‘Hypocrisy’ Is the GOP’s Middle Name
Posted by Michelle Moquin on February 22nd, 2010
‘Hypocrisy’ is the GOP’s middle name in my book. And I don’t feel I am being judgmental when the facts speak for themselves. If anyone’s being judgmental, and yes ‘hypocritical’, it is Jason Mattera of the Young America’s Foundation, who was a featured speaker at CPAC (Annual Conservative Political Action Conference) last Thursday. This is what he had to say:
I won’t even respond to his comments on ‘beauty, and speaking in complete sentences’ – I’ll leave that up to you to give me your two.
Mattera went further by knocking the president for using cocaine at one point in his early years, and equating the country’s experience with the Obama administration to a regrettable drug binge.
“On the cocaine front I do believe many young people in America view Barack in the same fashion they view drugs: it was a substance to experiment with.” The hangover has them saying, ‘What the hell did I just do.’”
He declared that “even the slutty Obama girl has said her crush has faded,” and then went on to make fun of the “feminist new black man” — a “crossover between Rupaul and [Rep.] Barney Frank.”
Can you believe this guy? Yeah he had his 5 minutes. He’s standing tall and proud in his rhetoric. We’ll probably read about Mattera sometime in the near future, as we do with so many GOP’s who judge others so harshly, who tout their high morals, and then inevitably get caught with their pants down. And in Mattera’s case….maybe with cocaine up his nose too. Another 5 minutes of fame, but this time he won’t be standing tall and proud in his truth.
So…let’s get back to the facts on drugs. Did I mention ‘hypocrisy’ being the GOP’s middle name? They should be called the GHP because…well, I don’t really need to tell now do I? Look in the mirror GHP – Here’s a few facts to push you off your moral high ground:
- Remember that President Bush – “the straight shooter” — was never able to answer simple questions about his cocaine use. For years his answer was that he made “youthful indiscretions.”
- John McCain, and his family, know about substance abuse on a very personal level. Cindy McCain had a well-known addiction to prescription pain pills. She was so hooked that she illegally used her charity to obtain the drugs. She would have physicians write prescriptions and then filled them with names of her staff.
- Rush Limbaugh, one of the most prominent conservative voices did drugs. Anyone remember how he would send his maid out to score him his Oxycontin?
- Sarah Palin used an illegal drug and so has Newt Gingrich.
Rush Limbaugh once scoffed at the idea that African Americans are disproportionately arrested on drug charges, and suggested that the solution should be to arrest more white people. Yet when he was busted for drugs, he changed his tune in a heartbeat.
No surprise there from Rush.
Why do people ridicule past, or even current drug use, when ‘hypocrisy’ is a dealt out in doses daily by the GOP? Oops I mean GHP :). At least with drugs, most of the harm comes to the individual taking it, but ‘hypocrisy’ can run rampant throughout society, hooking people on every lie, having a huge effect on many individuals thinking and actions. Oh…but how silly of me, the GHP knows this. It’s part of the party’s plan.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Peace out.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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February 22nd, 2010 at 10:08 am
They are here.
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NEWS UPDATE: 2:45 p.m.- Luxury ocean liner arrives on Guam tomorrow
PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • NEWS@GUAMPDN.COM • FEBRUARY 21, 2010
The Queen Mary 2, claimed to be the world’s most luxurious ocean liner, will be arriving on Guam tomorrow to be greeted by local vendors, a press release from the Port Authority of Guam stated.
The ship has a maximum capacity of 3,056 passengers. It’s 1,132 feet long and 236.2 feet tall— taller than the Eiffel Tower, according to the release.
Traveling at 28.5 Knots , the ship brings 2,500 passengers and 1,250 crew to the isalnd at 6 a.m. tomorrow. It will leave at 6 p.m. tomorrow, according to the release.
The public can catch the arrival of the ship at Family Beach, open at 4 a.m., and from Port Beach from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Port Beach is located on the other side of the harbor along Route 18 across Veteran’s Cemetery in Piti, the release stated.
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I think this is the most tourist that has ever visited Guahan at one time.
Hafa Afa
Anna
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:14 am
Why You Should NOT Invest Like Warren Buffett
Vahan Janjigian
Forbes Growth Investor
Warren Buffett ranks as one of the greatest investors of all time. Over more than three decades, his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has purchased dozens of stocks and businesses. During that time, the company has outperformed the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index by a wide margin.
