If this is our standard of freedom: Is it any wonder far too many Americans still believe that our soldiers are dying daily in Iraq to "keep us free?"

Perhaps, if we look closely, we can catch a glimpse ofthe freed souls of the war dead...now lounging in the cool shade of paradise beneath the trees of OakdaleEstates.

For we Americans will think of our war dead, often.Yes, of course, we will...about as often as the residents of Oakdale Estates think of the dispatched oaks.

And we Americans will mourn the dead of the war in Iraq...to the same degree we mourn the loss of our right to dissent. But rejoice: We're free to continue working for the freedom to be owned by the corporate class.

Moreover, our soldiers are free to continue to kill and be killed for our right to be oblivious to their deaths.

This is the best of all possible worlds, in the best of all possible lands -- why would anyone ever raise a harsh voice in protest against it in the first place? If you lament our losses, then the terrorist will have won. Can't you see: Unlike the terrorist, we have the freedom to choose to lose our freedoms and not give a damn. And that is why they hate us.

Republican candidate off the mark on cost of milk, bread

and then had the following lede:

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani hasn't done a lot of grocery shopping lately - at least based on his answers about the cost of milk and bread.

Sorry, when I drop $200+ on a shopping cart full of food, the individual cost of the milk or bread or eggs is of no consequence.

Why do you attack Rudi so much? Is it because he's an ex-prosecutor? Because he may oppose Hillary? Combo of the two?

So, we won't vote for candidates based on the media outlets they go on? Imus is bad. So is Rosie. As is 90% of all media. Again, useless comparison because it's got nothing to do with helping the poor and needy. Remember, Imus was one of the first people to rally for the people of New Orleans and wonder aloud if it was because the poor people were black.

Except for this one thing -- the cost of milk.  It's tripped up a couple of candidates in the past and it's hard to believe that a well-run campaign organization wouldn't equip their candidate with this information.  Also the price of gas.

So do I really care about Rudy's not knowing the price of milk?  Only insofar as it's politically useful.

We pay good money to be poisoned by the Agribusinesses. Rudy knows this also.

1. Here's a fun way for bloggers to get links: call up various reporters or Dems and ask them the price of milk.

2. Why can't "reporters" ask questions about Rudy's tremendous policy failings?

3. Would the public respond like this to a serious question for a candidate that involved policy rather than trivia?

Since it is obviously important to the folks round here, I think we should seriously examine this issue. First, however, I want to mention that SUO, you are not alone in thinking that Jeralyn exhibits uncharacteristic dislike for Giuliani. No doubt she is as opposed to McCain's, Romney's, and Paul's policies, but she is not nearly as vociferous when it comes to them. I agree that someone stumbling across TalkLeft would reasonably think that Jeralyn really hates Giuliana and focuses on him for that reason.

Setting that aside, my real question for the other commenters is whether they think that their elected officials have a duty to know the price of milk and bread. It's already been noted that none of us have to know this stuff. But Jeralyn says that presidential candidates are obligated to know.

Why is that? Is the price of milk and bread actually representative of the lives and lifestyles of "the masses?" I doubt it. If I had to choose between candidates, otherwise similar, one of whom has sound economic policy and another who simply memorized the price of bread, I'd say the first would make a better president.

That's what's missing from the comments here. Jeralyn and others act as if ignorance about the price of milk means something other than ignorance about the price of milk.

Please find any comment I've made in support of Giuliani, or any other declared candidate, of any party.

Does Obama know what his wife makes after her big raise?

Does Edwards know why his wife wants to run off the Republican down the road? Does Edwards understand that his huge mansion has jacked this guy's taxes so high he is having to sell?

Know what?

I don't want a President to know what a gallon of milk costs, or a loaf of bread, or what a gallon of gas costs. I want him to concentrate on war and peace. You can hire grocery shoppers for $8.00 an hour.

And you can have aids who keep up the the other stuff.