Stephanie Miller

LiveBlog for Friday, February 27, 2009

Let’s get Steph on MSNBC!!  Sign the petition here!

Hey everyone… as you probably can tell, Steph isn’t here today because she’s taking care of a family emergency, so enjoy Frangela and The Mooks today!!

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) calls in at 7:30am Pacific to talk about President Obama’s new budget, the economy, and Obama’s speech to Congress this week.

• President Obama told congressional leaders yesterday he’s planning to pull all combat troops out of Iraq by August 2010, which falls short of his campaign promise of bringing all combat forces home within 16 months. Obama also said he plans to keep 35,000 to 50,000 support troops on the ground in Iraq after combat troops are out.

President Obama yesterday unveiled a $3 trillion-plus budget that he says will halve the federal deficit by the end of his first term. The budget for fiscal year 2010 includes substantial investments in health care reform, renewable energy, and education. Obama also projects the deficit for fiscal year 2009 will reach $1.75 trillion.

The government is on the verge of closing a deal that could significantly boost its ownership stake in Citigroup to 40% from 8% today. In return, it will demand changes be made on the troubled banking giant’s board and other conditions.

The mayor of Los Alamitos, CA says he will resign after being criticized for sharing an e-mail picture depicting the White House lawn planted with watermelons under the title “No Easter egg hunt this year.”

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 27th, 2009 at 3:41 am and is filed under liveblog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

492 Responses to “LiveBlog for Friday, February 27, 2009”

  1. Gooood Fridee morning everyone – especially to Stephanie, Chris, Jim, Rebekah, Frances and Angela.

  2. shāf says:

    Good morning, Paul and the rest of the early risers! Good morning, Team Steph. I’m looking forward to another edition of “Fridays with Frangela.” It’s way more fun than “Tuesdays with Morrie!”

  3. Good morning fellow live bloggers! I couldn’t sleep so I thought I’d join you guys :)

  4. capt says:

    Top of the morning!

  5. good morning capt, good morning paul, and last but not least good morning shaf

  6. shāf says:

    Good morning, Ethan and capt!

  7. Shane-O says:

    Morning everyone!!!!!!

    Holy crap — I finally got around to watching last night’s Factor… Fred Thompson really is taking Bill O’s radio slot!!

    How the hell is Fred going to stay awake for three hours? (much less his “audience”)

  8. capt says:

    I hope we are all ready for a ROCKIN Friday!

  9. Hey Shane-O! If you have a moment can you get on yahoo. Thx!

  10. shāf says:

    #9 Fred is out of control. He’s out of control and we’ll be lucky to survive him! ;)

  11. capt says:

    Fred: “I need a nap”

  12. #14 Im up way to early its 4:37am here!

  13. capt says:

    #15,

    The older you get the less early that sounds.

    I get up as early as 3am here – but I have issues so . . .

  14. 15
    4:30 sounds about normal for me, since I have to be at work by 7

  15. Shane-O says:

    Radio geek question: does anyone know on how many stations Fred’s show will launch?

    (I’m worried the answer may make me sick…)

  16. capt says:

    The Exorcism of Bobby Jindal’s Intimate Friend

    In a 1994 essay, G.O.P. star Bobby Jindal relives an incredible story of unrequited love … and demons.

  17. capt says:

    #18,

    Probably hundreds – IJTUIMMALB

  18. #18 if he carries more station then miller I’m going to throw up in my mouth a little bit

  19. 18
    Well, how many stations was Bill-O on? Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re forced to carry Freddie for now.

  20. 21
    I can assure you that’s the case. Better be prepared to TUIYMALB

  21. I hate right wing radio…

  22. capt says:

    Maybe Fred will do for talk radio what he did for the GOP in the primaries?

    *fingers crossed*

  23. shāf says:

    #22 I agree with Paul. Yesterday was Bill-O’s last Radio Factor, so I don’t see much change for now.

  24. capt says:

    I wonder if Fred will start to emote? If he delivers the flat “foghorn leghorn” southern drawl – he won’t last 6 months.

  25. 27
    He could be transferred to the overnight shift for insomniacs.

  26. I wonder if fred’s going to use the internets for his show :D

  27. Shane-O, reports from earlier this week say Forrest, er Fred, will launch on “more than 125″.

  28. Shane-O says:

    Oh goody! Three hours of throat-clearing and “umms” on hundreds of radio stations. Joy…

  29. On the AM Band here we get a choice of RW Hate radio, Sports, or RW Hate Sports.

  30. shāf says:

    Bill-O didn’t have a lot of stations because he refused to do a three-hour shift (which seems to be the standard).

  31. shāf says:

    #32 We’ve also got Christian Radio (several channels) in Columbus. As most of you know WVKO (Steph’s Columbus affiliate) went Catholic in December.

  32. BTW, “more than 125″ is radio-PR-speak for 126.

  33. Shane-O says:

    #35 – HA! Thanks, Tim.

  34. capt says:

    Shane-o,

    I’m thinking a foghorn leghorn ala Fred drop with a little Forrest Gump and some appropriate music?

    Hmmmmm – there has to be something there

  35. 34
    You mean WVKO didn’t turn to ashes on Wednesday?

  36. Shane-o, just wondering – do you also have clips of Mama on Tom Bergeron’s show?

  37. shāf says:

    #38 No, but I saw a few more angels around the transmitter than usual. ;)

  38. Shane-O says:

    #39 – I do! — I forgot about those…

  39. capt says:

    Maybe Fred will save the GOP and become their front man?

    He is such a dynamo!

  40. 41
    Yeah, you need to find the clip where Mama flashes her calf to Tom.

  41. Shane-O says:

    #43 – yup – I have that.

  42. Listening to Frank Stallone’s interview yesterday (yeah I know, I’m behind) reminded me of that.

  43. capt says:

    On pictures of the flag draped coffins?

    I am always reminded in the UK one of the royals is always there to greet the arrival of their fallen. The Brits have always allowed pictures and reporters.

    The whole thing is treated with great respect and high honor.

    It was GHWB who started hiding the caskets. It’s just like the Bush’s to try to hide stuff. UGH!

  44. Im listening to yesterdays The Radio Factor I know :P

  45. Good morning everyone . . .

    One of my hometown newspapers publishes for the last time today
    Good-bye to another newspaper & a 150 yo story about listening

  46. This is gonna be one of them days again. Such a simple test, the thingy I’m testing runs off its battery for 5 minutes then the power gets turned on and the surge current gets measured. So 10 seconds before the power is supposed to turn on, the thingy’s printer gets a paper jam and it shuts down. Oh well, 5 minutes wasted.

  47. Carol in Central Mass says:

    good morning my favorite bloggers!

  48. capt says:

    Paper jam tastes like . . .

    (jk)

  49. capt says:

    Morning Cindy and Carol!

    You’re both looking great!

  50. This is as bad as when your parents tried to speak “your language”

    ‘Playa’ Steele

  51. Carol in Central Mass says:

    My son has figured out my secret life (you), so I must be well behaved cuz he’ll be checking us out. (he’s 27)

    Hi, Darling.

  52. capt says:

    #48,

    I read the SF Chron is in trouble too. (UGH)

    It is sad but the newspapers are less and less improtant as the internet sources grow.

  53. capt your so kind …. guess you like red raw noses, stuff up heads, hacking coughs, and fuzzy black robes ;-)

  54. Morning Cindy, Carol

    Two lovely ladies, just the sight I need for a Friday morning :D

  55. capt says:

    Darling is an odd name for a son but . . .

    Hi Darling! Be nice to your mom!

    :lol:

  56. capt says:

    red raw noses, stuff up heads, hacking coughs, and fuzzy black robes

    Quit it, you had me at red raw noses!

    Grrrr – (I love a fuzzy black robe in a pile on the floor!)

    lolololo

  57. yeah capt .. and it means that my high school alumni newsletter will be chocked full of stuff next time around, from the RMN going under to our high school getting a new mascot — which has many alumni ticked off and for which I have to write an article for the newsletter in support … because I do support it.

  58. Carol in Central Mass says:

    #46, capt, yep the pictures returning is a big deal to me, too.

    It’s not nice to see coffins, but it is nice to see the repect return.

