Friday, August 07, 2009
EATED
First State Bank, Sarasota, FL gets EATED.
Community National Bank of Sarasota County, Venice, FL gets EATED.
Community National Bank of Sarasota County, Venice, FL gets EATED.
Just In Case They've Forgotten
Could someone remind the fine senators on the Finance Committee that voters have to like this plan, too?
Also
Drivers, mostly from New Jersey, who don't acknowledge the existence of bike lanes and crosswalks suck hard too.
Cyclists
I rarely drive, and I quite frequently want to lob things at their heads. As a group, Philly cyclists behave very badly in ways which endanger themselves and others. As I was walking home from fetching lunch one blew right through a red light as a car was coming through the intersection. They ride on sidewalks. They ride the wrong way down one way streets. They pay no attention to lights and stop signs.
"He's Not My President"
That's what Republicans said to me when Clinton was elected. And the 90s were really a golden age of crazy conspiracy theories, something our sainted media has never really quite owned up to. Dehumanizing and delegitimizing Democratic presidents is what the Right does. The only minor mystery is what took them so long, though I'm guessing that's basically because even they got, for a moment, that George Bush really really fucked everything up.
Tramtown
DC is an excellent place for streetcars. Like BART, DC's Metro system is a mix of commuter rail (getting people in and out of the city) and subway (getting people around the city), and though pretty good isn't quite as good at the latter as it could be. Streetcars to the rescue!
Lies and the Lying Liars
Actually, while the "are they lying or stupid" debate will never end generally, with Erick "Son of Erick" Erickson I usually lean towards "stupid."
Meanwhile
Over there.
BAGHDAD (AP) -- A suicide car bomb devastated a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq, one of a series of attacks Friday that killed at least 37 Shiite pilgrims and worshippers, police and medical officials said.
Also Mildly Anti-Park
Let me somewhat side with Matt here. I'm not anti-park, but I am anti "any green space is good." I'm all for parks which are designed for humans to actually visit them. So, I'm pro-recreation field, pro-playground, pro-parks with amenities, pro-letting people BBQ and picnic and have a glass of wine. But I'm anti-let's just plant some grass because it's green and it's good. That's not a park, it's a field, and while fields aren't necessarily bad they aren't necessarily a preferred use of a lot either.
Actual Good News
Job losses not so bad!
Though still...losses!
U.S. employers cut 247,000 jobs in July, far less than expected and the least in any month since last August, according to a government report on Friday that provided the clearest evidence yet that the economy was turning around.
With fewer workers being laid off, the unemployment rate eased to 9.4 percent in July from 9.5 percent the prior month, the Labor Department said, the first time the jobless rate had fallen since April 2008.
The government revised job losses for May and June to show 43,000 fewer jobs lost than previously reported.
Though still...losses!
Hughes
I gather I'm much less of a fan than many, but still his movies tended to provide the very rare outlet for youth/teen perspective at time when pop culture largely failed in that regard.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The Big Bad Wolf
When it comes to lobbying against health care reform, it seems to me the insurance companies are probably just trying to cut their losses. I'm sure the insurance executives would prefer a bill that included banning preexisting conditions over a bill that included a public option. In both instances, they lose money but at least in the former, they can still survive the long haul. Insurance executives know they're viewed as the bad guy by the public, but as long as they remain a necessity and aren't ushered out by a very scary socialist health care program, they can still turn a profit.
Deep Thought
Wonder why the insurance companies are lobbying so hard against a bill they actually want.
Betting Time
Monthly jobs report comes out tomorrow. Consensus forecast is -325K jobs. As usual, I'll take the under bet, predicting greater job loss.
Perspective
Claire McCaskill spent much time on twitter fretting about ONE BILLLLION DOLLARS for the cash for clunkers program. Spending 5 times a country's GDP on occupying it for a year...
The late days of empire.
The late days of empire.
68-31
As nutty and racist as the anti-Sotomayor stuff got, I admit I was a bit surprised they didn't quite go all in with it.
A Nation Of Dirty Fucking Hippies
CNN poll emailed to me.
26. Do you favor or oppose the U.S. war in Afghanistan?
41% Favor
54% Oppose
90 Day
The evidence that the foreclosure crisis is nearing an end is not actually there.
I don't see how the economy turns around untill it does, and the only thing which might have worked a bit was allowing bankruptcy judges to modify primary residence mortgages the way they can modify vacation home mortgages.
I don't see how the economy turns around untill it does, and the only thing which might have worked a bit was allowing bankruptcy judges to modify primary residence mortgages the way they can modify vacation home mortgages.
Speaking Of Nutty
I'm so old I can remember when some random person on the internets made a Nazi comparison in an open video contest and there was a full congressional/media hissy fit.
I guess rules have changed.
Or, actually, the rules are the same. IOKIYAR....
I guess rules have changed.
Or, actually, the rules are the same. IOKIYAR....
1, 2, 3, What Are We...
It is rather difficult to support something which does not exist, and which, if press accounts can be believed, seems to get shittier by the day.
