Personal – Page 661 – Politics Plus

Warren Stands Up to Rude Republicans

Posted by TomCat at 1:37 am Personal

May 252011

Republican politicians react most aggressively any time one of them is shown the slightest discourtesy, but hypocrites that they are, they refuse give the respect and courtesy to others that they demand for themselves. That is doubly true when the recipient of their abuse is a champion for consumer rights, one that they truly fear, Elizabeth Warren. Yesterday’s House Oversight Committee hearing was ugly.

House Republicans have been adamant since last year that they don’t like the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — and they also made it apparent they don’t like Elizabeth Warren, the Obama administration advisor who is helping launch the agency.

After a bitter and contentious House oversight subcommittee hearing Tuesday, Warren showed that the feeling might be mutual.

The clash highlighted how Warren has become a lightning rod for opponents of the agency, created by last year’s financial reform law. And it also could explain why President Obama hasn’t nominated her to be the agency’s powerful full-time director despite strong support from congressional Democrats, consumer advocates and liberal interest groups.

Warren, a Harvard Law professor, is so beloved by liberals that some Democrats are encouraging her to challenge Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) in her home state next year.

"In one respect, I congratulate you for instilling such fear … because they understand how effective you are about getting the message out to the American people," Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) told Warren, apologizing to her for what he called "the rude and disrespectful" questioning by some Republicans.

Warren and Republicans clashed often during the hearing, which followed approval by the House Financial Services Committee this month of legislation limiting the consumer bureau’s power. That bill, however, is likely to die in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The disputes started with allegations from subcommittee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) that she had misled Congress about her role in federal and state negotiations with large mortgage servicers to resolve investigations into botched foreclosure paperwork.

McHenry said agency documents indicated that she and other consumer bureau staffers were actively involved in the negotiations, not just advising other federal agencies as she had said at an earlier hearing.

Warren denied misleading lawmakers and said the agency was only providing advice.

McHenry also pressed her about whether she would accept an appointment from Obama to head the agency… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <LA Times>

Falsely accusing her of misleading Congress is .bad enough, but McHenry also accused her of lying. Rachel Maddow reported the exchange.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

As much as I like the sound of Senator Warren, we need her expertise at the CFPB, or better yet, replacing Timmy the Tool at Treasury. Since Senate Republicans have promised to block any appointment to head the CFPB, Obama should appoint her at the next recess. Do you agree? Tell him! (202) 456-1414

Open Thread–5/25/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:35 am Open Thread, Personal

May 252011

Yesterday I did not improve. I need to contact my dentist, because I think one site is not healing properly. I’m current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:40 (average 5:37). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday that he opposes the idea of a planned House vote next week to raise the debt ceiling without any conditions, noting that House Republican leaders have said they expect that the measure will not pass and suggesting that international financial markets may respond negatively to the vote.

Republicans scheduled this meaningless vote only to get on record for opposing it. It won’t hurt their Bankster buddies, because they will know when to go short. It will hurt retirees. Now, if only Reid would oppose Republicans in the Senate,

From Huffington Post: A House GOP proposal is seeking $285 million in cuts to the Food and Drug Administration, an 11 percent reduction from FY 2011, just as the agency moves to implement an ambitious new food safety law, reports Food Safety News. The proposal would also reduce the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service budget by $35 million.

Banksters get $billions. Children get tainted food. That’s RepubliCare.

From Seattle PI: A group of Oregon legislators told federal officials Tuesday that the Hanford nuclear reservation should not be considered for permanent storage of radioactive waste.

The 17 lawmakers said in a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy that Hanford is already highly contaminated with radioactive waste.

"The existing situation is perilous enough without adding further waste," wrote the lawmakers, all of them Democrats representing the Portland area.

I’m right to call NIMBY on this one! Hanford is already leaking upstream of my back yard.

Cartoon:

Republicans don’t want to destroy Medicare. (That was not intended to be a factual statement.)

Open Thread–5/24/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:34 am Open Thread, Personal

May 242011

Yesterday I did not sleep well, and between that and the pain meds, I feel quite woozy. I made it out to the corner store, but they had only one cottage cheese left in stock. Grrr! The pain remains level, and the inability to eat right is starting to grate on me. I’m current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:42 (average 4:43). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From La Times: The Senate voted overwhelmingly Monday to extend expiring provisions of the Patriot Act for four years despite objections of a coalition of conservatives and liberals.

