Top Ten Cloves: Tricky Things About Attempting To Sell A Senate Seat


News Item: Obama: I Am 'Appalled And Disappointed' By Illinois Scandal, Blagojevich Needs To Resign

10.  Try to move it quickly ... Just remember Andy Card's warning - "From a marketing point of view, you don't introduce a new Senate Seat in August."

  9.  Get it placed in a few movies, or television shows, and people will line up to buy it like Happy Soup!

  8.  Ticket brokers, but you have to be careful of the various states that have "Scalping" laws

  7.  Talk to Sarah Palin, cut her in, and maybe you can package it with the Bridge to Nowhere

  6.  Two Words - Time Share!

  5.  If you're willing to put "GoldenPalace.Com" on it, you could get millions!

  4.  You could get Billy Mays, however, it's a tougher sell if the seat doesn't mend something

  3.  eBay, but it probably would sell faster if it had an image of the Virgin Mary with it

  2.  Holy Cow! ... Too bad Phil Rizzuto died... Think of the potential - "Hi, I'm Phil Rizzuto, from the Senate Seat Store"... You could have sold it like hotcakes!

  1.  SenateSeat! ... Apply directly to Rod Blagojevich! ... SenateSeat! ... Apply directly to Rod Blagojevich! ... SenateSeat! ... Apply directly to Rod Blagojevich! ...


Bonus Blago's Bazaar Riffs

Josh Marshall:  Amazing

Robert Stein:  Selling Obama's Senate Seat

Steve Benen:  THE INEVITABLE PUSH

Nate Silver:  Appointed Senators Rarely Win Re-Election

Rex W. Huppke:  Rod Blagojevich shows foulmouthed side ...Etiquette experts say such language still unprofessional

Prescott Carlson:  Bla-lego-vich

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

Boston Comedy ... Funny Grown Here


That's the new Weblog of Nick Zaino, intrepid writer, reporter, and chronicler of all things Stand-up Comedy.

Nick was the long-time beat reporter for The Boston Globe (as well as other publications), covering the enormous comedy scene in, and around Boston.

Least you forget, Boston (primarily, the old Ding Ho, in Inman Square, Cambridge) launched the careers of people such as Barry Crimmins, Steven Wright, Paula Poundstone, Kevin Meany, Bob "Bobcat" Goldthwait, Lenny Clarke, Dennis Leary, Steve Sweeney, Jimmy Tingle and dozens of dozens more, as continues to be a hotbed of up-and-coming talent, the new and next generation of smart alecks.

Nick, for the past 10-years+ has been working the beat, covering the local clubs, the big headliners that would blow into town, and keeping tabs on who was where and what was going on, locally, and nationally.

However, recently, as The New York Times continues to water down, and whittle away the once strong quality, dominant Boston Globe, the Globe, the Globe, much like other newspapers, continues to cut back and cut back (as discussed with a mutual friend the other day, the Globe Arts Section is beginning to look like USA Today, with 50-word articles and lots of pictures!), and ultimately, recently, gave Nick his walking papers.

So, rather than wilt away, Nick is channeling his energy into doing what he has been doing, that being covering the Stand-up comedy scene, now, working for himself.

He's open to taking donations, advertising, sponsorships, or any positive assistance you can provide.

Go over to Boston Comedy ... Funny Grown Here, say hello to Nick, and sign-up for his feed.

It will help you to remember to laugh every day ...

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)





Top Ten Cloves: Things About Citigroup Keeping Stadium Sponsorship After Getting Government Bailout


News Item:  Heckuva Bailout: Citi and AIG Still Pay Hundreds Of Millions In Sports Sponsorship

10.  Instead of 'Fan Appreciation Day', now will be called 'Hank Paulson Appreciation Day'

 9.  Make fans give back foul balls hit in stands, because Citigroup needs to "tighten belt and save money"

  8.  When starting pitcher is relieved, now will be referred to as being "bailed out"

  7.  Soon comes evident ... Free Agent Signing Season on one hand ... Major layoffs at Citigroup on the other hand

  6.  Citigroup making one concession - Killing plans that would allow execs to fly to stadium in their private jets

  5.  "Casey at the Bat" now gets reworked to "Casey at the Bank" and it's a happy ending - Casey doesn't strike out, but walks away with billions

  4.  Citigroup to sub-contract parking lot to AIG ... AIG hires people to vandalize cars ... AIG then sells fans new "Vandalism Insurance Policy"

  3.  Instead of ceremonial "first pitch", Citigroup execs will do ceremonial reenactment of receiving bailout check from Government

  2.  New 7th Inning stretch tradition - Players and Citigroup shakedown fans in stadium, making them fork over money to see the game finished ...

