September 30, 2004
Just on the other side.
"The Iraqi insurgents are our best allies."
-French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Via BOTW.
Hey, that's me, that's me!
Alex Brunk sends me this story: NY's Russian Jews Backing Bush
Apparently, Jews in NY are picking Kerry 64-24, but Russian Jews who make up 20 percent of the city's Jewish population, choose Bush over Kerry 54-14.
"The feeling for Bush is so vociferous that I don't know of one prominent person in the Russian community who is willing to say openly he is backing Kerry," Kagan added. "Even though Russian Jews are mainly registered Democrats, lately many are reluctant to say out loud they are Democrats because they don't want to be tied to Kerry."
Excellent.
The article also shows that Russian-Jews are really the ultimate swing voters. They supported Reagan, then Clinton, then Gore and now Bush. All very interesting.
Dissing bloggers is a bad idea.
Everyone is slapping around Nick Coleman's anti-blogger piece but no one quite so humorously as Tim Blair.
More begging.
Another way to support this site (other than giving me cash), is to buy ads in my sidebar. If you have goods, a service to sell, or ideas to promote, think about advertising here. It's cheap!
Do you want this man's team leading the country?
From Ace of Spades:
'Democratic candidate John Kerry's campaign demanded Thursday that the lights signaling when a speaker's time has expired during debates with President Bush be removed from the lecterns because they are distracting, but the commission hosting the debates refused.'
Ok, nothing too crazy yet. Irrational, yes. I mean, the light is kind of a necessity during debates. What would the Kerry team prefer, a bell? Some guy waving his arms to signal it's time to stop?
But then the insanity really gets going:
Kerry's team threatened to remove the lights when they visit the debate site with Kerry later in the day. "We'll bring a screwdriver," said a Kerry aide familiar with what several people called an angry exchange.
Ace asks: Is this story real or contrived in order to make people think that John Kerry might Hulk Out if the time-expired light goes on?
Tonight, tonight
If you're in NYC tonight, I'll be watching the debate at a bi-partisan debate party at San Marcos Bar and Restaurant, 12 St. Marks Place (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues). The NY Young Republican Club (the independent one) and the DL21C are hosting and it's $5 for non-members, free for members of those groups.
I hear that the Communists for Kerry will be in attendance this evening and it's worth the trip just to see them. Also, I'm leaving tomorrow, in case ya hadn't heard, and it's also worth the trip just to see me. :-)
UPDATE: Oh, also, I'm going to try to get there early to get good seats, so come early too if hearing the debate matters to you. Ari, Jessica, Lisa and I are leaving from the upper east side at 7:30ish.
Wilco
Before the whole Colorado thing happened, I bought tickets to see Wilco. If anyone is interested, I've got two tickets for Wilco, October 5th, 8pm at Radio City Music Hall, 2nd Mezz Row F, Box 407. You can see a seating chart here. I'm selling two tickets at a little lower than face value for $70.
UPDATE: Sold!
Music Question.
Dawn Summers always asks me, 'do you have a song for everything'? Well, yes, for most things. Grandma dies? 'Grandma's Hands' by Bill Withers. Hold 'Em games? 'The Gambler' by Kenny Rogers. Gangbanging in the 'hood? 'Heat' by 50 Cent. I even have a list of the best break-up songs of all time. The list includes everything from 'What it takes' by Aerosmith to 'Gone for Good' by Morphine to 'No Distance Left to Run' by Blur to 'I will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor. Should I ever get married, I imagine walking down the aisle to 'Reservations' by Wilco (no, it's not because I would have reservations, the lyrics are 'I've got reservations, about so many things, but not about you')
When I was going to work on the Cain campaign in Georgia, I downloaded all the songs about Georgia that I could think of. I got both the Ray Charles and Billy Holiday versions of 'Georgia on My Mind' and Gladys Knight's 'Midnight Train to Georgia'. When Peter came to visit me, he drove from New Orleans to Atlanta and made a stop in Jackson, MS. He had planned his music listening so that he was listening to Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra's 'Jackson', when he got there. And, when we drove to DC last year, we were listening to the Magnetic Field's 'Washington, DC' on the way.
Ok, I'm a dork, whatever. I leave tomorrow to work for Pete Coors and my question is: are there any songs about Colorado?
What if.
I think Howard Dean would've made for tougher competition than John Kerry. Yes, he made some people (example #1, example #2) run screaming from the Democratic party but I don't see these people returning to vote for John Kerry anyway. Dean would've had, at least, a position on Iraq that a majority of people can understand: he was against it, period. Peter Beinart looks at other benefits that Dean would've had.
The girl is mad.
Liberals are sometimes wacky, it's true, but I just want it to be known that when I call Dawn Summers a 'wacky liberal' it isn't so much because of her politics as because of things like this (make sure you read the comments to learn that our future basketball star is not only near 30 but also 5'2''). It may be a side effect of her backward political views, but I do believe that she would be this insane even if she believed in lower taxes and less government.
Is it Thursday in Mumbai?
So, I hear the debate was very exciting with sparks flying. Yes, the debate that's going to happen tomorrow night.
UPDATE: AP pulls the same stunt.
September 29, 2004
Oh boy.
"Is Mrs. Cheney jealous considering how hard it is to get sun in the undisclosed location with her husband Dick? Or is she distracted over how red-in-the-face George Bush should be considering his failed presidency?"-Kerry team's response to Lynn Cheney joking about Kerry's tan.
Via Allahpundit who nicknames the Kerry squad 'Team Trainwreck.'
Music break.
His politics could not be more misguided but I love Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes. I had the cd 'Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground' on major repeat earlier this year and still love every song on it. I recommend you download 'Will you? You? Will? You? Will? You Will.' and 'Lover I don't have to love', and though it's sort of an anti-war song, I love 'One Foot In Front of the Other'. Unfortunately, Bright Eyes is touring in support of Kerry at the moment so I would wait until after the election to go see them. But don't let Conor's young politics get in the way of seeing this otherwise incredible live band.
Right war, wrong place, right time, wrong idea?
Remember when John Kerry said he would've still gone to war in Iraq (and don't start with me all of you 'he would've authorized Bush to go to war, but not gone to war himself', I think we know how it turns out and that Bush chooses to use the authority to go to war), even knowing that WMD may not be found. Well, flippity flip!
Blogroll Update: In the future, everyone will have a blog
Two guys I worked with on the Cain campaign who are way too young to be so smart:
Friends from the NY conservative scene:
Banafsheh and Elio at ElBa Diary- an Iranian and an Italian deeply involved in the Free Iran movement.
Zelda at The Urban Grind- we met recently at one of those VRWC gatherings.
'Spot On' readers whose blogs I've been reading:
Of the Mind- A good Georgia based blog.
Shape of Days-We never got to meet Jeff in Dallas but I've been checking out his blog regularly.
I've had a whole bunch of lefty bloggers commenting recently. Read them at your own discretion. :-) And note to the lefties, 'Spot On' is happy to have you but we already have a resident leftie wacko.
Caffeine Dreams- lists Kommander Djin as one of his readers. We like Kommander Djin. I'm unsure where this blog is based. I sent him an email but am putting him 'out there in America' for now.
Shot of Politics- sees Howard Dean as a positive thing for the Democrats. Whattya gonna do?
The Oil Wars- I'm pretty sure I'm just adding this one to have another international blog on my list. :-)
Captain Normal- A far-out, far-left New Yorker. I guess both of us occupying the same city cancel each other out.
Miscellaneous Relationship Stuff.
I'm considered a little boyish. Ari wrote on this subject yesterday, that she likes sports and meat instead of ribbons and whatever else girls are supposed to like. My boyishness is more about my personality than my interests. I have mostly male friends, which lends itself to seeing a different perspective on the world. I've had guy friends tell me that if they could only have one girl at their bachelor party (aside from the, uh, paid girls) it would be me. I'm drawn to singlehood in the same way that men supposedly are. And, most of all, I'm not very emotional. I've had girlfriends actually get mad at me for 'not opening up' when in fact, I'm all open, I just don't feel whatever they want me to feel.
I don't know exactly where I'm going with this. It was two things that got me started on this topic, the picture on Drudge of the man shaped pillow (which made me claustrophic just looking at it) and that Dawn Eden told me recently that I don't write about personal stuff as much as I used to, which is probably the result of the election being a month away. I've been loving the personal stuff she's been writing lately about wanting a relationship and waiting for that perfect man. I have to admit, it's a little foreign to me. I can't say I ever wanted to meet someone to have a relationship. Usually, I meet someone and fight against having a commitment only to lose that fight (I met Peter in August and it was December before I called him my boyfriend).
Anyway, I love reading the female insights that the blogosphere offers, it's a good balance to my boy-infested life. I guess that's my point.
Start putting together the greeting committee.
Margaret 'I loathe America' Drabble is coming to America to hawk her book. She's going to be at the Barnes&Noble on 82nd & Broadway in New York on October 28th. I hope she gets the welcome she deserves.
Convo with everyone's favorite liberal
Dawn Summers: Ok, there's only one message Kerry needs to get across tomorrow.
Me: 'I'm not Bush?'
Dawn Summers: Yep
Me: You guys have tried that already. You should try something else. You should try him having some ideas different from Bush.
Dawn Summers: No, that might discourage people from voting for him.
Me: Yeah, that's called having principles, look into it.
