Top Items:
Tnrstaff / The Plank:
A Scott Beauchamp Update — Since our last statement on "Shock Troops," a Diarist by Private Scott Thomas Beauchamp that we published in our July 23 issue, we have continued our investigation into the article's veracity. On Wednesday, for a brief period, The Drudge Report posted several documents …
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Peggy Noonan / Opinion Journal:
Apocalypse No — The New Republic's editors seem to have mistaken Vietnam movies for real life. — "I love chicks that have been intimate with IED's," he announced to his fellow soldiers sitting in the chow tent in Camp Falcon in Baghdad. "It really turns me on—melted skin, missing limbs, plastic noses."
Confederate Yankee:
The Never-Ending Story — Franklin Foer, Peter Scoblic, Jason Zengerle and other senior editors at The New Republic can't quite seem to get their hands on enough information to complete their investigation into the Scott Thomas Beauchamp "Shock Troops" story published in mid-July.
Little Green Footballs:
TNR Breaks Silence, Says Nothing, Blames Army — At New Republic "blog" The Plank, the editors have issued another non-statement about the ridiculously false stories of Scott Beauchamp: A Scott Beauchamp Update. — There's nothing new here; it's the same line they've been using for months …
Discussion:
The Atlantic Online
Al Kamen / Washington Post:
FEMA Meets the Press, Which Happens to Be . . . FEMA — FEMA has truly learned the lessons of Katrina. Even its handling of the media has improved dramatically. For example, as the California wildfires raged Tuesday, Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, the deputy administrator, had a 1 p.m. news briefing.
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Matt / Think Progress:
FEMA Stages Press Conference: Staff Pose As Journalists And Ask 'Softball' Questions — On Tuesday, while "wildfires raged" in California, Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, the deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), held a press conference at FEMA's Southwest D.C. offices that was …
Discussion:
Shakespeare's Sister
Mike Soraghan / The Hill:
Internal Dem memo faults party message — Democrats are losing the battle for voters' hearts because the party's message lacks emotional appeal, according to a widely circulated critique of House Democratic communications strategy. — "Our message sounds like an audit report on defense logistics …
Discussion:
The Swamp, Taylor Marsh, Sister Toldjah, Redstate, BitsBlog, Stop The ACLU, Connecting.the.Dots, Booman Tribune, Jules Crittenden, Blue Crab Boulevard, Buck Naked Politics, The Caucus, Betsy's Page, Captain's Quarters, Right Voices, Balloon Juice, Macsmind, Outside The Beltway, Agitprop and JammieWearingFool
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Michelle Malkin:
New Democrat strategy: We must stimulate the amygdalae! — This is high-larious. The Hill reports on an internal Democrat strategy memo complaining that the Democrat Party is too hyper-rational and lacks emotional appeal. — For real. They think "SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILLLLLDREN!" is too bland and accountant-like:
CNN:
Court orders Wilson freed in teen sex case — ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) — The Georgia Supreme Court on Friday ordered that Genarlow Wilson be released from prison, ruling 4-3 that his sentence for a teen sex conviction was cruel and unusual punishment. — Wilson, 21, was convicted in 2005 …
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Georgia Supreme Court freeing Genarlow Wilson — The Georgia Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of Genarlow Wilson, the Douglas County teenager who has been serving a controversial 10-year sentence for consensual oral sex. — The court's 4-3 decision upholds a Monroe County judge's ruling …
Martha Raffaele / Associated Press:
Pa. Won't Release List of Polling Places — HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State officials have decided not to publicize their list of polling places in Pennsylvania, citing concerns that terrorists could disrupt elections in the commonwealth. — The Department of State was influenced …
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John Fund / Opinion Journal:
Another Man From Hope — Who is Mike Huckabee? — Republicans have won five of the last seven presidential elections by running candidates who broadly fit the Ronald Reagan model—fiscally conservative, and firmly but not harshly conservative on social issues.
Discussion:
Washington Wire, The Atlantic Online, National Review Online, Eunomia and No More Mister Nice Blog
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Cosmo / New Hampshire Presidential Watch:
Paul Mails 12-Page Pamphlet To Granite State Republicans — A day after a new Granite State poll shows Ron Paul beating Fred Thompson, "New Hampshire Presidential Watch" has received a copy of the new pamphlet that Texas Congressman Ron Paul campaign is sending out to all Republicans in the state.
Discussion:
MSNBC
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Christy Hardin Smith / Firedoglake:
Patriots Stand Up — Sen. Chris Dodd gave a great statement on the floor of the Senate this morning. You can watch video here on his Senate website. I asked for a written copy of the remarks, because there wasn't a transcript available, and am reprinting them here with permission because I've had several e-mails asking for this.
Christopher Hayes / The Nation:
The New Right-Wing Smear Machine — On February 27, 2001, two members of the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization of women who've lost sons or daughters in combat, dropped by the temporary basement offices of the new junior senator from New York, Hillary Clinton.
Logan Murphy / Crooks and Liars:
Sen. Webb On Hardball: "The Cheney element of the administration is well represented in the United States Senate" — Play (741) (thanks to Heather for vids) — On Thursday's Hardball Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) talked with Chris Matthews about the strong push from Dick Cheney and some members of the Senate …
LiveLeak.com:
Bill Clinton Takes On 9/11 Conspiracy Protesters — Bill Clinton addressed a crowd in Minneapolis, Minnesota at a fundraiser for his wife's campaign on Tuesday. — Clinton's 50-minute speech, which started about an hour behind schedule, was derailed briefly by several hecklers in the audience …