Friday, April 30, 2010

Guess that's how it's done

Instapundit linked this piece of advice about becoming a famous blogger.
Then I notice the Daley Gator has his weekly roundup posted, and it includes a link to this blog -
Socialist Squirrel
I'd say that fulfills the first point of the blogging advice - have a unique name.

Fast girls





Blind Luck won Friday's Kentucky Oaks, the race for 3-year-old fillies.












And it's been 22 years since Winning Colors became the last filly to win the Kentucky Derby.

Thanks, Progressive Insurance lady

The Progressive Insurance commercial in heavy rotation now has the lady doing "calculator humor."
I had to find a calculator so the youngest could see how to make "Hello."
See, you can learn from watching TV.

Enough is enough

I agree with Powerline's thoughts on "who has enough."
Federal employees now are paid much more money than their counterparts in private industry. Is Obama willing to acknowledge that they earn "enough" and should forgo future pay increases? Obama himself earned more than $5 million last year. Is that "enough"? George Soros has made countless millions from currency manipulations that many regard as little better than extortion. Does he have "enough"? I suspect that "enough" will prove to be a standard that is both highly flexible and intimately related to political influence.

Weekend watchdog

The first Saturday in May looms. As does only horse race most Americans know.
The Kentucky Derby takes the stage late Saturday afternoon, with 20 horses vying for the first Triple Crown since 1978. Two minutes after the race starts, only one will have a chance to join the great horses of the past.
If you like to watch the fillies, the Kentucky Oaks will be held Friday at 5 p.m. on Bravo.
For more speed on an oval, NASCAR brings its horsepower to Richmond. FOX has the Sprint Cup race Saturday at 7:30 p.m. after the Nationwide crew goes Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Also, the IRL will be in Kansas Saturday on ABC.
The NHL goes into its second round this weekend and Friday on Versus Pittsburgh starts its series against Montreal.
NBC has a pair of games set for the weekend - the Flyers-Bruins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Montreal at Pittsburgh Sunday at 2 p.m.
Versus has the first game of Vancouver-Chicago Saturday at 8 p.m., then Game 2 from San Jose Sunday at 8 p.m.
The NBA playoffs continue Friday on ESPN, as the Hawks face the Bucks at 7 p.m., then the Lakers try to win at Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. The Nuggets hope to stay alive in Utah at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.
The conference semifinals begin Saturday when the Celtics visit Cleveland on TNT. Time will be announced closer to tipoff, along with other games on the weekend.
The Orioles host Boston this weekend on MASN, while the Nationals visit Florida on MASN2.
The Mets and Phillies get national coverage twice this weekend, on FOX Saturday afternoon and Sunday night on ESPN. The other choices on FOX will be Astros-Braves and Rangers-Mariners. The White Sox visit the Yankees Sunday afternoon on TBS.
Tiger Woods and the PGA tour will be in Charlotte this weekend. CBS has coverage at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The D.C. United host the Red Bulls Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.
Comcast brings you college baseball throughout the weekend. Friday, it's LSU vs. Florida at 8 p.m. Saturday, it's ACC play between Georgia Tech and North Carolina State at 1 p.m., then off to the SEC for Georgia-Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. Sunday, there's more SEC play with Mississippi and Mississippi State at 2:30 p.m.
ESPN joins the diamond fun, showing LSU-Florida Sunday at 1 p.m.
ESPN has some Southeastern Conference softball on the schedule, with Georgia-LSU Thursday at 8 p.m. and Tennessee-Alabama Saturday.
MASN offers college lacrosse Saturday at 2 p.m. when Bellarmine faces Ohio State.
ESPN2 continues showing spring college football, featuring Oregon Saturday at 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Carl against the world

Carl Tate and the incumbent candidates for Staunton City Council debated the issues Thursday. AugustaFreePress provides the words and video.
The News Virginian provides Tate with an endorsement.

"I think at a certain point the government has taken enough money"

Turnabout is fair play.

Man, now I'm hungry


Smitty decided to do a post around the Double Down from KFC.
I checked the comments, and found a link to this.
A Double Down sandwiched around a glazed donut. I think you can get a heart attack just looking at it.


Be nice to your local census worker

You've gotten the mail.
You've seen the commercials.
Now it's time for U.S. Census workers to hit the street, trying to complete the process.
Some states may need more help than others.
A few more weeks, and the Census will be done until 2020.

Enjoy a sunny day

It's supposed to be warm and sunny Thursday through the weekend. Take time to get outside and work on your tan.
Sorry, Iranians.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rot the Red

The 2009-2010 Washington Capitals. Best in the regular season.
Ousted in the first round of the playoffs.
At least the Red Rockers look good as a long summer looms.

Pain from Spain to hit the street of Main?

Spain's debt gets downgraded and Germany's helping bail out Greece.
Is it bad news for the U.S. economy also?
When I see a red headline on Drudge Report, I pay attention.

Bad news for the Capitals

It's Game 7 time in Washington Wednesday night. Can the Capitals advance?
Forget their past woes in Game 7. In the first round, the winners have been seeds 1,2,3 and 5 (West) and 4, 6, and 7 (East). As an 8th seed, the Canadiens can make the pattern complete.
The Capitals don't want to end up like division winners New Jersey and Buffalo, playing golf now, do they?

Bone-deep stupidity

Instapundit keeps up with Arizona.
A reader says he’s suprised to see me support the Arizona bill. Well, I really don’t — that is, I don’t know if I’d have voted for it if I were in Arizona. I’m mostly reacting to the fact that — as demonstrated by Linda Greenhouse — the opposition displays that special combination of self-righteous outrage and bone-deep stupidity that really sets me off.

Idol - from 6 to 5

Who to root for now that Tim Urban is gone?
Votefortheworst.com goes with Siobhan.
Dialidol.com has Aaron safe this week, with Michael and Lee at the bottom of the list.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Greece trap

The stock market falls as Greece and Portugal's budget troubles continue.
Could someone on Wall Street tells us how to make money on their woes?

Oh my God. There's President Logan

Wall Street Journal profiles one of the few actors to appear with both Jack Bauer and Hannah Montana.
h/t NRO's Corner

New Mexico, you're next

Arizona is at the center of the latest immigration kerfuffle.
As Rich Lowry reminds us, Texas and California were the first areas to deal with illegal immigration. As they tightened the border there, those trying to get illegals into the country moved to the next open area.
That leaves New Mexico. More desolate at the southern border than the others, but likely the next illegal immigration battleground.

Can't wait for part 2

Blue Virginia has a lengthy post up on the economic troubles we're facing. It's a pretty good listing of concerns deficit hawks/tea party members have about the 2010 economy.
Is it hysteria or reality? I lean toward the reality side, since we have programs established by Democrats over the years (Social Security, Medicare) where money was supposed to be saved for the future.
The future is here and the money's gone.
The lock to the lockbox was picked. Spent by Democratic Congresses in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Say what you want about tax cuts, but they likely kept the economy afloat (bringing in revenue from higher growth) in recent years.
I'm ready to see the second part of the deficit hawk story. How do the Democrats dig themselves out of this deep hole?

Light blogging ahead

I've got a change in my schedule the rest of the week - I'm going to work on the Census effort and thus have training to attend.
Thanks for stopping by, and check the sidebar for the best of what's going on.

Lefty bloggers should focus on jobs, not divisive social issues

Just sayin'.

Read the law

Byron York has a suggestion for people before talking about the new Arizona law - read it.
Contrary to the talk, it is a reasonable, limited, carefully-crafted measure designed to help law enforcement deal with a serious problem in Arizona. Its authors anticipated criticism and went to great lengths to make sure it is constitutional and will hold up in court. It is the criticism of the law that is over the top, not the law itself.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Sorry, Maryland

It looks like business-friendly won the day, as Northrup-Grumman appears headed for northern Virginia instead of Maryland.
Should be an exciting day in the blog worlds on both sides of the Potomac.

Prodigal Democrats

I think the parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the best in the Gospels. So many things Jesus taught in the short story.
Looking at the Democrats, I think of the Prodigal Son - when he's spending his inheritance and having a good time with his new friends. Until the money runs out.
Then his friends leave him behind. Probably for the next person who thinks money brings popularity. Instead of enjoying the high life, he has to fight the pigs for scraps to eat.
For years, Democrats have spent other people's money like the son spent his father's inheritance. Are they popular because people like them, or what the money gives them?
But the money's running out. The debt and deficit loom, however they got here. Will the Democrats still have friends when the money's gone?
President Obama's talk to his supporters Sunday seemed to say "Look what we've got. And what I can get for you. Let's keep it that way."
But the money to keep the skids greased isn't there. And the taxpayers who provide the money aren't in the mood to maintain the Democrats' lifestyle.

Friends in Florida

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli visited the Shenandoah Valley last week, then headed to Florida Friday to help Marco Rubio's campaign.
Sounds like a good way to conclude the first 100 days on the job.
h/t At the Point of a Gun

Fore! score and seven shots ago

Pundette tallies up President Obama's time puttering around the golf course.

Prevailing wisdom

Instapundit starts a discussion that may gain traction. We've had "prevailing wages," so what about "prevailing pensions" and "prevailing unemployment." It's only fair.

Song for "Boobquake" day

Monday is being celebrated as "Boobquake." Do women cause earthquakes in Iran?
Think we'll feel the earth move under our feet? Sing it, Carole.



UPDATE: Had a visitor from Iran overnight, someone checking Google.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Seven heaven

The University of Virginia won three ACC championships this weekend, giving the school seven crowns this school year. A school record of championships.
Sure, the Cavaliers stink at football and men's basketball. But the women rowers are the best. And there's still a chance at an eighth championship when the baseball tournament rolls around at the end of May.

Grave mistake

An Australian finds an interesting attempt at government stimulus.
h/t Mark Steyn on NRO

Forget English, learn Math

The Daily Progress has an article about proposed tuition increases at the University of Virginia.
And adds comments from a student who needed a bit more math before starting college.
Erin O’Hare, an out-of-state master’s degree student in UVa’s English department, said the university’s tuition is “insane.”
“I have a lot of loans. When I leave here [next spring] I’m going to owe $150,000,” she said. “It’s scary.”
Sure is scary. How many hours do you need to work at McDonald's to pay off $150,000?

Fishersville Mike's Jellyfish & Rigatoni Appetizer

For Earth Day, Spongebob Squarepants saved Jellyfish Fields. Time to find another use for jellyfish - FMJRA headline, of course. "J" can be the toughest letter to complete a headline.
Smitty continues his string of FMJRA headlines.
Carol kicked off the roundup week.
Wyblog has a special roundup shirt.
Pat flies through her roundup.
Reaganite Republican retorts the news.
Troglopundit goes to the DNA.
Obi's Sister finds a shop that shells out common sense.
DaTech Guy branches out.
Naked Villiany discusses the important issues of the day.
The Daley Gator is feelin' groovy.
Camp of the Saints can post quickly. And hopefully will for many more.
Pundette posts quickly also.
Virginia Right hounds the news.
Dan Riehl finds some bad spellers.
Mind Numbed Robot finds a protest that went up in smoke.
Legal Insurrection has a-"nutter" reason to watch the British elections.
The Classic Liberal has an important conversation.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Take your children someplace important, remember important words and enjoy a nice lunch.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

File it away

The Democratic Party of Virginia issued its critique of Gov. Bob McDonnell after 100 days.
The same thing they've been saying since day one.
The same thing they'll be saying next year, and the next, and the next.
And they'll say the same things after the first 100 days of Gov. Bolling's administration in 2014.

Ready for the Run for the Roses

One week until the Kentucky Derby. You'll be hearing this song a lot this week.

Blowing in the wind

Cape Wind, the project that was held up by the late Senator Ted Kennedy, appears about to be decided.
Five other governors have added their voices to letting the project go forward. Wind power may rise or fall on this decision.

Augusta counts

The News Leader runs a story on Census return rates for the area. Augusta County has had 79 percent return of the forms, up from 72 in the 2000 census.
If you haven't turned your form in yet, you've got a week. Then the census crew will be out looking to count the rest.

Profiling

Some people are worried about the new law in Arizona. That it will lead to racial profiling.
The same people probably think that members of tea party movement are racist.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Where I come from

Wyblog relates some good stories from his trip to Florida and back. And the nice people he met in South Carolina and Georgia.
Time for a nice video that follows his theme.