Buffett achieved his record by following a disciplined investment strategy. He waits years for stocks to sell at discounts. Buffett does not hesitate to hold cash if nothing meets his exacting standards.
Seeing his record, many investors seek to mimic Buffett’s style. When the master buys a stock, the imitators also make the purchase. While there is much to learn from Buffett, those who seek to copy him should beware.
Buffett’s approach is difficult to implement, and even the master himself has made mistakes while using the strategy. Some trademark Buffett tactics that most investors should avoid…
Mistake: Holding a concentrated portfolio. Academics have long argued that investors should own a wide variety of stocks and other assets. That way, if some holdings fall, others may rise. Buffett understands the scholarly research, but prefers to hold “concentrated” positions, keeping big stakes in just a few industries. Altogether, Berkshire derived one-fourth of its revenue and half its profit from one industry — insurance.
Buffett’s success can be traced to his concentrated approach. But most investors should tread more carefully. In fact, Buffett says most investors should diversify extensively. Many part-time investors should stick with mutual funds.
A sound approach is to buy an index fund, such as one that tracks the S&P 500. While funds may never outpace the best stock pickers, the index trackers never finish at the bottom of the standings.
Mistake: Buying nothing but cheap stocks. Stocks are often thought of as being from one of two categories — growth stocks, which have growing earnings and price multiples that are higher than average… and value stocks, which have little or no earnings growth and relatively low prices.
Buffett does not fit neatly into any one camp. His portfolio includes some stocks that may be considered “growth” and others that fit into the value category.
Some investors may want to follow his example of holding growth and value. By owning both, you can diversify a portfolio because growth and value sometimes move in different directions.
But for long-term investments, I prefer putting more than 50% of assets in value stocks. According to research by Eugene Fama, PhD, professor of finance at the University of Chicago, and Kenneth French, PhD, professor of finance at Dartmouth, value stocks tend to outperform growth over long periods.
The best performance comes from stocks that are in the cheapest 10% of the market as indicated by their price-to-book ratios (p/b). This is the share price divided by the book value, a measure of a company’s assets minus its liabilities. Fama and French found that during the 27 years ending in 1990, the cheapest 10% of stocks returned 21% annually, compared with the most expensive 10%, which returned 8% annually.
Mistake: Investing only in big companies. Because his company is huge, Buffett finds it more convenient to buy big companies. Otherwise, to put Berkshire’s assets to use, he would need to own a great many small companies and it would be difficult to watch so many as closely as he would like.
The result would be an unwieldy portfolio that would be too hard to manage. But ordinary investors should hold at least some small-company stocks. According to Fama and French, the smallest stocks in the market produce the biggest returns. During the 27-year study, the smallest 10% of stocks grew more than six times, while the largest 10% returned less than half as much.
Mistake: Favoring losers. As a value investor, Buffett often buys unloved stocks, picking up shares that have fallen. He shuns growth stocks that have been embraced by the markets. But investors seeking to build diverse portfolios should include at least some growth stars as short-term holdings.
When stocks have climbed for six months, they have tended on average to continue climbing for the next 12 months, according to a study by Narasimhan Jegadeesh, PhD, professor of finance at Emory University, and Sheridan Titman, PhD, professor of finance at the University of Texas.
Investors who take advantage of the short-term moves of growth stocks must be prepared to trade quickly. Studies indicate that after 12 months, the growth stars begin to lag.
Mistake: Holding for life. After buying a stock, Buffett holds it indefinitely. If the shares climb sharply, he still won’t sell. And if the company doesn’t show earnings growth, he still hesitates to sell. Buffett often refrains from selling because he believes that it is difficult to tell the right time for unloading a stock. Rather than making mistimed moves, he holds.
Because most investors, especially those near retirement age, can’t wait the decades that Buffett is prepared to wait, they can’t be so patient. Expensive shares with shaky earnings can deliver disastrous short-term results.
Before buying a stock, Buffett estimates its intrinsic or fair value. This requires projecting the company’s cash flow into the future and then “discounting” it to the present using an appropriate interest rate that takes the risk of the investment into consideration.
Measuring fair value precisely isn’t easy, but there are ways to estimate when a stock’s price has become too rich. Start by comparing the stock’s p/b to those of the company’s competitors.
If the stock commands a relatively high multiple, then it could be priced above fair value. Additional check: Compare the stock’s current p/b to those from the past. When a stock’s p/b exceeds its typical historical level, it is another sign that the price may be too high.
