Valerie Ellis
- : Mobile, AL
- : 51
- : liberal
- : Democrat
- : Digby (Hullabaloo), Glenn Greenwald, Atrios, Daily Kos, TPM, Firedoglake, Crooks and Liars, Orcinus, Salon Table Talk
- : Too many to list. Current political books: Shock Doctrine by Klein, Fiasco by Ricks, Broken Government by Dean. Hunting of the President by Conason is an old favorite, Palast's Armed Madhouse. Otherwise, in more frivolous reading, decidedly middlebrow: Lindsey Davis' Falco series, Anne Perry Victorian mysteries, Laurie King's Mary Russell series, anything set in a time other than the present -- either past or future (SF). Enjoyed the Harry Potter books,too.
- : "Dawn: When men of reason go to bed." Ambrose Bierce "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin "When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis "An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind." M.K. Gandhi "It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare." Mark Twain "Hard work never hurt anyone -- who didn't do it." "Pappy" Maverick
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Actually, that's NOT so. He brought it up in his very first run for office in a dishonest way that closed down debate. As an outsider he was getting the typical carpetbagger accusation during a debate, and his response was to milk his military background for all it was worth: "Listen, pal,"I spent 22 years in the Navy. We in the military service tend to move a lot. I wish I could have had the luxury, like you, of spending my entire life in a nice place like the 1st District of Arizona. As a matter of fact, the place I lived longest in my life was Hanoi." (Actually, great dramatic line that it was, it wasn't even true; he had lived longer in Arlington, Va., as a youngster and years later while in the Navy). But how can you respond to something like that? It makes the opponent or a reporter look petty and lacking in respect for Mom, the flag and apple pie.
When he got caught in the Keating Five scandal, when reporters were questioning him, his response was: "Even the Vietnamese didn't question my ethics."
No, McBush has a long history of invoking his Vietnam experience, especially to head off uncomfortable questions. He deserves no pass on that account.
Posted at July 1, 2008 3:50 PM in response to McCain Campaign Accuses Obama Camp Of Coordinating With Webb To Attack McCain
