Low Road Express Has a Flat
I’ve been stuck in a hotel room in Colorado for the Cable Labs Conference and so have had to watch the Olympics without Tivo. I don’t know if it’s just because Colorado is a battleground state, but there have been an unusual number of Presidential campaign ads. McCain’s are all negative– “Obama’s just a celebrity, who will raise your taxes”. Obama’s are all positive, mostly the Hands Ad about alternative energy.
The Real Clear Politics national poll average seems to show that the McCain “all negative, all the time” strategy is not really working. However this is not stopping the McCain team from reaching new lows. As TPM points out, their new “Hot Chicks Dig Obama” ad just needs the racist touch the Republicans put on Harold Ford last year–”Barack, Call me.”
The ultimate irony is that the same Karl Rove team that McCain has hired to run his scorched earth campaign, was the one (then working for Bush) that used push polls in the 2000 South Carolina to suggest that John McCain had a black baby out of wedlock.
Dante said there was a special place reserved in hell for those who are silent in a time of moral crisis. John McCain’s campaign is in a moral crisis.
Will he remain silent?
Yes, he will do.
Yes, he will do.
Does anyone else spend anytime wondering how Obama is not further ahead in the polls? I’m not madly in love with Obama either, but that McCain stays about 6 points behind Obama is just incredibly disappointing to me. I know the state by state breakdown is what counts, but it just seems like it should be a cakewalk for the Dems this year across the board.
Does anyone else spend anytime wondering how Obama is not further ahead in the polls? I’m not madly in love with Obama either, but that McCain stays about 6 points behind Obama is just incredibly disappointing to me. I know the state by state breakdown is what counts, but it just seems like it should be a cakewalk for the Dems this year across the board.
zak, I do too. Especially because the numbers are closer than what you’re seeing.
zak, I do too. Especially because the numbers are closer than what you’re seeing.
Zak-John Heilman has an answer to your question–Race
http://nymag.com/news/features/49138/
Zak-John Heilman has an answer to your question–Race
http://nymag.com/news/features/49138/
Just got back from seeing “Swing Vote”. I know more liberal media smearing god-fearing money loving conservatives, right. Only no. Sure it was simplistic but it wasn’t about sides, it was about what we are all wondering. Is there a way out of this mess that is intelligent and sustainable against the onslaughts of constant back stabbing and p0liticalism? Did it have an answer? NO. It just proposes that we accept that finding an answer is the only question worth pursuing?
It’s best point was that people are really, really tired of all of the name-calling that passes for fresh ideas and all of the non-progress towards workable solutions.
For my money, Dennis Hopper’s Democant is right on the money. So is Costner’s speech before the debate.
I don’t know about you Zak but I am sick and tired of the polls, sick and tired of the media telling me what I should think about Obama or McCain.
Just got back from seeing “Swing Vote”. I know more liberal media smearing god-fearing money loving conservatives, right. Only no. Sure it was simplistic but it wasn’t about sides, it was about what we are all wondering. Is there a way out of this mess that is intelligent and sustainable against the onslaughts of constant back stabbing and p0liticalism? Did it have an answer? NO. It just proposes that we accept that finding an answer is the only question worth pursuing?
It’s best point was that people are really, really tired of all of the name-calling that passes for fresh ideas and all of the non-progress towards workable solutions.
For my money, Dennis Hopper’s Democant is right on the money. So is Costner’s speech before the debate.
I don’t know about you Zak but I am sick and tired of the polls, sick and tired of the media telling me what I should think about Obama or McCain.
Funny you should mention it Jon, there in Colorado where you are seeing the ads:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/co/colorado_mccain_vs_obama-546.html
The race is tied. Want to change your opinion now?
Funny you should mention it Jon, there in Colorado where you are seeing the ads:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/co/colorado_mccain_vs_obama-546.html
The race is tied. Want to change your opinion now?
jon,
it just kills me that in this day and age, race is still an issue. I grew up with a relatively racist father, so I saw it in conversation regularly, but given our increasingly multi-racial heritage in this nation, it’s frustrating to see that people aren’t growing increasingly comfortable with race differences over time Although, at the same time, my brother had friends of every race which disturbed my father, and no tempering over time occurred in that sample of one. It also furthers my belief that until we’re comfortable with black men in power, women aren’t going to make it to the inner sanctum either.
rhbee1,
the daily polling is nuts. weekly would be ok, but the hyperanalysis of every piece of data is just too much. And with the media turned to keep ratings up and ad dollars flowing in, viewers won’t ever get the real scoop.
Peanut Gallery,
Polling complaints aside, who wants to take a gander at the post Obama acceptance speech bump? Or will 75,000 screaming and writhing bodies yield a slight depression given the recent celebrity ads?
jon,
it just kills me that in this day and age, race is still an issue. I grew up with a relatively racist father, so I saw it in conversation regularly, but given our increasingly multi-racial heritage in this nation, it’s frustrating to see that people aren’t growing increasingly comfortable with race differences over time Although, at the same time, my brother had friends of every race which disturbed my father, and no tempering over time occurred in that sample of one. It also furthers my belief that until we’re comfortable with black men in power, women aren’t going to make it to the inner sanctum either.
rhbee1,
the daily polling is nuts. weekly would be ok, but the hyperanalysis of every piece of data is just too much. And with the media turned to keep ratings up and ad dollars flowing in, viewers won’t ever get the real scoop.
