the reality is that America’s position is undermined and nobody needs to understand that more than Americans

You know what gets me excited about the 2008 Presidential election? That the leading Republican candidate, none other than John Bamboo McCain, doesn’t know that a fucking condom prevents the spread of HIV. And no, I’m not kidding:

Q: Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?”

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “You’ve stumped me.”

Q: “I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?”

Mr. McCain: (Laughs) “Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it.”

Q: “But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: ‘No, we’re not going to distribute them,’ knowing that?”

Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) “Get me Coburn’s thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburn’s paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. I’ve never gotten into these issues before.”

Another well-informed politician to represent a well-informed constituency! And before I jump into the next blog, I want to recommend that people check out “War of Ideas” by PBS Frontline, an excellent documentary about the rise of Arab media. From this comes one of the better quotes I’ve heard in a while, “America has never been perceived as more isolated and less influential… the reality is that America’s position is undermined and nobody needs to understand that more than Americans.” That quote came from an anchor on Al-Jazeera English, which is ironically not on any American cable or satellite packages because a right wing group has been directly lobbying television providers that showing Al-Jazeera will encourage suice bombers. And you know, they’re right, because if you show news programming with a different perspective, the terrorists win:

The American people do not want Al-Jazeera International in their homes or businesses. In fact, a recent poll revealed that 53 percent of people oppose Al-Jazeera International, while only 29 percent support the channel. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has not responded quickly enough to the rise of Al-Jazeera International, and it was recently reported that the network will launch on November 15, though at this point there are no U.S. cable companies that have announced plans to carry it. When asked to comment on the new Al-Jazeera, Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Al-Jazeera Network, stated ominously, “The new channel will provide the same ground-breaking news and impartial and balanced journalism to the English speaking world.” Indeed, Khanfar sardonically supports Kincaid’s assertions that Al-Jazeera International and the Arabic Al-Jazeera are entirely similar. Kincaid warns that this issue is of the utmost importance, and if Al-Jazeera makes waves on American cable, then the possibility of suicide bombers in America could lurk close behind.

Mmm mmm mmm, smells like America, irrational policies, backwards constituency, and a duty to push capitalism left and right. But ignorance is bliss, and so are double D’s. Just keep electing Machiavelli’s inbred children and maybe you’ll one day get that magical underwater city you always dreamed about.