John Kerry has been painting himself as heroic and "angry" during the events on 9/11. A BBC documentary, recently aired on Public Television in the US, showing the events of 9/11 in several areas, including on Capitol Hill. Footage of John Kerry's 'as it happens' reactions is also shown in this documentary.

Last night my local PBS showed two documentaries about 9/11/01.

The first was about NY and the second about PA and DC.

In the raw footage shot that horrible day they showed the Capitol building being evacuated.

Hundreds of people were struggling to get down those massive stairs. You saw EVERYONE helping eachother- like the elderly or women who were wearing high heels, etc.

Then the camera switched position and the vantage point was of a side staircase next to the main one. Who comes out but John Kerry.

He was dressed in an immaculate dark blue suit with a matching powder blue pocket handkerchief and silk tie. Not a hair on his overly-coiffed head was out of place.

Now remember- this was filmed while the Pentagon was in flames, three years ago...the camera man did not film John Kerry "The Candidate" he was showing some guy coming out the door...

Well our friend the hero John Kerry looks over at the crowd, shrugs his arms a bit, looks around as if to see if anyone is looking- and BOLTS down the side stairs! He didn't help a single soul! ( I guess no one was drowning)

Meanwhile- Donald Rumsfeld was ignoring his Secret Service detail so he could help carry the injured out of the burning Pentagon.

I'm immediately reminded of "brave" Sir Robin from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as portrayed in that legendary motion picture by Eric Idle.

Brave Sir Robin ran away, bravely ran away away. When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled. Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about, and valiantly, he chickened out. Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat. A brave retreat by brave Sir Robin.

Posted by: mhking at 08:59 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 424 words, total size 3 kb.

It didn't take long for the leftists in the media to start to employ and exploit the memory of Christopher Reeve to the potential benefit of John Kerry's campaign.

We were treated, not once but twice, to the same clip of Reeve from the 1996 Democratic National Convention, saying "America does not let its neediest fend for themselves," as a man in a wheelchair looked on. Got it.

Just in case anyone was still wondering where Chris was coming from, here was a clip of him saying "it gets lonely sometimes to say 'come on, let's get more progressive.'" Yes, that's the problem with America. Not liberal enough.

The message could not have been made too much clearer. Honor Chris Reeve: vote Democrat!

Posted by: mhking at 03:10 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 143 words, total size 1 kb.

From Dan Jurgens' legendary Superman #75 (1992):

"But most will remember this sad day as the day the proudest, most noble man they ever knew finally fell. For those who loved him -- one who would call him husband, one who would be his pal, or those who would call him son -- this is the darkest day they could ever imagine. They raised him to be a hero: to know the value of sacrifice, to know the value of life. And for those who served with Superman in the protection of all life comes the shock of a failure: the weight of being too late to help. For a city to live, a man had given his all and more. But it's too late. For this is the day that a Superman died."

Posted by: mhking at 02:47 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 168 words, total size 1 kb.

Today's New York Post includes an editorial that finds it unfathomable that bias against the GOP by the mainstream media is as open and as blatant as it is during this election cycle.

Though many in the press deny this bias, Newsweek editor Evan Thomas all but confessed the bias on this week's edition of PBS' Inside Washington.

"The media, I think, wants Kerry to win. And I think they're going to portray Kerry and Edwards — I'm talking about the establishment media, not Fox — as being young and dynamic and optimistic, and there's going to be this glow about them, collective glow."

An internal memo written by ABCNEWS Political Director Mark Halperin admonishes ABC staff: During coverage of Democrat Kerry and Republican Bush not to "reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable."

The controversial internal memo obtained by DRUDGE, captures Halperin stating how "Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win."

But Halperin claims that Bush is hoping to "win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions."

Like every other institution, the Washington and political press corps operate with a good number of biases and predilections.

They include, but are not limited to, a near-universal shared sense that liberal political positions on social issues like gun control, homosexuality, abortion, and religion are the default, while more conservative positions are "conservative positions."

