I Miss the West Wing

I don't usually read Maureen Dowd. I just don't like the amateur psychoanalysis that is the focus of most of her columns. Fortunately for me, friend of the blog ESL passed along this week's column, which she outsourced to West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin. He writes an exchange between Barack Obama and West Wing president Jed Bartlett. The whole thing is pretty funny, but this exchange was killer:

OBAMA I’m not. They pivoted off the argument that I was inexperienced to the criticism that I’m — wait for it — the Messiah, who, by the way, was a community organizer. When I speak I try to lead with inspiration and aptitude. How is that a liability?

BARTLET Because the idea of American exceptionalism doesn’t extend to Americans being exceptional. If you excelled academically and are able to casually use 690 SAT words then you might as well have the press shoot video of you giving the finger to the Statue of Liberty while the Dixie Chicks sing the University of the Taliban fight song. The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it.

I went to the Truman Presidential Library this weekend for the first time. There is, of course, a pretty significant portion of the museum dedicated to the atomic bomb. One of the features of this section is a guestbook where visitors can write about whether they believe dropping the bomb was the right or wrong decision.

For every person that wrote a critique or defense of Truman's actions based on some thoughtful argument, there were probably three who wrote things like, "Nuke 'em til they glow," or something about how President Bush was weak for not following Truman's lead.

There were literally pages and pages of these comments. I could have stood there and read the book all day, but I don't think my faith in humanity is sturdy enough right now to endure it. Aaron Sorkin's exchange above kind of captured how I was feeling on Saturday.

The Bottom?

Perhaps today is the day. I hope today is the day. I hope today marks the nadir of Kansas City professional sports. There is no way to be sure, but when the Royals never threaten in their final home game of the season (in route to a 3-0 loss) and the Chiefs lose to another suspect NFL team 38-14 to start 0-3, you have to think maybe there is no where from here but up.

One thing that doesn't encourage me is being at Kauffman Stadium today. It is possible that the construction is causing some problems, but the Royals ran the concession operation today like they were running a roadside food stand out of a trailer. Every concession stand I made it to today was out of something, and the people in front of me were complaining about the same experience. Maybe I just don't know the facts, but it sure seemed like the Royals were sacrificing the fan experience (of the fans loyal enough to come see this bunch lose their 86th game of the year) to keep from having much inventory left at the end of the season. That does not give one much hope for the future of the franchise.

On the plus side, I finished my first fantasy baseball season ever by winning my league championship today. This proves the fantasy rule that whoever knows the least about what they are doing has an automatic advantage. If only that rule extended to real sports management.

Government by People Who Hate Government (Part 2,746)

Economic experts are spreading the blame around for the financial crisis, but they agree on one place to lay blame:

These experts, from both political parties, say Mr. Bush’s early personnel choices and overarching antipathy toward regulation created a climate, that, if it did not set off the turmoil, almost certainly aggravated it.

This is why Barack Obama talks about the "failed philosophy" of conservative government. It's why we need people who believe in the work of government to be in charge once again.

80's Movie Line of the Week

The Princess Bride reviews the downside of experience.

Buttercup: We'll never survive.
Westley: Nonsense. You're only saying that because no one ever has.

Well, We've Never Had Trouble Before Right?

From the Washington Post on voter registration increases:

Federal officials estimate that 2 million poll workers will be needed to handle the turnout, twice 2004's number and a goal states are scrambling to meet.

It wouldn't be an election without some finger pointing and a lawsuit or two, right?

Bad Timing

We taxpayers just bought another company, AIG, and now the stock market is headed even further into the toilet. Sometimes you just can't catch a break.

Different Planets

Die hard conservatives live on one planet, and the rest of us live on another. From Rich Lowry's column on the NRO:

Since 2000, John McCain had thrived on his irrepressible chattiness with the press, talking about anything reporters wanted for as long as they would listen. The press loved the access and avoided “gotcha” coverage, letting McCain explain any seeming gaffes. The arrangement worked beautifully for both sides — until McCain became the Republican presidential nominee.

Suddenly, he wasn’t afforded the same old courtesy from reporters, and he had to go about the grim business of driving a daily message. With the end of the running bull sessions, a trial separation began with the press that became a divorce that became a feud.

Whatever affection they still have for McCain is now expressed in self-interested yearning: Where is the McCain of old, the one who could be reliably counted on to lose?

On planet Conservatron, it was the press who didn't afford the same courtesy to McCain, the candidate was forced to promote suspect daily messages, and the whole thing is because McCain refuses to run a losing campaign by telling the truth.

Who are the Ad Wizards...

If you want proof that Kansas City's pro sports franchises don't take the people of the city seriously, simply look at the effort they put into marketing. This morning, unless I was still dreaming, I awoke to a Royals commercial that featured the voice of some woman talking about how much fun it is at a game.

The woman throws out some of the usual family fun stuff, but as she goes it becomes clear she is talking to a friend named Sarah. I had no idea, where this was headed until she mentions that Sarah needs to get past this "hockey mom" business (or something pretty close to that - like I said I was still staggering towards my alarm clock). Then the voice says something like "you too, McCain."

Now, I'm not sure whether this commercial was showing some tacit support for McCain, making fun of the Republican nominees, or most likely just trying to tie the Royals to something people care about. But I can't think of a much worse idea. You, at the very least, have the possibility that McCain fans will think it is mockery, and Obama fans will think it is supportive. Then everyone is angry about an ad that is dumb even if everyone takes it the right way.

This is not long after the Chiefs started running an ad featured the venerated spokesduo of Kevin Costner and Michael Garozzo. Why on earth the Chiefs would ever think a testimonial from either of those guys would make me think about how badly I too needed to come to a game is really a mystery. Even more of a mystery is that they felt like pairing the two in back-to-back spots would not be even more incongruous.

The point is that the two teams must not be trying at all. The belief seems to be that if they throw anything at all up on the radio (or TV), people will respond. After all, these are the only teams they've got. If only that wasn't so.

I Just Can't Do It

I want to write about the horror show that was the Chiefs game yesterday, but I can't. There really isn't anything to say, except that long suffering Kansas City sports fans are now getting the worst they've ever got. It's sad, frustrating, angering, and amazing all at the same time. I'm ready for some blackouts.

Credit Where it is Due

While I don't think there is any real chance that Fox will be abandoning its conservative cheerleading on a consistent basis, you have to give them (or just anchor Megyn Kelly) credit for finally calling out McCain's repugnant advisor Tucker Bounds on the campaign's regular habit of lying.



His response by the way is awesome because it involves both more lies and an insinuation that Obama is the one who is flat lying. Pretty amazing.

Via Steve Benen.

80's Movie Line of the Week

Today I read this:

Three decades ago, there were more federal wage and hour inspectors than there are today, though the labor force was 40 percent smaller.

Made me think of Randolph and Mortimer in Trading Places.

Louis Winthorpe III: Randolph. Mortimer.
Mortimer Duke: Winthorpe, my boy, what have you got for us?
Louis Winthorpe III: Well, it's that time of the month again. Payroll checks for our employees, which require your signatures. And no forgetting to sign the big ones!
Mortimer Duke: We seem to be paying some of our employees an awful lot of money.
Louis Winthorpe III: [laughs] Can't get around the old minimum wage, Mortimer.

That might have been true in the 80's, but these are heady times for the Duke's of the world.

This Aggression Cannot Stand, Man

I'm tired of hearing about pigs, lipstick, and unchallenged lies. So instead, how about I share this great reading of The Big Lebowski as a commentary on Neoconservatism?

The police have recovered the car, and the Dude has found, wedged between the seats, a page of homework belonging to one Larry Sellers. Walter figures out Larry's address and arrives at his house, the Dude in tow, the homework in a plastic bag. He then makes a brief presentation...

