I'MMA LET YOU FINISH
Today is July 16, the anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, and also of the first test of the atomic bomb at Alamagordo, NM in 1945.
Weird.
Congratulations, Ahnuld; you destroyed California.
I was at the first of these events. Spiro Agnew was in the VIP stands, where, by an odd coincidence, so was I at the ripe old age of 17.
I remember when California had the most enviable public school system in the country.
Well, I guess a movie-star Republican governor has managed to prove that government doesn't work*.
*conclusion only valid when Republicans are in office.
Almost makes me glad I live in Michigan.
Well, I guess a movie-star Republican governor has managed to prove that government doesn't work*.
*conclusion only valid when Republicans are in office.
You nailed it.
I used to love that State; I cry for her now.
I remember when California had the most enviable public school system in the country.
Vicki, Who ♥ Al Gore
Oh, yeah, they had to do something about that.
I was at Kitty Hawk,N.C. for Apollo 11. A fitting place.
I like the NC Coast and Outer Banks.
This is what it's going to take to change CA's fucked up tax system. Hard to feel sorry for them, when they refuse to vote for property tax increases. Shit costs money, people. Wake up smell your economy circling the drain.
Prop 13 killed California.
The revolt of the haves.
The Outer Banks are cool. I rambled up and down the coast while stationed at Cherry Point, NC.
I like the NC Coast and Outer Banks.
Me too. But I went there once during bottle fly season. Man, I'd never seen flies so big and the fuckers sting.
I was 20 years old and in the Army. Took a weeks leave to be in Kitty Hawk. Only time I've ever been sunburned in my life.
SoBe - here it's deer fly & black fly season.
i quit with CA when they elected him, but i'm curious. is it like it is here, where raising taxes and fees is always going to be impossible due to a handful of "weak district" moderate dems and the usual rethug suspects?
a friend of mine likes to say that we do have two parties, but the majority party is really made up of conservative "dems" and rethugs, set against a much smaller group of progressives. you can see how true that is on the national scene wrt the heath care debate. is it like that in CA? cause obviously, when they've killed off all their poor and sick and old people, they're still going to have budget issues. cleaning up all those dead bodies is going to be costly, yo.
I was a regular on the outer banks as a teenager. Lived in Norfolk, we'd just drive down there for the fuck of it, bum around until we ran out of money.
Go in late September: the crowds are gone, the water is wonderfully warm, the weather is great.
The revolt of the haves.
Yup. That's exactly right. And they got rid of Gray Davis who was a decent guy when all of this shit was starting. This is your state on Republicanism.
I am sure everyone is just amazed that the free hand of the market hasn't come in to save California yet.
SoBe - here it's deer fly & black fly season.
Don't forget the horse flies. Big ankle biters.
Vicki - you need to look into going to Hoxeyville.
http://www.hoxeyville.com
CD-- there's not much in the way right-ish Dems in California. If they exist at all, they're reined in pretty tightly by the party.
The problem is the far right, pretty much exclusively.
deahheaded:
The NYT has a good editorial today on the health care bill:
...House Democratic leaders have unveiled a bill that would go a long way toward solving the nation’s health insurance problems without driving up the deficit... This is a bill worth fighting for.
Don't forget the horse flies. Big ankle biters
They leave massive welts also.
California in the early 1960's was the state showing the way to a golden age for America. The University of California was unmatched, and as Vicki says, the public schools were astoundingly good.
Then came the schisms in the body politic due to reactions against civil rights and the women's movement and Viet Nam, and eventually Howard Jarvis.
To be blunt, if enough people decide to ignore their personal responsibility to themselves and to each other, then their society cannot survive.
California is serving as a remarkable lesson in Friedmanesque, Randian ideas taken to their logical conclusion.
If the Democrats had any gumption and any imagination, they would be pounding the hell out of this object lesson into the American public. Want the country to go the way of California? Vote GOP! Good news: You won't have to pay for the education and safety and health of your neighbors! Bad news: Your country will regress into feudalism!
Newell-Rubbermaid closed the Mirro aluminum plant in Manitowoc a few years ago and put 1,600 people out of work. Big hit in a city of 30,000. The school board just laid of a bunch of teachers and support people. The school superintendent makes over $200,000/year. County highway department is laying off half their staff. The people just elected a new mayor that's 22 years old. His previous job was a bagger at the Piggly Wiggly. Twilight zone is correct.
Ralphie
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Differenct faces, same situations here in DE and prolly in each of our states.
Howard Jarvis was a Democrat .
raising taxes and fees is always going to be impossible due to a handful of "weak district" moderate dems and the usual rethug suspects?
Some but mostly I'd say raising taxes is always impossible because of the well monied Republicans and corporatists who spend gazillions on recalls and referendums to make sure anyone who even suggests raising taxes is destroyed. There are a lot of low information voters out there and fees are really VERY high. I remember 20 years ago it cost like $200 to register your car for a year.
Fees are high to make up for the low taxes. But the people have to approve any tax increase and they never do because the Repukes have them brainwashed.
Off to the VA. Later.
Back then EVERYONE was a Democrat. Hell we have some Tennessee Republicans who are Democrats. You couldn't get anywhere without being a Democrat back in the 70s.
chicago dyke, maid,
What absolutely slays me (at least here in Michigan) is that for as long as I can remember the C of C has been calling the shots in Michigan.
