FARK.com: (1251138) Bush and new head of Homeland Security share ideas on fiscal policy

If you can read this, either the style sheet didn't load or you have an older browser that doesn't support style sheets. Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page.

		Bush and new head of Homeland Security share ideas on fiscal policy (thesmokinggun.com)		245
		More: Scary

• • •

28013 clicks; posted to Main » on 07 Dec 2004 at 4:50 PM | Favorite | share:

Share this link:

URL:

http://fark.com/go/1251138

Bookmark:

Article Comments close

245 Comments (+0 »)

Archived thread

First | « | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | » | Last | Show all

Terraformer		2004-12-07 05:12:15 PM

Amazing.

Sniff cocaine? You can be President one day.

Run over someone while DUI? You can be the First Lady one day.

Deadbeat, can't pay bills, file for bankruptcy? You can head the DHS one day.

/meanwhile, get busted for pot and go to prison
//do as we say, not as we do.

further		2004-12-07 05:12:21 PM

scorpio:

How does one go from being bankrupt cop to a multimillionaire in the whitehouse in less then 10 years?

What's this guys secret?

My guess would be that it involved the devil in some capacity.

yodajr		2004-12-07 05:12:32 PM

for(int i=1;i>0;i++)
{
comment++;
}

Kanemano		2004-12-07 05:13:37 PM

Vash The Stampede:

crawlspace:
So now we're trying to start flamewars, eh mods?

NOW? I think they've been trying for a while.

Flamewars keep everyone warm, thus saving on heating oil

Cantabrigian		2004-12-07 05:14:09 PM

We shall all be laid to burnination.

2wolves		2004-12-07 05:14:32 PM

I knew I should have dropped out of high school. And shaved my head. And had that moral lebotomy. And gotten on my knee's for Great Leader.

Hfuhruhurr		2004-12-07 05:14:58 PM

How about the real news, here. This was clearly done on a Mac.... 1987? In a lawyer's office?

I thought those SE's were only good for playing really bad black and white games.... Betcha the lawyer was a hotshot with the backpack disk, too (10MegaBytes, biatch)

TalkingBaseball		2004-12-07 05:15:25 PM

demanton
Along with costs like rent ($700), food $200), and "alimony, maintenance, or support payments" ($280), Kerik typed in "Barber" on the line calling for other expenses to be listed.

The jokes just write themselves.

Because if he doesn't have hair now, 17 years ago, he probably didn't have hair either? Logic surrenders.

Mordant		2004-12-07 05:16:18 PM

we need a list of transgressions by democrats to soak up this spill, +2 points if it's more interesting than Clinton's BJ.

Lusiphur		2004-12-07 05:16:18 PM

All the repubs who are hailing this man's plan as a great idea, you do realize that filing bancruptcy is more or less theft. At least the way this guy did it. He ran up a bunch of debt, didn't want to deal with it, and had the courts absolve him of blame or the need to repay it. But I guess it's ok to steal so long as you support Bush. I think I'm going to go apply for a bunch of credit cards, buy a whole shiatload of stuff and then file for bankruptcy.

2wolves		2004-12-07 05:18:17 PM

Blame Clinton. When all else fails.

southsails_		2004-12-07 05:18:32 PM

lothar97

It's intelligent for the person who files for bankruptcy, but it screws over the rest of us. The debt is not wiped out, it's absorbed by the creditors- who then pass the expenses along to the other consumers of their company.

Incorrect. The interest the banks charge is their gain from assuming our risk. They (the creditors) "earn" that interest with the understanding that people will default, but that the creditor will be compensated for those defaults by the interest from others (debtors). No "expenses" per se are passed along to you or I (or the global "you").

EverCompromised		2004-12-07 05:19:28 PM

There isn't anything shameful in him declaring bankruptcy. What's shameful is attempts by Repubs to limit the ability of hardworking heros like him from being able to discharge their debts in bankruptcy.

shrapnull		2004-12-07 05:19:42 PM

Let's feed the fire here a bit:

He made $16K and some change (with a JOB), was paying rent in NYC and alimony and you're worried that a few thousand in credit card bills convinced him to file to get a clean slate?

More of you need to live real lives if that's the case. Plenty of people right here have more debt then that.

The average family is hovering around $10,000 in credit card debt, two car payments and you're lucky if your mortgage is less then $750 in most places.

Make double what he was and see how well you float.
/Dem

ababyatemydingo		2004-12-07 05:19:48 PM

Caution: Liberal's opinion to follow:

I really don't think this is a big deal. He declared bankrupcy 15 years ago. Now he's rich. So what? Maybe he learned a few money lessons in the ensuing years. Maybe he was lucky/smart/schmoozy enough to get into circles that could help him financially.

There is a tinge of irony here cuz, a few years back, the Repubs passed a law to change the way consumers file for bankrupcy (It protected the creditors, no surprise there.) But, who knows, maybe he opposed the change in the law.

