Links and Minifeatures 2008 08 01 Friday

Another in my series on local neighborhoods is up: Neighborhoods of La Mesa: Vista La Mesa

Who qualifies for mortgage help and how to get it

In short, not many.

This is one of those times when government work seems especially like the love life of elephants

1) All the important business is done on a very high level

2) Any developments are announced with a great amount of trumpeting, noise, and fanfare (although Without fanfare, Bush signs mortgage relief bill: He's treating it for what it is. But then he's not running for any office, ever again)

3) Quite often there's nothing produced, and when there is, it's more difficult and takes longer than you'd expect.

(The second article, about signing without fanfare, says it'll help about 15% of the homeowners in trouble. I think that's significantly on the optimistic side - I'd say a max of 10%, perhaps only two or three)

Obama links McCain to 'reckless' GOP economics

"We don't need the same old tired answers," Obama said. "We need something new."

Of course, he declined to give any specifics as to exactly what his new answer is

"I'm ready to duel John McCain on taxes right here, quick draw," said Obama. That drew a quick retort from a McCain aide.

The response from McCain's aides was perfect:

"If Barack Obama wants this so-called duel then why did he and his entourage run for the hills when John McCain challenged him to 10 town halls," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.

"These anxieties seem to be growing with each passing day," Obama said on a campaign trip in this economically ailing battleground state. "We can either choose a new direction for our economy or we can keep doing what we've been doing. My opponent, John McCain, thinks we're on the right track."

As opposed to the man who wants to raise and spend an extra $500 billion per year for a civilian law enforcement agency to be coequal to the Pentagon. Anybody want to volunteer how that's to help the economy? That's definitely not a "new direction" most people hoping for better economic opportunity would want. For that matter, can anyone give an example of a nation that's created that kind of thing without turning totalitarian, or being totalitarian in the first place? Any historical parallels come to mind as to how Obama wants to limit how he, his policies, and his family (who actively campaigns for him) are criticized? Especially considering that it's more likely all the pigs in the world will simultaneously sprout wings and fly than that the Democrats will lose control of Congress this year, and therefore the political opposition would be limited to filibusters in the Senate?

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's way past time to be concerned about the effects of an Obama presidency on our civil liberties as well as our economy.

Too good not to link: Al Gore Places Infant Son In Rocket To Escape Dying Planet

Good sense on lobbyists from Ed Morrissey

Nancy Pelosi adjourns Congress for a month. Republicans think there's unfinished business. So the Republicans are on the House Floor, talking about energy policy.

They can't accomplish anything legally. They don't have a quorum. But it's a good stunt, and making good use of social media to get the word out despite commercial media's determination to avoid covering it. It definitely shows where they stand on the issue, which is a lot closer to rational than where the Democratic leadership stands.