(10 am. – promoted by ek hornbeck)

The NYT took a question that was meant to point out the hypocrisy of those who are opposed to the Park 51 Islamic Cultural Center that is near Ground Zero and used it to poll New Yorkers. Good going, NYT’s Editorial Board, just feed the fear and hate. And one more thing, it is NOT a “house of worship”, it is NOT a Mosque. Get your damned facts straight.

Mistrust and the Mosque

The furor over the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near ground zero keeps giving us new reasons for dismay. As politicians and commentators work themselves and viewers into a rage, others who should be standing up for freedom and tolerance tiptoe away.

To the growing pile of discouragement, add this: A New York Times poll of New York City residents that found that even this city, the country’s most diverse and cosmopolitan, is not immune to suspicion and to a sadly wary misunderstanding of Muslim-Americans.

The poll found considerable distrust of Muslim-Americans and robust disapproval of the mosque proposal. Asked whether they thought Muslim-Americans were “more sympathetic to terrorists” than other citizens, 33 percent said yes, a discouraging figure, roughly consistent with polls taken since Sept. 11, 2001. Thirty-one percent said they didn’t know any Muslims; 39 percent said they knew Muslims but not as close friends.

Click on the title to view the poll

h/t Adam Serwer subbing for Greg Sargent @ The Plum Line

(But) the Times did something interesting, which is that it quantified the extent of the area Matt Yglesias coined the “mosque exclusion zone.” Seven percent of those who oppose the project think the exclusion zone should be five blocks, 18 percent think it should be between ten and 20 blocks, and 20 percent think it should be more than 20 blocks. Nine percent said it couldn’t be far away enough, which I’m guessing means — as one of my twitter followers suggested — that they think the Mosque Exclusion Zone should look something like this.

The frustrating part about this is that, as I understood it, the mosque exclusion zone was initially meant as a joke emphasizing the absurdity of arbitrarily banning a religious group from a particular space based on “sensitivity.” Yet people answering the question about how far away the mosque should be don’t seem to recognize the absurdity. This is why we don’t put fundamental rights up to a show of hands. In line with what I wrote earlier this week about how Americans from groups once subject to religious persecution quickly tend to forget what that’s like, the Times writes that most Jews and Catholics oppose the Park51 project.

September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 119 days remaining until the end of the year.

On this day in 1783, the Treaty of Paris is signed ending the American Revolution

The treaty document was signed at the Hotel d’York – which is now 56 Rue Jacob – by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay (representing the United States) and David Hartley (a member of the British Parliament representing the British Monarch, King George III). Hartley was lodging at the hotel, which was therefore chosen in preference to the nearby British Embassy – 44 Rue Jacob – as “neutral” ground for the signing.

On September 3, Britain also signed separate agreements with France and Spain, and (provisionally) with the Netherlands. In the treaty with Spain, the colonies of East and West Florida were ceded to Spain (without any clearly defined northern boundary, resulting in disputed territory resolved with the Treaty of Madrid), as was the island of Minorca, while the Bahama Islands, Grenada and Montserrat, captured by the French and Spanish, were returned to Britain. The treaty with France was mostly about exchanges of captured territory (France’s only net gains were the island of Tobago, and Senegal in Africa), but also reinforced earlier treaties, guaranteeing fishing rights off Newfoundland. Dutch possessions in the East Indies, captured in 1781, were returned by Britain to the Netherlands in exchange for trading privileges in the Dutch East Indies.

The American Congress of the Confederation, which met temporarily in Annapolis, Maryland, ratified the treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784 (Ratification Day).[1] Copies were sent back to Europe for ratification by the other parties involved, the first reaching France in March. British ratification occurred on April 9, 1784, and the ratified versions were exchanged in Paris on May 12, 1784. It was not for some time, though, that the Americans in the countryside received the news due to the lack of communication.

 36 BC – In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius, son of Pompey, thus ending Pompeian resistance to the Second Triumvirate.

301 – San Marino, one of the smallest nations in the world and the world’s oldest republic still in existence, is founded by Saint Marinus.

590 – Consecration of Pope Gregory the Great

863 – Major Byzantine victory at the Battle of Lalakaon against an Arab raid.

1189 – Richard I of England (a.k.a. Richard “the Lionheart”) is crowned at Westminster.

1260 – The Mamluks defeat the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut in Palestine, marking their first decisive defeat and the point of maximum expansion of the Mongol Empire.

1650 – Third English Civil War: Battle of Dunbar

1651 – Third English Civil War: Battle of Worcester – Charles II of England is defeated in the last main battle of the war.

1666 – The Royal Exchange burns down in the Great Fire of London

1777 – Cooch’s Bridge – Skirmish of American Revolutionary War in New Castle County, Delaware where the Flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time.

1783 – American Revolutionary War: The war ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by the United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain.

1798 – The week long battle of St. George’s Caye begins between Spanish and British off the coast of Belize.

1802 – William Wordsworth composes the sonnet Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802.

1803 – English scientist John Dalton begins using symbols to represent the atoms of different elements.

1812 – 24 settlers are killed in the Pigeon Roost Massacre.

1838 – Dressed in a sailor’s uniform and carrying identification papers provided by a Free Black seaman, future abolitionist Frederick Douglass boards a train in Maryland on his way to freedom from slavery.

1855 – Indian Wars: In Nebraska, 700 soldiers under United States General William S. Harney avenge the Grattan Massacre by attacking a Sioux village, killing 100 men, women, and children.

1861 – American Civil War: Confederate General Leonidas Polk invades neutral Kentucky, prompting the state legislature to ask for Union assistance.

1870 – Franco-Prussian War: the Siege of Metz begins, resulting in a decisive Prussian victory on October 23.

1874 – The congress of the state of Mexico elevates Naucalpan to the category of Villa, with the title of “Villa de Juarez”.

1878 – Over 640 die when the crowded pleasure boat Princess Alice collides with the Bywell Castle in the River Thames.

1914 – William, Prince of Albania leaves the country after just six months due to opposition to his rule.

1933 – Yevgeniy Abalakov reaches the highest point of the Soviet Union – Communism Peak (7495 m).

1935 – Sir Malcolm Campbell reaches speed of 304.331 miles per hour on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, becoming the first person to drive an automobile over 300 mph

1939 – World War II: France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia declare war on Germany after the invasion of Poland, forming the Allies.

1941 – Holocaust: Karl Fritzsch, deputy camp commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, experiments with the use of Zyklon B in the gassing of Soviet POWs.

1942 – World War II: In response to news of its coming liquidation, Dov Lopatyn leads an uprising in the Lakhva Ghetto.

