HULK SMASH!!!
FRIST!
Be even cooler if it's not Gephart. Just sayin'
I never pray, but God please please please don't let it be Gephardt.
Kerry's cool how he's doing these little things using the media to create buzz.
Way cool. For once we'll be the first to know and not the last.
Ha! take that you press monkeys! We've got the power now!
And yes, please let it not be Gephardt. Biden, Edwards, Clarke, I could live with any of these.
Kerry's cool how he's doing these little things using the media to create buzz.
More to the point, using the media to create buzz about how he's intending to snub the media, by sending this notification to supporters instead of to the "news" orgs.
I hope he does it. If nothing else, it may be one more little step to help destroy the illusion of the media's usefulness.
Edwards is too suave and good looking so he may be the anti-Christ.
If he's telling his supporters first it must not be GeFART. I'm pretty sure GeFART is not popular with most Kerry supporters.
Kerry's cool how he's doing these little things using the media to create buzz.
More to the point, using the media to create buzz about how he's intending to snub the media, by sending this notification to supporters instead of to the "news" orgs.
I hope he does it. If nothing else, it may be one more little step to help destroy the illusion of the media's usefulness.
I think everyone's praying it's not Gephardt, except for a few Union leaders.
As much money as Kerry has made from people on his email list, as compared with Bush making money from "His base (The elite)", it'd be a nice gesture of payback.
And in particular, it'd be some really cute press - might just get him 1 or 2 more stories on the news. Or 3.
I like it. Might even make me pump him a little more turkee.
http://balta.blogspot.com
Screw the media, use the net. I love it!
That too, Seraphiel.
With a hand in $245,000 and counting, Atrois bettr get the e-mail.
Yeah. Like the major networks aren't already on the e-mail list to begin with.
You don't make a secret VP announcement by NOTIFYING THE FUCKING MEDIA that you'll do it!
That's like telling the police "I know who shot JR, but I'm announcing it to my family and friends first via telephone."
Ahh, PR...
~keyboards clacking as thousands of reporters suddently join johnkerry.com~
I'm praying its not Edwards. What makes people think we need a half-term Senator on the ticket post-9/11?
On the email thing, I think it's kinda hokey, but I agree it's nice to generate the buzz (within a buzz over who his choice will be).
I like it that they're not giving a date for the announcement. Wouldn't want to give Rove enough time to manufacture a distraction for the media on that day.
I think it's a great idea. So what if it's hokey or lame or kinda beside the point. The point is that Kerry is thumbing his nose at the media in a subtle, amusing way.
One of his top priorities should be to take up where Al Gore left off and make sure that every citizen has access to the internet. We won't need no stinkin' mainstream media.
He just announced.
It's Lieberman.
Hahahahahahah!
Scared the CRAP out of y'all!
The Donkey @ 07.02.04 - 5:54 pm sez:
For the Dem's sake, that had BETTER be a joke.
If it ain't...
Mistyped. And that's not funny. 
Nah, I think it will be McCain.
Ahh, screw the VP - let's nominate the Cabinet!
Gephardt - Secretary of Labor
Gore - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (not Cabinet, but wouldn't it be cool?)
Clinton - Ambassador to the UN and Special Envoy to the Middle East
Nunn - Special Assistant to the Pres. on Counterterrorism and Proliferation
Ashcroft - Special Assistant to the President and Warden of Guantanamo Bay (that's where we'll imprison the current administration, Falwell, Dobson, and Robertson)
Happy Independence Day, everyone. Go Fuck Yourselves!
Kerry's cool how he's doing these little things using the media to create buzz.
He's done this all along, that's why I think he's going to get it. Remember the military records thing, which was completely strategy so that people would be paying attention to what a god damn badass he was? It's like that all along, and he's got shitloads of money to absolutely HAMMER Bush this month and ... hmm. Optimism restored.
I want it to be Joe Wilson. "You wanna hang me, I'll bring my own fucking rope."
Badasses for Democracy '04!
A.
Nah. Gore = EPA.
McCain = Secretary for the Care and Feeding of Dangerous Creatures, including Bill Frist.
A.
That's so darn smart. Another smart move they do is let little puffs of smokescreen out here and there (I guess they puffed Dick Durbin today) to send the media off on a wild goose chase while giving a friend a public hug. Now this. Brilliant.
OT: CNN is reporting the case of Scott Erwin, who was working in Iraq for the Coalition Provisional Authority, taking his senior year off from University of Richmond. Scott just got shot up in an ambush where at least two of his Iraqi companions died. CNN is pitching the story as a "gee-whiz" thing because an extra battery that Scott had hanging in a pouch off his neck deflected one of the bullets that otherwise would have gone to his heart. CNN's article is titled "American Forever Indebted to Iraqi Friend" and subtitled "Bravery and a spare battery help save a life."
I wondered what the hell such a young kid was doing over in Iraq. This article reports that:
In 2002, Erwin worked in the office of House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, which led to an internship in Vice President Dick Cheney's office, which eventually led to the offer to go to Baghdad.
I was reminded of that other youngish guy who we were all talking about the other day, the guy who was sent into Iraq to start up Iraq's new stock market even though he had little training.
Anyhow, here's why Scott Erwin was in Iraq:
Erwin had gone from his office at the Ministry of Interior to teach a class in the Ambassadors of Democracy program, which he started. The program teaches Iraqi university students about American democracy and asks them to pass along the lessons to other young Iraqis.
I guess what I'm wondering is, is it just me, or is the Bush administration and/or its lackeys sending in a lot of young kids to do the work that maybe older, more experienced people should be doing? Especially if there's a chance they'll get all shot up like this poor bastard.
Maybe the young kids are the only ones idealistic enough to go.
Nah. Gore = EPA.
It's called sweet, sweet payback. Poetry, even.
I'm standin' firm. 
McCain = Secretary for the Care and Feeding of Dangerous Creatures, including Bill Frist.
HAHAHAHAAHA! Badasses for Democracy, indeed!
I think everyone's praying it's not Gephardt, except for a few Union leaders.
The two biggest unions, AFSCME and SEIU, didn't support Gephart in the primaries.
Edwards is too suave and good looking so he may be the anti-Christ.
Incognito
That's okay. He's OUR anti-christ so I don't give a fuck. And I don't care if he's a half-term senator, he's still smart as hell.
Gore for supreme court? surely you realize that he's not a lawyer?
Who is "our"?
Ahh, screw the VP - let's nominate the Cabinet!
Gephardt - Secretary of Labor
Wesley Clark - Secretary of Defense
Biden - Secretary of Education
Gore - Director of the EPA
Clinton - Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton - Director of Health & Human Services (just to really piss 'em off)
Bush - 176-671
Cheney - 176-176
Rumsfeld - 176-167
Ashcroft - 167-761
Wolfowitz - 671-176
Rice - 167-176
Rove - 167-671
Yes Jac! I like the idea of turning "go fuck yourself!" into a kind of good luck charm for the left. Sorta like "break a leg" for actors.
