Currently on the ballot here in Oregon is a measure, #35, that will put a cap on non-economic awards in medical liability suits. It's got a lot of support from the medical field and understandably from insurance companies.
Well, recently an add came out opposing it. the add features a "celebrity" spokesperson - Erin Brokovich.
you remember Erin, right? Julia Roberts made her a household name. She's almost universally hailed as some sort of crusading savior of the environment and the downtrodden. I was subjected to the movie, I've heard some interesting points of view from people on both sides of the issue, but that's beside my point right now.
What I find interesting is this: For whom did Erin Brokovich work when she was doing all her crusading? Oh, that's right, a personal injury lawyer. And what group of people might be most interested in seeing Measure 35 fail? Oh, yeah! Again, personal injury lawyers.
So while the pro-measure 35 ads have doctors and lawyers admitting freely that they have a personal stake in this issue, and urging us to side with them, we have on the other side of the fence a spokesperson who is representing herself as an informed but unaffected third party giving us advice, when in reality she has close ties to the one group who would be most negatively affected by the measure. And we're supposed to believe she's telling us for our own good.
Sorry, Erin, but you're not that good an actress. There's a reason someone else played you in the movie.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Monday, October 11, 2004
Monkey See, Monkey Do
The Feared Redhead and I went to Costco today to get our eye exams and order contact lenses, an annual ritual. While I was waiting for her to finish her exam, I moseyed over to the book tables. The had a political section, with an interesting assortment of offerings both conservative and liberal, including Ann Coulter's Treason and Kitty Kelly's book (the title escapes me).
Among the books I found this current hot item:
I'm familiar withthe book, but to be honest, I'm probably one of three conservatives in the country who has not read it yet. Not for any moral or ethical reasons, but just because I really don't need convincing at this point, and I have other things on which to spend my money.
But what caught my attention was the book right next to it:
Mind you, I believe in freedom of speech and the press, and everyone has a right to their opinion. but this is just pitiful. Look at it. The fonts are similar, the picture is similar, the title is similar -- and not in a clever, spoofing kind of way. Even Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911" is a somewhat clever play on a book title -- for all of its shortcomings, I'll give it that. But this is not a witty entendre. This allusion to the Swifties' book lacks any semblance of originality of thought. This is the literary equivalent of "I know you are but what am I?" Come on, Left, you can do better than that.
Can't you?
Among the books I found this current hot item:
I'm familiar withthe book, but to be honest, I'm probably one of three conservatives in the country who has not read it yet. Not for any moral or ethical reasons, but just because I really don't need convincing at this point, and I have other things on which to spend my money.
But what caught my attention was the book right next to it:
Mind you, I believe in freedom of speech and the press, and everyone has a right to their opinion. but this is just pitiful. Look at it. The fonts are similar, the picture is similar, the title is similar -- and not in a clever, spoofing kind of way. Even Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911" is a somewhat clever play on a book title -- for all of its shortcomings, I'll give it that. But this is not a witty entendre. This allusion to the Swifties' book lacks any semblance of originality of thought. This is the literary equivalent of "I know you are but what am I?" Come on, Left, you can do better than that.
Can't you?
Scare-endipity
So remember my post about crappy but catchy songs? Or about the way my wife got the song out of my head?
So I step into Kinkos this morning to fax an acceptance letter to my new job, and to blog for a minute. And guess what Rod Stewart Crappy Song was playing? Yup.
It's a plot, I tell you.
So I step into Kinkos this morning to fax an acceptance letter to my new job, and to blog for a minute. And guess what Rod Stewart Crappy Song was playing? Yup.
It's a plot, I tell you.
Beer for Soldiers Goes Dry
A few of you may remember my post a while back on buying beer for soldiers through a blog called, appropriately enough, Beer For Soldiers. I thought it was a worthy cause, and so I blogged on it. Well, an unforeseen positive result was an increase in my own traffic. Apparently the readers over there follow links a LOT, So I try to return the favor.
Well, the last time I was there, I noticed that they'd taken down the donation functions and were informing us we can't buy them beer. I fired off a "Whisky Tango Foxtrot" email to their blog owner, but nothing in reply. However, I subscribe to a beer drinker's newsletter, and they have the skinny:
Army tells creator that www.beerforsoldiers.com is illegal
According to Stars and Stripes, Sgt. Dale Rogers, in Iraq with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment was ordered to retreat from the site after the regimental briefs said it was unethical. A regimental spokesman said that whatever the intentions, www.beerforsoldiers.com was illegal because Rogers seems to be using his association with the Army as a way to solicit funds for beer.
