7 months ago
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Oh, please...
Is there anything in life that does NOT involve race to Derrick Jackson of the Boston Globe? I believe this is the second editorial he has written on a Mississippi election. Yawn.
Looks like Ole Miss isn't the only college with a mascot "issue"...
PETA focuses its attention on University of Memphis' mascot.
Is there not ANYTHING more important going on in the world?
Is there not ANYTHING more important going on in the world?
Monday, October 27, 2003
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Why There Are No Posts From Saturday Night
By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't take this moment to just say, "PIG SUUUUUUEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY."
French bombs in Baghdad
Well, look who's here. Again.
"A BAGHDAD hotel where US defence chief Paul Wolfowitz was staying was yesterday blitzed by rockets made in FRANCE.
Half of the missiles fired were modern French weapons, said experts — produced after the arms embargo imposed on Iraq following the first Gulf War." Read it here.
Our assistance secretary of defense was nearly assassinated by terrorists using arms illegally sold to them by the peaceful, cultured FRENCH.
I'd like to expound further, but I am certain Patrick would boot me off of his site forever.
Let me just add that our family boycott of France will last until the day I day. I have even given up my Chanel number 19. We mean business, and no amount of brown-nosing by French businessmen nor ambassadors will EVER change it.
Time to send the French Embassy my weekly nasty-o-gram.
"A BAGHDAD hotel where US defence chief Paul Wolfowitz was staying was yesterday blitzed by rockets made in FRANCE.
Half of the missiles fired were modern French weapons, said experts — produced after the arms embargo imposed on Iraq following the first Gulf War." Read it here.
Our assistance secretary of defense was nearly assassinated by terrorists using arms illegally sold to them by the peaceful, cultured FRENCH.
I'd like to expound further, but I am certain Patrick would boot me off of his site forever.
Let me just add that our family boycott of France will last until the day I day. I have even given up my Chanel number 19. We mean business, and no amount of brown-nosing by French businessmen nor ambassadors will EVER change it.
Time to send the French Embassy my weekly nasty-o-gram.
Friday, October 24, 2003
The doors of the Republican Party are open
It seems some democrats have gotten off of the plantation.
In response to the MS Democrat party chairman basically denouncing the 25 or so democrats who widely and very publicly endorsed Haley Barbour the other night , the MS Republican party issued an open invitation to DISENFRANCHISED dems to JOIN THEM.
The democrats are in trouble, folks. All over the country. In a BIG way.
Can somebody help me suppress my glee?
In response to the MS Democrat party chairman basically denouncing the 25 or so democrats who widely and very publicly endorsed Haley Barbour the other night , the MS Republican party issued an open invitation to DISENFRANCHISED dems to JOIN THEM.
The democrats are in trouble, folks. All over the country. In a BIG way.
Can somebody help me suppress my glee?
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Mother of the Year Award Goes To...
When I get to heaven, one of the first bones I have to pick with God is WHY?
"Courtney Love says she tried to make her recent drugs overdose "fun" for her 11-year-old daughter...Love, 39, said her daughter Frances Bean made her green tea as they waited at their Beverly Hills home for an ambulance to arrive.
"That's the only time my daughter has ever, ever, ever pitched in on one of my little crises," Love said." Read it here, if you have a strong stomach.
I have no words.
Is this really any better than THIS?
You be the judge.
"Courtney Love says she tried to make her recent drugs overdose "fun" for her 11-year-old daughter...Love, 39, said her daughter Frances Bean made her green tea as they waited at their Beverly Hills home for an ambulance to arrive.
"That's the only time my daughter has ever, ever, ever pitched in on one of my little crises," Love said." Read it here, if you have a strong stomach.
I have no words.
Is this really any better than THIS?
You be the judge.
Alicia Colon of the NY Sun chastises Rush Limbaugh listeners. Again.
"It has been years since I’ve tuned into the Rush Limbaugh radio show, but his fall from grace prompted my dusting off my old AM radio and dialing up 770. With all due respect to the dittoheads in the country, I find many of their comments supporting him in his present situation disturbing.
I can understand the allegiance they feel to the man that they consider a savior of conservatism. It was Mr. Limbaugh who was and is the antithesis of liberal network reporting. However, many of his supporters are overlooking the fact that he behaved very badly and stupidly. " Read the whole thing here.
I'm unclear on what the conservative response to Rush's situation is supposed to be. Rush has tried, apparently, two times already to "handle" his addiction and failed. He has taken full responsibility for his problem and blames no one for it. Should 20 million listeners call in for three hours a day yelling, "SHAME!"?
I've grown weary of Rush Limbaugh supporters being psychoanalyzed. Enough already!
"It has been years since I’ve tuned into the Rush Limbaugh radio show, but his fall from grace prompted my dusting off my old AM radio and dialing up 770. With all due respect to the dittoheads in the country, I find many of their comments supporting him in his present situation disturbing.
I can understand the allegiance they feel to the man that they consider a savior of conservatism. It was Mr. Limbaugh who was and is the antithesis of liberal network reporting. However, many of his supporters are overlooking the fact that he behaved very badly and stupidly. " Read the whole thing here.
I'm unclear on what the conservative response to Rush's situation is supposed to be. Rush has tried, apparently, two times already to "handle" his addiction and failed. He has taken full responsibility for his problem and blames no one for it. Should 20 million listeners call in for three hours a day yelling, "SHAME!"?
I've grown weary of Rush Limbaugh supporters being psychoanalyzed. Enough already!
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Note
I'm going to be out of town for a few days, so unfortunately, y'all will be deprived of my rapier wit and stunning good looks for a short time. But on the upside, there'll be guest posts by Mrs. Lauren Landes and Senor "SkinnyandBalding" (I hope). See y'all when I get back!
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Terry Schiavo
The Florida legislature passed a bill granting Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order Terry Schiavo's feeding tubes to be reinserted. Praise be to God.
Add These to My Christmas List
Jaws points out the new George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Donald Rumsfield and Ann Coulter talking dolls. They even sell a Bubba doll, too.
Senate PBA Vote
The Senate passed the partial birth abortion ban today, 64-34; now the bill will go to the President Bush who will sign it. A great victory. Shame on Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, both Republicans, for voting against it. Sheesh, even Pat Leahy and Tom Daschle voted for it, for crying out loud.
Winter Quote
Back to the New York Times Magazine hit piece on Barbour that suggests that Barbour's motives of linking Blackmon to Musgrove is based on racism. I offered an alternate explanation in this post, noting that Barbour has an interest in Tuck, not Blackmon, winning due to the power of the Lt. Gov. and how that will figure into tort reform legislation. Today, I found this Clarion-Ledger piece posted on Free Republic on the subject of Mississippi's lieutenant governors. There's are very interesting quote from liberal heartthrob former Gov. William Winter:
"The success of my legislative programs were dependent on the ability to get the support of the speaker and lieutenant governor," said Winter, who was a lieutenant governor himself before being elected governor in 1980.Very interesting.... Applying this statement to today, Barbour probably feels that he won't get the support of a Lt. Gov. Barbara Blackmon, who is a trial lawyer, for his tort reform program. But that wasn't paint Barbour as a racist, so I guess it wasn't acceptable to the NYT writer.
Mississippi Elections 2003
CBS and Reagan
CBS is planning to show a made for TV movie during sweeps about Reagan's presidency. Drudge reports on the script:
The film is set to air during next month's Sweeps. It stresses Reagan's moments of forgetfulness, his supposed opinions on AIDS and gays, his laissez-faire handling of his staff members. The scenes often carry a disapproving tone.You mean to tell me that a movie starring Brolin AKA "Mr. Barbara Streisand" as Reagan will be fair? Ha!
During a scene in which his wife pleads with him to help people battling AIDS, Reagan says resolutely, "They that live in sin shall die in sin" and refuses to discuss the issue further.
The film's producers, Zadan and Meron, acknowledge their liberal politics, as do the stars of the television movie, James Brolin and Judy Davis. But Meron tells the TIMES: "This is not a vendetta, this is not revenge. It is about telling a good story in our honest sort of way. We all believe it's a story that should be told."
Election Prognostications
As promised, here's my predictions for Mississippi's general election that is 2 weeks away:
Governor
Haley Barbour (R) 51%
Ronnie Musgrove (D) 46%
John Thomas Cripps (Constitution) around 2%
Sherman Lee Dillon (Green) 1%
Shawn O'Hara (Reform) below 1%
Comment: This has definitely been a two fisted slobberknocker between the incumbent Musgrove and challenger Barbour. In fact there's a good chance that neither major candidate will win a majority of the vote due to the third party candidates. If that does happen, then it goes to the state House of Representatives. It is precisely what happen in 1999 when Musgrove got 49% and Republican opponent Mike Parker got 48%. After two months of limbo, the House, controlled overwhemingly by Dems, voted to put Musgrove in. However, I do think that Barbour will do a better job of getting Republicans to turnout to vote than Parker (who pretty much quit campaigning the last two weeks of the race) and win a slim majority.
Both major candidates have been tut-tutted for their negative campaigning in the newspaper editorial pages, but Musgrove has gotten more criticism for his ads. Musgrove's campaign tactics may irritate a few that might otherwise vote for him. Plus, Musgrove's attacks pretty much boil down to "Barbour's a rich Washington lobbyist who abandoned Mississippi and helped the big tobacco companies and supported NAFTA;" From what I can judge from the online newspapers, that approach isn't working with voters. Far from running away his Washington connections, Barbour has made them a plus stating those connections will benefit Mississippi. On the issues of tort reform, jobs, state spending, education, and crime, Barbour has been steadily hammering Musgrove saying that more can be done to deal with these problems. If you were to listen to Musgrove, he has been a leader in addressing this issues, that things aren't has bad as Barbour's saying they are, and if they are bad, it's the fault of the national economy. As far a tort reform goes, many supporters of it believe that hasn't done no where near enough to solve the problem. If Musgrove loses, it will be because of that. One factor in Musgrove's favor is Blackmon's candidacy. Whether she wins or loses, she will probably will generate an increased black voter turnout (predominanty Democratic) that will aid Musgrove's chances.
Then there's the third party candidates. Barbour is threaten by Cripps from the right and Dillon is coming from Musgrove's left with O'Hara menacing nobody. Cripps help lead the fight in late 2000/early 2001 against changing the state fight and is pretty much running on that. Some voters that would otherwise support Barbour will come out for Cripps who is labeling himself as a true conservative as opposed to Barbour's Washington connections. Cripps could deny Barbour a majority of the vote. The Green Party's Dillon isn't as much a problem for Musgrove as Cripps is for Barbour. Dillon will attract those leftist voters disgruntled with Musgrove's social conservativism, but unfortunately for Dillon, those voters don't make up a significant voting bloc. Perhaps 8,000 voters at best, based on Nader's vote total in 2000. Shawn O'Hara may skim a few votes from Barbour, and maybe even a few from Musgrove, but the right-wing and left-wing third party candidate niches have already been filled.
Lt. Governor
Amy Tuck (R) 52%
Barbara Blackmon (D) 47%
Anna Reives (Reform) 1%
Comment: Another pretty close race composed of only women. I thought Blackmon had a very good chance of winning (she still may) over the party-switching Tuck, but that was before she asked for an affidavit from Tuck stating that she (Tuck) hadn't had an abortion. The implication being Tuck has had an abortion an is now being a hypocrite in her pro-life stance. Seven of MS editorial boards denounced the move, as did many Mississippians. Blackmon, as state senator, voted against a "Choose Life" license plate and a parental notification bill, both of which Tuck supported. In a heavily pro-life state like MS, Blackmon's pro-abortion record won't play well despite her efforts to be rather coy on the issue. Still, being the first black woman to run for statewide office could attract a heavy black (who lean predominantly Democrat) voter turnout in her favor.