1944 – Holocaust: Diarist Anne Frank and her family are placed on the last transport train from Westerbork to Auschwitz, arriving three days later.

1945 – Three-day celebration was held in China, following the Victory over Japan Day on September 2.

1950 – “Nino” Farina becomes the first Formula One Drivers’ champion after winning the 1950 Italian Grand Prix.

1951 – The first long-running American television soap opera, Search for Tomorrow, airs its first episode on the CBS network.

1954 – The People’s Liberation Army begins shelling the ROC-controlled islands of Quemoy.

1954 – The German U-Boat U-505 begins its move from a specially constructed dock to its final site at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

1967 – Dagen H in Sweden: traffic changes from driving on the left to driving on the right overnight.

1971 – Qatar becomes an independent state

1976 – Viking program: The Viking 2 spacecraft lands at Utopia Planitia on Mars.

1994 – Sino-Soviet Split: Russia and the People’s Republic of China agree to de-target their nuclear weapons against each other.

2004 – Beslan school hostage crisis: Day 3: The Beslan hostage crisis ends with the deaths of over 300 people, more than half of which are children.

Part 1- Ireland

Irish Ask How Much Is Too Much as Bank Rescue Trumps Austerity

By Joe Brennan and Dara Doyle, Bloomberg News

Sep 2, 2010 5:35 AM ET

Anglo Irish Bank Corp. said Aug. 31 it needs about 25 billion euros ($32.1 billion) in state funding, equivalent to about two-thirds of this year’s tax revenue. Standard & Poor’s, which last week cut the country’s credit rating to AA-, said the state may have to inject as much as 35 billion euros.

…

While Ireland provided the model for euro partners Spain and Greece in implementing tax increases and spending cuts, the bill for bailing out its banks is mounting. That’s left taxpayers, some enduring pay cuts of 13 percent, questioning the wisdom of the government and Dublin-based Anglo Irish’s management in keeping the lender alive.

“Ireland had been seen as leading the way for the rest of Europe in terms of austerity measures, but now the market isn’t too keen on this black box that’s been opened up by the banks,” said David Schnautz, a fixed-income strategist at Commerzbank AG in London. “Investors don’t doubt the willingness of the Irish to accept the pain, but they are beginning to ask if the scale of the banking problem is just too big to handle.”

The government so far has injected almost 33 billion euros into banks and building societies, with two-thirds of that going to Anglo Irish. It has paid a further 13 billion euros for real- estate loans that were once worth 27.2 billion euros, the agency responsible for the debt said on Aug. 23.

…

“At this point, the taxpayer has paid enough,” said Brian Lucey, associate professor of finance at Trinity College Dublin. “It’s time to consider strongly if the senior bondholders should bear some pain. The only group that should be totally protected should be the depositors.”

(h/t AmericaBlog)

Hurricane Earl, downgraded to Category 2, begins hitting Outer Banks



By Rob Stein and Michael W. Savage

Washington Post Staff Writers

Thursday, September 2, 2010; 11:58 PM

NAGS HEAD, N.C. – Hurricane Earl’s powerful winds and lashing rains began hitting the fragile Outer Banks late Thursday, and people all along the Eastern Seaboard braced for major disruptions and significant damage as the massive storm swept up the coastline.

Earl’s winds had weakened from 140 to 105 mph by 11 p.m. Thursday, downgrading it to a Category 2 hurricane, and could ease further as the storm crossed cooler water in approaching the North Carolina coast.

Malaysia tackles national woes with ad campaign

The 1Malaysia campaign, promoting unity and national pride, comes as ethnic tensions have increased and the ruling party has seen its support decline. Many dismiss the effort as style over substance.

By Ivy Sam and Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times

September 2, 2010|3:23 p.m.

Reporting from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and New – Malaysia’s reputation as a moderate, progressive Muslim nation has been sullied by a string of embarrassing news stories involving church burnings, pig heads dumped in mosques, Muslim girls caned for premarital sex and an interminable sodomy trial of a senior political figure.

The government’s response? “Rebrand” Malaysia.

Hoping to unite the nation of 27 million people and promote its attractions abroad (and maybe make the negative coverage go away), government officials have hired a high-powered American public relations firm.

USA

BP Says Limits on Drilling Imperil Oil Spill Payouts



By CLIFFORD KRAUSS and JOHN M. BRODER

Published: September 2, 2010

BP is warning Congress that if lawmakers pass legislation that bars the company from getting new offshore drilling permits, it may not have the money to pay for all the damages caused by its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The company says a ban would also imperil the ambitious Gulf Coast restoration efforts that officials want the company to voluntarily support.

BP executives insist that they have not backed away from their commitment to the White House to set aside $20 billion in an escrow fund over the next four years to pay damage claims and government penalties stemming from the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. The explosion killed 11 workers and spewed millions of barrels of oil into the gulf.

Survey: Employers still shifting insurance costs to workers



By Tony Pugh | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON – An annual survey released Thursday finds that workers are paying, on average, about $482 more for job-based family health insurance this year as companies force employees to shoulder more of the burden of health care costs.

The premium hike, up 14 percent from last year, means that workers are paying nearly all of a $495 increase in the average cost of family coverage this year.

Europe

Bundesbank sacks ‘racist’ board member



By Tony Paterson in Berlin Friday, 3 September 2010

Germany’s central bank agreed to dismiss a controversial board member yesterday amid a growing public outcry over his vitriolic criticism of Muslims and Jews in a new bestselling book that has been widely condemned as racist.

The Bundesbank’s board said it had reached a unanimous decision to fire Social Democrat Thilo Sarrazin, 65, a former Berlin city government finance minister. Under German law, the step must be approved by the country’s federal president, Christian Wulff.

ECB to create ‘super regulators’ for banks

The European Union last night took its first major step towards the creation of three super regulators that could eventually take direct responsibility for the oversight of individual member states’ financial systems.  

By Harry Wilson

Published: 6:28AM BST 03 Sep 2010  

In what constitutes a complete overhaul of European financial regulation, politicians agreed to the creation of new regulators to oversee the region’s banks, insurers, pensions funds and broader financial markets.

The three European Supervision Authorities (ESA) will sit above individual national regulators and will in time gain sweeping powers that will allow them to intervene in the running of national financial institutions and markets.

Middle East

Netanayahu and Abbas agree to biweekly Israeli-Palestinian meetings  

Israeli and Palestinian leaders have opened direct peace negotiations in Washington to the praise of numerous international leaders. Still, finding a solution to their decades-long conflict is an uphill battle.

MIDDLE EAST

The first direct peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 20 months opened on Thursday with both sides aiming to reach a lasting peaceful solution within a year.

