Obama's Oil Spill Speech

Obama launched Operation Blame BP from the Oval Office in an attempt to project command of the gulf leak debacle.  I did not watch the speech myself.  Here's the reason.  Because my experience is, when you listen to a guy like a professional politician, he's gonna say all the right things to me.  I'm not interested in words.  I'm interested in actions.

The NY Times editors are also a bit more interested in actions:

On Tuesday, in his first address from the Oval Office, he vowed to “fight this spill with everything we’ve got for as long as it takes” and declared that “we will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused.”

Mr. Obama and his team will have to follow through — with more energy and dedication than they have shown so far.

We know that the country is eager for reassurance. We’re not sure the American people got it from a speech that was short on specifics and devoid of self-criticism. Certainly, we hope that Mr. Obama was right when he predicted that in “coming weeks and days,” up to 90 percent of the oil leaking from the well will be captured and the well finally capped by this summer. But he was less than frank about his administration’s faltering efforts to manage this vast environmental and human disaster.

The speech was panned even by Obama's base at MSNBC:

Olbermann: "It was a great speech if you were on another planet for the last 57 days."

Hm, my presumption that Obama would say all the right things to me may not have been valid.

WOULD IT HAVE HELPED?  With all the things that have gone wrong in the gulf, I was expecting Obama to ask Congress to repeal Murphy's Law.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING, BUT WE'RE MAKING GOOD TIME!  Peter Wehner of Commentary highlights "one of the worst sections from an Oval Office address ever"; he includes Obama's refutation of skeptics who doubt that we landed a man on the moon, and this deathless passage:

"Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is our capacity to shape our destiny — our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don’t yet know precisely how to get there. We know we’ll get there."

Tomorrow is later, but it is scheduled for arrival any day now.

IF DAN RIEHL IS WITH ME,WHO WILL STAND AGAINST ME?  Via Glenn, we see this from Dan on the speech:

But given that the reviews are so overwhelmingly bad, it occurred to me - it's what we aren't hearing that's most significant. You can call Obama incompetent and no one is accusing you of racism, any more. Now, that's change!!

Ah hah! Just a few short days ago, I noted that Obama had lost the Rolling Stone and said this:

As a stray thought, we have spent months reading about the racist Tea Partiers, and for months it has seemed obvious that come the fall, desperate Dems would start screaming that everyone opposed to them was racist.  That strategy would not be intended to change minds, but it might rally the base a bit.  On the heels of the Gulf debacle (and the perceived civil liberties debacle), the race card will be a lot harder to play.

Comments

[Pofarmer]

So, I wonder, if I own a Condo in Florida, how do I know if the loss of renters is due to the BP spill, or the Obamaconomy? Do I care?

[B Mused]

You know there's place where rhetoric meets reality.

You put your your life savings on the line and then tell me if you give a crap about the "rule of law" versus getting some security.

I'm telling you-it don't get more redneck than south Alabama and that "I'm sorry, BP" routine is going nowhere.

[Rob Crawford]

You put your your life savings on the line and then tell me if you give a crap about the "rule of law" versus getting some security.

Wow.

Would you like some cheese?

[Rob Crawford]

Maybe some crackers?

[B Mused]

Pofarmer-the BP claim office doesn't care! They're paying without asking about it. Just show them a cancellation, they compensate you..

And nobody is refusing their money. That's my point.

[Pofarmer]

"I'm sorry, BP" routine is going nowhere.

Which is exactly where the American economy is going with this kind of "leadership."

[Jane]

You might care Po.

[B Mused]

I'm just telling you how it is, Crawford.

The whole "small government thing" is just rhetoric. Here in Tea Party land, people got on the BP tit so fast, it's crazy.

You come down here and try to explain to the people leaving the BP claims office that they're constitution violating thugs and you'll probably get your ass beat.

[Jane]

B Mused, as I understand it, the president has decided that before anyone gets a dime he wants a sweep of voter registration to see who voted for him. It will start with the state and then go to the county. SO people from MA who have claims will get paid faster than people from states who did not vote for him. And if there is not enough money to go around, then tough toenails.

Since your neighbors, and apparently you, could care less about the rule of law, this development won't bother you either.

[glasater]

BP Planning $10 Billion Debt Issue

Some of the comments are pretty interesting....

