Where is Geithner headed?

Goldman Sachs

JP Morgan

Any bank that will have him

Tax Consultancy

McDonalds

Any company that will have him

Ive League Professor

Any non-profit that will have him

Extended Unemployment Claims

Solitary Confinement

Other

SURVIVOR, Texas Style

Due to the popularity of the "Survivor" shows,


Texas is planning to do one entitled, "Survivor, Texas-Style!"

The 8 contestants will all start in Dallas, and then drive to Waco,

Austin, San Antonio, over to Houston and down to Brownsville.

They will then proceed up to Del Rio, El Paso, Odessa, Midland, Lubbock, and Amarillo.

From there they will go on to Abilene, Fort Worth and finally back to Dallas.

Each will be driving a pink Volvo with bumper stickers that read:

"I'm a Democrat,"

"Amnesty for Illegal’s,"

"I love the Dixie Chicks,"

"Boycott Beef,"

"I Voted for Obama",

"George Strait Sucks,"

"Hillary in 2012" and

"I'm here to confiscate your guns."

The first one to make it back to Dallas alive wins.

Alpharetta & Milton Georgia investors wake-up call

It may look like a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley provides the same service as someone who is a registered investment advisor. But nothing could be further from the truth. This distinction is critical to understand no matter how much you trust the individual.  A person who is a broker, is just that. He acts as an agent between a buyer and seller of products, usually for a commission. Legally, an individual who works for a "broker/dealer" must pass a "Series 7" exam, which teaches one about the stock market and securities to prepare the individual to sell commissioned products. Brokers operate under a "suitability standard" under which the broker is required to make investments he judges to be suitable for his clients. He can't sell micro-cap volatile stocks to old ladies. Brokers and their firms are regulated by a "self regulated organization" (not a government agency) called FINRA. In the industry, brokers are measured by the amount of commissions and fees that they generate from selling products. Product providers pay more for "distribution" through brokers.

Registered investment advisors (RIAs) help individuals manage their money. They must pass a "Series 65" exam, which tests how well one knows how to help a client invest and operate under a fiduciary standard. That means an advisor is required to act in his clients' best interests, and disclose to them all conflicts of interest. These advisors are either registered in the state in which they operate, or with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  RIAs are usually measured by assets under management  because the more assets they manage, the more their fees. They submit lengthy ADV II forms online showing any conflicts of interest, sanctions from the SEC, and exactly how they are paid.

RIAs can't use customer testimonials in advertising and must disclose when they pay for client referrals. Brokers can use testimonials and hide fees they are paid for referrals.

A good analogy for the broker versus investment advisor is the difference between an optician and an ophthalmologist. An optometrist conducts eye exams and makes sure that you have healthy eyes but makes money primarily selling you glasses and contact lenses. When you have a cataract, or something serious, you go to a medical doctor—or an ophthalmologist. He has taken a Hippocratic oath to practice medicine ethically. He sells nothing. He puts your health first and can also examine your eyes.

Do you want to trust your money to someone who is just paid for advice? Or a broker who makes money providing advice in order to sell products? Just remember, if you are serious about your retirement assets, you may want to check on the motivation your broker may have for “what they do” to your retirement portfolio.

Bon Voyage LulzSec

The infamous hacker group LulzSec, best known for hacking the website of an FBI affiliate, the Sony network, and even the CIA, has now officially shut down. Their final manifesto, which is reproduced below in its entirety, is summarized as follows: "For the past 50 days we've been disrupting and exposing corporations, governments, often the general population itself, and quite possibly everything in between, just because we could. All to selflessly entertain others - vanity, fame, recognition, all of these things are shadowed by our desire for that which we all love. The raw, uninterrupted, chaotic thrill of entertainment and anarchy. It's what we all crave, even the seemingly lifeless politicians and emotionless, middle-aged self-titled failures...Again, behind the mask, behind the insanity and mayhem, we truly believe in the AntiSec movement. We believe in it so strongly that we brought it back, much to the dismay of those looking for more anarchic lulz. We hope, wish, even beg, that the movement manifests itself into a revolution that can continue on without us. The support we've gathered for it in such a short space of time is truly overwhelming, and not to mention humbling. Please don't stop. Together, united, we can stomp down our common oppressors and imbue ourselves with the power and freedom we deserve. We hope we had a microscopic impact on someone, somewhere. Anywhere." Well, it was fun while it lasted. And so FedWire is safe again. So is, for the time being, the internet.