Representatives of Israel and the Palestinian Authority are to meet every two weeks, with the next meeting to take place Sept. 14-15 in Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly agreed that the first step would be to create a “framework agreement” that would establish the fundamental compromises necessary for the realization of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Gaza militants vow new Israel attacks after peace talks

Militants in Gaza have vowed to step up attacks against Israel, following the first direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders since 2008.

The BBC 3 September 2010  

A Hamas spokesman said that 13 groups had joined forces to launch “more effective attacks”.

In Israel, right-wing activists also condemned the talks in Washington.

The US Middle East envoy earlier said the talks, between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, had been “constructive”.

The talks at the US state department – the first such negotiations in 20 months – had been initiated by US President Barack Obama, who gave both sides a one-year deadline to reach a solution.

The Israeli and Palestinian delegations agreed to meet again in the Middle East in two weeks.

Asia

Pakistan’s rich ‘diverted floods to save their land’

 

By Omar Waraich in Islamabad Friday, 3 September 2010

A senior Pakistan diplomat has accused “powerful” figures of diverting floodwaters into unprotected areas to save their own land.

Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pakistan’s representative to the UN, has called for an inquiry into a “handful” of cases where influential people took “advantage of these floods and saved themselves” in a disaster that has left more than 1,600 people dead.

Taiwan in a rice wine stew



By Jens Kastner  

TAIPEI – Taiwan found recently that World Trade Organization (WTO) membership can be a pain in the proverbial when it announced a drastic tax cut on locally brewed rice wine.

Taipei’s intention to halve the bottle price of home-produced rice wine did not go down well with the United States and the European Union (EU), the biggest exporters of alcoholic beverages to the Taiwanese market. Both Washington and Brussels allege that after the tax cut the local liquor will become an unfair competitor to imported whisky, cognac and brandy.

Africa

UN ‘ignored Congo rape warnings’

Assistant secretary general to investigate after community leaders say they begged for help before villagers were raped

David Smith and agencies

The Guardian, Friday 3 September 2010

Pressure grew on the UN over its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo yesterday after claims that it ignored appeals for protection just days before more than 240 villagers were raped by rebel forces.

Human rights groups said the UN was still failing to safeguard civilians after 11 years in Congo and demanded an urgent review. A British MP said the best solution now lay in seeking military support from Congo’s neighbour, Rwanda.

Latin America

Mexican army kills dozens of drug suspects

Soldiers shoot dead suspected drug cartel members near US border

Associated Press

guardian.co.uk, Friday 3 September 2010 08.49 BST

Soldiers killed 25 suspected drug cartel members yesterday in a raid in a Mexican state near the US border that has seen a surge in gang violence, the military said.

Mexico’s defence department said soldiers on a reconnaissance flight over Ciudad Mier in Tamaulipas state saw several gunmen in front of a property. When troops on the ground moved in, gunmen opened fire, starting a gun battle that killed 25 suspected cartel members, according to the military.

The statement said two soldiers were injured and authorities had rescued three people believed to be kidnap victims.

Ignoring Asia A Blog

Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize Winner in Economics– “Contrary to what you may have heard, there’s very little that’s baffling about our problems – at least not if you knew basic, old-fashioned macroeconomics. In fact, someone who learned economics from the original 1948 edition of Samuelson’s textbook would feel pretty much at home in today’s world. If economists seem totally at sea, it’s because they have carefully unlearned the old wisdom. If policy has failed, it’s because policy makers chose not to believe their own models.”

You know, you can’t make a career in Academia by saying ‘problem solved’, it makes for very short papers, so there is a perverse incentive, especially in the Social “Sciences”, to disagree simply to be disagreeable and come up with insane theories about Pyramids being landing platforms for a race of parasite infested Galactic Overlords (I am of course talking about Stargate and not Scientology).

How has that Pyramid scheme worked out?

(L)et’s put politics aside and talk about what we’ve actually learned about economic policy over the past 20 months.

…

One group – the group that got almost all the attention – declared that the stimulus was much too large, and would lead to disaster. If you were, say, reading The Wall Street Journal’s opinion pages in early 2009, you would have been repeatedly informed that the Obama plan would lead to skyrocketing interest rates and soaring inflation.

…

So what actually happened? The administration’s optimistic forecast was wrong, but which group of pessimists was right about the reasons for that error?

…

When in doubt, bet on the markets. The 10-year bond rate was over 3.7 percent when The Journal published that editorial; it’s under 2.7 percent now.

What about inflation? … Sure enough, key measures of inflation have fallen from more than 2 percent before the economic crisis to 1 percent or less now, and Japanese-style deflation is looking like a real possibility.

…

The actual lessons of 2009-2010, then, are that scare stories about stimulus are wrong, and that stimulus works when it is applied. But it wasn’t applied on a sufficient scale. And we need another round.

…

But politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth. The economic theory behind the Obama stimulus has passed the test of recent events with flying colors…

…

So, as I said, here’s hoping that Mr. Obama goes big next week. If he does, he’ll have the facts on his side.

Unfortunately, as Atrios says any action at all at this point looks unlikely.  “Some big, new stimulus plan is not in the offing.”

So given the choice between going big and going home, the Obama Administration has decided to go home.

Day 2 of Zap2it.  I had a longer edition, but it got flushed during my power outage.  Last chance this week for all Keith and Rachel all night long.

College Throwball, some halfway decent movies, and premiers.

• AMC– Troy (watch out for those Golden Apples)
• Comedy– Futurama (last week’s, new, and The Devil’s Hands are Idle Playthings– the original series finale)
• Disney– Camp Rock (Jonas Brothers, but a prelude to tomorrow’s World Premier of Camp Rock 2)
• E!– Bring It On: All or Nothing
• ESPN– Southern Mississippi @ South Carolina
• Food– Extreme Cuisine With Jeff Corwin (Jellied Eel, yum), Ace of Cakes, Family Style (all premiers)
• FX– Final Destination, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
• Lifetime– Project Runway (premier)
• History– The Universe (Asteroid Attack, premier)
• SciFi– Stephen King’s The Langoliers (everything I hate about Stephen King and poorly acted too)
• Turner Classic– Once Upon a Time in the West (Henry being bad)
• TLC– Sr. v. Jr. (last week’s and new), BBQ Pitmasters (premier)
• TNT– Sahara
• Toon– Monday premier repeat.
• Vs.– Pittsburgh @ Utah
• VH1– Road House (for Swayze fans)

Later-

• AMC– Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
• ESPN– USC at Hawaii (nice work if you can get it)
• FX– Final Destination (again)
• SciFi– WCG Ultimate Gamer (premier)
• Turner Classic– High Plains Drifter, The Count of Monte Cristo
• USA– House (very first episode)

Dave hosts Will Arnett, Tommy Johnagin, and Karen Elson.  Alton does Sushi (if you knew her like I knew her).  The Better Man, Dr. Orpheus’ back story and Triana dumps Dean.