Peanut Gallery,
Polling complaints aside, who wants to take a gander at the post Obama acceptance speech bump? Or will 75,000 screaming and writhing bodies yield a slight depression given the recent celebrity ads?
Morgan- Sorry, but you are wrong again.Obama leads McCain in Colorado
http://www.pollster.com/polls/co/08-co-pres-ge-mvo.php
Morgan- Sorry, but you are wrong again.Obama leads McCain in Colorado
http://www.pollster.com/polls/co/08-co-pres-ge-mvo.php
It’s not just race, though that is key.
Age, obvious intelligence, northerner, identified liberal, gender (thanks Hill), hasn’t done his time in the party machine …
There are so many things that would stand to make it difficult for any candidate carrying them, even if you stripped race out of it, that I’m somewhat amazed he is holding his own at this point.
The real issue is whether folks who find any or all those minuses reasons for reluctance will hold their noses and vote anti-Rebublican, or just stay home. Frankly, the backlash against the Republicans for allowing a group so far from center to take over, is the only reason he is the nominee (mind, I think he deserves it relative to who else was running,, but if wishes were fishes and all that).
It’s easy to reduce it to race, and believe me, it is about race for a major portion of the population North/ South/ East/ and West, but far, far from the only one.
It’s not just race, though that is key.
Age, obvious intelligence, northerner, identified liberal, gender (thanks Hill), hasn’t done his time in the party machine …
There are so many things that would stand to make it difficult for any candidate carrying them, even if you stripped race out of it, that I’m somewhat amazed he is holding his own at this point.
The real issue is whether folks who find any or all those minuses reasons for reluctance will hold their noses and vote anti-Rebublican, or just stay home. Frankly, the backlash against the Republicans for allowing a group so far from center to take over, is the only reason he is the nominee (mind, I think he deserves it relative to who else was running,, but if wishes were fishes and all that).
It’s easy to reduce it to race, and believe me, it is about race for a major portion of the population North/ South/ East/ and West, but far, far from the only one.
Race? Not!
It’s socio- Males under 30, what do you think they are focused on. Single Females, see security. minorities, see security/welfare programs. Uneducated/ignorant/ brainwashed, see all of the above. 30-40 % died in the wool liberal cool aid drinkers who actually think that the Pres. or congress can make their lives better, as demonstrated they can only make it worse.
Males over thirty, see paycheck, taxes, deductions, responsibilities. If they have any of these they know/suspect that Government is the problem not the answer. Bottom line, who wants to raise my taxes and who wants to take my gun?
McCain? Obama? None of the aforementioned. They’ll just hold their nose and vote the apparent “CINO” because they have no choice.
Race? Not!
It’s socio- Males under 30, what do you think they are focused on. Single Females, see security. minorities, see security/welfare programs. Uneducated/ignorant/ brainwashed, see all of the above. 30-40 % died in the wool liberal cool aid drinkers who actually think that the Pres. or congress can make their lives better, as demonstrated they can only make it worse.
Males over thirty, see paycheck, taxes, deductions, responsibilities. If they have any of these they know/suspect that Government is the problem not the answer. Bottom line, who wants to raise my taxes and who wants to take my gun?
McCain? Obama? None of the aforementioned. They’ll just hold their nose and vote the apparent “CINO” because they have no choice.
Jon, YOU ARE WRONG. Say it.
The most recent polls and the wieghted RCP avg. shows a statistical dead heat IN COLORADO where you CLAIMED the negative ads were not working.
The race had gotten tighter in CO since the negative ads have happened.
SAY IT. Admit you were wrong. My god man knock over your king, maybe you’ll win the next one.
Jon, YOU ARE WRONG. Say it.
The most recent polls and the wieghted RCP avg. shows a statistical dead heat IN COLORADO where you CLAIMED the negative ads were not working.
The race had gotten tighter in CO since the negative ads have happened.
SAY IT. Admit you were wrong. My god man knock over your king, maybe you’ll win the next one.
It’s not race. It’s culture.
You spent your youth in the counter culture crowd that made money on the movement. That’s ok. I spent mine in Alabama nose close to the very people the counter culture despised. That’s ok too.
Some get past racism when they find out justice was in the hearts of individuals and nowhere to be found in nature.
1. The big numbers would require people to trust Obama. Many don’t.
2. The Black Liberation Theology background is a heart-rattler.
3. We learned from our days enthralled with the counter culture that it was long on talk and short on walk. The me-too generation comes directly from the free love culture. I know that’s a shallow analysis but I’m typing in an three inch wide box.
