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America's 2008 Primary Election's Greatest Hits!

Gordon Winslow — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:41:55 +0000

As everyone knows, there are few things more intimately tied than great music and presidential elections. This has never been more true than during this cycle, where modern technology has made it easier than ever for musicians to blast homemade campaign anthems to voters throughout the United States and to Barack Obama's voters in Europe.

As of yesterday, the primaries are wrapped up, and the general election has officially begun. While I expect many, many great songs to be produced between today and the first Tuesday in November, now is the time to buy this very special retrospective collection--America's (the Country, not the Band's) 2008 Primary Election's Greatest Hits!!!

You simply must own this album. Otherwise, you might forget about such wonderful moments such as these...

Although she didn't win, Hillary had a lot of enthusiastic supporters who put eighteen million cracks in the glass ceiling (and it's about to start raining shards into the hearts of the American people).

Some of those noble supporters strapped on their dancin' shoes and performed this classic number, which answers the question that's been running through many a head for many a year--what if, in a Star Trek "Mirror, Mirror" universe, Jackson Five patriarch Joe's opposite was Pat Boone? And what if Pat Boone had been a Democrat, making it even more opposite? Well, the end result might have sounded a little something like this:

Senators Clinton and Obama had a very close race. Some very nasty people have posited that negative reaction to this song may have provided Obama with the edge he needed he pull it out--music does have that sort of power, you know. However, I haven't seen any good, solid polling to prove that, so I dismiss the possibility.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, no one created any songs for Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, or Mitt Romney (not even Donny & Marie), although there are rumors of an underground album devoted to Fred Thompson. Only one Republican candidate inspired a song of high enough quality enough to break into the general consciousness, and that candidate was the eventual nominee, Senator John McCain:

The McCain Girls would release at least one other song, "Here Comes McCain Again," before being relegated to an undeserved oblivion. Unfortunately for Senator McCain, his girls turned out to be an illusion, the product of a comedy act rather than sincere supporters. The blow to his campaign was like a bamboo switch in a prison camp, as the song had inspired millions.

Of course, the breakout hit from the album America's (the Country, not the Band's) 2008 Primary Election's Greatest HitZZ!!1! belonged to will.i.am:

Barack Obama, in his infinite wisdom, so much loved this song about Barack Obama that he put it on his list of top ten favorite songs of all time. Because Senator Obama is a humble man, it was only ranked number ten, although critics generally agree that it is a much better song than "Gimme Shelter."

will.i.am, like all brilliant artists, realized that the sequel is almost always better than the original, and so created one. However, Senator Obama, being a keen politician, cast forth his gaze upon the vast swathes of filthy humanity set before him and saw that his more fervent supporters were being unfairly maligned as obsessive, cult-like, and a bit creepy, and recognized that people endlessly chanting "O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!" might reinforce this impression to the bitter, clingy masses, who, sadly, also have the right to vote:

So that his future minions should not become unduly alarmed, and hence vote away their opportunity to become his future minions, Senator Obama kindly requested that will.i.am stop writing Obama songs at a meeting they had near a south-side Chicago bus stop. Mr .am hasn't been heard from since, but the word from Tony Rezko is that he sleeps with the fishes, which I assume means that he is resting up at his manse whilst enjoying the soothing, gurgling gurgles of his many saltwater aquariums. He is reputed to be an expert on miniature shark and octopi, and quite the collector thereof.

Another possibly over-enthusiastic Obama supporter was Ludacris. He was kindly asked to be silent after using a very naughty word that starts with a "B" to refer to Obama's fierce female rival, and making handicapped jokes about Obama's cruelly-tortured-and-crippled-for-life war veteran rival, thereby alienating everyone in America who wasn't named will.i.am or will.c.ayers.

Ludacris was last seen at the same Chicago bus stop, perhaps honing his pitch to become vice-president in an Obama administration.

Returning to the other side of the aisle: Once McCain's nomination had been secured, hip-hop maestro John Rich, of Big & Rich fame, decided to get into the act. Fearing that he could not compete with the hip-hop masterpieces already unleashed in this magical, mystical primary campaign, he opted for a more rockin' approach.

The song was received fairly well by Sean Hannity, but millions of Americans wondered, "Where the hell is Cowboy Troy?" (Somewhat shockingly, that question was not asked regarding the whereabouts of "Big.")

Alas, the primaries are now over, but fear not! Now that the general election has begun, many more musicians have promised to write songs for Senator Obama, and it is quite certain that Senator McCain will have troubadours on his side as well.

To reward any musicians who would like to write songs for his campaign, John McCain has invited all interested to pick up their guitars and banjos and head to the new venture Cindy McCain is opening with her massive millions, John McCain's Hanoi Hilton Huntin' Ranch! Guests will be treated to a big-game hunt featuring special guests Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney. It promises to be a lot of fun--however, no phones are allowed, so visiting musicians are advised to tell their loved ones not to worry if they aren't heard from for awhile.

At the same time, Barack Obama has earmarked funds for a giant new bus station in Chicago, and has invited all musicians interested in writing songs for his campaign to the opening ceremony. Dave Stewart will cut the ribbon.

AmeriKKKa'z (the Country, not the Band'z) 2008 Primary Election'z Greatezt Hitz!!1!!'z is available only now and only through this special On Deaf Ears offer. Plus, if you order now...

My Wailin' About Palin: Did He Vet Her? He Had Better!

WittyDitty — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:24:22 +0000

What is more important
Than the person that you pick
To take over as the President
Should your own heart fail to tick?

You are choosing for a nation
Full of people with no choice
Who should be the next Vice President?
We the People have no voice!

Whom you choose reveals your inner thoughts,
Your fears, your hopes, your goals.
Whom you choose should come from serious thought
Not a reflection of the polls.

When Obama picked Joe Biden
Did the pollsters start to call
On all Hillary supporters;
“Did Obama drop the ball?”

Did the pollsters say that Hillary’s votes
Were based upon her gender?
That it didn’t matter who you picked
So long she’s handy with a blender?

Did McCain believe that Hillary’s votes
Were based only on her sex?
Can you give us some more credit
For being more complex?

A governor for two years
With five kids up in Alaska?
OK what was he thinking?
I really have to ask ya.

What does this say about McCain?
That his judgement’s not that good?
Did he vet her? He had better!
Did he pick the best he could?

Republican Inspiration and A New Haircut

earthtojeremy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:22:10 +0000

I love productive days!

Despite having a lack of sleep the night before, I caught up on my sleep deprivation this morning. My late awakening left me with little time to make my protein-packed special oatmeal creation and enjoy it, so I opted for the quicker toast w/sunflower butter and scrambled eggs. Plus, I'd have time to stop at Starbucks for a coffee and hopefully catch a smile from Super Cutie {the cute barrister I recently discovered!} But I digress, I kissed my cat, Nala, goodbye and drove off to Starbucks. Super Cutie was in charge of the drive-thru so I didn't pay too much attention to him, but I did have a quaint conversation with the girl who poured my coffee and after I mixed and stirred my grande dark roast coffee to perfection I headed to the office. The ride to my new office is less than 2 miles from my home and is usually a breeze. However, as I'm driving down Peachtree Road enjoying the warm Atlanta air, sipping my coffee while listening to Lois Reitzes' soothing voice between the classics I notice the traffic ahead and I'm ony half way to work. I was so lucky to have my cup of ambition with me because child, I had to wait for 1 traffic signal to change 9 times before I could take my turn and the whole morning could have easily been a complete disaster. But instead of letting the traffic insanity consume me I decided to act like the "non-yankee yankee" I am and was obnoxiously courteous to everyone who needed to be let in or out of a parking lot, lane or intersection along my way to work. I felt the urge to politely remind the others that they weren't the only ones on the road. Believe me, the drivers behind me were not happy! Lois' voice returned just in time to crank up the volume to drown out the beeping retardemo behind me {retardemo (ri-tahr-dim-oh) [n.] 1.) a complete, fucking idiot. 2.) a dumbass. 3.) an inconsiderate fool}.

When I arrived at the office I was perkier than a 1980's cone-shaped bra and I knew I was going to have a fabulous day! Before I started my tasks for the day I set up an appointment for an overdue haircut after work. I called Oasis to make sure they'd accept my complimentary haircut coupon and scheduled a cut for 5:30 pm. Before I knew it I had multi-tasked my way to 5pm and headed off to get my hair'did. Once I arrived I was greeted promptly and was offered a beverage. I noticed the salon was a bit froo-froo but had a fun vibe. My stylist, Kristen, took care of me and we collaborated on how to make use of my stubborn cowlick. After a good 40 minutes and some razor texturing I felt ten pounds lighter with a renewed vigor I only get when I leave a salon. I tipped Kristen $10 and hauled ass. As I awaited patiently for valet to return my car I was thinking of three things: I need food, I need to go for a run and then get ready for John McCain to accept his party's nomination.

I've fallen in love with politics during the past several years and was almost as excited to watch the Republican Convention as I was for the Democrats'. Anyway, I got home and made my dinner and turned on the RNC channel which was about to start live feed from the convention. Nala and I were meowing back and forth about how most of the speeches during the previous nights were aimed at trying to convince us that the Repubicans would really cut taxes this time, preserve our liberties, and protect us from evil. We both laughed and meowed until I finished my dinner. I did fit in an interval cardio run around the neighborhood and made it back just in time to hear Cindy McCain introduce her husband. This was the first time I've heard her speak and the previous nights Cindy had been portrayed as a loving mother, a humanitarian, a successful business woman and a First Lady we could be proud of--yet when she took the stage and opened her mouth it seemed like she had never used a teleprompter before. Her delivery started off horrible and didn't improve much. I mean, when is she going to learn how to speak in front of audiences? I thought that was a prerequisite for the position?! Anyway, poor Cindy's speech should have been pre-recorded and edited so it could have come off more sincere. Isn't that the message the Republicans are trying to emulate? That they care and are sincerely going to change Washington? Oh wait, they had the last 8 years to do that and they blew their chance. Again, I digress.

As I was awaiting the Maverick to speak I opened up my laptop and started to open my email to help pass the time ... and then there he was! John McCain walked center stage, the lights were off except for a spotlight on McCain with a white glow around him; 'twas a very dramatic entrance. The lights came on again as he walked to the podium. After less thank you's than Barack Obama & Hillary Clinton convention speeches combined, McCain's speech started out and continued to be lackluster but still covered the standard Republican talking points. All of a sudden I began to listen again as I heard McCain attempting to emulate Obama. McCain was urging his listeners to be more involved with their communities, to serve, to give, to "help feed a hungry child and help an illiterate adult to learn how to read." I was so inspired I continued reading an email I got from MoveOn.org asking me to write a letter to a local publication to shed light on the truth about Sarah Palin and the distorted facts included in her speech. I was so inspired I wrote and sent my letter to all 13 suggested newspapers to express my viewpoints. I want to share with you my letter...

Again, I was feeling quite fabulous from a great, productive day, a spectacular haircut and a recent high from running:

The Truth About Palin: Americans Know Better

Governor Sarah Palin's political attack speech last night fabulously distorted the facts and was full of evil-spirited zingers that seemed straight out of Karl Rove's handbook. Please don't be fooled by the perfectly crafted and carefully selected choice of words created for her by George W. Bush's speech writer. Palin is just another politician, chosen to be the V.P. nominee only because she is a polished female politician. Ouch, I know ... it sounds so bad when you say it outloud! But let's face it, the McCain Campaign and the Republican Party knows that without a woman on their ticket they don't stand a chance. I am not a fool, and I believe neither are most Americans.
I know the facts about Palin and would like to share a few. Palin asserts she doesn't support the Bridge to Nowhere, well, not anymore, but she did in 2006. Her social views are even scarier. Palin's thinking is in align with the Bush Administrations' approach to education; teach creationism in school and support an abstinence-only approach to sex-ed. It's like she's living in the 1950's.
I am neither a Democrat or a Republican, just an ordinary American that desperately wants other Americans to know the truth about the candidates so we all can make the right choice for the Presidency this time. We don't need more politicians in Washington with close ties to Big Oil, like Palin! I urge anyone who is thinking of supporting the McCain/Palin ticket to please research these candidates' true positions and consider the real consequences of what could possibly be a third Bush term.
I hate to quote Hillary Clinton, but believe her words "No Way, No How, No McCain."

