Working For The Big "O"

Extreme Mortman is funny yet scary; the LA ad group that wants to promote the "O" symbol is just funny.

Well, if Obamanauts are daft enough to want their own special salute (isn't that a bit... exclusive?  And where do we learn the secret handshake that follows the Jihadist fist bump?), why should McCainiacs be left out?  I suggest the tried and true "V" for victory - it is both Churchillian and appropriate since McCain is committed to victory in Iraq and Afghanistan.

POST SCRIPT:  I will bet the big bucks that I have seen the "O" salute on one of the original Kirk-Spock Start Trek episodes, but I will need to check with my sister, who knew these things cold back in the day.

MORE:  Or, try the Internet!  With an tip of the hat to Glenn, Trekkies can head to paradise.  Eden, in fact.

WHO'S SPOOFING WHOM?  I smell a rat - someone here is pulling someone's leg.  That "Obama salute" looks like the work of some hipsters experiencing post-surge Obama fatigue (as predicted in February).  And can we find the Dahlia Lithwick piece from last February that is exactly on point?  Si, se puede!

Dear Barack:

I know it's kind of lame to break up with you on Valentine's Day. And on the Internet to boot. But it's also kind of ironic. And that's what I need to tell you. As an ironic, contrarian, so-hip-it-hurts Gen X-er, I just can't love you anymore. I can't like you because … because, well, everyone else does. And suddenly supporting you just seems soooo last week.

There's more.

And David Brooks pens Obama's obit, although only the discerning reader will see it that way.  His topic is the eternal quest for cool in the intellectual arena:

These tastemakers surf the obscure niches of the culture market bringing back fashion-forward nuggets of coolness for their throngs of grateful disciples.

Second, in order to cement your status in the cultural elite, you want to be already sick of everything no one else has even heard of.

When you first come across some obscure cultural artifact — an unknown indie band, organic skate sneakers or wireless headphones from Finland — you will want to erupt with ecstatic enthusiasm. This will highlight the importance of your cultural discovery, the fineness of your discerning taste, and your early adopter insiderness for having found it before anyone else.

Then, a few weeks later, after the object is slightly better known, you will dismiss all the hype with a gesture of putrid disgust. This will demonstrate your lofty superiority to the sluggish masses. It will show how far ahead of the crowd you are and how distantly you have already ventured into the future.

If you can do this, becoming not only an early adopter, but an early discarder, you will realize greater status rewards than you ever imagined. Remember, cultural epochs come and go, but one-upsmanship is forever.

Early discarders may be circling Obama.

PILING ON:  Dave Niewert, writing at Firedoglake, denounces the "O" but leaves us with a headscratcher:

The wingnuts are having lots of fun kicking around an LA marketing company's dumbass idea for an "Obama salute" (you form an O with both hands). I have no idea why these geniuses thought authoritarian gestures would become a big thing with liberals and progressives, but what the hell.

Good question, which I'll answer with another - why do all "creative types" wear black as a display of independence and creativity?  (Possible answer - black mixes and matches well and these creators either haven't got two dimes or want to remain authentic by pretending they don't.  Or, it looks cool.  We duck these tough fashion calls every day.)

Comments

[bgates]

It's versatile. Hands up, fingers interlaced = the Obama salute.
Hands up, palms apart = the Obama foreign policy.

[Joan of Argghh!]

We're so far from Churchill these days. But may I suggest a counter-signal? It's popular, can be done with one hand so you can multitask, and it's universally recognized around the world. It just needs to be ameliorated into respectability.

Get that famous pic of the McCain snarl, and have him flippin' the bird.

The Dems wanna bring back the 60s? I save give 'em what they want: a rebellious maverick stickin' it to the Establishment!

[centralcal]

Right on, bgates!

Wow: Have you guys seen this at the Corner?

"The New York Times reports today that Tom Matzzie, a former MoveOn official and well-known left-wing operative, is leading a new group, Accountable America, that is sending threatening letters to big Republican political donors, warning them against making any more contributions."

LUN

[Jane]

Gee Centralcal, there must be something that can be done about that.

[Jack is Back!]

These so called indy supporters will regret all this independent sloganeering and logo development. Of course, this sign only reinforces what a lot of voters are now seeing in the One - a big zero! I am rolling on the floor laughing and thinking that McCain needs to come up with another "uppity" response. How about a vignette of showing the US under Obama visually through the Big O?

[jean]

I'm so glad Tom Mazzie repot came up.I'm trying to contact him to find out to whom and how much I have to donate to get a letter.I hope it's not too expensive. I really want to frame one and put it in a bathroom

[Jack is Back!]

I can't wait for Tom Matzzie to send me a letter. Or better yet, show up at my door. I have always wanted to have a confrontation of some sort with a MoveOn disciple. He hasn't a clue as to what he is doing. All this will do is chase the money into the 501c's that do not have to disclose their donors.

[Porchlight]

The Matzzie strategy looks like a winner. I'm sure it won't backfire.

[Sue]

Doesn't overstocked.com already have the big O as a symbol? That's what I'd want to be associated with. A company that sells goods that no one has bought.

[jean]

Sorry for the poor spelling . I was so excited about my letter I forgot to read my own post

[Neo]

When I was a schoolboy, using that two-handed gesture forming an "O" would have been enough to get the crap beat out of you.

It was the equivalent of calling someone an a.hole.

[Captain Hate]

People like Mattzie expand the definition of the word "moron". I see a bright future for him in the State Dept brain trust.

[sbw]

From the end of the old thread. Got caught as TM was posting the new one:

I admire Instapundit for pointing out "THE NEW OBAMA SALUTE" but am so old school -- at least in print -- that I would be embarrassed to link to some of the references.

In fact, it reminds me of TM's and GMax's British reference at the beginning of this thread, in the "traditional" meaning of the word.

[Rick Ballard]

"It was the equivalent of calling someone an a.hole."

Do you have something against truth in advertising, Neo?

[MarkO]

I liked what the "big O" used to mean.

[Joan]

This salute, it reminds me of a bunch of children. Of sheep. Of groupies. It also reminds me of churches where they want you to throw your arms overhead and sway to the music. I hate it. Goodness, when did our culture turn into such a band of sycophants?

Oops, I just reread this, and I sound like a grouch. Grrrr.

Also, I liked the Matzzie "repot" better than report. Kind of like he's repotting a bad idea.

[sbw]

Goodness, when did our culture turn into such a band of sycophants?

We just notice it more... and, because of electronic communication, it affects us more.

[centralcal]

Is this "warning" letter legal?

[centralcal]

Well, THIS is so much better!!! Behold!

The Little O

LUN

[Jane]

I can't think of why not. It sounds like extortion, but in reverse. They aren't trying to get money but keep people from spending it. You need a smarter lawyer than I to answer that question. Someone wake up DOT.

[anduril]

I've been remiss lately in not bashing McCain. Here's Steve Sailer this morning: McCainomics, asking the very pertinent question: how do you feel about a guy like this running our economy?

The following ought to raise alarms among voters - or perhaps not, given how silly we all are as Americans when it comes to personal financial management:

"Senators John McCain and Barack Obama released their Senate financial disclosure statements on Friday, revealing that Mr. McCain and his wife had at least $225,000 in credit card debt....

The bulk of the McCains’ obligations stemmed from a pair of American Express credit cards that are held in Cindy McCain’s name. According to the disclosure reports, which present information on debts in a range rather than providing a precise figure, Mrs. McCain owed $100,000 to $250,000 on each card.

Another charge card, held by what was described as a “dependent child,” had also accumulated debts of $15,000 to $50,000. In addition, a credit card held jointly by the couple was carrying $10,000 to $15,000 in debt, the filing indicated, at a stiff 25.99 percent interest rate.

"

Good God.

At least $225,000 in revolving debt, with at least some of it carrying "subprime" rates? By the way, that $225,000 is the minimum - it could be as high as $565,000, but the Senate does not require exact disclosure - just ranges.

