It was a relatively quiet day on Wall Street, with all of the major indexes showing modest gains.

Thanks for this meaningless information. "Relatively quiet" compared to what? Historical noise levels? Yesterday? And why should I care? And if I did care, wouldn't I know this already?

It was a relatively quiet day in New York City, too. So what? Should I buy something?

The short-term rescue package for the auto industry may get a House vote as early as tonight. The package's future is in doubt, however, in light of a likely Republican filibuster in the Senate.

If GOP Senators manage to block cloture, this would be the perfect opportunity for Reid to keep the bill on the floor, and keep the Senate in session, day and night, until an up-or-down vote is held, or until the new Congress begins.

Make those Republicans talk, talk, talk, to defend their desire to put another 1-3 million people out of work. Make 'em stand up for what they believe!

If GOP Senators manage to block cloture, this would be the perfect opportunity for Reid to keep the bill on the floor, and keep the Senate in session

But that would be mean. It could also be construed as rude to Republicans. Fox News might say something nasty about Reid if that were to happen. Harry does not like to be seen as mean and really hates it when Republicans say nasty things about him (he doesn't mind being hating by Democrats but he wants to stay in good graces with Republicans).

In other words, if the Republicans show resolve you can count on Reid to wilt away.

I'm with low-tech cyclist. These pseudo-fillibusters have to stop, and this is a good issue to make their obstructionism visible.

Damn those Republicans - I have Ford stock and I want it to go on up. What can we do to save the auto loanout?

BTW, if needed, our Dems should do their own "nuclear" thing - quit being such pussies!

Bush regrets WMD intelligence failure.

So why was he looking for Iraq's WMD under his desk in the oval office?

Bush likes to rewrite history.

I like to point out history.

* Name that quote: Rod Blagojevich vs. Tony Soprano. (I got nine out of 10. How'd you do?) -- Steve Benen

I got 9 out of 10 too and I've never seen a single episode of the Sopranos (in fact, as recently as 10 months ago, a friend who mentioned The Sopranos had to explain to me what she was talking about). Of course... I took the test right after watching that Maddow clip you'd recommended...

Chris Mathews has always rubbed me the wrong way. I find him melodramatic and not that bright frankly. A true provocateur.

Today he confirmed my beliefs. He had on Ayers, and I was very impressed with the way William Ayers presented himself: remorseful, wise, reflective, forthright and willing to move forward with what is so now. That's what you call mature; that's what you call wise.

Most importantly, he recognizes that with Obama, things have changed. Chris Mathews apparently doesn't. Nor do many others who make their living by trying to provoke and make non-issues into issues.

Mathews asked Ayers how he feels about some of the more 'conservative' sounding appointments Obama has made of recent. To my shock and delight, Ayers responded quite intelligently. He indicated that although he has some mild concerns, he also thinks we all have a tendency to second-guess things and try (with great futility) to read Obama's mind and that many of us are still suffering from a depression of sorts (I'd call it cynicism) due to the last eight years...in other words, he is willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt and he sees (as I do) a true vision, a true sane method to what looks like madness (especially to those who make their living like Mathews by looking for problems). Ayers is clearly moved by America's choice last month, as am I. How refreshing.

Unfortunately, and rather crudely, Mathews would have nothing of it. He jumped in with the last word that was crude and rude and defensive--and really showed his simplistic colors.

Mathews missed the point entirely and clearly wasn't listening at all. This is what he came back with so automatically and so predictably:

"Well, with all due respect, Mr. Ayers--you have your way of agitating and I have mine".
------------------------------------------------
What a cop-out defensive response! Mathews missed the whole point because he wasn't paying attention, because he felt attacked, because he just cares more about his job than about the country and where we are all headed.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mr. Mathews: Here IS the point Ayers was trying to say, in case you care:
Ayers is no longer is in the business of agitation, as you are. He made that quite clear throughout the interview. He has grown up. He is now in the business of education, of creating new visions and possibilities, along with Obama. He is in the business of asking ourselves important questions that may save our lives now, questions like:

Can we become a nation amongst nations instead of simply the nation of absolute power?

An amazing question we all need to sit with. I'm glad I was listening.

It's a shame the much more massive bailout for the suffering billionaires on Wall Street didn't get the same scrutiny and skepticism as the one for the auto companies. We could have put that $700 billion into the economy instead of the pockets of Paulson's Wall Street cronies, who managed to stampede us into coughing up huge gobs of money, when they were the ones who were panicking, because it was becoming clear that the new administration would be Democratic, not Republican. That left them very little time to loot the Treasury, but they got away with it as we fell for the gambit, hook, line and sinker.

For once I agree with the Republicans. I hope they can stop the auto bailout until wiser, cooler and calmer heads can prevail on and after January 20.

I don't know what to think about these bailouts.
It's crazy times.

But that's really sad to hear about NPR's loss today.

I gotta feeling that 2009 and 2010 are going to call forth some very trying times. Humor is in order, and in that regard, I did enjoy Maddow's 'history re-enactment' yesterday. She's got a good dose of Jon Stewart in her while still being able to educate and enlighten-- and that's really a very, very good thing.

* The short-term rescue package for the auto industry may get a House vote as early as tonight. The package's future is in doubt, however, in light of a likely Republican filibuster in the Senate.

If the Dems really want to get the bailout through, all they have to do is add a tax cut rider for the oil industry or perhaps just call it a bailout to indirectly support the oil bidness.

Dick "Go Fuck Yourself" Cheney could go down their and get a trillion dollar bailout for Haliburton within 5 minutes of entering the chamber.

There I Said It:

You've said it more than once now. Everyone gets it that you don't like the stock market reports.

If you were under the impression that Steve writes his posts just for you, you might want to rethink that.

There is an easy alternative to being a whiny troll--skip the stock market blurbs if they don't interest you.

NPR sucks and has sucked for a long time.

I had been a long time NPR listener and supporter of their local affiliates. I have always been bothered by their smug, overly optimistic, chuckle-voiced financial corespondent. In light of their current "efforts" during the past year, I became so disillusioned that I decided not to pledge for the first time in years. I will admit to being somewhat pleased thatthey are feeling the economic pinch.

How about Arlen Specter looking to fight the Holder nomination. From the man (and party) that brought us John Ashcroft and Abu Gonzales who institutionalized torture and other immoral, unethical and illegal acts in this country, the man who refused to fight to remove the stain that was Alberto Gonzales, and he wants to pick a fight over the issue of a pardon that Holder himself did not grant. And the repubs wonder why they are in deep, deep decline.

It’s the Media people they are complicit with the Republican and my bet is the FBI is there too.

Talk about cheap and easy, Blagojevich is either nuts or asking for it. So for me there is something more to this whole story. Ladies and Gentlemen of America all this news for a telephone conversation amounts to what might be called a misdemeanor.

If Blagojevich did not take any money or get any thing in return for a deal, this whole thing amounts to a fine and or perhaps a little jail time. It might not even be a felony.

If that’s the case, Blagojevich could be able to serve out his term. Just for one Senators slot. It does not make any sense or is Blagojevich a goat to flush out Fitzgerald and the media. That makes sense because this issue is so cockeyed.

Hey what about Abramoff? Come on twenty members of Congress compared to one Senator. Please Abramoff beats Blagojevich hands cuffed.

“Abramoff will now cooperate in a wide ranging Justice Department investigation looking at his efforts to influence as many as “20 members of Congress and congressional staffers, including former Republican House leader Tom Delay of Texas.�

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-01/2006-01-03-voa51.cfm?CFID=75542167&CFTOKEN=37358029

Check this out another Washington Post article.

“Let's say a United States senator has helped pass a bill that earns $60 billion in windfall profits for a military contractor that happens to be a client of a lobbying firm. When that lobbying firm immediately hires the senator for a $10 million salary that is completely underwritten by the military contractor in what amounts to a blatant kickback, is it ethical to also provide him prostitutes?�

It all makes Blagojevich a small timer. What really is the kicker everyone on the broadband channels is telling Blagojevich to resign? For me the curiosity is screaming right at America from all the Journalist are casually saying well Blagojevich has been being investigated for about five years. What is that how long does it take to cuff a crook? Five years of investigation? Sounds like some partisan funny business here. But CNN, MSNBC, and FOX are just rolling and ranting Illinois’ is the most corrupt in America.

Heck if one is investigated knowing he has a phone tap don’t you think that is very peculiar. Something does not add up here. All of a sudden the networks are jumping on the governor. The timing is very convenient against Obama not Blagojevich. From my view these guys are going after Obama. Pay for play, more like play for pay. Watch the buzz words and perhaps this issue will fad fast just as it appeared, a guy like Blagojevich doesn’t leap into a problem like these without a back door. All these guys have a back door, because Jan, 20 2009 the fur will fly.

Heh, I'm a little TIC about whether anything is worth doing to save anyone's stock. But if the AutoCos go down, it will not be good for the nation. We should get some kind of deal going.

See Joe ream John. See John smile. Smile Johnny smile.

Joe the Plumber turned on McCain today.
How cool is that?
Remember when John said Joe was his role model?
(Yes really!)

Well guess what John?
Joey the Plumber just pissed in your face.
Full on and full throtle.
Wheee.... peee....

Remember in John concession speech,
when he said he would always be proud of his honorable campaign?

Well guess what John?
Now is the time to show your pride...
and swallow Joe's piss...
All of it and with a smile...

Smile sucker. Smile.

There I Said It,

Again, just as yesterday, you shouldn't have "Said It."

If you don't want to read the stuff about the stock market, scroll past it.

If you have a serious suggestion, email Steve; if all you have are nasty repetitive complaints, keep them to yourself.

You may not want to read a single sentence about the stock market, but no one wants to read your redundant complaints.

doubtful, you have some anger management issues you should have checked out.

I read where the FDRs New Deal cost 32 billion
[500 billion in inflation adjusted dollars today]

700 billion has been handed to the 'banksters' and no jobs have been created.

Did you click on and read the link about the stock market TISI?

NPR. They have been forced to speak Republican talking points to a progressive audience--how's that for a business model?! I want Bob Edwards back and I'll think about another tote bag. I turned off NPR after the 2004 Juan Williams "Go Bush re-election" extravaganza.

It's time for the Democrats to make the Republicans actually fight a filibuster. Make them stay in Washington over the holidays as they argue on national TV how they want to screw the American people. Let everybody see these ghouls and orcs for what they are, publicly. Let them see what their e-mail and their phone calls and the letters start looking like.

Make these scum actually do it.

Of course, that would mean the Democrats in the Senate would have to have a backbone implant.

Sometime we need just a little more humor in our lives. Yesterday, I thought I was falling slowly toward another deep well of depression. The kind that makes you wish you could afford better drugs, but then one of students brought me an early Christmas present, and I think I can survive another few months of teaching political science to underprivileged gangster babies.

I got 9 outta 10 too. I missed #3.