Now, for some Joementum
 
Former Vice President Al Gore probably chose Joe Lieberman as his running mate because he was the sole american statesmen beside which Gore seemed charismatic. In a nation whose best known politicians are acutely embarrassing to listen to, Lieberman is deafening dull instead. To distant observers, at least, his political philosophy seems based on electability. Being Bill Clinton without charisma may be as near to emptiness as a man with a double chin can remain without drawing attention to the irony. However, as a high-profile candidate suddenly without a party, Lieberman may be the most appealing politician in the United States. The graft of charm didn’t arise from any epiphany, liberation, policy shift or face lift of the Senator’s nor from learning to catch a frisbee in his mouth. In fact, since becoming a political independent he has spoken silliness and scandal whenever he wasn’t chewing food. Having lost his right to stand for the Democrats, Lieberman has demonstrated that judgement, discretion, thoughtfulness, integrity, loyalty, personality, directness, perception, temper, shrewdness, rhetorical clarity and oratorical elegance aren’t strengths. Presidential timber, sure, but he’s running for re-election to the U.S. Senate where cowardice remains father to all the virtues. And this is where Lieberman can claim the support of your correspondent and, hopefully, the plurality of Nutmeg State voters. However craven the motivation, having the courage to continue his campaign against the raging of the establishment within his own party allows the rare and glorious opportunity for voters and donors to stand against the scandalously incompetent and disingenuous Republican party’s quest to retain power without giving succor to the demeaningly incoherent and whiny Democratic party. Many voters, bloggers and other citizens of disputable relevance had complaints against Lieberman’s policy preferences. There remain two valid sides to the debate over the best future course of action in Iraq, if only one valid and dour appraisal of the past one. Those who would cut taxes on the rich and those who would raise them each have a case to make, even though a rational assessment of federal fiscal policy allows only a single, dismal conclusion. One may argue that Republicans are better than Democrats for governing or the converse, but the argument that the two parties enjoy far too much power and face too little accountability and that just about anything that weakens the parties strengthens America and benefits the world should pass without controversy. Special Bonus Pronouncement: Sometimes, just when a fella starts to really enjoy criticizing his government, someone does their job exactly as it was meant to be done. Shamelessly, Anna Diggs Taylor, a federal judge from Detroit ruled on the obvious truth that the Federal government’s warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional. For those following along at home, see the amendment between the third and fifth. Or else stop making fun of Al Gore for calling the constitution “a living document.” Personally, I would rather live in a country wholly defenseless against terrorism than to stop making fun of Al Gore for that. We’ll see if the administration can find some activist judges to set aside the law for politics- A final hypocrisy lest the era of unified rule end incomplete. The Prattler Wordbook KANSAS, n. A land where fish never grew legs, humans never learned reason and monkeys have wings. KAPUT, adj. One day too determined. KARATE, n. An efficient medium for dialogue. KARMA, n. The mechanism by which a random act of kindness leaves lipstick on the collar. KASHMIR, n. A holy land of warring pieties. KAYAK, n. A swiftboat needing only one paddle. KEEL, n. A submerged spouse. KEEL-HAUL, v.t. To vote one’s conscience at sea. KEEN, adj. Coarse. KEENNESS, n. The narrow quality at the edge of a blade or breadth in a journalist.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
From the collection of Richard Samuel West / Periodyssey.http://www.periodyssey.com/private/press.htmshapeimage_5_link_0