I'm not sure the word "Disgraceful" is strong enough.

I haven't been blogging lately. Not burned out, just sad. Tracking this election has become too much like picking on the corner-room kid in high school. Special ed kids have a right to dignity, too.

The Guard docs come out and were so obviously faked. Lockhart denies everything - he says Burkett asked to speak with him; he says they never discussed the docs. Burkett now says CBS suggested the contact; Burkett now says Lockhart tried to talk Burkett into sending the docs to him. They are all such a bunch of pathetic liars. And so bad at it.

And then Kerry takes any and every position possible on Iraq and has the audacity to say he has had just one position. Never changed. Always been clear.

Oh boy. OK, John. How about what you said in 1997?

"We know we can't count on the French. We know we can't count on the Russians," said Mr. Kerry. "We know that Iraq is a danger to the United States, and we reserve the right to take pre-emptive action whenever we feel it's in our national interest."

Do you see my point? 39 more days of listening to a gravely stricken patient tell us "come late fall, you'll see, just wait, come late fall we're gonna rake leaves together, go for walks in the woods. Hey, wanna throw a football around?" Then the patient reaches for his oxygen because just those couple of sentences took so very much energy.

I'll blog more. But for now I am feeling badly for this poor, pathetic patient that could die any day. Boy, there's a new way to get votes: Vote for me, I'm dying.

From lucianne.com:

"AP: Lockhart admits to calling phony memo source Burkett at CBS producer Mary Mapes' behest three days before show aired. Details to come......"

Couldn't find it on AP. Lockhart, fresh from Clinton desert to Kerry campaign. Being called by CBS to contact document source? Coordination between MSM and the Kerry campaign on a hit piece against W? Un-freaking-believeable ... wow. I mean, wow. Really.

Are these people this deeply stupid and biased? Well, yes, but this stupid?!?!? Wow.

Fallout if true without mitigation? Clinton people out of Kerry campaign? Dukakis people stay in control? Kerry says he would have taken Saddam out afterall?

What a cluster {something} on the dem side. This is truly, deeply embarassing.

UPDATE: Here's the story. Here's the closing paragraph. I always assumed these people wee more careful in their dealings. Seems the MSM and the Kerry campaign are rather chummy:

Lockhart said Mapes asked him the weekend before the story broke to call Burkett. "She basically said there's a guy who is being helpful on the story who wants to talk to you," Lockhart said, adding that it was common knowledge that CBS was working on a story raising questions about Bush's Guard service. Mapes told him there were some records "that might move the story forward. She didn't tell me what they said."

I am busy writing of First Amendment issues for my day job. I was so struck by personal feel of this post from thoughtsonline, I just lifted it word-for-word. Enjoy:

The story of Kerry's 1970 visit with the North Vietnamese in Paris WHILE HE WAS STILL IN THE MILITARY might finally be starting to get some traction. While still in the military, Kerry went to Paris and met with representatives of our enemy. Not only was doing so illegal, but it encouraged our enemy to hang tough during negotiations, ensuring that the fighting continued and the deaths of more American soldiers.It's not surprising that so few people are aware of this story. The media would Rather chase down some 35 year old letter written by Bush I to a TANG General than follow up on Kerry's 35 year old actions. Here's a question: which is more relevant to choosing between two candidates, whether one candidate's father may or may not have pulled some strings to get his son a Guard slot, or whether the other candidate himself engaged in illegal activities that directly led to the deaths of US servicemen?Recall how Kerry once asked, "How do you ask someone to be the last to die for a mistake". Well, Senator Kerry, how many US soldiers died because of your meetings? How many soldiers died because you gave the enemy hope? How many more soldiers would still be alive if you hadn't gone to Paris and, in effect, given the North Vietnamese the green light to keep killing our fathers, uncles, brothers, sons and brothers?I'd love an answer, but I'm not holding my breath. What Kerry did while he was in Vietnam was, to be charitable as Bush, was honorable. What Kerry did after he got back was the lowest of the low. Kerry has never apologized for what he did, he has never said that it was wrong. It's amazing that he thinks he deserves to be elected President. It's amazing that 40%+ of the voters seem to agree with him.It's times like this that make me think of Groucho Marx's line about not wanting to...P.S. I've got a relative who's planning on voting for Kerry, claiming that she doesn't care much for Bush. Well, 32 years ago, we were living on a USAF SAC base. Towards the end of the fighting, the B52s (not the band) were tasked with bombing North Vietnam. A number were shot down. Fathers of my friends never came home. I, along with my sisters, for years wore the POW bracelets from one of them. I wonder, had Kerry not gone to Paris...

