Good morning Elliot. I regret I will have to miss the talking heads tis morning as I am going to watch my grass starting to grow.

Totally OT Jane was in The Guardian this morning.

One, the influential Jane Hamsher of the blog Firedoglake, even said the Justice Department should investigate him.

OK back to snow melting and grass growing.

Ever since deregulation caused a worldwide economic meltdown in September ’08 and everyone became a Keynesian again, it hasn’t been easy to be a fanatical fan of the late economist Milton Friedman. So widely discredited is his brand of free-market fundamentalism that his followers have become increasingly desperate to claim ideological victories, however far-fetched.

A particularly distasteful case in point. Just two days after Chile was struck by a devastating earthquake, Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens informed his readers that Milton Friedman’s “spirit was surely hovering protectively over Chile” because, “thanks largely to him, the country has endured a tragedy that elsewhere would have been an apocalypse…. It’s not by chance that Chileans were living in houses of brick — and Haitians in houses of straw — when the wolf arrived to try to blow them down.”

According to Stephens, the radical free-market policies prescribed to Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet by Milton Friedman and his infamous “Chicago Boys” are the reason Chile is a prosperous nation with “some of the world’s strictest building codes.”

There is one rather large problem with this theory: Chile’s modern seismic building code, drafted to resist earthquakes, was adopted in 1972. That year is enormously significant because it was one year before Pinochet seized power in a bloody U.S-backed coup. That means that if one person deserves credit for the law, it is not Friedman, or Pinochet, but Salvador Allende,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-klein/chiles-socialist-rebar_b_484143.html

My bold Yes Lefties Rule! besides Brick is rigid it does not give which is bad in an earthquake. A flexible foundation is needed. and actually wood and straw give.
Straw does not hurt as much if it falls on you.

Anonymous sources reported that Michelle Obama had been furious at the Milbank column. “A knife in Obama’s back?” thundered a headline in the Los Angeles Times.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/07/war-rahm-emanuel-barack-obama

Michelle is angry this sounds promising.

Emanuel’s supporters hail him as a master of the political dark arts who gets things done

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/07/war-rahm-emanuel-barack-obama

Outside of NAFTA which Rahm’s defenders never mention because it politically toxic just what has Rahm ever accomplished?

David Broder, used his column to attack Milbank and his fellow reporters. Broder called the pro-Rahm argument a “remarkable fiction” and was withering in his critique of his paper’s reporting.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/07/war-rahm-emanuel-barack-obama

Rahm lost Broder even Bush never lost Broder. Its official its not only Crazy Lefties who want Rahm out. The *cough* Dean of the WH Press corp has spoken.

So ABC’s This Week is having Torie Clarke on.

Well, I guess this is one way to demonstrate your stupidity to the public for all to see. Having someone on who was brainless enough to put out a book titled “Lipstick on a Pig: Winning in the No-Spin Era” describing how we live in an era where politicians don’t spin the public is about par for the course in the parallel universe the major media outlets inhabit.

And some people wonder how people were convinced Americans would be greeted with flowers as liberators…

Has there ever been any Sunday show where the Real Dems out number the GOPers?

Maybe Sunday Talking heads could have a Commentor poll about how many GOPers vs Moderates vs Lefites vs Fake Liberals are on any show. The Media is Left??? Not according to Lefties.

Ever since deregulation caused a worldwide economic meltdown in September ‘08 and everyone became a Keynesian again, it hasn’t been easy to be a fanatical fan of the late economist Milton Friedman.

Not to worry. The boys at the University of Chicago have mathematically proven that the economic implosion didn’t occur. Apparently, it was all Bill Clinton’s fault.

In order to avoid the likes of George Will from calling Obama Left and discrediting us we need to control our brand name.
Its scary that the Left has to run from Obama. Rahm has gotten what he wanted our ideas are ignored so guess what to protect our Rep we have to decide who is and is not a Real Lefty.
Rahm won and now he is trying to blame us saying he wasn’t listened too? Only the Washington Cocktail Weenie set believe that our ideas on every topic are on the Net we have been ignored.
Rahm’s brother guided Obama on healthcare not us the jerk can’t run from his failure.

