A reprieve from the hazy, hot and humid days–enjoy, it will be short lived. We need a slow, gentle rain for a day.
Are the Manassas folks going through withdrawl after all the excitement?
129 Thoughts to “Open Thread…………………………………………….Tuesday, July 26”
Comments are closed.
I hope the withdrawal from this excitement is better than the last time we had such goings on at Manassas.
Does he really think that this is more effective than presenting bills to be considered, to change the laws, even by a little bit? what is he thinking? This HAS to be a stunt to get him in tight with his base.
*****
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2011/07/open-borders-far-left-rep-criminal-luis-gutierrez-arrested-again-outside-white-house-video/
On July 26, 2011, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois) was arrested outside of the White House after refusing to move when asked by authorities.
Gutierrez, who sat in front of a sign that read “Stop Separating Our Families” with a line of protesters, refused to leave when asked by the police. Gutierrez was in attendance at a rally urging President Obama to do more to stop the deportation of illegal immigrants.
*****
Also, since he swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the nation, why is he urging President Obama to break the law and forswear himself, as he has?
http://www.civilwar-online.com/2011/07/july-24-1861-davis-returns-to-richmond.html
The Yankee Army fled “like hares” from the brave Southeners.
I agree with Gutierrez. I don’t see where he is urging the Prez to violate the constitution in the least. In fact, it would appear that Gutierrez might have had his constitutional rights violated via the first amendment. Why was he asked to leave? The protest looked peaceful.
I resent the article called him part of the Open Borders crowd. More rhetoric to demean those with whom the right disagrees. I have been called part of the open borders crowd myself. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not want open borders for my country. Yet that doesn’t stop the name calling and assigning of negative traits to me…because I disagree.
I listened real carefully to the video. I am not sure where the urging to break the law fits into this discussion. I didn’t hear it. It would seem to me that the Prez could simply change a lot of the immigration policy by executive order. That isn’t really breaking the law.
Rocket scientist Palin just went on a rant at President Obama for saying that TARP had to be passed and that it was a life or death matter. If it wasn’t passed people would be starving on the streets. Then she informed Greta that we all knew what happened with TARP.
hmmmm…does Sarah Palin realize that TARP was passed during the presidency of George Bush? Only a third of Americans (34%) correctly say the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) was enacted by the Bush administration. Nearly half (47%) incorrectly believe TARP was passed under President Obama. Apparently Sarah Palin is one of them.
I could understand not knowing what year the Gettysburg Address was given but TARP is far too important and too recent to get wrong. Good for George Bush for signing it, btw.
@Moon-howler
As long as you’re still focused on Palin…..that’s good enough for me!
@slowpoke, maybe you ought to direct that statement to Greta Van Susterine which is where I saw her shrieking. Greta did a ratherr indepth interview with her.
However, if you want to think my focus is on her, be my guest. Does that give you a false sense of security?
Does it alarm you that she doesn’t appear to know beans from bullfrogs?
Cargo,
What are you talking about exactly? I agree, wanting to do away with the 14th amendment is NOT supporting the constitution, I love it when we can agree on an issue.
Immigration law is not a part of the constitution Cargo. Non violent protest is a wonderful way to disagree with government in my opinion.
Guiterrez advocates immigration reform, and, I happen to agree with him. Pass the dream act for starters.
Reagan Inherited $908B in debt that grew to $2.6Tr: +186%.
Bush Sr. inherited $2.6Tr in debt that grew to $4.2Tr: +62%.
Clinton inherited $4.2Tr in debt that grew to $5.7Tr: +36%.
GW. Bush inherited $5.7Tr in debt that grew to $10.6Tr: +86%.
Obama inherited $10.6Tr in debt that is now up to $13Tr: +23%.
@Starry, did you make sure Obama got the blame on all those figures? 😈
California “Dream Act” approved for illegal immigrants
By Alex Dobuzinskis | Reuters – Mon, Jul 25, 2011
KERO – Bakersfield 2:17 | 292 views
California Gov. Jerry Brown, right, signs AB 130 Dream Act bill on the back of Assemblyman …
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law on Monday a bill allowing illegal immigrants to receive privately funded scholarships to attend the state’s public colleges and universities.
