Sorry so quiet \u2013 big family birthday shindig yesterday and today I am working on a project for Lent.<\/p>\n
8 PM Tonight, National Geographic Channel:<\/strong> On Board Air Force One<\/a>:<\/p>\n Journey inside the most secure aircraft in the world, Air Force One, as it carries the President through the confusion and terror of 9\/11, a secret mission into Baghdad and a whirlwind diplomatic mission through the Middle East. With unprecedented access, National Geographic introduces you to the presidential pilot and the crew charged with operating this global command center in the sky.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sounds like a don\u2019t-miss!<\/p>\n \u201cThis administration will not torture\u201d<\/strong>: Unless we feel it\u2019s prudent to<\/a>. Any criticism from the left? :::I hear chirping:::<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf innocent civilians are killed in war, you\u2019re a war criminal and a terrorist\u201d:<\/strong> Except when<\/a> you\u2019re not<\/a> named Bush<\/a>. :::chirp:::<\/em><\/p>\n This administration will close Gitmo:<\/strong> Just as soon as we\u2019ve found appropriate terrorist cells<\/a> to which the prisoners may<\/a> be transferred<\/a>. :::chirp:::<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThis administration will ban lobbyists\u201d<\/strong>: Except when we don\u2019t<\/a>. Oh, wait, you thought he was serious about that?<\/a> :::chirp:::<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe are post-partisan and I will listen to everyone:\u201d<\/strong> Except we\u2019re not really<\/a> and um\u2026forget that. \u201cPick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.\u201d<\/a> :::chirp:::<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is arrogant, divisive, rude, hubristic and IMPERIAL<\/em> to suggest that as President you are the \u201cdecider\u201d:<\/strong> Until a Democrat says \u201cI won; I will trump you.\u201d At that point, it\u2019s self-assured, direct and <\/a>reassuringly authoritative<\/a>. :::chirp:::<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cToo much power consolidated in the White House is a very bad thing:\u201d<\/strong> Except when it\u2019s not<\/a>. Hello? :::chirpchirpchirp:::<\/em><\/p>\n A sycophant<\/strong>: That wouldn\u2019t be Drew who can only watch in drop-jawed astonishment<\/a>. It\u2019s a fast-spreading virus<\/a>.<\/p>\n The quagmire of war:<\/strong> Lowering expectations<\/a> until he can be called the Great Liberator of People, as George W. Bush<\/a> has been soundly called. Oh, wait\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThis administration\u201d will not use these words?<\/strong>: Democracy\u201d or \u201cdemocratic\u201d<\/a> or umm\u2026\u201clife\u201d\u2026or \u201cpay\u2026taxes\u2026\u201d<\/a>. Whoops<\/em>, I\u2019m sure that last bit about the taxes is wrong. We\u2019ll<\/em> pay them. Others may not have to, but you and I will pay them. Yes, indeed. And we\u2019ll do it with a smile, or be called selfish and un-American.<\/p>\n Iran:<\/strong> Lookin\u2019 for the uranium<\/a>. They\u2019re really annoyed that Al Qaeda might beat them to it<\/a>. Don\u2019t they all know the war on terror is over<\/a>? Everyone needs to settle down, now, and just share a coke<\/a>.<\/p>\n Plausible deniability:<\/strong> We haz it<\/a><\/p>\n Dissent = Treason?:<\/strong> No, wait, dissent is still the very highest, ultimate form of patriotism<\/a>. No, really. It is<\/em>. And asking questions is good<\/a>. Except when it\u2019s not. Then it\u2019s \u201cobstruction.\u201d<\/a> It\u2019s complicated. Back when Bush was president, it was okay (and good, and healthy for democracy) if you said the president was a terrorist<\/a>, and a nazi-fascist<\/a>, who should be assassinated<\/a>. Now, if you just hope the president fails at promoting socialist policies<\/a>, well\u2026that\u2019s arguably treasonous<\/a>, baby, \u201carguably treasonous.