Thursday, December 25, 2008

And A Very Merry Christmas To You All!

I'm sitting here trying to get my grandson's iPod up and running. My belly is full and my back porch is covered with garbage bags full of wrapping paper, bows and boxes. I think everyone got what they wanted for Christmas and then some. Who knows about next year?

Cheers to everyone! God bless you poor bastards who are under many feet of snow. I hope you are where you need to be or if not, will be there soon. If you are stuck somewhere you don't want to be just think of the stories you will have to tell.

God Bless!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Oh, Jesus

I just can't get as upset as some about Rick Warren giving the invocation at Obama's Inaguration. I mean really, who gives a shit? It will only be about 2 minutes of our time anyway. Obama ran on the promise that he will be the President of all Americans. That means rightwing, homophobic dickheads too.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Cougars In Mississippi



Not the human kind.




These pictures were taken from a deer stand around Bay Springs, Ms by a remote controlled night vision camera.



Mmmm, fresh deer meat.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Union Busting GOP

With the auto industry needing help from the federal government, Congress and the White House have a compromise bill that has passed the the House that is now ready for the Senate. Now, in comes the Republican Senators standing shoulder to shoulder against it. They even stayed out of the negotiations so they could torpedo it. This is all political theater. They don't give a Tinker's Dam about the autoworkers. As a matter of fact, they see a clear opportunity to bust the UAW even though the union is working and has been working with management giving concessions year after year to keep the industry viable.

Senators Corker from Tennessee,the minority leader McConnell of Kentucky and Shelby of Alabama are the most vocal against helping the automakers. Why? I would guess it is because foreign automakers have plants in all of those states. If the American companies fail that means more business for their autoworkers. I believe this is a clear conflict of interest for these Senators. Why doesn't the news media ask them about this everytime I see them interviewed on the TV?

Thursday, December 04, 2008

I Hope It's Good

The movie Watchmen is due out in March 2009. I just finished the graphic novel. From the trailers it looks as if the film follows the comic pretty closely.

Go look at the trailers here: http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

The site is pretty cool too. Notice the Comedian's cigar.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

It's A Bailout, It's A Loan...

It's a bailout loan.

The reason I think the bailout/loan to the big 3 auto makers won't work is because people are not buying cars and trucks due to the fact that they are uncertain about the future. Why would anyone go into debt for 4 or 5 years on a new car when they don't know if they will have a job tomorrow?

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Sunday,Sunday,Sunday


Living Room project is done as you can see...


Slept late today. 8:30, wow! Not like me to sleep past 7 but it is a rainy day here and there are no pressing chores that need to be done so why not.


Had a very pleasant Thanksgiving. Everyone was in a good mood and just seemed happy to be together for the holiday. My grandchildren just left for the trip back to Cabot, Arkansas. All is quiet in the house again.


We got the Christmas tree up. My wife has been decorating it for the past 2 days. This has to be done the day after Thanksgiving so the kids can help her. I got the outside lights up yesterday after chasing bad bulbs for 4 hours.


I did get the leaves from the front and side yards raked and up to the street. The city comes by and sucks them up so we don't have to bag. Love it. I still have the back yard to go but the weather is not cooperating today, so it looks as if that will have to wait until next weekend. So, I guess it's going to be a lazy Sunday.


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Turkey Day!

Gettin' ready for Thanksgiving. My grandchildren will be here tonight along with 6 chi-chi-wawa dogs. When the dogs get here my dog Jake goes nuts. It will take at least an hour to get them all calmed down.

My carpenter is putting up the crown moulding in the living room. When he finishes, that will be that. Project complete! Ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 21, 2008

John Prine


I was listening to John Prine's first album while painting the living room. I have listened to this record a million time since it came out in 1971. I never get tired of it. I can just think of a Prine song and feel better. He is a national treasure.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Living Room Project

I am back to working on my living room project. My brother who lives in Pangburn, Arkansas came down a couple of weekends ago and we installed new sheetrock over the entire ceiling. I finished rebuilding all three windows, tightening them up as I went (they are old, drafty windows). I stripped all of the woodwork in the room, primed and painted. New crown molding needs to be installed. I am thinking of letting my carpenter friend do that for me. I am not much of a trim carpenter.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Unbelievable

My office has WRVR piped into the paging system. It is painfull to listen to most days, but today, November 13th, they start their annual Christmas music marathon. Christmas music 24/7! Before Thanksgiving! Weeks before Thanksgiving!

