So yesterday I was out for a drive in the Country. I was behind a couple of bikers. One thing you quickly notice, driving behind guys on bikes is that they wave to everyone else the come across on bikes. Its not a big wave, just sticking out your arm. But the fascinating things was that this wave ritual crossed all divisions among riders. The guys in front of me were riding Ninjas, but did the wave for the hard-core Harley riders, the RUBs, the old folks on their touring bikes and I swear, some guy on moped.
All you need is something on two wheels and you are in the secret circle of the wave.
I think the natural progression of this ritual is slapping fives with on-coming riders.
August 21, 2006
Failure Avoidance
Presidential press conference just broke up. Bush just threw down a new "We are not leaving Iraq as long as I am President" line.
I really think he means this.
Crap.
The interesting thing is that Bush isn't even bothering to lie or spin about this anymore. Iraq is hurting the GOP and is just killing the Bush Presidency. But the happy talk is gone. There is no more talk of victory just around the coner, light at the end of the tunnel. We are stuck in Iraq for the next two and a half years, at which time some other President can officially pronounce Iraq a failure. But at least Iraq won't have "failed" on Bush's watch.
I really think he means this.
Crap.
The interesting thing is that Bush isn't even bothering to lie or spin about this anymore. Iraq is hurting the GOP and is just killing the Bush Presidency. But the happy talk is gone. There is no more talk of victory just around the coner, light at the end of the tunnel. We are stuck in Iraq for the next two and a half years, at which time some other President can officially pronounce Iraq a failure. But at least Iraq won't have "failed" on Bush's watch.
August 18, 2006
The Real Question
Can a movie called Snakes on a Plane really be as bad as it sounds?
And can it be so bad that its becomes a hit?
And can it be so bad that its becomes a hit?
August 17, 2006
Rats and Ships
Everyone knows about rats and sinking ships. Which really only proves that the rats are smarter than the captain. What kind of idiot stays on a sinking ship? But you knew that already, because the ship is sinking.
In Washington, the role of the rats are played by lobbyists. Like that metaphor was a real reach. Lobbyists are reaching out to democrats as it becomes more and more likely that the Donkey will gain control of at least one of the chamber of Congress come the fall. The last thing you want to be as a DC lobbyist is to be caught with the people in power not returning your phone calls.
So consider this a sign that the forces of light are winning. While of course, bemoaning the dark forces of corruption that will try and turn these new champions.
In Washington, the role of the rats are played by lobbyists. Like that metaphor was a real reach. Lobbyists are reaching out to democrats as it becomes more and more likely that the Donkey will gain control of at least one of the chamber of Congress come the fall. The last thing you want to be as a DC lobbyist is to be caught with the people in power not returning your phone calls.
So consider this a sign that the forces of light are winning. While of course, bemoaning the dark forces of corruption that will try and turn these new champions.
August 16, 2006
Sync
The next two movies in my Netflix queue are Running Scared and Walking Tall. One, it funny and two I need to put some better movies in my Netflix queue.
Clip Show
Check out the Conservative, wanta-to-be-Bill-O'Rielly Joe Scarborough having a in-depth discussion of "is Bush an idiot?"
While we are doing video, if you really want to embrace nerdy political blogging, might I recommend BloggingHeads.tv?
While we are doing video, if you really want to embrace nerdy political blogging, might I recommend BloggingHeads.tv?
August 15, 2006
Spinning the War
The Israel-Hezbollah one. A bunch of people got killed, but nobody surrendered and no statues got pulled down. Now that a ceasefire has kicked in, everyone is spinning the results. Bush throws down his "Hezbollah suffered a defeat" marker. The PM of Israel and the Hezbollah leader both made their cases in speeches.
Interestingly the right is saying that the war, and notably the end of it, make for a defeat for Israel. Glenn Greenwald has a good round-up of right-wing quotes on how bad it is for Israel, President Bush and Western Civilization. Somebody needs to get these people on-message and quick.
Interestingly the right is saying that the war, and notably the end of it, make for a defeat for Israel. Glenn Greenwald has a good round-up of right-wing quotes on how bad it is for Israel, President Bush and Western Civilization. Somebody needs to get these people on-message and quick.
August 14, 2006
On the Edge
No, No not the ceasefire. The planet status of Pluto. Almost 2,500 astronomers are getting together (Party!) to decide if Pluto should still be cosidered a planet. Pluto has always been kind of the freak of the Solar System. Its really small and on a wierd orbit and just not like the other, cooler planets.
Now it turns out a new planet-thing has been found, way out there on the edge. Offically 2003 UB313 and unoffically called "Zena" Its both bigger and farther away from the sun than Pluto. So if Pluto is still a planet, then we are going to get some new planets.
The astronomers are split as to what to do.
Me, I vote for keeping Pluto a planet, if only because the nine planets are something I learned at a very early age. I'm afraid that changing them will upset my view of the universe in some deep and fundimental way.
Plus we wouldto have to come up with a different mnemonic than My Very Excellent Mother Just Sent Us Nine Pizzas.
Now it turns out a new planet-thing has been found, way out there on the edge. Offically 2003 UB313 and unoffically called "Zena" Its both bigger and farther away from the sun than Pluto. So if Pluto is still a planet, then we are going to get some new planets.
The astronomers are split as to what to do.
Me, I vote for keeping Pluto a planet, if only because the nine planets are something I learned at a very early age. I'm afraid that changing them will upset my view of the universe in some deep and fundimental way.
Plus we wouldto have to come up with a different mnemonic than My Very Excellent Mother Just Sent Us Nine Pizzas.
Joe Klein
Is just pissing me off with this stuff:
In 2004 Bush and Karl Rove managed to flummox the Democrats by conflating the war in Iraq with the war against al-Qaeda and insisting that any Democratic reservations about Iraq were a sign of weakness. This was infuriating. It was Bush's disastrous decision to go to war and worse, to go to war with insufficient resources that transformed Iraq into a terrorist Valhalla. It is Bush's feckless prosecution of the war that has created the current morass, in which a U.S. military withdrawal could lead to a regional conflagration.
...
But Pariser's anti-triangulation argument deserves attention because it represents the latest expression of a perennial self-destructive urge within the Democratic Party. "Originally employed as a survival mechanism by a Democratic President in the wake of 1994's Republican revolution," he writes, triangulation "no longer makes sense in an era when any attempt at bipartisanship" is seen as Democratic weakness "and exploited accordingly." He has a point. The Bush Administration has made a mockery of bipartisanship.
...
In the end, the real alternative to Bush's Republican extremism isn't Democratic extremism. It is bipartisan moderation—which has the additional advantage of being the highest form of patriotism and the only route to victory in a time of war.
Joe Klien has finally come to terms with what a disaster the Bush administration is, but still clings to the idea that the perfect policy is just a bipartisan compromise away. But you can't split the difference anymore. This is not like Bush wants 30 billion for education, the Dems want 40 billion, let’s make a deal. You can't have half a reckless foreign policy. You can't say OK, invading Iran next will be a horrible disaster, let’s compromise and invade Syria. What does triangulation mean when one side advocates complete disaster? Half a disaster doesn't cut it. You can only support the agenda or oppose it. Lieberman supported Bush's foreign policy and paid a price at the polls.
One of the better lines from West Wing goes like this "You aren’t here to end the partisan fights, you are here to win them" When the policy is this bad, there is no compromise. There is only winning at the polls or not.
It’s not like Klien doesn't know this. Its right there: "The Bush Administration has made a mockery of bipartisanship."
Bipartisanship is dead, Bush killed it and Klien should come to terms with the loss. For the good of the Country.
In 2004 Bush and Karl Rove managed to flummox the Democrats by conflating the war in Iraq with the war against al-Qaeda and insisting that any Democratic reservations about Iraq were a sign of weakness. This was infuriating. It was Bush's disastrous decision to go to war and worse, to go to war with insufficient resources that transformed Iraq into a terrorist Valhalla. It is Bush's feckless prosecution of the war that has created the current morass, in which a U.S. military withdrawal could lead to a regional conflagration.
...
But Pariser's anti-triangulation argument deserves attention because it represents the latest expression of a perennial self-destructive urge within the Democratic Party. "Originally employed as a survival mechanism by a Democratic President in the wake of 1994's Republican revolution," he writes, triangulation "no longer makes sense in an era when any attempt at bipartisanship" is seen as Democratic weakness "and exploited accordingly." He has a point. The Bush Administration has made a mockery of bipartisanship.
...
In the end, the real alternative to Bush's Republican extremism isn't Democratic extremism. It is bipartisan moderation—which has the additional advantage of being the highest form of patriotism and the only route to victory in a time of war.
Joe Klien has finally come to terms with what a disaster the Bush administration is, but still clings to the idea that the perfect policy is just a bipartisan compromise away. But you can't split the difference anymore. This is not like Bush wants 30 billion for education, the Dems want 40 billion, let’s make a deal. You can't have half a reckless foreign policy. You can't say OK, invading Iran next will be a horrible disaster, let’s compromise and invade Syria. What does triangulation mean when one side advocates complete disaster? Half a disaster doesn't cut it. You can only support the agenda or oppose it. Lieberman supported Bush's foreign policy and paid a price at the polls.
