On Thursday, February 12, we will celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, perhaps our greatest president (okay George we know all about you). There are many unusual things about the man, the biggest mystery being, "Hey, Abe, what's under the tall hat?"
But, his son Robert has a couple of things to answer for, too. Robert was the only offspring to live to adulthood of the four Lincoln sons. Hmmmm. But wait, there's more. Robert thought Mary, his mom, was nuts so he had her arrested and committed to a mental institution. She swore he was a bad son. No wonder. But here is the weirdest thing about Bob. He played in politics but never got very far. He was president of the Pullman RR car company. As an emissary of the government he was scheduled to meet President James Garfield at the Washington railroad station on July 2, 1881. As he approached Garfield, Charles Guiteau walked up to the president and shot him. Garfield lingered for over two months before he died. But that's not the weirdest part (remember that Bob's dad was the first president to be assassinated, Garfield was second). On September 6, 1901 our friend Bob was attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. As he was approaching President William McKinley to speak to him, Leon Czolgosz got there first and shot McKinley in the stomach. He lingered for a few days then died. I don't know about you, but I think Bob has some things to answer for. Or maybe....
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Hefty payout deal draws public anger
Sound familiar? Sure, except keep reading...
The main target of a public outcry is Guotai Jun'an Securities Co, one of the largest brokerages in China, which is reportedly ready to give its executives hefty pay rises for 2008, when the financial services industry suffered major losses and the company itself saw a 24.24 percent decline in net profit, according to the Securities Association of China.Guotai Jun'an announced it would earmark 3.2 billion yuan ($470 million) for "compensation and welfare expenses" for the past year, 57 percent higher than its compensation budget at the beginning of the year.
The decision, pending approval from its board of directors, was immediately chastised by the Chinese media as a move State broadcaster China Central Television described as "causing harmful social influence".
Friday, February 6, 2009
US Senate TV
Watching the Senate TV station is not very different from watching paint dry. The Senate chamber is mostly empty. The speakers appear to be speaking to their colleagues, who of course aren't there. And, for the most part, you have to ask yourself how these boring people ever got to this position of power.
A couple of exceptions: John Thune, senator from South Dakota actually made some sense. His amendment to the Obama economic stimulus package was to take the 900 billion dollars and give it directly to the American people. What a concept! Imagine giving to the people and letting them decide how and where to spend the money!!!
Then there was the senator from Rhode Island, Sheldon Whitehouse (yes, really). He went on and on about how unfair it was to eliminate from the package millions of dollars to repair the zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. Now I may be crazy, but it seems to me that better housing for PEOPLE should take priority over better housing for, oh, elephants. Mr. Whitehouse, please shut up.
Then there's Arlen Specter. Gotta love the guy. 79 years old and sharp as a...well, maybe at almost 80 it's time to retire Arlen. Magic bullet indeed.
Last, Jim Bunning. Hey, Jim, pitching a perfect game was great. It was awesome, and it was Father's Day. You are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But you seem to have forgotten how to read. Better luck next time.
A couple of exceptions: John Thune, senator from South Dakota actually made some sense. His amendment to the Obama economic stimulus package was to take the 900 billion dollars and give it directly to the American people. What a concept! Imagine giving to the people and letting them decide how and where to spend the money!!!
Then there was the senator from Rhode Island, Sheldon Whitehouse (yes, really). He went on and on about how unfair it was to eliminate from the package millions of dollars to repair the zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. Now I may be crazy, but it seems to me that better housing for PEOPLE should take priority over better housing for, oh, elephants. Mr. Whitehouse, please shut up.
Then there's Arlen Specter. Gotta love the guy. 79 years old and sharp as a...well, maybe at almost 80 it's time to retire Arlen. Magic bullet indeed.
Last, Jim Bunning. Hey, Jim, pitching a perfect game was great. It was awesome, and it was Father's Day. You are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But you seem to have forgotten how to read. Better luck next time.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
No Fuel for the Anti-Semites
The list of people scammed by Bernie Madoff consists of 162 pages, 80 to a page. Amazing. But there is at least one positive note. As I read through the names it became apparent that those wanting to use this for their anti-semetic rants would have a hard time justifying taking that position. Good old Bernie made sure that many, if not most, of his "victims" were among the chosen people. Clearly Bernie himself is not prejudice. He ripped off his own people, and others of all races and religions.
And why is he still in that apartment?
