The One

Jake Tapper of ABC News reports on a speech that Senator Obama gave this morning.  The Democratic presidential candidate was speaking before the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers when he said:

“So, when American workers hear John McCain talking about putting ‘Country First,'” Obama said, “it’s fair to ask –- which country?”

Astounding.

Update – The latest ad by the Obama campaign attacks the Republican senator for not sending email.  The Associated Press quotes the ad.

“He admits he still doesn’t know how to use a computer, can’t send an e-mail, still doesn’t understand the economy, and favors two hundred billion in new tax cuts for corporations, but almost nothing for the middle class,” it says.

Here’s the ad on youtube

It turns out the reason McCain doesn’t send email is because he can’t use a keyboard. The Boston Globe reported more than eight years ago:

McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.

McCain’s keyboard difficulties were also reported the same year in Slate.

Six months ago, no one would have pegged McCain as the most cybersavvy of this year’s crop of candidates. At 63, he is the oldest of the bunch and because of his war injuries, he is limited in his ability to wield a keyboard.

Criticism for a man injured while serving his country – that country is the United States, in case someone reading Obama’s first quote doesn’t know.

Lehamic Renwar brings you inflatable water slide his unique view of today’s world.

Through a different eye.

Hurricane Ike is presently on course to strike Texas in a few hours.  The guys at Pajamas Media, whatever you might think of them, rely on a guy named Brendan Loy for their information.

So far as I can tell, he is a lawyer in Tennessee who happens to be a weather nerd.  He is now screaming for people in the strike zone to get out.

Here’s the rrouble with that.  The highways can’t handle all the cars. You’re much better off being at home than stuck in a car on a highway caught in bumper to bumper traffic when the storm hits.  Local governments in responsible states such  as Florida, and it would appear, Texas work to evacuate only those people who are in the most danger, and keep the roads clear for them to get out.

People like Loy have no insight into local conditions, evacuation routes, flood plains, etc.  Don’t listen to them.

Dr. Darsi Ferar sent out an email telling what he had seen of the destruciton caused by Hurricane Ike on the island of Cuba.  George at The Real Cuba translated it into English better than I could.

The destruction here after the hurricane is tragic. We simply got to the limit, we no longer have a country.

Hundreds of families lost everything, they were left without the meager recourses that they had in order to survive. The losses are incalculable and there is no way to recover them with the current regime. Thousands of people are sleeping outdoors, there is hunger, many places are without electricity, without drinking water, it is a disgrace.

This government caused its citizens to live in miserable conditions and now the hurricane completed this disgrace. As far as me and my family, we don’t have electricity or drinking water and food is scarce, but the house was not damaged. I am writing an article about everything that’s going on and I should be able to send it to you later today or tomorrow. Darsi

As we’ve written here many times, these natural hurricanes are not nearly as destructive as 50 years of Hurricane fidel.

A group in St. Augustine is collecting money and will buy supplies for folks in one Cuban town.  Our friends at First Coast News have the story and details if you want to contribute.

George has other places accepting donations.
Pan American Relief http://www.panamericanrelief.org/
Catholic Relief Services http://crs.org/Cuba/
Daughters of Charity 500 N.W. 63 Ave., Miami, Fl. 33126 Mark the check : “Ayuda para Cuba” (Help for Cuba)

Commerce Secretary Carlos Guiterrez says the U.S. is allowing increased private contributions to non-governmental aid groups.

“Alleviating the considerable suffering of the Cuban people is the highest priority and we reiterate our offer to allow a USAID assessment team to travel to Cuba to assess the situation, which is an action we take in any country that has suffered a natural disaster,” said Gutierrez in a statement.

Of course the Cuban government, more concerned about its own survival rather than the survival of its people refuses to acknowledge the need for help.  It has refused direct U.S. aid.  It’s a sad, sad situation.

Update – Val at Babalublog quotes Lincoln-Diaz Belart

Cuban regime’s refusal of international aid for the people constitutes crime against humanity

(Photos courtesy The Real Cuba from the city of Gibara)