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Obama goes way too farPosted Monday, March 30, 2009, at 9:42 AM
There's a limit to which government should interfere in the operations of private business.
The American auto industry needs massive changes. That's overwhelmingly obvious.
But President Obama's order that General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner step down is going entirely too far.
Being sort of a "gearhead" and the purchaser of too many new cars for my own good over the years, I've kept an eye on automakers, foreign and domestic.
Wagoner's done a much better than some of his predecessors. GM actually makes some pretty good cars, especially when compared to the 1980s or 1990s. As far as the business side, he's faced tremendous challenges involving union and retirement costs.
My major concern, though, is the prospect of Obama considering himself a business czar and demanding massive, possibly questionable, changes in other types of corporations and businesses.
Will Obama turn out to take the same "I'm the king, don't question me" approach toward business that George W. Bush took toward military and national security issues?
Let's hope not.
Decisive, quick action is needed to get the economy on track. But demanding the right to make personnel changes in an industry, even if that industry is asking for government subsidies, opens the door for something we don't need.
For that matter, so does Obama's previous proposal for a 90 percent tax on executive bonsuses. I totally agree that many of those executives have the wrong attitude, but taxing individuals as punishment, more or less, sets a dangerous precedent.
Showing comments in chronological order
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...but taxing individuals as punishment, more or less, sets a dangerous precedent.
Posted by David Melson on Monday, March 30, 2009, at 9:42 AM
You can not set a precedent on something that has been the norm for years.
The tax system has been a punitive instead of rewarding system for some time.
-- Posted by parkerbrothers on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 10:02 AM
This whole situation screams WRONG and what many people feared would happen with the election of Obama is now occurring. Free enterprise is being destroyed and so many people are too stupid to see it and blindly follow Obama no matter what he does just because he isn't Bush. I don't get this mentality that Obama can do no wrong because his name isn't Bush?
I agree . . . Bush overstepped his bounds with the war and military while Obama is doing it in the business sector. Two wrongs definitely don't make a right and Obama is proving to be no better than Bush.
Oh well, the American people will get what they deserve.
-- Posted by jaxspike on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 10:50 AM
There's going to be a "Tea Party" demonstration in Wartrace on April 11th. We need to show our government that we are not just sheep following their dictates, but truly concerned about the welfare of this country.
Capitalism vs. Socialism
Government takeovers vs. individual property rights
Redistribution of Wealth - taking from the producers and giving it to non-producers.
The real problem is a congress that's off the rail.
Show up - every little bit of effort does count.
-- Posted by spikee on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 11:24 AM
Who is organizing the Wartrace TEA party, and the others for that matter?
I believe there is going to be one in Shelbyville also.
I think I am going to take off work that day, and am not sure which one to go to.
-- Posted by greasemonkey on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 12:22 PM
I thought the one in Shelbyville was on April the 15th?
-- Posted by jaxspike on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 12:52 PM
Er...we're not going to dress up as native americans and throw tea into the mighty Duck,are we?
(If so,I'd want to hear what the environmental impact would be before I start ironing any tear dresses and ribbon shirts.)
I would be interested in events that were less about partisan complaints and more about securing our freedom while demanding good stewardship from the top of the food chain down and from the rest of us on up.
-- Posted by quantumcat on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 1:24 PM
Has anyone seen the reports that Obama's budget will produce a budget deficit four times larger than Bush ever had?
As an anology to the original topic of the taxation fairness, what if we started punishing the children who produced the best grades by taking away minutes of their recess time in proportion to their work. C students got 30 minutes, B students got 15 minutes, A students got 5 minutes. Let the D and F students keep more of their recess time and perhaps even redistribute the minutes taken from the producers of good grades so the lower producing D's and F's have an hour long recess.
How long would it take before all the children quit producing better grades and actually realized the reward of not producing seems to outweigh the punishment for producing better and more?
I remember the wise Jaxspike and Greasemonkey and a few others seeing this true Obama long ago before he charismatically won what he was not qualified nor prepared for.
-- Posted by parkerbrothers on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 1:32 PM
We also have to remember its not just President Obama, it is almost all of Washington with very few exceptions. Also, the media has played an enormous part in this also.
On a lighter note, I think I am going to get a large bumper sticker that reads, I TOLD YOU SO! LOL.
-- Posted by greasemonkey on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 1:44 PM
What was the point of Rick Wagoner stepping down? Obama said GM was only going to be given enough money to remain operational for 60 days and if they didn't come up with some new ideas they would be forced into bankruptcy. GM's idea of cash flow is closing factories and giving employee's buy-outs, isn't that the very thing everyone was afraid that was going to happen during bankruptcy? Why hand them billions and billions of dollars on top of the billions we have already given them and still allow them to fail. We gave them until Feb to come up with ways to make more efficient cars back in Dec here it is March and still nothing of substance has come from GM. If they didn't come up with anything except closing factories in the past 4 months what makes anyone think they will come up with something in 60 days. Stop wasting our tax money...if we are going to let them fail anyway..don't give them anymore money not even for 60 days!!!
