9/30    http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-may-invented-lightsaber-152606868.html
        The URL says it all.

2/10    I like Woz, and I like iWoz, but let me tell ya, no one worships
        him because he has the charisma of an highly functioning
        Autistic person. Meanwhile, everyone worships Jobs because
        he's better looking and does an amazing job promoting himself
        as God. I guess this is not the first time in history. Case in
        point, Caesar, Napolean, GWB, etc. Why is it that people
        throughout history worship assholes?
        \_ GWB is in this category?  He might have been an asshole, but he's
           not good looking like JFK, Reagan and Bill Clinton.
           not good looking like JFK, Reagan or Bill Clinton.
           \_ Future historians will realize that Dubya belongs
              in the same league as Napolean, Caesar, Robert E. Lee
              and Steve Jobs.
        \_ As someone who basically went up to Woz in a public setting
           and went all "fan" on him, and then spent a decent amount of
           time telling him why I thought a particular political postion
           of his was wrong, I can tell you that Woz is no asshole. At
           least in my limited experience of foisting myself on him, in
           my own socially inept and obnoxious way no less, I found him
           to be an exceptionally nice guy. -phuqm
           \_ How did you read this 180 degrees the opposite of what the OP
              intended? He said that Jobs was an asshole and that Woz was
              a nice but uncharsismatic fellow.
              \_ Because he's social inept and obnoxious?
        \_ I wouldn't say "no one" worships Woz.  He's just only worshiped
           by other highly functioning Autistics.  Not a huge demographic,
           but it probably includes most of us.
        \_ I think it says a lot about the CSUA that nobody pointed out
           that people worship Jobs because he was responsible for creating
           great products and also turning around a totally moribund company.

12/18   Bush kills. Bushmaster kills.
        \_ Sandy Huricane kills. Sandy Hook kills.
           \_ bitch

11/8    Porn Surge Found in States that Helped Erect^H^H^H^H^HElect President
        http://www.csua.org/u/ya5 (http://www.livescience.com

10/29   Go Away Sandy.
        \_ Sorry, Coursera is performing preventive maintenance for this
           class site ahead of Hurricane Sandy. Please check back in 15 minutes.
           class site ahead of Hurricane Sandy. Please check back in 15
           minutes.
        \_ Bitch.
           \_ Once a bitch, always a bitch.

3/26    Things I learned from History: Lincoln was photographed with
        killer. Lincoln had 3 male lovers (he was bisexual!).
        Kennedy had an affair with a Nazi spy. Elenore Roosevelt
        was a lesbian!!!  Nerdy looking Ben Franklin was a suspected
        killer and quite a ladies man. WTF???
        \_ Did it mention anything about Washington and the cherry tree?
        \_ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2098423/J-Edgar-Hoover-New-book-exposes-secret-world-FBI-Director.html
           \_ Was he related to Herbert Hoover?
        \_ History or the History Channel?
           \_ It is the same now. History Channel renamed itself to History
              last year.
        \_ What kind of dirt does it have on GWB?
           \_ Dubya is the first President since Ike to not have a major
              ethical scandal during his term. I am not a fan of his, but
              you have to respect his moral character.
              \_ That is amazing.
              \_ ...um, more to the point, he was the only one who
                 didn't have an ethical scandal aired. WMD in Iraq,
                 anyone?
                 \_ That scandal is on Powell.  It's all Powell's fault!
                    Year, really.
                    5/10 UPDATE: "Colin Powell: U.S. was set for war with Iraq
                    before his U.N. speech"
                    http://www.csua.org/u/wdm (Note the last three chars in
                    the shortcut URL.)
                 \_ Not sure that really qualifies. It is not like a bribery
                    case or something influence peddling or anything like
                    that. No one broke the law.
                    \_ Untrue. Nobody got charged with anything != no one
                       broke the law.

12/19   Kim Jong Il died.
        \_ And Vaclav Havel
           \_ The great ones always die in threes..
              \_ Warren Hellman?
              \_ Hitch. At one point, he was a visiting prof at the Journalism school.
              \_ Hitch. At one point, he was a visiting prof at the
                 Journalism school.
              \_ "10 years ago we had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash -
                 Now we have no Jobs, no Hope and no Cash!"  (Some joke from
                 the web.)
        \_ As anti-American as he is ......
           "Korean Dictator's Final Ride Was In a Vintage Lincoln Continental"
           http://www.csua.org/u/v3y (news.yahoo.com)

4/26    "IMF Bombshell: Age of America Nears End"
        http://www.csua.org/u/t6z (finance.yahoo.com)
        "According to the latest IMF official forecasts, China's economy will
        surpass that of America in real terms in 2016 -- just five years from
        now."
        \_ We can turn them into a economy of smoking glass in 5 minutes.

11/8    "Million-dollar bill for 10-inch crack under San Mateo Bridge"
        http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localsfo/20101108/ts_yblog_localsfo/471
        Holy cow!

6/9     Terrorism and immigraion-- these are our priorities!
        http://www.gallup.com/poll/139385/federal-debt-terrorism-considered-top-threats.aspx

4/28    Laura Bush ran a stop sign and killed someone in 1963:
        http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/books/28laura.html?no_interstitial
        How come she didn't go to jail?
        \_ Car drivers rarely go to jail for killing people.  -tom
        \_ Ted Kennedy killed a girl. Dick Cheney shot a man.
        \_ Ted Kennedy killed a girl. Hillary and Dick Cheney both shot a man.
           \_ Wow, one out of three ain't bad, factchecker.
        \_ Lesson:  Don't dump Laura Bush, she'll kill your ass.
        \_ Lesson, people with power get away with murder.  Didn't you um
           learn this a long time ago tho?
        \_ "Know your rights!  Murder is a crime.  Unless it was done
           By the Police Man.  Or an Aristocrat." - Joe Strummer
           \_ Who's Joe Strummer?
              \_ He was star forward of the San Jose Clash

2/18    If not 0 then 1 - wasn't that the basis of the logic of the bush
        administration on torture?  If we do it, it's legal, and since
        torture is illegal, therefore we don't torture?
        \_ Bush is a great computer scientist.
           \_ He must be, given that he defeated the inventor of the Internet
              and AlGorithm.

2/20    "Condoleezza Rice to perform at benefit concert"
        http://www.csua.org/u/q55
        While I'm no fan of Condi's hawkish diplomacy, I've always admired
        people with multiple professional-level talents.
        \_ Will she be in a porn video later?
           \_ She doesn't have a hot body.
              \_ Neither did Thatcher but they're both sexy.  Power == Sexy.
                 \_ Sure, power == sexy, but now neither are powerful, so
                    therefore, not sexy on account of their power. Also,
                    Thatcher nude? /shudder.
              \_ Piano playing fluent-in-Russian lesbian.  What's not to like?
                 \_ Does she play the flute or the sliding trumbone?
           \_ "Steamy CONDItion Vol. 2"

