The Command T.O.C.

Elizabeth Lambert is a Complete Ass

I have to report on this idiot, Elizabeth Lambert who is a soccer player for New Mexico women's soccer. After watching this video a week or so ago I was disgusted but left it at the fact that the world is full of idiots and she is just one of them. 

However, I have to say, she is beyond that. I believe she is absolutely "Tonya Harding" kind of crazy. I can bet you we will see Elizabeth Lambert in a sex tape one day, probably in a wrestling match and her mug shot will appear at some point. Here is what she said about her behavior in The New York Times as reported by Yahoo Blogs:

"I look at it and I'm like, 'That is not me,'. I have so much regret. I can't believe I did that. 

I think the way the video came out, it did make me look like a monster. That's not the type of player I am. I'm not just out there trying to hurt players. That's taking away from the beauty of the game. And I would never want to do that."

Notice she blames it on the how the "video came out".  Watch the video for yourself and you decide. 

If you want to see the nuts coming out to Sarah Palin's "book" signing, look no more. Here is a video of a nutbag wearing a T-Shirt denouncing the bail outs. When the reporter calls her out on the fact Sarah Palin SUPPORTED the bail outs in the VP debate, the right wing nut just says, "ahhh where did you hear that".



I really hope she runs in 2012. This is going to be so much fun!

On NBC, Obama proclaims our great justice system and that it will demonstrate to the world why the terrorists will get a fair trial. He then says they will be convicted and put to death. Geez, do these guys ever even think about what they are saying?

Here is a great one "Palin-Beck" 2012. I love it. Will make for some great late night comedy! http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1109/PalinBeck_2012.html

Watching Sarah Palin all over the news. She is massively contradicting her stories from the campaign trail, the fact checking is showing huge fallacies in her book and she sounds like a whining kid. If this is the future of the Republican Party, I am really looking forward to 2012.

Sarah Palin's Amazing Disrespect for The American Flag

It always amazes me how the right can be so crazy conservative then do things like this without even thinking of it. Sarah Palin throws the United States Flag across a chair then leans on it as if it is an apron or something. This is an incredible violation of the respect for the flag. It should never be used for advertising (which it is, must make her feel good to be wrapped in the flag), should not be just "thrown" across a table like this and certainly should not be casually leaned on. 

Once again she shows not only stupidity but also an incredible lack of common sense. Anyone would know you never do this to a flag, document or item you hold dearly and respect. 

The Idiocy of the Tea Party Movement is Shown Here - "Columbus Go Home"!

For the longest time I have thought the Tea Party movement was just made of a bunch of conspiracy theory lunatics who will scream at anything. Some do this to try and "win the lottery" to get onto T.V. however most do it because they are just void of any ideas and decorum. Somehow acting like a jerk is OK as long as you wrap yourself in the flag. 

Well, as if to prove my point, a person "punked" a tea party gathering in Minnesota. This person was able to get on the speaker's list and started speaking about how America is being destroyed by immigration. Immigrants are taking American's jobs and immigrants are committing crimes at huge rates. Further, they bring disease with them like "smallpox". His name is Robert Erickson 

As Robert Erickson spoke, the cheers became louder and louder. Finally, he starts a chant "Columbus go home.. Columbus go home.." Of course, the immigrants he was discussing were Europeans who came to America and committed genocide on the native Americans. 

But, the teabaggers were not listening. Rather, they just joined in the chants and screaming at the top of their lungs words that they had no idea of the meaning. They continued to chant "Columbus go home" and cheer the speaker as he continued to speak of the problems of mostly white European settlers. 

Proof the tea party movement is just a bunch of noise. The video is below and I have also included a transcript of his speech:

HT: Crooks and Liars

The speech text is below: 

U.S. Has No Jobs Policy - It Needs One!

The United States needs a jobs policy as outlined by Paul Krugman in the New York Times article "Free to Lose". Interesting comparison to how Germany has kept people employed and came out of the recession in good standing while the U.S. continues to be mired in a "jobless" recovery. 

President Obama is Starting to Look Like "Same Old, Same Old"

Once again we read of corporate welfare in a big way. In Saturday's issue of the New York Times we read that tucked into the bill extending unemployment benefits was a little "gift" to home builders and other companies. Essentially, it allows them to now take losses in 2008 and 2009 and look back 5 years to take them against profits during the "lean" years. This will result in a huge tax "give back" which is essentially another, and very underhanded way, of giving money to the home builders through a bail out. 