Maybe the person who posted the article wasn't trying to start a biatch-fest between Libs and Conservs, but was just pointing out a creepy/juicy/scandalous story.

Or, maybe we can all just save our energy for a flame war on a really important subject.

Perhaps the

ababyatemydingo		2004-12-07 05:20:36 PM

(please ignore the "Perhaps the" at the end)

batkc		2004-12-07 05:22:06 PM

What does that make Trump? How many times has he filed bankruptcy? Oh sorry, he's a BRILLIANT businessman.

sayangg		2004-12-07 05:22:08 PM

lothar97

Ummm... you just made your opponent's point. Think about it.

onomatopoetic		2004-12-07 05:22:52 PM

(please ignore the "Perhaps the" at the end)

I'm trying but I just can't.

sayangg		2004-12-07 05:23:42 PM

Sorry... southsails_ made his opponent's point.

kris10jj		2004-12-07 05:24:06 PM

So...

When has Trump held a public office?

/please

equusdc		2004-12-07 05:24:54 PM

Admittedly the stock in question has skyrocketed, but it would have taken $330,000 in 2001 for it to reach $5.6M in 2004.

Hmm... sounds like he has greasy palms.

Sitruc		2004-12-07 05:25:22 PM

but NYC loved Rudy and his friends before 9/11...

john_frink		2004-12-07 05:26:09 PM

Wonder if someone will ask him about his illegitimate child in Korea.

Cause, you know, the GOP is the party of morality and everything.

Close2TheEdge		2004-12-07 05:26:10 PM

Or, maybe we can all just save our energy for a flame war on a really important subject.

Considering that the budget this man will be "managing" will top $40 Billion+ of taxpayer money, I'm not sure what you would consider a "really important subject."

slavecycle		2004-12-07 05:26:42 PM

Dr. Phil?

DigitalReligion		2004-12-07 05:26:51 PM

Terraformer:

Amazing.

Sniff cocaine? You can be President one day.

Run over someone while DUI? You can be the First Lady one day.

Deadbeat, can't pay bills, file for bankruptcy? You can head the DHS one day.

/meanwhile, get busted for pot and go to prison
//do as we say, not as we do.

Kill a girl and you can become a senator for plenty of years a la Ted kennedy.

Hang On Voltaire		2004-12-07 05:27:04 PM

Terraformer

"Sniff cocaine? You can be President one day."

Never proven just speculated

"Run over someone while DUI? You can be the First Lady one day."

I will give you $100 (seriously) if you can prove that Laura Bush was drunk when that accident happened.

"Deadbeat, can't pay bills, file for bankruptcy? You can head the DH"

Oh please, lots of people get in financial trouble does that mean that he cannot better himself?

caseyscrib.com		2004-12-07 05:27:37 PM

ok... so wtf has he done in the past few years that I should be concerned about? Everyone makes mistakes, and it sounds like its tough living on a 1980s cop salary. Also, what does fiscal policy have to do with homeland security? I care about his stance on civil liberties and government moral intervention. Since Bush nominated him, I wouldn't be surprised to find out he was a religious Jesus nut who thinks its ok for the government to tap your phone as they please. Then again, if he has a good record on these issues, I would be pleasantly surprised.

Hang On Voltaire		2004-12-07 05:28:07 PM

Maybe he should have just married a rich widow?

Webgrunt		2004-12-07 05:28:07 PM

Republicans' idea of "fiscal responsibility" since 1980:

1. BORROW AND SPEND!!
2. BORROW AND SPEND!!
3. BORROW AND SPEND!!
4. CUT TAXES A LITTLE!!
5. GO BACK TO STEP 1!!

GoodDamon		2004-12-07 05:28:16 PM

2004-12-07 03:49:04 PM the_gospel_of_thomas
The party of compassion and tolerance will surely forgive any past transgressions, right?

Sure, no problem. I don't actually care that he was once bankrupt. Good, smart people sometimes find themselves in untenable economic situations, and it's a good thing we, as a society, have the mercy and compassion to help people get through those difficult times.

Nah, my main problem is with hypocrisy. You know, telling people to be fiscally responsible while spending like tomorrow's Judgement Day, telling kids to stay off drugs while sucking down illegal prescriptions by the bucket-load, railing against sex while buggering prostitutes... That sort of thing. Come to think of it, Jesus had a lot to say about hypocrits, and nothing to say about homosexuals. He also had a lot of disregard for moneylenders who drive people to economic ruin.

Or does that not apply to anyone connected to the President?

It's the hypocrisy. I got nothing against Bush's people having problems. It's when they bash others for having those same problems that I get riled up.

ZipBeep		2004-12-07 05:28:37 PM

moops:

he had less debt than i had 3 years ago. i paid all mine off and now i am in the black by far. what a loser. but then again, he's a republican and for some mysterious reason they believe debt, and the concept of passing debt off to others, is a good thing.

His is in 1987.

Going by the "7 year rule", his debt would be 4x what your's was in 2001.

eeedlef		2004-12-07 05:28:49 PM

OK, I really must be missing something.