  59. capt if it were in a pile on the floor that would be one thing … but it’s huddled close to me and there is no daylight

  60. Carol in Central Mass says:

    Cindy, how are you feeling?

  61. capt says:

    but it’s huddled close to me and there is no daylight

    Now you’re just being a tease.

    You know that is where I wish I was (huddled close)

    I guess it’s okay as long as you stay warm.

    :wink:

  62. Shane-O says:

    #61 And it also makes sense in light of Obama including the dollar cost of war in the actual budget (instead of by emergency supplementals).

    The human cost and the monetary cost. They’ve both been hidden for too long.

  63. capt says:

    I wonder if some RWNJ will address the head of the GOP as “Playah?”

    :lol:

  64. capt says:

    #67,

    After a few years the costs were no “emergency” and the way the Busheney admin ran the numbers was in insult.

    I really hope we wind down and get back to using real power by diplomacy and interaction instead of military might.

    We made ourselves (our country) seem small and impotent by over using the military unnecessarilly.

  65. Carol do the words “like crap” mean anything to you :-D

  66. I think from now on we should call him Micheal “Playah” Steele

  67. shāf says:

    #67 I the Righties are soooo hypocritical on that point (i.e. the true cost of war). Now it’s no longer off-budget and families have the option to publicize their returning war dead to Dover, MD.

    A sadly needed change is happening.

  68. Shane-O says:

    #69 Ever read one of those “emergency” supplementals? (Yes, I am one of those dorks who even reads the budgets – eep!) It’s amazing what was in them – and how muddy they were. The post-Katrina emergency bill was SO bad – it allocated money for LA, but – allowed for it to be steered to Iraq in many cases.

    And the GOP now whines about the Omnibus appropriation bill (that they didn’t have the balls to pass in the last Congress). The hypocrisy is nauseating.

  69. capt says:

    Fred was the original “base energizer bunny” before Palin.

    Remember – Fred was going to motivate the GOP like none other.

    Ah, the memories – good times.

    :lol:

  70. Carol in Central Mass says:

    #70 yes, Cindy, and I’m sorry.

    light to you as always. (but only the good kind, not the blue end of the spectrum, cuz that will hurt your eyes.)

  71. capt says:

    The hypocrisy is nauseating

    The hypocrisy is nauseating

    The hypocrisy is nauseating

    (times three!)

  72. carol — thank you .. light always … I long for California .. why did we move north again?

  73. shāf says:

    #75 And Fred was our Grampy before McSame was Grampy. So, Fred now assumes (’ya know what happens when people “assume”?) the mantle of what, Elder Statesmen? Or, Political Firebrand? He’s pretty tired… think he ought to go home now. ;)

  74. so have we started a pool yet on how many rw callers will be on the show today?

  75. capt says:

    Fred – lead objectionator!

  76. Republic Windows & Doors back in biz in Chicago! Go UE! We’ll repost I/Vs @ http://lauraflanders.firedoglake.com/

  77. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Morning, All.

    Fred Thompson should host a reality show to pick the 2012 Republican Presidential candidate called, “The Biggest Political Loser”.

  78. Carol in Central Mass says:

    I was listening to Bill Maher on the podcast and one of his guests warned Barack about being “insufficiently radical”. I like that.

    ie, spring for Single Payer insurance for health care.
    GO FOR IT!!

    Good-bye to drugs for profit and insurance for profit. Wouldn’t it be nice to never see another drug commercial??!!

    The CEO’s of these companies pay themselves obscene money….and they hesitate to cover my medically necessary eye treatments. M’fo’s. (opps, sorry, darling)

  79. shāf says:

    #80 I’m guessing at least two per hour, maybe three.

    BTW, I replayed the call from Scott from MA. He’s bordering on the psychotic. Although he’s not yelling (like John from Amherst), his beliefs are very radical (and in-line with the Klan). Team Steph, I’d be very careful about this guy, if I were you.

  80. Laura in Binghamton, NY says:

    Good Morning bloggies! XOXO

  81. My goodness it’s busy in here for as early as it is! We may hit SPARTA before 10am EST!

    Morning all!

  82. capt says:

    from:

    http://www.splcenter.org/

    926 Hate Groups in America

    The number of hate groups rose again in 2008 – fueled by immigration fears, a failing economy and the successful campaign of Barack Obama. Since 2000, these racist extremist organizations – neo-Nazis, white nationalists, neo-Confederates, skinheads and others – have grown in number by 54%, according to the SPLC’s latest count.

    *****

    Maybe the KKK callers shouldn’t get so much air time?

    Just a thought

  83. Carol in Central Mass says:

    love to my bloggo friends,
    enjoy the show!

  84. Shane-O says:

    #77 Capt – on emergency supplementals — this one is old (July 2007) – but you might like it: http://correntewire.com/faced_with_a_democratic_congress_has_bush_sworn_off_swine

  85. No capt KKK should because they need the bleach only light and exposure can provide … it has always been thus. I knew they would rise again once Barack was elected because:

    1. the Gee OOOO Peee has created so much fear in people, they will resort to extremist groups to feel some safety

    2. The racist’s world view is being shattered and they need to join with like minded people to have those views reaffirmed.

  86. capt says:

    McGuire’s payday is a shame, if not a crime

    High executive pay at UnitedHealth Group has had ripple effects throughout the health care industry, critics say.

    ****

    How many people were denied treatment so “Dollar Bill” could get his billion dollar payday?

  87. “The hypocrisy is nauseating”

    “The hypocrisy is nauseating”

    “The hypocrisy is nauseating”

    … and Sean Hannity appears!

    I warned you!

  88. capt says:

    #90,

    *run screaming*

    pulling at my hairless bald head!

    Bush was such a mismanager. “Emergency” my left butt cheek!

  89. capt says:

    SHOWTIME!

    You bastids!

    *dancing on sunshine*

  90. shāf says:

    Yay! It’s Miller Time!

  91. Shane-O says:

    #93 – Matthews “HA!” — Hannity = Beatlejuice

  92. capt says:

    Frangela!

    WOO HOO! – you go girls!

    Mama will be missed (a litttle)

    :wink:

  93. shāf says:

    Okay, it’s Frangela Time! Hi Ladies!!!!

  94. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Steph had to bail her “nephew” out of the drunk tank.

  95. El_Cid says:

    Does anyone else listen to the subscriber-based MP3 live stream? If so, have you noticed that it’s stereo but only comes out of the right speakers?

  96. capt says:

    #93,

    Whoop’s I forgot.

    Now how do we get Hannity back into the bottle?

  97. I love ShoutyChris in the background

  98. Laura in Binghamton, NY says:

    Eeek! I just tuned in, where’s Stephie?

  99. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Coming to a XXX theater near you. Nadya Suleman, the “Octomom” and Sen. David “Diaper” Vitter starring in, “Getting Up Baby”.

  100. El_Cid says:

    Wow — Jim has totally nailed John Boehner. God. That’s awesome.

  101. shāf says:

    What a Boehner!

  102. capt says:

    Bush looks like a piker?

    No reason to promote him or put down the pikers . . .

  103. Shane-O says:

    #93 – OR – Candyman?

  104. Yeah and which party broke us?

    The area of big government NEVER left … it just moved to Big Brother, etc.

  105. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Eeek! I just tuned in, where’s Stephie?

    ———————————————————————
    Puff has taken a turn for the worse, I suspect.

  106. I hope Puff is ok, that that’s not the reason Steph isn’t there today.

    Hi Frangela, Chris & Jim!

  107. capt says:

    Boehner by Jim!

    ROFLMAO!

    Too effin GOOD!

  108. looks like a novice? you mean he doesn’t spend as well as Bush?

  109. 101 – I listen w/headphones & get the stream thru both sides…maybe it’s your speakers.

  110. shāf says:

    Here’s the Dictionary.com definition of piker:
    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/piker

  111. shāf says:

    #116 Short enough, I’ll post:
    1. a person who does anything in a contemptibly small or cheap way.
    2. a stingy, tight-fisted person; tightwad.
    3. a person who gambles, speculates, etc., in a small, cautious way.

  112. capt says:

    Michelle Bachmann: “We’re Running Out Of Rich People In This Country”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbcaxjAkJ-Q

  113. Jacques says:

    Just got here, there’s no Steph at all today?