Dawn Summers: I have principles, but John Kerry doesn't and we have to make that work for him.
Let law-abiding citizens own guns.
If a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged by reality, what is a libertarian who has sort-of been mugged? Angry, that's what.
I wish he would just be straight about it.
Andrew Sullivan has lost it over gay marriage. Like I've said in the past, I don't necessarily blame him as it's his key issue. He compares two ads, one against Marilyn Musgrave, and one against John Kerry and calls them both 'over the top'.
Marilyn Musgrave is a Republican Congresswoman running for re-election in Colorado. The ad against her has her sneaking up on a soldier, in a warzone complete with shooting and fires, and pickpocketing him. It's so over the top that it can only hurt the not-too-bright 527 running the ad.
The ad against John Kerry, however, merely states Kerry's actions on gay marriage. It notes that he signed a letter supporting gay marriage in Massachusetts and that he voted against the Defense of Marriage Act. Whatever you think of gay marriage, the group Americans United to Protect Marriage is only noting what John Kerry has done on this one issue.
The fact that Andrew Sullivan can compare the demonization of Musgrave to a plain statement of the facts on Kerry shows how he is unable to see clearly when the issue of gay marriage is involved.
September 28, 2004
Random Observation
Ray and Debra's relationship on 'Everybody Loves Raymond' is the nightmare example of married life. Discuss.
Disturbing, if true.
Italy reportedly paid 1 million dollars to free the two Simonas, the two aid workers that were held hostage in Iraq. Silvio Berlusconi denies any such payment.
Paul McCartney's Wife on Britain's use of landmines.
The only thing I like better than a model with opinions, is a model with opinions who is best known for marrying a rock star.
Memo to WP: there are more than 10 blogs out there.
The Washington Post Blogs Readers Choice Awards suck, and no, it's not just because this site isn't included.
I'm starting to suspect Theresa Heinz Kerry wants Bush to win.
Maybe she feels like she's doing a solid for her first dead husband?
Punk'd, MNF style.
Did y'all see that football player in the tutu during Monday Night Football yesterday? What is wrong with that guy?
Has Moore endorsed Kerry?
One of my favorite moments in the film 'Michael Moore Hates America' was clips of Michael Moore supporting different losing candidates over the years like Jerry Brown, Ralph Nader and Wesley Clark. He always does it with such gusto, which makes it all the more amusing when they go down in loser history. Recently, Moore released one of his 'open letters' telling Democrats to not get dispirited and to definitely not believe the polls. I'm not a big fan of polls either, but Moore's points on why the polls are wrong are silly. Moore writes:
The polls are wrong. They are all over the map like diarrhea. On Friday, one poll had Bush 13 points ahead -- and another poll had them both tied. There are three reasons why the polls are b.s.: One, they are polling "likely voters." "Likely" means those who have consistently voted in the past few elections. So that cuts out young people who are voting for the first time and a ton of non-voters who are definitely going to vote in THIS election. Second, they are not polling people who use their cell phone as their primary phone. Again, that means they are not talking to young people. Finally, most of the polls are weighted with too many Republicans, as pollster John Zogby revealed last week. You are being snookered if you believe any of these polls.
First of all, the best polls do poll likely voters. The inaccurate ones poll registered voters and are proven wrong when only likely voters show up on election day. Likely voters are -shock- most likely to actually vote.
But, forget that. Let's go to Moore's other point, that young people were going to come out en masse for Kerry. The numbers: Washington Post is reporting that registered voters aged 18-30 are choosing Bush over Kerry, 53-41%. Moore can't claim that they're just polling likely voters, and his cell phone idea would only account for a couple of percentage points. Also, as James Taranto points out, 'Yet another interesting finding of both the Post/ABC and Gallup polls: President Bush does better among registered voters than among the smaller group of likely voters. Gallup has Bush up by 8% among likely voters (52% to 44%) and 13% among registered voters (54% to 41%). Post/ABC has Bush up by 6% among likely voters (51% to 45%) and 7% among registered voters (51% to 44%).'
I'm not saying it's over, still a month left to go and anything can happen, just that I'm looking forward to Michael Moore's official endorsement of John Kerry to make the loss a certainty. He hasn't been right about anything yet.
The man does not know funny.
I feel like this article, about Kerry using 'humor' to win votes, could have been written as satire by Jeff Goldstein. But, no, it's an AP piece about the hilarity that is Kerry. An example:
Even while speaking on the very serious topic of Iraq (news - web sites) last week at New York University, Kerry made the audience laugh six times at President Bush (news - web sites)'s expense. Most of the guffaws came when Kerry stated Bush administration positions in a tone that suggested they were the height of ridiculousness.Kerry said the occupation of Iraq is riddled with problems, "yet today, President Bush tells us that he would do everything all over again, the same way." Kerry paused for affect before asking sarcastically, "How can he possibly be serious?"
Well, they're right, I am laughing my head off.
Debate Party
A few people have asked me if I'm doing anything, party-wise, before I leave on Friday. I probably won't have time to throw something together, so I'm inviting everyone to come watch the first presidential debate with me on Thursday at San Marcos Bar and Restaurant, 12 St. Marks Place (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues) at 8pm. The debate-watching is going to be hosted by the NY Young Republican Club and Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, so both Republicans and Democrats can feel comfortable attending. It's $5 for non-Members, free for members of either club.
If you can't make it downtown, there are two other debate-watching parties going on, one of the UES and one in Brooklyn. Check out my other site for more info.
That'll teach her to complain.
Great Moments in Socialized MedicineA British doctor has killed a critic of the country's government-run medical system, reports the Sunday Telegraph:
A critic of declining standards in the National Health Service died after being given a large overdose of iron by a hospital doctor who did not read the instructions on the drug's label properly.
Carys Pugh, 63, a former president of a patients' association in Wales, was taken to casualty at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital after the blunder turned her skin brown and "saturated" her liver with iron.
While she fought for survival in hospital for seven weeks, Mrs Pugh suffered a heart attack and contracted deep vein thrombosis in both legs, a chest infection and then E.coli. Finally, she suffered a second heart attack that killed her.
Where are the factcheckers?
In the now infamous article about bloggers in the NY Times magazine, the writer of the piece notes that Josh Marshall compared Bush 'to Tony Soprano torching his friend's sporting-goods store for the sake of a little extra cash.' Actually, as any Sopranos watcher knows, it was his friend's restaurant that was torched for extra cash. The sporting-goods store was bankrupted because its owner bet over his head with Tony.
I can not believe my eyes.
It's one thing for a candidate to make wacko demands of his opponent to end 'negative' advertising when things get tense during an election. It's quite another for a candidate who spent the Spring daring Bush to 'Bring. It. On.' to make that same type of appeal.
September 27, 2004
I just like to point and laugh at people wearing Kerry gear.
'Some of my friends have told me that they want to rip buttons off of shirts or rip off T-shirts of people — especially gay New Yorkers — who sport anything pro-Bush.' -Editorial in Blade, a gay newspaper in NY.
Begging
I'm the poorest I've ever been, campaign work pays little, so if you've ever been tempted to hit my Paypal button, now's a good time.
UPDATE: Thank you Ace of Spades!
And Dawn Eden!
And Shawn!
And music-expert Gary!
And Jake!
And Jim and Jessica!
And Michael C.!
Be there.
The two guys that took Jessica and me on a late-night trip to Wal-mart in Dallas, have now launched their site, The Rightway TV. It's still kind of newish but go take a look around. They're going to be showing films and interviews from the Dallas festival.
I wonder how often this happens and doesn't make the news?
Bomb Alert Prompts Greek Plane to Land in London
I hadn't heard about this until my brother called me and told me our father was on that flight. He's safe and back in NY.
UPDATE: Oops, the flight has not landed yet in NY.
UPDATE: It has now landed safely in NY.
Minor but telling.
BOTW recently had a whole brouhaha over whether more people that voted for Gore in 2000 were going to choose Bush, or whether more Bush 2000 voters were going to go for Kerry. Most of the evidence presented was anecdotal, in the form of emails from people that were switching. So here's some more anecdotal evidence, from the free market: there are five auctions happening on ebay for items that read 'Republicans for Kerry', none of them have any bids. There is one auction for 'Democrats for Bush' and it has a bidder.
September 26, 2004
Let Freedom Reign!
Don't tell me Iraq isn't forcing a freedom domino effect: Greenland looks to US in quest for independence.
Politics Pause.
Though I adore every song on 'Grace', my favorite two Jeff Buckley songs are his cover of Bob Dylan's 'If you see her, say hello' and an unreleased song called 'Forget Her', neither on his only full-length cd. It was interesting to find the video for 'Forget Her' on the Jeff Buckley website. I strongly recommend you watch it. The song is so beautiful and the images in the video made me wish that Jeff Buckley hadn't died so young, leaving us all without his music.
I don't get them.
A Gallup poll shows the disparity of concern on certain issues between Bush and Kerry voters. Some examples:
42 percent of Kerry supporters named the economy their top issue, versus 20 percent of Bush supporters.Health care was named the top issue by 23 percent of Kerry supporters, compared with just 9 percent of Bush supporters.
The war in Iraq was the closest issue, named by 25 percent of Kerry supporters as their top concern, versus 15 percent of Bush supporters.
But this is the one that blew me away:
Terrorism, meanwhile, was named the top issue by 52 percent of Bush supporters, versus just 8 percent of Kerry supporters.