Gore for supreme court? surely you realize that he's not a lawyer?
four legs good
Who CARES! THINK! Supreme COURT, bitches!
Kerry says he'll tell e-mailers first,
Before dousing the media's thirst.
The internet's grown;
leave the tv alone!
Let the nattering nabobs do their worst!
(with major apologies to Lime Rickey)
Erwin had gone from his office at the Ministry of Interior to teach a class in the Ambassadors of Democracy program, which he started. The program teaches Iraqi university students about American democracy and asks them to pass along the lessons to other young Iraqis.
And not to be overly cynical about it or anything, particularly since this poor bastard just got shot up, but exactly what kind of American "democracy" was Erwin teaching over there anyway? The kind that if you're down in the national election by 500 votes, you send your staffers down to Florida to noisily stage a protest?
It just seems very ironic to me.
Edwards would be much easier to look at for the next 8 years. Much easier on the eyes than Bush and curl-lip Cheney.
Mmm, Athenae, I'm gonna promote Al to Sec'y of the Interior. Bigger than EPA.
And I'd absolutely positively love to see the Big Dog (whom I love) as Sec'y of State, or Roving Ambassador to Everywhere, or someplace else where the whole world can benefit from his big warm peacemaking heart and steel-trap mind. God, I love that man.
Hillary Clinton - Director of Health & Human Services (just to really piss 'em off)
No no no! If you really want to piss them off, HILLARY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL!!!
Gore for supreme court? surely you realize that he's not a lawyer?
four legs good | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:04 pm | #
Surely you realize that a law degree is not a requirement.
may have been noted already, but TPM just put up part 1 of a pretty engaging interview with Joe Biden. worth taking a look at.
and i'm definitely in the Big Dog for Sec. State camp.
I guess what I'm wondering is, is it just me, or is the Bush administration and/or its lackeys sending in a lot of young kids to do the work that maybe older, more experienced people should be doing? Especially if there's a chance they'll get all shot up like this poor bastard.
They'd rather send these young but ideologically pure kids over there than the state department people who should be doing it. The pros don't worship Jeebus in the right way.
Gore= EPA.... I like it, I like it.
Joe Wilson= ambassador to the UN (now that would piss some people off!!)
Just think, there's endless possibilities to make wingers head's pop like grapes.
I always picture Gephardt smiling away in photo op signing ceremonies with Bushco. If Kerry picks this guy he is going to alienate a big slice of his base.
I say he should pick the Reverend Al Sharpton.
I'd love to listen to the talk shows the day after he did it.
Secretary of Energy: Barbara Boxer or Maria Cantwell
Secretary of EPA: Gore
Secretary of State: Bill Clinton
Secretary of HHS: Hillary Clinton
Supreme Court: Hecate 
White House Communications: Holden
Kitchen Cabinet: Robert Jeffords and Athenae
Secretary of Commerce: Jesse Jackson
Secretary of Labor: Fine, Gephart, Whatever
Secretary of Treasury: Joe Biden
Secretary of Defense: Chuck Hagel
OT: So Which Is It, Jack?
Former Republican Senate candidate Jack Ryan said he is not bitter over the way his campaign ended and would consider running for office in the future.
"There are lots of things I can chuckle over," he said. "I think with a certain segment of the population, I've become actually more popular."
Ryan said one of his biggest regrets is that his son will eventually discover why he quit the race.
"The low point for me was knowing that my son would someday do an Internet search to know about his dad running for the U.S. Senate," he said. "And he's going to see all the things I tried so hard to keep secret."
File under: Hypocrisy
I like Bill Clinton as Secretary of State however being in the line of succession, it may not fly given that he's already served (it would be a technicality since it only says he cannot be a president or vice president after 2 terms)...but I like it!
Supreme Court: Hecate
Hecate
No self-esteem issues here, I see
Secretary of Commerce: Jesse Jackson
So where do I send the bill for a new keyboard? Oh, never mind, this machine is still under warranty - but next time you post something that funny, warn a brutha, OK?
Clark or Clarke - VP
Biden - SecState
etc..........
Bush - 176-671
Cheney - 176-176
Rumsfeld - 176-167
Ashcroft - 167-761
Wolfowitz - 671-176
Rice - 167-176
Rove - 167-671
filkertom
Bet you thought no one would get this.
Hecate,
I was just doing one of those myself...which always feels a little disloyal to LR, but once the rhymes pop into my head I'm like Chen y with swear words...I "feel better after expressing myself."
Whomever John picks for VP
Will be pretty much OK by me
I'd take Edwards or Clark...
A drunk bum from the park...
But to Gephardt I'd NEVER agree.
But Gephardt?
I always picture Gephardt smiling away in photo op signing ceremonies with Bushco. If Kerry picks this guy he is going to alienate a big slice of his base.
berkeley sixties | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:11 pm | #
Kerry's war vote was the same as Gep's. I marched against the war and 23 of our Senators voted against it (including both of mine). That battle was fought - and lost.
I picture Edwards denigrating even gay civil unions (not to mention marriage) to Timmah! on MTP: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3404615/
Gephardt stood up against NAFTA - even against the Clinton administration. That shows courage. That means something in the rust belt. Additionally, Gephardt is experienced and qualified to be VP. Even those opposed to Gep's policies wouldn't say he doesn't have the wherewithal to hold the office of the presidency in good stead, should something happen to Kerry.
I don't especially love Geppy, mainly for the reason (Rose Garden ceremony on the IWR) that you cite. However, I find him infinitely preferrable to Edwards - A "say anything - do anything" to get elected type of guy. I don't believe a single word that came out of his mole during the primaries.
Additionally, no matter who Kerry picks, people are going to feel alienated. It's Kerry's choice to make. It'll be interesting, and instructive, to see who it will be.
Give us whatever you call Scott McClellan's job (spokespair?).
Here's the official list of cabinet posts, thanks to Wikipedia. Clip and save, nominate your favorites!!
State
Treasury
Defense
Attorney General
Homeland Security (I hate that name)
Interior
Agriculture
Commerce
Labor
Health & Human Services (HHS)
Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Transportation
Energy
Education
Veterans
These are not part of the cabinet, but are cabinet level. They can go to cabinet meetings.
EPA
OMB
National Drug Control Policy
US Trade Rep
Vice Pres
Chief of Staff
CIA Director
Ambassador to UN
FEMA Director
WH Counsel
National Security Advisor
Senior Adviser
Kitchen Cabinet: Robert Jeffords and Athenae
Yay!
I hereby appoint jac as undersecretary for slotted spoons!
A.
If you scroll down a bit on the ABC news site, you also see:
"JUNE ECONOMY NUMBERS: 112,000 jobs added -- 10th straight month of gains, although lower number than forecasted... "
That's putting a positive spin on a very lackluster jobs situation.....
Cheney
Chene
Chen
Che
Ch
C
Philalethes,
Great one! I kept trying to rhyme Gephardt with something. Shepard? Leopard?
Ooooohhh . . .
Wanna really send the Freepers over?
Hillary Clinton as Director, Central Intelligence.
Atrios for Veep! Are you 35 yet, A-man?
"I think with a certain segment of the population, I've become actually more popular."
Yeah, everyone at the piss club I go to for my light bondage and semiconsensual watersports thinks much more highly of Ryan now. This gal who was duct-taped to the wall said she'd vote for him if she could, once I took the ball-gag out of her mouth. And most of the Internet pornographers who were there expressed a lot of interest in meeting with him.
Hey, speaking of this...everyone saw those articles about prostitutes flocking to NYC for the GOP convention, right? I wonder how many are being sponsored by Larry Flynt, and how many are wired for sound and video...
Richard Clarke for National Security Advisor.
Eliot Spitzer for Attorney General.
(or, alternately, as a sop to Republicans, young and handsome Patrick Fitzgerald)
Bill Clinton to the UN, Joe Wilson: Back to Baghdad, the Sequel.
Al Sharpton as Press Secretary.
Atrios to Micronesia! The comments section to Micronesia as Atrios's secretary!
A.
I want to change my mind. Biden for Attorney General instead of Treasury.
I know Spitzer wants AG, but he's doing too much good work where he is.
Sy Hersch for CIA.
Al Sharpton as Press Secretary is the winner. That would be Must-See entertainment. Brilliant, A!
Yeah, everyone at the ...
Philalethes
Note to self: CompUSA. Waterproof keyboard.
I hereby appoint jac as undersecretary for slotted spoons!
A.
Athenae
That sounds like f--- HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!
Al Sharpton as Press Secretary.
I like it!
Edwards half term senator? How so? He was elected in 98 and sworn in in Jan. 99. Am I missing something?
Give us whatever you call Scott McClellan's job (spokespair?).
Or spokesdyad, maybe.
Whatever the title, you got my vote! I'd love to see you two deal with Les what's-his-name, who asks those endless grandstanding questions.
Atrios should get something a little nicer and jazzier on the resume than Micronesia. France? We need to make some amends there, and the wine's not bad.
That would be interesting. To some degree I wonder why there are conventions anymore. This year they are going to essentially be abandoned by the networks and even by most cable channels.
Scorpio
Eccentricity
What about Waxman? He certainly deserves a promotion.
Jesus, Sharpton as press secretary. That's inspired. I know I promised the job to K & Y...but still...that is a very pretty picture indeed. Maybe they could take all turns.
Eliot Spitzer for AG would be awesome. If Kerry picks Gep. I have a feeling he'll lose the respect of vast numbers of Dems.
Hold on. We need to keep some of these people in congress.
Tommy Chong for Director of Drug Policy of course.
Tom Waits for Secretary of the Interior and Underground
But the idea of Hillary as DCI certainly has its appeal.... ^_^
k&y: Secretaries of Education
Secretary of Agriculture: Nader (as punishment). When Nader declines in a huff, smarty jones.
Secretary of Transportation: Whoever he picks, it better not be any of the maroons running Metro, is all I can say.
Secretary of Labor: Incognito (so he can get away from the job he hates and apply the lessons learned to improve working conditions for others).
Kerry's war vote was the same as Gep's. I marched against the war and 23 of our Senators voted against it.
S in Mich
I hope you are right about Gephardt. I'm concerned that by picking him Kerry is signaling another republican light run against Chimpco. It already feels like he's making the same mistakes that Gore made in playing to the middle.
Bush - 176-671
Cheney - 176-176
Rumsfeld - 176-167
Ashcroft - 167-761
Wolfowitz - 671-176
Rice - 167-176
Rove - 167-671
filkertom
Bet you thought no one would get this.
Orbitron | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:19 pm
Oh, I was pretty sure somebody would get it. Savvy crowd, here.
Hecate
Rhyme it with a Cheney nickname -- like "gimp heart."
Atrios should get something a little nicer and jazzier on the resume than Micronesia.
How about Tristan da Cunha? If I have to leave America, I'd like to end up somewhere else where there's lots of inbreeding...just to feel at home, y'see.
Oh, I was pretty sure somebody would get it. Savvy crowd, here.
Well, I don't anyway. Jail cell numbering of some kind is what I assumed...but if it's better than that, please let me in on it!
Bush - 176-671
Cheney - 176-176
Rumsfeld - 176-167
Ashcroft - 167-761
Wolfowitz - 671-176
Rice - 167-176
Rove - 167-671
filkertom
Bet you thought no one would get this.
Orbitron | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:19 pm
yeah, i got it, too... though i probably shouldn't have... i'm far too young.
I like Bill Clinton as Secretary of State however being in the line of succession, it may not fly given that he's already served (it would be a technicality since it only says he cannot be a president or vice president after 2 terms)...but I like it!
Actually, it only says he cannot be elected President. It's a stretch to say that he cannot be elected Vice President. It is absolutely clear he can be in the line of succession (even if he is ineligible to the office of President, which isn't clear -- consider how many cabinet members have not been natural citizens and thus are indisputably ineligible to the office of the President [Madelein Albright, for instance]).
filkertom:
Loved the Beagle Boys reference!
As for cabinet, McCain is likely to be somewhere as the olive branch Republican, but it'll be in a bigger role than Bush's Dem olive branch Transportation Secretary.
Philalethes -- In the ballpark. Those were typical prisoner numbers on the sweatshirts of the infamous Beagle Boys in Donald Duck comic books.
Thanks to orbitron for reminding me that those numbers assigned by flickertom were supposed to mean something.
The hint.
filkertom:
Loved the Beagle Boys reference!
Oh, OK...now I get it. Silly me!
Kitchen Cabinet: Robert Jeffords and Athenae
Chili and gumbo in every pot!
Bush - 176-671
Cheney - 176-176
Rumsfeld - 176-167
Ashcroft - 167-761
Wolfowitz - 671-176
Rice - 167-176
Rove - 167-671
?????????
sorry
I don't get it either.
But I do get this: Looks like Team Athenae is going to win ye olde bet. I mean, I wish Bush was Less Than Forty By The Fourth, but it ain't happening, kiddies.
Dig deep into your wallets, Team Holden. Dig deep, give generously to Mr. Kerry.
And, no, I'm not too big of a person to say "told ya so."
More Beagle Boys pics.
Obviously the pic I picked was a fake, they changed the numbers.
Al Sharpton as Press Secretary.
As much as I'd like to see it, do you have any idea just how many skeletons Al has in his closet?
His opponents went easy on him in the primaries because Al would have called them racists, but the Republicans won't care.
Clause 5: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
Amendment XXII
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Bill Clinton is eligible to be elected President. Twice.
Bill Clinton is eligible to be elected Vice-President. As many times as the country wants to vote for him.
