They let others work for them, so they don’t have to. Meeting with your accountant and stock broker a few times a year is not “work,” folks, get real.

  53. cosmos_originally
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:36 am | Permalink

    American_Way posted January 22, 2009 at 9:18 am

    Save some of you the trouble.

    Cosmos link is to his God, Al Gore.

    It does not support his statement.

    Cosmos doesn’t realize government had to get the money from SOMEwhere to invest in innovation.
    ————–

    Thank you for attacking Al Gore — I knew that you people would do that.

    And thank you for falsely stating what I “realize”.

    Now please quote the part from bigotbawks quote that says “anything” can only = “money”.
    —————-
    bigotbawks posted, multiple threads

    The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

  54. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:38 am | Permalink

    “selfishness is really, really good.”

    And the liberals post back their party boast to steal money to give to the jealous ones with less.

    Greed ain’t so bad either

  55. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:39 am | Permalink

    Heheheh Captain. You are a great conslayer yourself!

  56. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:40 am | Permalink

    CapnAmerica, where in the constitution is the law against being selfish or greedy?

    So the law applies equally to the selfish rich
    and the greedy poor?

  57. Monkeyhawk
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:40 am | Permalink

    “Boxlock20,” in the spirit of true “christian” love, shares –

    “Yap on chicken farmer. You can’t convince me, nor will you change what GOD has pronounced as an abomination.

    Just like cheeseburgers, shrimp cocktails, ham sandwiches, and polyseter/cotton blend t-shirts.

    See ya in hell, “Boxlock20″

    (You ol’ abominator, you.)

  58. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:40 am | Permalink

    I am just ROLLING on the floor laughing at these guys. They need to pace themselves on the hate.

    It’s going to be a loooooooong four years for them.

    Maybe eight!

  59. SFreader
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:42 am | Permalink

    Al Gore warned us not to invade Iraq in 2002. But what did he know?

  60. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:42 am | Permalink

    WTF??????????

    “CapnAmerica, where in the constitution is the law against being selfish or greedy?”

    The very definition of desperation.

    Somebody needs to whistle the con team for stretching beyond reason….

  61. SFreader
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:43 am | Permalink

    “The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.”

    Does that include freedom? And democracy?

  62. Rage
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:44 am | Permalink

    Reminding us of the mass stupidity of the Irsq vote at this time is chilling but I suppose necessary. We had better hope our representatives approach this complex issue more seriously than they did the lives of our soliders.

    But let’s point out an obvious flaw in Politico’s analysis: the problem with the Iraq vote had nothing to do with “government mov[ing] to do big things with big support.” Instead, we had an extended propaganda blitz, aided and abetted by the corporate media, the energized enough of the public, feeding on lies, to get a modest majority to ignore the facts and support a dumb war.

    The problem was not the size of the undertaking, but the illegitimate reasoning, the unquestioning acceptance by many, and the shouting-down of dissent that accompanied it.

    Skepticism (which is not the same as cynicism) is always a good thing.

  63. Mr_Kia
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:44 am | Permalink

    Laugh it up all you want and keep yourselves warm with the rhetoric.
    Our now elected Democrat government are not idiots.
    Conservative economic policies are going to be the way out of this mess and they know it.

  64. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:46 am | Permalink

    Heheheh Rage.

    “the illegitimate reasoning”

    Is that a kinder, gentler way of saying “lies”?

  65. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:46 am | Permalink

    The people I feel sorry for are not people like me . . . they’re people like my kids.

    I was born long enough ago that I was able to take advantage of the much greater opportunities that were available to people back in the 70’s. The 70’s weren’t as economically hot as the late 50’s and 60’s, but they were close enough that a young person starting out could work their way through college (tuition–corrected for inflation–was way cheaper then) and pay for it with good union jobs.

    To make what I made in college then (working part-time), a person would have to earn 24 dollars an hour.

    As a result of those great wages and low tuition, I was able to get into a field I really enjoy making a comfortable living.

    It’s my kids and their generation that I feel bad about. They graduate from college and the only thing available are dead-end jobs making perhaps 15 dollars an hour.

    Meanwhile, groceries, gas, food, and housing go up and up. Wages go down.

    All the wealth created by the most productive workers in the world, AMERICAN WORKERS, is going right to the top–the richest one-tenth of one percent.

    And the willing idiots like Boxlock and AmWay and dadman and JimJ say, “that’s right and natural and inevitable and the way it should be.”

    Talk about the slave internalizing the slave-masters’ morality . . . there it is . . .

  66. Phantom
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:47 am | Permalink

    That’s not fair to Obama, bush wasn’t held accountable for the first 6 yrs. of his term, it was Clinton’s fault!

