LETTERS: NCT, Sept. 21, 2008
By Readers of the North County Times | ∞
Palin insults community organizers
Re: "Palin steps into GOP history," Sept. 4: If Gov. Sarah Palin had given any serious thought as to what she was reading during her convention speech (written by professional speechwriters), she might have realized how offensive her comments were about Sen. Obama's community service.
A Harvard law school graduate, Obama could have easily obtained a lucrative paying position at a prestigious law firm. Instead, he chose to work helping people who had fallen upon hard times. If Palin cannot grasp the importance of helping Americans in need, she doesn't belong anywhere near the White House.
Bunny Landis
Oceanside
Her religious beliefs can affect us
Ordinarily, I pay little attention to the religious or sexual exploits of politicians or their children. However, Sarah Palin is a vice presidential candidate, so I am concerned about her religious beliefs, which can affect our future as Americans.
According to The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 4), Ms. Palin worshipped for more than two decades –– until 2002 –– at a church where many of her parishioners pray in indecipherable sounds or tongues. The minister of this church believes that God put Bush in office, that America is locked in a holy war with terrorists, and that humanity is in its end times, preceding a world-ending cataclysm and the second coming of Jesus. Ms. Palin subsequently joined another church, but "has continued to visit this church for meetings and conferences."
If Ms. Palin were an ordinary citizen, I would dismiss her as a religious nut. But she is potentially one heartbeat from the president. The idea of her hand on the nuclear button in times of political crisis raises ethical questions about her suitability as a VP candidate. It also should be a terrifying thought to any sane American in these troubled times, when candidate McCain says we should "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."
Sorab Ghandhi
Escondido
Sarah Palin's dilemma
Sarah aspires to the office of vice president of the United States. Whoever takes office will represent the entire U.S. Accordingly, the requirements of this office transcend any personal concerns of the person holding that office.
But Sarah has also touted her support of traditional family values. She has an infant son, Trig, a special-needs child, diagnosed with Down syndrome. If she thinks she can provide the nurture Trig needs and provide full service as VP, she is either extremely naive or egotistical beyond measure.
I believe McCain has again shown poor judgment by asking Sarah to undertake the impossible. Speaking of McCain, both he and Sarah intend to continue the anti-science agenda Bush has pursued throughout his administration. During the past eight years, America's lead in science and technology has steadily eroded –– we can only hope not irreparably. We desperately need a science-literate administration to get us back into the forefront again and to prevent our secular government from being replaced by the theocracy espoused by the GOP.
But back to Sarah: At age 44, she chose to bear a child. I believe she should stick with this prior commitment and continue as part-time governor of Alaska.
John Terrell
Fallbrook
Fairness in marriage
Three years ago, I met a wonderful woman. We have most things in common, as many as most couples, and enjoy being together. We plan to be married before the year is over, probably in November. My wife is also great friends with my fiancee, and is excited about the pending union. She says it will take some of the pressure off of her.
My wife has a great job and Ruth, my fiancee, is a terrific housekeeper. I think the three of us will be very happy together. We'd like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to expand the definition of marriage. Soon the days when the government told us whom we could or could not marry will be just an unpleasant memory, an unfortunate phase in the development of our society. God bless a progressive America.
Robert Matthews
Oceanside
Sarah Palin is no feminist
Cheryl Coleman's letter (Sept. 14) wondering why feminists don't support Sarah Palin is so disingenuous that one wonders whether Coleman has read anything about what Palin has actually done and said. The Republican spin has confused Coleman: Palin is no feminist, and to pretend otherwise is preposterous.
"Feminists sought the right for women to choose their own destiny." True, but Palin's anti-abortion stand means no choice for women, even in the case of rape or incest. "They wanted women to be free to pursue a career without being forced into the traditional role of wife and mother." Yes, but by not teaching about methods of contraception other than abstinence, which is a dismal failure, Palin would force women back into those traditional roles.
"They wanted women to be taken seriously in the marketplace of ideas." What about Palin's claim that being the head of the Alaska National Guard, and seeing Russia from her state, gives her the international experience to be vice president? These absurd remarks give Palin negative credibility in the marketplace of ideas.
"They encouraged women to be strong and decisive." Palin's consistent lies about her position on "the bridge to nowhere" and other pet projects aren't decisive, but self-serving.
Susi Torre-Bueno
Vista
No man will speak for women
I am outraged and disgusted with the endless ads on TV for erectile dysfunction. While eating lunch or dinner, I hear, "be ready, may have loss of semen, may have an erection lasting several hours." Ugh! Ugh! ... These ads are all about money, about greed and lust while –– get this –– birth control for women is not covered by insurance companies!
Thirty years ago, when our 15-year-old daughter suffered excruciating pain from menstrual cramps, the only remedy was birth control pills, and Blue Cross would not cover this. Madness. Truly, America has gone mad and there is no man, no man anywhere, who is brave enough to come forward and address this perversion, the cruelty of men toward women. No man to speak for his mother, his sister, his daughter. Instead, he is urged to buy pills for his erectile dysfunction. God help us.
Mary Larkin
San Marcos
Elect Heyneman and Dooley
Fallbrook is fortunate to have qualified residents willing to run for our Fallbrook Community Planning Group. Two outstanding candidates are Jackie Heyneman and Jean Dooley. ...
Jackie founded the Save Our Forest organization, which has planted more than 6,300 trees in Fallbrook. Her knowledge of county government and grant-writing successes have benefited this community immeasurably. Jackie serves on the boards of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and Fallbrook Beautification Alliance. She is a community representative on the Land Use and Design Review sub-committees of the Planning Group, giving her experience into their workings.
Jean has served as a teacher and community volunteer. She is on the board of directors of the Angel Society and Fallbrook Food Pantry. She serves the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance as steward for Pico Promenade. She volunteers with the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and Legacy Foundation. Jean#,s experience and ability to listen to all sides of an issue make her an excellent candidate.
Jackie and Jean understand the issues facing our community. They are committed to working to preserve the rural qualities of Fallbrook. These capable volunteers deserve your vote on Nov. 4.
Jerri Patchett
Fallbrook
Comparisons with Palin in Escondido
With all the excitement about vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, I wonder how many people have drawn the comparison to our very own Escondido City Councilwoman Marie Waldron. I noted some similarities right away.
They are similar in age –– mid-40s. They are both staunch conservatives. They both are pro-life and support the Second Amendment as an individual right. They both have served terms in local government. Councilmember Waldron is a tough fighter for the taxpayers and conservative principles. She and her husband own their own business in downtown and are parents, just like Palin and her husband. She is not a "good old boy" elitist, like so many that the Republican Party has supported for higher office. She is a fresh face with a future in politics.
We are lucky to have her standing for us in Escondido.