The Constitution does not prevent the VP from serving as President if he has been elected twice.
Perhaps that is what was intended. But that's not what is written.
Perhaps it would be bad politics. But it is Constitutional.
After years of a Veep with a gimp heart
and a Prez whose dad played the wimp part,
I'd still vote for John
if he picked a Klingon --
just as long as he didn't pick Gephardt.
With vast apologies to Lime Rickey -- and to Hecate.
It would be really cool if Kerry names some Nigerian guy as his VP and he needs help getting money into the bank.
I don't get it. Please enlighten me.
Someone needs to draw BushCo as the Beagle Boys. Cheney, in particular, is a natural.
I'm rambling here, but I really like attacks on these guys that are ridiculous in this way. Like that image of the Administration as Batman villains. It makes even people who like them laugh, I've noticed, and the people who get offended sound completely silly (like that "Sore/Loserman" thing...I was furious over that situation, but I still thought that sticker was pretty funny...lucky for me the GOP generally has no sense of humor!). I think the meme of these guys as bumbling criminals could take root in society pretty easily.
Anyone remember that "Bride of Ashcroft" thing from the Onion? That was the just about the greatest thing ever.
"It would be really cool if Kerry names some Nigerian guy as his VP and he needs help getting money into the bank."
Handover Fist,
Yeah it would be cool, cuz I practically know that guy. He's sent me hundreds of e-mails over the past year or so!
Perhaps it would be bad politics. But it is Constitutional.
What the speculation about Sharpton and Clinton means is that we (the grass roots) have no more real idea what's going on in Kerry's mind than he average American.
The only names we can come up with are names widely circulated in the media.
It's kind of like that old joke about rock critics, the guy who "discovers" 9 Inch Nails and Pearl Jam in 1998 or so.
A classic variation on the Nigerian scam.
But I do get this: Looks like Team Athenae is going to win ye olde bet. I mean, I wish Bush was Less Than Forty By The Fourth, but it ain't happening, kiddies.
Wise words! See, where the Holdenistas (news - websites) went wrong is, they thought that the press would report on the President's approval tanking once and for all on the Fourth of July weekend, which sensible, adequately voweled people like Taeam Aethaenae knew was unlikely.
Since we're playing fantasy cabinet,
don't pick popular democratic senators for cabinet posts (especially if they are from states with Republican governors).
Anybody remember what happened after President Clinton picked Lloyd Bentson for Sect. of Treasury? I think Ann Richards got to pick his replacement, but he got pasted in the next election. That seat is probably out of reach for us for the next 20 years.
I think Kerry should send it to the Bush/Cheney mailing list.
My dearest Philoaeytheosa[z]:
I rise to defend the honor of Team Holden.
Thou, as my sainted grandmother would tell me, art full of blue mud.
Cheers.
Athenae sez:
Kitchen Cabinet: Robert Jeffords and Athenae
Yay!
I hereby appoint jac as undersecretary for slotted spoons!
Where do I fit in?
(Click on homepage for cool anti-Shrub T-shirt.)
.
Thanks, Yossarian. I was glad to see that again! Plus there was that other one about Ashcroft having to be chained down during the full moon, which has that great picture of him nude on the ground covered in twigs and mud.
When I first saw Ashcroft, I thought it was as if Felix Unger from "The Odd Couple" had become a fundamentalist Xtian after deciding that sex was simply too messy and awful to contemplate. I must say, he hasn't disappointed since.
Anon, lisa, Tip -- answer upthread. They're the numbers of the Beagle Boys. I was just in a silly mood.
I rise to defend the honor of Team Holden.
Then do it, instead of resorting to ad hominem.
(heehee.)
I rise to defend the honor of Team Holden.
So I see
More Beagle Boys pics.
Bryan | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:47 pm
Thanks heaps. Now I have to go haunt eBay and disneypintrading.com to find that sucker.
Thou art all utterly wet, and weedy.
Chiz chiz chiz.
(Off for the weekend, kiddies. Play nice.)
Joe Wilson for Secretary of State
Or one of the top assistants, at least
As for that DeLay flunkie, if they send more over there, and come back in boxes, it's good for the future of our Republic.
It would be really cool if Kerry names some Nigerian guy as his VP and he needs help getting money into the bank.
Damn. I got almost all the way to the bottom of the comments before anyone made that joke.
Over on dKos I suggested that his VP pick was a Mister "Herbal Viagra Natural Penis Patch!" who was a deposed Nigerian Prince.
Edwards half term senator? How so? He was elected in 98 and sworn in in Jan. 99. Am I missing something?
Yossarian | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:29 pm | #
Sworn in in '99. Began campaign for prez in 2002. Ended campaign for prez in 2004. Stumping for Kerry (good) ever since. Thus, "half-term Senator."
I don't care. the veep job is meaningless. I don't care how kerry announces a nonevent. people have to like the TOP of the ticket...and so far kerry's campaign is pretty lame. NO ONE is excited. will somebody please wake him up?
I hope you are right about Gephardt. I'm concerned that by picking him Kerry is signaling another republican light run against Chimpco. It already feels like he's making the same mistakes that Gore made in playing to the middle.
berkeley sixties | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 6:37 pm | #
Economically, Gephardt is pretty far left. Gep would be the last choice to pander to the center.
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice...
Gee. If Gore ever runs again and is elected, he could serve only one term, then, right?
(couldn't resist)
I would also like to add that the reason there's so much interest in the veep spot right now is because kerry is so boring.
S in Mich - I knew you had a spin on something...thanks for clarifying. (I'm slow on the uptake sometimes.)
Have a great one, Robert.
And to you all.
On this holiday, let's acknowledge what a great country this is, flaws and all.
Worst presidents and all.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Beautiful words. We must never forget or ignore their meaning.
State - Robin Williams
Treasury - Donald Trump
Defense - Jane Fonda
Attorney General - Tommy Chong
Homeland Security (I hate that name) - Ted Nugent
Interior - Janene Garafalo
Agriculture - Jimmy Carter
Commerce - Lou Dobbs (ha ha!)
Labor - Paris Hilton
Health & Human Services (HHS) - Dr. Kavorkian
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) - Martha Stewart
Transportation - Mario Andretti
Energy - Steve Erwin
Education - Noam Chomsky
Veterans - Max Cleland
Some serious, but mostly for kicks...
Ok, folks, here is my line-up, thrown together kinda quickly, but serious.
State – Bill Clinton
Treasury – Paul Krugman
Defense – John McCain
Attorney General – Elliot Spitzer
Homeland Security – Ahnuld Schwarzenegger
Interior – Jeanane Garofolo (I’m serious)
Agriculture – Governor of a state with small/family farms – Ed Rendell from PA?
Commerce – Lee Iacocca
Labor – Dick Gephardt
Health & Human Services (HHS) – Howard Dean
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) – The Hillary
Transportation – This is a toughie. We need better infrastructure but we also badly need mass transit and alternative fuel vehicles. Any suggestions?
