Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Wish You Were Here

It looks like we're changing our plans a little bit. We had intended to spend a few days at Kangaroo Island, but that's getting a little complicated so instead we'll stay in Adelaide. There is another hotel we will switch to, at the beach. This is a beautiful city, everyone has been so good to us, there's a lot to see. We want to see the Aborigine museum and visit the Central Market tomorrow, now that the conference is over.

Today we went to Cleland Wildlife Park, outside of town a little ways. We got to pet a koala and some wallabies even let you get close enough to touch them. We saw wombats, kangaroos, a monitor, lots of emus, these little pointy-nosed rat-like things that are cute, beautiful birds including multicolored parrots that were flying around, and don't tell our daughter but we bought her a new purse made out of a kangaroo scrotum -- I'm sure she'll love it.

The kangaroos are a trip. As far as I can tell a wallaby is just a small kangaroo. There are definitely big ones and little ones, but the locals I talked to didn't know exactly where they change names. It looks awkward walking around on your knuckles, but when they hop they can really cover some ground efficiently. Koalas are cute but they aren't known to be very nice, they scratch you with their long claws and I am told that if you hold them they like to pee on you. The kangaroos and wallabies though look intelligent, and some of the wallabies have soft fuzzy fur, like a koala's. They'll come over and eat out of your hand and they check you out in an intelligent-looking way, deciding if they'll trust you or not.

Australia is amazing. It's a continent surrounded by water, so species evolved here separately while other species on the planet were evolving but interacting with one another. This is true for plants -- you should see the mountains covered with eucalyptus! -- and animals as well as the people who lived here and developed their own cultural and social systems over thousands of years.

Here's a kangaroo relaxing in the grass, I took this picture today. This one was sleeping, and it would roll over sometimes. It was big, too, you can't tell but some of these animals are bigger than a person.



The other night they took us out for a dinner of bush tucker. Ah, I didn't know what that was, either. Technically I think bush tucker is supposed to be the food that Australian aboriginal people would eat, but I think it's grown beyond that to include gourmet meals prepared with native Australian species of meat and vegetables.

Here's another picture of a kangaroo:



Turns out the kangaroo is not only cute but delicious. Kangaroo meat is delicious and lean. Everybody says you should not cook it beyond medium or medium rare. This was medium rare and perfect.

No more word on Australian "rules" football. Somebody compared it to Gallic football, played in Ireland, which I had never heard of. The reason all the TVs had the game on Sunday was because it was the championship. Now they're back to talking about normal things, like the collapse of the United States' economy. It seems that George W. Bush is hated here, and nobody understands why we elected the guy two times. I can't explain without using the word "nightmare." But really, that's so far away.

25 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"It seems that George W. Bush is hated here, and nobody understands why we elected the guy two times."

Tell them it's because Democrats can't come up with anyone decent to run against him.

If we had a two-party system that produced two acceptable candidates, it would be a different story.

Once the Republicans win this election, work will start on developing a mainstream alternative to the Republican party and Democrats will go the way of the Whigs and the Dixiecrats.

October 01, 2008 11:09 AM  
Anonymous Derrick said...

Looks like McBush is really taking a beating, AnonBigot:

www.cnn.com
New polls show Obama breaking away in key states
Posted: 11:30 AM ET

New state polls show Obama with clear leads.
(CNN) – New polls released Wednesday morning suggest the race for the White House could be breaking for Barack Obama in three key battleground states.

Just-released Quinnipiac University surveys show Obama with wide leads in Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as Florida — the showdown state in the 2000 presidential race where John McCain has had held an advantage for most of the summer.

The latest poll results is bad news for McCain as Election Day inches closer and just may be the clearest sign yet the nation's ongoing financial crisis is taking its toll on the Arizona senator's candidacy.

"It is virtually impossible for McCain to win the White House without Florida and Ohio," CNN Senior Political Researcher Alan Silverleib said. "The financial crisis is playing right into Obama's message of change, and putting the GOP on the defensive all across the electoral map."

Election Center: Check out CNN's electoral map breakdown

Quinnipiac new survey in Pennsylvania shows Obama with a stunningly 14 point lead over McCain, 54-39 percent. Averaging that survey with other recent Pennsylvania polls, the latest CNN poll of polls there shows a 10 point lead for Obama in the state that only voted for John Kerry by a 2-point margin in 2004. Several polls released earlier this month in Pennsylvania suggested Obama's lead there was in the mid single digits.

A new Quinnipiac Ohio poll also released Wednesday morning shows Obama leading McCain by 8 points there. CNN does not have enough recent polling in Ohio for a poll of polls, but several surveys released earlier this month before the extent of the financial crisis became clear showed the two presidential candidates tied there.

A new Quinnipiac Florida poll also shows big gains for Obama, with the Illinois senator now holding an 8 point lead, 51 to 43 percent. There is also not enough recent polling in Florida to conduct a poll of polls there, though a survey from ARG earlier this week showed Obama with a statistically insignificant 1-point lead there.

October 01, 2008 11:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thought you guys were just saying a couple of days ago that we should ignore state polls because they tend to lag behind national polls and follow them?

maybe you guys need to decide on a consistent spin-

lying becomes a tangled web, doesn't it?

on a national level, McCain is ascendant, picking up 5 points in the much publicized ABC/Washington Post poll in the last week, which took sampling every day since the debate that Obama lost

Obama, who was ahead by 9 points in that poll before the debate, has plummeted to a mere 4 point lead now

you have to remember that Obama's numbers are pumped up by millions of newly registered voters who say they are going to vote this time but have always found it to be too much trouble in the past

as close as things are, if only 20% of those kept up their past behavior patterns, Obama would be the loser

what do you think the chances are that more than 80% of these people will change the behavior they demonstrated in the past?