  114. El Cid says:

    Enjoy the delicious tears of Republicans via this precious New York Times headline:

    A Bold Plan Sweeps Away Reagan Ideas

    By DAVID LEONHARDT | Published: February 26, 2009 | The New York Times

    The budget that President Obama proposed on Thursday is nothing less than an attempt to end a three-decade era of economic policy dominated by the ideas of Ronald Reagan and his supporters.

    Hee, hee, hee.

  115. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    There once was a tan man named Boehner,
    Who maded as much sense as a stoner,
    He let go the tears,
    To stir up our fears,
    This tan was was such a boner.

  116. capt says:

    Jindal – the other white meat?

    Hmmmmm

  117. MidWestRuth says:

    Maybe we could start a separate fund to make sure Bachmann & Boehner get trounced in 2010. The Save Congress from Crazies fund.

  118. Yeah, I hope Puff is OK as well. :(

    I have to go, we’re really stacked here this morning with work – I’m already coming in Saturday & Sunday.

    Have fun everyone, have a great weekend.

  119. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Just got here, there’s no Steph at all today?

    ———————————————————————
    She eloped with Frank Stallone. ;-)

  120. capt says:

    See ya later Paul!

    Hurry back if you can – if not we’ll see you Monday morning.

    *high fives*

  121. OMG Jim’s on fire this morning!

  122. LOL ROTFLOL . hunt ferrets from helicopters

    LOL

  123. Shane-O says:

    OK – need another mic — Chris sounds like my uncle shouting his comments in the background when I call my aunt on the phone…

  124. shāf says:

    Don’tcha know, and also and likewise and too!

  125. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Jindal Versus the Volcano

  126. scooter says:

    Dan’s grandma might be wrong! And I’m putting that nicely.

  127. the gay vulcan says:

    morning room

  128. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    OMG Jim’s on fire this morning!

    ———————————————————————
    That’s what volcano lava will do to you. ;-)

  129. the gay vulcan says:

    lets make some noise for frangela today so that they get their own show on green 960

  130. capt says:

    Magma makes me HAWT!

    :lol:

  131. El Cid says:

    Also, Jindal and the Republicans were lying that it was only “volcano monitoring.” It actually had funding for the entirety of seismic monitoring including the infrastructure repairs for existing scientific facilities.

    This covers geological activities such as, yes, volcanoes, but also earthquakes, tsunamis, and related threats such as emergency response planning.

  132. Obamarules says:

    Morning! I hope Puff is okay. Lets hope that is not the reason MaMa is not here today.

  133. I think the volcano near Boston has been dorminet for more than 2,000 years .. but it’s south of Boston where I-95 splits into I-95 and I-93 — it’s called “Blue Hill” AND it’s where one of my son’s learned to ski

  134. You know, I really don’t believe that about volcanoes on the east coast being active 2000 years ago. The Appalachian chain is very old and has been geologically dormant for a very long time.

  135. capt says:

    If we aren’t going to try to take over the planet by force why do we need a military that is bigger than all the other countries combined? Do we lack the ability and tact to be diplomatic. Are we so weak we have to have the biggest force to make certain poor foreign policy can be inflicted by force?

    If the size of the force is in proportion to the fear of being attacked we are very fearful indeed.

    Even if there was no waste or corruption – the size of our military is insane and a threat to world peace. We can’t just pretend we need this oversized and over-funded military for defense.

    UGH!

  136. shāf says:

    #137 Liquid hot magma, riiiiiiiight.

  137. balleryna2 says:

    OMG…. that guy who said his grandmother told him “there has been at least one volcano in every state” is completely WRONG

  138. capt – fuzzy slippers, tube tops and burmuda shorts makes you hot

  139. Michael Caine in Spain Stays Mainly on the Plain says:

    Good morning, I think I know why the Rethugs think we don’t need volcano monitoring. Volcanoes are God’s playthings, they will go off when God wants them to and there is nothing we can do to predict them. In fact, trying to prevent destruction by such a natural disaster would be arrogance in the face of God. We should just let God kill us whenever He wants.

  140. MidWestRuth says:

    Nothing says hot like bridesmaids in black leather – MWC

  141. H is for Hussein says:

    Good morning everybody! :waves westward:

    1. Frangela should, should, should have their own permanent show.
    2. Steph, stoping sucking in from that box wine like a frat boy drinking beer from the tap! Com’on!

  142. capt says:

    fuzzy slippers, tube tops and burmuda shorts makes you hot

    OMG – *looks over his shoulder*

    Are you inside my head?

    lolololo

    :lol:

  143. Shane-O says:

    September remix? cool!

  144. capt says:

    let God kill us whenever He wants.

    Um whenever SHE wants?

    Just sayin’

  145. flombaye says:

    151….. she is, after all, the original black president.

  146. Yay, it’s Jim! Hey, got that into structural geology book recommendation for me yet?

  147. Wait! That’s un-possible! The Earth is only 4,000 years old!

  148. shāf says:

    Ring of Fire? I hear Tucks pads will help with that! ;)

  149. MidWestRuth says:

    If knowing volcanoes are all over the US doesn’t scare you…look at a KARST map of cave locations…Missouri is apparently sitting on top of one big cave!

  150. demdame says:

    Good morning from Maryland (waves westward, northward, southward, and eastward for those few occasionally blogging across the pond).

    Very early in the blog today there was mourning about another paper biting the dust. Very disturbingly, yesterday the Washington Post reported that its profits were down 77%. And the New York Times is in trouble. Murdoch would like to purchase the NYT. Scary!

  151. You can call USGS. NASA, and NOAA, and even DOD, may monitor volcanicism on Earth too, from gravimetric and laser altimetry measurements, as well as observing plumes. But USGS is your first choice.

    Off Earth (Mars and Io vulcanism, for example), it’s NASA.

  152. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Cheney’s a demon. He likes fire.

  153. flombaye says:

    147….. bridesmaids in black leather… yes! …… our MostGroovyGuy wore a dashiki. we should have expanded that to include leather bridesmaids. – i’ll catch it next time.

  154. capt says:

    #157,

    lolololol

  155. #159, I suspect Murdoch is bleeding money too.

  156. scooter says:

    Wiki lists just 14 states with volcanoes. Alaska has many, some fairly active. The other West Coast states have lots of volcanoes but there have almost no major eruptions, other than Mt. St. Helens, for 150 years. Hawaii, of course.

  157. #157, that, or stay away from the Singapore Chicken. Those chili peppers aren’t just hot going in.

  158. Michael Caine in Spain Stays Mainly on the Plain says:

    Re: Steph’s absence

    I think it probably is Puff, or some other major downer. If Steph where sick or something minor, they would be making fun of her.

  159. shāf says:

    While we’re on the subject of tectonic activity, there’s a good USGS site on earthquake tracking:
    http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

  160. Russ says:

    heh kids where’s mama?

  161. come along baby Rick Roll me!

  162. I wonder if Payuush thinks bolstering the levies in New Orleans is frivolous.

  163. scooter says:

    Speaking from W. Kansas, I think the US Coast Guard is a complete waste of money!!

  164. capt says:

    I bet one eruption is one too many no matter where the volcano is . .

    (obviously)

  165. #168, I spent the summer of ‘89 working for geologists at SMU. Printed out a seismic trace of an underground nuclear test as a souvenir (their lab was geared around test ban treaty verification).

  166. shāf says:

    You can’t fix stupid!

  167. MidWestRuth says:

    #168 We monitor the New Madrid via that site…waiting for THE BIG ONE

  168. balleryna2 says:

    I live within view of Mt. St. Helens, Mt.Hood (dormant, but daily earthquakes from there – all under 2.0), and Mt. Ranier isn’t very far away either.

  169. shāf says:

    You’re on Volcano Talk, welcome caller! :)

  170. El Cid says:

    The Governor of Texas referred to extending unemployment assistance as the same as allowing a drug dealer to trap you in addiction by giving you free hits first.

    From the Austin-American Statesman.

    http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2009/02/24/will_perry_block_unemployment.html

    …The Texas Association of Business, traditionally a Perry ally, came out against expanding unemployment insurance on Monday. “It’s like a drug dealer,” TAB President Bill Hammond said. “The dealer gives you your first hit for free to get you hooked, and then you are addicted and are paying the consequences for a long, long time.”

