The Mexican Attorney General Marisela Morales has asked for the extradition of six U.S. citizens considered responsible for the "gun walking" of over 2000 forearms to Mexico. Three of these folks appear to be weapons traffickers from Arizona. Another three are from Texas, which implies further proof of a Fast & Furious type of operation has occurred in Texas, something DOJ has not admitted. Notably, Mexico has not requested extradition of any ATF personnel. Yet.
Of course Eric Holder's DOJ and ATF doesn't seem to know that anyone did anything wrong. The families of, perhaps, several hundred dead Mexicans may differ on that point. F&F weapons were found at about 100 crime scenes in Mexico.
See here: Mexico Requests Extradition
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Main Stream Media: Why don't I watch them?
People often comment that it is terrble that I watch Fox News a lot. They think I should watch the alphabet soup networks because they are more "fair and balanced." Well, here is a simple example of why:
Two weeks ago, MF Global Finance declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now MF is a relatively small financial company compared to Goldman Sachs or Citigroup. However, MF represents a $40 Billion set of mistakes by Jon Corzine and his management staff, and the 11th biggest U.S. bankruptcy. And worse, the auditors can't find about $600 Million worth of deposits. Two lawsuits filed so far.
So back to the big networks. How many stories did they do on MF Global in prime time in the past two weeks?
NBC: 4 stories, morning/evening
CBS: 2 Stories, morning/evening
ABC: 0 stories evening, 1 morning mention
And Fox? Almost every day.
Two weeks ago, MF Global Finance declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now MF is a relatively small financial company compared to Goldman Sachs or Citigroup. However, MF represents a $40 Billion set of mistakes by Jon Corzine and his management staff, and the 11th biggest U.S. bankruptcy. And worse, the auditors can't find about $600 Million worth of deposits. Two lawsuits filed so far.
So back to the big networks. How many stories did they do on MF Global in prime time in the past two weeks?
NBC: 4 stories, morning/evening
CBS: 2 Stories, morning/evening
ABC: 0 stories evening, 1 morning mention
And Fox? Almost every day.
Scandals: Maybe Not a Scandal, but Pretty Scandalous
Six of the top executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will receive about $35 Million in bonuses for the year. One, Freddie's Handleman, will get $5.5 Million. Given that these two GSEs control 90% of the countries mortgages and have received $170 Billion in taxpayer bailout money (and now asking for $15B more), and the housing market is still severely slumped, what exactly are these guys doing to earn all this money?
Sure, these numbers are similar to a lot of private companies, but with private companies the shareholders get to approve bonuses. At Fannie and Freddie, no one seems to approve the scandalous spending of "other people's money." And they they don't seem to have any downside to whatever they do, because they are essentially guaranteed that Washington will cover any losses. At House Oversight Committee today, the presidents seemed proud that they have rented about 1 Million of the homes they have in foreclosure. Gee shucks, isn't that nice? Now how about figuring how to stop the taxpayer bleeding by actually fixing the market?
Sure, these numbers are similar to a lot of private companies, but with private companies the shareholders get to approve bonuses. At Fannie and Freddie, no one seems to approve the scandalous spending of "other people's money." And they they don't seem to have any downside to whatever they do, because they are essentially guaranteed that Washington will cover any losses. At House Oversight Committee today, the presidents seemed proud that they have rented about 1 Million of the homes they have in foreclosure. Gee shucks, isn't that nice? Now how about figuring how to stop the taxpayer bleeding by actually fixing the market?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Scandals: Let's Have Some More
On the national scene: The Obama Administration once again proves it is a master at crony capitalism. HHS has made a deal for $435 Million for 1.7 million doses of a drug that can't be proven efficacious in humans, because smallpox has been eradicated worldwide. Besides, the U.S. already has a full stockpile of smallpox vaccine. According to the LA Times: "Over the last year, the Obama administration has aggressively pushed a $433-million plan to buy an experimental smallpox drug, despite uncertainty over whether it is needed or will work. Senior officials have taken unusual steps to secure the contract for New York-based Siga Technologies Inc., whose controlling shareholder is billionaire Ronald O. Perelman, one of the world's richest men and a longtime Democratic Party donor." Perelman and associates gave over $400,000 to Obama and Democrats in 2008 and 2010. See here: Smallpox Scandal?
On the California scene: The Sacramento Bee has a brave expose article today about the new Bay Bridge. They discuss questionable testing of the foundation piles by a Caltrans testing technician. In addition, kudos to the Bee for a nice detail listing of the cost increase history of the Bay Bridge, which is an edifice to the Browns (Jerry and Willie), and the MTC all of whom wanted a "signature" bridge to prove how big their cajones are.
Also on the California scene: The new report about the High Speed Rail system was released two weeks ago. As I expected the cost has gone from $35 Billion to $98 Billion, the miles of track are less, the ridership estimates have been significantly reduced, and the timeline for completion has been kicked out 10 years. The possibility of it ever paying for itself are now non-existent.
On the California scene: The Sacramento Bee has a brave expose article today about the new Bay Bridge. They discuss questionable testing of the foundation piles by a Caltrans testing technician. In addition, kudos to the Bee for a nice detail listing of the cost increase history of the Bay Bridge, which is an edifice to the Browns (Jerry and Willie), and the MTC all of whom wanted a "signature" bridge to prove how big their cajones are.
Also on the California scene: The new report about the High Speed Rail system was released two weeks ago. As I expected the cost has gone from $35 Billion to $98 Billion, the miles of track are less, the ridership estimates have been significantly reduced, and the timeline for completion has been kicked out 10 years. The possibility of it ever paying for itself are now non-existent.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Carmel Still a Place for Romance
FastKitty and I spent a few days last week in the quaint town of Carmel. She found several art galleries that held her attention for more than the usual quick zoom-through. We walked the beach. We swooned over two beautiful sunsets. The food was varied and excellent. The Coachman hotel was cozy and freshly renovated. 17-Mile Drive remains invigorating. Best foodery: Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley.
Fast & Furious: Holder Finally Testifies
Today, Attorney General Eric Holder finally testified before the House Oversight Committee about what he knew about F&F. He used classic deflect and blame tactics. Given a cue by Dianne Feinstein's antics last week (replaying the Lie of 90%), he even tried to suggest that we need more gun laws, thereby displaying his contempt for the 2nd Amendment. He also deflected a chance to apologize for the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, with a fatuous response and an air of indifference. It appears there is little honor at the top of the DOJ.
When asked about when he first knew of F&F, Holder re-used the excuse that because DOJ has 115,000 employees and many programs and he can't read all the memos on his desk, that he didn't know about F&F until May 2011. Many people are suggesting this displays either incompetence or direct lying. In addition, he refused to accept responsibility for the scandal, or to say who he would hold accountable.
When asked by Senator Cornyn: "Have you apologized to the family of Brian Terry?"
Holder: "I have not apologized, but I certainly regret what happened."
Cornyn: "Did you talk to them?"
Holder: "I have not."
It shocks me that this man is still working for the people of the U.S. His disdain for the Constitution, for his employees and their families, for his office as chief law enforcer, is stupefying. In my opinion, it is a symptom of the Obama Administration and its hubris.
Later on Cam & Company on www.nranews.com, Lana Domino, a freind of the Terry Family, stated pointedly, "The blood of Brian Terry is on Eric Holder's hands."
When asked about when he first knew of F&F, Holder re-used the excuse that because DOJ has 115,000 employees and many programs and he can't read all the memos on his desk, that he didn't know about F&F until May 2011. Many people are suggesting this displays either incompetence or direct lying. In addition, he refused to accept responsibility for the scandal, or to say who he would hold accountable.
When asked by Senator Cornyn: "Have you apologized to the family of Brian Terry?"
Holder: "I have not apologized, but I certainly regret what happened."
Cornyn: "Did you talk to them?"
Holder: "I have not."
It shocks me that this man is still working for the people of the U.S. His disdain for the Constitution, for his employees and their families, for his office as chief law enforcer, is stupefying. In my opinion, it is a symptom of the Obama Administration and its hubris.
Later on Cam & Company on www.nranews.com, Lana Domino, a freind of the Terry Family, stated pointedly, "The blood of Brian Terry is on Eric Holder's hands."
Stealing the Public Purse: Assembly Plays Games with Specified Funds
The California Assembly, whose principle job is to provide the State with a balanced budget, has failed to do so for many years. They consistently play games with the public's money. One way they game the budget system is by "borrowing" money from special funds that were set up to accomplish specific purposes. Several examples:
Green Sticker Program: The off road recreation industry relies on a program and fund where the revenues come from an earmarked portion of the vehicle registration of motorcycles, ATVs and other off road vehicles. The fund is used to build and maintain recreational facilities. The collected monies are not supposed to be spent on anything else. The Assembly has stolen these funds.
Dept. Of Boating and Waterways: Similarly to the Green Sticker Program, boaters pay a fuel tax to fund grants by DBW to marinas to build and maintain marinas, boat launch ramps and other waterway facilities used by California's boaters and waterway users, including campers near boating facilities. The Assembly has stolen some of these funds. It has tried to roll DBW into the Parks Department, where the emphasis would not be on waterways at all and the money would not be spent as legislated.
The Gas Tax: Just like the DBW funds, gasoline taxes are collected to build and maintain highways. These funds are consistently spent on subsidizing commuter rail, bus systems and many other non-highway items.
Green Sticker Program: The off road recreation industry relies on a program and fund where the revenues come from an earmarked portion of the vehicle registration of motorcycles, ATVs and other off road vehicles. The fund is used to build and maintain recreational facilities. The collected monies are not supposed to be spent on anything else. The Assembly has stolen these funds.
Dept. Of Boating and Waterways: Similarly to the Green Sticker Program, boaters pay a fuel tax to fund grants by DBW to marinas to build and maintain marinas, boat launch ramps and other waterway facilities used by California's boaters and waterway users, including campers near boating facilities. The Assembly has stolen some of these funds. It has tried to roll DBW into the Parks Department, where the emphasis would not be on waterways at all and the money would not be spent as legislated.
The Gas Tax: Just like the DBW funds, gasoline taxes are collected to build and maintain highways. These funds are consistently spent on subsidizing commuter rail, bus systems and many other non-highway items.
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