Thursday, May 31, 2007
And On and On
Odierno in January:
Odierno now:
Speaking of President Bush's decision to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, Odierno said, "Whether it's the last chance or not, I'm not willing to go that far, what I will say, it's not open-ended."
Odierno now:
General Odierno says the troop surge and the new approach to fighting the Iraqi insurgency are making progress, with increases in the number of coalition operations that find weapons caches, bomb factories and insurgent cells. But he also says insurgents attack every day, and he cautions against excessive optimism. The general says he might not be able to make even an initial assessment of the new strategy by September.
Reset
I'd been looking for information on when mortgage rate resets were coming due. A lot are coming due...now.
Why Do We Stay In Iraq?
Josh Marshall heads down the path to madness in order to try to answer that question.
The answer is unknowable because there isn't one. There are a variety of powerful actors who have different motives. It's as true, if not more true, for the continued occupation as it was for the initial invasion.
George Bush started the war because Saddam tried to killed his Dad and because he wanted to prance around on an aircraft carrier in a flight suit. He later got stubborn about the whole thing when those mean Democrats started criticizing him, and he began to buy into the transformational rhetoric due to his increasing messianic bent. And, now, it's about his "legacy."
Dick Cheney started the war because of his insatiable lust for the black stuff. Dick Cheney keeps us in Iraq because of his insatiable lust for the black stuff.
Don Rumsfeld went to war to prove that he could achieve any military result with 3 marines, an armed aerial drone, and his left pinky. He stayed in Iraq because George Bush told him to and because he still needed to prove his awesomeness.
AEI and Viceroy Jerry went to war because they were excited about their new libertarian paradise laboratory.
Paul Wolfowitz had grand dreams about transforming the Middle East into who knows what.
Tom Friedman and others went to war because they have the mentality of 5 years olds and they thought that the smartest thing we could do was whip out our giant schlong and wave it around for awhile. Tom Friedman and others stay in Iraq because they think that if they don't keep popping cialis ("If your occupation lasts longer than 6 months...") the world will notice our little tiny shriveled up thingy.
Karl Rove went to war so his boy could prance on the aircraft carrier and win re-election. He stays because leaving Iraq will anger wingnuttia.
Lots of other people stay in Iraq just because they don't like to admit they're wrong. Their egos are more important anything.
The sensible liberals at Brookings were so stupid they thought Saddam was a threat. They were the stupidest people of all, because that was about the only thing which had nothing to do with why we invaded Iraq. They stay in Iraq because they're unable to accept responsibility for their actions.
Democrats went to war because they were scared of losing their elections. They stay there because they're scared of losing elections.
Ultimately it's all centered around oil, the endless needs of the military industrial complex, and various other financial interests masquerading as ideology. But there isn't one reason, just a grand harmonic convergence of wingnuttery.
The answer is unknowable because there isn't one. There are a variety of powerful actors who have different motives. It's as true, if not more true, for the continued occupation as it was for the initial invasion.
George Bush started the war because Saddam tried to killed his Dad and because he wanted to prance around on an aircraft carrier in a flight suit. He later got stubborn about the whole thing when those mean Democrats started criticizing him, and he began to buy into the transformational rhetoric due to his increasing messianic bent. And, now, it's about his "legacy."
Dick Cheney started the war because of his insatiable lust for the black stuff. Dick Cheney keeps us in Iraq because of his insatiable lust for the black stuff.
Don Rumsfeld went to war to prove that he could achieve any military result with 3 marines, an armed aerial drone, and his left pinky. He stayed in Iraq because George Bush told him to and because he still needed to prove his awesomeness.
AEI and Viceroy Jerry went to war because they were excited about their new libertarian paradise laboratory.
Paul Wolfowitz had grand dreams about transforming the Middle East into who knows what.
Tom Friedman and others went to war because they have the mentality of 5 years olds and they thought that the smartest thing we could do was whip out our giant schlong and wave it around for awhile. Tom Friedman and others stay in Iraq because they think that if they don't keep popping cialis ("If your occupation lasts longer than 6 months...") the world will notice our little tiny shriveled up thingy.
Karl Rove went to war so his boy could prance on the aircraft carrier and win re-election. He stays because leaving Iraq will anger wingnuttia.
Lots of other people stay in Iraq just because they don't like to admit they're wrong. Their egos are more important anything.
The sensible liberals at Brookings were so stupid they thought Saddam was a threat. They were the stupidest people of all, because that was about the only thing which had nothing to do with why we invaded Iraq. They stay in Iraq because they're unable to accept responsibility for their actions.
Democrats went to war because they were scared of losing their elections. They stay there because they're scared of losing elections.
Ultimately it's all centered around oil, the endless needs of the military industrial complex, and various other financial interests masquerading as ideology. But there isn't one reason, just a grand harmonic convergence of wingnuttery.
Weightiness
Walton will release the letters of Scooter's pals and it sounds like Scooter might have a new cot to sleep on soon.
It's Called "Kick the Can"
Joe Klein, meet Sam Rosenfeld.
Bush is staying in Iraq, and all of this is about "sensible" Republicans having excuses to let him keep doing so while David Broder pats them on the back.
That these dynamics are not obvious to everyone is very worrisome.
Bush is staying in Iraq, and all of this is about "sensible" Republicans having excuses to let him keep doing so while David Broder pats them on the back.
That these dynamics are not obvious to everyone is very worrisome.
Why Mandate?
Indeed it is a very scary word. So stop using it.
There seems to be tremendous focus on how precisely individuals and businesses would interact with some grand health care plan, of how exactly to get them to sign up. To me that part's rather easy. Send everyone a membership card in the mail! All done.
Even recognizing the political realities of the situation, it seems that the way to sign everyone up is to... sign everyone up. Instead of having "mandates" requiring that people sign up to some plan, just sign them up. Instead of mandating that they pay their premiums every month, just pay for it out of general tax revenues (adding a new payroll tax or raising top marginal rates or whatever to do so).
Even if insurance companies are in still in the mix I see no reason for people to have to proactively sign up for some plan they may or may not be able to afford.
There seems to be tremendous focus on how precisely individuals and businesses would interact with some grand health care plan, of how exactly to get them to sign up. To me that part's rather easy. Send everyone a membership card in the mail! All done.
Even recognizing the political realities of the situation, it seems that the way to sign everyone up is to... sign everyone up. Instead of having "mandates" requiring that people sign up to some plan, just sign them up. Instead of mandating that they pay their premiums every month, just pay for it out of general tax revenues (adding a new payroll tax or raising top marginal rates or whatever to do so).
Even if insurance companies are in still in the mix I see no reason for people to have to proactively sign up for some plan they may or may not be able to afford.
Meanwhile
The Anbar success story continues.
BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber hit a police recruiting center Thursday in Fallujah, killing as many as 25 people, police said. The U.S. military said only one policeman was killed and eight were wounded.
Their World
All very simple.
Bill O'Reilly: But do you understand what the New York Times wants, and the far-left want? They want to break down the white, Christian, male power structure, which you're a part, and so am I, and they want to bring in millions of foreign nationals to basically break down the structure that we have. In that regard, Pat Buchanan is right. So I say you've got to cap with a number.
John McCain: In America today we've got a very strong economy and low unemployment, so we need addition farm workers, including by the way agriculture, but there may come a time where we have an economic downturn, and we don't need so many.
[crosstalk]
O'Reilly: But in this bill, you guys have got to cap it. Because estimation is 12 million, there may be 20 [million]. You don't know, I don't know. We've got to cap it.
McCain: We do, we do. I agree with you.
Time to Leave
US News, Jan. 30:
Even Republicans supporting President Bush's new Iraq strategy have been saying this is the last chance for the Iraqi government, and there may be an underlying message for the President there as well. US News Political Bulletin hears from GOP strategists with close ties to Capitol Hill that the President and his senior aides are too optimistic about keeping GOP congressional support for the Iraq war over the long term. One senior Republican adviser says Bush has "until April or May" to improve things in Iraq. If he cannot, he could face a GOP rebellion that could result in reductions in spending for the conflict and legislation to start bringing the troops home.
Time To Leave
Maliki, Nov.30:
AMMAN, Jordan - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Thursday that his country's forces would be able to assume security command by June 2007 — which could allow the United States to start withdrawing its troops.
"I cannot answer on behalf of the U.S. administration but I can tell you that from our side our forces will be ready by June 2007," Maliki told ABC television after meeting President Bush on Thursday in Jordan.
Morning
Stupid Ted Stevens shoved a hulk tie into my intertubes again.
And Joe Lieberman stopped by to tell me to keep clapping.
(pic from watertiger)
And Joe Lieberman stopped by to tell me to keep clapping.
(pic from watertiger)
Morning Thread
Joementum looks at life throughI'm sure, like me, you are all looking forward to his upcoming
Wanker-Colored Glasses
Also Not Atrios.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Not Going to Happen
Please stop the fantasy about Bush ending this.
LAS VEGAS - White House hopeful
Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday defended her vote against an
Iraq war funding bill, saying she believes President Bush will begin withdrawing troops from Iraq soon.
Pure Fantasy
Little Richie Lowry:
Not gonna happen.
Was talking to an influential Republican strategist who thinks if Iraq looks the way it does now in September, Bush will lose about 25 Senate Republicans on a bill with some sort of timetable for withdrawal.
