8,500 U.S. banks; many will die soon by Stranded Wind
Obama Video Address to Netroots Nation by Joe Rospars
"We're F#$@ed" by MLDB
"Iraqi spokesman's" "clarification" came via CENTCOM, and other ridiculousness (Spiegel responds!) by VirginiaDem
Barack, through a soldier's eyes by two roads
It is time to stop defending Obama by clammyc
Nevada GOP state convention CANCELED due to a lack of interest by SanJoseLady
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Comments: Expand Shrink Hide (Always) | Indented Flat (Always)
but is another example of Bush's failed war on terror:
The deliberate assault on aid workers is a chilling new dimension to the crisis in Somalia that has unfolded over the past 17 years but has grown increasingly violent as outside forces, including the United States military, have turned a civil war into a more international conflict.
What a terrible legacy he is going to leave us.
"Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins." Cheyenne
by maracatu on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:40:30 AM PDT
John W. McCain, Bush's third term.
by aaraujo on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:09:35 AM PDT
[ Parent ]
Not "forgotton.
The MSM doing it's job professionally and well.
Greetings from Deep Space!
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:12:30 AM PDT
Dafuri men, women and children
by aaraujo on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:15:08 AM PDT
Remember, we went into Iraq for the same reason you want us to invade Darfur.
by YoursTruly on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:21:30 AM PDT
to divest from Sudan.
Declare Darfur independent from Sudan and a UN protectorate
by aaraujo on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:23:31 AM PDT
Kind of like telling your landlord how to conduct his personal business; you need to have another place to move to first. With the paper they hold on the US, it is not like the old days when Ike told the Brits French and Israelis to get the heck out of Suez.
by entlord1 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:34:28 AM PDT
Not the other way around.
"Only remaining superpower"? Pfft. The US couldn't invade Canada without Chinese money behind it.
Although we like to wave our flags, swell out our chests and crow about what a "world leader" we are, the simple fact is that the US is a doddering old empire in rapid decline, and the only reason anyone pays any attention to us at all anymore is because we're waving our dad's gun around like a drunken teenager.
Editor, Red and Black Publishers http://www.RedandBlackPublishers.com
by Lenny Flank on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:40:21 AM PDT
NOT reported by the "media" (TV) Americans would react VERY differently to things.
Imagine allowing them to see the carnage in Iraq and the flow of flag-draped boxes home. Show the funerals.
Show Dafur and all of it.
Americans won't like that.
I have no earthly clue what to do about the grisly situations in those areas.
But make Americans see it and SOMETHING will happen.
I think it's long past time mainstream Americans got really upset and its very clear they aren't simply because none of this is on the TV.
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:46:06 AM PDT
authored the present mess in Somalia.
by maracatu on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:22:09 AM PDT
f'ing up in Somalia too . . . . .
by Lenny Flank on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:42:07 AM PDT
"Iran is a friend to Israel." says the Iranian VP. Is this the beginnings of a coup?
Will there be a "Nixon in China" moment? Will we win World War III after all?
Wouldn't it be nice?
by YoursTruly on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:18:38 AM PDT
Iran ever threatened Israel. Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur.
by maracatu on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:27:17 AM PDT
and realizes another day of his administration has slipped by.
by entlord1 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:35:26 AM PDT
There is a large and growing movement within Iran that is tired of the mullahs and wants to join the 21st century.
Alas, the US continues to delay that coup, by continually making Iran the international whipping boy and causing Iranians to rally behind the only native government they HAVE.
If we really wanted to help Iran, we'd be threatening to drop cell phones and Internet-connected laptops on them, instead of bombs.
by Lenny Flank on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:37:14 AM PDT
I believe the "immaculate invasion" was in 1992 and the" Blackhawk down" incendent was in 1993.
Exactly what were we supposed to do? There was a major famine.
by YoursTruly on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:20:35 AM PDT
by maracatu on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:28:09 AM PDT
in order to make sure the famine continues. I can see the marchers holding signs saying "Hands off Somalia!!!"
by YoursTruly on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 08:37:49 AM PDT
Although anathema to the current administration, the US should have stayed out of Somalia and not nudged the Ethiopians to invade. Hands off Somalia? That would have been a good policy, but the US already blew the possibilities on that one.
by maracatu on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:15:04 AM PDT
Somalia would be much better off today without bushies pushing the Ethiopians to go there and invade and occupy.... the Islamic Courts were doing a better job of running the place than anyone.