Attorney General
Scott Newton (R)
Jim Hood (D)
Comment: Four term Democrat and chief architect of the tobacco lawsuits, Mike Moore, is retiring, possibly waiting to run for the US Senate in 2006. The race has been pretty heated, with each candidate accusing the other of misstating crime statistics. Both are pretty experienced in the law enforcement area, Hood's a DA and Newton's a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor. Who'll win?
Secretary of State
Eric Clark (D) 70%
Julio Del Castillo (R) 29%
Brenda Blackburn (Reform) 1%
Comment: Clark is seeking his 3rd term and will in all likelihood get it with grossly underfunded Castillo only able to put up only token resistance.
State Treasurer
Tate Reeves (R) 52%
Gary Anderson (D) 48%
Lee Dilworth (Reform) less than 1%
Comment: Democrat Marshall Bennett, the longest serving treasurer in state history, resigned last June to join a New York law firm. Musgrove appointed Peyton Prospere who isn't running. Both Reeves and Anderson won in primary run-offs, though Anderson had a narrower win over his opponent (53%) than Reeves had over his (69%). Reeves's is 29, which could either help (e.g fresh face, new ideas) or hurt him (e.g. inexperienced) with voters. But he a 2 to 1 campaign fund advantage over his opponent. Also, Reeves in his campaign is contrasting his private sector experience against Anderson's years of working in state bureaucracy. Anderson, who is black, will definitely benefit if Blackmon causes a higher black turnout. Plus, Anderson may look like a more experienced person compared to Reeves' youthful appearance.
State Auditor
Phil Bryant (R) 90%
Billy Blackburn (Reform) 10%
Comment: Bryant was appointed by GOP Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1996 to fill a vacany, and subsequently won re-election in 1999 pretty handily. He's been popular throughout his time in office (as demonstrated by a lack of Dem. opponent) and will cruise into a second full term.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
Lester Spell (D) 55%
Max Phillips (R) 44%
Bob Claunch (Reform) 1%
Comment: The incumbent Spell hasn't ticked off anybody royally and will probably win, though Phillips (who very narrowly won a primary run-off) will give him a run for his money.
Commissioner of Insurance
George Dale (D) 64%
Aaron Dupuy III (R) 35%
Barbara Dale Washer (Reform) 1%
Comment: Dupuy is the head of a good-sized family-owned insurance company that's been around for the last 73 years. Dale was first elected in 1975 (as the youngest insurance commissioner in MS history) and is now seeking his 8th term. If the voters of MS like him that much, there's no reason why he shouldn't win.
State House of Representatives
Current composition is 81 Democrats, 38 Republicans, 3 Independents. The Democrats will hold on to their majority, but the GOP will gain several seats given the tort reform issue coupled with the continuing GOP trend of conservative voters abandoning the Democrat Party. My prediction is the composition will be 66 Dems, 54 Republicans, 2 Independents.
State Senate
Current compostion is 29 Democrats and 23 Republicans. The Republicans need only 4 more seats to gain a majority which they probably will gain plus a few more. My guess would be there will be 28 Republicans and 24 Democrats after the election.
Governor
Haley Barbour (R) 51%
Ronnie Musgrove (D) 46%
John Thomas Cripps (Constitution) around 2%
Sherman Lee Dillon (Green) 1%
Shawn O'Hara (Reform) below 1%
Comment: This has definitely been a two fisted slobberknocker between the incumbent Musgrove and challenger Barbour. In fact there's a good chance that neither major candidate will win a majority of the vote due to the third party candidates. If that does happen, then it goes to the state House of Representatives. It is precisely what happen in 1999 when Musgrove got 49% and Republican opponent Mike Parker got 48%. After two months of limbo, the House, controlled overwhemingly by Dems, voted to put Musgrove in. However, I do think that Barbour will do a better job of getting Republicans to turnout to vote than Parker (who pretty much quit campaigning the last two weeks of the race) and win a slim majority.
Both major candidates have been tut-tutted for their negative campaigning in the newspaper editorial pages, but Musgrove has gotten more criticism for his ads. Musgrove's campaign tactics may irritate a few that might otherwise vote for him. Plus, Musgrove's attacks pretty much boil down to "Barbour's a rich Washington lobbyist who abandoned Mississippi and helped the big tobacco companies and supported NAFTA;" From what I can judge from the online newspapers, that approach isn't working with voters. Far from running away his Washington connections, Barbour has made them a plus stating those connections will benefit Mississippi. On the issues of tort reform, jobs, state spending, education, and crime, Barbour has been steadily hammering Musgrove saying that more can be done to deal with these problems. If you were to listen to Musgrove, he has been a leader in addressing this issues, that things aren't has bad as Barbour's saying they are, and if they are bad, it's the fault of the national economy. As far a tort reform goes, many supporters of it believe that hasn't done no where near enough to solve the problem. If Musgrove loses, it will be because of that. One factor in Musgrove's favor is Blackmon's candidacy. Whether she wins or loses, she will probably will generate an increased black voter turnout (predominanty Democratic) that will aid Musgrove's chances.
Then there's the third party candidates. Barbour is threaten by Cripps from the right and Dillon is coming from Musgrove's left with O'Hara menacing nobody. Cripps help lead the fight in late 2000/early 2001 against changing the state fight and is pretty much running on that. Some voters that would otherwise support Barbour will come out for Cripps who is labeling himself as a true conservative as opposed to Barbour's Washington connections. Cripps could deny Barbour a majority of the vote. The Green Party's Dillon isn't as much a problem for Musgrove as Cripps is for Barbour. Dillon will attract those leftist voters disgruntled with Musgrove's social conservativism, but unfortunately for Dillon, those voters don't make up a significant voting bloc. Perhaps 8,000 voters at best, based on Nader's vote total in 2000. Shawn O'Hara may skim a few votes from Barbour, and maybe even a few from Musgrove, but the right-wing and left-wing third party candidate niches have already been filled.
Lt. Governor
Amy Tuck (R) 52%
Barbara Blackmon (D) 47%
Anna Reives (Reform) 1%
Comment: Another pretty close race composed of only women. I thought Blackmon had a very good chance of winning (she still may) over the party-switching Tuck, but that was before she asked for an affidavit from Tuck stating that she (Tuck) hadn't had an abortion. The implication being Tuck has had an abortion an is now being a hypocrite in her pro-life stance. Seven of MS editorial boards denounced the move, as did many Mississippians. Blackmon, as state senator, voted against a "Choose Life" license plate and a parental notification bill, both of which Tuck supported. In a heavily pro-life state like MS, Blackmon's pro-abortion record won't play well despite her efforts to be rather coy on the issue. Still, being the first black woman to run for statewide office could attract a heavy black (who lean predominantly Democrat) voter turnout in her favor.
Attorney General
Scott Newton (R)
Jim Hood (D)
Comment: Four term Democrat and chief architect of the tobacco lawsuits, Mike Moore, is retiring, possibly waiting to run for the US Senate in 2006. The race has been pretty heated, with each candidate accusing the other of misstating crime statistics. Both are pretty experienced in the law enforcement area, Hood's a DA and Newton's a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor. Who'll win?
Secretary of State
Eric Clark (D) 70%
Julio Del Castillo (R) 29%
Brenda Blackburn (Reform) 1%
Comment: Clark is seeking his 3rd term and will in all likelihood get it with grossly underfunded Castillo only able to put up only token resistance.
State Treasurer
Tate Reeves (R) 52%
Gary Anderson (D) 48%
Lee Dilworth (Reform) less than 1%
Comment: Democrat Marshall Bennett, the longest serving treasurer in state history, resigned last June to join a New York law firm. Musgrove appointed Peyton Prospere who isn't running. Both Reeves and Anderson won in primary run-offs, though Anderson had a narrower win over his opponent (53%) than Reeves had over his (69%). Reeves's is 29, which could either help (e.g fresh face, new ideas) or hurt him (e.g. inexperienced) with voters. But he a 2 to 1 campaign fund advantage over his opponent. Also, Reeves in his campaign is contrasting his private sector experience against Anderson's years of working in state bureaucracy. Anderson, who is black, will definitely benefit if Blackmon causes a higher black turnout. Plus, Anderson may look like a more experienced person compared to Reeves' youthful appearance.
State Auditor
Phil Bryant (R) 90%
Billy Blackburn (Reform) 10%
Comment: Bryant was appointed by GOP Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1996 to fill a vacany, and subsequently won re-election in 1999 pretty handily. He's been popular throughout his time in office (as demonstrated by a lack of Dem. opponent) and will cruise into a second full term.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
Lester Spell (D) 55%
Max Phillips (R) 44%
Bob Claunch (Reform) 1%
Comment: The incumbent Spell hasn't ticked off anybody royally and will probably win, though Phillips (who very narrowly won a primary run-off) will give him a run for his money.
Commissioner of Insurance
George Dale (D) 64%
Aaron Dupuy III (R) 35%
Barbara Dale Washer (Reform) 1%
Comment: Dupuy is the head of a good-sized family-owned insurance company that's been around for the last 73 years. Dale was first elected in 1975 (as the youngest insurance commissioner in MS history) and is now seeking his 8th term. If the voters of MS like him that much, there's no reason why he shouldn't win.
State House of Representatives
Current composition is 81 Democrats, 38 Republicans, 3 Independents. The Democrats will hold on to their majority, but the GOP will gain several seats given the tort reform issue coupled with the continuing GOP trend of conservative voters abandoning the Democrat Party. My prediction is the composition will be 66 Dems, 54 Republicans, 2 Independents.
State Senate
Current compostion is 29 Democrats and 23 Republicans. The Republicans need only 4 more seats to gain a majority which they probably will gain plus a few more. My guess would be there will be 28 Republicans and 24 Democrats after the election.
Tomorrow...
My Mississippi election predictions. I've got a lot of it written, but I'm too sleepy at the moment to finish.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Moderates
Mr. Lawrence points out a Matt Stinson post blasting CalPundit's claim that he, along with Paul Krugman and Atrios, are moderates. Chris further explains, "nobody with a well-developed political ideology is a moderate." And that "There are only two types of true moderate: people who don’t care about politics, and centrist politicians (and this latter class of people generally care less about politics than they care about keeping their jobs—I defy you to explain the behavior of Arlen Specter or Olympia Snowe otherwise)."
Since we're on the topic of moderates, let's talk about a related term: "independent." This is perhaps the most useless word to describe a person's political beliefs. All it really says it that someone isn't a Republican/conservative or a Democrat/liberal and does nothing to characterize that fellow's views. For example, if you call yourself a Republican, others know that you are generally for smaller government, less taxes, less regulation, anti-abortion, etc., but declaring yourself an independent tells us nothing. Are you pro-abortion, but pro-gun rights or anti-abortion, but pro-gun control?
Since we're on the topic of moderates, let's talk about a related term: "independent." This is perhaps the most useless word to describe a person's political beliefs. All it really says it that someone isn't a Republican/conservative or a Democrat/liberal and does nothing to characterize that fellow's views. For example, if you call yourself a Republican, others know that you are generally for smaller government, less taxes, less regulation, anti-abortion, etc., but declaring yourself an independent tells us nothing. Are you pro-abortion, but pro-gun rights or anti-abortion, but pro-gun control?
More on Haley
Chris makes a good point concerning some lefty bloggers:
Bloggers like Kevin Drum and Atrios who jumped on the story early no longer seem interested in giving it any traction, probably because “their guy� looks about as bad as Barbour does. I can’t really blame them—after all, since it’s not about a party but rather about a whole state political elite that lends groups like the CofCC credibility, there’s no real “story� any more, if by “story� you mean “something to beat over the head of Republicans.� Moderates indeed.
The message is clear: those Mississippians who care that an avowedly racist organization is actively involved in the campaigns of both major parties in our state will receive no support in trying to get rid of this cancer from other folks—whether in the mainstream media or the blogosphere—unless there’s some partisan “win� involved. Thanks. We appreciate it.
