this just in from my favorite columnist

[tvashtarkatena]

Brooks on the budget

[Stefan]

I like Mr. Brooks. Always have enjoyed his pragmatism.

[tvashtarkatena]

I was sad when Safire retired from the Times pages, then Brooks came along...

 

I like and respect guys like Krugman, but I don't really enjoy reading them like I do these two.

 

 

Edited March 6, 2009 by tvashtarkatena

[jmo]

I find it disturbing that within a day of criticizing the administration he was contacted by four senior staff members.

 

Here is an alternate opinion from a reputable source.

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123561551065378405.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

[mattp]

I find it disturbing that within a day of criticizing the administration he was contacted by four senior staff members.

 

 

As opposed to having his wife's identity as a secret agent exposed?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

I find it disturbing that within a day of criticizing the administration he was contacted by four senior staff members.

 

Indeed. Sounds like something straight out of Orwell.

[mattp]

It sounds as if those people at the White House are doing their job.

[jmo]

I find it disturbing that within a day of criticizing the administration he was contacted by four senior staff members.

 

 

As opposed to having his wife's identity as a secret agent exposed?

 

Both are an inappropriate response to criticism. Faults of one administration do not in any ways justify the faults of the next.

 

One person contacting him, would be doing their job. Maybe two. but FOUR?

Edited March 6, 2009 by jmo

[tvashtarkatena]

Guys, stow it. I mean, come on. The guy is probably the top columnist in the country. When he says something, the White House is reading it, and should respond. Jebus, just read the piece, then draw your conclusions.

[jmo]

Guys, stow it. I mean, come on. The guy is probably the top columnist in the country. When he says something, the White House is reading it, and should respond. Jebus, just read the piece, then draw your conclusions.

 

I did read the piece. Some makes sense. Some I agree with. Some I'm not sure of. That why I offered an alternate opinion.

[JosephH]

The problem with the banks/economy is that no one, not the last administration, not this administration - no one - wants to mark the value of the 'toxic' assets to market, run a balance sheet, and publicly read the results out loud. If they did, all the banks would have to declare bankrupcy yesterday.

 

The problem? Everyone is trying to pay lip service to 'capitalism' and the 'power of free markets' by trying - in any and all conceivable ways - to avoid nationalizing the banks and honestly acknowledging the complete and total failure of both our ideology and our regulatory system. The only way to avoid that is by the government buying toxic assets at above market prices thereby rewarding bad players and behavior - it's a lose-lose scenario however you look at it and has resulted in a bi-partisan paralysis.

[j_b]

Despite their claims, free marketeers like Brooks aren't centrists. The political center recognizes the fundamental role of government in the economy and acknowledges the necessity of welfare both to the have nots and business.

[el jefe]

david brooks calls himself a "moderate", but he's just a limp, conservative apologist for republican policies. i'd say he is certainly my least favorite n.y. times columnist after airhead william kristol and an extremely disappointing substitute for the retired safire. i didn't agree with safire's politics, but i respected his analysis and enjoyed his writing.

[tvashtarkatena]

Safire had more raw intellectual firepower, and he was obviously a master wordsmith and work lover, but i like Brooks (does he describe himself as a moderate? Never heard him peg himself that way) because he's a mellow guy who hangs out with the Kahunas and so is usually able to report inside statements and opinions (adding his bent, of course). I don't agree with him much of the time, but enjoy reading his commentary.

 

I don't recall reading any apologist pieces.

[el jefe]

read brooks' column from earlier this week (3/3/09) "moderate manifesto": he clearly believes he is speaking from the "center".

[tvashtarkatena]

That soft, chewy center. Can anyone find it?

 

It's like trying to find the centroid of a padded room full of psychotics.

[j_b]

I don't recall reading any apologist pieces

 

After 30 years of conservative "big government", soaring deficits, and unprecedented corporate welfare, he wrote that Obama's budget is a "big government document" yet you think he isn't an apologist for the rightwing?

[tvashtarkatena]

It is a big government document. A very, very big government document.

 

I'm so far left I believe marriage should be the union between one man and a herd of sheep, but this budget is pretty scary. I believe in sustainable policies. This budget is clearly exactly the opposite, and it as an extreme shot in the dark.

Edited March 7, 2009 by tvashtarkatena

[el jefe]

since when is the 'wall street urinal' a 'reputable source'?

[j_b]

That soft, chewy center. Can anyone find it?

 

The center is where it has always been. Free marketeering however has always been pretty far to the right.

[j_b]

It is a big government document. A very, very big government document.

 

sinking $1 trillion a year in the military is no less big government, so let's quit with the rightwing ideological framing.

[el jefe]

well said, j b!

[tvashtarkatena]

It is a big government document. A very, very big government document.

 

sinking $1 trillion a year in the military is no less big government, so let's quit with the rightwing ideological framing.

 

Get a clue, freak. I've argued here for years for a massive reduction in military spending.

[j_b]

We were talking about Brooks, not you, which must be difficult to accept for someone with an ego as large as yours.

[Fairweather]

It is a big government document. A very, very big government document.

 

I'm so far left I believe marriage should be the union between one man and a herd of sheep, but this budget is pretty scary. I believe in sustainable policies. This budget is clearly exactly the opposite, and it as an extreme shot in the dark.

 

Yes. Um, 'cept for the part about the sheep.