Palin show on the telly tonight

she's been known to change the weather

the knees of Dems everywhere are knocking!

October 01, 2008 12:27 PM  
Anonymous Aunt Bea said...

lying becomes a tangled web, doesn't it?

We defer to your expertise.

October 01, 2008 1:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Like the lies of Democrats about the economic crisis?

You know, over the last week or so, we have had a steady chorus of Democrats blaming the economic crisis on the push by Republicans to deregulate banks. Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) which allowed commercial and investment banks to merge is seen as the villain.

I've tried to tell you kids that the problem is not a lack of regulation but, indeed, government intervention in the mortgage markets to encourage lenders to make more home loans available to low-income borrowers helping them to become homeowners. This government intervention actually began in 1977, during the Carter presidency, and received a major push in 1993, under the Clinton administration.

Now, in an interview posted at BusinessWeek.com, it appears Bill Clinton agrees with me. Here's Bill, who signed GLBA into law, when asked whether he regretted it:

"No, because it wasn't a complete deregulation at all. We still have heavy regulation and insurance on bank deposits, requirements on banks for capital and for disclosure....I don't see that signing that bill had anything to do with the current crisis. Indeed, one of the things that has helped stabilize the current crisis is the purchase of Merill Lynch by Bank of America."

btw, GLBA passed the Senate by a 90-8 vote. Democrats who approved it include John Kerry, John Edwards and, walla, Joe Biden.

Of course, Obama didn't. He was probably running for President of the local recreation club in Chicago.

Last thing America needs is a President who believes heavy regulation is the key to a healthy economy.

Maybe Sarah Palin, our next VP, will bring it up tonight.

October 01, 2008 1:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gallup poll released this afternoon with polling through yesterday confirms the ABC/Post poll.

Obama's slide to a 4 point lead is now replicated.

Too bad guys. It's a bad break for your side and now you got Palin in the batter's box, ready to take some pitches tonight.

Remember how bad she hurt you when she hit that grand slam in Minneapolis.

Well, there's always 2012!

October 01, 2008 2:55 PM  
Anonymous Aunt Bea said...

Cherrypicking like lying becomes a tangled web and Anon does both better than anyone. Here's the rest of the polls that came in.


RCP Average 09/25 - 09/30 -- 49.0 44.1 Obama +4.9

ABC News/Wash Post 09/27 - 09/29 916 LV 50 46 Obama +4
Pew Research 09/27 - 09/29 1181 LV 49 43 Obama +6
Time 09/26 - 09/29 1133 LV 50 43 Obama +7
Gallup Tracking 09/28 - 09/30 2746 RV 48 44 Obama +4
Rasmussen Tracking 09/28 - 09/30 3000 LV 51 45 Obama +6
Hotline/FD Tracking 09/28 - 09/30 902 RV 47 42 Obama +5
GW/Battleground Tracking 09/25 - 09/30 800 LV 48 46 Obama +2

October 01, 2008 4:01 PM  
Blogger Tish said...

Jim, it sounds wonderful. My aunt lives in Cleveland, which is a suburb of Brisbane. She saves her leftover bread every day and hand feeds it to the wallabies that come into her back garden every morning. It is probably not good for the wallabies, but she has been doing it for years; anyway she is 85 years old and I'm not going to tell her not to feed the animals in her back yard.

The last trip my parents took together was to visit my aunt and uncle. My mother was pretty far into her Alzheimers Decline, but we have a picture of her feeding bread to the garden wallabies. You can see my aunt was holding mom's hand and trying to stay out of the picture. They went to a Petting Zoo somewhere on the east coast where my mother had her picture taken holding a Koala. It looks as though it was about as big as a toddler. I didn't know they are dangerous - that one was trained to let old ladies hold it.

You are in Prime Red Wine Territory. Enjoy!

October 01, 2008 4:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Cherrypicking like lying becomes a tangled web and Anon does both better than anyone."

LOL, CTBS.

Point is every national media outlet last week was trumpeting the ABC/Post poll that had a 9 point lead and mentioning no other polls, saying that Obama is surging.

Then, if you mention the fact that there has been a dramatic drop in Obama's numbers in that poll this week, you're accused of "cherry picking".

Similarly, you guys were last week saying to ignore state polls because they lag but now that they look good for Obama, you're all having a hootenanny.

Let's cut through the BS: since the primaries ended, Obama has led by an average somewhere between 2-4points. Other than the convention bounces, nothing has really changed. Unless there is some new shocking revelation or an attack on America or a major misstatement by one of the candidates, this is where things will be in November.

Unfortunately, this current standing will probably be an Obama loss at the polls for three reasons.

For fun, let's see if you can guess them.

October 01, 2008 4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

****CONFLICT OF INTEREST ALERT****

Gwen Ifill who will moderate the Thursday night debate has a book coming out called "Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama".

Ifill has shown a strong bias in favor of Obama.

This is blatant conflict of interest and she should be dismissed from this role.

Bill O'Reilly may fill in.

October 01, 2008 5:21 PM  
Anonymous Derrick said...

Your side is losing, AnonBigot. What will you do??

Looks like America has a brain afterall. The Obama way is the RIGHT way!