Obama can’t close the deal because he can’t make his case. He is short on substance and long on ‘me too sexy for my words’. The intellectual elite dress up their desires with education but at the end of the day, they are the extreme case of Randy Scouse Git.
Bhakti is the sweet way because it is not hard to understand. Obama is about Obama and it shows. People are not trying to save the world; they want to feel better about themselves. For some, Obama fits that desire. For others, he is the antithesis of that.
If it rains in Denver during that acceptance speech, remember to stay to the center. Holding the edges of the ground cloths means you get soaked.
I’ll be at home in Alabama listening to Melanie Safka and working on my music. Mash ups are not just for software.
But it’s about culture, Jon, not race. Until you get that, you won’t persuade anyone to vote for him. You are right about negative emotional vectoring. Reagan got that and beat Carter. The Democrats still don’t get that.
It’s not race. It’s culture.
You spent your youth in the counter culture crowd that made money on the movement. That’s ok. I spent mine in Alabama nose close to the very people the counter culture despised. That’s ok too.
Some get past racism when they find out justice was in the hearts of individuals and nowhere to be found in nature.
1. The big numbers would require people to trust Obama. Many don’t.
2. The Black Liberation Theology background is a heart-rattler.
3. We learned from our days enthralled with the counter culture that it was long on talk and short on walk. The me-too generation comes directly from the free love culture. I know that’s a shallow analysis but I’m typing in an three inch wide box.
Obama can’t close the deal because he can’t make his case. He is short on substance and long on ‘me too sexy for my words’. The intellectual elite dress up their desires with education but at the end of the day, they are the extreme case of Randy Scouse Git.
Bhakti is the sweet way because it is not hard to understand. Obama is about Obama and it shows. People are not trying to save the world; they want to feel better about themselves. For some, Obama fits that desire. For others, he is the antithesis of that.
If it rains in Denver during that acceptance speech, remember to stay to the center. Holding the edges of the ground cloths means you get soaked.
I’ll be at home in Alabama listening to Melanie Safka and working on my music. Mash ups are not just for software.
But it’s about culture, Jon, not race. Until you get that, you won’t persuade anyone to vote for him. You are right about negative emotional vectoring. Reagan got that and beat Carter. The Democrats still don’t get that.
McCain and his campaign seem far too in love with attacking Obama over and over again to actually think critically about strategy. That could have something to do with the fact that all or most of their candidate’s plans would not sit well with the majority of Americans. They have to keep the focus on Obama’s negatives because their candidate doesn’t have any positives that would appeal to the middle.
It’s disgusting and disheartening that they’re stooping to such lows.
McCain and his campaign seem far too in love with attacking Obama over and over again to actually think critically about strategy. That could have something to do with the fact that all or most of their candidate’s plans would not sit well with the majority of Americans. They have to keep the focus on Obama’s negatives because their candidate doesn’t have any positives that would appeal to the middle.
It’s disgusting and disheartening that they’re stooping to such lows.
Some pretty weird rambling righties showing up here…
Some pretty weird rambling righties showing up here…
Take it straight to the sources, Rick.
Obama may not be POTUS. The symbolic campaign is the most hollow. Listening inside an echo chamber is the surest way to become confused. A theme of unity means they have to want to be unified.
The only way out of a Chinese finger puzzle is for opposite pointing fingers to move toward one another. The campaign he is running is ultimately divisive. Randy Scouse Git. It requires an Other be it racial, sexist, or generational because he has no resume, no qualifications, no dharma, no substance. Just Face.
White guilt won’t work if they don’t accept the premise that they are responsible. Appealing to the Sixties won’t work if the kids are ready to bury us because they believe we failed. Reagan beat Carter because Carter told them they needed to conserve and Reagan told them they deserved to consume.
So far, Paris Hilton made the most succinctly correct appraisal and if she is the one that actually wrote that, the cosmic muffin is laughing at all of us.
And the laughter is the clue.
A Grateful Dead jam was anything but one dimensional because it relied on people as parts, not a score. It started wherever Jerry started riffing and ended when they felt like ending it. That’s great for the Dead but it sucks for the London Philharmonic.
A community can paint a wall with graffitti. They can’t paint the Mona Lisa. Ayn Rand couldn’t find the edges and Allen Ginsberg couldn’t find the middle ground. I liked Allen, btw. He taught me the rudiments of blues on a floor at a party one night.
Ideology is the distance between the frets. The culture is the body of the guitar. The zeitgeist is the tune at the time. The instrument can outlast the player. The player is the only source of the sound.
But the ears of listeners make the decision about the butts staying in the seats.
Obama can make them feel good. He can’t make them trust him by talking about unity while his supporters talk about race and class and age.
“Lay down lay down lay it on down.
Let your white bird smile up at the ones who stand and frown.”
Put the flower IN the rifle.
Take it straight to the sources, Rick.
Obama may not be POTUS. The symbolic campaign is the most hollow. Listening inside an echo chamber is the surest way to become confused. A theme of unity means they have to want to be unified.