I've written before that that is going to be the deciding factor in this election. If 9/11 shook you, if you remain shook and if you understand that a terrorist attack with also affect the economy, hello, then you're probably voting for Bush.
Donate to the RNC, get your photo with hotties.
The RNC is having a Young Professionals fundraiser this Wednesday on John Kerry's home turf, Boston. If you'd like to go, click here. If you donate or raise $2000 you get a photo with the Bush twins. You can put me down as your host in the last entry on the page, although I probably won't be making it to Boston to collect on the pic with the girls.
Random Snopes Surfing
I was looking for information on a rumor that Sean Connery once said that sometimes women need to be slapped (I don't believe he said it, but I didn't find anything one way or another), I came across a friend of mine in a Snopes story. I think that's kind of cool.
Urg.
On Thursday, President Bush held a press conference at the Rose Garden with Allawi. You know the way these things go. The Norwegian prime minister happens to be visiting Washington and they hold a joint press conference and Norwegian issues aren't terribly pressing at the moment so the press guys ask Bush about prescription drug plans for seniors and increased education funding while the visitor from Oslo stands there like a wallflower at the prom. But Iraq's the No. 1 issue in American right now, and they've got the go-to guy right in front of them, and what do the blow-dried poseurs of the networks ask:''Mr. President, John Kerry is accusing you of colossal failures of judgment in Iraq . . .''
NBC guy: ''A central theme of your campaign is that America is safer because of the invasion of Iraq. Can you understand why Americans may not believe you?''
CNN: ''Sir, I'd like you to answer Senator Kerry and other critics who accuse you of hypocrisy or opportunism . . .''
They're six feet from Iraq's head of government and they've got not a question for him. They've got no interest in Iraq except insofar as they can use the issue to depress sufficient numbers of swing voters in Florida and Ohio.
September 25, 2004
Critic.
Shawn at Samsara Days points out a Guardian review of the American Film Renaissance Festival that Jessica and I attended in Dallas a few weeks ago. As you can probably guess, they hated it. Proof of overwhelming bias? The article mentions the Ann Coulter movie but fails to mention the two movies shown with it, the Protest Warrior movie beforehand and Evan Coyne Maloney's awesome 'Brainwashing 101' afterward. Why? The first movie in the 3-pack was about leftist insanity while protesting while the last one was about leftist insanity on campus. Only the Ann Coulter film had anything for the critics to actually target, she being the lightning rod that she is. The mainstream media (or, MSM as everyone has been calling it lately) will always show what it considers the worst elements of any conservative endeavor. Reason number 9 million to love the blogosphere.
September 24, 2004
Friends?
A piece in the Guardian calls for citizens of the world to be allowed to vote in the US election. Is there anything more egotistical? And, Americans are considered full of themselves? I don't think I should be voting in France or Germany's elections, why should they be voting in mine?
I used to be a big international traveler and I can't explain to what extent I've lost interest in going abroad. I just don't want to hear the groupthink opinions on the political situation of my country. They make fun of America but at least there's a diversity of opinion here. I know Democrats who supported the war and Republicans who opposed it. Democrats who are voting Republican for the first time ever and Republicans who will never vote Republican again. I haven't see this kind of opinion range anywhere else.
I got an email from a friend the other day that I hadn't spoken to in several years. He's German, living in Belgium. Out of nowhere, he tears into the CIA and how they don't have high school diplomas, Bush being from -gasp- Texas, how America could support ripping down one wall and building another and how the world doesn't need Bush's 'protection'. I mean, again, this is a 'hey, how's it going, long time no write' email. It's a time to catch me up on what happened in his life, to discuss common friends, to talk about future plans and to generally touch base. It shouldn't be time for a rant. And, it puts me in an awful position of either ignoring his words or responding. If I ignore, I feel like I've sold out my own positions and didn't defend myself from a sideline attack. If I respond, well, what could I respond? The nice version (though my mind produced a not-nice version first):
Dear Friend,
I'm voting for Bush. One wall was to keep people in, one wall is to keep people out. I'm disappointed that you think the state of Texas should be barred from producing presidents. I know for a fact you've never been there. Maybe it's better if we don't talk politics.
In other news...
K
But, of course, that wouldn't be the end of it. He would either never write me again (I mean, how dare I have a different opinion) or he would write a 'but, c'mon can you see that Bush is stupid and evil?' I've had these conversations before. The major thing that many of my friends abroad don't understand is how unpopular 'the whole world is against Bush' argument is to most Americans. The Guardian does realize that, though, and notes it in their conclusion:
Besides, every good Republican knows the world is solid Kerry territory. A survey by pollsters HI Europe earlier this month found that, if Europeans had a vote, they would back Kerry over Bush by a 6 to 1 margin. Bush would win just 6% in Germany, 5% in Spain and a measly 4% in France. No Republican is going to cede turf like that to the enemy.You would think those numbers would hurt Bush, making clear how unpopular he is in the world. But they don't. If anything they hurt Kerry, suggesting he is the candidate of limp-wristed foreigners and therefore somehow less American. We may find that a sorry state of affairs. But there is little we can do about it. In the democratic contest that matters most to the world, the world is disenfranchised.
I've had friends give me the 'but the whole world is against Bush, doesn't that mean anything to you' shpiel. Nope, the world has been wrong plenty of times before and I don't understand the need for the world's approval. And America certainly doesn't need their votes.
Starkly Different
From today's CNN Allpolitics site:
'Of course you like the pictures, your guy doesn't look ashen or dead. Your guy looks healthy and alive, with blood flowing through his veins.'-Dawn Summers
Priorities.
Porter Goss has been sworn in as head of the CIA. Guess who couldn't make the confirmation vote:
Neither Kerry nor his running mate, Sen. John Edwards, voted on Goss' confirmation.
I'm a last-minute kind of Jew
I'm seeking a synagogue in Brooklyn for Yom Kippur services tonight/tomorrow. Bensonhurst, Kensington or whatever that Syrian area off of Ocean Parkway is called, are preferable. Also, free is good. Anyone have any ideas?
And now we hope they'll join our fraudulent coalition
Kerry on CNN in 1997: "We know we can't count on the French. We know we can't count on the Russians. We know that Iraq is a danger to the United States, and we reserve the right to take pre-emptive action whenever we feel it's in our national interest.".
Via Wonkette.
Plea.
Back when Kerry was on top of his game (yes, there was such a time) and polls had him leading Bush, Dawn Summers was at a loss to figure out what has happening.
Her: 'Are you guys just trying to fool us into complacency?'
Me: 'Are you looking at a national polls?'
Her: 'Yeah'.
Me: 'Do we have national elections?
Her: 'Ohhhhhhhhhh'.
I can't explain the recent poll results with Bush trailing Kerry by just five points in New York state or tied in New Jersey. And, I certainly can't explain how these polls have Bush growing rapidly in African-American support. But, I beg my fellow Republicans: don't believe the hype. Work twice as hard as you intended, don't grow complacent, don't think Bush has a lock on the election. It's still a long six weeks away and anything can happen. Remember Spain. They're election was swayed just three days before the polls opened. Remember 2000 when Bush was leading by a wide margin before his DWI story broke. Anything can happen. Don't let the good days go to your head. Forget how good the Dan Rather story feels. This remains a tight race. Don't treat it like anything else.
Blogroll Update
I could've swore she was on my blogroll already but when I was writing the post below, I realized that she wasn't. Please welcome Kesher Talk.
Blog sort-of navel gazing.
I went to one of the fabulous rightwing gatherings in NYC tonight. As has been the case lately, bloggers were heavily in attendance, to the point that I heard 'wow, is everyone here a blogger?' several times throughout the night.
Eric, Oschisms, Judith, Jessica, Scott were all around mingling with the Bush supporters who come to these events despite the hostility they face in their city.
And then I saw this guy. I had seen him at a meetup months ago and since he never came to anything again, I had dismissed him as a possible leftist infiltrator. The last time I saw him he chainsmoked outside and wasn't a gung-ho 'I want to get involved' Republican, as most of the new people who come to meetups usually tend to be. We said hi and talked for a few minutes and then he said 'I have a blog now'. 'Oh really, what's your site called? I'll link to you'. He said 'Ace of Spades.' 'What?!? Ace of Spades?!?' 'Yeah', he said. 'WOW. Are you kidding? You do Ace of Spades?' (It took me a few minutes, ok). 'Yep.' So, it turns out, I know Mr. Ace of Spades. Not only that, but I can gloat that I had some effect on him starting his site since he said I was the first person he knew that had a blog. We ended up drinking together at the bar and then heading to another bar near my place afterward. He's as hilarious as he seems. And I really tried hard to not say 'wow, you're 'Ace of Spades' too often. Though, I'm not sure I succeeded at that.
In other news, there was a reporter there for the New Statesman, a lefty British magazine, that sometimes commenter Urbane McMeercat had sent to me in the past to get my blood rushing. He was writing an article about what it's like to be politically involved in NY, knowing that your vote doesn't really matter. He was a nice guy and he has a blog too, so if he's not nice about us, y'all know where to go to razz him.
If you live in NYC, you should check out other upcoming events. They tend to be a really good time and are a great way to get involved. And, most importantly, I'll be there. :-)
September 23, 2004
I'm feeling better about the election.
Kerry has pulled ads from four states: Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri. I guess he heard Dawn Summers was going to go to Arizona to 'help'.
