Friday 12SEP08

52 days to go..... so anyway, compare and contrast these two statements, both from September 2001: We must also engage, however, in the more difficult task of understanding the sources of such madness. The essence of this tragedy, it seems to me, derives from a fundamental absence of empathy on the part of the attackers: an inability to imagine, or connect with, the humanity and suffering of others. Such a failure of empathy, such numbness to the pain of a child or the desperation of a parent, is not innate; nor, history tells us, is it unique to a particular culture, religion, or ethnicity. It may find expression in a particular brand of violence, and may be channeled by particular demagogues or fanatics. Most often, though, it grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair. –Barack Obama, Hyde Park Herald, Sept. 19, 2001. "This is obviously an act of war that has been committed on the United States" – John McCain, September 12, 2001 So nuanced.... GrassFire.org is running a straw poll on the election issues. Give it a try Real Clear Politics is calling the race a dead heat. Gallup says that "Battle for Congress Suddenly Looks Competitive" Then there's this: "The reality is, governors every day have to make decisions for better or for worse. That's part of the job. It's an executive position. And it's a position that is like what you're going to do when you're president. Legislators, they do different things. They debate and they pass their bills back and forth," he said. Guess who said that. It was Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat. Sweet. I bet a couple of "community organizers" from the south side of Chicago will be visiting the Illinois Governor's Office today with a fresh copy of the playbook. Jeff Goldstein has the transcript of Palin's interview with Charlie "Dcikhead" Gibson. And you people wonder why I don't watch TV..... more soon