WASHINGTON–While the Obama White House is searching for a replacement for health czar Tom Daschle, policy work on health care reform–a priority for the administration–Is ongoing with one key advisor especially well connected.

The brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a noted bioethicist, is advising the Obama administration on health care reform.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/02/dr_ezekiel_emanuel_rahms_broth.html

I thought all the Chicago School boys were calling themselves Ron Paul Austrian School economists now because Chicago School Economics is even more toxic than Rahm.

Not to worry. The boys at the University of Chicago have mathematically proven that the economic implosion didn’t occur. Apparently, it was all Bill Clinton’s fault.

This from the same guys who created the Math models for Karl Rove proving the GOP would win? This from the same guys who told the banks that a nation wide real estate slump was impossible which lead to the Bank Bailout?
This from the guys who created the Credit Default Swap Maket/Ponzai scheme?
When ever these guys talk about money I run the other way.

Methodology

Austrian economists reject empirical, statistical methods and artificially constructed experiments as tools applicable to economics, saying that while it is appropriate in the natural sciences where factors can be isolated in laboratory conditions, the actions of human beings are too complex for this treatment. Instead one should isolate the logical processes of human action. Von Mises called this discipline “praxeology” – a term he adapted from Alfred Espinas (but which had been in use by others).[30]
The Austrian praxeological method is based on the heavy use of logical deduction from what they assert to be self-evident axioms or undeniable facts about human existence. The primary axiom from which Austrian economists deduce further certain conclusions is the action axiom which holds that humans take conscious action toward chosen goals.[31] The axiom is related to other axioms such as existence, identity, consciousness, and free-will.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] Austrian economists recognize this but focus on action and say that it is undeniable because in order to deny action, one would have to employ action in the act of denial.
Methodology is the one area where Austrian economists differ most significantly from other schools of economic thought. Mainstream schools such as the neoclassical economists, the Chicago school of economics, the Keynesians and New Keynesians, adopt mathematical and statistical methods, and focus on induction to construct and test theories; while Austrian economists reject this approach in favor of deduction and logically deduced inferences. Austrian economists stress deduction because deduction, if performed correctly, leads to certain conclusions and inferences that must be true. Though Austrian economists do not discount induction, they hold that it does not assure certainty like deduction. Mainstream economists hold that conclusions that can be reached by pure logical deduction are limited and weak.[32]
Critics of the Austrian school contend that by rejecting mathematics and econometrics, it has failed to contribute significantly to modern economics. Additionally, they contend that its methods currently consist of post-hoc analysis and do not generate testable implications; therefore, they fail the test of falsifiability.[5] Austrian economists contend that testability in economics is virtually impossible since it relies on human actors who cannot be placed in a lab setting without altering their would-be actions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_School

My bold Statistical methods and experiments can’t work on humans? If this is so then every social science is invalid.

Instead one should isolate the logical processes of human action.

The Austrian praxeological method is based on the heavy use of logical deduction from what they assert to be self-evident axioms or undeniable facts about human existence

Its funny how even with the best Philosophers logic gets bent self evident tends to conform to the bias of the person making the observation.
Especially when Stats and Experiments do not confirm never mind real world experience.
The Paulites view on healthcare Free Markets rule! is a great example of this.
We got decades worth of Real World experience of America’s Free Market Private insurance vs France, Japan Germany the Nordic countries etc who have National Healthcare.
In the Real World not the self-evident logical axioms of Austrian Economics decades of higher costs and shorter life spans higher infant mortality rates confirm that Free Markets deliver worse healthcare at higher costs.
Now before the GOP and the Tea Baggers gets all racist and complain about America’s racial diversity bringing down our healthcare numbers compared to Europe and Japan lets remember Asians and Hispanics live longer than Whites.

