A candid conversation…

...with the Sarah Palin interview generator.

Q: What is the role of the US in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Afghanistan will lead to further security of our economy. Helping the it's got to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country, absolutely, I want to do this with you. I believe that what President Bush has attempted to do this with you. I believe that it is about reform of this country, and victory in the war. You can't blink. So, I believe that they, too, want to rid not only their country, also. And I asked President Karzai, "Is that what President Bush has attempted to do is rid this world of Islamic believers who are extreme, and they are violent, and they do not like the idea though of taxpayers being used to bailout these corporations.

Q. How will you fix the economy?

The economy and putting it back on the world. No, I've worked all my life until I had kids. I was able to speak with him the other party, also. Americans are getting tired of that self-dealing and kind of grab it all and pretend like they have all options out there on the side of the construction bonds and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are right next to to our state. He's got the track record of the day are going to be ushered in. putting it back on the verbiage that Senator McCain chose to use because the fundamentals, as he was having to explain afterwards, he means the ingenuity of the adverse impacts all across our nation, again, because the mission that we're seeing today, you know that something is broken and John McCain has done, that has to be accepted and then it leads to.

Q: Why should the US elect Senator McCain?

McCain has done, that has to be ushered in. for solutions for some opportunity to do things better. But it is that my son has made a decision. I am the executive of. And there in Russia Diplomacy is about doing a lot of perspective on the anniversary, in this nation, at this time. It is for no more politics as usual, the cronyism that has been the Washington elite. I don't know if the task is from Alaska that we have got to stop. Spending that, investing that, not using the prudence that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to.

Hat tip to Oliver.

I guess I'm agnostic…

…on the bailout legislation that failed today. Is it the right fix? The right time? Folks who know more about the subject than I, folks I tend to respect on a range of issues, are coming down on both sides. Whatever happened today, or may happen tomorrow, though, this sounds right to me, though…

Do nothing was last tried in 1929-1932. The result was called the Great Depression. Let's not do that again.

It's likely not possible at this point to do all that we should, let alone all that we could, for Main Street, and for the virtually unmentioned folks who live a few blocks off Main Street. Hopefully there's enough smarts around to figure out what we must do, and the will to get it done. Elsewise, well, they say whiskey and ammo are excellent trade goods.

Clearly.

Nick Beaudrot...

We are now clearly at the point where anyone who thinks the country needs to be governed by adults cannot in good conscience vote for any Republican running for Federal office.

Of course, that's been pretty clear to me for a half a century or so. Applies to state and local offices, too. In fact…

Peace and Stability report

"It's a peaceful and stable country now."

John McCain

Sunday in Iraq...

Baghdad

- Around 8 a.m. a roadside bomb targeted an Iraqi army vehicle in Mansour neighborhood, killing one soldier and injuring two soldiers and a civilian.
- Around 1 p.m. American soldiers searched an empty house in Zayuna neighborhood and shot randomly, injuring two civilians in the area, Iraqi police said. U.S. military said they had no information about the incident.
- Around 5:30 p.m. a parked car bomb exploded in a busy market in Shurta Rabaa neighborhood, southwest Baghdad, killing 12 civilians and injuring 35 others.
- Around 5:30 p.m. a bomb planted in a car exploded on a main road near Al Bayaa neighborhood, killing one and injuring one.
- Around 7 p.m. a parked car bomb exploded in the busy market area of Karrada neighborhood in central Baghdad, followed by a roadside bomb that killed 19 civilians and injured 72 others.
- Police found two dead bodies throughout Baghdad, one near Al Rasheed Camp and one in Hurriyah.

Diyala

- Around 9 a.m. a roadside bomb targeted Ahmed Samir Zargush, the mayor of Al Saidiyah town, about 50 miles east of Baquba. Zargush was injured along with three of his bodyguards and two civilians.

Nineveh

- Gunmen killed one citizen, a Christian, in Al Baladiyat neighborhood and in another incident gunmen killed a man and injured his brother in Mosul.'

