Totally agree with the appropriateness of reading body language and don't mean to down play its role, especially in comparison to the things they are saying. It would be interesting to see what a psychologist would say as they analyzed the debate with no sound, maybe in the form of a PIP block. Do there body language reflect confusion, confidence or defensive in fault? It would be much more interesting than that silly onscreen polling graph.

Posted at September 29, 2008 1:59 AM in response to MSM overlooks McCain's Obvious Gaffe

It might be cynical, but maybe the MSM have fallen for the exact trap that the general population has. We respond to one-liners or landing a knock out swipe.

It might be sad, but out of everything the most common negative judgment against McCain was his tone and body language. No one really cares about the difference between strategy and tactics. Everyone wanted Obama to pounce on this and other Iraq McCain weaknesses he opened up for attack. But no matter how much Obama reasoned his opposition, nothing would be taken away unless it would have been in the form of a zinger.

No matter that Obama, in his answers, proved that he is not naive. Unless he said something like, "You have repeatedly called me naive, in spite of my policies and illustrated understanding that proves your accusations as nothing more than name calling. I am a big boy and can handle it. But you also must think the American families and middle class are naive to think that four more years of Bush policies that you have followed almost to a T will be good for them - But I won't let them be misled by another disconnected Government Administration - you accuse me of being unknowledgeable - but they know who is to blame for their troubles today - I am standing up for their interests." That's a knock out, no matter if he can actually back it up.

Everyone is desperately waiting for someone to put their foot in their mouth, a gaffe, a gotcha. Supposedly, nothing sensational happened during the debate, although they debated on some of the largest issues today. The more a debater can speak in terms of value-laden, non-committal and accessible language, the more apt they are to "win." Everyone deems that talking "on-point" is essential. Well, you can't honestly or responsibly discuss international affairs and stay on-point.

Maybe it's ego, it's certainly economic, the source of their motives. MSM reports things that get play, ratings and has entertainment value. Commentary and punditry has outplayed news reporting.

Posted at September 28, 2008 1:40 AM in response to MSM overlooks McCain's Obvious Gaffe

With the understanding that political influence is not allowed by these types of groups, why is the obvious so overlooked.

In legal argument, what is considered more, effect or intent? I would assume it is the effect of someones action that is judged.

The freedom of speech is often raised as concern (one that the NYT uses to profit from this DVD's distribution - and what a sham). But even the freedom of speech can be limited because of certain effects it might have. The old yelling fire example is based on just that. Even if someone only intended yelling fire as a silly joke, if the effect is mayhem, it is restricted.

With the DVD's, the distributing company says it's intent is only to educate and reach the press, on its face this is certainly reasonable desires. But by the simple decision to market them to certain areas, the swing states, the effect (what ever it is) will be concentrated in areas defined by their political importance. Even if they profess that they don't intend this to effect the voting outcome, it would have a definite higher influence over the outcome of the election than say if they sent them to either solid Republican or Democratic leaning states.

Regardless of the effect, these dvd's have a higher chance to created an effect solely because of the political volatility of these states. The political effect will be considerably higher only because they chose to market them to a certain states.

For fear of losing even myself in this argument, I go back to the old yelling fire stand-by. Yelling fire in a theatre is a no-no, yelling fire while swimming in the middle of a lake is fine.

Posted at September 28, 2008 12:24 AM in response to Rightist Israeli Group To Flood US With 28 Million Hate Videos To Tip Election

Are you forgetting what Countrywide just went through just to do business again and how many thousands of people lost their job because of it? On top of it, in the link they look like they still might be offering the same risky loans that got them in trouble in the first place.

Go figure, credit companies issuing more credit to benefit in the short term in spite of the long term effects. If anything, we have just learned that the amount of business these guys do is certainly not an honest reflection on the health of the economy.

I am in agreement with the spotty reporting and the wrong people we are hearing from about the crisis. Unfortunately, I hope this panic atmosphere actually gets us to move on the bigger issues. Over three decades, net worth only raised for the top 5% while productivity was up, debt doubled, mortgage debt up 50% - more and more... One could raise issues of class warfare.

Posted at September 27, 2008 4:08 AM in response to NYT Gets It Wrong: Credit Has Not Frozen

I think I am sort of wrapping my head around all this stuff. Probably why I glazed over through 2 semester of Econ.

When it gets harder and more expensive to move money around, the bottom line health of these institutions falter. Not the whole problem, but indicative of a bad system which I think NM was getting at.

The economy is much more than the this theory. They don't behave independent of each other, and all together react sort of like a Mobius algebraic equation.

The ATM effect you raise probably would be the last thing you will see, but by then we will all be f***. Even if your ATM was tied to WaMu, you would still be able to withdraw money off of your account, but all those other things they do are stunted and the snowball gets bigger.

An example of this short term money moving stuff might be a city starting a large project, calling on these city funds, but now they are more expensive to access because of transfer fees (bank side. What cost the bank 1% in fees has risen to 5% and the effect eventually finds its way through the system. Or maybe they can't find anyone to transfer it to them and then the big guys have to step in.

Then again, I might be totally wrong.

Posted at September 27, 2008 3:09 AM in response to NYT Gets It Wrong: Credit Has Not Frozen

Isn't investment the same as credit? I understand the differences in the environment and expectations. I guess I shouldn't interchange them. What would be the complications if these Federal stimuli were, along with promises of accountability, etc., earmarked to certain types of investments with state side economic considerations? The Fed could say, "Look, we'll clean up some of your books only if you put these investment programs on your books." You get a cookie only if you give a cookie to economic beneficial areas.

Posted at September 27, 2008 1:15 AM in response to Today's Installment, In Which I Wax Economical

I agree that Jesus Camp is an eye opener and raises a definite concern. But I think the people we want to affect, the ones who hold these beliefs would find it just as offensive in intrusive as some do to Obsession.
These stunts, even in the name of education, usually just isolate and bunker the camps instead of creating effective dialogue. Diplomacy wins out in achieving real progress; compassion and understanding before pointing the finger.

Posted at September 27, 2008 12:54 AM in response to Obsession DVD Distributors: Would We Try To Influence Election? Never!

... if you have all the information living among a nation of idiots and don't share your wisdom without condemnation, what does that make you?

Posted at September 26, 2008 4:29 AM in response to Obsession DVD Distributors: Would We Try To Influence Election? Never!

So do you think a proposal like the Swedish example would address your concerns? If the economic effects of the crisis is the potential loss of credit, than that is what we need to make sure is available. That's what I have come to think is the only responsibility the Fed (us) has in protecting.
The Swedish plan looks like a good model to work from. Only after the banking institutions clean house can they come and ask for help. The Fed acted as an investor instead of just an insurer. Do you think this would help you as someone looking for credit as a business owner?

Posted at September 25, 2008 10:56 PM in response to Today's Installment, In Which I Wax Economical

Does anyone know if a donor to 501's can demand the full donor list?

If the Clarion Fund was only interested in education by reaching the ears of the press, mailings to NYC, DC or other widespread media outlets would be much more effective. Better yet, mail a copy to every reporter or editor to assure contact. Smarmy behavior. I can only see the face of Martin Short's Nathan Thurm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOLBQxk72NY
or more recently, the unrepentant, smiling face of Ahmadinejad during Larry King's interview.

Posted at September 25, 2008 10:09 PM in response to Obsession DVD Distributors: Would We Try To Influence Election? Never!