McCain Says: No More War!

Except maybe Iran and Russia.

Could McCain's speech in progress possibly be a more explicit encapsulation of an older (and much, much whiter) generation and a previous mode of thinking and a newer, younger one with a better idea if not grasp of the future?

McCain's said a few sensible things, but it can't be a coincidence that those few things drew the most tepid response from the red meat Republican crowd. He's also contradicted himself numerous times. Is he a fly solo maverick, or a team player? Is President Job and his cronies responsible for the current state of affairs, or is the root of all evil more nebulous and mysterious? What about McCain's blatant bid for the support of the religious right, the true heart and soul of the modern day Republican party? More importantly, what about all the invasive laws and imposed restrictions these loonies would inflict on us all? How can you talk about the shame and pain of torture from personal experience, yet not renounce the current administration's support of similar tactics?

Anyway, I assume now that he's reverted to full-on POW mode, he's wrapping things up on a hyper patriotic note. Why not just call for a renewal of the draft, McCain, if getting shot down helped you find God, country and purpose? Maybe we could all use a little time in a box to see things your way.

On PBS they're noting the size of the balloons dropping. There's a metaphor there.

My Man Biden

There are lots of reasons why Joe Biden is a great pick for VP, but one of the best reasons is that several of his purported weaknesses as an insider or egotist actually work to his and Obama's advantage. If we've learned one thing from the past eight years it's that a rogue VP let off the leash can do a lot of damage. Unlike Cheney, Biden splits the difference between team player and independent, and his presence in the White House would be more productive than destructive. He'll get things done, but on Obama's terms.

It is intriguing, however, that one of the main legacies of President Job will likely be that the VP slot will finally mean something concrete, that now and in the future the VP pick will mean adding another active power player to the ticket rather than just a bland meet-and-greet cuckold who bakes cookies or pretends to care when a busy president doesn't have the time to hang out at elementary schools reading books to kids.

In fact, Biden is every bit the "maverick" that people still stubbornly, stupidly claim McCain to be, except his idea of compromise doesn't compromise his own ideals for personal gain. And more importantly, unlike McCain, I bet Biden knows how many homes he owns.

The Beginning of the End

The democratic primary race has been such a distraction that the holes in McCain's prematurely sinking ship haven't gotten much coverage. But with Obama more or less running for real how, attention has turned to the Arizona septuagenarian's dubious track record of contradictions: