Open Thread


For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: a treasury secretary with tax problems?

As Tom Blumer has reported here and here, Barack Obama's nominee for treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, has some tax problems. Do you think this is a serious matter, and something that should disqualify him? Or, do you think this is no big deal, and the nomination process should hinge on his qualifications NOT a personal oversight on his part?

Do you expect this to get much coverage from the Obama-loving media, and if so what will their take be? How much different would this coverage be if McCain was the president-elect?


Comments Policy

All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

Viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Tax Evation

Just a hiccup, just a silly mistake, don't you know.

Nothing important at all.  Obeying the law is optional when you're 'special'.

These "few little hiccups"

These "few little hiccups" as Harry Reid describes them, would be called a "pattern of dishonesty" and a serious matter of character, if he were a Republican nominee.

Expect a White-Wash

Democrats and the MSM (sorry for the redundancy) only enforce ethics rules and law on Republicans...NEVER on themselves. They will white-wash this just as they'll do with Hillary regarding her unconstitutional appointment as SoS. See Emoluments clause in the Constitution, Article I, Section 6.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31

IF Geithner had made it through...

....McCain's vetting process and been nominated, the outcry by the Dems and MSM would've forced him to withdraw within 24 hours.

He's my pick

Why would I want somebody in charge of ENFORCING LAW when that person actually knows the law?

With this person in office, I can ignore the laws he is supposed to be enforcing, and if actually caught, the precedent is already in place and the law becomes unenforceable because it would be enforced unequally.

Besides, if I get on a jury on a similar 'mere oversight, and unintentional slipup' things will ge interestingbecause I'm a confirmed FULLY INFORMED JURY believer.

In the Obamanation, no

In the Obamanation, no appointment by the One shall require examination.  Confirmation is also redundant.  So be it.

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."  - Sir Winston Churchill

Cool--we don't have to pay taxes or FICA?

I am a day behind bec I was doing my 4th quarter estimateds like a stupid little citizen. Well, well...  I once read lawyers were the biggest tax scofflaws...

  But we must put Joe

 

But we must put Joe the plumber through the shredder for owing $1000. Although, Joe's crime was worse, he asked Barry a pointed question. It's not like he's being picked for a treasury secrcretary position or something.

Joe the reporter

Since Joe the Plumber is now a reporter, I would love to see him on the Wash Press Corps, asking Obama questions during his press conferences. Wouldn't that be nice?

___________________________________ 

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber

Obama cabinet choices: 'Corruption R Us'

Perhaps this 'non payment of taxes' should not disqualify guy for the cabinet post, but Obama is batting about 175% in his selections.

Heaven knows if this was the Bush Admin, the AP, WAPost, and every other 'news reporting' outlet would be running week-long above the fold coverage about corruption in the selections: Such as:

Bill Richardson's possible indictment.

Erik Holder's flim flam operation, getting billionaire embezzler Mark Rich a pardon....

The $65 MILLION that Hillary got from terror sponsoring countries such as Saudi Arabia, etc.

I'm sure I forgot or dont know about others.

 

 

Some clever cartoonist

Some clever cartoonist needs to draw one with Bill whispering in Hillary's ear while some sheik or terrorist stuffs money in Bill's back pocket.  Although, I guess we don't really have to worry about pillow talk coloring her decisions.

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."  - Sir Winston Churchill

Do You Think?

Hunter - Do you think Hillary lets Bill close enough to whisper in her ear?

Pillow talk?

Did you just mention pillow talk and the Clintons in the same breath?  I think I'm going to be ill now.

Republicans believe every day is the 4th of July.  Democrats believe every day is April 15th ~ Ronald Reagan

Obama's inclusive 'dream cabinet'

A Code Pink whacko for Sec. of Homeland Security

A obese smoker for Surgeon General

A convicted felon for Attorney General

An illegal migrant farm worker for Sec. of Agriculture 

A mobbed-up teamster for Sec. of Transportation

A NYC street bum for Sec. of Housing

A former conscientious objector for Sec. of Veteran Affairs

A high school dropout for Sec. of Education 

A crack addict for Sec. of Health & Human Services 

A lifelong welfare recipient for Sec. of Labor.

