Ace of Spades HQ

« Anatomy of a Rollback | Main | Pace of Economic Growth Quickens; Economy Grows 3.7% in 3rd Q »

October 29, 2004

Andrew Sullivan: John Kerry's Unofficial Secretary of State (and Defense!)

Reading Kausfiles, I came across this interesting link:

I approve of [the Economists' endorsement of Kerry]--though it's always a shaky moment in these non-peacenik endorsements when the writer tries to convince himself or herself that Kerry won't bail out on Iraq prematurely, isn't it? (Kerry has been "forthright about the need to win in Iraq," but do you trust him and if so why? Because Andrew Sullivan's blogging will keep him honest?) ...

What on earth could he man by that last question? Did Andrew Sullivan actually suggest that he'd keep Kerry focused like a laser on victory in Iraq?

It couldn't be. It just could not be. Not even someone as obviously vain and solipsistic as the Shrill Shill could possible suggest something like that.

Then again: Maybe he could after all.

Sullivan, fresh off glowingly quoting some dope calling him a more important political force than all the liberal 527's put together, quotes Marty Peretz of the New Republic thus:

John Kerry speaks, not unfairly, of George W. Bush's habits of denial. But Kerry himself is in denial. He is in denial about the United Nations. He is in denial about the Australian election that returned to office for an unprecedented fourth term its prime minister who has been, with his country, a pillar of the Iraq coalition. He is in denial about Japan, whose government, unlike Germany's and France's, does not carp at the United States. He is in denial about Afghanistan, where, for the first time in history, men and women, riding on donkeys and walking barefoot across great distances, have exercised the right to choose those who govern them. He is in denial about Iraq itself. The Jordanian daily Al Ra'i recently called Moqtada Al Sadr's apparent retreat from armed struggle "a farewell to arms" that is as politically significant as the establishment of the provisional authority. Has Kerry come close to recognizing this? Has he acknowledged that the Bush administration has negotiated with nato a plan to send, starting in November, up to 3,000 soldiers to train Iraqi troops? These soldiers will be under the command of General David Petraeus, who is mustering the military might and political will to retake much of the Sunni triangle. Many Iraqis now have second thoughts about opposing the coalition. Even the BBC has said as much. But Kerry hasn't.

Sounds pretty damning. What's Sullivan's response?

Yes, there's denial on both sides. Whose is more dangerous? That's the question. And if Kerry wins, he can expect to be subjected to relentless scrutiny from pro-war types like Marty and, ahem, your humble blogger.

Ah. I see. Sullivan is now making the case to "independent eagles" that it's safe to vote for Kerry -- despite his profoundly McGovernite worldview -- because, after all, Andrew Sullivan and his scary-important blog will make the world safe for democracy.

Are.

You.

Kidding.

Me.

Is Ecstacy a hallucinogen? How about a euphoric? It's both, right?

Just checking.

posted by Ace at 03:10 AM

Comments

You underestimate the power of Sully and his mighty blog. Not only will he keep the world safe for Democracy, but also gain the endorsement of Jesus Christ Himself of the most important issue in all of human history, "homosexual marriage".

By the way, I saw Team America recently and I got a hunch that earning Sullivan's trust is similiar to the way of earning Spottswoode's.

Posted by: Capp on October 29, 2004 04:00 AM

Wow, this is just laughable. If Sullivan's scrutiny is what keeps the ship of state on an even keel, why hasn't it worked for this administration? I mean, I can remember the days when Rumsfeld was a golden god in Sully's estimation and the war was a dazzling success. Why hasn't his deadly earnest [suppressing snigger] criticism set things right? In fact, why didn't the Bushies just appoint him to administer the Coalition Provisional Authority?

If Waffles gets elected (please, God, nooooo!!!), I think we'll see some bold pronouncements from Sullivan on how masterfully the war is being handled, how Kerry is a bigger hawk than Bush ever was, and how America's foreign policy is clearly on the right track again...

...That is, until Kerry is forced to come out against full gay-marriage rights because of a decision from some leftist State Supreme Court, at which time Iraq will again become a quagmire, and the Provincetown pendulum will swing once again.

Posted by: Sean M. on October 29, 2004 04:06 AM

Sullivan is one of many on the left who have a brain but can't use it because their ideology only allows their thoughts to follow certain well-ingrained tracks. I thought he was near a derailment earlier in this campaign (A profoundly earth-shattering experience, as I as a "recovering" liberal can attest), but his fragile ego kept his caboose upright. Even as powerful *snicker* and influential *eye roll* as he is, I'm betting the prospect that he wouldn't be invited to the trendy leftist parties anymore was just too much for him to contemplate. So, he wimped out and endorsed Jean Francois Kerry: The most self-serving, dishonest, and treasonous candidate ever to get any party's nomination for the presidency. The profound pathos and abjectitude of anyone with an IQ of over 100 being able to cast a ballot for that scuzz-bucket is simply incomprehensible (I've come a long way).

Posted by: Bloghorn Bleghorn on October 29, 2004 04:31 AM

"Who the fuck cares what Andrew Sullivan thinks?"

On a more serious electoral note:

Does anyone have a good election night drinking game? My friends and I are in desperate need of one. Networks call a state, take a drink. Networks withdraw a state, take a shot. Rove cackles like a Bond villain, down a fifth. Etc.

I *will* be drunk by 8 PM Tuesday. An election this close demands it.

Posted by: Rob on October 29, 2004 07:19 AM

Yes, ecstasy is a hallucinogen.

Posted by: Bill from INDC on October 29, 2004 07:24 AM

WTFCWASS

If u do one more post on Andrew, we're doing an intervention. NOT WORTH THE BANDWIDTH

Posted by: jeff on October 29, 2004 08:03 AM

Ok, I get WTF, but what is CWASS?

Posted by: Eric Blair on October 29, 2004 08:13 AM

'cares what Andrew Sullivan says'

ISAIETM - I'm Seahay and I endorse this message

Posted by: Seahay on October 29, 2004 08:39 AM

At a guess, CWASS = "Cares What Andrew Sullivan Says".

Posted by: Kerry on October 29, 2004 08:41 AM

Being an observer, supporter, and reader of Sullivan's site, I payed close attention to his positions earlier this year. He seemed to understand the stakes in this election and the importance of a second term for the president. And he knew what a dishonest and principle-free poor candidate Kerry is. But then along came talk of Gay Marriage and everything else was thrown out the window. I have lost all respect for Sullivan. It would be one thing if he was honest enough to say that Gay Marriage trumps all other issues for him, but instead he just begain dubiuosly morphing his positions to *allow* him to support Kerry. I have little doubt that he would vote for Nader if Ralphie was openly supportive of gay marriage. I understand one-issue voting sometimes (I will never support a politician that does not strongly support gun rights), but I am honest about why I support someone. That candy-a-- from Provincetown is not.

Posted by: Rob on October 29, 2004 08:55 AM

EVERYONE HAS AIDS
Everyone has AIDS, AIDS, AIDS AIDS
AIDS, AIDS, AIDS, AIDS, AIDS!
Everyone has AIDS!

(spoken)
And so this is the end of our story
and everyone is dead from AIDS.
It took from me my best friend, my only
true pal, my only bright star.
Well, I'm gonna march on Washington,
lead the fight and charge the brigades.
There's a hero inside of all of us.
I'll make them see everyone has AIDS.

(singing again)
My father..AIDS! My sister...AIDS!
My uncle and my cousin and her best friend AIDS.
Gays, straights, whites and spades,
everyone has AIDS.
My grandma and my old dog Blue.
The Pope has got it and so do you.
Come on everybody we've got quiltin' to do.
Gonna break down these barricades everyone has AIDS,
AIDS, AIDS, AIDS...

Posted by: Once met Sully in a Burger King bathroom on October 29, 2004 09:06 AM

Everyone has AIDS...Even Ace of Spades....AIDS AIDS AIDS!!!!!

Ace, I still maintain that your blog (Ace of Spades HQ) is the powerful force that keeps this nation on course. Your writing provides the moral compass, pointing the way towards American Exceptionalism. One can chart a straight line from Thomas Jefferson, to Alexander Hamilton, to Abraham Lincoln, to Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan to you! Forget Sully (Who the fuck is Sully, anyway?). Forget "Wonkette!!!!!". Forget Kos. Forget even the esteemed Instapundit, National Review, and Weekly Standard. When the full measure of American greatness is assessed by hisorians, their will be one new face on Mount Rushmore: That of Ace of Spades HQ.

Although if I had my way, I would put Johnny Coldcuts up there instead.

Posted by: Senator PhilABuster on October 29, 2004 10:35 AM

Quick question: Now that Sullivan has, uh, come out of the closet as a Kerry supporter, are his old friends on the left now treating him as some sort of a hero--the Prodigal Son come back to his senses, so to speak--or is Silly Sully as pathetic a figure to them as he is to us?

Posted by: Lisa on October 29, 2004 10:57 AM

I don't know the answer to that one, Lisa, but I guess if they can believe in David "Trust me, I lied" Brock they can believe in anyone.

Posted by: Paul Zrimsek on October 29, 2004 11:30 AM

Lisa: Yes

This is my favorite line from Sully's 'endorsement': "I completely understand those who look at this man's record and deduce that he is simply unfit to fight a war for our survival. They have an important point."

Ever get the feeling someone is trying to hold a watermelon seed between their butt cheeks while writing?