  1.  Using their "expertise", Citigroup to make millions ... Working on packaging troubled batting averages and selling them to investors


Bonus Bogus Bailout Riffs

Think Progress:  Bailed-out companies AIG, Citibank have no plans to cancel expensive sports sponsorships

Michael Winter:  Citi, AIG will continue sports sponsorships despite bailouts

Robert Reich:  Citigroup Scores

Tyler Cowen:  Whoops! Back to TARP after all...

Brilliant at Breakfast:  So why DID we just throw a truckload of money at Citigroup then?

The Wonk Room:  Citigroup Bailout: 'A Lousy Deal For The Taxpayers'

Mark Thoma:  The Citigroup Bailout


Bonus Bonus

Special Essay - Play Ball! ... Batter Up! ... Could You Please Tell Me, What Is This Thing Called Baseball?

Cross Posted at The Garlic






Crimmins Scoops McCain Debate Pullout Doc


You know, this just has to end up at the Smithsonian.

Barry Crimmins got it!

The actual document Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain sent to the Debate Commission, requesting tomorrow's debate with Barack Obama be postponed.

I could extol more on it, however, it will be better that you see it for yourself

Go over to Barry's site, to see the "Great American Document"


Bonus McCain Meltdown Riffs

Top Ten Cloves: Things John McCain Will Do Friday Evening, Instead of Debating Barack Obama

Well, It Depends On Your Definition of Crisis ...

Top Ten Cloves: Ways John McCain Isn't Like Herbert Hoover


(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

Ring of Lying - The New McCain-Palin Campaign Theme Song


Power comes from lying ... Lying big and getting the whole damn world to play along with you ... Once you got everybody agreeing with what they know in their hearts ain't true, you get them by the balls

Senator Roark, from Sin City - That Yellow Bastard


Yes, it is that dire.

We have to pull out, once again, the infamous Sin City quote.

Paul Krugman called it a "Blizzard of Lies"... Even the MSM is jumping off the Dead Campaign Express and calling it as it is - lies ...

And, please sit down for this, the Lyingest Liar of them all, the Grand Wizard of Smears, Karl Rove came out today and indicated he thought Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain, and Mommy Mayor Moose, Vice President, Sarah "I'm not really a Vice-Presidential candidate, I just play one on the campaign trail" Palin's lying has gone to far (though, we must be cautious, this could have been Turd Blossom giving a coded signal to the Rove Rats of "Good Job!"; Rove, also today, indicated that 'You can’t trust the fact-check organizations.’ - Here's the video of it).

So, as we have done so often, we offer a tune, a theme song, for this pugnacious prevaricating pair.

They can play it as a prelude to their speeches, undoubtedly filled with lies, to warm the crowd up (another thing they have been lying about), get that big applause line.

When they send their press release out to the media, they can include a small .wav file of it, so reporters will know, whatever they are sending, contains lies.

Let all help make this their new calling card, their signature tune.

Jump in and sing along, you know the tune, it's a Johnny Cash classic.
The Ring of Lying
Lyin' is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of Lyin'

I fell into a burning ring of Lyin'
I went down, down, down and the Lyin' went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'

I fell into a burning ring of Lyin'
I went down, down, down and the Lyin' went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'

The taste of Lyin' is sweet
When Reformers like us meet
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the Lyin' went wild

I fell into a burning ring of Lyin'
I went down, down, down and the Lyin' went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'

I fell into a burning ring of Lyin'
I went down, down, down and the Lyin' went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'

And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'
The ring of Lyin'
Bonus Prevaricating Posts

A Times Editorial: Campaign of lies disgraces McCain

Brilliant at Breakfast:  Hooray! An actual newspaper uses the "L" word

Brad Jacobson:  'McCain's Distortions' by Robert Greenwald

Eric Martin:  Your Stupid Lies, It Just Makes Me Wince

Lance Mannion:  Sarah Palin's lies are John McCain's lies

Josh Marshall:  Unfit for High Office

Steve Benen:  THE ROUTINE ACCEPTANCE OF OBVIOUS LIES...

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

Top Ten Cloves: Ways Charlie Gibson Can Screw Up Interview With Sarah Palin


News Item:  What To Expect From The Palin Interview

10.  Badgers her about film, 'Mystery, Alaska', and if she got to meet Russell Crowe

  9.  Does the interview wearing a Moose Suit

  8.  Demands to know where the hell she came up with the names of her children - Trig? Trak?

  7.  With expected high viewership, spends the entire interview pitching her on ABC's Fall Line-up

  6.  Producers confused, bring in actress Sarah Polley, and Gibson never notices

  5.  Taunts her "Bridge To Nowhere" stand stand by singing "Alaska's bridge has fallen down, fallen down, fallen down ..."