No taxes because businesses will leave.
No taxes because they are unfair.
And yet, here we sit with the highest unemployment in the country (years running)
Does it ever occur to these people that the quality of life is more important than giving rich people tax breaks?
(And I always think of it as an obligation rather than tax. And yes, we do have obligations to provide a clean, safe, healthy environment with social services that help those most in need.)
plantsman: Thanks for the correction. I always assumed Jarvis was a Republican.
You have to admit, though, that his big idea--taxes are evil--has found much greater resonance among Team Red than Team Blue.
Yeah, starting my day also.
Peace.
i'm so jealous feral got all those free cherries. i need a neighbor like that.
Hard to feel sorry for them, when they refuse to vote for property tax increases.
why only property taxes? that's what i just can't wrap my brain around. there are many, many ways a state can raise revenue. haven't *any* of them been tried, are none of them acceptable to rethugs? really, inflation is a word everyone understands, and it shouldn't be political suicide to say, "these tax rates were set 20 years ago, and due to inflation they have to be adjusted." not a lot of people would be that upset if say, big health care and oil companies doing business in CA were taxed more. and prevented from passing on those costs to consumers.
Good luck, Ralphie!!
I daresay none of the people at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Assn (http://www.hjta.org/) are Democrats now.
Good prognosis, Ralphie; my best wishes are with you.
Dr. John Byrne took teh Nobel as a part of Gore's team. He spoke Tuesday night. Showed a graph of what he calls Carbon Obesity. Cali has actually flat-lined since the 80's.
Very good and a result of their laws insisting on subsidy of energy efficient appliances etc.
Bryne and DE state officials have created a Sustainable Energy Utility that is now copied in Philly and in DC. The SEU will pay for the difference in a customer's choices so that it will be a no-brainer to pick the more sustainable products. It also will pay for weatherization etc. and is to be funded by bonds (which the IRS is fighting) and they are getting 60% of DE's cap and trade $.
Ralphie, keep positive if you can. And best wishes
When David Ignatius speaks, the official line comes out of his mouth with extra mendacity.
There are 2 or 3 like him, senior journamalists you can depend on to spring to the defense of elites we can't understand or appreciate. David Martin at CBS is another one.
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To be blunt, if enough people decide to ignore their personal responsibility to themselves and to each other, then their society cannot survive.
The republics and the wing-nutted love to beat their chests about the great victory in WW2 and all. The war was financed with a debt that, well to say it was massive would be to understate.
Can you imagine what the outcome would have been if reegun/bush republics had been in charge????
Regressive taxes on low incomes from actual work are FINE with Republicans.
Back to work for me. Hope the day treats you all well.
The CA electorate must be so proud of themselves.
The entire nation is facing the same choice: restore taxes such that people who can afford it are paying their fair share, or face third world status within a generation.
The rich get far more benefits per capita from government than everyone else. They pay far too little for it.
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I am off to the bagel store again but before I go: If *I* were a company looking to expand, I would look at Michigan: shitty roads, expensive university system (too damned expensive) cutting police, releasing prisoners, cutting services to the people, et al; then I would go, no fucking thank you. I will take my jobs and lifestyle to somewhere where they give a shit about something besides money)
what tralfaz said. i'm so sick and fucking tired of pols inability to fucking tax the rich and large corporations. unfortunately, i do believe that yes, we'll destroy our status as a first world nation before we get them to do that. it pisses me off.
Oh, Goody! Rep. Cantor is planning a Presidential Bid! We need an anorexic man with no charisma and moronic ideas in the White House!
Tralfaz, that is so-so-socialism!!!!!!
(And I could not access the FDL site this AM but that person who is praising the State of Michigan for their progressive policies is an idiot in this instance. Yesterday we had a shooting and robbery at the local bakery in Norton Shores - in the daylight at a busy time. Robberies are up, murder is up: and this guy is claiming . . . . Fools)
Tralfaz, that is so-so-socialism!!!!!!
Southern Beale
Yep. And it's the entire rest of the developed world. And they are leaving us in the dust in every category that matters.
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If *I* were a company looking to expand, I would look at Michigan: shitty roads, expensive university system (too damned expensive) cutting police, releasing prisoners, cutting services to the people, et al; then I would go, no fucking thank you.
zactly, my friend. and they do just that. i can't tell you what a shock it was to come home to this state after decades in other, richer ones. there is all sorts of stuff you literally can't buy or get or have done here, that is easily found in areas like Chicago or DC. and why is that? because no one in this state has any money, education, ability, etc., to pay for those things. and the spiral is just going to continue downward, until we [bannable] and our stupid ass state govt understands that it and it alone must be the engine of economic restart and regrowth. like DWD is always saying, 30+ years of "we can't tax and we can't borrow or jobs will go away" is decidedly disproven.
People are hurting: brazen crimes in broad daylight go up.
When David Ignatius speaks, the official line comes out of his mouth with extra mendacity.
The shilling on Morning Joe for what they've downgraded to "the CIA flap" is outrageous.
Ignatius was claiming foreign countries won't share intel with us because they fear being exposed.
