• Bush, enjoying his own private I-dunno: “If the kind of success we are now seeing continues, it will be possible to maintain the same level of security with fewer American forces.” [WhiteHouse.gov]
• Actual soldier’s perspective: “Personally, I think it’s a false representation…But what can I say? I’m just doing my job and don’t ask questions.” Then again, maybe not “false” so much as “co-sponsored”: “The U.S. military hands out $2,500 grants to shop owners to open or improve their businesses. The military has fixed windows and doors and even helped rebuild shops that had burned down, soldiers and others said.” [WP]
• The glass isn’t half-empty, it’s dangerously distrac — look, pretty colors!
At one point, the three were trying to discuss the state of Iraqi security forces with Iraq’s national security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, but the large, flat-panel television set facing the official proved to be a distraction. Rubaie was watching children’s cartoons.
When Moran asked him to turn it off, Rubaie protested with a laugh and said, “But this is my favorite television show,” Moran recalled.
Porter confirmed the incident, although he tried to paint the scene in the best light, noting that at least they had electricity. [WP]
• Do we have to be the ones to remind Camp HRC that 50 Cent’s Hillary endorsement comes with baggage? Specifically, “The New Orleans disaster was meant to happen. It was an act of God.” And, a favorite, “(The president) is incredible… A gangsta. I wanna meet George Bush, just shake his hand and tell him how much of me I see in him.” [MJ, MSNBC, Irish Examiner]
• Truly, we are doomed: “I’m not that informed. Really, I just rely on TV and what my wife tells me from reading the paper, and then we talk about it over supper. We’re out trying to make a living, so we rely on the media to tell us about the candidates’ qualifications.” Also, insert Larry Craig joke here: “The Republicans need to get their spunk back.” [NYT]
• Bill Kristol and the sane C-SPAN caller:
• And a unicorn chaser, or the incredible true adventures of the fabulous clown-led Klan rally counter protest:
“White Power!” the Nazi’s shouted, “White Flour?” the clowns yelled back running in circles throwing flour in the air and raising separate letters which spelt “White Flour”.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s angrily shouted once more, “White flowers?” the clowns cheers and threw white flowers in the air and danced about merrily.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s tried once again in a doomed and somewhat funny attempt to clarify their message, “ohhhhhh!” the clowns yelled “Tight Shower!” and held a solar shower in the air and all tried to crowd under to get clean as per the Klan’s directions. [Digby]