Jack & Jill Politics

Another clip of Luntz Focus Group...

Obama Won the Debate! Frank Luntz Focus Group
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=36KsLl4qS-w

What the hell was up with the indep voter- Vet, woman, black? Obama was too articulate? And he has to appeal more to women- cuz he's not doing it for her?

What the f was she smoking?

That woman looks like a classic case. ...a grotesque distortion of Black évolué, you know the educated folk Frantz Fanon called out for tricking themselves into believing that degrees and nice clothes could cover their blackness and allow seamless assimilation.

A tired old game by now - try to look smart or "real" or "not voting for him cos he's black" by downing O. But, um, this one ain't even smart, and sitting the back row looking like she just woke up. ...faux évolué?

...O is clearly the best candidate in ages. ages. That said, it just occured to me that one could reasonably vote for him just because he's black if only because you voted for all the other ones because they were white , the defacto first requirement.

Well said, especially last paragraph. I find it a hard pill to swallow that the last President was elected because so many voters felt like they would want to have a beer with him. I didn't. But truthfully, to me that says, "he's just like me and that helps my trust and comfort with him." Why then, it is wrong for me to find that same quality appreciable when deciding upon Obama's candidacy? Because over and above all that he is an experienced leader and intellectual, and he is the only candidate that has shown sound judgment. He is the best candidate with the most potential to revitalize our nation and our international standing in ages. Ages.

...I think she meant he's too "intellectual"..but she wasn't articulate enough to express it ;-)

New Sarah Palin SNL skit

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/27/tina-f...

***Video***
McCain on This Week Talking About the Bailout
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CQn4Kb7QONQ (part 1)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rOve4_rHjUI (part 2)

...Yeah, it was bad.

McCain is steamed that O outmaneuvered him on Public Financing and Town Halls...and he can't let it go.

really, really bad.

rikyrah: Well, somebody is beginning to use the I-word IMPULSIVITY!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/28/nyt-op...
Op-Ed Dismisses McCain as "Impulsive, Impetuous and Impatient"

The McCain campaign has made it pretty clear in recent weeks that any or all criticism of their candidate from the New York Times is a product of being "in the tank" for Obama, but there's little doubt that today's column from Nicholas Kristof will bring the campaign some measure of dismay, following the "foreign policy debate," especially since Kristof captures McCain as "impulsive, impetuous and impatient."

FINALLY! Reality is "slowly" emerging!! NOT "maverick", people! IMPULSIVE!!!! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!!

rikyrah: From TPM:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com...
Obama Way Ahead in Todays Tracking Polls"

Yaaaaaaaaa! :>)

Here's a wrap-up of the four major national tracking polls for today. With one new day of post-debate data within the three-day tracking polls, Barack Obama's lead is growing.

• Gallup: Obama 50%, McCain 42%, with a ±2% margin of error. Yesterday, Obama was up 49%-44%.

• Rasmussen: Obama 50%, McCain 44%, with a ±2% margin of error, unchanged from yesterday.

• Hotline/Diageo: Obama 47%, McCain 42%, with a ±3.2% margin of error, compared to a 48%-43% Obama lead yesterday.

• Research 2000: Obama 50%, McCain 43%, with a ±3% margin of error. Yesterday, Obama was up 49%-43%.

Adding these polls together and weighting them by sample sizes, Obama is ahead by a margin of 49.7%-42.9%, up from a lead yesterday of 49.3%-43.8%.

FIRED UP!! READY TO GO!!

Obama-Biden '08!!

rikyrah: The Mudflats just keep the presses rollin' - ALL OVER "McAncient"/The Gov.:

http://www.themudflats.net/2008/09/28/mccain-pa...
McCaIn-Palin: How Low Will They Go?

With every day bringing new cringe-worthy gaffes, inadequacies, and (R)evelations (Biblical and otherwise), the McCain campaign is getting desperate. They’ve tried just about everything to postpone, or lessen the carnage of the looming bloodbath that will be the Vice Presidential debate this Thursday night.Plan A - Change the rules of the debate. Give the candidates less time to talk, and less time to talk TO each other. If Palin has 25% less time to talk, she will embarrass herself and her party…..25% less. That’s the theory anyway. Plan A has been implemented.Plan B - Economic meltdown. Play it so that John McCain is “the only one” who can solve the crisis, and suspend the campaign so he can. Push for the Presidential debate to be moved forward to take the place of…..wait for it…..the Vice Presidential debate! This allows for the VP debate to be postponed indefinitely! It’s so crazy, it just might work… Except it didn’t. Barack Obama called McCain’s bluff, showed for the debate and forced McCain to participate or risk being upstaged by a nationally televised Obama Town Hall meeting. (McCain campaign lifting collective fist to the sky…”Noooooooo!”)

Plan C - While looking for another way to stall the debate, giving Palin more time to memorize those index cards of talking points, create a diversion for the press. Because right now, the press is not a friend to the McCain campaign. The Couric interview was an epic disaster. Obama won the first Presidential debate, according to most Americans. McCain is looking dangerously physically run-down. Even Alaskans have had it with their governor, and were out in droves Saturday, protesting the stonewalling of her ethics investigation. Op-ed pieces from the left and from the right have been unflattering to say the least. Hmmm….how to divert all this negative press coverage….*lightbulb*

Well, I took a large "SNIPPET"; BUT I love the sarcastic writing style! :>)

There is a picture of the "pregnant/unmarried/less than happy" couple! :>( YUK!

Let's hurry and get this election over so that we can all hold our food down!! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

rikyrah: I'm going to try and post this joke. Don't know where to get the address. I got it in an e-mail!

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President.

The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.'

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle
was.

The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle.'

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain.

'You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, she doesn't know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.'

ENJOY!! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

P.S. Will be away for about a half day. Back on Monday. Miss y'all!!

Muslim Chidren "Gassed" in Dayton Mosque

Heartwrenching

Send the domestic terrorists to prison for life.

This may "break" tomorrow.

I hope someone calls for McCain to renounce the HATRED and BIGOTRY of some of his supporters (like what I wanted him to say about the KKK)


http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/sto...

This is too sad for words. I hope I don't bust out crying when I see my students tomorrow. What a vile & cowardly act. So very sad.

Folks, there may be a chance that this deal won't go through!

Kucinich says bailout doesn't have the votes

Ten Reasons to Oppose the Wall Street Bailout

Obama in Virginia - listen to it!



http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/

Wow.

icebergslim: My sister [Detroit] gave me a little of this; BUT this is SPECTACULAR!! :>)
THANKS, always! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

Great pictures. Joe is pretty touchy feely himself. LOL

I love how both Barack and Joe seem to be having a good time and are very relaxed. Every picture was a gem.

Joe is very touchy feely. I swear he's going to kiss Obama before its over with.

*snort.

He's also kind of of close to Michelle, too.

All joking aside, the picture of him looking at the two little girls shows that Joe is an engaged human who likes people..a lot.

The Obamas look SOOOO in love.. I love black love!!

It's official VOTE NO for this bill as written.

The first reason is the mark to market regualtions are being suspended. this means that the unpriceable paper is no longer marked to the last sale. the last sale by my records is Merrill's sale a couple of weeks ago at $.22 on a dollar. by doing this the instistutions are going to be able to automatically, without price discovery, raise the value of the paper on their books.

I can't engage any websites yet w/ more details. Read here for recap:http://calculatedrisk.blogspot.com/

The Repository of Canton Ohio, who endorsed Bush in 2004 and McCain in 2000 against Bush, endorses Barack Obama for President.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=3&s...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/28/paper-...
For the first time in 72 years, The Record is endorsing a Democrat for president.

Barack Obama is our choice for president of the United States.

He has demonstrated time and again he can think on his feet. More importantly, he has demonstrated he will think things through, seek advice and actually listen to it.

Obama is a gifted speaker. But in addition to his smarts and energy, possibly his greatest gift is his ability to inspire.

For eight years, American politics has been marked by smears, fears and greed. For too long, we've practiced partisanship in Washington, not politics. The result is a cynicism every bit as deep as that which infected the nation when Richard Nixon was shamed from office and when Bill Clinton brought shame to the office.

This must end, but John McCain can't do it. He can't inspire, nor can he really break from a past that is breaking this nation.

They didn't mince any words, did they?!

Oh please, please, please...lets win this thing.

Lt, we will - no doubt.

the bailout text should be available at financialservices.house.gov

Apropos of the photo, recognizing the Obama marriage:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathlyn-and-gay-h...

