Archive for category Politics
Further Proof That the Nobel Peace Prize is Meaningless Now
Posted by Max Barron in Politics, Rants on October 9, 2009
It’s all over the news this morning. The Man-Child president, The One, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize only nine months after taking his oath of office. It is important to also note that he would have had to have been nominated after having only been in office for less than two weeks. Can anyone else smell the politicization here? What could the Man-Child have accomplished in such a short period of time to merit the Nobel Peace Prize, aside from distributing mass quantities of Obama Kool-Aide and Hopium to the punch drunk, clueless, and gullible masses? The simple answer is absolutely nothing. Read the rest of this entry »
Counseling Privately… Requires a Meeting.
Posted by Max Barron in Politics, World on October 6, 2009
It is interesting – if not surprising – that in the wake of General McChrystal’s public declaration that more troops and supplies were needed in Afghanistan to ensure the success of our mission, the talking heads and empty suits who occupy the president’s inner circle of advisers have sharply admonished General McChrystal for doing so.
Bad enough it makes the president look bad – we can’t have that – but worse, it puts public pressure on his administration to take action – and by action I don’t mean giving speeches or campaigning in Copenhagen. Read the rest of this entry »
Time For Another Witch Hunt
Posted by Max Barron in Politics on August 25, 2009
They’re at it again. The left’s never ending search and destroy missions on Bush officials and intelligence sector personnel has come full circle once more with yet another probe into alleged misbehavior by CIA interrogators. Attorney General Eric Holder announced recently that he has signed off on the investigation and assigned prosecutor John Durham to the case. However, Holder was careful to add that they may not indict anyone. Read the rest of this entry »
Shoving Health Care Back From The Brink
Posted by Max Barron in Politics on August 17, 2009
It seems like we astroturfing, right-wing extremist, small minority of people have put a dent in the Obama leviathan… Obamacare. This weekend Barack Obama and Kathleen Sebelius began backing away from the so called “Public Option,” citing it as just “one sliver, one aspect” of the proposed Health Care plan, HR3200. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s My Town Hall And I’ll Cry If I Want To…
Posted by Max Barron in Politics on August 4, 2009
After skimming through the headline stories of the last few days, I’m reminded of the chorus from 1960’s hit “It’s My Party” by Leslie Gore. Change the lyrics a bit and you have the perfect theme song for the whining and moaning of Democrats who are being shouted down in their own town hall events.
The Democrats in Congress and Obama administration officials have joined forces using town hall formats to tour the country and “sell” the American public on their awful health care reform effort. What they hadn’t counted on was the reaction of the American people to this abomination and now they are reduced to huddling in dark corners, crying and cowering in fear as the “unruly mobs” all but pelt them with rotten tomatoes. Read the rest of this entry »
Cap And Traitors
Posted by Max Barron in Economy, Politics on June 28, 2009
If you watch the media coverage as I have for the last several days it is as if the vote on Waxman – Markey Cap and Trade bill never happened. Not one word has been uttered about the impending destabilization and ultimate destruction of the U.S. economy. Not a word. The media is too busy covering Michael Jackson’s death. However, if you turn to the new media, word about the House vote is all over the place. For those not yet aware, the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454) – a.k.a. Cap and Trade – passed the house vote 219-212. Read the rest of this entry »
Obama Finally Denounces Iran’s Treatment of Protestors
Posted by Max Barron in Politics, World on June 24, 2009
After more than a week of tepid words from President Obama about the Iran government crackdown on protesters, Obama has finally denounced the regime’s treatment of its citizens. This marks a significant shift in rhetoric from the President who had, until now, refused to take sides and back the Iranian people. Read the rest of this entry »
Afghanistan’s New Rules of… Disengagement
Posted by Max Barron in Politics on June 23, 2009
According to the Wall Street Journal General McChrystal is finalizing the new rules of engagement for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The new rules are coming as a result to civilian casualties in the conflict between U.S. led NATO forces and Taliban fighters.
Pressure has increased from the public to reduce the number of civilian casualties and as a result Gen. McChrystal is fashioning a new set of tactics and rules of engagement that essentially amount to disengagement when there is a civilian presence. Read the rest of this entry »
A Regulator A Day Keeps The Boogie Man At Bay
Posted by Max Barron in Economy, Politics on June 17, 2009
It has been said a dozen times that this administration would be the most regulatory and economically destructive since Carter, and by now people should realize that that is no exaggeration. From the first peek of the 2009 and 2010 budgets we were able to see the immediate and dramatic increase in funding to regulatory agencies for adding new regulations, monitors and enforcers. That not being enough for the Obama administration, he’s adding yet another regulatory agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA).
A centerpiece of the Obama administration’s effort to overhaul supervision of financial markets will be a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency that “will be charged with protecting consumers in credit, savings and payment markets,” according to an administration document describing the proposed agency.
The agency would have the power to “reform” the country’s mortgage rules, among other things.
It is unclear what the Obama administration intends this agency to protect investors and consumers from, other than themselves. The SEC already exists to protect the market whole from fraud and abuse. It seems like not only overkill but moreover a power grab to create yet another financial regulatory body… Especially given the suspicious reasoning of “protecting” consumers.
The consumer protection agency would have the power to “regulate all providers” of consumer credit products and services, including the power to examine firms, enforce rules, and levy fines.
