In the Memphis Mud

Terror Sympathizer

2005-04-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

Terror Sympathizer
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

Minister of Defense

2004-12-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Minister of Defense
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

NFL great and former Tennessee Vol Reggie White died in his sleep last night. What a loss. White was a great player and a great human being. He cared deeply about people and you got that impression every time the big guy spoke about social problems. His comments got him in trouble every once in a while but none of his teammates ever complained about White's religious faith creeping into the locker room.
I'll never forget watching the Super Bowl that featured White's Packers against the New England Patriots. It was late in the game and the TV analysts were saying that White had been invisible for most of the game.
Well, White must have been listening because just at that moment he used his trademark forearm shiver move to blow past the Patriots lineman and sack quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
On the very next play White got another sack, taking the patriots out of scoring position and forcing a punt. It was a great moment.
White will be missed.

Unwavering

2004-12-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

That one word describes wonderfully the men and women who fill the ranks of the U.S. Armed Forces. This poll shows overwhelming support from the troops for their mission in Iraq.
An excerpt:
Despite a year of ferocious combat, mounting casualties and frequent deployments, support for the war in Iraq remains very high among the active-duty military, according to a Military Times Poll.

Sixty-three percent of respondents approve of the way President Bush is handling the war, and 60% remain convinced it is a war worth fighting. Support for the war is even greater among those who have served longest in the combat zone: Two-thirds of combat vets say the war is worth fighting.

But the men and women in uniform are under no illusions about how long they will be fighting in Iraq; nearly half say they expect to be there more than five years.

In addition, 87%% say they're satisfied with their jobs and, if given the choice today, only 25% say they'd leave the service.

It's beginning to look...

2004-12-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas weather
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

a lot like Christmas! I really hope it snows. My theory is that if it is going to be cold, it might as well snow so we have something pretty to look at. I love looking out my window at the snow. I hope it sticks.

This is so Memphis

2004-12-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Two people stabbed in fight over Pork Chop.

Fire Coach Cal

2004-12-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

The Tigers got blown out by Louisiana Tech last night, 55-64. This is as bad as it gets. They looked great in the frist half. When they came out for the second half they looked a totally different team. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Cal needs to go. I was at Saturday's game against Austin Peay. We tried in every possible way to give that game away. Twice in the closing minutes the Tigers fouled guys shooting three pointers. The atmosphere was stale. The players aren't having fun. And the fans definitely aren't having fun.

What we're up against

2004-12-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

What we're up against
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

Election workers dragged from their cars and assassinated in broad daylight. This is what we are fighting. The Sunni Baathists, the minority religous and political group that dominated Iraq for decades, know they will no longer enjoy the prefered status bestowed upon them by Saddam. Their decades of iron fisted rule are over and they are doing everything in their power to bring it back.
This is the enemy we are fighting and we must... MUST... continue to capture or kill them when ever we can. Leaving is not an option. If we pulled out now a slaughter would ensue. An all out total war waged by the minority Sunnis would aim restore them to the power they enjoyed under Saddam. When US troops pulled out of VCitenam the Vietcong slaughtered millions of Cambodians. Leftists and retread hippies never mention the cost of the US not getting involved or wiuthdrawing from conflicts like Vietnam. They are comfortable in the knowledge that they helped remove troops from Vietnam. They don't want to be reminded of the genocide that followed. We cannot make the same mistake in Iraq.

Stupid Memphis Liberals

2004-12-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

Gwen Williams of Memphis wrote a letter to the CA today. This woman must be an idiot. Look at this:

Now that the election is over, George W Bush is no longer concealing his plans to overhaul many public programs, social security, healthcare adn education among them.

I guess Gwen missed the year-long 2004 election campaign. The president mentioned his plans for overhauling Social Security for over a year. he mentioned them in every public debate with failed presidential candidate John Kerry. Was this woman living under a rock, or what? Wake up Miss Williams and smell the. change that is on the way

This Just In!

2004-12-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

This Just In!
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

It looks like th CAjust found out about Japnimation. Didn't any of these people watch Voltron when they were growing up?

What if?

2004-12-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

What if all of the UN controversies were American controversies? Read This.
Excerpt:

Imagine if U.S. troops were accused of sexually exploiting children in impoverished nations. Imagine if a U.S. Cabinet secretary were accused of groping a female subordinate, whose complaint was then swatted aside by the president. Imagine if the head of a U.S. government agency and the president's own offspring stood accused of complicity in the biggest embezzlement racket in history.

Those would be pretty big stories, no? Above-the-fold, top-of-the-newscast stories. Yet the United Nations has been mired in all these scandals and until just recently hardly anybody outside the right-wing blogosphere has noticed. . . .

The U.N.'s friends are doing their favorite international institution no favors with this knee-jerk defense. Until it cleans up its act, the U.N. can never be as influential as its boosters would like. Even Annan recognizes this.

The Honeymoon is Over. Get rid of Cal.

2004-12-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

Honeymoon is Over
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

It's official. My transition from loyal Memphis Tiger basketball fan to Grizzlies booster is complete. My dissatisfaction with the Tiger program has been growing since Coach Finch was fired. At first, I was happy to see Calipari land in Memphis. I thought he could recruit and that he would replay his UMASS days here in Memphis. I was wrong. He recruits the worst kind of players, guys more concerned about their box score than the final score. His teams are impossibly hard to root for. And last night it happened again: I found myself really rooting for the Grizz while I somewhat enjoyed watching Tigers get their cans kicked up and down the court. I grew up on Keith Lee, Andre "the little general" Turner, David Vaughn, Penny Hardaway, Elliot Perry, Chris Garner and others. I felt a real connection to those teams. One I wish I felt now.

The Gambler

2004-12-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

This article gets it right about W and what people should expect over the next four years. Here's an excerpt;

Amid the campaign-year debate over the merits and flaws of the U.S.'s 43rd president, perhaps the least discussed of his attributes is his most important. He is a gambler, and plays for high stakes. For better or for worse, don't look for that to change, because his history suggests the characteristic is embedded in his personality.

"The guy does not think small," says Nicholas Calio, who handled relations with the U.S. Congress for the Bush White House for much of the first term. "This is part and parcel of his personality and his world view. ... The smart money is on him moving out fast and moving out big."

In practical terms, Mr. Bush has sketched out three giant projects for his second term: begin to privatize the Social Security system, overhaul the tax code to make it simpler and more efficient, and change the Middle East by forcing democracy into the heart of the region. Oh, and he'd like to put legal limits on lawsuits along the way. All this, of course, while taming a raging insurgency and holding an election in Iraq.

The betting already has begun on where Mr. Bush will have to cut back his ambitions, and how fast he'll be forced to do so. Don't count on it. Mr. Bush may fail, but failure is more likely than retreat.

In fact, the simple lesson learned from Mr. Bush's personal history is that he is an inveterate risk-taker, an attribute that makes him noticeably different from his father and more in line with Ronald Reagan. Simply scan his record:

He had no real business running for governor of Texas in 1993, with no experience in public office and a checkered business record. He had no more business running for president in 2000 with less than six years of government experience and against an incumbent vice president riding waves of peace and prosperity.

And who would have guessed that Mr. Bush, becoming president after failing to win the popular vote, would push through a $1.35 trillion tax cut, invade not one but two countries and push through the first-ever Medicare drug benefit at a cost of more than $500 billion over 10 years?

Of course, Mr. Bush also has overseen a federal budget deficit approaching $450 billion, and now must cope with a mess in Iraq that ties down more than 100,000 American troops and consumes more than $4 billion of taxpayer money a month. Ambitious isn't always the same as good.

But like it or not, there needs to be some rethinking of the way this president is viewed. He surely is a conservative in the way that term is used in today's political vernacular, meaning he loves lowering taxes and adheres to traditional values on social and religious questions. But his record suggests he isn't really a small-c conservative in the classic meaning of that term. No pure conservative would look to government to provide a drug benefit as large as the one Mr. Bush championed, or countenance budget deficits as big as today's. He surely doesn't like big government, but he doesn't mind activist government.

Like him or not, W will go down in history as one of the country's most consequential presidents. His ideas are big and he tends to pursue them with great zeal and determination. People know what he stands for and when he says he is going to do something he generally does it.

Commander In Chief

2004-12-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

Commander In Chief
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

The troops love W.

Â CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) - President Bush, appearing before cheering U.S. forces Tuesday, declared that terrorists won't be able to control Iraq's destiny because "free people will never choose their own enslavement."

Bush said that as election day there approaches Jan. 30, "we can expect further violence" but also said that the balloting must go forward.

A large crowd of Marines clad in tan-and-green camouflage uniforms bellowed "oo-rah," as Bush, who donned a tan military-style jacket with epaulets, thanked U.S. forces. He said the bravery and sacrifice of the troops has made America safer.

"You see, the terrorists understand what is at stake," the president said. "They know they have no future in a free Iraq."

"They (terrorists/insurgents) know democracy will give Iraqis a stake in the future of their country," Bush said. "When Iraqis choose their leader in free elections, it will destroy the myth that the terrorists are fighting a foreign occupation and make clear that what the terrorists really are fighting is the will of the Iraqi people."

Bush addressed troops at a stadium at Camp Pendleton in southern California, which has experienced one of the largest casualty rates in Iraq.

Gest what

2004-12-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Gest what
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

Well, tonight is the night of David Gest's big bash. Will it happen? I dunno. It looks like a lineup of has beens and wannabes. I'm a little skeptical of Liza's bitch, but if all of this works out and David feeds a lot of homelss people, I'll consider it a success.

Will they ever learn?

2004-12-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

No. Look at this lede:

Incoming Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid said yesterday that Democrats would vigorously oppose the privatization of Social Security, a proposed constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage and any effort to appoint as U.S. chief justice Clarence Thomas, whom he referred to as "an embarrassment."

Wake up Democrts! The country doesn't approve of gay marriage. Although I personally have no problem with homosexuals getting married, about 60% of the country does has a problem with it. Nobody wants to privatize SS, either.(I'm not so sure it's a bad idea.) They want to create personal savings accounts by diverting a samll percentage of the
SS taxes we pay to accounts that would benefit from market gains. But I have a question: What is the Dem plan to save SS? Just wait till it destroys itself? What about me and all the money I'm paying into it now? It pays for my mom's checks she'll get in the future.

Bold

2004-12-06T06:57:00.000-08:00

saudi attack
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

Saudi terrorists feel so emboldened that they have attacked our embassy in the Kingdom. The royals must crack down or the monster they created will swallow them whole. On our end, we must pursue alternative fuels so we can wean ourselves from the lifeblood that sustains these corrupt regimes â oil.

Walk The Line

2004-12-06T06:48:00.000-08:00

041129oucosl_walk07
Originally uploaded by lawler presley.

Joaquin walks the line!

69

2004-12-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

Apparently, the good Christians at Bellevue Baptist Church have nothing better to do than worry about the sexual overtones of Interstate-69, which will cut right through the heart of Memphis. I hope this is an Onion-like joke. If not, I've got on ething to say: Give me a break, folks. What's next? Will the people at Bellevue want to ban Hot Dogs? What about tacos? Seriously, with everything going on in the world today this group of holier than thou idiots is all worked up over a proposed Inetstate name. Don't get me wrong. I am not bashing religion. I believe in God and one's right to worship. But this kind of crap taints moderate church goers. It allows Libs to paint all religious people as fanatics or zealots, when the great majority are just ordinary, centrist citizens concerned with the direction the country is tilting. I wish these peole would go away.

They've even got King Willie involved:
“Every time I have been out in the public with an ‘I-69’ button on my lapel, teenagers point and snicker at it. I have had many ask me if they can have my button. I believe it is time to change the name of the highway. It is the moral thing to do.”

Can you freaking believe that? I can. Bellevue exerts a lot of political muscle and when its leadership speaks politicians start whimpering. Pathetic.

Kofi must go

2004-12-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Kofi Annan must step down as leader of the dictator-friendly United Nations. He was in charge while the largest swindle in History took place on his watch and involved his son, Kojo. We may be at a tipping here, folks. When US Senators start calling for your head, watch out for the guillotine. This whole episode raise a few questions. First, why aren't the media in full frenzy mode over this? If this were Enron, you wouldn't be able to escape the coverage. And they can't poo-poo this away by saying it's not really an American story because the US pays aalmost 25% of that corrupt body's bills. Second, where is the outcry from "human rights groups" over such a large theft from an impoversihed people? It seems to me that "human rights activist" who opposed the war were happy to let Iraqis suffer under Saddam while Eurocrats enriched themselves with...OIL! The French, Germans and Russians didn't oppose this war on moral grounds, they opposed it because it was going to cut off a revenue stream.

Grizz lose. Again.

2004-12-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

Well the Grizz losing streek has stretched to 5 games. I watched some of last night's game and they looked awful. Bad turnovers. Sloppy ball handling. Poor shot selection. You name it and the Grizz did it. This team needs some help on the court and in the locker room. I'm going to Tuesday's game against the Knicks at FedExForum.

It's official, Coach Cut is gone.

2004-12-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well, the redneck hypocrites at Ole Miss have fired their coach. It's a shame because he really was the best that school could do. Ole Miss has to fight a long history of racism, perceived and real, in its quest to recruit the best athletes in that state. State hired a black head coach to help in that regard. Ole Miss fans are a little crazy. They think their bottom feeder program should win it all every year. They are the only progeam in the SEC west that hasn't made an appearance in the SEC Championship Game. They haven't won the SEC since the 1960s! Now they're going after my coach, Tommy West, who, over the last two years, has laid the smack down on their haughty, redneck asses. That makes me sick.
Here are some great Ole Miss jokes:
What do you get when you cross an Ole Miss cheerleader with a convertable?
An ugly girl who's top comes off easily.

Why don't they put ice in drinks up at Oxford?
The guy with the recipe graduated.

Why don't they teach sex ed at Ole Miss?
They don't want the mule to get too tired!

Why don't you see many Ole Miss Pharmacist?
They can't figure out how to put the medecine bottles in the printer!

Stay away from my coach!

2004-12-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

Ole Miss, the trailer park of the SEC, has fired failed coach David Cutcliff. Rumor is they want to lure away Petrino from Louisville or Tommy West from my beloved university of Memphis. First, why would Petrino want to leave Louisville? His team has a real shot at a BCS bowl this year and nex ear he will join the Big East which has a BCS bowl tie-in. Louisville can pay him. Ole Miss is the doormat of the SEC, the only tema in the West that hasn't appeared in an SEC championship game. And why leave a city like Louisville for a hick town like Oxford and all those redneck fans? Same goes for West, although I fear ole Miss' ability to raise enough money to make him an offer he can't refuse.

The Czar is coming!

2004-12-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it look like the Grizz have settled on Mike Fratello as the new head coach. But, they're also hiring the guy who was second on their wish list, Eric Mussleman, who has a history of turbulent relationships with management and players. But this is the NBA and millionaire athletes often have problems with coaches.

Deck chairs on the Titanic

2004-12-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

The Commercial Appeal is hemoraging readers and head honcho Chris Peck has resorted to sending letters and special promos to subscribers that have dropped the daily.
Memo to Peck: Your readership will continue to dwindle unless you give your customers what they want. One quick question, Mr. Peck: who was the last local conservative to have a column in your newspaper? Good luck answering that one. There is a large band of red that surrounds blue Memphis and your newspaper refuses to cover topics that are important to people who live in that growing red zone. Instead, you force feed them a steady diet of Liberal propoganda. For the love of God why don't you shoot for some intellectual diversity on your editorial staff, which is stacked with Libs. Good luck, Captain Smith.

A legend takes his leave

2004-12-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Tom Brokaw is leaving his anchor tonight. I can't stand it. First, let me say that Brokaw and myself share the same birthday and that when i was a little kid I used to run around in my underoos screaming "I'm Tom Brokaw!" every time I heard the intro music come on. But this really is a milestone. brokaw's resume is impressive. But what I find even more impressive is Brokaw's ability to stay away from a lot of the prtisanship The Dan and Peter pour into their broadcasts. We may never see the likes of these three ever again because the Big 3 keep losing audience as more and more people get Google News Alerts at their desks at work. And just think what Blogs have done for the news consumer. i for one will miss Brokaw.

What do Liberals and crazy North Koreans have in common?

2004-11-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

They all think Karl Rove orchestrated the Osama vide:

The United States deliberately aired a video of Osama bin Laden just days before the Nov. 2 U.S. presidential election to help George W. Bush win, North Korea said on Tuesday, citing comments from Cuban President Fidel Castro.

In an interview on Nov. 16 with the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, the Cuban president "disclosed that the video of the al Qaeda leader, aired on Oct. 29, was a deliberate broadcast to help the reelection of Bush," the television, monitored in Seoul, said.

Need I say more?

Update: But teachers are quick to embrace the Religion of Peace.

Busted!

2004-11-24T14:02:00.000-08:00
All you can say about the three Dirty Memphis Cops who wanted to rob Jerry "The King" Lawler is Holy Shit!

Jerry freaking Lawler!

I mean, from my time working in bars and staying out until the sun came up, I knew there were some cops who were into some shady stuff. But I never thought they would get caught! Throw me some butter because these chumps are toast!

The Declaration of Independence — Banned in the USA!

2004-11-24T13:44:00.000-08:00
I can't believe the Declaration of Independence has beened banned from a public school.

It amazes me that we have now reached the level where educators are willing to whitewash history in an attempt to erase all memory of the founders' belief in an almighty God.

"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every from of tyranny over the mind of man." — Thomas Jefferson

How true.

Call it a comeback.

2004-11-24T13:33:00.000-08:00
After a nice break blogging will resume shortly!

Vote Suppresion or Rallying the Base?

2004-09-22T08:04:00.000-07:00
The CA's D.C. hack, Bart Sullivan, had an unbelievably one-sided look at voting irregularities last week. No mention of the 10,000 or so voters — mostly Democrats — who are registered to vote in Florida and New York, many of whom have voted twice! No mention of the Dems desire to suppress the military vote in 2000. Now the Dems are sending out "poll watchers." But if you read far enough down in the "story" you get this nugget:

But as a partisan strategy for Democrats, calling attention to the suspicious disfranchisement of black voters in 2000 can be effective, he said.
"Even if all there is are suspicions, it does create a useful rallying point," Pohlmann said.
Gee, you think? And the CA, by running this story, no doubt hopes to rally the base.

Poll watchers organized by the coalition will be instructed to observe any suspicious efforts to intimidate voters, to take names and document it with photographs and to involve local polling officials and law enforcement, if necessary. They'll also carry forms that read, "Warning: Intimidating, harassing or improperly challenging voters violates federal and state law ."

Why would anybody want to make sure a voter is actually who he says he is? How absurd!
The CA really does a disservice to its readers by taking part in a smear campaign against GOPers. Yes, there are serious problems with our voting system. But a one-sided hatchet job like Sullivan's does nothing to move the debate forward. Fair and balanced the local fish wrap is not!

Give 'em Zell II!

2004-09-02T08:59:00.000-07:00
This was another great line:

"This is the man who wants to be the Commander in Chief of our U.S. Armed Forces?
U.S. forces armed with what? Spitballs?"

Ha!

Give 'em Zell!

2004-09-02T08:39:00.000-07:00
Zell Miller was absolutely awesome last night. Some of my favorites:

And nothing makes this Marine madder than someone calling American troops occupiers rather than liberators.

Tell that to the one-half of Europe that was freed because Franklin Roosevelt led an army of liberators, not occupiers.

Tell that to the lower half of the Korean Peninsula that is free because Dwight Eisenhower commanded an army of liberators, not occupiers.

Tell that to the half a billion men, women and children who are free today from the Baltics to the Crimea, from Poland to Siberia, because Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) rebuilt a military of liberators, not occupiers.

Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier. And, our soldiers don't just give freedom abroad, they preserve it for us here at home.

For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.

No one should dare to even think about being the Commander in Chief of this country if he doesn't believe with all his heart that our soldiers are liberators abroad and defenders of freedom at home...

Ahnuld!

2004-09-01T08:57:00.000-07:00
The terminator was great. A transcript can be found here.. I thought he did a masterful job of portraying what the majority of Americans believe.And that is that we are a force of good, not evil, in the world. Sure, America has made some horrible mistakes in the pst but we have done far more good than bad.

One of my favorite lines:
"You know, when the Germans brought down the Berlin Wall, America's determination helped wield the sledgehammers."

Another:
"If you believe this country, not the United Nations, is the best hope for democracy, then you are a Republican."

Quote of the freaking night!

2004-08-31T08:08:00.000-07:00
Recounting Kerry’s opposition to the resolution authorizing the Persian Gulf War in 1991, his 2002 vote authorizing Bush to invade Iraq and his later vote against an $87 billion bill for military and reconstruction spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, Giuliani brought a roar from the convention floor when he said, "Maybe this explains John Edwards’s need for two Americas — one where John Kerry can vote for something and another where he can vote against the same things."

The Peace Party?

2004-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00
is this the aprty of Peace? We report, you decide.

When marchers approached the Garden, a police detective was knocked off his scooter. He was then repeatedly kicked and punched in the head by at least one male demonstrator, the police said.

The detective, William Sample, was listed in serious condition at St. Vincent's Manhattan Hospital, where Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly both visited him, the police said. There was no immediate word of an arrest in the assault, but as of 9 p.m., the police said there had been 11 protest-related arrests.

Kerry losing his base?

2004-08-30T09:32:00.000-07:00
Is Captain Kurtz losing his base? Just look at this column from William Rasberry. Here's an excerpt:

No, what infuriates about Kerry is his wish to be all things to all people -- or, at any rate, not to give them any basis for attacking him. He has, as far as I can tell, staked out a single position that might be called controversial: He would repeal the tax cuts for the rich.

But nearly everything else he says or does seems calculated to avoid clear-cut disagreement with people on either side of any issue. Thus he "voted for [the $87 billion supplemental military budget] before I voted against it." Thus he differs with the president on what he would do to extricate us from Iraq, but has offered no discernible policy. Thus he parses every statement to the point where even he must wonder what he said. Thus he (to return to his Vietnam War protest days) didn't return his "medals," but only the "ribbons" that represent them.

And I don't know what to make of the controversy over his wartime heroism and the Swift boat incident, except to say that the details of his indisputably valiant war service more than 30 years ago shouldn't be a matter of significance in this election.

But little things become big issues for Kerry because he refuses to stake out positions on the big things. Maybe, with the polls showing him in a virtual dead heat with Bush, he doesn't want to frighten the "undecideds." Well, if I were undecided (and, frankly, I would be if Kerry were pitted against Bush I instead of his scary son) I'd find Kerry's super-carefulness off-putting.

That is just devastating. Especially since it comes from a man who belongs to two of Kerry's biggest base groups — blacks and journalists.

That August Wind

2004-08-30T09:21:00.000-07:00
John "Capatin Kurtz" Kerry had a terrible month. he has dropped in almost every major poll and the Swift boat vets put a huge dent in veteran support. How bad was August? The Note tells us, courtesy of Mr. Novak:

"Tom Rath, the New Hampshire Republican leader who is one of the nation's shrewdest political observers, told me: ''I don't think any candidate has ever experienced a worse month of August since [Michael] Dukakis [in 1988]'' -- when that earlier Massachusetts Democratic nominee dissipated a double-digit lead. Rath contends the Democratic nominee in the last month has given the GOP an inestimable gift. The Republican challenge for its four days at Madison Square Garden is to present a kinder, gentler face to the nation while pounding away at Kerry."

"Bush in the end will agree to debates, though impending negotiations may result in only two encounters rather than the three customary in recent years. The call for weekly debates, which was brushed off by a routine Bush campaign press release, had been predicted by the president's political aides. The Kerry campaign book, a pattern developed during three decades of him seeking office, is well-known but not respected by Republican opponents."

The beginning of the end for Captain Kurtz?

2004-08-27T14:44:00.000-07:00
Great commentary from the guys at RCP can be found here. Money quotes:

Four new major polls came out yesterday all showing a small lead for President Bush, except for theFOX News poll which has Kerry ahead one point among likely voters. (So much for the liberal gripes you hear about FOX's poll favoring the GOP.)

The poll dump yesterday seems to confirm the damage done to the Kerry campaign from the swift boat/Vietnam blowup over the last two weeks, as the following chart of our RCP 3-Way average indicates:

Even more troubling for the Kerry campaign, however, are the state pollsof registered voters done by the decidedly not conservative Los Angeles Times that show Kerry trailing in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Missouri. It's not good news for Democrats when the front page of the Los Angeles Timesruns a headline story, "Key Midwest Swing States Are Leaning Toward Bush."

Compounding the bad news for Kerry from the LA Times polls, a newIssuesPA/Pew poll of 861 likely voters in Pennsylvania shows President Bush ahead 45%-44%.

The concern for the Kerry campaign is these new polls showing the President ahead both nationally and in critical battleground states are occurring before next week's GOP convention in New York.

Have a great weekend!

The horror. The horror.

2004-08-25T13:54:00.000-07:00
“We were sent to Vietnam to kill Communism. But we found instead that we were killing women and children. (direct quote from John Kerry)”

Senator, did you kill women and children? How many? Why? Should you apologize to the Vietnamese for killing womenn and children?

Poor, poor, pitiful me

2004-08-25T13:32:00.000-07:00
Cleland:

"The question is where is George Bush's honor, the question is where is his shame to attack a fellow veteran who has distinguished himself in combat?"

Cleland should ask Kerry that question. As I have pointed out, Kerry is the "man" who returned from Vietnam to slander each and every person who served over there.

