Sunday Morning Talk Show Thread 13 January 2002

Various big media television networks ^ | 13 January, 2002 | Various Self-Serving Politicians and Big Media Screaming

[Alas Babylon!]

Guest lineup posted yesterday by FReeper dickmc.

[Wphile]

McCain received about $10,000 I think but he claims it is all "hard" money and not soft. I just caught a glimpse of some Dem on ABC spouting off about CFR. Seems to be the new spin here now.

The Republican response should be? Why do we need CFR? Bush and his administration did not respond favorably to Enron's request. The real campaign finance reform is honest politicians not restrictions on giving. Oh and AN HONEST AND REAL PRESS CORP WOULD HELP TOO!! God, I hate the press.

[Torie]

Something like 10K I think.

[Howlin]

Listen to Paul Begala! He is SUCH a liar!

Has he forgotten that Robert Rubin called too?

[Wphile]

They are lazy, lazy, lazy. Easier to cover the rumours then to get the facts.

I suggest a major letter writing campaign exposing the press for its complete and utter stupidity. Journalistic integrity, my arse. There ain't none.

[MichelleSC]

Is anyone watching CNN now with Carville and Begala? Any thoughts if so.

[Howlin]

Why aren't they even MENTIONING the Democrats?

[Torie]

Here's a bit on the 401k thing on the Anderson thread (it appears Edwards may be correct, at least as to the matching contributions):

Can 401(k)s be protected?

There has been some movement in congress for reform, spurred by the plight of Enron workers who had, on average, 62% of their 401(k) savings tied up in Enron stock. Those savings were largely wiped out because the plan offered little opportunity to diversify. Like many corporate plans, Enron's didn't allow participants to transfer stock that had been given to them as part of a matching contribution until age 50. And Enron officials actively encouraged workers to buy Enron stock. In a memo in August, Lay told employees he'd "never felt better about the prospects of the company. Our growth has never been more certain." Enron workers were further hamstrung by Enron's switching of plan administrators and freezing of all asset shifting within 401(k) accounts for at least 10 days, just as Enron stock was taking its dive. The result was ruin, as Enron sank from $90 to under $1.

[thirst4truth]

My question to Enron is: Why, Why, Why, Why?

[Howlin]

Yes, Begala is lying.

There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that ANYBODY tried to BULLY the administration.

[Howlin]

"Hateful people, Clinton haters, annoying gnats that they are!"

"I don't want to go back and fight an old battle." Meaning, of course, let's NOT talk about Clinton.

[VRWC For Truth]

As one who has been overcome by greed at times, I have a sympathetic understanding. LOL ... but I moved on.

[Howlin]

Brooks Jackson's report on CNN today directly contradicts that. He said 89 percent of the stocks held by employees was voluntarily bought and could have been sold. We shall see.

[SW6906]

"Enron workers were further hamstrung by Enron's switching of plan administrators and freezing of all asset shifting within 401(k) accounts for at least 10 days, just as Enron stock was taking its dive. The result was ruin, as Enron sank from $90 to under $1. "

The plot is reply #160 puts the lie to this statement.

[Wphile]

Of the 62% in Enron stock, how much was the result of the Company match? Not much I bet. During the 10 day lock-out period, the stock went down approximately $3.

If they want to claim that they should be awarded the cash equivalent of the stock as it was contributed to the plan, fine. That would be at the price the stock was at the time of the contribution. A lot would be at very low prices, probably. Some may be at the higher end.

The stock slide from $90 to 1 is not all that unusual, unfortunately. Look at JDSU, Lucent, Rambus, Global Crossing, Real Networks, etc. Remember the NASDAQ was at 5,000 in February of 1999.

[VRWC For Truth]

Kristol and Keyes were roomates at Harvard.

ROFL. Now don't start trouble on this thread. LOL

[Dane]

Also, I wonder how much money McCain got from Enron,

I believe McCain got about $10,000 from Enron.

[Torie]

The chattering classes tend to have trouble reading charts. :)

[RobFromGa]

Based on what we saw on the shows today, I say they are already shutting up.....

Logic confronts emotion-- logic wins every time. The President has built a formidable bunker (with normal Americans) based on his honesty. It will take more munitions than the Leftist/Socialists have to penetrate this bunker. Enron just bounced off...

[SW6906]

The decline of Real Networks is the reason our (idiot) Senator Maria Cant(vote)well has her hand out. She had millions on paper in Real Networks stock when she began her run for the Senate (it financed her seat - OK when it's a Dem, the focus of all media reporting when it's a Pubbie), now she has campaign debt she can't pay back without liquidating her hard assets because the Real stock is worthless.