5.07.2008
It's over (but the crying).
There's a reason why I've held off posting for a while...which I'll discuss, natch, later today. But for now, turn your ears to John Cole, who Gets It(TM):
Posted at 8:43 AM
It's over (but the crying).
There's a reason why I've held off posting for a while...which I'll discuss, natch, later today. But for now, turn your ears to John Cole, who Gets It(TM):
And don't get me wrong- I am not for Obama because of what I am against. I am for Obama because he is a decent man, a break from the past, and really a once in a lifetime opportunity. He has treated us like adults throughout this primary, and it is time to act like adults. There will be times we feel he lets us all down, but we are not electing a diety. We are electing a leader, and Obama is that leader. It is time to get past the bullshit of the last 20 years, the battles I am really tired of fighting, and time to turn our attention to the really important issues of the day- the economy, the budget, our international presence, our crumbling infrastructure, our military, medicare and medicaid and social security, and on and on and on.Indeedily.
If Barack Obama was not your your preferred candidate, I am sorry that person did not win, but it is time to remember that the target is John McCain and the Bush/Cheney way of doing things. If you can not accept that and help move us forward, please at least get out of the way.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 8:43 AM
4.28.2008
As easy as that
His Nader-love in 2000 grated me to no end, but Tom Tomorrow is pretty great otherwise. Had a veritable assload of foresight w/r/t Iraq back in the early days of the war and shows similar skill in this week's cartoon, in which he dispenses with the laughable "elitist" argument in four simple panels.
Posted at 8:36 AM
As easy as that
His Nader-love in 2000 grated me to no end, but Tom Tomorrow is pretty great otherwise. Had a veritable assload of foresight w/r/t Iraq back in the early days of the war and shows similar skill in this week's cartoon, in which he dispenses with the laughable "elitist" argument in four simple panels.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 8:36 AM
4.25.2008
Dissonahhhhnce! Dissonahhhnce!
(done in Eddie Vedder voice)
So John McCain's big let's-learn-what-poor-people-are trip has taken him to N'awlins, where he's got the chest all puffed up about Katrina:
You know, receiving a birthday cake rather than offering one.
Okay, so making a Big Important Point about Katrina leadership was a bad idea. Thankfully, he's got some other ones about helping the downtrodden:
But hey, at least it's a plan. He won't raise your taxes. Now, say, McCain...anything else you'd do? Like, say, if a woman was a head of a poor household and found out she was getting screwed out of wages because of her gender? You'd likely be against that, yes? Yes?
Posted at 1:00 PM
Dissonahhhhnce! Dissonahhhnce!
(done in Eddie Vedder voice)
So John McCain's big let's-learn-what-poor-people-are trip has taken him to N'awlins, where he's got the chest all puffed up about Katrina:
Asked at an outdoor news conference if he traced the failure of leadership straight to the top, Mr. McCain, who has vowed to campaign with President Bush, said, emphatically, "yes."How very bold! Thankfully, McCain was doing something different than Bush during the early, disastrous days of Katrina:
You know, receiving a birthday cake rather than offering one.
Okay, so making a Big Important Point about Katrina leadership was a bad idea. Thankfully, he's got some other ones about helping the downtrodden:
More than four decades ago outside this small Appalachian town, President Johnson began his War on Poverty. In the 1980s, President Reagan scoffed that poverty had won the war.Okay, sure, we've heard it before. Sucks that you're poor; all you need is a tax cut. Big ups to McCain's balls for bringing it up as the public essentially refudiates supply-side voodoo, much in the same way you gotta give a dude a strange set of ups for jumping out of a building.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) tried to position himself somewhere between Johnson and Reagan while campaigning here Wednesday, styling himself as a compassionate conservative but emphasizing his crusade against "wasteful" government spending.
But hey, at least it's a plan. He won't raise your taxes. Now, say, McCain...anything else you'd do? Like, say, if a woman was a head of a poor household and found out she was getting screwed out of wages because of her gender? You'd likely be against that, yes? Yes?