Some Observations
Some Canadian researchers have found a way to generate electricity from ordinary tap water.
Some liberals don't like Alan Colmes, complaining that he's too soft on conservatives. The liberal media watchdog group FAIR "studied two weeks of 'Hannity & Colmes' this summer and found that between the co-hosts and their guests, conservatives spoke 2,768 lines to 2,004 for liberals." Okay, y'all get a life.
UPDATE: Jaws, in the comments of this post, brings this piece from Newsmax to my attention where it quotes from Colmes's new book. Colmes's says that Democrats are too afraid to appear on Fox News.
OpenSecrets.org has a list of the top industries that have donated money to President Bush's re-election campaign. Notice that "Oil and Gas" isn't even in the top ten, but instead is listed as #13. And all this time I thought that Bush wasn't anything but a tool of the Evil Oil Companies.
Another campaign finance tidbit: Lyndon LaRouche has raised $5.4 million, that's more than Kucinich, Mosley-Braun, and Sharpton (and Clark, but he's been in the race for only a few weeks) and his top contributor is the US Postal Service. To be more precise, the US Postal Service's "PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families."
"He's who's his own lawyer has a fool for a client."
According to this UPI report, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has made a deal concerning trading nuclear technology for oil.
David Letterman presents the "Top Ten Perks of Being in Baghdad"
Some liberals don't like Alan Colmes, complaining that he's too soft on conservatives. The liberal media watchdog group FAIR "studied two weeks of 'Hannity & Colmes' this summer and found that between the co-hosts and their guests, conservatives spoke 2,768 lines to 2,004 for liberals." Okay, y'all get a life.
UPDATE: Jaws, in the comments of this post, brings this piece from Newsmax to my attention where it quotes from Colmes's new book. Colmes's says that Democrats are too afraid to appear on Fox News.
OpenSecrets.org has a list of the top industries that have donated money to President Bush's re-election campaign. Notice that "Oil and Gas" isn't even in the top ten, but instead is listed as #13. And all this time I thought that Bush wasn't anything but a tool of the Evil Oil Companies.
Another campaign finance tidbit: Lyndon LaRouche has raised $5.4 million, that's more than Kucinich, Mosley-Braun, and Sharpton (and Clark, but he's been in the race for only a few weeks) and his top contributor is the US Postal Service. To be more precise, the US Postal Service's "PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families."
"He's who's his own lawyer has a fool for a client."
According to this UPI report, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has made a deal concerning trading nuclear technology for oil.
David Letterman presents the "Top Ten Perks of Being in Baghdad"
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Mississippi on My Mind
Chris continues his excellent coverageof "Picture-gate"
Mark rightfully chastises a New York Times Magazine piece for falsely crying racism in the MS governor's race. Barbour has pushed the idea of a "Musgrove-Blackmon" ticket in his speeches and ads, though the NYTM says that this is based on racism (because Blackmon is black), but Mark points out that's it's an issue of Republicans vs. Democrats.
The Ole Miss Rebels gave 'Bama a basting yesterday, 43-22. The Rebs are now 5-2 overall, and 3-0 in the SEC. I watched a good part of the game on the local UPN station here, and given that was a Jefferson Pilot production, there was the ubiquitous "Archie Cam" I'm not kidding, they have a camera dedicated to capturing all the facial expressions of Archie Manning, football star and father of Reb QB Eli Manning.
Mark rightfully chastises a New York Times Magazine piece for falsely crying racism in the MS governor's race. Barbour has pushed the idea of a "Musgrove-Blackmon" ticket in his speeches and ads, though the NYTM says that this is based on racism (because Blackmon is black), but Mark points out that's it's an issue of Republicans vs. Democrats.
Why is the mentioning of an all democratic unit a racist issue? I mean I honestly want to know where this one came in. (other than using the CCC issue to 'prove it'.).I don't think there's a problem with Barbour linking Musgrove and Blackmon together. Lt. Governors in MS have the power to choose which state senators sit on each committee and to appoint the chairmen and vice-chairman of the senate committees. So, it's of great concern to a gubernatorial candidate who wins the Lt. Governorship if he wants the senate to pass legislative proposals that he favors. As Chris points out in the comments, it's easier to get things done if the Governor has a friendly Lt. Governor. Musgrove, when he was Lt. Gov., gave Fordice a hard time; and Tuck's been giving Musgrove heartburn even before she switched parties. Given that Blackmon is a trial lawyer and Barbour is pro-tort reform (tort reform being a major campaign issue in Mississippi), he definitely doesn't want to see her win. Otherwise, any tort reform proposal would probably be DOA in committee.
When I heard the ad, I didn't think about black-white. I thought about the fact that it'd be a Democratic Governor, a Democratic Lt. Gov, and a Democratic controlled state congress, not one time did it cross my mind to consider race in the ad.
The Ole Miss Rebels gave 'Bama a basting yesterday, 43-22. The Rebs are now 5-2 overall, and 3-0 in the SEC. I watched a good part of the game on the local UPN station here, and given that was a Jefferson Pilot production, there was the ubiquitous "Archie Cam" I'm not kidding, they have a camera dedicated to capturing all the facial expressions of Archie Manning, football star and father of Reb QB Eli Manning.
Saturday, October 18, 2003
GOP Ascendent
Fred Barnes over at the Weekly Standard's site, says that there is an emerging Republican majority in the country. And he sites some intriguing stats presented here in an easy to read format:
1992: Democrats win 51% of the total House votes, Republicans win 46%
2002: Complete reversal: Republicans win 51%, Democrats 46%
1992: Of all state legislative seats, Democrats held 4,344 to the GOP's 3,031.
2002: Republicans win 3,684 while the Dem's get 3,626. It's the first time that the GOP has had a majority of legislative seats since 1952
1992: Democrats controlled the entire legislature of 25 states, Republicans had 8, with the remainder under split control
2002: Republicans have 21 legislatures with Democrats holding 16.
1992: Concerning governors, 30 were Democrats, 18 were Republicans, and 2 were independents
2002: After Schwarzenegger's victory in California, 27 are Republicans, 23 are Democrats
According to the Harris Poll, party ID has increased in the Republicans favor:
1982: 40% of voters identified themselves as Democrats, 26% Republican
1992: 36% Democrat to 30% Republican
2002: 34% Democrat to 31% Republican
That's just a sampling of all the numbers Barnes uses to make his point. My own observation for this data is that Bill Clinton wasn't all that helpful to the Democrat Party. Think about it: when he was first elected in 1992, Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, had more state legislators, controlled a plurality of entire state legislatures, and had a majority of governors. Ten years laters, Republicans run Congress, have a narrow majority of legisators, control the entire legislature in 21 states, and have a majority of the governorships. Not exactly improvements from a liberal Democrat point of view.
1992: Democrats win 51% of the total House votes, Republicans win 46%
2002: Complete reversal: Republicans win 51%, Democrats 46%
1992: Of all state legislative seats, Democrats held 4,344 to the GOP's 3,031.
2002: Republicans win 3,684 while the Dem's get 3,626. It's the first time that the GOP has had a majority of legislative seats since 1952
1992: Democrats controlled the entire legislature of 25 states, Republicans had 8, with the remainder under split control
2002: Republicans have 21 legislatures with Democrats holding 16.
1992: Concerning governors, 30 were Democrats, 18 were Republicans, and 2 were independents
2002: After Schwarzenegger's victory in California, 27 are Republicans, 23 are Democrats
According to the Harris Poll, party ID has increased in the Republicans favor:
1982: 40% of voters identified themselves as Democrats, 26% Republican
1992: 36% Democrat to 30% Republican
2002: 34% Democrat to 31% Republican
That's just a sampling of all the numbers Barnes uses to make his point. My own observation for this data is that Bill Clinton wasn't all that helpful to the Democrat Party. Think about it: when he was first elected in 1992, Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, had more state legislators, controlled a plurality of entire state legislatures, and had a majority of governors. Ten years laters, Republicans run Congress, have a narrow majority of legisators, control the entire legislature in 21 states, and have a majority of the governorships. Not exactly improvements from a liberal Democrat point of view.
Asner
I noted a few days ago this article by Kevin McCullough where Ed Asner is quoted as being rather sympathetic to Stalin. However, Mr. McCullough has offered a partial retraction of the quote, saying that he didn't wait for the availability of the original audio of Mr. Asner's response to a question. Here's the correct quote:
McCullough: "If you could portray an historical biography and you had an unlimited budget, unlimited support cast and everything you could ask for, who would it be?"
Asner: "Well, you know something, they've played Hitler, nobody has ever really touched Stalin, it just occurred to me. It's not because I am a liberal or anything like that. Stalin is one big damn mystery, I wonder why nobody has tried it? Many people, you know, speak of the fact that he killed more people than Hitler – why does nobody touch him? It's strange. So, and he was about my size, my height – with a wig I probably could do it."
NPR Ombudsman Criticizes Interviewer
He takes Terry Gross to task over her interview of Bill O'Reilly:
I agree with the listeners who complained about the tone of the interview: Her questions were pointed from the beginning. She went after O'Reilly using critical quotes from the Franken book and a New York Times book review. That put O'Reilly at his most prickly and defensive mode, and Gross was never able to get him back into the interview in an effective way. This was surprising because Terry Gross is, in my opinion, one of the best interviewers anywhere in American journalism.
Although O'Reilly frequently resorts to bluster and bullying on his own show, he seemed unable to take her tough questions. He became angrier as the interview went along. But by coming across as a pro-Franken partisan rather than a neutral and curious journalist, Gross did almost nothing that might have allowed the interview to develop.
By the time the interview was about halfway through, it felt as though Terry Gross was indeed "carrying Al Franken's water," as some listeners say. It was not about O'Reilly's ideas, or his attitudes or even about his book. It was about O'Reilly as political media phenomenon. That's a legitimate subject for discussion, but in this case, it was an interview that was, in the end, unfair to O'Reilly.
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I believe the listeners were not well served by this interview. It may have illustrated the "cultural wars" that seem to be flaring in the country. Unfortunately, the interview only served to confirm the belief, held by some, in NPR's liberal media bias.
It left the impression that there was something not quite right about the reasons behind this program: Bill O'Reilly often loves to use NPR as his own personal political piñata; and NPR keeps helping him by inviting him to appear.
Canadian Right
Thursday, the leaders of the two center-right parties of Canada announced that a new united party is in the works. For those readers unfamiliar with Canadian politics, Adam Daifallah a quick primer:
For about a decade, political conservatives here have been divided into two parties at the national level, the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) and the Canadian Alliance (formerly known as the Reform party.) Support for the PCs has been concentrated mainly in the eastern provinces, while the Alliance's base is in the west. With conservative votes divided between the two separate entities, neither party has garnered the strength to pose a serious threat to the government. The result has been a free ride for the Liberal party under Jean Chrétien, who has won three consecutive elections since 1993, essentially by default.The American equivalent to the PCs would be Northeastern liberal-to-moderate Republicans, e.g. Arlen Specter, Lincoln Chafee, Olympia Snowe, etc., while the Canadian Alliance would be called Reagan Republicans. In 1998, there was an effort led by the then-Reform Party to unite the two parties into a new one called the Canadian Alliance. However the PCs weren't satisfied and walked out, effectively making the CA the Reform Party with a new name. Just last Tuesday it was thought that a another try had failed, but the two leaders of the parties, Stephen Harper of CA and Peter MacKay of PC, have argeed to an "agreement-in-principle" which outlines recommendations that each party's caucuses and members will vote on. There's a good bit of grumbling from elementon both sides about the deal, but hopefully they can put aside some differences and actually have a fighting chance to defeat the reigning Liberal Party.
