(OTOH, I'll go with the WaPo Fact Checker's call that the real problem with Obama's statement is that it perpetuates the myth that America liberated Auschwitz and generally won the war all round.)

Sure, but on the other other hand, it sure took a hell of a long time to?

Back in '72 Mudoch's Australian papers pushed hard for a Whitlam victory, while Fairfax and Packer (Frank, Kerry's dad) were plugging for the Liberals. He's a pragmatic old bastard when it suits.

And of course, when The Sun suddenly fell in love with Tony Blair, you knew the tide had?

Links on Friday? Go check out Links on Friday on my site, if I can link whore like a great carpark lurking thrupenny link whore. I do it every Friday. Righto.

I'm a liberal when it comes to linkwhoring.

If she sends coded messages of her support for the war on freedom, what hope have we got?

Hoodies.

But his New York Post had been planting anti-Hillary lies. I'm sure Obama could do with out that sort of support.

Here's a quick taster – host Stephen?

Anyway, I mentioned this yesterday, but now I can embed it. Something in here for everyone who's ever been to YouTube. It's only missing Rick Astley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI

Weezer – Pork and Beans

Watch Brooker take the piss out of Craig Parker.

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=wiwmYjk9ARA

http://www.theonion.com/content//node/76782?utm_source=embedded_video_2

Hoping this works for the Onion as well as you tube. Otherwise follow the link.

And if you're going to use a term like karma that comes from an entirely different set of cultural and relgious understandings, you'd think you might bother to find out how it?

He's currently featured on YT in response to the Rachael Ray farce. Rupert Murdoch even gets a mention!

[Code removed, see below for video ?Ed.]

Also worthy of note was this blog post including a?

Let's try the naked URL.

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=p_6RXVs9_GI

Hoodies: Practical cool for our ozone-holed times.

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=X02ASWOQ12M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

Auschwitz is in Poland [liberated by the USSR], not far from Kracow.

Buchenwald is smack in the middle of Germany, only "walking distance" to Auschwitz if you're very dedicated.

Perchance you were thinking of Birkenau, which *is* very close to Auschwitz, but still wasn't?

I think it was simply Obama using the generic or catch all term Auschwitz rather than being deceitful, fewer and fewer people are taking an active role in knowing world war history now and I imagine?

If you want an interesting read on the intellectual framework behind wingnuttert, see Jesus made me puke, by Matt Taibbi in Rolling?

But his New York Post had been planting anti-Hillary lies. I'm sure Obama could do with out that sort of support.

Oh, Jesus, Neil — we're talking about a American tabloid whose best known feature is 'Page Six', a gossip column that makes The Sun look like a sober church?

I think it was simply Obama using the generic or catch all term...

I think he's just tired, he's also said he's visited 57 states duing the campaign – he must have put in some long hours over the past year.

Not so sure about Sharon Stone, if you watch?

(I probably didnl't embed that right)

I fixed it for you. Like I said, no embed code needed, just the URL ...

Buchenwald is smack in the middle of Germany, only "walking distance" to Auschwitz if you're very dedicated.

Perchance you were thinking of Birkenau, which *is* very close to Auschwitz, but still wasn't liberated by the US.

Duh. My apologies. I took that from a blog comment by someone who claimed?

well clearly, but when bogus anti-Hillary stories go straight from The Drudge Report to the New York Post and then uncritically into the world of pundits it's worth considering who's being gamed here.

Damn good question, Neil. Who's gaming who? Very good question indeed. I know this is going to offend?

(OTOH, I'll go with the WaPo Fact Checker's call that the real problem with Obama's statement is that it perpetuates the myth that America liberated Auschwitz and generally won the war all round.)

I think the most important and telling aspect of this anecdote is that Obama raised it in?

If it's links ye want try my favourite new thing: Charlie Brooker's Screen Wipe.

Watch Brooker take the piss out of Craig Parker.

Ah yes. I put up just the Craig Parker bit myself a while ago:

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=hOBLKGWTLsw

16,000+ views and a continuing lively conversation as to whether or not?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fB4eO-OeMQ

Ali Williams dumps George Gregan. 64,000 views and 115 trans-Tasman comments.

Mmm, whale.

(Copied direct from my own reg'lar Friday Linky – that's the pick of the litter this week I think.)

Also: dammit! Missed Making Tracks! I?

