I like the way California voters embraced Arnold in the recall race for governor, even though the energy crisis was a put up job. After taking him as one of their own, they promptly backed him into a corner (does his wife do the same thing?) I also like the initiative process, by which voters choose which projects they want, and the politicians must find a way to fund those things. (Not always a great notion, but mostly it takes the sting out of earmarks).

There was an active California secessionist movement just before 9/11. Californians see themselves as part of the Pacific Rim, a ring of fire, volcano and earthquake activity, the circles the lands around the Pacific Ocean. They see themselves less in terms of New York, and that lifestyle. (Spaulding Gray used to call it the New York Art Mafia, he lived somewhat more happily out here, but decided to throw himself in the Hudson river when he chose to end it all)

Incidentally if you see Joan tell her all is forgiven. She is a native daughter, and New York has been very difficult for her personally. All is forgiven, please come back. Please don't do what Steinbeck did, and pass away staring at the Atlantic.)

I hereby vote you as a honorary Californian, GK. Please come often and stay long.

Here's a real question for real people, does the Democratic party control the cameras, or does the network? I recall Tim Russerts famous Red Sea interview with Colin Powell, when the administration operative took the camera off the Sec of State. It was obvious then that NBC did not control the interview.

The Democrats have been foolish and far too trusting of the White House and their media enablers. How the corruption of the MSM occured deserves several volumes, how Katy Couric replaced the disgraced Dan Rather, and how he is sueing CBS over his firing, may be the most important chapter.

Its naive to suppose that the images you see aren't carefully designed, in this case not so carefully designed to suit the needs of the party who was holding their convention. Perhaps you were distracted by the histrionics, Olberman against the (Right Wing Media) world. The RWMW was complaining bitterly, which is their favorite tactic, since Reagan: make the other side accept one of two outlandish choices.

Obama will never be elected unless he curries favor with at least one major news network, and right now I can't think which one that might be.

I have not, but I suspect that the export trade is being partly driven by commodities. Can't afford to drive that car? We'll sell the oil to someone who will. Likewise corn, wheat, and soybeans.

So far the food producers are absorbing the cost increases, which tells you where their profit margins were before the economy went soft. If the grocery chains can't sell a whole chicken at $1.50 a pound, they mark it down. Used to be chickens on special were marked at the discount price, lately I see a higher price tagged over.

Someday soon that price underneath will be the only price.

Yeah bottom line is how do you sell a bad economy to a guilible American public. From a political perspective there isn't enough pain out there to get a Democrat elected based primarily on the economy, but this economy is a slow motion train wreck. The stock market is lower than when BUSH took office.

Do you know how much you have lost in eight years with Wall Street? People are pretty blase about the losses in their retirement funds, wait until those guys take some really nasty hits, CALPERS for one has reallocated into commodities, what do you think their next report will look like?

There is no way out Unbee, because there are no jobs, they're all gone, overseas, and government isn't hiring. The Federal Reserve and the pols are against wage hikes.

That is UNBELIEVABLE, they would rather give you money than provide for a decent job and let you work.

Official MSNBC buzz today, the tax rebate checks are WORKING!!

In the Socialist States of America GDP is whatever you want it to be. Or Unbe.

A true Propaganda Network never has these problems, they are absolutely unflappable, and unwavering in their duty, unless they aren't sure who the dear leader might be?

Those pundits who came expecting Chicago 68', are disappointed.

Lets not go into how the MSM was beaten and cowed into accepting the role of the Propaganda Network but perhaps they are bitter over the matter, reported being dragged through a humiliating security screening, post 9/11, only to show up in the White House Press room and find Jeff Gannon pitching softballs at the Prez.

No clearance, no credentials, no biography (and still none by the way)

They have been embarrassed and humiliated, and we have heaped our scorn on them, and I expect them to take their pound of flesh, from soneone. Who it remains to be seen.

That link is from Feb, a lifetime in economics. The Telegraph reports a sharp July drop in M3. The Fed is in the process of mopping up some of that money. What's it mean? Basically it is deflationary, but lowering interest rates feeds the animus, because the bear market is primarily in credit. There is a lot more credit out there than anyone needs or wants, and so it gets marked down. Eventually Japan went to negative interest rates during the 90's.

When the Fed sees the demand for credit start to pick up, they will hike interest rates, and Wall street will celebrate. Since the fundamental problems with the US economy have not been resolved, that rally will not last long. Government borrowing still crowds out private sector investment, although massive privatization will help the numbers, the problem will not be resolved.