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[Deus Ex Machina]

Happy picture. Latinos in this country will love Obama forever with this move.

Latina... they fight hard against her, they lose the vote forever.

 

[PantherLotus]

Go ahead and make it then.

Oh, nothing ground breaking, just the typical:

• "The taxes these companies will pay will help improve our school district."
  
• "The commercial viability of this location will help shape our city as a landmark of the future, a draw for tourists nationwide and will keep our city on the map."
  
• "Jobs, Economy, Etc."
  
• "You'll finally get a (NBA/NHL) team!"

Combine any of that with a city/company willing to pay for relocation and/or additional help to displaced citizens and we're looking at something that is easily sold to the public, barring a phenomenally popular historic district.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Hard not to agree with that, but most of the time, it's not that obvious. Highways and road projects are most common uses, but the ones that are most contentious and hard to judge would have to be the public project that is operated by a private entity (but benefits local society) like a new stadium or shopping district.

I used to work at a PR firm, where I discovered an awful truth: assuming the ED arguement is required, announcing the city's plan years in advance will cause property values in the desired area to fall well before any body would ever actually be forced out of their homes. It just means if you hear about a project and your house is in the way, GTFO as quickly as possible. You won't win the case and you won't get your value.

This is a travesty imho. This is the concern that I have with govt (both repub/dem alike). It is getting so big that the respect for state and individual rights is going by the wayside.

 

[scorcho]

Rod Dreher stays classy, San Diego - http://blog.beliefnet.com/crunchycon/2009/05/is-sotomayor-the-lefts-harriet.html

I presume she'll be confirmed with no problems. Given that we were certain to get a liberal justice out of Obama, I suppose one has to take comfort in knowing that Obama made a quota pick too, and did not choose a liberal justice who can match intellects with Roberts and Scalia.

 

[mckmas8808]

The impact on property values in the neighborhood will be very positive, and even if the City lowballs the industrial landowner, a value that reflects newer market circumstances will almost certainly be negotiated (in court or outside).

Got some economic news for you big man.

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- U.S. consumer confidence soared in May to its highest level in eight months as severe strains in the labor market showed some signs of easing, though Americans' moods remained depressed by historical standards.

The Conference Board, an industry group, said on Tuesday its index of consumer attitudes jumped to 54.9 in May from a revised 40.8 in April, the biggest one-month jump since April 2003. Economists had been looking for a much smaller rise to 42.0.

Fewer Americans said jobs were "hard to get," the survey found, with that measure slipping to 44.7% from 46.6%. Those saying jobs were plentiful climbed to a still meager 5.7%, but that was still higher than April's 4.9%.

"Consumers are considerably less pessimistic than they were earlier this year," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board's Consumer Research Center.

The data was in line with other evidence suggesting that, while the economy continues to contract in the current quarter, the pace of deterioration has abated somewhat.

U.S. stocks extended their rally after the data, with the Dow Jones industrial average up 120 points or 1.5%.

The survey offered mixed messages regarding Americans' propensity to spend money. The proportion of those who said they planned on buying a car over the next six months rose to 5.5%, its highest in at least a year.

But fewer intended to buy homes -- only 2.3%, a tough break for one of the hardest hit sectors in the country's economic crisis. A separate report on Tuesday revealed U.S. home prices dropped 18.7% in March compared to a year earlier

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/26/new...fidence.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009052610

 

[PantherLotus]

Latina... they fight hard against her, they lose the vote forever.

1. I believe they already have alienated them with the Dobbsian immigration policy, but the abortion issue is big among Hispanic Catholics. They might still have that.

2. Great point, but they'll still use euphemisms to paint her as a "crazy mexican woman." Watch for comments on her temperment. That will be the moment that you know they're attacking both her gender and her ethnic background.

3. I believe the Republican party is so marginalized at the moment that they won't hesitate to attack her, claiming anyone actually focusing on race is in the wrong from the beginning. "What, us racist?!"

 

[syllogism]

Sotomayor is such an intellectual lightweight she graduated at top of the class at Princeton

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

1. I believe they already have alienated them with the Dobbsian immigration policy, but the abortion issue is big among Hispanic Catholics. They might still have that.

2. Great point, but they'll still use euphemisms to paint her as a "crazy mexican woman." Watch for comments on her temperment. That will be the moment that you know they're attacking both her gender and her ethnic background.

3. I believe the Republican party is so marginalized at the moment that they won't hesitate to attack her, claiming anyone actually focusing on race is in the wrong from the beginning. "What, us racist?!"

See here is the problem. Both sides (the base of each party) rally against the pick of the President if he is of the other party. The dems demonized Alito on progressive radio just as the right will do the same thing to Obama's choice. Both parties are guilt of the same sin. It doesn't make it right/wrong, but don't assume one party is immune to the same criticism that you bring up against the repubs.

 

[Particle Physicist]

Sotomayor is such an intellectual lightweight she graduated at top of the class at Princeton

dirty elitist!

 

[gcubed]

Got some economic news for you big man.






http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/26/new...fidence.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009052610

missed the record drop in housing

 

[mckmas8808]

Sotomayor is such an intellectual lightweight she graduated at top of the class at Princeton

And didn't George H.W. Bush first put her in the federal court system? If so that would be almost 20 years of expierence.

 

[gcubed]

Rod Dreher stays classy, San Diego - http://blog.beliefnet.com/crunchycon/2009/05/is-sotomayor-the-lefts-harriet.html

so according to Republicans being smart is only a detriment for the President of the US

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

And didn't George H.W. Bush first put her in the federal court system? If so that would be almost 20 years of expierence.

Yes and then Clinton nominated her to the 2nd court of appeals.

 

[Particle Physicist]

See here is the problem. Both sides (the base of each party) rally against the pick of the President if he is of the other party. The dems demonized Alito on progressive radio just as the right will do the same thing to Obama's choice. Both parties are guilt of the same sin. It doesn't make it right/wrong, but don't assume one party is immune to the same criticism that you bring up against the repubs.

the issue is that the Right loves to uses veiled racist/sexist remarks all the time... for instance, they have successfully labeled Pelosi as a 'bitch.' Hmm.. a women in power, how can we demonize her???!

 

[Particle Physicist]

And didn't George H.W. Bush first put her in the federal court system? If so that would be almost 20 years of expierence.

Obama going back on his word again! I thought he was supposed to bring change to Washington??!!

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

the issue is that the Right loves to uses veiled racist/sexist remarks all the time... for instance, they have successfully labeled Pelosi as a 'bitch.' Hmm.. a women in power, how can we demonize her???!

Dude, BOTH PARTIES DO IT. Sorry but the left labels Bush as Hitleresque, a tyrant, a terrorist. The left wished for the death of Dick Cheney. Both sides do it, geeze. At least I can admit that the repub party has made uncalled for accusations and name calling.

 

[PantherLotus]

See here is the problem. Both sides (the base of each party) rally against the pick of the President if he is of the other party. The dems demonized Alito on progressive radio just as the right will do the same thing to Obama's choice. Both parties are guilt of the same sin. It doesn't make it right/wrong, but don't assume one party is immune to the same criticism that you bring up against the repubs.

1. How was Alito "demonized?"

2. Of course both sides rally their bases. One of them uses veiled sexist and racist innuendo, the other, scare tactics designed to inflame racial sensitivity. We know this. That doesn't prevent us from both enjoying and speculating on the future political theater.

3. At question was the current Conservative ability, or lack thereof, to successfully attack the appointee without political fallout. It's a fun question.

 

[scorcho]

the issue is that the Right loves to uses veiled racist/sexist remarks all the time... for instance, they have successfully labeled Pelosi as a 'bitch.' Hmm.. a women in power, how can we demonize her???!

More recently they compared Pelosi to 'Pussy Galore,' which brought about horrible imagery to my personage.

 

[Particle Physicist]

Dude, BOTH PARTIES DO IT. Sorry but the left labels Bush as Hitleresque, a tyrant, a terrorist. The left wished for the death of Dick Cheney. Both sides do it, geeze. At least I can admit that the repub party has made uncalled for accusations and name calling.

