December 19, 2008
Parse Simony [Dan Collins]

Joe Conason on how the Obama Transition Team brought this snarking on themselves through no fault of their own.

Also, Vera Baker: if Blago has info on how she ended up in the Caribbean, things might get very interesting.

57 Comments  :::   Post a comment »

  1. Comment by Mikey NTH on 12/19 @ 1:31 pm #

    I rerad it. Nice clean up on aisle Blagojevich, Joe.

  2. Comment by BJTexs on 12/19 @ 1:48 pm #

    This just seems a little weird to me. All of this time Obama and his team have shown themselves to be savvy political operators with an amazing ability to work the media (albeit with the help of the media love.) Watching them stumble and fumble their way through this situation is either troubling or alarming.

    the problem for Obama is that even if it’s only “troubling” in a botched and fumbling way, the way is clear to allow others to think it’s “alarming” in a “what are they trying to hide.” I have a tough time believing that he or his people overtly negotiated tit for tat with Blago but he ain’t makin’ it easy to put that notion aside.

  3. Comment by Carin -buried under 10 inches of "climate change" on 12/19 @ 1:52 pm #

    Watching them stumble and fumble their way through this situation is either troubling or alarming.

    Amen. And, when they announced they were waiting a week to release on the 22nd what they had on their interaction with Blago - I simply laughed and laughed.

    I know certainly *cough* people on this blog thought that he was the smartest man EVA, but right now I’m simply not seeing it. He isn’t coming off honest or smart or changey.

  4. Comment by nikkolai on 12/19 @ 2:13 pm #

    Is there something coming regarding this Vera Baker situation? Poor timing, if so. We kinda needed it prior to November 4, 2008.

  5. Comment by Akatsukami on 12/19 @ 2:24 pm #

    Alas, poor Joe. Just when the mainline media thought that they had gotten their Compleat Shill elected, the Petulant Left turns on them with all the venom that they ever displayed toward Bushitler, at the merest suggestion that their One isn’t Galileo and Gandhi both, rolled into one and re-incarnated as the Messiah. Turns out that the media weren’t leading the mob so much as staying out of its reach.

    See you in four years, Joe…if the KosKidz haven’t torn you limb from limb by then.

  6. Comment by BJTexs on 12/19 @ 2:50 pm #

    Great Googly-Moogly, the gleens are calling Rick Warren “extremist.” Does that make the Rev. Wright, um, psychotic? Delusional? Methinks the gleens have lost any and all pretense to perspective.

  7. Comment by JD on 12/19 @ 3:27 pm #

    Methinks the gleens have lost any and all pretense to perspective.

    That assumes that all of them had said characteristic at some point in time, and at this moment, the record does not support such a position.

  8. Comment by kelly on 12/19 @ 3:37 pm #

    Wasn’t Conason Clinton’s chief bootlicker? I would have called him chief cocksucker but…well, you know.

  9. Comment by happyfeet on 12/19 @ 4:15 pm #

    Jeez. Baracky is such a lying slut.

  10. Comment by N. O'Brain on 12/19 @ 4:36 pm #

    si⋅mo⋅ny   /ˈsaɪməni, ˈsɪmə-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sahy-muh-nee, sim-uh-] Show IPA Pronunciation

    –noun 1. the making of profit out of sacred things.

    2. the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, etc.

  11. Comment by Mikey NTH on 12/19 @ 4:50 pm #

    #10 N. O’Brain:

    This was speculation on peculation.

  12. Comment by Kresh on 12/19 @ 5:29 pm #

    “Inflated and distorted by hostile critics, those mistakes have risked creating public suspicion where there need be none.”

    Huh? When the left freaks out over a non-event on (or by) the right, it’s a scandal. Fine, it’s normal for the left to over-react. No surprise. When the right doesn’t freak out over a possible scandal on the left, it’s… er, “inflation and distortion by hostile critics?” “Hostile Critics” is code for “doodyhead conservatives,” right? Otherwise, this piece has no context, as the hostile parties are never identified. I’d call them the “Red Herring Conservatives,” but I haven’t a clue as to who they are. Mostly ’cause the author too busy messing about at the helm of the “USS Obama Is AWESOME” to support his argument.