"I have been very concerned about how we should deal with the Olympics because they are not being nice to the Dalai Lama, who is a good friend of mine," she said.?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VWtfbN5af4c

Mmm, whale

Before we get a Hamish the Angus bull protest movement. Can I point that this bull is an impostor. He may be a Highland bull but he is not an Angus!! They look like this!!

Definelty a colour prejudice at work here. What's wrong with black Angus bulls?

You'll probably develop a whole new level of respect for Pippa Wetzell:

Feh to Pippa. If she really wants to spend her working life around dumb animals, why doesn't she go to vet school or open a shleter?

Damn good question, Neil. Who's gaming who?

We?re just going to have to disagree about whether Hillary planting factual good news stories about herself to upstage Obama is in the same league as conservatives planting bogus stories to game coverage of the Dem candidates.

If I were conspiratorially minded I?d?

Highlight of the first?

The Pachelbel bloke left out this one: a Kiwi band from the late 60s (this was a hit around the time I started school)

Yep, that's Pete Sinclair doing the intro...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxuJOF-NCzU

Can you imagine the NZFRU allowing this kind of spontaneous 'fun' at a Rugby game? Actually, they'd probably make them the Official Fun Crowd People Of The All Blacks bought to you by Powerade

Yep, that's Pete Sinclair doing the intro...

Shouldn't the Pete Sinclair appearance have been filed under Jolisa's thread?

It really seems like Clinton is the better bet for the Dems...

And that's a point that's being lost at the moment. And even, especially, for Obama supporters that must be of concern.

The best analysis of Obama's support base I've seen highlights the fact that he has won states?

Back to the Friday theme – a book called 'I Was Told There'd Be Cake' has got to be?

It's a bit bad that an ostensibly intelligent American would be so ignorant of history and geography as to not know (i) where Auchwitz is and/or (ii) that the Soviets?

There are some intelligent Americans around, but they mostly live in Wellington.

when one considers that the USA just put, without the help of anyone in Wellington, although I guess the odd Indian and European scientist played a role, a hunk of functioning metal on the surface of Mars, I'd?

a hunk of functioning metal on the surface of Mars

Second time lucky ;)

(ii) that the Soviets liberated everything more or less east of the Elbe.

I'd agree, Rich, that much of the US populace is woefully ignorant as to who did exactly what in the Second WW, it's also arguable that much of what the Soviet sacrifice achieved could be termed 'liberation'..at?

google this >> barack obama antichrist false prophet

And that'll do. I'm trying to get my head around the MCH review of digital broadcasting regulation for my Listener column, and work up some Newsmash for next week's Media7.

Heh heh. According to The Man From Sky you can save time by winging the latter. According to him no-one's?

We?re just going to have to disagree about whether Hillary planting factual good news stories about herself to upstage Obama is in the same league as conservatives planting bogus stories to game coverage of the Dem candidates.

Yes we are, Neil, because I really don't have time today for another?

Annoying little twat. I just want to swat him and say " look bro dont be such an arrogant condescending little know it all cunt cos it alienates people."

I don't get that at all. In fact, I was struck by his authentic good nature in Making Tracks.

I don't get that at all. In fact, I was struck by his authentic good nature in Making Tracks.

Exactly...Nick is what he is and the enthusiasm is absolutely genuine..that's what comes through for me. He loves what he does and is encyclopaedic in his knowledge.

To be honest, far?

Annoying little twat. I just want to swat him and say " look bro dont be such an arrogant condescending little know it all cunt cos it alienates people."

Dub, Nick is one the the very few honest people on television today. plus he fucking LOVES music. and is passionate?

Annoying little twat. I just want to swat him and say " look bro dont be such an arrogant condescending little know it all cunt cos it alienates people."

I don't get that at all. In fact, I was struck by his authentic good nature in Making Tracks.

Me too,?

i just don't have any love for him...

There's still no call to call him an "arrogant condescending little know it all cunt" though is there? You've thrown around a lot of abuse since you started posting here. People will be thinking you're bitter. Maybe you should think of a?

If I were conspiratorially minded I?d make a connection between that and Could the Republicans Pick the Democratic Nominee? — The Untold Story of How the GOP Rigged Florida and Michigan.

Well, it seems the party has reached a compromise over Michigan and Florida. No sign, unfortunately, of some of?

There's still no call to call him an "arrogant condescending little know it all cunt" though is there? You've thrown around a lot of abuse since you started posting here. People will be thinking you're bitter. Maybe you should think of a nice thing to say next time ...

hahaha?

