Media on HuffingtonPost.com

ESPN Soccer Coverage: Britons Cringe At The Thought

2009-07-06T01:59:09Z

An advertising campaign for Budweiser in Britain a few years ago spoofed fears of what might happen to soccer if American television broadcasters had their druthers: "soccertainment," complete with enhancements like multiple balls, monster trucks and loudmouth commentators.

The spots ended with Budweiser expressing second thoughts: "You do the football; we'll do the beer."

Now an American cable broadcaster, ESPN, is poised to "do the football" in Britain. Last month, ESPN bought the rights to show live English Premier League matches, picking them up after the British arm of Setanta, an Irish pay-TV company, collapsed. So is it time for British soccer fans to prepare for "soccertainment" when the new season begins in mid-August?

Katharine Weymouth Apologizes For Paid Salon Plan

2009-07-05T23:32:37Z

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post's publisher apologized to readers Sunday for a plan to charge business leaders and lobbyists for intimate dinner discussions with government officials and the newspaper's journalists.

A flier surfaced last week promoting a plan to charge $25,000 to sponsor one of a series of dinner parties that would include off-the-record conversations with Post journalists and access to Washington insiders. The series was canceled Thursday.

"I want to apologize for a planned new venture that went off track and for any cause we may have given you to doubt our independence and integrity," Publisher Katharine Weymouth said in a letter that appeared in the newspaper's op-ed section Sunday.

Weymouth said the flier wasn't approved by her or the paper's editors, and that it didn't accurately describe the plan for the small gatherings.

The flier advertised a "Washington Post salon" on health care reform at Weymouth's home on July 21. The gathering would include 20 or fewer guests, including Obama administration officials, members of Congress, business leaders and lobbyists.

According to the flier, each of 11 salons would have one or two sponsors who would pay $25,000 to underwrite the event and invite guests.

The flier said participants were offered a chance to "build crucial relationships with Washington Post news executives in a neutral and informal setting." It called the health care salon an "off-the-record conversation."

Weymouth's letter said the paper was planning dinners but including "firm parameters" that gave sponsors no control over content and no special access to its journalists. Reporters wouldn't be restricted from asking questions, she said.

"If the events were to be sponsored by other companies, everything would be at arm's length," she said in the letter.

Critics of the program say the newspaper's promise of exclusivity for Washington insiders is at odds with the newspaper's mission to its readers.

Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli said the small-scale dinners were a mistake.

"I think there is a legitimate debate right now about whether we should be doing this at all. We thought there was a way to do so consistent with our journalistic values, but in light of this experience, it is clear that this was a mistake,"

Weymouth said in an accompanying Post article that the July 21 dinner was hastily planned, and a marketing employee sent the flier without approval. She and Brauchli said in the article that the newspaper had been discussing a new business including dinners, seminars and conferences.

Elizabeth Rigby: Mark Sanford is the Luckiest Politician on the Planet

2009-07-05T22:52:23Z

It has been merely twelve days since Mark Sanford's disastrously-rambling press conference in which he admits to an on-going affair, not to mention leaving the country secretly without letting others know where he was going. Now 69 percent of South Carolina's citizens want him to resign. And more and more elected officials are calling for his resignation. But, what is most shocking is not that he remains in office, but how far this potentially-career-ending story remains from the top news of the day.

This political damage-control does not stem from shrewd political spin by Sanford or his associates. In fact, Wayne Washington of South Carolina's The State newspaper articulates it best by stating: "Political strategists say Sanford has done just about everything wrong in his attempt to manage the fallout from his affair with a woman in Argentina. He lied about it. He tried to cover it up. Then, he admitted it -- parts of it, anyway. And then he offered up sensational details, some of which contradicted sensational details he had offered before."

Instead, Sanford has benefited from a series of scandal-eclipsing news stories. Most notably, the death of Michael Jackson the day after Sanford's news conference. At that point, I thought, this guy is one lucky politician. But I expected that as the wall-to-wall MJ coverage subsided (at least for a few days until Tuesday's memorial), public scrutiny would turn back to Mark Sanford. Yet, like manna from the heavens, on Friday came another rambling, unexpected, bizarre press conference from a Republican Governor--but shockingly it wasn't Sanford this time. In a "statement " (best described by Paul Begala here on Huffington Post) Palin announced that she was resigning--shifting attention even further from Mark Sanford and his foibles.

At this point, I realized Sanford was the luckiest politician on the planet.

But, I can't really figure out why. I am sure it isn't good karma. This is the guy who refused federal stimulus funds for his state's many unemployed workers (third highest rate in the nation) and actually went to court to try to return federal funding to fill budget gaps in South Carolina's public schools and universities. Some others suggest that his luck might simply be true love winning out in the end. Maybe.

Regardless, it is hard to believe his luck will continue. In fact, I tremble at the thought of a news story that could possibly knock media-sensations Michael Jackson and Sarah Palin from this week's headlines. Instead, I predict that Sanford's luck will run out long before he stops talking himself out of office. I mean, even Jon Stewart chastised Sanford's media savy, saying: "God killed Michael Jackson to save your a**; and you gave ANOTHER INTERVIEW?" [video below]

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Shut Up, Mark Sanford

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Jason Jones in Iran

Ian Masters: Shannyn Moore Radio Interview: On Palin's Attempt to Silence Me

2009-07-05T21:27:38Z

Alaskan journalist Shannyn Moore has been put on notice by Sarah Palin's lawyers not to speak crtically of Palin in the media. I interviewed Moore this morning on Background Briefing on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles to discover what it is she has to say that so threatens someone who apparently has ambitions to be the next President.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Michael Shaw: Reading The Pictures: Palin Proud To Be Trash

2009-07-05T21:02:35Z

This photo was circulated by Getty after Palin was tabbed for Veep by McCain and appeared, at least, in a cheeseball LAT election slideshow on Palin's fashion sense.

If you haven't seen it before, however, it's because the image, like Palin herself, is radioactive.

Although taken back in '04 (see caption below), the statement is significant today for revealing an attitude (along with the adorable love 'ya/just shot 'ya) that, upon her resignation from elected office, now morphs into a full-blown strategy. Palin has created a scenario, at least in her mind, in which she's defeated the press and can freely Facebook and speak obliquely with and to her equally angry and alienated true constituency.

Simply, she's positioned herself to reconnect, with the same invective, to the haters and fanatics she was inciting during the campaign.

For more visual politics, visit BAGnewsNotes.com (and follow us on Twitter).

(image: Robert A. Baker/Getty Images. Sarah Palin models purchased 'Proud to be Valley Trash' t-shirt as the result of State Senator Ben Stevens (son of Ted Stevens) comments that people living in the Mat-Su Borough are 'just Valley trash' July 21, 2004 in Wasilla, Alaska. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate at a campaign rally August 29, 2008 in Dayton, Ohio.)

Ban 'Midget' From TV, Little People Group Says

2009-07-05T19:44:58Z

NEW YORK — Little people are calling on the Federal Communications Commission to ban the use of the word "midget" on broadcast TV.

The group Little People of America said Sunday the word is just as offensive as racial slurs.

The request was prompted by an April episode of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" that the group said was demeaning.