So, what d'ya figure...

McCain misstated some facts in foreign-policy debate
…does "Senator Foreign Policy Expert" simply not know what he's talking about, or is "Senator Straight Talk" just a liar?

And now...

Really?

"...the American people know me very well."

John McCain

I wonder. For instance, do most folks know about his gambling habit?

Senator John McCain was on a roll. In a room reserved for high-stakes gamblers at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, he tossed $100 chips around a hot craps table. When the marathon session ended around 2:30 a.m., the Arizona senator and his entourage emerged with thousands of dollars in winnings.

A lifelong gambler, Mr. McCain takes risks, both on and off the craps table...

Know when to walk away, my friends.

Damn.

Paul Newman dies at 83

83 is a good run, no doubt, and he ran a better course than most, but he's one of those people I just thought (or hoped, I suppose) would last forever.

R.I.P. to the coolest hand of 'em all.

Tune time.

Pete Seeger - Union Maid
Danny O'Keefe - Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues
The Stonemans - Wreck Of The Old 97
Greg Trooper - Muhammad Ali (The Meaning Of Christmas)
Bing Crosby - I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande)
David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E.'s In Love
Lee Dorsey - Get Out Of My Life, Woman
Bobby Gentry - Ode To Billy Joe
New Riders Of The Purple Sage - Ripple

Selected randomly, as usual, but the first tune provides an appropriate and timely prod for a shout out to the men and women on the Machinists' line at Boeing.

Thanks for stickin' to the union, brothers and sisters.

From the "Since you asked" file.

Dave at Hominid Views wonders...

Is it really a tough choice here? Obama, the confident and reassuring natural-born leader with intelligent, experienced, and mindful advisors—who he actually listens to… or McCain, the political version of Mike Tyson biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in a desperate clinch before losing not only the fight, but any dignity he may have previously had?

Since you asked, no.

Friday Mars blogging.- Now in 3-D!

Pretty cool, huh?

Please, ma'am, may I have another?

CNN:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took four questions from her traveling press corps Thursday, the first time she has taken any from them since being tapped as Sen. John McCain's running mate.

I don't begrudge the press corps their paychecks, which must be pretty good to justify the debasement of their profession that's become a hallmark of the McCain-Palin campaign. Still, there must be a limit to what they'll take.

Are four questions more like another cup of gruel or thirty pieces of silver?

From the "Impossible things" file.

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

The White Queen

Near as I can figure, John McCain and the Republicans would have us believe that Barack Obama is an inconsequential empty suit who's never accomplished a thing of substance and that he's principally, if not single-handedly, responsible for the current economic morass. That would make him the most powerful meaningless man in America.

Or something.

Guess they've got four impossible things to go on the other side of the looking glass.

Good advice...

…from a great post by Fixer.

Stop falling for The Lie.

Please.

(And really, it's a great post. Go read.)

Lies, damned lies…

…and the Republican Platform.

We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself. We believe in the free market as the best tool to sustained prosperity and opportunity for all.

Seems like everyone's got something to say lately…

…'cept me. My own personal Congressman, via Howie…

"This is the third time we've done it with this bunch. First the war, which didn't get paid for. Then the tax cuts, that didn't get paid for, and now King Henry takes over to distribute 700 billion dollars. He's going to be there for four months. And in four months he will make deals and then he'll go out and he'll be able to catch a pass he threw to himself."

Yep.

Good question…

…from David Yepsen.

Is being attacked as an elitist by a de Rothschild more like the pot calling the kettle black, or putting lipstick on a pig?

This too...

"The truth is that if John McCain were any closer to big business he'd be listed on the New York Stock Exchange."

Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO

Heh™.

Heh™.

The next President of the United States...

"They said they wanted to let the market run free but instead they let it run wild..."

Good 'un.

Strengthened the fundamentals, as it were.

