The Blog Readability Test

More fun things to do while waiting for your flight in LAX--my good friend Jackson brings us the Blog Readability Test, where you can see at which reading level your blog is. He was bummed because he's considered to be at the "Junior High" level (although he's not, he really is a good writer), but I got a higher score:

TV Reviews

Having Fun At Phil Valentine's Expense

(From the international terminal of LAX)

I used to write letters to the Tennessean fairly often, and at one point I got published around once a month. People sometimes ask me why I don't really do it anymore, and it's because I began to realize how futile it was. However, Phil Valentine's Sunday column was too easy to pick apart to NOT write a letter about it:

To the Editor:

I agree completely with Phil Valentine’s column about how the mainstream media are deliberately burying the story first broken by the National Enquirer of allegations of John Edwards’ infidelity. There have been several other stories broken by the Enquirer in the past few years that other media have completely ignored, further proving their bias.

According to what I read the last time I was in the checkout line at Publix, the Enquirer has it on good authority that President Bush has relapsed into his alcoholism and is having an affair with Condoleezza Rice, both of which have destroyed his marriage to first lady Laura Bush. I am outraged that the media have chosen to bury this sensational story.

After all, as Valentine says, it doesn’t matter whether the story is true or not, only that the allegation has been made.

Ilissa Gold Nashville 37221

Programming Update, 7-29-08

As much as I would love to stick around here for what I'm sure is going to be an exciting last few weeks of the U.S. Senate primary, the truth is that I'm due for a little relaxation before I head off to be tortured for nine months of law school.

So I'm going here, and then here, for 10 days. I'll be back in town for a few days before I leave for St. Louis.

See y'all later, when I'm nice and tan!

And The Winner Is...

I'm pleased to announce the winning caption for the new hypothetical 37221 bumper sticker:

"37221--Hey, at least we're not Antioch"

That is a fine standard to aspire to. Go Bellevue!

McCain/Romney, And Hilarity Ensues

I just noticed an almost 3,000 member Facebook group advocating for a McCain/Romney ticket. The reasons they give for Romney as VP are so hilarious and so easily shot down that I have to post them here:

1. Romney has shown that he can win Michigan and places like Minnesota, Nevada, Colorado, and some other "purple" states that could go either way in the general election.

Translation--we're going to lose those states so badly in November, we need a Mormon just to put the Western states in play.

2. Romney doesn't have any skeletons in his closet that could hurt McCain.

...as far as we know.

3. Romney could still sell his turnaround the economy strategy and McCain could say that he would let Mitt write the economic strategy.

A) Yes, because Romney's great economic plans got him so many votes during the primary.
B) Isn't this just an admission that McCain really does know nothing about the economy? That's no way to inspire confidence in a candidate.

4. They both agree at the importance of protecting America and increasing the size of our military.

Translation--scaring the crap out of the voters is pretty much all we have left now.

5. Mitt can use his very impressive fund raising machine to help McCain raise money since McCain is still very short on funds.

I'm almost positive that if you're taking public financing, you can't write yourself a huge check whenever you need to. Which is basically what Romney's "impressive fund-raising machine" consists of.

6. Romney would be a perfect candidate to strengthen the three legs of the conservative movement.

Except for that little part about how he was very liberal until he decided he wanted to run for higher office.

7. Romney will be a very strong candidate to succeed McCain after McCain serves one term.

Oh yeah, that is a great way to inspire voters. "Vote for McCain, he'll be dead in four years anyway!"

8. Romney seen as tough on immigration and McCain can use that to his advantage.

Another admission that McCain is weak with the conservative base.

On second thought, after reading all of this...Romney for Vice-President! Bring it on!

Git-R-Done!

I'm not normally one to run after celebrities to have my picture taken, but this was too good to pass up. We were having dinner at the Capitol Grille, so someone dressed in a manner like Larry the Cable Guy was sure to stick out:



His accent isn't as thick as he does it on TV (he's from Nebraska I believe), but certainly one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

The Knoxville Church Shooter's Motives

I was afraid of this the moment I heard that it was a Unitarian church that got shot up in Knoxville:

Jim D. Adkisson, 58, of Powell wrote a four-page letter in which he described his feelings and why he committed the shooting, Owen said.

Adkisson said he was frustrated about not being able to obtain a job and how much he hated the liberal movement, Owen said.

R. Neal of Knoxviews has more details about the letter from his live-blog of the press conference:

Stated he was targeting liberals in general, and gays.

Appears he chose this church intentionally.

Investigating as a hate crime. FBI involved.

Appears he had been plotting action for a week or so.

Letter recovered from his vehicle in the parking lot of the church. Black 2004 Ford Escape.

Church had received publicity regarding its liberal stance, believe this is one of the reasons it was targeted.

I'm waiting for two things now--for a conservative idiot to say that this could have all been avoided if not for stupid gun-control laws against carrying guns in church, and for the announcement that Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Cult are going to picket the victims' funerals.

My heart breaks for the victims' families and for the congregation, but it also breaks with the knowledge that we're about to repeat this insane cycle once more in this state. I'm well aware that something like this could have happened anywhere, but it certainly doesn't make me feel any worse about moving away next month.

Ooookay Then

John McCain's campaign would like you to know that John McCain does not speak for John McCain:

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, McCain’s chief economic adviser, says the numbers he provided to the TPC aren’t secret—they’re the same ones he provides to anyone who asks. He also disputes the way the study takes suggestions McCain has made on the stump out of context. “This is parsing words out of campaign appearances to an unreasonable degree,” Holtz-Eakin said. “He has certainly I’m sure said things in town halls” that don’t jibe perfectly with his written plan. But that doesn’t mean it’s official.

But don't you dare tell the media that John McCain is completely and utterly out of his mind, they'll just accuse you of attacking his integrity.

When I Was Your Age

Right now I'm in Hendersonville, North Carolina, visiting my little brother who's working at our old summer camp. It's a Jewish camp, so when we got in last night, we joined my brother and his campers for Shabbat dinner and services. Services at camp are the best Shabbat services you'll ever go to--it's an open-air chapel and there's a lot of songs. During the whole thing, my dad asked me if they still sing one particular camp song ("We're at Camp Blue Star, have a banana!"...don't ask).

It occurred to me that the song was our main camp song during my first year of camp, when I was 7 years old. This would have been back in 1993. As I looked around the chapel, I realized that the oldest kids in there were 13 and 14. Therefore, we were singing that particular camp song before most of those kids were even born.

And that made me feel really, really, fucking old.

Also, in MY day, when I was their age, girls wore skirts on Friday nights at camp. We sure as hell were not allowed to wear blue jeans. Kids these days.

Feel Good Friday--Affirmation Edition

Sometimes I get kind of down about my body. I do my best to eat healthy and stay active, but my genes work against me. But whenever I'm feeling unattractive, I just have to remember one thing--Freddie Mercury and Sir Mix-A-Lot like me just the way I am, and I don't need any more affirmation than that.

Why Mike Padgett Just Lost Me

Normally, I'm the first one in line to go vote when the polls open for early voting. This year, I haven't done so yet (although I will this afternoon if I get off from work in time). It's not just because of the lack of high-profile races, it's also because I couldn't get particularly excited about any of the Democratic Senate candidates. Politically I was more in tune with Bob Tuke, but I got annoyed as his emphasis on his military service began to sound less like a virtue and more like a gimmick. I had more disagreements with Mike Padgett, but I appreciated his ground game and his ability to pull in East Tennessee voters. And Kenneth Eaton...well, his press releases always brighten up my day.

I wasn't 100% decided either way. But with this afternoon's presser about energy, Padgett effectively lost me:

Padgett also said that his leading Democratic opponent, Nashville lawyer Bob Tuke, lacks a sense of the practical when it comes to the problem of energy.

“Bob has turned a blind eye to drilling off American shores, but this is one piece – among many – that needs to be on the table. He is marching in lockstep with the most liberal wing of the Democratic Party, which refused last week to consider drilling off the coast of states that agree to the idea.

“That is not what Tennesseans want in a senator, and it’s not what will beat Senator Alexander in November.

“I say, why not use drilling as a bargaining chip? Support a bill to allow responsible drilling off the coast of states that want to do so – with a caveat: The bill also must eliminate the tax subsidies currently going to the gas and oil industry. Let’s see how serious the Republicans are about finding solutions.”

First of all, "most liberal wing of the Democratic Party"? Who does Padgett think he is, Harold Ford? I want to vote for a Democrat who's going to, well, be a Democrat, not one who uses right-wing talking points to bash other Democrats. Look at Padgett's fellow "Appalachian Democrat" Jim Webb. You can be a conservative Democrat and still be a proud Democrat. The last thing we need right now are DINOs who will capitulate to the Republicans in the name of some false "bipartisanship".

Second, if he wants to drill off our coasts, fine. Tell the oil companies to drill the almost 70 million acres that are currently open for drilling and already leased out but are not yet being drilled. The oil companies don't want more areas open for drilling because they're so concerned with bringing the price down, they just want to have that option in the future. By not acknowledging that fact, Padgett is playing right into the Republicans' trap. And no, of course they're not going to agree to end the tax subsidies to oil companies. They'll filibuster that part of the deal and then blame the Democrats for refusing to cooperate. THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. And if Padgett doesn't understand that, it makes me wonder if he'd even last five minutes in Washington.

So, I guess you can count this as my endorsement of Bob Tuke for Senate, even though I'm not exactly thrilled about it.

Happy First Blogiversary!

I thought about this earlier in the week, but I just remembered that I launched this blog on July 24, 2007, meaning that today is my first blogiversary!

It's been a crazy ride. I originally started doing this simply as a way to argue for Karl Dean during the mayor's race, as so many of the other progressives seemed to be backing David Briley. But I had no idea what would happen after that race was over. I remember sitting down at my computer on September 12 of last year, the day after the runoff, and thinking to myself "OK, now what?" But I never ran out of stuff to talk about, and having a space to vent was unbelievably cathartic during an admittedly weird last year of college.

I don't know what's going to happen once I get to law school. I've already accepted the fact that I will have no social life for the next nine months. But I'll do my best to keep up with this when I can.

In the meantime, I think the fact that I've actually stayed committed to a project for an entire year calls for a celebration. Come join me at Drinking Liberally tonight, 6:00 at Flying Saucer (if you're going to the Metro Planning Commission meeting, come later; it always goes on for a few hours). I need to socialize while I still have time!

News To Make Joe Lieberman's Head Explode

Some very excellent news from Obama after his trip to Israel, via Huffington Post:

When asked "who would you rather see elected as the next president of the United States," Obama bested John McCain by a 37-28 margin. While far from a decisive advantage -- 35 percent of Israelis chose "no preference" or some other answer -- the poll reflects a notably different state of affairs from previous surveys, which generally showed McCain with a large advantage over Obama.

Even worse news for McCain:

Obama's competitiveness spanned the political spectrum across Israel's top three parties. The Illinois Democrat trounced McCain among Israel's most liberal voters, who belong to the Labor Party (44-6), tied among more right-wing Likud voters (28-28), and held a slight edge among sympathizers of the Kadima Party, which is led by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (40-32).

See? Even Israeli right-wingers don't think that McCain is a true conservative (/snark).