It still has a hard time understanding how, despite the drumbeat of conservative grass-top complaints about overspending and deficits, President Bush's base remains extremely and loyally devoted to him -- and it looks for every opportunity to find cracks in that base.

More systematically, the press believes that fluid narratives in coverage are better than static storylines; that new things are more interesting than old things; that close races are preferable to loose ones; and that incumbents are destined for dethroning, somehow.

Posted by: mhking at 04:05 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 449 words, total size 3 kb.

John Kerry continued his stretch of pandering to black church congregations, while kissing the feet of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson today in Miami.

The Democratic presidential nominee attended two church services Sunday, instead of his usual one, worshipping first with Haitian Catholics and then with Baptists, where the Rev. Jesse Jackson (news - web sites) and Al Sharpton (news - web sites) tied his election to the civil rights struggle.

"We have an unfinished march in this nation," Kerry said at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, as many congregants waved fans handed out by the campaign with his slogan, "Hope is on the way."

"Never again will a million African Americans be denied the right to exercise their vote in the United States of America," Kerry promised, referring to the disputed Florida recount in the 2000 presidential race. As he often does before black audiences, Kerry said he has a legal team that will aggressively respond to any allegations of disenfranchisement.

Jackson, Sharpton and US Rep Carrie Meek (D-FL) spoke at the church services in support of Kerry while deriding President Bush and those who support him.

Jackson told worshippers their political concerns are issues that touch their everyday lives, not gay marriage.

"I see disturbing signs today that some of our churches have been confused by wolves in sheep's clothing," Jackson said. "How did someone else put their agenda in the front of the line?"

"November 2, the power is in your hands, hands that once picked cotton," Jackson said.

Posted by: mhking at 03:38 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 343 words, total size 3 kb.

Two men who ripped down and urinated on a Bush/Cheney campaign sign were caught on tape -- literally -- Friday morning.

The videotape shows the men sneaking into the yard of a West Market Street home and bending the sign to the ground. The men struggled to rip the sign out of the ground by shaking it and pulling it but couldn't get it off the posts, so they knocked it down. Sounds heard on the tape suggest the men urinated on the sign. They were white males, about 30 to 35 years old, well-dressed and well-groomed. They parked across the street in what police think was a foreign car, a Toyota or Honda.

The homeowner, Steve Kotsatos, who is also assistant to the director of the Summit County Board of Elections, called Akron police dispatchers at 10:38 a.m. Friday and told them about how his campaign sign was vandalized.

He said he caught the vandals on a night-vision camera he had installed the day before.

The large 4-by-8-foot, red, white and blue sign was tipped over in Kotsatos' yard about 1 a.m. Friday.

John Kerry's name was scrawled across Bush's name in black marker on one side of the sign -- the work of previous vandals, Kotsatos said.

Posted by: mhking at 06:36 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 241 words, total size 2 kb.

Earthquake activity is up once again at Mt. St. Helens in southern Washington state, but according to geologists, there is no reason to raise the volcanic alert level -- at present.

Scientists said earthquake activity had been low until Friday, indicating molten rock was moving upward with little resistance. By Saturday, however, quakes of magnitude 2.4 were occurring every one to two minutes, they said.

"It's at levels equal to or higher than the Oct. 5 steam and ash eruption," said Jeff Wynn, the U.S. Geological Survey's chief scientist for volcano hazards at Vancouver.

A bubble on the south side of the dome has also risen to at least 330 feet since scientists first spotted it on Sept. 30 and is now almost as tall as the dome's 1,000-foot summit, said USGS geologist John Pallister.

Posted by: mhking at 06:25 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 189 words, total size 1 kb.

Mr Howard, 65, is now guaranteed a decade in power, unless he retires early, and will become the nation's second-longest serving prime minister behind Liberal Party founder Sir Robert Menzies.

