Mary L. Schapiro, Gary Gensler and Daniel K. Tarullo, Obama Economic Appointees

Truthdig - Ear to the Ground - Tough Road Ahead for New Economic Appointees: “Mr. Obama named Mary L. Schapiro, 53, to head the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has come under sharp criticism for its failure to detect signs that major Wall Street banks were in trouble before the financial crisis, as well as lax oversight of the New York financier Bernard Madoff, who the authorities say has confessed to running a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.

[...] Mr. Obama also announced the selection of two former Clinton administration economic officials, Gary Gensler and Daniel K. Tarullo, to leading economic posts.

Mr. Gensler, who will head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, was a Treasury official in the Clinton administration. He also worked as a senior adviser to former Sen. Paul Sarbanes, a Maryland Democrat, who wrote legislation to increase oversight of the accounting industry and reform corporate governance.

Mr. Tarullo, a law professor at Georgetown University who was also an economic advisor to President Clinton, will fill an open seat on the Federal Reserve board in Washington. He is currently leading Mr. Obama’s transition team at the Treasury Department, and is considered an expert in international economic regulation.”

-- President-Elect Barack Obama is rounding out his economic team with the choice of Mary L. Schapiro, Gary Gensler and Daniel K. Tarullo. I have to note that it seems there are more women appointed to this cabinet than at any time in American History. I think the reason for this is these choices -- and women in general -- may have better "vetting" track records than their male counterparts. It's just a guess -- I have nothing other than experience to base this on.

Paul Weyrich Leader of Conservative Movement Passes On - The Swamp

The Swamp: “Paul Weyrich, one of the best-known leaders of the conservative movement, died this morning at age 66 from an undisclosed cause.

He was a co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, one of the most influential think tanks in the nation's capital.”

-- Oh, no. I'm not a conservative, but I am a political junkie.

Socialtext offering laid-off networks for free - Susan Mernit's Blog

Socialtext News - Susan Mernit's Blog: “As we all know, alumni networks frm opast companies ate great ways to get jobs, Ross Mayfield's Socialtext is going to be right there helping those folks out.

Ross writes: "Today, Socialtext is meeting this latent need with a free Corporate Social Network offer for the 2009 Recession. Any former employee and HR director of a company that reduced its workforce by 5% or more in the last year can create a private Corporate Social Network for free by applying here. Please note that this offer does not include free ”

-- Nice find Susan!!! I just wonder, considering the digital divide, how many companies will actually make the leap.

Renetto v. YouTube - Renetto's In YouTube's House

YouTube star Renetto's been at odds with the YouTube execs of late, so I thought I'd chime in with my take on his problem. Basically, he wants to be able to say what he wants when he wants. I'm explaining that YouTube and digital media is too monetized with corporate sponsors who are sensitive to their image, so much so they are fearful of comments left that could lead to embarrassment. Renetto can play their game, what would it harm?

1100 Broadway Downtown Oakland Mural Finished: Rocky Rische-Baird

 

After several months of work, the mural at 1100 Broadway in downtown Oakland is finished. 

The work of Oakland artist Rocky Rische-Baird, it is a step back in time as much as it is a celebration of downtown Oakland and a landmark for 1100 Broadway itself. I talked to Rocky Rische-Baird about his new classic work.

Republicans in Congress have a lower approval rating than President Bush

Republicans tanking ratings - Real Clear Politics: “Republicans in Congress have a lower approval rating than President Bush, according to the latest Gallup survey (Dec. 12-14, 1008 A).

Just 25% of U.S. adults approve of the job Republicans are doing in Congress, 4 points lower than Bush's 29%. It is the lowest mark for either party since Gallup began polling the approval ratings of Congressional parties in 1999.

Congressional Democrats received a 37% approval rating -- still low, but a 7-point increase from their all-time low at the end of last year.”

"Liza The Wine Chic" Liza Zimmerman On SF "View From The Bay" 1/9/2009

Liza Zimmerman, my friend who's based in San Francisco and locally 
known as "Liza The WIne Chic" just sent this email:

Dear All,

Please join me for my Bay Area TV debut! I was on Captain Kangaroo many years ago, but this will be more fun. The show tapes live on Friday January 9th from 3pm to 4pm, so members of the audience will need to be there by between 2:15 and 2:30pm. Tickets are free and it's going to be fun! Here are the RSVP directions:

Please direct people to our website www.viewfromthebay.com and click on "be in our audience" and fill out a ticket request form. In the request form they would request the date that you will be on the show and under comments they can comment that they are a friend or family member of "Liza who will be on the show that day" or something along those lines. Or they can also call me at 415-954-7733 to request tickets. After requesting tickets, information and tickets will be emailed to your guest.

Thanks and I hope to see you there,

--