Now, of course polls in other countries don't hold all that much meaning for the way the results will come out here. However, if a majority of Israelis don't think that Obama is going to sell them up the river, then why should American Jews feel that way?

The Republicans have tried to scare American Jews over Obama, and it's simply not working. Earlier this week, one of Bush's most prominent Jewish backers in 2004, American Jewish Congress chairman Jack Rosen, told the Jerusalem Post that he is supporting Obama. What polls in Israel say about Obama may not matter directly, but what he has accomplished during this trip will have a lasting impact.

And so will this:

My Nashville Badge Of Honor

I've been submitting entries to the contest for years, but today I feel as if I can finally say that I am, in fact, so Nashville.

Since getting my driver's license at age 16, I've driven on at least some part of Highway 100 in Bellevue/Belle Meade almost every day of my life (at least when I'm home). The speed limit on Highway 100 is 45 mph, but if you drive at that speed, you'll be killed. You'll be run right off the road. As such, Highway 100 between Old Hickory and Harding Road is basically a three-mile long speed trap. I know so many people who have been pulled over driving there, but I never have before.

Until today!

Today, I have my Nashville badge of honor, a speeding ticket from Highway 100! I'm actually kind of amused by it, and relieved that you can do traffic school online now rather than having to go in.

Everyone else, if you're planning on driving on Highway 100 today, just know that it's near the end of the month and the cops need to make quota. The speed trap is at the entrance to Edwin Warner Park right across from the railroad crossing at Vaughn's Gap.

Download This Song Now!

"Sly Fox" by Nas, quite possibly the most beautiful smackdown of Fox News you'll ever see. He just performed it on Colbert, and here's another live performance of the song:

Is John Hagee Moses?

Yeah, I know that Joe Lieberman is a credible source on this subject because he probably is old enough to remember the Exodus, but still:

Lieberman again drew a parallel between Hagee and biblical figures, this time saying biblical heroes, unlike the demigods of Greek mythology, “are humans — great humans, but with human failings.” Lieberman said that Moses had his shortcomings, too.

“Dear friends, I can only imagine what the bloggers of today would have had to say about Moses and Miriam.”

Actually, if bloggers were the worst that Moses had to deal with, the Exodus probably would have gone a lot more smoothly than it did. If you've ever read the Bible (and I'm guessing Lieberman probably hasn't in awhile), then you'd know that the Children of Israel did nothing but bitch and whine and threaten to return to Egypt for pretty much the entire forty-year span. Hagee and Lieberman only have to deal with anonymous bloggers, Moses had to take the criticism in person.

She Wasn't Talking About Shimon Peres

Quote of the day, from Obama's meeting with President Shimon Peres during his stop in Israel:

After Obama huddled with Peres, a female aide to the president emerged from the room and was overheard gasping, "Eizeh Khatikh" — "What a hunk!"

That's not why I'm voting for him, but I certainly concur.

Jewish Young Professionals For Obama

If you're going to be in the New York City area on Thursday, July 24, you can attend the kickoff party for Jewish Young Professionals for Obama. It will take place at Ultra Lounge on 37 West 26th Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway) from 7-10 p.m. The suggested donation is $36.

The Facebook link

The MyBo link (register here)

One of the organizers of the event is my cousin. I really wish I could be there this weekend!

All My Rowdy Friends Are Here On Tuesday Night

The Obama campaign posted a video earlier today of some of the Obama supporters who were present at Netroots Nation. Several of my good friends on Daily Kos are featured, so check it out!

The 37221 Bumper Sticker

Ever since I first saw East Nashville's 37206 bumper stickers ("37206--We'll steal your heart and your lawnmower" and "37206--Over the river and through the 'hood"), I've been trying to come up with a bumper sticker that would perfectly capture the spirit of 37221, Bellevue. It's hard though, because Bellevue is very sprawled out and doesn't have an identity that's easy to pin down. All we do now is watch new condo developments go up and pray that they do SOMETHING with the mall.

On my way to work today, I think I came up with a winner though. I thought to myself, "Self, what's the biggest issue facing Bellevue right now?" There are certainly several issues, but certainly the most newsworthy item is the actions of Bellevue Metro Councilman Eric Crafton, and his obsessive pursuit to force all the immigrants to speak English (although he has problems with the language himself). Therefore, I think the 37221 bumper sticker should read:

37221--We speek English reel gud.

If anyone has any better ideas, let me know.

Aw, Poor Babies

According to the Washington Post, young Republicans are feeling a disconnect from their party, and are not optimistic for their chances in 2008:

"For me, I don't even know what that [Reagan] means," All says. "The Republicans are sort of talking down to Gen-Nexters, not bringing them in."

"You don't hear Barack Obama going around saying, 'I'm John F. Kennedy.' He's saying, 'I'm Barack Obama,' " All says. "There's a reason for that. He's inspiring an entire generation, and it's a generation that's trying to change the world in 160 characters or less through text messages."

And John McCain? His campaign has never sent All a text message, he complains. It's the little things like that, along with poor communication on the big issues such as Iraq and the economy, that have caused the GOP brand to slip with younger Americans, even as they have grown more political.

This is certainly a reversal from what I thought to be true. I've always perceived the Republicans as being better than the Democrats at identifying young activists and nurturing them, easily fitting them into the fold. Young people who identify as Republicans may be less than those who identify as Democrats, but the young Republicans do seem to be more committed as a whole.

But I guess all of that has fallen by the wayside now that the GOP is in a downward spiral and the attitude becomes one of "every man for himself."

Not that I'm complaining.

Musings On The Media

At Netroots Nation, there were many calls for media reform. We discussed how the corporate conglomerates that own major media outlets are more concerned with promoting sensationalism or maintaining a false picture of "balance" than with actually reporting truthful news. It got me thinking about our media outlets in Nashville, and how much we lack.

Our main newspaper, the Tennessean, is total fluff that barely displays any real "local" news. Their editorials are generally truthful and thoughtful, but they feel the need to "balance" it with the most ugly and hateful of conservative syndicated columnists. Other than that, the main news stories are just reprints from the AP and Reuters that I could easily read online. I do still read the Tennessean for the sports and the comics, but I could get those online as well.

I generally like the City Paper. I don't think it's "conservative" so much as it is pro-business. I disagree with Clint Brewer sometimes but I think his heart is in the right place. And Rex Noseworthy is always a good read. The problem with the City Paper is that a) it only runs a few times a week and b) its focus is probably too narrow to bring news like this to the masses. I personally appreciate this narrow focus, but the City Paper is still too small to serve as an effective local mass-media outlet.

And then there's the Nashville Scene.

There's no doubt that the Scene has produced some of the most hard-hitting, in-depth local stories you'll find anywhere. I remember reading Elizabeth Ulrich's series about sex abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention a few months ago, and being moved and outraged. It was a quality work of journalism, one that you certainly wouldn't see in the Tennessean.

But lately, the Scene is starting to read like a parody of itself. You know how the Tennessee Guerilla Women now sound like a right-wing parody of "femi-nazis"? That's what I feel like the Scene sounds like sometimes. Yes, Jeff Woods and Matt Pulle, we get the point--Waller Lansden is the face of pure and unrelenting evil, and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce contaminates anything it comes into contact with. I'm glad they're calling attention to these groups' potential influence on our political system, but it's becoming quite obsessive. And while I'm sure it would be better for their consciences if we got rid of the Predators and turned the Sommet Center into one massive homeless shelter, I'm not sure it would necessarily be better for the city as a whole.

So I really don't know what the answer is. We've got three print media outlets that all bring something to the table, but all of whom have serious flaws.

Clearly, There's A Pattern

2007 in Chicago:



2008 in Austin:

Harold Ford At Netroots Nation--The Full Video

After six hours of uploading, here is the full 37 minute long video (it was technically longer but I didn't film the Q&A because I went to get in line) of Harold Ford Jr. and Markos Moulitsas at Netroots Nation. Thanks to the commenter "Josh" for the suggestion to upload it to Veoh instead of YouTube.

Also, I apologize in advance for the video quality. The lighting in the room was HORRIBLE, and so Markos looks like a ghost for the first few minutes until I found a better angle. I also apologize if this is incredibly shaky. But if nothing else, the sound should be ok.


Online Videos by Veoh.com

The Sunday Liberal Blog Roundup, 7-20-08

The "Fahrvergnügen because it's a funny word" edition of the Tennessee progressive blog roundup with a look at what the best Tennessee bloggers are talking about this week

• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Fahrvergn¸gen! (a comprehensive roundup of VW Chattanooga news)

• Andy Axel: Bait and Switch

• Tiny Cat Pants: As we all know, Bill Hobbs is on his great crusade to defund Planned Parenthood and instead move all that money into government-run services, because the TNGOP loves government-run healthcare, except when itís proposed by Democrats.

• BlountViews: Finney or Overbey? Who does a progressive support? PLUS: Lazy election coverage

• Carole Borges: New Yorker loses its sense of humor

• The Crone Speaks: It seems that when doctors themselves stop accepting insurance, their patients get better care at a more reasonable cost.

• Cup Of Joe Powell: A blistering editorial on 1st District Congressman David Davis by the Editorial Board of the Bristol Herald Courier is out today and makes some excellent points: BONUS: Coffee War AND: Camera Obscura: Batmania (and more)

• Don Williams: Al Goreís daring challenge -- an ëApollo programí to save the Earth

• Tennessee Democratic Party Blog: The Associated Press released an article today explaining how a 30% increase in voter turnout for Obama in the black community could swing the South, including Tennessee, into the blue column.

• Enclave: It's clear to me from this research that if you want a stronger economy that includes job creation, you have to run with Democratic Presidents. All of the conservative campaign rhetoric that moderate-leaning-left administrations will destroy American jobs is unsubstantiated in this research.

• Fletch: Seagull Contrail PLUS: Still Life

• KnoxViews: You can look up your bank or credit union at the following links to a) make sure they are insured, and b) check their financial statements and ratio reports, which are a quick snapshot of their performance. PLUS: John McCain posting on his blog. AND: Clinton (and Edwards) should be on the ballot in Denver

• Lean Left: Massachusetts is now in the process of repealing the racist and obsolete law that Mitt Romney invoked to continue to limit marriage rights for gays after the state legislature removed the overt bar to marriage in the law.

• Left Wing Cracker: Endorsements

• Liberadio(!): Leave Robin Smith Alone!

• NewsComa: Stewart Byars

• The Pesky Fly: Atrios wonders why the image of the burning twin towers is seen by Republicans as a powerful image of their strength and resolve.

• Progressive Nashville: Tennessee could save nearly six dollars in health care costs for every dollar spent on prevention according to a new study by the Trust for American Health. PLUS: Glass Houses AND: TNGOP Declares Victory in Iraq

• Resonance:: What will it take to instill in our elected leaders a sufficient sense of urgency to act? $160/barrel oil? $180? $200? Whatever it is, it will come too late.

• RoaneViews: Lincoln's Republican opponent, Whatshisname, doesn't live in our district and won't be our next Congressman.

