GOP is Completely Brain Dead

Sorry to hear that Jack Kemp died of cancer. That sucks. But the response from the stupid side of the aisle is mind-staggeringly tone-deaf:

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Kemp "championed free market principles that improved the lives of millions of Americans and helped unleash an entrepreneurial spirit that all of us still benefit from today."

If you parse this, it is an open admission that the GOP asserts that it is OK for 1% (or less) of the population to control most of the money. (I hesitate to assign a figure to the money side of the equation because I am pretty sure that there is in fact no percentage high enough to satisfy this institutionalized level of greed.)
Earth to Mitch: We are still suffering from Reaganomics. Like cancer, there appears to be no cure except death.

Make Your Own Caption

His Dark Eminence, defeated on the plains of Infinite Evil, collapses back into his mortal form.

"You once called me a warped frustrated old man."

And so on.

Dino Rossi reacts to gubernatorial race being called

The apathetic Republicans (sorry, GOPistas) at Dino's celebration certainly didn't add any shine to their man's halo. I guess we are known by the company we keep.

Dino Rossi is a Whiney Baby and Needs to Be Shown the Door

It was a good news / bad news night. Obama is the President-elect by a huge margin which is a good thing. Washington state's gubernatorial race is undecided, which is neither good nor bad. McCain delivered a classy, touching concession speech which his audience of goons scarcely deserved, so mostly good. Obama delivered a speech that the whole room stunned with its import (also 80,000 people in Chicago) - a notably good thing. But Dino Rossi chose to mouth a meandering, divisive, whining screed to couch some kind of veiled threat against something. If I can find a clip of this petulant display I will link it here. What a jerk.
UPDATE The door has been shown.

Seattle Mayor Looks Like 19th Century President

OK, I know this is completely unworthy and petty, but this picture of Greg Nickels looks like it was taken somewhere in the vicinity of Tammany Hall.
I lost the link to the news story but he's talking to someone who is trying to pick my pocket. Probably.

He should find out who cut Chester A. Arthur's suits.

Update, take two, do over. It's not right to mock Nickels because he's overweight, that's just wrong. However this picture is telling a story. And the story goes like this: Sharp money guy with true predator instincts, assesses bumpkin mayor who looks like a used car salesman manager (is that a tally book deforming his coat? Could the tie yell out "The undercoat saves you money in the long term," any louder?). Lean as any cheetah, the fellow on the left, when he steps out -- no strides out -- of frame is as likely to pop a Homburg on his head (I think I see a hat crease in his conservative haircut. Greg, note this guy's hair.) on his way back to Zurich as Greg is to pop a cheeseburger in his mouth. It'll be a Dick's cheeseburger and that makes it a little bit more OK. It's like Max von Sydow and Sean Astin ran into each other at a screening of City of Ember.

Cheney-esque non pareil

Palin's corruptibility is turtles all the way down.
(Why is there no such thing as a pre-emptive impeachment?)

Inequality in major U.S. cities rivals Africa: U.N.

USA! USA! USA!
Sorry, that was a cheap shot. The headline is sensational, the study apparently includes reasonable context.

Carter Criticizes Bush Economic Policies

Unfortunately, the end of Episode VI is a generation in the future.

Could be worse, we could be Iceland

Caught in financial crisis, Iceland tries to tap Russia : "... (Iceland) whose estimated lending is equivalent to almost 12 times the size of the national economy ... " That seems like a really bad thing.

The names of affected institutions, in reverse order of hilarity: Landsbanki, Kaupthing, Icebank and Glitnir. It is worth noting that Glitnir is a hall of one of the Norse gods. Its pillars are gold and the roof is of silver. In an irony-aware culture like Iceland's, you'd think someone would have nixed naming a bank after it and thereby almost guaranteeing disaster.

I don't speak that there Viking talk, but I think it's safe to assume that the 'glit' in Glitnir is the same as in 'glitter' as in all that does isn't gold.

Response from Senator Murray

I'm happy to get a response to my complaint about her yea vote on the bailout. My thesis was basically 'haste makes waste'. I may have used the word 'dupe' but not in the sense of duplicate.

My shenanigans radar is still detecting a large slow-moving mass somewhere in the area between New York and DC (aside from the persistent vortex of malfeasance that is located there.)

PS. I am not a crank.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Senator@murray.senate.gov
Date: Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Subject: Response from Senator Murray
To: kyle.beatty@gmail.com

Dear Mr. Beatty:

Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue. The U.S. Senate voted to pass this bill by a margin of 74-25 on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. On Friday, October 3, 2008, the bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law by President Bush.

As you know, in communities across America today, people are finding it increasingly difficult to fill up their tanks, pay for health care, and afford college tuition. Now, all Americans, even those who have paid their bills on time and have excellent credit, are at risk of being severely affected by the current credit freeze on Wall Street.