Not gonna happen.
Were They Screaming Loudly?
This is more about how/when academic economists insert themselves into the debate than research, but in response to Paul Krugman I'm curious about how many mainstream economists (aside from him) were attempting to correct public perception about the underlying causes of and obvious solution to the California energy crisis.
It was a useful little event which provided me with a nice lecture (nice to me, no idea if my students agreed) about counterintuitive results which could be taught in a simple Econ 101 framework. The result is that if a firm is a monopoly then instituting hard price caps can have the counterintuitive effect of actually leading them to increase output. Capping prices would've kept the price down and the lights on.
I don't actually remember at the time too many academic economists getting into the newspapers to gently explain why, contrary to much of the nonsense being peddled at the time, the obvious short term solution was to institute immediate hard price caps, a policy the Bush FERC was resisting. A quick Nexis hunt doesn't turn up anything to contradict that idea, though I didn't do an exhaustive search.
Economists may not have tried to make that case because most of them just don't attempt to participate in the public discourse very often and they aren't on journalists' rolodexes. Maybe they didn't make the case because they weren't aware of or didn't believe evidence of market manipulation. Maybe they hesitated to make the case because they worried that they'd negatively impact a deregulation agenda they tended to agree with at least in general terms. Maybe they hesitated because they were concerned because if a policy which they're generally allergic to (government price setting) had a positive effect that politicians would try applying it to other areas.
I don't know what the answer is, or which combination, but it's worth thinking about.
It was a useful little event which provided me with a nice lecture (nice to me, no idea if my students agreed) about counterintuitive results which could be taught in a simple Econ 101 framework. The result is that if a firm is a monopoly then instituting hard price caps can have the counterintuitive effect of actually leading them to increase output. Capping prices would've kept the price down and the lights on.
I don't actually remember at the time too many academic economists getting into the newspapers to gently explain why, contrary to much of the nonsense being peddled at the time, the obvious short term solution was to institute immediate hard price caps, a policy the Bush FERC was resisting. A quick Nexis hunt doesn't turn up anything to contradict that idea, though I didn't do an exhaustive search.
Economists may not have tried to make that case because most of them just don't attempt to participate in the public discourse very often and they aren't on journalists' rolodexes. Maybe they didn't make the case because they weren't aware of or didn't believe evidence of market manipulation. Maybe they hesitated to make the case because they worried that they'd negatively impact a deregulation agenda they tended to agree with at least in general terms. Maybe they hesitated because they were concerned because if a policy which they're generally allergic to (government price setting) had a positive effect that politicians would try applying it to other areas.
I don't know what the answer is, or which combination, but it's worth thinking about.
Liars and Hacks
Yes it certainly isn't news that someone on the teevee is a liar. There are people who are full of it regularly and wrong about generally everything and they remain members of the media in good standing.
Having said that I'd encourage more articles like this but let's not pretend the problem starts and ends with Lou Dobbs.
Having said that I'd encourage more articles like this but let's not pretend the problem starts and ends with Lou Dobbs.
Empire
The very sad thing is that I imagine large numbers of very serious people, including our very serious liberal foreign policy experts (hi Kenneth! hi Michael!) basically agree with this vision. Like the decision to go to war itself there are probably a variety of justifications, but the basic idea that we plan to spend an immense amount of money and deal with longterm bloodshed is something they can all agree on.
"Cancer Free"
Candy Crowley just informed me that Fred Thompson had a "bout with cancer" but that he's "cancer free."
I'm not one who thinks a candidate's health situation is especially important, but obviously there's not going to be a lot of honesty about Thompson's cancer.
Thompson has indolent lymphoma. It's incurable. It will kill him, if something else doesn't first. It may not kill him very soon. He may live many years. But he's not "cancer free."
I'm not one who thinks a candidate's health situation is especially important, but obviously there's not going to be a lot of honesty about Thompson's cancer.
Thompson has indolent lymphoma. It's incurable. It will kill him, if something else doesn't first. It may not kill him very soon. He may live many years. But he's not "cancer free."
One thing
We all owe Cindy our thanks, and now that she's decided to step back, it's a reminder that the job cannot be hers, but is an obligation for all of us.
Nevertheless, the question still remains: What is the "noble cause" for which her son had to die?
Nevertheless, the question still remains: What is the "noble cause" for which her son had to die?
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Broder's boy bounces all the way to 28%.
...oops, this isn't actually a new poll. I blame Think Progress who blames steve simels. But everybody loves a pony!
...oops, this isn't actually a new poll. I blame Think Progress who blames steve simels. But everybody loves a pony!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Shadows
Ultimately, there's nothing that makes any sense about what these people want, other than to smash smash smash.
But they're very respectable people.
But they're very respectable people.
"Gingrich Blasts White House"
The sound is off so I don't actually know what kind of blast he's making, but it occurs to me that it could be Newt's job to provide the rhetorical space for others to start distancing themselves from the worst preznit ever.
George Akerlof Was Wrong
Here's my little contribution to this discussion of Life Among the Econ.
My take is that there is plenty of room for, and research into, a range of topics in economics including those which reexamine certain assumptions and which challenge the concept of market infallibility. However that work is rarely incorporated into the dominant narrative of the profession, which quickly reverts back to a simplistic Econ 101 worldview.
I think George Akerlof, 2001 Nobel Laureate, provides a good illustration of this. He was rewarded for his work on issues of asymmetric information, most notably his paper "The Market for Lemons." Michael Spence and Joseph Stiglitz shared the prize.
The Lemons paper explored what would happen when, in a market, sellers knew more about the product they were selling (whether it was a good quality product or a bad one) than the buyers did. Ostensibly a model of the used car market, the equilibrium outcome is that only "lemons" are actually sold. The basic reasoning is that as buyers are uncertain about the quality of the car they are buying, they're not willing to pay full value for quality used cars. Why pay $10 grand for a car which might actually only be worth $5 grand? Since offered prices are too low, potential sellers of quality used cars exit the market and only the crappy cars remain, which are sold at an appropriate crappy car price.
But this of course wasn't really a paper about the used car market, it was a paper about asymmetric information using the used car market as a handy illustration to make a much more general point about a world where asymmetric information was commonplace.
So where was George Akerlof wrong? It's because he thought:
The paper was correct, its insights and reasoning are taught in undergraduate classes, and the paper itself is taught in graduate classes. Scholars do, at times, apply asymmetric information models to other areas of research. But it didn't make economics different, at least not in the way I think he means.
My take is that there is plenty of room for, and research into, a range of topics in economics including those which reexamine certain assumptions and which challenge the concept of market infallibility. However that work is rarely incorporated into the dominant narrative of the profession, which quickly reverts back to a simplistic Econ 101 worldview.
I think George Akerlof, 2001 Nobel Laureate, provides a good illustration of this. He was rewarded for his work on issues of asymmetric information, most notably his paper "The Market for Lemons." Michael Spence and Joseph Stiglitz shared the prize.
The Lemons paper explored what would happen when, in a market, sellers knew more about the product they were selling (whether it was a good quality product or a bad one) than the buyers did. Ostensibly a model of the used car market, the equilibrium outcome is that only "lemons" are actually sold. The basic reasoning is that as buyers are uncertain about the quality of the car they are buying, they're not willing to pay full value for quality used cars. Why pay $10 grand for a car which might actually only be worth $5 grand? Since offered prices are too low, potential sellers of quality used cars exit the market and only the crappy cars remain, which are sold at an appropriate crappy car price.
But this of course wasn't really a paper about the used car market, it was a paper about asymmetric information using the used car market as a handy illustration to make a much more general point about a world where asymmetric information was commonplace.
So where was George Akerlof wrong? It's because he thought:
[I]f this paper was correct, economics would be different.
The paper was correct, its insights and reasoning are taught in undergraduate classes, and the paper itself is taught in graduate classes. Scholars do, at times, apply asymmetric information models to other areas of research. But it didn't make economics different, at least not in the way I think he means.
Slipping In Crazy Liberal Shit
While I'm not as acquainted with the full details of the legislative process as I should be, as far as I know there's been a sorry lack of small crazy-ass liberal stuff being thrown into bills in the dark of night when no one notices. That seems to me to be precisely the way to deal with stuff like this stupid SCOTUS decision. While on its own one can see conservatives opposing it, slipping in one line into some bill in conference probably wouldn't inspire enough opposition to derail a bill.
The Show
Sometimes it's very disturbing how our political journalists are unable to distinguish the substance from the show. Yes, the show matters in politics, but substance does too and they aren't the same thing.
Flypaper
There are moments when the wingnutosphere comes up with something so absurd that it's difficult to construct arguments against it, because the fact that they claim to believe it is proof their minds are actually not functioning and thus impervious to rational argument.
Of course flypaper is just the one word version of Bush's rationale.
Of course flypaper is just the one word version of Bush's rationale.
Meanwhile
Over there:
BAGHDAD (AP) - Eight American soldiers were killed in roadside bombings and a helicopter crash in a restive province north of Baghdad, the military reported Tuesday, making May the deadliest month of the year for U.S. troops in Iraq.
...
In other violence, three German computer consultants were kidnapped Tuesday from the Iraqi Finance Ministry in Baghdad, an Iraqi government official said, and two car bombings killed 38 people in the capital, police said.