***

What a great way to end the day! Now, Nala and I will cozy up and go to bed. Good nite;)

Palin's Sex Will Draw Votes

eyeingtenure — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:59:58 +0000

It seems accepted knowledge that America's women are smart enough that they won't vote McCain just because his running mate is a woman. That would be true if, and only if, America's women were any smarter than America's men.

Not so, you sexists. After all, it was not six months ago when my mom told me she supported Hillary Clinton. I asked her why.

Because she's a woman. I've been waiting for this for a while. I think we need to see a woman president. She won't mess it all up.

She chuckled her mom chuckle. I groaned inside.

After trying to convince her that she was using particularly bad reasoning, my mom gave me one of those familiar "I guess you're right" sighs, and we changed the subject. I'm not sure I changed her mind.

Whether or not you want to vote for John McCain, and whatever you think about Sarah Palin, having a woman on the Republican ticket will draw votes their way. However well Mondale and Ferraro know that a unconventional vice presidential pick how many votes that amounts to might not be enough, those votes will, in some quantity, materialize.

In a normal election year against a reasonably popular figure --- say, 1984 --- those votes wouldn't amount to much. This is not a normal election year.

Consider this: At least some part of Hillary Clinton's highly mobilized, energized electorate voted for her because she was a woman. Which way will that no less energized part vote when, feeling betrayed by their party, are subsequently given the opportunity to vote in a female vice president?

Guess which way John McCain's betting.

Senator Clinton speaks out

freeandy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:05:29 +0000

Senator Hillary Clinton also speaks out on Andy's case:

Sarah Barracuda--Sarahchuda Thursday 9-4-08

celloman — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:17:45 +0000

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2008

Sarahcuda

It's too easy to start with the "pit bull with lipstick" line. But the world heard a new voice last night at the Republican convention, and it was the sound of a home-grown politician who knows how to deliver incisive rhetoric with a winning smile. One of her nicknames is Sarah Baracuda; hence, Saracuda.

I could only imagine what Hillary was thinking: maybe "I could take this girl in a New York minute." Maybe she was thinking, "I'll take her in 2012;" but that's a post for a later day.

It was fascinating to hear women with microphones opine that Palin should stay at home, or at least in Alaska, and take care of her womanly responsibilities; and none of these women were Republican conservatives. We've come a long way on women's rights.

It was also interesting to hear the comparisons of analysts--Palin vs. Obama--as if the Obama vs. McCain comparison is so clear that the conclusion is foregone. Maybe McCain's age requires the comparison, but Palin hasn't topped out yet on what she can learn and learn quickly.

What is becoming clearer is that if the American public wants change in Washington, the McCain-Palin combination is more likely to deliver than would an Obama-Biden team.

No one is yet talking about coat tails, but if last night's energy would indicate that the Republican party is ready to roll--as is the Democratic party, I should add.

The difference, I hope, will be a plain portrayal of what each administration will do if given power. Details, we need, not dreams.

Finally, I think it's interesting that the vice president picks of both parties are so critical; they may decide the election.

Obama could have chosen Clinton and pooled their support groups; but he chose Biden (and maybe now wishes he hadn't). It has been described as a safe, conservative choice. Timid but not weak. Not one that promises a shakeup of Washington policies (at least no promise has not been laid out there for the public to hear). Not the strongest political choice he could have made. It made him vulnerable to a Republican counter choice--like Sarah Palin.

In contrast, McCain chose boldly. Rather than working to get a single, he went for the home run. Maybe someone told him he needed a home-run choice to win, or maybe he sensed the weakness of the Biden choice. Whatever the case, I think the Republican party is tingling with excitement and anticipation. Republicans are looking forward to Boden-Palin debates.

These two VP choices made the election a horse race. Thanks to both presidential candidates. The country now awaits to learn concrete plans and revealed personalities.

Stand up, Hillary!

PJ — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:35:03 +0000

Tell them:

"My fellow Americans, I disagree with Gov. Palin on many things, but today, I stand shoulder to shoulder with her and women across this great country in saying "no more". We must never remain silent in the face of prejudice in any form. Rosa Parks was not silent. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was not silent. Sojourner Truth was not silent. And we cannot be silent today. Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for us to remove the cloak of journalism from the backs of those individuals who would use that cloak to demean, to deride, and to destroy women who dare to try to break the highest glass ceiling of them all. We must stand together, men and women, young and old, Republican and Democrat to say "ENOUGH"! Because when any one of us is marginalized, we are all cut down. Together, we can make a difference - that is what America is all about, and that is what makes this country of ours great. Thank you."

C'mon Hillary and you other women (men too) who represent "all" of us... stand up and say we're not going to take it any more!

Palin's Speech

whitemanforobama — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:13:56 +0000

Quick thoughts about the speech:

1. Presumably Hillary's ascent to the Presidency has become more difficult if Palin remains the sparkle in GOP'rs eyes

2. I challenge the conventional wisdom that is was a phenomenal speech. Only great if your idea of great speeches is incessant attacks and hucking the proverbial red meat to the base on the convention floor. These speeches are not great speeches, they are entertaining speeches.

3. "What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick" - says a lot in my opinion and worth noting that it was apparently not a part of her prepared remarks.

4. Two words: Macho Bluster. Think we've had enough of those two traits the past eight years. Her femininity softens it a bit but it's all there. It's everything is black/white and my way or the highway. Great dictators possess those qualities, not great leaders. Will be interesting to watch if she softens the stance a bit but doubt the GOP has any interest in that as they're already lining her up for 2012.

Lehman Brothers Dead Cat Bounce

Anthony M. Freed — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:59:55 +0000

Could this be Lehman’s Final Throws? Time is literally running out on Dick Fuld and the Lehman Brothers crew, as rumors of a rescue by the EBA (Every Bank in Asia) evaporated, and the Days Trading Turned Dim. To me , risky maneuvers reek of panic and desperation:

Lehman Brothers, the ailing Wall Street bank, is working toward a radical solution in its fight for survival: Splitting itself into a"good" bank and a "bad" one.

