Video- The Daily Show: William Jefferson Airplane

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
William Jefferson Airplane
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Spinal Tap Performance

Official: Obama granted use of appropriate force to rescue captain

By GottaLaff

Just to follow up my earlier posts on the rescue:

President Obama granted two separate requests from the Defense Department to go forward with a military operation to rescue Captain Richard Phillips, an administration official tells CNN.

Obama granted the authority to use appropriate force with the focus on saving and protecting Phillips’ life. The requests were made by the Pentagon Friday and Saturday. For technical reasons, authority was granted two different times, according to the official, because different U.S. forces moved in the region near the coast of Somalia.

CNN has also learned that Obama has phoned Phillips on board the USS Boxer as well as Phillips’ wife and family at their home in Vermont.

Wow, what an inept commander in chief he's turned out to be. Someone call the Rushpublics and tell them how sorry we are to have ever doubted them.

Statement from President Obama on the rescue of Captain Phillips

By GottaLaff

Here you go:

President Obama released the following statement on the release of Captain Phillips:

"I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer. His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.

I am also very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips’s safe recovery.

We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region. To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.

I share the country’s admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans."

From the Tweets I'm reading, the righties are giving General Petraeus credit, Captain Phillips got credit for saving himself, but President Obama had nothing to do with it.

40 years' worth of thanks

In 1968, a white firefighter saved a black baby girl, touching the heart of a divided city. The two did not meet again. Until yesterday.

Rest of the story here, and yes I cried from the get go. h/t A.

You say "rescue", I say "bailout", let's call the whole thing off

By GottaLaff

Terminology, or in Gramm-pa McCain's/Bush's case, verminology:

Countdown to Crawford notes that White House spokesman Tony Fratto took issue today with journalists using the term “bailout” to describe the $700 billion package. “It’s really unfortunate shorthand for a very complicated issue,” he said. The White House prefers the word “rescue.” For insight into why the White House is playing semantic word games, consider what Fred Barnes said last week on Fox News:

We would be in a better situation, or at least the Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson would if this were known as a “rescue” rather than a “bailout.” “Bailout” sounds terrible. Who is for a bailout? A lot of people are for a rescue.

UPDATE: This morning, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) made a similar a comment:

Well I think what happened is we didn’t convince enough Republicans and Democrats…that this was a rescue package and not a bailout.

UPDATE II: Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) today: “When you call it a bailout, nobody’s in favor of a bailout.”

Now check this out... First, the Washington Post:

• With renewed confidence that a Wall St. rescue plan will eventually pass, investors unleash bargain hunters a day after historic sell-off.
• Lawmakers urged to revive financial rescue plan, warned of catastrophic consequences if it dies.
• Both candidates are jockeying to find their footing in ongoing battle to rescue economy.

Next, the New York Times:

• President Bush and Senate leaders of both parties vowed on Tuesday to work toward quick approval of a financial bailout plan.
• Wall Street Donations and the Bailout Vote
• Lobbyists regroup after public beats bailout bill

Does this have any relevance, or am I reading into it?