    ([Governor] Perry invoked a similar metaphor about the stimulus bill in Monday’s Wall Street Journal: “If this money expands entitlements, we will not accept it. This is exactly how addicts get hooked on drugs.”)

  171. Payuush fell into a burning ring of fire

  172. capt says:

    Wanna get a little happy?

    Ten thousand young people head to Washington, D.C. this weekend to demand clean energy and green jobs.

    Power Shift 09 will bring 10,000 young people to Washington to hold our elected officials accountable for rebuilding our economy and reclaiming our future through bold climate and clean energy policy.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkLH8313pc8

    (go young people!)

  173. MidWestRuth says:

    don’t forget: we need to prosecute those people who moved their money to Switzerland…for TAX EVASION. Holding my breath til their trial starts…

  174. capt says:

    If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.

    ~ Dorothy Parker (1893 – 1967)

    (again – it should read SHE)

  175. shāf says:

    #184 Speaking of which:

    The curtain is being peeled back on the infamous secrecy of Swiss banks.

    The largest bank in Switzerland, UBS, agreed Wednesday to reveal the names of wealthy Americans whom the authorities suspect of using offshore accounts to evade taxes.

    Details:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/ubs-american-investors-id_n_168135.html

  176. kar-hussein says:

    Good morning all. Can’t stay. I’ve been up since 2:30 worrying about my life.

    It sucks. Seriously, if you guys know of any areas in the country that are hiring anything, let me know. I heard Fargo, ND is not experiencing this recession but since it’s been on the news I’m sure everyone and their brother has sent resumes there.

  177. shāf says:

    ProducerChris, listening to Channel Z again! :)

  178. What, ProducerChris, you don’t remember Krakatoa (sp?) from elementary school filmstrips?

  179. kar-hussein says:

    180—well, if we use that argument then we can say that house insurance and auto insurance are “drugs” too.

    The people paid for it. ***hole!

  180. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    #137 Liquid hot magma, riiiiiiiight.

    ———————————————————————
    And sharks with freakin’ lasers strapped on the backs.

  181. Michael Caine in Spain Stays Mainly on the Plain says:

    #184, not only go after the money in Switzerland, we should invade the Cayman Islands and the Isle of Man and get all the money that thieves have stashed there.

  182. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    What, ProducerChris, you don’t remember Krakatoa (sp?) from elementary school filmstrips?

    ———————————————————————
    Right wing tools don’t remember anything. ;-)

  183. flombaye says:

    i’m blind-reckoning anyway (no radio nearby)…. so here’s a lovely tidbit on the glenn beck show of 2k9-2-26: beckers pointed out that restoring the share of tax responsibility to the top 2% would not generate nearly enuff revenue to compensate just this year for the missing share. – that they’ve gotten away with so much for so long, that obama’s course of correction is just a drop in the bucket. therefore, that it’s pointless to correct course. – like when glenn beck was a kid on a bike. “hey, moving this tire pump didnt re-inflate the tire! forget it! i’ll leave this bike here and walk!” – it reminded me of the commercials against the “BIG GREEN” initiative. “it just tries to fix too much! i’m going to wait until all these environmental problems fix themselves! that’s what the smart people are doing!” – beckage even brott on a discount dennis miller to crunch the exact numbers…. and to concur that the cumulative missing tax burden from the top 2% is just too grand an amount to be compensated this year alone. their conclusion: obama is wrong to take corrective measures. bonus feature: nice clear soundite of becky saying “ARE WE THIS STUPID?” – my guess is that beck is just pandereing…. but the segment was followed by a dollop of chuck norris, a man who can easily afford to retire, who mentioned living on 700 acres in texas…. so yes, some people are that stupid. – now i know what many of you are thinking…. “a norris-jindal ticket in 2012? could it be?” – si se puede! – IT’S CHUCKY-DOODY TIME!

  184. kar-hussein says:

    183—I don’t want the country to punish the rich who did nothing wrong but we keep hearing the false argument that all these rich people take their money and start jobs with it.

    That’s BALONEY! They don’t create jobs at all. They sock the money away.

  185. kar-hussein says:

    ‘K. Gotta go. Love you guys and gals, mean it, have a great weekend.

  186. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    heh kids where’s mama?

    ———————————————————————
    Being sacrificed to the volcano gods. ;-)

  187. HIya, Bloggoes! :mrgreen:

    kar — so sorry to hear about your struggles. I think the Texas economy may also be OK, because a lot of the oil business is concentrating on in-country resources. A few of the guys in my family are working as roughnecks, but I imagine there’s good opportunities around. I don’t know what your qualifications are, and I do know that there are long dry times in the economy there, and, well, it is Texas…

  188. Anybody see the cover of today’s NY Post? Featuring a picture of President Obama as Uncle Sam pointing at the reader, the headline says, “PAY UP AMERICA; $1 trillion tax hike to sting for a decade.” To add to this crap, they have a little box behind the President that says, “Obama’s big, bad budget.” I am so sick of these unconscionable liars trying to make people think it’s all of us that are going to get hit, as opposed to the ultra rich (for a change). Murdoch and his minions are swine who don’t give a flying f__k about the truth. They accuse the Democrats of trying to start “class warfare,” blithely ignoring the reality they started class warfare under Ronald Raygun. They’re just pissed because this time out they’re the ones losing. And when I’m elected God…

  189. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Hey, Jim.
    Please say sexy shorts Shelton as Tom DeLay.

  190. #195, it’s not punishment to tax them, though. Because if you increase taxes on the rich, guess what, they’re still richer than everyone else.

  191. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Bobby Jindal starring in “Exorcist 4: The College Years”.

  192. shāf says:

    Jim and Angela’s Lost Weekends :lol:

  193. They’ll stick him in a basement to ferment.

  194. flombaye says:

    192 … yall have fun with that tactic, but money is not stashed in a place; money is just one symptom of specific and timely wampeters and foma.

  195. capt says:

    Now (as always on Friday) I have to run to the office (UGH)

    I trust you all will SPARTA without me.

    I might make it back in time so watch out!

    Back in a few.

  196. scooter says:

    Kar: The Great Plains states didn’t really participate in the “bubble” so have not been hit nearly as hard by the aftermath. Everyone around here who wants a job has a job. Wages are generally low but so is the cost of living. Of course there are some downsides, e.g. 18F at present.

  197. RUpees don’t leave India. Therefore, I don’t believe you, (was that Angela?)

  198. shāf says:

    Rupees, not roofies!

  199. flombaye says:

    200… thank you for the uncool sam makeover update…. ties in i suppose with the stillborn attempted meme: “big labor”.

  200. Obamarules says:

    Or they run a meth lab

  201. MidWestRuth says:

    last caller echoed my argument: if I knew health care would be free for everyone, all students who wanted college educations could have it free, and retirement would be secure…you could tax me at 50%…I would be happy to contribute to make that world

  202. Michael Caine in Spain Stays Mainly on the Plain says:

    I thought capers were rooster testicles.

  203. demdame says:

    kar and others looking for employement – you might want to try the federal government website. Housing here is pretty expensive but if you live in the outer suburbs it may work out.

    http://www.usajobs.gov/

  204. shāf says:

    What, is it gang-up on ProducerChris time? He can eat what he wants.

  205. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    ProducerChris is like Principle Skinner. He drinks sugar free diet soda.

  206. It’s more complicated than that, Jim.

    There have always been people in lower classes who try to climb within their class by ingratiating themselves with the upper classes.

  207. 215 — seriously? You’re in Spain, right? Don’t they eat a lot of capers there?

  208. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    What, is it gang-up on ProducerChris time? He can eat what he wants.

    ———————————————————————
    Edible lederhosen

  209. flombaye says:

    MODEST PROPOSAL: perhaps the family feud show will agree to treat us to the spectacle of panderers playing against those public figures who are authentically freakishly stupid. – now i do realize there are authentically freakishly stupid folks who agree to sound even stupider yet… does anybody out there know the real story on antonin scalia? – scalia waas graduated at the top of a harvard class, but over the years, seems to have offered no evidence of a capacity for learning on any topic. was this just the best degree that money could buy? – is the guy pandering? – was this like a gerald ford move, as when GHWB was assigned to block the CIA, and the extent of alarm was to joke for a season about the grievous lack of qualifification? – is scalia just scaldingly sub-intellectual, or pandering, or both?