When Larry says nothing, Walter proceeds to Plan B: destroying the new Corvette parked outside—purchased, he assumes, using the money left in the car—with a crowbar. Actually, though, the Corvette belongs to a neighbor. Neocons everywhere can sympathize.

Is this eerie foreshadowing of the second Iraq war coincidental? Not entirely. The Coen brothers created a character with traits that run deep in American culture: unflinching righteousness and a tendency to violence. (He was largely based on John Milius, who wrote and directed Red Dawn, the Cold War-paranoia film that later gave its name to the military operation that captured Saddam.) This character confronts a situation that combines both injustice and the opportunity for material gain. He responds more or less as one would imagine. The Dude's pacifist leanings are no match for Walter's assertiveness: While the Dude's disposition may be admirable, he has little effect on the tide of world events. (Refugees from the 1960s can also sympathize.)

The author is probably giving the Coen's a bit more credit that they deserve, but basically the comparison works. And it's a lot more fun to watch this fictional debacle than the real life Walters who have been running our country.

No Reason to Lie About it

Just because lies have become a central part of the McCain campaign strategy doesn't mean they will lie about everything. For instance, the fact that they are regularly lying.

John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said the campaign is entering a stage in which skirmishes over the facts are less important than the dominant themes that are forming voters' opinions of the candidates.

"The more the New York Times and The Washington Post go after Sarah Palin, the better off she is, because there's a bigger truth out there and the bigger truths are she's new, she's popular in Alaska and she is an insurgent," Feehery said. "As long as those are out there, these little facts don't really matter."

And, as I mentioned in the previous post, it seems to be working just fine. Actually, the public is a willing participant.

For now, there appears to be little political reason to back down. A Washington Post-ABC News poll taken Sept. 5 to Sept. 7 found that 51 percent of voters think Obama would raise their taxes, even though his plan would actually cut taxes for the overwhelming majority of Americans. Obama has proposed eliminating income taxes on seniors making less than $50,000 a year, but 41 percent of those seniors say their income taxes would go up in an Obama administration.

You can be mad at the McCain campaign all you want, but as long as the public buys it there really isn't much to stop them. You get the government you deserve I guess.

And Then It Happened

No way the American public is duped into changing their minds because he adds a woman who shoots moose, I thought.

No way American women in particular don't see through the pandering and walk away insulted, I thought.

No way the American public ignores the facts that she played the lobbyist game while claiming she didn't, I thought.

No way the American public lets him get away with not talking about economic policies that address the average worker, I thought.

No way the American public sees a convention devoted to a war story and personal attacks and changes their minds, I thought.

No way, no way, no way. And then they did.

Latest average of national polls on Pollster.com: McCain 46.4, Obama 46.3

American public, I am disappointed in you.

Watch and Behold

The brazen dishonesty is staggering.

80's Movie Line of the Week

From Spies Like Us:

Keyes: By your actions, sir, you are risking the future of the human race!
General Sline: To guarantee the American way of life? I'm willing to take that risk.

Not Enough Time Today

But there are a few things I have to mention briefly:

I thought McCain's speech was actually not too bad if viewed out of the context of the rest of the convention. He isn't a great speaker, but he seriously toned down the war against liberals raging basically up to that point at the convention.

If you watched it in context of the rest of the convention, however, it seemed weird. So you want to reach across the aisle, by leading a group of people who have proven for three days that they are hell bent on the destruction of those across the aisle? How does that sell?

***

Maybe John McCain really is uncomfortable running his campaign the way he has been. It seemed to me that every time he told an obvious untruth or really went after Obama his face sort of contorted in a half smile, half wince. So his character may not be enough that he is unwilling to do those things, but it is at least enough that he knows its wrong.

***

In no way related to the previous topics, the Oklahoma City team has named itself the Thunder. I mentioned previously, what a lame choice this would be. Now I must say what a lame choice it is. I still plan on going to OKC to watch some games, but I am not thrilled by the prospect of having to hear Garth Brooks sing "Thunder Rolls" during the game. On the plus side, they'll probably also use AC/DC's "Thunderstruck." It will be like you're at the RNC.

The Great Truth Divide

Both sides spin stories to make their position look most favorable and their opponent's look least favorable. Fine. But, Republicans seem to have decided that just lying is a far more effective tool.

The AP released a story giving some fact-checking examples from the GOP Convention last night. They did a similar story for the Democratic Convention. The difference between the examples is pretty stark. For illustration purposes, I picked the most favorable and least favorable examples for both.

Most Favorable:

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.

and:

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID of NEVADA: "Sen. McCain and the Republicans have centered their answer to our vital energy needs on one solution: offshore drilling. Sen. McCain calls for it in every speech ... White House analysts, congressional analysts, and the oil industry all agree that offshore drilling won't add one drop to our energy pool for at least 10 years... Will it do any harm? The answer is, we just don't know, and neither does he."

THE FACTS: Reid is correct when he says opening areas of the U.S. coast, now off limits, will produce no new oil for years; energy experts predict seven to 10 years. McCain has acknowledged the time frame, but argues it could have a psychological effect on oil markets if the U.S. commits to more production. Many experts believe such an effect would be temporary and likely do little to lower prices.

The Republican one is most favorable because it is just misleading instead of just patently false. The Democratic one is favorable because it happens to be completely true.

Least favorable:

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

and:

FORMER SECRETARY of STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: "Sen. McCain says that American troops should remain in Iraq perhaps as long as they have been stationed in Korea and Japan, as if there were no difference in history, religion or culture between our friends in Asia and those in the Middle East."

THE FACTS: Democrats have made much of McCain's "100 years" comment at a town-hall meeting earlier this year in New Hampshire. It was in response to a questioner who had challenged him about President Bush's view that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for 50 years.

"Maybe a hundred," McCain said. "We've been in South Korea. We've been in Japan for 60 years. We've been in South Korea for 50 years or so. That'd be fine with me as long as Americans, as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed. Then it's fine with me. I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al-Qaida is training, recruiting and equipping and motivating people every single day."

McCain also has said he envisions victory in Iraq and the return of most U.S. troops by January 2013 — the end of his first term if elected. He also says withdrawal should be based on security conditions in Iraq, not hard deadlines.

The Republican one is tough because it is actually tied with just about every other fact check listed as egregious lies. Not only will Obama not raise taxes on every American, but he will actually benefit most Americans more than McCain's plan. The Democratic one is misleading because it substitutes "fine with me" for "should."

There is a definite truth gap between the two parties.

Drill Baby Drill

Man these RNC people are something else. There were so many ridiculous things about tonight it is hard to know where to start. The "Drill baby drill" chant was probably the highlight.

Nice to hear Rudy get a 9/11 plug in. I think he taught McCain how to pull off working POW experience into every conversation.

Creepy to hear about McCain and Palin laying pipeline in January.

Two Different Worlds

If you watched the Democratic convention last week, you saw a lot about the U.S. economy and the struggles of the middle and lower class. In fact, you might have thought that was the most important issue in this election. You would be right if you asked voters who continue to put the economy on the top of their list of important issues.

But if you listened to the Republican convention last night, you would have thought that all those troubles must have evaporated over the last week. Joe Lieberman made a perhaps accidental case that he might truly still be a Democrat by being the only speaker I saw during the evening mention the problems faced by working families.

The rest of the Republican world seems to be ready to stick their heads in the sand and pretend that if the rich are doing well, then everyone must be doing well. I hope they do because it will make for a much easier election.

GW is Still Classy

From his speech at the RNC last night:

“If the Hanoi Hilton could not break John McCain’s resolve to do what is best for his country, you can be sure the angry Left never will.”

