Reason Late-Morning Links: Bank Busts, Dollar Pumps, Obama Tomfooleries, and Texas Republicans

* Switzerland's biggest bank goes on the fritz.

* Central banks the world over lean heavy on the dollar pump.

* Obama's "Attack Watch" campaign inspires national fit of giggling.

* "Jobless Claims, Inflation Rise, Manufacturing Gets Weaker."

* Washington Post fact-checker on Obama's jobs-bill claims: "Seriously, if you really believe any of that, we have the Brooklyn Bridge to sell you."

* "Ron Paul: A Texas thorn in Rick Perry's side."

Recently at Reason.tv: "Smoking Bans Are No Match for New Yorkers."

Comments

[Name Nomad]

Better late than never!

[Nipplemancer]

Morning Links? Must be a new feature on the site. What's the purpose?

[Fist of Etiquette]

FIRST!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Nip doesn't count.

[Nipplemancer]

You're right. Math is hard

[Fist of Etiquette]

I've been lobbying the past few minutes to get your posts deleted. That little comment just provided extra incentive.

[Nipplemancer]

I provide Nick with the baby seal oil to keep The Jacket supple. Your lobbying is fruitless.

[Almanian]

Please ensure the hides from those seals are turned into sporrans. Nothing like a nice, sealskin sporran.

[Nipplemancer]

You expect me to use all of the baby seal? You're one of them god damned envirowackos aren't you? I'm a baby seal oil magnate, I don't need to use the waste products, I just dump them on my neighbor's property, how else am I to maintain my status as a top-hat and monocle wearing libertarian!

[Fist of Etiquette]

I tried to get into a baby seal club once, but was stopped at the door.

[Gus]

Baby seal pinata:

http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfro.....6ZhN_c.jpg

[Name Nomad]

That was very nearly pushing "afternoon links." Better late than never though.

[JW]

Firs...ah shit.

[hmm]

When did Reason become a bank? That's only reason I can see for the banker's hours...

[Fist of Etiquette]

Obama's "Attack Watch" campaign inspires national fit of giggling.

I am told at some point WaPo changed its blog post from "becomes laughing stock of internet" to "becomes laughing stock of conservatives". Can anyone verify this?

[Doug]

Look at the URL:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/....._blog.html

[Clich? Bandit]

delicious

[Mike M.]

The guy looks more and more like Nixon with each passing day. Now he's got the excessive paranoia to go along with the thin skin.

[Jersey Patriot]

Except that you love Nixon.

[Mike M.]

Uh, no, not sure what gave you that idea. Nixon was pretty clearly one of the worst presidents in our history, and you could make a decent argument he was the worst.

[Joe M]

He was definitely in the bottom half. Along with most of the guys from the 20th century.

[Pablo]

LBJ was president when I was born. I can't say I really care for any presidents that have been in office during my lifetime. The most recent one I have much respect for is Eisenhower.

[Mike M.]

Eisenhower was the best of the 20th century by far.

[Brett L]

Silent Cal?

[O2]

the teaparty would projectile-hurl over a eisenhower nomination

[Isaac Bartram]

Warren G Harding.

[Joe M]

Just check the url; it still says "internet".

[Fist of Etiquette]

Get a load of Sherlock Holmes over here.

[Lord Humungus]

Watson! Fetch my cocaine! It's in the slipper next to fireplace.

[Au H20]

Sherlock had more class than to hide his cocaine. Besides, he did it with a syringe, so I'm guessing the ice box.

[T-wits of the Web]

"Great. Sounds like a terrific content-generating resource for right-wing bloggers, too. Everybody wins!"

"Wow, not only are Obama & Co. incredibly thin-skinned, they're paranoid."

Har har. Giggle.

[Devil Inchoate]

Hah, the URL for AttackWatch starts with my.barackobama.com

He's not mine!

[JEP]

sounds a bit like slavery to me...

[Joe M]

Oh, and everyone linked to it with the original headline, e.g. Fox News.

[Lord Humungus]

James Carville's Panic Attack
http://blogs.the-american-inte.....ic-attack/

"James Carville has looked at the results of the Nevada and New York congressional elections and has a word of advice for the White House:

Panic!

Beyond that, Carville suggests that the President fire his economic advisers and maybe his Attorney General, force the Justice Department to indict a bunch of bankers, launch a rhetorical campaign attacking austerity and pick a simple economic story and stick to it."

[Pro Libertate]

They should stopping piddling about and announce a merger with Communist Party USA.

[John]

I am sure throwing bankers in jail and playing Huey Long will do wonders for the world market and the economy.