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who skipped a Senate vote seeking equal pay for women last night in order to campaign for president, said he opposed the measure because it would prompt a flood of lawsuits.Aaaaand there you go. John McCain: Fighting for forgotten America by...not fighting for forgotten America. Or something. Leave me alone. Nap time.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 1:00 PM
4.23.2008
On to Guam
So a grand-damn total of nothing changed after PA. Hillary won just enough support to stay in the race, but not enough to make a big dent in the long-term outlook. The MASSIVE CONTROVERSIES!!!!!! that were supposed to dog (especially) Obama and (somewhat) Hillary didn't do anything at the polls. Sowwy, The Corner and ClownHall.
I've grown to not really mind all this; both candidates are running solid operations, and it appears as if this country really does give a shit about healthcare, the economy, the war, etc. As rancid as the last ABC debate was, I'm left with a better taste in my mouth because of the almost unanimous disgust the American people felt for it. Yeah, Brent Bozo rubbed one off, but who cares. It's easy to equate the expected ravings of wingnut welfare recipients with the feelings of The Heartland(TM), but it's bogus.
I still think Obama'll pull it out, but HRC will have to get a big prize coming her way to step down quietly. So we're where we were a month ago.
Not worried about McCain’s national poll standing, either. He’s been given a fairly free pass after that insipid NYT lobbying scandal story. Once his hodge-podge of economic and foreign policy ignorance comes to light, his already-tepid support (seriously, 72% in an uncontested election?) will begin to erode.
Just look at his recent gaffes. Saying that the economy is A-OK in front of a closing factory, and then telling the last of the workers that they can still get lucky. Creating a situation wherein no aid would be given to Israel. Continually saying “Al-Qaida in Iran,” then expecting his press lackeys to explain it away as a one-time screwup. Acting like he supports a GI Bill, then refusing to sign it. Etc., etc. Straight Talk(TM) or not, he’s playing himself like a doddering old fool. He won’t have staying power over the summer.
Yeah, The Corner and ClownHall don’t/won’t support Obama or Hillary against McCain. Not news. The average voter’s going to see McCain stammer and stammer and check out. Bush got away with that during Pax Americana ‘00, but it won’t fly now.
A commentor over at Sadly, No! noted that Bush received miles of slack during the summer of 2004. Yes, but keep in mind that Bush had the advantages of
1) Being the incumbent in a nation that wasn’t entirely unhappy
2) Having the Iraq war only be 1.5 years old
3) Having an OK economy
4) Having an opponent without much…pizzazz
5) Having an opponent who almost steadfastly refused to go on the attack
Numbers 1-5 for McCain in 2008:
1) Would continue unpopular president’s policies in a very unhappy nation
2) Iraq war now 5 years old
3) Faltering economy; shows no signs of knowing what it’ll take to fix it
4) Will either face a feisty debator or a masterful orator, both of whom do miles better than My friends, my friends, my friendzzzzzzzzzz, and both of whom will
5) Blast his ass for all it’s worth on the war, the economy, Bush, etc.
In short, we're still doing OK.
Posted at 12:55 PM
On to Guam
So a grand-damn total of nothing changed after PA. Hillary won just enough support to stay in the race, but not enough to make a big dent in the long-term outlook. The MASSIVE CONTROVERSIES!!!!!! that were supposed to dog (especially) Obama and (somewhat) Hillary didn't do anything at the polls. Sowwy, The Corner and ClownHall.
I've grown to not really mind all this; both candidates are running solid operations, and it appears as if this country really does give a shit about healthcare, the economy, the war, etc. As rancid as the last ABC debate was, I'm left with a better taste in my mouth because of the almost unanimous disgust the American people felt for it. Yeah, Brent Bozo rubbed one off, but who cares. It's easy to equate the expected ravings of wingnut welfare recipients with the feelings of The Heartland(TM), but it's bogus.
I still think Obama'll pull it out, but HRC will have to get a big prize coming her way to step down quietly. So we're where we were a month ago.
