to goofy...and now back to interesting.  It is an interesting intellectual exercise to debate what is and isn't appropriate in campaign commercials.  To me, pictures of the highjackers IS appropriate but pictures of smoke coming out the WTC or coffins of American soldiers are NOT appropriate.  I'm sure many will disagree.  Some will say none are appropriate and some will say all are appropriate.

To me there is something off putting about images of death/destruction to Americans but I'm not as offended by pictures of terrorists or military equipment (tanks, planes, etc).  Not sure why.  Not trying to threadjack but I'd love to hear some honest opinions from folks about what they think is or isn't appropriate.

As for Rob's post, I agree there is a problem when one isn't consistent.

and it's important to note that Drake herself ginned up this whole issue, so it's more than fair (and overdue) to press her on this inconsistency.

just another example of Republican hypocracy.

learn how to spell this word.  You use it in virtually every post.  There's no "a" and no "c" in it.  'k?

A self-professed writer who throws around a highfalutin word ought to at least spell it correctly. 

(And when you've gotten the spelling down pat, we'll work on appropriate and accurate usage.  But that might be a little tougher.  We'll see.)

... 'k?

but I am a notoriously bad speller, I usually leave it to my subordinates, which in this case Pubes definately qualifies, and as Pubes has pointed out my man Jeeves is out of the office this week.

I see you've been up early scribbling away...any more petty little thoughts?

As far as spelling, I'm inclined to go along with Mark Twain: "I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way."

And if Twain isn't good enough for you may I posit a new definition for hypocracy, which not only encompasses the meaning of that term that you and your kind represent so well but a new one as well.

Hypocracy: a form of government where the political leaders of one party (Republicans) control all branches of government and their public statements almost always contradict their private and public actions; whenever this is pointed out they often threaten the rights of free speech and condemn their opponents as traitors or at the very least being unpatriotic.

A correct usage could be: Rather than descending into a theocracy, as many prominent scholars had predicted, in the beginning of the 21st century the United Stated turned into a hypocracy instead as Republican hypocrites led the nation down a road of lies told one after the other.

Always a pleasure to see you Pubelius; even as others threaten to ban you, I will always come to your defense as your small intellect often gives me something to smile about.

which images are OK and which aren't, they all depend on one's political affiliation, kind of like a political Rorschach test.

So it's OK to use photos of highjackers in an ad against a Democrat when there was a Republican President and Republican Congress in control when 9/11 happened? (That's right, I don't remember reading the PDB titled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US" while on vacation down at Camp Condi either.)

But we can't show images of flag-draped coffins, which are the direct result of poor planning and incompetent leadership by a Republican Commander in Chief, a Republican Secretary of Defense, and a Republican controlled House and Senate? I suppose that one doesn't pass your smell test? Maybe you didn't get the morning memo on this, but there's a press blackout of photos of the coffins of returning US solders (another very democracy promoting proclamation).

What about using images of Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein in a political ad to defeat a sitting US Senator who lost three limbs while serving in the US military run by an opponent who had no military record and the sitting senator was a decorated war hero(Bronze and Silver Star)? I suppose you'll say, "Sorry Max Cleland", we appreciate your sacrifice to your country, but if you don't vote for our bills, which undermine the US Constitution, we are going to call you unpatriotic."

This is RICH coming from a guy who...

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, [now Senator]Chambliss sought a student deferment so he could attend law school. After that, on two occasions, he told his draft board that his knee was so bad that he was unable to serve in the military. [1].

and has a son who is a lobbyist.

I guess Republicans have not only mastered the art of negative political advertising, but also deceit and hypocrisy. It's about time Democrats start hitting back hard and not backing down. But maybe that would break Walter and Ipub's 'ittle heart.

The 9/11 images doctored in the DeWine campaign ad... (Loudoun County Dem - 7/19/2006 11:25:59 PM)

According to ABC News DeWine Changes Images in Controversial Ad.

The senator was notified Wednesday that the image of the Twin Towers burning could not have depicted the actual event because the smoke was blowing the wrong way. He immediately ordered the image replaced with a photograph of the moment, his campaign said.

DeWine's campaign spokesman, Brian Seitchik, called the image in the original ad a "graphic representation," produced by the advertising production firm Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm.

Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm did not immediately return calls seeking comment. The firm also produced the controversial Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads in 2004, which accused Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry of lying about his decorated Vietnam War record.

DeWine stood by the ad's message, but Brown's campaign expressed vindication.

"So it was doctored!" said Brown spokeswoman Joanna Kuebler.

"Instead of being honest, he's using an ad that at first we knew distorted the facts, and now we know distorted the tragedy; that's shameful," Kuebler said.

Hmmm, Hire the firm that produced the swift boat ads and then be SHOCKED!!! SHOCKED that there are distortions and manipulations in the ad!!!

Why would they doctor the image? Do they lie just to keep in practice or is it some kind of psychopathic Tourette's kind of tic?

very, very good!

I find this all so shocking, that a Republican Senate candidate no less would stoop to such a level. It's appalling really, just appalling what our country has come to. ; )

Great news: Cook Political Report 7/19 update has moved VA-02 from "Leans Republican" to "Tossup"..hooray!!! Go Phil!
Cook also added Ohio-02 (Schmidt) to the competitive gop seat list bringing the new total of gop competitive seats to 54 (15 are now Tossup).
Dem competitive seats remain at 20 (no Tossups).
http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_jul19.pdf