No sign, unfortunately, of some of the Clinton hardliners ceasing to act crazy.

is that right. let me know when you decide to move on from snark and ill-informed moralising on this issue. there are other forums that offer informed and interesting debate.

instead of being bitter it could possibly be an act, cyber performance art if you will. An overblown caricaturised internet persona that as a disclaimer i should state doen't neccessarily reflect the real opinions of the author.

I believe that's called 'trolling'.

I believe that's called 'trolling'.

...so build a bridge and jump off it cos it's a fine line between trolling and trying to initiate frank discussion, playahating and critical feedback, chopping down tall poppies and knocking back overblown egos. Can you tell the difference and does it matter as long?

there are other forums that offer informed and interesting debate.

Hey, maybe someone will shoot Obama!

it's a fine line between trolling and trying to initiate frank discussion, playahating and critical feedback, chopping down tall poppies and knocking back overblown egos

Yeah, yeah, fight the power, you mighty truth-teller.

Well, it seems the party has reached a compromise over Michigan and Florida. No sign, unfortunately, of some of the Clinton hardliners ceasing to act crazy.

Um, yes... I can't imagine McCain isn't wetting his pants with glee at some of the stories coming out of that meeting. Sure provides?

is that right. let me know when you decide to move on from snark and ill-informed moralising on this issue. there are other forums that offer informed and interesting debate.

Well, given a unanimous decision by the rules committee on a compromise (one that Obama's side could actually have rejected?

dubmugga, if you really want to be outraged by condescending prats insulting the natives try Intrepid Journeys. Whoever keeps commissioning that cringe-inducing pile of crap should be pushed under a bus. Repeatedly.

that'll be those visionaries at NZ?

Please, tone it all down a little, cause I?

I see Obama has distanced himself from the church now, surely that's an omen...

Taylor Marsh's post one the rules committee decision is one thing, but she's actually had to wade in to beg her readers to stop posting violent threats.

These people have a bit of a nerve calling Obama supporters cultists?

After seeing what the Obama campaign and his supporters have done and are doing, I feel VERY confident that if Hillary Clinton is not our nominee, then my support (and millions of other Hillary supporters) will cast a vote against Obama and for John McCain.

I?

The people of Florida and Michigan, having their votes only count for half, have now been reduced to less than when blacks were only considered to be 3/5 of a person.

Well, at least it shows an appreciation of history.

And I thought that Hillary comparing her plight in Florida to that of the Zimbabwean opposition was fairly tasteless too.

Well, I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a sane rationale for comparing the 2008 Democratic Florida primary to the 2000 general. I know this drives certain individuals?

An LA Times story about the protesters at the rules committee meeting.

It's easy to sympathise with a group of mostly older women who've seen the best chance of of a woman in the White House in their lives slip away, but why is everything Obama's fault??

As one woman on TPM says, WTF?

from that link:

Because these Clinton people saying they?ll vote for McCain ? they sound like a vegan at a restaurant saying, ?Oh, you?re out of the tofu and sprouts? Then just give me a bloody steak and a side of veal cheeks.?

Love it!?

Cool. A Marxist and a corporate puppet.

And don't forget he's also an Islamofascist Manchurian Candidate and and some wide-eyed uber-fundamentalist KKKristian on the downlow. Seriously, this is a pretty scary case study in my thesis that politics becomes a secular religion for far too many people. I wouldn't go?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesyhrRYtB0

She called Obama "Mr Kumbaya". She actually did.

Good grief. Corrente and others have been posting this video of one of the pro-Clinton protesters interview outside the meeting as if it's a good look.

She seems a little confused. The first half of what she said is that if Obama is the nominee, we hand McCain the election.?

Johnson has been touting the supposed Michelle Obama "whitey" tape, even as he admits his only source for a?

Either way she's an idiot, she's from California, her vote's not going to make a difference whatever way she goes, Democrats will take that state easy.

Um, OK, Kyle. I guess the reality-based wing of Democratic Party realise there are one or two races that have to be won __down-ticket__?

According to Corrente, two of his readers are under investigation after making something like assassination threats against Obama in blog comments. Wow.

OK, so am I being unfair in muttering "reap what you sow, folks". There's nothing wrong with being a Clinton partisan, but leave enough red meat lying around?

Either way she's an idiot, she's from California, her vote's not going to make a difference whatever way she goes, Democrats will take that state easy.

She doesn't seem so representative ...

