Unity means being unified, only in a more nounular sense


Alert reader Kevin B. emailed me this snippet from the official White House transcript from President Bush's Q&A session at the Unity Conference last Friday:

QUESTION: Good morning. My name is Mark Trahant. I'm the editorial page editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and a member of the Native American Journalist Association. (Applause.) Most school kids learn about the government in the context of city, county, state and federal. And, of course, tribal governments are not part of that at all. Mr. President, you've been a governor and a President, so you have a unique experience, looking at it from two directions. What do you think tribal sovereignty means in the 21st century, and how do we resolve conflicts between tribes and the federal and the state governments?

THE PRESIDENT: Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a -- you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities. (Applause.)

The New York Times reports the audience laughed at the end of the President's reply. Two friends of mine were at the conference, so I'll wait to hear back from them if Dubya received the applause he so rightly deserved for his insightful and revealing answer, or if he was indeed the object of ridicule.

Update

An audio clip of the President's lecture on the challenges of tribal sovereignty within the framework of democratic federalism can be found here. The cheers of "bravo" from the assembled minority journalists are difficult to hear, due to the competing cheers of "four more years", mixed with the basso of tribal drums being pounded in ceremonial glee.


Sic semper tyrannus

"It feels good. I am a national fool now. It is the best thing a man can be."

No, it's not who you think.
9.8.04 16:07


Takes a shellacin' and keeps on attackin'

The President isn't befuddled or mumblemouthed. He's not even a moron. He's just plain spoken:

"The wordsmiths inside the White House are hailing the return of Bush communications honcho Karen Hughes. That's because she's one of the few who can change the president's language. An example: President Bush has traded the tired old Karl Rove word 'robust' in speeches and releases with the fresh 'unvarnished', a word Hughes uses to describe her advice to the prez."

From Washington Whispers.
10.8.04 03:40


Reality bites

Four members of a Philipine family have been arrested for killing, cooking, and serving up a relative to unsuspecting wedding guests. Reportedly, Eladio Baule got angry with his cousin Benjie Ganay who tripped and "accidentally touched" the bride's dérriere, at the July 17 wedding of Baule's daughter. A few hours later, Baule and three family members allegedly confronted Ganay, then drove him to a secluded place where they stabbed him to death. The four family members then cooked and served Ganay to guests who were probably too drunk to notice what they were eating.

This seems a little extreme to me.
11.8.04 02:09


Not so swift

How low can Karl Rove go? I have a sick feeling that this ad is only the beginning of the White House's efforts to portray smear John Kerry's service record with lies and innuendoes. Digby says it best:
This smear is slick. All these right wing vets get filmed saying "he's unfit to be commander in chief" without providing any details. They don't say specifically why, but you are left with the clear impression that 200+ Vietnam vets think Kerry's lying about his record at best and that he's a coward at worst. In reality, they just hate his politics. But, it won't make any difference, because you have Rush and Sean and John O'Neill and Ted Sampley all the rest filling in the blanks and none of these guys are rushing to elaborate on what they are really talking about. (Lots of honor and integrity in this crowd.)

Wackjob alert
Ted Sampley is an equal-opportunity hater. Not only does he smear Kerry with lies, but he has also accused George H.W. Bush of combat cowardice, and says John McCain sold out his country in exchange for medical treatment from his North Vietnamese captors.

You can bet Karl Rove is returning Sampley's phone calls these days.


I liked her better when she just sat and stared

I've had nothing critical to say about Laura Bush until I read this story. Now Laura Bush is sharing her views on stem cell research, with this gem:
"We don't even know that stem cell research will provide cures for anything — much less that it's very close."

And so what's the point in financing scientific work to find out if it will go anywhere? And what do all those elitist scientists know about cutting edge research, anyway?

Maybe it's time the librarian learned to hush up.


Betrayed

Go see MoveOn.org's newest TV spots. They feature real-life Republicans carping about the ex-governor of Texas. There's a theme among the 10 or so ads I watched: betrayal. Betrayal of conservative values. Betrayal of the constitution. Betrayal of the American people's trust. Kerry has an excellent opportunity to move to the right on any number of issues, and still hold on to his base.
12.8.04 22:29


A more sensitive war


Vice President Dick Cheney is taunting John Kerry for telling a campaign crowd that he would fight a more sensitive war against terrorists. Now, taken out of context, this does sound like a Saturday Night Live skit. "Gee, Abdul, I hope our Predator drones aren't invading your personal space." But John Kerry's point was still valid, and Cheney is once against speaking out both sides of his crooked mouth when he he told an Ohio crowd "America has been in too many wars for any of our wishes, but not a one of them was won by being sensitive."

Still, I wish Kerry would clam up.

