This has to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen, more editons to come. Enima (look it up) has no sense of humor.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Russia says capitalism is dead... in AMERICA
Today I was planning on a debut of a weekend (either saturday or sunday) post series that's "were done as a society" story (or stories) of the week that show the decent of man. But as I was listening to Savage last night I heard him read an article, the mere fact that it was in what was previously the Russian propaganda newspaper (Pravda, literally meaning truth when translated back to English, also picked that little tidbit from Savage, guy is a freaking genius). I want to analyze this article so here's the first part of it...
It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.
Couldn't believe he said that, I have NEVER and I mean NEVER heard a journalist ANYWHERE (TV, radio, internet, twittering) use the term "sheeple" outside of Savage. And this guy lives in Russia, how he survived during the Soviet Union is beyond me unless he was in exile.
True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.
Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.
Too bad no one in Wall Street has a soul, or at least not enough of them do to make a difference
First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a BurgerKing burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blind the foolish.
Why I will survive, I actually know a lot of things 90-95% of Americans don't know but should and would if it wasn't for our degenerate pop culture and the MSM.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America.
I disagree with this, I go to a "modernized" baptist church one town over and there still is hope for religion in "flyover country". It's already dead on both coasts though.
The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more then another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.
That last sentence should stick, I've already kinda done a post on Zimbabwe and need to do one on what happened in the Wiemar Republic back in the 1930's that basically allowed Hitler the oppertunity to take power.
These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more then ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?
These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more then a whimper to their masters.
Too pissed off to comment, he nailed it though.
Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motor) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.
So it should be no surprise, that the American president has followed this up with a "bold" move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK's Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.
Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper...but a "freeman"
whimper.
Yep and it pisses me off to nearly go off the deep end (I know some of you out there think I already have but trust me I haven't yet)
So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.
Imagine if this paragraph appeared in a US newspaper, well first off it wouldn't because it's too "offensive" (meaning accurate). Read this sentence again, keep in mind, a non-pc opinion columnist russian that writes for Pravda:
Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort.
Wow, of course he's a congressman but these days they are practically interchangable it seems with the committees there that randomly hand out power. This was also a guy whose boyfriend got busted for running a gay prostitute ring out of an apartment they shared and BJ Barney claimed he had no knowledge and people actually believed him... what a country we live in.
The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.
The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.
They already are dude, they already are.
It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.
Couldn't believe he said that, I have NEVER and I mean NEVER heard a journalist ANYWHERE (TV, radio, internet, twittering) use the term "sheeple" outside of Savage. And this guy lives in Russia, how he survived during the Soviet Union is beyond me unless he was in exile.
True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.
Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.
Too bad no one in Wall Street has a soul, or at least not enough of them do to make a difference
First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a BurgerKing burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blind the foolish.
Why I will survive, I actually know a lot of things 90-95% of Americans don't know but should and would if it wasn't for our degenerate pop culture and the MSM.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America.
I disagree with this, I go to a "modernized" baptist church one town over and there still is hope for religion in "flyover country". It's already dead on both coasts though.
The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more then another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.
That last sentence should stick, I've already kinda done a post on Zimbabwe and need to do one on what happened in the Wiemar Republic back in the 1930's that basically allowed Hitler the oppertunity to take power.
These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more then ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?
These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more then a whimper to their masters.
Too pissed off to comment, he nailed it though.
Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motor) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.
So it should be no surprise, that the American president has followed this up with a "bold" move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK's Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.
Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper...but a "freeman"
whimper.
Yep and it pisses me off to nearly go off the deep end (I know some of you out there think I already have but trust me I haven't yet)
So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.
Imagine if this paragraph appeared in a US newspaper, well first off it wouldn't because it's too "offensive" (meaning accurate). Read this sentence again, keep in mind, a non-pc opinion columnist russian that writes for Pravda:
Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort.
Wow, of course he's a congressman but these days they are practically interchangable it seems with the committees there that randomly hand out power. This was also a guy whose boyfriend got busted for running a gay prostitute ring out of an apartment they shared and BJ Barney claimed he had no knowledge and people actually believed him... what a country we live in.
The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.
The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.
They already are dude, they already are.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Failblog and FML Friday is here again!
And not a moment too soon


Now this next one I really can't believe got past advertisers or the editors.


why were doomed...

I bet she does



Now FML...
Today, after a late night at the bars, I stepped into my building's elevator with a Chinese man who was carrying a plastic bag. Without thinking I said, "Oooh, are you still delivering?" His response, "I live here." FML
Today, after a late night at the bars, I stepped into my building's elevator with a Chinese man who was carrying a plastic bag. Without thinking I said, "Oooh, are you still delivering?" His response, "I live here." FML
Today, my friend's son asked me how much coke costs in this place. I told him "about a dollar?" He said "wow, that's really cheap for blow." He's 10. FML
Today, I asked my boyfriend to have sex. He told me he would rather play ps3. FML
Today, I decided to send my boyfriend a pic text of me naked. I accidently sent it to my dad and got a text back saying "You definitely take after your mom". FML
Today, my mom decided to tell me about her new boyfriend. I know him. I've slept with him. FML
Today, I was having sex with my boyfriend. When he was about to orgasm, he screamed "Yes Brittany!" at the top of his lungs. My name's not Brittany. That's his sister. FML
Today, I woke up to my car covered in shaving cream and tampons and the word CHEATER written on my windshield in lipstick. The guy a few doors down from me in my dorm has the same car as me. I'm a virgin. FML
Today, I noticed a prospective employer I had been networking with changed her last name on her e-mail signature. I wished the aquaintence congratulations on her new marriage. Her divorce was finalized this week. FML
Today, my wife told me that if she had a penny for every time I had brought her to climax she'd have change for a nickel. We've been married for 16 years. FML
Today, was the first time I saw a man's sex organs in real life. I was in anatomy dissection class and had to pull the cadaver's testicles out of his scrotum. FML
Today, my virgin guy friend told me he wanted me to be his first. I'm a guy. FML
Today, I texted my boyfriend saying hi. His response, "I got your best friend pregnant". FML
Today, I learnt that nail polish remover is, in fact, VERY flammable. And I learnt it the hard way. FML
Today, I heard my sister masturbating in her room. I took the dog around the block to get out of the house, and I came back to see her leaving her room... my electric toothbrush in her hand. FML


Now this next one I really can't believe got past advertisers or the editors.


why were doomed...