Some things never change

2004-08-25T13:24:00.000-07:00
From Best of the Web:

"I called the media. . . . I said, 'If I take some crippled veterans down to the White House and we chain ourselves to the gates, will we get coverage?' 'Oh, yes, we will cover that.' "--John Kerry, testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, April 22, 1971

"Kerry is sending to Crawford former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia, a frequent companion of Kerry's on the campaign trail and a fellow Vietnam War veteran who lost three limbs during the war. Cleland . . . will try to deliver a letter protesting the [Swift Boat Veterans for Truth] ads to [President] Bush at his heavily guarded ranch, Kerry aides said."--Reuters, Aug. 25, 2004

Go to hell Ole Miss!

2004-08-25T13:05:00.000-07:00
What was the first thing the Ole Miss graduate said to the Memphis graduate after getting his degree?
"Welcome to McDonalds, can I take your order please?"

How can you tell when a Rebel is a married man?
There will be tobacco juice running down both doors of his pickup!

Why do Rebels sing when they use the restroom?
So they know which end to wipe when there finished.

What does an Ole Miss grad call an memphis grad?
"Boss"

What is the difference between an Ole Miss divorce and tornado?
I don't know, but someone's gonna loose a trailer.

What do you call a beautiful girl on the Ole Miss campus?
A visitor.

Kerry makes me sick

2004-08-25T12:37:00.000-07:00
"We are more guilty than any other body of violations of those Geneva Conventions"
Kerry. On the US in Vietnam. I think I'm gonna puke.

Fair and Balanced

2004-08-25T12:33:00.000-07:00
From mediatenor.com:

The Fox News Channel's coverage of the presidential candidates differed from their presentation on ABC's and CBS's evening news programs, with an overall more positive tone in statements on or by George W. Bush. NBC, conversely, featured the least negative portrayal of John Kerry in last week's coverage.

From August 16 to 19, Media Tenor compared the coverage of the evening news broadcasts of ABC, CBS and NBC with Special Report with Brit Hume on the Fox News Channel. Both Bush and Kerry received overall negative coverage in all analyzed media.

On network news, negative reports on Bush exceeded negative reports by a 25% to 35% share of the overall coverage. In the same period, coverage of Bush on Fox was overall neutral in tone, without a predominance of negative or positive reports.

In the coverage of Kerry, ABC, CBS and FOX reported with a 22% to 17% excess of more negative than positive reports. NBC featured the most positive coverage of Kerry, with only an approximate 4% share of more negative than positive reports, at the same time portraying Bush in the most negative tone, with 35% more negative than positive reports.

The Special Report with Brit Hume was chosen for this study for featuring more political coverage than other shows with a similar time frame.

Where's Hoss when you need him?

2004-08-25T12:22:00.000-07:00
It looks like John "Captain Kurtz" Kerry is sending failed senator Max "Pity Me" Cleland to W's ranch to stop the Swift boat ads. Can you believe Captain Kurtz is going to these lengths to squash Vietnam Veterans' freedom of speech? Unbelievable The Secret Service should roll Cleland's whiney ass off the ranch. And WTF is Cleland thinking? Kurtz came back and slimed all Vietnam vets — including Cleland.

Here is the GOP reply to Cleland's stupid media stunt:

Letter to John Kerry

August 25, 2004

Senator John Kerry
304 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Kerry,

We are pleased to welcome your campaign representatives to Texas today. We honor all our veterans, all whom have worn the uniform and served our country. We also honor the military and National Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today. We are very proud of all of them and believe they deserve our full support.

That’s why so many veterans are troubled by your vote AGAINST funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, after you voted FOR sending them into battle. And that’s why we are so concerned about the comments you made AFTER you came home from Vietnam. You accused your fellow veterans of terrible atrocities – and, to this day, you have never apologized. Even last night, you claimed to be proud of your post-war condemnation of our actions.

We’re proud of our service in Vietnam. We served honorably in Vietnam and we were deeply hurt and offended by your comments when you came home.

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t build your convention and much of your campaign around your service in Vietnam, and then try to say that only those veterans who agree with you have a right to speak up. There is no double standard for our right to free speech. We all earned it.

You said in 1992 “we do not need to divide America over who served and how.” Yet you and your surrogates continue to criticize President Bush for his service as a fighter pilot in the National Guard.

We are veterans too – and proud to support President Bush. He’s been a strong leader, with a record of outstanding support for our veterans and for our troops in combat. He’s made sure that our troops in combat have the equipment and support they need to accomplish their mission.

He has increased the VA health care budget more than 40% since 2001 – in fact, during his four years in office, President Bush has increased veterans funding twice as much as the previous administration did in eight years ($22 billion over 4 years compared to $10 billion over 8.) And he’s praised the service of all who served our country, including your service in Vietnam.

We urge you to condemn the double standard that you and your campaign have enforced regarding a veteran’s right to openly express their feelings about your activities on return from Vietnam.

Sincerely,

Texas State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson
Rep. Duke Cunningham
Rep. Duncan Hunter
Rep. Sam Johnson
Lt. General David Palmer
Robert O'Malley, Medal of Honor Recipient
James Fleming, Medal of Honor Recipient
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Castle (Ret.)

Can somebody ask Captain Kurtz about this

2004-08-25T12:01:00.000-07:00
I wish one member of the press had enough guts to ask Kerry if he still stands behind statements like this:

"We saw Vietnam ravaged equally by American bombs as well as by search and destroy missions, as well as by Vietcong terrorism, and yet we listened while this country tried to blame all of the havoc on the Vietcong.

We rationalized destroying villages in order to save them. We saw Ammerica lose her sense of morality as she accepted very coolly a My Lai and refused to give up the image of American soldiers who hand out chocolate bars and chewing gum.

We learned the meaning of free fire zones, shooting anything that moves, and we watched while America placed a cheapness on the lives of orientals."

Senator,
Do you believe America "accepted" My Lai?
Did you burn down villages? Which ones? Were you odered to do so? By Whom? Why didn't you refuse, as you knew you could?
Is there a moral equivalencey between US Forces and the Vietcong?
Do you still believe Americans "placed a cheapness on the lives of orientals?" If not, why did you make such a statement?
Do you think you should apologize to all Vietnam veterans? If not, why not?
Should you apologize for personally criticizing, on multiple occassions, President Bush's service in the National Guard? Bush has done nothing but praise your service as "honorable" and "noble."

Liberal Rage!

2004-08-25T11:02:00.000-07:00
From my girlfriend, a reader:

oh, I have just one more..it's too easy. Ooh, I think this is my favorite part. You have been blasting Kerry right and left (well, just right, really) - a man who has BEEN to war, unlike yourself or George Wanker Bush. Have you ever witnessed a war? You sit in your cozy office and collect your paychecks, then go home and watch your Fox News on satellite television and praise an idiot named George who has never performed a day of real work in his life, while, mostly, the children of the lower classes, fight your war against those "damned A-rabs". Yet, you pass judgment on the fact that Kerry has problems with your ridiculous Republican machismo violence and downplay Kerry's acts of heroism (based on the Swift-dorks who are backed by Republican money- they're aging veterans who sold out for GOP cash), and everyone (with half a brain) around for the first bout knows that W's worldwide outburst is an attempt for baby Georgie to win daddy's approval by taking on the world by going after the man Daddy Dearest couldn't get to, but, Hey! Let's go after him because the other dude who really wants to hurt us immensely and already has,is a family friend, and we can't risk messing up our business relationship and losing oil profits.
I mean, I, George, am too stupid to EARN a living after all. I achieved a C- Average at Yale, even though I didn't have to work, yet many people on student loans and scholarships work two jobs and have a 4.0, but they don't get to be Prez (eeww, maybe they are "Ethnic" or grew up without their own airplane) Umm,anyway, let's just take some money away from nurses, yeah, they don't deserve it, only keeping people alive day in and day out, maybe Georgie can give his rich friends more stuff, stuff they desperately need, you know, for pollution or yachts or extravagant pay raises that leave the workers unemployed, or, hey, let's put more money into killing, not only Americans in service, but Iraqi babies, old people, whatever.
Well, Georgie can get more stuff his rich-ass buddies, and that's what matters: THAT 2 % of the population ( if he comprehends percentages or people who aren't rich, but I doubt it). .
Now, I can't say that I have BEEN to war,as in fighting, but I've gotten closer than you or that muppet named George ever has. I have seen bombs go off (not on television or films, like you have), been in numerous bombscares and have witnessed riots and people throwing petrol bombs at one another in the streets. Maybe if you had spent a little time in my shoes, or those of most citizens of the world, you would shut the hell up about Kerry's war record- something a comfy East Memphis White boy (like his Texan cowboy couterpart)hasn't the slightest notion of.

Just what we need

2004-08-25T10:50:00.000-07:00
Just got this in my inbox:

Media Advisory

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION VOWS A TOTAL COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner will address traveler complaints of rude and unprofessional behavior by CBP Officers, and unveil U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s three-pronged professionalism initiative to address concerns and correct problems. CBP Officers and Agents are America's frontline of defense against terrorists and terrorist weapons. In carrying out this important mission, it places our officers squarely at the center of America's efforts to defend our homeland at and between our ports of entry. The CBP Officers and agents must make law enforcement discretion decisions every day that affects the lives of thousands of people. With this three-pronged initiative, Commissioner Bonner hopes to help CBP officers and agents make those discretionary decisions much more quickly.

Yeah, that's just what we need. Millions of people —including known terrorists—pour across the Southern border every year. I understand their desire to move here — they want a better life for themselves and their family and that is understandable. But a lot of people from other countries want to come here, too. And they do it the legal way. If people are caught entering this country illegally they should be treated rudely and sent packing. They should do it the legal way, as thousands upon thousands of others do.

I think they have bigger things to worry about, according to this poll of border agents:

How satisfied are you that you have been given the tools, training, and support you need to be effective in stopping potential terrorists and protecting the country from terrorist threats? Very satisfied (16%) 34% Fairly satisfied (18%) Not really satisfied (35%) 64% Just somewhat satisfied (29%) 91% say that stopping potential terrorists from entering the country and protecting the country from terrorist threats are very important aspects of their job.
Most believe that the Department of Homeland Security could be doing more to stop potential terrorists from entering the country and to protect the country from terrorist threats. Three in five (62%) front-line border protection personnel say the Department of Homeland Security could be doing more to protect the country from terrorist threats with the right leadership and approaches, with two in five (41%) believing that the Department could be doing a lot more in this critical area. At the same time, respondents recognize that stopping potential terrorists is a very important aspect of their job; 91% say this is the case. And a full 77% say they have seen a significant shift in their responsibilities since September 11 th. In an open-ended question, one respondent notes: “[Our] primary responsibility is to stop terrorists from coming across the border; we are no longer able to do interior enforcement.” Clearly, front-line border protection personnel believe we can and must do more to protect our borders. A slim majority feel that the country has made some progress in securing the homeland since the September 11 th attacks of three years ago, but a surprisingly large 44% of these front-line personnel say we are no safer today. 2

Capatin Kurtz Flip Flops...Again

2004-08-25T08:19:00.000-07:00
Check this out from Mr. Christian Amanpour,aka James Rubin:

By Ronald Brownstein, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — A top foreign policy advisor to Sen. John F. Kerry on Tuesday retracted a comment that had been cited by President Bush and his supporters to claim that Kerry backed the decision to invade Iraq.

In a statement to The Times, James P. Rubin said he was wrong when he recently said that as president, Kerry "in all probability" would also have invaded Iraq if weapons inspections broke down and the United Nations explicitly authorized war.

"I never should have said the phrase 'in all probability' Kerry would have launched a military attack because that's not Kerry's position and he's never said it," Rubin said in the statement.

His retraction was another example of the struggle by Kerry and his campaign to clarify his position on Iraq and how it differs from Bush's. For months, Bush and his supporters have accused the Democratic presidential nominee of sending conflicting signals on Iraq and trying to blur his position to appeal to both prowar and antiwar voters.

Steve Schmidt, a spokesman for Bush's reelection campaign, said the statement by Rubin, an assistant secretary of state for public affairs during the Clinton administration, was "more in a long line of confusing statements by John Kerry and his advisors" about the war in Iraq.

"There's a reason why a guy as smart as Jamie Rubin is confused about John Kerry's position: it's because John Kerry has changed it on an almost weekly basis," Schmidt said.

Ouch!

The Insane Left

2004-08-24T14:13:00.000-07:00
From Opinion Journal:

The Angry Left
"North Korea has described US President George W Bush as an 'imbecile' and a 'tyrant that puts Hitler in the shade,' " the BBC reports (ellipsis in original):

President Bush explained in a speech in Hudson, Wisconsin, last Wednesday, his decision to ask other countries in the region to help him persuade the North to disarm.

"I felt it was important to bring other countries into the mix, like China and Japan and South Korea and Russia, so there's now five countries saying to the tyrant in North Korea, disarm, disarm," he said.

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman, in comments carried by state news agency KCNA, responded: "This clearly proves that the DPRK [North Korea] was right when it commented that he is a political imbecile bereft of even elementary morality. . . .

"Bush is a tyrant that puts Hitler into the shade and his group of such tyrants is a typical gang of political gangsters," he said.

What's the difference between a Democrat and a North Korean communist? One thinks President Bush is a stupid Hitler, and the other--oh wait, never mind.

Ha!

Harkin back to better days

2004-08-24T13:17:00.000-07:00
Instapundit provides us with great commentary about Tom "Cheney's a Coward" Harkin from David Yepsen at the Des Moines Register. Yepsen is regarded, rightly, as one of the best in the business.

Harkin:
Hurt Iowa. The remark will make it even more difficult for the senator to work with Republicans. Even if Bush and Cheney lose, he will still have GOP senators to deal with. And who in any Bush administration is going to help Harkin obtain grants or programs that benefit Iowa? He already has trouble doing that.

Hurt himself. Harkin doesn't have to seek re-election until 2008, so perhaps he figures everyone will have forgotten about this remark by then. Not so. The comment has moved the political seismograph more than anything else he's ever said. Republicans won't forget it, and Harkin has assured himself that his foes will come at him harder than ever. His military record - including whether he hyped his own service as a Navy pilot - will again be an issue.

•Is inconsistent. Did the senator ever call Bill Clinton a "coward" because he used deferments to avoid service in Vietnam? No. While Harkin had little time for Clinton in their 1992 presidential campaign, he never carried his words this far. Did Harkin ever call Howard Dean a "coward" for doing much the same thing as Cheney? No. Harkin endorsed him for the presidency. John Edwards didn't enlist. Neither did Tom Vilsack.

That hurts. It should.

The heat is on!

2004-08-24T09:15:00.000-07:00
Coalition troops are closing in on Fat Man Sadr. His army is scared, tired and ready to give up. I know VP Cheney mocked John "Captain Kurtz" Kerry for wanting to conduct a more "sensitive" war on terrorism. Yet, that is exactly what we have been doing in Najaf. We should have gone in earlier and taken this fat bastard out. I don't care if it is "one of the holiest shrines in Islam." Ever noticed that almost every single f'ing mosque on planet Earth is "one of the holiest shrines in Islam."

The Liberal Mind

2004-08-23T13:21:00.000-07:00
Check this out. From lib blogger Josh Marshall:

President Bush isn't even man enough to answer a straight question about these Swift Boat ads. (You'll have to pardon my antiquated and gendered language. But I'm not sure English has any more presentable way to convey the same meaning.)

Can you believe that? He had to throw in a qualifier about his "man enough" remark. That is freakin great!

Go to hell Ole Miss!

2004-08-23T12:27:00.000-07:00
What do Ole Miss and raccoons have in common?
They both sleep at home and get killed on the road!

How are Ole Miss and Frosted Flakes different ?
Because Frosted Flakes belong in a bowl!

I hope the mighty Tigers of Memphis whip that Rebel ass! Again!
My prediction:
Tigers-28 Ole Miss-10

I've had just about Najaf!

2004-08-23T12:21:00.000-07:00
A Marine on Iraq. From the NYT of all places.

Did Kerry kill Harkin?

2004-08-23T12:11:00.000-07:00
From the AP:

Republicans are suggesting that Sen. Tom Harkin has been pulled from a campaign swing for Sen. John Kerry for calling Vice President Dick Cheney a "coward."

Kerry's campaign in Wisconsin had been publicizing a "Tour of Honor" featuring Harkin and former Sen. Max Cleland. The Iowa senator was to speak in Eau Claire Thursday but withdrew for "logistical reasons," said Lesley Sillaman of Kerry's Wisconsin campaign.

She denied that Harkin was "pulled from the lineup."

I guess this< is why we haven't seen or heard from Harkin lately?

Since John "Captain Kurtz" Kerry admits he was involved in committing "war crimes" and "attorcities," somebody might want to check and see if old Harkin is till around. Kerry may have torched his house in a manner reminiscent of Ghengis Khan, or something.

Bring it On!

2004-08-23T09:31:00.000-07:00
That's what John "Captain Kurtz" Kerry kept telling GOPers. Now, it looks like he can't stand the heat. he's asking that the Swift Vet ads be pulled and he even threatened TV stations.

