Chuckles the Clown: From 60 Minutes - "You're sitting here. And you're-you are laughing. You are laughing about some of these problems. Are people going to look at this and say, 'I mean, he's sitting there just making jokes about money-' How do you deal with-I mean: explain..." Kroft asked at one point. "Are you punch-drunk?" Kroft said. OBAMA, SHUT UP!!!
From the Left:The fact that we're no longer suffering under the worst President ever has drastically lowered our standards...we're willing to accept the leadership of a man who... seems to have very low regard for whether policies actually work or make sense. Read it all.
MUSIC: Mad World. The clip is a montage from Children of Men. As most of you know - I think this is one of the best, and thus far, the most important film of the decade. It has one of those simple, elegant premises that invites a story to make incisive statements without losing track of itself. What if human reproduction stopped? That "what if" allows the story tellers to explore the importance of real hope (not "obama" hope.), believing in a better future, and to hit on Western iconography- without forcing it. The "long take" in which war ravaged soldiers and shell shocked civilians hear a baby's cry for the first time in 20 years is stunning. Actually it is past stunning. It is silencing. And, yes, I very much believe, that the wanton destruction of the future to salvage the present that Mr. Bush engaged in - and now Mr. Obama is engaging in - makes this film all the more pertinent
After Hillary was nominated as S.O.S. by what's his name I posited that by summer the most in demand couple around D.C. would not be the Obamas but the Clintons. I may have been off on that, - we'll see. The Democratic base is in for a big round of Clinton nostalgia as Obama's numbers fall. Bill will, I am quite sure, artfully exploit it when it erupts.
I supported Clinton as S.O.S. because of the intense affection for the Clintons around much of the world and because she was a work horse- and I thought her focus and drive would survive and shine next to Obama's inexperience. So far that second prediction is looking good. Clinton looks like an adult next the lot of Obama administration kids. (Where is the Treasury Department? Has anyone seen it?)
NQ put forth a fine question here. What Led You to Support Hillary?
A reader sent my this tidbit from Down Under: Bill Clinton likes Palin's instincts. The President was referring to her political instincts noting that she was an effective politician and should not be underestimated. He spoke about the sitting, elected, Governor of Alaska with respect - which is ,not doubt, why he is so hated by PODS. Being adult is so difficult for them.
An odd dynamic is at play in my attitude toward Palin. The more I find out about her politics, the less I like her politics. The more I find out about her, the more I like her. I've said this a few times this week and one would have thought I said "I enjoy eating the livers of orphans." It seems unremarkable to me that one can appreciate or like someone that one does not agree with. But on the Obama Left this yet another impossible thought problem to solve. On most social issues I agree with Harry Reid - in action I find him to be a cowardly hack - and this leads me to dislike him. Both Pelosi and Reid were elevated in 2006 with a mandate to confront Bush and deal with the war. Both flinched. After running for Governor on a platform that included a repeal of same sex benefits - Palin, once elected, was told a ban was unconstitutional - whether she liked it or not. She governed from the middle and vetoed the bill. In other words, her overarching conservatism trumped whatever her personal belief may have been. That trait is admirable in an executive. For the record: It mirrors what Howard Dean did in Vermont with civil unions. The courts told him a ban would violate the law - and he went with legalizing civil unions.
I know it seems arcane at Brentwood cocktail parties and college drum circles to judge a person by their ACTIONS - not by their website - but I will persist in this little piece of nostalgia. I won't "hate" Palin until I see reason to "hate" her. As I've said, and now Clinton has said, Palin running for VP is a fascinating turn of events and she is a force to be reckoned with.
Obama is not trustworthy. The evidence is in and is overwhelming. What Obama says and what Obama does are at odds on nearly every major issue. From Iraq, to Nafta, to Public Financing, to FISA he has demonstrated an utter lack of integrity.
The invasion of Georgia by Russia is a big deal. This blogger does not have the time or expertise to go deeply into the whys and wherefores. For some good insights go here- From what I can gleam: Russia has our ass in a sling. The entire Neo-Con project of the last 15 years is on the block. The Russian invasion is another in the string of oil wars that have broken out since 1990. The Caspian region, not under the control of the Russians since the Soviet Union collapsed, is oil rich. With U.S. controlled Afghanistan at it's back end, we have been building an oil pipeline from this region to the West. The pipe line goes directly through Georgia. This has been a burr in Russia's saddle for a while. Russia has passed peak in oil production - but it still has the 2nd (or 1st- if the Saudis are lying) largest oil reserves in the world. They want to control the oil that goes to the West from this area. This is why the Germans and Brits have rolled over and played dead. If Russia turns off the spigot - the lights go out in Western Europe.
Much money and effort has been put into this pipeline. Western money and effort. With one stroke Russia can - and probably is - destroying it. Russia intends to be a player with its former republics oil wealth. For 15 years they could do nothing as Western interests overran the region. They were too weak.
No more.
The tide has shifted. Caspian sea "heavy crude" oil is an essential part of the plan to keep Western Europe living in the manner in which they are accustomed. It is the final rationale for the Anglo/American military being in Afghanistan. It is one of the reasons why we have "enduring" bases in Iraq. It is why McCain's 100 year war remark is more reality connected than Barry Obama's lies about leaving in 16 months.
