Thursday, August 02, 2007
Irony
Just the title alone is killer:
Senate begins ethics debate
The only way this could get better is if Sen. Ted Stevens chaired it.
Senate begins ethics debate
The only way this could get better is if Sen. Ted Stevens chaired it.
Sean Penn's Got Friends in Low Places
From AP:
"CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has praised Sean Penn for his critical stance against the war in Iraq, saying the two chatted by phone and soon plan to meet in person.
"Chavez said Penn traveled to Venezuela this week wanting to learn more about the situation in the country and walked around some of Caracas' poor barrios on his own."
I guess once you're divorced from Madonna anything (or anybody) is up. In 2013 Guy Richie will probably become bff with Kim Jong-Il.
"CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has praised Sean Penn for his critical stance against the war in Iraq, saying the two chatted by phone and soon plan to meet in person.
"Chavez said Penn traveled to Venezuela this week wanting to learn more about the situation in the country and walked around some of Caracas' poor barrios on his own."
I guess once you're divorced from Madonna anything (or anybody) is up. In 2013 Guy Richie will probably become bff with Kim Jong-Il.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Quote of the Day
From Ana Marie Cox over at Swampland:
"This just in from the Tillman hearings:
"Kucinich [irritated]: did the WH have a press strategy on the Iraq war?
Rumsfeld: If there was, it obviously wasn't very good.
"And, you know what, he's right! There was a press strategy, and it wasn't very good! It most consisted of Rumsfeld standing at podium being folksy and gruff. Also? There was a military strategy on the Iraq war, and it wasn't very good!"
"This just in from the Tillman hearings:
"Kucinich [irritated]: did the WH have a press strategy on the Iraq war?
Rumsfeld: If there was, it obviously wasn't very good.
"And, you know what, he's right! There was a press strategy, and it wasn't very good! It most consisted of Rumsfeld standing at podium being folksy and gruff. Also? There was a military strategy on the Iraq war, and it wasn't very good!"
Democrat Weakness
I first heard about the Democrats pushing to extend FISA (the government's secret surveillance program) over at The Anonymous Liberal where he quotes a Times article. At first I didn't believe it until the AP reported it, giving further details and quotes from Harry Reid, endorsing the plan--with the addendum that:
"In the Senate, I don't promise any legislation," Reid said. He said the hang-up is "what the involvement of the attorney general will be.""
So, to break it down, he's endorsing a program that is a pretty obvious breach of civil liberties (assuming that we have some left) and is unpopular, and his only hold back is Gonzo? I'm truly baffled by the Democrats' weakness. The Times assumes that it's because they're afraid to be called 'unpatriotic' but is that argument still holding up? If so then this really shows a dearth of moral fiber and courage on the Democratic side, which has become disgusting and reprehensible. More and more they're looking less like Jonathan Harker and more like Dracula's toadie Renfield.
"In the Senate, I don't promise any legislation," Reid said. He said the hang-up is "what the involvement of the attorney general will be.""
So, to break it down, he's endorsing a program that is a pretty obvious breach of civil liberties (assuming that we have some left) and is unpopular, and his only hold back is Gonzo? I'm truly baffled by the Democrats' weakness. The Times assumes that it's because they're afraid to be called 'unpatriotic' but is that argument still holding up? If so then this really shows a dearth of moral fiber and courage on the Democratic side, which has become disgusting and reprehensible. More and more they're looking less like Jonathan Harker and more like Dracula's toadie Renfield.
Hilary Clinton's Cleavage
There it is. There's what has so many people in an uproar. Right there. Has your world been rocked? Have you completely lost your mind? Me neither. This is probably the most pathetic political debate since the infamous "Andrew Johnson Pants Stuffing Scandal" of 1869 that led to his impeachment.
Seriously though, this is news? Can you imagine if Mary Carey was running for President like she ran for Governor of California? The Washington Post would would explode and the Four Horseman of Apocalyse would fly out their heads.