Iowahawk's news you can use

Iowahawk brings the top news in short bursts, including "Take your daughter to the unemployment office day."

Belgian waffles

Thanks to Best of the Web, I saw a link to Belgium's political troubles.
When you've got a headline, you've got a post.

More mocking the draft

With the NFL draft split over three days, sportswriters can make predictions of the second round also. Two hours until we see how they do.
I hope nobody thinks it's a good idea to write a mock draft column for the 4th round, which starts Saturday at 10 a.m.

More California trouble

Instapundit highlights another article on the pension trouble looming in California.
The union guy offers some good advice. Probably not the way he meant it.
"When you have men and women standing side by side in extremely stressful, hazardous, grueling situations over the course of a career, it's hard to look one or the other in the eye and say your future security matters less," said Carroll Wills, a spokesman for California Professional Firefighters, which represents 30,000 state public safety workers.
Yeah, it's not fair if you have better pension benefits than younger people. We should cut yours to the level we now think we can pay.
If we've cut more than we need, we'll make it up.
But I don't think you want taxpayers working until they are 75 to pay for you to retire at 55. They will remember your quote.

South Park and Franklin Graham

It's rare to think you'd find those two linked together. But they are this week, both because of offended Muslims.
Graham was disinvited from the National Day of Prayer ceremony at the Pentagon.
South Park had to change its episode.
South Park and Franklin Graham on the same side of an issue. Imagine that.

Weekend watchdog

Did you enjoy watching Mel Kiper Jr. Thursday? Ready for two more days of him?
The NFL draft continues Friday at 6 p.m. with the first pick of the second round. So you can hear about mock drafts of the second round today on ESPN or Sports Illustrated.
The night continues with the third round, then Saturday at 10 a.m. the final four rounds kick off.
Then it's three months of mini-camp news and signing questions before the preseason gets underway.
The postseason continues in the NBA and NHL this weekend. Friday, ESPN has an NBA doubleheader - Boston at Miami at 7 p.m., then the Mavericks vs. Spurs. And ESPN2 adds Denver at Utah at 10:30 p.m.
There's four games Saturday, starting with Orlando at Charlotte at 2 p.m. on TNT. TNT also has Phoenix-Portland at 4:30 p.m., then it's off to ESPN for two more games - Hawks at Bucks at 7 p.m., with the Lakers at Oklahoma City in the nightcap.
Sunday, ABC has an afternoon doubleheader - Boston-Miami at 1 p.m., then Cleveland-Chicago. TNT returns to the scene at 7 p.m. with the Mavericks visiting the Spurs, and closes the night with Denver at Utah.
In the NHL, all eight series stood at 1-1 after two games. The Capitals hope to close out the Canadiens Friday in Game 5 on Comcast.
Versus has Game 5 of the Canucks-Kings at 10 p.m. Friday and Game 6 Sunday. Game 6 of the Penguins vs. Ottawa will be shown Saturday at 7 p.m. The rest of Versus' Saturday and Sunday's slate depends on what teams fight off elimination.
NBC has games on the schedule Saturday - Predators at Blackhawks - and Sunday - Game 6 of the Coyotes at Red Wings.
For early season baseball, the Orioles close out their road trip in Boston on MASN, while the Nationals host the Dodgers. All three Orioles' games are on MASN, while the Friday and Sunday Nationals games are on MASN2.
FOX, hoping to avoid another 20-inning Saturday game, goes with the Yankees at Angels or Mariners at White Sox. Sunday afternoon, TBS shows the Cubs at Brewers and the ESPN Sunday night game features the Braves visiting the Mets.
Comcast has three college baseball games on the schedule for Saturday. Miami vs. Florida State starts the day at 1 p.m., folllowed by Kansas State facing Missouri and Tennessee-Vanderbilt at 7 p.m.
The PGA tour visits Louisiana for the Zurich Classic, with play on CBS starting at 3 p.m. both days of the weekend. The Senior PGA will be at the Libery Mutual Legends of Golf Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.
After a makeup Monday in Texas, NASCAR heads to Talledega. The Sprint Cup races Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX, after the Nationwide race Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Comcast has both ACC lacrosse finals Sunday, with the women's contest at 1 p.m. and the men crowning their champion at 3:30 p.m.
ESPN2 shows the Penn State spring game Saturday at 2 p.m.
There's Big 12 softball Sunday at 3 p.m., with Missouri facing Texas A&M.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earth Day recycling

I found this from Earth Day 2009. Recycling is good, right?

My brother is celebrating Smurf Day today. At least it rhymes.

A little more March Madness

The NCAA looks ready to add three teams to the men's basketball tournament - and Turner Broadcasting to the coverage mix.
A much better idea that going to a 96-team field. The top seeds will probably play winners of a Tuesday play-in game.
You'll just have to remember the channel numbers for TBS, TNT and TruTV along with CBS the first three rounds.

Nothing to see here, move along

Headline from the EPA
No public threat from Battlefield Golf Club fly ash
h/t Not Larry Sabato

Earth Day facts

Don Surber posted these Earth Day facts.
I'm not stealing his post. I'm recycling.

Chicken up

In honor of the "barter a chicken" meme, and to recycle on Earth Day (I used this video back in December), here's some talented chickens. Bet they are worth plenty of money.

Don't mess around with Contentions

I like checking the Contentions blog each morning, to see if I can figure out the word of the day on the roundup.
There's no problem Thursday finding the messy theme.

Cutting the knot

Augusta Free Press has a column about Virginia's budget problems, comparing the no-tax pledges to a Gordian knot that needs to be cut.
Meanwhile, George Will praises new New Jersey governor Chris Christie. Those on the sharp end of his sword aren't very happy about how he plans to deal with New Jersey's Gordian knot.
Christie and Bob McDonnell came into office together. We'll see how they continue to deal with the knots in front of them.

Problem with Financial Regulation

Why The Sudden Bi-Partisan Financial Regulation Interest?
Smitty at The Other McCain has a great quote on the problems with what's passing through Congress.
Overall, no good can come from fewer bureaucrats affecting more money with less accountability amidst denser thickets of legislation.

Indoor football lives

I missed the news that Arena Football had returned this season. Probably because the game of the week is on NFL Network.
Bossier-Shreveport has one of the 15 teams, and Katie is captain of the Fly Girls.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Hiding the decline, again

Minnesotans 4 Global Warming has a new video out, despite legal threats on its "Hide the Decline" video from the fall.
The talking tree doesn't look too happy in the new video.