Pictures missing. I use Photobucket.com to host my pics. It is a free service. They are having some server problems and my album (along with a lot of others) is not available at present.

Never bail on a friend just because they are having trouble ... let's give them some time to resolve it. Text only for a while.

I'm an old poker player. My new pajama-person motto: "You trust your mother, but you cut the cards." Thanks, Dan-o.

Anyone read Outdoor Life? The latest issue has an interview with Kerry talking about the "Communist Chinese Assault Rifle" he owns. This clown comes more into focus everyday. It is ok for him to own such weapons - just not for the rest of us. We must be stoopid or sumtin.

But continuing to talk about Kerry loses its appeal. I just wish the stakes weren't so high. Otherwise, the guy would fade into the sunset just like John Edwards has. Did Edwards take the nomination and is now off building a base for 2008? He certainly isn't stirring up the electorate for Kerry. Why is the press ignoring him?

So on to another topic. Why is the world goading Israel to attack Iran? The latest shot: "Sometime in the next year or two, Israel is going to have to make a decision. Will it accept that Iran has nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them against Israel? Or will it do what it did to Iraq's developing nuclear capability in 1981 and bomb it out of existence?".

This follows on the heels of:

Our State Department visits Israel to discuss the Iran's nuclear program. Note the continuing support of Iran by Russia. Anyone read the last book of the Christian Bible?

Russia's press not just supports Iran, but takes us to task as well. And since the "free" press has been all but shut down in Russia, guess whose opinion is being voiced?

What to read something frightening on this topic? The Swiss recap the situation and with apparent calm and reason tell us, "no worries" - Iran would not go pre-emptive against Israel. Ever look into the eyes of a clinically insane person and see calm, reason, thoughtfulness? Methinks Switzerland (didn't Kerry live there for a while? Before he went to Vietnam?) should take a rest in the Nervous Hospital.

But not to worry, the Swiss are not alone - CBS reports (through AP) that Iran is standing down: "The diplomats, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the Islamic Republic tentatively agreed to re-impose a freeze on making, testing and assembling centrifuges used to enrich uranium." AP? These are the people that reported that the crowd booed and W did nothing to stop them after he announced President Clinton's need for surgery. Of course, the booing never occurred. CBS? Well, L. Brent Bozell just this moment on CBN News said, "the cover-up many times is worse than the crime." Isn't it funny how the Nixon label keeps on being applied to Kerry and the Libs during this election cycle?

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. This guy wants to be our president? Even Jane Fonda has had the sense to apologize for her youthful, misguided activities. What say, John-Boy?



Thanks to KerryHaters.Blogspot.com

Jeff Jacoby reviews Kerry's funny bone.

There is no more delicate way to say it: Kerry's an idiot.

The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth guys have a discussion forum that shares information in real time. Kerry's Bronze Star is discussed in this one. I highlight it because it is both fresh and interesting - new docs coming out. Seems Kerry has quite the imagination. My first question was this: How does someone not leave the immediate area in a 75 yard wide canal yet have knowledge that fire continued for 3 miles (5,000 meters)?

The Real Prize.

