Sep
22
22
Light ‘em up
I just called my Congressman and urged him to give Big Hank Paulson the finger on his insane $700 billion to buy worthless assets. I strongly urge you to do the same. Some of the general points I made include:
- The administration is essentially arguing that the treasury secretary should have unchecked power to buy up garbage assets without any congressional oversight. This is completely unacceptable.
- The panicked way this administration is pushing Congress to enact this godawful rescue plan is akin to how it bullied Congress into voting to authorize the use of force in Iraq. Do not let yourselves be bullied.
- Given the bang-up job this administration has done in rebuilding both Iraq and the Gulf Coast, do you really want to give them $700 billion to play with? Could you please step back and think before you vote?
- If these Wall Street a-holes are going to be unloading their shitty debt onto us, I want them under an iron fist of regulatory power. In particular, I want the CEOs of all participating firms to have their salaries and benefits slashed as punishment for making us pay to keep their sorry asses out of the local homeless shelter.
This is a very big deal, peeps. While it may not have the immediacy of opposing the Iraq war, it will have very serious consequences to our financial futures if it passes as proposed. You can find your congressman by entering in your zip code here.
A reminder (UPDATED) « break the terror said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:20
[...] Now you don’t have to go to Teh Google to find your congress-critters, as Brad has handily posted a link where you can just enter your zipcode and find [...]
Jon H said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:23
Financial firms often have extensive art collections.
I’m just sayin’.
And we might want to consider taking their corporate apartments in Manhattan and elsewhere (fuckers can rent), their corporate jets (fuckers can time-share) and their customer-schmoozing stadium skyboxes (fuckers can get a six-pack of PBR and take the client to watch the game on the cafeteria plasma TV).
Tagg said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:26
WARNING: We are about to be f**ked….
Whenever you hear the Republicans in Congress saying that we need to act quickly and in a bi-partisan manner, you can bet your bottom dollar (at which time you will be officially bankrupt) that they’ve buried shit in every nook and cranny of this $700 billion bail-out. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Pope Ratzo said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:28
I’ll make the damn call, but I preferred the “pitchforks and torches” personally.
Let’s be honest here: there’s not going to be any meaningful oversight over the money that’s going to be thrown away. At most there will be a 25 billion dollar “Economic Justice” package that will pay for credit counseling for the poor.
I watched one of the cable business shows this morning, and seriously, some of these free-market types deserve a beating.
Dr. Squid said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:33
You get the idea from this naked grab of power that Bushco still expects to be in office on January 21 should their party lose in November.
How odd to grab this kind of power less than 4 months before giving it up.
MzNicky said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:33
Well, this is a start, anyway.
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:38
Better yet, how ’bout a provision that the executives of any company being bailed out hand over their personal fortunes to the treasury and actually take up residence in the local homeless shelter until the money is paid back. I see no reason why this is beyond the power of the congress.
lowellfield said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:39
I’m a big S,N! fan, but I can’t say I agree. The comparisons to the AUMF are idiotic. Even if the taxpayer money cushions the losses of some already-rich assholes, that’s not per se a good enough reason not to do it. The question is whether US taxpayers are better off with the money in the federal budget or in the banking system, and there are pretty good arguments for the latter. It’s certainly a closer call than whether we needed to invade Iraq.
Anyway I write about this in more detail on my blog, but I just want to register my dissent from the party line.
noen said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:40
My Rep is Keith Ellison (teh evil islamofascist) and my senator Amy Klobachar. I’m pretty happy with them. My other senator is that POS Norm Coleman though, hopefully this is his last term.
Brad said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:44
lowellfield - you really think it’s wise to give the Bush clownshow $700 BILLION with no strings attached? Seriously?
noen said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:45
How odd to grab this kind of power less than 4 months before giving it up.
This is cash out time for the Bush cronies and they need that power to cover their tracks and hide all the crimes they committed. The SCOTUS said no to Bush’s unitary executive so this is an attempt at an end around. If Bush can’t be UE directly then you give Paulson dictatorial powers and go through him. He’s a loyal toadie.
atheist said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:48
This guy seems pretty smart, and he agrees with Brad.
atheist said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:50
So I called up my congressman, Rahm Emanuel, and told his phone-answerer. About as effective as writing my comments on a piece of paper, wadding it up, and flushing it down the toilet, if you ask me.
noen said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:51
This guy seems pretty smart, and he agrees with Brad.
Same with Krugman
lowellfield said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:52
you really think it’s wise to give the Bush clownshow $700 BILLION with no strings attached?
Well I do think that it’s probably wise to give the major financial institutions a huge amount of taxpayer money, yes, and despite his being part of the Bush administration I actually don’t think Hank Paulson is an especially bad choice to administer it.
I think his personal motivations at this point run more towards his historical legacy than just personal enrichment (he’s already very rich) or enriching his former peers like Blankfein, Mack and Lewis.
It’s not that I object to strings being attached, but they’re not just giving the hard sell when they say time is of the essence. Hammering out all the reforms that need to be made (and I’m very pro-regulation) is going to take a lot of time, so it may not make sense to condition the bailout money on them.
Rightwingsnarkle said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:54
I just want to register my dissent from the party line.
Well, then, that’s it. You’re out.
You coulda just kept your mouth shut, and none of us would have known the difference.
But now, you’ve got to turn in your card, and your keys to that cozy little flat out on the edge of the arty warehouse district.
Your life just got much more complicated.
No second chances.
lowellfield said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:56
My counter-example to Krugman, DeLong, and all the economists on both sides of the spectrum who hate the deal is Nouriel Roubini, who doesn’t like the amount of authority it gives Paulson but also believes that it could prevent the recession from getting worse than it would otherwise.
Roubini has been righter than just about anybody about the current mess, and he doesn’t think the plan is totally crazy.
mmm...lemonheads said,
September 22, 2008 at 15:58
I hate the idea of throwing good money (and our tax money, to boot) after bad, but idiots like McSame and his deregulatory delusions put us here, and I don’t see another way out. I can’t justify small businesses and aspiring homeowners who can pay being rejected for loans just to satisfy my need for vengeance. It sucks, it’s not fair, but it looks like we have to do it.
