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January 27, 2008 at 06:43:38
Getting prepared for the State of the UNION (???!!!) by ladybroadoak |
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We found some puffery in President Bush's State of the Union address. He proposed a 20 percent cut in gasoline use, which turns out to be only an 11 percent decrease from current levels. The President claimed to have cut the federal deficit in half, which hasn't quite happened yet. He trumpeted the 7.2 million jobs created since the worst of the 2003 job slump, ignoring the 2.7 million jobs lost during the first part of his tenure. And once again Bush spoke of "energy independence," though the nation's dependence on imported oil has grown steadily since Bush took office despite all the talk and enactment of his energy legislation. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, in a nine-minute response from the Democrats, also chose his data selectively. Trying to put a gloomy cast on a generally upbeat economy, he claimed that worker wages "are at all-time lows as a percentage of national wealth." Webb would have been more accurate had he said "national income" rather than "wealth," but it's true that real wages (after inflation) are rising nicely after a long stagnation. Bush delivered his State of the Union address Jan. 23, concluding that "the State of our Union is strong [and] our cause in the world is right." That broad judgment we'll leave to others to evaluate. Some of the specific facts the President cited, however, we found to be selective, and one we found to be incorrect. Gasoline Cut Bush overstated matters when he proposed to slash the nation's use of gasoline by one-fifth over the next decade: Bush: Let us build on the work we've done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next 10 years. But, compared to what? In reality, Bush's stated goal is not so grand as he made it sound. A White House "fact sheet" says in the fine print that he's talking about a 20 percent from projected levels, not from what motorists are using today. There's a big difference. The Energy Information Administration predicts that if current trends continue American motorists will consume 12 percent more gasoline than they do currently by the year 2017. Cutting that projected consumption by 20 percent works out to a level that is just 11 percent less than current consumption. That would still be a historic reversal and a major accomplishment, but roughly half of what Bush's words seemed to promise. Foreign Oil Bush – once again – spoke of lessening dependence on Middle Eastern oil and imported oil generally: Bush: For too long our nation has been dependent on foreign oil. He didn't mention that the nation has become significantly more dependent on foreign oil during his time in office. According to the Energy Information Administration, the US imported 60.2 percent of the oil it consumed in 2006, up from 52.9 percent in Bill Clinton's last year in office. Dependency has grown in each year of the Bush presidency save one, despite all the talk and enactment of his energy legislation. Federal Deficit and Fiscal Discipline Bush called for fiscal restraint and claimed credit for cutting the federal deficit in half: Bush: What we need is to impose spending discipline in Washington, D.C. We set a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009, and met that goal three years ahead of schedule. Actually, Bush inherited a budget with a comfortable surplus, and then ran up enormous deficits that continue to the present. Under Bush, the national debt (debt held by the public) has increased by more than $1.5 trillion. The annual deficits peaked at $413 billion in fiscal year 2004, and has declined since then. But in fiscal year 2006 (which ended last Oct. 31) the deficit was still $248 billion. The latest estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office project a further reduction in the current fiscal year, to $172 billion. That would indeed be less than half the worst of Bush's deficits, but it would be only two years prior to fiscal 2009, not three. As for spending restraint, Bush has shown little if any to date. He allowed spending to soar 42 percent during his presidency, and didn't veto a single spending bill. (His only veto was of a bill to loosen restrictions on federally funded stem-cell research.) He did sign massive tax cuts, and revenues increased only 21 percent during the same period. Education The President called for reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, saying: According to the government's own National Center on Education Statistics, the overall achievement gap between minority students and white students has decreased between 2002, when Bush signed the law, and 2005. But the act's impact on math and reading scores is debatable. Students in 4th and 8th grades performed at historic high levels in math in 2005. However, scores had been on the rise since before the law passed. In reading, there was no difference between 4th graders' scores in 2002 and 2005, and the scores of 8th graders actually dropped two points in that interval. The reading scores in 2005 were barely different from those in 1992. The Economy When it came to describing the economy, Bush was pretty much on the mark: Bush: Unemployment is low, inflation is low, and wages are rising. In fact, the 4.5 percent unemployment rate for December was well below the historical average. For all months since 1948, when the BLS started publishing its current statistical series, the average rate has been 5.6 percent. The current rate is not far above the 4.2 percent rate that prevailed when Clinton left office. Inflation remains reasonably low. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.5 percent during 2006, less than the 3.4 percent rise of 2005. And it's also true that wages are rising, and finally rising faster than inflation. According to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average weekly earnings for rank-and-file workers rose 2.1 percent last year even after adjustment for inflation. But last year's rise came after many years of stagnation. In December workers were earning only 2.9 percent more per week than when Bush took office, taking inflation into account. Job Gain The President puffed up his description of the economy using an apparently bogus number. And in fact, when we dug into this we found that the White House has been using inflated numbers for job gains for more than four months. Bush: We're now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth, in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs -- so far. The 7.2 million figure is correct according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, counting an unusually large upward adjustment in the figures for total non-farm employment that the BLS announced in October. However, as in the past, Bush concentrated only on the period since August 2003, which was the low point of the prolonged job slump that plagued the first 2-1/2 years of his presidency. Since 2.7 million jobs were lost that time, the net gain from the time he took office has been 4.6 million jobs, a respectable number but still not so large as the one Bush highlighted. Democratic Response In contrast to the President's upbeat description of the economy, Democratic Sen. James Webb of Virginia painted a rather bleak picture: Webb: Wages and salaries for our workers are at all-time lows as a percentage of national wealth, even though the productivity of American workers is the highest in the world. As previously mentioned, real wages (after inflation) are actually rising, and certainly not at "an all-time low." When we asked what Webb was talking about, his aides cited a recent article by the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank, that cited "unprecedented income inequality." Another liberal-leaning think tank, The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, using data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, found that wages and salaries as a share of all national income was at an all time low. In other words, income from such things as stock, bonds and rents is rising faster than paychecks. - by Brooks Jackson, with Viveca Novak, Justin Bank and Emi Kolawole Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National),"Total Nonfarm Employment , Seasonally Adjusted" Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National, "Average Weekly Earnings, 1982 Dollars" Energy Information Administration, "Table 2. Energy Consumption by Sector and Source," Annual Energy Outlook 2007 with Projections to 2030 (Early Release). Energy Information Administration, "Table 1.7 Overview of U.S. Petroleum Trade." Aron-Dine, Aviva and Isaac Shapiro. "Share of National income Going to Wages and Salaries Remains At Record Low," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 16 January 2007. Mishel, Lawrence and Jared Bernstein. "New data reveal unprecedented income inequality," Economic Policy Institute. 17 Jan 2007. Lebanon's parliament has again delayed holding a session to elect a new president, postponing the vote for the 13th time. Speaker Nabih Berri announced Sunday the poll, originally scheduled for Monday, now will be held February 11. Parliament's ruling pro-Western majority and pro-Syrian opposition factions have agreed on an Arab League-supported plan to install army chief Michel Suleiman as president. But the factions remain divided over a power-sharing deal in the new government. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. Why? Because the White House is determined to undermine democracy in Lebanon!! Gulf News Published: January 11, 2008 
and what we can expect on Monday ..
It's easy to make ethical/moral attacks on the Bushistas,
Think:
you can watch it, the [ahem]
You can post comments, too!
At the bottom, Your Imperial Presidents' radio remarks yesterday.
bear in mind that prior to 9/11, the US government
already intercepted information re terrorism
RIGHT.
Bush: Students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap...the No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children.
Lebanon: Recent incursions by the Israelis over Lebanese airspace could prefigure another Israeli invasion, this time to prevent Hezbollah and its Christian allies from displacing the increasingly unpopular and beleaguered "pro-Western" government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. All factions are arming themselves, and the country looks ready to slide into yet another civil war, which would almost certainly provoke intervention by several outside interests, including the U.S. and/or Israel. Lebanon is the Balkans of the Middle East: a spark struck there could ignite the whole region.
Lebanon Delays Presidential Vote for 13th Time
20 January 2008
Letter to George W. Bush
about the US wishing to despose the Lebanese President
but I am damned if I can locate it!!
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Comments welcomed!
We can start with sytematic lieing and go on from there. We can discuss DISASTROUS US foreign policy We can assess the DAMAGE to come when a DELUSIONAL president has his fingers on the nuclear button and a spineless CONgress enabling his brand of craziness We can discuss just how much the US people will actually tolerate when we hit the clusterfuck very - ahem - ably covered up by Hank and the plunge protection team we can discuss the TRUE length of time it will take to deliver them tax rebate checks and what good they are gonna do We can discuss the continuation of BuZh's tax cuts for the rich .. We can take MORE urls that support the evidence that this man lies nearly every time he opens his yab Up to YOU!! Please, I urge you -- dish some dirt! Rant! Vent! Get bloody ANGRY. I assure you that the rest of the world is already bloody angry. by ladybroadoak (39 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 394 comments) on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 7:43:42 AM  (0+)
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State of the Union BANKRUPT
America there has always and will always be lies untill Bastille day you are quick to go kill 1.2 million Iraqi but down right yellow to face your own govt. down. your votes do not count scan the horizon and you will see tent cities springing up all across the nation ,no they are not illegals they are middle class folks that have been outsourced, insourced ,and flushed down the toilet by America. Get use to it,it's your future as well by dave stanley (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 286 comments) on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 4:22:36 PM (0+)
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Off the Crooks and Liars site .. HOT FLASH!!
Multiple states are discussing issuing arrest warrants for the President of the United States. This has been well thought out, is connected with well grounded legal theory, and is consistent with the duty of Americans to defend the US Constitution from domestic enemies. Congressional inaction on impeachment does not oblige We the People to remain silent or do nothing about alleged war crimes and the President’s alleged criminal conduct. Congress and the State leadership have failed to fully assert their oath to defend the US Constitution from domestic enemies. We the People may open discussions of issuing lawful arrest warrants not just against the President, but also those allegedly who have refused to fully assert their oath: Members of Congress, State representatives, and attorneys across the nation. Power Retained By We the People: Vermont, Mass, and Kentucky discussing arrest warrants for President, consistent with the 10th Amendment. GMD The Constitution does not narrowly prohibit only Congress to take legal action. The Constitution only delegates the impeachment power of investigation/removal to the House and Senate. Rather, the power to arrest a sitting President is one that is retained by We the People, via the 10th Amendment. Legal Scholar Discussion of Arresting A Sitting President: This approach of issuing arrest warrants and prosecuting a sitting President outside Congress, outside impeachment has been well discussed by legal scholars. [ Jonathan Turley, “From Pillar to Post”: The Prosecution of American Presidents, 37 American Criminal Law Review 1049, 1064-66 (2000). ] There is no legal bar for these arrest warrants to issue. Bush’s name may be soon added to this database. Legal Duty of Attorneys Generals: However, if a prosecutor refuses to consider this approach as a method to enforce the Constitution; or refuses to defend this Supreme Law from these alleged domestic enemies, they could be found complicit with alleged war crimes, in defiance of their attorney oath. Inaction on these types of alleged war crimes was the basis at Nuremberg to issue indictments against prosecutors, attorneys, and lawyers at the Justice Trial for their refusal to fully enforce Geneva against the Nazis. These issues must be examined by We the People in the Judicial system; they cannot be swept under the rug. Inaction could be a basis for state disciplinary boards to conduct investigations into prosecutors and disbar them for malfeasance in re alleged domestic enemies of the Supreme Law. Untested: If you hear, “This is unprecedented” or “not allowed,” respond with, “No, it is untested.” It’s time to use this approach. The Congress and State legislatures have impermissibly permitted these alleged war crimes to go ignored too long. Sovereignty: It is time for We the People through the power of arrest and the grand jury process to force this President to account for the alleged wart crimes, breaches of the peace, and the defiance of his oath of office. If We the People do not take action to investigate these alleged war crimes, other nations — under the principle of reciprocity and retaliation of Geneva — make use any and all abuses this President is alleged to have committed against Americans. If we fail to assert the rule of law, we give up sovereignty: The power to self-govern. Refusing to prosecute a sitting President for alleged war crimes is, by definition, complicity with tyranny. Please safeguard any evidence you may have that Members of Congress, state legislators, or other have attempted to block enforcement of these arrest warrants, or have made threats against anyone, or made promises to any one to dissuade action in enforcing the laws of war against the President. Any effort to interfere with the lawful efforts to arrest the President or interrupt the proceedings could be adjudicated as alleged obstruction of justice. This may be adjudicated as a subsequent offense under the laws of war. The maximum penalty imposed by a war crimes tribunal includes the death penalty. by ladybroadoak (39 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 394 comments) on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 4:55:20 PM (0+)
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That's fantastic
IMPEACH INDICT IMPRISON!! Love to see states ready to defend the Constitution! Let's see the warrants role! Now that's taking power back and putting it in the hands of the people! Awesome! Let's clean out Washington! by August Adams (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 585 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 10:10:22 PM (0+)
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And spread it around.
