You’ve seen Howard Kurtz cheerlead “the Surge” in defiance of the facts. You’ve seen him cover for Michelle Malkin’s campaign of hatred against a severely-injured 12-year old boy. You’ve seen him quote Malkin to push a false equivalency about hatred on the left and continue to ignore the eliminationist rhetoric commonplace on the right. You’ve seen him write a puff piece on Malkin. Oh, then there’s all the Obama non-scandal scandals that could have been made into a bigger deal. So here’s a little quiz. How many right-wing talking points can you spot in his write-up on Barack Obama’s infomercial?
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So McCain campaign… How and why are any of us supposed to respect any of you at all at this point?

I don’t think there’s been a single significant claim made by McCain, Palin or anyone associated with the campaign in the past three weeks that hasn’t been highly deceptive if not an outright lie.

And seriously, it’s hard to keep up with all those lies. Even the full-time bloggers can’t. (Your habit of repeating the same debunked and ineffective smears over and over does make it a bit easier, though.)

Let’s take one example. Anyone who accuses Obama of being a “socialist” is either an ignoramus or a liar. Or a combination of both.
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Golden Earring – “Twilight Zone”

Somewhere in a lonely hotel room there’s a guy starting to realize that eternal fate has turned its back on him.

I think this and “Radar Love” are their best. Back in the 80s, this one made quite a splash (at least at our school) as one of the first really cool videos, and the censored-in-the-States nudity helped the chatter. This version is the crispest currently on the web, although there’s one unfortunate and unintentional skip early on. You’ll also hear the standard radio-version edit during the instrumental break, since the full album version runs about 7 minutes.

Wynken:

Blynken:
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I like these “real” Americans more, somehow. (Via Digby.)

(Cross-posted at Vagabond Scholar)

California ballot proposition 8, designed to outlaw gay marriage, is the one that’s justifiably garnered national press. While California is solidly in Obama’s column, twelve state propositions are on the ballot, and a strong turnout is essential to ensure a No on 4 and a No on 8 (here’s a rundown on the entire twelve). If the “Yes on 8″ movement succeeds, it’ll be a serious setback for gay rights. Somehow, despite plenty of gay marriages here in California this year, the sky has not fallen, and despite allowing gay marriage years ago, Massachusetts is still intact and maintains the lowest divorce rates in the nation. Considering anti-gay ballot measures were a key method for getting out the conservative vote in 2004 to defeat Kerry, it’d be rather poetic if 2008 saw both an Obama victory and a defeat of Prop. 8.

The actual language of the summary is:
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I’m dismayed to see this one come up again, because it’s the third time in a four years, its proponents are very deceptive and its consequences could be dire. Here’s the official summary:

WAITING PERIOD AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BEFORE TERMINATION OF MINOR’S PREGNANCY.
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Changes California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent or legal guardian.

Permits notification to certain adult relatives if doctor reports parent to law enforcement or Child Protective Services.

Provides notification exceptions for medical emergency or parental waiver.

Permits courts to waive notice based on clear and convincing evidence of minor’s maturity or best interests.

Mandates reporting requirements, including reports from physicians regarding abortions on minors.

Authorizes damages against physicians for violation.

Requires minor’s consent to abortion, with exceptions.

Prop. 4 endangers teens, and is opposed by The American Academy of Pediatrics (California District), The California Medical Association, The California Association Of Family Physicians, The American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists (District Ix), The California Nurses Association, The California Teachers Association, The California Association of School Counselors and Planned Parenthood.
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Unlike Fran, I sorta liked the cheerful stupidity of the original ads (one of my brothers friggin’ loved them), but like Fran, I like Wassup 2008:

Fran’s also got some bayou music for Barack and a peace sign project for all you damn hippies.

(Cross-posted at Vagabond Scholar)

Hey kids, it’s rich lobbyist and ‘jes folks’ character actor Fred Thompson! (He’s readin’ sumthin’, which proves he’s smart ‘n’ stuff, not matter what Nixon said about him). I wonder what he has to say!

Uh, okay. “Responsible” change is the essence of conservatism?!? Obama’s really, really liberal? Basically:

If you’re nostalgic for Reagan’s fake folksy bullshit, and you’re fond of Fred’s fake folksy bullshit, then you might be just the type who’s attracted by Sarah Palin’s fake folksy bullshit and McCain’s phony populist crap, especially all the fake folksy bullshit he’s shilling about his new BFF, Joe the Plumber, who, besides not being a licensed plumber, would - like the vast majority of the country (95% plus) - benefit more under Obama than McCain. But hey, vote the wrong way and those scary furriners might getcha. So vote for McCain.

That is, if you can forget eight years of fake folksy bullshit from George W. Bush.

(Cross-posted at Vagabond Scholar)

The Red Elvises – “I Wanna See You Bellydance”

With all this talk of socialism and the “real America,” really, there was only band to feature…

(Bonus: Here’s the best version currently posted of “Drinking with Jesus,” although it’s hard to make out the lyrics.)

As I’ve written before, because California isn’t a battleground state, we don’t get many national political ads, but every election, we’re absolutely deluged by ballot proposition ads. Most are fairly well made from a technical standpoint (the benefit of being in a film industry state), but some are simply propaganda, ranging from the clumsy to the slick. Here’s some information for voting.

The California Secretary of State’s voter guide online has the specific ballot language, fiscal impact, arguments for and against, and links to the for and against websites. Click on the individual ballot measures in the left hand column for more information. If nothing else, I find it useful to see who’s for and against different measures.

On Which Way LA?, a local NPR show, host Warren Olney leads discussions on individual measures, inviting proponents for each side on. Scroll through to find a specific discussion.
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As soon as John McCain mentioned “Joe the Plumber” in the debate, you knew there was going to be a media scrum. Hey, after falling for faux cowboys like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, and faux warriors like – well, George W. Bush – did anyone think Chris Matthews and other millionaire reg’lar folks could resist? McCain using Joe in ads full of misleading tax information doesn’t help any for ignoring Joe.

There are many posts on Joe, but I agree with Thers’ take that some of the personal information that’s been posted (divorce records) is irrelevant and crosses the line. But, as Thers also says:
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Nikka Costa - “Stuck to You”

Frighteningly, absurdly appropriate. From Ezra Klein, via Mustang Bobby at Shakesville.

(Cross-posted at Vagabond Scholar)

No irony at all in this ad, nosirree…

(Cross-posted at Vagabond Scholar)