More on Russia

Russian official irked by US Vice President Biden

Posted on Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Biden had it right: Rural Russia is dying of poverty, neglect



Busines oligarch

Business: The Economy
Russia: The IMF's biggest failure
Thursday, September 23, 1999 Published at 20:45 GMT 21:45 UK
Business: The Economy
Russia is the largest borrower from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but now controversy over corruption threatens to deter future loans. BBC International Business Correspondent Peter Morgan examines what the IMF has achieved so far


OligarchWatch.com
OligarchWatch is a news resource dedicated to reporting on Russian oligarchs business activities. It is edited out of New York and Moscow with correspondents stationed in London and Tel-Aviv and is dedicated to responsible reporting of the most important stories related to the Oligarchs.


Iran/Russia - a deadly embrace
Pepe Escobar at the REALnews parts 1,2 and 3

Enough guilt.

On August 6, 1945 the Hiroshima bomb was dropped. There are two areas that I will ALWAYS veer sharply to the right. Illegal immigration (it hurts the immigrants and their kids, and ME, stupid,and I don't give a fuck if they make YOUR life easier or your business more profitable) and Hiroshima. Hiroshima ended the war in the Pacific in which Americans were taking hella losses. You don't like it that I'm not liberal on those issues-FINE, there are literally millions of blogs out there, buh bye, ta ta, c-ya later.

Russian official irked by US Vice President Biden

Craig Ferguson loves to make fun of Joe Biden.

Finished reading Secrets of the Temple by William Greider

(C) 1987 (Click on book cover pic for NYT 1988 book review)

Never stated so briefly in the book, but I came away from this monster of a book (over 750 pages) with the idea that what the Fed is supposed to do and what it does in practice are not necessarily the same thing. Protecting big fat greedy piggy bankers that are "too big to fail" from their own stupid mistakes is what the Fed does. Protect the investor class is what the Fed does. Can't have an ugly thing like inflation increase the real estate value of middle class homeowner's investments by making them pay back a loan in dollars of less value, right? Ben Bernanke may give a crap about the little guy, but the Fed as an institution sure hasn't proven that to me. Actually I hate the bankers and Wall Street in general more than I hate the Federal Reserve for bailing their big sorry asses out, but only slightly less.

p.155 "..it took real chutzpa for banks to complain about "taxes" since they paid to little compared to other business sectors. In 1980 the effective federal income-tax rat n financial institutions was only 5.8 % compared ti 34.1% for retailing, 24.5% for electronics and appliance manufacturing, 16.4% for aerospace, 10.9% for utilities..."

I do understand now that the Fed is supposed to be apolitical, and stabilize the money supply. Though created by an act of congress, congress has no real power over it and neither does the White House other than appointing the board members and the Congress confirming them, or not. If you think about it that makes sense because money doesn't give a crap whether it's Democrats, Republicans or purple people eaters that allow it to flourish, you know, kind of like bacteria. At first I was confused as to why Paul Volcker was advising Obama with the current crisis, but he at least believed in regulation, unlike Greenspan. I don't know how anyone could come away from this book now and not think "Wow, if you're gonna fuck up in a gamble, make sure you're a really big banking or insurance institution, and just go for it, the 'little people' will pay off your debts."

Here is Steve Lendeman's take on the Fed from a 2006 article

There are growing slums around the world and yet we are witnessing things like this:

£14,000-per-night luxury resort planned for world's richest people
A billion-pound resort for the world's richest people to be named Dall House is being planned for a remote area of Scotland.
By Simon Johnson
Published: 9:30PM BST 31 Jul 2009

Members of the exclusive club would be expected to have minimum liquid assets of £100 million...

Mr. Greider recently wrote this article for the Nation magazine:
Dismantling the Temple

Banking Bandits Get Their Reward
By Robert Scheer
Posted on Aug 4, 2009

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
Good luck with that: A protest sign is held up outside the Bank of America Tower, left, on April 28, 2009 in New York.

Goldman Sachs staff told to avoid big purchases


The Great American Bubble Machine
From tech stocks to high gas prices, Goldman Sachs has engineered every major market manipulation since the Great Depression - and they're about to do it again
MATT TAIBBI
Posted Jul 13, 2009 1:49 PM
Watch Taibbi explain on video here why supply and demand and all that "free market" stuff is bullshit.

When are we going to to rise up and quit asking for seconds on shit sandwiches?

Crapola, when the cold war was on were we borrowing from our cold war enemies?

Olbermann exposes some health sector congresswhores

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Sempra's earnings outperform forecasts

Company's utilities lead way in quarter
By Onell R. Soto
STAFF WRITER
2:00 a.m. August 1, 2009

A struggling economy failed to dampen profits at Sempra Energy, which said yesterday that its utilities, including San Diego Gas & Electric Co., are outperforming expectations.

The San Diego company announced a second-quarter profit of $198 million, or 80 cents a share, down 18.9 percent from a year earlier as it wrote off $64 million from a failed salt cavern gas storage project in Louisiana....
... “The Public Utilities Commission was very generous with SDG&E,” said Michael Shames, executive director of UCAN, the Utility Consumers' Action Network.