  67. csi
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:48 am | Permalink

    hardworkinman
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:16 am | Permalink
    Phillip Brownlee, Hope was created by the media, lets be clear, the media built this guy up above anything he could possibly realisticly live up to. The only hope I have is that we survivie this guy. If he isn’t 100% sucsessful the media will be the blame. I HOPE his inability to repeat the oath of office isn’t an example of how he operates without a teleprompter.

    Chief Justice Roberts was the one that messed the oath up – but go ahead and spread the Rush/Fox News spin if you feel you must.

    As for the media building up Obamato be perfect, I would agree with that statement. I would have preferred the media reference Obama as biracial rather than just the first African American president. But, to be fair, Obama has ALWAYS stated he is half white and half black.

    Obama can only do so much as the president. It will take the Congress and Obama to work together to solve our many problems.

    But one thing is certain, the majority of Americans are blaming the Republicans for the last 8 years and if Republicans plan to be obstructionists during the Obama years – they will get the blame – not the media!

  68. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:48 am | Permalink

    Phantom, get with the program!

    IOKIYAAR!

  69. Rage
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:51 am | Permalink

    Is that a kinder, gentler way of saying “lies”?

    Heh, I do believe I used that word, too, KFG, along with “propaganda”! :)

  70. csi
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:53 am | Permalink

    Capn – I also became an adult in the 70’s and there were opportunities everywhere. The high schools were preparing kids for either technical schools, colleges or going right into working somewhere in the service industries.

    What I find troubling today is the fact that even with a college degree, where are the jobs?

    It seems like our country has been run by corporate greed for so long, that we have cut off our noses to spite our face. That was great for the fat cats, but the middle class has been severely damanged by the Bush Administration and his fellow Republicans.

  71. dadman
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:53 am | Permalink

    Thank you for the individual congressional vote status AM . . . you make a good point .. I’m hanging on to that info . . . peace

    http://www.nwrnetwork.com/radiostations/RealAnswersRadio/player/embedded_player.php?bw=high

  72. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:53 am | Permalink

    “Bigotbawks source.
    Dont forget this one.
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2162250/posts
    —the perverted chicken farmer

    Not once did I list that site as a source, which pretty much shows the perverted farmer to be one of two things, a liar or simply stupid. I think clearly both.
    I did pick up one term I like from the site she(?) provided thought….”DimRats”, that’s as good as ‘DimLibs’

  73. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:54 am | Permalink

    :)

    Isnt this fun?

  74. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:54 am | Permalink

    “Conservative economic policies are going to be the way out of this mess and they know it.”

    Since CON economic policies (if one can call letting financiers run ponzi schemes “policy”) got us into this mess, it’s hard to see how it will get us out.

    Repeal banking regulations (Gramm Act) + Make it easier for credit cards to seize property (houses) on non-payment (Harsher bankruptcy laws) = Near depression.

  75. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:58 am | Permalink

    “You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”

    Actually, economists would disagree with that.

    The 7 million dollars a year that we Sed Co residents pay to keep airline tickets low at ICT airport repays us all many times over in increased economic activity.

    Taking a few dollars from everyone’s pocket for a highway like I135 or Kellogg brings a lot of money into the community.

    That’s the way wealth is created . . . by dividing it and using it, not by letting it pile up in the vault of Scrooge McDuck.

  76. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:02 am | Permalink

    CSI writes, “What I find troubling today is the fact that even with a college degree, where are the jobs?”

    Exactly right, my friend.

    Oh, there are jobs–Wal-Mart and McDonalds are always hiring.

    But where are the good jobs–the ones that pay a living wage so you can save up and buy a decent house and take a vacation once a year and live like people in the so-called richest country in the world are supposed to live?

  77. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:02 am | Permalink

    “Since CON economic policies (if one can call letting financiers run ponzi schemes “policy”) got us into this mess, it’s hard to see how it will get us out.”

    Oh, you mean Cons like Frank, Dodd and Kennedy among others? Demanding loans be given to people with no ability to pay it back and then have govern. backed agencies guaranteeing them.
    Oh, you mean Ponzi schemes like social security?
    What a nitwit rewriting history we have with Capn.

  78. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:20 am | Permalink

    Please post which part of the CRA required banks to make loans to people who couldnt pay them back.

  79. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:20 am | Permalink

    cons = governance by meme

  80. Predestined
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:34 am | Permalink

    “Conservative economic policies are going to be the way out of this mess and they know it.”

    Correct me if I’m wrong, Kia, but I suspect you’re talking about REAL conservative economic policies, not the fake ones we’ve been seeing for the past– I’d say 8 years, but even that isn’t accurate, so maybe we should go back to before Reagan.

    It WILL take hard work by everyone, from the President to Congress to the people. Those who choose to sit it out, hoping to reap the benefits, may end up the losers. But then they already are…losers.

  81. Nathaniel
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:36 am | Permalink

    Mary,

    Yeah, Obama is being held accountable. He just appoints people who make “honest” mistakes on their taxes…

    Silly little things like not paying 2 years worth.

    No big deal. I see that all of you are holding him accountable right now.

    Or Attorney Generals who were part of the Mark Rich pardon.

    But hey, I see you holding Obama accountable…
    If holding him accountable means loving him just short of worship status.

  82. Predestined
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:38 am | Permalink

    What I find troubling today is the fact that even with a college degree, where are the jobs?

    They went overseas, just like our manufacturing.

  83. fleettwood
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:43 am | Permalink

    “What I find troubling today is the fact that even with a college degree, where are the jobs?”

    That’s what happens when one Majors in something stupid.

  84. Phantom
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:44 am | Permalink

    Obama wasting time singing executive orders prohibiting torture, Bush has already assured us, We Do Not Torture (reminds me of I Am NOt A CROOK!)

  85. Nathaniel
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:45 am | Permalink

    Well, figuring that we have only used the “torture” method of waterboarding on less than a dozen individuals and have not done so for severl years now…

    Much-ado-about-nothing.

  86. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:47 am | Permalink

    Well at least we know fleetie didnt “Major” in English…

  87. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:49 am | Permalink

    Nathan–

    He was following the advice of his accountant who was supposed to know. US tax law on “overseas income” is very complex.

    ******

    Ksgrrl–

    Thanks for calling Boxie’s bluff. I’m thinking that we won’t get an answer to your question, “which banks were required to issue loans that couldn’t be paid back?”

    BTW, the gov’t program that helped banks issue loans to low-income folks was almost phased out about several years before the housing crisis emerged. Only a miniscule number of houses in foreclosure are related to that program. What little effect it had was to stablize prices.

    *****

    As for Social Security being a ponzi scheme, it’s not and here’s proof–

    1. it hasn’t missed a payment in over 70 years of continuous operation.

    2. it is the only gov’t program in existence that currently brings in more money than it pays out.

    3. its “bankruptcy” was predicted (by people who hate Social Security) in the 50’s to take place in the 70’s, in the 70’s to take place in the late 80’s (Congressman George W. Bush said this himself), in the 90’s to take place in the 20teens . . . you get the picture . . .

  88. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:51 am | Permalink

    Awaiting Moderation.

  89. Nathaniel
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:51 am | Permalink

    CapnAmerica,

    LOL, so our future Treasury Secretary is not a crook, he is just woefully ignorant and follows bad advice.

    Ok?

  90. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:53 am | Permalink

    Worries

  91. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:53 am | Permalink

    Nathan–

    Is that what your religion teaches you?

    That just a little sin is okay?

    “See, Lord, it’s like this. I only supported a little torture and murder. Not wholesale torture and murder. You see the difference of course, don’t you, Lord, being ominiscient and all that?”

    Yes, my son, I do. That’s why you’ll only have to spend eternity in a smaller hell . . .

  92. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:54 am | Permalink

    about MORE Government

  93. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:54 am | Permalink

    Intervention from Ob*ma

  94. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:55 am | Permalink

    Driving Stock Prices LOWER!

  95. CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:58 am | Permalink

    Fleetie blames the victim–

    My neighbor–a computer programmer–had to sell his house and move out his family because his job got outsourced to India.

    I remember in the early 90’s when the computer programming field was on-fire . . .

    That’s the problem. In an eCONomy, the only thing you can count on is that the very rich will get richers.

  96. Nathaniel
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:59 am | Permalink

    CapnAmerica,

    Coming from someone who thinks everyone is going to heaven no matter what they believe, who are you to start talking to me about sin?

    What does it matter?

    Or are you trying to say that there is sin and there are standards to follow?

    And just where would one find those standards at?

  97. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:07 am | Permalink

    market watch DOT com

  98. JimJohnson
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:08 am | Permalink

    Bank stocks may not have bottomed, analysts say
    If U.S. government intervention grows, equity investors may be wiped out

    By Alistair Barr, Market Watch
    Last update: 4:35 p.m. EST Jan. 21, 2009

    SAN FRANCISCO (Market Watch) — Bank stocks may fall further, despite a 40% plunge so far this year, some analysts said Wednesday.

    Concerns focus on the potential for more government intervention in the U.S. banking system in the wake of President Barack Ob*ma’s inauguration on Tuesday. If that happens, equity investors in some large, struggling banks could be severely diluted or even wiped out.

    “It is too early to call a bottom in the bank stocks,” Gerard Cassidy, a bank analyst at RBC Capital Markets, wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday.

    “We believe the government under the leadership of the Ob*ma administration will need to act quickly and provide strong leadership in this banking crisis,” he said. “We expect the new administration to take a decidedly less friendly role toward shareholders. Active government intervention has led and will continue to lead to steep shareholder losses.”

  99. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:16 am | Permalink

    #
    fleettwood
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 10:43 am | Permalink

    “What I find troubling today is the fact that even with a college degree, where are the jobs?”