2 things disturb me most about this. The first is the fact that the bail out is "tucked in" and not very clear. I am not against Government policy intervening to help key markets. However, it should be an up or down vote on the very issue we are discussing. Not a "tuck in" to an entire other bill. 

Second, this is just another example of the good old USA "socializing the losses and privatizing the gains". The true socialism people should be screaming about is why does it seem the taxpayer is picking up all the losses while the few real rich are picking up all the gains? That is the true issue people should be addressing. 

President Obama:  You are coming very close to being just another President who is indentured to the rich and selling out the poor. Be careful. 

John Bogle

Any time John Bogle speaks, it is worth listening. Attached is a great discussion from John Bogle from May of 2009.

Jason Altmire (D-PA) Brings Shame on His Party

Jason Altmire, A Democrat from Pennsylvania,  has brought shame on himself and on the Democrat party. If you can believe it, he actually voted for the Stupak Amendment which severely restricted women's rights to abortions (A Constitutionally protected right whether he likes it or not) and against health care legislation. What was the point of that?

Altmire has brought shame on himself and Pennsylvania. What a disgrace. He should be removed immediately. Look at him closely on the left.. it is the face of pure evil. 

If you would like to contact him (I highly recommend it) his contact information is:

Phone: 202-225-2565

Fax is: 202- 226-2274

Senator Levin Speaks About Health Insurance Profits

Senator Levin (D-M) made a very nice speech concerning the issues with health insurance companies. In fact, he cited Humana insurance as a company which increased profits by 65% year over year and did that due to,

"Our government segment continued to perform well in the third quarter particularly in our Medicare business.” (quote from Humana).

So, is there any doubt we need reform? Is there any doubt these insurance companies are getting very wealthy off the backs of Americans. Absolutely no doubt in my mind. We need to pass health care reform in the Senate and get on with making America the best Country in the world!

The total speech for Senator Levin can be found at this link titled, "Our People Need A Sensible Health Care System" from the Senator Levin website. 

SNL Hammers Goldman Sachs

As well it should be, next on the hit parade for SNL is Goldman Sachs. I did not think this was hilarious but I am hoping they continue driving on this horrible firm from Wall Street. 

House passes historic health bill - Patrick O'Connor - POLITICO.com

House passes historic health bill - Patrick O'Connor - POLITICO.com.

Congratulations to the House! What a historic and courageous vote!!

The Official Iraq War Reading List

I have compiled some of the best books to read about what has gone on in this Country since George W. Bush declared war on the world. I highly recommend you read many of these books.

Liberal Veteran Takes on Conservative Chickenhawk

Finally, someone publicly takes on these fake, money making conservatives who advocate sending everyone to war. Of course, when it was their turn to go to war they somehow found a medical or educational "deferment" so they did not have to go. Congratulations. 

What is really interesting is when this Chickenhawk, former Congressman Tancredo, is confronted with being a Chickenhawk what does he do? Exactly what he did in Vietnam. He ran like the little scared person he is. 

Big believer in sending your son or daughter to war. Not so much a believer in going himself. 

Roubini Speaks - The Fundamentals do Not Explain This Market

I agree with Nouriel Roubini as always. This market is out of control and another bubble has been created. There is no way the fundamentals (capacity utilization, demand, growth) justify what is going on in the market today. Watch out .. don't get burned.

Gifts Directly To You - The Green Bay Packers

GOP Stalinists Make Their Stand in Upstate New York

The GOP Stalinists have made their stand and it is in the 23d Congressional District of Upstate New York. Frank Rich writes in today's New York Times in an article titled "The GOP Stalinists Invade Upstate New York" that they have all converged including the nuttiest of the nuts Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. Crazy things are going on. They are saying they want to stand up to Government intervention yet the largest employer in the District is, well, THE GOVERNMENT (Ft. Drum, NY). Facts have never bothered Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck and it is amazing how they can just ignore these interesting little tid-bits. 

