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McCain plagiarized Wikipedia

McCain gave a speech about the war between Russia and Georgia (the country) a few days ago, and someone on Wikipedia noticed something strange — a few parts of his speech were taken almost directly from the Wikipedia article about the country of Georgia.

Two things about that:

  1. Material on Wikipedia can be used freely, but according to their license requires attribution. Is McCain guilty of intellectual property theft?
  2. McCain is running on his strength in foreign affairs. Hah!

See CQ Politics for the exact quotes from Wikipedia.

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Obama is not the antichrist

McCain has run an ad mocking Obama as “the One” and using “every single symbol of the antichrist in this ad”. However, Rev. Tim LaHaye, co-author of the series of books that detailed the New Testament idea of The Apocalypse says that comparisons between Obama and the antichrist are incorrect:

The antichrist isn’t going to be an American, so it can’t possibly be Obama. The Bible makes it clear he will be from an obscure place, like Romania.

I’m relieved! Now we can all go back to watching the Olympics.

From (of all places) the Wall Street Journal.

UPDATE: It looks like it is McCain who might be the antichrist. Who knew?

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Bush – I don’t see America having problems

In an interview with President Bush done by Bob Costas on NBC:

COSTAS: This past week, you restated America’s fundamental differences with China. But given China’s growing strength, and America’s own problems, realistically, how much leverage does the U.S. have here?

BUSH: First of all, I don’t see America having problems. I see America as a nation that is a world leader that has got great values.

Video of it over at Think Progress.

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America, take off your underwear!

David Horsey
© David Horsey

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Fox News – We report, We decide, You lose

Watch this hilarious video where Fox News host Gregg Jarrett interviews PBS’s Bonnie Erbe. Erbe keeps trying to talk about a real news story — the war between Russia and Georgia — but Jarrett keeps totally ignoring her and talking about John Edwards and his 2006 affair, as if Erbe doesn’t exist. When Erbe says “We could have been on the verge of nuclear war,” Jarrett responds “Right. You know, but getting back to Edwards.” Even when he lets her talk, Fox shows images of Edwards over the sound of her voice talking about NATO. What a joke.

This should be a nominee for one of the worst moments in journalism.

From Think Progress.

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A wedge into the soul of the nation

McCain and Obama will make their first joint general election campaign appearance on August 16 at a forum at the Saddleback Church in Orange County, CA, where they will be participating in a discussion of “compassion and leadership”.

Why is this ironic?

Because top right-wing evangelical leaders (including Mike Huckabee) are so pissed off about this that they are holding a series of protest events in Washington DC. They don’t like the fact that the presidential candidates will focus on (in their own words) “what the church is for rather than what it is against.”

Heaven forbid that the church be a positive force for freedom or mercy. Instead, they are calling on McCain and Obama to “spend more time talking about issues that matter to evangelical voters”. You know:

  • Abortion – they are against it. One of the leaders claims that their goal is to “drive the issue of abortion like a wedge into the soul of the nation”.
  • Gays – they are against them. They want a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage.
  • Stem-cell research – yup, they are against that too. They want to ban all federal funding for stem-cell research.

Again, in their own words “This is a different kind of Christianity. … We know that Obama will appoint judges that will throw the doors open to the kind of freedom that is not founded in the scriptures.” And to show that they are non-partisan, the same leader declared “I don’t trust John McCain.”

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Comparing the candidates’ energy plans

Energy Plans

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To Drill or Not to Drill

John McCain and Barack Obama once opposed offshore drilling, but that was a simpler time when gas was only $3.69 a gallon.

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Late Night Humor

“I don’t know if you noticed this. Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi turned the lights out on Congress while the Republicans were talking. She killed the microphones and turned the lights off. Yeah, yeah. The Republicans called this outrageous, except, of course, for Senator Larry Craig, who called it romantic.” -Jay Leno

“It’s being reported that Barack Obama may name Indiana Senator Evan Bayh as his vice-presidential running mate tomorrow. Tomorrow, that’s what. Here’s what we know about Evan Bayh. He was going to run for president, then he dropped out after getting less than 2% of the vote. Less that 2%! He was actually losing to low-fat milk.” -Jay Leno

“And Barack Obama now says he is open to offshore oil drilling. So, apparently, when he promised change, he was talking about his mind. I guess that’s what that was.” -Jay Leno

“Well, Barack Obama and John McCain have both switched their positions on offshore oil drilling. They both used to be against it, but now they say they are for it under the right circumstances, like if it helps them get elected.” -Jay Leno

“The tide has finally turned. The polls in the presidential race are tied, in that Barack Obama is winning by slightly less. People are finally seeing this guy for what he is — a slick hope salesman getting by on platitudes, like his timetable for troop withdrawal in Iraq and his 15-point health care plan. It’s all so vague.” -Stephen Colbert

