Morning Must Reads: Fees

How about some attention for the ramifications of the Republican filibuster in the Senate. While they demanded extended tax cuts for the rich and refused to anything until they got it other people whose lives literally depend on other legislation were left waiting.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-december-16-2010/9-11-first-responders-react-to-the-senate-filibuster

Remember the question after Election Day: Can Obama move to the center to win back the independents who had abandoned the party in November? And if so, how long would it take? Answer: Five weeks. An indoor record, although an asterisk should denote that he had help – Republicans clearing his path and sprinkling it with rose petals.

This guy.

*pause*

This guy here…

*shakes head*

This guy’s picture is in the dictionary next to either the word “idiot” or “liar” and I’m not sure which.

-_- *sigh*

What did I miss?

One more take on how Orszag’s move to Citigroup is symbolic of “Everything Wrong With This Town”.

“This flurry of testimonials to Orszag’s infallible moral compass caused me to wonder if his defection to Wall Street symbolized a much larger phenomenon, not so much about the intractable corruption of government Fallows seems hung up on but a related “This is what passes for [blank] in Washington” problem. By which I mean, perhaps the problem with Washington is that passes for “honest” in Washington is a guy who left the Administration, according to a senior White House official quoted anonymously in the book Revival, because “he was worried about deficits and felt we weren’t pushing hard enough,” whose very first public statement upon leaving the White House was a New York Times column calling for the government to waste hundreds of billions of dollars extending the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy.[...]

…the Orszag-Citigroup saga is a story (perhaps like that of his current engagement) of two parties that surely deserve one another, at least inasmuch as anyone ‘deserves’ anything in Washington, where what passes for ‘brilliant’ are men like Orszag, Rubin and Larry Summers, who have all done their part to create and preserve a system that bestows its greatest rewards on the entrenched, moneyed and persistently myocpic individuals and institutions that deserve them least.”

A photo essay on the book tour BrokeBeck mounted.

“There is no question that Glenn Beck’s occupation of Wilmington for a day swirled some money around and some reached local businesses that need it badly. In Beck’s vision, Americans in struggling communities like Wilmington will save themselves by shopping. But when the only things for sale are meager and the only money to buy them came from selling goods and services equally meager, then the only one who ends up being anything but broke is Beck himself. There is something disconcerting about a book called ‘Broke’ being aggressively sold to people who are, by a writer who isn’t.[...]

Wilmington is a traditional small town — conservative in culture, moderate in politics, deeply religious — going through hard times. Its people were happy to host Glenn Beck, as they would have any celebrity or public figure. But if his ideology were implemented, the 16% of people unemployed, almost twice the national average, would lose all unemployment insurance, Medicaid, food stamps, and assistance to public schools. And that wouldn’t just be ‘conservative,’ it would be brutal, and madness.”

The NYT rolls out a great interactive widget…

“Mapping America: Every City, Every Block

Browse local data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, based on samples from 2005 to 2009. Because these figures are based on samples, they are subject to a margin of error, particularly in places with a low population, and are best regarded as estimates.”

…which is immediately put to good use.

“Following up on my post yesterday about the wealthy celebrity Villagers’ misapprehension of their Real American bona fides, here are a couple of very interesting maps[...]

…you will see that average Americans are living very differently than the beltway celebrity millionaires and realistically are as likely to just ‘go out and get some of that wealth’ (as Roger Simon says they should do) as they are to become an Olympic swimmer or a ballerina. Sure, it’s possible, but unless you are a really, really great athlete, constructing your future around it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Many of the wealthy in this country continue to see themselves as extra hard-working Joes and Janes who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. (And in fairness some did, although I’ve noticed that an awful lot of them tend to discount the connections that helped them.) But none are more convinced than the political class, especially the elite punditocracy, which refuses to even acknowledge that they aren’t average today and covers itself in the mantle of the great American middle class as it prescribes the need for the ‘shared sacrifice’ of cutting government programs and the social safety net.”

“GOP leadership FAIL”, or, “Maybe trying to exorcise the demon oil from the sea would have worked better, Bobby”.

“Some have even charged that the plan was nothing more than a multi-million dollar kickback for the governor’s supporters. ‘The only reason those sand berms are still being built is because Bobby Jindal has supporters he needs to pay back,’ a current Louisiana officeholder, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing dealings with the Jindal administration, told Yahoo News back in October. ‘It’s that simple … follow the money. The people making money off this thing are people that gave money to Jindal.’

As one might expect, the Jindal camp took vigorous issue with that complaint — as well as the more general broadsides from the scientific community pointing out the inefficiency of the berms as a means of containing damage from the enormous spill. Now, however, the independent commission appointed by President Obama to investigate the oil spill has chimed in as well. Its verdict is, if anything, more harsh than the assessment offered by earlier critics: In the report the commission’s members released today, they concluded the berm project was a total bust that succeeded in capturing virtually no oil.