Raise our blood pressure

Ace of Spades and Dan Riehl focus on the Illinois demonstration for higher taxes.
Just pass out a piece of paper for people to put their address on. We can bill them for higher taxes.
At Ace, they see the public waking up that higher pay for government workers means less pay for them.
I don't think the unions understand this. They are getting more aggressive and obnoxious about their undeservedly high salaries and pension plans rather than being conciliatory about it. They are continuing to demand salaries and benefits that most of the rest of the country could only dream of without even offering even the slightest apologies to the strapped taxpayers whose incomes they are reducing in order to increase their own.

What Wyblog learned Tuesday

Chris at Wyblog lives in one of the New Jersey areas that passed its school budget. And he's not happy about the outcome.
So I can take some solace in knowing that there are indeed sane voters in New Jersey. Just not where I live. Our Middle School is on NCLB probation and our High School has been "warned" to shape up or face penalties. Yup, that's a mighty fine education our kids are receiving, undoubtedly worth every penny the union fatcats extort from the taxpayers each year. Isn't it great that we're keeping the teachers in champagne and caviar while they shunt our children down the path to mediocrity?

Idol - from 7 to 6

I happened to turn to American Idol Tuesday during a break in the ice hockey game. Tim Urban was on stage. You can't call what the dude does performing.
Dialidol.com has him in the bottom two this week with Casey. They see Crystal as being the top vote-getter this week, with Lee and Siobhan also safe.
Votefortheworst.com hopes to see Tim roll another week.

Still waiting

A month has passed since the Democrats greased the skids and got health care reform passed. How are those polls doing now? How excited is the base now?
It’s a rare president who doesn’t disappoint some starry-eyed supporters. But Obama’s problem is more acute, in large part because expectations were so high, and he consciously played into the cult of personality that worshipped him as the savior of the Left. He’s lost the Center, enraged the Right, and bummed out the Left. Not every president can do all that.

Laugh eruption

NRO shares some jokes about the Icelandic volcano.
I enjoyed the first.
It’s a bit early for Iceland volcano jokes. We should wait awhile for the dust to settle.

Hey, it's my turn

The Daily Caller posts an amusing story about the White House press corps. Yes, there still is a White House press corps, despite almost nine months passing since the last primetime press conference.
The poor press corps is like the horse-and-buggy industry of 1900. They've had the monopoly for so long, and their replacement looms large in the rear-view mirror.
They continue to fight over the old ways. Will they fuss more about getting better access to the president, or just fight their own little battles while the world passes them by?

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Lock up the speculators

Democrats are mad at Wall Street. Are they also mad at politicians, like those in California, who made bad bets on the market?
Here's the kicker–Obama in his speech said that "one of the main reasons our economy faltered was because some on Wall Street made irresponsible bets, with no accountability." The exact same language could be used, with 100 percent accuracy, to describe public officials all over California–including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who just today is unveiling his latest too-little, too-late package of reforms. All of these labor-backed bureaucrats bet irresponsibly that they could more than double pension promises to state employees over the past decade, because the "accountability" moment was deferred to when those payments came due.

What you learn watching ice hockey

The Penguins' playoff game at Ottawa is on TV right now. After a score, they showed the Ottawa coach on the bench. And on the steps behind the bench was an advertisement for vacationing in Cuba.
The Cuba Tourist Board in Canada lets you see the wonders of Castro's island. Except I didn't see any 1957 Chevys on the website.
Anyway, it looks like this will be the last ice hockey game in Ottawa this season.

Prime time

The NFL schedule for 2010 has been released.
The Redskins have three prime time games scheduled, all at home. They open the season against the Cowboys on NBC.
The Ravens have four prime time games, three on the road. They host the Steelers on NBC Dec. 5.

Thumb-thing interesting

Just received an email from a former co-worker, Norm.
He likes bowling, so he liked this story.
When youth worker Cherie Beekman took a group of children for a trip to a bowling alley she got little too attached to the game.
When the 33-year-old went to return the green ball she had been using she found she couldn't. It was stuck on her right thumb and nothing would shift it.
She was driven from the alley in Didsbury, Manchester, to a nearby fire station where it took a team of firefighters two-and-a-half hours to cut the ball away using an electric saw, a hacksaw and a chisel.

You, change. No, you first

The problem with a "Hope and Change" campaign is the winners expect the losers to change. The people who didn't want change are supposed to change.
We see the result with President Obama and the tea parties. And in New Jersey, with Governor Chris Christie and the teacher's unions.
Christie got elected in part because government is too big in New Jersey. He's trying to change an area, and running into trouble.
It's good that in a two-party system, you can both complain about change not happening and government trying to change you when you're happy.

Western union

Mickey Kaus continues his Senate bid - talking up the trouble caused by government employee unions.
We’re paying high taxes but we’re getting low services. Worse, the unions’ pay-today-forget-about-tomorrow attitude failed to plan for an economic downturn. As a result, the state and many cities and towns are looking into the abyss of insolvency.

Turn off TV, turn on blogs?

The youngest brought home information on TV turn-off week, which starts Tuesday.
The website hasn't been updated for 2010. I guess they found something interesting to watch on TV.
For TV turn-off week, you can't watch TV, videos, DVDs or streaming video content. They don't say anything about reading blogs.
Help America, kids, read Fishersville Mike and friends instead of watching TV this week.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Running news

Ace of Spades posts thoughts on the Boston Marathon.

Waiting game

It's less than 24 hours until the NFL releases its 2010 schedule. You can plan for the most exciting national games, and who your favorite team plays when.
We're also waiting for Ben Roethlisberger to find out his punishment. It would be nice for him to be suspended when the Steelers play the Ravens. Just saying.

Doorman trouble

I don't think much about doormen, being in Fishersville and not New York City.
Sounds like there could be trouble this weekend.
Who's the most famous doorman? Carlton, from the Rhoda show in the 1970s.



(It's a three minute clip and two-plus minutes of empty air).

Remember Poland

Poland buried its president Sunday. The volcanic ash over Europe prevented President Obama from attending but Americans already in Poland represented the country.
My cousin and her husband are assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, and she's been to two funerals already. And expects to attend more in the coming days.