Now that's cleavage.
And Speaking of Biased Reporting...
Check out this AP article:
"Obama vows to hunt down terrorists
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Wednesday that he would send troops into Pakistan to hunt down terrorists even without local permission if warranted - an attempt to show strength when his chief rival has described his foreign policy skills as naive."
Does this count as distributing information based solely on the story, or is this the opinion of the writer? As you might guess, I think it's the latter.
"Obama vows to hunt down terrorists
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Wednesday that he would send troops into Pakistan to hunt down terrorists even without local permission if warranted - an attempt to show strength when his chief rival has described his foreign policy skills as naive."
Does this count as distributing information based solely on the story, or is this the opinion of the writer? As you might guess, I think it's the latter.
So Murdoch Owns the Media...Tell Me Something I Don't Know
Yesterday Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Fox Conglomerate, bought Dow Jones Co. whose holdings include the Wall Street Journal. This of course has several Left-wing pundits up in arms.
Cut it out.
Sure, Murdoch's FOX News has taken journalism to new heights of biased reporting, becoming nearly a de facto propaganda machine for the Right, while simultaneously bringing 'entertainment journalism' into the commercial realm. But this is nothing new, and the term 'Yellow Journalism' originates with Media Mogul William Randolph Hurst at the turn of the 20th Century. False and equivocal reporting has plagued the public since the conception of the newspaper, for as long as people hold opinions they will hold biases.
But the reins of Journalism cannot be held by one person no matter how hard they grasp them, because the news is reported simply by people, and as we know some people are more trustworthy, disinterested, and courageous than others. In my time I cannot think of one 'media conglomerate' that people consider fair or honest. Whether it be Fox News, The New York Times, or Air America, every outlet has biases and agendas to the right, or the left. But people consider many of the reporters who work for these companies to be fair, and just in their journalism. Do we say CBS was an unbiased and trustworthy source of news reporting during the 50s, 60s and 70s? No, we say that Murrow, and Cronkite were fair and just. Do we say that MSNBC today is an unbiased and trustworthy source of news reporting? No, because Keith Olberman doesn't make up for their Chris Matthews, and Tucker Clarsons. We put of trust not in an outlet but in people, based on their courage, accuracy, eloquence, and ultimately, in whether history has validated their reports.
I say this to say that for the next couple of weeks people will criticize Murdoch and the Dow Jones Company for this deal, but this criticism is misplaced. Journalism is run by people, and no single person will every dominate the media (or even a media outlet) as long as others have voices and a soapbox to stand challenge them. Our only task is to find such trustworthy voices in a sea of propaganda and selfish deceit. And while this buy-out may have made this search more difficult, it is hardly impossible.
Keep the faith.
Cut it out.
Sure, Murdoch's FOX News has taken journalism to new heights of biased reporting, becoming nearly a de facto propaganda machine for the Right, while simultaneously bringing 'entertainment journalism' into the commercial realm. But this is nothing new, and the term 'Yellow Journalism' originates with Media Mogul William Randolph Hurst at the turn of the 20th Century. False and equivocal reporting has plagued the public since the conception of the newspaper, for as long as people hold opinions they will hold biases.
But the reins of Journalism cannot be held by one person no matter how hard they grasp them, because the news is reported simply by people, and as we know some people are more trustworthy, disinterested, and courageous than others. In my time I cannot think of one 'media conglomerate' that people consider fair or honest. Whether it be Fox News, The New York Times, or Air America, every outlet has biases and agendas to the right, or the left. But people consider many of the reporters who work for these companies to be fair, and just in their journalism. Do we say CBS was an unbiased and trustworthy source of news reporting during the 50s, 60s and 70s? No, we say that Murrow, and Cronkite were fair and just. Do we say that MSNBC today is an unbiased and trustworthy source of news reporting? No, because Keith Olberman doesn't make up for their Chris Matthews, and Tucker Clarsons. We put of trust not in an outlet but in people, based on their courage, accuracy, eloquence, and ultimately, in whether history has validated their reports.
