Daily Nonsense

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Sarah Palin, Republican eye candy and Vice Presidential candidate tried her best to hold a good, old fashioned book burning back in Alaska a couple of years ago.  Thankfully, her Nazi-esque aspirations were rejected out of hand by the school librarian.

This weekend, Fox news had no librarian to hinder them and was able to hold the online equivalent to a book burning with one of their own stories!

Yesterday morning I stumbled across an Associated Press article that had been published on the Fox News Elections site.  This article was honest criticism regarding the ill advised selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s vice presidential running mate.  I was so astounded to find the AP piece on the Fox web site that I posted about it.

Citing and quoting from an impressive list of rabid, far right neo-conservative republican personalities, Sarah Palin was hung out to dry.  I guess the truth of the matter is, she’s gonna’ be useless as a Veep and god forbid and have mercy on us all shouldMcCain should draw his last breath as president….

But I digress.

Apparently someone higher in the food chain than the original poster decided that the truth stings a little too much.  The result?  They pulled the article!  What a bunch of jackholes.  If you are one of the thirteen people left in America that believes you can get fair, un-biased news from anything Fox, please think again.

1. In case you missed it, my original article is HERE.
2. A note over at the Daily KOS that references the Amazing Disappearing Criticism.

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Syndicated columnist and rabid Republican Kathleen Parker has noted that Sarah Palin should step aside.  Tony Fabrizio, a GOP strategist, seems to think Sarah is taking on water.  Chris Lacivita, a GOP strategist, notes that Palin ain’t no Hillary Clinton.

With even hard-core Republicans doubting and criticizing the sensationalism of the Veep candidate, how long can we expect her to last without flaming out.  I hope it will be another 20 days or so so that the Republican party is even less ready than they already are on Election Day.

Please note that this article somehow slipped past the Censors at Fox news!

Conservatives Begin Questioning Palin’s Heft
by Associated Press
Sunday, September 28, 2008

A growing number of Republicans are expressing concern about Sarah Palin’s uneven – and sometimes downright awkward – performances in her limited media appearances.

Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, a former Palin supporter, says the vice presidential nominee should step aside. Kathryn Jean Lopez, writing for the conservative National Review, says “that’s not a crazy suggestion” and that “something’s gotta change.”

Tony Fabrizio, a GOP strategist, says Palin’s recent CBS appearance isn’t disqualifying but is certainly alarming. “You can’t continue to have interviews like that and not take on water.”

“I have not been blown away by the interviews from her, but at the same time, I haven’t come away from them thinking she doesn’t know s-t,” said Chris Lacivita, a GOP strategist. “But she ain’t Dick Cheney, nor Joe Biden and definitely not Hillary Clinton.”

There is no doubt that Palin retains a tremendous amount of support among rank-and-file Republicans. She draws huge crowds, continues to raise a lot of money for the McCain campaign, and state parties report she has sparked an uptick in the number of volunteers.

Asked about Palin’s performance in the CBS interview, a McCain official briefing reporters on condition of anonymity said: “She did fine. She’s a tremendous asset and a fantastic candidate.”

But there is also no doubt many Republican insiders are worried she could blow next week’s debate, based on her unexpectedly weak and unsteady media appearances, and hurt the Republican ticket if she does.

What follows is a viewer’s guide to some of Palin’s toughest moments on camera so far.

Speaking this week with CBS’s Katie Couric, Palin seemed caught off-guard by a very predictable question about the status of McCain adviser Rick Davis’ relationship with mortgage lender Freddie Mac. Davis was accused by several news outlets of retaining ties – and profiting from – the companies despite his denials.

Where a more experienced politician might have been able to brush off Couric’s follow-up question, Palin seemed genuinely stumped, repeating the same answer twice and resorting to boilerplate language about the “undue influence of lobbyists.”

These missteps could be attributed to inadequate preparation and don’t necessarily reflect more deeply on Palin’s ability to perform as vice president. But when reporters have tried to probe Palin’s thinking on subjects such as foreign policy, she’s been similarly opaque.

In an interview with ABC’s Charlie Gibson, Palin gave a muddled answer to a question about her opinion of the Bush Doctrine.

And given the chance to describe her foreign policy credentials more fully, Palin recited familiar talking points, telling Gibson that her experience with energy policy was sufficient preparation for dealing with national security issues.

In the same interview, Palin let Gibson lead her into saying it might be necessary to wage war on Russia – a suggestion that most candidates would have avoided making explicitly and that signaled her discomfort in discussing global affairs.

