Thursday, August 10, 2006
Perhaps I'm cynical...
Ok, I'm definitely cynical. But isn't it convenient that every time Republican polling data hits a new low, a "terror" event swoops in to distract the masses. Even more disturbing is the fact that the Repubs get excited about it.
"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances.
Now while the Bush Administration, breaks it's proverbial arm patting themselves on the back for the successful thwarting of the plot, keep in mind it was the British who actually did this. It's also worth noting that the British are a hell of a lot more competent in stopping potential terrorism than we seem to be. In addition the Brits have accomplished this using conventional law enforcement tactics partnered with what appears to be excellent intelligence(something the CIA seems unfamiliar with). It's also worth noting that as of now, foreign involvement with the plot seems to be largely Pakistani in origin, you know one of those countries that has long standing definitive ties to radical jihadi groups, as opposed to, say... Iraq. So while the Brits get arrests and careful dismantling of Islamist cells; we get confiscated bottled water, shoeless airport screenings and rainbow pie charts of the weekly FEAR rating!
This sort of reminds me of that scene in V for Vendetta, where the prime minister is shouting, "We must remind this nation why they NEED us!" And to the Rs, that's all this is, a political tool. Forget the lives that could be lost, forget the real consequences of potential terrorist success. This is the reason they've shown no interest in actually tracking down terrorists. They need Osama Bin Laden as much as OBL needs the Republicans, for the furtherance of their cause. It's life imitating art, and badly. It's also the only card they have left to play.
"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances.
Now while the Bush Administration, breaks it's proverbial arm patting themselves on the back for the successful thwarting of the plot, keep in mind it was the British who actually did this. It's also worth noting that the British are a hell of a lot more competent in stopping potential terrorism than we seem to be. In addition the Brits have accomplished this using conventional law enforcement tactics partnered with what appears to be excellent intelligence(something the CIA seems unfamiliar with). It's also worth noting that as of now, foreign involvement with the plot seems to be largely Pakistani in origin, you know one of those countries that has long standing definitive ties to radical jihadi groups, as opposed to, say... Iraq. So while the Brits get arrests and careful dismantling of Islamist cells; we get confiscated bottled water, shoeless airport screenings and rainbow pie charts of the weekly FEAR rating!
This sort of reminds me of that scene in V for Vendetta, where the prime minister is shouting, "We must remind this nation why they NEED us!" And to the Rs, that's all this is, a political tool. Forget the lives that could be lost, forget the real consequences of potential terrorist success. This is the reason they've shown no interest in actually tracking down terrorists. They need Osama Bin Laden as much as OBL needs the Republicans, for the furtherance of their cause. It's life imitating art, and badly. It's also the only card they have left to play.
Connecticut primary pundits have it wrong...
Conventional wisdom is wrong on the Connecticut primary, this was not a case of Democrats getting too liberal for Lieberman. It was Lieberman who got too conservative for the Democrats. Let's face it the President has approval ratings in the low 30s and Joe is known as his favorite Democrat in a very blue state, not a recipe for success. In addition his consistent criticism of his own party is galling. If you're so ashamed of the those in your party who disagree with you and so enamored with GOP policies, why not just become one Joe? Oh, that's right because you cease to be useful as an elephant. Another Republican wailing away on Democrats on Faux news, boring. Besides our cup runneth over with "moderate" New England repubs(Snowe, Chafee, Collins, etc). But a Democrat who will bash his own! Now that's entertainment, and it provides a false sense of bipartisanship, how fun. As for those who think Joe will win the general, because he almost won the primary and now he'll have Republican votes, well that's just naive. In the primary he had 18 years of incumbency, every major Democratic endorsement, major D fundraisers, a Colonel Steve Austin priced advantage in ad money and D special interests doing GOTV work for him on election day and he still LOST by 4 points. In the general the D money, D endorsements, D GOTV resources are all going to be working against him, and people think he's going to do better? Excuse me while I guffaw. He's the political equivalent of a chicken's body running around with it's head cut off, he's dead and doesn't know it yet.
