Week Of March 26 Featured Post ---Tea Party Express Does Not Answer Questions About Donations From Texas D Jacques Roy, Alleged Medicare Fraud Kingpin

I've written before about what is arguably one of the bigger scandals ongoing, and little reported on. I've labeled it MediCaper, Texas Doctor Jacques Roy's alleged cento-million dollar Medicare/Medicaid fraud for which he was arrested on February 28, 2012. (For a bit of background, go

Romney Elevates His Distance With Car Elevator - Here's His FCQ (Fat-Cat Quotient)

Hapless presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, still hurting from his Etch A Sketch moment, once again elevated his image as a cento-millionaire out of touch with average Americans. Dismantling a $750,000 beach house (assessed value) in La Jolla, California to build a substantially larger one is one thing that distances him, but planning an elevator for his cars is, indeed, another. What next, cashmere toilet seats?

The elevator will cost approximately $25,000. According to San Diego area contractors, demolishing his house will cost around $175 per square foot, or $500,000 more or less for Romney's 3,000 sq. ft. house. How can we envisage this in a way that makes it meaningful? Here's on way; my Fat cat Index (FCQ) that debuted here back on January 27, 2012.

Here's another application to Mr. Romney, his demolition derby and auto elevator:

Click here for larger and clearer image

Trayvon Martin Shooting --- Florida Laws That May Apply

Below is a selection of Florida laws that may apply in the Trayvon Martin case if George Zimmerman is indicted.

My 50 Dollar Photo With Newt Gingrich

Click pic above for sharper image. I'll be even handsomer. Click this link for even bigger pic. Photo is not a fake, so handle carefully.

Newt Gingrich is out of the running for a primary plurality large enough to challenge Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum. He's also running out of money, and Sheldon Adelson can't help him this time since

A Late 18th Century Hoodie

Old School "Stand Your Ground Laws"

Don't let them kid you, that's what it is.
Only Trayvon Martin was unarmed.

Trayvon Martin Tragedy -- Again, How Would It Feel . . .?

Unfortunately, many women, of all races,

This Week's Featured Post: Successful Goldman Sachs Ax Murderer Praises Employer

. . . Featured Post . . .
Times op-ed page resigning Goldman Sachs executive Greg Smith savaged the firm. Smith, a successful executive there, blasted GS for its concentration on its own financial needs rather than on client needs. After twelve years there, he'd risen far, but he was resigning because "I can honestly say that the environment now is as toxic and destructive as I have ever seen it.". . .

Yet, GS has its boosters. Another successful GS executive has entered the fray showering praise on all things Goldman Sachs. Read his op-ed

Click the "view in full screen" icon below for clearer version.Why I Am NOT Leaving Goldman Sachs

Former NY Congressman Anthony Weiner Redux - Life Goes On

On the boulevard. Six months after firebrand Anthony Weiner's resignation from Congress after being abandoned by nearly everyone, including his own Democratic party, he and Huma Abedin welcomed a son, Jordan, to their world. A few wweeks ago, Elder Ordonez of INFphoto.com, found

Trayvon Martin -- How Would It Feel . . .?

Dick Cheney Has A Heart

Dick Cheney Heart Transplant:
Former Vice President Recovering After Undergoing Surgery

Trayvon Martin Homicide And Hoodies --- Geraldo Has Taken Precautions

Why I Am NOT Leaving Goldman Sachs

Last week on the New York Times op-ed page resigning Goldman Sachs executive Greg Smith savaged the firm. Smith, a successful executive there, blasted GS for its concentration on its own financial needs rather than on client needs. After twelve years there, he'd risen far, but he was resigning because "I can honestly say that the environment now is as toxic and destructive as I have ever seen it." My feeling is that such a state of affairs must be lavishly toxic and destructive.

Yet, I - and perhaps you - may be wrong. Apparently there is a silver lining for Goldman Sachs at the end of the dark tunnel. Today, another successful GS executive has entered the fray showering praise on all things Goldman Sachs. The op-ed below is preprinted by permission of the New York Times where it is slated for publication tomorrow.

The Romney Etch A Sketch Boom! Seven New Products From Other Big Toy Companies Hoping To Cash In Too!

Two days ago on CNN, Romney campaign Communications Director Eric Fehrnstrom famously stepped in it, big time. Since then, Etch A Sketch sales have jumped, and more toy companies are rolling out their own versions. Below are seven great new ideas applied to old standards like Gumby, Mr. Potato Head, Lincoln Logs, and Tinkertoys . . .

Sandra Fluke Controversy -- Rush Limbaugh's Joseph McCarthy Moment?

"Senator, you won't need anything in the record when I finish telling you this. Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty, or your recklessness. . .

Idaho Ultrasound Bill Undergoing Its Own Forced Ultrasound

Earlier today Idaho's KTVB.com reported that the controversial forced ultrasound bill, SB 1387, passed yesterday by the Idaho Senate, was likely going nowhere fast in the House:

Gingrich Comes In Fourth In Illinois GOP Primary, Declares Victory As Thousands Flee The State

Last night, Newt Gingrich grabbed 73,362 votes in the Illinois GOP primary finishing well ahead of "Other" who received 9,181. Mr. Gingrich immediately declared victory.

"This is clearly a transfor-mative election in this pres-idential cycle, and it's certainly obvious that Other, if he or she is to stay in the race, will have a very

Man On Romney: "I'd love to be able to get one on one with Governor Romney . . ." Rick Santorum Shocks GOP Base

Nine Years Ago Today The Iraq War Began -- Shock & Awe Then, Shock & Awe Now . . .

Texas Ultrasound Law -- Where Are You Meghan Elizabeth Rose?

This morning, on her eponymous MSNBC show, Melissa Harris-Perry led a discussion based upon a Texas Observer story, 'We Have No Choice': One Woman's Ordeal with Texas' New Sonogram Law. The author, Carolyn Jones, learned in her second trimester that her son had

"a molecular flaw had determined that our son’s brain, spine and legs wouldn’t develop correctly. If he were to make it to term—something our doctor couldn’t guarantee—he’d need a lifetime of medical care. From the moment he was born, my doctor told us, our son would suffer greatly."

Her experience with the Texas sonogram law is vivid, and, in short, psychologically harrowing. I'll break off from that story here, and suggest you read it in full. There's even worse to deal with . . .

1961 -- Let's Twist Again Like We Did Last Summer

Ahhh, the old days . . . How'd we ever live through them . . . and our parents? In 1961I was 12 when Chubby Checker's twist was the rage. My first "date" was Annette and nearly every song was a twist, and, oh yeah, we tried twisting with hula hoops. For twelve year olds, that was c-o-o-l, pre-Beatles cool. In 1961, we had quite a few Chubby Checker's hits to choose from, like Let's Twist Again Like We Did Last Summer and Pony Time. Chubs was a king! I remembered all this after a friend sent me the video below. It IS funny.

My First 9 Things That Are Against My Religious Beliefs And My Moral

Hey Congress! Here's my against my religion beliefs and morals list that I can think of on lunch break

Happy St. Urho's Tay! Ta Braaffest Finn U Effer Seen

Finns vill unnerstant . . . Efferone else, join ta party!

Senator Jeff Sessions -- One Republican's Poison Pill Is Another Democrat's Vitamin

Yes, they really will say anything . . .

Happy Birthday Albert Einstein!

March 14, 1879 . . .

Here are some of the maestro's memorable quotes about his life's work:

Guess Who's Not Conservative Enough For Utah.

. . . Read on . . .

May 2004 - Gas Prices Rising - Iranian Oil Minister Comments Wisely

The presidential election was not too far off on May 23, 2004, in political time anyway. Gasoline prices were up 14 cents in the previous two weeks, to $2.10/gallon, the highest yet in the Bush administration. Concern grew in the land; what next, $3.00/gallon?

We know what happened. Gasoline prices kept rising, to $4.16/gal. late in Bush's second term, when a historic financial collapse intervened to drive oil consumption down, down, down.

Two dollar a gallon gasoline is presently a delusional goal. Perhaps forever. Probably forever. Anyone who promises us two dollar a gallon gas is lying, unschooled, or clinically insane. My apologies to Mr. Gingrich. More on that and him soon, but for now . . .

Here's a vignette from those days in May 2004 when two dollar gasoline was alive and well, and a national crisis. Today, $2.00 gas would be cause for running bare assed in the street and partying all night in the police station.

The excerpt provides a peek into the ways that nations attempt to bring that gas price down. Nothing new here. One Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Iran's Oil Minister understood the politics of the urgent need for lower U.S. gssoline prices, and he actually spoke of it . . . italics my own . . .

Excerpt - May 23, 2004 CNN report:

When the group meets formally in Beirut on June 3, [OPEC Director-General Purnomo Yusgiantoro] said, the [OPEC] ministers will "do what we can do to assure market stability."

[U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham] said the Saudis will boost their production from nearly 7.1 million barrels per day to 9.1 million -- a 28 percent increase.

Before the announcement, Abraham had said that "strong action is required" to bring down oil prices, which would translate into lower gasoline prices.

The United States is the world's largest consumer of oil, and record gasoline prices have spiraled into a key campaign issue for President Bush.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh said the pressure to boost production was related to November's upcoming presidential election in the United States.

"We had the situation like it four years ago where we were very close to another presidential election in the United States," he said. "Every day we are going to be closer to this date, we will have some pressure ... to do something and to satisfy their voters."

Oil analysts told CNN that OPEC has already raised production previously, a move that did not provide a long-term solution.

One of the biggest factors behind the price surge, analysts said, is limited U.S. refining capacity. The United States has had to import large amounts of gasoline -- crude oil refined elsewhere -- thereby increasing the strain on the overall oil market, the analysts said.

Many U.S. refineries have shut over the last two decades, and the operating ones face environmental regulations. But Abraham rejected suggestions that U.S. refinery capacity is to blame for the price hike.

"The big difference is not U.S. refinery capacity, it's world demand," he said.

Purnomo said oil ministers Saturday discussed "the many factors" that have driven crude oil prices higher in recent weeks.

Some in OPEC are angry that Riyadh has decided to lift its production to just over nine million barrels daily in June, a rise of about 10 percent, without OPEC approval.

"They can't. It's a mistake. Saudi Arabia can't decide alone to increase production," Libya's Oil Minister Fethi bin Chetwane told reporters.

On Friday, Venezuela's oil minister Rafael Ramirez said his country opposes any increase in OPEC oil supply, saying it would not help alleviate the recent spike in oil prices.

As it worked out, despite the OPEC and Saudi decision to pump more oil, the price of gasoline, although it fell by 11 cents over a three week period, was $2.07/gal. on election day . . . I've forgotten who won.

A Portrait Of Mitt Romney On His 65th Birthday

THERE was a child went forth every day;
And the first object he look’d upon, that object he became;
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.




(Full copyright retained)

Charting The GOP Dilemma -- Women Vote & There's A Whole Bunch Of 'Em!

“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is
until it's in hot water.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn by Living

This Date In 1933: FDR's First Fireside Chat Unleashes The Federal Reserve To Muscle Aside The Bank Panic

Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in March 1933. Bank panics had occurred since 1929, and by 1933 than 9,000 banks had closed, with $2.5 billion in lost deposits. Millions of Americans lost their money. To stop the run on banks, many states simply closed their banks. Roosevelt himself declared a four-day “bank holiday” upon taking office. In addition, FDR took the country off the domestic gold standard, and forcefully used the Federal Reserve system to rebuild currency and restore public confidence that deposits were safe.

The President made a national radio address on Sunday, March 12, 1933, to explain the banking problem. The following audio excerpt can be supplemented with the entire transcript.

Tiger Woods -- Wounded Tiger Limps Into The Underbrush.

The Golf Channel just reported:

DORAL, Fla. -- Here we go again.

A limping Tiger Woods withdrew from the

Indicted MediCaperist, Dr, Jacques Roy, In Doctor's Garb

Yesterday, 24 Montreal's Andrew McIntosh reported about a court appearance in Dallas, Texas where indicted MediCaper Dr. Jacques Roy pled not guilty to federal health care fraud charges. Dr. Roy was a longtime Montreal resident, so thus 24 Montreal's interest. The picture accompanying Mr. McIntosh's article shows Dr. Roy in his usual doctor's garb, or so I'm informed by usually unreliable sources, although this time I believe them.

I'm pleased to have found this, despite my disbelief that a doctor would wear a loud red shirt. In any event, . . .