No one, I mean no one wants to be reminded that Christmas is coming! Especially with the economy in the shape it is in. You know you are not going to get that bonus this year. Hell, you'll be lucky if you don't get a pink slip.

Merry Christmas! Bah!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

President Obama!

It's the morning after an historic election. I have seen a few in my life but this one feels right. I have been following the campaigns since the day after the '06 elections when a lot of Republicans were swept out of office. I knew then that the people of this country were starting to pay attention to what was going on in Washington. What they were seeing was an executive branch that was out of control and a Congress that refused to reign it in. They saw corruption and cronyism they probably had never seen the their lifetime. An administration that followed it's own ideology no matter what the cost. Now maybe we can start putting this country back together. TOGETHER!

Congratulations to President-elect Obama!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Voted!

I just picked up my wife and we voted at 10:30. Ten minute wait. Of course we live in a small town so I don't think lines are going to be a problem. The after work crowd may slow things down a little but the polling place seemed pretty efficient while we were there.

Alright....

Get off of the internets and go vote!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Country Music Singer Files for Bankruptcy

Lorrie Morgan filed for bankruptcy. Not all that interesting to me except for this:

"Last year, Morgan filed for divorce from country singer Sammy Kershaw. Court records show she cited irreconcilable differences and asked the court to enforce a prenuptial agreement.
Kershaw, who filed for bankruptcy in 2007, recently ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor of Louisiana. He was Morgan's fifth husband."

Fifth husband? Goddamn!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Old Tricks From the Rove-GOP Playbook...

...are not working this year.

(I haven't posted in a while. Busy trying to get things ready for fall around the yard.)

The reasons for for this are many. Right track/wrong track numbers, etc. Glenn Greenwald has an excellent post today covering this.

Also, I want to say that I don't want to start celebrating too soon, but the latest poll numbers look very good for not only Obama but for Democrats in general. It probably won't make much difference here in Mississippi, but one can always hope.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Paul Krugman Wins The Nobel Prize for Economics

... and Larry Kudrow's head explodes.

Congratulations Dr. Krugman!

p.s. Read his book "The Great Unraveling". If I were him I would be jumping up and down and saying "I told you so! , I told you so!"

Friday, October 10, 2008

It's Getting Dangerous Out There

The folks who have been in power (more or less) for the last 30 years see it all slipping away. It seems as if they are willing to tap into people's anger and point it at Obama.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Since the Finger Pointing Has Begun...

and it looks as if the Pundits are trying to point to the poor folk who bought houses they could not afford, this artical in Newsweek.

Post Debate Thoughts

This town-hall format was supposed to be John McCain's strong suit. I guess if the hall was filled with Republicans it would have been.

Over-all I thought the debate was rather boring. This may be because I have already made my mind up to vote for Obama. The snap polls show at least a 2 to 1 favorability for Obama after the debate.

One other thought: Everyone likes a winner. Once the ball really starts rolling toward Obama as the inevitable winner in this election, it will snowball and roll right over McCain-Palin and spill over onto every other Republican running for office this year. It will be a total rout.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Tonight!

Tonight is the second presidential debate. I hope John McCain pops a blood vessel. His anger is at the surface and ready to blow at any minute.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Fail

The Wall Street Bailout failed in the House today. I am torn. On the one hand I don't want another Great Depression. On the other I don't want to give 700 BILLION DOLLARS to this administration.

The stock market fell 777+ points today also. They are back to the same levels they were when Bill Clinton left office. In other words, the past 7 years' gains have been wiped out.

No money for Social Security, no money for Medicaid or Medicare, no money for education, no money for anything. The GOP has always believed that government was the problem and should be eliminated. I guess they have gotten their wish.

George W. Bush's task I believe was to destroy the federal government. Well, mission accomplished.

Thought Of The Day...

