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Sharing Sacrifice.
Author: Raine
Date: 04/21/2011 12:55:41
As many of you know by now, I often listen to WTOP, a news radio station here in the area. It isn't a talk radio station, so I find it to be refreshing when I just want to listen to news. They do however have a few spots on different days to provide commentary and analysis from, as they put it "All Sides" meaning left and right, conservative and liberal. For the most part, it is winger-free. Yesterday, however, one commentator I heard just really rubbed me the wrong way. It was from Chris Core, who I have come to respect, despite his conservative leanings. His commentary is in a segment called Core Values. Please take a minute to listen to his segment from yesterday.
Click here for the MP3 It's 1:07 in time, and it's important to what I am going to say today.
Yes you heard that right. He is ashamed that 78% of Americans want to see the rich taxed more, because as he seems to think, no one wants to participate in Shared Sacrifice. Well I have news for Mr. Core, at LEAST 78% of Americans are the very people who are sacrificing while people like Donald Trump and the uber wealthy are sacrificing nothing at all. As I wrote on Monday: What struck me about the commentary is something I see from many conservatives. I'm not talking about power players, I am talking about the average person on the street. They tend to defend the tax policies that we have in place with a mindset that they may one day be one of those people earning over 250,000 dollars. They are fighting to protect something they hope to become, but - in looking at the odds - isn't likely to happen. Not with the policies that have been put in place over the last 30 years.
It's terribly misplaced thinking. I don't begrudge anyone for wanting to be wealthy, rich and well-off. But right now, this idea of shared sacrifice is NOT balanced. We clearly have a problem when a janitor has a higher tax rate than a CEO. Via Mother Jones: As Mr. Core states, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Defense are "where the money is". He's wrong. With the exception of Defense, these programs are those that provide a social safety for the very Americans he says he's embarrassed about. This is NOT where the money is. The Money is here:
Last Sunday, E.J. Dionne nailed it perfectly in his WaPo op-ed column: That idea of shared sacrifice went out the window 30 years ago. What Americans want is for the very rich to do THIER part and be Americans. I am far less concerned about the deficit as I am about making sure our nation takes care of its people. It is time for wealthiest among us to pay a fair share, It is time to stop forcing the middle and lower class to bear the economic burden in this nation.
There's plenty of Shared Sacrifice in America, it just that the richest Americans aren't doing ANY of it. This is from 2006: It shows how the poor get poorer.
Conservatives like Mr. Core seem to feel that by making an issue an either/or concept, they will win the debate. That tends to be intellectually dishonest, such as the one he put forth in his statement. When people believe in things against their own best interest, we all suffer, Perhaps that is the problem with conservative ideology in this day and age. We are all entitled to our own opinion, but we are not entitled to our own facts.
and 
Raine
Click here for the MP3 It's 1:07 in time, and it's important to what I am going to say today.
Yes you heard that right. He is ashamed that 78% of Americans want to see the rich taxed more, because as he seems to think, no one wants to participate in Shared Sacrifice. Well I have news for Mr. Core, at LEAST 78% of Americans are the very people who are sacrificing while people like Donald Trump and the uber wealthy are sacrificing nothing at all. As I wrote on Monday:
In the mean time, a grandmother on Social Security pays 22% or more in taxes, and Trump paid NOTHING.
To make matters worse, the members of the tea party 'over a certain age', may face having their Medicare completely abolished. Does anyone think the 400 super rich really have to worry about Medicare? I suspect not.
Since 1980, when Reagan won the presidency promising prosperity through tax cuts, the average income of the vast majority—the bottom 90 percent of Americans—has increased a meager $303, or 1 percent. Put another way, for each dollar people in the vast majority made in 1980, in 2008 their income was up to $1.01.
Those at the top did better. The top 1 percent’s average income more than doubled to $1.1 million, according to an analysis of tax data by economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez. The really rich, the top one-tenth of 1 percent, each enjoyed almost $4 in 2008 for each dollar in 1980.
The top 300,000 Americans now enjoy almost as much income as the bottom 150 million, the data show.
It's terribly misplaced thinking. I don't begrudge anyone for wanting to be wealthy, rich and well-off. But right now, this idea of shared sacrifice is NOT balanced. We clearly have a problem when a janitor has a higher tax rate than a CEO. Via Mother Jones:
And this, regarding the Bush Tax Cuts:Payroll taxes now make up nearly as much of federal tax revenue as individual income tax. Meanwhile, revenues from corporate taxes have decreased significantly over the past 50 years.
