Amazing...

Weekend Links

Things that caught my eye recently...

• Oh, Sarah Palin, why do you make me think of you and your horrible inadequacy?!? I don't deserve that (more here!).
• The world in lego!
• Sesame Street made a joke, the wingnuts freaked out and Colbert had some fun. Honestly, I have no use for Sesame Street or the muppets since that horrible Elmo made his debut, but cut the shaggy rags a break -- it was a freakin' rhyme.
• These photographers color outside of the lines.
• Islands seen from space.
• Al Gore (the thinner version!) visited The Daily Show last week.
• Where are you getting your Thanksgiving turkey and how much will you pay for it? Years ago, when Emmie was a bleeding-heart teenager, she announced that she would not be eating any Thanksgiving turkey unless it had been a happy bird who had lived a good life. I said ok, I'll give it a whirl, and picked up a free-range, organic bird (and took some long, deep breaths to get me past the sticker shock). I cooked it up and was amazed at how much more moist and delicious the turkey was that year, and have paid the premium prices ever since. It really is better meat.
• The History of Birth Control.
• Leviticus also said...
• US Exclaves.
• This link is a bit older, but I loves me some Sarah Vowell!
• Letters of Note.
• Al Franken has gotten to work (he's not funny (much) -- he's just really good).
• Feed the World!
• In America, people of all faiths are welcome here to worship Jesus in their own way.
• What's happening to American conservatism?!?
• A difficult goodbye.

Your links for the past week or so...

First, the Ted Kennedy stuff: The play-by-play, Obama's eulogy, Ted, Jr.'s eulogy, the Big Picture, and Eugene Robinson's "A Prince's Fate" (and one more: What Teddy would do).

Then there's health care (the Huckabee plan is already in place!):

Where's the efficiency in this system?!?

And the rest...

Oh, the fakery. The faces of coal are fake. The anti-marriage Mainers are fake. Which is all very sad and pathetic. But this fake Ronald McDonald is pretty much hilarious.

Big Egg.

The Man Who Walked Around the World.

Ta-Da! The gays save marriage!!!

And finally, this is a jam-packed "New Rules" from Bill Maher, including these choice tidbits:

But, what did Obama actually say to make Karl Rove's head explode and the popcorn fly out? Well, cover your children's ears. When he was asked if he believed in American exceptionalism, he said he did the same way the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks in Greek exceptionalism. Yes, "President John F. Kenya" actually said that people in other countries might like their countries better.

Well, I was so shocked, I nearly dropped the Bible I was using to help me masturbate into my gun.

Sarah Palin, in her farewell speech kept telling us how she's wired. You know, I'm not a doctor--or an electrician--but, I suspect this is faulty wiring, this world view that, in her words, we should never apologize for our country. Really? Never? Not for slavery? Or Japanese internment camps? Or if we tortured the wrong guy at Guantanamo Bay? The Indians?! Nothin', Sarah? "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," maybe?

I mean, shouldn't John McCain apologize for…you?

Mitt Romney's new book is called No Apology: The Case for American Greatness. You can find it at Borders in the "Suck Up" section. It's such a perfect title for today's conservative, combining paranoia with arrogance. "No one has yet asked me to apologize, but if someone ever does, f*ck them."

Link To My Lou!

Back, by popular demand...

• You have to watch this video to the bitter end to catch the real money quote (after a bunch of clips of Fox"News," talking heads discussing quid pro quo with regard to the two journalists who were just released from Korea, thanks to Bill Clinton's efforts, there appears a photo of Oliver North):

You mean kinda like a quid pro quo like an American government would sell arms to an outlaw regime to secure the release of hostages, and then take that money to fund a bloody Central American war, and then have this guy lie to Congress about it? Because if that's the kind of stuff you're worried about, you should really ask that guy about it, 'cause he's got a show on your fucking network!

• Web of Deception has the dirt on so many people you know and love (to hate?). Who knew that Lou "I'm not a racist!" Dobbs pays so little tax on so much property in New Jersey!

