In the spirit of not throwing stones when you live in glass houses, Keith Olberman takes Palin to task for her “Obama pals around with terrorists” allegations. And yes, I know he’s a liberal mouthpiece, and no, this doesn’t count as objective journalism. The difference is, Olberman knows he’s being sarcastic and just wants the rest of us in on the joke.

Well, that didn’t take long. Obama is hitting McCain back by reopening the Keating 5 wound. I’d like to be disappointed, but based on what happened to John Kerry in 2004, taking the high road and not retaliating is not a viable option. It’s just gonna get ugly from here. The losers here are the American people.

It’s curious that the opening salvo was fired by the campaign who’s motto is “Country First”. If the country really comes first, then let’s stick to facts and issues. This political Mutual Assured Destruction is in no one’s best interest.

Just one additional point on the party of “Country First”. Should Obama manage to win the election, I suspect the worst is yet to come. I give him two months before the GOP starts calling for special investigators or otherwise launches some sort of an investigation designed to derail his Presidency. It’ll be Bill Clinton and Whitewater, Travel-gate, etc. all over again.

The Democrats may have believed that they broke the witch-hunt cycle by largely not going after criminal or impeachment charges against the Bush Administration. But I believe they just encouraged the GOP that they can get away with most anything. Still, I can’t advocate for the perpetual witch-hunt. It’s ultimately destructive. As a country, we can never get back on a path of growth and prosperity if we are constantly hobbled by a dysfunctional government who devotes most of their efforts at securing or regaining their party’s power.

Perhaps Mr. MCain would be wise to consider that the bravest man in a fight is not the one who fires his gun first, but the one who lays down his gun first. Of course it’s also true that only a fool just stands there unarmed and waits to get shot, so maybe we’re all just doomed.