The bill, dubbed the California Dream Act, passed the state Legislature earlier this month and aims at helping illegal immigrants who earned a diploma after attending at least three years of high school in the state.
http://news.yahoo.com/california-dream-act-approved-illegal-immigrants-013617230.html
This is good.
Interesting figures, aren’t they? Percentage-wise, Republican presidents increased deficits far more than Clinton or Obama have. Repugs used to criticize Democrat for “tax-and-spend” but the Repugs’ mantra is “borrow and spend”.
I see we’re doing a little “mental cardio” this morning! Grunting out “‘dis good!”, “Repugs bad!”. I admit, I’m a real fan of “Cookie-Monster” school of rhetoric.
Just wanting to make sure you can understand, Slowpoke. I broke it down for ya. 😉
I see Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal and Bill Kristol (board member at Koch funded Manhattan Institute) at the Weekly Standard (until recently a News Corpse pub) are supporting the Boehner plan in part because it gives the Repubs the best chance to beat Obama in 2012. What Patriots.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/60016.html
Nice quote by Rep (R-FL) Allen West via Twitter: “Boehner Plan is not a perfect bill. However, the fact Pelosi, Reid and Obama hate it doggone makes it perfect enough”
Third day of bad stock market in a row.
Should I send the 60 tp people a thank you note for being obstructionists?
Oh no, dear, not you.
Makes sense. Pelosi, Obama and Reid are the ultimate reverse barometers for the nation’s health. If they don’t like it, it’s probably the best thing.
Smell that? That’s fear. Sit tight, and remember it’s always the second mouse that gets the cheese.
I have a new article on Huffington Post inspired in large part by some of the lively banter I’ve witnessed on Moonhowlings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/morris-davis/the-skinny-on-partisan-ca_b_909992.html
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59827.html
Scary prediction from a former Republican Congressman.
Mr. Davis — A very good article -thank you.
@Big Dog
My pleasure. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Give him a laptop, a 6 pack of Dogfish Head Ale, and a Huffington Post account and it makes you question whether the internet was really such a good idea after all.
Is this where I ask you what you were wearing, Moe? 😈
In honor of Mr. Davis’ article and substance I think this is appropriate (given our venerable corporate citizens)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6EgY0W6Er8
@Moon-howler
“urging President Obama to do more to stop the deportation of illegal immigrants.”
This would be breaking the law. Illegal Immigrants are supposed to be deported.
There is no law that says that illegal immigrants must be deported. In fact, none can be deported (except right on the border) without a deportation judge ordering it.
@Cargo
Democrats in charge of the House: 1949-1995 and 2007-2010
Democrats in charge of the Senate: 1955-1981, 1987-1995, 2001-2003, and 2007- now…..
The GOP has held a majority in both houses 95-01 and 03-07. That would be a total of 10 years out of the last few DECADES. And Congress controls spending.
Under Clinton, the divided control resulted in serious management.
Under Bush, because the Republicans decided to spend like Democrats, thinking that it would get them re-elected….did not result in serious management.
Of course, the Democrats lied about their future cuts when they made budget deals with Reagan. Kind of like…..now.
@Morris Davis
LOL!
@Moon-howler
Did she blame Obama for PASSING TARP or stating that it was a necessary thing? Because there is debate on that.
Yep….good on GWB for passing it…..and giving power to the people that run the banks that got bailed out……
Most of that money has been paid back. If you talk to anyone who deals with finances (not necessarily banks) they will tell you it had to happen to keep the economy from tanking. The biggest problem was that payrolls couldn’t be met because of frozen credit.
Seriously Cargo, would you prefer to see the country in depression? I would not.
I wrote what she said. She talked like Obama was president telling congress to vote yes for TARP or the world would come to an end.
@marinm
You’ve got to admire a preacher with a sense of humor and the good sense to give his smokin’ hot wife Lisa a shoutout on national television. I’m guessing that decision paid dividends later. And the best part was that Carl Edwards, my favorite driver, won the race and did his patented backflip off the side of the car.
Sorry to break into this exchange, but something has been nagging at me. Now I remember.
