Posts
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Peace in the Middle East - Mission Accomplished
A smattering of todays headlines (12/28/08) from BBCs Mid East and South Asia News Pages provided as evidence of Bush's success at bringing peace and security to the Mid-East. (and a headline from Bloomberg to highlight that in spite of the BILLIONS we've given their military, the Pakistanis are moving their troops FROM the Afghan border where we need 'em TO the Indian border for bullshit posturing)
Massive Israeli air raids on Gaza
Israel set for prolonged Gaza op Israeli F-16 bombers hit targets across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least 227 people, local medics say. (Guess who sold them the f-16s?)
Taleban 'will kill school girls'
Many killed by Baghdad car bomb
Afghan police die in suicide bomb
Bomber targets Sri Lanka capital
Clashes mark final Kashmir poll
Pakistan MPs urge India restraint
US warning on South Asia tensionThe United States has urged India and Pakistan to avoid unnecessarily raising tension amid reports of troop movements to the border.
India Steps Up Diplomatic Pressure as Pakistan Redeploys Troops (bloomberg)
Just remember, when you hear Bush talk about how he's brought peace and stability, he simply means we haven't had an attack on our soil since the last one. I'll be the first to admit that these headlines weren't directly caused by Bush, but he's the one out there pumping up his legacy. Perhaps if he wasn't spending so much time and resources trying to talk the world into believing he did a bang up job, I wouldn't have felt it necessary to spend this much time pointing out that we're not out of the woods yet...
Bush on His Record(wsj)
"therefore the two-state solution led by a Palestinian Authority that recognized Israel has now come to be."
"broader "freedom agenda" in the Middle East. That agenda, he says, is working, [...] is really the only practical way to provide long-term security"
Bush stands by his time in office(bbc)
‘Good’ progress on Israeli-Palestinian peace: Bush(tin) (12/20/08) Bush said that there has been a “good deal” of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process despite the failed effort to reach a settlement before he leaves office.
(anyone remember in January when Bush actually thought he'd have the Israelis and Palestinians singing Kum Bay Ya by the end of this year because he held a meeting for them in Maryland?)
Bush: Israeli-Palestinian peace possible within a year(th) (1/4/08)
Presidential Media Blitz to point out how good he was, because we would have never noticed it without his help...
THIS is whyipaytaxes:
"In my line of work you gotta keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kinda catapult the propaganda." - Dubya, May 24, 2005
Massive Israeli air raids on Gaza
Israel set for prolonged Gaza op Israeli F-16 bombers hit targets across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least 227 people, local medics say. (Guess who sold them the f-16s?)
Taleban 'will kill school girls'
Many killed by Baghdad car bomb
Afghan police die in suicide bomb
Bomber targets Sri Lanka capital
Clashes mark final Kashmir poll
Pakistan MPs urge India restraint
US warning on South Asia tensionThe United States has urged India and Pakistan to avoid unnecessarily raising tension amid reports of troop movements to the border.
India Steps Up Diplomatic Pressure as Pakistan Redeploys Troops (bloomberg)
Just remember, when you hear Bush talk about how he's brought peace and stability, he simply means we haven't had an attack on our soil since the last one. I'll be the first to admit that these headlines weren't directly caused by Bush, but he's the one out there pumping up his legacy. Perhaps if he wasn't spending so much time and resources trying to talk the world into believing he did a bang up job, I wouldn't have felt it necessary to spend this much time pointing out that we're not out of the woods yet...
Bush on His Record(wsj)
"therefore the two-state solution led by a Palestinian Authority that recognized Israel has now come to be."
"broader "freedom agenda" in the Middle East. That agenda, he says, is working, [...] is really the only practical way to provide long-term security"
Bush stands by his time in office(bbc)
‘Good’ progress on Israeli-Palestinian peace: Bush(tin) (12/20/08) Bush said that there has been a “good deal” of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process despite the failed effort to reach a settlement before he leaves office.
(anyone remember in January when Bush actually thought he'd have the Israelis and Palestinians singing Kum Bay Ya by the end of this year because he held a meeting for them in Maryland?)
Bush: Israeli-Palestinian peace possible within a year(th) (1/4/08)
Presidential Media Blitz to point out how good he was, because we would have never noticed it without his help...
THIS is whyipaytaxes:
"In my line of work you gotta keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kinda catapult the propaganda." - Dubya, May 24, 2005
Friday, December 26, 2008
Nonprofit. For profit!
Houston woman who exposed scam still waits for repairs(hc)
Why does it seem that some of the best examples of government waste come from Texas?
This one is not even a surprise. The government comes up with a plan to help people repair their homes after hurricanes and whatnot. As in any situation where the government is giving out money to help the taxpayers, it goes through a series of shady groups and organizations who are generous enough to spend some time skimming cash off the top.
This time they did it by quoting the price of 2 roofs on one house, 500 feet of sewer main to get 50 feet, etc. etc. After getting paid for the quote, they (poorly) installed the 1 roof, the 50 feet of main, etc. etc. As it turns out, over half of the jobs quoted were quoted for the exact maximum allowable under the plan. There are several other pretty obvious indications of swindling going on.
The government and its various investigative arms still can't figure out where the missing money went, who got a little richer on taxpayers behalf. The FBI claims to still be investigating, but had no comment. The city of Houston decided that the best way to handle this situation was to not pursue the investigation at all and to just give a bunch of cash back to the Fed. They stated that it is better to invest the money into fixing the repairs of the shoddy workmanship than it is to spend money investigating the crimes. I imagine someone in the government had a specific reason for being concerned about having an investigation into the scheme. Wouldn't want that probe to lead back to him or her...
In fact, if it wasn't for the hero of the story, Marsha Farmer, the government would have kept on giving away your hard earned dollars. She's the one that had the 2 roofs quoted. Because she had the audacity to try to get the government to look into it, she still hasn't had her house repaired 8 years later.
Read the article for more details. Its pretty run of the mill scam the system stuff. You know, so long as you're a contractor with connections in the government.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Why does it seem that some of the best examples of government waste come from Texas?
This one is not even a surprise. The government comes up with a plan to help people repair their homes after hurricanes and whatnot. As in any situation where the government is giving out money to help the taxpayers, it goes through a series of shady groups and organizations who are generous enough to spend some time skimming cash off the top.
This time they did it by quoting the price of 2 roofs on one house, 500 feet of sewer main to get 50 feet, etc. etc. After getting paid for the quote, they (poorly) installed the 1 roof, the 50 feet of main, etc. etc. As it turns out, over half of the jobs quoted were quoted for the exact maximum allowable under the plan. There are several other pretty obvious indications of swindling going on.
The government and its various investigative arms still can't figure out where the missing money went, who got a little richer on taxpayers behalf. The FBI claims to still be investigating, but had no comment. The city of Houston decided that the best way to handle this situation was to not pursue the investigation at all and to just give a bunch of cash back to the Fed. They stated that it is better to invest the money into fixing the repairs of the shoddy workmanship than it is to spend money investigating the crimes. I imagine someone in the government had a specific reason for being concerned about having an investigation into the scheme. Wouldn't want that probe to lead back to him or her...
In fact, if it wasn't for the hero of the story, Marsha Farmer, the government would have kept on giving away your hard earned dollars. She's the one that had the 2 roofs quoted. Because she had the audacity to try to get the government to look into it, she still hasn't had her house repaired 8 years later.
Read the article for more details. Its pretty run of the mill scam the system stuff. You know, so long as you're a contractor with connections in the government.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Bailing out the automakers... SO worth it!
How else could we realize the dream of having a hybrid that gets 13 MILES PER GALLON? What company other than an American auto maker would be retarded enough to look into their crystal ball and see the need for a hybrid that gets gas mileage worse than most large luxury sedans?
A reader recently posted a comment on my post about whether or not Chrysler even makes a hybrid that they could have taken to DC to beg for my money. She did a bit more research and forwarded an article to me about Chrysler's answer to the fact that it is obviously time to move past gas guzzlers and into alternative fuels.
Chrysler Aspen Hybrid(hc)
The article talks about how this is actually a big step in reducing oil consumption. I don't agree, 13 miles per gallon is 13 miles per gallon. Period.
Saving the car companies so they can pursue the same miles per gallon vehicles that brought them to their knees...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
A reader recently posted a comment on my post about whether or not Chrysler even makes a hybrid that they could have taken to DC to beg for my money. She did a bit more research and forwarded an article to me about Chrysler's answer to the fact that it is obviously time to move past gas guzzlers and into alternative fuels.
Chrysler Aspen Hybrid(hc)
The article talks about how this is actually a big step in reducing oil consumption. I don't agree, 13 miles per gallon is 13 miles per gallon. Period.
Saving the car companies so they can pursue the same miles per gallon vehicles that brought them to their knees...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Government sponsored Viagra treatments
Pfizer must be proud to know that Viagra is now saving soldiers lives. By the end, it'll probably save hundreds or more lives of US and other NATO forces. Yay!
'Viagra lure' for Afghan warlords(bbc)
In the story, they tell about a 60 year old war lord with 4 young wives. Initially, he was all about the 'Die you American Scum!'. After we gave him 4 viagra and 4 nights alone with his 4 wives, he greeted us as second only to Allah and worthy of detailed plans of the movement of Taliban troops.
Hey... Who among us wouldn't turn on our closest allies to become a stallion among mules? (well, a lot of us, but, then again, our closest allies aren't murderous thugs with superiority complexes..)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
'Viagra lure' for Afghan warlords(bbc)
In the story, they tell about a 60 year old war lord with 4 young wives. Initially, he was all about the 'Die you American Scum!'. After we gave him 4 viagra and 4 nights alone with his 4 wives, he greeted us as second only to Allah and worthy of detailed plans of the movement of Taliban troops.
Hey... Who among us wouldn't turn on our closest allies to become a stallion among mules? (well, a lot of us, but, then again, our closest allies aren't murderous thugs with superiority complexes..)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
That bitch dumped my son...
I'm going to have to expand my blogging capabilities... While I prefer to concentrate on government waste caused by the government, there is just so much going on that costs us taxpayer money that really isn't the governments fault. Case in point:
Grade School Break-up Ends in OC Stabbing(kfwb)
This loopy broad got so upset when her 12 year old son got dumped by his girlfriend that she showed up after class and stabbed the mother and 2 other relatives of the chick that dumped the dude.
Like the cops didn't have ANYthing better to do that day... (and I'm sure the judge, prosecutor, public defense, and clerks didn't have anything better to do the day this shit goes to court...)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Grade School Break-up Ends in OC Stabbing(kfwb)
This loopy broad got so upset when her 12 year old son got dumped by his girlfriend that she showed up after class and stabbed the mother and 2 other relatives of the chick that dumped the dude.
Like the cops didn't have ANYthing better to do that day... (and I'm sure the judge, prosecutor, public defense, and clerks didn't have anything better to do the day this shit goes to court...)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tennessee Valley Coal Swamp
TVA ash spill: Workers cleaning up, rebuilding infrastructure(kn)
TVA Coal Ash Spill in River near Harriman, Tennessee, Estimated at 500 Million Gallons Huge Environmental Disaster in Tennessee(ac)
The Tennessee Valley Authority, created and supported by the Federal Government for over 60 years (allowing it to thoroughly crush any private enterprise competition and draw in industry from other parts of the country because of its low electricity rates) has had a coal ash spill.
Around 1.7 MILLION CUBIC YARDS of spent coal ash, about 2/3 of the entire reservoir in question breached a levee system and has covered over 400 acres in a 4'-6' thick sludge river of, well, death. 15 homes were covered and at least 3 of those homes have already been declared unlivable. It has reached and dumped into the Emory River, and the TVA is hoping to be able to stop it from getting to the nearby clinch river with a temporary levee and a boom. (and we'll just pretend that none of the bad stuff could possibly proceed from the clinch to the rest of the upper Tennessee Drainage Basin. (The water supply for Chattanooga, and parts of alabama and kentucky))
This is the third time in 6 years this reservoir has released into the valley. Though, by far, this one has been the worst. The TVA has also had to replace a water main and re-build roads to some of those stranded in their homes. The Coast Guard, EPA, the State Department of Environment and Conservation, and I'm sure a whole host of other government agencies have been spending time and resources to deal with the aftermath.
Rest assured: The TVA has done a visual inspection of their other ash pond dikes.
Oh, and:"Coal ash contains mercury and dangerous heavy metals like lead and arsenic - materials found naturally in coal are concentrated in the ash."
and for perspective: this is 40 times bigger than the exxon valdeez spill. Yet the media is too busy covering shoplifting stories for the christmas season to really care...
Read the second story above for some great video links. And/or watch this one: Aerial footage: TVA storage pond breach in Harriman(kn) You really have to watch it to get an appreciation for just how bad this is.
(This guy has around 13 minutes of footage while flying over and around it...)(wbir)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
TVA Coal Ash Spill in River near Harriman, Tennessee, Estimated at 500 Million Gallons Huge Environmental Disaster in Tennessee(ac)
The Tennessee Valley Authority, created and supported by the Federal Government for over 60 years (allowing it to thoroughly crush any private enterprise competition and draw in industry from other parts of the country because of its low electricity rates) has had a coal ash spill.
Around 1.7 MILLION CUBIC YARDS of spent coal ash, about 2/3 of the entire reservoir in question breached a levee system and has covered over 400 acres in a 4'-6' thick sludge river of, well, death. 15 homes were covered and at least 3 of those homes have already been declared unlivable. It has reached and dumped into the Emory River, and the TVA is hoping to be able to stop it from getting to the nearby clinch river with a temporary levee and a boom. (and we'll just pretend that none of the bad stuff could possibly proceed from the clinch to the rest of the upper Tennessee Drainage Basin. (The water supply for Chattanooga, and parts of alabama and kentucky))
This is the third time in 6 years this reservoir has released into the valley. Though, by far, this one has been the worst. The TVA has also had to replace a water main and re-build roads to some of those stranded in their homes. The Coast Guard, EPA, the State Department of Environment and Conservation, and I'm sure a whole host of other government agencies have been spending time and resources to deal with the aftermath.
Rest assured: The TVA has done a visual inspection of their other ash pond dikes.