Game Changer

Hey were you aware that John McCain was a P.O.W.?

Incongruity 2

John McCain's friend Tommy Espinoza just referenced McCain's work helping the poor and got crickets. He did, however, get cheers when he mentioned Jesus.

Complaint

The Republican Convention website sucks. I couldn't find the name of the young singer I referenced in the previous post because they don't have anyone but the major speakers listed. What's the deal?

Incongruity

Only at the Republican National Convention could a young Christian singer singing a song she introduced as "Blessed," be followed by AC/DC's Thunderstruck.

Predictably, dancing to either was a disaster.

Palin

Oh my.

That is about the only family friendly way to respond to John McCain’s VP selection. I realize I am a bit late to the party here, so I probably don’t have much to say that hasn’t been already said by those who can say it better. Nevertheless, I can’t let it pass without comment.

First, I hope all Democrats have the good sense Obama had in regards to the pregnancy of Sarah Palin’s daughter. Obama’s official comment was:

"Let me be as clear as possible," said Obama, "I think people's families are off-limits and people's children are especially off-limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics. It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor, or her potential performance as a vice president."

Good for Obama, and I hope others fall in line. It is patently ridiculous, however, for conservatives to complain that questions are being asked about birth control in this situation when they weren't in the case of John Edwards and whoever else. Well, John Edwards isn't an advocate of abstinence only education and Sarah Palin is.

Enough about that. There are two far more important issues to look at here.

The first is that Palin was once a member of a party whose founder said,

"I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."

That is the founder of the Alaskan Independence Party, whose name befits its platform quite well. If you think that would be a big deal if it were in the past of a Democrat you would be correct. After all, Obama's preacher took criticism for inflammatory comments but not membership in a secessionist party. And it was Obama's minister, not his VP pick.

So this seems like a big deal. Also of note are the facts that Palin raked in an impressive amount of pork for her city before deciding to denounce such practices, has been hiring more lawyers in anticipation of action over the "Troopergate" inquiry, and her executive record has some bruises.

But easily the most disturbing aspect of this whole episode is what it says about John McCain. Apparently, McCain didn't really want Palin but decided his preferred choices risked running afoul of social conservatives. So McCain picked Palin having met her exactly twice before and vetting her with the following stellar research:

According to this Republican, who would discuss internal campaign strategizing only on condition of anonymity, the McCain team used little more than a Google Internet search as part of a rushed effort to review Palin's potential pitfalls. Just over a week ago, Palin was not on McCain's short list of potential running mates, the Republican said.

Pretty thorough sure, but just to be safe they are looking into her a little further now that they have already named her the VP candidate.

Aides to Mr. McCain said they had a team on the ground in Alaska now to look more thoroughly into Ms. Palin’s background.

You might say that John McCain is flying by the seat of his pants on this one. I hope, however, you wouldn't be that generous. You should probably say that John McCain is displaying just how little interest he has in effectively running the country. Don't take my word for it though. Former Bush speechwriter, and NRO contributor, David Frum says it best:

But question: If it were your decision, and you were putting your country first, would you put an untested small-town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency?

And that would have been a great place to leave things, but a friend of mine sent me a link to a blogger friend of his who wrote this great take that I feel obliged to pass on:

Sarah Palin does not meet the experience test and she was not vetted by election, she was appointed. I'm sure she is a great person. People testify to her plain-spokenness and her maverick style. She's a member of the NRA for gosh sakes. I'm sure she's a hoot. A spitfire. A veritable ring-tailed tooter. She's a pistol, for sure. Unfortunately, we're not auditioning for Annie Get Your Gun. This is the real deal. And it's important, damn it.

Scoreboard

The chart above should be tatooed to the palm of every Democratic talking head. When a Republican inevitably starts to make wild claims about how Democrats don't understand the economy, they can speak not word but simply raise the palm.

In fact, this chart should be the focus of every Democratic booster on the planet over the next month or so. I am aware that the American people may be hard to break through to, but if everyone brought it up at every chance, people would notice. Republicans have turned "staying on message" into an effective political tool. Let's see Democrats do it as well.

80's Movie Line of the Week

Ever feel like Dark Helmet in Spaceballs?

Dark Helmet: Careful you idiot! I said across her nose, not up it!
Laser Gunner: Sorry sir! I'm doing my best!
Dark Helmet: Who made that man a gunner?
Major Asshole: I did sir. He's my cousin.
Dark Helmet: Who is he?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole sir.
Dark Helmet: I know that! What's his name?
Colonel Sandurz: That is his name sir. Asshole, Major Asshole!
Dark Helmet: And his cousin?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole too sir. Gunner's mate First Class Philip Asshole!
Dark Helmet: How many assholes do we have on this ship, anyway?
Entire Bridge Crew: Yo!
Dark Helmet: I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes!
Dark Helmet: Keep firing, assholes!

Great Idea

A while back I was lauding the Fox Soccer Channel show, Premier League Fan Zone, where the announcer spots are filled by a fan form each of the two teams playing. It's usually hilarious and sometimes more insightful than listening to the regular announcers. Blogger Ryan at The Bellows suggests a similar tactic in a different application:

I don’t want to diminish the work of my journalist buddies, many of whom have written some really good, really insightful stuff on the speech. But I think that we’d get much more informative coverage by randomly selecting ten viewers and asking them to write what they thought of it.

An excellent idea! It could work one of two ways. Either you could actually select 10 random viewers and try to get a truer sense of the regular Joe reaction, or you could select 5 partisan Democrats and 5 partisan Republicans and play the whole thing more for entertainment value. In either case, it's probably better than what we get now.

Via Matt Yglesias.

Busted!

Who says celebrities aren't like us? David Beckham may be one of the most famous people in the world, but he's also just a dude.

Got it here.

Can't Help Myself

Even though I knew it was going to piss me off, I finished watching Obama's speech and went straight to NRO's The Corner blog to see what the nation's leading conservative voices had to say. Well if I wanted to read something that would make me angry, I succeeded. But I also read a lot that made me scratch my head. Top of that list was this post from the reliably thick-headed Victor Hanson:

It was quite strange to see his enormous televised image shining through a Greek temple, as if he were Zeus speaking through the naos, giving us divine guidance on everything from turning off the television to ensuring we all go to college to promising an end to global warming and disease — with fire and lightning from Olympus in the background.

Really? Did that really look like a Greek temple to anyone else? Is he really taking on Obama for suggesting that parents should take care of their kids instead of the government? How does that not fit with Hanson's worldview? Does he have a problem with people going to college? Was he drinking when he wrote that post?

The Bite Me Express

Perhaps McCain's campaign could rename the Senator's bus after this exchange with Time Magazine:

There's a theme that recurs in your books and your speeches, both about putting country first but also about honor. I wonder if you could define honor for us?Read it in my books.

I've read your books.
No, I'm not going to define it.

But honor in politics?
I defined it in five books. Read my books.

[Your] campaign today is more disciplined, more traditional, more aggressive. From your point of view, why the change?
I will do as much as we possibly can do to provide as much access to the press as possible.

But beyond the press, sir, just in terms of ...
I think we're running a fine campaign, and this is where we are.

Do you miss the old way of doing it?
I don't know what you're talking about.

Really? Come on, Senator.
I'll provide as much access as possible ...

In 2000, after the primaries, you went back to South Carolina to talk about what you felt was a mistake you had made on the Confederate flag. Is there anything so far about this campaign that you wish you could take back or you might revisit when it's over?
[Does not answer.]

Do I know you? [Says with a laugh.]
[Long pause.] I'm very happy with the way our campaign has been conducted, and I am very pleased and humbled to have the nomination of the Republican Party.