Lehman, which has been searching for a financial lifeline from outside investors, is contemplating placing about $30 billion of troublesome commercial mortgages and real estate that it owns into a new publicly traded company - the "bad" bank. The rest of Lehman - the "good" one - would then be able to carry on with the help of a cash infusion from one or more investors.

The move is one of several under consideration as Lehman prepares to report what could be grim third-quarter results this month. But the good bank/bad bank idea is hardly new. Several troubled financial institutions took similar steps in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

If Lehman goes through with the plan, the firm itself would probably inject $6 billion to $8 billion in equity into the new company, people briefed on the matter said Thursday. Lehman would also provide debt financing for the company and could raise additional money from outside investors, who would benefit from any recovery in the market for commercial and residential real estate assets.

A spokeswoman for Lehman declined to comment.

Boy, if I were a spokesperson for Lehman Brothers, I would be looking for another job - unless I knew they needed me and only me to inform the press corpse that outside of telling them I have no statement, I have no statement.

Still, not enough job security for me. They continue:

The fate of Lehman is one of the biggest questions hanging over Wall Street, where concern about the health of the financial industry and the broader economy sent the Dow Jones industrial average into a 345-point tailspin on Thursday.

Lehman, among the largest underwriters of mortgage-backed securities, has been brought to its knees by the running credit crisis. The firm's hard-charging leader, Richard S. Fuld Jr., has been trying to sell some of the bank's troubled commercial mortgage holdings, but has failed to find enough buyers.

Lehman's next results are likely to underscore its precarious position. Analysts expect the firm to write-down as much as $5 billion of commercial real estate holdings and to post a loss of $2.49 a share.

Splitting off troubled assets would help Lehman attract new investors, many of whom have been reluctant to put money into the troubled financial industry.

Sure, the move will make Lehman more attractive to investors - wanted and unwanted alike. In more ideal credit markets, such a move would be applauded for the very reasons stated above, but given the current drought of liquidity, such a move will make Lehman more vulnerable to hostile takeover.

Neuberger Berman is a sitting duck without the protection the tainted portfolios offer. The new company will never make it through this recess-stag-flation cycle we are in, and will be in for a few years. Nobody wants the crap, remember?

At least not until we are a little further in the game.

Lehman's best bet is to use what everyone wants from them - Neuberger and some Hedge Funds - as leverage to entice those who do have money to invest, and take some of the pressure Lehman is feeling from their nearly radioactive real estate portfolios.

Splitting the assets like this is suicide, and it will not pay the bills.

Dead Cat Bounce?

When you take in combination the state of the Markets Today, the virtual Hot Pot of Rumors from Asia, and the Diminishing Confidence in the Finacialsas a whole, and then take a look todays chart next to the three month and at the one year charts for Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch, you have got wonder if that is Lehman's Dead Cat Bounce... And Merrill is not far behind.

If that makes you wonder, as it has made me wonder - given that investors are treating Lehman like a Pariah now - what other factors are compounding problems and holding up a deal to save the crippled investment house? Here are a couple:

Old Tricks, New Dicks:

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. may shift about $32 billion of commercial mortgages and real estate to a new company that will be spun off in a move similar to the good-bank-bad-bank model used in the 1980s banking crisis, two people briefed on the discussions said.

The bad bank, nicknamed Spinco for now, would have about $8 billion of equity coming from Lehman, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plan is one of several under consideration. Spinco would borrow the remaining $24 billion from Lehman or outside investors. The New York-based bank would replace capital put into Spinco, whose shares would be owned by current Lehman shareholders.

(Dick's Eyes Follow You as You Move )

Lehman Chief Executive Officer Dick Fuld, Jr, 62, is under pressure to strip the firm's balance sheet of hard-to-sell assets. To raise cash needed to cope with losses from a wholesale disposal, Lehman has been talking with Korea Development Bank about a capital infusion and with private equity firms interested in buying its asset-management unit.

``The model helps banks get on with their real business, focus on their strengths, after they put the bad assets aside,'' said Michael Bleier, an attorney at Reed Smith LLP who was the senior counsel to Bank Mellon during its spin-off of bad assets in 1988. `

`We'll see it being used again during this crisis.''

Awesome - we all know how well that worked out for everybody the first time. Is this the Ultimate Set-Up or what? Get ready to get reamed.

Cascade of Woes:

Mounting chatter about a possible sale of Lehman Brothers to foreign investors is muddying the beleaguered investment bank's closely watched sale of its asset-management unit, which is anchored by Neuberger Berman, sources tell The Post.

According to people familiar with the matter, Lehman has asked private-equity investors involved in the asset-management auction to submit the next, and perhaps final, round of bids for all or part of the business by Sept. 12.

However, the bidding process has been dogged by talk of Lehman possibly nailing a fat capital infusion from the Korean Development Bank or being acquired outright by parties that include the UK's HSBC.

Some bidders believe that if Lehman either gets bought out or scores enough capital to emerge from its troubles, it might nix the sale.

As it stands now, Lehman CEO Dick Fuld is in the midst of an unprecedented juggling act that centers on shedding risky real-estate assets from its balance sheet while at the same time raising cash.

"We tend to think of these as mutually exclusive paths and we don't believe that [Lehman's] going down both paths," said one source.

Lehman officials favor a deal in which the Koreans invest in the firm because they believe the franchise will remain intact.

However, if matters become worse for the bank, Fuld will be obligated to consider a Lehman sale.

On the asset-management front, bidders are believed to include private-equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Hellman & Friedman and Bain Capital.

Sources said many of these firms were also asked to buy big stakes in Lehman or help the firm go private. However, they passed because the logistics of such a deal would be too complicated, one bank official said.

Private-equity buyers will be bidding on between 50 percent and 80 percent of Neuberger Berman, but could put in offers to buy all of it.

Neuberger is being valued by some private-equity shops at about $4 billion or $5 billion,including debt, or about 10 times Neuberger's cash flow.

