| Author | Message | | Alpha | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:13 am Post subject: |
| Click & watch the video below.
Ron Paul gets thrown a bone from CNN at 2 Minutes & 5 Seconds in the video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sq4DRInyh-0 | |  | | Cowboy | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: |
| | Quote: | | Ron Paul is in Texas right now, |
Friday, February 15
Texas Republican Primary
Rasmussen
McCain 45, Huckabee 37, Paul 7
Texas Republican Primary
TCUL/POS
McCain 45, Huckabee 41, Paul 6
| Quote: | | Our message is unstoppable. |
Paul's candidacy is quite stoppable. He has already lost. | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:57 am Post subject: |
| We will see how that number changes when the economy continues to crash and we are at war with Iran as well for Israel, Israel first Cowboy!:)
Subject: America's Predictable, Painful Downward Spiral
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:31:09 +0700
Paulson's Wild Ride on the Hindenburg: "The worst has just begun"
by Mike Whitney
Friday, 15 February 2008
Hindenberg
It's a good thing Hank Paulson wasn't around in 1929 or we'd all be hawking apples on a street-corner. Paulson is currently on a losing-streak that would have been the envy of Marvelous Marv” Thorneberry and the '67 Mets. In the last three months he's put together three new programs to deal with the subprime crisis which have fizzled out in a matter of weeks. First, he tried to entice struggling investment banks to put their mortgage-backed bonds in a Super SIV (structured investment vehicle) to see if it would help off-load billions of dollars of down-graded junk onto unsuspecting investors.
That flopped. Then he brokered "Hope Now"” (1-888-995-HOPE) which was designed to help the banks and homeowners work out the details for a rate freeze on mortgage resets. Paulson assured the public that 500,000 homeowners would take advantage of the program, which would dramatically reduce rate of foreclosures. So far, the Hope Now hotline has provided counseling to just 36,000 borrowers. Representatives have suggested loan workouts for fewer than 10,000 of them, a small fraction of borrowers in need.” (Earlier Subprime Rescue Falters; Wall Street Journal) "Only 10,000 homeowners; and Paulson promised 500,000? Another slight miscalculation.
This week, Paulson announced another new program, "Project Lifeline”, which targets homeowners who are delinquent 90 days or more on their mortgages. Here's a run-down of how it works: (thanks to Calculated risk)
“"Project Lifeline involves servicers sending letters to borrowers--prime, Alt-A, or subprime, we're past pretense on that part--who are very seriously delinquent (90 days or three payments down or more). The letter says that if the borrower contacts the servicer within ten days, agrees to homeowner counseling, and provides sufficient financial documentation that the servicer can consider a case-by-case, deep-analysis style modification of the mortgage terms, the servicer will agree to put the foreclosure process on hold for 30 days while the workout is considered. If the borrower fails to respond to the letter, foreclosure proceeds."”
At the very best, the program just buys a little more time for the homeowner to pick out a nice rental where he and is family can live after the bank repos his home.
So far, all of Paulson's solutions have been nothing more than business-friendly”band-aides which fail to address the core issues of rising foreclosures, falling home prices, skyrocketing inventory, and tumbling sales. Yesterday, at a press conference in Washington, Paulson made this shocking admission in response to a reporter's question:
Reporter: "Sir, is the worst over, yet? Will 2008 have fewer foreclosures?"
Secretary of the Treasury Paulson: “"In terms of sub-prime and the resets, the worst isn't over. The worst is just beginning.... There's close to 2 million adjustable rate mortgages where the rate is going to be reset over the next couple of years. These loans are of a vintage where there was the most lax underwriting. So, this is the biggest challenge and this is why this is so important.” (see the video at Calculated Risk)
Paulson is right; it is important. So, why is he wasting time with these bogus public relations gambits when he should be making serious recommendations?
Paulson's so called "mortgage modifications" just don't cut it. They're pointless They just put off foreclosure until a later date. The only real solution to the problem is renegotiating the mortgages with the lenders so that people with negative equity” have an incentive to continue making their monthly payments. Otherwise, the number of "walkaways" will mushroom and wreak havoc on the entire industry.
This week's housing stats from California illustrate how desperate the situation really is. DataQuick Information Systems said Wednesday a total of 9,983 homes were sold in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties last month, a drop of nearly 50% from January last year.
50%. That is unprecedented. California is in a housing depression. Is a 30-day grace period really the best that Paulson can come up with?
That's nuts. California is a vital part of the US economy. In fact, California and Florida combined represent two-fifths of the nations' GDP. Is Paulson planning to let California go the way of New Orleans?
For the last four months, housing sales in California have plummeted 40% (year over year) At the same time, prices in Southern California have dipped a whopping 16.7%. The market is freefalling. So far, the only analyst to come up with a reasonable solution is Professor Nouriel Roubini who suggests a three year rate-freeze and a reduction of the face value of the mortgages by the banks.