In the episode, contestants created a detergent ad called "Jesse James and the Midgets." The contestants, including Joan Rivers, suggested bathing little people in the detergent and hanging them to dry.

Calls to the FCC and "Celebrity Apprentice" host Donald Trump were not immediately answered Sunday. NBC Universal representatives didn't immediately respond to e-mail messages, and the telephone rang unanswered at their Los Angeles office.

Iason Athanasiadis: Iran Releases British-Greek Reporter Held For Weeks

2009-07-05T19:07:28Z

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Sunday it has released a British-Greek journalist detained for two weeks during its postelection crackdown as opposition forces pressing their claims of fraud called for parliament to dismiss President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The freelance reporter for The Washington Times was accused Sunday of "illegal activities" during the protests that followed the June 12 presidential election. He was believed to be the only journalist without Iranian citizenship among the hundreds of journalists, bloggers and activists detained.

Greece's Foreign Ministry confirmed his release and said he would leave Iran "within the day."

The government's crackdown has quelled days of deadly street unrest, but authorities are still grappling with how to handle the fallout from an election that has exposed divisions in both the streets and in the clerical leadership. The opposition has claimed widespread election fraud and claims that opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi is the true winner, not Ahmadinejad.

Iran has released most of those it detained after the election, and authorities are moving ahead with legal action against some of those still in custody, including an Iranian who works at the British Embassy.

Iran has sought to cast the outpouring of opposition to Ahmadinejad's re-election as being led by foreign powers, singling out Britain and accusing its embassy staff of involvement.

A week after the last street protest and with the main opposition leader not being seen in public, opposition figures tried Sunday to maintain momentum with a call for parliament to dismiss Ahmadinejad.

Ali Reza Beheshti, a close ally of Mousavi, said "people expect their representatives to represent them and not to defend authorities by any means."

"I wish the lawmakers would respect the demands of the majority of their constituents" and submit a bill disqualifying the president, Beheshti was quoted as saying on a pro-Mousavi Web site called Norooznews.

Beheshti is the younger son of Ayatollah Mohammad Hossein Beheshti, one of the main leaders of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and a top judge who was killed in an anti-regime bombing in 1981.

The British-trained academic does not wield the influence of some of the clerics who have criticized the election, but a call for the president's removal is a rarity in Iran and indicates the opposition is remaining firm in the face of increased pressure from the ruling clerics.

Iason Athanasiadis, the reporter freed Sunday, had been detained because of "behavior violating the profession of reporting," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hasan Qashqavi said, according to a report on Iran's state television. He did not elaborate.

Athanasiadis, who has British and Greek citizenship, had entered Iran a previous time on his British passport and was barred from returning for "violating the law," the TV report quoted Qashqavi as saying.

On this recent trip, he was arrested on or around June 19, a day before the clashes between protesters and security forces reached their peak.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said: "I am deeply satisfied over the release of Iason Athanasiadis. ... (We were) in constant, close contact with the Iranian Foreign Ministry."

Athanasiadis' parents, in appealing for his release, called him a reporter, photographer and filmmaker with "a particular love of Iran, and a deep respect for its cultural and religious traditions."

"We are encouraged by reports that Iason has been released and are awaiting confirmation," said Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. "However, about 20 journalists remain in prison in Iran, and we hope they will be released soon."

Newsweek correspondent Maziar Bahari, who has Iranian and Canadian citizenship, is among the journalists still being held. He has been charged with "agitating against the ruling system and acting against national security," his lawyer Saleh Nikbakht said on Saturday.

The government has insisted the vote was legitimate and that the opposition is being fueled by outsiders.

Authorities say 20 "rioters" and eight members of the paramilitary Basij militia tasked with putting down the protests were killed during the violence.

Officials had detained nine Iranians working at the British Embassy, accusing them of fomenting unrest. All but one have been released, according to Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, the lawyer for the employee still in custody. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Sunday two employees were still in custody, and one was to be released Sunday. The reason for the discrepancy was not immediately clear.

Khorramshahi said the employee, whom he identified as Hossein Rassam, a political analyst at the embassy, was charged with harming Iran's national security.

The conservative political establishment threatened more legal action on Sunday.

Judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi called for a review of complaints against people suspected of cooperating with foreign-based satellite television channels.

"An increase in the quantity and quality of the hostile satellite channels requires taking serious action to confront the phenomenon," he said in a letter to judiciary officials, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.

Iranian officials have clamped down on media and blamed foreign news organizations, including the Farsi-language services of the British Broadcasting Corp. and the Voice of America, for the unrest.

The postelection turmoil threatens to leave Iran more isolated than it already was due to the standoff with the West over its nuclear program. It has also imperiled President Barack Obama's aim to engage the country in dialogue after years of being shunned by the Bush administration.

Vice President Joe Biden, in an interview broadcast Sunday, seemed to give Israel a green light for military action against Iran's nuclear program, saying the U.S. "cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do."

Biden told ABC's "This Week" that "whether we agree or not, they're entitled to do that."

Iran denies any aim to produce nuclear weapons and says it only wants nuclear power.

___

Keyser reported from Cairo. Associated Press Writers Shaya Tayefe Mohajer in Cairo, Jill Lawless in London, Shaya Tayefe Mohajer in Cairo and Demetris Nellas in Athens, Greece contributed to this report.

Obama Russia Newspaper Interview: Strengthen Human Rights, Rule Of Law

2009-07-05T17:56:07Z

MOSCOW — President Barack Obama said strengthening human rights and the rule of law in Russia should be a part of the much-heralded "reset" in U.S.-Russian relations, according to an interview with an embattled Russian opposition newspaper.

Obama also said he applauded President Dmitry Medvedev's efforts to reform Russia's creaky judicial system, according excerpts released by Novaya Gazeta before Obama's arrival Monday in Moscow, when the full interview to be published.

"I agree with President Medvedev when he said that 'freedom is better than the absence of freedom'," Obama was quoted as saying. "I see no reason why strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law cannot be included as part of our reset" in relations.

The term "reset" refers to the pledge by officials in both countries to improve relations that had chilled markedly in recent years.

It was unclear whether Obama's comments were a signal that he intends to press Medvedev _ or the man considered his co-ruler, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin _ on judicial reforms or human rights issues during his two-day summit in Moscow.

Rights groups, U.S. lawmakers, and Russian and U.S. foreign policy experts have urged Obama not to ignore those issues in order to reach agreement with Medvedev on broader disputes _ such as a new arms control treaty or NATO expansion.

A newspaper spokeswoman said the interview was conducted in writing, with the newspaper receiving answers to its questions at the end of last week.

Obama declined to answer the newspaper's question about Russia's most prominent prisoner _ the former oil tycoon and billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The businessman's supporters say the criminal trial that convicted Khodorkovsky on tax evasion and fraud charges was designed to punish him for his political aspiration.

But Obama said he supported Medvedev's efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, "which naturally includes making sure that all those accused of crimes have the right to a fair trial and that the courts are not used for political purposes," he was quoted as saying.

"I also believe that Americans and Russians have a common interest in the development of rule of rule, the strengthening of democracy, and the protection of human rights," he told the newspaper. "As I said in my inaugural address: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

U.S. and Russian officials have been trying to reach agreement on a successor agreement to the 1991 arms control treaty known as START. The treaty expires in December and negotiators have struggling to have a framework deal ready for Obama and Medvedev to sign.