One of the better lines from West Wing goes like this "You aren’t here to end the partisan fights, you are here to win them" When the policy is this bad, there is no compromise. There is only winning at the polls or not.
It’s not like Klien doesn't know this. Its right there: "The Bush Administration has made a mockery of bipartisanship."
Bipartisanship is dead, Bush killed it and Klien should come to terms with the loss. For the good of the Country.
August 13, 2006
Monday, Monday.
A Monday morning to look forward to.
A Middle East cease-fire will go into effect then. The messy will continue, but maybe the death and destruction will stop.
A Middle East cease-fire will go into effect then. The messy will continue, but maybe the death and destruction will stop.
August 12, 2006
Synergy
There's only so much time in the day, so when possible I like to combine my entertainment with learning a little about the world. With a whole lot in the news about British Counter-Terror efforts, I highly recommend MI-5 a BBC show about, well, British Counter-Terrorism. I'm in the middle of season 2 on netflixs.
The show is riveting. Moral murk, real characters, and a ticking clock make for great drama. Not to mention, educational.
The first thing you learn is that MI-5 is not "The British equivalent of the FBI" FBI agents are basically just Federal Cops. Jumped up reputaions, but really just cops. 5 (calling it "5" makes you sound like you know something) is a domestic spy agency.
Its agents are undercover and spy on Britons the way the CIA spys on foreign Nationials. We really don't have an equivalent. The is a lot of talk of the US getting a domestic spy agency, and MI-5 will show you what it looks like.
UPDATE: Richard Posner Makes the case that we should have our own MI-5.
The show is riveting. Moral murk, real characters, and a ticking clock make for great drama. Not to mention, educational.
The first thing you learn is that MI-5 is not "The British equivalent of the FBI" FBI agents are basically just Federal Cops. Jumped up reputaions, but really just cops. 5 (calling it "5" makes you sound like you know something) is a domestic spy agency.
Its agents are undercover and spy on Britons the way the CIA spys on foreign Nationials. We really don't have an equivalent. The is a lot of talk of the US getting a domestic spy agency, and MI-5 will show you what it looks like.
UPDATE: Richard Posner Makes the case that we should have our own MI-5.
August 11, 2006
Drafty
Random web surfing has led we to a Bill O'Reilly column. It has this gem:
The United States needs a new strategy to deal with this ominous threat. Slugging it out in Iraq may be necessary, but there might be another way. President Bush needs to level with the American people and begin putting this country on a war footing. That means a limited draft and a major commitment to defense. The President needs to shake things up and get people's attention.
Bill wants a draft. I'm sure "limited" means "not effecting me or my family." I would just love this to be a major talking point for Bill like putting the National Guard on the border used to be. O'Reilly's audience is all over 65 so they have nothing to worry about. Let's see Bill's conservative guests squirm when confronted with a call for a draft to fight the Global War on Whatever it is We are Fighting.
The United States needs a new strategy to deal with this ominous threat. Slugging it out in Iraq may be necessary, but there might be another way. President Bush needs to level with the American people and begin putting this country on a war footing. That means a limited draft and a major commitment to defense. The President needs to shake things up and get people's attention.
Bill wants a draft. I'm sure "limited" means "not effecting me or my family." I would just love this to be a major talking point for Bill like putting the National Guard on the border used to be. O'Reilly's audience is all over 65 so they have nothing to worry about. Let's see Bill's conservative guests squirm when confronted with a call for a draft to fight the Global War on Whatever it is We are Fighting.
August 10, 2006
Barn Door
Man, airport security is amazing good at imposing inconvenience to no good effect. Banning all liquids and gels will result the confiscation of millions of gallons of perfectly innocent hair gel and not stop a single terrorist attack.
This is just like banning nail clippers after 9/11. No one is going to hijack a plan with nail clippers. But it looks like we are doing something.
The horse is gone, man. The plot has been exposed, the terror cell broken up. Why the big show about confiscating perfume and soda? Its not just closing the barn door. Its setting off fireworks and annouching over the PA that we are closing the barn door.
After 9/11 we banned anything that even looked like a blade, no matter how laughable. After the shoe bomber was caught we now take our shoes off at airports.
A plot to use "liquid explosives" and now liquids are banned. The next terrorist will plan on smuggling a bomb stuck up his ass and I will never travel by air again.
This is just like banning nail clippers after 9/11. No one is going to hijack a plan with nail clippers. But it looks like we are doing something.
The horse is gone, man. The plot has been exposed, the terror cell broken up. Why the big show about confiscating perfume and soda? Its not just closing the barn door. Its setting off fireworks and annouching over the PA that we are closing the barn door.
After 9/11 we banned anything that even looked like a blade, no matter how laughable. After the shoe bomber was caught we now take our shoes off at airports.
A plot to use "liquid explosives" and now liquids are banned. The next terrorist will plan on smuggling a bomb stuck up his ass and I will never travel by air again.
Foiled Plot
Red Alert! Red Alert!
Terror Plot Foiled.
This kicks off the 48 hour freek-out media cycle, then we return to normal.
Terror Plot Foiled.
This kicks off the 48 hour freek-out media cycle, then we return to normal.
August 9, 2006
Please
A lot of conservatives are going to start putting out crap about how a win by anti-war Ned Lamont over pro-war Joe Lieberman is going to hurt Democrats. How the donkeys are embrancing George McGovern, that big loser.
Please.
60% of the County now opposes the Iraq war.
We are all George McGovern.
Everybody is going to be against the war. The GOP is going to try and distant themselves from the war all fall. Anybody who tells you different is fooling you.
Please.
60% of the County now opposes the Iraq war.
We are all George McGovern.
Everybody is going to be against the war. The GOP is going to try and distant themselves from the war all fall. Anybody who tells you different is fooling you.
August 8, 2006
See. Darwin.
Ha Ha. Faith in the system rewarded. Lieberman goes down. Still, he's going to try and run as an independent and the drama has yet to play out, but he got way far away from the Democratic middle and paid the price. Everyone got used to the idea in the last couple of weeks, but the defeat of a sitting US Senator in a primary campaign is amazingly rare. Historic even.
A bonus housecleaning moment came with the defeat of the nutty Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney in that Democratic Primary. McKinney is an embarrassment (9/11 conspiracies, slugged a cop) that I have no desire to try and defend. And now I don't.
A bonus housecleaning moment came with the defeat of the nutty Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney in that Democratic Primary. McKinney is an embarrassment (9/11 conspiracies, slugged a cop) that I have no desire to try and defend. And now I don't.
Service
Getting to webpage with anykind of election results is really hard. Everyone is crashing from traffic. Lieberman's page has been down all day, either cause he got hacked or forgot to pay his bill, depending on who you ask.
OK earlier returns show Lamont up, but it will be a while before we get real numbers.
OK earlier returns show Lamont up, but it will be a while before we get real numbers.
August 7, 2006
Darwin
I have totally neglected the most exciting political story that will happen this August: the Joe Lieberman primary challenge.
Joe has gone from VP candidate san reproach to failed 2004 Presidential to Bush's favorite Democrat to now being on the verge of being beaten in the Democratic Primary for his Connecticut Senate seat.
This is just the Darwinian process of elections. For all their flaws, elections do a pretty job of weeding out the unworthy. Think of the impala pack chased by the cheetah. The sick and lame are going to get eaten. As are the stupid impala who wander away from the pack. The "sick and lame" in this metaphor are corrupt politicians like poor Bob Ney, who went down today. Lieberman is the gazelle who wandered away from the pack.
Joe Lieberman has wandered really far a field. He is the first democrat to sign on with Bush's proposals and the last to denounce the war. In fact, he hasn't denounced the war. In a country and a political party that has turned completely against the war in Iraq, he still supports both the war and its conduct. And he's about to be punished for it tomorrow.
Joe has gone from VP candidate san reproach to failed 2004 Presidential to Bush's favorite Democrat to now being on the verge of being beaten in the Democratic Primary for his Connecticut Senate seat.
This is just the Darwinian process of elections. For all their flaws, elections do a pretty job of weeding out the unworthy. Think of the impala pack chased by the cheetah. The sick and lame are going to get eaten. As are the stupid impala who wander away from the pack. The "sick and lame" in this metaphor are corrupt politicians like poor Bob Ney, who went down today. Lieberman is the gazelle who wandered away from the pack.
Joe Lieberman has wandered really far a field. He is the first democrat to sign on with Bush's proposals and the last to denounce the war. In fact, he hasn't denounced the war. In a country and a political party that has turned completely against the war in Iraq, he still supports both the war and its conduct. And he's about to be punished for it tomorrow.
August 5, 2006
Cats and Dogs Living Together
Today's clip honors the fact that France and America are working together at the UN to end the Middle East Crisis.
Time Warp
A strange time shift is moving its way through my apartment. By bed-side alarm clock (carefully selected for it annoying buzz) has been falling behind, thus jeopardizing my perfect on-time work record. A new battery has corrected the problem. But now my cable box clock is wrong.
And its off by the same 8 minutes that my bedside clock was! Its like the mysterious missing eight minutes are moving around the apartment. A strange ripple in time.
Weird, eh.
And its off by the same 8 minutes that my bedside clock was! Its like the mysterious missing eight minutes are moving around the apartment. A strange ripple in time.
Weird, eh.
August 4, 2006
Oh Great
My second favorite line in Three Kings comes in the misted of a the big heist. Our (anti-) heroes are making off with Iraqi gold and things are starting to go wrong. People are getting shot and the whole situation is getting out of control. Then clank, clank, clank an Iraqi tank appears. Troy Barlow (Marky Mark)says
Great! A fuckin' tank! That should send us on our way.
I keep waiting for the moment in Iraq that will send us on our way. That will blow through all the BS and make clear that we have no good reson to be there.
So how about:
Thousands of Mr. Sadr’s supporters from Shiite-dominated cities in southern Iraq began converging on the capital today in anticipation of the rally. They boarded buses decorated with pictures of Hezbollah’s leader, Sheik Hassan Nasralla, waved Iraqi and Hezbollah flags, and chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” according to news agencies.
Great! A major player in the Iraq government we set up has a mob in the street, chanting “Death to America! Death to Israel!” That should send us on our way.
PS My favorite line is the whole "Necessity" speech. Which I've already used.
Great! A fuckin' tank! That should send us on our way.
I keep waiting for the moment in Iraq that will send us on our way. That will blow through all the BS and make clear that we have no good reson to be there.
So how about:
Thousands of Mr. Sadr’s supporters from Shiite-dominated cities in southern Iraq began converging on the capital today in anticipation of the rally. They boarded buses decorated with pictures of Hezbollah’s leader, Sheik Hassan Nasralla, waved Iraqi and Hezbollah flags, and chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” according to news agencies.
Great! A major player in the Iraq government we set up has a mob in the street, chanting “Death to America! Death to Israel!” That should send us on our way.
PS My favorite line is the whole "Necessity" speech. Which I've already used.
One Pundit at a Time
I am happy to report that Tom Friedman, New York Times columnist and guy you alway see on TV talking about foreign policy, is now for getting the hell out of Iraq.
For the longest time he's been in the if-we-go-there-will-be-trouble-camp. But now he is done:
[T]hree years of efforts to democratize Iraq are not working. That means “staying the course” is pointless, and it’s time to start thinking about Plan B — how we might disengage with the least damage possible.
…But the administration now has to admit what anyone — including myself — who believed in the importance of getting Iraq right has to admit: Whether for Bush reasons or Arab reasons, it is not happening, and we can’t throw more good lives after good lives.
For the longest time he's been in the if-we-go-there-will-be-trouble-camp. But now he is done:
[T]hree years of efforts to democratize Iraq are not working. That means “staying the course” is pointless, and it’s time to start thinking about Plan B — how we might disengage with the least damage possible.
…But the administration now has to admit what anyone — including myself — who believed in the importance of getting Iraq right has to admit: Whether for Bush reasons or Arab reasons, it is not happening, and we can’t throw more good lives after good lives.
August 3, 2006
French Victory
I know its a small thing what with the Wars and plans for more wars, but a tiny victory for common sense has been struck in the dead of night.
On Capitol Hill fries are French again.
In one of the dumber actions in human history, back in March of 2003, some over zealous Congresscritters changed the name of French Toast and French Fries to Freedom Fries and Freedom toast in the House cafeteria as a way of protesting French opposition to the wonderful Iraq War.
Now if only the rest of the mistakes could be fixed as easy.
On Capitol Hill fries are French again.
In one of the dumber actions in human history, back in March of 2003, some over zealous Congresscritters changed the name of French Toast and French Fries to Freedom Fries and Freedom toast in the House cafeteria as a way of protesting French opposition to the wonderful Iraq War.
Now if only the rest of the mistakes could be fixed as easy.
August 2, 2006
Update
A well said call for a cease-fire in the Middle East over at TPMCafe. Ricken Patel uses my schoolyard figh metaphor.
No more complaining about the heat for me. Its hitting 117 this week in Bagdad. And I don't have to wear kevlar to work.
Castro's health situation kind of a mystery.
Bush doing fine. (healthwise)
And the Mongol Rally is well underway. No one has died yet.
No more complaining about the heat for me. Its hitting 117 this week in Bagdad. And I don't have to wear kevlar to work.
Castro's health situation kind of a mystery.
Bush doing fine. (healthwise)
And the Mongol Rally is well underway. No one has died yet.
August 1, 2006
Hmmm
It appears that California under the Govenator is conducting its own foreign policy with Blair's UK.
Cuba
An interesting development in Cuba, because frankly, there just isn't enough going on in the world. Fidel Castro has temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul due going under the knife. They are dancing in the street of Miami over the news. We shall see if the old Goat at last gives up the ghost. What becomes of Post-Castro Cuba is one of those things that has been speculated about for decades. Continue to speculated.
July 31, 2006
July 30, 2006
Maxims to Die By
When looking at military matters, its helpful to know your maxims. These are carefully though out sayings that impart great wisdom. Or give the appearance of doing so. Bonus points if it was first said by Napoleon or Sun Tzu. Good military analysis lives and dies by the quality of its maxims. A very good one is "amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics." Or the classic "All warfare is based on deception." Also good is "Never get involved in a land war in Asia." And the always notable "Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!"
But my personal favorite, which I first heard here (not sure where he got it) is "Your battle-plan always gets fucked up as soon as the enemy arrives, that's why he is called The Enemy."
So keep that one in mind when you go and read this analysis about the Israeli-Hezbollah war. Its not going according to plan.
But my personal favorite, which I first heard here (not sure where he got it) is "Your battle-plan always gets fucked up as soon as the enemy arrives, that's why he is called The Enemy."
So keep that one in mind when you go and read this analysis about the Israeli-Hezbollah war. Its not going according to plan.
July 29, 2006
What Friends Do
This is a great point:
The Christopher piece points to an important role that America can play in the Middle East, which we aren't playing now. We can solve a common political problem in the region that runs something like this: Islamic militants do something vicious that creates Israeli demand for a violent response. While Israeli leaders are under domestic political pressure to shoot back, they can only do so in a way that harms large number of civilians, derailing the peace process and driving people into the miliants' arms. They don't want to do this, but political pressure forces their hands. The shooting begins, and that's when America steps in and negotiates some settlement between the two sides. Israel needs us to do this for them, since the leaders don't want to look like weak compromisers. As Christopher says: "A succession of Israeli leaders has turned to us, and only us, when they have concluded that retaliation for Hezbollah attacks has become counterproductive. Israel plainly trusts no one else to negotiate on its behalf and will accept no settlement in which we are not deeply involved."
Imagine yourself back on the schoolyard. Words are exchanged, and it look like your about to get into a fight. What do your friends do? They hold you back. You can't back down with looking like a wimp, but he's bigger than you and the Principal with have you locked in detention for months if he sees this. So thank God your friends are holding you back. You can say that jerk would have got whats coming to him, if only. And no black eyes. A good friend will save you from yourself. Will help you do what you can't do on your own. That's not what we are doing for Israel.
The Christopher piece points to an important role that America can play in the Middle East, which we aren't playing now. We can solve a common political problem in the region that runs something like this: Islamic militants do something vicious that creates Israeli demand for a violent response. While Israeli leaders are under domestic political pressure to shoot back, they can only do so in a way that harms large number of civilians, derailing the peace process and driving people into the miliants' arms. They don't want to do this, but political pressure forces their hands. The shooting begins, and that's when America steps in and negotiates some settlement between the two sides. Israel needs us to do this for them, since the leaders don't want to look like weak compromisers. As Christopher says: "A succession of Israeli leaders has turned to us, and only us, when they have concluded that retaliation for Hezbollah attacks has become counterproductive. Israel plainly trusts no one else to negotiate on its behalf and will accept no settlement in which we are not deeply involved."
Imagine yourself back on the schoolyard. Words are exchanged, and it look like your about to get into a fight. What do your friends do? They hold you back. You can't back down with looking like a wimp, but he's bigger than you and the Principal with have you locked in detention for months if he sees this. So thank God your friends are holding you back. You can say that jerk would have got whats coming to him, if only. And no black eyes. A good friend will save you from yourself. Will help you do what you can't do on your own. That's not what we are doing for Israel.
July 28, 2006
Really?
For lots of people the fighting in the Middle East signals the End of Days. And they really do feel fine. Media Matters has some appearance by End Times advocates. I think Tim LaHaye, author of the Left Behind books is one of the creepier humans I have ever seen. If the world is ending, he couldn't be happier.
These people are rooting for more violence in Israel, because they think that's what's going to trigger the rapture and The Big Guy's return and all the badly written fun you find in the Left Behind books. The fundies support Israel, but only in the sense that the existence of Israel fufills their wild-ass biblical prophecies. They don't want an Israel living in peace with its neighbors. A peaceful Middle East won't fill the pews or sell the books. Which means that the fundies are completely fine with the dumb-ass diplomatic approach that the Bush administration is taking.
These people are rooting for more violence in Israel, because they think that's what's going to trigger the rapture and The Big Guy's return and all the badly written fun you find in the Left Behind books. The fundies support Israel, but only in the sense that the existence of Israel fufills their wild-ass biblical prophecies. They don't want an Israel living in peace with its neighbors. A peaceful Middle East won't fill the pews or sell the books. Which means that the fundies are completely fine with the dumb-ass diplomatic approach that the Bush administration is taking.