October 01, 2008 7:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andrea
Anyone else want to contribute to Anon's bus fare so he can move to the home of his intellectual equals- Sarah and First Dud? uh,uh, I'll get back to you

October 01, 2008 8:35 PM  
Blogger Priya Lynn said...

Anon-freak said "Unfortunately, this current standing will probably be an Obama loss at the polls".

LOL. And President Huckabee's going to do this and president Huckabee's going to do that and Huckabee, Condolezza Rice, or Colin Powel is going to be Mccain's running mate and the law adding trans people to the anti-discrimination statue is going to be overturned and the Republicans are going to clean up in the 2006 elections, etc. etc.

October 01, 2008 9:09 PM  
Blogger Priya Lynn said...

Anon freak said "Ifill has shown a strong bias in favor of Obama. This is blatant conflict of interest and she should be dismissed from this role.".

Anon-freak is already making excuses for the beating Palin's going to take.

October 01, 2008 9:26 PM  
Anonymous Aunt Bea said...

This is blatant conflict of interest and she should be dismissed from this role.

That's not what your hero, John McCain said:

PBS's Gwen Ifill, the moderator, is planning to publish a book entitled "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama" around Inauguration Day. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh says that means the moderator has a stake in the debate's outcome. McCain thinks Ifill will do "a totally objective job because she is a highly-respected professional." However, a McCain senior adviser this week suggested if there's too many foreign policy questions, an area where Palin is weak, they will be ready to pounce. "The moderators will have some questions to answer themselves if they do go so heavy (on) foreign policy," the adviser warned.

I guess you missed the memo.

You see it's not Ifill that worries them, it's Sarah. They are tired of being embarrassed by Sarah's answers like this:

COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it's funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don't know, you know? Reporters--

COURIC: Mock?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.


Or this question, on what informs her world view:

Katie Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious: what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?

Sarah Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.

KC: But, like, what ones specifically? I'm curious.

SP: All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years.

KC: Can you name a few?

SP: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where, it's kind of suggested and it seems like, 'Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C. may be thinking and doing when you live up there in Alaska?' Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

October 01, 2008 10:19 PM  
Anonymous Derrick said...

That Palin is such a boob!!!

She is obviously a republican ready for politics because she just doesn't make any sense!!!

October 01, 2008 10:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"WASHINGTON (Sept. 29) - Sarah Palin brought something more effective than facts and figures to an agriculture debate in the Alaska governor's race. She packed an engaging disposition.

One of her opponents, Andrew Halcro, had memorized the complexities of the subject beforehand. He was super prepared. He might as well have stared out the window during the proceedings, for all it mattered

"She did such a great job with just the glittering generalities and filling the room with her presence that people didn't care what she said about agriculture," Halcro says now. "Palin's a master at spending 45 seconds telling you what color the sky is," he adds, "and people will say, 'That's the greatest thing I ever heard.'"

Palin and her Democratic vice presidential rival, Joe Biden, each bring distinctive qualities and vulnerabilities to the campaign's only running-mate debate, Thursday in St. Louis. It's a potential gold mine and minefield for both.

Biden is a loquacious man of charm and detail with an agile yet unpredictable mind. He can bring the house down with a quip. Two decades ago, he brought his first presidential campaign down with a colossal faux pas in a debate at the Iowa State Fair.

The Delaware senator's debating experience stretches back to 1972 when, as Palin has noted, she was in second grade.

The first-term Alaska governor, however, is no newcomer to political debating, even if she's new to the national big leagues. In 2006, she powered through some two dozen debates, first against an incumbent governor from her own party, then against a former governor from the other side, plus other rivals.

Then as now, she was disparaged as something of a Podunk lightweight — one of the "so-called opponents," in the dismissive words of Frank Murkowski, the GOP governor she would unseat.

Then, she held her own or better in the crush of debates, upending Alaska's political establishment in the process with a one-two punch in the primaries and fall election.

She had a way of disarming opponents that made up for her lack of experience."

October 02, 2008 12:17 AM  
Blogger Zoe Brain said...

Bear in mind that I'm on the Right, so am no doubt biased.

The US Financial crisis appears to be the product of two things. The first is loopholes in de-regulation passed with bipartisan support (so it's NOT Carter's fault) a while ago. (Did I mention that extracting an admission like that from me about Carter, who I consider the worst POTUS of the 20th century, is like having teeth pulled? Well it is)

The second is the very worthy in aim but brain-dead in execution piece of legislation that forced lenders to give loans to the poor - many of whom hadn't got a hope of repaying their loan should interest rates go up.

McCain tried to get this state of affairs fixed, but was opposed by an intense campaign by Barney Frank et al who all said he was an Ogre who wanted to subjugate the oppressed, and that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in perfect shape, and didn't need regulating.

YouTube is your friend here - the speeches are available online to prove this. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QBRIsCkGQ0

Forget the Fox commentary - just look at the speeches.

Basically, house prices got inflated due to subsidised demand. When the subsidies ran out, prices dived. Those financial institutions whose assets were in property suddenly lost much of their value, so had no collateral to get loans to stay trading.

It's actually not a big deal, except in two ways. First, at the low level, all those foreclosures have caused real hardship to many who are vulnerable. They haven't lost any equity, and the interest they were paying was about what they'd be paying in rent anyway, but now they have no homes.

Second, at the high level, no-one's lending, so no-one can borrow. This has already caused severe financial disruption worldwide.

