Today we saw evidence of the DOD accusing Rajiv Chandrasekaran of a "liberal bias", by linking him with TPM.  Mark Kimmitt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for  the Middle East, characterizes Josh Marshall as a "Bush-bashing uber-liberal."  I'm with Dick Cheney on this one:  so?

Bias differs from corruption.  Bias is healthy, and corruption is sick.  Please indulge me in an analogy.

A scientist hypothesizes that the Earth revolves around the Sun.  He performs an experiment, and confirms his hypothesis.  Mark Kimmitt would accuse this scientist of a "Heliocentric Bias."

Another scientist also hypothesizes that the Earth revolves around the Sun.  He too performs an experiment, and it disproves his hypothesis (the experiment was flawed, what can I say).  He falsifies his research, and declares, in spite of the facts, that the Earth revolves around the Sun.  This scientist is corrupt.

Both scientists reached the same conclusions, and both had the same bias.  The difference between them is clear:  the first one was clean, and the second was corrupt.

The moral of this parable?  The next time you find yourself accusing someone of bias, first look to see if you can prove he is corrupt (evidence would help here, insofar as you are proving something).  Otherwise, that someone might just be doing his job.

In case you needed a fix.

The word Moccasin originates from the Algonquian language Powhatan word makasin (cognate to Massachusett mohkisson/mokussin, Ojibwa makizin, Mi'kmaq m'kusun), from Proto-Algonquian maxkeseni, meaning a shoe made of deerskin or other soft leather. Its sole and sides are made of one piece, stitched together on top, sometimes with an additional panel or vamp. The sole is soft and flexible and the upper part is often adorned with embroidery, beading or other ornament. It is the historical footwear of many North American Indian tribes and was also worn by hunters, traders and settlers. There are many types of moccasins from different tribes.
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Moccasins allow the wearer to feel the ground while offering protection. The Plains Indians had hard-sole moccasins because the ground they walked upon was rocky and there were occasional cactuses. The eastern tribes had soft-sole moccasins. These were perfect for walking on the leaf-covered ground in a forest. Moccasins are fairly light, allowing the wearer to be virtually soundless when walking.
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Today moccasins are most often worn by Native Americans as part of a powwow outfit, or regalia. The most common is the Plains-style moccasins. Many are beaded, either partially or fully, usually with a design that goes with the rest of the outfit.
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In New Zealand and Australia sheep shearers make for themselves footwear consisting of part of a cured sheepskin with the wool inside to use while working; these moccasins protect the feet, provide good grip on wooden floors and soak up the sweat of the wearer. Moccasins may also refer to any kind of genuine or faux leather shoe shaped like a loafer, but with shoelaces.
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More recently, moccasins have made a resurgence as a popular form of women and men's slipper. Along with a parallel trend of loafers and boat shoes, moccasins are now available widely. Women will wear moccasins out and about, but for men, moccasins are typically designed as in-house slippers (although often include a rubber sole).
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<i>This is an experiment.  My hypothesis is that many post comments without reading the contents of the post;  they simply react to headlines.  Please disregard.</i>

How 'bout it?  Can you out mic Ric?  Mc____...

There were a solid 2 and a half requests to repost this during the day.  Here are some of the success stories from the previous one... try to get on the master list, let out some rage, bridge the Obama/Clinton divide... but most of all, spread the hate!

The Coulter Prize for discourse lowering goes to: McCancer, with McMelanoma as runner up.

The Godwin's goes to: McAryan.

The Matthews' Prize for achivement in trivializing and feminizing goes to:
McReadMyLipsIfYouCanFindThem.

The Swiftboat goes to: McCan My Car Battery Ask Your Testicles A Few Questions?

The Atwater for excellence in pre-smearing:  McCain and UnAble (pre-smearing the future VP nominee).

Honorable mentions:
McCan't
McThuselah
McWealthy
McSugarMomma'sadopefiendbutIgotheroff
McFailure
McLobbyist
McAdultDiapersFilledWithCowardFeces
McBribed
McCannibal
McCatholics_Are_Whores
McConomy_Questions? McAskMeAfterTheElection

How 'bout it?  Can you out-Mic Ric?  Mc_____ ...

Gather 'round, and I will tell you a story of Patriotism.
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Have you ever been to the Special Olympics?  It is sad, but also nice.  People who are hurt play games, just like healthy athletes.  In the end, they all get prizes.  The audience always applauds, and most people cry a little.  Families say they are proud, but let me tell you an awful secret-- most everyone applauds or cries because they feel guilty!
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Every few years, we also have Special War.  In war you know, soldiers shoot each other until the losers are dead.  But in Special War, a lonely, forgotten army gets to finally have some fun!  The Special War soldiers get to shoot farmers, drive tanks over little girls, and steal lots of money for their country.  It's not as hard as war, but everyone applauds and cries for the special soldiers, because they feel guilty!  We call that feeling "Patriotism."
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Once, there was a Special War called Vietnam.  In that Special War, there was a very special soldier called John "My Friends" McCain, 847.  He was bad at flying planes, and one day a farmer shot his plane down!  The farmers didn't have nuclear bombs, so they hit him with sticks and fed him bad food for a long time.  When the Special War was over, and John came home, everyone felt guilty.   They gave him lots of prizes like a new rich wife.  His biggest prize was the title of Senator, which is like a little king who takes bribes.
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But then a very bad thing happened.  Many years later, there was another Special War called the Iraq War.  John went to the television, and told the people it was a real war!  And whenever he did, everyone felt too guilty to correct him.  Whenever a special soldier shot lots of farmers, John would say "we killed the evil terrorists, we are winning!"  Even though he was lying, people felt too guilty, too patriotic to tell him so.  If a tank would drive over little girls, John would say "we killed the evil terrorists, we are winning!"  Even though he was lying, people felt too guilty, too patriotic to tell him so.  And whenever the special army stole money for their country, John would say "we killed the evil terrorists, we are winning!"  Even though he was lying, people felt too guilty, too patriotic to tell him so.
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So, the next time you go to the Special Olympics, think of the patriotic story of John "My Friends" McCain, 847.  Make sure to applaud and cry, because you don't want anyone calling you a monster!  And the next time a Special War comes around, make sure to applaud and cry, because you don't want anyone calling you unpatriotic, my friends!

Per http://politifact.com/media/travel.html

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
3/23/97: With Chelsea, takes cruise on Zambese River; watches dance show.

Xi'an, China
6/25/98: Arrives with President Clinton.
6/26/98: Tours Terra Cotta Warriors Exhibit with President Clinton.

Lyon, France
6/27/96: Attends various official events with President Clinton.
6/28/96: Attends various spouse events.
6/29/96: Attends various spouse events.
(Trip is with President Clinton)

Naples, Italy
7/8/94: Attends philharmonic performance.
7/9/94: Tours castle, church with other spouses, dines with presidents and spouses.
7/10/94: Tours Mt. Vesuvius, embassy event.
(Trip is with President Clinton)