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Saturday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 10:09:15 AM EST
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Three best bets on this college football Saturday - Georgia Tech (-7) over North Carolina, Oklahoma State (+4) over Texas A&M and Georgia (-10) over Ole Miss.

Also too, ManU(-1) over Stoke City.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

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    Saturday Morning Open Thread | 65 comments (65 topical)

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    Dealing with the wait with more (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by observed on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 10:29:24 AM EST
    cooking experiments.
    Last night I made a really interested and delicious chicken and bulgur skillet.
    It had caraway, cumin and cinnamon as spices, which is a combination I haven't seen before.
    I would recommend this. 4 stars out of 5. for a very easy and delicious recipe

    Do you have a firm date (none / 0) (#2)
    by MO Blue on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 10:43:32 AM EST
    on when you will leave?

    Parent
    No. I"m waiting on the visa. (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by observed on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 10:46:46 AM EST
    Several days ago I got the invitation letter. Then last week I sent the visa application in.
    Supposedly 3-5 business days is a normal turnaround time, and it's been 5.
    Once I get the visa, I expect to depart within 3 or 4 days.

    Parent
    A recent TL discussion took (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by KeysDan on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 11:56:53 AM EST
    us to new rhetorical ideas to address our problems, particularly,responses to "class warfare".  In today's NYT op ed, Theodore Marmor and Jerry Mashaw of Yale University, let us hitch a ride on their own neutrino for time travel between 1934 and contemporary times.

    FDR created a committee on economic security whose charge stresses "the security of the men, women and children of the nation first." And, asks the committee to propose "sound means" to secure against "several of the great disturbing factors in life--..unemployment and old age"   The sound means emerged as the beginning of new social safety nets

    Moving forward to 2010, President Obama, in the face of economic distress, establishes a commission to "achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run", "to improve the fiscal situation", and to address "the growth of entitlement spending.". In response to the charge,  the commission comes up with cuts to social safety net of the 1930's and since.

    In August 2011, Congres acts, not to aid those in trouble, but to cut federal spending, and to create another super committee to create fiscal balance.  The authors lament not only the cutting of programs as a very bad idea, but also, observe the language used and collective imagination that the language reflects.

    In 1934,  the focus was on people and the risks we all share.  Today, the authors argue, the people have disappeared. The conversation is now about the "budget" not about the economy in which people live. The authors opine that if a moral concept plays a role, it is only the stern proselytizing of forcing the government to live within its means.  If the effect of government policy on people is discussed, it is only as providing incentives for the sick to economize on medical costs and for the already strapped worker to save for retirement.

    Marmor and Mashaw conclude our time travels by stating that in 1934, the government was us--shared sacrifices, shared risks and shared obligations  Today, the government is the other, an alien. Social insurance programs are "entitlements", sort of a sinister threat to our national well-being. The words, they say, have been lost and with them the ideas to frame our situation.

    A voice from the clown car: (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by KeysDan on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:36:57 PM EST
    Response from Santorum on DADT repeal (ignoring the boo from the Republican debate audience): " any type of sexual activity has no place in the military."    Celibacy in the military does not sound too practical--I think he may have stepped on his big clown shoes.

    Wonder what ... (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by Yman on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:54:00 PM EST
    ... that would do to recruiting numbers?

    Pretty shocked by the booing of the gay soldier by the audience.  Guess they'll have to change all those bumperstickers to "Support Our Straight Troops".

    Parent

    He is acting like that isn't how (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 01:30:26 PM EST
    soldiers conduct themselves right now anyhow.  No sex on the job and talk of sex on the job will get you in trouble and is considered a form of sexual harrassment, if it happens and you are discovered you will be reprimanded in some fashion no matter who you are having sex with these days.

    Creating sexual relationships with close coworkers is also not tolerated and is considered a form institutional incest and destroys unit cohesion and will trigger investigations as well. This has been the daily norm in the military for at least 13 years now that I know of.  Once a year every soldier must attend a class on these rules and their conduct during on duty hours as well.