I was disappointed that Ron Wyden voted for it and pleased that Jeff Merkley voted against it. With all but only four Dems voting for it, I suspect there’s a deal afoot.

From MoveOn.org: Take Medicare Cuts Off the Table

Reich is right on!

From Think Progress: Yet what Hatch, Netanyahu, and their allies in the U.S. Congress are not saying is that most Israelis and Palestinians actually support a settlement based around 1967 borders with mutually agreed land swaps that result in a safe, secure, free, and prosperous independent Palestinian and Israeli states.

Right wing politicians oppose the best interests of their constituencies worldwide.

Cartoon:

Batshit Bachmann would be a boring candidate. (That was not intended to be a factual statement).

Open Thread–5/23/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:40 am Open Thread, Personal

May 232011

Yesterday I continued to slowly improve, but easing off the pain pills are bring out extreme tobacco cravings. I spent most of yesterday watching TV and trying to figure out more things I can eat over the next few weeks. I’m current with replies. Today I plan to venture out for the first time since the extractions. I need more cottage cheese and canned fruit.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today took me 4:12 (average 5:16). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From ABC: Republican Tim Pawlenty offered a sneak peek Sunday at his presidential kickoff, blasting out an Internet video in which he promises a campaign that "tells the American people the truth" and suggests that President Barack Obama doesn’t.

He would do for America what he had done for Minnesota. Thumbs down

From Politico: A new poll shows Democrat Kathy Hochul leading Republican Jane Corwin just two days before the special election for a vacant western New York House seat.

The poll by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling is the second survey in two days to suggest Hochul is now the favorite to win what is typically a Republican-oriented district. Hochul led Corwin by 42 percent to 36 percent, according to the PPP survey. Jack Davis, an independent candidate running on the Tea Party ballot line, picked up 13 percent.

Go, Kathy, Go!!

From Xinhua: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday urged Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to "peacefully and orderly" transfer power, saying "the time for action is now."

Clinton said the U.S. is "deeply disappointed" by Saleh’s continued refusal to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered deal. "He is turning his back on his commitments and disregarding the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people," the top U.S. envoy said in a statement.

That’s exactly the stance she should take.

Cartoon:

When one Republican calls another Republican a liar, it’s a conundrum. (That was intended to be a factual statement.)

Open Thread–5/22/2011

Posted by TomCat at 2:10 am Open Thread, Personal

May 222011

Yesterday I tried to go without pain pills. I made it for nine hours. Now it’s been 7 1/2 hours and the pain is getting severe. I’m still pretty knocked down, but I have articles today and am current on comments. It’s still touch and go, day by day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:20 (average 4:38). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he will not seek Republican White House nomination.

Pundits have been saying he was their great white hope. Oops!

From Salt Lake City Tribune: Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said the concept of a border fence “repulses” him, but he believes that it is a necessity for the United States to get a handle on its illegal immigration problem.

At the same time, he calls it unrealistic to believe the millions of undocumented people already here can be deported.

This could be dangerous. The fence is a waste of money, but a Republican hopeful that says something sane could be a problem.

From LA Times: Yemen’s political opposition signed an internationally negotiated deal Saturday that lays the groundwork for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s nearly 33-year rule.

Saleh has said he intends to sign the agreement Sunday. But in a speech Saturday, he dismissed the plan as "a mere coup operation." He also claimed that if he left office, Yemen’s Al Qaeda offshoot would overrun parts of the country.

Talk about a fear card! AQ overran parts of the country already in his watch. The overwhelming majority of the demonstrators are not AQ. If he does not keep his word and leave, Obama should cut him off.

Cartoon:

The rapture was magnificent! (That was not intended to be a factual statement.)

Open Thread–5/21/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:18 am Open Thread, Personal

May 212011

Yesterday I continued to improve, albeit gradually, and can go five or six hours between painkillers. I’m current on replies and have a normal slate of articles for you today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:09 (average 4:49). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From AP/Google: The Palestinians will move ahead with their quest to win U.N. recognition of a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, rebuffing U.S. President Barack Obama’s warning that such a move would be pointless.

The aide, Nabil Shaath, spoke after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a White House meeting Friday, rejected Obama’s call to use the pre-1967 war lines as the basis for border talks with the Palestinians.

Obama is wrong here. Since Israel is reneging on treaty obligations, it is only fitting that Palestinians seek UN Recognition. For them to do so over US objections is highly reminiscent of Israel doing so over British objections in 1948.

