I'd say Jon Stewart should get the higest journalistic award of the land, but people like David Gregory end up getting those. And Jon doesn't deserve to be among those morons.

David Letterman didn't wait a minute or didn't waste a second in unraveling  Palin and Campaign suspension hoaxes before the election and now Jon Stewart held a mirror for CNBC and to the likes of Cramer and Santelli.

All I can say is true journalism is still alive but only in unexpected places.

 

I never thought I could be a bigger fan of Stewart. Bravo.

 

As many of you know, President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki to be the next Veterans Affairs secretary. The PE made the announcement on NBC's Meet the Press. Shinseki is the first Asian American in U.S. history to be a four-star general and, if confirmed, to lead the VA.

For a detailed bio click here.

As AP reports:

Gen. Shinseki is the former Army chief of staff who upset his civilian bosses in 2003 when he testified to Congress that it might take several hundred thousand U.S. troops to control Iraq after the U.S. invasion. He was forced out of his job within months for being "wildly off the mark." But his words proved prophetic after President George W. Bush in early 2007 announced a "surge" of additional troops to Iraq after miscalculating.

To be little more specific, On February 25, 2003, four months before the end of his term as Chief of Staff of the Army, Shinseki told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he thought an occupying force of several hundred thousand men would be needed to stabilize postwar Iraq. The highly decorated General was truly the first esteemed figure is high office to speak publicly against the adminstration's war strategy .  Below is a video excerpt from his testimony:

This is great choice and a notable reflection of Obama's judgement and intelligence. On an emotional level, this is a plain and simple F U to Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Bush and years of Iraq policy. This is good news for progressives, more importantly great news for the country.

Further Reading:

New Iraq Strategy Vindicates Ex-Army Chief Shinseki

Shorter Bio

General Critical of Iraq War Is V.A. Chief Pick

In the last two days I heard people using the B word, revisiting her campaign low points, her hawkish FP rhetoric and her kitchen and sink strategy.

 

Is it Hillary's fault she is being considered for a key position in the White House?

 Are you just venting your anger toward her because you're not yet ready to bash Obama? Don't feel comfortable questioning his judgement?

 

 

 

09. Stay positive and inspired. I don't really get the "secret" theory but what the heck positive energy attracts positive energy. Watch a Obama video, any among thousands on youtube.
      My recommendation: Last moments of the last rally. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ajLsajACk

08. If you believe in God pray. If you don't believe in God ask someone who believes in God to pray. You never know.

07. Stay away from being a vehicle for filth from the Drudge Report et al. Let's not scare people.

06. Inform rest of us what you may be seeing on the ground in your area. The lines,  the energy, etc

05. Share your voting and volunteering stories if you can. Inspire us all day.

04. Report. If you see possible  GOP voter fraud or voting problems in your precinct or your local station. Report to BO campaign, your state elections authority and anyone who will listen.

03. Mantra for the day: Vote.  Talking to your parents, spouses, children, brothers, sisters, friends, strangers, the mailman- remind them to vote Any one who comes across your path tell them to vote

02. Volunteer, phone, take one more person with you to the voting booth, give a ride a five other people to the polls. Make a difference.

01. Make Sure You Vote.  Make Sure you  Double Check your paper or electronic ballot. Once you double check. Check gain.

Let's make it the beginning of a  new day in our lives and this nation.

Obama Nation on the Horizon

 

Recommend.

I rarely write a blog. And most previous blog postings were casual after thoughts. But this is important. I have new energy this morning. Not fear but determination to cross the finish line motivates me to write this blog.

While all of us welcome a landslide, there is no harm in acknowledging a scenario where this election comes down to one or two key states. Whatever arguments you have, you cannot deny atleast swing states (MO, IN, NC, FL, OH) can lean McCain when it really matters. History, voter suppression efforts, demographics, and the margin in the polls- we have sufficient dynamic to assume McCain victory in these states.

It's a plausible scenario.

If it in fact comes down to PA and VA, we are still in a very good position. But lets not take any chances.