Then, asked this week by Couric to discuss her knowledge of foreign relations – in particular, her assertion that Alaska’s proximity to Russia gave her international experience – Palin tripped herself up explaining her interactions with Alaska’s neighbor to the west.
Watch CBS Videos Online

On the economy, too, Palin has avoided taking clear stances. In a largely friendly interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity, Palin spoke in tangled generalities in response to a question about a possible Wall Street bailout – and even preempted her campaign by coming out against it.

On Thursday, Palin finally took questions from her traveling press – but shut things down quickly after Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel asked her whether she would support Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who has been indicted for corruption, and Rep. Don Young, who is under federal investigation, for reelection.

Unlike her other interviews, at least this time Palin had the option to walk away.

[Thanks, Fox News??!?]

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I sat here and tried to write some copy that describes my astonishment at the transcript below.  I just couldn’t do it.  I am so dumbfounded that words escape me.  She couldn’t even say she has ever been a part of a trade mission.

Read for yourself and then follow the link to watch the video at the bottom of the page:

September 25, 2008, 1:49 PM

New Sarah Palin Clip: Keeping An Eye On Putin
Posted by Christine Lagorio

Last night, we showed you what Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin had to say about the economy (in case you missed it, she said we’re at some risk of repeating the Great Depression). Tonight, we’ll show you what Katie asked her about foreign policy – and where Palin said she stands. First, a little taste of what’s to come.

Katie Couric: You’ve cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundry that we have with Canada. It’s funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don’t know, you know … reporters.

Couric: Mocked?

Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that’s the word, yeah.

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It’s very important when you consider even national-security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right next to, they are right next to our state.

Video HERE.

[Thanks, Katie!]

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With our economy crumbling around us, both Obama and McCain have differing opinions about what they should be doing this week.  After having been called to Washington to offer guidance by the author of the mess we’re is, Still President Bush, John McCain is calling for a postponement of Friday’s scheduled debate.

Barack has pointed out that a viable president is one that will have to multi-task.   Suspending his campaign with just 40 days left before the election would be silly. 

The only person that could possible benefit from such an ill-advised step is Sarah Palin.  She could probably use the time out of the media spotlight to learn about what the VP does all day long and learn where other foreign countries are.  We know she knows where Russia is…

John McCain seeks to postpone debate
The GOP nominee plans to suspend his campaign and stay in Washington to help craft the economic bailout. Barack Obama rejects the idea, saying whoever wins the race will be expected to multi-task.

By Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 25, 2008

Two days before a widely anticipated presidential debate, John McCain said Wednesday he would skip the session and stay in Washington to work on the nation’s financial crisis. Barack Obama ignored McCain’s invitation to join him and said he would show up for the debate as planned.

"We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved," McCain said in a statement that set off a daylong flurry of political positioning on both sides. McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, also planned to suspend advertising, party fundraising and any campaign appearances.

Obama rejected McCain’s call to suspend presidential politicking less than six weeks before election day. "It’s my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess," Obama told reporters at a news conference in Florida. "It’s going to be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once."

An Obama spokesman indicated that the Illinois senator would travel to the Mississippi debate site regardless of McCain’s attendance. "My sense is there’s going to be a stage, a moderator, an audience and at least one presidential candidate," Robert Gibbs said.

The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates and the University of Mississippi, host of the forum, also issued statements declaring their intention to proceed as planned. "We believe the public will be well-served by having the debates go forward as scheduled," the commission said in its statement. A spokesman declined to speculate on what would happen if only Obama showed up.

[Thanks, LA Times]

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I don’t know if the letter displayed in the picture below is true.  But is sure is a nice sentiment either way.

In other news, EW has a nice quote from Nancy:

Exclusive: Heart’s Nancy Wilson responds to McCain campaign’s use of ‘Barracuda’ at Republican convention

Sep 5, 2008, 01:44 AM | by Whitney Pastorek

Thursday afternoon, Heart e-mailed out a statement regarding vice-presidential candidate Sarah "Barracuda" Palin’s use of their similarly monikered song at the Republican National Convention: "The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," it read. "We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored."

But after McCain finished his speech accepting the GOP’s presidential nomination tonight, Palin joined him on stage, and the song was used again: Heart’s "Barracuda" played as balloons fell. With that elephant in the room, Heart’s Nancy Wilson felt compelled to personally respond. "I think it’s completely unfair to be so misrepresented," she said in a phone call to EW.com after the speech. "I feel completely f—ed over." She and sister Ann Wilson then e-mailed the following exclusive statement:

"Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image. 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."