In proceedings before the PUC, he argued that the rates SDG&E sought were excessive – giving it $50 million to $70 million in undeserved profits.

The commission sided with SDG&E.


Monthly Weather Averages for San Diego

I'd say the phrase "undeserved profits" fits, how about you? If you don't think that corporate America and their Congresswhores suck donkey dick, here's more proof.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that SDG&E will just shut off power to the back country when the Santa Anas are blowing since their power lines started some of the worst fires in San Diego's history.

Ilegal immigration makes me sick

Immigration rights activists retool reform efforts
Friday, July 31, 2009
By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press Writer

Ugh. Call the Waaaaaambulance. I'm so sick of the greed involved in illegal immigration. If Americans meant more to corporate America than the greed of their shareholders, and the spinelessness of the US government then the immigrants wouldn't risk their lives coming here. And we wouldn't be burying a border patrol agent today.

Drop in crime coincides with exodus of illegal immigrants

Health care reform

Bob Cesca
Political Author, Blogger, and New Media Producer
Posted: July 29, 2009 05:39 PM
Republicans Lying to Old People About Euthanasia, Robots

Oh fuck, it's wingnuts on parade here


And from Tomgram

"...Today, he turns to the issue which should be, but isn't, central to our moment: dismantling the empire. Think of this as the American health care reform program that no one is discussing, Tom"


Three Good Reasons To Liquidate Our Empire
And Ten Steps to Take to Do So
By Chalmers Johnson

Pork-Laden Defense Bill Ready to Waddle Its Way Into Law - With the Help of 'Fiscal Conservatives', No Doubt
By Susie Madrak Thursday Jul 30, 2009 2:00pm

And gee, I wonder how many of the people voting for this expensive pork barrel of a bill are the same Blue Dogs who are restricting health care because of "fiscal responsibility"?

Widespread Domestic Surveillance Continues Under Obama: Restore My Goddam 4th Amendment rights!!!

By Peter B. Collins on 7/29/2009 12:48PM
AUDIO: Peter B. Collins speaks to the whistleblowers and experts

Does this surprise me?

Nope.

Am I surprised to find out that my government spies on me with equipment developed by some Ukrainian Israeli Mossad fuck?

Nope.

I should write down right here on my silly little blog what some stupid incompetent motherfucker tried to do to me 5 months after that special room went in.

President Obama’s Longtime Physician Opposes White House Health Plan, Advocates Single Payer

How did I miss this one? I love this segment. It helped me to understand one of the right-wingers talking points against the single payer public option. It's not just the health insurance businesses, and for profit healthcare organizations who are fighting this, it's trial lawyers, or "ambulance chasers" as I call them.

Sessions makes it official, he'll vote 'no' on Sotomayor

By David Lightman
Posted on Monday, 07.27.09
McClatchy Newspapers

Why does this not surprise me? I still think this asshole would make great gator bait.

Feinstein is Paid Off $300,000 to Oppose Heath Care Reform

Ahhhh, DiFei, also known as "Nixon in a wig." And war profiteer.

The Three Armies Occupying D.C.: Land Rover Liberals, Corrupt Cowboys and the Millionaire Media

Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 10:01
by: David Sirota

Had lunch with a friend

We both think this guy is hot.



It was nice to catch up after a few years. I think my friend should really invest in the dream job.

Bill Moyers shines a light on the right-wing nutjob talkers

Even though I have listened to many of these clips before I was disturbed by hearing them all in one fell swoop.

Kucinich tells the truth about healthcare in this country

Friday squirrel blogging

I didn't get a picture of the little chirpy bastard this morning because I was attempting to spare my Muslim neighbor the doorbell that would wake him up from the proselytizing Jehovah's Witnesses. I surprised myself by actually taking a deep breath and being patient but firm with them.

I'm listening to Sibel Edmonds and Peter B. Collins interview James Bamford

Bin Laden son 'killed in US attack'

I hope so. Is that vicious and vengeful?
Hmmmmmm. Ask me if I care?

These stupid wars are costing a damn gazillion bucks, the American people gotta get some satisfaction out of them. I don't even know how many dumb twits squirted out brats for that asshole OBL, let alone how many brats he has. Obviously I don't give a crap, or I would have researched it. One less is fine with me.

Oh, I am in a mood. I love Samantha Who? These lines were fabulous;

"Your dress is so pretty." Sam.

"Thanks. Yours is too." Bitch ex-wife.

"You homewrecking whore." Bitch ex-wife.

"...Thanks, I got it on sale." Sam .

These article titles on the same page make me laugh

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Report: NY, NJ immigration raids violated rights
By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press Writer

...NEW YORK (AP) - Immigration agents raiding homes for suspected illegal immigrants violated the U.S. Constitution by entering without proper consent and may have used racial profiling, a report analyzing arrest records found....


Most Mexicans in U.S. Stay Put Despite Recession
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 22, 2009

...About 8 in 10 recent immigrants from Mexico are undocumented, so it is impossible to track arrivals and departures precisely...

Congress finally overrides the religious extremists and lands on planet earth

We wanted to let you know about two major victories we’ve won in the past few days both in the fight against abstinence-only programs. On Friday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee beat back an effort to continue funding to the Community Based Abstinence Education Program (CBAE). As you know, President Obama has called for the elimination of abstinence-only funding, and the FY 2010 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill being considered by the committee followed his lead. That led to a Republican amendment, proposed by Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Zach Wamp (R-TN), to restore funding to the discredited program. The amendment was defeated 24-35. And late last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee defeated a similar amendment to the Health Care Reform Bill by a vote of 26-29. That amendment, which was offered by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) would have re-authorized the Title V abstinence-only program, which was intentionally allowed to expire earlier this year. It is likely that we will see more attempts to restore funding to abstinence-only programs when both bills reach the House floor, and we will need your help to make sure those efforts are unsuccessful. We will keep you informed as the bills progress.

Take that you religious nut-jobs. Ha.

My useless putz congresswhore Bilbray

Recent House Votes

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (219-208, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting) On Thursday, the House voted on this $24.1 billion bill funding the Treasury Department, the executive branch, the judicial branch, the District of Columbia and independent agencies. Rep. Brian Bilbray voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Restore Our American Mustangs Act - Vote Passed (239-185, 9 Not Voting) On Friday, the House passed this bill that intends to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros. Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (320-97, 16 Not Voting) The House approved this $33.3 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs. Rep. Brian Bilbray voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Woo hoooooo, save the Mustangs. Sheeeeeit, how many fucking four-legged Mustangs are in his very suburban district here?

La Jolla man suspected of soliciting the murder of wife

By Staff, City News Service
Monday, July 20, 2009

A La Jolla family-law attorney was behind bars Monday on suspicion of repeatedly soliciting the murder of his wife.

Bwaaaa ha ha ha ha ha ha h ha ha.

Reading Now

Update 12:06 PM 7/21/2009
Obama notes lack of humility among bankers Whoa, there's a shocker eh?

Secrets of the Temple by William Greider.


Since I am reading the book [(c) 1987] and was inspired to read the book by watching Mr. Greider on Bill Moyers Journal speak about the Federal Reserve I was hoping I would see more articles from him. I spotted this article and the title grabbed me:
Dismantling the Temple

At N.Y. Fed, Blending In Is Part of the Job
Some Fear Wall Street Too Heavily Influences The Financial Enforcer
New York Fed President William C. Dudley served 10 years as Goldman Sachs's chief economist.
Washington Post Staff Writer (Who?)
Monday, July 20, 2009

Religion sucks #19

Indonesia Steps Up Probe Against Jemaah Islamiyah After Blast
By Berni Moestafa
July 20 (Bloomberg) --

Jemaah Islamiya

Funding.

Busy little buggers these guys

Olmert: U.S. must stop focusing on settlements

Last update - 16:44 18/07/2009
By Haaretz Service
Tags: ehud olmert, Haaretz TV

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called the United States' focus on freezing construction in the West Bank an impediment to the Middle East peace process, in an article published in The Washington Post on Friday...

Bwaaaah ha ha ha ha hahahaaahaaaa.

Chutzpah.

Gold

HISTORICAL GOLD PRICES- 1833 to Present (May '09)

Published on Friday, July 20, 2001 by Salon.com
Exporting Corporate Control
A Gold Company with Ties to the Bush Family Tries to Muzzle a Muckraking Journalist
by Joe Conason

Poppy Strikes Gold by Greg Palast
—By Greg Palast, From The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (Penguin/Plume, 2003)
April 2003 Issue

Gold Mining Threatens Ancient Andean Glaciers
in Top 25 Censored Stories for 2007
Source: CorpWatch.com, June 20, 2005
Title: “Barrick Gold Strikes Opposition in South”
Author: Glenn Walker

Bush permits desecration of Mt. Tenabo for gold mining
By Steven Newcomb
Despite years of well-voiced opposition from traditional Western Shoshones, the Bush administration, by-way-of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), approved a massive open-pit, cyanide heap-leach gold mine at Mount Tenabo.
Posted on November 28th, 2008 by hunwut

Congo suffering

Gee, somehow I didn't buy Obama's admonishment of Africans regarding their corruption. I wonder why?

This is why I don't smoke pot

Because FUCK THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS, the pinche pendejos.

Walter Cronkite died today

bummer

slideshow ABC


Cronkite's regret

San Diego History "The Stingaree"

Unforgettable: A Walk on the Stingaree Side, Part 1 /

Jeff Smith | Published Wednesday, July 1,2009

Unforgettable: A Walk on the Stingaree Side, Part 2

Unforgettable: A Walk on the Stingaree Side, Part 3
By Jeff Smith | Published Wednesday, July 15, 2009

(Next time: Walter Bellon: “The most hated man in San Diego.”)

Friday squirrel blogging

picture from February, when there was some green stuff around.



You simply have got to read BadTux today. He's been closely following the health insurance wankers.