Canard of the Week: Free trade Agreements

The government is notorious for creating terms that are utterly devoid of truth.  Affordable Care Act leaps to mind.  So I will dedicate space each week to the vetting of a fun canard.

This week, free trade agreements.

Does anyone know who Fred Hochberg is?  I didn't until today.  He is the present head of the Import-Export "Bank" of the United States.  This is a government monster created by, get this, executive order in the 1930s to finance trade to other countries; trade so risky and/or worthless, that no bank would bother to get involved.  It has since grown into a cabinet level function of the government.  Have you ever heard of this creature?  No? Well, too bad, because keeping this obvious moral hazard alive is the price we are paying for an example of this week's canard.

The Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), some people calling it the Asian free trade agreement, is by itself a red herring.  It is touted by supporters as a bill designed to help American goods get to market.

Problem:  There is nothing FREE about it.  This is an example of Congress once again handing its power to the executive branch ostensibly to foster faster trade deals with foreign countries and "help the American worker".  (I am blowing raspberries.)  How could anything negotiated by a few heads of state, always done in the interest of selected corporate "winners" and handed to our Legislative branch for an up-or-down vote without amendment be called free?  Further, in this case, the power is being handed to the man who set back-to-back billion dollar records for selling influence to major corporations.  A man with only two desires applicable; the acquisition of personal power (he only has two years left and is in dire need of a success) and selling the aforementioned influence.   This will set him up for his multimillion dollar paydays after he leaves office.  Even if we had a 100% pure and honest broker in the oval office, there would be nothing free about this or any other trade deal that would be made by anyone other than the parties buying and selling their goods.

In order to get enough liberals to vote for this free trade myth, McConnell - who appears to be missing a jaw bone as well as a spine - agreed to make the survival of the Import-Export "Bank" part of the bill.  Of this move, Mitch said that although he doesn't support the phony bank, those that do support it are entitled to a vote.  Aww, too bad his predecessor didn't feel that way when Obamacare was rammed through without real debate or substantial amendment and one-sixth of our economy was being hijacked.  At the time, McConnell was on all fours, pants around his ankles saying, "Do me again, Harry!"

Anywho, according to AP's Myway.com, this all came with the "usual presidential phone calls, closed-door Capitol meetings and urgent, private pleadings. [Emphasis mine]

A cute side note:  The president stayed up late into the night making phone calls to keep this bill alive.  Hmmmm… Well where the hell was he on 9/11/12?  NOW: I want more personal power so I'll stay up all night in order to get it.  THEN: Someone is attacking my ambassador in Libya? Oh well, do what you can.  I have a fund-raiser tomorrow.  I have to go night-night. 

Simple but Critical Economic Awareness

This comes to us from Jessica Burns, of St. Louis, MO, a wonderful lady and always the smartest duck in the room.

One of the reasons we end up in a snit during a market correction and politicians start mucking about with the economy is because we fail to realize how important the corrections are and because we don't understand economic laws.   The politicians, taking advantage of the panic for short term gain, invariably make things much worse and drag out what would be a normal, almost painless recovery.  We must learn that when things turn down as they occasionally MUST do, all of us - producers, retailers, consumers - must learn to keep our heads and not scream for incompetent beltway idiots to do ANYTHING at all.

It wouldn't hurt to take some personal responsibility and sock some cash away when times are flush.

Watch-Learn-Share…then watch it again.

2014 - Then This Post - Then 2015

Resolutions

I have but one New Year's resolution: EFFING WRITE MORE!  I have been remiss, especially in the last month or so.  

Review

2014 saw the launch of one of the most riveting and influential blogs in all of Thornburg, Va.  This one, Pedestrian Politics and Economics far outstrips the local competing blog Lawnmower Engines and the Men Who Love Them.  This morning I established the coveted Spotsylvania Award for Journalistic Excellence, sort of a Pulitzer for rednecks, and promptly awarded it to me.  

And why not?  In less than a year we made the case against the existing US foreign policy in the Middle East in three posts, discussed kissing, corruption, mob rat #7 and almost single-handedly brought an end to Jay Carney's career (I have a few regrets there.)

2014 also saw the launch of Operation Moron, with the mission of dumping the top four in the House and Senate and positioning the Republicans for the White House in 2016.  Now that this blog holds the highly respected SAJE the Republicans will surely sit up and listen.