Mary McGee
Escondido
Give power back to the people
I agree with Ray Raino's letter of Sept. 10, which advocated supporting the Voters First Act, which, in the upcoming election, would take away the ability of politicians to draw up their own district lines and place that ability in the hands of a commission that is politically balanced.
It should not come as a surprise that many, if not most, politicians are interested in building their power base and tenure at the expense of the needs of the people they have been elected to serve. We, the people, get the government we deserve by paying attention to the issues and voting on them; supporting Proposition 11 will give much of that power back to the people.
Kristie Viveiros
Oceanside
Times getting even tougher
Every third person I know is looking for work. Most are business owners whose sales numbers are down, real estate agents, consultants, Web developers, anyone in marketing and a ton of sales people from the mortgage industry. They say unemployment is around 7 percent. I think it's a lot higher. It doesn't take into account all the people who are self-employed and who are presently underemployed. Or the numbers of industries with lower sales. ...
I hear the grumbles about making ends meet, worry for the future spoken everywhere from the gas stations to the coffee shops, social network media sites, the libraries and the gym that is packed mid-day. I see people temporarily relieving their stress by exercising, only to go back home and surf the jobs boards, or maybe a social networking site or two, or three, or half a dozen that they heard from someone "is good for marketing," but which they discover is frequented by lots of other people doing the very same thing.
And pretty soon all the good that's gained from exercise is evaporated as worry permeates and the question remains –– how are bills going to be paid?
Julie Shapiro
Encinitas
We need more FDA inspectors
In recent years, there have been many outbreaks of illnesses traced to farms and packing plants in Mexico caused by poor sanitary conditions. In 2006, an E. coli outbreak caused three deaths and infected 300 people. Recently, 1,440 people were infected with a rare form of salmonella that was traced to chile peppers from a farm in Mexico and a packing plant in Texas.
Although some farmers voluntarily grow their crops in fenced areas or greenhouses and use clean water from wells, many allow animals to walk through the crops and use water that has sewage in it. ... There are only 625 inspectors who inspect less than 1 percent of produce imports. Only some farms get certification. Distributors receive produce from many farms and many countries, making it hard to trace contaminated foods.
I think that the FDA needs to hire more inspectors. Also, all farmers should be required to be certified, and processing plants should only accept fruit and vegetables from certified sources. This could be done by private companies and the government could hold supermarket chains responsible for the health of their customers. This will stop any future outbreaks of diseases caused by unsanitary conditions. ...
James Nicolas
Carlsbad
These two will ruin our country
As a woman, I am so embarrassed by women in this country thinking that Sarah Palin would be good for this country! Where is your dignity and pride? As basically stated on "ABC News" tonight, she is a holy roller and she doesn't want women to have a choice about their own bodies.
I am used to male politicians saying what they think a woman should do when she has an unwanted pregnancy, but she has betrayed all women! Bless America, because if she and McCain get in, we sure will need it. Speak up, women, for your rights. Don't vote for these two who will continue to ruin our country.
Sue Anderson
Vista
Paper, plastic or politics?
In the editorial "Encinitas' bag ban waste of time, money," Sept. 16, the issue of banning plastic bags was made clear and certain for discerning citizens. Propelled by environmentalists, Councilwoman Houlihan again pushes a rash, ill-advised solution to an insignificant problem, following pseudo-socialist ideals that government can best solve our problems. ... Houlihan was joined with Barth and Bond to study a proposal for more government intervention into our lives.
The NCT's editorial fairly puts the matter in prospective and praises the moderating logic offered by Dalager and Stocks. It might be suggested that instead of more laws, we simply encourage more personal integrity and concern in keeping our area clean. ...
How these issues are considered by council members should be of particular importance as the election approaches; it is clear to me which candidates I would see on the council.
Harry Eiler
Encinitas
Talk truth; shun the hatemongers
Brian Melonakos (Letters, Sept. 13) finds the book "Obamanation," by Jerome Corsi to be "very well-referenced." Brian, appearances can be very deceiving! The Obama campaign issued a 41-page factual (not "hysterical") rebuttal when the book was published.
Dr. Corsi was the co-author of "Unfit for Command," the Swift-Boat hatchet job on Sen. John Kerry four years ago. Dr. Corsi is a frequent guest on "Political Cesspool," a pro-white radio show hosted by ... James Edwards, run by Don Black (KKK and neo-Nazi). Frequent guests include white supremacists like Mark Weber and David Duke. The Southern Poverty Law Center has a big file on Corsi.
Corsi's agenda seems obvious –– it's just not honestly disclosed by him. Before passing judgment, Brian, start from truth not lies!
To Nora La Corte (Letters, Sept. 13), Sen. Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, two years after Hawaii became a state. This means he is a natural-born citizen –– the birth certificate is displayed at FighttheSmears.org. This is an important election –– let's talk the truth and shun the hatemongers!
John McKinley
Vista
Stop this practice
The Sept. 11 North County Times had an article about the city of Encinitas banning single-use plastic bags ("Council wants ordinance to ban plastic bags"). Why does your newspaper enclose our daily paper in a plastic bag? It's not as if it rains here a lot. Please consider abandoning this practice –– we all survived for years without plastic sleeves, and what a waste they are.
Christina Williams
Vista
Statements were unprofessional
We were appalled at the arrogance of the Downtown Business Association representative Debra Rosen in commenting that some of the longtime Escondido businesses in the BID do not belong there anymore.
The article "City's Grand Ave. going upscale," Sept. 15, quotes Ms. Rosen's feelings: "Rosen said adding night life to Grand Avenue will clearly have consequences. 'There will come a day when some of the businesses will feel they don't belong any more,' she said." The only one that doesn't belong is Ms. Rosen.
Many of these mom-and-pop businesses have been here for decades, and obviously are needed by Escondido residents, or they would have gone out of business a long time ago. These statements on behalf of the DBA, which is supposed to represent all the businesses downtown, are offensive and unprofessional.
Michael and Loretta Freeman
Escondido
No joy of learning in our schools today
It was interesting to see two diametrically opposed headlines on the subject of high school exit-exam passing rates in the Sept. 10 issues of the North County Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Improvement seen in exit exam scores," read the NC Times headline, while the U-T headline stated, "School exit exam success down." As it turns out, one article focused on results in North County, while the other newspaper referenced statewide performance numbers. More important, both newspapers missed the bigger issue.
Yes, it's sad that almost 10 percent of 2007-08 California high school seniors did not pass the English and math exit exams as of May. What's more unfortunate is that no one is talking about the inability of schools to instill the joy of learning in students, to engage them in the process of learning and to motivate them to become lifelong learners. The good news is that it is possible to create a dynamic, joyful learning environment in schools today –– even in those schools with historically high drop-out rates. I know of many schools across the country where students, teachers and administrators are all working toward this common goal.
