Ed Schultz & bin Laden

The assassination of Osama bin Laden generated, as it should have, a considerable amount of coverage from all over the political spectrum.  As the discussion progressed, but before hard-hitting questions could be explored, camps inevitably formed.  From my perspective, radio and TV pundit Ed Schultz took a lead position in the “Rah-rah” camp.  This group decided early on that the President and his advisors should be supported, no matter what.  As long as they said things should have been done, that’s pretty much good enough for them.  I don’t consider myself to be a member of this camp.  I continue to have serious reservations about how the operation was carried out and worry about what kind of a precedent was set for future executives, including Barack Obama in the near future.

As many know, Michael Moore and others also don’t consider themselves members of this camp.  For this, they were called out by Schultz and the “Rah-rah” camp.  Schultz called Moore and others who expressed their reservations “intellectual hand-wringers”.  I personally found it offensive that citizens trying to demand answers from a Democratic President were insulted by a Rah-rah-er.  Schultz and other so-called liberals bashed conservatives for years for falling in line behind the Bush Regime and not performing their required duties as American citizens.

“Think-tank” Parrot at Denver Post: David Harsanyi

The previous post dealt with the Denver Post’s editorial board’s take on the Climate Security Act, S.2191. One of their column writers, David Harsanyi, wrote a column today at the Denver Post about the same bill. David is one of many conservative columnists at the Post that gets space, both in print and in pixels, to share his views.

One of the pillars of his argument today is a familiar one to anybody who has heard right-wing talking points in the past 30 years: the government can’t govern. Which is exactly why Republicans lost control of Congress and a number of state governorships and state legislatures in 2006. And it’s exactly why they’ll lost even more seats this year as well as the White House. The American public is tired of hearing how government can’t do x, y or z. The public knows it can and wants to hear instead candidates’ plans to get government to work for them again.

Then, another big right-wing boogeyman talking point: “de facto taxes”. Interesting that Harsanyi brings up taxes in the climate change realm. I can’t remember seeing a piece by him written on the Iraq occupation taxes that are sucking the Social Security fund dry. Or how about all the de facto taxes that your phone company charges, or your bank, etc. Those are alright because they’re levied by corporations, not by the government. Guess which entity we the people have control over? Here is what it realistically boils down to: pay a little now to introduce a carbon market or pay everything you have and more in the future when the climate system shifts and we’re forced to deal with millions of people affected by them. Harsanyi mentions that the Wall Street Journal estimates the auctions of the credits will net $6.7 trillion for government coffers by 2050 before launching into his anti-investment talking point. Once again, it’s interesting that the $3 trillion the Iraq occupation is costing taxpayers doesn’t warrant the same level of attention, isn’t it?

Much more below the fold.

Ideologues Get It Wrong Again

I found the following on the tubes. It’s about Ben Stein’s piece that mocks science:

Ben Stein Assails the Intelligentsia

Ben Stein’s new documentary “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is a riveting expos of the intolerant academic community that systematically declares war on anyone or any institution that dares to question liberal Darwinian orthodoxy. “Correct speak” and “correct think” are de rigueur among scholars, who are expected to tow the line that “evolution” and “natural selection” are the be all and end all when it comes to deciphering the origins of mankind.

Obviously, the writer supported the movie. Take a close look at the kind of language used to drum up support for Stein’s “documentary”.

“Assails the Intelligentsia”. My goodness. I wasn’t aware there was a group of intelligent people that needed assailing. This single headline is a good example of a giant problem I have with people like the author: they have effectively convinced a significant portion of the American public that being intelligent is somehow bad. What possible purpose could be expressed for a requirement that smart people need to feel bad about themselves and their work? Is it jealousy from folks who were lazy when they were supposed to be learning? I’m not sure. By the way, I recognize and agree that our current education system doesn’t propel every student to their maximum capabilities. But in the age of conservatives screaming for more personal responsibility, I find it discouraging that too many tend to practice just the opposite. How many externalities can they point their fingers at while professing their perceived victim-hood?

Edwards, Obama don’t go on Fox

And it’s a good thing too.  It’s not a news network, it’s a propaganda outlet.  “Fair and balanced”?  Sure, if you’re a fringe rightist.  To most everybody else, it’s junk.

Watch Fox hosts whine about Edwards and Obama refusing to go on their nonsense shows.  Comedy gold!  But beware if someone calls Bill-O or Slanthead a name, because they’re big meanies who should immediately apologize.  This from the ‘party of personal responsibility’.  Yeah, right.

Edwards and Obama: do not go on Fox!