_Paul writes:_ During the VP debate, Joe Biden remarked that “John McCain said as recently as a couple of weeks ago he wouldn’t even sit down with the government of Spain, a NATO ally that has troops in Afghanistan with us now. I find that incredible.” Obama also brought this point up during the debates. Neither Palin nor McCain responded specifically to this point. What did McCain actually say? McCain “stated”:http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081006/spain_video” he would work with leaders in the hemisphere who are friends with us…standing up to those who are not …[based on] the importance of our relationship with Latin America.” Spain is of course not in Latin America and the interviewer clarified this, but McCain simply replied that he would have to “look at the relations, situations, and priorities” first.
“This blog”:http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/768/ suggests that he may have been simply confused by the question regarding Spain. But a statement by the McCain campaign later denied that he had been confused, “as reported”:http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081006/spain_video by _The Nation_. What’s going on here? Is this simply geographic confusion and erratic bumbling or the repeat and possible continuation of the Bush Administration’s attitude towards Spain, which has been frosty since José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Prime Minster of Spain, pulled out the Spanish troops from Iraq, in response to the Spanish people’s demand. There have been disagreements regarding Cuba and Venezuela as well. I hope that US-Spain relations will improve under Obama.
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_Paul writes:_ Can an Italian semiotician save our crumbling economy? Click on the cartoon to enlarge it!

_I like how Andy Rooney looks like a jack-o-lantern! Hee. Click to enlarge!_

More by Paul Morris: “The Wavy Rule” archive; “Arnjuice,” a wistful, funny webcomic; a smorgasbord at Flickr; and beautifully off-kilter cartoon collections for sale (and free download) at Lulu.

_In addition to Chirico, this one reminds me of the covers of those old “Choose Your Own Adventure” “books”:http://www.somethingawful.com/d/comedy-goldmine/choose-your-own.php?page=2 (warning, the ones in the link are fake). Click to enlarge!_

More by Paul Morris: “The Wavy Rule” archive; “Arnjuice,” a wistful, funny webcomic; a smorgasbord at Flickr; and beautifully off-kilter cartoon collections for sale (and free download) at Lulu.

_Paul writes:_ There has been a lot of debate recently about the so-called “Surge”, or to use its working title, “The New Way Forward”. Does it work as a chess strategy? Click on the cartoon to enlarge it!

_The Depression began in 1929._ It’s a Wonderful Life _came out in 1946. If we get a movie as good as that in 2025, maybe it’ll all be worth it. (Here’s the “bank run”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJJN9qwhkkE scene.) Click to enlarge._

More by Paul Morris: “The Wavy Rule” archive; “Arnjuice,” a wistful, funny webcomic; a smorgasbord at Flickr; and beautifully off-kilter cartoon collections for sale (and free download) at Lulu.

_Observers did not disclose whether the item contained any words. Click to enlarge._

More by Paul Morris: “The Wavy Rule” archive; “Arnjuice,” a wistful, funny webcomic; a smorgasbord at Flickr; and beautifully off-kilter cartoon collections for sale (and free download) at Lulu.

_Yes, here comes the ugly season. Palin and McCain are invoking Rev. Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers (and Obama parries in kind with intimations of Charles Keating). Don’t you feel edified? Either way, click to enlarge!_

More by Paul Morris: “The Wavy Rule” archive; “Arnjuice,” a wistful, funny webcomic; a smorgasbord at Flickr; and beautifully off-kilter cartoon collections for sale (and free download) at Lulu.

“As reported by _The Washington Post_”:http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/12/mccains_tax_plan_aids_wealthy.html, “a detailed analysis of the candidates’ tax plans confirms one of Barack Obama’s top arguments against John McCain: the Arizona senator’s proposals would offer substantial benefits to wealthy Americans.” Click on the cartoon to enlarge (not yourself, obviously -the cartoon!)!

Gwen Ifill asked Sarah Palin last night: “The conventional wisdom, Governor Palin, with you, is that your Achilles’ heel is that you lack experience… What is it really for you, Gov. Palin?” She did not answer the question with what she felt was her weakness. Instead, she gave one of her many pre-fabricated ra-ra, you-betcha responses (one of about six), while Biden actually answered the question. All throughout the debate, she gave variations on a term paper called “What America Means to Me”. What it lacked in substance and depth of knowledge, it made up for stage directions like “Smile here, wink there, etc. etc.”
A failure to answer a question regarding one’s failures or weaknesses is a failure in and of itself. It indicates either smugness or ignorance, or both. Do I feel that Biden would make a better Vice President? You’re darn tootin’!
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