Mr. Senator, you're not addressing your old Skull and Bones chums at these campaign stops. You're not even talking anymore to the people who wait for hours just to see you wave from a train window, or from atop a car ferry. You need to address your words to the five million or so likely voters who still haven't made up their mind about who gets their vote in November. They're called undecided voters, and they're the same folks who tell Jay Leno that the three branches of government are the Executive, the Legislative, and the Post Office. They don't read books, or newspapers, or warning labels, and they're excited as can be that Jeff Foxworthy will finally be on TV again. These people don't care about nuance. They care about cable TV, their bowling score, and the price of gas. These are the people you need to impress.

Atrios isn't one of them.
13.8.04 14:42


Fuggitaboudit

Alicublog has some some talking points for Kerry spokepersons who can't stand the heat, but are stuck in the kitchen:
On Cambodia: "Aw, hell, man, you know how it is. Guys get together at the VFW Hall, have a coupla drinks, they say all kinds of shit. It was spooky back in 'Nam, man, and Kerry was smoking a lot of the good weed, so maybe in his mind he was in Cambodia. Hey, hit me in the stomach, hard's you can."

On Kerry's "sensitive" remark: "When he said 'sensitive,' he meant sensitive like an ultra-thin Trojan condom. I mean, when you get in there, you want to feel it, know what I'm saying? We think Bush's approach is more like a ribbed condom, betraying a deep insecurity that he can produce the desired effect."

On gay marriage: "Dude, why you care so much about it? Got troubles in the bedroom? Jesus Christ."

Funny stuff.


On the other hand

Atrios things the Kerry campaign is doing some things right, like keeping it local:
"Making it hand to hand, cheek to cheek, person to person, politician to baby. On the ground campaigning, and its associated benefit - local media coverage. As the private nature of Bush's "public" events becomes more apparent, that coverage inevitably will favor the Kerry campaign."

Atrios notes that the Arizona Daily Sun characterized a John Kerry's rally as "practically the second coming" and devoted its entire Monday front page to the blessed event.


Graven images

Intolerant, religious fanatics have destroyed idolatrous works of art. In Lubbock, Texas. The vandalism was preceded by letters such as this to the local newspaper:
No doubt, someone thought wind gods would be suitable landmarks for a windy city. I must protest TxDOT's wind gods in and around the city of Lubbock. Do we as area residents not have a choice as to what is represented in the Hub city? There is only one God. Why would we wish to glorify others by placing sculptures of them around our city? What can we do about this?

There is only on God. Hmmm. Where have I heard that one before?Alicublog has some some talking points for Kerry spokepersons who can't stand the heat, but are stuck in the kitchen:
On Cambodia: "Aw, hell, man, you know how it is. Guys get together at the VFW Hall, have a coupla drinks, they say all kinds of shit. It was spooky back in 'Nam, man, and Kerry was smoking a lot of the good weed, so maybe in his mind he was in Cambodia. Hey, hit me in the stomach, hard's you can."

On Kerry's "sensitive" remark: "When he said 'sensitive,' he meant sensitive like an ultra-thin Trojan condom. I mean, when you get in there, you want to feel it, know what I'm saying? We think Bush's approach is more like a ribbed condom, betraying a deep insecurity that he can produce the desired effect."

On gay marriage: "Dude, why you care so much about it? Got troubles in the bedroom? Jesus Christ."

Funny stuff.


On the other hand

Atrios things the Kerry campaign is doing some things right, like keeping it local:
"Making it hand to hand, cheek to cheek, person to person, politician to baby. On the ground campaigning, and its associated benefit - local media coverage. As the private nature of Bush's "public" events becomes more apparent, that coverage inevitably will favor the Kerry campaign."

Atrios notes that the Arizona Daily Sun characterized a John Kerry's rally as "practically the second coming" and devoted its entire Monday front page to the blessed event.


Graven images

Intolerant, religious fanatics have destroyed idolatrous works of art. In Lubbock, Texas. The vandalism was preceded by letters such as this to the local newspaper:
No doubt, someone thought wind gods would be suitable landmarks for a windy city. I must protest TxDOT's wind gods in and around the city of Lubbock. Do we as area residents not have a choice as to what is represented in the Hub city? There is only one God. Why would we wish to glorify others by placing sculptures of them around our city? What can we do about this?

There is only on God. Hmmm. Where have I heard that one before?Alicublog has some some talking points for Kerry spokepersons who can't stand the heat, but are stuck in the kitchen:
On Cambodia: "Aw, hell, man, you know how it is. Guys get together at the VFW Hall, have a coupla drinks, they say all kinds of shit. It was spooky back in 'Nam, man, and Kerry was smoking a lot of the good weed, so maybe in his mind he was in Cambodia. Hey, hit me in the stomach, hard's you can."

On Kerry's "sensitive" remark: "When he said 'sensitive,' he meant sensitive like an ultra-thin Trojan condom. I mean, when you get in there, you want to feel it, know what I'm saying? We think Bush's approach is more like a ribbed condom, betraying a deep insecurity that he can produce the desired effect."

On gay marriage: "Dude, why you care so much about it? Got troubles in the bedroom? Jesus Christ."

Funny stuff.


On the other hand

Atrios things the Kerry campaign is doing some things right, like keeping it local:
"Making it hand to hand, cheek to cheek, person to person, politician to baby. On the ground campaigning, and its associated benefit - local media coverage. As the private nature of Bush's "public" events becomes more apparent, that coverage inevitably will favor the Kerry campaign."

Atrios notes that the Arizona Daily Sun characterized a John Kerry's rally as "practically the second coming" and devoted its entire Monday front page to the blessed event.
14.8.04 23:41


Powell to Japan: Say Yes to War




American taxpayers have arguably been subsidizing Japan's defense since the smoke cleared over Nagasaki. It's a major reason for the Japanese economic miracle that's been flooding our country with cutting edge electronic goods, fuel-efficient cars, and really bad cartoons for the past 50 years. Now comes news that Secretary of State Colin Powell is urging the Japanese to revise Article 9 of their constitution which bans the use of force in settling international disputes.

Powell told reporters that if Japan wants to assume a larger role on the international stage, and snag a coveted permanent Security Council seat, "Article 9 would have to be examined in that light."

But Powell added that it was up to the Japanese people to decide whether to revise the Constitution or not, adding that he is aware of the historic and cultural importance of Article 9 to the Japanese.

It will be interesting to see if President Kerry continues the thought.


Mr. Sensitive

I noted previously that Dick Cheney has been taunting John Kerry for using the words sensitive and war in the same sentence. Well, here's Cheney on the Hugh Hewitt Show:

"Ah, it strikes me the two words don't really go together, sensitive and war. If you look at our history, I don't think any of the wars we've won, were won by us being quote sensitive."

And then later:

Well, from the standpoint of (Najaf's Imam Ali) shrine, obviously it is a sensitive area, and we are very much aware of its sensitivity."

What is this guy doing one heartbeat away from the Oval Office? I've seen mafia bagmen with more integrity.


No Integrity Here Citizens. Move Along.
From the Washington Post:
During a question-and-answer session at an Oregon campaign stop, an enthusiastic GOP-friendly crowd roared approval as some questioners disparaged Kerry's Vietnam-era history -- one speaker said he had distorted his personal history; another said he got Purple Hearts for "self-inflicted scratches." Bush responded with a smile and nod but no comment.
Pretty sad.


I guess they all look alike

Fox News pin-up girl Michelle Malkin recently fired of a nasty letter to Julie Chen for an alleged "cheap shot" taken at Malkin. Chen, says Malkin, was interviewing President Bush at the now famous Unity Conference of minority journalists, and asked the following:
There are many Arab Americans and Muslims in this country who find themselves unfairly scrutinized by law enforcement and by society at large. Just yesterday we had arrests in Albany, New York. Immediately afterwards, some neighbors in the community said they feared that the law would come for them unfairly next. We have a new book out today that suggests perhaps we should reconsider internment camps. How do we balance the need to pursue and detain some individuals from not well-known communities, while at the same time keeping innocent people from being painted by the broad brush of suspicion?

The book that Chen allegedly referred to in her question is Malkin's In Defense of Internment, which takes an approving look at the round up of Japanese-Americans in WWII.

Too bad for Malkin that the interviewer was Joie Chen, an actual journalist. Julie Chen in the host of a game show called Big Brother..

Oops.


Up the creek



Kevin Drum says John Kerry was in Cambodia, but not during Christmas, 1968 like he said. It was January and February of 1969. Drum quotes Kerry biographer Douglas Brinkley, who says:
"Kerry went into Cambodian waters three or four times in January and February 1969 on clandestine missions. He had a run dropping off US Navy Seals, Green Berets and CIA guys." The missions were not armed attacks on Cambodia, said Mr Brinkley, who did not include the clandestine missions in his wartime biography of Mr Kerry, Tour of Duty.

"He was a ferry master, a drop-off guy, but it was dangerous as hell. Kerry carries a hat he was given by one CIA operative. In a part of his journals which I didn't use he writes about discussions with CIA guys he was dropping off."
And there's this from Kevin:
"Considering that he's mentioned this story only twice, most recently 18 years ago, and it turns out that his only crime is to have tarted it up with a bit of holiday pathos, I think I'll pass on following it any further down the Swift Vets rabbit hole. But thanks to everyone who displayed their deep unseriousness about this election by participating in this smear. It will be remembered."
Indeed.


Graven images

Intolerant, religious fanatics have destroyed idolatrous works of art. In Lubbock, Texas. The vandalism was preceded by letters such as this to the local newspaper:
No doubt, someone thought wind gods would be suitable landmarks for a windy city. I must protest TxDOT's wind gods in and around the city of Lubbock. Do we as area residents not have a choice as to what is represented in the Hub city? There is only one God. Why would we wish to glorify others by placing sculptures of them around our city? What can we do about this?

There is only on God. Hmmm. Where have I heard that one before?
15.8.04 03:09


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