Sorry if someone already posted link. Kinda in a rush today. ENjoy!

How about some frontpage Barack endorsements?

This one comes from the Stockton Record, a conservative paper that has endorsed Republicans for 72 years:

Choice is clear: Obama for president

Barack Obama is our choice for president of the United States.

He has demonstrated time and again he can think on his feet. More importantly, he has demonstrated he will think things through, seek advice and actually listen to it.

Obama is a gifted speaker. But in addition to his smarts and energy, possibly his greatest gift is his ability to inspire.

For eight years, American politics has been marked by smears, fears and greed. For too long, we've practiced partisanship in Washington, not politics. The result is a cynicism every bit as deep as that which infected the nation when Richard Nixon was shamed from office and when Bill Clinton brought shame to the office.

This must end, but John McCain can't do it. He can't inspire, nor can he really break from a past that is breaking this nation.

McCain is an American hero, and he has served this country in the Senate with determination. He has gone against his party, but the fact is his ties to the Bush administration and its policies are deep. Americans know we cannot keep going down this path.

McCain, who has voted consistently for deregulation, started off two weeks ago declaring the U.S. economy fundamentally sound but ended the week sounding like a populist. Who is he really?

He tends to shoot from the hip and go on gut instinct. The nation cannot go through four more years of literally and figuratively shooting now and asking questions later.

But the fact is, we worry he won't have four years. If elected, at 72, he would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He's in good health now, we're told, although he has withheld most of his medical records. That means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president.

And that brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment.

While praiseworthy for putting the first woman on a major-party presidential ticket since Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, his selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views.

We're not suggesting Obama is without faults. He, like McCain, has demonstrated a marked lack of knowledge in recent days about the financial mess facing this nation.

But unlike McCain, who is trying to position himself as a born-again regulator, Obama would increase the oversight of our markets and demand accountability. He would actually put regulators in the oversight agencies that were systematically dismantled by the Bush administration.

While the blame doesn't all accrue to the Bush administration, the past eight years have been marked by looking the other way. McCain aided and abetted that behavior.

Republicans have tried repeatedly to paint Obama as an elitist. Hardly. He grew up in a single-parent home and, by the sheer force of his desire and cerebral horsepower, ended up at Harvard Law School, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.

He could have gone for the money. He didn't. He went to Chicago, where he worked to give a voice to those who didn't have one.

That's hardly the mark of an elitist.

He hasn't lost touch with regular people, whereas McCain doesn't even know how many homes he owns.

Obama rose quickly through the Illinois Legislature and propelled himself into the U.S. Senate.

After winning the Democratic nomination against a large and highly experienced field of candidates, Obama picked one of them, Joe Biden, as his running mate. Biden brings to the ticket the vast foreign affairs experience and knowledge that Obama lacks.

Obama has been accused of being an empty suit, all talk and no action. There's no "there" there, his detractors say.

The charge is no more credible than that of him being an elitist.

Obama can inspire, and our nation desperately needs an inspirational leader. And he does not carry the deep scars of Vietnam, as do many of McCain's generation.

He offers hope. A new way of doing business. And a belief that our system of government can be made to work.

He's the clear choice.

There it is - everything we've always known in writing - by a conservative paper. This election has turned so unbelievably tacky on the part of the Republicans, a clear head finally prevailed to speak the truth.

wow.

Dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuummmm!!!

I second that!

- Here is an article written by Eliot Spitzer in Feb. 2008 in WaPo explaining how mortgage predatory lending was allowed to become so rampant after the Bush administration allowed the Office of the Conptroller of the Currency (OCC) to prevent states from enforcing any of their own consumer protection laws against national banks in 2003. Spitzer and many other attorney generals and lawyers opened investigations against the OCC , however the Occ filed a federal lawsuit to stop the investigations.
_________________________________________

Predatory Lenders' Partner in Crime
How the Bush Administration Stopped the States From Stepping In to Help Consumers

By Eliot Spitzer
Thursday, February 14, 2008; Page A25

Several years ago, state attorneys general and others involved in consumer protection began to notice a marked increase in a range of predatory lending practices by mortgage lenders. Some were misrepresenting the terms of loans, making loans without regard to consumers' ability to repay, making loans with deceptive "teaser" rates that later ballooned astronomically, packing loans with undisclosed charges and fees, or even paying illegal kickbacks. These and other practices, we noticed, were having a devastating effect on home buyers. In addition, the widespread nature of these practices, if left unchecked, threatened our financial markets.

Even though predatory lending was becoming a national problem, the Bush administration looked the other way and did nothing to protect American homeowners. In fact, the government chose instead to align itself with the banks that were victimizing consumers.

Predatory lending was widely understood to present a looming national crisis. This threat was so clear that as New York attorney general, I joined with colleagues in the other 49 states in attempting to fill the void left by the federal government. Individually, and together, state attorneys general of both parties brought litigation or entered into settlements with many subprime lenders that were engaged in predatory lending practices. Several state legislatures, including New York's, enacted laws aimed at curbing such practices.


What did the Bush administration do in response? Did it reverse course and decide to take action to halt this burgeoning scourge? As Americans are now painfully aware, with hundreds of thousands of homeowners facing foreclosure and our markets reeling, the answer is a resounding no.

Not only did the Bush administration do nothing to protect consumers, it embarked on an aggressive and unprecedented campaign to prevent states from protecting their residents from the very problems to which the federal government was turning a blind eye.

Let me explain: The administration accomplished this feat through an obscure federal agency called the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC has been in existence since the Civil War. Its mission is to ensure the fiscal soundness of national banks. For 140 years, the OCC examined the books of national banks to make sure they were balanced, an important but uncontroversial function. But a few years ago, for the first time in its history, the OCC was used as a tool against consumers.

In 2003, during the height of the predatory lending crisis, the OCC invoked a clause from the 1863 National Bank Act to issue formal opinions preempting all state predatory lending laws, thereby rendering them inoperative. The OCC also promulgated new rules that prevented states from enforcing any of their own consumer protection laws against national banks. The federal government's actions were so egregious and so unprecedented that all 50 state attorneys general, and all 50 state banking superintendents, actively fought the new rules.

But the unanimous opposition of the 50 states did not deter, or even slow, the Bush administration in its goal of protecting the banks. In fact, when my office opened an investigation of possible discrimination in mortgage lending by a number of banks, the OCC filed a federal lawsuit to stop the investigation.

Throughout our battles with the OCC and the banks, the mantra of the banks and their defenders was that efforts to curb predatory lending would deny access to credit to the very consumers the states were trying to protect. But the curbs we sought on predatory and unfair lending would have in no way jeopardized access to the legitimate credit market for appropriately priced loans. Instead, they would have stopped the scourge of predatory lending practices that have resulted in countless thousands of consumers losing their homes and put our economy in a precarious position.

When history tells the story of the subprime lending crisis and recounts its devastating effects on the lives of so many innocent homeowners, the Bush administration will not be judged favorably. The tale is still unfolding, but when the dust settles, it will be judged as a willing accomplice to the lenders who went to any lengths in their quest for profits. So willing, in fact, that it used the power of the federal government in an unprecedented assault on state legislatures, as well as on state attorneys general and anyone else on the side of consumers.

The writer is governor of New York.

There's a real good reason so many on Wall Street cheered and danced when Spitzer got busted with his callgirl. As soon as I saw the reports of Spitzer getting caught with his pants down, my heart sank.

I'm sure it's related.

No doubt.

Word is Barack Obama will not return to the senate to vote on this bailout.

They're trying to set him up. At the debate, McCain said he "hoped so" when asked if he'd vote on the bailout.

Rat Bastard.

Message: Not on my hands, Dems...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/28/snl-an...

There is a HYSTERICALLY funny skit on Bill Clinton fron SNL. You've got to see it.

hey All - a debate point I would like to make. I wondered why Obama allowed McCain to ramble on about earmarks and why was Obama's only response was that he put his requests for earmarks on hold until they cleaned up the earmark process. He did note that his requests were not tied to lobbyist but his comments allowed McCain to ramble on.

I expected him to point out that while there are high instances of earmarks abuse, not all earmarks are bad and cite a few examples. Then I expected him to ask McCain why as a self professed anti-earmark person who intends to reject all earmarks that crosses his desk and intends to take their names and let the American people know about it -- why did he select the QUEEN of earmarks Ms Palin as his VP pick?