California Democrats To Clinton: We Prefer Obama

Hillary Clinton is still fighting for the Democratic Party nomination despite?

I'm not sure what your point is Craig. I said she was an idiot, is the fact that we're having a rare agreement moment befuddling you?

Kyle: The electoral makeup of the United States is a wee bit more complicated than Blue State/Red State, and I'm pretty sure the House?

Stupid people get to vote too

and there's the biggest problem with democracy in a nutshell.
It is vital for a truly viable democracy that political parties are engaged in minimising the number of stupid people, rather than simply pandering to them, which is the default option for parties wishing?

California might end up in the Democratic column at the general no matter who the candidate is, but there's actually other considerations in play here.

Well I got the impression that it was her presidential vote that was switching, she didn't talk about anything else. But if that's the case,?

She called Obama "Mr Kumbaya". She actually did.

Angry people make good entertainment but I seriously doubt this person's sincerity (or maybe judgment, I'm not sure which). I did a angry young man scene in the Tony Sutorious Campaign 1996 movie... I'm sure it's not quite so bad (it's certainly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaeMJ7oMf94

It will be hard?

Obama's has had another nutty preacher blow up in his face over the last few days, another 20 year friend and acquaintance who is a complete loon, called Father Pfleger, and he and his wife have withdrawn his membership from the now world famous Trinity Church.

Thanks James — it's?

You are who your friends, acquaintances and colleagues are.

Unless you're a Republican — Wright is wrong, but kissing up to hate-mongering clerics?

the feminist aspect of this, a woman trashing other woman to protect her husband is a topic for a whole other discussion

James Bremner, Feminist Theorist. Now I've really heard it all!

James Bremner, Feminist Theorist. Now I've really heard it all!t

And with nary a hairy armpit, too. Bewdy.

A first ever look at the man behind the camera that set off Bill O'Reilly's Inside Edition tirade.

Thanks James — it's always handy to get an update on what the right-wing talking points are.

I've always previously got them from www.rightwingtalkingpoints.com, but having James around is like our own private RSS feed.

"but his Wikipedia article actually makes him sound quite admirable:"

Well that should tell you a thing or two about Wikipedia, shouldn't it? The guy is a certifiable nut case. Period.

Craig, yes I do realize that Pleger is a Catholic. Shame on the Catholic Church?

James Bremner, Feminist Theorist. Now I've really heard it all!

Hillary Clinton, who got where she is not on her own merit, but as the wife of Bill,?

Craig, yes I do realize that Pleger is a Catholic. Shame on the Catholic Church that they hadn't cleaned this guy out a long time ago, but that would be par for the course for that institution.

Yes, James. But I'm sure you're very pleased lDouglas Kmiec — American law?

Hillary Clinton, who got where she is not on her own merit, but as the wife of Bill

I'm not a fan of Clinton, but I think she had just a little bit to do with both getting herself to where she is, and getting her husband to where he?

Meta-ironic money quote:

After noting that he and Clinton had "stark differences" on issues, McCain continued: "But I admire the campaign she has run and I think she deserves a great deal of credit."

Awww...

I love these guys. I haven't seen any hate from either of them, enthusiastic proponents of another point of view, but not hate.

Secondly, I find the your gloating over progress there (Iraqis were dying at 20 a day last month still..good news indeed, eh?)?

With regard to Pfleger:

"but his Wikipedia article actually makes him sound quite admirable:"

Well that should tell you a thing or two about Wikipedia, shouldn't it? The guy is a certifiable nut case. Period.

Oh, come on James. Did you read the article? Or was there no need to?

Clinton donors poised to back Obama
By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles

A leading fundraiser for Hillary Clinton says her supporters will back Barack Obama with donations once he finally wins the Democratic presidential nomination, and?

CLINTON TO DELIVER MAJOR SPEECH IN NEW YORK TOMORROW NIGHT
Expected To Suspend Campaign... Major Donors, Supporters Coming... Bill: "This May Be The Last Day I'm Ever Involved In A Campaign Of This Kind"... Major Hillary Supporter?

You might also care to ask yourself WTF the Republican Party has come to when someone like Kmiec (who only becomes a liberal if you've dropped a mega-dose of very bad acid) is saying "laters" and endorsing a Democrat. FFS, we are talking about someone who teaches at Pepperdine?

How is it that outside people or organizations should dictate to them how they are to conduct their Church, as long as they are with in the law.