New Blogs
There's Robert at Say Anything and Southern Appeal points out two more: a conservative one by Sebastian Holsclaw and a moderate one oddly named "Staunch Moderate."
Canadian Health Care
The Mackinac Center publishes "The Top Ten Things People Believe About Canadian Health Care, But Shouldn’t"
To whet your appetite:
To whet your appetite:
"African-American babies fare better than Canadian babies, except at the very top end of the range, where they are essentially equal. In short, among low birth-weight babies, it is safer to be born to an African-American family than it is to be born to the average Canadian family."
Friday, October 17, 2003
Irony (in an Alanis Morrisette sorta way)
Ya know it's funny. While Tennessee was having its governor's race in 2002, I was in Mississippi attending college, and therefore I couldn't observe the race to well (though Oxford is close enough to Memphis to be in it's local TV coverage area, so I could watch news reports). Now, Mississippi is having it's gubernatorial race, among others, and I'm way up here in Tennessee.
[Yes, I know, I probably misspelled Morrisette, but it doesn't really bug me.]
[Yes, I know, I probably misspelled Morrisette, but it doesn't really bug me.]
Haley and the CCC
Chris Lawrence points out some very useful information concerning the whole "Picture-gate" situation. Turns out that the CCC (think the Klan with polo shirts and khakis) was seeking publicity by posting the picture. More importantly, it's pointed out that the CCC didn't sponsor the Black Hawk rally where Barbour spoke, but that the CCC held a separate barbecue on the same day. Tough, the organization's website suggests that the CCC "field director" (whatever that means) in the picture emceed the rally. It's possible that Barbour didn't know the man's affiliation with the group. After all, there were black speakers there, too, who I doubt would have been there if they knew that the emcee was a CCC'er. Another factoid: Musgrove had planned on attending the rally but had a scheduling conflict. So, there we are. Given all of that, I don't think Barbour should be too harshly criticized, but he should definitely make more than an effort to tell off the CCC.
Some Observations
Mississippi talk radio host Matt Friedman has a link to a voter's guide that shows various MS candidates positions on abortion. Note that Haley Barbour and Ronnie Musgrove answered that they oppose abortion except in instances where the mother's life is in danger. Also note that Barbara Blackmon didn't respond.
Chris Lawrence offers a smart analysis on Mississippi electoral calculus. And I'm not just saying that just because he gave a kind link to my post on the Barbour picture imbroglio.
Tom McClintock isn't running for the Senate in 2004. He's says that his supporters should back state assembly member Tony Strickland to oppose Democrat incumbent Barbara Boxer.
Ben says it best.
Who know Leo Laporte was a liberal partisan hack? I always liked him on TechTV, though I haven't really really watched the channel since graduation. He always came across has an affable fellow who also knew a good deal on computers. A pity.
Jackson Murphy offers some advice to those libertarians (like a Mr. Julian Sanchez) who are dissatisfied with Bush and are flirting with Dean:
The ever indispensible Magnolia Report has a video of Democratic Mississippi AG nominee Jim Hood's campaign manager trashing the signs of the Republican candidate Scott Newton. That's not very nice. Nor very legal, either.
Via Geitner's site, John Rosenberg responds in kind to a anti-Southern op-ed by a Vermont Dean-lover.
Mississippi's own Ted Weill look like he's on his way to win the Reform Party's Presidential nomination. The party had it's convention in the Magnolia state last week-end, gathering an awesome attendence of about 100. Why hold the convention in Mississippi? According to convention co-ordinator and current gubernatorial candide, Shawn O'Hara, "the deciding factor was the $49 room rates at the Ramada Inn." Things are pretty cheap there. (info from today's front page of Politics1)
Interesting plank to the 1880 Republican Party platform:
There's a rather lenghty article that declares a lot of the global warming hype is exactly that: hype.
Chris Lawrence offers a smart analysis on Mississippi electoral calculus. And I'm not just saying that just because he gave a kind link to my post on the Barbour picture imbroglio.
Tom McClintock isn't running for the Senate in 2004. He's says that his supporters should back state assembly member Tony Strickland to oppose Democrat incumbent Barbara Boxer.
Ben says it best.
Who know Leo Laporte was a liberal partisan hack? I always liked him on TechTV, though I haven't really really watched the channel since graduation. He always came across has an affable fellow who also knew a good deal on computers. A pity.
Jackson Murphy offers some advice to those libertarians (like a Mr. Julian Sanchez) who are dissatisfied with Bush and are flirting with Dean:
So if libertarians want to try their luck with Dr. Dean or some other candidate, they will quickly find that the tax cut will be gone and that is about it. Spending will remain, since the problem lies more with Congress than it does with Bush. As Robert Novak reports, the Democrats want to use the "$87 billion war spending request to push for still higher domestic outlays." And if you listened to the Democrats at their most recent debate the group of nine had a laundry list of plans. And it is clear that "plan" is a double-secret-code-word for "watch your wallet" in political speak.
The ever indispensible Magnolia Report has a video of Democratic Mississippi AG nominee Jim Hood's campaign manager trashing the signs of the Republican candidate Scott Newton. That's not very nice. Nor very legal, either.
Via Geitner's site, John Rosenberg responds in kind to a anti-Southern op-ed by a Vermont Dean-lover.
Mississippi's own Ted Weill look like he's on his way to win the Reform Party's Presidential nomination. The party had it's convention in the Magnolia state last week-end, gathering an awesome attendence of about 100. Why hold the convention in Mississippi? According to convention co-ordinator and current gubernatorial candide, Shawn O'Hara, "the deciding factor was the $49 room rates at the Ramada Inn." Things are pretty cheap there. (info from today's front page of Politics1)
Interesting plank to the 1880 Republican Party platform:
4. The Constitution wisely forbids Congress to make any law respecting the establishment of religion, but it is idle to hope that the Nation can be protected against the influence of secret sectarianism while each State is exposed to its domination. We, therefore, recommend that the Constitution be so amended as to lay the same prohibition upon the Legislature of each State, and to forbid the appropriation of public funds to the support of sectarian schools.
There's a rather lenghty article that declares a lot of the global warming hype is exactly that: hype.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Top 10 Suggested Campaign Slogans for Dennis Kucinich
10. My name rhymes with "spinach"
9. Tax Credits for Tofu!
8. Can wail on the guitar like Hendrix
7. Help me make America business-free by 2008!
6. I Rrrrreallly don't like Bush
5. Surrenders faster than a Frenchman
4. Bringing the 19th Century ideas of Marx to 21st Century America
3. Socialist tested, Ralph Nader approved!
2. 20% more nuts than the other Democrat candidates
1. The rugged good looks of Gilbert Gottfried without the annoying voice.
9. Tax Credits for Tofu!
8. Can wail on the guitar like Hendrix
7. Help me make America business-free by 2008!
6. I Rrrrreallly don't like Bush
5. Surrenders faster than a Frenchman
4. Bringing the 19th Century ideas of Marx to 21st Century America
3. Socialist tested, Ralph Nader approved!
2. 20% more nuts than the other Democrat candidates
1. The rugged good looks of Gilbert Gottfried without the annoying voice.
Barbour and the CCC
There's a little bit of a brou-ha-ha in the blogosphere over this picturce of Haley Barbour at the Council of Conservative Citizens' website. Andrew Sullivan, Matthew Stinson, CalPundit, and Chris Lawrence offer their thoughts. For those you who don't know, the CCC is a pretty racist organization that tries to portrait itself has the "true voice of the American right." Plus they aren't to fond of those pesky Jews who outrageously continue to exist. The CCC sponsored an event last July, called the "Black Hawk Barbecue and Political Rally" to raise funds for some buses for private schools. The picture includes, among others, a Republican state senator and the field director for the CCC.
WBLT has a report on this story, with a quote from a press statement from Barbour spokesman Quinton Dickerson:
Here's my stream-of-consciousness take on it.
Barbour needs to address this issue head on and fully explain himself. Though, that Dickerson quote suggests that things may not be so cut-and-dry as those who are condemning Barbour are making them out to be. That said, I would like to know the names of all who spoke at that rally and specifically what did Barbour say in the speech he delivered.
But I have a question: Why would Barbour allow himself to be photoed at a CCC sponsored event?
Possible answers would be:
a) Barbour was unaware that it was a CCC sponsored event, and just wanted to help raise money for some private schools to buy buses.
b) Barbour was aware of the CCC sponsorship and tought that the picture would help him among a segment of voters that are sympathetic of CCC ideas and, therefore, they would be more inclined to vote for him in a tight governor's race. Of course, he would have known the media could pick up on it, bringing the picture to the attention to many who would flog him and the MS Republican Party as racist.
c) Barbour was aware and was careless, not thinking that the picture would be spattered on the front page of the CCC's website.
That's my two cents.
UPDATE: Brendan Miniter in today's OpinionJournal's Political Diary also comments and scolds Barbour, but mentions that "The other candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, has also attended CCC events."
WBLT has a report on this story, with a quote from a press statement from Barbour spokesman Quinton Dickerson:
Haley Barbour spoke at the Black Hawk political rally in July with many other candidates, Republican and Democrat, black and white."The article immediately adds after the quote: "The Council of Conservative Citizens chose not to show those black candidates on the front page of their website."
Here's my stream-of-consciousness take on it.
Barbour needs to address this issue head on and fully explain himself. Though, that Dickerson quote suggests that things may not be so cut-and-dry as those who are condemning Barbour are making them out to be. That said, I would like to know the names of all who spoke at that rally and specifically what did Barbour say in the speech he delivered.
But I have a question: Why would Barbour allow himself to be photoed at a CCC sponsored event?
Possible answers would be:
a) Barbour was unaware that it was a CCC sponsored event, and just wanted to help raise money for some private schools to buy buses.
b) Barbour was aware of the CCC sponsorship and tought that the picture would help him among a segment of voters that are sympathetic of CCC ideas and, therefore, they would be more inclined to vote for him in a tight governor's race. Of course, he would have known the media could pick up on it, bringing the picture to the attention to many who would flog him and the MS Republican Party as racist.
c) Barbour was aware and was careless, not thinking that the picture would be spattered on the front page of the CCC's website.
That's my two cents.
UPDATE: Brendan Miniter in today's OpinionJournal's Political Diary also comments and scolds Barbour, but mentions that "The other candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, has also attended CCC events."
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Mississippi Gubernatorial Debate
Things got a bit rowdy at last night's debate. Green Party candidate Sherman Lee Dillon, who was not invited to participate, got up on stage and ranted about how he should be there on stage debating. Security guards eventually got him off stage, but his supporters interrupted the proceedings a couple of more times shouting out "Sherman Lee Dillon for Governor."
Things got back on track, with Barbour thowing a rheotical jab that was close to a literal one:
The Clarion-Ledger pieces has a few quotes for those that attended the debate, and it make it appear that Barbour came off rather badly while Musgrove acted all dignified and civil. Since I couldn't watch the debate on TV up here in Tennessee, I don't know enough to say whether that was the case. So if any reader in Mississippi watched it, I would love to hear your take on it.
Things got back on track, with Barbour thowing a rheotical jab that was close to a literal one:
...Republican Haley Barbour scolded Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove for airing a television ad which accuses Barbour of "helping poison our children."Cut to a sign from the '60s Batman TV series: BAM!
"Hey," Barbour said to Musgrove, who had looked downward while on stage to reach for a cup of water. "You want to look at me?"
"That's the lowest, dirtiest most despicable but desperate thing I've ever seen any candidate ever say in a campaign. My son is sitting right there and he (Musgrove) tells me that I have helped poison our children?"
The Clarion-Ledger pieces has a few quotes for those that attended the debate, and it make it appear that Barbour came off rather badly while Musgrove acted all dignified and civil. Since I couldn't watch the debate on TV up here in Tennessee, I don't know enough to say whether that was the case. So if any reader in Mississippi watched it, I would love to hear your take on it.