Morning,
For some reason my 6:00 AM alarm clock, otherwise known as "Gizmo," decided not to go off today.
Morning in America thread
And remember, kiddies, if you don't want insurgents to fight you tooth and nail, it would be good to show signs that you really want to get out, rather than building permanent bases in their country.
Signed,
Not Atrios
Signed,
Not Atrios
Monday, May 28, 2007
Rarebirds
As I spent much of the day scouring the audio and video neighborhoods of the internet looking for entertainment (yes, Mrs. Atrios is on a trip) I should share some of the results for the 2-3% of you who ever click through this stuff.
Always enjoyed Philly band Rarebirds who I've seen a couple of times, and apparently they have some new tunes. I recommend clicking on Snow Globe, but if you're really bored you can click on all 4 songs simultaneously for an instant mashup.
Thought to look them up because I believe I saw the singer riding her bike down the street the other day.
Or, open thread!
Always enjoyed Philly band Rarebirds who I've seen a couple of times, and apparently they have some new tunes. I recommend clicking on Snow Globe, but if you're really bored you can click on all 4 songs simultaneously for an instant mashup.
Thought to look them up because I believe I saw the singer riding her bike down the street the other day.
Or, open thread!
Aspens
I'm less interested in public officials than I am of members of the media industrial complex potentially having their love letters to Scooter released. But, yes, aside from the issue of Scooter's lawyer acting on behalf of people he doesn't represent there appears to be an implicit argument that public figures deserve more privacy protection than non-public ones. That's a novel idea.
Let's hope the word "blogger" doesn't give Judge Walton a temporary instant lobotomy as it seems to do to so may people.
Let's hope the word "blogger" doesn't give Judge Walton a temporary instant lobotomy as it seems to do to so may people.
Suck On This
You have to admit it's a more sensible foreign policy doctrine than his Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention.
Joking aside, it occurs to me on this Memorial Day that the biggest challenge ahead is getting politicians, pundits, other elites, and to the extent that it's necessary the American public back to the radical consensus which seemed to hold between the end of the Vietnam War and September 11, 2001:
War is bad.
Joking aside, it occurs to me on this Memorial Day that the biggest challenge ahead is getting politicians, pundits, other elites, and to the extent that it's necessary the American public back to the radical consensus which seemed to hold between the end of the Vietnam War and September 11, 2001:
War is bad.
Lazy Monday
I admit I'm much more in the mood to hunt for cool tunes and Youtube videos than for anything else.
So here's M. Ward together with Neko Case.
So here's M. Ward together with Neko Case.
Al
Now that I've discovered that Google Video provides you with free archived Charlie Rose, I can direct you to Al's appearance.
Whatcha Gonna Do When You Find It
For those in need of a distraction, I'm enjoying the new CD from Immaculate Machine and here's a free tune called Dear Confessor (.mp3). Enjoyable for those who like The New Pornographers and similar, which is unsurprising given the personnel crossover between the two.
Meanwhile
Over there:
BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomber struck a busy commercial district in central Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 21 people and damaging a shrine revered by Sunnis and Shiites alike, police and hospital officials said.
We Must Be Able To Do Something
I understand where Adele is coming from. We're good liberals, we gaze on the horror that we (yes, all of us) are responsible for, and are compelled to try to fix it. To make it better. To somehow unshit the bed, if just a little bit. To unpollute the river which is now a sewer of trash, filth and bodies. To fix the civil infrastructure. To somehow make it up to them.
You see this in Michael Ware, who understands full well what a clusterfuck things are but doesn't think the US can leave. They fucked it up! They have to fix it!
But even if we imagine that somehow there exists, if not a magical pony plan, at least something, some way to improve things just a bit. The reality is George Bush and his merry band of incompetent psychopaths are in power for the next 20 months. 20 more months of the war-as-product-for-domestic-consumption rather than as an occupation to be understood. 20 more months of thinking about this being about "terrorists" and "the enemy" instead of series of conflicts we're in the middle of (yes there are people engaging in terrorism and yes there are "bad guys," but this problem isn't solved by rounding up all the bad guys and killing them).
And 20 months from now when President Wise and Benevolent Democrat takes office there will be no political interest in helping Iraq. We'll pay $100 billion to fund the war, but there will be no interest in paying $100 billion to support the peace, if such a thing were even possible.
We can dream of bringing in the international community, but they will largely have no interest in contributing funds as long as the money pit of US contractors is still there. Who would be stupid enough to throw more cash into that giant black hole?
The fact is that right now the choice is, as it has always been, between Bush's war and getting out. There's no Peter Beinart's war, there's no Tom Friedman's war, there's no Adele Stan's war. There is no good liberal way out of this mess.
We will owe the people of that country tremendously, but the reality is we'll be far more likely to send them the bill than to try to repair the damage we have done.
You see this in Michael Ware, who understands full well what a clusterfuck things are but doesn't think the US can leave. They fucked it up! They have to fix it!
But even if we imagine that somehow there exists, if not a magical pony plan, at least something, some way to improve things just a bit. The reality is George Bush and his merry band of incompetent psychopaths are in power for the next 20 months. 20 more months of the war-as-product-for-domestic-consumption rather than as an occupation to be understood. 20 more months of thinking about this being about "terrorists" and "the enemy" instead of series of conflicts we're in the middle of (yes there are people engaging in terrorism and yes there are "bad guys," but this problem isn't solved by rounding up all the bad guys and killing them).
And 20 months from now when President Wise and Benevolent Democrat takes office there will be no political interest in helping Iraq. We'll pay $100 billion to fund the war, but there will be no interest in paying $100 billion to support the peace, if such a thing were even possible.
We can dream of bringing in the international community, but they will largely have no interest in contributing funds as long as the money pit of US contractors is still there. Who would be stupid enough to throw more cash into that giant black hole?
The fact is that right now the choice is, as it has always been, between Bush's war and getting out. There's no Peter Beinart's war, there's no Tom Friedman's war, there's no Adele Stan's war. There is no good liberal way out of this mess.
We will owe the people of that country tremendously, but the reality is we'll be far more likely to send them the bill than to try to repair the damage we have done.
The Voice From Above
I find I literally never read the unsigned newspaper editorials unless someone points me to them for some reason. It strikes me as bizarre that the Omniscient Voice Talking Down To Their Stupid Readers as a style has survived for so long.
Purging Rudybots
Apparently Rudy! supporters have been purged by the freepi.
Last major crackup was when Jim Robinson went all anti-Bush in 1999.
(via ow)
Last major crackup was when Jim Robinson went all anti-Bush in 1999.
(via ow)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Deep Thoughts From Tom Friedman
05/30/03 on Charlie Rose.
Ladies and gentlemen, America's premier foreign policy columnist. I'm sure there's more there, but there are limits to the sacrifices I will make for blogging.
(thanks to Janeane the Acerbic Goblin)
I think it [the invasion of Iraq] was unquestionably worth doing, Charlie.
...
We needed to go over there, basically, um, and um, uh, take out a very big state right in the heart of that world and burst that bubble, and there was only one way to do it.
...
What they needed to see was American boys and girls going house to house, from Basra to Baghdad, um and basically saying, "Which part of this sentence don't you understand?"
You don't think, you know, we care about our open society, you think this bubble fantasy, we're just gonna to let it grow?
Well, Suck. On. This.
Okay.
That Charlie was what this war was about. We could've hit Saudi Arabia, it was part of that bubble. We coulda hit Pakistan. We hit Iraq because we could.
Ladies and gentlemen, America's premier foreign policy columnist. I'm sure there's more there, but there are limits to the sacrifices I will make for blogging.
(thanks to Janeane the Acerbic Goblin)
Buffoon
When I was a younger lad man, there was no one around to tell me that Tom Friedman was an utter buffoon. I'm sure someone I knew thought he was a buffoon, maybe many people, but as Tom Friedman unsurprisingly wasn't the central subject of many conversations it wasn't too likely to come up. Obviously he must be a very serious person, as he writes bestselling books on very serious things, has a very influential column in the New York Times, is treated reverentially when he goes on the teevee, etc...
I'm not quite sure when I realized that little Tommy was a buffoon. I did force my students to read one of his books (among others of course) and by the end I think we'd all decided he was a buffoon.
I think that if there's one contribution to humanity that liberal blogs have made it's the fact that they have greatly increased the number of people who understand that he is a buffoon.
I'm not quite sure when I realized that little Tommy was a buffoon. I did force my students to read one of his books (among others of course) and by the end I think we'd all decided he was a buffoon.
I think that if there's one contribution to humanity that liberal blogs have made it's the fact that they have greatly increased the number of people who understand that he is a buffoon.
16,000 People Share 330 Cars
Chatted with a couple of Philly Car Share employees I know over the weekend, and that is roughly the number of members/cars they have. Recently they've been adding about 1200 members per month (IIRC)
The basic idea is that people who don't use their car to commute just don't need a car very often, though they do want to have access to one.
I'm curious about how many of these people would otherwise have an additional car for their household, that is how many people have effectively reduced their car ownership due to the service as opposed to those who just improved on their car free existence.
The basic idea is that people who don't use their car to commute just don't need a car very often, though they do want to have access to one.
I'm curious about how many of these people would otherwise have an additional car for their household, that is how many people have effectively reduced their car ownership due to the service as opposed to those who just improved on their car free existence.