Evening Edition is an Open Thread

1 Disasters show ‘screaming’ need for action – climate chief

by Alexandra Troubnikoff and Richard Ingham, AFP

Thu Sep 2, 1:19 pm ET

2 NATO air strike kills 10 civilians: Afghan president

AFP

Thu Sep 2, 11:56 am ET

3 Samsung, Toshiba take on Apple with ‘iPad killers’

by Simon Sturdee, AFP

Thu Sep 2, 12:23 pm ET

4 Oil rig blast forces 13 workers into Gulf of Mexico

by Matt Davis, AFP

2 hrs 39 mins ago

5 IMF, World Bank step up aid to Pakistan

AFP

Thu Sep 2, 12:01 pm ET

6 ECB extends emergency funding, ups growth forecast

by William Ickes, AFP

Thu Sep 2, 11:57 am ET

7 ECB holds rate as investors await bank measures

by William Ickes, AFP

Thu Sep 2, 8:34 am ET

8 Pakistan cricketers claim innocence in betting scam

by Julian Guyer, AFP

Thu Sep 2, 11:21 am ET

9 Pakistan mourns triple bombing as death toll rises

by Waqar Hussain, AFP

Thu Sep 2, 11:10 am ET

10 Oil sheen spreads from Gulf platform after fire

By Erwin Seba and Bruce Nichols, Reuters

1 hr 26 mins ago

11 EPA to issue more rules in climate fight

By Timothy Gardner, Reuters

1 hr 23 mins ago

12 Justice Department sues Arizona sheriff in immigration probe

By Jeremy Pelofsky and David Schwartz, Reuters

47 mins ago

13 Pakistan gets IMF relief, tightens security

By Mubasher Bukhari, Reuters

Thu Sep 2, 11:33 am ET

14 Burger King agrees to $3.3 billion sale to 3G Capital

By Lisa Baertlein, Reuters

30 mins ago

15 Putin says no grain exports before 2011 harvest

By Gleb Bryanski and Denis Dyomkin, Reuters

Thu Sep 2, 11:46 am ET

16 U.S. to start NATO talks on Afghan transition: Petraeus

By Phil Stewart, Reuters

1 hr 57 mins ago

17 Afghan leader condemns air strike as Gates arrives

By Phil Stewart and Sayed Salahuddin, Reuters

2 hrs 13 mins ago

18 Oil platform explodes off La. coast; crew rescued

By ALAN SAYRE, Associated Press Writer

13 mins ago

19 Temporary cap that stopped oil gusher removed

By HARRY R. WEBER, Associated Press Writer

1 min ago

20 Discounts spur surprising Aug. retail sales gains

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer

12 mins ago

21 More Dems buck plan to let taxes increase for rich

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer

1 hr 53 mins ago

22 Google, Skype targeted in India security crackdown

By ERIKA KINETZ, AP Business Writer

2 hrs 26 mins ago

23 Can home cooking be hazardous to your health?

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

Thu Sep 2, 1:54 pm ET

24 Feds sue Arizona sheriff in civil rights probe

By PAUL DAVENPORT and AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press Writer

20 mins ago

25 Bernanke: Shut down banks if they threaten system

By MARCY GORDON, AP Business Writer

Thu Sep 2, 1:50 pm ET

26 US Def Sec: Afghans should lead corruption fight

By ANNE GEARAN, AP National Security Writer

2 hrs 39 mins ago

27 Chicago gangs to top cop: You’re not playing fair

By MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press Writer

1 hr 52 mins ago

28 Democrats fight to stay in office amid backlash

By ANGELA K. BROWN, Associated Press Writer

Thu Sep 2, 11:04 am ET

29 Fired aide to ex-Mo. gov runs for gov’s dad’s seat

By CHRIS BLANK, Associated Press Writer

Thu Sep 2, 11:57 am ET

30 Botox maker to pay $600M to resolve investigation

By MATTHEW PERRONE, AP Health Writer

Thu Sep 2, 4:01 am ET

31 Is the tea party becoming the new Grand Old Party?

By LIZ “Sprinkles” SIDOTI, AP National Political Writer

Thu Sep 2, 1:42 am ET

32 US forces still in fight at end of combat mission

By LARA JAKES and MAYA ALLERUZZO, Associated Press Writers

Thu Sep 2, 1:42 am ET

33 Number of illegal immigrants in US now declining

By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer

Thu Sep 2, 1:42 am ET

34 Embattled Illinois prisons chief resigns

By DEANNA BELLANDI, Associated Press Writer

30 mins ago

35 NH GOP Sen candidates debate AZ immigration law

By NORMA LOVE, Associated Press Writer

Thu Sep 2, 2:43 pm ET

36 Senate upset erases Alaska seniority

By RACHEL D’ORO, Associated Press Writer

Thu Sep 2, 4:43 am ET

37 Facebook page leads search for loved ones in Haiti

By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI, Associated Press Writer

Thu Sep 2, 12:00 am ET

38 NY Muslim groups decry hostile atmosphere

By CRISTIAN SALAZAR, Associated Press Writer

Wed Sep 1, 9:51 pm ET

(2 pm. – promoted by ek hornbeck)

