When you're a convicted scumbag, nothing matters anymore

doesn't this look funny, all small like this? he's so jowly.

Apparently, Ted (R-ipoff) Stevens is now claiming he wasn't convicted of anything, AND he's still tying Iraq and Saddam Hussein to 9/11. Is this his last-minute effort to stand behind Big Dick Cheney (who'll claim there's terrorists on Mars if he can make some Halliburton money off it), in order to curry White House favor and possibly get a pardon?

I guess when you've sold your dignity and ethics for a few hundred thou in house renovations, you'll pretty much say anything.

The one thing no one else is asking is this: why the fuck does ANYONE even ask stupid questions like this anymore? "Knowing what you know now, do you think that the country of Iraq and Saddam Hussein played a role in the 9/11 attack on the United States?"

At his debate against challenger Mark Begich, who's trying to win Stevens' senate seat, not only did the moderator ask this idiotic question, but Stupid Stevens said, "I know more than you think I know, and I believe they did." According to the transcript (at the first link), Begich then said, "I don't believe they did."

The moderators and the reporters who still ask shit questions like this should be ashamed of themselves, embarrassed that they're so obviously trying to lick Dick (heh), and humiliated that they're letting themselves be used by a White House filled with lying war criminals.

Everybody's doin' it, why can't we?

From what I've seen around the interwebs, it's time to do the blogroll in the post thingie. Here goes!

a- FranIAm
A Feather Adrift
Angry Ballerina
Aunt Dahlia (CDP)
Bac at Yikes!
Bad Tempered Zombie from Canada!
Bells On
Bub's Sprawling Ramshackle Compound
DCup's Politits
DCup's Unglued
Death Wore a Feathered Mullet
Distributor Cap in NY
Dr Monkey von Monkerstein for President
Germaine Gregarious
I Was Just Wondering
I, Splotchy
illiterate electorate
It's Right to be Left!
Karen Zipdrive's Pulp Friction
Kirby's I Make No Promises
Liberality
Matty Boy's Lotsa 'Splainin'
Mauigirl's Meanderings
PiNY's I Can't Believe It's Not a Democracy!
PoP's Morning Martini
Princess Sparkle Pony
Randal's L'ennui-melodieux
Sorghum Crow, whom I love
Spartacus' Saturday Evening Post
Tengrain's Greatness-Mock Paper Scissors
The Rude Pundit--a must-read!
Think Progress
Truthout
Two Minutes in the Box (Hockey Hottie!)
When Will I Use This?
Whiskeymarie
Zaius Nation

I lubs you all.

Don't Stop at the Top! Vote NO on Prop 8!

Blogswarm, everybody!

Today I'm participating in Write to Marriage Day, a blogswarm against Proposition 8 in California. I hope any Californians out there in bloglandia will VOTE NO on Prop 8. Just remember--vote all the way down the ballot, because the propositions are at the bottom of the ballot.

As you all know, my own attempt at marriage didn't work out so well, but I will always support the right for two consenting adults to get married--whether I ever decide to go there again or not. "Civil unions" are merely the latest example of our country's propensity for trying to foist "separate but equal" institutions on us.

Perhaps the solution is to keep "marriages" in a religious context; if you get hitched in a church, we'll call it a marriage. If you want to be legally joined, with all the legal benefits (and drawbacks) therein, we'll call it a "civil union." Period. That would certainly uphold the idea of separation of Church and State, which is a separation I believe in.

Whatever the eventual solution to what is, in my opinion, a non-problem--I hope you'll join me in recognizing that the marriage of two people of the same sex does absolutely nothing to "weaken" the institution of marriage or any other silly right-wing talking points. I think enough straight couples weaken that institution all on their own without any help from the gay side of the aisle, thank you.

So vote no on Prop 8 -- unless you believe this:

Then you're kinda too stupid to even be voting, really.

Reduced to thievery, dguz posts again!