July 27, 2006
$$$$$
Here's a story about making money from you web site with advertising. Here is a worthy goal:
Take Andrew Leyden, former House Commerce Committee counsel and founder of a dot-com venture that failed, who started PodcastDirectory.com, a search engine for podcasts. As the site's popularity rose from a hundred hits a month in 2004 to nearly a million now, Leyden started making the equivalent of an entry-level government worker's salary -- $30,000 to $40,000 a year -- simply because people clicked on ads. That allowed him to work at home in Chesapeake Beach, Md., trying to make more money by attracting still more traffic to his site.
They even have a term for it: Hopeful Hobbyists
"We have a segment of customers called 'hopeful hobbyists'" who have Web sites devoted to anything they might care about, from crochet to sailing, and who hope to eventually make enough money to quit their day jobs, said Willan Johnson, vice president of Yahoo Publisher Network, which launched a test version of its software last year.
Get clicking. I can't quit my day job without you.
Take Andrew Leyden, former House Commerce Committee counsel and founder of a dot-com venture that failed, who started PodcastDirectory.com, a search engine for podcasts. As the site's popularity rose from a hundred hits a month in 2004 to nearly a million now, Leyden started making the equivalent of an entry-level government worker's salary -- $30,000 to $40,000 a year -- simply because people clicked on ads. That allowed him to work at home in Chesapeake Beach, Md., trying to make more money by attracting still more traffic to his site.
They even have a term for it: Hopeful Hobbyists
"We have a segment of customers called 'hopeful hobbyists'" who have Web sites devoted to anything they might care about, from crochet to sailing, and who hope to eventually make enough money to quit their day jobs, said Willan Johnson, vice president of Yahoo Publisher Network, which launched a test version of its software last year.
Get clicking. I can't quit my day job without you.
Justice
Remember Florida 2000? Its going to become one of those American history turning points. Noted popular historians in 2050 are going to write best-selling 500-pagers on how all the disasters of the early 21st century can be traced back to the Florida Vote Recount.
Which brings us to Katherine Harris, the Florida secretary of State/Bush-Cheney campaign chair who did so much to help Bush "win" Florida. You remember, the one with too much make-up. Well, after spending the last few years as a US Congresswomen from a safe Republican seat, she's trying to move up to US Senate. And she's getting crushed in the polls. Her campaign is turning into a national embarrassment. Her entire campaign staff has quit. Twice. She is becoming a National Laughingstock.
So some small measure of justice has been served.
Which brings us to Katherine Harris, the Florida secretary of State/Bush-Cheney campaign chair who did so much to help Bush "win" Florida. You remember, the one with too much make-up. Well, after spending the last few years as a US Congresswomen from a safe Republican seat, she's trying to move up to US Senate. And she's getting crushed in the polls. Her campaign is turning into a national embarrassment. Her entire campaign staff has quit. Twice. She is becoming a National Laughingstock.
So some small measure of justice has been served.
July 26, 2006
So Let Me Get This Straight............
She waited until her husband went to work, killed her kids, covered the bodies with a sheet, then called 911. But a jury considered her "insane?" What the hell was different in this trial?
Can someone explain to me why this woman shouldn't be hit in the face with a baseball bat as additional punishment?
Can someone explain to me why this woman shouldn't be hit in the face with a baseball bat as additional punishment?
Collapse is Bad, Right
So the Headline this morning is Lebanon Crisis Talks Collapse. Man, I do hate being right all the time. It looks like Isreal is settling in for a long term occupation of part of southern Lebanon. Because the last time it went so well.
July 25, 2006
The Circle is Complete
The Circle of Crap. Muqtada al-Sadr's Iraq militia is now preparing to send troops to Lebanon to fight on behalf of Hezbollah. Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army is a major player in the Iraqi government that we are proping up with American blood and money. Can you tell the good guys from the bad? Its getting harder.
July 24, 2006
Done Right
Show Off
Beware Bush Adminitration officials making a surprise visit. It's a surefire indication that they are doing something as a PR stunt. When something real is going to get done, we know about it in advance. Bush takes a well publizided trip to India, deals get done and treaties get signed. They keep making "surprise" trips to Iraq and nothing changes. Its about generating a favorable headline and making it look like your doing something when you arn't. So today Condi made a "Surprise" trip to Lebanon. So I'm doubtful we are going to get a deal that ends the fighting (Israel/Hezbollah fighting, not Iraq Civil War fighting. It's getting hard to keep track)
July 23, 2006
Ack! The Heat! It Burns!
I take back ever bad thing I have ever said about the rain. Its record setting heat here in Sac this weekend. 109! The bigger problem is that it isn't cooling off at night. Its already 87 degrees and its only 9:00 a.m. And its only going to get hotter. I don't want to leave my apartment and its sweet, sweet air conditioning, but food is running low here at Craigorian Chant World Headquarters, and I'm going to have to go out sooner or later. Courage Man, Courage.
July 21, 2006
War is Good For You
Salon's War Room points out this Orwellian Headline:
In Mideast Strife, Bush Sees a Step To Peace
The story isn't much better:
President Bush's unwillingness to pressure Israel to halt its military campaign in Lebanon is rooted in a view of the Middle East conflict that is sharply different from that of his predecessors.
When hostilities have broken out in the past, the usual U.S. response has been an immediate and public bout of diplomacy aimed at a cease-fire, in the hopes of ensuring that the crisis would not escalate. This week, however, even in the face of growing international demands, the White House has studiously avoided any hint of impatience with Israel. While making it plain it wants civilian casualties limited, the administration is also content to see the Israelis inflict the maximum damage possible on Hezbollah.
Where does this thinking come from? I'm not the type to say that "War doesn't solve anything" but I'm think I'm on pretty safe ground to say that in the Israel-Arab conflict, war isn't going to solve anything. The simple fact is that Israel has already won. It's beaten the Arab States again and again. No Arab state is attacking Israel. All that's left are the Arab guerilla groups - Hamas and Hezbollah, that formed as a result of Israeli occupation. And as we have learned in Iraq, guerrillas groups are hard to destroy and hardly ever worth it. So unless Israel wants to kill every Hezbollah sympathizer in Southern Lebanon and every Palestinian, of course this is going to to turn into diplomacy. If we know that it always end in peace talks, why wait? (To Quote Bill Kristol)
In Mideast Strife, Bush Sees a Step To Peace
The story isn't much better:
President Bush's unwillingness to pressure Israel to halt its military campaign in Lebanon is rooted in a view of the Middle East conflict that is sharply different from that of his predecessors.
When hostilities have broken out in the past, the usual U.S. response has been an immediate and public bout of diplomacy aimed at a cease-fire, in the hopes of ensuring that the crisis would not escalate. This week, however, even in the face of growing international demands, the White House has studiously avoided any hint of impatience with Israel. While making it plain it wants civilian casualties limited, the administration is also content to see the Israelis inflict the maximum damage possible on Hezbollah.
Where does this thinking come from? I'm not the type to say that "War doesn't solve anything" but I'm think I'm on pretty safe ground to say that in the Israel-Arab conflict, war isn't going to solve anything. The simple fact is that Israel has already won. It's beaten the Arab States again and again. No Arab state is attacking Israel. All that's left are the Arab guerilla groups - Hamas and Hezbollah, that formed as a result of Israeli occupation. And as we have learned in Iraq, guerrillas groups are hard to destroy and hardly ever worth it. So unless Israel wants to kill every Hezbollah sympathizer in Southern Lebanon and every Palestinian, of course this is going to to turn into diplomacy. If we know that it always end in peace talks, why wait? (To Quote Bill Kristol)
July 20, 2006
Bill Kristol is a Lunatic
And yet for some reason, he continues to be an influenual voice in American political life. But he's crazy.
July 19, 2006
Up and Did It
As promised Bush just issued the first veto of his entire Presidency, stopping efforts to Federally fund embryonic stem cell research. Congratulations, you've just block a slew of potentially life-saving research. The measure was passed pretty overwhelmingly even in the GOP controlled Congress, but not overwhelmingly enough to override the veto.
Time to hang this veto on Bush. Bush is now the anti-cure President. Full Stop. He's going to eat that veto before this is over.
(Thanks Erin)
Time to hang this veto on Bush. Bush is now the anti-cure President. Full Stop. He's going to eat that veto before this is over.
(Thanks Erin)
Right Out the Door
I think we can mark down a new causality in the Jack Abramoff scandal. Ralph Reed, baby-faced former head of the Christian Coalition, has gone down to defeat in the Republican Primary for Lt. Govenor of Georgia. Yeah.
This is a real fall from grace for Reed, who sometime in the 90's appeared on a Time cover with the caption THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. Reed provided the Christians in Abramoff's sleazy "Get Conservative Christians to oppose new gambling operations with the money from existing gambling operations" con game.
New Donkey has been crazy obsessed with this race, so check in with him if you want more details and analysis.
This is a real fall from grace for Reed, who sometime in the 90's appeared on a Time cover with the caption THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. Reed provided the Christians in Abramoff's sleazy "Get Conservative Christians to oppose new gambling operations with the money from existing gambling operations" con game.
New Donkey has been crazy obsessed with this race, so check in with him if you want more details and analysis.
July 18, 2006
Walk and Chew Gum...
...and juggle and work a hula-hoop and...
