I Think We Should Take A Step Back

The progressives are in a snit today because Obama's DOJ is keeping the domestic wire tapping that the last administration used in place.

But with "Nuts With Megaphones" like Beck, Hannity, O'Riley and Limbaugh telling their listeners that Obama is going to take away their guns, outlaw Christianity, kill every baby he sees, then give the country to the Muslims, I don't think I would give up the wire tapping either. Domestic terrorists are being indoctrinated every day.

Rush Limbaugh, The Leader Of The Anti-Obama Crowd

Media Matters has a run down of all the rhetoric coming out of the golden microphone of el' Rushbo.

The Anti-Gun Meme Trotted Out Once Again

Crooks and Liars has a good post on the right-wing's rush to claim that the Obama administration is coming after our guns. Like that last Democrat President Clinton in the 90s. Never mind that there is absolutely no basis in fact of this.

I agree with everything in the post, but they left out one thing: You have to believe gun manufacturers and sellers have perpetuated this meme in order to sell more guns. You can argue over ideology all you want, money fuels all. They are in the business of selling guns. They create or perpetuate the lie in order to create more demand, sell more guns. When we hear the likes of Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh ranting about "librals taking away our guns", the gun lobby gets a full blown boner thinking of all the money they are going to make.

Now, I am no "anti-gun" person. I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves and to protect their propery. I got no problem with that. But if someone has an armory in their house stocked with enough fire power to start a coup-de-tat then there is a problem.

My Busy Weekend

I have been using an electrical extension cord to run my fish pond's pump for years now. I decided to run an underground circuit from the house to the pond. I dug a 1 foot deep ditch 60 feet long being careful to move the top layer off to one side of the ditch ( just cut the width with a spade and flipped it over). Then I dug out the remainder of the soil putting it on the other side of the ditch. After the wire was run, the loose soil went back in first, then the top layer was put back on top. Looks almost as good as new. Now I don't have to gather up the cord every time I want to mow.

At the same time all of this is going on, my neighbor was installing an underground wire on his property for his new dog's "invisible fence". So I had to help him off and on during the afternoon. I didn't mind, I like helping my neighbors. I makes me feel good that people find me "handy".

I did a lot of cooking this weekend. I marinated some chicken and grilled it Saturday evening. I tried my luck at making homemade marshmallows. It was a success! I can't wait for my grandchildren to try them.

Yesterday, I made a pot roast. I took a large cast iron dutch oven and browned the meat. Then I took it out and made gravy with the drippings. I placed the roast back into the pot, covered and put it into a 250 degree oven until it was just done. I cut up some potatoes and carrots and added to the pot for another 30 minutes of cooking. Yum, yum, good!

Wolcott

James Wolcott at Vanity Fair on the subject I have been thinking about since the election:

Why are the bastards that have been wrong for so long still called upon during cable news shows for their opinions?

Read the whole thing.

I've Been Ubuntu'ed

Installed Ubuntu Linux on a spare laptop harddrive. So far, so good. This OS is being used a lot by folks who are buying the new Netbook computers. I've been thinking about buying a Netbook but I think I'll wait a few more months.

It Boggles The Mind

Powerline must be a very dark place where only shit like this grows.

I Hate Windows Vista With An Unbridaled Passion!

Fuck Vista. Hate it. Hate it.

If anyone wants me to work on a computer with this piece-of-shit operating system, I charge them extra.

I guess I have to weigh in on the AIG controversy.

The more I look at the bonus issue the more I believe the problem is the word "bonus". A bonus is something extra that you get for the job you do. If you are successful at what you do and if what you do adds to the bottom line of the company then by all means you should be given a bonus. The way the AIG story unfolded we were told that people are to be given a bonus that utterly failed the company. Outrage should be the norm for such behavior. But now I read that these people were contract hires that don't work for a regular salary, but work under a contract for money paid to them at the end of their tenure. That is not a "bonus" by definition, it's compensation for work done. Calling this compensation a "bonus " is what makes everyone so angry.

Of course anger and outrage feeds the media so the media piles on feeding the anger and outrage. It's a vicous cycle.

Deep Thought

I may not be right all the time, but I'm never wrong.

