This size of this wart-like gross-looking but delicious thing is nearly twice that of the existing record holder, which was sold for $417,200 in 2010. Bidding for this extraordinary white truffle did not yield “twice the price” The rich are getting smarter – the auction gallery that sold it – did so for less thanContinue reading “MORONIC ITEMS THE SUPER-RICH BUY”
Tag Archives: MORONIC ITEMS THE SUPER-RICH BUY
Nuclear Power — Not Now, Not Ever
Thirty years ago, the ambitious Reactor Safety Study known as "The Rasmussen Report" was published — and subsequently discredited and withdrawn. Ernest Partridge looks at the reasons for that failure, the disaster at the Fukushima facility in Japan, and the proposal from the Obama Administration to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States.
Libya’s Blood for Oil: The “Vampire” War
Former U.S. Intelligence Asset Susan Lindauer, who covered Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria/Hezbollah from 1993 to 2003, takes you inside the real story behind Libyan turmoil and intrigue.
Here’s One Way to Close Federal and State Deficits
US Uncut, a new organization focusing on exterminating corporate tax evasion, has kicked it into first gear. Read about US Uncut at Raw Story — and check out their Web site .
America, Inc., is Here — Get With the Program!
The government of the United States has, in effect, become a subsidiary of Corporate America. Ernest Partridge explains how it happened — and what needs to be done.
The Rebound
Numbers don't lie. Courtesy of BooMan Tribune, private sector jobs are growing under Obama's watch (the red bars from Bush years, blue from Obama). Click on the image for a full-size version; click here for the full BooTrib stroy.
Government-Mandated Disability Insurance: Socialism or Salvation?
Has the time now arrived for a declarative policy regarding short-term disability in America? Kaitlin Addams takes a look at the ramifications of a safety net for people who suddenly become disabled.
How Conservatives Destroyed the Nation’s Economy
Let us count the ways — with AlterNet's Dave Johnson in a must-read commentary. (Hat tip: Paul Rosenberg.)
If It’s Good for General Motors, Is It Good for the Rest of Us?
Ernest Partridge takes a look at the old adage — and a need to redefine fiduciary responsibility in an era of de facto military-industrial economics, fast food, and rampant business deregulation.
America Inc. Is Here — Get With the Program!
With last month's Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. FEC, it is obvious that elections in the United States are now obsolete. So why not, asks Ernest Partridge, select our members of Congress by means of auctions instead?
Greg Palast Asks a Troubling Question
Consider this: How did Haiti end up so economically weakened, with infrastructure, from hospitals to water systems, busted or non-existent – there are two fire stations in the entire nation – and infrastructure so frail that the nation was simply waiting for "nature" to finish it off? And that's not the only question he has.Continue reading “Greg Palast Asks a Troubling Question”
Help for Haiti starts with YOU
From our friend Digby: The Red Cross: You can give $10 to the Red Cross’s International Response Fund by texting HAITI to 90999. 100 percent of your donation benefits the Red Cross, and you can print a receipt through mGive, a foundation that helps non-profits take advantage of mobile technology. UNICEF, the United Nations FundContinue reading “Help for Haiti starts with YOU”
Take the Money and Run
If the Obama economic goals are to be met – a repaired physical infrastructure, educational pre-eminence, health care for all, international leadership in science and technology, etc. – Ernest Partridge argues that we, the public, must retrieve the cash that was effectively stolen from the public treasury.
Harry Markopolos: A True American Hero
Harry Markopolos describing the size of the average brain employed by the Securities & Exchange Commission. Click here for enlarged version. Jeff Koopersmith on Harry Markopolos, the man who dared blow the whistle on an SEC that is at best incompetent, at worst corrupt beyond redemption.
Magazine Cover We’d Like to See
President Obama, Make It a Trickle-UP Economy Now
Jeff Koopersmith to the President: you are giving trillions to the wrong people – in a market economy, it's how much money is in the market's pocket, not the boss's Cayman accounts.
Congress Makes the Big Three Grovel
Click here for super-sized version. It was hugely entertaining for C-SPAN junkies – but what does it say to the auto-workers? Jeff Koopersmith says the best answer is clear.
GM: The Joke’s on Congress
Click here for enlarged version. But, as Jeff Koopersmith points out, two can play at that game…
Magazine Covers We’d Like to See
Terrorism and Liability in the Luxury Hotel Racket
Click here for enlarged version. Jeff Koopersmith believes the Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel in Mumbai may be responsible for the slaughter of its guests. Where, he asks, was the beefed-up security after it had been warned?
It?s Not Wall Street You Should Worry About ? It?s Our United States
If you think the CitiGroup bailout was a breeze, writes Jeff Koopersmith, you need to look at the facts and think again.
The Death of the American Versailles Lifestyle
The New York Times lets the cat claw its way out of the burlap bag: unbridled spending, lavish parties and greed are now declassé. Jeff Koopersmith goes behind what they really mean: “We just don’t have the money.”
Headlines
• NBC, Politico, AP: Hillary Clinton being vetted for Secretary of StateSusan Rice as Head of Foreign Policy Team Augurs Bold Pragmatism | Doing It Right This Time: Obama Pushes for $50 Billion for Automakers, Oversight Czar | Obama resigning Senate seat as of Sunday | Good news for people who don't like their airlinersContinue reading “Headlines”
Game Day!
