Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Listen to Smitty

Smitty offers his take on immigration.
I've always thought legal immigrants need to be reimbursed for their time/trouble/jumping through hoops when they talk amnesty. If you don't make illegal immigrants do all the things legal ones do, then it's really unfair.

Monday, June 28, 2010

What will we do?

After the two matches on Tuesday, there will be no World Cup soccer matches for two whole days? The next round is Friday and Saturday.
Can we survive? Do you need someone to visit your home/office and blow one of those horns in your ears?
Remember, just because the USA is done, you can still cheer for Par-a-guay. Par-a-guay.

Away from my fun bags, kid

Potluck looks at a British column against breast-feeding.
h/t Political Junkie Mom

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Fishersville Mike to Just Relax Already

I think I'll take a hiatus from the roundup world for the rest of the summer, planning to be energized with the fall.
Until then, you know which blogs to check. The sidebar sensations.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Have a burger, check the phone, see the light and follow a winner.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Thank heaven for little girls

Raising Homemakers writes about keeping girls from growing up too fast in today's fast-paced society.
Childhood, this marvelous girlhood, only happens one time. We need to protect it and cherish it for our little girls. I want this for my daughter, but the cultural pressure suffocating these dear ones, pushing them to look and to act grown up is overwhelming. However, we as mommies, can push back.

Who ya Ghana root for?

United States vs. Ghana in World Cup soccer Saturday afternoon.
It would be great for an African nation to keep advancing.
The United States wins most everything, right? And we got further than France and Italy this time. That ought to keep the soccer people happy for four years.
I just root for a good, interesting game. And look forward to Brazil having to play a real game.

"No honor among schmucks"

Instapundit brings you up to speed on the "Journolist" scandal of the day.
I remembered KausFiles had an earlier story on the media board. Hope he adds some commentary about today's news.

Following your climate change logic

Blue Virginia has an excited post up about the latest attempt at a climate change bill.
It's like, come on, we need to do this even if there's no global warming. It's an insurance policy and better for us.
Let's try that logic on another nanny state area, weight.
  • Americans weigh too much and are unhealthy.
  • Arms weigh several pounds.
  • All Americans should cut off an arm.
  • Then all Americans would weigh less and be healthier.

No string of 100 degree days and record winter snows would be impacted by anything Congress does. Unless it was not meeting in Washington, but by conference call.

Weekend watchdog

I'm going to take a break from the watchdog for the next few weeks while I enjoy summer vacation with my sons. I hope to resume weekly updates as football season rolls around at the end of August.
You know your summer sports. Here's your links.
MASN covers the Orioles and Nationals.
MLB's national schedule can be found here. They have all previous games still listed, so you'll have to scroll down.
Wimbledon got underway Monday, and breakfast at Wimbledon will be Sunday morning, July 4. A great way to start that day.
The PGA summer include the British Open in July and PGA championship in mid-August.
The World Cup crowns a new champion July 11, after round of 16 matches begin Saturday.
NASCAR visits Daytona for July 4th weekend on TNT, then one more race before ABC and ESPN take over coverage at Indy July 25.
Danica Patrick will be racing both IRL and Nationwide at times this summer.
Comcast will have various events through the summer, including the Washington Mystics and D.C. United soccer.
As always, ESPN has sports covered.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

"A massive, rotting pool of assets"

Don't read this if you're trying to sell your house.
Or work at a bank.
Or care about the economy.
It's the perfect time to panic. I know there are houses for sale in Fishersville. One nearby has been vacant for three years.
Hold on tight to your house. It might be a bumpy ride.

Reviewing Troglopundit

Trog checks out the latest in Insta-lanche baiters.
It's summer time. Everybody needs all the traffic they can get.

We're from the government and we make it worse

Back to back stories posted on Instapundit about the government's travails in the Gulf.
The government models for cleanup were flawed.
Local leaders unhappy with government leadership.

What's up for Sarah Palin?

The Richmonder wonders if there's more legal trouble ahead for Sarah Palin.
It's more likely this phrase is in her future "I, Sarah Palin, do solemnly swear..." Maybe Jan. 20, 2013.

Seventh graders to the rescue

Via Instapundit, the story of a seventh-grade class finding an opening to a cave on Mars.
The 16 students from teacher Dennis Mitchell's 7th-grade science class at Evergreen Middle School in Cottonwood, Calif., found what looks to be a Martian skylight — a hole in the roof of a cave on Mars.
The intrepid students were participating in the Mars Student Imaging Program at the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University. The program allows students to frame a research question and then commission a Mars-orbiting camera to take an image to answer their question.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Soccer in the twilight

On hot days, the best time for the kids to play outside is as the sun goes down.
Tonight, the youngest got the urge to visit the playground around 8 p.m. (hearing his friend was going there helped).
We went to Teaverton park, then he joined a soccer game with 10 other kids from the neighborhood. Brothers and sisters, all elementary school age, playing together while a parent walked or chatted together.
The nearly full moon wasn't bright enough to continue play. Doesn't mean they didn't want to continue.
But there will be other days to play together as summer vacation rolls on.

Tasty anniversary

Naked Villiany celebrates his 14th wedding anniversary - with Five Guys. Burgers and Fries, people, a great D.C. chain.
Congrats and many more - anniversaries and bacon cheeseburgers.

We're my best friend

Jonah Goldberg has an interesting story on the "war on best friends."
As the father of two, I've seen my boys keep some friends, drop others over time and pick up new ones in new environments. Both would say they have a best friend, along with an orbit of good friends.
Sometimes, it's messy. When the youngest really feels he needs a friend to play with. As the oldest turns 13, he's content with his games. But enjoys being with the new friends he's made at middle school.
Hopefully, they are building friendships where they'll be keeping up on Facebook (or it's future form) in 30 years.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Great Scott

From the area where I lived from 1984-87, Tim Scott will be the Republican nominee for Congress in the coastal 1st District of South Carolina.
The Other McCain keeps you posted on other South Carolina election news.

Read Instapundit - get a law degree

Powerline looks a grade inflation at several law schools.
One day next month every student at Loyola Law School Los Angeles will awake to a higher grade point average.
But it's not because they are all working harder.
The school is retroactively inflating its grades, tacking on 0.333 to every grade recorded in the last few years. The goal is to make its students look more attractive in a competitive job market.

What's the next thing after grade inflation? Read Instapundit enough and you get a law degree. Or every Insta-lanche comes with a law degree. My degree came last New Years' Eve.
UPDATE: Linked by the Other McCain.
UPDATE2: Obi's Sister, Lanche Laude from March, likes the post.
UPDATE3: Troglopundit has his dish out, hoping for seconds from my hoped-for Instalanche.

How to become a soccer fan

The Other McCain has found his inner soccer dude - helped by his daughter marrying an Argentinian.
I found my inner soccer dude in the 1980s - when I joined a church attended by Paul Banta. He's now got a Christian soccer ministry, pretty impressive after surviving a year on the deacon board with me.
And you haven't lived until you've had Thanksgiving dinner with a bunch of soccer players from Iceland - the core of Banta's soccer teams back then.
Now, Slovenia first and U.S.A. second in the group would be great.

Think cool thoughts

It's hot outside. Really out.
Perfect time for the NHL to release the 2010-11 schedule.
It's not too long until October.

Keep the hope alive

DaTech Guy received some hopeful words for trouble times Monday. Good job from his priest.
“You are going through your Good Friday”, he said to me, “But remember, every Good Friday has its Easter.”
These words really hit me, It reminded me that at any time Christ could have decided to take up the challenge to come down from the cross but did not because he knew the suffering of Good Friday would lead to the triumph of Easter.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Answer to life's great mysteries

Dustbury tells why there's no high-res pictures of Bigfoot and his friends.

Too much information - bride division

Via Instapundit, bridal diapers.
Check it out. You can't help yourself.

Don't be fuelish

Robert Samuelson looks at President Obama's speech and finds it wanting.
Just once, it would be nice if a president would level with Americans on energy. Barack Obama isn't that president. His speech the other night was about political damage control -- his own. It was full of misinformation and mythology. Obama held out a gleaming vision of an America that would convert to the "clean" energy of, presumably, wind, solar and biomass. It isn't going to happen for many, many decades, if ever.
Because there's a simple bottom line.
Unless we shut down the economy, we need fossil fuels.

Picked your favorite team yet?

Three more matches in the World Cup Monday, then it's the final matches for Group A and B on Tuesday. By Saturday, we'll be in the round of 16 - no ties, just elimination.
Brazil and Netherlands have already advanced to the second round. The United States holds its fate in its own hands Wednesday.
I'd like to see Slovenia move on. My cousin and her husband served at the U.S. Embassy there a few years ago, so that's my rooting interest.
A missions trip to Brazil in 1989 makes them always my favorite. While there, I met a student from Paraguay. You can cheer Par-a-guay just like U-S-A, so that's a reason to boost them along.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

More Father's Day wisdom

Pundette shares the quotes about the importance of fathers.
I liked this quote.
Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys.

The Hop Bird

Jonah Goldberg posts his tribute to his late father.

Father's Day thought from Facebook

I found this on my Facebook feed this morning.
You're not a real parent until your child projectile vomits in front of a packed house at Blue Coast Burrito...
Happy Father's Day.

The burning coals aren't hot enough

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico keeps people riled up. Maybe too riled up.
You have videos of President Obama golfing, instead of wearing sackcloth and sitting in a pile of ashes. (he's a White Sox fan, didn't they have an annual "sackcloth and ashes" day when they were lousy).
The BP chief executive watches his yacht in a race and he gets grief.
People are working hard, and if you overwork them you may get really bad decisions.
I mean, Obama had a hard primary campaign in 2008 and then picked Joe Biden as Vice President. Hard to make a worse decision then that.

Fathers Make Junior Read Accurately

Happy Father's Day from the spotlight blog over at No Sheeples Here.
I've been busy doing fatherly things as summer vacation gets going, so it will be a short roundup.
Pat remembers her dad in a special roundup.
Smitty brings the big FMJRA roundup while prepping a double-dose of Rule 5 Sunday. What a way to spend your Father's Day.
Camp of the Saints says one of these things is not like the others.
The Daley Gator keeps you up on the news.
Raising Homemakers looks at making important impressions on your children.
Little Miss Attila looks at the otter-side of life.
Pundette takes a music break.
Troglopundit checks on the latest banking news.
Naked Villiany has a word for the day.
Dustbury looks at self-promotion. Hey, he won an Okie Award, so you should check his blog out.
Virginia Right has undergone a makeover, and Legal Insurrection is about to take the plunge.
Eye of Polyphemus ranks the Star Wars movies. How big is the gap between number 3 and 4?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Help your friends, tell them you care and keep ahead of trouble.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Remember your TV dads

Instapundit links the list of best TV dads.

Cartoon of the day

Paco Enterprises highlights the true Barack Obama.

It's worth it

For Father's Day, the thoughts of a stay-at-home mom.
All the financial sacrifice, the difficulty of swimming against the cultural tide, the abject boredom that comes with reading the same book for the thousandth time, the worries about what politician might next try to interrupt our unusual lifestyle with new rules and regulations designed to make chaos of our plans–all of that is just noise. This–these little people sitting around my table, learning to love learning–this is peace.
And I think it’s going to be worth it. Yes, I think it is.

The law that shows laws like this are bad laws

Contentions blog looks at the mess Democrats are making trying to help their friends deal with the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
This law isn’t just a mess. It also illustrates everything that is wrong about so-called reform of election spending, which amounts to nothing more than deciding who can speak and who can’t. The Times treats this as just the usual congressional log-rolling, in which deals are made to avoid antagonizing some while harming others. But free speech cannot be allocated like earmark pork legislation, which doles out funds to some districts while others get nothing. But to unprincipled politicians whose main goal is to silence their critics, there is no limit as to how low they will sink in order to pass a bill that will hamstring independently financed political speech.

"It takes a spillage"

Mark Steyn is on top of his game about bumbling Barack and the oil spill speech.
The president directed his Nobel Prize-winning Head of Meetings to assemble a meeting to tackle the challenge of mobilizing the assembling of the tackling of the challenge mobilization, at the end of which they directed BP to order up some new tackle and connect it to the thingummy next to the whachamacallit. Thank you, Mr. President. That and $4.95 will get you a venti oleaginato at Starbucks.

Take it to the bank

The Other McCain looks at the bad news about banks.
One big question - what happens when we run out of strong banks to take over the failing bad banks?

Friday, June 18, 2010

Blessed be the tie that binds

Will the United States advance in World Cup play? Check this out to find out.
Good thing the Group C games are played at the same time. We might have two games with no goals going on.