Have we lost Pinko? Where is our resident poetess?
I am assuming she didn’t like several statements Elena and I made regarding calling people racists. @Wolverine
We haven’t seen her since. I agree, her presence is missed.
How the Deficit Got This Big
By TERESA TRITCH
Published: July 23, 2011
With President Obama and Republican leaders calling for cutting the
budget by trillions over the next 10 years, it is worth asking how we
got here — from healthy surpluses at the end of the Clinton era, and
the promise of future surpluses, to nine straight years of deficits,
including the $1.3 trillion shortfall in 2010. The answer is largely
the Bush-era tax cuts, war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
recessions.
Despite what antigovernment conservatives say, non-
defense discretionary spending on areas like foreign aid, education
and food safety was not a driving factor in creating the deficits. In
fact, such spending, accounting for only 15 percent of the budget, has
been basically flat as a share of the economy for decades. Cutting it
simply will not fill the deficit hole.
continued here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24sun4.html?_r=1
@Moon-howler
YOU calling people racists?
Hmm, must have missed that.
And no…there’s no snark there. I just don’t see it happening.
No, Neither Elena nor I called anyone a racist. In fact, we frown on doing that on this blog.
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/072011/07282011/641862
“The Tea-Party Hobbits could then return to Middle Earth
having defeated Mordor”
Not impressed with either party, but Obama and the Dems are simply inept,
the Tea Party Republicans are a crazed cult who won’t be happy until they
destroy our economy. Their goal of ruining 401Ks, Social
Security and Medicare is a vile declaration of war on senior citizens —
who the TP’s will learn in 2012 – vote in large numbers.
Big Dog, I pretty much agree with you.
Man, did I take a bad hit yesterday. I will hold a grudge. And it really has been a vile declaration of war. I am tired of my livelihood being cannon fodder for this group of misguided people.
So…when the spending continues, because the Republican bill, such as it is, is dead to the Senate Democrats, and we go with Reid’s (which I recommend because when it all goes to hell, we can blame the Democrats) the debt will continue. We will continue to borrow over 1 trillion per year. And the ratings agencies will down grade us and people will stop lending.
So, when that happens… will you be intellectually honest enough to blame those that actually supported more huge deficits? Or will you blame the increased spending on the Tea Party?
Their goal of ruining 401Ks, Social Security and Medicare – really? So when we run out of money or inflation kicks in….you remember who it was that wanted to stop it. I mean, trying to cut spending by even 1%….crazy, right?
You will need to work harder next election to elect more tea party people. Meanwhile, you don’t have the numbers and it isn’t going to happen. the TP is just holding the other Republicans hostage.
When you aren’t winning the war of public opinion the R’s will want to purge themselves of obstructionists. I have seen it work that way before and I have no indication this time it will be different.
All politicians are an election away from obscurity.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/110727/blaming-obama-the-debt-crisis
“Republicans have their facts wrong” and are pitching them in political commercials?
Noooo — the GOP and Karl Rove pushing self-serving lies? It couldn’t be!
@Big Dog
Tell me it isn’t true. Not Karl Rove!!! That truth monger!
Markets back in free fall mode now. Ker ching ker ching. thanks alot, children!!!
Things ought to be exciting until 4 pm.
Dogfish Head Ale. Man, that has to be a Western North Carolina thing for sure certain. And the adult beverage now being served in the COWP conference room is what again?
I’m looking for a zone of 1270-1295 S&P to get involved, we’re almost there. Under 400K on the unemployment claims this morning, can you imagine how big we would have been up without the DC freak show?
I bought a little vz today. Not much at all. Just a little tiny bit. I needed a fix.
I kinda get the feeling that we are about to kick the can down the road again…. another delay to identify cuts – coming from Boehner himself, the one who has been talking about knowing where to cut since Obama got into office.
So, Boehner must be finding out that it is hard to do the actual cuts when you have to govern instead of just throw rocks.
Vote all the bums out.
Cheer, Pat!!!!!