What bull. The disinformation troops are out in force.
.
Looks like California is eating its seed corn. Never a good thing to do...
Barndog, I've booked marked that site.
I'll look at it when I get home from work.
It all just kind of depends on money at this point. 
Gotta go to work.
Peace.
ok, time for yoga and sword forms. you all have a good day. i'm sure i'll be back between bouts of cleaning. which i hate. a lot. also.
I have a friend who owns a small business and already provides health care for all his employees. He posted a FaceBook status that "This National Health Plan has the ability to force small businesses like mine to cut staff to pay higher taxes."
His link goes to the colorful chart the GOP is pushing. How do you respond to people who buy the lies?
Cantor is my congressman. I think he could win my district.
That's about it.
Cantor is a turd. Even the hardcore Republicans I know in this part of VA hate him.
You might point out that Republicans, who created the ghastly chart, are heavily invested in having it NOT work; and therefore are not a likely source for reliable information about the plan.
C U R L Y !
No, LaborReady had no work for me, today.
I suppose I'll go back to bed.
If *I* were a company looking to expand, I would look at Michigan: shitty roads, expensive university system (too damned expensive) cutting police, releasing prisoners, cutting services to the people, et al; then I would go, no fucking thank you.
But before or at about the same time the auto industry was moving part of its business overseas, it was moving other parts to the south precisely because of low taxes, non-union workforces, etc. They didn't really care that the schools, roads, universities sucked.
.
The problem in California is 2/3 of legislature needed to raise taxes and 2/3 of legislature needed to pass a budget. I don't believe any other state has both requirements. The Central Valley, Orange County and parts of other areas elect radical Republicans who believe in Norquist-style destruction of state government. They stick together and get talking points from a central source. They were willing to raise taxes -- sales tax up 1% statewide -- but only if poor and unemployed had to pay it. They like roads, police and prisons. They hate public education -- educated people vote for Democrats.
I sorry, JP. 
Sucks.
And California Republicans send their kids to private, usually religious, schools.
Reagan's odious legacy lives on.
My local news is asking how health care will be paid for. Funny how noone ever asked how we'd pay for Chimpy's trillion plus war.
Gah!
Errr...Wikipedia says Howard Jarvis was a Republican and a Mormon.
Verleger Sees $20 Oil This Year on ‘Devastating’ Glut
July 16 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil will collapse to $20 a barrel this year as the recession takes a deeper toll on fuel demand, according to academic and former U.S. government adviser Philip Verleger.
A crude surplus of 100 million barrels will accumulate by the end of the year, straining global storage capacity and sending prices to a seven-year low, said Verleger, who correctly predicted in 2007 that prices were set to exceed $100. Supply is outpacing demand by about 1 million barrels a day, he said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/
ne...id=auTu3RI8WC1A
Poor widdle oil companies.
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Ah, Jarvis' father was a Democrat; I read too hastily.
The problem in California is 2/3 of legislature needed to raise taxes and 2/3 of legislature needed to pass a budget
The problem in California is what happens when you boost the budget 10% year after year during a boom and revenues suddenly drop by 30%.
Prop 13 has nothing to do with this.
As Atrios has pointed out before, California has almost no political press. Moe was our last hope and he moved to Canada!
Ah, then that free $10 gas card that I got for signing up for some bullshit "building wealth" seminar for later this month will stretch a little farther.
Medicare and Medicaid appear to be under the Defense Dept. in that chart.
My local news is asking how health care will be paid for. Funny how noone ever asked how we'd pay for Chimpy's trillion plus war.
Gah!
Jill
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If we had single payer, the money now going to for-profit insurance dividends would then go straight to health clients doctors.
Corrente has a post linking to HELP Committee rejecting Sander's bid to have State's Single Payer 'experiments'.
What bull. The disinformation troops are out in force.
They're insufferable on Morning Joe. They keep asking "what will happen the next time CIA agents are asked to do something?" I'd like to think if they're asked to torture someone, they'll say no. How horrible.
Fewer than expected lucky duckies, do to a skew in the cipering, some people say.
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They keep asking "what will happen the next time CIA agents are asked to do something?"
Same folks took up for Bush - he kept us safe since 9/11.
Well, duh...
Verleger Sees $20 Oil This Year on ‘Devastating’ Glut
If I am asked to pony up money to bail out Exxon, I will, to put it mildly, balk.
Politico: Obama meets with more Republican senators-Ben Nelson and Olympic Snowe-on health care.
http://
www.democraticunderground...mesg_id=8530849
An easy mistake by easy mistakers.
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Yea. If I were to move back to California, with the idea of working, I'd set up shop in Sacramento as an indie on-line reporter. So much happens that doesn't get covered at all.
I don't believe any other state has both requirements.
Hap
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DE has the two thirds for taxes only. We had one GOP standing in the way in the House and there was a brief stand off in the last days with the DEM Gov. for compromise. As a result, the top tier weathly took less of a hit and all state workers took a wicked cut in salary.
Hey JP, I know that temp life is hell.
Don't know what the state of the Nashville economy is, whether there's much temp work or not.
As MSNBC spun it, the presence of Snowe was to encourage Nelson to think Obama
might be able to entice some Republicans, and thereby persuade him to come along as well.
Schwarzenegger stinks.
I was in CA just recently-still lots of rich folks there. And good morning, all.
DEM Sen Tom Carper is firmly set on a bipartisan health care bill.....
Also, a heads up for those not heading off to work-Double Indemnity is starting on TCM at 9 am.
Rich Folks don't educate poor kids.
10 years tonight from JFK Jr.'s plane crash.
Moe Szyslak: Don't know what the state of the Nashville economy is, whether there's much temp work or not.
Oh, there was work for dozens of younger folx, who probably had construction experience, and may or may not have documentation proving their eligibility for woke in the U.S., but none for the fat old guy who is willing to do anything, but whose work experience is more white collar.
Rich Folks don't educate poor kids.
plantsman, mad google skillz
They'd much rather bitch when they don't get the proper change back from a cashier. That, or pay through the nose to incarcerate those same kids.
Errr...Wikipedia says Howard Jarvis was a Republican and a Mormon.
M.K. | 07.16.09 - 8:38 am |
The wiki also links to Jarvis's page on Find A Grave. My hopes were up, but it looks like he's buried in one of those wall units and is unavailable for grave peeing.
Moe used to ride his bicycle up my driveway in 105 degree heat to deliver the paper he wrote, edited and published. I would tell my kids: that is how democracy is supposed to work. We still talk about him in my house. Move back to California, Moe.
JP - we have a friend in IT who was out of work for a long time - he started a temporary thing as an X-ray technician (more the guy who shuttles you around). He loves it.
Health care/ nursing care is unfortunately the only halfway safe bet these days.
Moe used to ride his bicycle up my driveway...
Hey!
er, give me a hint...
Dear President Obama,
I love you man, but dood, you are sure full of shit about Iraq.
Sincerely,
Just a subscriber, Moe. We never met.
OT, Checking in on John's post below about Pat Buchanan, I usually catch the last 2 minutes of "Hardball" while I wait for "Countdown" to start.
I can't remember the last time I swore at the teevee as much as I did last night, when you had Eugene Robinson trying to fight the good fight against Buchanan's worthless entitled race-baiting. That's right, Pat, everyone at Ivy League schools graduates cum laude, therefore Sotomayor is a functional illiterate. Asshole.
I used to stay up all night on Wednesdays, putting the paper together, drive 50 miles to the printer, have breakfast for an hour while they printed it, drive back, hop on my bicycle, spend six hours delivering the thing, then, exhausted, head back to the bar, get crazy drunk.
Health care/ nursing care is unfortunately the only halfway safe bet these days.
It takes training, and training costs money.
I probably still remember your address.
I can remember stuff like that, but not where I put my shoes last night.
The problem in California is 2/3 of legislature needed to raise taxes and 2/3 of legislature needed to pass a budget
The problem in California is what happens when you boost the budget 10% year after year during a boom and revenues suddenly drop by 30%.
Prop 13 has nothing to do with this.
cahuenga
I thought the problem was Ahnuld.
And Willie Brown told NPR yesterday the problem was term limits, initiative and referendum, and the 2/3rds vote requirement.
And reports on NPR seem to indicate the problem is California's incarceration and recidivism rate, lousy education funding, and general "Don't tax you, don't ax me, tax that fellow behind the tree" attitude about funding state government.
I'm so confused.....it's easier to just blame Ahnuld.
That gasoline tanker explosion and fire near Detroit looks horrific!
Good morning, everyone.
Does Arnie canceling California mean my folks will move out here?
planstman! I've got all kinds of flowers at the homepage
Is your neighbor's truck still on your property?
Cool! I'm there!
I used to stay up all night on Wednesdays, putting the paper together, drive 50 miles to the printer, have breakfast for an hour while they printed it, drive back, hop on my bicycle, spend six hours delivering the thing, then, exhausted, head back to the bar, get crazy drunk.
Moe Szyslak
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There's a guy in my town of Newark who used to keep an Alternative Press going. But he had a little more help!! Once he gave me and a friend free tickets to cover a NY State music event for him (where I got to meet Pete Seeger).
Another thing about CA-is crime so much worse there? Because everybody seems to have an alarm system.
Is your neighbor's truck still on your property?
plantsman
Yes, yes it is. 
(I'm a chicken. It's true)
Gorgeous! The Buddleia and Tithonia flowers together are yummy!
Moe, you should write a book about that period of your life. It was inspiring to those of us who saw what you did.
Wow. My favourite bartender has posted REALLy inappropriate photos of herself on Facebook.
Aw, man; you need a rough-neck to give that joker what-for!
Another thing about CA-is crime so much worse there? Because everybody seems to have an alarm system.
Karin Hussein
I blame Ahnuld.
Former South Korean leader put on respirator
Card users get $23,148,855,308,184,500 charge
Germany:NPP Kruemmel: metal splinters seem to have entered reactor core
spiegel-online
Make sure to thank her, Moe!
Thanks, plantsman. I am lovin' that combo, too -- the tithonia is new this year.
Moe, you should write a book about that period of your life. It was inspiring to those of us who saw what you did.
Hap Haploid
Ah, you're kind. But it wasn't much of a life for me. It would've killed me before too long, so even though my exit was rather painful, I'm glad it happened.