Nice Work
Turning email forwards of indeterminate origin into comic form.
Chris Muir *did* get the memo, and put it into his cartoon.
Chris Muir *did* get the memo, and put it into his cartoon.
Saint McCain
Today:
McCain, 11/12/06:
McCain, 2/23/07:
McCain, 5/13/07:
"I have tried to discourage my Republican colleagues from saying that September is some kind of seminal moment," said McCain. "I am aware the American people are frustrated. I share that frustration. I don't think the American people are aware of the consequences of failure."
McCain, 11/12/06:
And, look, if you talk to most military experts, we’re in a critical and crucial time. We’re either going to lose this thing or win this thing within the next several months.
McCain, 2/23/07:
McCain, a decorated Vietnam veteran who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war, said he hopes Americans will be patient and give the new Iraq strategy, led by Gen. David Petraeus, an opportunity to succeed. He said it should be clear within "some months" whether the plan is working.
McCain, 5/13/07:
SEN. McCAIN: Look, I think, I think by the end of this year we will see some signs of success, how significant those will be.
Why I Didn't Want Hillary To Run
Because the pundits are going to make us live through the 90s again.
Resign!
Yes, two Think Progress links in a row, but this would be awesome. Not just because of the corruption, but because more new blood in Congress would be good.
Modern Punditry
okay, i got pwned. I swore I'd seen the comment without Klein's response, but I was wrong. So: Wanker of the Day - Atrios!
From Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
From Joe Klein (in the comments):
From Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
"Horace," said Dumbledore, relieving Harry of the responsibility to say any of this, "likes his comfort. He also likes the company of the famous, the successful and the powerful. He enjoys the feeling that he influences these people. He has never wanted to occupy the throne himself; he prefers the back seat - more room to spread out, you see. He use to handpick favourites at Hogwarts, sometimes for their ambition or their brains, sometimes for their charm or their talent, and he had an uncanny knack for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their various fields. Horace formed a kind of club of his favourites with himself at the centre, making introductions, forging useful contacts between members, and always reaping some kind of benefit in return, whether a free box of his favourite crystallised pineapple or the chance to recommend the next junior member of the Goblin Liaison Office."
She apologized because, like it or not, I am an important person who has the ability to affect her public image. This is the same reason John Kerry regularly called me and begged me to agree with his positions. It goes with the territory when you're a prominent columnist.
Sunday Bobbleheads
Document the atrocities.
I'm pretty sure Meet the Press has had every presidential candidate who has been on so far come on solo... except Chris Dodd, who was paired with Newt.
ABC's "This Week" — Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez; Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.; former Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-Va.
CBS's "Face the Nation" — Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
NBC's "Meet the Press" — Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M.
CNN's "Late Edition" — Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz; Reps. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.; Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.
"Fox News Sunday" — Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark.; Sens. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.
I'm pretty sure Meet the Press has had every presidential candidate who has been on so far come on solo... except Chris Dodd, who was paired with Newt.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Worst American Birthdays Vol. XVI
The Daily Kos, born on this date in 2002, is perhaps the most malevolent force in American politics today. Since its establishment, it has done everything possible to silence other voices through the establishment of its diary system, to stop the progress of progressive candidates by bankrolling (with the help of its primary backer George Soros) a series of neo-Nazis like Ned Lamont, and has been openly hostile to the concept of open politics on the internet with its insistence on supporting "net neutrality" and an internet free of FEC regulation.
When historians look back on the decline and fall of America, May 26, 2002, will mark the point when order turned to anarchy, where liberal society turned to fascism, where our political discourse was snatched away from our betters and handed over, without thought to consequence, to the dirty masses whose ignorance and incivility drove our elites into hiding and our country into the abyss.
Happy Birthday Daily Kos, may Joe Lieberman outlive you so he can spit on your grave.
(with apologies to d at LG&M)
When historians look back on the decline and fall of America, May 26, 2002, will mark the point when order turned to anarchy, where liberal society turned to fascism, where our political discourse was snatched away from our betters and handed over, without thought to consequence, to the dirty masses whose ignorance and incivility drove our elites into hiding and our country into the abyss.
Happy Birthday Daily Kos, may Joe Lieberman outlive you so he can spit on your grave.
(with apologies to d at LG&M)
The Age of Magical Pony Plans
I thought we'd have gotten past it by now, but even now Brave Pundits continue to try to micromanage the issue of what to do in Iraq and precisely how good patriotic Democrats are supposed to vote on this bill or that in order to demonstrate their degree of patriotic pundit-approvded sensibility. Joke Line sniffs at those who vote against funding, accusing them of supporting a "precipitous departure," even though Bush through his veto and most of the Republicans had likewise signaled their support for a "precipitous departure" just weeks before.
The rest of us understand that it's important to signal any way possible, either through voting against supporting it or cobbling together enough votes for something opposing it, that it's time to start getting out. Starting getting out is the start of a long process, and Democrats won't be causing a "precipitous departure" even if they pass the "Precipitous Departure Act of 2007."
The rest of us understand that it's important to signal any way possible, either through voting against supporting it or cobbling together enough votes for something opposing it, that it's time to start getting out. Starting getting out is the start of a long process, and Democrats won't be causing a "precipitous departure" even if they pass the "Precipitous Departure Act of 2007."
Happy Life Day
Because every now and then I have to remind myself that this is real and not some really bad dream I had.
The Star Wars Holiday Special in 5 minutes.
The Star Wars Holiday Special in 5 minutes.
Looking Ahead
I'm perusing my Grand Calendar of Perpetual Friedmans, looking at all the Future Friedmans which will come and go, noticed by no one but me. Senator Shelby has a remarkable set of FUs and modified FUs ahead of him, on May 28, July 27, September 30, November 3, and December 3.
It really is very depressing.
It really is very depressing.
Harman
I'm not sure what's creepier - Harman's need to apologize to Joe, Joe's unwillingness to say "yes I should have checked the roll call," or his unwillingness to direct his prior criticism of Clinton and Obama at Harman.
But, there you go.
But, there you go.
Failure
A very frustrating thing over the past few years has been our elite leaders' failure to understand what was going on in Iraq. Bush had declared over and over again that leaving was losing, and it was crystal clear that Iraq was a complete disaster, yet they still clung to the belief that either the pony would appear or that Republicans would force George Bush to start getting out. Neither has happened, neither is going to happen, and those are perfectly obvious things to this dirty fucking hippie
Blind Quote
Who said this on 11/22/05? in September '05?
I don't believe it's smart to set a date for withdrawal. I don't think you should ever telegraph your intentions to the enemy so they can await you.
And Another Friedman Ends
McCaffrey on Meet the Press, 6 months ago:
Senator Box Turtle, 6 months ago:
I—my guess is next four to six months are crucial. If Maliki’s government cannot gain the allegiance of their security forces, cannot find some way to mute the power of the militias—which are, I might add, are—you know, we start talking as if there were two or three militias and one Sunni insurgency. In fact, it’s now splintering. There’s as many as 23 separate militias in Baghdad alone. So the Maliki government’s under the gun, and I think the president’s visit on, on Monday is going to be a very crucial dialogue between the two of them. They have to govern or we can’t sustain a counterinsurgency campaign in the urban areas of Iraq.
Senator Box Turtle, 6 months ago:
CORNYN: I think General Abizaid had it about right. He said he thinks we have about another four to six months to get this right. And I think that's what we're looking at.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tenses
A Swampland commenter notices that Joke Line is still full of it (even more than was obvious).
Indeed, Joe wrote:
Ah, modern journalism.
...adding, it's possible that Klein is quoting Harman accurately, in which case she was inappropriately using the past tense to describe an action which hadn't happened, but it would be rather odd to do so and not find it... odd.
Attention Jokeline; The original post quoted Rep. Harman in the past tense, meaning the conversation took place after the vote. Why was her staff required to contact you with the facts? Did Rep. Harman forget how she voted during your conversation? Or did you modify the tense to fit a blurb you had already decided to write?
Indeed, Joe wrote:
Yesterday I spoke with Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Ca.) just back from Iraq, who voted for the bill--as did a majority of Democrats who are not running for President. "Look, I would love to have cast a vote against Bush on this. We need a new strategy and I hope we can force one in September," she told me. "But I flew into Baghdad on a troop transport with 150 kids, heading into the field. To vote against this bill was to vote against giving them the equipment, the armor they need. I couldn't do that."
Ah, modern journalism.
...adding, it's possible that Klein is quoting Harman accurately, in which case she was inappropriately using the past tense to describe an action which hadn't happened, but it would be rather odd to do so and not find it... odd.
NA GA HA PEN
Well, here we are. Drudge:
But only if Congress gives him a free hand until then, natch.
Bush admin developing plans for for reducing combat forces in Iraq by as much as half next year, NEW YORK TIMES planning to report on Saturday, newsroom sources tell DRUDGE REPORT... MORE.. could 'lower troop levels to roughly 100,000 by the midst of the 2008 presidential election,' paper will claim... Sec. of Defense Gates and Condoleezza Rice proponents of the plan.... Developing...
PAPER: WHITE HOUSE PLANS MAJOR CUT IN IRAQ TROOPS FOR 2008
But only if Congress gives him a free hand until then, natch.
Chyrons
No, I normally don't spend my Friday evenings watching CNN but this just caught my eye.