Among the biggest sticking points is the issue of U.S. plans for a missile defense system in eastern Europe. Russia vociferously opposes those plans and has sought to include that issue as part of any new arms control deal.

In the interview, Obama repeated U.S. assurances that the missile defense system isn't aimed at Russia.

"We are not building and will not build a system that is aimed to respond to an attack from Russia. Such thinking is simply a legacy of the Cold War," he was quoted as saying.

Novaya Gazeta is Russia's most prominent opposition newspaper and its most embattled, known for investigative articles and acid commentary about Kremlin policies. Four of its reporters have died in the past eight years _ one beaten to death, one allegedly poisoned, two shot _ the most recent on Jan. 19.

Medvedev himself gave his first newspaper interview to the publication, something Putin never did during his eight years as president.

___

On the Net:

Novaya Gazeta in English: http://www.novayagazeta.ru/

Paul Krugman: Franken "A Big Policy Wonk," Will Raise Senate Discourse

2009-07-05T16:40:45Z

... First, implicit in this characterization of Franken is the notion of the Senate as a decorous gentlemen's club. I doubt that club ever existed in reality; but in any case, these days the World's Greatest Deliberative Body is, not to put too fine a point on it, chock full o' nuts. James Inhofe: I rest my case.

Second, Al Franken's dirty secret is that ... he's a big policy wonk. [...]

So what will Franken do to the level of Senate discourse? He'll raise it.

Craig Newmark: Networked News Nonprofit: Big New Way to do News?

2009-07-05T15:43:35Z

Hey, a lot of people feel that the news orgs of the future involve networks of journalists, fact-checkers, and editors working together. I'm one of them, having stolen ideas from Ellen Miller, Jeff Jarvis, Jay Rosen, Dan Gillmor and others.

Well, the first such alliance has arisen, planning to operate in a public service, nonprofit mode.

It's The Investigative News Network

Therefore, with a full appreciation of both the complexities and the opportunities to be achieved by more formalized collaboration, the nonprofit news publishers at Pocantico hereby declare that preparations should be immediately made to form a collaboration, the Investigative News Network (working title). Its mission is very simple: to aid and abet, in every conceivable way, individually and collectively, the work and public reach of its member news organizations, including, to the fullest extent possible, their administrative, editorial and financial wellbeing. And, more broadly, to foster the highest quality investigative journalism, and to hold those in power accountable, at the local, national and international levels.

Better commentary here by Josh Wilson of newsdesk.org:

Journalism's true strength in the Internet era is decentralized. It's all about reporters -- and reporting teams -- working solo, and then linking up in parallel to coordinate on stories, cross-promote, and share resources.

Parallel processing! Peer-to-peer networks. A network model harnesses the inherent strength of the Web as a medium. This is the thesis behind my work with Independent Arts & Media and Newsdesk.org.

Now, on a significantly larger scale, a collaborative of nonprofit news agencies is teaming up to create a new entity: The Investigative News Network.

Networks To Show Live Jackson Memorial Coverage

2009-07-05T13:49:31Z

NEW YORK — The memorial for Michael Jackson may be a tough ticket live, but it shouldn't be hard to find it on television.

ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment are among the networks that have already announced plans to offer live coverage of the Tuesday memorial, set for 10 a.m. PDT in Los Angeles' Staples Center.

ABC is sending anchor Charles Gibson to Los Angeles for the story, setting aside its typical daytime programming. CBS anchor Katie Couric will also be at the Staples Center, although the network has not yet said whether it was offering live coverage of the memorial.

NBC is not planning live coverage, but will wrap up highlights in a one-hour prime-time special Tuesday night.

CNN has seen its ratings soar with the Jackson story, and it will show the memorial on the main network and HLN (formerly Headline News). CNN International will air the ceremony to the rest of the world. Anderson Cooper, Larry King and Don Lemon are the anchors for CNN coverage. Robin Meade, A.J. Hammer and Jane Velez-Mitchell will anchor at HLN. CNN en Espanol will also cover it.

Chris Jansing will anchor live coverage of the memorial on MSNBC. Fox News Channel hasn't announced its plans.

E! Entertainment will cover the ceremony on its television network and its Web site.

TV SoundOff: Sunday Talking Heads

2009-07-05T13:47:43Z

Good morning everyone! And a Happy Independence Day to all of you. Welcome to your Sunday Morning liveblog. My name is Jason and I have been enjoying this holiday weekend greatly, mostly relaxing, spending some quality time with my wife...I haven't been paying much attention to the news. Anything important happen this weekend? Anything? If so, let me know or something! As always, you can leave a comment below. or send me an email, or even follow me on Twitter! Tell me what's been going on!

Oh, look! I see it was Malia Obama's birthday, yesterday! I bet she just dominated the news cycle the past couple of days. You know eleven year old girls! They love attention and are immature, and can turn any occasion into a chance to make some semi-coherent, rambling speech!

Okay, without further to do, here's...

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

OMGZ HA HA SARAH PALIN! She's resigning! And suing the entire internet for defamation! And breaking new ground in CRAZY AWESOME? Here's the super-media ready Sean Parnell, the Lieutenant Governor who is now governor. Palin used the word "crazy" in her remarks, as well as a tortured metaphor involving point guards. She brought the ball up the court, and ran the offense, and decided whether to shoot, or who to pass to....should she dump the rock into the post or take the shot herself. Come on, guys! Get the spacing right! Got to move without the ball! Wait, what does Ron Artest want? OH GOD! WHY DID RON ARTEST BRING A GUN ON THE COURT? THAT GUY IS CRAZY! Put the gun AWAY, Ron ARTEST. You are totally going to draw a technical. OH I BETTER CALL A TWENTY SECOND TIME OUT AND RESIGN AS GOVERNOR OF ALASKA.

Karl Rove, who built the permanent Republican majority, cites David Letterman as the unspeakable obstacle to everyone thinking she is a sane woman. Mike Huckabee says that she needs to completely exit the spotlight. But why did she "call a press conference that raised questions?" And why did she choose to have a press conference in front of so much Alaskan wildlife, that giddily squawked and hooted and mooed while she was speaking, about resigning, and the box-and-one offense?

Huckabee says that the challenge Palin will face is basically that she's a big old quitter who runs from challenges. Rove says that it's "unclear what her strategy is," but doesn't that mean that her strategy is potentially AWESOME and CRAZY? Plus she's SUING THE INTERNET, with lawyers, and stuff.

Oh hai! Sean Parnell? Forgot all about you and junk? You're the guy who did that "Lazy Sunday" rap, or something? He says Palin went to Kosovo and proved that she "didn't need a title" to effect change, because she laid on hand and healed wounds and make cotton candy appear in mid air.

"It could be a brilliant strategy," Huckabee says, "we just don't know." Rove says she'll have to be unconventional and that she's "lost control of time." IT'S LIKE SHE'S A DOCTOR WHO EPISODE. OH, JESUS! Is Sarah Palin going to fight the Daleks, or something?

