Posted on 03/03/2009 9:40:07 PM PST by Lorianne
First of all let me be clear that I have NO affiliation or association with any of the websites or related tea party movements that have popped up as a result of my comments on February 19th, or to the best of my knowledge any of the people who organized the websites or movements. By the way of background, I am not and never have been a stockbroker. Not that there is anything wrong with being a stockbroker. The home I have lived in for 20 years is a 2,500-square foot ranch. Not that there is anything wrong with owning a larger, grander house. I am currently an on air editor with CNBC. Prior to my 10 years in this capacity I was a member in good standing on both the Chicago Futures Exchanges. My career in the futures industry spanned 20 years.
Anyone who has watched my thousands of appearances on CNBC is well acquainted with my aggressive and impassioned style. Over the next several days CNBC.com will put up some of my other passionate broadcasts of the past. Since joining CNBC in 1999 I have not traded the markets in any capacity. As a financial reporter I have never shied away from trying to promote discourse and dialogue of the important issues that affect markets and therefore our lives. The one spot in particular that occurred on February 19th at roughly 8:15 est time and maybe lasted for a minute probably wasn't even in my top 5 in terms of intensity, energy, or controversy. It was unique in that it obviously struck a chord with the public thus inciting what can only be described as a groundswell of feedback from the public, the White House, the Internet, and the media at large. The President's plan addressing issues in the housing market was the topic; but only the tip of the iceberg in fact. The real nerve struck seems to be the pent up emotions felt by millions of Americans regarding spending TRILLIONS of dollars to fix the housing market, the banks, and the economy. SPECIFICALLY WHO WILL PAY....WHO WILL BENEFIT....and above all the governments role in all of this.
Just for the record I have NOT been in favor of any of the bailouts not in the Bush administration nor the Obama administration. Not for the banks, the insurance companies, or the homeowners that purchased homes they can no longer afford. I have consistently questioned the notion that hard working Americans that have played by the rules should be on the hook for others ill fated financial behavior. This is very easily proven....the record is in the video archives of CNBC for any media outlet interested in representing the facts. Furthermore, the "rant heard around the world" (as it has been named by the media) on February 19th was spontaneous....not scripted....and any person, organization, or media outlet that claims otherwise IS INACCURATE. If one merely watches the video (which we've included here in this column or which you can find through this link) it is clear that I stopped talking several times and only continued my commentary because I was prompted by the "Squawk Box" anchors. Though it has been reported that I am a registered republican I have no political agenda and any person, organization, or media outlet that claims otherwise IS INACCURATE. I hope that the President and the final stimulus plan succeed.
Many millions of Americans seem to agree with my position otherwise why would this "rant" be so much different than many of my impassioned comments of the past. Why would the Internet light up the way it did if people did not feel so strongly. The answer seems pretty obvious; the nerve I struck resonated across the country. I love my country and hope that the current administration succeeds in fixing the complicated economic and social issues our country now faces. Trillions of dollars of debt are being created without a commensurate amount of debate by all involved. And the idea that future generations unable to voice an opinion or vote may be saddled with mountains of debt through no fault of their own, is an issue too large to shirk from.
If one doesn't agree with my opinions....I can respect that. It is very American to disagree. It is very UN-American to belittle or ignore the FACTS, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, or the voices of millions of Americans that demand better answers, more transparency, deeper accountability, and the simple idea that our elected officials represent all Americans. All Americans should be treated fairly and equitably as our government puts forth solutions. Mr. Gibbs, the President's Press Secretary, said I did not read the Presidents Mortgage Plan; for the record, I did read the plan and listened to it live as President Obama was presenting it. Anyone who knows me or views CNBC regularly is keenly aware of the fact that I am exceedingly thorough in my homework.
My immediate goal is to go back to my day job as an on air editor on CNBC and a writer for CNBC.com. I will continue to be passionate about what I do and I will always try to spark debate on critical economic and financial issues.
Many thanks for the support as expressed in emails, and letters. This is a critical moment in our nation's history and it is important to continue to discuss and debate all viable solutions.
Before or after the knock on the door at 2:00AM?
“If anything, it is refreshing to see one of obama’s supporters go after him so hard.”
You’re way too polite. LOL
I just got wind of him 2 years ago. I like watching. He is entertaining and he has helped me to better understand the financial world.
I watched him today. He still says that he agrees with 0bama overall. That said he wants to make sure our portfolios are “0bama resistant”. Last week he used the term “0bama proof”. LOL
cramer is a nightmare on stocks, at least for viewers. beyond that he most certainly can be entertaining.
I find it interesting that cnbc seems to be the only channel with people giving obama flak. This is very likely because many of the commentators actually understand more about the markets than obama himself.
“I watched him today. He still says that he agrees with 0bama overall. That said he wants to make sure our portfolios are “0bama resistant”. Last week he used the term “0bama proof”. LOL”
You can bet cramer is getting some highly ranked flak regarding his obama comments. He commented once that he had received all kinds of pressure to quit bashing geithner prior to the nomination. It only stands to reason that the same folks are rather alarmed at him calling obama a leninist and this the greatest destruction of wealth, etc.
When he goes on a rant, he cannot seem to help himself though, and it makes great fireworks.
“He commented once that he had received all kinds of pressure to quit bashing geithner prior to the nomination.”
confirmation, not nomination, sigh, it is late...
Why? Easy. Because Marxists don't understand markets at all. Markets are an expression of free will, at bottom, and that concept is anathema to them.
Rick, millions of Americans will defend you. Keep telling it like it is.
We need your voice!
Silence critics through intimidation. Personalize the issues.
We’ve seen Obama’s America before.
One only needs to look at the Soviet Union or 1930s Germany to see our near future.
Man, you hit the nail right on the head!
I would bet:
If the election was done over today, with what we know now, 0bama would NOT win.
NO WAY, RICK!!
For the sake of The Republic, I hope -- no, I FERVENTLY PRAY -- that the President AND his 'stimulus plan' end up as a fiery political crater wide and deep enough to swallow all of Washington D.C.; a smoking hole of political wreckage and ruin from which neither the President, nor any of his hangers-on, will ever again emerge to appear in the public eye.
No, Rick, the survival of this Republic as a sovereign Nation of Free men REQUIRES the wholesale political destruction of the President, and "All the President's Men". Wishing them success in their horrific misadventure is tantamount to an expression of enmity against The Constitution, and the principles ensconced therein by The Framers.
Rick, I saw your rant, and I know you MEANT well, because I 'get' where you're coming from, and I agree with your sentiments, but WORDS HAVE MEANING, and you need to choose yours FAR more carefully. You can't come off with some amicable platitude about success as an olive branch to this current Administration when that success spells DOOM for EVERYTHING we've held dear for the past 230-some years.
If you would wish success upon anyone, wish it upon all of the everyday, hardworking, overtaxed, under-appreciated American men and women to bust it out on a regular basis to make this nation the best in the world. Wish all of THEM success, because THEY can succeed ONLY if The President's plans fail. Those plans MUST fail, or this nation is toast, "The American Experiment" is OVER, and you can just kiss it all good-bye.
O God Our Help in ages past, all we who have remained faithful do now humbly and urgently beg Thy fathomless mercy upon this Nation which Thou hast by Thine own Wisdom and Power raised up. We beg Thee suffer it not to come to ruin; that Thou wouldest have none of its children begging bread in the streets; that Thou wouldest see none of its widows in destitution; that the fruits of the labor of its many industrious citizens be not utterly consumed by this fresh plague of locusts. O Thou Mighty Hand of Providence, which hast birthed, and sustained these United States through great wars, hardships, and long toils, do Thou in this dire hour return again Thy favor upon these beleaguered shores; to preserve all that Thine own Hand hath wrought; to break this land free of the grasp of Thy foes, and restore its governance to the stewardship of Faithful and Trustworthy men; to godly lovers of Truth. To this end we pray that Thou wouldest stretch out Thine arm against the stated plans of this President, and of his Administration, and of its allies in government, and bring them all to complete failure. Sovereign LORD we beg that Thou wouldest turn back their own plagues upon them, and bring down upon their own heads the destruction they have purposed for this entire nation; that the pain, suffering, and hardship they would otherwise inflict upon these 350 million people would fall entirely upon them, and their cohorts. O Mighty Ruler of Heaven and Earth, consider the millions among us who know not even their right from their left; take note of them and relent we beseech Thee, lest ruin descend upon us all, and there remaineth no portion for them save hunger, and misery. O hear our cry, Thou which art alone Faithful and True; bestir Thyself from Thine own great throne in Heaven to intervene in these grave matters for the glory of Thine Own matchless Name. Cause that all men shall witness Thy deliverance from this present scourge; that they shall recognize among them The Hand of Providence; that they may know The One Who has delivered them, and rightly direct their prayers of thanksgiving to Thee alone. Hear, O LORD, we beg Thee, and do Thou answer swiftly, for we are hard pressed, and lest Ye interpose Thy mercy, many are there that shall not long withstand these growing afflictions. Save us, O God, we pray! In The Name of The Father, in The Name of The Only Son, Jesus, and in The Name of The Holy Ghost.
Amen.
I agree. I am thoroughly amazed this Administration would publicly comment on each criticism levied against it by relatively high profile individuals. Is it possible they cannot see how small they look when they respond directly to every negative story or word spoken against them.
Childish and amateurish only begins to describe these poeple.
That said, one needs to realize there is an autonomous group of people working round the clock and reporting every act of dissent to the authorities in some capacity. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2197943/posts
If the authorities, in the case of Rick Santelli be it NBC, fail to take action will this lead to vigilantism. I have long observed the “left” projects what is in their hearts and minds onto conservatives. Everything they feared about Bush (Nazi, Hitler, etc.) was unfounded and yet here they elected their worst fears to office. They fear violence from the Conservatives, yet it is they who will instigate it because the authority figures in their minds won't act to silence dissent/resistance against them.
I agree with the conclusions you point out. Rick Santelli, the unintended Patriot of the American people, is under siege in a soft tyranny. I don't think he realized his “rant” would be the match in the woodshed.
Apology? I see nothing in what he wrote that is apologetic. All he did was refute what the Administration and their lackeys were saying about him. Not doing so would merely convince many that what the naysayers were tossing out was in fact true.
In this age of the Internet this is a very savvy tactic. Every public response to criticism tells his supporters what the talking points are and unleashes the barrage of bloggers, emails, phone-calls and instructs them as to the level of response needed. Bush and his press corp, nor us bloggers for that matter understood this. We often complained the Bush didn't 'fight back' against his critics. We now have a President that does, who is well connected to his supporters, and is organizing them into the fold of the DNC.
Santelli did not apologize. I think he was calling out the media who are trying to paint him into a corner. Way to go, Rick!!
GE’s about to go bankrupt.
I think it’s more an issue of him keeping his job in these “trying” times.
Of course the network wants him to toe the line, but they also have to admit that little rant probably attracted more viewers than anything they’ve done in the past year.
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