This is much more civilized.
But, gotta say, I do miss those crazy times.
Wow. My favourite bartender has posted REALLy inappropriate photos of herself on Facebook.
Moe Szyslak
well, this is the leadership that the good citizens of california voted for.
very pretty ina
Rmj, : I'm so confused.....it's easier to just blame Ahnuld.
Seeing as he's the head Republican, and he vetoes every tax initiative that squeaks past the 2/3 requirement...I'd say he gets some heat on this, yeah.
Good morning, all.
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Cuts to health care? Good thing the Dems are putting public option in place right away, instead of waiting 'til after the next Presidential election, in 2013. Oh, wait...
"And the governator terminates the state."
not that i have any interest in defending the gropenfuhrer, but how are CA's financial woes any different than, say, MI or OH? it seems they have the choice in any of these states of cutting services or raising taxes.
"As California goes, so goes the country".
i will be interested to see which precise system the rich of Cali use to divide the state into private-plantations-with-serfs, so that i can try to affiliate myself with a kind massa.
Morning all.
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Yo, yo, yo.
C-SPAN sez Paulson is to testify on the Hill today. Ohio-R to discuss. I guess the topic whether they forced poor old BoA to buy Merrill.
The uninformed love to reflexively blame prop 13 even though California’s tax revenues are in high-average territory for states. If you are looking for culprits look no further than idiotic budgeting by all of our leaders during obvious boom-bust cycles.
Suck it, Gullyforniah. You dumped a moderatly talented governor and chose a steroid-addled, teen-groping, fifth-rate actor to run your state.
i will be interested to see which precise system the rich of Cali use to divide the state into private-plantations-with-serfs, so that i can try to affiliate myself with a kind massa.
Morning all.
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Cynicus, cogito ergo doleo
I'd rather publish a cookbook: "To Serve the Rich".
Another thing about CA-is crime so much worse there? Because everybody seems to have an alarm system.
Karin Hussein
I blame Ahnuld.
Rmj,
Wave of the future. When it all goes feral, every individual will be responsible for their own security and fire services.
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I don't understand how JP Morgan Chase bought WaMu and took over all those branches and runs all these TV ads and still made nearly $3 billion in profits.
thank you, mimi.
My brother works for JPMC and he attributes it to magic beans.
I must cook now to avoid the heat later.
C-SPAN showing a very shaky-voiced FED HEAD saying he didn't tell anyone any of the above. Can Bernanke intimidate and then take the fifth on it?
"And the governator terminates the state."
jdw : not that i have any interest in defending the gropenfuhrer, but how are CA's financial woes any different than, say, MI or OH? it seems they have the choice in any of these states of cutting services or raising taxes.
Not a big difference, save for the election of a Republican actors as A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. I would laugh, but I'm in Texas.
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Still Holy Crap Territory?
The number of newly laid-off Americans signing up for unemployment benefits last week, and those using this safety net over a longer period, both plunged. But the government figures released Thursday were clouded by difficulties adjusting for temporary shutdowns at auto plants.
The Labor Department said new applications for unemployment insurance dropped by a seasonally adjusted 47,000 to 522,000, the lowest level since early January. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters expected claims to rise to around 575,000.
A department analyst said the drop in new claims didn't point to improvements in economic conditions. The second straight weekly decline reflected problems adjusting layoffs for temporary shutdowns at General Motors and Chrysler plants to retool for new models.
The unadjusted figures actually showed that new claims rose by 86,389 last week, which would push the total to 667,534.
I also like to mass different flowers together.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/924...in/photostream/
The photo is from last year, but it looks about the same right now.
I like the self-portrait too although I don't think it does you justice.
Morning, Moonbats. We *might* get some rain today, which we need. Californians will have to go to the polls and undo this shit, sooner or later.
Karin,
Wow, gorgeous flowers!
The uninformed love to reflexively blame prop 13 even though California’s tax revenues are in high-average territory for states. If you are looking for culprits look no further than idiotic budgeting by all of our leaders during obvious boom-bust cycles.
cahuenga
I'm trying to imagine a non-"boom/bust cycle" in American history. Or at least in the 20th or 21st century.
Or at least since the Industrial Revolution.
Hit 'n run: I expect Frank Ricci to make a fool of himself at Sotomayor's hearing this afternoon.
If Al Franken gets a crack at him, all bets are off.
"Not a big difference, save for the election of a Republican actors as A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. I would laugh, but I'm in Texas. "
i get that. but OH and MI have dem govs who are not actors, but are still having a hard time.
Faux Noise graphic says that the Dems pay for health plan with tax hike on small business.
Which, iirc, is a lie.
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We *might* get some rain today, which we need.
I'd be happy to share. The lake rose the better part of a foot while we were in the UK. Raining now, and rain every day in the forecast through Monday.
Fire Ants
A recently released legal memo describing interrogation techniques showed that Bush Administration lawyers had approved the use of "insects" in interrogations. "You would like to place [Abu] Zubaydeh in a cramped confinement box with an insect," Jay Bybee, then a Justice Department lawyer and now a federal judge, wrote in 2002. He opined that as long as the bug wasn't actually harmful, it would not violate the law to use one to scare a terrorist detainee.