  4.  On the "Hockey Mom" thing, asks her if she is still involved in Field Hockey

  3.  Thinking they're off-camera, and into an open mic, Gibson offers Palin, and her husband, help for AIP in Alaska's secession

  2.  Asks Palin if she can get her church to pray for the new addition he's thinking of adding to his house

  1.  Suggests, if she can get an Earmark to build set, he will pitch network brass on new 'Sarah in Trees' show


Bonus Palinpalooza Links

Josh Marshall:  Slow Slide Into Oblivion

Attaturk:  Predicted Charley Gibson Questions for Palin

The Jed Report:  Not Really An Interview

Top Ten Cloves: Reasons McCain Campaign Is Keeping Sarah Palin Away From The Media

Top Ten Cloves: Things About Vetting Sarah Palin In One Day

Charlie and George Go To A Debate ...

Boy, And We Thought Russert and Williams Sucked

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)


Top Ten Cloves: Ways Charlie Gibson Can Screw Up Interview With Sarah Palin


News Item:  What To Expect From The Palin Interview

10.  Badgers her about film, 'Mystery, Alaska', and if she got to meet Russell Crowe

  9.  Does the interview wearing a Moose Suit

  8.  Demands to know where the hell she came up with the names of her children - Trig? Trak?

  7.  With expected high viewership, spends the entire interview pitching her on ABC's Fall Line-up

  6.  Producers confused, bring in actress Sarah Polley, and Gibson never notices

  5.  Taunts her "Bridge To Nowhere" stand stand by singing "Alaska's bridge has fallen down, fallen down, fallen down ..."

  4.  On the "Hockey Mom" thing, asks her if she is still involved in Field Hockey

  3.  Thinking they're off-camera, and into an open mic, Gibson offers Palin, and her husband, help for AIP in Alaska's secession

  2.  Asks Palin if she can get her church to pray for the new addition he's thinking of adding to his house

  1.  Suggests, if she can get an Earmark to build set, he will pitch network brass on new 'Sarah in Trees' show


Bonus Palinpalooza Links

Josh Marshall:  Slow Slide Into Oblivion

Attaturk:  Predicted Charley Gibson Questions for Palin

The Jed Report:  Not Really An Interview

Top Ten Cloves: Reasons McCain Campaign Is Keeping Sarah Palin Away From The Media

Top Ten Cloves: Things About Vetting Sarah Palin In One Day

Charlie and George Go To A Debate ...

Boy, And We Thought Russert and Williams Sucked

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)


The 1,001 Points of Light


Leave it to the Republicans, and Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain, at time with the worst President sitting in the White House, in a year, from the Presidential race, to down-ticket, is expected, due to lying, scandal and abuse of power, a disaster for the GOP, and they go out an pluck a vice-presidential candidate that is, currently, in the middle of an ethics investigation.

Hmmm ... It makes me wonder if Ralph Reed was on the short list, or, perhaps, the Stumblin' Bumblin McCain campaign checked with the Federal Prison Bureau, to see if they could get Jack Abramoff furloughed for a a few months.

Sarah "Midnight Sun" Palin, may not be shaking down bag men, like a former Republican gem, Spiro Agnew, but, Jesus, they've set up a "Tip Line", up there in Alaska, for people to phone in anything they have on how Palin may have abused her power.

Maybe they can work something out, like put the number under the "Country First" banners, which, IMHO, are, yet another example of how dead asleep the Rove Rats are.
Whenever I see those signs hanging over McCain, my first thoughts are "Gee, he's got a bank sponsoring his speech? ... Country First? ... Wonder where they're from ... And tying the thought of a bank to Stumblin' Bumblin John takes us where - The Keating Five (check out Barry Crimmins; Barry offers that if Palin was around back then, we'd be calling the thing "The Keating Six")
It's going on 48-hours since Stumblin' Bumblin Johnny gave his 'Price Is Right' shout-out, for Palin to "C'mon Down", and since that moment, it's been like someone left the faucet on, both levers, at full tilt, as the 411 on Palin is gushing out with the ferocity of the Colorado rapids.

Such as ...

She kills moose with her bare hands (kidding, I think), but she is a life-long member of the NRA ... She's a former beauty pageant contestant (runner-up Miss Alaska) ... A basketball star (for her work on the hardwood, the moniker "Sarah Barracuda") ... Hockey Mom (with the Repubs spinning as that's just like a soccer mom) ... Mother of five (spun as a Norman Rockwell painting, as if motherhood is some rare quality not seen in politics before) ...