1/20    So I want to give some money to Haiti relief funds and my employer
        \_ SOCIALISM
        is willing to match it, but I am not really that big a fan of
        The Red Cross (they take your donations and then spend them
        however they like, not neccessarily on what you gave it to them for).
        Who else is a good charity? UNICEF?
        \- I believe after some criticism the Red Cross is better about
           handling earmarked funds. That being said, at this point the big
           global agencies [Red Cross, MSF etc] are asking for unresticted
           funds because 1. they have already depleated unrestricted reserve
           in Haiti early 2. they have rec'd a lot of restricted Haiti funds
           and more is in the pipeline 3. govt are spending money there too
           etc. If you go to the RC web page, it does let you semi-earmark.
           Although not clear you can do so if you go through other channels
           you may need to for matching etc. Also I was unhappy the RC requires
           you to give them your email address. I think there is an argument
           to be made that if you find a reputable agency which goal aligned
           to your philosophy [e.g. georgraphically where do they work, what
           do they focus on ... disaster, routine medical/health, microfinance,
           literacy, infrastructure (clean water etc)] you should give
           unrestricted funds. So I think in this case with a big tide of
           money going to Haiti, it's reasoanble to refurbish say the MSF
           coffers for work in Africa ... of course this doesnt apply if
           your goal is to pipe your dollars to Haiti, as oppose to respond
           to a "shock" requiring more resources, or if it seems like down
           the road Haiti is out of the news or govt have renegged on pledges
           and oranizations you trust are making Haiti-specific appeals again.
           Anyway, without a longer detour into philosophy, consider MSF.
           Those guys stay in some really fucked up places through thick and
           thin and that buys a lot of credibility in my book.
           BTW, here is the restrict/unrestricted info for MSF:
           http://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=197&hbc=1?ref=main-menu
           (Hmm, I guess MSF requires an email too).
           Just dont donate to Wyclef Jean :-)
           \_ Don't donate to Kars 4 Kids either.  I almost donated my car to
              them, until I found out that they are actually a religious
              group that uses the donations for spreading the regigion.  I'm
              not religious but I don't mind donating to religious groups (like
              my kid's Christian school) for geunine charity work.  However,
              Kars 4 Kids is too skewed.
        \_ The American Red Cross has one of the lowest overheads among large
           charities.  For example, the overhead for Hurrican Katrina funds is
           9%.  (In comparison, the American Cancer Society overhead is 95%.)
           (Sources: Wikipedia)

1/20    So I want to give some money to Haiti relief funds and my employer
        is willing to match it, but I am not really that big a fan of
        The Red Cross (they take your donations and then spend them
        however they like, not neccessarily on what you gave it to them for).
        Who else is a good charity? UNICEF?
        \- I believe after some criticism the Red Cross is better about
           handling earmarked funds. That being said, at this point the big
           global agencies [Red Cross, MSF etc] are asking for unresticted
           funds because 1. they have already depleated unrestricted reserve
           in Haiti early 2. they have rec'd a lot of restricted Haiti funds
           and more is in the pipeline 3. govt are spending money there too
           etc. If you go to the RC web page, it does let you semi-earmark.
           Although not clear you can do so if you go through other channels
           you may need to for matching etc. Also I was unhappy the RC requires
           you to give them your email address. I think there is an argument
           to be made that if you find a reputable agency which goal aligned
           to your philosophy [e.g. georgraphically where do they work, what
           do they focus on ... disaster, routine medical/health, microfinance,
           literacy, infrastructure (clean water etc)] you should give
           unrestricted funds. So I think in this case with a big tide of
           money going to Haiti, it's reasoanble to refurbish say the MSF
           coffers for work in Africa ... of course this doesnt apply if
           your goal is to pipe your dollars to Haiti, as oppose to respond
           to a "shock" requiring more resources, or if it seems like down
           the road Haiti is out of the news or govt have renegged on pledges
           and oranizations you trust are making Haiti-specific appeals again.
           Anyway, without a longer detour into philosophy, consider MSF.
           Those guys stay in some really fucked up places through thick and
           thin and that buys a lot of credibility in my book.
           BTW, here is the restrict/unrestricted info for MSF:
           http://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=197&hbc=1?ref=main-menu
           (Hmm, I guess MSF requires an email too).
           Just dont donate to Wyclef Jean :-)
           \_ Don't donate to Kars 4 Kids either.  I almost donated my car to
              them, until I found out that they are actually a religious
              group that uses the donations for spreading the regigion.  I'm
              not religious but I don't mind donating to religious groups (like
              my kid's Christian school) for geunine charity work.  However,
              Kars 4 Kids is too skewed.
        \_ The American Red Cross has one of the lowest overheads among large
           charities.  For example, the overhead for Hurrican Katrina funds is
           9%.  (In comparison, the American Cancer Society overhead is 95%.)
           (Sources: Wikipedia)

1/18    http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100118/ts_nm/us_quake_haiti
        Two contrasting remarks:
        '"We do not have the capacity to fix this situation. Haiti needs help
        ... the Americans are welcome here. But where are they? We need them
        here on the street with us," said policeman Dorsainvil Robenson,
        deployed to chase looters in the capital.'
        'Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused Washington of "occupying
        Haiti undercover."'
        \_ Whaddya know? Hugo had some goodwill saved up to burn just for
           the occasion.

1/14    http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20100113/ts_csm/273734
        "It's of little relative importance, given the magnitude of the human
        suffering in and around the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, but
        China's search-and-rescue team was the first to reach there Thursday,
        preceding US teams by a couple of hours."
        Oh no, they got there first even though the are many more hours away.
        The Chicom is going to make a big deal out of this.

12/24   Why San Francisco and union and government suck:
        http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/unions-graft-stunning-incompetence-make.html
        \_ http://www.burbed.com/2010/01/03/san-francisco-richer-and-richer-and-richer
           San Francisco to become richer and richer and richer. It's
           Disneyland for adults! YAY!!!
        \_ No doubt that there is plenty of corruption in San Francisco that
           should be cleaned up, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to
           the intitutionalized corruption that the GOP encouraged under the
           Bush Administration. Which Mish of course turned a blind eye to.
           SF is actually gaining public school students btw, and I am not
           clear as to why a city getting wealthier and wealthier is supposed
           to be a bad thing.
           \_ The link is a summary of the article in the SF Weekly.  Maybe you
              shouldn't blame Bush for everything.  Perhaps we can agree that
              corruption is bad, and try to address that?
              \_ That is what I said. Both parties are corrupt, the GOP
                 even worse than the Democrats. What are you doing about it
                 other than posting links to the motd?
                 \_ the party that is in power or one that is powerful is
                    usually the one that is corrupt. I give the D party
                    3 more years before it implodes just like the R party.
                    \_ You are basically right, though I think it will take
                       more like 12-14 years. How long was from the election
                       of Reagan until Tom DeLay was brought down?

12/5    If Harry Potter is rewritten in a modern style using science
        instead magic, and using real people and references instead of
        fiction, what could it include? I'll start:
        -Slytherin Pureblood = Nazi Ayran
        -Muggle = melting pot
        -Dobby = Black slavery, illiterate
        -Voldemort = GWB? Hitler? ??
        -Wizards = scientists? lawyers?
        -Giants = jocks?
        \_ fundamentalists
        -Muggle = melting pot
        \_ pragmatists
        -Dobby = Black slavery, illiterate
        \_ the working poor, economic slavery, child labour
        \_ Underpaid H1B visa holders in Silicon Valley doing shitty
           coding stuff that greencard holders don't want to do
        -Voldemort = GWB? Hitler? ??
        \_ any charismatic leader leading with fear.  There's a
        tonne to choose from.
        -Wizards = scientists? lawyers?
        \_ professionals.  Magic replaces science/engineering.
           Check out Dresden Files.  Wizards there can't even be in the
           same room as technology, it breaks/shorts out, glitches, dies.
        -Giants = jocks?
        \_ neanderthals, or people soon to be culturally irrelevant
           \_ you mean the Jews?        -Ahmadinejad
           \_ 'old europe'
           \_ libertarians
           \_ the middle class          -GWB
        \_ check out the many journey to the west versions. there is one
           by leiji which is sci-fi space/android themed.
           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyqTPkiEteQ

12/4    Why aren't there as many comedians making fun of Obama as
        there are making fun of GWB?
        \_ he's not as ridiculous.
        \_ No one was making fun of Dubya after only one year in office either.
           In fact, making fun of him after 9/11 was likely to get you lynched.
           Wait until O's second term, then people will really start to light
           into him.
        \_ I don't think Obama is god or 100 successful, but there really is a lot
           less to make fun of than GWB.
        \_ because making fun of Obama would make you a racist, and
           no one wants to be a racist.
           \_ Unless you are Chris Rock.  His black vs. n****er line a decade
              ago was hillarious.
        \_ GWB was a personality, Obama is boring.  They could work the
           boring angle; like have a comedian giving a speech to bored
           people, but that starts to become political, instead of just pure
           comedy.