Last Sunday, E.J. Dionne nailed it perfectly in his WaPo op-ed column:
An enlightened ruling class understands that it can get richer and its riches will be more secure if prosperity is broadly shared, if government is investing in productive projects that lift the whole society and if social mobility allows some circulation of the elites. A ruling class closed to new talent doesn’t remain a ruling class for long.
{snip}
Yet when it comes to governing, the ruling class now devotes itself in large part to utterly self-involved lobbying. Its main passion has been to slash taxation on the wealthy, particularly on the financial class that has gained the most over the past 20 years. By winning much lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends, it’s done a heck of a job.
There's plenty of Shared Sacrifice in America, it just that the richest Americans aren't doing ANY of it. This is from 2006: It shows how the poor get poorer.
Conservatives like Mr. Core seem to feel that by making an issue an either/or concept, they will win the debate. That tends to be intellectually dishonest, such as the one he put forth in his statement. When people believe in things against their own best interest, we all suffer, Perhaps that is the problem with conservative ideology in this day and age. We are all entitled to our own opinion, but we are not entitled to our own facts.
and Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 13:06:46
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 13:06:46
Morning 
I've always thought Chris Core was a jerk, but I did see him through the old tinted glasses of the Don and Mike show - they would not say very nice things about him.
I heard that last night too - seems to me the people who don't want th "share the scarafic" at those making over 250k. Do I think that if you make that much your are rich? No, I think you are well off and can afford make plans for your money and your life. You are doing much better then me and millions of others.
I said it before, I'll say it again - I'm tired of scaraficing its time the rich and wealthy carry the water for a while
I've always thought Chris Core was a jerk, but I did see him through the old tinted glasses of the Don and Mike show - they would not say very nice things about him.
I heard that last night too - seems to me the people who don't want th "share the scarafic" at those making over 250k. Do I think that if you make that much your are rich? No, I think you are well off and can afford make plans for your money and your life. You are doing much better then me and millions of others.
I said it before, I'll say it again - I'm tired of scaraficing its time the rich and wealthy carry the water for a while
Comment by 
Raine on 04/21/2011 13:13:45
Like I said, I rarely agree with him, but often he is a reasoned conservative. That shite yesterday bothered me a lot. I hope I was able to thoroughly debunk what he said.
Raine on 04/21/2011 13:13:45
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
I've always thought Chris Core was a jerk, but I did see him through the old tinted glasses of the Don and Mike show - they would not say very nice things about him.
I heard that last night too - seems to me the people who don't want th "share the scarafic" at those making over 250k. Do I think that if you make that much your are rich? No, I think you are well off and can afford make plans for your money and your life. You are doing much better then me and millions of others.
I said it before, I'll say it again - I'm tired of scaraficing its time the rich and wealthy carry the water for a while
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 13:14:20
Raine on 04/21/2011 13:14:20
Hey Mala. This Don and Mike Show -- is it still on the air, and can I stream it?
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 13:17:11
Saddly Don and MIke are no more, ended their show about 3 years ago I think - they were more shock jock guy radio but they had momments of true funniness that I liked and they talked about behind the scenes of the radio industry that I always found interesting.
have you checked out DCRTV.com? They sometimes have the radio gossip for the area
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 13:17:11
Quote by Raine:
Hey Mala. This Don and Mike Show -- is it still on the air, and can I stream it?
Saddly Don and MIke are no more, ended their show about 3 years ago I think - they were more shock jock guy radio but they had momments of true funniness that I liked and they talked about behind the scenes of the radio industry that I always found interesting.
have you checked out DCRTV.com? They sometimes have the radio gossip for the area
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 13:20:09
Thanks for reminding me of that site. I know you have posted from there before and I forgot about it.
Raine on 04/21/2011 13:20:09
Quote by wickedpam:
have you checked out DCRTV.com? They sometimes have the radio gossip for the area
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 13:25:10
I haven't checked it as much lately - also Mike does a podcast still if your interested - they sometimes delve into politics but I think he falls for the same stuff the rest of the media does. Mike O'Meara Show
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 13:25:10
Quote by Raine:Thanks for reminding me of that site. I know you have posted from there before and I forgot about it.Quote by wickedpam:
have you checked out DCRTV.com? They sometimes have the radio gossip for the area
I haven't checked it as much lately - also Mike does a podcast still if your interested - they sometimes delve into politics but I think he falls for the same stuff the rest of the media does. Mike O'Meara Show
Comment by 
TriSec on 04/21/2011 13:52:25
TriSec on 04/21/2011 13:52:25
Morning, comrades!
A story for Raine (regarding a status update on FB yesterday)
Listening to the BBC this am about a music school that has opened in the Gaza Strip...replacing one that was destroyed during some shelling or bombing incident.
In any case, they were interviewing some of the students, and a couple of the instructors. They are working with mostly traditional Palestinian instruments and music, but at the end of the story they had everyone gather around a piano for a song.
They burst into "Do, Re, Mi" from Sound of Music...in Arabic. It is a classic method of teaching solfege.
Music is truly the one universal language; we can all benefit from learning it.
A story for Raine (regarding a status update on FB yesterday)
Listening to the BBC this am about a music school that has opened in the Gaza Strip...replacing one that was destroyed during some shelling or bombing incident.
In any case, they were interviewing some of the students, and a couple of the instructors. They are working with mostly traditional Palestinian instruments and music, but at the end of the story they had everyone gather around a piano for a song.
They burst into "Do, Re, Mi" from Sound of Music...in Arabic. It is a classic method of teaching solfege.
Music is truly the one universal language; we can all benefit from learning it.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 04/21/2011 13:57:05
Scoopster on 04/21/2011 13:57:05
Mornin' all & Happy Fr..err..Thursdee! 
Oh yeah Raine.. I know I've kinda said it a couple times and not quite delivered (my ideas fell flat or weren't researched enough to be coherent) but I've got a really good blog opener in the works with a Good Friday/Easter theme. Once I have the ending written & polished up do you mind proofing it for me?
Oh yeah Raine.. I know I've kinda said it a couple times and not quite delivered (my ideas fell flat or weren't researched enough to be coherent) but I've got a really good blog opener in the works with a Good Friday/Easter theme. Once I have the ending written & polished up do you mind proofing it for me?
Comment by TriSec on 04/21/2011 13:59:16
Well, they didn't say what kind of plane it was.
It would be easy for a smallish rodent to evade a systematic search on say, a B747. A friend of mine in the industry once told me that it takes a good cleaning crew 48 hours to clean a widebody jet after it comes in from a long-haul flight. And this was a while back; I can't imagine them giving the aircraft the same kind of attention now.
TriSec on 04/21/2011 13:59:16
Quote by Raine:
MutheF*#chin' RATS on a plane!
Well, they didn't say what kind of plane it was.
It would be easy for a smallish rodent to evade a systematic search on say, a B747. A friend of mine in the industry once told me that it takes a good cleaning crew 48 hours to clean a widebody jet after it comes in from a long-haul flight. And this was a while back; I can't imagine them giving the aircraft the same kind of attention now.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 14:12:29
Raine on 04/21/2011 14:12:29
Hey Tri mentioned yesterday that Syracuse and Philly philharmonics went under and commented that something like that wouldn't happen to a sports franchise.
While the Dodgers haven't gone under, MLB took control of the team. . It's interesting. The McCourts were mentioned in the article I used in Monday's blog.
From the Mail.UK
While the Dodgers haven't gone under, MLB took control of the team. . It's interesting. The McCourts were mentioned in the article I used in Monday's blog.
Frank and Jamie McCourt, who own the Los Angeles Dodgers, have not paid any income taxes since at least 2004, their divorce case revealed. Yet they spent $45 million one year alone. How? They just borrowed against Dodger ticket revenue and other assets. To the IRS, they look like paupers.
In Wisconsin, Terrence Wall, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010, paid no income taxes on as much as $14 million of recent income, his disclosure forms showed. Asked about his living tax-free while working people pay taxes, he had a simple response: Everyone should pay less.
From the Mail.UK
Earlier this week The Lost Angeles Times reported that Mr McCourt had arranged a $30m loan from Fox - part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp from whom they bought the club for $340m in 2004.
Mr Selig had not approved an earlier application by the team for a loan worth $200m, also from Fox, which the newspaper said was needed to pay staff.
Mrs McCourt said: 'As the 50 per cent owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I welcome and support the commissioner's actions to provide the necessary transparency, guidance and direction for the franchise and for Dodgers fans everywhere.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379166/Frank-McCourt-divorce-cost-LA-Dodgers-authorities-over.html#ixzz1KAPVxKFj
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 14:15:02
SURE! You are set up to post a blog, right? I think we set you up a while back.
Raine on 04/21/2011 14:15:02
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fr..err..Thursdee!
Oh yeah Raine.. I know I've kinda said it a couple times and not quite delivered (my ideas fell flat or weren't researched enough to be coherent) but I've got a really good blog opener in the works with a Good Friday/Easter theme. Once I have the ending written & polished up do you mind proofing it for me?
SURE! You are set up to post a blog, right? I think we set you up a while back.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 14:17:27
Raine on 04/21/2011 14:17:27
Isn't tomorrow Good Friday? 
Comment by TriSec on 04/21/2011 14:20:15
TriSec on 04/21/2011 14:20:15
Frank McCourt is a Boston guy; his contracting company picked up an awful lot of state jobs after the Bechtel fiasco with the Big Dig.
I see the name "McCourt" on all the construction equipment up and down Route 128 on my way to work every day.
(Side note: He is actually the reason I started following the Dodgers. For a while in the early to mid 2000s, quite a few Sox alumni went out there. We called them "Red Sox West" for a few years.)
And how lucky are we that the Larry Lucchino bid won over Frank's for the Sox all those years ago now? (That's when he bought the Dodgers, after he couldn't pick up the local franchise. Fenway wouldn't be celebrating it's 100th anniversary if Frank got the team.)
I see the name "McCourt" on all the construction equipment up and down Route 128 on my way to work every day.
(Side note: He is actually the reason I started following the Dodgers. For a while in the early to mid 2000s, quite a few Sox alumni went out there. We called them "Red Sox West" for a few years.)
And how lucky are we that the Larry Lucchino bid won over Frank's for the Sox all those years ago now? (That's when he bought the Dodgers, after he couldn't pick up the local franchise. Fenway wouldn't be celebrating it's 100th anniversary if Frank got the team.)
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 14:28:17
Raine on 04/21/2011 14:28:17
Comment by TriSec on 04/21/2011 14:31:35
Why yes, yes it is. And according to the Macrohard holiday calendar, both Eastern and Western are celebrating the holiday on the same weekend this year. And wasn't it Passover this week, too?
TriSec on 04/21/2011 14:31:35
Quote by Raine:
Isn't tomorrow Good Friday?
Why yes, yes it is. And according to the Macrohard holiday calendar, both Eastern and Western are celebrating the holiday on the same weekend this year. And wasn't it Passover this week, too?
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 14:36:40
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 14:36:40
NBC's rating's haven't been the same since they shot themselves in the foot with HEROES 
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 14:47:32
Raine on 04/21/2011 14:47:32
WOW!!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE let this one happen.
With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United
On Wednesday it was reported that President Obama was drafting an executive order that would require companies pursuing federal contracts to disclose political contributions that have been secret under the Citizen’s United ruling.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 14:56:01
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 14:56:01
Yes they are Mr. President - I don't know what I'm going to do if it goes up too much more, I mean I have to get to work
Comment by Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:06:01
Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:06:01
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:06:02
here is more.
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:06:02
Quote by Raine:
WOW!!!!PLEASE, PLEASE let this one happen.With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United
On Wednesday it was reported that President Obama was drafting an executive order that would require companies pursuing federal contracts to disclose political contributions that have been secret under the Citizen’s United ruling.
McConnell’s statement came after White House Press Secretary Jay Carney confirmed to reporters on Air Force One en route to San Francisco that a draft executive order was in the works. A draft copy of the order was first obtained by Hans von Spakovsky, a vocal Obama administration critic and former Justice Department civil rights official in the George W. Bush administration who is now a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
Carney declined to go into detail Wednesday, noting that “the particular specifics of that executive order could change over time.†He also dismissed the notion that there were political motivations behind the move.
“Quite the contrary,†Carney said. “(Obama) believes very strongly that taxpayers deserve to know whether or not the contractors that their money is being used — how they’re spending their money, and how they’re spending in terms of political campaigns. And his goal is transparency and accountability. That’s the responsible thing to do when you’re handling taxpayer dollars.â€
Comment by Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:07:04
Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:07:04
What the.. My browser must've been stuck I didn't see that there were like 20 new comments since the last one I posted! 