More:

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Saturday night urged President Bush to "stand up and stop" what he called personal attacks on him over his combat record in Vietnam.

Personal attacks? He's done nothing but hold up his Viet Nam narrative as his single best qualification for the Presidency since the beginning of this year. Perhaps his staff should play the videotape of his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention, or the speeches in support of him by the discredited David Alston and others, who couldn't talk about anything else.

"That's why they're attacking my credibility. That's why they've personally gone after me. The president needs to stand up and stop that. The president needs to have the courage to talk about it." ...

In Roanoke, Va., on Saturday, Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards also called on Bush to end the Swift Boat Veterans ads.

"This is a moment of truth for George W. Bush," Edwards said at a Democratic rally. "We're going to see what kind of man he is and what kind of leader he is. ... We want to hear three words: Stop these ads."

I don't know what kind of a lawyer John Edwards might be, but he's obviously rather deficient on tax and electoral law. Candidates can't direct the actions of independent 527s; otherwise, it violates both codes. Not only should both Edwards and Kerry know this as lawyers, they should know it as candidates, since independent 527s like America Coming Together and MoveOn have spent over $50 million against George Bush this year, compared to the microscopic $250,000 the Swiftvets have spent on their campaign.

Kerry in trouble III?

2004-08-23T09:14:00.000-07:00
From the Boston Globe:

The Kerry campaign removed a 20-page batch of documents yesterday from its website after The Boston Globe quoted a Navy officer who said the documents wrongly portrayed Kerry's service. Edward Peck had said he -- not Kerry -- was the skipper of Navy boat No. 94 at a time when the Kerry campaign website credited the senator with serving on the boat. The website had described Kerry's boat as being hit by rockets and said a crewmate was injured in an attack. But Peck said those events happened when he was the skipper. The campaign did not respond to a request to explain why the records were removed.

The medical records displayed by the campaign yesterday were shown to a small group of reporters and were not publicly released.

More from the San Francisco Examiner:

John F. Kerry's campaign for president is imploding. And he knows it.

The anti-war candidate went public as a pro-war candidate this week, and the members of his beloved "Band of Brothers" are exposing a whole book's worth of ugly lies. And they've got details, evidence, footnotes, signed affidavits and witnesses who back up their claims.

Kerry himself bestowed immense credibility on his "Band of Brothers" when he used a picture of some of them in his campaign ad titled "Lifetime."

Essentially, Kerry made Vietnam, and these men, the centerpiece of his campaign. Of course, that was when he thought they'd support his candidacy. No matter that he'd never bothered to ask their permission to use them to promote his political career.

Now, however, the Kerry campaign is on a search-and-destroy mission to attack the credibility of these same men -- calling them liars, all 60 of them, and saying they didn't serve in the military with him. Really? Then why'd Kerry use their pictures in his ad campaign?

These are the same men who Kerry hailed as his "Band of Brothers," who he implied knew him well and could vouch for him as a wonderful soldier and man.

Kerry in trouble II?

2004-08-23T07:22:00.000-07:00
From The Note:

—If the terrain switches to Kerry's protest-era statements, the story will be kept alive even longer, and Kerry's capacity to win the "truth" war will be more limited.

—The new Bush ad going after John Kerry on taxes is almost certainly more likely to work, now that Kerry's "trouble with the truth" reputation has been stoked by the Swift Boaters.

—The effectiveness of the counter attack by veterans who support Kerry has yet to be measured. The Kerry campaign has more waves of veterans coming out today to support Kerry and is making sure local stations in key states have access to their new real and Internet ads.

—For what is the "mainstream" press a bigger sucker — accusations that the president and Karl Rove are engaged in a secret smear, or anything involving John McCain? (It's a close call, but marry them up, the Kerry campaign knows, and you have something potentially potent!!)

—Kerry having to spend general election money on ads in August to combat the SBVfT is not that big a deal — given the amounts involved — but it ain't nothing, either.

—We'll wait to see if, as expected, the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth go up with their new ad in three new states tomorrow, and Kerry matches them with HIS new ad.

It should be interesting!

Kerry in trouble?

2004-08-23T07:15:00.000-07:00
From an advisor "close to the Kerry campaign":

"When you're basically running on your biography and there are ongoing attacks that are undermining the credibility of your biography, you have a really big problem."

Legalize It!

2004-08-23T06:51:00.000-07:00
Looks like the state of Tennessee will begin taxing drug dealers.

Still Waiting

2004-08-23T06:49:00.000-07:00
for the NYT story detailing the "web of connections" between the Kerry campaign and 527s like MoveOn and ACT.

One of My Former Bosses

2004-08-20T12:27:00.000-07:00
on Kerry and "attack" ads:

"The dirty work thus far has been done much more to Kerry's benefit than to Bush's. Estimates from last month indicate that Democratic "leaning" 527s such as MoveOn, the Media Fund and America Coming Together had spent some $50 million on TV ads -- almost all of them attacking Bush. Much has been made by Kerry supporters of the 'positive' campaign the Democrat has run on the airwaves. But that's easy to do when you're getting support from other sources on the negative front" -- National Journal columnist Vaughn Ververs, on John Kerry's complaints about "dirty work" being done by the "527" ad group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

Why Kerry Responded

2004-08-20T11:30:00.001-07:00
Because the swift boat vet ads work.

While I was in beautiful Washington, D.C., I got the chance to talk to Dem and GOP pollsters and they all agreed on one thing: negative ads most definitely work.

Why Kerry Responded

2004-08-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Because the swift boat vet ads work.

While I was in beautiful Washington, D.C., I got the chance to talk to Dem and GOP pollsters and they all agreed on one thing: negative ads most definitely work.

Ouch!

2004-08-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Blogs for Bush on the NYT:

It is clear to most Americans that the Times is no longer a news organization, but rather a liberal advocacy group that, because of its designation as a media outlet, is exempt from campaign finance laws that crimp the First Amendment rights of other groups. In this sense, Bill Keller with a newspaper and Wayne LaPierre with a radio station are one and the same.

That hurts!

Round Two!

2004-08-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

The new anti-Kerry ad sounds devastating:

The #1 bestseller, UNFIT FOR COMMAND, reveals dozens of eyewitness accounts of questionable Kerry actions in Vietnam. But that is only half the story…

Equally shocking, the book reveals what Kerry did after his unusually short tour of duty. Kerry’s graphic tales of atrocities before a Senate committee were a slap in the face to the military heroes who were, at that very moment, fighting and dying in Vietnam. His anti-war rhetoric was played over and over to our POWs in an effort to break them. Kerry’s meeting with communist leaders in Paris, while still a naval officer, danced at the edge of treason. And there’s much more…

Captain Kurtz

2004-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Will a reporter, any reporter, ask Kerry about this statement:
"Yes, I committed the same kinds of atrocities as thousands of other soldiers have committed," Kerry said in the sound bite. "I took part in search and destroy missions, in the burning of villages."

What, Senator Kerry, atrocities did you specifically committ? Were you ordered to do that? By whom?

Finally!

2004-08-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

Some major media take up the controversy surrounding John "Captain Kurtz" Kerry and the swift boats. Although, they take it up as an effort by loyal GOPers to smear Kerry. I don't remember such in-depth scrutiny of moveon.org ads. i wish they wouild address some of the specific charges. The press in this country, of which I am a memeber, is doing a disservice to this country. They are discrediting themselves daily.