And every time I hear someone speaking up about Darfur, I think WHAT ABOUT DR CONGO?? It is a hell of lot worse than Darfur. I think outrage about Darfur - from certain AIPAC connected organizations - is more about the oil there than anything else. They don't want China to get it.
(¯`*._(¯`*._(-IMPEACH-)_.*´¯)_.*´¯)
by dancewater on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 11:28:26 AM PDT
I think outrage about Darfur - from certain AIPAC connected organizations -
So you want the "Devils on Horseback" to exterminate the locals and think they would have if it wasn't for AIPAC?
There's the UNSC 250 "syndrome" at work yet again. Condmemning something actually good and then blaming the Jews for it.
by YoursTruly on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 05:05:41 AM PDT
what I want:
go after one's own government's wrongdoing FIRST
go after the worst atrocities SECOND
after cleaning up the above two, go after other atrocities THIRD
When groups start with the last one, I smell an ulterior motive.
by dancewater on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:37:12 PM PDT
I had invited him over to help me sequester some carbon out back, and he said he had "Some other plans." Sounded fishy to me, frankly. I guess he really did have other plans, and now I'm even more disappointed I couldn't go to Austin.
I just hope the Netroots Nation attendees won't keep bringing up, over and over, for weeks on end, how great it was to be there. And that they got Al Gore.
John McCain: Getting Terrorists off America's Lawn since 1880
by pat208 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:43:18 AM PDT
"We struck down evil with the mighty sword of teamwork and the hammer of not bickering!" - The Shoveler
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:00:11 AM PDT
global warming and boy did he ever. Screw this mealy mouthed crap about maybe reducing emissions by thirty percent over fifty years of whatever....this is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT and we need to fix it it ten years to save the goddamn planet for future generations and if we apply ourselves collectively we can. So there is a real "yes we can" for you and there is a good chance that Gore will have a greater impact on the people of the world doing this stuff than he ever would have had as president.
by singe on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:15:19 AM PDT
DEMOCRATS, who shouldn't need to be told in the first place.
by Lenny Flank on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:47:05 AM PDT
I invited him over to my room at the Hilton to sing some songs with us but he said he was too busy. Something about a saving a planet or some other lame excuse.
I long for the good old days where church was the place where we sang hymns and slept. (After Paula Poundstone)
by captainlaser on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:19:40 AM PDT
Always going on and on about the environment, despite ample evidence that our dying planet is just a "psychological" phenomenon.
by pat208 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 11:54:23 AM PDT
visiting nearby South Portland, Maine. I'm feeling nauseous already.
I'm just a symptom of the moral decay that's gnawing at the heart of the country.
by TomT on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:45:56 AM PDT
"McCain = Bush" signs are the must-have accessory this summer.
John McCain = Bush.
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:48:23 AM PDT
a counter-press conference.
When McCain was in KC last week, the Obama folks had a press conference immediately following with local pols and supporters. The AFL-CIO had these great signs: Bush & McCain HEART Big Oil.
John McCain loves big oil!
by aimeeinkc on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:06:17 AM PDT
Help folks remember that McCain = No progrss on relegalization.
No American pot smoker should vote for McCain.
Unless they are just stoopid.
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:13:27 AM PDT
All of the stupid in New England will flow towards McSame and the kool-aid drinkers who flock to him. I'll bet you're feeling smarter already!
Say it loud, say it proud: "I'm voting for the black guy!"
by ruleoflaw on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:48:57 AM PDT
100 Years of Service. An idea that was good for its time. Good riddance to the fuel combustion engine.
by Detroit Mark on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:46:03 AM PDT
Make some history today.
by citizenx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:46:27 AM PDT
Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change. - Tennyson
by bumblebums on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:22:44 AM PDT
The White House will be The People's House--B.Obama
by Phil S 33 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:27:52 AM PDT
by bumblebums on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:30:04 AM PDT
Last month, I wrote a diary about a new purge of "inactive" voters from the Orleans and Jefferson Parish rolls.
Yesterday, we had an election in New Orleans for renewal of milages for schools, a good practice for the voters and the system.
My neighbor found out she was dead, even though she's filed change-of-address papers and voted in every election since the flood (and, like the plague victim in "Holy Grail," is feeling better).
Please, please, please, wherever you are, check to make sure your voter registration is current and problem-free. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do likewise.
The Republicans are going to try everything this year, and vote caging will be brushed off as "honest mistakes" that can't be corrected until after Election Day.
Take nothing for granted.
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:46:47 AM PDT
Some NO residents still intend to return once they are able but the slow pace of reconstruction has hindered their ability to return (like some areas are still waiting for utilities to return). In the meantime the GOP has not forgotten these perengrinating voters, on one hand purging them in NOLA while at the same time contesting their attempts to register at their present abodes on the grounds they intend to return to NO and hence are not residents of where they presently are.
One question that did arise was if FEMA trailers count as an abode since they seem to lack addresses in at least some cases.
Short form is that some people may find themselves shut off from the polls in either LA or in their present residence due to the double shift on residency.
by entlord1 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:57:55 AM PDT
We are encouraging everyone to vote in the August 5th primary specifically to make sure they are current and ready to go.
by aimeeinkc on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:58:13 AM PDT
Even if your candidates are unopposed or sure to win, even if there are no knuckleheaded measures you oppose (or support, who knows?), the primary is a perfect opportunity for a practice run.
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:01:21 AM PDT
it's a deeply personal one dealing with cancer. Please take a look and please help in a war that really matters, the one against cancer.
-8.75, -8.00
by DisNoir36 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:46:53 AM PDT
Goes on posh paid trip instead
While House Democrats fumed over the absence of Karl Rove from hearings investigating his possible interference in the Justice Department, the man himself was well on his way to the Yalta Black Sea resort, Newsweek reported Saturday. "That's just extremely contemptuous—it shows the disdain that he has for Congress and which he has encouraged in the Bush White House," said Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
While House Democrats fumed over the absence of Karl Rove from hearings investigating his possible interference in the Justice Department, the man himself was well on his way to the Yalta Black Sea resort, Newsweek reported Saturday.
"That's just extremely contemptuous—it shows the disdain that he has for Congress and which he has encouraged in the Bush White House," said Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
ARREST THIS MOTHERFUCKER.
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:47:17 AM PDT
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:50:27 AM PDT
They've been beaten by the repubs so much they recoil in fear at the mere sight of the repubs.
by DisNoir36 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:51:40 AM PDT
they actually took a dive and/or capitulated.
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:14:58 AM PDT
if not, when did he do this?
what a jerk!
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:04:56 AM PDT
but from some time ago - just used inappropriately artistically.
by xxdr zombiexx on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 08:08:33 AM PDT
watch list and arrested by the TSA upon his return.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - JFK
by moose67 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 09:30:53 AM PDT
and I've been up for 4 1/2 hours. The bakery I work at fired half the bakers, so I've been going in extra early to cover some asses. If this goes on much longer, I'm going to hire a hitman and have him take me out when I least expect it. End my misery.
On the bright side, I played baseball last night and played pretty well, if I do say so myself. Nice to see I still have the touch, even if I don't get out there as often as I'd like.
Anyone else? How's your day going?
Ivey has spoken.
by Ivey476 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:47:39 AM PDT
Home Run Baker?
by cmnh on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:50:27 AM PDT
Like you'd ever catch me in a Yankee uniform. LOL!
by Ivey476 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:14:49 AM PDT
"Baker done in by donuts"....Film at 11. :P
"What, then, is the legacy of the Royal Navy? I shall tell you. Rum, Buggery, and the lash! Good Day, Sirs." - Sir Winston Churchill
by Dingodude on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:51:51 AM PDT
Baker Bismarcked.
Film at 11.
ePluribusMedia.org Join US!
by kfred on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:03:45 AM PDT
an X-mas Party. I am from a very large, Catholic family. It is almost impossible to get everyone w/ spouses together during the holidays, so we decided to stop the struggle and do Christmas in July.