Crossposted at Daily Kos and Docudharma

When I see a 9/11 victim family on television, or whatever, I’m just like, “Oh shut up” I’m so sick of them because they’re always complaining. — Glenn Beck

~~~~~~~~~~~

Man is man because he is free to operate within the framework of his destiny.  He is free to deliberate, to make decisions, and to choose between alternatives.  He is distinguished from animals by his freedom to do evil or to do good and to walk the high road of beauty or tread the low road of ugly degeneracy. — Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Note: There were an unusually large number of editorial cartoons published over the past week or so.  For obvious reasons, I wanted to focus largely on one dominant issue this week: it’s time for the Democratic Party to wake up from its slumber and fight these Republicans much harder lest it lose the governing majority so many of us worked so hard in recent years to help achieve.

There are about 80 editorial cartoons in this diary and another 20 or so in the comments section of this diary over at the GOS.  I’ll probably due full justice to several issues that I normally would have included in this diary (Iraq, Afghanistan, Heatwave in Russia, Economy, and the like) in my next weekly diary.  Thanks.

:: ::

SPECIAL COMMENT

Ed Stein, Comics.com (formerly of the Rocky Mountain News), see reader comments on Stein’s blog

:: ::

“I Can’t Believe I’m Losing to This Guy”

One of the lasting images of the 1988 Presidential Campaign was a Saturday Night Live skit which featured a debate (read the transcript) between Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis (played by Jon Lovitz) and his Republican opponent Vice President George H.W. Bush (played by Dana Carvey). As historical background, Dukakis had left the 1988 Democratic Convention that year in July with a 17% point lead over Bush in a Gallup Poll.  It would not last very long.  For the remaining weeks of the summer, his overconfident campaign made a fatal mistake by taking the high rational and moral ground and deciding not to respond to personal and racist attacks by the Bush Campaign.  That disgraceful campaign by many Republican operatives like Lee Atwater was eerily reminiscent of Richard Nixon’s Southern Strategy from two decades earlier.

As the SNL “debate” progressed, Dukakis got increasingly frustrated by softball questions lobbed at Bush — whose inane answers added to Dukakis being flustered by them — whereas he (Dukakis) had to answer really tough questions about his “technocratic” and detached style of leadership.  At one point during the exchange, Dukakis responds to a Bush answer — in which Bush proved that English was always a second language for the Bush Family and one which made no sense — by muttering to himself, “I can’t believe I’m losing to this guy.”  

In the 2004 Election, a decorated war-hero and one who risked his life to serve in the Vietnam War (John Kerry) was politically torn to shreds by the use of disingenuous tactics by the same people who destroyed Dukakis while defending his opponent, a draft dodger by the name of George W. Bush.  How could this possibly happen?  A group of highly nationalistic Vietnam Veterans — calling themselves Swift Boat Veterans for Truth — disseminated blatant lies about Kerry’s war record and absent a forceful response from the Kerry Campaign for several weeks, the narrative defined Kerry and probably made the difference between winning and losing.

The above episodes highlights an (often) fatal flaw in the Democratic Strategy to counter Republican lies, innuendo, and misinformation — often involving race and the “Un-American” quality of Democratic leaders and candidates.  Instead of fighting these smear campaigns, we Democrats tend to act cool by saying, “Who is going to believe such lies?,”  “The truth will absolve our policy positions,” “We are above responding to slimy tactics like these,” and some such rational nonsense.    

The same negative Republican drumbeat and tactics dominated the Clinton years as the first baby boomer and a political moderate was hounded by his opponents for eight years with phony scandals and, finally, through a mistake of his own (which he had to acknowledge in humiliating fashion), impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.  Never mind that the U.S. Senate was never going to convict him and remove him from office.

Which brings me to the 2010 Congressional Elections in a little over two months.

(Bill Day, Cagle Cartoons (Memphis Commercial-Appea), Buy this cartoon)

Have we, over the course of the past year, seen a similar “restrained” effort on behalf of the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats in the face of blistering attacks by the Republican Party?  Instead of effectively countering these blatant lies, I hate to say so but the answer is a resounding yes! Passivity, distraction, complacency, high-mindedness, or some other unknown reason has prevented Democrats from responding effectively to Republican smears which included criticizing President Barack Obama’s religion, citizenship, motives, style of governance, family, and probably even his dog Bo. “Bipartisanship” may well be a worthwhile goal works if the other side expresses an interest in cooperation.  I haven’t seen any signs of that since early last year.  Recent issues such as the New York City mosque controversy, anchor babies and the 14th Amendment, and Glenn Beck’s conspiratorial rants, etc., etc. — aided, abetted, and spread by FOX News have had an effect in bringing down the president’s poll numbers while sowing doubts about his religious affiliation as a recent Pew Research Poll showed.  The entire purpose of this campaign should be obvious to anyone with half a brain.  It is to de-legitimize the president and, by extension, the Democratic Party.  It’s not much more complicated than that.  

It is probably true that given a weak economy, every Obama initiative or enacted policy is probably being seen through the prism of the the fragile economy.  That is a given, but what exactly have the Republicans done to deserve control of the United States Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives?  As Stein explains it

Campaign Slogan

I know people are angry; heck, I’m angry.  It’s an inevitability of American politics that the party in power during bad economies gets punished at the polls, and the Democrats certainly haven’t distinguished themselves with the power we’ve given them.  But I keep coming back to this question-what has the Republican party done to earn our trust? Their unanimous obstruction of any and all proposals has paralyzed Washington, and helped create the climate of voter anger.

To remind you of how extensive this opposition has been, Republicans unanimously (or almost unanimously) opposed the health care bill, the energy bill, the financial reform bill , aid to small businesses, the extension of jobless benefits, the oil spill protection act, and recently and most egregiously, help for 9-11 first responders. More than 120 Obama nominees for important posts and judgeships are still blocked. This is the party we will reward in November, expecting them to do what, exactly? Other than absolute opposition to anything Obama, do they have a plan for getting the nation back to work (other than cutting taxes for the wealthy and cutting Social Security for the rest of us)?  So, is this how we will conduct business from now on?  The minority party, so long as it has at least 41 votes in the Senate, simply filibusters everything, and sweeps to power in the next cycle.  When and if the GOP regains the majority, I can’t wait to hear their furious denunciation of the filibuster they abused to such devastating effect when they were the minority.

(A Not-So-White House by Milt Priggee, www.miltpriggee.com, Buy this cartoon)

What, then, is to be done?  Over the weekend, an excellent diary by JCPOK detailed the diarist’s very effective confrontation with a Republican know-nothing who was mouthing the same familiar lies about the president.  I would highly recommend it and, in particular, the many insightful comments on suggestions with how to deal with acquaintances, friends, family members, and co-workers of the Teabagger or undecided variety.  If I were to summarize many of the comments, the common theme would be: “Enough is enough!”  

One other thing.  Constructive criticism of the president’s policies is not only healthy but as historian Howard Zinn implied in this comment, dissent is desirable to maintain a vibrant democracy.  However, is any purpose served by continuously tearing down this Democratic President?  As it is, the Republicans have done a damn good job of doing so.  Highlighting the administration’s accomplishments, too, is also desirable but not without viewing his actions through at least a mildly skeptical prism.  Conformity of thought and uniformity of action should be reserved for totalitarian regimes.  I summarized this ongoing contentious debate in this comment and one which occurs with frequent regularity almost daily on these pages.  As an observation, though, I must say that too often we Democrats are our own worst enemy.  We savagely attack each other, we talk past one other, we question each others’ motives, and in the process, undermine our own interests.  Whether you are enamored with President Obama as a person and think his policies are progressive enough given a very difficult hand or are highly critical of all the unnecessary political compromises he has made to push his policy agenda, I think the time has come to redirect some of this energy — undoubtedly, there’s an abundance of it on this blog — towards the opposition.  No constructive purpose will be served by Republican legislative control after the election.  We already know that.  

As I mentioned in this comment last night in Yosef 52‘s diary, you control the Democrats’ destiny in the November Elections, not some political pundit safely ensconced in a television studio. You can affect the outcome by doing some of the following

1. Treat everyone as an undecided voter from now until election day — be it anyone on this blog or among friends, family, acquaintances, or co-workers.  Insulting people will not win over any votes for Democratic candidates.

2. Don’t lash out at anyone.  If confronting teabaggers, be forceful and persuasive with them.  Try to shame them by arguing facts but with passion.

3. Help your state and local candidates GOTV (Get Out the Vote).

4. Don’t give an inch on issues.  Remind opponents of the hell Bush left for the Obama Administration to resolve.

Like Jon Lovitz in that SNL skit, we sure as hell do not want to wake up the day after the November Elections and say to ourselves, “I can’t believe we lost to these guys.”  You can also help the Democratic Party to achieve its goals by doing what casperr wrote about in this diary only a couple of days ago.

Don’t let this other ignorant, racist, and Know-Nothing Party win this upcoming election.

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1. Cartoons of the Week

Glenn Beck – March on Washington by Randall Enos, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon

Steve Breen, Comics.com (San Diego Union-Tribune)

The Epidemic by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Scary by Nick Anderson, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Houston Chronicle

Mosque in New York by Aislin, Montreal Gazette, Buy this cartoon

Henry Payne, Comics.com (Detroit News)

McCain by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon

Aid for Pakistan by Aislin, Montreal Gazette, Buy this cartoon

This is a new Google Group recently formed by LaughingPlanet to assist in efforts to help the 20 million people affected by devastating floods in Pakistan. Anyone who would like to get involved or get alerts when a new HELP PAKISTAN diary is posted, please join the group (it’s very easy to do so) and support this worthwhile effort.  

Note: Please donate generously to help alleviate pain and suffering by millions of displaced persons in Pakistan.  There are many helpful donation links at the end of this diary.  

Slow Aid by Olle Johansson, Freelance Cartoonist (Sweden), Buy this cartoon

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2. At His Beck and Call: Send in the Clowns

Lowe turns the tables on Beck and uses the same reasoning that opponents have used in the New York City mosque “controversy.”  By choosing a date and place — special to many Americans and symbolic of intense struggle and sacrifice during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s — it is utterly hypocritical for clueless people like Beck and Sarah Palin to hold this rally in Washington, D.C and for this display of patriotism mindless nationalism

What does the Glenn Beck rally to reclaim America have in common with the mosque in Lower Manhattan?

Even if you’re willing to give Mr. Beck the benefit of the doubt (and I’m not) that he really, truly, honest to God didn’t know that August 28th happened to be the anniversary of the March On Washington and one of the greatest speeches ever delivered in American history, it would still be appropriate to use his own argument on him…

Neither the date — August 28th, nor the place, the Lincoln Memorial — is sanctified by law.  That combination of date and place, however, is revered and “hallowed,” to use a word that has been slung around a lot lately.

So, just because Mr. Beck can hold his rally in that place and at that time doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do, particularly if it is no more than a thinly disguised attempt to stoke hatred between groups of Americans and to aggrandize his ego.

And then, there’s the possibility that he is doing it on purpose just to stick it to somebody, in which case I wouldn’t want to come anywhere near the bad karma he is surely amassing for himself.

Glenn Beck DC Rally by Dave Granlund, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon

Glenn Beck, Miracle Worker by Bruce Plante, see the large number of reader comments in Tulsa World, Buy this cartoon

Mike Peters, Dayton Daily News

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Mark Streeter, Savannah Morning News, Buy this cartoon

Dwarfed by David Cohen, Asheville Citizen-Times

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Signe Wilkinson, Comics.com (Philadelphia Daily News)

Matt Wuerker, Politico

(click link to enlarge cartoon in Wuerker’s archive)

Glenn Beck as MLK by Adam Zyglis, Buffalo News, Buy this cartoon

Glenn Beck Meets Honest Abe by John Cole, Scranton Times-Tribune, Buy this cartoon

Glenn Beck Memorial by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com, Buy this cartoon

I Want My Country Beck by John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Buy this cartoon

Pat Oliphant, Slate/Universal Press Syndicate

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Beck Throws Stones by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune, Buy this cartoon

Tom Toles, Slate/Washington Post

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Beckian Blather by Randall Enos, Cagle Cartoons, Buy this cartoon

Mike Thompson, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Detroit Free Press

Have you ever noticed that conservatives are particularly good at expropriating the legacy of many past Democratic leaders and icons of the political Left to serve their own convoluted purposes?  I have in mind George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, Harry Truman, and John F. Kennedy.  They incessantly quote — and mis-quote them out of context — to convey their approval of policies and ideas championed by these leaders.  Well, Thompson wasn’t fooled at all by Glenn Beck trying to restore honor to Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy.  King, after all, had been ferociously opposed by conservatives of all stripes in his day

So, the same folks who have been yelping that a mosque near Ground Zero in New York would be insensitive to the families of 9/11 victims are rallying on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

King’s speech was delivered during the long and ugly fight for civil rights in America. People died during that struggle; people were beaten, shot, abused and forced to endure serious attacks on their personal dignity.  I can imagine that the people who suffered through all that brutality, many of whom are still alive today, aren’t too happy to see the anniversary one of the major events in their struggle politicized by cable TV shills Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin and others for political purposes during an election year. Never mind that the views being expressed at the rally run contrary to much of what Dr. King stood for.  That states’ rights are being trumpeted on the anniversary of King’s famous speech is pathetically ironic.

You’d think people who spend so much time lecturing others about sensitivity would understand why their anniversary rally is wrong.

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The Lincoln Memorial by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

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3. What’s the Big Deal About an Islamic Center?

By citing an excellent example of the explosive materials used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh and his kooky nativist friends, Crowe forcefully dismisses arguments made by the Right in opposing the NYC Islamic Center

Until September 11, 2001, the worst act of terrorism on American turf took place April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City.

