9/11: Don't Forget

Don’t forget the thousands of victims who were killed on September 11, 2001, and all their families and friends. I respect and honor them by continuing to research what really happened that day, inspire others to do the same, and hope that someday the truth will come out and justice will really be served.

Don’t forget that 140+ senior military, intelligence service, law enforcement, and government officials, 530+ engineers and architects, 120+ pilots and aviation professionals, 300+ professors, and 210+ 9/11 survivors and family members have gone on record to question the official story of 9/11.

Don’t forget to read this excellent interview from The Conservative Voice with David Ray Griffin.

Don’t forget to read Griffin’s article “The 9/11 Commission Report: a 571-Page Lie"

Don’t forget to check out the Top 40 Reasons to Doubt the Official Story of 9/11

Don’t forget to sift thru the 250+ “smoking gun” links on this great site.

And of course…
Don’t forget to read my two previous posts on this subject: Why the Official Story About 9/11 is Sketchy and 9/11: If You Think I'm Whacked.

Don't forget....

Pray Away The Gay!!

It’s amazing that such a close-minded homophobic religious fanatic is actually on a major party ticket as a Vice Presidential candidate. Oh, who am I kidding…. Look at the Current Occupant of the White House.

From the Associated Press:

Palin's Church Promotes Conversion Of Gays

Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.

"You'll be encouraged by the power of God's love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality," according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed for about six years.

Palin's conservative Christian views have energized that part of the GOP electorate, which was lukewarm to John McCain's candidacy before he named her as his vice presidential choice.

She is staunchly anti-abortion (opposing exceptions for rape and incest), and opposes gay marriage and spousal rights for gay couples. Focus on the Family, a national Christian fundamentalist organization, is conducting the Love Won Out Conference in Anchorage, about 30 miles from Wasilla.

Hey, what’s wrong with being gay? I thought, based on what they said at the Republican Convention, that “WE ARE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN.”

Palin, campaigning with McCain in the Midwest on Friday, has not publicly expressed a view on the so-called "pray away the gay" movement. Larry Kroon, senior pastor at Palin's church, was not available to discuss the matter Friday, said a church worker who declined to give her name.

Too bad the McCain campaign wont let Palin near any real questions from the media. They even had the nerve to say Palin wont submit to interviews until the media showed a willingness to treat her "with some level of respect and deference." Um, excuse me, last I checked she’s an unknown who’s running to be a 72-year-old heartbeat away from President, so why shouldn’t we be able to grill her on what she does or doesn’t know about national economic and foreign policy? As the Washington Post's E.J. Dionne puts it, "Deference? That's a word used in monarchies or aristocracies. Democracies don't give 'deference' to politicians."
So now they’ve scheduled a softball lovefest with McCain-favorite Charlie Gibson of ABC.
From Glenn Greenwald’s blog on Salon.com:

If I were a McCain adviser and wanted to have Palin sit with someone who is perceived as a "journalist" while knowing that no damage could possibly occur, I'd pick Charlie Gibson, too. There are many, many other equally good alternatives, but when it comes to wretched passivity and sycophantic establishment worship, the former "Good Morning America" host -- whose career was built on oozing amiability and inoffensiveness -- is as good as it gets.

This is the same Charlie Gibson who, while questioning Barack Obama during one of the primary debates, insisted on dwelling on flag pins and Rev. Wright. I guess I'll just pray that he gives Palin similar treatment...

Palin Not Against All Corruption and Wasteful Gov't Spending

The McCain/Palin campaign has made a big deal about how Gov. Sarah Palin cut back on wasteful government spending and took the previous governor's plane and "put it on ebay." But I guess she didn't mind wasting some taxpayer money as long as it went into her pocket.

