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Sunday Night TV and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 08:38:26 PM EST
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What a depressing day of news, between the budget cuts, Norway and the deplorable media interviews by the accuser in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case.

Time for something else: Breaking Bad, Big Brother and the Next Food Network Star. See you all tomorrow.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Lawyers Response to Accuser's Interviews | How Our Debt Rose to $14.3 Trillion: Blame Congress >

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    Sunday Night TV and Open Thread | 9 comments (9 topical)

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    Budget talks collapse (none / 0) (#1)
    by Yman on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 09:26:25 PM EST
    Dems proposing to give Republicans everything they want, in the spirit of "bipartisanship"":

    In an effort to reach a bipartisan compromise, we are putting together a $2.7 trillion deficit reduction package that meets Republicans' two major criteria: it will include enough spending cuts to meet or exceed the amount of a debt ceiling raise through the end of 2012, and it will not include revenues.

    Think I'll just go watch Breaking Bad.

    Details not as bad as it sounds (none / 0) (#7)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jul 25, 2011 at 09:32:25 AM EST
    Here is BTAL's short version of Reid's proposal, my longer version with links to David Dayen's post and NYT article.  

    Current "reports" indicate the bulk of the $2.7T figure comes from budgetary gimmicks.  One example is using the CBO's "estimates" of war costs vs actual costs coupled with an assumption of forcing a quicker withdrawal.

    Next is a small amount of discretionary program cuts.

    Add the two together then "project" future savings on debt interest to reach the magic $2.7T number.

    IMHO, it won't fly.

    BTW, BTAL and I both came to the same conclusion (from different POVs) that Reid's proposal will not be the end product.

    Parent

    But wait! There's more! (none / 0) (#8)
    by Anne on Mon Jul 25, 2011 at 09:42:49 AM EST
    Reports are that Obama and Boehner are continuing their own back-channel talks on the Grand Bargain...

    I am told that Speaker Boehner and President Obama are once again having back-channel talks on a large-scale deficit reduction plan that would include cuts to entitlement programs and increases in tax revenues.

    Boehner and Obama are again negotiating a "grand bargain" deal to address the debt crisis with deep spending cuts. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner just confirmed this in his pre-taped interview on "This Week."

    Even if they can agree, however, the deal would face strong opposition for House Republicans opposed to increasing taxes and Democrats opposes to entitlement cuts.

    As you recall, Boehner and the president were close to a deal that would have included $800 billion in higher tax revenue over the next 10 years.  Those talks collapsed after Boehner pulled out Friday, saying President Obama was now demanding $1.2 trillion in tax revenue.

    It now looks like the original framework is back in play - a deal with some $3 trillion in spending cuts and $800 billion in additional tax revenue.

    One source described the talks as Boehner and the president "footsie" because the talks are indirect, and they are happening even as Boehner and the other Congressional leaders are attempting to negotiate a Plan B.

    Love the way these nitwits are playing with people's lives, don't you?

    Parent

    Somebody please explain to me again (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by MO Blue on Mon Jul 25, 2011 at 10:05:46 AM EST
    just how the Republican's are forcing Obama to cut the safety net programs. I guess if we shout the Tea Party enough times, the noise and the scary screen effects will erase the fact that this has been on Obama's agenda since 2007 and he continues to set up scenarios to justify his actions, going back to the well time and time again to try and make it happen.

    What will it take to make people realize that there was no Tea Party in 2007 when Obama first put the safety net programs up for grabs. He opened the door wider and wider on more than one occasion to get this to happen. Why is it any surprise that the Republicans would try and take him up on the offer.

       

    Parent

    I was just going to past this (none / 0) (#2)
    by Madeline on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 10:17:45 PM EST
    "It's $2.5 trillion in cuts and no revenue," the source said, before Reid's statement claiming a higher figure. "We think Republicans will have a hard time opposing it." via TMP

    Truly can't wait to find out (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Anne on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 10:20:27 PM EST
    how this is going to be spun as a "win" for Obama...

    Parent
    They're already distributing the charts (none / 0) (#4)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 10:34:33 PM EST
    that say Obama is the most deficit-reducing president evuh!  That's the win.

    Parent
    Hope the Banksters control Obama (none / 0) (#5)
    by Dan the Man on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 10:45:59 PM EST
    More Details on The Plan

    TPMDC

    "Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are protected from the debt limit brinksmanship."

    "We could use the offshore -- the Overseas Contingency [the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan] -- could take us to two-and-a-half trillion dollars. "

    "There's one big problem: "I don't think the Republicans are going to accept that. So whatever they would want to accept over-and-above that would have to be something, I think, down the road. And that would be treating entitlements and revenue.""

    ""The moment of truth is now, Harry Reid says he needs eight days to take anything to the floor," she said."

    I hope the US defaults on the debt.  The only recourse would then be the 14th amendment Constitutional option - which is what the banksters want.

    Parent

    questions for TalkLeft community (none / 0) (#6)
    by desmoinesdem on Mon Jul 25, 2011 at 12:42:13 AM EST
    This got buried on another open thread a few days ago. Last weekend an intruder broke into the southern Iowa farmhouse belonging to Representative Leonard Boswell (D, IA-03). The man had what looked like a gun (turned out to be a bb gun) and demanded money. After a tussle in the home, Boswell's grandson brought out a shotgun, and the intruder ran away. More details here.

    Anyway, police have arrested two suspects, the alleged intruder and his friend who is accused of driving the getaway car. When I heard about the break-in, I assumed the criminal had no idea the house belonged to a member of Congress, but the suspected intruder knew Boswell's wife and had visited the farm before with his mother.

    The alleged intruder has been charged with first-degree burglary, assault while participating in a felony, going armed with intent and three counts of first-degree robbery.

    My questions for attorneys with experience in criminal law: is this guy likely to face additional federal charges because a member of Congress was the victim?

    Even if he doesn't face federal charges, is he likely to receive a longer prison sentence if convicted because of his high-profile victim?

    Does the fact that he used a bb gun rather than a real gun reduce his potential prison sentence if he is convicted?

    Sunday Night TV and Open Thread | 9 comments (9 topical)

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