I agree...that simple!

Shame on Joe Wilson and the GOP....looked like a bunch frat boys following a herd metality. That said, his apology was accepted by the President. Wilson also owes the country an apology and I hope there are teachers everywhere making a lesson plan on this one...but NO EXCUSES will be accepted by Wilsom or any Republican.

The entire discussion is laughable and ludicrous. The right-wingers cries of racism are nothing more than an attempt to create fear and polarization with no real belief in such claims......Are we going to allow it?

eeewwwww.....and ick!

Gimme a break!

When Justice Souter didn't hire clerks.....major flag to those in the law community that he is about to retire.

"I feel guilty training kids in a trade for which the market is disappearing."

I couldn't even read past this line. Since when is journalism restricted to the newspaper? And...if you use this kind of BS line to pull a reader in, it did not work. I was insulted.

Joan,

I think you have read way too much into the comments by the Administration and have gotten way ahead of yourself and the rest of us....slow down.

Guess what Joan, we are not idiots out here. We pay attention and are well aware that this economic crisis isn't going to turn on a dime. But thanks for trying to protect and advise as well as insult us.

"Is CNBC as bad as Jon Stewart says it is? Yes, and a full day in front of the network will have you longing to return to the real world."....Right on!

Joseph Romm and Salon....we have Wall Street CEOs, bankers and insurers who have raped this country and YOU want to headline criticism of Gates who has given millions.

Guess what doesn't compute!

"The two Democrats' pique -- they say Obama didn't vet Panetta with them"....may say it all. Aren't we are all weary of grandstanding for the press and egocentric soundbite opportunities?

"But while some on the left are complaining, and the right is ridiculing him as a "Magic Negro," polls show the vast majority of the American people have been happy with his orderly, thoughtful transition."

Sorry Joan..you should have ended your post, "My Year in Politics" there and left your advice and warnings to Obama in 2009 for another day.

I simply don't care who says THE prayer.

I am sick and tired of whiners who think they alone elected Obama.

I might also add, as a supporter I watched the campaign closely and anyone on the far left who thinks Obama campaigned as an extreme left liberal or progressive needs to check their delusional fantasies at the door or take some time to watch reruns.

Salon... you have hit an all time low headlining this article.

To cynics, pessimists and ideologues...perhaps a little bi-partisan cooperation and "kumbaya" is what this country needs. Old habits die hard.

And to our friend Kytus...annoyance is not a virtue but congratulations on reaching your lofty aspiration of resident "pain in the ass".

"Let them die the quick and painful deaths they deserve. Sure, it will hurt a few people at first. There will be some unemployment for a short time. There will be void in the industry for a little while. But new ideas, opportunities and companies will emerge from the ashes—and quickly—that will be innovative and daring and lead to a renaissance in this country’s transportation systems."

Are you living underground or in some parallel universe?

A major point you refuse to acknowledge is that while the many mistakes the auto companies have made have seriously weakened them economically, they would not be facing imminent bankruptcy if it were not for the fact that the economy has gone into a serious recession and the credit markets have frozen up.

The government is the only institution in a position and willing to offer up credit.

3 million jobs is not a few..unless you compare it to the millions more that will follow.

Let me know where all the "innovative" companies that will "emerge from the ashes" will find their financing?

And please...Tell your buddy Reptillian Corporation, this IS the trickle down he refuses to see.

The Reptillian Corporation apparently has his head up his behind:

"100,000 people in financial services have lost their jobs this year. One would think that in a global interconnected economy that waves would rippled out of that and kill everything. But it hasn't,or, if it has then it's not so bad."

He believes the effect of the Wall Street crisis is a done deal and has had little impact. He is oblivious to the trickle down of layoffs, occurring as I write, in NYC alone, not to mention the daily announcements of layoffs in corporations throughout this country. Is this individual an island unto himself?...or a selfish, independently wealthy idiot?

Someone please inform him...the damage has yet to come full circle, but we can accelerate and maximize the damage by ignoring the manufacturing industry and working class.

Hmmm...Salon and other blogs are simply trying to stir the pot, trump up controversy and rile the masses. Don't buy it! The left is not going to fix things, the right has proven they can't. So where do you go?...somewhere in the middle. Get over it SALON and whiners. Haven't you noticed there are far more pressing issues? .... Perhaps there is no intelligence available for such discussions.

"The cynic is one who never sees a good quality in a man, and never fails to see a bad one. He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness and blind to light, mousing for vermin, and never seeing noble game. The cynic puts all human actions into two classes... openly bad and secretly bad."

I am amazed that some who post here have the courage to get out of bed each day. It's a mighty heavy load you carry...