9/13    Zombietime missing out AGAIN!
        http://www.flickr.com/photos/42406957@N04
        http://www.oliverwillis.com/2009/09/13/photos-teabaggers-in-the-wild

9/2     Why was Ted Stevens prosecuted and Charlie Rangel isn't?
        http://tinyurl.com/n8qr34

8/29    'For immigrants, Kennedy remained tireless advocate'
        http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090829/ap_on_re_us/us_kennedy_immigrants
        'Kennedy remained an ally for immigrants and minorities, even though
         Massachusetts didn't have a sizable Latino or Asian population.
         "He had no constituency he was trying to serve, other than what he saw
         was fair and just," Mindiola said."'
        Now this was a real pro-immigrant senator, not like those so-called
        "pro-immigrant" vote-buying politicians.  I didn't know I benefited
        from him so much until after he passed away.  May he RIP.
        -- Asian immigrant
        \_ Is he pro H1B? We need more H1Bs so that tech companies can be
           more competitive, by hiring cheap skilled PhDs.
           \_ He's now pro annelid.
           \_ "All Immigration Votes of Senator Edward Kennedy"
              http://www.csua.org/u/oyr (profiles.numbersusa.com)
              I'm not sure.  At a first glance he seems to be anti-H1B, but
              maybe he actually cast his vote according to the specific details
              of the bills and the then-current situation, rather than adopting
              a simple for/against position.  -- OP
              I'm not sure.  At a first glance he seemed to be anti-H1B, but
              maybe he actually casted his vote according to the specific
              details of the bills and the then-current situations, rather than
              adopting a simple for/against position.  -- OP

8/17    http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/17/the-best-and-worst-cities-to-look-for-a-job
        San Jose and San Francisco... not a surprise. Northern Cal
        is still the best place to live.
        \_ What are you talking about? San Jose was 6th (above SF) and
           SF was 15th. If you rate "best place to live" as "best place
           to find a job" (which I don't) neither of these qualify and
           the answer is Washington, D.C.
           \_ it's a shitload better than Los Angeles, which is full of
              lame IT and support jobs. There are no real tech jobs that
              require real education. LA only needs people who have bullshit
              degrees from Cal Poly/Cal State.  -troll who lives in LA and
              degrees from Cal Poly/Cal State. -putz who lives in LA and
                                               wasted his education in Berkeley
              \_ You sound like a putz.

5/18    "Democrat Socialist" party resolution expected to pass. HA HA HA HAW
        http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22445.html
        \_ Well, they can't call them "Progressive" because the GOP is too.
           \_ The GOP is progressive if this was the Middle Ages
              \_ "Progress" is homosexuality and confiscatory
              business killing taxation.  Gotit.

4/27    GOP purges itself of RINOs, gives Democrats filibuster proof majority:
        link:www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_12245273
        \_ THis is not coming up for me.
           \_ Sorry, fixed. Mercury moves their stories, I should stop posting
              links to them.
        \_ Calling Specter a RINO is bullshit.
           \_ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2239675/posts
              The Freepers would beg to differ with you.
              \_ And the dude who sleeps on the empty lot outside my window
                 screams about how the government is watching him.  Insane
                 people are insane!  Shocking!
                 \_ It is too convenient to label your political opponents
                    as "insane." The Freepers and their fellow travelers are
                    running the GOP now.
                    \_ That's just because there's a massive power vacuum.
                       This will change, probably within 2-4 years.  Until
                       then it will be some seriously dark times for the GOP.
                       \_ Dark times for America, too. I voted for Obama, but
                          it is not good that there is no credible opposition
                          right now. Too bad we don't have a Lib Dem party,
                          like the Brits.
                          \_ The Democrats are their own opposition.  If you
                             don't like what Congress is doing, write to
                             Obama.  If you don't like what Obama's doing,
                             write Congress.
              \_ Those Freepers are awesome.  You can smell the spittle from
                 here.

4/9     I've been reading articles about piracy and it's not really an issue
        of there being just two dozen ships to patrol a large area. It
        only really takes one ship, if it's the right ship (an aircraft
        carrier). The Navy should be using helicopters and ship-based
        aircraft (e.g., Harriers) to patrol and respond to these incidents
        and then you only need a couple of destroyers to perform
        electronic surveillance and interdict once pirates are discovered.
        Also, electronic identification could be used to identify
        friends-or-foes. If it's not a friendly then intercept it.
        \_ An aircraft carrier can't patrol alone.  They are far to easy
           targets on their own.  There's a reason navy ships sail in fleets.
           And aircraft carrier fleets are expensive and a huge military
        \_ An aircraft carrrrier can't patrol alone.  They arrre farrr to easy
           tarrrgets on their own.  There's a reason navy ships sail in fleets.
           And aircraft carrrrier fleets arrre expensive and a huge militarrry
           asset, which means depolying one there has diplomatic
           repercussions and will effect out relations with major powers.
           \_ I realize this. The real issue is that no one cares enough to
           repercussions and will affect out relations with major powers.
           \_ I realize this. The real issue is that no one carrres enough to
           \_ I realize this. The real issue is that no one cares enough to
              spend the $$$ on this, not that nothing more can be done.
              However, this seems to be a big enough international problem
              that the international community should spend the $$$ and
              solve this problem. Also, I am not suggesting an aircraft
              carrier as the only solution but the best solution. Any ship
              capable of carrying a couple of harriers and a helicopter is
              carrrrier as the only solution but the best solution. Any ship
              capable of carrrrying a couple of harrrriers and a helicopter is
              good enough. Aircraft can get to a location in minutes. When a
              SOS is sent a plane can intercept the pirates in moments versus
              the all night slog it takes the ships to respond. Combine this
              with electronic identifiers and the "motherships" the pirates
              operate from can be eliminated quickly. The British have a
              small carrier that holds 9 helicopters and 5 harriers. Perfect
              small carrrrier that holds 9 helicopters and 5 harrrriers. Perfect
              for this type of action. Get it out there with the cruiser
              and the destroyer. Problem solved.
              \_ Someone should get Obama a soda account, considering how
                 many easy solutions to military and economic problems the
                 MOTD comes up with.
                 \_ We went to Cal. Cal teaches us how to solve real world
                    problems.
                    \_ yeah, and years of actual miltary experience doesn't.
                       \_ The military doesn't make military decisions anyway.
              \_ Sinking the mothership will not make the problem go away,
                 though it might lessen the severity of it.
                 \_ It will have a greater impact than the status quo,
                    which is to pay ransom and hope not to get hijacked
                    again.
              \_ Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys must be reading the motd:
                 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090416/ap_on_re_af/piracy_331
        \_ Why not put some decoy "cargoships" out there, and when
           they are harassed by pirates, let them approach, then
           kill all the pirates?  A couple incidents like that and
           the pirate problem will probably be much reduced.  These
           ships could even be carrying legitimate cargo.
           \_ Someone suggested the same thing on motd a couple months ago.
        \_ This is probably going to be Obama's first big diplomatic
           "challange" but it is actually a relatively easy one. The traditional
           way to stop pirates is to burn them out of their ports, but this
           risks casualties. An aircraft carrier is overkill, imho, and
           very expensive in the long run, but I wouldn't be surprised to
           "challange" but it is actually a relatively easy one. The
           traditional way to stop pirates is to burn them out of their ports,
           but this risks casualties. An aircraft carrier is overkill, imho,
           and very expensive in the long run, but I wouldn't be surprised to
           see us go that route. -ausman
           \_ Wouldn't that route be the Dubya route?
              \_ Dubya route would probably be invasion, not patrol boats.
           \_ This is not a diplomatic problem. They don't have a gov't to
              deal with. Obama has as much military exp as the lusers reading
              the motd which is why he's not going to solve this one.
              It'll swept under the rug and fade.
              \_ I disagree, but it is just a matter of terminology. What kind
                 of "problem" do you think that it is? I have more military
                 experience than O, but it doesn't matter, because he has
                 advisors who are experts. This problem is not going away.
        \_ Pirates are pissed the EU and Taiwanese are overfishing the
           the nearby waters.  they gotta eat somehow
           \_ Litigate. Let's face it. They may have had intentions of
              protecting their waters, but they are now thugs operating in
              international waters against the entire international community.

