Obama in Iraq: Withdrawal support but no timetable

So the big question floating around the blogsphere today was "is the media giving Obama preferential treatment?" So after I stopped laughing I answered in my head a resounding yes! Like that was even worthy of asking the question. Where does one start with examples? I believe at this point all we need to do is point to "The Obama Foreign Tour '08." Over the weekend news "broke" that officials in Iraq favored Obamas plan to withdraw the troops. Even if it were true, which it wasn't and I'll explain in moment, this would still mean that we only got to the point where we could pull troops out because of what Republicans did, not Obamas plans all along. Had Obama had his way the troops would have been pulled out last year. At this very time in July 07 Obama was out stating how the surge had failed and that the war was all but lost. I don't see the media grabbing onto that little sound bite now that the surge is over and it worked. As far as Iraq agreeing with Obama, they didn't really. Obama simply spun his opinion based off what Iraqi officials were already saying. In the article above the Iraqi officials said there would be no timetable but they hoping the troops would be out for the most part by 2010. This would be echoing what Pres Bush and McCain have been saying all along. So did the media change it's story to let everyone know that Iraq never endorsed Obama? I watched most of the mainstream media today and it was mentioned in passing at best. The blogs have all but removed any links to the big "Iraq supports Obama" links from over the weekend.  The story is out there but the media isn't pushing it. They push Obama when it's positive and the bury it when it's negative for the most part. I think the real question is "Is the media trying to support Obama for ideological reasons, or just for ratings?"

Is 'The Dark Knight' too dark for kids?

Everyone is talking about the Dark Knight, myself included. This is the first movie in a long time that I want to be sure I see in the theater again. One of the big questions coming out of the movie - Is it too dark for kids? The answer in my opinion is yes, but that doesn't apply to all kids. Personally I think that any kid under age 8 maybe even 9 shouldn't see this movie. There really isn't any need for them to see it and run the risk of being disturbed by the material. Now that may be up for debate as I know some parents who have 8 and 9 years olds that have watched plenty of horror movies and this really is more on the psychological horror than any major gore. Now as far as the ages above 9 years old lets say, that really is a choice the parents must make. I don't feel the rating of PG-13 needs to be changed because as parents you should be doing your homework if you're planning on taking your child. The film, as I mentioned in yesterdays blog, is really as good as everyone is saying, even after 2 days from seeing it the film is still fresh in my mind. The movie is the anti-Titanic, in the sense that everyone who didn't return for repeated viewings of Titanic will be returning to see the doom-laden world of the Dark Knight. The creators of the film really struck gold by releasing a movie that views our society through a pair of very dark pessimistic glasses. At a time when most Americas looking at the world through a pair of very dark pessimistic glasses they, will come back to see The Dark Knight over and over. After all misery loves company.

5-Year-Old Driving Jet Ski Alone Critically Injured In Lake Crash

Speaking of parents making good choices for their children comes this tale. In what world does a parent either a) think it's ok for their kid to power a jet ski or b) have their kid out of sight long enough for their 5 year-old to hop on board a jet ski and go tearing off across the lake. We had a chance to speak to a group of child safety advocates trying to spread the word about the dangers of kids in cars. They have a slogan: "ZERO SECONDS," as in, you shoudn't leave your child unattended in a vehicle ever. ZERO SECONDS is something we all as parents should keep in the back of our minds at all times.

Group claims playground equipment too hot

And lastly in our trio of kids stories comes this one out of NY. I have a really easy solution for anyone who thinks that playground equipment may get too hot in the summer heat. Don't let your kids play on it.

Andrew's random video for Tuesday: OK, this goes on for far too long, but it's worth checking out.  I'd try this in my own house, but I think my wife would beat me over the head with our mixer, and that things heavy.