I

n the United States, Hispanics, despite their socio-economic hurdles, on average live longer than blacks by seven years, and whites by five years, says Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, a professor of medicine at UCLA.

“There’s something about being Latino that is good for their health,” Hayes-Bautista told HispanicBusiness.com, adding wryly: “Just think if we had access to health care.

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/editors_picks/2009/7/7/the_hispanic_paradox_us_hispanics_live.htm

My Bold the Paulites who hate immigration should consider what the average American life span and infant mortality rate would be without us. They should REALLY reconsider their position on healthcare.
The healthcare debate would look way worse compared to other countries without us.
When ever a science won’t confirm its truth with Stats and Experiments it becomes Religion based on Faith.
When a religion ignores or rewrites historical truth it stops being Religion and becomes Orwell:)
It should be noted that Hispanics a mix of White, Indian and African American in some mix of one or all three are the most racially diverse group. We have very low health insurance rates but given our lifespan racial diversity has obvious benefits:)

morning, all, and thanks Elliott, for all your work. Slept in this a.m., since my internet was out (the whole town, too) and I couldn’t do a post yesterday, so did it early this morning. Very early.

Friedman gets credit for Chile because they privatized social security. what this totally ignores is that most of the economy is off the table, underground economy predominates. http://countrystudies.us/chile/45.htm

Also, the banks are regulated and there was little participation in our western meltdown.

Tom Delay on CNN. I thought that asshole melted in his own version of The Wizard of Odd. What are you trying to do, Candy? Out do Tweety on having that piece of crap on to give his opinion on absolute bullshit.

As for me, this morning. I’ll be enjoying brunch at The Driftwood by the ocean with sane and intelligent people. Yes, Wanda. There are still some progressives left in this part of Florida.

That’s a good article, and it does seem like Jane is becoming more influential. She’s been on the news quite a bit lately.

I think Rahm and Obama have been reading too much Machiavelli. They’re bringing down the Democratic Party. Maybe it will be reborn as a true progressive party, or a third party will emerge in its place.

I know, I’m an optimist.

That DeLay was ignored by the decimated and disempowred Ethics committee is one of the right wing’s great crimes. Are you near Ormond Beach? I visited with friends there in Dec.

Has there ever been any Sunday show where the Real Dems out number the GOPers?

No. This has been another installment of short answers to… Off to investigate the NYT.

Tom Delay on TV we should play count the lies he tells. Then we should count the number of times Candy confronts him when he lies. Extra points if we catch the lie and get a link proving Tom is wrong in under 5 minutes.
We could do this quite easily with every Sunday show. And the networks and newspapers wonder why nobody reads, watches the news anymore.

Nice. Did you see The Daily Show, having great fun with Todd Akin on the floor of congress saying we have to appeal to his god to spare us from socialism – which is what the right calls christian values.

I think Rahm and Obama have been reading too much Machiavelli.

I think they read it Upside down and Backwards Machiavelli got stuff done unlike Rahm who given his brother’s involvement we know is behind Obamacare which has gone nowhere. Has it been a year yet of Obama trying to pass healthcare?
Outside of NAFTA what has Rahm ever done?
Obama got elected Senator in Illinois with luck his GOP opponent made his wife cry by taking her to a sex club. She was actress Jerri Ryan 7 of 9 the Borg girl on Star Trek Voyager the GOP lost the all important Trecki vote that year.
After Ryan left the race Alan Keyes ran against Obama his adopted daughter came out during the race and Alan disowned her during the race.

Marrion you know the GOP still screams liberal media our job is to educate even the small school bus crowd:)

No tv here but aren’t Christian values Socialism? Help the poor, the Good Samaritan, don’t lie?
The GOP says government can’t help the poor so why try, the GOP says pull yourself up with your bootstraps don’t ask for a handout. Christian Charity is an empty word to them.
The Good Samaritan story is Free Healthcare provided by those who have to those who need. Commies say from each according to ability to each according to their need
Don’t Lie one of the big Ten Commandments but Death Panels? You won’t be able to choose your own Doctor? National Healthcare costs more is worse than our present system?
What part of Don’t Lie does the GOP not understand?