The only way out of a Chinese finger puzzle is for opposite pointing fingers to move toward one another. The campaign he is running is ultimately divisive. Randy Scouse Git. It requires an Other be it racial, sexist, or generational because he has no resume, no qualifications, no dharma, no substance. Just Face.
White guilt won’t work if they don’t accept the premise that they are responsible. Appealing to the Sixties won’t work if the kids are ready to bury us because they believe we failed. Reagan beat Carter because Carter told them they needed to conserve and Reagan told them they deserved to consume.
So far, Paris Hilton made the most succinctly correct appraisal and if she is the one that actually wrote that, the cosmic muffin is laughing at all of us.
And the laughter is the clue.
A Grateful Dead jam was anything but one dimensional because it relied on people as parts, not a score. It started wherever Jerry started riffing and ended when they felt like ending it. That’s great for the Dead but it sucks for the London Philharmonic.
A community can paint a wall with graffitti. They can’t paint the Mona Lisa. Ayn Rand couldn’t find the edges and Allen Ginsberg couldn’t find the middle ground. I liked Allen, btw. He taught me the rudiments of blues on a floor at a party one night.
Ideology is the distance between the frets. The culture is the body of the guitar. The zeitgeist is the tune at the time. The instrument can outlast the player. The player is the only source of the sound.
But the ears of listeners make the decision about the butts staying in the seats.
Obama can make them feel good. He can’t make them trust him by talking about unity while his supporters talk about race and class and age.
“Lay down lay down lay it on down.
Let your white bird smile up at the ones who stand and frown.”
Put the flower IN the rifle.
Morgan- Why are you so angry? Stop shouting.
Morgan- Why are you so angry? Stop shouting.
len Bullard-You are wrong. I spent a lot of time in Springdale Arkansas with Levon Helm in 1969 and 1970. It’s both race, class and culture as Ken Ballweg has pointed out. But we’ve come a long way from the thinking behind this quote of yours-
“Reagan beat Carter because Carter told them they needed to conserve and Reagan told them they deserved to consume.”
You can pretend to be a dumb redneck who just wants his $2 gas, but that dog won’t hunt anymore.
len Bullard-You are wrong. I spent a lot of time in Springdale Arkansas with Levon Helm in 1969 and 1970. It’s both race, class and culture as Ken Ballweg has pointed out. But we’ve come a long way from the thinking behind this quote of yours-
“Reagan beat Carter because Carter told them they needed to conserve and Reagan told them they deserved to consume.”
You can pretend to be a dumb redneck who just wants his $2 gas, but that dog won’t hunt anymore.
len,
“The me-too generation comes directly from the free love culture.” but as a reaction to it not because of it. We oppose our parents which may be why Obama is so strong with the younger voters. He is young and he does represent fresh perspectives and a strength that comes from the ability to think and speak with intelligence.
The fact that you have been around and can slur your phrasing into non-parsible senselessness just means you stayed at the concert while the rest of us meandered on.
Another fact is that Obama brought this all up hissownself when he made his Rev. Wright speech. He was strong enough then to bring it out into the open and he will be stronger still when the repugs try to keep pushing it.
Meanwhile, for many of us this may be the last chance we have to actually give something back to our country. We gave it peace by ending Vietnam. I think we thought that that was enough. We were wrong. Until we can convince each other that all of us are in this together, until republican, democrat,progressive, liberal, neocon, believer and non, get this – well we haven’t done enough.
And that is really what Obama means and McCain only says.
len,
“The me-too generation comes directly from the free love culture.” but as a reaction to it not because of it. We oppose our parents which may be why Obama is so strong with the younger voters. He is young and he does represent fresh perspectives and a strength that comes from the ability to think and speak with intelligence.
The fact that you have been around and can slur your phrasing into non-parsible senselessness just means you stayed at the concert while the rest of us meandered on.
Another fact is that Obama brought this all up hissownself when he made his Rev. Wright speech. He was strong enough then to bring it out into the open and he will be stronger still when the repugs try to keep pushing it.
Meanwhile, for many of us this may be the last chance we have to actually give something back to our country. We gave it peace by ending Vietnam. I think we thought that that was enough. We were wrong. Until we can convince each other that all of us are in this together, until republican, democrat,progressive, liberal, neocon, believer and non, get this – well we haven’t done enough.
And that is really what Obama means and McCain only says.
Levon Helm. Wonderful!
What a shame that we’ve had so few artists, and not enough poets, who habitually see through the bottle to its contents, and don’t give a damn what the bottle-watchers think. It’s a pretty short list, but a wonderful one to reflect upon, however incomplete one’s own list may be.
Levon Helm. Wonderful!
What a shame that we’ve had so few artists, and not enough poets, who habitually see through the bottle to its contents, and don’t give a damn what the bottle-watchers think. It’s a pretty short list, but a wonderful one to reflect upon, however incomplete one’s own list may be.
(does his victory dance on Jon’s failed point)
ok moving on.
rhbee – that’s right ,YOU ended the vietnam war, WE ended Iraq – our war turned out much better than yours. Just another proof that this generation makes the baby boomers look like the weak talkers they are.
