I share Mona's ambivalence. I'm also not sure there is an alternative. Tit-for-tat is one of the oldest, and most effective game strategies there is in human existence (if my professors of game theory were correct). I do not believe this hypocrisy from the right will die on its own; not against the military, or any other meme that's out there. It would not be hard to bury this thread with examples of IOKIYAR but I*not*OKIYAD. I can bounce from one blog to the next, from one press outlet to the next, and be confronted with examples every time I turn around. The Fox poll from TPM that I submitted earlier is interesting. For all the hoopla that has surrounded the MoveOn ad, its reach into the public consciousness has been curiously shallow. And, this is the point where MoveOn has to make a choice. They can drop the whole thing and, depending on your point of view, very little damage has been done - or, you can say, we need to ramp it up because we need deeper penetration of the betrayal theme. The thing I am quite sure of is the right will not back off. What liberals do will make little difference to the right's tendency to slur and slime.

And, susan sunflower, being fairly familiar with Denver, I don't think you have need to fear Denver police more than any other police department. Colorado lobbied hard to get the DNC and I expect they will do their best to make it a successful event. Read that as, no one gets clubbed or shot for the cameras. My experience of Denver is that it's a pretty open and accepting town. What agitators the Republicans might bus in for the event, could be a factor. You can assume that the Denver police will be watching for that. While Colorado has been a "red" state in the past, it is currently trending "purple." FWIW, I experience Denver as "blue."

Anyone know for sure - or maybe it doesn't even matter. If I go to Wikipedia it refers to the Fox News Channel as part of the Fox Entertainment Group. Is it news? Or, is it entertainment packaged as news? No, No, I know. You can trust their "news" as far as you can (ahem) spit into a hurricane. But, is it legit for them to claim it's news?

I recommend this anxiety inducing (for me anyway) piece at Talking Points Memo: http://tinyurl.com/3tkl

09.29.07 -- 9:05PM // link

The most well-connected 'outsiders' in the country

The headline on the AP report on Freedom's Watch reads, "Outsiders aim to frame political debate." If there's a less accurate description of the powerful conservative activists behind this new group, I can't think of it.

"Freedom's Watch and MoveOn.org could be the left and right bookends not only on the war, but on a number of issues that will decide the 2008 elections and shape congressional debate beyond. Freedom's Watch organizers said they are considering whether to create a political subgroup, like MoveOn has, that could directly play a role in elections."

"Bookends"? Eli Pariser, the executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, noted, "The main difference is that MoveOn is a group of 3.3 million. Freedom's Watch is a few mega millionaires."

What's more, they're incredibly well-connected mega millionaires. The AP's headline notwithstanding, Freedom's Watch includes some key establishment heavy-hitters. Bradley A. Blakeman, president and chief executive officer of Freedom's Watch, was a member the White House senior staff in Bush's first term. Mary Matalin, Dick Cheney's counselor until 2003, is helping set the group's agenda. Freedom's Watch's chief spokesperson is Ari Fleischer, Bush's first White House press secretary. The board and principal financiers include Bush administration ambassadors and party insiders.

(snip)

Is it too early to man/woman the barricades?

That link was to TPM's front page. Who knows what will be up in an hour. The permalink for the piece describing Freedom's Watch is: http://tinyurl.com/2tzz7n

Okay. This one made me cry. I've printed it. And, I will frame it.

Picked up at Eschaton/Atrios: http://tinyurl.com/25dc7q

Just Stop It

It'd be nice if our senators would stop wasting time debating which citizens they should be condemning.

Meanwhile, showing that as usual they understand this game much better, the Republicans have introduced a measure in the House to *commend* Rush Limbaugh.

Yes, you read correctly. Republicans to COMMEND (not condemn) Rush.

a) a total loonie who is really in the midst of losing it

e) a random-word generator gone ape-wire.

totallyblase

These need not be mutually exclusive. e tends to be indicative of a. I started reading past the e letters/comments back about page 7. For die hard readers, but occasional commenters, I think you can assume the same. Ergo, responses to a/e type comments aren't needed, although it's often amusing when they are, you can rest assured that few will be disappointed if you don't. Some folks live for the echo. When they don't get it, their compulsion drives them elsewhere.

Not yet. Other than, what a curious way for them to choose to respond. I'm trying to decide if the mechanism they used is one I think elevates their message, or defeats it.

Breaks can be absolutely essential. You're entitled. I hope you'll decide, after some rejuvinating interval, to come back to commenting. I will miss your contribution to the mix.

Never let it be said that I passed up an opportunity to stick my nose in when it wasn't wanted...

Perhaps, Glenn might facilitate an email exchange for two long time responsible letter writers since Glenn's email address at Salon is available to you both?

Just a thought....