Where are the veiled racist/sexist remarks in your examples?

I didn't said the Left never tries to paint their opposition in a bad light.

 

[mckmas8808]

missed the record drop in housing

That depends on how you look at the record drop. Me personally I disagree with obama here (READ THAT KARMA!!!).

I believe prices need to keep falling to resonable levels. gkry can explain what "reasonalbe" is. And by the way gkry how close are we to that pre-bubble 1998 mark?

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

the issue is that the Right loves to uses veiled racist/sexist remarks all the time... for instance, they have successfully labeled Pelosi as a 'bitch.' Hmm.. a women in power, how can we demonize her???!

Let me ask a question if you don't mind. Were you offended when the left called Bush a terrorist? Are you offended when you see democrats portray Bush as Hitler? Were you offended when you hear people on the left describe Bush as someone who doesn't care at all about the soldiers he sends into battle? Were you offended when people on the left wished for Cheney to die?

 

[Deku]

Someone in the White House is using the West Wing as their playbook.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Got some economic news for you big man.

data was in line with other evidence suggesting that, while the economy continues to contract in the current quarter, the pace of deterioration has abated somewhat.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/26/new...fidence.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009052610

Another sign of the same:

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index was –2.06 in April, up from –3.36 in March. All four broad categories of indicators improved in April, but each continued to make a negative contribution to the index. The index’s three-month moving average in April reached its highest level since October 2008.

Still contracting, but that's a pretty strong bounce back in April. My main concern is still job losses - the pace has to slow faster than it has been. All the consumer confidence in the world won't help business and housing if another couple million people lose their jobs in the next few months. The sheer scale of job losses is going to slow the recovery quite a bit.

But still - some encouraging signs out there.

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

Pelosi resolution: political distraction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNgdyuVO_Jw&fmt=18

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer spoke to reporters about Republican attempts to investigate Speaker Pelosis claims about being mislead by the CIA.

 

[ivysaur12]

Sotomayor is such an intellectual lightweight she graduated at top of the class at Princeton

Pretty much. Expect to hear "activist liberal", "intellectual lightweight" and all about Sotomayor "bad temperament" in the coming weeks.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Where are the veiled racist/sexist remarks in your examples?

I didn't said the Left never tries to paint their opposition in a bad light.

Dude seriously? Many on the left made racial remarks at Condoleza as well as Powell when they were part of the Bush white house. Same with Clarence Thomas. How many on the left called Powell an uncle Top or made remarks about Condoleza? Even African Americans on the left did just that. If you would like me to find the articles I will try to do so.

 

[TheGrayGhost]

Happy picture. Latinos in this country will love Obama forever with this move.

Are you a latino? I'm a latino. I will be surprised if this pick will merit sustainable loyalty. However, if the Republicans push hard to block her, shit may go down.

 

[PantherLotus]

Dude, BOTH PARTIES DO IT. Sorry but the left labels Bush as Hitleresque, a tyrant, a terrorist. The left wished for the death of Dick Cheney. Both sides do it, geeze. At least I can admit that the repub party has made uncalled for accusations and name calling.

I think you're confusing "the Left's" attacks on Bush after he was years into the worst presidency in history and the most corrupt VP in history, which were comments made by political outsiders (think protesters), with the intended and submersive messages that elected Republicans use to sully the reputation of individuals using sexist and racist innuendo.

No, both parties, DON'T DO IT! That's absurd and I ask you to point to an example of multiple elected officials claiming Bush was Hitleresque. Ever.

Also, acknowledging that you were party to, or at least supported at the time, the most historically damaging President our country has ever known does not give you the power to claim that "both sides do it." That's absurd.

 

[Barrett2]

Sotomayor is such an intellectual lightweight she graduated at top of the class at Princeton

Any legitimacy to the claim that some of her judicial written opinions are problematic in terms of the reasoning? I heard she has sloppy, unpresuasive opinions on some news show by some pundit. Any truth there?