“Obama is pro-inflation. What an elitist. … Now, to highlight what a charade proper air pressure is, the McCain campaign has started handing out Barack Obama ‘energy plan’ tire gauges. You see? It’s a great way to drive home what a ridiculous plan this is. Plus, it’s an easy way to check your tire pressure, and that can save you a lot of money. That’s not just me talking. The government’s own website says that proper tire inflation can save up to 12 cents a gallon immediately. So thank you for the tire gauge, Senator McCain. And good work. You stuck it to all the left-wing nut jobs who advocate proper tire inflation. Radical liberals like your potential vice presidential nominee, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Lieberman, AAA and the pinkos over at NASCAR. I have had my eyes on those guys ever since they had that car sponsored by the ACLU.” -Stephen Colbert

“Well, John McCain’s daughter is now writing a children’s book based on her father’s life. See, the research has been difficult because, as you know, much of McCain’s early life story is only available through folklore. So there’s not much written down.” -Jay Leno

“John McCain does not want Dick Cheney to attend the Republican Convention, because he says he’s too unpopular. Yeah, and when asked to comment, Cheney said, ‘I hope the senator reconsiders.’ Then he turned into a bat and flew away.” -Conan O’Brien

“Hey, you see John McCain was at the country’s biggest motorcycle rally. He was in Sturgis, South Dakota. You know, where all the Harley guys go? McCain showed up in a customized Rascal scooter.” -Jay Leno

“John McCain was at the big annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, up there in North Dakota, South Dakota. Is there a difference? Can’t we just wake it one big Dakota? And John suggested that his wife could compete in the topless beauty pageant at the motorcycle rally. Yeah! You know, what that reminds me of, is the time during the campaign that Bill Clinton suggested that Hillary should compete in a wet pantsuit contest” -David Letterman

“Ladies and gentlemen, here’s here’s some sad news from the world of broadcasting. You know Larry King? You know who Larry King is. He’s getting a divorce. Wife number seven. Yup, wife number seven. Been married seven times. And experts believe if he stays healthy, he could make it to 10. So go get ’em, Larry. Been married seven times, seven weddings, and he apparently now needs elbow surgery from all the cake cutting.” -David Letterman

“Larry King is getting divorced. Yep. And Larry apparently has had seven wives. Seven wives, he’s been married seven times. And I feel bad for Larry, but you know, a lot of people just can’t seem to make a go of divorce. Think about it. Seven weddings, my God, Larry is the cause of the rice shortage!” -David Letterman

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Obama gets Snarky!

Just as McCain is learning how to manipulate the Internet by rewarding followers for carpet bombing political blogs, Obama seems to be getting the hang of using innuendo in press releases. Kinda like those negative ads that fuel racial fears by juxtaposing a black political candidate with a sexy young white woman.

Hot on the heels of revelations that John Edwards had an extra-marital affair, the Obama campaign has sent out an email to the press with the headline “Does John McCain have a woman problem?”

Coming the day after John Edwards admitted an extramarital affair, the headline might be seen as suggesting the same for McCain. Edwards himself said in his confessional interview on ABC Friday evening that McCain had had an affair at the end of his first marriage.

But Obama would never stoop to drawing attention to the fact that McCain cheated on his first wife . The email is “merely” drawing attention to an article in the New Republic on McCain’s opposition to abortion rights (his “woman problem”). 

Snarky!

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Bush’s Justice

Jim Morin
© Jim Morin

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Keep Your Affairs in Order

Former presidential candidate John Edwards today admitted to having an affair in 2006.

From the Chicago Tribune:

John Edwards’ revelations today – that he had an affair while his wife battled cancer – break sharply from the family-man image the former senator has cultivated his entire political career. They also crystallize many detractors’ long-held worries about Edwards’ sincerity and authenticity.

From ABC News:

Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate

From the New York Times:

Ken Doll in Lust

Fair enough. But one of our current presidential candidates cheated repeatedly on his injured wife, and then lied about it. Why isn’t this crystalizing worries about McCain’s sincerity and authenticity?

UPDATE: Some people are claiming that McCain cheating on his first wife isn’t relevant because it happened 27 years ago. Ironically, his service in Viet Nam, which happened 40 years ago, remains extremely relevant.

Of course, there is another big difference between McCain and Edwards. McCain dumped his ailing wife for the younger, richer woman with whom he was cheating.

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Winning the war on terror

Mike Keefe
© Mike Keefe

In an interesting twist, his sentence was a surprisingly light 5.5 years, and since he has already been incarcerated for 5 years, he’s eligible for release in 6 months. Who wants to bet we’ll find some excuse to not release him?