The dems are jumping ugly because W is on the cusp of fulfilling something he told his advisers in 1999. In order to make a lasting change, W said in private, a president needs to have two terms and needs to bring his party with him the whole way. Lasting change only occurs if the party makes the trip as well. And the party is also the philosophy. In this case: conservative philosophy.

(By the way, this is where Clinton showed his true colors – remember the triangulation policy? No one wins in the long term but Bubba. And they think misunderestimate is a revealing word.)

Anyway, now in 2004, W is living up to his potential and promises. He is gliding to re-election and the rising water is bringing the Congress along. The last I read, the dems and pundits no longer questioned whether the pubs would hold the Senate, but whether they would reach as high as 57 seats. Yes, that would be reaching the stars – but that is the conversation now, not whether the dems will assume the first position.

But the legislative branch is the Silver Medal. The dems see what is on the horizon – the Gold Medal of this election: the USSC.

Justice John Paul Stevens. 84 years old, a Supreme since 1975. Justice William H. Rehnquist. Will be 80 in October, a Supreme since 1972. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. 74 years old and rumblings of retiring, a Supreme since 1981.

A liberal; a conservative; and a moderate. Change that, under W2, to: a conservative; a conservative; and a conservative.

The resulting court will have a solid five seat conservative majority – and that’s on a bad day.

And then, horrors of horrors, who would be the Chief Justice appointed by W – the person who greatly influences through initial setting the agenda of the Court? Well, one of two people.

First, that conservative of conservatives, the man about town, originally hailing from Queens, New York, by way of Trenton, New Jersey, the Boun-CING Bam-BIN-o, T-T-the one, T-T-the on-lyyyyy, Antonin Scalia!! Sac-li-a!!!!

The other choice? Only the man destined to become the first African-American Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Hailing from Pin Point, Georgia. The second child and first son of M.C. Thomas and Leola Williams. The impeccable, the unforgettable, Mr. M-M-Mr. Clarence Thomas!! Thom-as!!!

And after a discussion with Joe Biden followed by a silent walk together in the woods, a lasting embrace and sad eyes, Terry McAuliffe retreats to his master bathroom, draws a warm tub, and lights a cigar - then he slips into the water and slits his wrists. Never a murmur, never a hesitation, never a protest.

Having led experts through testimony at trial, this guy would have been a dream. I can hear opposing counsel asking for a recess and offering a settlement.

The case for forgery is complete. Rathergate is done. Now for the fallout. Will Dan-O go out ugly?

You know your campaign is in trouble when:

USN&WR writes about you: "Some of my friends are for the bill, and some of my friends are against the bill, and I'm always with my friends." And then gives plenty of examples.

An article in a paper in major city in a major swing state that your party carried in 2000 but is slightly losing in 2004 begins with: "Why is John Kerry running such a bad campaign?" And goes on to blame you, the candidate.

You insult our allies: "When they talk about a coalition--that's the phoniest thing I ever heard," and your wife calls half the electorate "idiots" (see a post below).

You give a pep rally to a high school football team, and they lose 34 to 7.

And who can overlook the chain of custody on those forged documents passing right through your campaign?

You thought August was bad, John, but September seems to be slipping away, too, eh?

Good thing you've got money because something suggests to me that you won't have too many friends when the party gets dragged through the electoral mud in November.

Powerline links to this presentation comparing a modern document to the one CBS offers as 30 years old. The presentation will loop automatically if you miss something.

Now, it is obvious that the document is forged. Next, the document got to CBS directly from the Kerry campaign. That seems to be undisputed.

Whose head will roll? A young staffer a bit too aggressive or Kerry's?

Daly Thoughts has the best electoral college tracking that I have found. Worth a bookmark until November 2 or Kerry concedes, whichever comes first.

The Prowler has a good update on the CBS/Forgery Situation. Note that you are going to a secondary source in the link (not spectator.org); it seems being referenced on Drudge can give a server a bad day.