John McCain on 60 Minutes, 9/21/08, via Aravosis…

Scott Pelley: In 1999, you were one of the senators who helped pass deregulation of Wall Street. Do you regret that now?

John McCain: No, I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy.

Jeebus.

And now...

Peace and Stability report

"It's a peaceful and stable country now."

John McCain

CNN:

At least 35 people were wounded and one killed in seven violent incidents in Baghdad Sunday morning, including seven bombings and two gun attacks, according to an Interior Ministry official.

Fun fact…

…from the Freeway Blogger.

The fence above between I-5 and Kobe Terrace Park is the best place to hang a sign in Seattle. It's quiet, secluded, highly visible and utterly unreachable to traffic.

Worth repeating…

McCain Would Rather Lose His Integrity Than Lose an Election

…over and over. To everyone.

I'm up…

…might as well get this thing going. Here's the ten for today…

Dan Bern - one thing real
Crosby, Stills & Nash - 49 Bye-Byes
Judy Collins - Sunny Goodge Street
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard - Pancho and Lefty
Mark Spoelstra - France Blues
Townes Van Zandt - Waiting Around To Die
George Jones - Here In The Real World
The Youngbloods - Will The Circle Be Unbroken
They Might Be Giants - James K. Polk
The Beach Boys - Come Go With Me

Friday Mars Blogging.

Lander litter.

Oh yeah…

…Arrr!

"Kind of sad" ?

I suppose. The next President of the United States…

Now, I think it's a pretty clear that Senator McCain is a little panicked right now. At this point he seems to be willing to say anything or do anything or change any position or violate any principal to try and win this election, and I've got to say it's kind of sad to see. That's not the politics we need.

A sympathetic nature is, I suppose, a positive trait.

In the words of the poet, though, "Don't mourn, organize."

From the "Ain't that America?" file.

Hat tip to TRex.

Um. Sarah?

There’s just one problem with proposing to put the federal checkbook online – somebody’s already done it. His name is Barack Obama.

Heh™

What a "maverick Republican" looks like.

Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, a maverick Republican from Maryland, endorsed Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for president in an interview Wednesday with WYPR, Baltimore's National Public Radio station.

Welcome to the team, Congressman.

X 50…

…I hope. Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita (Republican)...

"I will say that this is the first time I have ever seen a Democratic presidential campaign this engaged in this state."

Hey now!

It's true, Howie. It's a big deal for deadheads.

Big boost for Obama, too, I hope.

Since you asked.

The maiden wonders...

How can an honest person justify a vote for McCain?

Since you asked, they can't. They'd have to be willfully ignorant of objective reality, an inherently dishonest perspective.

From the "Me too" file...

The next Vice President of the United States...

"I am sick and tired of this Republican garbage."

Heh™.

The next President of the United States...

"The ol’ boy network? In the McCain campaign, that’s called a staff meeting."

A timely reminder…

…from Lynn Allen that the deadline for online or mail-in voter registration in the upper left is October 4th. The odds doubtless approach certainty that you know someone who should be registered who, for one reason or another, isn't. Your mission, should you choose to win elections, is to seek that person (or persons) out and send them here.

If you're elsewhere, there's likely a deadline facing you and a similar job to do.

Wanting change isn't enough. Waiting for Obama won't do. We have to make change.

Every day.

Yep.

I'm with Goldy.

Given enough money one could get absolutely anything on the ballot. Anything. I guess, if you have the money, that’s your right under the current rules, but it sure ain’t populism, and it’s high time our political and media elite pulled the bags off their heads and stopped revering as sacred an instrument of so-called “direct democracy” that isn’t partcularly direct, or democratic.

The initiative process, whatever its original merits, has been corrupted beyond repair. That's why my practice is to vote against all of 'em. If an idea is good enough to merit legislation, it's good enough to work it's way through the legislative process.

That's the theory. Then an I-1000 comes along to provide the proverbial exception that proves the rule.