The Taliban is retaking towns in Afghanistan. There is too much going on in the world and the Bush administration can't handle it. Afghanistan has long been neglected with the Iraq war getting most of the attention, money, and troops. Tack on all the new crisis and Afghanistan is suddenly fifth or six in priority. And we are losing ground.
The Taliban is retaking towns in Afghanistan. There is too much going on in the world and the Bush administration can't handle it. Afghanistan has long been neglected with the Iraq war getting most of the attention, money, and troops. Tack on all the new crisis and Afghanistan is suddenly fifth or six in priority. And we are losing ground.
July 17, 2006
All the Way to the Gallows
The Butch Cassady award for being able to crack wise in the face of danger is hearby offically awarded to MICHAEL KINSLEY:
They just drill a couple of small holes to put the wires through. Tiny holes. Itsy-bitsy holes. Teensy-weensy little holes. The propaganda they give you when you sign up for the operation describes the holes as "dime-sized." That took me aback. The dime, there's no denying, is a seriously undersized coin. But frankly, I wasn't thinking coins at all. I was thinking grains of sand. A dime is huge! The hospital printout of all the things you can't do afterward describes it as "major brain surgery." Is there minor brain surgery?
But it turns out ok:
Editor's note: Kinsley's surgery took place on July 12 and went fine. His first words were, "Well, of course, when you cut taxes, government revenues go up. Why couldn't I see that before?"
Kinsley's brain is a national treasure. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
They just drill a couple of small holes to put the wires through. Tiny holes. Itsy-bitsy holes. Teensy-weensy little holes. The propaganda they give you when you sign up for the operation describes the holes as "dime-sized." That took me aback. The dime, there's no denying, is a seriously undersized coin. But frankly, I wasn't thinking coins at all. I was thinking grains of sand. A dime is huge! The hospital printout of all the things you can't do afterward describes it as "major brain surgery." Is there minor brain surgery?
But it turns out ok:
Editor's note: Kinsley's surgery took place on July 12 and went fine. His first words were, "Well, of course, when you cut taxes, government revenues go up. Why couldn't I see that before?"
Kinsley's brain is a national treasure. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
July 16, 2006
Cycle
I was going to write the post that solves the Middle East in about 300 words, but I keep coming up short. We are deep in the cycle of violence now. Lots of people getting blown up on both sides. Its always amazing to me how much attention violence in the Middle East gets. Dozens of people could be killed in Africa or Burma or Sri Lanka and it barely makes a blip on the world media radar. But as soon as the bombs start flying between Israel and somebody, it jumps strait to the front page. Evening news anchors start broadcasting from the region. Why do we care so much about death in the Middle East? Is it the biblical nature of the conflict, the presence of Armageddon, which makes every shot fired seem like impending doom?
July 15, 2006
Iraq the Model
What a goddamn joke. Check out this story out of Russia today:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a suggestion from U.S. President George W. Bush that his country should emulate democracy in Iraq.
Oh sure, that the way to spread democracy. Point to Iraq and say "Be like them" Who on earth would want Iraqi "democracy" It chaos and death, interupted by occational elections. I wouldn't want that in my Country. Do you think Russians would?
The fact is, Putin has been eroding democratic institutions in Russia and is moving to an authoritarian style of government. We should rebuke him on the subject. But to say that Russia should emulate democracy in Iraq makes the whole thing into a big sick joke.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a suggestion from U.S. President George W. Bush that his country should emulate democracy in Iraq.
Oh sure, that the way to spread democracy. Point to Iraq and say "Be like them" Who on earth would want Iraqi "democracy" It chaos and death, interupted by occational elections. I wouldn't want that in my Country. Do you think Russians would?
The fact is, Putin has been eroding democratic institutions in Russia and is moving to an authoritarian style of government. We should rebuke him on the subject. But to say that Russia should emulate democracy in Iraq makes the whole thing into a big sick joke.
July 14, 2006
Everything Is Connected
I'm getting the feeling that things are just spinning out of control out there in the world. We now have a full blown crisis in the Middle East, with Israel bombing Gaza and Lebanon. We have showdowns brewing with Iran over nukes and North Korea over missiles (and nukes!) India was just the victim of a massive terrorist attack and is accusing Pakistan of being involved. Not to mention Iraq. Not to mention Afghanistan. All these crisis feed into each other. Iran has ties to Hamas and Hezbollah, both groups are in a shooting war with Israel. We need Pakistani help with Afghanistan and so on. This number of problems would strain even the best foreign policy team, but this isn't the best team, is it?
July 13, 2006
Da Race is On.
New poll out for California Races. Phil Angelides, fresh off his Primary, win has a narrow lead of 46% to 44% over the Big A. Most polls I've seen as of late show Arnold with a (slight) lead. Stay tuned.
The other major race in California is not a race. Dianne Feinstein, the Democratic incumbant Senitor is crushing her unfortainly named challeger, Dick Mountjoy, 60% to 33%. Despite Larry's nashing of teeth over her support for the Flag Burning Ammendment, she is cruising to reelection.
The other major race in California is not a race. Dianne Feinstein, the Democratic incumbant Senitor is crushing her unfortainly named challeger, Dick Mountjoy, 60% to 33%. Despite Larry's nashing of teeth over her support for the Flag Burning Ammendment, she is cruising to reelection.
Fun with Numbers
Check out this profile on your hero and mine, Keith Olbermann. I just love watching that guy work.
"You can't spell momentum without Olbermann, or something like that."
But trulyuely amazing fact in the piece is found by Cenk Uygur. The average age of a Bill O'Reilly viewer is 71. 71! Its the bitter old man show! Explains a lot, doesn't it?
"You can't spell momentum without Olbermann, or something like that."
But trulyuely amazing fact in the piece is found by Cenk Uygur. The average age of a Bill O'Reilly viewer is 71. 71! Its the bitter old man show! Explains a lot, doesn't it?
Keep Your Head
"If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs, it's possible you haven't grasped the situation." -- Jean Kerr
It might be time to lose your head. The headline out of Korea is Diplomacy in tatters as two Koreas spar. The headline from the Middle East is Israel warns of prolonged offensive in Lebanon. How is it that every potential crisis in the world is suddenly becoming an actual crisis.?
Did somebody declare the end of the world and not tell me about it?
It might be time to lose your head. The headline out of Korea is Diplomacy in tatters as two Koreas spar. The headline from the Middle East is Israel warns of prolonged offensive in Lebanon. How is it that every potential crisis in the world is suddenly becoming an actual crisis.?
Did somebody declare the end of the world and not tell me about it?
July 12, 2006
Earn
The National Journal has a list of everything that the members of the White House Staff make. Just in case your wondering, being lord of all evil makes Karl Rove $165,200 a year. Thinkprogress notes that the WH has two "Ethics Advisors" that seem rather overpaid by making over 100 grand a year each. Not to mention the White House Fact Checker, a waste of $46,500 Also, its interesting to note that people at the bottom make $30,000. I'm at the bottom rung of a County Planning staff and I make more than that. I'm pretty sure you pay a price in salary to get "White House" on you resume. In fact, I make a little more than the "Deputy Associate Director for Invitations & Correspondence" makes. But you can't beat that title.
July 11, 2006
Trivia
Your fun fact of the day: President Bush has not vetoed a single piece of legislation sense he took office.
He just issued a new veto threat, against Stem Cell research.
For why its silly to oppose Stem Cell research, please see Michael Kinsley.
He just issued a new veto threat, against Stem Cell research.
For why its silly to oppose Stem Cell research, please see Michael Kinsley.
July 10, 2006
Interesting
My inner Political Science Nerd perked up at this post by Kevin Drum. It seems that there is a pretty big chunk of people out their who call themselves conservative when what they actually believe makes them liberal. That means that the conservative shrekers of the world have done their job well. Liberal doesn't mean an ideology to some people, its just shorthand for "bad"
July 9, 2006
Arrrgh
Welcome to At the Movies with Craig. Today's show is on the latest Pirates Movie. The title is Pirates of the Caribbean: We've Come to Steal Your Money and Two and a Half Hours of Your Life that You Will Never Get Back.
I'm sorry its called Dead Man's Chest, but you get the idea. I was a late comer to the first Pirates movie. I was operating on the principal that if movies based on video games always suck, a movie based on an amusement park ride would suck ten-fold. But right in the middle of the action blah, blah, blah of the first movie was this wonderfully manic Johnny Depp performance. His captain Jack Sparrow is a classic. It will be making top ten list for all time.
Well Jack's back in the new movie and still great. The best part is how you can see the gears spinning in his head as he does his dirty deeds. The best parts are when those wheels start grinding and then come completely apart. But he's not the delightful surprise he once was. The romantic leads are physical wonders. My God, Keira Knightley is pretty. My God, how is it that Orlando Bloom is even prettier? But I can't recall a thing they said or did, and it's only been hours since I left the theater.
The action in this movie really is cartoonish. It's practically at the point where Captain Jack won't fall until he looks down. After he runs off a cliff. In a strait line.
Also the movie comes with about three endings, none of them real. The whole movie sets up Pirates of the Caribbean: Arrrgh, Fooled Again.
Ye Be Warned.
I'm sorry its called Dead Man's Chest, but you get the idea. I was a late comer to the first Pirates movie. I was operating on the principal that if movies based on video games always suck, a movie based on an amusement park ride would suck ten-fold. But right in the middle of the action blah, blah, blah of the first movie was this wonderfully manic Johnny Depp performance. His captain Jack Sparrow is a classic. It will be making top ten list for all time.