Bobbi DePorter
Oceanside
The rising cost of everything
Are you kidding? Two dollars a month for the weekly TV guide? What's next, another dollar to get the comics? Two dollars more for the Preview, 50 cents for the crossword puzzle, 25 cents for the plastic bag and so on, ad infinitum.
I don't suppose there is any charge to read the ads. How much does it cost to cancel a subscription?
Hank Maron
San Marcos
Editor's Note: Beginning in October, the TV book will be available in all copies of the North County Times sold at newstands or by special order for home delivery. To order, call: (760) 740-5456.
Sanchez is for the people
When we go to the polls on Nov. 4, let us not forget another candidate who is running for re-election. This person has been in the trenches alongside Oceanside residents, attending late-night meetings, listening and fighting for the good of the community. I can speak firsthand, because this council member was there for me and my family. Thank you for your hard work. Re-elect Esther Sanchez for Oceanside City Council.
Ellen Austin
Oceanside
Liberal trash talk helps Republicans
Hey liberals, please keep up your disgusting, vile, low-class trash talk against Sarah Palin because the more you donkeys hee-haw, the bigger the elephant grows! NObama for this mama.
Cynthia DeMaria
Encinitas
Tossing flowers was insensitive
Sept. 11, as I was watching the candidates visiting ground zero, I was appalled at the insensitivity of Sen. Barack Obama tossing the flowers into the reflecting pool. I feel it was much more respectful the way Sen. John McCain laid his flowers. Yet your newspaper stated under the picture on the Sept. 12 front page that both senators tossed flowers at ground zero. I would be interested to know if others were bothered by this.
C. Dale Barkley
Oceanside
An insult to Americans' intelligence
Like most Americans, when applying for a new job, I have been asked to answer questions from my prospective employers. Depending upon the type of job, from pizza flipper to corporate director, the depth of inquiry into my qualifications was always dependent upon the level of job experience and fit within the company.
In the course of this presidential race, I find it unbelievable, in a democratic society, that the Republicans and their candidates can decide when or where it is right to be questioned by the American people, those who decide whether the candidates are fit for the job. In our best embodiment of democracy, the people are the bosses.
The McCain/Palin campaign has said that Sarah Palin will not answer questions about her candidacy unless it is on the terms and conditions that the Republican campaign decides. I wish that I had job interviews where I got to talk to my potential bosses on my terms. Not that I have anything to be worried about –– unlike the McCain campaign, which has completely distorted the truth about their previous policies and claims. This behavior is a complete insult to the American people.
James Glass
Cardiff
Let me get this straight
OK, let me get this straight. Because Sarah Palin didn't boot her pregnant daughter out the door into the snow or insist that she abort her baby, and because Sarah herself refused to abort her unborn Down syndrome baby when she found out that was what she was carrying, the biased liberal media's conclusion is that Sarah isn't fit to be a candidate for vice president. After all, those things are anathema to the general left-wing population. And who knows just how far Sarah will go with her right-wing Christian way of life? Watch out, America!
Joanne Stodghill
Vista
Re-regulate the financial markets
Today Sen. John McCain is making a ridiculous proposal: Appoint a Sept. 11-type of commission to study what has led to the meltdown of the nation's financial market. If Sen. McCain wants to know what happened (and he seems clueless on the economy), all he has to do is turn to his No. 1 financial adviser, former Sen. Phill Gramm. He's the one who called us a "nation of whiners."
Sen. Gramm was also the leader of the Republican "let's deregulate the stock market" movement years ago. I well remember the rhetoric about taking the handcuffs off Wall Street so we could all get rich together. The current catastrophe shows what happens when rich, powerful people with unbridled greed are in charge of the nation's finances.
What is desperately needed now is to re-regulate the financial markets. Hiring the fox to guard the chicken coop is always a bad idea.
Steve Goetsch
Solana Beach
Plastic bag issue is important
Shame on the North County Times for criticizing the efforts of the constituents of Encinitas for their responsible, forward-thinking efforts to ban plastic bags ("Encinitas' bag ban waste of time, money," Editorial, Sept. 16). The government should address the issues that are important to its constituents.
One does not need to wonder for too long why the North County Times, which delivers its newspapers in plastic bags, would be opposed to this measure. Shoppers need the nudge to stop the plastic. Our planet is littered with plastic bags and our wildlife is dying from it. So, yes, this issue is important.
Sue Castle
Carlsbad
Vote on the issues, not personalities
Barack Obama proposes change in the war, in health care, in energy independence and renewable fuels, in stem cell research, in redistributing money to the middle class (and reducing the tax breaks for the rich), in choice, in working with the rest of the world, both our allies and our enemies and regaining our standing in the world.
John McCain does not propose change in these areas. Both men are honorable; they have different approaches to solving problems. I wish we could just focus on these differences and let people decide which sounds best to them.
Barack Obama represents positive change from the last, horrible eight years. Vote Obama!
Nancy Donoghue
Del Mar
Oceanside Blvd. doesn't run along the river
In the Sept. 8 "Roses and Raspberries" section, I read that the Sprinter riders have an obstructed view of the river. Oceanside Boulevard does not run along the San Luis Rey River. It has been more than 100 years since train passengers have seen the SLR's shores. Highway 76 and North River Road border it. Check your map.
Mary Puckett
Oceanside
Mayoral run being used as stepping stone?
Oceanside residents have questioned why Councilman Rocky Chavez is running against incumbent Mayor Jim Wood. Each council member has one vote, so what could be the advantage?
The answer was discovered in an old North County Times newspaper, dated May 24, 2007. The headline is, "Chavez has fundraiser in San Diego." The article quotes Chavez pondering a run for the State Assembly or county supervisor. In response to a question, Chavez is quoted as saying, "I am definitely not running for mayor in 2008." Read it for yourself. Do you think he might be using Oceanside as a stepping stone? Puzzle solved.
Deana Martin
Oceanside
Albertsons employee was a ray of sunshine
It is with great sorrow that my husband and I read Meg O'Neill's obituary in the Sept. 10 paper. We have missed her presence at the check-out counter in Albertsons for many months. We knew she was ill, but prayed that she would recover enough to get back in our lives again.
Meg was a wonderful combination of a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air. We always tried to get in her line at the check-out, even if it was the longest line, because I'm sure we had lots of company vying for her attention. She exuded happiness with everyone. How lucky we feel to have known her. We are praying for Scott and daughters Katie and Keely.
Don and Ellie Lant
Oceanside
Activists don't understand what illegal means
It doesn't matter who you are. If you are stopped at a checkpoint and don't have a license or insurance and car registration, your car should be impounded. Bill Flores and his group of activists don't understand what illegal means. Obey the law or take a bus, ride a bike or walk because the same law applies to everyone who drives a car. ...
Re: "Six candidates return papers for council race," Aug. 9: Richard Barron said that he and Olga Diaz Griffin are endorsing each other to "make (Mayor) Lori Pfeiler's job a heck of a lot easier." What did he mean? Are all three against the sweeps and checkpoints? ...
For the Obama Kool-Aid drinkers: Check out the Investors Business Daily for the article posted Sept. 4. Obama's grades didn't get him into Harvard –– it was Al Monsour, also known as Donald Warden, a social activist at UC Berkeley and a mentor of the Black Panther party. Al Monsour sponsored and financed Obama's education. Obama was a founding member of the Board of Public Allies in 1992. Its mission was to radicalize American youth and bring social change. These tactics were used by Saul Alinsky. Sounds Orwellian to me! Why have the news media ignored this information?
Helen Gallardo
Escondido
Time to let Democrats run country
Ronald Reagan's words: "Ask yourself, am I better off today than eight years ago?" Since 2001, unemployment went from 4.6 percent to 6.1 percent and will hit 7 percent soon. Three years of Clinton surpluses and economic growth went to seven years of deficits. Twenty-two million job creations under Clinton went to only 5 million under Bush. National debt went from $5 trillion to $10 trillion. That will haunt your children and your grandchildren for decades. Gasoline went from $2 to almost $5. The dollar is at the lowest point in history. An elective war costs $10 billion per month, and bin Laden is still free. Our military is the weakest it has ever been. Uninsured health figures went from 29 million to 48 million. The failure of almost a dozen of the most respected investment banks and insurance institutions has critically damaged 75 million pensions.
Republicans and McCain and Palin continue to repeat that the economy is healthy, and Graham, his chief economic adviser, advises that Americans are whining. Can there be any doubt? Now it's time to let the Dems run the country for a while.
Jerry Sarnataro
Fallbrook
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John wrote on Sep 21, 2008 12:58 AM:Democrats have been running this country for the past two years in Congress. And at this critical time in history they are on vacation and have only 14 days scheduled the rest of the years. Congress has oversight.
Chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 3:44 AM:<<Palin insults community organizers<<<
Insults?? I thinks she was merely pointing out that someone hand picked by the Chicago political machine who was very good at stapling flyers to telephone polls, isn't more qualified than someone who was a mayor and governor.
I do take this deduction wrote on Sep 21, 2008 4:55 AM:I’m not sure exactly who Robert Matthews is trying to offend with his cleverly written sarcastic letter. I really wouldn’t care who or how many people he might marry.
The only real difference between a guy marrying one woman or a guy marrying a man or a guy marrying two women or a guy just living with a woman or a man or two women is how many boxes he gets to check on his 1040.
I read it somewhere wrote on Sep 21, 2008 5:35 AM:I did check out Investor’s Business Daily and the “article” Helen Gallardo refers to. It was and is an opinion piece, not a news article. But I suppose if she referred us to an “article” she read on Rush’s website she knows we’d just laugh.
She copies quite liberally from the writer’s opinion including the Saul Alinsky and Orwellian references. We already have one cut and paste artist masquerading opinion as fact. We don’t need another.
Similarly repulsive wrote on Sep 21, 2008 5:54 AM:Not being from Escondido but as an outsider looking in I’d have to imagine many there see similarities between Palin and Waldron as does Mary McGee.
Both are Agents of Intolerance. Some, like Mary, find that acceptable and appealing. Others do not. The coming election will tell.
Waldron and her cohorts on the council have made Escondido a laughingstock. As for her being a tough fighter for taxpayers, how about the money wasted defending the clearly unconstitutional city ordinances?
120 days and counting wrote on Sep 21, 2008 6:19 AM:I'll admit Cynthia DeMaria and the GOP had a good week. Two weeks ago. I guess it didn’t take.
For most Americans, the Republican brand might as well have a Made in China label attached to it.
Liberals don’t need to hee-haw because the more McCain and Palin speak the more the elephant’s nose grows. And we all know what’s left to sweep up after the elephants when the circus leaves town.
Vista Granny wrote on Sep 21, 2008 7:30 AM:Good Morning! I see Republicans are praising Sarah this morning. And Cynthia de Maria thinks the truth is trash talk. Actually, Sarah's personal life may be wonderful, but the fact is not everyone believes the way she does. And they don't want to be converted! As for her choosing to have a baby with Down's Syndrome - many staunch liberals have done the same. That is definitely a PERSONAL choice. It is Sarah that made a big deal out of it -- and the Republicans act like she's a saint for it.
Then, there's the plastic bag issue. Plastic bags are a menace to wild life, including birds, reptiles, mammals and fish. It is a fact that millions of plastic bags, bottles, diaper covers, shoes, glasses, cups, auto parts and God knows what else are caught in a giant whirlpool of filth in the Pacific Ocean. It is a fact that seals and many fish swallow plastic bags thinking they might be food -- and die for it. Is it a fact that the plastic bags from grocery stores are the worst offenders. It is a fact that they last forever. It is not something to joke about.
Incidentally, where are those letter writers who laud the "free markets", etc. because "business men" can do a better job of protecting our future without regulation -- the keep the government out of our lives crowd? Seems big daddy had to step in to save that group doesn't it? Of course they can't let all the banks collapse, because that's where most people keep their savings and every day cash. But the stock market and investment firms and real estate moguls should be allowed to sink in their own cesspool.
Alf wrote on Sep 21, 2008 7:59 AM:The letter from Sorab Ghandhi covers but one of the reasons not to vote for McGWB/Palin.
Or is that Palin/McGWB?
"Alleged" Abuse of power is another.
"Overstated" experience is another -
The Governor of Alaska is a Governor of a state with a population that is only slightly higher than HALF the population of San Diego.
"Allegedly" Using a personal email account to conduct government business, supposedly to keep less than above-board communications from being made public, is another.
A stated goal of "staying the course", of GWB, if not attacking MORE countries is another.
Personal attack?
NO.
Attacking the qualifications, honesty, integrity and motives of a Vice Presidential candidate who is "a heartbeat away" from being President?
Absolutely.
Regards, Alf.
Alf wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:10 AM:Good morning "Vista Granny" at 7:30AM!
A few months ago we got some Chicobags, when not in use they stuff back into a pouch made into them.
Yup, deregulation is an experiment that has definitely succeeded -
succeeded in proving that it does not work. Again!
A teaser -
Who had the license plate "A1 AN A2"?
Hint - He may be before your time.
Have a "wunnerful" day!
Regards, Alf.
Chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:13 AM:Granny shows her ignorance of the consequences when 10-15 million people who shook hands and put their signature to a mortgage loan, and then packed up and headed out of Dodge when the going got tough, leaving the banks to gave them the money to buy the home. Think of the mutual funds, pension accouts and 401-K's that are collapsing because of them. Think of the collapsing dollar because of them. Tens of thousands of banks would have close their doors, leaving their depositors high and dry, and now those same pukes, decry the government from trying to calm the markets. And whats worse, the filth that headed for the hills are the ones complaining loudest about the infusion of cash into the markets. Murtha put a hundred Marines in body chains for doing their job, but no one is putting him or Barney Fwank in chains for not doing theirs
Knowledge wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:18 AM:QUOTE:"The good news is that it is possible to create a dynamic, joyful learning environment in schools today �“�“ even in those schools with historically high drop-out rates. I know of many schools across the country where students, teachers and administrators are all working toward this common goal."ENDQUOTE
Strongly believe the PARENTS also need to be involved. And to create the dynamic environment, need to start from Kindergarten.
Do the parents care?
Do they have books at home and read to their children?
Do they have books at home that the children can read by themselves?
Knowledge, math, science, spelling, etc. are in our everyday life from K to college and beyond.
Chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:21 AM:Because Hussein refuses to drill, the air ticket to get to Munich for the Octoberfest were too pricey for me. I'll have to attend the street Octoberfest in Encinitas today. El Camino Real, 1/4 mile north of Encinitas Blvd.
Last time I was there a few German punks were hassling us because we didn't speak the Fatherlands language. I couldn't resist responding to the punks that "Why do these buildings have 14th century architecture at the lower levels and 1940's& 1950's at the upper levels?"
Ron wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:36 AM:Poor Charlie....
Poor, poor Charlie Rangel...
Poor, poor, poor... Democrat Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways & Means committee...
He was caught & forced to write six checks for $10,800 in back taxes to cover taxes due back in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Poor, poor Charlie...
The amended returns all related to the unreported rental income, for a beach house in the Dominican Republic; three rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, including one for a campaign office; and he used his congressional stationery to drum up private donations for a college center to be named after him.
Poor, poor Charlie...
His federal tab ended up being $4,803, while his State tab totaled $6,022.
He did not pay penalties and interest in those payments, as would any other regular American.
Poor, Poor Charlie....
In a open letter to New Yorkers, Poor, poor Charlie wrote: he had done nothing dishonorable and is the target of a GOP "guerrilla war." "My record in the Ways and Means Committee and 38 years in Congress is unassailable, so they've pried into my private life and used insinuation and half-truths to write stories that sell papers."
poor, poor Charlie...
"I've never violated the public trust, so I'm not worried." If the IRS chooses to impose them {back taxes}, of course I'll readily pay them.
Yes, yes you will.. poor, poor Charlie.
He didn't pay taxes on his rental income, then tried to assure constituents he did nothing to shame his office.
A House ethics committee plans to investigate, and Republicans have called for Rangel to be removed from chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.
Poor, poor Charlie....
After private meetings with House Democratic leaders earlier this week, Rangel was able to keep the post.
Good, good for Charlie....
Obviously, the moral of the story is:
Good news for Democrat Charlie Rangel will be bad news for regular Americans caught not paying taxes on their rental income. i.e. orange jumpsuits.
Most Ethical Congress in History, as promised by Speaker Nancy Pelosi?
NOT... Lose your post? NOT....
Alf wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:36 AM:Well, "Chuck" at 8:21AM,
on my way to Home Despot at 7:15AM, I saw the "Event Parking" signs pointing to the Target/Office Despot parking lot.
I shan't be going, I don't want to be tempted.
Enjoy the festivities for me!
Trougar!
Regards, Alf.
Chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:48 AM:>>The good news is that it is possible to create a dynamic, joyful learning environment in schools today>> I'm all for a joyful environment, providing the kiddies are learning reading, writing, arithmetic, history, speling and ciense. I'm not big on them spending the whole day on diversity, their rights under SB777 and how to put a condom on a cucumber
Ron wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:48 AM:Having to clean-up a little business from yesterday...
My good buddy, "TROOPERGATE SOCIALIST" @12:46 PM, aka: LiberalJim...
Says: "Ron at 12:12 p.m. tries to trivialize Troopergate by dismissing it with the simplistic, "She's the guy's boss. Boss's hire & fire, that's what they do."
If my good friend had really read my post, he'd have understood exactly what my position was on this so-called "troopergate" nonsense.
I quote myself: "Ron" (Sept20}@12:12 PM:
I honestly do not know what you think your gaining by staying on this so-called troopergate story...
"VOR" @11:25 AM. I mean.. use your brain here just a sec...
Well.. then again, let me explain to you, ok?
She's the guy's boss. Boss's hire & fire, that's what they do.
{now, pay attention libjim, here's where it gets really good}
and two...
If it were me? I'd have fired the guy as soon as I figuired out he was endangering the public safety by allowing this nutter cop still loose on the beat. I'd have personally been willing to put up with all the union political nonsense to take a guy off the street who tazered a 10-year old kid. Not to mention his confirmed drinking while on duty, his abuse of his former wife, and his threats on her father. I'd have fired that public safety officer in a hot second, as soon as he wouldn't do his job in protecting the public safety. Which, is his job.
Now, whomever I will be responding to today, VOR, Republican Socialist, or LibJim.. keep in mind, I have fairly well thought out, and complex points to be made, so it will require that you read my posts in their entirity. And not do, what is your normal pratise of skipping, scrolling or (-)'ing. OK?
Clearer now?
chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:51 AM:>>I shan't be going, I don't want to be tempted.Enjoy the festivities for me!>
No, its more down by the Vons, near Manny, Moe & Jacks.
And dont be a panty waist, a couple brats and a few beers never killed anyone. And for liberals, I'm sure they'll have glasses of Shirraz.
Spreken ze Deutch wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:53 AM:<<...because we didn't speak the Fatherlands language.<<
Hassling someone because they don't speak the language of the country they're in. I wonder where they got that idea from?
Maybe they have German-only laws there.
Apollo wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:54 AM:Re: John (12:58 a.m.)
As usual, desperate conservatives can only try to score points by misstating facts.
The Democrats have not been running this country for the past two years.
They do not control the presidency.
They do not have a veto-proof majority in either house.
They have a clear legislative majority (not veto-proof, though) in the House, but they do not have a majority in the Senate. They have 49 members, but only control committees because 2 independents agreed to support them for that purpose. In the Senate you need 60 votes to override a filibuster and 67 to override a presidential veto. The Democrats are far from either.
Even if they did, it would be too short a time to overcome 8 years of dictatorial Republican domination.
Chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:55 AM:Now that Rangle (the head of the tax committee) has been caught with his pants down, will Rep Jefferson at least pay the tax on his refigerated bribe $$$. I hear it patriotic to pay your more taxes now
To Dale wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:02 AM:You're kidding, right?
Country First wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:03 AM:McCain/Palin "... intend to continue the anti-science agenda Bush has pursued throughout his administration. During the past eight years, America's lead in science and technology has steadily eroded. ... We desperately need a science-literate administration to get us back into the forefront again and to prevent our secular government from being replaced by the theocracy espoused by the GOP."
Bush-McCain-Palin stand for the dumbing down of American. It is easier to lead the dumb than those that are educated.
To Ms. Palin: our Founding Fathers came to America to escape the Church of England.
To Bush-McCain: the depression happened on your watch.
Now: We will need a lot of folks involved in Community Service during this depression. Except for the very rich, we are all in trouble. No one to bail us out. We have to bail those rich big business folks that made the wrong decisions.
Having a Harvard law school graduate as President helping the nation (including the almost vanishing middle class) is more important than ever.
Country First.
Vote for the energetic Harvard Graduate.
Three D wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:04 AM:Kudos to the excellent letter from Robert Matthews in defense of true, Bible-based traditional marriage.
As he speaks out in favor of the right to support FLDS-style polygamy, he joins the Bible writers who made that the traditional standard throughout most civilizations in Asia, Africa, India, Ancient America and, of course, the early Hebrews, where it was enshrined with honor in the Law of Moses.
In fact, polygamous marriage remains the honored standard in much of the world today!
Sadly, though, the "expanded definition of marriage" was merely a Constitutional technicality, and only applied to mandated discrimination based on gender, which is in the California Constitution, not number, which is not.
But hang in there, Robert! Keep fighting to restore the definition of marriage to the traditional, Bible-based standard of the union of one man with multiple underage prepubescent females of the same ethnic tribe, in an arranged marriage, maintaining "dominion" over these wives in the same way as his herds, flocks and other livestock.
Blessings,
3D
TFB wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:16 AM:Excellent letter by Mary Larkin.
Women are tired of everything being done by men, for men, without parity for women.
Earlier this year, high-achieving female business leader Carly Fiorina (former CEO of Hewlett-Packard) made this very point. Unfortunately for the candidate she was representing (McCain), she didn't realize he was one of the men who would never speak for women; McCain had voted against the very parity that Fiorina was so outraged in her demand to attain.
When a reporter asked McCain about the discrepancy between Fiorina's impassioned plea and his own record of voting against it, he went into a silent meltdown, with a long silence of hems and haws and a contorted, anguished facial expression in one of the most awkward public moments of any campaign in history (even worse than old man Dole - a mere kid compared to McCain - falling off the stage).
Finally, all McCain could do was say that his staff would get back to them, which of course they never did (why isn't Obama running an ad with this revealing moment, over and over?)
After a few more outbursts of unscripted honesty, Fiorina was removed as a McCain spokesperson.
Certainly McCain will not speak for women.
And now, he will make sure that even women will not speak for women, as Fiorina is relegated to the silence of the sidelines.
The ugly American wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:18 AM:Chuck, I can't imagine it was something you might've said that offended the Germans in the first place.
Redistricting Fairness wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:24 AM:I agree with letter-writer Kristie Viveiros that we need fair redistricting and that Prop 11 would be an improvement over the present system.
I also agreed that changing our state's allocation of electoral votes, to the same formula used by only two other states, Maine and Nebraska, would also improve the electoral granularity and bring us much closer to direct election.
However, I oppose Prop 11 and I opposed the naked power grab attempt by Republicans to change the basis on which electoral votes are assigned.
Inconsistent?
Not at all. The Republicans champion "reform" only in states with Democratic majorities.
If these reforms were applied nationwide, in both Red and Blue states, they would be real reform. But Republicans obstruct real, standardized reform. They want the Democrats to adhere to a pristine standard of ethics while they run roughsod over any semblance of fairness or true democracy.
Ron wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:25 AM:Not so much of cleaning up, as I have to do with the Lib posters, but more like amplifying "sdraoul" {Sep20}
@1:32 PM post from yesterday.
But Raoul is right, whenever you think of Citibank.. think Robert Rubin, Clinton's Sec of Treasury. You remember him, right? He's the guy who's Treasury numbers showing Bill Clinton' national debt going up each & every year, even though Clinton's OMB office showed a "balanced budget." I've always questioned this differential between the two, Treasury & OMB...
And now, I know why...
Franklin Delano Raines, Clinton's former OMB director.
As it turns out, FDR II {franklin delano raines} worked for a company Lazard, who it seems their speciality was "securitizing mortgages." In short, for the economically challenged, and those who attended public school, it meant bundling your mortgage loan, with other's, creating a bond, and selling it.
AND THIS PART IS KEY TO UNDERSTANDING WHY WE ARE HERE, so pay attention...
I'm educating you now!
Franklin Delano Raines, with Bob Rubin's help began doing this at Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac BEFORE the repeal of Glass-Steagall by Gramm-Leach-Bliley.
In 1991 Raines became Fannie's Mae's Vice Chairman, a post he held until
1996. He left Fannie to become Clinton's OMB Director, where he served until 1998. By 1999, he then returned to Fannie Mae as it's CEO.
By 2004, Raines was forced into
"early retirement" because the SEC
investigators had found accounting irregularities at Fannie.
Now, think about this folks...
Here is Raines, he is the eye of this hurricane, securitizing loans for Lazard, his speciality. Moving over to Fannie, then over to OMB, and back over to Fannie. Fannie get's into big, big trouble after this guy goes in. What did Fannie do to get itself into trouble? They "securitized loans", Raines particular speciality at Lazard.
Bob Rubin, Clinton's former Tres. Sec. pushed for this, once leaving government and then working...
for Citicorp. The supermerger between Travelers Group and Citicorp was facilitated by the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act by Gramm-Leach-Bliley.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley only days before Rubin's resignation. Consolidation of investment, commercial banking, and insurance services as practiced by Citigroup under the direction of Rubin, is the eye of the hurricane in the subprime mortgage meltdown.
Still think those surplus numbers at OMB under the Raines helm are any good?
This thing stinks, stinks like Franklin Delano Raines. And I've said so...
from the gate.
Property Taxes wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:27 AM:Ron at 8:36 a.m. seems to think that missing a property tax payment on a rental property disqualifies one from public office.
Does that also apply to missing a property tax payment on one of your own eight residences (not even a rental income property), such as John McCain's beachfront luxury condo in La Jolla?
A simple yes or not will do, Ron, not another 12-page cut and paste.
Karl wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:32 AM:Similarly repulsive @ 5:54 AM:
I could be wrong but I believe that it is "ordinance" as in one not "ordinances. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Player wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:34 AM:Alf
[-] wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:10 AM: Lowrance Welk. Now go away.
FDA Inspectors wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:36 AM:We need MORE of those pesky FDA inspectors?
James Nicolas (letter) must be one of those commie pinko socialists who want to regulate everything.
Don't tie the hands of the free market!
So what if people are dying because agricultural and medical products don't get inspected?
Profits at big corporate agribusiness and big pharma are up, up, up and that is what counts!
Nine Eleven Memoriam wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:41 AM:Really? C. Dale Barkley (letter) wants to politicize memorials of 9/11?
Are the McCain supporters really going to stoop this low?
sdraoul wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:43 AM:VOR says he and the Obamanuts aren't talking “talking points” then says the GOP is a bunch of stupid people.
Did you hear the one about Obama not putting Hillary Clinton on his ticket? That's the definition of stupid, VOR, truly, really stupid.
Then he reminds us that he is black when we now know that 30% of Democrats and Independent use vulgar negative words to discuss blacks. That's stupid.
Then -- Bunny, Bunny, Bunny -- you are so wrong. Obama did not graduate from Harvard Law then hit the streets as a "community organizer."
He attended LA's Occidental College, transferred to Columbia and graduated from there and went to Chicago to take a #13,000 a year job with a notorious left-wing, some people say communist, organization founded by radical Saul Alinsky.
Then after working there for several years, he went to Harvard from where he graduated then joined a Chicago Law firm where he worked in Small Claims.
Please don't try to change his history by bending the truth so badly that it is laughable.
Karl wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:58 AM:Regretfully Nine Eleven Memoriam @ 9:41 AM this is what this race has become and the Obama supporters are right there with him. I thought the letter you refer to was absolutely scraping the bottom but I'm sure someone will top it.
Campaign for Liberty for real change my friends.
Peace
Ron wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:04 AM:Still cleaning-up from yesterday...
Now, "gracchus" {Sep20} @2:05 PM,
Your not grasping this whole scenario which at it's heart is the fault of an over-reaching, over-promising, under-funding, and socialistic government programs which all started under FDR in 1933. That's where you need to begin your search to get a grasp of why we are, where we are today. Unless you understand the full sweep of this, you'll not be able to see it for what it truly is.
That being said....
The $54 trillion I'm talking about is as real as any other debt we face. Do you honestly think, or believe, that once the Boomers start retiring (which, they already are retiring) that once they get in line to do the collecting, the government is not going to have to step up? And pay these people who have paid 12.4% of their entire life's wage into? Of course, they will have to pay!
Now, where you go wrong is thinking this huge payment is way, way off somewhere in the future. It's not.
It's right on our doorstep. As I said, the Boomers have already begun to retire, and they are consuming these funds as we speak.
And the reason I gave you that little accounting exercise was to give you some insight as to how we accrue, that means save, for up-coming liabilities.
I gave you the idea of saving for your rent/mortgage. Everyday you operate, you must set aside money to go towards your rent/mortgage. To wait until it's rent day, is just plain foolish.
But that, apparently, is what our government is doing, they will wait until we have another crisis, then act.
That IS NOT the way to do business.
I have read many different writers about this, but I have settled on just this one question. Let me explain.
We know we will have a doubling of everything, in Social Security payouts, in MediCare, and in MediCaid because the Boomers represent 78 million seniors, as opposed to the 40 some million we curretly suppose with these programs. Think double.
Now... That's $54 trillion over the rest of their lives some 20-30 years.
Simply, divide $54 trillion over those years, 20 is the bad end because it will cost the most, over 30 years, a little lighter, but not by much.
Examples: $54 trillion divided by 20 years = $2.7 trillion every year.
Keep in mind, our current national budget is $3.1 trillion. At 30 years, about $1.8 trillion each & every year, just to maitain 78 million seniors.
That money will only be spent on them, and nothing else. $1.8t is just a little more than half the national budget.
Let me bring it down to your terms, terms that you or I could understand a little better. Let's say you took out a health insurance plan, and it cost you half your income? What do you eliminate?
What id the health plan cost you 2/3rd's, as is the case of the 20 year model? Do you move back in with Mom & Dad? Share your residence? Rent out rooms?
Cause the bottom line is this:
You still have to pay for everything else, and afford this too?
No, unnecessary things will need to be cut.
Reardon wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:15 AM:Vista Grannt: Shhhh...don't mention plastic bags! Remember, those were urged on an unwilling public at the time by the environmental movement in an effort to "save trees."
Mentions of plastic bags might cause someone to connect dots, like the environmental movements successful Three Mile Island scare which shut down the American nuclear power industry causing us to rely on foreign oil...
There are many dots out there. You would not want to be the catalyst responsible for someone connecting them...shhhh....
Even with the current state of public education there are some old timers who have institution memories, and the ability to connect more than two dots together.
You wouldn’t want to kick a sleeping rattlesnake.
OBAMACAN wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:15 AM:As usual, Republican slime spokesperson SDRaoul is out in full force at 9:43 a.m. with his distoritions of Obama's record.
I recommend anyone to check out his bio. While Wikipedia is not always a completely reliable source, it does give the correct chronology of events in an accurate sequence.
Obama got his BA from Columbia (following two years at Occidental before that) and then got that job as a community organizer. SDRaoul makes a big deal that this east-coast elite graduate was making $13,000 whole dollars a year! Wowie! Ya think he couldn't get a much better paying job in the New York financial district with that Columbia degree?
Wow, SDRaoul is easily impressed. $13,000 a year!
Is that how he managed to buy those 8 houses? (Oops, wrong guy. My bad.)
He then went back to the east coast, this time to Harvard Law School, where he achieved international acclaim as the first African American editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review, chosen as a consensus candidate to break a stalemate between liberals and conservatives because of his ability to work well with both sides (even though he was one of the liberals). He graduated from Harvard Law School Magna Cum Laude, unlike McCain who graduated 5th from the bottom of a military school class of 894 cadets.
Ya think that record could have gotten him some big bucks?
A clerking job at the Supreme Court?
He went back to Chicago to work toward helping "the least of these."
By that time, Saul Alinsky had been dead for 19 years.
Wow Reardon wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:17 AM:Your post late yesterday says that girls and boys who are assaulted invariably come from dysfunctional families either because those family members are the perpetrators or because the family failed to protect them. This, if you mean it, changes my entire view of you, Reardon. You are actually taking the position that if you are presented with the story of ANY molested or assaulted child, the family of the kid is necessarily dysfunctional. Therefore, I take it from the context of this post that you believe children (of any age) should not be taught anything in the schools about recognizing and responding well to approaches by possible molesters. You've made it clear: this is the parents' job and if the kid is assaulted, it's the parents' fault. You have, I believe, children. Think. Did you have the kind of masterly domain over every moment of their lives that you claim "functional" parents have, so as to provide them with guraranteed protection? If you had been stung with terrible luck for some portion of your adult life and had to spend that portion, as a parent, living in a poor and dangerous neighborhood, would your protection of your children have been similarly guaranteed? Do you believe that every time a child is assaulted, it is correct and right for that child's parents to say to themselves that "this was truly my fault"? Wow, Reardon. You told us a LOT about yourself in that post. Frankly, I'm stunned.
SOLON wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:19 AM:RON PAUL is a prophet . .
but as the Bible says, "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country and in his own land."
To ALF, my highly esteemed blogger colleague, I have long followed the writings and speeches of Rep. Ron Paul, and have collected them in a computer file. I have know for years that Ron Paul had his finger stuck in the dike holding back the flood waters of economic Armageddon. But nobody was heeding him.
Let me be up front: I was a Republican until 2000, when I became a Democrat. I did this for pragmatic reasons. Third parties just cannot reach critical mass under our political system, and the Democrats are the lesser of two evils.
Now, I called Ron Paul a prophet. I ask you to read something he wrote on Sep. 20, 2003:
QUOTE:
The connection between the GSEs and the government helps isolate the GSE management from market discipline. This isolation from market discipline is the root cause of the recent reports of mismanagement occurring at Fannie and Freddie. After all, if Fannie and Freddie were not underwritten by the federal government, investors would demand Fannie and Freddie provide assurance that they follow accepted management and accounting practices.
Ironically, by transferring the risk of a widespread mortgage default, the government increases the likelihood of a painful crash in the housing market. This is because the special privileges granted to Fannie and Freddie have distorted the housing market by allowing them to attract capital they could not attract under pure market conditions. As a result, capital is diverted from its most productive use into housing. This reduces the efficacy of the entire market and thus reduces the standard of living of all Americans.
Despite the long-term damage to the economy inflicted by the government's interference in the housing market, the government's policy of diverting capital to other uses creates a short-term boom in housing. Like all artificially-created bubbles, the boom in housing prices cannot last forever. When housing prices fall, homeowners will experience difficulty as their equity is wiped out. Furthermore, the holders of the mortgage debt will also have a loss. These losses will be greater than they would have otherwise been had government policy not actively encouraged over-investment in housing.
Perhaps the Federal Reserve can stave off the day of reckoning by purchasing GSE debt and pumping liquidity into the housing market, but this cannot hold off the inevitable drop in the housing market forever. In fact, postponing the necessary, but painful market corrections will only deepen the inevitable fall. The more people invested in the market, the greater the effects across the economy when the bubble bursts.
No less an authority than Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has expressed concern that government subsidies provided to GSEs make investors underestimate the risk of investing in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. END OF QUOTE
Chuck wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:20 AM:>>>Chuck, I can't imagine it was something you might've said that offended the Germans in the first place>> It was something like "bitte, whereo do you Huns get ein beer around here, Danke"
SOLON wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:25 AM:A fool spoke up first . .
The first blogger of the day (12:58 AM) proclaimed "Democrats have been running this country for the past two years in Congress."
John is ignorant of the rules of power in Congress. First, one cannot run the country from Congress, because it is no longer a co-equal branch of government in America; and second, because Congress cannot run anything without a "working majority".
Alf wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:28 AM:Well, "chuck" at 8:51AM,
sorry.
A thousand is not enough and one is too much.
I'll be having brats and root beer in Idyllwild in 2 weeks.
We go to the same cabin at the same inn there every anniversary (10-3) that we did on our honeymoon and have dinner at the Gastrognome, which has filet mignon that you can cut with a fork.
The innkeepers have me noted as a "green" smoker because I smoke outside downwind of the cabin.
BTW, I have taken and printed shots of Tahquitz Rock at sunset and sunrise that'll knock your socks off!
Enjoy!
Regards, Alf.
Yes Karl wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:28 AM:there was only one ordinance that was defended in court. The post by Similarly Repulsive is exaggerating to benefit his/her position by making up "facts".
The reality is, the council is mandated to uphold the laws of the land and sometimes that costs money. I think it is a much better use of money than spending it on illegals.
Reardon wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:33 AM:Ron: Poor Charlie Rangel called Palin "disabled" -- then when CBS called him on the word, he said that was not the word he meant to use.
He is clearly rattled these days. On TV this morning I saw a poll that support among white women who were for McCain by 4 points pre-Palin, had now jumped to 11 points.
The percentage of Black women for Obama remains at 98 percent.
When whites do that it is called "racism." When Blacks do that it is called "solidarity."
I AM WOMAN wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:35 AM:I agree with Ms. McGee that our local conservative, City Councilwoman Marie Waldron has been long overlooked by the insiders of the San Diego political scene. Sarah Palin's popularity proves that solid conservative women, like Waldron, are not to be feared and shunned, but embraced and supported. She has a proven record and is the only elected conservative woman around that I can think of.
Focal Point wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:39 AM:John[-] wrote on Sep 21, 2008 12:58 AM:
Congress has oversight? Bush has inappropriately classed material and refused to permit his people to testify.
Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:41 AM:FDR seems to be the favorite beat up toy for conservatives. They rant and rave about his policies. Trouble is that if FDR was so wrong and so bad, why was he elected four times President of the United States. In addition, if FDR had not died, he would have been elected five times President of the United States.
and OBAMACAN wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:42 AM:I am expecting that raoul will reply that everyting Obama accomplished at Harvard was via affirmative action, clearly a racist comment, and all the more so when you think about for even a moment. Graduating cum lauda means you got certain stellar grades in more or less every course you took. Imagine what would be required for someone to attain cum lauda honors via affirmative action. Every professor, every single one, would have had to make a decision to inflate Obama's grade in his/her class just for being black. Imagine the other students in each of these classes. Harvard Law students. Incredibly smart, incredibly competitive, incredibly sharp on the lookout for anything that might hurt their own careers. Each of these students, in each of these classes, watching the prof like a hawk, each aware of Obama's papers and exams. In this environment, raoul believes Obama was handed all his honors. Aside from displaying a kind of repellant racism, i.e., insisting, without knowing or even thinking about it clearly, that nothing Obama accomplished could POSSIBLY be due to merit. It's also extremely dumb, when you think about what would actually have had to happen for raoul's claim to be true. Raoul, you are a very bad man, but I appreciate your willingness to show us how and why this is true.
Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:43 AM:Well, there is Raoul pontificated to another blogger not to stretch the truth.
Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning.
Gotta Wonder