(ok, one more dance because this post’s central narrative and point was proven factually wrong with such force)
ok moving on… for real this time.
Race isn’t an issue.
Condi, Powell – could pull white male support over 38% without blinking. The issue is Obama has to convince the people who dind’t vote for Kerry to vote for him. His policies need to change, and I’m 100% sure they will.
Dumping race based affirmative action would do the trick.
(does his victory dance on Jon’s failed point)
ok moving on.
rhbee – that’s right ,YOU ended the vietnam war, WE ended Iraq – our war turned out much better than yours. Just another proof that this generation makes the baby boomers look like the weak talkers they are.
(ok, one more dance because this post’s central narrative and point was proven factually wrong with such force)
ok moving on… for real this time.
Race isn’t an issue.
Condi, Powell – could pull white male support over 38% without blinking. The issue is Obama has to convince the people who dind’t vote for Kerry to vote for him. His policies need to change, and I’m 100% sure they will.
Dumping race based affirmative action would do the trick.
“I spent a lot of time in Springdale Arkansas with Levon Helm in 1969 and 1970″. What a time that must have been, Jon.
“I spent a lot of time in Springdale Arkansas with Levon Helm in 1969 and 1970″. What a time that must have been, Jon.
Morgan- I wouldn’t be so quick with the Colorado victory dance (for the McCain campaign or the end of the Iraq War). I feel supremely confident that the American People can see they are being sold a bill of goods by the MIC, and will in the end reject 28 long years of the takeover of the American Treasury by the War Profiteeers.
Then we can talk about how to rebuild America.
Morgan- I wouldn’t be so quick with the Colorado victory dance (for the McCain campaign or the end of the Iraq War). I feel supremely confident that the American People can see they are being sold a bill of goods by the MIC, and will in the end reject 28 long years of the takeover of the American Treasury by the War Profiteeers.
Then we can talk about how to rebuild America.
Morgan, how is it that things in Iraq are better than in Vietnam? We didn’t belong in Vietnam and we don’t belong in Iraq, but things in Saigon and Hanoi are a lot better now than they are in Baghdad or Fellujah. You keep saying that we won. What did we win? I know the sign said “Mission Accomplished”, but what mission? OH, you must be working for Blackwater or Halliburton, in which case you’re absolutely right; you won scores of billions of taxpayer dollars.
Morgan, how is it that things in Iraq are better than in Vietnam? We didn’t belong in Vietnam and we don’t belong in Iraq, but things in Saigon and Hanoi are a lot better now than they are in Baghdad or Fellujah. You keep saying that we won. What did we win? I know the sign said “Mission Accomplished”, but what mission? OH, you must be working for Blackwater or Halliburton, in which case you’re absolutely right; you won scores of billions of taxpayer dollars.
@rick:
If a stable democratic government is established in the feudal heart of the Arab kingdoms, we won.
They are better off in Saigon and Hanoi. But how many of their own people did they imprison, regroove or kill after we left? And by the way, have you tried to do business in VietNam?
You are a master luthier, Rick, and my hat is off to you. Otherwise, you are parroting the usual rhetoric of the left, and we need to get beyond that.
@rick:
If a stable democratic government is established in the feudal heart of the Arab kingdoms, we won.
They are better off in Saigon and Hanoi. But how many of their own people did they imprison, regroove or kill after we left? And by the way, have you tried to do business in VietNam?
You are a master luthier, Rick, and my hat is off to you. Otherwise, you are parroting the usual rhetoric of the left, and we need to get beyond that.
Rick, the stated mission was “regime change”, remember? Remember why? Remember how the UN Security Council kept lashing Saddam five, ten , then fifteen times and more for treaty violations that amounted to nothing less than almost daily acts of war? Remember?
I do.
Rick, the stated mission was “regime change”, remember? Remember why? Remember how the UN Security Council kept lashing Saddam five, ten , then fifteen times and more for treaty violations that amounted to nothing less than almost daily acts of war? Remember?
I do.
“Mission accomplished,” sure pisses some people off.
“Mission accomplished,” sure pisses some people off.
Wow Hugo!-Can you give me a list of the next regimes you think we should change. I know China and Russia are on your list, but beyond those two, what other fights do you want to pick? BTW- Bush never said the stated mission was “Regime Change”.
Wow Hugo!-Can you give me a list of the next regimes you think we should change. I know China and Russia are on your list, but beyond those two, what other fights do you want to pick? BTW- Bush never said the stated mission was “Regime Change”.
No, Jon, I haven’t an idea with whom else we should get into a shooting war — although we damn near succeeded in luring El Hugo over to Bolivia for a quick kill by our proxies, and that would’ve been great.
Even in China I think the “regime” (the menagerie) is a prime candidate for the Velvet treatment, as I’ve said before, rather than for anything requiring production of human pulp of such as your gifted students — as before.
Sheesh, by now I should think it would be obvious that I want not to attack Russia, but to keep her within her own vast, far-flung and legitimate borders. As you are an anti-imperialist, I trust this view complements your own.
Mr. Bush and his then Secretary of State spoke often of “regime change” as the aim of the invasion. Why would you say otherwise?
Were you in Bali at the time? You WERE, weren’t you! You spoiled thing, there you were collecting seashells and wearing batik and feasting on some of the world’s brightest cuisine, while the rest of us were stuck here, having the term “regime change” driven into our skulls at all hours. You lucky bastid!
No, Jon, I haven’t an idea with whom else we should get into a shooting war — although we damn near succeeded in luring El Hugo over to Bolivia for a quick kill by our proxies, and that would’ve been great.
Even in China I think the “regime” (the menagerie) is a prime candidate for the Velvet treatment, as I’ve said before, rather than for anything requiring production of human pulp of such as your gifted students — as before.
Sheesh, by now I should think it would be obvious that I want not to attack Russia, but to keep her within her own vast, far-flung and legitimate borders. As you are an anti-imperialist, I trust this view complements your own.
Mr. Bush and his then Secretary of State spoke often of “regime change” as the aim of the invasion. Why would you say otherwise?
Were you in Bali at the time? You WERE, weren’t you! You spoiled thing, there you were collecting seashells and wearing batik and feasting on some of the world’s brightest cuisine, while the rest of us were stuck here, having the term “regime change” driven into our skulls at all hours. You lucky bastid!
Oh Hugo, you are such a card. I think there are lots of methods of “global shunning” of bad actors. I think we have even had a spirited dialogue about this before.
http://jtaplin.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/global-shunning/
Oh Hugo, you are such a card. I think there are lots of methods of “global shunning” of bad actors. I think we have even had a spirited dialogue about this before.
http://jtaplin.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/global-shunning/
Let’s just all agree that Iraq went much better than Vietnam and move on.
Ok, now that we have this big old superior military, let’s get down to ensuring the rest of Georgia and the Ukraine stay viable Nato members. Let’s keep the G7, the G7 and get series about a League of Democracies.
Our work is almost done. Let’s stop pussyfooting around and get it finished.
Let’s just all agree that Iraq went much better than Vietnam and move on.
Ok, now that we have this big old superior military, let’s get down to ensuring the rest of Georgia and the Ukraine stay viable Nato members. Let’s keep the G7, the G7 and get series about a League of Democracies.
Our work is almost done. Let’s stop pussyfooting around and get it finished.
Damn, I thought it was Weapons of Mass Destruction. And all this time it was Regime Change.
It’s been long enough for you drum thumpers to get your story straight.
Damn, I thought it was Weapons of Mass Destruction. And all this time it was Regime Change.
It’s been long enough for you drum thumpers to get your story straight.
Damn, I thought it was Weapons of Mass Destruction. And all this time it was Regime Change.
It’s been long enough for you drum thumpers to get your story straight.
And why regime change in Iraq and not elsewhere? Is it to be one sovereign nation at a time ’til we’re happy with puppet leaders who are surrounded by Blackwater security guards paid for in excess by the American taxpayers for the benefit of big oil?
BTW, Blackwater, Halliburton, etc. are just an end run around the draft that would never fly. I’d just as soon outlaw the use of contractor/paramilitary units and make the Repukelicans try to push through a draft. That’ll stop the war quicker than you can say Saddam. But it’s too late unless McCain totters into office with a solidly Democratic House of Reps and Senate. Boy, if you want to see gridlock for four years, then vote for McCain… He won’t be able to get jack diddly squat done, and the investigative committees will have a field day going after the remnants of the Bush league toadies. That’s why I’m not too worried now. No matter who is POTUS, Congress will be tilting left. It would actually be interesting to see McCain try to pack the Supreme Court and see the hearings in Congress. Any arch-conservative who gets nominated will have a new one ripped where the sun don’t shine…
And why regime change in Iraq and not elsewhere? Is it to be one sovereign nation at a time ’til we’re happy with puppet leaders who are surrounded by Blackwater security guards paid for in excess by the American taxpayers for the benefit of big oil?
BTW, Blackwater, Halliburton, etc. are just an end run around the draft that would never fly. I’d just as soon outlaw the use of contractor/paramilitary units and make the Repukelicans try to push through a draft. That’ll stop the war quicker than you can say Saddam. But it’s too late unless McCain totters into office with a solidly Democratic House of Reps and Senate. Boy, if you want to see gridlock for four years, then vote for McCain… He won’t be able to get jack diddly squat done, and the investigative committees will have a field day going after the remnants of the Bush league toadies. That’s why I’m not too worried now. No matter who is POTUS, Congress will be tilting left. It would actually be interesting to see McCain try to pack the Supreme Court and see the hearings in Congress. Any arch-conservative who gets nominated will have a new one ripped where the sun don’t shine…
And why regime change in Iraq and not elsewhere? Is it to be one sovereign nation at a time ’til we’re happy with puppet leaders who are surrounded by Blackwater security guards paid for in excess by the American taxpayers for the benefit of big oil?