The Heart-McCain incident isn’t the only example of music-related controversy on this year’s presidential campaign trail. Click here to read Chris Willman’s report about Barack Obama’s eyebrow-raising use of Brooks & Dunn’s "Only in America" after his nomination-acceptance address last week.

[Thanks, EW]

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Conan O’Brien:  "Everybody is trying to find out more about Sarah Palin. Someone was able to hack into Sarah Palin’s Yahoo! email account because she hadn’t taken the proper security measures. Yeah. So, folks, it’s official. No one in the Palin family uses protection."

Craig Ferguson:  "But the dirt is beginning to come out. Apparently, one of Sarah’s first acts as Governor of Alaska was getting a tanning bed installed in the governor’s mansion. The Republican Party is okay with it, which is weird, because usually they ask themselves, ‘How can we make our candidate more white?’"

Jimmy Kimmel:  "Hey, let me tell you something. If all you need to do to become vice president is be a former beauty queen with a tanning bed, then I’m casting my vote for Ryan Seacrest!"

Craig Ferguson:  "Did you see the Sarah Palin interview on ABC? This state trooper from Alaska says that Palin lied in the interview. She lied on national television. I’d say someone’s ready for the White House!"

Jay Leno:  "John McCain’s campaign said that Sarah Palin will not talk to the media, this is a quote, until reporters can address her with respect and deference. Oh, what is she running for, vice president or queen?"

Jimmy Kimmel:  "Stock prices are down, major companies are being purchased by the government. It is a bear market and, I have to say, Sarah Palin is just the lady to shoot it for us."

Jay Leno:  "For some reason, the Secret Service revealed this, that Sarah Palin’s Secret Service code name is ‘Denali.’ Turns out ‘Denali’ is an old Eskimo name that means ‘Dan Quayle.’"

Jimmy Kimmel:  "Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin today said she thinks the economy needs some shaking up and some fixin’. I’m pretty sure is also her recipe for oven-baked chicken."

Jay Leno:  "John McCain and Sarah Palin attended a campaign rally in Vienna, Ohio, today. They were in Vienna. Apparently, they went to Vienna so Sarah Palin could get some foreign policy experience."

Conan O’Brien:  "Sarah Palin’s been spending the last couple of days being briefed by advisers on what she needs to know to be John McCain’s vice president. That’s true. Yeah. Apparently, the first thing they taught her was CPR."

Presidential hopeful John McCain has shown time and again that he is far out of touch with the world as it is today.  He displays no clue as to the severity of our economic crisis, he has no idea where Spain is and that they are our ally in Afghanistan, and he has no idea of some of the concerns of women in this country.

The Planned Parenthood Action Center has put together a list of things YOU should know about John McCain.  The elections are coming quickly, but the time to decide is now.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About John McCain

Sen. John McCain is not just the Republican candidate for president, he is also frighteningly out of touch on issues crucial to the women of the United States. By now, many people have heard about the wildly popular condoms the Planned Parenthood Action Fund passed out at the Democratic National Convention. On them, we pulled together the top 10 things every voter needs to know about John McCain before this Election Day. Check them out:

1. John McCain opposes equal pay legislation, saying it wouldn’t do "anything to help the rights of women."
2. John McCain opposes requiring health care plans to cover birth control.
3. John McCain opposes comprehensive, medically accurate sex education.
4. John McCain opposes funding to prevent unintended and teen pregnancies.
5. John McCain opposes funding for public education about emergency contraception.
6. John McCain opposes restoring family planning services for low-income women.
7. John McCain opposes Roe v. Wade and says it should be overturned. 
8. John McCain wants to nominate Supreme Court justices who are "clones" of conservative Justices Alito and Roberts.
9. John McCain said he was "stumped" when asked whether contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV.
10. In his 25 years in Washington, DC, John McCain has voted anti-choice125 times!

Even though the word is getting out about John McCain’s extremist record on women’s health, we still need your help.

Join the One Million Strong Campaign and stand with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in the 2008 election. Your voice will strengthen the work we do every day fighting for women’s health in Washington.

[Thanks, Planned Parenthood]

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I read this disturbing post on BoingBoing this morning about an Oregon man who was harassed by a Portland police officer for filming the officer on a public street.  The officer in question seized the camera and proceeded to give a ticket to the guy.