[teh rael o2]

wouldnt hurt either

[John]

Yeah. It would hurt a lot. It would put the markets into a full fledged panic.

[teh rael o2]

no it'd put the criminals in jail from which honest bankers would benefit. but then again, libertarians must deny the existence of financial crime since the have no remedy.

[Anonymous Coward]

HAZ TEH GUBMINT JOBZ KREATORS KREATED ANY JOBZ?

[O2]

take ur malox old mex

[Old Mexican]

Re: Double Asshole,

take ur malox old mex

Gag on my cum, O2.

[O2]

quit thinkin about my mouth old mex

[JW]

Ahm in yer gubmint, wrecking yer economy.

[Almanian]

lol

[Mike M.]

libertarians must deny the existence of financial crime since the have no remedy.

Exactly what financial "crime" is it that you think has been committed in that confused little head of yours?

[Ice Nine]

His thoughts on economics.

[mad libertarian guy]

Bankers refuse to steal money deposited by TEH RICH and either A) directly deposit in to government coffers, or 2) given it all to TEH WURKING PEEPUL.

[T]

Based on everything I've heard about Fast & Furious and Solyndra, I think they should start indicting within the administration and work outwards.

[hmm]

Wasn't there another time in history when governments and churches tossed bankers in jail? That worked out well didn't it?

[Au H20]

Well, to be fair, those bankers were JOOS!

[Restoras]

The Templars?

[Montani Semper Liberi]

What was your favorite Attack Watch related tweet from yesterday? I think mine is:

Hey #attackwatch, I saw 6 ATM's in an alley, killing a Job. It looked like a hate crime!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Help me #attackwatch, someone is trying to force feed his peas to me!

[Anonymous Coward]

Of course it's a laughingstock. When you publically advertise that you are posting your talking points for your idiot followers to take hold of and run with as their own, it would be irresponsible to not ridicule you.

[kinnath]

"Ron Paul: A Texas thorn in Rick Perry's side."

Interesting article, looks familiar though.

[Joe M]

Yeah I don't think it's new.

[CrackertyAssCracker]

dont read the comments

[Lord Humungus]

Obama green-tech program that backed Solyndra struggles to create jobs
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....story.html

"A $38.6 billion loan guarantee program that the Obama administration promised would create or save 65,000 jobs has created just a few thousand jobs two years after it began, government records show."

[teh rael o2]

"...created just a few thousand jobs..."
_
so stim does create [JOBZ] while the wealthy [JOBZ] creators create no [JOBZ] despite tax cuts.

[Old Mexican]

Re: The Really Doubly Stupid Asshole,

so stim does create [JOBZ]

Sure it did: Any idiot can pay a few boobs to dig and cover ditches.

while the wealthy [JOBZ] creators create no [JOBZ] despite tax cuts.

There haven't been any tax cuts, you ridiculous imbecile. The current tax rates were NOT raised. That's all. But that is NOT a tax cut.

[teh rael o2]

boosch cut clinton's tax rate for the [WEALTHY] for which the gop went to the mat in dec 10. do try to keep up

[Bob]

Those tax cuts 10 years ago when jobs were getting created? You really are a very stupid person.

[creech]

Are you referring to the Bush tax cuts which Obama and the Democrats, despite full control of the government, did not
revise in 2009 and 2010? Was that just an oversight (blinded by the aura of the great man in the White House) or did they fear tax hikes on "the rich" would further ruin the economy?

[Old Mexican]

Re: The really dumb piece of shit double asshole,

boosch cut clinton's tax rate for the [WEALTHY]

That was 10 Y-E-A-R-S ago, Mr. Alzheimer.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

boosch cut clinton's tax rate for the [WEALTHY] for which the gop went to the mat in dec 10.

The tax rates were lowered across all income levels, not just the wealthy. That's why a shit-ton of the sainted poor still aren't paying income taxes.

[O2]

in the lameduck, preventing a return to the clinton tax rate for the wealthy [JOBZ] creators was a top gop priority.

[O2]

holy fuck im a big giant bag of stupid

[Arcaster]

$12,000,000 for each job isn't exactly what I would call money well spent.

[Government Crony]

Hey, fuck you buddy!

[Almanian]

I'm not your buddy, pal!

[Government Crony]

Who are you calling pal, friend?

[Government Asshat]

I'm not your buddy, friend.

[Government Asshat]

Refresh fail.

[Pope Jimbo]

Obama would be better off giving the $38B to a common criminal.

If I got that money, I would figure I'd have to make it last 8 years (you have to get your patron re-elected).

Then I would skim $5 million a year. Using the rest of the money I could "hire" 65,000 people at $70000 a year. That still leaves me $195 million a year to bribe any visiting journalists and/or congressmen.

