The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

The Economy: How Bad Does It Suck?

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 6 Comments

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 236.17 points Wednesday, closing at 11,257.5. Since Nov. 11, the Dow has lost 896.13 points (7.4%), and the forecast is ominous:

Stocks suffered a sixth straight day of losses on Wednesday as frustration over the euro zone’s debt crisis, coupled with weak Chinese factory data, further dented investor sentiment.
A weak German bond sale sparked fears the debt crisis was even beginning to threaten Berlin, with the leaders of France and Germany still at odds over a longer-term structural solution.
The poor demand for German government bonds showed that investors viewed investing in the euro zone as being too risky.

Here’s a cheerful headline:

“Disastrous” bond sale shakes
confidence in Germany

Megan McArdle explains at the Atlantic:

A year ago, Germany and France could probably have saved the euro–at least for a time–by stepping in to guarantee all the debts of the peripheral euro zone nations. To be sure, this would have created quite a lot of other problems, but it would have saved their banks and their currency union.
However, a year ago, governments were nowhere near ready to take such drastic action: the French and German governments didn’t want to put their credit rating behind Greek profligacy, and their voters wouldn’t have stood for it if they’d tried.
At this point, however, with the panic in full flight, it’s not entirely clear to me that even a 100% guarantee would staunch the bleeding for more than a short time. Do the Germans really have enough to guarantee the debts of most of the rest of the euro zone?

After two “recovery summers,” it’s all gloom and doom this fall:

Dexia Bailout On Verge Of Collapse, Threatens
To Take France AAA Rating Down With It

Euro on ‘Death Watch’ After
Investors Spurn German Bonds

Sarkozy: Europe’s “Liquidity Run” Has Begun
Because There Is An Unsolvable $30 Trillion Problem

So: Stocks suck and bonds look shaky. Which means . . . gold?

Gold and silver futures declined for the second time in three days as the dollar’s rally muted demand for precious metals as an alternative investment.

Wait — what?

Gold fell further on Thursday as declines in equities blamed on the euro zone crisis prompted investors to sell bullion to cover losses, while a firmer U.S. dollar also put pressure on prices. 

In other words, the economy sucks so bad right now, rich people are being forced to sell gold in order to make up for money they’re losing in every other area of investment. But perhaps there are financial opportunities in international catastrophe.

Egypt Slips Deeper Into Crisis on Sixth Day of Protests
—

Unrest stirs fears inside Israel
—

Kuwait arrests activists for storming parliament  
—

MILITIA GROUPS RUN WILD IN LIBYA

Investing in oil futures might work, but maybe it’s time to panic?

Survival Shop Reports Jump
In Sales To People Preparing
For “Possible Collapse”

Let’s face it, folks: The economy sucks real bad, and it’s only going to get worse. And you know what that means? It’s time for you to start shopping our Amazon’s “Black Friday Deals Week” specials: Great savings for you, commissions for me, and that way we’ll have enough money to stock up on freeze-dried food, Coleman lantern fuel and ammunition. Lots and lots of ammunition.

Category: Economics, Europe, Germany, Gold

LIVE AT FIVE – 11.24.11

Posted on | November 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Unrest Continues Near Tahrir Square

Tear gas and ambulances 24x7


Street battles continue all night & day near the Interior Ministry

Saleh Agrees To End Thirty-Year Rule In Yemen
President agrees to step down


Poor Economy No Speed Bump For Thanksgiving Travelers
Highest number of travelers setting out to see friends and family since 2007



POLITICS
Gingrich Backlash Brewing In Iowa Over Immigration?

Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista doing lunch at the Iowa State Fair

Some Iowans not keen on legal residency for illegals, apparently

Occupy Protests Cost Nation’s Cities $13 Million

Romney Picks Up Thune Endorsement

Ron Paul Front Runner In Iowa Poll?


Obama Camp Goes After Romney On Foreign Policy

Feds Bag Idea Of Curbing Target Practice On Public Lands

Medicare Administrator Berwick Resigns

Judge Rules Harrisburg Not Eligible For Bankruptcy Protection



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Yen Gains As Japanese Stocks, Won Decline
Wall Street Falls For Sixth Day
John Deere’s Profit Up 46% As Sales Increase
Moody’s: US Rating Imperiled Without $1.2 Trillion In Cuts
Investors Unfriending Social Media
Merck To Pay $950 Million In Vioxx Case
Brazilians Nix Drilling By Chevron
iPad Retina-Slaying Reports Return
Feds Find No Proof Of Hacking On Failed Illinois Water Pump
Google Kills Off Seven More Products, Including Wave
Facebook Phone: Who Would Buy This Thing?