This guy goes into debt, but manages to work his way out of it and eventually gets a prominent position in government and this is "dirt"?

Coming from fiscally liberal folks who want government programs to support those in debt or poverty, I would think this guy would a sort of hero. But instead he gets bashed for... filing for bankruptcy once????

What's next, some guy had a divorce once so how can he be in a high government position. "It obviously shows he can't be put in charge of people if he can't keep a relationship together."

/shakes head, over and over and over...

Macthulhu		2004-12-07 05:29:02 PM

Attention Farkers:

Try reading this before going off all half-cocked... It explains much more about him than the Smoking Gun paperwork.

You can't really fault the guy for turning his life around. Just because Bush likes him, doesn't mean everyone needs to be a reactionary asshat and automatically hate him. Would I have him do my taxes? No. But I would definitely let him run some security for me. Besides, I haven't seen even ONE alternative suggestion for the job on here. Time to get real people.

mwalls59		2004-12-07 05:29:14 PM

Liberals should be happy that he farked the man (read: corporations) for his personal right to declare bankruptcy due to hardship.

Conservatives should be depressed that a supposedly conservative appointed official couldn't do simple math in his 30's.

On the other hand, celebrities know how the world should work and many of them never finish high school. And it's not like he's taking Greenspan's position or anything.

In all seriousness, it is a common problem in America that people think credit card debt is "normal" and even "necessary"...cause you NEED that Jiggle Billy doll, and you can't wait till next month to have it.

Spiffjiggins		2004-12-07 05:29:37 PM

2004-12-07 05:18:32 PM southsails_

But wouldn't the interest be lowered significantly if assclowns like this would pay their bills/spend responsibly?

demanton		2004-12-07 05:29:53 PM

TalkingBaseball

Its not logic, its Fark©

ZipBeep		2004-12-07 05:30:47 PM

ark2612:

Convicted of murder? rehabilitate and release to society to give the man a chance?

Files Bankruptcy? Deadbeat who should rot in hell?

Democrat's are on a roll.

how do you figure that The Smoking Gun is Democratic???

southsails_		2004-12-07 05:31:01 PM

sayangg:

Touch. It matters from what perspective you look at it (credit rate is determined before defaults, therefore credit rate overexaggerates the default rate).

With that, I'm done.

Oh, at the risk of further contradicting myself, Trump is bankrupt hack.

jae77		2004-12-07 05:31:20 PM

DrMom		2004-12-07 05:31:24 PM

Terraformer

Even more amazing.

Get drunk, drive car off bridge, kill woman = Get elected Senator-for-Life from the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.

trancemission		2004-12-07 05:31:47 PM

C'mon people - RTFA! How did he get his money? Why, a stock windfall of course! Tell me none of you've ever gotten a few extra million here and there from a lucky pick!

/Seriously though - what is the stock in question?

ZipBeep		2004-12-07 05:33:28 PM

Triaxis: More Bush bashing articles being greenlit? Is John Kerry still running for pres?

From all the Clinton bashing, you'd think Bob Dole was still running for President.

mkfreeberg		2004-12-07 05:33:32 PM

A monkey with a spinning dartboard is running the greenlight system at FARK.

mwalls59		2004-12-07 05:33:53 PM

2004-12-07 05:29:02 PM Macthulhu

Attention Farkers:

Try reading this before going off all half-cocked... It explains much more about him than the Smoking Gun paperwork.

You can't really fault the guy for turning his life around. Just because Bush likes him, doesn't mean everyone needs to be a reactionary asshat and automatically hate him. Would I have him do my taxes? No. But I would definitely let him run some security for me. Besides, I haven't seen even ONE alternative suggestion for the job on here. Time to get real people.

After reading the link posted above it makes more sense...plus now I'm afraid of him.

southsails_		2004-12-07 05:33:53 PM

Wtf? That was supposed to say "t-'shA". Touch. Touche dammit!

lothar97		2004-12-07 05:34:33 PM

southsails_ & sayangg

Think about this in a macro-economic perspective. Sure the creditors charge interest, application files, issue fees, etc. These fees cover their cost of doing business- salaries for employees, advertising, overhead, obtaining capital, etc. It also includes covering the potential loss of bad debt. More people declare bankruptcy, more bad debt for the creditors, and they lower their bottom line. This bad debt is indeed passed along to us- it's built into the interest rate and other fees we're charged now. If bad debt goes beyond their estimates, they pass the costs on to the rest of us through increased interest rates and fees.

I made my own point, and I am not backing down from the fact that bankruptcy takes the responsibility away from the person responsible (who lived way beyond their means) and passes it on to the rest of the population. I welcome evidence to the contrary.

ZipBeep		2004-12-07 05:34:53 PM

DigitalReligion: Kill a girl and you can become a senator for plenty of years a la Ted kennedy.

Or kill a guy and grow up to be First Lady!

What a great country, huh?