From today's Washington Post:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.
She wrote some form of "Lodging -- own residence" or "Lodging -- Wasilla residence" more than 30 times at the same time she took a per diem, according to the reports. In two dozen undated amendments to the reports, the governor deleted the reference to staying in her home but still charged the per diem.
Palin charged the state a per diem for working on Nov. 22, 2007 -- Thanksgiving Day. The reason given, according to the expense report, was the Great Alaska Shootout, an annual NCAA college basketball tournament held in Anchorage.
In separate filings, the state was billed about $25,000 for Palin's daughters' expenses.
One event was in New York City in October 2007, when Bristol accompanied the governor to Newsweek's third annual Women and Leadership Conference, toured the New York Stock Exchange and met local officials and business executives. The state paid for three nights in a $707-a-day hotel room.Asked Monday about the official policy on charging for children's travel expenses, state finance director KimGarnero said: "We cover the expenses of anyone who's conducting state business. I can't imagine kids could be doing that."
Tony Knowles, the Democratic governor from 1994 to 2000, said "I gave a direction to all my commissioners if they were ever in their house, whether it was Juneau or elsewhere, they were not to get a per diem because, clearly, it is and it looks like a scam: you pay yourself to live at home."
Knowles, whose children were school-age at the start of his first term, said that his wife sometimes accompanied him to conferences overseas but that he could "count on one hand" the number of times his children accompanied him.
"And the policy was not to reimburse for family travel on commercial airlines, because there is no direct public benefit to schlepping kids around the state," he said.

McCain McLies and MsLeads in Acceptance Speech

Here’s a breakdown of John McCain’s speech with my comments….
First let me note that he was NOT wearing a flag pin. And he calls himself a Patriot, pffft…

SEN. MCCAIN: In my life, no success has come without a good fight, and this nomination wasn't any different. I'm grateful to the president of the United States for leading us in these dark days following the worst attack on American history -- (extended cheers and applause) -- the worst attack on American soil in our history and keeping us safe from another tack -- attack that many -- many thought was inevitable. AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

After the obligatory first line about accepting the party’s nomination, McCain’s next line alludes to his time as a Prisoner of War, and the very next line after that reminds us about 9/11 and raises the specter of another “inevitable” attack. Be afraid, be very afraid. So within the first minute or two of his speech, he’s already reminded us that he was a PoW, 9/11 happened, and we will be attacked again. Great start.

SEN. MCCAIN: a word to Senator Obama and his supporters. We'll go at it -- we'll go at it over the next two months. You know that's the nature of this business, and there are big differences between us. But you have my respect and my admiration… And I wouldn't be an American worthy of the name if I didn't honor Senator Obama and his supporters for their achievement.

Oh, they respect Barack Obama? I couldn’t tell from all the condescending mockery of him in most of the speeches at the Republican Convention. I couldn’t tell from the ads that portrayed him as a dimwitted celebrity. As Obama said, “With the nation watching, the Republicans mocked, dismissed, and actually laughed out loud at Americans who engage in community service and organizing.” C’mon Barack. Chill out, they respect and admire you.

SEN. MCCAIN: All you've ever asked of government is to stand on your side and not in your way.

Of course, a government under a President McCain WOULD stand in your way if you wanted to terminate a pregnancy. Speaking of which, on to Sarah Palin:

SEN. MCCAIN: She's tackled tough problems like energy independence and corruption. She's balanced a budget, cut taxes, and she's taken on the special interests. (Cheers, applause.) She's reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats and independents to serve in her administration. She's the wonderful mother of five children. (Cheers, applause.) She's -- she's helped run a small business. She's worked with her hands and knows -- and knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments and health care and the cost of gasoline and groceries. She knows where she comes from and she knows who she works for. She stands up for what's right, and she doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down. (Cheers, applause.)

See? She’s just a regular person like you. I guess she was “fighting corruption” when she demanded that the librarian remove books from the library that Palin found offensive, and then fired that librarian for not complying. And maybe it was “fighting corruption” when she wanted her ex-brother-in-law fired and then fired the person who wouldn’t comply with that. Oh wait, I think that IS corruption.

And as for her balanced budgets, tax cuts and taking on government spending…. Check out this report by Anne Kilkenny direct from Wasilla, Alaska:

During her six years as mayor, she increased general government expenditures by more than 33 percent. During those same six years, the amount of taxes collected by the city increased by 38 percent. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax, which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefitted large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents.The huge increases in tax revenue during her mayoral administration weren't enough to fund everything on her wish list, though — borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt but left it with indebtedness of more than $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? Or a new library? No. $1 million for a park. $15 million-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex, which she rushed through, on a piece of property that the city didn't even have clear title to. That was still in litigation seven years later — to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5 million for road projects that could have been done in five to seven years without any borrowing. While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office redecorated more than once. These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.

Meanwhile, back to McCain’s speech, where he’s finally gonna get those damn kids off your lawn.

SEN. MCCAIN: Let me just offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second, Washington crowd: Change is coming. (Cheers, applause.)

Yes, change is coming. And it’s name is Barack Obama. Which Washington crowd is he warning? The Republicans who’ve controlled the White House for the last 8 years and the Congress for 6 of the last 8? Is that the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second, Washington crowd he’s talking about?

SEN. MCCAIN: I'm not -- I'm not in the habit of breaking my promises to my country. You well know I've been called a maverick, someone who -- (cheers, applause) -- someone who marches to the beat of his own drum. Sometimes it's meant as a compliment and sometimes it's not. (Laughter.) What it really means is I understand who I work for. I don't work for a party.

Translation: I don’t break my promises and I don’t work for a party… unless I need to abandon my principles and flip-flop on every major issue in order to win my party’s nomination. And even though I really wanted Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman as my running mate, I caved in to the extreme wing of my party and put politics above country by selecting someone who is fiercely Pro-Life and thinks that the war in Iraq “is a task that is from God.”

SEN. MCCAIN: I've fought the big spenders in both parties who waste your money on things you neither need nor want.

Well, except for the $10 billion a month for the war…. And the $5 Billion we gave to Pakistan that we cant account for… and all the no-bid overpriced contracts that went to Halliburton and Blackwater….

SEN. MCCAIN: And thanks -- and thanks to the leadership of a brilliant general, David Petraeus --(cheers, applause) -- and the brave men and women he has the honor to command, that strategy succeeded, and it rescued us from a defeat that would have demoralized our military, risked a wider war and threatened the security of all Americans. (Applause.)

Oh, we succeeded? I thought he said earlier that another attack was “inevitable.” Well, if we’ve been rescued from defeat and we’ve succeeded, then I guess we should be bringing the troops home ASAP. Sweet!

SEN. MCCAIN: We believe -- we believe in low taxes, spending discipline and open markets. We believe in rewarding hard work and risk takers and letting people keep the fruits of their labor. We believe -- (cheers, applause) -- we believe -- we believe in a strong defense, work, faith, service, a culture of life -- (cheers, applause) -- personal responsibility, the rule of law and judges who dispense justice impartially and don't legislate from the bench. (Cheers, applause.)

Spending discipline… didn’t the Republicans take over a record surplus and then run up a record deficit? Where was the personal responsibility for that? And as for rule of law, justice and judges.... didn't the Bush Administration have a scandal involving hiring/firing judges based on political affliliation and loyalty? Didn't a judge appointed by Bush's dad cast the vote in the Supreme Court that gave Bush the presidency? Just wanna make sure I’m remembering that correctly. But here’s the real doozie:

SEN. MCCAIN: We believe in a government that doesn't make your choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices to make for yourself. (Cheers, applause.)

UNLESS of course those choices have to do with who you marry and what you do with your reproductive organs. THOSE choices we’ll actually make for you and/or take them away.

SEN. MCCAIN: I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them. (Boos.) I will open -- I will open new markets to our goods and services. My opponent will close them. (Boos.) I will cut government spending. He will increase it. (Boos.) My tax cuts will create jobs. His tax increases will eliminate them. (Boos.)

Really Uncle John? It’s just that simple huh? Vote for you and you’ll give me money… Vote for the other guy and he’ll take my money away? Now that we know that, the choice is so clear! You should be CRUSHING him in the polls!

SEN. MCCAIN: My health care plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good health care insurance. His plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government-run health care system where a bureaucrat (boos) -- where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor. (Boos.)

And a Bureaucrat should NEVER stand between you and your doctor…. Unless you’re considering using contraception or terminating a pregancy.

SEN. MCCAIN: Now, my opponent promises to bring back old jobs by wishing away the global economy.

Haha, that’s a good one. Actually Obama has said in many speeches that the old jobs that Bush/McCain shipped overseas are not coming back. But let’s not let facts get in the way of a good soundbite.

SEN. MCCAIN: We need -- we need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice. (Cheers, applause.) When a public school fails to meet the -- its obligations to students -- when it fails to meet its obligations to students, parents deserve a choice in the education of their children, and I intend to give it to them. (Cheers, applause.) Some may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private one. Many will choose a charter school. (Cheers, applause.) But they will have the choice and their children will have that opportunity. (Cheers, applause.)