But yeah, there better be a buttload of regulations attached, along with some way to ease the foreclosure glut.
SamFromUtah said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:02
OK, I gave my congressman’s office a call. Not sure how he’ll swing - Democrat, but a major Blue Dog. Sigh.
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:04
yep I’m getting mad about this. take back your shit-sandwich. Do not want.
g said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:14
My congress critter is Waxman, so….I’m still calling him.
atheist said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:16
Um, actually, I think they are giving it the hard sell. I think they are exaggerating how much this will affect the average American. And I think that the powers that Paulson would have under this deal will be abused as surely as every other special power has been under the Bush administration. So I want congress to take its sweet time figuring out exactly how to regulate this new office that would be created under the plan, with its dictatorial powers over the financial system.
Susan of Texas said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:18
We were robbed and now the fuckers want us to give them cab fare home. It’s done, it’s over. The goal of the ruling class is to rule, and they have cowed the politicians and bribed the masses to get to this very point. They have all the money now and we have all the debt.
Bullsmith said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:23
Even if the plan were to work, and even if Paulson proves to be an honorable and effective manager, and even if the Bush administration doesn’t abuse the sudden new powers it’s being given… the very idea that congress should hand over tax dollars while insulating an executive officer from ANY and ALL oversight and accountability, including from any and all courts, is obviously, fundamentally, irrevocably wrong.
El Cid said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:25
It’s awful to have to recall the Reaganite / Bush Sr / Keating 5 Savings & Loan collapse as a role model, but the government rescue plan ‘Resolution Trust Corporation’ created to buy up the failed banks actually got the f***ing banks, not just the S&L’s bad debts.
Just a point, you know.
Susan of Texas said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:26
There is no money. We can’t pay this back.
No money. None.
HemlockEcho said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:27
Don’t forget. The finance industry is the biggest contributor to BOTH political parties. A thousand phone calls won’t make a dent in their influence.
Brady's bum knee said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:31
The last act of scoundrels is to loot the treasury - at least old time scoundrels. The modern scoundrels have already looted the treasury and are now getting a loan from the treasury on their way out the door.
henry lewis said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:31
lowellfield says regulations will only delay action on this MOST URGENT MATTER. This might be true if you’re talking about finely-crafted legislation (do they still have that?) but most dissenters are merely asking that a few bold and simple conditions be attached before congress signs off.
Like, for instance, Paulson doesn’t get to hide his actions from the light of day and do whatever the fuck he wants with other people’s money.
Dorothy said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:32
It’s not that I object to strings being attached, but they’re not just giving the hard sell when they say time is of the essence. Hammering out all the reforms that need to be made (and I’m very pro-regulation) is going to take a lot of time, so it may not make sense to condition the bailout money on them.
If Paulson were on the up-and-up, there’s absolutely no reason to include the “no oversight, no judicial review” clause. Hell, even I had complete faith in him, I would balk at that clause: it’s just fucking wrong on the face of it.
If they want to “save the economy”, then, for starters, NO LOBBYIST FOR ANY FIRM ASKING FOR MONEY SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE BAILOUT LEGISLATION. Period. End of story. Deal-killer. Done.
No closed-door decision making, either. Let’s see a public hearing run by an independent panel of experts review the different issues and proposed solutions. I’m perfectly willing to let CEOs and CFOs offer evidence to an independent panel–on the record, under oath,–but that’s as far as ANY of these companies should be involved.
I’d like to see the bailout terms include some clauses like
1) All firms must exhaust every available asset (hard and liquid) before applying for taxpayer money.
2) No senior executive or board member that had decision-making authority can retain his position and must waive all severance packages, stock holdings in this firm, and outstanding compensation.
3) All firms that apply for taxpayer money must include a plan detailing the errors that were made and new guidelines that ensure this won’t happen again. (Honestly, this will probably be a boilerplate for most firms.)
4) Taxpayer-held debt must count as ultra-super-special preferred stock: in the event that any firm later declares bankruptcy, taxpayer-held debt must be resolved first.
5) No firms that accept taxpayer money can pay dividends on stock until at least 50% of the “taxpayer-grant stocks” are repurchased.
I figure any company that can agree to these terms is sincere, at least, instead of just lining up at the government teat to suck our blood. (No, that’s not a hashed metaphor: it’s possible that an infant can suckle so hard that the nipple bleeds. If the infant keeps sucking, it’s drinking blood instead of milk. That’s where we are right now.)
Gary Ruppert said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:33
Obama and the Dems will cave, and you’ll shift your POV to justify it.
When has Obama ever stood with you?
Legalize said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:34
I emailed Sherrod Brown. He’s been stand-up since 2006. I won’t bother with Mean Jean Schmidt.
~F said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:35
Holy shit, MzNicky! I think you’ve just found the last American hero!
Nero said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:37
You have to admit that America really deserve this. They have shown nothing but ignorance, arrogance and contempt, while killing hundreds of thousands of people, allegedly because they don’t like our “freedom.” On some level, I’m hoping Rome burns. Nothing will change in a world where no one believes in karmic retribution. Time for us to go Third World. Burn baby, burn!… Anyone seen my fiddle?
Candy said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:38
What will things be like one year from now? That’s what I keep asking myself.
I’m one day older than Mr. Obama. When I was younger, the threat of nuclear war hung over our heads all the time. But always in the past, barring that potential world-ending disaster, there was never really any doubt but that the next year would bring more of the same with variations on the theme. For the first time in my adult life, I can honestly say I wouldn’t bet any money on what life will look like a year out.
Holy fuck.
PapaJijo said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:38
I’m absolutely horrible asserting myself on the phone. I stutter and get incoherent. The bullet points above are okay, but does someone have something more like a script I could read from?
