Reversing Bush's determination to kill the planet is good. I'm sure the GOP will oppose. Scant days into the Obama presidency, the predictable path of the GOP, formed during the last two years of the Bush regime, is already in full speed ahead mode: obstruct, obstruct, obstruct. Yes, two election cycles of crushing defeat doesn't dent the skulls of these fools. Create a horrible economic mess then obstruct the majority's attempts to fix it. Watching the Cornyns, Boners, McOld's and such moan and groan about every Obama move...you'd think they won...very happy to see Mr. Obama remind them otherwise last week.
Posted by T2 at January 26, 2009 07:01 AMObama didn't mention using natural gas for our vehicle fleet and he didn't mention nuclear power.
He is doing nothing to end our reliance on foreign energy.
Zip.
Nada.
Zilch.
Posted by Muck at January 26, 2009 07:46 AMMucktroll....why didn't you warn us of the economic collapse? I thought economics was your expertise? You said the Bush policy was great.
Posted by T2 at January 26, 2009 08:58 AMGood start. I would be more impressed if (perhaps when) he says that all nonsecurity/emergency related passenger vehicles in the US Government fleet will run on renewable energy sources by 2020.
Now that would create and economic boost for the economy and go a long way to creating energy independence for this country.
For that matter, Ford, GM and Chrysler should be forced to give up all clean energy patents they currently hold as part of their bailout.
Posted by SeaMBA at January 26, 2009 09:14 AMA good adjunct would be to end the Busch tax credit that gives a $100,000 tax advantage to business entities that buy an SUV weighing at least 6,000 pounds while buying a hybrid gets a business around $2,000, and if the manufacturer sells lots of fuel efficient cars you get shit for a business deduction, or it's after 01-01-09, and the credit expires...cough.
He is doing nothing to end our reliance on foreign energy.
The Mad King, idiot son of George, got nothing right over an 8 year period and increased our reliance on foreign oil by 13%...I mean the 4.96 years he wasn't taking a vacation and did nothing...uhhh...2.83 years considering his 4-day work week...well, not really 4...I'm a generous sort. So in 2.83 years on the job, The Mad King, dry drunk son of Bar the Lush, increased our dependence on foreign oil by 13%.
Maybe we should give Big "O" more than a week? But if we don't get nationalized healthcare by the 3rd week I will be sorely pissed.
Mucktroll....why didn't you warn us of the economic collapse?
That's unfair! How could he have known...considering we were talking about it for three years prior on this blog? What do you think he is, knowledgable? How would you ever expect him to discuss the Alt-A mortgage (next 3rd of defaulting mortgages) collapse coming this year, or how the CDSes are going to push major banks to need another infusion of at least $1.2 trillion this year or face collapse driving stocks to 1/2 of their current value...not to mention the impact of the looming Alt-A debacle? It would be like him telling you what the last 3rd of mortgage instruments to fail come after the Alt-As. He ain't jeebus! But I will admit he is as proficient with his understanding as my cat...except my cat seems to have a better track record.
Posted by phidipides at January 26, 2009 10:34 AMMuck has determined in 2 days that the Obama presidency is a failure, but insists that it will take 50 years to evaluate Bush's.
Muck, are you the same Muckdog that bet the Packers with me a while back? Unless you are on drugs, I fear you are showing the first signs of dementia. Please seek help.
Posted by TIKI AL at January 26, 2009 10:34 AM"except my cat seems to have a better track record."
...Cats are smart! Our Bengals also predicted the financial meltdown. And unlike Muck, when they choke, it's only a furball.
Forget the cats. My dryer lint has a better track record!
Dryer Lint/Downey Fabric Softener 2012!
I know, I shouldn't give the GOP any ideas...
Posted by iamcoyote at January 26, 2009 11:00 AMIt's a recession, not an "economic collapse.". I expect things to turn soon. That's just economic cycles.
I was just disappointed that Obama's first hand he is playing on energy is pretty weak. I haven't declared his term as a failure and I hope he does well. Today was disappointing. Unless you're a Saudi oil sheik or a big oil company.
Posted by Muck at January 26, 2009 11:09 AMI expect things to turn soon. That's just economic cycles.
Kinda like, "There's more home ownership in the USA than ever before!" Then he comes back and blames the home buyer for not being able to pay the loan back!
"That's just economic cycles" Sure Mucktroll...they roll around every 80 years like clockwork...1929-2009. I'll make sure to put all my money in a savings account in 2087.
And yes, we are all sure it's going to turn soon - right after a Trillion dollars is pumped in to this "recession". Your statement is so preposterous that I am sure you are kidding. Even you, with your worthless track record on Bush economics, can't be serious on that.
muck probably thinks tax-cuts are the answer... still!
Posted by Seven of Six at January 26, 2009 11:46 AMI think taxes are too high and businesses are finding it more cost effective to move jobs overseas. It is unfortunate, but predictable.
Posted by Muck at January 26, 2009 12:30 PMWrong again muck...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Most U.S. and foreign corporations doing business in the United States avoid paying any federal income taxes, despite trillions of dollars worth of sales, a government study released on Tuesday said.Posted by Seven of Six at January 26, 2009 12:50 PMThe Government Accountability Office said 72 percent of all foreign corporations and about 57 percent of U.S. companies doing business in the United States paid no federal income taxes for at least one year between 1998 and 2005.
More than half of foreign companies and about 42 percent of U.S. companies paid no U.S. income taxes for two or more years in that period, the report said.
