As we’ve whined in the past, it can be difficult to criticize The President of These United States — not because The President of These United States is above criticism, but because the issues where he merits criticism tend to be complicated, and we don’t want to spend our evenings blockquoting yards of Glenn Greenwald.

It’s not like The Former President of These United States, where you could just point and laugh. Or cry. Or scream. Or fling feces.

Nor is it like the Obama Administration deporting a record number of illegal immigrants (sorry, “undocumented” just doesn’t work for us), which, while certainly worth a good cry/scream/fling, is just too broad for us to deal with.

But every so often we stumble across an easily encapsulated story that represents what nags at us:

Read more »

So 2008, but I like it despite the fact that I am behind the times, big time:

Apparently, Duffy is very big in Europe – am I lame because this is the first I’ve heard of her?  What a voice …

“A federal jury today convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich of one count against him: lying to the FBI. The jury was deadlocked on the other 23 counts against the former governor, and all four counts against his brother.” [Chicago Tribune]

Our late-afternoon guest columnist is Greta Van Susteren. In related news, NORAD has identified the mysterious radar blip as flying pigs.

On August 28th my colleague Glenn Beck is going to lead an event on the mall in Washington, DC. It is the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. The event is causing much controversy …some support and some don’t support and some are even furious and upset. Yes he has a First Amendment right to do it…but what about the wisdom of it? Remember…the Muslims in NYC have a First Amendment right to build a mosque but most Americans don’t want it…and you have to ask the wisdom of the Muslims to push the issue. Just because you have the right to do something does not mean you should. My view? No mosque at ground zero and Glenn should move his event.

It does not help heal the country on so many fronts if we poke a stick in eyes.

Question for a colleague…. [GretaWire, via Media Matters]

Glenn Beck’s plans for rally on a hallowed date and spot spurs countermarches [WaPo]

We have a rule about these things: You only get a mention if your demagoguery is above and beyond other demagoguery, and so moves the demagoguery forward. Granted, Newt already won the Godwin’s Cup for being the first to invoke Hitler, but you also get a mention if your demagoguery is a personal best:

Read more »