That was the first mention of insects to become public. But the memo's release may make it worth looking back to a brouhaha that occurred in secret at the agency in 2005. A CIA supervisor involved in the "enhanced interrogation" program bragged to other CIA employees about using fire ants while during questioning of a top terror suspect, according to several sources formerly with the Agency. The official claimed to other Agency employees, the sources say, to have put the stinging ants on a detainee's head to help break him.
Hit 'n run: I expect Frank Ricci to make a fool of himself at Sotomayor's hearing this afternoon.
What, exactly, is he supposed to contribute to our understanding of Sotomayor's qualifications as a judge?
a seasonally adjusted 47,000 to 522,000, the lowest level since early January. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters expected claims to rise to around 575,000.
WTF seasonal adjustments? If the figures get 'adjustments', then they are as maningless as terra-condition-orange. And just as much manipulated for the purpose of manipulating us.
Oh wait, i've discovered that water is wet again. Sorry, nevermind.
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cahuenga : The uninformed love to reflexively blame prop 13 even though California’s tax revenues are in high-average territory for states. If you are looking for culprits look no further than idiotic budgeting by all of our leaders during obvious boom-bust cycles.
Prop 13 was an opening shot in a long, long series of astoundingly ill-considered electoral decisions.
Makes you despair for democracy, it does.
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They should have just raised the gas tax temporarily.
I bet a lot of the problem is that the state pension funds and what not lost almost half their value in the market collapse.
Karin-- I love those deep red lilies. We have some too. Also.
Ricci will be there to make Pat Buchanan feel relevant?
It's tough out there, a white guy can't even get elected president anymore.
Bonjour!
Ezra Kein and Eliot Spitzer on msnbc right now talking health care
The photo is from last year, but it looks about the same right now.
Karin Hussein |
Very pretty!
A CIA supervisor involved in the "enhanced interrogation" program bragged to other CIA employees about using fire ants while during questioning of a top terror suspect, according to several sources formerly with the Agency. The official claimed to other Agency employees, the sources say, to have put the stinging ants on a detainee's head to help break him.
Michael Buns Of Steele
I'd expect Republicans to try to make a joke out of that, but anybody who's ever been bitten by fire ants knows exactly how horrible that would be.
I think I've got the warms for Sonia Sotomayor.
RUH ROH Jordan from OH says Bushie Treasury prolly lied to Congress about bailout strategy just like thier CIA lied. Should be a good hearng today.
... and Tom Watson leading the first round of the British Open!!!
What, exactly, is he supposed to contribute to our understanding of Sotomayor's qualifications as a judge?
He'll show great empathy for the GOP?
The yellow lilies are nice too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/924...in/photostream/
And the white ones.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/924...in/photostream/
I don't have a picture of the orange & black turk's cap lilies handy, but they are the best of all.
Hit 'n run: I expect Frank Ricci to make a fool of himself at Sotomayor's hearing this afternoon.
What, exactly, is he supposed to contribute to our understanding of Sotomayor's qualifications as a judge?
Rmj, Love Stupid Theologist
As a proven serial litigant, he can give comparison information. That, or serve as an expert witness on resume padding.
Ina, amazing how your garden has grown! (What happened to the wise guy?)
"WTF seasonal adjustments? If the figures get 'adjustments', then they are as maningless as terra-condition-orange. And just as much manipulated for the purpose of manipulating us."
Most series published by the Current Employment Statistics program reflect a regularly recurring seasonal movement that can be measured from past experience. By eliminating that part of the change attributable to the normal seasonal variation, it is possible to observe the cyclical and other nonseasonal movements in these series. Seasonally adjusted series are published monthly for selected employment, hours, and earnings estimates.
http://www.bls.gov/ces/cesseasadj.htm
i get that. but OH and MI have dem govs who are not actors, but are still having a hard time.
jdw
Yep: Granholm is pissing me off royally for her failure to confront the evil fucking Republicans. (This go along, get along bullshit is amazingly ineffective for governing.)
I dunno: in my world things would be so easy if they would only listen to ME.
Just off the top of my head: a progressive income tax in Michigan (and probably California) is needed badly. We currently pay a fixed rate and it obviously is not working.
Raising the tax rate on Capital Gains to 25% would dearly help our budget
Getting the fuck out of Afghanistan and Iraq and closing some of the superflous military bases (10 in Germany for god's sake) would also help.
Removing the income cap on Social Security would ensure the system forever.
Adding a substantial surcharge to high income earners would also help provide some of the services we need but are not getting (subsidized university education for example)
The answer is NOT in doing with less, it is making the system work for everyone. Not just the fucking rich.
Will the committee be questioning Ricci? Will Sotomayor be there? What about the other 2 rings of the circus?
Oops, these are the Stella D'Oro lilies.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/924...in/photostream/
Ezra Kein and Eliot Spitzer on msnbc right now talking health care
plum
*
danke
I'd expect Republicans to try to make a joke out of that, but anybody who's ever been bitten by fire ants knows exactly how horrible that would be.
After a couple of GOP mouthpieces who bragged that they could take waterboarding (what was that radio guy's name?) were caused to demonstrate their resistance, the mocking - or at least the bombast - has become a mite more cautious.