I am not adding anything new here ... just wanted to mark the link for this outrageous 60 Minutes forged document story.

Where on Earth is even a shred of decency with these people? Do they care nothing for their credibility?

It is refreshing when an informed, competent adult discusses an important issue like stem-cell research.

This Teresa Heinz woman is amazing. There is no room for discussion. You no agree with me, you be an idiot. Actually, she said, "Of course, there are idiots," and "Only an idiot wouldn't like this."

There is something comforting, I suggest, in being told that if I don't see things her way then I am to be classified as a "A foolish or stupid person. A person of profound mental retardation having a mental age below three years and generally being unable to learn connected speech or guard against common dangers." (Thank you American Heritage Dictionary).

Maybe Terry should finish reading the dictionary entry: "The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive."

Besides her offensive manner, let's look into what she is talking about: her boy-toy's Health Care Plan. She gives no details, just condemnations.

So let's go to her boy-toy's site. His health-care plan?

He will cut premiums but provides no details on how this will be accomplished. he does claim that premiums have increased by $2,600 per family under W and that he will get $1,000 of that back. But no further information is given.

He will cover 95% of everyone including every child. How? Who is going to pay for this? Is this socialized medicine? Hillary II? Not a single detail is given.

He will allow Canadian drugs to come back in. Sounds populist.

He will cut paperwork requirements and increase privacy. Platitudes.

Only an idiot couldn't agree with all that. But wait, what am I agreeing with? I have learned nothing about how he is going to achieve these things.

But as Terry reminds me, I am a "common man." I guess I don't need to know the specifics.

John Podhoretz says Kerry is contemptible for reducing the argument against the war to its cost. It is easy to agree. Even accepting Kerry's number of $200B, divide that by 25MM freed people. That's $8,000 per life; per cut off hand; per cut-out tongue; per woman-on-her-wedding-day raped; per child waking, living, and drifting to sleep in fear. Seems like a reasonable price. As an American I am proud to contribute it; as an Iraqi I would be eternally grateful. So what problem does Kerry have? Can't he afford it?

InstaPundit remarks that Kerry has a zero rating for 2003 from the American Legion. I don't have time to research each vote (some bills still in committee) - but here are the bills going into the calculation:

S.1841 Cold War Medal Act
S.1707 Providing Our Support to Troops Act of 2003
S.1584 Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004
S.1386 Gold Content for Medal of Honor
S.1360 A bill to amend section 7105 of title 38, United States Code, to clarify the requirements for notices of disagreement for appellate review of Department of Veterans Affairs activities
S.1297 Protect the Pledge Act of 2003
S.1289 A bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Paul Wellstone
S.1283 A bill to require advance notification of Congress regarding any action proposed to be taken by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the implementation of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes
S.1282 To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish national cemeteries for geographically underserved populations of veterans, and for other purposes
S.1281 Veterans Information and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003
S.1249 TRICARE Retirees Opportunity Act of 2003
S.1213 Filipino Veterans' Benefits Act of 2003
S.1199 Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2003
S.1199 Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2003
S.1188 Veterans' Survivor Benefits Act of 2003
S.1186 Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2003
S.1156 Department of Veterans Affairs Long-Term Care and Personnel Authorities Enhancement Act of 2003
S.1153 Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act
S.1151 Veterans Outreach Protection Act
S.1136 Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
S.1133 Veterans Programs Improvement Act of 2003
S.1132 Veterans' Survivor Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003
S.1131 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003
S.1124 Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2003
S.1112 Veterans' Prescription Drug Reform Act of 2003
S.1092 National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database Act
S.1077 A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in southeastern Pennsylvania
S.1076 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center Act
S.1074 Veterans' Burial Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003
S.1035 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for nonregular service from 60 to 55.
S.792 Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
S.704 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to increase the amount of the death gratuity payable with respect to deceased members of the Armed Forces.
S.687 Protect Military Children Act of 2003
S.585 Military Retiree Survivors Relief Act of 2003
S.548 A bill to improve mental health programs for veterans.
S.517 Francis W. Agnes Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2003
S.445 Reservists Retirement and Retention Act of 2003
S.401 SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 2003
S.398 A bill to provide that members of the Armed Forces performing services at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba, and in the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom shall be entitled to tax benefits in the same manner as if such services were performed in a combat zone, and for other purposes.
S.393 A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax with respect to employees who participate in the military reserve components and to allow a comparable credit for participating reserve component self-employed individuals
S.392 Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003
S.351 Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003
S.330 Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003
S.296 Fairness to All Fallen Vietnam War Service Members Act of 2003
S.289 Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003
S.259 To expand the eligibility for membership in veterans organizations
S.257 Veterans Benefits and Pensions Protection Act of 2003
S.249 Retention of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Surviving Spouses Remarrying After Age 55
S.202 Reserve Component Tax Assistance Act of 2003
S.177 Montgomery GI Bill Revitalization Act of 2003
S.176 Veterans Health Care Reimbursement Act of 2003
S.89 Universal National Service Act of 2003
S.78 Veteran's Health Administration Act of 2003
S.70 A bill to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day, and for other purposes.
S.69 A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II.
S.68 Filipino Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2003
S.60 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize certain disabled former prisoners of war to use Department of Defense commissary and exchange stores.
S.59 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit former members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces are entitled to travel on such aircraft.
S.56 Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act
S.55 Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2003
S.50 Veterans Health Care Funding Guarantee Act of 2003
S.19 Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003Veterans and Military Personnel Fairness Act of 2003