4/9     "Ex-official: Spies have hacked electric grid"
        http://www.csua.org/u/nyg (http://www.sfgate.com

3/29    Yah, that's not fascist or anything:
        GM CEO resigns at Obama's behest
        http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20625.html
        \_ You're right, it's not!
        \_ No, it's not. Again, you're confusing fascist with national-
           ization. Since GM took bailout money from the govt., I don't
           see why there's outrage when the govt. demands the CEO step
           down. If GM doesn't like it, they're still free to refund the
           money given them and fend for themselves.
        \_ Actually this is kind of fascist. But I can live with it. -O voter
           \_ huh?  what is so fascist about this?  Wagner step down per
              it's share holder's request.  What is wrong with that?
              \_ In spite of popular usage fascist is not a synonym for
                 "anything I don't like." Government and industry being in
                 bed together is pretty fascist, especially since the
                 government is dictating to GM how they should run their
                 business. As I said before, I don't really have a problem
                 with it, since GM obviously is failing with its current
                 strategy.

3/23    Oh oh, Krugman on Obama's new plan:
        "If this plan fails -- as it almost surely will -- it's unlikely that
        he'll be able to persuade Congress to come up with more funds to do
        what he should have done in the first place."
        \_ Krugman has never liked Obama.
        \_ Obama is not enough of a socialist, he is trying too hard to
           maintain the current broken status quo.
        \_ the real tragic part is that the Administration is so scared of
           those "one-word accusation" and not doing the right thing.
           There is only one RIGHT thing to do, which is nationalize the
           bank and break them up in pieces and sold them when things are
           better.  Guidner et alli gave that advice and enforce such when
           OTHER NATIONS were in the similar shoes.   The reality is that
           Republicans, aside from yelling "socialist" "nationalizaton"
           "deficit,"  got absolutely nothing to offer, no alternative plans,
           no nothing.  You want free market?  why don't we disband SEC, FDIC
           fuck the child-labor law, let the market to regulate human
           trafficing, get rid of capital requirements on insurance, and
           continue to allow these guys to leverage 30:1
           \_ The banks don't need nationalization. Two banks need
              nationalization and those are BAC and C. BAC would be pissed
              if they were nationalized, b/c the main reason they are
              having problems is that the Feds forced them to go through
              with the Merrill Lynch deal after they wanted out. C is already
              effectively nationalized as the Feds own so much of it.
              \_ Forced?
                 \_ Yes, forced.
                    http://seekingalpha.com/article/115277-how-the-government-forced-bofa-to-marry-merrill-lynch
                    (not pp)
                    \_ wut about cuntrywide?
           \_ These banks weren't free market in the first place. They were
              part of a partially-regulated government banking network.
              Alternative plan: stabilize the money supply and get rid of
              fractional reserve banking.  Let failed banks fail.
              \_ that is effectively what "nationalization" is: let FDIC
                 take over those without enough equity.
                 \_ Well, the problem is ultimately bigger than what the FDIC
                    is set up to handle... the taxpayer is on the hook.
                    I'd prefer a system where there is no need for an FDIC.
                    The FDIC exists as part of the regulation apparatus but
                    obviously it failed.  I don't think it's possible for
                    them to regulate the system adequately... there is no
                    real accountability.  It's too monolithic and central-
                    planning style.
        \_ So I do need to learn Tamil and move to India?
           \_ No, you need to learn how to gut and clean a deer and
              move to Wyoming.
           \_ just join the Tamili Tiger in Sri Lanka :D

3/13    Whee!  Now CA has an $8 Billion deficit!  Wait, I thought we fixed
        that?
        link:tinyurl.com/aob98k
        \_ You must be new here.

3/11    after Democrats criticized former President George W. Bush's signing
        statements, Mr. Obama issued one of his own, declaring five provisions
        in the spending bill to be unconstitutional and nonbinding, including
        one aimed at preventing punishment of whistleblowers.
        http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123680763049200481.html
        \_ Rather than make the blanket statement that ALL SIGNING STATEMENTS
           ARE EVIL, perhaps you'd prefer to read the actual signing statement
           and make up your own mind?
           http://www.coherentbabble.com/ss2009.htm
           Signing statement is toward the bottom.
           \_ Yah, saying that "I think some of this is unconstitutional so I'm
              going to ignore it" is much better than vetoing it.
              \_ You misunderstand the purpose of the veto. Also, it's the
                 Judiciary's job to determine what is unconstitutional in
                 legislation; the Pres., in this case, is saying, "This is
                 a semi-covert attempt to subvert the authroity of the Exec.
                 Branch, so I refuse to acknowledge it. I understand how
                 this may seem confusing: it's been a long time since we've
                 had a lawyer in the Oval Office.

3/10    Pelosi, you hypocritical bitch
        http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2009/mar/judicial-watch-uncovers-documents-detailing-pelosis-repeated-requests-military-travel
        \_ http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=7057198&page=1
           Let me guess, ABC is obivously just too liberal for words.s
        \_ Why do you hate America?
        \_ America: love it or leave it, traitor!
        \_ You ignorant fool. For one, she's third in line for the presidency.
           Third. Flying privately with a trusted party makes damn good sense.
           For another, she didn't request a large plane and only flew on it
           when no other options were available, opting instead to go for a
           12-seater plane. Lastly, her family members aren't even allowed on
           the plane without compensating the military for the flight. This is
           not a flagrant abuse of tax dollars.  Parent post, ignorant bitch.
           \_ Let them eat cake!
           \_ You idiot.  Her flying in a private plane is reasonable for
              safety concerns.  The 12-seater is a G5!!!  It's a luxury plane.
              And she was damn particular about wanting the G5:
               "It is my understanding there are NO G5s available for the House
              during the Memorial Day recess. This is totally unacceptable,"
              said Pelosi appointee Kay King in a May 10, 2007 message to the
              DOD. "The Speaker will want to know where the planes are."
               "This is not good news, and we will now have some very
              disappointed folks, as well as a very upset Speaker," King wrote
              in another message to DOD.
              \_ What would you prefer she ask for, an F-15?
              \_ If I were her, I'd request a C-5.  You can play football
                 in one of those.
              \_ Oh NOES, an appointee said mean things to staff! That means
                 Pelosi's a corrupt beast!

