Ok, so it wasn’t said in such direct words, but there’s been a bit of indirect verbal sparring between our current Veep Dick Cheney, and our Veep to be Joe Biden.  Biden recently cut an interview discussing his thoughts on the Vice Presidential role, and the man who will hand the job over to him and… well… let’s just say they were less than flattering-

I think the recommendations, the advice that he has given to President Bush — and maybe advice the president already had decided on before he got it — I’m not making that judgment — has been not healthy for our foreign policy, not healthy for our national security, and it has not been consistent with our Constitution, in my view.

His notion of a unitary executive, meaning that, in time of war, essentially all power, you know, goes to the executive, I think is dead wrong. I think it was mistaken. I think that it caused this administration in adopting that notion to overstep its constitutional bounds, but at a minimum to weaken our standing the world and weaken our security. I stand by that, that judgment.

And he also went on to say that he still thinks we should have gone into Iraq, knowing exactly what we knew and the way we did, as I — I heard the interview. He also stands by the fact that we still should keep Guantanamo Bay open and so on. So — so we have fundamentally different view.

Nothing thus far that would change my fundamental view that Guantanamo should close, number one, that, number two, the way in which we have conducted our policy, in terms of both surveillance as well as the detainees, has hurt our reputation around the world.

And to quote from a previous national security report put out by the — the intelligence community, we have — we have created, not dissuaded, more terrorists as a consequence of this policy.

Well, ol’ Dick was not happy with this criticism, and said in an interview of his own that Biden would wise up after spending some time in his shoes.  Other tidbits include-

“He also said that all the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch are laid out in Article I of the Constitution,” Cheney said in a interview that was conducted on Friday. “Well, they’re not. Article I of the Constitution is the one on the legislative branch.”

“Joe’s been chairman of the Judiciary Committee, a member of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate for 36 years, teaches constitutional law back in Delaware, and can’t keep straight which article of the Constitution provides for the legislature and which provides for the executive. So I think I’d write that off as campaign rhetoric. I don’t take it seriously.”

“If he wants to diminish the office of the vice president, that’s obviously his call,” Cheney shrugged. “President-elect Obama will decide what he wants in a vice president and apparently, from the way they’re talking about it, he does not expect him to have as consequential a role as I have had during my time.”

“The president of the United States now for 50 years is followed at all times, 24 hours a day, by a military aide carrying a football that contains the nuclear codes that he would use and be authorized to use in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States,” Cheney said. “He could launch the kind of devastating attack the world has never seen.

“He doesn’t have to check with anybody. He doesn’t have to call the Congress. He doesn’t have to check with the courts. He has that authority because of the nature of the world we live in.”

Aaaannnnnd… we’ll end on that note, because to me, that last bit encompases everything Cheney’s stay in the White House has been about to him, and I can’t wait until someone a little less… apocalyptic takes his place.

…because we live blog everything else these days.

Obama press conference, Monday December 1st, 2008
10:40 am EST
9:40 am CST
8:40 am MST
7:40 am PST

9:40 – hmmm… still looking at Dana Parino’s face on CNN. Obama must be running late (or perhaps it’s Clinton that’s running late??)

9:43 – Here we go. Obama preambles his announcement of Sect. of State with hot words like “destiny” “terror” “economy”… etc.

9:45 – India proves how uncertain the world is. uh huh.

9:46 – Hillary looking very stately behind Obama right now.

9:47 – Is it just me or does everyone look like they’re dressed for a funeral? Also, VERY somber faces.

9:49 – Sect. Gates will continue in his post. He’ll end the war. yay. I’m still not sure about this choice.

9:50 – Eric the Attorney General. Either my computers CNN feed skipped past this guys details or Obama quickly mumbled through him.

9:50 – Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security. Yeah, nothing new there. More about Hillary, yo!

9:51 – Susan Rice, UN Representative. She doesn’t look to be more than 19 years old!

9:52 – Gen. James Jones, National Security Advisor. “Generations of Jones’ have served…”. Is Obama seriously using that as a valid reason to choose this man? Might as well be Gen. Smith!

9:54 – Obama: “We are not Republicans, we’re Democrats. We’re Americans.” uh…

9:55 – Hillary speaketh. “Thank you, blah blah…” Musing if Hillary would have given Obama an appointment if she had won the Presidency. Probably not.

9:57 – I wanted more Hillary but she’s sorta making me zone out now. Lesson learned: Be careful what you wish for.

9:58 – She’s quoting JFK. Blesses the world. And fin for Hillary.