How can you blow that much money on just a few thousand jobs?

[JD]

Even if it created every single job that was promised, ~$600,000 per job is pretty steep.

[bill.]

Madison, WS:
Downtown Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf said police wanted the ability to enter house parties with visible kegs, especially in situations where kegs could entice more people to come and make parties "even more out of control."

Douglasville GA:
Douglasville officials are considering a resolution that would urge state lawmakers to pass legislation to help give police advance notice about teen house parties. City Manager Bill Osborne said he doesn't know exactly what form such a law would take, but is hopeful state lawmakers can come up with a proposal.

[Hank]

Rejected headline: "Police, lawmakers demand to know when, where all the teen parties are."

[Anonymous Coward]

Damn teenagers with their kegs and their boogie-woogie music!

Get off my lawn!

[Mr Weebles]

It's actually worse than the boogie-woogie music.

Some of them damned kids are listening to the hippity-hop with their baggy pants and the sideways ballcaps and everything.

[Lawmakers]

Aw why don't I ever get invited to the cool parties?

Now they'll HAVE to tell me where they are!

[Invisible Finger]

In several college towns I know of, there are local ordinances requiring liquor stores to notify the police of anyone buying more than one keg.

Most college kids therefore buy their kegs in a neighboring county.

[Das Leben der Anderen]

"Obama's "Attack Watch" campaign inspires national fit of giggling."

STOP THAT!!!

[Pope Jimbo]

Thank science that my father has retired from being a probation/parole officer. He is one of the most computer illiterate people I know.

The thought of him trying to shoehorn computer offenses like this into his world view makes me shudder.

[John]

http://online.wsj.com/article/.....n_newsreel

Scary article by Orin Kerr in the WSJ today. If you can't get through the paywall, it is posted liberally over on the GOP crony capitalism thread.

[JW]

Full article came up for me.

[John]

Good. I never know since I am a subscriber.

[bosty]

Came up for me as well, damn that is some creepy shit.

The Dick Proenneke route seems more appealing by the day.

[Joe M]

In another case, Justice has charged a defendant with violating workplace policies that limited use to legitimate company business. Prosecutors claimed that using the company's computers for other reasons exceeded authorized access. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently agreed.

Everyone posting here could be charged.

[John]

Yup. Pretty much everyone in America who sends a private email from a work account or as much as checks on their fantasy football league stats. Now, they won't prosecute that generally. But it basically just gives them the discretion of throwing anyone in jail they don't like.

[Das Leben der Anderen]

1.5 billion felonies a day.

[Krugman]

Just think how many prison guard jobs that would create.

[Mike M.]

Even the despicable Paul Krugman could theoretically be indicted for posting here under his sockpuppet name of "Tony".

[Sparky]

It's possible that's in his job description.

[Pro Libertate]

Exactly.

[mad libertarian guy]

Not me!! I'm a stay-at-home dad!

Of course I guess the wife could press charges for all the damn porn I surf while on the job.

[Maxxx]

In another case, a company posted "terms of use" on its website declaring that no competitors could visit?and then promptly sued a competitor that did.

Remarkably, the law doesn't even require devices to be connected to the Internet. Since 2008, it applies to pretty much everything with a microchip. So if you're visiting a friend and you use his coffeemaker without permission, watch out: You may have committed a federal crime.

Until now, the critical limit on the government's power has been that federal prosecutors rarely charge misdemeanors. They prefer to bring more serious felony charges. That's why the administration's proposal is so dangerous. If exceeding authorized access becomes a felony, prosecutors will become eager to charge it. Abuses are inevitable.

What the fuck is happening to this country????

[mad libertarian guy]

Politicians have a full grip on the money and power structures and most people are only too happy to see it?

[Gus]

The slaves are running the plantation.

[cynical]

Racist!

[Maxxx]

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

[Rhywun]

That sounds familiar. Oh, that's right - we're living it.

[Pope Jimbo]

Remarkably, the law doesn't even require devices to be connected to the Internet. Since 2008, it applies to pretty much everything with a microchip. So if you're visiting a friend and you use his coffeemaker without permission, watch out: You may have committed a federal crime.

1) Usually a condition of probation is that you refrain from any activities that might cause you to re-offend. Will people violate their parole if they make coffee if one of their conditions of probation is to not use a "computer"?

2) How could anyone survive such a condition?

3) An internet connection isn't even a good rule of thumb because everything is being connected to the internet. I mean everything.

[CrackertyAssCracker]

I'm going to be not-cynical for once and say that is too fucking stupid for even the retards in charge to seriously consider.

