Gridlock News

While it might be a little premature for Hillary to call the New York Movers to get her and her husband out of New York and back to Washington DC, it does appear that Barack Obama's reliance and mistake in choosing a Pastor could keep him out of the White House.

Podcast on Topic including the Words of Obama Today Attacking Wright

There has been a great deal of gridlock in politics over the last 8 years in large part due to the heavy influence of one of the world's oldest special interest groups, organized religion.  Barack Obama may not take PAC money, but he has and does continue to accept the influence and guidance of religion.  In the past that has come in the form of his spiritual mentor turned hostile ex mentor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

Barack is learning that religious leaders like to control the people they help bring to power.  When they sense that they are loosing control over the powerful they helped to create, they work rapidly to put down the demon and start fresh.  That appears to be exactly what Wright is doing.  He helped to create Barack Obama and bring him to power and when Obama failed to support Wright or defend his reputation after Wright's comments were vetted on YouTube, Wright chose to exorcise Obama.  That is the peril of politicians that choose religion over the Constitution.  The United States was set up as a secular country with a purposeful separation of church and state.  Obama, the Constitutional Professor, seems to have ignored this lesson of history and he is now paying the price.  Better him now, than the entire country a year from now when another puppet President enters the White House.

The Bush Administration was served a notice by the Pope via the United Nations this week when he called on the world to protect human rights so that victims of violence would not become violators of the peace.

He could have easily been talking about Americans victimized on 9/11 becoming violators of the peace in Iraq or Iraqi's victimized by the violence of war in Iraq becoming violators of the peace as insurgents or Al Qaeda in Iraq.

“The promotion of human rights remains the most effective strategy for eliminating inequalities between countries and social groups, and for increasing security,” Benedict told the United Nations General Assembly.

“Indeed, the victims of hardship and despair, whose human dignity is violated with impunity, become easy prey to the call to violence, and they can then become violators of peace,” he said.

Vigorous Defense of Human Rights Is Urged by Pope in U.N. Address

This address comes just a week after it was revealed that Condoleeza Rice, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld had engaged in closed door meetings to discuss, simulate and demonstrate exactly which types of torture techniques would be used in Guantanamo.  Those torture techniques then magically flew across the Ocean to Iraq where they were used by enlisted soldiers that had never been to Guantanamo at Abu Grahib.  But of course the administration was later found not responsible for Abu Grahib as if the consequences were as minor as a model found not responsible for starving herself on an Orovo diet.

Democrats are running around scared today after receiving a nasty wake up call during the ABC debate last night.  Their front running candidate, Barack Obama, did very poorly and showed that he is a weak candidate on several levels.

• He refused to close the deal and push Hillary out last night
• He stumbled on old issues that he should have practice at dealing with
• He showed that when not pitched softballs from the press, he's not such a quick thinker
• He's no match for John McCain when under fire

Things weren't much better for Hillary Clinton and by extension Democrats either.

• Hillary either had a camera person out to get her or suffered from shifty eye syndrome.   During her responses she couldn't or wouldn't focus on the camera and it hurt the credibility of her responses
• When the moderators took the discussion into negative territory, she followed along like a hyena and took a pound of flesh herself, which will likely increase her negativity rating
• Even when Barack was down, she couldn't bring any excitement to the debate.  If Barack is down for the count, there is no charisma left in the Democratic party

Democrats all lined up to attack ABC for the debate in which their candidates floundered but the reality is that THEIR CANDIDATES FLOUNDERED and showed that despite months on the campaign trail they are not quite up for the big time political games that will be taking place in November.  If they want to take the White House, they need to buckle down and get serious.

You have probably seen the great commercials by WaMu.  They offer up example after situational example of how they offer banking relationships and experiences that are more human, less expensive and covered with less red tape than your average bank.  This is to encourage you to sign up for one of their savings accounts and start amassing some wealth.

Unfortunately, they also dabbled in the Sub Prime mortgage business and are paying the piper now.  They ended up taking a $1.7 billion loss on that other type of unusual banking practice, mortgages.

