President Obama
Amy Austin | November 5, 2008
Two places to start looking: ebay and etsy.com
Amy Austin | November 5, 2008
Haha... that's cool.
Lori Lancaster | November 5, 2008
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Samir Mehta | November 5, 2008
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Aaron Shurtleff | November 5, 2008
Here comes the doom and gloom...
I think this is an exciting time, but let's wait to say whether or not it's worth it. That was a super painful 2 years of campaigning and grandstanding after all! ;) Plus, you never know what the future will bring. I don't think anyone can honestly say they knew 8 years ago that W would leave us where we are now, after all.
But, as a first time Democrat voter, I'm part of it now!
And, yeah, that means I'm a two-time W voter, but let's look forward to happy times, not back towards sad times, ok?
I will miss getting to see Sarah Palin though... :(
Mike Eberhart | November 5, 2008
Welcome to Socialism!!!! Yeah....
Steve Dunn | November 5, 2008
Yes we can.
All you other fuckers, quit bitching.
Take ownership!!!
You either support or decry whatever Barack comes up with. Stand strong!! If you support Obama's initiatives, stand strong. If you oppose Obama's iniatives,' stand strong!!
Support what you believe. Obama is a step in the right direction but he is no panacea, Keep the pressure on!!!
Amy Austin | November 5, 2008
I'm just really proud of America right now, and personally... this is the best thing to happen in my life all year. Or longer.
Scott Hardie | November 6, 2008
Two statistics I just read (don't know if they're true):
- Obama has received more votes than any politician in any race in US history.
- Bob Barr and Ralph Nader combined received less votes than the number of people in Grant Park last night.
Jackie Mason | November 6, 2008
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Scott Hardie | November 6, 2008
Very well said, Jackie. Obama has a hell of a talent for speeches, and his acceptance speech, like that of any would-be president, has been written and revised in his daydreams for decades. He nailed it. I look forward to many more opportunities to listen and be moved.
Jackie Mason | November 6, 2008
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Lori Lancaster | November 6, 2008
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Scott Hardie | November 7, 2008
Obama has started to name members of his administration. Do you think he'll ask Sarah Palin to be the ambassador to Russia?
Amy Austin | November 7, 2008
Shouldn't you have posted that comment under "Everyone's A Comedian"? ;-p
(Or were you being serious? ;-D)
Steve Dunn | November 7, 2008
Hey, um, just to be clear, I was hammered when I wrote the above post. I have no recollection of writing it, and reading it just now, I have no idea what I was talking about.
But hey, you know, stand strong. Or something.
Sorry 'bout that. A little too much celebration of the Obama victory...
Lori Lancaster | November 7, 2008
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Amy Austin | November 8, 2008
I suspected something of that sort... the excess of exclamation marks (for you) kind of gave it away, I think. ;-)
And speaking of Randy Marsh... anybody see the South Park's Seven heist?
Jackie Mason | November 8, 2008
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Amy Austin | November 11, 2008
Questions that episode left me with:
1) Was one of those guys supposed to look so much like Bono that it made you wonder?
2) Will the Obamas name their new puppy Sparkles???
Inquiring minds want to know.
Jackie Mason | December 10, 2008
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Scott Hardie | December 11, 2008
We are still very polarized, even when one side forgets it. I remember a political cartoon that came out after the election, criticizing the liberal press. It showed a newpaper headline from 2004: "Bush Wins 52% of Vote, Country Divided," then a headline from today, "Obama Wins 53% of Vote, Country United."
The Blagojevich news was surprising to exactly no one in Illinois. I had only vague memories of his candidacy, since I moved away the summer he was first running for Governor, but I seemed to remember him running on an anti-corruption platform. My research today shows no such emphasis in his campaign, but more of a blue-collar appeal approach. Maybe anyone running to replace George Ryan would be automatically considered anti-corruption.
