A trusim from Dave.

Posted by: Ace at 04:30 PM | Add Comment
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First Kevin Drum calls election numbers in the absence of election numbers.

Here, the DUers explore their own feelings on the matter, finding the first elections in Iraq's 9,000 (give or take a thousand) year history to be "not impressive," and "total bullshit."

Here, Ramsey Clark defends Saddam Hussein from the "illegal occupying power that demonized [him]."

Quite a night.

UPDATE: Wuzzadem nails the puppets.

the UNPOPULIST

Posted by: Ace at 03:53 PM | Comments (3)
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Hey everyone,

This is just a quick note to say so long. It's been a lot of fun posting here and reading all the comments. What a smart and devoted group of readers you all are.

I am so honored be part of a group of such funny and talented guest-bloggers and I'm very grateful to Ace for this opportunity.

Anyway, I look forward to visiting here and commenting myself after Ace returns. I'd also be honored by your visits to my blog - The Urban Grind.

Kind regards,

Zelda

Posted by: Ace at 03:08 PM | Add Comment
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Parting is such sweet sorrow, but alas, Sunday came too quickly.

First off, I want to thank the Academy for proving how stupid they are through their failure to nominate Paul Giamatti for Best Actor.

Oops, sorry, my bad-- wrong speech.

FIRST OFF, I'd like to thank Ace for the opportunity to write on his site. Ace of Spades HQ has been the biggest influence in my little blogging adventure. I am humbled by how well Ace does it, day after day. He's not only provided a great example, but tremendous encouragement as well. Thanks for letting me help out, pal; anytime. Just save me two tickets for your Hollywood premiere, okay?

Second, to my fellow guest bloggers, thank you for your excellent postings. Informative, witty, and often brilliant-- I can't help but be jealous, especially when my clumsy postings prove the "Infinite Monkeys at Infinite Typewriters" rule. The best part is, after this week, I now have a bunch of great new blogs to read during my day!

Lastly, you, the readers. You are among the greatest readers a blog can have. Great feedback, hilarious comments, and I always end up learning a lot from you. Most of all, I appreciate that you continued to visit during Ace's absence-- it means a lot to all of us guest bloggers that you didn't trade Ace for Wonkette this week, even if she had her pants on sale (half off!).

Again, thanks to everyone. I would be honored if you stop by Garfield Ridge every now and again, I'd love to hear from you all!

Okay, one last thing: in honor of the bang-up job all the bloggers but me did, I bestow upon you the Jack Burton Kick-Ass Award for Excellence.

Now sit tight, hold the fort and keep the home fires burning. And if Ace is not back by dawn. . . call the President.

Thank you,
Dave

Posted by: Ace at 02:58 PM | Comments (2)
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As of this moment Kevin Drum has published voter turnout numbers completely out of his own head.

Goldstein has more.

They are officially losing their minds.

the UNPOPULIST

Posted by: Ace at 02:53 PM | Comments (2)
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Ace will likely be back later today or tomorrow, so the time has come for me to wrap-up my guest-posting here. I've certainly enjoyed it.

When Ace first asked me to guest post here I thought he was a little crazy. I wasn't sure I'd be the right fit for the blog he's created here, most because I'm not...you know...funny. But I think it worked out ok.

I didn't get to focus on posting here as much as I wanted to. Hosting problems at my own site and a busy work schedule kept me from participating in many comment discussions, but I hope you enjoyed my posts and will consider linking and/or visiting Say Anything.

Thanks again to Ace for allowing me to post here in his absence and to the other guest bloggers for making this an enjoyable experience.

Posted by: Ace at 02:09 PM | Comments (3)
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Many people seem to hold a benign view of environmentalism -- that if it helps keep our air and drinking water clean, then it's a good thing.

But to me, that's a short sighted view. As I see it, environmentalists want to sacrifice the well being and quality of life of humans for the sake of nature, which, in their view, has the right to exist for its own sake, unconditionally.

Via Yahoo News

SAN DIEGO — On the southwestern-most tip of the country, just across the border from Tijuana, rugged canyons drop down to a rich Pacific estuary, where millions have been spent restoring fresh and saltwater marshes that sustain the California brown pelican and other rare birds and plants.

But this landscape also represents a gaping hole in the nation's defenses against terrorists, drug traffickers and other criminals, federal officials say.

The Bush administration proposes closing off this final 3.5-mile stretch of border between the United States and Mexico by moving massive amounts of dirt from nearby mesas into canyons to create a long earthen berm. On the berm, parallel to the existing border fence, a second fence and a patrol road would be constructed.

But opponents argue that if Congress pushed through the border proposal as planned, it would be authorizing a landfill project that would cause tremendous erosion in the ecologically fragile Tijuana River Valley area. That could threaten endangered species such as the San Diego fairy shrimp, California gnatcatcher and the light-footed clapper rail.

So pelicans, rare birds and shrimps take precedence over the safety of American citizens in the middle of a war on terror? Personally I can't understand anyone equating the well being of a Pelican or a shrimp with that of a human being. But then again, I'm not an enlightened liberal, just a selfish conservative.

Making this landfill is a step in the right direction. But a lot more needs to be done. Also, there has been plenty of debate about placing the military on the U.S. /Mexico border. And while I don't think it's a bad idea, it's not a permanent solution either.

Just now, I remember watching an interview with the former head of Israeli airline El Al's security. This man said that their screeners were never nationalized. Instead, they were employed by private companies operating under government guidelines.

But getting back to the porous U.S/Mexico border, I just wonder if the job could be done better by private companies operating under governmental guidelines. Think of the business opportunities that would become available.

Zelda

Cross posted at The Urban Grind

Posted by: Ace at 12:41 PM | Comments (9)
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This from Balloon Juice:

First, critics* said the elections couldn't/wouldn't happen.

Then, critics* said they would happen, but they would be wracked with violence and no one would vote because the ballots were too confusing or the security situation would keep people away from the polls.

What happens when you are wrong twice? Why, you continue, undaunted, to make dire predictions.

This is just the beginning.

I've been watching Iraq election coverage on CNN and MSNBC all day and the general theme of the coverage seems to be "what's next." Seems like a lot of these "experts" would like to erase the memory of this victory from mind as soon as possible so that they can move on to the next negative story.

"What's next" is a valid question, but its one that's already been answered. As the President has already decided, we will continue to assist the newly-elected Iraqi government in whatever role they deem as acceptable. The future of Iraq has been handed over to the Iraqi'\s this day.

"What's next" is a question to be answered by them.

[Cross-posted at Say Anything]

Posted by: Ace at 12:39 PM | Comments (2)
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Just one of so many. It's actually the first half of an old proverb, but when I heard it today, coffee came out of my nose. And I wasn't even drinking coffee.

From Fox News Sunday, on the anticipated response to the Iraqi elections by dems.

Bill Kristol
Today, on January 30th, 2005, will Hillary Clinton make a statement praising the Iraqi people for their courage, and saying that we are committed to helping the Iraqis govern their own country?

Juan Williams
I think you're going to hear that from Democrats all over.

Chris Wallace
Well, yes, success has a thousand fathers.

I think we're about to see a lot of deadbeat dem dads arguing over who gets to take the kids out for ice cream.

Update: Democratic pessimism - sing along!

Posted by John from WuzzaDem

Posted by: Ace at 12:35 PM | Add Comment
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I'm not sure I like the mental image this animated banner ad creates.

I'd hit it?

Umm, no thanks.

(via World Champion)

[Cross-posted at Say Anything]

Posted by: Ace at 12:00 PM | Comments (12)
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