Archive for October 7, 2009

and actually puts out the McChrystal stuff in full and in context:

As with the leak of McChrystal’s report, observers would do well to exhibit a bit more skepticism and ask a few more questions, chief among them being “Who benefits from these leaks and ugly insinuations?” Clearly it’s not McChrystal: the media are calling for his head on a platter. He’s being treated every bit as badly as David Petraeus was during the Surge, but for the opposite reason: where Petraeus was called a coward and traitor for not speaking truthiness to the American people, McChrystal is being told he has no business speaking truth in public. The real irony here is that neither man did what he was accused of but the Left attacked these men anyway for failing to support their preferred narrative.

Any source who chooses to spread paranoid, unsubstantiated, third hand rumors about what McChrystal or Obama are rumored to have said when transcripts of the General’s speech and Q&A session are easily available should be dismissed out of hand.

The ratings seem to suggest that this is taking place. That would also explain the FCC’s move. Jeff Jarvis is worried:

And there is the greatest myth embedded within the FTC’s rules: that the government can and should sanitize the internet for our protection. The internet is the world and the world is messy and I don’t want anyone – not the government, not a newspaper editor – to clean it up for me, for I fear what will go out in the garbage: namely, my rights.

What I now truly dread is that the FTC is holding hearings about journalism on Dec. 1 and 2. As Star-Ledger editor Jim Willse (full disclosure: he hired me a few times) said in my Guardian podcast last month (full disclosure: I work for the Guardian): the words, “we’re from the government, we’re here to help,” should be met with trepidation.

Hey nothing to worry about, just because these guys admire Chavez it doesn’t mean we will see stuff like this.

…two subjects first Afghanistan:

The 9/11 attacks were planned in Afghanistan, and if we are not successful there, al Qaeda will once again find a safe haven, the Taliban will impose its cruelty on the Afghan people, and Pakistan will be less stable.

Our allies and our adversaries are watching to see if we have the staying power to protect our interests in Afghanistan. I recently joined a group of Americans in urging President Obama to devote the resources necessary in Afghanistan and pledged to support him if he made the right decision. Now is not the time for cold feet, second thoughts, or indecision — it is the time to act as commander-in-chief and approve the troops so clearly needed in Afghanistan.

This is a question of saying bluntly what needs to be said, but she said it on FACEBOOK so of course on Morning Joe they are snarking over it. After all don’t we all know that only a Wuss would be afraid of Al Qaeda.

Then on energy and the dollar:

The British newspaper The Independent reported today that Gulf oil producers were negotiating with Russia, China, Japan and France to replace the dollar in pricing oil with a basket of currencies. According to the Wall Street Journal, Arab oil officials have denied the story, but even the possibility of such a talk weakens the dollar and renews fears about its continued viability as an international reserve currency. In fact, today a United Nations official called for a new global reserve currency to replace the dollar and end our “privilege” to run up huge deficits. We can see the effect of this in the price of gold, which hit a record high today in response to fears about the weakened dollar.

All of this is a result of our out-of-control debt. This is why we need to rein in spending, and this is also why we need energy independence. A weakened dollar means higher commodity prices. This will make it more difficult to pay our bills – including the bill to import oil.

These are basic truths she bottom lines it:

Though the chant of “Drill, baby, drill” was much derided, it expressed the need to confront this issue head-on before it reaches a crisis point.

This is all about saying out-loud what people don’t want to say and the media want to ignore.

Update: Some in Headline comments disagree but I think the wisdom of the facebook strategy is self evident, no media filter and instant access by millions of subscribers who will see what she actually says before the MSM can play with it.

amerian leoMy review of John Brewer’s book The American Leonardo: A Tale of Obsession, Art and Money is available at Amazon.com here.

This is a great telling of the story of one of the great legal controversies in the art world for over 80 years which still isn’t resolved.

In addition any follower of current politics will recognize the clash between the elites of Europe and New York and the people of flyover country.

I don’t know art but I know what I like. I like this book and I think you will too.

Twins 6 Tigers 5 12 innings

Posted: October 7, 2009 by datechguy in baseball
Tags: , ,

Tonight’s 163rd and final game of the regular season of 2009 was one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen, easily the best regular season game I’ve seen and the only game i can think of that compares was game 6 of 1975. This game was good for baseball.

Both starters were strong, both teams made mistakes that could have cost the game but the Twins just outlasted the Tigers. I think a different pitcher should have started the 12th for Detroit other than Rodney.

BTW my nephew noticed on an intentional walk to Mauer that the ball seemed to be pitched too close to him. It was close enough for him to punch for a hit. On the 4th ball that followed if you look at his feet he was ready to swing to punch the ball into left if the pitcher did it again.

If you want a recap just go to baseball musings and read from the bottom up. The twins pen might be shot but boy these guys have heart. Will that be enough today vs the Yankees?

BTW: I like Baseball Crank but if you are going to call your blog that you ought to have blogged about this game or have something to say about it.