Samir Mehta | December 11, 2008
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Jackie Mason | December 11, 2008
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Tony Peters | December 11, 2008
Of the popular vote Bush won 47% to Gore 48% in 2000 and 50% to Kerry 48% in 2004 ,electoral vote in 2000 was 50.4% and 53.2% in 2004
Jackie Mason | December 12, 2008
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Jackie Mason | December 17, 2008
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Scott Hardie | December 31, 2008
Blagojevich associates have said that he enjoys bad press and seeming like an outsider, a David taking on the Goliath establishment. I'm sure that's part of his naming Obama's successor today (link), getting another chance to thumb his nose at politicians who would shut him down, and he'll revel in the hearings to come that will attempt to deny Burris's appointment. I think it would have been better if Blagojevich had announced that he was stepping down like everyone wanted... and appointing himself in the Senate seat. His entire speech could have been, "Screw all y'all!" I bet that would have even raised his approval rating a little. :-)
Jackie Mason | January 1, 2009
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Aaron Shurtleff | January 1, 2009
I think that's the worst part of it all. Roland Burris seems like a good choice (I don't know first-hand of course), and now people are considering not accepting the appointment, because they don't trust the guy who made the appointment? Do they think Burris paid to be appointed (I haven't seen anything claiming that, but I'm on top of the issue)? If Burris isn't implicated in the scandal, and he's a reasonable choice, why can't he just stay in place, regardless of the person who appointed him?
Amy Austin | January 1, 2009
Or is it all part of Blago's devious plan to discredit a good politician in order to keep the corruption in place... hmmm...
Jackie Mason | January 4, 2009
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Tony Peters | January 4, 2009
she 9 years younger, Biden is 66 his second wife is 57, his first wife was killed in a traffic accident along with his 1 year old daughter in 1972
Scott Hardie | January 4, 2009
Blagojevich likes stirring up trouble, and Burris's race had to have been part of his plan. Supporters of Burris, who I recall as a fine public official when I lived in Illinois, are accusing race of playing into the Senate's opposition to seating him. Seriously. After weeks of the Senate saying they would oppose anyone Blagojevich tried to seat, before Burris or any politician of any color was considered. Senators actually had to issue a denial, publicly stating that Burris's race has nothing to do with their opposition. I can only imagine Blagojevich being tickled by that.
A furniture ad in the Trib last week:
Jackie Mason | January 17, 2009
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Scott Hardie | January 17, 2009
The train trip is a great idea. It plays off two of his strengths, echoing Lincoln and acting like a superstar. I would say that it also whips his fan base into excitement, but pretty much everything he does has that effect. This trip is a big metaphor for building up momentum heading into the inauguration, and he's going to need all he can get.
Jackie Mason | January 25, 2009
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Scott Hardie | January 25, 2009
Pretty good. :-)
I'm loving the new WhiteHouse.gov website, especially the weekly video address. It's about time.
Amy Austin | January 25, 2009
Love it! Global gag rule gone day one -- it's so nice to be represented for a change. ;-)
Anna Gregoline | February 2, 2009
About time that equality and caring for other people is finally at the top of a President's agenda - much better than a xenophobic asshole who wants to bomb innocent people for monetary gain and resources while ignoring the very real problems at home, hmmmm?
Obama will be one of the best presidents we will ever have.
Amy Austin | February 3, 2009
Maybe so, but my understanding about the current economic stimulus plan is that Republicans and conservative Democrats are trying to block it, which -- as someone currently collecting unemployment insurance -- angered me enough to make calls to the offices of some senators... which, in turn, made my bum feel a little smoky.
Jackie Mason | February 3, 2009
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Scott Hardie | February 3, 2009
This is going to be unpopular, but increasingly I find myself opposed to the bailout, after supporting it during the election. It's just plain too much money. Vietnam cost us $680 billion (adjusted for inflation) over a decade. The mess in Iraq has cost us $600 billion and counting. And now we're going to spend $700 billion almost overnight? Our great-grandchildren are still going to be paying this off. I can't escape the feeling that as bad as things are, they'll right themselves on their own within a few years, without our intervention – but to put a dent in the temporary recession, and to feel like we're fighting back, we're going to drop an insane amount of money. It's just too much. And don't say I'm not affected by the recession; Kelly was laid off last week, and I was downsized out of management after laying off three friends. I've previously been unemployed for years at a time and I don't want to go back to it, but I would rather suffer that temporary hardship than burden generations whose parents haven't even been born yet.