Opposition Leader Mark Latham phoned Mr Howard to congratulate him on his victory at about 9:30pm (AEST).

Mr Howard claimed victory about an hour later after winning a swing to the government in all states.

"I am truly humbled by this extraordinary expression of confidence in the leadership of this great nation by the coalition," he told cheering supporters in Sydney.

"In accepting their charge to lead the nation I rededicate myself and all of my colleagues to the service of the Australian people."

Posted by: mhking at 06:18 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 195 words, total size 2 kb.

Bush looked much better tonight than last debate. He looked far more relaxed, and he got in more zingers against Kerry.

At more than one point, it looked like a case of "who can insult who better," though.

Ultimately, I think Bush won this debate; he brought forth more points, he connected more with the audience as a whole.

Kerry fell into the trap of repeating himself over and over again (much as Bush did last week). He looked far more nervous, and much less comfortable than he did during last week's debate.

I was pleasantly surprised that Kerry didn't bring up Vietnam -- someone close to Kerry is obviously telling him to dummy up about Vietnam and concentrate on THIS century.

Finally, that last question regarding Bush's "mistakes" was a Democratic set-up, if there was one.

Posted by: mhking at 06:00 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 145 words, total size 1 kb.

1 All true, I think Kerry is only comfortable when he's on a podium looking down at the masses, tells you more than you'd learn analyzing the content of his message....NOT that appearances are everything mind you

Posted by: Michael Gallaugher at October 09, 2004 11:55 AM (4uzhk)

2 Sorry to post an off topic reply Mike, I just wanted to let you know if you didn't already, that John Howard won the Australian election. As you are aware, he is a very conservative leader, and was one of the first to sign on to the "coalition of the willing". This must give you American conservatives great heart. We as a nation are still right beside you.

Posted by: Patrick at October 09, 2004 05:55 PM (Xs8mK)

3 Bush won this debate convincingly. As Kerry resembled the type of politician that gives other politicians a bad name, you know, that type that will take any position for a vote, Bush remained focused as he drew a line in the sand, making his positions clear and showing passion in his convictions. Seriously, at one point I expected Kerry to break out singing Charles Durning’s flip-flop politician song, from the movie “Best Little Whore House in Texas”. As far as style, Bush did even better. Bush was natural, passionate, and in control. After the debate, I heard members of the Kerry team whining about how Bush bullied the moderator at one point. I’m sorry, but I will sleep a lot better knowing that terrorist using cowardly intimidation tactics know that our Commander and Chief has no problem being an intimidator (or bully). As a Marine, the leader I felt most comfortable with the possibility of going to war under, was a five foot five gray haired Colonial who made 250lb grown men tremble with respect as he passed by. And what better time for Bush to assert his passionate interruption, than in defense of his comrades that risked a lot in their own countries to prove, once again, that they stand as America’s allies. In South Central growing up, if I fought by your side and you didn’t have the nads to verbally defend my contribution as it is denigrated behind my back, I’d consider you to be as much a coward as the person who didn’t have the nerve to put me down to my face. On the other hand, Kerry came across as a well-polished well-rehearsed elitist wanna-be aristocrat and if those were qualities that interested me in a leader, I’d move to France.

Posted by: blanko at October 09, 2004 06:45 PM (qJDCB)

4 Bush should certainly point this out during the next debate that in spite of team sKerry's attempt to disrupt the Aussie election, the people overwhelmingly voted to remain part of Bush's coalition in the GWOT

Posted by: Andy at October 10, 2004 02:42 PM (WC1fj)

5 I saw it a a clear victory for Bush. He seemed much more impassioned (some would say too much so in the first 30-40 minutes or so), and by the end of the debate, had the audiance in his camp. Kerry's naunce is playing against the voters...they may not say so, but I feel most folks want things to be more black and white regarding foreign policy, they don't wan't grey. I predict a Bush win by at least 300 electoral *points*, quite possibly much closer to 400.