People want to know if this crisis is real. I have asked the same question of Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke. I have spoken with economic experts and Washington state business leaders. Companies like Weyerhaeuser and Microsoft have made it clear that something must be done. Power utilities such as Avista and the farm groups such as the Farm Bureau have told me that the government's proposal to stabilize our financial markets is critically needed. Throughout various sectors of our economy, there is deep and genuine concern about market collapse and the potential impact on jobs, credit and pensions.

We have already experienced a slowdown in home sales and construction. Our home state bank, Washington Mutual, was unable to withstand the crisis and was acquired by another institution. Millions of Americans have tried to obtain a loan or refinance their mortgage, but have found it increasingly difficult to find a willing line of credit and in many cases have been unable to do so at all. If this crisis worsens, credit could freeze completely for consumers and companies who use credit to pay their employees or run their business operations. The bottom line is that without a steady stream of credit, American businesses will not be able to pay their workers and Americans will lose their jobs. Because of the impact the financial crisis could have on all Americans, from layoffs to access to credit, I supported the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

I understand the frustration of people who want those on Wall Street to be held accountable for their actions and shoulder the consequences of their own misdeeds. Americans are being confronted with two undesirable options. Either do nothing and let the crisis worsen, or take action and use taxpayer dollars to solve a problem they did not create. Americans are rightfully angry. However, those who created the problem will not be those who are hurt most if the government does not act. My top priority is to do what is best for the people of Washington State and the nation, and that is why I believe government action is urgently needed in this situation.

The original plan presented to Congress by President Bush and Secretary Paulson was a non-starter. Congress rightly refused to give Secretary Paulson a blank check to spend hundreds of billions of dollars without oversight. Congress refused to allow executives of failing companies to walk away with millions of dollars in severance packages while taxpayers paid for their mistakes. This legislation is a more prudent agreement to anchor taxpayer dollars to strict Congressional oversight and scrutiny by independent economic experts. We added assistance for responsible borrowers hit by the foreclosure crisis and plans to recoup money from any institutions which use government money and then see a profit. In the future, it is possible that most, if not all, of the taxpayer money invested will be returned once this crisis comes to a close.

Congress has to be vigilant in our oversight of how this law is implemented. I fought to ensure that every transaction that takes place regarding this funding will be on the Internet for all Americans to see. In addition, I strongly support the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) and other state and federal agencies' investigation into the wrongdoing related to the current crisis on Wall Street. If fraud and criminal activity are uncovered, the individuals responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Congress must take a hard look at the factors that brought us to this point and seriously address them. Congress will be holding ongoing hearings into the causes of this crisis and the regulation reform that is desperately needed and has been missing throughout the duration of the Bush Administration. The next administration has to work with Congress to pass and implement new regulatory measures so that taxpayers are never put in this position again.

It will take both investment and honesty to get our economy back on track. The next administration will inherit this economic crisis along with many other serious challenges. I hope our new President is honest with the American people about where we stand and what it will take to move America forward.

I believe that to move America forward, we need to invest in the infrastructure and education that create economic growth and jobs. We have to invest in our workforce and find a way to make health care affordable and accessible. We have to increase funding for research and development and reward innovation. We have to implement a smart, forward-looking energy policy that ends our addiction to foreign oil. It is time to put America's families first and restore their faith that government works for, not against them.

I grew up with a country at my back - one that when my own father got sick and could no longer work was there with Pell Grants and student loans and even food stamps when my family needed them. I will always remember that. I supported this legislation because the American dream of owning a home or going to college is simply too important to take a back seat to politics or to be put at risk by the misdeeds of Wall Street.

As Congress continues to work to restore our economy, I will continue to stand up for our state and listen to your concerns. Thank you for contacting me, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

I hope all is well in Seattle.

Maureen Dowd Piles On Palin

Hey, if SP can hunt from a helicopter, MD can take pot-shots from wherever it is that Maureen Dowd is.

Palin's Pom Pom Palaver

Also in today's paper, the Maverick family of Texas, you know, the original Mavericks, are unamused by McCain/Palin, being not only the Mavericks in maverick but Democrats of long history.

Wasilla Frost Skank

The description of the species, found among Prof. W.'s effects, is sketchy.

"... indicates readiness to mate (which it does early and often) by winking. Curiously, the beast cannot blink. May be be some defect in its neurology. Judged by quantity of dead fauna in habitat the beast is carnivorous, but discovered that it will eat anything. Kills more than it can eat, a disgusting, wasteful habit in any animal. Furriers will be disappointed that the pelt, although attractive at first glance, has a loathsome oily sheen that taints everything it touches."

Taliban said to be furious over US missile strike

Taliban said to be furious over US missile strike

Maybe I missed the memo about the new happy Taliban. And how is it news that anyone is furious about a missile strike. Missile strikes are frequently infuriating unless 'missile strike' is the new slang for 'chocolate chip cookies.' Because that would be more newsworthy.

Exercise for incompetent copywriter apologists: find a similar headline from WWII. Something along the lines of 'Fuhrer Verklemmt Over Firebombing.'

More Republican Idiocy and Shame

"Palinese? Sarah-phonics? What Is This?"

I'm embarrassed for McCain, the GOP, Alaska, the US, Anglophones, brunettes, women and all democracies - right back to Athens - for this debacle. I feel real pain for Joe Biden having to deal with her as if she is some kind of peer.

Re: Please Read Before Midnight!

Mr. Reichert -

We are known by the company we keep. Your campaign has evidently purchased a list of e-mail addresses unvetted for suitability for your purpose. "consumeroffer@appleogue.net" is a honeypot address used to identify spammers.

Congratulations, you have joined the ranks of cheap pill peddlers and Nigerian Ministers of Finance.

As to the content of your whining plea ("The other party is picking on me!" You have got to be kidding, cry me a river, grow up, etc.), it has confirmed my suspicions about your campaign and by extension, your unsuitability for office. Please consider doing the body politic a favor and withdraw from the race.

I have done your campaign the courtesy of using the 'unsubscribe' link. Please reciprocate by confirming that the unsubscribing function actually does what it's supposed to do. It will have to be done with greater attention to detail than your campaign has demonstrated in sending the spam in the first place, and I might add, with greater wisdom than your party has demonstrated, well, since Eisenhower.

I Like Ike but Reichert's No Ike,
Kyle Beatty

On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 5:21 PM, Dave Reichert <info@davereichertforcongress.com> wrote:

Dear Supporters

At midnight tonight, the year's third campaign fundraising quarter will come to a close, and I need your support to demonstrate the high level of support I have here at home. By making your financial contribution to the campaign before the midnight deadline, you can help to ensure that we are headed into the last leg of this election prepared with enough funds to run an effective campaign all the way through Election Day.

With the complicated issues facing our country, we cannot allow Darcy Burner's partisan interests to represent us in Washington, it is imperative that Washington's 8th district maintain its independence from the hyper-partisan agenda. We need straightforward commonsense solutions – not ideological pandering.

Because I have stood against their agenda and will continue to do so, I have been targeted by Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. They - and other well financed leftist groups - will be pouring money into personal attacks and I need your support to fight back.

I am grateful to you for the generous support I have received in the last few months. Recent polls indicate this race is a dead heat, and your donation could push us over the edge. With Election Day just around the corner we must maintain our momentum. As always, I appreciate your support.

Sincerely,
Congressman Dave Reichert

Big Bailout

Lots of noise around this situation, but it's simple. Reap. Sow. Deal. Both parties are to blame as far that goes, but we're in it together, aren't we? Well, everybody except the rich-beyond-dreams-of-Croesus crowd. Those folk we baste until the juce runs clear.
And before the ditto-heads start in on the socialism and abandoning the American Dream cant, here's a bone to gnaw on, if you can get your thumbs out of the way. The American Dream and socialism are not mutually exclusive. (Maybe I should have mentioned that you might need a dose of thrombolytic agents handy.) Having a government that can provide for the old and feeble is not giving up on anything. If you think so, you are ineligible to membership in the society of man except as an object of loathing and pity. Your allotment of acorns, dry grass and Plavix will be left in front of your unlightable caves.

US officials: Al-Qaida unpopular and 'imploding'

That's not how it works, though, is it? Popularity is a metric more useful for laundry detergents, cheerleader squads and revolution. Terrorists, the real kind as opposed to the bogeymen propped up by the current administration, really don't care what anybody thinks except the targets. And by definition, the targeter is not going to be popular with the target. Remember, that by target, I mean those in power who cannot be attacked directly. The people who are blown up have very little to do with it at all.

Does Dell Dailey (Is this a pseudonym? Did someone actually name their kid Dell?) really imagine an exchange like this:

Terrorist With Doubts About Violent Methods: Jeez, Grainger, did we really have to blow up the entire market? I was going to get some pistachios.
Terrorist Without Doubts About Violent Methods: Farley, it was agreed at the Wednesday meeting that we were going to blow up the whole market. You could have got them yesterday.
TwDAVM: People are going to think we don't care about collateral damage.
Tw/oDAVM: It's a big crater, all right. Maybe you have a point. Could it be that we have been given bad advice about how to effect change?

Because that's absurd. If there was any discussion, it was more along these lines:

TwDAVM: Mother of God, that's a big crater! I bet that car flew 30 metres.
Tw/oDAVM: That'll make them think twice about imposing their blasphemous hedonism on us.
TwDAVM: Got any smokes?
Tw/oDAVM: Darn it, I was going to get some yesterday.
TwDAVM: Same time next week, then?
Tw/oDAVM: God willing!

New Defense Against the Dark Arts Instructor Announced

John "Ray" Bigboote Odierno replaces John "David" Smallberries Petraeus.

The GOP Can't Seem to Figure Out This "Law" Thingie

As in "rule of". In a trivial instance, Heart is annoyed by the GOP's use of Barracuda.

Wired: Jackson Browne Sues John McCain

I conjecture that John McCain has lost control of his campaign. If I were Jackson Brown, I'd be peeved. However, I don't know that I would sue for anything other than an apology, though, taking the high road, etc. The math used to value music is absurd and I'd rather not see my sympathies tarnished by association.