Seems like if there was any serious dirt on her we would already know about it.

 

[Tamanon]

Someone in the White House is using the West Wing as their playbook.

Wouldn't they instead ask another Justice to resign so they could nominate an extreme conservative one also?

 

[Particle Physicist]

...

never mind.. i really dont feel like getting into it with you .. clearly you are a deranged cracker.

 

[gkryhewy]

missed the record drop in housing

No, he acknowledged it earlier!

Mckmas8808 -- "reasonable levels"; right on. Historic relationships between prices, incomes, and rents. Looks like we're (nationally) still 10%-20% overvalued by those measures, with two complicating factors: incomes and rents are both experiencing downward pressures.

I would still say that there's about another 20% for home prices to fall on the downside, with the potential for some overcorrection given the rates of decline. Call it 15-25%.

 

[PantherLotus]

Dude seriously? Many on the left made racial remarks at Condoleza as well as Powell when they were part of the Bush white house. Same with Clarence Thomas. How many on the left called Powell an uncle Top or made remarks about Condoleza? Even African Americans on the left did just that. If you would like me to find the articles I will try to do so.

This is just ridiculous.

 

[scorcho]

Let me ask a question if you don't mind. Were you offended when the left called Bush a terrorist? Are you offended when you see democrats portray Bush as Hitler? Were you offended when you hear people on the left describe Bush as someone who doesn't care at all about the soldiers he sends into battle? Were you offended when people on the left wished for Cheney to die?

That...refers to nothing that he wrote.

But to add a non-sensical counter to your non-sensical counter, Obama was called a closeted Muslim 'Manchurian candidate' with an un-American upbringing who has to constantly hear cries from dilettantes to prove his birth. Does that offend you? Obviously not.

Edit: African Americans critiquing African Americans is slightly different than X ethnic group critiquing/mocking/slandering Y ethnic group.

 

[PantherLotus]

Any legitimacy to the claim that some of her judicial written opinions are problematic in terms of the reasoning? I heard she has sloppy, unpresuasive opinions on some news show by some pundit. Any truth there?

Depends on who you believe. I tend to like Jonathan Turley, Constitutional Scholar. Here's his opinion, which unfortunately parrots the "tempermant" thing that we're starting to see snowball:

http://jonathanturley.org/2009/05/26/white-house-to-announce-court-pick-at-10-am/

The Supreme Court sweepstakes has been raging for weeks. My prediction on the day of Souter’s resignation was Judge Diane Wood of the Seventh Circuit, which I still believe would have been the wisest choice. Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will be much more controversial and divisive for confirmation in my view. This was the highest risk nomination that Obama could pick.

The key in these fights is the first 48 hours and whether the GOP can take control of the debate. It will be the first real test for the new GOP leadership.

Somomayor’s participation in the controversial ruling on Ricci v. DeStefano, the firefighters case, will be a lightening rod. It have serious reservations about the case and the way that the panel handled it. The Republicans will have a field day with it. While Sotomayer gives Obama a “twofer” with the first hispanic and a new female justice, Wood in my view has more intellectual firepower and would have been a better addition to the court. One of the concerns from many is that Sotomayer, who is given bad marks on temperament, will be replaced one of the most easy going and civil justices on the Court.

My main concern is the lack of intellectual depth in her past opinions. I have read about 30 of the opinions and they do not support the view that she is a natural pick for the Court. She is without question a historic pick — like Thurgood Marshall. However, Marshall was not a lasting intellectual influence on the Court.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Happy picture. Latinos in this country will love Obama forever with this move.

Err yea, I think Latinos are smarter than that.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?5c746964-918f-43cb-8af1-5a80266c7625

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/it-okay-liberals-call-blacks-n-word

Janeane Garafalo accusing african americans who are conservative of stockholm syndrome or saying anyone who was at the tea party was simply racist.

The left does it too.

 

[scorcho]

Any legitimacy to the claim that some of her judicial written opinions are problematic in terms of the reasoning? I heard she has sloppy, unpresuasive opinions on some news show by some pundit. Any truth there?