Best Steak Recipe

I have never been able to get that "steakhouse steak" taste at home until I tried this recipe from Ina Garten:


Ingredients

2 (10-ounce) filet mignon
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fleur de sel (kosher or sea salt will work - just don't use as much)
1 tablespoon coarsely cracked black peppercorns
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Heat a large, well-seasoned cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot, 5 to 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and brush them lightly with vegetable oil. Combine the fleur de sel and cracked pepper on a plate and roll the steaks in the mixture, pressing lightly to evenly coat all sides.
When the skillet is ready, add the steaks and sear them evenly on all sides for about 2 minutes per side, for a total of 10 minutes.
Top each steak with a tablespoon of butter, if using, and place the skillet in the oven. Cook the steaks until they reach 120 degrees F for rare or 125 degrees F for medium-rare on an instant-read thermometer. (To test the steaks, insert the thermometer sideways to be sure you're actually testing the middle of the steak.)
Remove the steaks to a serving platter, cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.

I have tried this with strips and ribeyes too.

Not Surrounded Yet

Glenn Beck and Chuck Norris have lost their goddamned minds.

If we need to be afraid of anything, it should be these motherfuckers.

I Stand Corrected

The spring like weather of late has given way to a cold rain and a high temperature of only 36.

So much for yard work.

At least for a week.

To All You Republicans Complaining

That President Obama is trying to do too much.

Shut The Fuck Up!

If you can't get behind our president and support him in his efforts to help fix the problems you made, get out of the way and let the rest of us do what needs to be done.

Out In The Yard

The warm weather has me outside looking at all the shit that has to be done. I've got a rotted place about half way up on the gable end of the house. I'll have to get a 20 ft. extension ladder and get up there, cut the fascia board out where the rot is and put another piece in it's place. Then prime and paint. Also the whole outside of the house could use a good cleaning.

I started some seeds for my vegetable garden. I only have one corner of my property that stays sunny most of the day. I think I can get 3 4'X12' raised beds in there. I'm not much of a gardener. I've grown a few tomatoes in my time, but I want to grow a lot more than that. It will be another learning experience for me.

I got the mower out yesterday. I was completely out of gasoline (that high dollar stuff I bought last summer when it was $4 a gallon). Had to make a trip for fuel ($1.79 a gallon - bargin!). Pouring the gas into the tank, fuel started running out of the carborator. The bolt that holds the bowl was loose. Did I do that last fall? Anyway, a quick fix and I got the old girl fired up. With the longer day I got the mowing done. First one of the season!

Dog Dreams

This is funny too.

Non Sequitur

Some days you need a laugh.

The Modern GOP

The modern GOP has been successful at nationalizing the hatred southerners have for yankees and revenuers.

And The Party Never Ends

CPAC is in full swing in Washington, D.C. I see a "hate-fest" in the making. What with all the liberal and Obama bashing that will be going on especially over Friday and Saturday night drinks.

I looked over the roster of speakers and I see former Bush Press Secretary Tony Snow on the list. Ain't he dead?

FOX And Other Right Wing Media Outlets

let loose a barage over the "Robin Hood Budget" presented by President Obama yesterday. You know, robbing from the rich to give to the poor kind of thing.

If I remember correctly, the people viewed Robin Hood as a hero.

I'm Rich Bitch!

I now own more of a stake in Citigroup.

You do too.

Funny

I think John's got us all pegged.

Update: I did not realize this was written in 2002.

Still fits though.

Was It Just Me?

Or did Gov. Jindal sound like this guy when he delivered the Republican response to President Obama's speech:

Something I Wish President Obama Would Do

at his speech to the Congress:

Call the Republicans out on their obstructionism/opportunism during this time of economic crisis. Call the GOP what they are, a bunch of cry-babies. "Oh, Nancy Pelosi was mean to us!" "We have no choice but to vote against the stimulus bill." Even though they knew what was coming down the pike since then President-Elect Obama held meetings with the GOP to give them a heads up.

So, if they want to act childish President Obama should call Boehner down to the front and make him drop trou and wear his ass out with a paddle in front of everyone in the country. And then say "Does anyone else want some of this?"

If you want to know Louisiana's Gov. Bobby Jindal's response to President Obama's speech Tuesday night, look no further than to his performance on Press The Meat this morning.