SPORTS
NBA Talks Resume

Player's lawyer David Boies

Giving the gift of renewed talks

Harbaugh Bros. Get Together For Thanksgiving
49ers face Ravens on the Thanksgiving NFL card

Garrison, Versteeg Send Panthers Past Rangers 2-1

Chiefs Claim Orton Off Waivers

Capitals Ground Jets 4-3 In OT

Win, LSU, Or Watch Your Shot At BCS Title Go Away

Bruins Edge Sabres 4-3, Extend Win Streak To Ten



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Will Katy Perry Star As Marilyn Monroe On Broadway?

Perry, Monroe & Williams: the three Marilyns?

Harvey Weinstein talking up the possibility


Nicole Scherzinger Bares Her Assets In New Book


“Desperate Housewives” Books Final Season Comebacks For Dana Delany, Kyle McLachlan


J-Lo’s Beau Casper Smart Faces Charges For Illegal Drag Racing

Lady Gaga Gets Into The Holiday Spirit


Expect Madness And Craziness For Miley’s 19th Birthday, Says Kelly Osbourne

Eva Mendes Looks Freakishly Like Amy Winehouse On Set Of New Movie

Dan Lozano: King of Sleaze Mountain



FOREIGNERS
Bahraini King Blames Iran For Fueling Uprising Despite Report
Turkey’s Hard Line On Syria Hides Conflicted Loyalties
Sherry Rehman Named New Pakistani Ambassador To UN
Russia May Target US Missile Defense Sites
British Columbia Court Upholds Constitutionality Of Anti-Polygamy Law



BLOGS & STUFF
Michael Walsh: Newt The Tactician
Wizbang: “…let’s be humane…”
Don Surber: Syria The Next Libya?
Lonely Conservative: Business Owner Posts Signs On Trucks – No Hiring Until Obama’s Out Of Office
Dave Weigel: Team Romney Crows About That Obama Ad
Megan McArdle: German Bond Auction Falls
Weasel Zippers: Poll – 48% Of Voters Want Courts To Kill Obamacare
Doug Powers: Bachmann Says, By Now Michelle Obama Would Have Gotten An Apology From NBC


SOTD – Baby Got Back (h/t El Rushbo)


Administrivia: there will be no Live at Five on Friday morning

Category: Live at Five

Knuckle-Dragging Conservative Who Hates Progress And Gaia Loves To Vent His Fascist Rage On Innocent Animals

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 11 Comments

by Smitty

via Grandpa John

Category: Paul Ryan

‘Equality’ for 0.5%

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 7 Comments

There is no fraction of the population so tiny that it cannot be organized into a victimhood constituency that provides liberals an opportunity to congratulate themselves on their moral superiority:

BOSTON – Wednesday, November 23, 2011 – Governor Deval Patrick today signed H.3810, “An Act Relative To Gender Identity,” historic legislation to legally protect transgender individuals from discrimination in housing, education, employment and credit. The new law, signed at the State House today, also provides additional civil rights and protections from hate crimes. . . .
“Massachusetts strives to be an inclusive Commonwealth, and this new law acknowledges that discrimination against any person will not be tolerated,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.
The transgender equal rights law will make Massachusetts the 16th state to treat transgender citizens as a protected class. . . .
“Today is a another step toward ensuring equal protections for all citizens and eradicating discrimination in our Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Martha Coakley. “For too long, transgender people have suffered in silence in seeking employment, safe housing and educational opportunities. With the signing of this bill, Massachusetts has created a better, and fairer, future for all residents, regardless of their gender identity or expression.” . . .
“This bill is about making sure that our anti-discrimination and civil rights laws protect all victims,” said Senator Benjamin B. Downing. “For too long the 33,000 transgender residents in Massachusetts have gone without these protections. Thanks to this step that will no longer be the case.”

So, I did the math: 6.5 million people in Massachusetts according to the Census Bureau, 33,000 “transgender residents” according to Downing and, unless I misplaced the decimal point, these liberals are applauding themselves for providing “equal protection” to about one-half of one percent of the state’s people. What about the other 99.5 percent?

Never mind. The grand crusade for “eradicating discrimination” must continue on behalf of those who have “suffered in silence” — as if, prior to passage of this legislation, Massachusetts was a hive of intolerance.

Ask yourself: What “rights” have actually been secured by this legislation that is the occasion for another tiresome outburst of liberal self-congratulation? Mainly, the right to sue people for “discrimination,” creating more work for ambulance-chasers who can now collect fees for filing nuisance lawsuits against companies accused of failing to meet their quota of transgendered employees.

So when people in Boston start showing up for work dressed like extras from The Rocky Horror Picture Show — and threatening to sue anybody who says a discouraging word about their legally protected right to “gender identity” — don’t say I didn’t warn you.

UPDATE: Since we’re talking about percentages, are there any millionaires among those “33,000 transgender residents in Massachusetts”? Because if they’re part of that 1%, they have no rights.