Timothy McVeigh and company bought conspicuous loads of fertilizer from farm stores to make the explosives that blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring 680 others.

Are you or the Oklahoma City victims’ families offended by fertilizer sales in the shadow of the Oklahoma City National Memorial?  A mosque has about as much to do with 9/11 as a farm store had to do with the Oklahoma City bombing.

I can understand the emotional response some are having with the proposed building of a mosque, the Park51 Project, two blocks from Ground Zero. I also understand the predictable knee-jerk politics that’s stirring the pot.  It should be a non-issue.

Lloyd Dangle, Troubletown, Buy this cartoon

The Opposition by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see the large number of reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Robert Ariail, Comics.com (formerly of The State, SC)

Scary Mosque by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon

Mosque and Bill of Rights by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon

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4. Barack Obama’s Religion: A Manufactured “Controversy” to Delegitimize Him

Religious tolerance and the freedom to practice one’s own religion — or exercise individual choice not to believe in the concept of organized religion at all — was one of the very factors that led to the founding and formation of this country.  If conservatives can’t bother with studying history or reading the United States Constitution, they can at a minimum, suggests Rogers, mind their own damn business!

Obama’s Cross

I wonder if anyone ever accused Abe Lincoln of being a Muslim?  Why is it so important for American Presidents to prove they are good Christians?  It has nothing to do with their ability to govern.  It certainly doesn’t preclude them from scandals.  A recent poll showed that 1 in 5 Americans actually thought that Obama was indeed a Muslim.  Look, people … unless the President of the United States is abusing altar boys or endorsing the stoning of eloping couples, his chosen faith is none of our business.

Obama Not a Muslim and Fox News by Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com, Buy this cartoon

Muslim Obama by Joe Heller, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Buy this cartoon

Bill Day, Comics.com (Memphis Commercial-Appeal)

Some People Will Believe Anything by David Horsey,

see reader comments in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

1 in 4 by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon

J.D. Crowe, see reader comments in the Mobile Register, Buy this cartoon  

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Factors such as one’s ethnic makeup, family lineage, or nationality — over which a person has no control — do not necessarily define an individual’s identity, argues Crowe. One’s political or religious beliefs are just that: beliefs, that are subject to change over the course of a lifetime.  By deliberately confusing the issue, wingnuts have tried mightily to paint President Obama as a captive of his background — as if that ought to matter!

Obama’s a Muslim. Not

Obama’s a Muslim.  That’s what one in five Amurcans believe, according to a recent poll.

What do one in five dentists believe?  I don’t know.  But I’d guess the one in five Amurcans who believe Obama is a Muslim probably haven’t had a discussion with a dentist about anything recently, much less politics and religion.  

Sadly, the folks who believe President Obama is a Muslim … just because of his name, his non-traditional upbringing, whatever … are probably also the ones who think the word “Muslim” is synonymous with “terrorist.”

You don’t like the president?  That’s fine.  It’s America.  We have the right to not like our leaders.  That’s why we vote.  You don’t like the president’s name or color?  Haven’t had to deal with that before, huh? Don’t make up stuff.

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5. Hate, Incorporated: Dr. Laura and Rightwing Radio

Jones takes conservative racists to task for not only their hypocritical behavior but in the case of Dr. Laura Schlessinger — who recently announced her intention to abandon her radio talk show — says that her conduct was blatantly racist, given the repeated use of a word that can have no other meaning but to demean and degrade one’ race

I’ve heard white people make this argument for a long time and countering someone is what gave me the idea to do a cartoon on it.

By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Dr. Laura’s rant and quite frankly I’m shocked… it took this many years for her to screw herself.

Dr. Laura is saying her first amendment rights are being taken away which means MY first amendment rights have never been given to me since nobody’s ever offered me a radio show.  What’s up with that?

As if this isn’t ridiculous enough, here comes Sarah Palin to defend Dr. Laura and her use of the N-word.  Rahm Emanuel angered Palin a few months back for using the word “retard” (which is a no-no) but I’m glad saying the N-word 11 times within five minutes is acceptable for the ex- governor.

Dr. Laura by Clay Bennett, Comics.com, see reader comments in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

No News is Good News by David Cohen, Asheville Citizen-Times

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Henry Payne, Comics.com (Detroit News)

Steve Benson, Comics.com (Arizona Republic)

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6. Rupert Murdoch’s $1 Million Donation to the GOP: Fair and Balanced Indeed!

Stein details the real reasons why wealthy wingnuts like Rupert Murdoch support the GOP.  It is definitely not because they think the Republicans will introduce and enact policies that benefit the common good.  Donations are made for one explicit purpose: to protect the obscenely-rich and not for any altruistic reasons

Puppeteer

It’s not even a question that the national economic policies of the last few decades have favored the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.  We’ve seen an astonishing increase in income inequality as taxes have become more regressive and the marketplace has been increasingly deregulated.  The percentage of the nation’s wealth controlled by a tiny minority has grown exponentially while the income of lower- and middle -class Americans has stagnated.

I’ve wondered for years how so many people have been persuaded to vote again and again against their own economic self-interest.  A revealing article by Jane Mayer in the August 30 issue of The New Yorker  magazine helps explain it.  Over the years billionaires like Rupert Murdoch and the Koch Brothers have steadily funded operations designed to stoke populist anger against the government and progressive ideas.  The Tea Party, far from being a spontaneous populist movement, has been underwritten with tens of millions of dollars and coordinated through a network of organizations with names like Americans for Prosperity, with the singular goal of creating an angry block of disaffected voters who will unwittingly vote for policies that benefit the very wealthy.

Lurking behind the trumped-up fear of a government takeover of our lives is a desire on the part of these rich funders to force government out of the job of regulating how they do business, protecting workplace safety, defending the environment, overseeing the safety of the food supply, and raising their taxes-in other words, doing anything that might reduce their profits.  That would also include, by the way, paying for the safety net.  How this will be good for the army of middle class Americans they’ve enlisted to fight their battles for them is something I can’t answer, and I suspect the zealous Tea Party devotees can’t either.  But letting out the anger, I guess, feels really good, even if the eventual consequences most certainly won’t.  But, by then, we might have another Democrat in the White House we can blame for our troubles.

Bill Day, Comics.com (Memphis Commercial-Appeal)

Tony Auth, Yahoo Comics/Philadelphia Inquirer

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Fox Gives Million to GOP by David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Star, Buy this cartoon

Stuart Carlson, Washington Post/Universal Press Syndicate

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Tim Eagan, Deep Cover, Buy this cartoon

Jeff Danziger, New York Times Syndicate

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

John Sherffius, Comics.com (Boulder Daily Camera)

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7. Teabaggers and Other Wingnutty Ideas

Things That Make Absolutely No Sense by David Horsey, see reader comments in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Ken Catalino, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist, Buy this cartoon.

Stuart Carlson, Washington Post/Universal Press Syndicate

