Saturday, June 05, 2010

It is traditionally the time I say 'good night' so why change a good thing?

















I still have some ground to cover. 

Until later...

Holder. Hm. I would like to see him become a legislator after his term as Attorney's General.


He ain't no Gonzalez. 

Gratefully.

The criminal investigation into the Gulf tragedy is a given. 

I think the Huffington Post has a point when they call for a 'Temporary Receivership' for BP.

He needs to write an ethics manual for Rahm.  Rahm is screaming for guidance.  It's all that Ritalin he takes.

He doesn't take Ritalin? 

Oh.

I mean there are reports of him unable to keep his clothes on at times.  Sounds a little maniac to me.


Jun 4, 2010
US Attorney General Urges OECD To Do More To Fight Corruption


By Samuel Rubenfeld, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to do more to combat corruption, in a speech Monday in Paris.
Holder said that although the group has led the response to a global problem that the World Bank says costs 3% of world gross domestic product, some member countries still haven't convicted anyone. He acknowledged that it is difficult to investigate and prosecute corruption because it requires "more will, resources, experience and effort" than most crimes.
"It involves gathering evidence from foreign jurisdictions, pursuing wealthy and powerful individuals, and enduring lengthy challenges in the courtrooms," Holder said. "I urge the countries...to deepen their commitment to this global effort by dedicating the appropriate resources, such as prosecutors and investigators focused exclusively on foreign bribery cases, and by prioritizing the prosecution of corruption, no matter where the evidence leads."


http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201006011809dowjonesdjonline000420&title=us-attorney-general-urges-oecd-to-do-more-to-fight-corruption

If there is one Obama Cabinet member that really, really wanted the job is was Solis,

When is the last time the USA has had a pro-labor Secretary of Labor?

Can't remember when.

I'm glad she is there.

Do you there are four wind power assembly plants in Michigan? 

Blew me away.

The problem is this, this is NOT a jobless recovery, but, the media should likes to look at it that way.  The problem is that jobs are being lost as fast as they are being created and it is impossible to stabilize the employment dynamics of the USA.  The losses aren't really at the fault of the Labor Secretary or anyone else either.

Flood Related Unemployment Numbers Rise



Posted: Jun 05, 2010 10:13 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A record 4,400 Tennesseans have filed for unemployment in the weeks following the flood.
State labor officials believe this is a sign of just how widespread the damage was and the number of industries impacted. That number jumped this week after Gaylord Opryland said they were laying off more than 1,700 people.
Across the state, 416 self-employed workers and small-business owners have also sought relief from the Unemployment Assistance program.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=12601679

And then there is the Gulf Coast.  The unemployment is huge.  Besides fishermen, there is tourism taking a big hit as well.  So, this whole 'jobless' recovery is mostly bozo stuff as far as I am concerned. 

The complaints about an improvement in unemployment due to the Census is stupid as well.  The Census workers count.  It is not a volunteer effort.  They are doing valuable work that will directly effect the election dynamics of our democracy, so I really don't want to hear it.

The media discusses this as if it were artifical monies coming back into the economy.  It isn't.  The monies people are earning is infusing the economy no different than any other job would.  People are spending and/or saving their incomes and contributing to stimulating the economy. 

I do believe most small business owners are correct to underestimate any recovery and hold back on stocking shelves and employing more people.  This are scary times.  Modest improvements in business is a good thing.

Baby steps, if you will.

So, given the mess at the beginning of this President's term and the continuing ups and downs, I don't really think there are clear indications to economic growth and vigor.  There just isn't. 

I heard Bernanke is 'bummed out' by the unemployment and stating it is reeking havoc on him.  Too bad.  Call it a 'bad hair year' or something.  Better yet, recall some of the money you've printed.

So, if there was any kind of uptick in May in employment and/or the economy it was as real as any development to date.

Ah, don't ask me. But, this is our Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. I guess he's promoting honey.

This has got to be the easiest job in the Obama Cabinet right now.  No issue with oil, except, used cooking oil.  And he is 'the guy' that can make IT all happen.  'Ethanol,' 'biodiesel' from Prairie Grass.

Do you know that Prairie Grass is NOT on the commodities exchange.  The most valuable commodity for an American OPEC and it isn't even on the Stock Exchange?

Secretary Vilsack has some homework to do. 