Here's Mike Mullen, who's actually fighting real wars instead of wars against pretend robots and Alaskan bloggers. Russia has recently allowed the U.S. the use of airspace, and he'll be on the wing, meeting with Russians this week with the President. Mullen says that the Russians feel that the Cold War is over and that everyone wants to move forward.

What about missile defense? Mullen says that everyone is "going to have to work their way through it" and it won't be determined later this year.

What's up with North Korea, launching their crazy missiles? Mullen says that they are trying to "send a message." That message: I AM RESIGNING AS GOVERNOR OF ALASKA, TOO! POINT GUARDS! MOOSE! SHUT UP BLOGS, OR I'LL SHUT YOU UP.

Why is Obama such a missile defense cutting monster? Mullen says he's comfortable with current levels of response to North Korea. He's also "very comfortable" with the troop levels in Afghanistan, and thinks that it will allow for a safe election this year in the country. Mullen presents the team as being pretty in sync.

Mullen says the "politics are critiical" in Iraq right now, and that the current leadership needs to take charge of security. He doesn't see trends heading back toward widespread violence. On engagement with Iran, that's up to the president, but he remains concerned with Iran. A military strike against Iran, he says, could spur "unintended consequences" but that military options remain on the table.

OH NO! Steny Hoyer and John Boehner? TOO MUCH CHARISMA. And they are going to yell about the stimulus. Hoyer says it makes everyone sad that the stimulus hasn't worked faster and that it's not like Boehner's created a whole lot of jobs, either. John Boehner basically says, "BUT WE HAVE ANCIENT IDEAS ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES AND STUFF! Didn't the American people vote for my ancient ideas in 2008?" But seriously, they probably need to do a second stimulus, maybe because the Congress watered it all down into ineffective marm, which is what they do, and the Obama administration I guess are saving their head-busting legislative strategy for a rainy day, in 2015 or something.

Boehner says Hoyer sounds like the "kid who showed up everyday with his homework and he says the dog ate his homework," and I wish that dog metaphors could put Americans to work. And now they're arguing over Boehner's numbers. Boehner says, "Americans will invest in small businesses! BLAH!!" but of course, Americans seem to be saving money, and banks aren't lending, and SOMEONE has to spend money.

John Boehner thinks the public option will be too popular, and it could hurt a lot of private sector insurance companies, who have worked very not-hard on their very not-good insurance packages, and that what the free market is, a place where crap received crutches from the government because they spent all their money getting a passel of nimrods re-elected, and its the circle of life, so suck it America.

Boehner is perplexed, utterly, by the call to spend money to fix healthcare. HOW WILL IT DRIVE DOWN COSTS? And yet he's also like: SPEND THE MONEES, ON SMALL BUSINESSES, MAYBE, MOST OF WHICH FAIL, TO SAVE THE JOBS.

PANEL TIME: Hey, Bill Kristol? Explain what your girlfriend, Sarah Palin, is up to? Kristol says that it's a "high-risk" move, but that being Governor of Alaska is for losers like Sean Parnell and that it's time to study issues and travel the country shooting everyone's wolves and fighting Daleks alongside the TimeLords, from Gallifrey. He says that the "media" has been really tough on her, but she's gone "all in" now, and will probably be awesome, and hey, "Bristol Kristol" has a nice ring.

Jennifer Loven says that Palin "hit the victim note" and will get "more of the same," meaning scrutiny. And she's also running the risk as being seen as "flighty." Stephen Hayes says that Bill Kristol is awesome and he loves him, like a puppy dog, but that he's crazy and Palin doesn't have a substantive policy base and now she doesn't have the "stature to make statements" because she quit the job she's best known for. Then Juan Williams makes a million WTF faces, not understanding the strategy. He talks about Tim Pawlenty, not aware I guess, that TPaw is not going to have his platform either.

Bill Kristol says, "WHATEVER, BARACK OBAMA is president and he never did anything in his life, ever, before becoming president." Williams says that Obama had ideas, and that Palin doesn't have any. Kristol says that Palin's speech at the 2008 RNC was her version of Obama's 2004 DNC speech. Loven says that Palin's decision was not a "game changer." ARGH, DRINK, BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID "GAME CHANGER."

Then Jennifer Loven says that the 2012 election is a long way away, and we haven't heard the Dalek's platform on universal health care, yet.

FACE THE NATION

Okay, we're tuning in to FTN, next, and will circle back around to watch THIS WEEK on TiVo. No MEET THE PRESS TODAY! WOO WIMBLEDON!

Mike Mullen, again? Well, at least we have John Dickerson, for some holiday variety, hosting the show! Mullen tells John that he's comfortable with the strategy in Afghanistan, but that it's going to be tough going. What about Jim Jones saying that the in-field commanders not being able to ask for more troops? Mullen, again, says that everyone's committed to the "proper resourcing" of the effort, and that they want nothing more than what is required. Again, McChrystal is going to have the chance to assess the situation from his own perspective, bring in requests, and they'll be listened to.

Can military force alone win in Afghanistan? Mullen says no: the economic underpinnings must be solid, governance must be good. Ambassadors are working at supporting the Afghanistan government at "every level."

Iraq: what happens if violence flares up? Is that on the Iraqis? Mullen sees "no indication" that an uptick is in the offing. They're focused on the overall strategy, which all seems to dovetail rather precisely with the Status of Forces Agreement.

Dickerson moves with FTN's trademarked briskness to North Korea, Mullen says that the international community needs to bring pressure against North Korea, and that it remains a concern. "It's like a black hole," intel-wise, Dickerson suggests. Mullen agrees.

Who's calling the shots in Russia, Medvedev or Putin? Mullen hems on that one, suggesting only that he's committed to working with his partners in Russia, and that there are "political factors" that Obama will have to deal with. On the military side of things, there's an obvious difference of opinion on missile defense.

Biden suggested that there's nothing the U.S. can do if Israel wants to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Mullen says the same sort of things he said on FOX. He's concerned, the U.S. has a narrow window to work within, but the unintended consequences of a military strike are of equal concern to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Mullen says he's very satisfied with progress in Pakistan, "They've done very well." Dickerson raises concerns about the untamed northern region, but Mullen says that the Pakistani military leadership has a strategy in place that's "measured, thorough, and will take some time" to implement.

Dickerson draws a pair of Chucks -- Grassley and Schumer, not Converse All-Stars -- to talk about health care. Grassley thinks that the public option would wreck small businesses before Wal-Mart has a chance to, and he's just against nationalizing everything! The government is an unfair competitor! And yet government programs are terrible! Support your terrible mom and pop insurance company by crawling off into the woods to die if they won't let you get treated!

"When you have accessibility and affordability, you don't need government health care," Grassley says. And he's right! Of course, the whole point of private insurance is to prevent accessibility and affordability.

Schumer is for the public option, but not for the sake of being the only option. "Let's have both compete...both will exist in the market." And, of course, the American people are CRAZY IN LOVE with the public option.

Anyway, Schumer goes on and on and on and on, filibustering the entire show, so Dickerson calls a halt to that. Honestly, CBS News...can't you give your guys an extra half-hour? Sometimes it's like we don't even get to come up for air!

Grassley says that "we can put people in prison for collusion" in the insurance industry. This would be awesome, if I really thought that anyone in government would do something like that -- put the people who pay for their re-election in jail.