    Parent

    Maybe at the next debate, (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by KeysDan on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 02:10:08 PM EST
    a moderator will ask Rick to clarify if his position includes on and off the job.   Can't assume too much with this guy.

    Parent
    Many Republicans do often think (none / 0) (#17)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 02:44:37 PM EST
    that once a person becomes a soldier, that uniform somehow becomes their skin and is never removed.  They are somehow no longer human.  And it is strange having a soldier in the family because when they have their uniform on they are different people.  They sort of don't completely belong to us at that point.

    Many commanders will issue orders that their soldiers are not allowed to consume alcohol while in uniform.  My husband has sort have come to the point in his life where whether the order has been given or not, he feels like it just isn't something that needs to be done.  So if we are going out to dinner I must always wait for him to change first, or not get any wine because it isn't right in my mind for me to have some if he can't.

    The order has been issued at Fort Rucker right now so if he sees a uniformed soldier consuming in public he goes over to their table and has a talk with them.  I have also seen soldiers approach other soldiers at the gas station who have had their stereo on very loud and thumping, and they go right up to the car of their peers and have a talk with them about how soldiers in uniform conduct themselves and what they represent in uniform.

    And if we are on post together and having a private conversation, the approach of any soldier will disrupt that. I am not #1 during duty hours, the mission is and someone must acknowledge someone and someone must salute someone.

    This is why we have never lived on post since we married, so that someone can come home and take the uniform off and just be another guy until he puts the uniform on and goes back through the gate.  I initially wanted to live on post because I thought it would be safer for the kids, but I wasn't thinking about the autonomy that would be lost. Nobody puts notes on our door if we are two days late mowing the lawn.  We can have some normal failings.

    Parent

    Well, he's slightly more likely to be the (none / 0) (#11)
    by observed on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:53:52 PM EST
    nominee than Perry, IMO.
    Perry might possibly be the stupidest "serious" Presidential candidate ever. He can't play the game.


    Parent
    Obama to black leaders (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 02:46:38 AM EST
    You haven't done enough for me.

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a fiery summons to an important voting bloc, President Barack Obama told blacks on Saturday to quit crying and complaining and "put on your marching shoes" to follow him into battle for jobs and opportunity.
    ...
    Obama's speech to the annual awards dinner of the Congressional Black Caucus was his answer to increasingly vocal griping from black leaders that he's been giving away too much in talks with Republicans -- and not doing enough to fight black unemployment, which is nearly double the national average at 16.7 percent.
    ...
    "Take off your bedroom slippers. Put on your marching shoes," he said, his voice rising as applause and cheers mounted. "Shake it off. Stop complainin'. Stop grumblin'. Stop cryin'. We are going to press on. We have work to do."
    ...
    But at times, Obama also sounded like he was discussing his own embattled tenure.

    "The future rewards those who press on," He said. "I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on." link

    I don't feel sorry for Obama either. He has a job, a fancy roof over his head and he never needs to worry about whether or not he will have enough to eat.  

    BTW, if someone else had told this audience to take off their "bedroom slippers," they would be accused of racism.  

    Good catch re the bedroom slippers (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by brodie on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:56:21 AM EST
    What a peculiar image to throw at his base, evoking a picture of certain people lazily loafing around the house griping at what they're seeing on the tv.

    Apparently it's also racist -- according to one AA female Obama supporter and journalism instructor heard this morning on the Chris Hayes Show-- for news outlets to accurately quote Obama dropping his g's before this CBC gathering.  Makes him look ignorant, and it's imperative that reporters be sensitive in depicting America's first AA president.

    I disagree.  Cleaning up his speech, which she says should be done as a matter of routine for presidents, actually alters an important rhetorical aspect of Obama's political pitch, a style O undoubtedly intended to emphasize his personal connection with this group.

    Parent

    A couple of more things regarding (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:21:13 AM EST
    that address.

    People need to put on their marching shoes is a funny comment from someone who just couldn't locate any comfortable shoes to keep his promise to labor. IOW you march for me and I will be busy helping my savvy friends when you need help.