[Lord Humungus]

Report: 'Romneycare' a jobs killer
http://www.bostonherald.com/ne.....position=0

"The Bay State's controversial 2006 universal health-care plan ? also known as "Romneycare" ? has cost Massachusetts more than 18,000 jobs, according to an exclusive blockbuster study that could provide ammo to GOP rivals of former Gov. Mitt Romney as he touts his job-creating chops on the campaign trail."

Now let's see what happens on a national scale... wheee!

[teh rael o2]

because massachusetts = the USA babiee!

[cmoney]

In a liberal's ideal world, most certainly. They'll get to live in Boston, Cambridge, Newburyport, Cape Cod, Amherst, Northampton, etc, while the riff raff can all slowly die out in Lynn, Lowell, New Bedford, and Fall River.

[bosty]

Go on..

[Govco]

see something? The links were late-suspicious?

[teh rael o2]

morz [NLRB] socialist horrorz;

>At the behest of management, the employee pulled down his post the following week, but he was later fired for it anyway. In its complaint, the NLRB counsel argues that the Facebook posting is "protected concerted activity" -- that's labor-speak for things your employer can't retaliate against you for.

>Just last week, the labor board ruled that a Buffalo, N.Y., nonprofit wrongfully fired five of its workers after they criticized their employer in postings on Facebook.

>In a case brought by the NLRB last fall, an employee at a Connecticut ambulance company was fired after disparaging her boss on Facebook. The case was settled in February, and the company, American Medical Response, agreed to no longer discipline employees for discussing their working conditions on Facebook or elsewhere.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....66353.html

[Old Mexican]

Re: Doubly Stupid Asshole,

Just last week, the labor board ruled that a Buffalo, N.Y., nonprofit wrongfully fired five of its workers after they criticized their employer in postings on Facebook.

"Wrongfully" as in "they simply didn't like it."

In the mind of the Statist Fuck, an employer can only rightly fire an employee because the employee suddenly has a claim on the employer's own money and property. In other times, that would be called "thievery."

[teh rael o2]

got a prob w the 1st amendment to go along w ur distain for due process? very libertarian of old mex !

[Old Mexican]

Re: Ridiculously Double Stupid Asshole,

got a prob w the 1st amendment to go along w ur distain for due process?

You're some idiot. The 1st Amendment forbids GOVERNMENT, you imbecile - GOVERNMENT - from limiting free speech. Not private parties.

Also, "DUE PROCESS" only pertains to government, not private deals between individuals.

You're a hopeless idiot. Fuck off.

[teh rael o2]

oops - evidently the dem NLRB views the 1st more broadly than libertarian old mex !

[Joe M]

So I'm assuming you would think it should be illegal for a boss to hire an employee who storms into his office and cusses him out with the foulest of language? First amendment, after all.

[Joe M]

Shit, fire, not hire.

[Pro Libertate]

A shithire is the kind of a hire the stimulus "saved or created."

[teh rael o2]

i knew what u meant. it's settled law - the cusser may be fired for insubordination. happened where i work after an employee held a "fuck-you" party for his supervisior.

[Joe M]

Yeah, I'm done with you. You positively reek of bad faith.

[Old Mexican]

Re: Really Really Stupid Double Asshole,

oops - evidently the dem NLRB views the 1st more broadly than libertarian old mex !

Well - oops! - I would guess so, you moronic piece of shit. Does that instantaneously mean the 1st Amendment applies to the people as well? Suddenly the NLRB is the keeper of The True Meaning Of The Constitutional Word?

People are NOT subject to the same restrictions as the government - I can fire any of my employees for whatever reason I can think, because IT'S MY MONEY, not theirs.

You're not even an interesting troll. You're more the bore than Tony, something I thought was impossible just a minute ago.

[O2]

just dont fire em for calling old mex names on facebook

[cynical]

Um, it sounds like you're saying that the government prefers to see the first as a power to use against others rather a restriction on its own actions. Not a real shocker, there.

[JW]

Mr. Mexican - Chrome + reasonable. Bliss to follow.

That is all.

[kool]

I call it my Sanity Saver.

[hmm]

The first amendment doesn't negate right to work. You can say what you want, but don't expect for it to have no impact on contracts you may be involved with.

[Nipplemancer]

Jobless ClaimsUnexpectedly rise.
really? was there any good economic news that would lead us to believe that unemployment would go down?

[gaijin]

well, there was that speech to 'Pass the bill now'. I suppose claims will continue to get worse until the GOP congress puts politics aside and complies with The One's commands.

