Shouldn't that read: "BECAUSE Biden confused EVERYONE, President Obama made clear today that the United States is 'absolutely not' giving Israel a green light to attack Iran."

Palin Poll

Christianity Today is running a poll - "What is your overall opinion of Sarah Palin?" When I noticed this yesterday there were 734 votes the results were.

30% Very favorable
30% Mostly favorable
19% Mostly unfavorable
21% Very unfavorable

Some progress has been made since then.

I wonder how much traction the fReichtards will get out of claiming that the depraved hotbed of liberalness that is D.C.* has just proven it's a depraved hotbed of liberalness.

*Actually there was a fair amount of bitching and whinging from the usual suspects, including prod-nosed creeps who don't live in the District and of course, Marion "Night Stalker" Barry who warned it could cause a civil war. Here's hoping their goats all kick them in the nads.

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) isn't anxious to think about another stimulus."

This is no surprise since he is, in fact, Harry Reid.

I suspect Obama will issue quite a lot of 'clarifications' about Biden's remarks in the coming years.

Good work, DC!

Reid's got to go.

Is there anybody who is thinking of running in a primary against him?

" The American Bar Association's standing committee on the federal judiciary has "unanimously found Judge Sonia Sotomayor...""

A little bit of recent history made today. During Bushie's everlasting term, he removed the vetting of SCOTUS picks from the ABA and gave it to the Federalist Society, which accounts, in part, for what we got from him. Good to see the imbalance redressed.

* Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thinks Iran's recent presidential election was "the freest" and "the healthiest" ever. Imagine that.

You know, he might just be right about that.

Late on Tuesday, Harry Reid's body taken over by friendly progressive aliens.

Watch the Memorial for Michael Jackson.

Tried to watch the Ed Show on MSNBC -
Donny Deutch came on and behaved like Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck on Fox news.

Apparently, he was angry that the Michael Jackson will be enormous - his eyes and voice showed anger and hatred.

He reminds me of the typical GOP - they want you to feel what they feel, how they want you to feel, and follow and do whatever they want.

From this day forward, I will boycott any product his company promotes!!!

Ed Schultz needs to apologize for his behavior - his show needs all the viewers he can get.

***Poll results show that the typical age group for MSNBC viewers is between the ages of 18-34

This is the biggest age group that are fans of Michael Jackson.

, Harry Reid's body taken over - shortstop

Great link. Thanks. It's nice to hear 10-15 Dems saying they will kill a bill that doesn't include a strong public option. This could be one of those rare instances where the lefties overpower the centrists, since they have two advantages. 1) The country overwhelmingly wants reform. 2) If it doesn't get done quickly, it goes to reconciliation, and all those Blue Dogs can howl.

I suspect Obama will issue quite a lot of 'clarifications' about Biden's remarks in the coming years.

You've spotted that trend too, huh?

The Justice Department thinks AT&T and Verizon might be abusing their telecom market power.

For those who can't get through the subscription wall, that means they'll be taking a look at (among other things) the iPhone deal.

Late on Tuesday, Harry Reid's body taken over by friendly progressive aliens. -- shortstop, @18:46

And let's hope they can maintain control long enough to "git 'er done". Wonder what put the pepper under his tail all of a sudden. Would like to think that, maybe, it was the nice and long list that TPM Muckraker put together yesterday. Health Industry lobbyists, all of whom used to be staffers of Senator Bowwowcus. My husband refuses to read blogs, but I convinced him to read that one; I was getting so sick and tired of hearing "but, Baucus says..." Today, he's going around all appalled "I had no idea..." And I wonder how many others had no idea just why Baucus is acting like he's acting.

Yay for Dan Froomkin!

I might have to go back to HuffPo on occassion now.

Disputo, @19:17,

Steve has never, to my knowledge, posted links which are behind a paywall and neither is this one. And it's strange that you interpret the article as:

[DoJ] be taking a look at (among other things) the iPhone deal.

