The Other McCain

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

GOP Swears Balanced Budget Amend. Will Make Congress Serious About The Job They’ve Blown Off For Decades

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 15 Comments

by Smitty

One of the challenges in Afghanistan is that there just isn’t a competent workforce to do, for example, wire a building. You’ve just had a building built. Your likelihood in the winter of turning on the heat and not having your new building, itself, become the heat source is just not where most insurance companies would like it to be. Not wanting to get too pejorative here.
Now, after the smoke has all been let out of your building, and you build another, and the same people come back and offer to wire it again, where is your trust? Is your trust down in the abused spouse range? Are you the sort of punishment glutton that figures you’re just funding OJT for these genuinely nice, but incompetent folks?
Senatorial hopeful George Allencopies a National Review article about the GOP and the balanced budget amendment:

A Balanced Budget Amendment must be included in any agreement to raise the debt ceiling. Helping our economy grow and create jobs needs to start with binding steps to exercise fiscal restraint. The reckless and wasteful spending in Washington is out-of-control, and it’s time that lawmakers take a stand and force our country to get its fiscal house in order.

What sort of stand should these politicians make, George? Lemonade? Could they run such a stand? Could they prove their capacity to do so, before we extend more trust?
I’m working hard to be constructive here. What will be new about this balanced budget amendment that will give our government a lasting shot of common sense? Will there be an emergency spending loophole? Will we see budgeting, itself, become a purely emergency evolution?
In short, again-prospective-Senator Allen, if we’re going to waste time amending the Constitution to say we should balance the budget, we should also amend it to force Congressmen to sign papers with their real names. They would still behave as cartoon characters, one suspects.
No, one suspects this shall amount to nothing more than political theater. Here are some suggestions for what to do to regain some credibility:

  • Axe some executive departments. Snuff some Congressional committees.
  • Implement a one page tax code. (A call to axe the IRS outright might be seen as extreme.)
  • Reduce non-military federal jobs by a percentage equal to jobs lost since BHO was sworn in.

Show some leadership, George. Tell us how you’ll liberate Americans from the thrall of Atrocious Congresses Past. We’ll love you for it.

Category: Uncategorized

How Not to Dive Into a Lake

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 7 Comments

Stupid question: “Did that hurt?”

Category: humor, Video

CA-36: Janice Hahn Spent a Million Scaring People, Now She’s Broke!

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 24 Comments

The special election to replace Rep. Jane Harman is next Tuesday, and the Democratic candidate is down to $44!

[July 1] the Federal Election Commission issued the last Campaign Finance Reports before the election.
Democrat Janice Hahn has $323,348 “Cash on Hand.” Subtracting the $323,304 Ms. Hahn owes in debts leaves her with $44 once her debts are paid.
Her opponent, Torrance businessman and Tea Party Republican [Craig Huey] has largely financed his own campaign. . . .
Ms. Hahn has received over a million dollars in campaign contributions, almost entirely from unions and individual contributors who receive taxpayer dollars.

Janice Hahn perfectly exemplifies her party’s commitment to deficit spending. And what has she been spending all that money for? Scaring people about that dangerous “radical right-wing extremist” Republican, Craig Huey. According to Ladd Ehlinger Jr., Hahn has sent out nine separate mailings with messages like these:


(You can click on the images to see full-size.) Did you notice the use of Sarah Palin’s picture? Believe it or not, Hahn actually used pictures of Rush Limbaugh, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in one of her mailers:


Hahn has gone so far as to run TV ads portraying Craig Huey as Sarah Palin’s ideological soulmate:

Here’s another scary Hahn ad:

What’s the National Republican Congressional Committee doing to win the special election in CA-36? (Crickets chirping.) Turn Right USA political action committee is fighting to defeat Janice Hahn.

Category: California, Congress, Democrats, Election

Another Cain Iowa Staffer Resigns

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 14 Comments

Shane Vander Hart was first to report this:

Charlie Gruschow, former leader of the Des Moines Tea Party, resigned from the campaign on Sunday “to pursue other interests.”  Gruschow had been an early supporter and activist for Cain having been with him since last year even though he was only on the payroll since May.  This is the third Iowa staffer that Cain has lost over the holiday weekend.