[Nipplemancer]

yea, cause as soon as that piece of paper is signed everything will be moar gooder than it was before.

[Nephilium]

I wish they would pass the bill now. Let this be a lesson, make sure you've already got the bill entered into Congress before asking people to pass it.

[Arcaster]

That is pure awesomeness.

[kilroy]

I hope "We have to pass it to know what's in it!" applies here.

[Old Mexican]

"Jobless Claims, Inflation Rise, Manufacturing Gets Weaker."

The Wizard Of Oz is playing at the Majestic, Japan invades China, Chamberlain returns to London with a new agreement, and...

Oh, I thought it was a "In A Day Like Today" report. Sounded like it, at elast...

[Lord Humungus]

Billions in Unemployment Benefits Paid in Error
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics.....mics/feed+(WSJ.com:+Real+Time+Economics+Blog)

"The amount represents more than 10% of the $180 billion in jobless benefits paid nationwide during the period. (See a sortable chart of each states' overpayments) The tally covers state programs, which offer benefits for up to 26 weeks, from July 2008 to June 2011. Layers of federal programs that help provide benefits for up to 99 weeks weren't included."

[Cabeza de Vaca]

CNN must be scared of Ron Paul they keep posting stories that are suppose to make him look bad.

http://167.190.44.75:15871/cgi.....2483616094

[Joe M]

Link fail.

[Warty]

Dr. Conan T. Barbarian

'To Hear The Lamentation of Their Women: Constructions of Masculinity in Contemporary Zamoran Literature'

[John]

Now that is a great hack. I can't believe any little dweeb geeky enough to pull off the hack could also be that creative and witty. Hats off.

[Art-P.O.G.]

"I can't really comment on it further. It is being looked into and it's being taken seriously," she said.
Ha ha ha ha, I guess these things must be less funny when they happen to me.

[Nipplemancer]

I'd go into debt just to take that course. Except for the DH Lawrence part.

[Pro Libertate]

Brilliant. Loved this bit: "His profile indicated he had been 'ripped from his mother's womb on the corpse-strewn battlefields of his war-torn homeland, Cimmeria, and has been preparing for academic life ever since'."

[Maxxx]

Assbin Droolsbee?

[Maxxx]

Assbin Droolsbee?

[Pro Libertate]

I'm posting this one.

[Warty]

Here's a better screenshot.

[Pro Libertate]

That's the one I used, but thanks, anyway. I acknowledged you, but no "beloved."

[Fist of Etiquette]

Applications for unemployment benefits continued to rise in the past week, while inflation pushed higher and a key manufacturing index weakened.

Nobody's working for the weakened...

[hmm]

* Central banks the world over lean heavy on the dollar pump.

We're dumping some of our upcoming inflation on Europe. So far Europe has managed to sterilize their injections by removing an equal amount elsewhere. They aren't going to be able to sterilize a large dollar injection.

[hmm]

It's almost like they're trying to spread the fucking out for everyone to enjoy.

[Cytotoxic]

Somali famine is really bad. Isn't this the country that Stephen and other anarcho-clowns told us was doing just fine relative to its neighbours?

[teh rael o2]

[SOMALIZ] !111!!1!!!

[Bee Tagger]

Is that a reference to Stefan Molyneux?

Anyone listen to his podcasts? I think they're interesting at times, but I haven't made it far enough to become brainwashed by the de-fooing concept. I was looking forward to seeing my free will disappear. Anyone else made it this far into the podcasts?

[Kreel Sarloo]

Somalia was doing much better before the UN and the AU decided they needed to impose a government on it.

[robc]

Somalia had government. It had many, many, many governments.

[Bucco]

Let a thousand governments bloom.

[Kreel Sarloo]

robc

True, I should have said "impose a state".

My larger point was that most of Somalia's problems come from outside.

They had a long tradition of keeping the peace between the various factions and tribes. It was outsiders coming in and tipping the balance of power in favor of one group or another that disrupted it.

[tarran]

Oh look, the Cyto the trotskyite refuses to accept responsibility for his policy failures.

Or did that little intervention go down the memory hole?

For an analysis of what was happening when the Somali's were actually left to their own devices: Better Off Stateless, Somalia Before and After Government Collapse

[Bee Tagger]

Henry Waxman channels Mel Gibson

[Fist of Etiquette]

"There are Jews who are trending toward the Republican Party, some of it because of their misunderstanding of Obama's policies in the Middle East, and some of it, quite frankly, for economic reasons. They feel they want to protect their wealth, which is why a lot of well-off voters vote for Republicans."

Calling Jews stupid and greedy. Yeah, Hank, that'll win 'em back.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

They feel they want to protect their wealth, which is why a lot of well-off voters vote for Republicans

Said the representative from Beverly Hills, CA.

[hmm]

He makes his statements like protecting personal wealth is a bad thing.

[Sons of Taffeda]

That's the first thing I thought of when reading that quote.

[Rhywun]

Me too. Lousy ingrates don't wanna SHARE.

[Warty]

Isn't he a Jew? Of course he hates Jews then.

[cynical]

Can molepeople be Jewish?

[Sons of Taffeda]

Two Joos walk into a voting booth...

[Lefertiti]

Only one comes out?

[MNG]

JOOOS!!!11!!

[O2]

hear about the jew & puerto rican that went into business? >they went blind watching each other! bada bing...

[P Brooks]

pick a simple economic story and stick to it.

I think he's pretty much got that one covered.

[H man]

Posted in Hemp thread via Radley Balko

Police officer who shot former NFL player shoots another man.

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2.....cking.html

[H man]

Or try this link

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2.....cking.html

[mitch]

Once you pop, you just can't stop.

[John]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....story.html

Apparently the California Democratic Party is now broke thanks to an embezzling treasurer.

[teh rael O2]

after waterboarding & sodomy at a FEMA camp, he'll soon fess up

[Lord Humungus]

looking for a job?

[Maxxx]

How fitting.

[Chupacabra]

The rich Democrats had to pay their fair share.

[cynical]

Ain't it hard when you discover that he really wasn't where it's at?

[hmm]

Timmy says no Lehman in Europe. Anyone taking odds?

http://www.ibtimes.com/article......htm?cid=2

[John]

They are going to come begging to the US for a bailout. Then Obama will have a choice, refuse the bailout and watch Europe and the third way Christian socialist model he so loves go down the toilet, or bail out Europe and explain to the voters in 2012 why giving a trillion dollars of their money to Europeans was a good idea.

Wanting to be President had to have been so much more fun for Obama than the actual job.

[Pro Libertate]

Actually, that ship has sailed. No way, no how Congress would sign up for that right now.

[John]

I wouldn't think so. But he could have Timmy print the money perhaps.

[Pro Libertate]

I'll be shocked if our government doesn't use inflation to try to get out of its current woes. That always works so well.

[Mike M.]

I wouldn't think so. But he could have Timmy print the money perhaps.

I don't think even Obama has the balls to go this far. Doing this would basically guarantee his impeachment.

[Maxxx]

He doesn't need to.

Uncle Ben the Bernank will quietly hand over a couple of trillion to them.

Hell, he already did in '08.

[Anonymous Coward]

But Barack doesn't need Congressional approval when it's REALLY serious. Like with Libya for example.

[Chupacabra]

Economic Kinetic Activity.

[cynical]

The Federal Reserve seems a more likely handerouter than Congress or even Obama's administration.

[Citizen Nothing]

Ohio Tea Partiers endorse Ron Paul

[robc]

Ohio tea partiers endorse founder of tea party!!!

Actually, it is news, but it shouldnt be.

[GILMORE]

I finally looked at AttackWatch.com

It is as bad as they say.

If Obama won the 2008 election partly on his adept use of the internet to rally supporters, it now looks like he's using the internet to desperately try and give the few supporters left some talking points and/or make claims to some glorious achievements of leadership despite lack of any visible evidence...

It reminds me very much of the MTA's recent advertising campaign to promote their non-existent efforts to not suck so bad.

http://subwayartblog.com/2011/.....-campaign/

They use 50% of their ad space to advertise themselves. And they're a *fucking public service monopoly*. Like anyone has a choice? meaning = it's not advertising to sell you anything; its advertising to try and pre-empt criticisms over obvious, blatant, persistent failures.

Which is exactly how the AttackWatch.com thing reads.

The Obama administration has strengthened our borders while making our immigration system smart and fair. Find out more

Funny this should be #1. Maybe because union democrats are just as protectionist and xenophobic as the GOP mexico-philes.

Pander to unions:Check

WTF about our boders really needs strengthening anyway? What, they added a few yards to the Mexico Desert Wall? Slowed down the heavy traffic from Canada? big deal.

next on priority list...

President Obama is a friend to Israel, despite unfounded claims to the contrary. Find out more

Pander to the israel lobby? Not surprised. Dont recall hearing the unfounded claims, but whatever... I expected teachers to be next.

President Obama believes in common sense gun control laws compatible with Second Amendment rights. Find out more

pppt. Gun control. A crucial issue at a time of record low crime rates, a devastated economy, 3 or so wars going on... yeah, top of the list. Trigger locks.

