Bad Company

Following the latest eruption of stupidity from a close friend (a rapper spewing hate and seeking to turn "the White House black"), Candidate Obama asks us to believe that a man is not known by the company he keeps-at least in his exalted case.

Giddy

One wonders whether the German people will be so giddy if one of their candidates for prime minister gives a speech as a "private citizen" in front of the Washington Monument.

Pakistan

Pakistan's government is under increasing pressure from Taliban militants. If it falls, Iraq and Afghanistan will look like walks in the park.

The German Campaign

Turned back at the Brandenburg Gate, Barack Obama nevertheless continues his campaign in Germany. That's funny. I thought he was running for president of the United States.

Surging Opinions

Democrats were for the surge before they were against it. Obama, however, was against it before he was for it. But they're not playing politics with the war!

Seeking Gravitas

Well, Barack Obama has finally made it to Iraq, in a transparent attempt to develop some foreign policy gravitas. At the same time, a new poll says most Americans don't believe the first-term senator from Chicago would make a good commander in chief-and yet he continues to lead in the race for president over a far more experienced and battle-tested opponent.

It's a bit like hiring a construction worker with no experience in bricks and mortar, simply because we like him or like how he makes us feel about ourselves. That's all well and good. Until the building starts tumbling down.

Rules for Living

No. 193: Never lean on a door that opens inward.

Better Grumpy Than Dead

That which does not kill me only makes me grumpier.

Rules for Living

No.99: Decide where you're going before you get going.

God News

Question: When is a diagnosis of a brain abscess good news?

Answer: When it's not inoperable brain cancer.

Praise God!

That New Yorker Cover

What McCain should have said:

"I agree that it was unfunny and in poor taste. But it was satire, a form of protected speech. Mr. Obama should just ignore it, something Republicans have learned to do with the liberal media for years."

Fountain

As someone who has rediscovered the health benefits of swimming in recent years, I can only watch in amazement as a 41-year-old has qualified for the U.S. Olympic swim team. Who says there is no fountain of youth?

Two Discordant Notes

I was at a Fourth of July parade today. Amid all the patriotic music, the marching bands, and the candy thrown to children were only two discordant notes.

1. A gaggle of Obama supporters participated. One was holding up a sign that said (as I recall), "History begins today." As if! Talk about messianic hubris. The last group with that much arrogance was the Khmer Rouge, and we know how that turned out.

2. A group of "parents and friends of lesbians and gays" also marched. I find their attempt to mainstream an immoral lifestyle to be sad on a day given to patriotism and family. I know these folks love their kids, but that's not the issue. Quite apart from the issue of sexual orientation, it seems a bit weird to showcase the sexual lifestyle of their sons and daughters. How many parents of "straight" kids would be marching in a parade to tell complete strangers about their sexual lives? Gay or straight, isn't abstinence the standard at that age? Creepy.

Mortality

Why are we mortals always surprised by our mortality?

Lowering the Bar

Oh, for the days of $4 a gallon gas!

Tacky

On a day when Barack Obama is trying to wrap himself in the flag, Wesley Clark, one of his key military supporters, questions the valorous service of one John McCain. How tacky. Obama couldn't hold McCain's rifle strap.