That led them to seek $7 billion in a financing infusion this week, which means that they are financially in the safety zone, but I suspect their lending practices will be a little less outside the box in the future.

More Stories on WaMu's loss and capital Infusion

Earthtimes

Analysts widen '08 loss estimates on WaMu
Reuters - Apr 16, 2008
He does not expect WaMu to return to profitability until late 2009. Miller said the $7 billion capital raise by WaMu should be sufficient, ...
DAVID WEIDNER'S WRITING ON THE WALL: The Real Execs Behind GE ... CNNMoney.com
Ahead of the Bell: WaMu estimates, price target slashed Houston Chronicle
A House-Poor Quarter for WaMu Motley Fool
CNNMoney.com - Wall Street Journal
all 239 news articles » WM - GE - FBR

WaMu loss tied to late mortgages
Orlando Sentinel, FL - Apr 16, 2008
Seattle-based Washington Mutual, known as WaMu, posted a $1.87 billion deficit in last year's fourth quarter. Chief Executive Officer Kerry Killinger ...WM

WaMu director quits, others voted down; thrift loses $1.14B in Q1
Bizjournals.com, NC - Apr 16, 2008
WaMu reported a first-quarter loss of $1.14 billion, or $1.40 per share, which compares with net income of $784 million, or 86 cents per share a year ...
Shareholders Score at WaMu BusinessWeek
WaMu Director Resigns Under Pressure TheStreet.com
WaMu board director forced out FT Alphaville
Conde Nast Portfolio - Salon
all 141 news articles » WM

Movers: Intel, WaMu, JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Blackrock, CSX
BusinessWeek - Apr 16, 2008
Washington Mutual (WM) posts $1.40 first quarter loss per share, vs. $0.86 EPS a year ago, reflecting a higher level of provisioning as steep declines in ...

JPMorgan CEO says Bear deal doesn't stop bank hunt
Reuters - Apr 16, 2008
Last week, there were reports JPMorgan approached the country's largest savings & loan, although WaMu chose instead to sell a large stake to private equity ...
JPMorgan, Wells Fargo profits decline, but beat forecasts The Associated Press
all 617 news articles »

PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)

Wells Fargo Ahead Of The Curve
Forbes, NY - 17 hours ago
In its first quarter, WaMu suffered a net loss of $1.1 billion, or $1.40 per diluted share, as it doubled its bad loan provisions, to $3.5 billion. ...
Wachovia's Loss a Grim Sign for Banks FOXNews
Banks See A Bright Side In Dour Numbers Forbes
Sector rallies after results from JP Morgan, Wells MarketWatch
all 343 news articles » LON:JMI - WB

Citi CEO Pandit to cut cost base by up to 20%: report
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
Well, they are obviously trying get some fluff on this stock so when they issue their loss release tomorrow, it (the stock price) will have some buffer on ...

UPDATE: WaMu To Raise $7 Billion, Cut Dividend; Big 1Q Loss Seen
CNNMoney.com - Apr 8, 2008
The mean estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial was for a 50-cent loss. WaMu has made a series of strategic mistakes that put the company on ...WM

Boston Globe

Earnings Engine To Power Wednesday Trade
Forbes, NY - Apr 15, 2008
WaMu also said it successfully closed its $7 billion equity issuance, shoring up its capital position. (See: "WaMu And Friends") Intel (nasdaq: INTC - news ...
Intel, JPMorgan cheer Wall Street MSN Money
all 1,124 news articles »

WaMu gets $7 bln infusion, sees big quarterly loss
Reuters - Apr 8, 2008
WaMu, as the thrift is known, also said it will reduce its quarterly dividend per share to 1 cent from 15 cents, saving $490 million a year. ...

A recent poll conducted by the Charlotte Observer in North Carolina indicates that Hillary's Bosnia fibs have hurt her significantly.  Trust has turned out to be the major factor for North Carolina residents. 

But the poll also found that four in 10 voters are still undecided. That suggests that the contest could lie in the hands of people such as John Clark, a Charlotte salesman.