Instead of sleighbells jingling we will hear the clank of pitched horseshoes. Pot-luck, sweet corn, bratwurst and beer we be flowing but fudge doesn't hold together on a July day in Wisconsin.
The wingnut vs. reality-based numbers are about even at these affairs so we hold our tongues and remember that our love for each other trump politics.
Merry Christmas!
by ruleoflaw on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 08:18:39 AM PDT
by moose67 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 09:33:17 AM PDT
by Ivey476 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:35:17 AM PDT
Did they lose the donut holes?
McCain just flushed his own campaign by his appearance at the FBF on Aug 16th, 2008.
by shpilk on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:41:30 AM PDT
Not just for people who like math .... it's for anyone who thinks they might be interested.
Link in sig
Now up: Key Senate races: Update with predictions
by plf515 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:48:30 AM PDT
Cats, err, Pooties! for Obama
by PhillyGal on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:50:18 AM PDT
"I wish that for just one time You could stand inside my shoes You'd know what a drag it is To see you" - Dylan
by Floja Roja on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:09:28 AM PDT
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:09:55 AM PDT
by PhillyGal on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:13:27 AM PDT
We were all too pooped to actually go anywhere after a day of packing boxes for the troops and other things, so there was an impromptu party in the lobby. The wine was flowing and much silliness ensued.
by Floja Roja on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:42:29 AM PDT
by PhillyGal on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:54:04 AM PDT
Are you coming to Pittsburgh? It's your state!
by Floja Roja on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:52:25 AM PDT
for sure! and as long as my pootie buddies are going too :)
by PhillyGal on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 08:12:26 AM PDT
It always coming back smelling like Mariner's Feast or something like that. Lucy! Stop licking the iPod!
dissent not only welcome... but encouraged
by newfie53523 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:38:12 AM PDT
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:10:17 AM PDT
but Austin has been fun.
There is a steady stream of folks pulling out of the Hilton lobby right now.
by captainlaser on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:21:45 AM PDT
the best news I've seen is
http://news.yahoo.com/...
I sure hope the liberals in San Fran approve it
by eeff on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:54:22 AM PDT
Local Republicans say the plan stinks and they will oppose it.
Put down the puns and back away slowly.
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:56:32 AM PDT
is sure to join up with Murphy's law and make somebody regret this one...
Free speech? Yeah, I've heard of that. Have you?
by dinotrac on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:57:23 AM PDT
that Dubya is full of shit. :P
by Dingodude on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:56:47 AM PDT
Restless, agitated, increasingly infuriated passenger on the long train of abuses.
by OleHippieChick on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:12:56 AM PDT
how long it will take before we say
Took a Dubya ?
by eeff on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:24:02 AM PDT
by OleHippieChick on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:24:52 AM PDT
by ruleoflaw on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 08:21:54 AM PDT
"WC" [water closet] since Crapper didn't invent it [he just made it popular].
So, just be British and drop the C !!!
by shpilk on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:38:54 AM PDT
The KC Register for Change Crew (staff, fellows and volunteers) registered over 500 people yesterday. It will bring our total close to 1000 for the week.
It is very exciting.
The Obama campaign announced yesterdaythat they want to register MILLIONS of voters over Labor Day weekend.
Just think - we will be coming off the Acceptance Speech and then the volunteers will go out & register excited, enthused supporters.
From someone involved in elections for a long time, I can't remember having so much fun. What is really exciting is the diversity of the volunteers. My crew yesterday had an 18YO and a 67YO with all different colors of the rainbow represented.
It's an exciting time to be an electioneer.
Happy Sunday!!
by aimeeinkc on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:57:04 AM PDT
Keep it up! Kudos to you and all the volunteers doing this work.
