I am Matt Thomas.

Fareed Zakaria: Palin is Ready? Please.

Newsweek editor Fareed Zakaria—whose appearances on the Daily Show consistently make for my favorite episodes—takes on McCain for the “fundamentally irresponsible” choice of Sarah Palin as Vice Presidential candidate:

Can we now admit the obvious? Sarah Palin is utterly unqualified to be vice president. She is a feisty, charismatic politician who has done some good things in Alaska. But she has never spent a day thinking about any important national or international issue, and this is a hell of a time to start.

Heart to McCain/Palin: Back off on ‘Barracuda’

“Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image. The song ‘Barracuda’ was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.”

Ouch.

The death of a taboo

One of the most enduring taboos in American politics, the airing of graphic images from the September 11 attacks in a partisan context, died today. It was nearly seven years old.

So who are the troops supporting? Here’s a hint: it’s not John McCain.

The McCain Campaign has released what has to be the dumbest political advertisement ever produced, featuring 30 seconds of attractive footage of his rival while crowds chant his name: “Obama! Obama! Obama!” 60 Minutes’ Leslie Stahl could’ve told him… nobody’s listening to the voiceover.

Florida governor Charlie Crist is engaged—yes, to a woman, you big ‘mo.

Jesse Helms is Dead. It’s been a tough few months for terrible people. That it happened on Independence Day seems somewhat fitting, particularly this year.

Obama Supporters Take His Name as Their Own

Emily Nordling has never met a Muslim, at least not to her knowledge. But this spring, Ms. Nordling, a 19-year-old student from Fort Thomas, Ky., gave herself a new middle name on Facebook.com, mimicking her boyfriend and shocking her father. “Emily Hussein Nordling,” her entry now reads.

Via another Matt Thomas.