@Wolverine
Wolverine – It’s actually a north of the Mason-Dixon company located in Delaware. The stuff we brew in WNC you can’t buy (lawfully). Dogfish also has restaurants in the local area that serve a variety of their brews and some good food. I recommend the 60 Minute IPA. Here’s their website: http://www.dogfish.com/
@Pat.Herve
I’ve been saying that about Boehner for a long time. Most of the non-Tea Party politicians in the GOP talk a good game, but they still want to spend money to get re-elected. And its not that hard to make cuts.
How about this? Freeze spending and a 1% cut across the board for the next budget. That small and simple. It’s a start. We have a current “budget” of about $3.2 trillion. So, we find a measly $32 billion to cut from spending. Not future cuts. NOW. Heck, repeal Oba…HCR and we save 100 billion.
And then we do it again next year. By the way, I put “budget” in quotations because the Democrats have not submitted a budget for the last two years. They have failed in their Constitutional duty. Hopefully, the Republican House submits a budget for the 2012 fiscal year.
You know, I just had a thought. President Obama must be thanking his lucky stars that the Tea Party has put up such a fuss this week.
Otherwise, the headlines would be showing the details of Operation Fast and Furious and how the ATF encouraged gun trafficking to Mexico and other agencies are involved, including the State Dept, the FBI, and the DEA. And that an ATF big wig testified that, yes…he did tell the Dept of Justice and the White House all about it.
Bigger than Iran-Contra AND Watergate. And where’s the press? Barely making a sound.
Deflect alert! Deflect alert!
I have seen plenty about Operation Fast and Furious. No one is making it a secret.
I’ve thrown out the word unsustainable a lot regarding federale benefits including military defined pensions but this is an interesting read (and makes ME look like less of a monster)
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/07/military-dod-panel-calls-for-radical-retirement-overhaul-072511/
Key paragraphs for those inclined on speed reading
In a massive change that could affect today’s troops, the plan calls for a corporate-style benefits program that would contribute money to troops’ retirement savings account rather than the promise of a future monthly pension, according to a new proposal from an influential Pentagon advisory board.
“The current system is unfair, unaffordable and inflexible,” said Richard Spencer, a former finance executive and Marine Corps pilot who led the board’s eight-month retirement study.
The far-reaching proposal comes at a time of immense pressure on the military to cut spending and help reduce the national debt. President Obama has talked about cutting $400 billion over the next 12 years, while some proposals gaining support on Capitol Hill would call for cutting more than $800 billion over the same period.
Military retirement costs have soared in recent years because of rising life expectancy. If not contained, they will eventually “undermine future war-fighting capabilities,” Spencer said.
Most private-sector companies contribute 4 percent to 12 percent of base pay into an employee’s retirement savings account. By comparison, the current military retirement benefit, for those who ultimately get it, amounts to a 75 percent contribution each year, the board said.
I think all people on active duty (and active workers in general) might have to put in more of their own contribution to a pension plan. I don’t believe that 401k is ever a good idea for a retirement fund. Where would the baby boomers of America be today if they had just a 401k plan? Oh, that is what happened. While the markets came back, many boomers have found themselves having to work a lot longer than planned because they lost so much during the crash of 2008.
Not all 401k plans are matched or funded by the employer.
I would like to see Congress put themselves in a benefits program that is like everyone else.
http://www.saysuncle.com/2011/07/27/atf-and-guns-in-mexico-19/
Here’s a link for some of that ATF Gun Walker scandal.
@marinm
Well, we’ll see if such a change affects recruitment.
HEY! Know what would save a bunch of money since people are living longer…..no more Congressional pensions. At ALL. And they can buy medical insurance just like us. No more perks. In fact, lets set up an amendment that links their pay to the amount of debt we have as a nation. More debt…less pay. 100% ratio of debt to GDP equals no pay. Or we can link it to deficit spending. I’m sure some boffin could figure out a effective formula.
I bet they’d find cuts pretty damn quick.
@Cargo, would you have proposed that after WWII?
I hope you are kidding.
re :
That was THE chant at the first Tea Party Rally in Richmond. And they chanted it again at the second rally too.
This is more arousing reading than Penthouse Letters:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ICE-Raids-University-of-Northern-Virginia-Offices-126355528.html