A Lesson from the Redeem Team

One of the most remarkable stories to come out of the Olympics has been the turnaround of the U.S. men's basketball team, the "Redeem Team."

The goal of the team wasn't just to bring gold back to U.S. basketball, which had become vulnerable to opposing international teams. Rather, it was also to rehabilitate its image.

As many outlets have noted, including a recent L.A. Times article, the arrogance of the team had alienated opposing teams and players, and earned it little respect. In many ways, it confirmed the worst stereotypes about Americans.

In contrast, this team made it a point to not only step up its game, but also to raise its image. And by all accounts, this team of star players from the top down—including Kobe Bryant, who seems to have been genuinely moved and re-energized by the experience—have bought into the importance of being good ambassadors both for the sport and for the U.S.

As the team's managing director noted, in order for Team America to be successful, it didn't just need to come out on top, "We have to show respect for our country, show respect for our team, show respect for our opponents. And anything less than that’s not going to fly.’ ”

Sounds like a lesson our present (and any future) Administration should take to heart.

The Naivete of George W. Bush (the Appeaser not the Decider)

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, the President's toothless response to Russia's invasion of Georgia serves as yet another painful reminder of the impotency of both George Dubya and the United States under his leadership (as if they could sink any lower). As much as G.W. pays lip service to defending democracy around the world, like a deer caught in the headlights (in fact, similar to his immediate response to 9/11 when he froze in wide-eyed fear) he stood around and did nothing early on while Russia moved into Georgia and consolidated its land-grab. In response, Bush simply said nations shouldn't act like bullies.

The fallout? The Russians likely will say entrenched in the contested territory as this lame duck President sells out a nascent democracy and cowers in fear of upsetting an upstart power that this President desperately needs as an ally for reasons related to oil, Iran and Iraq.

This latest fiasco is yet further proof of this President's incompetency, naivete, and downright poor judgment. As noted in an a recent L.A. Times article regarding this latest failure of U.S. foreign policy under this Administration, "early in his term, Bush famously said that he got a 'sense of his soul'" after a meeting with then Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, "I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy."

Putin clearly seized upon Bush's naivete and Christianity to play him for a fool.

With Friends Like These... (Part 2)

Yeah, I know it's been awhile since I last posted. While the usual intrusions of real life have contributed to the lack of posts, part of it was general fatigue and disinterest in this longer-than-usual primary season. Anyway, I hope to get back on a roll and post on issues!

First up is this article from the Los Angeles Times that confirms what I have been thinking and blogging about recently: with new powers on the rise like China and India (as I have discussed here), the U.S. can no longer arrogantly depend on its preeminence as the leading economic power to get all the oil it needs affordably.

Nor, apparently, can we depend on our friends. Even the well-documented cozy relationship that the Bush family has enjoyed with the house of Saud over several generations has not helped this Administration ease surging oil prices in the U.S. Despite the spectacle of an American president going hat-in-hand again to beg for help from Saudi Arabia (as I noted here the first time it happened) , the Saudis have all but told Bush and the U.S. to take a hike—now that they've got the Chinese to kiss up to.

If this in itself isn't enough to find new alternative sources of energy, then I don't know what is. The American people are now paying the price of our cronyism with and unwavering support of slimy oil regimes. It's time to stop letting backward Third World fiefdoms from running our lives.

Gayest President Ever?

In yet another wonderful example of war apologists being on the defensive while raising the quality of debate in the nation, one well known conservative sectarian recently caused waves by calling Democratic candidate John Edwards a "faggot."

Well, I wonder what they make of the following photos....

If ever a photo underscored how much in bed this Administration and the Bush family are with oil interests, this certainly is it. I mean, they're actually FUCKING HOLDING HANDS!

Who do you think is on top? (Considering the price of gas, I would surmise it's the President getting it up the ass.)





Here Bush hugs Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after a news conference in Brazil.

I guess with so many few friends left around the world, o Decider no Chefe (that's Portuguese for "Decider in Chief") is understandably desperately in need for some man-love.







Here Bush and his loverboy are at it again, at yet another event, after a quick change out of sweat-stained clothes.

Geez louise, we get it already--get a hotel room already!









My God, who'd've thought it possible, but McCain actually even looks gayer than the President. If Bush wasn't a draft dodger and so scared of combat, I'm sure he wouldn't've minded spending some quality time in the Hanoi Hilton with all those big manly pilots (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

They are, after all, two men with daddy issues.










If any Conservative whore decides to shoot her mouth off about faggot-loving politicians, they should first look in their own backyard at their own closeted Decider in Chief.

--or perhaps at Dick Cheney's bull dyke daughter who (oh, God, this is too good to be true) is preparing to give birth with her partner in an act of "selfish hedonism."

Though, apparently, according to the Vice President, it's not okay to attack people's sexual orientation if it's true and involves members of your own family.

Once a cokehead...

I recently read a report about how the conservatives are sharpening their knives, ready to go after Hillary Clinton (and, no doubt, anyone else who they oppose) by attacking her as a “flip-flopper.”

I always find such charges to be rather transparent and ridiculous. Outright hypocrisy, of course, should always be fair game. Last September’s Mark Foley scandal comes to mind, for example, where a sitting Florida congressman was found to be sexually harassing and pursuing House of Representative pages while simultaneously sponsoring sexual predator legislation. (A Republican, mind you!)

Otherwise, who holds the same exact views throughout their lives? Is no one allowed to change their minds, esp. with age, education and experience? Conservatives, of course, consider such unchanged constancy to be a virtue, particularly given their views on moral absolutism and their disdain for moral relativism of any kind.

Strangely, the Decider-in-Chief is often held up as the poster boy for “staying the course.” Doesn’t anyone find this ironic given the fact that Bush is an admitted coke fiend and alcoholic? If conservatives believe a coke-sniffing party boy could make such a radical reversal, shouldn’t the same courtesy be extended to others, particularly in more nuanced circumstances? All I know is that if I ever was accused of being a flip flopper, I’d certainly use George Bush’s about-face from being a cokehead as proof #1 that change is, after all, possible.

[Pictured above: Mug shot of President Bush's niece, arrested for possession of crack cocaine. No doubt expect to see the President's daughters, Jenna and Barbara, pictured here soon, or perhaps checking into "rehab."]