  210. I’m gonna duck out on the bloggoe thing today, I think. Gots lotsa stuffs to do. I love you bloggoes, and I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!

    Bun Bye, Bloggoes! :mrgreen:

  211. flombaye says:

    220…. eating capers? ….. they eat people who wear capes? ….. is this after the bulls tenderize them?

  212. Michael Caine in Spain Stays Mainly on the Plain says:

    I’m not in Spain, Michael Caine in Colorado Stays Mainly in the Plain just doesn’t scan.

  213. francutiepie says:

    capers are yummie and when used with chicken very tasty and healthy too…..For example chicken with capers, green olives, red peppers and mushroom in a red vinger sauce….yummmmmmmmm…….

  214. shāf says:

    #226 Makes my brown-bag lunch today sound boring.

  215. demdame says:

    I make a salmon salad with capers that’s pretty good. We also have capers, red onion and tomatoes on bagels with cream cheese. That’s a Saturday morning thing here.

  216. flombaye says:

    the precipitate snow-laden grotto,
    of our main man inside colorado,
    while not poet-applied,
    makes a fine slope to slide,
    we just hope mike is properly shoddo

  217. I hope the earlier speculation that Mama was dealing with a sick pet is wrong!

    And on my own sick pet front, Mickey had not one but 5 teeth pulled, but his kidney function was just barely above normal, and once he was home was very active and friendly. The other cat, however, is treating him like an evil doppelgaenger.

  218. scooter says:

    BTW, did anyone else watch the White House Stevie Wonder bash special on PBS last night. OMIGOD!

  219. demdame says:

    PeterW – Mickey being active after all that travail is a great sign.

  220. good morning Evveybody!
    Jim’s HW Bush is feaking hilarious!
    Skull N Bones, Jim Skull N Bones

  221. Skyhawk says:

    Happy second hour people. Ol’ George is smooth.

  222. flombaye says:

    230:
    if stephy flew off to some hangar,
    on the red-stated outskirts of bangor,
    i’ve a fear that our dear
    little stephy would hear
    crude proposals. the whole GOP’ll bang her

  223. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Eva Longoria would make any woman hot.

  224. shāf says:

    Discussing Policy? So, that’s what the O.G.s (Old Geezers) are calling it. ;)

  225. #232, Baconaise? Mmmmm….

  226. PeterW hope Mickey is OK,
    pets are so important

  227. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Jon Stewart dunked one of those sausage wrapped in pancake on stick things in the baconnaise and put it in his mouth. I thought he was going to puke. I was scream laughing.

  228. demdame says:

    John Stewart tried Bacannaise on the Daily Show this week (Tues or Wednes). He said it made his tongue “poop”.

  229. shāf says:

    Lard-Wow! :lol:

    Stay with me, cameraman!

  230. Vince From Skam Wow
    Yer gonna love my nuts!
    Waxin’ the Dolphin!
    Steph’s away, the mice are outta control!

  231. I mean, mayonnaise is made from egg whites. Baconaise is just a breakfast in a jar.

  232. flombaye says:

    baconnaise?
    “loops! froot loops! everybody eat froot loops!”
    - pasta la pizza babies

  233. demdame says:

    #242 Liberal – JINX!

  234. Skyhawk says:

    Where can I get some?

  235. #242

    gross!!!

    mayonaise is already gross… why add gross flavors to it?

  236. Michael Caine in Spain Stays Mainly on the Plain says:

    I realize now where I was confused. I had capers confused with capons, which are castrated roosters.

  237. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I have to try baconnaise. I think I’ll get some and dunk corndogs in it.

  238. Obamarules says:

    More Cow Bells !

  239. francutiepie says:

    #227 you can always now use the bacon mayo I wonder how it would go with a BLT? mmmmmmmmmmm….that would make your brown bag lunch sing!..LOL

  240. 234 I thought I heard chupacapra…
    there it is again
    Yellowstone Caldera… gonna go up anytime
    soon, only 20000 years overdue…

  241. shāf says:

    Joe must have beat the volcano, since he’s on the call. :)

  242. #252 capers look like what they’ve removed from roosters to make capons.

  243. OMG Vince Skamwow/Chris Walken Mashup… Best Bit Ever

  244. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    vulcanization: erupt long and prosper

  245. Damn Jim… “psyops”!!! Steph’s out
    and Jim whippin’ it on us! Don’t hold
    back Mr Ward

  246. demdame says:

    #258 – snicker, snicker, haha :-)

  247. Chris came to Cheesus there.

  248. shāf says:

    #260 …and make tires, too! (vulcanized rubber much?)

  249. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I’m going to make BLTs with baconnaise on them. Tasty!

  250. The bar don’t open til later,
    this is actually better…
    economic horror, class war rich
    monsters, 2012 can’t get her
    fast enough. Or bar time.

  251. Percentage-wise, total taxes (fed, FICA, state, local), the rich pay a little less than everyone else in taxes, but not by much – everyone pays on average in the vicinity of 27%.

  252. Frangela! I love these ladies. And their voices.. Hoo ha.

    Good belated morning, amigas y amigos!

  253. demdame says:

    Speaking of the rich – Did you hear that Kathy Griffin is getting $2 million to pen her memoirs? Condi Rice is getting $2.5 mil, but she has to write 3 books for it.

  254. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Coming soon a XXX theater near you. Nadya Suleman starring in, “Whora Croft Poon Rider”

  255. demdame says:

    #268 – Doesn’t Warren Buffet maintain that he pays a lower percentage of taxes than his secretary?

  256. 271 Kathy Griffin $2 mill for memoirs… she’s
    done what???? ballsack says what? memoirs of a… nobody?
    if her’s are worth $2 mill how much is Momma’s worth?

  257. Of course, the top few percent own more wealth than the bottom half..

    Those poor little wealthy folks, always envying the people who don’t make enough money to pay taxes!

  258. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    ProducerChris: “The Lavort”

  259. demdame says:

    Buffet paid 17.7% on the $46 mil he earned in 2006,

  260. shāf says:

    I need to run to some meetings. I’ll be back later, if I can.

  261. ProducerChris: “the Liederhosen Avenger!”

  262. demdame says:

    Bye shaf. Hope you can make it back today.

  263. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Speaking of the rich – Did you hear that Kathy Griffin is getting $2 million to pen her memoirs? Condi Rice is getting $2.5 mil, but she has to write 3 books for it.

    ———————————————————————
    I’m Not Sorry I’m Fugly: The Condi Rice Story

  264. so being a D list celebrity is more profitable than being a former member of the Bush Administration … ROTFLOL

  265. #283

    “Y Can’t Condi Read, How I Handle My Dislexia When Reading PDBs”
    by Condeleeza Rice

  266. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Approaching Sparta

  267. #273, #279 – Buffet was probably talking Federal only for that 17.7%, but yes, in extreme cases, the rich can pay less in taxes than the middle and working classes, as a percentage of their income.

  268. #287, in extreme cases, a lot less. Generally, a little less, that is.

  269. Deee Troit City Council MORONS scuttle Cobo Hall
    Deal. These greedy grasping self serving TWITS
    don’t understand the deal or all the work that
    went into crafting it except that they wanted
    more sugar personally or the deal is off. Major
    hit for poor old Detroit. North American International
    Auto Show gonna leave Detroit now for good.
    Go ahead, kill the city for yer own personal gain,
    scumbags.

  270. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    KTLK just ran the ad about how they’re holding the 3PM-6PM Eastern timeslot for Randi Rhodes. But how long can they do that.

  271. hi Frangela and the mooks!

  272. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    ALMOST SPARTA

  273. Eddie from Azusa, CA says:

    We love you Frangela! And the Steph and the Mooks!

  274. demdame says:

    SPARTA warm-up, me me me me!

  275. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    SPARTA

  276. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    SPARTA!

  277. demdame says:

    Here goes for real – SPARTA!

  278. scooter says:

    A tectonic Sparta!

