Tony Sachs on why it is smart to be dumb
September 11, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Seriously/Real Stuff, Uh-oh | Leave a Comment
Tony Sachs has a great post on Huffington Post
The issue is deeper than Sarah Palin’s lack of knowledge about the Bush Doctrine, which Sachs makes cleverly clear, but he starts there:
It’s one of the most cringe-worthy moments in recent American political history:
“Do you believe in the Bush Doctrine?”
The awkward pause, then the smug, patronizing comeback.
“In what respect, Charlie?”
Charlie Gibson, taken aback, perhaps realizing that this is The Moment for which he’ll be known for the rest of his career.
“The Bush — w-w-well, what do you interpret it to be?”
And then the painful, filibustering non-answer that I can hardly bear to watch without feeling embarrassed for Sarah Palin, John McCain, and this great nation of ours.
I’m not saying that every American besides Governor Palin knows what the Bush Doctrine is. Hell, I wasn’t sure I knew what it was until Charlie Gibson confirmed it for me. But then again, I’m not a Republican governor who’s running for national office.
Now, if Joe Biden had said this on national TV, the election would be over. Obama would either be calling Hillary Clinton and begging her to take over the #2 slot or he’d be busy getting to work on his concession speech. More>
There were many other gaffes, but Sachs is right. Being smart is a bad thing in America. Nonetheless, one of my favorites remains playing the Alaska card with respect to foreign policy:
GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?
PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.
GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they’re doing in Georgia?
PALIN: Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.
Women/Americans Against Sarah Palin for Vice President
September 9, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Seriously/Real Stuff | 1 Comment
If there is a thoughtful and concerned American citizen who thinks that Sarah Palin is capable of being a Vice President, or President should the need arise, I have yet to meet him or her. Many people find the nomination of Mrs. Palin amusing, which it would be if it were not so dangerous to us all. The woman flat out lacks the experience, judgment, and integrity for this important job. While Al Qaeda licks its lips and the world continues to laugh at America(imagine her going on foreign relations missions, or imagine her in charge if something happens to McCain), while many Americans respond to her as if an election were another episode of “American Idol,” and John McCain takes a back seat while Palin becomes his Number One in all of their campaign stops, we have serious work to do to make her and the McCain campaign accountable.
Among the groups opposing Sarah Palin’s nomination is Women Against Sarah Palin. You’ll find a petition to John McCain that you can sign on the site. Also of interest is Americans Against Sarah Palin for Vice President.
Why we should boycott Simon & Schuster
August 14, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Credos, Seriously/Real Stuff | 1 Comment
Once upon a time, long ago and far away, when at least a thin thread of ethics ran through reputable American publishing houses, publishers actually cared (and checked) whether the non-fiction books they published were factual. Not any more.
Why should you care? Apart from the rare American who hungers for facts and intelligence, perhaps most people don’t care. But put yourself in the position of the person being libelled. If a book was published with completely undocumented and unverifiable assertions-what we would call “lies” on our planet–about you, what would you do? By the time you sued, the damage would be done.
“Obama Nation,” debunked by reputable sources everywhere as a pack of lies, was published by Simon & Schuster’s Threshold Editions, a division run by Mary Matalin, the former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney and a publishing conduit for the conservative fringe. Matalin is the solitary voice claiming the book to be a good work of scholarship even though real scholars have discredited the “author,” Jerome Corsi.
In short, Simon & Schuster has demonstrated that it is willing to publish libel. Traditionally, publishers check facts before publishing. Think about what would happen if you asked them to publish your fine manuscript asserting that George W. Bush has had a long-running affair with Cindy McCain, Arnold Schwartzenegger, and several dead people, complete with quotes and bogus footnotes (Mr Corsi cites his own works as well as other discredited “sources”). How about a potential money-maker about how John McCain was never even in Vietnam during the war but was instead doing drag shows in Columbus, Ohio? Hmmm. Would that get past the editors? Ms Matalin? So, let’s just cut to the cha$e and boycott Simon & Schuster. Why would we pay money to a publisher when they are known to sell goods that are inauthentic?
Repeat: Boycott Simon & Schuster. If you’d like to tell them why you are boycotting them, fill out a Customer Service form, or write a letter to:
Simon & Schuster, Inc.1230 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10020
If you are interested in a the facts that are subverted in Corsi’s trashy book, check out “Unfit for Publication,” or the Media Matters for America Web site.
—-
Simon & Schuster divisions/imprints include: Atria Books, Beyond Words Publishing, Free Press, Howard Books, Kaplan, Pocket Books, Scribner, Strebor, The Touchstone and Fireside Group, Threshold Editions, Washington Square Press, and these young adults/children’s imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Fireside Books, Little Simon, Little Simon Inspirations, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (including Paula Wiseman Books and Ruckus), Simon & Schuster Libros Para Niños, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, Simon Spotlight, Simon Spotlight Entertainment. Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS.