Although those who are pulled over for driving drunk seldom realize it at the time, they're incredibly lucky. A fine along with a possible license suspension and jail time are preferable to suffering a car wreck or being charged with aggravated assault or worse for crashing into an innocent victim.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Refinancing Homeowners Are Ditching Variable-Rate Mortgages
With mortgage rates close to record lows, 95% of refinancing homeowners are going with fixed-rate loans, according to Freddie Mac. More borrowers are also opting for shorter mortgages, with 40% of those who paid off a 30-year loan switching to a 15- or 20-year mortgage, the highest percentage since 2003.
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White House Wants Your Car To Get 54.5 MPG By 2025
Earlier today, the White House — along with the EPA and DOT — formally announced their proposal to improve fuel economy over the next decade and a half, with the goal of achieving fuel efficiencies equivalent to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
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Smiling Makes You Look Younger
Go ahead and smile. It may be Mother Nature's way of giving you a youthful appearance.
A new study showed that when people looked at photos of happy faces, they guessed the age of the person in the photo as younger than in photos of the same person with a neutral or angry expression.
Researchers say it's the first study to show that facial expressions have a major impact on the accuracy and bias of age estimates.
The study is published in Psychology and Aging.
"Although age estimates can often be based on multiple cues, there are many situations in which a picture of a person's face is the only information that is immediately available," researcher Manuel C. Voelkle of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, and colleagues write.
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A new study showed that when people looked at photos of happy faces, they guessed the age of the person in the photo as younger than in photos of the same person with a neutral or angry expression.
Researchers say it's the first study to show that facial expressions have a major impact on the accuracy and bias of age estimates.
The study is published in Psychology and Aging.
"Although age estimates can often be based on multiple cues, there are many situations in which a picture of a person's face is the only information that is immediately available," researcher Manuel C. Voelkle of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, and colleagues write.
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Clean Car Showcase Celebrates The Millions Marylanders Could Save By 2030
Environment Maryland Celebrates the Millions Marylanders Could Save by 2030
with a Clean Car Showcase
COLLEGE PARK– Today, as the Obama Administration announces a historic new clean car standard, Environment Maryland joined State Senator Jim Rosapepe, Dr. David Kirsch, professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and Charlie Garlow from the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater DC to showcase the newest and cleanest cars putting Maryland on the path to an oil-free future.
“Clean cars can enable Marylanders to drive straight past the gas station and into a future that’s free from oil,” said Sarah Bucci, Federal Field Organizer with Environment Maryland. “Thanks in part to new standards being developed by the Obama administration, the cars of tomorrow will help protect Maryland’s air and water and save their owners money.”
At the event, Environment Maryland reported new data showing that fuel efficiency and emissions standards, recently outlined by President Obama, could save Maryland 484 million gallons of fuel and each Maryland family could save about $365 each year by 2030.
“It’s exciting to see these new hybrid and electric cars coming off the assembly line,” said Senator Jim Rosapepe, District 21. “Maryland helped pave the way by passing a clean car standard and the models we have here today show that we can put these cars on the road—now let’s follow through and make every car and truck in Maryland a cleaner one. We have everything to gain from a strong, federal clean cars standard."
The Obama administration today officially proposed this new clean car standards that represent the biggest step the U.S. has ever taken to get off oil and tackle global warming. The standards would require cars and light trucks in model years 2017-2025 to meet a fleet-wide average global warming pollution standard equivalent to 54.5 miles per gallon. These standards built on state-level standards adopted earlier in Maryland.
To celebrate these benefits, Environment Maryland held an event to showcase some of the clean cars that are already coming off the assembly line today, such as the Chevy Volts and the Nissan Leaf on display today.
Bucci said President Obama’s proposed standard will spur manufacturers into producing cars and trucks that will allow you to go from filling up at the pump a couple of times a week to once every two weeks—or none at all if you choose an electric car, which can already take you over 100 miles on a single charge.
