Bailout ushers in the era of Obama

The era of cowboy capitalism has died, largely of self-inflicted wounds. Who knows what’s coming now? I do: A new era of tight business regulation and government intervention in the markets.

For now, and perhaps for many years, there will be no going back.

The Rubicon was crossed this weekend, when the deal was struck for a $700 billion federal takeover of the carcass of Wall Street.

At that moment, the conservative era in America, which began with Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980, ended. It did so not with a bang, but with a whimper — a cry of help from erstwhile Masters of the Universe who suddenly feared for their platinum-level lives.

Headline on MSNBC.com: HOUSE REJECTS BAILOUT BILL

Is Fineman going to write another story telling us how the Obama era is over?

Obama threatening the licenses of TV stations that run NRA ads
Attacking the 1st Amendment in order to attack the 2nd Amendment?

Al Qaeda-linked suspects emerge in Islamabad Marriott attacks
Qari Saifullah Akhtar, the leader of the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, and Qari Mohammad Zafar, a leader of the Laskhar-e-Jhangvi, have both been implicated as being the mastermind of the Marriott bombing

Code Pink declares victory in Berkeley… by packing up and going home
They claim to be successfully “deconstructing the U.S. military, making the world safe and secure!” by abandoning their protest outside a Marine recruiting station. The Marines remain in control of the battlespace. Like usual.

The Great New Orleans Gun Grab
A must-read for anyone interested in gun rights. In ANY rights, for that matter.

Exonerated Marine to sue Rep. Murtha
Not sure why Murtha hasn’t been vilified for his “cold-blooded murder” claims. Maybe because so many were disappointed he was wrong.

Jet Man flies across Channel on a wing
Yves Rossy made it. Cool.

Contractors Expand As Conscription Fades
Not exactly ‘trigger happy mercenaries,’ but we love ‘em anyway…

Starship Troopers Meets G.I. Joe
Finally the XM25 seems to be going somewhere.

Bush vs. Barney on the Fannie/Freddie thing
Probably should watch the video before everyone blames Bush and the evil GOP.

Passing gas is battery on a police officer?
“The gas was very odorous and created contact of an insulting or provoking nature with Patrolman Parsons,” the complaint says.

Russia Lends Venezuela $1B to Buy Arms
Start calling this the “Trans-Atlantic Rooskie Axis.”

Ford to bring six fuel-efficient European models stateside
The Lefties always seem so eager to imitate Europe, except when it comes to some energy issues. I’d like to see the US go as nuclear and diesel as Old Europe.

Living Well for Less?
Dr. Helen looks at a book about how to live on $12k a year. One suggestion is to get free medical care by volunteering to have new drugs tested on you.

6 Baffling Mistakes Every Movie Criminal Makes
Cracked.com’s lists of movie idiocy should be required reading for all wannabe screenwriters.