Oh, and:"Coal ash contains mercury and dangerous heavy metals like lead and arsenic - materials found naturally in coal are concentrated in the ash."
and for perspective: this is 40 times bigger than the exxon valdeez spill. Yet the media is too busy covering shoplifting stories for the christmas season to really care...
Read the second story above for some great video links. And/or watch this one: Aerial footage: TVA storage pond breach in Harriman(kn) You really have to watch it to get an appreciation for just how bad this is.
(This guy has around 13 minutes of footage while flying over and around it...)(wbir)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Bring it on
Not getting your way in life? Federal Law Suit Time!
A girl who was on the varsity cheerleading squad her junior year didn't get in her senior year.
Federal Law Suit Time! Not just a district court suit, good lord no. We need to get the Federal Government involved in this shit.
Her case: The school never stepped into discipline the squad for bullying her daughter. Perhaps maybe there was some unfair judging.
A bit more history (and a few local tax dollars at work): She had already gone to the school district to have various staffers at the school fired and her daughter reinstated on the squad. Yes, her daughter didn't make the squad, so people should lose their jobs over it.
She hired the same investigator that looked into the McKinney cheerleading mess Lifetime did a movie about.
The school did discipline the girls. Many times. Every time the mother complained of the harassment. Is it really a surprise her daughter wasn't invited to play along the next year?
Mother's taking their cues from a Lifetime movie and making it a Federal case...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
A girl who was on the varsity cheerleading squad her junior year didn't get in her senior year.
Federal Law Suit Time! Not just a district court suit, good lord no. We need to get the Federal Government involved in this shit.
Her case: The school never stepped into discipline the squad for bullying her daughter. Perhaps maybe there was some unfair judging.
A bit more history (and a few local tax dollars at work): She had already gone to the school district to have various staffers at the school fired and her daughter reinstated on the squad. Yes, her daughter didn't make the squad, so people should lose their jobs over it.
She hired the same investigator that looked into the McKinney cheerleading mess Lifetime did a movie about.
The school did discipline the girls. Many times. Every time the mother complained of the harassment. Is it really a surprise her daughter wasn't invited to play along the next year?
Mother's taking their cues from a Lifetime movie and making it a Federal case...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Hit and run, to the next bus stop
I was going to let this one go without a post, until I saw this line:
the 57-year-old bus driver was relieved of duty with pay (ea)
So, this guy is driving a bus in a Miami 'burb and hits a guy on a bike. No big deal, probably happens a lot and you know how righteous these bikers can get about how WE'RE the ones in THEIR way... However, in this case, the driver just keeps on going. When passengers screamed, told the driver he hit the biker, and asked him to stop, the driver just kept on going and told his passengers to be quiet. As the bus was getting pulled over several blocks later, he actually threatened (in a manner of speaking) his passengers, telling them not to say anything. You know, he thought there was a rider-driver confidentiality agreement. What happens on the bus, stays on the bus, if you know what I mean...
So, fire the guy, right? Oh, good lord no. Lets suspend him WITH PAY until we figure out what happened. Never mind the mountains of witnesses and the fact that the whole thing is caught on tape.
Miami-Dade bus driver charged in hit-and-run(mh)
Paying bus drivers that shouldn't be driving a fucking golf ball...
THIS is whyMiamianspaytaxes.
the 57-year-old bus driver was relieved of duty with pay (ea)
So, this guy is driving a bus in a Miami 'burb and hits a guy on a bike. No big deal, probably happens a lot and you know how righteous these bikers can get about how WE'RE the ones in THEIR way... However, in this case, the driver just keeps on going. When passengers screamed, told the driver he hit the biker, and asked him to stop, the driver just kept on going and told his passengers to be quiet. As the bus was getting pulled over several blocks later, he actually threatened (in a manner of speaking) his passengers, telling them not to say anything. You know, he thought there was a rider-driver confidentiality agreement. What happens on the bus, stays on the bus, if you know what I mean...
So, fire the guy, right? Oh, good lord no. Lets suspend him WITH PAY until we figure out what happened. Never mind the mountains of witnesses and the fact that the whole thing is caught on tape.
Miami-Dade bus driver charged in hit-and-run(mh)
Paying bus drivers that shouldn't be driving a fucking golf ball...
THIS is whyMiamianspaytaxes.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Public urination after 7:30 only please
City hit by 'legal to pee' prank(bbc)
Finally, after a dark and demoralizing handful of posts, I've found a waste of taxpayer money that ought to bring a smile to a few faces.
In Nottingham (UK) some pranksters put up official looking signs in places that state in order to reduce public nuisance, for the remainder of the holiday season it will be legal to urinate in various public places around the area.
I like the spokes woman that said the signs were put up illegally, "for whatever reason." I don't think she gets it...
As with most good pranks, the city is actively removing the signs.
THIS is whyBritspaytaxes.
Monday, December 22, 2008
$1.6 BILLION to the failures
AP study finds $1.6B went to bailed-out bank execs(AP)
APs first line sums it up better than I can:
Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.
Some other highlights:
Goldman Sachs: Bailout amount: $10 BILLION
CEO Pay in 07-$54 MILLION
Top 5 Executives combined - $242 MILLION
Poor bastards: Top 7 execs in 08 will only make base pay of $600,000
Its hard out here for a pimp.
$233,000 PER EXECUTIVE in leased cars and drivers.
The reason they pay these wages: to retain and motivate executives "whose efforts and judgments are vital to our continued success" (ea)
Success? You call needing government handouts to stay in business a success?
Capital One: Bailout amount: $3.56 BILLION
CEO Pay - Took a $1 MILLION hit in compensation (how much do you get paid when they can take a MILLION off the top?)
But he still got $17 MILLION in stock options.
Merrill Lynch: Bailout amount: $10 BILLION
CEO Pay - $83 MILLION (!) THIS $83 MILLION DOLLARS WAS PAID TO A MAN WHO WORKED 1 MONTH! (signing bonus) He wasn't responsible for Merrill's troubles, but he was the COO at Goldman Sachs (See above for the bailout they received under his operational genius)
Merrills losses - $7.8 BILLION (yet they got $10 BILLION - There's a profit right there!)
Wells Fargo took $25 BILLION in bailout dough. They also gave all of their top executives $20,000 EACH to hire, get this, FINANCIAL PLANNERS!!!
Bank of New York Mellon spent $66,748 for a financial planner for the CEO. Must've been a fine financial planner. Maybe the bank should have just hired him directly? (the CEO was also paid nearly $8.5 MILLION, got $178,000 for his car and a driver, and $846,000 for relocation expenses)
This bank is the custodian of the bailout funds! Yes, they've chosen a banker to distribute the money. The Fed couldn't do it themselves why? (P.S. They were paid undisclosed amounts of money to perform this service)
Bank of New York Mellon Will Oversee Bailout Fund(NYT)
JP Morgan Chase: Bailout: $25 BILLION
A chairman commuted from Chicago to New York and ran up a $211,182 private jet tab.
Your bailout dollars at work America!!! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go puke.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
APs first line sums it up better than I can:
Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.
Some other highlights:
Goldman Sachs: Bailout amount: $10 BILLION
CEO Pay in 07-$54 MILLION
Top 5 Executives combined - $242 MILLION
Poor bastards: Top 7 execs in 08 will only make base pay of $600,000
Its hard out here for a pimp.
$233,000 PER EXECUTIVE in leased cars and drivers.
The reason they pay these wages: to retain and motivate executives "whose efforts and judgments are vital to our continued success" (ea)
Success? You call needing government handouts to stay in business a success?
Capital One: Bailout amount: $3.56 BILLION
CEO Pay - Took a $1 MILLION hit in compensation (how much do you get paid when they can take a MILLION off the top?)
But he still got $17 MILLION in stock options.
Merrill Lynch: Bailout amount: $10 BILLION
CEO Pay - $83 MILLION (!) THIS $83 MILLION DOLLARS WAS PAID TO A MAN WHO WORKED 1 MONTH! (signing bonus) He wasn't responsible for Merrill's troubles, but he was the COO at Goldman Sachs (See above for the bailout they received under his operational genius)
Merrills losses - $7.8 BILLION (yet they got $10 BILLION - There's a profit right there!)
Wells Fargo took $25 BILLION in bailout dough. They also gave all of their top executives $20,000 EACH to hire, get this, FINANCIAL PLANNERS!!!
Bank of New York Mellon spent $66,748 for a financial planner for the CEO. Must've been a fine financial planner. Maybe the bank should have just hired him directly? (the CEO was also paid nearly $8.5 MILLION, got $178,000 for his car and a driver, and $846,000 for relocation expenses)
This bank is the custodian of the bailout funds! Yes, they've chosen a banker to distribute the money. The Fed couldn't do it themselves why? (P.S. They were paid undisclosed amounts of money to perform this service)
Bank of New York Mellon Will Oversee Bailout Fund(NYT)
JP Morgan Chase: Bailout: $25 BILLION
A chairman commuted from Chicago to New York and ran up a $211,182 private jet tab.
Your bailout dollars at work America!!! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go puke.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Karl Rove and his death threats
I'm thinking this has gone beyond conspiracy theory... There are documents with government officials that say Karl Rove threatened to launch his Justice Department after Connell's wife.
This guy is keeping a better eye on it than I have time to:
http://adap2k.blogspot.com/
This guy is keeping a better eye on it than I have time to:
http://adap2k.blogspot.com/
Priorities
clay bennett (this guy is good)(Republicans are Red
Democrats are Blue
But you'll need some green to affect what they do)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Off the grid e-mail systems for the white house, election tampering, and mysterious deaths
A little followed story involving SmarTech, GovTech, New Media Technologies, and Mike Connell has taken a sudden and mysterious turn. The story would be dismissed by the mainstream media as a conspiracy theory, but you may want to read on:
Mike Connell is THE Republican IT guy. You need to set up a web site and you profess your undying love for god, he's your guy. Even if you just profess that undying love as a means to get votes from the Christians, it doesn't matter. New Media Technologies was the go to IT group that made Bush's and McCain's web sites, among other GOP candidates.
Mike spun GovTech off of his company, New Media Technologies under his wifes name.
GovTech was immediately hired to host the election results for the 2004 election in Ohio. (Nice to see the Ohio Secratary of State picking a neutral vendor to handle election results... Wouldn't want to pick a partisan group.) GovTech used the services of SmarTech servers instead of the 'Ohio OARnet IT servers in Columbus' that were built for such purposes.
Ken Blackwell Outsources Ohio Election Results to GOP Internet Operatives, Again(emc)
SmarTech servers also acted as a way for the White House and other GOPers to evade the Freedom of Information Act by providing an e-mail system outside of their government servers. Remember the millions of missing e-mails? Well, it seems we found where they went missing.
White House Steps Up Fight To Keep Millions Of Deleted Emails Secret(hp)
Its easy to make e-mails disappear when your friends own the servers. (click around the huff post article, it was written by Yost at Associated Press, there is evidence of e-mails that were once seen by reporters but then turned up missing when requested under the Freedom of Info Act. The White House actively stonewalled, saying these e-mails weren't covered by the FIA. Just because the mainstream media won't cover it doesn't mean its not true...)
Well, Mike Connell appeared as though he was ready to tell all. Whether he was having bad dreams about being evil or had his eyes on the book deal at the end, we'll never know. What we do know is he reported to several officials, judges, and lawyers that there have been threats on his and his wife's life. Karl Rove was one of those who threatened. Twice recently he had to cancel a flight in his plane because there was evidence of sabotage.
Wouldn't you know it, this experienced pilot with countless miles of flight experience died when his plane crashed on Friday as he was coming back from testifying in DC.
Read these stories. Draw your own conclusions.
'Karl Rove's IT guru' Mike Connell dies in plane crash(trs)
Michael Connell Killed: VR Demands Full State And Federal Investigation(vr)
Bush Insider Who Planned To Tell All Killed In Plane Crash: Non-Profit Demands Full Federal Investigation(yn)
Shadow networks for shadowy people...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Mike Connell is THE Republican IT guy. You need to set up a web site and you profess your undying love for god, he's your guy. Even if you just profess that undying love as a means to get votes from the Christians, it doesn't matter. New Media Technologies was the go to IT group that made Bush's and McCain's web sites, among other GOP candidates.
Mike spun GovTech off of his company, New Media Technologies under his wifes name.
GovTech was immediately hired to host the election results for the 2004 election in Ohio. (Nice to see the Ohio Secratary of State picking a neutral vendor to handle election results... Wouldn't want to pick a partisan group.) GovTech used the services of SmarTech servers instead of the 'Ohio OARnet IT servers in Columbus' that were built for such purposes.
Ken Blackwell Outsources Ohio Election Results to GOP Internet Operatives, Again(emc)
SmarTech servers also acted as a way for the White House and other GOPers to evade the Freedom of Information Act by providing an e-mail system outside of their government servers. Remember the millions of missing e-mails? Well, it seems we found where they went missing.
White House Steps Up Fight To Keep Millions Of Deleted Emails Secret(hp)
Its easy to make e-mails disappear when your friends own the servers. (click around the huff post article, it was written by Yost at Associated Press, there is evidence of e-mails that were once seen by reporters but then turned up missing when requested under the Freedom of Info Act. The White House actively stonewalled, saying these e-mails weren't covered by the FIA. Just because the mainstream media won't cover it doesn't mean its not true...)
Well, Mike Connell appeared as though he was ready to tell all. Whether he was having bad dreams about being evil or had his eyes on the book deal at the end, we'll never know. What we do know is he reported to several officials, judges, and lawyers that there have been threats on his and his wife's life. Karl Rove was one of those who threatened. Twice recently he had to cancel a flight in his plane because there was evidence of sabotage.
Wouldn't you know it, this experienced pilot with countless miles of flight experience died when his plane crashed on Friday as he was coming back from testifying in DC.
Read these stories. Draw your own conclusions.
'Karl Rove's IT guru' Mike Connell dies in plane crash(trs)
Michael Connell Killed: VR Demands Full State And Federal Investigation(vr)
Bush Insider Who Planned To Tell All Killed In Plane Crash: Non-Profit Demands Full Federal Investigation(yn)
Shadow networks for shadowy people...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Because Judges have nothing better to do
Check this one out. Kinda blows your mind.