Don't bring me down

What's the Tea Party's message to the government?
Don't bring me down.
Like ELO sang in the 1970s.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Passing the blame

I don't claim to understand derivatives. I think I understand Bill Clinton, though.
Is he saying he's sorry for a wrong decision? Or blaming others while pandering to the current mood. I see pander, not principle.
Usually the obvious choice with Bill Clinton.
The president's Wall Street reform push seems like another chance to scapegoat when government is the real problem. People are looking for financial security in the years ahead. If they trusted the government's promises on Social Security and Medicare would be there, they would be less likely to try new wild ways to make money. The sales pitch would be much, much harder.
Wall Street is just trying to make money for people one step ahead of the government's whims. If taxes are going to go up, minimize tax risk.
If the government may inflate the currency, buy gold to maintain your value.
People want to take care of themselves and their families. They may make bad decisions along the way. Unlike Bill Clinton, they need to admit it and not blame others when their decision goes awry.

Homer vs. Tiger

Nice job by someone putting Homer Simpson into the Tiger Woods' commercial.
I can't remember where I first saw this. D'oh.

"There are no crazies here. They are all in Washington, D.C."

A report from the Denver Tea Party.
h/t Instapundit

When did you stop beating your wife?

The distraction continues. Thinking racism underlies the tea party movement.
This post links trying to keep your position in society to slavery. Slave owners wanted to preserve their spot in 1787 America, thus anyone fighting President Obama must be a racist.
Like the question in the headline, it tries to throw supporters off their game. A question for distraction, not illumination. Racism is the only thing these people see. No answer satisfies.
To extend the author's thought process, since Democrats hold the power in Washington now, they should all voluntarily give it up next election. No trying for a second term for President Obama in 2012. To do so would be racist (maintaining their privileges through local political control).
You boil down the tea party movement's opposition to President Obama in two parts - first, it won't work. Second, when it doesn't work, those who said it wouldn't work will bear more of the pain.
The only race in the tea party is the race to save the country.

Finally, Mystery Judge Runs Away

Tax day is done, but the energy still moves through the blogosphere. Time to check the roundups.
Smitty liked my headline idea for this week's roundup. And DaTech Guy is still posting his files.
Wyblog extends his roundup.
Carol marches through her linkbacks.
Daley Gator worked up the energy to crank out his roundup.
Pat deals with relatives and roundups.
The Classic Liberal lets fly with the links.
Reaganite Republican keeps up with Tea Party news.
Mind Numbed Robot finds some scary extremists.
Pundette caught the action in D.C.
Naked Villiany enjoys his bread.
Dan Riehl looks at Perot vs. Tea.
Troglopundit stays on the right side.
Grandpa John finds some weird signs.
Camp of the Saints looks for some good advice.
Carl is on the road again.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Hang out with friends, offer thanks and remember you can't spell eat without AT.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Brother, can you spare a cookie crumb?


The dog patiently awaits the elusive crumb.

Remember 1970

Don Surber looks back at the first Earth Day. We've survived long enough for Spongebob Squarepants to star this Earth Day.
I'd rather remember other events from 1970.

NBA - who to root for?

The NBA playoffs tip off Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday night all series will have one game done.
Who to root for? Dustbury has been posting about the Oklahoma City Thunder throughout their two seasons there. They're a good choice, since it's their first playoff trip and a big underdog - facing the Lakers this round.
Between the NBA and NHL, there's plenty of postseason play filling your TV screens the next eight weeks.

Stopping the psycho states

Mark Steyn looks back at the nuclear summit. And what's going on in the real world.
As we learned the hard way in Iraq and Afghanistan, stupid, ill-trained illiterates with primitive explosives who don't care who they kill can inflict quite a lot of damage on the technologically advanced highly trained warriors of civilized states.
Sleep easy; we've got the Canadian menace under control.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Obama the Grate

He sure found a way to grate on everyone's nerves as night fell on Tea Party protest day.
Don Surber liked Carol's video.
Troglopundit thinks there's a piece of candy in there somewhere.
Pundette wasn't feeling grateful.
Bob was inspired, as was Virginia Right.

Signs of the times

Yankee Phil has pictures of the best signs at Thursday's Tea Party rally in Staunton.

Headline of the day

Jammie Wearing Fool gives his thought on Democratic spending this election cycle.
Democrats Plan to Spend $50 Million Getting Their Asses Kicked This Year

Proud papa

Jules Crittenden » Point Of Light

A good post from a proud Papa.

Thanks, President Obama

Barack Obama sure is a great community organizer.
Look at all the communities he organized Thursday. All of those people gathering together to work on the country's problems. Even at the University of Michigan.
Too bad for him, most of them think he's the problem.
All of the tea parties would not have happened without President Obama. We owe it all to him. Because we don't want to owe all we have to the government.

One flew over the Trog's nest

Troglopundit has a cool angle to show the Madison, Wisconsin tea party.
Maybe Doc Brown took the photo. Right after reconnecting the cable to send Marty back to the future.
No Sheeples has a big roundup, and Smitty's blog-fu is high.
Instapundit joined the Cincinnati Tea Party coverage.

Tea Party in Staunton

SWACgirl has the pictures of Thursday's rally at Gypsy Hill Park.
The News Leader tells the story.
The News Virginia tells a story, more about George Allen than Thursday's event.
NBC29 was there too.