The greatness of Mock, Paper, Scissors has been doing the minimalist thing on several McCain't/Failin' photoshoppings, opting to merely flip the photos on their sides for hilarious effect. The following photo has already been done up this way at MPS. However...

... which is worse--Control-freak Sarah on top, the way Tengrain did it? (eewww)

or this way, with Grandpa Walnuts taking the top? (eeewww!)

Oh my gosh, I've managed to disgust myself to an extent I really didn't think possible.

Big Wicked dguzman, sorta

Beth at Cup of Coffey is hosting the Big Wicked Halloween Pageant this year, in which we must post childhood photos of us in costume for Halloweening.

However, my mom keeps our childhood photo albums in her home, sacrosanct and safe from our grubby little paws! What's a kid to do? I wanted to show you that awesome Frankenstein costume circa 1971, or even me in a bunny suit (made by my mom!) circa 1969, but alas--foiled again.

So by way of lameness, here's me "in costume" as a hopelessly nerdy little baby dyke. That's me on the left, with sister Mary (and her creepy doll) on the right:

Check me out, sportin' the red-white-and-blue. Even then I was sooooo American.

How to Guarantee My Disregard for Your Spoken Argument or Opinion

a companion piece to Splotch's How to Guarantee My Disregard for Your Written Argument or Opinion, with which I wholeheartedly agree

Say "nukular" instead of "nu-clee-ar."

You know who you are.

Aw gee....

The hottest and the coolest librarian evah Liberality has deemed my little bloggy fit for some awards!
I love your blog too, Lib!

Gee whiz.... I dig the uber!

Ain't she sweet? Thank you thank you thank you.

I think the thing to do now is pass on the love, but I would want to give these awards to everyone on my whole blogroll! Instead, I think I'll give them to the newest addition to the 'groll, in the hopes that others will find it interesting and visit often!

Sherry at A Feather Adrift first caught my attention on other blogs I visit with her smart comments. I visited Sherry's blog and started reading back through the archives, and she captivated me with her takes on the crap we call politics. As a rural Iowan, she gives me hope that not all "rural" people are bigotted redneck jerks, as the MSM would like us to believe. Enlightenment can be found almost everywhere, and AFA is certainly a good place to look.

Quick Hits, Vol 3! In stores now!

Boy oh boy, the wheels of justice are turning! It's a fine day when a scumbag gets his due in the courtroom, and one Ted Stevens of Alaska is being run-over by those wheels of justice as we speak! Couldn't happen to a more deserving asshole! Of course, the asscrack claims he's not dropping out of the Senate race, vowing to fight this "unjust verdict." As if.

HOLY SHIT. The ATF is saying they've uncovered and stopped a plot by two skinheads in Tennessee to kill a bunch of kids at a mostly African-American school and top it all off by killing our next president, Barack Obama. Why would anyone want to hurt Obama, much less a bunch of innocent schoolchildren?

I think many of us have been nervously waiting for something like this to happen, given the rising violence against Obama supporters in some places. Sad to say, racism and hatred are alive and well in this country. We can only hope (and some of you can pray) that our government agents do their jobs and keep Obama and his family, as well as the rest of us, from harm.

Johnny POW may be running behind in the polls these days, but he has gotten one important endorsement: that of al-Qaeda! Let's hope this story gets the play it deserves in the MSM, though I doubt we'll hear a peep about it on, say, Faux Noise.

Finally, in SPAM news, it seems that some spammers are lowering their expectations! Most of the time, you see items like this:

However, this advertiser seems to be aiming a little lower than usual:

What is this country coming to?

What would you write about?

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Are you thinking of writing a 50,000-word novel? Can you finish it in 30 days?

If you could (or are!), what would you write about?

P.S.--this is a rare double-post, here and at the birding blog. It's not often that the worlds of backyard birding and political turmoil collide, so try to ignore the resulting sonic boom. I can't wait to compare and contrast the comments from both sites!

