Oh crap

I forgot about Poland!!

Debate thought

Kicked ass.
Way to go, John.

Helpful -- Debate Bingo

Print out your card and markers here.

I + H -- Debate thread

I couldn't sleep last night, woke up at 3:00 AM and just had to come up with the 2-minute answer for John Kerry to the debate question:

"Senator Kerry, what is your position on the war in Iraq?"

Here's what I came up with...

"Jim, I support our troops and want success in Iraq. This can only be accomplished by electing a new Commander-in-Chief and immediately putting in new civilian leadership in the Vice-President's office and the departments of Defense, State and Intelligence. Once that's done, we can implement my four-part plan to win the war and help the Iraqi's establish a free, peaceful nation.

I apologize if my previous statements about the war have seemed unclear or have sounded contradictory. But I think that like many Americans, when the President began the march to war in 2002, I wanted to believe him. As a United States Senator, I wanted to support our troops and protect our country. That's why, when the resolution came up that would give him authority to use force as a last resort, I supported the President. He called it a 'vote for peace,' and in the public record, I stated that I supported force only as a last resort.

But again, like many Americans, I then felt betrayed when the President kicked out the weapons inspectors and decided to attack Iraq without UN support. That decision has blackened our image as a moral leader in the world. And while having Saddam and his sons out of power is a blessing, several of the tactical decisions our civilian leaders have made in Iraq have been disasterous to the Iraqi people and our troops.

So, while I understand that we're in Iraq and we must succeed, I think it's imperative that we hold the Commander-in-Chief accountable for the grave blunders of strategy and diplomacy that have hung our military and civilian support staff out to dry.

I want peace and democracy in Iraq. As Commander-in-Chief, and as representative of this nation at the negotiating table, I will work to put our plan into place so the Iraqi's will be able to lift themselves out of the chaos there and we can secure safe passage home for our troops when the mission is complete. Thank you.

One minute, forty-five seconds.

Helpful -- another Indigo sighting

Is that PBR, dude?

I + H + Scary as hell -- Another update

This one from a personal e-mail from a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. Read the whole thing here.

A friend drove thru the Shiite slum of Sadr City yesterday. He said young men were openly placing improvised explosive devices into the ground. They melt a shallow hole into the asphalt, dig the explosive, cover it with dirt and put an old tire or plastic can over it to signal to the locals this is booby-trapped. He said on the main roads of Sadr City, there were a dozen landmines per every ten yards. His car snaked and swirled to avoid driving over them. Behind the walls sits an angry Iraqi ready to detonate them as soon as an American convoy gets near. This is in Shiite land, the population that was supposed to love America for liberating Iraq.

I + H + Scary as hell -- Update from Iraq

Here's an email sent from the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of my friend Phil's batallion in Iraq. Pray hard.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Smith LtCol Mark A"
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Subject: FW: Update 27 Sep 04


Greetings from Iraq. I apologize that it has taken me so long to send my first update, but I wanted to wait until I could report the whole Bn on deck. Not only has that occurred, but we completed our RIP (relief in place) of the magnificent Warriors of 2nd Bn, 2nd Marines, and are currently conducting combat operations against the enemy in the Mayhem Area of Operations. Our command element is the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

We are located in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, approximately 30-35 miles due S of Baghdad. It is on the Sunni/Shia fault line, and there is no shortage of anti-US and anti-Iraqi forces in our zone.

I am not going to pull any punches, we are ENGAGED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY, and he against us. Steel has been exchanged, and we have suffered casualties. All have been relatively minor, but casualties none the less and as a result of enemy action. All those injured have been afforded the opportunity to contact their loved ones at home and the official channel made notification. So if you did not hear anything, then you should assume your Marine was not involved. The Marines are pressing hard and performing admirably. Conditions are Spartan at best, the weather is hotter than hell (pardon my language), we go to the restroom in porta-johns, shower trailers work about 50% of the time, chow is meager but good, and most of the Marines smell and look like 10 miles of bad road. HOLY COW, IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS, THIS IS THE BEST PARTY WE HAVE EVER BEEN TO!

I know you will worry about the Marines and I cannot prevent that, but please know, they are operating with precision, they are armored to the teeth, and the equipment WORKS. Their morale is high and we have already witnessed acts of incredible soldiering and bravery. We will do our mission, and we do not cower at anything the enemy throws at us.

No attempt to be political, but the righteousnes of our cause is crystal clear when you see the ground and not through the lens of the media. The terrorist forces at work here kill indiscriminately, and kill far more of the innocent Iraqi people than they do us. We are definitely engaged in a struggle against fanaticism that knows no bounds, and if we show any weakness or let up, they will do to our kids in America what they did in Russia. I look at the pictures on my wall of my wife and daughters every day, say my prayers and press forward knowing that what these Marines are doing will impact how we live for the next 100 years. Anything less
than total victory is not an option.

Feel free to commence the mail flow!!! :)

Stay motivated and God Bless You and the struggle you are under.

LtCol Mark A. Smith
Commanding Officer
Task Force 2/24, 24th MEU
Iraq

----- Original Message -----
From: "Smith LtCol Mark A"
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Subject: Supplemental Input


Hope message was not perceived as harsh. Have seen some news reporting and I am well aware media is portraying an "increased" violence scenario. Reality is there is an insurgency here and we are a part of the counter-insurgency effort. Things are good and Marines are doing extremely well, but do not want to paint false pictures. This is a dangerous place, and you are all well aware of that. We will continue to do our absolute level best to destroy the insurgents, build a new Iraq, a better future for our beloved America, and come home at the end of our tour.

CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW WELL THE MARINES ARE DOING OPERATIONALLY, MENTALLY AND MORALE!

God Bless you all.

LtCol Smith

Helpful -- Voters Guide

A super helpful, non-partisan Voters Information Guide for the 2004 US Election.

Pass it on.

I + H -- Reposting the jams

I had been meaning to put up some songs from my brother's band for a while, but just now got to it. Luke is the lead singer on these two: More Than I Knew and Make Your Move.

Cam sings on the recording of Let You Down, which I think is the most radio ready, but then again, how much do I listen to the radio?

The band is unsigned, as of yet, but is working very hard on it. The songs are free to distribute. Enjoy.

(had to repost this due to some blogger mumbo jumbo. all fixed now!)

Interesting -- CBS/TANG stuff

For those of you more in the know about the CBS memos and whatnot, here's the most thorough history and conspiracy theory I've been able to find. Scott, what do you think about this?

Helpful - Plan A, B, C, D, E

Kevin Drum of The Washington Monthly has a great post here about why the talk of Bush as a "consistent, stay-the-course" leader is a bunch of crapola.

Helpful -- Motivation

It is so important to have a goal.

Helpful -- cartoon time

Sorry for the light posting this week. Everything's been about Iraq, and the more Bush talks, the angrier I get. How can he sit there and say things are going well, and they're going to get better? Does he think we're idiots? Is setting up a stable democracy in Iraq worth any American cost?

See what I mean? I don't have time to get all worked up like this, so I read the funnies instead.

Helpful -- Get to work!

It just could not be easier to volunteer this year. All you need is a cell phone and a modem.

Helpful -- More Perspective on Iraq

Juan Cole link.

If America were Iraq, What would it be Like?

President Bush said Tuesday that the Iraqis are refuting the pessimists and implied that things are improving in that country.

What would America look like if it were in Iraq's current situation?

Helpful -- Get smart

Wikipedia just published article #1,000,000. You want to know the real power of the internet? It's all about the Wiki.

Interesting -- Turn the tide

Another week, another awesome speech from Kerry on Iraq. Just 10 days until the first debate!

Helpful -- Oops

A retraction.

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

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

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

Interesting - What it's all about

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

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

Helpful -- Kerry speaks out on Iraq

Speech to the National Guard.

Freaking Scary -- Status in Iraq

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

We're thinking about you, Phil.

Be Helpful -- Give money

American Red Cross - Credit Card Contribution

Interesting -- Who's leading?

Here's the latest.

Helpful -- The catch phrase

Voting for Kerry is voting against the Excuse Presidency.

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

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

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

I was on vacation.

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

Interesting - The H2 is for chumps

Why drive a Hummer when you can drive this?

Helpful

Never forget.

Interesting -- Jr. Vs. The Son

These campaign ads are getting really nasty.

Very helpful -- a guide to music downloading

I love flowcharts.

Interesting -- the mask comes off

I found Indigo's secret identity!

Helpful -- Try Netflix free for one month

Just tell 'em 'ol Kuz sent ya.

Interesting - Cheney threatens America

"Vote for me or the terrorists will attack."

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

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

Helpful -- Yet more Gmail invites

Post comments here if you want one.

Helpful -- By the numbers

Many thanks to Dad K for this link.

Interesting -- A new post for Hitz

I'll let him take it from here.

Interesting -- Sorry, Josh

The cuter they are, the dumber you get.

Caveat -- this study was done in Indiana.

GAME ON

60 days to go!

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

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

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

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

(I+H)^7

God bless The Daily Show.

Helpful -- Who is Zell Miller?

What does he think of John Kerry?

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

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

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Interesting - So read it

William Saletan at Slate.

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

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

Are you prepared to become one of those countries?

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

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

Requiescat in pace

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

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

Happy Anniversary

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

Update: I can't count.

Helpful - Car for sale

Buy it.