Friday News Roundup - Domestic
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-31/friday-news-roundup-domestic
The Republican National Convention wrapped up in Tampa, Fla., with speeches by GOP candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. A federal court found evidence of discrimination in new Texas voting maps drawn by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature. Consumer spending and personal income both rose in July. And astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, died in Cincinnati, Ohio. James Fallows of The Atlantic, Laura Meckler of The Wall Street Journal and syndicated journalist Steve Roberts join Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
James Fallows
national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine.
Laura Meckler
White House correspondent for The Wall Street Journal.
Steve Roberts
syndicated columnist and journalism professor at The George Washington University.
Friday News Roundup Video
The panel discussed what it meant to have actor and director Clint Eastwood deliver a speech at the Republican National Convention. James Fallows, national correspondent for The Atlantic, called it a "surreal monologue." George Washington University professor Steve Roberts said Eastwood's speech was borderline vulgar and changed the tone of the convention. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Meckler said the most remarkable part was that the speech came on during primetime television.
Comments
Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use before posting your comments.
I grew up in a family owned business and after college I went to work for one of our suppliers. In 1978 we made X million dollars, in 1979 we made more than the previous year but we lost money because we did not make their projected earnings. Most of the sales office including me were laid off. In our small business if we made a nickel after expenses we made a profit. Companies have many sets of books. Bain and Romney can make their story fit anyway they need to.
On jobs we have to have new things to build but according to Reagan the US does not need to worry about manufacturing jobs because we need to be a service economy. Jobs are like biology and the food chain, you have to have microbes first, then something bigger to eat it and so forth. Without the microbes life will cease. Without the middle and lower class making decent wages the economy will stop. The fat cats cannot buy enough to keep the economy moving. Until we lose all of the things that we have had since the 1940's will anybody realize what has happened. If we lose company paid health insurance, paid holidays, vacation pay, overtime pay, maybe our friends and families will see how much worse off we will be.
I have experienced my daughters insurance BCBSNC increasing 278% in 6 years(age 14), changing companies 4 years ago only for them to cancel saying that my bank account had changed then saying they made a mistake but have stopped offering the same policy. Insurance commission finally got that straightened out. Investment company issuing a 1099 incorrectly and refusing to correct it for 5 years that almost bankrupted me. No one has regulatory powers over that issue. We need more regulations on these guys and not less. By the way I work for state regulatory agency and see many little things that the companies do to get over on their customers that will they never see, but the companies will see in their bottom line
President Obama's entire life's work to date has been solely in preparation to become wonderfully successful as a humanitarian ex-President in the Carter mold.
Now that Obama has secured a really nice lifetime pension income for himself, Michelle and the kids as a result of his current stint as an American Idol winner, I look forward to fantastic achievements in community organizing world wide to spring from Si Se Puede!, the Obama foundation of Hyde Park, IL, and I wish him nothing but the best in the role he was born for.
Now that Obama's achieved his only real goal, having been President, the rest of us can get back to getting behind an adult with an actual record of real world accomplishment and get on with solving the many real problems America faces which can't be bought off with either political thuggery or voting interest group patronage.
wamunprlistner wrote: "Obama FAILED. Period."
No. The Republicans in Congress who made a conscious decision on the day of Obama's inauguration to obstruct what he has promised to do has failed. Their unwillingness to work with President Obama because he won't go solely their way is the reason why things are the way they are today. President Obama has "bent" a bit--to the chagrin of his own party (i.e. the extensions of the Bush tax cuts, the wars in general). He has negotiated. The Republicans did not. For them, it's either their way or the highway--which was pretty much the model of the Bush administration.
I certainly sympathize with Ann Romney in terms of her illness, but if she's going to capitalize on it politically to show how she and Mitt struggle like the rest of us, she should reveal her “struggle” to afford health care.
How much money has her husband devoted to her care? What executive perks are included in her health insurance plan? Even her illness puts the Romneys in an elite category. I'll wager that the rest of us, with barely affordable coverage and astronomical back-end costs, don't have access to the medical attention she enjoys.