Keating to McGeezer: you're still the one!

that's Keating hoisting a big bottle at one of McCain's (the goof with the hat)

million or so b-day parties--photo found at Emptywheel via a googly search

Remember that old Orleans song from the '70s, "Still the One" about a longterm happy couple?

We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear...

You're still the one that makes me strong
Still the one I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one...

You're still the one who can scratch my itch
Still the one and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I just found out that the law firm to which Charles Keating belonged -- before he went to jail for fraud and other hijinks with Lincoln Savings and Loan, that is -- has donated over $50,000 to the campaign of one John Sidney McCain. In the words of the Church Lady, "well now isn't that special!" "Scratch my itch" indeed.

According to CLG,

The Center for Responsive Politics has done the math, and says: "In amounts ranging from $200 to $2,300, about 30 partners and employees of the legal firm Keating, Muething and Klekamp, as well as their family members, have contributed $50,200 to McCain's 2008 campaign."

The CLG piece links to a piece in the TimesUK. I wonder how much play this story will get on this side of the Atlantic, where McCain't is still trying to work that tired-ass "country first" straight-talk bullshit, and where not enough has been made of the Keating 5 connection by anyone except us damned liberals.

How about we put impeachment BACK ON the table?

So it turns out Bush never even considered closing Gitmo. The bastard knows no shame, recognizes no laws, has no sense of human decency.
Is there any part of the world he's touched that hasn't bloomed into a toxic shitpile?

More reasons I like Joe Biden**

From the man who brought us the brilliant in-a-nutshell of Rudy Giuliani's sentence structure: "a noun, a verb, and 9/11," Joe's still laying it out there:

On Leno, he hit McCain on the ridiculous notJoe the notplumber:

Let me put it this way: I don't know -- the neighborhood I grew up, even the neighborhood I live in now, which is a really nice neighborhood, I don't know many plumbers who are making $250,000 a year and worried about it. We're kind of worried about Joe the fireman, Joe the policeman, Joe the real plumber with a license.

ZING! Point: Biden!

At a Seattle fundraiser, he offered up this analysis of the next president's job, including a classical literature reference that Chimpy probably had to ask Condi to explain to him:

"Gird your loins," Biden told the crowd.... "We're gonna win with your help, God willing, we're gonna win, but this is not gonna be an easy ride. This president, the next president, is gonna be left with the most significant task. It's like cleaning the Augean stables, man."

BAM! My man knows his mythology.

Just two more reasons I like Joe!

**UPDATED! As Dr. Monkey so aptly pointed out, Joe has stumbled a few times, especially in his support of changing the bankruptcy laws to pretty much make it almost impossible to be eligible for bankruptcy, and exempting certain debts (like student loans, the bastards!) from BK protection. I guess no one's perfect. But I'll take Joe any day over Failin' or Big Dick Darth Cheney.

A horror movie moment

"He's behind you! Behind you!"

The people in scary movies never realize until it's too late! And I don't even wanna know what that McMonster does with his victims.

Incidentally, I'm glad the debates are over. I'm so sick of hearing McFossil talk about how much he knows--"I know how to save billions of dollars!" "I know how to win a war!" "I know how to capture Bin Laden!" "I know how to balance the budget!" Where has he been hiding all these years while the country went to shit? Asshole.

News flash! Darth Cheney has a heart!

We know, because it's breaking... or at least it's beating irregularly.

The best lede I saw on this one comes from AP:
Vice President Dick Cheney experienced an abnormal heartbeat Wednesday morning, went to the White House physician and scheduled a hospital visit to "restore his normal rhythm."

Does Darth Cheney really HAVE rhythm, "normal" or otherwise?

That's so... straight?

FranSheIs, one of the best christians evah!, has done a couple of great posts about language, name-calling. and self esteem. Bloggy pal Spartacus also discussed the lowering of the public discourse that inevitably occurs when name-calling dominates political discussions. If you haven't read these, run along and do that soon.

