A Sack of Salt

Following up on yesterdays post about military "spin", we have this:

"The US military said that its findings were corroborated by an independent journalist embedded with the US force. He was named as the Fox News correspondent Oliver North, who came to prominence in the 1980s Iran-Contra affair, when he was an army colonel."
[italics added]

Exactly how long does the Pentagon think they can get away with this before their credibility has been completely pissed away. Sure, cover up the important, operational, stuff but don't lie about things that can be easily disproven. It is beginning to appear pathological.

Don't Go to War: Reason #102

In response to claims that an Aug 22 air strike by U.S. killed 90 civilians our military, the good guys, replied thusly, "The U.S. military says militants encouraged the villagers to exaggerate their stories."

This sort of bald faced spin in routine from the armed forces. In essence the true situation "on the ground" is virtually impossible to get at without serious and dedicated digging by outside parties. It becomes so essential that the military keep the public on their side that body counts, exageration and outright lies become necessary.

Here's an idea: Don't start wars unless there is a genuine, existential threat.

Never mind. It would never work...

More on Bush's Detachment

Bush's detachment is highlighted all the more by the fact that he is largely an absentee president - 879th days at his ranch as of May 11 and currently spending a "long weekend" at Camp David. While Pres Bush claims that he works from Camp David, it is 70 miles from the White House and requires extra effort to organize meetings. Impromptu or short-notice meetings would be nearly impossible.

I am not one for conspiracy theories, but there must be some who prefer that the president be inaccessible during his frequent stays away from Washington.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

I just saw Todd Palin and John McCain do a little Man-Hug at the Republican Convention. Is non-hand contact now acceptable between men?

As Bad As I Thought

The Washington Post has a brief overview of Bob Woodward's new book on the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq War, The War Within: A Secret White House History, 2006-2008. (When did book titles start getting quotes instead of underlines?)

The headline reads: "U.S. spied on Iraqi leaders, new book says" but the real shockers as reported in the article are far less mundane.

In response to a question about how the White House settled on a troop surge of five brigades after the military leadership in Washington had reluctantly said it could provide two, Bush said: "Okay, I don't know this. I'm not in these meetings, you'll be happy to hear, because I got other things to do."

Say what? Happy to hear that you don't attend meetings concerning the commitment of US troops?

And this:

During the interviews with Woodward, the president spoke of the war as part of a recentering of American power in the Middle East. "And it should be," Bush said. "And the reason it should be: It is the place from which a deadly attack emanated. And it is the place where further deadly attacks could emanate."

Excuse me, but no deadly attack emanated from Iraq. Afghanistan, perhaps Saudi Arabia or Egypt. Was our attack on Iraq supposed to scare Saudi extremists like Bin Laden? This is the most daft national security strategy ever. And it has failed to boot. The really scary part of thi sis that Bush has managed to cling to this belief for 7 years.

On Community Organizers

"Jesus was a community organizer. Pontius Pilate was a governor."

A blog commentator

Words to Live by in a Political Season

“No matter how cynical I get, it’s just never enough to keep up.”

Lily Tomlin

More Sex and Politics - the Obama Edition

Obama said that teen mother's are off limits as a campaign attack but his surrogates are saying, "True, but this raises questions about McCain's judgment in picking Palin." THIS IS STILL MAKING TEEN MOTHERS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE!!!

Shame

It is sad that the McCain campaign forced 17 year old Bristol Palin to stand up on stage under the scrutiny of a nation. I suppose every candidate must parade their family on the convention stage - unfortunate. But to force the teen aged father of Bristol's unborn child to get a haircut and stand up there holding Bristol's hand to prop up Sarah Palin's moral credibility? This is political theater at it's worst.

I really feel for both of these kids.

Sex and Politics

A few thoughts about gender, politics and the current campaign:

If you are going to present Sarah Palin as a "Hockey Mom" you can not complain about the media talking about her kids and her daughter's pregnancy. If her motherhood is a touted as proof of her virtue then examination of it's quality must be allowed.

When the Republican delegates wear pins saying "We have the hottest VP" and "Hot Chick", you are not allowed to cry, "Sexism." Ever!