On his pulling of the ads, his campaign does know that it's not like the primary where you can move all your troops to Iowa and hope the momentum of that win carries you through, right? You've got to win all the states all on one day in the general, ya know.
I love these Commies.
I hung out with the very cool Communists for Kerry last night. I remain fascinated at how many countries are represented in the group. Last night there was a Russian, an Italian, an Iranian, an Irishman, a Dutchman and a guy from Missouri. They were, as always, a lot of fun. Check out their latest protest, this time of CBS.
Photoblogging a trip to Brooklyn.
Everyone's favorite beauty from Seattle, Candace, was in New York for just one day during the her global jetsetting. She had just come back from Russia and Belarus and was still not quite ready to start speaking English and eating American food. There's only one place that can make that transition easier:
We ate all kinds of unhealthy, doughy items at a Russian cafe and then I wanted to go show Candace, and a visiting Scottish friend, the beach. Access to the beach is through this very posh neighborhood called Manhattan Beach. We found that most of the entrances had been fenced up. We finally found one that wasn't. It was beautiful. Can you believe this is Brooklyn:
Still, there were signs we weren't welcome:
So, we headed back to Brighton Beach. Candace picked up some Russian food for her boyfriend Ivan. She headed off to meet him and the Scot and I headed back to the city.
Ink.
I got a mention in the New York Sun today about the Republican party recruiting volunteers out of New York to go to swing states. The writer of the article, a nice guy based in California, commits the most egregious anti-blog sin by not mention the URL of the blog he is referring. While 'Spot On' is definitely a Bush blog, the blog mentioned in the article is my other one, which is actually more popular with New York conservatives than this one, despite getting something like only 30 hits a day.
September 22, 2004
Copycats.
The Bush campaign is definitely using Club for Growth's excellent weathervane ad as a basis for their current one. I like it as it breaks the monotony of the usual political ads and shows Kerry looking like the average American who goes, uh, windsurfing. I'm happy to see the Bush campaign doing something amusing like this. You count on Club for Growth to release cool ads, it's good to see the Bush campaign doing the same.
Via Instapundit.
Like calling 'wow, no traffic' on an empty road.
Suicide attack kills one in Israel; 16 hurt
As regular readers may know, I'm very superstitious and so let me point you all to whose fault I think this is (other than the stinkin' terrorists, obviously): Steve Silver and The New Republic.
Question for techies.
What does it mean when I try to add URLs to my MT Blacklist but get this error message: "Could not save your blacklist data: Got a packet bigger than 'max_allowed_packet' "
Blogroll Update
I have a few others in mind but I've been meaning to add the poker blog F Train for awhile. He's got a few plusses and minuses. Plus- he lives in Brooklyn, and my family still lives off the F train line. Minus- he's friends with not only crazy old Dawn Summers but also boring Rick Blaine. But his ultimate plus is that he knows a lot about poker and I'm trying to learn.
More on the Coors race.
'Spot On' reader Gary sends along poll info on the Coors-Salazar race in Colorado. It's at a dead heat. It might come down to presidential coattails, and Bush is leading in Colorado, 51% to 39% over Kerry.
He should have a say in our foreign policy, why not our tax policy?
Chirac backs global tax to fight poverty.
More stories on this here.
September 21, 2004
I. Can't. Take. Any. More. Vietnam.
Outdoor Life: Are you a gun owner? If so, what is your favorite gun?
John Kerry: My favorite gun is the M-16 that saved my life and that of my crew in Vietnam. I don’t own one of those now, but one of my reminders of my service is a Communist Chinese assault rifle.
Via Instapundit. An Instapundit readers asks Kerry (among other things) 'How can you support a law that forbids other people owning a weapon that you already own?' Glenn wants to know 'if there's any question -- any freaking question at all -- that Kerry can answer without mentioning Vietnam'.
Baseball v. Politics
I found the Nate knows Nada site via the aforementioned Vote 121 toolbar. He's got a post excerpting a story in the Boston Globe that has a reporter giving 52 Bostonians one wish (of two), whether they would choose Kerry winning the presidency or the Red Sox winning the World Series. Twenty people chose Kerry winning the presidency, 32 chose the Red Sox taking the World Series. Nate calls this 'what may be wrong with American politics.' I'm surprised that they even got 20 to choose Kerry, honestly.
Of course, I called one of the biggest baseball fans in my life, my brother, immediately (the other big baseball fan in my life has this thing called a job). He too was surprised that any Boston fans chose Kerry because of the length of their shutout from winning the Series and said 'I would choose Bush to win for the future of our country, the Yankees always have next year.' Just then, a Bush-loving, Red Sox fan called me. I asked him the same question and he chose Bush, with no hesitation. I know it's not new to say that Bush supporters are actually supporters, while Kerry voters tend to just be anti-Bush. And, that's the thing: Red Sox fans love the Red Sox. They don't just hate the Yankees. Of course they would be more likely to choose success for their team than success for a guy that's just not that other guy.
More on Coors
Here's a blog tracking the polls in the race. Yet another reason I adore blogs: someone is compiling interesting information in one convenient location.
Technology company in my old 'hood.
I got an email from this group called Vote 121 informing me that this blog has been included in a new election toolbar they've designed. I installed the toolbar and it's pretty cool. It compiles polls, news and commentary in one location. Install the bar and you can find this blog under the news button and then 'select a blog'. The most fascinating thing to me, and I'm sure to other Brooklyn-ites, is that this company has a location on Avenue K and Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. I would call the location the middle of nowhere, but I mean it in the best possible way. I grew up just a few blocks away on Foster Avenue and Coney, and think it's kind of cool that a technology company exists there.
I'm not a great writer or nuthin'...
.....but how does this line make any sense:
'Just six weeks before the presidential election, a new poll of Massachusetts voters puts Bush ahead of Kerry in New Hampshire.'
Take me out to the ballgame.
Though I'm a lifelong New Yorker, and though nearly every male that is close to me is a fan, I had never been to a Yankee game. I went to a Mets game when I was in the fourth grade on a class trip, but have never been to any others. I finally got a chance to see them tonight. They lost, but it was still a really good time. I was wearing my Hideki Matsui shirt (easily the worst player at tonight's game, unfortunately) and we sat in the bleachers, supposedly the rowdiest area in the park, though everyone was pretty well behaved. Some pictures from tonight:
We actually did end up sitting in the 'alcohol controlled area' since the bleachers are dry seating. I just thought it was interesting that it was an option.
That's nice. That Coors sounds like a nice company. I bet their CEOs are nice guys. :-)
Hey, there's Matsui.
It's not looking too good.
I like the patriotic seventh inning stretch, complete with 'G-d Bless America' and a moment of silence for the troops we've lost and the troops stationed throughout the globe. It's sweet.
A ray of hope (but ultimately the Yankees lost).
It was really fun, despite the result. If anyone wants to go to any other games this season, I'm in.
September 20, 2004
Because he must be behind it, right?
What is Karl Rove's picture doing in this story about CBS finally apologizing over the fake memos?
'....so my country can be free'
I'm new to the Ali G show. Everyone has been raving about it for awhile but I find its 'this is so embarrassing' brand of humor difficult to watch. I've been giving in lately, though, and find myself laughing my head off to his wacky interactions. The most interesting thing about the show is, of course, the question of how they do it. Slate has a piece on the subject.
September 19, 2004
Five questions for bloggers.
1. Why did you start a blog?
2. Do you have a blogmother/blogfather?
3. Has it helped/hurt/had no effect on your professional life?
4. Do your 'real world' friends know that you blog?
5. Do you have a blog crush? And ladies, you know who you are, please don't everyone call Ken Wheaton at once.
Just curious. I mostly want to see the motivation for blogging by people who aren't journalists, like Tim Blair or Andrew Sullivan or 'professional' bloggers like Wonkette. And the last question is just for fun.
Almost as good a rebuttal as 'Halliburton!'
Protein Wisdom: The reporter, from the local Fox affiliate, asked Rather if he felt he was duped. Rather shot back, “You work at Fox. Do you feel duped?"
Out-rage-ous.
Why does Kerry find it so difficult to be on America's side during wartime? LGF has more on this as does Tim Blair.
Rather has drank the kool-aid.
People are wondering why its taking Dan Rather so long to admit that the memos are fake. I mean, the jig is up, right? Is there anybody still maintaining that the docs are real?
No, there isn't. But there are plenty of people that think that while the 'proof' is utter nonsense, the material contained within the forged papers must be true. My take is that Rather is hoping to get his hands on other documents or witnesses that can corroborate, or at least prop up, the story in the fake documents so that when he does apologize he can say 'yes, those last documents were fake but the story is still true.' He can then present his new evidence and hope to eclipse the embarrassment of the last few weeks. Whether or not bloggers will be able to rip it into shreds as quickly as the Killian memo remains to be seen. I don't believe Rather is going to say 'I'm sorry' and let this story die. He will admit that the documents were lies but I think he will still stand by this story. Even if he is forced to step down, actually especially if he's forced to step down, he will go down saying that he told the truth.