Franken
Lefty "humorist" Al Franken will host a fundraiser for Dick Gephardt in St. Louis on Nov. 6. All you need is at least $100 to get in and be called a "Friend." At the $250 you're a "Host" and at the $1000 level, you are called a "Sponsor." Why would they need a $250 or $1000 level? I thought that only those evil rich people contributed to the Republicans. Why not a $5 or $10 level so that poor people (to whom Dick, Al, and the rest of the Dem. Party proclaim their undying concern to) can attend?
Don't Mess with Malkin
Michelle Malkin tears into Adam Cohen of the New Yorks Times for his sneering and arrogant hit piece on Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal. I have to say that I have a good deal of respect for non-white conservatives, since they have vile racial slurs flung their way all the time by suppostedly non-racist liberals in such a degree that white conservatives don't have to deal with.
MS Gubernatorial Websites
With all 5 candidates for the governorship of MS having their own websites, I thought it might be helpful to review them. Not on the basis of their policy stances per se, but instead I will judge them over the next few days on their overall usefulness for a voter and their aesthetic appeal. Today's site:
Shawn O'Hara (Reform)
Mr. O'Hara is the what you would call a perennial candidate, i.e. always running for some office and always losing by a large share. But he did get 15% of the vote in the 2002 US Senate race against GOP incumbent Thad Cochran. Of course, it helped that there wasn't a Democrat nominee.
He definitely has the worst website of all the candidates. The Reform Party gives all its candidates standard issue websites that have five rather inane sentences, if you can call them that, declaring their policy positions. For example, the first one says: "LOWER GASOLINE PRICES, MAKE ALTERNATIVE FUEL, CREATE 82,000 JOBS." Some explanation as to how they reached this rather buffoonish idea would be helpful. At the top of the page, there's a picture of Mr. O'Hara in a suit giving his best impression of an earnest expression on his face. Trust me, Mr. O'Hara, it's worth spending a few extra dollars going to the photographer's at Wal-Mart to get your picture made, as opposed to having your wife take a photo of you in your backyard.
Also, on the page is jpegs of scanned court papers Mr. O'Hara filed to seek the overturning of criminal charges of a now deceased black Korean war veteran who Mr. O'Hara was wrongly convicted. Nothing against Mr. O'Hara's efforts on his friend's behalf, but I think he should focus on presenting his argument to be the next Governor of MS on his website. Besides, the jpeg format doesn't make reading all that easy.
Basically, it's a rather boring design by someone who doesn't know much about HTML except for how to change font color and size. There's not even an e-mail address listed (but there is a snail mail one). Not only that, there's very scant info about the candidate himself and what his positions are. And let's not forget that the entire website consists of only one page Grade: F
Shawn O'Hara (Reform)
Mr. O'Hara is the what you would call a perennial candidate, i.e. always running for some office and always losing by a large share. But he did get 15% of the vote in the 2002 US Senate race against GOP incumbent Thad Cochran. Of course, it helped that there wasn't a Democrat nominee.
He definitely has the worst website of all the candidates. The Reform Party gives all its candidates standard issue websites that have five rather inane sentences, if you can call them that, declaring their policy positions. For example, the first one says: "LOWER GASOLINE PRICES, MAKE ALTERNATIVE FUEL, CREATE 82,000 JOBS." Some explanation as to how they reached this rather buffoonish idea would be helpful. At the top of the page, there's a picture of Mr. O'Hara in a suit giving his best impression of an earnest expression on his face. Trust me, Mr. O'Hara, it's worth spending a few extra dollars going to the photographer's at Wal-Mart to get your picture made, as opposed to having your wife take a photo of you in your backyard.
Also, on the page is jpegs of scanned court papers Mr. O'Hara filed to seek the overturning of criminal charges of a now deceased black Korean war veteran who Mr. O'Hara was wrongly convicted. Nothing against Mr. O'Hara's efforts on his friend's behalf, but I think he should focus on presenting his argument to be the next Governor of MS on his website. Besides, the jpeg format doesn't make reading all that easy.
Basically, it's a rather boring design by someone who doesn't know much about HTML except for how to change font color and size. There's not even an e-mail address listed (but there is a snail mail one). Not only that, there's very scant info about the candidate himself and what his positions are. And let's not forget that the entire website consists of only one page Grade: F
Wictory Wednesday
President Howard Dean. President John Kerry. If those words send a chill up your spine, you might want to volunteer or donate to G-Dub's re-election:
Here's the list of other blogs participating in Wictory Wednesday:
Here's the list of other blogs participating in Wictory Wednesday:
How to Tell If You Are Living in a Conservative Southern State
When your state's Democrat Governor who is seeking re-election calls himself a fiscal conservative and a conservative on social matters.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
China Launches Manned Rocket
The People's Republic of China flung a human piloted space capsule into orbit Wednesday, becoming only the third nation to do so. It'll be funny if the pilot lands the thing in the US and asks for asylum.
Some Observations
Earth Shattering Headline: "Democratic senators denounce Bush's performance as war president"
New poll from Gallup says that 71% of Baghdad residents feel that U.S. troops should not leave in the next few months. Another finding is that around 68% of residents say that the troops have behavely at least fairly well. Yes, what a complete failure the Iraq liberation has been.
TechCentralStation has the first of a four part series by Sally Pipes on the Canadian health care and insurance system. A very useful piece in combating lefties who think that Canada has it all figured out.
The Supreme Court said that it will take up the Ninth Circus' decision on the Pledge of Allegiance case. Hopefully, the SCOTUS will strike a blow for common sense on this one.
Dennis Prager says that we are in the midst of a Second Civil War in America. This time it is between Leftists, who believe in an all-encompassing welfare state where religion is not relevent to public life, and Rightists, who believe in individual liberty and religion's place in influencing societal values.
New poll from Gallup says that 71% of Baghdad residents feel that U.S. troops should not leave in the next few months. Another finding is that around 68% of residents say that the troops have behavely at least fairly well. Yes, what a complete failure the Iraq liberation has been.
TechCentralStation has the first of a four part series by Sally Pipes on the Canadian health care and insurance system. A very useful piece in combating lefties who think that Canada has it all figured out.
The Supreme Court said that it will take up the Ninth Circus' decision on the Pledge of Allegiance case. Hopefully, the SCOTUS will strike a blow for common sense on this one.
Dennis Prager says that we are in the midst of a Second Civil War in America. This time it is between Leftists, who believe in an all-encompassing welfare state where religion is not relevent to public life, and Rightists, who believe in individual liberty and religion's place in influencing societal values.
Mississippi Elections 2003
Mark provides some interesting thoughts on the MS Gov. and Lt. Gov. races.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Ronald Reagan Quote
From the lastest The Federalist Brief:
"We've heard a great deal about Republican 'fat cats,' and how the Republicans are the party of big contributions. I've never been able to understand why a Republican contributor is a 'fat cat' and a Democratic contributor of the same amount of money is a 'public-spirited philanthropist.'"
Some Observations
The Mississippi Republican Party has launched a new website attacking Ronnie Musgrove.
Dennis Kucinich officially announces his intention to lose the Democrat Pres. nomination. Why shouldn't he run for President? After all, look at the spectacular job he did as mayor of Cleveland.
Hoy Story highlights Tony Snow's interview with Dem. Senator Jay Rockefeller yesterday on FNC. Mr. Snow grills Rockefeller on his attacks of Pres. Bush and his reasons for going to war with Iraq. Rockefeller tries to weasel his way out many times, but Snow challenges hims with excerpts from the last State of the Union address and the Senator's own words.
Saudi Arabia plans to hold municipal elections within the next year or so, making them the first ever in that country. According the Saudi government, only half of the seats on the municipal councils will be open to elections. It's a itty-bitty baby step of political reform; there's still the issues of having an elected national parliament, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the rights of women, etc., but as they say, "A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a singe step."
Oh, Mr. Grant! Ed Asner, everybody's favorite hairy socialist, was asked, "If you had the chance to play the biographical story of a historical figure you respected most over your lifetime, who would it be?" To which he answered, "I think Joe Stalin was a guy that was hugely misunderstood. And to this day, I don't think I have ever seen an adequate job done of telling the story of Joe Stalin, so I guess my answer would have to be Joe Stalin." He's sorta right, Stalin's crimes and atrocities aren't as well known to the general American public as they should be. That's probably not what Asner meant, though.
During his reign of terror, Saddam Hussein drained the swamps of southern Iraq, home of the Marsh Arabs who depended on them for their livelihood, to deny political opponents hiding places. Since the liberation, engineers have been gradually reflooding the area, thus restoring the traditional lifestyle of the people there and the natural ecosystem. In other words, ecological restoration due to an evil pollution-loving Republican President, not because of lefty-environmentalists who opposed the war. Isn't it ironic? Doncha think?
Dennis Kucinich officially announces his intention to lose the Democrat Pres. nomination. Why shouldn't he run for President? After all, look at the spectacular job he did as mayor of Cleveland.
Hoy Story highlights Tony Snow's interview with Dem. Senator Jay Rockefeller yesterday on FNC. Mr. Snow grills Rockefeller on his attacks of Pres. Bush and his reasons for going to war with Iraq. Rockefeller tries to weasel his way out many times, but Snow challenges hims with excerpts from the last State of the Union address and the Senator's own words.
Saudi Arabia plans to hold municipal elections within the next year or so, making them the first ever in that country. According the Saudi government, only half of the seats on the municipal councils will be open to elections. It's a itty-bitty baby step of political reform; there's still the issues of having an elected national parliament, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the rights of women, etc., but as they say, "A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a singe step."
Oh, Mr. Grant! Ed Asner, everybody's favorite hairy socialist, was asked, "If you had the chance to play the biographical story of a historical figure you respected most over your lifetime, who would it be?" To which he answered, "I think Joe Stalin was a guy that was hugely misunderstood. And to this day, I don't think I have ever seen an adequate job done of telling the story of Joe Stalin, so I guess my answer would have to be Joe Stalin." He's sorta right, Stalin's crimes and atrocities aren't as well known to the general American public as they should be. That's probably not what Asner meant, though.
During his reign of terror, Saddam Hussein drained the swamps of southern Iraq, home of the Marsh Arabs who depended on them for their livelihood, to deny political opponents hiding places. Since the liberation, engineers have been gradually reflooding the area, thus restoring the traditional lifestyle of the people there and the natural ecosystem. In other words, ecological restoration due to an evil pollution-loving Republican President, not because of lefty-environmentalists who opposed the war. Isn't it ironic? Doncha think?
Today
Today's Columbus Day, a holiday that celebrates the wonderous achievements of the city of Columbus, Ohio. Oh, no, that's not right. What an utterly ridiculous notion. A holiday for Columbus, Ohio! Pshaw. Ah, I remember! Today is the day were all Americans salute the grandeur of Columbus, MS! But I also hear that some people use this day to commemorate some Italian fellow who sailed a boat over 500 years ago.
Also, today is former British PM Margaret Thatcher's birthday. She broke the back of labor, excuse me, labour unions and knocked the snot out of the Argentines when they tried to get their grubby meathooks on the Falklands. (via Southern Appeal
Also, today is former British PM Margaret Thatcher's birthday. She broke the back of labor, excuse me, labour unions and knocked the snot out of the Argentines when they tried to get their grubby meathooks on the Falklands. (via Southern Appeal
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Guest Bloggers
I'm proud to announce that I now have two guest bloggers for this site: Lauren Landes and "SkinnyandBalding." Welcome aboard, y'all! I look toward to reading to y'all's postings.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Some Observations
The Washington Post reports on the disappointment (to put it mildly) of the liberals in the San Francisco area over the success of the recall. A lefty activist is quoted as saying that a lot of "People are disgusted, embarrassed, fearful and wanting to secede from the rest of the state." If y'all want to secede from the nation, I'll completely support the effort. It'll make us all a lot happier.