One of the links Fran included was to this site, ThinkB4YouSpeak, and it really struck a nerve for me. For the last ten years or so, I've noticed the phrase "that's so gay" has crept into the American vernacular, used by both children and adults to describe something that is distasteful, stupid, silly, or otherwise not to their liking. Many of these people don't even realize what they're saying; for them, it's no different from saying "you know" or "like" as they chatter away--a verbal "tic" they don't even notice anymore.

But isn't it different?

from ThinkB4YouSpeak.com

A couple of years ago, a woman in the cubicle across from me used this phrase constantly when she spoke on the phone to family or friends. Someone had a gay dog, a gay car, or a gay driveway even! The driveway one was the last straw. I told her how ridiculous, inaccurate, and insulting her habit was; how could a driveway be gay? I saw a tiny shadow of realization creeping across her face, but I knew she wasn't fully convinced. I made her a deal: I would stop saying "godddammit" in her presence (I swear. A lot. Even at work. Under my breath. Or not.), if she stopped using the word "gay" in this derogatory way. We made a deal, and we've both stuck to it. It's helped us both keep our language on a level befitting mature adults.

Just yesterday, a girl in the dollar store told her mother that a certain hair bow was "so gay." And did the mother say anything? Nope. It was like she understood the kid on some insane level! I cleared my throat and glared at them, about to launch into a lecture--but they quickly left the aisle. Dangit! Another "teaching moment" lost!

A long time ago, the word -- oh gees I can't even type it -- "the N-word" --was used as a perfectly acceptable description for people of color. I still hear "spic" used to describe me and my fellow hispanics (though not so much up here in rural PA, where I'm one of the few hispanic people around!). How is saying that something is "gay" any less offensive to the millions of us who happen to be gay?

I'm pretty sure I'm preaching to the choir, knowing all of you who regularly read this blog. Still--do me a favor. If you hear "that's so gay" coming out of someone's mouth--in a store, at the movies, wherever--give 'em a lecture for me. Or even just a glare. Just do something to show that it's not okay to use "gay" as a synonym for "wrong."

Meme-ory

That hot librarian at Liberality has tagged me with a meme! It’s been so long since I did one of these, and I’m grateful to have a subject I can blog about. Seems like lately, the political/economic world is just so fucked up that I can’t even finish drafting a post without feeling several brain cells joining together and blowing themselves up in furious protest. So I'm trying to steer clear of the news outlets. Even NPR pisses me off these days.

So—this meme is such: I answer some questions about li’l ole me that should be rather boring, as I lead a boring life. Liberality said I am supposed to answer these one word questions and then pass the meme on. Here goes:

1. Clothes Shop: Target usually, though occasionally I hit the Goodwill.

2. Furniture Shop: I either make my own furniture, or I happen to find a pal at work who’s trying to get rid of stuff.

3. Sweet: Payday candy bar

4. City: Bellefonte PA (if you can call it a city)

5. Drink: Bourbon and coke

6. Music: pop standards, classic rock, bluegrass, classical, and jazz

7. TV Series: I don’t have network or cable TV, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Seasons 1-7) rules my DVD player.

8. Film: too many to narrow it down, but I am definitely looking forward to the next Harry Potter film

9. Workout: Liberality’s answer: “Yoga. Followed by walking, either outside in the woods weather permitting or on my treadmill. Sex is starting to become a workout as well--in a good way, of course!” MAN, I wish that was my answer. About the only workout I’m getting right now is walking up and/or down one flight of stairs to my apartment. I try to take walks around town occasionally. And I’m thinking about taking yoga! Forget about sex, "in a good way" or otherwise....

10: Pastries: I like to get a cheese danish and a raspberry danish and eat them together. Mmmmmm.

11. Coffee: as little as I can get away with. Usually just a cup or two at work.

So--passing this on. I know most people don’t really do memes anymore, but I’m interested to hear answers from (parenthetical) and Jess Wundrun (who's on a Buy American thing). Unless they don’t wanna do it. Then anyone else can do it. Whatever.

Speaking of losers...

Are ya listenin', Sarah?