Then go into the fact that Sarah Palin, his vice president, hired a lobbyist to solicit earmarks. Last year she requested $254M in earmarks and this year, she sent to Sen. Ted. Stevens, R-Alaska, a proposal for 31 earmarks totaling $197 million — more, per person, than any other state..

I wanted Obama to then ask Mr. Self Righteous McCain that now that he has her name -- what does he intend to do with it?

I wanted to add this White House press release from June 2002 highlighting President Bush's ambitious "America's Homeownership Challenge." So many of the trolls and Rethugs want to claim Clinton and the Democrats somehow "forced" mortgage companies to loan to minorities and that is why we have the meltdown now---which is ludicrous because no one forces risky, predatory lending standard on any business---or makes them engage in risky collateralized debt obligations (CDO's) and credit-default swaps. Please take a note of the challenges Bush issued for real estate and mortgage finance industries to take on for his goal of reaching 5.5 million new minority homeowners by the end of the decade.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/06...




Fact Sheet: President Bush Calls for Expanding Opportunities to Homeownership

Today's Presidential Action


Today, President Bush announced a new goal to help increase the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million before the end of the decade. The President's aggressive housing agenda will help dismantle the barriers to homeownership by providing down payment assistance, increasing the supply of affordable homes, increasing support for self-help homeownership programs, and simplifying the home buying process & increasing education. The President also issued "America's Homeownership Challenge" to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to join in his effort to increase the number of minority homeowners by taking concrete steps to tear down the barriers to homeownership that face minority families.
Background on the President's Homeownership Agenda

Buying a home is the biggest single investment most people will make in their lives. Homeownership is a cornerstone of America's healthy, vibrant communities, and benefits individual families by helping them build stability and long term financial security. But sadly, homeownership is out of reach for many Americans -- especially for minority families. For millions of these families, homeownership is a distant, unreachable dream.

President Bush has a comprehensive agenda to help increase the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million before the end of the decade..........

:The President's agenda will help tear down the barriers to homeownership that stand in the way of our nation's African-American, Hispanic and other minority families by:

Providing Downpayment Assistance. The single biggest barrier to homeownership is accumulating funds for a down payment. The President has proposed $200 million annually for the American Dream Downpayment Fund to help roughly 40,000 families a year with their down payment and closing costs.

Increasing the Supply of Affordable Homes. The President wants to dramatically increase the supply of homes available to low and moderate income families. The President has proposed the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which will provide approximately $2.4 billion to encourage the production of 200,000 affordable homes for sale to low and moderate income families.

Increasing Support for Self-Help Homeownership Programs. The President's budget triples funding for organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, that help families help themselves become homeowners through sweat equity and volunteerism in their communities.

Simplifying the Home Buying Process & Increasing Education. When buying a home today a buyer faces a confusing and complicated process. The President and HUD want to empower homebuyers by simplifying the home buying process so consumers can better understand and benefit from cost savings. The President also wants to expand financial education efforts so that families can understand what they need to do to become homeowners.
The President also believes that government alone can't close America's homeownership gap. It is critical that our government challenge the private sector to take concrete steps to tear down the barriers to homeownership that face minority families. The President is issuing "America's Homeownership Challenge" to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to join in his effort to increase the number of minority homeowners by 5.5 million families by the end of the decade. Many organizations have already responded to the President's challenge by committing to:


Substantially increase by at least $440 billion, the financial commitment made by the government sponsored enterprises involved in the secondary mortgage market, specifically targeted toward the minority market;

Launching twenty-five different local initiatives across the nation, geared toward eliminating the specific homeownership barriers faced by minority families in those communities;

Raising $750 million in below-market-rate investments by 2007, which will work in collaboration with local homeownership initiatives and be targeted to heavily minority program areas;

Pursuing strategic partnerships in 20 top housing markets between homebuilders, lenders, local officials, and community leaders to develop approaches that address the local challenges to building homes for minority families living in urban centers;

Establishing faith-based housing partnerships between the participants and at least 100 churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith-based institutions;

Aggressively developing new mortgage products so that conventional market alternatives are available to combat the predatory loan products that are disproportionately targeted to minorities;

Creating new mortgage products to meet the unique needs of recent immigrants;

Dramatically expanding financial education efforts for minorities, providing financial counseling to at least 380,000 minority families, and taking measures at the local level to reduce predatory lending; and

Establishing multilingual, consumer-oriented internet Web sites designed to help minorities overcome barriers to homeownership, including creation of a central data bank of affordable housing programs made available to real estate agents when working with clients.
For more information on the President's initiatives please visit www.whitehouse.gov.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/28/as-neg...

As Negotiators Struck Bailout Deal, McCain Dined At Opulent DC Hotel

Since GLH isn't here right now, I'm posting this in her honor.

Its a story about the Mummy & his crew dining on a $100+ a plate dinner while your Senators & Representatives were burning the midnight oil stealing the future from american children....I mean, working on the bail out plan. You know he charged it to his campaign as a business expense. HE SUCKS!

Because of Tivo, I had to choose. I chose Face the Nation and Meet the Press.

Did someone see McAncient on This Week? Was it as bad as the DailyKos diaries say?

McAncient was terrible on This Week. His dumb a$$ running mate is rubbing off on him - he was bumbling, inarticulate and not making sense in a lot of place. He outright lied about his advisers lobbying for Fannie and Freddie. Naturally, George S. couldn't muster enough journalism skills to call him on it.

When asked about Caribou Barbie's answer to a voter outside of the cheesesteak place about invading Pakistan (an answer that's contrary to McCain's policy), the Mummy did a poor job of sticking up for her and tried to pin the blame on a "random person sticking a mic in her face."

How was MTP? I've been boycotting Billy Jeff and his interviews all week.

Parker,
Here's a Huff Post acrticle which includes some video on the interview.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-g-brant/bi...

The criminals are setting a big trap for the democrats with this bailout bill.

A giant one. The banks will get paid, consumer left out, borrowing costs go even higher, crisis gets worse. ??? This is way way bigger than $700bn. $700bn won't touch what's really going on here.

Don't know who's lobbying "for the people" but I don't think there is a broker in Wash powerful enough to represent the people vs. the money folks who WILL get paid. We are now sitting ducks for a currency attack. Check the tally here from a Merrill Lynch strategist basically sounding the alarm (from GATA.org):

Taking Stock

* Treasury buying mortgage-related assets: $700 billion.

* Potential supplementary stimulus package favoured by Democrats: $100 billion.

* Insuring money market funds: $50 billion.

* Treasury fortifying the Fed's balance sheet: $100 billion.

* Expansion of temporary swap lines with central banks: $180 billion.

* Loan to AIG: $85 billion.

* Fed purchase of agency discount notes abd ABCP: amount not specified.

* Fed loans through the Primary Dealer Credit Facility: $20 billion through Sept. 17.

* Fed's discount window: $33 billion balance.

* Treasury purchase of GSE MBS this month: $10 billion.

* Potential cost of Fannie/Freddie bailout: $200-$300 billion.

* Financing the current account deficit: priceless.

Investment implications: Sell the U.S. dollar.

"The fiscal cost to the United States is likely to be enormous. Speculation will intensify on a possible US government paper downgrade. US policy-making and credibility have been put into question. The safety of US assets has been put into question. We remain concerned with the repercussions that this crisis will have on the financial flows into the United States against the context of a still large current account deficit."

Sen Dodd
Con Betty Frank
Google them!

Why aren't the dems smart enough to see it? If they aren't we need to go.

Reading this gives me hope.

I meant THEY need to go.

I know this was brought up in another thread, but this is so hideous.

They want that child to MARRY BEFORE THE ELECTION?

Marriage as political stunt.

All I can do is laugh.

I want to call them a terrible name that beings with i and ends with e, but I won't allow myself to type it.

I don't understand what the big deal is. If they really want them to get married, take em down to the Justice of the Peace and wa-la, married! They just want to make a production of the little princess and her bastard child.

This is shameful. Truly. Parading the girl and her reluctant so-called boyfriend as well as the retarded baby during the GOP convention. With this broad, class doesn't tell.

I know the denizens of Booker Rising must be upchucking about this one. If it was one of the Wee Michelles who had been impregnated, we would have heard it all ovah...

I understand that your question is rhetorical, but I'll answer anyway.

For sheezy.

The combination of desperation and lack of ethics would make her sacrifice her children. As a Huffpo reader put it. McCain would kick a puppy to win.

Rikyrah - if they do that it will blow up in their faces.