The McCains are paying 25.99% interest rate on $10,000 or more???

Unlike Karl, I'm a lousy personal financial manager, but even I know enough to do what it takes to never have a balance outstanding on my credit cards at the end of the month. But the Republican Presidential nominee doesn't seem to know that.

Follow the main link for other relevant links.

Now, I'm not saying that I trust The One on economics, but I am saying that if all this is true then the McCains are collectively morons when it comes to finances, and I sure wouldn't feel comfortable with them calling any shots that would affect my finances.

[anduril]

Sailer has a wonderful intro to a post re the anthrax investigation: Occam's Butterknife always more popular

The unmasking of Bruce E. Ivins as a mad scientist who, with a high degree of likelihood, carried out the 2001 anthrax attacks, most likely singlehandedly, has not proven popular. People want to hear that Bush did it, Saddam Hussein did it, the cigarette-smoking man did it, whatever. Personally, I think the idea that a mad scientist at the government's bioweapons lab did it is pretty interesting, but apparently that's not good enough. Everybody wants a conspiracy that goes all the way to the Top! (Which Top is a matter of dispute, but that's not the point; the point is that a mere mad scientist just isn't good enough.)

One thing to keep in mind is that everybody failed in the case of Ivins. The FBI overlooked him for years; his bosses let him continue to work on deadly toxins despite homicidal ideation about "mixing poisons" to murder some poor soccer-playing girl in 2000; the war-bloggers never gave him a moment's thought; the Bushitler crowd never did either; the conspiracy theorist hobbyists did a terrible job too.

Pretty interesting, indeed!

[anduril]

We interrupt this political blog:

According to the WSJ and sundry other sources, like the NYT:

Russia and pro-U.S. ally Georgia were on the brink of war Friday, with Russian troops and tanks moving into Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia.

Perhaps that will give the candidates something to debate.

[Charles Martin]

Jesus H Christ. Mozzie wants to have "accountability" for conservative donors, Dahlia Lithwick wants Nürnberg trials for Republicans. Remember a few months ago when I said these people were starting to freak me out? Okay, now I'm officially freaked out.

[Porchlight]

I liked what the "big O" used to mean.

It still does mean that to the Obama phreaks.

[Charles Martin]

Anduril. Dude. How much money does Cindy have?

[Billy]

In college, that was the symbol we used to represent "The Big Jack Off". Occasionally, it would be used in conjunction with the mouth opened wide. That was termed the "Eat Me".

As an alternative, I suggest he use the symbol of just one hand with the index finger raised, the thumb outstretched, other fingers closed and then the hand placed against the forehead.

[Neo]

This whole Obama branding thing is out of control.

Next I expect ..

Obama is the One

... with the middle finger raised in salute.

[jean]

I think American Express has to be paid off every month.Those are some momma bills,but if you have the ability to pay them off have at it girl

[GDLL]

Is it just me or does that Brooks excerpt read exactly like a stuff white people like post?

[GDLL]

Is it just me or does that Brooks excerpt read exactly like a stuff white people like post?

[Neo]

And where do we learn the secret handshake that follows the Jihadist fist bump?

Durka Durka Durka ?

[Sue]

At least $225,000 in revolving debt

Someone needs to learn to study disclosure forms before making this statement. On page 27 of the actual disclosure form, it says check the highest amount owed during the reporting period. Under interest rate for the 2 American Express Cards it says 0%. So, Cindy McCain has a revolving debt of $225,000 yet paid 0% interest? I highly doubt that.

[Uncle BigBad]

I'm beginning to suspect the hand of the McCain campaign in pushing the new "Obama Salute."

[bgates]

Anduril - The Politico (The? or just Politico?) asked about that already; a McCain staffer said it's not carried over, that's just how much she put on the card that month. They pay in full each month, according to the staffer.

[narciso]

How about Phillip Giraldi: Cannistraro's colleague in the "Syrians are our friends"
leak department for Hersh. He also was a source for Unger and Blumenthal; so we know he's either bat!@##$ crazy or a cynic. Well some monthes back , he wrote a piece for the American Reichist (excuse me) American Conservative, where all but suggested that Mossad was responsible for September 11th. Well he's back with a piece seconding Susskind's crazy claims that Tenet put the CIA up to writing the IIS memo inplicating Atta in the September 11th attacks. Of course, he says the CIA wouldn't stoop so low, so the evil Office of Special Plans
were involved; this claim only holds water because the likes of the Crazy Col.(and holder of the Fletcher Prouty prize for
moonbattery) Kwiatkowski, seeded her view of the OSP; to the likes of Hersh, Packer, et al.

[Barry Dauphin]

OB to-do list
1. Speak in front of throngs of enthralled Germans (check)
2. Encourage cult-like following (check)
3. Inspire zealous lackies to create special salute for me(check)
4. [fill in the blank]

[Porchlight]

That is the whole point of American Express - 0% interest but you have to pay it off every month.

[DrJ]

4. [fill in the blank]

Burn the House of Representatives and blame it on the Rethulicans?

[Neo]

Following GDLL's link .. This is priceless. Don't miss the ads and links.

[Sue]

American Express does have credit cards that you don't have to pay off at the end of each month. I looked it up before I looked at that disclosure statement of John McCain. I quit looking when I saw 0% interest. She pays them off each month are she would be paying interest.

[Danube of Thought]

Mornin', Jane et al.

I don't see anything illegal in what Matzzie is doing. (I assume he's not making any threats of bodily harm--he couldn't be that dumb.)

Concerning the credit card figures, I discovered long ago that even if you pay your monthly bill upon receipt, as I have done for years, the credit reporting companies on any given date will show whatever your balance is, even in mid-month, and even if no interest is due. It does not appear to me from anything that has been reported that either of the McCains has paid any interest--it just seems that they go through a lot of dough on their cards. But hell, she's richer than God.

[kim]

Of course we don't know what percent of household expenses that figure represents, but for one of that grandeur, it seems pretty frugal; and in the right hands, I might add.
===================================

[anduril]

Did I miss something?

a credit card held jointly by the couple was carrying $10,000 to $15,000 in debt, the filing indicated, at a stiff 25.99 percent interest rate.

It's not the principal, it's the principle. I don't doubt they have the money to pay everything they charge. The point is that these people have so much money that they do stupid things that no ordinary Americans do--can they really comprehend the outlook of the ordinary American? For example, the ordinary Americans who would have drilled in Alaska years ago?

[Danube of Thought]

We use Visa. The statements close on the 27th of each month. We pay electronically on the 28th. No interest accrues unless you fail to pay by the 19th of the following month. Our statements are frequently in five-figure amounts, but we have never paid a cent of interest.

[Danube of Thought]

"At least $225,000 in revolving debt, with at least some of it carrying 'subprime' rates? By the way, that $225,000 is the minimum - it could be as high as $565,000, but the Senate does not require exact disclosure - just ranges."

The key is the phrase "at least some of it." It appears that the "some" is the $10-15K, and the interest on that is chump change for Cindy McCain.

[Danube of Thought]

I get it--if you pay a lot of credit card interest, you can't possibly understand why folks were in favor of drilling in ANWR ten years ago. Makes sense to me...

[Sue]

DoT,

The actual filing says the highest amount during the filing period. That means at some point in 2007 there was 10-15k charged on the card. That doesn't mean they paid interest on that amount.

[Sue]

Oil is at $114 per barrel. Crazy!

[Sara]

Via Althouse:

The Obama salute

Why is anyone paying any attention to this self-promotion by some lame Los Angeles "creative agency"? If this design came from the Obama campaign it would deserve the kind of vociferous ridicule we saw in response to the Obama seal. If the design was excellent it would deserve the admiration we saw for the independently produced "Progress" poster. But the Obama salute — which looks like a hand gesture for "fuck me" — is just stupid and bad and not from the Obama campaign, so it's nothing at all.

... It's a way to say "here's my vagina," just like the upraised middle finger means "here's my penis."

[Danube of Thought]

Thanks Sue. Where did the guy who wrote the original get the 25.99% figure?

[bio mom]

You don't pay any interest if you pay off the charged amount entirely each month. What is so difficult to understand about that? People who do not understand economics should not be making grandiose pronouncements about McCain not being able to lead on the economy because of a 22.5% interest rate!! When he has a 0% interest rate and obviously handles his personal finances very responsibly!

[Sue]

DoT,

It is on the filing.

[Sue]

DoT,

You can see it on page 27 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/congress/fin_dis/2007/m000303.pdf>here.

[windansea]

Cindy McCain most likely has a black American Express card, no limit and no interest if paid on time. I know lots of people who have these cards and run six figure monthly business expenses on them to accrue huge rewards or piles airline miles etc

much ado about nothing

[anduril]

I have nutty credit lines and use 'em regularly, but they are also paid off in full at the end of every month. I haven't paid a nickel of interest on any of those charge accounts in the last ten years, and if I was reporting my debt on revolving accounts I would (accurately) describe it as "zero".

It's still not clear to me that this has been explained accurately. Their ability to pay is not in dispute: Senate disclosure statements give look at candidates' personal finances

[cathyf]

it just seems that they go through a lot of dough on their cards.

Frequent flier miles. It's all about frequent flier miles...

Of course you have to *shudder* fly to use the miles! Or maybe (I've heard this but never personally experienced it) the very highest echelon of frequent-flier awards is that you get to stay home!

[Porchlight]

So I can't wait until the Obamas' finances are the object of similar scrutiny. Michelle's fresh fruit budget must be on par with the interest on Cindy's credit cards.

[Sue]

Porch,

In 2007, they did not show any debt on credit cards so that means they managed to keep them below 10k. So, they could have 15 credit cards with a 9,500 balance and it wouldn't be reported. ::grin::

[Sue]

with a 9,500 balance on each, I meant to say.

[clarice]

I'm in Paris in the hotel business center--heading home tomorrow after a great time.

Laurie Mylroie just sent me a copy of a letter she sent to the WaPo editors noting that the timeline wherein they (read FBI) have Ivins sending the letters in NJ is off--he was back in his office when the period to have sent them passed.

Just in case4 you imagined the FBI was any smarter than it was when they had Eckenrode frame Libby or let the Chinese spies get off with the worst espionage in US history.

Fellow from the Embassy just popped in to say :financiers" say the dollar will be worth more than the Euro by mid-January..

Smooches to all.

[Elliott]

I'm glad you had a great trip. Have a safe journey home.

[clarice]

Thnx,Elliott.
DoT, We've never paid a cent of credit card interest either..

[DubiousD]

As Ed Morrissey points out today at Hot Air, the "O" hand gesture is identical to the hand gesture Spock makes to the space hippies in the Star Trek episode, "The Way to Eden".

[Rick Ballard]

"Early discarders may be circling Obama."

Flying monkeys, more likely. With RW circling above, cackling away on Broom One.

An even more likely explanation is that the depth of blue collar disaffection with Obama has become crystal clear - even to the doltish progs. The 'breakthrough to the masses' didn't occur and even a prog can figure out that Obama is just next in a long line of clearly undistinguished liberal losers.

At least we know how he will be remembered - The Big Zero.

[Porchlight]

So, they could have 15 credit cards with a 9,500 balance and it wouldn't be reported. ::grin::

Micro-debt! Gee, that sounds like a familiar strategy. Hmm, where have I seen it before....
:)

[stace]

Sailer's full of it. The bigger amount was owed on an interest free card. The McCain's were probably earning money by running up debt on that AMEX card. They could furnish the new condos or whatever they were using it for, while keeping their money invested in something else.

[RichatUF]

Clarice, glad you had a great trip and hope you have a safe journey home. Interesting bit about the euro.

[Porchlight]

Hi Clarice! Glad you enjoyed your trip - hope you'll share some details of the great meals/wine you must have had...