Well Jack's back in the new movie and still great. The best part is how you can see the gears spinning in his head as he does his dirty deeds. The best parts are when those wheels start grinding and then come completely apart. But he's not the delightful surprise he once was. The romantic leads are physical wonders. My God, Keira Knightley is pretty. My God, how is it that Orlando Bloom is even prettier? But I can't recall a thing they said or did, and it's only been hours since I left the theater.
The action in this movie really is cartoonish. It's practically at the point where Captain Jack won't fall until he looks down. After he runs off a cliff. In a strait line.
Also the movie comes with about three endings, none of them real. The whole movie sets up Pirates of the Caribbean: Arrrgh, Fooled Again.
Ye Be Warned.
July 7, 2006
Still Kicking
Looks like we are still going to have Tom Delay to kick around. Delay (R-Hell) marked my birthday by resigning from Congress under a cloud of corruption. However Delay had already won his primary a few months back, so he still had to get off the ballot in November. Well the master plan just hit a snag. A judge just ruled that if Delay withdraws, the GOP can't replace him. Which would leave the Democrat in the race unopposed. So Delay has to keep running for a seat he already resigned from in disgrace. Delay was being too clever with the ballot and it just bit him, you know where.
July 6, 2006
World Cup Update
First of all check out this pitch perfect montage clip from the Beeb. Via Andrew Sullivan. It perfectly sums up the trials of England this year. All set to a killer track from the Pet Shop Boys. Did you know they were still around?
Which brings us to the finals. Italy verse France. Interestingly enough, both teams wear blue uniforms (or "kits" for our English readers) The French team is know as Les Bleus (The Blues) The Italians are know as the Azzurri. Which means... The Blues.
I'm going with the Italians. First, their shade of blue is better. A darker, Navy Blue. Also, Italy is the official homeland of Craigorian Chant. I'm just going to have to forgive them the whole drama queen thing. Plus, Italy was the one great game that the US played the whole tournament, if they win it all its a big help in the moral victory department.
Which brings us to the finals. Italy verse France. Interestingly enough, both teams wear blue uniforms (or "kits" for our English readers) The French team is know as Les Bleus (The Blues) The Italians are know as the Azzurri. Which means... The Blues.
I'm going with the Italians. First, their shade of blue is better. A darker, Navy Blue. Also, Italy is the official homeland of Craigorian Chant. I'm just going to have to forgive them the whole drama queen thing. Plus, Italy was the one great game that the US played the whole tournament, if they win it all its a big help in the moral victory department.
July 5, 2006
Secret Formula: Still Secret.
Don't mess with Coke:
Three people were charged by federal prosecutors on Wednesday with stealing confidential information, including a sample of a new drink, from The Coca-Cola Co. and trying to sell it to rival PepsiCo Inc.
Three people were charged by federal prosecutors on Wednesday with stealing confidential information, including a sample of a new drink, from The Coca-Cola Co. and trying to sell it to rival PepsiCo Inc.
Rocket Science
So North Korea is getting into the 4th of July Spirit by firing off some bottle rockets. Most of what they launched were short-ranged missiles which landed in the Sea of Japan. Their one attempt at firing an intercontinental-ranged missile failed badly. Turns out rocket science really is hard.
But it works out nicely. The United States has built a ballistic missile defense system that doesn't work in order to stop a North Korean missile that doesn't work. Nice.
But it works out nicely. The United States has built a ballistic missile defense system that doesn't work in order to stop a North Korean missile that doesn't work. Nice.
July 4, 2006
July 3, 2006
Your Congress
Ted Stevens is a United States senator. He represents Alaska. After a committee vote on a net neutrality law (which tied and thus died 11-11)he spoke on the subject. Go read the remarks he made on the subject. I can safely say that Ted Stevens has no idea how the internet works. I'm pretty sure that Ted Stevens has no idea what the internet is.
July 2, 2006
Lazy Sunday
Mexico votes today.
Most days it isn't worth it, but sometimes, watching the Sunday morning talk show reveals some lovely moments.
The US Air Force is going to spend $450,000 of your tax dollars on the study of blogs.
Most days it isn't worth it, but sometimes, watching the Sunday morning talk show reveals some lovely moments.
The US Air Force is going to spend $450,000 of your tax dollars on the study of blogs.
June 30, 2006
Next
It now appears that we were getting worked up over that North Korean missile test for nothing. Instead let us hype the China Threat.
June 29, 2006
Woa There Cowboy
The Bush Administration lost a huge case today in the Supreme Court. Their attempt to set up secrete military tribunals in Gitmo got taken down as contrary to both US law and the Geneva Convention. This ruling calls into question the entire Bush legal approach to the war on terror, which pretty much consisted of pushing the President's power as far as it could go with a "war" on. SCOTUS just jerked Bush's chain big time.
Internationally Bad
I am not a fan of the NRA. They really like guns, and they are really effective in their lobbying activities and they never, ever stop. Not at armor piercing bullets, not at assault rifles and now, at the waters edge.
Go read about how the NRA is now going to war against the U.N. Small Arms Review Conference. This is an international org working on stopping the illegal international arms trade. You know, the way terrorist and thugs the world over get their guns.
But now the NRA has convinced itself that this is some vast UN, black helicopter conspiracy to take away their precious guns. If they are successful at all in jamming up this process the world will be a more dangerous place. The NRA should just stick to keeping the US well armed and dangerous. They should leave the world alone.
Go read about how the NRA is now going to war against the U.N. Small Arms Review Conference. This is an international org working on stopping the illegal international arms trade. You know, the way terrorist and thugs the world over get their guns.
But now the NRA has convinced itself that this is some vast UN, black helicopter conspiracy to take away their precious guns. If they are successful at all in jamming up this process the world will be a more dangerous place. The NRA should just stick to keeping the US well armed and dangerous. They should leave the world alone.
Keeping...
...It hard out here for a pimp:
Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa is hoping to stamp out the sex trade by taxing pimps and prostitutes, then jailing them when they don't pay.
The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning approved a bill sponsored by committee chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, authorizing at least $2 million toward the establishment of an office in the IRS criminal investigation unit to prosecute unlawful sex workers for violations of tax laws.
As if your hard working pimp doesn't have enough to worry about, now he is going to have the taxman on his back.
Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa is hoping to stamp out the sex trade by taxing pimps and prostitutes, then jailing them when they don't pay.
The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning approved a bill sponsored by committee chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, authorizing at least $2 million toward the establishment of an office in the IRS criminal investigation unit to prosecute unlawful sex workers for violations of tax laws.
As if your hard working pimp doesn't have enough to worry about, now he is going to have the taxman on his back.
June 28, 2006
Going Softly Into the Night
Ezra Klein has a good piece up on West Wing. His thesis is that the show presented a too-nice version of the world, which left liberals too soft for modern politics:
This was the world of The West Wing, a realm of comedy, decency, respectable opponents, and honorable intellectual warfare. A world where the moderate Republicans triumphed and the ideologues got rolled. It laid bare a peculiar, and possibly temporary, quirk of liberals: their aching desire to believe the best of their opponents.
A tour of conservative cultural phenomena doesn't turn up anything quite so generous. Rush Limbaugh has mused that "what's good for al-Qaeda is good for the Democratic Party." Michael Savage predicted that a John Kerry presidency would declare the Bible a "hate book" and create a market in "baby body parts." Compare that with the liberal commuter's favored companion: National Public Radio's comforting, politics-as-Plato-conceived-of-it drone.
Klein has a real point here. West Wing was always liberal wish-fafillment (Clinton without the sex!) not only about ourselves, but our opponents. There is a huge gap in the campaign timeline, the part when the decent pro-choice moderate Republican goes is an embattled underdog in Iowa, then suddenly becomes the GOP nominee. They don't show the in-between part because a guy like Vinick could never win a GOP Presidential Primary campaign. Can't be done. Still I appreate West Wing for giving shape to our dreams, even if it isn't a guide to real world:
So as The West Wing exits stage left, so too does the mindset that created it. Daschle and Gephardt have given way to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, and now it's the Democrats deploying parliamentary jujitsu to force hearings and sink legislation. NPR is still around, to be sure, but Air America has burst on to the scene, boasting a full lineup of enthusiastic airwave warriors. Stephen Colbert has stepped forward, finding popularity and success by parodying the bloviating buffoons of right-wing media. And the blogs have grown fruitful and multiplied, bringing with them an appetite for confrontation and a talent for pugilism thatÂ’s begun to reshape the political landscape.
One could bemoan this, lamenting the exit of civility and the acceptance of trench warfare. But why? The Clinton era, which provided the inspiration for The West Wing, should not have proved a notably tense period. After 12 years of Republican presidents, Democrats had elected a leader who promised to banish that which was most controversial and inflammatory from the party. It was precisely the sort of performance that The West Wing's Republicans would have cheered. And yet it was Clinton, after exiling Jesse Jackson and eschewing so-called "class warfare," who gave rise to the ferocious Newt Gingrich and the hardliners of the Republican Revolution. Whatever goodwill and good faith he initially displayed was met with corresponding increases in partisan rancor and contempt. What explanation is there save that they smelled blood?
