absence Archives - Where Is The Outrage?

Mitt Romney and Bain Capital

Gov. Mitt Romney, former CEO and founder of Bain Capital, has in essence told us that he is qualified to be president because of his knowledge of the economy and his success as a businessman. Personally, let me say that I have no grudge or animosity towards Mitt Romney, Bain Capital or the fact that Mitt Romney is extremely wealthy. Mitt Romney has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows how to make money. He and Bain Capital have used every trick in the book in order to make money. They have used the tax system to their advantage. They’ve been able to mark off or depreciate assets in order to make money. They have skeletonized operations and moved some jobs overseas in some companies. None of this is bad if your goal is to make money. Mitt Romney’s job at Bain Capital was not to create jobs in the United States. His job was to make money for himself and his investors. He did that. He should be congratulated.

The problem for Mitt Romney is that some of the techniques that were used at Bain Capital just don’t sit well with voters. Voters love successful businessmen. Voters don’t care so much for businesses that seem to have manipulated the tax code. Voters don’t care so much for businesses that ship jobs overseas in order to make more profit. These are facts. So, what Mitt Romney has tried to do, like all politicians, is to play both sides of the fence. He wants all the notoriety and adulation for being a successful businessman, but does not want to take any of the blame for some of the business techniques that voters don’t like. This is why it becomes critically important to find out when Mitt Romney severed ties with Bain Dapital. Was it in 1999? Or was it some time later?

From MaddowBlog:

In 2002, a Boston Globe article quoted a former Bain Capital executive named Marc B. Wolpow who said Mr. Romney remained in a very active role at Bain Capital while he was supposedly on a leave of absence for his Senate race. Wolpow specifically said of Romney’s role, “I reported directly to Mitt Romney…. You can’t be CEO of Bain Capital and say, ‘I really don’t know what my guys were doing,'” (more…)

By ecthompsonmd|2012-07-17T23:19:51-04:00July 16th, 2012|Business, Party Politics|2 Comments

One of the Dumbest Moves in a VERY Long Time – Gov. Sanford (Update)

He was where? Seriously? This may be the dumbest move in the last five years. I can’t think of anything dumber off the top of my head.

~~I’m currently looking for video of Sanford’s news conference.~~ (I found it.) Although Sanford might not be the dumbest man alive, he is clearly in the running for the award. So if I don’t show up for work for five days… is that okay? If I don’t call or email to tell folks where I BE at, is that cool? All I have to do is give some tearful apology and I still have my job?

From the Daily Kos: From The (Columbia, SC) State:

Gov. Mark Sanford arrived in the Hartsville-Jackson International Airport Wednesday morning, having wrapped up a seven-day visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, he said. Sanford said he had not been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, as his staff said in a Tuesday statement to the media. Sanford’s whereabouts had been unknown since Thursday, and the mystery surrounding his absence fueled speculation about where he had been and who’s in charge in his absence. His emergence Wednesday ended the mystery. Sanford, in an exclusive interview with The State Media Company, said he decided at the last minute to go to the South American country to recharge after a difficult legislative session in which he battled with lawmakers over how to spend federal stimulus money. Sanford said he had considered hiking on the Appalachian Trail, an activity he said he has enjoyed since he was a high school student. “But I said ‘no’ I wanted to do something exotic,” Sanford said “… It’s a great city.”

This episode is unbecoming of a public leader.

OK, I get needing some R&R. I even understand wanting to go to Buenos Aires: I hear it’s a great city and has a ton of American ex-pats living there. But the governor of a state cannot just go incommunicado, have a staff sending out BS reports of whereabouts, and not let anyone know about it. Moreover, governors are potential targets for hostile entities abroad. Traveling without security in such an instance is an unnecessary risk.

More from The State:

Sanford said he left Thursday night from the Columbia Metropolitan airport. Media reports said a SLED SUV the governor drove that night was spotted in the airport’s parking lot. Sanford said he decided not to return via the Columbia airport to avoid the media. The State Media Company was the only media who greeted Sanford Wednesday morning. “I don’t know how this thing got blown out of proportion,” Sanford said. Sanford said he has taken adventure trips for years to unwind.

Emphasis added. Sanford’s bemusement reminds me of when Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY) explained his inaction on the Mark Foley scandal by saying he took the matter to his “supervisor,” in that case, Denny Hastert. Jon Stewart mockingly remarked, “Tom Reynolds: United States Congressman, or Assistant Manager at Applebees?”

Update from the State:

“The bottom line is this: I have been unfaithful to my wife,” the two-term governor said before a mass of press in the State House outside the governor’s office. “Let me apologize to my wife Jenny and my four boys … for letting them down.”

Asked directly if he and first lady Jenny Sanford are separated, Sanford said: “I don’t know how you want to define that. I’m here and she’s there. I guess in a formal sense we are not.”

Sanford acknowledged he misled his staff earlier this week when he lead them to believe he was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Sanford said he would resign as chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association — a platform he has used over the past few months to broadcast his opposition to President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package and fueling speculation that Sanford was considering a 2012 run for president.

By ecthompsonmd|2009-06-24T12:38:47-04:00June 24th, 2009|Domestic Issues, Economy|Comments Off

President Obama speaks at Arlington National Cemetery

It is time to bring everyone home. I’m not sure want we are trying to achieve in Afghanistan. Whatever it is, I’m not sure that staying in Afghanistan will achieve it.

President Barack Obama delivers a wonderfully thoughtful and short speech at Arlington National Cemetery today.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

From Obama’s Speech:

I know that there is nothing I will not do to keep our country safe, even as I face no harder decision than sending our men and women to war — and no moment more difficult than writing a letter to the families of the fallen. And that’s why as long as I am President, I will only send our troops into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary, and I will always provide them with the equipment and support they need to get the job done. (Applause.)

I know that military families sacrifice more than we can understand, and feel an absence greater than we can comprehend. And that’s why Michelle and I are committed to easing their burden.

And I know what a grateful nation owes to those who serve under its proud flag. And that’s why I promise all our servicemen and women that when the guns fall silent, and you do return home, it will be to an America that is forever here for you, just as you’ve been there for us. (Applause.)

With each death, we are heartbroken. With each death, we grow more determined. This bustling graveyard can be a restless place for the living, where solace sometimes comes only from meeting others who know similar grief. But it reminds us all the meaning of valor; it reminds us all of our own obligations to one another; it recounts that most precious aspect of our history, and tells us that we will only rise or fall together.

So on this day of silent remembrance and solemn prayer I ask all Americans, wherever you are, whoever you’re with, whatever you’re doing, to pause in national unity at 3:00 this afternoon. I ask you to ring a bell, or offer a prayer, say a silent “thank you.” And commit to give something back to this nation — something lasting — in their memory; to affirm in our own lives and advance around the world those enduring ideals of justice, equality, and opportunity for which they and so many generations of Americans have given that last full measure of devotion. (more…)

By ecthompsonmd|2009-05-25T15:02:29-04:00May 25th, 2009|Domestic Issues, Military|Comments Off