You forgot...

....a socialist for Global Warming Czar.

LOL The Goracle already

LOL

The Goracle already declined that post! 

Ah, but Carol Browner hasn't....

.....she of Socialist International fame.

"Until last week, Carol M. Browner, President-elect Barack Obama's pick as global warming czar, was listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change. "

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/12/obama-climate-czar-has-socialist-ties/

You also forgot a gay

You also forgot a gay person for sec of defense -- since Obama has decided to let queers serve openly in the military. Can you spell lawsuits galore here? If you thought the standards were lowered to "reduce the stress on new recruits", you haven't seen anything yet with the introduction of the limp-wristed set. Someone's going to stand at the gate and count the number of queers in the military, and if the numbers aren't there, watch out -- there will be lawsuits; special "sensitivity" training; more accomodating bathroom facilities; and the meaning of "sexual harrassment" will be turned on its head.

What gives, Obama -- this just shows you have absolutely no understanding of the military -- none whatsoever. You are a disgrace to the United States of America. President, my eye!

___________________________________ 

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber

Mohammed al-Qahtani

Now what?

Consider this quote:

The techniques they used were all authorized, but the manner in which
they applied them was overly aggressive and too persistent.

How does that square with this:

With a leash tied to his chains, he was led around the room "and forced to perform a series of dog tricks," the report shows.

Dog tricks as part of authorized interrogation techniques?  Rumsfeld signed off on that?

We tortured them.  We can't convict them.  We can't release them.  We're screwed.  Who's accountable?

The "who's accountable" list would be long.

At the top of the list you would find Mohammed al-Qahtani.

 

No representation, without taxation!

Just keep it up, Smoking (something) Hot

Pretty soon, you and your enemy-coddling friends will have "torture" defined down to merely sitting them in a metal folding chair and asking them questions.

After all, that is the ultimate goal of you and your ilk, is it not? Which is to weaken this country by whatever means possible and make it much more difficult for it to prevail in this conflict. A conflict we did not ask for, BTW.

How much is Osama and his camel-washing goons paying you to post your putrid pablum on this site?

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -While there is still time.

smoking

With a leash tied to his chains, he was led around the room "and forced to perform a series of dog tricks," the report shows.

I'm sorry Smoking Hot, but I just don't call that torture.  It may have been humiliating but it wasn't torture.  I define torture as going to work one day and having an airplane crash itself into your building and having the floor you are on engulfed in flames, and then having no choice but to jump out the window to certain death.  That's what I call torture.

Who's accountable?

That is easy, the terrorist who decided to wear civilian clothes, kill randomly, kill soldiers using civilians as sheilds, fire at soldiers in country on behalf of a newly elected government and especially the terrorist who thinks killing innocent children for no more than propaganda is acceptable.

Accountability is easy on this one but the solution will be much more difficult if we continue down the road of appeasement.

A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections

Forgive us Father, for we are doth screw-ed

Everyone say three Hail Marys and five Our Fathers.

Done? You're forgiven.

Oh Sgt. Jeeves, would you escort the next terrorist prisoner in, please... 

SH

Did you read that last PM I sent you on this subject?

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.

I did, watched that video finally too

I still don't think the human race is something you, I or anyone can opt out of.  Maybe we don't owe these prisoners anything, assuming they're guilty as sin,and that is an assumption as they've not been allowed to face the charges against them.  Regardless, I think we do owe it to ourselves to stay above the behavior we condemn.

The question remains, now what?  What did the people in the Pentagon and White House expect to happen?  You can't have any kind of legitimate conviction of an individual when you acquire the evidence through torture.  And we're supposed to hold up our legal system as a bastion of fairness that other countries can emulate in their march toward freedom.  Not in this case.

This will be my last post on this thread.  I don't want to drown out the rest of the conversations.  Just want you people thinking.  PM me if you've got something to tell me.

The video was good BTW.

 

Us peoples are always thinking.

We just arrive at different conclusions than your people.

 

 

No representation, without taxation!

 "You can't have any kind

 "You can't have any kind of legitimate conviction of an individual when you acquire the evidence through torture."

And when any and everything is considered torture, it's impossible to avoid it at all isn't it? What a catch 22. I have a solution: they can come live with you.

Doing dog tricks is not torture. Wearing a bra on your head is not torture. A dog barking at you is not torture. 

"Libs never let you down. You don't have to talk to one very long before the stupid comes out."

I pay my taxes because it's the LAW

Obama has appointed someone who can't be trusted to pay his own taxes.  Keep in mind, our new president has said he wants all Americans to "share the wealth" and in common folk terms this means we must pay even more taxes.  

 Mr. Geithner does not deserve to be Treasury Secretary.  He broke the law.   I don't care if he tries to play it off as an accident or whatever. 

 This story will only register a 'blip' on the mainstream media radar.

 Until the kool aid runs out, this is all we can expect.

Another democrat/liberal

Another democrat/liberal crook that's a friend of obama's. Can anyone be surprised after all the friends he's got? This is actually one of the best and he should be in jail too. There should be a prison that has a wing just for friends of obama.

Wow, is Obama giving another speech?

Dow is tanking...down 274....what's the problem today?

 

blonde -- Maybe they're

blonde -- Maybe they're suddenly realizing it's not a dream, they are awake and on Jan 21, 2009 real socialists are going to be pulling the strings in DC.

Expect a press release from the Office of the President Elect saying it's nothing to do with him!

Anyone like me, and had enough of that awful sibilent Obama voice yet? Where he drags out the esses like nails on a chalk board?

I don't think I can stand listening to it much longer, let alone for 4 years; and that's not even counting the drivel he's actually saying.

"The nature of an ideology is not determined by majority vote—but by logic... The logic of environmentalism leads to a society without technology... even if various environmentalists would deny this." Ayn Rand, 1971

J,

The newsies are saying it is due to the pathetic retail sales numbers, and that probably has a lot to do with it.

I am also guessing that, after Broom Hilda's practically unopposed trip through her hearing yesterday, which many of the boneless chickens curiously decided to sit out, the market has resigned itself to the fact that PEBO's picks are going to waltz on in virtually unchallenged.

Which means we, along with the economy, are forked fer sure.

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -While there is still time.

Just my opinion

Just my opinion, but I think that the Republicans should keep their powder dry on the Tim Geithner issue. They should pick and choose their battles and not be seen as obstructionists at every turn. Playing nice will allow them to have more leverage when they really need it.

Tim Geithner is very respected in the financial community. His nomination should be based on his qualifications.

 

 

BUT...

....the average person who goes through the torture of filing with the IRS every year tends to have little tolerance for all these brilliant, wealthy people who continually make the same "goof" year after year after year, especially when they're in the financial business.

I say pound him.

spiro t agnew got canned for this

Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.

Penalties waved!

Per the article I read, his penalties were WAVED!  For that much $ that late.  Every year the IRS says I payed in too little too late and each year I  have to fill out that long form showing when the money was made and when you paid what.  You think they would learn somewhere along the way that most is made in the last quarter.   So I pay in the full amount ON TIME each YEAR and they STILL want to penalize ME!  What the -----!?

M-B

Rush invited to White House

Rush invited to White House for lunch w/Bush yesterday.  The President even sang "happy birthday" to him.

HR 2

Looks like the first peice of legislation that Nazi Pelosi is trying to ram through Congress under the new rules of no amendments or debate is HR 2,  The Reauthorization of the S-CHIP bill. If you are a smoker I suggest you go to Section 701 and look at the increase in taxes on tobacco. After 2 collasped lungs in 2007 I was forced to give up my pipe. Glad I did now. The inmates here smoke mostly "roll-ups."  The regular smokes are too high for them.

Who hurts most from an increase of taxes on tobacco? I would think it is the poor that Obama loves so much.

YOU CAN KEEP "THE CHANGE" PALIN 2012

Who hurts most from an

Who hurts most from an increase of taxes on tobacco? I would think it is the poor that Obama loves so much.

Maybe instead of dipping into money they don't really have to buy pre-packaged cancer, they'll get smart and quit.  Everyone wins, except Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds.

Governments lose too if

Governments lose too if people stop smoking. It is the Golden Goose for many states. 

Phillip Morris and other companies don't really care anyway. Their big buck are coming from overseas.

YOU CAN KEEP "THE CHANGE" PALIN 2012

First Paragraph: Oh well,

First Paragraph: Oh well, tough s--t.

Second Paragraph: True enough.

Link

Go to this link for HR 2. Page 271. 

YOU CAN KEEP "THE CHANGE" PALIN 2012

Obama Indoctrination

I am sick and tired of being force-fed everything Obama. I can't get a cup of coffee at 7-11 without seeing his face on plaques and penants and flags. My wife works for a major East Coast furniture retailer which is now selling portraits of Obama for people to hang in their homes.

Then today, another comic book (one of my favorite pastimes) is going to feature Obama in an upcoming issue. First Spider-Man, now a group called Youngblood will feature Obama as the new Commander-in-Chief selecting new members for the team.

It's out of control. We are being indoctrinated to love our glorious leader. Sounds more like Communist Russia than the U.S.A.

"Named must be your fear be before banish it you can." -- Yoda

Do your freakin jobs, already!!!!

I just picked this up on a Gator board....and blew my stack!

Seems the Congresscritters can't stay out of anything that doesn't concern them.....give a way $700B of our taxpayer dollars without a string attached, bail out every broke Tom, Dick, and Ahnold....and continue to meddle, meddle, meddle.

WASHINGTON — The incoming chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said Wednesday that he will hold hearings and possibly subpoena NCAA officials, college presidents, players, coaches and athletics directors in effort to force a playoff in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

"I think you really do not get a true No. 1 out of (the Bowl Championship Series)," Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., told USA TODAY. "Nobody questions the Super Bowl. The team that wins is the best team that year. I think we can do the same thing at the college level where once it's over there is no questions about who is No. 1 and who is No. 2."

Don't get me wrong, I think a playoff has great possibilities, but to have these morons in DC legislate something (AGAIN, dammit) about which they are clueless....just infuriates me.

HEY CONGRESSCRITTERS....your opinion on this issue is like an a******, everyone has one!  What makes you think yours is any better than any one of the college athletic directors, presidents, or alumni & boosters you morons! 

Sorry for the rant and the shouting, but this is all we can get out of the "most ethical Congress ever"?

Morons!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A holes

Everybody has one but some stink worst that others. This is even dummber than Spector wanting to take on the NFL or was it MLB?

YOU CAN KEEP "THE CHANGE" PALIN 2012

HUMOR: Dude…Bummer

Treasury Secretary Spicoli? CLICK HERE

www.ScottOnCapeCod.com

"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation"... until they get fed-up enough to finally say something about it!

What is wrong with the

What is wrong with the site?

Anybody know?

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

bt... Glad to see it's

bt...

Glad to see it's not just me. Took me forever to even log in.

The Jews Are Our Dogs

 

 Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/  

Thanks Ct... Glad it

Thanks Ct...

Glad it wasn't just me....that is the only reason I ask, I could get in okay, just when I tried to post, the site would go boink...ect.

Anyway, seems to be working now.

Problem is...don't know how long I'll be able to be here now...sniffle...sniffle.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Matthews and Olbermans New Assignment

Chrissy Matthews and Keith Olberman's New Assignment is to view and comment on Barack Obama's Balls.

Chrissy stated that he and Keith are uniquely qualified through self introspection and their relationship with each other.

Chrissy said that Barack Obama has given him many thrills and viewing and commenting on Barack Obama's Balls will be the biggest thrill yet.

Keith Olberman stated that he totally agrees with Chrissy and can hardly wait to view and comment on Obama's Balls.

Both stated that it was an ugly rumor started by George Bush, that Obama's Neighborhood Ball for the average citizen in Washington DC would have tickets for that Ball sold by crack dealers to ensure the average Washington DC citizen were able to purchase them.

Haven't seen any comments on Chrissy's latest hardballs.

Chrissy couldn't get enough of Obama's promise to overturn "Don't ask-Don't tell".  He was all hot and bothered with anticipation, I think his leg was tingling again.

This issue is another great opportunity for the Left to squat and dump excrement on the face of the military they so completely resent.  They'll have to let military recruiters back on Ivy League campuses in order meet their quotas for future soldiers without the gag reflex.

 

Quien es mas macho,

Quien es mas macho, Fernando Lamas o Ricardo Montalban?

Rest in peace, Ricardo...

Let us enjoy a moment of Ricardo greatness...

 

Finally, while we are speaking of Star Trek, let us now enjoy one of cinema's finest moments...

Obama wants to end "don't ask, don't tell" policy...

Isn't it interesting that he barely mentioned this during the campaign, and now all of a sudden it becomes one of his first items of business on his agenda?? 

 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479952,00.html

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

Sky... I had a link about

Sky...

I had a link about this from about a week or more ago about this, may have put it here or elsewhere don't know, good ol' Gibbs was the guy who first said this all that I know of, I was very surprised by the msm being so quiet about all of this...wondered if or when it was going to come up again...glad you have it here.

Some things never change...what the Clintoons/ the leftist congress couldn't get accomplished all these years as they were frustrated not achieving their agenda...they will now with the power they have.

I pray in two years from now it is a repeat only more so of what happened in 1994...cheating and all wouldn't be able to overcome this if people wake up...unfortunately, it sure isn't looking likely anytime soon.

"You've gone beyond the law"... Sen. Kerry~ Head of Foreign Relations Committee to Hillary at Sec.of State confirmation hearings~1-13-09 

bt...I must have missed your link...

about this...I just saw this on Fox today (and only on Fox, of course).

Anyway...What drives me nuts is the fact that Obamessiah completely soft-pedaled this subject all through the campaign, and now less than a week before he's sworn-in, we hear this announcement. Being from a family (both sides) with a very long military history, this entire subject matters greatly to me. The military is not the place for social experimentation, and the left has never understood this. This is a terrible idea, and will lead to potentially enormous problems for the military. I am hoping that Obama will encounter such vehement resistance from the Pentagon and the military in general, that this may get put on the back burner, and will hopefully be left there indefinitely.

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

So do I Sky...it made me

So do I Sky...it made me ill when I read this, can't say I was surprised, but still made me ill.

This is all like living the Clinton Machine and then some all over again...tomorrow is going to be real hard for me to take with the Holder hearings and the msm.

The Clintons are going to get accomplished what they couldn't one way or the other, come hell or high water.

"You've gone beyond the law"... Sen. Kerry~ Head of Foreign Relations Committee to Hillary at Sec.of State confirmation hearings~1-13-09 

Is there anyone else here

Is there anyone else here who have clicked other posters links here this evening, watched or read them, clicked back wanting to respond and it goes to a completely different thread?

Sure would appreciate knowing, need to know if it is my PC.

Thanks.

Btw...everyone ready for the msm protection plan and the love-fest with the Holder AG hearing tomorrow? 

"You've gone beyond the law"... Sen. Kerry~ Head of Foreign Relations Committee to Hillary at Sec.of State confirmation hearings~1-13-09 

I tried to respond to one

I tried to respond to one post yesterday and after clicking on "Post Comment", my login was cancelled and I received a message "not allowed to comment".

___________________________________ 

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber