Attention Kansas and South Dakota corn farmers.

If you are voting for Sen. John McCain, you are voting against your own self interest.

If you are resident of a small rural town that needs jobs and prosperous famers, you are voting against your self interest.

Just a bit ago in tonight’s Presidential Debate, McCain emphasized that one of the first things he would cut to get the federal budget under control would be ethanol subsidies.

Just wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing to yourself.

The French, well, have a different sense of style--and sense about women.

Can you imagine an American First Lady who had posed naked (I can't imagine any of them nude except a young Jackie Kennedy, maybe), was fabulously wealthy, and a pop singing star?

Nah, I can't picture it either.

But ABC News and Barbara Walters gives it a whirl.

'The Carla Effect': France's Fascinating First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's Unconventional Past and Why She Is 'Afraid of Making Mistakes'

By SUSAN WELSH

July 31, 2008—

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is not your typical first lady. Born into one of the wealthiest families in Italy, she is heir to a tire company fortune, a former supermodel and a singer/songwriter who has had three chart-topping albums in France. She's had high-profile, gossip-worthy relationships with both Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton.

Last February she married French president Nicolas Sarkozy only three months after they met. What other first lady curtsies to the Queen of England on the very day a nude photograph of her -- taken 15 years ago -- is published around the world?

In America, Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain might be crucified for such a colorful history, but if anything the French seem proud of their first lady's unconventional past.

Barbara Walters traveled to Paris to get to know the real Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, whose charm, style and elegance have prompted comparisons to Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana. She is fast becoming the symbol of France around the world.

Watch Barbara Walters' interview with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Friday at 10 p.m. on "20/20."

Barbara Walters exclusive: In her first American interview, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy speaks candidly to Walters about how she reconciles life as First Lady of France with a successful career as a recording artist, the provocative lyrics in her new album, “Comme si de rien n’était” (“As If Nothing Happened”) which is No. 1 in France, and her surprising whirlwind romance and marriage to the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. During the interview, which took place in Paris, Bruni-Sarkozy also discusses her controversial past, including rumored high-profile affairs with such rock stars as Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton...

Technorati Tags: Nicholas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, First Ladies, First Lady, U.S. President, 2008 election, Barbara Walters, 20/20, ABC News, fashion

I think Sen. Barack Obama's speech in Berlin, Germany this week will go down as one of the greatest speeches in our time (if he gets elected). It was a watershed moment, a return to what America really is, despite our flaws and mistakes.

It would have been a thrill to be part of the throng.




*Actually, about 25 minutes or "moments."

Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Berlin, Germany, foreign policy, 2008 election

Just a quick hitter as I get back on the saddle after days of illness.

My esteemed KELOLAND colleague and part-time Aberdeen sleuth Dr. Ken Blanchard says the American Left has an obsession about Cuba and Fidel Castro.

Interestingly, the only posts I’ve seen from my sickbed and now, from my desk, about the Left’s obsession with Cuba come from, well, Dr. Blanchard from the Right.

Read: 

• The American Left and Cuba’s Independent Librarians

• The Paradise that is Cuba

I only hope spring can come quickly to Dr. K and the Hub City so my socialist fearing friend can stop day dreaming about free national health care, good cigars, and sunny beaches down Havana way—and non-existent American Leftists with Jones for Fidel and Communism.

Don’t look under your bed, Ken.  Raoul Castro is hiding there.

Photo: Former Cuban President and Dr. Ken Blanchard’s man crush, Fidel Castro.

Technorati Tags: NSU Hardy Boy, Fidel Castro, Cuba, Dr. Kenneth Blanchard, Havana, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Hub City, Communism, American Leftists

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He's not running for President--yet--but my Number 2 Man Crush--George Clooney--did just get a big job with the United Nations.

Like Obama, he's so dreamy!

And I mean that in a very manly, heterosexual sort of way.

If only I could be more like George Clooney--handsome, rich, talented, man crushable.

Photo: Actor George Clooney speaks during a press conference after being named a United Nations Messenger of Peace on January 31, 2008 at the U.N. building in New York City. (Wireimage.com photo)

Technorati Tags: Man crush, man crushes, George Clooney, United Nations, Barack Obama, Messenger of Peace, dreamy

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My good friend PP at South Dakota War College is off on one of his semi-daily rants about “nanny state” bills in the state legislature.

• Read: What do I consider a nanny state measure?
  

PP’s flailing about nanny-statism reminds of the light-in-the-loafers character Johnny from the Airplane! movie series.  Pat kind of sounds like this:

Ted Striker: Mayday! Mayday!
Steve McCroskey: What the heck is that?
Johnny: Why, that’s the Russian New Year. We can have a parade and serve hot hors d’oeuvres…

And this: 

Johnny: The tower, the tower! Rapunzel, Rapunzel!

And Pat, you know I kid because I love.

But on the chance that you might think I am channeling my dark side lower companion Bob Ellis over at Dakota Voice, consider this: The Russians say that wouldn’t really think twice about nuking us if Mother Russia (or its little Rooskie buddies) felt threatened.  Like, we’re just sayin’.

Don’t believe me? Here’s the story from AOL News: 

Russia Says Nuke Strikes Possible  In the latest of a series of aggressive remarks from Russian leaders, the country’s military chief of staff says Moscow is prepared to use preventive military strikes to protect itself and its allies. > Full Coverage

Now, I don’t know about you, but the fact that the Russians wouldn’t think twice of pushing The Button if they’re feeling a little insecure and blowing up the United States and most of the Free World sure bothers me a lot more than if some legislator thinks my 13 year old son needs a permission slip to go to a tanning salon.

Technorati Tags: Airplane!, South Dakota War College, Dakota Voice, Johnny, high pucker factor, sphincter, Russia, nuclear war

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There is new video via Reuters that seems to show slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto ducking (or is she slammed?) down into the sun roof of her car just prior to her death last month.  Watch and let me know what you think in the comments.



Technorati Tags: Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan, video

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While much of the reporting going on in Pakistan is from afar because of press restrictions there, the country does have a lively blogosphere.

Thanks to the Poynter Institute, I have found an on-the-ground source—a blogging Pakistani dentist—who also Twitters.

A blurb from Poynter:

One of the easiest ways to get started is at a blog aggregator with the unlikely name of Teeth Maestro, run by Dr. Awab Alvi (a Pakistani dentist practicing in Karachi). This site offers an RSS feed and e-mail alerts — but for a couple of months now I’ve been following alerts from this site via Twitter.

I’ve added Dr. Alvi’s blog fee to the Other Blogs You Should Read widget at right as well as his Twitter update box.

I hope Dr. Alvi can remain free and out of harm’s way while he helps inform his countrymen—and the rest of the world—about his nation’s extraordinary events. The good dentist is truly a blogging hero.

Photo: Benazir Bhutto casts her vote in Larkana, Sindh. Benazir became the youngest and first womanPrime Minister of Pakistan in 1988. She is killed in a bomb blast inRawalpindi on December 27, 2007 in Pakistan.

 

Technorati Tags: Teeth Maestro, Dr. Awab Alvi, Pakistan, blogging, bloggers, democracy, Benazir Bhutto

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A sad irony today.  PARADE Magazine's upcoming January 6, 2008 cover story on Benazir Bhutto written by Gail Sheehy. (PRNewsFoto/PARADE Magazine).

Technorati Tags: Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan, Parade Magazine, irony, political killings

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The Wall Street Journal (subscription) reports that former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in an attack.

A blurb:

Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has died, according to aparty aide and military official, after she and her supporters were hit by a bomb and gun attack shortly after a political rally. At least 20 others died in the attack. Her death will send tremors through Pakistan and comes as the campaign for parliamentary elections gathered momentum after eight years of military rule under President Pervez Musharraf.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119875550729752531.html?mod=djemalertNEWS

While I’m not expert on foreign affairs, this, in my opinion, is the biggest—and worst—news of 2007.