But wait, there's more ...
She was for "The Bridge To Nowhere", enthusiastically, before she was against it (only after it was being ridiculed, and killed in Congress).

She is against abortion, no exceptions.

She wants to see Jesus in schools, a proponent of Creationism in the classroom

She was/is a supporter of Pat Buchanan

Pat Buchanan?
Christ, the more that comes out about her, the more she's making Ron Paul look like a pansy liberal.

Sarah "Midnight Sun" Palin is a RightWing Nutjob!

Stumblin' Bumblin' Johnny is being praised (hard-core RWFS Only) and castigated (everyone else) on choosing The Midnight Sun.

For my money, it's a cynical and pandering pick, a 72-year-old chest-thumping "I'm a Maverick", is more likely to produce said 72-year-old forgetting what he was talking about, reaching for the TV Guide, to check if TNT was running the Mel Gibson movie again, looping it, as they so often do, throughout the evening.

He's going to grab the woman's vote due to, for one, Midnight Sun exploited the Hillary Clinton campaign in her C'mon Down speech, and, two, just because she's a woman?

And you know what, Sarah "Midnight Sun" Palin is a maverick too!

I tend to think they're spinning the "maverick" thing in an empty hat, that, looking at the Dead Campaign Express, most, if not all of the top tier GOPers were letting those VP calls drop into voicemail.

A novice, small-potatoes wannabe politician from the depths of Alaska? ... Talk about going to the "ends-of-the-earth", or in Stumblin' Bumblin' Johnny's case, maybe he was warming up for that Osama bin Laden hunt, by chasing his VP choice to "the gates of the Arctic Circle"

And how's this for an endorsement, from McCain's homeboy, Charlie Black;
"[Sarah Palin is] going to learn national security at the foot of the master for the next four years, and most doctors think that he'll be around at least that long," said Charlie Black, one of Mr. McCain's top advisers, making light of concerns about Mr. McCain's health, which Mr. McCain's doctors reported as excellent in May.
Ooooooo-Kaaaayyyyy!

We want a gun-toting, moose-killing, Pat Buchanan-supporter to be the proverbial "heartbeat" away from the Presidency?

A woman, who just a little over a month ago, stated she didn't know what a vice-president does, and dissed the job because she's a busy-bee-doer?

And, as we referenced in the beginning, her ethics investigation, Midnight Sun is going to have to balance campaigning, with giving depositions, being hounded by the media, for both, whatever stumblin' and bumblin' she picks up from her mentor, as well as any-and-all developments in with what's going up in Alaska.

And, did we mention she is a mother of five?

Now, just a month ago, we wrote;
WTF is going on with Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain?

Jesus, he might as well just start walking around in a bathrobe, like that old Mafia guy did, to play out that he was crazy.

Just ride around in the Dead Campaign Express, make some stops (kicking away the empty beer bottles to exit), shuffle around in the robe and slippers, shake a few hands, maybe pick up a few Slim Jims at a convenience store ...Toss out a few bon mots on his heroism, his POW days, as he rips off a piece of Slim Jim, perhaps dribbling some of the dark juice on his bathrobe.

I mean, he's down to just makin' shit up now ... Seemingly not caring what he says, how it sounds, what it looks like ... Just blathering on like ... Well ... Like an old guy shuffling around in a bathrobe, muttering incoherently.
That seems to be the program, on how Sarah "Midnight Sun" Palin got to be Stumblin' Bumblin' Johnny's VP choice.

He's throwing it against the wall to see what sticks.

If we checked in with Punxsutawney Phil, he'd likely indicate that means we have eight-more-weeks of McCain, the Rove Rats, the Rightwing Freak Show, the RNC, running a campaign, not of ideas, put just tearing down with lies, distortions and smears, the Obama campaign.

Included in this, perhaps, the October Surprise;

Sarah "Midnight Sun" Palin goes all Eagleton (or the ethics investigation yields some bombshell), and has to be dropped from the ticket.

And, riding in on the red horse, none other that McCain's Mini-Me, Joe Lieberman (apparently, McCain's only serious consideration in the first place).<blockquote>

Holy pre-programed Diebold voting machines, Batman!

Stay Tuned, Bat Fans ...


Bonus Sarah "Midnight Sun" Palin Links

The Jed Report: McCain Didn't Even Know Palin Before Picking Her

Think Progress - Doocy: Palin knows about foreign policy because Alaska is ‘right next door to Russia’

Andrew Sullivan:  A Harriet Miers Moment?

