Author: Matthew G. Saroff

Because the USAF Has WAY too Much Free Time

No Comments

Well, we now know just how seriously the USAF takes Iraq and Afghanistan, because they just rolled out new dress uniforms.

The uniforms are inspired by those of General “Hap” Arnold.

To be fair, the current leader of the USAF, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, inherited this matter, his predecessor was the one who pushed the new dress blues, which may explain why he got his ass fired.

Price tag: $125 million. Complete confirmation that the making USAF an independent was a total mistake: Priceless.

Economics Update

No Comments

With upwards of 70% of the US Economy being consumer spending driven, it’s not good news that the final for consumer confidence missed expectations, 70.3, as opposed to the forecast 71.0, but it does reflect the fact that the final number for economic growth in the 2nd quarter was revised downward.

The fact that August new home sales are the lowest since 1982, which was not a great year for the economy either, points to the fact that the economy sucks in the real world too.

Of course, while all this is going on, Congress is still fighting over bailing out Wall Street, which has lead to a muddled picture for the dollar.

That beins said, it’s clear that the energy markets are banking on a recession with both oil and retail gasoline heading lower.

All this uncertainty is why 30 year mortgage rates exploded this week, going from 5.78% last week, to 6.09% this week.

31 basis points in a week….Ouch.

FWIW, the central banks are shoveling cash out the door, which will eventually start devaluing the currency (inflation).

When You F*#@ Up a Trial THIS Badly…..

No Comments

When you look at the trial of Saddam Hussein, you have to start with one fact: He was as guilty as hell. He was so guilty of brutality, genocide, and other crimes against humanity, that it would have been impossible not to get him on something.

But still, the Western lawyers who attempted to create a fair trial say that the trial was neither free nor fair.

When someone is this guilty, why on earth does the Iraqi government feel the need to cheat….Why does the US sponsored Iraqi government feel the need to cheat….Why does the Bush and His Evil Minions&trade Iraqi government feel the need to cheat…And deliver a verdict just days before the 2006 mid terms elections.

Never mind, question answered.

To Be Placed in the Hold for Future War Crimes Trials File

No Comments

Newly released documents make it clear that members of the Bush administration held specific discussion to specifically authorize torture by the CIA, and Condoleeza Rice has admitted to this in a written statement to the Senate.

I do not believe that we will be able to hold a fair trial in the US, so send them to the Hague, even though the death penalty is off the table there.

Palin Took Blessing From Witch Hunter After He Unleashed Anti-Semitic Screed

No Comments

I can’t believe that I’m quoting aAndrew Sullivan, but he has the video, where he makes this comment at about 1:10:

The second area whereby God wants us, wants to penetrate in our society is in the economic area. The Bible says that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. It’s high time that we have top Christian businessmen, businesswomen, bankers, you know, who are men and women of integrity running the economics of our nations. That’s what we are waiting for. That’s part and parcel of transformation. If you look at the — you know — if you look at the Israelites, that’s how they work. And that’s how they are, even today.”

(emphasis mine)

And at 7:20 Sarah Palin walks up to stage to accept a blessing from him.

She wasn’t just in the audience, she walks up and accepts his blessing after an anti-Semitic screed.

I agree with Andrew Sullivan, when he says, with no small amount of snark, “Sure they vetted her.“

Clueless on the DPRK

No Comments

It’s amazing how bloody clueless both Bush and His Evil Minions™ and the press covering this don’t get it, as typified by the hed, “U.S. Bewildered Over N. Korea Nuclear Defiance.”

It’s very simple. While the folks in North Korea are not particularly trustworthy, there has been a consistent pattern where they have taken steps they have agreed to, and the US has refused to make the steps that it has agreed to.

You could pull the DPRK off the list of “terrorist sponsoring states” in 15 minutes, and you could put them back in 15 minutes, but the brainless trust headed by Cheney and Rice won’t do anything ever, because keeping our side of the bargain is to their minds capitulation.

The North Koreans are restarting their Yongbyon nuclear power plant because they have absolutely no faith in the word of the United States to keep the deal.

House of Representatives Passed New Credit Card Regulations

No Comments

It’s some fairly minor stuff, but it’s a start, though I doubt that it will make it past the Senate, though considering that the distinguished gentleman from MBNA Delaware is otherwise occupied, it’s possible.

Basic provisions:

  • requires a notice period for interest rate increases
  • prohibits interest charges on balances paid during grace periods
  • bars issuers from applying payments first to lower-interest debt while debt carrying a higher interest rate remains unpaid.