Lehman's hedge fund business, the largest portion of which comprises its stake in D.E. Shaw, is being valued at between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. D.E. Shaw contributes $250 million to Lehman's top line, while the rest of the hedge-fund operation contributes around $100 million, according to sources.

Reps for Lehman and the private-equity firms either declined to comment or did not return calls seeking comment.

Sounds to me like Dick Fuld has completely lost control of his company and all negotiations. If Fuld is simply holding out for more, he ultimately dooming the company to junk status, at which point it will either be ripped to pieces or swallowed whole.

Abandon All Hope?:

Pimco's legendary bond investor Bill Gross said during "Street Signs" Thursday that his firm would be staying out of any and all bank offerings for the foreseeable future.

Banks the world over have raised $400 billion in capital, Gross said, and may need to raise much more. The problem, though, as yesterday's $1.5 billion preferred offering at Wells Fargo [WFC 29.67 -1.34 (-4.32%) ] showed, is that the institutional buyers are full, leaving only small investors to pick up the slack.

As Gross said, "There's only so many billion and a half small investor bank capital deals that can be done from this point forward."

One of my favorite philosophers - Marty Feldman - said it best...

"Well, at least it's not raining."

Oh Dear...

oldageandtreachery — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:10:16 +0000

Dear Hillary,

We're sorry. We're really, really sorry. No, really...we really are. We're so very, terribly sorry.

Won't you please, please come back and help us win this time? It's true we've let you down and we don't deserve to have you back. We're nincompoops. We're incompetent. We drank the Kool-aid. We just so wanted this guy to be the real deal. We know we didn't bother actually studying him much and we know we dissed you in the process of annointing him. Please don't hold us responsible for our idiocy. Please please PLEASE come back. You can be Numero Uno. We'll jettison Biden. Hell, we'll jettison Barry...we know he's a loser now anyhow. Just please come back. We need you. We screwed up and we're sorry.

We're really, really sorry. Really.

Signed,

The Democrats

No? Damn.

Dear Al,

We're sorry. We really, really are...

Random Political Thought

startedliving — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:47:14 +0000

What would happen if everyone who wanted her to win the nomination, wrote Hillary in on their ballot in November?

Whaa? The "hottest VP" is a WOMAN?

Sarmishta Subramanian — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:40:52 +0000

Andrew Coyne blogged last night that Sarah Palin’s speech at the Republican Convention was the best bit of political theatre he’s witnessed in years. I’d have to agree. Her performance – and it did feel like a performance, complete with that awesome baby prop, handed from telegenic person to person – was pretty spectacular. She’s tough, she’s confident, and even her fiercest critics have had to agree she’s got buckets of charisma.

Of course, as with any hot-button show, reading the reviews is half the fun, and it was hugely entertaining to watch the CNN crack team, for instance, falling all over themselves to be sensitive and non-sexist (in reporting, incidentally, on an event peppered with placards hailing “the Hottest VP” from the coldest state). Campbell Brown seized on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s response to Palin’s speech as “shrill”—would he say this if she wasn’t a woman? Wolf and Anderson and the whole gang jumped on a commentator’s mention of Palin’s speechwriter … Hold on a minute now: would we be mentioning the speechwriter if this was Bush or Obama or McCain? (Uh, probably.) And it’s pretty adorable, watching them reach for words that aren’t “spunky” or “sassy” or “feisty” (though one poster on the Huffington Post did suggest that Palin’s ready to star in her own movie – Mean Girls 2).

I’ll be honest, I’m no fan of Palin’s. Or of the screeching turn the Republicans just made toward the same old trumped-up culture wars of elections past. But the big bad liberal media, chastened by critiques of its liberalness, now being in contortions to be even more liberal…. The irony is sweet. Poor Hillary. If only she’d been a bit less “shrill,” “witchy” and had less of a “nagging voice,” and looked more like Tina Fey. It’s not just the Harball gang; the same media elites Palin blasted at last night just might have treated her better.

Concepts The Anti-War Left Can't Grasp

lonniewalker — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:21:12 +0000

Ok, I've heard all of them before and it gets really old really fast. So I decided to educate whoever holds these views because it's obvious to me, they don't know ANYTHING about the things they try to talk about. In other words, they are so far out in left field that NOBODY is playing ball on that particular field.

1. Do you honestly think the members of our military enjoy war? Use your freakin' head, they have the MOST to lose in a war. Most of the military sacrafices many things for their job. They leave their families to go fight a war. Some wind up divorced after they return because their wives moved on because they were gone so long. Blaming the military for the war is a crock of crap.

2. Most of the liberal idiots walking around spouting the Liberal talking point "This is a illegal war." Congress did support the war. It's support was given mainly because bad intell but President Bush did have the Congress' support. Consequently, people have attempted to avoid going and were charged with "Failure to go, Desertion, and AWOL.

3. We blame the soldiers for fighting the illegal war. This is rich in Bullshit. I'm in Texas and I CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE! When you enlist, you take an oath to follow the directions of congress and the president. Nowhere in that oath does it say you have a right to choose which battles you fight. Quite frankly, it's the judicial branch that decides if the war is a illegal one and not someone who lives in their parents basement smoking weed and is over the age of 30. If soldiers do walk away and not go where they are supposed to, who's going to give them jobs? The fact they went AWOL or Deserted the military, makes them unemployable. You? Hell most of you guys are unemployed. You and I will never see this topic the same because a. I moved out my parents house when I was 18. b. I'm 43 and not near as flexible as you because I can not bury my head that far up my backside as you can bury yours up your own backside. c. Unlike you, I was in the military for 20 years. d. Unlike you, I've been doing my own thinking for 25 years.

The Haditha Marines were guilty as hell and deserved to be punished. That IS NOT what the court martial trials discovered. What the hell? Did you not learn that defendents are presumed innocent until proven guilty? Since when did that disappear from the constitution? You do remember the constitution don't you? It's that piece of paper you idiots have been trying to take out all references to god out of and re-write it to include free health care.

The Haditha Marines trial was a sham? Really? The soldiers that were abusing prisoners by taking pictures of them naked were convicted by a court martial. So what your saying is that they are guilty because YOU said they were. Get a life and move out of your family's basement, quit smoking the wacky tobacco, and start living your life.

Innocent people are getting killed. Ok, I can agree with you on this one. Put yourself in a soldier's place for a second. Your driving your convoy somewhere and you start getting shot at. The first thing that happens is you get a rush of adrenelin and your heart starts pumping rapidly and you start having a panic attack. You will jump out of your vehical, take cover and start returning fire. I guarantee you, you will start shooting at anything that moves. This is known as fight or flight. At this point the soldier goes into self-preservation mode. If it moves, it gets shot at. This is the kind of people we are fighting in BOTH wars. They want to start a gun fight in a crowded area so that innocent people do get killed. That is their strategy in the nutshell. They are attempting to get the locals on their side by doing such tactics. Our soldiers have done the best job that anyone could possibly do in the absolutely worst atmosphere to do it in. They should be praised.

Bush lied! Absolutely not, if you think that then you are showing the world exactly how stupid you are. There are thousands of intel reports from different agencies. Even contractors sometimes find intel worth stuff and turn it in. So you have all of the agencies cranking out intell. You absolutely have very limited means of determining which intell reports are credible unless the souce has a good track record. That being said, Intelligence reports come down to he said she said. The ideas that Bush manufactures intelligence reports is bogus. They already were out there. When looking at intelligence and trying to make a decision, you look at EVERYTHING you have. To look back after the fact is to ASSUME or ASS/U/ME if you will. You can see 100% clear after the fact in EVERY situation. I know what the anti-war left will say, we know he lied because it's after the fact. My response is proposterous! I'm guessing the CIA prepared a long document with every bit of intell on it that pertained to Iraq for the last 3 to 4 years. Intelligence is usually as good as the word on the street and if Saddam put the word out he had nukes, of course that information will be in the intel report end-of-story.

Dennis Kasinich is going to impeach Bush! Sure and I suppose you believe in the tooth fairy too. Dennis is wasting his time because he is a loser and doesn't understand he's wasting his time. His arguments have NO substance and he can't prove any of it. It's all speculation and nothing concrete, so you continue to believe Dennis is going to impeach Bush all by himself. Your wasting your time and energy too believing in Dennis. Dennis is not the brightest bulb in the drawer. He did go to Iran and talk bad of the US. He's more than a few fries shy of a happy meal.

This liberal controlled congress has proved over and overal again it can't get things done. You people brag about speaker pelosie while she gives Bush everything he wants and more. Then you guys sit around upset because she did. Speaker Pelosie is no better or no worse than Dennis, she's also more than a few fries shy of a happy meal. Who else is your heros in Congress, Harry Reid? He is in way over his head and he's not too bright either. He's attempted to say that global warming caused the fires in California. Last time I checked most were started by lightning and it would not be as bad if the wildlife nuts hadn't mettled in the law that says you can't clear out brush. Yes this provides more fuel for the fire but I digress.

I'm sure most of you guys look at Obama as your hero. It's pathetic but whatever. Most of you are probably counting on Obama getting all of Hillary's votes and probably believe Obama will kick ass in this election. You are overlooking key elements that you should have thought of. 1. Operation Chaos. In case you missed it, this was a strategy based plan that a lot of pissed off Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney supporters engaged in over the outrage of having McCain selected for us by liberals and moderates. McCain did not need our votes to win the primary. The strategy was simple and pure genious. We created chaos in the Democratic party by keeping Hillary in the race till the end. She did what she was supposed to do, she bloodied and bruised Obama to no end. That being said, all of us will probably be voting Republican in November. All of the drive by media missed the intent. They assumed we were trying to get Hillary the nomination. That never was the goal, the point was that McCain refused to go after either one of the Democratic nominees. Who better to vett Obama than a Clinton? Well that and it was amusing to read liberals comments on drudge stating that the super delegates would not go against party lines. LMFAO. It was more fun than watching TV. I had a good laugh at they're expense while they attempted to deal with the chaos that ensued. 2. Another fine point is how many Hillary supporters who supported Hillary because she was a woman will jump party lines and support John McCain and his VP pick of a female? I would say a large percentage will vote for McCain based on his selection of a female VP. That's exactly why the drive by media is attempting to slander her because they know some females are jumping off the Obama train and headed to McCain. Obama has wrecked his chances of getting the white southern men vote by his comments about us clinging to our guns and religion and showing antipathy for those who don't look like us. I was VERY affended at that comment and it's a absolute Bullshit comment. Most of the liberals were swearing that statement was true. Fine, believe what you want but in November, I suggest you plan on a DEFEAT party because Obama will NOT win. 3. Obama has lost support over his affilliations with Reverend Wright, Black Theology, Bill Aires, and Tony Resko. Most of his early voting states are just dying to correct their vote now that Obama's dirty laundry has been put out to dry.

By the way, music required for DEFEAT parties is normally blues tunes. So make sure you go stock up on some BB King, eric clapton, Long John Hunter music!

Palin is McCain's Weapon of Mass Distraction

RallyGrrrl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:16:03 +0000

Sarah Palin is not a woman politician. Sarah Palin is a Republican politician.

A letter from someone claiming to know Sarah Palin:
http://my2bucks.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/a-letter-from-someone-who-has-known-sarah-palin-since-1992/

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="226" caption="Sarah Palin - (sigh)"][/caption]

And a great article that came out even before the NY Times piece this week:
http://blackstarnews.com/?c=135&a=4835

Bullying, cronyism and banning books - what's not to love?

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Palin the Politico

kellanfitzgerald — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:26:29 +0000

I have recently become uber-interested in the race for President. I by NO MEANS consider myself to know much about anything about politics, much like many American citizens, yet I do know what I like to see from a speech writer, presenter and audience.

Last night, I sat on my couch in my blazing hot, no AC apartment, ate my Stove Top stuffing for dinner and watched Sarah Palin deliver a funny, rousing and somewhat edgy speech. As the daughter of a liberal Mother and conservative Father, I have always considered myself quite independent in my voting and opinions. Yet, last night I think I may have become a Palin supporter. Not necessarily a McCain-Palin supporter or even a Republican, but definitely a supporter of the small town, Hockey Mom values that Palin represents. Palin reminded me of any Mom throughout the small towns of our great nation... She loves her family, loves what she does, loves her country and stands up for what she believes in.