Energy – Barbara Boxer (California needs some help)
Education – Bill Cosby (Again, I’m serious, and he has an Ed.D. in education)
Veterans – Max Cleland
These are not part of the cabinet, but are cabinet level. They can go to cabinet meetings.
EPA – Al Gore
OMB – John Spratt (D-SC)
National Drug Control Policy – Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson
US Trade Rep – John Edwards
Vice Pres – Wes Clark
Chief of Staff – James Carville
CIA Director – Valerie Plame
Ambassador to UN – Biden
FEMA Director – Rudy Guiliani (??)
WH Counsel – Sydney Blumenthal (Atrios???)
National Security Advisor – Gen. Eric Shinseki or Gen. Anthony Zinni
Senior Adviser – Josh Marshall from talkingpointsmemo.com
The key here might also be to pick some moderate Republican senators from states with Democratic governors to fill positions. May be able to regain the Senate.
Also a brain trust consisting of Jimmy Carter, Warren Buffet, Ron Reagan, Peter Camejo, and Pat Moynihan, if they can channel him.
Hey...two of us came up with Garofolo for Interior!
I'm excited, samex-lax. I'm volunteering for the Kerry campaign in Portland, OR. And several hundred other excited people showed up at the Oregon Kerry Campaign kick-off party last Sunday. Get off the blog and get out on the streets if it's excitement you need to see.
I would also like to add that the reason there's so much interest in the veep spot right now is because kerry is so boring.
The reason there is interest in the VP spot is because it hasn't been named yet, and its easy for the media to speculate on without doing any real work.
It's not so much that Kerry is boring as that covering news is boring and too much like work for the media.
Samlex:
Let's see if I've got this straight. Kerry's lame. He's also dumb. VPs are meaningless. Kerry's boring. People are so bored by Kerry that they're worrying about who's going to be the boring old VP, which is dumb, 'cause VPs are lame and anyone Kerry picks will be lame and probably boring.
Fair enough. So vote for Bush. There's lots of exceitement on that side of the aisle...there's never a dull moment with the Bush Boys!
And now for my humorous list:
State – Harrison Ford
Treasury – Scrooge McDuck
Defense – George C. Scott (as Patton)
Attorney General – Sam Waterston (as Jack McCoy)
Homeland Security – Clint Eastwood
Interior – Iron Eyes Cody
Agriculture -- Willy Nelson
Commerce – That guy I bought a used car from at the dealership – he could sell anything!
Labor – John Henry
Health & Human Services (HHS) – Dr. Drew
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) – Bob the Builder
Transportation – Sandra Bullock
Energy – Homer Simpson
Education – Mr. Belding
Veterans – GI Joe
These are not part of the cabinet, but are cabinet level. They can go to cabinet meetings.
EPA – The Lorax
OMB – George Bailey
National Drug Control Policy – Tommy Chong (or Woody Harrelson)
US Trade Rep – That guy with the loud voice who does car commercials for all the car malls in Southern California
Vice Pres – Dana Garvey as Garth Algar
Chief of Staff – Bugs Bunny
CIA Director – The Black Spy
Ambassador to UN – Domenique De Villepin
FEMA Director -- Superman
WH Counsel – Any one of the hottie lawyer chicks from Law & Order
National Security Advisor – The White Spy
Senior Adviser – Jimmy Buffet
Matt,
So weird that we both picked Ms. G for interior ... I was just groping for a name and she popped into my head for interior for some strange reason.
Steve
Actually, I think Garofolo is smart as hell and would do a good job there.
The Leftist Troll's List (designed to give every Republican and every right-winger a heart attack):
VP: Howard Dean
State: Clinton (Bill)
Attorney General: Clinton (Hillary)
Defense: Richard Clarke
Ambassador to UN: Sharpton
Treasury: Krugman
Press Secretary: Michael Moore
Ambassador to Israel: Chomsky
Interior: Al Gore
Homeland Security: That Bounty Hunter with the Mullet Who Caught that Cosmetics Heir Rapist in Mexico.
Special Envoy to Fallujah: Joe Lieberman
White House Chief of Staff: Donald Trump (will have no trouble firing people)
Well, enough from me. I'm out of here for the weekend too. A troll told me I was a jerk recently, so I figure I'll take a handful of Ativan, drink a few bottles of Cold Duck, and throw myself nude in front of a float at one of the upcoming parades. If you don't think you could stand the sight of a drunk, naked man with bruished shins...stay away from holidays celebrations in the SF Bay Area!
Actually, I think Garofolo is smart as hell and would do a good job there.
She's smart, but I don't see much experience or inclination that supports her at Interior.
Howard Fineman says that Kerry's acting like he wants this pick to be a big surprise because he's been so secretive about it.
If he picks Edwards, which is his only reasonable choice, everyone will go "So what?"
If he picks Gephardt, at least half of you will be upset.
This decision is unusually important because Kerry is largely a default candidate whom few of you were ever passionate about. He has to hit a home run with this pick. It has to be someone who will energize the base in ways that he cannot.
Therefore, he will name Hillary as his running mate, after working out an agreement with her that she will be given unprecedented authority over major areas of domestic policy in the event they are elected.
(The e-mail notification thing is a really nice idea, I must say.)
BTW. I think there should be a new cabinet position.
Presidential Jester
I'm serious. The problem with a lot of presidents is that they get so full of themselves that they get out of touch with reality.
A Presidential Jester (with tenure for 4 years and license to say anything he or she wants) would keep the president closer to reality.
Garofolo would be suitable, as would Jon Stewart, or even Howard Stern.
What if Bush had had a Presidential Jester:
Bush: I think we should invade Iraq. 9/11.
Wolfowitz: Good Mr. President.
Jester: Shut up cowlick. Georgie boy, don't you know that only fools like me get into land wars in Asia.
Wolfowitz: We can bring Democracy to Iraq.
Jester: You again. Hey. Did you hear the new joke about Saddam being connected to Al Qaeda. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Therefore, he will name Hillary as his running mate, after working out an agreement with her that she will be given unprecedented authority over major areas of domestic policy in the event they are elected.
Presidential Jester: You again!!! Do all Freepers just masturbate over pictures of Hillary or something. I don't get the obsession. Psst. She's not that hot. Get a blow up sex doll like the rest of the geeks.
This decision is unusually important because Kerry is largely a default candidate whom few of you were ever passionate about. He has to hit a home run with this pick. It has to be someone who will energize the base in ways that he cannot.
Kerry rocks. He's not boring and he sure as hell will be the kind of president that we can be proud of.
Toby, you're a putz, I must say.
Yeah, Hillary's pretty. What about it?
Yeah, Hillary's pretty. What about it?
Get over her. According to your own side she's a lesbian anyway.
Why not stalk Condoleeza Rice instead. She's single. She's sexually frustrated, and she's.....
Oh right, Freepers only get obsessed with blonds. Sorry about that.
Philalethes...I didn't say kerry is dumb...I think he's dull. I think his "novel" method of announcing his choice for vice president is childish. who cares how he announces it for crying out loud? I'm not voting for bush no matter who runs against him...but be honest...do you think he has enthusiastic support? the party leaders and labor unions are the ones who got out the vote for him in the primaries...but kerry is going to need a lot more than that to win the big one.
White House Jester: Georgie. Two planes just crashed into the World Trade Center and you're sitting here reading to kids. That's my job. Get out there and lead!!!
Bush: But I wanna look like Reagan when he was asleep when they shot down those Ayrab fighter planes in the Medditee...That ocean near Italy. That was really cool. You can run but you can't hide. Ha. Ha.
I have no idea whether Hillary is what you say she is. I doubt it, but who cares? And Dr. Rice is just as nice.
Now, how about dealing with the fact that Frankenkerry is boring?
Now, how about dealing with the fact that Frankenkerry is boring?
Yes. He's boring. But who would you chose as your doctor if you were going in for surgery:
1.) Dr. Smith: Boring. Pompous. Arrogant. A graduate of Harvard and Johns Hopkins
2.) Dr. Brown: Great guy to have a beer with!!! Fucking riot. Cracked everybody up at frat parties. Great jokes. A graduate of Fresno State and the University of Greneda's medical school.
SWR: I think you mean Dr. Hibbert, vs, Dr. Nick Riviera.
Honestly, this country could use some fucking boredom for a while. Four years of boredom would suit me just fine.
Honestly, this country could use some fucking boredom for a while. Four years of boredom would suit me just fine.
Toby is the perfect example of somebody who's brain got fried watching too much reality TV.
He seems to think the President should be the Entertainer in Chief and not the Commander in Chief.
but be honest...do you think he has enthusiastic support?
Yes, I do. Especially considering that he wasn't even started campaigning in earnest, and has been the subject of one ruthless smear after another. Anyone who can take a 200-million-dollar dose of Karl Rove venom and shrug it off is a guy who can win big. And on top of that Kerry's FAMOUS for running slow campaigns and the beginning, and than slugging like crazy at the end, and winning big. Happened in the primaries, and it'll happen here.
Come November, Toby shouldn't be allowed to have anything sharper than a rubber ball. We can't let him take the easy way out.
He seems to think the President should be the Entertainer in Chief and not the Commander in Chief.
I hear ya.
Jeez, Toby...blow jobs not exciting enough for ya?
OK, was trying to put off dealing with the ttraffic...but I've got to do it. Happy Fourth, y'all. And Team Holden, hang in there. You'll have other fifties to lose, so be strong.
but be honest...do you think he has enthusiastic support?
What exactly is this requirement that I support Kerry with "enthusiasm."
Is this a fucking no money down real estate seminar or an election.
I've got two choices. Kerry or Bush.
I look at both. I use my brain.
Which one is more qualified to be president? Which one is closer to how I feel ideologically? Which one will make this country safer? Which one will deal with the economy?
And I chose Kerry.
Amen, SWR...it's like these guys are screening us for a job handing out cookie samples in a fucking mall.
Jeez, Toby...blow jobs not exciting enough for ya?
Which countries have decent governments? The exciting ones or the boring ones?
Let's see.
Finland. Canada. Norway. Boring countries. Boring governments. People don't get too worked up over anything. Their governments provide a decent web of social services. Crime isn't that bad. People have health care and don't go around killing one another.
How about Robert Mugabe. Entertaining. Would you want him as President? The Saudis are pretty colorful? Neat costumes and interesting medieval society carried over into the modern age. So are the Iranians. Entertaining all.
I have to say, it really doesn't matter who Kerry picks. Biden would be the worst choice, but it's not that big of a deal. They're all qualified to be president.
The man could pick anyone but Ralph Nader or Hillary Clinton or Joe Lieberman and not lose his base. Why? Anyone after Dick Cheney would be a major step up.
Amen, SWR...it's like these guys are screening us for a job handing out cookie samples in a fucking mall.
Let's see. American history.
Senator Robert Wagner (New York): Who? Oh, only the man who laid the intellectual foundation for the New Deal. Only that guy who pushed through workplace safety regulations after the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Everything I've read about him makes him look as boring as hell.
Huey Long. George Wallace. Strom Thurmond: We've all heard of these entertaining rednecks, haven't we?
Don't know that much about trade, but here are some other suggestions:
State: Wesley Clark
Treasury: Krugman (or Robert Reich)
Defense: McCain
Attorney General: Elliot Spitzer
Health & Human Services: Hillary
Housing & Urban Development: Andrew Cuomo
Homeland Security: Dianne Feinstein
Interior: Bruce Babbitt
Transportation: Nader (keep him out of trouble!)
Energy: Bill Richardson (take that, Ken Lay!)
Education: James Loewen
Veterans: Max Cleland
EPA: RFK, Jr.
OMB: Henry Waxman
National Drug Control Policy: Tommy Chong (ok, Charles Breyer)
Vice Pres: John Edwards
Chief of Staff: Martha Stewart
CIA Director: Valerie Plame
Ambassador to UN: Jimmy Carter
WH Counsel: Matt Gonzalez
National Security Advisor: Ken Beers
Press Secretary: Gore Vidal
SWR:
Finland. Canada. Norway. Boring countries. Boring governments. People don't get too worked up over anything. Their governments provide a decent web of social services. Crime isn't that bad. People have health care and don't go around killing one another.
Socialists like you always bring up countries like these as examples of how things should be run. Never mind the vast differences between this country and those in terms of scale and homogeneity. Those two factors never seem to get accounted for when the pie's in the sky and everyone's shiny and happy.
Socialists like you always bring up countries like these as examples of how things should be run. Never mind the vast differences between this country and those in terms of scale and homogeneity. Those two factors never seem to get accounted for when the pie's in the sky and everyone's shiny and happy.
Canada is a homogenous country?
Toby. Why not panhandle a few coins and take the Greyhound up to Vancouver or Toronto?
Then report back if you still think it's homogenous.
And I wasn't using them as an example of "how things should be run."
I was making the point that governing is often "boring."
Canada is a very large, very diverse country with a relatively good government. It's boring.
Finland is a tiny homogenous country that also has a relatively good, relatively boring government.
I honestly want a president who can talk to me in detail about health care and unemployment more than one who's a "straight shooter" and who's "fun to have a beer with."
Kerry is boring, as you say. But he's also put in his time in the military, as an assistant DA, in the Senate.
I wish he had a better record in the Senate. I wish he were a bit less wooden.
But compared to a complete incompetant fool like Bush, he's Pericles.
SWR:
True enough. I lumped Canada in with the others, but the issue of scale still applies.
Incidentally, if you know it, what's the ethnic breakdown of Canada? I know places like Montreal have large immigrant communities, but what's it like over all?
SWR:
True enough. I lumped Canada in with the others, but the issue of scale still applies.
Incidentally, if you know it, what's the ethnic breakdown of Canada? I know places like Montreal have large immigrant communities, but what's it like over all?
Montreal actually has a fairly small immigrant community compared to Vancouver and Toronto. Those French people were, umm, born in Canada.
As to scale, it's gigantic. The West and Ontario are divided in ways that New Jersey and California aren't. Quebec is an entirely different culture.
As for the scale of the economy. Any country's going to be tiny compared to the US. Even Russia.
But do you see my point. I'm working the fact that you didn't express yourself too clearly about what you meant by "boring." To be fair, you probably meant that Kerry doesn't inspire people.
And he probably doesn't.
But my larger point is that Bush seems so enamoured with the idea of being The President, with the power, with the pomp, with the idea of himself as an action hero, that he's forgetting to govern. He's forgetting that there are issues other than Saddam.
Kerry might not be the greatest president in history. But he's not a one note obsessive either. He's not an extremist (like Bush). And he'll at least try to make things work.
Vancouver and Toronto don't? Toby's reaching, isn't he? Are France or Germany small homogenous countries? There is no industrialized modern country today that is not Socialist-except the US. Nor is crime a placed fact; social investment, especially education, pays off in reduced crime.
hey Tubby Putzoid
Is Kerry so boring he falls asleep during the Superbowl before halftime?
Does he think clearing brush is a fun activity?
No, France certainly isn't too homogenous anymore. In fact, they'll be turning Notre Dame into a mosque in another decade or so.
Won't that be a real achievement for diversity?
That way we can all email back screaming, "NO!!!"
SWR:
I'm working the fact that you didn't express yourself too clearly about what you meant by "boring."
I'll give you an excellent example of why Kerry is boring. And I'm not making this up, either: whenever I read someting he has written or is quoted as saying, I actually hear his voice replacing my own internal narrator. And that bothers me. It's that studied, phoney-assed monotone. The guy is excessively caucasoid. I don't want that kind of calculatedness in my head.
Now, that's just aesthetics. But, on substance, I don't find long-windedness and discursiveness of thought to be a virtue. This rip on his being "nuanced" is not just a partisan point, but a legitimate complaint about his indecisiveness.
You liberals like lots of rainbows and shades and degrees because you think it is tolerant to not be locked into a black and white worldview. You don't like a word where twenty will do because you believe diplomacy and double-speak are ends in themselves, while forgetting to grasp the real object.
Kerry has made a fetish of the "process" and "consensus-building." And you think that's great because it's the opposite of what Bush does, which is to damn the torpedoes. But most Americans don't want another Carter. And that's what Kerry is.
Toby, your homepage has *ahem* 0 - ZERO comments for your posts - makes ya wonder.
Transportation – This is a toughie. We need better infrastructure but we also badly need mass transit and alternative fuel vehicles. Any suggestions?
Matt in SD | Email | Homepage | 07.02.04 - 7:26 pm | #
Mike Dukakis, present head of Amtrak, former Governor of MA (home of the Big Dig and the oldest mass transit system in the country) and long-time rider of the Green Line!
but will he ask for feedback? will he give them multiple choice of 3?
so we can make damn sure it ain't gep?
Thats because of the 'zero operating brain cells' - outside of the talking points in front of his keyboard.
[Garofolo]'s smart, but I don't see much experience or inclination that supports her at Interior.
After Norton, anyone short of James Watt would be an improvement.
Reading between the lines at ABC's The Note... Edwards is spending this weekend at home walking the beach while Vilsack is joining Kerry at on the trail. Word is that Kerry has lined up a second plane for the VP nominee already with plans to go gear up by next weekend. Further, they say, teasingly,they know where Vilsack will be both this weekend and next. But I'm wondering if one is the nominee designate, doesn't one maybe stay home and get some rest right beforehand?
Just musing...
Has anyone mentioned Tom Vilsack???Gov. of Iowa...I typed in Vilsack on search and it brought his website up...He is a possibility.....
Yossarian:
Toby, your homepage has *ahem* 0 - ZERO comments for your posts - makes ya wonder.
That's because I'm so bad-ass that none dare lessen my blog with their inferior thoughts.
Now stop drooling over the general's secretary and help the bombardier.
I haven't nearly the brainpower nor the wonkish mojo to fill up the entire list, but here goes:
State - Bill Clinton
Treasury - Warren Buffett
Defense - ??
Attorney General - John Edwards
Homeland Security (chng to Domestic Security) - Hunter S Thompson
Interior - Al Gore, Jr.
Agriculture - Ed Rendell?
Commerce -
Labor - Dick Gephardt
Health & Human Services (HHS)
Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Transportation - Neil Young
Energy
Education - Cosby may be a good idea
Veterans - Max Cleland
These are not part of the cabinet, but are cabinet level. They can go to cabinet meetings.
EPA - RFK, jr.
OMB
National Drug Control Policy - Gary Johnson
US Trade Rep - Donald Trump?
Vice Pres - Wesley Clark
Chief of Staff
CIA Director - Gore Vidal (he'd know what to do with it
Ambassador to UN - Jimmy Carter
FEMA Director - Giuliani?
WH Counsel
National Security Advisor - Sibel Edmonds
Senior Adviser
Supreme Court - Mario Cuomo
That anonymous up there was me.
"So say we all!"
SQUEAK
In order to form a more perfect union. . . Bill Clinton had a poetic, tearjerking riff on that at that Kerry fundraiser I got to go to the other night. He said that's our permanent assignment, to work to form a more perfect union. That's the job the founders left for us to do.
So yeah! Let's do it! Let's work to form a more perfect union! And to secure justice! And tranquility! Let's work for that more perfect union, for ourselves and our posterity! Yeah! We can do it!
Happy Fourth of July.
You liberals like lots of rainbows and shades and degrees because you think it is tolerant to not be locked into a black and white worldview.
I will concede that you are at least honestly trying to express why you don't like John Kerry.
As to "black and white" not having "shades.
Ever see an Ansel Adams photograph?
I'm so filled with delight reading this thread that I have no comment (except this one):
You guys rock the house! AND I MEAN IT.
Hugs for the 4th to everyone !
*
Oh, and to you too, Toby...
*
This rip on his being "nuanced" is not just a partisan point, but a legitimate complaint about his indecisiveness.
What would Kerry have to do to earn your respect?
I'll tell you what Bush would have had to do to earn mine.
His entire administration seems to be based on occupying Iraq. Had he sent *enough* troops into the country, disarmed Saddam's ex troops, kept the safety net of social services in place in Iraq so the people didn't have to turn to the mosques (and thus strengthen Islamism in Iraq), put somebody in Baghdad more qualified then Bremmer, in short, had he at least not botched the occupation, I would have disagreed with his politics, but I would have respected his ability.