-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 2:10 PM
I need that bumper sticker too Greasemonkey . . . funny how the things we mention many months ago were criticized but now they are coming true. I also notice the individuals who would argue against us aren't doing much talking lately. LOL!
I would love to have the bumper sticker that says "Frodo failed, Obama has the ring."
-- Posted by jaxspike on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 2:23 PM
I agree Dianatn . . .we should have never gave them the money to begin with. They should have filed for bankruptcy because they are going that direction now anyway and it would have saved the taxpayers billions.
-- Posted by jaxspike on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 2:26 PM
Ya'll Talking Bumper Stickers I saw this one the other day: 01-20-2009 The Beginning of a ERROR
-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 2:32 PM
Oh yea and another goodie : Honk, If I am Paying your Mortgage.
-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 2:40 PM
yall have to stop, I only have so much room on my truck. LOL.
Yeah, business should be approached similarly to nature. Let natural selection run its course. If a business is making poor decisions, then by all means they should reap what they sow. I do understand that there would b jobs lost and that we really dont need that right now, but it would be cheaper to pay unemployment for a while than to just give trillions to bad business. If GM went under there would still be Chevys and Cadillacs etc etc, because there is a consumer demand for those products. So all the lost jobs would come back eventually. Now, there is the possiblity that Caddy and Chevy might be different companies or that every brand GM owns might become its own company owned by different people or groups of people. People are still gonna drive cars and trucks so its not like the auto industry is going to disappear. If our current administration would let the free market work itself out in its own time everything would work out. Instead we now have just postponed the pain. It will get worse I promise you. Just like the housing market collapse, it may take a few years but all this govt irresponsiblity will come back and bite us on our butts.
Jaxspike, I too have noticed theres not too many people praising the Obamasiah as of late.
-- Posted by greasemonkey on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 2:53 PM
But he's so charismatic and gives such good speeches, the constitution and his inexperience really won't matter....Thanks a lot all you liberal democrats!!!
-- Posted by quietmike on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 6:25 PM
Here is my DAYDREAM! Instead of the Tea Partys how about a march on D.C. for gun owners? (minus ammo of course) Multi millions of TOLERATE US! HEAR US! Just close your eyes and imagine D.C. covered with guns, They may take notice!
-- Posted by big daddy rabbit on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 6:40 PM
Sorry for the delay, but I had to find the information:
April 11th, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on the square in Wartrace. The poster says bring your sign and lawn chair if you want. For information call Pearl Chang 389-9703. That's the coffee place on the square.
There is also a Tea Party in Shelbyville, but I don't know where. Contact: Donna 931-703-8924.
Hope this helps. I think it's important to get out an exercise our right to peacefully assemble before that goes away along with all the other rights.
Don't forget to mail in your tea bags to the White House on April 1st.
See you there.
-- Posted by spikee on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 6:57 PM
'We cannot expect the Americans to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism.'
- Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev, 1959
-- Posted by bellbuckletn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 7:03 PM
'A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.'
~Thomas Jefferson~
'All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.'
~Thomas Jefferson~
'I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.'
~Thomas Jefferson~
'My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.'
~Thomas Jefferson~
'The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.'
~Thomas Jefferson~
-- Posted by bellbuckletn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 7:04 PM
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
~Abraham Lincoln~
-- Posted by bellbuckletn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 7:05 PM
I have a question...Do you guys believe the old saying "as GM goes, so goes the economy" or do you think the economy is already too far gone with or without GM?
It seems Obama believes the banking industry is far more important, is that what the American Public believes also?
-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 7:42 PM
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened."
-- Norman Thomas, American socialist party presidential candidate ~ 1941
-- Posted by quietmike on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, at 7:44 PM
Tough question Dianatn . . . I do think the financial sector is definitely getting preferential treatment versus the auto industry and auto workers are definitely becoming angry at the fact that the administration is giving more to bank executives and the individuals who helped tanked the economy while overlooking middle class auto workers. This may come back to haunt Obama in the next election if he is even still around by then.
Do I feel that if the auto industry fails then the economy will fail? We know it definitely wont help anything but I do feel that if the GM and Chrysler had been allowed to just go into bankruptcy to begin with then they would have been forced to restructure and streamline their business to become more productive and financially more sound. The government has just made the problem worse and prolonged the problem.
-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 6:30 AM
I think we are a society that can not live with out borrowing money, so yes the banks are more important. Most people can't buy a car even a used one without a bank loan. I think the unions are at the top of the auto industries down fall along with poor management and building cars that were not keeping up with Honda and Toyota standards.
-- Posted by bellbuckletn on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 9:47 AM
well well well What do you guys think about the $20 million retirement package for Rick Wagoner?
Please somebody tell me to quit my job and hand me 20 million dollars...I would just have to cry all the way to the bank. The way things are going and the way my 401K is looking I will have to work until the day I die...so much for preparing for retirement, Huh?
-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 10:47 AM
You guys crack me up. I needed a good laugh today, thanks for the insights.
-- Posted by up north on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 10:57 AM
Uh oh . . .a bill to let Big Government Set Your Salary.
