* The first veto threat: "President-elect Barack Obama made his first veto threat Tuesday in a closed-door meeting with Senate Democrats. Obama told his former colleagues that if Congress passes a resolution blocking release of the second half of the financial bailout funds he will veto it, said Sen. Joseph Lieberman after leaving the caucus meeting."

So Lieberman is leaking details about intra-party disputes? Great. They sure have him on a short leash, dont they.

Heck, if it was actually "a closed-door meeting with Senate Democrats", then why was Lieberman even there?

Oh right, because he caucuses with the Democrats. Because he's so helpful to them. Yeesh.

Beck is a disturbed human being (and I use the term loosely). Apparantly, there is no distinction between 'roughing someone up' and clearly defined torture. Then again, in his little universe, 24 is a documentary. Does anyone really watch or listen to that bozo?

Are Congressional *resolutions* subject to a presidential veto? I thought there was a difference between bills to enact a law and resolutions to express the views of either house.

If there is such a difference, there might be a separation-of-powers problem with the original TARP legislation, by giving the legislature sole power to block the additional TARP spending.

But I genuinely don't know the answer. Help, anyone?

Hillary Clinton starting to look like Madeleine Albright: fatigued and getting ready to battle a world that hates what Israel is doing in Gaza.

Good luck with that!

OK, the question I posed above is squarely answered by Art I, Sec. 7 of the Constitution: "Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill."

on 24, jack's torture tactics always yield the truth. it's not that simple when there's no script and the guy you're dealing with may not even have the info you're looking for. not to mention that there are more useful ways within the law that a skilled interrogator can use. Beck btw is an idiot.

This is odd.

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=d36c4b90-7eaf-4588-a659-e186a1b999e0

The Republican Governor of Connecticut just named Linda McMahon - the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and the wife of Vince McMahon - to the state's Board of Education.

Why on earth would you want the CEO of WWE on your state's Board of Ed?

"How about a financial transactions tax?"

Hear Hear

Why on earth would you want the CEO of WWE on your state's Board of Ed?

Campaign contributions.

Hillary does look tired, but I had to reflect on some the debate about moneys donated to Bill Clinton’s Public Foundation. My mind flew open when Vitter seemed very partisan and catchy, asking questions about transparency that I could not understand. Vitter’s character alone drives me crazier than anything Blagojevich comes across as. Here Blago has yet to be convicted which blows my mind.

At this time I reflected about the legions of Right Wing “Think Tanks� and or Right Wing Institutions that are legion with listings on the Internet that seem endless under certain IRS codes that I don’t even understand. Thousands upon thousands of Republican Conservatives that are sponsored by billionaires Domestic and International that serve a single purpose; work for power through donations received by the rich and powerful Conservatives. Likely those that spend full time effort to screw over Joe Six pack.

Take the Heritage Foundation loaded with CEO’s and corporate heads, Coor’s beer heiress or Margret Thatcher, connections to deep pockets by people who don’t understand poverty…For me they are all Rogues of the elite.

Perhaps there is key to solve America’s tax problem since these non-profit corporations have such a calling to serve America it could be high time in such a climate that they show some patriotic duty and take a position to offer taxes back into the system to help America out of its problems. Seems these non-profit organizations have much more than a simple suggestion for better government.

Heck in Illinois the Tribune and the Sun-Times news paper appear to be running the government along with Ryan during the Republican controlled legislation. A good forensic study would likely show reams and reams of legislation written on Wrigley paper and ink. Then one wonders why Blagojevich appears to know something about all those congressional persons. For me I have always wondered why Just Ryan went jail, heck a whole load of political persons should have gone to jail with him. In his time it was common operations to solicit money for re-election with and during government business.

I really like that financial transaction tax. It's long overdue.

"How about a financial transactions tax?"

Bullshit. This can easily be several hundred dollars on a single trade taking costs back to the insane prices before true competition arrived.

This is as stupid as prohibiting short selling.

Trading keeps the market liquid. That's a good thing.

Tax all income at the same rates. No breaks for long term capital gains, dividends. Keep the estate tax and get rid of the mortgage deduction.

For me I have always wondered why Just Ryan went jail, heck a whole load of political persons should have gone to jail with him.

Huh? About a dozen Illinois politicians went to jail before they got to Ryan -- he was the top link in the chain.

You might want to actually look up a few facts before you speculate. Just an idea.

T-minus 159 hours and counting... baby!

A pimp, a punk, and a pederast.

Nuf said...

* I've heard nothing but good things about Obama nominating Julius Genachowski, [...] -- Steve Benen

That's because nobody knows how to pronounce his surname and bitchin' about "this guy, you know who I mean..." just isn't very punchy. I betcha they're avoiding talking about him altogether. This should be the easiest confirmation hearing of all, with everyone too shy to ask questions of "Mr er..."

"I'm telling you there's an enemy that would like to attack America, Americans, again. There just is. That's the reality of the world. And I wish him all the very best.

Happily he's on his way back to Crawford.

Steve,
Your hard on for the NRA continues unabated. How rather unpragmatic--can you think of a public policy position that's cost liberals more politically in exchange for so little gain? try not being so knee-jerk. Tsk tsk...it's not a matter of liberal vs. conservative--it's that Holder is about as opposed to protecting our 2A rights as you can get.

The NRA did write a position statement outlining their opposition to Holder's nomination, but are probably just keeping their powder dry for the big fights upcoming, as Holder's nomination is probably going through no matter what.

karog,

"Bullshit. This can easily be several hundred dollars on a single trade..."

A 0.25% transactions tax would only be $25 per $10,000 trade.

However, it would raise $100 billion or so.

What about the shenanigans in the Tennessee state house election for speaker?

Moderate republican convinces all of the Dems to vote for him to oust the anointed wing nut.

Tears, gnashing of teeth, apoplexy and hilarity ensue.

Still looking for video. Apparently it was high drama.

If you're gonna use Jack Bauer to make your case, why stop there? Look at Superman, tossing all those criminals into the Phantom Zone without a trial! It's like Extradimensional Rendition... And if *Superman* can do it...