And why this subject should be discussed by Kyra Phillips, the African-American communications director for Dana "Got a Secret" Rohrabacher, a Latina "Republican Strategist" and the host of a BET show I do not know.
Please kill me.
WHO WORKS HARDER?
BLACKS & LATINOS ON THE JOB
And why this subject should be discussed by Kyra Phillips, the African-American communications director for Dana "Got a Secret" Rohrabacher, a Latina "Republican Strategist" and the host of a BET show I do not know.
Please kill me.
2-3 Years
Fitz sez that's what Scooter deserves.
Though the real issue is whether they'll let him stay out pending appeal.
Though the real issue is whether they'll let him stay out pending appeal.
Today on CNN
Truck in river.
Plane still sitting safely on tarmac.
Drivers still driving.
Just in cased you were worried you missed something.
Plane still sitting safely on tarmac.
Drivers still driving.
Just in cased you were worried you missed something.
Why We Have To Love GF-R
Quotes like this:
Look, being at the Times doesn't make you an awesome superjournalist by definition. And this isn't just Timesmen we're talking about, but Jeff Gerth, hyper of Clinton bullshit throughout the 90s.
And yes, I know it's the Clintons we're talking about, so that nastiness should never come as a shock, but these are Timesmen, of whom I would expect better, even in their private efforts.
Look, being at the Times doesn't make you an awesome superjournalist by definition. And this isn't just Timesmen we're talking about, but Jeff Gerth, hyper of Clinton bullshit throughout the 90s.
Malaise
There have been 3 presidents during my adult life - Bush, Clinton, Bush - a period of optimism bookended by pessimism. At the end of Bush I there was a recession. It wasn't a very big one but it seemed to be accompanied by growing pessimism about the future. Maybe it was just that I was graduating from college roughly around that time, but there was a sense of diminished opportunity, of diminished options. That changed during the Clinton era, when eventually everything seemed possible. There was something new and wonderful, the internet, and there was the great sense that the future could be bright. Some of this was "irrational exuberance," but some of it was based in reality. Real wages were going up. Inequality was shrinking and black unemployment was declining. The deficit was gone and thought could be given to some positive and necessary things the government could do. The sense of possibility was back.
And then little George turned it all to shit.
I'm fascinated by this 72% wrong track number. I'd like to understand it more. I'm not sure I have sense of the basic reasons why so many people think things are going to hell. We can all come up with various possibilities, and there won't be one single answer, but I still think there's probably a coherent narrative to be teased out. I'm just not sure what it is.
And then little George turned it all to shit.
I'm fascinated by this 72% wrong track number. I'd like to understand it more. I'm not sure I have sense of the basic reasons why so many people think things are going to hell. We can all come up with various possibilities, and there won't be one single answer, but I still think there's probably a coherent narrative to be teased out. I'm just not sure what it is.
Walkable
Some people are curious about what advantages density could possibly have. Higher density puts you in closer proximity to stuff and means that more stuff can be economically supported. That is, having lots of people in an area means that you can have shops, restaurants, supermarkets, etc... in an area without needing acres of parking lot in front of them. Combine a walkable neighborhood with a decent transit system - which itself can be more supportable with higher population density - and you reduce the need for one car per driving age household member as well as removing the primary parental job description of "chauffeur." These things are self-reinforcing. Adding more neighborhood amenities/transit reduces the need to drive, which reduces demand for cars and associated parking space, which reduces space given over to automobiles, etc...
But the density needs to be combined with other things for it to work. You need mixed-use zoning in some areas at least so people are mixed in with retail/jobs. You need calmer traffic areas so that being a pedestrian isn't a health hazard. You need a sensible, if not perfect, mass transit system.
But the density needs to be combined with other things for it to work. You need mixed-use zoning in some areas at least so people are mixed in with retail/jobs. You need calmer traffic areas so that being a pedestrian isn't a health hazard. You need a sensible, if not perfect, mass transit system.
Dense
Los Angeles is indeed much more dense than many people imagine, in large part because contrary to myth its early development pattern was established by streetcar lines, not roads and urban highways. The urban highways came later and Judge Doom shut down the streetcars. And, yes, bits of it do resemble DC quite a bit.
L.A. really is a place which is dense in stupid ways, such that the negative aspects of density are enhanced while the positive aspects tend not to exist.
L.A. really is a place which is dense in stupid ways, such that the negative aspects of density are enhanced while the positive aspects tend not to exist.
Boo
Awhile back a congressional staffer suggested to me that the Democrats were concerned because they were being "hammered" on a particular issue (I actually forget just what it was). It was true that Republicans were going to the House floor and making their incoherent grunting noises, as they usually do, about the issue, and that wingnuttia was aflame, as it usually is. And, sure, some of that was seeping through to the mainstream media coverage, as it does. But it just was not the case that the Democrats were being "hammered." The Republicans aren't that bright, and they don't always have a very good sense of which issues have traction (see Schiavo, Terri) with the public, or which cute catch phrases will resonate with people. They have a very big amplifer - Fox, Limbaugh, Drudge, Drudge's little sister Politico, big chunks of the rest of cable news, Fred Hiatt's crayon scribble page, the conservative "family" groups and their email lists - but the Democrats don't suffer every time they turn it up to 11 because the American public isn't nearly as stupid as Joe Klein is.
As I said, I forget what this issue was, but it was obvious to me at the time that it had no traction. The Republicans could grunt and squeal, Big Pharma could bloviate, Drudge could put the siren up, and Fred Hiatt could publish an op-ed by little Katie Kagan, age 5, and it wasn't going to matter. The Democrats were not being "hammered," but instead Republicans and their various mouthpieces were just looking like fools.
Democrats need to learn when they are and aren't being hammered.
As I said, I forget what this issue was, but it was obvious to me at the time that it had no traction. The Republicans could grunt and squeal, Big Pharma could bloviate, Drudge could put the siren up, and Fred Hiatt could publish an op-ed by little Katie Kagan, age 5, and it wasn't going to matter. The Democrats were not being "hammered," but instead Republicans and their various mouthpieces were just looking like fools.
Democrats need to learn when they are and aren't being hammered.
Gerth
According to my ex-girlfriend, in my 10th grade diary I wrote about my long term plan to play bass for David Bowie.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Exactly the Dilemma
Thanks oh wise men of Washington for deciding to do it all over again.
The dirty fucking hippies are right again.
The dirty fucking hippies are right again.
Narrative Inconsistency
So, we're fighting "them" over there so we don't fight them here, if we leave they'll follow us home, we're fighting al Qaeda terrorists who want to kill us all, etc... etc... Except if the Iraqi government asks us to leave we'll go home and wait for destruction.
I'll resist pointing out that it was a sovereign nation in early 2003 also...
Q Thank you, Mr. President. You say you want nothing short of victory, that leaving Iraq would be catastrophic; you once again mentioned al Qaeda. Does that mean that you are willing to leave American troops there, no matter what the Iraqi government does? I know this is a question we've asked before, but you can begin it with a "yes" or "no."
THE PRESIDENT: We are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. This is a sovereign nation. Twelve million people went to the polls to approve a constitution. It's their government's choice. If they were to say, leave, we would leave.
I'll resist pointing out that it was a sovereign nation in early 2003 also...
These People
What Rick says. It also says a lot about discourse in this country that it has to be pointed out.
...oy, delinked as I killed the hamsters.
...oy, delinked as I killed the hamsters.
When September Comes
It really is the case that elite opinion has solidified around the idea that come September all the responsible Republicans (who are they? I have no idea) are going to decide that enough's enough and it's time to start putting an end to the boy king's little crusade.
It really is the case that, once again, elite opinion is completely fucking wrong.
It really is the case that, once again, elite opinion is completely fucking wrong.
"Democrats Gave In"
People like winners and hate losers. This basic fact seems to not be understood.
F.U. Senator
Cornyn with Blitzer:
That particular Friedman Unit ends on Saturday.
Meanwhile:
BLITZER: So how long would 180,000 or 200,000 U.S. troops, according to your estimate, be deployed in Iraq?
How long would this surge last?
CORNYN: I think General Abizaid had it about right. He said he thinks we have about another four to six months to get this right. And I think that's what we're looking at.
That particular Friedman Unit ends on Saturday.
Meanwhile:
From the beginning of May until Tuesday, 321 unidentified corpses, many dumped and showing signs of torture and execution, have been found across the Iraqi capital, according to morgue data provided by a Health Ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information. The data showed that the same number of bodies were found in all of January, the month before the launch of the Baghdad security plan.
Dumb
Lord Shafer lowers himself to engage Al Gore and misses the point entirely. The problem is not that there is celebrity news or sports news, the problem is when trivial stories dominate the entire news narrative. That almost never happens with sports, which gets little coverage on cable news or Matt "Rules Their World" Drudge. The problem isn't that there's a sports section in your newspaper, the problem is when unimportant stuff bleeds into the regular coverage.
Meanwhile
Over there.
FALLUJA, Iraq, May 24 (Reuters) - At least 27 people were killed and dozens wounded on Thursday when a suicide bomber in a car packed with explosives drove into a crowd of mourners at a funeral in Falluja, west of Baghdad, police said.
Not Stupid
Don't piss on us and tell us it's raining.