It was nearly two weeks ago that the House of Representatives, acting in a near-frenzy after the disclosure of bonuses paid to executives of AIG, passed a bill that would impose a 90 percent retroactive tax on those bonuses. Despite the overwhelming 328-93 vote, support for the measure began to collapse almost immediately. Within days, the Obama White House backed away from it, as did the Senate Democratic leadership. The bill stalled, and the populist storm that spawned it seemed to pass.
But now, in a little-noticed move, the House Financial Services Committee, led by chairman Barney Frank, has approved a measure that would, in some key ways, go beyond the most draconian features of the original AIG bill. The new legislation, the "Pay for Performance Act of 2009," would impose government controls on the pay of all employees -- not just top executives -- of companies that have received a capital investment from the U.S. government. It would, like the tax measure, be retroactive, changing the terms of compensation agreements already in place. And it would give Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner extraordinary power to determine the pay of thousands of employees of American companies.
The purpose of the legislation is to "prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards," according to the bill's language. That includes regular pay, bonuses -- everything -- paid to employees of companies in whom the government has a capital stake, including those that have received funds through the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP, as well as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The measure is not limited just to those firms that received the largest sums of money, or just to the top 25 or 50 executives of those companies. It applies to all employees of all companies involved, for as long as the government is invested. And it would not only apply going forward, but also retroactively to existing contracts and pay arrangements of institutions that have already received funds.
In addition, the bill gives Geithner the authority to decide what pay is "unreasonable" or "excessive." And it directs the Treasury Department to come up with a method to evaluate "the performance of the individual executive or employee to whom the payment relates."
The bill passed the Financial Services Committee last week, 38 to 22, on a nearly party-line vote. (All Democrats voted for it, and all Republicans, with the exception of Reps. Ed Royce of California and Walter Jones of North Carolina, voted against it.)
The legislation is expected to come before the full House for a vote this week, and, just like the AIG bill, its scope and retroactivity trouble a number of Republicans. "It's just a bad reaction to what has been going on with AIG," Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey, a committee member, told me. Garrett is particularly concerned with the new powers that would be given to the Treasury Secretary, who just last week proposed giving the government extensive new regulatory authority. "This is a growing concern, that the powers of the Treasury in this area, along with what Geithner was looking for last week, are mind boggling," Garrett said.
Rep. Alan Grayson, the Florida Democrat who wrote the bill, told me its basic message is "you should not get rich off public money, and you should not get rich off of abject failure." Grayson expects the bill to pass the House, and as we talked, he framed the issue in a way to suggest that virtuous lawmakers will vote for it, while corrupt lawmakers will vote against it.
"This bill will show which Republicans are so much on the take from the financial services industry that they're willing to actually bless compensation that has no bearing on performance and is excessive and unreasonable," Grayson said. "We'll find out who are the people who understand that the public's money needs to be protected, and who are the people who simply want to suck up to their patrons on Wall Street."
After the AIG bonus tax bill was passed, some members of the House privately expressed regret for having supported it and were quietly relieved when the White House and Senate leadership sent it to an unceremonious death. But populist rage did not die with it, and now the House is preparing to do it all again.
This is beginning to sound more and more like socialist policies!
-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 11:13 AM
I am not sure what it is you think is so funny upnorth? Do you think GM going under would be funny or do you think that Rick Wagoner is receiving 20 million dollars in retirement when the Union workers will lose all their retirement if GM goes belly up is funny? Oh wait I know I bet you think it is funny that the newly appointed GM CEO announced this morning they will be closing more factories?
I will tell you what I think is funny...GM and Ford has come up with and new incentive to try to build confidence for those who may lose their jobs GM and Ford has announced they will make these people's car payments up to 700$ a month for up to nine months...hmmmm excuse me? but GM and Ford can not keep their selves afloat and are depending on MY tax dollars now they want to use MY tax dollars to pay other people's car payments?
HMMMM I think not..it is bad enough my tax dollars are paying for other people's mortgages now we get to pay their car payments too?
Maybe we should all just quit our jobs and let the government take care of us?
-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 11:22 AM
Is it just me or do I miss the folks comments that were notorious for supporting Obama before and just after the election? Wonder where they went? *rolling eyes*
-- Posted by HorseGentler on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 11:49 AM
I really wouldnt worry about what up north thinks . . . I think I remember some of his comments before in which he degraded people from Shelbyville and the South. Maybe its the same person as in the garden . . LOL!
-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 11:57 AM
So basically I can go buy a new house and stop making payments and someone else gets to make the payments. Then I get to buy a new car,stop making payments and someone will make those payments also. I am sure I could get some kind multimillion dollar bonus when I quit my job so why in the h&!! am I still working. I think I may quit today.
I wonder when the govt is going to get themselves one of those late nite get rich quick infomercials, I could just see Pres. Obama running around in a question mark suit trying to give money away. Now thats an infomercial worth staying up late for.LOL.
-- Posted by greasemonkey on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 12:04 PM
Maybe we should all just quit our jobs and let the government take care of us?
-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 11:22 AM
I actually believe they are wanting all of us to say that. What would that form of government be called?
Have any of you been reading the great referenced quotes posted by bellbuckletn and one by quietmike? There is a lot of truth seen years ago by these people they are quoting. Great fitting quotes for the events unfolding today before our eyes.
