Thursday, December 31, 2009
Worst. Decade. Ever.
Oh I'm sure there were probably worse ones, but I definitely completely lack any end-of-decade nostalgia.
A whole bunch of death and horror.
A whole bunch of death and horror.
Dialing For Dollars
Rick Warren needs money.
It would be so sad if he didn't get it.
LAKE FOREST, California - Evangelical pastor Rick Warren appealed to parishioners at his California megachurch Wednesday to help fill a $900,000 deficit by the first of the year.
It would be so sad if he didn't get it.
Hawaii Is Furrin
Obviously we went through this before during the campaign of stupid, but Hawaii is somewhere everybody on the West Coast visits. East Coasters, like Cokie and the Gang, not so much, because it's really far away.
Maybe They Could Watch General Hospital Instead?
Glennzilla's right that for Villagers it's all some exciting soap opera in which they have minor bit parts. It isn't just terrorism - though that's super exciting!! - it's the whole thing. It's all personality and entertainment, the substance is mostly irrelevant except to the extent that it involves someone punching hippies.
Thursday Is New Jobless Day
The CNBC tells me there are 432K new lucky duckies. Getting closer to 'normal' territory.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Skyrocketing Crime At The Six Flags
As I'm endlessly fascinated by suburbanites hating on the city, I was reading through the comments thread on the relatively low murder number for the city. The important thing to remember is that while all of these murders are tragic, and there are way too many, it doesn't mean that I actually wander about the city worried that someone is going to murder me. To put it bluntly, most murder victims are not people like me. Most are black males in high crime/high poverty communities. The crimes are generally not random, but instead against people are targeted over various grievances. While muggings and the like of course happen, there aren't roving bands of gunmen shooting up tourists. The victims, and the perps, are largely members of the underclass. That doesn't make it better, of course, but it does impact the answer to the question: How likely is it that I will be murdered? The answer is, not very likely. I'm reasonably sure the chance of being hit by a car - either through their fault or mine as a careless pedestrian - is much, much higher.
Still I liked this in the comments thread.
While of course cities do encourage and appreciate tourism, because of the various ways it brings dollars into the city coffers and provides additional demand to support goods and services that locals can also enjoy, the city ain't your urban theme park. It's a place where people live and work, and not simply a place for suburbanites to visit, with or without their kids. Have fun in Montco, the King of Prussia mall is great, if you like that kind of thing.
Still I liked this in the comments thread.
MontcoPaul
WOW! WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT WITH THE KIDS!
While of course cities do encourage and appreciate tourism, because of the various ways it brings dollars into the city coffers and provides additional demand to support goods and services that locals can also enjoy, the city ain't your urban theme park. It's a place where people live and work, and not simply a place for suburbanites to visit, with or without their kids. Have fun in Montco, the King of Prussia mall is great, if you like that kind of thing.
Hitler of the Week
But, you know all those crazy conspiracy theories they have in that Mooslim world...
Late Night ChooChoos
While the drunk trains may not be the most fun to be on, kudos to my local transit authority for running extra late night trains on New Years Eve. Drinking and driving is bad, and mass transit is the obvious other option.
My evening travel will probably involve a trolley out and a cab home.
My evening travel will probably involve a trolley out and a cab home.
Fun Exciting Polls
Because the intertubes are supposed to be all interactive-like.
Actually I'm just curious how similar or how different your answers will be to the answers given by CR's readership.
...I can't get one of them to work right, so make it one poll!
Actually I'm just curious how similar or how different your answers will be to the answers given by CR's readership.
...I can't get one of them to work right, so make it one poll!
Nimbyism Masquerading As Environmentalism
I'm actually fairly sympathetic to Nimbyism, even if I think that certain common Nimby behavior is ultimately self-defeating and short-sighted (people have the wrong ideas about what certain kinds of developments will do to their communities). That is, I think it's fine that people have a pretty big say about what goes on in their local communities even if I don't always like the results. Still I hate when Nimbyism is equated with environmentalism. "Don't build anything near me" is not environmentalism, it's just passing the buck elsewhere. And building more parking isn't about environmentalism, it's just the generally mistaken notion that you deal with the car problem by providing more space for them.
The focus for the downtown San Rafael station will not be housing, but parking and finding ways to accommodate train users without tying up downtown
...
Talk of any development along the rail line has raised concern in the environmental community, some of whom believe the system will act as a catalyst for growth, as developers try to build for those who want to live near a train station.
On The Other Hand
The increase in domestic murders isn't a particularly good trend.
While Philadelphia’s overall homicide rate has dropped about 9 percent and all violent crime in the city is down compared with this time last year, there have been 35 domestic homicides since January — a 67 percent increase from 2008. The police say two additional killings are still being investigated and are likely to be added to the tally.
Taking Their Cues
It's weird trying to evaluate the overall press treatment of Obama. On the one hand he gets "good" (for him, if not journalism) press due to the norms of Washington access journalism and general deference to high ranking officials, but on the other hand the Villagers still largely take their cues from Republicans.
Only A Billion
This may be a perfectly awesome project, but such huge expenditures on highway expansion projects are treated as perfectly normal and noncontroversial, while similar proposals for mass transit expenditures are seen as crazy and unaffordable.
Only Works If You Can Drive
Old people in the suburbs have a lot of problems when they can no longer drive. This isn't just a personal problem, of course, as many drive past the time they should because they don't have any other choices.
The generation that gave birth to suburbia and the two-car garage is reaching the age at which driving, for many, no longer seems like such a swell option. As Americans grow older -- one in five will be 65 or older by 2030 -- many are finding that the world that lured them away from city life is losing some of its appeal.
"The concern is that when they no longer can drive, they will find themselves trapped in their homes in suburban neighborhoods where there are no sidewalks, or, if there are sidewalks, there's no place to walk to," said Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
Terrorism Is Always Good News For Republicans
Not sure it actually is, but it's obvious how good it makes them feel. That 9/12 feeling and all that.
No crazy, too crazy, if you hate those Dirty Effing Hippies
I bet Bill Kristol, Pat Buchanan and Dick Morris could perform Oh! Calcutta on CNN as intended and still be booked on Larry King for eternity, hell King might even propose.
Meanwhile, we'll probably never seen Marcy Wheeler on camera again.
CNN just had a lengthy piece with No Quarter’s Larry Johnson as one of their “experts,” where he used the phrase “Obama bin Laden” instead of Osama bin Laden and never caught himself. He had to be corrected by the bobblehead.
He was not asked about the Whitey Tape.
Meanwhile, we'll probably never seen Marcy Wheeler on camera again.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Wee Suggestion
Jobs bill aimed only at upgrading sewer/water systems. Shovel ready and plenty of need.
The Biggest Welfare Queen Of All
Economic girly man Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Gimme $8 billion or the old lady gets it between the eyes.
Facing another huge deficit, the governor wants $8 billion or threatens massive cuts in social services. He also plans to renew push for offshore oil drilling.
...
If Washington does not provide roughly $8 billion in new aid for the state, the governor threatens to severely cut back -- if not eliminate -- CalWORKS, the state's main welfare program; the In-Home Health Care Services program for the disabled and elderly poor, and two tax breaks for large corporations recently approved by the Legislature, the officials said.
Gimme $8 billion or the old lady gets it between the eyes.
Dumb Ideas Never Die
I can imagine building, from scratch, a medium size city in which a PRT system replaced roadways as the primary means of transport, but when you've already built up the automobile infrastructure...you already have PRT vehicles. They're called cars.
Because Everybody Loves Maps
I don't think there's anything especially surprising about the spatial distribution of unemployment in New York City, but it does provide another reminder that the pain isn't exactly being felt equally across the country. Some places have it pretty good, and some places have it pretty effing bad.
What's It About
I really haven't come to a conclusion about why the Treasury did their Xmas Eve news dump and what the point of it is. Usually even when I think they're doing the wrong thing I (think I) get what the point of it is. The announcement and the lack of expressed purpose is puzzling.
The Stupidest Part
As Herbert says, the "cadillac" health insurance tax plan is both the worst part of the plan and the biggest fantasy. None of the benefit reductions are going to be converted to wages.
Monday, December 28, 2009
George's World
Perhaps it's relatively unimportant compared to the illegal war and torture stuff, but I did always wonder why no one called Little Boots on the plundering of Saddam's gun.
aimai says it best.
aimai says it best.
It's Possible
That some people made a voting choice based on something other than identity based concerns.
So Many Tradeoffs
I was reading on a local forum a discussion thread with people giving advice about where to live to someone relocating to my urban hellhole. It's difficult advice to give without knowing quite a lot about how a person prioritizes certain things (schools, parking, proximity to certain kinds of retail establishments, outdoor space, availability of transit, and of course their budget). While perhaps not obvious until you actually settle in, there's a tremendous difference between being, say, 3 blocks from a store providing a decent selection of groceries, and being 8 blocks from one. Everyone's reasonably close to mass transit, but if you use it for a daily commute, having a couple of extra blocks to walk, or being near the bus line that runs every 20 minutes instead of every 8, makes a tremendous difference in your life. Even the nicest areas have some blight, and aesthetic and safety issues can vary significantly block by block.
Fighting For Watered Down Crap That Won't Pass Anyway
I was really annoyed in 2008 that some time and energy was wasted on a crappy climate bill that wasn't going to pass anyway. I'll be equally annoyed if time and energy is wasted on a crappy climate bill that isn't going to pass anyway, especially now that there are more Democrats in the Senate.
Depressing
Al Hunt has a rather distressing portrayal of the functioning (or not) of Obama and his econ team.
Still, others say Summers too often is dismissive of fellow economic advisers, other than Geithner, although he gets a bum rap for supposedly freezing Volcker out of major decisions. The 82-year-old Volcker wants a freewheeling advisory role. But advisers acknowledge Summers rarely reaches out to include him. Volcker takes a much tougher line than Summers or Geithner toward Wall Street.
The other problem, an inability to effectively communicate an economic policy, was typified in a Dec. 4 interview with Geithner, who was asked what is the “clear, coherent economic message” of the administration.
Fannie and Freddie
I don't know for precisely what's motivating the administration's recent actions on Fannie and Freddie, but I am worried that they're continuing to double their bets on helping the "housing market," whatever the hell that means.
One can understand extraordinary actions to avert financial armageddon, but this just seems like an ongoing policy of trying to prop up financial institutions in a not especially smart way. I'd like to read more articles about the administration trying to help people instead of "markets."
One can understand extraordinary actions to avert financial armageddon, but this just seems like an ongoing policy of trying to prop up financial institutions in a not especially smart way. I'd like to read more articles about the administration trying to help people instead of "markets."
Flying While Arab
Going to be lots of fun again for awhile.
And by "Arab" I of course mean anyone somewhat brown and furrin' looking.
Suzanne Trevino, a spokesperson with Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said US Airways Flight 192 was inbound from the Orlando, Florida when a passenger reported seeing two other passengers talking "suspiciously."
FBI spokesperson Manuel Johnson said a female passenger overheard the two men, described by officials as Middle Eastern, speaking loudly in a foreign language and reported them to airline staff.
And by "Arab" I of course mean anyone somewhat brown and furrin' looking.
If Only We Could Just Get Back To Work
I'm not even sure who the 'we' in this refers to, but either way it's pretty clear our ruling class is populated with idiots.
Worth every penny the Swiss taxpayers paid to bail them (UBS) out I'm sure. We chipped in a few billion through the AIG bailout, too.
"Jobless claims were actually even better than some down here [on Wall Street] thought," cashin said. But he cautioned that political conflict such as the ongoing health-care debate is constituting a form of class warfare -- which could hinder America's return to economic health.
"It's bubbling up again, all this 'Wall Street versis Main Street' stuff...If we could get back to work again instead of pointing fingers, things in this country would go a lot better."
Worth every penny the Swiss taxpayers paid to bail them (UBS) out I'm sure. We chipped in a few billion through the AIG bailout, too.
This Pete Sessions Believes
I'd have thought lawmakers generally had sense to be a bit shy around accused felons.
Just hours after federal agents charged banker Allen Stanford with fleecing investors of $7 billion, the disgraced financier received a message from one of Congress' most powerful members, Pete Sessions.
``I love you and believe in you,'' said the e-mail sent on Feb. 17. ``If you want my ear/voice -- e-mail,'' it said, signed ``Pete.''
Sunday, December 27, 2009
SUPERFREAKOTRAIN
A bunch of people sent me links to this story. 664 miles in 3 hours. It's important to note that even at true HSR speeds, it's average speed - 217 mph - which matters more than top speed - 245 mph.
That'd be about 2:05 Boston-DC.
(numbers from story, which don't make precise sense but close enough)
That'd be about 2:05 Boston-DC.
(numbers from story, which don't make precise sense but close enough)
Inherited
Mary Matalin this morning:
Obviously the real obscenity is that 9 months into Bush's presidency, after Operation Ignore, he inherited the WTC/Pentagon attacks, but she's even full of shit on unemployment. It was much better than it is now, of course, but 5.7%, rising eventually to 6.3%, isn't 5%.
I was there. We inherited a recession from President Clinton and we inherited the most tragic attack on our own soil in our nation's history. And President Bush dealt with it. And within a year of his presidency at this comparable time, unemployment was at 5 percent. And we were creating jobs.
Obviously the real obscenity is that 9 months into Bush's presidency, after Operation Ignore, he inherited the WTC/Pentagon attacks, but she's even full of shit on unemployment. It was much better than it is now, of course, but 5.7%, rising eventually to 6.3%, isn't 5%.
Nothing Could Go Wrong
Ridicule would suffice, except that Lieberman is claiming someone from the administration is saying it...
Our Dumb Country
In 2009 we have a movement of people who think it's important that people don't have sex until they're married, believe it is possible to achieve this by teaching it in public schools, and think federal dollars should be allocated towards achieving this goal despite the fact that it obviously doesn't fucking work.
Sunday Bobbleheads
Face the Nation has Gibbs, Clyburn, and the Very Serious Peter King.
This Week has Gibbs, Napolitano, and Mitch McConnell.
Dancing Dave's Meet the Press has Gibbs, Bloomberg, President Gingrich, and Deval Patrick.
Document the atrocities!
This Week has Gibbs, Napolitano, and Mitch McConnell.
Dancing Dave's Meet the Press has Gibbs, Bloomberg, President Gingrich, and Deval Patrick.
Document the atrocities!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Whatever Works
CR theorizes that the administration might finally move to mortgage principal modifications. I hope so, but it is important to remember, as he also suggests, that this would be because of concerns about falling house prices and not concerns about people losing their homes.
It's a policy...
It's a policy...
Deep Thought
People who disagree with me are ill-informed and have their views clouded by an unrealistic ideological agenda, while I am a clear-minded pragmatist.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Stuff THIS in Your Stocking!
Because nothing says "Christmas" like "Massive Disproportionate Response" to impertinent aggression. Yes, Tintin -- the rapping chicken nuggets are only the appetizer. The main course... Zac Efron performing "Wuthering Heights"! Ho ho HURT!