Will the NY Times please ask Kerry about this:

2004-08-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

Here is Kerry's account of the final episode of his four-month Vietnam cameo, for which he received his third Purple Heart and a Bronze Star:
    A mine went off alongside Kerry's Swift Boat, PCF 94. Rassmann was blown into the water. Kerry was terribly wounded from the underwater mine.
    Kerry, 25, turned his boat back into the fire zone and, bleeding heavily from his arm and side, reached into the water and pulled Rassmann to safety with enemy fire all around. Kerry then towed a sinking boat out of the action.
    There is only one problem with this scenario involving five Swift Boats on the Bay Hap River, described in Douglas Brinkley's biography "Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War" (William Morrow, 2004) and elsewhere: It is another gross exaggeration of what actually happened and, in several ways, a fraud perpetrated upon the Navy and the nation.
    Kerry's conduct on March 13, 1969, was more worthy of disciplinary action than any sort of medal. The action certainly does not establish his credentials for becoming the president of the United States.
    Kerry's report
    According to the records, Kerry claimed in the casualty report that he prepared March 13, 1969, that he was wounded as a result of a mine explosion.
    Within a short period, he presented his request to go home on the basis of his three Purple Hearts. By March 17, 1969, his short combat career in Vietnam was over.
    Notwithstanding the fake submission for his Bronze Star after this incident, Kerry never was wounded or bleeding from his arm.
    All reports, including the medical reports, make clear that he suffered a minor bruise on his arm and minor shrapnel wounds on his buttocks. The minor bruise on his arm would never have justified a Purple Heart and is not mentioned in the citation.
    This leaves only Kerry's rear-end wound. This wound, like the injury received at Cam Ranh Bay on Dec. 2, 1968, for which he received his first Purple Heart, was of the minor tweezer-and-Band-Aid variety.
    How did Kerry receive a shrapnel wound in his buttocks from the explosion of an underwater mine, as his report suggests? Many participants in the incident state that neither weapons fire nor a mine explosion occurred near Kerry.
    Larry Thurlow, an experienced, genuine hero and Swift Boat veteran, commanded PCF 51, the boat behind Kerry on March 13, 1969.
    Thurlow was on the shore that morning with Kerry and a group of Nung soldiers, who were mercenaries working with the South Vietnamese. Thurlow recalls that Kerry had wounded himself in the buttocks that morning with a grenade that he set off too close to a stock of rice he was trying to destroy.
    Boston Globe's account
    This rice incident is all too reminiscent of the M-79 grenade that Kerry exploded too close to some rocks on shore at Cam Ranh Bay three months earlier, causing the shrapnel in his arm that resulted in his first Purple Heart.
    The rice episode also involved Rassmann, later pulled from the water by Kerry, according to the Boston Globe.
    "At one point, Kerry and Rassmann threw grenades into a huge rice cache that had been captured from the Viet Cong and was thus slated for destruction," Boston Globe reporters Michael Kranish, Brian C. Mooney and Nina J. Easton write in their "John F. Kerry: The Complete Biography" (PublicAffairs Reports, 2004).
     "After tossing the grenades, the two dove for cover. Rassmann escaped the ensuing explosion of rice, but Kerry was not as lucky — thousands of grains stuck to him. The result was hilarious, and the two men formed a bond."
    Very probably, the incident that Rassmann described to the Globe that resulted in Kerry's self-inflicted wound also produced the very wound Kerry used to claim his third and final Purple Heart.
    Indeed, Kerry's report for that day mentions the rice he destroyed. He dishonestly transferred the time and cause of the injury to coincide with the Swift Boat action later in the day and claimed the cause of the injury was the mine exploding during that later action.
    By March 1969, most of Kerry's Swift Boat peers at the tiny An Thoi base were aware of his reputation as an unscrupulous self-promoter with an insatiable appetite for medals. But no one actually understood what Kerry pulled off.
    When Thurlow finally realized that the sinking of another skipper's boat, PCF 3, was the same incident described by a Kerry campaign advertisement and in Brinkley's "Tour of Duty," he knew Kerry had used the mine explosion and tragedy for PCF 3's crew as his ticket home.
    Thurlow was astounded by the metamorphosis that had taken place in the explanation of Kerry's wound: from Kerry's own grenade as a cause, an incident the Globe described and which Thurlow knew about; to a grenade error by friendly forces in the absence of hostile fire (Kerry's secret Vietnam journal and "Tour of Duty" ); and finally to the mine explosion (Kerry's report and Purple Heart citation).

I won't hold my breath

The Mullahs are Mad

2004-08-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

It looks like Iran is itching for a fight. If they're not careful, they might get what they wish for.

Second Swift Ad

2004-08-20T00:04:00.000-07:00

Opens: John Kerry, in what appears to be his own voice, detailing the accusations of war crimes he made before the Senate in 1971. Famous picture of Kerry in fatigues at hearing is background picture throughout.

Overlay:Joe Ponder - Wounded 1968 " The accusations ....hurt me more than any physical wounds.

More testimony.

Overlay - Ken Cordier - POW 12/66 to 3/73 -"That was part of the torture ... to sign a statement that you had committed war crimes"

More testimony

Overlay - Paul Galanti POW 1/66-2/73 - "John Kerry gave the enemy for free, what I and many of my comrades .. in the prison camps took torture to avoid saying. It demoralized us ..

More testimony

Ken Cordier - "He betrayed us in the past. How could we be loyal to him now ?"

Paul Galanti - "He dishonored his country, and more important, the people he served with. He just sold them out."

Loud and strong "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is responsible for the content of this advertisement."

Just devastating.

You're not getting on this plane

2004-08-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

Senator Ted "The Murderer" Kennedy on "no-fly list." Ha!

Ugly

2004-08-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

I sure hope this is true. If they're all like this, I'll be there every night.

Memphis Teachers and NCLB

2004-08-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

Read this old NCLB story from the CA.
The Commercial Appeal
Final
B1
English
Copyright (c) 2004 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.

WASHINGTON

President Bush will be in Knoxville today to celebrate the second anniversary of signing the No Child Left Behind law, but the unions representing Memphis and Tennessee teachers aren't doing handsprings.
Instead, they predict many Tennessee teachers will be scouring the records and platforms of the Democratic presidential contenders for one who promises them relief from the law that has placed 44 Memphis schools in jeopardy of state takeover.
Among other requirements, the federal law insists that states test students on the highest-level math course the state requires, and it holds schools accountable for students' performance on math and reading/language arts tests. It also sets certain criteria for teachers.
Critics say it does not provide adequate funding to meet the requirements, and that some of them are unrealistic.
Lola Bolden, president of the 5,800-member Memphis Education Association, said teachers were "very upset" by the law.
It "has really sensitized teachers in Tennessee, and I think across the country, to the impact Washington has on their lives," said Jerry Winters, lobbyist for the 55,000-member Tennessee Education Association.
Bush also defended his education record at a Nashville school last September, but he has yet to visit Memphis, where 149 of 185 schools failed one or more standards of No Child Left Behind, including the 44 facing a potential takeover.
All five of the Democrats running for president who are members of Congress voted for the No Child Left Behind law, but all are criticizing Bush's funding and implementation of the law now.
Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., said during the Democratic debate in Iowa on Sunday that he still believed in accountability and standards, but that putting faith in Bush to administer the policy had been "devastating."
Since Bush took office, support for disadvantaged students and schools under the Title One program will have increased by $57 million, up to $198.5 million in a pending appropriations bill, notes Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., says he would fix the tests used under No Child Left Behind. Tests should reflect actual learning and there should be other ways to measure school performance than test scores, he says.

Judging from the city's test scores, it looks all these idiots were wrong. I wonder if they will apologize to the president?

Liar, liar..

2004-08-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

Somebody better check Sen.Tom Harkin's ass because his pants have been on fire. The lib from Iowa ccalled Veep Cheney a "coward" because he didn't serve in Vietnam. Now it looks like Harkin lied about his Vietnam service. Why in the hell did Kerry get this a**hole to do his dirty work?

Jerry Lives!

2004-08-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Sort of. USA Today has a piece on the Fat man Who Rocked. Pretty interesting.

I'm gonna get you Sadr!

2004-08-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

It looks like the Fat Man may get his wish.Troops are ready to take him out. I think we made a huge mistake by not taking swift and decisive action against al Sadr early on. I hate to admit it, but it looks like we are trying to fight a PC battle in Najaf. We should have crushed this guy like a roach.

It's been a while...

2004-08-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

But I'm back. The recent success of Memphis City Schools is impressive. But of all the ink spilled over the issue, I have yet to see mention of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. These children certainly weren't left behind by the act and, I think, it is a big part of the local schools turning things around. Do you remember all the bitching and moaning from teachers and local libs about how the standards in the legislation were "impossible" to meet? I do. I hope the local fishwrap will analyze what effect NCLB had on the dramatic improvements. I noticed Wendi C. metioned something about tutors. What about the "underfunded" NCLB Act, Wendi?

It's been a while...

2004-08-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

But I'm back. First let's starts with Memphis City Schools. Of all the ink spilled over the recent success of MCS, there has been no mention of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. Remeber how teachers bitched and moaned abou the tough new standards and the "lack" of money to "adequately fund" it? I sure do. The local fish wrap had story after story poopooing NCLB and giving prominence to worried teachers. They should go back and talk to those teachers now. Or how about an in-depth look at what effect, if any, NCLB had on these improved scores? Don't hold your breath.

Churchill on the "Religion of Peace"

2004-07-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

”Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die. But the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytising faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."

Quite astute observations, don't you think?

Dirty Bomb in Iraq?

2004-07-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Check this out. I wonder how much of this the country will hear about from Big Media?

We've got better hair!