I bet she does



Now FML...
Today, after a late night at the bars, I stepped into my building's elevator with a Chinese man who was carrying a plastic bag. Without thinking I said, "Oooh, are you still delivering?" His response, "I live here." FML
Today, after a late night at the bars, I stepped into my building's elevator with a Chinese man who was carrying a plastic bag. Without thinking I said, "Oooh, are you still delivering?" His response, "I live here." FML
Today, my friend's son asked me how much coke costs in this place. I told him "about a dollar?" He said "wow, that's really cheap for blow." He's 10. FML
Today, I asked my boyfriend to have sex. He told me he would rather play ps3. FML
Today, I decided to send my boyfriend a pic text of me naked. I accidently sent it to my dad and got a text back saying "You definitely take after your mom". FML
Today, my mom decided to tell me about her new boyfriend. I know him. I've slept with him. FML
Today, I was having sex with my boyfriend. When he was about to orgasm, he screamed "Yes Brittany!" at the top of his lungs. My name's not Brittany. That's his sister. FML
Today, I woke up to my car covered in shaving cream and tampons and the word CHEATER written on my windshield in lipstick. The guy a few doors down from me in my dorm has the same car as me. I'm a virgin. FML
Today, I noticed a prospective employer I had been networking with changed her last name on her e-mail signature. I wished the aquaintence congratulations on her new marriage. Her divorce was finalized this week. FML
Today, my wife told me that if she had a penny for every time I had brought her to climax she'd have change for a nickel. We've been married for 16 years. FML
Today, was the first time I saw a man's sex organs in real life. I was in anatomy dissection class and had to pull the cadaver's testicles out of his scrotum. FML
Today, my virgin guy friend told me he wanted me to be his first. I'm a guy. FML
Today, I texted my boyfriend saying hi. His response, "I got your best friend pregnant". FML
Today, I learnt that nail polish remover is, in fact, VERY flammable. And I learnt it the hard way. FML
Today, I heard my sister masturbating in her room. I took the dog around the block to get out of the house, and I came back to see her leaving her room... my electric toothbrush in her hand. FML
Thursday, May 28, 2009
the H word
I have refused to comment on the possibility of "the H word" (hyperinflation) because it had been relegated to WND, Newsmax, and other "fringe" (that doesn't mean I don't read them) rightwing websites. But as I scanned Drudge this evening I saw an article about it on Bloomberg News (a private AP basically). That's a little scary, and when someone says "Zimbabwe" level inflation your ears really perk up. Remember how I said that the old term used on Confederate dollars (they aren't worth the paper they're printed on) in one of my previous posts? Well, looks like that may be prophetic when it comes to describing the future of the US dollar. A part of the BN article:
May 27 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. economy will enter “hyperinflation” approaching the levels in Zimbabwe because the Federal Reserve will be reluctant to raise interest rates, investor Marc Faber said.
Prices may increase at rates “close to” Zimbabwe’s gains, Faber said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Hong Kong. Zimbabwe’s inflation rate reached 231 million percent in July, the last annual rate published by the statistics office.
“I am 100 percent sure that the U.S. will go into hyperinflation,” Faber said. “The problem with government debt growing so much is that when the time will come and the Fed should increase interest rates, they will be very reluctant to do so and so inflation will start to accelerate.”
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Charles Plosser said on May 21 inflation may rise to 2.5 percent in 2011. That exceeds the central bank officials’ long-run preferred range of 1.7 percent to 2 percent and contrasts with the concerns of some officials and economists that the economic slump may provoke a broad decline in prices.
Well this Marc Faber guy seems smei-legit so I think I'll be investing all my earnings from my summer job into something stable like gold or silver... or lead.
May 27 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. economy will enter “hyperinflation” approaching the levels in Zimbabwe because the Federal Reserve will be reluctant to raise interest rates, investor Marc Faber said.
Prices may increase at rates “close to” Zimbabwe’s gains, Faber said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Hong Kong. Zimbabwe’s inflation rate reached 231 million percent in July, the last annual rate published by the statistics office.
“I am 100 percent sure that the U.S. will go into hyperinflation,” Faber said. “The problem with government debt growing so much is that when the time will come and the Fed should increase interest rates, they will be very reluctant to do so and so inflation will start to accelerate.”
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Charles Plosser said on May 21 inflation may rise to 2.5 percent in 2011. That exceeds the central bank officials’ long-run preferred range of 1.7 percent to 2 percent and contrasts with the concerns of some officials and economists that the economic slump may provoke a broad decline in prices.
Well this Marc Faber guy seems smei-legit so I think I'll be investing all my earnings from my summer job into something stable like gold or silver... or lead.
wow...
Ok this story was even buried on Drudge which is very disturbing considering the ChiComs are the #1 buyer of US debt (otherwise known as T-Bills, but that's the fucking PC term, its our DEBT! No need to put sexy wall street jargon on it). This coming on the heels of Obama's "were broke" comment over the weekend that didn't get ANY coverage outside of a 4 hour headline on Saturday night/early Sunday morning on Drudge. If that was disturbing enough check out this paragraph from the story (link in title)
Mr Fisher, the Fed's leading hawk, was a fierce opponent of the original decision to buy Treasury debt, fearing that it would lead to a blurring of the line between fiscal and monetary policy – and could all too easily degenerate into Argentine-style financing of uncontrolled spending.
Now for those of you who don't know what the hell he's talking about in relation to Argentina read up on it here and the international socialist society has a surprisingly good article about it And theres a PDF file that a UCLA professor put together back early in 2002 that shows some disturbing similarities to what is going on in the US economy now. Sorry about all the hyperlinks folks but I don't want this post to be a mile long. Searching for 10 minutes online I think I am able to best explain the crisis through quoting this article from the CATO institute ( full article here)
The Argentine economy suffered a deep crisis during 2001 and 2002. Poverty stretched to one in every three homesteads in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, and the traumatic departure from convertibility, together with financial crisis and default (public debt default), undermined investor confidence, both local and foreign.
Causes of the Crisis
We believe the crisis owed its existence to four main causes: (1) inappropriate fiscal policy, (2) wage and price rigidities inconsistent with a fixed exchange regime, (3) a considerable, adverse external shock, and (4) political turmoil.
Two-Tiered Fiscal Inconsistency
On one side, public expenditure growth measured in U.S. dollars outpaced GDP growth, corrected by tradable-goods prices. On the other, the federal and provincial primary fiscal surplus did not rise at an equal pace with the hike in the financial burden linked to growing debt and the gradual phasing out of preferential-rate bonds (Brady bonds and others issued to cancel government liabilities with pensioners and state contractors) replaced in turn by market-rate notes.
The impact and stress on convertibility caused by real shocks has led many analysts to challenge the fiscal nature of the crisis. (1) In our opinion, that doubt stems from an incomplete observation of Argentine data and to a misinterpretation of causality between public expenditure and real exchange rates.
And finally in a age when millions have become billions and billions have become trillions here's a number for you all to chew on, $99 trillion. Yes $99 FUCKING TRILLION DOLLARS THAT ME, MY GENERATION, AND MY KIDS AND THEIR GENERATION ARE ON THE FUCKING HOOK FOR. Thanks Reagan, Bush II and Obama, your insane fiscal policies have fucked me for my entire life and probably into my kids and their kids lives. Government is not the soultion EVER. You know how there was an old saying that Confederate money wasn't worth the paper it's printed on? That's going to be the US dollar in 5 years, tops, if we continue this orgy of spending.
"You've got some mild deflation here," he said.
The Oxford-educated Mr Fisher, an outspoken free-marketer and believer in the Schumpeterian process of "creative destruction", has been running a fervent campaign to alert Americans to the "very big hole" in unfunded pension and health-care liabilities built up by a careless political class over the years.
"We at the Dallas Fed believe the total is over $99 trillion," he said in February.
"This situation is of your own creation. When you berate your representatives or senators or presidents for the mess we are in, you are really berating yourself. You elect them," he said.
His warning comes amid growing fears that America could lose its AAA sovereign rating.
Mr Fisher, the Fed's leading hawk, was a fierce opponent of the original decision to buy Treasury debt, fearing that it would lead to a blurring of the line between fiscal and monetary policy – and could all too easily degenerate into Argentine-style financing of uncontrolled spending.
Now for those of you who don't know what the hell he's talking about in relation to Argentina read up on it here and the international socialist society has a surprisingly good article about it And theres a PDF file that a UCLA professor put together back early in 2002 that shows some disturbing similarities to what is going on in the US economy now. Sorry about all the hyperlinks folks but I don't want this post to be a mile long. Searching for 10 minutes online I think I am able to best explain the crisis through quoting this article from the CATO institute ( full article here)
The Argentine economy suffered a deep crisis during 2001 and 2002. Poverty stretched to one in every three homesteads in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, and the traumatic departure from convertibility, together with financial crisis and default (public debt default), undermined investor confidence, both local and foreign.
Causes of the Crisis
We believe the crisis owed its existence to four main causes: (1) inappropriate fiscal policy, (2) wage and price rigidities inconsistent with a fixed exchange regime, (3) a considerable, adverse external shock, and (4) political turmoil.
Two-Tiered Fiscal Inconsistency
On one side, public expenditure growth measured in U.S. dollars outpaced GDP growth, corrected by tradable-goods prices. On the other, the federal and provincial primary fiscal surplus did not rise at an equal pace with the hike in the financial burden linked to growing debt and the gradual phasing out of preferential-rate bonds (Brady bonds and others issued to cancel government liabilities with pensioners and state contractors) replaced in turn by market-rate notes.
The impact and stress on convertibility caused by real shocks has led many analysts to challenge the fiscal nature of the crisis. (1) In our opinion, that doubt stems from an incomplete observation of Argentine data and to a misinterpretation of causality between public expenditure and real exchange rates.
And finally in a age when millions have become billions and billions have become trillions here's a number for you all to chew on, $99 trillion. Yes $99 FUCKING TRILLION DOLLARS THAT ME, MY GENERATION, AND MY KIDS AND THEIR GENERATION ARE ON THE FUCKING HOOK FOR. Thanks Reagan, Bush II and Obama, your insane fiscal policies have fucked me for my entire life and probably into my kids and their kids lives. Government is not the soultion EVER. You know how there was an old saying that Confederate money wasn't worth the paper it's printed on? That's going to be the US dollar in 5 years, tops, if we continue this orgy of spending.
"You've got some mild deflation here," he said.
The Oxford-educated Mr Fisher, an outspoken free-marketer and believer in the Schumpeterian process of "creative destruction", has been running a fervent campaign to alert Americans to the "very big hole" in unfunded pension and health-care liabilities built up by a careless political class over the years.
"We at the Dallas Fed believe the total is over $99 trillion," he said in February.
"This situation is of your own creation. When you berate your representatives or senators or presidents for the mess we are in, you are really berating yourself. You elect them," he said.
His warning comes amid growing fears that America could lose its AAA sovereign rating.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
North Korea Update
Ok I refuse to post on the SCOTUS pick until this crisis, and yes it is a crisis, with North Korea and Kim imadong-Il passes. Why the MSM has refused to cover this at the level they SHOULD BE is beyond me. I mean is having confirmation hearings debating on whether or not O's SCOTUS pick is more important than a possible nuclear conflict just shows how far the MSM has fallen in this country. From the South Korean AP:
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea threatened military action Wednesday against U.S. and South Korean warships plying the waters near the Koreas' disputed maritime border, raising the specter of a naval clash just days after the regime's underground nuclear test.
Pyongyang, reacting angrily to Seoul's decision to join an international program to intercept ships suspected of aiding nuclear proliferation, called the move tantamount to a declaration of war.