Venezuelan election, remember? Why isn't the matter being argued more broadly? This article is not the first in the past couple of days, but the evidence is gone by now. What a shame.

I can't believe this guy is the dem nominee. Doesn't the party go in and help him run things once he gets the nod?

Kerry's site issued a press release yesterday, "The 2004 GOP Convention: Four Days Filled With Lies, Mischaracterizations, Distortions, And Half-Truths," For Immediate Release.

Incredibly long. It lists 143 separate items. Here are the first three:

"Convention Day 1
Bush is Good for Hispanics.
1. Fortuno: President Bush understands that that is why he believes in empowering Hispanics through improved education, better job opportunities, affordable health care and lower taxes.

2. Fortuno: And that's why President Bush believes in empowering the American citizens of Puerto Rico so that we can fulfill our aspirations regarding our political status.

Bush Funded Homeland Security for NYC After 9/11.

3. Bloomberg: I want to thank President Bush for supporting New York City in changing the Homeland Security Funding formula and for leading the global war on terrorism."

Whoops. Seems to be presented in a way that makes W look good. Also included were several quotes form McCain. In context, of course, the intent was to accuse each of these statements as being "Lies, Mischaracterizations, Distortions, And Half-Truths."

So now McCain is a liar? Wow. Finally picking his team, yes. But a liar?

Someone figured out that the press release was a bad idea, but not before it was captured in full text by the Blogosphere.

Isn't the freedom of the press grand?

It does seem that Kerry has some challenges to overcome in a rather short several-week period.

Methinks the toast is done.

I have said several times in this blog that Kerry may well receive the title he deserves: the malignant root of the discord our generation felt over Vietnam.

In a long article, intended to be the first of several, Q&O discusses Kerry's rudely entitled Operation Dewey Canyon IV. It ends with a quote that I gladly endorse: "As one [Vietnam] vet is quoted as saying, 'defeating John Kerry would be the parade we never got.'"

Amen.

Let's hope Q&O's work leads them to the audio tapes of the Paris meetings with the NV that were being hawked by VVAW. I sure would love to hear Kerry speaking on behalf of his generation.

The Herald-Star of Stuebenville, Ohio, covered a Kerry rally there - well, it was a rally and Kerry was present. This guy had better start vetting his places better. A 6:1 dem locale, and the unions don't like him, the Catholic University students protest him ... just amazing.

The article covers a part of it. This e-mail covers the rest. Kerry is tanking ...

Story came to me from Kerry Haters and Instapundit before them.

From Kerry Haters comes a link to a new 527 - Move On For America.

Much had been made of the overwhelming amount of money being spent by the dem-leaning 527's. I recall the numbers being 6 or 7 (dem) to 1 (pub) Here's the top 50 committees; also other data on the left side. I guess us conservatives just spend it more wisely.

Go to the MOFA site to view two upcoming commercials.

He's no Harry Truman. The buck? It stops, um, over there! There! See it?!? It's the campaign not me!! I didn't want to say the "Benedict Arnold CEO" line anymore this past summer, but they kept on putting it in the speech. And now? Well, I wanted to attack the Swift Boat Vets, but my campaign wouldn't let me.

You just wait until I'm president. Then I'll do what I want to do. Then nobody will tell me not to. Well, except for Ted Kennedy, of course. And, um, well, sure, Joe Biden. He's a smart guy. I'll listen to him. Bill Clinton? Sure!! Wouldn't you? Then, my secretary, of course. You have to respect the little people. And she knows a lot about a lot of things. Teresa? You must be kidding - I'll put on the bunny suit and jump through the flaming hoop for her. And ...

Too clever by half. Kerry is just as naive as Clinton when it comes to nuclear technology.

Clinton gives North Korea a nuclear power plant as long as they promise not to use it for weapons - guess what? They promised and broke it. "So sue us," they say. Now we have missiles pointed at us. Not that I'm worried. North Korea can't grow rice let alone fly anything.

Now Kerry is proposing the same "deal" to Iran!!!!!

When is wrong with these people?

Kerry says - well, um, it's a great bargain for them, and if, um, they don't take, then we know they are up to no good.

This is like listening in on a bunch of third graders planning to take the snow fort of another group of third graders.

How do people like this get into the U.S. Senate anyway? Is it like a certain number of boxtops from Cocoa Puffs?

Recall "Is this the next big story" a couple of posts below? Well, fancy this article on Kerry's meetings in Paris.

I wonder if it will go further ...

I remember thinking as a child about a planet on the exact opposite side of the Sun from us. It must have been a story in a book or on television. Everything was different for them. We zigged and they zagged. The Sun went from west to east. One thing was a constant reminder of their difference – they had two moons. Everything worked well for us and for them as long as we didn’t come in contact. It was some matter and anti-matter thing without the explosion ... except if you found your personal opposite. Then {boom!}. I wondered for hours what my opposite was doing and how funny it would be to see me, only right-handed.

In my thoughts, in the story, our spaceship launched out of our atmosphere then waited for the other planet to come over. (I was 8 with 3+ years of public education behind me.) A couple of our astronauts landed on the opposite planet and walked into town. There were lights and buildings, but the cars drove on the other side of the street, door labels that read “push” were actually “pulls.” The other people did speak English, so that was good. Our heroes fit in but had obvious difficulties remembering to do things in the opposite way. As the story evolved, these visitors learned to mimic the behavior of their hosts, but never completely. Tell-tale signs were there for the close observer. In the end, the visitors were found out – I think it had to do with how they lit and held a cigarette. It was in a club with hundreds of observers. The visitors were taken to the city limits and forbidden to return. After several days of wandering, our heroes hooked up with other visitors from Earth and joined the commune. Then the credits rolled, either in the movie or in my head – I can’t recall which.

You see, the strangers to the new society could only mimic. They could speak and move like us, but they could never become one of us. They want something we have maybe, they seek to profit from us, but they are never here to contribute to the greater good. They can try to convince us that they are just like us. But they are evil and must be found and expelled. Our existence relies upon it.