...Former governor and current U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, current Governor Chet Culver, and Congressman Leonard Boswell, all Democrats, joined together today to say Iowa is heading toward an economic recovery. Vilsack touted the impact of federal recovery dollars on Iowa.
Vilsack says in Iowa “it’s fairly clear” 31,000 jobs were retained or created by the economic recovery act. “That’s roughly two-point-three percent of Iowa’s workforce. In other words, our unemployment rate, which is relatively low, relative to other states, would be two-point-three-percent higher but for the recovery act,” Vilsack said....

http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/06/04/ag-secretary-vilsack-governor-culver-say-iowa-economy-improving/

I am glad he brought up that 'economic recovery' thing.  I wanted to talk about that a bit.

I never trust a guy in a cowboy hat. I used to wear one by the way, until 2000. I gave it away.

At the Interior Department website though, he is wearing a baseball cap similar to Michael Moore.  So, he is getting more credibility.

The Interior Department has announced plans to reorganize its Minerals Management Service, which is the agency charged with royalty collections on tribal and federal land. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar signed a secretarial order May 19 that will lead to restructuring of the agency, “and the division of its three conflicting missions into separate entities with independent missions,” according to a release from the department.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/politics/95611179.html



...Seven species of penguins in the Southern Hemisphere will receive protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act as a result of a settlement reached in federal court in San Francisco.
U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti on Thursday signed off on a settlement reached between the U.S. Interior Department and two conservation groups.


The groups are the Center for Biological Diversity, based in Tucson, Ariz., and the Turtle Island Restoration Network, based in Olema, which sued the government earlier this year.
Catherine Kilduff, a lawyer in the center's San Francisco branch office, said, "Penguins are poster children for the devastating effects of climate change."...

http://sfappeal.com/alley/2010/06/sf-based-court-settlement-mean-new-protections-for-seven-penguin-species.php


He was right to lose the cowboy hat.  Now, if he could simply 'take control' of the image of the department, its credibility and stop the petroleum industry from walking all over Americans, it would be nice.


Let’s review his tenure as a member of Obama’s cabinet.
He assumed the post in January 2009, knowing that during six of the last eight years, his department was run by Gale Norton, a political hack who fled to take a cushy job at Shell Oil.
Further, there’s a scathing 2007 report sitting on his desk that says the Minerals Mangement Service office in Denver is "a dysfunctional organization that has been riddled with conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior and a free-for-all atmosphere" that included some of your employees doing drugs and having sex with the very people they’re supposed to be keeping an eye on.
But instead of taking a blowtorch to the infected parts of the operation, he scooted about the country doing photo opportunities in front of really groovy places run by his National Park Service.


In March 2009, he called the controversy surrounding an 11th-hour Bush administration decision to allow people to carry concealed, loaded guns in national parks a "distraction" to Americans and his department.
The folks who know better--the ones who raise money for parks and former employees--disagreed. The National Parks Conservation Association and the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees filed suit, asking that the no loaded guns policy established under the Reagan administration be restored.
Salazar hired Sylvia Vaca, a former BP executive, to be deputy administrator for land and minerals management.
Meanwhile, the MMS allowed the operators of the BP Deepwater Horizon rig to cut corners.


And even with oil erupting into the Gulf, Salazar's underlings approved other underwater drilling permits.
Last week, the Inspector General issued another MMS report that found employees in Louisiana took tickets to sports events, indulged in free lunches and other gifts from oil and gas companies. Thirteen employees had porn on their government computers and others did drugs.
Salazar called the report, "deeply disturbing."...

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/outdoors/blog/2010/06/obama_should_fire_ken_salazar.html

Ah, yes. Secretary Geithner. Didn't know how to spell his name when he took the job. Wall Street. In many ways, his White House job made him find Main Street.




































This is the part that is really scary about Tim.  I mean besides his chronic 'finger' language.

...Mr. Geithner joined the Department of Treasury in 1988 and worked in three administrations for five Secretaries of the Treasury in a variety of positions. He served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs from 1999 to 2001 under Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers....

http://www.ny.frb.org/aboutthefed/orgchart/geithner.html

But, at the same time, it is what makes him the perfect choice.  He was there before the corruption that manifested as deregulation beginning in 1998?  Is that the correct date?  He was there through the height of the misguided Republican agenda and he saw the disasterous end.

See, many including me, saw Tim as the man who caused the problem.  The only thing that can really be said about Timothy Geithner at the NY Fed was that he was as stymied by the 'corruption machine' as anyone was.  It was the 'risk' that everyone wanted to believe was uncorruptable.  In actuality, it is the 'risk' that corrupts most absolutely.