Preview

But if you think my previous, barely understandable rants were perhaps a bit too harsh, stand by.  I intend to piss off everyone this year.  Before the year is out, I will upset people from every race, creed and sex, or lack thereof.  It seems that the only way to motivate Americans is to tweak their noses and run away laughing.  I am just the man for that job.

I make this promise:  I will do my level best to present views that are at least arguable on a reasonable level.  While I will leave your nose feeling properly tweaked, it will be because my argument is strong; not because I think daisies spring out of my butt every time I post something.  I will also strive to be right.   But then, when am I not?  (For those of you just tuning in, I am always right…and damn good-lookin'!)  Further, I promise to do all these things more often, so long as She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed has no objections or has no chores for me to do. 

I'd like to think that as the new year unfolds mentors like George Will and CK will look at this blog with pride; the kind of pride a man has for his 27 year-old son who stops licking windows and takes a position as a carnival barker - or Al Sharpton's hairdresser - eew.  And I humbly hope that your New Year's resolution will be to share and comment on every syllable this award-winning blog publishes in 2015.

I May Be Losing Touch With Reality!

I never thought I'd see the day that I'd miss these two people.  I remember when they did their jobs, I was left thinking that sticking needles in my eyes would be more fun than listening to them.  But I should be more careful for that which I wish.

The Previous Migraine

The first of these two talking crucibles is Sean Hannity.  When he first reached national prominence, he was almost acceptable.  You could tell he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box, but he was personable and self-depricating in a genuine and funny way.  But soon after getting his own radio gig, he got arrogant and lazy.  The arrogant part was the most grating.  He was too far below par to have ever let go of his original "aw shucks" personae.  He developed a pathetic phony laugh and wouldn't have had a show but for the Drudge Report.

He is also a terrible interviewer.  When you don't want to know what a guest has to say, just watch Hannity or catch his radio show.  He filibusters, then asks some of the most blatantly loaded Have-you-stopped-beating-your-wife questions.  His unfortunate guest would get two words out and Hannity would be off again.  He's like O'Rielley without the presence.  (Full disclosure:  I dislike O'Reilly for the same reasons.  O'Reilly should do his opening commentary and sign off every night.)

I used to get empathetically embarrassed for Hannity when he'd run out of material while interviewing any liberal.  You would know this because he'd shout,  "What about Bill Ayres?  What about Jeremiah Wright?"  And he'd be totally out of context.  I haven't watched his TV show for a while, but I imagine he still does it.

A Migraine on Steroids

So it was such a relief to hear that WMAL was taking his drive-time slot away.  That is radio prime-time.  It belongs to talented, interesting people.  Little did I know how much worse a drive time talk show could be.  Enter Michael Savage.  As a radio host, he is the worst of all worlds.  He is unfocused.  He can barely maintain a train of thought unless he is reading someone else's work, or worse, his own.  He reads passages (long ones) from his own books frequently, peppering the segments with claims about how he never reads his own stuff on the air because he really hates to do so.  He frequently misses points his callers are making and launches into the most ignorant rants that not only grate, but often leave the caller and listeners frustrated.  He frequently blots out the seeds of great points that could have been made.

His most  ludicrous attribute is his claim to have discovered everything and to have been the first to have explained it.  About some of the most mundane and stale topics he'll say something like, "You (the listener) don't know this.  Only I know this.  And I will explain it to you."  The emphasis on "I" is his.

Marry all this to a stereotypical New York accent and the most whiney, self-important delivery you are ever likely to hear from a paid radio personality and you have what many Americans hear during every evening commute.  I have tuned in recently to see if this clown had a single redeeming quality worth mentioning for this article.  I quickly return to oldies or even subject myself to NPR (whichever of their radio stations' isn't trying to sell me a coffee mug for $75).

Is it possible that I actually miss Hannity?!

A Glimmer of Hope?

There is a rather witty and interesting talk jock, Larry O'Connor who has been co-hosting the morning drive with Brian Wilson, inarguably the gentleman journalist of DC.  O'Connor came to WMAL from Breitbart and has been doing a bang-up job in a chair that has changed hands quite a few times over the years.  For a few months now, in addition to his morning show, O'Connor has been bumping Savage from his third hour, every night with show called "The Drive at Five." It's not exactly a title you precede with a drum roll.  But it is bloody good radio.  O'Connor holds his own very nicely, has good "gets" to interview and makes the hour fly by.  I now find myself tuning into WMAL to check and see if he is on yet.  If I hear a jackass talking about his digestive disorders or demonstrating a complete misunderstanding of some of the most common events, I know O'Connor isn't on yet.

I'd like to respectfully request WMAL find a new sidekick for Wilson and give Larry his own gig from 3-6 every afternoon.  But for the love of knowledge and reason, dump Savage.  He makes the station look stupid.  Even Hannity would be an improvement, but there is enough real talent out there that you shouldn't have to bring Hannity back.  You could try putting the Conservative Black Chick on with Wilson in the morning and O'Connor in the afternoon.

From the Weird to the Absolutely Hysterical

The other guy I miss is Jay Carney.  He makes appearances here and there, now and then, commenting on the issues of the day.  But that isn't the same as watching his lip curl from the White House podium.  I found him an annoyance on his best day.  Little could I know that his replacement would make him appear almost human; hell, practically likable.

The present WH press secretary is Josh Earnest (now there's a name for you).  This guy is the most self-righteous, grating, smug spokesbitch to ever disgrace the podium.  Don't you want to just whole-hand him across the side of his head him every time he opens his smarmy mouth?   He is perfect for this administration.  For Carey's part, you knew when he was lying, something he did every single day, because his lip would curl.  At least he had enough dignity to be uncomfortable with the task.  But Earnest?  He glides through the cesspool of crap like a ballerina.  And if any of the two or three REAL journalists in the room DARE to question his endless stream of crap, he is nakedly condescending.  First you lie, then you condescend.  A perfect fit for the entire administration.

I would like to offer my sincere apology to every American for being personally responsible for the downfall of Carney and the rise of Earnest.

Okay, okay!  So MAYBE it wasn't this blog that was ENTIRELY responsible.  But I still feel bad.  I feel especially guilty when I think of the fake reporters who not only sit through the gelatinous flow of feces that stinks up the press room; they have to pretend to believe it and THEN write or talk about it.  Poor, illegitimate bastards.   (Wait…that was redundant, but not.  I am really not questioning their parentage, only their professional ethics and skepticism.)

If anyone sees Jay, tell him I'm sorry and the poker invitation still stands.

He's going to do it!

I have said here and to friends many times that the only way Obama enacts the policies issued to him by Valerie Jarrett is through authoritarianism.  I also said I suspect the cabal in the White House to be arrogant enough to thwart the election process.

Obama has a large ego but it is as delicate as a light bulb.  He is easily manipulated while at the same time believing that he is relevant.  Before the end of 2015 he will say words to this effect:  "Things are just too crazy.  Look at the border.  People are flocking in because the Republicans refuse to pass comprehensive immigration reform.  The Tea Party is causing unrest.  Ebola is spreading.  We are at war with ISIS (pick your phony crisis).  I'm sorry, but we just cannot have an election in 2016. We can't have that divisiveness in this crisis!" He is that dim-witted.  He is that easily handled. The real power behind him is that hungry for power.

The "executive actions" are just trial balloons.  The term executive action has been reduced to mere euphemism here.  Executive implies he is carrying out the will of congress.  That is his only function as Chief Executive.  He can suggest legislation till the cows come home and advocate for it.  But he cannot create the laws to execute.  So these actions, "agreements" with China* that break it off in our asses while they pretend to think about doing anything, extending the business mandate, and especially the freebies for illegals, are just a test to see if he will get away with the big announcement next year.

Are you, the American voter (white, black, hispanic, male, female, liberal, conservative, Cubs fan); are you stupid enough to let it all slide by?

Support Operation Moron!!!  Stay tuned here!

* The agreement with China over green house emissions is so lop-sided as to be laughable.  It will be handed to the EPA for action and congress will be ignored.  That's because McConnell and Boehner lack the sack to do their jobs.

Ebama Takes On Obola "Scientifically"…(which is to say arbitrarily and without the capacity for reason)

Of all the scandals and crimes committed by the Obama administration, the ebola debacle shines as the most stupid.  AND IT AIN'T OVER.

What is the science here?

