$350 Billion Later: Where did the bailout money go?

The nation's largest banks won't say how their spending the money they got from the government. The Associated Press contacted 21 banks that got at least $1 billion, and not one of them would give a straight answer! Some vaguely hinted that they lent some of the money, but no actual numbers. Some of the banks even said they simply don't know where the money went!

The banker's responses highlight the secrecy surrounding the "Troubled Asset Relief Program" which earmarked $700 billion - about the size of the Netherlands economy - to help the struggling institutions. So once again, the nation's bankers get to thumb their noses at the taxpayers and get away with it! When will we ever learn?

 

 

                                                                                         

                                                      Artwork from "The Hooded Utilitarian (2007)"

TODAY in AS IT STANDS Times-Standard edition/Christmas

Times are hard, but people will still enjoy this Christmas. Some old fashion values, like making gifts, are in this year.

I think people are looking back to celebrating Christmas in more traditional ways, partly due to the economy.

Sure, things are tough. But so are Americans. We've shown that in the past. Click here to read today's column; "Fewer gifts this season but Christmas will still be special."

COMING TUESDAY: the long version of "Christmas at NANA & PAPA's." (Note: I had a short blog on this post a week ago) It will be featured in "The McKinleyville Press on Tuesday," and I'm posting the entire column online that day for those of you who aren't able to pick up a copy.

I hope you enjoy both of these columns on Christmas as much as I did writing them. 

 

Schwarzenegger Goes Conan: slashes state workers pay and forces layoffs

Looks like the Govenator is playing the Grinch...

Los Angeles Times

By Patrick McGreevy and Jordan Rau
December 20, 2008

Reporting from Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday ordered mass layoffs and unpaid furloughs for state workers starting in February to address California's growing fiscal crisis.
Under his executive order, 238,000 employees will be forced to take off two unpaid days per month through June 30, 2010. Managers will receive either the furlough or an equivalent salary reduction during the same period.

• Schwarzenegger says he won't back Democratic budget plan

• California Democrats devise plan to hike taxes

• Majority-rule plan could break GOP budget blockade

H.D. Palmer, spokesman for Schwarzenegger's finance department, said the mandatory time off is the equivalent of about a 9% pay cut for affected workers. He said the furloughs would save the state more than $1.2 billion.
It is unclear how many people will lose their jobs. Palmer said each department will have to cut its payroll by 10% and will make its own decisions on how many workers must go.

See entire story by clicking here

Photo source: Registered at aol.com

Poinsettias are not toxic and the debunking of other myths

Researchers debunk conventional wisdom about poinsettias, sugar and holiday suicides -- and note that Coca-Cola can only do so much.

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not toxic to people or animals, suicides do not increase over the Christmas holidays, and sugar does not make kids hyperactive.

Also, Wales winning the rugby grand slam does not influence the death of popes, and douching with Coca-Cola is not an effective contraceptive method.

The supposed toxicity of poinsettias has been a subject of warnings ever since the red and white flowers have been associated with the Christmas holiday, but numerous reports from poison control centers do not support the warnings, according to Drs. Rachel C. Vreeman and Aaron E. Carroll of the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Los Angeles Times/Dec. 21                                                                                                   Gina Ferazzi/LA TIMES Photo

Political Correctness leaves Santa Claus Polarized!

It's Cold Outside and I'm Thinking About Polar Bears!

  

  

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Passes Out Condoms to Men & Women!

By John Jalsevac

TORONTO, December 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Christmas shoppers were shocked this week to find men and women dressed up as Santa Claus on some of the busiest streets in Toronto, handing out condoms.

The publicity stunt was arranged by Durex, the condom manufacturer.

A press release from the company explained that costumed representatives, dressed as Santa Claus, would be handing out the condoms beginning on Tuesday, December 16.

“This holiday season, Durex(R) wants lovers to really feel the Love,” says the release. “Helping Canadians get in the mood to wrap their packages, Durex and Santa will start celebrating the holidays by handing out Love condoms this Tuesday, December 16, 2008 in downtown Toronto. Giving never felt so good!”

“It’s deeply saddening to me that at one of the most sacred times of the year, Durex would do such a thing,” said Suresh Dominic of Campaign Life Catholic in response to the publicity stunt.

“Santa Claus is simply another name for St. Nicholas, a Catholic bishop and saint from the early Church known for generosity to the poor. He is also a symbol of the beauty and mystery of Christmas, particularly for children. To use the figure of Santa to promote an ideology of casual sex on busy public streets is offensive in the extreme.”

Dominic encouraged readers to contact Durex as well as the Toronto mayor and Toronto city councillors to complain.

The condom manufacturer is not the only organization that is hijacking Christmas to spread a message of casual sex. Planned Parenthood also recently made the news by offering gift certificates that can be redeemed for everything from contraceptives and sexually transmitted disease testing to abortions.

Former major league pitcher Dock Ellis has died at 63

Associated Press

8:05 AM PST, December 20, 2008

Dock Ellis, who infamously claimed he pitched a no-hitter for Pittsburgh under the influence of LSD and later fiercely spoke out against drug and alcohol addiction, died Friday. He was 63.
His wife, Hjordis, said he died at the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

• 

  ARCHIVE: Ellis is trying to strike...

Dock was one of my favorite pitchers in baseball. It's sad to see him die at such an early age due to liver disease.

Vintage Travel Posters Take Us Back To Simpler Times

 

 

 

      Click Here to see more fine art posters at Enjoy Art. The site has a real nice collection to look at.

I just discovered this site and thinks it's only fair to warn the reader that fine art prints are sold here, but that's not the reason I recommend it.

It has some really cool posters to check out!

I don't know about you...

but I'm a lookie-loo!

Car Enthusiasts Put Down Thousands to Show Off Their Creations