Keep your eyes and ears open in the next few on these G20 meetings. I think you will see the one world money system start its emergence onto the scene as a pushed solution. We are prime for it and I believe the overall masses would swallow it now.
-- Posted by parkerbrothers on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 1:56 PM
Parkerbrothers, I agree that a one world currency is close to becoming a reality. The Bible tells us it is a signal of the end times and will be brought by someone promising peace and claiming to have all the answers.
Another good quote that describes the left's ideology to a tee.
Ludwig von Mises wrote:
The application of the basic ideas of collectivism cannot result in anything but social disintegration and the perpetuation of armed conflict. It is true that every variety of collectivism promises eternal peace starting with the day of its own decisive victory and the final overthrow and extermination of all other ideologies and their supporters. ... As soon as a faction has succeeded in winning the support of the majority of citizens and thereby attained control of the government machine, it is free to deny to the minority all those democratic rights by means of which it itself has previously carried on its own struggle for supremacy.
-- Posted by quietmike on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 4:38 PM
Actually we may become ripe for a one world government approach also if a widespread global catastrophe of a large enough magnitude strikes and draws the masses into the subductive idea.
I think it would take something larger than this global economic chaos to draw the masses into reception of the one world government though.
The raining of fire and brimstone in the form of meteorites might get it done?
We could never become a we until something comes from something we view as a them.
-- Posted by parkerbrothers on Tue, Mar 31, 2009, at 7:57 PM
Parkerbros, are you going to give back some of your ill gotten gains like you want the AIG people to do? The press is starting to doubt that the Obama is the messiah they thought they had. Just how much mess are we really in, and how much is contrived by the media and Washington?
-- Posted by Chef Boy R.D. on Wed, Apr 1, 2009, at 9:26 PM
Rest easy, don't get the back hairs up guys. My comments were directed at those of you so quick to give up on Obamba. If I recall, some of you (Dianatn for one) stated that we should give him a chance. Is 2 months into this a real "CHANCE"?
Most of you couldn't wait to jump on the "lets attack Obama" train. That's where the humor is. I will admit that I have no idea how to get our country out of this mess. Do any of you?? Where were your voices when Bush was burying it?? My comments don't mean anymore to anyone than any of yours do. Talk is cheap and we all know it. What I will defend today is the suggestion that I think it is funny that GM or Ford may go under. That is an insult to anyone that cares about this country whether directly affected or not. If you cannot see that we will ALL go under if this happens (in some way or other) then trying to explain it is pointless.
To those of you that feel I in some way degrade the good folks in Shelbyville that too is an insult. I have family there, in Murfressboro and in Brentwood. Any and all comments I made were to those in the blogs and you should know that.
Shame on you for suggesting any different.
Oh and by the way Jaxspike, I am not a "HE"
See ya'll.
-- Posted by up north on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 7:49 AM
Up north,
In what month will it be ok with you that we begin to cry out in protest over poor representation and leadership. How long should we sit idly by and be silent. Why on earth after the previous administrations mistakes would we want to sit back and let our country continue in this downward spiral. All in the name of giving a dangerously inexperienced man "a chance",that's lunacy. I also believe all of us are well versed in the failed administration of Bush and we were crying foul then also.
-- Posted by greasemonkey on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 8:22 AM
Chef Boy R.D.,
What little gains we have had were earned through hard work and long hours.
We were not involved with the lending institutions that were making these loans that were destined to fail.
Actually we are the ones that went to Atlanta complaining to the authorities that these loans needed to be stopped and warned them of the consequences of what would happen.
In 2004 and 2005 we told them that within 5 years they would become our largest competition. Today they are our largest competitors. We literally can not compete with all the foreclosures that we seen coming 5 years ago.
-- Posted by parkerbrothers on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 8:37 AM
Yes I did say give Obama a chance to prove himself when he was first elected even though Obama was not my choice. I had hoped all the rumors and talk about Obama taking from one group of people and giving to another was just talk. I personally do not believe in redistributing the wealth but Obama has made it clear that is where we are headed..so yea I can honestly say his chance to prove everybody wrong has past.
I have never thought we should give GM or any private sector Tax money to stay afloat. Our tax dollars are not provided to the government to keep businesses from going under. I not only blame Obama for doing this but I blame Bush also (FYI Bush was not my choice either) Businesses such as GM, AIG, BofA and the 100's of others begging for relief are businesses who have seen billions of dollars of profits in the past few years they believed that the cow would never run dry and handed out money to their CEO's and employees like it would never run out. These people (even if these businesses fail) will walk away Billionaires. Now that the money has slowed coming to them they expect the very people to bail them out that they have sued for money, foreclosed on their mortgages, repossessed their cars, (yes it is their money also, the government is handed these people) I understand sometimes businesses need help but in the form of a government loan, a loan, just like a loan they would give you or I not a no strings attached hand out.
It is no wonder the people of American think the government should help pay their bills when all they see from our government is the rich businesses getting tax money because they can not pay their bills.
