Much going on around the world. Not all of it is bad.
It appears yesterday’s cease-fire between the Israelis and Palestinians was brokered by Hillary Clinton and Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. The Daily Caller is calling the deal “friendly to Hamas,” although the BooMan argues that the whole episode benefited Bibi Netanyahu more than anyone else.
Predictably, Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, plus Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), issued a statement heaping praise on Mohammed Morsi and Bibi Netanyahu that didn’t mention Hillary Clinton at all. Because, you know, if they were to ever acknowledge anyone connected to the Obama Administration had done something right, their lips would fall off. The statement ends,
“Above all, the recent fighting in Gaza underscores that this is a moment in history when the future of the Middle East has never been less certain – and when the actions or inaction of the United States will be critical to determining what path this vital region takes. From the worsening civil war in Syria to the security vacuum in Libya, and from Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons to heightened tensions in Iraq, what happens in the Middle East will impact America’s vital national security interests for the foreseeable future, and stronger, smarter American leadership is desperately needed. There is no pivoting away from that fact.â€
Guys, the election is over. You lost. Please stop being dicks about it.
Speaking of dicks, you might enjoy this clip of Soledad O’Brien taking apart Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), who opposes Susan Rice’s possible nomination for Secretary of State.
A bit of the transcript:
O’BRIEN: I have asked others before how this does not compare, the Susan Rice issue, to the Condoleezza Rice issue on weapons of mass destruction. She was also wrong when she was the national security adviser, right? … Fast forward three years in 2005 when she was up to be secretary of state, it was Lindsey Graham who was furious that the Democrats were pushing back. It was Sen John mccain who were furious that the Democrats were pushing back on Condoleezza Rice to be Secretary of State. She was wrong on weapons of mass destruction. How is this different?
BURGESS: The difference is the scrutiny provided by our free press in this country. Condoleezza Rice was exposed to withering criticism by the press. I don’t see that happening now. Maybe I’ve missed something in the talking points, but I don’t see that happening. ….
O’BRIEN: So you’re confusing me there for a moment. When you say the scrutiny on the press — are you saying five days after comments of weapons of mass destruction, you feel like the media was picking apart Condoleezza Rice? I don’t think that’s true, Sir. Most people say that’s not the case. It took a long time. …. Hey, I’m all about scrutiny. I guess I like consistency, too. You were not calling for more scrutiny and you weren’t saying that the fact that Condoleezza Rice was wrong on weapons of mass destruction was going to damage her credibility as secretary of state. Again, McCain and Lindsey Graham were supporting that. It seems contradictory to me.
BURGESS: You’ll have to take that up with Senator McCain and Senator Graham.
Grandpa John has sort of backed off blaming Susan Rice for whatever he was blaming her for, sort of. But he still doesn’t like her.
And again speaking of dicks, House Republicans still are whining about Fast and Furious, for pity’s sake, and still are calling for a repeal of Obamacare. Here’s a clue for you, House Republicans: Ain’t gonna happen.
In the department of Good Cheer, Paul Krugman himself endorses this interview with Bill McBride, who says the economy really is getting better.
In other news, residents of Brookline, Massachusetts, are being terrorized by turkeys.
So far, no one has had to take shelter in a phone booth while wave upon wave of killer turkeys smash themselves against the glass. But they may not have phone booths in Brookline.
Enjoy your day.
I’m hoping to be politic’s free today. We’re having a family get-together at my Sister’s house.
My once fairly Liberal Uncle and Aunt, who are pretty well off (but not rich), are coming over – they are now, or at least have been, avid FOX “News” viewers. That started about 10 years ago, and each of their IQ’s have dropped at least 50 points in that time. That, and they’re nowhere near as kind and generous as they used to be. They’re still ok, but not like they once were.
FOX is like a brain disease: “Ailes-heimer’s Disease.”
Watching FOX makes one more distant from the world, family, friends, and one’s own emotional intelligence.
But, enough about that.
maha,
I wish you, and all of the wonderful commenter here, a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Though my Father passed away this year, I’m thankful that he went relatively quickly, and as painfully as possible. And that he died in the home he loved for 43 years., with my Mother and I at his side – I just wish my Sister had arrived a half-hour earlier. I MISS YOU, POP! And always will…
I’m thankful for my wonderful family, my Uncle and Aunt, included. And for my wonderful friends, who have been loving and supportive all year.
And I’m very thankful that President Obama won, that we kept the Senate, and made some inroads in the House.
And I’m thankful I’m an American. Our country may be flawed, but nothing a dose of Liberalism won’t cure. It’s still a great country. Now, we continue the work to make it greater.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, ONE AND ALL!!!
That turkey video clearly portrays the sad end of the slippery slope that the GOP has been warning about! After years of living in a blue state, coddled by a nanny state and Big Government firearm restrictions, those poor people in Brookline can’t even recognize a self-delivering dinner, even when it comes and jumps on them! (I think my New England forebears would be more self-reliant. Who needs a firearm, when a hatchet would do? 🙂 )
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
‘Gulag, ‘hope your get together goes well. I know you and your mom miss your dad, the first holiday after a parent’s passing is difficult.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
We had some turkey problems here in Kissimmee several years ago. The Toms can get pretty cranky, and they wave some wicked spurs. It got so bad around the local marina that I carried a 6 ft long rope with a weight on one end to fend them off. They would sneak up on people (about 4 or 5 in the flock) and start chasing them. It is against the law to hurt them and they don’t scare easily. There is a bunch of turkeys in the neighborhood this year, but they’re mostly hens, no problem with them.
As far as those Texas Republicans go, they’ll NEVER stop being dicks, ‘must be something in that Texas water.
Turkeys 1, Pilgrims 0 — about damn time!
Safe travels, everyone. Wishing you much to be thankful for!
(R-TX)
If there was ever a more powerful brand for “stupid and ignorant”, I don’t know if it.
Happy thanksgiving all. I am grateful for Barbara and all the insightful people who comment here. I hope your day is blessed with good food, family and love.
Gulag, you probably know that there have been several studies of people whose primary source of news is Fox News. These studies show 1) these people are the most misinformed – compared to those who get their news from other sources – they believe stuff that isn’t true, and 2) it’s cumulative – the more you watch, the dumber you get.
I too, have some older, fortunately distant relatives who are Fox imbibers. It’s quite startling to have your kind and loving childhood memory of them updated by something more bitter, stupid, and callous. On the other hand, my particular set of elderly relatives are fairly easy to argue with – they simply don’t know what to say when I rebut their statements. Norman, coordinate. It’s as though they never thought of what I’m saying, or never heard a logical argument, stuff that would be completely obvious to someone who didn’t live in their particular bubble of Fox-induced ignorance.
re the Susan Rice thing – I wonder how the drama will unfold – testy confirmation hearing and all, or what. And how many votes Obama has for her. She seems to be well qualified in terms of background, but I really don’t know how seasoned she is, how well she’d act under fire. McCain does have a point about how unstable the region has become – it really is a bad time for someone like Hillary to step down. That all said, I hope Rice gets the job, if only to stick it to the rightards who are trying to wag the dog.
I’m starting to fall in love with CNN. If they continue with this ‘real journalism’ phase they may be my go to chanel. I rarely watch msnbc and of course, never watch fox. As for the fox watching relative, and students for that matter, I find those things called facts and reality to be the best things. Tough arguing with those. Hope everyone’s turkey day was uneventful. Temp has gone from being near 70 yesterday to the mid-30’s today. Winter is coming.