• Russ McBee: Not surprisingly, the EPA intends to stonewall the issue long enough to avoid taking any action until after Bush leaves office; nevertheless, it's astonishing that the EPA has finally dropped its hostility to nearly universal scientific consensus. PLUS: The phantom promise of offshore drilling

• Nashville for the 21st Century: Congress-stakes: If A) Obama wins, and B) he offers Cooper a cabinet position, and C) he accepts...who would run for the open seat? I'll throw out some potential candidates, and follow with a poll. PLUS: Will Pelosi and Dean Block Hillary at Convention?: The DNC can't and won't change the rules so that only Barack Obama's name can be thrown out there.

• Sharoncobb: Oh. You Have To See/Hear What Larry Craig Just Said: Oh Dear Lord. No one could make this stuff up. Here's what Larry Craig just said, and it's captured on tape:

• Silence Isn't Golden: Netroots Nation dispatches here, here, here, and here. BONUS: You are so Nashville if...

• Southern Beale: Okay, kids, itís time for that wacky new game: Elitist: Yes or No? PLUS: Memory Holes

• TennViews: Voters say more focus needed on children's issues PLUS: Tennessee Senate 8th

• WhitesCreek Journal: Republican Chair Robin Smith is a symptom of what is so wrong with our political process. There is a deep dishonesty in her half of the process and a willingness to let it slide on the part of most news media, and a massive double standard that examines Democratic candidates in minute detail but lets republican candidates get by with slanderous conduct. PLUS: Species Count for Whites Creek

• Womenís Health News: HHS Attempts to Define Contraception as Abortion PLUS: Open letter to Obama:: Iíd also like a pledge to not put anti-science, anti-woman yahoos in charge of, you know, science and women.

Technical Difficulties

I'm having trouble getting the video of Harold Ford at Netroots Nation online right now. The video is around 37 minutes long, which means I have to splice it in order to upload to YouTube. But it's an AVI file, which means that iMovie on my new Mac doesn't recognize it, and the software from the camera is going crazy. So it may have to wait until Sunday when I can get on a PC.

In the meantime, I had two issues with Ford's speech. First, he still doesn't quite get that the netroots isn't a "top-down" organization with people like Markos giving orders from on high. There are no "standards" that the netroots can set for candidates to follow. Second, he did say something about FISA at one point that annoyed me (although it equally annoyed me that all of the questions were about that). He said that the people we should really be directing our anger at are the people in the Justice Department who told the telecom companies to go along with the wiretapping. No argument there, but if the telecoms knew it was illegal, they should be held accountable as well. Otherwise, it seems like he's advocating pointing the finger rather than taking responsibility for one's actions.

But no, no member of the Ford family would EVER do something like that, would they?

Harold Ford At Netroots Nation--The Prelude

I filmed most of the discussion between Harold Ford and Markos Moulitsas at Netroots Nation. I don't have time right now to get the whole thing posted to YouTube (it's likely going to have to go in multiple parts), but I will give a teaser.

I had a great question to ask Harold Ford. I was going to get up there and tell him that I was an intern of his during the campaign. He kept referencing Phil Bredesen as an example of a conservative Southern Democrat who won overwhelmingly. I wanted to ask, in that case, why he thinks Bredesen won and he lost--after all, he ran as a similar type of conservative Democrat, and it couldn't have JUST been the "Hey Harold, call me" ad that caused him to lose.

But I couldn't ask my question. I was at the front of the line when they announced they were out of time. The five people who had asked questions before me had all asked quite possibly the most long-winded questions possible. Most of them were about FISA.

That wasn't the point of the discussion though. It was about the future of the Democratic Party, something that my question pertained too. Yet all anyone wanted to talk about was FISA, FISA, FISA. You know what? Fuck FISA. That may sound harsh and uncaring, but it wasn't the point of the discussion!

I was allowed behind the barrier after the speech was finished. Ford was in a hurry to get out of there, so I didn't get to ask my question then. I just had time to ask "Are you going to run for Governor in 2010?" He just said "I'm not sure." It didn't sound like he was leaning against it though.

I'm glad I got to ask that at least, but I'm still mad that everyone else spoke for too long and that I didn't get to ask my question. Maybe I'm just being whiny, but if you're given a chance to speak in a huge forum like this, why must you give your entire life story and political manifesto before asking the damn question?

Sometimes I really hate bloggers.

Feel Good Friday--Bush Edition

No, not George Bush, the better kind of Bush (and no, not THAT either. Get your mind out of the gutter).

Ahmadinejad Has A Wide Stance

Larry Craig, with quite possibly the greatest Freudian slip of all time:



Not only that, did he also say "the Irans" in place of "the Iranians"? He and John McCain ought to take a trip to Czechoslovakia together.

(H/t Kleinheider)

BREAKING: Jews Are Normal Americans, Not Single-Issue Voters

I just came from the Jewish Caucus here at Netroots Nation, where we had a representative from pro-peace pro-Israel organization J Street speak to us. J Street recently commissioned a poll from Gerstein Agne concerning American Jewish political attitudes. The findings are sure to disappoint those who want to make Jews into single-issue voters who follow a hard line when it comes to Israel.

The first question:

Q.6 Generally speaking, do you think that things in this country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?

Right direction 10
Wrong track 90

No surprise there. It's the next question where things get interesting:

Q.7 Below is a list of issues facing our country today. Please mark which TWO of these issues are the most important for you in deciding your vote for President and Congress this November.

The economy 55
War in Iraq 33
Health care 21
Terrorism and national security 21
Energy 15
The environment 12
Israel 8
Illegal immigration 8
Social Security and Medicare 7
Taxes 6
Separation between religion and state 6
Education 5
Abortion 2

Only 8% of American Jews define Israel as one of their top 2 issues in this election. What are the biggest ones? The economy and the war in Iraq. Gee, just like everyone else! American Jews obviously care about Israel, but it's not a single-issue situation to most people (and oddly enough, Orthodox respondants made up 8% of the survey as well. You have to figure that it's fairly correlative).

Moving on, we see that 83% of American Jews disapprove of Dubya's job as President, 79% disapprove of his handling of the war in Iraq, and 71% disapprove of his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

When asked to rank their feelings on certain politicians or organizations (with 0 being the lowest and 100 being the highest), Obama had a mean score of 57.8, compared with 39.5 for McCain and 24.8 for Bush. Joe Lieberman gets only a slightly higher score than McCain at 41.7. The Democratic Party has a score of 55.3, compared to 29.4 for the Republican Party. AIPAC has a relatively high score at 56.0, while Christian Zionists get 31.5 (however, that number falls to 22.2 when the question is rephrased as "Right-wing" Christian Zionists).

As far as the breakdown between the candidates goes,

Q.26 It is a long way off, but thinking about the election for president in November, if the election were held today, for whom would you vote -- Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain?

Barack Obama 58
Lean Barack Obama 4
John McCain 29
Lean John McCain 3
Other candidate 4
Lean Other candidate 2
Undecided/Refused 0

Total Barack Obama 62
Total John McCain 32
Total Other candidate 6

These numbers are actually very consistent with previous polling done on the subject, indicating that at the very least, the Republican attempts to smear Obama aren't working any better now than they worked in April. McCain hasn't made any inroads with Jewish voters beyond the ones who always vote Republican, plus some old folks in Boca Raton and West Palm.

One last very important group of questions, on the subject of Israel.

Q.29 Now, something different. Do you support or oppose the United States playing an active role in helping the parties to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict?

Strongly support 48
Somewhat support 40
Somewhat oppose 7
Strongly oppose 5

Total Support 87
Total Oppose 13

Q.30 (IF SUPPORT ACTIVE ROLE) Would you support or oppose the United States playing an active role in helping the parties to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict if it meant the United States publicly stating its disagreements with both the Israelis and the Arabs?

Strongly support 41
Somewhat support 45
Somewhat oppose 11
Strongly oppose 3

Total Support 86
Total Oppose 14

Q.31 (IF SUPPORT ACTIVE ROLE) Would you support or oppose the United States playing an active role in helping the parties to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict if it meant the United States exerting pressure on both the Israelis and Arabs to make the compromises necessary to achieve peace?

Strongly support 39
Somewhat support 41
Somewhat oppose 13
Strongly oppose 6

Total Support 81
Total Oppose 19

The vast majority of American Jews want to see a real, peaceful solution to the problem, and want an American president who will put pressure on BOTH sides to compromise. It seems to me that one of the best ways that Obama could shore up Jewish support is to continue what he's doing now, to continue tying McCain to Bush. I'm eager to see what happens next week when he visits Israel.

FRCR At Netroots Nation

Nashville campaign consulting firm Fletcher Rowley Chao Riddle is listed as one of the sponsors for the Netroots Nation conference, which I'm at right now. They put a DVD of the services they offer in the bags we got when we registered.

It does strike me as somewhat strange that they're involved with this, considering that this group tends to be AGAINST the whole notion of consultant-driven campaigns, ones that make the candidates to conform to focus groups rather than allowing candidates to be who they really are.

Oh Southwest Airlines, How Do I Love Thee?

I've been on some nice airlines and some nice airplanes in my time. Flying business class on Emirates Air to Dubai was almost as much of an experience as Dubai itself.

But Southwest Airlines, you will always be my #1.

I love that you fly direct to Austin from Nashville, even though neither city is exactly a major destination. I love that I didn't have to pay to check my bag curbside. Hell, I love that I didn't have to pay to check my bag, period. I love how you locked in the price you pay for gas last year so that today you don't have to raise your fares through the roof. I love how I'll still get a bag of peanuts on the flight.

Thank you, Southwest Airlines, for being you.

However, I must say that I don't particularly love this new numbered system of boarding. It used to be that if you made the effort to show up to the airport four hours early and park yourself outside the gate the whole time, then it was your God-given right to get an exit-row seat. Now it all depends on how fast you click the night before the flight.

One other thing--I haven't flown through the C-terminal in the Nashville airport in several months (U.S. Scareways goes into "B"), and I am very glad to see that our airport is starting to look at least slightly less embarrassing.

You Are So Nashville If 2008

I got in four this year! You're so Nashville if...

...Your airport doesn't have free wi-fi, but your nail salon does (this occurred to me while getting a pedicure at Venetian Nail Salon in Green Hills a few months ago. I can check my email on my phone from there with no problems, yet I'm paying for my Internet right now as I wait for my flight to Austin!)

...Bill Hobbs has called you anti-Semitic.

...You'll trust your vote to a computer but would rather have Ping-Pong balls for your lottery numbers.

...You have to pose as a liquor lobbyist to get your state representative's attention (which the Scene put under the "Brileys" category, even though I had intended that as a reference to the wine bill. Hey, I guess it works that way too)

Overall, they were all hilarious this year. I liked the winning entry from this year a lot...last year's about Kenny Chesney reading Out and About in Kroger was more mean than funny. However, I must say that I think the Ronnie Steine jokes are getting old.

I think my personal favorite one was actually from the Weirdies category:

You overhear a local at the airport say, “Look, Amish!” and point to a group of Hasidic Jews.

You stick around this town long enough and you soon realize that's not so weird after all.

In Defense Of John McCain

Everyone needs to stop making fun of John McCain for discussing the problems facing the nation of Czechoslovakia. It really is a serious situation, and I'm glad to see that McCain bringing attention to this important issue.

The truth is, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has been weakening from within for sometime now. Not only do they face internal threats from controlling a large, disparate group of nations, they also face external threats from the Kaiser in Germany and the Czar in Russia. The Hapsburgs are quickly losing their grip on Bohemia.

It's not just Germany and Russia though. Who knows what tricks the Ottoman Empire has up their sleeves? It is entirely possible that the entire world could be forced into a Great War.

The United States has reason to be concerned with the situation in Asia and the Near East as well. There is increasing resistance to British influence in places like Palestine, threatening the Empire's economy and stability. If I were them, I'd be concerned about Persia and Siam as well.

McCain understands all of this. His service in French Indochina makes him uniquely qualified to understand America's problems with nations that no longer exist.

BREAKING: Obama Has Yet To Walk On Water

According to the New York Times, Obama has not healed race relations in this country.

You see, a one year Presidential campaign should have been sufficient to heal the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. It should have been enough for millions of people to overcome their prejudices. Every disadvantage that African-Americans face should have been removed.

But they haven't. And clearly, that means that Barack Obama is a complete and utter failure as a human being. His campaign has not yet completely healed race relations in the U.S., and therefore he has not lived up to his message of "change". It is all Obama's fault that race relations have not improved during the Bush presidency.

We'll just chalk this up to his long list of failures. He hasn't yet walked on water. He hasn't turned water into wine. He hasn't cured any lepers. And he also hasn't bought me a pair of Manolos. He said he would bring us change, well I need to change my shoes!

(To anyone at the New Yorker who might be reading this--I will be submitting my resume shortly)

So Who's Going To Netroots Nation?

This time tomorrow night, I'll be in Austin, Texas for Netroots Nation, the conference formerly known as YearlyKos. I'll be meeting with my fellow Democratic activists as we gear up for the general election.

Here's what I want to know--is anyone else from Tennessee going? Let me know, we should all meet up at some point.

Anonymous Republican FAIL

I went out to get the mail this afternoon, and noticed on top of the pile was an envelope that just said "Gold" on the front. Upon opening it, we found a small typed note that appears to be a response to our Obama sign out front. I don't have a scanner but I'm typing it as is. You can't make this shit up:

"To all you Democrats, when you go vote for your candidate, a blazing liberal like Barrack Hussein Obama or Hillary Clinton, just keep in mind that their liberal spending habits will further decrease the value of the American dollar on the world market and your gasoline costs will hike even higher. As they introduce more give-away programs, raise taxes on everyone to pay people not to produce or work, your dollar will continue to dwindle on the world market and you will be paying $10 per gallon at the next election. Cheap hydrocarbon fuel is all over. Enjoy! Enjoy the fruits of your decision to elect these folks when you are there in that voting booth and you stab your pin through a Democrat's"

...and that's where it ends.

Spell-check FAIL. Grammar FAIL. Page break FAIL.

Logic COMPLETELY FAIL.

Never mind the fact that Bush has already done everything in this note, that's not the point. To try and explain that to whomever put this in our mailbox would be an exercise in futility. And never mind the fact that Hillary isn't even in the race anymore, have these people been under a rock for the last month?

However, it is another interesting example of how scared Obama has these wingnuts. Notice that there was not a word in this note about John McCain or why conservatism works better. No, because they know that from their perspective, they're caught between a rock and a hard place. It's always nice to know that while you love your candidate, your opposition so hates their's that they have to result to threatening their neighbors. And threaten them anonymously, because they're too chickenshit to attach their names to anything like this.

I have a feeling it was one of the neighbors. It would have to be someone who a) is in our neighborhood enough to see it and b) knows the last name of the family in that particular house.

What we may do, to REALLY piss them off, is put my mom's old Hillary Clinton sign (what they had up before I got back from school) back up next to the Obama sign. That ought to make a few heads explode.

The Free Market Is The Democrats' Fault

As long as we're on the subject of the Budweiser sale to InBev, I've discovered that apparently the free market is all the fault of the lib'rul Democrats.

Our old friends over at TennesseeFree are not happy about the sale of Budweiser, and they know exactly who's to blame for it:

The Unions. And Barack Obama. Probably reason enough that the Company decided to get out while the getting’s good. Because there’s no friendliness from Baracky towards Big Bidness; nothing but increased taxes.

Look for more U.S. companies to pull out.

Thanks, Democrats.

A couple of quibbles with this line of argument:

1. Anheuser-Busch has been around for quite a long time. A-B was founded in 1852, and the first American form of Budweiser was sold in 1876. They've lasted through many different Presidents, and I highly doubt their union was organized yesterday. Presumably, they've been through many ups and downs, through many periods of economic upturns and downturns, and they didn't sell out. So it must be something particularly bad about the current economic times that left them with no choice, which leads us to Quibble #2

2. The line "while the getting's good." That's the rub, is it not? The getting is most certainly not good right now, in particular with the value of the dollar vis a vis the euro. It's really easy for a Belgian based company to walk in and buy out Budweiser when the currency under which Budweiser operates has lost a third of its value in comparison to the currency under which InBev operates.

And who's to blame for the weak dollar? Is Barack Obama really so influential now that he can cause the dollar to go up and down even before setting foot in the White House? Was the dollar running perfectly strong until he came along, and the very threat of a Democratic President caused it to crash?

Folks, the dollar is crashing because we're borrowing billions from the Chinese in order to fund the war in Iraq. Obama had nothing to do with that. That was all George W. Bush. Conservatives, you have no one to blame but yourselves for creating the conditions that made it so easy for InBev to buy Budweiser.

And don't forget, the woman whom you would have become First Lady is set to make a killing off of this deal.

3. Is it really the end of the world if A-B is not strictly in American hands? Another company came along and offered the shareholders a plum deal, and they accepted it. Is that not what we call...capitalism? Isn't this just an exercise in free market economics? Yes, the consequences are painful, but doesn't capitalism ultimately work for the best in the end?

Unless you conservatives are suggesting that companies shouldn't seek to maximize profits if it sometimes leads to negative consequences, in which case, what kind of Commies are you?!

Oops, We Did It Again

Miss USA in the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant:




Miss USA in the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant, which took place this evening:

But Who Gets The Clydesdales?

American brewer Anheuser-Busch (maker of Budweiser and the company for which the Wash U Law School building is named) has agreed to a $50 billion takeover from Belgian brewer InBev, maker of Stella Artois.

My first thought was, "Crap, I should have gone to visit the Budweiser distillery the last time I was in St. Louis rather than assuming it would still be there in the fall!"

However, although I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion to express in St. Louis--for the love of God, everyone needs to take a deep breath and stop panicking. First, it already looks like Anheuser-Busch is going to get top billing in the joint company, which is probably better than they could have hoped for.

Second, I highly doubt that their motive is to completely gut A-B so as to eliminate competition to InBev products, as some are alleging. In reality, InBev probably bought out A-B for the same reason that the emirate of Abu Dhabi bought a stake in the Chrysler Building--taking advantage of a U.S. dollar in free-fall. They'll wait ten years or so to see if the dollar goes back up, then sell off their U.S. assets for a tidy profit.

Don't panic. Bud Light isn't going anywhere. Unfortunately.

What David Freeman Needs To Do Now

We all know by now that the Nashville Predators just received one hell of a blessing in disguise in the form of one William "Boots" Del Biaggio. It turns out that the only difference between him and rejected Predators buyer Jim Balsillie is that Del Biaggio was only slightly less obvious about his intentions to move the Predators somewhere else. But he is now out as a Predators owner after filing for bankruptcy and coming under investigation by the FBI for fraud.

Three reactions. First, to "Boots"--you were dishonest about both your intentions and your finances, and now you're probably going to jail. Karma's a bitch, baby!

Second, to David Freeman and the rest of the Predators ownership group--I'm sure you're all aware of the enormous bullet that you've dodged. Obviously, had it been one of the local investors who had all of a sudden gone bankrupt, we'd be in a much more dire situation. But as it is, you've gotten rid of the one investor who had any sort of interest in moving the Predators. The only problem now is that you have to replace all that money. What you need to do is either bring in another local investor, or split Del Biaggio's share among yourselves. After dealing with two troublesome outside investors, the LAST thing anyone needs is someone else who might try to move the Predators. The Predators are a team on the rise, and continued off-ice drama will be the quickest way to derail them.

And finally, for the people who have actively rooted for the Predators to fail from Day 1 simply so that they get the opportunity to say "We told you so" (I'm looking at you, Nashville Scene editorial staff)--the Predators still aren't going anywhere. Sorry, looks like you'll just have to go back to your corner and pout.

**********************

On a somewhat related note, what the hell is going on with Alexander Radulov? If the NHL and the European clubs have agreed not to poach players from each other, then how can he go off and sign a contract with a Russian club like that? I realize that he's being offered a lot more money there, but does he really want to go back to Russia, or is this a way of getting more money out of the Preds?

If it were anyone else, I'd say "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" But I think we do sort of need Radulov. The Preds are still well below the salary cap, they can re-work his contract. In the worst case scenario, if he really doesn't want to stick around here, maybe it'd be worth it to see what we can get for him in a trade.

The Sunday Liberal Blog Roundup, 7-13-08

The "saluting a mentally deficient nation of whiners without a FISA warrant" edition of the Tennessee progressive blog roundup with a look at what the best Tennessee bloggers are talking about this week.

• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Phil Gramm, the author of John McCain's economic policies, the man who brought us the Enron loophole, which in turn has led to $4.00+/gallon gasoline, the man who probably doesn't have a friend with a net worth under a million dollars, thinks that Americans who have lost their jobs, who can't decide whether to buy a prescription, a tank of gas, or a week's worth of food with their last $60 for the month, who have been forced out of their homes by a mortgage crisis that Gramm created -- that these people are just a bunch of whiners who can't get past a mental disorder that makes them only think that they are suffering economic hardships. Seriously. Take a moment to really absorb that.

• Andy Axel: The Fish Hawk

• Tiny Cat Pants: 287(g) Means Stealing Babies from Mothers

• BlountViews: Willie Nelson cancels PLUS (IMPORTANT): Allman Bros., Please!: Please vote for the Allman Bros. here.

• Carole Borges: It's 3 A.M.. What if McCain can't even remember where the phone is?

• The Crone Speaks: So, it’’s important to note that when the people that have been harmed by the current economy, that was spurred by Phil Gramm’s legislative blunders, they get little help. When Bear Stearns cries, the Fed bails them out.

• Cup Of Joe Powell: A peek at Kingsport Times-News reporter Hank Hayes' email on why he does not cover Democrat candidates for Congress..., plus: Kingsport Newspaper Still Refuses Coverage of Candidate Rob Russell, bonus: Mega-Micro-Blog-Feed-Mobile-Alert-Pod Nation

• Don Williams: But he was much more than that -- author, artist, hunter, trapper, fisherman, farmer, developer, columnist, merchant, musician, yodeler, storyteller, botanist, broadcaster, poet, husband, father, seeker, dreamer and prophet -- and still more yet. For once you tramp around in the body of lore that falls under the name Wiley Oakley, you encounter variations on a theme that boil down to this: Wiley was a part of these mountains.

• TNDP: Sen. Diane Black needs a coat

• Enclave: According to Forbes, Nashville cannot compete with peer cities like Charlotte, N.C. in providing unemployment benefits to jobless workers who qualify for federal aid.

• Fletch: Summer on the Salt Run

• KnoxViews: Harold Ford Jr. responds to Gramm's "nation of whiners" remark

• Lean Left: That makes my cost basis on that account $1,075. As of today, the balance in that account is $1,203.13, a profit of $128.13, and an ROI of 11.9%. Considering the age of the account (ten years), that makes my annual yield a whopping 1.1%!

• Left of the Dial: I’m trying to determine which group has me shaking my head more this week: iPhone fanatics, villagers and tourists running with the bulls in Pamplona or my Baltimore Orioles.

• LeftWingCracker: So, on that basis, whom would I rather see in that seat? Well, since A) I believe Blackburn should have gone to jail for inciting the near-riots surrounding the income-tax vote in the State Senate, and B) she is a Bush-Cheney parrot, and C) she lives in that most right-wing county, Williamson, I would go for Leatherwood.

• Dear Sen. Phil Gramm « Newscoma: Sen. Gramm, let me ask you sir, could you come over here to northwest Tennessee? I can show you about seven empty plants, downtowns with more closed businesses than open ones and -- awww, forget about it. You don’t get it. I understand that. Plus: I Want Immunity Too

• The Pesky Fly: Headlines to Remember: Bush Readies Pen; Relishes Signing Wiretap Bill

• Progressive Nashville: I suppose that now that I've mentioned Hobb's name here, he officially is a Progressive. Time to resign Bill, Progressives have no place on the GOP payroll. Plus: Alexander vs. McCain on Pork

• Brian Arner's Resonance: Bush Administration: You Are Worth $1 Million Less Than You Were Five Years Ago - Accelerated depreciation? Plus: Fortune ponders the doomsday scenario of Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac folding. I smell a massive, taxpayer-funded rescue in the air.

• RoaneViews: Whites Creek is Closed for Maintenance: There are several rare, threatened, and endangered species of various sorts living in and around Whites Creek. We'll have underwater cameras and other cameras and will try to document everything and report back on what these folks find.

• Russ McBee : A silver lining?: However, there may be one silver lining in all this: now that the telecommunications companies no longer face lawsuits for their (previously) illegal actions, they can be subpoenaed to testify before Congress in depth about their spying activities against Americans. Since they have immunity, they can no longer plead the Fifth when asked pointed, specific questions about their collusion.

• Sean Braisted: get that people are upset with this, but c'mon, the death of the 4th amendment? Setting aside telecom immunity, what is so damned bad about this bill? Plus: Diane Black Getting Nervous

• Sharon Cobb: I could deal with his move to the middle to get elected. I could deal with him not having the best health plan. But voting FOR FISA? No. I can't deal with that. ... You can go ahead and tell me "I told you so," but out of compassion, please wait a day or two to do so. Plus: It was only a matter of time before the election to see which side was going to put the fear of war into American voters so they might elect a warmonger instead of a peacemaker. This is going to be big news later on today, because it's just breaking now, and I had to go to Aljazeera English website for the information, as CNN is running something about Madonna.

• Silence Isn't Golden: And wouldn't you know it, Troy King also happens to be the Alabama chairman of the John McCain campaign. This whole scandal is just way too perfect! Plus: Joe Lieberman Admits He's A Lying Schmuck

• Southern Beale: By the way: is this elitist? Because I can’t tell anymore. I think these kind of statements are only elitist if a Democrat says them. It certainly shows how out of touch Phil Gramm is from the lives of ordinary Americans. Plus: McCain’s Free Pass: That teflon suit that George W. Bush has worn for the past seven years has been handed down to John McCain 100% intact.

• TennViews: TN Senate Dem fundraising update Plus: Sen. Finney to launch "family friendly" lobbying effort: It doesn't say whether same-sex couples will be welcome, or whether the group will lobby for adoptions by same-sex couples , or promote marriage or at least equal rights for same-sex couples, etc.

• WhitesCreek Journal: Rich people, corporations, and foreign governments, are the folks who would lose Trillions of dollars is Fannie and Freddie go into bankruptcy. Having already doubled the National debt by borrowing more money than all 42 presidents that came before him, George W. Bush and his Republican buddies look like they will double it again, in one form or another, trying to keep Rich people, Corporations, and FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS from losing a lot of money. Plus: Whites Creek Journal: Whites Creek Journal is really about the largest unpolluted watershed in the State of Tennessee, outside the Smokies...And the struggle to keep it that way.

• Women’s Health News: I don’t care about legal status - I think it’s better for all women, legal immigrants or not, to receive prenatal care than not to - at least to have the option. This event sends a message to the community of immigrant women that there will be no discretion, no compassion, that they risk being jailed, giving birth in custody, and having their baby taken away if they take the simple step of seeking medical care while pregnant.

So How's Your Saturday Night Going?

My mom and I got home from dinner out with friends (at Saffire in Franklin, which I'd highly recommend) around 8:30, and literally 5 minutes later, we lost power. It's now 10:15 and we're still in the dark. Mom took it as a great opportunity to practice her banjo (she just started taking lessons) to a captive audience. I took it as an opportunity to go bang my head against a wall. That and do an iphone blogging session.

Now we're watching the news on our old portable TV. They're talking all about how the storms are in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, but not a word about how everyone out here has no power. Proving once again that Bellevue is truly the red-headed stepchild of Nashville.

So how's your Saturday night going?

Alabama Is Turning In Unexpected Ways

The Alabama blogs are exploding right now over a story involving state Attorney General Troy King and a type of Republican scandal that is really starting to become cliché at this point:

A spokesperson for Alabama Governor Bob Riley denied that Attorney General Troy King is preparing to resign in the wake of a massive rumor campaign that has yet to be fully confirmed. The word is, according to multiple sources in Montgomery and elsewhere, that King was recently caught by his wife in a gay affair with a male aide and banished from his home.

Wonkette is all over this as well.

Oh, and yes, this is the same Troy King who wanted to put the full weight of the law behind enforcing Alabama's sex-toy ban. I guess now we know why--he was so frustrated with trying to repress his own sexuality that he felt the need to repress everyone else's too!

And wouldn't you know it, Troy King also happens to be the Alabama chairman of the John McCain campaign. This whole scandal is just way too perfect!

Rosalind Kurita--A Shameless Liar?

Overheard last night at Drinking Liberally, from a very credible source within the TNDP--it seems that State Senator and female version of Lieberman Rosalind Kurita is using a very dirty tactic to get out the vote on August 7th, when she faces a primary challenge from Tim Barnes.

Over the last day or two, robocalls from the Kurita campaign have gone out to African-American voters in Clarksville and the surrounding areas, urging them to "come out and vote on August 7th for Rosalind Kurita and Barack Obama!"

Problem? The Presidential candidates are not going to be on the ballot on August 7th! The August 7th elections are for state and local offices, plus the Congressional primaries.

Now, it's entirely possible that this was an honest mistake--but that would require a breathtaking amount of stupidity on someone's part. No, the more likely scenario is that someone is trying to piggy-back onto Obama's popularity with African-American voters to get the vote out for themselves, consequences be damned.

I don't know what her internal numbers are saying, but this is truly a desperation tactic.

If you live in that area, consider electing an honest Democrat instead.

Feel Good Friday--But Not A Real Green Dress Edition

I've just always thought this is one of the sweetest songs ever written:

So This Is "Family Values?"

I have no words for this. What kind of society rips a newborn baby away from their mother, regardless of her immigration status? Does the term "family values" only apply to the "right" kinds of families?

Just read this, and go all the way to the bottom to see what action you can take.

Also:
Aunt B.
Gingersnaps

Applying Nashville Scene Logic, Part 2

Two progressive candidates for the District 9 seat on the Metro School Board, Alan Coverstone and Lee Limbird, were just endorsed by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce's SuccessPAC.

Therefore, they are both CLEARLY in the pockets of big business, they hate working people, and they both must be destroyed at all costs.

Hell, I'll bet if you dig deeply enough, you'll find that Alan Coverstone may have SPOKEN to someone who works for Waller Lansden at some point in his life!

(On that note, last night I had the privilege to interview Alan Coverstone. Check back for that later tonight)

UPDATE: Did I call that or did I call that?

Joe Lieberman Admits He's A Lying Schmuck

As noted by A.C. Kleinheider, many Jewish Democrats are angry at Joe Lieberman over how he's broken with the Democrats and is actively supporting John McCain. I don't know why that should surprise anyone, Lieberman stopped being a Democrat two years ago. I can only hope that once we take more seats in the Senate after this election, the Democrats will tell Joe Lieberman to go to hell.

But that's not what the real story is here:

When asked about concerns he is creating the impression that Obama would not be a friend to Israel, Lieberman responded: “It’s my way of thinking that if I’ve concluded, as I have, that John McCain is best for our country, then why wouldn’t I do that?”

Lieberman just admitted that the "Obama is bad for Israel" talking point is nothing more than a campaign smear, something spoken in order to boost a certain candidate and not spoken out of concern for Israel. It's nothing more than using Israel as a strawman.

It doesn't surprise me that someone like Joe Lieberman has absolutely no problem with exploiting American Jews' concerns over Israel for political gain, but it still disgusts me. The Republicans can have him. So can his buddies in the Christian Right.

Calling All Apple Geeks

First of all, Happy 3G Day in advance! But I'm celebrating something different today. I've officially crossed over to the dark side and gotten a MacBook. I needed a new notebook for law school, and I was determined to not have to downgrade upgrade to Windows Vista. So far, it's been great--the graphics in particular are nothing short of spectacular. And I finally got the @%$%& wireless router working so I can actually use it!

I have a question for the Apple geeks out there though. If I got a new computer, that means I need to accessorize it. In particular, I need a new bag. I realize you can get them from the Apple store, but I want to find something that looks a little more feminine. Not cutesy, but feminine. Any ideas of where in town I should go to find one? Thanks!

Shameless Plug Alert!

Here's a very important article from the Tennessee Tribune on skin cancer, melanoma in particular. It's a very timely article given this hot summer, and an important health concern regardless of your skin color.

But I've got other reasons for hyping this article. Click here to find out why (warning, PDF).

Dumb Comment Of The Week

Don't worry Titans fans, if you're upset about MTA having to stop the End-Zone Express Shuttle to the games this fall, you have other options:

For fans in eastern Davidson County and in Wilson County, the train is an option.

Diane Thorne, executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority, said her agency would continue the "Titans Game Day Express," a program that offers rides to fans on the Music City Star for about $15 on Sundays.

Yeah...somehow I don't think the timing of that comment is going to really help. It looks like your options are now going to be to either park closer to the stadium and pay an exorbitant price, or try and take the train, but not be able to get on due to the crowds from Lebanon!

Here's what I don't understand--couldn't MTA come up with a way to still offer the service, but just not call it that? For example, couldn't they create a new official bus route, one that only runs on Sundays, and just happens to go back and forth between Greer Stadium and LP Field every few minutes? They wouldn't have to call it a shuttle, because it would be an official bus route. Could they still do that, or am I just looking for legal loopholes?

I Hate To Say This

But getting insulted by Jesse Jackson can't hurt Obama. In fact, it probably helps.

Seriously, have any of these people figured out yet that EVERYTHING they say or do will end up on YouTube within five minutes?

They Still Don't Get It

I know this isn't exactly within the spirit of "unity," but I have to say--I still don't want one penny of my donations to Obama to go towards paying off Hillary Clinton's campaign debt.