9:58 – Sect. of Defense Gates speaks to us through his nose. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak before. Does he always sound like he has a cold?

9:59 – Gates’ speech was approximately 25 seconds long. Eric Holder (Attny Gen) will jabber on a little longer, I suspect. He is a lawyer, you know.

10:02 – Janet Napolitano gives her acceptance speech. My natural reaction, “Whow. She scares me a little.” Perhaps that’s exactly the type of woman we need as our National Security leader?

10:03 – Susan Rice gives her acceptance speech (UN representative). She must be 5′ 2″. She BARELY comes over the podium! How cute.

10:05 – Gen. James Jones acceptance speech. Not in uniform. Shouldn’t he be in his Class A’s with all that flashy wallpaper?

10:07 – Here comes VP Biden! He really is like that cool Uncle that sneaks you beer on your 20th birthday.

10:09 – Biden pressing the idea that the Obama team is bipartisan. “We are in an extraordinary time”. Amen Uncle Biden.

10:10 – Here come the press questions to Obama. Liz: About India. Grrr. It has NOTHING to do with the press conference. Thank you dumb question lady.

10:11 – Obama says that he has spoken with India’s Prime Minister Singh. Isn’t that President Bush’s job?

10:13 – Carrie: (Obama likes the ladies, eh?) “How can you make this “team of rivals” work?” At least the question is on target. Obama: “It just will, dammit.”

10:16 – I’m getting really annoyed with Hillary’s CONSTANT head nod!

10:17 – Jake: Another question about how his team will agree with him on foreign policy when they have clearly disagreed in the past.

10:18 – Obama: “During the campaign season, differences get magnified more than what they are. Our core beliefs are the same.”

10:19 – Peter: How can you choose Clinton when you said before she is not qualified in foreign policy?

10:20 – Obama laughs at the press who are “pulling old quotes” from him. The room laughs with him except the questioner, Peter, who can barely be heard saying “It’s a valid question”… or something along those lines. That, it and of itself, is hilarious.

10:22 – John: Tell us the story or time line of how you chose Clinton.

10:23 – Obama doesn’t give any new information about the process of choosing Hillary (or a “juicy story”, as Obama says).

10:24 – Obama talks about Iraq and withdrawing troops. He’s basically going to do whatever Gates says to do.

10:26 – Done and done. It’s all official now. Let the blogosphere explode.

When an email forward actually spreads the truth:

Dear friends, In these times, with extremely serious, complicated crisises confronting us both economically and internationally, we need to have intelligent, educated people as president & vice president:

Educational Background:

Barack Obama:
Columbia University – B.A.
Political Science with a Specialization in
International Relations.
Harvard – Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware – B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law – Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy – Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University – 1 semester
North Idaho College – 2 semesters – general study
University of Idaho – 2 semesters – journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College – 1 semester
University of Idaho – 3 semesters – B.A. in Journalism

I concede, it’s true.  If Palin instead of Biden made the following comments, I think the media would implode on itself:

And for the record, I think Biden is correct in saying that if elected, Obama will be tested within the first six months of his term. (How many times can we compare him to Kennedy anyway?) Biden’s weakness is his honesty.

It’s time now in the campaign for the various contenders to start wearing down their opposition.  Right now the biggest target would have to be Barack Obama, who is widely viewed to be in the lead position in the race for the Presidency.

Obama showed he could stand toe to toe with McCain in a debate in the same week that McCain rushed off hurriedly to the capitol (sort of) to cement the Bailout (didn’t) putting his campaign on hold (not really) then turning it back on to make the debate (theatrics anyone?).

His running mate Biden withheld from tearing Palin into tiny little pieces, but intead let her ramble awkwardly without answering questions, and letting his own responses prove that he had a vast wealth of knowledge on all the topics currently plaguing our country.  Palin was unqualified in every way to be taking part in that debate (or this election in general) and knew it.  Winking and pandering, giving shout outs like a reality TV contestent, the entire performances was in truth… depressing.  The only victory she and her party can count is that she didn’t crumble under the pressure.

So, as the big day draws nearer, and the Reps have realized they can’t really stand up to the Dems on any issues (especially the economy it would seem, though, really everyone seems to be trying to avoid talking much about that) they’ve going back to the old tactics.  Dirt and fear.

Palin playing to a decidedly pro-Palin crowd (Joe Six-Pack in the house son) in Florida, a notoriously painful state for the Dems, went well out of her way to paint Obama as foreign and different from Americans.  Obama is alien, views our country differently, and associates with people who do not have our well being in mind.

