Bloggers and MoveOn.org aren't the only ones who've noticed the AP's Ron Fournier's trouble with objectivity.

It's so damn obvious throughout AP. When I log in to Yahoo mail they show 5 or 6 AP headlines and at least 3 of them every day is biased or negative about the Democrats. It's sickening.

Comments to Steve Benen:

I prefer almost everything from "The Carpetbagger Report" to this web site. It almost seems that you have joined Amateur Hour.

1) The font is not overly friendly to those of us with eye problems. TheCarpetBagger.com was a much better font.

2) Although comments have been posted disliking the 'below the fold' links, I really like them. No problem going to 2nd page for full article. I like having the full article on the same web page as the comments. Much easier to refer back and forth.

3) You need to get the 'Remember person info' fixed so that it works for everyone. I also like the poster's name at the top of the comment, in a larger type size. Easier to associate the trolls and the regular intelligent posters.

Best wishes going forward.
SadOldVet
RepublicanPointOfView
JesusIsComing

Morning Joe is an even whinier version of O'Reilly. When the revolution comes, he goes first to the reeducation camp.

One of the good (or bad things, depending on your philosphy) about being as far behind as Republicans are in the upcoming election, is that there is very little for them to lose. These guys actually might view a shutdown over energy as a positive political strategy for them. They certainly have gotten a small polling bump from their energy message and the continued protests over energy taking place on the House floor since early August.

For myself, I have noted first with amusement, and then with total amazement, the number of former and present congressional Republicans who recently have been forwarding the revisionist idea that the previous government shutdown they caused under Clinton was actually a positive for them, rather than a complete PR disaster. In this revisionist version, it showed they were serious about spending and kept Democrats from spending more. Total crap, of course, but Gingrich, Nussel, Coburn, DeMint others have started to tell that story since about a year ago.

And what is Obama doing about the threat of invasion from another galaxy? The intergalactic threat is real and growing, and yet the surrender-monkey Dems won't talk about it.

What did the rest of the world expect Russia would do? Sit idly by while Georgia forced their hand? Once Georgia was also a Russian province. Other nations do not sit and watch while a bit is broken off here, a bit there, while their independence is championed by other large nations who immediately start pestering the new independent for basing rights. If all it takes is for a region to insist it wants to be independent, why does England make such a noise about Ireland?

If the U.S. insists on stirring things up all over the world in the name of freedom, it must be prepared for the consequences. Georgia used America as a patsy, cynically not noting that Ossetia's independence claim is easily as legitimate as Georgia's. Where's all the rhetoric about freedom on the march there?

Beware pushing Russia too hard. A new cold war would be in nobody's best interests.

service@washingtonmonthly.com

It' almost too much trouble to comment here.

A new cold war would be in nobody's best interests except the military/industrial/Blackwater/oil/media/neocon complex.

Fixed it for ya.

Jim DeMint is demonstrating the Republican strategy of hissyfit escalation:
First, make yourself a victim, blame Democrats, see if media notices.
If that fails, make someone else a victim, blame Democrats, see if media notices.
If that fails, start unnecessary war, blame Democrats, ... repeat ad nauseum.

'Tube' Stevens being smeared by the Rove DOJ, impossible [snark] probably he did something they didnt like and are looking to throw him under the bus making some fresh hamburger for the red meat eaters unhappy with pork.

If you are using the Firefox browser you can increase the font size by 'Zooming'
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1499

Is anyone going to look into the timeframe on the Cheney aide story? The aide was in Georgia before the war, but Cheney's office didn't announce the trip until this Monday, presumably after the reporter called to confirm facts and definitely after the war.

Just a coincidence? Did the aide visit Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Italy on that same trip?

The same tussle occurred over recognition of the independence of Kosovo, which the Russians opposed but in the end accepted. So where's our championed commitment to so-called Freedom? Seems to evaporate when it's the other guy who's claiming it. Cheats and hypocrites the lot of them. And what's Obama doing getting messed up on the wrong side of this?

The situation vis à vis Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and the greater Russian confederation is complex and ancient, stretching back through centuries. It is a situation only fools would rush into with cavalier bombast. The issue for sure needs resolution, but there is no quick fix. It will take decades to resolve effectively.

The kindest thing I can say bout mourning joe is he makes it easier to go to work just to stop the sound of his whining...thought he was gonna get in fisticuffs with shuster this morning...what a hoot!

One of the good (or bad things, depending on your philosphy) about being as far behind as Republicans are in the upcoming election, is that there is very little for them to lose.

Dunno about your premise here, but today's Gallup Daily shows McCain leading by 2%, which occurs after the Biden announcement. Not that anyone should take these early polls very seriously, but the trend over the last couple weeks has moved from a fairly constant ongoing Barama lead to a virtual tie. If Barama doesn't see a post-convention bump upwards, there may well be cause to rethink election startegy/tactics.

Questions needing an answer:

What is Cindy McCain doing in Georgia?

Why is humanitarian aid being delivered to Georgia by armed warships?

"Russia "stunned" Europe and the U.S. today, by recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The AP noted that the Kremlin's move "suggested it was willing to risk nearly two decades of economic, political and diplomatic bonds with its Cold War antagonists.""

Not. Our. Concern.

The last thing we need to do is to involve ourselves in yet another old feud between various sectarian groups.

Can't be any question who Putin prefers for president of the United States.

Notice how the stories don't mention Kosovo, where the West violated the principle of territorial integrity and ripped a chunk of Serbia free, against the will of the Serbs as well as of their allies, the Russians.

Let the South Ossetians vote; they would overwhelmingly vote to be free of Georgia. They only because part of Georgia because Stalin drew the boundaries of the Georgian S.S.R. that way in any case, they have no historical ties to Georgia.

That doesn't justify the Russian behavior, but as Americans we have no room to get righteous.

Still, Americans have yet to associate high gas prices with the Democratic Party, a critical connection Republicans have to make if the issue will benefit them in November. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll two weeks ago showed voters trusted Democrats to handle gas prices better by a twenty-point margin, a significant lead on any issue. But there are signs, at least, that the lead might be shrinking: In January, Democrats led by a whopping twenty-eight points. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/08/dems_stop_approps_bills_to_blo.html

Such is the reason for GOP theatrics when it comes to gas prices and drilling.

"What was a top national security aide to Vice President Dick Cheney doing in Georgia shortly before Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's troops engaged in what became a disastrous fight with South Ossetian rebels -- and then Russian troops?"

Trying to fix an election -- and not Saakashvili's.

".. But Russia’s recent choices –not American or European decisions — are threatening this potential and reminding us all that peace and security in Europe cannot be taken for granted,� said Senator Barack Obama.

So bribing the only gullible state in Europe -- Poland, with a currently right wing government -- to allow the U.S. military to plunk a missile defense system right on Russia's doorstep is not a recent American or European 'choice' ?

" How much longer can the White House stall? "A district court judge denied Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten's request for a stay on their Congressional testimony pending the appeal of the recent decision in HJC v. Harriet Miers et al.""

How much longer? Forever. The Judge was extremely tepid about involving the courts at all and basically issued a ruling that said Miers had to go before the committee but didn't specify any date and also said he'd forgo any rulings if the defendants merely claimed to be open to negotiation.

And even in the unlikely case that this judge or another actually issues a ruling that isn;t completely worthless (as this one definitively was) when the white house ignores it it is then up to Mukasey to force the issue.

Good luck with that. We're either 5 years too late or 5 months too early to get any accountability.

I hope to hell that Hon. Sen. Clinton leverages the enormous media exposure if her speech tonight to hammer Hon. Sen. McCain on the same women's issues you cite. This avoids all the 'disunity' malarkey, will undoubtably galvanize erstwhile supporters to the gravity of the choice they have this November, and not even FOX will be able to ignore it.

Just got to turn on the C-SPAN feed for the convention. Missed the Stephanie Tubbs Jones tribute, but saw a list of the recently deceased Democrats, and seeing some of the names shook me, whether I'd known of their deaths or not. Fr. Drinan in particular. Maybe the best example of how a clergyman in politics is not always a bad thing.

By the way, Stalin was a Georgian.

While the Russians are in the mood of recognizing autonomus regions as independent countries, why doesn't the U.S. recognize the independence of Chechnia and Ignushia. It would have the double advantage of gaining Muslim support and irk the Russians.

While Russia is in such a magnamious mood recognizing autonomus regions as independent countries, why doesn't the US just recognize the independence of Chechnia and Ignushia. It would endear us to the Muslim world (and another 100+ ethnic groups in Russia) and really piss off the Russians.

So much of the great stuff at the convention is going on at odd times, but I wish someone would put together a list of those speeches that deserve better viewing. For example, the speech by Ann Richards' daughter, now the head of Planned Parenthood Action League.

And of course, the Leach speech from yesterday, but there were others. Maybe a lot of it is fluff, but a lot isn't.

Any other suggestions, anyone?

John McCain on April 11, 1999, declared to Tim Russert on Meet the Press: 'We need Joe Biden for secretary of state.' An astounded Russert asked: 'Is that an offer by President McCain?' McCain replied: 'Absolutely!'