Weekend watchdog

The long winter of regular season play is over. It's playoff time in the NHL and NBA.
Versus started the NHL coverage Wednesday, and Friday Game 2 of the Penguins-Senators starts the action. The Red Wings visit Phoenix at 10 p.m., and in between Versus shows parts of the Nashville-Chicago and Colorado-San Jose games.
Game 2 for the Caps and Canadiens is Saturday at 7 p.m., (local coverage on Comcast) followed by Kings-Canucks. Sunday, the Penguins and Senators have Game 3 at 6:30 p.m., with Nashville-Chicago and San Jose-Colorado closing out the night.
NBC also gets into the NHL action, with Boston at Buffalo Saturday at 1 p.m. and Phoenix-Detroit Sunday at 3 p.m. The first round goes through April 28, or until eight teams win their series.
The NBA gets the postseason started Saturday with four games. Chicago at Eastern Conference top-seed Cleveland starts the action at 3 p.m., then it's off to ESPN for the rest of the night. Milwaukee visits Atlanta at 5:30 p.m., then it's Miami-Boston and Utah at Denver.
Sunday, the Lakers start their run against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 3 p.m. TNT has the next three contests - Charlotte-Orlando, San Antonio against Dallas and the Trail Blazers facing the Suns.
The best-of-seven opening series can continue through May 2.
The Orioles head west to face Oakland on MASN2 Friday and Sunday. The Nationals host the Brewers Friday night and in the daytime Saturday and Sunday.
The Mets' visit to St. Louis will be the ESPN Sunday game of the week, along with one of the FOX choices Saturday afternoon. Other choices are White Sox at Indians and Dodgers-Giants. TBS will show the Rays at Red Sox Sunday afternoon.
NASCAR heads to Texas for the weekend - the Nationwide race Saturday on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. and Sprint racers go Sunday at 3 p.m. on FOX. The IndyCar crowd is in California, with the green flag dropping at 4:15 p.m. Sunday.
The PGA tour heads to Hilton Head this weekend, with the Heritage on CBS at 3 p.m. both days. The Senior PGA tour is on NBC this weekend (Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.), with the Outback Pro-Am.
The Family Circle Cup tennis tournament will be on ESPN2 throughout the weekend, with coverage starting at 1 p.m.
To tide you over until fall, ESPN has the Alabama Crimson Tide spring football game Saturday at 3 p.m.
Comcast has ACC baseball Saturday at 1 p.m., with Clemson visiting Georgia Tech. Sunday at 1 p.m., it's North Carolina's game at Miami. ESPN2 goes with SEC baseball Friday, with Georgia facing Arkansas.
MASN has college lacrosse Saturday night, with Albany at UMBC.
ESPN's Sunday includes Big 12 softball, with Texas against Oklahoma at 3 p.m.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

It's the other $950,000,000,000 (bumped)


Poor people behind the other 95. Thinking talking about President Obama's small tax credit will change minds.
The tea party crews see the increased yearly deficits as the problem. A band-aid doesn't stop the bleeding of a severed arm.
UPDATE: Forgot a few zeroes when this first went up. Don't you forget.

Thanks for nothing

Ace of Spades comments on President Obama's curious comments on the Tea Party protests.

These are my people

NBC News interviewed an African-American man at the Tea Party rally.
They asked if he felt uncomfortable.
He said, "No, these are my people."
So are these
And these
And these
and these.

A cool Barbie

National Review Online finds that someone made a Tea Party Barbie.

Idiots 4 Obama

A guy from this blog was on Rush Limbaugh Thursday afternoon.
And during Glenn Beck's show, the guy from Godonomics talked about his site.

The other 95

The protesters of the Tea Party protest include "the other 95." They are named for:
  1. The 95 percent of people who received tax cuts.
  2. The size of the tax cut - 95 cents
  3. The number of years we'll be paying interest on Obama's first year.

Tea in Staunton

There will be a Tea Party at the bandstand at Gypsy Hill Park Thursday night. Yankee Phil has the agenda.

Tea party complaints

If the insurance companies are backing the Tea Party Express, would they please supply better internet access for Da Tech Guy?
He's got videos to post and needs to charge his computer after catching a ride from Boston. At least he's got his fedora.
Go check out his pictures and reports as you prepare for tea parties in Staunton, Charlottesville, Richmond, Washington or wherever you're going to be.

Cruising

Iowahawk announces his annual Earth Week event.
Start your engines.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Another one rides the bus

DaTech Guy is headed to Washington on the Tea Party Express bus.
The atmosphere on the bus is quite different from Weird Al's bus.

Click and you'll have nightmares

GrandpaJohn's has the photo.

Get into the Tea Party spirit

One day until the Tea Party protests all across the country. Will critics still call us "Teabaggers?" Or have they heard my cool parody and realized their insult doesn't work?
Inspired by the Monkees, here's "I'm a Teabagger."

I didn't fall
for ol' Obama's fairy-tales
Tax hikes for just a few
but not for me
Spending out of control
That's the way it seemed
Didn't want to see the end of all my dreams

When I saw his plan,
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance I'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool me tho' you try

I know government needs taxes to run things
Seems the more I paid, the more they want.
What's the use in whinin'?
Taxpayers get the blame
But I need some relief from his pain

Then I saw my friends
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance we'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool us tho' you try

Spending out of control,
That's the way it seemed
Didn't want to see the end of all our dreams

Yes, we saw his plan
now we're all teabaggers
Not a chance we'll for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool us tho' you try

Yes, I saw his plan
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance we'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! Yeah, I'm a teabagger. Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea I'm a teabagger.

And the inspiration

Watchdog


Our dog has found a spot to keep an eye on the outside world, soak up the sun and snooze as needed.
My house is in the best hands (or paws).

Idol - two go home

Two of the nine singers will leave the stage Wednesday.
Dialidol.com sees Big Mike - given a save last week - as the top vote-getter this week. Looks like the judges knew what they were doing.
Crystal and Casey are also projected to be safe.
Does Tim hang on another week? Votefortheworst.com is hoping.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

"He's a failure"

When we last heard about Adam Lambert, he was shocking the public and wondering why they were shocked.
This week, he helped this year's American Idol cast prepare for Tuesday's show.
Why? According to votefortheworst.com, because he's failing big time and his career needs a push.
Sounds like it's already been pushed - off a cliff. No shock now.

Palin - doing her part


Reports say Sarah Palin has made $12 million since resigning as Alaska governor in July. How much tax money is that for the federal government?
Probably more than her fair share.
How many Sarah Palin's do we need to pay for President Obama's health care reform?

Tool time

Don Surber gets comments. Some are better than others.
This commenter channels President Obama, or Tim Allen. You read, then decide.

The guy who lost big to the woman who lost big

Thanks for the input, Mike Signer. How badly did you lose in the primary to Jody Wagner?
Although you do get points for using the word "kerfuffle" in your op-ed.

Food desert defined

A food desert is a place that needs a Wal-Mart.

SCOTUS Pick? BFD, Says Biden

SCOTUS Pick? BFD, Says Biden

Smitty has fun with a Buffoon Feigning Delight.

