Charles Krauthhammer Wrong On Obama Again. Forgot About Iraq War

In his latest column, conservative columnist Charles Krauthhammer writes that Senator Barack Obama's rise was not based on any policy position but on this...

Obama's meteoric rise was based not on issues -- there was not a dime's worth of difference between him and Hillary on issues -- but on narrative, on eloquence, on charisma.

Charles, I'm chuckling.  You forgot that the many issue Barack Obama gained notice for was his opposition to the war in Iraq.   If you need a reminder, here's a 2002 interview on the war on Iraq:





In fact, Obama, who was then in the Illinois Legislature, showed a great grasp of the issues surrounding the Iraq War at that time.

Todd Palin, Gov. Sarah Palin's Husband, Subpoena By Alaska's Legislature

In a stunning move that points to the number of political enemies Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin may have created for herself in her less-than-two-years as Governor of that state, the Alaska Legislature voted to Subpoena her husband Todd in the ongoing investigation of her possible abuse of power in the firing of the public safety director of the State of Alaska. The event was not without its colorful events:

Sen. Charlie Huggins, a Republican from Palin's hometown of Wasilla, appeared in camouflage pants on a short break from moose hunting to cast his vote. He lamented the political maneuvering that he saw as trying to interfere with the investigation.

"I see all this duck-foot action under the water," Huggins said. "Let's just get the facts on the table.

The Palin Administration is threatening to block the Subpoena, which can only bring more scrutiny to this entire story. It also calls into question Governor Palin's own claims of supporting open government because of this apparent attempt to block the flow of information on this matter of the abuse of power. But Palin's staff writes they will make themselves available if there's no subpoena:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Gov. Sarah Palin's administration is threatening legal action to block any subpoenas by the Alaska Legislature as part of its investigation into whether she abused her authority in trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper.

In a letter to lawmakers, an assistant attorney general on wrote that the administration was prepared to go to court to quash the subpoenas of Department of Administration staff if they're issued as expected Friday. The investigation, known as "Troopergate," took on new significance after Sen. John McCain, the GOP presidential nominee, selected Palin as his running mate.

However, the letter also suggested that if lawmakers agree that the governor has legal authority to designate staff to review confidential personnel files, the staff members will voluntarily speak with the Legislature's investigator—no subpoenas necessary.

Palin is Wrong on Former VP Credentials - Fact Check

During her interview with ABC News Thursday, Sarah Palin attempted to deflect a question about the fact she has never met head of state by saying that "many" other vice presidential nominees in history hadn't met a head of state either. She was mistaken. Every vice presidential nominee over the last 30 years had met a foreign head of state.

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John McCain and his Blizzard of LIES

This year, the McCain campaign keeps making assertions that anyone with an Internet connection can disprove in a minute. These stories have two things in common: they ’re all claims recently made by the McCain campaign — and they’re all out-and-out lies.

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U.S. Government Helping to Arrange Sale of Lehman Brothers

The Federal Reserve and Treasury are actively helping Lehman Brothers put itself up for sale, and officials are hoping a deal will be in place this weekend before Asian markets open on Monday, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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McCain On The View, Grilled On Roe v Wade

He was grilled on Sarah Palin, his Obama sex-ed for kids attack ads, his view on Roe v. Wade, the separation of church and state and more.

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Personal Attacks

If you took the Republican party at its word, you'd have to believe that they have no sense of reality. In politics, of course, it seems that folks rarely speak the truth. Spin rules and reality luks somewhere under the couch cushions with the pennies and popcorn kernels.

Today, the Obama campaign released a spot emphasizing that McCain is out of touch, but speaking nothing but the facts: he can't use a computer (completely relevant in the Internet age and world of cyber-terrorism), doesn't know much about the economy, and puts a heavier emphasis on corporate tax cuts than helping the middle class. I'm having a problem seeing how these attacks are "personal." Personal attacks are the ones like the despicable recent attack levied against Obama by the McCain camp; the attack which digustingly distorted his record on education reform to make it seem as though he wanted to teach Kindergarteners about sex instead of how to protect themselves against predators. That's personal.

