Helpful -- Oops

A retraction.

Okay, so having kids doesn't really make you stupid...I guess I should have realized that, since the source of the site says:

The Hoosier Gazette was created by a couple of guys who thought it would be fun to create a website that uses both real and fictional news stories to provide a humorous look at life and culture in the state of Indiana.

On the bright side, I have been offered positions in the Defense Department and CBS News. Apparently, they love my attention to detail. Woo hoo!

Interesting - What it's all about

Words and excuses meet incompetence, chaos and death. That's what this election is about.

By the way, I know all I've been posting lately has been Iraq stuff. It's heavy on my mind. My friend, Phil Bohnenkamp, has been deployed to Iraq and just arrived there this week. Mercy--

Helpful -- Kerry speaks out on Iraq

Speech to the National Guard.

Freaking Scary -- Status in Iraq

Iraq is central to the war on terror, right? So How's it going so far?

We're thinking about you, Phil.

Be Helpful -- Give money

American Red Cross - Credit Card Contribution

Interesting -- Who's leading?

Here's the latest.

Helpful -- The catch phrase

Voting for Kerry is voting against the Excuse Presidency.

Repeat it often. Excuses, excuses. 1,000 soldiers die -- not our fault, we couldn't trust a madman, ya know? The third tax cut doesn't create 2.8 million jobs? Must have been because of 9/11. 45 million have no healthcare? It's because of greedy trial lawyers.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

The memo "Bin Laden Determined to Attack U.S." didn't seem that important.

I was on vacation.

Excuse Presidency. Get used to hearing it and saying it, friends. Because in 7 weeks, it'll be over.

Interesting - The H2 is for chumps

Why drive a Hummer when you can drive this?

Helpful

Never forget.

Interesting -- Jr. Vs. The Son

These campaign ads are getting really nasty.

Very helpful -- a guide to music downloading

I love flowcharts.

Interesting -- the mask comes off

I found Indigo's secret identity!

Helpful -- Try Netflix free for one month

Just tell 'em 'ol Kuz sent ya.

Interesting - Cheney threatens America

"Vote for me or the terrorists will attack."

Is there something you aren't telling us, Dick? If anyone else was saying these things out loud, the FBI would be knocking on their door.

Oh, and as Atrios says, are we supposed to forget what happened last time we put them in power?

Helpful -- Yet more Gmail invites

Post comments here if you want one.

Helpful -- By the numbers

Many thanks to Dad K for this link.

Interesting -- A new post for Hitz

I'll let him take it from here.

Interesting -- Sorry, Josh

The cuter they are, the dumber you get.

Caveat -- this study was done in Indiana.

GAME ON

60 days to go!

I thought Bush did a good job of giving his speech. I am sure that it is a very difficult thing to be President, and that Bush honestly does care about people. In fact, these last four years have been so traumatic for him [choking up, a tear appears...] I think he needs an extended vacation. Don't you?

I don't need to link to all the fact-checking that's going on, showing that Bush's speech was full of inaccuracies and omissions (the name "bin Laden" was mentioned exactly 0 times at the convention) but I will say this:

If you're running for re-election, and the bulk of your speech is talking about what you will do, you're in trouble.

"It's been a bumpy road, but we'll get through it together" won't cut it anymore, chief.

(I+H)^7

God bless The Daily Show.

Helpful -- Who is Zell Miller?

What does he think of John Kerry?

1) That John Kerry is one of this nation's authentic heroes.

2) That "Kerry would let Paris decide when America needs defending."

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Interesting - So read it

William Saletan at Slate.

In a democracy, the commander in chief works for you. You hire him when you elect him. You watch him do the job. If he makes good decisions and serves your interests, you rehire him. If he doesn't, you fire him by voting for his opponent in the next election.

Not every country works this way. In some countries, the commander in chief builds a propaganda apparatus that equates him with the military and the nation. If you object that he's making bad decisions and disserving the national interest, you're accused of weakening the nation, undermining its security, sabotaging the commander in chief, and serving a foreign power—the very charges Miller leveled tonight against Bush's critics.

Are you prepared to become one of those countries?

When patriotism is impugned, the facts go out the window. You're not allowed to point out that Bush shifted the rationale for the Iraq war further and further from U.S. national security—from complicity in 9/11 to weapons of mass destruction to building democracy to relieving Iraqis of their dictator—without explaining why American troops and taxpayers should bear the burden. You're not allowed to point out that the longer a liberator stays, the more he looks like an occupier. You're not allowed to propose that the enormous postwar expenses Bush failed to budget for be covered by repealing his tax cuts for the wealthy instead of further indebting every American child.

If you dare to say these things, you're accused—as Kerry now stands accused by Cheney and Miller—of defaming America and refusing "to support American troops in combat." You're contrasted to a president who "is unashamed of his belief that God is not indifferent to America." You're derided, in Cheney's words, for trying to show al-Qaida "our softer side." Your Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts are no match for the vice president's five draft deferments.

Requiescat in pace

My grandmother, Charlotte Brown, died Monday night. The service will be this weekend in Philadelphia. Grandmother loved animals, family and politics. She lived with us when I was growing up, after my grandfather died in 1983.

Great lady. If you'd like to make a donation in her name, go
here.

Happy Anniversary

Big #4 #3 for Big Hitz. He, Aljustinza and I all got married within a year a couple of years of each other, and let me tell you, we are the three luckiest guys in the world. Kudos.

Update: I can't count.

Helpful - Car for sale

Buy it.