\u201d Got that? Wanna fantasize about assasination<\/a>, actively work to expose sensitive policies in wartime<\/a> and incessantly talk down the economy<\/a> for one president? That\u2019s alllllll good<\/em>! Hope the other one fails? Treason.<\/em> Evil treeeaasson!<\/em><\/p>\n Ed Morrissey calls this Obama\u2019s folly<\/a>:<\/p>\n It demonstrates that Obama still has no sense of his office, nor of \u201cpost-partisanship\u201d\u2026George Bush never attacked Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, or other voices of the rabid Left by name. If he ever went on the attack against the left-wing media, he kept the attack general and broad, rather than specific. Bush may not have been the most media-savvy of our modern presidents \u2014 in fact, he may have been the worst at it since Nixon \u2014 but he knew enough about his office to understand that part of its strength would keep him somewhat above the partisan-pundit fray. Obama hasn\u2019t figured that much out yet.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n But\u2026but\u2026Bush was a naaazi!<\/em> A faaaaascist!<\/em><\/p>\n The Scariest Chart ever?<\/strong>: Well, One of them<\/a><\/p>\n A nation of Drama Queens?:<\/strong> Even the news is starting to feel like a stupid reality show. You wanted it, you got it<\/a>. Billionaire Boys Club:<\/strong> Those damn rich republicans<\/a> are at it again<\/a>.<\/p>\n Climate Change\/Carbon Credits<\/strong> a gigantic scam<\/a>?: Well, of course.<\/p>\n Something Right and Left really should<\/em> be able to get together on:<\/strong> Fighting for Free Speech<\/a>.<\/p>\n Opposing:<\/strong> well, really, someone should<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ars gratia artis:<\/strong> Fausta\u2019s got it<\/a><\/p>\n Our girls at Summit, NJ:<\/strong> Time Magazine has them<\/a>. No pics of them making the soap<\/a>, though.<\/p>\n Taking on Dowd\u2019s droning:<\/strong> Someone still thinks it\u2019s worth the time<\/a> to bother<\/a>. Not me, anymore<\/a>. Had enough?<\/strong> Refresh here<\/a>.<\/p>\n UPDATE:<\/strong> Do Penance for Obama!:<\/strong> Frank Rich is feeling scolded by Obama and penitential. And while happily over-looking the $145 Million dollar inaugural-indulgence for Obama, he he wants you to join him in the breast-beating<\/a> (for the sin of going shopping after 9\/11) and contrition as we wait for the collection basket and the \u201cmandatory volunteerism\u201d that will cleanse our souls. Markets are vile, but Obama is good. Be afraid. The most unbearable people in the world are ex-smokers on a kick to cleanse the world of ashtrays. The second most unbearable are religious converts who don\u2019t know how to stop proselytizing. Their are called Obamists<\/em> and they are legion.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay to love again\u2026\u201d:<\/strong> That would be because Obama talks to the soul<\/a>. So in love\u2026<\/a> But it\u2019s still okay to maintain your hate for Bush, too. The best way to \u201clove\u201d everyone is to hate<\/a>
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\nCelebrate diversity:<\/strong> But not of thought<\/a>. Not\u2026of thought<\/a>.
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\nImperialism is terrible<\/strong>: Unless it\u2019s not<\/a>. Not that I accept for a moment the argument that America is an imperialist nation. History shows exactly the opposite. Especially recent<\/em> history.<\/p>\n
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\n\u201cI love Jesus but I drink a little\u201d:<\/strong> just to thin the blood<\/a>. 88 years old? Bless her!<\/p>\n
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\nLet\u2019s put a lot of people out of work<\/strong> (which will lower our tax revenues): and oh, yeah, let\u2019s make us less safe<\/a> while we\u2019re at it. Jimmy Carter couldn\u2019t do better, himself!<\/p>\nEmmanuel Goldstein<\/del> George W. Bush. Who um, only kept everyone so safe that no one in the Inaugural crowd was worried about being blown up by terrorists, as they boo\u2019ed him<\/em>.<\/p>\n