| Max out and cash in, the new Hoover and off with their perks! |
| Sunday, 15 February 2009 | |
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Thank you for your kind (and unkind) letters from the Canada, America, Mexico and Australia. Mark reads all the letters, but especially enjoys the vicious ones. Drop a line to Mark's Mailbox and if you're chosen to be the one and only Letter of the Week you'll join our roll of winners from four Continents and receive a copy of Mark Steyn From Head To Toe. It would help if you could indicate your city or town, or, at least, your state, province or country. Failing that, your continent or hemisphere would do. If they try to repeal Jimmy Carter's and Bill Clinton's "Community Reinvestment Act", they can force the Democrats to defend it. The Republicans can then say the bank bailouts won't work while the Democrats' law forces banks to lend to people who can't repay the loans. If the "stimulus" doesn't work, then the Republicans can keep hammering the Democrats over the "Community Reinvestment Act". If the Democrats are eventually forced to repeal or limit it, it'll be obvious who's responsible for the present mess. Carl Chapman Re: Obamateur hour No one seems to understand what's going on, as we leapfrog Socialism and go straight to Communism. I know "Communism" sounds extreme, but think about it: Washington is now calling the shots with regards to housing, banking, the auto industry, energy, and soon-to-be-100%-of healthcare. When our President starts telling the private sector how much it can and cannot pay its CEO's, am I exaggerating? John Nehmer BARACK THE RED Love your work, please keep it up! Mike Arnold OBAMA’S BIGGER PICTURE The friend of Ayers and son of Alinsky knows these spending bills will bankrupt the US. That's the idea. As Lenin said, the way to destroy the bourgeousie is to debauch the currency. Obama is committed to the "transformation" of America into a egalitarian state where everyone is the same, has the same, lives the same. Obama doesn't believe he's ruining the country. He believes that 1) this is the way to save the country, and 2) America is the cause of most of the conflicts in the world because of our greed. ("White man's greed runs a world in need.") Neither the Media nor most people will accept the fact that Obama is an ideologue. They think he really wants to be a great President a la FDR -- that's what he's aiming at. But his constant talk of Lincoln is in seeing Lincoln as a transformer of the world, and a guy who had a sacred mission to maintain the union. Well, Obama has a sacred mission, too. To make everyone equal. Lincoln was willing to kill and main hundreds of thousands, to destroy whole swathes of the South, and commit total war in order to fulfill his holy task. Obama is no different in wanting to lead America to a Brave New World and social order. Omelets need egg breaking, and Obama doesn't mind. After all, he's never had any of his eggs broken (unless you count his childhood misery and parent issues). Obama knows that he has only this brief time to transform (wreck) the country before the middle class throw him out, but he's hoping it will be to late by then. The Federal work force, immigrants on welfare, Labor unions, all the people with their hands in the pie will constitute an unassailable majority whose thievery and mobocracy can never be undone. That's what I think. Obama is not screwing up. He's following the plan. He doesn't care if all his appointees make him look bad. Hs focus is on a bigger picture. Mark B. STIMULATED MICE A fellow shipmate on the Pelosi 2006 Sea of Despair cruise THAT’LL DO NICELY Michael J. Twomey MAX OUT AND CASH IN An aside, I am telling my darling wife we should get more credit cards and max out the ones we have and if we can get in debt 2 times our annual income it will stimulate us....she ain't buyin' it. ha. We are so screwed. Doug Nathaniel HE’S SMARTER THAN WE THINK Obama's people have polled this stimulus package backwards and forwards. Obama has decided to stand with the little guy, including small business, against indifferent government and big business. In South Florida the shift to Obama since the election is dramatic. Obama's notion of a hybrid or SUV driving over the cliff it is a political metaphor clear to everyone but conservatives. I think Democrats have skillfully positioned Rush as the driver of the bus. The sheer insanity of the matter is that conservatives are now portrayed as playing politics during a national economic crisis. Obama, on the other hand, has not even stopped campaigning. We have to be a lot smarter than this. Walter Clare THE SUMMER STIMULUS Mark Peters CAP PELOSI’S PLANE THE NEW HOOVER This book should be required reading!!! Wally Oliver NEVER RICH ENOUGH Mike Porter Re: Stages "What was striking to me was that the default position of ‘libera’ members is that the citizenry are knuckledragging neanderthals whose worst instincts can only be restrained by ever more government regulation. I regret to say that, even in the land of the First Amendment, one detects the same barely veiled instincts under the fluffy paternalism of Commissar