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:38
You have to admit that America really deserve this.
No you don’t.
Davis said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:41
This dwarfs the raids on the treasury by war profiteers.
daddyj said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:41
Whoa, Nelly! I live in Illinois 14, and already called Bill Foster’s office this morning, but just out of curiosity I plugged my zip code into the form at House of Reps link you gave above. Surprise, Denny Hastert is still my Congressman! I wonder which party is in charge of updating that search database.
Susan of Texas said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:42
Some people will always enjoy watching others suffer.
You Can't Put Lipstick On A RePIG said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:46
This article has a few interesting points about the repig bailout:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×4049626
El Cid said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:48
Will we also be buying up the bad debts of Nigerian e-mail scammers? They are also too big to fail, plus if we give them our account information they are going to share a billion dollars in secret government funds with us.
Should we do it? Should Secretary Paulson give them our national bank account information? They keep calling and saying it’s urgent.
PS said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:51
Dearest Sadly’s, thank you for partaking in our latest theatrical presentation. Why, it really wouldn’t be any fun screwing you over if you didn’t squeal a bit … yrs, Mr Ogre
Look, push-back is good and may make some marginal difference, so we gotta do it, I completely agree. But there is definitely an element here of play-acting all round. I rather doubt Paulson seriously thought he could get that first draft through, I suspect it was an opening bid, designed to make whatever they do end up with seem relatively reasonable (which it almost certainly won’t be); but what the heck, worth a shot, eh?
Just a note of cynical caution, thassall …
atheist said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:51
PapaJijo
Here’s what I said:
“Three things about this Bernanke/Paulson plan.
First, don’t let them give you the hard sell. Take your time looking at the plan, and ask questions.
Second, I want regulations placed on Wall Street and on Paulson. Wall Street has shown that they can’t or won’t regulate themselves.
Third, you know it will be more than 700 Billion dollars. This plan won’t solve the problem. Keep that in mind.”
sagra said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:52
Re Mz Nicky’s link:
(Reporting by Savio D’Souza in Bangalore; editing by Sue Thomas)
Damn Dinesh D’Souza’s ferriner kinfolk air takin’ air jerbs!
America said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:53
My ex-boyfriend called and said he’ll give me back all the money he stole from my purse if I take out a loan and give him the money, no questions asked. I said okey-dokey, as long as I can ask questions and get my money back. He said whatever you want, baby.
J— said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:56
Will we also be buying up the bad debts of Nigerian e-mail scammers? They are also too big to fail, plus if we give them our account information they are going to share a billion dollars in secret government funds with us.
Should we do it? Should Secretary Paulson give them our national bank account information? They keep calling and saying it’s urgent.
Next time you get one of those email offers, say yes. Just take out a princely inheritance and/or secret government funds default swap with JIG (J— International Group, Inc.), and you’re good to go.
Rightwingsnarkle said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:59
the very idea that congress should hand over tax dollars while insulating an executive officer from ANY and ALL oversight and accountability, including from any and all courts, is obviously, fundamentally, irrevocably wrong.
Actually, that’s exactly how things are supposed to work in a monarchy.
Legalize said,
September 22, 2008 at 16:59
America doesn’t deserve what we have right now, but if we permit this crapulance to go forward under the McPaulson regime, we DO deserve it. I will vote for Obama no matter what. I accept that he is not some transcendnent post-partisan politician. Hell, I was never really attracted to that meme anyway. I do believe that he wants to take this country in a direction more like the Clinton years. And I would be happy if that’s where we were. I don’t need much more than that. I think he can help us get there.
If ‘Murica doesn’t get this fact through its thick scull, and permits the GOP criminals to continue punching it in the balls, I will be tempted to say “fuck it.” America won’t deserve my concern any longer.
Joe Max said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:01
You know, one of the nice things about living in Oakland is that I don’t have to call my Congresscritter when things like this come up. I didn’t have to call the only member of the House who voted against Bush’s authorization for war in Iraq and plead for sanity.
It’s really true: Barbara Lee speaks for me.
http://lee.house.gov/?sectionid=57§iontree=35,57&itemid=1412
America said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:02
They only hurt me because they love me so much.
PapaJijo said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:11
Thanks, athiest.
I called, and ended up babbling incoherently anyway. But the assistant was cool about it, and I got my essential point across.
J— said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:13
In other, less pressing news, Barack Obama not only knows who Zapatero is but also understands what a NATO ally is.
actor212 said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:13
I agree with you. So does Paul Krugman.
mat said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:14
To the Honorable Robert A. Brady, First District of Pennsylvania:
I have several reservations about Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s bailout plan for the financial market, but my main problem is with this clause in his legislative proposal (a copy of which was published in The New York Times):
“Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.”
This is patently anti-democratic no matter how you look at it. This is power without any accountability to the citizenry. Not only are we socializing private debt, now we’re giving government bureaucrats infallible power like they’re the pope, an absolute monarch, or a dictator?
Therefore I want to say the following.
Representative Brady, I am a registered Democrat and of course you have my vote, but as one of your constituents I beckon you firstly to have this “absolute authority” clause stricken from Secretary Paulson’s proposal before you even consider the rest of the agenda contained within.
Secondly, is spending $700 billion of our national wealth bailing out Wall Street without doing anything to cushion the blow for the middle, working, and poor classes a wise course of action? Shouldn’t there be at least a stimulus package of tax cuts for working families? Shouldn’t we extend unemployment insurance for longer periods when people start losing their jobs because of this—and you KNOW they will? Shouldn’t we be pouring money into our infrastructure like the Japanese did when their economy deflated in the 90s to keep their GDP from deflating, thus providing jobs and income to the countless thousands who will be displaced by this economic collapse?
Thirdly, we the people need much better accountability about how our taxpayer money is spent than this proposal states. We need strict overwatch and regulation not only of this bailout, but also of our financial markets in general. The wanton lawlessness and rampant amorality that Wall Street has exhibited in this de-regulated economy has been appalling and destructive beyond any measure of those two words.
