Month: January 2008

After Clinton mistakenly said he already had, he gets in line with the machine.

David Brooks makes a point about the Nevada debate that’s worth revisiting:

"The third thing that happened is that Hillary Clinton and John Edwards disgraced themselves in the minds of debate-watchers everywhere. At some point in each campaign, candidates are asked to name their greatest weakness. Only the lamest political hacks answer that question this way: Goshdarn it, I just care too much. I am too impatient for good things to happen. Giving that answer is an insult to the art of politics. And yet Edwards and Clinton both gave that answer. They didn’t even give artfully disguised versions of that answer. They gave the straight, unsubtle kindergarten version of that answer. Obama, honestly, admitted that he’s bad at organizing his paperwork. Truly, here is a man willing to stand for change."

And Clinton has used that moment of candor since as a way to imply that Obama is unready for the presidency. God, she’s slimy. At least this campaign has revealed that to those of you with ’90s amnesia.

One European gets it:

European conservatives should, like many of their American cousins, hope not only for an Obama nomination, but also for his election on November 4th. It has been difficult to present a strong case for conservatism in Europe, partly because of the Bush administration. But Obama could change that; a charismatic and broadly supported president with ideas similar to Burkean philosophy would lend credibility to conservatism everywhere. Four more years of partisan trench warfare won’t.

NPod:

"…tens of millions would indeed die, but Israel—despite the decimation of its civilian population and the destruction of its major cities—would survive, even if just barely, as a functioning society."

Dr Strangelove’s General Buck Turgidson:

"I’m not saying we wouldn’t get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than 10 to 20 million killed — tops. Depending on the breaks."

Enjoy.

"Reagan was a psychotic man who nearly blew up the world and used paranoia and fear to change our culture and government in horrible ways.  He also wasn’t particularly popular, though as a politician, he’s worth admiring for his raw political skill.  Conservative ideology is based on greed and fear.  There’s no such thing as a good conservative leader, period.  It is a fundamentally bankrupt, corrupt, and fraudulent ideology, and there is nothing laudable about people like Reagan who tap into the worst of America," – Matt Stoller, Open Left.

"For the love of crap, just grow up conservatives. I’m sorry that you can’t pronounce complex words like "balsamic" or "calico," but maybe you should take that problem up with your local adult literacy center rather than CNN. Personally, I would find my inability to read  unusual words much too embarrassing to broadcast to the entire nation,” – Chris Bowers, Open Left.

Heh:

I just thought I ought to thank you for turning me onto the film Into Great Silence.  I am a massive insomniac.  And I get through about 2-3 scenes of the film and I’m out like a light, drug free sleep follows. Yes it is a holy, sacred movie.  The film maker does an awesome job. Yes, I have some issues to debate with contemplatives who withdraw from the world, as I do not believe that isolation from the world is the message of the gospels, and in turn leads to the whole celibacy thing.  But I do think these men, one way or another, are living a holy life and the cinematic capture of that life is almost hypnotic. As for me, it brings me solace and rest.