I started answering a question Eds asked (although it was probably rhetorical in nature) that ended up longer than I had planned, so I'm turning it into a blog.

I get it folks, the anger, the frustrating the wondering. I really get it, as least for the most part I get it but what I've been reading lately is close to mass hysteria, at least it seems that way. Either that or many of you really love flexing intellectual chops but it's troubling as hell. Things you write can influence others and not necessarily for good. I don't want to see all sunshine and lollipop blogs and I like reading things that make me think but dayum, why all the doom and gloom? If you're posting on TPM, you're doing rather well. Your lights are still on, you can actually get to the library or you have a job and access to a computer. (or access to a friend's computer whatever the case may be) I see people out here everyday that don't have ANY OF THAT!!!!

Anyway, this is my response/rant to Eds blog, " Nephronomics"


I don't know Eds, wait for the masses to pull him into the square and stone him to death?

What do you suggest he do? If you have a sure fire plan that you guarantee will work, I'll start the fundraiser now. I'll work my arse of to get you round trip fare to DC plus meals and hotels. I'll even run through the streets naked to get the Prez's attention so you can have face time in the Oval Office.

I'm not deliberately trying to be an arse but you and half of TPM are not the only people out here frustrated. You're also not the only ones walking around under some silly and misguided illusion the President and his admin know beyond a shadow of a effin doubt, what the hell they are doing. Hell but we believed in him when we voted for him and two months later, we believe in him now, doubts, warts and all.

If you didn't vote for him (and I don't need to know one way or the other) I can dig it. I'm not mad at you and appreciate where you're coming from but if you did vote for him, why? You're an intelligent man. You had to have heard what the man was saying for two years. What he was saying beyond the hope and change mantra.

Did you read his books, listen to his speeches, check out his record? What exactly has he done so far that has truly thrown you for a loop, the unexpected? How many times did he pull that off in two years?

Geithner doesn't impress me and neither does Summers but I have to believe there is a method to the madness. Why, because this is one of the most pragmatic, focused and caring politicians I have seen in years. He's motivated as hell and obviously doesn't like defeat. Do you really believe he would make decisions that would take his presidency, his country and its people down the tubes? Does he truly seem like a man that would allow his pride to go out like that?

I'm familiar with the saying the road to hell is paved with good intentions but President Obama has more than good intentions. He has a brain he uses and access to information I don't have. He offered transparency not a road map to every single detail and conversation that takes place in the Oval office or beyond.

There was a time I thought he was naive as all hell but he blew that theory out of the water time and time again.

I wish someone would PLEASE tell me what REALLY scares the living daylights out of you about this man and his judgment? He may get it wrong? Hell Bush Jr. did, Clinton did, Bush Sr. did and so did Reagan. SO.....?????

What's the worse that can happen, you have to stand in a soup line, live on the street? Wow, I'm shaking in my boots over that prospect. NOT! The truth is, I'm too busy living my life trying to stay afloat with what I have, to worry about what I may not  possibly have in the future.  

Fortunately there are those of us that don't believe it's going to come to that but if it does and we're still breathing, we'll survive. The question is, will the rest of you? I need to know. I need to make sure to stay away from tall buildings when people start jumping out of windows or barricade my doors before the riots come. I've seen what that can do. All folks managed to do was destroy sht, get hurt or killed and make their lives twice as miserable.

Ok, rant over and the bottom line, this is your life and you're free to handle it anyway you choose. I realize this and respect it (although I may disagree and rant over it) so whatever works for you, so be it. I'm just a squirrel in your world trying to get a nut.

P.S. Looks like someone has a little faith in the economy. One of the first rules of entertainment financing is never use you own money. Yet if this deal goes through, Spielberg is showing a hell of a set of balls agreeing to the terms of this loan. Go Spielberg, looks like not all wealthy people are bad although I'm sure someone will find a way to spin it.  Hell, he's worth billions and stands to make even more billions and that's bad cause we don't like rich folk , right? SNARK  WITH A :)

Spielberg article

P.S.S. hahahah This is turning into a good day.  Some of you may know, I love irony. While many are gathering the pitch folks to storm the White House, the financial execs are sweating bullets....hahahahahahaha

"Open for Questions" is a new experiment for WhiteHouse.gov, the President's latest effort to open up the White House and give Americans from around the country a direct line to the Administration.

Great idea, you can vote on questions that have been submitted or pose your own. Sign up here.

I love irony, it totally fascinates me and this morning I ran across an exceptional ironic article in the New York Times.

States Look at Tobacco to Balance the Budget

By SHAILA DEWAN

Published: March 20, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/us/21tobacco.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

I am a smoker, one of those really bad, selfish creatures who pollute the atmosphere (as well as my lungs) with nicotine and second hand smoke.

Many can chime in to tell me how horrific smoking is and let me be clear, very little (if anything) you can say, I will disagree with.

However now it seems, the smokers of this country may be your salvation in some small way because many States are considering or in the case of my State, has already increased tax on cigarettes.

So smokers stand tall, be proud, you're giving the ultimate sacrifice (your life) to your State and subsequently your country. Non smokers hold your nose and hug a smoker today. The State budget they may help to balance, could be yours.

I saw this in the comment section of Huffington Post. It was in response to an article on Charles Freeman withdrawing his name for consideration as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council.

"Can America have a foreign policy vis a vis Israel which is not dictated by Israel? Is it possible that Obama is not free to make any change in at least three areas: the escalation in Afghanistan; the funneling of our wealth into failed banks; the altering of America's policy toward Israel? It's been said that JFK made the mistake of thinking he was President; is it possible that in the euphoria of Bush's departure, we've forgotten that he was never President? Who holds the power in America? Who has the dominant hand with regard to our Israeli policy, us or Israel? Why?"

Full article here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/10/chas-freeman-out-intel-ch_n_173645.html

My answer is, WE own the power in this country but my question , what are we going to do to own it, claim it, embrace it and help our president execute our will? This isn't a rhetorical question, I'm really asking, what are we going to do?