Radley Balko gives the proper eulogy for Sen. Fritz Hollings's political career: "Sen. Ernest Hollings made his greatest effort on behalf of liberty this session than any he’s struck in his 36-year Senate career. He announced his retirement."
Cox and Forkum create another great cartoon.
Thomas Sowell asks "Is California Crazy?" No, "just the most affluent and highly educated ones."
Sid Salter says that Lt. Gov. candidate Barbara Blackmon has blown her chance to win.
Return of the Mack...sort of. Florida state Representative Connie Mack IV is planning to move to southwest area of the state to run for his father's old US congressional district. The current rep., Republican Porter Goss, is not seeking re-election in 2004. What's funny is that Goss won the seat in 1988 after Connie Mack III left to run and subsequently win a US Senate race.
Geek Alert: NASA has created a model airplane that runs on a laser beam. The beam emanates from a ground based position and strikes a photoelectric cell on the plane, thus powering it. Now, I know what I want for Christmas.
Radley Balko gives the proper eulogy for Sen. Fritz Hollings's political career: "Sen. Ernest Hollings made his greatest effort on behalf of liberty this session than any he’s struck in his 36-year Senate career. He announced his retirement."
Cox and Forkum create another great cartoon.
Thomas Sowell asks "Is California Crazy?" No, "just the most affluent and highly educated ones."
Sid Salter says that Lt. Gov. candidate Barbara Blackmon has blown her chance to win.
Return of the Mack...sort of. Florida state Representative Connie Mack IV is planning to move to southwest area of the state to run for his father's old US congressional district. The current rep., Republican Porter Goss, is not seeking re-election in 2004. What's funny is that Goss won the seat in 1988 after Connie Mack III left to run and subsequently win a US Senate race.
Geek Alert: NASA has created a model airplane that runs on a laser beam. The beam emanates from a ground based position and strikes a photoelectric cell on the plane, thus powering it. Now, I know what I want for Christmas.
Friday, October 10, 2003
El Rushbo
Rush Limbaugh admitted today at the end of his radio program that he has been addicted to prescription pain killer for the past few years and said that he will spend the next 30 days at a treatment center to kick the habit. He also added:
I'm glad that he has been pretty straightforward in dealing with this issue in the media and I pray that he does kick the habit once and for all.
At the present time the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to limit my public comments until this investigation is complete. So, I will only say that the stories you have read and heard contain inaccuracies and distortions, which I will clear up when I am free to speak about them.
I'm glad that he has been pretty straightforward in dealing with this issue in the media and I pray that he does kick the habit once and for all.
Hat Tip to Geitner Simmons
New Mascot Poll Halted
The poll to select a new mascot for Ole Miss was stopped by the administration due to "a lack of consensus" and poor participation.
"It is clear from the responses received and from general public discussion that there is no community support for either of the proposed mascots," said Chancellor Robert Khayat in a statement. "Therefore, the matter is closed."Yes, it took y'all 3 to 4 months and probably a good bit of money to realize that a vast majority of students and alumni didn't want to get rid of Colonel Reb. Good job, y'all. But here's the money quote:
Athletic Director Pete Boone echoed the chancellor.
"Based on the number of votes, declining participation and opinions gathered from several sources, continuing the polling makes very little sense," Boone said in a written statement.
"There is not a clear mandate from our students or fans to accept either of the images," he said. "Therefore, I cannot recommend either mascot to represent Ole Miss Athletics."
"I regret that this has become such a divisive issue," Boone said. "It is now time to move forward."Well, gee, if you didn't try to ram a mascot change down the throats of everybody, things might not have been too contentious.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Some Small Observations
Presidential brother and Florida governor, Jeb Bush, gave a speech in southern MS declaring his support for Haley Barbour. That's mighty nice of him.
A cargo ship was christened after Mississippi native Roy M. Wheat, who in Vietnam died when he dived onto an exploding mine, thus saving his fellow Marines.
The Dems had their debate tonight. Mostly jabs at Clark and Bush. Yawnnn...
Anna's back! Pictures of fuzzy bunnies and posts on warmongering. Gadda love it!
There could be trouble brewing for Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democrat Nat'l Committee.
Thankful there is some sanity still left in the courts: The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman.
A cargo ship was christened after Mississippi native Roy M. Wheat, who in Vietnam died when he dived onto an exploding mine, thus saving his fellow Marines.
The Dems had their debate tonight. Mostly jabs at Clark and Bush. Yawnnn...
Anna's back! Pictures of fuzzy bunnies and posts on warmongering. Gadda love it!
There could be trouble brewing for Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democrat Nat'l Committee.
Thankful there is some sanity still left in the courts: The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman.
The Will to Annoy Me
George Will is one of the few conservative columnists that just plain irritate me at times. His most recent column reminds me why I don't care for him much as a commentator. Will was against the very notion of the recall and is not in merry that it succeeded. You can make a principled argument against recalling officials, but the general snottiest of Will's tone turns me off. And he spends a lot of the column roasting AS. Personally, I was (and still am) a McClintock fan. I thought that he was the best qualified of all the candidates to handle CA's budget quagmire. That said, I think that Schwarzenegger should be given more of a chance that the one Will is giving him. Yes, Arnie is liberal on a lot of social issues; however, those weren't the issues he campaigned on. He focused on fiscal issues were he much more of a conservative, plus his denouncement of the illegal alien driver's liscense bill helped garner him a lot of support as well.
Chris Lawrence comments on the piece, too. Though, I think he's a bit off the mark when he says:
Chris Lawrence comments on the piece, too. Though, I think he's a bit off the mark when he says:
"Because—to paraphrase my personal hero Peyton Manning—your idiot orthodox conservative Republican kickers got liquored up and couldn’t win elections to save their lives. You win with what you have that can win. And if that means you’ve got to elect a Dick Riordan, a Rudy Giuliani, or a Arnold Schwarzenegger, since you’re gonna go down in flames with a Bill Simon or a Tom McClintock, then hold your nose, deal with it and stop whinging like a spoiled brat."Basically the argument that CA is too liberal to elect a conservative governor. However according to this Gallup poll taked a few weeks ago, if Schwarzenegger dropped out the race, McClintock would have beat Bustamante 56% to 37% among probable voters. Concerning Simon, if he had used illegal immigration issues (cost of healthcare, welfare, etc.) instead of tiptoeing around them, I believe that he could have beaten Davis. Think about it: Pete Wilson campaigned on illegal immigration in 1994 and won, Dan Lungren in 1998 danced around it and lost as did Simon in 2002. As I said above, Schwarzenegger was firmly opposed to Davis' signing the drivers' license law which helped AS gain more momentum.
It seems that my DSL isn't sending all my e-mails out. I'm not getting error messages, but when I send an e-mail to myself as a test, I never receive it. I know it's my DSL line that's fouling up because when I'm on dial-up, I instantly receive those test e-mails. So, if you have e-mailed me, I've got your messages (I believe), but if it seems like I'm ignoring you, I'm not, it's just the DSL messing up. Looks like I'm going to have to use dial-up whenever I want to send an email.
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Goodness Gracious
The commentators at this Daily Kos post need to take a Valium.
UPDATE: This is a great comment from one of the few commentators over there, Johnny, with a lick of sense:
UPDATE: This is a great comment from one of the few commentators over there, Johnny, with a lick of sense:
You know, if libs spent less time coming up with catchy mudslinging lines like "Gropinator" and "Shrub", and more time with actual ideas and policy, maybe you'd have something in the win column to point to.
Dress it up anyway you want with your bitter grousings, but this was yet another drubbing of the Left.
Media Bias
The Gallup Organization released a new poll of what people thought of bias in the media:
Among conservatives, 60% thought that the media is too liberal
29% thought it's "about right"
9% believed it's too conservative
Among moderates, 40% said "too liberal"
44% "about right"
15% too conservative
And this is the fun one. Among liberals 18% said "too liberal"
50% said it was "about right"
30% stated that the media is too conservative.
Among conservatives, 60% thought that the media is too liberal
29% thought it's "about right"
9% believed it's too conservative
Among moderates, 40% said "too liberal"
44% "about right"
15% too conservative
And this is the fun one. Among liberals 18% said "too liberal"
50% said it was "about right"
30% stated that the media is too conservative.
California Recall
Californians went to the polls yesterday and voted to kick Gray Davis out of Sacramento and put Schwarzenegger in.
The "Yes on Recall" vote got 55%, close to what I predicted, but Ahnold exceded the vote percentage I guessed by 8 precentage points. McClintock got 13% and Bustamante 32%. I'm sad that McClintock didn't win, he knew state budget issues by heart and had good ideas to implement them. But Schwarzenegger benefited from name recognition and the backfiring of the rather transparent attempt of the LA Times to slime his campaign just a few days before the election with groping allegations. Let's hope that AS will stick with his fiscal conservativism to get CA back in shape.
Also, here's a fascinating tidbit: AS got 3,639,302 votes; Gray Davis in 2002 got 3,533,490.
The "Yes on Recall" vote got 55%, close to what I predicted, but Ahnold exceded the vote percentage I guessed by 8 precentage points. McClintock got 13% and Bustamante 32%. I'm sad that McClintock didn't win, he knew state budget issues by heart and had good ideas to implement them. But Schwarzenegger benefited from name recognition and the backfiring of the rather transparent attempt of the LA Times to slime his campaign just a few days before the election with groping allegations. Let's hope that AS will stick with his fiscal conservativism to get CA back in shape.
Also, here's a fascinating tidbit: AS got 3,639,302 votes; Gray Davis in 2002 got 3,533,490.
Wictory Wednesday
He'p the President reach victory in 2004; you can donate money or volunteer your time to that will lead to much wailing and gnashing of teeth for Democrats in over a year from now. Here's a list of other bloggers participating in Wictory Wednesday:
Backcountry Conservative Boots and Sabers Bowling for Howard Dean BushBlog.us (unofficial blog) Bush-Cheney 2004 (unofficial blog) ExPostFacto
Freedom of Thought
The Hedgehog Report The Irish Lass Jarhead
Jeremy Kissel
Left Coast Conservative Mark Kilmer Matt Margolis The Ole Miss Conservative PoliPundit
A Rice Grad
Ryne McClaren
Slublog
Southern Conservatives Stephen Blythe Viking Pundit The Wise Man Says
Backcountry Conservative Boots and Sabers Bowling for Howard Dean BushBlog.us (unofficial blog) Bush-Cheney 2004 (unofficial blog) ExPostFacto
Freedom of Thought
The Hedgehog Report The Irish Lass Jarhead
Jeremy Kissel
Left Coast Conservative Mark Kilmer Matt Margolis The Ole Miss Conservative PoliPundit
A Rice Grad
Ryne McClaren
Slublog
Southern Conservatives Stephen Blythe Viking Pundit The Wise Man Says
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Some Observations
Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles won't run for re-election next year. I bet former Rep. J.C. Watts will make a go at a candidacy.
The official George W. Bush Blog is up and running. It's worth a look-see.
The Star Spangled Ice Cream Company, the conservative alternative to Ben and Jerry, is hooking up with rocker and 2nd Amendment enthusiast Ted Nugent to create a new flavor, "Gun Nut." Take that Cherry Garcia!
Bob Graham dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Sweepstakes yesterday. He never garnered a wide base of support and he was rather lackluster in fundraising. Oh well, 1 down, 8 more to go.
I didn't know Ole Miss had a NAACP chapter. It is planning a rally to back the decision to rid Ole Miss of Colonel Reb. I betcha that more people will show up wanting Colonel Reb to stay.
ABC is reporting that the wife of US Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) has been abducted. Please pray for her safety.
I can understand libertarians being disappointed in George W. Bush, especially given Bush's unwillingness to cut domestic spending. Heck, I am too, but I think he's doing a good job on national security, but according to this piece in the liberal The American Prospect, some libetarians are flirting with voting for Howard Dean if he wins the Dem. nomination. These libertarians are also attracted to Dean's foreign policy ideas and stances on the Patriot Act. Considering the fact that Dean advocates many other ideas that grow the size and scope of government (e.g. federal universal health care), it seems rather dumb to for avowed supporters of limited gov't to back the former Vermont Gov.
The official George W. Bush Blog is up and running. It's worth a look-see.
The Star Spangled Ice Cream Company, the conservative alternative to Ben and Jerry, is hooking up with rocker and 2nd Amendment enthusiast Ted Nugent to create a new flavor, "Gun Nut." Take that Cherry Garcia!
Bob Graham dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Sweepstakes yesterday. He never garnered a wide base of support and he was rather lackluster in fundraising. Oh well, 1 down, 8 more to go.
I didn't know Ole Miss had a NAACP chapter. It is planning a rally to back the decision to rid Ole Miss of Colonel Reb. I betcha that more people will show up wanting Colonel Reb to stay.
ABC is reporting that the wife of US Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) has been abducted. Please pray for her safety.
I can understand libertarians being disappointed in George W. Bush, especially given Bush's unwillingness to cut domestic spending. Heck, I am too, but I think he's doing a good job on national security, but according to this piece in the liberal The American Prospect, some libetarians are flirting with voting for Howard Dean if he wins the Dem. nomination. These libertarians are also attracted to Dean's foreign policy ideas and stances on the Patriot Act. Considering the fact that Dean advocates many other ideas that grow the size and scope of government (e.g. federal universal health care), it seems rather dumb to for avowed supporters of limited gov't to back the former Vermont Gov.
California Recall
Today is the day when California voters go to the polls to decide whether they want Gray Davis's head on a silver platter or not. My predictions:
Recall wins with 56% of the vote.
On the second part, Schwarzenegger wins 40%, Bustamante gets 30%, McClintock gets 16%.
If I'm right, I'll reward myself with a bowl of Breyer'sFrench Freedom Vanilia ice cream. If I'm wrong, I'll console myself with a bowl of Breyer's Freedom Vanilia ice cream.
Recall wins with 56% of the vote.
On the second part, Schwarzenegger wins 40%, Bustamante gets 30%, McClintock gets 16%.
If I'm right, I'll reward myself with a bowl of Breyer's
Fun With Google Referrals
Got a hit from a curious soul asking:
in the lastest democratic debate what candidate got the most notice for his humor
Interestingly, I was the first result. I probably wasn't much help, but for the record I think that all were pretty funny in the last debate. I laughed myself silly over the inane policy stances they were arguing for. But, that's just me, I don't know what others think.
in the lastest democratic debate what candidate got the most notice for his humor
Interestingly, I was the first result. I probably wasn't much help, but for the record I think that all were pretty funny in the last debate. I laughed myself silly over the inane policy stances they were arguing for. But, that's just me, I don't know what others think.
Monday, October 06, 2003
Guest bloggers
I'm not planning on going on hiatus anytime soon, but I thought that I would offer guest blogging slots in case I do. If you are interested drop me a line.
What Democrats Believe
Rich Lowry outlines the beliefs of today's Democrats. A few snippets:
That anyone who said Saddam had weapons of mass destruction prior to the war was lying, unless his or her name is Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Madeleine Albright, Bill Cohen, John Kerry, or Joe Lieberman, or the person ever served in the Clinton cabinet or as a Democratic senator.
---
That George Bush maneuvered the United States into war in an act of manipulative genius, and also is very stupid.
---
That small-business owners are the heart of the economy unless they succeed, at which point they become "the rich."
---
That it is unseemly to mix military matters with politics, but you should vote for FORMER GENERAL Wesley Clark, and salute when you do so.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Israel Ladles Out Some Retribution
Israeli warplanes bombed the stew out of a Islamic Jihad training camp deep the heart of Syria. It was in retaliation of the suicide bombing that killed 19 people in a Haifa restaurant.
That's Something You Don't See Everyday
Just saw Twisted Sister perform "We're Not Goin' to Take It" at an Arnold Schwarzenegger rally on C-SPAN.
Saturday, October 04, 2003
Why I Have Little Sympathy for the Palestineans
A suicide bomber exploded herself in an Israeli restaurant, killing at least 19 people including 3 children.
100 Things About Me
1.) I'm left-handed
2.) I was born on 29th Aug. 1981 in Jackson, MS at 11:13 AM
3.) I have a BBA in management information systems from Ole Miss
4.) I graduated cum laude
5.) I'm quite shy
6.) I have banana pudding instead of cakes for my birthday
7.) I was saved in 1999.
8.) I don't drink alcohol, and I'm not comfortable being around people who are
9.) Stargate SG-1 and Monk are my favorite current running TV shows
10.) I was a big Trekkie growing-up (still kinda am)
11.) I'm proud to be a Southerner
12.) I have a great-great-great grandfather, Henry Jefferson Lundy, who fought for the CSA in the War Between the States.
13.) I have another one, James Crossgrove (an Irish immigrant) who fought for the Confederacy, too.
14. I'm a staunch conservative
15. I used to have fairly blonde hair when I was little, but now it's a lot darker
16. I'm nearsighted and I have to wear pretty thick glasses
17. I love dogs and cats
18. I have a hard time articulating when I speak.
19. I love meat
20. I first voted in 2002 in the midterm elections
21. My mama's uncle, Uncle Clearman (pronounced "Clurman"), had a part of his ear bitten off in a bar fight in Paris during WWII
22. Both Uncle Clearman and another of mama's uncles, Jack, were in the Normandy Invasion (both of them are mama's mama's brothers)
23. Uncle Clearman fought in Korea, too. He says it scared him worse than WWII
24. My Papaw, mama's daddy, served in the Navy during Korea.
25. My name is a combination of my parents' names. "James" comes from my dad, who's also named "James" (duh). And "Patrick" cames from my mama's name, "Patricia"
26. I'm not much of a sports buff
27. My favorite 20th Presidents are: Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush
28. Donald Rumsfield is the coolest SecDef ever
29. Breyer's French vanilia is the my favorite ice cream flavor
30. I never eat fried okra without ketchup
31. I'm a night owl
32. I listen to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Phil Valentine
33. I never got chicken pox
34. I love the smell of gasoline
35. I love going to Office Depot
36. I'm 6'2''
37. I can put my legs behind my neck
38. Monopoly is my favorite game
39. I'm pale skinned
40. I watch Fox News all the time
41. I detest cold weather
42. I think global warming is junk science
43. I'm a creationist
44. I'm anti-abortion, even in cases of rape of incest
45. My least favorite 20th Presidents are: Woodrow Wilson, FDK, LBJ, Jimmy Carter
46. I'm a premillenialist
48. My toes curl when I eat something I really like
49. One time when I was around 2, my Aunt Lia fed me German Chocolate frosting straight from the can.
50. I like to listen to Jars of Clay, Dave Matthews Band, Credence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Weird Al Yankovic
51. The farthest west I've been is Monroe, LA
52. The farthest east I've been is Fort Walton, FL
53. The farthest north I've been is Cadiz, KY
54. The farthest south I've been is Fort Walton, FL
55. I like to walk around barefooted, even outdoors
56. Growing up, I thought that St. Patrick's Day was named after me.
57. I'm taller that my dad (5'6'') and mama (5'10'')
56. I've lived in Clarksville, TN since August 1996
57. I'm a virgin
58. I don't wear cologne
59. I don't have a girlfriend, and I don't like that
60. I'm of English, Scotch-Irish, Welsh, Cherokee, and (I hate to reveal) French ancestry
61. But my French ancestors where Protestants kicked out of France around 300 years ago.
62. My dad's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last August
63. I'm the oldest grandchild on my dad's side of the family
64. I've never broken a bone in my body
65. I can't swim very well
66. I think Charlie Brown was right, happiness is a warm puppy.
67. I met Antonin Scalia last April (2003) and got his signature
68. I never changed majors in college
69. I watch a lot of C-SPAN
70. I look at lot like my dad, except that I don't have facial hair.
71. I love jig-saw puzzles
72. I love the Sim City games.
73. I made a 26 the first time I took the ACT, a 31 the second time.
74. I believe Thomas Sowell, economics professor and columnist, is a national treasure.
75. The angrier I get, the thicker my accent becomes.
76. I didn't play sports in high school.
77. Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies are the best.
78. I don't drink coffee.
79. I would love to go to the UK and Ireland
80. Did I mention that I really hate being cold?
81. I don't read a lot of fiction these days.
82. My parents have been married for 23 years
83. I loathe phones, especially when they are ringing
84. I used to have a cat named Jennifer that terrified dogs 10 times her size.
85. I have a dog named Anne who can climb 8 foot chain-linked fences, but has the hardest time climbing into anybody's lap.
86. Anne is named after my grandmother
87. I had a dog named Eliza Jane, who had a litter of 6 puppies
88. We kept two, Anne and Archimedes.
89. Archimedes passed away 2 years ago. He was a good dog, but dumb as a brick.
90. Anne, on the other hand, is quite smart.
91. I went to college with the son of my Congresswoman, we both had the same major.
92. I like Diet Coke, but Diet Pepsi tastes foul to me.
93. I used to work at a bagel shop
94. I love Mexican and Italian food
95. I think Israel deserves strong US support
96. I think there is a liberal bias in most of the media
97. I have a 2001 Dell laptop running Windows 2000
98. I love Tennessee, but I still consider myself a Mississippian.
99. Burger King, Taco Bell, Backyard Burger, Krystal, and Taco Bell are my favorite fast food places
100. This is the end of the list.
2.) I was born on 29th Aug. 1981 in Jackson, MS at 11:13 AM
3.) I have a BBA in management information systems from Ole Miss
4.) I graduated cum laude
5.) I'm quite shy
6.) I have banana pudding instead of cakes for my birthday
7.) I was saved in 1999.
8.) I don't drink alcohol, and I'm not comfortable being around people who are
9.) Stargate SG-1 and Monk are my favorite current running TV shows
10.) I was a big Trekkie growing-up (still kinda am)
11.) I'm proud to be a Southerner
12.) I have a great-great-great grandfather, Henry Jefferson Lundy, who fought for the CSA in the War Between the States.
13.) I have another one, James Crossgrove (an Irish immigrant) who fought for the Confederacy, too.
