The Worst Thing I Could Say

True story, Scout’s Honor:

Once upon a time, a friend and I were coming back from Central Oregon, across the spine of the Cascades, at Sisters, where there is an amazing little road, only open a couple of months a year, that has big signs at both ends: RVs, trailers, trucks, extreme danger etc.

Those signs aren’t there just to ruin the scenery. It’s an extreme road: Lots of hairpins, and twisty-turnies, but the most amazing picture-post-cardy little drive you’ve ever seen. Not the most or best or anything else, but not to be missed if you can help it, and we couldn’t help it. Perfect Sunday morning; instantaneous decision.

Just A Thought

I wonder why it is that so many who sputtered with righteous indignation about their perception of a slight to General Petraeus’ character in the MoveOn ad …

… are the same people attacking a 12-year-old child over the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and saying that he’s “fair game”?

It is a puzzlement.

Courage.

Cyberstalking, Felons and Investigative Reporting, Oh MY!

This may seem a little complicated, but it’s a lot simpler than it might appear at first, so bear with me. It’s a good story, and a great roller coaster ride, no matter what you think of it. It begins like this:

Howdy Doody Time

 

Howdy Doody was a kids’ show that those of a certain age will remember. It set the template for kids’ shows, in many ways during its run from 1947 to 1960. The pre-1952 Clarabelle the Clown (who never spoke) later became Captain Kangaroo. During that period after World War II, America got into a War in Korea, got out of that war, and, angry and fearful of our former ally, Soviet Russia, we fell into a very dark time.

Some may recall that Richard Nixon came to prominence as a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), which was doing in the House what Senator Joseph McCarthy was doing in the Senate — looking for “Communists.” Clarabelle the Clown turned out to have the right idea, sort of, for the age.

Today, after George W. Bush vetoed a bill to expand health coverage for poor children, and after the Democratic response to Bush’s Saturday Radio Address was delivered by a 12 year old boy, the usual suspects went into attack mode. ThinkProgress:

Right Wing Launches Baseless Smear Campaign Against 12 Year Old Recipient Of SCHIP

Everybody Needs A Hobby

[Correction: Below, I erroneously follow the "Michael Goldfarb" who works for FreedomHouse. This was based on SourceWatch's page, and they have issued the following correction: "A previous entry in this space falsely stated that the Michael Goldfarb who writes for the Weekly Standard previously worked at Freedom House and Time.com. A different Michael Goldfarb was described." I regret their error and mine in not getting multiple confirmations. I am leaving the error in the piece, however, because I don't believe in the popular self-serving rationalization of "scrubbing" history. I goofed and I apologize for my error. - HW]

When not trying to get Franklin Foer, editor of The New Republic, fired, the rival Weekly Standard‘s blogger, Michael Goldfarb, shakes those pom-poms and high kicks rather strenuously for war, death and the continued occupation of a country that never did anything to harm us. This is, perhaps, not surprising, considering WHO the Weekly Standard speaks for.

According to SourceWatch:

The Hatest Generation

 

“Now is the winter of our discontent.”
-From King Richard III (I, i, 1)

Last week, big chunks of America were caught up in two enormous soap operas. The first was Ken Burns’ documentary, “The War,” that was pulling in network-type ratings. It reminded us of World War II, which I, as a child of the ‘fifties, grew up with omnipresent and memory fading, to the point that they could put “The War” on TeeVee as a weekly drama, “Combat,” and a sitcom about Stalag 13, “Hogan’s Heroes.”

We have profoundly forgotten that “Greatest Generation.”

And then, the first straight-up barfight of the New Media left and right: the controversy over Rush Limbaugh’s “Phony Soldiers” comments.

More Phony Soldiers Swiftboated

You can tell when the Rightie blogosphere has spun off its axis. The self-delusion and rationalization has finally reached that magical moment when spoiled White Southern Chicks decide that World War II vets’ stories aren’t convenient, and can, therefore be dismissed, since they coincide with points of view with which spoiled White Southern Chicks disagree.

Here’s the inconvenient facts, from The Washington Post:

When about two dozen veterans got together yesterday for the first time since the 1940s, many of the proud men lamented the chasm between the way they conducted interrogations during the war and the harsh measures used today in questioning terrorism suspects.

The Money Changers have Fled from their High Seats in the Temple

 

 I am reminded of a famous American speech:

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.

Larry Craig’s Bright Future as a GOP Blogger

Well, first he said that he’d resign, effective September 30. Then, he said he’d resign, CONDITIONAL on what the judge said about withdrawing his guilty plea. (And that he was completely innocent.)

THEN, he said, that while September 30 had passed, he’d wait for the judge’s ruling.

The judge did not allow him to withdraw his guilty plea.

And so, Idaho Senator Larry Craig’s long bout of bizarre, lying behavior continued today, as he confronted the judicial ruling in what we’ve come to think of as the inimitable Larry Craig manner:

Racism Update

UPDATE 5:28 PM PDT: Today, CNN has noted a plethora of stories that relate directly to the issues raised in my earlier story, today.

• Police probe racial incident at school for deaf
• Coast Guard tries to deal with noose incidents
• Student apologizes for making ‘Jena 6′ re-enactment

Here’s an excerpt from that last story:

Racism And The Jena 6

Regular readers will recall my posting last month, “CNN, the KKK and the Jena 6” which drew THIS long response in the wee hours last night. Normally, I’d just shine it on, but it really illuminates what I’ve been talking about for a long time: that racism in America, while increasingly hidden, remains deeply masked, deeply felt, and deeply entrenched. On The Democratic Daily, this appeared:

Comment from: DR. FESTLER MN

I find it interesting that you mention the nooses were painted in school colors and were apparantly (sic) intended on “supporting” a football theme of “Hang the Cowboys” – a rival town’s team coming in for a visiting game.