11:00pm: Obama Wins with CA, OR, WA. Our long national nightmare is over. – GG MORE: MSNBC calls VA for Obama. 11:10pm: AP reports McCain has called Obama to concede.
The McCains Lose Again
Jeff Koopersmith takes a look through the real estate listings – and has a laugh at the McCain's expense.
Desperate McCain Utilizing Neo-Nazi ?Journalists? to Spread his Message of Hate
Click here for enlarged version. Jeff Koopersmith confronts Townhall.com's relentless campaign of homophobia.
Recession? Are You Joking?
Jeff Koopersmith says it's time for someone to pay the piper.
It Is Way Past Time for the DOJ and FBI to Investigate Realtors
Their role in the “meltdown” is huge and criminal. Jeff Koopersmith reviews the mess – and calls for action.
What Do They Mean, “We” Have to Fork Over Trillions?
"Let me get this straight," asks Jeff Koopersmith. "You're saying that banks refuse to lend to each to each other – so we have to give them trillions of dollars?"
Magazine Covers We’d Like to See
How Rich Is TOO Rich?
Click on image for larger version. Jeff Koopersmith on a nationalized treasury, bailouts for the market in the United Soviet Union of America, and the necessary adjustments to your average mega-rich family's budget.
Magazine Covers We’d Like to See
Treasury Department Conference Call Suggests Collusion With Brokerages
Courtesy of Digby, we learn of a conference call held late Sunday night between Treasury Department officials and some of the most powerful players in the financial services industry about the House bailout bill that they assumed was about to be passed – a call that they never imagined would be leaked to the public.Continue reading “Treasury Department Conference Call Suggests Collusion With Brokerages”
A Modest Proposal
While House Republicans are busy trying to blame the failure of the Bail Out Henry Paulson's BFFs Bill on Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, Liberals, Bill Clinton's wiener, and everybody but themselves…
Anyone Care for Some Good News?
The world is focused on the House bailout bill that, as of a half hour ago, didn't pass. As I type, various House honchos are all over cable news spinning and sputtering. So naturally, if there were a good piece of news about the Republican Culture of Corruption getting their due – for example, KyleContinue reading “Anyone Care for Some Good News?”
The Idiot Congress, Impressing Us with a Tranche
September 25, 2008 – Geneva (apj.us) – I noticed that over the past few days Secretary Hank Paulson and Chairman Ben Bernanke have been using the word "tranche" (from the French "traunche") to explain how they are going to go about deceiving us and the potential buyers of the worth paper they want to purchaseContinue reading “The Idiot Congress, Impressing Us with a Tranche”
BushCo: Indictable Criminals
"This was a purposeful crime. There was conspiracy to commit criminal acts and these felonies were carried out – over many years– while the people we elected to represent and protect us were busy eating caviar and drinking French Champagne in their mansions in Washington, Maryland, Virginia, and New York." Jeff Koopersmith speaks out aboutContinue reading “BushCo: Indictable Criminals”
Bailout: So What’s Wrong with This Picture?
September 22, 2008 – Denver (apj.us) – The short answer is…
Financial Crisis “Cliff’s Notes” for Fed Up American Taxpayers and Voters
Amanda Balzastones gives you a crash course in what you need to know.
Just a Glance at 1929
Jeff Koopersmith on then… and now.
Welcome to the United Soviet Union of America
But have no fear, tovarich! Grab a cold slice of pizza, sit back, let comrade Jeff Koopersmith explain the New Socialist Economy, and rejoice!
Bush’s Federal Reserve Socializes AIG
The Federal Reserve has agreed to bail out AIG with an $85 BILLION loan in exchange for a 79.9% stake in the mega-insurer. Thanks to George W. Bush, Helicoptor Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson, the United States is at last a socialist nation – so long, of course, as one has millions of dollars inContinue reading “Bush’s Federal Reserve Socializes AIG”
Wall Street’s Sunday Bloodbath and the Campaign
Fasten your seat belts. It's possible that September 14 and 15, 2008 could be days of infamy to match October 24, 1929. [more]
The Outsourcing Tragedy
Ernest Partridge on the intersection of the new economy, politics and employment.
Be Ready for $400-a-barrel Oil… And Worse!
Jeff Koopersmith on the economy, the Middle East, and the fruits of the Cheney-Bush Geopolitical Policy.
Reverse Henry-Fordism
From crisispapers.org: There are no sellers without buyers. Ernest Partridge takes on one underlying cause of the present economic crisis: the nation's wealth flowing from working citizens to the über-rich.
Headlines
Copy here. • Sen. Barack Obama clinches Democratic presidential nomination• Dem poll predicts wave of GOP House upsets 'as big as '06'• Libby Links Cheney to Plame Leak • Watch Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama's acceptance speech• McCain advisor/lobbyist Phil Gramm pushed Death Bonds: “[T]he most macabre investment scheme[s] ever devised by Wall Street” knownContinue reading “Headlines”
Do Not Worry!
L-R: Henry “Goldman Sachs” Paulson, George Bush Jr. and “Helicopter” Ben Bernanke have the American economy well in hand!
Koop’s Recession Diary: A Day in Manhattan
They say, “We’re in a recession!” Well, it all depends on who “We” is.