Not worried about McCain’s national poll standing, either. He’s been given a fairly free pass after that insipid NYT lobbying scandal story. Once his hodge-podge of economic and foreign policy ignorance comes to light, his already-tepid support (seriously, 72% in an uncontested election?) will begin to erode.
Just look at his recent gaffes. Saying that the economy is A-OK in front of a closing factory, and then telling the last of the workers that they can still get lucky. Creating a situation wherein no aid would be given to Israel. Continually saying “Al-Qaida in Iran,” then expecting his press lackeys to explain it away as a one-time screwup. Acting like he supports a GI Bill, then refusing to sign it. Etc., etc. Straight Talk(TM) or not, he’s playing himself like a doddering old fool. He won’t have staying power over the summer.
Yeah, The Corner and ClownHall don’t/won’t support Obama or Hillary against McCain. Not news. The average voter’s going to see McCain stammer and stammer and check out. Bush got away with that during Pax Americana ‘00, but it won’t fly now.
A commentor over at Sadly, No! noted that Bush received miles of slack during the summer of 2004. Yes, but keep in mind that Bush had the advantages of
1) Being the incumbent in a nation that wasn’t entirely unhappy
2) Having the Iraq war only be 1.5 years old
3) Having an OK economy
4) Having an opponent without much…pizzazz
5) Having an opponent who almost steadfastly refused to go on the attack
Numbers 1-5 for McCain in 2008:
1) Would continue unpopular president’s policies in a very unhappy nation
2) Iraq war now 5 years old
3) Faltering economy; shows no signs of knowing what it’ll take to fix it
4) Will either face a feisty debator or a masterful orator, both of whom do miles better than My friends, my friends, my friendzzzzzzzzzz, and both of whom will
5) Blast his ass for all it’s worth on the war, the economy, Bush, etc.
In short, we're still doing OK.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 12:55 PM
4.17.2008
I didn't watch the Democratic debate
...which most people seem to agree sucked. Things I did watch: Part of a Braves game, a South Park re-run, part of the pretty bad 1997 disaster movie Volcano, and part of a re-run of Top Chef. Now, was I a lousy citizen of this democracy? Maybe. Did I at least maintain my dignity? Take it away, Steve Benen:
Posted at 10:07 AM
I didn't watch the Democratic debate
...which most people seem to agree sucked. Things I did watch: Part of a Braves game, a South Park re-run, part of the pretty bad 1997 disaster movie Volcano, and part of a re-run of Top Chef. Now, was I a lousy citizen of this democracy? Maybe. Did I at least maintain my dignity? Take it away, Steve Benen:
Put it this way: at 9:04 — 64 minutes into the debate, and with just 26 minutes remaining, Stephanopoulos said, “Let me turn to the economy. That is the number one issue on Americans’ minds right now.”I stand by my decision. Did a "debate" like this savage the Founding Fathers anymore than having "Ben Franklin" join the Philadelphia Eagles' cheerleading team on the Colbert Report?
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 10:07 AM
4.15.2008
Bittergate! Cheesesteakgate! Wrightgate! Muslimgate!
Keep 'em coming, Wingnuts. Voters don't give a crap.
Or a damn.
Posted at 1:30 PM
Bittergate! Cheesesteakgate! Wrightgate! Muslimgate!
Keep 'em coming, Wingnuts. Voters don't give a crap.
Or a damn.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 1:30 PM
4.03.2008
Do what now?
Joe Lieberman:
Remember, these are the people whose foreign policy experience is supposed to leave us breathless.
Posted at 12:35 PM
Do what now?
Joe Lieberman:
If we did what Sen. Obama wanted us to do last year, Al-Qaeda in Iran would be in control of Iraq today. The whole Middle East would be in turmoil and American security and credibility would be jeopardized.Al-Qaeda in Iran?
Remember, these are the people whose foreign policy experience is supposed to leave us breathless.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 12:35 PM
4.02.2008
John Yoo is a war criminal
I'm serious:
America: Stop enabling this crap.
