NYtimes:

The American economy lost 263,000 jobs in September — far more than expected — and the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, the government reported on Friday, dimming prospects of any meaningful job growth by the end of the year. [. . .] “It’s a very fragile and tentative recovery,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “Policymakers need to do more.”

(Emphasis supplied) A little late for that isn't it? Krugman wrote:

[T]he complacency now setting in over the state of the economy is both foolish and dangerous. [. . .] [W]hile not having another depression is a good thing, all indications are that unless the government does much more than is currently planned to help the economy recover, the job market [. . .] will remain terrible for years to come.

(Emphasis supplied.) There's a winning political slogan - "terrible for years to come." But the stimulus ship has sailed. Obama blew it.

Speaking for me only

Via FDL, more adherents to the Blue State Public Option:

Steps away from the Finance Committee markup, SEIU Chief Andy Stern ducked into a private meeting Thursday with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

[. . .] Stern said states should be allowed to opt out of the government plan. "I'm in the fourth way option," Stern said. "If Alabama doesn’t want a public option, they should consider that question. I don’t think the citizens of Alabama will want out. ... I think we need a public option. I don’t think it needs to be triggered. The question is if there are certain state legislators who think it’s not appropriate for their state, they should have a right in some fashion to deal with it.

I think if they tie the individual mandates to acceptance of a public option, this is an acceptable proposal. I also think that with this opt out, the public option must be robust (Medicare +5), Wyden's exchanges should be expanded and eligibility for the public option should also be expanded.

Speaking for me only

BTD is watching Fringe. For me, it's Survivor and Grey's Anatomy.

I'm signing off for the night, here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

There was more action today in the Senate Finance Committee on health care. And Sen. Harry Reid addressed the public option:

"I favor a public option. We're going to do our very best to have a public option. But remember, a public option is a relative term," Reid, D-Nev., said Thursday.

Insurance companies aren't waiting for the outcome to announce changes. [More...]

A new study shows fewer Americans support abortion rights.

Only 47 percent of Americans now feel abortion should be legal in all or most cases, a drop from 54 percent a year ago, according to the poll. Meanwhile, 45 percent say it should be illegal in all or most cases. That's up from 41 percent a year ago.

Demographically: [More...]

Marina Zenovich, the director of last year’s documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" has issued a statement regarding former LA Deputy DA David Wells' recantation of his statements regarding his contacts with the judge in the Roman Polanski case:

“I am perplexed by the timing of David Wells’ statement to the press that he lied in his interview with me…. Since June of 2008, the film has been quite visible on U.S. television via HBO, in theaters and on DVD, so it is odd that David Wells has not brought this issue to my attention before.”

[More....]

I'm watching Fringe tonight. What are you doing?

This is an Open Thread.

Also, Jon has nixed any more "Plus 8" shows. Thanks to the Gawds.

Lambert needs some help. Even though he rips me all the time, he's got a great blog. If you agree with me, give him a hand. (Speaking for me only)

This is an Open Thread.

KDog is going to see Bruce on Friday. They are doing the Darkness album, one of the great albums of all time. So, in the hopes that I get to go too, here is a performance of "Streets of Fire," circa 1978:

Via Brian Beutler, Greg Sargent reports the new OFA Talking Points:

OFA Talking Points On The Public Option

How to talk with your volunteers:

[. . .]  The public option is just one small part of health insurance reform.

For some of us, no public option means no reform. Indeed, no public option SHOULD mean no mandates. And if BaucusCare becomes ObamaCare, then I say NO to ObamaCare.

Speaking for me only

Surprise, surprise, surprise - Lanny Davis loves him some Jim Cooper.

Course, Lanny Davis also loved him some Joe Lieberman too.

It goes without saying he hates progressive bloggers (Conservatives he likes, being a Fox News Democrat.)

That tells you something I think. Wonder if anyone is going to call Lanny Davis an interloper?

Speaking for me only

The Hill reports:

Obama administration officials tout the progress that has been made on healthcare reform, but as the debate heads into October, neither chamber has passed a bill. Some Democrats are privately concerned that the calendar is slipping away from them, noting that finishing healthcare reform in the election year of 2010 would be nearly impossible. In May, Obama stressed the need to act soon, saying, “If we don’t get it done this year, we’re not going to get it done.”

If "getting it done" means BaucusCare, better to NOT get it done. And if there is any doubt that the Obama Administration is considered to be wimpish:

[T]he White House is trying to light a fire under congressional negotiators, but it doesn’t appear to be working.

Once Obama let Max Baucus take over the process, this was inevitable. That was the price of "formlessness".

Speaking for me only

Update: Polanski's defense strategy could work to keep him out of prison due to the allegations of judicial miscounduct.

Former LA Deputy DA David Wells then (paraphrased from the documentary, "Wanted and Desired"): I wanted Roman Polanski to go to jail. So I told the judge how he could sentence him to prison while avoiding the possibility of Polanski appealing. He did it. Months later, I showed the judge a photo of Polanski in Europe and told him Polanski was "flipping him off." The judge took it personally, as I intended, and decided to sentence Polanski even more harshly at the final sentencing.

Shorter version, David Wells now: I lied in the documentary. I never told the judge anything. He did what he did all on his own. I had nothing to do with it.

[More...]