Schumer says he lives in a co-op and is a co-operator! And then he gets back to draining off all of FTN's time. Grassley says, WOO BIPARTISANSHIP WILL SAVE US ALL! FEEL THE BIPARTISAN MAGICKS AND THEIR HEALING LOVE-TOUCH. Schumer wants to "keep the insurance companies honest."

Dickerson asks Grassley about Palin's decision, and he says the decision was "astounding," and that while he's not an Alaskan, he imagines if he would, he'd rather she remain as governor of Alaska. So, now he's getting sued for defamation, by Sarah Palin's team of bonkers lawyers.

THIS WEEK

Today! VPOTUS Biden! Shiny! Plus a panel that I believe has been de-Liz Cheneyed in favor of bringing in Todd Purdum, to talk about crazy Eskimo grifter Sarah Palin and how everyone on the McCain campaign hated her, except Randy Scheunemann, and now she's going to become the White Oprah in the hopes of putting Meghan McCain on her Anti-Book Club. Then her lawyers will sue the entire universe, and the Sun.

Joe Biden! Exclusive headliner! He went to Iraq, but didn't get an awesome haircut like Stephen Colbert! His son, the future Senator from Delaware, was also there.

And now, questions from George Stephanopoulos! Are we securing the victory or cutting our losses? Biden says securing victory! Yay! Also, probably some loss cutting! But Dick Cheney has a sad, because i guess he never intended to follow the Status Of Forces Agreement that HE AGREED TO! Dick Cheney, though, he is hell bent on leaving a legacy of jacking Iraqis behind when he leaves this earth.

What if the Iraqis are incapable of running their own country and violence flares up again? Biden says that would suck, but that the United States is adhering to the Status of Forces Agreement. Biden expects this years election to "come off peacefully."

Biden says in Iran, that the "dust hasn't settled." GS seems surprised by this, but Biden says that the matter isn't over. What about the response to violence? Biden says that the whole world watched and rendered a judgement. How goes on to say that Obama's response was exactly right. What about rumors that he was arguing for a more forceful response? Biden says Obama got it right, keeping the U.S. fingerprints off the nascent protest movement. GS mentions that Iran is still blaming the U.S. for the uprising. Biden laughs it off, "It's simply not true."

GS asks about future negotiations: "How do you engage with Iran now, without breaking faith with those reformers?" Hey! That's the question that our own Nico Pitney brought to Obama from Iran! And that reminds me, to update my list:

LIST OF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS WHO WOULD REFUSE TO SHOW UP IF THE WHITE HOUSE TOLD THEM THEY WOULD BE CALLED ON TO ASK A QUESTION: _________________________________________________ NO NAMES YET.

So far, the entire White House Press Corps is on the side of destroying democracy, but I imagine that will have to change!

This George Stephanopoulos! What a genius! He gets to ask, WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO SAY YOU ARE DOING TOO LITTLE IN IRAN one second, only to turn in a peerless pirouette and ask, WHOA HO, MR. VPOTUS! WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO SAY Y'ALL NEED TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON? Biden repeats that everyone is waiting and seeing.

"It's fair to say that the President's plan has not changed...if the Iranians want to engage, we'll engage."

Biden says that Israel is allowed to go crazysauce and start bombing people if they want, but no one will pressure the U.S. from deviating from a path that serves our national interests. Will the U.S. let Israel get crazysauce? Biden says we can't dictate. GS says that we can say something about it. Biden won't deal in hypotheticals.

What about North Korea policy? Are we just waiting for the regime to collapse? Biden says no, they will ratchet up pressure, multilaterally, with regional partners. Biden suggests that the issue of succession in North Korea is a significant one, at the moment.

Guess what? Biden is fond of the "Obama/Biden approach" to Afghanistan! So, THAT'S controversial!

What happens if Afghanistan shows no progress? What if Americans see no success? Biden "doesn't think that's where we're going."

What about the stories circulating about there being no possibility of new troops? And hey, does someone get an award for getting the phrase "Whiskey tango foxtrot moment" on the air? Because that was nicely done! "That is WTF," Stephanopoulos says, adding that it's a miltary term that "stands for 'what the blank.'" Uhm...it's also a commonly used term on the internet, but it's nice to know the military will preserve this saying if Sarah Palin and her team of snowbreathing pterodactyl lawyers succeed in suing the entire internet. Speaking of Alaska, TARFU there right now, FUBAR if you ask me, OMFG.

Biden says that he spent five months in the Situation Room with the Joint Chiefs and the National Security Adviser. And then somebody finally let them out, to take a shower. Because whiskey tango foxtrot.

How does Joe Biden explain the crappy unemployment numbers, post stimulus? "The truth is, we, and everyone else thought that ~~Iraq had weapons of mass destruction~~ the economy was healthier than it was." Yes. That's why when you win a historic election, you need to pass policies that aren't watered down dreck, but that actually work, because now you might have to go, hat in hand, back to the same 90 year old men who sit atop every Congressional committee and who are bribed by lobbyists to be afraid of fire and volcano gods and UFOs to pass a second stimulus, to make up for the one you didn't pass in the first place. Foxtrot foxtrot foxtrotty foxtrot McFoxtrot.

BLAH BLAH weren't the foxtrotting "stress tests" predicated on rosy unemployment numbers? FOXTROT JITTERBUG CHARLESTON!

Paul Krugman, of course, is ESSING his PANTALONS, because he wants a new stimulus, but Biden is all: BLAH, LET'S WAIT. "This has been pretty well-managed, so far."

GS points out that half of the United States are going to fail, and require Sarah Palin to come and protect them from Wolfen with her YouBETCHACopter. Biden says that nobody knows for certain is a second stimulus is necessary, and that time will unspool and more of the first stimulus will hit the economy.

Biden "hopes he has brought some expertise" to the job of Vice President. UHM. WEREN'T YOU RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, AT ONE POINT?

Finally, Biden has to talk about deranged frostvixen quitterface Sarah Palin, because he was the last person to run against her and her expert point guardery. Biden says that "personal decisions" have an impact on politics, and that maybe she wasn't happy with her personal life, but that he doesn't know and won't "second guess" Palin. As for it being a result of "political bloodsport," Biden says no, it wasn't. And hell, he's got a point! Palin has always shown a real eagerness to dispense the bloodsport, herself. Anyway, she will now sue stimulus packages, with her team of gobbling lawyertwits, and it will be awesome.

PANEL TIME, woo! Sarah Palin tells the world that staying as Governor of Alaska would be apathetic, and dead fish like, and point guards and BURN THE INTERNET FOREVER. CLEANSE THIS LAND IN THE WHITE-HOT FIRE OF MY ESKIMO ANGER! But what does the panel think of this?

George Will is here, no doubt fresh from one of those Washington Post Salons at Katherine Weymouth's house where Marcus Brauchi publicly auto-erotically asphyxiated himself to the delight of all the health care industry lobbyists who'd gathered in Weymouth's Stately Pleasure Dome to watch journalism gurgle and choke with orgiastic pleasure over its own demise!

GS is like: "Were you driving you car, or living your life, when Sarah Palin decided to go foxtrotting CRAZY in front of cameras, while seals and moose gamboled around in the background moaning in sexual frenzy? Because WOW WHAT WILL MITT ROMNEY DO TO TOP THIS EPISODE IN OUR LIVES.

Sarah Palin will not accept being a "lame duck," by which she means, "have a few years left in my very first term in an office of even marginal importance." She will also not be a "turkey, shoved in a woodchipper" or a "raven, at your chamber door" or a "bluebird of happiness" or a "murder of crows" or a "point guard for the Washington Mystics" or a "figure who is talked about on blogs" or a "realistic contender for any public office ever again." SHE WON'T PUT ALASKANS THROUGH THAT. Instead, she will put the rest of the country through something, and Alaska shall secede from the United States and blast off into space and settle on top of the Hale-Bopp Comet, where they shall forever glide through the celestium on a ribbon of white-hot ice.

George Will, fresh from setting off pinwheels and roman candles at the recent Washington Post Lobbyist Foxtrot-Fest And Hot Baby Oil Rubdown Hour With Fred Hiatt, says he does not understand why Sarah Palin did what she did, maybe she is from that alternative universe in FRINGE where the World Trade Center still stands and David Letterman is kept on a leash for Bristol Palin's own amusement. Anyway, whatever, she's BORED of working and wants to quit and wants "peace."

Cynthia Tucker is all "bish pls!" "If she wants peace, we won't be seeing her on the campaign trail." And now Palin's lawyers are suing Cynthia Tucker for slander and assault and arson.

Todd Purdum says he "can't rule out" that there's a scandal or another shoe to drop. Tony Blankley says, "I think she's the best intuitive contender in the Republican party." GS, is all, "Intuitive? What the Foxtrot are you talking about, Tony Blankley?" He says, "She has good political gut-sense on how to talk to the American people." Wow. To think that on July 3rd, America needed to be talked to in such a loopy and rambling way, on the importance of quitting your job and giving up and GOIN' ROGUE and launching a weaponized polar bear attack from Galt's Gulch. AWESOME. This was so foxtrotting intuitive! Maybe Tony Blankley can intuit up a box of ball peen hammers to fall from the sky, on everyone's head, so that we could better align ourselves mentally, with our snowbilly savior.

Matthew Dowd says some weird stuff about quarterbacks, I think intended to compare Palin to Ryan Leaf or something.

Blankley says that it's just impossible for Palin to be President and run for Alaska, let alone sue the media for pointing cameras at her as she self-immolates. Will says that there is no "plausible comaback strategy," but he'll consult with any lobbyists who are willing to pay him $25 to rub butter on his bare nipples. Cynthia Tucker calls Palin "Richard Nixon without the policy experience." SHE'S LIKE SPIRO AGNEW WITHOUT A RECORD DEAL.

Todd Purdum slaps her around for her self-regard and grandiosity. Speaking of: Purdum's editor is Graydon Carter! And now they're all talking abour narcississm and self-involvement. Pots are shinin' up kettles!

George Will goes off on his "RISING GENERATION OF GOP STARS" which he mentions every foxtrotting week. SHORTER VERSION: "PLEASE NO MORE SARAH PALIN, GAH." Blankley insists that Sarah Palin is the only Republican giving off "positive energy." "There's a lot of pulsating going on," he says. Dowd says, yeah, "that's a huge problem," because she's like a million carnies or something.

Now they are talking about substantive stuff! The economy! Green shoots! What is this discussion? Cynthia Tucker says that the Obama administration is dug in and are showing vulnerability. Will rightly points out that the next stimulus package is the third package.

Then Matt Dowd attempts a "to be fair" moment where Obama's lost two million jobs in six months and how he remembers Bush getting singed for similar numbers back in 2004. It's a tidy little construction, and convincing if you are dumb enough to believe that the economy has no momentum and direction, and was in fact, inert in its trendline on January 20, 2009. Of course, intelligent people understand that the economy was on a dramatic downward slide that needed to be arrested. The momentum may not have been adequately arrested, but it's not like it was stationary or trending upward on Inauguration Day. Nice try, though, Matt Dowd.

Purdum says, WOO OBAMA CAN COME BACK MAYBE. You know, like he did in the campaign? Except Obama didn't have to wade through Congress in the running of his campaign. And it was an active, not a passive, campaign.

Then the entire gathered Washington establishment sings a praise chorus to the virtues of bipartisanship, always more important than good public policy. One day, we'll be able to get bipartisanship to heal our wounds and fuel our cars and what not.

Oh boy, it's over! I can sit back, have lunch and wait for Sarah Palin's lawyers to show up at my door and Foxtrot me, but good. Have a nice Sunday, everyone! Finish shooting off those fireworks, for America!

By the way: Pourmecoffee, for the win:

Magda Abu-Fadil: Ex-AP Hostage Terry Anderson Back in Beirut to Teach U.S. J-Students How to Report Accurately on Middle East

2009-07-05T13:10:52Z

The aviator glasses are a bit rounder. So is the man.

But the dry humor that helped ex-marine Terry Anderson overcome near seven years of Hezbollah captivity testifies to stamina and resolve in returning to Lebanon with American journalism students to teach them that not all Lebanese, Arabs and Muslims are terrorists.

"We have to make sure the labels we use are accurate," insisted the former regional correspondent for The Associated Press, noting that U.S. media were generally very sloppy. "You cannot see mention of Islam in the United States without a connection with terrorism or fundamentalists."

Terry Anderson (Abu-Fadil)

He said there were over a billion Muslims in the world -- most of who were not Arabs - and more Muslims in the United States than Presbyterians, who looked just like everybody else.

"It would be nice if we could be more careful, more accurate in our simplifications," he said.

Anderson said U.S. media had not done a good job of reporting conflicts in which America had been involved and told Lebanese intellectuals at a gathering that Arabs had much better news sources available to them than most Americans.

A key reason for his program, and one for which he made a documentary about Lebanon, was his disgust with the prevailing view of Islam and Lebanon in the United States after his release.

"In 1983, when I took over the Beirut office, I banned the word terrorist from AP copy. I thought it was politically loaded and dangerous," he said.

But some people still use the term, he admitted, asking whether one could explain the difference between a man who straps a bomb to his waist and blows himself up in a public place and a man who puts on an olive drab uniform, finishes his cup of tea, climbs into his F-16 and bombs a (Palestinian) refugee camp, or a small village in Afghanistan.

"I teach classes in Middle East affairs," said Anderson who criticized the Bush administration for encouraging stereotypes and misunderstandings by fomenting xenophobia of Muslims and the Middle East.

He lauded President Barack Obama for understanding the need to reach out to the Arab and Islamic worlds by feeling with them, instead of demonizing them.

"And that's encouraging," said Anderson who also instructs his charges in fully packed classes at the University of Kentucky on good journalistic practice and was in Beirut this week to prepare for next summer's five-week trip with his students that involves meetings with journalists, politicians and scholars.

The assignment includes a journalistic project to be posted on a website and made available for publication. A three-year commitment by Lebanese philanthropist Issam Fares to fund the project allows Anderson to bring up to six students during summer breaks.