Xmas Joys
Nothings gives me more holiday cheer than a newspaper comment thread filled with transit haters.
Arnold Trying Again To Gut Transit Funding
Plenty of nice things about the state, but no where is it more apparent what folly it is imagining that everyone will get around solely by surrounding themselves with a few thousand pounds of metal.
We tried to warn you about Arnold... Oh well.
We tried to warn you about Arnold... Oh well.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Scenes From The American Medical System
Not super-hopey we're going to get significant improvements, but in any case I think this paragraph sums up the current state of affairs.
I hope the money for primary care centers that Bernie Sanders put into the bill is put to use well. A lot of emergency room care is of the urgent-but-simple variety. You know, kid has high fever, strange unidentifiable pain, major sprain or minor broken bone, cut needing a few stitches... Things that do requirement immediate treatment, but don't require the full infrastructure of a major hospital. Widespread extended hour primary care clinics would take care of a lot of this stuff.
"Historically, a lot of people thought of the emergency department as a safety net for the uninsured," said Mathew at Jefferson. "Now, it's much more about people with insurance getting quick, efficient care" rather than waiting months to see a primary-care doctor.
I hope the money for primary care centers that Bernie Sanders put into the bill is put to use well. A lot of emergency room care is of the urgent-but-simple variety. You know, kid has high fever, strange unidentifiable pain, major sprain or minor broken bone, cut needing a few stitches... Things that do requirement immediate treatment, but don't require the full infrastructure of a major hospital. Widespread extended hour primary care clinics would take care of a lot of this stuff.
The Important Thing To Remember
Is that a lot of them don't even believe in the extreme anti-science evangelical Christianity stuff, it's just become part of the tribal identifiers.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I Like When They Stick Up For Themselves
From a McClatchy email:
I see the Times has a Goldman story tomorrow that recapitulates what McClatchy reported two months ago. Thought you might have use for this link.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/goldman/
Nobody Could Have Predicted
I hope we hit a point where they acknowledge that they really screwed up HAMP. And, ideally, get to a point when they try something new.
When The Price Is Zero...
Demand can easily outstrip supply.
I know drivers think people like me are trying to punish them by increasing parking meter rates, but really we want to increase rates to make your lives better. Moving from the infinite parking world of big box suburbia to the rationed parking world of the urban hellhole requires some rationing mechanism. That can be time wasted driving around and around until you find a spot, or it can be higher prices and more available spots.
(Via ggw)
PROVIDENCE—Providence Mayor David Cicilline’s free parking for shopping during the holidays is not working so well for some city merchants.
...
Since there’s free parking all day at metered spaces, employees from the nearby courthouse and some from other government offices are taking parking spots early and are staying all day.
I know drivers think people like me are trying to punish them by increasing parking meter rates, but really we want to increase rates to make your lives better. Moving from the infinite parking world of big box suburbia to the rationed parking world of the urban hellhole requires some rationing mechanism. That can be time wasted driving around and around until you find a spot, or it can be higher prices and more available spots.
(Via ggw)
And What Would That Analogy Be?
I mean, if Barack Obama also got caught having a bunch of affairs around this time, there could be a reason for comparisons... otherwise, whut?
New Home Sales
As CR always reminds us, as an indicator of the broader economy, new home sales are much more important than existing home sales. And the number isn't good.
Principal Modification
It was always the only way to deal with the foreclosure crisis meaningfully. And they didn't do it.
The policy has been to prop up prices, not people.
Heckuva job.
The troubled loans' outstanding balance is around $700 billion, there are many subprime loans and the homeowners will just give up on the mortgages as they will go deeper and deeper under water, according to Geanakoplos.
"Almost all of these people are going to end up defaulting and being thrown out of their homes," he said.
The fact that the government is not writing down the principal on troubled mortgages is a "bad move," Geanakoplos also said.
"The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is giving out loans at 3.5 percent - we're repeating the same mistakes," he added.
The policy has been to prop up prices, not people.
Heckuva job.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Down Time
Transitioning into holiday posting schedule. Need to occasionally not be jacked into the matrix 16/7. Maybe worry about more frivolous things for a bit.
That'd Be A Pretty Awesome Bus Line
Anything that runs more frequently than every 10 minutes is an awesome bus line.
Realignment
I know it's heresy in Broderville, but I look forward to more people who aren't really Democrats becoming Republicans. Obviously having a majority in the House is important enough that a few bad Democrats is a price worth paying, but I really do think having parties which are basically unified on the big issues is a better way to do things. I don't mean complete lockstep, and I'm all for the occasional "crossing the aisle" to deal with certain issues. But one consequence of the ideological muddle that's existed to some degree is that it has empowered personality politics. It really doesn't matter if your congressman is someone you'd want to have a beer with, it does matter if he considers your uterus to be state property.
Mysteries
I get the casino and convention center models of trapping everyone inside so that they spend all their money in them, but in my admittedly not vast experience, convention centers have really horrible and limited in house services, retail, and restaurants.
Bubblelicious
I know all right thinking people agree that Bernanke is A Very Smart Economist Indeed, but he's also an idiot.
It isn't my job to know this stuff, and I do.
It isn't my job to know this stuff, and I do.
Not Much
HAMP isn't helping people. At best it's a wee extension of the 'prop up housing prices' policy.
I have yet to really hear a complete explanation why incentives are not aligned such that mortgage services and investors would prefer principal modifications to short sales and foreclosures. I've gotten partial ones which if you paste them together might sort of made sense, but not so much sense that something couldn't be done about it.
I have yet to really hear a complete explanation why incentives are not aligned such that mortgage services and investors would prefer principal modifications to short sales and foreclosures. I've gotten partial ones which if you paste them together might sort of made sense, but not so much sense that something couldn't be done about it.
Science Scandal
Not to blow my own horn, as it were, but as far as Science Scandals go, ClimateGate just doesn't quite measure up to HardonGate.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Later Night Thread
by Molly Ivors
Oh, Jason Lee, why oh why did you turn from Kevin Smith and Redd Kross to My Name is Earl and the Chipmunks? I hope they drove a truckload of money up to your house.
Oh, Jason Lee, why oh why did you turn from Kevin Smith and Redd Kross to My Name is Earl and the Chipmunks? I hope they drove a truckload of money up to your house.
Michael Kelly Has Been Dead For Quite Some Time
So I'd replace him with Richard Cohen (yes Novak's dead too but he just died this year).
Kelly was truly awful though.
Kelly was truly awful though.
Better Ways
I certainly don't have anything against tolling roads, especially ones I'm unlikely to drive on, but I assume politicians are mounting this particular battle because it would impact fewer people than would, say, bumping up the gas tax by a penny. You'll piss some people off a lot, but most people just won't care.
It's The Policy
Timmeh:
You idiots, you expected too much!!!
Of course "to offer assistance" is not the same thing as assisting, but who knows where anyone would get the crazy idea that a $75 billion program might actually help some people...
What about housing? There seems to be universal dissatisfaction with the process for helping people who are facing foreclosure.
We were very careful from the beginning—but the qualifications get lost—to say that we are going to focus the bulk of the financial force on bringing interest rates and mortgage rates down to cushion the fall in housing prices and help stabilize home values, which will feed into people's basic sense of financial stability.?[We tried to make clear] that what we'd do to prevent foreclosure would be very targeted and limited. We wouldn't try to keep people in homes they couldn't fundamentally afford. While we thought we'd lowered expectations, we're still being hung for letting expectations get ahead of policy.