14. I'm a staunch conservative
15. I used to have fairly blonde hair when I was little, but now it's a lot darker
16. I'm nearsighted and I have to wear pretty thick glasses
17. I love dogs and cats
18. I have a hard time articulating when I speak.
19. I love meat
20. I first voted in 2002 in the midterm elections
21. My mama's uncle, Uncle Clearman (pronounced "Clurman"), had a part of his ear bitten off in a bar fight in Paris during WWII
22. Both Uncle Clearman and another of mama's uncles, Jack, were in the Normandy Invasion (both of them are mama's mama's brothers)
23. Uncle Clearman fought in Korea, too. He says it scared him worse than WWII
24. My Papaw, mama's daddy, served in the Navy during Korea.
25. My name is a combination of my parents' names. "James" comes from my dad, who's also named "James" (duh). And "Patrick" cames from my mama's name, "Patricia"
26. I'm not much of a sports buff
27. My favorite 20th Presidents are: Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush
28. Donald Rumsfield is the coolest SecDef ever
29. Breyer's French vanilia is the my favorite ice cream flavor
30. I never eat fried okra without ketchup
31. I'm a night owl
32. I listen to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Phil Valentine
33. I never got chicken pox
34. I love the smell of gasoline
35. I love going to Office Depot
36. I'm 6'2''
37. I can put my legs behind my neck
38. Monopoly is my favorite game
39. I'm pale skinned
40. I watch Fox News all the time
41. I detest cold weather
42. I think global warming is junk science
43. I'm a creationist
44. I'm anti-abortion, even in cases of rape of incest
45. My least favorite 20th Presidents are: Woodrow Wilson, FDK, LBJ, Jimmy Carter
46. I'm a premillenialist
48. My toes curl when I eat something I really like
49. One time when I was around 2, my Aunt Lia fed me German Chocolate frosting straight from the can.
50. I like to listen to Jars of Clay, Dave Matthews Band, Credence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Weird Al Yankovic
51. The farthest west I've been is Monroe, LA
52. The farthest east I've been is Fort Walton, FL
53. The farthest north I've been is Cadiz, KY
54. The farthest south I've been is Fort Walton, FL
55. I like to walk around barefooted, even outdoors
56. Growing up, I thought that St. Patrick's Day was named after me.
57. I'm taller that my dad (5'6'') and mama (5'10'')
56. I've lived in Clarksville, TN since August 1996
57. I'm a virgin
58. I don't wear cologne
59. I don't have a girlfriend, and I don't like that
60. I'm of English, Scotch-Irish, Welsh, Cherokee, and (I hate to reveal) French ancestry
61. But my French ancestors where Protestants kicked out of France around 300 years ago.
62. My dad's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last August
63. I'm the oldest grandchild on my dad's side of the family
64. I've never broken a bone in my body
65. I can't swim very well
66. I think Charlie Brown was right, happiness is a warm puppy.
67. I met Antonin Scalia last April (2003) and got his signature
68. I never changed majors in college
69. I watch a lot of C-SPAN
70. I look at lot like my dad, except that I don't have facial hair.
71. I love jig-saw puzzles
72. I love the Sim City games.
73. I made a 26 the first time I took the ACT, a 31 the second time.
74. I believe Thomas Sowell, economics professor and columnist, is a national treasure.
75. The angrier I get, the thicker my accent becomes.
76. I didn't play sports in high school.
77. Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies are the best.
78. I don't drink coffee.
79. I would love to go to the UK and Ireland
80. Did I mention that I really hate being cold?
81. I don't read a lot of fiction these days.
82. My parents have been married for 23 years
83. I loathe phones, especially when they are ringing
84. I used to have a cat named Jennifer that terrified dogs 10 times her size.
85. I have a dog named Anne who can climb 8 foot chain-linked fences, but has the hardest time climbing into anybody's lap.
86. Anne is named after my grandmother
87. I had a dog named Eliza Jane, who had a litter of 6 puppies
88. We kept two, Anne and Archimedes.
89. Archimedes passed away 2 years ago. He was a good dog, but dumb as a brick.
90. Anne, on the other hand, is quite smart.
91. I went to college with the son of my Congresswoman, we both had the same major.
92. I like Diet Coke, but Diet Pepsi tastes foul to me.
93. I used to work at a bagel shop
94. I love Mexican and Italian food
95. I think Israel deserves strong US support
96. I think there is a liberal bias in most of the media
97. I have a 2001 Dell laptop running Windows 2000
98. I love Tennessee, but I still consider myself a Mississippian.
99. Burger King, Taco Bell, Backyard Burger, Krystal, and Taco Bell are my favorite fast food places
100. This is the end of the list.
Friday, October 03, 2003
Some Observations
A "progressive" opinion writer makes a case for supporting Tom McClintock. He mentions McClintock's honesty and personal integrity for reasons for his endorsement, plus the writer rightly denounces the California Republican establishment's subordination of principles to a desire of cheap victory in its support of Schwarzenegger.
The House passed a ban on the barbaric practice of partial birth abortion yesterday, 281-142. 63 Democrats voted for the ban, while 4 Republicans voted against it. Those Repubicans that thought that abortion practice was okay enough to remain legal were: Nancy Johnson (CT-5th), Rob Simmons (CT-2nd), Jim Kolbe (AZ-8th), and Jim Greenwood (PA-8th). Of course, Dick Gephardt missed the vote due to his pursuit of losing the Democrat Pres. nomination.
A Cuban activist delivered a petiton with more than 14,000 signatures to theCastro Rubber Stamping Council national legislature that calls for a referendum to increase freedom of speech and assembly and amensty for political prisoners. The activists who collected these signatures are the true heroes of freedom and liberty.
North Korea says that it has weapons grade plutonium which it will use to build nuclear bombs. How can this be? I thought Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton took care of NK backin 1994? Ih, that's right, Bush has squandered away what Carter and Clinton worked so hard to achieve, right?
Kevin McCullough gives us ten reasons to disbelieve Joe Wilson.
The House passed a ban on the barbaric practice of partial birth abortion yesterday, 281-142. 63 Democrats voted for the ban, while 4 Republicans voted against it. Those Repubicans that thought that abortion practice was okay enough to remain legal were: Nancy Johnson (CT-5th), Rob Simmons (CT-2nd), Jim Kolbe (AZ-8th), and Jim Greenwood (PA-8th). Of course, Dick Gephardt missed the vote due to his pursuit of losing the Democrat Pres. nomination.
A Cuban activist delivered a petiton with more than 14,000 signatures to the
North Korea says that it has weapons grade plutonium which it will use to build nuclear bombs. How can this be? I thought Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton took care of NK backin 1994? Ih, that's right, Bush has squandered away what Carter and Clinton worked so hard to achieve, right?
Kevin McCullough gives us ten reasons to disbelieve Joe Wilson.
Limbaugh's Accusers
The Corner point's out this very interesting Palm Beach Post article that has some information on the Maha Rushie's accusers.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Back to the Nine Dwarfs
Bob Graham is dropping out of the Democrat Pres. race. I would have thought that Carolyn Mosley-Braun would be first.
Ann Coulter
Ms. Conservative Firebrand's most recent column is up, and it's full of ring-wing creamy goodness. A snippet:
According to a new survey, six out of 10 Americans can't name a single Democrat running for president. And that poll was actually taken among the 10 current Democratic candidates.
Commies wuv the Dems.
The Communist Party of the USA, whose slogan is "Stalin didn't mean to kill all those people, he just wanted to scare them," has decided not to run its own Presidential candidate in 2004 or support another third party, but it instead plans on backing the Democrat Party in the upcoming elections. Heck, I thought of new slogan for the Democrats: "Socialist Tested, Communist Approved"
El Rushbo
As you probably know by now, there's a Nat'l Enquirer story that has Rush Limbaugh's former maid alleging that he bought prescription painkillers from her and paid her "hush up" money (apparently it wasn't enough). Limbaugh was at a speaking engagement today in Philadelphia, so he wasn't at the Prestigous Golden EIB Microphone today, but he'll return tomorrow. And until he's on the air tomorrow and had a chance to explain his side of the story, I'm not going to dwell on this subject on this blog. But, I will say that my stomach is pretty tore-up over this.
Sowell
Thomas Sowell demonstrates once again why he is The Man.
One of the silly things that gets said repeatedly is that I should not be against affirmative action because I have myself benefitted from it.
Think about it: I am 73 years old. There was no affirmative action when I went to college -- or to graduate school, for that matter. There wasn't even a Civil Rights Act of 1964 when I began my academic career in 1962.
Moreover, there is nothing that I have accomplished in my education or my career that wasn't accomplished by other blacks before me -- and long before affirmative action.
Getting a degree from Harvard? The first black man graduated from Harvard in 1870.
Becoming a black economist? There was a black professor of economics at the University of Chicago when I first arrived there as a graduate student.
Writing a newspaper column? George Schuyler wrote newspaper columns, magazine articles, and books before I was born.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Kerry Endorsements
RNC Research has a great quote from a Lieberman flunkie:
"I am glad that Michael Dukakis' Lt. Governor is getting endorsed by Gary Hart. He should roll-out McGovern and Mondale while he is at it. 'People who never became President for Kerry.'"Ouch!
Yes, There are Politicans With Principles
Exhibit A: Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo. He wants to abolish congressional caucuses (cauci?) based on race, like the Congressional Black Caucus.
Of course, some representatives aren't very happy with this idea, including Mississippi congressman Bennie Thompson (a member of the CBC):
"Insensitive to diversity," huh, Bennie? How about believing that legislators shouldn't segregate themselves based on race?
His suggestion, which the congressman said he knows will spark outrage, immediately drew accusations of insensitivity from members of the caucuses he proposes to destroy.
Tancredo told The Hill: "You should not have any organization, a caucus especially, based solely on race. I mean on issues? You bet. But on race? Why should we be separating ourselves up into these racial divisions?
“It would be anathema to me if someone wanted to create a white caucus. A race is something over which we have no control. Everything we are told is we should ignore it, that we should try to eliminate that as a distinction in our society," he added.
Of course, some representatives aren't very happy with this idea, including Mississippi congressman Bennie Thompson (a member of the CBC):
"First of all, it’s hard to believe that a member of the United States House of Representatives can be that insensitive to diversity by even entertaining the notion of such a resolution, but given the source of the filing, I am not surprised,"
"Insensitive to diversity," huh, Bennie? How about believing that legislators shouldn't segregate themselves based on race?
MS Supreme Court
Overlawyered as some good stuff about Justice Charles McRae's rather unprofessional behavior.
Hat tip to Michael at Southern Appeal
Hat tip to Michael at Southern Appeal
Yet Another Quiz
| The Big Five Personality Test |
| Extroverted | |||||| | 26% |
| Introverted | |||||||||||||||||| | 74% |
| Friendly | |||||||||||||||| | 66% |
| Aggressive | |||||||||| | 34% |
| Orderly | |||||||||||||| | 52% |
| Disorderly | |||||||||||| | 48% |
| Relaxed | |||||||||||||| | 58% |
| Emotional | |||||||||||| | 42% |
| Intellectual | |||||||||||||||||| | 78% |
| Practical | |||||| | 22% |
A pretty dead-on test.
via Courreges
Huffington Bows Out
The lost Gabor sister, Arianna Huffington, has dropped out of the California gubernatorial race and now opposes the recall because she thinks that it would be the best way to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger. Huffington thinks the Austrian Oak is an arch-conservative Anti-Christ, judging from her rheotic. She probably agrees more with AS on policy issues than true conservative Tom McClintock, but she screams like a banshee about Ahnold and says nothing about Tom.
To put this another way, I wish AS was the conservative wildebeast that Arianna makes him out to be.
To put this another way, I wish AS was the conservative wildebeast that Arianna makes him out to be.
Is Wes Clark A Democrat?
Ya know, if you are going to run for the presidential nomination of a political party, you might not want to remain registered as an independent.
Barbour and the State Flag
In today's Clarion-Ledger, there's an article fretting over Haley Barbour's use of the state flag in his campaign materials:
Some of Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour's campaign material features the state flag and its Confederate battle emblem, a symbol many black voters find offensive.I would like to note that if you look at the upper left-hand corner of Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's campaign website, you will see a photo of that ever so offensive state flag fluttering in the breeze. Just thought I'll mention that.
Joe Wilson
I haven't said anything on the whole Joe Wilson non-scandal, but my SoCon buddy, Nathan, has some useful links about this nonsense.
I Don't Want My GoreTV
Al Gore about to close a $70 million deal to purchase Newsworld International which he and his backers minions plan on turning into a left leaning network. Apparently ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, and PBS aren't cranking out enough lefty spin for Algore's liking.
Also, I would like to point out this line in the article describing Newsworld International: "a tiny cable network owned by French media giant Vivendi Universal, media sources said." So, the former veep is buying a French-owned company to start a liberal network. How appropriate.
Also, I would like to point out this line in the article describing Newsworld International: "a tiny cable network owned by French media giant Vivendi Universal, media sources said." So, the former veep is buying a French-owned company to start a liberal network. How appropriate.
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