2004-07-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

That's the Kerry/Edwards platform, folks. But seriously, I'm not quite sure what to make of the Edwards pick. Part of me thinks it is a great pick for the Dems. He's young, handsome, smart and Southern. He could appeal to young voters (remember all the breathless coverage of Bubba/Gore and how they inspired bommer voters and their kids) and swing voters in the Midwest who worry about losing factory jobs. On the other hand, he is very inexperienced, just six years in the Senate, and it is very unlikely he would have won his reelection. He is a trial lawyer and while they are responsible for some good things, most American hate lawerys. The South is absolutely out of play for Dems. And very little has been mentioned about this so far (thanks big media) so I will bring it up. We are in an age of terrorism and war and Edwards is one heartbeat away from the Oval Office. On 9/11 VP Cheney was essentially in control of the government when POTUS' communications went down. Do you want Edwards calling the shots?

UPDATE: Bush talks about Edwards inexperience.

Conspiracy

2004-07-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Are the media involved in a conspiracy to "take out" President Bush? It appears so from the awful reporting we are getting from our major dailies. There were huge problems with the 9/11 commisssions findings on Iraq/al Qaeda ties. It was so bad the commission's chair and co-chair spent two days on television correcting any "journalist" who had them on. Cheney fired a shot at the NYT. Now, look at this coverage form the LA Times, which has also had serious problems with poll reporting.

More Moore

2004-07-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

Wendi Thomas takes Michael "fat fucking liar" Moore to task, sort of. Wendi makes some good points but she makes sure she gets in a few good jabs at W and the Administaration. And she never tackles all the factually inaccuracies in the film. Plus Moore is very sly about his accusations/insinuations. Most of the time he never comes flat out and makes a claim. Instead, he implies copnspiracy.
And another thing. This movie has the real potential to hurt Democrats. They are in a rage over Bush much the same way Conservatives were blinded by their hatred of Clinton. That hatred never transferred to the voting public and Bubba won a second term. The same could be true this year.

Protests

2004-07-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

It seems that the cable news media only likes to cover protests against America. Thousands of people have poured onto the sreets of Hong Kong to protest communist China's oppressive rule. I wonder how much we'll see about this.

Trial of The Century

2004-07-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Saddam stands before an IRAQI court to receive IRAQI justice.

Legends

2004-06-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

One living legend and another in the making are set to square off today when Roger Clemens of the Astros faces Mark Prior of the Cubs today at Wrigley Field. This is a don't miss match-up for baseball fans. I hope I can get away long enough to catch some of it.

Leadership

2004-06-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

John Kerry wouldn't cross a picket line to meet with Dem mayors in Boston. How do voters expect Kerry to stand up to Islamofascists, North Korea and France when he will not even lead in his home state. The mayor of Boston is ticked.

Big fat liar

2004-06-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

A book that destroys the Michael Moore myth has reached number 8 on Amazon.

Frogmen moments

2004-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

President Bush stumps for Turkey's entry into NATO but the French stand in the way. The French are not our allies. They are on the wrong side.

Fuck Off

2004-06-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

This is Wendy Thomas' latest offering:

In February 2001, Vice President Cheney said of the Bush administration: "We do not mind debating our opponents. . . . But we also take seriously the responsibility to be honest and to be civil."
--Yes, that is what Cheney said. I believe he meant it but when Dems, not fringe elements but US Senators, take Michael Moore's lines and lies and raise them as if they were fact, they are the ones acting uncivil.
Why would the No. 2 man in the free world let fly arguably the worst four-letter word?
How did a leader of the party committed to a return to family values and moralityand keeping Super Bowl half-time shows nipple-free come to such a foul end?
Whatever did Leahy do to prompt such bile?
He criticized Cheney.
--That's right, he just criticized him. Who can't take a litle criticism every once in a while, right?
Leahy had wondered aloud about any improprieties behind the plum no-bid contracts to rebuild Iraq won by Halliburton, the company Cheney used to head.
--I wonder if Ms. Thomas knows how many companies in the WORLD do the same job as Halliburton. I think it's about 5.
A fair, if pointed, question provoked a despicable, if heartfelt, reaction.
In his defense, Cheney told Fox News, "I expressed myself rather forcefully, felt better after I did."
Worse, Cheney said his rebuke was "appropriate."
Are you kidding me?
No, he's not.
Under no circumstances is it appropriate to cuss out a senator on the Senate floor. Not even if Leahy, who many concede can be a pain in the you-know-what, had said Cheney's mother is ugly and dresses him funny.
Was Leahy baiting Cheney? Probably. Should Cheney have allowed his behavior to be dictated by the behavior of others? Absolutely not.
Cheney's refusal to apologize for his potty mouth is just business as usual for an arrogant administration, unable to support its position in any but the most simple-minded, base ways.
Criticism of the Bush administration is met either with stiff-lipped silence, the reluctant release of massively censored classified documents or obfuscation. Worse are terse non-answers to issues as important as whether there ever was a link between Iraq and Al-Qaeda sufficient to warrant a war that's killed thousands of Iraqi civilians and, at last count, more than 850 U.S. soldiers.
-- Please tell us, Ms. Thomas, what a "sufficient" link is? Is it WMD going off in Memphis? Would that have been good enough.Please don't go there with civilian body counbts. How many would have died in Saddam's torture chambers and rape rooms over the last year had American not done what needed to be done. Thomas must have been a big fan of the sanctions that crippled the Iraqi people and enriched Saddam.
Before Cheney's supporters send me nasty E-mails calling me a liberal (which, by the way, I do not consider an insult), please note that I did not say that former vice-president Al Gore, and more famously, inventor of the Internet, made no mistakes.
--What about Gore calling GOP supporteres "digital brownshirts?" What is more offensive, Cheney saying fuck or the former Vice President of the US calling W supporters Nazis? I report, you decide.
And foul language is nothing new for elected officials. Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon all had a proclivity for profanity.
Even the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John Kerry, used the f-word, albeit in an interview in Rolling Stone, not on the Senate floor, and not in a sexual manner, but to say that President Bush messed up royally in his handling of the war in Iraq.
But none of these men is in the White House. Cheney is, which makes him fair game for criticism, which is an expression of free speech, which is still allowed in America, right?
--Another liberal canard: "Free speech is under attack." No, it's not. You can say whatever you like, but I have the right not to like it and Fisk it, just as I have done here.
Besides, if you don't like it, well, bleep you.
--Nice
There. I feel better.
--I do too, Wendy.

We're number 1

2004-06-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

In per capita murder rates, that is. The Tennessean had a good story on crime and it doesn't flatter Memphis. Wonder when the CA will report this?

Disgrace and Failure

2004-06-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Iraqi prime Minister Allawi on the terrorists who threaten his country:
"They are targeting our people, supported by some mercenaries of Saddam and his gang... This gang that had dominated over our people and had went in coalition with the enemies of Islam, they will end up in disgrace and failure."
This is a great day for the Iraqis — and President Bush.

Fuck Off

2004-06-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Thank God for Dick Cheney. I totally support his telling Sen. Leahey to fuck himself. The senator from Vermont deserved it. He was basicly parroting Michael "fat fucking liar" Moore's line that the war in Iraq was about Oil, halliburton, etc.... Then he had the nerve to try and play buddy with the veep. But look at the Letters to the Editor in today's fish wrap. I think I'm gonna puke.

Copy Cats

2004-06-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Mike has some great stuff on Memphis Dems.

I want my MTV

2004-06-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

The Memphis Business Journal has an interesting story on the 50th anniversary of Rock n Roll. Looks like they need some more sponsors to get MTV here for a week. I think this would be great for the city. Think about it, 80 hours of programming eminating from Memphis. I hope some Memphis companies see this and do something about it.

Ahnuld!

2004-06-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

When asked to describe his governing style, the Claifornia governor said:
"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women."
Gotta love that. Speaking of the governator, I guess you heard about the GOP's list of All-Stars who will speak at the convention. Rudi, Arnold, McCain and former Dem Zell Miller of Georgia. It got me to thinking. After Bush retires in '08, who will the GOP run? Condi and Collin? Rudi and Collin? Rudi and Condi? Take your pick. I like them all.

The Cos

2004-06-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

I liked the CA's editorial treatment of Bill Cosby's comments. This is a discussion that should be raging in Memphis. Too often, though, meaningful debates like this one are drowned by accusations of racism from the old civil rights mafia crowd. So, it was good to see an intelligent discussion, like this one, from a young black Memphian. I hope more in his generation think that way.

I want Johnny Cochran

2004-06-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Supremes have ruled that the president can hold terrorists without trial or charges being filed. However, the detainees do have the right to access our court system. I think this strikes the right balance. These are, after all, American citizens. They should have access to the courts. It is the Islamofascists and jihadis picked up on foreign battlefields that should have no right or acess to our courts.