In emphatic language, the bi-partisan commission announced that it can ‘comfortably conclude that the decision to green-light the underwhelmingly effective, overwhelmingly expensive Louisiana berms project was flawed.’

Take the simple question of oil containment. ‘Estimates vary, and no precise figures are available,’ the report notes. ‘But no estimates of how much oil the berms captured are much greater than 1,000 total barrels. In comparison, according to peer-reviewed government estimates released in November, burning, skimming, and chemical dispersion addressed a total of between 890,000 and 1.85 million barrels spilled from the Macondo well.’”

Two excellent links providing a bit of insight into the left’s disaffection with Obama (and politicians in general):

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/bernie-sanders-puts-barack-obama-to-shame-20101215

“I can live with the president fighting for something and failing; what I can’t stand is a politician who changes his mind for the sake of expediency and then pretends that was what he believed all along. You just can’t imagine someone like Sanders doing something like that; his MO instead would be to take his best shot for what he actually believes and let the chips fall where they may, budging a little maybe to get a worthwhile deal done but never turning his entire face inside out just to get through the day.

This idea that you can’t be an honest man and a Washington politician is a myth, a crock made up by sellouts and careerist hacks who don’t stand for anything and are impatient with people who do. It’s possible to do this job with honor and dignity. It’s just that most of our politicians – our president included, apparently – would rather not bother.”

And…
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http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/obama-american-people-2010
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“From the start, the Obama presidency has been based on the notion that holding the previous administration responsible for its crimes and neglect was somehow so divisive and destructive that ‘the American people’ might find themselves fainting over it. Now, in the aftermath of the midterm elections, the president is staking what’s left of his mandate on the notion that ‘the American people’ want him to work together with the collection of Confederate reprobates in the other party who will soon be strengthened by a new Congress full of people who are crazier than they are, and that serious arguments based on the principles he espoused during the campaign are now the province of ‘purists’ who are getting in the way of ‘the American people,’ who need to be taken care of through whatever half-measures he can rustle up before the clown car pulls up to the Capitol in January.

“You can’t handle the truth” is also the raison d’etre of the new “No Labels” civility movement, a gathering of New York limousine centrists like New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and MSNBC morning guy Joe Scarborough, who made his bones in Congress as one of the more wild-eyed Impeachers during the days in which everyone was in pursuit of Bill Clinton’s wayward johnson. There was no torch brighter, no pitchfork shinier than Joe’s, who now is backtracking on that as he remains severely distressed by our terribly divisive political culture.

Yeah, right. And it probably was the driving dynamic behind that completely bizarre appearance by Bill Clinton himself, briefly reprising his former role as president of the United States, explaining that, basically, there’s an overwhelming national consensus in favor of walking softly around lunatics so as not to disturb everyone’s nap.”

Try this link instead:
..
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/daskrapital/2010/12/16/peter-orszag-everything-wrong-with-this-town-comes-back-to-how-much-this-guy-got-laid-here/

And I could go on. I could make a remark about how this just means that CongressCritters will start petitioning the agencies directly for their pork requirements and will allow Obama to sweeten legislative dealmaking out of the public’s eye.

Or point you to Krugman’s column or blog. Or any number of things that are current events and opinions of interest (to me), like Pearlstein’s “Republicans and tax cuts? Now that’s rich.” column or the GM stock buyback.

But it’s getting harder to see the point in doing so here.

Perfect, thanks for saving the comment.

So, with that, here’s dessert…[which isn't all that serious].

There is a point, grape_crush. Many of us really look forward to the nuggets you find. In spite of the discouraging tone in 7 and 7.1, with which I agree, we need to stay aware and you very much help with that.

Grape,
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You’re very informative.
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Please, keep it up.
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As you know, I usually respond the most if I disagree with somebody. Between that and being a little busy with work (self employed on a 9 to 5 -like job and busy at noon? who would have thunk it) and the fact that I like what you are posting, take my silence as applause.

I, for one, am a fan of your input and hope you keep coming back.

But it’s getting harder to see the point in doing so here.

Anticipating a lump of coal from Santa are you? I have to agree with Ivy, there is a point, Many of us read and enjoy the links to which you point and, although we don’t often say (post) it, we appreciate it. Perhaps we’ve misconstrued your statement but either way, thanks for the links and the effort.

Keep the light shining, Grapester. I have taken to reading your daily contributions as if you’re one of the bloggers, and you do an exceptional job of rounding up and conveying useful and important information.
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If your goal is to change the world, fuggedaboudit. But if you’re just trying to make the world a little less benighted, you’re a roaring success. Please don’t stop.

If it wasn’t for the news that Joe Lieberman might lose, it would be a completely depressing day. The Left really needs to find a new home, so they won’t have to stay home.

I’m with Sorensen.
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You’re an unbelievably productive contributor.
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Whatever our problems, however giant they are, you personally are making things better through your efforts.
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Thank you so much for doing what you do, grape_crush.
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I hope that you understand that you are genuinely valued.