A District Judges daughter in Houston Texas rammed into the back end of a delivery truck while she was at least 3 sheets to the wind. (Blood alcohol content over THREE times the legal limit on 2 separate tests (she was a judges daughter, the cops were smart enough to test twice))
In the accident she killed her boyfriend and smashed up mommy's Lexus.
Get this: She got 4 months in jail and a bunch of probation. Not bad being a judges daughter in Texas, no? 4 months for manslaughter. I'll bet not a lot of Texans enjoy that kind of leniency.
But that isn't even why I'm sharing this story with you, oh no.
Now, SHE IS SUING THE TRUCK DRIVER!!!
She wants $20k for the destruction of the Lexus and whatever the judge or jury might give her for mental anguish.
Not only is she helping to clog up the court system in Texas, she's doing it in grand style. She has listed 16 defendents, including insurance companies and banks. Because, you know, I'm sure the bank has a lot to say about the accident. Basically, they've called all the defendants they could to see if anything will get her her way. Because, she is quite obviously getting her way.
I hope daddy puts a breathalyzer ignition in the new Lexus he buys her. I wouldn't want her killing and suing anyone else.
Judge's daughter sues driver she ran into during crash(hc)
Job security for the court system...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
ADDENDUM
While I was hoping the father was embarassed of his off the hook and ridiculously spoiled daughter, I've been proven wrong. (after all, how else would she be so spoiled?)
Her blood alcohol content tests was 26 and 28 percent.
He's in the court room acting all a fool on behalf of his daughter. They've gotten expert witnesses on their side, they accused the man that helped the daughter out of the accident of being an illegal alien, they're doing their best to make this a 3 ring circus. The mother cries of the inhumane way the cops arrested her. They went and STOLE THE BLACK BOX from the Lexus before it could be used in court.
Defense expert says deadly crash was unavoidable(fr)
The father has said: the intoxication of his daughter at the scene of the accident makes no difference. He also said that no one is above the law. Well, except for his daughter.
If you read just one article about this fucked up case READ THIS ARTICLE HERE: (its by a blogging lawyer in Texas and is very well written and sums it all up nice and neat)
Frivolous Conflicted Representation. Where Else but Harris County?(dp)
This lawyer points out: If the estate of the dead guy wanted to sue someone for the death, they have an open and shut case against the daughter that has been convicted of his murder. Instead, they join forces with the daughter to sue the truck driver.
The lawyer pursuing the case: On 3 separate occasions he's been suspended from practicing law and has been publicly reprimanded twice. He currently represents the family of the dead guy AND the girl convicted of killing him, at the same time.
He was also appointed to his judge job by the father of the girl that began the whole thing by drinking and driving.
A District Judges daughter in Houston Texas rammed into the back end of a delivery truck while she was at least 3 sheets to the wind. (Blood alcohol content over THREE times the legal limit on 2 separate tests (she was a judges daughter, the cops were smart enough to test twice))
In the accident she killed her boyfriend and smashed up mommy's Lexus.
Get this: She got 4 months in jail and a bunch of probation. Not bad being a judges daughter in Texas, no? 4 months for manslaughter. I'll bet not a lot of Texans enjoy that kind of leniency.
But that isn't even why I'm sharing this story with you, oh no.
Now, SHE IS SUING THE TRUCK DRIVER!!!
She wants $20k for the destruction of the Lexus and whatever the judge or jury might give her for mental anguish.
Not only is she helping to clog up the court system in Texas, she's doing it in grand style. She has listed 16 defendents, including insurance companies and banks. Because, you know, I'm sure the bank has a lot to say about the accident. Basically, they've called all the defendants they could to see if anything will get her her way. Because, she is quite obviously getting her way.
I hope daddy puts a breathalyzer ignition in the new Lexus he buys her. I wouldn't want her killing and suing anyone else.
Judge's daughter sues driver she ran into during crash(hc)
Job security for the court system...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
ADDENDUM
While I was hoping the father was embarassed of his off the hook and ridiculously spoiled daughter, I've been proven wrong. (after all, how else would she be so spoiled?)
Her blood alcohol content tests was 26 and 28 percent.
He's in the court room acting all a fool on behalf of his daughter. They've gotten expert witnesses on their side, they accused the man that helped the daughter out of the accident of being an illegal alien, they're doing their best to make this a 3 ring circus. The mother cries of the inhumane way the cops arrested her. They went and STOLE THE BLACK BOX from the Lexus before it could be used in court.
Defense expert says deadly crash was unavoidable(fr)
The father has said: the intoxication of his daughter at the scene of the accident makes no difference. He also said that no one is above the law. Well, except for his daughter.
If you read just one article about this fucked up case READ THIS ARTICLE HERE: (its by a blogging lawyer in Texas and is very well written and sums it all up nice and neat)
Frivolous Conflicted Representation. Where Else but Harris County?(dp)
This lawyer points out: If the estate of the dead guy wanted to sue someone for the death, they have an open and shut case against the daughter that has been convicted of his murder. Instead, they join forces with the daughter to sue the truck driver.
The lawyer pursuing the case: On 3 separate occasions he's been suspended from practicing law and has been publicly reprimanded twice. He currently represents the family of the dead guy AND the girl convicted of killing him, at the same time.
He was also appointed to his judge job by the father of the girl that began the whole thing by drinking and driving.
My take on the auto industry bailout
Like anyone cares about my take, right? I haven't posted much about it, but I'm fully torn on the issue:
Under no circumstances should government money be given to private enterprise unless it is in the form of government contracts that were won under a competitive bidding system. (i.e. if we want to give cash to GM, why don't we have all government agencies drive Chevy Cobalts for a while?)
However, as we learned in the [not so] Great Depression, letting industry collapse is what made what could have been a Pretty Good Depression a Great Depression instead. History teaches, we ought to learn.
One thing, semi-unrelated, that I'd like to point out because I for one was fooled by the propaganda: Your average Big 3 Union employee does NOT, I'll go ahead and repeat, DOES NOT cost around $75 as we've been told by anti union politicians. They only cost that much if you average in the costs of ALL CURRENT AND FORMER employees. In other words: Most of the cost comes from the people that have done their time and retired with a beauty pension all future generations will only read about in history books. The average UAW employee costs $45 per hour. THIS IS ONLY about $5 more per hour than the Toyota Plants down south. THE UNION WAGES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!!! (Does everyone know that the most verbose opponents of the bailout bill were those senators down south with Toyota plants in their districts? Does everyone realize that the main reason the auto makers bailout bill couldn't pass the senate is because of intense lobbying by Toyota and Honda et al.???? This got SO LITTLE PRESS, its disturbing. I don't like that foreign companies have that much power over our own senate...) Sources for this long and rambling paragraph: Newsweek and NPR. Sorry for not providing links to the stories...
Here's a couple of comics I think sum it up pretty good:
Under no circumstances should government money be given to private enterprise unless it is in the form of government contracts that were won under a competitive bidding system. (i.e. if we want to give cash to GM, why don't we have all government agencies drive Chevy Cobalts for a while?)
However, as we learned in the [not so] Great Depression, letting industry collapse is what made what could have been a Pretty Good Depression a Great Depression instead. History teaches, we ought to learn.
One thing, semi-unrelated, that I'd like to point out because I for one was fooled by the propaganda: Your average Big 3 Union employee does NOT, I'll go ahead and repeat, DOES NOT cost around $75 as we've been told by anti union politicians. They only cost that much if you average in the costs of ALL CURRENT AND FORMER employees. In other words: Most of the cost comes from the people that have done their time and retired with a beauty pension all future generations will only read about in history books. The average UAW employee costs $45 per hour. THIS IS ONLY about $5 more per hour than the Toyota Plants down south. THE UNION WAGES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM!!! (Does everyone know that the most verbose opponents of the bailout bill were those senators down south with Toyota plants in their districts? Does everyone realize that the main reason the auto makers bailout bill couldn't pass the senate is because of intense lobbying by Toyota and Honda et al.???? This got SO LITTLE PRESS, its disturbing. I don't like that foreign companies have that much power over our own senate...) Sources for this long and rambling paragraph: Newsweek and NPR. Sorry for not providing links to the stories...
Here's a couple of comics I think sum it up pretty good:
Bail-oot, eh?
Even the Canadians are fans of throwing piles of cash ($3.3 BILLION) into a sinkhole. Though, unlike Bush, I doubt they giggle with glee as it disappears from sight.
Canada to aid car manufacturers(bbc)
THIS is whyCanadianspaytaxes.
Canada to aid car manufacturers(bbc)
THIS is whyCanadianspaytaxes.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Only in Kentucky (?) Part 2
Billionaire helps out Nicholas County woman buy a mobile home(ky.com)
Thanks to a savvy donkey salesman, Frances is able to live the American Dream. You know, so long as the American Dream consists of making it by on handouts alone.
Some points of interest in this article:
I was right, I didn't want to assume, but its verified: Frances is unemployed. She helped to manage the mobile home park she used to live in, but only for free rent. It is not explained how she is able to afford to move up to a $250 per month on the land-contract, but I'll bet the state of Kentucky pays for it. In Frances' words: "If that's not a lot for a person to ask for," she said, "I don't know what is."
7 of the dozen people that were living with her bailed in a quick and found their own place to live where their future and their stuff might never be subjected to a man named Pancake and his tractor. (Though, with the new double wide, I'll bet they start coming back when the electricity gets hooked up.)
In all, so far, she's received donations of $37,000 to buy a new double wide, furniture, washer and dryer, and High School Musical posters. Apparent moral of the story: If your ignorance ever puts you in a bind, make sure CNN picks up the story.
ADDENDUM (Really a Part 3, but didn't want to put up any more posts about this junk.)
Check out the slide show (one of the shots shows the curvy bend this thing was stranded on, lucky no one got hurt)
I read some of the comments on the slide show page:
'Dick again in 2010!'
Dick has been investigated for selling pot
Someone posted Frances' phone number and address, should you feel she needs to know what you think
A good point: 'Unofficially adopted children' = kidnapping.
The number of people that lived in the trailer changes according to Frances' mood. Someone that knows them swears only 2 people lived with Frances. She told one reporter 10 people. By the time it was CNN reporting, there were a whole dozen people living there.
She apparently has 2 freezers full of food from a Schwan's truck. Not exactly 'poor'. (not an exactly verified comment either...) I work for a living and cannot afford a dedicated freezer, let alone 2.
A friend of Pancake's logged on and commented that the reporter was full of shit because she spelled Myers incorrectly. It should be Meyers. Pancake's friend also stated that the reporter shouldn't be covering stories about rednecks because there are prostitutes in Lexington. The reporter is also lambasted by other locals for not 'getting to know' the county before reporting.
Apparently, one of the most outrageous things about this story is that Dick smokes. *gasp*
One of my biggest questions has been answered: Why didn't dick call the state cops to deal with it? Because they bill the county big money to get involved in such incidents. Explains a lot. Dick was just trying to protect the county coffers by doing his job.
Dick seems to be well respected in his county. He sounds like a real stand up fellow willing to help his constituents to no end. I'll say it one last time: Obviously this is true. No cop in their right mind would allow this travesty to go on for 9 hours on a public highway. Unless that cop wanted to do everything he could to help out a moron in need.
Read as the locals discuss at http://www.carlisleky.com
At carlisleky.com the locals now discuss Frances' spending habits:
do the people that donated money to Francise, think that she paid for the two cases of beer she bought the other night,was with your money
And they point out that she has opened accounts at 6 banks to make it easier for people to donate money to her. (And, I assume making it easier for her to launder the money and avoid paying taxes on it.)
Some of the people that may or may not have lived in Frances' trailer have been indicted for welfare fraud and have been busted TRADING FOOD STAMPS FOR DRUGS.
THIS is whyKentuckianspaytaxes.
Thanks to a savvy donkey salesman, Frances is able to live the American Dream. You know, so long as the American Dream consists of making it by on handouts alone.
Some points of interest in this article:
I was right, I didn't want to assume, but its verified: Frances is unemployed. She helped to manage the mobile home park she used to live in, but only for free rent. It is not explained how she is able to afford to move up to a $250 per month on the land-contract, but I'll bet the state of Kentucky pays for it. In Frances' words: "If that's not a lot for a person to ask for," she said, "I don't know what is."
7 of the dozen people that were living with her bailed in a quick and found their own place to live where their future and their stuff might never be subjected to a man named Pancake and his tractor. (Though, with the new double wide, I'll bet they start coming back when the electricity gets hooked up.)
In all, so far, she's received donations of $37,000 to buy a new double wide, furniture, washer and dryer, and High School Musical posters. Apparent moral of the story: If your ignorance ever puts you in a bind, make sure CNN picks up the story.
ADDENDUM (Really a Part 3, but didn't want to put up any more posts about this junk.)
Check out the slide show (one of the shots shows the curvy bend this thing was stranded on, lucky no one got hurt)
I read some of the comments on the slide show page:
'Dick again in 2010!'
Dick has been investigated for selling pot
Someone posted Frances' phone number and address, should you feel she needs to know what you think
A good point: 'Unofficially adopted children' = kidnapping.
The number of people that lived in the trailer changes according to Frances' mood. Someone that knows them swears only 2 people lived with Frances. She told one reporter 10 people. By the time it was CNN reporting, there were a whole dozen people living there.
She apparently has 2 freezers full of food from a Schwan's truck. Not exactly 'poor'. (not an exactly verified comment either...) I work for a living and cannot afford a dedicated freezer, let alone 2.
A friend of Pancake's logged on and commented that the reporter was full of shit because she spelled Myers incorrectly. It should be Meyers. Pancake's friend also stated that the reporter shouldn't be covering stories about rednecks because there are prostitutes in Lexington. The reporter is also lambasted by other locals for not 'getting to know' the county before reporting.
Apparently, one of the most outrageous things about this story is that Dick smokes. *gasp*
One of my biggest questions has been answered: Why didn't dick call the state cops to deal with it? Because they bill the county big money to get involved in such incidents. Explains a lot. Dick was just trying to protect the county coffers by doing his job.
Dick seems to be well respected in his county. He sounds like a real stand up fellow willing to help his constituents to no end. I'll say it one last time: Obviously this is true. No cop in their right mind would allow this travesty to go on for 9 hours on a public highway. Unless that cop wanted to do everything he could to help out a moron in need.
Read as the locals discuss at http://www.carlisleky.com
At carlisleky.com the locals now discuss Frances' spending habits:
do the people that donated money to Francise, think that she paid for the two cases of beer she bought the other night,was with your money
And they point out that she has opened accounts at 6 banks to make it easier for people to donate money to her. (And, I assume making it easier for her to launder the money and avoid paying taxes on it.)
Some of the people that may or may not have lived in Frances' trailer have been indicted for welfare fraud and have been busted TRADING FOOD STAMPS FOR DRUGS.
THIS is whyKentuckianspaytaxes.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Plasma TVs, laptops, and over priced boats for Katrina recovery
What does a 63" Plasma TV have in common with Air Force One?
I pay for both and enjoy neither.
Ok. Weak intro... I got desperate there.
However, its true. Along with a nice TV that probably cost a lot more than the nicest TV I've ever dreamed of buying (you know, the ones I have to walk by to get to the less than 20" section), over 100 laptops, 20 boats and a litany of other items were purchased by FEMA using credit cards provided by Homeland Security. The cards were intended to enable FEMA to get what they needed to aid in the recovery of Katrina. I'm sure the 63" TV really helped a lot of Katrina victims. I'm also pretty sure there has never been a Katrina victim within viewing distance of this TV, but NO ONE knows.
Did i mention the government was charged TWICE THE STICKER PRICE of the 20 boats? The boats probably were handy in recovering from a flood. But shouldn't the government get a good deal? Or was that doubled price shared between the FEMA agent and the Boat dealership 50/50?
FEMA’s Turn To Get Saved(Newsweek)
The Chronicle of Katrina's Tragic Aftermath Continued...(BNP)
As if Obama didn't have enough to do. Being the first non-Bushie to be in charge of the DHS will prove to take a LOT of time and effort in being reigned in and put under some sort of control with oversight.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
I pay for both and enjoy neither.
Ok. Weak intro... I got desperate there.
However, its true. Along with a nice TV that probably cost a lot more than the nicest TV I've ever dreamed of buying (you know, the ones I have to walk by to get to the less than 20" section), over 100 laptops, 20 boats and a litany of other items were purchased by FEMA using credit cards provided by Homeland Security. The cards were intended to enable FEMA to get what they needed to aid in the recovery of Katrina. I'm sure the 63" TV really helped a lot of Katrina victims. I'm also pretty sure there has never been a Katrina victim within viewing distance of this TV, but NO ONE knows.
Did i mention the government was charged TWICE THE STICKER PRICE of the 20 boats? The boats probably were handy in recovering from a flood. But shouldn't the government get a good deal? Or was that doubled price shared between the FEMA agent and the Boat dealership 50/50?
FEMA’s Turn To Get Saved(Newsweek)
The Chronicle of Katrina's Tragic Aftermath Continued...(BNP)
As if Obama didn't have enough to do. Being the first non-Bushie to be in charge of the DHS will prove to take a LOT of time and effort in being reigned in and put under some sort of control with oversight.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Only in Kentucky(?)
Ok. I try to focus on big wastes of taxpayer money with this blog. Regardless of who is paying the taxes. This story is mostly unrelated other than more than 9 hours of a sheriff and his deputy's time, and a consultation with the county prosecutor on how to move forward from here. But the story is way too good to pass up. I'd like to summarize:
Sheriff's order destroys home(ky.com)
Frances Barton, a 35 year old grandmother was lucky enough some time ago to get into a car accident and bought herself a beautiful 25 year old single wide mobile home with the settlement money. Then, like so many Mexicans (sorry for the stereotype joke, but hey...) she started moving in her family, some friends, and even some adopted(!) children. 12 souls in all moved on in. While Frances helped to manage the mobile home park in which she lived, she decided it was her turn to cash in on the American dream and got herself a piece of land for $250 per month on land contract. Now all she has to do is move her single wide to the piece of land and she'd [they'd all] be living the good life.
Now, my father owned a mobile home park throughout my childhood. I've seen a few mobile homes moved in my time. They usually empty out all the belongings, get a big ol' truck out, hitch up the mobile home, do some fancy maneuvering, get a few 'Wide Load' escorts, and go rambling on down the road. Not Frances, good lord no. You know how much all that costs? Instead, she gives $200 to a man named Pancake who assured her that he has 13 years of experience and insurance to move mobile homes with his tractor. While Frances was warned that the tires on the mobile home were loose and the trailer would never make the haul, Frances was determined to make the trek. Sort of like an old wild west settler determined to find a better life. Naysayers be damned.
Wouldn't you know it? About 1.5 miles into the move, the tires on the mobile home popped and/or fell off. And like any good mobile home hauler, Pancake was on a federal highway, not some old dirt road or surface streets. Again, good lord no. Shortest distance between 2 points, right?
Enter Dick. The county sheriff who in his 2006 campaign used the campaign slogan: More Dick in 2006. And who didn't need more Dick in 2006? Well, apparently the folks in Nicholas County, KY, just couldn't get enough Dick. So, Dick says to Frances, you gotta get that thing off of the highway. I'll give you 2 hours. Over 9 HOURS later, after many attempts to move the stuck trailer, Dick finally got pissed. He ordered everyone off the trailer. (Oh, did I forget to mention? THE WHOLE FAMILY AND ALL THEIR STUFF WAS IN THE TRAILER BEING MOVED!) He then asked a couple of farmers with tractors to knock the damn thing out of the way. They tipped it right over and out of the way. In tears, Frances collapsed crying about how she's lost everything she's ever had.
As it turns out, Pancake and his tractor were not properly insured. I'm sure Frances will sue the state and/or the county. I'm sure they'll settle with her. So there is my segue to:
THIS is whyKentuckianspaytaxes.
Sheriff's order destroys home(ky.com)
Frances Barton, a 35 year old grandmother was lucky enough some time ago to get into a car accident and bought herself a beautiful 25 year old single wide mobile home with the settlement money. Then, like so many Mexicans (sorry for the stereotype joke, but hey...) she started moving in her family, some friends, and even some adopted(!) children. 12 souls in all moved on in. While Frances helped to manage the mobile home park in which she lived, she decided it was her turn to cash in on the American dream and got herself a piece of land for $250 per month on land contract. Now all she has to do is move her single wide to the piece of land and she'd [they'd all] be living the good life.
Now, my father owned a mobile home park throughout my childhood. I've seen a few mobile homes moved in my time. They usually empty out all the belongings, get a big ol' truck out, hitch up the mobile home, do some fancy maneuvering, get a few 'Wide Load' escorts, and go rambling on down the road. Not Frances, good lord no. You know how much all that costs? Instead, she gives $200 to a man named Pancake who assured her that he has 13 years of experience and insurance to move mobile homes with his tractor. While Frances was warned that the tires on the mobile home were loose and the trailer would never make the haul, Frances was determined to make the trek. Sort of like an old wild west settler determined to find a better life. Naysayers be damned.
Wouldn't you know it? About 1.5 miles into the move, the tires on the mobile home popped and/or fell off. And like any good mobile home hauler, Pancake was on a federal highway, not some old dirt road or surface streets. Again, good lord no. Shortest distance between 2 points, right?
Enter Dick. The county sheriff who in his 2006 campaign used the campaign slogan: More Dick in 2006. And who didn't need more Dick in 2006? Well, apparently the folks in Nicholas County, KY, just couldn't get enough Dick. So, Dick says to Frances, you gotta get that thing off of the highway. I'll give you 2 hours. Over 9 HOURS later, after many attempts to move the stuck trailer, Dick finally got pissed. He ordered everyone off the trailer. (Oh, did I forget to mention? THE WHOLE FAMILY AND ALL THEIR STUFF WAS IN THE TRAILER BEING MOVED!) He then asked a couple of farmers with tractors to knock the damn thing out of the way. They tipped it right over and out of the way. In tears, Frances collapsed crying about how she's lost everything she's ever had.
As it turns out, Pancake and his tractor were not properly insured. I'm sure Frances will sue the state and/or the county. I'm sure they'll settle with her. So there is my segue to:
THIS is whyKentuckianspaytaxes.
Little Hitler
There really isn't much to say on this one... Friend of mine sent me a link to a story about the wonders of ignorance:
Holland Township man names son after Adolf Hitler(lvl)
Why do I post this story here? How do these crazy bastards cost me tax dollars?
1.) They live off of Social Security. Checks from the government are what keep these people hating.
2.) They will be suing a grocery store for not inscribing birthday wishes to Adolf Hitler, taking up the valuable time of judges, clerks, et. al. because they feel their rights were violated when a grocery store bakery felt their rights were going to be violated.
(not too clear... try this: While they were offended when refused a cake, they get to sue. However, when the bakery was offended by being asked to wish a happy birthday to Adolf Hitler, they either do it or be sued.)
Keeping ignorant dreams alive...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Holland Township man names son after Adolf Hitler(lvl)
Why do I post this story here? How do these crazy bastards cost me tax dollars?
1.) They live off of Social Security. Checks from the government are what keep these people hating.
2.) They will be suing a grocery store for not inscribing birthday wishes to Adolf Hitler, taking up the valuable time of judges, clerks, et. al. because they feel their rights were violated when a grocery store bakery felt their rights were going to be violated.
(not too clear... try this: While they were offended when refused a cake, they get to sue. However, when the bakery was offended by being asked to wish a happy birthday to Adolf Hitler, they either do it or be sued.)
Keeping ignorant dreams alive...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Mission Accomplished
I pay taxes to ensure my C-level frat boy turned president can afford to go strut around the devastation he created talking about how proud he is of causing the devastation. I wonder, if as Air Force One came in for a landing they unfurled a Mission Accomplished banner behind it.
And, I know I'm not 'reporting' a damn thing here, but god bless the Iraqi with the balls to get in Bush's face in spite of how unfurled he had his pretty feathers. (Think peacock)
I like that the second shoe was dedicated to the widows. To me that makes the point right there.
Kudos for Maliki throwing himself into harms way in an attempt to protect dubya from the second shoe... (not sure the point I am trying to make, but I am being sarcastic)
Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoes At President Bush(npr)
A presidential victory lap without a clear victory...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P.S.'s:
bbc explains a bit about shoe-ing in the Arabic world
Quotes from the assailant:
Shoe 1: "This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog,"
Shoe 2: "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq,"
(Thanks LA Times (not a lot of reporters cared what he actually said!))
Support from commoners around the world. People in every country, including ours admit they wish they could throw their shoes at Bush. (See reader comments, also read comments of related stories at Al Jazeera)
Perhaps I take too much pleasure in this little incident. Perhaps Bush started a war based on lies that has killed hundreds of thousands of innocents. Perhaps my evil enjoyment pales in comparison.
And, I know I'm not 'reporting' a damn thing here, but god bless the Iraqi with the balls to get in Bush's face in spite of how unfurled he had his pretty feathers. (Think peacock)
I like that the second shoe was dedicated to the widows. To me that makes the point right there.
Kudos for Maliki throwing himself into harms way in an attempt to protect dubya from the second shoe... (not sure the point I am trying to make, but I am being sarcastic)
Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoes At President Bush(npr)
A presidential victory lap without a clear victory...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P.S.'s:
bbc explains a bit about shoe-ing in the Arabic world
Quotes from the assailant:
Shoe 1: "This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog,"
Shoe 2: "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq,"
(Thanks LA Times (not a lot of reporters cared what he actually said!))
Support from commoners around the world. People in every country, including ours admit they wish they could throw their shoes at Bush. (See reader comments, also read comments of related stories at Al Jazeera)
Perhaps I take too much pleasure in this little incident. Perhaps Bush started a war based on lies that has killed hundreds of thousands of innocents. Perhaps my evil enjoyment pales in comparison.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sand castle
Did you know we bought first class tickets back in May for 6,700 TONS of sand to fly from Kuwait to Idaho? Well, maybe not first class, but the Army actually loaded up a bunch of contaminated sand onto a plane and shipped it to Idaho. Of COURSE the sand was contaminated by us. We wouldn't have it any other way.
It'll take 152 train cars full of this shit to transport it from the landing site to the unsuspecting small community they will be unloading this poisonous sand on. That's equal to the volume of a 4 story structure on a football field.
Army Shipping Contaminated Kuwait Sand to Idaho Landfill(NW)
In case anyone cares. The name of the community whose citizens we will provide free cancer, but not free health care is called: Grandview. Population, 470. Less than an hour away from Boise. Who cares, right? By the time they start dropping from cancer, they'll be little more than a filler story on NPR that shocks and disgusts us. Until the next story that is.
Remember to choose the lead and plutonium-free Idaho Potatoes the next time your at the grocery store.
Cleaning up their messes and bringing it home to kill their own... Thanks Army!
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
It'll take 152 train cars full of this shit to transport it from the landing site to the unsuspecting small community they will be unloading this poisonous sand on. That's equal to the volume of a 4 story structure on a football field.
Army Shipping Contaminated Kuwait Sand to Idaho Landfill(NW)
In case anyone cares. The name of the community whose citizens we will provide free cancer, but not free health care is called: Grandview. Population, 470. Less than an hour away from Boise. Who cares, right? By the time they start dropping from cancer, they'll be little more than a filler story on NPR that shocks and disgusts us. Until the next story that is.
Remember to choose the lead and plutonium-free Idaho Potatoes the next time your at the grocery store.
Cleaning up their messes and bringing it home to kill their own... Thanks Army!
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Franken and Coleman
Did you know they are still re-counting in MN? Lost ballots, refused absentee ballots, lawyers, senate hearings, the whole 9.
So many assholes in suits, you'd think they'd have figured something out by now.
Inept elections staff...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
So many assholes in suits, you'd think they'd have figured something out by now.
Inept elections staff...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Separation of Church and... Aw, screw it...
Nursing Grudges - Why do we protect the moral convictions of only some health workers?(slate)
Our Congress, who dutifully swore to defend the Constitution, which clearly states that there is to be a separation of Church and State, have decided to create legislation that allows medical professionals to refuse treatment based on "religious beliefs or moral convictions."
Of course, there is no provision for those whose moral convictions dictate that we don't dictate what people can and can't do.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Our Congress, who dutifully swore to defend the Constitution, which clearly states that there is to be a separation of Church and State, have decided to create legislation that allows medical professionals to refuse treatment based on "religious beliefs or moral convictions."
Of course, there is no provision for those whose moral convictions dictate that we don't dictate what people can and can't do.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Bailing out... The War On Drugs!
Banks need money. Wall street firms need money. Auto makers need money. People that bought bigger homes than they could afford and signed contracts they didn't read need money. 31 State Governments are woefully in the hole and need money. Many children have been left behind due to a poorly funded plan to avoid just that, being left behind. Can't give kids S-CHIP insurance 'cause its too expensive. Can't swing re-building the ghettos of New Orleans quite yet. Seniors pinched due to rising pharma costs. College Students can't get loans to finish their educations.
But fuck all that, we have more important things to spend our money on. Like killing Mexicans! We have this snazzy little War on Drugs that we're going to win any day now. Just you watch, today's $197 MILLION (of the $400 MILLION promised in the Merida Initiative) is gonna be the ticket. Mission Accomplished.
US gives Mexico anti-drug funding (bbc)
Stimulating our economy by giving away cash to the cops in other countries...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
But fuck all that, we have more important things to spend our money on. Like killing Mexicans! We have this snazzy little War on Drugs that we're going to win any day now. Just you watch, today's $197 MILLION (of the $400 MILLION promised in the Merida Initiative) is gonna be the ticket. Mission Accomplished.
US gives Mexico anti-drug funding (bbc)
Stimulating our economy by giving away cash to the cops in other countries...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Not authorized to use the Car Pool lane either...
This time, when the big 3 CEOs went to grovel for a handout at the collective feet of [those who 'represent'] the nation, they drove.
Of course, they STILL didn't drive together... But they DID take hybrids! (I wonder if it was a prius... Does Chrysler even make a Hybrid?)
Of course, they STILL didn't drive together... But they DID take hybrids! (I wonder if it was a prius... Does Chrysler even make a Hybrid?)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Not authorized to use the Jet Pool lane
When the auto industry executives went to Washington to beg on their dusty little knees, they all took their private jets. They couldn't even get together to take the same private jet!
I guess there really isn't much more to say. Even P Diddy realizes its time to let the private jet go when times are tough...
Yet I carpool to work every day...
THIS is whyipaytaxes. (Cause you KNOW we're going to bail them out eventually)
I guess there really isn't much more to say. Even P Diddy realizes its time to let the private jet go when times are tough...
Yet I carpool to work every day...
THIS is whyipaytaxes. (Cause you KNOW we're going to bail them out eventually)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Subsidizing Tanzania Micro Financiers
A big congrats to Citi on the new $20 BILLION (on top of last months $25 BILLION) to cover your asses! Take your cues from AIG and go on a big retreat to do some team building on the beach, quick!
Oh, wait, you've done nothing wrong, Citi. You're not covering your asses, it's all this darn economy's fault. After all, its the stupid economy that made you invest more money than you had into, lets see, what do they call it, oh yeah, SUB prime markets.
Maybe if your managers knew what SUB PRIME meant... (Or even the vague concept of what that might mean, like less than prime ...)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P.S. They had enough last thursday (4 days ago) to give out $30 MILLION grants to Tanzania...
Oh, wait, you've done nothing wrong, Citi. You're not covering your asses, it's all this darn economy's fault. After all, its the stupid economy that made you invest more money than you had into, lets see, what do they call it, oh yeah, SUB prime markets.
Maybe if your managers knew what SUB PRIME meant... (Or even the vague concept of what that might mean, like less than prime ...)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P.S. They had enough last thursday (4 days ago) to give out $30 MILLION grants to Tanzania...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Gee, 20 Nations get together
The leaders of the nations with the worlds largest 20 economies got together over the weekend and had an all around great time putting on a dog and pony show. I mean, it must've been a lavish affair. If the room they met in was as extravagant as this, we must have paid a fortune on their hotel rooms...
Fabulous people in fabulous surroundings, I'll bet there were some pretty fabulous decisions made, decrees declared, and policies instituted, no? Sure they didn't just do this at the UN because no one really needs the poor people to get involved anyway. They're poor, they probably don't even know what economy means...
Here's a summary list of what they 'accomplished' (Leaders welcome G20 action plan(bbc)):
1.) We're gonna reform the IMF and World Bank.
(Bold move. Making changes to a 70 year old bank.)
2.) They've agreed to agree to a world wide free trade agreement by the end of next month.
(Someone should have told these clowns that we've been trying and giving up on trying at the Doha Round since 2001 and just because we squeezed their happy asses into chairs in a square doesn't mean we're magically gonna reach an agreement because they said so.)
3.) We need to improve financial market transparency and force the banks (and other firms) to provide complete and accurate disclosure.
(Nonsense. We can trust them... Though, I guess if 20 clowns sitting in a square say so, maybe we should think about it...)
4.) We're going to come up with incentives for banks that prevent risk taking.
(Do they think they can just make risk go away if they wish it hard enough? Sorry, but the very fabric of our economy is risk. There are no certainties, every business, every decision is a risk. But if you say no more, then...)
5.) Everyone make a list of the institutions in your country that would endanger the world economy if it collapsed.
(Homework? Psshhht, these conferences are so hard! I for one think that if my checking account at Chase collapsed, it would be a catastrophic event. How do I get it on the list of economies waiting for a handout?)
6.) Everyone go home and strengthen your financial regulatory regimes.
(Yes. One thing they've decided to do is: Try Harder.)
7.) I can't even summarize this one. taking a "fresh look" at rules that govern market manipulation and fraud.
(A group of grown men have gotten together to solve a financial crisis and have agreed to taking the bold step of taking a fresh look at the rules. Case closed.)
In a nutshell: We are going to address the worst financial crisis on a scale that most everyone alive today has never seen or even imagined, a critical, highly volatile mess that is destroying the quality of lives each and every day. We are going to address it with mountains of red tape and paper tiger promises. Lets not forget the thousands, perhaps millions of bureaucratic man hours.
I think W. summed it up best in one last sort of middle finger at the world when he made a speech in 'support' of the meeting but basically said this:
You can get 20 assholes into a room if you want, but you ain't gonna get them to agree to anything!
(Actual quote: "Once you make the decision to have the G20, then the fundamental question is, with that many nations from six different continents, who all represent different stages of economic development; would it be possible to reach agreements?"(Leaders welcome G20 action plan(bbc)))
A couple more things:
Why Obama bailed: He's taking every step he can to claim no ownership of the US economy until he is in complete control of it (as much as a President is in control...). By avoiding this circus act this weekend, he is still clear of empty promises and pointless showboating.
It IS a good thing: Don't let me get to cynical. It was a historic meeting and really IS the only way to get shit done worldwide.
G20 postpones tough decisions and fails to calm markets (tab)
Dog and pony shows on a grand scale...
THIS is whyipaytaxes
Fabulous people in fabulous surroundings, I'll bet there were some pretty fabulous decisions made, decrees declared, and policies instituted, no? Sure they didn't just do this at the UN because no one really needs the poor people to get involved anyway. They're poor, they probably don't even know what economy means...
Here's a summary list of what they 'accomplished' (Leaders welcome G20 action plan(bbc)):
1.) We're gonna reform the IMF and World Bank.
(Bold move. Making changes to a 70 year old bank.)
2.) They've agreed to agree to a world wide free trade agreement by the end of next month.
(Someone should have told these clowns that we've been trying and giving up on trying at the Doha Round since 2001 and just because we squeezed their happy asses into chairs in a square doesn't mean we're magically gonna reach an agreement because they said so.)
3.) We need to improve financial market transparency and force the banks (and other firms) to provide complete and accurate disclosure.
(Nonsense. We can trust them... Though, I guess if 20 clowns sitting in a square say so, maybe we should think about it...)
4.) We're going to come up with incentives for banks that prevent risk taking.
(Do they think they can just make risk go away if they wish it hard enough? Sorry, but the very fabric of our economy is risk. There are no certainties, every business, every decision is a risk. But if you say no more, then...)
5.) Everyone make a list of the institutions in your country that would endanger the world economy if it collapsed.
(Homework? Psshhht, these conferences are so hard! I for one think that if my checking account at Chase collapsed, it would be a catastrophic event. How do I get it on the list of economies waiting for a handout?)
6.) Everyone go home and strengthen your financial regulatory regimes.
(Yes. One thing they've decided to do is: Try Harder.)
7.) I can't even summarize this one. taking a "fresh look" at rules that govern market manipulation and fraud.
(A group of grown men have gotten together to solve a financial crisis and have agreed to taking the bold step of taking a fresh look at the rules. Case closed.)
In a nutshell: We are going to address the worst financial crisis on a scale that most everyone alive today has never seen or even imagined, a critical, highly volatile mess that is destroying the quality of lives each and every day. We are going to address it with mountains of red tape and paper tiger promises. Lets not forget the thousands, perhaps millions of bureaucratic man hours.
I think W. summed it up best in one last sort of middle finger at the world when he made a speech in 'support' of the meeting but basically said this:
You can get 20 assholes into a room if you want, but you ain't gonna get them to agree to anything!
(Actual quote: "Once you make the decision to have the G20, then the fundamental question is, with that many nations from six different continents, who all represent different stages of economic development; would it be possible to reach agreements?"(Leaders welcome G20 action plan(bbc)))
A couple more things:
Why Obama bailed: He's taking every step he can to claim no ownership of the US economy until he is in complete control of it (as much as a President is in control...). By avoiding this circus act this weekend, he is still clear of empty promises and pointless showboating.
It IS a good thing: Don't let me get to cynical. It was a historic meeting and really IS the only way to get shit done worldwide.
G20 postpones tough decisions and fails to calm markets (tab)
Dog and pony shows on a grand scale...
THIS is whyipaytaxes
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Did I tell you the one about the judge that walked into a brothel?
Ok... This one is a bit of a stretch, but... ...
I'd like to take a moment to complain about the fact that I pay Justice Antonin "Rectum? Damn near killed 'em!" Scalia a salary. (Anthony? Antonio?) Now there are a great many reasons I might complain of this and this one is far from the worst of them. Hell, this is one of the few times I agree with him...
Scalia, during a hearing considering whether or not 'fleeting expletives' are OK on radio and TV, has made a wise and definitive decision that will forever be hailed as fair and objective for generations to come when he says:
"Bawdy jokes are OK if they're really good."
No can of worms there, just some good solid Justicing.
I won't even go into the cash we dumped on a hearing full of judges and lawyers from the FCC and the Justice Department getting together to argue with each other about whether or not the American people can handle hearing an occasional 7 Deadly: shit piss fuck cunt cocksucker motherfucker and tits. (Thanks for embedding those into my head George, R.I.P.) They were also sure to take a few minutes discussing Janet Jackson's nipple. I'll bet a couple of Beavis and Butthead style giggles could be heard immediately following the word nipple.
Unrelated other than by this segue: Another salary I'm proud to have paid is that of Mark "Turn the Page" Foley has announced that he is "Trying to find [his] way back." Thank god... We have a whole new batch of pages that haven't been sexually harrassed by Congress yet.
Paying the salaries of morons...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
I'd like to take a moment to complain about the fact that I pay Justice Antonin "Rectum? Damn near killed 'em!" Scalia a salary. (Anthony? Antonio?) Now there are a great many reasons I might complain of this and this one is far from the worst of them. Hell, this is one of the few times I agree with him...
Scalia, during a hearing considering whether or not 'fleeting expletives' are OK on radio and TV, has made a wise and definitive decision that will forever be hailed as fair and objective for generations to come when he says:
"Bawdy jokes are OK if they're really good."
No can of worms there, just some good solid Justicing.
I won't even go into the cash we dumped on a hearing full of judges and lawyers from the FCC and the Justice Department getting together to argue with each other about whether or not the American people can handle hearing an occasional 7 Deadly: shit piss fuck cunt cocksucker motherfucker and tits. (Thanks for embedding those into my head George, R.I.P.) They were also sure to take a few minutes discussing Janet Jackson's nipple. I'll bet a couple of Beavis and Butthead style giggles could be heard immediately following the word nipple.
Unrelated other than by this segue: Another salary I'm proud to have paid is that of Mark "Turn the Page" Foley has announced that he is "Trying to find [his] way back." Thank god... We have a whole new batch of pages that haven't been sexually harrassed by Congress yet.
Paying the salaries of morons...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Oh My...
Wow. This is bad. OFP spotted an article in Bloomberg.
Fed Defies Transparency Aim in Refusal to Disclose
I the last SEVEN WEEKS,
The Federal Reserve has loaned out $1.172 TRILLION!!!
Let me spell that out for you: $1,172,000,000,000
In a month and a half.
So, thats the good news. The bad news is they AREN'T EVEN WILLING TO TELL US WHO THEY'RE GIVING ALL THIS CASH TO!!!
Fuck your piddly $750 BILLION bailout you got your panties in a bunch over. We're just going to sneak this $1,172 BILLION out the back fucking door.
Pardon my French, but sometimes I just get pissed.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Fed Defies Transparency Aim in Refusal to Disclose
I the last SEVEN WEEKS,
The Federal Reserve has loaned out $1.172 TRILLION!!!
Let me spell that out for you: $1,172,000,000,000
In a month and a half.
So, thats the good news. The bad news is they AREN'T EVEN WILLING TO TELL US WHO THEY'RE GIVING ALL THIS CASH TO!!!
Fuck your piddly $750 BILLION bailout you got your panties in a bunch over. We're just going to sneak this $1,172 BILLION out the back fucking door.
Pardon my French, but sometimes I just get pissed.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...
Ahhh, yes. It comes to that time of year when Federal, State, AND Local governments start spending hundreds AND thousands of dollars to celebrate a Christian holiday.
Huh, silly ol' me thought there was some sort of a separation of Church and State. I'm so dumb sometimes. Besides, Christianity needs all the substantiation it can get to give it that main stream feel. Otherwise we might wonder why they demand 10% of our wealth to be donated (or is that just Catholics that have it down in writing?). We wouldn't want people to start thinking its all just a big scam...