ADDITIONALLY: Yoo's not even a true authoritarian, as he wet his pants at the prospect of Bill Clinton abusing executive power back in 1998:
Posted at 10:06 AM
John Yoo is a war criminal
I'm serious:
Sent to the Pentagon's general counsel on March 14, 2003, by John C. Yoo, then a deputy in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, the memo provides an expansive argument for nearly unfettered presidential power in a time of war. It contends that numerous laws and treaties forbidding torture or cruel treatment should not apply to U.S. interrogations in foreign lands because of the president's inherent wartime powers.You believe wrong, my friend. Wrong wrong wrong, wrong wrong wrong. As long as we live in a civilized society, wrong.
"If a government defendant were to harm an enemy combatant during an interrogation in a manner that might arguably violate a criminal prohibition, he would be doing so in order to prevent further attacks on the United States by the al Qaeda terrorist network," Yoo wrote. "In that case, we believe that he could argue that the executive branch's constitutional authority to protect the nation from attack justified his actions."
"Whether conduct is conscience-shocking turns in part on whether it is without any justification," Yoo wrote, explaining, for example, that it would have to be inspired by malice or sadism before it could be prosecuted.Oh, well that's a relief. At least our lawbreaking interregators wouldn't be malicious in their lawbreaking.
America: Stop enabling this crap.
ADDITIONALLY: Yoo's not even a true authoritarian, as he wet his pants at the prospect of Bill Clinton abusing executive power back in 1998:
A decision to invoke executive privilege in this case would be yet another example of the Clinton administration's failure to understand the distinction between the office of the president and the person who happens to be the president. In democracies, we distinguish between a public office and the person who holds that office; people for whom the office and the person are one and the same are called kings.And we call you and ad hoc spinmeisters like Hugh Hewitt "court jesters."
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 10:06 AM
4.01.2008
Shorter Hillary Clinton campaign
Last Refuge...
Also, Hillary, please note:
Posted at 1:51 PM
Shorter Hillary Clinton campaign
Last Refuge...
You know, I think we can take a liking to this Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy thingy.Yo, HillBots. Pleeeease explain to me how staving off the concept of "post-feminism" automatically means we have to embrace Karl Rove and Richard Mellon Scaife. No, really. I await answers.
Also, Hillary, please note:
Hillary appears to have adopted a concerted strategy of telling local media in states that will vote after Pennsylvania that Obama and his supporters are opposed to allowing those states' residents to vote.Um, this is absolute bullshit, as Obama has said this:
Hillary appears to have adopted a concerted strategy of telling local media in states that will vote after Pennsylvania that Obama and his supporters are opposed to allowing those states' residents to vote.Now, it is true that some Obama surrogates have been begging Clinton to leave the race, but those are surrogates. And considering the way Hillary's been chugging, and considering the people she's been hanging out with, could we not use this bogus logic and say that Richard Mellon Scaife's age-old comments that the Clintons murdered Vince Foster should be a position that Hillary has endorsed? Hmm.
Labels: Realpolitik, Shorter
__________________________Posted at 1:51 PM
3.27.2008
A note to Hillary supporters
When we say that HRC has an authoritarian streak, and that she's surrounded by people who also have authoritarian streaks, and that the methodology behind whatever agenda she'd set wouldn't be all that different than what we've had during the W. years, this is what we're talking about:
Posted at 9:16 AM
A note to Hillary supporters
When we say that HRC has an authoritarian streak, and that she's surrounded by people who also have authoritarian streaks, and that the methodology behind whatever agenda she'd set wouldn't be all that different than what we've had during the W. years, this is what we're talking about:
Angered that Pelosi wants Democratic insiders to follow the will of voters when they cast their own "superdelegate" votes in the nomination race, 20 of Clinton's top fund-raisers issued a veiled threat to Pelosi and warned her to change her tune.