In the end, the District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute.  Isn’t that special.  Their inability to determine if a law has been broken has essentially empowered the police department to abuse anyone that films them in a public space.

If I give up my reasonable expectation of privacy by walking out my front door, why is a public servant given a different set of rules?  Why, for instance, is it against the law for me to drive and talk on the phone here in Seattle but not for a police officer?

Anyway, I saw the picture accompanying this article and thought a post would be apropos.

p.s. go to boingboing and watch the video in question.  To Serve and Protect – not from that jackhole!

Oregon man threatens suit for the right to video-record cops on the job

Posted by Cory Doctorow, September 17, 2008 2:06 PM | permalink

Ben sez, "After a Portland, OR man videotaped two Portland cops hassling a couple of men on a downtown sidewalk, one cop seized his camera and gave him a ticket, saying he’d broken the law by recording the officers without their permission. The District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute, and now the man is trying to force the Portland Police Bureau to take a formal position on whether it’s OK for civilians to videotape cops — with sound — in public places."

Portland police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz said he believes the public doesn’t have a right to record officers’ conversations – on or off the job – without their consent.

"Just because somebody is a police officer doesn’t mean they give up their rights," Schmautz said.

Man threatens suit over seizure of videocamera after he tapes Portland police rousting two men (Thanks, Ben!)

[Thanks, BoingBoing]

Almost across the board retailers have bemoaned lackluster sales during the all important ‘Back to School’ season.  Viewed as one of the three major sales events in many stores, a poor showing this year could be a harbinger of tough times leading up to the holiday season.

The next major milestone is in just a little more than two months.  Black Friday, the traditionally heavy shopping day after Thanksgiving, is rapidly approaching.  And many retailers have to be worrying. 

As Bush and his evil minions drive our economy deeper and deeper into the toilet, it becomes harder and harder for some families to pay their commute to and from work.  Let’s not even think of gifts to put under the Festivus Pole.

As far as I’m concerned, this year looks like the year I’ll be doing all of my shopping on-line.  Ever since Amazon started participating in the Black Friday sales, it only makes sense to save both the gas of driving around to stores and the hours of sleep usually lost getting up early.

Holidays ‘uncertain’ after poor back-to-school sales
Posted by Erica Ogg

The roughly two-month shopping period before school starts is typically fruitful for consumer electronics retailers. Not this year.

All categories combined showed minimal growth. Although notebook sales increased 10 percent over the same period the year before, desktops were down 3 percent. And products that have been guaranteed big sellers in past years continue to lose momentum: digital-camera sales were down 1 percent, printer sales were even, and MP3 player sales were up 7 percent.

This is especially concerning to electronics retailers, since the all-important holiday shopping season is approaching, a time when they typically can expect to play catch-up in yearly sales and revenue.

"The holiday (period) is likely to look a lot like back-to-school, I think," said Steve Baker, vice president of industry analysis for NPD Group, which tracks electronics retailing. There’s likely to be "a little bit better demand" because there are a broader array of categories that people shop for during the holiday. For back-to-school, retailers push mostly computers and peripherals.

The problem with notebooks: they’ve been selling so well for so long that the category just can’t sustain that kind of growth forever. Growth percentages in years past for laptops during the back-to-school shopping period have been in the high teens and low 20s, which is why 10 percent growth this year is disappointing for retailers.

And when a market matures, steep price declines are harder for retailers to offer. Notebooks from brand names have been routinely available for less than $600 for a while, and retailers are finding it harder to cut prices and maintain acceptable profit margins. The same could be true for Black Friday and beyond, when retailers usually unveil their best deals of the year.

Of course, back-to-school shopping isn’t a perfect indicator for holiday shopping, especially when it comes to an important category like notebooks. Portable PCs will become even harder to predict this year because of the so-called wild card that Netbooks present. Every major PC maker has one now, but they haven’t been available in large volumes. This will change in the next few weeks, and it will be interesting to see if mainstream consumers find a use for them.

New product categories, combined with disturbing financial news, makes it harder for electronics retailers to feel comfortable heading into the holiday season.

"The word everyone (in electronics retail) uses when I talk to them is ‘uncertainty,’" Baker said. "People can handle, ‘We’re sure it’s going to be bad,’ or, ‘We’re sure it’s going to be good.’ But ‘We’re not sure what it’s going to be’ is tough to plan against."

[Thanks, CNet News]