The International House of Bacon

I can’t formulate long-form thoughts right now, sorry.

* This is on the top for a reason - I’ve waited quite a while to see if anyone would condemn this, especially those who pushed the “Palin tried to ban books” meme. If you’re that interested in free speech and the dissemination of information, why are you not completely up in arms about this? Obama is actively seeking to silence an NRA ad concerning Obama’s positions on firearms, and is threatening legal action on it in order to keep the ad off the air. The issue is that Obama thinks the ad is unfair and false, even though every word of it appears to check out. Why are people silent about this? This is not an isolated incident, either - it’s bad enough that the media won’t report on this business, but Obama apparently feels like legal pressure is a good response to criticism. And from the left? From his supporters? From the folks who wanted to know how a librarian could support someone who banned books? Dead silence. Curious, isn’t it?

* Related: Instapundit notes an anonymous message about exactly how complicit the media is concerning Obama. I would normally disregard this sort of thing as anonymous ranting except that it fits the way things have been going this year to a T. I fully expect this to be dismissed as more conspiracy-mongering, however.

* A few subprime fallout links: First, Amity Shlaes on handling the debacle. She makes some pertinent comparisons to the Great Depression. Her book on the Depression, The Forgotten Man, should be required reading for everyone, especially those considering a vote for the one candidate this election who’d like to return to a more New Deal-style form of government.

Second, QandO linked to this 1999 New York Times piece on Fannie and Freddie expanding subprime lending due to “pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people.” I’m not blaming Clinton alone for this - yes, he pressured them and yes, he did revamp the Community Reinvestment Act, but there’s more than enough blame to go around, and tell me that there aren’t some cringeworthy predictions in there.

Thirdly, I’m shocked to see such a good piece on CNN regarding the bailout possibilities. He took part in a Reason forum on the economy that’s worth reading, as well.

Fourthly, one would think this might be problematic.

Finally, the best ten minutes on the economy you can find. It’s worth your time, watch the whole thing. It’s worth noting that the original version was pulled from YouTube due to a copyright complaint from Warner Bros, even though this clearly falls into a fair-use exception. Warner Bros. and Google, though? Two of Obama’s top contributors. I’m sure there’s no relationship.

* If you haven’t seen it yet, Ralph Nader’s new ad is hilarious. I should do a parody with Pigeon, my cat.

* I’ve been fretting a bit about FactCheck.org being sloppy, but their recent whiff on guns, Obama, and the NRA is nothing short of embarrassing.

* Remember to stay on topic: McCain’s the dishonest one in this campaign, not Obama. But the major outlets won’t bother letting you know that.

* A Marine cleared in the Haditha shootings is suing John Murtha over his comments. He is the third Marine to do so thus far. Still no word from Obama, who said at one time that he “would never second guess John Murtha… I think he’s somebody who knows of which he speaks.”

* So, again, what is Obama’s position on missile defense?

* Another classy piece of reporting from the AP: Don’t vote for McCain, he might die!

* More stupidty from your favorite Democratic House leadership. No wonder their ratings are so low.

* If you’re not significantly bothered by this, I want to know why. I’m not saying Obama’s behind this, I know full well he isn’t, but this is wrong on any number of levels. Namely, all of them. I feel bad for any parent who’d subject their child to this. Then again, Obama’s views on service border on involuntary servitude, so perhaps it’s not entirely shocking.

EDIT: The video’s been locked up, unsurprisingly. This is the homepage.

EDIT 2: The video’s back.

* Lighter fare: io9 on Eureka’s interesting sponsorship deal, a list of restaurants worth visiting.