Philosophy
Gimmick. John McCain, after saying the fundamentals of our economy are strong, after saying we have time for a commission, after saying it was just about greedy CEOs, suddenly calls for a suspension of the Presidential campaign because of the economic crisis cannot afford even another moment.
With poll numbers plummeting, with more and more coming to light about McCain's campaign manager's firm being paid millions of dollars for access to McCain specifically for the deregulation of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, with the press not falling for the fake Palin UN photo op, with Palin's not so hot interview with Katie Couric (Couric rating only slightly more difficult an interview than Larry King and Barney the Purple Dinosaur), McCain now calls for the campaigns to be suspended. It brought to mind one line: Alright, we'll call it a draw.
Obama's repsonse: "Presidents are going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time. It?s not necessary for us to think that we can do only one thing, and suspend everything else." In other words, "What are you going to do, bleed on me?"
The Palin pick was supposed to be a game changer. Down by seven points just after half time, it was a risky long pass. But while it got them inside the 20, the polls show that they had to settle for a field goal and still find themselves down by four, really not any better off than they were before. In fact, (to labor this metaphor) the kickoff after the field goal was run back deep into his territory and a touchdown for Obama in the debates on Friday or the VP debates (Biden, the veteran receiver trying to be covered by, Palin, the rookie defensive back) would pretty much put the game out of reach. Indeed, Obama could run the clock out. McCain is now pulling every trick play out he can find in his playbook. Gimmick, pure and simple.
- How Do They Get Away With It?
As someone who teaches critical thinking for a living, I am more than aware that fallacious reasoning is often psychologically very powerful. Despite what certain Enlightenment thinkers might say, we are not wired for reason. We often find bad arguments...
- Whose Speech Act Is This?
The notion of an utterance seems simple enough. I have a thought I want to express. I select words and a tone in which to express it. I say those words in that way. But what if the words aren't yours, but you still say them? Quoting someone else still...
- Pity Party: Whom Do You Feel Sorry For?
Been a while since we've had a pity party, so let's open it up. This week, I feel sorry for Joe Lieberman. Apparently, John "Maverick" McCain really wanted to pick Holy Joe as his VP choice, but Karl Rove, the Bushes, and party insiders said...
- Hillary Clinton Is To Sarah Palin As Thurgood Marshall Is To Clarence Thomas
Guest-post from YKW today: Only one thing in common, and both times a very cynical, politically fashioned, lump of turds designed to make the Republican appear to be interested in the issues, only to find the single least qualified person for the job...
- Send More Chuck Berry: Music And Politics
This is far too rich not to comment upon. John McCain had been using Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Good as a campaign song. But now that Berry has come out as a strong Obama proponent, he's switched to...wait for it..."Take a Chance on Me" by ABBA....
Philosophy
Alright, We'll Call It a Draw
Gimmick. John McCain, after saying the fundamentals of our economy are strong, after saying we have time for a commission, after saying it was just about greedy CEOs, suddenly calls for a suspension of the Presidential campaign because of the economic crisis cannot afford even another moment.
With poll numbers plummeting, with more and more coming to light about McCain's campaign manager's firm being paid millions of dollars for access to McCain specifically for the deregulation of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, with the press not falling for the fake Palin UN photo op, with Palin's not so hot interview with Katie Couric (Couric rating only slightly more difficult an interview than Larry King and Barney the Purple Dinosaur), McCain now calls for the campaigns to be suspended. It brought to mind one line: Alright, we'll call it a draw.
Obama's repsonse: "Presidents are going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time. It?s not necessary for us to think that we can do only one thing, and suspend everything else." In other words, "What are you going to do, bleed on me?"
The Palin pick was supposed to be a game changer. Down by seven points just after half time, it was a risky long pass. But while it got them inside the 20, the polls show that they had to settle for a field goal and still find themselves down by four, really not any better off than they were before. In fact, (to labor this metaphor) the kickoff after the field goal was run back deep into his territory and a touchdown for Obama in the debates on Friday or the VP debates (Biden, the veteran receiver trying to be covered by, Palin, the rookie defensive back) would pretty much put the game out of reach. Indeed, Obama could run the clock out. McCain is now pulling every trick play out he can find in his playbook. Gimmick, pure and simple.
- How Do They Get Away With It?
As someone who teaches critical thinking for a living, I am more than aware that fallacious reasoning is often psychologically very powerful. Despite what certain Enlightenment thinkers might say, we are not wired for reason. We often find bad arguments...
- Whose Speech Act Is This?
The notion of an utterance seems simple enough. I have a thought I want to express. I select words and a tone in which to express it. I say those words in that way. But what if the words aren't yours, but you still say them? Quoting someone else still...
- Pity Party: Whom Do You Feel Sorry For?
Been a while since we've had a pity party, so let's open it up. This week, I feel sorry for Joe Lieberman. Apparently, John "Maverick" McCain really wanted to pick Holy Joe as his VP choice, but Karl Rove, the Bushes, and party insiders said...
- Hillary Clinton Is To Sarah Palin As Thurgood Marshall Is To Clarence Thomas
Guest-post from YKW today: Only one thing in common, and both times a very cynical, politically fashioned, lump of turds designed to make the Republican appear to be interested in the issues, only to find the single least qualified person for the job...
- Send More Chuck Berry: Music And Politics
This is far too rich not to comment upon. John McCain had been using Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Good as a campaign song. But now that Berry has come out as a strong Obama proponent, he's switched to...wait for it..."Take a Chance on Me" by ABBA....