War pigs....

Some GOVT MULE to clear out the cobwebs-->

Corker Capitalism

Marcy Wheeler at FDL asks if Cork Soaker Bob Corker's lies lost GM 10% of its value:

Bob Corker is very busy trying to force the Big Two and a Half into bankruptcy so he can bust the UAW. He's using all the regular methods--arguing about GM's failed business model, arguing that they haven't changed their business plan.

But he went over the line, earlier, when he stated that the Department of Energy had rejected all the Big Two and a Half's applications for DOE funds to retool their factories to produce more efficient cars. Basically, he took the opportunity of the hearing to announce, publicly, that the companies weren't going to get $3 to $7 billion they were counting on to turn around their business. He even suggested that the applications were rejected because they weren't viable companies.

Only, he was wrong.

Funny thing is, though, the stock market didn't wait until Sherrod Brown came in and corrected Corker--by noting that the DOE had not rejected the applications, but had simply asked for more information. And it didn't wait until Corker himself--having been called by the guy awarding those loans--admitted that he was wrong. (Though, dead-ender that he is, Corker still tried to insinuate that they applications were rejected, rather than sent back for more clarification.)

Not long after Corker made those remarks, GM's stock price dropped from $4.44 to $4.27. And then it dropped again, from $4.27 to $4.02. $.42 altogether, all shortly after Corker insinuated false things about government decisions in a widely and closely watched hearing.

I would agree with Emptywheel that COrker's remarks were irresponsible , but I have found little evidence that anyone frackin' watches these things so it is unclear what impact this really had.....GM coulda lost the value because they suck....

Jared Bernstein as Biden's Economic Staffer

I don't know if the appointments of the Vice Presidential-elect qualify as "boom-worthy" (Dave?)... But if so, then Boom!

The Economic Policy Institute is now, I daresay, in the (White) House. Check their Board of Directors for a sense of their, uh, "vibe." It's OG-friendly.

House-Rocking House Financial Services/Bailout Open Thread 2

[I'm going to try to keep the Bob Corker (R-TN) references a bit toned down today, seeing as how we're in the House. At least my man Barney Frank (D-MA) always seems to calm me down. To me he'll always be "the balm."]

Overnight Blather

Who you got for labor?.....waiting...


TPM reports:

Former Rep. David Bonior, who has deep roots in the labor movement, has mounted an aggressive behind-the-scenes campaign, with letters and personal lobbying, to press the Obama transition team and top labor leaders to get behind his pick for labor secretary: Union activist Mary Beth Maxwell, who would make history as the first openly gay cabinet member.

Bonior, who has been trying in vain to get his own name taken off the shortlist for the post, is also confirming for the first time that if asked by Obama, he would take the job, though he would prefer Maxwell.

I wonder what the hold up is??? personaly, I got no frackin' clue who it is gonna be.

Big 3 Congressional Hearings Pt. 2 Open Thread

[originally published earlier this week, 'member? that's right, i bumped this thread back to the top for the length of its news cycle. i can do that now that i'm responsible for such an overwhelming majority of the content on this once-far-more-diverse, once-blossoming weblog ("blog"). i can also commit my characteristic layout atrocities with impunity (and aplomb.) is this the new regime? are you really going to let it come to this, Wobs?]

Hearing's not until Thursday...? well yeah, I'm already tailgating, apparently. By "tailgating" of course, I mean, scoping the FLSA for and listening to records with MSNBC muted in the old background.

Are "we" going to get the $25 billion this time (update: ABC says Harry Reid'll introduce the bailout bill on Monday)? Can we expect some primo, public declamations about "the unions" from the minority party? 'Hope to hear from those of youse who're (mebbe or mebbe not) romancing East Lansing, weak-kneed in Ypsilanti, or erstwhile in Webberville!

For starters please see

• the righteous MRzine piece by Dan La Botz.
• jonathan cohn disspelling the $70/hr myth
• (the Prodigal Uncle) Dave3544's masterpiece of historical fiction.
• always and in every way, the Burlman.
  

Yes???

from huffpo:

An aide to Barack Obama reaffirmed the President-elect's support for the labor movement's chief legislative priority in a one-word statement issued to the Huffington Post on late Tuesday.

Asked if Obama's support for the Employee Free Choice Act remained as strong as his public proclamations suggested on the campaign trail, transition spokesman Dan Pfeiffer responded, succinctly, "Yes."

Now I don't know about you but I find that response to be squirrely....couldn't his "support"..."remain as strong", but the circumstances still dictate that it will not be possible????

Maybe I am just paranoid, and tired of being constantly lied to by the current admin...

Begin SaxbyWatch Open Thread

'Hoping for a big turnout tomorrow, en particulier from Hotlanta. Does Martin have a chance? (h/t to the proud UGA website for this necessary, not-at-all gratuitous pic.)

NYC right now people horn

Dr Pepper Drinks Its Words on ‘Chinese Democracy’ Promise - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com
finally, a journalistic-ish update on the soda component of this Year in Rock.

Gambler's Care Package
I hope somebody with loose money is reading about this, a prospective xmas gift that couldn't've twinkled my heart-taser any more if it had been designed specifically for me. was it designed specifically for me? and all for a meager thorty clams!

What is Will Oldham's best work to date?
Paste wants to know. I'd answer in two-album clusters: it's either the Days in the Wake/Viva Last Blues clump or the Ease Down the Road/Master and Everyone one. On With the Show: Critic's Notebook: The New Yorker
Shucks! They're doing a stage production of Cassavettes' Opening Night in New York for five nights only? Somebody better go to this.

ballot initiative legend Bill Sizemore jailed

(h/t l'oregonian and politicker-OR:)

Sizemore was arrested for contempt of court and ordered jailed by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Janice R. Wilson until he filled out state and federal reporting forms for charitable organizations. Sizemore’s lawyer said the forms would be filled out as early as this afternoon, which would hasten Sizemore's release.

Sizemore, who generally puts several measures on each ballot, was the author of Ballot Measures 58,59,60,63 and 64 in the 2008 general election. None of the initiatives passed.

crap/not crap: BHO's Cabinet Appointments (as of 12/1/2008)

well....? A new poll is available on the right side of your screen.

libs. are indivs., too

[A]ttention to individual liberty would prove to be the signal contribution of English liberalism to political thought and an important heritage for its American admirers. In succeeding centuries, "liberal" thought on property would shift and change, but the primacy of individual liberty would remain axiomatic. It was a curious axiom, in an important sense an obstacle to democracy rather than a contribution to it. Liberty could be invoked by the citizen to defy a tyrant - but equally to defy democratic majorities. Furthermore, by promising citizens that they were free to live the life they chose, Locke's conception of liberty challenged the ancient concepts of civic virtue at their roots.

-Clayton Sinyai, Schools of Democracy: A Political History of the American Labor Movement