During that time corporate sales in the United States totaled $2.5 trillion, according to Democratic Sens. Carl Levin of Michigan and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who requested the GAO study.
The report did not name any companies. The GAO said corporations escaped paying federal income taxes for a variety of reasons including operating losses, tax credits and an ability to use transactions within the company to shift income to low tax countries.
With the U.S. budget deficit this year running close to the record $413 billion that was set in 2004 and projected to hit a record $486 billion next year, lawmakers are looking to plug holes in the U.S. tax code and generate more revenues.
Dorgan in a statement called the report "a shocking indictment of the current tax system." Levin said it made clear that "too many corporations are using tax trickery to send their profits overseas and avoid paying their fair share in the United States."
The study showed about 28 percent of large foreign corporations, those with more than $250 million in assets, doing business in the United States paid no federal income taxes in 2005 despite $372 billion in gross receipts, the senators said. About 25 percent of the largest U.S. companies paid no federal income taxes in 2005 despite $1.1 trillion in gross sales that year, they said.
this may be a bit late, but eriposte's India isn't drawing much comment...so, why all the GOP handwringing over transferring the Gitmo prisoners to High Sec prisons in the US? They were good enough for Tim McVeigh, weren't they? What's the real reason? Maybe because there are a bunch of innocent people tortured at Gitmo? Face it, if our prison system is a weak as the GOP seems to think it is, why didn't they do something about it during the 8 Bush years?
Posted by T2 at January 26, 2009 02:14 PMBuena Suerte 7 0f 6 trying to use facts and logic with the likes of muck-troll....puke-trolls have proven remarkably resilient in their resistance to signs of intelligent life....
Posted by headxray at January 26, 2009 02:43 PMIn a single day Obama has done more for the environment and climate than the catastrophic Bush did in two terms, and the absurd propagandist MuckShit sniffs that it's "weak". As a 97 pound mental weakling, you would know, muck.
Had these actions been taken 6 years ago, allowing the massive CA market to force Detroit to take high fuel efficiency vehicles seriously THEN, the now failed "Big 3" (ha-ha) wouldn't be in the desperate handout situation they are now, and the SUV craze would have been the thing seriously "weakened", instead of gaining steam under the appalling tax-breaking Buschco, to the pinheaded and America-hating cheering of the Muckfools of the always short-sighted, greed-based, rich exec-lovin' GOoP crime ring.
And please shit-can your "Hope Obama Succeeds" shit, muck, it's so disengenuous that only an egomaniac like you would think anyone could possibly believe it.....
Posted by euzoius at January 26, 2009 04:17 PMI'm with Muck.
Only 40,000 people lost their jobs today. Just 40,000. Hell, it could have been everyone. I think the fundamentals are strong...unemployed...but strong. And I'm sure the turn around is close. It only took 20 years for the Stock Market to rebound after the crash of 29.
Posted by phidipides at January 26, 2009 04:54 PMBut people ended to buy SUVs. I bet some of you here have an SUV. Or two.
Posted by Muck at January 26, 2009 05:24 PMWhat's the real reason? Maybe because there are a bunch of innocent people tortured at Gitmo?
T2, This article will interest you.
Guantanamo Case Files in Disarray
President Obama's plans to expeditiously determine the fates of about 245 terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and quickly close the military prison there were set back last week when incoming legal and national security officials -- barred until the inauguration from examining classified material on the detainees -- discovered that there were no comprehensive case files on many of them.
Instead, they found that information on individual prisoners is "scattered throughout the executive branch," a senior administration official said. The executive order Obama signed Thursday orders the prison closed within one year, and a Cabinet-level panel named to review each case separately will have to spend its initial weeks and perhaps months scouring the corners of the federal government in search of relevant material...Posted by Seven of Six at January 26, 2009 05:43 PM
I bet some of you here have an SUV. Or two.
Still doesn't mean they can't make one that gets 50 MPG! The "Big 3" just doesn't want too... it's called collusion with the Oil companies.
Additionally, no one has ever forced the "Big 3" to make a high quality vehicle before now.
No Phid, 50K jobs lost today. And how funny it is that you demean George Bush for his "French" work effort. And I thought the French did everything right. Ever think some of these job losses are exaggerated, an over reaction to news of the day. Seems they're cutting a little too soon...
As far as Gitmo and it's occupants go. I think the fear is blending those with the bad apples already in the system. The newbies with our worst, not a very good idea. We could see a big loss of life with the many conflicts between the two groups.
So now the Obama administration has blood on it's hands. He is a "war" president now. Did he actually approve the mission carried out the other day in Pakistan?
Then there's the idea that Toyota workers get paid $2.00 more an hour, when you include benefits, than our union workers at the big three. Point being, why have unions and get less. And why didn't Toyota of America not ask for a bailout?
We're working like the French now at my employment.
Posted by peter at January 26, 2009 08:37 PM"Home runs"?!?! This sounds like a case of Progressive Hairtrigger Trouble (PHT) to me.
We really need to stop getting so excited when policy returns to a baseline of basic sanity -- if only because, just like in the primaries, we surrender any leverage in moving above that baseline.
Posted by lambert strether at January 27, 2009 06:49 AMJeebus, talk about crawling out from under a rock.
Posted by Duckman GR at January 27, 2009 06:59 AMWow. Lambert's still around? I thought the pumas choked on their own bile by now.
Posted by iamcoyote at January 27, 2009 07:12 AM