GOP Response

Last night was just sad. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Both Democrats and Republicans were shaking their heads on Bobby Jindal's coming-out weak-ass response to Obama's address to Congress. Bobby should have been down on Bourbon Street throwing back some bourbon.

Moments later, I was watching bits of Larry King, which I never do, as I saw a familiar face: former NBA hoopster Kevin Johnson, now Mayor of Sacramento. They were discussing Obama's speech and the sole Republican protagonist was Rep. Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee.

I cannot come to any conclusion other than that she is a dolt and a mouthpiece of the right. She said nothing constructive other than to utter her party's platform of tax cuts and reducing federal government spending. UGH!

Are the Republicans in such denial that THEY are the ones who spent like the dollar was going out of style when their homies blew up the federal government in the last eight years? Tax cuts aren't the fucking answer to our economy's ills. I suppose these conservatives are trying to conserve their loot after looting the government.

Here's a nice editorial from Dilbert:

30 Rock

Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin are perhaps the best actors on primetime television today. Tonight's show rocked! Salma Hayek did a great job, especially remarking on public comments by other actresses on how beautiful and enviable her boobs are.

Bailout Plan Revisited

I do not side with the Republicans on their more tax cuts and the federal government should do nothing stance to fix the economy. However, I think the bailout funds are misdirected since it focuses on shoring up bank capital so that lending will begin again.

Even with the capital injection, the banks won't lend because their credit standards have tightened. This means credit analysts and loan officers will stringently scrutinize prospective borrowers' ability to repay. If borrowers already have debt, whether moderate or sizeable, the banks won't lend the money; thus, defeating the intended effect of providing credit to stimulate the economy. President Obama continues to say that he wants to put more money into the taxpayers' hands, the best way is to inject capital into the taxpayers' accounts. We could use OUR money to reduce debt (which enhances creditworthiness), increase savings (deposits into banks), pay bills (indirect funding to companies) and spend a little (elevate sales throughout the economy).

The worries that taxpayers are not prudent and will spend more than they have are well founded as evidenced by our large debt load and expenditures in excess of means. However, in these times, taxpayers are certainly more concerned with being able to make it through the recession. They will focus on paying bills to be current with creditors and putting food on the table. Moreover, with tighter credit parameters, they hey-days of wanton lending are gone as banks won't just approve any application to build a portfolio given their substantial losses from prior practices.

The federal government should focus on infrastructure projects that build energy-efficient structures (outfitting buildings to save energy, widening/resurfacing major roads to improve mileage and reduce repairs, etc.), promote education to recapture America's once sterling lead in brainpower (contrary to the right's desire for masses of unquestioning dumb-asses in trying to recapture the government) and increase research facilities with incentives and penalties to lower health care costs while producing advanced life-saving technologies or medicine.

Tax cuts can come later once the economy has pulled out of this incredible slump. Tax cuts do NOT help when sales, profits and incomes are plummeting. They will be greatly welcomed and appreciated once everyone, corporations and, especially, taxpayers, become more liquid from profits and incomes.

Republicans need to present better alternatives than their standard soapbox economic model of tax cuts. It takes courage to govern and lead for the greater good than being conservatively selfish for themselves only. Move forward fuckers.

Pepperoni Mashed Potatoes

Out of boredom and some hunger, I made Pepperoni Mashed Potatoes.

I boiled 9 potatoes for 40 minutes with salt. The mix included ground garlic powder, ground black pepper, ground cayenne pepper, ground oregano and Adobo along with 1/4 cup of half-and-half. I warmed up the sliced pepperoni with boiling water, about 30 seconds before straining them and adding the the already mashed potatoes.

It tastes good. A little kick from the cayenne. Next time, I'll add butter.

Half Past Dead

Is a 2002 movie with Steven Seagal and Ja Rule. The latter person is probably the crappiest punk/thug to ever grace the screen. DMX was a tad better than him. Why do these rappers-actor-wannabes need to have such thuggish and flashy roles?

It was so unfortunate that the hottie Nia Peeples was shot dead, she was a baddie. She did her own kicks and beat the shit out of Ja Rule, quite fantastic. I'd bet she could do it in real life as well.

The top two rappers-turned-actors are definitely the Ice Homeys (T and Cube).