Perfunction

Could've Been Worse

Obama at the G-8 meeting with Sarkozy

McCain reciprocates

(h/t: Ace)

John Mellencamp: No Freedom Of Speech For Mean Bloggers

Big-time John Edwards Barack Obama supporter John Mellencamp shares his views on the First Amendment:

“I don’t think people fought and gave their lives so that some guy can sit in his bedroom and be mean. I don’t think that’s what freedom of speech is,” he continued. “Freedom of speech is really about assembly — for us to collectively have an idea. We want to get our point of view out so we can assemble and I can appoint you to be the spokesman. That’s freedom of speech — to be able to collectively speak for a sector of people. But somehow it’s turned into ‘I can be an asshole whenever I feel like, say whatever I like, be disrespectful to people and not be courteous.’ It’s not good for our society. Not being courteous is not really freedom of speech. …

Really? "Assholes" shouldn't be allowed to speak? Is that why Mellencamp stormed off the stage in a huff during this 2004 Kerry-Edwards fundraiser? Oh yeah, he didn't. Indeed, he himself was kind of a sphincter that night at Radio City Music Hall:

Whoopi Goldberg delivered an X-rated rant full of sexual innuendoes against President Bush last night at a Radio City gala that raised $7.5 million for the newly minted Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards. Waving a bottle of wine, she fired off a stream of vulgar sexual wordplays on Bush's name in a riff about female genitalia, and boasted that she'd refused to let Team Kerry clear her material.

Other celebs also competed to bash Bush. Singer John Mellencamp sang a specially written song that called the president "just another cheap thug" and ridiculed him as the "Texas bambino." [ed --- the title of Mellencamp's "little diddy" is actually "Texas Bandito".]

But back to Mellencamp's novel idea that freedom of speech really means that only collectively-appointed spokesmen are allowed to do it. Who oh who could Mellencamp have in mind?

One man who has no problem being seen as someone who shoves ideas down people’s throats is John Mellencamp.

“People turned on me,” the singer says. “The police had to show up at my kids’ school and stand guard when they were outside, because the school had gotten threats. I don’t think they’d do that today, but back then it wasn’t long after 9/11, and people were bloodthirsty.”

Speaking of 9/11, isn't it funny how one man's "free assembly" is another's goose-stepping "mob mentality"?

[Mellencamp] blames the strong nationalism that clenched the country after Sept. 11.

"When people are for the country right or wrong, America right or wrong, it's a lot like Germany. Nationalism is a bad thing. And when you have a mob mentality over a country, over a swastika, over the Führer, over the Iraq war, the outcome is not going to be good."

He said he played a show in Boston two days after Sept. 11 that "frightened" him.

"I write a lot of songs that could be interpreted as big patriotic songs, but in reality they're questioning the direction the country is going," he said. "After every song in Boston, 20,000 people were going, 'USA, USA.' I thought, man. I almost asked them to stop, stop doing that. I don't like it. I don't like hearing that chant."

According to Mellencamp, the US was just like Nazi Germany ... two days after 9/11. And 20,000 bloodthirsty Bostonians rallied Nuremberg-style to "collectively select" him as their appointed-free-speaker. Or Führer. Whatever.

Oh, was that "mean," Mein Coügar?

Anyway, feel free to be mean in the comments and call Mellencamp an asshole, because he'll never read your mean words:

“I don’t have a cell phone. I mean, I can get on a computer and I can text people and e-mail people and I can look up stuff for information but I made the mistake once of reading blogs and I’m not doing that again,” he said. “I believe in freedom of speech but I also have the freedom to say, ‘You’re an idiot. You shouldn’t be writing things like that because you’re an idiot.’” He particularly condemns rude an unaccountable comments in blogs and YouTube videos.

By the way, guess where Mellencamp's screed against free-speaking bloggers was published --- CMT's blog.

I leave you with the now creepily prescient 2006 Government Motors ad that Mellencamp famously whored (again with the meanness, somebody stop this asshole blogger!) --- this is our country, this is OUR truck:

UPDATE: Welcome, Driscoll, Ace sidebar, HotAir, Conservative Grapevine, and Big Hollywood. Say Anything links and notes:

In the meantime, I have several Mellencamp CD’s that I have absolutely no further use for. They’ll make nice targets. Now, that’s entertainment.

First Amendment, meet Second Amendment.

So very, very mean. How dare you.