"The point of the program is to allow future foreign correspondents to understand how people in the Middle East look at Middle East affairs - a point of view that, unfortunately, they do not get in the United States," said Anderson. "And I think it's important."

Time magazine cover of Anderson's release in 1991

It's a brighter picture than that of Anderson as the longest held Western hostage during Lebanon's 15-year civil war.

It was amusing hearing him complain to a waiter at a trendy Beirut restaurant with an avant-garde French name that he preferred Arabic coffee to espresso.

Walking around the Hamra district he could not find a single place that served Lebanese coffee, he lamented. It was all espresso.

People have asked him since his release in 1991 if he'd go back to cover Lebanon, and he said he would probably make the same decision, but wouldn't want to be kidnapped for seven years again.

"I wish I had not gone to play tennis that particular morning," he said of the day he was nabbed on a West Beirut street in 1985.

He did not regret coming to Lebanon, where he developed a considerable affection for the country and its people, and even acquired a Lebanese wife at the time.

In 1995 he published a bestseller memoir of his captivity, Den of Lions (http://www.amazon.com/Den-Lions-Terry-Anderson/dp/0345390547).

Den of Lions memoir of captivity
(Random House)

Asked about the hazards correspondents faced and whether fear played any role in reporting, Anderson replied: "Absolutely. If it doesn't, you're a fool. "

Anyone who goes into a dangerous situation and is not scared was not somebody he wanted to be with, since they would probably get him killed.

But Anderson acknowledged that fear was good for journalists as it made them cautious.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't scared enough, and I wasn't cautious," he admitted. "I got caught because I refused to take the precautions that I probably should have."

And, he strongly believes his abduction was political -- never about religion.

Who were the abductors? The Shiite militia Hezbollah (Party of God), specifically, Imad Mughnieh, he insisted.

"Hassan Nasrallah denied it of course when I interviewed him in 1995. But there's no doubt about it. Mughnieh, of course, has gone on to his just reward" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/magda-abufadil/how-to-cover-a-hijacking_b_87411.html).

How did he know Mughnieh was in charge of foreigners' kidnappings?

"I'm a journalist. I did a year-and-a-half of research afterward and gathered an awful lot of information. It was not very difficult. I actually have the names of nine members of Islamic Jihad," he said.

Anderson agrees he was luckier than thousands of kidnapped Lebanese who never made it, because he was foreign.

When he asked Hezbollah leader Nasrallah about the kidnapping and whether it was wrong, the cleric replied it was just something that happened during the war.

"I didn't really disagree with him," Anderson said, adding that it nonetheless took away many years of his life, and that kidnapping for political purposes was wrong.

It was especially difficult to understand how people who prayed five times a day to "Al Rahman Al Rahim"(God the Merciful, the Benevolent) could kidnap others.

"But it has nothing to do with Islam either. Islam is not the only religion to be used to justify bad acts," he said. "If you've ever listened to the Rev. Ian Paisley in Northern Ireland, you'd know what I'm talking about."

So what does it mean to be a journalist in the 21st century, given the tremendous changes from traditional practices? To Anderson, the tools, or medium used, have nothing to do with whether or not one is a journalist.

"I don't think blogs Twitter, Facebook or any of that stuff is going to replace journalism," said the traditionalist who loves the Web and is on Facebook. "Journalism can only be (practiced) by professionally trained, dedicated, ideologically committed people."

Anderson, an Iowa State University alumnus with a degree in broadcast journalism, also taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University before moving to the University of Kentucky.

He's been involved in press freedom issues with the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (www.cpj.org) and ran as a Democrat -- but failed -- to land an Ohio congressional seat. His opponent accused him of dealing with terrorists.

AKMuckraker: Huffington Post Blogger Shannyn Moore in Palin's Cross Hairs (UPDATED - Press Conference in Anchorage)

2009-07-05T11:22:10Z

There is an old expression which says, "In a crisis, do nothing." Wise words indeed, which means that soon-to-be-ex-governor Sarah Palin no doubt would never heed them. She's sort of adopted another philosophy. It's more like, "In a crisis, fly off the handle, be reactionary and threaten to sue someone for defamation in the hopes of intimidating the entire blogosphere and all national print and televised media into not talking about something." I'm not an oddsmaker, but this strategy seems destined to become a crumpled up tin can on the refuse pile of epic failure.

There's no doubt that the week has been a bad one for the governor. It started with an unflattering Vanity Fair article. This was followed by a CBS piece detailing several leaked emails in which she asked the McCain campaign to lie about Todd Palin's 7-year membership in a secessionist party. McCain strategist Steve Schmidt responded to her request saying that Todd was a member, and it was a secessionist party and he wasn't going to create an issue in the media if it didn't exist already, nor would he lie for her.

The statement you are suggesting be released would be inaccurate. The inaccuracy would bring greater media attention to this matter and be a distraction. According to your staff there have been no media inquiries into this and you received no questions about it during your interviews. If you are asked about it you should smile and say many Alaskans who love their country join the party because it speaks to a tradition of political independence. Todd loves his country.

We will not put out a statement and inflame this and create a situation where john has to adress this."

Palin's week culminated, of course, in a strange, twitchy, impulsive announcement from her home on the shore of Lake Lucille, that she would be stepping down from office, and resigning. The last time Alaskans were this gobsmacked by the governor was when she said 'yes' to John McCain when he popped the question back in August.

Her reason for resigning? Here's where it got really strange. The media was unfair. People were filing ethics complaints against her. Bloggers were making silly photoshops. She didn't want to be a lame duck. The state would be better off without her. We kept waiting to hear the real reason, the reason that would explain it all. We waited for the reason that would come at the end, after all the silly stuff. But it never came. That was it.

We were left scratching our heads. A woman who was the Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican Party, and who has been deemed in some circles to be a plausible contender for her party's presidential nominee in 2012, is quitting her job as governor, 17 months before the end of her first term, because people are picking on her? This just didn't compute. Even in the wildest contortionist spin of her most ardent supporters, this was not going to improve her chances in 2012.

What this means is that now, the line on her resume right underneath "Almost-one-term governor" reads "Mayor of a small Alaskan town with a population of 7000 people." This is not the way to be taken seriously. Yes, she draws crowds, but so does Britney Spears, and I sure wouldn't vote for her to take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Naturally, with the overwhelming doubt in the minds of the public that these could possibly be the real reasons she was stepping down, questions were asked. Phones started ringing in Alaska from friends and relatives who wanted the "real story." Alaskans were even asking each other what they thought was really going on. Questions were many and answers were few.

There seemed to be dozens of rumors circulating about the governor at any given point in time, and this week was no different. People were muttering about personal family problems, about new ethics complaints, about legal cases involving her use of personal off-the-radar Yahoo email accounts to conduct state business. Then there was talk about the legality of her legal defense fund which is currently being questioned, or maybe even personal illness. But the ones that seems to have gotten under the governor's skin were reports involving rumors floating about town that there was some kind of shenanigans going on with the simultaneous building of the governor's house, and the Wasilla Sports Complex, and a supposed IRS investigation. Was this the infamous rumor of an "iceberg" that could sink the S.S. Palin as had been reported on another Alaskan blog? Are any of these rumors actually true? Who knows. Are they being talked about in open conversation at holiday barbeques all over the state today? Oh, yes.

