Steve

Thanks. Can't remember the movie though. May have to check out the group a little via youtube. Don't know why I thought of them, I just did radomly.

I think anyone who runs for president can't fully be sane judging by the insanity of the current process. Even the candidates I like have to be a little crazy. That said, some of the Obama stuff coming out as the article above is getting near Bill Clinton territory where the fringe right were accusing him of killing off folks. It makes me seriously question the party when you have folks going on about stuff like that and playing pop psychologist in order to justify a person shouldn't be president. Next thing you know they'll be saying he wasn't born in the U.S.

Didn't want to start a thread so thought I' piggy back on to this one. There is a movie that escapes me right now where in the beginning there was a song in the backgrund. Sounds as if its a german hard rock group and part of the hook they say 'bang bang'. What's the song and group?

Obama loses celeb supporter Hulk Hogan.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/losing-wrestling-primary-hulk-hogan-tells-fox-news-125944714.html

Hulk Hogan supported President Obama in 2008, but alas, the honeymoon is over, Hogan said Thursday during a Fox News appearance.

"I was a big Obama supporter and kinda, like, believed everything he said he was gonna do," Hogan said on Fox and Friends. "But now that nothing's happened..."

Hogan said he was still sore about the president using his theme song, "I Am a Real American" when Obama addressed the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner shortly after he released his long form birth certificate earlier this year.

"I kinda was a little upset that he didn't ask me permission to use my music," Hogan added. "But the change of heart is that I think I should be president. I know nothing about politics. I think a flat tax across the board would straighten everything out."

When told that the Hulk's idea sounds something like presidential candidate Herman Cain's "9-9-9 Plan," he responded, "Wow, yeah well he's not a real American like I am. . . . I've been around, people know me, they know everything about me, they know I'm for real, they know I know nothing about politics. I'll just make decisions on what's right or wrong."

I agree. The problem is not so much the banks but Congress that allows them to do what they do. I do think the OWS people have some influence. My guess is Congress fears they're next. Its also brought the attention of Wall Street greed to the general public and I think possibly some politician(s) may use it as a platform to run for office.

If this is what I can expect from the Republicans as a way to create jobs. No thanks. Its the same old bullshit. Its giving big business and big oil money, plan and simple. Obama's idea does something. Something tangible, sometihng needed. Boehner also scares me with the fiscally responsible way. I don't like putting on debt anymore than the next person. However, if we're going to spend more than we rake in, infrastructure is the way to go. It helps us, its needed, its direct American jobs, its millions of blue collar and middle class jobs. Cutting corporate taxes is okay but again, companies aren't hiring because the taxes are too high. They don't have faith in the economy and the consumer to spend. That's it. Companies that have a good product or service, that they know will be a hit will hire. Apple for example.

Time for Obama to show some balls. Go on the offensive. He needs to pick out a few big public projects in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida and tell them the amount of jobs and money that will be spent right there. In their back yards. I've so done with the ideas to line big business pockets that the Republicans have been touting for eons and I bought for a long time. Again, not saying targeted tax cuts and reduced regulations aren't needed. However, corporate profits are up in a recession. Billionaires who lost a lot of net worth a few years ago have gotten a lot of it back while the middle class has been taking it up the brown eye. The banks we bailed out are not only making money they are now increasing fees on Americans that are struggling. Why give them more right now with tax breaks? For the umpteenth time companies don't hire because of low taxes they hire when they sell their product and service. The only thing they got right is spending but they want to cut across the board and certain things that will hurt people like Social Security, Veterans Affairs, etc. Cuts have to be targeted. It can't be across the board ad hoc.

http://news.yahoo.com/boehner-obama-talk-jobs-senate-gop-offers-plan-215009594.html

Boehner, Obama talk jobs as Senate GOP offers plan

Boehner told Obama that Republicans are willing to address new transportation and infrastructure spending but "in a fiscally responsible way." Boehner challenged Obama's statement Thursday that he had not seen many job-creation ideas from Republicans.

The discussion came during a call from Obama to congratulate Boehner for congressional passage of trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. It also came as Senate Republicans introduced legislation aimed at creating jobs by overhauling the nation's tax laws, cutting business rules and boosting offshore oil exploration.

I'm all for it. I have a credit union account. They are great. Big banks have been trying to get Congress to legislate them out of existence even though they have a very small portion of the banking money. Banks want total control. Bastards.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/113658/bank-transfer-day-mainstreet?mod=bb-budgeting

Occupy Wall Street has dominated headlines for the past few weeks, with advocates and critics jaw-boning over whether it was government or Wall Street that fueled the financial crisis (here's a vote for both).

But even critics can't argue about the growth prospects of the "occupations" taking place in urban centers across the U.S. Now comes an offshoot of Occupy Wall Street that takes aim at banks where it hurts them most — in their vaults.

The social uprising — called "Bank Transfer Day" — encourages bank customers to take their cash out of big banks and put it in smaller banks and credit unions instead. The movement is ostensibly in response to aggressive fees institutions are rolling out to recover profits lost from new financial regulations, notably Bank of America's (BAC - News) decision to stick debit card users with a $5 monthly fee and Wells Fargo's (WFC - News) $3 test of the same.

On the movement's Facebook page, protest organizers say that, even with new government regulations in place to keep banks in check, they're still making out like bandits. For example:

• With the Durbin Amendment in effect, banks will still make 19 cents profit per processed transaction.

• The average consumer uses his or her debit card 24 times per month.

• Without the additional fee, Bank of America stands to turn a $3.3 billion annual profit from its 59 million customers' debit card transactions.

Here's an explanation from the organizers of Bank Transfer Day, straight from the group's Facebook page:

"Together we can ensure that these banking institutions will always remember the 5th of November!! If the 99% removes our funds from the major banking institutions on or by this date, we will send a clear message and give the 1% a taste of the fear that we experience every day when we aren't able to pay for our rent, food, medication, utilities, student loans, etc."

As of Oct. 10, the group's organizers say 6,500 Americans have already signed up in support of the event. How many of those consumers will actually yank their deposits from big banks is an open-ended question that won't be answered until Nov. 5, if at all...

I think America would elect a 2nd black president. Cain seems so much different and speaks to a different kind of ideology that its easy to separate the two. I can tell ya though it would be an interesting set of debates they'd have. I wonder who Cain would choose as a VP?

If Biden could be coaxed into taking early retirment, I think Obama should get Hillary on as VP for this round. It would shake and up and ignite the Dems.

Maybe I didn't search hard enough but I didn't see detailed info on the polls where the candidates beat Obama. If its nationally, it won't mean mean much. As I've said, it only matters who can beat Obama in Florida and Ohio, then only slightly less important, Pennsylvania and Michigan. About 40 states are already decided.

As far as Israel and the Saudis, they both need each other. The Saudis need Israel to check Iran and Syria. The last thing Israel wants is an arab spring in the kingdom which may result with some more radical government with all that money and power to side with Iran.

Iran is outta control if this report is true. Leave the middle east alone and they will fight each other. Many experts say that Saudi Arabia's biggest fear isn't Israel its Iran. I totally agree.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/saudi-ambassador-adel-al-jubeir-201032231.html

The Justice Department unsealed a five-count criminal complaint Tuesday alleging Iran Qods force-backed agents plotted to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States and possibly bomb the Saudi and Israeli embassies in Washington, D.C.

Cain is getting a lot of mileage out of his 9-9-9 plan. Basically, 9% flat corporate and private tax rate and a 9% national sales tax. It sounds very good actually. The worst candidates can say about it is that it won't pass. If he's elected I'd guess it would also be deemed some sort of mandate for the plan.

I wonder if Romney, if he wins the nomiation, would add him to the ticket and I wonder if Cain would accept? I wouldn't vote for them but it would be an interesting ticket.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/night-9-9-9-plan-022011966.html

I think Cain would have a rough start and later on perhaps learn how to play the game. I don't put a lot of stock into elected office except for one thing. It forces you to compromise and work with opposition as well as be exposed to public opinion. if you haven't held elected office it can be a shock to the system. I think of Ross Perot. He had running his own company for years and ran it autocratically. He was highly principled like Cain as well but I doubt would have made a great President. He was a bit too idealistic as well thinking America was this Rockwell painting. Cain would get frustrated trying to get Dems or even his own party on board with what would seem common sense legislation. I also think he wouldn't take having his legislation changed to the point it may not be recognizable as they often are.

I love his story though. Its a great story. Another of many great American stories that this country is known for.

I don't think Beck is authentic. I have no proof, its just my feeling. He found a niche and is cashing in. Everyone has been trying to out Rush, Rush LImbaugh and he found out how to make it work in a sizeable audience.

Cain's reaction to the occupy Wall Street thing shows how much he is out tune with the average American and how much we are hurting. He's made his money and has for a long time. Not saying he's not a highly moral person. He certainly appears that way. I just get the feeling he wouldn't make a good President. Head of something like Commerce, etc.? Sure. Gets my approval but not the oval office.

