Dick Cheney, Federalist?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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PDF As both Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch argued last week, commenting on this article in The Weekly Standard, we are seeing the "last gasp of a losing argument" from opponents of gay marriage. A few days later, former Solicitor General Ted Olson, who argued Bush v. Gore for the Bushies, joined forces with liberal lawyer (and former Gore council) David Boies and filed a legal challenge to California's Prop. 8. Now former Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking at the National Press Club, affirmed his support for a federalist approach to same-sex marriage, telling assembled journalists that "people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. Any kind of arrangement they wish."
The question of whether or not there ought to be a federal statute to protect this, I don't support. I do believe that the historically the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level. It has always been a state issue and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis. But I don't have any problem with that. People ought to get a shot at that.
Via RealClearPolitics, which also has the video.
Dick Cheney, Federalist?
[Source: Good Times Society - by The American Illuminati]
Dick Cheney, Federalist?
[Source: International News]
Dick Cheney, Federalist?
[Source: Salem News]
Dick Cheney, Federalist?
[Source: Cnn News]
posted by tgazw @ 5:16 PM,
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Disney Channel Renews Hannah with a Change, Sonny with a Chance
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Two of the Disney Channel's teen queens will continue their reigns: The cabler has ordered new seasons of Hannah Montana and Sonny with a Chance.
Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus, will begin production on Season 4 early next year. Coming off of this season's upcoming cliff-hanger, the next cycle will find the Stewart clan struggling to say goodbye to their Malibu home.
"Hannah Montana has become one of the most iconic series in television history," Disney Channel president Gary Marsh said in announcing the pick-up. "Miley and the producers have proposed a change ...
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posted by tgazw @ 4:28 PM,
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Just 11% of Republicans are Hispanic or Non-White
PrintEmailPDF CQ Politics notes a new Gallup survey found that only 11% of Republicans are Hispanics or blacks or members of other races. That compares with 36% of Democrats who are non-white and 27% of independents.
Just 11% of Republicans are Hispanic or Non-White
[Source: Good Times Society - by The American Illuminati]
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posted by tgazw @ 3:07 PM,
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Norb Vonnegut: What Would Grove Do?
Today, Acrimoney is pleased to introduce Grove O'Rourke from Sachs, Kidder, and Carnegie.
Grove manages about $2 billion in total assets for wealthy families. He's seen it all inside his investment bank. He'll be joining Acrimoney for a new guest series: What Would Grove Do? As a regular on our blog, Grove will discuss market events, trading lingo, and how to work with financial advisers.
On June 10, 2009, The New York Times reported that authorities are indicting seven executives for selling tax shelters. Acrimoney believes, however, the article contains broader implications for understanding investments. Even if you've never seen a tax shelter.
Acrimoney: Thanks for visiting, Grove.
Grove: Glad to join your team.
Acrimoney: Nobody's ever heard of Sachs, Kidder and Carnegie. Before we review the NYT article, can you tell us more about your firm?
Grove: You'll hear plenty this September.
Acrimoney: Oh?
Grove: That's when the novel, Top Producer, goes on sale.
Acrimoney: Hey, wait a minute. You're a work of fiction?
Grove: I prefer to think of myself as an amalgamation of the good guys in finance--advisers who put their clients' interests first.
Acrimoney: Then, you can give us an insider's view?
Grove: With no fear of Wall Street retribution. What's somebody going to do, delete me?
Acrimoney: Okay then. We know tax shelters were all the rage from 1994 to 2004. What did you tell your clients?
Grove: Shelters are more toxic than Chernobyl. You remember the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Ukraine?
Acrimoney: Do we ever...
Grove: According to the NYT, the tax shelters charged fees equal to a "percentage of the tax savings."
Acrimoney: What's the problem?
Grove: It violates Rule Number One--never bet against the IRS. The returns from tax shelters all come at the expense of Uncle Sam. It's like picking a fight with the umpire.
Acrimoney: You said these investments were more toxic than Chernobyl. What tipped you off?
Grove: Fees.
Acrimoney: Too high?
Grove: So high, in fact, they triggered Rule Number Two--investment fees over 2 percent are a red flag.
Acrimoney: Two percent fees are too high for any investment?
Grove: Every rule has an exception. But I'm a careful guy when it comes to my clients. And the truth is, I start scrutinizing fees well before they hit 2 percent.
Acrimoney: How much were the tax shelter fees?
Grove: 4.5 percent.
Acrimoney: You're kidding.
Grove: It gets worse. On COBRA, one of the shelters named in the NYT article, investors paid nonrefundable fees of $1.06 million and signed nondisclosure agreements before they could view documents.
Acrimoney: Hang on. They paid $1.06 million up front? Before they could "examine the merchandise?"
Grove: Danger Will Robinson. Or, "Buyer beware," for those who didn't watch much television in the 1970s.
Acrimoney: Wait a minute. Are you making up these details?
Grove: You can't make this stuff up--
Acrimoney: Hey, that's our line.
Grove: If you don't believe me, click here to see my source: Bitten by a COBRA?
Acrimoney: You have two rules. Are there any others?
Grove: Rule Number Three--watch out for Wall Street's kitschy acronyms. They sound smart. But they're usually shorthand for manufactured products with big fees and questionable value. The tax shelters in the NYT article, for example, included COBRA and SOS.
Acrimoney: COBRA is an acronym for a tax shelter?
Grove: Most people think of health insurance when they hear COBRA. According to the US Government, COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. That's a mouthful.
Acrimoney: But there's a different COBRA?
Grove: One tax shelter used COBRA as the acronym for Currency Options Bring Reward Alternatives.
Acrimoney: That's ridiculous.
Grove: SOS stands for "Short Options Strategy." But I prefer "Sack of..." Just kidding.
Acrimoney: Hey, can you Save Our Shekels?
Grove: You bet. Next week, let's talk about how to communicate with financial advisers.
Acrimoney: That's it for today. Grove, thanks for joining us on Acrimoney.
Grove: Wouldn't miss it for the world. I look forward to guest blogging.
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Norb Vonnegut: What Would Grove Do?
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posted by tgazw @ 2:20 PM,
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Dean: Bypass Bipartisanship On Health Care
PrintEmailPDF My full post out of the first day of the America's Future Now! conference in DC is below. But I wanted to highlight Howard Dean's strong push for a public option, which I wrapped into the story:
During a lunchtime press conference, Howard Dean, recent past chair of the DNC and a doctor, said that it's more important to have a public plan than a bipartisan plan. "Bipartisan," he said, "is not an end in and of itself."
He said that Republicans haven't helped Obama with the stimulus package nor do they seem poised to offer an assist with approving his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the nation's highest court.
"If they're in there to shill for the insurance companies, I think we should do it with 51 votes," Dean said, suggesting that it be accomplished via budget reconciliation.
Dean added: "The American people voted for real change. They knew exactly what he was proposing when he was on the campaign trail."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Dean: Bypass Bipartisanship On Health Care
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posted by tgazw @ 2:09 PM,
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