Honestly, I hate to see GM go under, I really do but some of the blame must start with the UAW. It seems to me they should be more than willing to take a cut in salary to save GM rather than lose their jobs and their pensions in bankruptcy. They could take the cut save GM billions of dollars until they get back on their feet and then resume their rate of pay maybe in a couple of years. And please do not think I am anti-Union because I am certainly not my family has belonged to Unions my entire life but Unions have to be willing to help a company (their company) stay in business or the Union is worthless for without the American Auto Businesses there would be no need for the UAW.
-- Posted by Dianatn on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 9:34 AM
I don't understand this mentality that if you didn't vote for Obama or you disagree with his policies then you must have supported and worshipped Bush. I never voted for Bush and I believed many of his actions did not help our nation.
I believe though that two wrongs don't make a right and that just because Bush made plenty of mistakes doesn't mean I need to give Obama free pass on making the same or all new mistakes and believe me, Obama is definitely making some bad decisions. I usually vote Democratic but this time I didn't because I saw what Obama stood for and knew he would do many of the things he is doing now. I didn't vote just to follow some political party rhetoric . . . I voted based on my beliefs and knowledge and ideas.
So yeah, please quit using this tired old argument that if you don't support Obama's decision then you must love Bush. People who use that argument are people who can't think for themselves and like to be told how to think. It is just stupidity running amuck!
-- Posted by jaxspike on Fri, Apr 3, 2009, at 6:54 AM
I'm so tired of the "It's Bushes fault" crap. Our problems go back a lot farther than President Bush. Try blaming the people who could have stopped this mess like Chris Dodd and Bawney Fwank. When President Bush wanted to initiate some controls, good old Bwaney Fwank said we don't fix what ain't broke. And good old Chuckycheese Shumer, (don't get between him and the camera) started the final down hill slide by announcing a major bank was about to fail. And both political parties can take their share of the blame, but for pete's sake, quit trying to blame it all on one man. That dog just dont hunt. Also, I'm sure that when we are once again attacked, church attendance will have a marked increase. Seems like the only time some remember God is when they realize Washington can't deliver. Well, I'm afraid we have about worn out our welcome with the real messiah and the other one is not listening to us. Whew, there I got it off my chest, and I feel better now.
-- Posted by cherokee2 on Fri, Apr 3, 2009, at 7:27 PM
Wow, put a little fear in your lives... For all the talk about liberals saying the sky is falling, these persistent whines seem no different. It is hilarious to see the grief and moaning from most of you folks..
I mean who knows, perhaps all of the Obama supporters are working, rather than finding ample time to be on the Times Gazette while on the job, as many of you seem to do. Is it called hard work when you blog constantly for 12 hours a day and then poke up at those on food stamps? I mean really, seems hypocritical to me.
-- Posted by jesuslovesevery1 on Tue, Apr 7, 2009, at 8:16 AM
I would deny helping them financially again and tell the ones over it to step down as well. People are loosing their jobs and benefits that work their, why should any CEO have special treatment over the other employees, that make lesser income, and not have all the private jets, and extra bonuses and benefits. I help people with money or buying something they need every now and then, but when that person keeps coming to me for the same things, I am definitely going to "tell them" they need to make a change with something "money mangagement" wise. And if they don't, that will be their loss. If they don't want know body telling them what to do, then don't come asking for help. If they want help, then they are going to have to listen and make a change, otherwise somebody needs to go.
"There's a limit to which government should interfere in the operations of private business.
Decisive, quick action is needed to get the economy on track. But demanding the right to make personnel changes in an industry, even if that industry is asking for government subsidies, opens the door for something we don't need". By DAVID MELSON
Would that apply to Shelbyvilles' City Council as well?
"Cartwright listed several examples of Hispanic-owned businesses that would fall into that category". "The main streets are beginning to look like Mexico in Shelbyville," councilman Lee Roy Cunningham said. The mayor (Cartwright) also said he wanted another topic addressed in the ordinance -- dealing with the color of the buildings in question, suggesting that they be painted in "an earth tone ... we don't need this yellow, purple and pink." "This is not Mexico and I think some way or other, we need to tone it back down," Cartwright said. By BRIAN MOSLEY April 3, 2009
-- Posted by Momof3&3step&1gran on Wed, Apr 8, 2009, at 1:15 AM
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David Melson is a copy editor and staff writer for the Times-Gazette.
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On August 5, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Lilongwe, Malawi. During her visit, Secretary Clinton and President Joyce Banda discussed economic and political governance and reform.
The Secretary participated in an event for Camp GLOW, Peace Corps, and PEPFAR. She said, "We believe strongly in the human potential of Malawi, because after all, those are the greatest treasures that any country has. Some countries may have oil or gold or diamonds, but the greatest treasure are the people of every country, which is why investing in the future of the children of a country is the best investment that we can make. So we're establishing an internship program at the Peace Corps office for a few graduates of Camp GLOW. We're supporting nurse training for over 2,400 Malawians between 2010 and 2015. We will soon be recruiting American doctors and nurses to help train more health workers here in Malawi. And there's many more of these kinds of activities because the United States really believes that the future of Malawi is bright."
Secretary Clinton also emphasized the importance of incorporating women and girls. She said, "...I know how important it is that everyone in a country contribute. That's why women and girls have to be involved just as much as men and boys, have to go as far as you can in education, have to be committed to building a good life for yourselves and your family, have to be citizens voting and caring about what kind of government you have. That' s what I see for the future of Malawi."