Posted by: Guy S. at October 11, 2004 08:58 AM (6aoDM)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Time for the sequel.

As I mentioned last week, this debate, live from Washington University in St. Louis, will be in a "town hall" format, with questions from a live audience. The audience is made up of undecided voters (as if I completely believe that).

Charles Gibson, anchor of ABC's Good Morning America will moderate this evening's debate.

As with last week's debate, live streaming coverage can be found from C-Span (RP) or BBC World (WMP) online.

Live blogging has commenced all over the place -- check the blogroll at the right; most folks are offering some form of live, running commentary. In addition, Free Republic has a live message thread running with ongoing conversation.

Post-game analysis will run pretty much all weekend long in the usual places.

Posted by: mhking at 02:24 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 138 words, total size 1 kb.

Sad word in this morning that 62 year-old British hostage Ken Bigley, kidnapped with murdered Americans Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong three weeks ago, has been murdered in Iraq.

Militants in the Iraqi city of Fallujah say they believe Mr Bigley was killed on Thursday in the town of Latifiyah, 22 miles south-west of Baghdad.

A news presenter in Abu Dhabi said on television: "We have learned from informed sources in the Iraqi capital that the kidnappers of Kenneth Bigley have killed him."

The horrific alert comes just 24 hours after Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, said there were promising behind-the-scenes to secure Mr Bigley's release.

U.S. military sources told NBC News that they have reports from Iraq that Bigley might have been killed while trying to escape. The reports indicate that a number of "others" who might have been trying to help Bigley escape were also killed, the sources said.

UPDATE - 12:30P ET:Reuters confirms that a videotape of Bigley's beheading exists, and they have seen it. It will be available on the web soon. I'll have links to it once it becomes available.

Bigley's brother has been quoted as saying that Prime Minister Tony Blair has his brother's "blood on his hands."

Posted by: mhking at 05:07 AM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
Post contains 257 words, total size 2 kb.

When you think you've heard everything about the sliminess of the attitudes of some doctors, something else comes along to blanch your skin and drop the pit of your stomach even further.

Leading doctors today called for a major overhaul to avoid babies being born alive after abortions.

Professor Campbell said that all abortions carried out after 18 weeks of pregnancy should include an injection, followed by drugs, to induce labour and a stillborn child.

Next week a motion is being tabled at the British Medical Association conference that babies should be entitled to all the intensive care that babies born prematurely receive. Consultant obstetrician-Jim Thornton said in the past babies were born alive after abortion more regularly but "people didn't make a fuss and pretended not to realise the baby was born alive".

Professor Thornton, of City Hospital, Nottingham, said: "Once it is born, you can't kill the baby but the law doesn't say anything about to what degree you resuscitate it.

"The way it is dealt with is by sensible doctors and sensible nurses keeping it under their hat and allowing the baby to pass away peacefully."

Professor Campbell does not believe that a baby born in this way should be kept alive at all costs.

"What paediatricians do is spend resources keeping a baby that is going to die, alive. It is absolute nonsense. It does show that is up to us (obstetricians) to make sure the baby is not moving."

Posted by: mhking at 05:18 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 292 words, total size 2 kb.

CBS has sent it's first statement to the founder of BoycottCBS.com, in the form of a snarky e-mail from CBS executive Ted Data to BoycottCBS.com founder Michael Paranzino.

Addressed to BoycottCBS.com founder Michael Paranzino, the email from the CBS’ “Black Rock” headquarters in New York City was brief and to the point:

“PARANZINO..YOU'RE A PUTZ!

“GET A LIFE PARANZINO!!!!”

“I’m flattered that CBS News executives read our web site, because we certainly don’t watch their news programs. CBS News debate ratings last night ranked fourth behind NBC, ABC, and Fox, which was showing baseball. It’s time for CBS executives to stop sending silly emails and start cleaning house at their troubled news department.