I wonder when Sarah Palin will have her crying jag?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Tiberius Effect

I've been thinking about the John McCain cheerleaders I see on my TeeVee. They look as if they are simply going through the motions. Like they really don't care for this guy. But they want to see him elected, not because they think he will be the best man for the job, but because he will be worse than Bush. It's called the Tiberius Effect. Bush's legacy is 9/11, the War on Iraq, Katrina and now the meltdown of the financial markets. Bush has nothing that will save him so the only thing that can be done is to elect someone to the presidency that will be vastly worse for the country than him. So bad in fact the people will look back on the Bush years with nostalgia.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thought Of The Day

John McCain is Sarah Palin's bitch. Yea, I said it. Suck on it McCain.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

'bout Time

I believe the McCain campain has pissed off untold minions (his base... The Press). I don't think that's going to work this time around. I think the press is tired of being pushed around by the Rethugs.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Totally Mavaricky

So after the glow of the most watched nomination acceptance speech in history, John McCain "zings" one to the punditry: Announcing his pick for VP, a greenhorn govenor from the 47th most populist state in the union. You can see the smirk on McCain's face as he watches her accept her role as his VP.

You know on this blog I like to quote John Cole. Here's what I believe is the reason for McCain's pick: "Really, the only way I think this helps the ticket is that the McCain campaign can now feign outrage over alleged sexist remarks at the same time they are on the fainting couches decrying some mythical slight to McCain’s honor."

This is the most cynical VP choice he could have used. Of course the MSM thinks his pick is his "roll of the dice", his maverickness manifest. God save us all.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Thought For Today

"the GOP has become a lawless party of criminals and reprobates"...John Cole

Sums it up for me.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I Don't Think This Will Help

John McCain wants to announce his VP choice on this 72nd birthday. I don't think I would do anything to point out the fact that I am 72 years old while running for President of the United States.

People might sit up and take notice.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Another Right-Wing Nut?

This would never happen at a Republican Party Headquarters.

He would know at least one person there would be packin' heat.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Beware The Wrinkly White Haired Dudes...


I noticed something in the editorial section of today's Memphis Commercial Appeal. See if you can see what it is.
Then I watched Karl "King Maker" Rove on CBS' Face the Nation. I don't know if anyone else noticed that he mentioned the editorial pages in today's newspapers? It's the old Rovian one-two punch we have seen in the last 2 election cycles. All Karl needed was a softball interviewer like Bob Schiefer who he knew would not challenge him on anything he said. You will hear a lot of references to the "editorial pages" of the Washington Post and the New York Times this week.
Also notice how he cut the legs out from under Gov. Tim Kaine who was on the show earlier and is on Obama's short list for Vice-President. He essentially said that if Obama picks Kaine it will be purely a political move.
The fact that this bloated pig-faced bastard is even on my TeeVee on a Sunday morning instead of a jail cell is beyond me.


Friday, August 01, 2008

I just watched John McCain deliver a speach for the Urban League in Fla. Afterwords during the question and answer period when asked about high gas prices he said (and I am paraphrasing here) , " I was just in California and had a meeting with the oil executives and they told me that with off-shore drilling they can get the oil they need into the pipeline to get us off of foreign oil. The price of oil and gasoline will fall very rapidly."

Here is my question. What would be the oil companies incentive to deliver this oil if it is going to drop the price? Why would any company want to make less money? For the public good? Please.

McCain: In the Tank for Big Oil.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Been Busy...

I haven't posted in a while. Lots of stuff going on. My son-in-law got a new job in Cabot, Arkansas which is about 20 miles from Little Rock. He has already moved himself, their household and dogs. My daughter and grandchildren are living with us until she transfers to her new job on August 1st.

My mother-in-law passed away last week. She went into the hospital on a Sunday. We were told that the diagnosis was cancer on Monday. By 5:30 Wednesday morning she was gone. She was 82.

You know, you go about your life thinking everything is in it's place and all is right in your world, then...everything changes.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Here's A Thought

Some of the poorest people I have known are rich people.

John McCain

-I may not be able to get you to vote FOR me, but I will make damn sure you'll vote against the other guy.

That's all McCain's campain has to offer to the American people.

Monday, June 30, 2008

The Right Wing Hissy Fit Begins...

I watched retired Gen. Wes Clark on Face the Nation yesterday. When he said "I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president" I knew the chattering masses were going for the fainting couch clutching their pearls.

The main stream media has got to get over their mancrush with McCain. How exactly does getting shot down over Vietnam and held captive automatically make you ready to lead this country? I give him is due as far as being a combat veteran. But that is all I give him. Maveric my ass.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

What Kind Of Milage You Get With That?

It's going on a month now since I started riding my bike to work. It has only been a mild inconvenience. It seems the benefits outweigh those.