And why is he still in that apartment?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tom and Bernie
In the news today, Bernie Madoff had a visit from Tom Daschel. The two have decided to write a book together, tentatively titled: How to Swindle Your Friends and Relatives Out of Their Life Savings and Not Pay Any Taxes On the Money.
Daschel told reporters that he was quite impressed with Madoff. However, when Madoff asked if Daschel had any cash on him, the newly non-appointed Obama team member quickly hid his wallet.
Daschel had lunch in the Park Avenue apartment, which also serves as Madoff's prison cell. When Bernie could not get four people to sign a bond for him, the judge ordered Madoff to be held under house arrest. Poor Bernie has to hang out in a $7 million Park Avenue Apartment. As for the lunch, the Chinese delivery man was heard to say, "Cheap b_____" when exiting the apartment building. Phone calls to the restaurant went unanswered, but a patron overheard that a charge card belonging to a Mr. Ponzi was rejected by American Express.
When told of the meeting, former SEC Commissioner Christopher Cox commented: "Um, uh."
Newly appointed Commissioner Mary Schapiro had no comment other than to say she hoped that the Chinese food did not contain any peanut butter.
Daschel told reporters that he was quite impressed with Madoff. However, when Madoff asked if Daschel had any cash on him, the newly non-appointed Obama team member quickly hid his wallet.
Daschel had lunch in the Park Avenue apartment, which also serves as Madoff's prison cell. When Bernie could not get four people to sign a bond for him, the judge ordered Madoff to be held under house arrest. Poor Bernie has to hang out in a $7 million Park Avenue Apartment. As for the lunch, the Chinese delivery man was heard to say, "Cheap b_____" when exiting the apartment building. Phone calls to the restaurant went unanswered, but a patron overheard that a charge card belonging to a Mr. Ponzi was rejected by American Express.
When told of the meeting, former SEC Commissioner Christopher Cox commented: "Um, uh."
Newly appointed Commissioner Mary Schapiro had no comment other than to say she hoped that the Chinese food did not contain any peanut butter.
A New Washington Era?
From President Obama, something we never heard from the previous administration:
“I'm here on television saying I screwed up. And that's part of the era of responsibility, is not never making mistakes, it's owning up to them and trying to make sure you don’t repeat them and that's what we intend to do,” he told NBC.
On CNN, he went a little further: “Look, ultimately, I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics. And I don't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards, one for powerful people, and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes.”
“I'm here on television saying I screwed up. And that's part of the era of responsibility, is not never making mistakes, it's owning up to them and trying to make sure you don’t repeat them and that's what we intend to do,” he told NBC.
On CNN, he went a little further: “Look, ultimately, I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics. And I don't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards, one for powerful people, and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes.”
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Received from Senator Bill Nelson
Dear Mr. Kayser:
Thank you for contacting me about the economic stimulus package.
The American people are hurting. They are losing their homes, their jobs, their businesses and their life savings. Economists across the political spectrum agree that the government needs to take bold and immediate action to stimulate the economy and curb the risk of a protracted economic recession.
The economic stimulus package will provide critical tax relief, shore up unemployment benefits and food stamps, improve access to health care, and promote energy independence. I believe the stimulus package is narrowly targeted to spend and invest in ways that will get the economy moving again.
I understand your concerns about the stimulus package. Last year I voted against spending $700 billion to bail out Wall Street because the bill lacked meaningful relief for homeowners facing foreclosure and didn't include adequate protections for American taxpayers. I am committed to reducing wasteful spending and improving transparency in Federal funding. For too long have we ignored the consequences of a burgeoning Federal deficit.
As Congress considers measures to put the economy on the right track, I will be sure to keep your views in mind. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm
Thank you for contacting me about the economic stimulus package.
The American people are hurting. They are losing their homes, their jobs, their businesses and their life savings. Economists across the political spectrum agree that the government needs to take bold and immediate action to stimulate the economy and curb the risk of a protracted economic recession.
The economic stimulus package will provide critical tax relief, shore up unemployment benefits and food stamps, improve access to health care, and promote energy independence. I believe the stimulus package is narrowly targeted to spend and invest in ways that will get the economy moving again.
I understand your concerns about the stimulus package. Last year I voted against spending $700 billion to bail out Wall Street because the bill lacked meaningful relief for homeowners facing foreclosure and didn't include adequate protections for American taxpayers. I am committed to reducing wasteful spending and improving transparency in Federal funding. For too long have we ignored the consequences of a burgeoning Federal deficit.
As Congress considers measures to put the economy on the right track, I will be sure to keep your views in mind. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm
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