TPM Muckraker has posted a bit more about it tonight. I've been privileged to take part in the discussion. This is for REAL. There is no way to get Nadler and Pelosi to listen to good solid legal arguments EVEN THOUGH they have been put on warning it could result in their necks. Rodriguez might "sing" for immunity and the house of cards goes falling down, eh ?? He took an OATH. I think things have really ratched it up. I have much more to say, but right now I am exhausted both by overwhelm that now FINALLY I am seeing the results of a lot of hard work =(and I am exhausted now for my whole day's adventure) -- it's taking me a while to string together the whole set of "dots" at play to indicate why this has to be NOW. I attribute alot of it to the Mukasey tap dance on Friday. I hope people see this and REJOICE and get active. ARREST INDICT IMPRISON and let them clean up dirty bedpans!! And as for the treason .. my god! do these guys deserve it or WHAT ?? How to shake off the cobwebs of despair from MURKANS is a matter for debate, but at least these good gentlemen have come up with AN ANSWER!! Yup, I am a tired but happy scribe tonight. by ladybroadoak (39 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 394 comments) on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 10:39:00 PM (0+)
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If I want to get lied to ...
I'll go pay for a lap-dance - at least that way I'll get some measure of pleasure out of the experience. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 11:19:42 PM (0+)
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STATE OF THE UNION
ITS TIME TO INACT ARTICLE V CONVENTION, AND TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY. by RICHARD SHADE (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 460 comments) on Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 5:11:07 AM (0+)
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Reply: You are only too right!!
Adn that's precisely how it is going to be. You know that the whole Mormon church is calling for this? That was the biggest surprise of all to me. I KNOW that Ron Paul's head counsel is not displeased with this move. That may be the final nail in the coffin - the indictments are all done. Mukasey, in the end, will be proven to be the biggest TRAITOR of all time. Why he came out against the Special Prosecutor and LIED about the crimes done by the CIA (waterboarding is a crime - pure and simple, nothing complictaed about it all) to keep his POWER is beyond me. I was provided a lot of evidence and law in the past few weeks - I'm not even a "lawyer", just a person who was FORCED to know quite a bit about international law during my refugee case. To me, the violations of international law are just egregious - If I can see that why can the "sainted" Mukasey not see that WHEN he knows even MORE than I do about what the US was told by the JAGs, Constitutional scholars, Presidential scholars, the NLG and so many others. I get so sad, so worried, so upset, so everything on a daily basis about what is going on and I have a fair idea of what is going to happen when the effects of peak oil, peak dollar (can you say clusterfuck??) is sitting on the soul of America. Truly, WE MUST ACT NOW. Legally, in unison, with morality backing us up. Ron Paul is not the last and only hope for America - WE ARE. And WE have got one helluva a lawyer on OUR side. by ladybroadoak (39 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 394 comments) on Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 7:30:48 AM (0+)
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Consider this recent email from WEXLER
by ladybroadoak (39 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 394 comments) on Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 12:25:49 PM (0+)
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