On this Veteran's Day, I heard a story mentioning all of the atrocities at the veteran's hospitals that were uncovered last year, and I thought "My god, I'd forgotten all about that".  I'm wondering just how many atrocities we've forgotten because of the absolute deluge - almost daily if not weekly - that has come out of this administration.

I'm hoping that TPM, or someone, will compile an end of term list of all of the calamitous scandals that have been born of this administration.  They should not be forgotten, and should be recounted every two years to remind folks what the neocons and hard core conservatives hath wrought.

According to this map (via Bennen) the New Orleans area voted more Republican this year than in 2004.  I guess all the Democrats were forced out!

Palin refused to say whether or not she voted for Ted Stevens.  Probably because she wrote herself in instead.  ;-)

 

I'm convinced that the amateur politician is the next big phenomena in Republican politics.  First it was Ronald Regan - an actor playing the part of a lifetime; then there was Sara Palin - an amateur for sure that made it to Governor; and finally we have Joe the Plumber.  I'm pretty sure he will run for at least state if not national office, and will probably succeed with good backing from the Republican Party.

It fits right in with the Republican play to heartland America, who apparently think that being someone you can sit down and have a beer with is a swell qualification for high office.

I find this whole trend fascinating.  It seems to be part of our National Story.  Strike out on your own, become your own business man, become your own politician.  The Mr. Smith goes to Washington meme.

I happen to think that the world is too complex for plumbers, carpenters, bakers and candlestick makers to be running the country well.  But then I think government has a positive role in society - you know, to actually govern, where as it is pretty much a stated goal of a large segment of the Republican party to dismantle government.

When you look at it in that context, the amateur politician makes perfect sense (and so, then, does the passing of competency in government, with results like that brought to you by FEMA during Katrina, the intelligence agencies during the run up to the Iraq war, etc.

 

Mindy Blum writes, in the OC Register, an essay pondering how families can be so similar, and yet be so opposed on Prop 8.  Via Sullivan.

 

Why does my dashboard say "This user has not started their blog yet!" When I've posted twice and even gotten comments on at least one of them?

 

How can I find the blog of a particular user without stumbling across them in the recently posted lists?  I want to follow someone but can't find any of their postings?

 

Why isn't there a link for "Help" - why does the "send a comment or news tip" frequently result in a bounced email?

 

Why do I have to spend time doing this in a blog, instead of writing what I had on my mind when I started this?

 

This is pretty frustrating.

-ktb

OK.  I've written, published, and even received a comment on my first post.  Why does MT think I need to create my first post?

Josh points to an article in the NYTimes which quotes Palin as saying she would not hesitate to use the 'Palling Around with Terrorist Line' again.  Who does Palin "pal around" with?

Well, for one, people who think this country is imperfect enough to cecede from it.  Why is this not as much an issue as the Obama Ayres connection?