[Sara]

Now... KWAME KILPATRICK Charged With Assaulting Cop!!!

[PeterUK]

The secret Obama "O" sign by which followers can identify each other.

[Sara]

Left Wing Group To Threaten Republican Donors With Legal Action And Public Disclosure

So if you, as a private citizen, make a contribution to a group these guys don’t like they’ll come after you. They’ll sue you. They’ll try to embarrass you. And they’re telling you this ahead of times in the hopes of coercing you into not supporting political groups with your money.

Does this sort of thuggery and intimidation really have a place in American politics?

[Sara]

1400 dead already in conflict between Russia and Georgia.

[Danube of Thought]

If I were filling out a disclosure form today, I would list about $5K in credit card debt, because that is the amount I have charged to my card in this billing cycle. If I were asked to list the largest balance I have ever had, it would be a substantially larger number. Still, I have never paid a penny in interest--the interest does not begin to accrue unless and until you do not make a monthly payment within three weeks after the monthly billing cycle closes.

I am not inclined to bother pointing any of this out to Sailer--I don't actually know who he is--but I think it would be great if you would do so, Sue. Let him hear from somebody who knows what she is talking about.

Clarice--are you homeward bound?

[narciso]

Of course, when they got to Eden; they were poisoned by the acid-filled fruit. That's a metaphor they don't really want to pursue.

Now Laurie Mylroie, gets the kind of disdain that Kwiatkowski, Scary Larry, Cannistraro, still don't get despite their
imminently poorer track record. But she was first with the Baluchi tie between KSM, Yousef Abdel Ali, (and by marriage Mr. Siddiqui) the operational planner, his apprentice, the moneyman and the tester for a new level of the jihad. A solid cross section of AQ; in three steps.Interestingly that Mrs. Siddiqui's detention comes so close to the convention period. The last time we had that; which the New Republic
was tipped off to by the ISI we nabbed the
Mohammed Khan-Dhiren Bhirot New York/D.C. plot. The ISI leak; probably prevented further investigation of "Operation Crevice" and hence the 7/7 and probably 7/21 cells who were training in Pakistan at the time.

She also pointed in other contexts, how the Iraqi insurgency, was more than likely aided
if not directly sponsored by the likes of the Syrian Mukharabat cultivation or at least redirection of the Moslem Brotherhood sources; after the use of Jund al Islam to take out Hariri; nothing can be disregarded.
Anton of Across the Bay, has come to similar conclusions, from an examination of the Abu QuaQua and other Salafiinstitutions.

Delving back into the Nass morass as anthraxvaccine.com; is an experience that shows a degree of recklessness. This is after all, one of those who fingeredHatfill,
based on the Rhodesian outbreak to which he was only partially affiliated; yet
is grasping at the winds once again.Blaming the "bioevangelists" and the neocons' for the outbreak/ exploitation of the anthrax outbreak; when other parties are equally likely.

[LindaK]

BO, Big Zer-O, the One. It's all a branding campaign run amouk. (sp??) Like the New Coke, remember the time and money Coke poured into that loser. In BO's case, no amount of branding can change the fact that he's a flawed product. Next thing we know, they'll try a theme song, "Hawaii Five-O".

[Rick Ballard]

Rich,

It looks like China really chopped off spot market purchases of oil. The Potemkin Village is complete - no more need for 'extra' oil.

The Wily E. Coyote Oil Price Paradigm is running into reality.

Beep! Beep!

[Danube of Thought]

Looks to me like Mr. Mattzie's group could lose its non-profit status in one hell of a hurry. If that article is accurate, I would think those guys are headed for trouble.

[PeterUK]

Don't forget the Obam dance.
Hold both arms out as if holding a steering wheel,then jerk your body forward as if something has gone under both pairs of wheels.
Chant " I always said uh! I always said uh!!

[narciso]

Dave, is a funny guy. Liberals and progressives from Reed, Steffens, Dubois,
Wallace, Mailer,Vidal,Hellman, (he's kidding right, never read Orwell or DesPassos, Hollander's Political Pilgrims, or anything more recent than that, )

[PeterUK]

Clarice,
Have a good trip back.I presume the containers are following on by sea?

