Ruminations

For a guy who wants to get out of the cocoon, I wonder if Obama got the following message on his BlackBerry: "Gr8 idea about that housing bailout!"

As for the housing bailout, Team Obama may have crossed a threshold. When times are tough, perhaps it can be assumed that people will dig a bit deep to help out. More taxes will mean more people working? Well, ok. More taxes to help a guy who bought too much house for too little money? Now, you're playing me for a sucker.

Good to see David Brooks paying attention during his weekly chat with Mark Shields. The latter was talking about all the problems that confront the President, to include the formation of a right-wing government in Israel. Brooks countered that that development wasn't exactly bad. (Well perhaps it is for BHO.)

Conan O'Brien has left New York. Somehow, I think they'll manage.

Timmy Geithner didn't have a bad week. It may not last though -- there's always next week.

I hear that a share of the New York Times Company is going for less than $4 a share. So I guess publishing a liberal-infused broadsheet isn't quite a successful business model.

George Pataki for Senate? New York could do worse (i.e., Carolyn Maloney) I hear that Pataki has the White House in his sights, though.

When I was in the Army, there was a torrent of activity before "block leave" would start. Then everyone was gone for two weeks. Seems Congress is the same way. They pass a dreadful spending bill and take off. Why?

For a Speaker, Nancy Pelosi sure lacks that vision thing. From writing a book, that nobody would read to traveling all the way to Rome to get rebuked by the Pope.

Better get your steroids now. With baseball season around the corner, the demand, and the price is likely to go up.

Monday Musings

In today's New York Daily News -- dead tree edition -- there are four quarter-page ads for sex stimulants; two dreary Mike Lupica columns and an advertisement on the front page. Trust me -- they are all inter-related.

Given his soft spot for tax cheats, I won't be surprised if Obama selects Marc Rich for an ambassadorial appointment some time soon.

Since his last two movies have disappointed both in terms of grosses and a profound lack of of humor -- it seems that Will Ferrell has decided to "special effects" his way back to the top in "Land of the Lost". That odor you smell is the desperation in the air.

Ever since he's been on the air -- since what '92 or '93 -- I can count on one hand the number of times that I've watched Conan O'Brien. Maybe it's just me, but he doesn't seem to be, well, funny. I was totally clueless as to his Super Bowl ad.

There is no way the "stimulus" bill is going to be ready for signature on President's Day weekend. More like St. Patrick's Day -- alas with plenty of green still to be found.

I fear for the republic when Barney Frank says silly things such as. "No tax cut builds a road. No tax cut puts a cop on the street. No tax cut educates a child ..." Frank, of late, seems to be like the drunk at the end of the bar who knows what's best for America, if only people would listen. Alas, he's drunk with power.

Jim Farber, the NYDN music critic is a dolt. "Master of Puppets" by Metallica is not an S&M anthem -- it's about drug abuse. Geez.