The Democratic Party will have to be destroyed before it can be rebuilt as a true progressive party. So far Rahm and Obama along with a majority of Democrats in Congress are doing just that. Big loses in 2010 and the real possibility of one term for Mr. Bipartisan will put the stake in the party. The people will be forced to once again realize the Republicans cannot govern at which point the country will be desperate for a real progressive alternative.

The Driftwood is in Vero Beach. I’m out the door right now. The scrambled eggs are waiting.

Sure seems like socialism actually carried out the christian teachings, in theory. But the right can’t resolve its own internal contradiction, calling itself the moral party – with family values – while stomping on everything that actually reflects our human interests.

Good morning, pups. It’s Dowd, Friedman, Kristof and Rich today. Oh, gawd. MoDo’s still in Riyadh. In “Arabia: Inshallah, Obama” she informs us that the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, laments the need for less talk and more peace in the region. The Moustache of Wisdom, in “Dreaming the Possible Dream,” says two innovators have defied the recession to shepherd clean-tech start-ups with the potential to be disruptive game changers. Mr. Kristof addresses “The Spread of Superbugs” and says agricultural use of antibiotics produces cheaper meat but is widely seen as a major reason for the rise of superbugs. The agribusiness lobby is heading off efforts at reform. Who could have anticipated…. Mr. Rich, in “The Up-or-Down-Vote on Obama’s Presidency,” says we face the alarming prospect that Barack Obama’s presidency could be toast if he doesn’t make good on health care reform and a year’s worth of false starts.

Here they are.

The coffee, tea and hot chocolate are ready, and I’ve got some chocolate croissants this morning. (When we go out to get kitteh food we get treats for ourselves too!) Talk about flying under the radar — I just got my mortgage escrow statement and lo and behold! The state, county and city have all raised their millage rates by about 70% to 85%. They used to “stealth” increase taxes by raising appraised home values, but since they can’t do that any more… Starting in April we may see fewer chocolate croissants. Have a great day.

Maybe a look at the GOP platform, current ideas, or stands on the issues and a comparison with actual Christian values would be interesting.

Isn’t this Dowd’s second trip there?

Thanks, Marion, and Kristof has a very good point – Ihave seen the incidence of kids getting earaches going down as doctors and parents learn that treating babies is producing those supergerms, and not giving the kids the immunities they need.

They don’t read their bible or the wingnuts would know that their christ healed the sick.

Harold Ford is a reason to avoid Press the Meat even without Gregory’s wanking ways.

Good Sunday morning, pups! Sun yet again in NW Indiana, at least 5 straight days, snow slowly melting! Unfortunately still not enough for me to dig out the Christmas wreath I tossed near my garage door when I took it down just before New Years, figuring to cart it out for the trash at next pickup. It has been there under piles of snow since.

Elliott, you ought to add a link to Jason Linkins’s Sunday skewering of the bobbleheads over at Huffpo to your Sunday lineup.

Eat the Press

Replying to ThingsComeUndone @ 28

I think they’d cite that lack of overlap as separation of church and state.

thanks for that link, nice.

I once fell down laughing at Virginia Foxx claiming that charity wasn’t meant to be practiced by congress. Guess she’s hearing voices, too.

Remind me again where the vast majority of the 9/11 terrorists came from? It’s right on the tip of my tongue…

Nice One Marion Dowd goes for Catty and forgets the issues again.

That would be the first time they ever argued that angle:)

I wonder if Friedman is invested in the companies he writes up? Still though it is very interesting if this clean coal idea pans out we could use coal and not nuclear power.
Plus we could get coal mining jobs going at full blast which would help the economy. Assuming it pans out Friedman needs more tech details and projected costs details.
But he’s only a Times writer its not like he’s a Blogger.