If you click on the "Don't buy us beer" link just added at the site, you end up on a page with the word "violation" displayed six time and the message: "We would still love for you to buy us a beer but the legal folks say you can't".
Beerforsoldiers.com previously sent visitors to links that charged their credit cards for anything from $2 for a 40-ounce bottle of beer to $6 for a "tall beer from the bar," to $7 for a six-pack. Other donation options included $10 for a "pitcher" or $20 for a "keg club."
The site includes dozens of photographs of soldiers enjoying the beer.
"I go to a pub where there are 20 to 30 soldiers around the bar. I ring the bell and say: 'Free beer for everybody.' The bartenders think I'm crazy. I get to meet new people and new soldiers and I will buy two or three rounds," Rogers said in an earlier story about the site.
Well, that sucks, but rules are rules, and I respect Sgt. Rogers for obeying. I am curious, though -- if a group of civilians decided to accept donations, and then spend the money on Sgt. Rogers and his buddies, would THAT be legal? Just wondering....
Well, the last time I was there, I noticed that they'd taken down the donation functions and were informing us we can't buy them beer. I fired off a "Whisky Tango Foxtrot" email to their blog owner, but nothing in reply. However, I subscribe to a beer drinker's newsletter, and they have the skinny:
Army tells creator that www.beerforsoldiers.com is illegal
According to Stars and Stripes, Sgt. Dale Rogers, in Iraq with Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment was ordered to retreat from the site after the regimental briefs said it was unethical. A regimental spokesman said that whatever the intentions, www.beerforsoldiers.com was illegal because Rogers seems to be using his association with the Army as a way to solicit funds for beer.
If you click on the "Don't buy us beer" link just added at the site, you end up on a page with the word "violation" displayed six time and the message: "We would still love for you to buy us a beer but the legal folks say you can't".
Beerforsoldiers.com previously sent visitors to links that charged their credit cards for anything from $2 for a 40-ounce bottle of beer to $6 for a "tall beer from the bar," to $7 for a six-pack. Other donation options included $10 for a "pitcher" or $20 for a "keg club."
The site includes dozens of photographs of soldiers enjoying the beer.
"I go to a pub where there are 20 to 30 soldiers around the bar. I ring the bell and say: 'Free beer for everybody.' The bartenders think I'm crazy. I get to meet new people and new soldiers and I will buy two or three rounds," Rogers said in an earlier story about the site.
Well, that sucks, but rules are rules, and I respect Sgt. Rogers for obeying. I am curious, though -- if a group of civilians decided to accept donations, and then spend the money on Sgt. Rogers and his buddies, would THAT be legal? Just wondering....
Football in Review: Better than Expected
Saturday: The Ducks beat WSU (in Pullman!!!) 41-38. Things arestill bad, but not as bad as I'd feared.
Sunday: The Seahawks lost, which sucked, but Joey and his crew beat Atlanta! Woo Hoo!
Sunday: The Seahawks lost, which sucked, but Joey and his crew beat Atlanta! Woo Hoo!
An example of Right and Wrong...
...Or Right and Left, as the Case May Be:
A comment left by a reader in my post on the stolen bumper sticker:
Haha, dude you deserve it. I'm sorry, but if you can somehoe[sic] find a way to rationalize voting for Bush after everything he has done, you deserve everything coming to you. Liberals have bleeding hearts, and Conservatives have whining babies like you, suck it up.
Wow. If this is the argument prevalent from the Left, I'm convinced. Convinced, that is, that it's imperative that we not let people with that mentality anywhere NEAR the halls of power. I didn't think I could get any more enthusiastic about voting against the Democrats. This reader has proven me wrong.
A comment left by a reader in my post on the stolen bumper sticker:
Haha, dude you deserve it. I'm sorry, but if you can somehoe[sic] find a way to rationalize voting for Bush after everything he has done, you deserve everything coming to you. Liberals have bleeding hearts, and Conservatives have whining babies like you, suck it up.
Wow. If this is the argument prevalent from the Left, I'm convinced. Convinced, that is, that it's imperative that we not let people with that mentality anywhere NEAR the halls of power. I didn't think I could get any more enthusiastic about voting against the Democrats. This reader has proven me wrong.
Friday, October 08, 2004
Numbers Game
A question for all those opponents of the war who offer as proof of U.S. unilateralism the percentage of troops in OIF provided by the U.S. as compared to ODS:
During the 12 years between the wars, while we were enforcing UN sanctions, what percentage of the aircraft and personnel enforcing the No-Fly Zone were U.S.?