Mistake: Sticking with what you know. Buffett prefers buying companies that are easy to understand. Until recently, he bought only US companies. He still has very little international diversification.
Unlike Buffett, most investors should use more international diversification. Their portfolios should include shares from the emerging markets of Asia and Latin America. Overseas markets don’t always move in lockstep with Wall Street.
For convenience, consider owning foreign shares by buying mutual funds or American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), foreign issues that trade on US exchanges.
DO BUY UTILITIES LIKE BUFFETT
Until recently, Buffett rarely bought utilities. Now he’s beginning to invest in power companies. You should, too. Utility companies should be a core holding in most investors’ portfolios.
Reasons: The best utility companies can generate steady cash flow. Companies with strong cash flows are able to pay their bills and invest in expanding their businesses. Many utility companies also provide solid dividends. These can provide investors with steady income, an important consideration during times when share prices are falling and portfolios are not producing capital gains.
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Vahan Janjigian, editor, Forbes Growth Investor, 60 Fifth Ave., New York City 10011. 12 issues. $197/yr. He is author of Even Buffett Isn’t Perfect (Portfolio). From its inception October 6, 2000, through December 31, 2009, the Forbes Growth Investor model portfolio returned 74.78%, compared with -20.87% for the S&P 500.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
What in the world is the Queen Mary 2 doing visiting Guam?
It is a way for spies from many Nations to enter Guam unnoticed.
Their goal? To find out more about the Trench Portal. What other reason would a ship of that size be doing on Guam? There are almost as many people on the ship as there are citizens of Guam. It really has become an international hot spot lately.
Who figures out the secrets of the portal will have a tremendous advantage with space travel. Whoever claims it as theirs can conquer the laws of physics and instant space/time travel.
HOWIE
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:50 am
The only thing golden in?later years is the color of ?your urine.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:56 am
Hafa Adai Howie
I have been reading your articles. At first I read them only for amusement. But a lot of what you have said is curiously coincidental. This visit by the Queen Mary for incidence, while Guam has a lot more citizens than 2,500 (about 80,000), that is the most tourists dropped off by any one tourist vehicle at one time.
There will be a lot of strange people wondering around the Guam at one time. My question is what good will it do them? They will only be here for a few days? Then they have to get back on the ship. What can they learn as tourists in a few days?
Lela
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:05 am
The right that most of its base is only interested in how much money they can make. So they send out inflammatory articles with a scary appeal to them. Here Huckabee is making his bid for the nomination
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Don’t Let Obama’s Spending Binge
Destroy Your Wealth
Dear Concerned American,
With the recent loss of the Massachusetts democratic seat, Obama’s had to back away from health reform. Unfortunately, he’s set his sights on devouring the entire free-enterprise system.
In his first 100 days as president, Obama gobbled up two major automakers, wolfed down nearly 600 banks, gorged on blue-chip companies, and scarfed down the U.S. credit industry. Now he wants dessert. President “Obama the Hungry” makes King Henry VIII look like a compulsive dieter!
I know something about overeating. It can kill you. Back when I was governor of Arkansas, I was so overweight I developed Type II diabetes. Doctors told me to lay down the knife and fork — or else. That scared me. I cut the calories and lost 110 pounds. Only then did I regain my health.
Does fat like that scare Obama? Heck no. He’s hungry for more! Fresh from gulping down $800 billion of our money to load up his Washington smorgasbord, he’s now looking for a second course. And you and I will pay the tab for this gargantuan pig-out!
As sure as heartburn follows a chili-dog, this massive “Obama-binge” will trigger hyperinflation. There’s only one way for the President to pay for this feast and you know what it is. Yes, get those presses rolling and print trillions of inflated dollars.
I’ll bet you’re thinking — well, what can I do about it? True enough, Obama can pretty much do what he wants — at least until the 2010 mid-term elections come along and we Americans can send him a “slim-down or else” message.
But right now, you and I need to protect the money we’ve earned and invested over the years — before Obama’s hyperinflation chews our buying power down by multiple percentage points. This is a serious concern, believe me. It’s so serious I won’t pretend, as a politician and talk-show host, to have the answers for you. But I know someone who does.
I urge you to consider the proven financial guidance of Doug Fabian — the renowned investing advisor who saw the financial meltdown of 2008 coming and saved a whole lot of people a whole lot of money.
Subscribers to Successful Investing, Doug’s newsletter, knew the meaning of terms like “housing bubble” and “sub-prime” long before they became headline news and the source of financial misery for millions.
This is what Doug wrote in 2006, nearly two years before the crash:
“Pay little heed to the real estate industry’s PR campaign to play down the coming housing price slump. It’s happening. The bottom is falling out for many banks, investors, and homeowners right now.”
This is what Doug is writing today:
“Never mind the endless speculation about inflation and interest rates — they’re going up.”
Doug ‘s not just warning his readers about hyperinflation, he’s steering them to investments that make money during inflationary periods. He reminds us that many fortunes were made in the 1970s when America was ravaged by high inflation and brought to the brink of collapse by Jimmy Carter — a president eerily similar to Barack Obama.
Look, I’m no investing wizard. But I invest. I have to. So do you. Counting on Social Security while Obama is in office is a little like saying, “The Light Brigade is about to charge? Sign me up!”
But having someone with the proven know-how and track record of Doug Fabian is a comfort. That’s some track record, by the way. Successful Investing has generated double-digit annual returns for ordinary investors for 32 years and counting. Best of all, Doug does all the work for you.
Don’t just take my word. Investor’s Business Daily called Doug “one of the best market timers in the business.
Count on it, the “Obama-binge” will result in hyperinflation. ($800 billion in government spending makes it all but inevitable). You can’t control that. But when the day of reckoning comes, you can be one of the few whose portfolio is already adapted to profit from it. Could you ask for anything better? Well, you can. But you’ll have to wait till 2012 before we elect a new president!
I urge you to try Successful Investing today.
Sincerely,
Mike Huckabee
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:13 am
Howie, Hafai adaI
You are so right about all these huge numbers of tourists coming to Guam at once. And as usual we are lied to until the last moment so nothing can be said or done about it.
Anna was quoting a newspaper article circulating on Guam BEFORE the Queen Mary arrived. Notice it said that there would be 2,500 tourists. Now that the Queen Mary is here, we are getting the “real” numbers.
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Guam says Hafa Adai to Queen Mary II
Posted: Feb 21, 2010 6:11 PM
Updated: Feb 21, 2010 6:11 PM
by Janjeera Hail
Guam – The Queen Mary II pulled into Apra Harbor this morning, escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard, the guam police, and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. The flagship of the Cunard Cruise Line, is as tall as a 21-story building, longer than four city blocks, and weighs more than 151,000 tons.
There are nearly 4,000 passengers on board that will spend the day on Guam.
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So what is really happing Howie?
Elliot
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
Zen Lill
Thanks for taking the time to keep your exercise fans motivated. Every now and then I need a push. But I will say that Jorge has motivated me to lose another 5 or 6 lbs. I went to the H Hotel Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday was standing room only. I guess it got out that the place was a chick magnet because on Sunday it was filled with horny guys on the make.
Susan
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
Hafa adai
Thanks Howie for the information. I believe that something is going on other that the ordinary. There are too many people, government agencies, US Senators (Jim Webb this week), the President, other government, from Russia to China all have visited Guam repeatedly.
And they just keep coming. Suddenly Guam is the place to be. I am beginning to wonder if they are putting something under our roadways. There is just too much mystery in the construction of these roads.
But for those of your interested in what to expect on the roads today here is the latest.
____________________________________________________
Route 1 (Marine Corps Drive)
* Pavement marking crews continue to install the intersection cross walk markings and lane direction arrows at various signalized intersections along Route 1 from Route 6 to Route 28. Motorists should anticipate daytime lane closures and short delays.
* Work continues for the new traffic signals at the intersections of Wusstig Road and Chalan Lujuna. Motorists should anticipate daytime lane closures during the week at these locations.
Route 10A at the Airport
* Work continues for the new pavement markings and raised reflectorized markers at the Airport. Single lane closures and short delays should be anticipated by motorists.
Route 2 Umatac
*Guardrail crews continue working on installing new guardrail at various locations on Route 2. All of this work will be on the shoulders of the roadway and no traffic delays are anticipated.
Route 4 from McDonalds to Route 10
*Road construction work continues at the Route 4 and Route 10 intersection. Motorists should anticipate delays during rush hours.
*Construction work continues at various locations on Route 4. Motorists should anticipate single lane closures and short delays.
Route 16
*Survey work and brushing continues at the Barrigada Post Office intersection next to the National Guard Facility. Motorists are encouraged to observe the construction signs and slow down in the construction area.
Route 11
*Construction of the shore protection rip rap is underway. All of the construction is off of the traveled portion of the roadway and no delays to traffic are anticipated.
