1883 - Oscar Hammerstein of New York City patented the first practical cigar-rolling machine.
1922 - US Supreme Court defends women's voting rights
COINCIDENCE? I think NOT!
Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours.
-- Yogi Berra
FROM THE CHURCH OF INEFFABLE STUPIDITY:
a) Roland Burris & the Measure of His Ego: $15 or $50 Million?
A few facts. Blogo and Burris negotiated a job for Burris' son with the state.
Burris pressed the gov for the appointment to senator.
Blogo's brother asks Burris for campaign funds. Burris agrees to make calls, attend a fund raiser.
Burris continues to presss Blogo reps for the senate seat.
Blogo continues to press Burris for $$$.
Jesse Jackson Jr withdraws from contention for senate seat, when it becomes public that Blogo is asking for $$ or favors, in exchange for the selection.
Senator Durbin contacts Burris, tells him not to accept any offer from Blogo.
Blogo makes surprise selection of Burris.
Blogo is impeached.
Burris is called to testify under oath before the Illinois House. He lies and never mentions any of the above facts.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris issues first affidavit claiming that there may have been call from a Blogo staff member.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris issues second contradictory affidavit admitting many more contacts, despite not answering specific questions accurately earlier.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris starts a week long "talking tour" in Illinois.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
One day later, he issues public statement, claiming there is nothing inconsistent in his previous positions, statements, affidavits or sworn testimony, causing three press members to be hospitalized due to frenzied fit of laughter.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
White House issues statement, "Think about your future."
Burris' chief of staff quits, shaking his head.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris' PR aide quits, shaking his head.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris cancels failed "talking tour" after one day.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris announces that he will answer no more media questions.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris hires new PR company (which ran Hillary's Illinois campaign)
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Durbin schedules monday meeting with Burris.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Burris blows off Durbin.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Durbin corners Burris in DC on Tuesday, and has open heart to heart.
Durbin tells Burris, "If it were me, I would resign."
Burris tells Durbin, US Senate, State of Illinois, and the USA to go pound sand, without a condom.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Durbin announces his suggestion that Burris leave.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Union League announces demand that Burris resign, joining all GOPers and most Democrats in Illinois.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Large multi-denominational group of churches, including black Baptists churches, suggest that Burris resign.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Three black aldercritters in Chicago express support for Burris.
Burris issues statement that the majority of people are behind him, then
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
Illinois estimates cost of special election for senate - $15 million (GOP) $50 (Dem)
Lisa Madigan, Illinois Atty Gen. (and future candidate for governor) issues ruling that Burris can be removed by special election, if Illinois legislature acts.
*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois.
This morning we await the reaction from Burris second PR secretary and self-described image molding expert, which probably will be,
"*Burris releases statement that he is the junior senator from Illinois. "
So, Senator Himself, what is the price of your ego? $15 Million? $50 MIllion? You would rather put the state of Illinois further in the red simply because your bloody ego is more important that doing the right thing? You are willing to force Illinois to spend up to $50 MILLION to remove you from office, because of your deceit, your mesmerized willingness to do anything to become senator? I'll bet that if we offered you a guarantee that you would be senator for life if you posed nude with OctaMom, you would do that, too.
It isn't that you don't get it. It is how oblivious and egotistical you are in not getting it.
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b) Bank of America and Citicorpse
BOA joined Roland Burris in telling people to go pound sand. It refused to disclose who received $3.4 billion in taxpayer money as bonuses, just as Lehman bros lost $15,000,000,000 that year.
That's understandable. BOA paid $36 Billion in bonuses to top execs in the previous year, when they lost more than twice that amount. Bonuses for failure? Must be some creative Wall Street idea. Maybe we should all try that.
Citicorpse is about to be nationalized in fact, if not in name. The US is taking over 40% of its ownership, ie, controlling how it does business. The problem is that the US cannot do that with AIG. We already own more than 80% of that company.
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c) GOP CPAC announces new approach - blame Obama, then Bush
The Conservative PAC did not invite George Bush, their former hero to speak at their convention. Instead, Karl Rove was greeted as a hero, and obese, deluded, and angry Rush Limbaugh will give the final oratorical spectacle.
The US just announced that the economy shrunk by 6.2% in Bush's last quarter of his presidency, clearly recession, if not depression-styled numbers. CPAC is handing out talking points to all attendees. It is NOT Bush's recession. There is no Bush recession. Too much spending by government caused this recession. Tax cuts can stop this non-existent recession. Government spending is only spending. Spending does not stop non-existent recessions. Only Capital Gains Tax Cuts can do that.
CPAC - always good for a laugh.
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SUNTIMES' SNEED WATCH.. She must be on to us. FOUR COLUMNS without mentioning Sarah Palin, her secret love.
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"There was never a good war or a bad peace."
Benjamin Franklin