    “Yet there should be no need for parsing, because the facts are entirely on Obama’s side. To date, the evidence confirms Obama’s assurance that he and his staff did nothing “inappropriate.” Indeed, he may be unique among Chicago politicians, in that he has been exonerated of wrongdoing not just by a United States attorney but by the alleged criminal, who curses him roundly on tape for unwillingness to “pay for play.”

    Oh, it a fellatio piece. Now I get it.

  13. Comment by happyfeet on 12/19 @ 5:40 pm #

    When M’chelle said Baracky could get shot going to the gas station it was a warning I think. You needs to keep it in your pants and not be thinking about putting it to Vera cause you is pezzydent now and you can’t be acting like Chicago street trash no mores.

  14. Comment by libocrat on 12/19 @ 5:52 pm #

    Can anyone tell me anything of value that Obama actually stands for?
    I mean besides the blah blah blah blah, spread the wealth nonsense?
    We’ve elected The Black P.T.BARNUM.

  15. Comment by Ella on 12/19 @ 5:53 pm #

    Dude, I think we elected the black Sentaor Islin.

  16. Comment by Ella on 12/19 @ 5:54 pm #

    (Islin was the Communist-backed VP candidate in “The Manchurian Candidate.” To explain and kill the reference.)

  17. Comment by happyfeet on 12/19 @ 5:56 pm #

    I don’t like him, Ella. Not one bit. He does not have my best interests at heart.

  18. Comment by libocrat on 12/19 @ 6:02 pm #

    Mr.Obama has a very very rudimentary and disturbing understanding of Marxism. He’s a neophite in his political thinking. Easy answers for complex problems, all answers eminating from the government taking in more taxes, and liberals distributing the monies to those who help keep thim in charge. There are no example of this philosophy being successful. It cannot be. Punishing and confiscating from those who are successful chokes the golden goose. The Golden goose no longer produces as much gold and even less jobs are created. Next up, Pumpernickel bread lines.

  19. Comment by parsnip on 12/19 @ 6:15 pm #

    I bet you guys vote for Obama next time around, even you, poor, sad “happy”feet.

    Because he’ll make it all better.

  20. Comment by N. O'Brain on 12/19 @ 6:29 pm #

    “#

    Comment by parsnip on 12/19 @ 6:15 pm #

    I bet you guys vote for Obama next time around, even you, poor, sad “happy”feet.

    Because he’ll make it all better.”

    I don’t want him to make it “all better”.

    That’s a Mommy’s job.

    Kiss and make better.

    Which is about the level of your political sophistication, alpo.

  21. Comment by parsnip on 12/19 @ 6:35 pm #

    All Republicans have daddy issues, N.o.

    It’s okay.

  22. Comment by N. O'Brain on 12/19 @ 6:39 pm #

    “Comment by parsnip on 12/19 @ 6:35 pm #

    All Republicans have daddy issues, N.o.”

    Sure thing, Captain Projection.

    Chidiot.

  23. Comment by JHoward on 12/19 @ 6:52 pm #

    All Republicans have daddy issues, N.o.

    All moonbats are pathologically dishonest, alphie.

  24. Comment by N. O'Brain on 12/19 @ 6:53 pm #

    Is hf around? I found the perfect site for him:

    http://fuckyoupenguin.blogspot.com/.

    Cute pics with acerbic comments.

    Maybe someone around here should start fuckyoupalfie.com or maybe fuckyouthor.gov.

  25. Comment by Mikey NTH on 12/19 @ 7:23 pm #

    #24 N. O’Brain:

    Why would you want to validate alphie’s delusions of adequacy?

  26. Comment by N. O'Brain on 12/19 @ 7:28 pm #

    Because he has delusions of gender.

  27. Comment by Big D on 12/19 @ 7:40 pm #

    N’O

    I found that site a couple of days ago and I am still laughing. Bookmarked for when I need a good laugh, say on or around Jan 20th.

  28. Comment by happyfeet on 12/19 @ 9:37 pm #

    i love it N’O … also it led me here … these are Good Americans and I feel better.