The Useless UN
I'm on the list for a group called the United Nations Association of New York that seeks to 'educate Americans about the work of the United Nations, and build public support for more effective U.S. engagement in the U.N.' I got an email today about an upcoming event. The topic is 'Disaster in Darfur: The Standards and Limitations of Humanitarian Intervention'. This is the email:
Sudan has been caught in a vicious circle of violence for almost 50 years. Over the past 20 months, at least 30,000 civilians have been slaughtered and over 1.4 million people have been displaced through a campaign of mass rape and murder, the burning of crops, and the destruction of entire villages.This most recent conflict erupted in February of 2003 when two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), took up arms against the government in Khartoum to seek an end to what they said was marginalization and discrimination by the state. In response, the militia known as the Janjaweed is carrying out a policy of complete 'cleansing' of the population of Darfur.
Ok, so far I don't disagree. But then:
On July 3rd, the Sudanese government signed an agreement with the United Nations, pledging to disarm armed groups, strengthen security and improve humanitarian access. The Security Council endorsed this agreement on July 30th in Resolution 1556, which threatened economic and diplomatic sanctions if the government in Khartoum failed to meet its commitments to disarm the militias. The US Congress unanimously passed a resolution on July 22nd that labeled the slaughter in Sudan "genocide" and "urges the Bush Administration to seriously consider multilateral or even unilateral intervention to prevent genocide should the United Nations Security Council fail to act".
So, some documents have been signed to stop genocide. Has document-signing ever stopped genocide? And, suddenly Congress passing a resolution to allow Bush to act 'even' unilaterally isn't so bad?
Nevertheless, recent reports indicate that Khartoum is failing to meet its obligations under the July 3rd agreement. Attacks against civilians continue to be carried out and U.N. officials have already characterized the Darfur crisis as the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe.
I can't believe it! Murderous thugs have failed to live up to the conditions listed on paper!? Why, send it the lawyers and sue. I'm not sure what enrages me more, though all of these are in the running:
1. The fact that the UN enjoys a reputation as a useful organization when in fact it is more useless than a guy with a big stick.
2. That the UN actually believes their paperwork can ever solve any problems.
3. That my taxpayer dollars are used to fund this pointless organization.
Now he's gone too far
Andrew Sullivan calls Mark Steyn a partisan hack. Cause, I mean, there's nothing hackish about disagreeing with the president over an issue like gay marriage and then talking down the war in Iraq because of that disagreement.
UPDATE: Read the piece that Sullivan criticizes, it is classic Steyn excellence with great lines like: 'In Sudan, the civilised world is (so far) doing everything to conform with the UN charter, which means waiting till everyone's been killed and then issuing a strong statement expressing grave concern.'
Go see games and support my advertisers
So, it's football season, as my brother who can't talk to me for more than four seconds has told me. If you're looking for tickets to a game, click on the ad to your left. They seem to have good prices (when I was looking for tickets as a gift last year the prices were much higher) and you will be supporting an advertiser of this site.
What are you watching?
With Herman Cain out of the game, for now, the Senate race I'm most interested in is the Colorado one between Pete Coors and Ken Salazar. I'm, of course, rooting for Pete. I love when successful businessmen run for office, mostly because you know they don't have to do it and they're not in it for some monetary gain. As Coors says on his site, there are 57 lawyers in the Senate. It's clear they can use some professional diversity. His recent endorsement from my beloved Club for Growth has only made him more appealing.
So, this is an open thread. What race, other than the presidential one, is most interesting to you this campaign season?
September 18, 2004
Quote of the Day
"I was just back in my office banging my head on the jukebox. This is my candidate, and ... I don't know what he's talking about." -Don Imus
Via Tim Blair.
September 17, 2004
I really need a monocle.
I know I'm a little late with the convention stories but this post by a delegate is a great, funny read.
Funniest thing I've heard in awhile
'So, you guys aren't like out here trying to convert people, are you?'
-A guy who had the misfortune of meeting me, Jessica, Lisa and Peter, the four most Republican-leaning (Lisa and Peter aren't totally on the trolley yet) people at an otherwise almost entirely liberal party.
His friend, who I thought we got along with but I guess I was wrong, had told him that we were some cult-ish bunch of conservatives trying to change people. Oy, I wish.
Quote of the Day
Now that we had a bit of time in the Dallas sunshine, it was time to hit the festival once again. We had our afternoon Shiner Bock and caught Stolen Honor, a movie made by three Vietnam Vets who were tortured in POW camps and wanted to bring out how Kerry betrayed them by accusing them of war crimes they did not commit, especially during a time when their lives could be endangered. They claimed that Kerry's political motives during this crucial time deems him unfit to lead and to be trusted.I would just like to say that I think the common theme in Kerry's political career is just that -- he has the absolute worst timing in just about everything he does, whether it be voting against weapons systems during the height of the Cold War, or trying to get UN approval just as numerous scandals were coming to the surface, or coming off as a weak whiner just as the RNC finished up, this guy just has zero clue when it comes to campaigning. Ze-ro.
-Jessica from the New Vintage.
On a side note, does anyone know how to tell if a site has been hacked? Jessica's site was messed up. Then it got fixed. Then, half her template disappeared. Is it a coincidence that it happened right when she became the 'I heart Halliburton' girl? For the record, I think it's probably just a blogger.com issue but it is rather curious.
Blogroll Update
First, some moves:
Swamp City has moved to NYC. Not sure if she's planning to start a NY themed blog, though I think she definitely should.
Turns out Daily Blitz hasn't lived in NY in years.
Additions:
Batesline- very interesting guy from Oklahoma that I met around the convention. A friend of Dawn Eden's (aka 'Good Dawn', as opposed to 'Evil Dawn') which is a big plus for anybody.
Bitter Pills to Swallow- Ralph is one of those people that I can't believe is a liberal. We grew up in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn and it wasn't the kind of place where any kind of soft liberal philosophy would flourish. You helped your fellow man, sure, but not because the government told you to. It'll be interesting for me to read someone I know from the old 'hood and see how we ended up in such different places, politically speaking.
UPDATE: Shawn, who Jessica and I met in Dallas, has a new blog called Samsara Days.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Doug formerly of Initial Misconceptions and then Lee Room is back at Initial Misconceptions.
Rather ratings drop
Lots of people are mentioning the drop in viewership for Dan Rather. I think that's pretty funny since I didn't realize he was still on TV until this whole memogate story hit. Gawker implies that its Republicans who are tuning Rather out but seriously, who else is watching at this point and following every word of an interview with the secretary of the guy that supposedly wrote the memo and who has been dead for years. Right-leaning bloggers are pretty much the only audience Rather has left.
September 16, 2004
Question for the moderates among us.
Regarding the whole 'yes our evidence is fake but we still believe it's true' CBS/Dan Rather fiasco, I want to ask my more moderate readers: does this look as bad to you as it does to us right-wing partisans?
September 15, 2004
'Six Feet Under' is evil.
So I don't give anything away to those who have yet to see the last episode of the season, click on for my post.
Six Feet Under is a bizarre show, there's no doubt about it. Trippy things happen all the time. The dead father appears smoking cigarettes. The gay brother gets kidnapped and beaten with a gassy corpse in the back of the van. Nate thinks a dog is his dead wife. Claire is high on meth when she finds out her dad is dead. Ruth kisses the mortician intern, Arthur, and then marries wacky George after knowing him all of five minutes.
So, it wasn't wholly unexpected that the last episode of the season should involve Claire hooking up with Billy, George totally losing his mind, David going to visit his kidnapper in prison, and, of course, wackiest of all, Nate discovering that Barb's husband had had an affair with Lisa and that he was with her right before she died.
But, Six Feet Under is evil for leaving everything hanging like it did. A finale is supposed to have some conclusions. Did Barb's husband kill Lisa? Couldn't they have given us some details before he blew his head off? What the hell is wrong with George? I can see next season coming back with Nate and Brenda married with child and without answering any of these questions. And the most annoying part is that I can't wait.
The one drawback to Rathergate
This story won't get nearly as much attention in the blogosphere as it deserves:
A veteran who testified to John Kerry about atrocities he committed in the Vietnam War is now claiming that the Democratic presidential candidate coerced him to tell tales.Steven Pitkin, an Army combat veteran, told FOX News that Kerry coached him and others to say they had witnessed war crimes, even after Pitkin told Kerry that he had not.
As Tim Blair writes: Put this away for thirty years, reproduce it in hologram technology available in 2034, and CBS might cover it.
Ah, Russia.
The Moscow Times is reporting that one of the women who boarded one of the recently downed planes in Russia got on the flight due to a bribe she paid to a Siberian Airlines employee.
More on the uselessness of the UN
From James Taranto:
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the U.N. Security Council is considering a resolution "that threatens to consider sanctions on Sudan's oil industry." And if that doesn't work, they'll consider threatening to consider another sanction-consideration-threatening resolution.
Better late than never
I finally did a convention wrap-up post over at Dean's World. It mostly focuses on the convention's effect on NYC.
Note to self
This post is as much for you guys as for myself. As you may have noticed, I recently started taking ads. It happened because my favorite political group contacted me to advertise here right before the convention. Since then, I've accepted three other ads (one of which I have approved but isn't showing up yet for some reason). Mohtion.com does fantastic design work. I believe that genocide is occuring in Sudan and that the UN is doing nothing (as usual). The ad that isn't up yet involves buying tickets to football games.
This post is to remind myself that I blog because I love to blog and not because there is any potential monetary reward. I just want you all to know, and to have a written record for myself, that I will never accept political ads I disagree with. I feel like I needed this reminder because I love money and I know it's easy to get blinded by it and also to let all my readers know that my ads can be taken as an endorsement from me because of this policy. Thanks for reading.