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=13354

Thanks, George W. Bush!

Among all the other triumphs of your administration, you "looked into the soul" of Putin and looked the other way while he turned Russia around, back towards the USSR.

You gave us another Cold War. Heckuva job, Georgie!

Prup, BarackObamadotcom posts the main speeches on YouTube by the following day. Live also, maybe, at the Obama website. C-SPAN?

Well, people ought to study up on Georgia more as UNDP [UN Development Program/Malloch Brown a British Lord] and George Soros [Hillary backer] have worked to reform the Georgian government since 2004. This pretty much puts to rest the inane democrats are communist tripe by the crowing craniums. Bada-Bing! Now, of course, it will be a race to see which side supports Georgia more [WITW is Cindy?] because as McCain said, "We are all Georgians now."

John McCain on April 11, 1999, declared to Tim Russert on Meet the Press: 'We need Joe Biden for secretary of state.' An astounded Russert asked: 'Is that an offer by President McCain?' McCain replied: 'Absolutely

I need to file this in my troll-o-dex.

"We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a new Cold War." -- Medvedev

How's that New American Century going? Perhaps Fukuyama needs to write another book. The Reboot of History?

Geez, but Dennis Kucinich just gave an energized, rousing, and over-the-top speech! More, more, more!

How's that New American Century going? Perhaps Fukuyama needs to write another book. The Reboot of History? -=Beep52=-

Good one.

“Today’s news confirms what America’s struggling families already know — that over the past seven years our economy has moved backwards,� Obama said.

Who is the anti-growth party now? Gimmme a Gee, Gimme a Oh, Gimme a Pee! Gee Oh Pee! YaY!

Why is humanitarian aid being delivered to Georgia by armed warships?

Can you say, "Gulf of Tonkin?"

I knew you could.

@Jet, RE McCain's 1999 statement:

Well, obviously 9/11 changed everything.

Morning Joe is an even whinier version of O'Reilly. When the revolution comes, he goes first to the reeducation camp.
Posted by: thatsjustwhatisaid on August 26, 2008 at 5:42 PM | PERMALINK

Well said, very funny. For me a burst of laughter in agreement, a reeducation camp? Is still laughable and fills me with giggles. Oh boy, for me across the spectrum my inner doubts went from dubious to totally convinced MSNBC is a political front for Bush and Company.

Even though Olbermann offers an outlet in his Bushed comments my inclination tells me Olbermann and his rhetoric are nothing more than that, an avenue to let the public seem something is being done. A Mainstream Media tool that appears as exhaust value of physiological stress relief that goes no where. And that is exactly what any derogatory comment about Bush or the GOP designed to do.

These guys are sharks, this MSNBC crew, of Journalist are expert at convoluting or smooth talking, while cleverly mixing the context for their direction. Chris Mathews and Olbermann are master craftsman at this word juggling. Enhanced with the superb connections of Andrea Mitchell wife of former Federal Reserve board chairman Allen Greenspan. This is one of the most selective inner peaces of choice big money corruption in broadband. Andrea Mitchell needs to be on Olberman’s best person of the world as queen of broadband corruption.

*

al Maliki signed an oil deal with China. Can Russia be far behind?

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/26/malakis_pushback/

We are all South Ossetians now! We are all Abkhazians now!

We're not Chechens, though. The Russians can stomp on those Muslims all they want.

mhr - when a seal goes up to a Great White Shark and give him a poke in the eye, he tends to deserve what comes next.

steve,

i agree with sad old vet.

i'm happy for you, but it's been a tough change. i miss cbr. everything about it seemed so much like, well, home.

the format here isn't friendly. it is nice to see who is posting ahead of time so you can skip over posts.

i'm going to get flamed for this, but, other than the familiar posters from cbr, much of the commentary isn't up to the quality standards of cbr (thanks to all of you regulars from cbr who still post here, it helps a lot.)

the myriad of ads drives me nuts. guess it's part of the progression.

i'm going to stick by you because i love what you write. and hopefully with everyone's support, you can kind of move things toward a more friendly future.

best to you! and thanks.

oh, and by the way, i've stopped clicking on "remember personal information"

if Carville et al are complaining tonight that no one is going after McCain and Bush, it is only because they weren't listening when Gov. Rendell spoke. Kicked. Their. Asses.

best passage, and I paraphrase as closely as I can recall:

"The only thing green in John McCain's energy plans are the millions of dollar bills he's taking from oil companies. And the only thing he wants to recycle are the Bush-Cheney energy policies."