[JM Hanes]

anduril:

I don't think the McCains are the collective morons here. This is so disingenuous:

In addition, a credit card held jointly by the couple was carrying $10,000 to $15,000 in debt, the filing indicated, at a stiff 25.99 percent interest rate.

Saying that they were "carrying" debt at 25.99% really misstates the info they provided. Aside from the fact that anybody using a standard credit card has a "stiff" interest rate, that $10K-$15K represents the maximum owed "to any one creditor at any time during the reporting period." In other words, it simply represents the maximum the McCains ever charged on their joint card. The interest rate is irrelevant if they pay their bills on time, and there's no particular reason to believe they don't. Cindy McCain clearly uses her interest-free AmEx account for all her major purchases which certainly makes financial sense to me, given the sums involved.

BTW, I have an older American Express account myself. They don't charge interest on past due balances, they just decline additional purchases till you pay your bill. It takes a certain vigilance to keep AmEx from migrating such an account into interest-charging territory, which they regularly attempt to do.

[centralcal]

DOT: Michelle Malkin has a copy of the two page letter Mattzie is sending out - posted on her website.

[PeterUK]

Actually,very rich people don't pay their credit cards,the staff do.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

I liked what the "big O" used to mean.

Oscar Robertson?

[RichatUF]

Rick-

The Wily E. Coyote Oil Price Paradigm is running into reality.

Saw something at Hot Air about $200 a bbl oil. If fear is required to get us drilling, I think I could hold out with gas prices at this level. I'm just not too sure even $100/bbl is going to last by next week and the pressure is going to come off the push to drill. I'll have to take a second look but I hope they are making a trade, stronger dollar, jobs, and national security argument with the drilling pitch.

It never fails too: I come up with a good idea for AT, get seriously side tracked with work and set what I wanted to write aside, then the actual topic comes to pass when I could have already had it in pixels.

[Sue]

Rush just reported that Edwards has admitted to the affair.

[Ranger]

Silky has admitted the afair, but not the child. He must be hoping the war in Georga keeps it off the front page.

[maryerose]

I still enjoy all your posts. Have taken a small vacation from blogging. Can't wait to comment on the conventions and the fall campaign. I echo what jane said last friday about enjoying "bad's"comments. It is so great to hear from you again . I look forward to catching up with you all.

[Sue]

He is denying the child is his but admits to the affair, admits to lying about the affair and admits to being the the BH Hilton. So in other words, the NE was correct and since he hasn't taken a paternity test, the child is probably his too.

[maryerose]

OK,one last comment. We heard rumblings about Edwards before he exited the campaign. Could this be one of the reasons he exited? Why didn't the media run with this earlier?

[Sara]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...Yahoo_headlines:

Holds both American and Kenyan (since 1963) citizenship.

Linked from: HERE

[GMax]

I am hearing he admits the affair but denies it resulted in a child. UHHH JOHn, she is running around with an infant in her arms, who is going to believe that. Are you saying you are shooting blanks? Stupid to even try to avoid paternity at this point, you already became the biggest cad in the world for running around on your wife who is dying of cancer.

[Sue]

GMax,

It's all good, it's all good, don't worry, he didn't love her.

[DrJ]

Holds both American and Kenyan (since 1963) citizenship.

So why is this a big deal? My brother holds US/German citizenship and I could too if I wanted. So what?

[Sara]

DrJ: I don't claim it a big deal, I link, you decide.

[ben]

Edwards says wife knew of affair but not of his visit to her hotel room...if the affair ended in 2006 and he is NOT the father of the baby why is visiting her late at night in her hotel room...just asking...

[Elliott]

Holds both American and Kenyan (since 1963) citizenship.

I don't think so. As I have maintained for a while, Obama lost his Kenyan citizenship at the age of 23 unless he renounced his U.S. citizenship.

My best not a lawyer guess is that, at birth, Obama was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, a status he lost upon Kenyan independence.