• Speaking of Lou... On the Birthers: the stupidity of this "controversy" might be merely amusing, if it weren't for the way the Republican party still coddles scary racists. But then again, maybe Barack Obama is the anti-christ and maybe he does want to kill Sarah Palin's baby.

• Why am I keeping my fingers crossed (while eating well and exercising every day)? Because I have United Health Care insurance, so if I get sick (or pregnant, god forbid!), I might just be screwed. But then again, I'm one of the lucky Americans, because I have coverage.

• The Republican response? Obstruction. Violence. Fakery (to put it nicely). Stupidity. Incoherence. But no real plan for fixing health care. But then again, the blue dog democrats aren't exactly moving things along either (and where's Obama?).

• And, while we're at it, why do these people freak out when they hear the truth? Stupid is as stupid does.

• On the lighter side, check out this interloper squirrel.

Palin’s Resignation: the corrected copy

There is a downside to eschewing intellectualism (click here for the full copy).

Linkiddy doo dah

And here is yet another hodgepodge from the past week...

• Bottled water. How do you feel about it? Ripped off? Misled? You should. We got some stainless water bottles earlier this year and they are wonderful -- the openings are big enough to add ice, there are no BPAs in the water we drink, there is no waste for the landfill, and they fit in the bike drink holders. We took them with us on our road trip last month and had no trouble refilling them with ice and cold water at gas stations along the way, and, thanks to our cozies and the added ice, it was so nice to have water that stayed cold for hours after a rest stop.

• This may come as a shock to some, but not all low-income housing has to be ugly.

• Anonymous hugging!

• This remembrance from Pam Spaulding (apparently my brother's classmate at Stuyvesant!) is the best post I've seen since Frank McCourt died last week.

• Abraham & Issac retold.

• I admit that I haven't been consuming much media lately (comcast recently cut us down to just a few worthless channels), but I'm still surprised that since the Henry Louis Gates, Jr. story broke, I haven't heard a single person mention the movie Amos and Andrew.

• On health care: we could be doing a LOT better than we are -- certainly better than BCBS is doing (which is maybe the RNC chair's insurance company -- he's not sure, but he's still trying to kill any chance at reform). Why are some of our representatives dragging their feet? Other systems work. Lewis Black shares some thoughts. And so does Bill Maher (best one ever?).

• I've said it before many, many times, but it bears repeating over and over and over again: the only thing abstinence-only education produces is really freakin' stupid teenagers.

• For the record: calorie labeling is a positive thing. As with many things (including sex -- see above), ignorance can be toxic.

• Here's a shocker: the C-Street Cult (oh, Zach!) story shows no sign of slowing down! Why is disgraced Senator Ensign giving Zach Wamp money? Apparently, it's a secret! Unfortunately, in other marriage defender/marriage non-honorer news (AKA republican sexual hypocrites), Tennessee still picks the winners.

• Jimmy Carter is challenging the Southern Baptist Convention's sexism -- but is he making any sense?

• Pat Buchanan: Why do you keep talking? You're making Lou Dobbs look good. Even Rachel, who often refers to you as "Uncle Pat," thinks you're a misinformed douche.

• Today was Sarah Palin's last day. Top Ten observes the occasion.

• Lastly, this just leaves me gasping for air. And Jimmy Carter thought the Baptists were bad! Ha!

• And finally, I posted this on facebook about a week back, but if you missed it there, you might enjoy it here. I apologize to everyone who attended my wedding, because it wasn't this cool. Neither was any wedding I've ever attended. The bar has been raised.

UPDATE:

But that's the URL!

(Sorry about the language.) This. Fucking. Election.

What the hell?

Palin only just released her medical records a medical records summary. No kidding.

I don't get it.

Palin Punk'd! (No vetting, no preconditions!)

Elitism

This is making the rounds lately via email and it's not a minor point. Not if you're one of those people who wants your surgeon to be a med school graduate and -- beyond any of the anti-intellectual BS that tends to follow this issue around -- there's a good reason for wanting your surgeon to be a med school graduate.

Barack Obama: Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude	John McCain: United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899
Joseph Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)	Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Anchorage Daily News

In today's edition of the paper, they endorse Barack Obama:

Gov. Palin's nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency -- but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation.
...

