The Obama Administration thread

[freedom78]

For those who were wetting their britches about ACORN and vote fraud, I'm sure this will come as sweet vindication, covered over with a thick bitter ironic glaze.

First, the background:

***************************

Ontario police arrest man in voter fraud case
Mark Jacoby, who owns a firm hired by the California Republican Party, violated state laws with his own registration, authorities say.

By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 20, 2008

SACRAMENTO ? The owner of a firm that the California Republican Party hired to register tens of thousands of voters this year was arrested in Ontario over the weekend on suspicion of voter registration fraud.

State and local investigators allege that Mark Jacoby fraudulently registered himself to vote at a childhood California address where he no longer lives so he would appear to meet the legal requirement that all signature gatherers be eligible to vote in California. His firm, Young Political Majors, or YPM, collects petition signatures and registers voters in California and other states.

Jacoby's arrest by state investigators and the Ontario Police Department late Saturday came after dozens of voters said they were duped into registering as Republicans by people employed by YPM. The voters said YPM workers tricked them by saying they were signing a petition to toughen penalties against child molesters.

The firm was paid $7 to $12 for every Californian it registered as a member of the GOP.

Dan Goldfine, an attorney for Jacoby, on Sunday denied any wrongdoing by his client and called the charges "baseless."

He said the arrest outside an Ontario hotel, which involved seven squad cars and nine police officers, was part of a "long pattern of harassment against Mr. Jacoby for an entirely valid voter registration effort."

Continued
********************************

And now the follow-up:

********************************
Owner of registration company pleads guilty to voter fraud
June 16, 2009

The owner of a voter-registration company pleaded guilty Tuesday to voter-registration fraud, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney?s office.

Laguna Beach resident Mark Jacoby, who collects signatures for petition drives, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to three years' probation and 30 days of service with the California Department of Transportation.

 Jacoby, owner of Young Political Majors, registered to vote at Los Angeles addresses that were not his own. State law requires petition circulators to be qualified voters. Jacoby will also be required to show proof he is registered at his correct address.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/owner-of-registration-company-pleads-guilty-to-voter-fraud.html
*********************************

Now, again, vote fraud (i.e. voting multiple times or voting where you're not registered or voting as someone else) is the act of the stupid, because it's difficult to perpetuate, ineffective, and usually irrelevant.  Many states require and ID check, and the idea of printing thousands of fake IDs to swing an election just doesn't happen.  If you ARE trying to register people illegally, you should be punished, as Mr. Jacoby and some people hired by ACORN were.  But the idea that this is an effective way to "steal" an election or, more relevant here, the sole purview of one political party and not the other is pure lunacy.   

[Drew]

All those dead people and puppy dogs do start adding up quickly though.

ACORN is just another disgraceful organization wreaked with fraudulent practices in state after state across the U.S. They fall right in line with other outrageous organizations like the ACLU, NAMBLA, La Raza, etc., etc., etc.

[Smoking Guns]

For those who were wetting their britches about ACORN and vote fraud, I'm sure this will come as sweet vindication, covered over with a thick bitter ironic glaze.

First, the background:

***************************

Ontario police arrest man in voter fraud case
Mark Jacoby, who owns a firm hired by the California Republican Party, violated state laws with his own registration, authorities say.

By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 20, 2008

SACRAMENTO ? The owner of a firm that the California Republican Party hired to register tens of thousands of voters this year was arrested in Ontario over the weekend on suspicion of voter registration fraud.

State and local investigators allege that Mark Jacoby fraudulently registered himself to vote at a childhood California address where he no longer lives so he would appear to meet the legal requirement that all signature gatherers be eligible to vote in California. His firm, Young Political Majors, or YPM, collects petition signatures and registers voters in California and other states.

Jacoby's arrest by state investigators and the Ontario Police Department late Saturday came after dozens of voters said they were duped into registering as Republicans by people employed by YPM. The voters said YPM workers tricked them by saying they were signing a petition to toughen penalties against child molesters.

The firm was paid $7 to $12 for every Californian it registered as a member of the GOP.

Dan Goldfine, an attorney for Jacoby, on Sunday denied any wrongdoing by his client and called the charges "baseless."

He said the arrest outside an Ontario hotel, which involved seven squad cars and nine police officers, was part of a "long pattern of harassment against Mr. Jacoby for an entirely valid voter registration effort."

Continued
********************************

And now the follow-up:

********************************
Owner of registration company pleads guilty to voter fraud
June 16, 2009

The owner of a voter-registration company pleaded guilty Tuesday to voter-registration fraud, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney?s office.

