What is up with the media and John McCain?

I mean, seriously?

I’m pretty damned sick of hearing about Barack Obama’s flip-flops while, at the same time, McCain’s behaving like a live fish that just hit the bottom of the boat. Moreover, McCain’s elasticity with regard to the issues makes no sense. Just check out his economic plan. First off, he’s gonna keep the Bush tax cuts and balance the budget. How? Well, he’s gonna do it with borrowed money that is saved from victory in Iraq.

*** (shakes head rapidly)***

What the fuck?

Meanwhile, back in the real world, a pretty serious vote took place in the Senate today. Yes, I’m talking about the FISA vote. Barack Obama voted for three amendments aimed at mitigating objectionable portions of the bill --- particularly telecom immunity. Those amendments failed and Obama cast his vote for the bill anyway because, at the end of the day, oversight of such goings-on as were engaged in by the Bush administration 30 times is, as a result of the admittedly faulty bill’s passage, increased.

So.

What does John McCain do? Same song, 72nd verse. He calls Obama on a “flip-flop.”

Whether you believe Obama flipped, flopped or refined his position on FISA, one thing is certain. John McCain DID NOT SHOW UP TO VOTE ON THE BILL!!! So where does this pale, geriatric and, frankly, ignorant Republican asshole get off criticizing Obama? The same guy that hasn’t done one minute of campaigning on the weekend (I suppose that’s his time) doesn’t even care enough about the vote to show up and he’s climbing on his soapbox slinging barbs at Obama?

Many of you here at TPM are royally pissed at Obama for his actions on the FISA bill. I understand. I’m not necessarily right there with you, but I do understand. Still, I think most of you know that it’s nonproductive to vote for anyone other than Sen. Obama or to stay home. Because, whether you like it or not, here’s where we are:

Either Barack Obama or John McCain will be president of the United States in January of next year.

You could roll the dice and vote for Nader or Barr or stay home.

And Obama could lose.

And, for four more years, your life --- my life, hell, our lives --- could suck.

Don’t be fucking idiots.

Don’t put our nation in the hands of someone who proved today that he JUST DOESN’T CARE!

It’s been another one of those days on the campaign trail.

Accusations of flip-flopping. FISA fanaticism. The Obama girls go teevee tabloid. Ads that charge and countercharge.

This just in: John McCain is old and Barack Obama is black.

Film at 11.

**Sigh.***

No thanks.

I’d rather sneak off to some corner of the room and contemplate the contours of the wall for a while. Charge up for tomorrow’s action, sure to include some nuanced version of today’s.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m as much of a political junkie as anyone here. That’s why I’m here. But when the evening gets warped with time and alcohol, then it’s time to contemplate the contours. To listen to a few tunes and float off into a world where there are no politics and every day is a Bobby McFerrin ditty. Where the wind blows Dylan and, sometimes, cries Mary. Where the air that I breathe is all that I need --- and it smells like teen spirit.

So, bring your reflections on the day, your reflections on life, your tunes, your beverages, your herbal concoctions, and join me and Lou right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4ditCW2TiA&feature=related

We’ll be waiting.