The Affordable Health Care Act puts medical care on a pragmatic level the rest of us can use. I already benefit from it in several important ways, including covering my college-age children through their college years, and receiving a refund from Anthem under the 80/20 provision. (C'mon--Anthem reimbursing anything? Amazing!) As a member of the "Small Business" community who pays usury individual insurance rates, I'm looking forward to the day I can pool my premiums on an exchange.
Ah, a RWN troller. Same old illogic-- you don't argue the point, i.e.; that the woman was actually a GOPer merely trying to influence those voters on the fence through subterfuge. I understand there is some bias towards the left in the media, but that's simply because they're really smart people who don't fall prey to cant.
Re: You could argue with a straight face ....
I said you could argue it; I didn't say that it would be a correct argument. However, it is what we should be discussing. We could look at facts and given the drag that this Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, particularly tea party Republicans have been to this economy, it's remarkable that we've made any progress. Instead of discussing facts, we are instead treated to repetitions of how there's been no economic improvement whatsoever - which is patently false.
This is not discussing the issues, this is trying to confuse and mislead voters.
Marcus Tullius wrote: " sane wrote:
"55% percent of welfare recipients are white."
------------------------------
Yes, white liberals."
The point is that 55% of welfare reciprients are WHITE...NOT BLACK. So, for Repubs like Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney to classify blacks in terms of welfare is wrong and racist.
The smell of "victory" ?
Unfortunately, sadly, it looked like "Rowdy Yates" was quacking in HIS diapers last night.
I don't believe the word "ENVIRONMENT" is in the Republican vocabulary. I hear all those promises about jobs and drilling and allowing the states to issue permits, but at what cost? Remember that Dick Cheney gave oil and gas companies dispensation from the federal clean air and clean water requirements. Can you say "Haliburton"? Since there are reportedly 100 pipeline spills every year of varying severity, when the states that issue permits have a spill, to whom do you expect they will turn to pay for the cleanup? The federal government, perhaps?
The taxpayers already heavily subsidize the oil and gas industry both directly and indirectly.
And what good are all those jobs if you can't drink the water after the aquifer has been contaminated and can't breathe the air? Who will you pay when you're thirsty? Haliburton? Pepsi? And who will pay for the resulting increase in health costs? We will get what we vote for.
WMR said yesterday, "The President promised to slow the rise of the ocean. Heal the planet. I promise to help you and your family."
That goes to show how he feels about the planet. He doesn't care if he and his cohorts destroy it--as longs as they get money from the resources, to hell with the planet and everyone else.
IndieLady7 wrote:
"The point is that 55% of welfare reciprients are WHITE...NOT BLACK. So, for Repubs like Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney to classify blacks in terms of welfare is wrong and racist."
--------------------------------
Come on. The way liberals throw around the term "racist" it no longer has any meaning. If they point out that many black fathers in the black community are MIA from their families is that "racist" as well?
"Although the numbers show that Whites get the biggest chunk of public aid dollars, welfare critics still charge that Blacks shouldn't collect 33 percent of welfare benefits when they only make up 12 percent of the general population."
HonestAbe wrote:
"Unfortunately, sadly, it looked like "Rowdy Yates" was quacking in HIS diapers last night."
-------------------------------------
Good to see liberals waging war on octogenarians. Callahan could still make you evacuate your bladder with one squint in your direction.
Please pardon my repetetive nature, BUT.......
70% of those receiving government assistance are children and elderly disabled.
The word "entitlement" is NOT a perjorative, in spite of Frank Luntz efforts to create a sound-bite one-liner out of it. When one buys a ticket to a theatre or purchases a house on a mortgage (and pays it off), one is entitled to enter the theatre, or use the house for whatever legal purposes that includes. Social Security recipients and those who pay premiums for Medicare have paid the price via a lifetime of work and are entitled to receive the benefits they paid for; some pass away before or soon after the eligibility age while some live longer - eventually the recipients and their benefits inevitably pass away. A "fix" to extend either Soc Sec or MCare does not require cutting taxes for anyone.