But what besides Iraq does Bush offer? Faith based programs? Huge tax cuts for the rich? Sending me a note telling me I'm getting an extra 500 bucks as though I were a citizen of some banana republic and not an American and then taking it back the next year?
Kerry's "discursiveness" and "long windedness" at least gives me options to pare down.
Bush's "straight shooting" has already failed.
So which do you chose? An inadequate wishy washy centrist who might suceede or a dogmatic black and white rainbow that's already failed?
Jenny: Cheers and same to you. I haven't seen this much happiness and hope for a long while. To those who think Kerry isn't doing anything I respectfully disagree. Several posters that had given up hope sound much more upbeat now. Kerry is like the turtle and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. He may not have the fire and brimstone of a Howard Dean or a reborn Al Gore. He's kind of like the slightly stodgy college dean that you think is dull and boring. If you listen to him long enough you see his confidence and brilliance. He may not be a barnstormer. But he'll be there with a smile to help you rebuild the barn after the storm has destroyed it. Just my .02.
SWR:
As to "black and white" not having "shades.
Ever see an Ansel Adams photograph?
Yes. He's great. I have one of his Yosemite prints hanging in my crizzib.
Jenny, is that a Vonnegutian asterisk or just a regular one?
Happy Fourth!
just wondering -
And I'll raise you another .02!
*
Yes. He's great. I have one of his Yosemite prints hanging in my crizzib.
And yet you don't think black and white can have "shades."
Ha. Ha. Ever hear of the "Zone System?"
Anyway. As I said, I'll give you credit for at least honestly trying to express why you don't like Kerry.
I don't "like" him either. But, there are times when you have to live with reduced expecations. If I were a women, Bush would be the psycho with the pickup truck and the tatoos who appeals to my worst instincts, makes me feel excited by playing on my fears, and ultimately turns out to be a shallow asshole.
Kerry's the nice slightly stiff transition guy I need to heal myself from Bush until the right one comes along. Maybe he doesn't turn me on, but at least he won't try to manipulate me.
"Jenny, is that a Vonnegutian asterisk or just a regular one?"
Um, I think it's a Brautiganian asterisk, but I don't think Kurt would mind if we put his name on it.
*
Toby,
I think you're right. Vonnegut did use that little accoutremont (gee, it's been a long time since I've read him...)
Happy 4th to you!
*
SWR:
So which do you chose? An inadequate wishy washy centrist who might suceede or a dogmatic black and white rainbow that's already failed?
I am voting for Bush because I believe he's right in executing this doctrine of pre-emptive war. You can call it neo-imperialism or a crusade or whatever, but History will show that he is right for doing what must be done to change the Arab world.
I honestly believe that a vote for John Kerry will be perceived as a victory for Islamofascism.
I don't believe in much of Bush's domestic policies, but I am an able-bodied and educated guy, so I'm never going to want for my home and sustenance, regardless of his stupid positions on tax breaks for the super-wealthy, the war on marihuana, abortion rights, gay marriage, religious fundamentalism, etc.
But look at Kerry. The guy's entire store of courage was spent 35 years ago. Since Viet Nam, he has been a disaster. A super-wealthy liberal whose Senate record is nothing but one long pander. He's accomplished nothing in all his years on the job. You know he knows gay marriage is right, but he won't come out on it. You know he knows marihuana should be legal, but he's a wuss to not stand up for it. And no one's going to trust him on tax issues: he couldn't care less whether the middle class gets a break because he's set. His foreign policy is inconsistent and nonsensical. And he's a phoney on religion.
Anyway, I'm going out. Later.
You can call it neo-imperialism or a crusade
You didn't even try to address my point.
I see a lot of these kinds of strawman arguments with "conservatives."
I make a very specific point: Bush botched the occupation of Iraq, which is, as you concede, the entire focus of his administration.
And you strawman my argument into some kind of moralistic one. I'm calling it a "Crusade" or "neoimperialism."
Eh? It's pretty clear that I'm saying Bush is an incompetant imperialist, not damning him for being an imperialist.
I honestly believe that a vote for John Kerry will be perceived as a victory for Islamofascism.
Perceived by whom? Isn't this a circular argument. OK. You're saying that "they" will see "us" as "weak" if we don't re-elect Bush but, once again, you're looking past the realities of economics, history, military reality to "perception." Who cares what "they" perceive. If "they" are afraid of Bush and Bush is (as is pretty clear) an "incompetant imperialist" then sooner or later that scarecrow is going to look just like a scarecrow.
so I'm never going to want for my home and sustenance
Good for you. You're part of the "elite" but what about the "working class" and the "ordinary people" Bush claims to be for? Eh? Is that just bullshit?
You know he knows gay marriage is right, but he won't come out on it.
Do you think "gay marriage is right?" OK. Let's talk about me. I think gay marriage is right. Therefore, I'll vote for the wishy washy liberal who will bend the majority votes and not an idealogue who will stand against it even if everybody else is for it.
You know he knows marihuana should be legal, but he's a wuss to not stand up for it.
Bush (being an ex addict) knows that draconian drug laws are immoral and hypocritcal and yet he supports them. Isn't he worse than Kerry?
And no one's going to trust him on tax issues: he couldn't care less whether the middle class gets a break because he's set.
I don't necessarily trust Kerry personally on tax issues but I trust the fact that since he's beholden to interest groups more in touch with my income level than Bush is, my tax burden under Kerry will probably be reduced. Bush will mail me a note saying I'm getting 500 dollars back (Huh? Doesn't that sound like something a third world president would do? I'm an American. Don't insult me with this bullshit.)
His foreign policy is inconsistent and nonsensical.
And Bush's is dogmatic, heavy handed and destructive.
And he's a phoney on religion.
Too bad American culture won't let you come out and say you're not religious. As far as I know, Kerry's a good Catholic, but who knows. But, even phoney, Kerry's pro-choice Catholic stance is a hell of a lot better than voting for a religious loony like Bush (somebody who actually believes that there's no need to worry about global warming because we're in the end times). Give me phoney over crazy any day.
there is a wonderful scene in "close encounters of the third kind" wherein disparate people unknown to each other receive a vision of devil's tower. francois truffaut's character, the scientist, explains to the bemused military fellow that 'eet ees an e-vent so-cee-o-loj-ee-kal'. the near unanimous skin-crawly loathing on this blog and elsewhere at the prospect of 'dick' gephardt being rewarded with the chance to become vice president resonates in karass with that scene, and is just the tip of the iceberg of disdain that awaits such a miserable choice. as such, i mould these imaginary mashed potatoes into a mock mountain, intone that "this election means something" and repeat that GEPHARDT MEANS WE LOSE, GEPHARDT MEANS GOODBYE.
no turkee for gephardt.
if richard gephardt has any apologists in our midst then they could not have asked for a better set-up than that. just returned from a very long day at work to report absolutely no groundswell for gephardt. underwhelmed across the board. whom is kidding whom?
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