I say this to say that for the next couple of weeks people will criticize Murdoch and the Dow Jones Company for this deal, but this criticism is misplaced. Journalism is run by people, and no single person will every dominate the media (or even a media outlet) as long as others have voices and a soapbox to stand challenge them. Our only task is to find such trustworthy voices in a sea of propaganda and selfish deceit. And while this buy-out may have made this search more difficult, it is hardly impossible.
Keep the faith.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Liz Edwards For President
Because she's real about Global Warming. From Ben Smith:
"The politics of global warming got very concrete, and oddly difficult, in a meeting with local environmentalists in the coastal town of McClellanville today, where Elizabeth Edwards raised in passing the importance of relying on locally-grown fruit.
"We've been moving back to 'buy local,'" Mrs. Edwards said, outlining a trade policy that "acknowledges the carbon footprint" of transporting fruit.
"I live in North Carolina. I'll probably never eat a tangerine again," she said, speaking of a time when the fruit is reaches the price that it "needs" to be.
Edwards had talked about "sacrifice," at the meeting, but Elizabeth's suggestion illustrated just how difficult it is to sell the specifics of sacrifice.
Asked about her comment immediately after the event, John Edwards avoided the question twice, then said he isn't sure.
"Would I add to the price of food?" he asked. "I'd have to think about that."
"UPDATE: Just to be clear, he's not talking about a food tax. The basic point is that any plan that imposes new costs on carbon emissions is going to make anything that's transported long distances with fossil fuels cost more. It is, in a way, a moment of clarity in this debate."
'Sacrifice' is a key word that no one on the left or the environmental lobby wants to bring up. If you truly want to clean up the environment and wean American off of fossil fuels (a goal that is becoming vital, especially in terms of our Middle East problems) then there must be a sacrifice made in terms of either a carbon tax, gas tax, or luxury tax. And the only way it can be done is if the top makes this a vitally important issue. It is possible for a country to get their population to sacrifice but only if they can make the case that the sacrifice means something that will benefit the population. So far the Democrats have been woefully inadequate doing this.
Hat Tip: AYCE
"The politics of global warming got very concrete, and oddly difficult, in a meeting with local environmentalists in the coastal town of McClellanville today, where Elizabeth Edwards raised in passing the importance of relying on locally-grown fruit.
"We've been moving back to 'buy local,'" Mrs. Edwards said, outlining a trade policy that "acknowledges the carbon footprint" of transporting fruit.
"I live in North Carolina. I'll probably never eat a tangerine again," she said, speaking of a time when the fruit is reaches the price that it "needs" to be.
Edwards had talked about "sacrifice," at the meeting, but Elizabeth's suggestion illustrated just how difficult it is to sell the specifics of sacrifice.
Asked about her comment immediately after the event, John Edwards avoided the question twice, then said he isn't sure.
"Would I add to the price of food?" he asked. "I'd have to think about that."
"UPDATE: Just to be clear, he's not talking about a food tax. The basic point is that any plan that imposes new costs on carbon emissions is going to make anything that's transported long distances with fossil fuels cost more. It is, in a way, a moment of clarity in this debate."
'Sacrifice' is a key word that no one on the left or the environmental lobby wants to bring up. If you truly want to clean up the environment and wean American off of fossil fuels (a goal that is becoming vital, especially in terms of our Middle East problems) then there must be a sacrifice made in terms of either a carbon tax, gas tax, or luxury tax. And the only way it can be done is if the top makes this a vitally important issue. It is possible for a country to get their population to sacrifice but only if they can make the case that the sacrifice means something that will benefit the population. So far the Democrats have been woefully inadequate doing this.
Hat Tip: AYCE
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Look...