This article from the New York Times discusses the difficulties in trying to bring together the two sets of donors. It's still early in the process, and obviously a few bumps along the way are to be expected. But some of the complaints the former Clinton donors have proves to me that even after the dust has settled, they still don't get it.

Some of them griped that major Clinton donors were not being invited to crucial fund-raising meetings; were not being made to feel that they would receive credit for helping Mr. Obama win in November; and were not being given titles within the Obama campaign. An Obama aide said it was still early in the integration process of the two campaigns; he also added that the Obama operation was not as title-driven as the Clinton operation, which had various donors serving as “chairs,” “co-chairs” and “Hillraisers.”

Call the WAAAAAAmbulance! The key difference between the Obama campaign and the Clinton campaign was that Clinton's was more top-down, while Obama's was more focused on the grassroots. Perhaps if the Clinton donors concerned themselves less with things like titles, and more with things like....oh, I don't know, WINNING....the result of the primary might have been a lot different.

Clinton donors and campaign officials say they remain surprised — and, among some, offended — that Mr. Obama has refused to ask his entire list of donors, more than 1.5 million people, to send $5, $10 or more to chip away at Mrs. Clinton’s debt. (Obama officials said they did not want to distract their donors for the main task at hand, raising money to defeat Mr. McCain.)

Do you know why people give in increments of $5 or $10? It's because that's all they can afford to give, especially in these tough economic times. They can't write $2,300 checks every quarter. Asking small donors to help Clinton is not only unfair to them, but could very well hamper Obama's future fundraising efforts.

For me personally, I might have less of a problem with Obama donors helping Clinton if I felt the money were going towards paying back ordinary staffers and the small vendors who hosted Clinton events. But there is no way in hell I would give money knowing that it was going towards paying back odious expensive consultants like Mark Penn.

At the end of the day, Clinton donors, what is this about? Is it about beating McCain and getting
a Democrat in the White House, or is it still just about you personally?

To me, the fact that we're even discussing this speaks to the whole "We were entitled to the Presidency, so now you owe us" mentality. Besides, couldn't Bill Clinton single-handedly raise the money just by making a few speeches?

Why Everyone Hates New Jersey

I'll bet Bill Hobbs is pissed that he didn't think of this one:

A local Republican Club in New Jersey has removed a slogan from its Web site that read, "Obama loves America like O.J. loved Nicole."

Here's the visual, from a diary on Daily Kos:

The Pemberton Republicans are claiming it was just a joke, a joke from which the state GOP in New Jersey is running away as fast as it can. Sometimes I think it must be nice to Republicans, to be able to say the nastiest shit about anyone they want, and then to scream "It's a joke!" as soon as they get called out on it. The line between "political incorrectness" and "sociopathy" is a thin one indeed.

Ted Koppel On The BBC

It's official. Since the traditional American media cannot be counted on to provide decent, fair, substantiative analysis of the Presidential race, they've decided to outsource that task to the U.K.:

Koppel, who's been making in-depth documentaries for Discovery Channel since he left ABC News in 2005, will appear on both BBC America and BBC World News, "offering his expertise on major international and national news stories, including the 2008 presidential election race," the broadcaster announced Tuesday.

In the U.K., they're paying closer attention to this race than many Americans are. I'll have to check out their coverage of the convention. I don't think they'll be able to replace Keith Olbermann and MSNBC for me, but Ted Koppel on the BBC will provide far smarter commentary than any of the other talking heads.

Applying Nashville Scene Logic

Read this, then read on.

Let's say I decide to run for local office one day. Obviously, if I run, I'm going to need money. Odds are I won't be able to self-finance, and I couldn't expect my parents to shoulder such a burden. Therefore, I'll have to go out and actively raise money.

Who shall I turn to first, while still in the planning stages of my hypothetical campaign? The obvious answer is that I'll start with the people who know me best, the ones I grew up around--friends of family, people in my neighborhood, etc.

But then looking at my list of early donors, you'll find a pattern. There will be quite a few Jewish doctors on that list.

Therefore, since I have taken donations from these people, it will safe to assume that I am obviously in the pocket of Big Pharma, trying to suppress patients' rights and impose tort reform on lawyers. Even worse though, I'm in the pocket of AIPAC and the Israel lobby, devoted to a neo-conservative world outlook.

No matter what I actually think of those issues, I am obviously lying.

So if I were to run in a local election, I could not call myself a progressive candidate unless I were to throw almost everyone I know under the bus. I'd have to find myself a whole bunch of new friends, fast.

Either that or run as a Republican.

Clearly, He Was Attacking John McCain's Integrity

Over the weekend, John Kerry was accused on CBS' "Face the Nation" of "attacking John McCain's integrity" merely for pointing out that McCain has flip-flopped on several important issues over the years. Wonder if this veteran will be accused of the same thing?



The part where John McCain starts getting testy is around 2:30, but watch the whole video. I don't quite understand how McCain can speak for almost two minutes about the issues he had with Jim Webb's G.I. Bill, then immediately turn around and say that he doesn't know which bill the questioner is talking about. Did somebody have a senior moment there? McCain even flip-flopped in the characterization of his own record, going from "I have a perfect record" from veterans groups to "I've been endorsed" by them.

But above all, he didn't answer the question. He raised the concerns he had with the original bill, but as he points out, those concerns were resolved. So why didn't he support it in the end, or if he still opposed it, why did he not have the guts to go on the record and vote against it?

Remind me which candidate is supposed to be the "Straight Talker" again?

The Tennessean Officially Hits Rock Bottom

(H/t Pithy)

It starts off looking like an ordinary article about abandoned cars being towed, until:

Metro police are removing the deserted vehicles to clear the roads in advance of tonight's forecasted snowfall, according to a news release from the department.

It's really hot out today, so I welcome this Christmas in July. I just hope it's not too bad though, I shipped all my winter clothes from Ithaca straight to St. Louis rather than bringing them home.

The University Of Tennessee Slaves

No, they're not slaves because they were owned by Cal, Alabama, Florida, Memphis, and Louisville last year. They have to be called slaves now because apparently, a slave is the same thing as a volunteer.

Cue the right-wing words of wisdom from the shande far di goyim Jonah Goldberg:

For those who don't remember, the 13th Amendment says: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime ... shall exist within the United States."

I guess in Obama's mind it must be a crime to be born or to go to college.

In his speech on national service Wednesday at the University of Colorado, Obama promised that as president he would "set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."

He would see that these goals are met by, among other things, attaching strings to federal education dollars. If you don't make the kids report for duty, he's essentially telling schools and college kids, you'll lose money you can't afford to lose. In short, he'll make service compulsory by merely compelling schools to make it compulsory."

Now, let's take a quick look at that pesky thing called "context":

So when I'm President, I will set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year. This means that by the time you graduate college, you'll have done 17 weeks of service.

We'll reach this goal in several ways. At the middle and high school level, we'll make federal assistance conditional on school districts developing service programs, and give schools resources to offer new service opportunities. At the community level, we'll develop public-private partnerships so students can serve more outside the classroom.

For college students, I have proposed an annual American Opportunity Tax Credit of $4,000. To receive this credit, we'll require 100 hours of public service. You invest in America, and America invests in you - that's how we're going to make sure that college is affordable for every single American, while preparing our nation to compete in the 21st century.

In summation--middle and high schoolers will be asked to give an hour a week to community service, and college students will be paid $40 an hour to give 100 hours.

Oh, the horror!! It's SLAVERY I tell you!

By definition, therefore, when my synagogue requires the sixth and seventh graders to take on a volunteer project as a precondition to becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, that is slavery as well. When my friends at Cornell were required to take part in community service projects as a condition of their financial aid packages, that was slavery too.

What Obama is proposing isn't going to change much. Many school districts already do have some sort of public service requirement (as do most religious private schools). Furthermore, give the kids a little credit--many of them do at least 50 hours of volunteer work a year in some other capacity, through churches and community organizations. Nowhere does Obama say that all of this volunteer work MUST be done through the schools, only that schools must provide the opportunity.

But yes, being asked to give back to the country that has given you so much opportunity is EXACTLY like slavery.

Postcards For Coverstone

Here's an event that I thought I might pass along, as a friend of my mother's is hosting it. Tomorrow evening (July 9) there will be a postcard signing party for Alan Coverstone, who is running for Metro School Board from District 9 (not my district, but close enough).

The party is at the home of Sylvia Feldman, 2046 Fransworth Drive (near Hillwood), from 5-7 P.M. I hear that Mr. Coverstone will himself will be there as well, if you'd like to get to know him or ask him any questions (I myself plan on asking quite a few).

Bringing New Meanings To "Blast Off"

Yeah, I've clearly got this topic on my mind right now. What do you want from me? I'm only human:

Weddings in space could be right around the corner, and experts figure the inevitable cosmic consummation will be just around the next corner.

************************

"We don't study sexuality in space, and we don't have any studies ongoing with that," said NASA spokesman Bill Jeffs of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "If that's your specific topic, there's nothing to discuss," he added, referring to "sex in space."

In any case, science journalist Laura Woodmansee, who penned "Sex in Space" (CG Publishing Inc., 2006), predicts that "honeymoons in space and out-of-this-world sex will be a reality within a decade."

It's interesting, from a scientific standpoint, to consider the logistics of how this would work. It would be kind of difficult to pull off with everyone floating around the spacecraft (due to free fall towards the Earth, not due to the lack of gravity--thanks Cornell!). So I guess to make it work, at least one person in the couple would have to be somehow strapped down...

...and I should probably stop now.

Jim Webb--Another Explanation?

Today Virginia senator Jim Webb officially took himself out of consideration for Obama's Vice President:

“Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."

It sounds very straightforward--he's happy in the Senate and doesn't want to be Vice President, although he does intend to campaign very strongly for Obama. And Jim Webb certainly isn't one to be vague with his words. I know that Howard Dean and the Senate leadership would not be too eager to have to re-contest this seat after winning it so closely in 2006, but I doubt that they have much influence over the VP selection process.

On the other hand, the timing of the statement is a little strange. Kleinheider asks if perhaps Webb is trying to save face after finding out that he's not on the short list. But I don't understand how Jim Webb could have NOT been on the short list, given how much he balances Obama and how he comes from what will be a very competitive state in this election cycle.

Nor is this a matter of Webb not wanting to gamble on a campaign like Obama's. No one turns down the #2 slot, especially not someone with Webb's ambition.

So I'm wondering if there's another possibility here. Perhaps Obama and his campaign advisors did strongly consider the pros and cons of Jim Webb. But in the end, I think they're going to go with someone from the Midwest or the Rocky Mountain states, and double down on the strategy to win out there. Obama doesn't have as much to lose by not putting Webb on the ticket--he doesn't necessarily need Webb to win in Virginia, and the odds of him winning the neighboring states of Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee, are very slim even with Webb (North Carolina is a different set of demographics). So maybe this is a way for Webb to save face, but not because Obama didn't want him on the ticket.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder whether Obama really has all that much to lose by putting Bill Richardson on the ticket. If someone says they don't want to vote for a Latino Vice President, would they really vote for an African-American President in the first place?