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Steve Sack, Comics.com (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Tony Auth, Washington Post/Philadelphia Inquirer

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

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8. Floods in Pakistan: A Desperate Situation

Jeff Danziger, Yahoo Comics/New York Times Press Syndicate

(click link to enlarge cartoon)

Pakistan Aid by Patrick Corrigan, Toronto Star, Buy this cartoon

John Sherffius, Comics.com (Boulder Daily Camera)

Pakistan Aid by Cam Cardow, Ottawa Citizen, Buy this cartoon

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9. Final Thoughts

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A Note About the Diary Poll

Did Climate Change contribute to floods in Pakistan?  This diary by A Siegel suggests that it did

With monumental inaction by the U.S. Senate in the face of devastating climate chaos from flooded Pakistan to smoldering Russian to heat records in many nations and many areas of the United States, the paths forward to effective action to turn the tide away from egregious CO2 emissions seem limited (at best).  With the President (and his Administration) having, to put it politely, flubbed its leadership role on the climate front in terms of getting serious and meaningful action through the U.S. Congress, we have to wonder seriously at the latest action.

Whatever the reason for this calamity, one thing is certain: it is a disaster of historic proportions with close to 20 million people displaced, threatened by spreading disease and in dire straits in a fight for survival.

As noted earlier, a number of our community members are actively engaged in drawing your attention to it.  A new diary posted this afternoon by Clytemnestra has numerous donation links of which I’ve included a few in the diary poll.  Please find it within your heart to contribute as much as you can, even if it is a small amount.  Thanks.

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So another Oil Rig has exploded off the Louisiana coast.  According to the latest TV reports all 13 workers are safe, though at least one is injured.

What makes this funny in that sad ironic sense is that not only did Judge Martin Feldman, the severely conflicted by his Oil Industry investments guy who blocked the Obama Adminitration’s initial deepwater drilling moratorium, just blocked the second one; but only yesterday Mariner Energy, the company running the rig, and its parent company Apache, which is purchasing BP’s Gulf assets to help BP meet its liability for the Deepwater Horizon disaster, staged a protest in Houston over the moratorium.

Good thing we have all those oil eating bacteria.  I’m sure 75% of it will be gone in no time.

Unfortunately, as dday observes-

With the White House’s commission on oil spills wavering in the direction of lifting the moratorium, and the head of the Bureau of Ocean Energy hinting at the same thing, and now this tangle in the courts, I don’t think you’re going to see much more of a fight.

“Punting the Pundits” is an Open Thread. It is a selection of editorials and opinions from around the news medium and the internet blogs. The intent is to provide a forum for your reactions and opinions, not just to the opinions presented, but to what ever you find important.

E.J. Dionne Jr: A speech’s tall order

By insisting Tuesday evening that “it’s time to turn the page,” President Obama was talking about more than the Iraq war, and doing much more than reviving one of his most effective slogans from the 2008 campaign.

He was also trying to turn the page on a period in which he has found himself on the defensive, his party in a perilous position for November’s elections and his reputation for political mastery in doubt.

Obama’s Oval Office speech was resolutely nonpolitical in form but profoundly political in its implications. To rescue his party, Obama had to begin rebuilding his popularity, offer hope in a time of economic despair and restore confidence in the course on which he has set the nation.

Joan Walsh: Bush, Beck and Hagee

The president praises Bush, the media find Beck in bed with a Catholic hater, and deficits become the new WMD

A big news day. I found President Obama’s Iraq speech dispiriting. He deserves credit for withdrawing combat troops when he said he would, but our entanglement there is by no means over, and the growing role of private contractors in every realm of our involvement — including some form of what most people would consider combat — makes it hard to feel like things have fundamentally changed.

I was surprised, but I shouldn’t have been, by Obama’s kind words for his predecessor, George W. Bush. I didn’t expect Obama to excoriate the neocon chickenhawks who lied us into war, but I wasn’t entirely prepared for his praising the president who got us into this mess. But he did:

   It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it.

Nicholas D. Kristof: Cleaning the Henhouse

“Food safety has received very little attention since Upton Sinclair,” notes Ellen Silbergeld, an expert on environmental health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who is deeply concerned about antibiotic overuse. “The massive economic reorganization of agriculture has proceeded with little recognition of its potential impacts on these aspects of food. Cheapness is all.”

But as Professor Silbergeld notes, unsafe foods are cheap only in a shortsighted way. The Pew commission found that industrial production produces hogs that at first sight are cheaper by six cents per pound. Add in pollution and health costs and that industrial pork becomes more expensive by 12 cents per pound.

Largely for humanitarian reasons, Europe already is moving toward a ban on battery cages. In 2008, California approved a similar ban, and other states are expected to follow.

So let’s hope this salmonella outbreak is a wake-up call. Commercial farming can’t return to a time when chickens wandered unfenced and were prey to foxes (and Irish setters). But we can overhaul our agriculture system so that it is both safer and more humane – starting with a move toward cage-free eggs.

Adam Serwer: Are Republicans ‘co-opting’ gay rights?

Pro-gay rights Republicans seem to be less of an oxymoron these days. Former Solicitor General Ted Olson is, along with Ted Boies, leading the fight in the courts against California’s ban on same-sex marriage and schooling Fox News on what fundamental rights are. Former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman has come out and begun raising money  for the pro-equality group Americans for Equal Rights. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who once called Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards a “faggot,” is headlining a political convention  for gay and lesbian conservatives, and Sen. John Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Rep. Pete Sessions, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, will be appearing alongside other GOP elected officials at a dinner hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans. Even Glenn Beck has said he doesn’t think gay marriage is a “threat to the country.”

Peter Daou: The debate over Markos Moulitsas’ “American Taliban”

A fascinating debate has broken out over Kos’s new book, American Taliban.

Jamelle Bouie sums up his critique and Digby’s rebuttal:

 

Today, I have a review up of American Taliban by Markos Moulitsas, founder of Daily Kos. You should read the full thing, but here’s the gist:

   

…ultimately, any similarities are vastly outweighed by incredibly important distinctions and vast differences of degree. I’m no fan of the right wing, but the only possible way it can be “indistinguishable” from the Taliban is if conservatives are stoning women for adultery, stalking elementary schools to throw acid in girls’ faces, and generally enforcing fundamentalist religious law with torture and wanton violence.

   Taking issue with my review, Digby argues that in my attack on Kos’ book, I’m missing the big picture:

   The inconvenient truth here is that these people are dangerous because their worldview is dangerous. Lethal even. And somebody has to have the guts and to call them on it in their own terms. This “tired genre” of “our opponents are monsters” has been decidedly dominated by one side and the consequences have been grave. We have a fight on our hands and the only real question left is whether anyone on our side is willing to wage it.

I haven’t read the book yet, so I don’t want to weigh in on the details, but it’s worth keeping in mind that just one facet of rightwing extremism, climate denial, could lead to death and destruction on a scale that dwarfs anything the Taliban can do. So there are deadly consequences to America’s rightward shift and I can see why Markos is illustrating it in such raw terms.