We want change

Sorry, Rep. Baron Hill, but we want change.
To change your status to ex-congressman.
To change your address.
To really change Washington. For the better this time.

Your morning laugh

The New York Times finds a loophole in the recently passed health care reform bill.
And asks the question
If they did not know exactly what they were doing to themselves, did lawmakers who wrote and passed the bill fully grasp the details of how it would influence the lives of other Americans?
I think we were saying that. You should have listened.

Monday, April 12, 2010

A thoughtful choice

A friend of Iowahawk puts his name into consideration for the Supreme Court.
Check it out just to hear the announcer's accent.

Recycling update

Monday, recycled aluminum cans earned 45 cents per pound - same as February. But lots of people were turning in junk for money.

Write a check, send it in

The Washington Post gives space to another silly taxpayer who asks - why do I pay so little?
If you think you're paying too little, decide how much extra you'd like to contribute and send it to Richmond. Or your county seat. Or a favorite charity that helps people in need.
And please send whatever the Post pays you for this column to the state as well.
The state has made its choice about tax rates and deductions for the elderly.
You can choose to pay more. You just can't choose to pay less, unless you like trouble.

Will Tea Party last?

Gearing up for the Tea Party protests Thursday, will there be tea party protests again in 2011? Unlike David Brooks, I bet there will be.
Maybe the Tea Parties need another chant.
We're here
We're mad
We're not a fad.

C'mon, Grandpa John

Glenn Beck has Rep. Paul Ryan on the radio, and sounds amazed they haven't met.
Rep. Ryan's security team needs to organize a get-together in Wisconsin.

Spot the trouble

I enjoy Contentions' morning sets of links, especially how they link them together with a word of the day.
There's no trouble spotting the word the last two days.

Running the numbers

Don Surber does math. An extra $300 in tax refund per person adds up to $40 billion for all Americans.
Much less than the stimulus package cost.

Winner behind the winner


Amy Mickelson joined her husband Phil and their three daughters after Phil won the Masters Sunday.
She's been ill with cancer most of the past year, but made it out for the final holes.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

btw, y'all racist

Two items from Blue Virginia Sunday.
A promo for the Coffee Party, asking for reason and civility in public affairs and asking college students to join.
A clip of Haley Barbour. The author closes with a quote "Guess "R" for Republican stands for "Racist."
Gee, nothing makes for civil discourse more than calling people racist.

Congratulations, Phil


Way to go, Phil Mickelson. Masters champion again.
I remember the picture of him and Payne Stewart in 1999, just a few months before Stewart died. And the day before the birth of Mickelson's first child.
Great to see his wife and kids off the 18th green Sunday.

Be nice to your neighbors and kids

Will "Cap and Trade" change how we sell houses? Carolyn is on the case.
Better be nice to your kids and neighbors. You'll be together for a long, long, long time (will kids be able to move out under these kind of rules?)
I'm glad I've got good neighbors in Fishersville, like this guy.

Happy Tea Partiers

Instapundit posts a Tea Party photo with a great line.
There sure are a lot of women at these events. Maybe that’s why the men look so cheerful!

Buffet of trouble

A Golden Corral has opened in Waynesboro. Driving by, it looked like the parking lot was packed.
It got me thinking about the new health care bill. Captain Ed had a story about the requirements that menus have calorie information, and how it may impact pizza places.
How about buffets? As you walk the line, will each menu item have its nutritional values listed?
Will you need a calculator to know how many calories you're selecting?
Instead of all-you-can-eat, will buffets become this many calories and no more?
If you have too many calories on your plate, will the poor checkout person have to tell you?
Will the checkout person have the phone number for your local Congresscritter, so you can complain to the person who made the decision?
Is this just wild talk, or has some bureaucrat thought about regulating buffets?

Official movie of the tea party movement

Watching the trailer to Iron Man 2, I think this opening scene will get plenty of cheers from tea party nation.
"Sorry government, but it's my property and you can't have it."

Good news for Media General

The Charlottesville Daily Progress reports on Tom Perriello's successful fundraising.
Which means there will be plenty of political ads in newspapers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Danville - owned by Media General.
And ads on Roanoke's WSLS, also a Media General property.
Thanks for helping keep those media owners afloat in tough economic times.

Fishersville Mike's Joyous, Rowdy April

Four days until tax day. And the protesters are gearing up for Thursday's big events.
With the Other McCain in New Orleans, Smitty puts out the roundup.
Carol's got the pre-tea party roundup.
Pat charges up her roundup.
Reaganite Republican Resistance finds the best of new media.
Ruby Slippers rides in with a great roundup.
Camp of the Saints cleaned out the cache.
Classic Liberal knows the roundup rules.
Carl shines a light on hardworkers.
Virginia Right has his Tea Party covered.
Dustbury turns 14.
DaTech Guy remembers a special day.
Lonely Conservative says "Yes, we Cain."
Troglopundit claims credit for sending Bart Stupak to retirement.
Wyblog joined Chipanddales.
Grandpa John wasn't happy Saturday night.
Naked Villiany ponders the beginning of the Nationals' season.
Paco stocks up.
Doug Ross has some hot news.
Daley Gator gives the seal of approval to a blog post.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Find a good place to blog, prepare for the future and get inspired.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Quick kicks

President Obama did the same thing I did Saturday morning - attend our kid's soccer game.
The press corps didn't see either of us at our games.
Interesting that he was gone from the White House 57 minutes. And the game was at 40th street Northwest, and Mapquest says it's a 17-minute trip up Connecticut Avenue.
My son's game started at 9 a.m., and we had team photos too. So we were gone from the house two hours.
Guess the President just saw the second half of his daughter's game.
h/t Dan Riehl

Won't you be my neighbor?

At Ace of Spades, someone is thinking about spring yardwork.
Eh, the things we do to keep our neighbors from forming a torch-brandishing mob. Again.

Taking the bait

Taylor Marsh looks at President Obama and Democrats give into temptation. They just can't help commenting on Sarah Palin.
He should have stopped with “I really have no response to that.” But his ego wouldn’t let him. So, he goes on, refusing to leave it at the advice of his SecDef and Joint Chiefs being enough. The bit about taking “advice from them and not from Sarah Palin” an unnecessary acknowledgment that her opinion means anything in the rarefied realm of the presidency.
h/t Don Surber

Suburban Saturday afternoon

I drove my youngest off to play with a friend, and passed several neighbors working in the sunshine. It's a great day for working on the lawn, whacking the weeds and putting down the fertilizer.
That follows a lunch of barbecue chicken picked up from the local boy scout group in Fishersville, and watching the youngest play soccer in the morning.