You idiots, you expected too much!!!
This pace of modifications puts the program on track to offer assistance to up to 3 to 4 million homeowners over the next three years, our target on February 18.
Of course "to offer assistance" is not the same thing as assisting, but who knows where anyone would get the crazy idea that a $75 billion program might actually help some people...
So Go
Nothing like whiny rich people threatening to leave over high taxes.
Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Geneva, touted as a haven for London bankers facing heavier U.K. taxes, may lure fewer than predicted thanks to a housing shortage, crowded schools and a 44 percent income-tax rate.
Major Consequences Of Failure
Foreclosures still increasing. The consequences of foreclosure aren't simple, either. Aside from the personal toll for homeowners, for those which are owner occupied, there's a big negative impact on neighborhoods if homes sit empty.
There was never any perfect consequence free way of dealing with this problem, but the people in charge never really tried.
There was never any perfect consequence free way of dealing with this problem, but the people in charge never really tried.
Everywhere Are Signs
Until weekly new jobless claims shrink significantly and monthly employment numbers start increasing very significantly, the job market will still suck royally.
Heckuva Job
No type of mortgage modification program was ever going to be tremendously successful, but the HAMP program was really badly designed and implemented.
If only the administration had actively supported bankruptcy cramdown....[/brokenrecord]
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Homeowners who get a substantial cut in their monthly mortgage payments still stand a good chance of falling behind again, a report by two federal regulators says.
If only the administration had actively supported bankruptcy cramdown....[/brokenrecord]
Colors
I just feel bad for Tom Ridge. They made him come up with a 5 color system which would inevitably only ever use 2 of them.
Though for 8 years this country was run by horrible stupid people, and the Villagers loved them.
Though for 8 years this country was run by horrible stupid people, and the Villagers loved them.
I See Your Ping-Poll Ball...
... and I raise Tintin a grenade. Tintin travels to Russia, the commie: I remind you that America has the BEST crap videos ever. Does Tintin even recall the Vanilla Ice Ninja Turtle song, to his sorrow? He must concede.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Don't Forget The Freedom Bombs
While not a mind reader, I imagine most Americans see our numerous military commitments across the world as 'foreign aid.'
Afternoon Thread
I'm sure some people need to, but really people... driving in 23 inches of snow is a bad idea. Cars having to be dug out in the middle of the road all over the place.
That Thing We Supported And Then Opposed We Will Support It Again
Whatever.
A senior White House adviser said Sunday that the Obama administration will push forward on safe re-importation of pharmaceutical drugs after the healthcare reform bill is finished.
As a candidate in 2008, President Barack Obama promised to allow cheaper drugs to be re-imported into the United States from Canada and other countries. He also co-sponsored legislation that would allow re-importation as an Illinois senator. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a key White House ally in the healthcare reform push, has lobbied heavily against re-importation, though, and would likely not support the final bill if it was included in the package.
Sunday Bobbleheads
Face the Nation has President Snowe, Sherrod Brown, Landrieu, and Lamar!
Dancing Dave's Meet the Press has Axelrod and dirty fucking hippie Dean
This Week has Axelrod, Kyl, Durbin
Document the atrocities!
Dancing Dave's Meet the Press has Axelrod and dirty fucking hippie Dean
This Week has Axelrod, Kyl, Durbin
Document the atrocities!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
What God Wants
I may be going to hell for being an atheist, but at least I never try to speak for Him.
Just a reminder....
Total spending on health care, per person, 2007:
United States: $7290
Switzerland: $4417
France: $3601
United Kingdom: $2992
Average of OECD developed nations: $2964
Italy: $2686
Japan: $2581
(via)
Signed,
Not Atrios
United States: $7290
Switzerland: $4417
France: $3601
United Kingdom: $2992
Average of OECD developed nations: $2964
Italy: $2686
Japan: $2581
(via)
Signed,
Not Atrios
Nelson vs. Stupak
Bart Stupak doesn't think Ben Nelson's achievements go far enough:
Current law prohibits federal funding from being used for abortion, but Nelson and several Republicans wanted to take the language further. Nelson's office today said the new provisions would ensure that no public funds go toward abortion services, mandate that every state provide an insurance plan that does not cover abortion and gives each state the right to pass a law barring insurance coverage for abortion within state borders.
"I know this is hard for some of my colleagues to accept and I appreciate their right to disagree," Nelson told reporters today. "But I would not have voted for this bill without these provisions."
The move upset some anti-abortion lawmakers such as Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., who this week told ABC News he will not vote for the final health care bill if it did not include his abortion language, which is in the House health care bill.
Since current law already prohibits the federal use of funds for abortion, except in the cases of rape, incest and the pregnant woman's life being endangered, what expansions do these gentlemen want?
Speed
While true high speed rail is great, it's important to remember that average speed is more important than top speed, and even a "slow" 110 miles per hour is pretty damn fast if it's the average.
Fresh Thread
Don't expect too much blogging today. Don't worry, there's plenty more on the internets elsewhere!
Ben and Joe
DC twitter feeds are saying that the 60 votes needed for cloture on health care reform are in line.
Update: Karen Tumulty has details. Although calling it "coverage" because the bill coerces people to buy shitty health insurance they can't afford is irritating.
Update: Karen Tumulty has details. Although calling it "coverage" because the bill coerces people to buy shitty health insurance they can't afford is irritating.
Heckuva Job
Oy.
- In the fine print of the form homeowners fill out to apply for Obama's program, which lowers monthly payments for three months while the lender decides whether to provide permanent relief, borrowers must waive important notification rights. This clause allows banks to reject borrowers without any written notification and move straight to auctioning off their homes without any warning. That's what happened to Evangelina Flores, the owner of a modest 902 square-foot home in Fontana, Calif. She completed a three-month trial modification, and made the last of the agreed upon monthly payments of $1,134.60 on Nov. 1. Her lawyer said that in late November, Central Mortgage Company told her that it would void her adjustable-rate mortgage, which had risen to a monthly sum above $2,000, and replace it with a fixed-rate mortgage. "The information they had given us is that she had qualified and that she would be getting her notice of modification in the first week of December," said George Bosch, the legal administrator for the law firm of Edward Lopez and Rick Gaxiola, which is handling Flores' case for free.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Couple More
Imperial Capital Bank, La Jolla, CA
First Federal Bank of California, a Federal Savings Bank, Santa Monica, CA
First Federal Bank of California, a Federal Savings Bank, Santa Monica, CA
Busy Day
Peoples First Community Bank, Panama City, FL
Citizens State Bank, New Baltimore, MI
New South Federal Savings Bank, Irondale, AL
Independent Bankers' Bank, Springfield, IL
Citizens State Bank, New Baltimore, MI
New South Federal Savings Bank, Irondale, AL
Independent Bankers' Bank, Springfield, IL
10%+ Unemployment Is Good Enough For Ben
I had somewhat mixed feelings about renominating Bernanke due to fears about who a possible successor would be, but that was before his recent admission that fighting imaginary inflation is more important than bringing us anywhere near full employment. The amount of job growth that will be required to get us there is absolutely staggering. "Deficit hawks," if they really cared, would oppose him because a big reason for the increasing deficit is of course the recession.
Obama's people have made many mistakes on the economy, but this one might be the biggest one of all.
Obama's people have made many mistakes on the economy, but this one might be the biggest one of all.
Voters Have To Like This Thing
I know I'm a broken record on this subject, but I do think it's the thing most lacking from the insider conversations on HCR. Not that I really know, because I'm not an insider, but occasionally I get a wee sense of what's actually occupying staffers in various places. "Voters liking this thing" seems to be at best an afterthought.