UPDATE: Here are some contemporary newspaper accounts of Mellencamp's Krystallnacht in Boston on Sept. 13, 2001 (scroll down the message board to BurnedOut's post):

It's possible to dismiss some of Mellencamp's biggest hits -- including "Small Town," "R.O.C.K in the U.S.A." and "Pink Houses" -- as folksy fluff, but last night they all sounded like anthems, as comforting as a warm slice of apple pie.

"Ain't that America, for you and me" the whole crowd sang during Pink Houses, "Ain't that America. The home of the free..." It was spine-tingling, lump in the throat stuff. Mellencamp seemed to sense it too, lingering onstage after that song closed the main set to listen to the patriotic chants.

and

Watching from the wings of the stage as the crowd chanted "U.S.A." and broke into a rendition of "God Bless America," Mr. Mellencamp, a near 30-year touring veteran, said that for the first time in decades, he grew a bit jittery before he went on.

Then he started playing, following the same set list he has used throughout the tour, but one that seems oddly relevant now. He opened with the Rolling Stones tune "Gimme Shelter," and followed that with "Peaceful World," a new song he wrote about racism that was released just weeks ago. Mr. Mellencamp said that, after Tuesday's attacks, the song "took on a whole new meaning."

But it was the familiarity of his Americana classics that seemed to give the audience what they had come for, whether comfort, community or just to escape for a few hours from thoughts of bad news. Songs like "The Authority Song," "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," and "Jack and Diane" brought a loud response from the audience, which sang along and waved American flags. Mr. Mellencamp said he decided to spare them political commentary, addressing the terrorist attacks only briefly in the middle of the show when he called for goodwill.

"I'm not going to sit there and patronize them," he said. The show ended with "Pink Houses," a pointed commentary on the psyche of blue-collar America. Even when that song topped the radio charts more than 10 years ago, "it never got the response it did" on Thursday, he said. "People were crying."

Buncha blubbering jingoistic Nazis --- right, John? You angry little homunculus.

UPDATE: Mellencamp may very well get his "mean blogger silence" dream codified into federal law. Hate to inform all of you asshole meanies in the comments, but we're all staring at 2 years in the stony lonesome:

Here is the language in the bill [HR 1966]:

a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

(b) As used in this section-

(1) the term ‘communication’ means the electronic transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received;

(2) the term ‘electronic means’ means any equipment dependent on electrical power to access an information service, including email, instant messaging, blogs, websites, telephones, and text messages.’.

Full text of this abomination here. (h/t: memeorandum)

Geoff's Famous Chart

Several weeks ago, Innocent Bystanders' resident chart wizard, geoff (and fellow missile defense dude), started comparing actual monthly unemployment numbers to the prime fear-inducing illustration Obama wielded during the stimulus debate.

As seen in his economic team's chart, Obama argued that without the massive stimulus, unemployment would be much worse. The blue data is Obama's, the red data is reality:

Geoff's chart went viral within the righty blogosphere a few weeks ago (with the April unemployment announcement), and is now hitting the mainstream with FactCheck.org at Newsweek.

Congrats, geoff!

(h/t: Ace)

Video: Obama Terrifies Another US City With An Unannounced Flyby

Unsatisfied with triggering post-traumatic stress among thousands of Manhattanites, the Obama Administration sets its barnstorming sights on, well, flyover country. This time they conducted an unannounced low-flying, suspiciously orbitting exercise over downtown Memphis:

Granted, it lacked that extra special theatrical touch of a military interceptor screaming after it in hot pursuit, but you know, it's better to keep everyone guessing. DHS having the mysteriously sinister airliner linger like a bird of prey as it hunts for the choice target amps up the panic in its own special way.

UPDATE: Welcome, HotAir and Driscoll.

Salon: Obama Is Spock

Salon's Photoshop

With the new Star Trek opening today, some Enchanted media folks just can't resist:

The early Spock's only real vice was sardonic ire (often directed at McCoy). But this was also one of his most appealing qualities -- because Spock, as Jenkins gleefully asserts, is "someone who can bitch slap you with his brain." It’s an ability shared by Obama -- who, unlike Spock, doesn't employ that superpower recreationally. His brilliance isn't a defense (or defended by sarcasm). While Obama embodies Spock's passion for reason, he adds the element of warmth.

Obama has bitch slapped this geek with brilliance!