With this very long predicate, I present to you Prosecution’s Exhibit 1, a photograph that is a faithful representation of the objects and persons depicted. Here, the suspected outsider is shown attempting to mimic local at a tavern. Note the fatal flaw in his movements: when picking your nose in plain view, the pinky is always used; the index finger is reserved for private picks.

The next big story? I have read several stories that add up to an interesting mosaic. First, while the United States and North Vietnam were negotiating peace in Paris, Kerry traveled there and met privately with the North Vietnamese. No one argues this. The next step is whether Kerry was discharged from the military at the time of the discussions. An apparent discrepancy exists between documents provided by Kerry and Navy records. Maybe Kerry wasn't discharged at the time. The difference is acting as a private citizen or a member of the armed services: questionable act v. court martial. Interesting enough, but that's not where the story ends. The next issue becomes what was discussed at those closed meetings. It seems that thereafter the two groups, the North Vietnamese and Kerry's group, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, starting taking the same public stands, using the same words. Was Kerry that deep in bed with the enemy? The final layer, and this is the potentially next big story, is that the VVAW thought the meetings were so important that they audiotaped them and sold copies.

When will a tape or transcript float into the blogosphere's consciousness?

I don't understand why a news organization would lie. It is simply beyond me. A blog called "Swimming through the spin" has just an amazing tale about the AP. Funny, I saw the original story earlier today.

Here's the first report:

WEST ALLIS, Wis. - President Bush (news - web sites) on Friday wished Bill Clinton (news - web sites) "best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery."

"He's is in our thoughts and prayers," Bush said at a campaign rally.

Bush's audience of thousands in West Allis, Wis., booed. Bush did nothing to stop them.

Bush offered his wishes while campaigning one day after accepting the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in New York. Clinton was hospitalized in New York after complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.

Bush recently praised Clinton when the former president went to the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait. He lauded Clinton for his knowledge, compassion and "the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president." (Emphasis added)

The crowd booed; W did nothing to stop it. Not only are pubs mean, their leader is a jerk.

A little while later the story is revised. Here is the raw feed:

BC-Bush-Clinton, 1st Ld-Writethru,150 Bush offers best wishes for Clinton's recovery

Eds: SUBS lead to include reference to surgery. DELETES 3rd graf previous, Bush's audience, because of uncertainty about crowd reaction.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (AP) - President Bush on Friday offered former President Bill Clinton, who faces heart bypass surgery, "best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery."

"He's is in our thoughts and prayers," Bush said at a campaign rally.
Bush offered his wishes while campaigning one day after accepting the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in New York. Clinton was hospitalized in New York after complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.

Bush recently praised Clinton when the former president went to the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait. He lauded Clinton for his knowledge, compassion and "the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president."

Crowd reaction uncertain. OK, go to the link above, scroll down to "UPDATE#4" and listen for yourself. Sounds very clear to me. The pubs in attendance were supportive. W did nothing to stop them.

Finally, AP corrects the story again:

WEST ALLIS, Wis. - President Bush on Friday offered former President Bill Clinton, who faces heart bypass surgery, "best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery."

"He is in our thoughts and prayers," Bush said at a campaign rally in Wisconsin.

The crowd reacted with applause and with some "ooohs," apparently surprised by the news that Clinton was ill.

Later, aboard Air Force One, Bush called Clinton to express his concern for his heart problems, according to presidential spokesman Scott McClellan.

The president told Clinton that he and the first lady were praying for him and wished him a "speedy recovery," McClellan said.

Bush offered his wishes while campaigning one day after accepting the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in New York. Clinton was hospitalized in New York after complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.

Bush recently praised Clinton when the former president went to the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait. He lauded Clinton for his knowledge, compassion and "the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president."

The AP is nothing short of a biased pig, abusing the trust placed in the press. How unfortunate that their lack of professionalism is so obvious. And they wonder why we look elsewhere for news?