[Rob Crawford]

You come down here and try to explain to the people leaving the BP claims office that they're constitution violating thugs and you'll probably get your ass beat.

Proving my point.

Oh well. We were a Republic for a while. When should we hold a wake for the Constitution?

[B Mused]

BP is already paying claims and people are lining up to take their money.

If Republicans think they can get votes by vowing to switch off the money teat, they're stupid. That's all I'm saying.

[Rob Crawford]

If Republicans think they can get votes by vowing to switch off the money teat, they're stupid. That's all I'm saying.

Maybe Republicans have higher ideals than votes. Maybe equality under the law, the rule of law, and not condoning extortion is more important?

If BP wants to shovel their money out to anyone walking by, that's their business. But the government arm-twisting, that's what's disgusting. That's what's Third World.

[Thomas Collins]

A Playboy Magazine article gets linked not only at JOM (see Jane's June 17, 2010 at 11:04 AM post), but also at Instapundit (see LUN). I guess when JOM and Insty readers say they read Playboy for the articles, they really mean it!!! :-))

[DebinNC]

This article on gov's dismal record as claims adjustor is excellent. A recent example is the gov's ruinously snail's pace getting "cash" to the car dealers who were accepting the "clunkers". There's also a link toward the bottom to a Heritage piece on government waste, with items #23-24 related to fraudulent Katrina payouts.

[Clarice]

bgates:"I think it would. Loathsome people who cause terrible pain and suffering still have rights. We have a civil court system to deal with BP. If they wanted to deal with the caudillo system, they could have drilled wells in Venezuelan waters."

You're right of course, but sometimes I just need to let off steam and BP seems to deserve my ire.

[Neo]

The TOTUS is in morning ...

Among the seven countries surveyed with substantial Muslim populations, the U.S. was seen favorably by just 17 percent in Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan and 21 percent in Jordan. The U.S.'s positive rating was 52 percent in Lebanon, 59 percent in Indonesia and 81 percent in Nigeria, where Muslims comprise about half the population.

None of those figures was an improvement from last year. There were slight dips in Jordan and in Indonesia, where Obama spent several years growing up. Egypt saw a 10-point drop, even though Obama gave a widely promoted June 2009 speech in Cairo aimed at reaching out to the Muslim world.

Et tu, AP

[Sue]

After the term redneck I was waiting for cracker to be used. But figured B Mused would be the one using it. ::grin::

A redneck in a condo? Alabama must be different than the rest of the south. Or someone isn't really in Alabama and throws around code words they think give them their southern bonafides.

[Pofarmer]

[i]You put your your life savings on the line and then tell me if you give a crap about the "rule of law" versus getting some security.[/i]

Don't be short sighted. That cuts both ways.

[centralcal]

No kidding Sue!

[Extraneus]

Yeah, the hell with all this theoretical rule of law, civil court BS. Let's just take their money.

Do any of the board members have a US address we can send the goons to?

[centralcal]

Well, looks like Obama is wining/dining his media critics (a few at a time) per David Corn via Twitter:

"Obama lunches w/ media types. Spotted @ WH: Gail Collins, Eugene Robinson, Seib, Maddow."

Tommorrow will it be Chrissy and Keefy?

[Rob Crawford]

A redneck in a condo? Alabama must be different than the rest of the south. Or someone isn't really in Alabama and throws around code words they think give them their southern bonafides.

"Redneck Riveria"

The funny thing is, I've been looking at a vacation down there despite/because of the spill. Should be quiet, no?

[bgates]

the hell with all this theoretical rule of law, civil court BS

Here I must admit to an apparent misunderstanding of the left's position. Once upon a time, there were people who got exercised about the phrase "unitary executive", which I thought was an innocuous phrase derived from the Constitution, which states, "executive Power [of the United States] shall be vested in a President of the United States of America". Now I see that the objection was that the left wants executive and judicial Power vested in the President. So long as he is one of theirs, of course.

For a moment I was concerned about the effect on employment of dissolving the civil court system, but I realized we can keep it: just have the lawyers go through the motions (so to speak) of their arguments to kill time, and then once they receive word of the decision Obama reached on his own, the judge can write out the opinion, which will be of the form, "yes, that's exactly what I was about to decide as well".

You put your your life savings on the line

"Your" savings. How quaint. You own what the President tells you you own, for as long as he tells you you own it.

[narciso]

Don't worry about everything will be fine, 'these are not the droids you're looking for'
in the LUN

[Jane]

Why am I not surprised Centralcal. Maybe afterward they can all take in a movie.

Did you hear that Olbermann and Daily Kos broke up over Obama's speech?

I think that is hysterical.

[Porchlight]

Or someone isn't really in Alabama and throws around code words they think give them their southern bonafides.

Sue,

FWIW per the site meter there are no Alabama visits logged during the last 100 visits, which includes the time range of B Mused's 1:20 post.

Just saying.

[jimmyk]

just have the lawyers go through the motions (so to speak) of their arguments to kill time, and then once they receive word of the decision Obama reached on his own, the judge can write out the opinion, which will be of the form, "yes, that's exactly what I was about to decide as well".

bgates, that seems a pretty fair description of what happened with the GM bondholders.

[Ann]

Jane:

Have you seen this?:

Chris Matthews’ “Rise of The New Right”: Delusional Neo-Communist Propaganda

Snarkandboobs eviscerates Chris Matthews' MSNBC Batumentary

[Clarice]

I guess Axelrod doesn't know anyone in Alabama.

[Extraneus]

♪ Home, home on the Redneck Riviera
Where the IP addresses are from another area ♪

[narciso]

I'd call it a Obatmuntery, Ann, yes it was poorly produced tripe, from the weasel who
laughed with Bill Ayers after the election, even though as a Capitol Hill cop, he could
have very well been a target

[Jane says obamasucks]

Ann, I blogged about that first thing this morning.

[Janet]

Rep. Joe Barton, "I am ashamed of what happened at the White House yesterday." LUN

Me too. Our federal government is lawless. Our borders are being overrun..have been for years...and they do nothing. Just disregard laws & the constitution. They are taking over private businesses. It is sickening.
The law is just a guideline apparently for businesses, but for terrorists...every jot & tittle better be adhered to. We are no different than Venezuela if this mafia administration gets away with this.
What am I saying? They HAVE gotten away with it. Maybe the GM & Chrysler robbery was a test run.

[centralcal]

Janet, it is all over. Barton corrected his misconstrued statements (with a little pushing and shoving by fellow GOPers, I am pretty certain).

Meanwhile, I know everyone has been wondering what David Shuster has been up to while in purgatory. Well . . . playing air guitar at the wedding of one of his best friends, White House Deputy Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

[centralcal]

Apologize immediately . . . or lose your position immediately.

[Janet]

Oh no centralcal....
Well, I don't even know what to say. I feel such a sadness for our country. Thanks for the link.

[Ann]

Jane:

I like yours better. Way to go. I had forgotten Chrissy called West Point the enemy camp.

Hope you don't mind but I sent in to Chris. :)

You can comment on the show HERE

Hope everyone goes over and tells Chris what they think of his carp.

[rseintheFLpanhandle]

He does Clarice but those trial lawyers were all in court today.

[DebinNC]

Guiliani: If this was Bush, he'd would have been impeached by now."

[b mused]

First off, "Redneck Riviera" is a well known term around here, spoken with pride.

Second, I'm glad I was proved right. The Pensacola rep (R) is all over Barton and I heard he just retracted his dumbass statement.

[glasater]

Centralcal--I think Gibb's started it:

Gibbs: Barton Should Step Down As Ranking Member

The jerk!

[JM Hanes]

B mused:

"The whole "small government thing" is just rhetoric."

Small government is not the same thing as no government, and right now, it's the big government octopus which is exacerbating the disaster. There were plenty of less overtly thuggish ways to get a lot more money out of BP, and without simultaneously hitting strategic allies in their pocketbooks too, and alienating others by spurning their offers of help. This is the big government which left booms sitting in Maine, and left Gulf governors so desperate that they're finally taking remedial measures on their own because of federal recalcitrance and red tape. The only disaster the Prez is fighting are the political winds.

I'm sure people aren't turning money that BP, not the feds, is already handing out. That's a good thing, because they're not going to get anything from that Presidential slush fund anytime soon. And the folks that this President is perfectly willing to throw out of work to score purely political points with his anti-oil pleaser moratorium, will also have big gov to thank. If it stands, you should be hoping that's something that your compadres can take into a court of law with speed.