  29. Comment by happyfeet on 12/19 @ 9:46 pm #

    oh. also I am going to texas in the early morning for two weeks and if I am very quiet that’s why. We’re going to celebrate Christmas and I need to bring clothes to go to church mom said and so I should figure that out but other than that I’m packed already. This will be a new church not the one I grew up with cause mom ditched that one after dad died cause the organist plays too slow she says. This will be the first year ever with no turkey. Lamb this time. We were planning on grilling it but what we’ve learned so far is we really want to do it in the oven. Ok when I say we I mean I’m buying the lamb and the rest is up to my little brother what is best friends with a chef. So Merry Christmases and Hanukkahs and get to the places you need to be and next year is gonna suck so hard it’s a lot overwhelming and Ric is right I need to step back from it but it’s just so huge. Very sad.

  30. Comment by Sdferr on 12/19 @ 10:00 pm #

    Hey, have a good Christmas with the home folks happyfeet and the New Year thingy if you stay that long. Be well.

  31. Comment by Ric Locke on 12/19 @ 10:05 pm #

    Yah, ‘feet, Merry Christmas. It’s South Texas, right?

    Bring warm clothes. We’re expecting Global Warming next week.

    Regards,
    Ric

  32. Comment by happyfeet on 12/19 @ 10:12 pm #

    Thanks you guys and have a very for real true Christmas cause I think it’s important this year. South Texas. Yes. Flying into Austin and south from there. It’ll be nice to get out of the cold. Well, it’s cold for here. I was in North Hollywood at my el supermercado the other night getting produce and some of the chicken they grill in the parking lot and it was cold and lots of people were waiting quietly in a line for the chicken and the mexican music was in the air from the speakers over the doors and it felt like home which is a very odd thing to feel in North Hollywood and I wish that for all of you this year.

  33. Comment by JD on 12/19 @ 10:15 pm #

    N.O’Brain - I cannot remember the last time I laughed that hard for that long. Fuck you, Penguin is brilliant.

  34. Comment by Spies, Brigands, and Pirates on 12/19 @ 10:15 pm #

    Have a great trip, Happyfeet!

    I’m going to be in my office, prepping for a new course. Just me and the wife this year — unless we run across someone who doesn’t have anywhere to go (I’ve already checked with everyone in the lab — they’re all good).

  35. Comment by Ric Locke on 12/19 @ 10:17 pm #

    Well, remember it snowed in Houston and New Orleans (!) last week, and we’re expecting more of that next week. Global Warming, don’t'cha know. I doubt the white stuff will get as far south as where you’re going, but remember that T-shirts in Amarillo mean parkas in Corpus Christi :-)

    Regards,
    Ric

  36. Comment by N. O'Brain on 12/19 @ 10:29 pm #

    Ah, hf, if you’re doing lamb, remember: garlic.

    Lots and lots of garlic.

    Slit the meat with a paring knife.

    Slice a garlic clove in half and shove it in the slit.

    Again and again and again.

    Kosher salt.

    Fresh ground black pepper, tons.

    If you’re roasting it, put it in at the max the oven puts out for 15 minutes.

    Then dial it back to normal 325-350 degree roasting range.

    Ask me about the brown potatos……

  37. Comment by JD on 12/19 @ 10:40 pm #

    Happyfeet - If I have forgotten to tell you recently, you bring so many smiles, and so much laughter into my life. Thanks.

  38. Comment by Big D on 12/19 @ 10:43 pm #

    Welcome back Feets! Got to love the weather here in north TX. High of 75 today with cold coming. Low of 22 on Sunday into Monday. Last week we had 75 one day, freezing rain and sleet the next. Only in Texas!

  39. Comment by JD on 12/19 @ 10:44 pm #

    BigD - You just described my 4 days in Austin.

  40. Comment by Big D on 12/19 @ 10:51 pm #

    Moscow on the Brazos, I know it well.

  41. Comment by Ella on 12/19 @ 11:48 pm #

    BigD, the same thing happened up here in Tulsa, too.
    I can’t think of an OU-Texas joke, but I know there’s one there. Go Big Red!

    hf, don’t be depressed by the future. I know how you feel; this isn’t going to be an easy time. But, if there is a bad time coming, then God must have us here for a reason. We have a job to accomplish; we belong here. If you’re where you’re supposed to be — there’s a touch of comfort there.
    Something will work out, here, and it wil be entertaining along the way.

  42. Comment by maggie katzen on 12/20 @ 12:40 am #

    oh, Tulsa. Please tell me Philbrook is still doing the tree thing. I miss it.