Doesn't happen often, though. Not often enough to maintain the process as it has come to be.

What a bomb squad does to bombs…

Heh™.

Great sweeping bow to Neil Sinhababu of Cogitamus.

Good advice…

…for Democratic handwringers "strategic class" from Ari Melber...

1. Stop Focusing on Obama.
2. Attack McCain Harder.
3. Be The Change That You Want to See in the World.

Hat tip to Howie.

Quote of the day.

“Sarah knows how to field-dress a moose. I know how to castrate a calf. Neither of those things has anything at all to do with this election."

Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge

52 Fact Checks.

Count the Lies.

h/t Gordon.

Through the looking glass...

Rove: McCain went 'too far' in ads

Curiouser and curiouser.

And now...

From the "If only" file.

A query from buckarooskidoo...

Can candidates be disqualified on the grounds of running on pernicious trivial nonsense?

If only...

Thought for the day.

McCain Would Rather Lose His Integrity Than Lose an Election.

Tell your friends.

Put another nickel in...

...and get another random ten.

Madonna - Express Yourself
Greg Trooper - Muhammad Ali (The Meaning Of Christmas)
Booker T. & The MGs - Green Onions
Sonny & Cher - The Beat Goes On
Handful Of Luvin - Blue Light
Yonder Mountain String Band - Bloody Mary Morning
Hey, Good Lookin' - Hank Williams
Doc Watson & Frosty Morn - You Ain't Going Nowhere
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Orange Blossom Special
Tom Paxton - All Night Long

Friday Mars blogging.

That dusty old dust...

Sarah speaks.

Like any good thrill ride, part of the fun is that it's downright scary. An annotated overview of some early AP reporting...

In other words, no…

McCain has defended her qualifications, citing her command of the Alaska National Guard and Alaska's proximity to Russia. Asked whether those were sufficient credentials, Palin said: "It is about reform of government and it's about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues."

Or they may not...

She also said she had never met a head of state and added: "If you go back in history and if you ask that question of many vice presidents, they may have the same answer that I just gave you."

Indisputably…

"There have been mistakes made."

Clarity. Sort of...

Asked to clarify that she'd support going to war over Georgia, she said: "Perhaps so."

Eyes wired open…

…you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate."

As you can see, the requisite scariness is in abundant supply.

Still...

"Back to reality."

Go read Kinsley. He's chock full o' fun facts like these...

...In 2005 (the most recent figures), according to the Tax Foundation, Alaska ranked 18th in federal taxes paid per resident ($5,434) but first in federal spending received per resident ($13,950). Its ratio of federal spending received to federal taxes paid ranks third among the 50 states, and in the absolute amount it receives from Washington over and above the amount it sends to Washington, Alaska ranks No. 1.

And again...

FAIRFAX, VA -- At a huge rally here today, Palin once again repeated her line -- called misleading by non-partisan fact-checkers -- that she told Congress "thanks but no thanks for that Bridge to Nowhere."

Of course, being a proudly partisan fact-checker, I'll call it what it is. A lie.

That's a fact.

More of this, please.

The next President of the United States...

"I don't care what they say about me. But I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and swift boat politics, Enough is enough."

Me too.

Still pigs.

(It's a little bigger behind a click.)

Peace and Stability report

"It's a peaceful and stable country now."

John McCain

Via Professor Cole…

Baghdad

General Hasen Maeen, from the Prime Minister's office was targeted with an adhesive bomb stuck onto the car. He and two of his security personnel were severely injured in the explosion that took place in Harthiyah, central Baghdad, at 7.30 a.m. Tuesday.

An adhesive IED was stuck onto the car of the bureau chief of al-Arabiyah satellite station in Baghdad, Jowad al-Hattab in Salhiyah neighbourhood, central Baghdad. Al-Hattab called the security forces after checking his car and suspecting something at around 11 a.m. Tuesday, but the bomb detonated without casualties, before they arrived.