For the rest follow the link. The "Do I know you?" line is my favorite. Did they wake him up from a nap or what?

Stuff like this is why you have to wonder if all the worrying about what is happening in the polls is a bit premature. Of course, for Democrats, no time is the wrong time for worrying.

Convention

Bill Clinton is still the best.

Biden performed well.

Even John Kerry sounded good.

Can Barack top them tonight?

I think he will, but I am curious to see what kind of speech he gives. Will it be broad and inspirational (I think it should be), or will it be a "workman-like" policy filled speech as some of his people have been saying.

There will be criticism either way. If he goes inspirational, critics will charge we still don't know what Obama really stands for. If he goes policy, critics will say he missed an opportunity to rally the nation and wasn't being himself. I'd take the first criticism.

How Did This Ever Become a Question?

Republicans have decided to return to the use of Democratic Party in their 2008 platform, dumping the frequently used "Democrat Party," in effect since 1996. Says plaform committee chairman and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour:

"We probably should use what the actual name is, at least in writing."

Yeah, probably.

Via Steve Benen.

What a Compliment!

Did Michelle Obama do well in last night's speech? While there are certainly critics, the answer seem to be yes on the whole. Of course, some people are impressed in different ways than others. At the NRO blog, the righties have cooked up an interesting brew of real praise, feigned praise, non-praise, and, of course, faint praise. In fact, this statement from Lisa Schiffren belongs in the faint praise hall of fame.

To her credit, Michelle Obama did exactly what needed to be done tonight. She is serious enough about winning that she was willing to leave out the substance. Whatever vanity she has about her political/intellectual seriousness is less than her ambition. That is truly impressive.

To her credit, Schiffren's ability to ascribe the worst possible motives to the actions of her adversaries is trumped only by her impressive willingness to post such drivel without a hint of irony.

It's for Your Own Good

Apparently, many of you delegates have refused to heed my advice. Fine you are on your own. I'm talking to you crazy hat lady, and you American flag tie guy.

Convention Delegate Advice

No matter how much the music may make you want to, don't dance. You will be on TV, and you will embarrass yourself.

Go Outside

If you are reading this from KC around the time it is posted, please go outside. Weather really doesn't get any better than it is right now. I shouldn't even be typing this right now.

"Boss"ome

Despite what many of his commenters think, Dan over at Gone Mild is a hell of a guy. Yesterday, he proved again by allowing me to tag along with his family to see Bruce Springsteen. I was not a Springsteen fan, and I still won't be downloading Born to Run, but I sure was impressed.

The show at the Sprint Center was probably the best concert I have ever seen where I didn't know 90% of the songs being played. The E-Street Band rocked, and Springsteen went all out like it was the first time he had ever been on stage. Understated would not be a word to describe the Boss, and occasionally he borders on corniness.

You absolutely cannot question his enthusiasm, however. And the energy around the show is infectious. I've never seen so many 50-year-olds dancing like teens in my life. It was quite a show.

Dan has posted his thoughts about the concert, and the setlist. Tim Finn of the Star reviews the show here.

80's Movie Line of the Week

When you are criticised, it is important to keep it in perspective. Spinal Tap helps us remember that.

Marty DiBergi: "This tasteless cover is a good indication of the lack of musical invention within. The musical growth of this band cannot even be charted. They are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry."
Nigel Tufnel: That's just nitpicking, isn't it?

Sissies

There is a great story at the New York Times site about Obama's economic views. Miracle of miracles, it is actually a piece that discusses the candidates actual policy ideas. It's long, but definitely worth the read.

Unfortunately, it also proves that the Obama team is a bunch of sissies, because if we have learned anything over the last few years, it is that facts are for wieners.

As anyone who has spent time with Obama knows, he likes experts, and his choice of advisers stems in part from his interest in empirical research. (James Heckman, a Nobel laureate who critiqued the campaign’s education plan at Goolsbee’s request, said, “I’ve never worked with a campaign that was more interested in what the research shows.”)

Might as well get him fitted for a pair of capris.

My Fear

Watching all the polls and looking at predicted electoral maps, I get the uneasy feeling that election night will end this year the same way it has the past two cycles. Ohio and Florida may well again be the deciding states, and the headlines may be about shenanigans both real and imagined in those battleground states. I hope that is just me being a little too paranoid.

Not Done Yet

The Bush gang seems intent upon being the kids who give the principal the finger on the way out of school the last day. The finger is this:

A senior aide to Vice President Cheney is the leading contender to become a top official at the Energy Department, according to several current and former administration officials, a promotion that would put one of the administration's most ardent opponents of environmental regulation in charge of forming department policies on climate change.

F. Chase Hutto III has played a prominent behind-the-scenes role in shaping the administration's environmental policies for several years, the officials said, helping to rewrite rules affecting the air that Americans breathe and the waters that oil tankers traverse. In every instance, according to both his allies and opponents, he has challenged proposals that would place additional regulations on industry.

At least they're still putting in an effort right. No senioritis in this bunch.

Via TPM.

Symbol of Futlity

ESPN conducted a poll to name the top player from every NFL franchise. Derrick Thomas won the honors for the Chiefs by a pretty wide margin. I loved Derrick Thomas as a player and this is in no way a complaint about his abilities.

But it is a pretty resounding condemnation of the Chiefs franchise that its greatest player never even played in a Super Bowl, and in fact played in only one AFC title game. Had Chiefs fans decided to name Len Dawson (who came in 3rd) the best player we would have Super Bowl title but would also be a stark reminder of how long it has been since the Chiefs played at that level. Had they named second place vote-getter Tony Gonzalez, the best player in franchise history would have never even won a playoff game.

Hey, at least we aren't the Ravens who have a kicker as their best player. Of course, that kicker has a Super Bowl ring.

Sigh.

Maybe it's because it's Monday. Maybe it's just the mood I'm in. Whatever, I am feeling pretty depressed by the response to the two presidential candidates speaking at the Saddleback Church on Saturday night. I missed the event, unfortunately, but the general consensus is that Obama was nuanced and McCain was clear and forceful.

There is some debate on the matter, but the clear majority believe this is a major win for McCain. Being nuanced is apparently akin to being uppity, detached, and not macho enough. I don't really have much to say about the subject other than that this is the kind of thing that makes me worry about the world we live in.

Make My Day Kid

"Reach for that cell phone one more time kid, and you are going to permanent time out." One of the large number of quotes my imagination conjures up regarding this new Texas law.

HOUSTON (Reuters) - A Texas school district will let teachers bring guns to class this fall, the district's superintendent said on Friday, in what experts said appeared to be a first in the United States.

...Thweatt said it is a matter of safety.

"We have a lock-down situation, we have cameras, but the question we had to answer is, 'What if somebody gets in? What are we going to do?" he said. "It's just common sense."

80's Movie Line of the Week

Big helps remind us that kids and adults can say the same things but mean something totally different.

Susan: I'm not so sure we should do this.
Josh: Do what?
Susan: Well, I like you, and I want to spend the night with you.
Josh: Do you mean sleep over?
Susan: Well, yeah.
Josh: OK... but I get to be on top.

Not a Good Combination

Inflation is up and worker earnings are down.

Consumer prices took another sharp jump last month with high energy prices fueling a 0.8% monthly increase — nearly double analysts' predictions — and chalked up a 12-month inflation rate of 5.6%, the highest since 1991, the Labor Department reported today.

...Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors said that other economic indicators released today were equally worrisome. The Labor Department also reported that workers' average weekly earnings declined by 0.8% in July and 3.1% over the last year, even after adjusted for inflation.

So everything is more expensive, but at least you're making less. These are the salad days.

Via Kevin Drum.