Under the direction of Republican influence, 'risk' became the word and 'investment' disappeared off the books.  "How Risk Destroyed the USA Economy."  If there is a book Secretary Geithner can write, that would be it, more than likely.

I heard a recent testimony by him.  He has changed from his previous appointment at the NY Fed.  He has discovered the power of 'destruction' and 'devastation' to the American Landscape in a way that caused him pause at his reflection in the mirror. 

Yep, it was Tresury and not Commerce.

Geithner asks China to adopt flexible exchange rate policy



6 Jun 2010, 0103 hrs IST,AGENCIES
BUSAN: The United States again urged the world’s biggest exporters to boost domestic demand to provide an impetus to the global economy...
 
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/the-sunday-et/dateline-india/Geithner-asks-China-to-adopt-flexible-exchange-rate-policy/articleshow/6016212.cms
 
 
Geithner Tells G-20 Reliance on U.S. Will Curb Growth (Update2)
June 05, 2010, 5:05 AM EDT
June 5 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told his Group of 20 counterparts that the pace of the global recovery depends on domestic demand in Japan and Europe, and countries shouldn’t rely on spending by U.S. consumers.
“The necessary shift towards higher savings in the United States needs to be complemented by stronger domestic demand growth in Japan and in the European surplus countries, and sustained growth in private demand” and end to the yuan peg in China, Geithner wrote in a letter before a two-day G-20 meeting in Busan, South Korea that ended today.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-05/geithner-tells-g-20-reliance-on-u-s-will-curb-growth-update2-.html

One of the most important people of the Obama Cabinet and we never see this guy. He doesn't like interviews or the press just doesn't like him?

His Dad was a Small Business Owner.  I do believe he understands the USA economy as it relates to 'local economies' intimately.

...As the first Chinese-American to hold this post in a president's cabinet, Locke has a distinctly American story. His grandfather emigrated from China to Washington state, initially finding employment as a servant, working in exchange for English lessons. Locke's father, also born in China, was a small business owner, operating a grocery store where Locke worked while receiving his education from Seattle's public school system. His strong work ethic and determination eventually took him to the highest office in the state of Washington....

He even gave Americans their own Commerce Department Blog. 

The Commerce Blog


http://www.commerce.gov/blog


Where is everyone?

There is an "i6 Challenge."  Hello?  This isn't new, this was announced in March.  Is the Commerce Department under Obama the 'dead zone' or something?  It sure wasn't under Evans.  He was corrupt as hell.

EDA Announces Competition to Bring Innovative Ideas to Market


Submitted on May 3, 2010 - 10:20am


http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2010/05/03/eda-announces-competition-bring-innovative-ideas-market


What gets me is that I would think the media would be all over this guy because of his China connections.  You know, there has to be something to do this, right?  Who ever expected a Chinaman to be USA Commerce Secretary.  Scary, isn't it?  Then again, maybe not.\


Secretary Locke Honors U.S. Companies with Highest Presidential Award for Exports

Submitted on May 13, 2010 - 4:15pm

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today presented 22 companies and organizations with the 2010 Presidential “E” Award and “E” Star Award for outstanding contributions to growing U.S. exports, strengthening the economy and creating American jobs. The Presidential “E” Awards are the highest U.S. government honor for increasing exports.
These are the first “E” and “E” Star Awards given out since President Obama announced the National Export Initiative, which aims to double American exports and support two million U.S. jobs by 2015....

http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2010/05/13/secretary-locke-honors-us-companies-highest-presidential-award-exports


How is the Chinese currency holding out, anyway?  Oh.  Maybe that is Treasury.

The "Hero" of the Obama Administration. She has a tough job, but, is making dreams come true.

She is eminently quallified.  She is dedicated to her purpose.  She tries very hard to 'bond' with the people of the USA, their experience and their worries.  I simply loved the way she dressed the other day in 'pale blue jean' in front of an EPA sign.  It didn't go unnoticed.

She has returned 'the science' and 'the scientist' to the American landscape. 

She is brave and cutting edge and backs down from no one. 

The Secretary of the EPA has to be easiest job in the world, but, nearly impossible to move the country from point A to point B.  Yet, Secretary Lisa Jackson makes definite rulings that are profoundly needed and profoundly delayed. 

The EPA operates on clear parameters and sound science.  It is why the focus is so intense on its operation and why Wall Street and corrupt Republicans seek to control it.