I think the moment that Palin really got me was when she joked, "You know, they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick." Her small town accent and down-home verbiage made me think that I had met her at a dance practice in Chanhassen, MN or at a St. Johns football game in Collegeville, MN. She connected with me when she claimed that she would stand up for the small business owners, like her sister, in Alaska, or the plant workers in Ohio and Michigan, or the family farm owners in Minnesota. As a child, I drove by farms and cornfields every day to get to school and I know the struggle of the family farmer. Palin seems as though she does as well.

Although I may not agree with Palins stance on a variety of issues, I think that she captured the hearts of Americans, specifically American women, this country over. She has what Hillary did not... Believeability and the aura of friendship.

I'm not sure who I will cast my vote for in a few months, but I must say that Palin brought the Republican ticket back to the forefront of American minds with her speech last night.

Regardless of the election's outcome, all players have certainly done their absolute best to represent their party and the people of the United States.

Palin was Effective (if a bit dishonest), But it Won't Be Enough. . .

jdinsmore — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:24:10 +0000

Congrats to the GOP! They have found a very likable, intelligent, effective and attractive candidate in Sarah Palin. She was an effective hit woman. But, before you neo-cons get too carried away about her, please remember the following:

1. You can't keep her on script and away from the media forever. She has never done this before. She will screw up. It's not a matter of if, but when. (Even the best candidates screw up)
2. She is under investigation for abuse of power. There is a decent chance she will not even be a governor come November.
3. She very conveniently did not mention a single one of her beliefs last night. Governor Palin is extremely far right. She is for overturning Roe v Wade, against teaching evolution and against sex education in schools despite her daughter's pregnancy. (Don't tell me I am beating up on a teenager. It is a 100% relevent topic, the same as Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter was relevent to his opposition of gay marriage. It's just worth exploring to see if Palin's opposition to sex education still stands now that she has been personally affected.)
4. John McCain is still at the top of the ticket. That's a problem.

That said, I fully expect Sarah Palin to be the GOP nominee for president in 2012.

The View from Across the Pond

poppypundit — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:38:30 +0000

Here's how the Palin speech was received by a UK correspondant:

Sarah Palin's sensational performance at the Republican Party Convention may turn out to be the tipping point of this rollercoaster American election. . . . This speech has turned the election upside down. It was simply stunning.

Even better was this prediction:

But most fascinating of all, consider this: If Obama loses, Hillary Clinton will run in 2012. Opposing her is sure to be Sarah Palin.

That would guarantee America its first woman president.

And my fistful of dollars, having seen both in action here, would be on Palin.

History in the Mixing: a baskin robbins political story

craigsloughter — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:06:51 +0000

Baskin Robbins is getting into the election spirit with two new political ice cream flavors. For the grand old party there is "Straight Talk Crunch" and the democrats can enjoiy "whirl of change". Not only are there political ice creams, you can vote for your "flavorite" ice cream online or at any Baskin Robbins store. October 21st the "flavorite" ice cream winner will be anounced. Will america chose the same winner as the ice cream?

*in a related note, the democratic flavor was not originaly titled "whirl of change" but rather "history in the mixing" the description for the flavor was "Chunks of dark chocolate-covered peanut brittle and a caramel ribon liberally swirled into a peanut-nougat ice cream." this was changed on the tag for Whirl of Change to "Peanut-Nougat ice cream whirled with chunks of chocolate-covered peanut brittle and a caramel ribbon." Looks like the didnt think they should say dark chocolate after Barack Obama won the nomination...

Baskin Robbins has become known for the themed ice creams, and has introduced political ice cream flavors before. In Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign they introduced Saxy Candidate and when JFK was runing for office they had Candi-Date ice cream. to see more political/themed ice cream check out the Baskin Robbins website.

JUST IN: SARAH PALIN BEING DROPPED FROM TICKET!

bushgirlsgonewild — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:59:01 +0000

As Republicans file out of their convention and the male Republicans begin heading over to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport men’s room, little do they realize that the McCain campaign has just pulled another 180 on them.

"Sarah was OK for a night, but I got bored about half way through her speech,” McCain was overheard saying, "and if I have to listen to that whiny nasel harpy for four f#$%ing years, I'll start reaching for piano wire."

And so now the McCain camp has decided that they need a new "wow' factor in their campaign. That’s why McCain has changed his mind, again, and will pick as his running mate R. Lee Ermey, who famously played Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the movie Full Metal Jacket.

The campaign’s focus will reflect the energy Ermey brings to the campaign:

Bumper sticker:

What is your major malfunction, numbnuts? McCain / Ermey ‘08

Catch Phrase in Ermey’s Republican convention speech to be given tomorrow night: “If we get elected, Democrats, your days of finger-banging ol' Mary J. Rottencrotch through her pretty pink panties are over!"

Republican version of Hillary's 3am TV ad:

Voiceover: It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?

Visual: McCain & Hartman are in bed together and the phone is ringing. Ermey picks it up: "If you call here again, I’ll rip your balls off so you cannot contaminate the rest of the world!”

"Palin:Don't hold a candle to Hillary Clinton!!!"

culturallyconscious — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:53:31 +0000

Wow...
Doesn't this stuff just keep getting better and better and better...

Wow!!!

You Know, before the "Reps" Veep started to speak, I was a blank page... I must say, I had great anticipation because this was to be the counter to Hillary... And we all know the credentials that Hillary has... So in my mind, this woman that the "Reps" picked would have to be outstanding in every way...
I am sure unlike others I tried not to get caught up in what the media had been reporting all day...
I wanted to give the "Reps" pick a fighting chance...
Now you all know that I am not bias in any way but always leaning on the side of "Culture!" So from a cultural stand point, the Williams sister match-up had my attention even up until the speech began...
Needless to say, the match was great...
So after, watching one of the greatest matches in History, I was ready to cheer just about for anybody...
I know you feel me...
BUT (there is that great big bad but in the room) this historic speak began and the disappointment began to roll... My first thought was this woman does not hold a candle to Hillary... For the most part, regardless of who had won the "Dems" nomination, Hillary or Obama, they would be a great representative... One only has to look at a person's resume to see if that person adds up to the task put before them... I know that the resume does not always give the hold picture, it is just a great place to start... I have always considered the "Reps" as a party of the highest standards...
But (there is that but again) this convention has changed my mind...
I am reminded of a joke I heard years ago...
The short of it is, "Frog's with no legs, can't hear!!!"
Wow...
Check it...
Lets get right at it...
I ain't hating, just making an observation...