Vinod Khosla and K.R. Sridhar. Khosla, the co-founder of Sun, set out several years ago to fund energy start-ups. His favorite baby right now is a company called Calera, which was begun with the Stanford Professor Brent Constantz, who was studying how corals use CO2 to produce their calcium carbonate bones.

If you combine CO2 with seawater, or any kind of briny water, you produce CaCO3, calcium carbonate. That is not only the stuff of corals. It is also the same white, pasty goop that appears on your shower head from hard (calcium-rich) water. At its demonstration plant near Santa Cruz, Calif., Calera has developed a process that takes CO2 emissions from a coal- or gas-fired power plant and sprays seawater into it and naturally converts most of the CO2 into calcium carbonate, which is then spray-dried into cement or shaped into little pellets that can be used as concrete aggregates for building walls or highways — instead of letting the CO2 emissions go into the atmosphere and produce climate change.

If this can scale, it would eliminate the need for expensive carbon-sequestration facilities planned to be built alongside coal-fired power plants — and it might actually make the heretofore specious notion of “clean coal” a possibility.

http://mgpaquin.wordpress.com/

This tech could change everything. No more Mercury in my Sushi!

Morning everyone! Yes, I too am loving the sunshine! And what a delight it is to hear some bird chirpings.

I should add this uptop, T.R. Reid is the guest for this month’s “In Depth“ (C-SPAN)

Long-time NPR and Washington Post correspondent and author of “The Healing of America”, T.R. Reid, appears LIVE today on Book TV’s In Depth. Along with your questions, he will describe his writing methods and discuss his book collection. Call in, email or Twitter your questions starting today at 12pm ET.

Good, Sebelius is on MTP giving a good discourse on the aspects of health care reform that voters actually want, and how much dysinformation they’ve been getting.

I’m off now to watch. (quiet shriek here) Enjoy your day.

T.R.Reid also on the Frontline review of other countries’ functional health care; http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

Now, really, gotta see Gregory toady.

*hands pillow to scream in*

Mornin’, Elliott, pups

7 March 1932 – the Ford Massacre

7 March 1965 – Bloody Sunday

A Chronology of Capitalism – a discussion with Steve Williams, Rick Wolff, co-founders of POWER and Stanley Aronowitz, City University of NY Graduate Center Sociology & Urban Education Professor

Students in San Diego on Thursday called for the founding of a third party to stand up for the people instead of the elites. Where do I sign up?

Ditto.

this shows why we should have set up a draft for the Iraq War, there wouldn’t have been one.

Couldn’t get the students out against the war in these numbers but get in their pockets and it gets their attention. I want to see what comes out of spring break.

School costs effects them direct Bush avoided a draft because he feared student protests. However if the kids get active politically because of this issue then this changes everything as far as polling goes.

“…socialists, anarchists, troublemakers of all kinds.” Howard Zinn

Right fuckin’ on!!!!!

Get the students in the streets and it changes everything. Period.

Ah but the kids are disappointed in Obama and they are not going GOP a third party can’t appear nation wide so this will throw off everyone’s polling this election just got very interesting and unpredictable.

We could build a viable national 3rd party by 2012 or 2014.

Movie Night, Monday for you!

I hope you are right

I’ve ordered the DVD. I’ve also read People’s History and Voices. Keep ‘em both real handy.

Agree completely!!! If Dems are just going to blame 3rd parties for their political BS anyway, make it real. It would be sweet to hear “the election is over, and the Dems and Reps finish neck and neck for second place”.

Just finished watching “Face the Nation”. Bob Scheiffer evidently never heard a Republican talking point he doesn’t repeat: He talks about the “R” word because he doesn’t want to use the full word: the Democrats are using a “seldom used” “parlimentary trick” to pass health reform. He has two right wing senators, Bayh and Graham, and evidently thinks that represents both the spectrum of views on health reform. ABC has a Republican hack moderating “This Week”. Are they all trying to be as right wing as David Gregory (who repeatedly tells Sebelius that the country is opposed to Obama’s health care reform but neglects to mention that that same country overwhelmingly supports reform with the public option).