    Also, if the AA female Obama supporter thinks to accurately quote Obama dropping his g's makes him look ignorant, maybe Obama should stop dropping his g's.

    Parent

    Interesting that the three white folks (none / 0) (#33)
    by brodie on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:47:08 AM EST
    at chris's table including the always polite and PC to a fault Chris Hayes himself stayed out of that discussion.  It was left to TNR's John McWhorter to rebut the overly protective O backer.

    Parent
    Plus, these days people are going to see (none / 0) (#31)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:41:04 AM EST
    the video or hear the speech, rather than or in addition to reading it.  The dry written word does not at all convey the tone of the speech.

    Parent
    Well according to a DKos diary (none / 0) (#37)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:39:24 AM EST
    "Obama Kicked Booty Tonight" and the "take off your bedroom slippers" was one of the greatest lines in the entire speech. And BTW, it is all the CBC's fault.  

    Parent
    You made me go look (none / 0) (#40)
    by Yman on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 02:39:50 PM EST
    Funny stuff, particularly the comments ("He's back!", criticism of the speech is racism, blah, blah ...)

    Parent
    The style of the comments (none / 0) (#41)
    by nycstray on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 02:45:36 PM EST
    come off as very Stepford. Pretty funny stuff as folks try and abide by the new rulz :P

    Parent
    New rules? (none / 0) (#48)
    by Yman on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:31:24 PM EST
    I rarely visit Kos and am not registered (I don't think).  Did they try to make the commenting more ... "respectable"?

    Parent
    When someone other than Obama (none / 0) (#42)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 02:52:21 PM EST
    repeats Obama's words in relationship with high unemployment in the African American community, I wonder if the words will be greeted with praise or shouts of racism.    

    Parent
    Heh - depends (none / 0) (#49)
    by Yman on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:32:27 PM EST
    Are they running against Obama or supporting someone other than Obama?

    That's the real litmus test.

    Parent

    If I could spend Obama's (none / 0) (#43)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:06:58 PM EST
    campaign words, I would be one of the millionaires/billionaires who don't need to worry about being able to afford medical care or having enough income to survive when they retired. In fact, I would be please that I'm paying less taxes under the Obama tax cuts than I did with the Bush tax cuts and happy that my heirs would receive more money tax free. I would, also. be looking forward to receiving a lower marginal tax rate in the immediate future.  

    Parent
    Sort of (none / 0) (#45)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:51:25 PM EST
    It is important to hear what the CBC thinks. As I said nearby, groups can & do rally each other differently.  See, for example: Ethnic jokes among those of the particular ethnicity (my Polish relatives & I kid each other in ways that today's pc might blanch at outside the ethnic group) and permitted usage within a specified group (as a woman, a group of close women who regard each other in a sister-like way can & do joke in a way that would/should not be accepted outside.) But then, this is not news to you, brodie, I'm guessing.

    Parent
    Curious (none / 0) (#46)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:24:24 PM EST
    Are the remarks your Polish relatives and you make that portray Polish people in a bad light regularly replayed on TV and reported in the media? How often have your remarks been used to attack them by groups who hate or are bigoted against Polish Americans? How much weight would those remarks have if during public attacks the attackers said well even christinep has said that is true about Polish Americans? Would you and your relatives making these remarks behind close doors have the same weight and impact as the President of the U.S. saying them and having those words widely reported?


    Parent
    Certainly, I don't disparage Polish people (none / 0) (#50)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:34:08 PM EST
    For goodness sake...people can & do kid each other in an intimate, sisterly & brotherly way within the "family" or other endogeous group that has been & presumably will be acceptable.  The real answer in response to your questions is a restatement: What does the CBC think? In situations like this--without more--that is key. For me to determine what the CBC thinks or what the American Black population thinks about this speech would be rather patronizing, IMO.  I have no doubt that if the talk went beyond the bounds of acceptability that we would hear that criticism soon & strong.  And, if the CBC finds that address to them to be offensive, I would expect an appropriate apology from the offender.  If not, then we may have a tempest in a teapot.

