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Subscribe to RSSThe transcript of the CBS News interview with John McCain in which Katie Couric apparently misses John McCain's poor grasp of the facts of the conflict in Iraq is here on their own site:
McCain: I don't know how you respond to something that is such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel McFarlane (phonetic) was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that's just a matter of history.
As Keith pointed out, the briefing on the Anbar Awakening was on September 29, 2006 - at least two months before rumors about the mere possibility of a surge of U.S. troops in Iraq.
By the way, this is the transcript of what aired on CBS News with Katie Couric after some pretty strenuous editing. (Ellipses below obviously not present in the video):
Couric: Senator McCain, Sen.
Obama says, while the increased number of U.S. troops contributed to
increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the
Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have
been improved security even without the surge. What's your response to
that?McCain: Sen. Obama has indicated that by his failure to acknowledge the success of the surge, that he would rather lose a war than lose a campaign. ... Thanks to General Petraeus, our leadership, and the sacrifice of brave young Americans. I mean, to deny that their sacrifice didn't make possible the success of the surge in Iraq, I think, does a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed. ... There will still be attacks. Al Qaeda's not defeated. But the progress has been immense. And to not recognize that, and why it happened, and how it happened, I think is really quite a commentary.
Couric: A commentary on what?
McCain: That Sen. Obama does not understand the challenges we face. And … not understand the need for the surge. And the fact that he did not understand that, and still denies that it has succeeded, I think the American people will make their judgment.
The Huffington Post is continuing updated coverage.
Dr. Larry Hunter's Op-Ed in New York's Daily News: I'm a lifelong conservative activist and I'm backing Barack Obama
If you enjoyed Keith's segment on the progress technology is making in bringing superpowers to mortal humans you might like to check out this article or this blog entry from msnbc.com's Alan Boyle.
The Der Spiegel interview with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki in which he agrees with Barack Obama's plan for pulling troops from Iraq is here. This is where Der Spiegel sticks to its translation by saying, "SPIEGEL sticks to its version of the conversation." And this is where the New York Times did a separate translation to confirm that Der Spiegel did not mistranslate Prime Minister al-Maliki:
Here's a slide show of images from the guinea pig contest Rachel described in Monday night's Oddball. NOTE: It includes some images of COOKED guinea pigs!
Kenny Anderson, the guy whose booth at the diner was invaded by an SUV was interviewed on the Today show.
The Time Magazine, Rockefeller Foundation poll Rachel Maddow pointed out as showing that America is not as conservative about its expectations of what government should do for them as conservatives would like to think is here with a nice overview here. The poll is part of The Rockefeller Foundations Campaign for American Workers.
"For we must consider that we shall be as a City upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. Soe that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword throughout the world."
The nipple-gate decision by the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossing out the FCC's fine on CBS includes mention of a part of the story that was originally uncovered by bloggers - that there weren't actually as many complaints as the morality police wanted us to believe:
The leaked HHS memo of a proposed new rule that would require any group taking federal health funding to hire medical staff even if they object to abortion but then defines "abortion" so broadly that it also actually applies to some forms of contraception can be found here hosted by RHRealityCheck.org.
"The Domestic Policy Subcommittee Majority Staff of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ... released the attached report and accompanying documents. The report details the reasons for severe delays in processing the claims of disabled veterans for their military retired pay. The report finds that poor contractor performance, government mismanagement and the erosion of quality controls denied thousands of disabled veterans timely and accurate retroactive retired pay awards."
Countdown described that report in the context of anticipating testimony by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and defense contractor Lockheed Martin to explain their shoddy performance. An overview and video of that hearing can be found here.
Countdown reported that spending $300 at The Shady Lady Ranch brothel would earn you a $50 dollar gas card but the specials page on the brothel's Web site reveals that for $800 worth or "services" you'll get $150 gas card!
You can read for yourself Peter Brady's MySpace blog entry asking his fake TV mom to lay off his reality show model wife.
The benefit to Cindy McCain's family fortune from the sale of Anheuser-Busch? Check the stock bump.
The latest animated political satire from Jib Jab is "Time for some campaignin'."
In case that Jib Jab song puts The Times They Are A Changin' in you head, you can listen free here.
The Web site for worst Person in the World, Mike Meehan is here. The tastelessness of his billboard ad is apparently not out of character for this guy.
Friar Cesare Bonizzi is a member of Milan's Catholic Capuchin order of monks by day, heavy metal crooner by night. Known by stage name "Fratello Metallo", he and his band just released their second album. Click "Clicca per ascoltare i brani" for a little pop-up window with three free songs.
Max Blumenthal's look through former McCain campaign co-chair Phil Gramm's porn stash can be found on The Nation's Web site.
John Ashcroft's letter to the House Judiciary Committee in which he admits he can no longer remember what really happened is here. Other related documents are here.
CNN reporter criticizes TSA, finds self on terror watch list
The Web site for the American Idol Truth tour is TruthAboutFremantle.com.