"It's the Supreme Court, Stupid!"
by Kestrel on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:09:00 AM PDT
Maybe not just a pipe dream after all.
by shpilk on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:36:26 AM PDT
We all know what happened yesterday with al-Maliki essentially endorsing Obama, but NO ONE in the newspapers or TV is talking about it--the story does not exist. It is shameful, but I expect nothing less. This story should dominate coverage for the next few days but it will not; at best, it will be a blip here and there. If the roles were reversed, Obama would be done...Have to love the traditional media!
by whimser on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:57:56 AM PDT
are numbered. The internet will replace news anchors with quaffed hairdos, high dollar Armani suits, and (ugh!) commercials.
And they can use McSame's famously infamous 'green-screen' NOLA backdrop to put all those computer graphics on.... 8^)
Cottage cheese, anyone?
by Dingodude on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:02:34 AM PDT
is fighting a gorilla war of opinion
I'm using my quiet voice....
by caps lock on on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:26:48 AM PDT
and they know it. Deep down, they know it.
by newfie53523 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:39:24 AM PDT
the leaders of opinion for so long that to them no other opinion is worth the time to speak the words
For there arrogance they will lose
by caps lock on on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:55:47 AM PDT
by PhillyGal on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:07:19 AM PDT
Was up early and watched Sunday Today Show around 7am, and they covered Obama's trip AND Maliki's backing his timetable plan.
Richard Wolfe was interviewed and gotta love him, correctly the host who wrongly stated that Obama had shifted position on Iraq/Afghan... he stated that when it comes to Iraq, Obama very consistently against that war, which pleases the left BUT he's always been HAWKISH on Afghanistan going back to 2002. I also really liked Wolfe pointing out that Maliki making ANY statement pro-Obama position is a big positive for O's campaign and a big hit for McCain.
On C-Span this am, Wendy (didn't catch her last name) a foreign policy wonk for Obama campaign was on and did a very good job restating his consistent good judgement and how Bush/McCain been very wrong. I was pleasantly surprised by the positive coverage this morning.
by scamperdo on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:08:37 AM PDT
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:11:04 AM PDT
he flipped on Afghanistan too? What... the... fuck.
by Stroszek on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:13:30 AM PDT
I give Wolfe credit he pointed out on Keith's show and also on NBC that many in the media who have NOT been following Obama closely as he has, are falling for the McCain spin of Obama flip flopping. It's just repeating the talking points versus knowing really what talking about
But it's not the case. Obama has been very consistent on Afghanistan and again stresses he's been downright hawkish on Afghanistan and even Pakistan issue.
Wolfe has been practically living with Obama well over a year. I suspect he's going to write one heck of a definitive book on him after this campaign.
If you ever saw Tim Russert interrogate Wolfe on his show, about what is Obama really like and does he really believe this BS about hope/change and new politics... and watching Wolfe, a pretty cynical guy, actually defend Obama by saying guess what he's the REAL DEAL. He lives and breathes this respectful discourse thing in private and public. And yeah, he's got a ruthless, steel spine when push comes to shove... I felt like WOW moment, a reporter actually DOES KNOW/UNDERSTAND Barack Obama.
And Wolfe isn't enamored nor getting chills up his legs like Tweety did at times during speeches. He's pretty clear-eyed about Obama weaknesses but definitely does NOT see him as naive nor as phoney either.
by scamperdo on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:26:56 AM PDT
do you know who the host was?
by Stroszek on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:38:35 AM PDT
I didn't tape it but Todays uploads alot of clips for On The Trail pieces each day, so maybe can find it there.
Host was the AA male, Helmer or something. I don't watch Today often on weekends sorry I don't know their names well.
I stopped to watch b/c it was about Obama and troops clip then Richard Wolfe came on via satelite to give some insights.
by scamperdo on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:42:21 AM PDT
Good information. There are some people who are actually still journalists - just hard to find.
by shpilk on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:35:22 AM PDT
The major rags are writing it--in graf 3.
NYT
KABUL, Afghanistan — Senator Barack Obama met with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan here on Sunday, the second day of Mr. Obama’s high-profile foreign trip in a country that is increasingly the focus of his clash with Senator John McCain over whether the war in Iraq has been a distraction in hunting down terrorists. Even as Mr. Obama met privately with American troops, military leaders and Afghan officials in the eastern part of the country on Saturday, Mr. McCain was questioning his judgment on foreign policy. In a radio address on Saturday, he said Mr. Obama had been wrong about the increase in troops in Iraq, a strategy Mr. McCain said should be the basis for addressing deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan as well. As the American presidential campaign unfolded across borders and time zones, Mr. Obama received support from an unexpected corner: Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, told a German magazine that he endorsed the Obama plan to withdraw most American troops in a gradual timeline of 16 months.