Libby Spencer:  McCain gambles on Palin pick

Think Progress:  Top Alaska Republicans puzzled by Palin pick

Jonathan Alter:  McCain’s ‘Hail Sarah’ Pass; His choice for veep is all but set up for failure in the fall

McCain VP Confusion; Staff Had Canadian Actress Sarah Polley In Dayton Hotel For Three Days

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

Thank God! ... It's Ordinary Joe!


No doubt, the ratings for those late night infomercials took a big hit.

Billy Mays' wallet will be a little lighter this week.

I'll be interested to hear what the strategy of dropping the news at around 1AM was (maybe, we were on target with our post yesterday).

Obama goes pragmatic and picks the Senator from Delaware, Joe Biden.

Good a choice as any, and infinitely better than one.

The MSM certainly added to the frenzy of yesterday, desperately picking over the limited, sparse clues (even noting the pronouns Obama was using), ramping up the tension ("any minute now"), employing Britney Spears-like stakeouts,  and all but stamping their feet in a tantrum, demanding Obama to spill the beans.

Christ, Stumblin Bumblin' John McCain could have gone out and bought another dozen houses yesterday and nobody would have noticed (and just wait, when the abode-laden Arizonian makes his VP choice, and the noise from the media isn't loud enough, we'll hear how, shame on the media, as a POW, he should have gotten more media for his selection).

It is said, of a presidential candidate, that their first major decision, the one you can evaluate them on, is their selection of a running mate.

Under that note, Obama aced it ...

He didn't go out and grab "Who the hell is that?", a choice that would have either strained the capacity of Google, or crash Wikipedia.

He didn't, much to the chagrin of the Right Wing Freak Show, choose his former pastor, the Reverend Wright, Jesse Jackson, or the Nation of Islam.

And, he didn't buckle, capitulate to the media, or fall into the trap of tapping TMFOITW on the shoulder, just to make the Clintonistas, the Grand Central Station Locker Creatures ("Hillary is back! The keeper of the light! All hail Hillary! All hail Hillary! Oh Hillary can you see by the dawn's early light...")  happy.

Their disappointment has long been telegraphed, to the point, they need occupational therapy, the cathartic roll call, just to justify that the "something can happen" sliver of hope they still hold, will deliver "something can happen" that will make their world right again.

Hang on to that folks, until, at least 2016.

Biden will be good for the campaign, comfortable slapping down Stumblin' Bumblin' Johnny, and not a risky choice that will have you worrying about November.

And, he did give us this, the de facto line of the primary campaign.

So, for the Obama-Biden ticket, here's an old gem ...

Go Get'em!

Terry Callier Ordinary Joe



Bonus Biden


Brilliant at Breakfast:  And So, it's Biden....Barack Makes His Choice...and it's Good!

BreitBart:  Biden speaks _ and speaks _ his own mind

Chris Cillizza:  Obama Picks Biden as V.P.


(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

TPM Breaking! Obama VP Call Delayed - Piece of Paper With Name Lost


Sources tell The Garlic that the announcement of Barack Obama's vice president has been delayed, indefinitely, as chaos consumes Obama Headquarters in Chicago, searching for the piece of paper Obama "jotted" the name on.

"They're going crazy," offered one insider, close to the Obama campaign.

"They're rummaging through desks, emptying trash cans on floor, and they even have two interns sitting in the dumpster out back, going through every scrap of paper."

Unconfirmed rumors say that Obama wrote the name of his VP choice on the paper of a arugula wrap sandwich, a few days ago.

Staffers are attempting to confirm when the trash has been picked up last and are contemplating dispatching campaign staff to the city dump, to start the search there, just in case.

In addition to the campaign office, Obama's home and automobile have also been investigated.

Our source tells us that the campaign hasn't ruled out a hypnotist, to take Obama back to when he was eating the arugula wrap, to see if he can say the name, while in the trance.

More as this story develops.

Bonus Links

Top Ten Cloves: Things That Can Go Wrong With Obama Announcing VP Choice Via Email

Top Ten Cloves: Other Things Bill O'Reilly Will Do To Get Interview With Barack Obama

Top Ten Cloves: If Hillary Clinton Is A Monster, The Movies That Would Be Made About Her

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

Top Ten Cloves: Things That Can Go Wrong With Obama Announcing VP Choice Via Email


News Item:  Text Messages and Tea Leaves

10.  Intern in Obama Campaign communications gets creative, sends it out as a dirty limerick

  9.  RNC sends out fake email, saying Obama will have co-VP's - Paris Hilton and Britney Spears

  8.  If they are sending it this week, they better have the name Micheal Phelps in the subject line if they want people to open it