As part of its dissolution, LulzSec released the following torrent.

Full statement from LulzSec:

Friends around the globe,

We are Lulz Security, and this is our final release, as today marks something meaningful to us. 50 days ago, we set sail with our humble ship on an uneasy and brutal ocean: the Internet. The hate machine, the love machine, the machine powered by many machines. We are all part of it, helping it grow, and helping it grow on us.

For the past 50 days we've been disrupting and exposing corporations, governments, often the general population itself, and quite possibly everything in between, just because we could. All to selflessly entertain others - vanity, fame, recognition, all of these things are shadowed by our desire for that which we all love. The raw, uninterrupted, chaotic thrill of entertainment and anarchy. It's what we all crave, even the seemingly lifeless politicians and emotionless, middle-aged self-titled failures. You are not failures. You have not blown away. You can get what you want and you are worth having it, believe in yourself.

While we are responsible for everything that The Lulz Boat is, we are not tied to this identity permanently. Behind this jolly visage of rainbows and top hats, we are people. People with a preference for music, a preference for food; we have varying taste in clothes and television, we are just like you. Even Hitler and Osama Bin Laden had these unique variations and style, and isn't that interesting to know? The mediocre painter turned supervillain liked cats more than we did.

Again, behind the mask, behind the insanity and mayhem, we truly believe in the AntiSec movement. We believe in it so strongly that we brought it back, much to the dismay of those looking for more anarchic lulz. We hope, wish, even beg, that the movement manifests itself into a revolution that can continue on without us. The support we've gathered for it in such a short space of time is truly overwhelming, and not to mention humbling. Please don't stop. Together, united, we can stomp down our common oppressors and imbue ourselves with the power and freedom we deserve.

So with those last thoughts, it's time to say bon voyage. Our planned 50 day cruise has expired, and we must now sail into the distance, leaving behind - we hope - inspiration, fear, denial, happiness, approval, disapproval, mockery, embarrassment, thoughtfulness, jealousy, hate, even love. If anything, we hope we had a microscopic impact on someone, somewhere. Anywhere.

Thank you for sailing with us. The breeze is fresh and the sun is setting, so now we head for the horizon.

Let it flow...Lulz Security - our crew of six wishes you a happy 2011, and a shout-out to all of our battlefleet members and supporters across the globe

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/lulzsec-hacker-group-dissolves-itself-its-50-day-birthday

Georgia, leading the way........

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Regulators have shut down a small bank in Georgia, boosting to 48 the number of U.S. bank failures this year as the economy struggled and bad loans piled up.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday seized Mountain Heritage Bank in Clayton, Ga., with $103.7 million in assets and $89.6 million in deposits. First American Bank and Trust Co., based in Athens, Ga., agreed to assume the assets and deposits of the failed bank.   The failure of Mountain Heritage Bank is expected to cost the deposit insurance fund $41.1 million.

Just be honest Ben.........

Any one with half a brain could detect the unease and lies spewing from Bernanke in the Q & A today.

There are three Americans who need to grill him.  Bill Gross, Rick Santelli and Ron Paul.

The other toads asking questions today should just finish kissing his ass and fire themselves.  

No one with nuts big enough to ask the tough questions?  Does anyone care?

Free Money for the Crooks: business as usual

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/new-york-fed-refuses-disclose-data-largest-theft-funds-national-history-which-could-be-three

Healthcare Fraud Hotline

Every day in America there are probably hundreds of millions of fraudulent medicare billings from healthcare providers.  The amounts must be staggering.   I have been trying to call the healthcare fraud hotline at 202-418-3300 to report some fraud and can't get a live voice on the other end of the telephone.

Government efficiency for sure.  I wonder how long it will take?

Joe Frech, that phone call was greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Pondering intelligence, attitude and savvy..........

If you take the top  10% of the brightest, smartest populace in China and realize that, that number represents the entire population of the United States you might grasp what we are up against.  It is not a question of if, only when.

In the Windy City.......

The cops have a killer sense of humor.  They don't just clown around, they shoot and kill.

Another thug predator taken down.   Beautiful.

Clueless Canadian CEO's give RIMM job to shareholders

This gives me flashbacks to the slime bucket teams that ran Nortel Networks and they did it not once but twice to regulators. 

Despite the grim news, co-CEO Mike Lazaridis declared RIM a "strong business" that is undergoing a transition to major platform upgrades.


When asked whether RIM is hurt by a co-CEO structure shared by Lazarides and Jim Balsillie, Lazaridis responded: "We work very closely together, and I don't know where all these things are coming from. The thing you have to understand is that this is fun."

Several analysts defended RIM and its strong role in the enterprise, but noted RIM's product challenges and other missteps in a market that is crowded with successful tablets and smartphones running Apple iOS and Android.

"I think they never thought they would be in this position," said Ken Dulaney, an analyst at Gartner. "You can see from the Lazaridis interviews online that he isn't absorbing this failure. He is probably having trouble coping with the fact that his products are no longer the top dog."

Southern Ute Tribe

Truly one of the top managed Indian tribes with one of the finest diversified portfolio's in Indian Country and they are asking for taxpayer assistance this early in the game?  Federal assistance is taxpayer money, get the picture folks?

As a large taxpayer something is wrong.

Ute Indian Tribe:   Under State of Emergency and seeking Disaster Declaration as is the state of Utah. Snowmelt just beginning and is creating problems. Some road closures, put down 20,000 sandbags. Emergency Funds completely expended and will need monetary contributions to purchase contract work to bring in equipment to save lives, critical infrastructure and homes, and equipment operator costs.

Dad's Theme Song........

Click:     This just sums up a life well-lived!   

This is a song of someone who's triumphed through many adversities, whose taken life's trials and tribulations and stood his ground without compromising his values to do so. This song is a tribute to the man with his own mind and who lived life on his terms no matter what anyone thought. This song IS Doug Parisian.

Dad..............

AN INDIAN PRAYER

I GIVE YOU THIS ONE THOUGHT TO KEEP,

I AM WITH YOU STILL, I DO NOT SLEEP.

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP,

I AM NOT THERE, I DO NOT SLEEP,

FOR NOW I AM A THOUSAND WINDS THAT BLOW.

I AM THE DIAMOND GLINTS ON THE NEW-FALLEN SNOW,

I AM THE SUNLIGHT ON RIPENED GRAIN,

I AM THE GENTLE, AUTUMN RAIN.

WHEN YOU AWAKEN IN THE MORNING HUSH.

I AM THE SWIFT, UPLIFTING RUSH OF QUIET BIRDS

IN CIRCLED FLIGHT.

I AM THE SOFT STARS THAT SHINE AT NIGHT.

DO NOT THINK OF ME AS GONE,

I AM WITH YOU STILL, IN EACH NEW DAWN.