2/16    Bush not the worst President ever
        http://tinyurl.com/bu2o36 (Yahoo News)
        \_ According to CSPAN, so, of course, no one will watch.
        \_ Agreed, Buchanan and Pierce were THE WORST. Don't you
           guys remember how bad they were?

FUCK YOU GEORGE BUSH AND ALL THE IDIOTS WHO VOTED FOR HIM! IMPEACH!!!

2/5     Really Obama?  Really?  "This recession might linger for years. Our
        economy will lose 5 million more jobs. Unemployment will approach
        double digits. Our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some
        point, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REVERSE," Obama wrote in the newspaper
        piece titled, "The Action Americans Need."
        \_ Nice selective quoting there.  That's what he is saying we need to
           prevent, not what is going to happen.  Here's the two sentances
           RIGHT BEFORE THAT.  "Because each day we wait to begin the work of
           turning our economy around, more people lose their jobs, their
           savings and their homes. And if nothing is done, this recession
           might linger for years."
           \_ I wasn't selectively quoting.  He's claiming if we don't pass
              this bill, the USA will end.  What a moron.
              \_ If nothing is done, will the things that he suggests come to
                 pass? Possibly. His stimulus package may not be a silver
                 bullet, but it will be doing something.
                 \_ Ready, Fire, Aim!
                    \_ Sure, fair point: doing something dumb is as bad/worse
                       than doing nothing. Still doesn't invalidate what he
                       said.
                    \_ It's pretty funny to hear Republicans talking about
                       cautious policy (c.f. Iraq) and fiscal responsibility
                       (c.f.  pretty much everything).
                       \_ Iraq wasn't exactly "incautious" -- but yes, the R's
                          have certainly not been the party of small gov't
                          lately.
                          \_ You think that Iraq was carefully thought out?
                 \_ No, if the government sits on its collective hands, we
                    won't go into an IRREVERSIBLE tailspin.  "His" stimulus
                    package is a crap sandwich of every earmark from the House
                    and Senate, only 3% goes to "shovel-ready" projects, and
                    less than 1/4 will be spent in 2009.
                    \_ It would help your case if you hadn't taken his
                       words out of context to start with.  As it is your
                       credibility is, shall we say, low?  Hell you
                       couldn't even be bothered to make it clear you had
                       cut off the first half of the sentance you were
                       quoting.
                    \_ "We may not be able to reverse" includes the possibility
                       of reversing it.
                    \_ No, that is not the plain meaning of the words he used.
                       You are too stupid to bother with explaining the
                       obvious meaning too, though.
                       obvious meaning though.
        \_ There are plenty of non insane respected economists, not waaay to
           the left or waaay to the right who really believe that if some
           massive stimulus action is not taken soon we are really seriously
           in for a long deep depression. You could argue that is just how
           free markets work and that a depression will simply finally cut out
           all the fat, make us more competitive, and really prove that FDR's
           massive expansion of gov spending and LBJ's great society brought
           us to this point, but my point is, many believe the danger is real.
           The Fed is and was REALLY scared. What is your plan to avoid
           economic ruin, or is your position that we shouldn't do shit?
           \_ How many of them predicted our current situation?  When we're
              talking about make-work projects and protectionism, I get all
              itchy worrying that we're headed right back to the beginning of
              20th century.
              \_ Yeah, that would be terrible.  Let's tear down the Golden
                 Gate and Bay Bridges while we're at it.  -tom
           \_ Their "stimulus" is only possible via huge borrowing, which is on
              top of the already huge borrowing that we've been doing for
              many years.  That itself could lead to economic ruin and in
              any case is a long term burden.
              The fed should have been scared a long time ago.
              Is the answer to just keep doing what we've been doing, only more
              so?
              \_ "what we've been doing" is throwing billions down a rathole
                 in Iraq while cutting taxes on the wealthy.  I'm all for
                 stopping both of those things.  -tom
              \_ When the market is willing to loan the government money at
                 near-zero interest, NOT running a deficit would be
                 irresponsible.
        \_ ok.  what are the alternatives?  tax cuts?  Bush has done plenty of
           that.  I don't know how you are going to convince me tax cut is
           going to work this time.  *IF* you are a true free-market type,
           you would totally let GM, Ford, Bear Stern, Bandk of America,
           Citibank to die.
           or you are the type who supports "socialize the cost,"  asking
           the tax payers to buy those "bad asset" so banks can be free of
           their responsbility of making bad investments?

2/4     http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/washington/10nsa.html?ref=technology
        "Panel to Study Military Eavesdropping"
        [C'mon, it's not hard, just copy/paste the title]

2/4     Welcome to Fascism  (and yes, GWB started it)
        http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090204/D964VSP00.html
        \_ Nice try, when you've lived under a dictatorship, come back ok?
           \_ Fascism != dictatorship, one word has different letters and
              less letters than the other.
              \_ fewer
        \_ Corporations are begging for handouts from .gov; .gov caps payouts
           for corporations taking handouts; where's the fascism?
           \_ Government gives money to company, then tells company what to do.
              Gov't has nationalized the company.
              \_ Congratulations, you've described one aspect of
                 nationalization. This is not the same as fascism.
                 \_ And Barney Frank wants more:
     http://www.financialweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090203/REG/902039977/1003/TOC
                    \_ What is your proposal for reducing systemic risk?
                       This one isn't that great, but so far it is the
                       This one doesn't seem so great, but so far, it is the
                       only one I have seen. "Let the invisible hand sort it
                       out" seems to have failed as a notion. Got any other
                       ideas?
                       \_ Uh, invisibile hand means that you need to allow
                          losses.  If you prevent them, you're ignoring the
                          hand.
                          \_ I'll take that as a no, then.
        \_ Could you dittoheads get together and figure out whether you're
           going to call Obama a commie or a fascist?  Your flip-flopping is
           distracting.  -tom
           \_ They're not opposites.
           \_ Marx (commie) -> Stalin (fascist dictator), so ObaMaRX ->
              ObaSTaLIN
           \_ Also Geithner is talking the same tune as Frank, as per the
              article.
           \_ Rush Limbaugh says that Nazis are the same as Socialists, you
              are obviously not a listener.
              \_ Hint, Nazis were National Socialists.
                 \_ So you have been listening to Rush...
                    \_ So you've never read a history book...(Hint: There
                       are reasonable arguments against Nazi=Socialist.
                       Denying the name isn't one of them.)
                       \_ If someone argues the name means they were the
                          same they are obviously too stupid to be worth
                          having a real discussion with.  End of story.

1/22    Does "A new era of responsibility" mean that I will have to take
        responsibility for the mistakes that people made in the Bush era,
        like paying off national debt and helping the middle class while
        the rich already got richer and got away during the Bush era?
        \_ Oh hell no.  It doesn't even mean you need to pay your taxes.

