AN ABOMINATION INDEED
Apparently trying to avoid the mistake John Kerry made of taking the high road and just ignoring blatently false or silly attacks, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has hit back with a 40-page rebuttal to the new Swiftboater book 'The Obama Nation.'
(Click on red headline above for the entire report.)
How did the GOP core constituency become the ignorant or easily misinformed? Weren't we the unwashed and they the hoity-toity? On the Obama site www.FightTheSmears.com, they call the author out for being a fringe bigot peddling rehashed lies. Noone seems to hold the Republicans accountable for this cyclical rape of the political process. In fact, we have come to expect that the Mud Machine will perform this fandango every four years. The electorate either buys into it by making this jackoff more profits or just forgives them because well, "that's the way they are." (Remember, during the primaries that the Clinton's attacks were seen as a warmup for the big boys?) This man hides behind something he probably rails against, The First Amendment.

(This video is part of the Media Matters attack on Corsi. I really enjoyed the part where Corsi protests that he's the victim of ad hominem attacks!)

FOR MORE, click
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(Suggested by TRUTHOUT and MEDIA MATTERS)

NO "GOOD GUYS"
I watched the Jim Lehrer News Hour's coverage of the Georgia-Russia conflict Tuesday night and became convinced that we're not getting enough of the story in the Russo-Georgian Conflict. Dimitri Simes' assessment that there are no "good guys" and that we should not repeat the mistake we made in Iraq of choosing a side without knowing more or getting more concessions rang true. If you're at all interested in world politics this is really worth a read.
Just coincidentally, John Furman sent This Piece from Clear Politics that is also informative. It also makes clear that the situation over there is complex and longstanding. The article ties the Russian actions to their experiences in Kosovo and their paranoia about the "strategic encirclement and strangulation of Russia." From that experience they concluded that the United States and Europe were not prepared to consider Russian wishes even in fairly minor affairs. That was the breaking point. If Russian desires could not be accommodated even in a minor matter like this, then clearly Russia and the West were in conflict. According to the article, for the Russians, the question was more one of how to respond. Having declined to respond in Kosovo, the Russians decided to respond where they had all the cards: in South Ossetia.
Wednesday night's News Hour had former Secretaries of State Madeline Albright and Lawrence Eagleburger speaking on the crisis. Although from two divergent camps, they seemed to be of one mind in supporting Georgia.
My cousin Sixto Mendez sent me this excellent New York Times Article Taunting the Bear that sets out the history of the conflict in detail.
Good friend Steve Stokke chimes in by recommending Russia Today as a source of news.
For criticism of media coverage CLICK HERE, HERE , HERE, and HERE, that last link being commentary by Pat Buchanan!

Media Matters - Fox News suffers another debate snub; bloggers take a bow

HANDING FOX ITS ASS
Fox News has been taken down several notches, demotions that can be traced back to the blogger-led debate boycott from 2007 and the repercussions it set off. The goal was to portray Fox News as illegitimate, to spell out that Fox News was nothing more than a Republican mouthpiece and that Democrats need not engage with the News Corp. giant, let alone be afraid of it.
(MEDIA MATTERS)

CLOSER TO HOME
Remember National Geographic before the internet? It was always full of pictures of some far off land. Well this month's story centers on the US and Mobile is named one of the "Top 50 Places to Live and Play" in that magazine. One of the places newcomers are advised to visit includes Cafe 615.
(MSNBC, unearthed by MJ Brown)

McCain’s attacks on rival fall flat with vets group - Las Vegas Sun

ATTACK WAS FLAT
Disabled veterans, in Las Vegas for their national convention, gave Senator John McCain a tepid reception, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Although purely anecdotal, they reported that just one of the 14 veterans they interviewed after his speech said he is a certain McCain voter, and the nonpartisan group’s legislative director expressed concerns about McCain’s proposed “Veterans’ Care Access Card.” But as with most presidential campaign events, the intended audience was not the veterans in the hall but television viewers.
(LAS VEGAs SUN)

The Scorecard: 2008 Congressional campaign news and analysis - Politico.com

WHAT SINKING SHIP?
Former Iowa Republican Rep. Jim Leach is now endorsing the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. The former Iowa congressman's backing was announced as part of a group of GOP activists crossing party lines this year. Leach told reporters: "I'm convinced that the national interest demands a new approach to our interaction with the world." Leach added that Obama offers the leadership to do that.
(POLITICO)

ORDER OF MYTHS PREMIERE
You really missed out if you didn't catch the premiere of Order of Myths last night at the Saenger. Even the impressive advance hype - a review in the New York Times, screening at Cannes and selection for Sundance - didn't do the film justice. The film opened with what for me were two setups. The first, Maskers talking about how there really does not exist any division in Mardi Gras. "Bullshit," I muttered. The next is the (White) Queen Helen Meaher. I laughed at what I thought to be the funny coincidence that she was a Meaher.