    Parent
    Oh, so this isn't really true? (none / 0) (#52)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:42:41 PM EST
    today's pc might blanch at outside the ethnic group


    Parent
    People "blanch" at things (none / 0) (#54)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:10:07 PM EST
    other than "disparaging" as I am sure that your understand.  We blanch at what may te ticklish, non-pc & other things that cannot be listed...and won't be.

    Back to the question (rather than the wordplay): What does the CBC think? And, the broader Black community?  

    Parent

    So, how has the CBC responded? (none / 0) (#44)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:45:11 PM EST
    What the immediate, intended audience thinks--after all--is important.

    While I don't pretend to know the different rallying cries for different audiences....
    (At the risk of "going there": My Polish relatives & I can tell Polish jokes with each other. My women friends & I can say certain things to each other in a spirit of sisterhood, that might be suspect said by some outside boys clubber. Etc.)

    Parent

    Have I seen any of these little (none / 0) (#47)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:30:46 PM EST
    "christine and friends and relatives disparaging jokes or spirit of sisterhood asides" on TV or reported in the media? Would you be willing to say the same things that you say in private if you knew they would be widely reported and had the possibility of being used against Polish Americans or women?

    Parent
    Caveat: You don't know the nature of the (none / 0) (#51)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:36:30 PM EST
    referenced internal kidding. I guarantee that it is not disparaging.

    Parent
    Well then your remarks (none / 0) (#53)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:46:07 PM EST
    would not be suspect if said by some outside boys clubber Etc.

    Parent
    Not interested in pretzel wordplay (none / 0) (#55)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:11:27 PM EST
    Main point: What does the CBC and the Black community think about the address? Response?

    Parent
    Two statements from the (none / 0) (#56)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:22:56 PM EST
    CBC that I read. One said it was a call to action and another said it was good to see Obama move from governing mode to campaigning mode and show people he feels their pain.

    Also as acknowledged in the linked article, Caucus leaders remain fiercely protective of the nation's first African-American president.

    Parent

    BTW, once again the CBC (none / 0) (#57)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:52:55 PM EST
    is not the only audience to the speech since it has been widely reported. The emphasis of the reporting

    "Take off your bedroom slippers. Put on your marching shoes," he said, his voice rising as applause and cheers mounted. "Shake it off. Stop complainin'. Stop grumblin'. Stop cryin'. We are going to press on. We have work to do."

    The CBC and the African American community will not be the only people responding to the words in the speech. If you believe those words will only reach the CBC or will not be used to portray the people out of work in a negative way, you are using pretzel logic. And you were aware of that even though you chose to only address one aspect and ignore everything else.

    Parent

    Like it or not, the central aspect here (none / 0) (#59)
    by christinep on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:46:38 PM EST
    would be the CBC & the Black community.

    Parent
    He is pressing on to what? (none / 0) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 07:56:41 AM EST
    His worst problem as a leader that I see is this bizarre mentality!!!!  He doesn't know what he is pressing on to, and he doesn't want to give details because he would be held accountable for something then.

    He reminds so much of one of the old style Generals in Iraq that all ended being fired or quit who kept insisting that everyone show up to fight and die and be happy to do it for something that has nothing to do with them, never did, and will never improve the quality of their lives or Iraqis....and in fact is making things worse for everyone.

    Parent

    He is pressing on to getting himself (none / 0) (#65)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:48:57 AM EST
    elected based on talking about jobs and not actually doing things that will create real jobs. We will be hearing a lot of words about jobs now that Obama is in campaign mode. Even a few words of criticism of Republicans which will win over many Democratic voters who will see the words as proof of Obama's new fighting spirit. Meanwhile back in the real world of actions that impact lives, Obama will continue to push and pass only those things that will benefit "big business" and are part of the Republican agenda.    