For example... in Canberra, Australia where I live, construction of a new airport terminal has been halted as of yesterday. Why? Because the investors can't be sure of getting loans on decent enough terms to complete the work. That's just taken out millions of dollars from the local economy, and lost over 1000 jobs in a city with a workforce of 150,000.

And in the meantime, a 3-page bill has become what, 700? With a gazillion earmarks as every senator makes sure he gets his beak wet?

The US Congress is a bad joke. And that is a bipartisan statement, I can't pick who's worse. Maybe the Dems in a systematic way, but the Republicans have some individuals that make up for it.

And the top 3 beneficiaries of Fannie Mae political largesse?

Dodd, Christopher J $165,400
Obama, Barack $126,349
Kerry, John $111,000

Obama is particularly noteworthy, as he's been getting contribs for less than 1/10 of the time the others have.

It's not just the regulatory climate though - many financial institutions made loans that were unconscionable just to make a quick buck. There's plenty of blame to go around. So far though, the DNC appears to be Teflon.

And to all those anonymous's who are Right Wing like me - in the vernacular, GROW A PAIR. At least use some pseudonym so people can reply to you. "Norm D. Ploom", "Anne O'Namus", "Sue Donim", whatever. Otherwise you'll be treated like disruptive trolls. Well, I'd treat you that way, anyway. Please take a unique name, it's only polite.

There's too little courtesy these days. And those of us who are conservative should practise that particular old-fashioned virtue, shouldn't we?

October 02, 2008 1:54 AM  
Anonymous Aunt Bea said...

In the interest of full disclosure, here's the full list of All Recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Campaign Contributions, 1989-2008