Banks have been using their political power to end credit unions as well. Credit unions are great often charging lower interest rates for cars, 2nd mortgages, etc. I belonged to a credit union once and they did not charge an ATM fee when I used other credit unions ATMs, they had a partnership with other credit unions in the city, which goes to show you how much BS the commercial bank ATM fees are.

The occupy wall street movement is peaceful and they are stressing that. I notice that its Republicans that have said bad things about it. I saw a news show that showed how the Republicans had nothing but good things to say about the Tea Party when they first started out and had protests but did not use the same words for the occupy Wall St. people. Both started as grass roots and populist. It wasn't until the Tea Party morphed into a wing of the Repubican party did Dems have bad things to say about them.

If either of the parties were smart they'd tap into the occupy Wall St. people. Obama would be wise to. There is a lot of anger and frustration out there. Paul's emergence should be a wake up call to the party as well. The heirarchy just wants someone who can beat Obama. Paul's supporters tend to be those more principled I think. Cain's supporters see both a person who is principled and has the ideology and someone they think has a chance against Obama.

I can't recall my original reaction to the occupy Wall Street thing going on but my guess was I was skeptical if not outright against it.

I am now far more sympathetic. I'm a capitalist. I believe in capitalism. I have no problems with Wall Street, banks and insurance companies making a profit. Nothing at all. For a long time now they have been greedy bastards and what burns me up is the government helping them. The banks and other financial institutions have been nickel and diming us for years now. Fees for this and that. Fees for things they didn't need to charge us for or didn't need to nearly as much. ATM fees are a joke. The amount of fee income banks make is rediculous. Same with other companies. They are too scared to lend money in this economy so can't make as much interest (which are tantamount to usurous) and so they make up new fees or increase existing ones to make even more money. Companies are making lots of money. Certain industries at least. Financial firms are making a mint but aren't hiring and are the same ones we bailed out. Its all BS.

Steven Jobs' commencement speech at Stanford University

I asked a few guys on my soccer forum what they thought about Obama. I tried to be objective. I was curious if the euphoria over him had waned as it did in America. He seems more popular abroad than here. The same could be said in reverse for Tony Blair. Hero worshipped here but was not nearly as popular in England.

CS: I have a question that I hoe doesn't sound too political or gets derailed into a political discussion. What is Obama's reputation in the UK (as well as Aussies, Irish, NZ) these days?

First response: He seems to be pretty smart but feel that he came in at the wrong time. The massive worldwide damage (crippling overconsumption of debt) had already been done and he seems to have been tied up the entire time fighting fires. Then when his party managed to come up with a good idea for fixing some mess (which might be painful for the populace / corporates) he gets shut down by populist rhethoric.

From the outside looking in, it would seem that there are no easy fixes despite what the opposition says. Unfortunately most of the population either don't see it, or don't care because they didn't create it so don't feel obliged to pay for it.

The same could be overlayed on Greece, Italy, Ireland or any other country that thought the party would never end.

In general he's probably viewed as less of a militant bully than many of his predecessors and more open minded about other countries' points of view.

Second Response: Yeah I would pretty much agree with that view. Right man ... wrong time!

Third response: He is virtually hero-worshipped here in Ireland. I wouldn't share that view but he is undoubtedly better than dubya. I don't know if you saw the coverage of his visit to his relatives in the pub in Co Offaly. He really does have the common touch and I was impressed by how he dealt with that and genuinely seemed to enjoy the experience.

Who is this guy? We need him in Congress !

 

HH

Its funny but he makes sense and I think it goes to illustrate that all of us are in the same boat and feel the same frustrations as Americans. Whether you're a small town guy in Iowa or a guy from the inner city. Congress' disapproval rating of 82% encompasses all of us.

It also brings home that a lot of this stuff in Congress isn't rocket science. They make it out to be but its mosty common sense stuff.

There is a lot of anger out there. Against everyone, the President and the Congress. Both have low approval ratings. Its not about party any more. People just want them to do their friggin' job.

"The country got a 350 credit rating.." haha...I knew guys like this. Street guys and smart and had common sense.

RIP Steve Jobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX9GTUMh490

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. - Apple Inc.

I hope this link works. I grew up with guys like this. Maybe they didn't or couldn't go to Harvard but they had street smarts and common sense. I respect the latter more than the former.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?v=10150311478847717

"There are two ideas of government," said William Jennings Bryan at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1896. "There are those who believe that you just legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, that their prosperity will leak through on those below. The Democratic idea has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous their prosperity will find its way up and through every class that rests upon it."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Hank-Williams-Jr-apologizes-for-Adolf-Hitler-Barack-Obama-analogy-100411/?GT1=39002

In an interview Monday on Fox News' ''Fox & Friends,'' Williams, unprompted, said of Obama's outing on the links with House Speaker John Boehner: ''It'd be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.''