    In fact, some of the things will actually cause the loss of jobs here. Those are the part of his proposal that will likely happen since the Republicans enthusiastically support them. The 3 trade agreements that he is pushing hard are estimated to cause 100,000 - 200,000 jobs to be lost to S. Korea. Giving companies "free labor" under the guise of training means that those companies can get the work done without hiring any new employees. IIRC the new patten rules that benefit big business at the expense of the small inventor have already been passed. Cuts to domestic programs, Medicare and Medicaid and lower marginal rates for corporations and the upper brackets are a major part of all Obama's proposal.      

    The part of his speech that told the CBC to take off their bedroom slippers caused some AA commentators over at Dkos to assign all the blame for the plight of the AA community onto the CBC.

    They were trying to divert attention from their own chronic ineptness and decades of do-nothing-ism and joining the media in bashing the President.

    IMO Obama's words will do the trick for him again in 2012.

    Parent

    Who else is everyone going to vote for? (none / 0) (#66)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:54:18 AM EST
    Are we going to vote for whoever the Republicans put up?  There's pathetic sellout and then there's nucking futz sellout......hmmmm pathetic or nuts? pathetic or nuts?  Okay....pathetic wins

    Parent
    With those options (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:04:25 AM EST
    the one thing that is certain is the average citizen loses. We will continue to lose until the theme that no matter how bad our party's candidate is the other guy is worse is somehow broken. Don't have any answers, but to continue on our current path is going to harm a lot of people.

     

    Parent

    I don't see how Geithner can (none / 0) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:06:28 PM EST
    survive the Suskind book.

    Are you reading the book. (none / 0) (#6)
    by observed on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:07:49 PM EST
    What do you think hurts Geithner most?

    Parent
    I'm halfway through it (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:15:06 PM EST
    at the part where Geithner is considered to have ignored or slow walked Obama on nationalizing and unwinding Citi.  Apparently there is an internal White House memo complaining that Geithner deliberately slow walked nonspecified items he was supposed to do that would have discouraged all the dysfunctional behavior we see from our banks and would have dealt with the creation of moral hazard that strangles us now.

    Parent
    Is there any possibility he profited (none / 0) (#8)
    by observed on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:16:25 PM EST
    personally from these actions?


    Parent
    I don't know (none / 0) (#14)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 01:23:46 PM EST
    at this point in the book.  Does he plan to in the future?  According to Suskind he is not a polished custom suit person.  Modest means seem fine to him.

    Parent
    Mine (none / 0) (#10)
    by Addison on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 12:41:06 PM EST
    LSU -5.5
    Missouri +19.5
    UCLA +4
    South Dakota +45.5

    Good, except South Dakota managed to lose by 49! (none / 0) (#24)
    by Addison on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 10:50:27 PM EST
    You let me down, South Dakota Coyotes. It was a 45.5 point spread! Who loses by 49 points!? Maybe Wisconsin is a little better (and more bloodthirsty, for that matter) than I gave them credit for.

    Parent
    The Badgers are a very good team. (none / 0) (#38)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:56:20 AM EST
    Not many weaknesses on either side of the ball and they'll run up the score given a chance.  Bielema is a little bit of ruthless bast*rd in that regard.  Just ask a Gopher fan about that.  

    Can't wait for that Wisconsin/Nebraska game next Saturday.

    Parent

    Hey, Mile, how's it going? (none / 0) (#39)
    by easilydistracted on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 01:04:12 PM EST
    Its been a while, at least on my end. I trust all is well!?

    Parent
    Still above ground, Easy D. (none / 0) (#62)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:34:15 PM EST
    Good days, bad days--the joy of being immuno suppressed.  Been fighting an infection of late.  Loads of fun.  Get tired pretty easy too--was up in the mountains Friday night for the ex's oldest son's wedding and still recovering (not to mention feeling old!).  

    How are you doing?  Still traveling a lot?  Surviving the fires and whatnot down in Lone Star state?  

