American Politics during the Obama Presidency

WW, I agree whole heartedly with you about Lady GaGa and Julian, but it is the same for all the Liberal Hollywood Elites. These are people who make a living pretending to be someone else so it's not much of a step up for them to begin believing their own press and assuming the personas of those they pretend to be in films. Instant experts on the political and social issues of our time, I have no idea why anyone listens to them but they do. Perhaps it's because the liberal media provides such a wonderful platform on which to perform their pretended intellectual knowledge and opinions.

As far as WikiLeaks and Julian go, to what length will Obama go to protect our secrets, I have to agree with you, probably not very far beyond lip service (should be easy with his new fat lip). Back in the day old Julian would have a nasty 'accident' or just disappear courtesy of the CIA. Believe me, none of his panty waist liberal buddies would be willing to risk their necks for the 'cause' if poor Julian hand something really nasty happen and they thought they would be next if they continued with the release.

For all our liberal Argentina Private colleagues, it's not that I'm blood thirsty but just a realist. It's a tough world out there and if you don't play by the 'rules' don't expect your adversary to either

[QUOTE=Doppelganger;414370]WW, I agree whole heartedly with you about Lady GaGa and Julian, but it is the same for all the Liberal Hollywood Elites. [/QUOTE]Laura Ingram hit the nail on the head with her book "Shut up and Sing"

I guess it is only human to put undue credence in what is said by people that one admires, even though the statements regard subjects beyond their respective fields of expertise.

From the environment to farm subsidies to gays in the military, there is no shortage of examples of how celebrities have been cheated out of much of their educations and how we must suffer from their ignorance. Bono and Ted Turner are clearly the foremost authorities on the environment. Madonna is the expert on child rearing and Lady Gaga knows what is best for running the largest, most capable military ever known. What's next? Lindsay Lohan is going to be the national expert on moderation?

[QUOTE=Wild Walleye;414375]What's next? Lindsay Lohan is going to be the national expert on moderation?[/QUOTE]Don't laugh too hard. We've already got an inexperienced college professor as the Chief Executive Officer of the largest organization in the world.

[QUOTE=Punter 127; 414367]Sure I use the Thailand forum, because some of us look a little farther then [i] 'right in front of you', [/i] And I want the latest and most up to date information possible. Apparently I'm not the only one considering the Thailand forum is huge with about 40 threads.

I'm always happy to see new members but how about giving something useful back to the forum. If I remember correctly Jackson started this political thread and it's his forum, so who are you to criticize it on your very first post? Very Rude Dude.

Now we need get back on topic so here goes; [b] Obama Sucks, Sara Palin supports tea bagging liberals, and Fox News is best news channel ever. [/b]. LOL[/QUOTE]I appologize to you righteous dude. Let me know if there is anything you need to know about Thailand.

[QUOTE=Jackson;414380]Don't laugh too hard. We've already got an inexperienced college professor as the Chief Executive Officer of the largest organization in the world.[/QUOTE]Do you mean an experienced college professor as the CEO of the largest organization in the world?

No one who becomes President comes with experience in the job. I do think that twelve years of law professorship may not be the best of qualifications to hold the position of President but he sure is an experienced college professor.

Argento

Mongers-

There will be a news conference today detailing the US Treasury's in-progress deal to dump their remaining holdings in Citi and thus take a $12 billion profit on the deal. Citi received $45 billion in TARP money and the US taxpayer will gross $57 billion after unloading its holdings in Citi. This, along with the continued recovery of the Big Two (GM and F) is good news for everybody.

Suerte,

Rock Harders

[QUOTE=Argento; 414390]Do you mean an experienced college professor as the CEO of the largest organization in the world?

No one who becomes President comes with experience in the job. I do think that twelve years of law professorship may not be the best of qualifications to hold the position of President but he sure is an experienced college professor.

Argento[/QUOTE]I stand corrected.

Obama was an experienced college professor, but he was manifestly inexperienced at managing large organizations.

However, I do not think it can be said that "[i]No one who becomes President comes with experience in the job[/i]" because in fact every one of the country's 50 state governors and our past vice-presidents have all had experience in very similar positions. In addition, the country has a large number current and former Cabinet Secretaries and other senior government officials who have at least had some experience working in the Office of the President of the United States.

I've said it before, and it's worth repeating: "[i]Only people with education and no experience would believe that education is more important that experience.[/i]"

Thanks,

Jackson

[QUOTE=Rock Harders; 414391]Mongers-

There will be a news conference today detailing the US Treasury's in-progress deal to dump their remaining holdings in Citi and thus take a $12 billion profit on the deal. Citi received $45 billion in TARP money and the US taxpayer will gross $57 billion after unloading its holdings in Citi. This, along with the continued recovery of the Big Two (GM and F) is good news for everybody.

Suerte,

Rock Harders[/QUOTE]Wasn't the TARP program George Bush's fault?

Jackson-

The TARP is still predicted by the CBO to lose at least $25 billion (mostly due to AIG). If Bush's boys at Goldman Sachs hadn't been "doing god's work" by letting Lehman Brothers capitulate (and thus eliminating their second biggest competing IB) than the ensuing panic may not have happened and the TARP may not have been necessary at all.

Suerte.

Rock Harders

[QUOTE=Jackson; 414395]However, I do not think it can be said that "[i]No one who becomes President comes with experience in the job[/i]" because in fact every one of the country's 50 state governors and our past vice-presidents have all had experience in very similar positions. In addition, the country has a large number current and former Cabinet Secretaries and other senior government officials who have at least had some experience working in the Office of the President of the United States.

I've said it before, and it's worth repeating: "[i]Only people with education and no experience would believe that education is more important that experience. [/i]"

Thanks,

Jackson[/QUOTE]The position is a political one is it not? As a 19th century English author of cookery books, Mrs Beeton often prefaced a recipe, especially when the ingredient was not readily available, with "First get your (ingredient)." All those supposedly well qualified people that you think would do very well in the position didn't have the political nous to run and get elected. And as for the Republican candidate in the last Presidential election, pray tell what great CEO qualities would he have brought to the position had he been elected? He was neither an ex-governor and nor had he any experience in an executive role, either in private enterprise or in government. He is financially well off because he stuck his cock into a cash register, but his record as a senator is really fairly ordinary. And as Mrs Beaton would have said, "First get your Presidency".

Argento

[QUOTE=Argento;414398]The position is a political one is it not?[/quote]Not. It is political in the sense that one must be proficient at politicking, however, once in the position, it is a chief executive role. Decision making is one of the most important functions. Unfortunately, being a make-believe professor doesn't necessarily lend itself to swift and sound decision making.

[quote=]And as for the Republican candidate in the last Presidential election[/quote]There was one?

[quote=]pray tell what great CEO qualities would he have brought to the position had he been elected? He was neither an ex-governor and nor had he any experience in an executive role, either in private enterprise or in government. [/quote]Pointing out the obvious fact that Obama sucks ass is not the same as endorsing McLame (aka Rino).

[quote=]He is financially well off because he stuck his cock into a cash register, but his record as a senator is really fairly ordinary.[/quote]Whoa, slow down a minute. How did you move on to John Kerry so quickly?

[quote=]And as Mrs Beaton would have said, "First get your Presidency".[/quote]What?

In order for Obama to be an experienced professor, he would have actually had to teach some classes. Further, in my experience, the worst kind of professors are those that try to teach things that they have never done. What qualifications did he have to be a professor? None. Why did he get the job? You tell me.

With out a doubt, in every situation this president has faced, he has been the least experienced person in the room.

Mongers-

Former VP Dick "Darth Vader" Cheney has been indicted by a Nigerian court on charges of paying $180 million in bribes to secure oil contracts while CEO of Halliburton. Apparently it is illegal for a US company to pay bribes to foreign officials to either secure or retain business; who knew?

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101208/ap_on_bi_ge/af_nigeria_bribery_cheney[/url]

Suerte,

Rock Harders

[QUOTE=Rock Harders; 414409]Mongers-

Former VP Dick "Darth Vader" Cheney has been indicted by a Nigerian court on charges of paying $180 million in bribes to secure oil contracts while CEO of Halliburton. Apparently it is illegal for a US company to pay bribes to foreign officials to either secure or retain business; who knew?

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101208/ap_on_bi_ge/af_nigeria_bribery_cheney[/url]

Suerte,

Rock Harders[/QUOTE]The FCPA was enacted in '77 and makes it illegal for a US citizen or business to engage in corrupt practices (primarily bribery) outside of US sovereign territory. And US jusrisdictions. Some believe that the FCPA places US companies at a disadvantage to foreign companies, not subject to the FCPA, in places like Nigeria and Argentina.

WW-

I knew about the law and what it said; the "who knew?" remark was irony that would likely only be understood by Jackson, Exon, and maybe a few others on the board who know me personally. The way around the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is to hire an intermediary to engage in the shady practices that are sometimes necessary in order to compete overseas. I am pretty sure the FCPA only applies to public companies.

Suerte,

Rock Harders

Congrats Moveon for posting your 5 reviews. Hard work but well worth the privilege to post in this distinguished political thread. (haha...)

The Citi news is good news indeed. Although I'm wondering if Treasury could not have made an even greater profit holding longer, sale was priced at 4.35 and the stock is now at 4.62, still below book. We'll see what happens with AIG. Anyhow, both Bush and Obama are to be credited for the necessary but highly successful TARP program.

Not thrilled with this tax compromise with Repubs, but there are other advantages. Since the midterms it has been clear that Obama needs to be seen to move to the middle to work with both sides. Keeping Pelosi as minority leader ensures a continued strong liberal presence in the House to counter the new conservative majority. Obama is now going to be the guy in the middle of the two polarized parties. This will work well for him in 2012. The tax compromise is probably good for Dems in 2012 as well.

The deficit issue is going to be front and center. I was never a big fan of making the current tax rates permanent for those earning under 250K. The unrealized tax revenue of not letting those rates increase requires a huge spending cut offset. What's important is shifting more of the burden on the wealthy. So here's the scenario I hope (not necessarily predict) plays out:

i. Over the next two years Americans realize they don't want all the spending cuts needed to balance the budget.
ii. Unemployment drops below 9% and Americans warm up to the idea of some tax increase in 2012.
iii. The budget gets balanced in Obama's second term with a small tax increase for middle income earners, a larger increase for high income earners, and some but fewer spending cuts than would have been required without any tax increases.