It is time for Democrats to start truly fighting for the middle and lower classes and not the wealthy elite who have gotten us into this awful mess. If not, I for one will work my hardest to have all of you ousted and replaced by citizens who will.
Thank you for your time.
Dan Someone said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:21
Well, I have Mark Kirk (R-Ill 10), and here is what he’s saying about an amendment he is offering to the bailout bill. I emailed him through his website to approve his amendment in principle, but to tell him it needs to go much further. Specifically:
1. Termination must be presumptive, not merely “authorized”
2. Golden parachutes granted within 6-12 months prior to the bailout must be disgorged — executive rats who deserted the ship ahead of time don’t get to keep their ill-gotten gains.
3. Terminated executives give up incentive bonuses and stock/options. New execs can have incentives, but only if tightly tied to performance and success. (Time to stop rewarding failure.)
4. All administration and use of the bailout funds must be public and transparent, and participants in the decision-making processes must be identified — including links to lobbyists, recipients and legislators.
5. All bailout funds must be treated as secured debt, given priority in the event of bankruptcy, and no dividends paid out until 50-75% is paid back to the taxpayers.
6. Put significant meaningful regulation on the institutions receiving any bailout funds.
(H/t Dorothy for some of those ideas.)
Kirk is a Republican — though relatively moderate — and I doubt most of these things will get anywhere near his amendment. But if enough people demand these things, maybe someone will get the message and something will come of it.
Blue Buddha said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:22
I’d like to see other CEOs do the same.
Arky - Chuthuhlusexual said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:23
Just a wee word of advice if you think your Congress Cretin is hopeless: Contact him anyway. People who have been gobbling the pResidential knob for years stopped long enough to past the Medicare bill. If they think they might have to get a real job, they’ll do it again.
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:28
The argument for this bailout is that we need to give these fucks money so they can keep investing it in the economy, and us poor peasants can have jobs, kittens and a pony in every pot. Why doesn’t the government just invest that money directly in the kitten market, and build us some damn trains, and let the wallstreet fucks find some new scam? Oh so angry. god dammit. arrrrrrrggghghghghghgshl.
Loneoak said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:31
So, I saw this headline over at TPM:
And I thought, OH SHIT!, Obama reads Sadly, No! and doesn’t like our witty friend.
And then Josh Marshall was like,
And I was sad.
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:34
I’m not particularly impressed by the ceo who turned down his severance package. I bet he has more money socked away than I and my whole family, and everyone reading this will ever make in our lives. No decent person in his position WOULD take the money. By running AIG into the ground he cost the nation more than even he could ever pay back. fuck ‘im. If he gives the rest of his AIG earnings back, then I’ll give him some credit.
J— said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:34
Be aware, Loneoak. Our witty friend is a medieval mercenary.
Ringo the Gringo said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:35
“I just called my Congressman and urged him to give Big Hank Paulson the finger on his insane $700 billion to buy worthless assets.”
——————————————————————————————————
I have to say that I agree ‘Sadly, No’ on this one.
I’ll be calling my congressperson as well.
sagra said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:39
think his personal motivations at this point run more towards his historical legacy than just personal enrichment (he’s already very rich)…
Because once people are rich, they never bother trying to get richer.
TLAD said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:41
I sent the Honorable Timothy V. Johnson an email, for all the good that would do. If I called, they’d go “Oh, he’s suspiciously young, therefore a university student, and so he can go take a flying fuck at the moon.”
But, hey. I type like an old person, so maybe he’ll listen.
El Cid said,
September 22, 2008 at 17:59
Disculpe, but as far as I am concerned, El Senador Obama may, how do you say, ‘bring it on’. Traigalo, cobarde!
stryx said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:03
Five people who disagree with Brad.
Dragon-King Wangchuck said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:06
In other unrelated OT news:
So the expected number of cars owned by the McCains is thirteen. See they are just like an average family!
Loneoak said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:15
Is Obama’s Blackazoid power so mighty that he can take on an Eleventh Century Spaniard?
Legalize said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:21
Since Barack has taken it upon himself to give the business to fellas with Spanish names, I’m anxious to see him take on that mother-fucker Jose Cuervo.
jgmurphy said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:22
Man, if this doesn’t light a fire under the drones passed out in front of American Idol nothing will.
Go to http://www.publiccitizen.org (at least, it’s the front page today) and send a letter to your CongressCritter.
Mary Ruppert said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:22
Nitpicking:
Barbara Lee was the only member of the House who voted against Bush’s authorization for war in Afghanistan
To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States
SowellFan said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:23
I hate to break it to the leftists here at the Sadly, No! web site, but the more radical left-wing politicans like Obama downplay Americas strengths and the more they say how bad everything is, the more the public trust is lost and the laws of economics take effect and then we really get a recession. Of course, the leftists want that so they can exert even more control over the country and keep people in a state of fear.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:24
Is there a petition?
Legalize said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:26
I’m also wondering what Ringo’s objection to the Commissar Paulson’s proposal is. And that is a serious inquiry.
Loneoak said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:28
Shorter SowellFan: Pretending everything is all puppy dogs and sunshine is a conservative virtue.
America said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:30
More shorter: If you think bad thoughts, bad things will magically happen. Because of the magic.
J— said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:35
There’s a lot of pretty thoughts that I ain’t thunk.
Scarecrow said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:42
I could wile away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flowers
Consultin’ with the rain
And my head I’d be scratchin’
While my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain
owlbear1 said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:44
the more radical left-wing politicans like Obama downplay Americas strengths and the more they say how bad everything is, the more the public trust is lost and the laws of economics take effect and then we really get a recession. Of course, the leftists want that so they can exert even more control over the country and keep people in a state of fear.
Ok, Sparky one last time, it doesn’t matter how hard you fucking clap the problem isn’t going to go away.
Republican GREED has turned into a giant pile of Shit and now you punks sit there and squeal “MORE MORE MORE”.