[glasater]

Barton was right:

The BP Shakedown

Steve McCann The Obama administration has just made certain that there will be minimal foreign or even domestic investment in the United States. Their shakedown and blackmail of BP has major corporate investors looking elsewhere for expansion and exploration. No company answerable to their shareholders or investors will risk capital in a country which has brutally abandoned the rule of law.

My company is headquartered in Switzerland and in recent conversations with business executives and clients overseas, they have told me that this and many of this governments actions has completely chilled their enthusiasm to invest in the United States.

The same applies to domestic U.S. companies, why would they expand within the country or even continue to do business here? They will not.

This lack of faith and confidence will not be easily overcome and will exacerbate and make permanent a high unemployment rate and a lower standard of living. This is yet another step in making certain another recession in just over the horizon.

[b mused]

I'm with you Hanes. I have no love for government per se.

But check the time on my comments. My reaction to barton' stupidity was immediate, and I was just telling you how I thought most people on the Gulf coast (-I'm posting today from a public library in New Orleans for the curious)- would react.

This afternoon's events have only proved that the Republican leadership understands it if Barton doesn't, and I assume my immediate reaction was certainly shared by lots on the Gulf Coast.

Just becuause we hate the government doesn't mean we cant hate BP too.

[boris]

"we hate the government"

Free country, hate whatever you want ... but there is no "we" when it comes to hate.

[Extraneus]

This is yet another step in making certain another recession in just over the horizon.

And possibly another reason to hold your Pacific/China funds, even though they haven't done well lately. They sure seem to be making better strategic moves than we are.

[Jane says obamasucks]

Centralcal - he damn well better not apologize, he is absolutely right.

And thanks Ann - bet he won't read it.

[Extraneus]

Clinton: Obama Administration To Sue Arizona Over Immigration Law

[b mused]

"but there is no "we" when it comes to hate"

ok. But there is a "you" when it comes to dumbass.

[Jane says obamasucks]

I wrote John Boehner and told him to grow a pair. I'd do the same to Cantor if I could find an email address.

[JM Hanes]

It's always been obvious that Obama doesn't have a bipartisan bone in his body, but I have finally realized he's not the least bit interested in solutions, he's interested in looking like a dragon slayer. He has deliberately, relentlessly done everything he possibly can to alienate the right: because compromise is a tie, and he wants to win. He may not be able to beat the spill, but he can beat BP.

That's entirely consistent for a guy who has gone from one campaign to another, all his life, with nary a stop between scoring to tackle an actual problem. International affairs are just an (abstract/academic) distraction from the domestic game he plays and where winning is, indeed, all.

[Bill in AZ sez it's time for Zero to resign]

Clinton: Obama Administration To Sue Arizona Over Immigration Law

bring it

[Extraneus]

Yes, you're vindicated on the politics, b mused. No question about that, apparently. I guess Barton should have waited for reinforcements before making his comments, since it's still pretty obviously a shakedown. The "hate" is another question, though. I'm having a hard time hating BP because they f'd up after multiple positive inspections prior to the explosion on the deepest well ever drilled. It's not like the aftermath was all their fault, since it could have been handled more effectively. (See Giulinani's comments in Deb's link, for example.)

What if they said they'd have been happier to drill in ANWR, using more proven and much safer technology? What if it was an American company? Guess we'd have to hate them, too.

I'd have been happier if the gov't set up the fund and then tried to recover the money in court. After all, $20B is chump change for Obama. He has way more than that in existing slush funds.

[Rick Ballard]

"And possibly another reason to hold your Pacific/China funds"

Europe (Asia's largest customer) is deeper in the toilet than the US (Asia's second largest customer). The fact that China lies all day, every day about its economic health does not inspire the confidence necessary for me to consider any Asian holdings in other than a very dim light.

There will be plenty of great opportunities for people holding cash after this next leg down. We've only got 30 months of pure misery left before BO exits.

[Danube of Thought]

Hot Air:

A new CNN poll taken a day after Barack Obama’s Oval Office speech delivered more bad news to the White House. The poll shows 59% disapproval over Obama’s handling of the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, an increase of eight points since May 21-23 survey. Approval has dropped from 46% to 41%, making an 13-point shift in approval in three weeks. The result shows that Obama’s speech failed to repair his damaged position and build his credibility on his competence.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Ex-

It's a shakedown, to a degree. BP IS a willing participant, and I would wager they expect to be the last oil venture standing in American waters after making every one happy.

This is a very, very bad bet.

[JM Hanes]

Extraneus:

"After all, $20B is chump change for Obama. He has way more than that in existing slush funds."

I suspect that's all he thought he could safely go after (IIRC, he tossed around $40B a few days ago) -- and still keep BP money flowing into the Democratic camp, not litigation.

He could actually save a lot of real jobs with unspent Stimulus funds, couldn't he? I'd bet Congress could manage to approve doling it out pretty fast. Alas, if Republicans voted for it, it wouldn't be an Obama win, and it wouldn't be Obamamoney that the little people would be so thankful to get.

[Neo]

But several sources familiar with the administration's thinking confirmed it has started pressing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to bring up a slimmed-down energy and climate bill next month. Such a measure would pass more easily than a comprehensive climate bill, and could still be negotiated with the broader bill the House passed a year ago.

Under this scenario, the final product of any House-Senate conference could come up for a final vote in a lame-duck session after lawmakers have faced voters in November, thereby cushioning the vote's political impact.

[DebinNC]

This is an experiment:

Please name the first two people (other than Barton) that come to mind when you hear the word "shakedown".

[narciso]

Boehner's a pathetic weasel, Barton's from the Gulf Coast (at least near enough) this
is just another slush fund, that will go probably in no small poetic irony, to defeat
the likes of him.

This administration is strangling the life out of every aspect of the private economy,
either by ignorance or intention, honestly a foreign power did this, we would consider it
an act of war

[centralcal]

I see that Chris Matthews ratings doubled last night to 1,044 million viewers. Usually he is stagnant in 500K range.

[Extraneus]

This is a very, very bad bet.

Considering that Obama has little interest in actually drilling for oil, that's hard to argue with. Why let anyone, much less BP after this, drill for oil offshore or anywhere else? It wouldn''t make sense to a climate ideologue.

[glasater]

Jane--one might be able to reach Eric Cantor via the link below:

You Cut

It's his site anyway.

[centralcal]

narciso: I think this time Boehner and company were wise to do what they did. The entire liberal media, the White House, every Dem had already pounced on this - it would have been the sole talking point on tv, in print, on the web, ad nauseum - a DISTRACTION from all the negative focus on Obama and BP etc.

I think, for once, the GOP made the correct tactical move. The enemy is speedily defeating themselves, we need to stay out of the way and let them succeed.

[narciso]

I suppose, it just seems they get more tools,
to use against us, they clearly don't care about public opinion, they have media, which
would embarass Pravda. BP is a bad actor, they
did most everything wrong, but we need them drilling that's just a fact of life. The fact
that the lead interrogator, Waxman is the
'facilitator' to not use another term of this
toxic scheme, angers me further

[centralcal]

Jay Cost has a great piece on Obama the bully - bullying the American people. Obama pretty much has given us all that middle finger, while mouthing the words eff you. By god, he is THE PRESIDENT, and he will do whatever he damned well pleases. So far he has had the votes, or he has ignored the law, and/or written his own rules.

We need to focus on November and getting the biggest majority we can muster to combat this man.

[Extraneus]

Catholic Scholar Asks Why Bishops Haven't Denied Communion Over Ariz. Law

[Jane says obamasucks]

If anyone thinks their claim will be paid faster under Obama than the normal process then they are a campaign donor.

[narciso]

Guess who crawled out from under a rock, to denounce Barton and defend the administration, in the LUN

[Rob Crawford]

Catholic Scholar Asks Why Bishops Haven't Denied Communion Over Ariz. Law

Because then they'd have to excommunicate all of Mexico for having stricter laws. Not to mention ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.

[Rob Crawford]

It's a shakedown, to a degree. BP IS a willing participant...

Just like the GM bondholders.

[glasater]

Talk about a shakedown--here's where it all begins as Melinda would say.
Chicago politics shorthand by John Kass.

[Extraneus]

Wasn't it Melinda who gave us John Kass? If so, thanks, Melinda. We could use someone like him in DC.