    That’s what happens when one Majors in something stupid.
    _____________________

    That would be degrees like, English, history and journalism. Then there’s the pseudo sciences like psychology, political science and social sciences. Let’s not forget the LIBERAL arts.

  100. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:22 am | Permalink

    I’m thinking that we won’t get an answer to your question, “which banks were required to issue loans that couldn’t be paid back?”
    _________________________________________________

    Yeah Captain. I’ve asked that multiple times of multiple posters, er, at least multiple nics, and I have yet to get an answer.

    Like I said. They want governance by meme.

  101. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:33 am | Permalink

    is going right to the top–the richest one-tenth of one percent.

    CapnAmerica is really CapnUSSR. Egads! He wants everyone to be paid the same.

    The 7 million dollars a year that we Sed Co residents pay to keep airline tickets low at ICT airport repays us all many times over in increased economic activity.

    Perfect example of the liberal socialist way of thinking by CapnSocialist. See he doesn’t consider that everyone who DOES NOT FLY but paid county taxes DID NOT get helpede and DID NOT come back to any of them. Further, he neglects to post that STATE OF KANSAS paid millions to help those lost souls in Sed Co… Now tell me, how did those in eastern Kansas, who paid for your airport get helped?

    And again instead of a profitable airport which can stand on it’s own – it becomes a social service

    So goes the liberal logic of redistribution of wealth.

  102. American_Way
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:40 am | Permalink

    Yep, 25 million from the State, 6.5 million from the county, a few more dollars from here or there – and they got a study saying it’s increased MILLIONS in new economic activity. A study mind you. Facts?

    Well I don’t see the metropolis of Wichita building any skyscrapers. In fact, the citizens are being asked to subsidize activity downtown for more UNprofitible businesses. I’m sure they have a study too.

    But buying bad businesses and subsidizing those who frequent them, is the SOCIALIST thing to do.

  103. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:41 am | Permalink

    I think, since the cons cant repost which part of CRA requires banks to make loans to people who cant pay them back….

    They should go Stand The Floor Up!

    http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/08/07/i-iz-sorree-4-bein-bad-bad-kitteh-i-can-come-out-of-korner-now-plz-k-thx/

  104. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 11:42 am | Permalink

    Heheheh. “What’s confusing you sir is the nature of my game”.

  105. RFL
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 1:38 pm | Permalink

    Obama takes responsibility seriously. He knows that if his inauguration is going to look like a coronation, he needs to responsibly collect and spend the big bucks. No group better then dependable wall street bailout recipients to step up and do his bidding.

    Obama’s inauguration likely to cost $170 mn

    “The biggest group of donors were none other than the recently bailed-out Wall Street executives and employees, Ritsch said. “The finance sector is well represented, despite its recent troubles. Those who worked in finance still managed to pull together nearly $7 million for the inauguration”

    “Quoting Obama’s advisor, The Washington Post said the inaugural speech will emphasize the themes of responsibility and restoring public confidence.”

    http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/20140724/Obama8217s-inauguration-lik.html?h=E

  106. Predestined
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 2:15 pm | Permalink

    Reasons to be skeptical about Obama’s chances

    That’s what they said about his chances of being elected…

  107. Posted January 22, 2009 at 2:38 pm | Permalink

    Wrong AW, those fliers eat in restaurants, go shopping and otherwise add dollars to our local economy. This is good for all in the community. Supports local jobs AND, importantly, additional tax revenues to pay for our local services.

    It’s not liberal socialist blah blah blah add favorite cliche here. It is good governance.

    The numbers on this are clear.

    We lost a major prestigious employer Pizza Hut, Inc. merely because as we say… “you can’t get there from here.”

  108. RFL
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 2:58 pm | Permalink

    farmgrrl seems to believe that in order for a human being to engage in economic activity, they must be forced to by law.

    However, all that needs to happen is for laws to be set which remove all private risk to see irresponsible lending and borrowing take place. The risk is socialized across all the shareholders in the government which insures the mortgage.

    When government insures a mortgage through its GSE, Fannie Mae, the banks have the confidence to issue that mortgage in accordance to the credit requirements mandated by CRA. Many CRA enforcing agencies make banks prove that they are not discriminating against people when they reject them for a loan.

    Therefore, banks are doubly incentived by the government to issue risky mortgages. First they get profit for the mortgage by selling it off to Fannie Mae, secondly, they are discouraged from rejecting a mortgage application based upon credit for fear of being accused of discrimination.

    “Under the CRA, banks must convince a set of bureaucracies that they are not engaging in discrimination, a charge that the act encourages any CRA-recognized community group to bring forward.”

    http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/18/fannie-freddie-regulation-oped-cx_yb_0718brook.html

    Government creates easy money by lowering interest rates to make it cheaper for banks to lend money. Government insures mortgages made by private banks and rewards banks with profit by selling those securities to investors. Government makes it difficult for banks to deny mortgages due to low credit by the threatening to penalize the bank for discrimination.