***Disclaimer Here: For all you haters out there, this is America and anyone who speaks there mind is merely exercising their right to the freedoms this great nation stands for... So if you don't like it, don't read it!!! Dahhhh***

As I sat listening to the speech, I began to feel like I was at a PTA meeting... I didn't get the feeling that this person talking was diplomatic or professional for that matter... I hope the watered down approach, was planned and not just the way it happened...
Needless to say, that for me the speech went down hill from there... I tried to find a pivot point from which to draw a comparison that I could build on in order to develop a story worth repeating...
Oopses...
It never happened...
The one thing that was predominate during the speech was the roaring which seemed very much orchestrated applauds after every line she spoke...
This made the speech began to sound like a late night monologue...
I guess J had better watch out, she could be taking his place soon... I was also appalled at the way the "Reps" seem to mark step with each event that seem to occur effortlessly during the "Dems" convention...
In short, they seems very unoriginal but trying very hard to stay up... If this was a real race and the two candidates had to actually run a foot race against each other, there would be no race... Obama would beat McCain hands down...
Comparing the two convention, that the graphic that comes to mind... The "Reps" know that there is no way their nominee can out run the "Dems" so they struggle to add things to the course to trip Obama up... Well Palin is one of those things that the "Reps" hope with assist in tripping up or slowing Obama down...
I don't think it is working...
My brother has PTSD military related, being treated throught he VA hospital... He talks as if he is still in the military everyday... He does not believe anyone who tells hims different than he believes, but (that but again) in his mind his facts are the true facts...
So it is all in his mind...
I think when the "Reps" say that their secret weapon is the answer-all to all their woes, I say, "it is all in their head..."
J-Mc truly has an impressive resume, but (wow, big but again) all old soldier lose a step... Their brass get dull and their uniform doesn't quite fit the same... Their song bird voice begins to wean and they lose their "nine to the front and ten to the rear..." The "Reps" are trying to use a no-name Governor of a very small populous to energize the pace-maker in their party...

Wow...
Ain't this some really exciting stuff...

Now you all know that I like to keep it interesting... I want to address some of the attributes of the "Reps" new Veep...
First of all, she claim to be able to field dress a "Moose!"
I don't know about any of you, but (man that but keeps showing up) I have seen a "Moose!"
This is a massive beast who's young are big as horses... So the idea that "Ms Veep" could barely move parts of this animal to dress it is amazing...
Need I say more???
Dahhhhh!!!

Secondly, the joke about a "Hockey Mom?"
From what part of the country was she referring too???
I know quite a few "Hockey Moms" who would take issue at this joke...
I will leave it at that...

Now thirdly, Do any of you know what a "Barracuda" looks like and is normally referred too???
The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size (up to 6 ft in length and up to a foot in width, for some species [2]) and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales. It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.Barracudas are elongated fish with powerful jaws. The lower jaw of the large mouth juts out beyond the upper. Barracudas possess strong, fang-like teeth.
Barracudas occur both singly and in schools around reefs, but also appear in open seas. They are voracious predators and hunt using a classic example of lie-in-wait or ambush. They rely on surprise and short bursts of speed to overrun their prey, sacrificing maneuverability.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/images/Barracuda2006SRogerson1.jpg
The larger barracudas are more or less solitary in their habits...
Now the slang definition is
2. Slang. a treacherous, greedy person.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/barracuda

Wow...
I guess if the shoe fits????

Either way, whether we dummy down or beef up, what remains the same is that we are the ones that will have to live with our decisions in the voting booth...

Wow...
Exciting stuff...

But (big fat black but in the room)
"Palin: Don't hold a Candle to Hillary Clinton!!!"

Sarah Palin... It's a Family Affair...

bushgirlsgonewild — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:21:52 +0000

It was revealed today how Sarah Palin won her seat as Mayor of Wasilla: looks like she got her family to vote for her. Back in 1992, in a landslide victory, she defeated her only opponent in the race, Todd Gump (the guy who mows the Wasilla K-thru-10 School's lawn in the summer and lives off federal assistance during the winter), 12 votes to 11. The tie breaking vote was cast by her yet-unborn child, "Bear Trap". Her other children are named Bristol, Trig, Willow, Bridge to Nowhere, and Led Zeppelin (Alaskans must like to party during those long winters).

After serving two terms as mayor, Palin stepped aside. Then Sarah's stepmother-in-law, Feye Palin, ran for the office but lost the election to Diane Keller after Sarah Palin endorsed Keller, her cousin. Feye Palin is also Keller's second cousin and half step-sister.

When Palin became governor in 2006, her sister was in a messy custody battle with her ex-husband, Michael Wooten. Palin put herself into the middle of the divorce and tried to have her sister's ex-husband, who's also Feye Palin's half-stepson-in-law, fired from his job as a state trooper in Alaska.

According to allegations, Palin pressured Walter Monegan, the Public Safety Commissioner she appointed and who is also her husband’s half brother / half sister, to fire Wooten. Monegan refused, citing irregularity of the bowels, and was promptly fired by Palin (Sarah, not Feye). Then, Trooper Wooten, who’s also Sarah Palin’s niece from a previous marriage, filed a claim with the State of Alaska, who’s related to Sarah Palin’s nephew's aunt. Wooten’s best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl at 31 Flavor’s that it’s turned into a scandal in Alaska, and Palin is under investigation by "State Officials" (that’s not one of Palin’s children) for potentially abusing her power.

Is there a state tax incentive in Alaska to commit incest or what?