Perfunction

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.

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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.