Having the power to “regulate all providers” reeks of power grabbing. Which, as has been presciently stated a dozen times, is the primary mission of the current administration. Naysayers, still in denial, have thus far refused to see the writing on the wall. However, as the administration gains more and more power over the financial cogs in the economic engine, it is only a matter of time before they realize that when the executive controls all of the cogs, they control the engine… and thus the vehicle itself.
What other cause could there possibly be for the takeover in the auto industry, the levying of state economies through the stimulus package, the bank takeovers, granting more power to the Federal Reserve, regulating pay for financial firms, adding more regulation for credit card companies, and now adding in a new regulator – a kind of SEC for consumer credit – with a wide scope of power?
The agency would be able to “ban unfair terms and practices or place tailored restrictions on product terms and provider practices, if the benefits outweigh the costs,”
For example, the agency would be allowed to enforce fair lending laws and the Community Reinvestment Act, which bank regulators previously were charged with doing. The agency would also “ensure that compensation practices do not create conflicts of interest between intermediaries and consumers.”
Any guesses as to who determines what practices and terms are unfair? The Executive branch… Not Congress. From the same man who decried the supposed expansion of executive power under the Bush administration. Ironically, as the president decried it – and continues to do so – he has expanded the executive reach, scope and power in a manner unprecedented to date.
The difference here, is that Obama does it in the interest of “protecting” the people and creating “fairness” from what he sees as unfair. This brings us back to the CRA – which the CFPA will be enforcing. This is the same CRA that precipitated and directly contributed to the housing bubble and subsequent market meltdown. Like many other liberal policies, tried and failed, will be tried and tried again – with deeper investment each time.
There is also the tell-tale line “ensure that compensation practices do not create conflicts of interest between intermediaries and consumers.” In keeping with the president’s agenda and mantra for “fair” compensation and the government regulation of it.
President Obama has time and again repeated that he neither wants himself nor the government taking over markets, businesses, and the economy, citing that he already has enough on his “plate.” Yet as each new day dawns he finds more and more ways to do just that. The mentality seems to be a spin of an older adage: A regulator a day, keeps the boogie men at bay.
Rial to Donuts…
Posted by Max Barron in Politics, World on June 15, 2009
Were I a betting man, which I’m not – unless I am certain of a win, I would bet that Khamenie’s call for election fraud in the Iranian presidential election is nothing more than political grandstanding. Were I a betting man, I would probably be putting my money on the outcome favoring Ahmadinejad. Were I a betting man…
For the last several days the world’s collective attention has been turned to the Iranian presidential election – which I maintain is nothing more than a farce. The election has been marred with calls of injustice, voter fraud and violent street protests – that have produced crackdowns by riot police and plain clothes militia loyal to Ahmadinejad. In an effort to placate the masses of angry reformists both young and old, the Supreme Leader has called for an investigation of claimed vote fraud.
Iran’s supreme leader ordered Monday an investigation into allegations of election fraud, marking a stunning turnaround by the country’s most powerful figure and offering hope to opposition forces who have waged street clashes to protest the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
While the Washington Post and perhaps some oppostition supporters hail this as a sign of hope, I am far more cautious in my thoughts on the matter. Perhaps even cynical given the history of corruption, Khamenei’s open support of Ahmadinejad, and the efforts by the Iranian government to silence the opposition both before and after the election.
From blocking text messaging, websites and cellphones the day of the election and days since, to ransacking college dorms and all out knock-down drag-out fights in the streets, the Iranian police and militias make a good show of opposition silencing.
Security forces also have struck back with targeted arrests of pro-reform activists and blocks on text messaging and pro-Mousavi Web sites used to rally his supporters.
Hard-line militia volunteers loyal to the Revolutionary Guard stormed the dormitories, ransacking student rooms and smashing computers and furniture with axes and wooden sticks, Akbar said.
Before leaving around 4 a.m., the police took away memory cards and computer software material, Akbar said, adding that dozens of students were arrested.
Amnesty International criticized Iran Sunday for blocking media and Internet sites. It said on Saturday, access to social networking sites was blocked, as was access to a range of online news services. Many of these outlets carried reports which raised concerns that the conduct of the election was flawed and results had been rigged, Amnesty said.
This is text book intimidation and opposition silencing… How Ahmadinejad could have ever looked anyone in the eye and say that Iran has democracy is beyond belief. How, after the events that have unfolded over the last week, Khamenei could expect anyone to take his declaration for an investigation seriously is also beyond the pale of belief. Were I a betting man, I would say that the smart money is on Khamenei – after the kangaroo court investigation – declaring there to have been no foul play and that his favored puppet is the rightful president. Which, he very well may be.
In a government such as Iran, there is simply no way to tell for certain. But were I a betting man… That would be my bet.
Were I a betting man, I would bet that Khamenei will stall for the entire ten days of Guardian Council’s investigation – which he controls - or until Moussavi calms his angry followers (whichever comes first) to announce that Ahmadinejad is the victor. What will happen next is anyone’s guess. But were I a betting man, I’d bet Rial to donuts that opposition silencing will continue until it is sufficiently snuffed out.
After all, that is the hallmark of any good authoritarian thugocracry. If only I were a betting man…