Of course the banks will scream bloody murder, but it's the only way to stem the tide of foreclosures and prevent a crisis that could suck the rest of the economy down a black hole.
And, for those who still doubt that a collapse in housing will batter the broader economy; here's a video of Yale economist Robert Schiller that drives the point home. Schiller predicted the dotcom bust in 2000 and is widely respected for his analysis of the real estate bubble. http://econvideo.blogspot.com/
"A HISTORIC HOUSING BUST"
Economist Robert Schiller: “
"We are in a historic housing bust comparable to that of the Great Depression. Prior to the Depression housing prices only rose 19% (between 1921 to 1925) and then fell 30% The cycle we are going through now, is a unique cycle; it will go down as the subprime cycle. The excitement in housing was unprecedented and the unraveling of that (bubble) will have unpredictable consequences....Real estate owned by households is roughly $20 trillion and we've already seen an 8% decline which means a loss of $2 trillion. That has a powerful impact on the economy...The losses are throwing peoples' balance sheets off. So now household balance sheets are in bad shape. People who used to be able to borrow against their house are facing new constraints. This is an ongoing thing that will last for more than a year. So we have unfolding problems to forward to.”
“We should be thankful that we have Ben Bernanke, who is an expert about the Great Depression at the helm. I don't think he will make the same mistakes that the Fed made that last time around... On the other hand, it (the bubble) is a major misalignment and cutting rates---when homes prices have doubled in the last decade---won't change that. The correction (in home prices) is not going to be stopped by the Fed.”
“If this isn't handled right, this could be a serious recession."”
Notice how Schiller dismisses inflation as a major concern and emphasizes the potential dangers of a deflationary downturn. It's clear that he would prefer to see Bush increase the $168 billion than face an economy that is stuck in neutral. In other words, he anticipates a collapse in consumer spending.
Schiller continues:
“"I am a big believer that 'confidence matters'. What is happening now, is that people are getting a succession of scare stories and personal savings are down... If you look at what happened before the Great Depression.....there was evidence of a sudden and sharp drop in consumer confidence and people pulled back and stopped spending. And we are seeing consumer confidence falling and I expect that it could take a much bigger tumble if we don't do something."”
Are you listening, Hank Paulson?
Consumer spending is down (excluding food and fuel) and consumer confidence is falling at the fastest pace since the 1990-91 recession. Also, $2 trillion has been wiped out from falling home prices and another $600 billion will vanish this year from mortgage equity withdrawals (MEWs). Traffic to the shopping malls has slowed to a crawl and retail shops had their worst January on record. Homeowners are hoarding their earnings to cover basic expenses and to make up for their lack of personal savings. The spending-spigot has been turned off. America's consumer culture is in full-retreat.
Everything Schiller said is taking place right now. So, where's the political leadership? Does anyone in Washington even have a game-plan?
In the fourth quarter of 2007, new foreclosures averaged 2,939 a day, double the pace of a year earlier. Business inventories are on the rise. This week's release of the Institute for Supply Management's Non-Manufacturing Index (ISM) showed steep declines in all areas of the nation's service sector---including banks, travel companies, contractors, retail stores etc—The Business Activity Index, the New Orders Index, the Employment Index, and the Supplier Delivery Index have all contracted at a historic pace.
These are the classic signs of overproduction. The next shoe to drop will be rising unemployment. Layoff notices have already gone out in new construction, retail, car manufacturing and financial services. This is all the predictable outcome of low interest” bubble-making. It invariably ends in a painful deflationary spiral.
“"Confidence matters," Schiller warns.
Yes, it does. But the American people lost confidence in their leaders long ago. So--like Paulson says--the worst is probably just beginning.
Mike Whitney is an Amrican writer who runs his his own landscape company in Snohomish, Wa, U.S. Mike regularly features on world news trust, online journal,, uruknet, counterpunch and other websites. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com.
This story can be viewed online at: http://www.worldnewstrust.com/commentary/paulson-s-wild-ride-on-the-hindenburg-the-worst-has-just-begun-mike-whitney.html | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:00 am Post subject: |
| Subject: Operation Breakthrough - WI needs your help 2/18 & 2/19 See post below RP POSTS
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:12:26 -0800
Tuesday is our primary. Unfortunately Ron Paulers here in WI are on their own on all fronts. We have one of the nation's leading liberal newspapers here, and we have some big-name talk radio hosts who are hard core neocon moonbats. Our former well liked conservative governor (Tommy Thompson) is embracing McCain. We have the nationally syndicated VCY Christian radio station anchored here whose (although I've heard the local guys like Paul) entire programming schedule rallies around Huckabee as far as I've been able to ascertain.