KABUL, Afghanistan — Senator Barack Obama met with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan here on Sunday, the second day of Mr. Obama’s high-profile foreign trip in a country that is increasingly the focus of his clash with Senator John McCain over whether the war in Iraq has been a distraction in hunting down terrorists.
Even as Mr. Obama met privately with American troops, military leaders and Afghan officials in the eastern part of the country on Saturday, Mr. McCain was questioning his judgment on foreign policy. In a radio address on Saturday, he said Mr. Obama had been wrong about the increase in troops in Iraq, a strategy Mr. McCain said should be the basis for addressing deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan as well.
As the American presidential campaign unfolded across borders and time zones, Mr. Obama received support from an unexpected corner: Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, told a German magazine that he endorsed the Obama plan to withdraw most American troops in a gradual timeline of 16 months.
WaPo (reprinted in today's Times-Picayune) is even worse, tucking it into the back half of graf 3 after the McCan't camp's reaction to O's travels:
KABUL, July 19 -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama got his first look at deteriorating conditions in war-torn Afghanistan on Saturday, meeting with U.S. military commanders and local officials and touring part of the country by helicopter on the first day of a highly anticipated visit abroad that drew a fresh rebuke from Republican rival John McCain. Obama, traveling as part of an official congressional delegation, landed in the Afghan capital on Saturday morning under tight security amid a surge of Taliban activity in recent weeks. After a briefing at Bagram air base, he flew by helicopter to the northeastern city of Jalalabad in Nangahar province, where he met with U.S. soldiers and local leaders. From there, according to a U.S.-based aide, Obama set out by helicopter for a look at parts of eastern Afghanistan before returning to Kabul for a dinner with senior Afghan officials. The presumptive Democratic nominee shied away from public comments as his trip began, belying the intense interest in the trip and its political ramifications. McCain used his new weekly radio address on Saturday to attack Obama's foreign policy credentials and judgment. But as McCain sparred with his rival, the Illinois senator received an unexpected boost from Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki, who told the German magazine Der Spiegel that he looked favorably on Obama's call for a 16-month timetable for withdrawing most U.S. forces from Iraq.
KABUL, July 19 -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama got his first look at deteriorating conditions in war-torn Afghanistan on Saturday, meeting with U.S. military commanders and local officials and touring part of the country by helicopter on the first day of a highly anticipated visit abroad that drew a fresh rebuke from Republican rival John McCain.
Obama, traveling as part of an official congressional delegation, landed in the Afghan capital on Saturday morning under tight security amid a surge of Taliban activity in recent weeks. After a briefing at Bagram air base, he flew by helicopter to the northeastern city of Jalalabad in Nangahar province, where he met with U.S. soldiers and local leaders. From there, according to a U.S.-based aide, Obama set out by helicopter for a look at parts of eastern Afghanistan before returning to Kabul for a dinner with senior Afghan officials.
The presumptive Democratic nominee shied away from public comments as his trip began, belying the intense interest in the trip and its political ramifications. McCain used his new weekly radio address on Saturday to attack Obama's foreign policy credentials and judgment. But as McCain sparred with his rival, the Illinois senator received an unexpected boost from Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki, who told the German magazine Der Spiegel that he looked favorably on Obama's call for a 16-month timetable for withdrawing most U.S. forces from Iraq.
Very clever. They can answer your objections to their coverage with "What are talking about? It was a front-page story." They know their coffee-deprived readers' habits well.
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:11:56 AM PDT
Obama Gets Look at Afghan War Zone Iraqi Leader Backs 16-Month Pullout Plan
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get/ One perfect rose
by kat68 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:41:46 AM PDT
be another Lumumba or Thieu or Allende.
