Pre-Noon Yearly Kos Quote of the Day

"My record for predictions about Iraq is poor." - Peter Beinart, asked why supported the war and now supports bugging out.

Beinart's apologies for his war stance have been earnest and beautifully written, but watching him stammer in front of a room that looks his judging panel from Hell—a sea of smartassed bloggers and flown-in D.C. liberal pundits—is pretty painful. It is, however, extremely polite. Yearly Kos attendees seem to sow enough oats in the rip-roaring panels that they don't need to heckle or hiss at the more disagreeable experts.

Matthew Yglesias is live-blogging the panel.

Comments

[joe]

Yes, it is.

But as bad as Beinart's record is, he has still done vastly better than the majority of DC-centered pundits. Which is pretty sad.

Beinart gets props from Kossaks because he hasn't just written, "I was wrong, but only because I was much more serious and good than the people who were right." He's actually moved beyond the silly "all serious people," "soft/hard" mentality, and admitted that it was not just the outcome of the thought process that led him to support the war - it wasn't just "garbage in/garbage out" - but the thought process itself.

[ChicagoTom]

but watching him stammer in front of a room that looks his judging panel from Hell-a sea of smartassed bloggers and flown-in D.C. liberal pundits-is pretty painfu

What?

[Pro Libertate]

"Painfu?" Is that the fighting technique used by Wesley in The Princess Bride?

[ChicagoTom]

"Painfu?" Is that the fighting technique used by Wesley in The Princess Bride?

I think I missed the last letter when I copied and pasted.

But what the hell does but watching him stammer in front of a room that looks his judging panel from Hell mean?

[Pro Libertate]

I can't answer your question, but I still like "Pain-Fu", whether intentional or not.

[Rick H.]

Tom, it's hard to tell what you find confusing about the quote.

[Marcvs]

but watching him stammer in front of a room that looks his judging panel from Hell-a sea of smartassed bloggers and flown-in D.C. liberal pundits-is pretty painful.

I agree with ChicagoTom. That is gibberish.

[joe]

"judging" is used an adjective in that sentence.

His panel. What kind of pane? His judging panel. Where is this judging panel from? His judging panel from Hell.

Does that clear it up?

[ChicagoTom]

Does that clear it up?

No. But maybe I'm dense.

if we remove the adjective the sentence still doesn't make sense to me.

but watching him stammer in front of a room that looks his panel from Hell

It's the "that looks his panel"?? What does that mean? Is the word "like" missing between "looks" and "his" ? If so it would make more sense.

[ChicagoTom]

I can't answer your question, but I still like "Pain-Fu", whether intentional or not.

Agreed. Pain-Fu sounds like a kick ass martial arts name.

[joe]

See, I just read "like" into the sentence, without noticing.

[ClubMedSux]

I believe the panel from Hell consists of Blackbeard, Benedict Arnold, John Wilkes Booth, Lizzie Borden, John Dillinger, Richard Nixon, and the starting line-up of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers

[ChicagoTom]

See, I just read "like" into the sentence, without noticing.

I'm not comfortable making such assumptions.

And I'm not trying to be pedantic. I had to re-read the sentence a few times before I figured "like" was missing.

[joe]

I'm sure that says something profound about how our minds work.

I just don't know what it is.

[highnumber]

"...looks [to be] his..."

I like that better than "like."

I prefer that to "like."

[Goldthwait]

"I believe the panel from Hell consists of Blackbeard, Benedict Arnold, John Wilkes Booth, Lizzie Borden, John Dillinger, Richard Nixon, and the starting line-up of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers"

I saw that episode of the Simpsons too.

[Underzog]

Of course, none of you mention the soldier who was shouted down at that KOS convention. And this despite the nonsense you guys spout about opposing the war, but supporting the troops.

"There's no need to fear; Underzog is here!" (and don't forget the Underzog movie that came out)

[Marcvs]

Of course, none of you mention the soldier who was shouted down at that KOS convention. And this despite the nonsense you guys spout about opposing the war, but supporting the troops.

Your point being...? Oh right, your point is how we should all just shut up and support the war because the president knows what is best for us.