Gov. Jindal who is one of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination in '12 managed to work in every GOP talking point within 5 minutes. I am surprised the host David Gregory didn't give him a High-Five. Jindal and some other Republican governors are saying they may not take some if not all of the stimulus money coming to their states. That includes our illustrious Gov. Haley Barbour. Funny how all the governors that are saying this are southern governors with not only large African-American populations but also a shit load of poor white folk. Any help for them is no help for the GOP in the next election. And let's face it. All of this is posturing. The GOP think they have a winner with their opposition of what is now THE LAW OF THE LAND! The stimulus bill has been passed into law. Governors Jindal and Barbour want to keep fighting against a law that has been passed. The time for debate is over. It is time to get to work and help get our country functioning again.

I Have Had It Up To Here

with the Today show. I have watched the today show since I was in junior high school. I always thought they were the best. From Barbara Walters to Tom Brokaw and Jane Pauley. I even liked Bryant Gumbel and Kati Kuric. But since Matt Lauer showed up it has taken a turn for the worst. It gets worse every day.

Today who does Lauer ask about the stimulus bill and our new President? Karl Rove. Karl Fucking Rove! WTF? Who cares what that rat bastard has to say? Hasn't he and his beliefs been kicked to the curb by the last two election cycles? Why is he on the Today show? Lauer falls all over himself to get Republicans on his show. I wish he would just go over to Fox News so he can be with others like him.

That tears it! I will not watch the Today show ever again. CBS just keeps looking better and better to me.

From Sully Today

Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Dish has this to say concerning today's GOP.

Update:

Digging a little deeper into his blog I read this:

The bad faith and refusal to be accountable for their own conduct for the last eight years is simply inescapable. There is no reason for the GOP to have done what they have done for the last eight years and to say what they are saying now except pure, cynical partisanship, and a desire to wound and damage the new presidency. The rest is transparent cant.

Fuck Republicans!

TBogg makes snark look so easy. I wish I could do that.

I Finished My First Chair

Here is a picture of the rocking chair that I re-covered for my upholstery class.

Don't Buy I-INC LCD Monitors!

You see these monitors advertised on sites like Globalcomputer at good prices. But their power supplies fail just after the warranty expires. They use cheap electronic parts, the capacitors seem to be the biggest problem.



My work farm bought about 10 of these and they have ALL failed. Here is a picture of 7 of them:





The other 3 are in various stages of di-section.

Just a word to the wise.

GOP, The Party of "No!"

Meteor Blades at DailyKos has the reasoning behind the Republican refusal to sign on to the stimulus bill.

'bout right. The GOP doesn't care about the people of America. They only care about getting back into power as soon as they can.

This Just Sounds Nasty

Ann Coulter is being probed.

The TV Talking Heads

are going to be the death of us all. Why do I keep watching these cable news shows? The people that host them are bad enough but the guest they have on drive me to distraction. There are two types of folks that are asked to be on these shows. They are either 1. a hard drivin', shit kickin', mud sliggin' right winger or 2. a weak assed lefty that gets the the snot kick out of them by either the winger or the moderator or sometimes both. There's nothing the media likes better than a fight.

But just when I think I can take my TV anymore I flick over to MTVHD and...oh, there's Neil Young: Heart Of Gold showing.

I think I'll be alright for a while.

Sick!

I can't believe it. I have a friggin' head cold. I just hope the grand kids don't get it too.

Been Out

I have been out of town the last 4 days. My daughter had her tonsils taken out. It's pretty tough for a grown up. Anyway I went and helped her and her husband with the grandkids, getting them to school and what not. Then Friday I took the kids to my mother's up near Heber Springs for the weekend. Luckily the ice storm last week missed her place. My sister in Kentucky got hit hard. She and her family have been living in a motel since the storm hit.

Anyway, fishing on the Little Red wasn't good. The river was running too fast. But it was a nice weekend. Temps in the 60s.

Good Super Bowl. I didn't care who won really. I just enjoyed the game. Half time show was great! For you folks that have never been to a Springsteen concert, that was just a small sampling of what you can expect at his show. He keeps that up for at least 2 1/2 hours!

Thought Of The Day

If the Republicans lost the White House and they are in the minority in both houses of Congress, why are they all over my Tee Vee?

Damn Liberal Media!

