Gonzo First Tank: Bud out

Blue-collar voters saw an alarming stat for Barack Obama on Tuesday; he had only one Budweiser during a VFW-hall campaign stop in Indiana recently.

They also found out from a New York Times story that the Illinois senator prefers Black Forest Berry Honest Tea to soft drinks, uses Purell, and he has grown fond of Jay-Z.

From me with strong sarcasm: “Gasp!” From lower-income white voters in places like West Virginia with strong seriousness: “I ain’t voting for that Muslim with the Hussien middle name.”

I saw those reactions during exit-polling there, and the comments give me grave concerns about November. There is strong underlying bigotry in this nation. I just hope it doesn’t show its ugly head.

G

 

Executive Arrogance

Karl Rove, once deemed Bush’s Brain for his influence on the president, will posture behind “executive privilege” if he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on July 10.

In actuality, Rove wants “executive exemption from the law” and is practicing “executive arrogance.”

The committee wants to ask Rove about his role in the firing of nine attorneys at the Department of Justice and the sketchy prosecution of former Democratic Alabama governor Don Siegelman.

It isn’t likely Rove will testify, much less provide candid answers. The fact that Rove was subpoenaed will supply little urgency to talk. His smokescreen is “executive privilege.”

Let’s dissect that conservative catch phrase. Executive = executive branch, which in recent times has included the Department of Justice.

Privilege = a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage or favor attached specifically to a position or an office, according to Webster’s Dictionary.

In my youth, I was taught privileges are given to the deserving based on good behavior or merit, and they could be taken away if that advantage was abused.

Well, the committee believes the DOJ was politicized (abused), so Rove should be compelled to speak the truth, and “executive privilege” should be revoked.

G

 

Compound Your Vocabulary

Do political figures run cults like John Koresch in Waco, Texas?

Associated Press writers conjure that assumption.

In Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor story, the AP said the Massachusetts senator was resting at his “compound.”

And republican presidential candidate John McCain will host veep candidates at his Arizona “compound.”

I guess “ranch” has run its course, and “mansion” sounds elite.

Whatever happened to “home?”

G

Better Than Redux

Late last week, I wrote about the McCain-Obama foreign policy disagreement on whether the U.S. should negotiate with rogue nations and groups like Hezbollah and Iran. (The previous post: http://thegonzothinktank.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/better-than/)

Since, two interesting things have been brought to my attention.

1. My coworker posted a portion of John Kennedy’s inaugural address on Facebook:

“Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course—both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind’s final war.

So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”

2. Time’s Joe Kline reminded me that the U.S. has held secret talks with Sunni insurgents in Iraq, and our European allies have met with Hamas.

Kline calls for talks with Hamas, “There is a need to keep all channels open in that insanely complicated region.”

Kline also had this quote:

“So the Palestinians had another election yesterday, and the results of which remind me about the power of democracy. … Obviously, people were not happy with the status quo. The people are demanding honest government. The people want services. … And so the elections should open the eyes of the Old Guard there in the Palestinian territories. … There’s something healthy about a system that does that.”

… said George W. Bush in 2006. (The W stands for wanton.) The elected party Bush cited was Hamas, now an enemy that U.S. presidential candidates fight over who more vehemently opposes speaking with.

G

 

 

Unquote” Vedder

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder in “Soon Forget:”

“Sorry is the fool who trades his soul for a corvette.
Thinks he’ll get the girl he’ll only get the mechanic.
What’s missing? He’s living a day he’ll soon forget.

That’s one more time around. The sun is going down.
The moon is out but he’s drunk and shouting.
Putting people down. He’s pissing. He’s living a day he’ll soon forget.

Counts his money every morning. The only thing that keeps him horny.
Locked in a giant house that’s alarming.
The townsfolk they all laugh.

Sorry is the fool who trades his love for hi-rise rent.
Seem the more you make equals the loneliness you get.
And it’s fitting. He’s barely living a day he’ll soon forget.

That’s one more time around and there is not a sound.
He’s lying dead clutching Benjamins. Never put the money down.
He’s stiffening. We’re all whistling a man we’ll soon forget.”

Great song. One of Pearl Jam’s finest, in my opinion. As I’ve grown, their later stuff – Binaural, No Code, Yield — are better albums than I originally gave them credit for.

If only Gonzo could provide the sweet sounds of a ukulele …

G