  279. MidWestRuth says:

    Hail the Undead!! Hail Sparta! Love to Frangela!!

  280. Dan the Man says:

    Happy 77th Birthday Liz Taylor!

  281. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    SPARTA IS CLOSE

  282. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Congratulations, MidWestRuth. You’ve a liftime supply of baconnaise. Enjoy.

  283. El Cid says:

    Preemptively: for those right wingers who whine that lower income workers pay very little or no federal income taxes (which is true, but doesn’t count other taxes), you may wish to remind them that the person who brought in the Earned Income Tax Credit to cut the federal income taxes of the lowest income workers was none other than RONALD REAGAN IN THE 1986 TAX REFORM.

  284. Hail to MidWestRuth, Spartan of the Day!!!

  285. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    BRAINS!

    ———————————————————————
    on white bread with baconnaise and lettuce.

  286. demdame says:

    MidWestRuth rules! Kudos to you! My dogs and I bow before you.

  287. More Deetroit Krap: Kwame skates to Texas
    after looting for years. Go Back To Jail
    you thug arrogant moron filth. And take
    Peter Karmanos with you

  288. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado says:

    So apparently my previous handle was misleading, so I’d like to point out that I have seen fire in the sky.

  289. Rich is someone who can live like an upper class professional on investment income alone.

    The dividing line between working and middle class is the capacity (if not the reality) of property ownership.

    The dividing line between the middle and upper class is more fluid, and may have more to do with education, and incidentally with income.

    The dividing line between working class and poor is basic rent and food security.

    IMO, of course.

  290. Money is like sex. Not a big deal. If you have it.

  291. 60 families own 90% of us
    hereditary aristocracy
    class war

  292. and Obama is raising taxes on HIMSELF

  293. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    MSNBC and CNN rooting for America to succeed. Those bastards!

  294. O’Reilly is GEARED toward being a miserable sonofabitch.

  295. O’Reilly: “It could happen”. And a monkey could fly out of my ass.

  296. you have to spend money to make money

  297. the gay vulcan says:

    i need to come out of the closet about something. i’m a liberal with a libertarian streak. so bobby jindal really bugged the hell out of me. he’s another example of republicans bastartdizing libertarian principles. the way they talk about gov’t and then bloating it while cripling crucial parts of it all the while quoting reagan “gov’t isn’t the solution to the problem. gov’t is the problem” really bugs the hell out of me. esspecially while they buck for the highest office in gov’t. it always seems like they’re about to say i h8 cocane and to prove to you how much i h8 cocane i’m going to shove an 8 ball of it up my nose. people who really believe in small gov’t are concerned about beurocracy getting involved in the lives of the average person and things that are extra constitutional. why can’t the libertarian party sue for trademark infringement.

  298. 317 – It’s because he hasn’t been able to sexually harrass anyone lately… ;)

  299. 319 – What liberal, communist claptrap! :lol:

  300. Repugs all like to believe they are libertarians, rugged individuals, and such. Many are “discovering” the Ayn Rand we all read back in high school. Of course, the ignorant bubba faction isn’t reading ANY books.

  301. #323

    books is fer targit practice.

  302. Keith needs to take O’Reilly to the woodshed for a good switchin’..

  303. capt says:

    SPARTA!

    I’m back

  304. capt says:

    MidWestRuth!!

    A great SPARTA if ever there was one!

    Congrats!

    *bows*

  305. I don’t think rich vs. upper class is distinguished by actual income, as I say above. I agree with Hartmann – it’s about its source. Work vs. Investment.

  306. Rich is like porn. You might not be able to define it, but you know it when you see it..

  307. scooter says:

    #311 I agree with Peter. Too much focus on defining the “rich” by their incomes and not enough on their assets. Fact is that one could have $5 million in CDs at present and make only $100,000/yr. interest. That doesn’t sound like a huge income and yet anyone with $5 million in their bank accounts is way up there on the wealth scale. Alot of rich folks have tons of assets, in fact their annual incomes often are fairly irrelevant to their overall personal wealth.

  308. capt says:

    The 1900 census considered “middle class” as any home with two live in servants.

    FWIW

  309. frakkedinme says:

    The median income in America is $50,000. I say five times that is more then rich.

  310. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Happy 77th Birthday Liz Taylor!

    ———————————————————————
    Happy 54th Birthday tomorrow Gilbert Gottfried!

  311. capt says:

    IVAN!

    woot woot!

    Has this been a GREAT show today or what?

    If not for Mama MIA – and worries about puff. . .

  312. #330, but that person making $100,000 a year on investments alone gets to play all day, whereas the engineer (an upper class professional) making that still has to show up at work every day, and worries about being laid off and losing a house same as a middle class factory worker.

  313. i’m scott from chicago and I love David Duke
    and hate poor and minorities… and I made
    all my money in the market and I hate American
    women since they loathe me…

  314. Can’t buy me love!

    (oh yes it can)

  315. demdame says:

    I want my Golden Ticket! Wonka Wonka.

  316. #332, we still have servants in our homes: they’re called machines.

  317. capt says:

    The rich are the scum of the earth in every country.

    ~ G. K. Chesterton (1874 – 1936), Flying Inn (1914)

  318. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Go to sleep, John Boy. Otherwise I’m going beat you to sleep.

  319. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Welcome to loofah talk with Bill O’Reilly.

  320. capt says:

    There are people who can barely make it on their investment income.

    GAWD forbid they had to get a real job, eh?

  321. capt says:

    If you can count your money, you don’t have a billion dollars.

    ~ J. Paul Getty (1892 – 1976)

  322. gregfitz says:

    This is a first. I caught The mooks in a mistake. It was TAMBORA , not Krakatoa that caused the mini ice age in 1815. Krakatoa did not explode until 1883.

  323. the wealthy are gonna flee the USA and start their own island, New Snob-istan.

  324. capt says:

    If the M$M and corporate media interests lie every day – why watch or listen to them?

    Seems so simple to me.

    Call me the mayor of Simpletown.

  325. MidWestRuth says:

    oh man Chris…you want Truth AND Accountability??? From O’Really?

  326. Jim, you’re wrong about Social Security.

    Social Security is an insurance program. The cap on premiums is there because there’s a cap on benefits.

    Furthermore, between FICA and interest on the treasuries SS already holds, Social Security doesn’t actually start redeeming its surplus until 2027, and then it eats up the trust fund – as it was supposed to – to cover the boomer bump.

    The real crisis is that the Social Security surplus has been a cash cow for the treasury. Starting in 2017 or so, the net monies paid into the treasury by Social Security through FICA becomes less than what Social Security pays out. The cash cow is already dwindling.

    As such, the crisis is a general revenues crisis, not a SS crisis.

    Thus, removing the cap (and saying that SS is the problem) is a lie and a fraud, and Obama has bought into that fraud, sadly. The correct response is to increase income taxes on high income people.

  327. “The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

  328. capt says:

    New Snob-istan

    Is that just south of Jesusland?

    :wink:

  329. #348, and Tambora accentuated a cooling trend in Northern Europe that had been around since the late 1500s (part of the reason the kilt was invented, then abandoned!).

  330. #354

    North. (they insist on being further up the map than Jesusland)

  331. capt says:

    #356,

    lolololo

  332. #352, in addition to being dishonest (fixing a general revenues crisis through removing the FICA cap), there’s another problem with Obama perpetuating the meme that SS is in crisis: it feeds into the long-standing and widely-held belief among people under 40 that SS won’t be for them when they retire.

    This belief has utterly no basis, except for the bipartisan BS about SS constantly being in “crisis”.

  333. MidWestRuth says:

    And we need to kill off another tax haven for the rich: Deferred Income. Tax them on present value in the year they ‘earn’ those payments !!!

  334. David says:

    I think that there is another dimension to the question of “what is rich.” Having a large income is one thing, but another dimension involves net worth. For example, retirees may have no income but tens of millions of dollars in wealth. I would define rich as having a net worth north of $3million. Very rich would be $10million and up.

    I would like to see a “wealth surtax” of 1/2 of 1% per year on all wealth over $10million.

