What do the numbers over 50, 1,052 and 52 have to do with each other? For those who hate clicking through, we’re talking, of course, about the spot price of crude oil, the number of American troops killed in Iraq, and of course, the President’s current approval rating.
There are a variety of factors accounting for the high oil prices, including perceived instability in Nigeria (a big source of oil for… us), refining and distribution problems caused by recent hurricanes, and… you know… that whole Middle East thing. Prince Bandar has directed the Hermes Kingdom’s public relations office to tell us that Saudi Arabia will increase production from over 9 to over 11 million bbl./day, to profit from the high prices… I mean, to stabilize prices. Are Bush’s policies wholly responsible for the price spike? Of course not. Are they largely responsible? Well, you might say… well, yeah, they are. Our national energy policy remains aircraft carriers, SUV use and other waste remains encouraged, and we destabilized the whole Middle East with our Iraq adventure.
The second number is the grim reminder of a narrow slice of the human cost of that adventure: the number of Americans who died on the field of battle. Granny
asked me if soldiers who died of their wounds weeks or months later were counted in the dead, and I told her I believed not (if anyone knows for sure, please post in comments). And God knows, there are no official counts of Iraqi civilian casualties, let alone Iraqi combatant casualties.
And the third number reflects an amazing disconnect with reality. I mean, I could throw in other numbers, like the projected deficit of $5.2 trillion over the next ten years, or the figure that Kerry should have been using only as an appetizer before lacing into Iraq and especially Afghanistan, i.e., 1.2 million private sector jobs lost (by some estimates), making Bush the first president since Hoover to preside over a net job loss during his presidency. And yet, a majority favor his record, and he is certainly the man to beat right now. The nation was perfectly willing to follow the Bush campaign theme, it being three words and all (“Look over there!”)
Again, though… as important as all these numbers are to Kid Kerry, they are appropriate only as jabs. They are little rabbit punches to get the judges to start to pay attention as the bigger blows are thrown and landed. The appropriate uppercut remains Iraq… preferably a right uppercut (pointing out that just like in ‘Nam, the troops were winning the battles only to have the politicians give away the war, and in this case, lose the peace); the crossing punches remain Al Qaeda and the frequently undiscussed Afghanistan.
If Fightin’ John follows this strategy, he can impress the judges enough to score the unanimous decision he will need (anything approaching a split decision goes to the Black Robed Partisans , and the titleholder will retain the belt– the fans be damned.)
So you go, Fightin’ John. You kick that pussy-shit frat-boy’s ass!
tdog
Just before I came here, I posted a link to a new survey that indiactes that a significant majority of Americans have grown weary of Bush’s foreign/war policies.
That said, despite disapproval with Bush, he still holds a lead in late polling. The only conclusion I could reach is that the problem for the Kerry campaign isn’t the message; it’s the man.
This election was the Dems to lose and by nominating JFK II, you may end up doing just that.
Ok, rip me a new one!
In a recently circulated Michael Moore e-mail, he criticized Democrats for being whiners about Bush’s lead in the polls. Two months ago when Kerry was kicking ass, you didn’t hear Republican’s whining about how their candidate sucks. And, suck he does.
So, from hear on out, I am only thinking good thoughts about JFK II. He’s the better man. He’s been giving solid speeches. And, I can’t imagine I will ever see this much hate directed at an American president again by his own people.
So let’s put Don’t Stop Thining About Tomorrow on the CD player and think happy thoughts. Most of all, let’s not submarine our own candidate. The Republican’s don’t do it, and they have Lance Lot Link as their candidate for Allah’s sake.
All US service personnel who have died in the theater of operations in Iraq, including the Persian Gulf, or died later from injuries sustained therein, are counted in the number of US war dead. That number includes deaths from drownings, vehicle accidents, suicides… as well from the result of enemy fire. There might be a “year and a day rule” for these statistics, I don’t know, but I haven’t heard of a such a case occuring even there is.
There you have it. 2 out of 3 TD posters surveyed believe Kerry is a sinking ship. And Tom would play some Fleetwood Mac for the party loyalists sitting in their deck chairs on the way down.
Steve:
Welcome to the club.
I’ve only been saying that since Iowa.
But don’t insult the initials by referring to this piece of crap as JFKII.
Zev:
The Fleetwood Mac song for the sinking of the Alias Kerry would be “Tusk.”
Oh give it a rest, will you people. The man just started campaigning a week ago (its been a whole week since I heard a Nam reference from him). Give him a chance to get going. He’ll put on quite a performance at the debates. Don’t ask me how– that’s his department.
But look: Bush increasing the smugness at this late stage is not the move on his part. He will give Kerry an opening he can fly Air Force One through by doing it.
But the Bushmen can’;t help themselves. They’re just naturally arrogant assholes.
Dog, Weren’t you saying MONTHS ago that this was all over and W was self-destructing!!! So now Kerry is campaigning? Wake up and embrace DaZev!!!