It's counterintuitive, to be sure, but it may be that the only way to ratchet down tensions is for both sides to come armed. And that can't happen so long as liberals believe that, deep down, conservatives don't really want to fight. For now, however, rapprochement is a decidedly second-tier consideration. I'm certainly a typical liberal softie who thrilled to The West Wing's world of comity and compassion. But nowadays, I'm also a post-Bush liberal: As much as I want us to all just get along, I'm much more interested in seeing us win.
This was the world of The West Wing, a realm of comedy, decency, respectable opponents, and honorable intellectual warfare. A world where the moderate Republicans triumphed and the ideologues got rolled. It laid bare a peculiar, and possibly temporary, quirk of liberals: their aching desire to believe the best of their opponents.
A tour of conservative cultural phenomena doesn't turn up anything quite so generous. Rush Limbaugh has mused that "what's good for al-Qaeda is good for the Democratic Party." Michael Savage predicted that a John Kerry presidency would declare the Bible a "hate book" and create a market in "baby body parts." Compare that with the liberal commuter's favored companion: National Public Radio's comforting, politics-as-Plato-conceived-of-it drone.
Klein has a real point here. West Wing was always liberal wish-fafillment (Clinton without the sex!) not only about ourselves, but our opponents. There is a huge gap in the campaign timeline, the part when the decent pro-choice moderate Republican goes is an embattled underdog in Iowa, then suddenly becomes the GOP nominee. They don't show the in-between part because a guy like Vinick could never win a GOP Presidential Primary campaign. Can't be done. Still I appreate West Wing for giving shape to our dreams, even if it isn't a guide to real world:
So as The West Wing exits stage left, so too does the mindset that created it. Daschle and Gephardt have given way to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, and now it's the Democrats deploying parliamentary jujitsu to force hearings and sink legislation. NPR is still around, to be sure, but Air America has burst on to the scene, boasting a full lineup of enthusiastic airwave warriors. Stephen Colbert has stepped forward, finding popularity and success by parodying the bloviating buffoons of right-wing media. And the blogs have grown fruitful and multiplied, bringing with them an appetite for confrontation and a talent for pugilism thatÂ’s begun to reshape the political landscape.
One could bemoan this, lamenting the exit of civility and the acceptance of trench warfare. But why? The Clinton era, which provided the inspiration for The West Wing, should not have proved a notably tense period. After 12 years of Republican presidents, Democrats had elected a leader who promised to banish that which was most controversial and inflammatory from the party. It was precisely the sort of performance that The West Wing's Republicans would have cheered. And yet it was Clinton, after exiling Jesse Jackson and eschewing so-called "class warfare," who gave rise to the ferocious Newt Gingrich and the hardliners of the Republican Revolution. Whatever goodwill and good faith he initially displayed was met with corresponding increases in partisan rancor and contempt. What explanation is there save that they smelled blood?
It's counterintuitive, to be sure, but it may be that the only way to ratchet down tensions is for both sides to come armed. And that can't happen so long as liberals believe that, deep down, conservatives don't really want to fight. For now, however, rapprochement is a decidedly second-tier consideration. I'm certainly a typical liberal softie who thrilled to The West Wing's world of comity and compassion. But nowadays, I'm also a post-Bush liberal: As much as I want us to all just get along, I'm much more interested in seeing us win.
June 27, 2006
Flagged
So once again the Senate is chewing on a Constitutional amendment to ban flag-desecration. Of all the most worthless things your government does, this would be the most worthless. A ban on flag desecration would be the most unenforceable law ever. Good Boy Scout that I am, I know the Federal Flag Code, which is the official guide to the proper display of and respect for the Flag. Guess what?
(k) The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
So what people are trying to make illegal is the burning of the flag with the wrong mindset. If I'm burning the flag to destroy an old flag in a dignified way, that's ok, but if I burn it in protest, it's going to be a crime? How will this work exactly? What about World Cup costumes? Or flag print bikini's? A few years back at a Super Bowel, Chris Rock cut a hole in a Flag and wore it like a poncho. Are the Feds going to break down his door? Of course not. This is an empty symbol of a law, and everyone involved should know better.
UPDATE: As noted in comments, the amendment failed by just one vote today, 66-34 (67 votes are needed to amend the Constitution.) Let us now praise Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, normally a Republican I dislike, but who's rather absolutist on the first amendment, leading him to oppose both campaign fiance reform and a ban on flag burning.
One more point re: T's comment - Protesters aren't arrested for saying offenses things. They are arrested for things like trespass or blocking traffic. But you can't arrest people because you disagree with the content of their speech.
(k) The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
So what people are trying to make illegal is the burning of the flag with the wrong mindset. If I'm burning the flag to destroy an old flag in a dignified way, that's ok, but if I burn it in protest, it's going to be a crime? How will this work exactly? What about World Cup costumes? Or flag print bikini's? A few years back at a Super Bowel, Chris Rock cut a hole in a Flag and wore it like a poncho. Are the Feds going to break down his door? Of course not. This is an empty symbol of a law, and everyone involved should know better.
UPDATE: As noted in comments, the amendment failed by just one vote today, 66-34 (67 votes are needed to amend the Constitution.) Let us now praise Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, normally a Republican I dislike, but who's rather absolutist on the first amendment, leading him to oppose both campaign fiance reform and a ban on flag burning.
One more point re: T's comment - Protesters aren't arrested for saying offenses things. They are arrested for things like trespass or blocking traffic. But you can't arrest people because you disagree with the content of their speech.
June 26, 2006
Oh My Head!
Too...Many...Jokes...Must...Mock...Rush:
Rush Limbaugh was detained for more than three hours Monday at Palm Beach International Airport after authorities said they found a bottle of Viagra in his possession without a prescription.
Rush Limbaugh was detained for more than three hours Monday at Palm Beach International Airport after authorities said they found a bottle of Viagra in his possession without a prescription.
180
Ok, so all last week we are subject to a debate over Iraq where the GOP clings to the notion that withdrawing from Iraq equals "cut and run", "surrender" and "cowardice." But it came out over the weekend that the pentagon has a plan to start drawing down US troops in Iraq. So how on earth is this not "cut and run?" Just for added punch, the Iraqi government announced a plan for National reconciliation that included US troop withdrawal. This has got to be the most surreal political argument in history. Everyone is for getting out of Iraq. Everyone. Yet somehow we keep having this argument. The GOP is trying salvage some political juice out of the wreckage. They figure that if they just call the Democrats "cowards" enough times no one will notice that the administration is planning to do exactly what the Democrats are advocating.
June 23, 2006
USA USA USA...
...Is totally gone. Beat down and eliminated by Ghana. Which of course means that we all need to find a Country to root for. On Country of origin grounds I should go with Italy, but Italy is a bunch of whiny floppers and cheap-shot artist, so I really can't go with them. Goal Post has a found a statistical method to pick a team to root for.
The there is the "hot fan" criteria, but I've found credible evidence for several different countries with this method, including Germany, Argentina, and Mexico.
The there is the "hot fan" criteria, but I've found credible evidence for several different countries with this method, including Germany, Argentina, and Mexico.
June 22, 2006
I Got Your Message Right Here
Democrats need a message on Iraq. We hear it all the time. Well here you go.
June 21, 2006
Ding Dong
The Bill is dead. Republican in the House are signaling that they will not compromise with the immigration bill passed in the Senate, which means that this a bill which won't become a law. Yeah. As I believe the mighty Yglesias pointed out there will almost certainly be more democrats in both the House and Senate next year, so why try and pass anything on immigration now when you can pass a much better law next year. Actually, this logic applies to every single issue that Congress is considering right now. So here's to a do nothing Congress.
June 20, 2006
See the Future
This November you can see what the future looks like if they ever manage to scuttle Roe v Wade. The really nasty abortion ban that was passed in South Dakota is now going to a vote of the people. The pro-choice people are keeping the option of challaging the law in court, but this is going to be a real test of strength between the two side.
This is what the future holds in a post-Roe world. The abortion issue will be given to the States, which means a big ugly fight times 50. Some States like my own CA the pro-choicers will win easy, and I see little hope in the deep South. But most places the fight will be brutal. Abortion, for all the heat it generates, really doesn't come up for debate these days. Roe v Wade has pretty much settled the issue, except on the margins, like late term abortions, parental notification and public funding. But throw out Roe and everything will be in play again.
This is what the future holds in a post-Roe world. The abortion issue will be given to the States, which means a big ugly fight times 50. Some States like my own CA the pro-choicers will win easy, and I see little hope in the deep South. But most places the fight will be brutal. Abortion, for all the heat it generates, really doesn't come up for debate these days. Roe v Wade has pretty much settled the issue, except on the margins, like late term abortions, parental notification and public funding. But throw out Roe and everything will be in play again.
June 19, 2006
Woosh
Remember that kid from school, the one who loved to play with bottle rockets and M-80 and was generally the terror of his neighborhood? The kid who the old man at the end of the street called "not right in the head"? Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They are threatening to test a missile. Think of it as the Geo-Political equivalent of a bottle rocket. Just like that kid back in the day, this is a cry for attention. And attention they shall get. After all, someone could loose an eye. Or a city.
Shall We Stay or Shall Will Go
The Iraq war debate is churning Congress these days, with both Houses considering different versions of non-binding resolutions to support the troops, the flag, the war on terror and staying in Iraq forever and ever, Amen. The Republicans think that then have an advantage because they are united behind the idea of "stay the course" while Dems are divided between those who wish to withdrawal and those who feel we need to stay. I can see the case for staying - prevent civil war, US troops only thing holding the country together, and so on. But as the song says "If I go there will be trouble/An' if I stay it will be double" I believe that we are going to have to withdrawal eventually anyway, so it might as well be sooner rather than later. Not to mention the government we are backing and creating is clearly a Shia theocracy, complete with death squads, torture and repression.
Its important to note that while debates on the Democratic side are about the length of our stay in Iraq, the GOP has committed itself to stay in Iraq forever. The lines go like this- Iraq is the central front in the war on terror, If we withdraw from Iraq the terrorist have won, 9/11 changed everything, etc, etc, etc. But if an Iraq withdrawal means an Al Queda victory, we can never pull out. Never. That's the rhetorical corner that the GOP has painted itself into. Iraq is not going to be a peacefull place for a generation, maybe ever. So if you don't think we can stay a generation, then we are going to have to leave. The only debate is how we leave and when. If we face up to the fact we are leaving Iraq, then we can have a real debate.
Its important to note that while debates on the Democratic side are about the length of our stay in Iraq, the GOP has committed itself to stay in Iraq forever. The lines go like this- Iraq is the central front in the war on terror, If we withdraw from Iraq the terrorist have won, 9/11 changed everything, etc, etc, etc. But if an Iraq withdrawal means an Al Queda victory, we can never pull out. Never. That's the rhetorical corner that the GOP has painted itself into. Iraq is not going to be a peacefull place for a generation, maybe ever. So if you don't think we can stay a generation, then we are going to have to leave. The only debate is how we leave and when. If we face up to the fact we are leaving Iraq, then we can have a real debate.
June 18, 2006
Happy Father's Day
He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
Clarence Budington Kelland
Clarence Budington Kelland
June 17, 2006
June 16, 2006
Thy Shall Pay Attention in Sunday School
I starting a movement to declare Steve Colbert some kind of National treasure or monument or something. He asked a Congressman (who sponsored a bill about the Ten Commandments) to name those Commandments. The results are, well, see for yourself.
June 15, 2006
Awkward
One of those themes that swirl around the Bush Presidency is that while Bush lacks some traits, things like "intelligence" and "curiosity" and the "ability to avoid mistakes that cost the lives of 2,500 American troops," Bush does posses "Charm" and "Social Grace" and what you Oprah watchers might call "Emotional Intelligence. But now comes the "shades" incident. Bush mocked a reporter at yesterday's press conference for wearing sunglasses. The reporter was blind.
Um awkward, No? Bush is like that guy at the party, who thinks he's funny but is not, who's Wife has to come by after and say sorry. Bush has just said whatever he wants, be it rude, or dumb, or just a little weird, all his life. All his life he's been either an important person, or the son of an important person, so everyone just plays along.
Um awkward, No? Bush is like that guy at the party, who thinks he's funny but is not, who's Wife has to come by after and say sorry. Bush has just said whatever he wants, be it rude, or dumb, or just a little weird, all his life. All his life he's been either an important person, or the son of an important person, so everyone just plays along.
June 14, 2006
June 13, 2006
1000
This is the 1000th Post here on Craigorian Chant. I was going to write a lengthy post on the influence of inflationary pressure on the long term-viability of the Social Security System, but instead I'm just going to take a moment to savor the fact that there have been one thousand posts and people are still reading. I'm sure we would have scared away all of you by now.
Thank you.
Thank you everyone for your readership and support.
Thank you.
Thank you everyone for your readership and support.
Getting Away?
Karl Rove's Lawyer announced that Rove will not be charged in the CIA leak case. Damn! Triple Damn!
But he's the bad guy! Bad guys don't get away!
Life is not fair! The World is not Fair!
But he's the bad guy! Bad guys don't get away!
Life is not fair! The World is not Fair!
June 12, 2006
My heroes
Via ThinkProgress I learn that Rep. George Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) have introduced legislation that would cut interest on student loans in half. Get this legislation passed gentlemen and I shall name you my heroes for All Time. Seriously, I will move to Vallejo or Illinois just to have a chance to vote for you.
Pessimism, that's the Ticket
CNN detects a (slight) uptick in support for the Iraq War in wake of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's close encounter with a 500 pound bomb. But a majority of Americans still think that the war was a mistake. And the majority of Americans would be right. But don't just take my word for it. Political Animal highlights some pessimism from Richard Holbrook. Holbrook was UN ambassador under Clinton, and will be Secretary of State under some future Democratic President. In other words someone who does this crap for real (This crap being US Foriegn Policy). So when he says that Iraq is worse than Vietnam, that is some grade-A world class pessimism.
One World, One Game
I spent the Weekend doing America's pastime, but for the next month its World Cup baby. I know, I know America doesn't do Soccer(Futbol) But pointy headed, one-worlder that I am, I embrace the sport. I like getting into something that the whole world is getting into. Plus, English fans chant "Two World Wars and one World Cup" when England plays Germany. You can't beat that.
If your going to watch World Cup, you have to do it right. So this morning I took in USA-Czech Republic at the Streets of London pub. 9:00 am start and it was standing room only. I had bacon and Guinness for breakfast and watched the US get it's ass handed to it. I didn't know they grew so big Czechs so big. They just pushed the US around in the air. Going to have to do better than that boys.
All your World Cup blogging needs will be met by Goal Post at TNR. Read this and you will know what your talking about when discussing the game over bangers and mash.
If your going to watch World Cup, you have to do it right. So this morning I took in USA-Czech Republic at the Streets of London pub. 9:00 am start and it was standing room only. I had bacon and Guinness for breakfast and watched the US get it's ass handed to it. I didn't know they grew so big Czechs so big. They just pushed the US around in the air. Going to have to do better than that boys.
All your World Cup blogging needs will be met by Goal Post at TNR. Read this and you will know what your talking about when discussing the game over bangers and mash.
June 11, 2006
Take Me Out to the Ball
Went to a Giants games yesterday. (Thanks Sis) Baseball, that most all American of Father-Son bonding activities. Lots of fun. A question. How in the hell do ticket scalpers make any money? We are walking into the Stadium as the National Anthem is being played. In the two blocks before the Stadium, we pass half a dozen guys selling tickets. They each had their tickets fanned out in their hands. The game was about to start, and it seemed pretty clear that the scalpers were going to be left with tickets. So even if they has sold some tickets above sticker price, they were going to eat the cost of lots of tickets. So how does this work out?
June 9, 2006
Gifts
So I wake up and I think "You know what would make a great gift on this, the day of my birth? If a major and particular vile member of the GOP Congress were to resign today."
And what do you know? Tom Delay has officially resigned from Congress after giving a nasty and weird goodbye speech. Happy Day.
So while I'm asking, how about a sports car, a hottie, two tickets to the Bahamas and a hundred grand in cash?
And what do you know? Tom Delay has officially resigned from Congress after giving a nasty and weird goodbye speech. Happy Day.
So while I'm asking, how about a sports car, a hottie, two tickets to the Bahamas and a hundred grand in cash?
June 8, 2006
Death. Yeah
So the news of the day is that noted Iraqi terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in a US airstrike. Now everyone will cheer. Those who want us to stay in Iraq will claim that a corner has been turned and that we are now on our way to victory. In a few days it will be clear that nothing has changed, that the violence is continuing, that the political process remains deadlocked. al-Zarqawi's death will be added to the list of "achievements" along with Saddam's capture, three elections, and an untold number of schools getting painted. But the fundamental facts on the ground will remain unchanged. Iraq will remain unsolvable.
June 7, 2006
Shoulda
Gone to Vegas this weekend. Yearly Kos. All the people I read getting together for parties and panel discussions. Wannabe President Mark Warner is offering a super party:
In particular, the conference represents a tremendous opportunity for Warner to introduce himself to the blogs -- most of the top political activist bloggers on the left plan to attend -- through his key-note luncheon speech on Saturday, and also through a little old-fashioned glad-handing. Warner will court the bloggers as though they were primary voters, with a free food and booze fest, billed as Blogosphere at Stratosphere, on Friday night. It promises to be quite a scene, according to the invite:
make sure you don't miss the open bar, the free food, and the free rides (they have crazy rollercoaster rides atop the 100+ floor Stratosphere)
I'm missing an open bar with a Presidential candidate! Just so you know when you give to Mark Waner Leadership PAC, know that the money is going to booze up Liberal Bloggers.
In particular, the conference represents a tremendous opportunity for Warner to introduce himself to the blogs -- most of the top political activist bloggers on the left plan to attend -- through his key-note luncheon speech on Saturday, and also through a little old-fashioned glad-handing. Warner will court the bloggers as though they were primary voters, with a free food and booze fest, billed as Blogosphere at Stratosphere, on Friday night. It promises to be quite a scene, according to the invite:
make sure you don't miss the open bar, the free food, and the free rides (they have crazy rollercoaster rides atop the 100+ floor Stratosphere)
I'm missing an open bar with a Presidential candidate! Just so you know when you give to Mark Waner Leadership PAC, know that the money is going to booze up Liberal Bloggers.
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