Route 14 San Vitores Road
*Crews will be installing pavement striping for the cross walks and lane direction arrows on San Vitores Road from Bishop Flores Circle to the Police Station in Tumon. Motorists should anticipate single lane closures and short delays.
Upcoming Project
*Route 8/10/16 Tri-Intersection – Kinden Corporation will soon begin roadway construction work at the Tri-Intersection. The project includes the complete reconstruction of the intersection and adjoining roadways along with a new traffic signal.
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Notice all the new “Upcoming Projects.”
Peter
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:44 pm
The republicans are pushing hard for the Health Industry to kill Democrat’s Health Care Bill. Here is the poison they are sending out asking for faxes to our Congress.
=============================================
NEW ObamaCare Bill Announcement Monday
Obama Is Introducing a NEW Socialized Healthcare Bill Monday –
Socialized Health Care MUST STILL Be Stopped –
Select Here to STOP THE SECRET DEAL:
SEND YOUR FAXES NOW!
ALERT: Did you think that, because Barack Hussein Obama has called for a “bipartisan healthcare reform summit” on Feb. 25th that the Democrats were serious about starting over and including the Republicans’ ideas in their plans?
WRONG! According to the liberal bastion New York Times, “President Obama will put forward comprehensive health care legislation intended to bridge differences between Senate and House Democrats ahead of a summit meeting with Republicans next week, senior administration officials and Congressional aides said Thursday.”
But that’s not all they’re reporting:
Democratic officials said Obama’s proposal was being written so that it could be attached to a budget bill as a way of averting a Republican filibuster in the Senate. The procedure, known as budget reconciliation, would let Democrats advance the bill with a simple majority rather than a 60-vote supermajority.
Pelosi said, “We (Liberal Democrats) will go through the gate,” “If the gate is closed, we will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault in. If that doesn’t work, we will parachute in. But we are going to get health care reform passed for the American people for their own…” (GOOD?)
Obama Is Introducing a NEW Socialized Healthcare Bill Monday –
Socialized Health Care MUST STILL Be Stopped –
Select Here to STOP THE SECRET DEAL:
SEND YOUR FAXES NOW!
Translation Democrats will shove ObamaCare down every Americans throat like it or not, it will happen and Obama is pushing it through.
Dick Morris Is Right About A Liberal Democrat Secret Plan for ObamaCare
Morris has revealed a two part Democratic Deal to Defraud America.
First, the House will pass the Senate ObamaCare bill and Pelosi will not allow amendments or modifications.
Second in secret behind closed doors, Reid and Pelosi have agreed in principle that changes to the Senate bill will be made to satisfy liberal House members — but only after the Senate bill is passed and signed into law by Obama.
Morris continued and said, a Senate source cautions: “Senators more than House members and both more than ordinary people, lie.”
This is outrageous and exactly what voters in Massachusetts voted against. FAX NOW AND OFTEN AND MAKE CALLS TO CONGRSSS. We need your continued help more than ever as Socialized Health Care MUST STILL Be Stopped.
The deal is secured by a pledge from Reid and the Senate’s Democratic caucus that they will make “fixes” to the Senate bill after it becomes law with Obama’s John Hancock.
According to Morris’s source, Reid will provide to Pelosi a letter signed by 52 Democratic senators indicating they will pass the major changes, or “fixes,” the House Democrats are demanding. Again, these fixes will be approved by the Senate only after Obama signs the Senate bill into law.
Obama Is Introducing a NEW Socialized Healthcare Bill Monday –
Socialized Health Care MUST STILL Be Stopped –
Select Here to STOP THE SECRET DEAL:
SEND YOUR FAXES NOW!
By all measures Obama is on track to be the worst president in American history. He only has himself to blame for his dismal record AMERICA IS BROKE on his watch with:
Record national debt greater than the gross domestic product of the world
Government take over of the auto industry
Fannie Mae
Freddie Mac
Bailouts
Liberal policies
TARP
$700 Billion Federal Stimulus
$1.2 Trillion Federal Reserve Rescue
$6.4 Trillion Tax and Spend Budget to Redistribute Wealth
+10% Unemployment
Next Up ObamaCare and it will destroy Health Care in America
This is a fight for the very heart of America. We can WIN this fight! With Senate Republicans now forcing Democrats to “ping-pong” the ObamaCare bill back and forth between the two Houses, we can capitalize on the divisions within the Democrat Party itself! If we can STOP Reid and Pelosi from getting enough votes in either House — that means THE BILL WOULD DIE!