Since it's not just "among other things", the iPhone deal having nothing to do with Verizon. DoJ will be looking at those two giants, and some others as well, as a part of wider and aggressive push in enforcing the anti-trust laws. Which function of DoJ, as the article so kindly reminds us, was dormant during the Bush administration. But, of course, saying that would mean admitting that the *Obama* admin is doing something worthwhile and you'd rather choke than do that, wouldn't you?

oooh, it pains me to disagree with exlibra, she being one of my very favorite commenters, but this is very much about the iPhone deal. more broadly it is about the market power that AT&T (Wireless) and Verizon Wireless have and whether the exclusive deals that allows them to make with handset makers violates antitrust laws. but because most handset exclusives last about 6 months while the iPhone deal is 2 years, and the iPhone is so visible an example, it is surely one of the big drivers if this alleged review is taking place.

About the oil speculators, CFTC already knows where the main problem is, which is manipulation of the trading platform by none other than Goldman Sachs, etc. If the platform is restored to what it was before, and restricted access mainly to those who really need to hedge on oil futures (like the airlines), then speculation will stop.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JE06Dj07.html

oooh, it pains me to disagree with exlibra, she being one of my very favorite commenters.

And oooh, it pains me to pile on exlibra, me being one of her biggest fans, but most of that story is behind a subscription wall.

And ooooh, it pains me, but not that much, to admit when I'm wrong. Apparently not a subscription wall, just a shill for subscriptions that's easily ignored.

I'm confused. This post has nothing to do with Sarah Palin.

But, of course, saying that would mean admitting that the *Obama* admin is doing something worthwhile and you'd rather choke than do that, wouldn't you?

Well, I see that others have corrected your other mistakes, and you couldn't be more wrong with this ridiculous personal attack as well.

I've been an Obama supporter for 10 yrs, and I worked my ass off to get him elected POTUS. However, that does not mean that I turned off my brain after the Nov election. I speak truth to power, no matter what party is in the WH, and even more vociferously when it's "my guy" who is in power. Moreover, I understand how power works, and know that the surest way to make sure that nothing progressive gets done is for all the progressives to STFU and simply sit around hoping that Obama does the right thing.

In short, exlib, I'll keep speaking the truth no matter how much you attack me for it.

I speak truth to power

I had no idea people still said this with straight faces.

I'll keep speaking the truth no matter how much you attack me for it.

Why do the worst bullies always have the thinnest skins of all?

Apparently not a subscription wall, just a shill for subscriptions that's easily ignored.

Most subscription walls can be circumvented by going through Google as the referring site.

This one can be circumvented simply by accessing the page again via Steve's link.

So I take it that for some reason we're no longer BFFs, shortie, but I'm a bully now because I defended myself against a ridiculously unwarranted attack? Thin skins, indeed, sweetie.

The soap operatic cliques in this forum sure have taken some bizarre turns since I was last a regular. More reason to stay on topic and not bother with the petty drama.

So I take it that for some reason we're no longer BFFs, shortie

You used to make some really astute posts and some really witty ones, Disputo, and I frequently said so. If that's BFF in your world, well, all right.

Then you disappeared for a while during the primaries and came back recently with a chip on your shoulder the size of a Marina Tower. Guy, I don't know why you're so angry every minute and where this huge superiority complex and gigantic arrogance came from. WTF?

but I'm a bully now because I defended myself against a ridiculously unwarranted attack?

Yeah, who among us could have predicted that response?

No, Disputo, you're a bully because you bully people. Constantly. Nine-tenths of your posts consist of you bitching, sneering or ranting about the appalling stupidity/lack of judgment/missing insight/low standards of everyone in these threads except you; if you talk about your policy preferences it's only peripherally. It's all "Too bad I'm the only one here who..." this and "How cute to see the naivete of you all" that. Who talks this way?

exlibra can be forgiven for crafting her comment in response to your entire body of posts rather than this particular one. She's gun shy, and I can see why.

Don't get me wrong. Assholes are everywhere online; I'm very frequently a bad actor myself, and running into another one ain't no skin off my nose. But every time someone pushes back you start whining, and the victim act doesn't mesh so well with the aggressor routine. If you want to constantly be a dick to everyone else on your political side and tell yourself it's all about your selfless love of truth and our inability to face it, go to it -- that's your petty drama -- but at least skip the boo-hooing when someone calls you out for it.

Uh, you were, in fact, wrong about the topic at hand. That fact can't be changed merely by patting yourself on the back so hard that you sprain your arm.

If you don't want to "bother with the petty drama," then stop bringing it with you.

PS: That's addressed to Disputo.

More reason to stay on topic and not bother with the petty drama.

My experience on progressive blogs is that most petty drama is of (or starts up as) the "purist-ier than thou" variety. It pains me, and defies reason, how regulars in a "community" who are in the broader picture very, very close in policy predilection decide tactfulness would somehow interfere with their expression of some extra incrememnt of progressive purity that the rest of the commenters allegedly lack.

So Mitch McConnell is concerned Sotomayor is a racist. He's probably afraid she'll discriminate against orange people.

OK, OK, Zeitgeist and Shortstop; I consider myself well and truly buried under your (reluctant) pile :)

Now, for a change of subject... Rahmbo has been taken to the woodshed by the House Dems and seems to have emerged duly chastened:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/07/emanuel-public-plan/

Washington, D.C., recognizes same-sex marriages performed legally in other states.

Can't wait to hear Marion Barry's statement about why this degrades the institution of marriage. Tell it to the judge, stalker.

Almost this entire thread has been an waste of space and time. Most of this has been nitpicking, diversion, and tit-for-tat discussion, directed, misdirected, and produced by disputo. For those of you who can not resist the temptation to have petty arguments with petty trolls, I say fine. It's a free country. I have done it myself. But, please remember, in the future, when others can not resist either, that you too have been guilty of the same behavior. Most often, reality based discussion on meaningful and relevant topics are more useful than 'yes it is!', 'no it isn't!' type arguments. However, it can be helpful to put truth to lies. Just remember that when Disputo sets the agenda, the meeting is almost invariably going to be non-productive.

"Our goal here is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. When I say 'our' it is just not the United States — it is the international community," spokesman Ian Kelly said. "Israel is a sovereign country. We are not going to dictate its actions

And Iran is NOT a "sovereign country"? The Age of Irony is not dead.

So... uh...hey, Hilzoy! Any chance of a new, late night thread?

In Afghanistan, U.S. troops forced Taliban fighters to flee from the country's southern Helmand province.

Anyone moron enough to believe this is a fact probably believes the sun will rise in the west tomorrow.

The Viet Cong "fled" from every USA Army "offensive operation" in Vietnam, only to return once the troops left. Same with Mao's communists when the Japs came roaring through Hunan Province. The same as the Continental Army did when Cornwallis' army made their "offensive" up from Charleston in 1781 - which ended with the British in Yorktown.

If Obama thinks this means a goddamned thing, then he's dumber than John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Robert McNamara combined, and you can even throw in Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld and he's still dumber than all combined.

Let's remember just who it was who thought it was such a great idea to give Verizon and ATT and the rest of the bloodsuckers the power they have:

Bill Clinton
Al Gore
Larry Summers
Rahm Emmanuel
Harry Reid

Just to name the ones that come to mind first. This is the same list that thought getting rid of Glass-Steagall was a good idea, and the same bunch who are "taking care of business" for Obama today.

PALIN IN 2012

For presidential aspirations in 2012, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is toast. The man Maureen Dowd refers to as the tango dancing alter ego, Marco, cheated on his wife, left his state untended and lied about his whereabouts and then followed all this with sappy, almost lovelorn, statements and interviews. It would take a long time, if ever, to forget and forgive this behavior.

Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is no stranger to sappy statements and odd behavior. In a rambling announcement containing strange references to such things as basketball point guards, she tried to explain her decision to resign as governor later this month. Among the reasons, if they can be called that, she gave was that, as a lame duck, she would be just spinning her wheels. If that were true, maybe all lame duck officials should resign.

Her resignation may well not be a wise decision. However, she does not leave Alaska untended and she is right that her national prominence and media attention does serve as a distraction to Alaskan governance. Better she should have then just said that she wanted to devote her time and attention to the pressing issues facing our nation. Then she could give the speeches, do her much needed policy homework, and raise the money she needs for herself and any future campaign.

And I hope that she does campaign in 2012. Much as I disagree with her views on women's reproductive rights, gay marriage, sex education, and fiscal policy, I think that she brings excitement and fun to a campaign. I do think she will run if for no other reason than RNC Chairman's statement that she can't.

I would so much look forward to the debates. "Governor, may I call you Sarah?"

homer www.altara.blogspot.com