They Mostly Weren't Built For That
Pointing out that suburbs lack mass transit is really just highlighting the obvious. Modern suburbs are built around automobile transit, and absent a willingness to allow changes in land use in most places adding in mass transit isn't really such a great idea. While I'm all for building more supertrains, a focus really should be on adding density to existing transportation corridors which lack it. The point isn't to bring trains to everyone, the point is to increase the amount of housing in walkable communities near transit. Not everyone wants to live in such a place, but some people do and it's generally illegal to build them.
Rachel
I long ago gave up on the teevee. I appreciate all my friends who watch the teevee for me. Without them, I would have missed this.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Reviving The Electric Car
Personally I'd prefer to shift to a world where it wasn't quite as necessary to wrap yourself in a personal two ton enclosure every time you wanted to go somewhere, but I suppose money for battery R&D isn't such a bad thing.
Same Almost Everywhere
Arizona is having Cali-type problems with the budget and their Republican legislature.
Republican lawmakers have insulted the governor in the local news media and rejected her budget proposals, and on Tuesday some even refused to vote on her latest budget plan. The governor’s budget includes tax increases for shoppers, tax cuts for those making $150,000 or more as well as for corporations, sharp cuts to state spending and a cap on future education funding.
At the center of the conflict is the governor’s proposal that the state dig out of its shortfall — equal to a third of Arizona’s operating budget — with a 1 cent sales tax increase, to be put before voters on the November ballot.
This request enraged Republican lawmakers, whose leaders have been unable to reach a budget deal with Ms. Brewer. She vetoed most of the bills in an earlier budget package, saying the cuts were too injurious to the poor. (The Democratic minority remains disenchanted with all of the budget proposals.)
Probably Still Bad
The government number comes out Friday, and the private estimate of that number came out today. Guessing -356K jobs. That's not good!
Pretty Good List
Certainly haven't sampled all of these things, but this is a pretty good list of tasty treats in Philly.
A Winter's Tale
As with many of the discussions about the law and copyright and journalism, this is a view of what Very Important People should be allowed to do and what the rest of us should be allowed to do.
It often isn't the what, it's the who.
It often isn't the what, it's the who.
Stupid Development Tricks
Yes, a big mixed used development would be preferable by the stadiums, but inevitably a SoCal-style outdoor mall is what we'll get.
Good morning.
I know I said you should call and write, but it would be great if lots of people planned personal visits to their reps while they are supposedly back in their constituencies supposedly listening to their constituents. I'd really like them to be forced to have that conversation about how if they really want to be fiscally responsible, they need to explain why they won't support single-payer, which would cost us less than what we have now.
Update: Digby is on the look-out for ways you can help counteract the teabaggers who have been organizing disruptions of healthcare Town Hall meetings.
Further update: Here is an event that worked out nicely.
Signed,
Not Atrios
Update: Digby is on the look-out for ways you can help counteract the teabaggers who have been organizing disruptions of healthcare Town Hall meetings.
Further update: Here is an event that worked out nicely.
Signed,
Not Atrios
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Not The Point
When John Bolton saw Bill Clinton go to North Korea, his penis got a little bit smaller. And that's really what it's about.
Sestak
Operation Make Arlen Behave is officially on.
Someone reminded me in email that I said I'd throw in $100 if he ran, which I will do...
Someone reminded me in email that I said I'd throw in $100 if he ran, which I will do...
I Think I Wrote About This Phenomenon Yesterday
Arthur Laffer on CNN:
If you like the Post Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles and you think they’re run well, just wait till you see Medicare, Medicaid and health care done by the government.
Suburban Hellholes
Not my cup of tea, but plenty of suburban areas are just fine, though we should still get rid of a whole host of policies which subsidize and encourage their development. The real problem places are those which have somehow been built up to urban level densities without having an appropriate transportation network to go with it.
Why Aren't All Latinos Like That Nice Fella Miguel?
That they lack even rudimentary self-awareness on this issue is impressive.
Impressively bad, of course.
Impressively bad, of course.
Development
Matt has the right take on transportation infrastructure, though I will add a bit of caution. All new rail construction makes a lot more sense in places where land use and zoning rules will allow construction around stations which makes sense. This is somewhat less of an issue for HSR than for intra-city and intra-metro area transit but still true to some degree.
Boba Fett
I'm pretty sure we knew this in general terms, though the details matter of course.
Now, although the Justice Department has conceded it can’t rely on those confessions and can no longer imprison Jawad based on the laws of war, it’s said it may file new criminal charges against him based on previously unavailable eyewitness testimony to the crime. Those witnesses, however, according to Jawad’s U.S. military defense lawyer, were all paid in gifts or cash in exchange for their testimony.
U.S. Marine Corps Major Eric Montalvo, one of Jawad’s military defense lawyers, said he’s spoken to all of “the government’s star witnesses” and “they all have a couple of things in common.” First, “they know how to describe the day of the incident anywhere from two to five different ways, placing themselves in different locations for each of these descriptions and witnessing or not witnessing different things,” he said in a recent e-mail message. Second, “they have all received some sort of U.S. government compensation, from shoes and a trip to the United States to $400 for cooperation, which is a princely sum in Afghanistan.”
