A Request from New Orleans

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Thursday August 28, 2008 · 9:19 AM PDT

2008/08/28 · 09:19

There have been a number of diaries and comments posted here in the past couple days that do two things that raise the blood pressure of New Orleanians and other Gulf Coast residents as we prepare for a possible hurricane hit.

First, diarists and commenters have suggested, often gleefully, that Gustav's timing--right during the Republican convention (and just after evangelicals prayed for rain on Obama tonight)--is "ironic," "poetic justice," "proof that there is a God," or at least politically profitable for Democrats.

Second, some diarists and commenters have made assertive forecasts about where it "will" hit.

nolakohler

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Tuesday July 08, 2008 · 6:07 PM PDT

2008/07/08 · 18:07

Reuters just reported that in response to the tenfold rise in U.S. cigarette exports to Iran, McCain said, "Maybe that's a way of killing 'em."

The article also reminds us of McCain's "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" ditty when he was asked last year whether there was a plan to attack Iran.

The article also rightly reminds us that

Tension is high between the two countries over Iran's nuclear program, which Washington says is aimed at making an atomic bomb but Tehran says is for generating energy. There has been media speculation of a possible U.S. or Israeli military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

I know I'm preaching to the choir when I say that this sort of flippant jokesterism about bombing, obliterating, or killing off a country is reprehensible.

Let's vote for the diplomat and leave the joker on the Straight Talk Express.

UPDATE: Here's a link to the youtube video.
Youtube: John McCain jokes about killing Iranians

Rove and Katrina: New Book

nolakohler

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Friday June 06, 2008 · 4:16 PM PDT

2008/06/06 · 16:16

Though this is no shocker, a new book describes Karl Rove's SWIFT, carefully orchestrated political defense of the federal (non)response to Katrina and its aftermath. The book is noted on the New Orleans Times-Picayune website NOLA.com:

In a new book, "Machiavelli's Shadow: The Rise and Fall of Karl Rove," author Paul Alexander quotes Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco saying that Karl Rove, a top political adviser to President Bush, led a coordinated political attack of local Democrats in the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit.

In the book, Landrieu and Blanco say that Rove manipulated New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and gave political talking points to GOP U.S. Sen. David Vitter in an effort to deflect blame for slow storm response away from Bush and the White House and onto Blanco.

More below:

nolakohler

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday June 05, 2008 · 4:17 PM PDT

2008/06/05 · 16:17

I'm creakily laying to rest my primary-election arguments--you know, the fine points about popular votes, which states matter, disenfranchisement vs. rules, white working-class vs. Appalachia, etc., etc.

Very glad to move on to the Real Fight and to do so in support of a candidate about whom I am utterly enthusiastic. After watching in disbelief as GWB was re-elected, I am determined that we have to work harder than we think we do if we want to win this. I wrote myself a "To Do" list and would love to hear more specific suggestions from fellow Kossacks. I am especially convinced that we all need to master the art of persuasion. We have a GREAT candidate, and we have a solid case to make and, I believe, a curious audience.

If my Mormon Republican mother is interested in Obama (because of "his beautiful, stable family"), then I am convinced we can win the most improbable voters to our side. We just have to be very good at making the case. To that end, here are some of my first tasks:

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A Request from New Orleans

McCain: Cigarettes are "a way of killing" Iranians--Updated w/ Video

Rove and Katrina: New Book

Get to Work: A June To-Do List