    Do you get the common theme here? Government regulation erases responsibility to make sound financial decisions.

    The result severely lowers the incentive to responsibly lend only to those people who have the credit which will reliably pay back the loan. Also there is little incentive to only borrow if you can pay it off since you have little down payment to lose once the credit requrements are relaxed. If you had low credit before a foreclosure, you will have low credit afterwards as well. No skin lost for the low credit borrower.

    Perhaps farmgrrl can explain in her own words how government involvement had nothing to do with the houseing crisis. Perhaps she can explain how government is not responsible for setting interest rates which incentivizes profligate borrowing. Perhaps she can explain how government is not responsible for setting credit standards for the 90% of all mortgages that Fannie Mae insures.

    For more information on Government Sponsored Entity of Fannie Mae and what it is intended to accomplish:
    http://useconomy.about.com/od/governmentagencies/p/FNMA.htm
    “Fannie Mae stimulates the housing market, which comprises 10% of the economy. By doing so, it creates wealth for homeowners who receive greater equity from higherpriced homes. It also allows low and moderate income families to get a financial cushion beneath them, and a higher standard of living, in the form of home ownership.”

  109. Heckler
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:00 pm | Permalink

    …still waiting on my Rainbow Farting Unicorn. Anyboy get theirs yet?

    http://www.threadless.com//product/771/zoom.gif

  110. Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:21 pm | Permalink

    Yeah, thanks for reciting the CON theory chapter and verse.

    Now show how it actually happened.

    It should be easy since banks keep very good financial records.

    Show an example of a bank–any bank–that lost beaucoup dollars by loaning money to people that should not have gotten money because the gov’t forced them to or covered their losses.

    The reason banks were losing money was not gov’t regulation. It was a lack of gov’t regulation on mortgage hedges that were sold as insurance without the oversight they would have gotten as insurance.

    Insurance has to show that it has the capacity to pay out–because it’s regulated. Mortgage hedges, being unregulated, didn’t have to do that.

    So when it turned out that there “was no there, there” . . . i.e., what was sold as “insurance” couldn’t cover the losses . . . the whole house of cards collapsed.

  111. Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:24 pm | Permalink

    Nathan asks are you trying to say that there is sin and there are standards to follow?

    Yes.

    And just where would one find those standards at?

    The word of the Holy Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

    While one might dispute the fine points of the message of Jesus, I’m pretty sure endorsing “torture” and “murder” are not part of it.

  112. Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:27 pm | Permalink

    Limbaugh has gone on record as saying he wants Obama (our Commander-in-Chief) to fail.

    Wow. The hypocrisy of that is just mind-numbing.

    But then, one’s mind would have to be pretty numb to expect Rush-the-Bigot to make sense.

  113. Grateful_Dave
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:35 pm | Permalink

    He He He

    I’ll probably be seeing my Rainbow Farting Unicorn this weekend !!

  114. Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:42 pm | Permalink

    http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=ddp4zq7n_0cdjsr4fn

    Here’s what really caused the housing bubble and mortgage-backed melt-down.

    It’s a slide show using stick figures, so even the CONs can understand it.

  115. Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:57 pm | Permalink

    DonnDumba$$ writes, [Stupid degrees] would be degrees like, English, history and journalism. Then there’s the pseudo sciences like psychology, political science and social sciences. Let’s not forget the LIBERAL arts.

    So DonnDumb is an anti-intellectual? Surprise, surprise, surprise.

  116. StevenEDavis
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:58 pm | Permalink

    “Much-ado-about-nothing.”

    One question: who would Jesus water-board?

    Nathan gets all bent out over sin, but torturing, heh, that’s okay.

  117. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:00 pm | Permalink

    One question: who would Jesus water-board?
    ==============

    Jesus is not a member of the CIA.

    I don’t think he is even a U.S. Citizen.

  118. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:07 pm | Permalink

    CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:57 pm | Permalink

    DonnDumba$$ writes, [Stupid degrees] would be degrees like, English, history and journalism. Then there’s the pseudo sciences like psychology, political science and social sciences. Let’s not forget the LIBERAL arts.

    So DonnDumb is an anti-intellectual?
    =========================================
    This reminds me of one of life’s great object lessons.

    When I worked in research, we had a ton of PhD’s around. One of them was particularly snooty flaunting his education and elite intelligence.

    He was always make some remark to the engineering department about something.

    One day the PhD couldn’t get his car started and came in to ask for help. One of the engineers looked at him and said, “Here’s what you do Doc – Take your slide rule of choice, along with your diploma, lay it on the hood of the car for about an hour. See if that starts it up for you.”

    The whole room burst into laughter and the PhD got the point about displaying an elitist attitude.

    The point is, there are as many aptitudes in subjects are there are subjects. There are absolute brilliant scientists and absolute brilliant mechanics and engineers (farmers, salespersons, etc.)

    Assigning some artificial scale of intelligence elite putting up barriers to human relations is doltish and destructive to society.

  119. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:07 pm | Permalink

    Steven, if you would like to know who Jesus would water-board I suggest you send him an email:

    theJman@yahoo.com

  120. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:08 pm | Permalink

    subjects are there are
    =
    as there are subjects

  121. Phantom
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:10 pm | Permalink

    I must have missed it, when did they revoke the CRA requirement that forced banks to make loans to unqualified people. If it hasn’t been revoked it must be going on to this day!

  122. Phantom
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:11 pm | Permalink

    WWJ waterboard, why anybody that bush told him to.

  123. Phantom
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:13 pm | Permalink

    Nathan thinks that since Jesus subjected himself to torture, it’s good enough for anybody.

  124. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 4:34 pm | Permalink

    #
    CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 3:57 pm | Permalink

    DonnDumba$$ writes, [Stupid degrees] would be degrees like, English, history and journalism. Then there’s the pseudo sciences like psychology, political science and social sciences. Let’s not forget the LIBERAL arts.

    So DonnDumb is an anti-intellectual? Surprise, surprise, surprise.
    _____________________________

    No crapon, I was mentioning those degrees that have a hard time finding a jobs. Maybe that’s because they’re mathematically challenged.

    If you want to call engineers anti-intellectual, then go back to crapping in a hole your cave.

    IQ LEVELS (100 being average)

    140-Top Civil Servants; Professors and Research Scientists.

    130-Physicians and Surgeons; Lawyers; ENGINEERS (Civil and Mechanical)

    120- School Teachers; Pharmacists; Accountants; Nurses; Stenographers; Managers.

    110- Foremen; Clerks; Telephone Operators; Salesmen; Policemen; Electricians.

    100- Machine Operators; Shopkeepers; Butchers; Welders; Sheet Metal Workers.

    100- Warehousemen; Carpenters; Cooks and Bakers; Small Farmers; Truck and Van Drivers.

    90-Laborers; Gardeners; Upholsterers; Farmhands; Miners; Factory Packers and Sorters.

    SOURCE: http://iq-test.learninginfo.org/iq04.htm

  125. Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:12 pm | Permalink

    DonnieBoy–

    It makes sense that you’re so anti-intellectual since you’re also un-intelligent.

    Here’s the jobs most in demand these days:

    Occupations with the Most Job Openings: Graduate Degree

    Occupation Total Job Openings 2006-2016
    *Postsecondary teachers 662,000
    *Lawyers 228,000
    Doctors and surgeons 204,000
    *Clergy 130,000
    Pharmacists 95,000
    *Educational, vocational, and school counselors 84,000
    Physical therapists 68,000
    *Mental health and substance abuse social workers 62,000
    *Rehabilitation counselors 60,000
    *Mental health counselors 50,000

    Occupations with the Most Job Openings: Bachelor’s Degrees

    Occupation Total Job Openings 2006-2016
    *Elementary school teachers, except special education 545,000
    Accountants and auditors 450,000
    *Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education 368,000
    Computer software engineers, applications 300,000
    Computer systems analysts 280,000
    *Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education 217,000
    Network systems and data communications analysts 193,000
    Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents 161,000
    Network and computer systems administrators 154,000
    Construction managers 152,000

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Out of these 20 most-in-demand jobs, I count 10 that require mainly a “liberal arts” education.

  126. Boxlock20
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:14 pm | Permalink

    “Limbaugh has gone on record as saying he wants Obama (our Commander-in-Chief) to fail.
    Wow. The hypocrisy of that is just mind-numbing.”–Capn

    Capn, your stupidity or gullibility, probably both, is what’s “mind-numbing”
    He said he hope the best for Obama if he helps the country like Reagan, but if he takes a socialist direction of course he hopes he fails because it would hurt the country.

  127. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm | Permalink

    Crapn wants to read a story book about ‘Hamlet’ while figuring out how to get his car started. :D

  128. Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm | Permalink

    Reagan doubled the national debt.

    I hope Obama fails at that.

  129. Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:21 pm | Permalink

    “There’s more in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy,” Regular.

    The Renaissance man knows Shakespeare AND basic car mechanics.

    Actually, my cars generally start because I don’t drive old P’sOS.

  130. Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    Oh, and btw, Hamlet is a story-book or rather one of the four great tragedies by the greatest writer in the English Language.

    It doesn’t make sense to “read a story-book” about a play.

    Try to stay coherent, Regular.

  131. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:31 pm | Permalink

    #
    CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    Oh, and btw, Hamlet is a story-book or rather one of the four great tragedies by the greatest writer in the English Language.

    It doesn’t make sense to “read a story-book” about a play.