  43. Comment by Salt Lick on 12/20 @ 6:53 am #

    So Merry Christmases and Hanukkahs and get to the places you need to be and next year is gonna suck so hard it’s a lot overwhelming…

    I’m thinking it won’t be as bad as we fear, hf. The load will fall later on those who are children right now. So pray for the little children, which is what Christmas is about, anyway.

    What do elves study in school? The elfabet.

    Merry, merry to all the PW’s.

  44. Comment by Carin on 12/20 @ 7:07 am #

    Oh, I didn’t get to say Merry/happy to Happyfeet ;(

    Oh, and grilling the lamb is an excellent idea if you’re up to it. I prefer it to roasting. It’s yum.

  45. Comment by Dan Collins on 12/20 @ 9:00 am #

    happy trails, hf, and another thing for the lamb: rosemary.

  46. Comment by assclown on 12/20 @ 9:02 am #

    “Moscow on the Brazos, I know it well.”

    You know it so well you fucked up the river that runs through it. That’s ok, there’s plenty of people like yourself there these days. Kinda ruined the place.

  47. Comment by MAJ (P) John on 12/20 @ 9:25 am #

    hf,

    Cheer up - I can only wish you would be as happy as when I opened up all those packages you sent me when I was in al-Basrah!

    I think more of the unhappy and disappointment is going to show up for the people who think a political canidate winning an election will heal the world, etc. Talk about setting yourself up for a big letdown…

  48. Comment by thor on 12/20 @ 9:46 am #

    I don’t think any political candidate will heal the world, but since Obama is following one who fucked the world I’m pretty certain there’s plenty of room for upside.

  49. Comment by Rebecca on 12/20 @ 12:13 pm #

    N. O’Brain, I do the garlic clove thing with lamb, too, but with one little twist. Cut deep slit (at least one inch), shove clove in, then stick a sprig of fresh rosemary into the hole. It should stick out a little. Kind of a Chia Pet effect. It’s great with pork roast too.

  50. Comment by Rusty on 12/20 @ 2:38 pm #

    It’s great with pork roast too. That’s how the Cubans do it. Mmmmm. I think galic is considered a fruit in Cuban exile communities. They use it in everything. And a lot of salt too.

  51. Comment by SDN on 12/20 @ 3:58 pm #

    #21, to quote Antonio Banderas in 13th Warrior:

    “At least I know who my father is, you son of a pig!”

  52. Comment by SDN on 12/20 @ 4:05 pm #

    Every time someone mentions lamb, I’m reminded of the scene in the Airwolf pilot where Gabrielle won’t eat the trout “because it’s so beautiful”; meanwhile Hawke (Jan-Michael Vincent) is eating away. They start talking about things she does eat, and he mentions lamb, and she’s “Oh, I love lamb!”

    Hawke: “Cute, cuddly, wooly little lambs….”

    and she realizes she’s been played like a fish….

  53. Comment by J. "Trashman" Peden on 12/20 @ 4:21 pm #

    but since Obama is following one who fucked the world I’m pretty certain there’s plenty of room for upside.

    Blaming Bush for your birth is one thing, thor, while blaming him for your continued existence through his Presidency is quite another - let’s just agree to put the latter down to “unfortuneate side effects” or a kind of “collateral damage” to everyone involved and also agree that the upside of the future for you might involve less such collateral damage, that is, if Obama does not adhere rather closely to Bush’s perfect-record wot strategies. In that case your problem in having to fact life might well find a solution.

  54. Comment by J. "Trashman" Peden on 12/20 @ 4:22 pm #

    “face”

  55. Comment by Swen Swenson on 12/20 @ 5:01 pm #

    Someone should explain Occam’s Razor to Conason: When someone acts all guilty it’s a good bet they are guilty of something.

    Gotta love ol’ Blago, promising a fight. In Chicago-speak I suspect that means “I ain’t goin’ quietly youse bums! I’ll take the lot o’ ya down wit me, ya hear?”

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Fitzmas!

  56. Comment by Sergey Brin on 12/21 @ 9:07 am #

    Конкурс для блоггеров от DRUGREVENUE с призовым фондом в 3000 долларов, спешите

  57. Comment by ushie on 12/21 @ 4:00 pm #

    Happy Christmas, happyfeet. Make sure the lamb is pink on the inside.

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