Oh boy, another "debate"

So tonight's "debate" rules are as follows (h/t to Mock, Paper, Scissors for the link)--let's dissect as we go:

The questions will be culled from a group of 100 to 150 uncommitted likely voters in the audience and another one-third to come via the Internet. Brokaw selects which questions to ask from written queries submitted prior to the debate.

Now THIS is exciting! Assuming the "1 in 10" stat holds true (that means 10% of the population is gay), there will be at least 10-15 questions coming from gay/lesbian people! Sweet! I know I've got plenty of questions to ask BOTH candidates!

The Gallup Organization makes sure the questioners reflect the demographic makeup of the nation.

See? More support for my happiness! There might even be a hispanic lesbian! This'll be the chance for both candidates to address their views on how we're all the same, all equal under the law and in God's eyes, right?

An audience member isn’t allowed to switch questions and will not be allowed a follow-up either. His or her microphone will be turned off after the question is read and a camera shot will only be shown of the person asking — not reacting.

Well. This is kinda shitty, no? Still--I'm SURE there will be equal representation for all of our viewpoints! This is a "town hall meeting," after all, right?

The moderator may not ask follow-ups or make comments.

As if they're gonna be able to keep Tom I-love-the-sound-of-Brokaw-talking Brokaw quiet? No follow-ups? I read that he had not yet agreed to this stipulation, so we'll see.

McCain and Obama will be provided with director’s chairs, but they’re also allowed to stand. They can’t roam past their “designated area” marked on the stage and are not supposed to ask each other direct questions.

I love that they mention the KIND of chairs--"director's chairs," get it? 'Cuz they're both IN CHARGE! *wink* I'm sure McSurly will have no trouble obeying the "don't talk to the other guy" rule, as his arrogance didn't allow him to even look at Obama during the first debate. But I hope Obama breaks this rule and speaks directly to McFossil. If he plays his cards right, McOld might just get pissed, and we just might get one of those meltdown "FUCKYOUIKNOWMOREABOUTTHISTHANANYONEELSEINTHISROOM!" moments I'm sooooo hoping for!

So those are the rules. Are you gonna watch?

Quick hits

I have some really fascinating reading assignments for you this time.

First--if you'd like to read more about the clusterfuck that was the govt's response to Katrina, here's a report from the House Committee on Science and Technology (they really have one?) from the Subcommittee Investigation on Toxic Trailers: "Toxic Trailers - Toxic Lethargy: How the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Has Failed to Protect the Public Health."

Second, the House just put out a report you might be interested in: "Examining the Causes of the Credit Crisis of 2008 Minority Staff Analysis." Sounds fascinating, no? Before you rush off to read, however, let's dig a bit deeper: first, I noticed that the URL reads "republicans.oversight.house.gov"--so I was already feeling like this "report" might not be so objective (or factual) after all. Then I started reading the summary; as this is just supposed to be quick hits, I'll merely highlight the phrases that stuck out to me. See what you think:

In the midst of the most serious financial crisis in a generation, some claim that deregulation is entirely to blame. This is simply not true and more importantly serves to grossly oversimplify a problem whose roots run deep and involve myriad actors and issues. The simple truth is that many share the blame, and pointing to just one person or organization does a disservice to the American people.

In a time of crisis, the American people cannot afford the same old partisan finger pointing; they need and deserve real, non-partisan oversight. We need a series of hearings that will focus on the root causes and how we can fix a system in order to avoid financial meltdowns in the future. This minority staff analysis attempts to objectively explore the causes of the financial crisis we are in and how companies like Lehman Brothers and AIG contributed to this crisis.

The current credit crisis is a complex phenomenon with its roots in a number of places involving a myriad of people and institutions. Key players and institutions include Members of Congress, well-respected members of Republican and Democratic administrations, the Federal Reserve Board, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the major private sector credit rating agencies, banks, mortgage brokers, and consumers.