  335. scooter says:

    “Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it’s just the opposite.” – - – John Kenneth Galbraith

  336. how many times has the world seen the wealthy towering over the poor? …sometimes falling over into bloody wars?

    ancient Egyptian dynasties come to mind.
    Florence, or anywhere in Italy, in the Rennaissance…
    the “Great” Robber Barons, here in the USA a century or two ago.

    etc etc etc

  337. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #332 “The 1900 census considered “middle class” as any home with two live in servants. ”
    Instead of servants now, we have machines. The washing machine and dishwasher have replaced the scullery maid.

  338. capt says:

    #361,

    One of my most favorite quotes – and accurate!

    Thanks

  339. capt says:

    Francoidosys!

    (too much House)

    lolololo

  340. capt says:

    Boehner – “just admit Bush made us too broke to fix it!”

  341. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    Boehner JUST noticed we were broke?

    He didn’t notice it when he just spend THREE TRILLION dollars on borrowed money for a bogus war?

  342. #363, my Pakistani and Indian friends who have lived in Africa as kids (as children of bankers and doctors) had servants when they were there; and machines when they came to the states.

    Energy-wise, I remember reading that the typical middle-class American household spend enough to be the equivalent of a dozen servants’ caloric intake.

  343. Amy Outside of DC says:

    Does anyone listen through KTLK? I’m getting a password message to listen, and I’m trying to figure out if it’s KTLK or part of a crackdown on computers here at work (we lost youtube and video playback last week).

  344. and people will think he’s right because they will see an inflated budget because Obama is being honest

  345. frakkedinme says:

    ‘Get my mommy and a High Ball.’

    I just love that.

  346. Hey, you know when you’re listening to the Boner, or Billo or Mannity whining about something, and you’d just love to play a sad trombone at them? Well now you can!

    http://www.sadtrombone.com/

  347. #371, yeah, no more hiding the wars.

  348. Skyhawk says:

    Say it ain’t so Bobby Joe.

  349. capt says:

    #370,

    I just tried it and it fired up without a password. (for me)

  350. Such as to you betcha guys and gals!

  351. capt says:

    Palin: “Volcanoes? In what respect Charlie?”

    lolololo

  352. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    Mornin’
    Frangela! Yea! And love and support to Stephanie.

  353. I’m listening on KTLK now.

    Here’s the link: http://2005.progressivetalk1150.com/cc-common/ondemand/player2.html?world=st

    Open this in IE and it should work. If you are using Firefox, you need the IE Tab plug in to play it.

    Hope that helps

  354. Wow, Jim’s Reagan was so good my initial instinct was to want to pop him in the mouth.

  355. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    370-Amy, I listen through Steph’s page. Sorry about the crackdown!

  356. We taxed and spent our way to prosperity from 1933-1981, BONER.

    We borrowed and spent our way to the precipice of another depression from 1981-2008 (with four years otherwise in the middle).

  357. Amy Outside of DC says:

    Looks like they took my streaming audio away. No Frangela and Mooks for me. :sad:

  358. k to the g says:

    Morning all! We HAVE to get Obama’s back because the media and the corporations and the the Republicans are against him.

  359. capt says:

    Oh I think the mooks are right.

    Barack is a very smart guy – he is doing pretty well so far!

  360. demdame says:

    370 Amy – I’m listening thru KTLK and also have not had a password issue.

  361. On the other hand, caller, the Republicans haven’t managed to block anything yet. Water down and delay, yes, but block no.

    It’ll be better when Senator Franken is seated.

  362. capt says:

    The GOP:

    They were so strong in their beliefs that there came a time when it hardly mattered what exactly those beliefs were; they all fused into a single stubbornness.

    ~ Louise Erdrich

  363. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    When will Senator Franken be seated?

  364. Amy Outside of DC says:

    Yeah, the password thing is on my end. Will have to talk to the IT guy, perhaps I can get on the list of those allowed to stream (I’ve proven I can do it while working). They’re closing another office and moving the people to my location, and they suck. Because they can’t be responsible, we all have to suffer. For example, some on the staff are taking 2 hour lunches, so now we will all havve to sign in and out for lunch.

  365. capt says:

    It’ll be better when Senator Franken is seated.

    It’ll be better on SO MANY levels – we’ll need a little party!

    WOO HOO!

  366. #390, following Winrev’s diaries over at Kos, I’m guessing a couple more weeks.

  367. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    >> Amy Outside of DC says:
    >> Does anyone listen through KTLK? I’m getting a password message to listen, and I’m trying to figure out if it’s KTLK or part of a crackdown on computers here at work (we lost youtube and video playback last week).

    If your office is blocking it — they probably wouldn’t be asking for a password.

    BTW, I am SO HAPPY the SMS web site is now streaming the show with standard MP3 streaming. My creaky old computers do so much better with non-fancy formats. Thanks Chris or whoever decided that.

  368. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    Is the “family emergency” one of her sick dogs? She mentioned that last week.

  369. capt says:

    Family emergency?

    BAH! – it sounds bad. :(

  370. shāf says:

    #390 Sen. Harry Reid is making noises that Franken will be seated in April, regardless of the status of Coleman’s challenges.

  371. Amy Outside of DC says:

    Has there been any mention of the “family emergency”? Was there a 2 for 1 sale on box wine? Is Max the rescue puppy ok?

  372. #397, once the challenge is over, the MN SoS will have to certify. Coleman can appeal, but it’ll take (an unlikely) injunction to stop certification.

  373. capt says:

    It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.

    ~ Kin Hubbard (1868 – 1930)

  374. scooter says:

    That buy on Hardball was Darrel Issas, scumbag millionaire.

  375. I have a feeling that the family emergency might be one of Steph’s old dogs.. I’d understand perfectly.

  376. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    There has been some significant research on income and happiness.

    It is a little relative, if I remember correctly. Some of it has to do with RELATIVE wealth and expectations.

    But there is also an absolute minimum baseline where nobody is happy below it.

  377. Amy Outside of DC says:

    “If money can’t buy happiness, I guess I’ll have to rent it.” — Weird “Al” Yankovic.

  378. #403, Thom Hartmann talks about this research occasionally.

  379. k to the g says:

    Shout out to Mama and her family. WE LOVE YOU, Steph! We’ll keep the liveblog warm for you. Major shout out to FRANGELA! We love you, man! (Insert Boehner blubber). :-D

  380. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    >> van Louise Hussain Biggin says:
    >> I have a feeling that the family emergency might be one of Steph’s old dogs.. I’d understand perfectly.

    I wasn’t criticizing, BTW. Her dogs are obviously one of the most important things in her life.

    She mentioned a few days ago that one of her dogs was ailing. How many does she have? Do you know? At least three, I think.

  381. #404, I was so close to going there myself. I love how that song is done in a Roaring ’20s style.

  382. capt says:

    People have a hard time living stress free if they are one paycheck from eviction.

  383. you know I think I am much happier when I don’t have to worry where the money is coming from so I can visit my parents, or pay my bills so my credit rating doesn’t go down, or get the plumber in when there is a leak instead of relying on a bucket until the check comes.. and I really like being able to get a car that isn’t as old as my marriage.

  384. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #407 If I’m remembering right, there was Puff and Poo Bear. Puff passed away and she got Max the rescue puppy. Maybe Poo is sick?

  385. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    >> PeterW the Robobagpiper says:
    >> #403, Thom Hartmann talks about this research occasionally.

    Yeah, I remember that. I also think I heard an author of the study on NPR.

    In my feeble memory, I recall that there is an absolute minimum where you can’t be happy. Above that, happiness is often related to expectation and relative wealth. It’s a social expectation, so to speak.

  386. shāf says:

    I think we’ve already seen enough of Octo-Mom’s skin, thank you very much!

  387. Skyhawk says:

    These guys have basically shot their own boogieman.
    http://uk.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUKN2629472820090226

    Neo-Nuts celebrate killing a non-issue.

  388. capt says:

    Octo-mom – more kids – I hope someone has a stern talking to with that crazy lady.

    For the sake of the 14 already here – someone hold her down and tie her tubes!

  389. shāf says:

    Kenny already did that on South Park!

  390. capt says:

    Totally a real patriot.

    (the caller that is)

  391. 412 – Amy, she still has Puff.

    Also, have you tried listing thru NovaM? Here’s a link:

    http://www.1190novam.com/DynamoPages.php?PID=22

  392. shāf says:

    OMG, Frances is off the hook! :lol:

  393. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    I can’t bring myself to care about “Octo-Mom.”

    But I do care that conservatives are tying to use her as some example that we need to crack-down on poor single mothers, everywhere.

    Clear, “octo mom” is so unusual, I don’t there there are any large lessons we can learn from her.

  394. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #416 No point in tying her tubes, she’s infertile. All of her 14 children were concieved through procedures other than the standard horizontal mambo.
    Right from the start, the universe was telling her not to have any kids, she ignored it and went to a fertility clinic.

  395. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    I’m all alone in the office, giggling at Frangela!

  396. get republicans to open their wallets? got a crow bar?

  397. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    425-exactly, Cindy!

  398. Ooo. I love to dance the little sidestep!

  399. capt says:

    #424,

    We are there with ya!

    You are never alone when you have friends!

  400. shāf says:

    (Waves down the road to caller) Hi!

    Charles Durning’s song was from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

  401. capt says:

    I know a few very rich people – almost to a person – they all throw nickels around like manhole covers.

    You get and stay rich by spending money.

  402. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #420 (pass to the left, hehe) Then I guess Poo was the one that passed. Maybe Puff is the sick family member?

  403. shāf says:

    “Look this good after 500 years, you try!”

  404. Yoda’s dark secret is that 900 years before, he went by “Fozzy” and worked on a variety show.

  405. shāf says:

    Yep, Today and Lenno. That’s all NBC have soon!

  406. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    428-capt, I was just thinking that I’m happy – generally optimistic – because of people in my life. :-D

  407. In the “prequel” films, the Jedi jumped around a lot. In the “classic” films (4-6) the Jedi/Force characters weren’t as mobile for whatever reason.

  408. People are ANGRY and the GOP is Out of Power, Out of Touch, and Running out of Time
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/27/11537/1149/160/702581

  409. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #433 In the Lego Star Wars video game, Yoda is one of the characters you can unlock and play has. He moves veeeeeeeery slowly, unless you bring out the lightsaber. Then he moves as fast as the rest of the characters.
    Lego Star Wars is a lot of fun. When you shoot a bad guy, they explode into Lego pieces. :smile:

  410. 440 – I think that should happen IRL whenever you shoot someone

  411. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #415 “Aides to President Barack Obama have said he has no intention of trying to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, but that has not stopped some Republicans from raising the issue.”

    Why let reality interfere with talking points? Standard Republican operations.

  412. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    439-The “Party of No”

  413. #441, it would be lego pieces and blood in real life.

  414. Just stepping in to lob another one while having lunch, then back to the pressure cooker.

    Clear Channel a ’slumboard’ owner.

    http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1154961

    They’re letting their unused billboards fall into such disrepair that they’re becoming eyesores.

    Whatever Stephanie’s emergency is, I hope everything’s OK.

  415. demdame says:

    #440 Amy – I love the Lego movie re-enactments on youtube. Have you seen them?

  416. k to the g says:

    People will get you through times without money better than money will get you through times without people. (or is that drugs?…uh…forgot :mrgreen: )

  417. well have a good weekend everyone .. I gotta go pick up a kid

  418. Skyhawk says:

    We love you Steph!

  419. Nobody wants a Chris-in-a-box!

  420. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    Bye, Cindy

  421. demdame says:

    Bye Cindy. Feel better soon.

  422. 448 – Any kid in particular, or should we be worried? :lol:

  423. shāf says:

    Bye, Cindy. Have a great weekend!

  424. Strider says:

    447 right now I’ll take both…

  425. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #446 I haven’t seen them on youtube, I will check them out from another computer.
    In the game, as the story unfolds, there are short films where Lego characters act out actual scenes from the movie, then it leads to the next level of play. For example, there’s the scene where Luke is learning the force on the Millenium Falcon, and he accidentally decapiates C3PO.

  426. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    While I am very optimistic about Obama and support almost all of his big vision there is one area I’m very worried:

    Afghanistan.

    I’m not at all convinced that the US can win there.

  427. k to the g says:

    Chimpy Bush has a sickness no amount of money can fix, EVER.

  428. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    Sam Wall became a GAZILLIONAIRE off of poor people.

  429. demdame says:

    Great caller Karl – exactly right!

  430. Didn’t Dubya once say people didn’t have to worry about health ins. they could just go to an emergency room?

  431. k to the g says:

    458. Maybe there’s a SMART way to take care of Afghanistan

  432. capt says:

    I’ve learned that all a person has in life is family and friends. If you lose those, you have nothing, so friends are to be treasured more than anything else in the world.

    ~ Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park, Prehistoric Ice Man, 1999

    *group hug*

    *all positive thoughts to Mama*

  433. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    Or is it “Walton” — whatever that guy’s name was, he knew that working people people fuel the economy.

  434. capt says:

    Over a billion humans live on less than a dollar a day.

    That’s $365.00 a year (I think)

  435. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    464-right on, capt

  436. Strider says:

    458 We can’t win Afghanistan unless we win northern territories in Pakistan. How’s that going to work?

  437. shāf says:

    A lot of us are Frangry! Thanks for giving us a safe way to vent.

  438. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #458 Afghanistan was once a very Western country. In the 70s, women would walk down the streets of Kabul wearing makeup and mini skirts (and no burkas).
    From what I have studied, the people of Afghanistan are incredibly tired of war, that’s why they welcomed the Taliban at first. If the presence of American troops could guarantee their safety and ensure they could feed their families, they would be treated as liberators.
    GWB messed it up, he toppled the government in 2001 and then moved onto Iraq. Obama’s got to stabilize the region because GWB never bothered to.

  439. Strider says:

    460 No, not Sam. It’s his kids who are to blame.

  440. capt says:

    If starting with a bunch of money makes it possible to get that much richer, what happened to the banks and Wall street?

    They didn’t have enough to start with – really?

    WTF!

  441. scooter says:

    Malcolm Forbes, asked on best to become rich, famously said [paraphrased]: “Choose rich parents and have them die young.”

  442. Skyhawk says:

    Harry Reid is too much of a punk to stand up to the rethugs.

  443. shāf says:

    Caller needs to see this Huffington Post article:

    The Myth Of The Filibuster: Dems Can’t Make Republicans Talk All Night
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/23/the-myth-of-the-filibuste_n_169117.html

  444. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    475-Reid seems more like a wuss than a punk.

  445. k to the g says:

    Bye Frangela and Mooks and emooks! Have a great weekend!

  446. capt says:

    Again, I’m convinced most of these GOPhers were abused as children

    Have a stellar weekend all of you all!

    See ya on Monday.

  447. demdame says:

    Bye Frangela, Chris, Jim and all you wonderful bloggy folks! Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

    And all good wishes to Stephanie.

  448. Strider says:

    Have a good weekend all. Best wishes to Steph!

  449. shāf says:

    Thanks for filling-in ladies.

    Loving thoughts for Stephanie today. Hope everything is okay.

    Have a great weekend everyone!

  450. #476, yeah, that article really did open my eyes.

  451. Skyhawk says:

    See you guys Monday. Pray for Mama!

  452. Amy Outside of DC says:

    #474 Making money the old fashioned way – inheriting it.

  453. Sarah in Santa Cruz says:

    Good thoughts to Steph. Thanks to Frangela and the mooks. Have a great weekend, All!

  454. Amy Outside of DC says:

    Have a great weekend, y’all.

    IT guy just told me I’m getting a new computer. Hopefully I’ll be able to listen to SMS next week. Let this heavily restricted computer go to someone who can’t be trusted.

  455. Good Morning/Afternoon! Sorry about not being on but I fell asleep because I woke up at insane o’clock! Anyways thank you Frangela and the mooks for substituting while moma was gone have a great day!

  456. GeorgeM says:

    Hour #2 in the StephCast seems to be truncated – both from the feed and when I came here to try a direct download. Anyone else notice this?

  457. calikimk says:

    according to his 4 priciples- he just defined liberals

  458. Ron "McLovin" Luce says:

    It’s appropriate that the spokepeople for the GOP are
    1) a drug addict
    2) a pretty smart 13 year old
    3) a really dumb plumber.

  459. zbncvasg says:

    zbncvasg…

    zbncvasg…