political_talk

George Will on Media Fascination With Sarah Palin

A surprisingly astute quote by George Will from his article dissecting the media's fascination with Sarah Palin, "Sarah Palin and the mutual loathing society". I especially liked the last two lines.

Political nature abhors a vacuum, which is what often exists for a year or two in a party after it loses a presidential election. But today's saturation journalism, mesmerized by presidential politics and ravenous for material, requires a steady stream of political novelties. In that role, Palin is united with the media in a relationship of mutual loathing. This is not her fault. But neither is it her validation.

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Source:  The Washington Post, George Will

LETTERMAN QUOTE: SARAH PALIN'S TOP TEN TIPS FOR WRITING A BOOK

More of Letterman's "Top Ten" on Sarah Palin.

1. "I'll try to find ya some tips and I'll bring 'em to ya!"
2. Have the book translated for sale to European countries like London.
3. Don't let writing cut in to attending "FIRE LETTERMAN" rallies.
4. When in doubt, just type (wink)
5. You can never have enough stories about ice fishing or killing things with your bare hands.
6. Limit yourself to one "you betcha" per chapter.
7. Don't write a word until the check clears.
8. First buy yourself 100--grand of writing outfits
9. Increase vocabulary--use words like "slanket"
10. Close curtains so you don't get distracted by Russia

LETTERMAN QUOTE: Top Ten Questions To Ask Yourself Before Spending $63,000 to Have Dinner With Sarah Palin

Another of Letterman's "Top Ten"; his response to the auction run by Sarah Palin, and won by (pre-arranged, apparently) a fan, Cathy Maples, a defense contractor from Alabama.

1. "Will I be done in time to get to the 'FIRE DAVE RALLY'?
2. "Is there valet parking for my snowmobile?
3. "63 grand! That's nearly half of her weekly wardrobe budget!"
4. "Will she hunt and shoot the main course?"
5. "Should we have dinner in Alaska or Russia?"
6. "Does is have to be at the Denny's where Todd works?"
7. "Should I prepare by reading every magazine and newspaper?"
8. "Is it all the moose you can eat?"
9. "Do my kids really need to go to college?"
10. "Is tip included?"

Sen. John McCain on Torture

On CBS' Face the Nation today, John McCain aimed a pointy stick at former Vice President Dick Cheney, in essence contradicting Cheney's statements regarding the use of torture by the U.S. in combating Islamic extremism.

I think the interrogations were in violation of the Geneva Conventions and the convention against torture that we ratified under President Reagan, I think these interrogations, once publicized, helped al Qaeda recruit. I got that from an al Qaeda operative in a prison camp in Iraq... I think that the ability of us to work with our allies was harmed. And I believe that information, according to the FBI and others, could have been gained through other members.

I believe the president was right when he said we ought to go forward and not back. I worry about the morale and effectiveness of the CIA. I worry about this thing getting out of control and us harming our ability to carry out the struggle we are in with radical Islamic extremism.

Sen. John McCain, Republican, Arizona, 1936-