This is supposed to be a quick hits post, so I won't bother to parse the bullshit in these three paragraphs. Click on the link for a good laugh, though. And remember--deregulation is NOT THE CAUSE! Deregulation is GOOD! Greed is Good! ... oh sorry--got a little carried away by the repug talking points.

Next, last night I was happy to discover that an FM station in my town broadcasts the Stephanie Miller Show! I had been catching bits and pieces of this show as well as some other progressive radio when I lived out at the Marsh House, because at night in my car, I could pick up a station from Buffalo. But last night, I was flipping channels and heard Miller's show loud and clear on FM! Woo hoo! Anyway--last night, Miller was discussing the latest idiocy to come out of Sarah Failin's mouth, about how Obama has been "pallin' around with terrists!" like William Ayers. You've all heard this. Miller then started looking at Mr "First Dude"-wannabe Todd Failin's connection to the Alaska Independence Party. The founder's mission statement: "I'm an Alaskan, not an American...I've got no use for America or her damned institutions. The fires of hell are glaciers compared to my hate for America and her government." And by googling around, I found a Todd quote wherein he describes both "Alaskan families" and "American families" as though the two are not one and the same. Interesting. The guy was a member of this organization and SFailin' herself praised them at one of their little conventions. Of course, if you go to their Web site, they're falling all over themselves to make clear that Sarah was never a member, and Todd never participated! Whatever. Michelle Obama got fried by the wingnuts for her "unamerican" comments a while back, but this wacko's in an organization that wants Alaska to secede and hates the US government, and no one in the MSM says a damned word? How typical.

Fourth, I finally gave in and joined the Facebook thing. It's a weird thing. A lot of my friends say they're addicted to it, but I don't see what the big deal is. It's kinda fun to update your status or whatever, but all in all, it's kinda complicated for this old lady. Still... friend me, dammit!

Finally, if you haven't heard the Watson Twins, you're missing out on some quality music. Vikkitikkitavi at Bells On knows them and recommended, and I have to pass on that thumbs-up and add a "and they're hot!" on the end of it. Check 'em out. They're touring with Billy Bragg, and they'll be in State College on the 17th. I'm hoping to get tickets and go!

Did you hear that crashing sound?

That huge noise you just heard from the D.C. area was the sound of a "government of, by, and for the people" collapsing and crashing down into dust. It's officially over, pals. The corporatocracy is now firmly and permanently in power. Don't believe me? Ponder this: When Wall Street can basically get their inside man HankyPanky Paulson to go to D.C., demand a trillion dollars in strings-free cash, and get it--when that happens, folks, it's all over.

No matter who is elected president (or who steals the election), it likely won't make a damned bit of difference. McCain said himself he'd cut all spending except defense spending. Social programs? We don't need no stinkin' social programs. Education? What the fuck is that? Alternative energy? "Drill, baby, drill! My Veep tells me she's got billions of barrels in oil under her home state. And war, baby, war! Our guys will be in the Middle East for a hundred fucking years! We're set!"

Obama, in contrast, would at least pretend to care, kinda like Bill Clinton did. He'd feel really bad as he told the American people that there was just no money for that education reform, or that infrastructure rebuilding, or that whole alternative energy/jobs thing he promised. Hell, he's probably gonna have to pawn a few hundred fighter jets to the Saudis just to get enough money to bring the troops home from Iraq. And won't they be productive and happy citizens when they come home from their multiple tours in the ninth circle of hell? Hellz, yeah. No problem there.

I'm sure glad it's Friday. I need a couple of news-free days to pick my soul back up off the ground.

By the way, Paulson just called. He needs you to sign that personal check for $2,200 and mail it to him, so he can deposit it in those Wall Street bastards' bank accounts in the Caymans.

if you haven't read...

this, you're missing quite possibly the best piece of writing I've ever read that deals with our sagging empire. Go read it, man.

The things I do for this blog...

Somehow I made it all the way through the Biden/Palin debate, despite my absolute disgust at Moose Alaska's Folksy-Fest 2008.

This time around, I present the debate done, as they say, "by the numbers!"