We need your help breaking through on the air waves for many of the popular call-in shows. The sentiment expressed by listeners on these shows is downcast at best. Wisconsin does not like McCain, and secular conservatives here don't like Huckabee. The problem is the sheeple are being cornered into these two choices by blantant censorship or emotionalist red herrings whenever the name of Ron Paul does get mention.
I'm continually amazed at how few people here have even heard of Ron Paul...and the folk I'm talking to are following the election! I'm afraid that those heading into the booths are not even aware that Ron Paul is still running. If we can get his name on the air in these last two days we've accomplished something by creating awareness about an alternative to what the public is being told they have to chose from. If we can get the truth out about what our man stands for then even more power to us.
Instead of willy nilly pleading for people to just call in wherever, I'm suggesting a couple of shows that have high listenership, are carried throughout the state, and cover peak listening hours throughout the day.
Charlie Sykes on WTMJ AM 620 - 8:30-noon CST.
Listen Live
Studio Line: 414-799-1620
Toll-Free Line: 1-800-877-1620 (throughout the Midwest)
If you can listen but can't call in sykes@620wtmj.com - sometimes he reads pertinent comments to the topics he's discussing at hand. Remember, the more that are coming in the more he'll be psychologically compelled to address them. Lets not defer to this option though. Get on the phone and call!!!
Background on Charlie:
Blog site
Charlie has called Ron Paul supporters "internet ruffians" and "lunatic fringe". He scorned Paul's comments regarding fascism during the Huckabee Christmas ad debacle. He supports McCain (formerly leaned toward Fred or Giggliani). I'd call him a clueless social conservative. He's been nominated for a Puliter Prize and he's written 6 books. Big time pro-war and islamofascist tin foiler.
..............
CrossTalk on VCYAmerica with Vic Eliason, Ingrid Schlueter, and Jim Schneider 2-3pm CST - 107.7FM
Listen Live
Studio Line: 1-800-733-9829
crosstalk@vcyamerica.org if you can't call in[/email]
Background on CrossTalk
CrossTalk web site
This is the nationally syndicated Christian radio call-in show that is based in Milwaukee. These guys are a little more enlightened than your typical Moral Majority/Christian Coalition crowd. They are waking up to the facsist police state and the disparity between neo-conservativism and classical and/or Christian conservativism. But Vic did co-sponsor the infamous "Values Voters" debate that cast Ron Paul as a terrible choice for Christian voters. Maybe someone here can shed more light on where these three stand - I haven't listened to them recently. They are pro-Israel. But we have an answer for that too don't we!;)
..............
The Mark Belling Show 3-6PM - AM 1130
Listen Live
Studio Line: 414-799-1130 (call screener's name is Paul)
markbelling@clearchannel.com if you can't call in. Sometimes he references emails pertaining to the topic at hand.[/email]
Background on Mark Belling:
Belling's web site
Most recent newspaper column (Waukesha Freeman) where he narrows his choice between Clinton or McCain and says "Ron Paul doesn't count"
The most popular talk radio host in WI. Has been a fill-in for Rush Limbaugh. Voted part of 2008 'Heavy Hundred' by Talkers magazine for 100 most important radio show hosts in America. Fiscal and social conservative (go figure). Paradoxically defends Bush's reign. Has called Paul supporters 'Psychos' and 'wingnuts'. Very opinionated...comes off as a jerk - you're gonna have weasel past his screener and then get chummy with him to make it through and make your point. This is the key target - specifically from 4:30-6pm as this is when thousands of Wisconsinites are tuning in on their drive home.
.......
Suggestions:
Be polite, and stay with the topic. Sykes and Belling will not tolerate even a word if you can't go along with the topic at hand. Remember its a psychological game. Sykes and Belling are popular because they have the ability to protray their opinion as ideologically superior. Play along. Make your statement in the form of a question...don't invite them to come off their throne and kick your butt by way of your rant or opposing statement. Posing your statement in the form of a question forces them address the issue - if they refuse they look stupid.
Gotta be crafty with the call screeners. They will probably ask who you are voting for. I would suggest NOT lying. You will be called out for that. You could when asked by the screener simply say, "Well - I'm hoping Mark can help me make a decision" or "I'm wondering if I should go along with Mark choices but I have some doubts"
On Sykes:
Vets and Viet Nam Vets - CHARGE! Call him out on our powerful facts. Ron Paul has received more support for his campaign than all Rep and Dem candidates COMBINED.
Call him out on the real veteran McCain is - POW files are classified indefinitely. Why? Spearheaded with John Kerry the scuttling of the Senate Select Committee investigation of Vietnam POW's and MIA's. Get all the facts here.
Brush up on more McCain conservative disparity here.
