Dissento's (Culture) War Journal
Here's something I thought I'd never see on CNN:
A look at Bush's reversals. It's a very short, odd piece, but it's better than nothing. It's so short, I'll just share the first two:
<> He argued a federal Department of Homeland Security wasn't needed, then devised a plan to create one.
<> He resisted a commission to investigate Iraq intelligence failures, but then relented.
You get the idea...
A New National Hero: Richard Clarke
Just when I thought I had achieved 100% cynicism, someone (a Bush Sr. appointee) goes and does the right thing. His apology to the victims' families put a lump in my throat. Maybe there's hope for the human race after all.
CNN Whoring: The headline on CNN.com at the moment says, "Panel member challenges Clarke's credibility"
My e-mail to them:
What are you thinking with this headline: "Panel member challenges Clarke's credibility."??
The man gives historic testimony, becomes the first government official to apologize to vitim's families, and raises serious doubts about our security apparatus, and you focus on a few errant accusations from a Republican comissioner? They were easily brushed aside and Thompson and the others were made to look foolish. Seriously, I can't believe the headline writer watched the same testimony as the rest of the country.
Slate
Good stuff and bad stuff over at Slate these days. First Timothy Noah explains why
Bush is worse than Reagan -- a terrific article. And yet, Slate continues to pay Mickey Kaus for his non-sensical ramblings. Who actually likes him? When I can figure out what he's talking about, it appears he likes to project his own opinions onto others, and he doesn't do it well. Yes, Mickey, we know you don't like Kerry, but that doesn't mean that deomcrats are going to "panic" and try to "dump" him at the convention. Get over yourself.
March Madness
It's going to be a big year for the Big East. My final four is Pitt, UConn, Texas, and Kentucky. Then it's UConn over UK.
My SHU Pirates got the shaft with their seeding, but they're going to beat Arizona. Also, look for BC and Providence to do some damage.
Naming Names
Did you notice the tactic around the "foreign leaders" flap? The Bush attack dogs (you know, those croked liars) try out the argument over the weekend, and now that the press decide to manufacture a story from it, Bush himself demands name. Now that it's safe for him to do so.
But anyway, I think it was dumb that Kerry mentioned it, but c'mon, everyone knows it true. If given a vote right now, I suspect that Dubya wouldn't get 10% of world leaders. And what would it say if Kerry did give names and betrayed confidences? Ain't gonna happen. Fine, he shouldn't make a claim he can't back up, but on the other hand,
who the fuck cares?
Who Do Liberals Find Funny?
An unscientific poll at
the Daily Kos asks the Kossacks who their favorite funny person is:
Who tops your list of funny people?
· Chris Rock 5%
· Jon Stewart 46%
· Will Farrell 8%
· Ellen DeGeneres 5%
· Leno 0%
· Letterman 1%
· Bill Maher 2%
· The Queer Eye Guys 2%
· Dave Chappelle 8%
· Bill Murray 8%
· Jim Carrey 0%
· Lewis Black 10%
What? No Dennis Miller?
Big John versus the Crooked Liars
We've all see or heard the "crooked liars" quote the John Kerry 'accidently' uttered into the live mic. He's standing by it. The encouraging thing about this is that it proves this isn't just about about power for Big John.
He really doesn't like these guys and he wants to beat them -- hard. I think this help rally some of the dems that have been lukewarm to him -- I know many Deaniacs did not think he would stand up to the republican smears. And, I actually think it helps avoid that (innacurate) "wimpy liberal" label. And just wait until he stand side-by-side with shrub -- Bush is going to look like a very little man.
Bring it on, Big John.
Blockbuster Story
Well, here it is. Pentagon official, Karen Kwiatkowski, breaks ranks and tells the whole ugly neocon truth at
Salon. Spread it far and wide friends. Some excerpts:
From May 2002 until February 2003, I observed firsthand the formation of the Pentagon's Office of Special Plans and watched the latter stages of the neoconservative capture of the policy-intelligence nexus in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq. This seizure of the reins of U.S. Middle East policy was directly visible to many of us working in the Near East South Asia policy office, and yet there seemed to be little any of us could do about it.
I saw a narrow and deeply flawed policy favored by some executive appointees in the Pentagon used to manipulate and pressurize the traditional relationship between policymakers in the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies.
I witnessed neoconservative agenda bearers within OSP usurp measured and carefully considered assessments, and through suppression and distortion of intelligence analysis promulgate what were in fact falsehoods to both Congress and the executive office of the president.
This story should have some serious legs.
Ship...Sinking...Rats...Fleeing
I have no idea who Bob Miller is, but more of
this from Republicans, please:
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Author and Gospel singer Bob Miller ( www.bobmillerwrites.com ), a registered Republican shocked his fellow song writers at their annual conference this week with his most unexpected political opinions. Miller said, "With the backbone of the Democratic Party, William Jefferson Clinton, out of the way and the Bush Storm Troopers in place, democracy took the day off. Then this war-for-profit crew moved forward with their plans as if world opinions were irrelevant."
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, as Miller continued, "Now that the moment of glory has passed and the long years of blood, sweat and tears are upon us, they will yet again -- according to plan -- take their spoils and move on, leaving the rest of us to bury the dead and balance the checkbook."
The Bush Flip Flops
We've all seen Bush's "clever" little comment in front of the easily amused governors. "TK" from
The Daily Kos starts a list for Georgie. Here is a bit:
Bush is against campaign finance reform; then he's for it.
Bush is against a Homeland Security Department; then he's for it.
Bush is against a 9/11 commission; then he's for it.
Bush is against an Iraq WMD investigation; then he's for it.
Bush is against nation building; then he's for it.
Bush is against deficits; then he's for them.
Bush is for free trade; then he's for tariffs on steel; then he's against them again.
Bush is against the U.S. taking a role in the Israeli Palestinian conflict; then he pushes for a "road map" and a Palestinian State.
Bush is for states right to decide on gay marriage, then he is for changing the constitution.
Bush first says he'll provide money for first responders (fire, police, emergency), then he doesn't.
Bush first says that 'help is on the way' to the military ... then he cuts benefits
Bush-"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. Bush-"I don't know where he is. I have no idea and I really don't care."
Bush claims to be in favor of the environment and then secretly starts drilling on Padre Island.
...And more! Add your own, and share with friends!
Something to talk about between now and November
I think Edwards has to be the VP pick. I have concerns about his experience but none of the other top picks appeal:
Bob Graham - Might deliver Florida, but he's a little strange for my tastes
Sam Nunn - Wouldn't even deliver his home state.
Dick Gephardt - Might help with MO and OH, but that would be a real insider ticket.
Wesley Clark - I'd love to see it, but he's not a great debater/attack dog.
Evan Bayh - Blech
Hillary - Certain defeat
Ed Rendell - Ed would definitely deliver PA, and probably OH. My second choice behind Edwards.
A One Game Win Streak
For the first time in a long time, I cast a vote for a winner. I've backed such a string of losers, I'm going to enjoy this. OK, OK maybe Clark was my first choice, and maybe my vote in the Mass. primary wasn't exactly a tiebracker, but still tonight I voted for Kerry, and he won. I could get use this. A one game winning streak. 100% success so far this year. And you know what? No real loser, either. Edwards will make a great VP and then a terrific president in 2012.
Maybe now I focus more on basketball -- go Seton Hall!