My DAD, Douglas Eugene Parisian

12.27.1922 – 06.09.2011

Mudd, Syron, Raines, Frank, Clinton etc....thank you, thank you

The topic of Americans living mortgage-free in foreclosed homes on which banks do not have proper titles is nothing new - in fact we are surprised that there isn't a robosignature app for that...yet. Neither is the fact that this ongoing reverse capital transfer provides as much as $50 billion in "rental" income for those same squatters. And while the ethical arguments for strategically defaulting on one's mortgage can get very heated on both sides, one thing is certain: the ongoing foreclosure crisis is creating a new subclass of "entitled" people, who certainly enjoy living on the back of the banks, while not paying one cent, and not vacating the premises. According to a new article by CNNMoney, some of the excesses observed within this latest demonstration of unearned entitlement are truly staggering. To wit: "Charles and Jill Segal have not made a mortgage payment in nearly five years -- but they continue to live in their five-bedroom West Palm Beach, Fla. home....Lynn, from St. Petersburg, Fla., has been living without paying for three years....In Thousand Oaks, Calif., an actor has missed 30 payments, and still, he has not lost his home...." In other words, what were once isolated incidents are becoming an epidemic, and like it or not, are creating a massive capital shortfall in bank balance sheets (after all "assets" are supposed to generate cash in most cases), which will likely involve yet another broad taxpayer bailout of these same banks that now have no recourse to do much if anything to evict these same squatters who instead of paying their mortgage (or rent), prefer to purchase trinkets and gizmos. "Some 4.2 million mortgage borrowers are either seriously delinquent or have had their cases referred to lawyers to pursue foreclosure auctions, according to LPS Applied Analytics. Of those, two-thirds have made no payments at all for at least a year, and nearly one-third have gone more than two years."

Douglas Eugene Parisian

Douglas Parisian passed on to the Spirit World on June, 9, 2011 in Alpharetta, Georgia. Doug had been a resident of the Dogwood Forest assisted-living complex there since February 1, 2011. Douglas Eugene Parisian was born in Waubun, MN on December 27, 1922. Mr. Parisian was an enrolled member of the Mississippi Band of Minnesota Chippewa Indians, White Earth Reservation.


He was a 1940 graduate of Waubun High School. He joined the Army Air Force in 1944 and advanced to the rank of Flight Officer. After an Honorable Discharge from the military Doug owned and operated a small business in Morris, MN and was the Post Commander of the Morris, MN American Legion Post, No. 29 up until February of 1965 when he joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the Ft. Berthold Indian Reservation in western North Dakota.

Doug is survived by two children, son, Dean (Pam) Parisian of Alpharetta, Georgia and his daughter, Nancy (Wayne) Kaehler of Breckenridge, Minnesota; four grandsons, Hunter Parisian and Jordan Parisian of Alpharetta, Georgia, Kyle Kaehler of Atwater, MN and Paige Kaehler of St. Cloud, Minnesota; and one great-granddaugher, Grace Kaehler.

Douglas retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1985 in Crow Agency, Montana and spent his retirement years in Spicer, MN up until April of 2010 when he moved back to Waubun, MN, the town where he was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation.

Doug was an avid golfer, cherished his association with the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and enjoyed ice fishing and hunting. He enjoyed making Native American cultural crafts and was a talented artist in making porcupine quill chokers, dreamcatchers and totems.

Doug married Betty Dorene Marquart in 1951. His wife, Betty passed away in March of 1999 after a prolonged illness. He was proceded in death by his parents Victor and Josephine Parisian, sisters, Doris Rodwell and Alyce Mae Krueger, and brother, Leonard Parisian. His younger brother Jack Parisian resides in Park Rapids, Minnesota.

Dad accepted the inevitability of death with integrity. Most Indians have a strong and natural veneration for old age, as though it were a certificate of approval for winning the long and hard battle of life. In March of 2011 he said that dying was a natural extension of birth, that it was part and parcel, that they went together and that he looked forward to seeing his wife, Betty, in Heaven.

Dad, you were always there for me and you will be missed tremendously. I attribute much of your success in life to your ability to maintain an elevated mood and staying disciplined. You taught me well and I will do my best to honor your memory for the rest of my life.

Dean Parisian, June 9, 2011

One problem in the Beltway......