Laguna Beach resident Mark Jacoby, who collects signatures for petition drives, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to three years' probation and 30 days of service with the California Department of Transportation.

 Jacoby, owner of Young Political Majors, registered to vote at Los Angeles addresses that were not his own. State law requires petition circulators to be qualified voters. Jacoby will also be required to show proof he is registered at his correct address.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/owner-of-registration-company-pleads-guilty-to-voter-fraud.html
*********************************

Now, again, vote fraud (i.e. voting multiple times or voting where you're not registered or voting as someone else) is the act of the stupid, because it's difficult to perpetuate, ineffective, and usually irrelevant.  Many states require and ID check, and the idea of printing thousands of fake IDs to swing an election just doesn't happen.  If you ARE trying to register people illegally, you should be punished, as Mr. Jacoby and some people hired by ACORN were.  But the idea that this is an effective way to "steal" an election or, more relevant here, the sole purview of one political party and not the other is pure lunacy.   

What does this have to do with Obama's approval ratings falling to 56%, our economy, fuel prices, and our health plan?

[freedom78]

For those who were wetting their britches about ACORN and vote fraud, I'm sure this will come as sweet vindication, covered over with a thick bitter ironic glaze.

First, the background:

***************************

Ontario police arrest man in voter fraud case
Mark Jacoby, who owns a firm hired by the California Republican Party, violated state laws with his own registration, authorities say.

By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 20, 2008

SACRAMENTO ? The owner of a firm that the California Republican Party hired to register tens of thousands of voters this year was arrested in Ontario over the weekend on suspicion of voter registration fraud.

State and local investigators allege that Mark Jacoby fraudulently registered himself to vote at a childhood California address where he no longer lives so he would appear to meet the legal requirement that all signature gatherers be eligible to vote in California. His firm, Young Political Majors, or YPM, collects petition signatures and registers voters in California and other states.

Jacoby's arrest by state investigators and the Ontario Police Department late Saturday came after dozens of voters said they were duped into registering as Republicans by people employed by YPM. The voters said YPM workers tricked them by saying they were signing a petition to toughen penalties against child molesters.

The firm was paid $7 to $12 for every Californian it registered as a member of the GOP.

Dan Goldfine, an attorney for Jacoby, on Sunday denied any wrongdoing by his client and called the charges "baseless."

He said the arrest outside an Ontario hotel, which involved seven squad cars and nine police officers, was part of a "long pattern of harassment against Mr. Jacoby for an entirely valid voter registration effort."

Continued
********************************

And now the follow-up:

********************************
Owner of registration company pleads guilty to voter fraud
June 16, 2009

The owner of a voter-registration company pleaded guilty Tuesday to voter-registration fraud, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney?s office.

Laguna Beach resident Mark Jacoby, who collects signatures for petition drives, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to three years' probation and 30 days of service with the California Department of Transportation.

 Jacoby, owner of Young Political Majors, registered to vote at Los Angeles addresses that were not his own. State law requires petition circulators to be qualified voters. Jacoby will also be required to show proof he is registered at his correct address.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/owner-of-registration-company-pleads-guilty-to-voter-fraud.html
*********************************

Now, again, vote fraud (i.e. voting multiple times or voting where you're not registered or voting as someone else) is the act of the stupid, because it's difficult to perpetuate, ineffective, and usually irrelevant.  Many states require and ID check, and the idea of printing thousands of fake IDs to swing an election just doesn't happen.  If you ARE trying to register people illegally, you should be punished, as Mr. Jacoby and some people hired by ACORN were.  But the idea that this is an effective way to "steal" an election or, more relevant here, the sole purview of one political party and not the other is pure lunacy.   

What does this have to do with Obama's approval ratings falling to 56%, our economy, fuel prices, and our health plan?

Absolutely nothing, but since you all were so concerned about it last fall (when, coincidentally, the economy was tanking, fuel prices sucked, and we didn't have adequate health care), I thought you'd like an update. 

But, as is entirely predictable, it's only an issue when it's the other guy, right?

[Bodhi]

Dick Cheney's numbers are up

Scary.

god bless america

[Smoking Guns]

For those who were wetting their britches about ACORN and vote fraud, I'm sure this will come as sweet vindication, covered over with a thick bitter ironic glaze.

First, the background:

***************************

Ontario police arrest man in voter fraud case
Mark Jacoby, who owns a firm hired by the California Republican Party, violated state laws with his own registration, authorities say.

By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 20, 2008

SACRAMENTO ? The owner of a firm that the California Republican Party hired to register tens of thousands of voters this year was arrested in Ontario over the weekend on suspicion of voter registration fraud.

