The Obama Administration thread

[SLCPUNK]

This is what I call Stimulus.  I like this.  This is what we need.  Incentive to take the plunge and move some homes.  You can even use the money at closing.  I called today and left a message for my senator in support of this bill.

Senate Passes $15,000 Tax Break for Home Buyers More Work Needed
To All GBAHB Members:

 

Seems OK I guess. I'm seeing some good deals now, homes I feel are affordable and in line with median incomes. But I also see tons of inventory which is still grossly overpriced and not moving. If their idea is to try and prop up home values (and thereby prop up mortgage backed securities) I think that would be a big mistake and only prolonging the pain in the long  run.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

This is what I call Stimulus.  I like this.  This is what we need.  Incentive to take the plunge and move some homes.  You can even use the money at closing.  I called today and left a message for my senator in support of this bill.

Senate Passes $15,000 Tax Break for Home Buyers More Work Needed
To All GBAHB Members:

 

Seems OK I guess. I'm seeing some good deals now, homes I feel are affordable and in line with median incomes. But I also see tons of inventory which is still grossly overpriced and not moving. If their idea is to try and prop up home values (and thereby prop up mortgage backed securities) I think that would be a big mistake and only prolonging the pain in the long  run.

Are those empty houses mostly McMansions?

[Smoking Guns]

This is what I call Stimulus.  I like this.  This is what we need.  Incentive to take the plunge and move some homes.  You can even use the money at closing.  I called today and left a message for my senator in support of this bill.

Senate Passes $15,000 Tax Break for Home Buyers More Work Needed
To All GBAHB Members:

 

Seems OK I guess. I'm seeing some good deals now, homes I feel are affordable and in line with median incomes. But I also see tons of inventory which is still grossly overpriced and not moving. If their idea is to try and prop up home values (and thereby prop up mortgage backed securities) I think that would be a big mistake and only prolonging the pain in the long  run.

Over priced?  Yes, but nobody remebers the cost of lumber, fuel, concrete, etc when those homes were built.  Being a builder the general public has no fucking clue how much it costs to build a home.  Fuck, most people think the land is free too.  I have one home left for sale... I couldn't build the house again for what I am asking.  I am not lying.  There are some HUGE misconceptions out there.  The over priced homes are the used ones.  Those are the ones out of whack.  People can't dump those because they are upside down in them, so that means they can't buy my house.  Its a domino effect.  They (the buyers) want top dollar for their home, and want to pay me 50,000-100,000 less than what I am asking.  A Buyers market is only good for the buyer, but most buyers are also sellers, so its a wash, because they lose too. 

[Smoking Guns]

This is what I call Stimulus.  I like this.  This is what we need.  Incentive to take the plunge and move some homes.  You can even use the money at closing.  I called today and left a message for my senator in support of this bill.

Senate Passes $15,000 Tax Break for Home Buyers More Work Needed
To All GBAHB Members:

 

Seems OK I guess. I'm seeing some good deals now, homes I feel are affordable and in line with median incomes. But I also see tons of inventory which is still grossly overpriced and not moving. If their idea is to try and prop up home values (and thereby prop up mortgage backed securities) I think that would be a big mistake and only prolonging the pain in the long  run.

Are those empty houses mostly McMansions?

The homes aren't moving because people can't sell the shit they are in and for some reason, nobody has any fucking cash to make a down payment.  There is no more 100% financing like there used to be....  Everything is fucked up.  This incentive could help someone get into that house.  I think its a good thing.

[SLCPUNK]

All kinds of houses really. I've seen some McMansions locally, 3500-4000 sq ft cookie cutter monstrosities, under 200k, which is nuts. I laugh at these realtors who say "now is the best time to buy," mostly because they always say that. They said it when the boom was on, afterwards, and of course now. If your a salesmen, then of course it's a good time to buy. Now, that being said there are some truly affordable buys right now, but not many. Also, why be a knife catcher? Let it keep going down and then buy. I could never recommend buying to somebody now and be able to sleep at night.

[SLCPUNK]

Over priced?  Yes, but nobody remebers the cost of lumber, fuel, concrete, etc when those homes were built. 

Yes, overpriced, grossly overpriced.

It doesn't matter what they cost when the home was built. Just like it doesn't matter what the corner store paid the gasoline broker for their fueling stations. That's the part of running a business. If the market changes, and it becomes difficult to place a value on a particular item, then you run the risk of losing your ass(ets). What matters now is what the public is willing to pay for the item. That's it.