As a mother . . . . you know what . . . I will let it go.

If they do it, it will results in a backlash. Besides it is not relevant. McCain's ability to make sound decisions is questionable. First his VP pick and then his actions last week. The media and blogs already label him as a drama queen who is willing to throw anything out there to distract everyone. Palin is already walking a fine line with her decision to stump or not go home to take care of her 6 month old who has downs syndrome now to make the decision to have a shot gun wedding (which much of America will tell you they recognize the engagement as a shot gun wedding) for your teen and have her marry a HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT who is a self confessed "fu*ing redneck" please.

SNL would have a party with that.

Frank Rich's Latest Column:

Rich is on point - again

John McCain DISSED the TownHall set up for him in Ohio.

This Week was supposed to be a Town Hall for McCain with voters from Ohio. He cancelled at the last minute and NOBODY TOLD THE FOLKS IN OHIO WHO SHOWED UP FOR IT.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/28/10375/5...

I was wondering why it was just him and Georgie S.

So, all that whining about Town Halls and he ditches this one? His advisors probably knew it would be a disaster coming off the debate performance.

Who really wants this Wall Street Bailout?

at this point, it needs to be more than the US throwing in money. This is a global crisis and even Euro banks are in trouble. i don't know whats going on in the Asian and Emerging Markets but this shouldn't be all on us.

nobody but we have to do something. This is already affecting retirees. On the news yesterday a few talked about having to go back to work and was worried about what jobs they would qualify for and who would hire them.

so its OK to give Pres Bush 700 B?

we aren't giving Pres Bush anything. We have to make a decision. It doesn't matter how we got into this mess. What matters now is that we have no choice but to get out of it.


It is what it is.

No but it is either that or another great depression

Besides Congress will have some oversight

Sarbanes-Oxley Act rings a bell or can anyone see far past what MSNBC says?

Do you even know what the Sarbanes Oxley Act is?

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/09/...

Palin's mysterious trade missions
As you might notice, Palin only cites one discernible foreign interaction under her purview: Trade missions.

I spent some time on the Governor's Web site seeking more details about her trade negotiations with Russia. There's a press release about Gov. Palin's meeting with a trade mission from the Yukon, but nothing about Russia anywhere in the archives. Tony Knowles, a Democrat who was governor from 1994-2002, led a trade mission -- back in 1997, while Palin was running Wasilla -- to the remote island of Sakhalin, off the coast of Siberia. That seems to be about it for Russia-Alaska trade missions lately.

When asked for examples of trade missions with Russia that have taken place under Palin's watch, gubernatorial spokeswoman Kate Morgan refused to answer the question. Morgan said she could not legally discuss any trade missions with me because she's a state employee and I had first heard this claim through the Couric interview, which was part of Palin's campaign for the vice-presidency. When I pointed out that any trade missions that occurred would have been official state business, Morgan again noted that I had learned about them in the context of the campaign. "The law is very stringent," she said, and recommended that I contact the McCain-Palin campaign. Two spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment.

An article published two weeks ago in the Seattle Times notes that a politician from Russia's Far East did in fact meet with Palin in Anchorage, and urged her to come to Russia. One of Palin's trade specialists is also quoted saying that no trade missions with Russia are currently on the agenda: "I am not aware of any plans but that doesn't mean she wouldn't [arrange any]."

The article noted that Anchorage is host to an organization called the Northern Forum, a council of regional governments from all the northernmost countries of the world. But the Palin administration cut the Forum's budget from $75,000 to $15,000, and stopped the practice of sending representatives to its meetings.

RezkoTrialWatch: Rezko CAN sing!!! Looks like convicted political fixer, and Obama’s personal real estate fairy, Antoin “Tony” Rezko is well-tuned and singing with the choir.

Your link didn't tell me anything I haven't already been saying - that Rezko would send our CURRENT Governor to jail.

Barack and Michelle Obama were and are neck-deep in the corrupt Chicago machine. If Rezko sings, then that will start a chain-reaction of singing...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-re...

Start Snitching

Palin Contradicts McCain's Position

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Clearly she hasn't learned what their positions are yet... lol

From This Week with George Stephanapoulos

McCain responds to Palin's statement

He sounds like a father at the Principal's office trying to explain away what his naughty daughter did at school.

McCain and the POW Cover-up
The "war hero" candidate buried information about POWs left behind in Vietnam

Research support provided by the Investigative Fund of The Nation Institute. This is an expanded version, with primary documents attached, of a story that appears in the October 6, 2008 issue of The Nation.

By Sydney H. Schanberg
September 18, 2008

John McCain, who has risen to political prominence on his image as a Vietnam POW war hero, has, inexplicably, worked very hard to hide from the public stunning information about American prisoners in Vietnam who, unlike him, didn't return home. Throughout his Senate career, McCain has quietly sponsored and pushed into federal law a set of prohibitions that keep the most revealing information about these men buried as classified documents. Thus the war hero who people would logically imagine as a determined crusader for the interests of POWs and their families became instead the strange champion of hiding the evidence and closing the books.

Almost as striking is the manner in which the mainstream press has shied from reporting the POW story and McCain's role in it, even as the Republican Party has made McCain's military service the focus of his presidential campaign. Reporters who had covered the Vietnam War turned their heads and walked in other directions. McCain doesn't talk about the missing men, and the press never asks him about them.

The sum of the secrets McCain has sought to hide is not small. There exists a telling mass of official documents, radio intercepts, witness depositions, satellite photos of rescue symbols that pilots were trained to use, electronic messages from the ground containing the individual code numbers given to airmen, a rescue mission by a special forces unit that was aborted twice by Washington—and even sworn testimony by two Defense secretaries that "men were left behind." This imposing body of evidence suggests that a large number—the documents indicate probably hundreds—of the US prisoners held by Vietnam were not returned when the peace treaty was signed in January 1973 and Hanoi released 591 men, among them Navy combat pilot John S. McCain.

Read the rest.....

::

It's a long story.

That seems like a very, very interesting read. Maybe this will get covered in the MSM.

Maybe this will get covered in the MSM.

PSYCHE!

This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd lamented that the international community had not moved rapidly to reduce risks of systemic financial crises even though the Asian turmoil had exposed such weaknesses.
"The problem is, a decade on, systemic lessons were not learnt," he said. "And now we face a financial crisis of truly global proportions."
Rudd called for a set of globally agreed best practice standards of financial regulation.

The problem is world wide; read more:http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4G2DfxdGVuIzzOmXG3aiqAcpw-A

Did you just see Bill Clinton on Meet the Press? That bitter man was saying how much he admired McCain and how the man was so great and had done so much for America. His character as a POW and not wanting any break or anyone to feel sorry for him because he was a POW. That McCain has just kept coming back because he wants to serve this country.Then he said Obama had accomplished much but his greatness was in his future. Brokaw was like how about this campaign and isnt that a testament to Obama's greatness? Um yeah say Willy but his accomplishments were personal accomplishments. He will do great things for the country in the future. Obama's accomplishments now are personal and his future looks great and once he is president he can start doing great things and start really serving his country.

Doesnt Willy realize every word out of his mouth is damning Hillary's chances in the future? That man is so bitter. Cause he really thought he would offer his wife the presidency as an anniversary present with a sheepish "Sorry about that stain. I hope this makes it up to you".

ROTFLMAOFTFO @ "Sorry for the stain. I hope this makes it up to you". FTFO!! There is truth to you post and I can't bring myself to watch MTP with Clinton because after all week of tepid praise for Obama and high praises for McCain, the Clintons have effectively put another nail in the coffin for me in never supporting them again.

Even after Obama becomes President, Bill Clinton will never give him his due! Just dust the Clintons off your shoulder and f%%%'em!

I did that already - last January. Poof - gone.

I think Clinton wanted to be the hottest/ youngest President... he's now the middle aged racist.

double true Justice :-).

Bill is determined to DRAG HILLARY down with him.

He is a jackass. But we should not hold her responsible. She couldn't control him in the White House and she couldn't control him in her campaign, so we sure can't expect her to control him now.

The think is HE is ruining his own future and is pi*sing on his own legacy.

I am SO not surprised. Why are you folks surprised. He's not on Obama's side, folks.

Bill's ass cashed checks he didn't have money for.

He made serious promises to serious people, and now he's shit outta luck.

UNLESS, McCain gets in.

I'll keep on saying this..