Obama's response to McCain's nasty ad was also personal. In the response, the Obama camp questioned McCain's honor, saying, "Last week, John McCain told Time magazine he couldn’t define what honor was. Now we know why." While the Obama camp may have interpreted that truth (McCain actually told the interviewer to go read the five books he wrote to get his answer), it was essentially the truth. Stating it the way they did, though, does seem a bit personal. The Obama camp, however, had every right to be outraged.

According to the AP, "A spokesman for the Republican National Committee, Alex Conant, accused Obama of 'trying to destroy' McCain and running mate Sarah Palin with personal attacks." How this ad does anything to Sarah Palin is beyond me. And how speaking the truth about McCain is a personal attack stretches the definition. But this is politics, spin is spin. It's going to be a long 52 days.

Cross posted to AshPolitics

California Unemployment Insurance Fund Going Broke - Economy Failing

It's one thing to have people out of work and drawing unemployment, but it's more terrible to be in a position where that unemployment insurance fund is running out of money.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle today the California unemployment insurance fund is running out of money and will have to borrow from the Federal Government for the first time since the 1930s.  The projected deficit for 2009 is $1.6 billion.  

To make matters worse, not just California but 18 other states may find their unemployment insurance funds in deficit, including New York, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri.   

"We Are Out Here" - Republicans Speak Truth to McCain's Lies

We are out here - the Republicans or ex-Republicans who will no longer tolerate the racist, despicable slime machine that the right wing and the John McCain-Sarah Palin campaign has become.

One such Republican penned an article at Daily KOS - a place I seldom send people to read, because it has been so staunchly partisan. Yet this story merits the visit:

I know, for I am one of them. I am not your typical progressive, being an ex-Air Force officer (9 years), evangelical Christian, card carrying conservative...

Is this election going to be about lies, and distortions, or issues?

It's Obama's tax plan that favors over 90% of this country's families and voters, whereas McCain's tends to give money to the wealthiest.

It's Obama who wants to fix Health Care, whereas McCain says changes Obama proposes will reduce our choices and put bureaucrats in charge of our medical decisions. Has McCain never dealt with insurance company bureaucrats who control our health care already, making decisions based on profit not medical advice?

If McCain's all about choices in health care, why does he want to remove choice when it comes to women's reproductive health, and return us to the dangerous day of back-alley abortions?

Obama and Biden want to keep the government out of religious matters, whereas McCain's selected a rookie governor who wants to be able to ban books, and as a Mayor charged victims for rape kits if they reported the crime. That's not the kind of maverick outlook the Alaska State legislature condoned - in response they passed a law insuring victims weren't charged.

If John McCain really wants to campaign with dignity, what's up with all those ads? Is that conduct becoming of a senior Senator, let alone a candidate for the White House? Let's ask him:

Whatever became of "Do unto others," Senator McCain? Either you're outright lying about your intent, totally out of touch as James Carville suggested, or simply unable to control teh GOP and your lobbyists & campaign staff. Meanwhile Senator, your campaign seeks to divert us and the media from all these issues by manufacturing outrage over lines you've used yourself?

America, our moment is now. It's time to get past Red and Blue states, it's time to reclaim our former greatness, to reform DC, and start coping with the mess Bush has made of our economy, our housing markets, and our international reputation.

Obama for America.

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Palin Would Attack Russia - ABC News Interview

In released text of the interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson, Alaska Governor and GOP Vice Presidential Cadidate Sarah Palin was led into an answer regarding the U.S. involvement in the Russian / Georgian conflict that revealed her lack of gravitas in thinking about and discussing foreign policy issues.  

Palin pointed to the need to attack Russia as an option.  But in fairness, Palin quickly backpedaled to explain that other forms of punish

Give Gibson credit for leading Palin rather than outright challenging her in a way that the McCain camp could consider sexist or bullying.  He showed that he's a real pro.  

Here's the text: 

9/11 - Remembering September 11th Today

This is what I remember about "9-11" -- the day that the World Trade Center was destroyed due to a terrorist attack by what we now know and call the Al Qiada terrorist group. I was living in Oakland, Ca at the time.

NFL Injury report week2

Week 2 Injury Report -- Wednesday
Week 2, 2008, 09/10/2008
FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL 9/10/08

JAMES EDGES CLOSER TO 15,000

Arizona Cardinals running back EDGERRIN JAMES has amassed 14,967 scrimmage yards in his career and needs 33 yards to become the 14th player in NFL history to reach 15,000 scrimmage yards. Since entering the league with the Indianapolis Colts in 1999, James has rushed for 11,707 yards and added 3,260 receiving yards.

Following is a list of injured players for Week 2 Games (September 14-15):

(For updated practice information on Denver, Oakland, San Diego and Seattle please check NFLmedia.com Thursday morning)

ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

ATLANTA FALCONS

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Alex Stepanovich (back)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Coy Wire (ankle)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Derrick Brooks (hamstring), QB Jeff Garcia (ankle), G Davin Joseph (foot)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Warrick Dunn (not injury related), WR Joey Galloway (not injury related), WR Maurice Stovall (back)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Matt McCoy (groin)



BALTIMORE RAVENS at HOUSTON TEXANS

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (fibula), QB Troy Smith (illness), CB Fabian Washington (neck)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Yamon Figurs (hamstring), DT Kelly Gregg (knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), S Ed Reed (neck)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Jason Brown (ankle), T Jared Gaither (ankle), TE Todd Heap (back), CB Corey Ivy (ankle), CB Chris McAlister (knee), RB Le'Ron McClain (ankle)

HOUSTON TEXANS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
DE Stanley McClover (knee)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Ahman Green (foot), DT Travis Johnson (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Mark Bruener (hamstring), WR Jacoby Jones (back), CB Antwaun Molden (hamstring), G Chester Pitts (ankle), T Ephraim Salaam (knee), T Eric Winston (ankle)



BUFFALO BILLS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BUFFALO BILLS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
TE Derek Fine (hand)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB John DiGiorgio (back), WR Roscoe Parrish (ribs)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Matt Murphy (shoulder)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
C Brad Meester (biceps)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DT John Henderson (not injury related), DT Derek Landri (quadricep), WR Troy Williamson (thigh)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Uche Nwaneri (knee), WR Jerry Porter (hamstring), CB Scott Starks (pectoral)



CHICAGO BEARS at CAROLINA PANTHERS

CHICAGO BEARS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
T Chris Williams (back)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Lance Briggs (ankle), DT Tommie Harris (ankle), KR Devin Hester (foot), T John Tait (groin), CB Nathan Vasher (shoulder)

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Na'il Diggs (shoulder), QB Matt Moore (fibula), TE Dante Rosario (foot), T Travelle Wharton (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
CB Chris Gamble (knee), WR Ryne Robinson (knee)



GREEN BAY PACKERS at DETROIT LIONS

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
G Josh Sitton (knee)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Brandon Jackson (concussion), C Scott Wells (back), CB Charles Woodson (toe)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Atari Bigby (bicep), T Chad Clifton (knees), DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee), RB Ryan Grant (hamstring), WR Ruvell Martin (finger)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR James Jones (knee), S Charlie Peprah (hamstring)

DETROIT LIONS

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Paris Lenon (knee), LB Ernie Sims (ankle), QB Drew Stanton (right thumb)



INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Dallas Clark (knee), DE Dwight Freeney (not injury related), WR Roy Hall (knee), DT Ed Johnson (not injury related), G Mike Pollak (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring), DT Daniel Muir (knee), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Jeff Saturday (knee)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Madieu Williams (neck)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Artis Hicks (elbow), RB Maurice Hicks (foot)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
QB Tarvaris Jackson (knee)



MIAMI DOLPHINS at ARIZONA CARDINALS

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Practice Report
Wednesday No injuries to report

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DT Alan Branch (ankle), DT Gabe Watson (knee)



NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at NEW YORK JETS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Sam Aiken (knee), TE Benjamin Watson (knee)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Jabar Gaffney (knee), WR Randy Moss (back)

NEW YORK JETS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
WR David Clowney (shoulder), K Mike Nugent (right thigh)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
CB David Barrett (shoulder), WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), DE Shaun Ellis (hand), WR Marcus Henry (calf), CB Justin Miller (foot)



NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at WASHINGTON REDSKINS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Marques Colston (thumb), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Randall Gay (illness), S Roman Harper (hamstring), DT Antwan Lake (groin)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Troy Evans (ankle), RB Deuce McAllister (knee), CB Mike McKenzie (knee), LB Mark Simoneau (back), RB Aaron Stecker (hamstring), DT Brian Young (knee)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Khary Campbell (thigh), TE Chris Cooley (quadricep), LB Marcus Washington (hamstring)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Kareem Moore (hamstring), CB Fred Smoot (hip)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Malcolm Kelly (knee), CB Shawn Springs (calf), LB/DE Jason Taylor (knee)



NEW YORK GIANTS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

NEW YORK GIANTS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DE Mathias Kiwanuka (ankle), CB Terrell Thomas (hamstring), K Lawrence Tynes (left knee)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Jonathan Goff (back)

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
G Jacob Bell (hamstring), WR Drew Bennett (foot), P Donnie Jones (right knee), DE Leonard Little (hamstring)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Donnie Avery (knee), RB Travis Minor (thigh)



OAKLAND RAIDERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Practice Report
Wednesday Practice not complete

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Wednesday
QB Brodie Croyle (right shoulder)


DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Napoleon Harris (knee), S Jarrad Page (back)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR William Franklin (knee)



SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at DENVER BRONCOS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Practice Report

Wednesday
Practice not complete



DENVER BRONCOS



Practice Report


Wednesday
Practice not complete



SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Eric Heitmann (shoulder), CB Donald Strickland (knee)



SEATTLE SEAHAWKS



Practice Report


Wednesday
Practice not complete



TENNESSEE TITANS at CINCINNATI BENGALS

TENNESSEE TITANS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DE Jacob Ford (chest), RB Quinton Ganther (hamstring), DT Albert Haynesworth (concussion), QB Vince Young (knee, hamstring)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
C Kyle Cook (illness), S Dexter Jackson (thumb), CB David Jones (head), S Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), DE Frostee Rucker (foot)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
LB Brandon Johnson (hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (hamstring), S Nedu Ndukwe (knee), DT Jason Shirley (heel), DT Pat Sims (toe)



PITTSBURGH STEELERS at CLEVELAND BROWNS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
QB Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder), T Marvel Smith (groin), CB Deshea Townsend (foot), WR Hines Ward (not injury related)

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Sean Jones (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee), WR Donte' Stallworth (quadricep)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Joshua Cribbs (ankle), LB Kris Griffin (elbow), G Rex Hadnot (knee), S Brodney Pool (concussion), T Ryan Tucker (hip)



PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at DALLAS COWBOYS on Monday night

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Practice Report (The Eagles did not practice on Wednesday. The below practice participation designations are an estimation)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
DE Victor Abiamiri (wrist), WR Reggie Brown (hamstring), WR Kevin Curtis (hernia)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
S Sean Considine (hand)

DALLAS COWBOYS

Practice Report

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Sam Hurd (ankle), G Kyle Kosier (foot)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
WR Miles Austin (knee), CB Terence Newman (groin), LB Anthony Spencer (knee)


FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Marion Barber (rib), WR Isaiah Stanback (shoulder)


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