Another Reason Why Words Matter

On the way in to work this morning I heard Carl Kassell on Morning Edition preface a story about the leaked Red Cross report with the following: "A leaked Red Cross report declares that Al Quaida captives were tortured." Emphasis added.

Here's the problem (if it's not obvious). With a simple sentence, Carl asserts that all detainees are members of Al Quaida. That's demonstrably false. Carl's (or NPR's) spin goes by quickly, but it makes an impression. At best it's lazy. At worst it's something that would make George Orwell shake his head...

Chuck Norris, Texas Damage Case

Over at Crooks and Liars they have the tale of cryin' Glenn Beck and republican thought leader Chuck Norris. Turns out they go on the airwaves to fantasize about armed revolution (seeing as how they lost the election and all) or leading a new Texas successionist "movement."

Quoth Chuck:

On Glenn Beck's radio show last week, I quipped in response to our wayward federal government, "I may run for president of Texas."

That need may be a reality sooner than we think. If not me, someone someday may again be running for president of the Lone Star state, if the state of the union continues to turn into the enemy of the state.

From the East Coast to the "Left Coast," America seems to be moving further and further from its founders' vision and government. ...

I wonder what made Chuck soooooo stupid?

Texas Superstars

The Sir Douglas Quintet with San Antonio's own Doug Sahm and Augie Myers singing about a good ol' Texas town...

Executive Power

The one area that really troubles me about the Obama administration. As usual, Greenwald covers it pretty well (and he stays on point for the whole post ;->).

Go Al!

I get letters. Today, I got an urgent fundraising plea from Michael "Rush is my daddy" Steele, alleged chairman of the Republican National Committee. Seems he is a little concerned about the Minnesota recount.

we’ve got some unfinished business to attend to. Specifically, we’ve got to stop liberal Democrat comedian Al Franken from stealing Norm Coleman’s U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota.

As you may know, Norm Coleman won re-election on November 4th by 215 votes. But a subsequent recount -- tainted with inconsistencies and improperly counted ballots -- awarded a temporary 225-vote margin to Franken.

Oh NOES!! Improper recount - better go to court!

As I write to you, Franken and his allies are working feverishly to persuade a panel of judges in Minnesota that certain un-counted ballots must remain un-counted… and deny the one-person, one-vote principle which is the very foundation of our democratic process.

Translation: Norm Coleman has spent the last five weeks presenting contradicting evidence, hiding witnesses and reversing his own arguments several times, and rested his case yesterday.
So obviously NOW!!! is the time to help him CONTINUE THE FIGHT!!! AGAINST COMMIE HIPPIES!!

Your immediate financial support of the Coleman for Senate Recount Fund will help us stop this tragic injustice, and I urge you to click here now to help.

As the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and candidate for the U.S. Senate, I’m no stranger to the gutter campaign tactics and shady legal maneuverings of the Left Wing. They don’t fight fair, and they’ll stop at nothing to consolidate the power they crave.

This outrageous power grab by Al Franken and Harry Reid must not stand.

I had a check all written, but then realized that it was just Michael Steele asking. If it was really important I would have received an email from the real leader of the Republican party...Rush Limbaugh.

Red...Army...Fail

The header of the "Red State Morning Briefing" today:

Have you signed up to help Barack Obama fail?

Join the RedState Army of Activists and help make sure Obama fails.

Not "expose the weakness in his logic" or "here's the conservative alternative". Just "let's try to drag him down". Pretty much sums up the state of the endangered "American Conservative".

Bush's Boy...

...Rick Perry, holdover from the Bush (Texas version) administration. As much as I like the idea of him blowing his chances for re-election, it pretty sad that he is threatening to screw Texans out of their $300 a week unemployment benefits.

“It just seems unreasonable,” Mr. Kight said, “that when people probably need the help the most, that because of partisan activity, or partisan feelings, against the current new administration, that Perry is willing to sacrifice the lives of so many Texans that have been out of work in the last year.”

He was referring to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who has said he may decline the extra money rather than change state policy.

“I remain opposed to using these funds to expand existing government programs, burdening the state with ongoing expenditures long after the funding has dried up,” Mr. Perry wrote in a letter to Mr. Obama last week.

The President's Weekly Address

Man, he just keeps on working. From the transcript:

"I realize that passing this budget won’t be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry won’t like the idea that they’ll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that’s how we’ll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders won’t like the idea that we’re ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that’s how we’ll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won’t like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that’s how we’ll help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries. I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they’re gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:

"So am I."

Go get 'em.

Here's the video: