"Speaking To Veterans, Obama Directly Takes On McCain's Attacks On His Patriotism: From the prepared remarks:

But one of the things that we have to change in this country is the idea that people can't disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism. I have never suggested that Senator McCain picks his positions on national security based on politics or personal ambition. I have not suggested it because I believe that he genuinely wants to serve America's national interest. Now, it's time for him to acknowledge that I want to do the same.

Let me be clear: I will let no one question my love of this country. I love America, so do you, and so does John McCain. When I look out at this audience, I see people of different political views. You are Democrats and Republicans and Independents. But you all served together, and fought together, and bled together under the same proud flag. You did not serve a Red America or a Blue America -- you served the United States of America.

So let's have a serious debate, and let's debate our disagreements on the merits of policy -- not personal attacks. And no matter how heated it gets or what kind of campaign he chooses to run, I will honor Senator McCain's service, just like I honor the service of every veteran in this room, and every American who has worn the uniform of the United States."

Wow. Watch the Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on John McCain and his campaign managers. Now we're talking.

Who are the wealthy?

Apparently, there are only like a couple hundred of them in the country if you talk to the average person, when I think it's heckuva lot more. I see euphemisms like "upper middle class" now that doesn't make much since to me. You're either in the middle (Mid 50%) or you're not.

So I'm just curious of what you all consider to be rich. I guess I should go first:

I consider "wealthy" to be when your income+investments+other assets significantly exceed your expenses. And by "significant" I'd say enough wealth so that if you were to lose a major income source you can still make enough money to live comfortably.

If I was working for the government, maybe $250,000+ for a family, and $500,000 in profits or more if you own a small business. Just curious.

Neo-con policies have left the world littered with unneeded messes, Georgia among them. From Eunomia:

This might be an appropriate time to reflect on the exploitation of U.S. allies during 2002-03 and during the war in Iraq. New and aspiring NATO members were particularly susceptible to the combination of arm-twisting and enticements that Washington used to get the heads of government from so-called “New Europe” to declare their support for an invasion of Iraq, but perhaps most tragic and inexcusable of all of these cases is Georgia. While a boon to contractors, Georgia’s significant increases in military spending diverted resources in a poor country to building up the armed forces, an investment as misguided as it is now wasted. To make itself an attractive candidate, the Georgian government had to demonstrate its eagerness to be out of Russia’s shadow, which inevitably involved confrontational posturing and actions that riled Moscow into increasingly punitive and often excessive responses. In the twisted establishment view, to be pro-Western in the former Soviet states is first and foremost to be impeccably anti-Russian, which would be ridiculed as counterproductive nationalist bluster anywhere else but serves as a useful barometer of how willing a population is to be used as a pawn against the Russians. The gradual realization by those who live in the country being used as a pawn that their country is being used this way naturally inspires resentment.

Heck of a job, as always. Heck of a job.

Naturally there's just no chance that a people who feel they've been betrayed to their enemies by the US might cause us trouble in the future. Nah.

percent in July. Wholesale inflation surged in July, leaving prices for the past year rising at the fastest pace in 27 years, according to government data released Tuesday.

Core prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.7 percent. That increase was the biggest since November 2006 and more than triple the 0.2 percent rise in core prices that had been expected.

In other economic news, the Commerce Department reported that housing construction fell in July to the lowest pace in more than 17 years. Builders broke ground on 965,000 housing units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate last month — the weakest showing since March 1991 — as the housing industry continues to struggle with falling sales and rising mortgage foreclosures.

The bad news on wholesale prices followed a report last week that consumer prices shot up by 0.8 percent in July, leaving consumer inflation rising at the fastest pace since 1991.

It's not good but it's not as bad as the 80's....yet.