Whether the 715 Billion coming from Medicare is done by Romney-Ryan or Obama-Biden, it's still 715 Billion; what the $$ are used for matters. If it's used to voucher-ize Medicare and pass on even more tax cuts to the one-percenters, it's trickle up class warfare. If it's used to incentivize health care providers to move from fee-for-service to preventive services and health improvement, that's long term cost cutting and globally accepted improvement.
If Republican governors from at least two states officially ask the White House for more flexibility in administering welfare, it's not removing any work requirement UNLESS the Republican governors remove it.
If Romney-Ryan succeed in repealing the ACA, the first fall-out will e that insurers again block those with pre-existing conditions (maybe those on Medicare too in the new voucher system). The second will be the immediate expansion of the drug "doughnut hole". The third will be the continuation of cost-shifting at providers from those without insurance over to those who pay for insurance.
Whatever happened to the separation of Church and State? GOP Presidential hopeful Romney seems a person who lacks boundaries when it comes to proselytizing the teachings of his Latter Day Saints (LDS) faith. I was troubled by Romney's speech (reciting passages from the Book of Mormon, and the King James Bible), to the victims of the Colorado Shooting. Is this what the American public is to expect from Romney in the future as the President of the United States and the leader of the country who will frequently address the public? Romney's behavior during this situation reassures me he is not the man to lead this country. If he is one who cannot restrain himself from spewing the teachings of his faith, perhaps he is best suited to remain in a religious leadership position for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - The Mormons.
Here's another interesting fact.
Now mind you, I'm an Independent and I'm about to dig in both parties' shirts...
Many Republicans claim to be Christians. As a follower of Christ myself, I am appalled by their actions. I'm fed up with Republicans using Christianity as a means for why they think they way they think. Christians are called to be loving and good stewards. How are they doing this when they don't seem interested in helping the poor and are constantly advocating oil and gas drilling and coal mining as energy sources--both which are polluting the air and water?
Yet, at the same time, I must painfully admit that the Church has become derilect in its duty to help the poor, widows, and orphans.
With the Democrats, one can't claim Christianity when trying to advocate on issues that are not Biblical. Now, this may ruffle some feathers, but same sex marriage isn't Biblical. I was miffed when the President, in his position to support same sex marriage attempted to quote the Bible in terms of showing love for one another.
I don't see the fact that Romney is not "joe average" as a disadvantage. After all we once elected a president which many felt they would like to have beer with (GWB) and look where that got us. I don't need a pal in the Whitehouse, I want a professional who can manage the issues.
CONT.
I was always of the impression that the LGBT community was interested in civil unions in terms of hospital visits, employee benefits to which spouses are entitled, powers of attorneys of their partners, etc. I was of the impression that that was the reason for the push for civil unions--as it is obviously that they love each other. If they are pushing for civil unions...fine. However, marriage takes on a more spiritual connotation. And aside from Christianity, marriages for same sex couples are prohibited as well.
I have a problem with both parties for a myriad of reasons, but what I mentioned was just part of my frustrations. I'm am honestly hoping that there is a third party on the ballot. I am DEFINITELY NOT voting for Romney and I'm still undecided about Obama.
Callahan is/was a fictional character......along with Philo Beddoe and Gunny Highway......and all the heroes whose personae he took on over the years.
And even at my advanced age, I control all my functions without external assistance ...... and I never converse with empty chairs.
I am inclined to think that those on the show today are definitely, at the very least, liberal leaning in their personal views.
I will hold off until I hear their comments on the Obama speech that comes next week to see if they are as disparaging, yet I suspect they will not be.
Today's show is why so many Americans have the opinion that NPR is little more than a shill for the left. I listen to NPR a great deal, in fact I listen to no other radio but NPR.
I will comment more next week when I hear how Obama's speech is dissected.
"Fact checkers aren't going to tell us what to do".
Does that sound familiar? It's exactly like the arrogant sneer of Bush the Second's Administration at "reality based politics". Make no mistake, a Romney-Ryan Administration will be a repeat of Bush-Cheney, and they will finish the job of destroying this country that Bush the Second began.
If we end up with a second Great Depression, it will be due to the same economic policies that caused the first one, and which also caused the Bush Recession we're starting to climb out of.
Marcus Tullius wrote: "Come on. The way liberals throw around the term "racist" it no longer has any meaning. If they point out that many black fathers in the black community are MIA from their families is that "racist" as well? "
In terms of black fathers, have you read the Willie Lynch letter? The effects of that letter, unfortunately, still has effect on the black family today. All the while, there are black fathers who ARE involved with the children, AND are married to the children's mothers, but it is not being reported.
"Although the numbers show that Whites get the biggest chunk of public aid dollars, welfare critics still charge that Blacks shouldn't collect 33 percent of welfare benefits when they only make up 12 percent of the general population."
And...your point is???? Are you still charging that more blacks collect welfare than whites because a third of the 12% is collecting? What about the two-thirds that AREN'T collecting?
HonestAbe wrote:
"Callahan is/was a fictional character......along with Philo Beddoe and Gunny Highway......and all the heroes whose personae he took on over the years.
And even at my advanced age, I control all my functions without external assistance ...... and I never converse with empty chairs."
---------------------------
Did you know that Rowdy Yates is also a fictional charatcer? You know, the one you used in your post? When it comes to POTUS Obama answering tough questions at a press conference, all you will get to show up is an empty chair. Someone of advanced years as yourself should have more respect for Mr. Eastwood.
Big Government - Big Church - Big Business: What ever happened to the separation of church and state? I have strong emotions about Mitt Romney, the Republican Presidential Candidate being a faithful follower of a church that is determined to and has succeeded in building a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) - The Mormons, Seminary Building right next to almost every high school in the state of Utah. I am sure the LDS church would love to do the same in your state, and they probably will as GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and other LDS faithful members push for state's rights. What ever happened to the separation of church and state away? I think we can probably thank Utah Senator Orin Hatch and other LDS faithful lawmakers for launching and persisting in the movement for states rights and for smudging that fine line to exempt the LDS church and the State of Utah from federal guidelines.
IndieLady7 wrote:"Many Republicans claim to be Christians. As a follower of Christ myself, I am appalled by their actions. I'm fed up with Republicans using Christianity as a means for why they think they way they think. Christians are called to be loving and good stewards"
I'm fed up with people applying their twist on what Christianity means and looking down their nose at people that don't march to their dictatorial view. Who do you think you are, the spokeswoman of Christ? The arrogance! you would better suited as a Nazi not a christian.
IndieLady7 wrote:
"And...your point is???? Are you still charging that more blacks collect welfare than whites because a third of the 12% is collecting? What about the two-thirds that AREN'T collecting?"
----------
The only point is that the majority of those receiving welfare support the Democratic Party. Those not collecting are not part of the discussion since they do not require federal government assistance.
Big Government - Big Church - Big Business: It is no small secret Utah Senator Orin Hatch and other LDS faithful lawmakers seem to have convinced the US Government that only LDS return missionaries are capable of reading, writing and speaking a foreign language. When it comes to job creation I certainly hope there will be employees other than faithful Latter Day Saints (LDS) - the Mormons, employed at the top security levels in the future Utah Data Center located in Bluffdale, Utah (state of the headquarters of the LDS church). The Utah Data Center - the BIGGEST SPY CENTER in the country - is being built for the National Security Agency (NSA). Once built, it will be more than five times the size of the US Capitol. The heavily fortified center should be up and running in September 2013. This Utah Data Center's purpose is to intercept, decipher, analyze, and store vast amounts of the world’s communications as they travels down from satellites and route through the underground and undersea cables of international, foreign, and domestic networks. Stored in near-bottomless databases will be all forms of communication, including Google searches, complete contents of private emails (no more speaking out about the LDS church, LDS faithful lawmakers, church members, or Utah government), cell phone calls, as well as all sorts of personal data trails—parking receipts, travel itineraries, bookstore purchases, and other digital "pocket litter". These newcomers will be secretly capturing, storing, and analyzing vast quantities of words and images hurtling through the world’s telecommunications networks. Everybody’s a target - everybody with communication is a target. It will be interesting to learn how Utah's future biggest spy center will affect an American citizens right to blog.
