Cheap Political Theater (Thomas Sowell)

Jewish World Review ^ | March 24, 2009 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

Death threats to executives at AIG, because of the bonuses they received, are one more sign of the utter degeneration of politics in our time.

Congressman Barney Frank has threatened to summon these executives before his committee and force them to reveal their home addresses— which would of course put their wives and children at the mercy of whatever kooks might want to literally take a shot at them.

Whatever the political or economic issues involved, this is not the way such issues should be resolved in America. We are not yet a banana republic, though that is the direction in which some of our politicians are taking us— especially those politicians who make a lot of noise about "compassion" and "social justice."

What makes this all the more painfully ironic is that it is precisely those members of Congress who have had the most to do with creating the risks that led to the current economic crisis who are making the most noise against others, and summoning people before their committee to be browbeaten and humiliated on nationwide television.

No one pushed harder than Congressman Barney Frank to force banks and other financial institutions to reduce their mortgage lending standards, in order to meet government-set goals for more home ownership. Those lower mortgage lending standards are at the heart of the increased riskiness of the mortgage market and of the collapse of Wall Street securities based on those risky mortgages.

[jazusamo]

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

Recent columns
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[clamper1797]

Barney Frank is a despicable POS

[girlangler]

Sowell is one of my favorite columnists.

I am sending this one to a LOT of people.

[jazusamo]

Barney Frank is a despicable POS

Couldn't agree more!

[Canedawg]

Thanks for the ping.

Have you seen this column by denenberg yet? It’s a good one.

http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/03/23/herb_denenberg/doc49c6f7ccaf164641312510.txt

[fullchroma]

bump!

[TAdams8591]

"What makes this all the more painfully ironic is that it is precisely those members of Congress who have had the most to do with creating the risks that led to the current economic crisis who are making the most noise against others, and summoning people before their committee to be browbeaten and humiliated on nationwide television."

Exactly! It is time politicans like Franks be held accountable. And Republicans must call for it.

[screaminsunshine]

Attention liberal morons. Gays, Moochers, Lazy bums and egghead useless idiots. Obama is a tru socialist-marxist. Allow me to remind you of what always happens in a communist society you so fervently crave. There are no freebies to give away! You have to WORK! For crusts of bread. WORK! All you Maynard G. Krebs morons. NO FUN ALLOWED! Still want to be a socialist you stupid dumbass bozos!!!???

[jazusamo]

Yes, and thanks for posting the link, it’s a great piece.

[snoringbear]

“Barney Frank is a despicable POS”

Agree for sure. What's in the water up there in Massachusetts anyway. There's Barney Frank, Teddy Kennedy, and of course we can't forget John Kerry. Wow, now there's a trifecta for you!

[Rummyfan]

Congressman Barney Frank has threatened to summon these executives before his committee and force them to reveal their home addresses— which would of course put their wives and children at the mercy of whatever kooks might want to literally take a shot at them.

Just who the f**k does Barney Frank think he is?

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

And another adage............’academia’ are among the first to GO under any fascistic/ communist regime. Can’t have ANY of those supporting ‘critical thinking’.

[Semper Mark]

Reap the whirlwind Barney...reap the whirlwind.

[rockinqsranch]

Thanks for the ping jaz. I get the impression reading this one that Dr. Sowell is quite frustrated with the whole lot of those Moron’s on the Hill.

I second that emotion.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

I don't know why the people summoned before congress show Bawney “The Rimmer” Fwank any respect.

I would just sit there and throw every question back at him.

[george76]

Chapter 11 would have been best.

The AIG bonuses should been delt with before the latest $30 Billion bailout.

Timmy knew about these bonuses for months before now ?

Many of the bonus were to be paid to non-Americans ?

[screaminsunshine]

Slowly the public is starting to understand. Hopefully not too slowly. We have a Manchurian President. A vast Left Wing Conspiracy. Far Far Left. I can not help but think the Democrats will end up impeaching him to try to save their own butts.

[jazusamo]

You bet he is, RQSR and he didn’t mince any words in calling out Frank and Dodd, they should both be keel hauled.

[Ouderkirk]

summoning people before their committee to be browbeaten and humiliated on nationwide television.

It would be delicious for one of those folks to absolutely rake Barney Fag over the coals for his shortcomings and genuine stupidity. Would be worth the contempt of congress citation. Hell, I would have it framed. But then again I'm already hold congress in contempt.