"Now that the South Korean puppets were so ridiculous as to join in the said racket and dare declare a war against compatriots," North Korea is "compelled to take a decisive measure," the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement carried by state media.
Seoul's decision comes at a time when "the state of military confrontation is growing acute and there is constant danger of military conflict," the statement warned.
South Korea's military said Wednesday it was prepared to "respond sternly" to any North Korean provocation.
North Korea's latest belligerence comes as the U.N. Security Council debates how to punish the regime for testing a nuclear bomb Monday in what President Barack Obama called a "blatant violation" of international law.
Ambassadors from the five permanent veto-wielding council members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - as well as Japan and South Korea were working out the details of a new resolution.
South Korea, divided from the North by a heavily fortified border, had responded to the nuclear test by joining the Proliferation Security Initiative, a U.S.-led network of nations seeking to stop ships from transporting the materials used in nuclear bombs.
Seoul previously resisted joining the PSI in favor of seeking reconciliation with Pyongyang, but pushed those efforts aside Monday after the nuclear test in the northeast.
North Korea warned Wednesday that any attempt to stop, board or inspect its ships would constitute a "grave violation."
The regime also said it could no longer promise the safety of U.S. and South Korean warships and civilian vessels in the waters near the Korea's western maritime border.
"They should bear in mind that the (North) has tremendous military muscle and its own method of strike able to conquer any targets in its vicinity at one stroke or hit the U.S. on the raw, if necessary," it said.
The maritime border has long been a flashpoint between the two Koreas. North Korea disputes the line unilaterally drawn by the United Nations at the end of the Koreas' three-year war in 1953, and has demanded it be redrawn further south.
The truce signed in 1953 and subsequent military agreements call for both sides to refrain from warfare, but doesn't cover the waters off the west coast.
North Korea has used the maritime border dispute to provoke two deadly naval skirmishes - in 1999 and 2002.
On Wednesday, the regime promised "unimaginable and merciless punishment" for anyone daring to challenge its ships.
Pyongyang also reportedly restarted its weapons-grade nuclear plant, South Korean media said.
The Chosun Ilbo newspaper said U.S. spy satellites detected signs of steam at the North's Yongbyon nuclear complex, an indication it may have started reprocessing nuclear fuel. The report, which could not be confirmed, quoted an unidentified government official. South Korea's Yonhap news agency also carried a similar report.
The move would be a major setback for efforts aimed at getting North Korea to disarm.
North Korea had stopped reprocessing fuel rods as part of an international deal. In 2007, it agreed to disable the Yongbyon reactor in exchange for aid and demolished a cooling tower at the complex.
The North has about 8,000 spent fuel rods which, if reprocessed, could allow it to harvest 13 to 18 pounds (six to eight kilograms) of plutonium - enough to make at least one nuclear bomb, experts said. North Korea is believed to have enough plutonium for at least a half dozen atomic bombs.
Further ratcheting up tensions, North Korea test-fired five short-range missiles over the past two days, South Korean officials confirmed.
A North Korean newspaper, Minju Joson, said in commentary Wednesday that Pyongyang does not fear repercussions for its actions.
"It is a laughable delusion for the United States to think that it can get us to kneel with sanctions," it said. "We've been living under U.S. sanctions for decades, but have firmly safeguarded our ideology and system while moving our achievements forward. The U.S. sanctions policy toward North Korea is like striking a rock with a rotten egg."
I am reminded back to a scene in the 2004 classic, Team America: World Police
warning NSFW if you have the volume on...
It would be much funnier if it wasn't so fucking true.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea threatened military action Wednesday against U.S. and South Korean warships plying the waters near the Koreas' disputed maritime border, raising the specter of a naval clash just days after the regime's underground nuclear test.
Pyongyang, reacting angrily to Seoul's decision to join an international program to intercept ships suspected of aiding nuclear proliferation, called the move tantamount to a declaration of war.
"Now that the South Korean puppets were so ridiculous as to join in the said racket and dare declare a war against compatriots," North Korea is "compelled to take a decisive measure," the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement carried by state media.
Seoul's decision comes at a time when "the state of military confrontation is growing acute and there is constant danger of military conflict," the statement warned.
South Korea's military said Wednesday it was prepared to "respond sternly" to any North Korean provocation.
North Korea's latest belligerence comes as the U.N. Security Council debates how to punish the regime for testing a nuclear bomb Monday in what President Barack Obama called a "blatant violation" of international law.
Ambassadors from the five permanent veto-wielding council members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - as well as Japan and South Korea were working out the details of a new resolution.
South Korea, divided from the North by a heavily fortified border, had responded to the nuclear test by joining the Proliferation Security Initiative, a U.S.-led network of nations seeking to stop ships from transporting the materials used in nuclear bombs.
Seoul previously resisted joining the PSI in favor of seeking reconciliation with Pyongyang, but pushed those efforts aside Monday after the nuclear test in the northeast.
North Korea warned Wednesday that any attempt to stop, board or inspect its ships would constitute a "grave violation."
The regime also said it could no longer promise the safety of U.S. and South Korean warships and civilian vessels in the waters near the Korea's western maritime border.
"They should bear in mind that the (North) has tremendous military muscle and its own method of strike able to conquer any targets in its vicinity at one stroke or hit the U.S. on the raw, if necessary," it said.
The maritime border has long been a flashpoint between the two Koreas. North Korea disputes the line unilaterally drawn by the United Nations at the end of the Koreas' three-year war in 1953, and has demanded it be redrawn further south.
The truce signed in 1953 and subsequent military agreements call for both sides to refrain from warfare, but doesn't cover the waters off the west coast.
North Korea has used the maritime border dispute to provoke two deadly naval skirmishes - in 1999 and 2002.
On Wednesday, the regime promised "unimaginable and merciless punishment" for anyone daring to challenge its ships.
Pyongyang also reportedly restarted its weapons-grade nuclear plant, South Korean media said.
The Chosun Ilbo newspaper said U.S. spy satellites detected signs of steam at the North's Yongbyon nuclear complex, an indication it may have started reprocessing nuclear fuel. The report, which could not be confirmed, quoted an unidentified government official. South Korea's Yonhap news agency also carried a similar report.
The move would be a major setback for efforts aimed at getting North Korea to disarm.
North Korea had stopped reprocessing fuel rods as part of an international deal. In 2007, it agreed to disable the Yongbyon reactor in exchange for aid and demolished a cooling tower at the complex.
The North has about 8,000 spent fuel rods which, if reprocessed, could allow it to harvest 13 to 18 pounds (six to eight kilograms) of plutonium - enough to make at least one nuclear bomb, experts said. North Korea is believed to have enough plutonium for at least a half dozen atomic bombs.
Further ratcheting up tensions, North Korea test-fired five short-range missiles over the past two days, South Korean officials confirmed.
A North Korean newspaper, Minju Joson, said in commentary Wednesday that Pyongyang does not fear repercussions for its actions.
"It is a laughable delusion for the United States to think that it can get us to kneel with sanctions," it said. "We've been living under U.S. sanctions for decades, but have firmly safeguarded our ideology and system while moving our achievements forward. The U.S. sanctions policy toward North Korea is like striking a rock with a rotten egg."
I am reminded back to a scene in the 2004 classic, Team America: World Police
warning NSFW if you have the volume on...
It would be much funnier if it wasn't so fucking true.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Memorial Day
This day, the official start of summer (yes I know I'm doing this post a day late but I've been sick as a dog the past 48 hours so back the fuck off) and BBQ season means a lot more to me than most Americans. I had a Grandpa and 2 Great Uncles fight in WWII. My Grandpa fought in the Battle of the Bulge, in the winter of 1944-45, got shot twice (one thankfully bounced off his belt buckle, one got planted in his thigh), and had such severe frostbite that he had to be hospitalized in the UK for 3-6 months (my grandma's memory is fuzzy). Sadly he passed away of Alzheimers in July, 2005. I was "lucky" in the fact I was the only grandchild to see his last moments and let me tell you I will never forget the 1-2 minutes I had with him. I'd like to think he recogized me but being realistic he probably didn't. He passed a mere 5 hours after I got up there to see him.
Actually that story is worth telling, it was 2005 and I had just graduated high school. Unlike nearly all of my friends I didn't want a graduation party, it just wasn't me, so instead my "party" was a trip out east to see my aunt and uncle who lived just outside of DC. My uncle worked(s) at the DOT and they have 3 grown children. The plan (at least originally) was to go to DC for 3-4 days then head down to NC to see my cousin and his wife and kids.
The day we were going down we spent the day in DC (got a killer private tour of the capitol thanks to Jim Ramstead's office, I've always been good at political connections), we even sat in on a live house session for 10 minutes. We also visited the WWII memorial which had just FINALLY been completed the year before (easily 20+ years overdue but I digress). We were literally on the way down to see my cousin when my mom got a call from her sister finding out that her dad (my grandpa) was on a morphine drip which basically meant he had less than 24 hours to live. Was I pissed? You bet, at first. Then I thought about the fact that of all the times for gramps to pass he did it just when I happened to be just a 10 hour car drive from him. Concidence? Sorry I don't believe in those, it was meant to be and when everything was done I was glad I got to see him in his final hours. He also left me little hints in the days after that he was ok.
On to my great uncles who, sadly, I know very little about. My Great Uncle Byrl went up through Mussolini's Italy and into Rome as a Marine. He had a great story about the Catacombs there in Rome. He said that they were down there screwing around (like most normal 18-25 year old guys) and started messing around with the skulls down there. They put the skulls on a stick to scare the people coming down buy right as they did their flashlights went out. They took it off the stick and their flashlights went back on, they high-tailed it out of there in a hurry. And my Great Uncle Chuck was part of the Pacific campaign and he said he saw more people die from jungle rot or infection than in battle.
Those are my litle Memorial Day stories...
Actually that story is worth telling, it was 2005 and I had just graduated high school. Unlike nearly all of my friends I didn't want a graduation party, it just wasn't me, so instead my "party" was a trip out east to see my aunt and uncle who lived just outside of DC. My uncle worked(s) at the DOT and they have 3 grown children. The plan (at least originally) was to go to DC for 3-4 days then head down to NC to see my cousin and his wife and kids.
The day we were going down we spent the day in DC (got a killer private tour of the capitol thanks to Jim Ramstead's office, I've always been good at political connections), we even sat in on a live house session for 10 minutes. We also visited the WWII memorial which had just FINALLY been completed the year before (easily 20+ years overdue but I digress). We were literally on the way down to see my cousin when my mom got a call from her sister finding out that her dad (my grandpa) was on a morphine drip which basically meant he had less than 24 hours to live. Was I pissed? You bet, at first. Then I thought about the fact that of all the times for gramps to pass he did it just when I happened to be just a 10 hour car drive from him. Concidence? Sorry I don't believe in those, it was meant to be and when everything was done I was glad I got to see him in his final hours. He also left me little hints in the days after that he was ok.
On to my great uncles who, sadly, I know very little about. My Great Uncle Byrl went up through Mussolini's Italy and into Rome as a Marine. He had a great story about the Catacombs there in Rome. He said that they were down there screwing around (like most normal 18-25 year old guys) and started messing around with the skulls down there. They put the skulls on a stick to scare the people coming down buy right as they did their flashlights went out. They took it off the stick and their flashlights went back on, they high-tailed it out of there in a hurry. And my Great Uncle Chuck was part of the Pacific campaign and he said he saw more people die from jungle rot or infection than in battle.
Those are my litle Memorial Day stories...
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Failblog and FML Friday, Saturday edition
The world is depressing enough, lets have some fun before we get back to sobering reality...