Seems like if there was any serious dirt on her we would already know about it.

A lot of that talk came from a hit piece in The New Republic that was based on anonymous sources and painful logic. It's been pretty widely discredited.

 

[TheGrayGhost]

1. I believe they already have alienated them with the Dobbsian immigration policy, but the abortion issue is big among Hispanic Catholics. They might still have that.

Hispanic Protestants, maybe, but not Catholics. For Hispanic Catholics, abortion is a personal, familial issue and hardly ever make political decisions on it. At least, that has been my perception growing in up in the community.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

That...refers to nothing that he wrote.

But to add a non-sensical counter to your non-sensical counter, Obama was called a closeted Muslim 'Manchurian candidate' with an un-American upbringing who has to constantly hear cries from dilettantes to prove his birth. Does that offend you? Obviously not.

Edit: African Americans critiquing African Americans is slightly different than X ethnic group critiquing/mocking/slandering Y ethnic group.

So you ask a question without allowing me to answer? That is nice. I never said that doesn't offend me because I was never asked that question until now. Me asking about his birth certificate has nothing to do with me not being offended with him being referred to as a closeted Muslim manchurian candidate. You make assumptions first, ask questions of the person you are making assumptions about second?

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

Err yea, I think Latinos are smarter than that.

It wouldn't hurt. I think that's what he's trying to say.

 

[Deku]

Wouldn't they instead ask another Justice to resign so they could nominate an extreme conservative one also?

That's not till Obama's 2nd term.

This is equivalent to the Justice Mendoza nomination in the 1st season.

 

[syllogism]

Any legitimacy to the claim that some of her judicial written opinions are problematic in terms of the reasoning? I heard she has sloppy, unpresuasive opinions on some news show by some pundit. Any truth there?

Seems like if there was any serious dirt on her we would already know about it.

they were probably citating the anonymously sourced smear piece on tnr

 

[PhoenixDark]

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?5c746964-918f-43cb-8af1-5a80266c7625

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/it-okay-liberals-call-blacks-n-word

Janeane Garafalo accusing african americans who are conservative of stockholm syndrome or saying anyone who was at the tea party was simply racist.

The left does it too.

Well fuck her and the intellectual liberals who use the same arguments. But please, find us someone of actual relevance who has said anything close to what you're alleging.

 

[scorcho]

So you ask a question without allowing me to answer? That is nice. I never said that doesn't offend me because I was never asked that question until now. Me asking about his birth certificate has nothing to do with me not being offended with him being referred to as a closeted Muslim manchurian candidate. You make assumptions first, ask questions of the person you are making assumptions about second?

You missed this part -

But to add a non-sensical counter to your non-sensical counter

Red herrings are so delicious! (firefighters).

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Well fuck her and the intellectual liberals who use the same arguments. But please, find us someone of actual relevance who has said anything close to what you're alleging.

I suppose it depends on how you define relevant? Which republican of "relevance" has made the racial and sexual attacks that some here accuse them of making?

 

[PhoenixDark]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/05/26/youtube_justice.html#029924a

So this is the megaton republicans think they have against her? Maybe if they edit it a bit, but honestly...I don't see this gaining big enough legs to stand on such a weak foundation

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

You missed this part - Red herrings are so delicious! (firefighters).

I am sorry but I wasn't sure when your "nonsensical counter" ended. Did it end before you made the assumption that I wasn't offended by posting something that I said? Also, I already said that I was wrong for the accusation that the pick was an activist through using the fireman case.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/05/26/youtube_justice.html#029924a

So this is the megaton republicans think they have against her? Maybe if they edit it a bit, but honestly...I don't see this gaining big enough legs to stand on such a weak foundation

I saw that, it means nothing. She clarified to make sure she wasn't taken out of context and said she doesn't support the idea.

 

[PhoenixDark]

I suppose it depends on how you define relevant? Which republican of "relevance" has made the racial and sexual attacks that some here accuse them of making?

Uh...Rush Limbaugh? Jesse Helms? Trent Dole? Uh, Jeff Sessions? That could become a big list