The homes aren't moving because people can't sell the shit they are in and for some reason, nobody has any fucking cash to make a down payment.  There is no more 100% financing like there used to be....  Everything is fucked up.  This incentive could help someone get into that house.  I think its a good thing.

They aren't selling because they are overpriced. Even before the 100% options were axed, we were running out of suckers to purchase inflated real estate.

[Smoking Guns]

All kinds of houses really. I've seen some McMansions locally, 3500-4000 sq ft cookie cutter monstrosities, under 200k, which is nuts. I laugh at these realtors who say "now is the best time to buy," mostly because they always say that. They said it when the boom was on, afterwards, and of course now. If your a salesmen, then of course it's a good time to buy. Now, that being said there are some truly affordable buys right now, but not many. Also, why be a knife catcher? Let it keep going down and then buy. I could never recommend buying to somebody now and be able to sleep at night.

Can't live you life like that.  If you need a house, and its really a great buy, it won't last long.  If it does last, its not "that" great.  If you keep waiting you miss out.  Always waiting for that "good" deal costs you more money  if you are lets say "renting" or "leasing".  If you don't have a home currently, now "is" the time to buy, as long as you know what you are buying.  I finish foreclosed homes for banks all the time.  These people got a great value and are happy to have a home, why would you not wish that?  Cheap fuckers need to stick to used homes, they don't know what they want except they want a deal.  Well, they can all fuck off.  Nobody knows what the homes cost or any of that shit unless they are the builder.  

When the market does return one day, people are going to be pissed if they had money they didn't get that house now.  This won't happen again for a long time.

[Smoking Guns]

Over priced?  Yes, but nobody remebers the cost of lumber, fuel, concrete, etc when those homes were built. 

Yes, overpriced, grossly overpriced.

It doesn't matter what they cost when the home was built. Just like it doesn't matter what the corner store paid the gasoline broker for their fueling stations. That's the part of running a business. If the market changes, and it becomes difficult to place a value on a particular item, then you run the risk of losing your ass(ets). What matters now is what the public is willing to pay for the item. That's it.

You are right, which is why they shouldn't expect fuck for their used piece of shit house.  A buyers market is a BAD thing for everyone, unless you DON'T have a house.  And if its SOOOOO Over priced, build the fucker again and save all the money.  I guarantee you won't save shit.  Concrete went up $25 a yard last month.... I don't know where the hell you live.  In California, or NYC, or South Florida, ya, homes are over priced probably... But outside of those pockets, there are fantastic deals out there.   You do know most of these homes are on an 8-15% margin.... Well after 2 years of interest, realty fees, taxes, association fees etc, do you still think there is money left?  I can tell you if its a good price is builder is willing to build the home again for the same price.  Odds are he won't, cause he will lose his ass.  Now is a terrible time to sell, and things will settle down.  Its the USED home market that KILLED the new home market. 

[Smoking Guns]

I will add that up to $350,000 is still a "decent" price range that can, still does sell.  I was in the worst price range.  500k.  those are the people that aren't quite rich, but are moving up from the 250k-400k home.  Rich people still have their money.  Its easier to sell an 800k home than a 500k home, but at 350 or so, the homes still move a little bit.  From 100-250 you will always have those home buyers, that is affordable. 

[SLCPUNK]

Can't live you life like that.  If you need a house, and its really a great buy, it won't last long.  If it does last, its not "that" great.  If you keep waiting you miss out.

In a healthy environment sure. We are not in a normal real estate environment. With the exception of a few pocket areas.

 Always waiting for that "good" deal costs you more money  if you are lets say "renting" or "leasing".

I've listened to realtors give this same pitch over the last three years. Each year, I watch the value go down. If I bought a 300k home three years ago in Florida, Vegas, or Utah, it could easily be worth less than 200k today. That's assuming I could sell it. I also would have paid 2.5-3k annually in taxes, $$ for property insurance and $ upkeep. My mortage would roughly be about 1500 bucks (top of my head) as well. So we are looking at maybe 2000/month for a sharply depreciating liability.

 On the other hand there is a glut of homes to rent these days. This pushes the cost of rent down. In all of these cities I could rent a nice 3/2 for about 1300/month. Right there I'm paying less than the note of the home buyer, and zero insurance and taxes. Also I'm not watching 75-100k (more if you compound the interest) go up in smoke over that time. The landlord would also take care of my maintenance.

