previous issue July 18

War Zero Nothing Honorable About the Vietnam War by Ted Rall Every presidential candidacy relies on a myth. Reagan was a great communicator; Clinton felt your pain. Both storylines were ridiculous. But rarely are the constructs used to market a party nominee as transparent or as fictional as those we're being asked to swallow in 2008. John McCain fought in Vietnam. There was nothing noble, much less heroic, about fighting in that war. Few Patriots In Our Government Today by Paul Kruger I am a patriot. I am willing to accept the possible risk of a terrorist bomb rather than risking the destruction of our Constitution in the name of a dubious temporary safety. America has always had enemies, but this is the first time our own government has sheepishly allowed them to win a victory over us by cowardly relinquishing the very essence of what makes America what we once were. Our own President and Congress has turned us into bullying cowards. I am not so sure about our President and most members of Congress…they are not acting much like patriots, preferring to trade liberty away, one piece at a time. We, The People deserve better. We deserve patriots in office. Satire: McCain Opposes Gay Adoption of Highways by Don Davis While the right of gays to adopt children is shaping up as another front in the culture wars, John McCain appears to be taking the battle one step further – kicking off a campaign to bar homosexuals from Adopt-a-Highway programs. McCain concluded his conference by revealing his next crusade, to amend “America The Beautiful,” by deleting the lyrics “For Purple Mountain Majesties, above the Fruited Plain.” Video: It's the Stupid Economy by Jon Stewart

Today's Quote:

"If we ever pass out as a great nation we ought to put on our tombstone 'America died from a delusion that she had moral leadership'."

- Will Rogers

Editor's Notes & Rants:

Calling Dr. Freud, stat! Larry Craig speaks .

Karl Rove tried to get Patrick Fitzgerald fired for investigating his role in Valerie Plame leak.

McCain isn't just McBush, he's also McHelms.

Hypocrite John McCain, who thinks "Social Security is a disgrace," received $23,157 last year from it. His total income for the year was $405,409, and his wife's was in the tens of millions.

The McCain campaign, which has been complaining for months that Obama hasn't visited Iraq, is now complaining that Obama is visiting Iraq. It's amazing how many Republicans I've talk to say they are sick of McCain's crap, and will vote for Obama just to spite him.

The profits of terror. Air Force caught using anti-terrorism funding to provide luxury suites on aircraft for brass.

Cop busted for blackmailing Starbucks for thousands of cups of free coffee.

What nonsense Christians can be made to believe! "The sun (and entire universe!) rotate earth". I guess, once you have convinced yourself to believe one lie, you are open to anything.

Conservative radio host Michael Savage declares that Autism is a fraud, the kids "are just brats!" Well, that's Compassionate Conservatism for you.

Why is Israel — the only Middle Eastern nation threatening, and on a regular basis attacking, its neighbors — allowed to have nuclear weapons, but Iran — who is only threatening to defend itself from such attacks — not? Because Israel bought our corrupt Congress (both parties) via AIPAC. Who says treason doesn't pay?

Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz says Israel has "no choice" but to attack Iran and drag the USA into Armageddon.

Con job. Israel alledges that al Qaeda in Israel plotted to kill Bush. Hmm. Al Qaeda is in Israel. We must attack!

Rahm Emanuel for Speaker of the House? He'd be even worse than Pelosi, but the Dems do always do seem to promote the worst of the worst.

Court Jester House of Representatives promises to investigate Bush/Cheney "Imperial presidency," while at the same time reiterating that impeachment is "off the table."