Comment by Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:08:42
Yeah I know how to do it I just haven't done one since before the timed auto-post thing was added.
Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:08:42
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fr..err..Thursdee!
Oh yeah Raine.. I know I've kinda said it a couple times and not quite delivered (my ideas fell flat or weren't researched enough to be coherent) but I've got a really good blog opener in the works with a Good Friday/Easter theme. Once I have the ending written & polished up do you mind proofing it for me?
SURE! You are set up to post a blog, right? I think we set you up a while back.
Yeah I know how to do it I just haven't done one since before the timed auto-post thing was added.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:09:25
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:09:25
so how did a Heritage Foundation person end up being the first person with a draft?
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:09:29
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:09:29
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:11:46
That is just a feature -- If you want to do tomorrow, just tell Bobber, cause then he can sleep a little later.
If not Sunday is fine, just tell Vel. No biggie. I am really looking forward to it! (no pressure, really. I just like it when other people put in their point of view)
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:11:46
Quote by Scoopster:
Yeah I know how to do it I just haven't done one since before the timed auto-post thing was added.
If not Sunday is fine, just tell Vel. No biggie. I am really looking forward to it! (no pressure, really. I just like it when other people put in their point of view)
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:13:08
Good question. I'm gonna look into that.
REALLY good question. I wonder if it was leaked on purpose -- or maybe something more malicious.
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:13:08
Quote by wickedpam:
so how did a Heritage Foundation person end up being the first person with a draft?
REALLY good question. I wonder if it was leaked on purpose -- or maybe something more malicious.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:14:06
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:14:06
NO MSG! woohooo!
Caps Ready!
................................ ouch!
I think I hurt myself running into the bandwagon
Caps Ready!
................................ ouch!
I think I hurt myself running into the bandwagon
Comment by 
BobR on 04/21/2011 15:14:48
If you don't set it to some point in the future, it defaults to the time the post is saved.
BobR on 04/21/2011 15:14:48
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fr..err..Thursdee!
Oh yeah Raine.. I know I've kinda said it a couple times and not quite delivered (my ideas fell flat or weren't researched enough to be coherent) but I've got a really good blog opener in the works with a Good Friday/Easter theme. Once I have the ending written & polished up do you mind proofing it for me?
SURE! You are set up to post a blog, right? I think we set you up a while back.
Yeah I know how to do it I just haven't done one since before the timed auto-post thing was added.
If you don't set it to some point in the future, it defaults to the time the post is saved.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:14:50
have you ever thought about freelance journalism?
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:14:50
Quote by Raine:Good question. I'm gonna look into that.Quote by wickedpam:
so how did a Heritage Foundation person end up being the first person with a draft?
REALLY good question. I wonder if it was leaked on purpose -- or maybe something more malicious.
have you ever thought about freelance journalism?
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:19:49
to be quite honest, I would 
to do research. I applied at ThinkProgress, but I don't have a journalism background, so I suspect that is why they never answered.
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:19:49
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Good question. I'm gonna look into that.Quote by wickedpam:
so how did a Heritage Foundation person end up being the first person with a draft?
REALLY good question. I wonder if it was leaked on purpose -- or maybe something more malicious.
have you ever thought about freelance journalism?
to do research. I applied at ThinkProgress, but I don't have a journalism background, so I suspect that is why they never answered.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:25:49
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:25:49
I don't think you have to have a journalism degree or anything to actually be a journalist in some form - I mean the most basic thing is getting the who, what, where, why and how. And to know how to write a good lead sentence that sums up a story yet draws people in to read the whole thing for details
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:27:34
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:27:34
From Hans at the heritage foundation:
SO this source is impeccable --- Fine. I am left wondering if this was a purposeful leak.
Seriously, I don't know of any conservatives that would be against such an executive order. OK, I am talking of boots on the ground, regular main street conservatives. Aren't these the same people calling for government accountability?
My goodness, this is a perfect issue for the baggers to support.
An impeccable source has provided me with a copy of a draft Executive Order that the White House is apparently circulating for comments from several government agencies. Titled “Disclosure of Political Spending By Government Contractors,†it appears to be an attempt by the Obama administration to implement — by executive fiat — portions of the DISCLOSE Act.
SO this source is impeccable --- Fine. I am left wondering if this was a purposeful leak.
Seriously, I don't know of any conservatives that would be against such an executive order. OK, I am talking of boots on the ground, regular main street conservatives. Aren't these the same people calling for government accountability?
My goodness, this is a perfect issue for the baggers to support.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:28:44
Well, I hope I do that on Mondays and Thursdays.
(I have an awesome editor)
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:28:44
Quote by wickedpam:
I don't think you have to have a journalism degree or anything to actually be a journalist in some form - I mean the most basic thing is getting the who, what, where, why and how. And to know how to write a good lead sentence that sums up a story yet draws people in to read the whole thing for details
Well, I hope I do that on Mondays and Thursdays.
(I have an awesome editor)
Comment by wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:33:03
You do - actually everyone does a great job
Learn lots!
wickedpam on 04/21/2011 15:33:03
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
I don't think you have to have a journalism degree or anything to actually be a journalist in some form - I mean the most basic thing is getting the who, what, where, why and how. And to know how to write a good lead sentence that sums up a story yet draws people in to read the whole thing for details
Well, I hope I do that on Mondays and Thursdays.
You do - actually everyone does a great job
Learn lots!
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:35:00
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:35:00
Oh and that Pajamas media link has a circular point. If the President DOES sign this order, it is to curb the Citizen's United ruling. So when they say this: Contractors are corporations. that is WHY the EO is being crafted. If they don;t like it, fine, then let's tax religious groups and charities. They are trying to conflate two separate groups.
(I don't really want to see that, Just making a point)
I am looking forward to what the Sunlight foundation has to say about this. I think I will shoot off an email to them.
The draft order also tries to interfere with the First Amendment rights of contractors. It requires them to disclose independent expenditures that can be made legally on everything from politics to grassroots lobbying on issues. This is clearly intended to deter charitable and other contributions to third-party organizations, since the contractors will have to report any such contributions made with the “reasonable expectation†that the money will be used for First Amendment-protected activities.
(I don't really want to see that, Just making a point)
I am looking forward to what the Sunlight foundation has to say about this. I think I will shoot off an email to them.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:37:35
Scoopster on 04/21/2011 15:37:35
Interesting news du nord des lignes..
If the NDP can pull seats away from all the others, especially the Bloc, the political dynamic in the entire country will shift to the left. After years of Stephen Harper, who's possibly the most conservative PM in Canadian history, running the show in coalition with the ultra-sovereignist right-wing Bloc, it'd be pretty damn refreshing. The only question then would be who becomes PM? - Jack Layton or the moderate flavor-of-the-week from the Liberal Party (right now that's Michael Ignatieff).
Never before seen in Canadian politics, the New Democratic Party has jumped to the top of the heap in Quebec, ahead of even the Bloc Québécois.
A new poll (...) shows that the NDP is the choice for 36% of survey respondents, compared to 31% for the Bloc. The Tories (Conservatives) and Liberals trail at 17 and 13% support respectively.
...
The NDP wave has been building steadily in Quebec, particularly since the TV debates, where (NDP Leader Jack) Layton was viewed favourably in both English and French.
If the NDP can pull seats away from all the others, especially the Bloc, the political dynamic in the entire country will shift to the left. After years of Stephen Harper, who's possibly the most conservative PM in Canadian history, running the show in coalition with the ultra-sovereignist right-wing Bloc, it'd be pretty damn refreshing. The only question then would be who becomes PM? - Jack Layton or the moderate flavor-of-the-week from the Liberal Party (right now that's Michael Ignatieff).
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:37:53
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:37:53
Yes. I admit it. I am the SOLE 4F Blogger with an editor.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:38:23
I happily pay for the services..
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:38:23
Quote by Raine:
Yes. I admit it. I am the SOLE 4F Blogger with an editor.
I happily pay for the services..
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 15:43:22
Well, until Scoop posts. then I get to be his editor!
yummeh!
Raine on 04/21/2011 15:43:22
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:
Yes. I admit it. I am the SOLE 4F Blogger with an editor.
I happily pay for the services..
Well, until Scoop posts. then I get to be his editor!
yummeh!