It's sorta weird, really, because on most subjects it's the first thing they think of, both about the policy itself and the myriad imaginary attack ads that can be run based on the policy. If voters don't like this thing, it'll likely be repealed before most of it even takes effect, either because Republicans take over or because frightened members of a Dem controlled Congress do so. Sure, there's the optimistic view that it could be "made better" instead of repealed, but I'm not really feeling all that hopey.
It's sorta weird, really, because on most subjects it's the first thing they think of, both about the policy itself and the myriad imaginary attack ads that can be run based on the policy. If voters don't like this thing, it'll likely be repealed before most of it even takes effect, either because Republicans take over or because frightened members of a Dem controlled Congress do so. Sure, there's the optimistic view that it could be "made better" instead of repealed, but I'm not really feeling all that hopey.
Forgot About Poland
An emailer reminds me that Alan Grayson, an incumbent, has perhaps embraced the alternative fundraising model...
The Big Money
Digby's comparison is apples and oranges to some degree, but it is still the case that an alternative fundraising model for politicians was created but no incumbents have really embraced it.
Mysteries
A bit tired of people demanding that progressives support a bill which doesn't exist, even as conservative assholes continue to make it worse...
One shouldn't agree to deals which don't even exist.
One shouldn't agree to deals which don't even exist.
Insanity
I missed this call, because I was heading to the elitist opera, but I was there in spirit...
Welfare
It's a loaded question, of course, but one of the political minefields associated with this bill is the lack of universality of benefits. "Some people" will get subsidies, and as we know in this country benefits which go to poor people are not exactly popular.
Whatever the merits of the bill, and they exist, the politics are going to be horrible.
Whatever the merits of the bill, and they exist, the politics are going to be horrible.
Heckuva Job
In fairness, like Larreh, I also thought at that time that interest rates would rise. I, however, didn't bet a bunch of other peoples' money on it.
Also, girls are dumb.
Other members of Harvard Corp. in 2004 and 2005, who served with Summers and Rothenberg, were former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, Summers’s previous boss and predecessor at the U.S. Treasury, who was an instrumental supporter of his bid for the Harvard presidency; Robert D. Reischauer, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, who was a colleague of Summers and Rubin’s in Washington; Conrad K. Harper, a lawyer at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York; Hanna Gray, former president of the University of Chicago; and James R. Houghton, chairman of Corning Inc., the world’s biggest maker of glass for flat-panel televisions, in Corning, New York.
All except Rothenberg declined to comment or didn’t return telephone calls.
Also, girls are dumb.
Dial-Up Rescue Thread
by Molly Ivors
You know, no one ever tells you that gingerbread dough looks exactly like dog poop. It's just one of those things you have to see for yourself.
You know, no one ever tells you that gingerbread dough looks exactly like dog poop. It's just one of those things you have to see for yourself.
I Have Been Forced to Do This
I have tried to be reasonable. But now I am left with little choice. I do not do this lightly. May God forgive me.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
High Scientific Standards
You sure have to admire the scholarly integrity of the climate change denialist crowd. Or, you know, not.
The Wikipedia plagiarism is my favorite part, but the whole thing is thoroughly astonishing in its awfulness. Note that this is to do with a report prepared in 2006 for Texas GOP congressman Smokey Joe Barton, of recent "global warming is good for mankind" fame. At the time, the GOP saw fit to have Barton as chair of the frickin' House Energy and Commerce Committee.
It's crap like this that makes me spend so much money on clothespins to put over my nose whenever election time comes around: I vote Democrat, no matter how much they annoy me, because the modern GOP really is catastrophically horrible.
The Wikipedia plagiarism is my favorite part, but the whole thing is thoroughly astonishing in its awfulness. Note that this is to do with a report prepared in 2006 for Texas GOP congressman Smokey Joe Barton, of recent "global warming is good for mankind" fame. At the time, the GOP saw fit to have Barton as chair of the frickin' House Energy and Commerce Committee.
It's crap like this that makes me spend so much money on clothespins to put over my nose whenever election time comes around: I vote Democrat, no matter how much they annoy me, because the modern GOP really is catastrophically horrible.
Bernanke's Plan To Impoverish Us All
Democrats who care about their constituents, and their jobs, should really think twice about voting to let Bernanke maintain high unemployment levels indefinitely.
The Problem
Whut?
There are some decent things in both the House and presumed Senate bill, but doing something about rising premiums isn't really a provision of either of them... other than some ways of making some plans shittier.
Van Hollen said people will "need to understand" the specifics and repeatedly stressed Congress isn't done with the debate, saying "we haven't passed a bill yet."
"Our challenge will be to make it clear the status quo of rising premiums is the problem," he said.
There are some decent things in both the House and presumed Senate bill, but doing something about rising premiums isn't really a provision of either of them... other than some ways of making some plans shittier.
Nobody Could Have Predicted
That empowering Lieberman would empower Nelson...
Sorry ladies, no health care for your uteruses.
Sorry ladies, no health care for your uteruses.
Is Ben Nelson Insane?
Perhaps someone should ask Axelrod, since he's trying to sink the HCR bill.
You can make the punch a hippie strategy work for you, or you can just do it for sport.
You can make the punch a hippie strategy work for you, or you can just do it for sport.
Walking Away
Not just for homeowners.
I've really been annoyed by all the people who have tried to suggest that it's somehow wrong for individuals to make rational and business decisions, the types of decisions that businesses make all of the time. If it makes financial sense for you to walk away, do so.
I've really been annoyed by all the people who have tried to suggest that it's somehow wrong for individuals to make rational and business decisions, the types of decisions that businesses make all of the time. If it makes financial sense for you to walk away, do so.
Monster
I admit even I was surprised by Tom Friedman's latest, in which he chastizes people for infantilizing people he regularly refers to as 'special needs children' and calls for a civil war.
I don't know precisely why Tom Friedman has a desperate need for death and destruction elsewhere in the world. One could make guesses, I suppose. Even more troubling are all the very serious people who give him credibility instead of pointing out what a sociopathic monster he is.
I don't know precisely why Tom Friedman has a desperate need for death and destruction elsewhere in the world. One could make guesses, I suppose. Even more troubling are all the very serious people who give him credibility instead of pointing out what a sociopathic monster he is.
Thread
If you thought I was grumpy before, just imagine how I am after waking up this morning to have a Helloscan tell me it wants money to let me moderate my own comment threads right now on my blog and will be charging to use them at all next year. Grrrrr.
Signed,
Not Atrios
Signed,
Not Atrios
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Except For These Wee Differences...
I feel like those more supportive of this bill are attacking anti-mandate strawmen. The reason for thinking that without a public option or similar mandates are going to be a disaster is that without competition or sufficient affordability (due to not quite generous enough subsidies), you're forcing people to buy shitty insurance that they can't afford. Mandates aren't bad in and of themselves, but they're bad if they aren't part of a comprehensive plan which is... good!
Cohn:
In other words, you're forcing people to buy shitty insurance that they can't afford. Why would anyone possibly object to that?
Cohn:
Now, the reforms moving through Congress won't produce a system as comprehensive as what the Netherlands or Switzerland has. But that's not because of the individual mandate, which actually makes a lot of sense. (Read here if you want chapter and verse on that.) That's because the subsidies and regulation in these bills aren't as generous and strong as they could be.
In other words, you're forcing people to buy shitty insurance that they can't afford. Why would anyone possibly object to that?
Shitty Citi
Ah.