Secretary Clinton then delivered remarks at the Feed the Future Lumbadzi Milk Bulking Event. She said, "For the past decade, the United States has been supporting Malawi's dairy sector, including this center. And thanks to your work and the support we have given you, Malawi's milk production has increased 500 percent. Thousands of farmers have benefited."
The Secretary also announced that the United States intends to invest in Malawi more than $46 million to strengthen the entire agricultural chain over the next three years. In closing, she said, "We want to help agriculture in Malawi get even stronger, so that all the children will have better lives. And I particularly thank the women farmers who are here before me for their hard work, and their families, their husbands, and their children for being part of this successful program."
Secretary Clinton is on travel to Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa July 31 through August 10. You can follow her trip to Africa on www.state.gov.
You can read more about the U.S. strategy towards sub-Saharan Africa here.
Brendan B. in Zimbabwe writes:
The United States have tried and have assisted in Malawi.Gender equality is of prime importance in the country, health and the enviroment is as important and these issues have to be addressed. I am very happpy to read that Malawi has joined the global alliance for clean cook stoves. They already have an ethanol plant there, therefore why not mirror Mozambiques cleanstar opperation and start a symilar program in the country.
It will need a lot of financial assistance, but at the end of the day the rewards will benefit all Malawians.
Just a thought!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Area Police Reports
David D. Johnson, 44, of Jamestown was charged with third-degree assault. On Monday at 8:13 p.m., officers responded to a report of a domestic incident on Spring Street. Police found a female with visible injuries on her face. Johnson was found to have allegedly punched and kicked her in the face. He was transported to Jamestown City Jail awaiting arraignment. The female was transported to WCA Hospital for treatment.
Jeremy A. Barmore, 26, of Jamestown was charged with second-degree unlawful imprisonment and criminal obstructing of breathing. Officers on Tuesday at 2:18 a.m. responded to Pullman Street for a report of a domestic incident. Barmore was found to have allegedly thrown a female to the ground and held her down. He then stood in the doorway and refused to let her leave. Police said Barmore also allegedly put his hands around the victim's throat and applied pressure until she couldn't breathe. Barmore was transported to city jail and held pending his arraignment.
REDHOUSE – Giovanni J. Salmonson, 21, of Allegany was charged with driving while intoxicated, DWI with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater and failure to maintain lane. On Sunday at about 2:45 a.m., Salmonson was involved in a two-car accident on Interstate 86. According to police, Salmonson was traveling east when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a guardrail. His vehicle become disabled while remaining in the roadway. He was able to exit his vehicle before a second vehcile struck his car. Following an investigation, deputies found Salmonson to be intoxicated and was taken to Salamanca Police Department and released Monday. Two individuals in the second vehicle were taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center. Salmonson is scheduled to appear in town of Redhouse court on April 15.
CARROLLTON – Ashwin Trivedi, 57, of Richmond, Va., was charged with speeding and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. On Sunday at 6:25 p.m., following a traffic stop for speeding, a check showed two suspensions on his license. He was arraigned and released, and is scheduled to appear in town of Carrollton court at a later date.
PERRYSBURG – Markie N. Graves, 21, of North Road, Perrysburg was charged with driving while intoxicated, DWI with a blood-alcohol content .08 percent or greater and failure to keep right following a traffic stop on Railroad Avenue. She was processed and released on appearance tickets, and will be back in town of Perrysburg court at a later date.
ALLEGANY – Michael W. Kosinski, 46, of West Five Mile Road, Allegany was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, unregistered motor vehicle and obstructed plate. He was stopped on Five Mile Road for having an obstructed plate. He is due in town of Allegany court at a later date.


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Alcona golf team competing in Division 4 finals today at MSU
Entering this season, the Alcona boys golf team had one goal in mind: making the state finals.
The Tigers accomplished that goal and secured the school's first berth in the state finals after finishing third in a regional last week.
Alcona's team of five-juniors Walker Kelly, Josh Mead, Dustin Yokom and Lucas Weichel and sophomore Spencer Willingham- will take part in the Division 4 finals at Forest Akers East in East Lansing which starts today and runs through Saturday.
"After last year in districts and regionals, we knew we had a good shot. That's where we set the bar," Alcona coach Jim Bouchard said. "Next year we have another year to build the bar even higher."
With a team featuring four sophomores, Alcona finished third in districts last season, missing out on first place by five strokes. The Tigers went on to finish ninth at their regional, falling short of their goal of making the state finals as only the top three teams from each regional qualify.
Alcona lost Austin Scott to graduation, but returned four starters this year and added Willingham to the mix. The Tigers handily won their district with a team score of 324-28 strokes better than second-place Harbor Springs. All five Alcona golfers finished in the top 15 in scoring and Kelly paced the field with a 77. Mead and Weichel finished right behind him with 79. Yokom was 12th with an 89 and Willingham was 14th with a 91.