Weekend watchdog

Last year, Father's Day was a sports feast for dads. This year, you get to add the World Cup to the weekend mix.
The United States plays its second game Friday, meeting Slovenia at 9:30 a.m. on ESPN. That's the group leading Slovens after the first batch of matches. Germany meets Serbia to open the day at 7 a.m., then England meets Algeria at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Will the Brits be able to keep up with the Yanks in group play?
Saturday opens with the Netherlands vs. Japan at 7 a.m., then it's Ghana vs. Australia at 9:30 p.m. ABC gets to show Denmark against Cameroon at 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, you've got Slovakia vs. Paraguay, then Italy against New Zealand in the morning on ESPN. ABC has favorite Brazil going against Ivory Coast in its afternoon slot.
By the next weekend, the group play will be done and it's off to the single-elimination round of 16.
Golf dads will be focused on the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. NBC will be on the air 3-5 p.m. Friday, while ESPN has coverage from 1-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, NBC is on from 4:30 p.m. and through prime time. The final round is on from 3-9 p.m. The College World Series kicks off Saturday in Omaha, and don't feel too bad Virginia fans - only three of the top eight seeds advanced to the final eight.
TCU meets Florida State Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN to open the festivities, then it's Florida-UCLA at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oklahoma meets South Carolina at 2 and Arizona State faces Clemson at 7 p.m.
The Nationals host the White Sox this weekend, with games Friday and Sunday on MASN. FOX has picked up the Saturday afternoon game for its package. Other areas will see the Dodgers at Red Sox or Twins-Phillies. TBS will show the Yankees and Mets Sunday afternoon, with Dodgers-Red Sox being ESPN's Sunday night game.
The Orioles conclude a west coast swing with a weekend at San Diego's Petco Park on MASN2.
NASCAR gets a late start, with TNT's coverage from Sonoma starting at 3 p.m. The Nationwide drivers are in Wisconsin Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Indy cars are in Iowa, with Versus coverage starting at 1:30 p.m.
Comcast offers the Washington Mystics facing Chicago Saturday at 7 p.m.
For something different, the Red Bull Air Race will be seen on Comcast Sunday at 2 p.m.

Back in the saddle again

It's a bright sunny day in Fishersville. Looks like the technical difficulties have been resolved, with just a few casualities (how do I put the roundup of roundups together again?)
Thanks for those who expressed concern.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Dog days of summer


Has your traffic gone to the dogs since Memorial Day? Do you check your Sitemeter and cry?
Hang on baby, September's coming.
Then Election season, when the main people crying will be Democrats.

Ready for the World Cup?

ESPN has a neat feature on Pele's goals in the 1958 World Cup final.
The first goal was great. Here's a brief clip, but check out ESPN for the slow-motion and better clarity.


Weekend watchdog

It's an event held every four years, but this time it's unique.
The World Cup comes to Africa for the first time in its 80-year history, and host South Africa opens play against Mexico Friday at 9:30 a.m. Uruguay takes on France at 2 p.m.
The United States team has its first contest Saturday at 1:30 p.m., facing on England on ABC. Earlier in the day on ESPN, it's South Korea vs. Greece at 7 a.m. and Argentina-Nigeria at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, the day begins with Algeria vs. Slovenia at 7 a.m., then Serbia vs. Ghana. ABC brings Germany against Australia at 1:30 p.m.
Play continues daily through the opening round, with the final set for July 11.
The NBA Finals continue with Game 5 Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC. Then it's back to L.A. to decide this year's basketball champion.
The NHL season is over, but minor league hockey continues. Comcast will show Game 5 of the American Hockey League's final - Hershey at Texas - Friday at 8:30 p.m.
It's time for interleague play in baseball. The Orioles start a series with the Mets on MASN, while the Nationals visit the Indians on MASN2.
Nationally, the battle of Chicago between the White Sox and Cubs gets the national attention on FOX Saturday and ESPN Sunday night. The Red Sox and Phillies are the other FOX offering, and the game featured on TBS Sunday afternoon.
College baseball is down to the Super Regional level, with eight series determining the eight participants in next week's College World Series. Virginia hosts Oklahoma, playing Saturday at 3 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN and Monday (if necessary) at either 1 or 7 p.m.
The ESPN family of networks starts the fun Friday afternoon with Vanderbilt-Florida State and Texas against TCU on ESPN2. Florida faces Miami at 7 p.m. on ESPN, then it's UCLA and Cal State-Fullerton on ESPN2 at 10:30 p.m.
The best available games will fill the time slots Saturday and Sunday, with four finals possible on Monday.
NASCAR heads to Michigan Sunday at 1 p.m., while the Nationwide racers are in Kentucky Saturday night at 7:30 on ESPN.
The PGA tour is in Memphis for the St. Jude's Classic. CBS has coverage Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
The Mystics host the New York Liberty Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
Saturday afternoon, ESPN2 offers Major League Lacrosse at 3 p.m. (Denver vs. Boston) and women's pro softball (Chicago vs. Florida) at 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Another fun video

