Kos-tone Kops

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Thursday June 03, 2010 · 2:57 PM PDT

2010/06/03 · 14:57

I wrote a comment in response to a diary "Biden, Oppenheimer on the flotilla" yesterday about tone-deaf Jewish leadership. I was sent a spanking message (I am sure it has some sort of name) saying "Cut out the 'Jewish Bankers Rule the World crap'". And told that I could not post until I had acknowledged my scolding.

F**k you.

First off, read the actual comment. I don't believe Jewish bankers rule the world. The world is far too complex and interconnected to be ruled.

more...

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday November 04, 2009 · 2:00 PM PST

2009/11/04 · 14:00

GM is backing out of the Opel deal. Yup, $4B of the bailout money will go to restructuring costs. According to the article, they can use the bailout money now because they are out of bankruptcy.

AutoBlogGreen - GM calls off Opel Sale

Speedy bankruptcies are an inane, corrupt factor in this economic collapse. Corporations can get rid of the "icky" bits like labor contracts, product liability, or pensions, and keep the sweet bits, like critically underperforming european brands. Heck, being big is what matters, right?

It is infuriating that there are two standards in our country. If you are an individual and declare bankruptcy, you still owe. If you are a corporation, you keep everything, get free money, and lose your debts.

It is insane.

UC Health Survey - Identity Theft?

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 02, 2009 · 9:05 PM PST

2009/11/02 · 21:05

I was called this evening by a firm that purported to be conducting a survey on behalf of the University of California. They introduced themselves as conducting a "health survey". It felt like identity theft, and I wanted to know if any other Kos-ers knew about this.

They called me twice this evening. I asked whom the backers were, and they listed the University of California, "several local and state funding sources" and private foundations. None of them by name.

I asked the purpose of the survey and they indicated "health".

What made me nervous was how they started the survey. First they asked how many people in the household were over 18. I asked why they needed to know and she indicated that the computer takes the answer and then will ask further questions. In this case, they wanted to know the name of the second person.

I am a little sheepish about this, but I really wanted anyone with real understanding of surveys to help me understand if this is a form of Phishing, or regular survey practice.

If this is an insubstantial diary, then please grant me forgiveness.

Consumer Financial Protection Act - How Corporate America Sees it

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday October 22, 2009 · 9:32 PM PDT

2009/10/22 · 21:32

Here is the analysis of the Consumer Protection Act from the perspective of a very elite corporate law firm. They send these newsletters out frequently to update corporations on the reform legislation and stimulus packages.

It is a very concise description of what the act does, and, more importantly, how some corporations got exempted.

Update

October 22, 2009

Financial Regulatory Reform: Consumer Financial Protection Agency Moves Forward

To Our Clients and Friends:

The XXX Financial Markets Crisis Group is closely tracking government responses to the turmoil that has catalyzed a dramatic and rapid reshaping of our capital and credit markets. We are providing updates on key regulatory and legislative issues, as well as information on legal and oversight issues that we believe could prove useful as firms and other entities navigate these challenging times. This update focuses on the House Financial Services Committee's consideration and approval of H.R. 3126, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2009.

More below the fold...

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday February 14, 2009 · 12:29 AM PST

2009/02/14 · 00:29

I was watching the new Fox show, Lie to Me with Tim Roth. And right in the middle, my jaw drops.

Watch this short video (my apologies, it is taped from the TV, but watch to the end):

Right after Tim Roth's character basically states that if you rub your hands together, you are lying, the screen fills with three pictures of women - Pelosi, Michelle Obama, and Princess Di. Each holding their hands together and rubbing.

Bear in mind, this has NOTHING to do with the plot. Even tangentially. Is it some lame attempt to subliminally associate Pelosi and Michelle with lying. This is just nuts!

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday January 28, 2009 · 1:58 PM PST

2009/01/28 · 13:58

I have read today on these walls another comment about how "initiative-happy" Californians have created a budget mess.

This is easy CW to parrot, but it reflects a major misunderstanding on how effective the initiative process has been in creating the Progressive success that is California. The problem is not that the "people's laws" are out of whack, the problem is that the will of the people contradicts the philosophy of the Republican Party.

The great example of the initiative process is Proposition 13. As a result of this initiative, property taxes can only grow at a fixed rate, and schools are centrally funded from the overall property tax revenue.

More after the jump...

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday November 04, 2008 · 9:21 AM PST

2008/11/04 · 09:21

I have been continually impressed by the professional level of technical support at Kos. Sure, years ago there were growing pains, but this is now a professional organization that knows how to plan and execute during an election.