Really Wired

This article in Wired Magazine is about using iPhone apps to say "I am here" wherever you are.
But this part makes me paranoid too:

"To test whether I was being paranoid, I ran a little experiment. On a sunny Saturday, I spotted a woman in Golden Gate Park taking a photo with a 3G iPhone. Because iPhones embed geodata into photos that users upload to Flickr or Picasa, iPhone shots can be automatically placed on a map. At home I searched the Flickr map, and score—a shot from today. I clicked through to the user's photostream and determined it was the woman I had seen earlier. After adjusting the settings so that only her shots appeared on the map, I saw a cluster of images in one location. Clicking on them revealed photos of an apartment interior—a bedroom, a kitchen, a filthy living room. Now I know where she lives."

No Honeymoon For President Obama

According to Republicans, President Obama can't be bipartisan unless he caves to their demands. They certainly did not act in a bipartisan manner when they were in the majority.

John Amato at Crooks and Liars is warning the President not to give in to them. I understand Obama's desire to show that he is wants his economic stimulus package to be embraced by both parties, but he needs to realize that the GOP cannot be reasoned with, they cannot be bargained with. A hammer is the only thing they understand. Then when you hit them with it, they cry like little babies.

Also, I really enjoy hearing the republicans talk about the size of the President's package!

In Case You Didn't See This Last Night

The Daily Show's take on Fox New's freak out over Obama's Administration:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Fox News Fear Imbalance

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Today's The Day

It's been a long time coming. I don't know what's better, a President Obama or an ex-president Bush.

It's a President Obama of course!

Here's to a new day here in America!

Ha Ha....Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha!!!

The Memphis Commercial Appeal's Otis Sanford has a column on the state Democrats punking the Republicans.

These Guys Are Getting Better Every Year

Mo' Money Tax Service out of Memphis, TN has been doing cheesy TV ads for the last 3 or 4 years. This year is by far the best yet.



It makes me laugh everytime I see it.

Are We Being Punked?

That was the thought by Rachel Maddow last night on my tv. The 700 Billion dollar bailout for the finacial sector I believe was the final pillage of the robber barons before the end of the "Bush Era". Now that half of that money is gone and no one knows where it went, the Washington Post says "W" wants the other 350 Billion dollars now before he leaves office in 10 days.

I say a big "F**K YOU"!!!

I realize things are tough and are going to get much worse, but I cannot believe Congress would even consider giving him another dime.

But I have been wrong before. It's not like he can't take a disaster and make hay out of it. Like 9/11, Iraq, Katrina and the finacial meltdown last September.

A New Year, Time to Learn Something New

I signed up for a night course in furniture upholstery. It starts Wednesday. Can't wait.

We're Number 1!

Does Abstinence make the heart grow fonder?

I Have Discovered My One Talent

If you ever see me standing in a checkout line, take my advice: Don't get behind me! I have a talent for picking the wrong line, every time.

Example - I go to Walmart to pick up just a couple of items. I see that one of the self checkout registers is open so I head for that one. But someone else beats me to it. I think that's ok he only has two jugs of Hawaiian Punch, shouldn't take long. Then I notice that he has 15 packs of Kool-Aid in his hand. God, it takes him forever to check out. With every scan he checks that it scans correctly, then he can't figure out that the register is looking for him to place the item into the bagging area. The Kool-Aid packs are light and the machine can't tell they have been put into the bag so you have to tell it to skip bagging. It's all I can do to keep cool. Finally, after 15 minutes he gets it done and I can get the hell out of there.

Paul Krugman Today

Krugman lays out the real causes for the collape of the modern GOP.

That guy should get the Nobel Prize. Oh yeah, he did!

Happy New Year!

Let the diets begin.

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!

A Christmas Carol For You All

http://www.themudflats.net/2008/12/19/bedtime-in-alaska-7th-day-of-christmas/

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.

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.

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?

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.

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,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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

Boo....

This is the scariest thing I have seen this week:

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!

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.

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!"

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.

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.

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.

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?

It's On Bitches!

The debate is on! Goody. I will have beer and popcorn ready.

Chicken-Shit McCain

Running away from a fight.

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.

Thought Of The Day

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

Too Funny

Tbogg is on a roll.

'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.

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.

Thought For Today

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

Sums it up for me.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I'm Glad The Saudis Are On Top It...

This is so funny to me.

I just know they are so upset about these oil prices.

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.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I give you the next President of the United States of America

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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...