On Crosstalk:
Bring your issues with Huckabee to the floor - get some ideas here:
Huckabee vs. Ron Paul - Click the "Choose your Topic" at the left
http://fyi08.blogspot...
Great topical bullet list here including religious reasons - though no supporting references
Continued in next post...
Phil Posted Feb 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM
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user 4207589
Milwaukee, WI
28th Post
...continued from above...
On Belling:
We need the best and brightest here. I would suggest taking up the tactic of playing dumb. Formulate your point by way of Ben Franklin's favorite method of persuasion - Socratic questioning
Belling has said Ron Paul is dangerous for our national security... What about our unprotected border that has reassigned troops at the border out to Iraq? What about an economy that won't be able to sustain our foreign occupation much longer and relies on Saudi and Chinese lending to maintain it? What are the troops saying by way of their financial support? Russia is buzzing our navy with bombers, staging the largest war exercises in decades, claiming the Arctic as their oil field, and leaving all options on the table with the US's continued expansionism...while we piddle around in the desert. Where is the real threat with a real force behind it? Belling said the GOP is in a disaster state. Why would one be willing to perpetuate it by considering a flaming liberal for your vote when there is a fiscal and socially conservative candidate with a PROVEN TRACK RECORD? Is illegal immigration no longer a conservative concern anymore? Who has the solution?...
Your participation is critical. People here are disgruntled but don't seem to know why. Remember when you started listening to Ron Paul? It was like someone turned a light on as the education began to the obvious common sense that eludes so many Americans. The lights have been turned off for a long time in Wisconsin in a large part due to these gatekeepers of info and ideology. Lets bust through the door and flick em on!
Anyone up for the challenge? Lets 'Syke' ourselves up by committing on this thread to taking the time. If you're successful in this mission you have the opportunity to influence TENS of thousands of minds and plant more seeds of solutions than all the canvassing or phone calls could ever accomplish by one person...But we will only breakthrough if there is a steady volley throughout the next two days.
Peace,
Phil | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:05 am Post subject: |
| Presidents Day: Ron Paul Revolution in Santa Monica
Let’s honor the REAL Presidents of the past and spread the Ron Paul Revolution on Santa Monica Promenade on Presidents Day, this Monday, February 18th. Wear your Ron Paul Revolution tshirts and buttons and bring your Ron Paul Revolution signs and banners. It’s all about the movement for Freedom and the Constitution now. Let’s get out there and wake ‘em up before it’s too late!
The Real ID goes into effect soon. The cashless society control grid is closing down all around us. The planned implosion of the economy is unfolding. Draconian new laws and regulations like the Homegrown Terrorism and Violent Radicalization Prevention Act are being passed daily.
Are we the last generation to know a vestige of Freedom? Or the first generation of the new Revolution? You decide.
Be there at 3rd and Wilshire at 12 PM on Monday.
We have only just begun to fight!
Yours in support of Ron Paul and Freedom,
Steven Vincent
Take the Revolution to the Next Level! Join RonPaulGrassroots.org
http://www.RonPaulGrassroots.org
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”: Gandhi | | | | Cowboy | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:17 am Post subject: |
| | Quote: | | Presidents Day: Ron Paul Revolution in Santa Monica |
Paul already lost in California.
In fact, Paul has already lost the primaries. He cannot get enough delegates to win the nomination.
| Quote: | | Operation Breakthrough - WI needs your help 2/18 & 2/19 |
Wisconsin Republican Primary
Research 2000
McCain 48, Huckabee 32, Paul 7 | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:57 am Post subject: |
| Nothing is set in stone until the Republican convention, Mr. AIPAC!:)
PS: Ron Paul could even run as an independent after the convention as his message getting out is the most important part anyway (in order to take down fifth columnist Israel firsters like yourself who would hang for treason if the Founding Fathers were still alive as George Washington's Farewell Address - found at the bottom of www.astandforjustice.org - applies to traitors like you!):
Take a look at your Condi as you ridiculously say that Ritter has no credibility with Iraq and Iran!:)
Condoleezza Rice: Liar, Secretary of State, War Criminal pt 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1UI4KVJCC8
Re: Condoleezza Rice: Liar, Secretary of State, War Criminal pt 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKnNLoQay6Y | | | | Jefferson Davis | | Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: |
| Ron Paul drives the neocons like Cowboy into batshit insanity,
Paul is the constant proof that demonstrates their lies, deceits and criminality of the Iraq war on a regular basis. Any scrutiny or sunshine thrown on them makes them furious as the scramble back into the woodwork.
It's message that will continue win or lose because a few dared to speak the truth. And as we all know Mr. AIPAC is the anathema to the truth. | | | | Alpha | | | | Alpha | | | | | ©2002-2009 WarWithoutEnd.co.uk |
