tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359576752024-03-14T00:45:02.952-04:00Fineline 2.0-Because the Facts Have a Liberal Bias! (and I'm too fat to fit on a soapbox).Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.comBlogger695125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-58795659462756957132012-07-29T09:54:00.000-04:002012-07-29T09:54:05.019-04:00The more I see of Governor Romney, the more I am convinced that he would a a disaster as POTUS. He embarked on an overseas tour to advertise his foreign policy credentials and an opportunity to for Americans to see him as someone who could represent our nation to the world. All he had to do was smile a lot, and get his picture taken in famous places with world leaders and his campaign would have reaped the benefits. Instead, he insulted our close allies, the British. Of course, he also had time for a fundraiser at which the big London banks gave him big bucks, of course they had plenty of money to give from rigging LIBOR. Then it was off to Israel, where he bellicosely advocated a course of action which would result in war with Iran. Next he's off to Poland, where I hope he realizes that Polish jokes won't go over well.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-79655990126187734362012-07-29T09:39:00.003-04:002012-07-29T09:39:24.377-04:00Well I am back. Let's see if anyone notices. ;-)Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-2828010319762231792011-02-13T04:41:00.002-05:002011-02-13T04:42:54.442-05:00Read it and weep<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/opinion/12herbert.html?ref=opinion">He's right you know</a>.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-11860955667883404142011-02-11T10:53:00.001-05:002011-02-11T10:54:28.480-05:00Read Your Krugman<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/opinion/11krugman.html?_r=1">Today's GOP is way to the right of Milton Freidman</a>,Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-48739940123221121212011-02-10T00:25:00.001-05:002011-02-10T00:27:02.454-05:00Obama's AmericaTax cuts for the very rich and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/obama-poor-energy-cuts-kerry-letter_n_821061.html">no heat for the poor</a>. Oy!Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-71106299100844179652011-02-10T00:13:00.001-05:002011-02-10T00:15:36.149-05:00Headline of the day.Note to parents: <a href="http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/26793164/detail.html?treets=bal&tid=2657739970813&tml=bal_ent&tmi=bal_ent_1_10000502092011&ts=H">if your last name is Baals, don't name your kid "Harry."</a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-7181766882480517772011-02-10T00:07:00.001-05:002011-02-10T00:10:09.556-05:00I thought the Communty Reinvestment Act caused the Financial crisis<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/08/fed-bankruptcy-law-fueled-foreclosures_n_820491.html">Not Really.</a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-14616227397431962182011-02-10T00:05:00.002-05:002011-02-10T00:06:36.642-05:00Tempest in a TeapotThe <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/bs-md-ho-wilson-ulman-ethics-20110208,0,4511636.story">poor dear</a>.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-83086539583099797332011-02-08T19:45:00.000-05:002011-02-08T19:46:04.219-05:00The Real Ronald Reagan<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/2/7/941875/-Remembering-the-Real-Reagan">Another interesting opinion. </a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-1868406822251177592011-02-08T19:41:00.001-05:002011-02-08T19:43:13.819-05:00Reality v. Tea Party.They want to abolish the Department of Energy. <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=47045&oref=todaysnews">Even though they have no idea what the Department of Energy does.</a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-67606629725459033602011-02-08T19:39:00.001-05:002011-02-08T19:40:20.736-05:00Headline of the day.<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41466543/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/">Man killed by armed rooster.</a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-46586551221558680952011-02-08T19:36:00.000-05:002011-02-08T19:38:16.953-05:00Surprise!<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2011-02-07-federal-taxes_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip">Reality v. Conservatives.</a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-89353196952546962192011-02-06T12:38:00.002-05:002011-02-06T12:40:02.176-05:00Do the right thing!<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-senate-gay-marriage-20110206,0,5872979,full.story">It's long overdue.</a><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-senate-gay-marriage-20110206,0,5872979,full.story"></a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-57183850519151348452011-02-06T12:34:00.003-05:002011-02-06T12:37:45.404-05:00In Va., Conservatives attempting to block help for persons with Autism.