Posted by: jeff on October 29, 2004 11:31 AM

Senator,

Thank you! But of course you can't mean that! (Please say you do.) You're embarassing me. (Keep it coming.)

Posted by: ace on October 29, 2004 12:12 PM

Oh, but I do mean it Ace!

One of these days, our great-grandchildren will be visiting the National Archives, where their gaze will fall upon the 3 most sacred documents known to this country: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Collected Works of Ace of Spades HQ (2003-2008). In one spot our children will be able to learn of the fundamental principles that made this country great: a firm belief that freedom and liberty are gifts from God; that Government exists to serve the people only by the people's consent; and that international order could only be maintained by someone with the internal strength of Sonny Crockett. As the tour guide explains about our current polarized years, and the existential threat of Islamic terrorism that we are called upon to face, they will leave knowing full well that we succeeded as a nation by adhering to our deepest and best principles, strengthened in our resolve to do so by the rousing, patriotic Filet o Fish beat downs on this blog. Then, as they leave the archive building, they will glance down at the loose change in their tiny pockets and finally understand why "In God and Ace of Spades we Trust" has been emblazoned on all their currency.

Posted by: Senator PhilABuster on October 29, 2004 12:41 PM

Amazon.com Widgets

Now Available!
The Deplorable Gourmet
A Horde-sourced Cookbook
[All profits go to charity]

Top Headlines

In more marketing for Project Hail Mary, scientists say they've found the biosigns indicating life growing on an alien planet. It's not proof, just signatures of chemicals that are produced by biological metabolism, and it could be nothing, but scientists think it's a strong sign that this planet is inhabited by something.

In a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, a team of scientists announced the detection of dimethyl sulfide (along with a similar detection of dimethyl disulfide) in the atmosphere of an exoplanet called K2-18b. This is actually the second detection of dimethyl sulfide made on this planet, following a tentative detection in 2023.
Tons of chemicals are detected in the atmospheres of celestial objects every day. But dimethyl sulfide is different, because on Earth, it's only produced by living organisms.
"It is a shock to the system," Nikku Madhusudhan, first author on the paper, told the New York Times. "We spent an enormous amount of time just trying to get rid of the signal."

He means they tried to prove the signal was caused by things other than dimethyl sulfide but they could not.

Artemis moon shot a go, scheduled for 6:24 Eastern time tonight
Great marketing arranged by Amazon to promote Project Hail Mary. Okay not really but it does work out that way.

TJM talks John Boorman, director of Excalibur

Good rickroll

What? Skeleton of the most famous Musketeer, D'Artagnan, possibly discovered in Dutch church closet.
Dumas picked four names of real musketeers out of a history book, D'Artagnan, Athos, Aramis, and Porthos. So there was an actual D'Artagnan, though he made most of the story up. (Or, you know, all of it.)*

Charles de Batz de Castelmore, known as d'Artagnan, the famous musketeer of Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV, spent his life in the service of the French crown.
The Gascon nobleman inspired Alexandre Dumas's hero in "The Three Musketeers" in the 19th century, a character now known worldwide thanks to the novel and numerous film adaptations.
D'Artagnan was killed during the siege of Maastricht in 1673, and there is a statue honoring the musketeer in the city. His final resting place has remained a mystery ever since.

A lot of Dumas's stories are based on bits of real history. The plot of the >Three Musketeers, about trying to recover lost diamonds from the queen's necklace, was cribbed from the then-almost-contemporaneous Affair of the Queen's Necklace. And the Man in the Iron Mask is based on real accounts of a prisoner forced to wear a mask (though I think it was a velvet mask).
* Oh, I should mention, Dumas says all this, about finding the names in an old book, in the prologue to his novel. But authors lie a lot. They frequently present fictions as based on historic fact. The twist is, he was actually telling the truth here. At least about these four musketeers having actually existed and served under Louis XIV.
Fun fact: You know the beginning of A Fistful of Dollars where the local gunslingers make fun of Clint Eastwood's donkey and Eastwood demands they apologize to the donkey? That's lifted from The Three Musketeers. Rochefort mocks D'Artagnan's old, brokedown farm horse and D'Artagnan is incensed.

A commenter asked which should be read first, The Hobbit of LOTR?
Easy, no question -- read The Hobbit first. It's actually the start of the story and comes first chronologically. It sets up some major characters and major pieces in play in LOTR.
Also, the Hobbit is Beginner-Friendly, which LOTR isn't. The Hobbit really is a delightful book, and a fast read. It's chatty, it's casual, it's exciting, and it's funny. In that dry cheeky British humor way. I love that the narrator is constantly making little asides and commentary, like he's just sitting next to you telling you this story as it occurs to him.
LOTR is a very long story. Fifteen hundred pages or so. The Hobbit is relatively short and very punchy and easy to read. If you don't like The Hobbit, you can skip out on LOTR. If you do like it, you'll be primed to read LOTR.
Oh, I should say: The Hobbit is written as if it's for children, but one of those smart children's stories that are also for adults. Don't worry, there's also real fighting and violence and horror in it, too.
LOTR is written for adults. (It's said that Tolkien wrote both for his children, but LOTR was written 17 years later, when his children were adults.) Some might not like The Hobbit due to its sometimes frivolous tone. Me, I love it. I find it constantly amusing. Both are really good but there is a starkly different tone to both. LOTR is epic, grand, and serious, about a world war, The Hobbit is light and breezy, and about a heist. Though a heist that culminates in a war for the spoils.

The Hobbit Challenge: Read two more chapters. I didn't have much time. Bilbo got the ring.
I noticed a continuity problem. Maybe. Now, as of the time of The Hobbit, it was unknown that this magic ring was in fact a Ring of Power, and it was doubly unknown that it was the Ring of Power, the Master Ring that controlled the others.
But the narrator -- who we will learn in LOTR was none of than Bilbo himself, who wrote the book as "There and Back Again" -- says this about Gollum's ring:
"But who knows how Gollum had come by that present [the Ring], ages ago in the old days when such rings were still at large in the world? Perhaps even the Master who ruled them could not have said."
In another passage, the ring is identified as a "ring of power."
I don't know, I always thought there was a distinction between mere magic rings and the Rings of Power created by Sauron. But this suggests that Bilbo knew this was a ring of power created by Sauron.
Now I don't remember when Bilbo wrote the Hobbit. In the movie, he shows Frodo the book in Rivendell, and I guess he wrote it after he left the Shire. I guess he might have added in the part about the ring being a ring of power created by "the Master" after Gandalf appraised him of his research into the ring.
I never noticed this before. I know Tolkien re-wrote this chapter while he was writing LOTR to make the ring important from the start. And also to make Gollum more sinister and evil, and also to remove the part where Gollum actually offers Bilbo the ring as a "present" -- Bilbo had already found it on his own, but Gollum was wiling to give it away, which obviously is not something the rewritten Gollum would ever do.
But I had no memory of the ring being suggested to be The Ring so early in the tale.

Finish the job, Mr. President!
Melanie Phillips lays out the case for the total destruction of the Iranian government and armed forces. [CBD]

TJM acts like he knows anything about John Wick and screenwriting. It's embarrassing, really.

Podcast: Sefton and CBD talk about how would a peace treaty with Iran work, Democrats defending murderers and rapists, The GOP vs. Dem bench for 2028, composting bodies? And more!

Oh, I forgot to mention this quote from Pete Hegseth, reported by Roger Kimball: "We are sharing the ocean with the Iranian Navy. We're giving them the bottom half."

Batman fires The Batman
Batman is disgusted by the Joachim Phoenix version of Joker
Batman tries to fire Superman
Batman is still workshopping his Bat-Voice

Forgotten 80s Mystery Click: Red Leather Suit and Sweatband Edition
And I was here to please
I'm even on knees
Makin' love to whoever I please
I gotta do it my way
Or no way at all

Tomorrow is March 25th, "Tolkien Reading Day," because March 25th is the day when the Ring is destroyed in the book. I think I'm going to start the Hobbit tomorrow and read all four books this time.
The only bad part of the trilogy are the Frodo/Sam chapters in The Two Towers. They're repetitive, slow, and mostly about the weather and terrain. But most everything else is good. Weirdly, the Frodo-Sam chapters in Return of the King are exciting and action-packed and among the best in the trilogy. (Though the chapters with everyone else in Return of the King get pretty slow again. Mostly people talking about marching towards war, and then marching towards war.)

Sec. Army recognizes ODU Army ROTC cadets for their bravery and sacrifice in private ceremony
[Hat Tip: Diogenes] [CBD]

TJM gives you a brief tour of his movie collection.

Forgotten 80s Mystery Click
One day I'm gonna write a poem in a letter
One day I'm gonna get that faculty together
Remember that everybody has to wait in line
Oh, [Song Title], look out world, oh, you know I've got mine

US decimation of Iran's ICBM forces is due to Space Force's instant detection of launches -- and the launchers' hiding places -- and rapid counter-attack via missiles
AI is doing a lot of the work in analyzing images to find the exact hiding place of the launchers. Counter-strikes are now coming in four hours after a launch, whereas previously it might have taken days for humans to go over the imagery and data.

Robert Mueller, Former Special Counsel Who Probed Trump, Dies

“robert mueller just died,” trump wrote in a truth social post on march 21. “good, i’m glad he’s dead. he can no longer hurt innocent people! president donald j. trump.”

TJM has thoughts on Superheros and Iconography