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Late Night Humor

“Oh, you hear about this? Here you go. Paris Hilton’s mother is very upset because John McCain has put Paris in his campaign video. You know about this? He put Paris in his campaign video, and she’s furious. Isn’t that amazing? Of all the videos Paris Hilton has been in, this is the one mom’s upset about? … She said his ad featuring Paris is a complete waste of the country’s time and attention. Just like Paris, basically.” -Jay Leno

“Actually, both Britney Spears and Paris Hilton have now commented on the John McCain political ad. And both of them said, ‘Who’s John McCain?'” -Jay Leno

“President Bush saw the ad today and he said, ‘I had no idea Barack Obama didn’t wear underwear.’ He was stunned when he heard.” -Jay Leno

“Oh, and the McCain campaign has accused Barack Obama of being elitist and using the race card. Yeah, yeah. The Obama campaign accused McCain of being old and using the Discover card.” -Jay Leno

“Congress went on a five-week vacation starting today. And boy, they deserve it. Don’t they? They got so much done this year: solved the energy crisis, health care, Social Security, immigration. Whew! Take a break, fellows.” -Jay Leno

“You ever notice that Congress doesn’t even call it a vacation? You know what they call it? A recess. You ever notice the only people that get recess are Congress, kindergarten and juries? Those are the only three. The three groups you can’t trust to make an adult decision, basically.” -Jay Leno

“Since Congress went on recess, oil prices have dropped to $118 a barrel. That’s, like, a $30 drop from the record high. You know, maybe Congress should take more vacations, huh? You ever notice, whenever these people leave town, things just seem to get better.” -Jay Leno

“Actually, analysts say a weak economy is causing less energy use, resulting in falling oil prices. Yeah. Basically, the worse the economy, the lower the oil prices. Which means if Bush could serve one more term, oil would be free.” -Jay Leno

“Today, President Bush left on a seven-day trip to Asia. He’s gonna visit South Korea, Thailand and China. That’s right, yeah. Or, as Bush refers to them, China, China and China. Not a detail guy” -Conan O’Brien

“President Bush is on a trip to Asia, ladies and gentlemen. He will be spending the entire week in the Orient. Usually Bush is in the disorient.” -David Letterman

“President Bush left for the Olympic Games early, in an effort to beat the traffic, landing in South Korea for a day of trade talks. … It seemed like just another ordinary trip for the president, except, it’s is his 134th visit to a foreign country! It’s a record! He’s now officially — this is true — our most traveled president in history. It’s a little suspicious. Perhaps validating what I have been saying all along: President George W. Bush either has a thirst for international knowledge or is a drug mule.” -Jon Stewart

“But there is no denying the president’s a hard-core man of the road. … Bush, of course, also holds the record for most presidential vacation days, 506 and counting. You know, between that and the travel days, I think it’s clear there is something about being at the White House our president cannot stand. [Stewart imitates Bush:] ‘I can’t help but think that I’m sleeping in the same bed where my mom and dad used to do it.’ That is disturbing on many different levels” -Jon Stewart

“China has announced that during the Olympics, protesters will be allowed to assemble in designated protest areas. Yeah. Or, as they’re commonly called in China, jails.” -Conan O’Brien

“Barack Obama has agreed to debate John McCain three times this fall. Both candidates have conditions. Obama wants the debates to be held on college campuses. McCain wants them to be held before 7:00 p.m.” -Conan O’Brien

“Today, the moderators were announced for the upcoming presidential debates. Good, yeah. Apparently, Barack Obama insisted on someone who asks even-handed, probing questions, while John McCain insisted on someone who will talk into his good ear.” -Conan O’Brien

“The debates are coming up soon. Yesterday, the moderators for the presidential and vice presidential debates were announced. Two of them are from PBS. That’s right. After hearing this, President Bush said, ‘They got Burt and Ernie?'” -Conan O’Brien

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He used to be a Maverick, but the Republicans ‘broke’ him

It must be pretty frustrating when all your attacks start to backfire. How would you like to be one-upped by Paris Hilton? Or forced to admit that maybe keeping your tires properly inflated isn’t such a bad idea after all.

So you’d think the McCain campaign would have thought twice before releasing a campaign ad featuring clips of well-known Democrats praising John McCain as a maverick. Here it is:

It only took a few hours for the DNC to put together an ad called “Maverick No More” containing existing video clips of the same Democrats wondering what happened to the McCain they used to know. This comes at a time when the mainstream media is “starting to wonder whether he’s become just another hack politician“. Enjoy:

New campaign slogan: “He used to be a Maverick, but the Republicans broke him in 2000”

Or as Amy Silverman (an Arizona reporter who has covered McCain for many years) says: “Postmodern McCain is just not as much fun as his predecessor, the straight-ahead, shit-talking bad guy.

And note that interestingly, there has been a parade of Republicans praising Obama this week, but McCain had to go back years to find Democrats saying nice things about him.

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