There is nothing more permanent, than a temporary government program.

Some hot summer humor..........

Bill was sipping on a glass of wine, while sitting on the patio with his wife, and he says, "I love you so much, I don't know how I could ever live without you."


His wife asks, "Is that you, or the wine talking?"

Bill replies, "It's me.....talking to the wine."

Recovery Summer, Beach Blanket Style!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=3JDT5vBQQr8&vq=medium

Bernanke Speech in Atlanta, June 7, 2011

The gangster banksters were out in force in Atlanta's Buckhead today. The Ritz Carleton, Buckhead holds a special place for me. Started running my first Peachtree Road Race there in 1989, spent my wedding night there in 1991, lived a mile away for a few years, enjoyed many an adult beverage at the bar, met William O'Neill's first CANSLIM poster boy, David Ryan there for a meeting and truth be told, enjoyed the finest meal in my life in the Ritz Main Dining Room when it was still open, having a piece of chocolate covered venison that had been cooking for three days with my family. Today the Ritz was all about Bernanke the Banker so I headed down with my home made sign and stood in the heat for a couple of hours across the street. I hydrated well and threw on the Maui Jims and headed out on a lethargic day in the stock market. I figured there may be others; like-minded, youngsters, Generations X and Y'ers shouting with signs. Wrong, not a soul with me. I felt powerful standing there watching the big limo's roll up with the men in black. They would like us to believe a default is a bad thing for us. It's actually a bad thing for the banks, not most Americans. Pain would be sharp, but it would end. I thought about our debt ceiling that will be raised same way the TARP passed; with threats of financial, govt and economic collapse, maybe even martial law. It will be the same ole song & dance. This is silly, why call it a "debt ceiling"? Just call it what it is, an increase in the rate of borrowing.

The security detail fanned out watching me across the street. Getting blank stares from drivers far too concerned with making a living than reading anything about Bernanke. I felt sorry for America today.

Today, the Japanese and Australian tourists had questions or maybe they just liked my orange shirt. The Americans seemed to be worrying about their next text message, tattoo and hook-up. I am glad I went but more scared for America from what I saw at that intersection today. Savings and retirement are not institutions. They are matters of personal responsibility. They are an attitude - not some external organization or person to blame. The key word in retirement planning is not retirement. It is planning as in; plan to have your house paid for, plan to have your car paid off, pay off the credit cards. Have enough saved to generate a steady income in your later years. In the coming years, our debt is projected to grow to more than three times the size of our entire economy. This will be ugly down the road.

Today, do they really care? Not sure. I do. That's why I went. I wanted to do it my way, just like my Dad.

What's wrong with this picture?

Kids on scooters......

I saw a young boy get in a bad spill yesterday on his little motor cycle.   Thank the Creator he wasn't seriously injured.   I saw it coming.  Too much speed, way too much speed and out of control as he drove off the sidewalk.  The crash/skid marks on the concrete sidewalk tell the story.  The boy had been driving the bike too fast on previous occasions as he drives down the sidewalk, not the street.  He is extremely lucky he didn't get seriously hurt.  Had he crashed into a mail box he could easily have broken his neck.  As it was he was lucky he didn't get caught under the bike as it skidded down the walk.

My sons both hunt and are excellent gun handlers.  Growing up I never allowed my children to "play" with BB guns or motor scooters.   Neither are instruments of "play".  They both can injure or maim for life.  Until children are old enough to understand the physics and damage they can do by being careless there are other options for their time.   That's my take and I'll stick to it.

Jordan Parisian on the Missouri River........

I grew up on the Missouri River and spent a fair amount of time in the badlands of the Little Missouri River as well.    In fact some of the coldest deer hunting I have done was in deep snow at 20 degrees below zero in the Little Missouri bottoms of North Dakota.    The Missouri was always big, deep and dangerous simply because my association with it was in large reservoirs or impoundments of Army Corp of Engineers doing.