Category: Massachusetts

And You Thought You Were Bummed Out

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

Struggling with feelings of despair? Count your blessings:

Rick Perry’s shaky debate performances have hurt his poll numbers and, apparently, the market for quickie books about the Texas governor. “I had a deal,” grouses . . . reporter R.G. Ratcliffe, “and Perry blew it.” I Love You Phillip Morris author Steve McVicker says interest in his proposed Perry book peaked in August, right around the time Perry held his giant prayer rally at Reliant Stadium in Houston, but now things are in “a state of flux.”

More bummers for would-be Perry biographers:

It may be hard to remember, but Rick Perry’s candidacy once seemed very promising to a lot of people, and book publishers jumped aboard the handsome cowboy/Bush II bandwagon — only to get off the second that everything got derailed. Unsurprisingly, this left a few writers penning “Perry might be our next president”-timed books in the lurch, and today, one of those authors, a Democrat, Jason Stanford, humorously lamented in the Texas Tribune about his turn of fortunes, and why he obviously feels conflicted. . . .
“He’s run such a bad campaign that we lost our book deal. …. People are reading Adios, Mofo and enjoying it, but its ultimate prospects are tied to Perry’s fortunes. That is, they stink. It’s selling well on Kindle, the e-book version of your band being big in Belgium. If Perry makes a comeback in Iowa, Adios, Mofo will be a different story, putting this Democrat in the horrible position of profiting from his potential success.”

Be thankful you didn’t jump on that bandwagon. And please shop our Amazon’s “Black Friday Deals Week” specials — great bargains for you, a small commission for me, a happy holiday to all.

Category: Books, Election 2012, Rick Perry

Unfortunately, Dave Weigel Is Right

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 38 Comments

This should make you as sad as it makes me:

There are 10 Republican candidates for president running in two campaigns. In Campaign No. 1, the nominee will be chosen in a matter of months, starting with caucuses in Iowa, then a primary in New Hampshire, then primaries in South Carolina, Florida, and so on—boring stuff, we’re all used to it. Mitt Romney is dully, ploddingly doing exactly what he needs to win this campaign. And then we have campaign No. 2. A tag team of quotable, viral-video-ready TV stars are taking turns as frontrunners. The press stages rigorous guessing games about which of them is going to surge next.
Campaign No. 2 is suspenseful and entertaining. Sexual harassment! Migraines! Ellis the Elephant! Donald Trump’s hair! Campaign No. 1 is as boring as the second draft of a Henry James novel. So it’s been a really long time since we paid attention to campaign No. 1. . . .

Go read the whole thing and try to tell me Dave is wrong, especially about the ridiculously implausible “Gingrich surge.” Anybody who thinks Newt’s going to be the Republican nominee should be sure and bring a hat to the GOP convention next August, because I will be glad to eat your hat — and my hat, and every damned hat in Tampa — if Newt wins.

Of all the headlines I can guarantee you’ll never see, “Newt Wins Republican Nomination” is at the top of the list, or at least a close second to, “Tabitha Hale Puts Stacy McCain on BlogCon Panel.”

UPDATE: I’m laughing at this part of Dave’s article:

Prefab Newtmania reached its dizzy heights on Monday night, when Monica Crowley got a chance to interview the man on Fox News.
“So, I am looking at these polls,” said Crowley, “and you are enjoying something of a surge. To what do you attribute that uptick?”
Tough question. “I think part of it is just substance and real solutions,” explained Gingrich.
“You are such a serious conservative intellectual,” challenged Crowley.

It’s like Chris Matthews interviewing Obama or something.

Category: Dave Weigel, Election 2012

An Outline For Use On RomneyCare

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 10 Comments

by Smitty

Right Klik has done a superbe job in composing a video on RomneyCare:

I have not done the homework to see whether every single bullet point this video makes is valid. Then again, I’m no Romney apologist. Mitt just seems too glib about the way keen swellness of RomneyCare. But the 2012 election is not an episode of Leave it to Beaver, for all of the Ward Cleaver polish Mitt brings to the role.

One can expect the Romney campaign will have some issues with the video’s review of RomneyCare. Unlike #OccupyResoluteDesk, Mitt cannot blow off RomneyCare criticism the way BHO has blown of criticism of ObamaCare (as part of his overall Blow Off The Presidency program). Mitt has to stand and deliver. Thus far, Mitt has refused to admit he has an ugly baby. This refusal bumps Mitt in the delusional direction of BHO.

The Romney campaign’s master stroke on the RomneyCare issue is to admit that the execution was sub-optimal* and then describe in detail the lessons learned. Extra credit for the realization that all of our federal entitlements are daft, and describing the plan to wean the country off of that noise.

*A weasel word meaning “stone cold disaster”.

Category: Health Care

‘I Know It’s Not Much, But It’s the Best I Can Do …’

Posted on | November 23, 2011 | 7 Comments

My cousin Pepper Ellis Hagebak’s column in the LaGrange (Ga.) News tells a story about Thanksgiving past. It involves a song.

But, wait — has Pepper never gotten to meet David Lee Roth? Because I think we could probably make that happen. I promised.

Category: Family
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