The film weaves back and forth, seemingly about to present a lavish puff of pastry about our gracious southern ways. And then the Butler drops the serving dish! No "color by Pathe", no palatable placebos, a truck, a hard dose of reality, as the film digs deeply into the underbelly of Mobile Mardi Gras. It discusses not only the mundane and the good but also the "bad" (in a Yankee, or PC, or Liberal, "you ain't from around here are ya?" kind of way) and the good and the bad as we locals understand and (perhaps unfortunately) accept as normal. It ended on an up beat by showing the tremendous efforts being made by everyone on both sides of the racial divide.

If the Societies are a metaphor for the two communities then last night's premiere itself presented the tension and dichotomy in Mobile's two racial societies. Everyone who was everyone was there. And, while it might be easy to dismiss what Ms. Brown has to say (and show), it could not have been lost on the gentry, the captive audience in attendance, that many are in total agreement with what the film shows and the need to get along in this race relations thing. That alone was worth the price of admission.

The Order of Myths - a film by Margaret Brown

MOVIE PREMIERES HERE
The Mobile premiere of Order of Myths is this Thursday at the Saenger at 7pm. This film by Margaret Brown has gotten some attention in the international arts community and looks like something worth seeing. Check out the trailer (no, not that kind of trailer) at their website.

Speaking of movies, two recent movies of note, both of them foreign movies, both having to do with Jews and both of them remarkably moving: Black Book and Broken Wings. Paul Verhoeven's Black Book is a Dutch film about a woman hiding out in Holland during the nazi occupation. Verhoeven has made big main stream blockbusters and this one has that feel. Broken Wings, on the other hand, has the feel of a little independent movie. Set in Israel this story about a mother and her kids is on the other end of the spectrum but is every bit, perhaps even more, satisfying. And, in the interest of equal time, another film well worth seeing - and for the same feel good reasons - is the Lebanese (christian) film Caramel, about a bunch of ladies in a beauty shop. (Eddie Murphy eat your heart out.)

FOOD FRONT: MIDTOWN
I'm aware of only three changes in Midtown Fare: Mellow Mushroom, Trolley's and The Pillars.
Mellow Mushroom just opened a new site at the Loop. I'd been hearing that is the place to go but I don't venture much past Broad Street except maybe to visit Mohawk Street or eat at my favorite, Yen's Restaurant. So, here they go and open up just a few blocks from Mohawk. What a great place! And, although it looks like something put together in San Francisco, these guys are from Auburn! War damn Eagle.
Good Friend Tammy Morgan has taken over the Michael's Midtown (the second one, not THE Michael's Midtown Cafe) and just won some well-deserved raves from the Nappy Awards. Although it has the "joint" ambiance - like the Blind Mule - Trolley's will shock the hell out of you at how way-past-good the food is and how pleasant they make you feel in there. It's like a joint in Austin. Having come from Guido's (and Texas) Tammy knows how to put together a fine, but still non-pretentious, dining experience. They have these leetle-beeety burgers with bloooo cheeeese that are just perfect. And, they are giving Silver Horse a run for their money as a favorite nighttime bar spot. Rocky Top!
As for The Pillars, since I was thinking about this email and their touting of the new Tapas menu, we went there Friday night for super. Never ordered the tapas as it looked pretty ho hum. (Go to the Global Grill in Pensacola or downtown to David Rasp's Royal Scam). The service was great, the food excellent but it looks like they're taking a beating from all of the new competion. Your parents' friends were there reliving the golden Mims years but not many others.
Speaking of competition, I was telling Anhn over at The Bakery about Mike Ivy and his new place and she got all pumped up about beefing up the menu, beginning with Sushi on Thursdays. If you're looking for muchies to pack in the beach basket, The Bakery is still the place to go, it's on your way and is owned by friends. But, don't forget that 219 (conti and joachim, also owned by friends) has a market with some really great consumables and they seem to be better prepared for things like sandwiches and meals. (But you have to get there before 2 on Saturdays and they're not open Sundays. WTF?).
If you haven't done the market at Cathedral Square you are missing out on a special treat. Don't know how long that is going to go on.
PS: I had assumed that Mike Ivy's invitation to lunch meant he was open for business. That's still pending.
PPS: Roll Tide!

FOOD FRONT: DOWNTOWN
Some interesting shifts in the local food front lately. Sadly Guido's has closed. Zitzos' has lost their lease and is probably on its last legs. After a costly and disastrous move from "the cellar" occasioned by some sort of building malfunction, our favorite Greek ladies have been told by the building management that the smell from their food is some sort of distraction. (Probably has nothing to do with the new building right across the street and the fact that they're trying to sell that white elephant. Speaking of which, the Joe Cain Cafe is getting good feedback. Their menu looks good.) That's a shame, because the new location on the mezzanine floor was such a perfect fit and it looked like Claire and Momma Zitsos might actually get a break.
On a positive note, Michael Ivy has started a new joint in the old Uncle Simi's building and is open for lunch. (Don't know much right now, I'll tell you after I go there for lunch today.) The address is 101 N. Conception. Last week Jo and I were looking for a decent place to have a salad. Woody Walker recommended The Blind Mule. If you haven't been there you are really missing out. (BTW: Ditto, If you haven't tired out the Bicycle Shop's MexMenu.) The Mule is something well worth keeping a locals' secret. The place is oh-so-perfectly low-rent (in a good, Thirsties - not in a Greyhound terminal or Hayley's bathroon - kind of way). Not only is the ambiance pleasant, when you get the menu (and your food) you'll be really knocked out.