Krauthammer makes A Case for Bush. Important for two reasons - it was published before the Convention and in Time Magazine. Think the libs will get it? Probably not - too direct, not nuanced enough, no depth of field.

At the bottom of this piece is the most amazing statement: "Former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland, who joined Mr. Kerrey in demanding Mr. Rove's resignation on behalf of the campaign, said the veterans attacking Mr. Kerry's war record have contributed to a spike in suicides, which, he says, has occurred among veterans." The paragraph was brought to my attention by Thoughts On-Line. As TOL points out, it is simply not possible to have the source data on suicides so quickly and, further, to correlate that data to th Swift Boat ads. It is just a pathetic statement on Cleland's part. I deal with unsubstantiated statements all the time: in my children, I guide and instruct; in my students, I depth-charge, then guide and instruct. As you get older, you are supposed to be more accountable. Too bad Max needs instruction.

The Silver Star with Combat "V" story may be a sleeper that could awake a monster. Is this yet another reason why Kerry won't sign the SF180 to release his full military records? While he's at it, he can fully release his medical records. Why all the secrecy?

Cogent argument for re-election; sophormoric accusations against the Swift Boat guys; refusal to disclose facts. Oh yeah, and McAuliffe said that the campaign shake-up is just "normal retooling for the final phase."

Kerry is in trouble.

I was going to ignore this picture but it keeps on cropping up. This putz just ain't one of us. GQ has the audacity to run an article entitled something about having a beer with Kerry. Shorts, a blazer, and an oxford? C'mon. When these people get hit by cars, we don't call 911 - we point and laugh.

I just got this e from the Kerry campaign. How classless.

Dear [Me],

Tonight, immediately after one of the nastiest, most divisive conventions in history comes to a close, John Kerry will take the stage at a rally in Springfield, OH and lay out his plan for the future to strengthen this country and reverse the last four years. I want to give you -- our online supporters -- a preview of what John Kerry will say.

Thank you,

Mary Beth Cahill
Campaign Manager

Excerpts of John Kerry's Upcoming Remarks

The election comes down to this. If you believe this country is heading in the right direction, you should support George Bush. But if you believe America needs to move in a new direction, join with us. John and I offer a better plan that will make us stronger at home and more respected in the world. And we need your help to do that.

For three days in New York, instead of talking about jobs and the economy, we heard anger and insults from the Republicans. And I'll tell you why. It's because they can't talk about the real issues facing Americans. They can't talk about their record because it's a record of failure.

We all saw the anger and distortion of the Republican Convention. For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and my fitness to serve as commander in chief. Well, here's my answer. I'm not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq.

The vice president even called me unfit for office last night. I guess I'll leave it up to the voters whether five deferments makes someone more qualified to defend this nation than two tours of duty.

Let me tell you what I think makes someone unfit for duty. Misleading our nation into war in Iraq makes you unfit to lead this nation. Doing nothing while this nation loses millions of jobs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting 45 million Americans go without health care makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting the Saudi royal family control our energy costs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Handing out billions of government contracts to Halliburton while you're still on their payroll makes you unfit. That's the record of George Bush and Dick Cheney. And it's not going to change. I believe it's time to move America in a new direction; I believe it's time to set a new course for America.

And we have a specific plan to do just that. So tomorrow morning, John and Elizabeth and Teresa and I are hitting the road across America's heartland. From here, we'll go out and talk with Americans in towns across Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. And because a stronger America begins at home, we'll talk about our plan to create jobs, cut taxes for the middle class, lower health care costs, and make America safer and more secure.

Source

Not blogging. The semester has begun, lots of young faces looking at me with blank stares, and am quite busy finding my footing. Will get back in the swing soon.

Zell Miller. Wow. My dad died some time ago. This guy will do. What a speech. National Review Online has a good roundup.

And what a great line:

NRO: Why aren't there more Zell Millers in the Democratic party?

JOHN J. MILLER: The Democratic tent has shrunk to the size of a dunce cap.