Another conservative film festival
I'm not sure if I can make this one but The Liberty Film Festival will begin in Hollywood on October 1st.
September 14, 2004
Oh yeah, he's so 'conservative'
Bill O'Reilly just led into a segment by asking if 'right-wing radio hosts and internet sites go to far.' Uh no, Bill, left-wing television personalities go too far. The segment actually turned out to be about the Rather affair. The right-wing is going too far in going after Rather? Who else is on this subject at all? If it wasn't for our having these mediums by which to communicate, no one would've went anywhere near these faked documents and O'Reilly knows it.
Grasping.
If I was a less superstitious person, I would call the election for George W. Bush right now because of this video put out by the Democrats. They just don't get it. Bush isn't running on his National Guard record. That's why attacks on it won't be nearly as effective as attacks on Kerry's service. That's a fact. Kerry is running on his time in the military. Bush is not. If this is all they've got two months before the election, it's not a good sign for the Kerry candidacy.
Will he or won't he.
It's easy to forget that Zell Miller isn't a Republican. So, other than Bush, will he be endorsing other Republicans this year? Gib at Crosblog poses a very interesting question.
Random things.
I'm back in New York but am really still in Texas. It's partly because the trip was so fun and partly because the end of it was a little surreal that it's still on my mind.
Jessica and I spent our last night in Dallas at some sort of house music/sushi bar with two guys who are launching a online conservative 'tv' station this week. At 3am, the four of us ended up at Wal-mart snapping photos with a disposable camera and playing with soccer balls and talking Care Bears. Our flight was supposed to leave the next day at 5am but we called (from the Wal-mart, actually) and got it changed to a noon one.
On the flight back to NY, we were randomly upgraded to First Class by a nice lady at the check-in desk. We have no idea why she did it other than her admiring comment about the case of Shiner Bock we were carrying. Maybe she took pity on fellow Bock-lovers? We don't know. I missed all the perks of First Class (whatever they may be) because I slept the whole flight in the big, leather seat you get up front.
We had a layover in Detroit and there was this gorgeous fountain in the middle of our terminal that had leaping water. While waiting for our flight to NYC, Jessica and I see this really good-looking priest. We comment on his attractiveness to each other. And, of course, we end up sitting right next to him. He's this young guy (I don't know his exact age but he said he was in high school when Kurt Cobain died) with a great sense of humor. We were completely fascinated and asked him all kinds of questions about how he chose to go into that line of work. He was pretty inspiring and Jessica commented later that he had made her feel bad about not being more religious. While I didn't feel guilty, I am thinking of going to High Holy Day services this year. I haven't gone since I was in my early teens and have been feeling that I'd like to start going to synagogue. The new year seems like as good time.
September 13, 2004
What're you doing tomorrow night?
If you're in NYC, think about coming out to the Archives Listening Project hosted by Peter and Mike. I'll be there (as will Ms. 'I heart Halliburton' Jessica).
Still feeling 9/11.
Steve Silver doesn't like the lack of attention paid to 9/11, 3 years after the attacks. He writes that 'even the blogosphere- which essentially came into being as a result of 9/11- was more concerned today with Hurricane Ivan, the Dan Rather/documents scandal, and other matters of the presidential election.'
I didn't write anything this year about 9/11. Like Steve admits, there is very little to say that hasn't already been said. And, like I've written before, I'm nowhere near over 9/11. I think about it a lot. It has changed me in a profound and real way. So, I don't feel like I have to say anything particular on the anniversary of that horrible day. Just like I don't need to wax patriotic on the 4th of July to love my country with my whole heart, reflection on 9/11 needs to happen more than once a year and shouldn't be limited to this one day. And more important than reflection is action. And I am happy with the action my country has taken since that day to protect us from further such attacks. Blogging about how I felt that day or how much it still means to me can happen at anytime. 9/11 shouldn't become a day you have to commemorate. There is no quicker way for it to lose its meaning.
Oh boohoohoo.
James Carville and Paul Begala don't like that political comments against their boy Kerry have popped up during Monday Night Football. I can't imagine how it would feel to be watching something non-political, like a band playing or an awards show, only to have it become someone's soapbox against Bush. Nope, never experienced anything like that.
I love the blogosphere reason #4082
I found out about a right-leaning drinking event a block away from my house from a blog written by a guy in Oklahoma.
When Dawn is on.
It's been the year for losing a grandparent (in my case, two). There's only one person who can write touching, hilarious posts on the subject. And though her politics are crazy and though she's usually the meanest person alive, I strongly recommend you go read Dawn Summers.
Wrapping up the festival
Jessica and I spent the first part of the day seeing a little bit of Dallas. We ate some Texas bbq, went to the grassy knoll and saw the building from where Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK. This is the plaque that hangs on the building:
I guess it is because Oswald never went to trial (as opposed to all the theories that claim him innocent) that the word 'allegedly' is included.
We headed over to the festival in the afternoon. The first film we saw was 'Stolen Honor', a film about Vietnam POWs and their feelings on a certain presidential candidate. I know I'm a partisan. I just prefer the Republican party as they seem to represent most closely my own opinions on different issues. This film is not about party. It is about men that spent years (some 5, 6 and 7 years) in POW camps while John Kerry testified that they were monsters. The line in the film that stood out for me was 'he was saying the same things we were tortured to say'. The Swift Boat veterans and the men that made this film do have an agenda but it is not to support the Republican party. It is to destroy the man who tried to destroy them. I got it after seeing this film. I can't understand John Kerry running on Vietnam. I can't imagine why any Vietnam war veteran would support him after he called them rapists and murderers.
After this film, we took a break to the theatre bar. Have I mentioned how much I love the idea of a movie theatre with a bar? Our beer of choice all weekend has been this Texan beer:
After our beer drinking, it was time for the most hyped movie of the festival: Michael Moore Hates America. This movie is director Mike Wilson's love letter to America. As in 'Stolen Honor', this movie has motives outside of parties and who wins an election. Wilson seems genuinely pissed off about Moore's talking down of America. Wilson thinks this is a great country and sets out to prove it. He interviews people in Flint, Michigan- Michael Moore's imaginary hometown. Moore is actually from Davidson, Michigan which, as someone mentions in the film, is 'further from Flint than Beverley Hills is from South Central, LA'.
The movie's most powerful scenes came from Wilson's interview with a soldier that had lost both of his arms, and found himself used in Michael Moore's 'Fahrenheit 9/11'. He calls Moore's film 'propaganda' and said that each soldier knows there is a chance they will be killed, 'we're not idiots' he says.
Other parts of the film that were really interesting included Wilson's struggle with telling the truth to his interviewees. At one point he interviews a city official from Davidson and he asks him if there are any famous people that hail from that city. The official says 'Michael Moore'. Wilson's partner in the film calls him on bluffing the official and Wilson ends up writing a letter of apology and asking for permission to still use the footage. It was kind of touching to see that kind of integrity, the kind that Michael Moore himself clearly lacks.
I don't think Michael Moore hates America, just Americans. I think he would be just fine with this country if it wasn't for all the damn people disagreeing with him. Wilson points this all out in a clever, clear way. The filmmakers are in negotation with distributors right now so hopefully this movie will be coming to a theatre near you soon. I've been saying recently that I don't think Fox News is conservative, just unabashedly pro-American and that that is seen as 'conservative' these days. This film is the same way. It's pride in this country can't be overstated. And it was a great thing to see on the weekend of the third anniversary of our country being attacked, to remember to be happy to live here and how lucky we all are.
September 11, 2004
Jessica hearts Halliburton
And she's not the only one (although she probably is the only one who got so excited to see the company that she u-turned on a busy road to get this photo), I've seen this shirt twice today:
UPDATE: Apparently the people I saw today in the 'I heart Halliburton' t-shirts are part of the Protest Warrior group and do a counter-protest weekly at the Halliburton headquarters.
We love conservatives. We love Dallas. We love hanging with conservatives in Dallas.
The American Renaissance Film Festival is in full swing and Jessica and I have been having a great time.
We began our day with mid-day beers at the theatre bar, as much because we wanted beers as because 'hey, they're serving beers at the movie theatre' (something that does not exist in NYC). We started talking to this Israeli guy who turned out to be the proud father of Kfir of Protest Warrior. We met Kfir and Alan, who were really friendly despite having achieved obvious celebrity status. They were there to show a film about a Protest Warrior march in DC. It was the first in a three-film set, and the first film Jessica and I attended. I had seen Protest Warrior videos before but the anger, violence and hate of the leftists is so much more pronounced on a big screen.
The second film we saw was about Ann Coulter. It was a short documentary about her featuring clips from her speeches. As I said when I walked out of the theatre, I owe Ann Coulter an apology. Yes, she does go too far sometimes (for my taste) but she is extremely intelligent with a great sense of humor. I love her fearlessness and quick wit.
The last film in the set was 'Brainwashing 101' by Evan Coyne Maloney. I was a big fan of Evan's before this festival and his film just blew me away. I can't wait until it comes out as a full length feature. I'm going to make sure everyone I know sees it, in particular anyone I know of college age. It is about 'speech codes' and political correctness on campuses and the trouble conservatives face when they exercise their freedom of speech. The most powerful part of the film involved a Republican Sikh student (complete with turban and beard) at the University of Tennessee who complained that the student committee only brought liberal speakers to campus. In emails that became public via a screw-up that sent said email to a friend of the Sikh student, Justin Rubenstein, a member of the Issues Committee, told fellow members of the panel in an e-mail that if they "see one of those ragheads, shoot him right in the [expletive] face." I got the exact quote from a Fox News piece on the subject that concludes with this classic line: 'Rubenstein said his comment was taken out of context.'
