Propeller Week In Review: February 20, 2009 »
Posted By JamesMarcus 9 months, 2 weeks ago in News
Reactions to the megabucks stimulus package--both pro and con--were at center stage this week. But the Propeller community also held forth about the Palins (mother and daughter), white-collar crime, and Edwin Starr's anti-war blast from the Motown studios. Special note: we are now adding pop-up photo galleries to the WIR! To view this extra eye candy, you will have to disable your pop-up blocker. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
Week In Review: February 20, 2009
President Barack Obama salutes as he walks off Marine One to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base on February 17. The president was en route to Denver, Colorado, where he would sign the $787 billion economic stimulus bill.
Getty Images
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a mammoth piece of legislation signed into law by Barack Obama on February 17. Supposedly only a handful of lawmakers managed to wade through the entire behemoth.
Getty Images
Barack Obama signs the economic stimulus bill on February 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The $787 billion package will fund infrastructure projects, renewable energy projects, and health care, as well as increase unemployment benefits and provide for tax breaks.
Getty Images
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as President Barack Obama is seen on television at the stimulus bill signing ceremony. The Dow dropped 297 points in the wake of the ceremony.
Getty Images
Guy Greenly picks up traffic cones from a Florida Department of Transportation road construction site on February 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. States across the nation are hoping that with the signing of the $787 billion stimulus bill, they will see an influx of federal money to help with infrastructure projects.
Getty Images
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, seen here speaking at the Republican Governors Association conference on November 13, 2008.
Getty Images
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin answers questions from the media as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger listens at the meeting of the National Governor's Association in December 2008.
Getty Images
Bristol Palin, seen here with her boyfriend Levi Johnston at the RNC in September 2008.
Getty Images
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, under the Department of Justice, logo is displayed at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.
Getty Images
FBI Deputy Director John Pistole is seen here in a 2007 photo, chatting with with Washington, DC, Police Chief Cathy Lanier (center) and with West Virginia cabinet secretary James Spears
Getty Images
Read Full Story at blog.propeller.com »
764 Views Share Story 79 Comments Report
Submitted By:
JamesMarcus
James Marcus is a writer, translator, critic, and editor. He is the author of Amazonia: Five Years at the Epicenter of the Dot-Com Juggernaut and ...
Other Related Articles: All »
RSS Join the Discussion
+ Add CommentComments So Far: 79 (view all)
-
-
-
29%
Hhussk9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I think our President is having a difficult week. Overall, I don't have the numbers yet, but I'm getting the impression that people are getting upset with the details (and the lack thereof).
Reply
I'll have more data in the next two weeks. March 4th is significant since housing details will come out. The Dow Jones has been responding extremely negatively - the is starting to become a self-perpetuating story.-
100%
JamesMarcus9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
My guess is that the Dow is also responding to any number of panicky prospects, such as the potential nationalization of US banks, which seem scary whether they happen or not. What's worse, the major banks collapsing from lack of capital, or the fact that the major banks are on the ropes in the first place? If you see what I mean.
Reply -
-
100%
mesodude9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"Summary: In recent days, numerous Fox Business Network hosts, reporters, and contributors have repeatedly spread the debunked claim that the economic recovery act includes funding to protect the salt marsh harvest mouse in the San Francisco wetlands. In fact, the act does not contain any language directing funds to San Francisco wetlands or the salt marsh harvest mouse living in them, a fact that the House Republican leadership aide who reportedly originated the claim has reportedly acknowledged."
Reply
from: Fox Business Network infested by false tale of stimulus bill's salt marsh mouse
http://mediamatters.org/items/200902180025?f=s_sea...
-
-
-
-
-
stalemateComment removed: Retracted by user
-
-
75%
mesodude9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I always enjoy reading these, James. However, I (and I suspect others) would be curious to know what your philosophy/approach is regarding fact checking. For instance, Hhussk's statement regarding the "marsh mouse" is patently, demonstrably, unequivocally 100% FALSE (as is most of what right wingers here are fed by FOX). It's a matter of public record that this is simply untrue. Not an exaggeration or distortion. It's UNTRUE.
Reply
So I guess I'm asking what your rule of thumb, if you will, is when choosing what you quote? Part of Hhussk's quote is opinion (which I don't have a problem with) but the...well, misstatement of fact is something I don't think should be repeated. Just curious. Keep up the good work.-
100%
JamesMarcus9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
That's a legitimate question. My philosophy in regard to fact-checking the WIR is: I don't do any. I will steer clear of any glaringly false statements by obvious nutters. But if I start researching every legit-looking comment, I'll never get the feature done each week. Of course you can debunk falsehoods right here, in the comment thread. As for the second part of your question: I try to choose the pithiest, smartest, most memorable bits to quote. I also look for opposing viewpoints I can stack up without using hundreds of words for each side. And I'm very partial to comedy, assuming it's not too mean-spirited.
Reply -
RRconComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned21 Replies
-
-
100%
Rick78x9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=obama%20dece...
Reply -
14%
jmopinion9 months, 2 weeks ago
-
-
100%
mesodude9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"After the crash in the stock market and silence from the Fed.Govt. I am wondering if McCain would have been the better pick. Wall Street is losing confidence in the Obama administration which is bad news."
Reply
I guess...But I think McCain's campaign manager or whatever told you and your fellow Americans to suck it up and stop whining. How did that turn out? ;-P
-
-
-
100%
CRYMTYPHON9 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I am going to start adding to the WIR, the most interesting and incisive comment made by JamesMarcus for that week.
Reply
For this week I have:
'I like bologna sandwiches'
- a trifle short but pithy. -
-
-
Add a Comment
Sign In With Your Propeller Account
Please keep your comments relevant to this story.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.