Political commentary from the day

[jaunthie]

What's more appropriate on an election day than a little political commentary?

Andrew Sullivan, self-described conservative who's had it with the current face of American conservatism:

"American conservatism has gone from being a political philosophy rooted in scepticism of power, empirical judgment and limited government into an ideology based in born-again religious faith, immune to empirical reality and dedicated to the relentless expansion of presidential clout. It sanctions wiretapping without court warrants, indefinite detention without trial and the use of torture."

These are some of the the many reasons why fiscal conservatives like myself cannot and should not support any such candidates. Fiscal sanity and a dedication to reality are must-haves.

Josh Marshall, self-described policy wonk:

"Quite a bit has come out in the last week or so pointing to the conclusion that the Bush administration is making serious preparations for a major military strike on Iran. ... The one piece of data that makes me think they're really going to try it, however, is the news that Don Rumsfeld has apparently put Abram Shulsky (head of what was once the 'Office of Special Plans' (OSP)) in charge of a new DOD outfit, modeled on the OSP, to stovepipe bogus Iran intel from the likes of Manucher Ghorbanifar straight to administration leaders. That tells me that fundamentally Condi Rice is just window-dressing, like her predecessor Colin Powell, that the Cheney-Rumsfeld Axis remains in place and in charge and that we'll probably be at war with Iran before too long unless someone can stop them."

Fred Kaplan, self-described long-time political and military news reporter:

"President Bush had nothing to say at the United Nations today. This was the clearest message of his 25-minute speech before the General Assembly—that he has no plans to change course, no desire to talk with his enemies, no proposals to put on the table, no initiatives of any sort, except to name an envoy to Sudan."

Feeling inspired to get out there and participate in the political process yet? Good! Now get out there and get to it, ye scurvy dogs!
(Yes, that last bit was in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is also today. And which also could be construed to be a fitting bit of political commentary for the day...Yargh!)

Comments

[tylik.livejournal.com]

"These are some of the the many reasons why fiscal conservatives like myself cannot and should not support any such candidates. Fiscal sanity and a dedication to reality are must-haves."

One of my recent day dreams has involved the democrats re-inventing themselves as "The Part of Fiscal Responsibility". I mean, it's up for grabs now, right?

Of course, then there was that one some years back about Colin Powell running for office as a democrat.

[jaunthie.livejournal.com]

On my more cynical days, it's easier for me to imagine a new "grass-roots party of socially-liberal, fiscally-conservative types led by a charismatic rogue (who isn't insane) from either of the two current parties" taking over the government than it is for me to imagine the Democrats getting off their butts and coming up with any kind of coherent message. The Dems are better than the Republican-Spendthrift-Christianocrats GOP, that's for sure, but it's not a huge stretch to be that. Some days it's really hard not to say a plague on both their houses...

...but still, we've got to work with what we've got. Gah.

I think today might be one of my cynical days...