    Try to stay coherent, Regular.
    ================================
    Yes, I took literature in college. In fact, I got overloaded with Humanities courses. The Tempest was my favorite Shakespeare play.

    They were my easiest classes. Blew any grade curving big time by scoring 100 percent on all of the tests plus getting the bonus questions right.

  132. Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:56 pm | Permalink

    “IQ LEVELS (100 being average)

    140-Top Civil Servants; Professors and Research Scientists.

    130-Physicians and Surgeons; Lawyers; ENGINEERS (Civil and Mechanical)”

    I’m not sure why you capitalized ENGINEERS but I notice that my profession ranked higher.

  133. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:04 pm | Permalink

    Like I’ve said before, I’m a professional engineer.
    I bet it required more than a liberal arts degree.

  134. Predestined
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:12 pm | Permalink

    donndublin,

    Just for the record, would you please explain what IQ is?

  135. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:17 pm | Permalink

    google is your friend

  136. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:18 pm | Permalink

    #
    donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:04 pm | Permalink

    Like I’ve said before, I’m a professional engineer.
    I bet it required more than a liberal arts degree.
    ______________

    correction: I bet your profession required more than a liberal arts degree.

  137. Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:22 pm | Permalink

    dd – and I am a research scientist and have been a professor.

  138. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:29 pm | Permalink

    “Out of these 20 most-in-demand jobs, I count 10 that require mainly a “liberal arts” education.”

    ______________

    But most of those jobs also require a bachelor of science.

  139. Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:31 pm | Permalink

    It’s sort of funny – I went to a ‘tech’ college but we had stiffer liberal arts/humanities requirements than most state colleges.

  140. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:33 pm | Permalink

    Congratulations bth. I can respect you for that.
    I wonder what crapon has to show for his ignorance.

  141. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:34 pm | Permalink

    “Perhaps farmgrrl can explain in her own words how government involvement had nothing to do with the houseing crisis. Perhaps she can explain how government is not responsible for setting interest rates which incentivizes profligate borrowing. Perhaps she can explain how government is not responsible for setting credit standards for the 90% of all mortgages that Fannie Mae insures.

    RFL, are you really that stupid or do you just play one on tv?

    First off, I never said any of those things. Why would I defend something I never said? Nitwit! Those are your words, not mine. Please repost where I said anything remotely like that.

    Second, I still want to see which part of the CRA requires lenders to make loans to people who cant pay them back. ALL PUBLIC BUSINESSES are forbidden to discriminate. That is not unique to CRA. Now, if you are saying “no discrimination” is equal to “forcing banks to make loans to people who cant pay them back” well…

    I’d say you need to button up. Your obvious racism is showing. Because anyone who can PROVE discrimination obviously cant pay the loan back.

    Jesus WEPT! What an effin bigot!

    And if we are playing “show me your degree and I’ll show you mine”… Mine is Cum Laude in Finance with an emphasis in Banking. I’ve also done graduate work in Economics at the Univerity of Oklahoma.

    And you?

    BTW, the crickets are still chirping on any of you to prove that the CRA forced banks to make loans to people who cant pay them back….

  142. donndublin
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:35 pm | Permalink

    #
    CapnAmerica
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm | Permalink

    Reagan doubled the national debt.

    I hope Obama fails at that.
    ______________

    I bet that doesn’t happen.

  143. Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:36 pm | Permalink

    Unfortunately Obama is inheriting record deficits and a depression from Bush. Precisely the opposite of what Bush inherited from Clinton.

  144. Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:38 pm | Permalink

    Hamas does NOT like Obama:

    “DAMASCUS, Syria – President Barack Obama’s position toward the Palestinians does not represent change and will lead to the same mistakes as his predecessor, a Hamas spokesman said Thursday.”

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28798994/

    Gee, according to all the Obama-haters I thought all the far-out groups LOVED Obama!

  145. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:39 pm | Permalink

    Just for bigotbawks, here is what rush said. Transcript available via Google.

    “I think the intent here is to create as many dependent Americans as possible, looking to government as their hope and salvation. If he gets nationalized health care, I mean, it’s over. We’re never going to roll that back. That’s the end of America as we have known it. Because that’s then going to set the stage for everything being government owned, operated or provided.

    Why would I want that to succeed? I don’t believe in that. I know that’s not how this country is going to be great in the future, it’s not what made this country great. So I shamelessly say no, I want him to fail if his agenda is a far-left collectivism, some people say socialism. As a conservative, heartfelt, why would I want socialism to succeed?

    Hannity: You want your country to succeed, and you believe that his views implemented represent a failure, predictable failure. And conservatism would represent predictable success.”

    Heheheh. So only if obama governs like a con, you know, the guy who was soundly defeated, will rush wish him success.

    I predict the repukes will spend the next four years trying to overturn the will of the people.

  146. Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:41 pm | Permalink

    “everything being government owned, operated or provided.”