We CAN still win, by keeping the Democrats from getting the votes they need to pass ObamaCare… but we can’t do it without YOUR help!
TELL CONGRESS TO KILL THE OBAMACARE BILL NOW
SEND YOUR FAXES NOW!
TAKE ACTION: We don’t have much time before the liberal Democrat leaders in the House and Senate begin their backroom deal-making to work all of their deals and compromises, in hopes of getting enough votes to pass ObamaCare. We have to start NOW in letting ALL of these people who are supposed to be representing US in Washington, that we are NOT going to put up with this — and that they MUST LISTEN TO US and KILL THE BILL!
BE ENCOURAGED — remember that the majority of the American people are WITH US. With every passing day, more and more citizens — left AND right — are expressing their opposition and outrage over this monstrous bill. And remember, Obama, Pelosi and Reid wanted to pass ObamaCare months ago. Thanks to YOUR efforts, we’ve been able to STOP that from happening — WE CAN’T GIVE UP NOW!
We CANNOT let the radical liberals in Congress — and the White House — force this plan for socialized health care on the American people! That’s why we’ve set up our website to enable you to send a strong message to every single member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, OPPOSING this outrageous plan.
For about what it would cost you in time and telephone charges, you can send Blast Faxes to Democrats, Republicans, Independents — EVERYONE in BOTH houses of Congress, DEMANDING that they REJECT this socialized health care plan NOW!
TELL CONGRESS TO KILL THE OBAMACARE BILL NOW
SEND YOUR FAXES NOW!
This fight CAN BE WON! Please, take action right away to STOP this bill in the U.S. Congress!
Sincerely,
Alan Gottlieb
Chairman, AmeriPAC
AmeriPAC.org
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The republicans have sold out to special interest and their own reelection desires.
Maggie
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Peter, you are dead on. Keep up the good work. Jim Webb has never been one to miss out on an opportunity to enrich himself at the expense of those most in need. I think he is at it again. This article points out a little of his sleaze.
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The Virginia senator just got back from Japan, where he expanded his ever-increasing involvement in Asia policy making by injecting himself into the basing dispute that has become the main issue of tension in the U.S.-Japan relationship.
Webb’s trip to Tokyo, Okinawa, and Guam comes at a time when the U.S. and Japan are negotiating how to implement the 2006 agreement to move the U.S. Marine Corps base at Futenma to another Okinawa location. The new Japanese ruling party, the Democratic Party of Japan, campaigned with a promise to alter the agreement, but the U.S. side is resisting large-scale changes.
The negotiations are in somewhat of a holding pattern, administration officials tell The Cable, while the Obama team waits for the DPJ to come up with its new position on the issue. The DPJ is facing a slew of domestic crises of its own, and the U.S. side doesn’t want to force party leaders to take an unpopular stance that could undermine them politically.
But in a press conference in Tokyo Feb. 17, Webb said that a solution needed to be found quickly “on the Futenma issue for the well-being of the citizens in that area.” He added, “I am open to listening to all suggestions from the Japanese government and also the people of Okinawa.”
So is the administration upset at Webb? Not this time. “He’s the only person on Capitol Hill that cares about Asia,” said one official speaking on background basis. “He is trying to be helpful and wants to make sure the alliance does not flounder on the details of a military base.”
Some observers said that Webb’s involvement in a sensitive diplomatic dispute could create problems.
Ralph Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Honolulu branch, said that “Webb is no doubt well-intended and knows the issues, but certainly appears to be off-message … It’s been my long-held view that nothing makes things worse than attempts by Congress (individually or collectively) to make them better.”
Webb doesn’t seem to be negotiating directly, but his interactions with the people of Okinawa (who overwhelmingly oppose the base relocation plan) might be more of the Japanese government’s responsibility, a Washington-based Japan hand said.
A former Bush official who worked on Asia said that Webb was pretty much in line with the administration. “He hasn’t said anything outrageous; he is pretty close to the administration’s message on this,” the former official said, noting that Webb’s activity does create, “potential for miscalculation and confusion.”
Webb did emphasize the separation of powers within the U.S. government, tempering his statement that “there could be a number of practical options” by adding, “I don’t want to outline those options today because I don’t want to cut short the discussions that we’re going to have.”
Webb’s first year as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Asia subcommittee has been a torrent of activity. Multiple Obama administration Asia officials told The Cable that they view Webb’s travel and interest in East Asia as a refreshing reassertion of congressional interest in the region, which had been somewhat ignored on Capitol Hill for years.
They also acknowledge there’s a risk that by adding one more strong voice to the carefully calibrated relationship, there could be added confusion and complication in working out thorny issues such as the basing dispute centered on Okinawa. But the Obama administration is adjusting to what they now see as his sustained and influential involvement.
“It is a good thing when the chairman of the subcommittee takes an active interest in the U.S.-Japan alliance, that’s not usually the case,” the former official said. “He’s doing his job.”
The former official contrasted Webb’s Japan trip with his August trip to Burma, where he seemed to get out ahead of the State Department’s policy review by meeting with junta leaders and pressing for reengagement.
Webb, who sits on the Armed Services committee as well as Foreign Relations, could be an important vote if and when issues related to the Japan dispute come before Congress. For example, the relocation of Marines to Guam is somewhat dependent on resolving the Futenma issue and Congress deals with that in their defense authorization bills.
The senator was unavailable for comment before this article was published.
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I hope we as a people can get behind an effort to stop these crooks, opportunists, and those who would use Guam as collateral damage for their scientific adventures.
Hafa adai
Oki
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Hafa adai Howie you my really be on to something.
So many people are coming to or planning on coming to Guam that the airlines are gearing up for non stops to Guam. I am in seattle. But my Uncle on Guam sent me this.
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Monday morning trivia
6:00 AM Mon, Feb 22, 2010 | Permalink
Terry Maxon/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
U.S. airlines said last week they want to serve Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport from seven U.S. markets: Detroit, Guam, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
But three of those markets aren’t in the Top 10 U.S. markets for passengers going to or from Japan.
Our question this week: Name the four U.S. markets among the Top 10 that airlines have have proposed for Haneda flights.
Bonus question: Rank those markets in number of passengers going to and from Japan.
Answer: Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco make up the first three, with Seattle at sixth among the top 10 markets for passengers to and from Japan, in that order.
Detroit, Guam and Honolulu aren’t in the Top 10, according to data submitted as part of the American Airlines application.
Rank Airport O&D passengers
1 Los Angeles 434,085
2 New York 338,868
3 San Francisco 237,077
4 Chicago 88,847
5 Las Vegas 87,495
6 Seattle 83,562
7 Washington (Dulles) 61,664
8 Boston 52,706
9 Orlando 47,296
10 Portland 34,610
———————————
I’m thinking of returning to Guam and opening up a laundry. Even aliens need clean clothes.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Hi Mischa, I like that GHP, or maybe Grand Old Hypocrites GOH (they’re not a party, their a conspiracy)…anyway, that guy is as full of poopie as the rest of his gang of fools.
Just caught up with the weekend reads, Guam looks beautiful, not that I’m shocked but I didn’t expect the bright white sand beaches, and with all the new flights gearing up maybe it’s a trip in the making : ) December is the right time of year, yes?
& it appears that according to Howie, the Marianna Trench is a place worth watching, I’m trying to follow the triangulation speak and put it all together, and I really want to do some of that time/space travel, maybe I can pop through the Stargate and meet up with Azza for some ancient brew, Misch, you want to go?!
Love Ted.com and that take on perspective and oh did I learn that one firsthand while living in Asia, maybe that’s what I so sorely miss, that day to day challenge to understand the simplest of things, it really gives you a renewed worldview and regularly, and I loved every second of it.
Susan, any motivator for losing unwanted lbs is fine with me, I’ll say this: men come and go (pun intended) so, please yourself first (again, pun intended) – while I just said that, let me elaborate for a mo’ – hmmm, it seems some got busy with Jorge this weekend : ) sounds like ‘firsts’ in the way of major (or as I say: black diamond – skinglish for ‘expert run’) O’s for many of you.