“Our addiction to oil is holding us back from a healthier future. More fuel efficient vehicles, and electric vehicles that use no gasoline at all, will cut our addiction to oil, save money for individuals, and cut down on global warming pollution," said Charlie Garlow, Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater DC. "Electricity as fuel is cheaper than filling up at the gas station; it's about the equivalent of 75 cents per gallon. Plus, electric vehicles are fun to drive!"
“Current clean vehicles standards covering vehicles through 2016 helped manufacturers across the country put 150,000 people to work producing clean and efficient vehicle technologies,” said Bucci. “President Obama’s proposal for model years 2017 to 2025 is projected to create about 600,000 new jobs nationwide as manufacturers get to work bringing you the cars and trucks of the future.”
“The models we have here today show that we can put cleaner cars on the road,” said Dr. David Kirsch, associate professor at University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. “The strong standard can make sure drivers have more options to choose from and more opportunities to save fuel when they come to the dealership.”
“We look forward to working with the Administration to make sure that the cars here today are the first of many to come, and that by 2025, the cars and trucks rolling from the dealership to Marylanders’ homes meet a strong, 54.5 miles-per-gallon standard,” concluded Bucci.
with a Clean Car Showcase
COLLEGE PARK– Today, as the Obama Administration announces a historic new clean car standard, Environment Maryland joined State Senator Jim Rosapepe, Dr. David Kirsch, professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and Charlie Garlow from the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater DC to showcase the newest and cleanest cars putting Maryland on the path to an oil-free future.
“Clean cars can enable Marylanders to drive straight past the gas station and into a future that’s free from oil,” said Sarah Bucci, Federal Field Organizer with Environment Maryland. “Thanks in part to new standards being developed by the Obama administration, the cars of tomorrow will help protect Maryland’s air and water and save their owners money.”
At the event, Environment Maryland reported new data showing that fuel efficiency and emissions standards, recently outlined by President Obama, could save Maryland 484 million gallons of fuel and each Maryland family could save about $365 each year by 2030.
“It’s exciting to see these new hybrid and electric cars coming off the assembly line,” said Senator Jim Rosapepe, District 21. “Maryland helped pave the way by passing a clean car standard and the models we have here today show that we can put these cars on the road—now let’s follow through and make every car and truck in Maryland a cleaner one. We have everything to gain from a strong, federal clean cars standard."
The Obama administration today officially proposed this new clean car standards that represent the biggest step the U.S. has ever taken to get off oil and tackle global warming. The standards would require cars and light trucks in model years 2017-2025 to meet a fleet-wide average global warming pollution standard equivalent to 54.5 miles per gallon. These standards built on state-level standards adopted earlier in Maryland.
To celebrate these benefits, Environment Maryland held an event to showcase some of the clean cars that are already coming off the assembly line today, such as the Chevy Volts and the Nissan Leaf on display today.
Bucci said President Obama’s proposed standard will spur manufacturers into producing cars and trucks that will allow you to go from filling up at the pump a couple of times a week to once every two weeks—or none at all if you choose an electric car, which can already take you over 100 miles on a single charge.
“Our addiction to oil is holding us back from a healthier future. More fuel efficient vehicles, and electric vehicles that use no gasoline at all, will cut our addiction to oil, save money for individuals, and cut down on global warming pollution," said Charlie Garlow, Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater DC. "Electricity as fuel is cheaper than filling up at the gas station; it's about the equivalent of 75 cents per gallon. Plus, electric vehicles are fun to drive!"
“Current clean vehicles standards covering vehicles through 2016 helped manufacturers across the country put 150,000 people to work producing clean and efficient vehicle technologies,” said Bucci. “President Obama’s proposal for model years 2017 to 2025 is projected to create about 600,000 new jobs nationwide as manufacturers get to work bringing you the cars and trucks of the future.”
“The models we have here today show that we can put cleaner cars on the road,” said Dr. David Kirsch, associate professor at University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. “The strong standard can make sure drivers have more options to choose from and more opportunities to save fuel when they come to the dealership.”
“We look forward to working with the Administration to make sure that the cars here today are the first of many to come, and that by 2025, the cars and trucks rolling from the dealership to Marylanders’ homes meet a strong, 54.5 miles-per-gallon standard,” concluded Bucci.
Nepal Villagers Convicted Over 'Himalayan Viagra' Murders
KATMANDU, Nepal — A court in northwestern Nepal has convicted 19 villagers for the beating deaths of seven people from a rival community in a dispute over foraging for a rare fungus known as 'Himalayan Viagra.'
The Manang district court, in a remote area of the country, said six of the defendants were sentenced to 20 years in prison, while the remaining 13 were sentenced to two years.
Oil Rises Above $100 in New York On Announced Reversal Of Seaway Pipeline
Oil in New York climbed above $100 a barrel to a five-month high as Enbridge Inc. said it will reverse the direction of the Seaway pipeline, adding an outlet for crude from the central U.S. and Canada.
Futures rose as much as 3.1 percent after Enbridge agreed to acquire ConocoPhillips (COP)’s share of the pipeline that runs between Cushing, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast and announced the reversal. The change may alleviate a bottleneck at the Cushing storage hub that has lowered the price of West Texas Intermediate, the grade traded in New York, against other oils.
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Futures rose as much as 3.1 percent after Enbridge agreed to acquire ConocoPhillips (COP)’s share of the pipeline that runs between Cushing, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast and announced the reversal. The change may alleviate a bottleneck at the Cushing storage hub that has lowered the price of West Texas Intermediate, the grade traded in New York, against other oils.
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Google Earth Uncovers Mysterious White Lines In Chinese Desert
If crop circles are too 20th century for you, how about some large white lines—laid out in an odd grid-like pattern—strewn across the Chinese desert?
Thanks to Google Maps satellite imagery, online map enthusiasts have discovered a few odd-looking formations in China. And with the discovery of the white lines stretching over one mile long and 3,000 feet wide, you can be certain folks will continue searching for more interesting Chinese designs.
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OCCUPY PISSES OFF EVERYONE
The editorial below was in my paper yesterday. It really grabbed my attention. It was from Dale McFeatters of the Scripps News Service. They are a liberal leaning organization. Their editorials skew to the left. They are sick and tired of Occupy Wall Street. They say it is time to go home and work through the existing establishment rules, regulations and captured party system.
Mayor Bloomberg is an Independent. He is sick and tired of Occupy Wall Street. He destroyed their encampment site yesterday and is fed up with their tactics. He also happens to be a multi-billionaire whose wealth was created from selling his product to Wall Street.
The Mayor of Phila is an ultra-liberal who just won re-election in this bastion of Democratic politics with 75% of the vote. He went on TV this week and said he is fed up with Occupy Phila and their refusal to move when his City Hall construction project begins.
The Mayor of Oakland makes the Mayor of Phila look like a conservative. She ordered an all out attack on the Occupy Oakland encampment.
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Mayor Bloomberg is an Independent. He is sick and tired of Occupy Wall Street. He destroyed their encampment site yesterday and is fed up with their tactics. He also happens to be a multi-billionaire whose wealth was created from selling his product to Wall Street.
The Mayor of Phila is an ultra-liberal who just won re-election in this bastion of Democratic politics with 75% of the vote. He went on TV this week and said he is fed up with Occupy Phila and their refusal to move when his City Hall construction project begins.
The Mayor of Oakland makes the Mayor of Phila look like a conservative. She ordered an all out attack on the Occupy Oakland encampment.
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In Latin America, Looking At The Positive Side Of Child Labor
Victor Chipani started working when he was 10 years old — a few hours each day, rounding up passengers to fill public minibuses in his impoverished city of El Alto, Bolivia, outside the capital, La Paz. Now, at 15, he does the job from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, earning less than a dollar an hour. His meager wage helps feed his eight siblings and covers his supplies for night school. But the small-framed teenager, who hopes to attend college and even medical school, doesn't want anyone's pity. He can defend himself, he insists — through his union. "United," he says, sounding like a seasoned adult laborite, "we as child workers can achieve anything."