Swine!
Loneoak said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:44
If you think bad thoughts, bad things will magically happen. Because of the magic.
Somebody, quick, send Hank Paulson a copy of The Secret!
Scott said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:46
Well, I e-mailed my Congressmen last night. I don’t expect it to do much good, because they’ve all bought very heavily into the Bush-Worship.
protected static said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:47
Shorter Gary Ruppert & SowellFan: 100% of Americans are stupid.
IrisFan said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:50
Obots differ from fascists in many ways. I don’t deny this. Indeed, it is central to my point. Obots differ from each other because they grow out of different soil. What unites them are their emotional or instinctual impulses, such as the quest for misogyny, the urge to “unify” Democrats, a faith in the perfectibility of the Creative Class, and an obsession with the aesthetics of elitism and the cult of action.
tigrismus said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:51
the more radical left-wing politicans like Obama downplay Americas strengths and the more they say how bad everything is, the more the public trust is lost and the laws of economics take effect and then we really get a recession. Of course, the leftists want that so they can exert even more control over the country and keep people in a state of fear.
So if the $700 bil isn’t because the economy is weak, and things really aren’t that bad, how about I keep the cash and just promise to clap REALLY hard for the Market?
henry lewis said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:54
Be gone, fake troll!
EnfantTerrible said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:57
Of course, the leftists want that so they can exert even more control over the country and keep people in a state of fear.
Like stipulating that the Treasury Secretary will not be subject to congressional oversight, and insisting that the bailout be rushed through Congress without discussion?
Dave Ex Machina - A Thousand Points of Articulation » I’m Not Feeling Well said,
September 22, 2008 at 18:58
[...] Light ‘em up [...]
annejumps said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:03
Don’t forget to contact your senators too, not just the representatives.
http://senate.gov
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:03
Trolls: always real, never fake.
annejumps said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:03
Or http://www.senate.gov
*sigh*
Rightwingsnarkle said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:03
Smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
PeeJ said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:04
busker: As to the AIG CEO and his turn down of $$22M:
I think that guy had only been in the position for a good bit less than a year (around three to six months, IIRC). While I have a hard time crediting any Wall Street “Master of the Universe” with ethical leanings, he surely carries less culpability than many of the other players.
Anyway, howcum we’re not going to seize that 30 or 40 billion dollars of bonuses? It was acquired fraudulently; seize their ill-gotten gains and send it to Main Street as reparations/damages.
note: I do know why, I’m just sayin.
PeeJ said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:08
I look on this as the last act in a very long play written by and starring a cast of kleptocratic imbeciles who’s only talent is bamboozlement and theft.
It may also be the last act of the US of
ArgentinaWeimar RepublicAmerica.anangryoldbroad said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:10
I could be wrong,but wouldn’t it be cheaper to give every household in America a million dollars? Seems like that would stimulate the economy,send some kids to school,buy some healthcare and raise the hell out of consumer confidence.
OneMadClown said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:17
I hate to break it to the leftists here at the Sadly, No! web site, but the more radical left-wing politicans like Obama downplay Americas strengths and the more they say how bad everything is, the more the public trust is lost and the laws of economics take effect and then we really get a recession. Of course, the leftists want that so they can exert even more control over the country and keep people in a state of fear.
I heard an urban legend about this…if you say ‘Ralph Nader’ five times in the comments, the fake trolls transform back into D.N.
owlbear1 said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:24
I think Democrats should insist the bail-out be called The “George W. Bush has been the worst POTUS of all time Memorial Fund.”
slip said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:33
I want to point something out regarding calling reps in Congress. Even if your own rep is a hopeless case it wouldn’t hurt to shift and call out of state to a rep who might be swayed. I called the local office of Rep. Paul Ryan, my rep here in Wisc., pressed the issue hard and wound up having my call transferred to a staffer in Washington. It went way beyond mere chat with someone sitting at a phone bank. Ryan is a repub who would face a hard time here if he rubber stamped the proposal. Find the Republicans who need to break away from Bush to get re-elected. Those are the ones to call.
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:33
I could be wrong,but wouldn’t it be cheaper to give every household in America a million dollars?
When a tornado struck Uncle Scrooge’s money bin it scooped up every cent of cash and rained it down all over the countryside. Everyone in the area was instantly wealthy and immediately quit their jobs. Scrooge, working always, was the last remaining proprietor of any kind in the area and raised the price of eggs to $1,000,000, quickly refilling his money bin.*
*May not hold true in non-duck circumstances.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:37
This is just stunning.
Boo hoo, the ‘poor me’ executives who brought this on themselves might not play if we don’t pay them. The gall is unbelieveable! The country is so habituated to Republican criminality it’s no big deal anymore.
Up until yesterday I was buying Paulson’s fear mongering - that if these companies weren’t bailed, the economy would collapse - but now I frankly don’t care. These pigs have been overextended for so long they need what’s coming to them. And if it results in widespread chaos, so be it. They need a wake up call. Maybe fortune will smile on the taxpayer and some of these corporate pricks will jump out of windows.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:39
When a tornado struck Uncle Scrooge’s money bin it scooped up every cent of cash and rained it down all over the countryside. Everyone in the area was instantly wealthy and immediately quit their jobs. Scrooge, working always, was the last remaining proprietor of any kind in the area and raised the price of eggs to $1,000,000, quickly refilling his money bin.*
*May not hold true in non-duck circumstances
Ah, RB, you gave my first healthy chuckle of the day.
jim said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:41
Reading comments in Jim Kunstler’s Clusterfuck Nation blog, & this one really jumped out, both for brevity & signifigance:
Ohhhh BABY.
You wanna REALLY light a fire under the otiose flaps of your torpid Congresscritters? It’s Old-Fashioned Yankee Ingenuity Time!