…prior to all the meets, the comment that got me was one (and sorry forgot your name and don’t have time right now to look) where the woman claimed to not have had an orgasm (not sure whether she meant ever or just with hubby or with anyone ever) so I wanted to say this also to women of MM blog: it is YOUR job to get one of those, if you cannot figure out how to get yours on your own, how is a man supposed to be tasked with that? I immediately felt saddened by that comment bc while there are many important things in life, few can replace that feeling (in fact, none as far as I know) and my heart goes out to you for not realizing or not practicing and for thinking that a man should be the one to do it for you (only) – the truth is: what you think you got from Jorge, you can give yourself or have any other man give you (though admittedly, some men have it down better than others), it was his verbiage and demeanor that had you most of the way there, he just brought it home (if you will ; ) with the delivery of the goods – so, use that eroticism to do it again, and again, and again…btw, if you can master that, you’ve also uncovered the key to the art of the quickie ; ) it does help to have a man who is into sex hanging around for repeated rounds of getting it right : ) I am a Zen perfectionist, hahaha…
I can and will elaborate more on the subject if you’re into it and the commander gives her nod for me to get down with that subject, would not want to overtake the subject of the day with just sex (hahaha, JUST sex, as if…!)
Chat manana, here’s your exercise for today, squeeze those Kegel muscles, hold for ten seconds, release, do it again for 20, release, again for 10, 20, until you feel like you can pump that ‘thang’ he’s sporting dry with pleasure…OK, it’s hot over here, better go insert some ben wa’s and catch you all later!
Luv, Zen Lill
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Forgot…
Hi Al a mode, hey don’t forget to take care of yourself while taking care of Howie, caretakers often suffer from exhaustion they don’t even realize they feel. put your feet up, take a nap and no worrying, things will sort out. I’ve got a group of 8-12 year old’s sending out some positive love to you tomorrow am, Howie, so get ready for a jolt of ‘feel good’ about noon-12:30 your time, OK? I am on it, we’re going to shrink your tumor the ‘intention experiment’ way. Rest easy, Al and feel better, Howie. I’m thinking about you both.
- Zen Lill
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Today my tiny little weenie husband strapped on his gun and packed our 4 kids into our suv and we headed to Yosemite. His little penis gained a couple of inches because the law now says it is legal to carry guns in all the nation’s national parks. Just another nod to the tiny penises of white men.
I sat next to my silly penis arrested husband and watched his face light up. Guns, bibles, less government, etc. I don’t know what turned me off more his tiny little penis, his always got to be bragging about the history of white men or his insane fondness for anything iron that fires bullets.
Chuck spent so much time putting down the black guys at the club. that I made friends with black women at my job to piss him off. What disturbed me the most was how often I caught him ogling them when we went out together.
He couldn’t wait until we were alone to put down the black men. I asked one to dance when Chuck had to leave early one night. We danced twice and as he began to leave me off the floor when a slow song was being played, I wrapped my arms around him and continued to dance.
We were very snug when I felt his hard on. I pushed myself against it and pressed my hand into the small of his back. I went home that night thinking what a lost it had been that I let prejudice keep me from making friends with blacks.
Cindy
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Zen Lill
I am a fan of your exercise routine. I have had many orgasms. Until Jorge, the best were provided by me, my hand, vibrator and my imagination. But twice he gave me the most incredible orgasms.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Ladies, Ladies, you are talking about my man. I discovered his unique way of using hie big hands and long slender fingers while making love in a small border town in Argentina.
He fucked me so good that I let him do something I have never allowed another man to do, fuck me in the ass. He flipped me. I have been a ass junkie ever since. He can produce the most intense long incredible orgasms in your ass.
I loaned him to my best girlfriend because she said her man used ticklers in her ass that gave her orgasms no other man could possibly match. For a $7,200 bet I convinced Jorge to hit that ass. I won and she paid considerably more to have him father her first born.
Jorge is more than a man with a big dick. If you give him the opportunity to know you, he will fuck with your mind as he fucks your body. KImberly, said that he sung a Barry white song while fingering her pussy and ass to delicious orgasms.
My point girls is yes, he is good in the sack. But that is but a part of him that he loans out freely. The rest of him belongs to me. He is my fiance and we have an understanding about either of us forming a relationship with the people we fuck.
So girls, I’m glad you had a great time. But there will be no repeats.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:28 pm
The federal judge Jay Bybee sold his soul to the right for his political appointment. He will be deciding cases for the benefit of their associates.
Bought and paid for
Nora
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:28 am
Hi Zen Lill, you are REAL. You have a giant heart. You are one who takes action and it is certainly appreciated.
Your ‘Intention Experiment’ is one of the nicest actions anyone could take for another Human being. I will be waiting for those ‘feel good’ vibes being transmitted by your group of 8-12 year-olds.
I have gone into my levels by Carr’s advice and shined a healing light inside me. How can anything be bad if so much good is going in along with the positive vibrations the children will be sending?
Luv, Howie
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:31 am
Zen Lill,
Thank you
Al
March 28th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
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