I have been thinking about the price of gas, like most folks. People have come to the conclusion that even if the price moderates or comes down some, it will not ever get back down below $2 a gallon. It seems we as Americans never learn. We are pretty much in the same predicament we were in in the early '70s. Everyone is looking at fuel mileage, buying smaller cars, etc. Sure there are new cars that get good mileage or Hybrids or whatever. But that is just another market the car manufactures are going to exploit. Not everyone can just go out and buy a new car. What about all the cars out there already? Do we just abandon them? If they are already paid for you can at least be able to afford to put gas into them. And that's a lot of the problem with most people. They are paying (probably) a large car payment plus insurance on top of the fuel costs.

At least my two cars are paid for.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Tim Russert Dead At 58

This is just so sad. I feel that I have grown to know him over the years I have watched him on Meet The Press also with his political analysis on NBC News and on MSNBC.

Did he piss me off and want to throw something at the TeeVee? Yes! But I always thought he said what he believed.

I will miss him.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Friday, June 06, 2008

First Bicycle Problem

I got a flat tire about half way to work this morning. I had to do the "walk of shame" back to the house pushing the bike along the way. But it was only a 1/2 mile walk. I then got on the old Raleigh mountain bike and it was on the road again.

I have read about inserts you can add in between the tire and the tube to help prevent punctures. Since the road bike has such narrow tires that looks like the thing to do.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Thursday, May 29, 2008

I Own The Military


Here is our illustrious leader bumpin' chests with a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Acadamy. How demeaning for a President of the United States. You might say it's all in fun, but the leader of the free world should not be seen playing grab-ass with anyone. This just proves that he is and always will be that frat boy at Yale.
Funny how you only see him with a military audience. That's because he knows the men and women in the military cannot say or do anything that can be considered disrespectful of their Commander-In-Chief. They are in essence a captured audience. They are his to do as he pleases.
January 20th cannot come soon enough for me.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Bike Update

I got the new bike all tweaked and ready to roll. I took the straps off of the pedals and tossed them. They were just an accident waiting to happen. Who want's to be tied to a bicycle if you take a tumble? I've ordered some plain old nylon replacements.

Going from a mountain to a road bike is taking some getting used to. It's a lot lighter and with the narrow tires it will fly! But some things are different. Like looking back to check traffic. When I was riding the mountain bike looking back was easy since I was sitting straight up. On the new bike I'm all hunched over so when I look back I have a tendancy to swerve a bit. I'm sure I will get used to it.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Bicycle Post

I have been riding my bicycle to work for a couple of reasons. One is the price of gas. The other is that my son hit a deer with his pickup truck and it is in the shop. He has a 25 mile commute to work and I am only 5 minutes away from mine.

The weather is nice also, so why not?

I am currently riding a Raleigh mountain bike I bought several years ago from a friend who used it for his main mode of transportation for a year. There are a lot of miles on this bike. It is very tired. I hear lots of clicks, creaks and groans as I pedal it down the road. It gets me where I am going but it is time to retire it until I can give it an overhaul.

Since my birthday is in June, I ordered myself a new road bike. I received it yesterday. I got it put together but I still need to do some more adjusting and tweeking to get it road ready. The only problem I have with it is it came with pedals with straps on them. I don't know how to use them. I mean how do you get up on the bike and get your feet into these stirrups at the same time? And then how do you get your foot out of one of them when you have to come to a stop?
I'll brobably just replace them with good old-fashioned flat pedals.

I'll keep you posted with my progress with this bike.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Good Morning!

As I watched the cable news channels this morning I noticed that everyone is looking for Clinton to win the West Virginia primary tomorrow with a 15 to 20 point margin. Then she will gracefully withdraw from the race for president on a high note.

Nothing could be further from the truth! With a win that lop sided she and her campaign will use that win to beat Obama over the head. Then go after every superdelegate she can get her hands on to say "see, he can't win the white vote. I am your only hope for the fall election against McCain."

Never turn your back on a Clinton...They will screw you every chance they get.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Can We Get This Thing Going Now?

John Cole sits at his keyboard at 6 am and writes this.

Now is the time to get this campaign going in earnest. Make 'em all pay!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Yahoo!

There was a time when vendors would bring all kinds of goodies to get your business. I have a closet full of T-shirts and ball caps if you don't believe me. Most of that has fallen by the way-side, giving way to email and online pestering.

But with the downturn in the economy I have found that I have been getting lots of cold calls from vendors trying to once again get my business.

Sometimes this can be fun. Like today. I received in the mail a package from Yahoo!. In it was a large plastic push button like that "Easy Button" in the Office Depot commercials. When you push it the signature "Yahoo!" sound comes out. Very loudly.