1/22    Amazing inaugural ceremony shot. Zoom in to see GWB and Clintons!
        http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/20/us/politics/2009-inauguration-zoom-photo.html
        http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/20/us/politics/2009-inauguration-zoom-photo.html#4-1853-904
        PS Bush is probably not feeling loved compared to Clinton.
        \_ One more from a different angle. It's a friggin 1474 MEGAPIXEL
           stitch picture.
           http://www.davidbergman.net/blog/2009/01/22/how-i-made-a-1474-megapixel-photo-during-president-obamas-inaugural-address

1/20    George W. Bush, Greatest President Ever!
        \_ I want to try him for war crime and crime against humanity, then
           exile him to Iraq (outside the green zone) so he can enjoy the
           "progress" he made first hand... along with his neocon friends

1/15    Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review finds (1) a foreign
        intelligence exception to the 4th amend.; and (2) that a warrantless
        search under FISA is not unreasonable for 4th amend. purposes:
        http://preview.tinyurl.com/8rg8qj [NYT]
        http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fisa/fiscr082208.pdf [opinion]

1/13    Soon, GWB will no longer be a president. Is his approval rating
        better or worse than Nixon's?
        \_ just put him in trial for crime against humanity... his approval
           rating will rise :D

1/9     Karl Rove's Factually Challenged Housing Revisionism
        http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/01/karl-roves-revisionism
        \- why exactly would anybody except anything from KROVE
           except an ideological ad? this is like "ford ad's
           american car quality historical revisionism" or Preacher Bob
           Jesusfreak's critiques of evolutionary theory.
           [not that i am not saying people shouldnt engage with KROVE
           or it's not interesting to read these links]. the dems
           can definitely learn from people like grover nordquist
           [interitance tax = "death tax" instead of "billionare tax"]
                                "billionaire tax" is far less _/
                                accurate than "death tax"
                                inheritance taxes affect people
                                with relatively small inheritances
                                \_ Technically, they're both misleading;
                                   it's actually an "inheritance tax."
                                   \_ Actually, as is usual for the MOTD
                                      you don't know what the hell you
                                      are talking about, but wouldn't
                                      think of letting that stop you.
                                      It is an ESTATE tax, which is
                                      "technically" different from an
                                      an inheritance tax.  If it was an
                                      inheritance tax besides being more
                                      fair and reasonable, it would also
                                      make the term "Death Tax" actually
                                      incorrect, as opposed to now, where
                                      it is (again "Technically") correct.
                                      -phuqm (the death tax supporter)
                                      -phuqm (death tax supporter)
                                      \_ And as usual, you manage to be
                                         informative AND an asshole.
                                          \_ aww shucks.  Now I'm going
                                            to feel all warm and fuzzy
                                             all day.
                                             \_ Mission accomplished.
           stuff like this "contains an egregious combination of false
           statements, crucial omissions and misleading assertions."
           should read "karl rove is a notorious liar" ... he isnt a fool
           so he cant believe any of this ... as for journalists and
           publication which present him ... we must ask about them
           "are they fools, unprincipled ideologues, paid hacks, or is
           something else going on". it feels good to come up with nice lines
           like "you are entitled to your opinions but not your own facts"
           but in cases like this a stark "kar rove is a liar" is more accurate
           and makes the point better. To wit, "false coyness" in lines like
           "Rove somehow fails to note the GOP controlled Congress from
           1994-2006, including the first 6 years of the Bush Presidency."
           if you havent analyzed the GSE article in the last Vanity Fair,
           you may wish to take a look.
           \- this is more like it:
             http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2009/01/stupidest-party-alivetm.html

1/8     Whacky Berkeley Liberals on the loose waving American flags:
        http://tinyurl.com/9zqnx4 (Boston.com)

1/6     URL speaks for itself, really
        http://www.metafilter.com/78015/The-ObamaBigfoot-Connection
        \_ Is Art Bell a Republican?
           \_ Your reading comprehension has been classified as: lacking.
              \_ You must not have read all the comments...

1/5     congrats, al franken.
        \_ Why are you congratulating him for theft?
           \_ welcome to the new government, when lawyers, not voters decide
              who rules.  I welcome our now obvious lawyer overlords.
              \_ New? You forget Bush vs. Gore.
              \_ They counted the votes according to state law. Franken had
                 more of them. The process was pretty transparent, especially
                 compared to FL in 2000.
           \_ You're 8 years too late to think that joke's gonna fly.
           \_ http://www.theonion.com/content/news/supreme_court_overturns_bush_v

12/29   Candidate for chairmainship of GOP *improves* his chances by
        distributing "Barack The Magic Negro" songs:
        http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16919.html
        \_ He should have put a Confederate flag on the album jacket.
        \_ What do Powell and Rice have to say about this?
        \_ This article is total FAIL for not even mentioning what a Magic
           Negro is.
           \_ Everyone knows that a a Magic Negro is like a Magic Dragon, only
              different.
              \_ Actually, "Magic Negro" was a term popularized by neocon
                 white bigots such as Spike Lee and Dave Chappelle, but
                 don't let that get in the way of making yourself feel
                 better.
                 \_ And while this is true, it doesn't change the implied
                    racism of the term when used by white GOP hacks to dismiss
                    Obama as nothing more than a stereotype and trope. Cf.
                    why Chappelle eventually stopped doing The Chappelle Show:
                    people were laughing with the racism, not at it.
                    \_ I thought the reason was that he was no longer doing
                       comedy for comedy's sake and that writing jokes for money
                       was killing him.
                       comedy for comedy's sake and that writing jokes for
                       money was killing him.
                       \_ http://csua.org/u/n7h (Transcript of interview with
                          Anderson Cooper.)
                    \_ And here I thought you guys were supposed to understand
                       nuance. I'll give you a hint. Calling Obama a Magic
                       Negro isn't as much an insult directed at Obama as it is
                       an insult directed at his supporters and his rise to
                       power. It's about as racist as calling Bush a chimp.
                       \_ In order for you to offer us a hint, you'd have to
                          have a clue. Calling Obama a Magic Negro implies that
                          he's a cardboard caricature expected to magically
                          solve white people's problems; regardless of the
                          accuracy of the implication that Obama's supporters
                          delude themselves, the premise continues to rely on a
                          black caricature, and therein lies the racism. A
                          more appropriate, better targeted term for Obama's
                          supporters, as you see them, is "pollyanna," named
                          after the literary character who only ever saw the
                          bright side of the world, no matter what shit was
                          flung at her.
           \_ Actually, it is the GOP that was just the total FAIL.  And given
              what they're up to lately, I expect that FAIL to continue for
              the next four years.  Welcome to the wilderness, boys.
              \_ we're happy to wander it just like Our Lord had to.

12/13   Mortgage defaults set to increase:
        http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28035238/page/3
        "if we have an economy where unemployment gets to 8 or 9 percent,
        if that happens the amount of delinquencies is going to be staggering."
        Meanwhile...
        In terms of job losses, December could be even worse than November,
        when 533,000 jobs were lost, according to the Labor Department. That
        was the largest monthly loss since December 1974.
        http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/12/news/economy/job_cuts/index.htm
        \_ GEORGE BUSH NUMBAH #1!
           \_ http://hnn.us/articles/48916.html
              61% of historians now rate Bush worst President ever.
              \_ I love this link:
                 Historians rate Bush as success:
                 2% success
                 98% failure
                 \_ I didn't think it would be that high. 2%, huh?
                    \_ The Bush family has a lot of powerful friends.

12/12   Angry sysadmin says we have guaranteed ourselves 30-50% decline in GDP
    (based I assume on debt servicing / defaults outpacing benefits of
    deficit spending)
        \_ Good thing no one listens to that guy.

