Distraction...

Anyone watch that show on Comedy Central, Distraction? Yeah me neither, but I've caught the commercials so I think I get the general gist of the game. This British dude asks a bunch of people questions while they're caught up in humiliating situations, and if they answer the most questions correctly they get a car or a corn dog or whatever. The premise is pretty lame in a game show but it's even lamer when it's the domestic policy of the United States.

Seems to me that for the last three weeks we've been caught up in the biggest game of Distraction on the planet, but the only difference is; you don't win. There's no car at the end of the road for you--instead you lose; money, morals, and intelligence. The whole process reminds me of Goodfellas where Ray Liotta's doing that voice over describing what happens when you do business with the mob.

"You want more time? Fuck you pay me. You want an extension on a loan? Fuck you, pay me. And when you can't pay anymore? Then you light a match..."

Last week was the VP shooting scandal, and now this week there's the Dubai port sale. Both were important, but the carefully devious manner in which this administration either ignores or deflects the press, forces intense attention to what should be otherwise inconsequential matters.

I was watching Real Time last night (caught it On Demand) and the panel for a moment drilled Helen Thomas (White House Corp member, now relegated to the White House parking lot) about the media's coverage of the VP scandal, accusing her of reporting on something that "wasn't news." Far from squirming she responded back that it was news, and this I agree with; it was. If the VP or the President, or any one high up in the administration shotguns someone it is pretty important. And if it hadn't been an accident, if it had of been intentional then everyone would be praising our press right now. The fact that it turned out to be an honest mistake, doesn't take away from the seriousness of the situation. But the facts that Cheney wouldn't talk, along with Bush's ignorance, led to this story going wildly out of hand. In the absence of facts people will speculate. I don't blame the press for reporting on the subject because it was news, I blame this administration's opaqueness in addressing the issue. A little communication can go a long way. Just ask my girlfriend...

Now the same type of situation is occurring regarding the sale of a port to Dubai Ports World, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates. Is this news? Of course it is! And by the way, let's quickly address the reason why this is news. It's not for the fact that Arabs will be in charge of securing the port. Let's make that clear. Many foreign companies own ports in the US, and they are not in charge of security. That job is the area of the US Coast Guard and Customs. What they will be in charge of, and have access to, are the blueprints and plans of the actual port. Not only that but Dubai Ports World is a government owned business, or more specifically owned by the United Arab Emirates, a government not exactly friendly with the US. Yes they claim they are a friend in our war against terror, but historically they've given aid to Bin Laden, as well as other terror organizations. Utimately the US shouldn't hand our ports over to any foreign government. Knowing the blueprints--hell building the dammed port--is too much knowledge for any foreign government to have about US security and I wouldn't care in it was the British, or the French or the friggin South Africans who were in charge, it's not prudent policy. Furthermore, isn't there an American company who's up to the task? Why the hell are we outsourcing this to begin with? What's next? Are we going to sell the CIA to the Chinese? Our Airports to the Russians? What the hell is the matter with our Government?

But yet again, something that's mad obvious to you and I is a quagmire (and no, I don't mean that dude from Family Guy, giggidy!) of confusion for the Bush administration. Bush backs the proposal (what a big surprise, wonder what pieces of advice Bandar gave to George Jr.), but then says that he really didn't know about it till like two days ago. So let me get this straight, the President of the United States didn't know that his second-in-command shot someone, now he doesn't know who he's selling our ports to...I don't even know what to say, and if you could see me right now I'm just shaking my head in sheer amazement. Last night on Hardball, Matthews said that his credibility goes up when he feigns ignorance. Let me repeat that for you, so that, like me, your brain will liquefy. Matthews said that when Bush feigns ignorance his credibility goes up. Well I supposed it worked for Reagan, but didn't he get Alzheimer's after he left the White House? Repeat after me. George Bush, worse president ever.

But this is just another Machiavellian ploy. We're still not talking about the war, we're still not talking about the national debt, we're still not talking about wiretapping, or the obscene Deficit Reduction bill. Will the sale go through? Probably not, but he might veto the the bill if only for the Republicans to look rebellious and go against something that the President wants. It's all a dumb show for our entertainment, except we're the dummies, sitting woodenly while our pockets get picked.

I wonder what will happen next week? Maybe...oh the whole thing is so pathetic not even a joke will save us now.

Iceland's looking pretty nice this time of year.