I understand the leadership doesn't have the votes. So say that, and blame those responsible. Declaring victory? Jeebus.
I understand the leadership doesn't have the votes. So say that, and blame those responsible. Declaring victory? Jeebus.
Get Broderella His Smelling Salts
Such awful language is never heard inside the the magical civility barrier known as the beltway.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
WHEEEEEEEEEEE
Broder's boy bounces to new low in Diageo/Hotline poll.
Holden gets yet another pony, though he may lose his soul in the process.
Holden gets yet another pony, though he may lose his soul in the process.
Eris
Since I haven't seen this elsewhere, from CNN yesterday:
GORANI: Also in the headlines, a U.N. relief convoy got caught in renewed fighting between Lebanese troops and militants holed up in a Palestinian refugee camp. The convoy was bringing badly needed supplies into the camp, trying to take advantage of a truce declared by the militants, when it was hit -- the convoy was hit. Witnesses say several civilians who tried to collect supplies were injured or killed, but those reports have not been verified.
Well, Investigative Journalist Seymour Hersh reported back in March that in order to defeat Hezbollah, the Lebanese government supported Sunni militant groups, the same ones they're fighting today.
Seymour Hersh joins us now live from Washington. Thanks for being with us. What is the source of the financing according to your reporting of these groups such as Fatah al Islam in these camps of Nahr al Bared, for instance? Where are they getting the money, where are they getting the arms?
SEYMOUR HERSH, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Key player are the Saudis, of course, and Bandar. What I was writing about was a sort of a private agreement that was made between the White House, we're talking about Richard -- Dick Cheney and Elliott Abrams, who is one of the key aides in the White House with Bandar. And the idea was to get support, covert support -- money, from the Saudis to support various hard-line jihadists, Sunni groups, particularly in Lebanon, who would be seen in case of an actual confrontation with Hezbollah. The Shia group in the southern Lebanon would be seen as an asset, as simple as that.
GORANI: So, the Senora government, in order to counter the influence of Hezbollah in Lebanon, would be covertly according to your reporting, funding groups like Fatah al Islam that they're having issues with right now?
HERSH: Unintended consequences once again, yes.
GORANI: And, so if Saudi Arabia and the Senora government are doing this, whether it's unintended or not, therefore it has the United States must have something to say about it or not?
HERSH: Well, the United States was deeply involved. This was a covert operation that Bandar ran with us. And don't forget, if you remember, you know, we got into the war in Afghanistan with supporting (ph) Osama bin Laden, the Mujahideen back there in the late 1980s with Bandar, and with people like Elliott Abrams around, the idea being that the Saudis promise us they could control -- they could control the jihadists.
So, we spent a lot of money and time, the United States in the late 1980s, using and supporting the jihadists to help us beat the Russians in Afghanistan, and they turned on us. And we have the same pattern, not as if, you know, there's any lessons learned. It's the same pattern using the Saudis again to support jihadists, the Saudis assuring us they can control these various groups, the Salafis and others, the groups like the one that we're -- that's in contact right now in Tripoli with the government.
GORANI: Sure, but the Mujahideen in the '80s was one era. Have the Americans -- why would it be in the best interest of the United States of America right now to indirectly, even if it is indirect, empower these jihadi movements that are extremists that fight to the death in these Palestinian camps? Doesn't it go against the interests not only of the Senora government, but also of America and Lebanon right now?
HERSH: The enemy of our enemy is our friend. The jihadist groups in Lebanon were also there to go after Nasrullah, Hezbollah. Hezbollah, which, if you remember last year defeated Israel, whether or not the Israelis want to acknowledge it. And so you have in Hezbollah, a major threat to the American ...
Look, the American role is very simple right now. Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State, has been very articulate about it. We're in the business now of supporting the Sunnis anywhere we can against the Shia, against the Shia in Iran, against the Shia in Lebanon, that is Nasrullah, et cetera against -- so the game is really, as you could call it, almost -- the Arabic word is Citna (ph), civil war.
Reject
As for what the Democrats should do, they should vote against the supplemental. Right now they've established the worst of all worlds: they appear to have lost; they've done nothing to halt the war; they've put up a bogus bill which if they support will allow conservative Republicans to continue to screech while letting Republicans in swing districts vote for it and claim they've done something to tie the president's hands. If this is the bill, let it be a Republican bill.
The Jack Handey Question
Vicki, in comments, suggested there's something Jack Handyish about Obama's tone, and trademark dave came up with this Handeysim:
Given the centrality of the Iraq war this perhaps isn't the most appropriate example, but if we see this as a metaphor for politics rather than a meditation on war strategy, the basic question is whether Obama's willing to throw the grenade after confusing them with the pumpkins or if he thinks the pumpkins will be enough.
If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them.
Given the centrality of the Iraq war this perhaps isn't the most appropriate example, but if we see this as a metaphor for politics rather than a meditation on war strategy, the basic question is whether Obama's willing to throw the grenade after confusing them with the pumpkins or if he thinks the pumpkins will be enough.
More and Better Democrats
I once said something along the lines of "all we can do is elect more and better Democrats." That isn't quite true, of course, as there are plenty of other things one can do. One can decide there are other things you can spend your time doing. One can focus on state and local politics. One can try to put pressure on the existing Democrats. One can decide that enhancing the stature of third parties is important. Lots of options.
Still to the extent that Congress has a rather important role, electing more and better Democrats is an important thing to do, if not the only thing. By accounts Darcy Burner is indeed a better Democrat, so consider unloading a few extra pennies.
Still to the extent that Congress has a rather important role, electing more and better Democrats is an important thing to do, if not the only thing. By accounts Darcy Burner is indeed a better Democrat, so consider unloading a few extra pennies.
Obama
Andrew Golis
I went to an Obama fundraiser yesterday at the 2400-or-so capacity Electric Factory (normally a concert venue) yesterday. His rhetoric is interesting, as he seems to be able to seamlessly shift between Liebermanesque what's-most-important-is-that-we-all-get-along rhetoric and radical "let's take to the streets and burn shit down" rhetoric (I'm exaggerating on both sides, of course). The inclusive rhetoric doesn't just worry people like me because of policy concerns, it's that one worries he's confusing idealism with reality.
The crowd was diverse across age and race, and Obama certainly has his fans.
Obama's call for a "new kind of politics" based around this kind of mutual understanding and an end to an active demonization of political opponents discomforts a lot of people on the Left who see echoes of Lieberman-esque capitulation and collusion in the cloak of bipartisanship. And Obama hasn't done enough to calm these worries by staking out his territory on the Left on the policy side.
I went to an Obama fundraiser yesterday at the 2400-or-so capacity Electric Factory (normally a concert venue) yesterday. His rhetoric is interesting, as he seems to be able to seamlessly shift between Liebermanesque what's-most-important-is-that-we-all-get-along rhetoric and radical "let's take to the streets and burn shit down" rhetoric (I'm exaggerating on both sides, of course). The inclusive rhetoric doesn't just worry people like me because of policy concerns, it's that one worries he's confusing idealism with reality.
The crowd was diverse across age and race, and Obama certainly has his fans.
Just In
CNN Chyron:
F.U. too.
OFFICIAL: TEAM OF MILITARY & STATE DEPT. OFFICIALS WORKING ON NEW WAR PLAN
F.U. too.
Edwards
If you're tired of Ms. Goodling, you can watch Edwards talk about foriegn policy in a minute. Why Lord Weisberg has to preside I do not know, but you go to foreign policy speeches with the MC you have and not the one you want.
Greg provides a bit of preview.
Greg provides a bit of preview.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
That's me going all Anakin Skywalker on the idea of mandatory national service. It's one of those ideas which appealed to me, not coincidentally, around the time when I would've been too old for it to apply to me. I've never really quite understood why proponents think it's a good idea. I don't especially think we should have some culturally unifying program. I don't think we need a mass labor program to instill a sense of civic obligation. I'm not sure how to put a bunch of 18-19 year olds to work. Non-military options would ensure that elites would not serve in the military if they did not want to.
Show Time
You can watch here (video link) or here.
Christy will be liveblogging.
...adding, a bunch of people have written in to say that it appears that Goodling was given use immunity, meaning that the testimony can't be used against her or used as a springboard to other things but evidence collected by other means can. No immunity for any underlying crimes.
AND SHE TAKES THE 5TH!
...ah, just a little immunity tango.
Christy will be liveblogging.
...adding, a bunch of people have written in to say that it appears that Goodling was given use immunity, meaning that the testimony can't be used against her or used as a springboard to other things but evidence collected by other means can. No immunity for any underlying crimes.
AND SHE TAKES THE 5TH!
...ah, just a little immunity tango.
Breaking the Law
It certainly sounds as if Goodling was breaking the law. Where's the prosecution?
...adding, I was under the impression that her immunity deal didn't get her a get out of jail free card for all past transgressions, just that the testimony itself couldn't be used against her. Is this incorrect? Actually not having much luck finding details of the deal.
...adding, I was under the impression that her immunity deal didn't get her a get out of jail free card for all past transgressions, just that the testimony itself couldn't be used against her. Is this incorrect? Actually not having much luck finding details of the deal.
Somehow I Missed This Yesterday
So, the fact that in 2005 bin Laden suggested that maybe Iraq might be a fun place to party is now justification for all of this?
I need a drink.
I need a drink.