Here is a picture of my son getting it done on the high water of the Missouri today.

 

Andy Dean, excellent show!!!!!!!!!

http://streaming.wsbradio.com/_players/coxradio/index.php?callsign=WSBAM

Quack, quack.............

Next time any of you go duck hunting with Bill Clinton and finish the hunt off with a good cigar ask him how that NAFTA thing is going and what it is doing for America..........

Hilda Solis

Her appearance this morning on CNBC was priceless.

Telling America once again that government spending is another term for "investments" was a beauty.

What a shame for America.   She said nothing.  Absolutely nothing.   There are no answers. 

It's Friday folks, some levity for all...........

Dear President Obama:

In keeping with the spirit of border changes you want to impose on Israel, I am writing today with a somewhat unusual request. I am asking that you return America to its August 20th, 1959 borders so that Hawaii is no longer a state and you are no longer a citizen.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Netanyahu,
Prime Minister of Israel

Dutch auction Groupon.......come on.......

This IPO will be another turd in the Wall Street cesspool.  It smells.

Your lesson in "Owe-bama" economics today...........

The Federal government borrowed and spent $5.1 trillion over the past four years to generate a cumulative $700 billion increase in the nation's GDP. That means we've borrowed and spent $7.28 for every $1 of nominal "growth" in GDP. In constant dollars, GDP is flat: we got no growth at all for our $5.1 trillion: zip, zero, nada. In constant dollars, the GDP in 2011 might return to the 2007 level, if the economy continues "growing" at the same pace reached in the first three months of 2011. If not, then the GDP will actually be lower than pre-recession levels. If you borrowed $7 to get $1 in your pocket, would that strike you as a good deal? How long do you reckon you could borrow $7 to get $1 of "growth" in your finances? Let's say you need $3,000 a month to pay all the household bills. No problem, just go borrow $21,000 and your household economy will "grow" by $3,000. If this isn't the height of fiscal nonsense, then what is?

Gun Safety Issue

A guy goes hunting. A gust of wind blew, the gun fell over and discharged, shooting him in the genitals. Several hours later, lying in a hospital bed, he was approached by his doctor.


"Well sir, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that you are going to be OK. The damage was local to your groin, there was very little internal damage, and we were able to remove all of the buckshot."

"What's the bad news?" asked the hunter.

"The bad news is that there was some pretty extensive buckshot damage done to your penis which left quite a few holes in it. I'm going to have to refer you to my sister."

"Well I guess that isn't too bad," the hunter replied. "Is your sister a plastic surgeon?"

"Not exactly," answered the doctor. "She's a flute player in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She's going to teach you where to put your fingers so you don't pisss in your eye."

Here's some real change and it ain't chump...........

Limousines, the very symbol of wealth and excess, are usually the domain of corporate executives and the rich. But the number of limos owned by Uncle Sam increased by 73 percent during the first two years of the Obama administration, according to an analysis of records by iWatch News.  Most of the increase was recorded in Hillary Clinton's State Department.

Obama administration officials said most of the increase reflects an enhanced effort to protect diplomats and other government officials in a dangerous world. But a watchdog group says the abundance of limos sends the wrong message in the midst of a budget crisis. The increase in limos comes to light on the heels of an executive order from President Obama last week that charges agencies to increase the fuel efficiency of their fleets.

According to General Services Administration data, the number of limousines in the federal fleet increased from 238 in fiscal 2008, the last year of the George W. Bush administration, to 412 in 2010. Much of the 73 percent increase--111 of the 174 additional limos--took place in fiscal 2009, more than eight months of which corresponded with Obama's first year in office. However, some of those purchases could reflect requests made by the Bush administration during an appropriations process that would have begun in the spring of 2008.