From Common Dreams: Human-induced climate change is contributing to the recent heavy rain and ongoing record flooding along the Mississippi River, and we can expect more extreme weather events in the future, according to scientists and adaptation experts on a teleconference held by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Hos ironic it is that states who suffer the worst effects of climate change have elected Republican fools who deny its existence.

From News Hounds: Sarah Palin is probably the last of the 2012 presidential candidate poseurs. Now that Trump and Huckabee have given up the teasing charades, and Gingrich, Romney and Pawlenty are clearly in, Palin is milking her last moments left in the sun before she inevitably bows out. Thanks to her interview with Greta Van Susteren last night (5/19/11), we even know what her excuse will be – her concern for family. Nevertheless, she wants you to know, “I have that fire in my belly.”

I have no doubt that she’s just trumping up her financial interests. However, I would just love the see the Republicans choose a Blood-libel Barbie/Batshit Bitch ticket for 2012.

Cartoon:

If you rapture and go POOF today, please leave a comment on the way up. (That was not intended to be a factual statement.)

Open Thread–5/20/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:49 am Open Thread, Personal

May 202011

Yesterday I slept most of the day, I’m still in quite a bit of pain, but have been able to eat cottage cheese and apple sauce, scrambled eggs and cheese, milk soaked angel food cake and ice cream. I’m finding it quite hard to focus, but the speech is too important not to cover it. I caught up on replies but am slightly behind again. My activity level remains touch and go.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:58 (average 6:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From AP/Google: The Senate’s top Democrat on budget matters said Thursday that he’s holding off on advancing a Democrats-only budget plan.

Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said he’s waiting to see the results of bipartisan talks involving Vice President Joe Biden on legislation to allow the government to borrow to pay its bills.

Conrad said the annual congressional budget process might be needed to expedite passage of the so-called debt limit measure without threat of a filibuster by Republicans.

If I had my way, that damn DINO would be moved to the Senate Select Committee on Outhouse Restoration.

From Salon: Bachmann is expected to announce sometime in the next month that she’ll form an exploratory committee for president — senior aides say she’s "very likely to run" — and the congresswoman told MinnPost that if she does indeed run, she will retain her House seat throughout at least the primary campaign.

May she humiliate herself sufficiently to lose her House seat.

From Think Progress: Several Congressional Republicans, including Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), have posited that failing to raise the debt ceiling — and thus forcing the U.S. to default on some of its obligations — would not be bad for the economy. “I don’t think it’s going to have an adverse impact on the economy for the days or weeks or perhaps even months that this would continue,” Toomey said.

If this had been a full article here, I’d have put him in a tinfoil hat.

Cartoon:

Michelle “Batshit” Bachmann for Dog Catcher! (That was not intended to be a factual statement, and I apologize to dogs.)

Open Thread–5/19/2011

Posted by TomCat at 2:23 am Open Thread, Personal

May 192011

Yesterday was no fun. The first tooth the dentist pulled had a root embedded in and fused with the bone. Digging that tooth out took over 20 minutes and five extra shots of Novocain. The rest came out in less than five minutes total. After the Novocain wore off, the vocodin has been able to kill the pain from all the extraction sites, save the one. That one hurts like hell. I am behind on comments and will catch up later today, if I can. Other that this, the article on Coburn will be it for today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:09 (average 4:32). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The Guardian: A tape recorded by Osama bin Laden before his death in an American special forces raid earlier this month has been posthumously released onto Islamic militant websites.

The message, recorded some time in the ten weeks before the 54-year-old al-Qaida leader was killed in Pakistan on May 2, praises the "Arab Spring" protest movements across the Middle East and predicts that revolutions will spread.

Al Qaeda has not been welcome in Arab Spring. Their hope may be that endorsing it might provoke opposition to Arab Spring by Al Dubya and with it, their special brand of hatred that makes such a great recruiting tool for AQ.

From LA Times: The Senate will conduct a procedural vote Thursday on the long-stalled nomination of UC Berkeley law professor Goodwin Liu to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The motion to cut off debate needs 60 votes to pass, which means at least seven Republicans would have to cross party lines in order for Liu to receive a simple up-or-down vote on the floor. Otherwise, the GOP will filibuster an Obama judicial nominee for the first time, though other nominees have dropped out or have not been put up to a vote.

Liu is well qualified and honest. For those reasons, I expect Republicans to block him.

Cartoon:

Republicans are truthful. That was not intended to be an accurate statement.

Older Entries Newer Entries