BTW, Blackwater, Halliburton, etc. are just an end run around the draft that would never fly. I’d just as soon outlaw the use of contractor/paramilitary units and make the Repukelicans try to push through a draft. That’ll stop the war quicker than you can say Saddam. But it’s too late unless McCain totters into office with a solidly Democratic House of Reps and Senate. Boy, if you want to see gridlock for four years, then vote for McCain… He won’t be able to get jack diddly squat done, and the investigative committees will have a field day going after the remnants of the Bush league toadies. That’s why I’m not too worried now. No matter who is POTUS, Congress will be tilting left. It would actually be interesting to see McCain try to pack the Supreme Court and see the hearings in Congress. Any arch-conservative who gets nominated will have a new one ripped where the sun don’t shine…
Rick, why do you think they wouldn’t just make serving in the military a $80K a year job, and get everyone to sign up?
Rick, why do you think they wouldn’t just make serving in the military a $80K a year job, and get everyone to sign up?
Shun the Bear? Send the Bear to its den without dessert? The Bear wants Ukraine. Must have Ukraine.
Shun the Bear? Send the Bear to its den without dessert? The Bear wants Ukraine. Must have Ukraine.
Hugo, what are we going to use to do this? Bush at least realized he had to try something, but this is not going to end well.
http://tiny.cc/8AwSB
Hugo, what are we going to use to do this? Bush at least realized he had to try something, but this is not going to end well.
http://tiny.cc/8AwSB
“That’s why I’m not too worried now. No matter who is POTUS, Congress will be tilting left. It would actually be interesting to see McCain try to pack the Supreme Court and see the hearings in Congress. ”
It might work that way. Might not. I couldn’t believe we’d vote for Bush 1 but Bush 2? I went livid. The soccer Moms had spoken. We blamed it on fear. What we forgot was the ‘bad boy’ syndrome. Women pick husbands for territory but other wise for kids. Thus the very significant rates of cuckholding. As pointed out by Dennis Leary, the Democrats said they would negotiate and apologized for our bad behaviors. Bush promised to protect us. Now Obama is apologizing in Germany and a few weeks later, Russia marches into Georgia.
Jungle Fever might put Barack over the top. On the other hand, world events right now are shaking certainties and breaking bets. We can say diplomacy is better but more primal forces may reassert themselves and vote ‘safe’. When we don’t know what ‘change’ is change for the better, we tend to vote ‘safe’.
You are right though. A minority executive and majority congress tends toward stalemate. The problem is stalemate means no one lost or everyone did and that is ‘safe’. I reiterate: Obama’s numbers are what they are because of his own supporter’s need to project divisive meme to assert their own dominance.
They lead best who serve. Rove handed you your heads by understanding the power of locales. You live in one that has an infrastructure to reinforce your values. I have your values but live in a locale that actively despises them. Because you are inside an echo chamber, your values aren’t being tested. Because I am outside the echo chamber, I am seeing what the other side values and mine are tested every day. After awhile, junkyard dogs smarts are what matter.
What saved Alabama in the 1960s? In the end, we shared a religion and we all loved our kids. The locally shared values made the difference, not the pressure from the west coast. Lynard Skynard beat Neil Young.
Reagan beat us by understanding what Americans wanted at the time. Obama is near that but not closing the deal because of the emphasis on the isms and not focusing on what they want now.
If he is to lead, he must first be seen to serve, not by reciting his bio, but by deeds he can do in the next two months. The election will be decided on the drive to the voting booth.
“That’s why I’m not too worried now. No matter who is POTUS, Congress will be tilting left. It would actually be interesting to see McCain try to pack the Supreme Court and see the hearings in Congress. ”
It might work that way. Might not. I couldn’t believe we’d vote for Bush 1 but Bush 2? I went livid. The soccer Moms had spoken. We blamed it on fear. What we forgot was the ‘bad boy’ syndrome. Women pick husbands for territory but other wise for kids. Thus the very significant rates of cuckholding. As pointed out by Dennis Leary, the Democrats said they would negotiate and apologized for our bad behaviors. Bush promised to protect us. Now Obama is apologizing in Germany and a few weeks later, Russia marches into Georgia.
Jungle Fever might put Barack over the top. On the other hand, world events right now are shaking certainties and breaking bets. We can say diplomacy is better but more primal forces may reassert themselves and vote ‘safe’. When we don’t know what ‘change’ is change for the better, we tend to vote ‘safe’.
You are right though. A minority executive and majority congress tends toward stalemate. The problem is stalemate means no one lost or everyone did and that is ‘safe’. I reiterate: Obama’s numbers are what they are because of his own supporter’s need to project divisive meme to assert their own dominance.
They lead best who serve. Rove handed you your heads by understanding the power of locales. You live in one that has an infrastructure to reinforce your values. I have your values but live in a locale that actively despises them. Because you are inside an echo chamber, your values aren’t being tested. Because I am outside the echo chamber, I am seeing what the other side values and mine are tested every day. After awhile, junkyard dogs smarts are what matter.
What saved Alabama in the 1960s? In the end, we shared a religion and we all loved our kids. The locally shared values made the difference, not the pressure from the west coast. Lynard Skynard beat Neil Young.
Reagan beat us by understanding what Americans wanted at the time. Obama is near that but not closing the deal because of the emphasis on the isms and not focusing on what they want now.
If he is to lead, he must first be seen to serve, not by reciting his bio, but by deeds he can do in the next two months. The election will be decided on the drive to the voting booth.
Ken, it was the OIL. How many times do I have to say that? that = regime change and fear of WMD.
Ken, it was the OIL. How many times do I have to say that? that = regime change and fear of WMD.
Ken, the U.S. has a lot at its disposal, it really does. And Russia does not have. It’ll end just fine. Then, a cooling off. Next time, Ukraine. That’s seriously Big League stuff.
Ken, the U.S. has a lot at its disposal, it really does. And Russia does not have. It’ll end just fine. Then, a cooling off. Next time, Ukraine. That’s seriously Big League stuff.
Jon, newest data has McCain winning in CO.
For your own sake, and Obama’s, I think it is important you stop poo-pooing the ads, change some of the basic policies they attack, and return fire – QUICKLY.
I want to help ya, but damn man, you gotta want help!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/co/colorado_mccain_vs_obama-546.html
Jon, newest data has McCain winning in CO.
For your own sake, and Obama’s, I think it is important you stop poo-pooing the ads, change some of the basic policies they attack, and return fire – QUICKLY.
I want to help ya, but damn man, you gotta want help!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/co/colorado_mccain_vs_obama-546.html
Um, err, hack, harumph…Morgan, I just followed that link, and it clearly shows Obama ahead. The gap in Colorado is narrower than it was, but unless you are spelling McCain “O b a m a”, you’re upside down and backwards. As usual…
Um, err, hack, harumph…Morgan, I just followed that link, and it clearly shows Obama ahead. The gap in Colorado is narrower than it was, but unless you are spelling McCain “O b a m a”, you’re upside down and backwards. As usual…
Hugo,
I don’t think it’s going to end all that badly for the US in terms of cost, but for the Georgians. Yes we have resources, but there isn’t much willingness to kick them into the kitty. The deficit is getting a wee large, and growing by the day.
It would take a draft and taxes for us to be able to physically extend our presence into Georgia; ain’t going to happen. Then there is the probability that a failure to pay off one of the coalition of the willing is going to be noticed.
The US has lots of have, it doesn’t have many willing to give. Same as not having resources.
Hugo,
I don’t think it’s going to end all that badly for the US in terms of cost, but for the Georgians. Yes we have resources, but there isn’t much willingness to kick them into the kitty. The deficit is getting a wee large, and growing by the day.
It would take a draft and taxes for us to be able to physically extend our presence into Georgia; ain’t going to happen. Then there is the probability that a failure to pay off one of the coalition of the willing is going to be noticed.
The US has lots of have, it doesn’t have many willing to give. Same as not having resources.
Ken, if the US government of Georgie and Dickie would spend 10% of the amount they give to the military and contractors on diplomacy and the Peace Corps, we wouldn’t need a damned draft and I dare say, we would maybe be liked in the world.
Ken, if the US government of Georgie and Dickie would spend 10% of the amount they give to the military and contractors on diplomacy and the Peace Corps, we wouldn’t need a damned draft and I dare say, we would maybe be liked in the world.
Agree Rick, but we’re going to have to wait for the new Prez to see if there is any change in the allocation of resources. And the question is always, how much more damage can the Chaney Regency do before their exit in four and half (long) months.
I kind of screwed up the Thomas Barnett TED speech URL (keep forgetting about Tiny URL) so not sure how many folks had the patience to check it out, but I can’t recommend his talk enough. In it he outlines a very practical way to incorporate diplomacy into the Pentagon organizational structure and budget as a necessary way of dealing with non-traditional enemies.
It’s a heck of lot smarter than Rummy’s Lean-Mean-Tchno-Force, and cheaper. If we had had it in place I suspect we would be spending a heck of lot less on our two current wars. Well worth the time.
http://tinyurl.com/59zakk
Agree Rick, but we’re going to have to wait for the new Prez to see if there is any change in the allocation of resources. And the question is always, how much more damage can the Chaney Regency do before their exit in four and half (long) months.
I kind of screwed up the Thomas Barnett TED speech URL (keep forgetting about Tiny URL) so not sure how many folks had the patience to check it out, but I can’t recommend his talk enough. In it he outlines a very practical way to incorporate diplomacy into the Pentagon organizational structure and budget as a necessary way of dealing with non-traditional enemies.
It’s a heck of lot smarter than Rummy’s Lean-Mean-Tchno-Force, and cheaper. If we had had it in place I suspect we would be spending a heck of lot less on our two current wars. Well worth the time.
http://tinyurl.com/59zakk
Ken, that Thomas Barnett speech is really something…great ideas there.
Ken, that Thomas Barnett speech is really something…great ideas there.