Comment by TriSec on 04/21/2011 15:50:40
TriSec on 04/21/2011 15:50:40
I have it easy...I'm the only one here with a set-piece every week.
Which reminds me, I need to pull something out of my arse for Saturday morning.
It's Easter, I could dust off that "Puppies, Bunnies, and Candy" blog I've been saving. Hey, wasn't some dude nailed to a cross over this? (And where is Bill-O lamenting the killing of Easter? I think there's more of a disconnect between Christ's death and resurrection vs. Easter Bunnies and candy, but I digress.)
Which reminds me, I need to pull something out of my arse for Saturday morning.
It's Easter, I could dust off that "Puppies, Bunnies, and Candy" blog I've been saving. Hey, wasn't some dude nailed to a cross over this? (And where is Bill-O lamenting the killing of Easter? I think there's more of a disconnect between Christ's death and resurrection vs. Easter Bunnies and candy, but I digress.)
Comment by BobR on 04/21/2011 16:00:55
Jesus was actually a bunny, and he was nailed to a stick, grilled, and served with fried eggs.
Lends a whole new meaning to "this is my body you eat"
Not to mention adding gravitas to a certain South Park episode.
BobR on 04/21/2011 16:00:55
Quote by TriSec:
I have it easy...I'm the only one here with a set-piece every week.
Which reminds me, I need to pull something out of my arse for Saturday morning.
It's Easter, I could dust off that "Puppies, Bunnies, and Candy" blog I've been saving. Hey, wasn't some dude nailed to a cross over this? (And where is Bill-O lamenting the killing of Easter? I think there's more of a disconnect between Christ's death and resurrection vs. Easter Bunnies and candy, but I digress.)
Jesus was actually a bunny, and he was nailed to a stick, grilled, and served with fried eggs.
Lends a whole new meaning to "this is my body you eat"
Not to mention adding gravitas to a certain South Park episode.
Comment by 
livingonli on 04/21/2011 16:21:05
livingonli on 04/21/2011 16:21:05
Good day everyone. I think I really needed to sleep this morning. Not like it's a first time.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 16:39:37
Raine on 04/21/2011 16:39:37
UGH. ok? Just Ugh. PM me on The crack of faces for why.
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 04/21/2011 16:51:17
trojanrabbit on 04/21/2011 16:51:17
So as I attempted to wake up this morning I hear that BP is suing TransOcean for $20B. Not really surprised.
I'm sure we'll all be left holding the bag as the responsibilites of each guilty party magically cancel each other out.
Did Tony Hayward get his life back yet? And damn him to hell for having the same last name as my favorite lead singer.
I'm sure we'll all be left holding the bag as the responsibilites of each guilty party magically cancel each other out.
Did Tony Hayward get his life back yet? And damn him to hell for having the same last name as my favorite lead singer.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 17:00:03
Oh Rabbit, it gets worse.
Did anyone hear about this? From Shelley Anderson, a Deepwater Horizon widow:
Raine on 04/21/2011 17:00:03
Quote by trojanrabbit:
So as I attempted to wake up this morning I hear that BP is suing TransOcean for $20B. Not really surprised.
I'm sure we'll all be left holding the bag as the responsibilites of each guilty party magically cancel each other out.
Did Tony Hayward get his life back yet? And damn him to hell for having the same last name as my favorite lead singer.
Did anyone hear about this? From Shelley Anderson, a Deepwater Horizon widow:
Anderson is trying to get some answers out of Transocean, the company that owns the rig. "Transocean has filed a lawsuit against me and my children," Anderson said. "These lawyers [they've assigned] in New Orleans don't know me... They don't have my best interest at heart."
Anderson's attorney, Ernest Cannon, is on her side as he helps her to work through the case. "[As opposed] to living up to their responsibility to these widows," Cannon said, "they chose to hide behind a 160 year old law that was designed to protect shipping interests 160 years ago, not to protect a Swiss corporation."
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/21/2011 17:07:16
She or one of the other widows was being interviewed on "Fresh Air!" yesterday. Transocean's lawyers=scumbags.
I'm back from my interview with these guys. I think it went pretty well. The dude I interviewed with worked at AOL in the same department as I did, but I didn't recognize him cause he has much shorter hair now and it's been five years since I last saw him.