...yeah, yeah these dudes go to prostitutes, but personally I'm not going to waggle my fingers at them for something natural and which should probably be legal. I think it's pathetic. But what really disgusts me is their choice of prostitutes (don't walk away Mr. Hugh Grant). I mean look at this chick? You're telling me you couldn't find someone better than this? She looks like Riddick Bowe.
Yet another waste of taxpayer funds...
The Future is Here
Iraq Vet gets bionic arm:
"The prosthetic hand is made of semi-translucent plastics. Five individual motors power the fingers, allowing the person to grasp round objects. The hand's gestures are made possible through electrode plates that detect electrical signals generated in the remaining muscles in the amputated limb.
The i-LIMB can be covered with flexible material to mimic the look of human skin, called cosmesis."
The i-LIMB can be covered with flexible material to mimic the look of human skin, called cosmesis."
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Understatement of the Year
From this AP article:
"BAGHDAD (AP) -- Sunni lawmakers ended their five-week boycott of parliament Thursday, raising hopes the factious assembly can make progress on benchmark legislation demanded by Washington. The U.S. said two American soldiers have been charged with killing an Iraqi."
Further accenting the irony of the last statement the next paragraph goes off on another tangent:
"Also Thursday, the U.S. command announced the deaths of five American soldiers. Four soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter were killed Wednesday in a roadside bombing in east Baghdad and one soldier was killed Friday by small arms fire near Rusdi Mulla, just to the southwest of the city."
I'll let you guys figure this one out.
"BAGHDAD (AP) -- Sunni lawmakers ended their five-week boycott of parliament Thursday, raising hopes the factious assembly can make progress on benchmark legislation demanded by Washington. The U.S. said two American soldiers have been charged with killing an Iraqi."
Further accenting the irony of the last statement the next paragraph goes off on another tangent:
"Also Thursday, the U.S. command announced the deaths of five American soldiers. Four soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter were killed Wednesday in a roadside bombing in east Baghdad and one soldier was killed Friday by small arms fire near Rusdi Mulla, just to the southwest of the city."
I'll let you guys figure this one out.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Coulda Been a Contender: Presidential Underdogs
New commentary on Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel on who they are and why they won't win, over at Allhiphop.com.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Gravel Back In...
...the HRC debate. From Sully:
"The largest gay money group, the Human Rights Campaign, has now backed down from excluding one of the few Democrats to support gay and lesbian equality forthrightly, Mike Gravel, from their Democratic debate. Here's an email they sent yesterday to a complaining member:
"Thank you for taking the time to express your views regarding Senator Gravel and the Presidential Forum on Logo Television. It is a welcome sign to see members of our community so engaged in following the 2008 Presidential campaign and the platform of the various candidates. The goal for the forum has always been to provide our community with a chance to hear from the candidates on issues most important to GLBT Americans.
Although we stand by the notion that having a criteria for candidates is important for a political forum, we also heard an enthusiastic response from a portion of the community who wanted to hear from Senator Gravel. Therefore we extended an invitation for him to participate in this year's forum. It is also worth noting that HRC's original decision is not unique or completely without precedent. Senator Gravel was also not extended an invitation to the CNN Presidential debates but petitioned the decision and was consequently invited by CNN.
""Although we stand by the notion that having a criteria for candidates is important for a political forum..." A criteria? And what exactly was the unmentionable criterion? Money. The main focus of the Human Rights Campaign."
Pretty much.
"The largest gay money group, the Human Rights Campaign, has now backed down from excluding one of the few Democrats to support gay and lesbian equality forthrightly, Mike Gravel, from their Democratic debate. Here's an email they sent yesterday to a complaining member:
"Thank you for taking the time to express your views regarding Senator Gravel and the Presidential Forum on Logo Television. It is a welcome sign to see members of our community so engaged in following the 2008 Presidential campaign and the platform of the various candidates. The goal for the forum has always been to provide our community with a chance to hear from the candidates on issues most important to GLBT Americans.