"We have been strong supporters of the [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]," they wrote, referring to the House fund-raising arm overseen by Pelosi. "We therefore urge you to clarify your position on superdelegates and reflect in your comments a more open view."
Labels: I'm Just Saying, Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 9:16 AM
3.26.2008
We're gonna need a bigger Friedman Unit
We were told that The Surge(TM) was to prevent this:
Posted at 1:15 PM
We're gonna need a bigger Friedman Unit
We were told that The Surge(TM) was to prevent this:
The cease-fire is over; we have been told to fight the Americans.We were told wrong.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 1:15 PM
3.24.2008
But he didn't carry The Corner, so all is lost!!!!
Rasmussen Reports, on Obama's race speech:
Posted at 1:52 PM
But he didn't carry The Corner, so all is lost!!!!
Rasmussen Reports, on Obama's race speech:
Eighty-four percent (84%) of America's Likely Voters say they have seen or heard at least some portion of Barack Obama's Tuesday morning speech on race and national unity (see Speech). The speech has become one of the most watched YouTube videos and 82% say they are following news about it somewhat or very closely.Roger Simon, John Derbyshire and Chuckles Krauthammer aren't mainstream in their opinions? I'm shocked.
Among those who have seen or heard some of the speech, 51% said it was good or excellent, 26% said fair, and 21% gave the Senator's remarks a grade of poor.
Labels: I'm Just Saying, Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 1:52 PM
3.10.2008
More essential advice for John McCain
Super Star Parker got us kicked off last week with what's sure to be a steady stream of ridiculous from armchair wingnuts w/r/t John McCain's plan for Election 2008. I'm curious, natch, as to why this is all coming out now- it's not as though McCain needed any advice from the usual slate of shouting heads and mouth breathers to stave off Mittens Romney, Huckleberry, or the Ghouliani in the primaries. If it didn't necessarily take batshit wingnuttery to win over Republicans, I'm not sure why it's needed to woo John Q. Public, but whatever. Here's sterling moderate Brent Bozo:
Additionally, because I'm an advocate for self-torture, I flip on Michael Savage every once in a while. A couple of weeks ago America's Most Trusted Racist was explaining to his audience how he'd support McCain, a "60 percent conservative," over both the opposition and nothing. If freaking Michael Savage is ready to get behind McCain, I don't buy in the slightest that sheeple like Hannity and Mount Rushbo won't fall in line. Hugh Hewitt already has, of course.
McCain will lose the election because of Iraq, the housing issue, and gas prices. Of course, Bozo will fool himself into thinking it'll be because of:
An unusually understated Bill Kristol also chimed in this morning:
Bill goes on to suggest some VP ideas, none of which are really any better than Parker's Huckabizzle opus. Seeing how this is Kristol, there's gotta be a solid mix of the warmonger:
Posted at 9:33 AM
More essential advice for John McCain
Super Star Parker got us kicked off last week with what's sure to be a steady stream of ridiculous from armchair wingnuts w/r/t John McCain's plan for Election 2008. I'm curious, natch, as to why this is all coming out now- it's not as though McCain needed any advice from the usual slate of shouting heads and mouth breathers to stave off Mittens Romney, Huckleberry, or the Ghouliani in the primaries. If it didn't necessarily take batshit wingnuttery to win over Republicans, I'm not sure why it's needed to woo John Q. Public, but whatever. Here's sterling moderate Brent Bozo:
I know the conservative movement. I've been in the trenches fighting for an alphabet soup of conservative causes for 30 years. I've raised hundreds of millions of dollars for it. And I earnestly hope that McCain isn't listening to the advice he's getting from these folks. Their thinking betrays a fundamental misreading of the conservative pulse in America today.Well, see my above point- McCain didn't need 'em then, and probably doesn't need 'em to win over the independent segment of the voting population that doesn't march in locktep with ooh, boogity boogity, fear the saaaaaand people.