I appreciate that, Ivy.
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In spite of the discouraging tone in 7 and 7.1
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It’s not about that; I’m more about the policy and less about the politician…I just think that the effort spent in finding and posting this stuff isn’t generating the type of debate I was hoping for.
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Anyway, lest freeper starts to panic that one of his stalking targets is getting away from him, none of this means I’m disappearing.

Jesus, this isn’t some pathetic cry for attention or some statement of disillusionment with whatever.
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I mean, thanks – a very sincere thanks – for the expressions of support…but, frankly, I’m kind of bored and I’m not up to being the arsehole that’s needed to liven things up.

“Jesus is a liberal democrat”
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http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/368914/december-16-2010/jesus-is-a-liberal-democrat
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“Jesus hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes. No good conservative would be caught dead with tax collectors.”

grape, I too which to express appreciation for your contributions. I don’t normally post on the Must Read posts because it is so broad and spread out, but more commonly, I actually view the links at least to see if I want to read it further. In fact, this thread at #8 developed while I was reading in places you sent me. Today, I will say that the photo essay (#4), and comment thread about Beck’s visit to Wilmington was especially insightful, interesting, moving.
Thanks very much for your input here.

grape, at least for me one of the problems trying to comment is there are so many to read that I can’t focus on a particular comment and go on to the rest.
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I understand what you mean about wanting to inspire more discussion. Perhaps it would be easier on you to post a couple of plums and see if we might discuss more. Few of the Morning Reads seem to inspire discussion either – or if one is discussed, the others seem to disappear even though they might be equally interesting.

You must be confused because, as far as I was aware the world started with the signing of the constitution. Sure there are myths about a the “battle of independence,” but everyone really nows history started with this great country, the center of everything, the birth place of democracy, and the epoch of inalienable rights; those are things you can’t take away from me (inalienable) with out tearing a rift in the space-time continuum. I’m serious, don’t you dare try to make me sad. And there’s a reason they are called “rights” we are a RIGHT nation!

I think one of many things we appreciate about you, grape, is that you are most decidedly not an arsehole, but rather someone who opens up a whole panoply of issues that the Time staff overlooks. As someone who has neither the time nor the skills to link like you do, I totally appreciate your contributions to the chaos.

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I do think that perhaps I and others respond too much to the “troll bait” rather than have the more constructive conversations that a forum such as this should make possible. It should be noted that, as bad as Swampland can be, and sometimes it can be pretty terrible, there are a lot of other forums that are significantly worse (a brief visit to some of the “red state” blogs can really give you the heebeejeebees). Perhaps, as a resolution for 2011, we can aspire to feed the trolls a little less and reward our better contributors (of which you are possibly the best of all) a little more.

grape, please keep posting your links. I like to comment now and then and esp. want to see the reporters reply back to us (busy work load aside, I think they simply hate us). I haven’t been current with morning reads as much lately – either asleep or work hours erratic – and they’re often hijacked by rusty and esp. free “man of his word” in pa, thus not worth joining in. Have you been emailing Adam directly for him to include your links in his post? I have a few times but not recently.
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Your links yesterday about mortgage issues, “show me the note”, and bankers’ retaliations would make a HUGE story if the reporters would check it out. This issue has major political dimensions and not just financial. It may be the next Big Thing in the mortgage mess (besides potential of banks forced to buy back notes) so I can see teammates like Sorensen, Pickert, and Steinmetz covering this, if only….

Unless I have something to add, disagree with, or question I generally don’t comment, but I do generally read every segment you post, almost every day.
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I understand I am not always a level headed contributor here, but even so, I do appreciate those that are: you, stuart, james, ivy, and even those that are a little more colorful.
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i would never ask you to continue something you don’t enjoy doing. But I would like to let you know it is meaningful and interesting work that you have done. Thank you.

Grape, I am an extremely busy person. Most days it is hard for me to read the blogs much less find the time to respond. Your contributions to the topics are always insightful and meaningful and when I have time to link to your sources, they always increase my knowledge. I don’t have time to find these gems on my own so I’m sure glad you are there doing it for me.
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Please keep it up.

grape_crush: what erieangel said. For those of us working stiffs, your daily picks are a godsend. And in general, I have learned a lot from most daily contributors. As for the others, that’s why God invented the little wheel on the mousie.
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I know you were not looking for praise with your comments, but never doubt that what you do here has value. While, like others, I don’t always have time to contribute as much as I would like, I often use info you provide to deal with the trolls I encounter in my everyday life. So the ripples extend further than this particular pond. Thanks so much for what you do.

9/11 First Responders React to Senate Filibuster
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http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-december-16-2010/9-11-first-responders-react-to-the-senate-filibuster

I have an idea, why not create your own grapey-crush / Drudge Report for libtarded nutjobs.
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I’ll take 10% of the profits for the idea, thanks.

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