State and local investigators allege that Mark Jacoby fraudulently registered himself to vote at a childhood California address where he no longer lives so he would appear to meet the legal requirement that all signature gatherers be eligible to vote in California. His firm, Young Political Majors, or YPM, collects petition signatures and registers voters in California and other states.

Jacoby's arrest by state investigators and the Ontario Police Department late Saturday came after dozens of voters said they were duped into registering as Republicans by people employed by YPM. The voters said YPM workers tricked them by saying they were signing a petition to toughen penalties against child molesters.

The firm was paid $7 to $12 for every Californian it registered as a member of the GOP.

Dan Goldfine, an attorney for Jacoby, on Sunday denied any wrongdoing by his client and called the charges "baseless."

He said the arrest outside an Ontario hotel, which involved seven squad cars and nine police officers, was part of a "long pattern of harassment against Mr. Jacoby for an entirely valid voter registration effort."

Continued
********************************

And now the follow-up:

********************************
Owner of registration company pleads guilty to voter fraud
June 16, 2009

The owner of a voter-registration company pleaded guilty Tuesday to voter-registration fraud, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney?s office.

Laguna Beach resident Mark Jacoby, who collects signatures for petition drives, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to three years' probation and 30 days of service with the California Department of Transportation.

 Jacoby, owner of Young Political Majors, registered to vote at Los Angeles addresses that were not his own. State law requires petition circulators to be qualified voters. Jacoby will also be required to show proof he is registered at his correct address.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/owner-of-registration-company-pleads-guilty-to-voter-fraud.html
*********************************

Now, again, vote fraud (i.e. voting multiple times or voting where you're not registered or voting as someone else) is the act of the stupid, because it's difficult to perpetuate, ineffective, and usually irrelevant.  Many states require and ID check, and the idea of printing thousands of fake IDs to swing an election just doesn't happen.  If you ARE trying to register people illegally, you should be punished, as Mr. Jacoby and some people hired by ACORN were.  But the idea that this is an effective way to "steal" an election or, more relevant here, the sole purview of one political party and not the other is pure lunacy.   

What does this have to do with Obama's approval ratings falling to 56%, our economy, fuel prices, and our health plan?

Absolutely nothing, but since you all were so concerned about it last fall (when, coincidentally, the economy was tanking, fuel prices sucked, and we didn't have adequate health care), I thought you'd like an update. 

But, as is entirely predictable, it's only an issue when it's the other guy, right?

Just giving you a hard time Freedom... The Voting thing was wrong then just like it is wrong now.  I don't care what party is doing it, its influencing.

[freedom78]

Just giving you a hard time Freedom... The Voting thing was wrong then just like it is wrong now.  I don't care what party is doing it, its influencing.

My "hard time" radar must be down. 

Anyway...well, this Iran stuff makes for interesting times.

[Smoking Guns]

Just giving you a hard time Freedom... The Voting thing was wrong then just like it is wrong now.  I don't care what party is doing it, its influencing.

My "hard time" radar must be down. 

Anyway...well, this Iran stuff makes for interesting times.

Are you happy with how we have addressed it?

Bill Maher is really starting to hammer Obama and the Dems, says the Dems are the new republicans...  He wants a progressive nations obviously... I don't agree a lot with Bill, but, he makes sense and calls it like he sees it.  He called out the media too that worships Obama, says it doesn't need to be a religion, however, republicans don't get excited, he doesn't want to be on there team either.  He is convinced they are all dirty.  I agree.  Says Obama's biggest obstacle is the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.  Ha.

[freedom78]

Just giving you a hard time Freedom... The Voting thing was wrong then just like it is wrong now.  I don't care what party is doing it, its influencing.

My "hard time" radar must be down. 

Anyway...well, this Iran stuff makes for interesting times.

Are you happy with how we have addressed it?

Bill Maher is really starting to hammer Obama and the Dems, says the Dems are the new republicans...  He wants a progressive nations obviously... I don't agree a lot with Bill, but, he makes sense and calls it like he sees it.  He called out the media too that worships Obama, says it doesn't need to be a religion, however, republicans don't get excited, he doesn't want to be on there team either.  He is convinced they are all dirty.  I agree.  Says Obama's biggest obstacle is the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.  Ha.

Happy with how we've addressed Iran?  Yes, generally.  Only when it crosses that boundary from a purely domestic, political issue to more of a human rights issue should we take a strong stance.  We've got a bad history with Iran, and it's based in us meddling (i.e. overthrowing) their leadership.  Agreement on this seems to be going across party lines.  Liberals, moderates, and old-school conservatives (e.g. Pat Buchanan) seem to think his stance is correct.  Neo-cons and hawks tend to disagree.       

 
I generally agree with Bill.  I would temper it by saying that we're only about 10% of the way into this Presidency and, while I understand his complaints, it simply is not possible to accomplish everything a candidate "promises" in one (or even two) terms.  And, of course, we assume the President can accomplish anything, ignoring the idea of co-equal branches and tyranny of the minority, which are critical to understanding our government. 

[Axl4Prez2004]

So, when in 1982, unemployment is nationally 10.8% under Reagan, it's said that was because of the lingering effects of Jimmy Carter's policies.

If unemployment is nationally 10.8% in 2010, does the same logic hold that it'll be because of the lingering effects of George W. Bush's policies???

Just curious.

I'll go on record as saying Obama's stance on Iran has been well thought-out.  How on earth is stamping official U.S. approval of the protesters in Iran going to help their cause?  Does anybody really think that's going to help the situation?  Of course we/President Obama support the protesters...but a smart poker player (which I believe the President to be) knows you don't show your hand early.  Once the U.S. officially supports the protesters, the Iranian government can then label the protesters as being supported by the Great Satan-"us."  That's not smart.   

[sandman]

So, when in 1982, unemployment is nationally 10.8% under Reagan, it's said that was because of the lingering effects of Jimmy Carter's policies.

If unemployment is nationally 10.8% in 2010, does the same logic hold that it'll be because of the lingering effects of George W. Bush's policies???

Just curious.

I'll go on record as saying Obama's stance on Iran has been well thought-out.  How on earth is stamping official U.S. approval of the protesters in Iran going to help their cause?  Does anybody really think that's going to help the situation?  Of course we/President Obama support the protesters...but a smart poker player (which I believe the President to be) knows you don't show your hand early.  Once the U.S. officially supports the protesters, the Iranian government can then label the protesters as being supported by the Great Satan-"us."  That's not smart.   

"it's said" by who?

i think the true issue is how the current president is dealing with the economy. for example, bush inherited a recession which began about 2 months after he took office. common sense tells you that recession was not Bush's fault. but who cares? what's important is how is the current president is dealing with the situation and are his policies helping or hurting the situation.

[Smoking Guns]

A4P, on Iran, I agree.... No point in Obama getting involved and fucking it all up unless there is a need for us to.  This is  a great uprising and the people of Iran finally have had enough.

Sandman, I agree with you also, our economy sucked ass at the end of Clinton's second term.  The Tech bubble bursting sent us into the downtime then you had 9/11.  I don't think Bush's policies at the time made things worse, they were already bad. 

I think in many ways, Obama has made the situation worse and more complicated than it needed to be.

[Dr. Blutarsky]

Obama shouldn't take sides in the Mousavi-Achmedenijad election, I can understand him wanting to stay out of that.

But he can have a bit more of a backbone when it comes to how the Iranian Govt is treating their own people. Aren't we supposed to stand for liberty & freedom and be a leader of the free world? France is taking a stronger stance on Iran!!!

[Axl4Prez2004]

Sandman, the "it's said," was referring to one Sean Hannity.  He repeats it ad nauseum...sorry I didn't put his name up there.  In the case of the economy it is a valid comparison.  Reagan's economy was in the shitter in the equivalent of what would be 2010 for Obama.  10.8% national unemployment under Reagan in '82.  We're not nationally at 10.8%...yet.  It's definitely worth noting though. 

SG, just remember who's protesting in Iran...yes, a lot of people...but this is still mainly a student/young person led protest.  The polls from before the election were in Achmedinejad's favor (big-time).  Did Achmedinejad win?  Yes.  Was his victory padded with extra phony votes?  Cue Sarah, "You Betcha!  "    Remember though, take a poll of Americans and I'd venture a guess that 75% have never heard of Achmedinejad, and those that do know him, incorrectly think he is the "supreme leader" of Iran.  He is not.

SBlut, did the President condemn the actions of the Iranian government?  Yes.  Remember, he's not a knee-jerk reaction president.  May I also add, France has less to lose with sharp rhetoric.  Pres. Obama condemned the violent crackdown on the protesters.  Perhaps some credit due?

How 'bout a little love on the new tobacco legislation?  Great stuff.

Might I suggest next a steep sin tax on high fructose corn syrup and sugar?  It'll probably never happen.  The food industry's too strong.  That said, if we can get people eating healthier and exercising, the health care burden on all of us will fall.  It makes too much sense I guess. 

