"Just consider the record of Michael Gordon -- who, I want to stress, is not personally the problem but merely the most vivid manifestation of the ills of American political journalism." Read below the fold...
I kid you not. I know that torture-loving conservatives have a hard time distinguishing fantasy from reality, but this is ridiculous. Read below the fold...
I'm rather tardy weighing in on the Imus affair, but now that he's down I'll give him a kick or two before turning my attention elsewhere. Read below the fold...
The way kids used to take turn standing on each other's shoulders so the one on top could peek through the knothole in the outfield wall and watch the ballgame, we present today's host who frees Krugman from the paywall: the admirably named Free Democracy, bringing us "Sweet Little Lies." Or more accuratly, an honest discussion of the lies, named accurately as lies, and broken down into Little and Big Lies. Read below the fold...
So I'm having a private discussion with some folks about public intellectuals on the Right. What is an intellectual? How are they understood by society at large, and what role should they play (if any)? The heart of the discussion: I don't think anyone who is well-educated but still racist deserves the label "intellectual." Racists can be smart, but to me, part of being an intellectual is accepting facts and analyses even when they don't fit with your social or political agendas. Read below the fold...
Some of you, out of curiosity, sat down and suffered through Mel's "Jesus Chainsaw Massacre," and came back to report on it. I thank you for doing that so I didn't have to. I'll return the favor and tell you about the movie that is sweeping America. It's taken in $70m on opening weekend (WSJ Print ed.) and also reveals that the Right in this country is even more twisted than I had thought. Read below the fold...
I don't know why I remembered this, but I looked it up, and I was right. Anyone remember when Bush made Colin Powell do the cake walkshingle dance YMCA?
Do you remember the cutesy lyrics they made up for the occasion? Specifically, the part where Powell explained exactly why he felt compelled to debase himself in such a fashion? Listen carefully at 28 seconds.Read below the fold...
Sweet Jeebus, the Christianists are wierd. But give 'em credit: They know how to work from delusional assumptions to an utterly crazed conclusion. AP:
[The Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr.], president of the leading Southern Baptist seminary has incurred sharp attacks from both the left and right by suggesting that a biological basis for homosexuality may be proven, and that prenatal treatment to reverse gay orientation would be biblically justified.
Well, I'm glad that matter has been given prayerful consideration, and settled. Read below the fold...
It was a rather serious White House press briefing, consumed with questions about Iraq and Iran. Press Secretary Tony Snow went so far as to say that those who are saying that the alleged evidence of Iranian weapons killing Americans is overhyped are themselves guilty of "overhyping" the Iranian crisis, for political gain.
Kristol. Wow, just when I thought I'd seen everything. You know, applying the "wingers always project onto others what they really think and feel" rule, it's increasingly clear that Kristol is more than just a neocon, he's an outright facist.
Don't worry Bill. When the revolution comes, I'll give you to my grandmother. She's too old to whip you very hard. Read below the fold...
...took a shot at Democrats who say the United States must bring some troops home within four to six months.
"I believe these individuals... have a responsibility to tell us what they believe are the consequences of withdrawal in Iraq," he said. "If we walk away from Iraq, we'll be back, possibly in the context of a wider war in the world's most volatile region."
That does sound like a big responsibility. Unlike, say, being one of Operation Pandora's biggest cheerleaders. Read below the fold...