Kucinich kicked some serious ass with his speech--one of the best of the convention.

mhr=must hawk reprobates. You are pretty freaking pathetic. You'll note Cheney's "advisor" helped start the war. That worked out great for the seals.

Just Bill - We know this is a run-down neighborhood, and some of us don't talk too good, and even our trolls are low-budget, but this has been home to us.

*sniff*

(Actually, as a regular reader of both blogs, I don't see a huge difference, except that Steve is a much more prolific writer. A lot more Posts Per Day than KD.)

If you want to enjoy the Democratic National Convention, turn off CNN, switch to CSPAN, and hear all the speeches without commentary. You'll be surprised how big a difference it makes. I even stopped grinding my teeth.

Dear Russia,

The sovereignty or independence of any region is only valid when we say it is.

Love,

The United States

@frank logan. Agreed. It's much more moving with CSpan, minus the big mouths.

And yay for Kucinich. Totally fired up. Janet Napolitano too!

Gosh, I hope someone remembers to remove the big boy booster seat behind the podium after Kucinich talks and before the next speaker.

Bush will be gone in a few months and relations with Russia will thaw quickly.

We have a lot more to gain by having civil relations with Russia and China -- there is a lot to be gained from commercial trade!

* How much longer can the White House stall?
"Four more months!" ?

Pat: Kucinich is large enough to support and defend the constitution. You seem pretty small.

It's the world association of cold war neocons with a infamous cast of both Russian and American members. It's the people of these nations that must bare the burden and the cost in treasure and human sacrifice.
I'm convinced that Rove and Shuneuman, Cheney and Putin and the Georgian president met at different times and decided it was the easiest way to control the reigns of power through fear and intimidation and that most profitable of long wars...the cold war. They are hoping to have it strongly in place before the election for Obama to inherit.

McCain would rather start a war than lose an election...but Lieberman, Graham, Rove, Cheney and their Russian counterparts will all profit hugely regardless of who wins the election.

We need a completely different approach than the one we have taken in the past. The cold war is a result of corporations not getting their way not people. The irony is that the more they profiteer the worse conditions will become...at a certain point their stalemate will paint them into a corner.

This is the very reason I have come to hate neocons...they would destroy everything for their own selfish interests claiming they just "had to" to protect their country.

Cheney's aid being in the region is not so puzzling as Rove being in the region just weeks before the Georgians attacked or McCain's foreign policy advisor lobbying for the Georgian president and using the situation for McCain's political gain. Plain as day..Georgian money to McCain's advisor then McCain responds in favor to Georgia.

According to the Hill, BHO said:

Another 816,000 Americans fell into poverty in 2007

Which is a lie: not all of those are Americans. But, who expects accuracy when you've got hope.

Kucinich is a giant compared to Graham only he's the most progressive candidate by which all others should be compared. Has more courage than most for standing up for our constitution and for impeaching that mass murdering monster in the WH...Both of them. His was the only not for profit single payer health care ins plan around...the only one strong enough to call for a department of peace against the prittle of "tough guy" politics willing to spill others' blood to prove they are tough. A most courageous honorable giant among men. As Letterman said he must have some pretty big parts not apparent on the surface to attract such a beautiful wife so ;I guess combined with everything else he's big in all that matters...spirit, courage, heart and... where's your mind at Pat.

Just to throw my complaint about the readability of this site into the mix.

Sans-serif fonts would help a lot.

Yes, Keith Olbermann is a shamelessly transparent hack. I understand that after the election, he is having his lips surgically removed from Obama's ass.

Gosh, I hope someone remembers to remove the big boy booster seat behind the podium after Kucinich talks and before the next speaker. -- Pat, @21:39

Yeah. Had Kucinich been our nominee, he and McPOW could have appeared side-by-side at the debates, without any need of split screens or having the candidates sit at a table, to minimize the difference.

Pat: Kucinich is large enough to support and defend the constitution. You seem pretty small.

Posted by: Sparko on August 26, 2008 at 11:20 PM | PERMALINK

More than that, he's also large enough to enthrall that willowy progressive redheaded goddess, Elizabeth Kucinich. Perhaps the Lord compensates in some way. Wink. Simmer down, there, sparky, BTW. Just because Dennis is insane, doesn't mean I don't like him. It just means if he ever won, I'd immediately move to British Columbia. You're welcome to stay and try to get a job at the new Department of Peace.

Pat: Bushworld is insanem Kucinich is downright gifted. Doesn't take Voltaire to figure that out. And trivializing a man based on height shrinks the person making the comparison. As if one could change physics by denigrating Einstein's hair But such are the tools of the MSM these days and their ad hominem acolytes..