The answers are in the DONOR LISTS

to the Library and Foundation

Get those, and all this bullshit by Bubba will become obvious

I would expect Alan Greenspan is a huge donor to the Library and Foundation.

We know the list of lobbyists is damning.

And I bet the Chinese and Colombian governments are on the list as well.

Wow, Rikyrah. I just said the exact same thing below. Had read this 1st, I could have saved my breath (fingers). It looks like we're on the same page here.

I am not suprised that he has done this. But it is so obvious. And he KEEPS ON DOING IT. When will he learn? This is messing with his legacy. And it certainly can come back to haunt Hillary. No matter what he says about her doing the most to help Obama he undercuts whatever gains she may be making by all the his sabotaging comments.

Hmmm the idea of his donor lists that is intriguing though. Its true that most of the time Willy was thinking with his big head (rather than the little one). So yes that could probably tell us alot.

The Clintons are the types to pull down the people who are trying to save them. Don't they know that how they behave now will decide if there is a future for the Clintons. We will never forget how they have behaved all through this election cycle.There is no win in 2012.

(Putting metal collander on head) Well, I said it before & I'll say it again. We are witnessing a desperate Bill Clinton. He made some promises he will not be able to keep and now his neck is on the block. They just knew that Hillary was going to cake walk into the nomination, & Bill would waltz back into the white house, no problem. They didn't count on O being smarter & more organized than them. Now Bill is working plan B. He is gambling on having more access to a Mccain administration than an Obama administration-or maybe they (Clinton & McCain) work for the same people. The desperation that Bill & Hillary have exhibited in this elections cycle should be suspect. Our spider senses should be tingling off the hook. If we could see the donor list for Bill's library, we might be able to put 2 & 2 together. This is bigger than clinton just not liking Obama. Keep your eyes opened & your ears up (removing metal collander).

It was a taped interview from Thursday that was broadcast on MTP this morning. After a week end of meh from Bill, I hope he sees how he, himself, is destroying his legacy and any future for Hillary or him.

I do have to say that his words on "Africa" was on target. When we, the people, stop thinking of a continent, and a badly skewed idea of said continent, instead of individual nations and people, we will be able to aid in building a better world. I do note as well, how passionate he was when speaking about this verses of how limply he spoke of Obama.

Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean by "I do note as well, how passionate he was when speaking about this verses of how limply he spoke of Obama." Can you please explain?

After all the promises & bruhaha, I haven't heard of Hillary or Billary doing any campaigning for O. We obviously don't want Bill campaigning. All his interviews indicate that he isn't up to it. I swear, if I saw him in my back yard, I'd call 911. He would be trespassing and I'd treat him like a criminal. If O was in my back yard, I would actually cook dinner...I'd break out the Christmas dishes & table cloth. We would eat in our nice clothes. All the while, my kids would be telling him how we only use this stuff at Christmas time (those little stinkers). We would treat him like a visiting dignitary.

Sure.

I was contrasting in my mind how passionately he spoke of Africa and how mildly he spoke of Obama. There was such a large difference in his voice and words of when he was speaking about Africa and how he feels about it. It was so obvious that he is not passionate about Obama at all. The fact that it was in the same interview, there is no hiding the fact with different energy levels or different moods or anything. Clinton does not want anything good for Obama. He is like a small boy who has been forced to apologize for something he doesn't think he needs to do.

His character as a POW and not wanting any break or anyone to feel sorry for him because he was a POW.

I heard that and yelled at the screen, 'WHAT!?!?!?" There are Vets all over the country pissed off that he has been pimping his POW status all the while voting against their interests.

And Bill is is so f'n condescending! He said he had his first CONVERSATION with Barack in Harlem the other day- but still he campaigned against like he knew him! I have lost all respect for this person long ago, but this was a great reminder why.

One of the McCain talking heads had the most confusing spin this morning.

In response to the polls and focus groups showing Obama clearly won the debate he said "I don't care what the people/polls are saying because the people are saying it was a draw."

Except they are not because the facts and figures were right in front of him.

I think the McCain campaign works in its own alternate universe.

I think the McCain campaign works in its own alternate universe.

More specifically -- they believe they can "create reality" with words. Not unusual given this society. But notable still.

I remember this was also true of the Clinton campaign in the primaries.

Clinton could not have gone against McCain like Senator Obama is doing. it would have been liar vs liar, no ground to stand on.

OMG, Newt Gingrich is becoming a Liberal Democrat before by eyes. Check out "This Week With George Stephanopholus

lol that was pointed out twice ljf. That Newt was responding as a liberal democrat.

"Hey, Sarah! I can see the end of your political career from my house!" Hilarious.

(Sorry for the misplaced post - this comment is in reference to the Alaska rally YouTube video!)

Has anyone seen the new Spike Lee movie, "Miracle at St. Anna" yet?
Yay, nay?

I will this week

Just saw the movie, thought it was a very good. I love historical fiction and Italy so I may be biased but it definitely keeps your attention, the 2.5 hours goes by pretty quickly. 2 of 4 previews caught my attention also, looking forward to those.

nay

Obama Statement on Rescue Package Statement of Barack Obama on Financial Plan Breakthrough

“The breakthrough between Congress and the Administration is the culmination of a sorry period in our history, in which reckless speculation and greed on Wall Street and lax oversight from Washington led to a meltdown of our financial markets. But regardless of how we got here, a failure to deal with the current crisis would have devastating consequences for our economy, costing millions of Americans their jobs and retirement security.

“To understand how this tentative deal was reached, it’s important to remember how this all began. The Bush Administration initially asked for a blank check to respond to this problem, which I strongly opposed. It would have been unconscionable to expect the American people to hand this Administration or any Administration a $700 billion check with no conditions and no oversight when a lack of oversight in Washington and on Wall Street is exactly what got us into this mess. If the American people are being asked to pay for the solution to this crisis, their tax dollars must be protected.

“That is why over the past ten days, in conversations with the President, Secretary of Treasury and leaders of Congress, I laid out the four core principles I believed had to guide any solution: oversight by an independent board; protections for taxpayers to ensure that they are treated like investors and that they receive any profits - and recoup any losses - from this plan; measures to help homeowners stay in their homes; and rules to make sure CEOs are not being rewarded at taxpayers’ expense. While I look forward to reviewing the language of the legislation, it appears that the tentative deal embraces these principles.

“When taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration. But this step is necessary. Now Washington has to show the same sense of urgency in dealing with the crisis facing Main Street and the middle class by passing an emergency economic stimulus plan that would create jobs by rebuilding our crumbing roads; shore up flagging state budgets to prevent drastic cuts in education and health care; and extend expiring unemployment insurance benefits for those who’ve lost their jobs in this downturn and cannot find new ones.

“One final point. If elected President, I will order a thorough review of this plan to make sure that it fully lives up to the principles I’ve laid out. And I will also move quickly to upgrade our financial regulations for the 21st century, establishing new rules of the road and tougher oversight to ensure that the American taxpayers are never again forced to put their money and their futures at risk because of bad decisions in Washington and on Wall Street.”

That last paragraph...Bravo Obama!

Yes, bravo. Even though I'm against any bailout, I found this statement to be very comforting.

Taxpayer support for the bailout has decline to 24%.

Taxpayer support for the bailout has decline to 24%.

1. Link/source please fo this statistic? I'd like to know the specifics

Last I heard there was majority support for doing something. Is this specific to the actual thing actually proposed right now?

2. Speaking of -- Where is the information about "the bailout" that taxpayers can review? I haven't seen it yet, it must be online somewhere for your stat to have any real meaning in relation to it. Was this the text that your 24% stat comes in relation to?

There is too much blurriness in all of this. People at dkos started being against the legislation last night when it was not yet even on paper.

There's some ideological grandstanding going on in some contexts, and it's driving me a little nuts.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/...

51% think the whole thing is a power grab
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/...

Thank you.

Notice the blurriness in the language here:

Just 24% of U.S. voters now favor the plan first proposed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson a week ago and the subject of very public negotiations on Capitol Hill ever since, according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken Friday night. Fifty percent (50%) oppose it, and 25% are undecided.

It seems to be promoting the lie that there is basically ONE bailout plan that can be described as THE baolout plan. It's a non-grounded shallow-affective mode of deception.

I read the 3-page Paulson proposal when it came out and it was evil, pure and simple. I've read a couple of the discussion drafts and they are different and certainly not as evil.

The blurriness around this continues to drive me crazy.

Apparently the pollsters, or at least Rasmussen, are into promoting this blurriness. Or at least that's what that link suggests to me.