The next week at a regional in Traverse City, the Tigers played well again, taking third place with a score of 335, just 19 strokes behind regional winner Suttons Bay and one stroke better than fourth-place Traverse City St. Francis. Kelly's 78 was the fourth-highest score and Mead's 79 was fifth best.
Alcona will have the advantage of being one of 15 teams to qualify and at an event as big as the state finals, there's something to be said for strength in numbers. The Tigers planned to play a practice round on Thursday and compare notes and strategize afterward since the course is new to them.
"I talked to someone (who qualified individually) and he said it was fun, but he wished he could've played with his team," Bouchard said. "They (Alcona's golfers) will be separated, but they're still together. I can go around telling them how someone else is doing and it might help pick them up if they're in a slump.
Regardless of how Alcona fairs this weekend, the future looks bright for the program. All five golfers should return next season with higher expectations after setting a new benchmark for success.
"Obviously everyone we play against is going to be good. It wasn't given to us, we had to work to get here and we don't have to feel overshadowed," Bouchard said. "When you start increasing expectations, it breeds competitiveness and they're going to push each other."
James Andersen can be reached via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.


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Skip to comments.Naked college freshman, 18, shot dead by campus police after he 'charged at officer' (Alabama)
Posted on 10/06/2012 6:23:12 PM PDT by dennisw
In a tragic and bizarre incident a University of Alabama student who was naked has been fatally shot after charging a campus police officer early on Saturday morning.
University officials said that the confrontation occurred after the officer went outside the police station to investigate a banging noise that was coming from his office window.
Confronted with 18-year-old Gilbert Thomas Collar who was acting erratically and wearing no clothes, the officer shot the student once in the chest after he repeatedly charged.
Authorities said that the officer attempted to retreat several times in an attempt to defuse the situation but that the officer was left with no choice but to shoot when Collar made one final charge.
Collar, who had only recently enrolled at the University of South Alabama was shot at 1.30 a.m. on Saturday moening outside the USA Police Department on Stadium Drive .
'We can't comment beyond the statement,' said Ayers after he read a prepared statement during a news conference this afternoon on the campus.
'University of South Alabama Police report that an officer shot and killed an individual at approximately 1:30 a.m., Oct. 6, after the man attacked the officer just outside the police department on Stadium Drive The deceased has been identified as a USA student.'
The former high school wrestler's coach could hardly speak when interviewed by his hometown newspaper The Wetumpka Herald this morning.
'I remember the first time he walked into the wrestling room,' said Jeff Glass.
'He was such a natural. He was the only wrestler I coached who wrestled varsity for six years. That takes more heart than I can tell you. We began our tenure in Wetumpka wrestling at the same time. He was a physical, spiritual and mental warrior. And I love him like my own.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Should have gone for his baton first.
I'm guessing there are drugs involved.
Why weren't more Kampus Kops called to the scene to subdue this young man whose parents had just entrusted to the University of Alabama? This is a disgrace! He was a freshman who just started there and obviously got liquored up beyond what he could handle
I'm guessing alcohol was involved it makes you want to get nekkid (sometimes)
"Acting erratically and wearing no clothes" pretty much sums up my college experience... And worse. Any university or college officer knows that his/her first job is to protect and defend the students and the institution. If you don't know what I'm talking about (and I do know what I am talking about,) you don't know what you're talking about.
Pouring alcohol and drugs down your throat may not be a good idea? You thinks?
There was a time when shooting an unarmed man was regarded in a very bad light. I note the officer has the standard line down pat. Did it never occur to him, to summon other officers and subdue this man? Nope. Blam, blam. I felt my life was threatened.
Shooting an unarmed drunk kid !
These campus cops are morons .
I hope the family gets a good lawyer and nails them.
No tazers?
He's auditioning for the NYPD.
Uhh, do they not have pepper spray or maybe a taser gun in Alabama?
That's the way I remember it in the 60's.
>>Should have gone for his baton first.
His? My guess is hers.
Bath salts are a hell of drug.
First, the man was 18. The University is not a baby sitter and his parents should have prepared him to be an adult by the time he became an adult. He was a man, not a child.
Second, as unpleasant as it may have been to contemplate, this 18 year old could easily have been restrained by a couple of men who were trained in security. Calling for backup, using some restraining techniques, and putting this man in jail for 30 days for his behavior should have been what happened in this case. Security guy screwed up big time.
"Shooting an unarmed drunk kid !
These campus cops are morons .
I hope the family gets a good lawyer and nails them."
I agree.
Cops everywhere are nothing like they were in the past.
The profession now seems to attract more "jack-booted thugs".
Way back in my college days in the late 60's campus police were unheard of. But then Bill Ayers and company decided that violent demonstrations on campus was neato/keeno and suddenly campus police started to spring up all across the nation. By the time I graduated in 71 all the big schools had campus/rent-a-thugs inplaced.
This occurred at the University of SOUTH Alabama, in Mobile, Alabama.
The University of SOUTH Alabama is not affiliated in any way with The University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, AL.
It is not a part of The University of Alabama system (unlike University of Alabama at Huntsville and University of Alabama Birmingham).
Bath salts?