Some things are so wrong its funny, this is one of those things...









Id actually say its a darwin win








Now for some good FML...
Today, I tried buying a video game that was rated "M - for mature". The Cashier told me "you have to be 17 to buy this game". I didn't have any ID on me. I'm 25. FML
Today, I slipped on a banana peel in a store parking lot as I was getting out of my car. I landed on my ass. The cops that were parking behind me later informed me that I would be able to see the video on youtube. FML
Today, I was at my friend's younger brother's birthday party, who also happens to be deaf. His father gave him a bat and a blindfold and the boy started swinging away at what he thought was the pinata. Unfortunately, he could not see or hear anyone shouting to stop hitting his father. FML
Today, I am studying abroad in Mexico and someone asked me what it's like to be from Minnesota. I responded in Spanish, in front of thirty people, what I thought translated to, "If you get cold, you can just put on a jacket." Apparently, what I thought meant "jacket" actually meant "masturbate". FML
Today, while babysitting my nephews, one of them (7 year old boy) walks up to me and ask if I was a lesbian. I laughed it off. What ensued was an argument about my sexuality for a good two hours... I lost. FML
Today, the pharmacy lady wished me a happy birthday. I was buying the morning after pill. FML
Today, I picked up my cat and it went wild because I didn't know he was sleeping. I ended with with several cuts, and one on my wrist. Later a kid in my high school saw my wrist and told my guidance counselor who told my parents. Now everyone thinks I'm either a liar, attention whore, or emo. FML
Today, I was discussing my family heritage with my girlfriends parents. The minute I told them I came from a German background, her little brother (age 7) yelled out and pointed at me HITLER! FML
Today, I woke up at 5:15, snow blowed and salted the driveway for over an hour, left early and drove an hour on shitty roads just to get to work on time only to be laid off. FML
Today, I went to buy some Ibuprofen and got asked for ID. You have to be over 16 to buy it. I'm 25. FML
Thats all for now folks. Lots to do tomorrow...


Some things are so wrong its funny, this is one of those things...