Good point.

here is the proposal all 103 pages:

http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/Legisla...

No, that is not the current proposal, it's a discussion draft dated Sept 25.

Where is your source that this is the one we should be analyzing in relation to last night's/today's announcements?

Good Morning
Two things are crossing the desk today. One, is the bailout and the other is the Housing and Economic recovery Act.
On MSNBC they are reporting that the mortgage refinance part of the bill is voluntary on the banks part. This is a nonstarter. The reason is the value of the homes is what is falling and bringing down the value of the paper and into the sprial we go. By renegotitating the mortgage w/ a write down of the value of the home you stabilize them and the mortgage market.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act requires that your home be worth less than the mortgage and your mortgage payment must be more than 31% of your monthly income. The lender must be willing to drop the value of the home and the homeowner gets a mortgage for 90% of that value.
As you can see both of these deals require the bank go along. This is the kind of BS that has to be watched and why the screwing of the public is donw by both sides.
So get up this morning and call your Legislators and tell them NO and WHY.
For anyone w/ a mortgage problem go to your COMMUNITY ORGANIZER and get help

why not wait and see what the final proposal looks like before raising your blood pressure?

I found the proposal and this is what it says regarding helping bortgage holders. By my reading unless the Treasury directly purchases your mortgage any help you will get is by voluntary action of your bank. That will not stabilize housing prices.

For a part of $700,000,000,000 alone my blood pressure has risen. In turns of educating our community and prevent it from merely lamenting that the wealthy and connected have ripped us off I would like to have more of us educated to make cogent argumenets about policy WHILE it is being made not after. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act is just proof. So I'll take the chance on my blood pressure.

Keeping in mind that the Act was created before the culmination of the current crisis, it makes the bank actions voluntary. If you can meet the requirements wouldn't you prefer to make the changes and keep your house. Yes, for two reasons outside of keeping your house. One, by becoming current on your mortgage obligations you CLEAN UP your credit history and make it more positive. Two, you help stabilize your community by keeping the value of your property from going down. That alone may make the difference of how much taxes go up simply to replace the revenue lost because of the lose of property value.

SEC. 108. FORECLOSURE MITIGATION EFFORTS.
16 (a) RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN SERVICING
17 STANDARDS.—To the extent the Secretary acquires mort18
gages, mortgage backed securities, and other assets se19
cured by residential real estate, including multifamily
20 housing, the Secretary shall maximize assistance for
21 homeowners and use the Secretary’s authority as investor
22 to encourage the servicers of the underlying mortgages,
23 consistent with a reasonable return to the taxpayer, to
24 take advantage of the HOPE for Homeowners Program
25 under section 257 of the National Housing Act or other
23
O:\AYO\AYO08B68.xml [Discussion Draft]
1 available programs to minimize foreclosures. In addition,
2 the Secretary may use loan guarantees and credit en3
hancements to facilitate loan modifications to prevent
4 avoidable foreclosures.
5 (b) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate
6 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
7 Board, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Sec8
retary of Housing and Urban Development, and other
9 Federal Government entities that hold troubled assets to
10 attempt to identify opportunities for the acquisition of
11 classes of troubled assets that will improve the Secretary’s
12 ability to improve the loan modification and restructuring
13 process and, where permissible, to permit bona fide ten14
ants who are current on their rent to remain in their
15 homes under the terms of the lease.
16 (c) SYSTEMATIC APPROACH.—In carrying out this
17 section, the Secretary shall utilize a systematic approach
18 for preventing foreclosures and ensuring long-term, sus19
tainable homeownership through loan modifications and
20 the use of the HOPE for Homeowners Program estab21
lished under section 257 of the National Housing Act and
22 any other programs that may be available for such pur23
poses. In the case of a mortgage on a residential rental
24 property, the systematic approach required under this sub25
section shall include protecting Federal, State, and local
24
O:\AYO\AYO08B68.xml [Discussion Draft]
1 rental subsidies and protections, and ensuring any modi2
fication takes into account the need for operating funds
3 to maintain decent and safe conditions at the property.
4 (d) CONSENT TO REASONABLE LOAN MODIFICATION
5 REQUESTS.—For residential mortgages underlying trou6
bled assets purchased under this Act, the Secretary shall
7 request loan servicers servicing the mortgage loans to
8 avoid preventable foreclosures, to the greatest extent pos9
sible, to the extent that the Secretary, as an investor, has
10 discretion to do so under existing investment contracts.
11 Upon any request arising under existing investment con12
tracts, the Secretary shall consent, where appropriate, to
13 reasonable requests for loss mitigation measures, includ14
ing term extensions, rate reductions, principal write
15 downs, increases in the proportion of loans within a trust
16 or other structure allowed to be modified, or removal of
17 other limitation on modifications.

The numbers on the left hand side are so they can alter documents in the committee. Read the whole thing 103 pages pdf:

http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/Legisla...

That is a Sept 25 discussion draft. That was before the debate.

Today is (checking calender) Sept 28.

That's useful in some ways, but is not the current one.

why not wait and see what the final proposal looks like before raising your blood pressure?

But that would take all the fun out of it! How can anyone live without pre-emptive outrage?

Shoot at my age - I can't afford any extra stress. LOL

I make a point to keep it out of my life. lol

Yeah, I don't see how extra stress could be useful to me ... but I do notice that some others seem to enjoy it. :)

your mortgage payment must be more than 31% of your monthly income.

Do you know if that is gross or net?

I do not know. I will try and find out

this is a video from MudFlats Alaska from yesterday's anti rally. A MUST SEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMQtE3ldxQ0


Here are more
http://www.themudflats.net/

I love mudflats

that is all

Those Alaskans don't play.

Sign: "Transparent in what respect, Charlie?"

OK Michelle, I love ya to death.........but its time for Donna Karan to get a phone call...or Calvin Klein...or Tom Ford....its time.

I don't like the dresses she's been wearing lately either. Maybe it's strategic.

Ms Kitty, Greenlady,Rikyrah, Miranda, and Jelana to name a few I have the video for you...

It's a slide show I found linked on another site of the Obamas featuring the Ebony cover Rikyrah and Greenlady love with the pic of Michelle with Barack whispering in her ear that MsKitty loves plus all the other folks like Miranda and Jelana who just love Michelle all to the tune of Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Plus, it features that Essence pic with the weeMichelles, enjoy!

http://mysistagirl.com/myalbum.html

I agree. The designer she's wearing is Thakoon. Overall, his line isn't bad, but this dress isn't really flattering. I guess she's trying not to be over-the-top but she ended up being casual imo.

Still love ya, sistah Michelle! :-)

The dress she wore to the nomination speech was by Thakoon as well. She needs to put Thakoon in the back of the closet because it's not working for her. She CANNOT wear fussy prints and designs, she is just too large for them. The Thakoon dresses would look good on Cindy McCain, as she is much smaller than Michelle. But even Cindy sticks to solid colors and classic pieces, nothing busy, not a lot of fussy prints. Michelle needs clean, simple, classic pieces. She needs to stick with Maria Pinto, who has been designing some of the most well received outfits she's worn.

Or why not try a black designer?

I asked this months ago. There are probably quite a few up and coming black designers in Chicago.

A Black designer would be fab.

I nominate Kevan Hall. He designed Vanessa Williams' Emmy gown.

RIP Willi Smith.........I LOVED his clothing line.

RIP Willi Smith.........I LOVED his clothing line.

I miss Tookie modeling it, too!

Also the brother designer who had the big button outfits...also died of AIDS.

Smirk...snicker....kee-kee-kee......bwahahaha.........

Sigh.....

Ok. Maybe you're right. She is getting these dresses from a Chicago designer. Her mission is to express herself/her style AND seem non-elitist. I think she is accomplishing her mission. I find her choices to be bold, provocative, daring, rebellious....Her choices keep me guessing. When I see the next dress, I say, "WHAT THE......hey, ok. I understand. I don't think she is going to continue with the daring, provocative yet sometimes hideous patterns when she gets into the white house.

I thought it was just me. I was like . . . Michelle what is UP with those horrific dresses?

C'mon now. I love her too but some of her clothes needs to be burned. I know Barack doesn't care because he loves her regardless but some of them are ugly.

I didn't like the dress Michelle wore to the debate either. I think that Michelle is a beautiful woman, but she looks much better in solids. I'm not a fan of prints.