The EPA Secretary's job description has to be one of the clearest of any cabinet member.  It is based on 'numbers' and 'formulas' and 'chemicals' and 'livable quality of life' standards.  It is due to that reality it is obstructed from operation at every turn.  Secretary Jackson hasn't hesitated to ignore the political pressure surrounding her everyday while plotting a course for the country to 'clear the way' for clear and concise understandings of the 'new quality of life' Americans need to achieve.

Somewhere along the way, Americans got the idea the EPA was supposed to 'fit into' what was appropriate for its purpose, rather than, understanding its purpose and adjusting lifestyles to mark a clear change of policy in facing the challenges of human dynamics on a limited and delicate Earth.

Earth cannot fight cancer without clean air and water.  It cannot sustain species endlessly when carbon dioxide warms its oceans and melts its icefields.  Earth is a gift to all of us and to that end there is a responsibility to our children and their 'healthful and happy' futures.  It is the limits of Earth modern day Americans need to realize and find a way to respect its government for the policies that will sustain us.
The EPA is not an easy office to uphold, but, Secretary Jackson is handling the balancing act in the Gulf while facing uncharted territories and scary scenarios.

But the Center for Biological Diversity objects that the EPA allowed BP to pump nearly 1 million gallons of dispersants into the gulf without ensuring that the chemicals will not harm endangered species and their habitats.


I personally applaud the legal direction of the tone of the Gulf chemical dispersants.

...The group today sent the EPA an official notice of its intent to sue. The letter requests that the agency, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, immediately study the effects of dispersants on species such as sea turtles, sperm whales, piping plovers, and corals and incorporate this knowledge into oil-spill response efforts....


http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/06/epa-may-face-suit-over-use-of-dispersants-in-gulf-spill.html

When does the second Clinton Nobel Peace Prize take place?























I admire Secretary of State Clinton.  She has taken on a nearly impossible position in this administration.  After an illegal war into Iraq and misdirected American assets around the globe, abandoned agreements and peoples, the Clinton State Department has returned dignity and integrity to the USA.  She has managed to uphold the integrity of her mission at a time when the economic tone of the USA has never been worse.  She has overseen a huge disaster in Haiti while at the same time balancing the willingness of Russia to secure a return to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

Denuclearization of the globe has been a priority of her State Department and while a once Presidential hopeful, she came forward as only Hillary could to serve her country for one last time, 'righting' the 'ship' as only a Clinton could. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY VALENZUELA: Thanks very much. I want to remind you that on the first week of March, the Secretary did a trip to the Southern Cone in Central America. She went to the inauguration of President Mujica in Uruguay and then she went to Argentina and Chile and Brazil and then to Costa Rica to the Pathways meeting and then from there to Guatemala City to a meeting with the Central American presidents. 

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/142734.htm

The Executive Branch is rounded out by Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden























A beautiful woman from the soul out.  She helps support her spouse while being a dedicated professional woman, mother and grandmother.  She helps the First Lady in support of military families and carries the missions of the White House to the community.


America's Second Lady Supports The Komen Global Race For The Cure
Amy Leone 1 day ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Dr. Jill Biden and her husband, Vice-President Joe Biden, feel privileged to serve as honorary co-chairs of the Komen Global Race for the Cure again this year.
"Our family is honored to once again participate in the global fight against breast cancer," said Dr. Biden. "I encourage everyone to join in this fight and support ongoing efforts of prevention, detection, and treatment of this disease as we work towards finding a cure and future free of breast cancer. "
The Biden's active participation in the Washington, DC race will continue a tradition that was started by vice presidents and their wives in 1990.


http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=102190&catid=158
 

A First Lady that loves this country as much as her spouse.























I don't recall a proud display of a First Lady on the cover of Ebony and O.  She is magnificent.  There is no other word.  She is an accomplished career woman, wonderful daughter, sister, mother and wife.  Every woman in the USA can look to their First Lady for an example of success, love and confidence.  The 'neatest' thing of all, is that she is a dream come true for an entire community in the USA.  I simply love her.  I can't imagine USA history being painted without her.


Michelle Obama serves up anti-obesity program featuring chefs
Jun 04, 2010
First lady Michelle Obama has recruited a culinary army in her battle against childhood obesity.
More than 500 white-clad chefs gathered on the South Lawn today to highlight a new Obama program designed to help schools prepare healthier food and teach children more nutritional eating habits.
"You know more about food than almost anyone -- other than the grandmas -- and you've got the visibility and the enthusiasm to match that knowledge," Mrs. Obama told the assembled cooks.
Participants in the Chefs Move to Schools program will adopt a local school and work with officials and students there on better, more nutritious lunches.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/06/michelle-obama-serves-up-anti-obesity-program-featuring-chefs/1

We still have a Middle Class in the USA. Almost lost it. Almost. It was being substituted with a 'super military.'























The perfect partner for a distinguished President.  Vice President Biden is engaged with his country and its relationship throughout the world.  He has his pulse on domestic reconstruction and seeks re-establishment of the Middle Class to its rightful place after a decade of neglect and abuse of the American Dream.


The Brooklyn Bridge is getting a $508 million rehab that will make it look like a dream - but it's going to take a traffic nightmare to get there.
Contractors will soon start wrapping sections of the bridge in plastic and shutting down lanes as they launch a four-year project to repaint it, double the capacity on two clogged ramps and replace rotting pavement....



...That brought Vice President Biden to the bridge Wednesday to see the deteriorated underside of the road for himself.
"This is a necessary, worthwhile investment," Biden said, in front of a backdrop of peeling paint.
"Much of what the recovery act does is good in and of itself, unrelated to all the benefits it brings in terms of employment and spending money in the community," he added.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/06/03/2010-06-03_due_for_a_scrub_city_icon_set_for_508m_spruce_up.html


President Barack Obama and his top aides in Washington may be keeping their fingers crossed ahead of Monday’s visit to Kenya by US Vice-President Joe Biden.
Mr Biden will be discussing “a range of issues” with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a State Department official said.


Topics will include the chaos in Somalia, Kenya’s views on the upcoming referendum on the independence of Southern Sudan and “our interest that there be continued progress on reform and reconciliation in Kenya”, the official added.
The US Vice-President is also expected to meet House Speaker Kenneth Marende and members of the Kenya Parliamentary Caucus....


http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Anxiety%20ahead%20of%20Biden%20visit%20/-/1064/932716/-/38m5cv/-/

Robert's Rule of Order. "Everything that can go "W"rong, will go "W"rong.























He is the man for the job for the times we live in.  I have absolutely no doubt in my mind to that fact.

There is no one else that could find a way to make peace within the borders of this country or outside of it.  Of that I am convinced.

If there is a God, he chose wisely and cut loose the reality of the world for a devoted man to correct its course.

I am grateful for my President everyday.  And to that end, I write 'my mind' in hopes he hears me well and justly.























It's Saturday Night

"Peace in the Valley" by Elvis Presley

Well, I'm tired and so weary

But I must go along
Till the lord will come and call, call me away, oh yeah
Well the morning's so bright
And the Lamb is the light
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes


There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, my Lord,
no trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me


Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolf will be tame
And the lion shall lay down, down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be led by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes


There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, oh my Lordy, no trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me

The IDF are not pirates. There is some suspicion about the 'real' purpose of the flotilla?


The handful of Irish and Malaysian activists on board were just hours away from the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli Navy asked the 'humanitarian aid boat' to reroute to a place where the cargo can be off loaded and inspected for 'free' overland transport into Gaza and the flotilla refused?

Oh.

No one is dead, so the Israeli Navy didn't make that mistake again.  No violence.  I see.

Well, now the flotilla is looking more and more like it is trying to assault the sovereignty of Israel.  It is known by most media that Israel was delivering the aid from the previous boat regardless of how poorly it was all handled, so there was no reason for the second boat to believe the aid would not get through to Gaza.

...The Israeli navy intercepted another ship carrying a group of pro-Palestinian activists who tried to break the blockade on Gaza. The crew received a radio warning from the Israeli military.
The ship ignored the message and was seized by naval commandos. But this time, no one was hurt.
"We completed compliance boarding on the ship," said army spokeswoman Avital Liebovich. "There was no violence, no resistance whatsoever."...  (click title to entry - thank you)

The longer the resistance to the Israeli Security directives the longer it will take to build real diplomatic relations between the Gaza Palestinians and Israel.  That seems very obvious, doesn't it?

At issue is the 'control' of violence on BOTH sides of the citizens of Gaza and Israel.  I can't imagine that 'secrets' are a good idea, EXCEPT, it prevents media to scrutinize the movement of Israeli forces in securing cooperation.  Now, if Israel didn't believe it was that threatened, this would all be mute.

The hijacking of the truth
By Catrina Stewart
9:17 AM Sunday Jun 6, 2010
...From the beginning, it was clear that Israeli forces were concentrating in their largest numbers on the Marmara, a ship carrying some 550 peace activists. The remaining five boats were much smaller and easily commandeered. After the Marmara was subdued, the passengers silenced, and their recording equipment confiscated, Israel disseminated a carefully choreographed account of the events that night that would dominate the airwaves for the first 48 hours....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10650091

IF there was absolutely no reason for the blockade this would be a completely different issue.  The problems faced by both Gaza and Israel have a very long history.  A very violent history.  It would seem to me the less violence and more cooperation received by Israel, by all parties, the sooner there will be less suffering for  everyone.

Now, the Flotilla is not a military operation, is it?  Or is it?  Because if there is real concern for the Palestinians in Gaza I would expect any cooperation by Israel to expedite aid to them would be paramount to the best outcome.  So, when the Flotilla refuses help from Israel to move aid into Gaza, after inspections, it brings questionable intentions to the forefront of the reason why they are there in the first place.

I am sure everyone understands that.  Except, perhaps, the Palestinian diasphora in Europe.

The issue surrounding all these problems is Israel's right to exist and the last time I heard any Palestinian state they recognized Israel's right to exist, it was probably the Jordanian Queen.

So, while there may be some real questions about 'the quality of life' for the Palestinians in Gaza, there is also reasons for Israel to be alarmed by aggressive Flotillas.  It does not justify killed unarmed people on a humantarian mission.  Not at all.  But, the INSECURITY of Israel in the region is still understandable. Given that, the blockade is understandable, but, it may be unreasonable in enforcing suffering of the people of Gaza.  To the extent that suffering exist only increases the reason they will be difficult as well.

It would seem it is in the best interest of Israel to cooperate with any and all humanitarian aid that also allows for Israeli security, simply because it will minimize the suffering of the Palestinian people.  When their suffering is diminished and a better quality of life realized for all the Palestinians, the more likely Isreal will have less and less reason to 'fear them.'

Louisiana, Jindal's Pride and Joy. Really?

This oil-covered pelican was photographed Saturday at Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay.

The latest complaint from Jindal, whom is trying to make political game for the GOP, is that he hasn't received any monies from BP.

Hm.

Does Louisiana have an attorney general?  Just curious.  Let me see.

You betcha. 

James D. "Buddy" Caldwell.  (click here)

The question is whom's 'Buddy' is he?  He doesn't seem to be the friend of the Louisiana citizen. 

There are a lot of AGs around the country trying to make political 'hey' out of suing the federal government, but, one has to ask how pathetic they really are.

"...The legislation would ask Caldwell and Jindal "to hastily determine the parties who are at fault in this incident and then timely pursue actions against such parties...."  (click title to entry - thank you)

The Louisiana Legislature had to ACT in order to have the attorney general and governor of Louisana bring a suit for the people of the state?  Amazing.  It is easy to tell they aren't Democrats.

I like Eliot Spitzer.  I always liked Eliot Spitzer and I can't imagine not liking Eliot Spitzer.  I am quite confident this blog holds some severe tones in regard to the venture by him into scandal.  When was his resignation, anyway?

Governor Spitzer served from January 1, 2007 until March 17, 2008.  Isn't that St. Patrick's Day?  March 17th?  Yep.  Two days after the "Ides of March."

And the New York Times was explaining the Wall Street Bailout on September 20, 2008.

Q. The bailout program being negotiated by the Bush administration and Congressional leaders calls for the government to spend up to $700 billion to buy distressed mortgages. How did the politicians come up with that number, and could it go higher?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/business/21qanda.html

Yep.

Just about six months after the former Governor resigned, Paulson played his hand.  Odd, huh?  And then to realize the former Governor Spitzer was guilty of nothing.  NOTHING.  The Mann Act.  It was such a joke.  The media was vicious over NOTHING.  Odd, huh?

Well, that is getting off track.  You see if Eliot Spitzer was AG in Louisiana, Jindal wouldn't be making politcal 'hey' out of the tragedy, he would be bragging about the monies his citizens were receiving from BP, Transocean and Halliburton.

But.

That isn't happening, is it?

Not really odd at all, huh?

See, Jindal could not give a hoot about his citizens.  He would applaud BP drilling two feet away from the most productive fisheries in Louisiana.

Seriously. 

"Drill here, drill now." 

I actually believe Jindal's stock portfolio' needs to be examined.