Mondobubba on 04/21/2011 17:07:16
Quote by Raine:Oh Rabbit, it gets worse.Quote by trojanrabbit:
So as I attempted to wake up this morning I hear that BP is suing TransOcean for $20B. Not really surprised.
I'm sure we'll all be left holding the bag as the responsibilites of each guilty party magically cancel each other out.
Did Tony Hayward get his life back yet? And damn him to hell for having the same last name as my favorite lead singer.
Did anyone hear about this? From Shelley Anderson, a Deepwater Horizon widow:Anderson is trying to get some answers out of Transocean, the company that owns the rig. "Transocean has filed a lawsuit against me and my children," Anderson said. "These lawyers [they've assigned] in New Orleans don't know me... They don't have my best interest at heart."
Anderson's attorney, Ernest Cannon, is on her side as he helps her to work through the case. "[As opposed] to living up to their responsibility to these widows," Cannon said, "they chose to hide behind a 160 year old law that was designed to protect shipping interests 160 years ago, not to protect a Swiss corporation."
She or one of the other widows was being interviewed on "Fresh Air!" yesterday. Transocean's lawyers=scumbags.
I'm back from my interview with these guys. I think it went pretty well. The dude I interviewed with worked at AOL in the same department as I did, but I didn't recognize him cause he has much shorter hair now and it's been five years since I last saw him.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/21/2011 17:08:49
What is it about wingers and spending money equaling free speech. Oh right, it is the kind of speech they like. Sorry, my bad.
Mondobubba on 04/21/2011 17:08:49
Quote by Raine:
Oh and that Pajamas media link has a circular point. If the President DOES sign this order, it is to curb the Citizen's United ruling. So when they say this:Contractors are corporations. that is WHY the EO is being crafted. If they don;t like it, fine, then let's tax religious groups and charities. They are trying to conflate two separate groups.The draft order also tries to interfere with the First Amendment rights of contractors. It requires them to disclose independent expenditures that can be made legally on everything from politics to grassroots lobbying on issues. This is clearly intended to deter charitable and other contributions to third-party organizations, since the contractors will have to report any such contributions made with the “reasonable expectation†that the money will be used for First Amendment-protected activities.
(I don't really want to see that, Just making a point)
I am looking forward to what the Sunlight foundation has to say about this. I think I will shoot off an email to them.
What is it about wingers and spending money equaling free speech. Oh right, it is the kind of speech they like. Sorry, my bad.
Comment by Raine on 04/21/2011 17:12:20
I just read this interview from "Tell Me More" . I am not pleased at all.
I am, however VERY happy that your interview seems to have gone well!
Raine on 04/21/2011 17:12:20
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Oh Rabbit, it gets worse.Quote by trojanrabbit:
So as I attempted to wake up this morning I hear that BP is suing TransOcean for $20B. Not really surprised.
I'm sure we'll all be left holding the bag as the responsibilites of each guilty party magically cancel each other out.
Did Tony Hayward get his life back yet? And damn him to hell for having the same last name as my favorite lead singer.
Did anyone hear about this? From Shelley Anderson, a Deepwater Horizon widow:Anderson is trying to get some answers out of Transocean, the company that owns the rig. "Transocean has filed a lawsuit against me and my children," Anderson said. "These lawyers [they've assigned] in New Orleans don't know me... They don't have my best interest at heart."
Anderson's attorney, Ernest Cannon, is on her side as he helps her to work through the case. "[As opposed] to living up to their responsibility to these widows," Cannon said, "they chose to hide behind a 160 year old law that was designed to protect shipping interests 160 years ago, not to protect a Swiss corporation."
She or one of the other widows was being interviewed on "Fresh Air!" yesterday. Transocean's lawyers=scumbags.
I'm back from my interview with these guys. I think it went pretty well. The dude I interviewed with worked at AOL in the same department as I did, but I didn't recognize him cause he has much shorter hair now and it's been five years since I last saw him.
I am, however VERY happy that your interview seems to have gone well!
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/21/2011 17:15:19
Mondobubba on 04/21/2011 17:15:19
Oh BTW has anybody seen a robot skeleton army on the march? Skynet became operational on Tuesday evening. Yesterday or today, I don't remember which Skynet was suppose to launch the massive nuclear strike against humanity. There is still time for that, right? Or did John & Sarah Connor actual thwart Skynet? NME has some details about what I yammering on about. It looks like Radiohead is a pawn of Skynet!