Not Just AIG; Not Just Execs

BEYOND AIG: A Bill to let Big Government Set YOUR Salary

in a little-noticed move, the House Financial Services Committee, led by chairman Barney Frank, has approved a measure that would, in some key ways, go beyond the most draconian features of the original AIG bill. The new legislation, the "Pay for Performance Act of 2009," would impose government controls on the pay of all employees -- not just top executives -- of companies that have received a capital investment from the U.S. government. It would, like the tax measure, be retroactive, changing the terms of compensation agreements already in place. And it would give Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner extraordinary power to determine the pay of thousands of employees of American companies.

The purpose of the legislation is to "prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards," according to the bill's language. That includes regular pay, bonuses -- everything -- paid to employees of companies in whom the government has a capital stake, including those that have received funds through the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP, as well as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The measure is not limited just to those firms that received the largest sums of money, or just to the top 25 or 50 executives of those companies. It applies to all employees of all companies involved, for as long as the government is invested. And it would not only apply going forward, but also retroactively to existing contracts and pay arrangements of institutions that have already received funds.

In addition, the bill gives Geithner the authority to decide what pay is "unreasonable" or "excessive." And it directs the Treasury Department to come up with a method to evaluate "the performance of the individual executive or employee to whom the payment relates."

This would include banks, I would presume. Many of the banks did NOT want to take TARP funds and were forced to do so. Would this extend to the states who have taken bail out money from the federal government? How far will this go? Where will it end?

Contracts mean nothing in America. Nothing. If contracts are not enforced or enforcable or can be altered by our government in 'response' to a well planned and well executed public outrage and its apparently insatiable desire for power and control, then we lose more than our contracts. We lose the rule of law.

First it's AIG bonuses, now it's GM's CEO.  What (or who) is next?

More Elliott

Oh, I love this boy!

Elliott in snow

Inside and Out

The obligatory "out the front door" shots

This is where I grab the camera because I can't wait and step onto my front step in my robe and slippers to take a few pictures.  I have pictures just like this from every.single. year.  Some are probably posted here on my blog, but still, I can't resist.

Yesterday it was spring fever.  Maybe that thing I didn't quite know I really wanted was a heavy spring snowstorm, because my heart is fairly aching with the beauty of it all!

Waking in a Winter Wonderland

Oh, I can't WAIT for the sun to come up this morning so I can get out there and take pictures this morning!!

We've been hit with one of those notoriously heavy March snows and it is stunningly beautiful outside.  (As in so stunningly beautiful that you can't walk away from the window and stop looking even though your coffee is getting cold.)

Oh, I wish my friend, Kate, and her boys could be here this morning. They've never seen anything like this in Sydney!

Pictures after the sun arrives!!

Sunday Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what he ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee!
Decked thee with health, and with loving hand guided and stayed thee.
How oft in grief hath not he brought thee relief,
Spreading his wings to o'ershade thee!

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again;
Gladly for aye we adore him.

BLUE TRINITY HYMNAL #50

Quote of the Week: Twain

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

Mark Twain

(This quote was chosen on a late March day; forecast: cold rain, sleet, accumulating snow overnight)

Recipe: Taco Soup (redux)

While I'm blogging about freezing dibs and dabs, here's a 'recipe' for Taco Soup that involves freezing leftovers.

I keep a large Cool Whip container for Taco Soup fixings.  It's my Taco Soup container.  I know it's time to fix Taco Soup when the container is filled with leftovers from previous Mexican dinners like burritos or tacos or fajitas.  Some things I put in my Taco Soup stash:

leftover seasoned taco meat

leftover refried beans

leftover chicken fajitas (peppers and onions included along with the meat)

leftover rice, corn, or black beans

diced onions, diced green chilis

enchilada sauce, taco sauce or picante (the end of the jars--they just take up room in the refrigerator)

Sometimes I'll add boned chicken if what I have leftover isn't enough to use for another recipe.  You get the idea.

On the day I make Taco Soup, I add this concoction to a large can of tomato juice and a can of diced tomatoes.  I add a can of drained beans (kidney, black, pinto, red beans--whatever I have on hand)  and a can of drained corn.  Heat through and mix in a package of dry Hidden Valley Ranch right before serving.  Serve with taco chips or corn chips, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. 

It's funny how it works out; regardless of the relative proportion of leftovers, it tastes about the same every time.  It's quick and easy and a great way to use up those little bits of leftovers instead of shoving them in the back of the refrigerator in plastic tubs and throwing them out at a later date!

Avoiding Freezer Mysteries

It happens to all of us.  You have a little bit of something leftover.  You know you're not going to use it up in the next day or so, so you decide to freeze it.  Months later, you go to the freezer looking for something and you can't find it.  Sometimes you can't find it because you can't recognize it.   Is this that half cup of evaporated milk leftover from trying that new macaroni and cheese recipe, or is it that 2/3 cup of buttermilk set aside for biscuits before it went out of date?  Is this basil pesto or mint pesto--leftover boned chicken or turkey?

I have developed a system for those little containers and jars of dibs and dabs.  Before I put that plastic lid on the container or screw the lid on the jar, (I always store liquids in jars now--easier to thaw in warm water) I write on what's in it on a piece of plastic wrap or foil.  If I've measured it, I write down how much.  I date it.  Sometimes I even write a note to remind myself what I saved it for.

Today I'm freezing buttermilk--two jars with 2/3 c. for single batches of biscuits and 1 1/3 c. for a double batch.  (Contrary to what you may have heard, you can freeze buttermilk if you're going to bake with it.  Just add a tiny pinch of salt to 'bring it back' after you've thawed it.)

Recipe Referral: Foccacia Bread

Less than two weeks ago, I came across a great recipe for foccacia bread at Mennonite Girls Can Cook.  (You're subscribed already, right?  If not, go do it now--I'll wait. . .)  Mere minutes after that post appeared, I had my mixer and my measuring cups out. 

Folks, this is an easy, fast, and scrumptious recipe; I am not an accomplished bread baker, (that's Heidi) so if I can do it, you can do it.

I made a loaf today to divide with my son and daughter-in-law:

I topped mine with paper thin slices of sweet onion and red pepper, dried italian seasoning, and freshly shredded parmesan reggiano.  It smelled heavenly baking.

So go.  Check out this and all the other wonderful recipes at Mennonite Girls Can Cook.

The Slippery Slope

U.S. Seeks Expanded Power to Seize Firms
Goal Is to Limit Risk to Broader Economy

By Binyamin Appelbaum and David Cho
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, March 24, 2009; A01

PLEASE read the above link.  If you aren't paying attention yet, you better start paying attention quick or your free market, capitalistic nation will be merely a fond memory.

Financial institutions today; the Big Three automobile manufacturers tomorrow. Maybe the "too big to fail" state of California after that. You think I'm joking? How many other 'we have to move quickly' initiatives that you never saw coming and never thought could happen have been pushed through since January 20th?

Call your representatives in Washington. Stay informed about what is going on! Write letters. TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN!

In the words of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner: we've got to move quickly to try and do this because, again, it's a necessary thing for any government to have a broader range of tools for dealing with these kinds of things

Remember, the same people who brought you the bail out are the same people who are going to determine what those kinds of things are. . .and what the broader range of tools will be. . .

Dictionary Word of the Day: thaumaturgy

thaumaturgy \THAW-muh-tuhr-jee\, noun:

The performance of miracles or magic.

A new word!  A new word!  I've never come across this word before, have you?

The only thaumaturgy I can claim is the occasional miraculous transformation of leftovers. . .

Spring--just in time!

I just used the last of my frozen chives in my St. Patrick's Day colcannon and I'm almost out of pesto, so I was delighted to see the chives, oregano, and parsley making a return visit to my herb garden.  The mint is still asleep and I have empty spots waiting for new basil and rosemary plants.  I've missed scuffing my way across the driveway in my house slippers with my scissors in hand and a dish simmering on the stove, just waiting for the fresh herbs to complete the recipe.

Fresh herbs, welcome back!  I've missed you!

Sunday Hymn: A Debtor to Mercy Alone

A DEBTOR TO MERCY ALONE

A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with thy righteousness on,
My person and off'ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour's obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which his goodness began,
The arm of his strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Nor all things below or above,
Can make him his purpose forgo,
Or sever my soul from his love.

My name from the palms of his hands
Eternity will not erase;
Impressed on his heart it remains,
In marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given;
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heav'n.

Blue Trinity Hymnal #99

2 Timothy 2:11-13

¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
¹² If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
¹³ If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

Quote of the Week: Edwards

The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.

The Christian Pilgrim, 1733

Jonathan Edwards

First Day of Spring Giveaway

It's been a while since I had a giveaway at Hiraeth and the first day of Spring seems like a good day for another one.

The first person to identify where this phrase comes from will get the signed original in the mail.  I need the author's name, please.  Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact the winner.  Good Luck!

Historical and Political Quote of the Week: Washington

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

George Washington

Lenten Thoughts: Matthew 26:26-29

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

Rather than share my personal thoughts on this passage, I thought it better to share from The Westminster Confession of Faith:

CHAPTER XXIX.

Of the Lord's Supper.

I. Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed in his Church unto the end of the world; for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death, the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

II. In this sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sins of the quick or dead, but a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all, and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same; so that the Popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominably injurious to Christ's one only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect.

III. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants; but to none who are not then present in the congregation.

IV. Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any other, alone; as likewise the denial of the cup to the people; worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.

V. The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, yet sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ; albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly, and only, bread and wine, as they were before.

VI. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood (commonly called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common-sense and reason; overthroweth the nature of the sacrament; and hath been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries.

VII. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.

VIII. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby; but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and can not, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto.

Penmanship Catechism Q and A 42

One of my favorite calligraphy books is The Art of Writing by John Jenkins.  It's organized in a question and answer format, like a catechism. 

Here's a piece I did to hang in my studio: