The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
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    Elizabeth Warren ... Thoughts?

    By oldenGoldenDecoy on Thu, 09/16/2010 - 10:41am |

     

     

    Howdy ... fellow dagsters ...

     

    It's been speculated and run over the coals for months and months that Elizabeth Warren was in line for consideration as the Director of the new Consumer Agency.

     


    So ... What's everyone else's take of Warren becoming the special consumer advisor to President Obama?

    No ... Obama has not actually placed her name for consideration to head the agency as of yet, but will be naming Ms. Warren as an assistant to the president and special advisor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.


    Take you pick for the story: the WSJ story; or here for the NYT story; or here for the WaPo story. And ...

    Don't ovelook trkingmomoe's posted at DagBlog yesterday over here.

    Will she help make a differenece?

    Or... Too little ... too late?

    ~OGD~

    Comments

    Come on now . . .

    Jump in and dump your thoughts.

    I don't bite here at dagblog like I did @ TPMCafe...

    New leaf and all... I'll just Quack! alot...

     

    ~OGD~


    by oldenGoldenDecoy on Thu, 09/16/2010 - 11:03am

    Token liberal.  Maybe this will pacify the progs so Rahmbo doesn't call anybody effing whatevers before the election.

    I just hope she's strong enough to walk if it turns out she has no real authority.


    by TJ on Thu, 09/16/2010 - 1:45pm

    Not really impressed myself. Sounds like she's going to play Volker while someone else actually has power (Just driving by, and noticed TPM was dead ... so I can't find the link right now, but scuttlebutt says some lady who's a former Chair of the ABA is handling staffing even as we speak). In all reality, being a special advisory to Timmy Geithner carries as much clout as being the ambassador to Tahiti.

    (Hey! We can edit out egregious spelling errors ... long after the fact! cool.)

     


    by kgb999 on Thu, 09/16/2010 - 7:06pm

    According to Barney Frank she never wanted to be the permanent director.

    "She always said she didn't want to be there as a permanent director. Some of the liberals are worried about it. It's almost an insult to Elizabeth. She wouldn't take this if there was the slightest impediment to her doing the job,"

    Gee, who could've predicted?  Where's destor?  I'd like to crow a little.

    I always had a sneaky suspicion that she didn't really want the directors position, look what happened to Brooksley Borne.

    I think it's a good decision, perfect actually.  How many people get a job with a direct line to the President and a direct line to the head of the agency.   Sounds like she could be a real pain in the ass if she wanted.  If she senses political pressure she could easily move outside the tent and start pissing in.


    by expat46 on Thu, 09/16/2010 - 11:44pm

    Sure Elizabeth Warren would be a spectacular head of this agency.  Yet it stands to reason a person in her position would not really want to be heading up such an agency.  This weird temporary position they are inventing for her is, I think, fairly suspect.  But that's not really all that big a deal.  The important issue is who will head this agency and will they be a friend to the consumer or a friend to the greedy, untrustworthy con artists who run the financial industry?  Frankly, I have no confidence at all that a President who trusts and relies upon Summers and Geithner will ever appoint anyone whose first loyalty is to the public interest instead of the crooks of Wall Street and their BFF's in the banking industry.  You see, there's a fundamental problem impacting all these decisions.  If you have Summers and Geithner's perverted viewpoint you think that the interests of the financial industry are the public's interests.  And as long as you have that perverse point of view it's doubtful any meaningful reform is likely.


    by oleeb on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 12:49am

    OK ... I think I've heard this all before . . .

    So ... what are YOU going to do? That is, instead of blabbering on and on and back and forth using all these stands to reasons and speculative suspicions and what-ifs and what-nots  what are you putting forth that can be done to change this situation?

    Paddlin' on . . .

    ~OGD~


    by oldenGoldenDecoy on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 7:34pm

    I heard just a blip on national news that she was not going to be nominated and I was PISSED!

    Now seeing that she doesn't want it, and will have the advisory position makes me feel better, but between this and the apparent cave on taxes  my head is about to explode.

    Why don't we all just vote republican and get it over with? Seems like they are in power whether they are the majority or minority party.


    by stillidealistic on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 1:13am

    Well Stilli I see the scales are falling from your eyes.  I completely understand how you feel.  The more you watch how this whole flim flam works the more frustrating it becomes. 

    Democrats promise to do x, y, and z but somehow never can manage to be able to actually do x, y or z.  It doesn't take a genius to eventually figure out that the truth is much, if not most, of what they've promised could easily be achieved but the truth is they don't really want to achieve those things at all and just use the opposition of Republicans and blue dogs as a foil.


    by oleeb on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 2:50am

    oleeb, it's not so much that the scales are falling, it's that I REALLY thought this President had the charisma to get not only the dems united, but bring along a bunch of moderate repubs, as well. But, had I known a bit more about the dem party, I would have realized he had a bigger job ahead of him than I thought.

    I have for many years called both parties "republicrats," meaning they are basically all the same. Most of them have advancing their own careers, power, money as their primary concern, and if the people accidentally benefit, that's okay, too. But for some reason (and I cannot for the life of me figure out why) I thought the dems had more concern for just regular folks. Come to find out, that's the talk, but not the walk.

    I am to the point now that I don't care whether they have the frickin' votes or not, I want it to go on record who opposed what. Put it up for the damn vote. Whatever it is. And let people stand up and say, yeah, I want to keep the tax breaks for the wealthy, even if it adds another  couple of trillion to the national debt. Or yeah, I'm voting for Wall St. and against the people by voting down Elizabeth Warren. Whatever it is. I don't think it makes the President look weak, it makes the congress look weak. Come up with 10 things that MOST rational people should be able to get behind, have the President come out in full battle gear supporting them, and let the little weasels defend why they voted against it.

    I am an ardent supporter of the President. I make no excuses for that. In "normal" times, I think he would be an extraordinary President. He has inherited a mess of epic proportions,  has been hobbled by a dem congress with less intestinal fortitude than I would have imagined possible, and outright dissed by a minority party that would have screamed bloody murder if "their" President had been treated with the disrespect and lack of civility this one has been treated with (gee, I wonder if his color has anything to do with it?) Given the obstacles he has faced, I think he has accomplished a lot. But I am just pissed his congress hasn't had his back so he could have done more.


    by stillidealistic on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 5:17pm

    Well Stilli I see the scales are falling from your eyes.  I completely understand how you feel.  The more you watch how this whole flim flam works the more frustrating it becomes. 

    Democrats promise to do x, y, and z but somehow never can manage to be able to actually do x, y or z.  It doesn't take a genius to eventually figure out that the truth is much, if not most, of what they've promised could easily be achieved but the truth is they don't really want to achieve those things at all and just use the opposition of Republicans and blue dogs as a foil.


    by oleeb on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 2:50am

      Hmmmmm . . .

    From Daily Kos, here is a nice list compiled by Robert Watson of Lynn University of a few of the Obama administration's accomplishments so far:

    1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

    2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

    3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

    4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

    5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB

    6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

    7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family

    8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

    9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible

    10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

    11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

    12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

    13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

    14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

    15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

    16. New federal funding for science and research labs

    17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

    18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect

    19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

    20. New funds for school construction

    21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

    22. US Auto industry rescue plan

    23. Housing rescue plan

    24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

    25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

    26. US financial and banking rescue plan

    27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

    28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

    29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

    30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

    31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

    32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

    33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

    34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

    35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

    36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

    37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

    38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales

    39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

    40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

    41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

    42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones

    43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

    44. Expanding vaccination programs

    45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

    46. Closed offshore tax safe havens

    47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals

    48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

    49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices

    50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

    51. Lower drug costs for seniors

    52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

    53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

    54. Improved housing for military personnel

    55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

    56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

    57. Increasing student loans

    58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

    59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

    60. Established a new cyber security office

    61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

    62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

    63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

    64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

    65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

    66. Improving benefits for veterans

    67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

    68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

    69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

    70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

    71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

    72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons

    73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive

    74. Making more loans available to small businesses

    75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare

    76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

    77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

    78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

    79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

    80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

    81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

    82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

    83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production

    84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

    85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

    86. Held first Seder in White House

    87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured

    88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

    89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform

    90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform

    Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!

