Obama’s reference to fallen soldier fitting, mother says
By DINESH RAMDE
Associated Press
Posted: Sept. 28, 2008

The mother of a Wisconsin soldier who died in Iraq says she was “ecstatic” when Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama mentioned during Friday’s debate the bracelet she gave him in honor of her son.

Tracy Jopek of Merrill said Sunday that she was honored that Obama remembered Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, who was killed in 2006 by a roadside bomb.

She criticized Internet reports suggesting Obama (D-Ill.) exploited her son for political purposes.

Jopek acknowledged e-mailing the Obama campaign in February asking that the presidential candidate not mention her son in speeches or debates.

But she said Obama’s mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, said a soldier’s mother gave him a bracelet.

“I’ve got a bracelet, too, from Sergeant — from the mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek, given to me in Green Bay,” Obama said during the debate. “She asked me, ‘Can you please make sure another mother is not going through what I’m going through?’ ”

“No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they’re carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they’ve provided.”

Jopek says Obama’s comment rightfully suggested there’s more than one viewpoint on the war.

I figured that was what you used! Got some old Sears & Roebuck catalogues you can have. QUACK, QUACK!

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Stocks skidded Monday, with the Dow slumping nearly 778 points, in the biggest single-day point loss ever, after the House rejected the government’s $700 billion bank bailout plan.

The day’s loss knocked out approximately $1.2 trillion in market value, the first post-$1 trillion day ever, according to a drop in the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000, the broadest measure of the stock market.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) lost 777.68, surpassing the 684.81 loss on Sept. 17, 2001 - the first trading day after the September 11 attacks. However the 7% decline does not rank among the top 10 percentage declines.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 (SPX) index lost 8.8%, its seventh worst day ever on a percentage basis and the biggest one-day percentage drop since the crash of ‘87, when it lost 20.5%. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) fell 9.1%, its third worst day on a percentage basis and also its worst decline since the crash of ‘87.

Stocks tumbled ahead of the vote and the selling accelerated on fears that Congress would not be able come up with a fix for nearly frozen credit markets. The frozen markets mean banks are hoarding cash, making it difficult for businesses and individuals to get much-needed loans. (Full story)

“The stock market was definitely taken by surprise,” said Drew Kanaly, chairman and CEO of Kanaly Trust Company, referring to the House vote. “If you watched the news stream over the weekend, it seemed like it was a done deal. But the money is being held hostage to the political process.”

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/29/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?cnn=yes

Great news for free market conservatives!!!!!!!!

WE CAN CONTROL CONGRESS! WE JUST HAVE TO YELL!!

Greg, can we have a bailout thread???

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/29/news/economy/bailout/index.htm?cnn=yes

They’re putting the final touches right now on a bill that will provide mortgage assistance to illegal aliens among others …

Looks like you got your wish, Naughtius. The bill failed. The Dow is now down 500 points and the Federal Reserve is pumping cash into the system. Pretty soon the dollar won’t be worth toilet paper.