Big Government - Big Church - Big Business: I do not have much confidence that Mitt Romney a devote member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) - The Mormons, is capable of creating jobs for anyone but other LDS faithful members. They are such a tightly knitted and very committed group to one another - with hundreds of missionaries returning home every week (60,000 serving worldwide), and whom will be entering the workforce. A common pattern of a Mormon once in a management position is to hire only other LDS faithful Mormons. The LDS church officials believe in it so strongly, they sent Utah Senator Orin Hatch and other LDS faithful lawmakers to Washington to pass federal regulations making the LDS church exempt from hiring Non-Mormons. Who is looking out for you? I really do not think it will be Mitt Romney. It would be very interesting to learn how many jobs created in Utah (the headquaters of the LDS church and host city of Romney's 2002 Winter Olympics), with the unbelieveable amounts of Obama's Federal Infrastructure Stimulus Money (over 200 road projects in June-July 2012, many building construction projects completed 5yrs ahead of schedule, and UTA sale or lease of several overbought new unused trains to other states for millions of dollars), actually went to non-LDS faithful companies or employees. Due to the highly secretive and extremely evasive nature of the state of Utah government, it may take a US Supreme Court decision to make the records available to the public.
LauraH wrote:
"They are fit to clean the toilets of the White House only."
In doing that, they would have accomplished more than President Obama did in four years.
Marcus,
Of course I know Rowdy was fictional; I watched Rawhide often; it's why I used the character name; I gave the elderly thespian the benefit of the doubt that he just wasn't himself last night.....perhaps lapsing into some forgotten script or role.
So, I rose to a point of personal privilege responding to the "Callahan squint" reference; it's my right via Roberts' Rules of Order.
While I respect and admire Mr. Eastwood's film career, his choice of politics is highly questionable, along with his crude inference that Mr. Obama (whom YOU should respect as President) would ever tell anyone to inflict something onerous on oneself. Imagine a veteran of the US Armed Forces implying that the Commander In Chief would say VP Cheney-like utterances to a fellow candidate. I certainly hope, in fact insist, that the Dems and their presenters follow proper decorum at their conflab next week.
Even vaunted "liberals" like Joe Scarborough were taken aback by the odd "performance arts" moments.
Diane Rehm and her guests are such Democratic water carriers. Oh, they pretend to be all fair, but we get a caller who says she's a former Dem who's voting for Romney and the media is so unfair to Romney. Diane and guests talk about how she is just the type of person the Republicans are trying to get, anyone with a Twitter account is "the media," we (this "honest" journalist, presumably) can't be held accountable for every journalist, blah blah blah.
Then a strong Dem calls up and says how Bain Capital put people out of work, Romney flip flops all the time, he voted for universal health care in MA, and probably Romney is working for the devil. (Okay, I made that last one up.) Are the guests/Diane balanced? Do they say, "Well, Bain took businesses that were going out of business anyway and usually SAVED jobs?" or "Remember, Romney was the governor of one of the most liberal states in the union, and he didn't vote for "Romneycare" so much as just sign it into law, which is the whole point of the executive branch"? No, they AGREE with her.
And right before this, they have their "attention drawn" to an article in Rolling Stone (a great journalistic source) about how Bain received a government bailout, and without vetting it or anything, they talk about it! What?
This is why I don't listen to Diane Rehm often anymore. I was caught by the former Dem when I got in the car, and was tricked into listening to more than usual. Honestly, NPR is almost as bad as MSNBC - worse in some ways, because at least MSNBC cops to what its agenda is.