  7.  Because its lengthy, or has a lot of hyper links, most service providers screen it out as Spam, and don't deliver it

  6.  For VP choice to work, you must forward email to 10 other persons, for good luck

  5.  Hillary sends her own email out, saying she is it would be cathartic to name her VP

  4.  Since he doesn't use computers, it will be weeks before Stumblin' Bumblin' John McCain finds out about choice

  3.  Email gets intercepted and VP Choice is, suddenly, a new prince from Nigeria, and is asking for your help in retrieving $10-Million
 
  2.  Email announcement Plan B; Original plans were to put it out via clues with Scrabulous, on Facebook

  1.  Email gets hacked; Millions receive message that voting for Obama will add inches to your penis

Bonus Links

LA Times:  Obama's VP choice imminent via website, e-mail, text message

CBS News - Rove: Obama Will Make Political Veep Pick; Suggests Choice Of Virginian Tim Kaine Would Be An "Intensely Political Choice" That Ignores Responsibilities Of Presidency

FiveThirtyEight: The Persistent Myth of the Bradley Effect

Top Ten Cloves: Ways Obama Campaign Can Re-Introduce Michelle Obama

Top Ten Cloves: Things Condoleezza Rice Has Threatened Russia With To Honor Cease Fire


News Item:  Rice: Military power is "not the way to deal in the 21st century"

10.  Pay Rielle Hunter to name one of you the father of the baby

  9.  Either Putin or Medvedev will have to run as McCain's Vice President

  8.  If the Russians are going to fly their bombers near Alaska, then they have to put in equal time working on Ted Stevens' house

  7.  Start rumors that it was the two of you who behind the Manhunt donation to the McCain Campaign

  6.  Will get the Associated Press, like they did with Joe Lieberman, call the two of you "pricks"

  5.  Send in Michael Phelps to blind Russian soldiers with the reflections off his 8 Gold Medals

  4.  Meghan McCain will start writing children's books of the two of you, how her Daddy will kick your asses, if elected

  3.  Bus in Hillary Clinton's supporters, and have them dish out a "cathartic" cease-fire and withdrawal beating

  2.  Consequences will be to place Putin and Medvedev in the dreaded "McCain Cone of Silence"

  1.  Won't bother holding back Joe Biden, from tattooing "NATO" on your foreheads


Bonus Russia-Georgia Links

The Condoleezza Rice Ballroom Dancing & Charm School; Or: Shopping For A Legacy on Cyber Monday


The Night The Russians Rolled Into Georgia - McCain's August Anthem

Bob Drogin - Los Angeles Times:  John McCain aide's dual roles intersect; Randy Scheunemann is a former lobbyist for Georgia, a country the candidate strongly supports in its crisis

John Perr:  Presumptuous McCain Plays President on Georgia Conflict

Josh Marshall:  His Grandiosity on Display

Cernig:  Crisis? McCain Will Give You Crisis!


(Cross Posted at The Garlic)


The Night The Russians Rolled Into Georgia - McCain's August Anthem


Well, he did bring it up, managed to squeeze it in, in one of his cheating responses during the Saddleback Show the other evening.

We also learned about his musical tastes, being that he was groovin' to Abba's 'Dancing Queen" before he was shot down - even though the song didn't come out until after he came home from Vietnam (maybe Abba was "supporting the troops", sending them demo tapes, or something).

Between the cheatin' at Saddleback thing ... The Guard-and-the-Cross-in-the-Sand thing (which is only getting worse, now, bobsledding downhill for him), and this evening, having Keith Olbermann slam him on the ground, for all this and more, with a Special Comment, our "Cone of Silence" veteran, Stumblin' Bumblin John McCain probably could use a new tune.

So, as we have done so often here on The Garlic, we have come up with a signature song, McCain's August Anthem, if you will ... Maybe something they can fire up out in Minneapolis ...

It's an old classic, that went #1 when Stumblin' Bumblin' Johnny limped home from the war, so he can, without fear of looking like a jackass again, cite this tune as something he listened to on the plane, or wherever.