Probably Not What He Meant

I forgot to post last week on probably the best mixed metaphor I've ever heard. Actually, I suppose it isn't a mixed metaphor but a compound metaphor. Whatever you want to call it, it came from a Chiefs player being interviewed by 610 AM's Rhonda Moss at training camp.

"You know we just want to get something under our belts that we can hang our hats on."

Unfortunately, if you think too hard about the quote you eventually get around to thinking about how heavy a football helmet is. Ouch.

Give and Receive

The Walkmen are releasing a new album titled You & Me. I'm not sure when it will be out officially, but you can download it now at a website called Amie Street for the low price of $5. Even better, the $5 is a donation to a worthy cause.

"All sales go the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in honor of Luca Vasallo, who is seven months old and doing a great job of fighting a very difficult disease." --The Walkmen

If you've never heard of The Walkmen, isn't this a good chance to give them a try? If you don't like them, all you did was give $5 to a little guy having a rough time. No losers there.

Tip of the Day

If someone starts out your conversation with "I was listening to the radio, and they said...," there is about an 80% chance whatever you are about to here is near paralyzing BS.

An Odd Place for Birds

I'm thinking the judge probably should have stepped in at some point here.



(Editor's note: I am having trouble with the embedded video, so here is the link: http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2008/07/25)

These Guys are Real Pros

Read and be amazed:

The Bush administration yesterday proposed a regulatory overhaul of the Endangered Species Act to allow federal agencies to decide whether protected species would be imperiled by agency projects, eliminating the independent scientific reviews that have been required for more than three decades.

They really are bold aren't they? Kevin Drum puts it rather well.

I swear, sometimes all you can do is sit back and admire the chutzpah. This executive order would basically allow, say, the Army Corps of Engineers, to decide for itself if their projects were endangering any species — a process that would likely take them no more than about five minutes per species — and Kempthorne describes it as a "narrow" regulatory change. In other news, Vladimir Putin described his recent military adventures in South Ossetia as a "narrow" redeployment of Russian Army border troops.

Good for the Goose

The thing about most of the stuff that McCain can throw at Obama is that Obama can throw it right back, probably more effectively. The Obama campaign is now firing back at the celebrity spots.



If you are the candidate that has been a guest on about half of all prime time television shows and in a couple movies, you might not want to start throwing around the derisive language about being a celebrity.

Olympic Fever

Last night, I was getting ready for the upcoming week and thinking about going to bed around 10:30 or so. I also had the Olympics on. I wanted to see the men's 4 x 100 freestyle relay because, well I'm not sure exactly. I guess because there was drama wrapped up in Michael Phelps' quest for eight gold medals and the French captain declaring that they would "smash" the American team.

So I sat watching the race as the French took what looked like an insurmountable lead. It looked like the entire pool was ahead of world record pace, but other than that, it seemed as though the drama wasn't going to be there. Then the U.S. anchor, Jason Lezak, started to gain on the French anchor in the last 50 meters.

A couple of important points here. One, I don't particularly care about swimming. Two, I don't hate the French. Yet, when Lezak finished the fastest split in relay history to out-touch the French swimmer by a fingernail. I, alone in my living room, leaped off my couch and screamed, "Yeeeessssss! USA! USA!"

Has there been anyone in my vicinity, I would have probably high-fived and bear-hugged them. Why? I have no idea why. I guess because it is the Olympics, and I have Olympic fever.

Krugman on Bush

Paul Krugman has an interesting column on the Republican Party's derision towards thought. My favorite paragraph talks about our current president's place in that worldview.

Let’s also not forget that for years President Bush was the center of a cult of personality that lionized him as a real-world Forrest Gump, a simple man who prevails through his gut instincts and moral superiority. “Mr. Bush is the triumph of the seemingly average American man,” declared Peggy Noonan, writing in The Wall Street Journal in 2004. “He’s not an intellectual. Intellectuals start all the trouble in the world.”

80's Movie Line of the Week

I am making it a goal to start eating better. I will be taking advice from 80's movies such as The Sure Thing.

Gib: You know, junk food doesn't deserve the bad rap that it gets. Take these pork rinds for example. This particular brand contains two percent of the R.D.A. - that's Recommended Daily Allowance - of riboflavin.

Blackouts

The Star has a story about the potentiality of the Chiefs first preseason homegame getting blacked out. My immediate reaction was bewilderment at the fact that blackout rules would even apply to preseason games. Anyone who has ever been to a single preseason game would understand why.

But it also prompts a more important question. Is this the year we finally face a regular season blackout in KC? It hasn't happened in over 140 games, but if the Chiefs come out of the gate 2-6 or something similar you have to think it is a likelihood this year. You know, not that it isn't fun to spend about $200 and a couple of hours in traffic to watch your team get pummeled.

Bush Fatigue

I know the number and sheer audacity of many of the administration's actions have worn down even the most vigilant watchdogs. But if there was ever a time not to just let something slide, this has to be it.

Hopefully, you have already heard that Ron Suskind's latest book contains the claim that the White House attempted to forge a document linking Iraq and Al Qaida. You might not have though, since the media largely ignored the story yesterday (according to Dan Froomkin). NBC did cover the story, and Froomkin excerpts the following quote from Meredith Vieira's interview with Suskind.

Suskind replied: "It's interesting. Rob Richer talked to me and actually other reporters, too, yesterday morning -- he was fine. He'd gotten the book Monday night, read it. And then something happened yesterday afternoon. It's, you know, it's one of these instances you've got a few people whose testimony could mean the impeachment ostensibly of the president. It's enormous pressure on both men. Look, I'm sympathetic to them. They're good guys. I've spent a lot of time with them. Their interviews are taped. . . . "

If the interviews are taped, let's go. Somebody subpoena those tapes and the interviewees and let's find out what happened. These are very serious allegations. It shouldn't be considered "playing politics" to get to the bottom of them.

Oh the Outrage!

Ventured over to the NRO site today and found this:

Hope you're sitting down for this Fox News and AP report from Tennesseestan:

Workers at a Tyson Foods poultry processing plant in Tennessee have opted to trade a paid Labor Day holiday for the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr. A 5-year contract approved by members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union at the Shelbyville, Tenn., plant last November includes the change to accommodate Muslim workers.

The only comment on the excerpted story is that the author hopes I am sitting down, so he apparently thinks this is shocking. According to the excerpt, a few others do too.

News of the holiday change has prompted some anger on local Web message boards, with some writings urging readers to contact the AFL-CIO and boycott Tyson products.

What an outrage that a bunch of workers could negotiate with their employer to set up a work schedule that benefitted them more than what a bunch of knuckleheads think is appropriate. This is apparently not the Libertarian wing of conservatism.

Wisdom of the Masses

I know it is one poll, in one week, of a long election. But seeing John McCain gain serious ground on Barack Obama by going with negative (and preposterous) ads makes you really worry about the competency of the citizenry. It's hard to even blame McCain's camp for ratcheting up the nonsense if that is what brings results.

There is an argument that McCain's team is at fault because the public has always been susceptible to these kinds of tricks, but general good faith politics precluded the most juvenile attacks. Even if you accept the dubious premise that these times are different than those gone by, this argument is unconvincing at best.

The fact is that if the public is susceptible to these tactics, the public needs to be accountable for its idiocy. If that means getting more of the same silly ads that everyone currently decries, then so be it. It might also meaning getting whichever candidate has less hesitancy about diving into the gutter. The public might just deserve it.

80's Movie Quote of the Week

It's a time for philosophisin' right now. There is no better 80's philosopher than Kurt Russell in Big Trouble in Little China.

Jack Burton: When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."

Good For Them

The "them" is the Obama campaign. They declined comment on an article in the Wall Street Journal about Obama's weight.

But in a nation in which 66% of the voting-age population is overweight and 32% is obese, could Sen. Obama's skinniness be a liability? Despite his visits to waffle houses, ice-cream parlors and greasy-spoon diners around the country, his slim physique just might have some Americans wondering whether he is truly like them.

That is seriously a real story in the Wall Street Journal, and the photo above is posted with the story online.

The author does give some pretty strong evidence that this could be a problem. She pulls two quotes from a Yahoo message board that mention that Obama needs to "put some meat on his bones," and is a "beanpole."

I am proud of Obama's campaign for not dignifying this with comment.

Via Kevin Drum.

Really?

At a campaign event in Wisconsin where John McCain was defending his latest ridiculous ad (this one being the one where they compare Obama to Britney and Paris), this happened:

As soon as McCain finished answering the question, a teenager stood up and encouraged him to continue pursuing these sorts of attacks.

"I'm eighteen years-old and I just have to say, Obama terrifies me," she said, as the crowd cheered loudly. "I think you need to call him on every shot. Don't let him get away with anything."

Terrifies? Isn't that a little strong? What on earth could he have done thus far to inspire terror? Do 18 year-olds in Wisconsin need to get out more?

Peering Into the Abyss

A timely poem:

And art thou gone, sweet Youth? Say Nay!
 For thou dost know what power was thine,
That thou couldst give vain shadows flesh,
 And laughter without any wine,
From the heart fresh?

And art thou gone, sweet Youth? Say Nay!
 Not left me to Time's cruel spite;
He'll pull my teeth out one by one,
 He'll paint my hair first grey, then white,
He'll scrape my bone.

And art thou gone, sweet Youth? Alas!
 For ever gone! I know it well;
Earth has no atom, nor the sky,
 That has not thrown the kiss Farewell—
Sweet Youth, Good-Bye!

--W.H. Davies

I Knew It

It always seemed like gas went up faster than it went down. I figured that might just be some paranoid fantasy of mine though. I'm happy (or sad) to say it wasn't.

Analyses of gasoline economics show that when the price of oil rises, it takes up to four weeks for gas station prices to catch up, with most of the increase taking place within the first two weeks. But when oil prices sink, it takes up to eight weeks for the savings to be passed along to consumers. The phenomenon is known as "asymmetric price adjustment" (PDF) or, more informally, "rockets and feathers."

You can read more about why here.

Awesome Direct Quote, "Candidates Shouldn't Make Stuff Up."

The St. Louis Post Dispatch offered up its endorsements for Missouri's 9th Congressional District. The problem was that on the Republican side, they couldn't recommend anyone. Liberal bias at work? Not so much.

Here are the paper's descriptions of the candidates:

— State Rep. Bob Onder, 46, of Lake St. Louis, a physician, is running as the "family values" candidate. Dr. Onder, with the help of Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, played a prominent role in the last legislative session, sponsoring bills to crack down on undocumented immigrants and on abortion providers. Mr. Jetton also works as a political consultant for Dr. Onder. Whatever their party, voters concerned about ethics in government should find Mr. Jetton's double duty troubling, as well as Dr. Onder's role in it.

— Blaine Luetkemeyer, 56, a former state representative and former Missouri Director of Tourism from St. Elizabeth, is promising voters to stop a "massive job-killing $1.2 trillion a year income tax hike that the liberal Congress has planned." We have never heard of this plan, and Mr. Luetkemeyer could not provide details. He may be confusing it with the Lieberman-Warner "Climate Security Act," although he said that was not the case. Candidates shouldn't make stuff up.

— State Rep. Danie Moore, 62, of Fulton, is a retired school teacher who was a reliable GOP foot soldier in her eight years in the House but had no significant legislative accomplishments. Nor does she demonstrate much knowledge of current policy issues.

— Finally, there is Brock Olivo, 32, of Columbia, a business consultant and a former University of Missouri football star. His campaign got off to a rough start when he admitted that he had never voted in an election, but he is a very likeable young man. He doesn't know much about the issues, but at least he admits it.

That is one hell of a lineup. The Post-Dispatch summarizes the candidates thus:

The candidates differ little on the issues. None of them displays any command of policy. Their campaigns are based on platitudes and, in some cases, misinformation. We can't recommend any of them.

What is scary is that might not keep one of them from getting elected.

Via Kos.

Government by People Who Hate Government (Part 23,472)

No shock, of course, that the official report has now confirmed that Justice Department officials were using political criteria for hiring. What is great, however, is to read a better summary of exactly how they did it.

Ms. Goodling interviewed the woman herself for possible positions and wrote in her notes such phrases as “pro-God in public life,” and “pro-marriage, anti-civil union.” She was eventually hired as a career prosecutor.

Ms. Goodling also conducted extensive searches on the Internet to glean the political or ideological leanings of candidates for career positions, the report found. She and other Justice Department supervisors would look for key phrases like “abortion,” “homosexual,” “guns,” or “Florida re-count” to get information on a candidate’s political leanings.

A fun game would be to come up with other search phrases for the supervisors to use. The first one to come to mind for me is "loose morals."

Oklahoma City Adds Arena League Team?

That is what it sounds like from the names the NBA registered for its new OKC team. Here is the list:

Barons
Bison
Energy
Marshalls
Thunder
Wind

That list is almost enough to make me glad that Kansas City doesn't have to embarass itself naming a new team (I would like to think we could do better). Why does Marshalls have two "l"s? Why would the Energy ever even be under consideration? Would the mascot for the Wind be an adult contemporary radio host?

Which of these do you find least offensive? That is apparently how it will have to be picked.

80's Movie Quote of the Week

Congress revisited the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" this week. Stripes visited it in 1981.

Recruiter: Now, are either of you homosexuals?
John Winger: [John and Russell look at each other] You mean, like, flaming, or...
Recruiter: Well, it's a standard question we have to ask.
Russell Ziskey: No, we're not homosexual, but we are willing to learn.
John Winger: Yeah, would they send us someplace special?

Steadfast

I am impressed with conservatives for finding a way to quickly and efficiently move their all-consuming rage toward Hillary Clinton into an all-consuming irritation at Barack Obama.

I'm not sure that this irritation will be as effective as the rage directed at Clinton, but it many ways it is more impressive. With Clinton, the hatred was irrational, but at least it was true vitriol. With Obama, however, the requisite passion is absent. He hasn't done anything that qualifies him for everlasting crucifixion from the right.

Yet, they press on. They try things out. Obama said we should all learn a foreign language. Not lurid enough. Obama gave a speech in a foreign country before he was president. Not conspiratorial enough. Obama seems like he might be too good for all of us. Been done. It's a giant experiment.

Meanwhile their candidate has an aid telling Americans to stop imagining their financial woes, confusing fairly important facts in his area of expertise, claiming that the economy is not his strong suit, and running ads blaming Obama for high gas.

I suppose I'd be looking pretty hard for something too.

Advice Worth Millions

Why do I not believe that executives are worth the insanely large salaries they currently receive and people like Phil Gramm say they deserve? The New York Times has a story today about Ford's decision to move its production towards small cars. In the story, Ford's CEO, Alan Mulally, is described as a bold risk-taker and innovator. Large investor Kirk Kerkorian has bought of Ford shares because he believes in Mulally.

What kind of business wizardry makes this CEO so valuable?

“Everybody says cut and cut some more, but how are we going to sustain this company?” Mr. Mulally said in one meeting in his office on the 12th floor of Ford headquarters, according to people in attendance. “What does a sustainable Ford look like, gentlemen?”

...“Why are we in business?” he repeatedly asked the group. “We are in business to create value. And we can’t create value if we go out of business.”

If only every CEO had such insight! And this isn't all of his wisdom:

“Let’s see, the global share of large vehicles is 15 percent,” he said at one such meeting, according to people in attendance. “And you’re telling me you want to invest more in them?”

He often exhorts his employees to “take a point of view of the future,” and then devise a plan supporting it.

Genius!

This is not meant to be a slam at Mr. Mulally. Those statements sound like perfectly good sense. What should frighten us is that these ideas were apparently novel to the rest of the management team.

If the common sense statements of Mulally constitute the pinnacle of business leadership, then we must conclude two things. One is that people who see this as some great talent maybe shouldn't be allowed to have shoelaces. The other is that if general commonsense is the bar for exorbitant pay, then the very idea of business itself is in serious trouble.

A Lesson on Highbrow BS

The following is an excerpt from a funny piece in this month's Harper's Magazine. The essay is by George Saunders, and was originally published in the Guardian.

Whereas a boring realist writer might write, "Lillian sat at the black table," an experimental writer says, "Lillian sat at the flat plane of ebony, the night-shaded planar surface, the nonwhite spatial expanse on which one can put things, such as ashtrays, if one smokes." See how that is more innovative, because not just anyone could have written it, just the nerdy kids in school or your friends' smart-ass son who rolls his eyes when you say what bands you like?

And to be superexperimental, one could have Lillian, at the black table, turn into a chimp. To show that bourgeois life is a sham. But when she is a chimp, she is still Lillian. That is the deep part. Her husband, Brian, likes her better as a chimp and always makes her banana milkshakes. Until one day a milkshake develops vocal cords and begs Brian to spare him because he is terrified of chimps. In retaliation, Lillian has an affair with an orangutan, who is either from the zoo or from another experimental story. See how edgy that is? You will never look at your wife, a milkshake, or a chimp in the same way again. Whenever you see these things, you will be like: I am a capitalist oppressor.

Mr. Brightside

Not a lot of positives you can take from a 19-4 loss. Actually, this probably serves as the defintion of a low point.

On the other hand, the Royals put Tony Pena Jr. in to pitch the 9th because things had gotten out of hand. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning throwing 8 of 12 pitches for strikes and striking out Ivan Rodriguez. This hardly qualifies Pena to be the next Cy Young, but if he could ever be converted to a pitching spot we would never have to watch him bat again (except in interleague games).

Exceeding Expectations

Over the weekend, I saw The Dark Knight. Not many things are as good as advertised, and fewer still are better than advertised. The Dark Knight was one of them.

The Audacity of Continuing to Use the Word Audacity in Stories About Barack Obama

Charles Krauthammer does it today (or perhaps his headline writer did) in the Washington Post. Whatever the case, it headlines one of the more ridiculous stories written about a candidate so far this season. Here is the beginning:

Barack Obama wants to speak at the Brandenburg Gate. He figures it would be a nice backdrop. The supporting cast -- a cheering audience and a few fainting frauleins -- would be a picturesque way to bolster his foreign policy credentials.

What Obama does not seem to understand is that the Brandenburg Gate is something you earn. President Ronald Reagan earned the right to speak there because his relentless pressure had brought the Soviet empire to its knees and he was demanding its final "tear down this wall" liquidation. When President John F. Kennedy visited the Brandenburg Gate on the day of his "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech, he was representing a country that was prepared to go to the brink of nuclear war to defend West Berlin.

Who is Obama representing? And what exactly has he done in his lifetime to merit appropriating the Brandenburg Gate as a campaign prop? What was his role in the fight against communism, the liberation of Eastern Europe, the creation of what George Bush the elder -- who presided over the fall of the Berlin Wall but modestly declined to go there for a victory lap -- called "a Europe whole and free"?

So, Krauthammer is telling us that the problem with Barack Obama is not that he doesn't have skills or experience for the job. No, Obama's problem is that he is so full of himself that he would pick a venerated location to give a speech. Does this yet qualify as grasping for straws?

80's Movie Quote of the Week

It's not a comedy. But given the fact that I am extremely excited about the impending release of the new Batman movie, I thought it might be worth revisting the 1989 version. The Joker has some timeless advice.

The Joker: Never rub another man's rhubarb.

It's Not About What You Say

John McCain is speaking in KC today at a town hall meeting. These meetings should be democracy at its finest. Instead, they usually make you wonder about whether democracy is built on a solid foundation. A nice example was outlined today (in a pretty rough retelling):

Some Guy in Crowd: Obama wants to fix healthcare by getting the government more involved. I think the government needs to be less involved. How can you help get the government less involved so the free market can give us cheaper healthcare?

Crowd roars with approval.

McCain: I agree with you. Here is what we need to do...blah, blah, blah... and we need federal and state governments to work together to create pools for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford coverage.

Crowd roars with approval.

Three important question arise:
1. How many people were actually listening?
2. Of those that were listening, how many understood what was going on?
3. What does all of this mean for democracy?

Joe Buck Had a Bad Margarita in Cabo

Is that the explanation for his committed indifference to the Mexecutioner throughout last night's All-Star game broadcast? Buck had three opportunities earlier in the evening to mention Joakim Soria along with the other great closers on the AL roster. He skipped every chance.

When Soria improbably entered the game in the 11th inning, Buck could have redeemed himself a bit by talking about the surprising dominance of the Royals closer this season. In the 1 and 2/3 innings Soria pitched, however, Buck said nothing. He barely even mentioned that it was Soria on the mound.

So, I think he must have some aversion to Mexico. Perhaps it was a bad time at a resort. Maybe the Aztecs are his least favorite ancient civilization. Maybe Buck is a Minuteman afraid that Soria is here illegally to steal the job of some American closer.

Or maybe it is the fact that Buck is an old Cardinals guy. A Cardinals guy would classically be a jerk about a Royals player. But would he, as an announcer, stoop so low? He's a Cardinals guy, so probably.

20%

That is what I think the odds of Joakim "Buenos Noches" "Mexecutioner" Soria playing in tonight's All-Star game are. I hope he makes it in, but I won't be holding my breath. If he does play, I am saying he pitches the 6th or 7th.

The Nuge

Ted Nugent is a moron. The Star's Back to Rockville blog posts a recent interview with him in anticipation of his appearance in KC.

Rock stars suck. I have never been a rock star. I happen to be a very hard working bow-hunter American who puts his heart and soul into creating moving R&B music with the world’s greatest musicians that care only about the music. Without question my music is tighter, more powerful, sexier and intense today than it or any music has ever been.

He goes on to make some enlightened claims about U.S. foreign policy and comment on his general political philosophy. All of it is just fantastic.

One of the commenters points out that he was a draft dodger. I would be curious if this is true. Anybody know? It almost makes him too perfect a caricature if it's true. He might be too perfect a caricature anyway.

There is a God

And he loves us very much. Here is the proof:

Billy Packer's streak of Final Fours is over after 34 years, The Miami Herald reported Monday. Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS' coverage by studio analyst Clark Kellogg, network representative Leslie Anne Wade confirmed to the newspaper.

College basketball fans are hereby liberated from the tyranny of one of the most curmudgeonly, obnoxious, and provincial commentators of all time. And there was much rejoicing.

Capitalism Takes Its Lumps

E.J. Dionne has a nice column in the Washington Post talking about how many of our economic cliches are becoming increasingly outdated.

You know the talking points: Regulation is the problem and deregulation is the solution. The distribution of income and wealth doesn't matter. Providing incentives for the investors of capital to "grow the pie" is the only policy that counts. Free trade produces well-distributed economic growth, and any dissent from this orthodoxy is "protectionism."

Dionne goes on to talk about how many conservatives (and Barney Frank) are starting to openly question much of what was once considered orthodoxy. The problem is that the people he refers to are Ben Bernanke and a guy from a think tank. It's great that these guys are taking the problem seriously, but they aren't members of Congress or presidential candidates.