Michelle looks amazing in deep purples, pinks, teals, greens, royal blues, basically all of the cool bold colors. When I envision her looking her best, I think of her in the most royal, rich colors.

These busy prints gotta go!

Jewel tones (yawn).

I see I am the lone voice in the fashion wilderness yelling, "Michelle, do your thing, Girl!" I love the element of surprise that she gives us on a daily basis. I LOVE the bold, daring spirit she is exhibiting by her fashion choices, even if I don't totally love the print or would not personally wear it.

Michelle, please do not stop wearing prints!

Soon enough, our culture is going to be inundated with these prints. BWA ha! You will be able to blame Michelle, because she is a fashion innovator, not a fashion imitator. This is Michelle's way of being in your face. Leave the safe, boring solids for Cindy. If one can look deeper than the surface, one will have more appreciation for Michelle's fashion choices.

"I see I am the lone voice in the fashion wilderness yelling, "Michelle, do your thing, Girl!" I love the element of surprise that she gives us on a daily basis."

Teacher - sometimes Michelle looks ABSOLUTELY beautiful. So put together, drop dead gorgeous.

Then there are times I look at her outfit and think WTF????

I love my girl, she is a wonderful woman but she could use a fashion designer who will not set her up as she has been from time to time.

No Teacher,

You are not alone.

Do you, Michelle O. Do you....

see. I know I wasn't crazy. Me either. You are right on the royal rich colors.

I am no fashion maven but to me Michelle wears clothes that the average American women would wear.Maybe she should wear one of a kind designer dresses and accessories that cost more than the homes that people live in .

Average American women can wear affordable "stylish" clothes.

Now I know you don't seriously believe this.

I don't mean any harm djchefron but if those dresses represents the average American woman they need to get their eyes checked. A blind woman could pick a better outfit. Those dresses are UGLY. Ain't got no alibi -- they ugly.

I love Michelle though, she is my girl but those dresses are ugly.

Some of them are not rocking--I admit it. She needs someone to just tuck her up a bit.

But she doesn't need to look like Cindy McCain or Nancy Reagan.

She could continue a bit on that Jackie Kennedy vibe...

it's not Maria Pinto. I don't have a big problem with her designs. The Snob found that info on the designer.

I don't know, but I think that the campaign has decided if she rocks these grandma patterns then she will seem more approachable, you know like every woman. You know O and his campaign leave nothing to chance. They probably focused grouped it!

"Thakoon Panichgul! The same New York-based designer who made the dress Michelle Obama wore after her husband's acceptance speech during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The dress is part of Panichgul's 2008 Fall ready-to-wear collection. "

http://blacksnob.blogspot.com/2008/09/and-desig...

thanks for the link JJai. I took a look at it and it confirmed my initial assessment. The dress is U.G.L.Y. on the model and especially on Michelle. It did nothing for her fantastic figure. The fit was wrong and the print and colors were horrible.

lol, U.G.L.Y.

sad but true. I maintain that these are campain decisions. At, least that is what I am telling myself, lol

LOL!!!!!

Yeah, maybe they just don't look good on camera?? (work with me now..let me reach)...but whatever, its time for Donna Karan to board a plane with measuring tape and sketches in tow.

O's tie color is in her dress, so they match.

We aren't going to be able to control Michelle's wardrobe choices any more than we can control Cindy's, so just be ready to roll with it until they get into the white house.

"O's tie color is in her dress, so they match. "


TEACHER - lololol You almost made me choke on my soda.

RAOTFL

She is a fashion maverick!

For shizzle.

I agree, Miranda. I think that floral print looks too casual, more for daytime than after dark, and it's not very flattering.

Floral prints on anyone over 9 and not at church with tights and black patent shoes on, is just unacceptable, period.

amen Miranda

Preach.

Thanks for having me laugh this morning. These comments have been gold.

Me? I like the fact that she doesn't look like a candidate's wife. She does look heavenly in the cool bold colors as was mentioned.

But I really am no clothes horse so....

Hold Palin Accountable Rally in Anchorage

http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/539483.html

Great article, slideshow and videos are also available.

translation: "BOO YAH, BEYOTCHES!!"

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hXHAeqPDdJs...

lol

Denise!!!

LOL

Has anyone read the story about Palins Daughter? Im not one to spread gossip but judging the McCain campaign i wouldnt doubt its truthfulness. anyway supposedly mccain and crew are trying to push for a pre election marriage so the attention will be moved back towards stupidity. they are trying to speed up the wedding process and play up the sympathy shit. lol nothing like conservative hypocrisy and love than to politicize and capitalize off of your pregnant teenage daughters shot gun wedding

I haven't read the story, but have seen suggestions of this all over the Internet.

Obviously, Caribou Barbie is willing to pimp out her daughter for her own ambitions. My question is - where are the boy's parents? Who's speaking up for him? Have they been paid off by McCain? There is no way in heck I'd let my 18-year-old high school dropout son continue to throw away his life in a marriage he's unprepared for.

His mom has already said she doesn't know anything about this "stuff" she just hope her boy will be alright.

What can his parents do? He's going to be a father whether he's ready or not. Their hands are tied. He's on the hook for 18 years of child support. The Palin family owns his ass.

It must be grief for his mother though...It would be kinda hard for her to say don't marry Bristol...but then again, she probably loves her son and wants the best for him, but he's going to be a father himself....they're in a tough spot.

Uh--the boy's mother just sees all this as a wonderful--she says.
I saw an interview with her. She's so pleased, but she says she's
just a country girl and will stay out of the limelight.
Sad really . . . . She sees her 18 year old becoming a parent as a
bonus—the bonus being he knocked up the governors daughter . . . .
Ugggghhhhh. . . . .

I read an alleged quote by his mother when the story 1st broke. She said she was glad about the baby & glad about the marriage. What else was her semi-literate son really going to do? Apparently he is an 18 y.o high school drop out with nothing to do everyday but hang around the house. His inlaws are going to make him work (and provide him with work). In a sense, he lucked out, unlike most young men in his boat. He knocked up a famous person's daughter. If it weren't for them, he would be yet another loser, adrift on the sea of life. I'm sure his mother knows this.

AND if the allegations about the first baby are true they're probably paying Mama Redneck to keep her mouth shut.

No disrespect to those with special needs....If I had a downs syndrome baby I would not get pregnant again so soon afterward. This child needs mandatory birth control. They have no visable means of income. They need to implant her with the norplant.

It would be such a TRIP if her baby is bi-racial and that boy who did that video told the truth.

I saw that video too. He really seemed sincere to me. My wife looked at it too, and she thought he was very sincere. I'm surprised nobody has checked out whether he in fact actually dated her.

That would be the best.thing.ever. ALMOST as good as Obama winning the election.

Parker 404, you are too silly!

Good morning everyone, I'm still learning the protocol for open thread, but I thought Andrew Sullivan posted an excellent commentary on "Obama and Debates and Identity":

"The one aspect of these events that many seem to ignore is the racial and gender dynamics...."

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily...

Obama has schooled me, that's for sure. In fact, everyone I know, especially older folks, are in awe at how he's walking this line. We didn't know that line even existed. I thought it was a myth, some sort of urban legend..........who knew?

Hi Yall -- Did you notice the past few days McCain has been hanging out the Liebermann and not Palin?

. .. .And then, in what seemed a response to a comment by Mr. Obama on Saturday that Mr. McCain had never uttered the words “middle class’’ during the debate, Mr. McCain said: “What he doesn’t seem to get is that if we don’t deal with it right now, by working together for the common good, then this crisis could turn into a far-reaching disaster for workers, businesses, retirees, and the American middle class. This is a moment of great testing, when the future of our economy is on the line.’’

After delivering his remarks, Mr. McCain headed for dinner at the Mandarin Oriental hotel and Café MoZU, a restaurant overlooking the Tidal Basin. Mr. McCain was accompanied by his wife, Cindy; Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, and Mr. Lieberman’s wife, Hadassah; and Senator Lindsay Graham, Republican of South Carolina.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/m...

Val: Looks like he's saying "BACK-IN-THE-BOX -B#$%@"! :>)

Gotta Go to choich! Will be gone ALLLLLL DAY! :>)

C y'all! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!!!

Is "First Dude" on the campaign trail like the other candidate spouses. If not, why not? Is he in Alaska dealing with all the scandals? Is he told to lay low? I've been hearing a lot about the Democratic nominee spouses on the campaign trail, but not much about the Republican spouses.

I've never head "First Dude" utter a word, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was even less articulate that Caribou Barbie.