It's not really that hard of a choice. After three years, the bottom is no where in site, and we have millions of foreclosures sitting. Inventory that needs to be cleared. What do you think that will continue to do to prices?

When the market does return one day, people are going to be pissed if they had money they didn't get that house now.  This won't happen again for a long time.

I'll bet you all the tea in China we won't see a V shaped recovery of the housing market bud. It's going down and then sideways...for years. I'd agree with you on the time aspect. We won't see this again in our lifetime, but not in the way you think. There is no rush required. What is a good deal today, is just that, a good deal TODAY. A good deal two years ago, is a bad deal by todays standards.

[Smoking Guns]

Over priced?  Yes, but nobody remebers the cost of lumber, fuel, concrete, etc when those homes were built. 

Yes, overpriced, grossly overpriced.

It doesn't matter what they cost when the home was built. Just like it doesn't matter what the corner store paid the gasoline broker for their fueling stations. That's the part of running a business. If the market changes, and it becomes difficult to place a value on a particular item, then you run the risk of losing your ass(ets). What matters now is what the public is willing to pay for the item. That's it.

The homes aren't moving because people can't sell the shit they are in and for some reason, nobody has any fucking cash to make a down payment.  There is no more 100% financing like there used to be....  Everything is fucked up.  This incentive could help someone get into that house.  I think its a good thing.

They aren't selling because they are overpriced. Even before the 100% options were axed, we were running out of suckers to purchase inflated real estate.

They were overpriced because there was a DEMAND, which means they were NOT overpriced because they SOLD, they the DEMAND went away, and they are now still STANDING there.  My point is, if you think you can build a better home, cheaper, build it.  I think most people feel builders should build everyone home for cost.  Hell, I don't mind taking a loss, just don't tell me how overpriced my house is when you can't build the exact same thing any cheaper.  That is just silly.  And the last thing you do is SLASH prices.  Make an OFFER.  Slashing prices kills the neighborhood resale value and can really piss off the neighbors.  Always come from a position of strength vs. weakness.  People don't like to buy the cheapest home for the sake of buying the cheapest home.  I am lucky to not be bankrupt or have any forclosures, so for now, fuck everyone that wants my house for free.  I don't give a fuck how long it sits if people are going to act like jackasses.  You want to make a serious offer, make it and i will consider it.  To come in and say, "your home is over priced would you take (saleprice minus $100,000) will get you kicked out of my house.  Just don't kick the builder when he is down and if you don't want to "stimulate" the economy, take your site seeing tire kicking ass somewhere else.  

Guess what, FORD, GM, TOYOTA, LEXUS, AUDI, BMW are all over priced too.  What about all those stocks that were over priced.  What about all these damn banks.  i guess its cool for Obama to want to help every fucking industry except the one industry that kept this nation going from 2001-2006, and that is the home building industry.  Tens of millions were in that industry.  Fuck them all i guess.  Fuck them all!

[Smoking Guns]

Can't live you life like that.  If you need a house, and its really a great buy, it won't last long.  If it does last, its not "that" great.  If you keep waiting you miss out.

In a healthy environment sure. We are not in a normal real estate environment. With the exception of a few pocket areas.

 Always waiting for that "good" deal costs you more money  if you are lets say "renting" or "leasing".

I've listened to realtors give this same pitch over the last three years. Each year, I watch the value go down. If I bought a 300k home three years ago in Florida, Vegas, or Utah, it could easily be worth less than 200k today. That's assuming I could sell it. I also would have paid 2.5-3k annually in taxes, $$ for property insurance and $ upkeep. My mortage would roughly be about 1500 bucks (top of my head) as well. So we are looking at maybe 2000/month for a sharply depreciating liability.

 On the other hand there is a glut of homes to rent these days. This pushes the cost of rent down. In all of these cities I could rent a nice 3/2 for about 1300/month. Right there I'm paying less than the note of the home buyer, and zero insurance and taxes. Also I'm not watching 75-100k (more if you compound the interest) go up in smoke over that time. The landlord would also take care of my maintenance.

It's not really that hard of a choice. After three years, the bottom is no where in site, and we have millions of foreclosures sitting. Inventory that needs to be cleared. What do you think that will continue to do to prices?

When the market does return one day, people are going to be pissed if they had money they didn't get that house now.  This won't happen again for a long time.

