Alternate Reality Transcript of Joe Barton's Questions for Tony Heyward

1. Was the escrow your idea? If not, who proposed it to you? If it was, why is it being reported Obama got you to agree to it?

2. What were you told might happen if you didn't set up the escrow? What were you told would happen if you did?

3. Did you make any agreements not publicized? Did you, specifically, agree to support any upcoming green energy initiatives in America? In any manner?

4. Were you informed in advance the attorney general would be in attendance? What were you told his function was? Did his presence seem intimidating to you? Did he speak at the meeting? What did he say?

5. Did the attorney general at any time explain to you what theory of governance he felt supported his right to be present at this meeting? Did the president?

6. Who is supposed to benefit from the escrow? Who is setting the rules here?

7. Do you feel you were promised anything in exchange for this deal? If not -- did you just decide to put 20 billion into escrow yourself?

8. Was it ever suggested that the minutes of this meeting be made public? Did he president suggest that? Or did all agree it was off the record? Have you ever reached what constitutes a plea agreement with a prosecutor without a judge to scrutinize and approve the agreement?

9. Was any evidence that might be used against you later mentioned? Was it explained why such evidence was not being held secret for the moment?

10. No, seriously: Will BP be supporting any green initiatives that might be planned for this fall?

But nah, his statement was better.

Arguments don't change mind. Theories don't change minds. Rhetoric doesn't change minds.

Facts change mind. Facts.

That's why internet traffic doesn't spike just because Charles Krauthammer has a good video up, or Ann Coulter wrote a trenchant column, but instead spikes when a scandalous political story is breaking.

Because everyone knows that if opinions are going to change dramatically in this country, it will be fresh facts, not fresh arguments (and not oft-repeated arguments, certainly) that will do it.

The internet slows down when a Big Fact is coming down the tubes. Because everyone recognizes the power of a new fact. We either wait for it excitedly or dread it coming, but we all know, it could change things.

In any breaking story, a news junkie skips past the channels that are offering analysis and more talking headery and goes to the one that seems to be offering fresh fact.

Every big blog day I've had wasn't due to analysis or commentary, or even attacking commenters. It was due to a big news, new fact.

I just do not understand how everyone knows this, intuitively, and yet doesn't seem to really know it all.

posted by Ace at 02:22 AM

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