The decision came after Citigroup badly misread the financial markets on Wednesday and struggled to sell new shares to pay back its bailout funds.
The new stock is expected to be priced at $3.15 a share — below the $3.25 price at which the government assumed its one-third stake in Citigroup. The Treasury is now expected to retain its stake and try to sell the stock over the next 6 to 12 months.
The trouble with the share sale underscored the lingering worries over Citigroup’s financial health and raised concern that the bank’s eagerness to free itself from government oversight on issues such as employee pay might come at a high cost to shareholders. It also may heighten pressure on Citigroup’s chief executive, Vikram S. Pandit.
Wonder What This Is About
NYT breaking:
BREAKING NEWS 5:16 PM ET
Treasury Said to Be Backing Away From Immediate Sale of Citigroup Stake
They Will Find A Way
The insurance cos will always find away to get around the regulations, absent competition. Denying claims is their business model.
What's The Sacrifice?
I have no idea how people voluntarily buying rate-earning war bonds is "shared sacrifice," but whatever makes the idiots who rule us happy...
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers in both houses of Congress have introduced legislation to pay for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by using a method that's a throwback to prior U.S. conflicts: war bonds.
Saying that it would "promote national shared sacrifice and responsibility," Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., introduced a bill Wednesday in the House of Representatives that would authorize the treasury secretary to issue and sell war bonds to Americans to fund the wars.
Miserable Failure
I'm not optimistic that a Bernanke replacement would be an improvement, but it's important to recognize and highlight the fact that he failed at his job. From email:
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Development, issued the following statement on his intention to vote against Ben Bernanke’s nomination to a second term as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System:
“Tomorrow, I will vote against confirming Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. The reason, in short, is that as Chairman, Dr. Bernanke failed to recognize or remedy the factors that paved the road to this dark and difficult recession. Following our economic collapse, it is also apparent that he has not changed his overall approach to prioritizing Wall Street over American families.
One Reason A Public Option Is Necessary
Because no matter what kind of tepid regulation is passed, insurance companies will always find ways to screw their customers, even after they're forced customers.
And That's Bernanke's Fault
It's the mandate of Time's Person of the Year to keep us at full employment, and he failed. The failure to do his job is a major contributor to the projected deficit.
Elites only care about one half of his mandate, price stability, but the rest of us care about the other part.
Elites only care about one half of his mandate, price stability, but the rest of us care about the other part.
Missing Ari Fleischer
The transparent bullshit quota has been going up lately.
It is very depressing.
It is very depressing.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Screwed
Capuano gets it. People don't want "tax credits" and "incentives" and "increasing willingness to lend" they want... money and jobs.
And, who knows, maybe I'm just overly pessimistic. Maybe job market will recover more quickly than I expect, but even so the speed of job growth necessary to get us even close to "acceptable" levels of unemployment is absurdly high and we're unlikely to get anywhere near that absent high and sustained direct demand stimulus.
And, who knows, maybe I'm just overly pessimistic. Maybe job market will recover more quickly than I expect, but even so the speed of job growth necessary to get us even close to "acceptable" levels of unemployment is absurdly high and we're unlikely to get anywhere near that absent high and sustained direct demand stimulus.
I Told People To STFU
Obviously not everyone reads all of my brilliant words, but I did tell people that if they actually liked a Medicare buy-in compromise they shouldn't say so...
Lever Up
Like Felix, I'm rather wary of the idea that the best way to recover from a debt economy disaster...is to return to the debt economy.
I'm sure there are some legitimate liquidity issues at times, with firms unable to get necessary and perfectly reasonable credit, but the idea that the most important thing is that banks need to start lending again is, I think, the fatal flaw of the Obama administration's economy policy.
They need to boost demand directly, and not hope for the middlemen to do it for them through lending channels.
I'm sure there are some legitimate liquidity issues at times, with firms unable to get necessary and perfectly reasonable credit, but the idea that the most important thing is that banks need to start lending again is, I think, the fatal flaw of the Obama administration's economy policy.
They need to boost demand directly, and not hope for the middlemen to do it for them through lending channels.
Attributing Opinions To Me That I Have Not Expressed
I've never said the bill should be killed. There isn't even a bill to kill at this point.
Voters
As Amanda says, the disappointed-voters-staying-home issue isn't about plugged-in people like me stamping my feet and declaring that I am so mad that I won't vote, it's about that great mass of people who generally see voting as an optional activity. Turnout varies, and off-year turnout is significantly lower (roughly 40% in 2006 versus 60% in 2008). In an ideal world everyone would vote all the time, but they don't, so voter enthusiasm is one thing politicians have to deal with.
I Doubt It's Over
Now that one senator has the power to torpedo the bill, a few more will get some ideas. And demand things. And it will get worse and worse until it is the Dem Suicide Act of 2010, if it isn't already.
Littler Russ Finds A Nut
Increasing odds it will penetrate thick Village skulls.
...as for his claim that it's about support for the Baucus bill, here's what he said about that previously:
...as for his claim that it's about support for the Baucus bill, here's what he said about that previously:
Yet back in October, Lieberman told Don Imus that he couldn't get behind the Baucus bill. "I'm afraid that in the end the Baucus bill is actually going to raise the price of insurance for most of the people in the country," he said.
The Last Honest Man In Washington
As we've long known, Joe can say and so just about anything and his sycophants in the Village press will defend and praise him.
No We Didn't!
White House denies Politico report.
I take all such things with grains of salt. We'll know the truth that matters when and if there's actual passed legislation...
I take all such things with grains of salt. We'll know the truth that matters when and if there's actual passed legislation...
One More Go With Lucy's Football
Politico tells me the White House is telling Reid to cave in to Lieberman's demands and strip out the Medicare buy in and that there's an emergency caucus meeting today.
I wonder if Lieberman is invited to the Democratic caucus meeting where they will discuss the strategy for dealing with Lieberman?
I wonder if Lieberman is invited to the Democratic caucus meeting where they will discuss the strategy for dealing with Lieberman?
They're Surprised
I thought Joe might actually start behaving, because I figured someone might actually play a little hardball with him and lay down the law. But that never happened, and gosh darn he's not playing nice! Nobody could have predicted...
Making It Work
I think a cash for caulkers program is a pretty good idea, but in order to make it work you need to make it easy and make the up front costs for people next to nothing. It seems that people in the White House think cash rebates will do the trick, but they really won't lead to widespread use of the program. A lot of the people who would benefit from the program aren't exactly cash rich, and the benefits from improving home energy efficiency are experienced over a period of years. In addition, there are big transaction costs associated with hiring and having contractors come into your home to do the work. I think Merkley's proposals for such a program, which involve removing the need for up front cash and administering financing through community groups, would greatly improve it.
But He Was So Sweet And Heroic In Shattered Glass
Is there anyone at the Post who doesn't get off on the suffering of poor people?
Reduce the federal minimum wage. In 2007, Congress enacted a three-step increase in the minimum wage, which was then $5.15 per hour. The final installment took effect in July, raising the rate to $7.25 per hour. In the meantime, unemployment climbed from 4.7 percent to 9.5 percent.
The Limits Of Monetary Policy
An obvious lesson people seem to have forgotten, all the more troubling given how our banking system just proved that it was completely dysfunctional. I imagine this is all compounded by the fact that in addition to boring old lending, they get to play the casino now. And that's a lot more fun!
Journamalism
Informing readers of roughly truthful things isn't an especially high priority.
I ask this question repeatedly and some day I'd like some journalists to respond. Just what does the Washington Post think its purpose is?