I had a long conversation yesterday with a Republican source in Iowa, and reported at The American Spectator:

Last week, Cain’s Iowa organizational director Tina Goff and Iowa straw poll director Kevin Hall both resigned. The resignations of Goff and Hall were “the best thing that could happen” to Cain, said one Iowa Republican activist, who said the pair were “hated” by many of Cain’s grassroots supporters. While Goff and Hall were running Cain’s Iowa operation, they “basically ignored” Gruschow in recent weeks, the Republican activist told The American Specator, adding that the situation had cost the campaign support of many of its early volunteers from the Tea Party movement.

Goff and Hall had both worked on Fred Thompson’s short-lived GOP presidential campaign in 2008, and for Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad’s 2010 campaign, and their association with Cain had been seen by many Republicans as a signal of his campaign’s seriousness in Iowa. However, my source said that the way Goff and Hall had shoved aside Gurschow — who is much beloved within the Tea Party — had resulted in “devastating” negative word-of-mouth for Cain’s campaign among grassroots volunteers. My source described the recent Iowa resignations as a “bubble that finally burst.”

Cain was interviewed Sunday by WHO-TV in Des Moines and said: “Turn over is a natural thing in any organization you’re trying to put together . . . We’re stable in terms of an organization. In a matter of days we’ll open an office here in Iowa and in New Hampshire. We’ve already replaced those staffers almost immediately; this is not a major hiccup in our campaign.”

On Twitter last night, Prudence Paine asked, “What do you think? falling apart? recoverable?” And my reply was: “Important thing to keep in mind: Still six months before the caucuses.”

This situation is not comparable to Newt Gingrich’s campaign implosion. Practically Newt’s entire staff resigned en masse because of dissatisfaction with the candidate’s own behavior — cruising the Aegean Sea instead of campaigning, etc.

By contrast, Cain has had five resignations and still has a staff of more than 40. And say what you will about Herman Cain: He never endorsed Dede Scozzafava.

UPDATE: I got an angry e-mail from Kevin Hall over my characterization of the situation, and realize now that I probably misunderstood what my source on this story was telling me. Charlie Gruschow returned my phone call today — I’d called him yesterday afternoon, and left a message — and said (a) he and Kevin are friends, (b) Kevin wasn’t the person who was trying to shove Charlie aside, (c) the person who was trying to shove Charlie aside is another ex-staffer not previously named by me in connection with the Iowa organization, and (d) Charlie remains a strong supporter of Herman Cain, despite resigning from his official role with the campaign.

I’ll have much more on this later, but wanted to clarify the misimpression I’d unintentionally created.

Category: Election 2012, Herman Cain, Iowa, Republicans

LIVE AT FIVE – 07.05.11

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 1 Comment

TOP NEWS
Co-Founder Of Zetas Drug Gang Captured In Mexico

Jesus Enrique Rejon

Suspect in murder of ICE agent Jaime Zapata; capture gives shot in the arm to controversial, bloody drug war

One Dead, Eight Missing As Fishing Boat Capsizes Off Mexico
Search underway in Gulf of California

Hugo Chavez Tells Supporters He Will “Win This Battle For Life”
Returns to Caracas after a month of cancer treatment in Cuba



POLITICS
President Thanks The Troops At White House Party

President Obama thanks troops and their families

Third annual barbecue and concert on the South Lawn

Candidates Campaign On Independence Day

Fox News Twitter Account Hacked

Deficit Talks Focus On Taxes




NEA Changes Position On Teacher Evaluations

Crystal Cathedral Denies Schuller Ouster Reports



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
S&P Declares Restructuring Of Greek Debt Equivalent To Default
Moody’s Says PRC Understated Risk From Local Government Loans
German Court To Begin Hearing Case Against Euro Bailouts
Gold Edges Up After S&P Warning
Dollar Rises As PRC Inflation Concern Increases Demand For Security
Asian Shares End Mostly Up
Samsung Drops Countersuit But Raises Stakes Against Apple
Hackers Target Apple Server
Facebook Teams With Skype For Video Chat