Id actually say its a darwin win








Now for some good FML...
Today, I tried buying a video game that was rated "M - for mature". The Cashier told me "you have to be 17 to buy this game". I didn't have any ID on me. I'm 25. FML
Today, I slipped on a banana peel in a store parking lot as I was getting out of my car. I landed on my ass. The cops that were parking behind me later informed me that I would be able to see the video on youtube. FML
Today, I was at my friend's younger brother's birthday party, who also happens to be deaf. His father gave him a bat and a blindfold and the boy started swinging away at what he thought was the pinata. Unfortunately, he could not see or hear anyone shouting to stop hitting his father. FML
Today, I am studying abroad in Mexico and someone asked me what it's like to be from Minnesota. I responded in Spanish, in front of thirty people, what I thought translated to, "If you get cold, you can just put on a jacket." Apparently, what I thought meant "jacket" actually meant "masturbate". FML
Today, while babysitting my nephews, one of them (7 year old boy) walks up to me and ask if I was a lesbian. I laughed it off. What ensued was an argument about my sexuality for a good two hours... I lost. FML
Today, the pharmacy lady wished me a happy birthday. I was buying the morning after pill. FML
Today, I picked up my cat and it went wild because I didn't know he was sleeping. I ended with with several cuts, and one on my wrist. Later a kid in my high school saw my wrist and told my guidance counselor who told my parents. Now everyone thinks I'm either a liar, attention whore, or emo. FML
Today, I was discussing my family heritage with my girlfriends parents. The minute I told them I came from a German background, her little brother (age 7) yelled out and pointed at me HITLER! FML
Today, I woke up at 5:15, snow blowed and salted the driveway for over an hour, left early and drove an hour on shitty roads just to get to work on time only to be laid off. FML
Today, I went to buy some Ibuprofen and got asked for ID. You have to be over 16 to buy it. I'm 25. FML
Thats all for now folks. Lots to do tomorrow...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Trouble in the UK
I know, people think that anything that happens over in Europe is pretty meaningless. Until this whole economic collapse and massive political scandel I would have agreed with you. Let me give you a quick background on this massive political scandel (and for those of you who aren't familiar with how the House of Commons works it basically is the UK version of our House of Representatives. Gordon Brown= Nancy Pelosi (sort of) and David Cameron= John Boehner). A few weeks ago the London Telegraph (NY Post of the UK) bought a disk that had all expense account claims from MP's over the past 48 months. The MP's get an allowance to cover rent for housing when they are representing their districts at Downing Street but they abused (or more accurately raped) their privliges. This from UK Reuters:
LONDON (Reuters) - Embarrassing disclosures about the vast expenses claims of MPs amount to a "McCarthy-style witch-hunt" that risks driving politicians to suicide, an MP warned on Friday.
Nadine Dorries wrote on her blog that the two-week scandal, in which the Daily Telegraph has drip-fed details of how MPs have abused their generous expense allowances, was forcing politicians to the brink.
The scandal has triggered outrage across recession-hit Britain and opposition calls for an early general election.
European and local elections to be held on June 4 are expected to reflect the level of popular disgust, with lower voter turnout and a move towards fringe parties predicted.
"The atmosphere in Westminster is unbearable," Conservative MP Dorries wrote on the blog (blog.dorries.org ). "People are constantly checking to see if others are OK. Everyone fears a suicide. If someone isn't seen, offices are called and checked."
Asked about her comments on BBC radio on Friday, she sought to back away from the suicide suggestion, but said the disclosures, including that politicians charged for duck ponds, horse manure, bath plugs and pornographic films, were forcing MPs to breaking point.
"What the Telegraph are executing is almost a McCarthy-style witch-hunt. The way they are deploying their tactics and the way they are treating MPs has reached a point now at almost two weeks where I think people are seriously beginning to crack.
"I have to say the last day in parliament this week was completely unbearable. I have never, ever been in an atmosphere or an environment like it, where everyone walks around with terror in their eyes. People are genuinely concerned."
UNBEARABLE DISCLOSURE"
Dorries, whose own use of expenses to buy household goods was exposed by the Telegraph, joins a number of politicians who have attacked the disclosures rather than apologising.
Conservative leader David Cameron, who is expected to win the next election, said she should be thinking about the electorate not other MPs.
"Of course MPs are concerned about what is happening, but frankly MPs ought to be concerned about what their constituents think, they ought to be worrying about the people who put us where we are," he told the BBC.
The disclosures have focussed on MP's use of second-home allowances to charge a host of ordinary items to expenses and sidestep capital gains taxes. On Friday one MP who used his expenses to pay for his daughter's home in London today faced a closer examination of his records and said he could stand down.
Several MPs have either been admonished by their parties or said they will give up their seats at the next election, which has to be held before June next year.
Politicians have been heckled and shouted at in the street for their behaviour and police are investigating whether there should be possible criminal charges.
Damn... More to come, don't worry I haven't forgotten about FML/Failblog Friday.
LONDON (Reuters) - Embarrassing disclosures about the vast expenses claims of MPs amount to a "McCarthy-style witch-hunt" that risks driving politicians to suicide, an MP warned on Friday.
Nadine Dorries wrote on her blog that the two-week scandal, in which the Daily Telegraph has drip-fed details of how MPs have abused their generous expense allowances, was forcing politicians to the brink.
The scandal has triggered outrage across recession-hit Britain and opposition calls for an early general election.
European and local elections to be held on June 4 are expected to reflect the level of popular disgust, with lower voter turnout and a move towards fringe parties predicted.
"The atmosphere in Westminster is unbearable," Conservative MP Dorries wrote on the blog (blog.dorries.org ). "People are constantly checking to see if others are OK. Everyone fears a suicide. If someone isn't seen, offices are called and checked."
Asked about her comments on BBC radio on Friday, she sought to back away from the suicide suggestion, but said the disclosures, including that politicians charged for duck ponds, horse manure, bath plugs and pornographic films, were forcing MPs to breaking point.
"What the Telegraph are executing is almost a McCarthy-style witch-hunt. The way they are deploying their tactics and the way they are treating MPs has reached a point now at almost two weeks where I think people are seriously beginning to crack.
"I have to say the last day in parliament this week was completely unbearable. I have never, ever been in an atmosphere or an environment like it, where everyone walks around with terror in their eyes. People are genuinely concerned."
UNBEARABLE DISCLOSURE"
Dorries, whose own use of expenses to buy household goods was exposed by the Telegraph, joins a number of politicians who have attacked the disclosures rather than apologising.
Conservative leader David Cameron, who is expected to win the next election, said she should be thinking about the electorate not other MPs.
"Of course MPs are concerned about what is happening, but frankly MPs ought to be concerned about what their constituents think, they ought to be worrying about the people who put us where we are," he told the BBC.
The disclosures have focussed on MP's use of second-home allowances to charge a host of ordinary items to expenses and sidestep capital gains taxes. On Friday one MP who used his expenses to pay for his daughter's home in London today faced a closer examination of his records and said he could stand down.
Several MPs have either been admonished by their parties or said they will give up their seats at the next election, which has to be held before June next year.
Politicians have been heckled and shouted at in the street for their behaviour and police are investigating whether there should be possible criminal charges.
Damn... More to come, don't worry I haven't forgotten about FML/Failblog Friday.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
new blog...
Ok in what is to be the eventual demise of Anti-Strib, a site I have probably been too loyal to over the years, I am starting a new blog, I haven't even come up with a name for it yet though but plan to soon. I may even launch later tonight. I shall be inviting a select few from anti-strib and I will scour the MOB for talent I can, ahem, borrow (steal is such and ugly word). More to come soon!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A BIG win for fiscal sanity!
for the 90% of you who don't know what the hell I'm talking about there was a ballot measure for half a dozen MAJOR tax increases for the citizens of CA to vote on today, details and results below. Note numbers are as of 11:40pmPST (1:40amCST) with ~74% of the precincts reporting. Final numbers probably won't be available until sunrise.
Proposition 1A “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund
Increases size of state “rainy day” fund from 5% to 12.5% of the General Fund. A portion of the annual deposits into that fund would be dedicated to savings for future economic downturns, and the remainder would be available to fund education, infrastructure, and debt repayment, or for use in a declared emergency.
Requires additional revenue above historic trends to be deposited into state “rainy day” fund, limiting spending.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Higher state tax revenues of roughly $16 billion from 2010—11 through 2012—13 to help balance the state budget.
In many years, increased amounts of money in state “rainy day” reserve fund.
Potentially less ups and downs in state spending over time.
Possible greater state spending on repaying budgetary borrowing and debt, infrastructure projects, and temporary tax relief. In some cases, this would mean less money available for ongoing spending.)
Yes:34.9%
No:65.1%
The peoples vote above, here's how their elected officials (and I use that term VERY loosely) voted
Final votes cast by the legislature on ACA 1 (Proposition 1A)
Senate: Ayes 30 Noes 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 74 Noes 6
Final votes cast by the legislature on SCA 13 (Proposition 1A)
Senate: Ayes 39 Noes 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 64 Noes 6
Proposition 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan.
EDUCATION FUNDING. PAYMENT PLAN.
Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts.
Annual payments begin in 2011–12.
Payments are funded from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund until the total amount has been paid.
Payments to local school districts will be allocated in proportion to average daily attendance and may be used for classroom instruction, textbooks and other local educational programs.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Fiscal impact would depend on how current constitutional provisions would otherwise be interpreted.
Potential state savings of up to several billion dollars in 2009–10 and 2010–11.
Potential state costs of billions of dollars annually thereafter.
Yes:38.3%
No:61.7%
Final votes cast by the legislature on ACA 2 (Proposition 1B)
Senate: Ayes 28 Noes 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 68 Noes 11
Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act
LOTTERY MODERNIZATION ACT.
Allows the state lottery to be modernized to improve its performance with increased payouts, improved marketing, and effective management.
Requires the state to maintain ownership of the lottery and authorizes additional accountability measures.
Protects funding levels for schools currently provided by lottery revenues.
Increased lottery revenues will be used to address current budget deficit and reduce the need for additional tax increases and cuts to state programs.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Impact on 2009–10 State Budget: Allows $5 billion of borrowing from future lottery profits to help balance the 2009–10 state budget.
Impact on Future State Budgets: Debt-service payments on the lottery borrowing and higher payments to education would likely make it more difficult to balance future state budgets. This impact would be lessened by potentially higher lottery profits. Additional lottery borrowing would be allowed.
Yes:36.1%
No:63.9%
Final votes cast by the legislature on AB 12 (Proposition 1c)
Senate: Ayes 30 Noes 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 70 Noes 8
Final votes cast by the legislature on SCA 12 (Proposition 1c)
Senate: Ayes 27 Noes 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 63 Noes 14
Proposition 1D Children’s Services Funding
PROTECTS CHILDREN’S SERVICES FUNDING. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET.
Provides more than $600 million to protect children’s programs in difficult economic times.
Redirects existing tobacco tax money to protect health and human services for children, including services for at-risk families, services for children with disabilities, and services for foster children.
Temporarily allows the redirection of existing money to fund health and human service programs for children 5 years old and under.
Ensures counties retain funding for local priorities.
Helps balance state budget.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
State General Fund savings of up to $608 million in 2009–10 and $268 million annually from 2010–11 through 2013–14, from temporarily redirecting a portion of funds from the California Children and Families Program in place of state General Fund support of health and human services programs for children up to age five.
Corresponding reductions in funding for early childhood development programs provided by the California Children and Families Program.
Yes:35.2%
No:64.8%
Final votes cast by the legislature on AB 17 (Proposition 1D)
Senate: Ayes 37 Noes 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 75 Noes 3
Proposition 1E Mental Health Funding
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FUNDING. TEMPORARY REALLOCATION. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET.
Amends Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63 of 2004) to transfer funds, for a two-year period, from mental health programs under that act to pay for mental health services for children and young adults provided through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program.
Provides more than $225 million in flexible funding for mental health programs.
Helps balance state budget during this difficult economic time.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
State General Fund savings of about $230 million annually for two years (2009–10 and 2010–11) from redirecting a portion of Proposition 63 funds to an existing state program in place of state General Fund support.
Corresponding reduction in funding available for Proposition 63 community mental health programs.
Yes:34.5%
No:65.5%
Final votes cast by the legislature on SB 10 (Proposition 1E)
Senate: Ayes 36 Noes 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 76 Noes 4
Proposition 1F Elected Officials Salaries
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ SALARIES.
PREVENTS PAY INCREASES DURING BUDGET DEFICIT YEARS.
Encourages balanced state budgets by preventing elected Members of the Legislature and statewide constitutional officers, including the Governor, from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit.
Directs the Director of Finance to determine whether a given year is a deficit year.
Prevents the Citizens Compensation Commission from increasing elected officials’ salaries in years when the state Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties is in the negative by an amount equal to or greater than one percent of the General Fund.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Minor state savings related to elected state officials’ salaries in some cases when the state is expected to end the year with a budget deficit.
Yes:74.6%
No:25.4%
Final votes cast by the legislature on SCA 8 (Proposition 1F)
Senate: Ayes 39 Noes 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 80 Noes 0
Proposition 1A “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund
Increases size of state “rainy day” fund from 5% to 12.5% of the General Fund. A portion of the annual deposits into that fund would be dedicated to savings for future economic downturns, and the remainder would be available to fund education, infrastructure, and debt repayment, or for use in a declared emergency.
Requires additional revenue above historic trends to be deposited into state “rainy day” fund, limiting spending.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Higher state tax revenues of roughly $16 billion from 2010—11 through 2012—13 to help balance the state budget.
In many years, increased amounts of money in state “rainy day” reserve fund.
Potentially less ups and downs in state spending over time.
Possible greater state spending on repaying budgetary borrowing and debt, infrastructure projects, and temporary tax relief. In some cases, this would mean less money available for ongoing spending.)
Yes:34.9%
No:65.1%
The peoples vote above, here's how their elected officials (and I use that term VERY loosely) voted
Final votes cast by the legislature on ACA 1 (Proposition 1A)
Senate: Ayes 30 Noes 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 74 Noes 6
Final votes cast by the legislature on SCA 13 (Proposition 1A)
Senate: Ayes 39 Noes 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 64 Noes 6
Proposition 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan.
EDUCATION FUNDING. PAYMENT PLAN.
Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts.
Annual payments begin in 2011–12.
Payments are funded from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund until the total amount has been paid.
Payments to local school districts will be allocated in proportion to average daily attendance and may be used for classroom instruction, textbooks and other local educational programs.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Fiscal impact would depend on how current constitutional provisions would otherwise be interpreted.
Potential state savings of up to several billion dollars in 2009–10 and 2010–11.
Potential state costs of billions of dollars annually thereafter.
Yes:38.3%
No:61.7%
Final votes cast by the legislature on ACA 2 (Proposition 1B)
Senate: Ayes 28 Noes 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 68 Noes 11
Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act
LOTTERY MODERNIZATION ACT.
Allows the state lottery to be modernized to improve its performance with increased payouts, improved marketing, and effective management.
Requires the state to maintain ownership of the lottery and authorizes additional accountability measures.
Protects funding levels for schools currently provided by lottery revenues.
Increased lottery revenues will be used to address current budget deficit and reduce the need for additional tax increases and cuts to state programs.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Impact on 2009–10 State Budget: Allows $5 billion of borrowing from future lottery profits to help balance the 2009–10 state budget.
Impact on Future State Budgets: Debt-service payments on the lottery borrowing and higher payments to education would likely make it more difficult to balance future state budgets. This impact would be lessened by potentially higher lottery profits. Additional lottery borrowing would be allowed.
Yes:36.1%
No:63.9%
Final votes cast by the legislature on AB 12 (Proposition 1c)
Senate: Ayes 30 Noes 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 70 Noes 8
Final votes cast by the legislature on SCA 12 (Proposition 1c)
Senate: Ayes 27 Noes 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 63 Noes 14
Proposition 1D Children’s Services Funding
PROTECTS CHILDREN’S SERVICES FUNDING. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET.
Provides more than $600 million to protect children’s programs in difficult economic times.
Redirects existing tobacco tax money to protect health and human services for children, including services for at-risk families, services for children with disabilities, and services for foster children.
Temporarily allows the redirection of existing money to fund health and human service programs for children 5 years old and under.
Ensures counties retain funding for local priorities.
Helps balance state budget.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
State General Fund savings of up to $608 million in 2009–10 and $268 million annually from 2010–11 through 2013–14, from temporarily redirecting a portion of funds from the California Children and Families Program in place of state General Fund support of health and human services programs for children up to age five.
Corresponding reductions in funding for early childhood development programs provided by the California Children and Families Program.
Yes:35.2%
No:64.8%
Final votes cast by the legislature on AB 17 (Proposition 1D)
Senate: Ayes 37 Noes 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 75 Noes 3
Proposition 1E Mental Health Funding
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FUNDING. TEMPORARY REALLOCATION. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET.
Amends Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63 of 2004) to transfer funds, for a two-year period, from mental health programs under that act to pay for mental health services for children and young adults provided through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program.
Provides more than $225 million in flexible funding for mental health programs.
Helps balance state budget during this difficult economic time.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
State General Fund savings of about $230 million annually for two years (2009–10 and 2010–11) from redirecting a portion of Proposition 63 funds to an existing state program in place of state General Fund support.
Corresponding reduction in funding available for Proposition 63 community mental health programs.
Yes:34.5%
No:65.5%
Final votes cast by the legislature on SB 10 (Proposition 1E)
Senate: Ayes 36 Noes 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assembly: Ayes 76 Noes 4
Proposition 1F Elected Officials Salaries
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ SALARIES.
PREVENTS PAY INCREASES DURING BUDGET DEFICIT YEARS.
Encourages balanced state budgets by preventing elected Members of the Legislature and statewide constitutional officers, including the Governor, from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit.
Directs the Director of Finance to determine whether a given year is a deficit year.
Prevents the Citizens Compensation Commission from increasing elected officials’ salaries in years when the state Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties is in the negative by an amount equal to or greater than one percent of the General Fund.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
Minor state savings related to elected state officials’ salaries in some cases when the state is expected to end the year with a budget deficit.
Yes:74.6%
No:25.4%
Final votes cast by the legislature on SCA 8 (Proposition 1F)
Senate: Ayes 39 Noes 0
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Assembly: Ayes 80 Noes 0
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
fun stuff..
before I go full out into the new and improved Hard Rock Conservative (with 3+ posts a day) I thought I should have a little fun, some great stuff from failblog.org and fmylife.com

mmm... mexican salad

I perfer mine frog free thank you

Ok, this is one of the best ones I've seen on failblog EVER. Made me laugh for a good 30 seconds, and I really hope it was just a typo otherwise I missed out on something.