The last movie we saw today was Michael&Me, a rebuttal to Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine by Larry Elder. While it was a good movie, it was definitely lacking something, namely opposition. The movie had a few minutes that featured Elder confronting Moore about the use of guns for self defense and Moore pulling the usual 'but what about the chiiiiiiildren' argument. Elder couldn't get Moore to return his calls or appear in the movie but I think he should've interviewed some other anti-gun people. A debate of the two sides would've been more engaging. Everyone in the movie agreed with each other and while I am on their side of the debate, it would've been interesting to take on the other side.
An interesting blogger tidbit: Glenn Reynolds aka Instapundit made an appearance in 'Brainwashing 101' and Eugene Volokh of the Volokh Conspiracy was in 'Michael and Me'. Additionally, we hung out with another blogger, Rachel, and met up with 'Spot On' reader Shawn.
We're having a great time. Jessica is loving the Spanish radio stations and keeps pointing at things and exclaiming how big they are: the sky, the roads, the parking lots. Tomorrow is another day of conservative cinema. We both can't stop commenting on how happy we are that we did this.
Jessica and Karol do Dallas.
Two months ago.
Karol: Hey, you wanna go to Dallas for a conservative film festival?
Jessica: Yeah!
One month ago.
Karol: Hey, remember that film festival in Dallas? You still wanna go?
Jessica: Yeah!
Two weeks ago.
Karol: We really need to book our trip.
Jessica: Yeah, I know, we’ll definitely do it this week.
One week ago.
Jessica: We really need to book our trip.
Karol: Yes, definitely in the next day or two.
At 2am, 40 hours before we would be scheduled to leave.
Plane ticket, Expedia, check.
Hotel, Priceline, check.
Rental Car, Priceline ($11 a day!!!!), check.
Film Festival VIP Pass, check.
Karol: Wow, we’re really doing it!
Jessica: Yeah, I know!
I’ve been flying a lot within the US the last couple of years and have been mostly flying out of LaGuardia or Newark. I always held JFK in higher regard than those two, for reasons now unclear to me. LaGuardia has curb-side check-in and you get a printout of your ticket by swiping your credit card in a machine. The whole check-in experience runs no longer than 10 minutes, and that includes checking your bag. Newark is a slightly more annoying airport, being in New Jersey and all, but it too features this curb-side check-in and handy dandy swiping machine. At JFK, no such service. We got dropped off at the gate for our airline: Northwest. However, inside the terminal, our flight was missing from their screen. I got on line (I’m still in NYC, when I land in Texas, it can be ‘in line’) in front of the Northwest counter, and Jessica went to find out where we should go.
I was standing and looking around when I saw a cylinder shaped bag on the ground. A cop saw it at the same moment I did, and radio-ed it in. Then, I watched while he gave a lost person directions, let people step over the abandoned bag and generally engaged in conversation with people around him. No one ever came to look at the cylinder while I was waiting for Jessica to return.
She came back with the news that, despite our flight being on NWA, we most likely had to take a different airline at a different terminal. We walked up to the NWA ticket counter and were told they needed to see our tickets to be sure. Um, tickets? We booked online and assumed that JFK had the swipe-y machine and we could print out our tickets that way. ‘So, you don’t have your tickets?’ said the unsmiling woman at the counter. ‘Uh, no’ said Jessica, rifling through her bag in search of tickets she knew were not there.
But, we got here. And so far, we’re completely in love with Dallas, despite getting lost again and again between the airport and the hotel and missing any possibility of hanging out with various bloggers. We’re really looking forward to the film festival, wish y’all were here.
September 10, 2004
Uh.....say what, now?
Rush & Molloy: McGreevey and wife house hunting in Cranford, NJ.
Via Wonkette.
Work gets in the way of blogging, dammit.
Been so busy for the last week so I just want to blanket apologize to everyone to whom I owe comments, emails and phone calls. Will try to catch up soon.
I love the blogosphere.
Jeff Harrell has a great post on exactly how blogs broke open the story of the possibly forged documents shown on 60 Minutes.
September 09, 2004
On Iran.
A prominent Democratic donor, Hassan Nemazee. is pursuing a ten-million-dollar damage claim against the Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI). For those not familiar with SMCCDI, they are activists against the current regime in Iran and want to bring democracy to their country. You can read their declaration here. John Kerry has already said he wishes to engage in dialogue with the current Iranian leadership, and this, apparently, is Nemazee's goal as well. This article shows that Nemazee is trying to bankrupt SMCCDI to silence their protests against the Mullahs that run Iran. This man has already had influence on Kerry's positions, it's scary to think that should Senator Kerry become President Kerry, Nemazee will have his ear.
Via Iranian activist Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi.
Exactly my thoughts on protesting.
The part that frustrates me is all these kids that were marching around in the streets could have sent $50 each to fund door-to-door canvassers in swing states and then stayed home and played video games and would have had more impact.-Anil Dash via Buzzmachine.
September 08, 2004
Just don't call them terrorists.
Daniel Pipes on the media not using the 'T' word:
Assailants - National Public Radio.Attackers – the Economist.
Bombers – the Guardian.
Captors – the Associated Press.
Commandos – Agence France-Presse refers to the terrorists both as "membres du commando" and "commando."
Criminals - the Times (London).
Extremists – United Press International.
Fighters – the Washington Post.
Group – the Australian.
Guerrillas- in a New York Post editorial.
Gunmen – Reuters.
Hostage-takers - the Los Angeles Times.
Insurgents – in a New York Times headline.
Kidnappers – the Observer (London).
Militants – the Chicago Tribune.
Perpetrators – the New York Times.
Radicals – the BBC.
Rebels – in a Sydney Morning Herald headline.
Separatists – the Christian Science Monitor.
And my favorite:
Activists – the Pakistan Times.
Via Tim Blair.
September 07, 2004
Why is this Pakistani boy's sign in English?
Pakistani children hold oil lamps and placards as they hold a vigil in memory of the school children killed during the Beslan school hostage tragedy, during a rally organised by a Pakistani Non Governmental Organisation, in Karachi.(AFP/Aamir Qureshi)
No, he certainly can't.
"He [the cook at a local restaurant] just gives you what he's got, right?" Mr. Kerry added, continuing steadily off a gangplank of his own making: "And you don't have to worry, it's whatever he's cooked up that day. And I think that's the way it ought to work, for confused people like me who can't make up our minds."
More creative than I am.
I think this is the first time I've seen something like this: a directory of blogs with individual descriptions of each. The 'amateur' section is a little weird, though. Isn't half the point of blogs that most are somewhat amateur?
Sounds familiar
Headline: Madonna Dedicates 'Imagine' to Russia...
No religion, no possesions? I think Russia may have tried this already.
The strategist has a bad strategy.
I just realized what bothers me the most about Susan Estrich's odd, desperate 'strategy' piece for the Democrats: she reminds me of Howard Dean and it's not just because they both sound crazy.
Not even funny anymore.
Senator Kerry: It's the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time but if I had to do it all over again, I would do it just the same.
September 05, 2004
Hear the rage for yourself.
Via Stan, I found this video of the peaceful protesters from last Sunday running into people who dare disagree with them. A must see. Also, read this accompanying story about the unbiased ACLU.
Common Enemies.
Allahpundit posts that we should not forget that Putin is not our friend. I know he's not but this war will create new allies. Germany and France will never be with us, will never help us. Now, Russia might.
Update: See, Allah, war makes strange allies: Russia, Israel Agree on Anti-Terror Union
So what do these 'rebels' in Russia want?
From the Telegraph:
When the Chechen terrorist mastermind Shamil Basayev hijacked hundreds of hostages including many schoolchildren in Beslan last week, it was not for a narrow nationalist cause. His objective is more radical - and less likely to be achieved - than the aims of more run-of-the-mill Chechen nationalists, who merely want full independence from Russia.He dreams of establishing an Islamic Emirate across the North Caucasus, and to do so, he has been fomenting the Islamic rebellion that plagues states across the broad stretch of territory from the Red Sea to the Caspian.
So, it's not just Chechnya and, it turns out, in addition to the wonderful practice of targeting children, these terrorists also enjoy attacking the sick:
In one of the first attacks under Basayev's leadership in 1995, a rebel gang took hundreds of hostages in a hospital in the southern Russian town of Budennovsk. An estimated 139 people died during their assault and a botched Russian commando raid.Within a year, the same tactic was used again in a hospital in Dagestan. Hundreds of hostages were taken by bus to a town on the Chechen border. Russian warplanes and artillery pounded the area, killing many of the hostages, but most rebels escaped.
It's embarrassing.
Oliver Willis should try to be less public with his desperation. It's not pretty.
A hard place.
I've had my mind on Russia the last few days. Peter asked me 'do you think its because you were born there that you've been thinking about it so much?' Maybe, but it only started to occupy so much of my thinking after I saw the photographs. They were just revolting. The top picture below reminds me of my brother when he was a child. He had the same protruding ears and hair that stuck straight up. It's hard not to think of your own family.
I spent the day in Brooklyn yesterday, 'Russian Brooklyn' as it's sometimes called. I kept asking people 'what do you think Russia is going to do?' I've written on this before, how Russians who now live in America think that America is too good, too kind, too open, for its own good. We know that Russia is not. There is a trust that Russia will pursue these people with deadly force, never wondering if it is doing the right thing, the way America does. The answers were, roughly, 'put the smack down'. But, how? Even Russia won't begin indiscriminantly killing random Chechens (and no, I'm not implying that they should).
So, then, what can they do? I think negotiation should be out of the question. At this point, even if Russia wanted to concede something for the bloodshed to end, it couldn't. If Russia negotiates at all with these people, taking schools and theatres hostage will be the norm throughout the world for terrorists looking to have their demands met. A cleric in Britain is already defending the idea of Iraqi Muslims taking British children hostage, as revenge for the war. If the terrorists are given anything, it's all over.
We'll all be watching to see what Russia does in the next few weeks. It may be nothing, as it seemed they did after the theatre hostage-taking. It may be, as I expect, a huge move against the Chechen terrorists. I wonder if we will all get to see which side wins in the great terrorist wars of the 21st Century.
September 04, 2004
Russia.
All I can think is kill them, kill them all and kill them quick. I can't stop looking at the faces of the adults. Just imagine that it was your child you find naked, covered in blood and terrified, though thankfully alive, knowing they've been starved and have been through something they will remember until they die. Imagine it is your child on a sheet on the floor. I don't understand a position on the terrorists other than 'kill them'. Anything else sounds naive and hopeful and we just don't have the time to be either of those things now. There is no way to be sensitive to the concerns of people that kill children, that hold schools hostage. There can be no concessions. These people want their own country? What if tomorrow they want yours? Will they hold more schools captive? How much will be given away?
My mother is in Russia. So are Candace and Ivan. May they all return safely.
Something is wrong with that poll, obviously
I'm no fan of polling but what is so 'wildly unexpected' about a candidate getting a post-convention bounce? 'Wildly unexpected' is that Kerry saw no such bounce.
That Kerry is messing everything up!
The Toronto Star has some advice for Kerry....on it's news page. Well, I guess it's better than pretending to be unbiased.
For the New York readers
There will be a Candlelight Vigil outside the Russian Consulate, 9 East 91st Street, NYC, at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, September 4. Please join fellow New Yorkers in expressing our collective grief over the terrorism in Northern Ossetia and in standing in solidarity with Russians against terrorism.
Via Ron.
September 03, 2004
I hate her.
And speaking of laughing at oneself, I guess I should link to evil Dawn's review of my performance on CNN last night.
I love that Bush is real
Rereading Bush's speech from last night, I was reminded how much I enjoyed his self-deprecating comments. I like people that can laugh at themselves. Bush is just such a person:
In the last four years, you and I have come to know each other. Even when we don't agree, at least you know what I believe and where I stand. You may have noticed I have a few flaws, too. People sometimes have to correct my English. I knew I had a problem when Arnold Schwarzenegger started doing it. Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called "walking." Now and then I come across as a little too blunt--and for that we can all thank the white-haired lady sitting right up there.
Some more photos
I doubt it, but it's nice to see anyway:
There is mayhem around him, people cheering their heads off and he still is expressionless. That is why Sheppard Smith remains my favorite tv person:
Trent Lott at a Club for Growth event:
Zell at a Club for Growth event:
Ann Coulter, her mom and Herman Cain at a Club for Growth event:
The president:
And, since people seem fascinated by my other picture of James Taranto, here's one of him and Richard Miniter in a cab. Joel Mowbray was in the front seat.:
More Convention Videos
I ask one question of Trent Lott and two questions of Ann Coulter.
UPDATE: I was informed by the Club that I had to remove the videos. My apologies to those that visited to view them.
Still loving Herman Cain
I went to a Club for Growth reception for Zell Miller yesterday and Zell used a lot of his time on stage to introduce my hero, Herman Cain. Click here for the video, you could hear me 'woooo' in the background from time to time. For those new to this page, I worked on the Herman Cain campaign down in Georgia and am not quite over his loss.
UPDATE: I was informed by the Club that I had to remove the video. My apologies to those that visited to view it.
Quote of the Day
'I’m thinking sometime towards the end of October he may actually start removing clothes and showing off his scars.'
-Ari on John Kerry's all encompassing obsession with his 4 months in Vietnam.
Bad idea.
I'm exhausted but I had to note the insanity of Kerry's speech tonight. It's just so bizarre to say that the president misled the country yet if you had to do it again you would give the authorization to go to war all the same. That's not just flip-flopping, that's mental illness. The strategy of doing that speech tonight is really flawed as well but the content is what makes it the huge mistake that it was. Kerry's team does need a shake-up if this can really be seen as a good idea.
Going out on a limb.
Regular readers know I don't like making predictions because I'm superstitious and believe that if I predict something it means it won't happen, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict a bounce for Bush. I just want to make clear I'm not predicting a win, just a post-convention bounce that Kerry did not enjoy.
My take on Bush's speech is here.
September 02, 2004
Tonight
I'm going to be on CNN Headline News tonight at around 8:45pm. I'm nervous.
UPDATE: I'm calling into the show because I heard MSG was going on lockdown at 8pm and it was a choice between getting interviewed on TV or seeing Bush. No brainer for me.
Missed a speech?
You can watch all the convention speeches here.
On another note, Dean points out that some people are insinuating that Zell Miller has sided with the Republicans because he is, wait for it, racist. Aside from the fact that that's how ignorant people end arguments they can't win, it's funny how Miller wasn't racist all those years he was a loyal Democrat and only became racist once he decided that his party had deserted him.
Some pictures before I go to bed:
Che from Communists for Kerry volunteering on the floor of the convention.
Me+McCain taken by Kevin from Wizbang. I had no idea McCain was anywhere near me.
James Taranto:
Richard Miniter:
Deroy Murdock:
Zell:
Rudy, Zell, George and Barbara Bush:
Cheney:
Signs waived during Reagan tribute:
The Texas Delegation:
Those peaceful, loving protesters.
Is it just me or would the rest of you be ok with the cops taking nightsticks to the heads of people that do this:
Protesters have decided to exercise their "free speech" rights by filling bags and balloons with urine and lobbing them at policemen. This disgusting practice is going on westbound on 35th and Broadway. Stay clear.
Via Rachel Lucas.
September 01, 2004
Shaking Madison Square Garden
(This was initially posted on Dean's World but I loved Zell's speech so much, I'd like to post it on both sites).
Can I make it up to the readers who didn't like what I wrote about the speeches last night by writing that I loved the two main speeches of tonight?
I got closer to the stage tonight than I had gotten before. I ran into James Taranto, a friend of mine, and his friend Richard Miniter got me into a special area with them. Deroy Murdock joined us soon after.
His first few lines were already standing ovation material: 'And like you, I ask which leader is it today that has the vision, the willpower and, yes, the backbone to best protect my family?
The clear answer to that question has placed me in this hall with you tonight. For my family is more important than my party.'
It just got better and better. His listing of all the weapon systems that John Kerry had opposed and the purposes they had served was very powerful. A good length of time after that part of the speech, Deroy Murdock leaned forward to me and said 'I can't stop thinking about that line about the F-15 Eagles which flew over the city after 9/11. I remember those planes.'
Zell said everything that needed to said and his delivery was flawless. If we could just change his voter registration, the man would be perfect.
Write-up of the Cheney speech will happen shortly.
UPDATE: When I said 'shortly', what I really meant was tomorrow.
Exclusive Interview.
I interviewed JC Watts today. Those political guys really know how to stick to the script. It's impressive/annoying.
The other side.
In the interest of fairness, and free drinks (well, free seltzer anyway, I don't generally drink booze before 3pm), I went to a pro-life luncheon today. It was at Tavern on the Green in the middle of Central Park. Like yesterday's pro-choice gathering, I saw a lot of people you'd accept to see:
Phyllis Schlafly:
Ann Coulter:
Senator Brownback:
Miss America Erika Harold:
Alan Keyes (Who is seriously just everywhere. I think the only event he's missed was the pro-choice event yesterday)
And, of course, the requisite protesters:
Oddly, the crowd was smaller than the pro-lifers protesting the pro-choice event yesterday:
I'm not convinced that this guy is really a priest:
These are anti-meat protesters. Maybe they took a wrong turn while heading over to the Republican Coalition for meat eating meeting, or maybe they knew that chicken was being served inside.
This is Alexandra Preate and Michael Tew, from Political Capital the forces behind the luncheon. They throw the best conservative parties in the city, like last night's Gotham Party. Just thought you'd like to see the people behind the parties and see that they're young and adorable:
More on my take on both of the abortion-centered parties is here.
Kerry Kerry quite contrary
If you haven't already, check out the Club for Growth ad to your left. I think it's well done and entertaining.
Just askin'
I had a random thought today at the pro-choice party. Some people say they are pro-life except in the case of rape and incest. I don't want to argue the merits of that position but I want to know why the exception is for rape and incest? I mean, I understand the 'rape' argument, it wasn't her fault, she didn't want to get pregnant but she had sex against her will. But, incest? If it's consentual then why should two sickos get an exception that a couple who had a condom break can't? And, if it's not consentual, then why not just stop the exception at 'rape' whether or not that rape was commited by a relative?