The reason I bring this up is the city and county of Milwaukee weren't content with cutting down a gigantic tree somewhere in the woods of Wisconsin then trucking it down to the big city. To spice it up, they got themselves a defective tree (Could it have been the drive south? (en: Yes, it broke while being loaded into the truck)) that lost its top. Rather than taking all this as a sign from god, they have city AND county crews on the scene repairing it. I'll bet these guys are making hazard pay for being toted around in emergency repair vehicle buckets over 40' off the ground.
City Christmas tree loses its top(MJS)
Money WELL spent. Just think of the cheer it will bring!
THIS is whymilwaukeeanspaytaxes.
Huh, silly ol' me thought there was some sort of a separation of Church and State. I'm so dumb sometimes. Besides, Christianity needs all the substantiation it can get to give it that main stream feel. Otherwise we might wonder why they demand 10% of our wealth to be donated (or is that just Catholics that have it down in writing?). We wouldn't want people to start thinking its all just a big scam...
The reason I bring this up is the city and county of Milwaukee weren't content with cutting down a gigantic tree somewhere in the woods of Wisconsin then trucking it down to the big city. To spice it up, they got themselves a defective tree (Could it have been the drive south? (en: Yes, it broke while being loaded into the truck)) that lost its top. Rather than taking all this as a sign from god, they have city AND county crews on the scene repairing it. I'll bet these guys are making hazard pay for being toted around in emergency repair vehicle buckets over 40' off the ground.
City Christmas tree loses its top(MJS)
Money WELL spent. Just think of the cheer it will bring!
THIS is whymilwaukeeanspaytaxes.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
All The Government At Twice The Price
As if I don't already pay American Express enough every month.
American Express Falls Even as Firm Converts to Bank (Bloomberg)
So, they've chosen to bail out credit card companies now. As long as they call themselves banks.
I've also noticed this:
They've stopped talking about how devastating it would be to the economy if this or that company were to fail. No need to explain it to the little people. Hell we're lucky they were nice enough to tell the media!
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
American Express Falls Even as Firm Converts to Bank (Bloomberg)
So, they've chosen to bail out credit card companies now. As long as they call themselves banks.
I've also noticed this:
They've stopped talking about how devastating it would be to the economy if this or that company were to fail. No need to explain it to the little people. Hell we're lucky they were nice enough to tell the media!
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Its Time For Another Luxurious Retreat!
Or at least I'm pretty sure that is what AIG does when it gets a shit-ton of my taxpayer dollars to line their pockets.
Yes folks. AIG gets ANOTHER infusion of tax dollars. They've given these guys so much cash that they decided to restructure the whole deal and have given them a total of $152.5 BILLION.
Key word: given. These bastards sure are lucky the government decided that this particular group shall not fail.
US expands record bailout of insurance giant AIG (afp)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Yes folks. AIG gets ANOTHER infusion of tax dollars. They've given these guys so much cash that they decided to restructure the whole deal and have given them a total of $152.5 BILLION.
Key word: given. These bastards sure are lucky the government decided that this particular group shall not fail.
US expands record bailout of insurance giant AIG (afp)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bail out me, Not AIG
I like this idea. Instead of bailing out AIG, give the money to every tax paying citizen over 18 years old. By his calculations that'd equal "every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket" (after taxes)
He points out that this would likely straight up solve the mortgage/foreclosure crisis as a large percentage of Americans could probably pay theirs off...
Of course, I'd probably still bitch about the waste of taxpayer money... (But I'd do it from a much nicer computer!)
He points out that this would likely straight up solve the mortgage/foreclosure crisis as a large percentage of Americans could probably pay theirs off...
Of course, I'd probably still bitch about the waste of taxpayer money... (But I'd do it from a much nicer computer!)
Could we waste a little more money, please?
This one is about a month old. Oldie, but goodie.
New Billions in Earmarks Approach Enactment (NYT)
What's In It for Me? (Slate) (A look at what it takes to get a particular Congressperson to vote yes on a bailout bill & where I found the NYT article)
How about we throw down $2 MILLION on studying hibernating animals?
How about we throw down a total of $630 BILLION dollars to fund 2,300 of our Congress' pet projects?
What the hell, Why not? Its not like we're in a state of financial meltdown or anything.
The winner of the most pork going their way: My favorite Senator, Senator Ted "Who's gonna buy daddy a new basement?" Steven's of Alaska! With 39 items totaling $238.5 MILLION, good ol' Ted has ensured that all Americans pay for pet projects that only Alaskan residents can enjoy. (Thanks to: Taxpayer's for Common Sense)I hope he reaps the rewards of his pork from behind bars. No wonder the Alaskans voted for him again...
Thanks Congress.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
New Billions in Earmarks Approach Enactment (NYT)
What's In It for Me? (Slate) (A look at what it takes to get a particular Congressperson to vote yes on a bailout bill & where I found the NYT article)
How about we throw down $2 MILLION on studying hibernating animals?
How about we throw down a total of $630 BILLION dollars to fund 2,300 of our Congress' pet projects?
What the hell, Why not? Its not like we're in a state of financial meltdown or anything.
The winner of the most pork going their way: My favorite Senator, Senator Ted "Who's gonna buy daddy a new basement?" Steven's of Alaska! With 39 items totaling $238.5 MILLION, good ol' Ted has ensured that all Americans pay for pet projects that only Alaskan residents can enjoy. (Thanks to: Taxpayer's for Common Sense)I hope he reaps the rewards of his pork from behind bars. No wonder the Alaskans voted for him again...
Thanks Congress.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Vote Yes to Being Swindled
Can you beleive it? Senator Ted "I thought I paid for that" Stevens from Alaska is likely to be re-elected just weeks after being convicted for hiding the bribes he accepted.
It is now a KNOWN FACT that this guy takes taxpayer money and gives it to oil companies in exchange for a new basement, massage chair, et al. Make no mistake, they even have a tapped phone call tape where he admitted to an associate that the worst thing that could happen for his follies is a little jail time.
Well, it looks like I'm going to be paying his salary while he sits in jail. Thanks Alaska. Thanks for letting the Senators know that they can do whatever they fucking please.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
It is now a KNOWN FACT that this guy takes taxpayer money and gives it to oil companies in exchange for a new basement, massage chair, et al. Make no mistake, they even have a tapped phone call tape where he admitted to an associate that the worst thing that could happen for his follies is a little jail time.
Well, it looks like I'm going to be paying his salary while he sits in jail. Thanks Alaska. Thanks for letting the Senators know that they can do whatever they fucking please.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Palin Investigates Palin
Don't worry everyone! Sarah Palin has gotten wind of an ethics scandal involving the governor of Alaska and she has called for an investigation!
Ok, let me settle down here and call out the facts the way I see 'em.
1.) Palin cans Monegan
2.) Monegan claims that this is because he wouldn't fire a state trooper that had done nothing wrong
3.) The Alaska State Legislature(ASL) begins an investigation on behalf of Monegan
4.) Palin finds out that she is being investigated and calls for her own investigation
5.) While the ASL investigates, Palin HAND PICKS an investigator to look into herself
6.) Palin refuses to talk to the ASL investigator, leaves campaign trail to interview with hers
7.) ASL Investigator says, sure Palin had the power to fire Monegan, but it seems she did it for personal gain which violates ethics statutes
8.) Palin's Investigator says, She's Clean! No wrong doing. This matter is over, end of discussion.
Heard it somewhere on NPR. Here's the first article in a Google Search of Palin Requested Investigation Sources: Palin to Help Investigation She Requested (abc)
Duplicate investigations for tailor made verdicts...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Ok, let me settle down here and call out the facts the way I see 'em.
1.) Palin cans Monegan
2.) Monegan claims that this is because he wouldn't fire a state trooper that had done nothing wrong
3.) The Alaska State Legislature(ASL) begins an investigation on behalf of Monegan
4.) Palin finds out that she is being investigated and calls for her own investigation
5.) While the ASL investigates, Palin HAND PICKS an investigator to look into herself
6.) Palin refuses to talk to the ASL investigator, leaves campaign trail to interview with hers
7.) ASL Investigator says, sure Palin had the power to fire Monegan, but it seems she did it for personal gain which violates ethics statutes
8.) Palin's Investigator says, She's Clean! No wrong doing. This matter is over, end of discussion.
Heard it somewhere on NPR. Here's the first article in a Google Search of Palin Requested Investigation Sources: Palin to Help Investigation She Requested (abc)
Duplicate investigations for tailor made verdicts...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Other People's Presidents
It takes Evo Morales, the President of Bolivia (you already knew that), to make our government save some money instead of throwing it at high-paid goons.
Bolivia halts US anti-drugs work(bbc)
Maybe we can pull some of those goons back and spend that money on helping our own citizens kick the habit of forking over their hard earned cash to murderous warlords... Though whats the fun in helping out your own citizens when you could harass and even kill another nations citizens instead (in the name of the law, of course)?
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Bolivia halts US anti-drugs work(bbc)
Maybe we can pull some of those goons back and spend that money on helping our own citizens kick the habit of forking over their hard earned cash to murderous warlords... Though whats the fun in helping out your own citizens when you could harass and even kill another nations citizens instead (in the name of the law, of course)?
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P[l]aying Political
Wachovia is propped up by my tax dollars via FDIC.
If Wachovia is unable to run itself without my help, then why is it giving loans to the National Republican Congressional Committee while freezing the assets and denying credit to its thousands of other customers?
Because the Republican Re-election Campaigns need my money more than I do. See?
How did Republicans get an $8 million bailout from failing Wachovia? (FS)
Wachovia’s 8 million Loan to the Republican Party: Blackmail Money? (FDL)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
If Wachovia is unable to run itself without my help, then why is it giving loans to the National Republican Congressional Committee while freezing the assets and denying credit to its thousands of other customers?
Because the Republican Re-election Campaigns need my money more than I do. See?
How did Republicans get an $8 million bailout from failing Wachovia? (FS)
Wachovia’s 8 million Loan to the Republican Party: Blackmail Money? (FDL)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Keeping would be killers in check
As though we don't have enough to spend our tax money on, lets investigate, incarcerate, and provide a trial for these two dumbasses. Thanks guys, for proving that maybe we should live in a police state. Next time your angry at your government, get a fucking job. Maybe that will keep you busy in your spare time when your not having your circle jerks. (Did I say circle jerk? I meant rallies...)
Two held over Obama 'murder plot'(bbc)
Keeping extremists who think a man should be killed because 'he don't look like me' in check...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Two held over Obama 'murder plot'(bbc)
Keeping extremists who think a man should be killed because 'he don't look like me' in check...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Teddy Boy
Too bad we had to pay for a massive investigation, then conduct a nice trial, but Ted "I thought I paid for that" Stevens is guilty! (I was also debating Ted "I'm just borrowing this" Stevens)
I'd be willing to bet he gets re-elected even though he is facing jail time. That'll be neat.
US Senator Stevens found guilty(bbc)
Keeping our senators in check...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
I'd be willing to bet he gets re-elected even though he is facing jail time. That'll be neat.
US Senator Stevens found guilty(bbc)
Keeping our senators in check...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Separation of Something and Something Else
When they were talking about the separation of Church and State, they must not have been talking about the state of Idaho.
Yes folks, our very House of Representatives floor was taken over for National Bible Week by Representative Bill Sali. Why don't you e-mail him and ask him about his thoughts on the Separation of Church and State?
National Bible Week on the House Floor by Rep. Bill Salli - R-Idaho
And a big Fuck You to those who pray on the Koran, or any other religion. But then again, if you ain't a Christian, you ain't really an American, are you?
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Yes folks, our very House of Representatives floor was taken over for National Bible Week by Representative Bill Sali. Why don't you e-mail him and ask him about his thoughts on the Separation of Church and State?
National Bible Week on the House Floor by Rep. Bill Salli - R-Idaho
And a big Fuck You to those who pray on the Koran, or any other religion. But then again, if you ain't a Christian, you ain't really an American, are you?
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Bailin' Out Who?
And we were told they were going to bail out Wall Street...
Now we know why Congress voted no the first time. The poor Congresspeople were never given the appropriate chance to tack their pet projects onto the bill!
I'm glad there is a bailout for rum, 'cause I'm going to need a few shots to get through this one.
Here's a list of SOME OF what else got bailed out in the $750BILLION bailout bill:
Sec. 503
This baby exempts taxes on a very particular type of non-reinforced wooden arrow. Sponsored by the Oregon Senators, our friends at Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon will save over $200,000. What? You don't have any friends at Rose City Archery? Then why are you giving them handouts? E-mail the Oregon Senators and ask them why... Republican Senator Democratic Senator (Its nice to see republicans and democrats come together for our country... And people wonder why I vote third party...)
Sec. 317
Those poor owners of race track facilities need a hand too! So lets let them evade $100MILLION in taxes by modifying how many years they can write off depreciation on their facilities. Including their parking lots. I guess I'm going to have to start buying tickets to events so I can enjoy some of my tax money going up in the smoke of squealing tires.
Sec. 308
The one we've all been waiting for: Rum Rebates! We're throwing in $192MILLION to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands because they can't be expected to support our rum habits on their own. They need our help in earning a profit off of us. I guess there IS a little Captain in all of us.
Sec. 301
Lets throw $19BILLION at the R&D departments of Microsoft, Harley, Boeing and more. Because these are very small scale operations that need OUR money to create their product upgrades. I love the fact that Vista was partially my fault.
Sec. 504
I'm a tiny smidge torn on this one. This one allows the few people that are getting paid off by Exxon for the Valdez disaster average out their payments over 3 years to prevent the IRS getting their sizable share. Its an OK cause, but why'd it have to be thrown in on the bailout bill, and $49MILLION?
Sec. 601
Again, Oregon decides it needs some of my tax money. This one is $3.3BILLION to pay counties that aren't reaping the rewards they used to for raping our forests. (Thats pretty unfair, I'm a big fan of logging. But it sounds more dramatic this way...) Again, lets e-mail our folks in congress and ask them why we should be paying off counties in their states just because they've run out of forests to log... (Again, unfair, but I think I'm making my point...)
Representatives DeFazio (D-OR), Bill Sali (R-ID) (This guy is creepy a la National Bible Week on the House Floor); Senators Wyden (D-OR), Larry "Footsie" Craig (R-ID) (I'm sure glad Craig decided not to step down so he could save us in our time of need!)
