As ever, Harry "Cloture" Reid enables the Republicans to punch above their weight class. Just replay this over and over for the next couple of years, watch Reid's pathetic "leadership" continue to enable the Republican minority to run the Senate. Smooth.

Amen, sister/brother (or, sister-brother). This guy's worse than a joke as a "leader." At least a joke has the benefit of being funny.

Another thing that burns my britches is the whole cloture/filibuster thing. These rules aren't part of Mt. Sinai's original tablets are they? Didn't think so.

(courtesy sysprog--who else?):

they [Greenwald, Sullivan] “exposed” a man who spoke openly and calmly about techniques which he originally felt had some utility, techniques which he felt should be used with great care and selectivity. Then later, upon reflection, he altered his views.

What a deliberate, calm, thoughtful writer. Personally, it's people like this that my darker side (!) would like to experience such "techniques ... used with great care and selectivity." I think I'm drowning in warm syrup--it's warm, it's sweet, yet I'm still drowning.

but this stuff infuriates me: I'm with Barney Frank on this one: No one asked the rank-and-file employees of Citigroup or AIG or Morgan-Stanley to cut their salaries in exchange for government handouts. Assembly-line workers at GM and Chrysler, on the other hand, must tighten their belts.

I'm with Frank, Andrew Leonard and walter_map on this.

Not one of you can come up with one good reason why Obama is fighting multiple lawsuits, some all the way to the Supreme Court, in an effort to conceal his birth certificate from the American public.

No insults from me (O!), but a simple request (similar to what I suggested somewhere a few days ago) : cut to the chase, say he was born in Megiddo, has several (okay, three) sixes somewhere on his head, and desires to support the regular, average, middle-and-not-so-middle-(anymore)-class men and women of this country. That, by definition, must make him the anti-Christ. There. Problem solved.

If I didn't know better I'd think that was German.

Tainted German.

theplanner ooh, freerepublic.com! There's a credible source. You know, I have some other good sources for you at about the same level. There's realalienabductions.com, blackhelicopters.org, theyaretrackingmethroughmyteeth.org and the ever popular imaginarycrap.com

You forgot http://fingers-to-lips-Pbtt-sound.com

That's a site I visit frequently after reading Salon.com letters.

It is simply a fact that higher labor costs put GM and Chrysler at a competitive disadvantage. That said, this is one of many problems. Simply put, current management has been terrible and needs to go. Bring in new talent with new ideas. On the other hand, Citi, AIG, and Morgan Stanley have a unique set of problems. One problem they do not have is excessive labor costs among the rank-and-file that prohibit them from competing successfully around the world. That’s why no one asked them to cut rank-and-file salaries in exchange for government handouts. Executive compensation is another subject entirely.

Completely agree and disagree simultaneously. Apart from management issues, and whether it's the Big 3 or financial companies, a simple fact remains: the rest of the developed, industrialized world has the health care and pension systems we lack. Of course our costs are higher. So, yes, GM and Chrysler are at a competitive disadvantage, but only because of the refusal by the trogloditic right to acknowledge the need for these things. Again, let me repeat, whether it's the Big 3, AIG, Citi or anyone else, the key point is the matter of national health and retirement benefits.

As for your last statement regarding cutting rank-and-file salaries, you're fooling yourself if you think this isn't an attack on labor unions. Of course it is.

sysprog (Re: Sen. Kyl): Glenn Greenwald wrote in the 'Salon' Magazine that his involvement with Rich pardon was substantial, continuous and concerted, much, much more than peripheral -- end of quote."

Glenn must stop. Once Republicans start quoting him, the game is up.

P.S. Pedinska: Have to extend props to Derbig here. His crystal ball predicted just this sort of thing.

I really don't recall having predicted any such thing. Wait, were you referring to Derbig or Derbig. The distinction is important for us schizophrenic types (of which I don't include myself. Or myself).

The first 10 or so letters are beyond batshit crazy. I sincerely hope that this isn’t what the base of the Democratic party has become; although it will be fun to watch the Left implode over the next 4 years.

A serious mis-reading of "The Left," friend (which, by the way, I don't really mean, but it seems to be the convention). The good news? You've got Sarah Palin who, thankfully, isn't "batshit crazy" and won't--cannot--implode a party that is already imploded, blown up, destroyed, screwed, and any other phrase that might otherwise be politely termed "suicided." And I say all of this with utter graciousness.

bigguns--I don't think you see the irony in your post. You are doing exactly what you claim "conspiracy theorists" do.

You'll need a magnet to get that irony. I have one and all those little metal thingys make me laugh. (That is, when I'm not crying from reading various Salon letters)