12/8    Partha, I'd be interested to know how you do on this:
        http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx
        I bet you're in the 90% or above...
        \_ That's not a very hard quiz. I'm not particularly big on politics
           or econ, and I managed 30/33.
        \- i got 30/33 too. #33 is not a good question.
           the puritan question is also kind of iffy [the were
           looking for increased freedom to practice, complete
           freedom, i suppose not. but just to label a pretty disparate
           group with the "teh believed in sinfulness and not dancing
           isnt a good answer, especially in the american civics
           context, where the focus should be on free exercise].
           i legitmately got the lincoln-douglas one wrong.
           i knew there was an active debate on the compromises
           about adding new states but i thought the debate between
           then was more philosophical. why didnt you just wall this
           if directed at me.
        \- i got 30/33 too. i misreaad 33 reading deficit for debt.
           the actual answer is not very good. the puritan question
           is also kind of iffy [they were looking for increased
           freedom to practice, complete freedom, i suppose not. but
           just to label a pretty disparate group with the "they
           believed in sinfulness and not dancing" isnt a good answer,
           especially in the american civics context, where the focus
           should be on free exercise].  i legitmately got the
           lincoln-douglas one wrong.  i knew there was an active
           debate on the compromises about adding new states but i
           thought the debate between then was more philosophical. why
           didnt you just wall this if directed at me.
           thought the debate between L&D was more philosophical.
           why didnt you just wall this if directed at me. --psb
           \_ And yet, you're not a citizen, right?  Good job, psb,
              though truthfully I expected you to do well.  You
              didn't seem to be on wall at the time.
              \_ Yet, not a citizen? I thought that tends to work in his favor.
                 \- it's not a matter of citizenship, it's i havent taken
                    a us history class in 20yrs and am not interested in
                    us history [i am interested in 20cent history and
                    con law]. like i dont remember exactly who the
                    the con law]. like i dont remember exactly who the
                    anti-federalists were, although that was a guessable
                    question.
        \_ I got 100% right. -ausman
        \_ I got only got #8 wrong.  I would have gotten that if I'd
           thought about it longer. (Roosevelt/SCOTUS threaten q.)
           The Puritan question seemed poorly written and #33 is a silly
           trick question.  (I still got those right though.)
           \_ How is 33 a trick question.  A lot of people don't understand
              the difference between debt and deficit spending.
              \- because tax per person is not really meaningful concept.
                 secondly, it assumes there is history ... i.e. there
                 could be debt from past years but doesnt include say
                 non-tax sources of govt income, govt expenses on
                 non-citizens ... saying $3bh of aid to israel is
                 non-citizens ... saying $3bn of aid to israel is
                 $10 of spending on each person (in america) is kind
                 of silly. whereas one of the core national income accounting
                 identity does start with aggregate govt revenue and
                 agg govt spending.
                 what would you pay to see sarah palin take this quiz
                 in front of you? i might pay $100.
                 \_ I would pay $100 if she had to take it 'cold' with
                    no fore-warning and had never taken it before....
        \_ I also got 30/33, but I did have to make some educated guesses.
           For example, I could not have answered the Lincoln/Doglus one
           without the multiple-choice format.
           \_ That's all fine and well, but I think the funny/sad part here is
              they claim that "college educators" only score 55% on average.
              \_ It is sad that they make that claim, it kind of destroys
                 their credibility.
                 \_ Does it? I'm not so sure. I find it plausible, depending
                    on how they define "college educators" (what colleges,
                    what subjects, etc.).
                    \_ I personally know four "college educators" and I can
                       ask them all to take this test and tell you how they
                       did, if you like. Of course, all but one is a Cal Grad
                       (and the one that is not is a UCLA grad) so perhaps this
                       is too much of a self-selected sample. I would be
                       astonished if any of them got under 90%.
        \_ I think whether you take the quiz fast or slow (untimed) may make
           a couple of point difference.
        \_ 28/33 -- I would have gotten 33 but I read it too fast

12/1    US economy in recession since Dec 2007, says NBER:
        http://tinyurl.com/5vukuj
        \_ But our PRESIDENT said we're simply in a tough spot and that
           we'll back to our feet!

11/26   Government bailout represents 60% of GDP!
        http://www.csua.org/u/n02 (http://www.sfgate.com
        \_ Thanks Bush!

11/22   I just checked my 401K and it is 1/2 of what it used to be. When
        is Bush's Economic Stimulous Package (tax return) going to help
        out the economy again?                          -Go George W Bush!
        \_ It's Clinton's fault.
           \_ ^Clinton^Obama
        \_ People who got the tax rebate were probably people who don't have
           much money, if any, in 401(k) accounts.

11/20   Another win for the Constitution, loss for the Bush Administration:
        http://tinyurl.com/6ylqxl (Yahoo News on Guantanamo enemy combatants)

11/12   http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4AB8KG20081112
        Appeals court upholds Jefferson charges
        Dear "Why aren't they going after Jefferson?!?!?"-guy: they are.
        And now the man gets due process. If, like Stevens, he's convicted by
        a jury of his peers, calls for his resignation will be heartily
        supported.
        \_ LOL.
           \_ it's teh 'lolz', not lol.

11/12   ZOMG http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4A117D200
        81102?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10112
        http://preview.tinyurl.com/5ljfbc
        \_ lulz
           \_ Are you talking to yourself, or are you having a cabinet
              meeting in your head again?
              \_ ZIGOM.
                 \_ ???????????
           \_ Please remove the LOLBERTROSS from around your neck.
              \_ ZMOG norcal!!!!!!

11/11   Look, even the Secretary of Defence has BDS now:
        http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122636621096215941.html
        "They also noted that Mr. Gates carries around an electronic keychain
        whose display shows the number of days until the end of the Bush
        administration."
        \_ The photo of Gates has nice bokeh. What kind of lens do you
           think they used?

11/10   Bush leaving office with a higher disapproval rating than Nixon,
        the highest ever recorded.
        http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/10/bush.transition.poll
        \_ Congress at lowest approval ever, and voters gave the dems more
           seats.
           \_ Which tells you that the voters spotted dickery on the part of
              Congressional Republicans and punished them accordingly.
           \_ Which tells us that the voters spotted dickery on the part of
              Congressional Republicans and punished accordingly.
           \_ Democrats in Congress have a much higher rating than Congress
              as a whole. What does that tell you?

11/6    Obama to bring back slavery:
        http://assmastery.change.gov/americaserves
        \_ u mean communism
           \_ Yeah, I like Communism. Capitalism didn't work too well
              under GWB.
              \_ I thought GWB was a neocon and that neocon = socialism + war
              \_ how are you going to spend your 100 hours ? scraping gum?
        \_ say bye to the 13th amendment - Executive Order on the way
        \_ That's an unfortunate sysadmin error there.
        \_ They really need to change that Redirect to a Rewrite
           \_ Good point, I will contact the campaign and get them to fix it.
           \_ Fixed, thanks for the heads up.

11/6    Obama to bring back slavery:
        http://socialism.change.gov/americaserves
        \_ u mean communism
           \_ Yeah, I like Communism. Capitalism didn't work too well
              under GWB.
              \_ I thought GWB was a neocon and that neocon = socialism + war
              \_ how are you going to spend your 100 hours ? scraping gum?
        \_ say bye to the 13th amendment - Executive Order on the way
        \_ That's an unfortunate sysadmin error there.
        \_ They really need to change that Redirect to a Rewrite

11/6    Obama to bring back slavery:
        http://change.gov/americaserves
        \_ u mean communism
           \_ Yeah, I like Communism. Capitalism didn't work too well
              under GWB.
              \_ I thought GWB was a neocon and that neocon = socialism + war
              \_ how are you going to spend your 100 hours ? scraping gum?
        \_ say bye to the 13th amendment - Executive Order on the way

11/4    We're in a recession. How did this happen?
        http://howdidthishappen.org/facts
        \_ http://auroraforum.stanford.edu/files/transcripts/Aurora_Forum_Transcript_Naomi_Klein_Terry_Karl_16.10.08.pdf

10/23   Scott McClellan backing Obama
        http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTIIAe-yK2dlIpZEP1iUzJUs7k7QD940FA880
        \_ whoa, an opportunistic toadie jumping on a bandwagon?  I never
           would have expected that!  -tom

10/22   Right wing get increasingly more deranged as election approaches:
        http://crookedtimber.org/2008/10/21/let-me-be-the-first-to-welcome-our-new-international-socialist-conspiracy-overlords
        \_ I agree, they are really beginning to resemble the left.
         \_ The difference is you are comparing the Insane Rambling Crazy
            Person Left with the Very Serious Get Massive Press Time and
            Treated Seriously Right.  The Insane Rambling Crazy Person Right
            is makes these ravings look downright reasonable.  There are
            crazies on every end of every spectrum, but it's telling when
            just being mostly crazy counts as reasonable.