Name Office State Party Grand Total Total from
PACs Total from
Individuals
Dodd, Christopher J S CT D $165,400 $48,500 $116,900
Obama, Barack S IL D $126,349 $6,000 $120,349
Kerry, John S MA D $111,000 $2,000 $109,000
Bennett, Robert F S UT R $107,999 $71,499 $36,500
Bachus, Spencer H AL R $103,300 $70,500 $32,800
Blunt, Roy H MO R $96,950 $78,500 $18,450
Kanjorski, Paul E H PA D $96,000 $57,500 $38,500
Bond, Christopher S 'Kit' S MO R $95,400 $64,000 $31,400
Shelby, Richard C S AL R $80,000 $23,000 $57,000
Reed, Jack S RI D $78,250 $43,500 $34,750
Reid, Harry S NV D $77,000 $60,500 $16,500
Clinton, Hillary S NY D $76,050 $8,000 $68,050
Davis, Tom H VA R $75,499 $13,999 $61,500
Boehner, John H OH R $67,750 $60,500 $7,250
Conrad, Kent S ND D $64,491 $22,000 $42,491
Reynolds, Tom H NY R $62,200 $53,000 $9,200
Johnson, Tim S SD D $61,000 $20,000 $41,000
Pelosi, Nancy H CA D $56,250 $47,000 $9,250
Carper, Tom S DE D $55,889 $31,350 $24,539
Hoyer, Steny H H MD D $55,500 $51,500 $4,000
Pryce, Deborah H OH R $55,500 $45,000 $10,500
Emanuel, Rahm H IL D $51,750 $16,000 $35,750
Isakson, Johnny S GA R $49,200 $35,500 $13,700
Cantor, Eric H VA R $48,500 $46,500 $2,000
Crapo, Mike S ID R $47,250 $40,500 $6,750
Frank, Barney H MA D $42,350 $30,500 $11,850
Bean, Melissa H IL D $41,249 $34,999 $6,250
Bayh, Evan S IN D $41,100 $16,500 $24,600
McConnell, Mitch S KY R $41,000 $40,000 $1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B H NY D $39,750 $16,500 $23,250
Dorgan, Byron L S ND D $38,750 $30,500 $8,250
Miller, Gary H CA R $38,000 $31,500 $6,500
Rangel, Charles B H NY D $38,000 $14,750 $23,250
Tiberi, Patrick J H OH R $35,700 $32,600 $3,100
Bunning, Jim S KY R $33,802 $29,650 $4,152
Stabenow, Debbie S MI D $33,450 $32,000 $1,450
Chambliss, Saxby S GA R $33,250 $22,500 $10,750
Menendez, Robert S NJ D $31,250 $30,500 $750
Enzi, Mike S WY R $31,000 $27,500 $3,500
Van Hollen, Chris H MD D $30,700 $11,000 $19,700
Landrieu, Mary L S LA D $30,600 $20,000 $10,600
Murray, Patty S WA D $30,000 $23,000 $7,000
Clyburn, James E H SC D $29,750 $26,000 $3,750
Crowley, Joseph H NY D $29,700 $25,500 $4,200
Sessions, Pete H TX R $29,472 $24,000 $5,472
McCrery, Jim H LA R $29,000 $26,000 $3,000
Hooley, Darlene H OR D $28,750 $19,500 $9,250
Royce, Ed H CA R $28,600 $4,000 $24,600
Renzi, Rick H AZ R $28,250 $28,000 $250
Lieberman, Joe S CT I $28,250 $11,500 $16,750
Baucus, Max S MT D $27,500 $21,000 $6,500
Moore, Dennis H KS D $26,550 $25,500 $1,050
Coleman, Norm S MN R $24,690 $12,000 $12,690
Matheson, Jim H UT D $24,500 $24,000 $500
Schumer, Charles E S NY D $24,250 $1,500 $22,750
Durbin, Dick S IL D $23,750 $14,000 $9,750
Rogers, Mike H MI R $22,750 $21,000 $1,750
Lynch, Stephen F H MA D $22,500 $13,500 $9,000
Rockefeller, Jay S WV D $22,250 $5,000 $17,250
Smith, Gordon H S OR R $22,000 $20,000 $2,000
Mikulski, Barbara A S MD D $21,750 $16,500 $5,250
McCain, John S AZ R $21,550 $0 $21,550
Spratt, John M Jr H SC D $21,500 $17,000 $4,500
Brown-Waite, Ginny H FL R $21,000 $21,000 $0
Davis, Geoff H KY R $21,000 $19,500 $1,500
Velazquez, Nydia M H NY D $20,750 $16,750 $4,000
Baca, Joe H CA D $20,500 $20,200 $300
Alexander, Lamar S TN R $20,500 $20,000 $500
Allard, Wayne S CO R $20,250 $0 $20,250
Neugebauer, Randy H TX R $20,000 $20,000 $0
Nelson, Ben S NE D $20,000 $19,000 $1,000
Salazar, Ken S CO D $19,900 $17,000 $2,900
Jefferson, William J H LA D $19,250 $8,500 $10,750
Byrd, Robert C S WV D $18,500 $8,000 $10,500
Hatch, Orrin G S UT R $18,250 $12,500 $5,750
Miller, Brad H NC D $18,000 $16,500 $1,500
Sherman, Brad H CA D $18,000 $12,500 $5,500
Craig, Larry S ID R $18,000 $15,000 $3,000
Roberts, Pat S KS R $18,000 $18,000 $0
Waters, Maxine H CA D $17,800 $15,000 $2,800
Biggert, Judy H IL R $17,750 $15,500 $2,250
Gerlach, Jim H PA R $17,750 $16,500 $1,250
Reyes, Silvestre H TX D $17,550 $2,000 $15,550
LaTourette, Steven C H OH R $17,500 $17,500 $0
Brownback, Sam S KS R $17,300 $14,250 $3,050
Barrett, Gresham H SC R $17,250 $13,000 $4,250
Watt, Melvin L H NC D $17,250 $13,000 $4,250
Scott, David H GA D $17,000 $13,500 $3,500
King, Pete H NY R $16,750 $1,000 $15,750
Cummings, Elijah E H MD D $16,700 $10,000 $6,700
Grassley, Chuck S IA R $16,500 $14,500 $2,000
Cantwell, Maria S WA D $16,250 $0 $16,250
Domenici, Pete V S NM R $16,226 $7,000 $9,226
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie H SD D $16,200 $4,500 $11,700
Putnam, Adam H H FL R $15,500 $15,500 $0
Feinstein, Dianne S CA D $15,250 $2,000 $13,250
Brown, Sherrod S OH D $15,000 $15,000 $0
Feeney, Tom H FL R $14,750 $13,500 $1,250
Sununu, John E S NH R $14,750 $0 $14,750
Hinojosa, Ruben H TX D $14,500 $13,000 $1,500
Capito, Shelley Moore H WV R $14,250 $8,000 $6,250
Burr, Richard S NC R $14,250 $13,500 $750
Jackson, Jesse Jr H IL D $14,000 $8,000 $6,000
Meeks, Gregory W H NY D $14,000 $13,500 $500
Cornyn, John S TX R $14,000 $12,000 $2,000
Collins, Susan M S ME R $13,000 $12,000 $1,000
Boxer, Barbara S CA D $12,750 $5,000 $7,750
McHenry, Patrick H NC R $12,500 $12,500 $0
Israel, Steve H NY D $12,050 $10,000 $2,050
Nunes, Devin Gerald H CA R $12,000 $12,000 $0
Davis, Artur H AL D $11,750 $11,500 $250
Martinez, Mel S FL R $11,750 $8,500 $3,250
Roskam, Peter H IL R $11,650 $8,500 $3,150
Pryor, Mark S AR D $11,650 $9,500 $2,150
Webb, James S VA D $11,550 $1,000 $10,550
Doolittle, John T H CA R $11,500 $11,500 $0
Harkin, Tom S IA D $11,450 $6,900 $4,550
Lee, Barbara H CA D $11,250 $11,000 $250
Thune, John S SD R $11,057 $1,000 $10,057
Klein, Ron H FL D $11,000 $11,000 $0
Mahoney, Tim H FL D $11,000 $11,000 $0
Fossella, Vito H NY R $10,750 $7,500 $3,250