<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/05/AR2011020503360.html?hpid=moreheadlines">Shame on them.</a>Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-59291582598727850972011-02-06T12:25:00.002-05:002011-02-06T12:28:22.020-05:00Happy Birthday President ReaganConservatives practically worship him. But if he was a Democratic president with the <a href="http://www.sherffius.com/cartoons.cfm/id/95553">same policies today, they would be out to destroy him</a>.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-60422288952015761182011-02-06T12:20:00.003-05:002011-02-06T12:23:00.377-05:00The real Ronald ReaganDoesn't quite resemble the Ronald Reagan of <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2011/02/04/ST2011020403674.html?hpid=moreheadlines">contemporary conservative mythology</a>.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-62376581798456319502010-10-29T15:43:00.001-04:002010-10-29T15:43:52.893-04:00A Political RantTwo years ago, I would have found it hard to believe that, just a fews days before the midterm elections, the Democrats would find themselves in danger of losing both houses of Congress. They had just swept the national elections, and had elected a new, dynamic leader, who appeared (to me) to be the bold, intelligent leader we so desperately needed. <br /><br />The Republican Party, on the other hand, seemed destined for hard times. They had presided over the worst economic debacle since the great depression and had lied their way into an unpopular and economically disastrous war in Iraq. Fewer jobs were produced during the Bush Administration than in any other administration since the Hoover Administration. The average American Family had found itself poorer at the end of the Bush Administration than they had at the beginning. When Bush had taken office, America was enjoying budget surpluses. By the time, Bush left office, we were facing record budget deficits. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, these deficits are largely attributed to three factors: the cost of the Iraqi War, the Bush tax cuts, and the great recession. (The great recession was, in turn, caused by the failure to properly regulate financial institutions, and the failure of the legal and accounting professions, more on this in subsequent posts). While Average Americans were suffering, the Bush Administration and the Federal Reserve bailed out the very same same corrupt financial institutions whose malfeasance had caused the financial crisis in the first place. Those corrupt financial institutions promptly turned around and used some of their bailout money to pay enormous bonuses to the very same individuals who had designed and implemented these schemes .<br /><br />Sadly, the Democrats have squandered their chance to lead, and as a result we are threatened with Government by rabid Mob. By Rabid Mob, I mean the Tea Party. The tea-baggers, as they have chose to call themselves, are mad, and they are not going to take it anymore. By “it” they seem to mean government spending, bailouts for the unemployed, and people with too much melanin (especially those who live in a big white house in Washington D.C. or know some Spanish). I don't understand. There is plenty to be angry about. But this anger is misplaced. Excessive Government spending and over regulation is not what caused this massive unemployment, nor was it caused by brown people. It was caused by a failure to regulate the financial industry. <br /><br />And who blocked the efforts to regulate the financial industry?Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-47135306451005208212010-10-29T11:43:00.002-04:002010-10-29T11:47:33.848-04:00I Can't Help MyselfI just have to link to Professor <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/opinion/29krugman.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">Krugman</a>.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-66256320757711809052010-10-29T11:01:00.000-04:002010-10-29T11:06:13.300-04:00Well, I’m back, with a new version of an old, unsuccessful blog. I figure if Wall Street and the politicians can keep spewing out the same, old nonseWell, I’m back, with a new version of an old, unsuccessful blog. I figure if Wall Street and the politicians can keep spewing out the same, old nonsense year-after-year, Why not me? <br /><br />Anyway, the new Fineline will be quite different from the old. It will cover a wider range of topics. I will also do most of my posting on the weekends, since I am so busy during the week. I encourage my readership, and I mean both of you, to participate, to challenge my assumptions, to educate me and, of course most importantly, to provide frequent praise and adoration.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-32292026609552950182010-10-29T08:17:00.001-04:002010-10-29T08:19:10.097-04:00I'm back with a new, even worse attempt at blogging.