re: Ever heard of photoshop!!!

I agree with Mavhu on her comment that the U.S. government was extremely careless by not allerting the New York public of the photo excersise that created such a commotion. There is definately a better way this situation could have been handled. Giving the governemt the benefit of the doubt though, if I personally saw any "threat" (low flying plane) followed by 2 U.S. fighter jets I would assume the situation (if there was one) was under control. I am also thankful that no one was seriously hurt during the miscommunication.

As far as the money/economy aspect of the blog, we are in America. Since our rise to status as a world power, we have used an extra emphasis to make sure we at least give the illustion that we are still completely on top of our problems. America has never passed up the chance to show the rest of the world that no matter what problems we encounter as a nation, we will still continue to run the country as if nothing was wrong. As far as the money that was spent on the operation, with the glass half full, government spending has been helpful in previous instances to stimulate economies. People did recieve money for the work they did such as photographers, pilots, etc...
On the other hand though the money spent could have been put towards something more helpful or practical. Education? Public transportation? Who knows.

As far as photoshopping an image of Air Force One infront of monuments...come on. This is America!!!! We are the real deal, legit to the day we die (which will be never, of course). We have never hoaxed or half heartidly done anything at all right? Why start now?

Upgrade your grey matter.

President Obama recently released his plan to pass legislation through Congress that would give him a tighter hold on the credit card industry. He is hoping to push Congress into passing the new bill by Memorial day claiming "There is no time to delay. We need a durable and successful flow of credit into our economy[.]" Obama's plan does not specifically mean direct control and/or regulation of these industries, just an attempt to rid of the all too familiar hidden fees and price hikes that are so commonly associated with contemporary credit industries.

Is this plan just outright wrong? With laissez-faire in mind, is this plan going a little too far into the boundaries of total government regulation? Is it not "American" for someone (CC company) to outsmart/fool someone (US public) out of some extra money if possible, especially if the ignorant someone agrees to these hidden terms. Of course laws come into play but as far as I know, majority of applicable fees and price hikes do not violate any of the United States current laws. Personally I would love to skip the fiasco that is associated with the whole credit system, rates, fees, and hidden costs, but it's the thought of free business that allows these to remain.

America needs a smarter consumer. Dumbing down everything is a problem that has been going on for years. I feel if one is not aware of the fees and costs associated with the credit industry, then the credit industry is not where they need to be. Although I do agree that what most CC companies do is unethical and wrong, it is smart. Hail to the smart. Why not instead of dumbing down the CC industry, lets try and educate our public so that the CC companies will have to ultimately change their way of working as they will no longer be able to pull the proverbial "fast ones" anymore. I still think it is ridiculous there is a mandate for keyboarding in high school but no mandatory basic economics/money management classes. Put a stop to the idiocracy.

Review of Obama's Plan.

W-W-USA-D

There is no such thing as a selfless act, especially when it comes to war. In this blog the author explains their discontent with the "half-hearted" occupation we currently hold in Iraq. Whether or not we are in a "war," the fact remains that we are indeed in some sort of conflict with a certain area, type of people, industry, or what have you. I'm sure there are many reasons why we have not declared an official war on Iraq. Diplomatics play a huge role in the way our world works and has worked since recorded history dates back. One could easily label diplomacy as human nature, and it can play a huge role in the outcome of any confrontation. Apart from the reasons behind the "War in Iraq," the United States would have a lot more explaining (more then the explaining you hear now) to do, not only to our allies but to the entire world. In the United State's 233 year history, war has only been officially declared 5 times. In 12 other separate instances, the US has held extended military engagements, with the approval of congress just short of an official declaration of war. Just like our current occupation in Iraq, this conflict arose from our want to attain, change, or rid of something associated. Without this want there would be no wars. Silver back gorillas in the wild, in order to maintain their alpha position will often pick fights randomly just to show that they are still a force to be reckoned with. Can this theory not be applied to say... now? The many interests that are associated with conflicts abroad, all play their own role in the grand scheme of things. Whether we are there to truly help a country in dire need of assistance, spread our narcissistic way of governing, regulate world economy, or just wave an angry fist and beat our chests with pride. I'm sure that when diplomatically appropriate the US will officially declare war.

Get a Load of This Guy.