Conservative leaders, particularly those in talk radio, cannot and will not be silent. They will not betray their principles and their audiences. Tens of millions of activists turn to them for guidance. These activists could be, and need to be, McCain's ground troops, but unless and until conservatives believe him -- and believe in him -- they will not work for his election.
Additionally, because I'm an advocate for self-torture, I flip on Michael Savage every once in a while. A couple of weeks ago America's Most Trusted Racist was explaining to his audience how he'd support McCain, a "60 percent conservative," over both the opposition and nothing. If freaking Michael Savage is ready to get behind McCain, I don't buy in the slightest that sheeple like Hannity and Mount Rushbo won't fall in line. Hugh Hewitt already has, of course.
McCain will lose the election because of Iraq, the housing issue, and gas prices. Of course, Bozo will fool himself into thinking it'll be because of:
Our culture is decaying from within, and most Republicans have been shamefully AWOL on this issue. McCain could begin a national conversation about parents, not the state, taking responsibility for their children and their communities. He should call on the entertainment industry to stop polluting America's youth with its videos and its music and on the Internet. We wait to hear him call for the United States to honor the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage and family, and to return God to the public square.Sure man. Sure.
An unusually understated Bill Kristol also chimed in this morning:
He could explain forthrightly that we’ll have to stay in Iraq for quite a while, even if this means challenging the American people to spurn the feel-good promises of irresponsible Democrats. And he could mock the narcissism of the Obama supporters, who think they’re the ones we’ve been waiting for — by pointing out that their contemporaries serving in the armed forces are the ones making real sacrifices on our behalf.Says the man who served all of...well, never. C'mon, Bloody Bill. Don't lob softballs like that.
Bill goes on to suggest some VP ideas, none of which are really any better than Parker's Huckabizzle opus. Seeing how this is Kristol, there's gotta be a solid mix of the warmonger:
He could pick a hawkish and principled Democrat like Joe Lieberman.And the loon:
He could persuade the most impressive conservative in American public life, Clarence Thomas, to join the ticket.Not that I desire your demise, McCain, but please. Do take these nuggets of advice seriously.
Labels: Realpolitik, The Epic Fail of Punditry
__________________________Posted at 9:33 AM
2.29.2008
It will certainly hurt Obama that Louis Farakhan...
Has said the following:
ADDITIONALLY: Parsley's endorsement is especially funny. Just one year ago, the good pastor said this:
Posted at 3:39 PM
It will certainly hurt Obama that Louis Farakhan...
Has said the following:
The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God's plan for both Israel and the West… a biblically prophesied end-time confrontation with Iran, which will lead to the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Christ.and
I came to incite a riot! Man your battle stations! Ready your weapons! Lock and load!Oh, wait. Those quotes would be from crazed preachers John Hagee and Rod Parsley, repsectively. Both are conservative. Both are white. And both have endorsed John McCain for president.
ADDITIONALLY: Parsley's endorsement is especially funny. Just one year ago, the good pastor said this:
Adultery is a violation of biblical instruction as well as an offense against the other partner in what should be a sacred relationship. Furthermore, the breach of faith is disastrous to children - as well as the broader society.And he supports known adulteror and once-divorced John McCain becaaaaause...?
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 3:39 PM
2.26.2008
Bye, Hillary.
Had to do a '08 Sugar Bowl esque beatdown on Obama just to get back in the race, and yet, no. Even if she slides back in the lead, that just won't be enough to turn heads and turn the tide.
You can take that graph and apply it to everything Obama. National polls, Democratic polls, polls of whites, polls of women, polls on Super Tuesday, etc. It's over.
Posted at 2:21 PM
archive, blogger!
Bye, Hillary.
Had to do a '08 Sugar Bowl esque beatdown on Obama just to get back in the race, and yet, no. Even if she slides back in the lead, that just won't be enough to turn heads and turn the tide.
You can take that graph and apply it to everything Obama. National polls, Democratic polls, polls of whites, polls of women, polls on Super Tuesday, etc. It's over.
Labels: Realpolitik
__________________________Posted at 2:21 PM
archive, blogger!