During the 12 years between the wars, while we were enforcing UN sanctions, what percentage of the aircraft and personnel enforcing the No-Fly Zone were U.S.?
Survival
Recently I've been conversing with a Canadian friend about the Iraq War. While he agrees that Hussein needed to go, he questions whether or not we exhausted all diplomatic options before we went to war. In the course of this conversation, I thought of the following analogy, and thought I'd share it with my readers:
You are lost in the wilderness. You've been lost for weeks, and have run out of food. You don't know if anyone knows that you're missing, or if anyone cares. Rescue might be on its way, it might not. You've now been without food for days and are growing weak. You know how to hunt and gather, and have the wherewithall, but to do so requires you leave your shelter. You know that the best way to be found is to stay put, and that in this wilderness, the more you travel, the less likely rescue. But if you stay in place and are NOT rescued, you will starve to death. So which do you do? Who is more foolish -- the man who stays put and starves to death, or the man who goes hunting and is never rescued? Who is wiser -- the man who stays put and is rescued, or the man who goes hunting and survives because he found food? Hindsight is, as they say, 20/20. Furthermore, there reaches a point at which you can no longer choose -- you must start hunting by day x or you will be too weak to hunt. You can only lie there and wait for either rescue or death. If you're going to hunt, you must act before then.
And to those of us in the US who support the president, that's the point we feel we were at. Sure, the immediate threat of an attack by Hussein was not that great. But we were watching what he was doing, and how the world was reacting, and it appeared apparent that the rest of the world's willingness to stick it out until he caved. And it was further apparent that he was going to ride out the sanctions and then go back to his old ways. Now maybe we were wrong -- maybe help was on the way, maybe the world would have grown a spine and stood up to him with us. But how were we to know? And how long could we wait to find out, and when would it have been too late? I for one, am glad that we did somehting before we no longer could.
You are lost in the wilderness. You've been lost for weeks, and have run out of food. You don't know if anyone knows that you're missing, or if anyone cares. Rescue might be on its way, it might not. You've now been without food for days and are growing weak. You know how to hunt and gather, and have the wherewithall, but to do so requires you leave your shelter. You know that the best way to be found is to stay put, and that in this wilderness, the more you travel, the less likely rescue. But if you stay in place and are NOT rescued, you will starve to death. So which do you do? Who is more foolish -- the man who stays put and starves to death, or the man who goes hunting and is never rescued? Who is wiser -- the man who stays put and is rescued, or the man who goes hunting and survives because he found food? Hindsight is, as they say, 20/20. Furthermore, there reaches a point at which you can no longer choose -- you must start hunting by day x or you will be too weak to hunt. You can only lie there and wait for either rescue or death. If you're going to hunt, you must act before then.
And to those of us in the US who support the president, that's the point we feel we were at. Sure, the immediate threat of an attack by Hussein was not that great. But we were watching what he was doing, and how the world was reacting, and it appeared apparent that the rest of the world's willingness to stick it out until he caved. And it was further apparent that he was going to ride out the sanctions and then go back to his old ways. Now maybe we were wrong -- maybe help was on the way, maybe the world would have grown a spine and stood up to him with us. But how were we to know? And how long could we wait to find out, and when would it have been too late? I for one, am glad that we did somehting before we no longer could.
A Little Too Close to Home
Thanks for the Memory to local GOP-Man Joe Peterson:
A while back I blogged on the loss of my bumper sticker. I've blogged about violence against Republicans all across the country. Well, now it's happened here:
Republicans asaulted in Lane County
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2004
Republicans under Attack
Feldkamp response to negative ads at press conference; acts of violence,
vandalism and assault continue against Eugene-area Republicans
Eugene, OR - The political climate in Eugene gets hotter with each day as
the election gets closer and closer.
Today, Republican 4th District Congressional candidate Jim Feldkamp held a
press conference at Lane County Republican Headquarters to respond to the
latest ad being aired by Democratic incumbent Peter DeFazio.
In his ad, DeFazio claims Feldkamp is "lying" about the incumbent's record.
A recent Feldkamp ad had called DeFazio on his weak record on defense, and
included specific House bill numbers. However, DeFazio's ad didn't produce a
shred of evidence to back up the claims made against Feldkamp.
"Disagreeing over policy issues is one thing, but personal attacks are quite
another," Feldkamp said. "I have pretty thick skin, so I can take it, but I
think Mr. DeFazio has just cheapened the level of political discourse in
this race."
As Feldkamp held his press conference, the Lane County Republican office
received reports of College Republicans being assaulted at the rally held
for Teresa Heinz-Kerry.