Explain to them that unless they start doing their jobs properly, you’re contemplating a little economic “Direct Action” in regards to your personal contribution to the financial system, that you’ll be telling all of the folks (the ones who fund their parties) who are addicted to your greenbacks exactly why they just got cut off cold-turkey, that you’re organizing others to do the same - & that you have the means to hold out for a hell of a lot longer then they can.
Complaints & petitions are the buzz of flies to these people - but money is a locomotive at full throttle.
Even at this late date, Americans can make their government & businesses work for them (instead of working them over), but only if they can understand just where their REAL power lies.
Hint: $$$$$.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:45
China’s food safety boss resigns after 53,000 children fall ill.
At least in China they resign. In the US under Bush, someone would get a bonus.
SamFromUtah said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:45
I called, and ended up babbling incoherently anyway. But the assistant was cool about it, and I got my essential point across.
Pretty much exactly how it went for me, too. Babbling or not, our voices were as heard as they’re gonna get, so well done.
paul said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:49
The staffer for my local rep — Jim McDermott — says whatever does come to pass won’t look anything like Paulson’s plan, certainly not with Barney Frank standing in the gap. As he explained it to me, we’re still stuck on “too big to fail” as too many pension funds and 401Ks are mixed up in this. So we’re borrowing money from ourselves to pay ourselves back for loans we shoulda never made in the first place.
When I hear the phrase “too big to fail” I hear something like a publicly-regulated utility or other monopoly. You can’t have it both ways.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:50
Jim, what the American consumer should start doing is stop shopping. Boycott consumption of everything beyond the necessities.
(Like that will ever happen. I’m betting most Americans are yawning as usual this morning and could give a fuck like the’ve given a fuck for the past eight years about Bush crime.)
Not paying credit card debt does squat for the consumer. In fact the banks love it when you delay paying because they make more money in the long run. Ever notice how when you pay it down they increase your limit and dangle carrots? Paying down debt and cutting up credit cards would hit them really hard. Can you imagine the banks not being able to profit from credit cards?
D.N. Nation said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:52
I know we live in a country where mealy-mouthed David Brooks “centrism” rules, and the sort of people power that actually accomplishes a better piece of the pie for most Americans drools, but I still think there’s a breaking point. If these jokers keep telling Peter Tomarken that they want to use another spin, and another spin, and another spin, there has to come a time when they’ll stop on a public approval Whammy, and out come the knives. See also: Deal, New. The kleptocracy can only survive off of public indifference, or public attention to silly lipstick cheesesteak arugula crap, but I don’t think it’s sustainable.
D.N. Nation said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:53
Oh, I forgot to mention why I used that above quote: Seriously. Fucking seriously. They have the nerve to whine about compensation at a time like this? When they’ve done squat to deserve it?
rotten mcdonald said,
September 22, 2008 at 19:56
Lesley, if these pricks start jumping from windows, I would fully expect them to aim for pedestrians on the way down. Children if they can see ‘em.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:02
The stock market fell today after Congress announced it would be taking time to review the bail out plan. Dearie me.
I am so mad I could spit.
How many times have the poor been raked over the coals by Cons for needing a scrap to cover rent and food in some shithole on poverty row. But we’re supposed to bleed for these criminal Wall Street motherfuckers. If this doesn’t call for a trillion man/woman march - one person for every dollar spent to bail these cocksuckers, I don’t know what does.
Ugly In Pink said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:06
If this doesn’t call for a trillion man/woman march - one person for every dollar spent to bail these cocksuckers, I don’t know what does.
We don’t have that many people.
Dorothy said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:07
And don’t forget to sign up your own bad assets at http://www.buymyshitpile.com. The dollar amount of stuff posted on here has doubled in the last hour.
Neon Ovenlight said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:16
Gather ’round, gypsies, vagabonds and freaks! Bring your pitchforks and bayonets to the new Bush Big Top! Watch as our feckless moron of a president feebly tries to save his feebly tenure as the ass of the modern world by throwing all of us into the fires of the grindhouse! Watch as he gibbers trying to stave off his fate as the president who gave us the second Great Depression!
Hey, Americans! Like getting fucked all the time? You think that not voting for Obama is going to make you feel better? Give the weight of your frustration to someone who won’t make a difference. The only thing that matters is your conscious…
jim said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:16
Jim, what the American consumer should start doing is stop shopping.
I suppose I wasn’t very clear - that was exactly what I had in mind. Boycotts require no funding of their own, & when they get widespread support, they nearly always work. I also wonder how Wall Street might react to a similar approach to the banks themselves … if enough folks were to set a date on which to go to their bank, tell the banker that as of today their lettuce is emigrating indefinitely to a local Credit Union or Co-op, & tell them why.
Your observation about paying down plastic & chopping it up is spot-on: perhaps the most devastating form of protest at this point would be a mass “Chop-In” with a group of folks holding scissors in one hand & the sacred plastic hell-shingle in the other … yes, I know, I’m dreaming with my eyes open here.
I have a Visa account (& no card) & my balance is exactly diddly-squat dollars & bugger-all cents. I’ll only use it in the event of an emergency (or a rare low-octane splurge), & it gets paid back in full, pronto. I can only imagine how profoundly they loathe me & everyone like me.
PeeJ said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:27
No problem. We can borrow more from China.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:28
I like your dream, Jim. Although few people in debt are likely to be able to pay their balances, they can start shopping around for low interest consolidation loans. They can cut up the cards and reduce their shopping. They can also transfer healthy interest earning accounts to other more conscientious banks. Small but effective steps.
El Cid said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:31
A trillion dollar march?
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:32
Here’s an idea. A mass protest on Wall Street. Tens of thousands of people holding anti-bail out banners and cutting up credit cards with scissors. This is certainly doable.
Sister Inviolata said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:32
Oh that’s so cute. You guys still think you have a representative democracy.
Sure, call your congressthing. That’ll work.
jgmurphy said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:33
Dark Paranoia Alert:
They are starting to bring home infantry divisions in Iraq to cope with “domestic disturbances” anticipated as a result of the financial meltdown…
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:33
On the same day you could have hundreds of thousands descend on Washington doing the same thing.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:34
Sure, call your congressthing. That’ll work.