Ms Bhutto was a woman leader in a Muslim nation.  She was a believer in democracy and the rule of law.  She was Western in outlook yet able to relate to her people in a traditional Muslim nation.  She was currently working for peaceful change in Pakistan. 

My guess is that when the smoke clears and the bodies are buried, you’ll find our lackey, er, ally, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, smack dab involved in the middle of this.

Ms Bhutto’s death could plunge Pakistan into even worse chaos, give the militant Islamists the opening they’ve been looking for in Pakistan to take over.  Then, the curry will really hit the fan, impacting India negatively, possibly giving Iran an ally, and providing Iraqi terrorists another friend against our troops.  And forget about Pakistani cooperation in finding Osama Bin Laden.  None of this is good for the United States.

I hope I am wrong.  I hope Pakistan’s bad government doesn’t turn into a worse government.  But peace on earth good will to men and women in 2008 is already off to a bad start even before the New Year starts.

Technorati Tags: Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharaf, Pakistan, terrorism, India, Iran, United States, foreign affairs, foreign policy, democracy

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From the New York Times:

U.S. Says Iran Ended Nuclear Arms Work

A new assessment by American intelligence agencies concludes that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains on hold, contradicting a previous intelligence report.

Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na

Technorati Tags: Iran, nuclear weapons, Middle East, More Bush Lies

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From the South Dakota Peace and Justice Center:

Can you outsource torture?? Watch this movie on December 2nd and find out——

Outlawed:

Extraordinary Rendition, Torture, and Disappearances in the War on Terror places the post-9/11 phenomenon of renditions and the “war on terror” in a human rights context and calls for action to end these human rights abuses. Also available will be Amnesty International materials so attendees can participate in the Global Write-a-thon against torture.

 

FREE to the public.

 

Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 at 4 p.m.

 

www.sdpjc.com

 

Click on Go to the Hub. When there, enter “Outlawed” into “search terms.” www.sdpjc.organd by Amnesty International Members of Sioux Falls

The Wall Street Journal (paid subscription required, you freeloading liberal!) reports that American officials are concerned that the biggest problem in Iraq isn’t our enemies, it’s our friends.

Excerpt:

Inaction in Iraq
Senior U.S. military commanders in Iraq “now portray the intransigence of Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government as the key threat facing the U.S.effort in Iraq, rather than al Qaeda terrorists, Sunni insurgents or Iranian-backed militias,” the Washington Post reports. “In more than adozen interviews, U.S. military officials expressed growing concern over the Iraqi government’s failure to capitalize on sharp declines in attacks against U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians.” Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T.Odierno tells the Post that the government currently has a chance toreach out to its former foes, but “it’s unclear how long that window isgoing to be open.”

Just remember who put these idiots in charge in Iraq.  Us, or more accurately, the Bush Administration and its anti-brain trust.

Technorati Tags: Iraq, Iraq War, Iraq civil war, al Qaeda, President Bush, stupidity

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Thank God that Musharraf’s martial order decree hasn’t stopped Pakistan’s ability to make and export cheap clothing!

While their democracy lays in tatters, their sweatshops keep churning out cheap clothing for we fashion and value conscious Americans.

What a deal!

The Wall Street Journal (paid subscription required, you cheap bleeding heart liberal!) has a blurb:

Excerpt:

A Stabilizing Pakistani Textile Industry
One apparently stabilizing area of Pakistani life is its textile industry, a major source of export income for the country. Textile and apparel executives there tell Women’s Wear Daily that the turmoil has calmed enough to reassure importing counterparts abroad that the crisis won’t affect their production and shipments, the publication says. “Things are slowly improving compared to last week when the emergency was first declared,” says Shahid Kamil Butt, the head of Lahore-based Shahkam Industries, which produces and exports knitwear, has a capacity of 65,000 dozen garments a month and employs 5,000 people.

Thank goodness tyranny doesn’t get in the way of commerce.

 

Technorati Tags: Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, martial law, dictatorships, tryanny, textiles, clothing

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