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Finding my MoJo: Burris & Franken and Tax Cuts, Oh My
First, I'm pleased with the Panetta appointment for 2 reasons - one, Panetta doesn't have the stink of torture and illegal surveillance on him like so many others, and secondly, a rebuke to Feinstein and Rockefeller for accomodating Bush on FISA et al. is a long time coming. So score 1 point of happiness in my Winter of Discontent. (And yeah, there may be times when a career professional is important at intelligence, but after 8 years of goofiness, the exceptional applies).
So Fitz has now been given a 3-month extension to get around to indicting Blago. And Reid will deny Burris entry because Fitz might actually indict Blago by April. Also denying Illinois Democrats a voice in the Senate for 3 very important months. (How many trillions will be spent in that time? How many important decisions made to bring about "Change"?)
And Reid will deny Franken his seat because Coleman wants to appeal. When's the end to that scenario? Will Reid let Coleman stall for a review by the US Supreme Court? That'd be a fine precedent.
And now I'm waiting for my $1000 payoff check to keep me passive in the face of massive tax cuts for business. How 2001. Do you think Bush advised Obama on how to get distasteful legislation past reluctant Democrats? 40% of the stimulus package.
Weird times ahead. Unluck Quinn, I'm stuck in the Bush years and I can't get out. And somewhere I lost my MoJo. Is Austin Powers in the House?
So Fitz has now been given a 3-month extension to get around to indicting Blago. And Reid will deny Burris entry because Fitz might actually indict Blago by April. Also denying Illinois Democrats a voice in the Senate for 3 very important months. (How many trillions will be spent in that time? How many important decisions made to bring about "Change"?)
And Reid will deny Franken his seat because Coleman wants to appeal. When's the end to that scenario? Will Reid let Coleman stall for a review by the US Supreme Court? That'd be a fine precedent.
And now I'm waiting for my $1000 payoff check to keep me passive in the face of massive tax cuts for business. How 2001. Do you think Bush advised Obama on how to get distasteful legislation past reluctant Democrats? 40% of the stimulus package.
Weird times ahead. Unluck Quinn, I'm stuck in the Bush years and I can't get out. And somewhere I lost my MoJo. Is Austin Powers in the House?
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Hey Desidero! Don't despair. Simply repeat after me. (Hang onto your hat!)
Like you, I'm not too concerned about a non-spook in charge of the CIA - especially given the agency's record these last number of years. I actually feel a bit more comfortable knowing that there is going to be a competent person in charge who isn't all wrapped up in the mind-set that has allowed this agency to be run over by the Cheneys and Feiths, et. al. Methinks (hopefully!) that this is a sign that Obama knows exactly what he's doing, right down to passing along a bit of a shot to Feinstein and the rest of the Dem leadership for reasons you outline.
Good post, and definitely rec'd.
January 6, 2009 5:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
We're all gonna be stuck in the Bush years long after his his term of office expires unfortunately. Austin, where are you?
January 6, 2009 6:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
So that's what this is. (Pokes ay Mojo with a stick.)
January 6, 2009 8:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I figure Obama's got some good reasons for doing the tax cuts, mostly political, but partly logistical. Politically, if he can in any way fracture the Republican voting bloc and Congressional support, through this and other means, then it just means a whole series of pieces get through more easily. Logistically, there is a real question of how much money you can shove out into the economy through existing pipes. Infrastructure, for instance, has serious lead times and delivery constraints, and just isn't going to be able to put enough stimulus, or enough jobs, on the table within the next 12 months. And as the Keynesians are saying, right now, you pretty much want ANY means to move some money into circulation, even given away in bottles.
This first wave is going to be about taking action across a series of issues, and building political force. But I suspect - after a likely wave of initial enthusiasm - it won't accomplish what we all hope. Which is going to leave Obama in May-July needing to move into more radical measures. And at that point, political support is going to be make or break.
Which doesn't help with the case of the Missing Mojo. Could be you're a happy member of the Dog's Eye View Club.
January 6, 2009 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my, John Cougar Mellencamp with a buzzcut. Wherever my MoJo it is, it's squealing like Miguelito when they come to take his cojonitos.
January 6, 2009 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dude! It's not necessary to shed blood just because your mojito is missing in action....
January 6, 2009 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm, I'll take the mint mojitos. Those onions looked like they were in pain.
January 6, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
And "Elephant garlic"? What's that code for?
January 6, 2009 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh right... you and your cross dressing smiley shroom cloud avatar would have code names for despicable acts described as vegetables. Here in America's heartland, a vegetable is still a vegetable.
January 6, 2009 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The paprika is an owl."
Ok, someone here is stoned. That Japanese dude, for starters.
"Moreover, when musical instruments can be done, I introduces it.'
Views: 497,957.
January 6, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a cultural thang.. need I remind you?
January 6, 2009 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty catchy. I bet it goes over well at the Sadie Hawkins gourd carving table. Just trying to get some Homeland Security street cred going before they take me away as an Eastasia mole. (Yep, the cloud, hungover grudge from 60 years back). Lessee, I love bas-u-bo-ru and wis-kee. (Have to admire a culture that sells fifths of Johnny Walker in a street vending machine)
January 7, 2009 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Uh... wasn't Obama a part of that "et al."?
January 6, 2009 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Shhhh...Shhhhh!!!! How'd you get in here? Quick, out the back before they see you. Shhhhh!!!!!
January 6, 2009 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
;^}
January 6, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The bill is probably five hundred pages long and I have not had a chance to read it yet.
My PC is not responding very well or I would bore you further.
January 6, 2009 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I like the choice of Panetta too, but dislike the going over the head of Diane Feinstein (even though I'm no Feinstein fan). Does this mean Obama will be running ramshod over Congress in a GWBish Whatever, I do what I want way?
And I totally don't get denying Burris the Senate seat and playing out this drama any longer. We are fighting democrats and caving to Republicans on tax cuts? Oy vey.
January 6, 2009 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Again, I think Feinstein deserves some disrespect in her role. However, after Obama's cave on FISA, it's hard to see him as the one to do it.
January 6, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama "caved" on a single vote. IMO, Obama just made that vote largely irrelevant by selecting someone who rejects the whole secret-wiretapping concept.
Feinstein has been involved every step of the way(on more than just FISA). I love the fact that Obama DID consult with other members of the panel ... who are vocally supporting Panetta. If (as I suspect) Feinstein painted Obama into a corner on that vote, this is delicious payback - the policy is effectively reversed and she looks like an impotent ass.
January 6, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holder is no reassuring pick either. Panetta is the first decent choice in this area. Let's hope it trumps all others.
January 6, 2009 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Panetta would be part of the executive and Obama has every right to appoint whomever he wants. DiFi and Rocky have the privilege of voting against him, but there is absolutely no reason why Obama should consult with the Congress about his staff choices unless he wants to.
January 6, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, and you'd be arguing the same if it was GWB? I honestly don't recall GWB failing to give a heads up to the chairman of the committee of a nomination even if he didn't "consult" but rather just informed them. If you want to change the tone in Washington for more comity, how about starting by respecting people within your own party (even the ones I am not fans of)? And Biden has acknowledged the Transition team's mistake in not even advising Feinstein. Obama called to smooth over feathers. This was poorly handled.
January 6, 2009 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reid is a nightmare.
January 6, 2009 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is just some dude taking over a crappy situation ... and running congress has always been a total clusterfuck akin to herding cats. The election wasn't a magic wand. Don't let the process get you down. :-)
Are we better off now than if McCain had won and the GOP had reclaimed a majority? That is a huge YES in my mind.
January 6, 2009 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Audacity of Lowered Expectations?
January 6, 2009 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a cynic (or as we like to call ourselves, a realist) - so in my world that actually represents an increase in expectations.
BTW: I'm not too happy about Holder either.
January 6, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
might actually indict Blago
And if he did so the fuck what? The Illinois legislature was supposed to meet the day after the tape of Blogo doing his John Gotti imitation came out, impeach him in the morning, and convict in the afternoon.
Other than that, he is the governor, *indicted or not. End of story. Seat Burris, (Who is a true horse's ass, and a living cry to Jesus for a special election.)
(disclaimer:maybe there's some disabling statute, but I'd bet otherwise.)
January 6, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I personally think they're all disabled. And the selective spine in the name of virtue is continually irritating.
January 6, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just get it over with already and seat Franken and Burris. Let's face it. Blago punked us one last time. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, the Illinois legislature can, if they wish, bring our agony to a close with a special election. The appointment is merely to the next election, it doesn't specifically state that election has to be the next national election.
January 6, 2009 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reid has got to go. He should have seated Burris and hoped Obama would talk to him after a governor takes over in Illinois. He should not have rolled over on the Franken/Coleman selection. We need to move forward without Coleman, make him irrelevant, then he will go away.
January 6, 2009 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Governor Blagojevich's power should have been under suspension.
His license to appoint should have been suspended, the moment he was charged and arrested. For being drunk with power.
When the matter of his suspension was cleared up, his rights would then be restored
Illinois’s has a law designating a standin, if the Governor for any reason was incapacitated to perform his duties.
It’s not as though Illinois had no contingency plan.
January 6, 2009 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
If being suspect of being corrupt were a crime, Illinois would have its legislature in permanent deep-freeze. As would Texas, Alaska, New Jersey, et al.
January 7, 2009 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my Great Orange Sweetpea, I'm so sorry that you are having a Winter of Discontent.
Seriously though, I do hope you come unstuck from the last 8 decrepit Bush/Cheney years. I hope that Bush and Cheney will live next door to each other for the next 20 years in Dallas, TX. I hope WY will put up a Keep Cheney OUT sign on all their Welcome to Wyoming signs. 'Tis too beautiful a state to house a turd like him.
I hope you find your mojo sooon. ;)
January 7, 2009 2:26 AM | Reply | Permalink