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-18773363380291004692007-05-22T04:12:00.000-04:002007-05-22T04:31:50.645-04:00The Democrats and IraqThe Democrats have Bush right where they should want him. Unless Congress allocates more funds, Bush won't have the funds to continue military operations in Iraq after July. But the Democrats act like Bush has the upper hand. OY!<br /><br />Our presence in Iraq does nothing for the Iraqi people: they want us out, ASAP. Our presence in Iraq harms our national security. We would be much safer here at home if we left. The American people want us out too. The American people voted Republicans out of Congress, mainly because they wanted out of Iraq.<br /><br />But it looks like the Democrats in Congress are going to knuckle under to Bush and let him keep fighting his foolhardy debacle in Iraq. Bush and the Republican frame the issue in terms of supporting the troops and many Democrats run from cover. How is letting the troops die (and keeping them from their jobs and families)in a lost cause supporting the troops? Was it the troops' idea to go to Iraq? Why won't the Democrats take on this illogical argument? <br /><br />Why? Why are the Democrat's committing political suicide? They were sent to Congress the clean up corruption and get us out of Iraq. The only way they can get us out of Iraq is to cut off funding. Now Congress' approval ratings are falling, especially among Democrats and Independents.<br /><br />Right now a minority of the Democrats in Congress are bringing their party and much more importantly, their country, down. Its a profile in cowardice.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-22712293053752816882007-05-18T10:29:00.000-04:002007-05-18T15:15:42.676-04:00Gov. O'Malley Comes to HoCoLast night I attended the Howard County Democratic Central Committee's Annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. As always the company was great. And for once the food was good. But in an evening of highlights, the highest and lightest highlight was the speech by Governor O'Malley. <br /><br />I was especially heartened to hear the Guv's straight talk on Maryland's fiscal situation. The Governor correctly noted that his predecessor left him a mess and acknowledged that the Democrats will have to fix it. He noted that we need to cut waste, but also noted that our present fiscal circumstances, an expected 1.4 Billion shortfall, are largely the result of Governor Glendening's 10 percent income tax cut.<br /><br />So let's do the right thing, roll back the Glendening tax cut for all but the poor and lower middle class and raise the INCOME taxes of the upper middle class and the wealthy.<br /><br />Oh, and one other thing, Sen. Obama won the straw poll! Sen. Clinton took second, and Sen. Edwards took third.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-20257128641176802192007-05-11T17:38:00.000-04:002007-05-11T17:46:07.339-04:00Maryland's Budget WoesGov. O'Malley is seeking 200 million dollars worth of spending cuts. Why isn't he considering raising taxes, especially on the rich? <br /><br />When will Americans learn? If you want good roads (or mass transit), schools, firefighters and first responders, police protection, environmental protection and to take care of the poor and disabled, you have to be willing pay for it. We are not spending enough on any of these needs.<br /><br />This will be a test of the Governor, the Legislature and the voters of Maryland. For or kids' sake, lets hope we all pass this test.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-8238294304301646862007-05-10T20:17:00.000-04:002007-05-10T20:23:33.323-04:00Another Drunk Driving Victim<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-md.ho.crash09may09,0,5161508.story?coll=bal-local-howard">I hate this</a>.<br /><br />First people know better than to drink and drive and yet it still happens, often.<br /><br />Second, why does it matter that the killer was an illegal immigrant? His lack of a visa did not kill that young man, his inability or unwillingness to use alcohol responsibly did.<br /><br />Oy!Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35957675.post-3327070980077091762007-05-08T22:03:00.000-04:002007-05-08T22:10:11.922-04:00Al Gore was at UMBC ToniteWow was he ever powerful. Wow is our planet in trouble.<br /><br />Gore gave an updated and much funnier version of the presentation that appeared in an Inconvenient Truth. It was one of the best presentations I have ever seen. far superior to the movie, which I recommend. Al was in great form too. I suspect he will run for President. His presentation was very political and made for a great campaign speech. Very, very impressive. He would make an excellent President. <br /><br />And just think, he's the guy the American People chose to be President, which goes to show that we are much smarter and wiser than 5 of the justices who heard that case.Steve Finehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648535536430111093noreply@blogger.com10