Barney Frank and others." I agree that this is a striking attitude. It's not, unfortunately, a surprising one. At least,not to me. Here's why: In the years after World War 2, European philosophers mixed their socialist politics with their revulsion at the destruction wrought during the war. Out of this toxic brew, they created a new philosophy called "postmodernism," which held precisely the position you describe above: the average human is little more than a violent animal with a thin veneer of civilization, and the proper role of government is to keep that inner violence confined by any means necessary. You can see this attitude in the theory of Man as Killer Ape which held sway in anthropology during the 1950s and 1960s. You can see it in the antiwar movement of the 1960s and 1970s. You can also see it in the modern liberal's automatic rejection of any law or right or political position that suggests humans can be trusted with the ability for violence. The end to which that violence is used is irrelevant. The postmodernist sees no difference between a war for conquest and a war of self-defense. It's all violence, all a manifestation of the Killer Within, and it can't be permitted. Any other outcome, even surrender, is preferable to releasing the Killer Within. The only people who can be trusted with power are people who are not natural killers -- which is, of course, the liberals themselves. A reader WINGNUT VOICE OF REASON Dave Cox THE MUNDANITY OF FASCISM “I hope the remarks you heard from Mr. Steyn, who I'm informed made some disparaging remarks about me, who's never met me, will not have any bearing on my presentation to you or my credibility today. It's unfortunate that he doesn't afford people the freedom of speech that he wants for himself. In any event, I'm not here to talk about him…” Pardon my American vernacular, but WTF?????? Is she on (f---ing) crack? "Oh, boo-hoo, Mark Steyn won't let me talk at all, boo-hoo-hoo!" Reading Deborah Gyapong's transcript is like witnessing the bureaucratic mundane-ness of fascism and totalitarianism. Good that they got a shot across their bow from you. But it sounds like the Canadian taxpayers will be soon forking over more cash to make the whole thing that much more efficient. Onward with the Great Leap Forward! Mike Huggins TRUDEAU’S MONSTER I wish you all the best in your endeavours to remind Canadians of eight centuries of their legal and cultural heritage. As a recent law school graduate, I know full-well that you are up against slavish adherence to a social and political ideology (dare I say it? a national identity) -- namely, Trudeau's Frankenstein Monster of Rights and Freedoms. Christopher Hynes CANADA IS 'WAY COOL’ Your account of the folks interviewing you during your testimony to Ontario government contrasted nicely with a NPR bit I heard last night concerning an ad campaign for Nova Scotia organized around an entirely fictional cell phone that does everything, from translating your English speech into Farsi, to brewing your morning coffee. Near the end of the segment, the interviewer (Melissa Block, I believe) gushed "this is one "Way cooler." A country that puts people on trial for accurately quoting inconvenient statements of others, that is governed in part by folks who look down their noses at their own constituents is way cooler than the USA? Because one of its provinces uses an ad centered around a sci-fi cell phone? And I thought self-loathing was supposed to be a bad thing.... Take care! MK IT’S FOR HIS OWN GOOD Name withheld DANGEROUS CAUCASIANS This is the solid example of how to sensibly run a country? BTW, in looking up Geert Wilders, I ran into a BBC article worth noting because it implicitly endorses the UK policy of excluding dangerous foreigners. As long as they're dangerous Caucasian right-wing populist foreigners. The Home Office said there was a blanket ban on Mr Wilders entering the UK under EU laws enabling member states to exclude someone whose presence could threaten public security. "The government opposes extremism in all forms," it said in a statement, adding that it had tightened up rules on excluding those engaging in "unacceptable behaviour" in October. "It will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred, and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country." That statement makes me wonder if all the angst about gitmo would dissolve if people like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed were set free and replaced with Rush Limbaugh. Aodhan Hoffman Re: Hater Montana I have studied the four youths in the picture, and I and trembling as I attempt to compose this email. Let's start with the youth on the right, in the rear of the group (peach shirt). He is obviously delivering a painful blow to the American Indian (sorry, 1st American) population. His left hand is placed over his mouth and is obviously moving to and fro, as he says, "woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo". This was a common practice I used in my misguided youth, while playing "cowboys and indians", to mimic an 1st American war cry. His right hand appears to be making the "bunny-ears" gesture at first glance. This may be the case, and is highly offensive to a segment of the population. I'm sure we will be hearing more from The Persons with Rabbit Ears Advocacy Group. However, I believe he is attempting to show that his friend in front (white shirt) is wearing a feathered headband. The youth in the white shirt also appears to be highly intoxicated or stoned out of his mind. I think he is an innocent victim in this, as he is not manipulating his eyes. I suspect he has some 1st American blood and is actually quite intoxicated. The devil in the peach shirt is just delivering a three-pronged insult to his friend and all 1st Americans. Miss Cyrus is clearly offending her Asian friend, and apparently all persons of Asian descent living in Los Angeles. Has there been any official response from Tokyo, Beijing, or Manilla yet? Surely our troops in South Korea are on high alert now. Now the Asian youth in the front left of the picture is not innocent, either. He has obviously combed his hair to mimic Rod Blagojevich. This is highly offensive to corrupt Illinois politicians and a large number of American men who were born between 1930 and 1945. Have the riots started? Jim Courtney Re: Pork banned! Me: Upside. If the pizza's not there in 30 minutes, you get to stone the driver to death. Raj Chaudhry ALL AT SEA C. Thomas Ludden HAM ON A MINUTE Robert Allgeyer GIVE IT UP Give it up. Domino's didn't do this because they were forced to by law, the franchisee did it because of either a) personal beliefs or b) economic reality. Just because you dislike a group of people doesn't mean that businesses shouldn't make policy based on profiting off of them. It's not like they're doing anything harmful, they're just not serving pork. Mostafa Sabet NAME CHANGE Jim Treacher SCARY Glen Hoffing Re: Anger management and Tarped and capped How about some benchmarks for the dumb-assess in Washington? BENCHMARK #1--- NO CONGRESS CAN SPEND MORE THAN 1 TRILLION DOLLARS IN Joe Amato LIMITS I'm angry that CBS is in third place. All network anchors should be limited to $500,000. I'm angry that I paid $4.00 to see "Stepbrothers" on Movies on demand and it was terrible. All actors/producers/writers should be limited to $500,000 This is fun. Mark Morrissey BONUS BLUES Love all your good work. Jonathan Goldman SEND THEM TO KINKOS Jason LOOPHOLES Mike Terry JOB PLACEMENT SEVERANCE FATIGUE See further here; not as witty as you would write, but then nothing else is. Robert THE GOVERNMENT CHEATS Billy Harvey OFF WITH THEIR PERKS! Quoth MSNBC: The Wall Street Journal reported it the same way: Do these execs have to abide by limits? Their banks were healthy, and the secretary strong-armed them to set and example ¬ to take away the stigma of government money. Sounds like extortion to me. But then, it sounded like extortion to me in October, too, so I guess those guys should have known better. Off with their perks! Tim Williams MEASURING EFFICIENCY Unfortunately, nothing, because Ford self-selected out of the "treatment". Perhaps the factors that made Ford to be able to refuse government assistance are the ones responsible for Ford being more efficient. To measure the effect of compensation caps on the efficiency accurately one needs to administer the treatment randomly: pick two companies and limit their pay and compare them to the other company. Doru Cojoc NO CAPS FOR NEW STAFF Stuart Hobson THE REAL MOTIVE "...these motivators would in turn draw the better engineers, etc., who are drawn to the best leaders." Bleh! This engineer is drawn to money. David Sutherland HEDGE FUND NONSENSE No TARP money went to hedge funds; an estimated 80-90% of hedge funds will go out of business as a result of the financial crisis. The investment bank that most resembles a hedge fund - Goldman Sachs - wants to return the TARP money it received. Hedge funds are not leveraged in the sense that banks are: when a hedge fund fails only its investors get burned. There is no “contagion”. Mark Lake Re: The Change they Believed In Andy Bryant WE HAD NO IDEA! When are you going to add to your list of useful idiots David "I feel a tingle up my tight when Obama talks about an obscure philosopher while Sarah Palin is a cancer of ignorance on GOP" Brooks to your list? Are you waiting for his apologetic NYT column? That might take a while. Doru Cojoc Re: Obama mythology could use some stimulus What happened to the intelligent, savvy politician with exceptional judgment and inspiring rhetoric? It seems the bipartisan unifier has left the building and the far left liberal with a compliant Congress and media has taken his place. It's going to be a long four years. Marianne Gaio WHAT A WHINER Tom Lowe WHAT WOULD OBAMA DO? Regarding Obama's handling of Gitmo and security, I would LOVE to make a poster or bumper sticker (and I just might do it) that has a picture of an airplane crashing into the World Trade Center. Above it, "WWOD." Below it, "What Would Obama Do?" Gary Tayman Ask yourself the following question: Why did Daschle choose to receive a portion of his compensation in the form of a car and driver rather than cash? One answer: This was a way of getting some "non-taxable" compensation. Second answer: He was working for a limo company which could supply transportation to him at a lower cost than he could purchase it himself. Rich OBSEQUIOUS WEASEL Ralph Alter Re: Nuclear checkout Have you considered the benefits that uranium might bring to your small business? 1. A uranium microphone would be even more distinctive than the golden one at EIB. 2. Uranium plating (sufficiently enriched) on your office computer keyboards would: a. glow in the dark b. feel warm to the touch 3. Items 2(a) and 2(b) would help to save on office lighting and heat; a win-win for energy conservation. 4. The items from (1) and (2) could be easily recycled by the Iranians, doubtless at top dollar prices. Hmm... This could be the kernel for a global uranium cap-and-trade scheme! Just a thought. Keep up the good work. Andrew Tkac Re: The morning after If you look at elections since 1912 (when the total number of electors first rose to 531, close to its current number of 538), Obama's electoral vote total is smaller than 17 other winners. (There's a good chart here. In fact, he has a larger total than only 7 people (including both of G. W. Bush's elections). If you're comparing his total only to G.W. Bush, Obama's count seems rather high. But compared to the electoral votes won by other recent presidents such as Nixon in his second term, both of Reagan's elections, both Clinton's, and George H.W. Bush, Obama has less (and in the case of everyone here except Clinton, much, much less). Even if you look at the popular vote, Obama's margin of victory (7.3%, Wikipedia) was middling. Of course, those hailing Obama's realigning victory are only comparing him to GW Bush. That they can only remember back eight years is, I imagine, the reason they're Democrats in the first place. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I bristle whenever I hear Obama refer to the legions who voted for "change" and imply that the vast majority of the country is dewy-eyed with his hope, but I don't think those myths will be dispelled anytime soon. Sara Harold GROWN-UPS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION The "smoothness of his transition" owed something to the gracious gentleman he succeeds, and to the grown-up professionals who made up his staff. No one trashed offices like drunken rock stars tearing up hotel rooms, no one broke all the "Os" off the computer keyboards, no one pulled any of the crap that the Clinton Kiddie Korps did on their way out of town. Even if there had been some impulse to do so, the people involved had too much respect for themselves and the office of the presidency to entertain it as more than a passing fantasy. I somehow doubt Obama's acolytes will acquit themselves as well, when their time comes. Especially if they're shown the door in 2013, instead of at the end of two full terms. Joe
I know, just what you need, more stuff to read. I hope it is of use. Mike Shafer WHERE ARE YOU ON “WATERTOWN”? Second, "Watertown”. A beautiful theme album Sinatra never promoted because he recorded it with a cold. Thanks to Sid Mark, though, we in the Philadelphia area came to love it. Please look into it. Instapunk on Steyn: I’m enough of a fan that if you even answered this, I'd be grateful. Robert EXPENSIVE ERROR Scott Wyler CLIMATE CHANGE DELUSION Must be a bumper sticker in there somewhere. This year of 2009, we residents of the USSVT, your neighbors, are celebrating the discovery of our lake by Samuel Champlain in 1609. Bring your NH passport so you can return home and visit. Karin and Bob Hardy PARENTS' RIGHTS DOOMED? Since virtually all laws in the U.S. regarding children are state laws, this treaty would negate nearly 100% of existing American family law. Moreover, it would grant the government authority to override parental decisions by applying even to good parents a standard now only used against those convicted of abuse or neglect. Is this true? William Chadwick THE LOGICAL END Love your insights. Keep up the good work! Tom Halvorsen INCREDIBLE SHRINKING STATISTICS Oops. See here and here, here and here. I know the damage has been done and Iraq has largely slipped from the national consciousness as we've turned a loss into a victory, but this is definitely worth all the attention it can get. Chris Lotz MORE ACTION, LESS TALK Boston Bruce GOOD ENOUGH FOR GITMO They make the best Baklava that I have ever eaten, they are in Michigan, we are in Texas but we order from them all the time. The Baklava freezes very well and makes great desserts for any gatherings or just for yourself. Just a tip for you...it is really worth a try! JoAnne Moriarty CHANGE YOUR NAME Only comment.. might change your name (like a lot of foreigners did when they arrived in America) to Stein. Easier to remember as in beer Stein. Robin Cox CAN’T DISAGREE WITH AMERICA ALONE I totally agree that government hacks are far too stupid to run my life (John Oakley Show). I don't need their help. Terry Johnston LAST WORD Please let me know when I can visit your site without getting the urge to wrap myself in a giant doily. Dean Ollins MARK REPLIES: But I like doilies. |