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What, exactly, is he supposed to contribute to our understanding of Sotomayor's qualifications as a judge?
During one of the breaks yesterday the camera lingered for a long while on a line of about seven or eight firefighters in their dress uniforms. That's what they're there for. Too be photogenic in a beefy, short-haired kind of way because that mean old Sotomayor doesn't like firefighters.
A CIA supervisor involved in the "enhanced interrogation" program bragged to other CIA employees about using fire ants ...
I am going to try very hard, very very hard, to pretend that I never read that.
~
Raining now, and rain every day in the forecast through Monday.
We need some! I was out weeding (or "grassing" as I call it--since I dug up most of my lawn to make the garden, the grass is not giving up without a fight) yesterday, and I could've used a pick ax to crack the soil!
I like the self-portrait too although I don't think it does you justice.
Thanks. If you mean the one-eye, let's hope it's not prophetic! My self portraits are figurative, but not necessarily representational
The official claimed to other Agency employees, the sources say, to have put the stinging ants on a detainee's head to help break him.
Change it to rats, and you've got Winston Smith and 1984.
As a proven serial litigant, he can give comparison information. That, or serve as an expert witness on resume padding.
Doc
*
heh,
no one will bring that up, though.
...and was Chuck Todd always such a wanker? He seemed more benign before the election, when he was the nerdy numbers guy. But ever since his promotion to NBC top DC dog, he's swimming in wankerdom.
just saying
http://www.flickr.com/photos/924...in/photostream/
Karin Hussein
Pretty!
I've got some, too. Am I supposed to dead head them or anything?
That's what they're there for. Too be photogenic in a beefy, short-haired kind of way because that mean old Sotomayor doesn't like firefighters.
Which means that she sides with terrorists and that 9/11 wasn't the most important event of her life and, well, besides: THE PRESIDENT IS BLACK!!!
DWD-YDWETAKIT? | Homepage | 07.16.09 - 9:16 am | #
Good ideas. I would be good to let you go ahead and be capo di tutti, but I would probably be first up against the wall come the revolution. Just lucky that way.
~
I'm worse than Winston Smith when it comes to rats. The other day a baby rabbit got into the garage-but I just saw a small gray thing and screamed.
NTodd: how is Ericka this morning?
Change it to rats, and you've got Winston Smith and 1984.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
RUH ROH Jordan from OH says Bushie Treasury prolly lied to Congress about bailout strategy just like thier CIA lied. Should be a good hearng today.
Don't suppose that they'd ask how funds were illegally transferred from Afghanistan to Iraq without Congressional approval...
...and was Chuck Todd always such a wanker? He seemed more benign before the election, when he was the nerdy numbers guy. But ever since his promotion to NBC top DC dog, he's swimming in wankerdom.
just saying
plum p,better democrats please
Elect a black Democrat President, and everything just goes to hell.
i will agree that some things, such as seasonal variation, might be called to account. (Tho, if they only job you have is a seasonal one, you're underemployed, if not unemployed.)
But when the official 'under' is just about exactly the amount of fudge factor the officials adjust things away from the independant observers, it looks rather like the official reporters are lipsticking the pig, to me at least.
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2 + 2 = 5
and
Global warming is a hoax.
Change it to rats, and you've got Winston Smith and 1984.
Who was broken, and who did say what they wanted him to say.
See? Torture works!
Ina, amazing how your garden has grown! (What happened to the wise guy?)
Gromit
Thanks. I collect wise men, which really means my mom finds them and mails them to me. For these guys, she only found two (instead of the usual three), and they both had a rough transit! They also are made of something that might not do well when wet, but it hasn't rained since I put them out...
"...and was Chuck Todd always such a wanker?"
yes, but he's a nice wanker. you can email him, and he'll probably email back.
i have a nice series of emails exchanged with him, wherein he patiently explained to me how PA was gonna be a very close race between mcsame and obama.
Those firefighters look like Nazis.
I've got some, too. Am I supposed to dead head them or anything?
The daylilies? I pull out the stalks after all the flowers on them have died.
wherein he patiently explained to me how PA was gonna be a very close race between mcsame and obama.
jdw
so, he's a certified wanker then
The official claimed to other Agency employees, the sources say, to have put the stinging ants on a detainee's head to help break him.
-----------------------------
but we can't prosecute or have any accountability for any of these brave souls who were "only following orders" because we aren't going to prosecute or hold accountable the people who gave the illegal orders.
The oriental lilies, I don't deadhead. They only bloom once anyway.
The daylilies? I pull out the stalks after all the flowers on them have died.
Karin Hussein
I put fire ants on them, till they talk.
I'm curious as to why firefighters need dress uniforms...
RUH ROH Jordan from OH says Bushie Treasury prolly lied to Congress about bailout strategy just like thier CIA lied. Should be a good hearng today.
Duh. Of course they were lying about the bailout. You would think that, oh say, the incoming President, would have run an internal audit before giving out dime one.
(They probably did and lied about the results.)
~
plum p! Are you still with the radio station? Check my homepage and let me know what you think.
Peace!
