Author: whodeanny

Cheney’s perspective

John Perry Barlow

[Dick] Cheney believes the world is an inherently
dangerous place and he sees the rest of the world
as… populated by four-year-olds with automatic
weapons.

Reading this quote by Barlow in the book Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency helped me understand why I struggle so much to relate to him at all. Not personally but politically. It’s frequently hard to make sense of his paranoia, sense of entitlement and obsession with secrecy. Barlow’s quote makes it a bit easier to decipher the madness behind his methods.

TP

Out of the mouths of babes

I just have to share this.

We attended a memorial service recognizing 3500 American deaths in Iraq. While there, someone named Jim engaged my son in conversation about George W. Bush. Jim asked my son what he would trade for GWB. My son said he’d trade Bush in for garbage. Jim asked how anyone would know the difference. My son paused for a moment then said, ‘Garbage doesn’t lie.’

Train up a child…

TP

The Fed

I had the chance to watch most of the Roger Federer- Tommy Robredo quarterfinal match at the French Open today. On clay, Fed’s worst surface, he was clearly practicing. Clearly. In the quarterfinals of the tournament he needs/wants to win most. Bear in mind that Robredo is Spanish, something of a clay specialist (all his tourney wins have been on clay) and top 10 in the world. That practice cost him a set but he’s hopeful that it will lead to a Sequential Slam and a genuine opportunity to win the calendar year Grand Slam.

If Fed wins in Paris he’s indisputably one of the top 5 players in history; if he wins the Grand Slam, most everyone will anoint him as the GOAT.

Thanks for the workout, Tommy.

TP

GOP debate tonight!

I am looking forward to tonight’s Republican debate. The million dollar question on my mind is this: Which Republican(s) will attempt to vault into top tier status at the xpense of Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani?

Romney is an easy target and I imagine at least a couple candidates will jab at him at least indirectly. My guess is that there will be a stronger, more pointed attack on Giuliani over abortion. This is still the big ticket issue for a great number of social conservatives who can forgive nearly anything else. Death penalty? Optional. Gay marriage? No sell but there’s at least wiggle room. Abortion? Fuggedaboudit. We don’t vote for you.

While it’s true that Romney has also been, uh, inconsistent, about his perspectives on abortion, Giuliani is more likely to be the subject of a bromide this evening. He’s the bigger target and seems so, pardon the pun, divorced, from his religious principles, Romney can at least couch his change as connected to his personal religious journey. No one would buy that from Giuliani.

Tonight should be fun.

TP

Vote Caging

<a href="http://www.gregpalast.com/rfk-rove-and-roves-brain-should-be-in-jail-not-in-office/
“>Vote Caging

<a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2167284?nav=tap3
“>Slate responds to vote caging

Has this really been a standard practice? This is simply bizarre to me.

Is the Bush White House so insulated from scrutiny that even disenfranchising oh, a million or so, Americans is actually going unnoticed? Apparently yes. I’m gonna get sick.

What is an appropriate response to this level of disdain for the rule of law? Where’s a Cindy Sheehan on this?

TP

NBA Playoffs

Yes it’s true. My hope for these most exciting playoff series has petered out. The Suns can only be furious that the dirty players (and while Horry is not dirty, his shot on Nash certainly was) won out and the guys who tried to do it the right way have lost their best opportunity as a group. Now, if Stoudamire, a pick and some cash can be converted or (even better for the Suns) Shawn Marion into KG, we can write about how wonderful Phoenix is/will be for the next 3 years. Let’s hope.

Let’s also hope that the Warriors can get a couple more tough minded players that fit the mold they’re creating. The Fun Bunch needs a little more muscle and a little more grit. Big Shot (not Cheap Shot) Rob would be a great fit for a crunch time center for Nellie.

TP

Dems in 08

I have a good sense of the direction of the Democratic presidential candidates so far. Yes, there’s sniping but that’s to be expected. The stakes can’t be much higher. Edwards is consistently pushing to make certain that Iraq is still the big deal, Obama is pumping up health care and Clinton is doing a good job of keeping her head on the swivel.

There are even a couple more candidates for whom I’d feel perfectly comfortable voting. That’s such a change from the last few presidential elections. Thank goodness.

TP

Hurting Nemo


My kid has a Finding Nemo alarm clock. The tone is painful! Why on earth would someone choose to establish an alarm clock that hurts your ears. Is it designed for people to throw their pillows at it? Do you think it was designed to annoy parents enough that they’ll stay out of their kids’ rooms? Ish.

TP