[DebinNC]

Bobby Jindal is acting. I think Obama is too by intentionally thwarting rescue efforts. At this late date, incompetence doesn't explain what is and isn't happening.

[Extraneus]

Critics Call Islamic States' U.N. Media Watchdog Proposal a Censorship Ploy

"The Islamic bloc is attempting to turn an international shield for religious freedom into a sword for religious-motivated state censorship," said Hillel Neuer, executive director of U.N. Watch. "It's part of a larger campaign to invert the real danger of Islamist extremism and terrorism around the globe into an imagined narrative of Western victimization of Islam and its adherents."

Would anyone be surprised if this passes?

[Melinda Romanoff]

DebinNC-

"Please name the first two people (other than Barton) that come to mind when you hear the word "shakedown"."

"Rev."JesseJacksonRichieDaley.

(or, pick the Chicago Alderman of your choice)

I can go on, and on, and on....

[DebinNC]

Thanks, Mel. I immediately thought of Jesse and his disciple Al, so I'm glad your thinking Daley means "shakedown" at least isn't a racist term.

[Melinda Romanoff]

John Kass only has PART of the picture. Trial's going to be fun, though.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Deb-

I'm not racist in the least!

DannySolisLuisGuiterrez!

JohnDaleyDickMell(Blago's F-i-L)!

BernieStoneBobbyRush!

(I should stop.)

[M Mused]

Now, why on earth would BP agree to have an Obamaton as the independent third-party? I think BP is run by idiots who cannot take pressure.

[rseintheFLpanhandle]

Deb- Word from officials is that there's only 4 boats available to skim in the panhandle area .

You read about what those Dutch vessels were capable of doing and it's sickening.

There's definitely incompetence but mostly there's a desire to create a disaster that can be manipulated for the desired ends.

Which is why it's important to talk about how much of this is govt failure.

[Rob Crawford]

You read about what those Dutch vessels were capable of doing and it's sickening.

Yeah, but the Dutch boats aren't perfect.

[Rob Crawford]

Wow.

Eight days ago, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered barges to begin vacuuming crude oil out of his state's oil-soaked waters. Today, against the governor's wishes, those barges sat idle, even as more oil flowed toward the Louisiana shore...

But the Coast Guard ordered the stoppage because of reasons that Jindal found frustrating. The Coast Guard needed to confirm that there were fire extinguishers and life vests on board, and then it had trouble contacting the people who built the barges.

LUN

[Pofarmer]

Ex-

It's a shakedown, to a degree. BP IS a willing participant, and I would wager they expect to be the last oil venture standing in American waters after making every one happy.

This is a very, very bad bet.

I've been thinking that today. They will be bankrupted and double crossed.

There's definitely incompetence but mostly there's a desire to create a disaster that can be manipulated for the desired ends.

Which is why it's important to talk about how much of this is govt failure.

Which is why the shakedown language was entirely appropriate. It's a shame we can't discuss these sorts of things in the USA today.

[JM Hanes]

ccal:

"I see that Chris Matthews ratings doubled last night to 1,044 million viewers. Usually he is stagnant in 500K range."

Probably the New Right tuning in with Xtra Lge bowls of popcorn in hand.

[centralcal]

oh, you get it, JMH. Those ratings are gonna be used as the rationale for more of his "specials" (i.e. propaganda).

If we could just not follow the damned pied piper, he would be toast. But, alas, there is that human failing that makes us want to watch so that we can critique.

If nobody watched, no critique would even be necessary.

[Janet]

If nobody watched, no critique would even be necessary.
Amen centralcal.

[Landru]

"Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don’t yet know precisely how to get there. We know we’ll get there."

I think this ought to be given a formal policy name: The MacGuffin Doctrine.

"According to Hitchcock, the MacGuffin was a phrase devised from Kipling that was used to cover any plot curiosity or unexplainable necessity; the unattainable object that must be attained, or the mysterious device that must be discovered"

[Melinda Romanoff]

Po-

No, not bankrupted, but the company will be crushed, and then stolen from underneath them.

To be run by "more friendly" individuals.

Nope, never seen this movie before.

(Have you been getting close to washed out like we are?)

[dining room tables]

It was ridiculous - war metaphors, a few lies, and a push for cap and tax. Exactly what you would expect.