Her Quote-

“I am just so fearful that this is not a man who sees America the way you and I see America, as the greatest force for good in the world. I’m afraid this is someone who sees America as ‘imperfect enough’ to work with a former domestic terrorist who had targeted his own country.”

The “domestic terrorist” in question being Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground, a militant-radical group formed in protest of the Vietnam War and other social issues of the time.  Currently his is employed as a Distinguished Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where it was natural that as an activist for education reform he would come across the, at the time, newcomer to the political scene- Barack Obama.  The two worked together (with many others as well, it wasn’t like a dynamic duo kind’ve ordeal) on that topic as well as issues of combatting poverty.  Obama has said numerous times that he opposed the way Ayers fought violently for his held beliefs during his time in the Weather Underground and really has no connection to any of those acts given that he was only 8 years old at the time.

But still comes the question, is Obama patriotic?  Is he “like us”?

I have to say, if he’s not like us, perhaps we should seek to be more like him.  Because Patriotism is NOT blind loyalty and raising your hand to chant “USA USA” at every given opportunity.  Questioning our country is one of our greatest rights as Americans, the greatest gift of living in a free Democracy.  We are permitted, hell, encouraged to speak openly and ask questions of our country and it’s representatives.  But don’t just take my word for it, I now hand it over to people far wiser than I.

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”- Edward R. Murrow

“No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.”- Barbara Ehrenreich

“The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.”- H. L. Mencken

“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”- James Baldwin

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”- Theodore Roosevelt

I personally will more willingly stand by the individual who asks questions and defends my right to ask them, than I will someone who values blind obedience, and I truly hope that the American public knows better than to fall for the easy trap of being swayed by fear and negative campaigning.

Republican VP Candidate Sarah Palin has made much noise about the fact that her son, Track Palin, headed off to war last month.  Not to be outdone, Joe Biden’s son, Beau Biden,  is off to Iraq as well.

Just kidding, well… sort of.  It’s not a game of one-up-manship, but all the same, the timing is quite fortunate for the Democrats.  While both McCain and Palin have been taking shots at the Dems for not voting to provide more funding for the troops (it’s not about funding, it’s about time-tables.  Dems want them, Reps don’t, they each vote accordingly regardless of what else is attached to the vote) and Palin herself has a son who is off to the war that the Reps are standing behind so intensely now is a perfect time for the Dems to appear to have more of a personal stake in things.

So, good timing and best of luck to Beau Biden and his unit, as well as Track Palin and his unit as they both go to war, and serve as symbols for their respective parent’s parties.

It’s Sunday which means one thing to me… football.  I’ll be watching the Chicago Bears (2-2) tango with the Detroit Lions (0-3) at noon CST.  With the Lions coming off a bye week plus home field advantage, the Bears would be fools to underestimate their 0-3 record.

While we’re waiting for kick-off, here’s a link depot to sip with your coffee:

• Sen. Biden was scheduled to address the gay & lesbian community at the annual National HRC dinner yesterday, but canceled.
• Chicago collectively shed a tear for their dear Cubbies.
• The U.S. considers waiving visa requirements for Israelis.
• Now Palin’s sucked into the notion that Obama has ties to terrorists.
• Hillary praises Palin??
• Karma’s a bitch, right OJ?
• A report notes less illegal immigrants entering the United States.  Can you blame them?
• The United States plans to sell $6.5B in advanced weaponry to Taiwan.  In addition to the advanced jets we recently sold to Israel for $15.2B, we’ve only got $828.8B to go before we break even on the economic bailout bill.
• Lastly, check out this video of a tank shot in slow motion.  Wicked!

UPDATE:

• I forgot one very important link. The latest SNL installment of Tina Fey as Sarah Palin: VP Debate edition! (Careful not to spit out your coffee after clicking this one.)

Here we are from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  The debate is moderated by Gwen Ifill.  I’m watching live on CNN international from Tel Aviv, Israel (All time stamps are in my local time).

The Patriot Missive chat room is open closed.

4:00 am: Nice jacket Gwen. Turquoise looks so much brighter at 4am.

4:03 am: Palin gets the “first name” nonsense out of the way right away during the opening handshake, “Can I call you Joe?”

4:06 am: Opening speeches were smooth and concise for both candidates. What a relief.

4:09: Palin is first to speak directly to the other candidate… “I respect your experience…”

4:11: How many times can Palin say “hockey Mom’s” and “Joe six pack” tonight? I see a drinking game in my future.

4:14 Here comes Palin’s resume. She lists tax cuts she’s spearheaded in Alaska. She’s cut off by Gwen.