10/21   SOCIALISM
        \_ WELFARE STATE
        \_ ...FOR THE RICH
        \_ JEWISH-BACKED ISLAMISTS
        \_ why are Republican strategists on tv always old white guys?
           \_ You're forgetting psychotic but hot MILFs (c.f. Michele
              Bachmann)
              \_ you're right, but i'm talking about guys who describe their
                 jobs as 'republican strategist'.  at least Bachmann has
                 a day job.
        \_ I grew up in the 80s. Capitalism has done nothing good. The
           lack of central command to direct basic things such as housing,
           transportation, utility, etc makes everything suck. In addition
           there is too much greed resulting in fraud everywhere. Fuck
           Reaganomics, it is not working. I never prospered from Reaganomics
           and neither did my family. Fuck capitalism. I welcome
           New World Socialism any time.
           \_ Yes, command economies like former USSR are so superior.
              \_ I suppose you don't support the bail out at all.
              \_ {$HUMOR}
              \_ Let's talk about how much money an average American owes
                 vs. how much money an average Russian saved. Actually,
                 let's just talk about the National Deficit.
              \_ No, but command economies like the US military in the 80s
                 was superior. I love me them base PX prices.
                 \_ ha i grew up on the PX too.
           \_ Yeah, let's nationalize all the dot-coms.  Better, let's do that
              retroactively, and make all those (ex-)employees who benefited
              from stock options turn in their profit to the goverment.
           \_ Seems like the problem is corruption in general, and I don't
              think socialism will resolve that.  A more vigilent populace
              may.
        \_ Yes? What about it? Young people today with nothing to lose
           but everything to gain from Socialism, embrace it. We're
           tired of having sucky infrastructures and unfairness.
           Let us all embrace socialism.
           \_ Why do you think they have nothing to lose?
              \_ Read Prop 13 history and ramifications
        \_ I presume you are free-market type.  Please do tell me you
           oppose the 700 billion bail out package.  Please tell me you
           do support the abolishment of
           - SEC
           - FDIC
           - FDA
           - minimum wage
           - child labor law
           - ban on human trafficking

           and let the invisible hand does everything.
           \_ Excellent straw man sir!
        \_ You know, I'd say 8 of the top 10 nicest countries to
           live in in the world are socialist.
        \_ The three TIE fighters move in on Luke.  As Vader's center fighter
           unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships at his side
           is hit and explodes into flame.  The two remaining ships continue
           to move in.
           \_ Which are the other two? Switzerland and Singapore?
        \_ Wow, I think this is the most efficent troll I have ever
           seen.  Bravo!
           \_ Seconded. It takes the Art of Troll to the next level. Kudos!
        \_ Key word: socialism
           \_ BUD DAY doesn't like your tone.  Obviously you've never
              served.

10/16   You think the deficit is bad?  Look at the debt side.
        http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081016/ts_csm/adebt
        '"At the end of the last fiscal year, that (the national debt) came to
        $53 trillion or about $550,000 per household," he says. "We may well
        have passed the point where the federal government's total financial
        hole exceeds the net worth of all Americans."'
        \_ $53T is a bullshit number, made up by a bunch of chicken little's
           who don't know how to do economic analysis.
           \_ A number from The United States Comptroller General for the past
              10 years is a bullshit number?
              \_ Sorry Republicans, no one is buying your BS anymore.
                 \_ Actually, for the past three decades, all those presidents
                    who brought up the debt w.r.t. GDP were Republicans, and
                    all those who brought it down were Democrats.
                    http://zfacts.com/p/461.html
                    \_ But the first GBush's Read My Lips tax raise
                       was the cause of Clinton era's surplus. Don't
                       take credit without giving credit.
        \_ http://preview.tinyurl.com/2zfhkg
           "The problem with Medicare, Walker says, is people keep living
           longer, and medical costs keep rising at twice the rate of
           inflation. But instead of dealing with the problem, he says, the
           president and the Congress made things much worse in Dec. 2003,
           when they expanded the Medicare program to include prescription
           drug coverage."
           The real problem is that medical costs cannot continue to grow
           at 7%/yr without consuming the entire economy. Something that
           cannot happen will eventually stop growing, I am sure of that.
           cannot happen will not, I am sure of that.

10/14   New Army Manual Showcases Softer Side - Yahoo! News:
        http://www.csua.org/u/mn6
        'The Army ultimately decided that such an aim (spreading democracy) is
        unrealistic. "We have to step back and say, you know, it's not about
        democracy, it's about effective governance and a stronger economy and
        well-being for the people," Leonard says. "If they develop democracy,
        that's great, but they have to have a government that suits their
        culture. And of course we had that debate."'
        \_ please forward the link to Mr. Bush please.

10/14   LOL...Venezuelan govt. now calling Bush "comrade"
        http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/717074.html

10/13   I just want to crow for a moment:
        http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/2008
        *Boredcast Message from 'psb': Tue Oct  7 13:13:54 2008
        || i wonder if the nobel people will give PKRUGMAN the econ prize
        || as a way of sticking it to BUSHCO
        || well the econ nobel people
        ||
        Given all the yammering from Ben Stein lately, it is time to
        recycle this:
        http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2005/06/a_missing_piece.html

10/12   http://www.gallup.com/poll/110980/Bush-Job-Approval-25-Lowest-Yet.aspx
        Will Bush win the lowest approval rating for a President ever? It looks
        like he is going to make a serious run for it.
        \_ And we still care about Bush because... ?
           \_ You don't think we should care about the president that did more
              to fuck up the country than any one single person?  Those who
              don't learn from history...
              \_ No, we haven't learned from history. Look at the 2000
                 and 2004 election. American people flunked American
                 history, and instead vote for people who are charming,
                 good looking, or looks/talks like one of them.
                 \_ Bush is better looking than Gore?
                    \_ most of his core supporters are monkeys.
            \_ Isn't he the leader of the Free World and standard
               bearer for the Republican Party still?

10/9    Will 2008 be a re-aligning election?
        http://tinyurl.com/3oktaf

10/6    How do i get in on the Office Of Financial Stability?
        \_ Call Barney Frank or George Soros.
        \_ http://www.buymyshitpile.com
        \_ Give $2000 to Bush for President and get your wife to do it too:
           http://tinyurl.com/4dm6ft
           http://preview.tinyurl.com/4oex87
           (I can't believe this guy lives in Redwood City...)
           \_ Which Bush?  Jeb Bush?
              \_ Did you look at the URL? It is pretty clear.
                 \_ Oh, it's year 2004.  I see.

10/5    Wow, Palin really is Bush with lipstick
        http://www.lrb.co.uk/v30/n19/raba01_.html