So how long before those who are members of Congress or presidential candidates follow suit and acknowledge that government may actually have a role to play assuring the widespread financial security of our nation? I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

Agreement

George Will finally writes a column I agree with (though he does manage to put in at least a few lines that make me cringe). He says we should celebrate beer.

Suffice it to say that the good news is really good: Beer is a health food.

... So let there be no more loose talk -- especially not now, with summer arriving -- about beer not being essential. Benjamin Franklin was, as usual, on to something when he said, "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Or, less judgmentally, and for secular people who favor a wall of separation between church and tavern, beer is evidence that nature wants us to be.

Here's to you George.

80's Movie Quote of the Week

Commentary on friendship from the Weird Al classic, UHF.

Bob: How could you do this to me? I knew this was gonna happen.
George: You're right, Bob. I'm sorry. What can I say? I-I'm a miserable worthless hunk of slime. Here, I want you to take this crowbar and... just bash my head right in! Go ahead. Really. Please! Just BASH it right in!
Bob: George, you know I can't do that. You still owe me 5 bucks.

A Nice Start

Michael Beasley had his first opportunity to show the Bulls they made a mistake in not drafting the most talented player in the draft, and he didn't disappoint. Beasley had 28 points and 9 rebounds in the Heat's first summer league game against those same Bulls. While #1 pick Derrick Rose nervously played his way to 10 points, 4 assists, and 5 turnovers, Beasley took it to a second and a third year NBA player.

Apparently, the only complaint on the court was that Beasley was singing while he was playing. I like to think he was singing Charlie's America Song from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia:

I'm gonna rise up/ I'm gonna kick a little ass/ I'm gonna kick some ass in the U.S.A./ I'm gonna climb a mountain/ I'm gonna sew a flag/ I'm gonna fly on an eagle/ I'm gonna kick some butt/ I'm gonna drive big trucks/ I'm gonna rule this world/ I'm gonna kick some ass/ I'm gonna rise up/ Gonna kick a little ass/ Rock on flyin' eagle!

Feeling Sorry for McCain

I'd feel sorry for anybody who has to deal with this:

McCain has not yet signaled the changes he plans to make in the GOP platform, but many conservatives say they fear wholesale revisions could emerge as candidate McCain seeks to put his stamp on a document that currently reflects the policies and principles of President Bush.

Really? I mean, the Bush era has been an unqualified success and all, but there aren't a few things that could use a slight alteration? Do these people have any interest at all in having a Republican president?

Saying It Without Words

I saw Wall-E yesterday, and I would highly recommend it. It has a timely message, great animation, and a cute story. But what really makes it fantastic is the fact that the overwhelming majority of the movie takes place without words.

The ability of Wall-E's creators to make you empathize with and care about a robot who utters only a handful of words is an affirmation of the existence of art. We get so caught it up in the words we say to each other that we miss a pretty large part of what gives us humanity. Kudos to Pixar for putting it in plain sight.

(As a side note, I think the short before the film maybe Pixar's best yet. At the very least, it is right up there with the birds on a wire before Monster's Inc.)

I am a Real American

Hulk Hogan said it, and I lived it. I know it because I got all the questions right on this citizenship test. Immigrants apparently have to take the real test without multiple choices, so if you know any immigrants you can direct all U.S. questions to them. Happy 4th everybody!

Another Blow to Basketball in KC

The Sonics are moving to Oklahoma City. Actually, the team formerly known as the Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City since the team is giving up rights to the name and colors. What a shocking result to a process that started with some guys who live in Oklahoma City buying a team in Seattle. Never could have seen that one coming.

Anyway, this is all bad news for Kansas City. A team that was adamant about moving is not coming here. And now, the city of Seattle is already working to replace its erstwhile team with a new one (that will be called the Sonics). So now, there aren't any teams with an imminent move, and there is at least one city (two if you believe the NBA would dare go to Vegas) ahead of KC on the pecking order.

On the plus side, if you want to see an NBA game you will soon be able to get to one in less than 6 hours. What a consolation.

How Full of it is David Brooks?

Quite a bit, I think. He has a column for NYT suggesting that Democrats versus Republicans is really just one elite challenging another, so working-class programs will never get enacted.

Professionals, like lawyers and media types, tend to vote and give Democratic.

...Amazingly, Democrats have cultivated this donor base while trending populist on trade by forsaking much of the Clinton Third Way approach and by vowing to raise taxes on capital gains and the wealthy. If Obama’s tax plans go through, those affluent donors could wind up giving over 50 percent of their income to the federal government.

They’ve managed to clear these policy hurdles partly by looking out for tort lawyers and other special groups. But mostly they have taken advantage of the rivalry between the two American elites.

...If the Democrats are elected, this highly educated class will have much more say over policy than during the campaign. Undecided voters sway campaigns, but in government, elites generally run things. Once the Republicans are vanquished, I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for that capital gains tax hike or serious measures to expand unionization.

Completely impossible, I suppose, that the Democratic professionals Brooks talks about could actually believe in any of the programs he says won't be enacted. It's funny really , because Brooks is taking a page right of the ultra-leftist handbook - the whole society is controlled by a bunch of plutocrats, and thus it really doesn't matter who is in power. I guess right about now that might be his best argument for keeping Republicans.

80's Movie Quote of the Week

It's 4th of July, and that means one thing to Americans - movie openings. In honor of that tradition, we go back to the first July 4th opening of the 80's, Airplane!

Captain Oveur: You ever been in a cockpit before?
Joey: No sir, I've never been up in a plane before.
Captain Oveur: You ever seen a grown man naked?

... Captain Oveur: Joey, have you ever been to a Turkish prison?

...Captain Oveur: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

It's Different When We Do It

Kevin Drum has a post linking to a New York Times story that shows many of the interrogation techniques used at Guantanamo Bay were taken directly from a chart titled "Communist Coercive Methods for Eliciting Individual Compliance."

What the trainers did not say, and may not have known, was that their chart had been copied verbatim from a 1957 Air Force study of Chinese Communist techniques used during the Korean War to obtain confessions, many of them false, from American prisoners.

The recycled chart is the latest and most vivid evidence of the way Communist interrogation methods that the United States long described as torture became the basis for interrogations both by the military at the base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Just when you think our image around the world couldn't get worse...

The Bizzaro World Media

Dan Froomkin has a piece in the Washington Post about how Bush's bubble endures, even as his tenure winds down. Froomkin focuses on Bush's uncanny ability to look ever upward at the blue sky and call it orange.

But I care more about the part of the story that features the sycophants always in the room to cover the proceedings. Bush we are about to send packing. They unfortunately, will still be around. Here is Froomkin quoting what some had to say about the meeting with Bush:

Kudlow concludes: "I would say as someone who has been privileged to attend these gatherings in the past, not only did the president show the inner strength he always has, but when he does reflect on the tumultuous events of his tenure, he is completely at peace with himself and his decisions."

Jonah Goldberg writes in his Los Angeles Times opinion column: "The session, maddeningly and often foolishly punctuated by long, off-the-record musings and soliloquies, mostly dealt with foreign policy. . . .

"Dressed in a pale blue suit with a crisp blue tie, the president seemed to be in high spirits as he discussed developments in North Korea and other diplomatic initiatives, crushing my hopes for a poignant 'Bush in winter' column."

Would President Obama get similar favorable treatment? Of course not, which raises the equally disturbing question of how people so willingly blind to Bush's inadequacies will behave when someone they are predisposed to dislike enters office.

I fear an Obama victory will mean four years of unhinged, unfounded diatribes unlike any we have seen before. That will be welcome respite from this ridiculousness.