Schultz, Debbie Wasserman H FL D $10,750 $9,750 $1,000
Thompson, Mike H CA D $10,600 $1,000 $9,600
Moran, Jim H VA D $10,500 $1,250 $9,250
Kennedy, Edward M S MA D $10,500 $3,000 $7,500
Clay, William L Jr H MO D $10,250 $8,500 $1,750
Payne, Donald M H NJ D $10,100 $5,500 $4,600
Dingell, John D H MI D $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Lincoln, Blanche S AR D $10,000 $5,500 $4,500
Levin, Sander H MI D $9,800 $0 $9,800
Roybal-Allard, Lucille H CA D $9,800 $5,000 $4,800
Barrasso, John A S WY R $9,500 $9,500 $0
Nelson, Bill S FL D $9,500 $9,000 $500
Napolitano, Grace H CA D $9,300 $8,500 $800
Castle, Michael N H DE R $9,200 $7,000 $2,200
Drake, Thelma H VA R $9,000 $9,000 $0
Dreier, David H CA R $9,000 $7,000 $2,000
Bachmann, Michele Marie H MN R $8,850 $6,500 $2,350
Gonzalez, Charlie A H TX D $8,500 $5,000 $3,500
Lewis, John H GA D $8,500 $4,000 $4,500
Knollenberg, Joe H MI R $8,250 $5,000 $3,250
Moore, Gwen H WI D $8,250 $8,000 $250
Pastor, Ed H AZ D $8,100 $4,500 $3,600
Norton, Eleanor Holmes D DC D $8,000 $3,000 $5,000
Becerra, Xavier H CA D $8,000 $7,000 $1,000
Jackson Lee, Sheila H TX D $8,000 $0 $8,000
Larson, John B H CT D $8,000 $8,000 $0
Lewis, Jerry H CA R $8,000 $7,000 $1,000
Melancon, Charles J H LA D $8,000 $8,000 $0
Walsh, James T H NY R $7,750 $0 $7,750
Corker, Bob S TN R $7,750 $2,000 $5,750
Cramer, Bud H AL D $7,500 $7,000 $500
Cubin, Barbara H WY R $7,500 $5,000 $2,500
Ensign, John S NV R $7,300 $6,000 $1,300
Meek, Kendrick B H FL D $7,250 $6,500 $750
Wilson, Charlie H OH D $7,250 $7,000 $250
Leahy, Patrick S VT D $7,250 $2,500 $4,750
Cleaver, Emanuel H MO D $7,000 $7,000 $0
Marchant, Kenny Ewell H TX R $7,000 $7,000 $0
Thompson, Bennie G H MS D $7,000 $6,000 $1,000
Casey, Bob S PA D $7,000 $6,000 $1,000
Solis, Hilda L H CA D $6,800 $6,500 $300
Gordon, Bart H TN D $6,750 $4,000 $2,750
Pomeroy, Earl H ND D $6,750 $5,000 $1,750
Tiahrt, Todd H KS R $6,500 $6,500 $0
Boyd, Allen H FL D $6,000 $5,500 $500
Capuano, Michael E H MA D $6,000 $5,000 $1,000
Heller, Dean H NV R $6,000 $6,000 $0
Marshall, Jim H GA0 D $6,000 $6,000 $0
Whitfield, Ed H KY R $6,000 $6,000 $0
Klobuchar, Amy S MN D $5,650 $1,500 $4,150
Ross, Mike H AR D $5,550 $3,000 $2,550
McCarthy, Carolyn H NY D $5,500 $5,500 $0
Slaughter, Louise M H NY D $5,500 $5,500 $0
Hodes, Paul W H NH D $5,450 $5,000 $450
Cardin, Ben S MD D $5,300 $500 $4,800
Boren, Dan H OK D $5,250 $5,000 $250
Ackerman, Gary H NY D $5,000 $4,000 $1,000
Andrews, Robert E H NJ D $5,000 $0 $5,000
Camp, Dave H MI R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Cole, Tom H OK R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Davis, Lincoln H TN D $5,000 $5,000 $0
Hill, Baron H IN D $5,000 $5,000 $0
Pearce, Steve H NM R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Perlmutter, Edwin G H CO D $5,000 $5,000 $0
Weller, Jerry H IL R $5,000 $0 $5,000
Snowe, Olympia J S ME R $5,000 $4,000 $1,000
Wicker, Roger S MS R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Davis, Danny K H IL D $4,950 $2,000 $2,950
Chabot, Steve H OH R $4,750 $3,000 $1,750
Honda, Mike H CA D $4,750 $4,000 $750
Price, David H NC D $4,550 $2,050 $2,500
Hagel, Chuck S NE R $4,500 $0 $4,500
Lugar, Richard G S IN R $4,500 $1,000 $3,500
Kaptur, Marcy H OH D $4,350 $1,000 $3,350
McCollum, Betty H MN D $4,350 $0 $4,350
Carson, Andre H IN D $4,250 $4,000 $250
Obey, David R H WI D $4,250 $2,000 $2,250
Salazar, John H CO D $4,250 $4,000 $250
Sanchez, Loretta H CA D $4,250 $3,000 $1,250
Tanner, John H TN D $4,250 $3,500 $750
Cardoza, Dennis H CA D $4,000 $4,000 $0
English, Phil H PA R $4,000 $4,000 $0
Green, Al H TX D $4,000 $4,000 $0
Kilpatrick, Carolyn Cheeks H MI D $4,000 $3,250 $750
Murphy, Chris H CT D $4,000 $4,000 $0
Tester, Jon S MT D $4,000 $3,500 $500
Rodriguez, Ciro D H TX D $3,750 $3,000 $750
Donnelly, Joe H IN D $3,500 $3,500 $0
Matsui, Doris O H CA D $3,500 $2,500 $1,000
Paul, Ron H TX R $3,500 $0 $3,500
Price, Tom H GA R $3,500 $3,500 $0
Schmidt, Jean H OH R $3,500 $2,500 $1,000
Wexler, Robert H FL D $3,500 $3,500 $0
Wyden, Ron S OR D $3,500 $0 $3,500
Biden, Joseph R Jr S DE D $3,300 $0 $3,300
Gutierrez, Luis V H IL D $3,250 $2,500 $750
Harman, Jane H CA D $3,250 $0 $3,250
Hensarling, Jeb H TX R $3,250 $1,500 $1,750
Kennedy, Patrick J H RI D $3,250 $0 $3,250
Ryan, Paul H WI R $3,250 $2,500 $750
Myrick, Sue H NC R $3,200 $1,500 $1,700
Schwartz, Allyson H PA D $3,200 $2,000 $1,200
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln H FL R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Lucas, Frank D H OK R $3,000 $1,500 $1,500
McCarthy, Kevin H CA R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Souder, Mark E H IN R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Udall, Mark H CO D $3,000 $2,500 $500
Bingaman, Jeff S NM D $3,000 $3,000 $0
Levin, Carl S MI D $3,000 $3,000 $0
Stevens, Ted S AK R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Hobson, Dave H OH R $2,850 $0 $2,850
Johnson, Eddie Bernice H TX D $2,825 $1,000 $1,825
Berkley, Shelley H NV D $2,750 $2,000 $750
Jones, Walter B Jr H NC R $2,750 $0 $2,750
Ferguson, Mike H NJ R $2,700 $0 $2,700
Cannon, Chris H UT R $2,500 $2,000 $500
Childers, Travis W H MS D $2,500 $2,500 $0
DeGette, Diana H CO D $2,500 $2,000 $500
Ellison, Keith H MN D $2,500 $2,500 $0
Keller, Ric H FL R $2,500 $2,000 $500
Oberstar, James L H MN D $2,500 $0 $2,500
Serrano, Jose E H NY D $2,500 $1,500 $1,000
Shays, Christopher H CT R $2,500 $2,000 $500
McCaskill, Claire S MO D $2,500 $2,500 $0
Cuellar, Henry H TX D $2,450 $2,000 $450
Markey, Edward J H MA D $2,250 $0 $2,250
Smith, Adam H WA D $2,250 $2,000 $250
