Baseball Anyone?

In baseball, the fan has a special privilege and that is to blame the players, the manager, and the umpires for anything that happens on the field whether they deserve blame or not.

Its the fan's right to yell and scream at a slumping batter even though he has a secret shoulder injury, a perceived blown call or fat strike zone, or at the removal of the pitcher too soon or too late. This privilege is part of the purchase price of a ticket to the game.

The same privilege holds true for citizens regarding the game of high cost gasoline. No matter whose fault $2.39 a gallon gasoline (current price for regular in San Diego) is, we have a right to blame the President. And I do, often loudly, as I watch the pump push past $40 bucks and keep going.

It doesn't matter that I own a mini van that gets 22 MPG. It doesn't matter that the President really has no personal control over the cost of gas (although in this case, if he would get his act together in Iraq, it would help). It doesn't matter that California uses "special" gas or that San Diego pays the highest prices in the country (only God knows why). I still have the right, and continue to exercise that right, to blame the President for high gas prices. You have that right too.

So here goes.

"Bush you’re a bum, what the hell is wrong with you? Do you need glasses, Christ, I can see it from up here, we are hurting on gas prices, dude! Don't you have some friends in SA who can lower prices for us, or are you waiting for October. Your an idiot, a blind idiot! You couldn't hit the side of a barn with a tennis racket! You’re a bum, a stinking, bum. Get him out of here!"

More Hummmmmmm

I'm starting a new series, called Hummmmmmmm. It's all about examples of the RNC machine at work.

Here is an article from the Washington Post. Check out Duncan Hunter, Rep from, gulp, San Diego, approach to the scandal v. Warners approach.

"...House Republican leaders have argued for doing as little as possible in response to the scandal, complaining that administration critics are exploiting it for political ends…"

See it here

All I know is Warner better not fly in any small planes.

That Humming Sound

Good example of the RNC giving the boys in Congress a little discipline talk.

Although the fact that Bush made the trip to the hill is indicative of some GOP nervousness.

The story is My Way - News">here.

What's That Sound

Do you hear that loud, smooth, humming sound? It's in the air and across the country.

Sounds like the RNC getting out it's talking points to the machine about Prisoner abuse.

And that hammering sound, that is the RNC calling every GOP member of congress telling them to maintain party discipline, especially those on the intelligence oversight committee.

Hear that clicking sound, that is the RNC emailing it's base, prompting Bush's steadfastness in the face of the DNC and liberal media politicizing the abuse scandal.

And hear that spinning sound, that is the RNC issuing notes to GOP radio hosts and Fox News reporters about the War on Terror and the hunt for Saddam and supporting the troops in Iraq. Stay the course.

Hear that tugging sound, that is the RNC pulling the reins on it's print media outlets and it's special access reporters.

Together, it’s the sound of a high-functioning political machine firing on all cylinders.

The RNC never met a scandal it could not handle.

Seriously, Folks

On a serious note, ever notice how Bush pronounces the word Iraqi?

A rack ee is what he usually says, like he's got his eye on a stacked White House intern.

Drudge is investigating.

Contrition, Not an Option

This Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal evokes an interesting reaction from conservatives, from the Corner, to Rush, to Rumsfield, to Newsmax. Instead of contrition, they express defensiveness. To me, this signals their fear of losing control. They seem incapable of self critique, of saying, "yeah, that is bad, we are sorry, we messed up, we made a mistake."

Same with 911. Bush never apologized, still hasn't. It took Richard Clark three years later to say "I'm sorry. Your government let you down, the victims and the country "

So, instead of Rush Limbaugh saying, "this is bad, we've got to make this right," he continues to bark like the partisan dog he is complaining about the lack of outrage for the burned-up contractors two months ago. Get a clue, man.

This latest Iraqi incident is a gut-punch to the kool-aid drinkers everywhere, and as they try to gasp for air, they spout absurd defenses and look, frankly, pitiful, like your tough, no none-sense uncle whose been told he has cancer but can't process the news emotionally.

It is a clear characteristic of ideologues that they can't admit mistakes. Their reference point is absolutism, biblical absolutism in many cases, and they don't allow any emotional flexibility. They can't get down off their high horse, even for the most for obvious wrongs.

So while they are resolute on the War on Terror (which is appropriate, I think), when prisoners are abused by US Military, they step and fetch, ham-handedly gurgling inappropriate excuses and obfuscations.

Rumsfeild last night was a perfect example. Keenly unable to take responsibility, to say, "I'm in charge, I take responsibility," instead he quibbles at reporters over the use of the word torture.

And they are all doing it, Rush, Bush, Rummy, Hannity, all of them, equivocating in the face of a plain old wrong.

What we need is an Administration (and by extension their apologists) that is more in balance. Resolute on the War on Terror, but contrite and respectful when America screws up, and the wisdom and smarts to know the difference.