The GSA said its limousine numbers are not reliable, even though the federal fleet numbers are officially recorded every year. In a statement, GSA spokeswoman Sara Merriam said, "The categories in the Fleet Report are overly broad, and the term 'limousine' is not defined," adding that "vehicles represented as limousines can range from protective duty vehicles to sedans." Asked whether the GSA actually knows how many limos it has in its fleet, Merriam responded that GSA "cannot say that its report accurately reflects the number of limousines."   Leslie Paige, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste, was outraged that the GSA's numbers may not be accurate. "They can't figure out a way to define a limo? How hard can it be? If the government can't track limos, I'm not sure we should trust the numbers they put out there on anything," she said.

Although the overall limo numbers in the fleet report were up in 2010, federal agencies and departments did not benefit equally. The State Department, with 259, had more limos than any other agency in 2010 and has gained 194 limos just since fiscal 2008. Of those new limos, 98 were defined as "law enforcement," which the GSA said means they are equipped with sirens or lights, high-performance drivetrains, or are used for surveillance or undercover operations.

The State Department in a statement said its limos are deployed by overseas diplomats and in the United States by Secretary of State Clinton and "distinguished foreign visitors." Many of the limos in its fleet are armored to protect against attack. The department said its Obama-era increase in armored limos is "both in proportion to the increased threat to diplomats serving overseas and is in proportion to the increase number of diplomats we have serving in high threat environments." Appropriations documents indicate the State Department was engaged in a longer-term effort to increase the number of armored vehicles that would have stretched back to at least 2007.

The department said it defines a limo as a vehicle that carries a VIP or "other protectee," rather than by the type of car, but said most of its limos are Cadillac DTSs, which cost the taxpayer more than $60,000 for a 2011 base model and support the additional weight of armoring. The department said it also purchased a limited number of 7-Series BMWs for ambassadors in countries where vehicles are right-hand drive.

The Department of Homeland Security, which in 2010 had the second largest number of limos at 118, dropped four limos from 2008 to 2010. A spokesman for DHS said the majority of its limos are used by the Secret Service, which is part of the department, but declined to elaborate on exact numbers, citing security concerns. Paige, of CAGW, called the new federal limos "one more reason why there is so much cynicism in the public about what goes on in Washington." She said terrorism and security has become the catchall justification for increased federal spending.

The increase in limos comes at a time when the Obama administration is increasingly working to burnish its green energy credentials by targeting the federal fleet. On Tuesday, Obama released a presidential memorandum requiring agencies to purchase only alternative fuel vehicles by 2015. The memorandum limits executive fleets to mid-sized and smaller cars "except where larger sedans are essential to the agency mission." It also exempts law enforcement and security vehicles, which could make up the majority of the federal limo fleet.  According to a March report by the GAO, the federal government spent $1.9 billion on new vehicles in fiscal 2009, and burned through 963,000 gallons of fuel a day with its fleet of 600,00 vehicles.  The number of limousines in the federal fleet has varied over the years. In 2007, the number dropped to 217 from 318 a year before. But due to the fuzzy GSA accounting, it's unclear exactly how many federal limos have been on the road.

According to the GSA report, for example, the U.S. Agency for International Development, which had zero limos in 2008, added six limos to its fleet in 2009. But agency spokesman Lars Anderson said that's because six standard overseas sedans, including a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria in Bangladesh, and a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis in El Salvador, were incorrectly recorded as limos.

If the data is correct, some federal employees who once rode in style now face more proletarian transportation options. The Department of Veterans Affairs, for example, ran a fleet of 21 limousines in 2008 under George W. Bush, according to the fleet report. It now makes do with only one. The Government Printing Office also lost all of its six limos between 2009 and 2010. The VA and the Government Printing Office did not respond to calls for comment.

Increasing the debt limit by $2.4 trillion a no-go.........

Why Congress is doing this bullshit and why the US debt ceiling is nothing but a farce, is a question voters should ask themselves the next time they vote for their political representation.  Does voting still matter or is it all a matter of lobbyists spending a billion dollars a day peddling corporate and military-industrial influence?