CR and Feldkamp intern Anthony Warren, 21, was admitted to Sacred Heart
Hospital in Eugene Thursday afternoon after being punched, choked and pushed
at the Heinz-Kerry event. He suffered from contusions and minor injuries.
"I was absolutely swarmed and completely bombarded," Warren said. "And I was
forcibly removed against my will."
Warren, a student at the University of Oregon, said he was merely trying to
participate in the democratic process and exercise his Constitutional rights
of freedom of speech and expression.
"I'm just a college kid trying to experience America, and I got thrashed
on," Warren said. "A flyer for the event said it was free and open to the
public, unless you're a Republican. Then you get assaulted."
At around the same time, a report was filed with the Springfield Police
Department regarding the theft of campaign signs.
Thursday morning, a white car with one male and one female was driving
around Springfield claiming to be campaigning. Instead, they were stealing
Bush and Feldkamp campaign signs.
These incidents come on the heels of another similar act of vandalism.
Wednesday, Feldkamp intern Seth Robbins had his car door vandalized while he
was delivering signs in Linn County. Robbins' door was kicked in, and his
windshield was covered in Kerry and DeFazio stickers.
This is getting scary. And it's getting more common. This weekend I will be cleaning out my garage. On November 2nd, in the evening, I will be parking my car *IN* the garage and spending the evening removing mt Bush stickers. They'll have served their purpose, and I'm really afraid of what might happen to the car or my wife if one of the thugs that apparently make up the local Democratic constituency decides to target her.
A while back I blogged on the loss of my bumper sticker. I've blogged about violence against Republicans all across the country. Well, now it's happened here:
Republicans asaulted in Lane County
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2004
Republicans under Attack
Feldkamp response to negative ads at press conference; acts of violence,
vandalism and assault continue against Eugene-area Republicans
Eugene, OR - The political climate in Eugene gets hotter with each day as
the election gets closer and closer.
Today, Republican 4th District Congressional candidate Jim Feldkamp held a
press conference at Lane County Republican Headquarters to respond to the
latest ad being aired by Democratic incumbent Peter DeFazio.
In his ad, DeFazio claims Feldkamp is "lying" about the incumbent's record.
A recent Feldkamp ad had called DeFazio on his weak record on defense, and
included specific House bill numbers. However, DeFazio's ad didn't produce a
shred of evidence to back up the claims made against Feldkamp.
"Disagreeing over policy issues is one thing, but personal attacks are quite
another," Feldkamp said. "I have pretty thick skin, so I can take it, but I
think Mr. DeFazio has just cheapened the level of political discourse in
this race."
As Feldkamp held his press conference, the Lane County Republican office
received reports of College Republicans being assaulted at the rally held
for Teresa Heinz-Kerry.
CR and Feldkamp intern Anthony Warren, 21, was admitted to Sacred Heart
Hospital in Eugene Thursday afternoon after being punched, choked and pushed
at the Heinz-Kerry event. He suffered from contusions and minor injuries.
"I was absolutely swarmed and completely bombarded," Warren said. "And I was
forcibly removed against my will."
Warren, a student at the University of Oregon, said he was merely trying to
participate in the democratic process and exercise his Constitutional rights
of freedom of speech and expression.
"I'm just a college kid trying to experience America, and I got thrashed
on," Warren said. "A flyer for the event said it was free and open to the
public, unless you're a Republican. Then you get assaulted."
At around the same time, a report was filed with the Springfield Police
Department regarding the theft of campaign signs.
Thursday morning, a white car with one male and one female was driving
around Springfield claiming to be campaigning. Instead, they were stealing
Bush and Feldkamp campaign signs.
These incidents come on the heels of another similar act of vandalism.
Wednesday, Feldkamp intern Seth Robbins had his car door vandalized while he
was delivering signs in Linn County. Robbins' door was kicked in, and his
windshield was covered in Kerry and DeFazio stickers.
This is getting scary. And it's getting more common. This weekend I will be cleaning out my garage. On November 2nd, in the evening, I will be parking my car *IN* the garage and spending the evening removing mt Bush stickers. They'll have served their purpose, and I'm really afraid of what might happen to the car or my wife if one of the thugs that apparently make up the local Democratic constituency decides to target her.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Spain: One Step Closer to Being a Caliphate Once Again
Thanks for the Memory to Back Country Conservative via The Jawa Report:
(My thoughts in italics)
U.S. Marines Replaced by French Troops in Spain's Columbus Parade
France has troops (Thanks, Cindy)?
Associated Press:
In another dig at the United States, (In another attempt to appease the Jihadists in the Middle East), the Socialist government has dropped plans for U.S. Marines to march in a high-profile parade commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World.
U.S. Marines have taken part since 2001 in the procession marking the Dia de la Hispanidad, which is celebrated each year on Oct. 12.
The Spanish invitation was first issued when fervently pro-U.S. conservatives ruled in Spain and was meant to show solidarity with the United States after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
But screw that, the US got what it deserved.
But the new Socialist government, which withdrew Spain's troops from Iraq (news - web sites) right after taking power in April and realigned the country's foreign policy away from its predecessor's focus on ties with Washington, has ended the tradition.
The yellow cowards who have taken over Spain, tucked their tails between their legs, and pulled a perfect Neville Chamberlain, have now decided that what the knife needs is a good twist.
Defense Minister Jose Bono said Tuesday evening there was still friendship and respect between Madrid and Washington. "What does not continue is subordination and getting down on our knees on orders from a foreign government, whichever it may be," Bono said.
Instead, we now get down on our knees on orders from Terrorists.
Instead, French troops have been invited to march in the parade as part of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation.
So SPAIN is going to celebrate France's liberation from Spain's ALLIES (remember Franco?) at the time by snubbing France's LIBERATORS. Makes perfect sense.
A U.S. Embassy official declined to criticize the Spanish decision, saying simply that the Americans were honored to have taken part in the parade in recent years.
Translated: "If we here at the US Embassy actually said honestly what we think of these cojone'less, feckless putos, you collaborationist fifth column/fourth estate bastards would raise such a stink that Washington would have no choice but to offer us as sacrificial lambs. Who'll be laughing when Al Andalus is once again a Caliphate, huh?
-- Final thought: My wife spent time in Spain as a high schooler, and has family friends there. She really wants me to visit. I'm not so sure I want to go anymore. I prefer friends with backbones.
(My thoughts in italics)
U.S. Marines Replaced by French Troops in Spain's Columbus Parade
France has troops (Thanks, Cindy)?
Associated Press:
In another dig at the United States, (In another attempt to appease the Jihadists in the Middle East), the Socialist government has dropped plans for U.S. Marines to march in a high-profile parade commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World.
U.S. Marines have taken part since 2001 in the procession marking the Dia de la Hispanidad, which is celebrated each year on Oct. 12.
The Spanish invitation was first issued when fervently pro-U.S. conservatives ruled in Spain and was meant to show solidarity with the United States after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
But screw that, the US got what it deserved.
But the new Socialist government, which withdrew Spain's troops from Iraq (news - web sites) right after taking power in April and realigned the country's foreign policy away from its predecessor's focus on ties with Washington, has ended the tradition.
The yellow cowards who have taken over Spain, tucked their tails between their legs, and pulled a perfect Neville Chamberlain, have now decided that what the knife needs is a good twist.
Defense Minister Jose Bono said Tuesday evening there was still friendship and respect between Madrid and Washington. "What does not continue is subordination and getting down on our knees on orders from a foreign government, whichever it may be," Bono said.
Instead, we now get down on our knees on orders from Terrorists.
Instead, French troops have been invited to march in the parade as part of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation.
So SPAIN is going to celebrate France's liberation from Spain's ALLIES (remember Franco?) at the time by snubbing France's LIBERATORS. Makes perfect sense.
A U.S. Embassy official declined to criticize the Spanish decision, saying simply that the Americans were honored to have taken part in the parade in recent years.
Translated: "If we here at the US Embassy actually said honestly what we think of these cojone'less, feckless putos, you collaborationist fifth column/fourth estate bastards would raise such a stink that Washington would have no choice but to offer us as sacrificial lambs. Who'll be laughing when Al Andalus is once again a Caliphate, huh?
-- Final thought: My wife spent time in Spain as a high schooler, and has family friends there. She really wants me to visit. I'm not so sure I want to go anymore. I prefer friends with backbones.
The Cruelest Thing a Wife Can Say
Uttered by the Feared Redhead at the Mexican restaurant where we ate last night:
White Boy, don't try to dance.
How cruel! How heartless! How cold! How utterly insensitive to my need to express myself! How uncaring! How... How...
How sadly true.
White Boy, don't try to dance.
How cruel! How heartless! How cold! How utterly insensitive to my need to express myself! How uncaring! How... How...
How sadly true.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
I Need to Tell You Something....
I don't got a belly button...