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WHY EUROPE MATTERS TO YOU
European Debt Crisis Threatens the Dollar
by Ron Paul
The global economic situation is becoming more dire every day. Approximately half of all US banks have significant exposure to the debt crisis in Europe. Much more dangerous for the US taxpayer is the dollar’s status as reserve currency for the world, and the US Federal Reserve’s status as the lender of last resort. As we’ve learned in recent disclosures, this has not only benefitted companies like AIG, the auto industry and various US banks, but multiple foreign central banks as they have run into trouble. Nothing has been solved, however, by offering up the productivity of Americans as a sacrificial lamb. Greece is set to be the first domino to fall in the string of European economies at risk. Rather than learning from Greece’s terrible example of an over-consuming public sector and drowning private sector, what is more likely from our politicians is an eventual bailout of European investors.
The US has a relatively small exposure to overwhelmed Greek banks, but much larger economies in Europe are set to follow and that will have serious implications for US banks. Greece is technically small enough to bail out. Italy is not. Germany is not. France is not. It is estimated that US banks have over a trillion dollars tied up in at-risk German and French banks. Because the urge to paper over the debt with more credit is so strong, the collapse of the Euro is imminent. Will the Fed be held responsible if the Euro brings the US dollar down with it?
The most disingenuous aspect of the narrative about the European sovereign debt crisis is that entire economies will collapse if more resources are not bilked from productive people around the world. This is untrue. Tough times are coming for the banks, to be sure, but free people always find a way back to prosperity if the politicians leave them alone. Communities within Greece are coming together and forming barter systems because they know the Euro is becoming unstable. Greeks are learning how to engage in commerce with each other, without the use of fiat currency controlled by central banks. In other words, they are rediscovering what money really is, and they are trading with each other in ways that cannot be controlled, manipulated, squandered, inflated away and generally ruined by corrupt bankers and the politicians that enable them. Farmers will still grow food, mechanics will still fix cars, people will still make things and exchange them with each other. No banker, no politician can stop that by destroying one medium of exchange. People will find or create another medium of exchange.
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by Ron Paul
The global economic situation is becoming more dire every day. Approximately half of all US banks have significant exposure to the debt crisis in Europe. Much more dangerous for the US taxpayer is the dollar’s status as reserve currency for the world, and the US Federal Reserve’s status as the lender of last resort. As we’ve learned in recent disclosures, this has not only benefitted companies like AIG, the auto industry and various US banks, but multiple foreign central banks as they have run into trouble. Nothing has been solved, however, by offering up the productivity of Americans as a sacrificial lamb. Greece is set to be the first domino to fall in the string of European economies at risk. Rather than learning from Greece’s terrible example of an over-consuming public sector and drowning private sector, what is more likely from our politicians is an eventual bailout of European investors.
The US has a relatively small exposure to overwhelmed Greek banks, but much larger economies in Europe are set to follow and that will have serious implications for US banks. Greece is technically small enough to bail out. Italy is not. Germany is not. France is not. It is estimated that US banks have over a trillion dollars tied up in at-risk German and French banks. Because the urge to paper over the debt with more credit is so strong, the collapse of the Euro is imminent. Will the Fed be held responsible if the Euro brings the US dollar down with it?
The most disingenuous aspect of the narrative about the European sovereign debt crisis is that entire economies will collapse if more resources are not bilked from productive people around the world. This is untrue. Tough times are coming for the banks, to be sure, but free people always find a way back to prosperity if the politicians leave them alone. Communities within Greece are coming together and forming barter systems because they know the Euro is becoming unstable. Greeks are learning how to engage in commerce with each other, without the use of fiat currency controlled by central banks. In other words, they are rediscovering what money really is, and they are trading with each other in ways that cannot be controlled, manipulated, squandered, inflated away and generally ruined by corrupt bankers and the politicians that enable them. Farmers will still grow food, mechanics will still fix cars, people will still make things and exchange them with each other. No banker, no politician can stop that by destroying one medium of exchange. People will find or create another medium of exchange.
More
Study Finds 'Chemo Fog' In Breast-Cancer Patients Is Real
Many cancer survivors report feeling they've lost some mental sharpness following treatment. This common phenomenon has come to be known as "chemo brain" or "chemo fog," which is somewhat misleading because it also occurs in people who have not undergone chemotherapy.
Although recent studies have shown that up to 75% of cancer survivors do indeed experience altered mental function — and that these changes can last for five years or longer — doctors often downplay complaints about chemo fog, says Shelli R. Kesler of the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, Calif.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY 11-16-11
“And when the last law was cut down, and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country’s planted thick with laws from coast to coast, man’s laws, not God’s, and if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then?”
Thomas More
Thomas More
Police Find $500G Of Atlanta-Bound Cocaine In Horse Saddle
Atlanta – Police uncovered $500,000 of Atlanta-bound cocaine inside a horse saddle Tuesday.
Federal agents said they discovered the saddle as it crossed the Mexican-U.S. border through the post. They immediately launched "Operation Urban Cowboy" and tracked it as it made its way to a Georgian store.
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Federal agents said they discovered the saddle as it crossed the Mexican-U.S. border through the post. They immediately launched "Operation Urban Cowboy" and tracked it as it made its way to a Georgian store.
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An Insight Into Tim Geithner's Respect For Law And Constitutions
At yesterday's WSJ CEO Council participants got to see what Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner really thinks about constitutions and the law.
While being questioned by Rupert Murdoch's top lieutenant, Robert Thomson, the topic of the Eurozone crisis came up and the need, in Geithner's view, that the European Central Bank should step in and buy Eurozone bonds whenever required. The problem with this is that it is against the ECB constitution that was approved by the EZ members when the ECB was formed.
So does Geithner see a problem with this constitutional limitation? Not really.
He said, in a somewhat irritated fashion, that "there are ways to get around these things". So much for constitutions. Then he added. "It's not rocket science [to get around these things]".
And there you have Geithner's view on laws, agreements and constitutions. There are ways to get around them.
Source
While being questioned by Rupert Murdoch's top lieutenant, Robert Thomson, the topic of the Eurozone crisis came up and the need, in Geithner's view, that the European Central Bank should step in and buy Eurozone bonds whenever required. The problem with this is that it is against the ECB constitution that was approved by the EZ members when the ECB was formed.
So does Geithner see a problem with this constitutional limitation? Not really.
He said, in a somewhat irritated fashion, that "there are ways to get around these things". So much for constitutions. Then he added. "It's not rocket science [to get around these things]".
And there you have Geithner's view on laws, agreements and constitutions. There are ways to get around them.
Source
Europe Bans X-Ray Body Scanners Used at U.S. Airports
A small number of cancer cases would result from scanning hundreds of millions of passengers a year. For some, that's a health issue
The European Union on Monday prohibited the use of X-ray body scanners [1] in European airports, parting ways with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, which has deployed hundreds of the scanners as a way to screen millions of airline passengers for explosives hidden under clothing.
The European Commission, which enforces common policies of the EU's 27 member countries, adopted the rule “in order not to risk jeopardizing citizens’ health and safety.”
The European Commission, which enforces common policies of the EU's 27 member countries, adopted the rule “in order not to risk jeopardizing citizens’ health and safety.”
CBO Report - "We should subsidize more mortgages"
The Congressional Budget Office reports are worth looking at as they often give clues on future economic policy and legislation. The CBO is supposed to be non-partisan. I’m not sure I understand what that means. In one way or another everything in D.C. is partisan. It has been my observation that the CBO attempts to steer the direction of policy in their reports. They push their own agenda. What motivates them is not clear to me.
CBO recommends steps that could be taken. It also estimates the consequences of any economic policy action. They forecast (guess at) both the number of new jobs that would be created and for how long those jobs might last.
The recent CBO report [4] evaluates a range of stimulus options. The following two slides are from the 2/10 and the 11/15 reports. They are similar, but there is one very important new policy option in the most recent analysis:
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CBO recommends steps that could be taken. It also estimates the consequences of any economic policy action. They forecast (guess at) both the number of new jobs that would be created and for how long those jobs might last.