Of course I had to play it over the intercom system at work. Fun Fun...

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

There On Him Like White On Wright

The MSM has decided that Obama has to be brought down a peg and are looking for any excuse. You know you have to keep that "boy" in his place.

I am with John Cole on this.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Surge, Purge, Pause...

I've been wanting to write something about the Congressional hearings concerning the Surge in Iraq. But Silent Patriot said what I wanted to convey: (emphasis mine)

The “debate” over the surge has always perplexed me. We can all acknowledge that violence has mainly decreased. One doesn’t need a masters degree in foreign affairs to know that flooding more troops in would help cause that. The real issue is whether (a) the levels are sustainable — they’re not — and (b) whether the “surge” has achieved the intended result of providing the Iraqi government the breathing room needed to make the essential political progress — it hasn’t. Furthermore, the relative decrease in violence has just as much to do with troop levels as it does with ethnic cleansing, physical separation of varying sects, millions of Iraqi refugees, and millions of dollars in bribe money being doled out. By every meaningful measure, the surge has been a failure, providing breathing room only to President Bush so that he can pass along the disaster he started to the next President. Then again, that was probably the goal all along.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Walkin' To New Orleans

The lovely Mrs. Bobbob and I spent last weekend in New Orleans. I had visited New Orleans about 33 years ago (don't remember much about it)and my wife has never been there. Had a great time. If you have been apprehensive about going there after Katrina, don't be. Go.

I heard somewhere that a visit to New Orleans rearranges your DNA. I believe that is true. We are planning another trip as soon as possible.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Barack

I am an unabashed supporter of Barack Obama for President. I could not wait to vote for him in the primary election here. He will make a very good President. He is the tonic this country needs after 8 years of the "W".

But ever since his victory here in the Magnolia state I noticed something coming out of media that I had not noticed before our primary. The MSM kept throwing up the graphic that Obama had won 91% of the African-American vote. All of a sudden everyone took notice that "the niggers are voting for Obama. OMG! Obama's black!" You knew right away what was going to happen. From Geraldene Fararow to the Rev. Wright controversy the knives have come out for Obama. His speach yesterday was brillant but it was for the grownups and here in the South grownups are in short supply.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Such Is The State Of Healthcare In This Country

My son served in Iraq as a Marine back in 2005. He was discharged at his EAOS in 2006. He is going to college on the GI bill. And he has no health insurance.

He has had a sinus infection going on a number of weeks. I asked him why he hasn't gone to the doctor. "Costs too much" he said. Since he has no health insurance he has a few options:

1. Go to the emergency room at the local hospital
2. Go to the VA which is 50 miles away
3. Go to the doctor and pay full price for the visit + Rx

A person should not have to be afraid of how much a doctor visit will cost.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Willing To Let An X-Box Control Your Car?

I saw a commercial the other day for cars that have the "SYNC" system installed in them.

Then the voiceover made the horrific statement that it was "Powered BY Microsoft!"

I don't know how much of your vehicle will be controlled by this system. But it scares me to think that a glorified X-Box runs my car.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Oh, Goody

So the Prez and Congress have come together to screw the American people again.

An economic package that will give me a check for $1200.00 (I'm married).

How much is this going to cost me in the long run?

My children, my grandchildren, even my great-grandchildren will be paying for this for a long, long time.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

I Was Just Looking For The Opportunity

The wife and I have been planning on "re-doing" our living room. We had put it off to get the holidays behind us and since we are well into the New Year and all of the decorations are put away there is no excuse to delay any longer. But I am by nature a procrastinator. The Carr family crest reads "Late, but in ernest".

Sunday I had to go into the attic to clean the heating unit's filter. My attic area is not floored but I have travased from rafter to rafter with the nimbleness of a trapeze artist for 20 years. That record was shattered when I miss-stepped and put my foot through the ceiling of our living room.

I guess that was the push I needed.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Active Directory Sucks Ass!

I guess I'm an old school Netware Administrator, but Microsoft's Active Directory is just God awful.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Glad That's Over

The Holiday Season is officially over! Trips to see relatives, trips to the store, eating and of course, drinking are done for year 2007. On to 2008!

IOWA...

No matter who wins the caucuses in Iowa, the MSM will tell us stupid folks in America what it all means. We too dumb to understand it. They want a horse race and they will work feverishly to make it happen.