What if everyone called their congressthing?
jgmurphy said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:38
People are doing that. Latest news reports is that the Great American Somnambulist Population finally arose over the weekend and the Congressional switchboards have been lit up like New Year’s Eve (for all the good it’ll do)…..
gbear said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:41
Well last night I sent emails to my two senators and my rep.
This morning I made phone calls to both their DC and local offices.
That gets three bean counters to log my views on the daily tally sheets.
I’m thinking maybe I should send a hardcopy of the email text as a letter.
I may send the message via morse code and smoke signals too.
If it doesn’t work - pitchforks, torches and ropes.
But I’m still voting for Obama no matter what.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:43
663 comments on Krugman’s op ed “cash for trash” and none of them favour a bail out.
actor212 said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:46
I’m betting most Americans are yawning as usual this morning and could give a fuck like the’ve given a fuck for the past eight years about Bush crime
I doubt it.
Too many of them are looking at the past due mortgage and credit card statements, the pink slip they got Friday and the college tuition bill that they’ve put off paying and saying HOLY SHIT, GET ME OUT OF THIS!
actor212 said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:47
I hate to break it to the leftists here at the Sadly, No! web site, but the more radical left-wing politicans like Obama downplay Americas strengths and the more they say how bad everything is, the more the public trust is lost and the laws of economics take effect and then we really get a recession.
No.
Being evicted is why people in America are a bit down in the mouth. But not to worry, with cheerleaders like you, it ought to be lots of fun watching them sharpen their knives on your rib cage…
gbear said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:49
ter Inviolata said,
Oh that’s so cute. You guys still think you have a representative democracy.
As John Cole would say, Go die in a fire.
Gary Ruppert said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:50
The fact is,
PS said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:52
The number of folks who think the economy is getting better has fallen to ZERO.
Meanwhile, the bail-out is failing in the court of public opinion by 28–37, with 35% undecided.
Interesting.
PS said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:53
By the way, the polls are great news for McCain. Not.
stryx said,
September 22, 2008 at 20:56
Really, there’s nothing unusual about this:
PeeJ said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:01
Why can’t I get the lyric “And it’s up against the wall ya redneck motherfucker” out of my head?
gbear said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:02
They may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control….
The package includes equipment to stand up a hasty road block; spike strips for slowing, stopping or controlling traffic; shields and batons; and, beanbag bullets.
That ought to do wonders for re-enlistment numbers.
gbear said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:04
Why can’t I get the lyric “And it’s up against the wall ya redneck motherfucker” out of my head?
Because you haven’t listened to “I Wanna Destroy You” by the Soft Boys yet.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:07
Too many of them are looking at the past due mortgage and credit card statements, the pink slip they got Friday and the college tuition bill that they’ve put off paying and saying HOLY SHIT, GET ME OUT OF THIS!
Sadly, many will swallow their bile and support the bail plan thinking it will rescue them from debt (which it won’t).
The most in-debted people tend to be the least cognizant I’ve found. They live in la la land. Example: I couldn’t persuade a friend who has been perpetually in debt all of her life that a 40-year mortgage is a very bad idea.
“But the montly payments are so low I can spend the extra money [she doesn't have] fixing the place up and making it my own!” Only, you won’t ever own it dearie, the bank will, while you’re barely keeping up the interest payments and never paying down any principle for 40 years.
Like the corporate execs who are boohooing today, she doesn’t want to face the fact that she’s in a sink hole of her own making. I feel sorrier for her though.
Thankfully the government of Canada made 35-40 year mortgages illegal so only a few of them got under the wire.
jim said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:11
Glad to contribute.
Mo's Bike Shop said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:13
Yeah, that’s why the rich don’t even bother to have their own political party, contribute to campaigns, or vote on election day.
Sheez, get hep luzars!
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:14
Maybe all the soldiers who come home will join the protesters, leaving only Elmer Cheney to shoot everyone in the face.
D.N. Nation said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:15
This. My in-laws, who have jumped in and out of welfare for the last decade or so, and who are up to their eyeballs in debt, still think that the real problem is that those blacks have moved into their neighborhood and made it so that they can’t sell their home for a gazillion dollars and make everything better.
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:20
The most in-debted people tend to be the least cognizant I’ve found.
It really depends. Those in debt for medical reasons are pretty cognizant of their circumstances.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:29
haha, DN Nation. How sad.
Ugly In Pink said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:35
Oh yeah DN? Try this on: my cleaning lady (yeah, i’m elitist) is 2k in debt on her credit card and just went to Brazil for some cut rate plastic surgery. She just signed up for a debt consolidation plan that is worse than her original card because she just looked at the monthly payments and didn’t calculate the percentage rate.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:36
Those in debt for medical reasons are pretty cognizant of their circumstances.
true, bubba. I didn’t consider that because in Canada (I’m Canadian) medical expenses - with the exception of cosmetic surgeries/treatments - are covered.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:39
Even when I retire I will be fully covered for medical. Unless the neocons get a majority and wipe out our indexed pension plans. Sadly, I think they might because Canadians have become complacent, socially narcissistic, and politically stupid. I’m truly hatin’ many of the Canadians I meet these days…so many assholes.
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:42
Americans have a degree of socialized medicine when they’re young enough or old enough. God forbid that the two schemes should expand and be useful.
Loneoak said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:42
Buy My Shitpile is funny, but has a shitpile of a server. The Pantload sendup is mine, BTW. Vote for it!
D.N. Nation said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:43
Let me be clear by saying I’m not one who thinks the poor are getting what they deserve, or that fiscal instability is a sign of moral failing. But it breaks my fucking heart that they’ve completely bought into the notion that their problems are the result in full of the damn minorities, and the more they rant on and on, the more I just want to let loose with- know what?, if you didn’t spend so much money on ridiculous crap, you wouldn’t have to blame affirmative action/Hollywood liberals/Mexicans/etc.
