Consumer confidence plunges more than forecast – Aug. 31, 2004

Worries about the job market sent consumer confidence tumbling in August, a research group said Tuesday, in a report that could spell more trouble for the economy ahead. …

Confidence is an important indicator of consumer willingness to spend, especially on big-ticket items. About two-thirds of the nation’s economy is driven by consumer spending. …

Consumers were also less optimistic about the general business climate. The survey found 23.2 percent who believe business conditions are “good,” down from 25.2 percent. Those claiming conditions are “bad” rose to 20.1 percent from 19.1 percent.

After Citing Doubt, Bush Declares ‘We Will Win’ Terror War

In a speech to the national convention of the American Legion, Bush said, “We meet today in a time of war for our country, a war we did not start yet one that we will win.

That statement differed from Bush’s earlier comment, aired Monday in a pre-taped television interview, that “I don’t think you can win” the war on terror.

I hesitate to fling feces over this because I’m happy (and stunned) to see Bush speak thoughtfully. And, he is right that there will never be a victory in the ‘War on Terror’ any more than we have been victorious in the Wars on Poverty or Drugs. This has simply become a tool for holding onto power.

However, the Right has made his constancy an issue, even though it is evidence of unreasonableness. So, this is just the latest flip-flop from Bush, just one of many. mjh

Where Is The Shame? By BOB HERBERT, NYTimes

What is incredible is that these attacks on men who served not just honorably, but heroically, are coming from a hawkish party that is controlled by an astonishing number of men who sprinted as far from the front lines as they could when they were of fighting age and their country was at war.

Among them:

Mr. Bush himself, the nation’s commander in chief and the biggest hawk of all. He revels in the accouterments of combat. The story was somewhat different when he was 22 years old and eligible for combat himself. He managed to get into the cushy confines of the Texas Air National Guard at the height of the Vietnam War in 1968 – a year in which more than a half-million American troops were in the war zone and more than 14,000 were killed.

The story gets murky after that. We know the future president breezed off at some point to work on a political campaign in Alabama, skipped a required flight physical in 1972 and was suspended from flying. He supported the war in Vietnam but was never in any danger of being sent there.

Vice President Dick Cheney, another fierce administration hawk. Mr. Cheney asked for and received five deferments when he was eligible for the draft. He told senators at a confirmation hearing in 1989, “I had other priorities in the 60’s than military service.” Many draft-age Americans had similar priorities – getting an education, getting married and starting a family.

Attorney General John Ashcroft. He is reported to have said, “I would have served, if asked.” But with the war raging in Vietnam, he received six student deferments and an “occupational deferment” based on the essential nature of a civilian job at Southwest Missouri State University – teaching business law to undergraduates.

Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy defense secretary and a fanatical hawk on Iraq. He was not fanatical about Vietnam and escaped the draft with student deferments.

There are many others.

The Christian Science Monitor | Daily Online Newspaper

CJR Campaign Desk Home (Columbia Journalism Review)

FactCheck.org – Annenberg Political Fact Check

Michael Moore adds spice to convention as GOP annoyance By John Nichols, The Capital Times

When Sen. John McCain took a shot at filmmaker Michael Moore in his speech to the Republican National Convention Monday night, he had no reason to know that the man who made the controversial documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” was just a few hundred feet away from him. …

Moore is attending the convention on an assignment from USA Today, which has asked him to write a column about the gathering that will re-nominate two of his favorite targets, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. …

Diane Francis, a Texas Republican decked out in full jean shirt and cowboy hat regalia, grumbled about Moore’s film and said, “I hope he’s got security. He could get killed in here.”

But Moore insisted he did not feel threatened. “I saw (conservative commentator) Sean Hannity on the floor at the Democratic convention. He was treated well. I’m sure they’ll treat me well here. You don’t think the Republicans are more mean-spirited than the Democrats, do you?” Moore asked, barely concealing a grin.

Besides, he said, “this is a celebration. I’m here to celebrate the fact that the Republicans only have a couple of months left. I’m here to celebrate the end of the Republican era. They’ve had four years. It’s been rough, but it’s almost over.”