Palin's little ditties:
-gigantic Avon flag pin: 1 (no idea what that little bar above it was--anyone?)
-"darn right!": 2
-"kind-of": 3
-"heckuva": 3
-"hungry markets": 2
-"nukular": lost count after eleventy-gajillion
-"you guys": 3
-"maverick": got hysterical deafness somewhere around 15 million
-"doggone it": 1 (good lord)
-"And God bless her, her reward is in heaven!": are you fucking kidding me?
-times Palin answered the questions Ifill asked her instead of reciting her canned answers: 1 (NO GAY MARRIAGE!)
-times Palin counted herself and her stupid "diverse" family of hicks among the "middle class": lost count after 2,309
-"-g" endings of words actually enunciated: 2
-eye winks, for pete's sake!: THREE! (thank you, Sorghum Crow) Does she have a tic or something?
-Reagan quotes/references: 2 (*puke*)
-"shout out"s: 1 -- our national IQ just went down 20 points
-Freudian slips: ONE SWEET ONE! McCain's "the man that we need to leave... LEAD America!"

Now Biden had his countables too:
-"fundamental"/"fundamentally": 40 kabillion (h/t to my gal Niki for picking up that one)
-"same sex marriage": 1!!!! but it was obviously a slip-up, because then he said he didn't agree with it. Asshole.
-gaffes/rambling: ZERO! He was crisp and concise, making clear points and answering all questions! He rocked! I thought he came across as much warmer and more engaging than Obama did in his debate. Nice work!

Is there something in your eye, Freakshow?

and now, DID YOU KNOW?
...that we have "Maliki and Talibani working with us" in the wars? (Palin)
...that drilling for oil can be "safe" and only leaves "tiny footprints"? (who else?)
...that Condi Rice went to Israel and "met with one side or the other" (guess it doesn't matter which) to successfully "forge the peace"?
...that "John McCain knows how to win a war" and "He'll know how to win a war"? um, what war has he ever won?
...that Palin is "thankful that the Constitution gives more power to a vice president"--WTF!? Biden kicked ass on this one, calling Cheney "the most dangerous vice president in history" and calling Cheney's assertion that the VP is also in the legislative branch "a bizarre notion." Right on!

Overall, Palin performed as I figured she would, using canned crap to fill airtime and never really answering any questions. Her appeals to "Joe Sixpack" made me want to throw up only five minutes into the event, but I recovered once Biden began his commanding performance. When he got choked up talking about his son's death--wow. I didn't expect that. Very humanizing. Biden kicked ass, and Palin didn't embarrass herself. I'm sure their side is calling it a win for her. Idiots.

Previews of coming attractions

I'm so pumped for the debate tonight! I'm pretty sure it's not going to be the laugh/groan fest that the Couric interviews were, because I think they'll have programmed enough attack lines into Palin that she'll be able to criticize Obama/Biden no matter what the question. She won't answer anything; she'll just attack with memorized lines.

Still, some people have some great question ideas and predictions for how it will all go down:

Pissed-off Patricia has a martini and great question about Blackwater waiting for you.

Even Princess Sparkle Pony wonders what McPalin would say when queried about choice.

The Rude Pundit, whose fantasy answers to fantasy debate questions pretty much make me laugh until I throw up, focuses his attention on the smart side of the stage.

So what do you think will happen tonight? Attack-dog generic lines? Blank stares? "Welp, Gwen..."-fest? I wonder how many times she'll say "y'know." Or "in what sense?"

NEWSFLASH!
Fran just emailed this link to an NPR poll that asks whether you think Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP, adding that apparently the repugs found out about it and are flooding the poll with "yes" votes. When I voted just now, it was tied at 49% with 0% "not sure." As if! Click on this link and stop the madness.

Now updated!

You remember this:

But have you seen this?
Well of course not, because I just finished it. Enjoy!

UPDATED! with SuperConfuse Palin-fu!

And I'm going to work on an entirely new SuperConfuse Palin-fu version.