Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Open Thread

by BooMan
Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 04:47:05 PM EST

Word on the street is that Obama will nominate Bill Richardson tomorrow morning as his Commerce Secretary. Without being critical of this selection, I don't think it is the best use of Richardson's talents. I'd prefer to see him used as a roving ambassador to the world's trouble-spots. For example, I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable about the tension between India and Pakistan if I knew Richardson was working the problem. Yet, I am sure he will be an able and successful Commerce Secretary. He definitely earned a position in the government when he made his brave endorsement of Obama during the primaries.

Open Thread | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

But given the world's growing financial crisis, Richardson's role may well eclipse that of Hillary's. I do think this one, at least, is a very good appointment at this critical time.

"If you look for the social economic motive, you will not have to wait for history to tell you what was propaganda and what was truth." - George Seldes

by Real History Lisa (lpeaseRemoveThis@gte.net) on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 05:00:49 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

It's easy to forget what all is in the Department of Commerce:

Bureau of Industry and Security - One of its emphases is global trade security.
Bureau of the Census
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Economic Development Administration
International Trade Administration - promotes trade and investment, strengthens industry competitiveness, ensuring fair trade (!!!)
Minority Business Development Agency
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Technical Information Service
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Patent and Trademark Office

With experience as an international negotiator, Secretary of Energy, and Governor, he has dealt with almost every one of these areas. I look for him to be providing input into trade negotiation strategies, knowing a lot of the players from his previous international experience.

I would have preferred him as Secretary of State but this is a good fit for his experience as well.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 06:42:41 PM EST

Quick, without Googling,... (none / 0)

who is the incumbent Secretary of Commerce?

by Ed J on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 08:48:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sorry (none / 0)

I have to Google. And your point is?

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 09:51:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sorry (none / 0)

i thought the same thing. you're giving me homework?

by BooMan on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 10:18:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sorry (none / 0)

No I did your homework for you.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 08:35:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

My point is that if... (none / 0)

it's such an important post you oughtta know who holds it.

by Ed J on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 06:47:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My point is that if... (none / 0)

OK, I Googled. It's Carlos Gutierrez, former CEO of Kellogg Company. His big deal seems to be getting passage of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

It is not that it is currently an important post. It is that it is potentially with the right leadership an important post. Because we are at a moment when there needs to be a recasting of the rules of the global economy as significant as what was done in Bretton Woods and the original GATT agreements.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 08:35:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Low turnout... (none / 0)

is being reported in the Georgia senate runoff. Are Obama voters sitting on their hands in this race?

by Ed J on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 05:16:36 PM EST

Re: Low turnout... (none / 0)

probably. I am not hopeful.

by BooMan on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 05:17:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Low turnout... (none / 0)

It depends on whose turnout is low. Chambliss's or Martin's.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 06:44:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

if this is what we can look forward from the village people as they struggle to fill the air waves with trivial b.s. during the next 48 days, l thank dog for no tv.

just reading the transcript of chimpy's interview on abc last night gave me a headache.

the man is shamelessly stupid, can't speak coherently, and just doesn't seem to have a clue. regarding his complicity in the ways things have turned out. as the rude one put it:

...He talks endlessly about history's judgment while saying he doesn't care. He wants redemption, but the price of such grace is to admit you've sinned, and when you see these interviews with the man, all you can think is that you've never seen damnation so clearly in someone's lost eyes.

never let it be said that W and reality were ever acquainted.

worst. president. in. history.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 05:42:35 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Wasn't it Hunter Thompson who called him a "baffled little creep"? I can't think of a more apt description.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 11:25:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 1)

I think Gov. Richardson is a great pick for most positions. As Sec. of Commerce, may be outside of his previous experience it does allow him to tackle domestic issues on a national scale, something his resume may not have.

by americanforliberty on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 07:16:38 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Obama and I may make different personnel decision but we think alike.

by BooMan on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 10:32:53 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Women, Sialkot, Panjab, Pakistan

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 11:33:00 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Guests arriving first night of the wedding, Sialkot, Pakistan

Young Wife, Sialkot, Pakistan

The Bride's Family Arrives, Sialkot, Pakistan

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Tue Dec 2nd, 2008 at 11:40:34 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

beautiful bride

by rikyrah on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 01:10:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

The bride was beautiful indeed (and the groom handsome), but that photo is of the groom's cousin. She was married the year before.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 01:47:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

He should have been Secretary of State. Though, if someone had the vision, Commerce could help us a great deal across the globe, if the vision of commerce were to change

by rikyrah on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 01:10:08 AM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Boo, I'd like to hear your take on this 'bump in the road for Hillary?' piece: http://smofbabe.livejournal.com/518877.html

by fudgelady on Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 at 08:55:53 AM EST

Open Thread | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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