This is what my cats would do if they saw a mouse


This one requires some analysis...

Teacher WANTS to see him? ok then...
Worst business idea EVER




those were good, now for some FML...
Today, I had sex with a girl who cried out as she came "Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord!" FML
Today, I found out who'd been smoking MY weed in MY room. It wasn't my little brother. It was my parents. FML
Today, after going to college for 5 years to become an architect I discover my plumber makes more than I do. FML
Today, my mother bought me some « biodegradable » tissues. Indeed, they melted… in my hand. FML
Today, eating at a nice restaurant and feeling curious, I daringly ask for the surprise 'Maiden's Dreams' desert. The waiter comes back with a banana between two ice cream balls on a plate and no spoon. FML
More on Friday (hopefully)!

mmm... mexican salad

I perfer mine frog free thank you

Ok, this is one of the best ones I've seen on failblog EVER. Made me laugh for a good 30 seconds, and I really hope it was just a typo otherwise I missed out on something.

This is what my cats would do if they saw a mouse


This one requires some analysis...

Teacher WANTS to see him? ok then...
Worst business idea EVER




those were good, now for some FML...
Today, I had sex with a girl who cried out as she came "Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord!" FML
Today, I found out who'd been smoking MY weed in MY room. It wasn't my little brother. It was my parents. FML
Today, after going to college for 5 years to become an architect I discover my plumber makes more than I do. FML
Today, my mother bought me some « biodegradable » tissues. Indeed, they melted… in my hand. FML
Today, eating at a nice restaurant and feeling curious, I daringly ask for the surprise 'Maiden's Dreams' desert. The waiter comes back with a banana between two ice cream balls on a plate and no spoon. FML
More on Friday (hopefully)!
Monday, May 18, 2009
MOB Unite! (and all right leaning bloggers)
Ok, for those of you who don't know I have been a commentator over atAnti-Strib for awhile now and sadly there have been liberal trolls (one even has a massive hardon for Natural Law theory and John Locke) that have virtually destroyed any civility. The problem lies not with us but with them, and the liberal bloggers. Liberals like talking a big game when it comes to choice and personal freedom but they don't like dissenting opinion. Most notably I have been banned from a good half dozen liberal blogs for mocking and refuting their points. I even got banned from steve timmers cocksuckingstool blog because I did something as radical as use his real name. But the dipshit is too much of a fucking pussy to ever reveal his real idenity online so one day I WILL let people know about him, I just have to decide the time and place. But enough of my personal vendettas. This is from the March 30th edition of the Washington Times...
A digital war has broken out, and the conservative movement is losing. Read the comment sections of right-leaning blogs, news sites and social forums, and the evidence is there in ugly abundance. Internet hooligans are spewing their talking points to thwart the dissent of the newly-out-of-power.
We must not let that go unanswered.
Uninvited Democratic activists are on a mission to demoralize the enemy - us. They want to ensure that President Obama is not subject to the same coordinated, facts-be-damned, multimedia takedown they employed over eight long years to destroy the presidency - and the humanity - of George W. Bush.
Political leftists play for keeps. They are willing to lie, perform deceptive acts in a coordinated fashion and do so in a wicked way - all in the pursuit of victory. Moral relativism is alive and well in the land of Hope and Change and its Web-savvy youth brigade expresses its "idealism" in a most cynical fashion.
The ends justify the means for them - now more than ever.
Much of Mr. Obama's vaunted online strategy involved utilizing "Internet trolls" to invade enemy lines under false names and trying to derail discussion. In the real world, that's called "vandalism." But in a political movement that embraces "graffiti" as avant-garde art , that's business as usual. It relishes the ability to destroy other people's property in pursuit of electoral victory.
Hugh Hewitt's popular site shut off its comments section because of the success of these obnoxious invaders. Breitbart.com polices nonpartisan newswire stories for such obviously coordinated attacks. Other right-leaning sites such as Instapundit and National Review Online refuse to allow comments, knowing better than to flirt with the online activist left.
During the Clinton impeachment scandal, a new group out of California called MoveOn.org employed a plan to get its members to dial into right-leaning talk radio shows with scripted talking points falsely claiming that they were Republicans. They said they would never vote for the GOP again if the case against Bill Clinton was pursued.
Rush Limbaugh was the first to isolate these "seminar callers," whose mission during the Lewinsky mess was to fool the listening audience into believing they were outraged conservatives willing to cut their ties to the Republican Party if the GOP-led Congress continued down the impeachment path.
Eleven years later, "seminar callers" abound and call screeners are trained in the art of weeding them out. But the filtering does not always work.
"This is nothing more than the Internet version of Soviet disinformation," Human Events editor Jed Babbin told me. "MoveOn.org and the little boys from 'Lord of the Flies' who run Media Matters want to make it appear that there's huge dissension within conservative ranks on issues on which we're most united."
The left also uses disinformation to inundate the advertisers of conservative-leaning talk shows to intimidate them from financially supporting popular mainstream shows.
Media Matters even offered its services to an autism support group in its attempt to bring down talk-show host Michael Savage. It had nothing to do with Mr. Savage's underlying offense. Would Media Matters go after Keith Olbermann if he made a tirade against the afflicted? David Brock and company certainly didn't raise a peep when President Obama made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics.
So now that the right is vanquished and thoroughly out of power, why doesn't it learn from its conquerors and employ similar tactics?
The answer is obvious. The right, for the most part, embraces basic Judeo-Christian ideals and would not promote nor defend the propaganda techniques that were perfected in godless communist and socialist regimes. The current political and media environment crafted by supposedly idealistic Mr. Obama resembles Hugo Chavez's Venezuela more than John F. Kennedy's America.
The Huffington Post, Daily Kos and other left-leaning sites benefit from the right's belief that there are rules and decorum in political debate and civic engagement. Of course, every now and then, a curious right-winger will go in and engage in discussion at a left-wing site, but rarely under purely disingenuous and mass coordinated means.
David Brock, John Podesta, am I missing something?
As a prolific consumer of online content, I value nothing more than the sincere expression of opinion that differs from mine. Sometimes I am even moved or swayed from my dogma. But that was not the type of communication that got Mr. Obama elected.
The American right is in a heap of trouble in a media age that doesn't shun the goons and liars that have poisoned the political process and won the American presidency by breaking the rules of fair play. It is time to fight back, but it won't be easy. The enemy is willing to do and say anything in order to win.
A digital war has broken out, and the conservative movement is losing. Read the comment sections of right-leaning blogs, news sites and social forums, and the evidence is there in ugly abundance. Internet hooligans are spewing their talking points to thwart the dissent of the newly-out-of-power.
We must not let that go unanswered.
Uninvited Democratic activists are on a mission to demoralize the enemy - us. They want to ensure that President Obama is not subject to the same coordinated, facts-be-damned, multimedia takedown they employed over eight long years to destroy the presidency - and the humanity - of George W. Bush.
Political leftists play for keeps. They are willing to lie, perform deceptive acts in a coordinated fashion and do so in a wicked way - all in the pursuit of victory. Moral relativism is alive and well in the land of Hope and Change and its Web-savvy youth brigade expresses its "idealism" in a most cynical fashion.
The ends justify the means for them - now more than ever.
Much of Mr. Obama's vaunted online strategy involved utilizing "Internet trolls" to invade enemy lines under false names and trying to derail discussion. In the real world, that's called "vandalism." But in a political movement that embraces "graffiti" as avant-garde art , that's business as usual. It relishes the ability to destroy other people's property in pursuit of electoral victory.
Hugh Hewitt's popular site shut off its comments section because of the success of these obnoxious invaders. Breitbart.com polices nonpartisan newswire stories for such obviously coordinated attacks. Other right-leaning sites such as Instapundit and National Review Online refuse to allow comments, knowing better than to flirt with the online activist left.
During the Clinton impeachment scandal, a new group out of California called MoveOn.org employed a plan to get its members to dial into right-leaning talk radio shows with scripted talking points falsely claiming that they were Republicans. They said they would never vote for the GOP again if the case against Bill Clinton was pursued.
Rush Limbaugh was the first to isolate these "seminar callers," whose mission during the Lewinsky mess was to fool the listening audience into believing they were outraged conservatives willing to cut their ties to the Republican Party if the GOP-led Congress continued down the impeachment path.
Eleven years later, "seminar callers" abound and call screeners are trained in the art of weeding them out. But the filtering does not always work.
"This is nothing more than the Internet version of Soviet disinformation," Human Events editor Jed Babbin told me. "MoveOn.org and the little boys from 'Lord of the Flies' who run Media Matters want to make it appear that there's huge dissension within conservative ranks on issues on which we're most united."
The left also uses disinformation to inundate the advertisers of conservative-leaning talk shows to intimidate them from financially supporting popular mainstream shows.
Media Matters even offered its services to an autism support group in its attempt to bring down talk-show host Michael Savage. It had nothing to do with Mr. Savage's underlying offense. Would Media Matters go after Keith Olbermann if he made a tirade against the afflicted? David Brock and company certainly didn't raise a peep when President Obama made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics.
So now that the right is vanquished and thoroughly out of power, why doesn't it learn from its conquerors and employ similar tactics?
The answer is obvious. The right, for the most part, embraces basic Judeo-Christian ideals and would not promote nor defend the propaganda techniques that were perfected in godless communist and socialist regimes. The current political and media environment crafted by supposedly idealistic Mr. Obama resembles Hugo Chavez's Venezuela more than John F. Kennedy's America.
The Huffington Post, Daily Kos and other left-leaning sites benefit from the right's belief that there are rules and decorum in political debate and civic engagement. Of course, every now and then, a curious right-winger will go in and engage in discussion at a left-wing site, but rarely under purely disingenuous and mass coordinated means.
David Brock, John Podesta, am I missing something?
As a prolific consumer of online content, I value nothing more than the sincere expression of opinion that differs from mine. Sometimes I am even moved or swayed from my dogma. But that was not the type of communication that got Mr. Obama elected.
The American right is in a heap of trouble in a media age that doesn't shun the goons and liars that have poisoned the political process and won the American presidency by breaking the rules of fair play. It is time to fight back, but it won't be easy. The enemy is willing to do and say anything in order to win.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wow, just... wow...