The Temple University Poll has Obama leading by 9 points in PA. However, in 2004, Kerry won the state with a 2% margin. While VA looks strong for Obama, the state hasn't voted for a democrat in decades and the latest Rasmussen gives Obama a lead of 4 points.

I'm not writing this blog to become another source of nervousness. I'm asking you to imagine a conservative estimate toward victory. Acknowledge a scenario,where we may have a closer election.

Work.

Let's make a few more calls this week. And those who can land their boots on the ground in the key states please feel free to knock one more door or walk one more bloc. On Nov 5, I'd rather say I have done a lot more than needed than say I haven't done enough. If you can, please make a difference this week.

You can sign up at the campaign website....

http://my.barackobama.com/modules/votercontact/login_signup.php

Moveon can also suggest a possible state and county where you can help.

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/office.html

Recommend.

Excerpt of his statement:

From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States. I’ve never asked members of AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign before, but this moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action. Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.

Your thoughts on the role of  Al Gore, if any, in Obama campaign and possible administration. Make sure to recommend, shameless yet not fully unfair plea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGLYzaqlfwo

Obamallarious......

By the way, it took just 48 hours for Obama to assert his leadership qualities- give JoeCain his piece of mind, reappointing Dean, commanding DNC to forego PAC and federal lobbyist money, Paul Tewes injection into DNC, appealing the country to "settle down" on VP choice, and kicking off GE campaign in style in VA.

He's a genuine leader.

In the past few weeks I have sold and bought the “slam dunk” theory. One reason: I was defending Obama against Hillary’s electability theory. As Obama ends one historical campaign and begins another, some TPMers are assuming a cake walk. It’s a mistake. There is a world out there. This will be a tough campaign.

Coiunt me in. as well....further.....

<I>Forty-seven percent (47%) of New York voters believe Obama is the stronger general election candidate. Forty-three percent (43%) believe Clinton would be better. The survey also found that Obama is now viewed more favorably than Clinton in New York. Sixty-two percent (62%) of New York voters have a favorable opinion of Barack Obama while 55% give Hillary Clinton such positive reviews.</I>

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and should weigh on her plans to take it to the convention...may be not, she never really cared about  representing the Empire State.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/new_york/election_2008_new_york_presidential_election

Looks like it's all going as planned. Obama team have displayed tremendous restriant, wit and grace the way they have handled Hillary histrionics and Bill theatrics- especially since IN/NC primary- when it became abundantly clear Hillary has no bunnies left to pull from the hat.

When idiot supporters send links of a white pastor at trinity church

Hillary camp will continue to bully, threaten and make preposterous cliams to distort the status of the race and the legitimacy of the 2,026 mark, which Obama will apply to cliam his victory.


You to know what....I don't give a Hillary....and enough with the Bull Clinton....

 
I ask all Obama supporters and less bitter clinton supporters to take a break  and reflect on the enormity of the moment when a man of color stands on the threshold of history as the sun sets on June 3, 2008.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/38865.html

First, let me say TPM is my most favorite politcal news source- it's a my cyber home for politics, especially the presidential election. It's a place where I feel my opnion matters and also since I shared this primary ride with the vdery special gang at TPM. For  many more reasons,  I have a special affinity for the site. And until  Josh and Co ban me I'm not going to leave this place- coz it's a great crowd to hang on with

Also,  Greg and Eric are cool- sound and seem young and enthusiastic and do a decent job keeping us upto date. But off late I feel TPM is one of the few remaining 'news and analysis' sites, which is desperately and shamelessly pushing for Hillary candidacy especially sucking upto Harold Ickes. No coincidence- Ickes seem to break the news first to TPM pretty regularly nowadays. 

If  it were a propoganda site like Hillaryis44.org I'd have no complian- I'd know what I'm getting into, but TPM I assume is still a news and analysis site that reflects and presents news worthy and relavent.

Did anyone notice the constant and uninterrupted spin that's spewing on TPM for the Hillarty head quarters? By even amatuer content analysis, it's clear Hillary Talking Points (on the horserace) out shadow other presidential election  news 3-1.
 
And the Hillary spin from Greg and Eric, at times, is abundantly clear. It's only in the TPM world you get a feel of a close nail bitting horse race.  On Hillaryis44.org you think Hillary is winning and rest of the progressive blogs are offerring Hillary news adequate and which has tangible affects on primary.

TPM- it's time to suspend  minute-to-minute update from the Hillary HQ and present news and analysis which reflects the broader realities of the race.

E.g., "Harold Ickes: Hillary Will Need "A Few" More Super-Dels Than Obama To Catch Him" This is not news and definetly not newsworthy.

The statement doesn't have a merit or kinship to any reality- stop being a mouthpiece for Ickes and Co.


Gallup: Hillary Is Right About General Election -- Sort Of, bad tittle and unwarranted analysis. This suggests you either lack ability for intelligent analysis- else you're not inclined to offer one. Because Newsweek came with a much closer poll yesterday and also there may be other variables (including sympathy factor, or honeymoon effect nin play). This is just not bright argument.

Caveat: My comments only focusses on the election central news line.

P.S: I'm busy packing  for a coast to coast summer relocation, but still felt compelled to take time out to bring this to the surface for discussion.  Excuse any typos and stuff...

For many ardent Hillary Clinton supporters a glimpse of Senator Clinton lights up the faces, broadens the smiles and her words seep through the ears filling hearts well, with honey.
 
We get it!!!!  But again we don't really get it!!! But that's okay.

But for others, what was your threshold for Hillary and when did the it break inviting a mutiny of ampersand and asterisks to clog in your throats?

Here are some possible moments when the nerve broke...

Change you can xerox...

Shame on you Barack Obama....

As far as I know...

Do you need a pillow...

Well he wouldn't be my pastor....

Tim, we shouldn't just denounce but reject....

Senator McCain and I have passed the C-in-C threshold...

White Collar voters...

RFK was assisinated in June....

I'm sure I'm missing dozens of Hillary Kitchen Sink moments that made blood gush through the veins and stain your face with color...when did you say that's it.

Hillary invoked Bobby Kennedy’s assassination defending her decision not to drop out of the race. 

To be honest, I don't think Hillary holds a sadistic view of possible Obama assassination as her pathway to presidential nomination.

I'm not her supporter and but let’s admit it’s a gaffe, a misstatement,  a poor and distasteful historical analogy. Hillary and supporters were at their ugliest self exploiting Obama’s “bitter” gaffe and unfortunately her shameless exploitation showed some affect at the polls.

It’s time for us to be a bigger person.

Defining Hillary- the disorder

For weeks, if not for days, we awaited for concession that doesn’t arrive, for honesty that perhaps died in the first few miles and for fairness that’s under siege. We witnessed a shrill tone, parched, arrested in mirage (Maya in Sanskrit) unwilling to exonerate the truth.

A mutiny of asterisks, ampersands and bleeps often surge from the gut, sweep past our lungs, pierce through our hearts, battle and die in our throats - and the last gasps of those martyrs, at times, unleash a loud shriek

“F**k it,” another martyr wails in the halls of TPM. 

These are the causes and effects of a disorder named Hillary.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines this disorder as an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage

Expressing Hillary

Hillary, the disorder, is natural and therefore cannot be fully cured. It inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked. While the disorder is not curable it’s certainly manageable. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, whoever has provoked men to rage against him has always gained a party in his favor, too.

Hillary Management

So, fellow members of the Hillary disorder support group, here are a few useful Hillary management steps, again as recommended by the APA.

• Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm; breathing from your chest won't relax you. Picture your breath and not the asterisks and ampersands coming up from your "gut."

• Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as "relax," "take it easy." Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply.

• Use imagery; visualize a relaxing experience, from either your memory or your imagination.

• Nonstrenuous, slow yoga-like exercises can relax your muscles and make you feel much calmer.

If nothing works, revert to Mark Twain’s mantra:

When angry count to four. When very angry, swear.