    Parent

    Sorry to hear...Hang in there (none / 0) (#70)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Oct 12, 2011 at 09:21:46 PM EST
    Yep, I'm still traveling a bunch. Returned from Juba several days ago. Lovely Kandahar next month. Actually makes Texas look good (wow, I didn't ever think I'd say that -- I better go have another cold one). Talk to you soon.

    Parent
    "Also too" U of M 21, SDSU 0 (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 01:05:58 PM EST
    but ongoing.

    Once upon a time (none / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 03:10:58 PM EST
    most of the Obama economic team had thought that taxing trades was a great idea.  Larry Summers even wrote a paper on the need for it.  But when Peter Orzag issued a statement on how such a thing could improve our balance sheet and make healthcare reform more doable and he cited the Summers paper in it Larry Summers lost his damned mind because Orzag didn't clear it all through him first.

    This is the same thing that Europe wants to do to help their balance sheets out as well that Tim Geithner would not even consider when he recently met with them.  Why has everyone changed their tune on this during such a financial crisis where we are all the slaves of the traders right now and they make all the money and destroy our abilities to take care of ourselves in the existing world?

    Walker spokesman given immunity (none / 0) (#19)
    by Yman on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 03:54:57 PM EST
    This makes 3 so far,

    Be interesting to see where this goes.

    Shocking (none / 0) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 24, 2011 at 05:07:44 PM EST
    According to Suskind's book, it is estimated that shadow banking removes 40 cents from every dollar they touch.  That is their fee for touching it and they touch every single dollar that Ben Bernanke "gives" to the economy in this crisis.

    Wowza (none / 0) (#26)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:38:35 AM EST


    Parent
    Pete Rouse after a year of taking (none / 0) (#27)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:49:03 AM EST
    notes at White Hose meetings for over a year, after analysis came to the conclusion that Tim Geithner slow walked Presidential decisions and was sometimes even insubordinate, and he wrote a memo about it.  

    Haven't read the Suskind book (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by brodie on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:17:00 AM EST
    but doesn't this now make at least two top Obama aides (the other being one of his early female economic aides) who noted Geithner's slow walking-insubordination and presumably pointed it out to O?

    I can't think of a single Dem prez going back to FDR who would have tolerated such behavior by a key cabinet member unless he was politically constrained from acting or the official was already on his way out the door (eg, CJCS Colin Powell wrt gays in military under Clinton).

    Keeping Geithner was a disaster for the country and a full recovery and on a second level he's making Obama look like a weakling.  Other than that, fine Treasury Sec'y.

    Parent

    It would seem that way (none / 0) (#36)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:21:46 AM EST


    Parent
    Presumably this was OK with Obama (none / 0) (#32)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:44:14 AM EST
    Since he did not fire him. I think this issue is overblown, myself. We have no idea of conversations Geithner and Obama had about these instances of "insubordination." For better or worse, perhaps Geithner was doing exactly what Obama wanted.

    Parent
    Regarding the death penalty (none / 0) (#34)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:48:41 AM EST
    Amazing I do not see the daughters of a murdered mother calling for the death penalty to achieve 'closure' or justice when the convicted murderer is their own father.  Seems some mercy and compassion is in order in that case.

    Can we end the death penalty now, please?

    Ending the DP would seem to be (none / 0) (#35)
    by brodie on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:17:19 AM EST
    a good issue for someone like Jimmy Carter to run with, partnering with a prominent credible Repub who feels similarly (if one exists).

    Parent
    Prominent Republicans are far too (none / 0) (#58)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:31:38 PM EST
    good Christians to run on ending the death penalty.

    Parent
    Site Violator (none / 0) (#61)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:23:50 PM EST
    Spam!

    Or Tom Brady.  Either way...

    SITE VIOLATOR (none / 0) (#68)
    by caseyOR on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:36:17 AM EST
    Posting in what I believe is Italian. Hey, we've got international spammers.

    They have been busy little beavers (none / 0) (#69)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:44:15 AM EST
    the last couple of days. I think I have posted more Site Violation comments than regular ones. Annoying.

    Parent
    Saturday Morning Open Thread | 65 comments (65 topical)

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