Huh. Obama spent ten minutes chatting with the umpires before the all star game, and 15 min in each clubhouse. And, contrary to Fox reporting, did not bounce the first pitch (not that it matters).
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/20...icas-first-fan/
but we can't prosecute or have any accountability for any of these brave souls who were "only following orders" because we aren't going to prosecute or hold accountable the people who gave the illegal orders.
foolme1ns
I'm having a constant argument with all sorts of people who are trying to tell me that we can't do that because it will hinder Obama's domestic agenda. I'm getting pretty tired of hearing that from Democrats.
but we can't prosecute or have any accountability for any of these brave souls who were "only following orders" because .....
discussing the last group to try the "only following orders" defense triggers some kind of rule that says the discussion is atuomatically over.....
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Who was broken, and who did say what they wanted him to say.
My memory of the novel is hazy, I haven't read it in probably 30 years, but airc, they didn't actually kill him until he completely lost his will, when he was sitting down drinking Victory gin, celebrating Oceania's supposed victory in war. Or did they kill him? Was that metaphorical? I forget.
Duh. Of course they were lying about the bailout. You would think that, oh say, the incoming President, would have run an internal audit before giving out dime one.
What is refreshing is that the guy is a freshman GOPerhead. He is bucking Bushie and is willing to hit Bushie's people hard.
And one more thing: all of my college experience tells me that empirical evidence is more important than anecdotal evidence.
My life's experience is telling me the opposite. Statistics can be manipulated to present a POV that might (or might not) be accurate.
Unemployment statistics for one.
Cost of Living statistics for another - they tell me there is little inflation yet every time I buy something necessary to living, it costs more. (And big screen TVs are not necessary to living: Food is.)
And on and on. They SAY that crime here is down: my experience is just the opposite.
So we are left in a mileu of government lying with the collusion of the news media vs the most unprovable of all constructs: personal experience to combat the lies.
New military robots 'could feed on corpses'
http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/07...eed-on-corpses/
no, this is not from The Onion
Obama will lift a finger against Wall Street WHEN?
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Morning, all.
Apologies for the blogwhore, but over at Box Office I have the hilarious scoop on a company that makes hilarious trash rip-offs of hit movies, including classics like Sunday School Musical, Snakes on a Train, and the Day the Earth Stopped.
http://boxoffice.com/blogs/steve...-than-
meets.php
With clip of Transmorphers(!).
Comments gratefully accepted, as always.
Plum - doing well, thank you. Exhausted yesterday. Weird sleeping without the dogs, but they were so good.
We're tallying Sam's kicks so we have a baseline. 4 kicks in 20 minutes, should be on target for 10 in 2 hours. Monitoring that is a way to determine fetal stress.
I should come up with a spreadsheet and a macro or something...
I collect wise men
Prof Wombat's in your cellar?
I'm curious as to why firefighters need dress uniforms...
Funerals, mostly.
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Moe, I don't think they bothered to kill him. He was already dead in the end. But I forget.
Who was broken, and who did say what they wanted him to say.
That's the problem with torture. You can get the victim to say exactly what the torturer wants him to say, but that's not necessarily the truth or actual intelligence...
here in ohio, sales of cavs season tickets and Shaq gear are thru the roof.
our economy is now based on basketball.
Duh. Of course they were lying about the bailout. You would think that, oh say, the incoming President, would have run an internal audit before giving out dime one.
Nancy Willing : What is refreshing is that the guy is a freshman GOPerhead. He is bucking Bushie and is willing to hit Bushie's people hard.
A sane Republican? Huh. Interesting concept.
He'll probably die of loneliness, like the last scrap of charity in Barbara Bush's heart.
~
plum p! Are you still with the radio station? Check my homepage and let me know what you think.
Peace!
Speedy
yes i am! that record looks super cool!!!!
I'm having a constant argument with all sorts of people who are trying to tell me that we can't do that because it will hinder Obama's domestic agenda. I'm getting pretty tired of hearing that from Democrats.
I wonder how that's supposed to work. The republicans aren't going to vote for Obama's domestic agenda anyway. It's not like they can say we were going to vote for health insurance reform but since you're investigating now W we won't.
"Cost of Living statistics for another - they tell me there is little inflation yet every time I buy something necessary to living, it costs more. (And big screen TVs are not necessary to living: Food is.)"
If you or your family spends a larger-than-average share of your budget on medical expenses, and medical care costs are increasing more rapidly than the cost of other items in the CPI market basket, your personal rate of inflation may exceed the increase in the CPI. Conversely, if you heat your home with solar energy, and fuel prices are rising more rapidly than other items, you may experience less inflation than the general population does. A national average reflects all the ups and downs of millions of individual price experiences. It seldom mirrors a particular consumer's experience.
http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpiadd.htm
Isn't Atrios a college professor or something? Why does he keep pretending that Arnold is some Grover Norquist starve-the-beast nut who's secret goal was destroying California's government? This isn't Arnold's fault, and Atrios knows it. This shit is getting tiresome.
Talks broke down, actually. Democrats want to have a mechanism for paying back all the education funds they've essentially stolen over the years, Republicans don't.
"libruhl" ahnold being Grover Norquist's wingman take 2852938502385902
Watch the republican strongholds (like Orange County) bite the big one, as they are already barely holding on.
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