SPORTS
Joey Chesnut Wins Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition; Fifth Win In A Row

"Jaws" retains his championship

Sixty-two dogs downed in ten minutes
Meanwhile, former champ Kobayashi eats 69 for unofficial record

Jeter Returns, Yankees Lose To Tribe Anyway 6-3



Pagan Leads Rallies As Mets Keep Coming Back For Win Against Dodgers

Angels Whip Tigers 5-1, Stay Tied With Rangers Atop AL West

Pirates Pound Astros Pitchers For 14 Hits, Win 5-3

Rangers Rip Birds 13-4

Cubs Fall To Nationals 5-4 On Wild Pitch In 10th



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Prince William Beats His Wife

Prince William and his merry dragon boat men

…in a friendly boat race.

Weston Cage & Wife Booked For Domestic Violence

Daniel Radcliffe: Why I Don’t Drink Any More





Octomom FURIOUS Over Fabricated Quotes From Fake Interview

Pro Wrestler Hurls Homophobic Slur At Fan
I say, what has become of the gentlemanly, decorous sport of professional wrestling? This is positively beastly!



FOREIGNERS
Strauss-Kahn Faces Sex Charges In Paris (Video)
Japan’s Reconstruction Minister Resigns Over Verbal Gaffe
Libyan Rebels Making A List And Checking It Twice
Petraeus: Fight In Afghanistan To Turn East



BLOGS & STUFF
Gateway Pundit: It’s An Obama World – NYC Rations Toilet Paper At Coney Island
Jihad Watch: UK Jihadis Told To Pretend They’re Gay To Avoid Suspicion And Female Spies
Jeff Jacoby: Philosophy, Faith, And The Fourth Of July
JammieWearingFool: Obama To Dump Biden For Andrew Cuomo?
Belmont Club: North Of July
Grauniad: Reagan Honoured With London Statue

— compiled by Wombat-socho

Category: Live at Five

French Plan for Greek Crisis Won’t Work

Posted on | July 4, 2011 | 2 Comments

The stock market surged last week after France announced a plan for French banks to roll over some maturing Greek bonds, thus helping avert default. But now credit rating agencies have had a chance to read the fine print on that plan and aren’t liking what they see:

Greece risks being judged in default on its debt obligations if banks are forced to bear part of the pain, Standard & Poor’s said Monday, suggesting that current proposals for rescuing the euro zone’s weakest member may have to be reconsidered.
In particular, a plan proposed by the French government and banks “could require private sector debt restructuring in a form that we would view as an effective default,” S.&P. said in a statement.
The effects of a Greek default would be felt around the world. The country’s debt of €330 billion might not be large enough in itself to set off a renewed financial crisis, but once the precedent of a euro-zone default had been set, investors would likely abandon the debts of other struggling members, including Portugal and Spain.
More worryingly, Western banks, including the giants of Wall Street, have built a tower of credit default swaps — essentially insurance — on the debts of those countries, and the cost of paying up in a default would be huge. . . .

Just keep reading, it gets worse. Europe has managed to kick the can a bit further down the road, delaying the day of reckoning for a few months, but the essential problems of the Euro-zone’s PIIGS (debt-laden Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) stubbornly remain.

UPDATE: From Adjoran’s comments below:

No, they haven’t really kicked the can down the road.  They are at the point that the most they can manage is to kick the can across the room a bit.  The can ain’t a-goin’ nowhere.
S&P and other agencies warned about this early in the Greek crisis, that any restructuring which involves the creditors eating any loss would constitute a default and the credit rating would be affected.  Even if the rating agencies didn’t, the bond market isn’t stupid, everyone except Obama and Greece understands a line has been crossed.
Even if this deal didn’t cost the ratings devaluation, it isn’t some miracle like the equity markets seem to believe (probably classical wishful thinking added to the inflated “value” of debased currencies).  This deal is only being advertised as carrying Greece through until 2014, but that presumes a lot:  that every economy envisioned in the austerity plan will be fully and immediately implemented, that the large segment of taxes which have been uncollected in Greece for decades will suddenly come into the Treasury, and that nothing else will go wrong at all for the next three years.  They should have asked for a pony, too.

“The bond market isn’t stupid.” Indeed.

PREVIOUSLY:

Category: Economics, Europe, France, Greece

Sexiest Kate Middleton Photo EVAH!

Posted on | July 4, 2011 | 14 Comments

Let’s face it, guys, the Duchess of Cambridge is a royal hottie. But of all the sexy photos you’ve ever seen of Kate Middleton, nothing was ever as sexy as this latest one. Read more

Category: Great Britain, Rule 5

Rule 5 Independence Day

Posted on | July 4, 2011 | 7 Comments

Young Americans celebrating Independence Day in appropriate clothing.


Photo snarfed from GrEaT sAtAn’s gIrLfRiEnD, where global diplomacy and military affairs are (somewhat) tastefully juxtaposed with Rule 5 goodness.

Let us continue our parade of well-dressed babes at The POH Diaries, which this week presents the Kate Upton Staring Contest Video, along with some Rule 5 linkagery of his own. A View From The Beach has an update on the story of the Runaway Playboy Mansion Bride, Fishersville Mike has Kelli Pickler smooching a Marine, the Rio Norte Line has an assortment of pics starring JP Morgan Chase’s newest London intern, and Eye of Polyphemus has a January Jones post buried amongst all the ST: Voyager episode recaps. Randy’s Roundtable spotlights Brooklyn Decker for his midweek Rule 5 and Emily Scott on Thursday. Valley of the Shadow imitates the action of the tigress by combining Kat von D with a tip jar appeal; go forth, admire, and donate!

“But what of Soylent Green?” you may be asking. Why, he’s right here with Monday Motivationor Shannon Stewart, a gal who doesn’t look in the least like a Mobius Strip, Midweek Sorcery, some napalm for the weekend traffic suckage, Friday’s Corset Conundrum, Saturday Supplemental Snooch, Sunday Snooch, and some serious fireworks with extra hotness for Independence Day. Almost all NSFW, of course.

El Opinador Compulsivo checks in with some Argentinian Victoria’s Secret shots, an explanation for why Argentines are freaked out over the state of the world, a salute to Canada Day, a bedtime blonde, and content satisfying the Hilton Quota.

Three Beers Later presents Foamy The Squirrel and some Denise Milani to make up for Foamy. Also, Bikini Ballet!

American Power this week offers Marisa Miller video, Lucy Pinder And The Lynx Effect, Hooters International 2011 Swimsuit Video, and Fran Drescher.

Jake Finnegan has Jordan Carver all wrapped up in the flag, Maggie’s Notebook the new Princess of Monaco, and Postaldog has a post full of sheer madness . Also, welcome to Teresamerica, who’s all about the legs in her debut Rule 5 post! Dustbury also checks in with Afghanistan’s combination of Oprah and Hannah Montana not to mention BET’s Rocsi.

Proof Positive checks in this week with Vintage Babe Valerie Perrine, Genevieve Morton, a double dose of Katy Perry, some bad news buffered by Adrienne Palicki, and some California billboard bikini “porn”.

At The Camp Of The Saints, we start with Erica Campbell, continue with Rule 5 News, Stacy & Salma, and wrap up with a double bill of Dorothy Mays and Valerie Lane.

We end this Rule 5 roundup like we end all such posts, with some DaleyBabes from the Daley Gator. This week, it’s Natalia Estrada, Aria Giovanni, Vivica Fox, Hilary Duff and Jennifer Love Hewitt videos, Phoebe Cates, Asian Babe Friday, and last (but not least) Nicole Narain.

Thanks to all for their links. To be included in next week’s Rule 5 Sunday, e-mail your links to Rule 5 Wombat by Saturday, July 9.

Category: Rule 5
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