I Don't Like You Either

Real Time is Back! Bill's Aug. 29 Opening

by Teh Nutroots | Shoulda posted sooner; didn't.

Bill Maher at the Democratic Convention

Shorter See-Dubya

by Teh Nutroots |  Palin attacks counterproductive as well as moronic

Nutshell Version:  Only the desperate morons of the Left would go plucking stories about vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin right off the newsvine in order to point and laugh at them.  Instead, they should emulate the intelligent and restrained bloggers of the far right, who---far more productively---only mock stories they make up themselves.

Memeorandum has commentary here.

Maureen Dowd on Sarah Palin: Fan Fic for Mean Girls (Continued)

by Damozel | See also:  But I'm a Frenemy Toooo

Vice in Go-Go Boots?

Campaign Trail Fan Fic for Mean Girls (nutshell version):  John McCain's pick of a beautiful, quirky, untested, unqualified beauty queen to be his running mate has totally preempted the script I'm currently writing for a Lifetime Original Movie (in which the presidential contender chooses a beautiful, quirky, untested, unqualified columnist to be his running mate and then chokes on a pretzel, after which she becomes the true American idol.)  I am seriously displeased. 

Did he think I was going to let that go?  I'm not going to let that go.

Colbert Report: Stephen Adjusts Palin's Experience for How Long the Alaskan Nights Are

Stephen checks out his emergency talking points facts.

Wingnuts in a Nutshell: Shorter William Kristol

by Teh Nutroots | Let Palin Be Palin:  Why the Left is Scared to Death of McCain's Running Mate 

As always, I count on my party's base to be so out of touch with their own interests and reality in general that they will once again vote for a ticket poised to sell them out to big corporations and rich guys like me.  On the other hand---if I weren't stuck in the role of rictus-grinning neocon cheerleader---I'd admit that I'm as gobsmacked and frightened as the next GOPper that McCain chose someone to be VP who gives us nothing more to trust in than the cluelessness of our base.  What if you really can't fool some of the people all of the time?

More here.

Oh Please, Hillary, Say It; Please please please

by The Puppet Mistress | Sarah Palin actually had the crust to compare herself to Hillary Clinton and to invoke Clinton's name?

"Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."  (CNN)

Van Jones says at The HuffPost that someone must say, and soon: " 'I know Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton is a friend of mine. And Sarah Palin is no Hillary Rodham Clinton.'"

But Hillary can speak for herself.  She's congratulated Palin---fine---while saying that she would take us in the wrong direction.  Here's what I, a Clinton supporter, want to hear and what the times demand:

"I'm Senator Clinton. I stand, as I've always stood, for the principles of the Democratic party.  And you, Sarah Palin, are no Hillary Rodham Clinton."

Hillary 'n Sarah: Sisters Under the Pantsuits?

by Blue Stockings | Hillary says that this election is too important to be about the candidates.  She hasn't yet said---though she will---that she and Sarah Palin have at least one thing in common. 

And Jon Stewart, Sam Bee, and Bee's "lady-brain" explain what it is, along with much else of interest:

Snark on This (Bonus: Nothing at All About Palin)

by Teh Nutroots | If you want Palin, we've done Palin.  We don't think she matters, except for what she shows about McCain and the GOP. 

Presented for your consideration:  some grade A snark:

Ron Paul & The John/Jane Galts Hold Their Own Convention

by Teh Nutroots | Ding, ding, ding! Meanwhile, Ron Paul followers are assembling for their own convention.  Just thought I'd mention it.  It may be important later.

The Lower 48 Scratch Their Heads and Think, "Palin? The hell? Palin?" More Blogger Commentary

by Damozel | We've already done one blogger round-up of the Palin pick here.  At our sister blog, you can find a short piece on Palin's connection to the oil industry (and the Malkin's ringing endorsement of it). 

Former Bush speechwriter David Frum considers the choice of Palin "irresponsible," given the shrinking Republican voter base and the distrust most Republicans feel for McCain.  But he nicely frames the arguments that Dems will be hammering home (thanks, Dave).

Ride the Wayback Pony: Remembrances of Bush Past

Posted by Blue StockingS | From The Guardian, Oct 7, 2005:

George Bush has claimed he was on a mission from God when he launched the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a senior Palestinian politician in an interview to be broadcast by the BBC later this month.  

Mr Bush revealed the extent of his religious fervour when he met a Palestinian delegation during the Israeli-Palestinian summit at the Egpytian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, four months after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

One of the delegates, Nabil Shaath, who was Palestinian foreign minister at the time, said: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I am driven with a mission from God'. God would tell me, 'George go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan'. And I did. And then God would tell me 'George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq'. And I did."

Mr Bush went on: "And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, 'Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East'. And, by God, I'm gonna do it."  (Guardian)

Ride the Wayback Pony: Sarah Palin v. The Polar Bears

Posted by Blue Stockings |  TBogg quoted this idiot Malkin post way back when (okay, it was May but it seems a long time ago):

Alaska GOP Gov. Sarah Palin is taking on the Bush administration’s eco-pandering decision to put polar bears on the threatened species list. Via Reuters comes news that Alaska will file suit to block the move. With staunch, sane, principled conservatives like Gov. Palin and Sen. James Inhofe taking a stand, there’s hope–however dwindling–for the GOP yet.
       Keep hope alive  (The Malkin)

Al Gore's Speech at the Democratic National Convention ("I Believe in Recycling, but That's Ridiculous")

by The Puppet Mistress | Gore---once mocked for his "wooden" presentations---nevertheless made a great speech.  An Inconvenient Truth, the Pulitzer prize acceptance, and all his presentations on climate change have really improved his oratorical style.      