Sec. 201
We are all pitching in on helping Texas, Nevada, Florida, Washington, and Wyoming cover their sales taxes at a cost of $3.3BILLION. Sounds fair to me!
Sec. 502
Next time you go to see any movie made in America try explaining to the minimum wage kid working the ticket sales booth that you've already paid your share with a $478MILLION tax break to the producers.
Sec. 325
Right here, in the bailout bill, is a tax credit to companies that offshore some of their operations in America Samoa. $33MILLION to the corporations that move our jobs offshore.
Sec. 201
More ethanol subsidies. Can't expect companies to make their own profit...
Sec. 211
$10MILLION to help people buy, store, and 'improve' their bicycles. Again, we can thank Oregon politicians. Senator Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Blumenauer(D-OR).
Sec. 323
Lets food companies write off donations of food they couldn't sell anyway.
The question: Poor People, or Dumpster? Since they aren't choosing dumpster, lets give 'em an extra $149MILLION.
Sec. 324
I completely agree with this one and think its a totally cool use of tax money during prosperous times. But, again, whats up with this being a part of the bailout bill? $49MILLION tax credit to those who donate books to schools.
Sec. 602
$9MILLION to former mine workers who worked at mines that closed down. (You mean mined resource are finite???)
Benefits mainly people in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio.
Paid for by Everyone.
Thanks to taxpayers for common sense!
Article found at the swamp (Chi Trib)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Now we know why Congress voted no the first time. The poor Congresspeople were never given the appropriate chance to tack their pet projects onto the bill!
I'm glad there is a bailout for rum, 'cause I'm going to need a few shots to get through this one.
Here's a list of SOME OF what else got bailed out in the $750BILLION bailout bill:
Sec. 503
This baby exempts taxes on a very particular type of non-reinforced wooden arrow. Sponsored by the Oregon Senators, our friends at Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon will save over $200,000. What? You don't have any friends at Rose City Archery? Then why are you giving them handouts? E-mail the Oregon Senators and ask them why... Republican Senator Democratic Senator (Its nice to see republicans and democrats come together for our country... And people wonder why I vote third party...)
Sec. 317
Those poor owners of race track facilities need a hand too! So lets let them evade $100MILLION in taxes by modifying how many years they can write off depreciation on their facilities. Including their parking lots. I guess I'm going to have to start buying tickets to events so I can enjoy some of my tax money going up in the smoke of squealing tires.
Sec. 308
The one we've all been waiting for: Rum Rebates! We're throwing in $192MILLION to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands because they can't be expected to support our rum habits on their own. They need our help in earning a profit off of us. I guess there IS a little Captain in all of us.
Sec. 301
Lets throw $19BILLION at the R&D departments of Microsoft, Harley, Boeing and more. Because these are very small scale operations that need OUR money to create their product upgrades. I love the fact that Vista was partially my fault.
Sec. 504
I'm a tiny smidge torn on this one. This one allows the few people that are getting paid off by Exxon for the Valdez disaster average out their payments over 3 years to prevent the IRS getting their sizable share. Its an OK cause, but why'd it have to be thrown in on the bailout bill, and $49MILLION?
Sec. 601
Again, Oregon decides it needs some of my tax money. This one is $3.3BILLION to pay counties that aren't reaping the rewards they used to for raping our forests. (Thats pretty unfair, I'm a big fan of logging. But it sounds more dramatic this way...) Again, lets e-mail our folks in congress and ask them why we should be paying off counties in their states just because they've run out of forests to log... (Again, unfair, but I think I'm making my point...)
Representatives DeFazio (D-OR), Bill Sali (R-ID) (This guy is creepy a la National Bible Week on the House Floor); Senators Wyden (D-OR), Larry "Footsie" Craig (R-ID) (I'm sure glad Craig decided not to step down so he could save us in our time of need!)
Sec. 201
We are all pitching in on helping Texas, Nevada, Florida, Washington, and Wyoming cover their sales taxes at a cost of $3.3BILLION. Sounds fair to me!
Sec. 502
Next time you go to see any movie made in America try explaining to the minimum wage kid working the ticket sales booth that you've already paid your share with a $478MILLION tax break to the producers.
Sec. 325
Right here, in the bailout bill, is a tax credit to companies that offshore some of their operations in America Samoa. $33MILLION to the corporations that move our jobs offshore.
Sec. 201
More ethanol subsidies. Can't expect companies to make their own profit...
Sec. 211
$10MILLION to help people buy, store, and 'improve' their bicycles. Again, we can thank Oregon politicians. Senator Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Blumenauer(D-OR).
Sec. 323
Lets food companies write off donations of food they couldn't sell anyway.
The question: Poor People, or Dumpster? Since they aren't choosing dumpster, lets give 'em an extra $149MILLION.
Sec. 324
I completely agree with this one and think its a totally cool use of tax money during prosperous times. But, again, whats up with this being a part of the bailout bill? $49MILLION tax credit to those who donate books to schools.
Sec. 602
$9MILLION to former mine workers who worked at mines that closed down. (You mean mined resource are finite???)
Benefits mainly people in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio.
Paid for by Everyone.
Thanks to taxpayers for common sense!
Article found at the swamp (Chi Trib)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Attacking Syria
Not much to say. Can't say I'm surprised. I've already made my argument that sending our troops into a foreign country to kill people counts as an attack regardless of the political speak used to describe it...
'US troops' strike inside Syria(bbc)
It can and is already being argued that this was authorized by the Bush Administration. Sort of a fuck you, I'm out type thing.
What could lie behind Syria raid?(bbc)
Attacking foreign countries trying to make peace with the world.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
'US troops' strike inside Syria(bbc)
It can and is already being argued that this was authorized by the Bush Administration. Sort of a fuck you, I'm out type thing.
What could lie behind Syria raid?(bbc)
Attacking foreign countries trying to make peace with the world.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The rest of Picking Winners Making Losers
I got off on that Henry Paulson and PNC conversation there and forgot the scarier part of the message.
Not only is our government picking and choosing which banks will succeed and which will crash n burn, but they have also begun saving other industries. They're starting with insurance. Specifically The Hartford, Prudential, and Met Life have their hands out.
Bailout Expands to Insurers
Treasury to Take Stakes in Firms as Distress Spreads Beyond Banks (WP)
Letting my government pick the industries to keep...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Not only is our government picking and choosing which banks will succeed and which will crash n burn, but they have also begun saving other industries. They're starting with insurance. Specifically The Hartford, Prudential, and Met Life have their hands out.
Bailout Expands to Insurers
Treasury to Take Stakes in Firms as Distress Spreads Beyond Banks (WP)
Letting my government pick the industries to keep...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Picking and Choosing the Winners and Losers
Yes, the government has begun picking and choosing which companies and industries it wants to keep and which it will let fail.
The Fed declined National City's request for an injection then gave $7.7BILLION to PNC to buy out National City!!!
Can you picture that exchange?
NC: Henry Paulson, we need to get in on some of that bailout shit you got going around or my wife is going to kill me.
HP: Geez, NC, I'd love to help you but you're not a member of my country club.
*click* *dialing*
HP:PNC? Its HP! Whats happening my nigga?
PNC:Yo Dude! I haven't seen you since that time we accidentally killed those hookers!
HP:Have I got a deal for you. I just got off the phone with NC and they are going down. These dumbshits actually thought I was gonna bail them out. HA! Can you believe that shit?
PNC:No Fucking Way.
HP:Seriously. So, anyway, you can go buy that shit up for cheap. Get your ass over there.
PNC:Dude. Times are tight right now. I had to rifle through my grandmother's purse for my smokes today.
HP:Damn. Ain't that about fucked up. I tell you what, why don't I just hook you up with the taxpayer's wallet so you can pull out a cool $7.7BILLION. That way, you can get your old lady a new mansion, give your mistress a little hush money, and see a doctor about getting rid of the clap from that hooker. I just need you to do me one favor.
PNC:Anything Dude.
HP:Make NC beg for it. I want you to make him cry.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
The Fed declined National City's request for an injection then gave $7.7BILLION to PNC to buy out National City!!!
Can you picture that exchange?
NC: Henry Paulson, we need to get in on some of that bailout shit you got going around or my wife is going to kill me.
HP: Geez, NC, I'd love to help you but you're not a member of my country club.
*click* *dialing*
HP:PNC? Its HP! Whats happening my nigga?
PNC:Yo Dude! I haven't seen you since that time we accidentally killed those hookers!
HP:Have I got a deal for you. I just got off the phone with NC and they are going down. These dumbshits actually thought I was gonna bail them out. HA! Can you believe that shit?
PNC:No Fucking Way.
HP:Seriously. So, anyway, you can go buy that shit up for cheap. Get your ass over there.
PNC:Dude. Times are tight right now. I had to rifle through my grandmother's purse for my smokes today.
HP:Damn. Ain't that about fucked up. I tell you what, why don't I just hook you up with the taxpayer's wallet so you can pull out a cool $7.7BILLION. That way, you can get your old lady a new mansion, give your mistress a little hush money, and see a doctor about getting rid of the clap from that hooker. I just need you to do me one favor.
PNC:Anything Dude.
HP:Make NC beg for it. I want you to make him cry.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Bailin' out Iceland
Why do I pay taxes you ask? (Ok. So you didn't ask. But I often ask myself...)
To give Iceland $2.1 BILLION.
Why does Iceland need $2.1 BILLION?
Because these whaling bastards couldn't be content with being a tiny little fishing village on the international scene and decided they should come play in the big boy markets. Of course they failed. Same reason you don't hear about viking raids anymore...
Iceland set for $2.1bn IMF help(bbc)
NOTE: I am not completely familiar in the way IMF works. However, I do know that it is funded by member nations.
Profile: IMF and World Bank(bbc)
Maybe Iceland has to pay it all back and maybe they'll be able to pay it all back. All I know is that a worldwide institution supported in part by my government is giving away money to people who got themselves in a whole heap of trouble. (And before you point out that America is the one that started the heap of trouble, I ask you this: What business did these villagers have investing in our mortgages? We were selling, but we didn't force anyone to buy. Next time, do a little research before taking on liabilities 12 times the size of your GDP...)
Germans Suffer from Exposure in Iceland(CondeNast)
Bailing out entire countries...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
To give Iceland $2.1 BILLION.
Why does Iceland need $2.1 BILLION?
Because these whaling bastards couldn't be content with being a tiny little fishing village on the international scene and decided they should come play in the big boy markets. Of course they failed. Same reason you don't hear about viking raids anymore...
Iceland set for $2.1bn IMF help(bbc)
NOTE: I am not completely familiar in the way IMF works. However, I do know that it is funded by member nations.
Profile: IMF and World Bank(bbc)
Maybe Iceland has to pay it all back and maybe they'll be able to pay it all back. All I know is that a worldwide institution supported in part by my government is giving away money to people who got themselves in a whole heap of trouble. (And before you point out that America is the one that started the heap of trouble, I ask you this: What business did these villagers have investing in our mortgages? We were selling, but we didn't force anyone to buy. Next time, do a little research before taking on liabilities 12 times the size of your GDP...)
Germans Suffer from Exposure in Iceland(CondeNast)
Bailing out entire countries...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Virtual Crime - Real Bars in the window
Woman in jail over virtual murder(bbc)
Jail and court costs for sore losers in video games...
THIS is whyjapspaytaxes.
(I hope Japs isn't derogatory. I certainly don't mean it to be.)
Jail and court costs for sore losers in video games...
THIS is whyjapspaytaxes.
(I hope Japs isn't derogatory. I certainly don't mean it to be.)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
I need a new investment portfolio manager...
The next time I make a large investment in an investment bank, I hope I don't lose $2 BILLION within the first couple months...
Bear Stearns $30 billion mortgage portfolio falls 9 percent (Reuters)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Bear Stearns $30 billion mortgage portfolio falls 9 percent (Reuters)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Greenspan
Why have I paid taxes in the past? Why did our parents pay taxes?
To cover this guys salary:
"I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such as that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms," Greenspan said.
Referring to his free-market ideology, Greenspan added: "I have found a flaw. I don't know how significant or permanent it is. But I have been very distressed by that fact."
Waxman pressed the former Fed chair to clarify his words. "In other words, you found that your view of the world, your ideology, was not right, it was not working," Waxman said.
"Absolutely, precisely," Greenspan replied. "You know, that's precisely the reason I was shocked, because I have been going for 40 years or more with very considerable evidence that it was working exceptionally well."
(quoted fromIHT)
Well. At least he's distressed and shocked.
I'd hate for him to have known in advance that his policies were enabling the destruction of our quality of life.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
To cover this guys salary:
"I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such as that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms," Greenspan said.Referring to his free-market ideology, Greenspan added: "I have found a flaw. I don't know how significant or permanent it is. But I have been very distressed by that fact."
Waxman pressed the former Fed chair to clarify his words. "In other words, you found that your view of the world, your ideology, was not right, it was not working," Waxman said.
"Absolutely, precisely," Greenspan replied. "You know, that's precisely the reason I was shocked, because I have been going for 40 years or more with very considerable evidence that it was working exceptionally well."
(quoted fromIHT)
Well. At least he's distressed and shocked.
I'd hate for him to have known in advance that his policies were enabling the destruction of our quality of life.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Stop Watch Part 2
I was looking at the Gross National Debt clock I posted on the left from zFacts.
2 things:
1.) I'm sure its not real-time by any means, but it takes 7 seconds for our national debt to go up by $1 MILLION!
2.) It wasn't too long ago that the clock ran out of digits. It took almost 20 years to get it from $2.9 TRILLION to $10 TRILLION. We've added $0.5 TRILLION in A FUCKING WEEK AND A HALF!!!!
My buddy the other day says: "Fucking Bush. He's eliminated my ability to earn a reasonable living for the rest of my adult life. I'm making less now than I was 10 years ago and it only looks to be getting worse." Blame Bush or not (IMHO: he didn't cause the problems, he enabled them to spiral out of control. His war is expensive, but not expensive enough to destroy us...), it seems as though our generation is the beginning of that 'future' generation that we keep shoving our debt off on. I've always known I'm not going to get any social security. Now it seems I'll be lucky if my parents die before the end of social security payments. I just hope they stop charging me for social security when they stop paying it out and that they don't just keep up the tax to pay the interest on the $500 BILLION dollars we borrowed since the debt clock ran out of numbers 12 days ago.
I think I'm starting to get scared. It may take the rest of Generation X and Y before there is any kind of standard of living again. By that time we won't have an environment left. Is it possible that we're past the peak of humanity?
2 things:
1.) I'm sure its not real-time by any means, but it takes 7 seconds for our national debt to go up by $1 MILLION!
2.) It wasn't too long ago that the clock ran out of digits. It took almost 20 years to get it from $2.9 TRILLION to $10 TRILLION. We've added $0.5 TRILLION in A FUCKING WEEK AND A HALF!!!!
My buddy the other day says: "Fucking Bush. He's eliminated my ability to earn a reasonable living for the rest of my adult life. I'm making less now than I was 10 years ago and it only looks to be getting worse." Blame Bush or not (IMHO: he didn't cause the problems, he enabled them to spiral out of control. His war is expensive, but not expensive enough to destroy us...), it seems as though our generation is the beginning of that 'future' generation that we keep shoving our debt off on. I've always known I'm not going to get any social security. Now it seems I'll be lucky if my parents die before the end of social security payments. I just hope they stop charging me for social security when they stop paying it out and that they don't just keep up the tax to pay the interest on the $500 BILLION dollars we borrowed since the debt clock ran out of numbers 12 days ago.
I think I'm starting to get scared. It may take the rest of Generation X and Y before there is any kind of standard of living again. By that time we won't have an environment left. Is it possible that we're past the peak of humanity?
Hoodwinked
Yes folks, we've been hoodwinked.
Remember a few weeks ago when Congress and the media and the rest of us were in an uproar about the $750 BILLION we will give to banks?
(We already gave banks $250 BILLION of that to the banks and guess what they are doing with it: Hoarding it. Thanks banks. Way to make sure that cash doesn't actually help the economy. Instead, use it to cover your asses, because we all know we can trust YOU with our money.
But this isn't the story I want to tell here. It doesn't matter to this blog what happens to the money after the government wastes it... Even if I do want to choke a CEO or 2... Read on.)
My question is: If good ol' congress was so upset about $750 BILLION, why is the fed prepared to dole out another $540 BILLION without even telling anyone? Combine this with the $500 BILLION I bitched about a few days ago and we've blown long past the $750 BILLION everybody got their panties in a bunch over...
Story from my boy Kai at Marketplace.
Fed jumps in for money-market funds (NPR)
Another story, more directly about the $540 BILLION:
Fed would grant up to US$540 billion to money market funds (Y!/AP)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Remember a few weeks ago when Congress and the media and the rest of us were in an uproar about the $750 BILLION we will give to banks?
(We already gave banks $250 BILLION of that to the banks and guess what they are doing with it: Hoarding it. Thanks banks. Way to make sure that cash doesn't actually help the economy. Instead, use it to cover your asses, because we all know we can trust YOU with our money.
But this isn't the story I want to tell here. It doesn't matter to this blog what happens to the money after the government wastes it... Even if I do want to choke a CEO or 2... Read on.)
My question is: If good ol' congress was so upset about $750 BILLION, why is the fed prepared to dole out another $540 BILLION without even telling anyone? Combine this with the $500 BILLION I bitched about a few days ago and we've blown long past the $750 BILLION everybody got their panties in a bunch over...
Story from my boy Kai at Marketplace.
Fed jumps in for money-market funds (NPR)
Another story, more directly about the $540 BILLION:
Fed would grant up to US$540 billion to money market funds (Y!/AP)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Hush Money
Hush money in a manner of speaking...
I can tell you this: if *I* ever get hit by a cop car, I'll definitely be wanting a settlement from the city, county, or state that owns the cop that hit me...
Naperville Police vehicle strikes 2 pedestrians (WREX)
Cops forgoing pedestrian safety to get to the scene.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P.S. An older related story that cost the Rockford PD untold amounts of cash. But hey, at least this cop kept his job!!! (What? He only killed 2 people)
P.P.S. While looking for the P.S. link, I discovered that cops hit and kill people with their cars all the time! (Do a google search...) But, of course, they were rushing to IMPORTANT calls. Can't be bothered to leave the citizens in the way alive...
I can tell you this: if *I* ever get hit by a cop car, I'll definitely be wanting a settlement from the city, county, or state that owns the cop that hit me...
Naperville Police vehicle strikes 2 pedestrians (WREX)
Cops forgoing pedestrian safety to get to the scene.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
P.S. An older related story that cost the Rockford PD untold amounts of cash. But hey, at least this cop kept his job!!! (What? He only killed 2 people)
P.P.S. While looking for the P.S. link, I discovered that cops hit and kill people with their cars all the time! (Do a google search...) But, of course, they were rushing to IMPORTANT calls. Can't be bothered to leave the citizens in the way alive...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Joe the Tax Evader
Ho-ly shit.
Not only is Joe the plumber not even a Plumber, but he also had a lien against him by the Ohio Department of Taxation in January, 2007, for failing to pay $1,183 in property taxes. (NP)
Tax evasion...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Not only is Joe the plumber not even a Plumber, but he also had a lien against him by the Ohio Department of Taxation in January, 2007, for failing to pay $1,183 in property taxes. (NP)
Tax evasion...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Oh. My. God!
Legal case against God dismissed (bbc)
*sigh*
Another post that can only begin with a heavy sigh.
So, between cases about abandoned children, apparently judges in Nebraska end up deciding cases against god. I'm not sure whose god, but I suppose we can assume its the generic stand-in Christian god. (Though I'll bet the case wouldn't have been so easily dismissed if it were against Allah...)
The reason this case was dismissed is not because god doesn't exist. It was not because the 'plaintiff' is more nuts than a squirrels nest. No, it was because they didn't have an address to serve papers to.
I like the 'plaintiffs' point on this: So, since you have acknowledged gods existence you must also acknowledge his omniscience. Because this god they speak of sees and knows everything, he is aware of this trial. Because he is aware of this trial, he has been served the appropriate papers.
Do you think God had Johnny Cochran at his side through these troubling times? If the glove does not fit, you must acquit!
And there's also room for a civil lawsuit joke here somewhere. ... Perhaps pain and suffering for not being born into a wealthier family? Perhaps damages for not intervening and having Bush die in a coked out car accident in his youth? Hmmmm.... The concept of suing God...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
*sigh*
Another post that can only begin with a heavy sigh.
So, between cases about abandoned children, apparently judges in Nebraska end up deciding cases against god. I'm not sure whose god, but I suppose we can assume its the generic stand-in Christian god. (Though I'll bet the case wouldn't have been so easily dismissed if it were against Allah...)
The reason this case was dismissed is not because god doesn't exist. It was not because the 'plaintiff' is more nuts than a squirrels nest. No, it was because they didn't have an address to serve papers to.
I like the 'plaintiffs' point on this: So, since you have acknowledged gods existence you must also acknowledge his omniscience. Because this god they speak of sees and knows everything, he is aware of this trial. Because he is aware of this trial, he has been served the appropriate papers.
Do you think God had Johnny Cochran at his side through these troubling times? If the glove does not fit, you must acquit!
And there's also room for a civil lawsuit joke here somewhere. ... Perhaps pain and suffering for not being born into a wealthier family? Perhaps damages for not intervening and having Bush die in a coked out car accident in his youth? Hmmmm.... The concept of suing God...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Taxman Wasteth
Even the agency charged with making our tax law too confusing for the average American to file without the assistance of a 'professional' enjoy wasting some of our tax money from time to time.
How about $2 BILLION for a computer system at the IRS with known security and privacy issues?
Its not like the IRS has any sensitive data to protect. I'll happily throw down my share of the $2 BILLION on a roll of the dice.
New IRS computer systems have security and privacy problems, watchdog says (Newsday)
Oh yeah...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
How about $2 BILLION for a computer system at the IRS with known security and privacy issues?
Its not like the IRS has any sensitive data to protect. I'll happily throw down my share of the $2 BILLION on a roll of the dice.
New IRS computer systems have security and privacy problems, watchdog says (Newsday)
Oh yeah...
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Oh AIG... When will your management be behind bars?
What is AIG doing with my bailout?
No. Not taking a lavish team building exercise... That was last week...
Why, they are Lobbying Congress to get off their backs!
Because, yeah, uhhhh, just trust them. They know what they are doing.
AIG Still Lobbies to Relax Oversight Rules (wsj)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
No. Not taking a lavish team building exercise... That was last week...
Why, they are Lobbying Congress to get off their backs!
Because, yeah, uhhhh, just trust them. They know what they are doing.
AIG Still Lobbies to Relax Oversight Rules (wsj)
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Handouts for Handouts
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Expected to Continue Donating to Charity (Chron of Philanthropy) (Original link found on kausfiles: It's hard to stop a gravy train)
Yes, I'm sure they are all great causes, but how could you even expect to receive handouts from a company being supported solely by handouts?
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Yes, I'm sure they are all great causes, but how could you even expect to receive handouts from a company being supported solely by handouts?
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Just when I thought I saw a glimmer of hope...
*sigh*
OK. Glimmer of hope is way WAY overstating it. However, I was beginning to have, uhhh, positive thoughts about how neat it was that congress didn't rubber stamp the bailout as ordered. Instead they thought about it for 2 days and added provisions that would attach some strings and maybe, just maybe, turn a profit for the government. (Of course they would have wasted that profit, but, you don't need me to tell you that.)
Then, on the drive home, my reliable source for generally mind blowing news (Marketplace (APM)) did a story, Where's this bailout cash coming from?, that brought my childlike fantasies about a government that is efficient to their knees. Here are some verbatim key phrases to sum 'er up for you:
...the Fed started this crisis with an $800 billion war chest. ...
...Now that war chest is almost wiped out. ...
...last month without hardly any public debate...
...Since then, the Treasury has forked over half a trillion dollars.
...that's half a trillion you haven't heard about before. ...
...if the Fed doesn't get paid back, the Fed can't pay the Treasury back and U.S. taxpayers will end up on the hook. ...
While we were all wondering about $0.75 TRILLION dollars and whether or not we should trust the financial industry with it, they were already giving them $0.5 TRILLION without letting anyone know. WE ARE ALREADY $1.25 TRILLION INTO THIS MESS!
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
OK. Glimmer of hope is way WAY overstating it. However, I was beginning to have, uhhh, positive thoughts about how neat it was that congress didn't rubber stamp the bailout as ordered. Instead they thought about it for 2 days and added provisions that would attach some strings and maybe, just maybe, turn a profit for the government. (Of course they would have wasted that profit, but, you don't need me to tell you that.)
Then, on the drive home, my reliable source for generally mind blowing news (Marketplace (APM)) did a story, Where's this bailout cash coming from?, that brought my childlike fantasies about a government that is efficient to their knees. Here are some verbatim key phrases to sum 'er up for you:
...the Fed started this crisis with an $800 billion war chest. ...
...Now that war chest is almost wiped out. ...
...last month without hardly any public debate...
...Since then, the Treasury has forked over half a trillion dollars.
...that's half a trillion you haven't heard about before. ...
...if the Fed doesn't get paid back, the Fed can't pay the Treasury back and U.S. taxpayers will end up on the hook. ...
While we were all wondering about $0.75 TRILLION dollars and whether or not we should trust the financial industry with it, they were already giving them $0.5 TRILLION without letting anyone know. WE ARE ALREADY $1.25 TRILLION INTO THIS MESS!
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
Pirate Czar, AARRRR!
Avast Ye, Downloaders: The Pirate Czar Is Coming (npr)
ARrrrrr! This one is quite exciting for me. I have recently made some tax expenditures designed to allow the government to throw my ass in jail because I once wanted to listen to Copacabana without experiencing the excruciating embarrassment of buying a Barry Manilow album.
Surprisingly enough, they took out the provision that would have allowed the Department of Justice pursue CIVIL lawsuits against me on behalf of the recording industry. This would have been the first time in the history of the DOJ that it was ordered to pursue civil 'suits. Yes, my government would have provided them a complete legal team to take every penny I have (after taxes) on behalf of the RIAA who sold over $10,370,000,000 worth of music in 2007.
What I'm curious to know: If being pursued by the DOJ in a civil case, do I have the right to a state appointed defense attorney? I'd guess that this right is only guaranteed for criminal cases...
To be clear: They took out the civil lawsuits provision. Those poor recording companies that have been exploiting musicians for decades will have to buy their own legal team to sue me.
To continue to be clear: The DOJ, Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and a host of other Departments will soon have to stop pursuing terrorists, illegal aliens, slavery smugglers, tax evaders, Wall Street criminals, etc. so they can instead answer to the Pirate Czar when he commands his legions to find me and put my severed head on a pike in front of the RIAA's gate as 'an example to others.'
Appointing cabinet level positions and hiring an entire department of people to put my ass in jail 'cause I made a new copy of my favorite mix tape.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
ARrrrrr! This one is quite exciting for me. I have recently made some tax expenditures designed to allow the government to throw my ass in jail because I once wanted to listen to Copacabana without experiencing the excruciating embarrassment of buying a Barry Manilow album.
Surprisingly enough, they took out the provision that would have allowed the Department of Justice pursue CIVIL lawsuits against me on behalf of the recording industry. This would have been the first time in the history of the DOJ that it was ordered to pursue civil 'suits. Yes, my government would have provided them a complete legal team to take every penny I have (after taxes) on behalf of the RIAA who sold over $10,370,000,000 worth of music in 2007.
What I'm curious to know: If being pursued by the DOJ in a civil case, do I have the right to a state appointed defense attorney? I'd guess that this right is only guaranteed for criminal cases...
To be clear: They took out the civil lawsuits provision. Those poor recording companies that have been exploiting musicians for decades will have to buy their own legal team to sue me.
To continue to be clear: The DOJ, Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and a host of other Departments will soon have to stop pursuing terrorists, illegal aliens, slavery smugglers, tax evaders, Wall Street criminals, etc. so they can instead answer to the Pirate Czar when he commands his legions to find me and put my severed head on a pike in front of the RIAA's gate as 'an example to others.'
Appointing cabinet level positions and hiring an entire department of people to put my ass in jail 'cause I made a new copy of my favorite mix tape.
THIS is whyipaytaxes.
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