For the Vanity and Power of Old Men
9 more US troops died yesterday. Thanks for all your wisdom Bob Kerrey! Time to STFU now.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
WTFWJD?
WTF?
A group of students from Falwell's Liberty University staged a counterprotest.
And Campbell County authorities arrested a Liberty University student for having several homemade bombs in his car.
The student, 19-year-old Mark D. Uhl of Amissville, Va., reportedly told authorities that he was making the bombs to stop protesters from disrupting the funeral service. The devices were made of a combination of gasoline and detergent, a law enforcement official told ABC News' Pierre Thomas. They were "slow burn," according to the official, and would not have been very destructive.
Heckuva Job, Bushie
It's as if they can't do anything right.
...use this link for comments if the other one isn't working out for you.
Al Hurra television, the U.S. government's $63 million-a-year effort at public diplomacy broadcasting in the Middle East, is run by executives and officials who cannot speak Arabic, according to a senior official who oversees the program.
That might explain why critics say the service has recently been caught broadcasting terrorist messages, including an hour-long tirade on the importance of anti-Jewish violence, among other questionable pieces.
Facing tough questions before a congressional panel last week, Broadcasting Board of Governors member Joaquin Blaya admitted none of the senior news managers at the network spoke Arabic when the terrorist messages made it onto the air courtesy of U.S. taxpayer funds. Nor did Blaya himself or any of the other officials at the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the network.
...use this link for comments if the other one isn't working out for you.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEE
Broder's boy bounces all the way to 31% in new ARG poll.
Holden gets another pony, though he may have to share this one with Athenae.
Holden gets another pony, though he may have to share this one with Athenae.
WHEEEEEEEEE
Broder's boy bounces to a new low in Rasmussen poll.
Holden gets a pony! Be careful with this one.
...use this link for comments if the one below shows no posts.
Holden gets a pony! Be careful with this one.
...use this link for comments if the one below shows no posts.
Meanwhile
Over there:
...try this for comments.
BAGHDAD - A parked car bomb ripped through a crowded outdoor market in southwestern Baghdad on Tuesday, killing 25 people despite a 3-month-old security crackdown meant to reduce violence in the capital.
...
U.S. military officials say that insurgent groups, feeling the pressure from the crackdown, have hit back by stepping up their car bombing attacks with their devastating death tolls.
...try this for comments.
Speaking of Training Iraqi Troops
I shouldn't be so harsh, Maliki's got a whole nine more days to keep this promise:
...try this link for comments.
AMMAN, Jordan - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Thursday that his country's forces would be able to assume security command by June 2007 — which could allow the United States to start withdrawing its troops.
"I cannot answer on behalf of the U.S. administration but I can tell you that from our side our forces will be ready by June 2007," Maliki told ABC television after meeting President Bush on Thursday in Jordan.
Maliki was replying to a question about whether U.S. troops could start withdrawing at that time.
...try this link for comments.
Pick a Side, Any Side
The new plan is to train Iraqi troops? What the hell did they supposedly spend the last 3 years doing?
...try this link for comments.
...try this link for comments.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Speaking of Changing Business Models
I suppose other than history and tradition there isn't necessarily any case to be made that radio deserves to have some special exemption from royalty payments, but I just can't fathom that it would really make business sense to choke off free promotion.
Flip side is that it could be the best thing that ever happened to non-RIAA performers. Maybe the fine folks at Merge Records and elsewhere should support this.
Flip side is that it could be the best thing that ever happened to non-RIAA performers. Maybe the fine folks at Merge Records and elsewhere should support this.
Royalties Due
Perpetual Copyright Helprin wrote this book:
Something which might have been impossible for him to do under the scheme he favors.
Something which might have been impossible for him to do under the scheme he favors.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
One thing that always amuses me about the wingnutosphere, especially the wingnut welfare wannabees, is that they're always stamping their feet and whining that Republicans in Washington don't respect them or what they do.
Derivative Works
I'd say the biggest (though certainly not the only) problem with copyright extensions is that they prevent derivative works. I can sympathize (though not agree) with authors believing that they should have the exclusive right in perpetuity to sell their book as written, but the real importance of the public domain is that it allows bits and pieces to be appropriated and used by other writers. While my "Han Solo Meets Frodo" novel might survive litigation by Lucas and the Tolkien estate, my inability to pay for lawyers to defend myself will prevent me from trying to publish it.
Disney made lots of moneystealing from other authors building on past works, and that's not as possible to do.
...what I said plus a bit more actual law and case history here.
Disney made lots of money
...what I said plus a bit more actual law and case history here.
From The Things Which Won't Happen File
Andrea Mitchell on tweety's show:
But you won't. Republicans aren't going to back down.
Ms. MITCHELL: And you have the election calendar here, as well, which is
another part of the timetable. But basically, there is no belief in the
region that Maliki, that his government can sustain this. You can't sustain
it militarily and you can't sustain it politically here at home. So the basic
calculation by Republican and Democratic senators is, when General Petraeus
briefs in September, if this thing has not turned a corner, you're going to
start to see withdrawal.
But you won't. Republicans aren't going to back down.
Hacktackular
This point has been made over and over since I started blogging and I can't believe it hasn't come to the attention of Reynolds by now.
I Hated All That Music
Well, not quite, but I could never really find much to like about music in the 90s. Even when there were individual songs that I liked, it was rare that an entire album was worth listening to.
Guest Workers
Aside from all of the reasons that the guest worker program upsets good liberals like me, it should enrage the Malkin-Buchanan wing of the Republican party. While the "border security" stuff is just pointlessly expensive fantasy, it's a fantasy they cling to for some reason. And there's no point to it at all, even in fantasyland, if you're going to go ahead and let in a few hundred thousand people per year, many of whom will likely just overstay their visas.
The Church of Newt
There are times when it'd be nice if reporters felt comfortable pressing twice-divorced serial adulterers on just what their religious beliefs are.
Drive Shafts
The resistance of many pundits to the notion that we just need to get the fuck out is due in part to their belief that We Must Be Able To Do Something. Things are fucked, and someone needs to fix the poblem. It's understandable that people gaze at a disaster, especially one of our own making, and imagine that there's something we can do to somehow make things better, but that doesn't mean that we can. More than that, our presence is a not insignificant part of the problem even if our absence won't cause the pony to appear.
We didn't have the ability to unshit the bed two years ago, and we don't have it now. More than that, this basic belief is part of what caused otherwise sensible people think we could fix things in Iraq in early '03.
We didn't have the ability to unshit the bed two years ago, and we don't have it now. More than that, this basic belief is part of what caused otherwise sensible people think we could fix things in Iraq in early '03.
Why The Selling Out Conversation Matters
Judging by the reaction of some commenters there seems to be a wide perception that this is just some college-level conversation about who's keeping it real. There's a bit of that, admittedly, but there are larger issues at play. The music industry is going through a radical change right now, due to technology changes and other issues, and it isn't quite clear what the next equilibrium outcome will be. The revenue, marketing, and distribution models are all changing and what they will finally evolve into isn't yet set in stone. There's no inevitable outcome, both due to uncertainty about future technological developments, as well as the fact that policy (copyright law and DMCA, net neutrality and other internet policies, etc...) could play an important role.
The internet provides for the incredible possibility for musicians to market and distribute their own stuff, though there are limits to that so I think it's important to encourage, not discourage, any other alternative methods of marketing and revenue generation.
The Future of Music Coalition has a bunch of info on these issues.
The internet provides for the incredible possibility for musicians to market and distribute their own stuff, though there are limits to that so I think it's important to encourage, not discourage, any other alternative methods of marketing and revenue generation.
The Future of Music Coalition has a bunch of info on these issues.
Are They Kidding?
No, they aren't kidding. A key feature of wingnuttia is an inability to distinguish between issues which are important to them and issues which are actually popular.
Having said that, a couple of years ago I would've thought immigration would have been a winning issue for them. I was wrong, both because a split within the GOP between the money faction and the nativist faction ensured they'd screw it up and because public hostility to immigration and immigrants was much lower than I thought.
Having said that, a couple of years ago I would've thought immigration would have been a winning issue for them. I was wrong, both because a split within the GOP between the money faction and the nativist faction ensured they'd screw it up and because public hostility to immigration and immigrants was much lower than I thought.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
TSA Stole My PBJ
While an excellent song title, a rather sad development in Congressman Ryan's food stamp challenge.
2 F.U.s From Now
Just finished chatting with Ellen Ratner and Lawrence O'Donnell on Seder's show. O'Donnell's under the impression that a year from now the Republican candidate for president will be against the war, or at least talking about getting out of it. I disagree, as I don't think there's any way they can climb out of the rhetorical trap they've placed them selves in (surrender dates, defeatocrats, have to fight them there, etc...) given that George W. Bush won't provide them with an opening for that.
O'Donnell's comparison point was Nixon in 1968, but Nixon didn't have President Bush sitting in office defending the war until the end, decrying any attempts to begin ending the war. And I don't think Liebermanish "no one wants to end the war more than I do but we can't..." crap is going to fly.
I think whoever it is, save Ron Paul, will be all in. For many more Friedmans.
O'Donnell's comparison point was Nixon in 1968, but Nixon didn't have President Bush sitting in office defending the war until the end, decrying any attempts to begin ending the war. And I don't think Liebermanish "no one wants to end the war more than I do but we can't..." crap is going to fly.