This is the song the Feared Redhead used to get "Infatuation" out of my head last night. Just as catchy, not as crappy. In fact, darned clever. It's one of the "Silly Songs" from Veggie Tales, and in the video the vegetables perform as a spoof boy band called "Boyz in the Sink". That still cracks me up.
This particular song is on the video The Ballad of Little Joe.
This is the song the Feared Redhead used to get "Infatuation" out of my head last night. Just as catchy, not as crappy. In fact, darned clever. It's one of the "Silly Songs" from Veggie Tales, and in the video the vegetables perform as a spoof boy band called "Boyz in the Sink". That still cracks me up.
This particular song is on the video The Ballad of Little Joe.
I Have the Best Wife in the Whole World!
As soon as she heard that I got the job, the Feared Redhead decided that a congratulatory gift was in order.
She just called me to find out what kind of Single Malt Scotch I'd like.
Eat your hearts out, lads!
She just called me to find out what kind of Single Malt Scotch I'd like.
Eat your hearts out, lads!
Deterrance
Thanks for the Memory to TacJammer:
When I read this essay at Eject! Eject! Eject! I was immediately reminded of the quote attributed to George Orwell:
"We sleep peacefully in our beds simply because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."
Read it. It really should be required reading before entering the voting booth on November 2nd. It actually choked me up. An excellent essay.
When I read this essay at Eject! Eject! Eject! I was immediately reminded of the quote attributed to George Orwell:
"We sleep peacefully in our beds simply because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."
Read it. It really should be required reading before entering the voting booth on November 2nd. It actually choked me up. An excellent essay.
I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!
I start the job Monday, at almost $1/hour more than I make now, with benefits!
Thanks to everyone for their prayers.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers.
Wrong War, Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Thanks for the Memory to Davids Medienkritik via Ace of spades HQ:
Another US General is criticizing the President's handling of the war.
Another US General is criticizing the President's handling of the war.
My Take on the VP Debate
Yeah, Cheney won. That's nothing new. Everyone's been blogging on that for over 12 hours now. And except for the most partisan liberal viewpoints, that's the consensus.
So I'll stick to the things that, well, stuck with me.
First, as well as the Vice President did, he had help, from an unexpected source -- Edwards, and the camera. That split screen format, and the way Edwards maintained a smug, smarmy smirk (consider the alliteration) throughout the debate, did nothing to endear John Boy to the common man.
Second, as luck would have it, when I turned on the TV last night, it was onABC NBC (oops, thanks for pointing out my error, Scott), so I got to hear Tom Brokaw's post-debate analysis. His description of Cheney's delivery was surprisingly clever and positive -- he compared him to George Foreman, slow and deliberate with a devastating right.
And finally, on the topic ofABC NBC, they ended the segment with interviews of bloggers. I was expecting Glen Reynolds or one of the Margolis brothers for the conservative view, and probably Kos for the liberal. I was embarassed not to have thought of Hinderaker and the Powerline crew. But Wonkette? Please. She was shallow, nervous, and tittery, and contributed nothing of substance to the conversation. I'm no liberal, but even I could have picked a better representative of the left side of the net than Madame Sodomy.
So I'll stick to the things that, well, stuck with me.
First, as well as the Vice President did, he had help, from an unexpected source -- Edwards, and the camera. That split screen format, and the way Edwards maintained a smug, smarmy smirk (consider the alliteration) throughout the debate, did nothing to endear John Boy to the common man.
Second, as luck would have it, when I turned on the TV last night, it was on
And finally, on the topic of
The Natives are Restless
Thanks for the Memory to Blogs for Bush.
I'm still steamed about the news articles I read yesterday about people opposing the Democrats engaging in activity of the kind for which I've been criticizing our opponents all along. But just when I thought, "Damn! Must we sink to their level?" They lower the bar:
Protestors Ransack Bush/Cheney Headquarters In Orlando
My fears and the fears of others about the level of violence we may see in the days after the election have not been allayed at all.
UPDATE:
Thanks for the Memory to reader Leslie Bates at Blogs for Bush:
It happened in my wife's home state of Minnesota too:
Angry Kerry Activists Lay Siege to Bush Office in St. Paul, Intimidate Voters
ST. PAUL -- On the same day that someone fired shots into the windows at the Bush/Cheney campaign headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, angry Kerry supporters laid siege to the Bush headquarters in St. Paul Minnesota today.
"Today's siege on the Bush/Cheney headquarters in St. Paul was an attempt by Democrats and the Kerry campaign to intimidate voters who were picking up tickets to see the President," said Republican Party of Minnesota State Chair Ron Eibensteiner. "The Minnesota Kerry Campaign and DFL are ruled by an angry mob mentality that has nothing positive to offer Minnesota voters." Today Kerry supporters blocked the entrance to the Bush campaign's Minnesota headquarters with buses and proceeded to rush into the headquarters in a clear attempt to intimidate voters who were picking up tickets to see the President this Saturday.
Eibensteiner called on DFL Chair Mike Erlandson and Kerry's Minnesota campaign to immediately cease these kinds of intimidation tactics.
"Lately, the DFL Party and Kerry Campaign can be best described as Anger Incorporated," said Eibensteiner. "They need to stop their escalation of these intimidation tactics before someone gets hurt."
Eibensteiner pointed out other instances where out-of-control Kerry supporters have intimidated voters. For example, at the Gophers football game last weekend, a Kerry supporter physically assaulted a female College Republican who was handing out flyers supporting the President. In a similar incident, Kerry supporters assaulted College Republicans at the Minnesota State Fair. During the incident, the union members elbowed two College Republicans in the head and threw them to the ground. Also, DFL Party officials have yet to repudiate a bumper sticker, which was handed out from their party headquarters comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler.
"Anger is no substitute for optimistic leadership," said Eibensteiner. "Through their actions, Democrats have shown themselves incapable of governing themselves, much less our nation, during these challenging times."
(Bold Emphasis added by me)
I couldn't agree more, Mr. Eibensteiner.
UPDATE 3:
Thanks for the Memory to Instapundit via Leslie (again):
It happened in Wisconsin too.
UPDATE 4:
Thanks for the Memory to Ace of spades HQ:
Michelle Malkin is covering this too, and may have more info.
UPDATE 5:
Thanks for the Memory to Russell Wardlow at Mean Mr. Mustard:
Apparently not all Leftists online are as upset by their side's shennanigans as I am by my side's.
I'm still steamed about the news articles I read yesterday about people opposing the Democrats engaging in activity of the kind for which I've been criticizing our opponents all along. But just when I thought, "Damn! Must we sink to their level?" They lower the bar:
Protestors Ransack Bush/Cheney Headquarters In Orlando
My fears and the fears of others about the level of violence we may see in the days after the election have not been allayed at all.
UPDATE:
Thanks for the Memory to reader Leslie Bates at Blogs for Bush:
It happened in my wife's home state of Minnesota too:
Angry Kerry Activists Lay Siege to Bush Office in St. Paul, Intimidate Voters
ST. PAUL -- On the same day that someone fired shots into the windows at the Bush/Cheney campaign headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, angry Kerry supporters laid siege to the Bush headquarters in St. Paul Minnesota today.
"Today's siege on the Bush/Cheney headquarters in St. Paul was an attempt by Democrats and the Kerry campaign to intimidate voters who were picking up tickets to see the President," said Republican Party of Minnesota State Chair Ron Eibensteiner. "The Minnesota Kerry Campaign and DFL are ruled by an angry mob mentality that has nothing positive to offer Minnesota voters." Today Kerry supporters blocked the entrance to the Bush campaign's Minnesota headquarters with buses and proceeded to rush into the headquarters in a clear attempt to intimidate voters who were picking up tickets to see the President this Saturday.
Eibensteiner called on DFL Chair Mike Erlandson and Kerry's Minnesota campaign to immediately cease these kinds of intimidation tactics.
"Lately, the DFL Party and Kerry Campaign can be best described as Anger Incorporated," said Eibensteiner. "They need to stop their escalation of these intimidation tactics before someone gets hurt."
Eibensteiner pointed out other instances where out-of-control Kerry supporters have intimidated voters. For example, at the Gophers football game last weekend, a Kerry supporter physically assaulted a female College Republican who was handing out flyers supporting the President. In a similar incident, Kerry supporters assaulted College Republicans at the Minnesota State Fair. During the incident, the union members elbowed two College Republicans in the head and threw them to the ground. Also, DFL Party officials have yet to repudiate a bumper sticker, which was handed out from their party headquarters comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler.
"Anger is no substitute for optimistic leadership," said Eibensteiner. "Through their actions, Democrats have shown themselves incapable of governing themselves, much less our nation, during these challenging times."
(Bold Emphasis added by me)
I couldn't agree more, Mr. Eibensteiner.
UPDATE 3:
Thanks for the Memory to Instapundit via Leslie (again):
It happened in Wisconsin too.
UPDATE 4:
Thanks for the Memory to Ace of spades HQ:
Michelle Malkin is covering this too, and may have more info.