"Star Trek" fans who bonded with Spock already understood what those of us who followed Obama learned early on: that witnessing a powerful intellect can be deeply satisfying on an emotional level. We got a similar hit from Martin Luther King Jr. and the Kennedys, of course, and from Bill Clinton. But while Clinton's administration was smart, Obama's seems futuristic.

"Bill Clinton promised a Cabinet that looked like America," Henry Jenkins said in a recent conversation. "Obama gave us one that looks like the Enterprise crew. In a matter-of-fact way, he's embraced diversity at every level. No Klingons yet -- but the administration is new."

Did he say "no Klingons"? BaQa!

Calm down --- Salon just gave me official permission to compare an Obama to a Star Trek character. So there. Live long and prosper, Obama fanboys.

(h/t: Dan Collins at Protein Wisdom)

Specter: "Justice" Is As Maleable As Loyalty

The traditionally revered concept of Justice proves to be just as disposable to Arlen Specter as moldy old Loyalty:

Asked whether he cared about a shortage of Jewish Republicans in the Senate, [Democrat] Specter replied: “I sure do. There’s still time for the Minnesota courts to do justice and declare [Republican] Norm Coleman the winner.”

Realizing he was rooting for his ex-team, Specter spun:

But questioned outside the Senate chamber Tuesday, Specter said the comment was a mistake.

“In the swirl of moving from one caucus to another, I have to get used to my new teammates,” he said. “I’m ordinarily pretty correct in what I say. I’ve made a career of being precise. I conclusively misspoke.”

The Democrats deserve this fucktard. But it's appearing that they despise him as much as the GOP:

The Senate dealt a blow tonight to Sen. Arlen Specter's hold on seniority in several key committees, a week after the Pennsylvanian's party switch placed Democrats on the precipice of a 60-seat majority.

In a unanimous voice vote, the Senate approved a resolution that added Specter to the Democratic side of the dais on the five committees on which he serves, an expected move that gives Democrats larger margins on key panels such as Judiciary and Appropriations.

But Democrats placed Specter in one of the two most junior slots on each of the five committees for the remainder of this Congress, which goes through December 2010. Democrats have suggested that they will consider revisiting Specter's seniority claim at the committee level only after the midterm elections next year.

After boastful claims of hauling home the pork, a politician's next best selling point to consituents is "I have the seniority to get things done for you."

Not anymore, Arlen. Good luck with that election:

Democrats sent a more practical message with this vote.  Specter needed to retain his seniority in order to make the argument that electing him would keep Pennsylvania in a position of power in Congress.  The caucus has made it much easier for a Democratic primary challenger to beat Specter by taking that advantage away from him.  It’s practically a signal flare to Joe Sestak, approving of his run against Specter.

.

Yawn: Obama Deletes Bush's Twitter

And who the hell cares? Twitter is the digital macarena:

In related news, historians recently confirmed that Reagan covertly sold Carter's official White House pet rock collection to the Iranians in return for some killer parachute pants.

Red Tail Escorts Air Force One Over Lady Liberty & Ground Zero

Commenter Mustang 0302 offers the most interesting theory of the day over at Just One Minute:

Connecting some dots, here.

At least one of the escorting F-16s was from the Alabama ANG, Red Tail and all.

Could this photo op mission have any particular connection to a new movie due out this year?

Could that connection explain the WHMO's eagerness to get some current glamour shots of BHO's A/C, escorted by the descendants of the Tuskegee Airmen, while flathatting over "the target formerly known as Ground Zero"?

Just imagine the powerful, beautiful imagery of these aircraft during this mission, accompanied by a stirring soundtrack, playing over the closing credits, or released as publicity stills or fundraising fodder - "Yes, America, sleep well...BHO's got you covered."

Well, minus the terrified, fleeing citizens on the ground, of course. Ooops. Caldera, you take this one.

"Mission Accomplished", indeed.

Naw, I'll bet I'm wrong. Coincidences, all...surely.

At first, I would've said "naw" as well. But given Obama's affinity for audacious and symbolic campaign stagecraft...

UPDATE: Welcome, American Thinker. Tom links back, and regardless of whether this stunt is related to  George Lucas' upcoming movie Red Tails, he's correct on this point: Well - this will never be admitted.

UPDATE: :Contextual photo

.

Video: Gibbs & Napolitano Twist Over NYC Photo-Op; Brian Williams: Someone Should Pay

If yesterday's terror strike White House-ordered photo-op did not sufficiently illustrate the Obama Administration's post-post-9/11 attitude, perhaps today's follow up on Today will. Be sure to catch Robert Gibbs' buffoonish reaction to the news:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Elsewhere on NBC, Nightly News anchor Brian Williams blogs about Obama's asymetric PR stunt. Unsurprisingly, Williams' first impression was that our heroic president was in danger a la Harrison Ford:

What's worse, people who were close to the "fly-over" were even more troubled -- as some of them recognized the world-famous livery -- the paint scheme on the fuselage: it was Air Force One. The real one. The fighter jet was real. Was the President on board?  Was he in jeopardy? Could this really be happening in the sky over New York?

Later, Williams calls for heads to roll:

This was dangerously mishandled. As I said the other evening at a gathering of New York City firefighters: even after all these years, among many New Yorkers, 9/11 still feels like it was about 10 minutes ago. The pit is still there, though it's now a construction zone.  The losses don't go away. No one is bringing my neighbor back to me.  I will drive by his house on my way home from work tonight, and he won't be there. We still look up at the sky (in ways we never did before) when we hear low-flying aircraft, and we still worry.  Lower Manhattan is no place for an unnanounced low-altitude jumbo jet-and-fighter-jet flyover.

Someone should pay for this.

We are, Brian. We are.

UPDATE: Welcome, Instapundit. Also, Rusty doesn't recall seeing Brian Williams in his class on the post-modern presidency and how our Executive has morphed into superhero. Saaaaay, speaking of Obama and Hollywood...

Obama Tortures 9/11 Victims

Left: Obama NYC Photo-Op; Right: September 11, 2001 

There. I said it.

A smidge worse than fuzzy caterpillars, dontcha think?

Via Ace:

It wasn't an attack, or even a drill -- it was a government sponsored photo op.

The Pentagon did tell local authorities about the startling fly-over that sent a Boeing 747 and a F-16 fighter screaming over New York's scarred skyline, but officials said they couldn't share the information with the public. They couldn't even share the information with the mayor.

Mayor Bloomberg said he was "furious" and criticized both the feds and his own administration for failing to issue a simple warning to the public in a city that is still somewhat traumatized by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"The good news is it was nothing more than an inconsiderate, badly conceived and insensitive photo op with the taxpayers' money," Bloomberg said.

"It's completely asinine after 9/11 to do that," said Keith Mercantine, who witnessed the chaos in Jersey City. "I saw ambulances out here with pregnant women."

Who ordered the insensitive torture of NYC's terrorized residents? The Obama White House.

Meanwhile:

Joe Holland first saw the men who killed his son as he walked into a courtroom in a heavily fortified corner of Cuba.

He heard them boast about what they had done, how they engineered the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001.

Despite the years of delays, the allegations the men were tortured, despite other failed prosecutions and the debate about the fairness of the military commissions, Holland felt satisfied that justice was being done.

"They are saying they are murderers," Holland thought. "Let's get it over with."

That was Jan. 19, the day before Barack Obama was sworn in as president. The next day, court recessed for the inauguration. It did not resume.

On his second full day in office, President Obama signed an order halting the trials for 120 days and he promised to close the controversial prison at Guantanamo Bay, which for many had become a tainted symbol of a long and unpopular war.

UPDATE: Welcome, Protein Wisdom, Gateway Pundit, memeorandum, Driscoll and Instapundit. Glenn points us to the comments of the above YouTube and in the video description we are told that this was the second fly-by of the stalking jumbo jet, you know, like it was carefully choosing a target or something. No wonder they were terrified.

UPDATE: More photos at Gawker. And some insightful comments at the WSJ, including this gleeful jewel from an Obama supporter --- did someone say "torture"?

12:42 am April 28, 2009

All you banksters are hilarious.

Here’s what actually happened.

Some of your bosses have been trying to play hardball with Obama.

They — and you — just got a wakeup call: a friendly reminder who wears the pants around here, and who HOPES they can find a CHANGE of pants right about now.

And you know what the best part is? No one will ever believe that’s all this was — a friendly reminder that all you guys have is money (if that — these days it’s all just 1s and 0s)…but power? Power’s being able to fly 2 fighter jets and air force one right past the executive offices of some of the most “powerful” offices in the land just to take some awesome photos of the masters of the universe gripped with mortal terror.

And even if someone did believe this is what happened — the O man showing you who’s who and what’s what — you think anyone other than you cares? Can you think of any group of people more reviled and less sympathetic than the last banksters still standing?

UPDATE: Robert Gibbs = buffoon.