These kids, raised on unrealistic violent movies, and filled with bipartisan, politically neutral (Kumbaya, comrades!) contempt for authority, and especially police force (as wello illustrated on this very forum) don't know the first lesson of dealing with the forces of law on the street: don't challenge them.
I'll bet he wishes he spent a seventh year in High School.
Cops are very nervous about "bath salts" and the very dangerous psychosis it induces.
Both universities have elephants. At the University of South Alabama the tusks are attached very tightly. At the University of Alabama the tusks are looser.
That's my guess too, Bath Salts.
You either shoot the naked idiot or get your face eaten off.
People should read up on bth salts. This aint your daddy's snort.
That's my guess too, Bath Salts.
You either shoot the naked idiot or get your face eaten off.
People should read up on bath salts. This aint your daddy's snort.
By the same token, however, what is a Kampus Klown doing with authorization to be able to kill underage drunks? Must have been a criminal justice major. So that is 30 days suspension with pay?
Why the officer choose to escalate situation? If the kid was drunk (presuming) then he eventually would have passed out.
One of those actors on that show decided to do it in real life and then committed suicide recently I hear
Well, I agree with you. He was a freshman. Obviously, he was on something. But, the question is: Did he take it willingly, or was something given to him without his knowledge? Now no one may ever know.
How long before the lib-ertarians show up defending drugs?
We treat the Taliban better than this...
Yeah I was thinking about that.
At least if he's naked, you know he's unarmed.
A ridiculous over reaction by the LEO.
Now they are children until they turn 25...per Obamacare.
The kid must have looked like a Labrador Retriever.
officer went outside the police station to investigate a banging noise that was coming from his office window
So the kid was banging on the police station window? Maybe he wanted help, even though he was messed up?
ha! Maybe colleges could use this:
CODA All-Purpose Net Gun
Capture anything from birds to elk with this powerful net gun. Powered by a blank 308 military cartridge (supplied), it swiftly projects a net over your target animal. Ideal where you need to instantly immobilize an animal. May be used alone or in conjunction with chemical capture equipment. Supplied complete with two nets (sized to your requirements), two canisters, padded weights, advanced recoil system, tool kit, instructions, and 100 cartridges. Optional Carry Case recommended. The U.S. federal government classifies the CODA Net Gut as a "tool," not as a firearm.
If you can remember the 60's, you weren't really there.
Another useless doper disposed of!
That does sound like a possibility. (I'm glad someone else said it first.) The article says he was "acting erratically"; he "repeatedly charged" and "rushed in a threatening manner..." That sounds like he never made physical contact.
Maybe he intended to do harm. Or maybe not. Were there no other witnesses?
"Authorities said that the officer attempted to retreat several times in an attempt to defuse the situation but that the officer was left with no choice but to shoot when Collar made one final charge."
Bizarre. If that's the way it really went down, and I had to guess, I'd say meth or "bath salts" may have been a factor. PCP can sometimes cause that sort of behavior too, but I don't know if Dust is all that popular these days.
Sad story, either way.
Shooting him made it the final charge
Well, the lid did have a gun. ;-)
Other than that, I agree with you.
Call for backup...??
Pepper spray...
Flashlight upside the head....
There are many may many many....
...F'n MANYYYYYYY.....
....non-lethal options for a campus cop dealing with a drunk kid...
Horrible writing.
Idiot reporter alert. Starts out at the University of Alabama, ends up at USA, and no connection in the story between the two schools. It's clear that no editor saw the story, but you'd think the reporter would read back over it.
" I felt my life was threatened."
I'm fine with this, but only if EVERYONE can use this line while carrying a gun. Crime would very, very quickly drop to almost nothing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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About the Author: Athena Kwey is a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
On November 13, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing launched pages on KaixinWang and QQ, two leading social networking portals in China. Our collaboration with these sites uses local platforms in Chinese to communicate directly with the Chinese people. We hope that this outreach will facilitate our ability to share information and promote a dialogue at the grassroots level. The launch is part of our comprehensive new media effort to support President Obama's first visit to the region.
Our blog page on QQ will provide details about the President's events during his visit. In addition, we will share ground-level perspectives from embassy personnel as events unfold.
Our Kaixin page (similar to Facebook) will strike a more informal tone, catering to a core demographic of educated white collar workers. Our goal is to keep content fresh to meet the demands of a young Chinese audience accustomed to accessing meaningful information online. Following the visit, the embassy will continue to use these new outreach tools to connect with the Chinese online community and share both formal and informal sides of our Mission in China. KaixinWang and QQ reach a combined daily online audience in the hundreds of millions.
Follow the President's trip to Asia on WhiteHouse.gov.
Terry in Washington writes:
Dear Madam Secretary:
I have been a supporter of yours for many years, I am proud to say. I just read the nytimes article about your relationship with Pres. Karzai and i liked what the article said. thank you for mentioning the increased opportunity for women in the educational system in afganistan. thank you for your untiring effort to make this a better world. best wishes. terry dale.


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Moderator: Mike
EddieV wrote:My older brother went to US and New York in the summer of 2009. He told me that John Lennon is still a great hero in New York. It was shortly after the death of Michael Jackson, but JL was and is much bigger in NY, even though it nearly 30 years since he was killed? Is that true??
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