Fact check: TARP was signed into law by President Bush, and the overall cost to taxpayers has been significantly reduced under President Obama. Find out more

translated ="Not my fault!"

What about the other few trillion? Oh, who's counting...

President Obama was born in the United States and is an American citizen?period. Find out more

You know its bad when you're still defending yourself from attacks no one is making. Is this really something you want to highlight on the resume? Its a meaningless issue that they're perpetuating.

By providing assistance to auto companies, President Obama saved more than a million jobs and prevented the American auto industry from collapsing. Find out more

"Saved" jobs. The created part being no longer plausible.

Saved the UAW. I dont see detroit booming. The 'industry' would exist without the president waving his magic 'protection' wand... guess what? People need cars. Toyota employs people and pays taxes too, and doesn't need 'saving'.

The Affordable Care Act promotes quality, affordable health coverage for all Americans, regardless of the industry they work in or their union status. Find out more

Union... union.... union.... seems to be most of the issues here are speaking to the already converted Team Blue members who may be having doubts about the viability of the Hope and Change salesman... it doesn't seem to be responding to 'attacks' at all.

President Obama is eliminating outdated regulations while strengthening commonsense standards to promote health and safety. Find out more

"Obama is moving deck chairs around on the Titanic. FIND OUT MORE"

[Tony]

Even though it's not likely to have much of an impact, since there is a vast network of anti-Democratic propaganda in this country, you can hardly blame them for exercising their free speech rights to counter it.

[GILMORE]

Tony|9.15.11 @ 12:16PM|#
Even though it's not likely to have much of an impact, since there is a vast network of anti-Democratic propaganda in this country...

Your case is, "yes its stupid. But Stupid *is a right* dammit!"?

I presume you include Reason in your, 'vast network of anti-democratic propaganda'. Are you suggesting MSNBC and Daily Kos and Huffington Post and the NYT and WaPo and every other media outlet is somehow *dwarfed* by the omnipresent republican spin-machine? Somehow I missed that.

FWIW, the Obama admin are themselves now part of the "vast 'anti-democrat propaganda'"...for looking like such idiots. AttackWatch is not 'defense' from attacks at all. No one is bitching about Israel, the border, or wanting a more powerful auto-industry-union... people are bitching about the economy being in the pooper, Obama desperately trying to dig us deeper into debt, regulate every major industry into extinction, and cause widespread inflation to 'pay' for it all...

Seriously, its the same as the MTA campaign. They wouldn't be doing it if they were doing a good job. They know they suck and this is what happens when you know you suck= go, 'look over there!'

[Old Mexican]

Re: Brainless, Stolid Sockpuppet,

you can hardly blame them for exercising their free speech rights to counter it.

Right on cue.

I can very easily blame them because they (the Big O admin) is using MY FUCKING MONEY to pay some stupid punk to run that piece of shit website without anybody's consent except the Big O's own.

[Loki]

Did I just hear Tony invoke the vast, right-wing conspiracy?

[Detroit]

"I dont see detroit booming"

Come back on Halloween.

[Lord Humungus]

booming, not burning.

[Detroit]

Ever hear a shotgun blast?

[Red Rocks Rockin]

All they need now are some commercials a la Starship Troopers.

[NoTalentAssclown]

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/vid.....?hpt=hp_t2

Hey, cool misleading headline CNN. The actual video makes Ron Paul look OK

[NoTalentAssclown]

GAH! I guess I should've included the headline:

"Ron Paul staffer died uninsured"

[Sarah Palin]

No link to my story today?

It was quite a scientific achievement when I proved that once you go black, you can in fact sometimes go back.

[Sons of Taffeda]

I find it funny that a Liberal hack writer is denegrating inter-racial sex.

[Sarah Palin]

Most of my supporters don't approve of interracial one-night stand hot sex, and would be surprised to learn just how much - oh, wow, how much - I approve of it.

[John]

No. They won't care either. The only people who will care are liberals who will have an excuse to get their racism on. Normally they have to get their racism on through condescension and smugness. Here they can just flat out indulge it. They will love it.

[MNG]

Left wing racism is just a right wing meme because the right has been so racist in the past, they now look to tar the left with the same brush. Much like how the right tries to obscure (atone for?) their anti-semitic past by claiming left wing criticism of Israel is anti-semitic.

[John]

Nothing racist about acting like a white woman dating a black man is a "scandal". Nope nothing racist about that. They are just being ironic I guess.

And yes thinking that black people are inherently unable to compete with white people and thus must be held to a lower standard is racism. Just because it is a leftist form or racism, doesn't mean it is not racist.