If we exit Iraq, we cede the region, if we cede the region, we cede our status as a Superpower. We CANNOT DO THIS and live the way we live. I am not against giving up on Middle East and Caspian Oil. We will in the long run, regardless. But I hold no illusions about the social dislocation, agony, confusion, famine and violent collapse that would follow if we had to suddenly live solely on our own oil.
There is something fundamentally stupid about the Obama Left. Holding an advanced degree does not overcome this stupidity. Many think wind and solar power can get 747s off the ground and keep Iowans warm and get capers to the Whole Foods Market. Further, they think there will be a painless transition that would take about 6 months if Obama wins. If only the evil Oil companies would stop profiteering and we would just inflate our tires.
I repeat: truly anti-war progressives have an alternative: Cut your energy usage by 50-70% RIGHT NOW. If you mean business about stopping energy wars you won't "conserve energy" (this is not even really possible) YOU WILL USE A LOT LESS. All the time.
A bumper sticker that says "War Is Not The Answer" and a Warhol portrait of Obama are painfully stupid and hilariously ironicdelusionalgestures.
If you want to keep your over sized Brentwood home cool in summer time, go on your trip to Aspen to ski and attend conferences during which you get to intellectually masturbate with your allegedly smart "citizen of the world" friends, enjoy your arugula on demand, and keep the anti depressant stream flowing- WAR IS THE ANSWER. Oh - and yes, Obama is pretty much a soup can. So the Warhol portrait works.... This mentality is expressed perfectly in a TV commercial for "WE", some new energy group, in which a bunch of good Americans push a giant light switch from off to on - cuz, you know, getting off oil is going to be just like flipping a switch except instead of taking half a second you and your pals from the yoga studio might have to set aside a whole afternoon.
There are no alternatives to oil. None. Not one. Wind, nuclear, solar, and the rest are NOT alternatives to oil. They are "other" energy sources. Not "alternative". Oil, especially, light/sweet cannot be replaced. It is a nearly perfect form of energy and we've burned through most of it.
If would be lovely if American society over the past 70 years had structured itself in a sustainable way. But it did not. We will get across the divide between an oil society and whatever comes next. But in the 30 years between now and then we find ourselves in a real fix.
This goes to my ongoing rant that Clinton and McCain are both better equipped to lead the country than that manchild from Illinois and Kenya and Hawaii and Indonesia and and and... When Russia invaded Barry failed the 3AM test big time with his duct taped together blather about cease fire and the U.N. On the other hand, McCain immediately spoke in away that indicated he understood the big picture. As the oil noose tightens we need an adult in charge.
What can Bush do? Not much. But if you think he and daddy and Henry Kissinger are in Beijing for the synchronized swimming competition - you are nuts. China has its own oil war in Sudan - and they probably can't stomach Russia controlling the Caspian Sea oil anymore than we can. The U.S. may have some cards up its sleeve. China would be a part of any counter move.
Regardless, a lying, ego driven, no accomplishment half term Senator has no business taking the reigns in 6 months.
Watch the situation in Georgia closely. I'd keep tabs on Iranian developments as well.
Peak Oilers are again proving to be ahead of the curve. Read up on Peak Oil.
First things first. There is a man out there (hardly a gentleman)who has been writing me since last week asking if he can grab MY bags. To quote the immortal words of Senator Ted Stevens
"NO!"
Isn't Ted a charmer?
Now that that is off my chest on to business:
Darlings, I am so glad L.R. is proving to be a refuge for Real Democrats. I am afraid we may be tasked with heaving the Barackarazzi overboard when this election is over. The Arugulas are so annoying. They just don't understand real Democrats. Now we are being called Jacksonian Democrats. Hmmm? Is this for Michael Jackson? Action Jackson? Of that darling who splattered all the paint on the floor? Another good thing about this election: I am over Oprah for good. Bye. Bye. What a relief! She was getting tiresome anyway. Glad she showed her true colors.
For any of you dears who eat: there is a problem with the foods.
Are you Lonely? Confused? Lost and all alone? Pathetic? Needy? Overbearing? Trapped between your dishonest self image and your brittle, yet still fat, ego? You need advice. Send me any questions or concerns you may have. Post them in the comments. I answer on Thursdays with love, compassion, and a hatchet. Darlings.
What the Arugula chewing OAK (Obama ass kissing) media does not get is that the "God Damn America" sound bite is Obama's "Jane Fonda on the tank" moment. It does not matter what else happens. He did not leave that church. Still hasn't.
But here is something WORSE: Obama has a loose, unrefuted connection to known domestic terrorists. Here is the Jane Fonda on the tank fact: WELL AFTER THESE TERRORISTS WERE KNOWN AND HAD BEEN INVOLVED WITH NUMEROUS BOMBINGS, OBAMA CHOSE TO ATTEND A MEET AND GREET IN ONE OF THEIR HOMES. Gee, I wonder if the GOP will use that in the fall? Besides, what is more and more clear is the man has BAD judgement and will do and say anything to anybody in order to win.