[Smoking Guns]

Sandman, the "it's said," was referring to one Sean Hannity.  He repeats it ad nauseum...sorry I didn't put his name up there.  In the case of the economy it is a valid comparison.  Reagan's economy was in the shitter in the equivalent of what would be 2010 for Obama.  10.8% national unemployment under Reagan in '82.  We're not nationally at 10.8%...yet.  It's definitely worth noting though. 

SG, just remember who's protesting in Iran...yes, a lot of people...but this is still mainly a student/young person led protest.  The polls from before the election were in Achmedinejad's favor (big-time).  Did Achmedinejad win?  Yes.  Was his victory padded with extra phony votes?  Cue Sarah, "You Betcha!  "    Remember though, take a poll of Americans and I'd venture a guess that 75% have never heard of Achmedinejad, and those that do know him, incorrectly think he is the "supreme leader" of Iran.  He is not.

SBlut, did the President condemn the actions of the Iranian government?  Yes.  Remember, he's not a knee-jerk reaction president.  May I also add, France has less to lose with sharp rhetoric.  Pres. Obama condemned the violent crackdown on the protesters.  Perhaps some credit due?

How 'bout a little love on the new tobacco legislation?  Great stuff.

Might I suggest next a steep sin tax on high fructose corn syrup and sugar?  It'll probably never happen.  The food industry's too strong.  That said, if we can get people eating healthier and exercising, the health care burden on all of us will fall.  It makes too much sense I guess. 

I like the tougher rules on tobacco.  People can smoke at home, but I don't want that stuff around me.  Unless I am hanging with Slash of course, who just happened to stop smoking not long ago.  Anyway, I wish all confined public areas were smoke free to be honest. 

[Axl4Prez2004]

My workplace is going completely smoke-free in several months.  Great, great, great stuff.  Smoke it at home!  Smoke weed at home!  Smoke car exhaust if that's your prerogative.  I don't care!  Just keep it away from me.

It's small changes like this that add up to huge dollar savings for all of us down the road when we are not paying for these dumb-asses who smoke who end up in and out of hospitals with COPD/lung cancer/PAD/etc.

[sandman]

Sandman, the "it's said," was referring to one Sean Hannity.  He repeats it ad nauseum.

you watch sean hannity that much?

anyone see Bill Maher this week? he attacked the Dems this time, noting that there is no true liberal party. it's center-right, and the far right-wing loons. it's a very interesting point. and right now, i'd have to agree with that. it's not a new idea, but the theory will be tested over the next few years with the Dems carrying all the power.

[freedom78]

Sandman, the "it's said," was referring to one Sean Hannity.  He repeats it ad nauseum.

you watch sean hannity that much?

anyone see Bill Maher this week? he attacked the Dems this time, noting that there is no true liberal party. it's center-right, and the far right-wing loons. it's a very interesting point. and right now, i'd have to agree with that. it's not a new idea, but the theory will be tested over the next few years with the Dems carrying all the power.

Didn't see Maher, but I'd say that's accurate.  If you look at "Western" states, what we think of as "liberal" (in the US sense of the word...not UK "liberal" aka libertarian) here is hardly so anywhere else.  Of industrial democracies, we're among the most conservative. 

Now, how the Dems fit in is tricky.  Are they "center right" because they're taking a safer approach?  Universal insurance, instead of single payer, for example?

To my mind, the real problem with the Dems is a lack of party cohesion on these issues, which is what you get in a non-parliamentary, candidate based system of government.  If parties played a stronger role, perhaps those few Dems who stray and cause trouble for waht should presumably be their own causes wouldn't do it so much or to such great effect.

Of course, this isn't much different than the argument the GOP used against McCain and others.

[Smoking Guns]

Sandman, the "it's said," was referring to one Sean Hannity.  He repeats it ad nauseum.

you watch sean hannity that much?

anyone see Bill Maher this week? he attacked the Dems this time, noting that there is no true liberal party. it's center-right, and the far right-wing loons. it's a very interesting point. and right now, i'd have to agree with that. it's not a new idea, but the theory will be tested over the next few years with the Dems carrying all the power.

Look a few posts up, I watched the same show... Says biggest obstacle for Obama is his own party.  That is sad.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Sandman, actually, I don't watch Hannity.  I have a ten minute commute to and from work.  Options for talk radio are nil in central Delaware.  I prefer Michael Medved over Hannity, but the reception isn't always there.  Next question of course will be, "Why don't you buy satellite?"  My answer?  I'm too cheap...call me fiscally conservative. 

Now, what happened to all the claims before the election that Obama was going to be the most liberal politician in the history of the United States?  I guess all the "radical" talk was a bit off the mark, eh?