I think whoever it is, save Ron Paul, will be all in. For many more Friedmans.
Buy a CD! See a Show!
The real issue is that living costs money, doing stuff like writing/recording songs and touring takes time and money and they have tremendous opportunity costs, even bands which reach moderate levels of success and notoriety are unlikely to make much money or have an extended career. So if you like stuff support it with your wallet.
I very much enjoyed the Pretty Girls Make Graves show I recently attended, and they're breaking up presumably in part because at some point you have to get on with your life.
I very much enjoyed the Pretty Girls Make Graves show I recently attended, and they're breaking up presumably in part because at some point you have to get on with your life.
More Selling Out
It's true that while I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about "selling out," it's also the case the rock bands are also brands in and of themselves so turning half their catalog into commercial jingles for canned soup might negatively impact their brand. The issue isn't "how dare they sell out to Big Soup!!!" it's that maybe their fans don't want to be at their concerts thinking about dancing soup spoons.
Like other commercial enterprises bands have a brand to protect, and associating that brand with other things might have negative effects. But that's a different issue than objecting to them making a buck.
Post inspired by email from Brendan, who used to play with this band.
who apparently once sold out to "Big Felicity."
Like other commercial enterprises bands have a brand to protect, and associating that brand with other things might have negative effects. But that's a different issue than objecting to them making a buck.
Post inspired by email from Brendan, who used to play with this band.
who apparently once sold out to "Big Felicity."
More Selling Out
Amanda's take.
The basic issue is that licensing songs for commercials, or teevee shows, or whatever, allows bands - most of whom aren't making much money - to continue to make albums and tour.
The basic issue is that licensing songs for commercials, or teevee shows, or whatever, allows bands - most of whom aren't making much money - to continue to make albums and tour.
Training Wheels
Bush:
That was 3 years ago today.
Pony boy reminded me of that.
President Bush sought to rally Republican lawmakers around his Iraq plan Thursday, saying Iraqis are ready to "take the training wheels off" by assuming some political power.
He warned that violence is likely to worsen as that transfer approaches, and after it passes.
That was 3 years ago today.
Pony boy reminded me of that.
Sell Out
Count me among those who think that bands should take the money where they can find it. Obviously bands who have been peddling a message of counterculture/anticommercialism/etc... might find this a bit problematic, but otherwise take the money and run. What's the problem?
Sunday Bobbleheads
Document the atrocities.
Why is Fred Kagan on my teevee?
This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Topics: Iraq war funding, immigration, and the first five months of Democratic control of the House of Representatives. Guests: Nancy Pelosi, House speaker; Senator Mitch McConnell, Senate minority leader. \
Fox News Sunday. Topic : immigration. Guests: Senator Charles Schumer, New York Democrat; Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina; Sandra Day O'Connor, former Supreme Court justice; Paul Hays, former House reading clerk.
Meet the Press with Tim Russert. Topics: Iraq; the newly published "The Reagan Diaries." Guests: Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut; Newt Gingrich, former House speaker; Douglas Brinkley, editor; Michael Deaver, Reagan White House deputy chief of staff; and Ed Meese, former attorney general under Reagan.
Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer. Topics: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales; the Iraq surge. Guests: Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania; Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California; Fred Kagan, military historian; retired General Paul Eaton.
Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. Topics: Homeland security; Iraq war funding; Attorney General Alberto Gonzales; immigration debate; 2008 presidential election; turmoil in Gaza; and nuclear Iran. Guest: Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security; Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce; Senator Carl Levin chairman, Armed Services Committee; Senator Mel Martinez, Republican National Committee chairman; Representative Brian Bilbray, chairman, Immigration Reform Caucus; Representative Ron Paul, presidential candidate; Shibley Telhami, senior fellow, Brookings Institution; and Vali Nasr, adjunct senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations.
Why is Fred Kagan on my teevee?
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Klaudt
Tristero brings us the legislative history of that warped Republican from South Dakota. It is as you'd expect.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Horn Honking
I saw this earlier today and I still can't quite be sure what to make of it. Who the hell sees refraining from horn honking as some sort of respectful sacrifice?
If I've honked my horn more than 5 times, aside from announcing my presence in front the the homes of people I was picking up when I was younger, I'd be surprised.
If I've honked my horn more than 5 times, aside from announcing my presence in front the the homes of people I was picking up when I was younger, I'd be surprised.
What Will Broderella Say?
I'm sure he's never before been confronted with a profanity-spewing presidential candidate before.
Our Turn
Ezra says two years from now isn't an option, and that probably makes sense. So take the opportunity to take crappy bill and make it much better in conference.
Grand Old Police Blotter
Former S.D. legislator (lost in 2006) arrested.
Click through to the affadavit, the allegations are truly horrible.
...adding, you may not want to click through. Short version: conviced girl in his foster care that she should donate eggs for money, and that he needed to conducted regular "examinations" to prep for it.
Click through to the affadavit, the allegations are truly horrible.
...adding, you may not want to click through. Short version: conviced girl in his foster care that she should donate eggs for money, and that he needed to conducted regular "examinations" to prep for it.
Only Get One Chance
Regarding the immigration bill, I think the basic calculation isn't "this bill or nothing," it's "this bill or nothing now but something else two years from now." Major reform legislation of this type is a once every couple of decades kind of thing, so whatever framework is put into place now is unlikely to be revisited for quite some time.
So, add 4 Dem senators, 10 House members, and a president, and can something better happen in 2009?
So, add 4 Dem senators, 10 House members, and a president, and can something better happen in 2009?
Gergen Says Abu G Will Go
"Sooner rather than later," he just said on CNN. That's his opinion, of course, but Gergen is the mouthpiece of the Republican faction of the Wise Old Men of Washington.
Broder
From today's chat (typos are his):
And:
Just putting it out there for the record.
The presideent clearly thought and acted as if he were above the law, or could bend it completely to his will. What happened was sickening, appalling on all the levels you describe.
And:
Anonymous: 9/15/06 you typed about Clinton: "When a president loses his credibility, he loses an important tool for governing -- and that is why I thought he should step down." Do you think Mr. Bush retains credibility enough to govern effectively?
David S. Broder: I think that is seriously in question. But Vicve President Cheney would have less,so that option is not really available.
Just putting it out there for the record.
Immigration
I do think it's one of those subjects that reasonable people can disagree about. Personally I'm quite pro-immigration and think there should be fairly straightforward and transparent paths to citizenship for people who come here. I think cultural homogeneity is a bad thing as it tends to be self-reinforcing with homogeneity leading to increasing conformism. I think this country would be a much less interesting place without the recent immigration boom, which followed decades of historically low levels of immigration.
But you can be a good liberal or progressive and have different views about that. Many peoples' opposition to immigration is rooted in deeply illiberal beliefs and there are some obvious liberal positions on how to deal humanely with immigrants, legal and illegal, once they're here, but I don't think there's One Liberal Viewpoint on the appropriate scope and composition of the US immigrant population.
But you can be a good liberal or progressive and have different views about that. Many peoples' opposition to immigration is rooted in deeply illiberal beliefs and there are some obvious liberal positions on how to deal humanely with immigrants, legal and illegal, once they're here, but I don't think there's One Liberal Viewpoint on the appropriate scope and composition of the US immigrant population.
Moving Forward
Since the decider guy will not engage in any genuine negotiation or compromise, it's time for Democrats to flip things around. I don't know why they let Bush get away with claiming that the Democrats refused to fund the troops after he vetoed the bill with those funds. Just keep sending him the same bill over and over again.
Responsibility
Saw a brief clip of Pelosi talking about the president's refusal to take any responsibility for the disaster in Iraq. This is indeed true, and it's largely true of our media as well. There's been tendency to blame everybody but the boy king for the debacle, but as he regularly reminds us by parading around in his custom-embroidered flight jackets, he's the commander in chief.
Murder
Yes, Philadelphia is worse than Baghdad, but as I suggested earlier it really doesn't impact me as I live in that neighborhood known as "Center City" where you can see there's only one red dot.
But for the much of the rest of the city there's a whole bunch of killing going on.
But for the much of the rest of the city there's a whole bunch of killing going on.
No Reality Zone
Krugman (sub req)
What we need to realize is that the infamous “Bush bubble,” the administration’s no-reality zone, extends a long way beyond the White House. Millions of Americans believe that patriotic torturers are keeping us safe, that there’s a vast Islamic axis of evil, that victory in Iraq is just around the corner, that Bush appointees are doing a heckuva job — and that news reports contradicting these beliefs reflect liberal media bias.
And the Republican nomination will go either to someone who shares these beliefs, and would therefore run the country the same way Mr. Bush has, or to a very, very good liar.
Immigration
The devil really is in the details. There's a lot of crazy in the current system, and amnesty-which-has-pointless-hurdles-so-we-don't-call-it-amnesty seems to add to the crazy. Border security is an expensive fantasy, and a guest worker program is just bad.
5 Brothers
I didn't know Mitt's kids were all between the ages of 8 and 13.
A bit tall for those ages, tho. Still it explains why they aren't in Iraq.
A bit tall for those ages, tho. Still it explains why they aren't in Iraq.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Shhh....
Don't tell anyone, but The Editors have returned. While you're looking for them watch this video.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)