     

    That ought to keep someone busy tearing that list apart...

     

    ~OGD~


    by oldenGoldenDecoy on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 7:43pm

    Quackster, you're never, ever going to be able to satisfy the likes of oleeb.  No one is.  If President Obama could pull Atlantis from the depths and materialize a few dancing hippos in the process, you'd get complaints about some other damned thing.

    Bet on that.

    I swear, the far left is just as bad as the far right, with the exception of being somewhat less disposed to mindless violence being the one exception.  For outright blathering, dimwitted stupidity, they're in a dead heat.


    by Austin Train on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 8:34pm

    Could you try, just try, to make an argument or build a case, and not do the whole thing about the Left and hippos and unicorns and Atlantis and cotton candy and hissy fits and sun rising in the west and on and on and on? 

    Apparently you're all peeved about a long long list of people from TPM, but if you hadn't noticed, this is not TPM. And most of the folks you'd have collected on your list of Leftists who must be insulted, aren't here. No Rutabaga, for instance. I know Oleeb's here and that drives you insane, that he's somehow not been crushed by a meteor and eliminated from the Earth, but there you go. Life isn't perfect, we don't all get the flying unicorn we want.

    Because in terms of who's moved over here, what is left in terms of mouth-jobs is... frankly... you. So in a pretty much unprovoked setting, you're slapping down comment after comment, across blog after blog, that amount to nothing more than a list of these idiotic insults - unicorns and hissy fits and Atlantis and all this crap.

    It's trolling. You're just unprovoked looking for a fight. Give it a rest willya? Do we need to turn DagBlog into the same sort of stupidity we ended up with at TPM? I mean, is there ANY way to make political blogging less enlightening?


    by quinn esq on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 9:07pm

    Ever go into work on a Monday, the day after your team won the game on Sunday, a win mind you, and there's that guy taking the piss out of that win?  Monday morning quarterback, coach shoulda done this or that, or f*cking so-and-so is the worst whatever I've ever seen. 

    Three yards and a cloud of dust is never pretty but it's progress.  For that matter, is it ever good enough?  Three f*cking yards?

    I saw Jane Hamsher on the TEAvee today and something struck me about her.  She's still pissed off about not getting 'the public option'.  Holy shit!  Talk about holding a grudge. Talk about not ready for the big leagues, move on, shit happens, that's politics, suck it up.

    Is it really a good idea, in politics, to wear your grudges on your sleeve? I mean, shouldn't you tuck that bitterness and hate away someplace, save it for the right opportunity?  John McCain is the perfect example, look what he did to Jack Abramoff.

    Ever been in the huddle, down by 9 in the fourth quarter? Lot's of finger pointing going on, the din can be so loud that you don't know what your supposed to do next.  A very interesting dynamic, leaders emerge, the creme rises and because of that, eventually everybody pulls. And that's no shit.

    This Is War, I'll pick and chose my foxhole mates when given the chance but everybody pulls now!!


    by expat46 on Sat, 09/18/2010 - 1:04am

    Ducky: Thank you for this link and this list. I was so taken by I copied it and pasted it on Word with the title: DONE!!

    Compare these accomplishments with those of w bush!!

     

    Sometimes it feels like we are just fixing a hole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10vU7Qo-NlU

     

     


    by Richard Day on Sat, 09/18/2010 - 12:44pm

    I like her ducky. I have watched her perform on msnbc several times.

     

    I just like her


    by Richard Day on Fri, 09/17/2010 - 7:49pm