All that said, I am far from an expert on the economy, which is why I make simplistic statements like "I can't escape the feeling that things will right themselves on their own within a few years." By all means, educate me with data and history if I'm wrong. Hit me with the digits!
Also: Other than this disagreement, I'm lovin' Obama so far. He excels in ways that speak to me.
Amy Austin | February 3, 2009
I just can't escape feeling like Jackie... like we've been using the same tired corporate breaks strategy, and I've seen nothing but greed and exploitation from it. Not like the "common people" aren't capable of the same human nature behavior... but I mean, come *on* -- how about building better airplanes for everyone, instead of just giving the pilots their golden parachutes to don when the piece of shit goes down? Every day, I am simply shocked by the names I hear conducting layoffs and downsizing... AND... I'm even getting cold-shouldered in certain ways by the university because of the new assembly-line way in which getting an education is being treated! I am not free, as it turns out, to go back to school for what I would like... I am completely subject to the terms of the university -- never mind that I (or the government) will be paying for it just like everyone else.
This is my third time collecting unemployment... and the taxpayers are already footing the bill for that, too... so why shouldn't there be an actual *investment* in the bottom half of the people for once?!?! It was unpopular with all the same people and for all the same reasons when FDR did it, but didn't it do what it was intended???
I'm just fed up, jaded, sick of this shit, and on and on...
Jackie Mason | February 3, 2009
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Steve West | February 3, 2009
Not to be provocative or make it seem like I'm picking on Jackie, but it chaps my ass a little to hear conservatives accused of trying to relive the glory days of Ronald Reagan and how his policies of fiscal conservatism and free market laissez-faire don't meet today's needs. While on the other hand they compare today's needs with the policies of Dwight Eisenhower and Franklin Roosevelt.
I personally don't have a problem with comparing past administrative actions with historical results. If we do that honestly, then you'll find that Roosevelt's actions could be said to arguably have extended the depression - not ended it and that Reagan's policies led to the greatest period of economic prosperity that this country enjoyed. I lived through the recession prompted by Jimmy Carter's economic policies; I remember waiting in gas lines and going to the gas station on days dictated by my license plate numbers. I also enjoyed the benefits of a strong economy led by a leader respected around the world.
I'm not so much afraid that the United States will resemble European nations. I'm afraid that our country will more closely resemble Cuba! The free market works. An $800 billion bailout that won't immediately create a single job has tenuous merit at best. Based on how slowly it is scheduled to have any positive effect makes it unlikely that it will stop anywhere near the trillion dollar level. I'm with Scott. There has to be a better way and it's going to take people a lot smarter than me to figure it out.
And just for the record, I am one Republican who doesn't feel the need to be right, nor am I afraid to be wrong. Barack Obama was not my candidate of choice, but he is my president. I hope he becomes the greatest president our country has ever known. Not for his sake but for the sake of our country.
Jackie Mason | February 4, 2009
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Mike Eberhart | February 4, 2009
You know what I find funny. Haven't the Democrats owned both the House & Senate for the last two years. What the hell did they do the last two years. Oh that's right, nothing. Have you seen the list of crap in this bill? I'd say that three-quarters of it is wasteful spending. If they really want to give away $1 trillion dollars, give straight to the citizens. That will get the economy moving. People spend their money when they get it. That's what they want. Give every tax payer $100,000 and things all of a sudden get a lot better. I know I'd be a lot happier.
Mike Eberhart | February 4, 2009
And if you haven't seen it, here's the list of crap that's in the bill.
$2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
Mike Eberhart | February 4, 2009
I really love the $246 million dollars that's going to be handed out to hollywood movie producers so they can buy film. Yeah, that's going to stimulate the economy!!!
Amy Austin | February 4, 2009
Hm. A lot of that sounds like crap, indeed (Washington sewer system, haha)... but some of it does sound needed (Washington sewer system) and good/legit, too. But, knowing how federal/military budgeting works ("Dream big! It doesn't matter if you think we don't really need it or can't afford it -- ask for it, and let them give us what they give us... you never know!!!) -- kind of like playing the lottery -- I can see how/why this would chap asses. It's relying on a whole lot of self-interested parties giving their estimations of "necessities" (like Hollywood producers needing breaks to buy film... hm).
I second the $100,000 to every taxpayer plan.
Scott Hardie | February 4, 2009
Wait a minute, Mike: You want to give $100,000 taxpayer dollars to every citizen? I thought you didn't like Obama because he was a socialist. :-)
Some of these points are valid and some are not, but this list still adds up to less than $20 billion of the total. A full 40% of the bill is in the form of tax cuts, which hews closer to Republican ideologies than any other Democratic president is likely to do. Yesterday, Time ran a pretty good commentary on the subject, which argues that if Obama is going to make good on his campaign promises and drag government kicking and screaming into the 21st century with things like school modernization and "green" federal buildings, then this fiscal emergency is his only real chance to pass a bill like this to do so.
Like everybody, I can find individual line items in the bill to support and others to oppose. I'm not opposed to the larger mission of stimulating the economy through government intervention. I'm just opposed to the price tag, now $900 billion. A tenth of that would be pushing it.
Mike Eberhart | February 4, 2009
What I'm saying is, if they are going to spend a $1 trillion dollars, and there's nothing I can do to stop it, then go ahead and pay me instead of wasting the money on waste. I think I can better manage my cut than the government can. Plus, the actual amount will be way larger than $1 trillion when it's all said and done. It could reach anywhere from $1 to $3 trillion after everything is paid back.
How about $850 million for Amtrack. Now we have to bailout the train industry. If they are going to do a stimulus package, then do one. Don't add in anything that doesn't need to be there.
Jackie Mason | February 4, 2009
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Scott Hardie | February 5, 2009
To give every American taxpayer an equal share of the money wouldn't amount to much, a few thousand dollars each, but I'm with you on the power it has to really stimulate the economy, Mike. One columnist suggested that instead of giving each person a check, which might or might not help the economy, that they give each person those disposable ATM cards like FEMA gave to Katrina survivors, so that the money has to be spent in the economy. Some Katrina survivors were criticized for buying sportscars or diamond rings or other extravagant purchases with their money, but you know what? That would be the point this time.
Scott Hardie | February 5, 2009
How much is a trillion?
Amy Austin | February 5, 2009
Orders of magnitude.
You know... I consider myself a very eco-conscious person. Even if I am not always doing the greenest thing possible, I still very much have a major conscience about it, since about 16 or 17, when Earth Day's 20th anniversary and my hippie high school teacher of a class in environmental awareness both really had a dramatic impact on me -- and my environmental awareness -- in ways that I had never before imagined. Since then, I have had real problems with throwing things away, the creation of trash... and I have never understood how/why people could have the attitude toward the planet and environment that as long as it isn't impacting them/their lives, it doesn't matter (NIMBY). A problem that will belong to our children's grandchildren? So what? I'll be long dead, they'll say. Since I think it really is "just numbers" to me at this point -- when's the last time we had a "balanced budget" anyway? and who's coming to collect on us??? it all seems so arbitrary, like the assignment of hours and minutes in time... -- I think I finally get it now. Only, it doesn't seem at all the same to me. And it isn't like I think the growing deficit is a *good* thing... but, really... there are much worse things, imo. ("Not in my banking years"???)
And since I just got done listening to a friend that really knows how to carry on about the state of the state (I mean, hours!)... and the true meanings of real socialism (this country doesn't even know what it is)... I definitely need a rest from this topic.
Amy Austin | February 5, 2009
another kind of bailout plan
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Scott Hardie | November 5, 2008
I've been waiting two years to write that. It was worth it.
Now, where can I get a "yes, we did" t-shirt?