4:16: If you close your eyes, Biden sounds a little like Bill Clinton.
Read the full story

After the essential non-event that was the first Presidential Debate last week, this week we have the potential Veeps taking the stage. Obama and McCain gave us little to go off of other than what we already knew about them and essentially left the stage in a draw, though as days have gone by and more scrutiny has been placed on the debate many would point to Obama as the winner, much of which could be due to McCain’s obvious disdain for his opponent. Though a continued smolder and tight grimace is arguably better than the explosion of temper that could’ve happened as McCain has displayed in his past. So the Reps have to be happy about that at least.

So now it’ll be Biden (who made an appearance after the debate to lend to the discussion) and Palin (who rarely makes any sort of an appearance except in restaurants where she can occationally be found to make statements that go in direct opposition to her running mate’s positions) taking to the podiums.

What kind’ve strategy (or would it be tactics?) do the Vice Presidential candidates need to employ to win this election? Well, Palin has a few things going for her- no one expects anything good from her, she’ll have a chance to do her “pitbull” attack directly in her opponent’s face which is exactly what her base desires of her, and should Biden go from defense to offense in return he’ll be seen as bullying (you can ask Hillary Clinton all about that… gee, seems sexism can run in favor of the very people who claim it from time to time, can’t it?). So basically Palin needs to keep her answers short and sweet, stick to what she knows, and do her best to be funny and biting with her criticisms. Biden won’t be able to do anything in response to the latter, and as for the answers to questions- she needs to stay away from riffing, because that tends to be when she proves just how little she actually knows (sounds a little like our current Prez doesn’t it?).

Biden on the other hand is not exempt from making verbal slips himself, and will need to do much the same in the short and sweet answer vein. If anything, Biden needs to keep from overexposing himself and overplaying his hand. When asked a question, show that he has a grasp of the topic, express the policy choices that he and Obama are making, and leave it at that. He also needs to keep from adressing Palin too much, especially in the way that McCain was addressing Obama. No comments of inexperience, no comments of being naive, and don’t go on the attack when she’s brutally wrong and floundering. The reporters and commentators and analysts will handle that more than enough when the debate is over. If Biden plays too heavy handed he could come across as a bully, and that’s the last thing the Dems need right now, because it would give Palin a free pass.

If anything Biden needs to attack the man who won’t be there, and that’s McCain. Obama was too reserved to score a KO punch on any of the opportunities he was given.

So what will be the result of this Debate? Well, if Biden comes out ahead, no one will be shocked or surprised, but it’s likely more of the undecided middle will lean towards Obama and Biden as McCain comes across as prickly and arrogant after his last appearance, and it’s likely that Palin’s (I’m sorry, I have no other word for it) cattiness and lack of understanding of questions or answers will prove too frightening a combination. If Palin somehow managed to recover amazingly from past media Q&A sessions and is suddenly eloquent and well informed on all things Executive Branch related it will be a major coup for the Reps and could calm the fears that even many in their own base have about Palin.

Part of me is almost hoping for a complete train wreck in this week’s Debate to prove just how much of a farce this whole thing has become, but at the same time, no one will really benefit from that. Rather, I hope everyone can get their shit together and we can get past the bluff and bluster and the American public can actually learn something about the people who could potentially be a last breath away from being the President themselves.

Watch the debate Live from Washington University in St. Louis on Thursday, October 2nd at 8pm CST.

yar!!!

Here’s a link depot in honor of “International Talk Like a Pirate Day”:

• Russia’s continuing effort to alienate themselves from the west and align themselves with Arab countries was perpetuated by yesterdays announcement of $10 million in aid to the terrorist run Palestinian Authority.
• The all important Jewish vote:  Florida Jews report “push polling” via telephone this week.
• U.S. officials announce that Al-Qaida is unpopular and imploding.  Tell that to the next suicide bomber victim.
• Who would you prefer as President?  Palin or Biden?  A make-believe poll shows the people would prefer Sarah Palin as President.
• Biden is famous for his daily commute from his home in Delaware to work in D.C. for the last 35 years.  Now that he’s a VP candidate, how’s his commute faring?
• Damning Bush Administration books are being published faster than you can say impeachment!  Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey confirms Cheney gave misleading information to win support of Iraq invasion.

Arrrrr, mateys!!!

Now I can clear out my “interesting links” folder and start again with a fresh new week!

Have a good weekend everyone.

UPDATE: 

I couldn’t help myself with this final link to TechCrunch.  Social networking sites makes a few “adjustments” for Talk Like a Pirate Day.