Somewhat interesting Post article on how the candidates are playing on voters’ fears to get elected. This is a more sensible version of the bogus Post story from a few weeks ago that Cheney had said the US would be attacked if Kerry were elected. Anyway, there’s a funny quote in the middle:

“Brooks Jackson of the nonpartisan FactCheck.org said a recent Bush ad was ‘egregious’ in splicing together footage of Kerry remarks to make his ‘reasonably consistent stand on Iraq sound like he was all over the lot.'”

Why is the Post so susceptible to the misbegotten notion that criticizing your opponent on what he has said and voted for somehow amounts to an illegitimate method of campaigning? Also, is Brooks Jackson high or something? What is “reasonably consistent” about Kerry’s position on Iraq?

Also, in cas you missed it, my piece on the anniversary of the signing of the Contract with America here

Thanks to Frank Kelly Rich of Modern Drunkard Magazine for pointing out that, once again, the folks at Jack Daniel’s have lowered the proof of their whiskey from 86 proof to 80 (40 percent alcohol). Keep in mind, the original drink was served at 90 proof. JD’s company, the Brown-Forman corporation, sent Rich this email response:

The main reason we lowered the proof is because we’ve noticed in recent years folks tend to prefer lower-proof products, and this includes most of our friends who enjoy our Tennessee Whiskey. This has not hurt sales of Jack Daniel’s.

Fellow “drunkard” Chris Sharp, who brought this proof-lowering scheme to Modern Drunkard‘s attention, has now launched a petition asking Brown-Forman to return Jack Daniels to its rightful strength. More power to him.

Linda Colley in the London Guardian employs a wishful analysis of why Bush is leading Kerry in the polls. “As the historian Richard Hofstadter observed, there is a long, disreputable tradition of anti-intellectualism in American politics, and Bush’s studiously plain, sometimes stumbling language resonates with this very successfully. Kerry’s speaking style, by contrast, is clever enough to alienate, without being so powerful as to compel attention anyway.” (via the always interesting Jefferson Morley)

Kerry’s reputation for being the brain in the race is based on nothing. He’s written one book, a total clip job, and while I grant he comes off as thoughtful, it’s such central-casting New England-statesman posturing. Also, Bush may not speak real good, but, boy, does everyone know what he’s saying. Kerry’s cleverness generally amounts to speaking out of both sides of his mouth. It’s not too clever by half; it’s too unclever by half. All tone and gesture; very little analytical thrust; very little in the way of conviction; no great data-crunching going on; one doesn’t find him making lovely historical analogies or literary allusions; rather his shtick is all very autobiographical and self-centered. Next to, say, a guy like Bill Clinton, George Bush might look like the anti-intellectual’s candidate. Not next to Kerry.

If Old Europe ever decides to take a more active role in the war on terrorism, it will be because of this: fear that demographics make it inevitable that Europe is on the path to becoming an Islamic continent.

Whether they understand it or not, Europeans have a real stake in seeing a modern, reformed version of Islam triumph over radical Islamism.

I’m not sure how reliable these sources are (not CNN, the al Qaeda boobs in the documentary), but it’s a fine insight into the minds of our enemies.

When you think of Jimmy Buffett’s songs, you think of the islands, tropical breezes, Boat Drinks, and, yes, cheeseburgers in paradise. But now, if you’re yearning to escape to Margaritaville, just go down aisle six at your local grocery store. That’s right: That son-of-a-son-of-a-sailor is now beyond cafes and t-shirts and has entered the frozen food section, with such offerings as “Island Lime Shrimp,” “Jammin’ Jerk Shrimp,” and “Calypso Coconut Shrimp.”

Music snobs often complain about successful musicians “selling out.” Remember Neil Young’s diatribes against Eric Clapton and Elton John? Sometimes the “sellout” is questionable: When Bruce Springsteen appeared on the cover of Time magazine in the mid-1970s, some fans saw this as a sign of his selling out. The Rolling Stones have largely been branded sellouts since corporations started sponsoring their tours. But could you imagine if a band like U2 were to open up their own restaurant chain? Would they serve Unforgettable Fire Wings with a side of Bullet the Bleu Cheese dressing? How about a dessert called “The Sweetest Thing”? In short, it would just be plain wrong.

Jimmy Buffett never struck me as anticapitalist, but he sure gave the impression that all he really wanted to do is play songs while lazing about on some Caribbean island. I guess owning the island is now part of it. Talk about changes in attitude.

Pretty tough article by Bill Kristol on the conduct of Kerry’s advisers this week.

This may come as a surprise to many bloggers, but Jonathan Klein (yes, that Jonathan Klein) has started his own blog. So far TV 2.0 is thoughtful and interesting. Welcome to the blogosphere, Jon.