I'll bet you all the tea in China we won't see a V shaped recovery of the housing market bud. It's going down and then sideways...for years. I'd agree with you on the time aspect. We won't see this again in our lifetime, but not in the way you think. There is no rush required. What is a good deal today, is just that, a good deal TODAY. A good deal two years ago, is a bad deal by todays standards.

I agree, right now, renting is the way to go by far.  I was talking about people with money and a growing family or something like that were money isn't a HUGE deal.  I wouldn't buy a home right now, I agree there. 

I love economics, so I understand all that you say.  I really am just fed up with the peice of shit people that come through my home.  They are fucking dicks.  We need the foreclosures to stop.  I am competing against those too.  I am fucked and I blame that fucking bill passed in 1995 that made it so easy to buy a home... Zero down, bla, bla, bla... I sold homes to people I knew that couldn't afford it.  I asked questions and was told to shut up.  I am so fucking pissed off.  How do you not have a downpayment?

[SLCPUNK]

They were overpriced because there was a DEMAND, which means they were NOT overpriced because they SOLD

You're telling me a house, or any other item, won't sell if it's overpriced in a frenzied buying environment?

the DEMAND went away, and they are now still STANDING there.

Why did it stop? Nobody could afford them.


 

 I don't give a fuck how long it sits if people are going to act like jackasses.  You want to make a serious offer, make it and i will consider it.  To come in and say, "your home is over priced would you take (saleprice minus $100,000) will get you kicked out of my house.  Just don't kick the builder when he is down and if you don't want to "stimulate" the economy, take your site seeing tire kicking ass somewhere else.  

But if the other home values are dropping, then why would your home retain it's value? I understand you are angry, but if they price point swings down, can you really sit on a price all the way to the bottom?

 

Guess what, FORD, GM, TOYOTA, LEXUS, AUDI, BMW are all over priced too.  What about all those stocks that were over priced.

What about them dude? DOW is down 40% now? They are not overpriced any more are they? In my opinion, it could easily go down to 5-6k, and why not? What is the value of anything at this given time? Should I hold on to my shares and ask for their 07 value? Why isn't anybody willing to purchase them at that price?

Originally I had thought that the 5k drop of the DOW was directly related to the housing. It is, to which degree I don't know, but I forgot my very own dogma (recalled this today during a car drive) I've said all these years. That the USA produces nothing, sent it's manufacturing overseas and borrows TRILLIONS. It could very well be that the value of the DOW today is truly where it should have been all along. That while housing and financials pushed the first dominoes, that perhaps they were dominoes that needed to fall over in the first place. Time for a rest, time for the truth. That's why I'm against propping up home prices. That's also why I think I may just be cutting my losses and moving securities to bonds/cash. I'd still buy securities now, but expect to buy down, not sideways, but down, while preserving the capital I have worked so hard for. I can't believe that something I always screamed from the rooftops didn't occur to me, when it came time to look after my investments. Although I could be totally wrong, I don't expect to see a V recovery in stocks either. I'm rambling now, I'm tired....

 What about all these damn banks.  i guess its cool for Obama to want to help every fucking industry except the one industry that kept this nation going from 2001-2006, and that is the home building industry.  Tens of millions were in that industry.  Fuck them all i guess.  Fuck them all!

That's it though. Housing did keep it going, but it wasn't true growth. It simply picked up where the tech bubble dropped off. We're all out of shit to run up, time to pay the piper.

[SLCPUNK]

I agree, right now, renting is the way to go by far.  I was talking about people with money and a growing family or something like that were money isn't a HUGE deal.  I wouldn't buy a home right now, I agree there. 

I love economics, so I understand all that you say.  I really am just fed up with the peice of shit people that come through my home.  They are fucking dicks.  We need the foreclosures to stop.  I am competing against those too.  I am fucked and I blame that fucking bill passed in 1995 that made it so easy to buy a home... Zero down, bla, bla, bla... I sold homes to people I knew that couldn't afford it.  I asked questions and was told to shut up.  I am so fucking pissed off.  How do you not have a downpayment?

The average person in this country has a negative savings. College educated individuals with good incomes can't scrape together down payments either.

I understand your frustration. People will always want something for nothing though, especially now. I hate tire kickers in any market. I usually know the questions to ask to weed 'em out quick.

[Bodhi]

Get a load of this COCKSUCKER.



Cheney warns of new attacks


Former Vice President Dick Cheney warned that there is a ?high probability? that terrorists will attempt a catastrophic nuclear or biological attack in coming years, and said he fears the Obama administration?s policies will make it more likely the attempt will succeed.