Ok, headline of a article you never expect to see
FDA Blasts General Mills Over Cheerios Claim
Now you see a headline like that you would seriously think its from the Onion or someone over at nihlist hacked into a site (cheap shot I know, I just can't help myself sometimes) oh but wait it gets better
Cereal Makers Scolded Because Claim Of Lowering Cholesterol 10 Percent In Month Makes It A "Drug"
Um... I had been thinking about this for awhile and on top of FML and Failblog fridays (sorry about the lack of them the past few weeks, I will be starting it up again on friday) I am going to introduce a new perodic segment called "were done as a society" This will be part one. I am also borrowing/ripping off another idea and making it my own (god bless the net!) this time from a local KFAN radio host called Dan Barriero. Here's the rest of the article, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go drink some bleach and pound my head against the wall until I forget about this story.
The Food and Drug Administration scolded the makers of Cheerios about the way they promote the cereal's health benefits. The FDA sent a letter of warning to General Mills accusing them of making unauthorized health claims.
Current boxes of Cheerios are touting what the company calls exciting news -- the cereal's ability to help lower cholesterol 10 percent in one month.
"My mother actually eats it every day, seven days a week for breakfast to lower her cholesterol," Staten Island resident Lauren Schwam said.
According to a letter from the FDA General Mills' advertising violates the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The agency said claims that Cheerios ingredients can lower cholesterol within a certain amount of time, all while providing cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits, essentially makes Cheerios "a drug" by their definition. And no drug in this country can be legally marketed without an approved new drug application.
As a certified dietetic nutritionist, Keri Glassman often recommends foods high in soluble fiber for patients looking to lower their cholesterol.
"Because of the oats, because of the soluble fiber in Cheerios, it may help you reduce cholesterol and I think the FDA is still acknowledging that ... I just think they are saying but you can't really say that because you are a food product, not a drug," Glassman said.
People CBS 2 HD spoke to say this dispute over the cereal's health claims won't change how often they buy or eat Cheerios.
"Mostly 'cause kids eat them, they're fun, round, they're easy to eat," said Jennifer Wood of the Upper East Side.
"It doesn't change what's in the box," added Michael Zorek of the Upper West Side. "It's healthy no matter what they say."
The FDA gave General Mills 15 days to explain how it will correct the statements on Cheerios boxes.
In a statement issued Tuesday, General Mills said this dispute is over language, not science. The company pointed out that the FDA'a complaint doesn't actually question whether Cheerios can help lower cholesterol levels -- it only talks about how the health benefits are advertised.
...
FDA Blasts General Mills Over Cheerios Claim
Now you see a headline like that you would seriously think its from the Onion or someone over at nihlist hacked into a site (cheap shot I know, I just can't help myself sometimes) oh but wait it gets better
Cereal Makers Scolded Because Claim Of Lowering Cholesterol 10 Percent In Month Makes It A "Drug"
Um... I had been thinking about this for awhile and on top of FML and Failblog fridays (sorry about the lack of them the past few weeks, I will be starting it up again on friday) I am going to introduce a new perodic segment called "were done as a society" This will be part one. I am also borrowing/ripping off another idea and making it my own (god bless the net!) this time from a local KFAN radio host called Dan Barriero. Here's the rest of the article, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go drink some bleach and pound my head against the wall until I forget about this story.
The Food and Drug Administration scolded the makers of Cheerios about the way they promote the cereal's health benefits. The FDA sent a letter of warning to General Mills accusing them of making unauthorized health claims.
Current boxes of Cheerios are touting what the company calls exciting news -- the cereal's ability to help lower cholesterol 10 percent in one month.
"My mother actually eats it every day, seven days a week for breakfast to lower her cholesterol," Staten Island resident Lauren Schwam said.
According to a letter from the FDA General Mills' advertising violates the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The agency said claims that Cheerios ingredients can lower cholesterol within a certain amount of time, all while providing cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits, essentially makes Cheerios "a drug" by their definition. And no drug in this country can be legally marketed without an approved new drug application.
As a certified dietetic nutritionist, Keri Glassman often recommends foods high in soluble fiber for patients looking to lower their cholesterol.
"Because of the oats, because of the soluble fiber in Cheerios, it may help you reduce cholesterol and I think the FDA is still acknowledging that ... I just think they are saying but you can't really say that because you are a food product, not a drug," Glassman said.
People CBS 2 HD spoke to say this dispute over the cereal's health claims won't change how often they buy or eat Cheerios.
"Mostly 'cause kids eat them, they're fun, round, they're easy to eat," said Jennifer Wood of the Upper East Side.
"It doesn't change what's in the box," added Michael Zorek of the Upper West Side. "It's healthy no matter what they say."
The FDA gave General Mills 15 days to explain how it will correct the statements on Cheerios boxes.
In a statement issued Tuesday, General Mills said this dispute is over language, not science. The company pointed out that the FDA'a complaint doesn't actually question whether Cheerios can help lower cholesterol levels -- it only talks about how the health benefits are advertised.
...
Labels:
were done as a society part 1
Friday, May 08, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Michael Savage, my hero
Ok, for those of you who don't know Michael Savage (the #3 most listened to talk radio show host in the country, probably going to be #2 or #1 soon thanks to this) has been BANNED from entering the UK. Yes you read that right. Before I get into this scary Brave New World/Orwellian/Thought Control shit let me give you a background about how I came to know about Michael Savage. I believe I was watching MSNBC one day (back when it still had some credibility) I think in like 2002 before the midterm elections.
I had what some called 'extreme views' on things, like for example saying that war with Iraq was inevitable and necessary (another topic for another day) for the US to continue to be safe. I didn't want to negociate or understand the terrorists, I wanted them fucking dead. In fact my first reaction when I got home on 9/11 was nuke Mecca nuke the middle east and kill every terrorist and terrorist supporting nation or person, I thought (and still basically do) that for every one of ours they kill we kill 10,100,1000,even 10,000 of them. Keep in mind I had just turned 15 and had very limited knowledge about foreign affairs but I had heard of Osama Bin Laden before.
Back to my point, I started watching this guy and basically said to myself, "holy shit, someone out there that is very smart has my similar views, I'm NOT a nut after all." Since then I have read his last 4 best selling books and think that outside of maybe crazy Glenn Beck the most credible voice on the radio and the fact he has been blacklisted by EVEN FOX NEWS because they don't want to take the heat from the psycho liberal groups by giving him any airtime.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the fucking Thought Police in the United Crecent I mean Kingdom has banned Savage from entering the country. There was a saying back in the 1960's liberals have that said, "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Liberals today hide under the very dangerous 'hate speech' that is the #1 threat to the 1st amendment today. As Savage said earlier the whole point of the 1st amendment is to protect OFFENSIVE speech not NICE speech. To put a twist on a old holocaust quote,
"First they came for the skinhead neo-Nazi's and said nothing because I was not a skinhead neo-Nazi. Then they came for the KKK and I said nothing because I was not a member of the KKK. Then they came for the right-wing militia's and I said nothing because I wasn't a right-wing militia member. Then they came for the members of fringe right wing 3rd parties and I said nothing because I wasn't a member of those parties. Then they came for me and there was no one left to stand up and defend me."
Don't think it can't happen here? It can, just look at what's left of Europe...
I had what some called 'extreme views' on things, like for example saying that war with Iraq was inevitable and necessary (another topic for another day) for the US to continue to be safe. I didn't want to negociate or understand the terrorists, I wanted them fucking dead. In fact my first reaction when I got home on 9/11 was nuke Mecca nuke the middle east and kill every terrorist and terrorist supporting nation or person, I thought (and still basically do) that for every one of ours they kill we kill 10,100,1000,even 10,000 of them. Keep in mind I had just turned 15 and had very limited knowledge about foreign affairs but I had heard of Osama Bin Laden before.
Back to my point, I started watching this guy and basically said to myself, "holy shit, someone out there that is very smart has my similar views, I'm NOT a nut after all." Since then I have read his last 4 best selling books and think that outside of maybe crazy Glenn Beck the most credible voice on the radio and the fact he has been blacklisted by EVEN FOX NEWS because they don't want to take the heat from the psycho liberal groups by giving him any airtime.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the fucking Thought Police in the United Crecent I mean Kingdom has banned Savage from entering the country. There was a saying back in the 1960's liberals have that said, "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Liberals today hide under the very dangerous 'hate speech' that is the #1 threat to the 1st amendment today. As Savage said earlier the whole point of the 1st amendment is to protect OFFENSIVE speech not NICE speech. To put a twist on a old holocaust quote,
"First they came for the skinhead neo-Nazi's and said nothing because I was not a skinhead neo-Nazi. Then they came for the KKK and I said nothing because I was not a member of the KKK. Then they came for the right-wing militia's and I said nothing because I wasn't a right-wing militia member. Then they came for the members of fringe right wing 3rd parties and I said nothing because I wasn't a member of those parties. Then they came for me and there was no one left to stand up and defend me."
Don't think it can't happen here? It can, just look at what's left of Europe...
Monday, May 04, 2009
Obama slammed by.. German mag?
Yes everyone, all that bullshit about our allies in western Europe falling over themselves to praise the US and Obama appear to be, well bullshit. From Der Spiegel...
'Obama Discrediting Himself and the US'
Many had hoped that US President Barack Obama would undo all the damage done by his predecessor. Now, it looks like he might continue the Bush-era practice of trying terror suspects in military tribunals. German commentators are disappointed.
When US President Barack Obama entered office in January and promptly pledged to shut down the US prison at Guantanamo and suspended all further military tribunals of the kind used by his predecessor George W. Bush, human rights groups across the country and the world were relieved. Finally, they thought, America would cease locking away terror suspects without recourse to the justice system.
Not surprisingly, though, closing down Guantanamo has proven much easier said than done. Even those prisoners deemed not to be dangerous are creating headaches for Washington as the search continues for countries willing to take them. Domestically, opposition is large to an Obama administration plan to release a group of Chinese Uighur prisoners into the US.
Many of the 241 prisoners, however, cannot simply be released -- and recent reports in the US media indicate that Obama may be grabbing for a Bush-era tool that he appeared to have jettisoned: military commissions. According to the New York Times this weekend, the Obama administration has begun leaning towards trying some of the remaining inmates in such controversial tribunals.
Obama has never categorically rejected the military commissions as a means of dealing with Guantanamo prisoners, some of whom are accused of having been involved in the planning of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in the US. During the campaign, though, he did say that "by any measure, our system of trying detainees has been an enormous failure."
Any return to using such military commissions would be a major disappointment to human rights groups who were hoping that Obama's election signalled a new era in America's handling of terror suspects. As German editorials show on Monday, frustration across the Atlantic is equally high.
In an editorial entitled "Obama's Great Mistake," the center-left daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes:
"Obama's people certainly imagined things differently. But reality has caught up with them. What should they do with people who … are in fact horrifying criminals but whose confessions came as a result of brutal interrogations? No regular court would accept the testimony. Should suspected masterminds of the 9/11 attacks and other terrible attacks be set free? That can't be the solution either. Obama is thus considering holding on to the military commissions with a couple of extra rights for the suspects. Bush light, so to speak."
"Obama is thus discrediting both himself and the US. It would be better were he to gather the necessary political courage to initiate criminal proceedings before regular courts. Legally, it will be incredibly complicated and possibly untenable in some cases. But the country cannot get around the purification process. Otherwise, the poison from the Bush era could continue to infect America's image for years to come."
The left-leaning daily Die Tageszeitung writes:
"The US government has asked Germany to accept former Guantanamo prisoners. Exactly the same government is apparently planning to continue the military commissions to try those prisoners. One could hardly be more contradictory."
"It is the same tactic that President Barack Obama has already used when it came to the torturers from the CIA -- punish with one hand, stroke with the other. Whenever he takes a step forward, he stumbles backwards as well. That will likely be enough to disappoint all those Europeans who had expectations that Obama would be an almost messiah-like healer. It was expected that he would demolish all of the ugly monuments from the Bush era and then, together with Al Gore, plant a Garden of Eden over the top, through which he would drive fuel-efficient compacts from Chrysler."
"And now: the US president is pursuing a policy of trying to make everyone happy. He is trying to accommodate the left side of the political spectrum as well as those on the right. All of a sudden, Barack Obama is beginning to look eerily similar to Chancellor Angela Merkel. He is no longer floating above the political lowlands, the swamps of compromise. He is walking directly through them and getting dirty in the process."
The Financial Times Deutschland comes to Obama's defense on Monday:
"Barack Obama promised Americans and the rest of the world he would follow a governmental strategy akin to pushing the reset button. The small red button US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently presented in Moscow works as a symbol for Obama's domestic reform agenda just as well as it does for his vision of US foreign and security policy: Bush is gone, in the future everything will be completely different."
"But even the Obama government thinks it is too dangerous to bring all (Guantanamo) cases before civilian courts and to get rid of the military commissions set up by the Bush administration. Bush called them into existence after Sept. 11, 2001 in order to imprison so-called 'enemy combatants' outside of the US legal system in Guantanamo, interrogate them and sentence them before special courts."
"Such a policy cannot be made to disappear with a reset button. Were those cases currently being looked into by military commissions to be transferred to civilian courts, a number of procedural riddles would have to be solved -- because some of the most important suspects in Guantanamo were tortured, their testimony and confessions would likely be thrown out. Any civilian trials would also be overshadowed by secrecy concerns."
"The risk that such a civilian trial would be used by mass murderers as a soap box, or even that they would be released for purely formal or procedural reasons, would be large. It is for these reasons that Obama wants to hold on to -- reformed -- military commissions. That will likely disappoint all those who expected him to embark on a radical change of course. But it speaks for his understanding of reality."
Can you say, irony? He is truly damned if he does it and damned if he doesn't. Go figure, I thought before reading the article they were going to critcize him on some economic or current foreign policy decision. No, they go after him for NOT being LIBERAL ENOUGH! Maybe if Berlin had a 7/7, 9/11 or 3/11 (Spain in 2004, how quickly people forget right?) style terrorist attack they would change their mind on the War on Terror (hey just because The One and his cronies refuse to use that term doesn't mean I can't) and how to treat these sub-human filthbags.
'Obama Discrediting Himself and the US'
Many had hoped that US President Barack Obama would undo all the damage done by his predecessor. Now, it looks like he might continue the Bush-era practice of trying terror suspects in military tribunals. German commentators are disappointed.
When US President Barack Obama entered office in January and promptly pledged to shut down the US prison at Guantanamo and suspended all further military tribunals of the kind used by his predecessor George W. Bush, human rights groups across the country and the world were relieved. Finally, they thought, America would cease locking away terror suspects without recourse to the justice system.
Not surprisingly, though, closing down Guantanamo has proven much easier said than done. Even those prisoners deemed not to be dangerous are creating headaches for Washington as the search continues for countries willing to take them. Domestically, opposition is large to an Obama administration plan to release a group of Chinese Uighur prisoners into the US.
Many of the 241 prisoners, however, cannot simply be released -- and recent reports in the US media indicate that Obama may be grabbing for a Bush-era tool that he appeared to have jettisoned: military commissions. According to the New York Times this weekend, the Obama administration has begun leaning towards trying some of the remaining inmates in such controversial tribunals.
Obama has never categorically rejected the military commissions as a means of dealing with Guantanamo prisoners, some of whom are accused of having been involved in the planning of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in the US. During the campaign, though, he did say that "by any measure, our system of trying detainees has been an enormous failure."
Any return to using such military commissions would be a major disappointment to human rights groups who were hoping that Obama's election signalled a new era in America's handling of terror suspects. As German editorials show on Monday, frustration across the Atlantic is equally high.
In an editorial entitled "Obama's Great Mistake," the center-left daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes:
"Obama's people certainly imagined things differently. But reality has caught up with them. What should they do with people who … are in fact horrifying criminals but whose confessions came as a result of brutal interrogations? No regular court would accept the testimony. Should suspected masterminds of the 9/11 attacks and other terrible attacks be set free? That can't be the solution either. Obama is thus considering holding on to the military commissions with a couple of extra rights for the suspects. Bush light, so to speak."
"Obama is thus discrediting both himself and the US. It would be better were he to gather the necessary political courage to initiate criminal proceedings before regular courts. Legally, it will be incredibly complicated and possibly untenable in some cases. But the country cannot get around the purification process. Otherwise, the poison from the Bush era could continue to infect America's image for years to come."
The left-leaning daily Die Tageszeitung writes:
"The US government has asked Germany to accept former Guantanamo prisoners. Exactly the same government is apparently planning to continue the military commissions to try those prisoners. One could hardly be more contradictory."
"It is the same tactic that President Barack Obama has already used when it came to the torturers from the CIA -- punish with one hand, stroke with the other. Whenever he takes a step forward, he stumbles backwards as well. That will likely be enough to disappoint all those Europeans who had expectations that Obama would be an almost messiah-like healer. It was expected that he would demolish all of the ugly monuments from the Bush era and then, together with Al Gore, plant a Garden of Eden over the top, through which he would drive fuel-efficient compacts from Chrysler."
"And now: the US president is pursuing a policy of trying to make everyone happy. He is trying to accommodate the left side of the political spectrum as well as those on the right. All of a sudden, Barack Obama is beginning to look eerily similar to Chancellor Angela Merkel. He is no longer floating above the political lowlands, the swamps of compromise. He is walking directly through them and getting dirty in the process."
The Financial Times Deutschland comes to Obama's defense on Monday:
"Barack Obama promised Americans and the rest of the world he would follow a governmental strategy akin to pushing the reset button. The small red button US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently presented in Moscow works as a symbol for Obama's domestic reform agenda just as well as it does for his vision of US foreign and security policy: Bush is gone, in the future everything will be completely different."
"But even the Obama government thinks it is too dangerous to bring all (Guantanamo) cases before civilian courts and to get rid of the military commissions set up by the Bush administration. Bush called them into existence after Sept. 11, 2001 in order to imprison so-called 'enemy combatants' outside of the US legal system in Guantanamo, interrogate them and sentence them before special courts."
"Such a policy cannot be made to disappear with a reset button. Were those cases currently being looked into by military commissions to be transferred to civilian courts, a number of procedural riddles would have to be solved -- because some of the most important suspects in Guantanamo were tortured, their testimony and confessions would likely be thrown out. Any civilian trials would also be overshadowed by secrecy concerns."
"The risk that such a civilian trial would be used by mass murderers as a soap box, or even that they would be released for purely formal or procedural reasons, would be large. It is for these reasons that Obama wants to hold on to -- reformed -- military commissions. That will likely disappoint all those who expected him to embark on a radical change of course. But it speaks for his understanding of reality."
Can you say, irony? He is truly damned if he does it and damned if he doesn't. Go figure, I thought before reading the article they were going to critcize him on some economic or current foreign policy decision. No, they go after him for NOT being LIBERAL ENOUGH! Maybe if Berlin had a 7/7, 9/11 or 3/11 (Spain in 2004, how quickly people forget right?) style terrorist attack they would change their mind on the War on Terror (hey just because The One and his cronies refuse to use that term doesn't mean I can't) and how to treat these sub-human filthbags.
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