Oh, so it's "dictating" to point out the hypocrisy of Archbishop Naumann to pull this crap on Kathleen Sebelius because she doesn't?

looks like she's all over, at least according to the Huffington Post headlines

Yes. It's funny how people on the campaign are calling it a "victory party" though.

Surely they're not going to pull that "popular vote" bullshit — the line where she wins if you only count some of?

If my memory serves me correctly, Seblius has vetoed several bills restricting late term abortion, which is more then enough reason to be denied communion.

James: I'd really appreciate it if you didn't pull canon law out your arse. The funny thing is that Kathleen Sebelius did not veto that?

Simon,
In 2002 the NYT printed a number of articles about Saddam's WMDs. Does that make the NYT a card carrying member?

Seventy million American Catholics aren't only 'whack jobs', but are A-OK with child abuse. And the goodly proportion who are Democrats should be excommunicated, stat...

I'm beginning to see why winning heavily Catholic areas like California, New England and Illinois tends to be a bit?

I would have thought feminism would have been about women getting out of that kind of situation, rather than staying in it.

James, I would have thought feminism was about empowering women to make their own decisions on personal matters, then staying the hell out of it when they do.

...stands to reason they'd be in bed together

That was a pretty amazing set of articles I linked to previously. Iraq going well, the Taliban getting whipped and Al Qaeda on the ropes. That is all just amazing, and amazingly good, no other words for it.

James, I do appreciate you bringing an alternative viewpoint here, and your?

In 2002 the NYT printed a number of articles about Saddam's WMDs. Does that make the NYT a card carrying member of the vast right wing conspiracy?

Two words...Judith Miller.

By global standards I'd argue fairly strongly that the NYT is not regarded as any great liberal beacon. Whether you?

I would have thought feminism would have been about women getting out of that kind of situation, rather than staying in it.

James, I'm not an expert, being a man and all, but last time I checked, none of the first, second, third or fourth waves of feminism came with?

Obama Looks to Recruit Clinton?s Top Fun-Raisers

Obama Looks to Recruit Clinton?s Top Fun-Raisers

I liked the typo better. :)

Oh, and doesn't your home country have some sort of rules about the separation of church and state?

Sure, and I found it unfortunate that James needed to raise the straw man of "outsiders" trying to "dictate" the internal processes of the Catholic Church. My point — and one James?

The supers are declaring and Obama is 10 delegates away from the magic number and counting.

I couldn't even begin to guess what the Clinton camp will do next.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwG9XmInSvI

"This is the greatest political upset maybe in the history of American politics."

Well, if you'd swallowed the 'inevitability' Kool-Aid I guess it is a terrible upset. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, didn't anyone in the Clinton campaign stand up and say "Hey, we might just need some kind?

Well, if you'd swallowed the 'inevitability' Kool-Aid I guess it is a terrible upset.

As Jed points out, last September, Clinton was polling 53% and Obama 20%. It did look inevitable ...

As Jed points out, last September, Clinton was polling 53% and Obama 20%. It did look inevitable ..

Fair enough, but my point was (and I should have made it better) is that I wish the American media hadn't been quite so quick to coronate Hillary Clinton. Seriously, at its?

The Bag has evidence of Obama clearing the final bar.

I thought, that's an amazing photograph. Then I read down and people were reading all kinds of 'Strange Fruit' stuff into it.

Apparently McCain's "prebuttal" was a debacle.

I thought, that's an amazing photograph. Then I read down and people were reading all kinds of 'Strange Fruit' stuff into it.

I'm afraid I did too. I could see the positive allusions but Billie Holiday was the first thing that sprung to mind.

I thought, that's an amazing photograph. Then I read down and people were reading all kinds of 'Strange Fruit' stuff into it.

Yeah, am I the only person who sometimes has to mentally pinch myself and say "dude, over-analysing a non-existent subtext here — walk it off"?

Obama's speech notes.

Apparently McCain's "prebuttal" was a debacle.

Yes, it was painful but I really was genuinely shocked by how tin-eared and thoroughly graceless Clinton's speech was. I'm not saying she should have conceded and apologised for ever running (sorry, Neil!), or give props to her supporters, but enough?

I really must start a new, post-presumptive-nominee thread, but for now, David Weigel at Reason has posted the best account of the alleged Michelle Obama "whitey" video rumour

And it might be worth reminding Neil and Mr. Brember, that Reason is a libertarian magazine, and not exactly prone to enthusiasm?