A roadside bomb targeted a restaurant in Wahran intersection, Baladiyat, eastern Baghdad, killing one civilian, injuring six people including three policemen.

Two roadside bombs were discovered and detonated under control, without casualties in Zayuna.

A roadside bomb exploded under a coach [bus] in Mansour, central Baghdad at 7 p.m. injuring three civilians.

A roadside bomb targeted a police patrol near Wathiq Square, Karrada at 9 p.m. injuring seven people including five policemen.

A roadside bomb targeted a police patrol in Beirut Square, eastern Baghdad at 9.30 p.m. injuring two civilians.

Two unidentified bodies were found in Baghdad byIraqi police today; one in Shoala and the other in Zafaraniyah.

Nineveh

The body of a policeman was found in al-Shaareen neighbourhood in the city of Mosul.

Gunmen threw a grenade at a police patrol in al-Zinjili neighbourhood in Mosul at noon, Tuesday injuring two policemen.
Salahuddin

An IED targeted a police patrol in al-Isaaqi town, to the south of Tikrit, killing one policeman, injuring three.

If Ed Koch is scared…

…brother, I'm scared. Via Ben Smith...

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, who endorsed and worked for George W. Bush in 2004, is endorsing Obama today, NY1 first reported.

I asked Koch just now what prompted the move.

"The designation of Palin to be vice president," he said. "She's scary."

From the "Bringing a gun to a gunfight" file.

Via Political Wire...

"Obama's campaign will no longer object to independent efforts that hammer John McCain, just as, in their mind, the McCain campaign has not objected to those efforts targeted at Obama."

This should, erm, turn a few heads...

Rossi Bringing Bobby Jindal to the Pacific NW

...and leave some folks feeling slimed.

Sic 'em, Joe!

The next Vice President of the United States...

“John must have been the last guy in American politics to know this [election] is about change. The only problem is that all John’s changing is the rhetoric."

From the "Since you asked" file.

Steve M. ...

Palin really is a fraud, isn't she?

Since you asked, yes.

"Whoa."

Tough truth from the Obama camp…


ANNCR: Politicians lying about their records? You don’t call that maverick…you call it more of the same.

The L word is out of the holster. Fire at will - there's a worthwhile target in every direction it seems.

Imbedded video at AMERICAblog Like Sudbay says, more of this.

Fun facts…

…from the Republican convention, via Jay Stevens...

A press release from the SEIU notes that out of "18,562 words" spoken by the RNC major speakers, there were 3 references to fixing the "broken health care system," 4 references to the "struggling economy," 10 references to "creating new jobs," and 2 references to the "mortgage crisis."

They don't talk much about what they don't care much about.

Mostly, they don't care about you.

And now...

From the "Isn't it ironic?" file.

Upper leftian songstress Nancy Wilson of Heart, via the NPI Advocate...

"The song 'Barracuda' was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."

They can't even get doing the wrong thing right.

Sarah Palin kicked your puppy.

Sarah Palin banned your favorite book.
Sarah Palin threw a snowball through your window.
Sarah Palin vetoed your ethics investigaton.

These and more at www.sarahpalinvetoedyourschoolbus.com.

And again...

...a random ten.

Martin Craig - Love At The Downbeat
Railroad Earth - Bird In A House
David Gans - Political Science>An American Family
Don McClean - Vincent
Nanci Griffith - Listen To The Radio
Jake Bergevin - Minnie The Moocher
John Lennon - Watching The Wheels
Rickie Lee Jones - Rebel Rebel
Richard & Mimi Farina - Hard Loving Loser
Elvis Costello - Red Shoes

Heh™.

jnfr...

I like it.

"McCAIN-PALIN: A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE"

Oh my, oh my…

…do I feel high. Headlines...

Jobless rate at 5-year high

Home foreclosures reach record high

And what, I wonder, does Senator McSame consider more fundamental than jobs and homes?

