Quote of the Day
I know I’m going to get jumped on by the usual financial pundits here, but as someone who doesn’t even know what all of those strange court reporter type keyboard terminals on the stock market floor are for, let alone understand the intricate maneuvering of market forces, let me just say this – isn’t this…
I know I’m going to get jumped on by the usual financial pundits here, but as someone who doesn’t even know what all of those strange court reporter type keyboard terminals on the stock market floor are for, let alone understand the intricate maneuvering of market forces, let me just say this – isn’t this all a cyclical (albeit harsh) period of correction? As an educated and halfway intelligent and informed person, whose only dealings with the market are in the form of my miniscule and shrinking 401K, I can see why where we are, and understand the fear, but it only makes sense that what rises must eventually fall.
— by Montrose Morris in Dead Cat Bounce or the Bottom?
Only partially true, sixyearsandcounting. I agree that McCain went through a horrible ordeal as a POW, and was tortured and in pain for at least two years. I wouldn’t and couldn’t wish it upon anyone. And there were HUNDREDS of them.
But the idea that his being offered early release and his rejecting it was meaningful in the way you are saying it was, is a bit of a myth. Many POW’s were offered early release, but it was predicated on the need to speak out against the US and to lie about your treatment, making many “disloyal statements” that would have violated the military’s code of conduct and possibly resulted in a court martial. It would certainly have ended his military career.
So I’m not sure it buttresses the idea that his character is simply one of heroism, patriotism and character. It seems much more complicated than that.
Please, read the Rolling Stone article. Seriously. It is an absorbing, sad, enraging and informative piece. If you want to know more about John McCain, this is a good place to start. And the piece has not been challenged because it is factually sound
“Life will continue and the apocalyptic visions of the latte liberals of Park Slope will not come to pass”
While I will agree with this statement, there are those who think that what’s happening right now is already apocalyptic, in a sense. The partial destruction of the free world’s capitalist free market system and the probably end to the 2nd Gilded Age? It’s certainly bad news all the way around, and we did not get here from 8 years that would differ too much from the next 4, should McCain be elected. I actually think that given his extremely radical and erratic nature lately, that he has the potential to be even more destruction than a relatively docile George Bush. And Palin makes Cheney look like freakin Santa Claus, and I pretty much think he’s one scary guy.
All of my little Brownstoner turkeys. All your dreams crumbling a little bit more week after week. After all that has happened, you still cling to your fantasies.
None of you really has any idea what is in store for you.
The past year on this site has been hilarious, but the next will be frightening.
That is why post struck a chord with so many of you. You know, on some level, this really was it.
Place all you dreams in Obama if you like. But mark my words, he won’t save you. He can’t save you.
I can’t wait for the Park Slope Citizen’s Militia to organize. Maybe our squat, trollish policemen can lead the charge! To victory!
I’m voting for Obama. I think he’d do an awful lot to help restore people’s confidence in the US (both at home and abroad) and generally implement better policies than McCain. He’s also a better communicator.
That said – and I’ve said this before – the world will not end if McCain is elected. Life will continue and the apocalyptic visions of the latte liberals of Park Slope will not come to pass. As for those of you who think he’s about to die – well, his mother is 96 and quite active, and her genes must count for something.
Montrose Morris is right – but these decisions will have to be freely made by individuals, not by the government. The most effective role for Obama would be to use the Presidency as a bully pulpit, as TR would have.
One final point, Nokilissa – McCain has been through a hell of a lot of pain and torture for this country. He was offered early release from Hanoi by the North Vietnamese. If he was actually as “temperamentally unsound, self-entitled, mean, petty and spoiled” as you seem to think, he would have accepted that offer. It speaks volumes of him that he chose to stay in prison, (but of course it doesn’t qualify him to be President).
I don’t think McCain is a bad person, and under other circumstances, I might have voted for him. Nevertheless, I will be voting for Obama, for all the reasons detailed above and more.
Nevertheless, MM, when you posit the below, I have some disagreements with you:
“Even if he is blessed with everything going his way, we need to radically change our consumption of everything – energy, natural resources, consumer goods, and credit. I don’t know when we, as a country, decided that we could have everything we want, on credit, but it is out of hand, and is one of the main causes of this whole mess. Everyone is guilty of it. Over the last 20 years, they’ve handed out credit cards like candy, and we are all addicted.”
First, I have but two credit cards, one an Amex, which is paid off every month, and another, that I have a very high credit limit, is also paid off just about every month. THerefore I must dispute your ‘everyone’ and ‘we are all addicted’. May I ask that you speak for yourself?
Second, I must also ask that you be careful what you wish for. A reduction in consumption seems to be warranted, but it will in turn lead to a further economic downturn. I’ve considered this a lot in the last few weeks. My wife is a director at a Medicaid HMO, so one would think her job is secure. I am partners in a business that will no doubt be affected in a serious economic downturn, but otoh I have survived past recessions and I have some control over my destiny. As upper middle income earners, what is our responsibility to the neighborhood? Do we, as others will, stop going out to dinner from time to time? Do we reduce our purchases from Grab in the SS? From the local wine shop? Should we panic and shop at Costco instead of Union Market? And if we do, aren’t we just part of a downward-facing spiral?
If it’s time to reduce consumption, one must also consider where to reduce and where not to. One must consider keeping our neighborhoods alive, if we have the means to.
I don’t in any way put you in the same category as McCain, Nokilissa. No way, no how.
And I agree with you on this one.
Thanks for posting the article. I’m going to read it right now.
Agree wholeheartedly bxgrl.
I’ll bash McCain, and I want to. He is a temperamentally unsound, self-entitled, mean, petty and spoiled little man. In fact, change the gender, and you might have 11217’s perception of me, which makes my agreement with him all the more ironic and surprising.
I urge anyone with any question as to this election – even putting the near side-show joke that is Sarah Palin aside – to read the Rolling Stone article referenced below:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
Taking ALL other things aside, there is one reason to vote Obama.
I have a very good friend who works in medicine and is familiar with McCain’s health records. He apparently submitted 350 pages of health records, but believe it or not, there are OVER 1000 pages in total.
He has a 1 in 4 chance of dying in the next 4 years according to medical experts who are familiar with his health.
I’m sorry…but McCain would be bad, but who in the world wants to take a 1 in 4 chance that Sarah Palin could possibly become the next President of this country??!!
McCain is not a well man. I would say that was quite evident in the last debate. He is not a very smart man to have picked this woman as his running mate. I believe it shows what an unpatriotic man he is that he would underestimate the population of the U.S. in this way. Every educated person in this country should be incredibly insulted. And isn’t becoming an educated person really one of the ultimate goals in society? He has shown how little he thinks it matters by selecting such an unfit and extreme individual.
Fundamental changes are needed, as MM says. The last 8 years have had the unreal air of a sci-fi movie where the monsters are out of control. I’m no financial whiz either but the finance market always had this emperors new clothes feel that I could never quite fathom. What we do now will determine the fate of the country the next generation inherits.
I don’t want to bash McCain- I am sorely disappointed in him and I think he is a sad man under the desperation. But he is not right for the times. He has no grasp of the long range needs and goals we have (don’t even get me started on Palin). Maybe the fact that Obama doesn’t have years in Congress is exactly what the country needs. He can still think outside the box, he is still flexible and he has the intellect and temperament to see this through. g-d help us if he doesn’t.
Sorry your experience and knowledge are so limited, polemicist. It shows.