So, though this might be taunting the gods of irony, I present the home page of Redstate.com on the morning of Election Day:

Enjoy your day, and a bit of Schadenfreude.

WSJ - Obama crowds like the Arab Street

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday October 30, 2008 · 3:10 PM PDT

2008/10/30 · 15:10

I was horrified to read in today's WSJ Opinion Journal, Obama and the Politics of Crowds, by Fouad Ajami.

There is something odd -- and dare I say novel -- in American politics about the crowds that have been greeting Barack Obama on his campaign trail. Hitherto, crowds have not been a prominent feature of American politics. We associate them with the temper of Third World societies. We think of places like Argentina and Egypt and Iran, of multitudes brought together by their zeal for a Peron or a Nasser or a Khomeini. In these kinds of societies, the crowd comes forth to affirm its faith in a redeemer...

There you have it, folks. I truly wonder why he didn't throw in a reference to the crowds at Zeppelin Field in Nuremburg.

I am writing about it not just because it continues the offensive "Obama is an Arab" meme, but because I think he encapsulates the poverty of Conservative analysis. The disinterest in understanding the issues facing citizens. The tendency to make sweeping statements without real data or understanding, and the tendency to ignore simpler explanations in order to support preposterous assertions.

More ...

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday October 23, 2008 · 2:54 PM PDT

2008/10/23 · 14:54

There is a letter that all of us should read. Frankly, it is one all of us should have read already. It looks like this:

Hi,

I just made a donation to help Barack Obama build a nationwide movement for change.

There's not a lot of time left, and still a lot to do. It's going to take all of us working together.

And since Barack Obama is not taking any contributions from Washington lobbyists or political action committees, he's counting on supporters like us.

Join me in this movement for change:

https://donate.barackobama.com/...

Thanks.

Has this message been on your computer screen? More...

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday October 22, 2008 · 2:38 PM PDT

2008/10/22 · 14:38

Like many of you, my Dad watches Fox and reads the WSJ and sends me emails. Each Monday I get a new set of talking points. Last week it was Socialism, now it is more refined - seems he read an editorial called Obama and the Tax Tipping Point.

The gist is that higher taxes will strip productivity, which he cleverly argues based on research that demonstrates that the size of government and tax rates tend to reach an equilibrium based on productivity. Basically, after four of the largest spending programs in history were put forward by Republicans (Medicare Part D, Iraq, bailout and stimulus packages), he thinks that Democrats will spend more.

So, I decided to just go with his research and see where I could end up. Have economists Allan Meltzer and Scott Richard proven that you shouldn't tax rich people or you will destroy the economy?

My net was that You cannot persist a society with large income disparity and democracy. But follow me after the fold and let me know whether I am full of s**t.

More...

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday October 13, 2008 · 11:09 PM PDT

2008/10/13 · 23:09

redhatmandan posted a diary, Responding To Anti-Mormon Bigotry on DailyKos, a little while ago that had over 400 comments when I last saw it. It disappeared a few minutes ago.

Inquiring minds want to know!

The story was an impassioned plea for understanding of the Mormon faith, but included a juicy nugget of intolerance, where Redhatmandan claimed that homosexuality was not normal.

In any case, the comments thread was one of the best I have seen in weeks, and it got deleted.

Stand up and be counted, Redhatmandan, why did you delete the diary?

BTW, the comments can be found here (thanks, begone!)

Update: The money quote:

I personally don't like someone who has homosexual tendencies claiming that he or she is somehow normal.

Swastikas and signs - Show and Tell

harrier

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday October 13, 2008 · 9:38 AM PDT

2008/10/13 · 09:38

I was sent this photo from a friend in Boerne, TX (outside of San Antonio).

He was sickened by it, and wrote the message below to all of us and to the local paper.

Have you seen signs like this? Upload them and tell your story. I can't figure out whether it is the next uprising, stupid kids who can't even draw a Swastika correctly, or a bit of both.

Saturday night, a large Obama/Biden sign at the corner of FM 1376 and Walnut Grove was vandalized. The vandals spray painted a swastika on the sign.

more after the jump...

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Kos-tone Kops

Bailouts mean never having to say you're sorry (GM)

UC Health Survey - Identity Theft?

Consumer Financial Protection Act - How Corporate America Sees it

Fox TV - Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama called liars during prime time Drama!

California's Budget problems, don't be Naive

Redstate Blues - Sweet, sweet sight

WSJ - Obama crowds like the Arab Street

If you haven't seen this yet .. critical

Me v. WSJ and My Dad on Taxes

Where did the Mormon Diary Go?

Swastikas and signs - Show and Tell