I recognize the Post as an entity doesn't think anything, but that's just shorthand for its publishers, its editors, etc...
I ask this question repeatedly and some day I'd like some journalists to respond. Just what does the Washington Post think its purpose is?
I recognize the Post as an entity doesn't think anything, but that's just shorthand for its publishers, its editors, etc...
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Better
While I'm still bit skeptical that they'll figure out the right way to do it, it is encouraging that they're being pretty unequivocal about the fact that jobs are more important than the deficit.
More than that, take care of jobs and you take care of a big chunk of the deficit.
One can never know these things for sure, of course, but one big disappointing thing was that they seemed to have no "Plan B" in place for the economy, and in fact thought they'd turned things around.
More than that, take care of jobs and you take care of a big chunk of the deficit.
One can never know these things for sure, of course, but one big disappointing thing was that they seemed to have no "Plan B" in place for the economy, and in fact thought they'd turned things around.
Easing
Following Matt, I have read enough stories to think that banks not lending is a problem, though I'm not sure it's actually a problem for TARP and other bailout money recipients, in that it isn't really their role to do small business lending, but instead the role of institutions which haven't been the recipients of as many government goodies, but still the thing with recessions is that there's decreased demand. Increasing demand through increasing investment demand might play some role, but it isn't all that needs to be done.
And the failure of banks to lend might just be perfectly rational in that lending lending to small businesses in the middle of a recession is a risky proposition.
Ultimately, throughout this whole crisis there's been a tendency to want to view all of this as a "liquidity crisis." That's always been some of the story, but with 10% unemployment it is only...some of it.
It's a matter of emphasis. "Banks not lending" may be an issue, but I really don't see it as the issue.
And the failure of banks to lend might just be perfectly rational in that lending lending to small businesses in the middle of a recession is a risky proposition.
Ultimately, throughout this whole crisis there's been a tendency to want to view all of this as a "liquidity crisis." That's always been some of the story, but with 10% unemployment it is only...some of it.
It's a matter of emphasis. "Banks not lending" may be an issue, but I really don't see it as the issue.
Easing Credit
While I imagine there are some small businesses who are finding it difficult to obtain credit, the thing about a recession is... there's reduced demand for stuff. I don't think easing credit is the solution to all of our problems.
Sunday Bobbleheads
Face the Nation has Rockefeller, Saint Lieberman, Ben Nelson, and McConnell.
This Week has Larreh Summers, Eric Cantor, and the always exciting roundtable with George Will, Huffington, Podesta, Gillespie, and April Ryan.
Meet the Press with Dancing Dave has Christina Romer, Maestro Greenspan, Mittens, Granholm, and very serious person Jim Cramer.
Document the atrocities!
This Week has Larreh Summers, Eric Cantor, and the always exciting roundtable with George Will, Huffington, Podesta, Gillespie, and April Ryan.
Meet the Press with Dancing Dave has Christina Romer, Maestro Greenspan, Mittens, Granholm, and very serious person Jim Cramer.
Document the atrocities!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Chatter
Lotta chatter about Taibbi's piece. Digby, as usual, has a measured and thoughtful take.
But you should also read this. And Taibbi's response.
I report. You decide.
But you should also read this. And Taibbi's response.
I report. You decide.
Not Working
Our banking system was completely dysfunctional during the housing bubble and there's no reason to think it will function as it should now.
Baby Steps
It might seem like a small thing, but the existence of a decent neighborhood supermarket (or, at least, the equivalent shops) is the difference between a viable urban neighborhood and a nonviable one. I'm wary about most ways in which cities use public money to try to attract jobs, but I'm all for doing what it takes to bring supermarkets to neighborhoods.
Saturday Morning
A couple more banks found their way to the great bank heaven in the sky.
Valley Capital Bank, National Association, Mesa, AZ and SolutionsBank, Overland Park, KS.
Valley Capital Bank, National Association, Mesa, AZ and SolutionsBank, Overland Park, KS.
Feliz Frickin' Navi-who's-your-dad
Tintin and any other potential dead-enders are reminded that there was a Christmas version of the Macarena. Just saying.
Friday, December 11, 2009
We Have Always Known
Not quite, but I was scanning through my archives a bit to see just how long I've been writing about the housing bubble/foreclosure crisis. It's been years!
Obama's HAMP program isn't going to do the trick.
Obama's HAMP program isn't going to do the trick.
You Forgot The Inflection Points!!!
I think what Krugman forgets is that aside from every month being a new "housing bottom," every little slightly-less-than-awful news was talked up as a sign that Everything Is Turning Around.
But even if those things were signs that things were turning around, there were never any signs that things were actually getting better. Getting worse not quite as fast may be a bit of a hopey sign that things might get better, but it isn't the same as actually getting better.
But even if those things were signs that things were turning around, there were never any signs that things were actually getting better. Getting worse not quite as fast may be a bit of a hopey sign that things might get better, but it isn't the same as actually getting better.
Depressing
Bankruptcy cramdown for primary residence mortgages defeated in House.
Get ready for another fun year of foreclosure hell.
Get ready for another fun year of foreclosure hell.
Progress
Obviously speed/travel time is a concern, but it isn't the only one.
I'm not sure how much this impacted the design of other projects, though I'm guessing that having to keep speeds up impacted routes and reduced the number of planned stops for some.
Under the Bush administration, streetcars struggled to get federal money. The Federal Transit Administration earlier this decade valued most of all how much time a transit project would save commuters, which made it difficult for slower-moving streetcars to receive federal dollars.
But on Dec. 1, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the FTA would pay for transit projects that improve a city's "livability."
I'm not sure how much this impacted the design of other projects, though I'm guessing that having to keep speeds up impacted routes and reduced the number of planned stops for some.
Failure
There was never an easy surefire fair way to stem the foreclosure tide, but almost needless to say all attempts to do so were colossal failures.
But the market's up, so it's all good.
Dec. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Foreclosure filings in the U.S. will reach a record for the second consecutive year with 3.9 million notices sent to homeowners in default, RealtyTrac Inc. said.
This year’s filings will surpass 2008’s total of 3.2 million as record unemployment and price erosion batter the housing market, the Irvine, California-based company said.
But the market's up, so it's all good.
Hoovering
The best hope is that this is mostly about selling future deficit reductions rather than anything near term.
I do not know why Dems think people really care about the deficit. They don't. In bad times it's just something "bad" they project their anxieties onto, but they don't care.
Though, in the spirit of cooperation, I will offer up my suggestions for deficit: cancel a couple wars.
I do not know why Dems think people really care about the deficit. They don't. In bad times it's just something "bad" they project their anxieties onto, but they don't care.
Though, in the spirit of cooperation, I will offer up my suggestions for deficit: cancel a couple wars.
Do More
As Krugman says, there's more the Fed could do that they aren't doing. I don't know if he's correct in his thinking about why they aren't doing more, but... either way, they should! 10+% unemployment really isn't acceptable.
Newsies
I was on an ACLU conference call yesterday, a media call on their work on the US torture regime.
There were, IIRC, six questions from callers. Peter Baker, of the NYT, somebody from Newsweek, and four bloggers. emptywheel, Raw Story, two others. It is interesting that on such a big story that the blogosphere represented the most coverage. I don't know, of course, who else was on the call. But I thought it was interesting.
There were, IIRC, six questions from callers. Peter Baker, of the NYT, somebody from Newsweek, and four bloggers. emptywheel, Raw Story, two others. It is interesting that on such a big story that the blogosphere represented the most coverage. I don't know, of course, who else was on the call. But I thought it was interesting.
Perhaps We Should Do Without The Middlemen?
The obsession with relying on failed institutions is depressing.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Better Maps
This is something I wish my local transit authority (or someone with the skills) would do, create a map which included key high frequency bus lines. I'd include basically everything which had 10 minute frequency during the bulk of day, with something indicating which had (less frequent of course ) overnight service. It'd be a bit trickier to pull of well (can't have information overload), but including key corridors which achieved 10 minute headways because of service duplication, even if individual bus routes along the corridor were more infrequent, would be good as well.
For various reasons people are hesitant to ride buses. But they're not so bad! One barrier is route uncertainty, and adding key routes to the main system map is a way to minimize that.
For various reasons people are hesitant to ride buses. But they're not so bad! One barrier is route uncertainty, and adding key routes to the main system map is a way to minimize that.
The Village
It's all about the pecking order, and while that's inevitable to some degree, it isn't inevitable that our press corps is fully invested in it.
Broke
New York is broke, and cutting state payments.
I hope I'm wrong and the ponies are about to arrive, but...
I hope I'm wrong and the ponies are about to arrive, but...
300,000
As Krugman says, cheerleading any data release that isn't apocalyptic is really silly. Until there's sustained job growth at 300,000 per month or so there's going to be no end in sight for this recession. The economic and social toll of widespread sustained unemployment is severe.
I Will Add Some Victimhood To My Condemnation
So now Rick Warren condemns that which he said he should have no role commenting on despite...
Whatever.
Whatever.
Facts Are Stupid Things
We all rightly criticized the Washington Post for publishing horseshit from Sarah Palin, but the New York Times also published a bunch of horseshit from Stupak.
I don't know why Stupak wants more poor women to die. I wish a reporter would ask him.
I don't know why Stupak wants more poor women to die. I wish a reporter would ask him.
Hopefully Useless
Well, I suppose that's good news, but I still hate these commissions and the culture that creates them.
Toxic Titles
It's going to take a very long time for communities with widespread foreclosures, including trashouts, to recover.
These were urgent problems more than a year ago. I'm not sure there are solutions anymore.
These were urgent problems more than a year ago. I'm not sure there are solutions anymore.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Dems Will Own All Of Health Care
I hope Dems in Congress take a moment or two to think about the politics of health care reform. Once it passes they will own all of it, not just the reforms. Republicans will turn every health insurance horror story in a story about how the Dems' HCR is a tremendous awful horrible failure, whether or not it has anything to do with specific reforms enacted.
All of this is my subtle way of suggesting they'd better pass something that people like and that works, because otherwise every insurance company dick move will be their fault.
All of this is my subtle way of suggesting they'd better pass something that people like and that works, because otherwise every insurance company dick move will be their fault.
It Can Be Very Unpopular Before It Even Impacts Anyone
If it passes, everyone will know HCR "passed." Most people will still have their shitty rate-hiking insurance company (if they have insurance). They might start blaming Democrats even though the law hasn't kicked in yet.
Not The Way It's Supposed To Happen
Local port authority is suspending scheduled bridge toll increase, while keeping scheduled SUPERTRAIN fare hike.
Afternoon Thread
Can't wait until I can buy some war bonds. Hopefully when you buy them they put your name on a freedom bomb.
Details
Medicare buy in is a good thing (not necessarily a better thing, but a good thing), but it isn't a good thing if no one can actually buy in and what they're buying into isn't Medicare.
New SUPERTRAIN Tunnel
Redundancy and extra capacity will be welcome.
On Wednesday morning, the directors of New Jersey Transit are scheduled to approve a $583 million contract for the digging of a train tunnel under the west side of Midtown Manhattan. The tunnel is intended to supplement the existing tunnels that carry commuters into the city from New Jersey and other points west.
The imminent construction of the tunnel is the biggest public works project under way in the country, with an estimated total cost of $8.7 billion. It will stretch from the west side of the New Jersey Palisades to a station under 34th Street, near Macy’s flagship store.
Fear Them
I really don't get how someone could think the blue dogs would be out of excuses for opposing progressive spending priorities if only the deficit disappeared. We know what happens when the deficit disappears: tax cuts.
I Don't Know
I guess I really don't yet have an opinion the shit sandwich "compromise." Ultimatately what matters is having good pieces in place which will be easily expanded.
No Remorse
A conservative estimate is that 100,000 people have died as a result of the invasion of Iraq. Do any of our elite media people feel any remorse at all?
So much of what was said at the time was transparently absurd... at the time... no hindsight necessary. But only a few dirty fucking bloggers bothered to point it out.
So much of what was said at the time was transparently absurd... at the time... no hindsight necessary. But only a few dirty fucking bloggers bothered to point it out.
What's It For?
I can never quite get a handle on just what the Washington Post people - its publishers, Fred Hiatt, etc... - think that it's for? Is it about providing a product people want to buy/advertisers want to advertise in? It is about informing readers, giving them factual information and analysis they want? Are these missions in conflict or do they coincide?
And why does it take bloggers to point out how absurd they are? Where are all the journalists who spend their days bitching about bloggers? Don't they care that the product they're defending is basically shit?
And why does it take bloggers to point out how absurd they are? Where are all the journalists who spend their days bitching about bloggers? Don't they care that the product they're defending is basically shit?
Climate Change Crap Go-To Post
Here are the places I personally go when I want the lowdown on the most current wingnut lies about climate change, particularly, nowadays, to do with the email theft. List not remotely definitive (I'm in the humanities, dammit).
Deltoid -- Tim Lambert is worth reading for his own stuff, but the real fun is the comments, where you'll see silly denialist trolling avant la lettre. Tomorrow's bullshit, today! And just as quickly debunked.
DeSmogBlog: Don't miss the Crock of the Week.
SwiftHack is a good repository.
Real Climate, and responses: here, here, here.
This Nature editorial.
George Will, filleted.
And I like Eli's site.
Deltoid -- Tim Lambert is worth reading for his own stuff, but the real fun is the comments, where you'll see silly denialist trolling avant la lettre. Tomorrow's bullshit, today! And just as quickly debunked.
DeSmogBlog: Don't miss the Crock of the Week.
SwiftHack is a good repository.
Real Climate, and responses: here, here, here.
This Nature editorial.
George Will, filleted.
And I like Eli's site.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Grand Unified Climate Hoax Wingnuttery
A bunch of people emailed me about what their right wing buddies say about the grand liberal climate change hoax. I found it all to be so nonsensical as to keep to my "it's about pissing off liberals" theory, but apparently it's some weird conspiracy with Al Gore at the center of a plot to get rich by toppling capitalism and redistributing wealth from John Galt to unworthy brown people. Or something like that.
Tasty Shit Sandwiches
AP says public option dropped, in exchange we will all get to bask in the glory of Joe Lieberman's jowls.
What Do They Have In Common?
Thinking... Thinking...
Beck's "Christmas question": "Do you believe Tiger Woods may actually be OJ Simpson?"
Not Enough
I fear Reich is correct and the extra stimulus is going to be way too little too late.
As he says, true deficit hawks would want more stimulus, as tax revenue has declined sharply due to the recession. Moving us towards full employment is the way to solve that problem.
As he says, true deficit hawks would want more stimulus, as tax revenue has declined sharply due to the recession. Moving us towards full employment is the way to solve that problem.
Ruled By Idiots
If we call the borrowing something else then... profit!!
The United States would begin financing its military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan with war bonds under new legislation introduced Tuesday.
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) unveiled the "United States War Bonds Act of 2009" early this afternoon, which would authorize the Treasury Department to begin selling bonds to fund the wars.