N__B said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:49
Why have my dreams - both night and day - been revolving around DMZ lately?
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:49
In Sicko, Michael Moore profiled a woman in her early twenties who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her HMO wouldn’t cover her surgery and chemo because she was “too young to have breast cancer.”
She didn’t fit some demographic profile and that’s the excuse they used to reject her treatment.
I’m so afraid Canada’s going this way. Our physicians are itching for privatization so they can make more money. Government supports them. The public is gradually being persuaded by these boneheads that the free market can do a better job.
J— said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:57
But Mr. Paulson said that he was concerned that imposing limits on the compensation of executives could discourage companies from participating in the program.
“If we design it so it’s punitive and so institutions aren’t going to participate, this won’t work the way we need it to work,” Mr. Paulson said on “Fox News Sunday.”
And that’s why those executives and their companies can say thanks but no thanks to that fiscal bridge to solvency.
Ugly In Pink said,
September 22, 2008 at 21:59
Let me be clear by saying I’m not one who thinks the poor are getting what they deserve, or that fiscal instability is a sign of moral failing.
Me neither - it’s a sign of carefully planned and encouraged educational failing. Our cleaning lady is not a stupid woman, she just didn’t know what the hell she was doing and got in way over her head.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:02
A smidgen of fresh air in my neck of the woods today.
He’s telling Canadians to vote Liberal if they value the environment.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:12
More barfaroni
Ok, isn’t this ILLEGAL? A temporary ban? The more they talk the more I want them bankrupt and living in tin shacks.
atheist said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:15
It’s like trying to solve your traffic problems by outlawing left turns.
paul said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:16
Why can’t I get the lyric “And it’s up against the wall ya redneck motherfucker” out of my head?
Because you haven’t listened to “I Wanna Destroy You” by the Soft Boys yet.
Anyone for “when I am king you will be first against the wall?“
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:21
a little humour to lighten your day.
D.N. Nation said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:21
Kicking screaming Gucci little pig-gaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy
(oh, cheesy-ass Radiohead)
Gary Ruppert said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:22
The fact is this bailout is only necessary because of structural problems that the Democrats caused. Specifically Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
Glenn Reynolds alerted me to this fact.
mikey said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:26
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are also responsible for this rash in my groin area.
Between those fuckers and Bill Ayers, they’ve got my whole life fucked up…
mikey
atheist said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:26
Here’s a web petition about the bailout:
http://votenobailout.org/
D.N. Nation said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:27
From the post Gary’s talking about:
Lucky duckies, right?
Asshole.
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:28
BILL AYERS BROKE MY SHIFT-LOCK KEY.
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:29
Shift-lock? Don’t tell me I learned to type on TYPEWRITERS!
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:31
Actually if you divide up the 7 billion by the population of the us (360 mill, I think, didn’t bother to check) you get 2k each. Man, woman and child. Not actually the worst idea I can think of. Maybe better off to focus the money on people in danger of losing their homes, or just on the bottom %30 of income, or something totally socialist like that.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:32
Did Gary say something he’s said before? I can’t tell because his personality matches the wallpaper and listening to him is like watching paint dry. I tune out now.
tigrismus said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:34
“about others taking less”
Yeah, those greedy Wall Street mother fuckers better STEP OFF.
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:35
I still can’t figure out if Gary’s joking, or if someone is sock-puppeting him most of the time, or if he (someone) really thinks like that. It’s awesome.
RglrLrkr said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:35
All right, which one of you people posted this?
Buskertype said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:37
also, where I live, Nashville, TN—- there IS NO GAS!!! Which is kinda cool, if you own a bike, but not so much if your car is out of gas!
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:38
British nannies latest victims of financial woes
Not to mention the high priced hookers. BJs on sale this weekend boyz? BDSM will be half price and when they whip you they’ll do it with feeling.
Righteous Bubba said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:40
I very much enjoyed the grill. Hats off, because I wear multiple hats at all times.
actor212 said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:47
It seems to me that shared sacrifice is not only about some people paying more to the federal government, but also about others taking less. And, yeah, that’ll hurt, but that’s what “sacrifice” is about, right?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sure, all those folks who are losing their shirts will pay less in taxes and take unemployment and food stamps…I’m sure they want to do that instead of working their jobs for real money!
WHAT IS IT WITH CONSERVATIVES AND “BLAMING THE VICTIM”??!?!??!?!
MzNicky said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:49
Shift-lock? Don’t tell me I learned to type on TYPEWRITERS!
Back in my day we didn’t have these fancy-schmancy “word-processing” machines with their magic “delete” “buttons” and all. We had a stick eraser with a brush on the end! And that was when a “cc” was a “cc” — as in “carbon pack,” not like today with all these high-falultin’ printers. And when we got correcting tape? Paradise! Not like these kids today, with their hot-shot “highlighting” and “cutting” and “pasting” and I don’t know what all.
MzNicky said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:52
We will all lose, because the credit crunch means I’ll no longer have a variety of Visa® cards from which to choose when I decide I really must have that $275 cashmere sweater I saw in one of the 56 catalogs I got in the mail today.
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:54
female idiocy
Lesley said,
September 22, 2008 at 22:57
…when I decide I really must have that $275 cashmere sweater I saw in one of the 56 catalogs I got in the mail today.
You mean the one made in Taiwan for $0.50? Talk about a bargain!
Smut Clyde said,
September 22, 2008 at 23:09
Do you remember the MONIAC, Phillip’s hydraulic simulation of the UK economy?
These days, a more appropriate simulator would be Wim Delvoye’s ‘Cloaca’ machine for turning nutritious food into shit.
I’m wondering how much to ask for it on BuyMyShitPile.
actor212 said,
September 22, 2008 at 23:19
Back in my day we didn’t have these fancy-schmancy “word-processing” machines with their magic “delete” “buttons” and all. We ha