Cryptex Concept Phone Solves Da Squinty Code - Gadgetell

A TOO SMART PHONE
Okay, this one goes on the counter right next to my watch rewinder and my salad washer (for which, in my younger days, I actually had some use). Here's a "concept phone" that uses a cryptex device (a type of puzzle that uses a cylindrical set of combination rolls that has to be aligned in such a way so it will open up to reveal what is hidden inside) to dial the number. Once you have input the number you want, just twist the top until an LED turns green. And here I went and wasted my time standing in line for the new iPhone.
(Gadgettell)

GET OVER IT!
This is an interesting collection of the buzz on the Obama magazine cover. Make sure you follow all of the links within the story.
According to insiders within Conde Nast, sales execs have been inundated with responses to the New Yorker cover, to the point where one said, "I feel like I should be wearing a bulletproof vest" One ad sales executive said this week's issue was discussed at every meeting with advertisers he attended on Monday, "and not in a good way"
WaPo: Unfortunately, as debate about the image grew, The New Yorker missed a golden opportunity to question the rather odd American relationship to satire. Why must it be broadly effective rather than just funny? Why must humor, like grief, somehow be good for us on a deeper level? Instead, the magazine fell into the deadly trap of overanalyzing the funny in public, writes Phillip Kennicott.
Slate : Although every critic of New Yorker understood the simple satire of the cover, the most fretful of them worried that the illustration would be misread by the ignorant masses who don't subscribe to the magazine, writes Jack Shafer.
E&P : Cartoonists not fond of Obama art.
Salon : The blogosphere's reaction to the New Yorker cover proves that the Bush era has killed a lot of liberals' sense of humor, writes Gary Kamiya.
NYDN : Some called for New Yorker editor David Remnick to step down, while others praised him for calling attention to the smear tactics.
FBNY : Barry Blitt: A Modest Retrospective.
(MEDIA BISTRO)

Woman Arrested at McCain Event for "McCain=Bush" Sign | Video | AlterNet

FIGHT BACK
"Excuse me," the cop asked, all of a sudden sounding polite. "Yes, I do," I repeated, pissed off that for a few minutes I had let him scare me into a steaming pile of silent complacency. I admit it, he had scared me when he asked me if I wanted to go to jail. In those days cops were scarry things, especially Prichard Cops. They were mostly tobacco-chewing good ole boys They wore those crumply and ill-fitting uniforms topped with the soft garrison Kit Carson caps like those assholes in those photos who are grinning during their Mississippi trials for hanging black kids. These were "troubled days" and they were the lilly white front line of falangist resistance, pulled in like all of the other cops in the area for Nixon's visit to Mobile.
From the moment our group had walked past Broad Steet heading for the International Trade Center we had been bird-dogged by an all-too-obvious surveilance. Cop cars and "undercover" government cars paced behind us, some of them backing up as we walked down the street. Helicopters hovered. The scene was surreal. When we reached Water Street we were ringed by police. The cop had asked to see my sign. I handed it to him, never expecting him to rip it up. So, when I composed myself, I told him that I was ready to go to jail, that I had merely been asserting my rights and that he had been wrong. Taken aback, he answered that he was just "following orders". "That's what Calley said," I told him, "you saw how they let him hang in the breeze," and he just walked away.
To his credit, local lawyer Graham Gibbons offered to file a civil rights action for us. I found out years later that while it was happening Clay Swanzy, Jack Edwards' press secretary had voiced concerns about what he saw as a clear violation of our rights. But it went away because we didn't do anything about it.
So, when you see this video of the lady who is arrested for having an anti-Bush sign or hear about the reporter and Scalia, or any of the other reminders of just how much we have come to tolerate all of the encroachments on our liberties, take a second to recompose yourself and fight back, dammit.
(ALTERNET)

Ron Paul Campaign Cola ~ Chris Pirillo

POP POLITICS
Jones Soda launched its Campaign Colas with three limited-edition colas honoring each of the major presidential candidates: Obama’s Yes We Can, McCain’s Pure McCain or Clinton’s Capitol Hillary. Bowing to public pressure, they recently added Ron Paul’s Revolution Cola. If you're interested, here's a page that features discount coupons.
(LOCKERGNOME)

WHAT THE POLLS SHOW
The most recent polls show how Barack Obama and John McCain are faring against each other.

SEE ALSO

(CQ POLITICS)