A week ago this past Sunday (nope, no link for goofballs), a Kos diarist bemoaned what has been painfully obvious for months, the Democrat leadership is abandoning their anti-war rhetoric. Having confirmed in words what they have confirmed in actions since the 06 elections when they took control of both Houses, they've conceded that not only is feeble obstruction counterproductive for them, even outright criticism of the war is a losing proposition with the American people.

Perhaps it became painfully obvious in the last Democrat presidential debate, when not one front runner would commit to pulling out the troops by 2013. Yet even before that, the only weapon at their disposal, defunding the war (or impeaching Bush) got nowhere. Proposed legislation for timetables and limited funding never got legs.

"We have achieved electoral victory. All it has brought us is paralysis. While we must press to elect more Democrats, to achieve filibuster proof, and even veto proof majorities, the emphasis should now be shifted to better Democrats. And by better Democrats, I mean anti-war, Progressive Democrats."

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Posted by: Dave In Texas at 06:32 AM | Comments (46)
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Thanks to Ian for putting this together. I've wanted to do this for ages, but Rudy has never said "Congressman Paul" before. (Ian's got all the vids from the debate, by the way.)

Bullwinkle's working on a video version, but for now, here's Rudy vs. a Weasel Loving Ron Paul Supporter.

Video:

Thanks to Bullwinkle Blog.

Posted by: Ace at 06:28 PM | Comments (21)
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I mentioned this article earlier. It's long, but an eye-opener. I still remember reading this with that "WTF?" feeling.

I mean, honestly, there are few things in life we are sure-sure of. Gravity is one of them. Death and taxes are another two. "God lives and God loves" -- or the opposite, depending on your POV -- is a metaphysical one, but most have doubts either way on that from time to time.

"Fat is bad for you" is another in this small set. It was a fact, right? Proven. Undebatable. Certain.

Finding out that fat isn't bad for you isn't quite the same as finding out gravity is more of a guideline than a rule, but still pretty paradigm-shifting.

Thanks to Splunge for tipping me it was all still available online.

Posted by: Ace at 03:53 PM | Comments (55)
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Mary Katharine Ham jerks another one out into the cheap seats.

Humorous LOLcaps aside, a really good run-down of the debate.

Matthews: Me, me, me, me: So predicted Malkin about the spittle-drenched hack and his insatiable love for the sound of his own voice.

And so it was.

Video: I'd have preferred a Cheneyesque "Go fuck yourself" from Thompson, but I understand the need to keep it PG.

Video: Rudy vs. Ron Paul. Who cares. Beating up on this Ass-Puppet For Ahmadinejad is too easy and it's no longer satisfying.

Still:

More from Hot Air, including video of a Romney/Rudy slapfest on taxes and the line item veto.

I'm not sure that's really all that either.

Bleg: Can anyone do a quick and easy audio-dub?

More One-Liners: Some of these I've already quoted, but Fred Thompson's line at the end here is very good.

Posted by: Ace at 03:20 PM | Comments (35)
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Mitt Romney:

These debates are like Law & Order. We have a sprawling cast, it seems to go on forever, and Fred Thompson shows up at the end.

Funny. One point deducted because he shoe-horned the canned line in a bit clumsily trying to get it in under the buzzer as Chris Matthews (as usual) attempted to talk over him.

Another good right at the buzzer line from Guiliani:

If we implement HillaryCare, Canadians will have no place to come for their health care.

Nervous Fred? There's nothing really wrong with Fred's first answer, except he continues to lack the rock-star quality and air of easy command I'd hoped for. Just not projecting like a movie star, alas.

Posted by: Ace at 02:56 PM | Comments (23)
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Alas, not in a teepee he bought from Six Flags, but apparently in a bookstore cafe. What a cliche.

Posted by: Ace at 01:32 PM | Comments (22)
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If you're watching. I think it replays on MSNBC at 9, a more normal time for a debate.

Oh: It's on CNBC right now, not MSNBC; that's why I couldn't find it.

Allah says it's being streamed at on CNBC but darned if I can find it.

Posted by: Ace at 01:27 PM | Comments (19)
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I threw this story over in the headlines this morning, then decided a few of you morons might find it interesting (on the heels of the Folsom Street sponsorship controversy with Miller). SABMiller and Molson Coors will combine operations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico in a joint venture, announced today. It's largely an effort to streamline costs and step up competition with Anheuser Busch.

As you can tell from the company names, industry consolidation isn't new. South African Breweries bought Miller a couple of years ago, and Molson and Coors merged in 2005.

Being an AB distributor in the U.S. is what you'd call a "good thing". They own the states, and have had a 63-69% share for the past five years.

Trivia: AB bought the Rolling Rock brand a year or so ago, and shortly thereafter shut down the brewery in Latrobe PA. They just wanted the brand.

Rolling Rock is Budweiser in a green bottle.

In the future, there will be one beer company in America, 5 c-store chains, and of course all the restaurants will become Taco Bells. I saw that in a movie.

Posted by: Dave In Texas at 01:24 PM | Comments (36)
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Crazy Halo money.

For three long days and three late nights, nicknames like Skarfaze and Captain Anarchy and Miss Baretta! are the norm; shaggy, Ashton Kutcher clone army haircuts de rigueur; energy drinks and fast food subs and parking lot cigarettes the biofuels of choice. No one here would rather be sitting at a Cubs game, practicing violin, sweating through two-a-days. Please. Who has time? There are bombs to plant, plasma pistols to overcharge. Sick killing sprees to pull off. Because 25 years after Pac-Man Fever, playing video games can finally make you rich. Famous, even.

Oh, and if that seems improbable -- like the clouds opening up and raining Guinness -- well, you don't know the half of it.

"We have groupies," says pro gamer Ben "Karma" Jackson, flashing a sheepish grin.

"There's a lot of girls around," adds pro gamer Tom "Tsquared" Taylor. "I honestly find them annoying. Because I'm not here to talk to you. I'm here to play 'Halo.' I'm not going to give you a hug. I'm going to my station to play."

"I give them hugs," Jackson interjects. "I'm not going to lie."

...

The 19-year-old Syracuse, N.Y., resident slouches into a couch. His entire existence revolves around gaming. He has a $250,000 contract with MLG, makes thousands more in prize money and charges up to $115 per hour for online gaming lessons though a self-founded company that counts New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson among its 1,000-plus clients.

...

Poor coaches Final Boss, which brings us to our next point: Pro gamers have coaches. And game plans. They scout opponents by watching film. They even hold NFL preseason-style scrimmages[.]

Yeah. And you thought you were depressed before.

Thanks to JackM.

Posted by: Ace at 01:03 PM | Comments (31)
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Sounds closer to the truth.

In the Zenger Room, named for German immigrant John Peter Zenger, who helped establish free speech law, Californians for Population Stabilization released a study claiming there are 20 million to 38 million illegal immigrants in America, not the 12 million the federal government says.

"Immigration is in a state of anarchy," organization member James Walsh, a former Immigration and Naturalization Service lawyer, fervently told the room. "Not chaos, anarchy."

Honestly, the government does lie. A lot. But there are certain lies the media finds helpful to their own agenda and so does not ever bother to question.

Posted by: Ace at 11:53 AM | Comments (43)
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