Although we stand by the notion that having a criteria for candidates is important for a political forum, we also heard an enthusiastic response from a portion of the community who wanted to hear from Senator Gravel. Therefore we extended an invitation for him to participate in this year's forum. It is also worth noting that HRC's original decision is not unique or completely without precedent. Senator Gravel was also not extended an invitation to the CNN Presidential debates but petitioned the decision and was consequently invited by CNN.
""Although we stand by the notion that having a criteria for candidates is important for a political forum..." A criteria? And what exactly was the unmentionable criterion? Money. The main focus of the Human Rights Campaign."
Pretty much.
Friday, July 13, 2007
You Opened Yourselves Up to it...
...Republicans, and now you pay the price for being 'good bushies':
DETROIT (AP) - Presidential hopeful Barack Obama drew the loudest cheers of the eight Democratic candidates at a civil rights forum Thursday as he assailed the Bush administration's record on race relations...
"Obama derided President Bush's commutation of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison term, noting black men routinely serve time.
"We know we have more work to do when Scooter Libby gets no prison time and a 21-year-old honor student, who hadn't even committed a felony, gets 10 years in prison," Obama said.
Aides said Obama was referring to Genarlow Wilson, a Georgia man serving a 10-year prison sentence for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. A judge last month ordered Wilson to be freed, but prosecutors are blocking the order."
Go ahead try to wave that one away as "black paranoia".
On a more somber not Clinton and Edwards got caught in a not so appealing light:
"After the forum, Fox News microphones picked up Clinton and Edwards discussing their desire to limit future joint appearances to exclude some rivals lower in the crowded field. "We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group," Edwards said.
"Clinton agreed. "We've got to cut the number. ... They're not serious," she said, then thanked Obama and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich as they walked by. Turning back to Edwards, she added that she thought their campaigns had already tried to limit the debates and "we've gotta get back to it.""
Why am I not surprised that Fox News caught that. Still, while I understand Clinton and Edwards' frustration at the 8 person format, it looks very elitist to try to keep the stage to themselves, especially when guys like Gravel and Kucinich speak so much truth to power.
Hat Tip: Sully
DETROIT (AP) - Presidential hopeful Barack Obama drew the loudest cheers of the eight Democratic candidates at a civil rights forum Thursday as he assailed the Bush administration's record on race relations...
"Obama derided President Bush's commutation of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison term, noting black men routinely serve time.
"We know we have more work to do when Scooter Libby gets no prison time and a 21-year-old honor student, who hadn't even committed a felony, gets 10 years in prison," Obama said.
Aides said Obama was referring to Genarlow Wilson, a Georgia man serving a 10-year prison sentence for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. A judge last month ordered Wilson to be freed, but prosecutors are blocking the order."
Go ahead try to wave that one away as "black paranoia".
On a more somber not Clinton and Edwards got caught in a not so appealing light:
"After the forum, Fox News microphones picked up Clinton and Edwards discussing their desire to limit future joint appearances to exclude some rivals lower in the crowded field. "We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group," Edwards said.
"Clinton agreed. "We've got to cut the number. ... They're not serious," she said, then thanked Obama and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich as they walked by. Turning back to Edwards, she added that she thought their campaigns had already tried to limit the debates and "we've gotta get back to it.""
Why am I not surprised that Fox News caught that. Still, while I understand Clinton and Edwards' frustration at the 8 person format, it looks very elitist to try to keep the stage to themselves, especially when guys like Gravel and Kucinich speak so much truth to power.
Hat Tip: Sully
A Card
Congradulations to Sen. Al D'Amato,You're 70 years old and having your fifth baby by your second wife! By the time they're out of diapers, they'll be old enough to change yours! Good Work!
The Word.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
House Votes To Pull Troops Home
It's about time. But will the Senate agree? Ask Lieberman. And then ask everyone else after the President vetoes. It's getting interesting and ugly.
Juicy Retrospective: The American Dream
A look back at B.I.G.'s seminal work, over at Allhiphop.com.
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