Most white liberals are racist MNG. They are benevolent racists meaning they don't mean minorities any harm. But they still believe white people are superior and minorities could never compete on a level playing field.

[Restoras]

All human beings are equally capable of racism. To claim that one group is immune/incapable, is racist.

[Azathoth]

Funny then how the left seems to feel it's mass slaughter of Jews was just fine. Oh, I know you'll think 'hitler' and prattle about 'right-wing', but what about the Jews Stalin got rid of? Was he right wing?

And tell me, is it people on the right or left who pretend that Bull Connor was a Republican.

Racism is a problem endemic to those whose philosophies see individuals as part of collectives. Anathema to the right.

[Todd Palin]

(I just have good skin and hair)

[Red Rocks Rockin]

Sorry, a book written by someone whose sources consist of a couple of emotionally broken nerds that you shoved into a locker in high school isn't going to make it into the top ten of morning links.

[P Brooks]

there is a vast network of anti-Democratic propaganda in this country

Vast.

VAST, I tells ya!

[R C Dean]

It looms.

Large.

[CoyoteBlue]

Don't these people watch bad movies? "Find out more." Really? Sounds like Starship Troopers. They should have Paul Verhoeven do the Obama commercials.
Obamites vs. the Tea Baggers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTz9nIUkGc

[Brett L]

I keep hearing that in my head. I also hear it when the creepy interactive cable commercials come up.

[nicole]

Did folks post this one yet?

Dead at 49 because he couldn't afford insurance: Terrible fate of Ron Paul aide emerges hours after Republican said state shouldn't provide free health care

Kent Snyder died from complications caused by pneumonia because his premiums were too expensive
49-year-old was Ron Paul's campaign manager during failed 2008 bid to secure Republican presidential nomination
Mr Paul told Tea Party debate people who did not have insurance should be left to fend for themselves
Retired physician also said churches should step in to care for those without cover

Note also:

Mr Snyder, 49, died on June 26, 2008, with hospital costs totalling $400,000 after he became ill with viral pneumonia.

The bill for his care was sent to his mother, who was unable to pay, and so a website was set up by friends to secure donations. Mr Paul's election campaign did not provide workers with medical insurance.

[robc]

The last part is stupid.

His debt holders get his estate up to the point they are paid off. No one else is responsible for it. If the estate isnt worth 400k, the hospital is SOL.

Why is his mom and/or friends raising donations to pay it?

[nicole]

Yeah that doesn't seem to make any sense. Then again, it is the Mail/neither does the whole premise.

[Isaac Bartram]

Some people have a sense of honor about paying debts even under these circumstances.

In this case I'm not sure it's all that misguided.

As to the article, if you think it's stupid, read the comments.

[R C Dean]

Which is it? Did he die because he didn't have insurance, or did he die with $400K in hospital bills treating his terminal illness.

Can't be both.

[Joe M]

Nice catch. He was obviously receiving some kind of treatment, if he was racking up bills. So it doesn't sound like not having insurance was the "cause" of his death.

[Isaac Bartram]

Actually, this is one of the things that simply jump out with me after years of talking to believers in nationalized healthcare.

When you come right down to it they simply cannot imagine that anyone should ever have to pay for medical treatment or that anyone is even capable of doing it.

[cynical]

"When you come right down to it they simply cannot imagine that anyone should ever have to pay for medical treatment or that anyone is even capable of doing it."

Expand this to everything, and you have the modern far left in a nutshell. It might sound fascistic, but "parasite" is a fairly appropriate analogy for their worldview.

Call me nostalgic, but if the old left was a sharecropper that wanted to steal the deed to the farm, the new left is a hobo that would rather lounge around all day and then steal the crops while the farmer's asleep.

[cynical]

It could be both, I guess -- if the hospital eventually decided it had blown enough funds on him and cut off care. Though an insurance company would do that too, so it doesn't make much difference.

[NoTalentAssclown]

Cnn also has a video, which i posted

[Au H20]

Tea, Earl Grey, Hot soon to be a reality: We know have printable food.

I want my matter transporters, damnit!

[M&M's]

You really are behind the times, bub.

[R C Dean]

the European Central Bank and other major central banks said they would conduct new operations to provide dollar liquidity, in coordination with the U.S. Federal Reserve.

If you've been wondering what QE3 was going to look like, now you know.

It will be laundered through European banks.

I am genuinely mystified by why gold is down on an announcement that a giant new coordinated global money printing operation is being launched.

[Lord Humungus]

The Pentagon has worried for months that a project backed by a prominent Democratic donor might interfere with military GPS. Now Congress wants to know if the White House pressured a general to change his testimony.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/a.....donor.html