Picture of the Day; August 18th, 2008

If Obama doesn’t win this time around……

Then again I said the same thing four years ago- and look where that got us!

Update on Warren Forum

Evidently, both candidates were given advanced word of a few of the questions they would receive during the forum. From the Times:

A spokesman for Mr. Warren, A. Larry Ross, said that Mr. Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback, had assured both candidates in advance that he was not going to play “gotcha” with them. He gave them some of the questions, Mr. Ross said, because he wanted to put them at ease and alleviate any concern that the forum would be a “Christian litmus-test” for president.

The issue of the “cone of silence” and McCain’s awkward (given the actual situation) description of how comfortable it was, however, remains.

Lego Art

So, as promised, I bring you something interesting from the art world.  Check out former corporate lawyer Nathan Sawaya’s awesome Lego sculptures in this slideshow. I guess not all lawyers are doomed to lead boring white collar lives forever… ahem! 

Enjoy!

P.S. – Also, check out this Graffiti Project that was done over a 600 year-old Scottish castle.  I’m not sure how I feel about this actually.  Usually I’m a fan of graffiti art (the kind that is actual ART, that is, not just tagging), but on the other hand this is a SIX HUNDRED year old castle that probably could’ve been restored and preserved for his historic beauty and significance. Thoughts?

Quote of the Day; August 18th, 2008

Initially the absurdity of this quote didn’t occur to me, but did anyone find a problem with the McCain campaign’s response to allegations that he “cheated” at the RIck Warren forum:

The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous.

Now, I am agnostic on the issue of whether McCain “cheated” at the forum (whatever that would entail), but the clear implication of the campaign’s response is that since McCain is a former prisoner of war, he does not cheat, lie or steal. Unfortunately, what I can see emerging from this type of description of McCain is a reflexive reference to his being a POW as some sort of defense against allegations of wrongdoing. “Senator Obama seems to take relish in impugning the motives of a prisoner of war…blah blah blah” is something I can foresee occurring.

Morning News; August 18th, 2008

1) Santana pitched a four-hit shutout to lead the Mets over the Pirates (six in a row), while the Yanks won a slugfest 15-6 over the Royals. Good times had by all. Also, the hero of Chinese track (and Athens gold medalist), pulled out of his first round of the 110 hurdles. He was the former world record holder and defending olympic champion but had been battling a balky hamstring all season. Moving forward I am pulling for the Americans or the Cuban world record holder.

2) Controversy coming out of the recent Rick Warren “Civil Forum on Faith”: Warren made a big deal out of the fact that neither candidate had been previewed the questions and that prior to the forum that they had flipped a coin prior to the event and had placed the candidate going second into a “cone of silence.” McCain was the second candidate and even discussed his experience in this “cone of silence” backstage. Too bad it wasn’t true. He was sitting in the limo while Obama was interviewed- presumably with access to the broadcast. This wouldn’t bother me if the fact that neither candidate could hear the questions in advance wasn’t such a big part of the fairness of the event.

3) Obama met with former-slimeball-but-now-green-energy-leader T. Boone Pickens while the McCain campaign announced that he’ll be running ads during the television coverage of the DNC.

4) While my parents and I have been counting down Bush’s last day (154 days to go) since, well, his first day, Bloomberg has a more positive spin on the countdown to stepdown. Seeking to keep up the pressure on himself and his office, he has his aides print the days he has left on all of his speech cards.

5) President Musharraf has resigned. He was facing impeachment charges. Perhaps our Congress will be inspired? Oh no, I forgot, that requires chutzpa.

Is Jon Stewart the Most Trusted Man in America?

I thought this was pretty interesting, and would be a good addition.  This was first printed in Sunday’s NYT…

 

IT’S been more than eight years since “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” made its first foray into presidential politics with the presciently named Indecision 2000, and the difference in the show’s approach to its coverage then and now provides a tongue-in-cheek measure of the show’s striking evolution.

In 1999, the “Daily Show” correspondent Steve Carell struggled to talk his way off Senator John McCain’s overflow press bus — “a repository for outcasts, misfits and journalistic bottom-feeders” — and onto the actual Straight Talk Express, while at the 2000 Republican Convention Mr. Stewart self-deprecatingly promised exclusive coverage of “all the day’s events — at least the ones we’re allowed into.” In this year’s promotional spot for “The Daily Show’s” convention coverage, the news newbies have been transformed into a swaggering A Team — “the best campaign team in the universe ever,” working out of “ ‘The Daily Show’ news-scraper: 117 stories, 73 situation rooms, 26 news tickers,” and promising to bring “you all the news stories — first … before it’s even true.”