The President’s pronunciation of “Taliban” as “tallee-bahn” is a peculiar affectation, much like Madonna’s odd mix of American and British pronunciation.  Just as annoying, too.

The media were all aflutter a few years back about the ‘correct’ pronunciation of Qatar and insisted on using “Gutter”.  Even the foreign minister of Qatar uses the anglicized version when speaking in English.

Next time someone pulls this pronunciation business, ask them what the capital of France is.  Paris, they’ll say.  No, you reply, it’s “Par-ee”. Then you can roll your eyes and either mutter “idiot” as you walk away, or just stare while you relish the uncomfortable silence that ensues.

Another key election issue is kicked down the road a ways.

The president as used car salesman:

“Let me say it as plainly as I can: If you buy a car from Chrysler or General Motors, you will be able to get your car serviced and repaired, just like always.”

All that was missing was the sharkskin suit, giant pinky ring and slicked-back ‘do.

“Your warranty will be safe,” Obama promised. “In fact, it will be safer than it’s ever been!

“Because, starting today, the United States government will stand behind your warranty.”

Sold!

But wait.

This is the same federal government that can’t even switch America to digital TV?

A good piece by Gene Healy in the DC Examiner.  He makes the good point that this is not confined to the left and their leaders, but given the media stranglehold there are ten times the examples.  A sickening exerpt:

Last summer, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mark Morford wrote that “Many spiritually advanced people I know … identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being who … can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet.”

The Politico recently ran a 900-word article entitled “The Power of Obama’s Hand,” reverentially describing how the president “uses touch to control and console simultaneously,” laying hands on supporters and opponents alike.

And in February, author Judith Warner used her New York Times blog to confess that “The other night I dreamt of Barack Obama. He was taking a shower right when I needed to get into the bathroom to shave my legs.”

It is a given now that when Obama presents you with a choice between two alternatives, at least one of them is a total fabrication.  Here’s a by-now typical example:

Writing in the Chicago Tribune last week, President Obama fell back on one of his favorite rhetorical tics: “But I also know,” he wrote, “that we need not choose between a chaotic and unforgiving capitalism and an oppressive government-run economy. That is a false choice that will not serve our people or any people.”

Really? For the moment, it’s a “false choice” mainly in the sense that he’s not offering it: “a chaotic and unforgiving capitalism” is not on the menu, which leaves “an oppressive government-run economy” as pretty much the only game in town.

The MSM is not only continuing to carry water for Team Obama, they are doubling down on stupid by trying to trash the success that Bush had fighting Al Qaeda.  They follow the standard practice of a misleading headline that contradicts the article itself.

Rasmussen reports a sea change in how the public views the Obama presidency.  And at 58% his popularity is good but not messianic.  About where Bush 43 was at this point, if not a point or two lower.

Remember during the campaign, everyone said electing Obama would restore America’s reputation in the world?  Me neither.

So the president of GM stepped down because Obama told him to?  Is this the direction he wants to take the country?  On the plus side, sales of ‘Liberal Fascism’ are going to stay afloat for quite a while longer.

Update from James Lileks’ twitter:

Maybe I’m old-school, but “President fires CEO” looks as wrong as “Pope fires Missile.” Does not compute.

Team Obama used their high-tech savvy and uber-competence to ruin the ticket process for the Easter egg roll at the White House.   Here’s a part to show how once again, they demonstrate no knowledge of how free markets work:

With the egg roll more than two weeks from the date of the online ticket distribution, as opposed to at most three days in the past, the Obama administration has created a huge opening for the online scalping of free tickets.