Sing along, you may not want to admit it, but you know it.
The Night The Russians Rolled Into Georgia
He was on his way home in the Straight Talk Express
Been two weeks and Obama's at the beach on a rest
He's listenin' to Abba 'fore he went home to her
Randy Scheunemann said "Hello"
And he said "Hi, what's doin', Wo?"
"John, sit down, I got some bad news, it's gonna hurt"
He said "I'm your best lobbyist and you know that's right"
"But your young democracy ain't alone tonight"
"Since you been gone she's been seein' that Putin boy, John "
Well, he got mad 'n' he saw red and Randy said "John, don'tcha lose your head"
" 'cause to tell ya the truth, I been makin' a lot of money myself"

That's the night that the Russians rolled into Georgia
That's the night that McCain pretended to be President
Well, don't trust your soul to no K Street sleazy lobbyist
'cause all the lobbyists in the town's got money in their hands

Well, Randy got scared and left the bus
Walkin' on home 'cause he didn't know who to trust
See, Randy didn't have many friends and he'd just lost him one
McCain thought his democracy musta fallen down
So he went home and finally found
The only thing his campaign had left him, that video, The One

And he went off to Randy's house
A'skippin' through the backwoods quiet as a mouse
Came upon some dollar bills too small for Randy to take
He looked through the screen at the back-porch door
And he saw Randy lyin' on the floor
In a pile of loot and he started to shake

Well, the Adoring Media was a'makin' their rounds
So he belted out some bellicose just to flag 'em down
And a big-bellied anchor and said "What is Mr. President?"
And the Media said "Anti-Christ" in a make-believe trial
And slapped the McCain on the back with a smile
Said' supper's waitin' at home and I gotta get to it"

That's the night that the Russians rolled into Georgia
That's the night that McCain pretended to be President
Well, don't trust your soul to no K Street sleazy lobbyist
'cause all the lobbyists in the town's got money in their hands

Well, they smeared Obama before he could say
The war mongering he saw while on his way
At Andy's house and back that night was Schmidt's
And the cheatin' democracy was still hunkered down
And that's one lie that'll never be found
See, big Stevie Schmidt don't miss when he aims his smears

That's the night that the Russians rolled into Georgia
That's the night that McCain pretended to be President
Well, don't trust your soul to no K Street sleazy lobbyist

FADE
'cause all the lobbyists in the town's got money in their hands

If you need some help, like a Karaoke thing, here's the original

Vicki Lawrence - The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia

Bonus Stumblin' Bumblin' Johnny Riffs

The Bob Dole For The New Millennium

The Gift That Refuses To Stop Itself From Giving

McCain Waves The POW Flag

If He Really Wanted To Scare'em, He Would Have Named Big Daddy Lipscomb ...

(Cross Posted at <b><a href="http://puregarlic.blogspot.com/2008/08/night-russians-rolled-into-georgia.html" target='NewWindow'>The Garlic</a></b>)


Is John McCain Buggering Little Boys?


Does He Get To Keep The Bag Man?


Boy, I'd like to know what the Vegas odds were on this ... Or, of the various office pools, who had the square with August 18th (only 10 days after the 34th anniversary of Nixon's escape to avoid impeachment).

The Little Dictator Who Couldn't is stepping off his precariously-built stage.

Perhaps, even, with a Nixonian homage;

President Musharraf of Pakistan Resigns
Facing imminent impeachment charges, President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday, after months of belated recognition by American officials that he had become a waning asset in the campaign against terrorism.

Mr. Musharraf said the governing coalition, which has pushed for impeachment, had tried to “turn lies into truths,” and finished his speech by raising his clenched fists chest high and declaring, “Long live Pakistan!”

Not exactly "I am not a crook", but, I suppose, he didn't want to be laughed out of the country.

Now, I'm sure it must of crossed his mind to fight the impeachment, stand strong, blah, blah, blah, but they wanted him gone, and, after this fight, and all the heavy lifting he's been doing rounding up the terrorists, Musharraf, likely, didn't have the energy to launch a second coup.

Perhaps the more pressing question to ask, is, does he get to keep the Bag Man?

While The Commander Guy played around in Afghanistan, and Iraq, they knew that they also had to do something about Pakistan.

So, rather then open up a third front, they took an "option", putting down, more-or-less, a marker, and, instead, opened up the coffers to the tune of millions-upon-millions - in cash, directly to Musharraf and his military thugs.

Spencer Ackerman had the scoop on this last Fall;

U.S. Aid to Musharraf is Largely Untraceable Cash Transfers
In fact, however, a considerable amount of the money the U.S. gives to Pakistan is administered not through U.S. agencies or joint U.S.-Pakistani programs. Instead, the U.S. gives Musharraf's government about $200 million annually and his military $100 million monthly in the form of direct cash transfers. Once that money leaves the U.S. Treasury, Musharraf can do with it whatever he wants. He needs only promise in a secret annual meeting that he'll use it to invest in the Pakistani people. And whatever happens as the result of Rice's review, few Pakistan watchers expect the cash transfers to end.
What a difference millions of dollars make, on the big global billboard.