I didn't hear him...but he commented that his wife wasn't "wired right".

Charming, eh?

Todd Palin aka The First Dude speaks. He sounds like your average Joe.

see link below.....

http://community.adn.com/node/131501

That was a nice, favorable interview. It's weird how he 1st forgot that they have a NEW BABY and said he took 3...I mean 4 kids. They hardly ever show him interacting with that baby.

because it's not his

Well considering his education stopped at the High School level and he is a card carrying member of a organization that promotes treason against the US Constitution are you surprised?

Right. And you know he doesn't want to be asked to articulate on his membership in this organization. There is no way to justify this membership, and this is a glaring example of white privilege. Any other person of a non-white race that belonged to a group like this would be grass.

Yeah, they dont want to give Saturday Night Live ALL that material....that's just too much.

Hmm... Val, sometimes I think this Palin thing is all a set-up, so when she implodes and has to withdraw to "spend time with her family," McCain can then make Lieberman his VP pick (his first choice anyway)!

I hope you're right. If Lieberman is on the ticket McCain's base will revolt.

If they picked Lieberman, it would be game over. If they picked Romney, it would be game on. Having her is going to help us.

Romney ain't stupid and Romney ain't going down with the ship. Romney's waiting for 2012.

I thought the Cryptster might offer the #2 spoy to Hillary, if he could get the Mooster to go home & keep her baby. I temporarily forgot how much the Reds HATE Hillary. This is a scenario we don't have to worry about.

That would be the smart thing for him to do

I can't wait until Thursday. Even though that is my favorite TV night and they'll be cutting into it with the debates, I'll be satisfied once the debate is over.

They've been pumping her full of political and economic information for the past month and nothing seems to be sticking (see Couric interviews). What is a week more going to do to help her? If she doesn't have it by now, I highly doubt it will click Thursday morning before the debate.

The debate is her proverbial noose.

Thats what they want us to believe. She is obviously dumb like a fox. They could be setting us up even as I type these words. Like I said before, these past interviews have made the bar of expectation so low that all she has to do is better than she's been doing and she will be exalted for it. It crazy & rediculous. They are also counting on Biden to mess up, which he could. They are counting on him to be 1. condescending/sexist/dismissive or 2. over conciliatory. Personally, I want to beat her mercilessly with a wet noodle. He is walking the same chalk line as O. If he cracks a smile @ anything she says, they will spin it as him laughing at her. If he uses a stern voice, which would be a reaction to a lie or to stupidity, it will be spun as him bullying her. My solution is for him to say, "respectfully" or "with all due respect" before he rips her face off. He should stay totally on the offensive and pound McCain's policies, voting record & character into the ground over & over. I would even bring up the Keating 5 as the last time we had a bail out. Note to Joe: You can do this. We are rooting for you.

I'm praying for Joe. Am adding him and O in my daily prayers. I can't believe it, ha

26,000 people in the pouring rain at Fredericksburg Virginia. Beautiful slideshow.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/o...

Anyone notice Obama's lips are pinking up? I guess he's quit the smoking for real...and his skin is looking less grey as well.

I saw O. I saw raindrops. Yet O's shirt did not look wet. What was he, dodging rain drops? Hmmm. Must be a photoshop thing.

I thought his shirt looked wet in one shot.

There is no liquidity crisis in the banking sector. Why would banks jump on the deals like Warren Buffett made when they can get higher rates and better terms from the federal dole? I don't care what Palin has to say. No serious banking concern is holding their breath for her input. McCain is the one who is holding out for better terms for his banking and health insurance friends. Enough. America say the "Black Monster" as the intelligent, thoughtful, dignified and Presidential stature candidate he is last night. Why even bother with McCain at this point. Talk with your friends and get involved. Do non-blogging outreach at least an hour a day. Now is the time!

This should be a nationwide campaign ad

Obama schooling McCain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG1aOORf8Pc

rikyrah: One more question. This is an "informal survey!"

WHO believes or has any confidence in the ads that are produced by BANKS?? [FREE CHECKS! NO MONTHLY FEES!, FREE CHECKING!, etc]

YES. 0 NO. 1 (me) :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

Goodnight! :>)

rikyrah: The Anchorage Daily News reports on the HUGE RALLY.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/539236.html
Estimate 1000 attend anti-Palin rally

Obama-Biden '08!!

Laugh out loud funny......and the thing is, they didn't change the interview much!

Tina Fey As Sarah Palin: Katie Couric SNL Skit (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/27/tina-f...

rikyrah: From "The Mudflats":

http://www.themudflats.net/2008/09/27/alaskans-...
Alaskans Demand Accountability From Palin Huge Rally

Just bringing in the voice of the "home-folk"!

Obama-Biden '08!!

rikyrah: FDIC in trouble!

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601170...
Bloomberg Reports: FDIC May Need $150 Billion Bailout as Banks Fail

Obama-Biden '08!!

rikyrah: More on the economic front.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/26/wachov...
Wachovia, Citi Begin Early Deal Talks

Updated: Wachovia has begun preliminary talks with Citigroup about a potential merger, people briefed on the matter said Friday afternoon.

Feelers have also been extended between Wachovia and Wells Fargo and Spain's Banco Santander, these people said.

These talks are early, however, and no deal may emerge from them. But it appears that Wachovia is seeking out potential alternatives should the financial rescue package being debated in Washington is not quickly passed, or fails to provide enough help.

Ya know, these talks have been going on foreva, and we just were NOT worthy of being privy to them.

NOW, all of a sudden, TRANSPARENCY is the operative word! BUT, I'm believin' that when/IFF this crisis subsides - somewhat, things will go back to TRANSLUCENCY or maybe even ALUMINUM FOIL-ENCY! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!!

Wachovia has been failing for months. All of a sudden the lights came on?

nickwah22: Thanks! Guess I wasn't paying attention since I don't bank with them. But, I am listening about ALL banks now, 'cause they're ALL "TALKIN' to each other now! :>)

rikyrah: Here's another INDICATOR of the economic crisis.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/28/us-min...
US MInt Suspends Sale ofGold Coins

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Mint is temporarily halting sales of its popular American Buffalo 24-karat gold coins because it can't keep up with soaring demand as investors seek the safety of gold amid economic turbulence.

Mint spokesman Michael White said Friday that the sales were being suspended because demand for the coins, which were first introduced in 2006, has exceeded supply and the Mint's inventory of the coins has been depleted.

The Mint had to temporarily suspend sales of its American Eagle one-ounce gold coins on Aug. 15 and then later that month announced sales of the American Eagle coins would resume under an allocation program to designated dealers.

Whew! Deep Breaths!!

I don't think McCain has ever heard about economic indicators. I used to check them often, but to anyone who is interested the link has the data and a very good explanation/breakdown of what everything on the economic calendar means.

http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/ecalendar/inde...

nickwah22: He said economics [probably math, 2] is his weakest area!

Generally, and especially IFF U R running for POTUS, you might want to STUDY up on those areas!! Oh, why would I think that he would do that!?

Heck! He doesn't even want to recognize that the computer has been invented! ELEPHANT = computer! If I close my eyes, it's NOT there! :>)


Obama-Biden '08!!!

rikyrah: Who Won The Debate? Reviews Go To Obama [from Repugs]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/26/debate...

Obama-Biden '08!!

rikyrah: Angry John McCain [video]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/27/angry-...

Whew! Calm Deep Breaths! BUT - he angry!! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

Anyone see SNL?

JJai: Not yet! Different time zone!

Obama-Biden '08!!

P.S. Is this it?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/27/tina-f...
Tina Fey As Sarah Palin: Katie Couric SNL Skit (Video)

It is disturbing it is to see another Palin; Jesus take the wheel.

Her interviews with Couric disturbed (even offended at one point) me so much I didn't even comment on them. At least when I watch the videos (vs reading her words) I don't get confused.

nickwah22: Co-sign on ALL points! We must not allow her to - -
"Lead us into confusion. . " LAWD Ha'Mercy! :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

John McNixon: Crook

Abramoff and Rick Davis and Gambling and Lieberman and Indians, oh my!

read that. he didnt learn shit from his Keating 5 days

Oh shoot - Rikyrah! Now y'all can see that the back of the head was NOT mine! Dang!! Jes call me out!! :>) :>)

Obama-Biden '08!!

LOL you are so crazy!!!!

msmartin/JJai: Thank you!! :>) LOL! :>)

She is a "mess"