Here is a little bit of what Frank Rich is writing. You have to go to the Op-Ed to really understand it all. He says:

"But preposterous as it sounds, the real action migrated to New York’s 23rd, a rural Congressional district abutting Canada. That this pastoral setting could become a G.O.P. killing field, attracting an all-star cast of combatants led by Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, William Kristol and Newt Gingrich, is a premise out of a Depression-era screwball comedy. But such farces have become the norm for the conservative movement — whether the participants are dressing up in full “tea party” drag or not. 

The battle for upstate New York confirms just how swiftly the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult that is as eager to eat its own as it is to destroy Obama. The movement’s undisputed leaders, Palin and Beck, neither of whom have what Palin once called the “actual responsibilities” of public office, would gladly see the Republican Party die on the cross of right-wing ideological purity. Over the short term, at least, their wish could come true."

The candidate they are supporting does not live in the district and was perfectly happy to accept an ear mark for a hospital where he was on the finance committee. This ear mark was to the tune of $479K. But, again, why bother with facts. 

I have an idea. Let Sarah Palin get her way but let's live up to the rhetoric. CLOSE FT. DRUM so there will be no "Government interference and largess", give back the ear mark to the Government and let the "rugged up staters" fend for themselves. 

As Frank Rich says, without the Government intervention in that district which Palin, Malkin and Beck despise so much, the 23d district would be a "Siberia of Joblessness". 

A Must Read: Too Big to Fail: What Really Happened by Andrew Ross Sorkin

I have read a lot about this book, have not read the book yet, and it seems like it is MUST READ. It appears he had unprecedented access to people and notes and once others knew he had that, they felt compelled to talk too. Below is a quick interview with Mr. Sorkin. 

I am also currently reading: In Fed We Trust: Ben Bernanke's War on the Great Panic which is an incredible account in its own right concerning how the biggest free marketeers of them all (The Bush administration and Henry Paulson) become the biggest socialists of them all. Essentially, socializing all the losses while keeping the profits private. 

There will be no lack of history coming out of the last 2 - 3 years and the books will keep coming. It should be an exciting few years and even more exciting as notes, recordings and other documents become declassified. Avoid the pornography written by Beck, Palin and their ilk and keep to the history and the facts. 

The Resignation of Matthew Hoh and The Death of The Afghan War

The resignation of Matthew Hoh is probably not getting the attention it deserves. An Iraqi Marine Veteran and State Department official, he has a unique "close up" perspective on the Afghanistan war. He clearly has said "enough is enough" and has resigned over this. Congratulations to a Government official standing up for what he believes. In an interview with NPR, he states in response to whether we should have more troops in Afghanistan and if so how many:

"I prefer to keep talking about: Is it worth winning? Is it worth losing more lives? And is it worth spending billions of dollars that, frankly, this country does not have?"

He goes on to cite the fallacy that Al Qaeda needs Afghanistan. As he pointed out, most of the 9/11 conspirators were actually from the West or from Saudi Arabia. A fact the Bush administration just continued to ignore and, to this day, Dick Cheney (a.k.a "The Big Dick" ) just glosses over as if his hearing aid is not working. Hoh goes on to say:

"We have an approach where we haven't evolved ourselves. We're still set up to do our foreign policy and our defense operations like we were in 1991, and we need to change, Al-Qaida changed, they evolved. They got smart about how they're going to do their operations. We need to do the same."

Hopefully, Hoh will not just go into the woodwork of society but will continue to speak out and let people know what is truly going on. 

On a side note, It is being reported President Obama will most likely commit less troops than the military wanted (40,000) and will look to "wind down" the troop levels in Afghanistan. 

We need to build schools in America not in Kabul. 

Jamie Dimon Makes An Idiotic Statement

Jamie Dimon is the head of JPMorgan. You may remember JPMorgan is not subject to the executive pay caps because they have paid back all their TARP money. This is a good thing. 

However, as a CEO, he has made what I consider the dumbest statement of any CEO I know of. When asked if he would recruit those great talents who are under pay caps, Jamie says:

“I morally have an issue with people going against those companies that are hamstrung,” ... “It’s wrong to say, ‘Let’s go hire the best people.’ We’re not going to do that.”