It's a blast

The Cowboys' old home - Texas Stadium - gets demolished Sunday.
Hope it's as cool as the demolition of the Steelers' old home a few years ago.

Imagine if you try

Sense of Events imagines a world without nuclear weapons. It's not pretty.
h/t Instapundit

Friday, April 9, 2010

Is this puppy torture?


My boys decided to put clothes from an old Teddy Bear on the dog.
Does she appear to be enjoying herself?

Mansion mania

In mourning over the Orioles' loss in the home opener, I checked the Baltimore Sun's website. They list the top 10 stories, and two are about big homes looking for owners.
Nicolas Cage's California mansion.
The home of a Baltimore comic book distributor.
Those poor people. Will the government bail them out?

Point by point flogging

Sounds like Sarah Palin put on quite a show in New Orleans.
Does President Obama sound upset? You betcha.

Farewell to Johnstown

The New York Times reports on the sad news of the demise of the Johnstown Chiefs.
Instead of highlighting the team's resilience - the last of five original ECHL teams in the same city - they mention the down-on-its-luck side of the city. And they throw in John Murtha's death for some reason (I guess a possible reason for the team moving).
Roanoke still awaits its return to the ECHL, as does Richmond. As the league has grown more successful, it has left typical ice hockey towns for southern and western cities. When Slap Shot was made, very few teams were in the south. Now, most of the ECHL is.

In honor of this week's blog topic, how about a look at the logo of the Roanoke Valley Rebels from 1990?

Whadda ya say, Arlen?

Arlen Specter can't be happy that Justice Stevens will retire this summer.
Next winter, he'll have plenty of time to hang out with him.

Doctor, doctor, gimme the news

Instapundit links a story about a town hall in New Hampshire. Which includes this great interaction between a Congresscritter and doctor.
Johanna Hayes, a doctor from Londonderry, said the bill has too many costs yet to be determined.
Hayes also claimed preventative care would raise overall costs.
"You are wrong about preventative care," Shea-Porter said.
"I am not," Hayes said. "I do it. I'm an epidemiologist."

I'm looking forward to some preventative care being done November 2.

Weekend watchdog

There's a golf tournament this weekend in Augusta, Ga. Ho-hum.
Tiger Woods is playing. How many cameras can be pointed at him? It started Monday with his press conference, and there were lots Thursday when he shot 68 to sit two strokes back.
ESPN has afternoon coverage Friday, starting at 4 p.m. CBS gives the full coverage throughout the weekend, beginning Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. As the sun sets on the azaleas, someone will slip on the green jacket. With Fred Couples and Tom Watson atop the leaderboard Thursday, the winner might be somebody older than me.
Spring also means the start of baseball. The Orioles have their home opener Friday at 3 p.m. against the Blue Jays, and the series continues through the weekend.
The Nationals, who opened at home against the Phillies, visit the Mets this weekend.
FOX has its' first Saturday game of the week at 3 p.m. Fishersville will likely see the Yankees at Rays, with Cardinals at Brewers and Rangers-Mariners going to other parts of the country.
TBS opens its Sunday afternoon schedule with the Yankees at Rays, and the Cardinals and Brewers battle Sunday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
The NCAA's Frozen Four takes place this weekend in Detroit, with Wisconsin facing Boston College for the championship Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
The NHL closes its regular season, and NBC shows the Bruins at Capitals Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The Capitals face Atlanta Friday on Comcast. Versus adds a Friday doubleheader, with Rangers-Flyers at 7 p.m. followed by Chicago at Colorado.
NASCAR has Saturday night racing this weekend, with the green flag dropping in Phoenix at 7:30 p.m. ESPN has the Nationwide race starting Friday at 9:30 p.m. The IndyCar crowd will be in Alabama Sunday at 3 p.m. on Versus.
The NBA reaches its final weekend also, with ABC's Sunday doubleheader featuring Orlando at Cleveland at 1 p.m., then the Trail Blazers visit the Lakers.
The Wizards visit Boston Friday on Comcast-plus and host Atlanta Saturday on Comcast.
Virginia Tech hosts Miami in college baseball Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.
With three weeks until the Kentucky Derby, NBC shows the Bluegrass Stakes and Arkansas Derby Saturday at 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Spring queen


Spring in Charlottesville means the Dogwood Festival. And what's a festival without a queen?
This year's queen is Kathryn Scott of Fluvanna County. You can read about her official activities over the past year in the Queen's Journal.

History lesson

Doug Ross offers some history of the Democratic Party, including party platforms from 1840 to 1948.

Chart wars

Doug Ross has charts.
Blue Virginia has charts.
Yes, the Obama economy is the tallest of the seven dwarfs. Or prettiest of the ugly step-sisters. Or brightest MSNBC host.

Assisting on the goal

Is the health care reform lawsuit a fundraiser for Ken Cuccinelli?
If the bill hadn't passed, then Cuccinelli wouldn't be able to raise funds off of it.
Blame President Obama for pushing a bill to help Cuccinelli raise money.
Secondary assists to Reid and Pelosi, since the winding path the bill took to passage makes a challenge more viable. And more inticing to donors.

Pelosi, Reid and Votefortheworst

I haven't watched much American Idol this season, but I love checking out Votefortheworst.com. They have great pride in their ability to game the system to keep untalented singers in the competition.
Tim Urban has been their pick for a while. Vivian isn't impressed.
Idol producers look for ways to dilute the power of a group like votefortheworst, but obviously this year the worsters have the upper hand.
Picking a winner for American Idol isn't life and death. Some winners haven't done well after the show, and some who didn't win - Daughtery - have good careers going. Once you get into the top 10, you're getting enough experience and exposure to have your shot at stardom.
The continued, simmering distrust of Congress after the health care bill seems to flow from their "Votefortheworst" tendencies. They looked at the system and gamed it just enough to get the bill passed.
Like those who claim Idol producers push certain singers and storylines to get them into the top 10, the Democrats pushed their storyline. And America is left to pay for a "Tim Urban" health care plan.