The recent CBO report [4] evaluates a range of stimulus options. The following two slides are from the 2/10 and the 11/15 reports. They are similar, but there is one very important new policy option in the most recent analysis:
More
Ohio Executes Man Who Killed 3 Sleeping Sons
Ohio could execute at least seven condemned killers next year now that an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment has ended in the state and numerous inmates exhaust decades old appeals.
A federal judge's examination of the state's execution procedures and an unrelated decision by Gov. John Kasich to spare two prisoners halted executions for six months beginning in May.
A federal judge's examination of the state's execution procedures and an unrelated decision by Gov. John Kasich to spare two prisoners halted executions for six months beginning in May.
Lew Rockwell Warned Us About Gingrich
Under his skirt, Newt Gingrich is revealed to be a bankster operative.
Gingrich made between $1.6 million and $1.8 million in consulting fees from two contracts with Freddie Mac, Bloomberg is reporting.
Bloomberg continues:
The total amount is significantly larger than the $300,000 payment from Freddie Mac that Gingrich was asked about during a Republican presidential debate on Nov. 9 sponsored by CNBC, and more than was disclosed in the middle of congressional investigations into the housing industry collapse.
Gingrich’s business relationship with Freddie Mac spanned a period of eight years. When asked at the debate what he did to earn a $300,000 payment in 2006, the former speaker said he “offered them advice on precisely what they didn’t do,” and warned the company that its lending practices were “insane.” Former Freddie Mac executives who worked with Gingrich dispute that account.
Bottom line: Lew Rockwell told us all we need to know about Newt, when he recently wrote:
Some years ago, I was invited to speak at a National Review conference in the government capital. In my talk, I praised our predecessors in the Old Right, who came together in opposition to FDR's domestic fascism and drive to war. Afterwards, in the question period, up pops a furious Newt Gingrich to say, at length, that conservatives must love Roosevelt--he was Reagan's hero, after all--and to criticize Franklin or his policies was to risk being written out of the conservative movement. I responded that this is what's wrong with contemporary conservatism: its corporatism and militarism. I never saw Newt again, and I was not invited back.
Newt is a neocon, i.e., a champion of the corporate state and perpetual war, and a corrupt DC lobbyist of the worst sort. He may talk a good game, once in a while, with Obama in power, but it is all just a partisan trick.
Source
Gingrich made between $1.6 million and $1.8 million in consulting fees from two contracts with Freddie Mac, Bloomberg is reporting.
Bloomberg continues:
The total amount is significantly larger than the $300,000 payment from Freddie Mac that Gingrich was asked about during a Republican presidential debate on Nov. 9 sponsored by CNBC, and more than was disclosed in the middle of congressional investigations into the housing industry collapse.
Gingrich’s business relationship with Freddie Mac spanned a period of eight years. When asked at the debate what he did to earn a $300,000 payment in 2006, the former speaker said he “offered them advice on precisely what they didn’t do,” and warned the company that its lending practices were “insane.” Former Freddie Mac executives who worked with Gingrich dispute that account.
Bottom line: Lew Rockwell told us all we need to know about Newt, when he recently wrote:
Some years ago, I was invited to speak at a National Review conference in the government capital. In my talk, I praised our predecessors in the Old Right, who came together in opposition to FDR's domestic fascism and drive to war. Afterwards, in the question period, up pops a furious Newt Gingrich to say, at length, that conservatives must love Roosevelt--he was Reagan's hero, after all--and to criticize Franklin or his policies was to risk being written out of the conservative movement. I responded that this is what's wrong with contemporary conservatism: its corporatism and militarism. I never saw Newt again, and I was not invited back.
Newt is a neocon, i.e., a champion of the corporate state and perpetual war, and a corrupt DC lobbyist of the worst sort. He may talk a good game, once in a while, with Obama in power, but it is all just a partisan trick.
Source
BREAKING NEWS: Gingrich, Romney Top Latest Fox News Poll
Fox News poll shows Newt Gingrich surging into lead in GOP presidential race, with Mitt Romney holding steady and Herman Cain falling back.
From Fox News
From Fox News
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