    Wasn’t it Rush’s hero Bush who nationalized the financial industry?

  147. Posted January 22, 2009 at 6:43 pm | Permalink

    “And conservatism would represent predictable success.”

    Yea – just look at how successful Bush was … at destroying the economy and running up massive debt.

  148. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:00 pm | Permalink

    Psst. Ben….

    They hate it when you point out the facts! They like their version of the truthiness so much better.

    Because, ya know, facts have a liberal bias.

  149. Predestined
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    google is your friend

    I don’t need google to tell me what IQ is. I already know. I’d just like your take on it.

  150. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:18 pm | Permalink

    OH YEAH, Well I have a light blue pocket knife!!

  151. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:19 pm | Permalink

    What is this, a degree pi$$ing match?

  152. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:35 pm | Permalink

    #
    ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:19 pm | Permalink

    What is this, a degree pi$$ing match?
    —————-
    Yeah!

    I can pee over a six foot high fence in a wind storm.

    How about yourself?

  153. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:36 pm | Permalink

    I can pee over a six foot high fence in a wind storm.
    ====================

    I can pee under that fence.

  154. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:38 pm | Permalink

    I don’t know about you Reg, but degree’s do not impress me much. Experience and field knowledge are a better gauge of a person’s ability.

  155. ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:42 pm | Permalink

    That’s all I have to say about that.

  156. Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:46 pm | Permalink

    #
    ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:38 pm | Permalink

    I don’t know about you Reg, but degree’s do not impress me much. Experience and field knowledge are a better gauge of a person’s ability.
    ——————–
    Roger that!

    Some of the most clever and able people I’ve ever met have been at the technician level.

    Degrees get you the theory behind how stuff works, but hands on along with tech training gets you the nuts, bolts and wire practical application.

    Never ask a psychiatrist to tune up your car. I think that’s an old Gypsy proverb or something. :D

  157. donndublin
    Posted January 23, 2009 at 8:20 am | Permalink

    #
    Regular
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:46 pm | Permalink

    #
    ANTI
    Posted January 22, 2009 at 9:38 pm | Permalink

    I don’t know about you Reg, but degree’s do not impress me much. Experience and field knowledge are a better gauge of a person’s ability.
    ——————–
    Roger that!

    Some of the most clever and able people I’ve ever met have been at the technician level.

    Degrees get you the theory behind how stuff works, but hands on along with tech training gets you the nuts, bolts and wire practical application.

    Never ask a psychiatrist to tune up your car. I think that’s an old Gypsy proverb or something. :D
    ________________________

    I agree too guys. That’s why it takes 4 years as an engineer in training (EIT) along with a degree to become a professional. It’s similar for all professions. I learned twice as much in 4 years in training than I did in the 5 years it took me to get the degree.

  158. Monkeyhawk
    Posted January 23, 2009 at 8:57 am | Permalink

    You CONs’ anti-intellectualism is so 19th Century.

    Fact is, all that “theory” you demean was hard-earned by tinkerers such as Thomas Edison.

    He had no idea why there was a difference between Direct Current and Alternating Current. He futzed around (or had his minions do it for him) ’til he “invented” something.

    His instincts were good; even epic. But most of the time Edison had no idea what he was doing.

    I happen to believe the advance of civilization comes from standing on the shoulders of our predecessors. Someone had to figure out exactly what Edison tripped over (that vibration is sound) and figure out how to make CDs and MP3s.

    Someone in the 19th Century (in France, IIRC) came up with a perfect version of a 1950s version of the old UNIVAC computer… pretty much binary, based on on-off logic, etc… except it was mechanical and had to be run with a crank.

    Perhaps you should reconsider the concept:

    “Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.”

    No one in 1866 knew it might not be a good idea to take a toaster into the bathtub with you.

    Somebody learned the consequences.

    It took someone in science to figure out why.

    Now, everyone should realize a Sunbeam Pop-Up Toaster and Mr. Bubble aren’t, in and of themselves, dangerous. But put ‘em together and there’ll be consequences.

    Unless your career as an electrical engineer must first involve throwing a toaster into a bubble-bath, what’s learned in classrooms is essential.

    Yeah, I’ve been there. I got my FCC First Class license by being taught to the test (just like NCLB). And guys who knew full well the way to check the voltage between this resistor and that capacitor was to “put a voltmeter on it!” failed to get “The Ticket.” (That was important in the radio business years ago.)

    And when the transmitter screwed up, I knew to call the guy who had know idea why the transmitter worked (but knew which tube to replace) was the guy to call.

    And I said all that to say this:

    You CONs seem to embrace anti-intellectualism. You voted for George WMD Bush because you thought you could relate better to him than Al Gore or John Kerry.

  159. ANTI
    Posted January 23, 2009 at 9:07 am | Permalink

    Oh I’m sorry, did you say something “Monkeyhawk”?