"AIG Exec Whines About Public Anger, and Now We're Supposed to Pity Him? Yea, Right" is a recent blog written by Matt Taibbi, in which he gives his opinion on a recently released statement from former AIG employee Jake DeSantis. The statement released to the NY Times by DeSantis regarded his discontent with negative public opinions toward the recent follies that have risen to the surface pertaining to the financial giant. Taibbi vigorously ridicules DeSantis and his angelic, uninvolved, ignorant role in the falling of the beast. Taibbi maintains that this attempt to gain public sympathy by DeSantis is unethical, unrealistic, and down right inhuman. He calls his bluffs and gives plausible opinion on why certain things published by DeSantis are untrue and degrading to others if expected to be believed.

One example of this disagreeing is Taibbi's rebuttal to DeSantis' statement that he had no knowledge of the actions taken by his superiors and was basically a non-free-thinking robotic lap dog for the company who did what he was told and got what he was owed. Taibbi informs that even if this unrealistic scenario be true, in the real world (one of low to middle class standards) that there is no such thing as being owed anything. He points out that high payed executives have a skewed vision when it comes to money and don't realize that the money received as compensation comes from some one, somewhere. Instead it is money that is rightfully theirs due to there immaculate standing and abilities that they (being elitists) are empowered with. What a joke.

Although I agree with Taibbi, I do question the necessity of his vulgarities towards DeSantis....haha! Being a writer for the contemporary rock/pop culture magazine "Rolling Stone," Taibbi holds a fresh, no punches held point of view towards this situation and means to exploit this selfish bastard and his antics to the public.

Faith or Folly?

Left wing liberals have, for the most part, have been large advocates of Obama and his plans towards the many policies that plague our great nation and its many political offices. Eleanor Clift, an editor for newsweek since 1985 who has held such positions as White House correspondent for both Newsweek as well as The LA Times, speaks of the conflict left sided liberals (mainly noting the Congressional Black Caucus) face with the newly elected President Obama in her article dubbed "The Left's Nirvana." Clift's article delves into a party-leader clash in which democratic liberals such as the CBC, who are completely anti-war, are faced with the problem that President Obama plans on maintaining a military presence in Afghanistan. While Obama did slightly slip on his pre-named Iraq policy of a16 month withdrawal to a recently announced 19 month plan, this isn't that big of a deal relative to the past few years, as mentioned by Clift. She makes sure to point out the difficult task faced by Obama daily which is to remain true to his campaign words and promises so that "Obamists" stay that way. She makes an example of Carter's time in office and his support abandonment by Vernon Jordan and his organization, as Carter had not passed the promised jobs bill.

This article is directed towards anyone from the amatuer politician to a random column skipper and everything in between. While Clift herself seems to be a supporter of the Obama adminsitration, she clearly set out to ask the questions which are needed to create critical thinking within any organization. Do you abandon your leader completely because you don't agree 100% with his policy? Is there ever a time when someone wholey agrees with a Executive Chief and/or his cronies? Clift also makes apparent the changing times and how things aren't run exactly the same as they were even 20 years ago.

As a political journalist of more than 20, Clift's arguements and ideas are deemed worthy of consideration. Her current assignment is to follow the jockeying over policy and politics in the Democratic-controlled Congress, as well as identify key contenders in such feilds.

I'm feeling stimulated.

Check me!

President Barrack Obama and his administration have successfully passed a bill allowing for the 787 billion dollar economic stimulus plan to go into effect. The link above provides a detailed breakdown of the stimulus plan, and where the plan should take us if everything goes as planned. 281 billion of the original 787 will be used as tax cuts for businesses while the remaining half trillion will be used for government spending. (Schools, jobs, transportation, etc...) As stoked as I am to get some extra money this tax season, I'm left pondering if this stimulus plan will actually lift the dramatically falling economy, or will it just put this country further into debt?. In my eye's we are looking at yet another huge gamble brought on by our government seeing as we really dont have the money to be giving. Credit systems have become a large flaw in our current way of life, and in a large sense is a huge gamble in itself. There are many ways to look at the newly passed 787 billion dollar economic stimulus plan. What's done is done so there is no point getting upset about it. Like most of you, I am waiting to see the final outcome. Only time will tell.

Kyle Tannery

"America is for sale, and you can get a good deal on it." - NOFX

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