“And I’d like to thank Mr. Data for his email, which made me feel young again. I haven’t been called that since junior high.”

Posted by: mhking at 05:06 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 167 words, total size 1 kb.

Jib Jab, the outfit that gave you "This Land," the satirical flash animation of George Bush and John Kerry going at each other to the tune of "This Land is Your Land," are at it again.

From the creators of the political satire sensation "This Land" comes a sequel set to the tune of "Dixie."

The online animation "Good To Be in DC!" features the presidential and vice presidential candidates along with Attorney General John Ashcroft, CBS News anchor Dan Rather, filmmaker Michael Moore, talk show host Rush Limbaugh and Jane Fonda.

"In `This Land,' you had basically (President) Bush and (John) Kerry," said Evan Spiridellis, who co-produced the cartoons with his brother, Gregg. "This piece is more about the whole town, the whole system."

Posted by: mhking at 04:06 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 164 words, total size 1 kb.

From Dennis Miller's Tonight Show apparance the other night:

That's why I like Bush. He doesn't over-think it. He wakes up every morning, jumps out of bed, lands on his two feet, scratches his balls, and says, "Let's kill some f@#@$ing terrorists!"

Posted by: mhking at 03:53 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 55 words, total size 1 kb.

Anheuser-Busch is introducing a sweetened, caffeinated beer, targeted at twenty-somethings that regularly guzzle vodka-based drinks like they're going out of style.

The new beer B(E) -- read as "B to the E power" -- will roll out in several phases starting in November.

Advertising will focus on in-store merchandising and promotions at bars and nightclubs, with some local print work and online marketing, Anheuser-Busch officials said.

B(E) infuses beer with caffeine, guarana and ginseng, along with berry aromas for a sweeter, yet more tart taste at 6.6 percent alcohol by volume, said company brewmaster Nathaniel Davis.

Anheuser-Busch designed the new brew for 21- to 27-year-old drinkers who seek novel beverages and switch drinks more frequently according to mood and occasion, the company said.

Posted by: mhking at 05:35 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 160 words, total size 1 kb.

My new Project 21 piece was published this week.

So what's a conservative - especially a black conservative - to do about it?

For one thing, stop allowing this dominance to occur by default, because it's falsely defining black America as less conservative than it really is.

In a October/November 2003 Gallup poll, more blacks identified themselves as conservative (30 percent) than liberal (22 percent). A 1996 Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies poll similarly found a nearly equal distribution among blacks who defined themselves as conservative, liberal and moderate. School choice and gay marriage are just two of the recent high-profile splits between black America and the liberal establishment.

It's obvious there's a diversity of political opinion in the African-American community, but what about the seemingly monolithically liberal black media?

In most major radio markets, black radio dominates the dial. In black radio, Tom Joyner rules the roost. His ABC-distributed program is among the top draws not only in black radio but in urban and suburban radio, period. A long-time radio veteran with extensive local-market experience in Chicago and Dallas, Joyner holds court over a cornucopia of topics. He and his cohorts are frequently visited by phone or in person by newsmakers and commentators who maintain a definite sway among black Americans. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Julian Bond are among Joyner's semi-regular guests. NPR and PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley is a regular weekly contributor.

Joyner additionally hosts gatherings at Disney World, festivals around the nation and even an annual ocean cruise. He holds fundraisers for historically black colleges and is an outspoken advocate of "giving back" to the community.

Tom Joyner is an opinion leader in the black media establishment.

His mantra nowadays is getting President George W. Bush out of office. Joyner's program hosted several of the Democratic presidential candidates, but he hasn't had on anyone from the GOP. While part of this can be attributed to the current anti-Bush, anti-Republican bias of Joyner and his compatriots, just as much blame lies with the Republicans themselves.

The visible communication sources in black America - from Joyner and Smiley on the radio to BET to TV One on television as well as publications ranging from Johnson Publishing's Jet and Ebony to Earl Graves' Black Enterprise and the local black press - are a virtual wasteland when it comes to conservative ideas.

Conservative blacks from Project 21 often are represented in press reports and with New Visions Commentaries, but why isn't the President there? Why aren't Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell there? Why aren't John Ashcroft or Donald Rumsfeld there?

Why was Trent Lott only on BET to apologize for putting his foot in his mouth regarding the late Strom Thurmond and not to discuss conservative proposals to reform Social Security, how tougher standards and choice can improve education and how tax cuts don't just help the rich?

All those individuals will readily show up at Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh's bully pulpits. That's not a bad thing. It's always good to preach to the choir.

But always rallying the faithful doesn't expand one's presence. One cannot expand their message unless and until they step outside their comfort zone.

Going on black radio may not be easy or comfortable for conservatives at first. A wariness exists on both sides. As the ice is broken - and as black America recognizes that this is not a matter or a means of being used or pandered to simply for votes or support - both sides will begin to open up and to discover that a common ground truly exists.

Even Tom Joyner may discover there is not only room but a necessity for a vigorous political debate among black Americans. To deny it is to deprive black America of something it truly deserves. But it is something that both he needs to be open to as well as those pushing conservative policies.

Posted by: mhking at 06:54 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 681 words, total size 4 kb.

I didn't get a chance to award the "No-Prize" yesterday; it got a bit on the busy side here (plus I was out for a good chunk of the day).

Anyway, the best caption for Ketchup Boy's attempt at playing football has to go to Songstress7 for here entry, "Senator Kerry attempts to find his head in the last place he left it...

I don't know when I'll do another one -- although doing one weekly sounds like it might be a fun thing to do.

I want to thank all you folks who participated though! Thanks!

Posted by: mhking at 05:55 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 107 words, total size 1 kb.

1 "You see, when I was in Vietnam, we had this 'all nads on deck thing' that we did....." Sorry - had to be said

Posted by: Joel (No Pundit Intended) at October 08, 2004 11:32 AM (iGAEH)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Nip/Tuck's season finale was last night on FX.

The "out of left field" revelations kept coming hot and heavy.

First we find out that Ava's a man (ok, transgendered).

Then not only do we get to see the slimy Alec Baldwin as the doctor....

...we find out that HE'S AVA'S HUSBAND!

And if you think I'm revealing everything, just wait until the last five minutes (after all, The Carver is still out there and gunning for Sean)!

And after the teardrop in the final scene, we're left hanging until next June!

Both The Shield and Nip/Tuck are starting late next season, due to Michael Chiklis and Julian McMahon both appearing in Fantastic Four, shooting now for a July release (as Ben Grimm and Victor Von Doom respectively).

Posted by: mhking at 05:25 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 139 words, total size 1 kb.

Quote of the night that sums up the entire debate from Vice President Cheney:

"Now, in my capacity as vice president, I am the president of Senate, the presiding officer. I'm up in the Senate most Tuesdays when they're in session. The first time I ever met you was when you walked on the stage tonight. "

John "Breck Girl" Edwards fidgeted, hemmed, hawed, and did his level best to try to deflect, defend and otherwise protect the man at the head of the Democratic ticket, John Kerry.

Edwards insisted that he and Senator Kerry were not guilty of the flip-flops that their record strongly indicates, while Cheney went on the offensive, attacking the dismal voting and attendance records of both Kerry and Edwards.

Edwards tried to link Cheney's personal association with defense contrator Halliburton with failed companies like Enron, and the criminal activities of that company's head, Ken Lay. Cheney countered by challenging Edwards' lack of experience on the Hill (Edwards has only been in the Senate since 1999; Cheney has served in four presidential administrations, and has also been a part of the leadership of the US House).

Unlike last week's tie, I've gotta give this one to Cheney.

Posted by: mhking at 06:24 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 215 words, total size 1 kb.