Rather than just be some chaotic, banana republic, Musharraf got to hang out the shingle that had the words "Democracy" scratched on it, and "Partners in the Global War Against Terrorism", even, if, from behind the shingle, Musharraf was just giving it a nod-and-a-wink.

Speculation is high on where he lands, with some of it on that Saudi Arabia is going provide the Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Memorial Exile Suite.

Cernig, over on Crooks and Liars, noted that;

The other interesting question is “what will Mushie do next?” Exile seems likeliest and there have been rumors that the US, which has long backed the former dictator, would offer him asylum. But it appears that the Saudis have stepped in, as major mediators of the resignation deal, and so Musharraf will probably retire there. Which is ironic, in that it will put the man who was ultimately in charge of the intelligence agency that was pulling Al Qaeda’s strings prior to (and post) 9/11 in the country that furnished most of the hijackers - and both Musharraf and the Saudi rulers are staunch Bush allies.
If it is Saudi Arabia, Musharraf is going to need a gated community, with impeccable security, and, at least, a two-bedroom crib - one for himself, the other for all his baggage and bad karma.

The Condoleezza Rice Ballroom Dancing & Charm School currently is running its' classes for a bunch of frisky Russians and Georgians, so the Neocon Nitwits, perhaps, only gives this a cursory glance.

But not Larisa Alexandrovna.

Pakistan has been a Looney Tunes powder keg for quite some time

In her post, "Serious crisis in Pakistan (crickets in DC)", Alexandrovna warns;
Forget the Russian-Georgian conflict for a moment. Forget Iraq for a moment. Forget everything for one moment and understand, that if Pakistan explodes into a power struggle, that struggle/conflict will be the match that lights a world war of epic proportions. A war that we are not equipped to deal with anymore. So while our entire nation is drunk on election scandal after scandal, and while our entire nation is being bled dry of finances and human treasure, no one - NO ONE - is watching this crisis as it unfolds. They are all too busy playing at politics to care and they have already long ago removed any qualified intelligence expert on Pakistan from their post. We know very well that this administration replaced qualified people with political sock-puppets who are now in positions to fuck things up even more, but certainly not to understand the brewing world crisis.

To be clear, I loathe Musharraf and want him removed from office. But right now, any change, big or small in the region is going to be a catastrophe. A change of ISI-backed Musharraf is going to be an epic catastrophe.

Another "gift" the Bush Grindhouse leaves the next (Obama) administration.

Bonus Bon Voyage Links

The Independent: Now Saudis offer dignified solution for Musharraf; Beleaguered President is given a lifeline to avoid impeachment

Brilliant at Breakfast: Because in Pakistan, their Constitution still matters

emptywheel: Dick Blows Pakistan

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

Top Ten Cloves: Possible Problems Julia Child Had As An OSS Spy



News Item:  Julia Child, spy? Records reveal Julia Child was a World War II-era spy


10.  Called in often, asking if she could work from her kitchen

  9.  Whenever she was told of a need, Julia thought they meant "knead" and would go off on a tangent, for hours, about Tuscan breads

  8.  Kept annoying, making suggestions to, management, for a television show, introducing French spies to American audiences

  7.  Sending secret messages on cheese cloth made it difficult for her colleagues to read

  6.  Her super-secret code, if she was in trouble, was to serve fish for lunch, without the heads - which she loathed to do

  5.  Though she hid them well in her trench coat, Meat Tenderizer and Oven Thermometer were not approved OSS equipment

  4.  Didn't do well at stakeouts - noise and odor from cooking gave away her position

  3.  When running after suspects, wind would blow apron up over her face

  2.  Failed self-defense training - kept hitting instructor, simulating attack on her, over head with frying pan

  1.  When interrogating a suspect, spent inordinate amount of time grilling them for recipes



Bonus Bon Appetite Links

Celebrity spies revealed - new details of Julia Child's pre-chef career released

John Bennett:  Declassified: Julie Child's OSS Cook Book

Sara Dickerman:  How To Read Mastering the Art of French Cooking - Six recipes Julia Child would want you to make

Cookin' With Julia & Jacques

Egypt Protests New U.S. Use of Pyramids; Says Mocking Historic Culture and Islam; Call for American Food Boycott

Clinton Joins Food Pyramid Protest; Says Won't Deter Child Obesity; Poll Shows Public Prefers The Sphinx

Male Chefs To Join Crawford Protest; Will Demand Answers Why Female Named To Exec White House Position

Retro Garlic ... Food Fight!

Google Fires Executive Chef; Caught Searching Recipes On Yahoo, MSN

(Cross Posted at The Garlic)

JTDTheGarlic

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