Let's establish real parameters here.  The primary lies about ebola are the ways we are told the virus works.  We are told that if you don't show symptoms in 21 days, you don't have ebola.  The evidence for this is anecdotal.  Not statiscian can say otherwise.  The CDC admitted early on that there has been no study with a control group to prove the 21 day stat.  How the hell could you do that?  What they have as evidence is this:  

Question:  When did your sister who had ebola last puke on you?  

Answer:  About three weeks ago.  

Question:  And you are just testing positive today?  

Answer: Yes.  

Comment to colleague:  Well that's the longest lead time I've seen.  You? 

From colleague:  Yep, 21 days;  I haven't seen longer.  I'll make a note of that.

The "science" surrounding the symptoms is even more deserving of ridicule.  We are told you ARE NOT contagious until you show symptoms (lately, among some commentators the phrase has been "until you have full-blown ebola").  But no virus, including this nasty booger, works so mechanically. It's not a trip wire.  You don't walk down the street whistling and having sex with your girlfriend, then at 11:30:00 one morning develop a fever and 11:30:01become officially contagious.  If you have a strong constitution, you may feel a very slow onset (the doc who tested positive here most recently said he felt very fatigued while he was irresponsibly putting his friends at risk in the bowling alley). The truth is that around the time you start to feel some of the symptoms, sometime before or after, you are shedding virus.  You are contagious.

But the amateurs in the White House want you to believe they are fully in charge of the biology.  They are smarter and cooler than anyone, right?  But they can't be "in charge" of something if it doesn't conform to their narrative.  So, they make up a narrative.  Everyone around you is ebola proof until you have a specific temperature.  Before that…you're good.  

Another bit of science we are being treated to is, "Well, this thing just isn't that terribly contagious."  You'd think you would have to take a bath in the bodily fluids of someone with massive boils, bleeding from every orifice, and toss back a tumbler of it for good measure before you'd be in any danger of actually contracting the virus.

This virus is highly contagious.  stop all traffic from West Africa until it is DECLINING.  I think the west will survive without all the dozens to tourist dollars we earn from that region.

Operation Moron

May '15 Update:  The idea is catching on.  But your representatives don't fear you yet.  So this sorry state of affairs will only continue until they hear from you.  Still, it's good to see that most people are paying attention.

Sneak Preview

These are the key points of the project:

• For my Democratic friends (this would be not fun without you) and my Republican friends, we have to dump the clowns who have headed up our congressional caucuses for the past several years.
• Harry Reid - How did this whiney, mealy-mouth, lying little man ever land his position?  What did he and his Las Vegas people have on members of congress to cause them to put him a position of leadership?  He hasn't uttered an honest worthwhile phrase in years.  Dump him!  Find a statesman!
• Mitch McConnell - As I write I am listening to him making his acceptance speech.  The ONLY thing this pasty face, chinless non-player has going for him is his amazing wife.  He has been weak and useless throughout his entire tenure.  Dump him!  Find a statesman!
• Nancy Pelosi - Shrill, idiotic, dishonest, staggeringly immature.  "Deemed to have voted" for Obamacare?  Is there a thinking person on the planet who doesn't see how such disingenuousness does damage to the very fabric of this country?  If you can't see it, go away.  I am not talking to you and you are of no value in this conversation. She is an embarrassment to her party and to this nation.  Dump her!  Find a statesman!
• John Boehner - This guy can hardly walk. He has called on the President for "leadership". He was the leader in the legislative process!  Does he not get this?  Does he understand a word of the Constitution of the United States?  Dump him!  find a statesman!
• Here's the best part.  Under the Constitution that Mr. Suntan doesn't understand, the Speaker of the House does not have to be a member of Congress.  Draft a person of real political heft.  Condi Rice?  Bobby Jindal?  Chris Christie? W?  You tell me - WHO?  Put a name in the comment section.  We'll get this as much exposure as we can and hit those goons inside the beltway with it.

What Else?

• Keystone pipeline - no compromise!
• Dump Obamacare - no compromise!
• Slash corporate tax rates - Can you say automatic 2 Trillion Dollar stimulus without the public spending a dime?

We'll get into investigations of crimes and incompetence over the next day or two.  

To all, it is shaping up to be an interesting night.  What an amazing election season it has been.  But it is time to put the political prostitution behind us and get serious about pulling this economy out of the toilet.

Cheers,

MJ