Why the Bankruptcy Change is Important
Why are Democrats pushing to include the bankruptcy revisions in the bailout bill? Let’s see what happens to a troubled mortgage in a Chapter 13.
Charlie Keating Helps Sarah Palin With Couric's Tough Questions
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bmazWhen Katie Couric's questions turn you into quivering Jello, you have a problem. Houston, Sarah Palin has a problem. Palin was so at a loss of answers to softball questions last night she had to tell Couric she would have to get back to her with them. Today, Charlie Keating arrives to help Sarah Palin get the answers she promised to Katie.
Bush's Speech Fails with Most Important Audience
I think we're entering into the phase where the federal government starts printing wheelbarrows full of cash.
Did McCain Blow Off Letterman to Pre-Empt Sarah and Katie?
McCain just pre-empted his own running mate's second interview with a straight reporter.
You think maybe he believes the Palin-Couric interview didn't go well?
Bush Failure > Obama Leadership > McCain Stunt
This financial crisis is bringing out the true sides of those purportedly in charge: Bush's failed leadership, Obama's assumption of that leadership position, and McCain's cynical gamemanship.
Breaking!
Obama takes 9 point lead in national poll and Palin gimmick has worn off entirely.
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What? You thought I was announcing that McCain is suspending his campaign to go back to his day job?
Operation "The Surge Is a Success--Bury the Afghanistan NIE"
The Bush Administration isn't going to tell us what they know about the grim status of Afghanistan. And why should they? After all, if we knew how bad Afghanistan was, we would be able to show the costs of the Iraq surge and other failed Bush policies.
We're Asking the Wrong Guys Trying to Solve the Economic Crisis
Why are we having two guys whose jobs it is to ensure the health of our financial system in charge of solving a problem that arises from structural weaknesses in our entire economic system?
Conyers Cranky Over Oil Fraud; Drills DOJ With Letter
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bmazYou knew this was coming, and since I simply can't stomach any more Lurch Paulson discussion today, I bring it to you. Remember Marcy's Drill, Baby, Drill post on sex, lies and oil at the Minerals Management Agency? Clearly, John Conyers found it as titillating as we did. He wants to hear more.
Bush Mouthpiece Admits: They've Been Sitting on this Plan
It turns out, the Bush Administration has been sitting on this bailout plan for "weeks and months."
Who Told the TrooperGate Witnesses to Ignore the Subpoenas?
No one wants to 'fess up to having told the Palin-friendly TrooperGate witnesses to blow off their subpoenas. I wonder why?
Well, I Guess We Knew There'd Be Demands...
When you come begging to your banker, you've got to expect them to issue demands.
Sarah Palin: Gibberish We Can Believe In?
Energy is supposed to be Sarah Palin's strong point, right? After all, she is the Governor of Alaska, and more to the point, was the chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the agency that is supposed to "protect the public interest in exploration and development of oil and gas resources, while ensuring conservation practices, enhancing resource recovery, and protecting the health, safety, environment, and property rights of Alaskans." But when she was asked about ensuring that the fruits of domestic oil drilling would go to the domestic market, her answer was complete gibberish.
Oh, THAT Kind of Financial Incentive
I asked a while back what the TrooperGate investigator, Stephen Branchflower, might have meant when he said a key witness--whom he believes lied to him in an interview--had a "financial incentive" to do so.
It appears that Murlene Wilkes, who handles the state's workers comp claims, was pressured by the governor's office to deny a claim from Trooper Wooten.
Did John McCain Almost Bankrupt Arizona With His Electric Cars?
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bmazJohn McCain is up to his neck in the shenanigans behind the Great Financial Crisis of 2008; did you know that he played a role in almost bankrupting Arizona too?
Trash Talk: 0-3 Week
I might as well have posted this on Sunday afternoon. After all, the big games of the week are on Sunday night (the scary looking 'Boys against the new-look Packers) and Monday night (one of the best last two-minute drill quarterbacks ever, Favre, playing a team that has lost two in the last seconds of the game, the Bolts).
No
CR has posted the "bailout plan," as it currently stands.
Glenn Greenwald has an important response, as does gjohnsit over at DKos.
But here's all you need to know. Hank Paulson is asking for $700,000,000,000. That's $2,333 from every man, woman, and child in the United States.
In exchange for that money, Paulson is unwilling to accept any demands to make markets more transparent, limit executive compensation, or assist homeowners fighting foreclosure.
Obama's Getting Into McCain's Contemptuous Head
John McCain's contempt fuels all his political campaigns. But there's a danger that that contempt will backfire when McCain is proven utterly wrong.
Two Tidbits on TrooperGate
The McPalin team was caught lying today, when proof appeared that Walt Monegan was not going "rogue" when he lobbied to get funds to prosecute rape; Palin's aide approved his trip. But I'm more interested in learning that Murlene Wilkes, the state contractor who may have lied to investigator Steve Branchflower, testified today.
"The Exponential Growth" of Show Trials
Thomas Hartmann, the "legal advisor" to the Gitmo show trials who has already been forbidden from involvement with two Gitmo cases because of his bias, just failed upwards: he has been namedDirector of Operations for the show trials (h/t scribe).