MSNBC Media Drama Queens Make It All About Them

by Blue Stockings | Bwah ha ha ha!  Joe Scarborough, David Shuster, Chris Matthews a/k/a Tweety, and Keith Olbermann.   So much infighting.  Let 'em.  Let em devour each other.

McPrickles: McCain Snarls His Way Through an Interview with TIME

by Teh Nutroots | Heh.  Steven Benen calls it "The Prickly Talk Express." "Note to reporters: this isn't the guy you fell in love with. He was replaced with an angry, overly-scripted ideologue."

Pandagon calls him "Prickles the Candidate."  (Check out the illustration).

Hehhehehheh

One of Benen's commenters sums it up as follows:

"Hey, kids! Get off my tire swing!"

The Daily Show: John Oliver Tries to Heal the Party, Restore Unity

While the PUMAs---grieved and silent---try to watch Hillary's speech, Oliver begs them to heal.  He ends up lying on his back begging them to heal as they gather round in consternation.  They very sweetly help him back to his feet. 

Hillary Kills the Roll Call, Calls for Nomination by Acclamation

by the Puppet Mistress | Democrats can't resist the Clinton star power when they're in its presence.  And---once again---she brought the unity. Certainly one of the most dramatic moments in convention history.

Obama Nominated by Acclamation

by Blue Stockings |  Is it wrong that I still want to slap Nancy Pelosi upside the head?  It is?  All righty then.

While Pundits Jabber, John Kerry---the Real John Kerry---Delivers the Most Powerful Speech of the Convention So Far

by Blue Stockings | A lot of people who mainly remember him for his gentlemanly demeanor and swiftboating were surprised by this speech.  Funny how the media image of someone can override what you know about him.  As Pamela Leavey says,  this is the real John Kerry.  Many bloggers think it was the best speech of the night---so infuriated that it wasn't aired.    As Andrew Sullivan said, "Cable believed their pundits were more interesting than this speech. They made the wrong call." 

Clinton Brings the Unity; Gets the Standing O

Bill Clinton was on fire tonight.  The text of his speech is here.

Between the two of them, I think they reminded the party why so many Democrats really love the Clintons. .

(Grecian-Columned) Temple of Snark

by Teh Nutroots | It is all right with me if Democrats want to jeer a bit at Obama's choice of a columned venue for his speech.  He should have studied more Greek tragedy in college, is all I'm saying---and that goes double for W.  The ancient Greeks have much to teach us all about hubris.   

In the meantime, Republicans, especially far right wingnuts and John McCain, need to belt up.  Here's why:

Barack Obama's appearance in Denver won't be the first convention speech framed by Greek columns.

Republicans who are mocking Obama's appearance haven't mentioned it, but George W. Bush accepted his own nomination in 2004 on a set with a similar neoclassical theme, with columns rising on either side of him, as the pictures above and below show.

Indeed, the Bush set and the Obama sets currently look strikingly similar, with the podium set well in front of the columns, and connected by a path.  (Ben Smith)

Jon Stewart: Michelle Obama Proves Herself

The part I enjoyed the most was him taking the piss out of Carville.  I love Carville---love him.  However....

How to Talk to a PUMA (If You Really Gotta)

by Blue Stockings | As Crooks & Liars points out, they were mostly always a media phenomenon.  Interestingly, Chuck Todd actually seems to have cottoned onto this.  Moreover, he points out that the Republicans have their own little problem: angry Paultards. 

When PUMAs start shrieking like maenads prior to tearing Obama to shreds, or tell me they are voting for McCain, I point at them and denounce them in a booming voice.  "YOU ARE NOT A DEMOCRAT.  PLEASE, VOTE FOR McCAIN." McCain's  welcome to them. 

Hillary's To-be-Historic Speech

I've posted on some of the reactions.  Here's the speech itself.

Hillary's Shining Moment

by The Puppet Mistress | I'll post the speech when it's available.  For now, here's a list of reviews.  As a former Clinton supporter, I can't help loving the kudos she's getting.  I just hope this speech will remind the people who have forgotten or who are too young to remember:  Real Dems love Hillary.  Politically, this might have been the best thing that could have happened to her.  It was a shining moment---a redemption from the point of view of her detractors and a confirmation for her supporters.  Love it.

Laughing at Them, Not With Them (A Round-Up of Grade A Snark)

by Teh Nutroots |  For the connoisseur of progressive snark, Teh Nutroots recommends:

[1] "Shorter Richard Cohen" at Sadly, No!

[2] "malkin after midnight" by skippy the bush kangaroo. skippy reports on the ATTACK on the malkin!  The reports of the threat have been greatly exaggerated....not that you would know this from the reaction of what skippy calls the-hardly-ever-right.   

[3] See also Gavin M. at SN!: Shorter Right-Wing Blogosphere; Oliver Willis: 9/11 Truthers Vs. Michelle Malkin;  Greywolf at Hitchens Watch:  When Alex Met Michelle 

[4] TBogg:  The Great Escape

Michelle Obama Speech at DNC Convention

by Blue Stockings | She rocked.  Rebecca Traister's Piece (Isn't She Lovely?) in Salon says it all.   

Brad of SN!: The 10 Most Awesomely Bad Moments of the Bush Presidency

by The Puppet Mistress | This piece by Brad of Sadly, No! is a masterpiece, a classic piece of political satire for the ages:  'A Shorter Version of Our Long National Nightmare.'  At Sadly, No!, Reed says:

The damn thing was a literal labor of hate, as I could only do so much research on things like Abu Ghraib and the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina before pounding down a bottle of Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale and calling my friends to bitch about how terrible the last eight years have been.

Harry Shearer: "Tiny Guns Make Big Trouble" (Judith Owen Sings)

Channeling Shirley Bassey....."                 Life gives you clues that you can use....Next time we'll connect the dots."