He will have a roadside accident and we'll hear about another (more friendly) leader of Iraq.
by captainlaser on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:23:58 AM PDT
They all briefly mentioned al-Maliki's statement to the German reporter, but spent way more time saying "a spokesman" has retracted that statement. Other Kos sources have said the retraction/clarification came from CenCom, not al-Maliki. The Dark Side moves quickly.
by moose67 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 09:39:23 AM PDT
Had a picnic with the family yesterday afternoon and we were surprised/delighted to hear a group of kids yelling out "Barack!" and another group of kids yelling "Obama!" in a call and response that moved through the park.
My son, a vet of the Air Force, was blown away by their enthusiasm and wondered what other Presidential candidate has ever inspired this kind of excitement.
I couldn't think of any -- can you?
"It's hard to think straight when you have a crooked mind." ~ Snidely Whiplash
by Bugsby on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 05:59:06 AM PDT
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:01:58 AM PDT
by PhillyGal on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:08:27 AM PDT
"Johnson's in the White House, being elected. Goldwater's in the trash can, being collected."
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:13:45 AM PDT
by Bugsby on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:14:58 AM PDT
of these United states, I would eat ice cream and swing on all the gates.
I remember that one from my childhood.
Also "Mary Mack", but I can't remember the whole thing.
by ruleoflaw on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 08:29:43 AM PDT
All dressed in black black black With silver buttons buttons buttons All down her back back back She asked her mother mother mother For fifteen cents cents cents To see the elephants elephants elephants Jump over the fence fence fence They jumped so high high high They reached the sky sky sky And they never came back back back Til the fourth of July ly ly.
I think there's more, but I couldn't jump rope for that long. Why I even remember that much is beyond me.
Maybe it's so we can write a new one:
That Johnny Mac Mac Mac Republican hack hack hack. . .
by Crashing Vor on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 12:43:31 PM PDT
by ruleoflaw on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:37:42 PM PDT
the Goldwater HQ in Manchester NH after school with a friend and talking loudly about amazing it was that toilet water had that gold color.
We were 'invited to leave' by some guy.
I lost track of my friend, who moved to the Detroit area with his family shortly afterwards. Bet he's a Kossack tho, and if he reads this .. :)
by shpilk on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 10:32:43 AM PDT
...and maybe Ross Perot. 1992 was a very strange election.
by YoursTruly on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:23:00 AM PDT
and I was 12 in 1960. We liked Kennedy but weren't yelling his name in the park.
Welcome to the 21st Century.
by captainlaser on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 07:26:00 AM PDT
god, ALL they do is try to paint Obama's trip in a bad light for him. "How might this trip adversely affect Obama?" Pure speculation - no facts at all. It is MADDENING!
by Pandoras Box on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:04:04 AM PDT
The cable oracles have their keen and rarely erroneous insight into the infinite flow of history. Why would they need facts and when they can determine everything on the basis of their omniscient awareness of America's collective consciousness? Besides, everyone know what's already happened.
by Stroszek on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:07:29 AM PDT
Journalists aren't supposed to praise things. It's a violation of work rules almost as serious as buying drinks with our own money or absolving the CIA of something. ~P.J. O'Rourke
How true...
by Dingodude on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:08:32 AM PDT
Black to Bright red.
The corporate media doesn't want to talk about this, because it gives Obama an advantage. That goes against the plan. And it would offend Senator McCain.
Besides, Iraq is no longer an important issue among Americans. All the polls show dwindling interest. Who really cares when we get out? Not as many kids are dying, or I would have read about it somewheres. Why bother parsing out the meaning of some statements made in a dirty foreign magazine by somebody we all know is merely a figurehead, anyway?
Seriously, let's move on top something important, like whether Heath Ledger deserves that Emmy.
Who was Bush_Horror2004, anyway?
by Dartagnan on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 06:06:07 AM PDT
did they do any of their own investigation? No, they just put up an ambiguous press release from CentCom that's designed to be spun against Obama.
Of course, Drudge and his pals are linking to that "liberal media" outlet now that they've got their cover-up excuse.
And to think, a GOPer troll was here yesterday saying CNN had "made the story up." You see, if they're not advocating gay genocide and school prayer, the media must be liberal.
by Stroszek on Sun Jul