"Until either of them can distinguish between their policy positions or electability, I'm probably going to stay on the fence," said Clark, 29.

The poll, based on 803 telephone interviews conducted March 29 to April 1, found that trust is most voters' top consideration. Nearly nine in 10 said it would play a big role in determining their votes.

Only 25 percent of voters gave Clinton high marks for trustworthiness, compared with 54 percent for McCain and 48 percent for Obama. Even Democrats ranked Clinton lower.

Poll: Trustworthiness trumps experience

Flaw in Charlotte Observer Flaw - April Fool's Day Polling Outlier

There is an obvious flaw in the Poll conducted between March 29 and April 1.  The flaw is that the poll was conducted over April Fool's day, a day when we are conditioned to fool each other and break trust.

Seriously, I suspect that the trust issue is going to be substantial for all three candidates nationwide.  Personally, I live in North Carolina.  I do not trust John McCain due to his flip flopping to gain Christian Conservative support.  I do not trust Barack Obama for his dealings with Tony Rezko and his implausible statement about why he stuck with his Pastor.  I definitely do not trust Hillary Clinton either based on her past working for Wal-mart and for both Clinton's fund raising scandals during the nineties.

Americans have to choose a President to fix a very broken country.  We are not talking about computer rental at an internet cafe or choosing a car or even a mortgage rate.  Hillary needs to do some Missouri style politics and exercise her show me skills, showing visitors that she can deliver with concrete examples.  McCain needs to repudiate Christian conservative leaders and Barack Obama needs to start being honest for a change instead of masterfully pandering to the nation.

Call me a skeptic, but I doubt any of the three will do what's needed to actually establish trust among voters.

This might just be one of the most popular tax filing seasons on record.  Unlike past tax credits issued by the buy your loyalty Bush Administration, Americans have to file a tax return this time to get the check.

If you want to receive your $600 (per adult) and $300 (per child dependent) then you have to file a tax return.  File late and you will get paid or credited late.  Return checks for the stimulus package will not be paid out until May at the earliest.  That means if you file early, you might get your real income tax refund first and your stimulus check second.

With fuel prices at $3.50 a gallon a $600 check from the government will keep your car running for about 171 gallons or about 11 fill ups with a 15 gallon tank.   To put it another way that's about 3,400 miles on the road or 68 days of work if you drive 25 miles one way.

If you have a child that $300 will buy 20 gallons of milk and 20 boxes of cereal and leave you with enough money for about 3.5 days of day care.

Let's face it, its not much but going into a recession no one turns away money.  Grab yours soon, while the dollar is still worth something and spend it wisely. Your cat can sleep at the foot of your bed instead of in a new cat condo.  Make your kids wait another year or two for a cell phone, or give them your old one.  Recycle your aluminum cans yourself instead of giving them away to the city.  Find some ways to bootstrap your way through the recession and you might walk out smelling like a rose, if the bank doesn't kick you to the curb first.  (I say that in sympathy hoping that the same doesn't happen to me, but what will be will be.)

Charlton Heston, the actor known for his role as moses and later for his stance on creating a gridlock defense against gun control laws, suffered from Alzheimer's disease and passed away this weekend at the age of 84.

Charlton Heston, the Oscar winner who portrayed Moses and other heroic figures on film in the '50s and '60s and later championed conservative values as head of the National Rifle Association, has died. He was 84.

The actor died Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side, family spokesman Bill Powers said. He declined to comment on the cause of death or provide further details.

"Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. He was known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played," Heston's family said in a statement.

Heston revealed in 2002 that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease.

The Associated Press: Film Legend Charlton Heston Dead at 84

Heston was a powerful presence in entertainment and later as a figure head for conservative causes.  In his absence the NRA will need to identify a new figurehead to lead their charge at a time in American history where a person can be arrested for utilizing weapons of mass destruction that take the form of shot guns and shot gun shells.  Many Americans these days are more concerned with acne treatment than defending their rights to bear arms under a Constitution that has been savaged ironically by a 'conservative' President more intent on gaining power for a centralized government dominated by the executive branch.