Just to review: you will have freedom of choice when choosing schools, but not when deciding who to marry or what to do with your reproductive organs. Got it.

SEN. MCCAIN: We'll attack -- we'll attack the problem on every front. We'll produce more energy at home. We will drill new wells offshore and we'll drill them now. (Cheers, applause.) We'll drill them now. AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) Drill, baby, drill! Drill, baby, drill! Drill, baby, drill! Drill, baby, drill! Drill, baby, drill!

Yes, they actually chanted “Drill, baby, drill!” for the second night in a row. And no, we wont see a drop of new domestic oil in John McCain’s lifetime.

SEN. MCCAIN: We'll -- we'll -- my friends… we'll increase the use of wind, tide, solar and natural gas. We'll encourage the development and use of flex fuel, hybrid and electric automobiles. (Cheers, applause.) My friends, it's an ambitious plan, but Americans are ambitious by nature. And we've faced greater challenges. It's time for us to show the world again how Americans lead. (Cheers, applause.) This great natural cause will create millions of new jobs.

Gee, the lofty rhetoric sounds nice… but these are just empty words in a speech. Where’s the details and specifics?

SEN. MCCAIN: We have dealt -- (cheers, applause) -- we have dealt a serious blow to al Qaeda in recent years, but they're not defeated, and they'll strike us again if they can.

Wait, I thought the strategy succeeded and rescued us from defeat? Which is it?

Here’s where McCain then warned us about the new boogeyman and started making his case for the next war, before pivoting to Russia:

SEN. MCCAIN:Iran remains the chief state sponsor of terrorism, and is on the path to acquiring nuclear weapons. [Russia] invaded a small, democratic neighbor to gain more control over the world's oil supply, intimidate other neighbors, and further their ambitions of reassembling the Russian empire.

Hmm…. there's a bad guy "on the path to acquiring nuclear weapons." Invading someone to gain more control over oil, intimidate, and further the ambitions of an empire... Those things sound awfully familiar.

SEN. MCCAIN: We face many dangerous threats in this dangerous world, but I'm not afraid of them.

YOU should be afraid, but John McCain isn’t.

SEN. MCCAIN: I know how the world works. I know the good and evil in it.

The guy has never sent an email and just had his wife show him the internet for the first time, but he knows how the world works. It’s all black & white, no gray area, just good guys and bad guys… kinda like a childish game.

SEN. MCCAIN: Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it.

Sort of like how McCain gladly shared the credit Bush bestowed upon him after that latest GI Bill passed… y’know, the one McCain was actually against. That’s right folks, Mr. Troops has time and again voted against Veterans benefits.
OK, time to wrap it up with the clincher:

SEN. MCCAIN: I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. (Cheers, applause.)

Nevermind that Barack Obama has continually emphasized that this election is NOT about him. It’s McCain’s campaign that has nicknamed Obama “The One” and even ran ads mocking him as some religious cult figure. But just keep repeating it and it becomes part of the narrative.

McCain’s only chance of winning is to somehow turn this into Mr. Honorable War Hero vs. The Self-Centered Possibly Muslim Elitist. Good luck with that.

The Irony of Sarah and Bristol Palin

It’s interesting that the Palin family and McCain campaign are asking that we all respect their privacy and not politicize the out-of-wedlock teen pregnancy of Bristol Palin. Well, guess what. Republicans, and more specifically the Christian Right-wing of that party, have always been the ones thrusting private issues into our politics. Whether it was Gay Marriage or Abortion or the failed Abstinence-only education programs, it was always okay for them to force their alleged “family values” on the rest of us.

Gov. Sarah Palin is against abortion even in cases of rape. She and Sen. McCain are against sex education in schools. And now that the Palins' unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, and will have the baby and allegedly marry the father, they are being hailed as wonderful because they are choosing life. Of course when inner-city teenagers have babies, they are accused of being welfare moms gaming the system for a government handout and never celebrated for "choosing life."

From John Nichols at The Nation:

Sarah Palin says she is "proud" that her 17-year-old daughter, who is five months pregnant, has made a "decision to have her baby."

Foes of abortion rights are celebrating the decision. Richard Land, the president of the Southern Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention, says, ``The Palin family, in making this choice to affirm life and affirm the baby, is giving a pro-life stance."

Referring to Palin's daughter, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, said, "Fortunately, Bristol is following her mother and father's example of choosing life in the midst of a difficult situation."

Interesting words those: "decision," "choice," "choosing."

Palin and her family are being celebrated for making wise and responsible decisions and choices. Yet, Palin and her party would deny Americans the right to wise and responsible decisions and choices.

Sarah Palin the Desperation Pick

This is a desperation move. Sorry, no disrespect to Sarah Palin, I’ll get to reading up on her this weekend. But does John McCain think that he’s going to somehow steal away some “Hillary Democrats” by simply putting a female on his ticket? A little-known, inexperienced, not-ready-for-prime-time, first term Governor from Alaska? Really? Does he think that women are so shallow and gullible that they will simply go vote for whichever ticket has the female V.P.?

Of course he made sure she was Pro-Life so that it would garner approval from his base (the last 20% that approve of Bush, combined with the 20% that are misinformed skeptics of elitist Muslim candidates). But he wanted to attract the alleged indepents/conservative-centrist Democrats. But how? A well known cheesy looking business guy like Mitt Romney? A former Dem and current Jew like Joe Lieberman? A young Indian-American “rising star” politician like Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal? Or, how bout…. A WOMAN!! Hey, Good for Palin, good for progress and babysteps and equality and all that. But this is a shallow, desperate move by a guy who sees the New America pulling out of the station with a head full of steam and this old warrior can do nothing but run after it waving and screaming “wait for me!”

Again, with apologies to Gov. Palin… this is window dressing. This is Bush in the flight suit with the Mission Accomplished banner behind him. So now McCain gets to play Cheney Warman and Palin gets to be the aw-shucks Puppet? That’s cute.

Sure, this might get everyone talking and might change the subject away from the Democrats successful convention and Obama’s great acceptance speech. But that conversation will clearly end up being about who really gets it and is ready to not just play Leader-Guy but to actually lead all of us in fixing this country.

UPDATE:

Just watched her introduction speech. She was solid and professional and I think she did a good job.

That said, she used to stand up against big oil and special interests and inefficient bureaucracy and wasteful spending. now she's standing WITH all that stuff, wearing all black and a large flag pin, and playing the P.O.W. card and then praising Hillary Clinton in an obvious suck-up ploy for female votes.

Olympic Logo Looks Like Cigarettes

Why does the Olympic logo look just like a pack of cigarettes?? You see it on the polo shirts of TV commentators and everywhere else. It's like a subliminal Marlboro add or something. Maybe it's for population control? I don't know... You think Michael Phelps would have all those Gold Medals and a DVD if he smoked cigarettes?

Art Monk Finally Gets Call to Hall

For years I'd felt that one of the great sports injustices was the exclusion of Washington Redskins WR Art Monk from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'd even sent emails to the voters about it. Seriously. So this year I'm thrilled that Monk was finally voted in.

And in a strange twist of cruel irony... I wont be able to watch the festivities Saturday evening because I'll be at the wedding of my good friend. A Cowboys fan....

Anyway, congratulations to Art Monk. Here's a copy of the email I sent to HOF voters:

I’m writing in reference to Art Monk and his Hall of Fame candidacy. With all the coverage that goes to the likes of Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson (and Michael Irvin’s induction for that matter), this would be an appropriate year to enlighten the younger generation on a class act like Art Monk. Of course, he also has HOF-worthy stats, including 3 Super Bowl rings (with 3 different QB's).

I know you can access the necessary stats of Monk compared to current HOF WR's, but I've included them at the bottom of this email for your convenience. Please check them out, and remember that Monk played in a run-oriented attack that also threw to TE’s and always had other dangerous WR’s.

Last year, I sent emails to most of you, and only heard back from Woody Paige (who supports Monk) and he said maybe all the letters turn the voters off. Huh? Perhaps the volume of letters speaks to the injustice of Monk’s exclusion from the Hall. What else can we do? And, allegedly (according to Peter King’s interview on ESPN Radio regarding Irvin’s numerous drug offenses), the voters only consider what happened on the field, so I can't imagine that us letter-writing fans have been keeping Monk out of the Hall.

I’ve also heard the argument that most opposing Defensive Coordinators were more concerned with stopping Gary Clark and/or Ricky Sanders. Well, based on that Redskins team’s success, apparently they were keying on the wrong guy.

While I have included Monk’s stats below, I know a lot of folks say “It’s not all about the numbers.” Since it's more than just numbers.... what is it? Carrying yourself with class? Check. Being a team player? Check. Winning? Check. Championships? Check.

Art Monk’s name on the ballot? CHECK.

940 catches
12721 yards
13.5 avg per catch
68 touchdowns.

3 Pro Bowls. 3 Super Bowls.

Playoffs/SuperBowls:
69 catches, 1062 yards, 7 TD's

Comparing Art Monk to Hall of Fame wide receivers
Name / Rec / Yds / TDs
Art Monk / 940/ 12,721/ 68
Charlie Joiner / 750 / 12,146/ 65
Don Maynard /633 / 11,834 /88
Raymond Berry /631/ 9,275 /68
Fred Biletnikoff /589 / 8,964/ 76
Lance Alworth / 542/ 10,266/ 85
Tommy McDonald/495 / 8,410/ 84
Don Hutson / 488 / 7,991 / 99
Paul Warfield / 427 / 8,565/ 85
Tom Fears /400 /5,397 /38

Thank you for your time and consideration

McLame Running the Campaign He Said He Wouldn't

Mr. Honorable Respectable Serious Public Servant We All Respect, John McLame McSame McCain has over the past week or so turned into a childish name-caller. Is this part of some attempt to look younger? By constantly launching misleading and outright false criticism thru what he says and his campaign advertisements, McCain is proving that he is just not, well, Presidential. Unless we're still cool with "Presidential" meaning like George W. Bush.

Of course there's been his line about Barack Obama caring more about winning the election than the war. There was that completely false ad that claimed Obama canceled his visit to injured troops because the Pentagon wouldn't allow cameras.

And now he's stooped to the lowest in a new low:

"He's the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead? With gas prices soaring, Barack Obama says no to offshore drilling and says he'll raise taxes on electricity. Higher taxes, more foreign oil -- that's the real Obama," says the new ad that also shows crowds screaming "Obama!"

Top McCain adviser Steve Schmidt said it was accurate to compare Obama to the two celebrities who, as one reporter said on the call, are of ten portrayed as "frivolous and irresponsible."

"I don't poll Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, but I know they're international celebrities, so apples to apples," he said.

That's just flat-out disrespectful and inappropriate. I realize that Barack Obama hasn't been sitting around in the Senate isolated from the real world for the last 25 years, but I think he's done enough to at least deserve some basic respect and not be compared to two young untalented starlets famous for being tabloid train wrecks. That's simply not fair and way out of bounds. Especially when Obama and his surrogates cant even utter the words "John McCain" without first setting it up with the required "I have a lot of respect for his service to our country and he's a true patriot who should be honored by all of us, but..."

Let's talk policy. Why doesn't McCain talk about how/why his administration and leadership of this country would differ from Obamas? Yes, Barack Obama is treated like celebrity by the media and the people in this country and all over the world. Get over it. Stand up and tell us while you'll be the better President instead of taking immature cheap shots like this. It's disgusting, especially coming from the guy who promised the respectful campaign that we need and deserve.

Responding to the ad, Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said, "On a day when major news organizations across the country are taking Sen. McCain to task for a steady stream of false, negative attacks, his campaign has launched yet another. Or, as some might say, 'Oops! He did it again.' "

UPDATE

Apparently Barack Obama agrees with me:

"You know, I don't pay attention to John McCain's ads, although I do notice he doesn't seem to have anything to say very positive about himself," Obama said, according to NBC's First Read blog. "He seems to only be talking about me ... You need to ask John McCain what he's for and not just what he's against."

Ron Artest to the Houston Rockets

I actually like this move. I know, there's a decent chance this guy could spontaneously combust or melt down or whatever. But there's also a chance that he's still a great player who finally gets it and maybe isn't as crazy as he used to be. It's very possible. He likes Rockets coach Rick Adelman, Houston is a major market that Artest might enjoy living in as much or more than Sacramento. And, oh by the way, the Rockets have Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming and some nice roll players. I say even with a couple short injury stretches for McGrady and/or Yao, this team will contend for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Getting ready to chase a title together?