Hammer. Nail. Bang!

Rambo and the Mean Girl.

Friday Mars blogging.

Lander poop.

Watching McCain…

…and wondering, does "She's the wonderful mother of five children…" put the quality of her motherhood on the table?

Community Organizers…

…via T. Rex.



…and, I'm reminded, Pontius Pilate was a governor.

Episode 6957…

…in which I agree with Joe Klein.

...it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is "a task from God."

Yes, it is.

"It's over."

Starlwart Republicans write off McCain-Palin (off the record, but on the air)...

MIKE MURPHY: ... it's not gonna work. And --

PEGGY NOONAN: It's over.

Go see.

Hat tip to John Aravosis.

Hmm...

The WaPo...

Not anticipating that McCain would choose a woman as his running mate, the speech that was prepared in advance was "very masculine," according to campaign manager Rick Davis, and "we had to start from scratch."

If they wrote it for Mittens, I figure they had to butch it up for Sarah Sureshot…

Yep.

Kagro X…

There are no Republican "reformers." Just different flavors of crooks. This one just happens to be salmon jerky.

Which, of course, is why...

From the "Compare and contrast" file…

Matt Yglesias...

Tuesday night’s three GOP headliners — Fred Thompson, George W. Bush, and Joe Lieberman — all get through speeches that don’t mention the war in Afghanistan at all.

CNN…

A sailor killed in Afghanistan on Saturday was the 500th U.S. service member to die in that country since the war there began in 2001.

He is so fired...

...when she gets home.

[Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard] said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

Fundamentally Strong report.

"I think the fundamentals of the U.S. economy are very strong."

John McCain
Via Thom Hartmann...

45 million people with no health care and 16 million underinsured in America.

According to Ted Kennedy “We have 36 million Americans that are going to bed hungry every night. 36 million Americans! And 12 million of those are children!” in America.

In the first six months of this year, a total of 438,000 jobs have been lost, bringing unemployment to 5.5% in America.

Melting polar ice hits ‘tipping point,’ nears record loss in America.

The national average gas price is $4.09, up 33% from this time last year . Gas prices are now expected to hit “$4.25 by the fall and then stay at more than $4 a gallon until the end of 2009” in America.

U.S. food prices rose 4 percent in 2007 making it the fastest rise in 17 years in America.

The value of the dollar is declining: The dollar “has been declining steadily for six years against other major currencies, undercutting its role as the leading international banking currency” in America.

From the "Do Anything" file.

With, apparently, anyone...

McCain Hires GOP Operative Who Helped Smear Him in South Carolina in 2000

Good questions…

…from Steve M.

What the hell is wrong with her? What the hell is wrong with her husband? What the hell is wrong with John McCain?

Separated at birth?

Hat tip to the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left.

From the "Alternate history" file.

Sarah Palin, responding to a 2006 gubernatorial questionnaire from the arch-conservative Eagle Forum…

Q: Are you offended by the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?

SP: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, it is good enough for me and I'll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance.

As every schoolboy (and girl) knows (or should), the pledge wasn't even a notion for over a century after the fathers founded. Officially, in fact, John McCain is older than the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hat tip to Sir Charles

Home from work…

…in time to wish y'all a happy Labor Day. Hope you had it off.

In honor of the day and the convention in Minneapolis, sentiments from a Republican President that you'll not hear from the folks who run his party these days...

All that serves labor serves the nation, all that harms is treason. If a man tells you he loves America yet hates labor he is a liar. If a man tells you he trusts America yet fears labor, he is a fool. There is no America without labor, and to fleece one is to rob the other.

Abraham Lincoln

A floor polish and a desert topping…

John Aravosis:

No word on whether the McCain campaign is again having memory lapses or whether they're just awful liars.

Why choose?

The Editors…

…on the McSoulmate...

This is how 12-year-old girls decide which Jonas brother is the dreamiest. It’s very creepy.