We Invade Other Countries To Liberate Them From Fundamentalism

Meanwhile, back on the farm:

JONESBORO, Ga. - A daughter's refusal to stay in an arranged marriage led to her death and resulted in her father's arrest, according to police in Clayton County.

Sandeela Kanwal, 25, was strangled on Sunday, police said.

They allege that Chaudhry Rashid, 54, argued with his daughter, then choked her to death at the family home in Jonesboro.

Harold Ford At Netroots Nation

Netroots Nation just sent out the official press release about Harold Ford Jr.'s keynote at the convention next week:

Since its inception, one of the primary goals of the Netroots has been to examine the future of our movement.

Who are our leaders? Where should we build infrastructure?

And after last year's YearlyKos Convention, Markos went on Meet The Press to debate that very topic with Rep. Harold Ford Junior. Now, the two are meeting again at Netroots Nation for a lunchtime keynote discussion about party infrastructure.

This won't just be any keynote. This will be a chance for you to hear a casual discussion between the current chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council and a Netroots favorite. Then, you'll have a chance to ask questions of your own.

Congressman Ford, I do hope you'll take my advice. If the focus of this keynote is on party infrastructure, then you had better fall all over yourself talking about how important grassroots organization is and what an amazing job we've all done with that since 2006.

And for everyone else, I got a mini camcorder for graduation that's not much bigger than an iPod, so I intend to have this discussion in all of its glory on YouTube before next weekend is up.

Sometimes It Pays To Look Like Facebook

The New York Times has a great article up about Chris Hughes, one of the co-founders of Facebook, who left to work full-time for the Obama campaign in 2007. When Clinton advisor Mark Penn said that Obama supporters "look like Facebook", he wasn't entirely wrong.

Nor was that a negative.

Hughes now runs the My.BarackObama.Com site (or MyBo), which provides a complete set of tools for grassroots organization via the Internet, such as event registration and personal fundraising pages. It was what allowed for the organization of local voter registration drives and events such as the "Unite for Change" house parties, bringing together Obama and Clinton supporters in 4,000 different locations.

One of the Obama campaign's best new media innovations, in my opinion, has been the online phone-banking technology, allowing volunteers to access phone numbers and call scripts even when they're not in an actual campaign office. It's always difficult to get people to come in and phonebank when you're working on a campaign, but being able to do it from home makes the task far more palatable to many volunteers.

The online tools have certainly helped us here in Nashville, where with the exception of the two months before the Tennessee primary, we've had no official presence from the campaign. Everything else we've done has been through grassroots organization, and the MyBo tools allowed us to reach out to fellow supporters that we might not have normally been able to find without an official campaign structure.

Yes, perhaps the campaign does look a bit like Facebook. And damned if we're not about to Super-Poke our way to the White House.

This Is Not The Changing Of The Guard

After what had to be one of the greatest championship matches in tennis history earlier today, the phrase "changing of the guard" was thrown around quite a few times. The implication is that because Rafael Nadal has now defeated Roger Federer on a surface other than a clay court, Nadal should now be considered the best in the world.

Perhaps. But this is by no means a changing of the guard. Not yet anyway.

If he had won it in straight sets, then maybe it would be. But the final score was 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. That doesn't imply that either one is better than the other, it just implies that they're now, for all intents and purposes, equally matched. Nadal had two chances to put Federer away in the fourth set, but Federer fought back every time.

If Nadal goes on to win the Grand Slam at some point (something Federer has not yet accomplished), then maybe you can start talking about a "changing of the guard." But what we have now is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports history, not just in tennis, between two superhuman, equally matched athletes. It's a rare thing in sports, and it's quite beautiful to watch.

You know who else is quite beautiful? Rafael Nadal. Just sayin'....

The Sunday Liberal Blog Roundup, 7-6-08

The "let freedom ring" edition of the Tennessee progressive blog roundup with a look at what the best Tennessee bloggers are talking about this week.

But first...

SPECIAL BONUS: The progressive blog roundup made the paper in this Sunday editorial section column by Michael Silence: To the best of my knowledge, it is the strongest, or most active, coalition of bloggers in the state dealing with issues and politics. On the right side of the aisle, I'm not aware of any group blogging as widespread as the one at tennviews.com.

We now resume our (ir)regularly scheduled program...

• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Because what is more patriotic...: ... than being 110% heterosexual?

Aunt B: The Three Best Inventions: I mean, we talk a great game as a country about how families need men. But, if we’re not raising men with basic understandings of stuff, like history, like baseball, like what to do with yourself other than get into trouble, then what benefit are they to a family, really?

• BlountViews: In fact, Judge Meares is part of a growing nationwide movement for judicial campaign finance reform, led by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who is campaigning for massive changes to the way judges get elected.

• Carole Borges: Dear Keith Olbermann, please put your ego back in the box.: I have always liked Keith Olbermann's snarky, edgy political take on the mad mad world of politics, but lately his ego seems to be getting so large it is blotting out the good points he often makes.

• The Crone Speaks: Is Rush Limbaugh Worth $50 Million a year?: Seriously, this family is the poster child of everything that is wrong for the "little people" under Republican control of government, and they never saw it. Why? Because they were sucked into the rhetoric of Rush’s rhetoric. See also: Rats Fleeing the Sinking Ship

• Cup Of Joe Powell: Tennessee's Official Rockabilly Highway: Tennessee now has an official Rockabilly Highway, thanks to efforts of those in the state legislature. On Friday, officials unveiled the signs which will now mark a 55-mile stretch of Highway 45, from Mississippi to Interstate 40. See also: The Power of Clothes

• Don Williams: On Barack Obama and ‘the art of the possible’: So how does Obama repay you? He does the utterly predictable thing and steps down off the pedestal you put him on, and so you feel all betrayed.

• TNDP: Lamar Alexander fails to follow through on Environmental Policies: A self-proclaimed champion of the environment, calling it one of his "passions", Lamar’s pitiful voting record is revealed as the article garners comments from the League of Conservation Voters.

• Enclave: Local Community Not Waiting for Federal Government to Address Mortgage Crisis: I don't see anyone in Metro Nashville making these kinds of plans. We would rather subsidize our mildly supported hockey team. And, God knows, the first thing a family whose adjustable rate mortgage has just rocketed skyward wants to do is to catch a Predators' match. See also: Liberal blog readers...

• Fletch: Barefoot on the Beach

• KnoxViews (Doug McDaniel): Iraq Veterans Say Wes Clark is Correct: As a veteran (Desert Storm) myself, I get cranky when Democrats tuck tail on issues related to the military. As Brandon Friedman states eloquently on the Vote Vets blog, there is no reason to cede authority on military matters just because of John McCain's service during Vietnam. See also: Republican essay contest, and Puppy mill raid update

• Lean Left: "If Waterboarding Does Not Constitute Torture, Then There Is No Such Thing as Torture": Probably quite a lot of people would smile at the thought of Christopher Hitchens being tortured by agents of the insane and illegal war he cheered into being. It is tempting to view it as ironic justice.

• Left of the Dial: Pyro Mania: Over 1,100 people bought tickets for a train ride to downtown for the city’s annual display along the Riverfront but the train only holds 750. That left many waiting at stations in Lebanon and Hermitage as a full train blew past them. And they’re pissed:

• LeftWingCracker: OK Tennessee Democrats, it's time to bring your focus back home for a minute!: We are five weeks and one day from the actual election, and two weeks and two days from the start of Early Voting in Big Shelby, and almost THREE in FIVE Democratic voters have not made up their mind?? Whatcha waitin' on, folks, CHRISTMAS???

• Liberadio(!): Who Killed Estelle Richardson?: The Davidson County Medical examiner ruled her death a homicide and her murder still remains one of Nashville’s unresolved cases. On Monday, we interviewed prison rights activist, Denver Schimming, about the case.

• Newscoma: Winston Rand - He Was A Pretty Good Guy: I have to say that Winston was always kind, smart and clever. He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers go to Roomie. See also: Snickering ‘at the sheer effrontery’

• The Pesky Fly: The Full DLC Looks like Obama is in full DLC play-not-to-lose mode. Let's just hope he doesn't go windsurfing.

• Progressive Nashville: Patriotism, Part 2: Republicans look at the strength and wellbeing of America, while Democrats concentrate on the strength and wellbeing of Americans. See also: America at its best

• Resonance: Monday Gloomy Economic Outlook Blogging: People (including high-ranking officials in the U.S. government) have been suggesting that the worst of the financial mess is over. It's not. To that point, Lawrence Summers: "It is quite possible that we are now at the most dangerous moment since the American financial crisis began last August."

• RoaneViews: Pyro Patriot: West Roane Volunteer Fire Department has plenty of stuff you can blow up to show how patriotic you are. Their supplier in China is so patriotic that they blew up a whole fireworks factory.

• Russ McBee : Byron Dorgan, oil speculators, and the supply question: The speculators may simply be acting as canaries in the financial coal mine, sending a message that they expect supplies to decline (and prices to skyrocket) in the near future.

• Nashville for the 21st Century: Bredesen-O-Meter: Now, perhaps people won't be stupid enough to think McCain is literally George Bush's clone, but any careful observer could see that over the past few months Sen. McCain has abandoned his Maverick credentials in favor of adopting positions close to, or mirroring, those of the Worst President in the History of the United States.

• SharonCobb: My Thoughts On Rush Limbaugh's Record Breaking Deal Through 2016.: My first thought when I read that Rush Limbaugh has signed with Clear Channel for a gazillion dollars through 2016, is Clear Channel wants to have Rush on the air through the two terms of President Obama's tenure in the White House to keep the fighting between the left and the right going. See also: What Does It Mean To Be Pro Israel?

• Silence Isn't Golden: Hobbsie Steps In It, Again: It must be tough to be so unable to find anything about your own candidate to praise that you're reduced to outright lying about your opponent. See also: Advice For Someone Who Probably Won't Take It

• Southern Beale: Obama’s Faith Based Idea Will Work: Count me among those liberals welcoming Barack Obama’s announcement about giving faith-based groups a role in his administration. See also: Never Give Up! Never Surrender!

• TennViews: Surprise, surprise! AT&T files first statewide cable franchise application: Yes, and thanks to the lobbyists and consultants, who include... See also: Chris Lugo on Independence Day

• Vibinc: Tough Financial Medicine: So while you're out there bitching about trials and triangulations, I know I will be, don't forget the harsh reality that gas has surpassed the price of milk, which will most certainly start rising faster. That means everything else gets more expensive, and I need to start lobbying to allow farm animals in the city with all my backyard space. I should probably fix the fence first...

• WhitesCreek Journal: Forward Backward Reverse Inward Twist: I am thinking that McCain is pretty flexible for an old person, and in order to get an adequate description of his abilities, we should be watching the Olympic Diving trials now taking place in Knoxville for some ideas. See also: Born on the Fourth of July

• Women's Health News: Her Name was Esmin Green: Esmin Green sang gospel music at church. Esmin Green was a mother with six children. Esmin Green was a black woman who died on the floor of one of New York City’s public hospitals while waiting for psychiatric care and being ignored.