Asked to clarify, Williams said, ''They're the enemy,'' adding that by ''they'' he meant Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Williams backed off Tuesday.

''The thought of the leaders of both parties jukin and high fiven on a golf course, while so many families are struggling to get by simply made me boil over and make a dumb statement,'' Williams said. ''I am very sorry if it offended anyone.''

Wasn't the smartest analogy but I'm not gonna make more out of it than it is. He doesn't like Dems and Obama and had a colorful analogy. Not a big deal to me at least. Others may feel differently.

I was suspicious of all those "infomercials". If the idea was so good, they'd be doing it themselves.

 

BTW your link brings up a warning not to go to that site.

Just cliccked on it and got the article. Its in the MSNBC section of msn.com. Must be something in the country you're in that blocks it and sends some sort of message.

Remember this guy? Infomercial guy Don Lapre

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=673169&affid=100055&GT1=28103

TV pitchman Donald Lapre dies in apparent suicide in federal custody

A U.S. Marshals Service spokesman says a Phoenix-based TV pitchman charged with running a nationwide scheme to sell essentially worthless Internet-based businesses has died in an apparent suicide while in federal custody.

Spokesman Matt Hershey says Donald Lapre was found dead in his cell at a Florence facility Sunday morning. His trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Hershey says the death remains under investigation.

A grand jury indicted Lapre in June on 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and promotional money laundering. He was accused of overseeing and promoting the opportunity through his company called "The Greatest Vitamin in the World."

The government says at least 220,000 victims in the scheme were defrauded of nearly $52 million.

I didn't buy his program but way back in the old days I placed several ads for one of those 900 dating lines. Mixed results.

We started the last decade with a surplus and the two wars put us in a huge debt. Sometimes wars have to be fought. I understand that. However, its also entered into advisedly.

As far as the election, I'm not impressed with the Republican field except for one or two (Paul, Huntsman...and to a lesser extent Gingrich).

Regarding Obama and our space program. I am a science fiction fan and always love to hear about new discoveries or revised theories from our space and exploration program. However, in these economic times, do we really need to keep investing billions into it? I'm not saying scrap it but that money could be used elsewhere. Do we really need to go back to the moon or a manned flight to Mars right now? After we've made a comeback economically, sure. Now, we need every buck back on earth.

The Wall Street protesters have an air of the anarchists at the G8 summit that show up each time they meet. I am a capitalist and don't have a problem with Wall Street per se. I do have a problem with the power they have in COngress and over Obama. I do think they need to be regulated enough to make sure a similar near meltdown to last time doesn't occur. Lastly, I don't ever want them bailed out again.

Regarding Cain. I had mentioned in one of my earlier posts that one of the reasons (amongst a few) I am not supporting is his lack of knowledge on global issues. Right of return is basic Israel 101 info that everyone on this thread knows. He didnt even know that. From what I saw in the debates he has less foreign policy and foreign policy related knowledge, basic knowledge, than most everyone on this thread. That's scary. You guys on this thread know more about American foreign policy issues than he does. You'd think a guy who is running for President would prepare himself on the basic issues. They all hire advisors. Economic, foreign policy, health, etc. I continue to state he is not qualified. He's a great Horatio Alger story and is a great American story and I'd love to see him go to inner city schools with his story. Its needed. Obviously a man of integrity, a great moral center and honesty but I still say a man that is more qualified for a cabinet post than the Presidency.

Robert Johnson was never a fan of Obam too. He supported Hillary and back in '08 made disparaging remarks about Obama referring to his past drug use and was rumored to even have said what Ferraro was also accused of that he wouldn't be President if he wasn't black. Many of these comments from Johnson and others we are hearing now, especially blacks, are from those that never supported him and waited till it was 'safe' (his popularity waning, etc.) to come out and voice things they always thought. In addition, its complete BS of Johnson to say he went into business to create jobs. NO ONE starts a business to create jobs. Its a byproduct of the quest for profit. Its sometimes a matter of pride that one is able to create jobs and see your employees as family but its not a primary reason to start a job.

As I've mentioned before, the black power elite in politics, business, etc. never supported Obama originally. Jesse Jackson Jr. (his father was an avid Hillary suppoter) and Oprah are the only I've heard of. Both Chicago based so that's not surprising. Not that there aren't others but back in '08 pretty much all the black pols and power brokers backed Hillary. The black masses support Obama, the ones with power never did.