It is interesting to watch how the term "swift boating" is now being used by the very people who invented it.  Used against Kerry, "swift-boating" was a deliberate, carefully planned campaign smearing the authenticity of his military service claims.  Everyone knows the term implies smear & lies about the factual claims of military service. 

Now, in response to a question on the relevance of military service to the ability to hold office (*not* the details of the military service), we see the inventors of swift-boating applying the term, out of context, as a negative against Clark.  They're counting on the fact that everyone knows it has negative connotations.  They know the action was despicable and now they're using it in an even more twisted manner:  saying someone else is bad for doing it when they weren't.  They're even trotting out the original liars.

IMO, people need to quit being scared of being labeled "soft on war/crime/terror/etc", stand up, and tell such purveyors of lies to FUCK OFF.  It needs to be done.  Loudly.

In the Democratic primary, the "popular vote" is a meaningless measure on its own.  The popular vote does not represent all primary delegate electoral processes - caucus vote totals must be counted as well.  Regardless of what people think of caucuses they are a legitimate part of the process.  Yet, Clinton & Co consistently use popular vote alone as a basis for argument.  It isn't like Clinton & Co don't know how this process works, so it must be a deliberate choice to do this.  Why is this *not* disenfranchising caucus voters?

Xenophobia and false patriotism.  They're lining up for it again.  They're goose-stepping right up to that line.

The first shots have been fired and there will be many, many more to come.  It is going to get disgusting.  It is going to get very, very ugly.

Fortunately, it appears that we have enough momentum to overcome it this time.  And I have some hope that finally enough people will open their eyes to this nonsense that we can really make a difference.  My infallible cynicism is at risk here :)

But wait... maybe it isn't.  As sure as the sun will set tomorrow, when the Dems get the Presidency & a vast majority in Congress the temptation to go right back to '92 will be immense.  It will take one hell of a strong Prez to make sure that doesn't happen.  At this point I think Obama is strong enough.  He may disappoint, though.

And to think I used to have a decent opinion of Mr. McCain.

May 15, 2008

I just heard Lanny Davis on the Ed Schultz show saying that they were disappointed in Edwards & Obama for denying Hillary at least one victory lap on Wednesday.  So, one of the main Hillary arguments against Obama is that he isn't tough enough to win in the general.  He then steps up and bludgeons her with an amazingly effective tactical move and now they're all touchy-feely about how that wasn't nice.

If you can't take the heat then get out of the kitchen :)

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