But There's Nothing There?
I really don't get the point of putting transit on the waterfront, which is a little section of car heaven in this city. I'm all for extending the trolley lines farther down Market Street, but then run them North and South along, say, 4th & 5th St.
All Our Dreams Torn Asunder
I think Obama's a smart talented guy whose instincts mostly point him in the right direction. I also think he's a smart talented guy who has, for whatever reason, tended to have opposition melt away when he pointed at them.
Dead of Night
Once or twice a year the wingnuts get so silly, they provoke me to research. It's one of the reasons they irk me so. Stuff and fluff, anyhow. Comparisons to Sen. M. Baucus are tricky and Call for an Expert. Three months! But what about lunches!
Oh bother. How long will THAT take?
Oh bother. How long will THAT take?
Monday, August 03, 2009
Organamizing
Whatever one thinks about the tactics of the other side, ultimately the question is: what are you gonna do about it?
Still Going
The ability of right wingers to run their horseshit through the puke funnel and into our living rooms is, somewhat remarkably, still there. It's a power which has abated a little bit, and there is greater apparatus on our side to push back, but we still have to... push back. Constantly.
Dreary.
Dreary.
Astroturf
These kinds of corrupt activities really never get the amount of press coverage that they deserve. It's important that people in DC actually understand how widespread this stuff is.
Government Run
I think Krugman made this point recently, but it's quite amazing the degree to which people talk about health care while ignoring the fact that a large percentage of our population - mostly, but not just, seniors - already pay for their health care with a government run insurance program.
Free Crosstown Buses
Bloomberg doesn't have much power over the MTA, but it's still good that he's thinking about transit issues. Free crosstown buses should at least be tried, and as the article suggests, the resulting increased travel speeds could potentially allow for some service reduction and at least partially offset the revenue loss.
The Village
I think things like this are quite telling. Who do Villagers talk to when they want to "know" something?
But It Might Be Worse!
No, Democrats aren't going for a government takeover of health care and I'm cautiously optimistic that whatever finally gets passed will be a nontrivial improvement over the status quo. Still, I don't think it's crazy for people to be concerned that whatever comes out of the sausage factory might be worse. Whatever it is will be a rube goldberg plan which preserves health insurance profits, keeps hypocritical fiscal scolds happy, has the goal of controlling costs, and can pass the Senate and keep enough blue dog wankers happy. It certainly isn't crazy to be worried that such a plan might, in fact, suck.
Clogged Tubes
My internet service, while functional, is incredibly slow at the moment. So, blogging might suck more than usual today.
And When Does She Get Her Own Show On Fox?
When it comes to the truth of charges about Democrats, especially, Democratic presidents, little things like facts really don't matter. I was there in the 90s.
So, thanks to Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Speaker Pelosi says she will bring a vote to the floor on single-payer after the recess. Are you all ready to make those phone calls and write those letters?
Signed,
Not Atrios
Signed,
Not Atrios
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Reconciliation
I think I would take even a bad health bill if it got there through reconciliation. The shrieking and wailing from Broder-Land would be sweet, sweet music.
Sunday Bobbleheads
Meet the Press has two black guys who used to be in Congress. Harold Ford and JC Watts! Also Larry Summers, Dan Balz, and Haynes Johnson.
This Week has Timmeh Geithner and Maestro Alan Greenspan. Also, Michelle Malkin, Al Hunt, Gerald Seib, and Cynthia Tucker.
Face the Nation has Larry Summers, Booby Woodward, BoBo Brooks, and Kathleen Parker.
No this is not a joke!
Break out the vodka, and document the atrocities.
This Week has Timmeh Geithner and Maestro Alan Greenspan. Also, Michelle Malkin, Al Hunt, Gerald Seib, and Cynthia Tucker.
Face the Nation has Larry Summers, Booby Woodward, BoBo Brooks, and Kathleen Parker.
No this is not a joke!
Break out the vodka, and document the atrocities.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Ripping Off The Band-Aid
If Congress doesn't pass another unemployment benefits extension, things are going to get even uglier really quickly.
Afternoon Thread
Nice day out here. Wandered to Rittenhouse Square Farmers Market and Reading Terminal Market. Bought a bunch of funny looking cucumbers.
Benator
I love it when our elected officials reveal themselves to have the emotional maturity of emotionally stunted 11-year olds. His widdle feelings are more important than people having access to health care.
Went Too Far
This is exactly what I expected the Post would do, implying critics are just oversensitive. In the Post world, calling Hillary Clinton a Mad Bitch is just a bit of satirical lampooning. And, oops, it just went a bit too far. It's lampooning satire to call the Secretary of State a mad bitch. It's funny people! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA
Journalism
My local paper today informs me that 15 area post offices might close. Left out of the story... the list of 15 locations or a link to the post office document which might list them.
...simels apologizes. penalcolony points me to the link.
...simels apologizes. penalcolony points me to the link.
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