And all this brings us to the issue at hand which involves Palin, her attorney Thomas Van Flein, and a certain Shannyn Moore. Moore is a radio personality, a Huffington Post blogger, and frequent guest on MSNBC''s Countdown with Keith Olbermann. There were scads of blogs, both local and national that reported on the rumors above, many in greater detail and with more certainty than Moore did. But Moore really got under the soon-to-be-ex governor's skin. Why? Presumably because Palin watches TV more than she reads.

Today Van Flein issued a four page letter regarding the reporting of these rumors and it was sent by SarahPAC spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton to media outlets across the state.

Van Flein's letter threatening legal action specifically pointed the finger at Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore as "most notably" claiming as "fact" that Palin resigned under federal investigation.

Van Flein, asked why he singled out Moore, said it's because she went on national television and talked about it. Moore was on with MSNBC's David Shuster on Friday, the day Palin said she will resign.

"There is a scandal rumor here that there is a criminal investigation into some activities and that's been rumored for about, I don't know, probably six weeks or two months," Moore told him.

Despite the fact that she specifically refers twice to the report as a "rumor," Van Flein says she portrayed the story as fact. The only fact is that there are rumors. I know because I've been hearing them since last October. They even have a name - "Housegate." If you Google "Palin Housegate," you get 8,600 references, beginning back with an article that appeared in the Village Voice. Googling "Palin sports complex scandal" gets you 230,000. How many mentions are required to constitute a rumor? It's probably less than 230,000. I'm not exactly sure how the legal dynamic duo of Palin-Van Flein is planning to un-rumorize almost a quarter of a million online references to a rumor that started 8 months ago, but it will be interesting to watch.

"I'll sue you for defamation!" is the toothless wonder of the legal world. The bluster is meant to scare people, intimidate them, and get them to be quiet. In this particular case, it's not going to work. Moore has already discussed the threat on her radio show, where she said emphatically, "Bring it on." She said she had already gotten legal advice, and has a long list of attorneys who had emailed her, stepping up and eagerly offering to depose Sarah Palin in such a case. Now that would make for some damn good blogging material.

So why would this bizarre comical scenario be taking place at all? Remember how McCain strategist Steve Schmidt had to intervene and explain to Palin that it just wasn't a good idea to over-react and start making grand statements to the media about negative things being said about her? He firmly told her no. And he had to do it twice. Her personal attorney, on the other hand, is being paid to do what she wants. After a recent online fundraiser, Palin's legal defense fund may be well stocked, so it's no skin off the nose of her legal counsel who has been appearing on talk radio shows, and now writing intimidating letters. And there's obviously nobody in Palin's inner sanctum who feels like telling her it's a really bad idea. So she marches on.

Using the substantial might of the Executive branch of government to bring down unenforceable legal threats on a private citizen in Alaska, and attempting to curtail free speech through intimidation on the Fourth of July? Not a particularly brilliant PR move. By specifically singling out and naming Moore, Palin has done two things; she has shown herself to be a reactionary immature politician, and she has made Shannyn Moore a lot better known. And she is not the only one in Sarah Palin's crosshairs, mind you. You stand warned Huffington Post, New York Times, MSNBC and The Washington Post! You just better knock it off!

The New York Times and Washington Post haven't written anything about this, but Van Flein said he believed they were asking questions. "What I've been informed is that they've been interviewing people in Wasilla about this, and have tried to interview the governor's parents about it," Van Flein said.

OK, in the case of The New York Times and the Washington Post, you'd better stop even thinking about asking questions about it.

In solidarity with my friend and fellow Alaskan blogger, may I be the next to report to the team of Palin-Van Flein, and to the entire blogosphere at large:

THERE ARE RUMORS.

There. I said it.

Sue me.

******************UPDATE

Today, Shannyn Moore stood before reporters and television cameras in front of the governor's Anchorage office and read a prepared statement.

On the Fourth of July, when Americans everywhere were celebrating our most sacred national holiday with parades and barbeques, Governor Sarah Palin was busy having me, Shannyn Moore, declared an Enemy of the State.
In a rambling quasi-legal letter, the most powerful person in this state accused me of defaming her for pointing out the fact that there have been rumors, -rumors- of corruption, rumors that have been around for years.

When Sarah Palin gave her three-weeks notice to the people of Alaska, aborting her term as Governor, a lot of people wondered why she quit. Mid-level managers turn-in their notice, not elected public officials. It didn't make sense. It still doesn't. People have been trying to guess why she really quit, and everyone in Alaska has been playing the guessing game. They're rumors. There are a lot of rumors. And with all the corruption we've had here in Alaska, of course we wonder what's really behind her resignation.

Governors don't just quit. But Governor Palin did.

The governor's massive overreaction -on the Fourth of July no less- should make any reasonable person wonder what's wrong with her. The Lady protests way too much. Eventually we'll all find out why she really walked off the job.

Sarah Palin is a coward and a bully. What kind of politician attacks an ordinary American on the Fourth of July for speaking her mind? What's wrong with her? The First Amendment was designed to protect people like me from the likes of people like her. Our American Revolution got rid of kings. And queens, too. Am I jacked-up? You betcha.

Sarah Palin, if you have a problem with me, then sue me. Shannyn Moore will not be muzzled!

Washington Watch With Roland Martin: New Sunday Show Aimed At Blacks

2009-07-05T00:14:40Z

NEW YORK — Roland Martin will anchor a new Sunday public affairs show aimed at a black audience that will debut in September on the TV One network.

The "Washington Watch" program aims to tap into a new interest in politics and government due to the election of President Barack Obama, said Johnathan Rodgers, TV One's president and CEO. It debuts Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. EDT, and the show will be repeated each week at 5 p.m.

Martin, who is also a CNN commentator, will interview newsmakers and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. April Ryan, White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks, and Robert Traynham, Philadelphia Tribune columnist and Comcast host, will be regular panel members. TV One is in about 48 million homes, a little less than half of the nation's TV homes.

Rodgers said it dawned on him when TV One covered last year's Democratic convention and he saw many Black Caucus members trudge up to the network's temporary rooftop studio for interviews: These politicians have few outlets to talk about their issues and people have few places to hear them.

"I hope to get smart, intelligent, entertaining conversation," Rodgers said, "but I put this under the public affairs arena. It doesn't have to be a ratings success."

Despite the election of the nation's first black president, many of TV One's older viewers _ the network tends to get an older audience than competitor BET _ wonder whether his administration will actively push a civil rights agenda and other issues that interest them, he said.

"Barack Obama is truly the American president," Rodgers said. "He is not the white American president or the black American president. He is our president. A number of our viewers might have had a different expectation."

Martin said he hoped the show would reflect the state of black America every week.

While the show is Washington-based, he said the concerns of people across the country would be reflected. He said he hopes to have viewers participate in the shows by suggesting questions and topics.

"We want to be bottom up," he said. "The problems I see right now from so many of these shows is that they are top down _ these are the things that we think are important."

Rodgers said he initially wanted the show to first air in the late afternoon or evening, to distinguish it from the crowded field of Sunday morning public affairs shows. But he was advised that premiering "Washington Watch" at that hour during football season would be suicidal.