UPDATE 5:
Thanks for the Memory to Russell Wardlow at Mean Mr. Mustard:
Apparently not all Leftists online are as upset by their side's shennanigans as I am by my side's.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Not In MY Name!!!!!
Thanks for the Memory to Reader msn at Blogs for Bush.
By now it's pretty apparent I believe that there is rampant misconduct going on among liberals in order to stifle conservative voices. Well, apparently, in a couple of places, liberals and conservatives are playing tit-for-tat:
Pennsylvania:
- Montgomery County Democratic HQ was broken into.
- Bush Signs stolen in Centre County
- Dem HQ shot with a pellet gun in Centre County
Oxford Mississippi:
- Republican HQ Broken into
- Kerry Bumper Stickers defaced
Grrrrrr.....
no, No, NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Do NOT stoop to this level!!!!!! ANY of you!!!!!!! But ESPECIALLY not conservatives!!!!!!!!! Liberals are dead freaking wrong, I am firmly convinced, but they have a RIGHT to be wrong and a RIGHT to express those wrong opinions without fear of reprisal or harrassment!!!!!!
People, THIS IS AMERICA!!!!!!!!! DON'T FREAKING FORGET THAT!!!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!
Look at the symbol at the top of my blog. That's what it's about. If you just apply the constitution AND THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH IT IS BASED to yourself, then you invalidate it!!!!! If you are a conservative and value our republic and our constitution as much as I, then THIS IS NOT HOW WE ARE TO DO THINGS!!!!!!! We outreason them, we outvote them, we outcampaign them. But we do NOT outcheat them!!!!
/Rant
Sorry if this was disjointed, but I'm steamed.
By now it's pretty apparent I believe that there is rampant misconduct going on among liberals in order to stifle conservative voices. Well, apparently, in a couple of places, liberals and conservatives are playing tit-for-tat:
Pennsylvania:
- Montgomery County Democratic HQ was broken into.
- Bush Signs stolen in Centre County
- Dem HQ shot with a pellet gun in Centre County
Oxford Mississippi:
- Republican HQ Broken into
- Kerry Bumper Stickers defaced
Grrrrrr.....
no, No, NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Do NOT stoop to this level!!!!!! ANY of you!!!!!!! But ESPECIALLY not conservatives!!!!!!!!! Liberals are dead freaking wrong, I am firmly convinced, but they have a RIGHT to be wrong and a RIGHT to express those wrong opinions without fear of reprisal or harrassment!!!!!!
People, THIS IS AMERICA!!!!!!!!! DON'T FREAKING FORGET THAT!!!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!
Look at the symbol at the top of my blog. That's what it's about. If you just apply the constitution AND THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH IT IS BASED to yourself, then you invalidate it!!!!! If you are a conservative and value our republic and our constitution as much as I, then THIS IS NOT HOW WE ARE TO DO THINGS!!!!!!! We outreason them, we outvote them, we outcampaign them. But we do NOT outcheat them!!!!
/Rant
Sorry if this was disjointed, but I'm steamed.
God Speed Gordon Cooper
Thanks for the Memory to Whole Wheat Blogger via Triticale.
Gordon Cooper, NASA Mercury Pioneer, Dies
LOS ANGELES - Gordon Cooper, the last astronaut to take flight during NASA's pioneering Mercury program, has died. He was 77.
...
LOS ANGELES - Gordon Cooper, the last astronaut to take flight during NASA (news - web sites)'s pioneering Mercury program, has died. He was 77.
...
As one of the nation's first astronauts, Cooper became a hero to a generation of Americans in the early 1960s as the country tried to catch the Soviet Union in the space race.
"He truly portrayed the right stuff, and he helped gain the backing and enthusiasm of the American public, so critical for the spirit of exploration," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said.
I can't say the world is emptier because of his passing, because he left behind such a record of achievement, but I can say that he will be missed. Astronauts have always been my heroes.
Gordon Cooper, NASA Mercury Pioneer, Dies
LOS ANGELES - Gordon Cooper, the last astronaut to take flight during NASA's pioneering Mercury program, has died. He was 77.
...
LOS ANGELES - Gordon Cooper, the last astronaut to take flight during NASA (news - web sites)'s pioneering Mercury program, has died. He was 77.
...
As one of the nation's first astronauts, Cooper became a hero to a generation of Americans in the early 1960s as the country tried to catch the Soviet Union in the space race.
"He truly portrayed the right stuff, and he helped gain the backing and enthusiasm of the American public, so critical for the spirit of exploration," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said.
I can't say the world is emptier because of his passing, because he left behind such a record of achievement, but I can say that he will be missed. Astronauts have always been my heroes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)