First, as a stockholder, I could careless what he "morally" thinks is right or wrong. He is OBLIGATED to look out for the best interests of the firm and that means getting the best talent he can get at a price. He should TAKE ADVANTAGE of the situation and go in for the kill on these other companies.  To say they will not "go hire the best people" is fiduciary incompetence at the highest level. 

Second, if what he says is how he is going to act then he is supporting, in a big way, the pay caps. The fear of the "top talent" leaving has just been diminished as one of the major potential employers has just agreed not to hire the talent. 

Jamie Dimon has done good things for JP Morgan but this is an act of management malpractice. 

Obama declares H1N1 emergency - CNN.com

It is becoming a true epidemic. We waited in line for hours for our shots. Obama declares H1N1 emergency - CNN.com.

Slide Show of Notre Dame Football v. Boston College

Yesterday, my son and I had the privilege of going to see Notre Dame v. BC at Notre Dame Stadium. A fantastic football venue. And, with "Touchdown Jesus" overlooking the stadium, Notre Dame won the game. 

Mortgage Company Can't Prove They Have the Mortgage - Debt Set Aside

This story is fantastic. A homeowner is being foreclosed on. The homeowner's lawyer decides to ask the bank to PROVE they actually hold the mortgage to the home. Well, apparently, during the "heyday" of mortgage lending, selling and securitizing, the lenders forgot to keep good paperwork. The lender, in this case PHH mortgage could not prove they actually are the mortgage holder. Therefore the judge set aside the mortgage!

This is fantastic and is actually a tactic I used in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) call up. The agencies / banks / Government make statements as if they are fact. Ask them to prove their statements and usually they are so screwed up they cannot prove anything. This, by the way, is why they generally ask you to sign things forcing you to arbitration because they know they are screwed up. 

I say "take them on". Force them into so much paperwork it drowns them. Screw these assholes and play their game. You will be surprised at just how incompetent they truly are. 

Boston College versus Notre Dame

Will be at the game today, cheering for the Catholics!

Boston College versus Notre Dame

Will be at the game today, cheering for the Catholics!

Tally for Dead Banks is Now at 106

As I continue to report, banks are failing at an incredible rate. Hardly a "recovery" to me and the banking problem in this country is going to continue for a very long time. 

The latest victims as reported by CNN:

1. The 101st failure was American United Bank, of Lawrenceville, Ga., which had $111 million in assets.
2.  The 102nd failure was another Naples, Fla., institution: Hillcrest Bank Florida, which had $83 million in assets. 
3. The 103rd closure was Bradenton, Fla.-based Flagship National Bank, with $190 million in assets. 
4. The 104th was Bank of Elmwood, based in Racine, Wis., which had $327.4 million in assets.
5.  The 105th failure was Riverview Community Bank of Otsego, Minn., with $108 million in assets.
6.  The 106th failure was First Dupage Bank in Westmont, Ill., which had $279 million in assets.

The Federal Insurance Fund is at $7.5 billion in assets which is down from $45 billion according to CNN as well. This is very scary as this rate of failure will bankrupt the FDIC. 

Next I-Bond Inflation Rate to Be 3.07%

The next I Bond inflation rate number will be 3.07%. This means depending on the fixed rate above inflation of the bond you own you could be earning 6.52% (Sept / Oct 1998) to 3.17% (May09 - October 09). Of course, if you had them the last 6 months they paid 0% so you have to average this out but given this is a Government insured, state tax free and federal tax free (if used for education under some conditions) this is an incredible deal. 

I also agree with the article over at Savings Bond Adviser which is betting the Feds will increase the fixed rate on new bonds (currently at a paltry .1%) because starting next year they will be offered as an option for your tax refund versus cash. If they do increase that fixed rate, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE people to buy more of these bonds. They are a "God Send". 

As I have stated before, you will NEVER hear a "financial adviser" recommend them because no financial adviser makes any money off of them. Don't let that fool you. These are well worth the investment. 

President Obama Weekly Address - Takes on Insurance Companies

In this week's weekly address President Obama rightfully takes on the insurance companies. They enjoy special treatment under the law in terms of anti-trust but they do not want to be regulated by the Government. That is baloney. They get one or the other. Either total capitalism which means they lose their anti-trust exemption or they participate in national health care. It is not a true capitalism what they have now. Don't let them fool you and CONGRATULATIONS Mr. President for being willing to take on the powerful insurance interests.