In an interview Tuesday with Politico, Cheney unyieldingly defended the Bush administration?s support for the Guantanamo Bay prison and coercive interrogation of terrorism suspects.

And he asserted that President Obama will either backtrack on his stated intentions to end those policies or put the country at risk in ways more severe than most Americans ? and, he charged, many members of Obama?s own team ? understand.

?When we get people who are more concerned about reading the rights to an Al Qaeda terrorist than they are with protecting the United States against people who are absolutely committed to do anything they can to kill Americans, then I worry,? Cheney said.

Protecting the country?s security is ?a tough, mean, dirty, nasty business,? he said. ?These are evil people. And we?re not going to win this fight by turning the other cheek.?

Citing intelligence reports, Cheney said at least 61 of the inmates who were released from Guantanamo during the Bush administration ? ?that?s about 11 or 12 percent? ? have ?gone back into the business of being terrorists.?

What an ass.

I do love how they like to throw around that "61" number...a number that's not corroborated by anyone, really, and changed depending on the former administrations mood (up and down like a roller coaster).  I also like that, even by their definiton, that number includes people who have done things as innocuous as condemn their own treatment in Guantanamo...THAT gets them counted as being back "in the business of being terrorists".

Does anyone actually take this guys shit seriously anymore?   

If we adhere to his bullshit...what makes "US" any different than "THEM"?

not for nothing, but Cheney knows a lot more than any of us.  He knows things that went on behind the scenes, things that none of the public have been made aware of.  If he is truly concerned about another attack, I think it is foolish to just laugh him off like a lot of people on this board are doing.  It seems that a lot of people on this board truly believe that terrorism is not a problem anymore.  That all Bush and Cheney are doing is fear mongering.  I believe we  have a serious problem, that to be perfectly honest will NEVER go away.  We are going to get hit again, to think otherwise is a very naive thing to do.  I remember looking at the cloud of smoke that was the WTC from my backyard..so maybe the whole terrorism thing is a bigger deal to me because I actually live in an area that has a chance of getting hit.    If I lived in Nevada, Utah or Florida I probably wouldnt give a shit either.  Pilferk I understand the point you were making, I'm not sure if you think Cheney is just taking cheap shots at Obama or just trying to score some political points, but it seems that people just disregard anything Cheney says, and as I said before, he is a lot more informed than we are.

[SLCPUNK]

  If I lived in Nevada, Utah or Florida I probably wouldnt give a shit either. 

Lets not assume those who reside here don't "give a shit", that's a pretty lame thing for you to imply.

What we've witnessed is eight solid years of fear mongering from Bushco. The premise of their arguments being that the "Dem way" would leave room open for another attack on U.S. soil. Which is frankly a cheap shot, and illogical. For Cheney to continue on with this shameful rhetoric, divides the country while undermining the POTUS at the same time.

[Bodhi]

  If I lived in Nevada, Utah or Florida I probably wouldnt give a shit either. 

Lets not assume those who reside here don't "give a shit", that's a pretty lame thing for you to imply.

What we've witnessed is eight solid years of fear mongering from Bushco. The premise of their arguments being that the "Dem way" would leave room open for another attack on U.S. soil. Which is frankly a cheap shot, and illogical. For Cheney to continue on with this shameful rhetoric, divides the country while undermining the POTUS at the same time.

By "dont give a shit" I was implying they are not overly concerned about it...and why would they be?  No one is blowing up the Energy Solutions Arena(home of the Utah Jazz) anytime soon...But what else am I supposed to say when I see people joke about or laugh off things Dick Cheney says about the most important issue in the world today?  There is that term again "fear mongering".  It seems that the term "fear mongering" is the lefts answer for how to deal with terrorism.  "Oh thats just fear mongering" ...almost as if they are saying that terrorism doesn't exist and its not something we are going to have to deal with....

Dick Cheney disagrees with Obama closing Gitmo(as do a lot of Americans).  It is not him saying that the "Dem way" means we are automatically going to get attacked...

[Bodhi]

Sen. Stabenow wants hearings on radio 'accountability'; talks fairness doctrine

This morning, radio host Bill Press brought up the recent closing of liberal station Obama 1260 when speaking with Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and talked about whether there needs to be a balance to right-wing talk on the radio dial.

BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean, look: They have a right to say that. They?ve got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it?s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it?s called the Fairness Standard, whether it?s called something else ? I absolutely think it?s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place.

BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that?s gonna happen. Yep.
Although Obama has been publicly opposed to reinstating the fairness doctrine, conservative radio has talked nonstop about the fear of it returning (or perhaps something like it with another name) while there's a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in Congress.

UPDATE: A commenter points out that Stabenow is married to Tom Athans, a liberal talk radio executive.



What this fucking moron is missing is that right wing radio gets the ratings, thats why they dominate talk radio.....Obama is supposedly opposed to this "fairness doctrine" bullshit, so hopefully he will shut this down if it starts to happen...

[Smoking Guns]

I agree, right now, renting is the way to go by far.  I was talking about people with money and a growing family or something like that were money isn't a HUGE deal.  I wouldn't buy a home right now, I agree there. 

I love economics, so I understand all that you say.  I really am just fed up with the peice of shit people that come through my home.  They are fucking dicks.  We need the foreclosures to stop.  I am competing against those too.  I am fucked and I blame that fucking bill passed in 1995 that made it so easy to buy a home... Zero down, bla, bla, bla... I sold homes to people I knew that couldn't afford it.  I asked questions and was told to shut up.  I am so fucking pissed off.  How do you not have a downpayment?

The average person in this country has a negative savings. College educated individuals with good incomes can't scrape together down payments either.

I understand your frustration. People will always want something for nothing though, especially now. I hate tire kickers in any market. I usually know the questions to ask to weed 'em out quick.

Great discussion SLC....  I hope some things DO turn around soon, but I fear more of the same...

[freedom78]

Guess what, FORD, GM, TOYOTA, LEXUS, AUDI, BMW are all over priced too.  What about all those stocks that were over priced.  What about all these damn banks.  i guess its cool for Obama to want to help every fucking industry except the one industry that kept this nation going from 2001-2006, and that is the home building industry.  Tens of millions were in that industry.  Fuck them all i guess.  Fuck them all!

It's not like we didn't know this would happen.  They've been talking about the housing bubble for years.  It seemed like you would find stories about its pending burst on the news once a month or so (usually every time Bush came out to talk about how many minorities he had put into homes).  I do think we should help the home industry, and it seems to me that the best way to do that is to renegotiate these mortgages so that people aren't in foreclosure, flooding the market with more and more homes. 

I love economics, so I understand all that you say.  I really am just fed up with the peice of shit people that come through my home.  They are fucking dicks.  We need the foreclosures to stop.  I am competing against those too.  I am fucked and I blame that fucking bill passed in 1995 that made it so easy to buy a home... Zero down, bla, bla, bla... I sold homes to people I knew that couldn't afford it.  I asked questions and was told to shut up.  I am so fucking pissed off.  How do you not have a downpayment?

Harsh, dude.  You can't blame people for wanting a better life. 

But I agree that bills like the Community Reinvestment Act are part of the problem.  It's a case of trying to do something good and having it play it's part in something bad.  Granted, you don't need it if banks aren't acting in a de facto racist manner in the first place, so perhaps that's the real root of all evil, here.  Either way, it demonstrates that we have a system that serves some people better than others (i.e. people who are either middle class or better and people who are white).

Sen. Stabenow wants hearings on radio 'accountability'; talks fairness doctrine

This morning, radio host Bill Press brought up the recent closing of liberal station Obama 1260 when speaking with Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and talked about whether there needs to be a balance to right-wing talk on the radio dial.

BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean, look: They have a right to say that. They?ve got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it?s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it?s called the Fairness Standard, whether it?s called something else ? I absolutely think it?s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place.

BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that?s gonna happen. Yep.
Although Obama has been publicly opposed to reinstating the fairness doctrine, conservative radio has talked nonstop about the fear of it returning (or perhaps something like it with another name) while there's a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in Congress.

UPDATE: A commenter points out that Stabenow is married to Tom Athans, a liberal talk radio executive.



What this fucking moron is missing is that right wing radio gets the ratings, thats why they dominate talk radio.....Obama is supposedly opposed to this "fairness doctrine" bullshit, so hopefully he will shut this down if it starts to happen...

I am absolutely, 100% against such a law.  First, the idea that fairness means liberals and conservatives, but doesn't include greens, libertarians, socialists, communists, and so on...well, it's just absurd and representative of the myopic two party approach to the world.  Second, if conservatives want to spend their days being told what to believe by fat drug addicts, that's their problem and not something I need to correct.