Butterfield, G K H NC D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Costa, Jim H CA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Foster, Bill H IL D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Grijalva, Raul M H AZ D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Hastings, Doc H WA R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Moran, Jerry H KS R $2,000 $0 $2,000
Murphy, Patrick J H PA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Olver, John W H MA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Porter, Jon H NV R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Regula, Ralph H OH R $2,000 $0 $2,000
Reichert, Dave H WA R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Sanchez, Linda H CA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Sires, Albio H NJ D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Tauscher, Ellen H CA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Akaka, Daniel K S HI D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Cochran, Thad S MS R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Whitehouse, Sheldon S RI D $2,000 $1,000 $1,000
Allen, Tom H ME D $1,950 $0 $1,950
Stearns, Cliff H FL R $1,850 $1,850 $0
DeLauro, Rosa L H CT D $1,750 $1,000 $750
Towns, Edolphus H NY D $1,750 $0 $1,750
Hulshof, Kenny H MO R $1,700 $1,250 $450
Fattah, Chaka H PA D $1,500 $1,000 $500
Neal, Richard E H MA D $1,500 $1,500 $0
Diaz-Balart, Mario H FL R $1,450 $1,000 $450
Kucinich, Dennis J H OH D $1,349 $0 $1,349
Alexander, Rodney H LA R $1,250 $1,250 $0
Carnahan, Russ H MO D $1,250 $1,000 $250
Wilson, Heather A H NM R $1,250 $0 $1,250
Coburn, Tom S OK R $1,250 $0 $1,250
Feingold, Russ S WI D $1,250 $0 $1,250
Kyl, Jon S AZ R $1,250 $0 $1,250
Linder, John H GA R $1,150 $500 $650
Sestak, Joe H PA D $1,150 $0 $1,150
Specter, Arlen S PA R $1,100 $350 $750
Berry, Marion H AR D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Blackburn, Marsha H TN R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Boswell, Leonard L H IA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Boucher, Rick H VA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Boustany, Charles W Jr H LA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Calvert, Ken H CA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Campbell, John H CA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Cazayoux, Donald J H LA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Conaway, Mike H TX R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Cooper, Jim H TN D $1,000 $500 $500
Ellsworth, Brad H IN D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Filner, Bob H CA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Graves, Sam H MO R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Hayes, Robin H NC R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Higgins, Brian M H NY D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Johnson, Hank H GA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Latham, Tom H IA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Lofgren, Zoe H CA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
McNerney, Jerry H CA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Michaud, Mike H ME D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Mitchell, Harry E H AZ D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Musgrave, Marilyn H CO R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Ortiz, Solomon P H TX D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Rush, Bobby L H IL D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Schiff, Adam H CA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Scott, Robert C H VA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Smith, Chris H NJ R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Space, Zachary T H OH D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Terry, Lee H NE R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Walberg, Tim H MI R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Welch, Peter H VT D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Wolf, Frank R H VA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Dole, Elizabeth S NC R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Lautenberg, Frank R S NJ D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Christian-Green, Donna D VI D $750 $0 $750
Inslee, Jay R H WA D $750 $0 $750
Duncan, John J Jr H TN R $600 $600 $0
Bilbray, Brian P H CA R $500 $0 $500
Bishop, Sanford D Jr H GA D $500 $500 $0
Castor, Kathy H FL D $500 $0 $500
Edwards, Donna H MD D $500 $0 $500
Hinchey, Maurice H NY D $500 $0 $500
LaHood, Ray H IL R $500 $0 $500
Mack, Connie H FL R $500 $0 $500
Pascrell, Bill Jr H NJ D $500 $500 $0
Pickering, Charles "Chip" Jr H MS R $500 $500 $0
Rehberg, Denny H MT R $500 $0 $500
Sarbanes, John H MD D $500 $0 $500
Shadegg, John H AZ R $500 $0 $500
Skelton, Ike H MO D $500 $500 $0
Smith, Lamar H TX R $500 $500 $0
Stark, Pete H CA D $500 $500 $0
Weldon, Dave H FL R $500 $0 $500
Wu, David H OR D $500 $0 $500
Graham, Lindsey S SC R $500 $0 $500
Brown, Corrine H FL D $450 $0 $450
Turner, Michael R H OH R $375 $0 $375
Hastings, Alcee L H FL D $300 $0 $300
Warner, John W S VA R $300 $0 $300
Aderholt, Robert B H AL R $250 $0 $250
Arcuri, Michael H NY D $250 $0 $250
Carney, Chris H PA D $250 $0 $250
Dicks, Norm H WA D $250 $0 $250
Lampson, Nick H TX D $250 $0 $250
Manzullo, Don H IL R $250 $0 $250
Platts, Todd H PA R $250 $0 $250
Watson, Diane E H CA D $250 $0 $250
Weiner, Anthony D H NY D $250 $0 $250
DeMint, James W S SC R $250 $0 $250
Sanders, Bernie S VT I $250 $250 $0

Total $4,844,572 $3,017,797 $1,826,775

Includes contributions from PACs and individuals. 2008 cycle totals based on data released electronically by the Federal Election Commission on Sept. 2, 2008.

October 02, 2008 8:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

a sad attempt by CBTS to obscure an obvious fact:

Democrats were way too cozy with the management and governance over at Fannie Mae.

How could they crack down on their best buddies?

October 02, 2008 11:25 AM  
Blogger Zoe Brain said...

Thanks Aunt Bea! There should be more "full disclosure" by both sides of politics.

That way, we keep each other honest. If we give full disclosure of our likely biases too, so others can judge where we might be consciously or unconsciously shading things a little, then I think we've done our duty.

e.g. a Democrat might point out that yes, the top 3 are D, but the next 3 are R. And a Republican might point out that Hillary got quite a lot too, while McCain, the pro-regulator, got a pittance. Then the Democrat would point out that Barney didn't exactly get huge amounts, even though as a Big Wheel in the finance committee, he had huge influence... and so on.

We need to attack our opponents with provable truths, not unsubstantiated lies. And stop whitewashing the faults on our own side. That applies to the GOP and DNC equally.

The greatest asset a party can have is an honest opposition that will keep them honest too. Neither party has had that in the USA for some time now, hence the Congess's 9% approval rating.

Oh and anon - opinions are like anal sphincters - most people have them. More useful are facts and evidence. I try not to tell people what to think, just present my conclusions, plus the evidence that caused me to come to those conclusions. Like this Wall St Journal article.

October 02, 2008 11:43 AM  
Anonymous Aunt Bea said...

a sad attempt by CBTS to obscure an obvious fact

I was obscuring an obvious fact by making a full disclosure that presented all the facts?

(eye roll)

Only a showernut could come up with that one!

October 02, 2008 12:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Oh and anon - opinions are like anal sphincters - most people have them."

Lovely thought. And what would we be full of if without those sphincters?

"More useful are facts and evidence. I try not to tell people what to think, just present my conclusions, plus the evidence that caused me to come to those conclusions. Like this Wall St Journal article."

I had just finished the very article you linked right before I got online. The quotes from those Congressional hearings tell a very different story than what is going around. It is amazing how the mainstream press has Americans convinced the whole financial crisis has resulted from Republicans deregulating banks against the sound counsel of sagacious Democrats.

How could the public be so mislead?

Hopefully, the true story will get out before the election.

Here's a few of my favorite quotes:

Barney Frank, Democrat, $42,350:

"I want to roll the dice a little bit more in this situation towards subsidized housing..."

Maxine Waters, Democrat, $17,800:

"If it ain't broke, why do want to fix it?"

Charles Shumer, Democrat, $24,250:

"My worry is that we're using the recent safety and soundness concerns, particularly with Freddie, as a straw man to curtail Fannie and Freddie's mission."

Jack Reed, Democrat, $78,250:

"a lot of people are being opportunistic, throwing out the baby with the bathwater, saying 'Let's dramatically restructure Fannie and Freddie' when that's not what's called for as a result of what's happened here.."

Robert Bennett, Republican, $107,999:

"I think we do need a strong regulator. I think we do need a piece of legislation."

Chuck Hagel, Republican, $4,500:

"Mr Chairman, what we're dealing with is an astounding failure of management and board responsibility, driven clearly by self interest and greed."

October 02, 2008 1:41 PM  
Blogger Zoe Brain said...

Anne (O'namus) - I know people without anal sphincters. They have colostomy bags. That's why I said *most* people have them. Some don't.

One problem with shower-nuts and others is that they assume everyone is the same. They're not, people vary, and sometimes those people have their lives made a living hell by others because they don't conform to the standard.

October 02, 2008 9:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"One problem with shower-nuts and others is that they assume everyone is the same."

I, for one, don't assume that, Zoe.

"They're not, people vary, and sometimes those people have their lives made a living hell by others because they don't conform to the standard."

That's obviously true, Zoe.

The issue is, however, what role government should play in interpersonal relationships. Telling people who they have to associate with, and how, should not be a governmental function.

October 03, 2008 2:09 PM  

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