Uber Crunch! Jad Fair for Dr. Kracker

Six Sentences

New fiction at Six Sentences : Weekend Visitation

Lucinda Williams record review at CMG

I’m a contributing writer for a new music magazine called Country Music Goodness. Read my first review here:

Little Honey – Lucinda Williams – Lost Highway Records

Studs Terkel — May 6, 1912 – Oct. 31, 2008

Broadcaster, writer, historian, actor, a man wholly worthy of admiration and who described no one as ‘ordinary’, dead at 96.

Obituaries:

NY Times

Chicago Tribune

Black Cover

Thanks to the good folks at Black Cover, we have an alternative to the expensive (albeit high-quality) Moleskine notebooks. We here at Shoddy First Draft love quality stationery at low prices, and the Piccadilly notebooks are available at your local Borders Books.

James Wood article in NYTimes

The Republican war on words.

Sen. John McCain and the U.S. financial crisis

Thanks to Tom Sutpen for originally featuring this within his Politicians in Action theme on his website.

The Truth About Sarah Palin

From the October 2, 2008 issue of Rolling Stone:

By TIM DICKINSON
Rolling Stone

Sarah Palin’s credentials as a “reformer” are nothing but spin. She has sided with Big Oil, lobbied to increase pork spending and abused her public power to carry out personal vendettas. Here’s a guide to separating myth from fact.

THE MYTH: “She took the luxury jet that was acquired by her predecessor and sold it on eBay. And made a profit!” — John McCain, at a campaign stop in Wisconsin

THE FACTS: No one bought the jet online. It was eventually sold through an aircraft broker — at a loss to taxpayers of nearly $600,000.

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THE MYTH: “I told the Congress ‘Thanks, but no thanks’ on that Bridge to Nowhere.” — Sarah Palin, convention speech

THE FACTS: Supported the infamous pork project in her 2006 run for governor, even after Congress had killed the bridge; derided its opponents as “spinmeisters.” Reversed her stance a year later — but kept the money, doling out the $223 million in federal funds to other pork projects throughout the state.

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THE MYTH: “We … championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.” — Sarah Palin, convention speech

THE FACTS: As mayor, employed a lobbyist who also worked for Jack Abramoff to secure $27 million in pork spending for Wasilla — more than $4,000 per resident. In her two years as governor, requested $453 million in earmarks. Alaska ranks first in the nation for pork, raking in seven times the national average.

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THE MYTH: “I found … someone who stopped government from wasting taxpayers’ money.” — John McCain, introducing Palin

THE FACTS: Signature accomplishment as mayor: building a $15 million hockey arena that plunged the city into debt. Broke ground on the project without finalizing the city’s purchase of the land; the resulting fiasco cost Wasilla $1.3 million — roughly $200 per resident.

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THE MYTH: “Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems — as if we didn’t know that already.” — Sarah Palin, convention speech

THE FACTS: “I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can’t drill our way out of our problem.” — Sarah Palin, July 2008

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THE MYTH: “We began a nearly $40 billion natural-gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.” — Sarah Palin, convention speech

THE FACTS: With federal approval years away, not a single section of the pipeline has been laid. State could end up paying the pipeline’s contractor $500 million — even if it never breaks ground on the project.

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THE MYTH: “She’s from a small town with small-town values.” — Fred Thompson, convention speech

THE FACTS: Wasilla and the surrounding valley recently named the meth capital of Alaska, with 42 meth labs busted in a single year.

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THE MYTH: Palin has “taken on the political establishment in the largest state of the union.” — Fred Thompson, convention speech

THE FACTS: Served until 2005 as director of fundraising group associated with indicted senator Ted Stevens.

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THE MYTH: “She’s fought oil companies.” — John McCain, introducing Palin

THE FACTS: Collected $13,000 in campaign contributions from oil and gas lobbyists, including Exxon, BP, Shell and Chevron. BP was a sponsor of her inaugural ball.

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THE MYTH: “She’s been to Kuwait. She’s been over there. She has been with her troops. The National Guard that she commands, who have been over there and had the experience.” — John McCain, highlighting Palin’s national-security credentials

THE FACTS: Never had a passport before 2007, when she made a brief photo-op trip to visit troops in Germany and Kuwait. Has never been to Iraq, and has not met a single foreign head of state.

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THE MYTH: “I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending.” — Sarah Palin, convention speech

THE FACTS: As governor, sought travel reimbursement for 312 nights she spent in her own home.

Kicking a Lame Duck When He’s Down

Tour of Awkwardness

George W. Bush gives us a tour of the Oval Office in the White House. Listen how often he repeats himself, as if he thinks this video will be edited later. Really, it’s extremely odd and rather creepy.

I Am Irene Zion’s Adopted Son!

I always wanted a sister like Lenore. Read all about my new family here.