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand.
...

On the most important issue of the day, Sen. Obama is a clear choice.
...

The unqualified endorsement of Sen. Obama by a seasoned, respected soldier and diplomat like Gen. Colin Powell, a Republican icon, should reassure all Americans that the Democratic candidate will pass muster as commander in chief.

Oh, yeah, and there's that little matter of the home team governor...

Gov. Palin has shown the country why she has been so successful in her young political career. Passionate, charismatic and indefatigable, she draws huge crowds and sows excitement in her wake. She has made it clear she's a force to be reckoned with, and you can be sure politicians and political professionals across the country have taken note. Her future, in Alaska and on the national stage, seems certain to be played out in the limelight.

Yet despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth. To step in and juggle the demands of an economic meltdown, two deadly wars and a deteriorating climate crisis would stretch the governor beyond her range. Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time.

Palin jumps the shark?

Ugh. Every time I post about Sarah Palin, I swear to myself that it's going to be the last time. She hasn't been a legitimate potential VP since she had her sit-down with Katie Couric and with so many serious issues demanding our attention, I don't want to get bogged down in the distraction that she has become. But I think she's gotten to the point now where she is, really, just a cartoon -- no one takes her seriously as a candidate anymore -- so I'm going to go ahead and throw stuff up here when she amuses me because, seriously, you just can't make up anything better than the comedy fodder she's been churning out lately. And at this point in the campaign, we all really could use a few laughs...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Project Beltway
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

BTW, is she going to pay taxes on all those clothes?

Sarah Palin, Socialist

That's right. Is there a state in the Union that's more socialist than Alaska? I don't think so. Thanks for playing, Gov!

ps. Nice job with that whole spreading the wealth thing, too, Sarah! You do did a great job at redistribution before you were against it! ;-D

...[I]t's no wonder that Alaska, despite its oil boom, is still at the top of states subsidized by federal dollars, receiving $1.84 back from Washington for every $1 that Alaskans pay in federal taxes. (California receives 78 cents for every $1.)

Look it up, Sarah!

Eight and a half weeks (at least!) elapsed between these two clips. You'd think in that time, Palin could have spent a few moments looking up vice-president on the Internet -- or maybe she could have glanced at a copy of the freakin' Constitution! As Chris Matthews said earlier today, the problem is not that she's talking to a second grader, it's that she sounds like a second grader (I was worried that maybe Pat Buchanan was going to stroke out at that point -- watch it here).

And we thought Quayle was bad then he corrected a poor student's spelling of "potato."

More from the frenzied McCain/Palin masses...

Now they're slashing tires and heckling early voters.

UPDATE: they're also trashing cars and -- I'm not making this up -- killing bears!

Hey, John! Still proud? Really!?!?!

Debate Day Links

The last debate is tonight, and then we enter the final stretch. This will be the last free national airtime the candidates will get -- after this they're on their own! What follows is a little of what is currently scattered about the internet. But first, here's a diversion for those of you who don't want to think about the election anymore. If you can't take the politics talk, watch this best man be the bestest man ever, and then read no further...

OK, so on with the latest...

In his speech on Monday, was John McCain promoting himself or Bush? (Jon Stewart had some fun with McCain's recycling last night!)

Sarah Palin's local paper (the Anchorage Daily News) is not at all pleased with her recent performance in the wake of the Troopergate report.

Sarah Palin's reaction to the Legislature's Troopergate report is an embarrassment to Alaskans and the nation. She claims the report "vindicates" her. She said that the investigation found "no unlawful or unethical activity on my part." Her response is either astoundingly ignorant or downright Orwellian.

Ouch! In the meantime, the seeds of fear and ignorance that Palin and McCain have planted continue to bear ugly fruit (and investigations), and at the same time, it appears that Palin's relations with minorities are strained, at best. Not to mention her relations with polar bears.

Here's something I'd like to hear McCain talk about at tonight's debate: we all know by now that his campaign (and by implication, his potential administration) is staffed with dozens of lobbyists -- but can McCain explain why the man he named to head his presidential transition team worked for Saddam Hussein? Or let's get him to explain his unbelievable health care plan! Or share his thoughts on water resources. Or ask him if he has having trouble controlling his loony running mate! Or when is he going to stop pilfering the property of others?

On the lighter side... What is it about John McCain that makes people think about the Penguin? It's getting a little spooky! Also, should racists vote for the white half?

And finally, there's this... is it cute? annoying? derivative? clever? what say you?

McCain/Palin Part 2: the Circus

Here is the Palin half of the McCain/Palin update (again, there's been so much, I can only hit the highlights):

Sarah Palin's facebook page, When did Palin decide she was het?, Palin's worldview?, What's Sarah's place?, Rolling Stone: The Truth About Sarah Palin, Diagramming Sarah, Alaska National Guard Crisis, Sarah flunks the GRE?, What's your favorite color?, Palling around with John, Reading at Starbucks, Palin's tax returns, How DARE You?, Daddy Dobson weighs in, Palling around with crooks, The Palins’ un-American activities, The Cowardice of Sarah Palin, Press conference watch, Not as bright as she looks, Troopergate Report, Abuse of Power: The Bush-Palin Connection, And then more lying followed, Lots and lots of lying, What Makes Troopergate So Dangerous, A crime exposes another crime?, Sarah Palin's Extremist Ties, The Todd: creepy stalker?

Videos: Questions about Sarah Palin's faith that deserve to be answered, Sarah Palin Family Meeting, Church & State, Cafferty on Palin, Greatest Hits!, Winky-Dink, Sarah's anti-semitism, Palling around with terrorists, The Wasilla Project, You look like ME!, Wasilla's Wackiest, The Palin Gamble, OOPS!

McCain/Palin Part 1: the Train Wreck

I glanced through the links I have for the McCain/Palin campaign and realized that there's too much and I'm going to have to separate the Palin circus from the McCain train wreck. So, here is Part 1: the Train Wreck...

My Holiday With John McCain, His foreign policy advisor and foreign policy experience, His government-run health care, On troop and veteran's issues, Rolling Stone: Make-Believe Maverick, Thin skin, McCain's buddy, G. Gordon Liddy, Rich on McCain's health, a dermatologist on McCain's health, Keating, McCain and anti-semites, Kissing Florida goodbye (and Nevada, for that matter), He gets TIRED!, Who is Senator McCain?, Embarracuda, Ambien Amnesia Presidency, Ineffective, irresponsible and dangerous, Out. Of. Touch, Oh, those pesky laws!, McCain’s ignorance of basic economics, Helpless, McCain goes after Michelle -- does that mean it's open season on Cindy?, Buyer's remorse?, McCain's Lobbyists, That's Mavericky Talk!, The first totally unethical ticket in history, Oh, SNAP! The Mavericks shun the maverick!, The Annals of McCain - Palin, McCain's Pandora's Box, Erratic Man

Videos: Rape victims, McTesty, McCain not a rich man (no, really?), So creeeeeepy!, McCain tax increases, Keating economics, that pesky health care issue, Maverick, MAVerick, Maverick! (it sounds like Marcia, MARcia, MARCIA!), Worst. President. Ever, Citizens Against Government Waste, McCain's health care plan, John McCain's Rage, Let them know you want the job!, Domestic Terrorism, McCain's Terrible Record on Veterans Issues, Letterman: "I just don't know if we can trust him", Selling access to McCain, He hates the gooks

That one?

There is an absolute projection of disrespect on the part of McCain. In the first debate, McCain refused to look at Obama or address him directly. And now he's waving his arm at him and referring to him as "that one." That one what?

Is it any wonder McCain and Palin are inciting their supporters into muttering racial epithets and making death threats?

I'm sure their supporters are very proud.

Country First? Hardly. McCain will do and say anything to get elected, even if he has to rend at the very fabric of our society while appealing to the ugly, ignoble side of his troglodyte base.

UPDATE: get the t-shirt (way to energize the opponent's base, Grampie!).

Palin's Terrorist Pals