With Apologies To Joe Biddle

Here are Ilissa Gold's Random Ruminations while wondering whatever happened to Darius Coulibaly:

• Our neighbors across the street went out of town for a month, and didn't hire anyone to mow their lawn while they were gone. They've since returned and taken care of it, but in the meantime it annoyed the hell out of me to have to look at it everytime I went outside. It occurs to me that I'm totally going to be one of those bitchy neighbors who nags everyone about their lawns when I get older. That makes me sad, I don't want to be that bitch.
  

• I probably shouldn't admit this, but I was far sadder to hear about Bozo the Clown's passing than I was to hear about Jesse Helms'. I probably shouldn't admit this either, but Bozo was probably the only clown who didn't freak me out as a kid. I of course send my condolences to the Helms family, I just think that Bozo leaves behind a more positive legacy.

• I was in two different ones last night and I STILL don't get the appeal of kareoke bars. The first few times watching someone butcher a song, it's funny. After that, I get bored; there needs to be something else going on to hold my attention. The reason why you watch the American Idol audition rounds is not just to see the horrible performances, it's also to see the hilarious ways in which Simon Cowell cuts the auditionees down.

• I realized yesterday that I learned something important from the Ford campaign (well, I learned several important things, mainly about what not to do during a campaign, but this particular item is particularly salient now). Back in 2006, if someone said anything bad to me about Harold, I would get...shall we say, a little pissy (ask LeftWingCracker about that). But now that I'm two years older and two years wiser, I've learned that you just have to let it roll. Yesterday I spent most of the afternoon registering voters downtown with Nashville Loves Barack Obama. The repsonse was mostly positive, but of course there were a few immature idiots who yelled out obscenities when they passed us. I know now that you can't get mad, you can't retort, you just have to let it go and not let it affect you. You have to react that way in social situations as well, as I did today with someone who insisted that McCain will get 40% of the Jewish vote. I just had to smile, nod, and anticipate whipping them up a nice dish of crow for November 5th.
  

• Seriously, whatever DID happen to Darius Coulibaly?

• And finally, a hypothetical--if you can already tell that you're probably not going to like the answer, should you even ask the question? This actually isn't a hypothetical situation for me right now.
  

Feel Good Friday--Ain't That America Edition

Here's your special Fourth of July edition Feel Good Friday video, John Mellencamp performing "Pink Houses" live with Little Big Town (sorry about the quality, stupid YouTube won't let me embed the actual video). H/t to my mother for the suggestion:

Hillary Clinton Still Has A Role To Play

New York Times:

After a storm last month brought hail the size of silver dollars, which shredded trees for miles, a fruit grower who heads the local farm bureau sent an e-mail message to Mrs. Clinton asking for help. Days ago, her office sent word that she was coming.

The visit captured another challenging transition for a woman who has been through many of them. A month ago, she was a presidential candidate, discussing her plans for ending the war in Iraq and establishing universal health care. On Wednesday she was promising the apple, strawberry and peach growers that she would fight for federal aid to cover the losses from the damaged crops.

No, she's not going to be the President this time. But she is still, for four more years at least, the Senator from New York. And in that role, she can still do great things, like help her constituents who have been devastated by storms.

Sure, this may not have been what she intended to be doing in July of 2008. But she is still the Senator from New York state, and if there is one region that could use some help right now (in all areas), it's upstate New York. They still need her there. If she could use her role in the Senate to aggressively promote progressive causes, both in New York and in Washington, it would go a long way towards rebuilding her reputation.

If nothing else, I must say that she is handling her loss with a lot more class than some of her supporters are.

Advice For Someone Who Probably Won't Take It

I was asked an interesting question last night at the DCYD Executive Board elections. The person I was talking to had been at the DLC convention over the weekend with Phil Bredesen and Harold Ford Jr. They told me about how good of a reception Markos Moulitsas had gotten at the meeting in spite of all of his previous criticisms of the DLC. He even got cheers and applause when he called DLC ally Joe Lieberman an "asshole."

But then the person asked if Harold Ford would receive as kind of a reception when he comes to Netroots Nation in two weeks (as per the deal Markos and Harold made last year on "Meet the Press").

I had to think about it for awhile. I went to YearlyKos last year and I'll be at Netroots Nation this year so I can give an answer with some degree of certainty, but it's not a straight "yes or no" answer.

So with that, here's my advice to the person who probably won't take it but needs to hear it anyway, Harold Ford:

First of all, Congressman, if you were to get up in front of this crowd and call Joe Lieberman as asshole, as Markos did, I think that would go a long way towards your atonement in the eyes of the netroots.

Barring that, however, you still have a ways to go with this kind of audience. I think your reception will at least be respectful, but maybe not exactly warm. There's still a great deal of anger over how you used to go on Fox News and bash other Democrats, and there's a perception that the DLC is little more than a Beltway establishment organization, diametrically opposed to the kind of grassroots activism that we're trying to promote.

So if you're not going to call Joe Lieberman an asshole, then for God's sake, when you get up on the state, do NOT utter one single negative word against another Democrat. Nobody's asking you or the DLC to stop being moderates, but we are asking you to stop advising Democrats to capitulate to the Republicans in the name of some false "bipartisanship."

And definitely don't repeat that bit about DailyKos being anti-Semitic, like you did that time on "Meet the Press." If you do that, you will definitely be booed. I'll be the one leading it.

I Watch Tennis Because I'm Elitist

It's nice to see that red-blooded American women have finally reasserted their dominance over those pesky blonde bombshell Russians:

Venus and Serena Williams won in straight sets Thursday to set up their third all-sister Wimbledon final and seventh Grand Slam championship matchup.

Venus and Serena are, of course, pretty much the only thing American tennis has going for it. It's been five years since the last American man (Andy Roddick) won a Grand Slam, and no one other than Roddick has come close since then. Serena leads Venus 8-7 in overall matches, but given the way Venus has been playing lately, I wouldn't be surprised if she ties it up on Saturday.

On the men's side, barring a 2004 New York Yankees-esque choke job tomorrow, the finals on Sunday will almost certainly be between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It will come on the heels of Nadal crushing Federer a few weeks ago at the French Open. I know some fans are sick of seeing the two of them in every single Grand Slam final, but I think it's good for the game to have such a rivalry. Federer, the cool, collected machine, would be the most dominant player the game has ever seen but he just can't pull off that one missing piece of the puzzle, a win at the French Open on clay courts. It will always be the one place where he can't beat the explosive, emotional Rafa.

I like watching them play for other reasons too. Let's be honest--Rafa es muy caliente, et Federer est très beau aussi.

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Let me just start by saying that I have absolutely no stake whatsoever in the District 52 State House race. It's on the complete opposite end of town from where I live and I'm represented by a VERY entrenched Republican. I wish that I could be voting for either Mike Stewart or Eric Stansell, but I cannot.

All that being said, I have one request. Can we PLEASE put an end to this argument over who gets to call themselves a "real" Democrat? It's helping no one.

It started with Matt Pulle and Jeff Woods of the Nashville Scene thinking that someone died and made them in charge of the Democratic Party, getting to determine from on high who is and who is not a real Democrat (a topic that they have tried, and failed miserably, to break away from). The insinuation was that because Mike Stewart had represented Republican interests as a lawyer, he could not be a true Democrat (a point I take great umbrage at, and after all, unless you're a senior partner in a law firm you don't get to pick the cases you take on).

But now, the Stewart campaign is hitting back with an equally ridiculous talking point--that Eric Stansell can't be a true Democrat because he voted for Bush the Elder in 1992.

To that I answer--so fucking what?

A lot of people do stupid stuff when they're 19 (not that I would necessarily know from experience), but they change and mature. I personally know plenty of people, members of my own family included, who voted for a Republican once or twice in the 1990s but have since become fully committed Democrats. Whether Stansell voted for Bush out of a "youthful rebellion" or because he really preferred Bush is irrelevant.

To the Stewart campaign, I would say that sinking to the Scene's level on this matter only proves them right. They want Mike Stewart to act like a condescending jerk, it fits right into their little characterization.

But Can Undecided Beat "Lamar!"?

Finally, we're getting some action in what was shaping up to be an uneventful Senate Democratic primary. Bob Tuke's campaign released an internal poll showing him with a commanding lead over Mike Padgett (albeit with "Undecided" winning the day), the Padgett campaign disputed the numbers and pointed out that the large margin of undecided voters does not speak well for Tuke.

And all we've learned from this is that someone at the Tuke campaign can't do math.

Personally, I don't put too much stock in this poll. If the Ford campaign taught me anything, it's that internal polls cannot be trusted under any circumstances, especially if the results are good. What I am interested in though, and I don't know if this has been released yet, are the fundraising numbers for this past quarter. My guess is that Tuke will win that round, even though Padgett has had a more extensive outreach program in the last few weeks.

It's a scenario that speaks to both candidates' strengths, and to their weaknesses. My impartial assessment of this primary is that while Padgett seems to have the more organized ground game, Tuke has the better track record on fundraising. Ideally, you'd have both in a candidate--one who could go to all 95 counties and still have enough money left to take on an incumbent with more than $3 million cash on hand. So honestly, your guess is as good as mine as to who wins this one.

Oh, and let's not forget about Kenneth Eaton. I'd vote for him just on the basis that a debate between he and Lamar! Alexander would be absolutely hilarious (in a good way).

Hobbsie Steps In It, Again

I'm not going to link to Bill Hobbs, but here's the latest batch of verbal vomit to come from the TNGOP spokesman via Kleinheider:

There is a scary cult-like attachment to Obama among far too many of his supporters, but if its the 1930 all over again, Obama is not one of those evil 1930s mass-murdering leaders that Silber is talking about. That role falls to Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Neither is he the Churchill. But Obama is most certainly auditioning for the role of Neville Chamberlain in this still-unfolding story, promising peace in our time.

These points really are too easy to debunk, so I'll let YouTube do the talking for me. The "Obama is a Neville Chamberlain appeaser!" point was ripped apart in glorious fashion a few months ago by Chris Matthews on Hardball:



And if you really want to talk about "scary cult-like attachment," then I challenge you to find a video of anyone praying to a cardboard cutout of Obama:



(Of course, I'm quite sure Hobbsie will say that the kids at Jesus Camp were just being good Christians, but I don't know how a reasonable person could watch that and not be at least somewhat disturbed)

However, there is one other thing that sticks out at me, and it's something that's stuck out at me each time we see one of these doozies from the TNGOP (and I'm not going to pretend that Bill Hobbs the blogger is separate from Bill Hobbs the spokesman; you don't get that luxury if you choose to take on such a public role). If you were reading these statements as an outside observer with no knowledge of the Presidential elections, you wouldn't even know there was someone else running for President; all you would know is that Barack Obama is running and that the TNGOP doesn't particularly care for him. Their statements say nothing at all about John McCain, they make no attempt to distinguish him for Obama. If I had Bill Hobbs' job, I'd use this as the perfect opportunity to discuss McCain's "tougher" stance on Iran, how he won't negotiate with them terr'ists!

But there's no mention of John McCain in any of these anti-Obama statements. Either they don't feel they can say anything good about him, or they won't say anything good about him.

And why not? Most Republicans will vote for him, but a lot of them don't particularly care for him. The GOP wishes they had a candidate whose supporters were as passionate and as loyal as Obama's, or hell, even as much as Bush's supporters.

It must be tough to be so unable to find anything about your own candidate to praise that you're reduced to outright lying about your opponent.