While it’s not your traditional Sunday morning music a little boogie is always good for the soul. Shake Ya Boogie by Czarek Kwaśny, a music video for Mocean Worker, from his album Cinco The MOWO!, reminds me of Sylvain Chomet’s “The Triplets of Belleville.” Enjoy.

Shake Ya Boogie from Czarek Kwaśny on Vimeo.

Joe Biden of Delaware became Joe Biden of America last night with a flawless debate performance in St. Louis. He had command of the issues, he was gracious and respectful and he did not back down from Mrs. Palin’s attacks, her distortions or her perkiness. His answers on foreign policy were masterful.

He scored with his speech on fatherhood, he was consistent on the economic message, he married John McCain to George Bush, he disclaimed the maverick label and he got in a good zinger when after taking McCain’s health plan to task he labeled it the “Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere.”

The Alaskan governor, on the other hand, used tired cliches and talking points to render the audience numb (I’m sure the base loved the lower taxes and drill till you drop stuff). Her harping on energy and her constant “Alaska, Alaska, Alaska” left me wondering what she was running for. As Carl Bernstein on CNN said last night she made a good case to be McCain’s Secretary of the Interior, but not Vice President.

CNN has the transcript here.

Digg It!

The Senate completed it’s actions intended to relieve the nation’s troubled financial systems on Wednesday. An amendment to a House bill added the bailout provisions and passed 74-25. The twenty five consisted of progressive Democrats and conservative republicans; the conservatives, on the whole, unhappy with any intervention in the markets and the progressives unhappy, on the whole, with a lack of protections for individuals and a lack of control over the money. Oh, and it’s now offically a rescue and not a bailout, I am chastened. Continue Reading »

As mentioned earlier the Senate will be voting at 7:30 PM Eastern on a new version of the bailout plan. The bailout and the attendant items are included as a substitute amendment to a mental health parity bill, H.R. 1424, as indexed by McClatchy. The pdf of the bill is here.

Digg It!

It appears that the bailout circus and sideshow is moving to the the other house.

The Senate has scheduled two votes on the bailout for 7:30 pm. The first vote will be on a slightly revised version of the bailout bill that was defeated by the House on Monday. The second vote will be on an amendment from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to levy a 10 percent surtax on the income of individuals above $500,000 a year. Both votes will require a 60 votes to pass.

Gotta love Senator Sanders, he never quits trying. Included in the Senate bill is an increase of FDIC’s insurance limit from $100,000 to $250,000. It’s touted as a way to assure citizens that their deposits will be safe. It’s a good start. Continue Reading »

So say the republicans, via Think Progress.

While you’re over at Think Progress check out the story on how Newt may have influenced the House republicans yesterday.

It’s been called a failure of leadership, some call it a failure of Democrats, some a failure of republicans and some even call the right wimps for that “Nancy hurt our feelings” embarrassment of yesterday. A lot of people are scratching their heads wondering what’s next, both in and out of government. The people who called for no bailout got their wish and then were entertained by tanking markets. The republicans are clueless (see Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi and Digby) and the Democrats stand at the precipice seemingly unwilling to take the lead. Continue Reading »