Why is the Obama administration refusing to accept repayment of TARP loans? (chad)
— Open Blog

Stuart Varney has the answer:

My answer: The government wants to control the banks, just as it now controls GM and Chrysler, and will surely control the health industry in the not-too-distant future. Keeping them TARP-stuffed is the key to control. And for this intensely political president, mere influence is not enough. The White House wants to tell 'em what to do. Control. Direct. Command.

It is not for nothing that rage has been turned on those wicked financiers. The banks are at the core of the administration's thrust: By managing the money, government can steer the whole economy even more firmly down the left fork in the road.

...

Think about it: If Rick Wagoner can be fired and compact cars can be mandated, why can't a bank with a vault full of TARP money be told where to lend? And since politics drives this administration, why can't special loans and terms be offered to favored constituents, favored industries, or even favored regions? Our prosperity has never been based on the political allocation of credit -- until now.

source

I said during the campaign that Obama was at best a socialist and at worst a Marxist. It looks like it is the scale is rapidly weighing towards the worst.

Oh I'm sure that he will never outright seize control of the banking system or any industry but there will be central planning committees and five year plans and commissars in the work place, disguised as compliance officers of course. It isn't that far a jump from what Obama pulled with Rick Wagoner to making a subtle threat to the workforce as a whole. "want a good job?", they will ask, then toe the line and vote Obama.

I'm not sure I can adopt the blank stare of Obama worship. I guess I better get used to beans and rice and a cardboard box as a house.

Update:andros asserted in the comments section that repayments are being accepted. It turns out that (at least according to the NY Times) he is correct.

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Posted by: Open Blog at 06:44 PM | Comments (6)
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Congress: all your tubes are belong to Obama
— Purple Avenger

There's a few morsels of goodness in this draft legislation, but a whole lot wrong too.

...the United States is unprepared to respond to a ‘‘cyber-Katrina’’ and that ‘‘a massive cyber disruption could have a cascading, long-term impact without adequate co-ordination between government and the private sector

In just a moment, we'll see what this "co-ordination" looks like. It looks a lot like a dictatorial powers that can be invoked on ill-defined criteria:

The Institute [NIST] shall, establish standard computer-readable language for completely specifying the configuration of software on computer systems widely used in the Federal government, by government contractors and grantees, and in private sector owned critical infrastructure information systems and networks.

Note the term here "critical infrastructure information systems". See, its like this -- if "the decider" Obama, decides your privately owned and operated shit happens to be "critical infrastructure information systems" (which is unspecific and decided by the president), then you will be compelled to install and run a government mandated configuration. Nothing like making sure all possible targets are identical eh? If you're putting all your eggs in one basket, then you'd better watch that fucking basket very very closely. more...

Posted by: Purple Avenger at 06:20 PM | Comments (1)
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Overnight Open Thread: Saturday Night Flame War and Music Video Contributions (genghis)
— Open Blog

We haven’t had a good flame war in months, so maybe it’s about time to remedy that. Usually LauraW handles these, but her hump is feeling a bit under the weather tonight. (Try to be creative with your insults and not just go directly into a game of “ghey chicken”) BTW, the term “ghey chicken” was coined by Dave in South Oklahoma and he has a lot of experience in these matters.

Also, if you likee, continue on with posting obscure ‘80’s videos (or from other decades as well…we’re not decadists here) and even your favorite comedy routines swiped from YouTube. In the past we’ve tried to see who can find the worst video out there (which I can trump any of you lame fucks on, as you’ll see just below the fold.) Still, I’m sure there’s plenty more suckitude out there to be found on the intermesh. (Of course you can also post your favorite long-forgotten hidden gems as well…it’s all good)

Remember that it’s best to try and use tinyurl to link your contributions or otherwise you get that annoying message about “Moveable Type doesn’t appreciate long streams of blah blah blah” or whatever it says. And then you have to redo your whole post since you can’t “go back” on your browser.

”I need a hug"
Videos start below the fold. Thanks for tuning into Radio genghis.

(Advanced warning: Certain epithets and slurs will get a comment deleted, so donÂ’t go there.)
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Posted by: Open Blog at 05:33 PM | Add Comment
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President Obama's Attack on the U.S.
— Gabriel Malor

I don't really have anything to add to what the Powerline Guys say. Except that if Obama loves Europe and dislikes the U.S. so much he should just stay there.

The President's new comments aren't the mere embarrassments we've all come to expect from him over the past three months. Yes, he's a bumbling buffoon when it comes to representing America. It's not really something to get angry over. Rather, we'll just have to suffer until he and his wife learn on the job how to comport themselves with a little dignity.

On the other hand, this latest speech was planned and plotted, a neon-lighted "Fuck You" directed right at us while he campaigns for European Suck-up of the Year. And that is something to get angry over, the quisling fucker. The Powerline Guys use words like "contemptible", "reprehensible", "slanderous." All true, but it doesn't go far enough.

This guy is going to stand up Over There and badmouth Americans and President Bush? He's a coward with an inferiority complex, a desperate desire to win the approval of his perceived European betters. What an ass.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 04:56 PM | Add Comment
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Baseball predictions anyone?
— Purple Avenger

Its about that time of year...

The Torre curse will continue to plague the Yankees. The Marlins pack of youngsters clicks and they make the playoffs. Add yours in the comments.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at 04:20 PM | Comments (1)
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Rangers kick ass, just ask 'em
— Uncle Jimbo

Ranger recruiting video below the fold (lots of excellent profanity) more...

Posted by: Uncle Jimbo at 10:34 AM | Add Comment
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Open Blog/Open Thread
— Ace

Headed out for a bit. Will be back, but might as well make it Open Blog.

Posted by: Ace at 10:09 AM | Comments (5)
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"Steampunk" Laptop
— Ace

Just like Professor Moriarity would own.

It's so gay and geeky it's pure awesome. It's all leather, stained wood, and aged brass.

His plan for a Victorian desktop is cool, but not as.

Posted by: Ace at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)
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DVD Review: The Bank Job
— Ace

Recommended.

I've seen a lot -- a lot -- of movies lately I haven't been inspired to review. They were all so-so. Worth a watch, I guess, but just as easily missed. The Watchmen, Push, I Love You Man, Taken... All decent, but all would get the review Watchable.

The only movie I've seen lately I want to actively recommend is the Jason Statham caper/thriller The Bank Job. more...

Posted by: Ace at 08:35 AM | Comments (1)
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Levi Johnston: Hey, You Know What Bristol Needs Right Now? Me Going on a Jerry Springer Type Show and Talking About Our Sex Life
— Ace

Because it was so important that Levi Johnston share his story with the world. Let me go on national tv to talk about the girl I got pregnant and then abandoned.

Sarah Palin says that Johnston didn't even give Bristol the courtesy of a head's up:

“Bristol did not even know Levi was going on the show. We’re disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship,” says the statement from the Palin family rep.

“Bristol’s focus will remain on raising Tripp, completing her education, and advocating abstinence,” the statement continues. “It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well being of the child.”

Allah suggests that Tyra Banks just may have paid for the interview, which the presumably unemployed (or underemployed) Johnston saw as easy money.

I have no idea what could have been going on this guy's mind if that's not the case. I'm sure Banks' producers urged him to Get your side of the story out!, but why did any side of the story need to come out? Bristol wasn't talking, and not even the gossip-hungry blogosphere was talking about it much. At least not the right side.

I just don't get it. Apparently he's thinking that he just impregnated and abandoned a 17 year old girl, so it must be his time to shine.

Posted by: Ace at 07:01 AM | Comments (3)
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