I've enjoyed this video on CMT recently. Watch out for those angry women.

Take a number

Doug Ross lets you know the top 10 rejected Obamacare slogans.
I'm sure there were more than 10.
h/t Wyblog

Counter-productive, much?

President Obama talks about kicking butts early in the week.
BP's stock tanks.
Reminds me of a pirate sign I saw at the beach last summer.
"The beatings will continue until morale improves."

Palate cleanser

Would you rather think of Sarah Palin or Helen Thomas?
Thanks, lefties, for the new distraction in political discourse.

Tied in nots

Contentions blog at Commentary Magazine rounds up the news of the day.
Including a sentence I would not expect to see.
Not only Andrew Sullivan is obsessed with Sarah Palin’s breasts.

More Obama job losses

ESPN is closing it's ESPNZone restaurants in Baltimore, Washington and three other cities.
Jobs will be lost until new tenants can be found.
The Baltimore Sun article was written by a college colleague of mine. Her job seems secure.

Some cheer with your lousy money news

I heartily endorse this post at Ace of Spades.
I take my recessions like I take my vanilla cones from Baskin-Robbins: double-dip!
Now I'm looking for a nice cave to hide in.

Guess my nephew has to shave now

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for winning the Stanley Cup.
My nephew, who turns 16 later in the month, had not shaved during the Flyers' playoff run.
My brother sent me a photo over the cell phone between the second and third period. Will there be pictures of a clean-shaven face?
UPDATE: Email confirmation that he shaved Thursday night.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Texas cheerleaders on ice


When I did an internship with the Baltimore Skipjacks in 1983, they were the southern-most team in the American Hockey League.
The league has expanded quite a bit since then, now including a team from Austin, Texas in the league final.
Which means Texas girls like Sarah rooting on an ice hockey team.

8-3 is a pretty good record

Washington Nationals fans would be estastic if Stephen Strasburg had an 8-3 record later this summer.
That's Sarah Palin's record of endorsements so far this campaign season.

Summer vacation, day one

The boys have been out of school for just over 24 hours.
They are already saying they are bored.
Along with:
  • Let's go to a movie.
  • Let's go to the store and buy something for us. (the oldest turns 13 in four weeks).
  • Let's see if a friend can come over.
  • Can I have some ice cream?

Let's see if I can make it until Aug. 17.

I pity the fool

Instapundit links a commentary on the best movies from TV series.
The list of bad movies would be too long to read until you take a week of vacation.

Ya win some, ya lose some

Anybody find a pattern in Tuesday's Republican primaries?
Establishment candidates won in Virginia congressional races.
Establishment candidates got killed in South Carolina and Nevada - usually two of the first presidential primary states.
Less than four months until Election Day. When some of our questions may be answered.

Rusty robot

Mind Numbed Robot tries to crank out a great post, but finds the gears are rusty.
He's someone who could be helped by a dip in the Gulf of Mexico right now.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

How do you kick your own butt?

That's my question for President Obama.
Don't care if his quote was presidential or not. After 50 days, the president is not a bystander.
If he can't kick his own butt, others will do it for him.

Look who's cracked

Yankee Phil is running for a spot on the board of directors of the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative.
Coarse Cracked Corn doesn't like the idea.
I have to defend Phil, since he's busy tonight - at Boy Scouts.
But since Cracked Corn links Phil's old site - silent these last 12 months - I'd say the opinion is worse than the linking skills.
Good luck in the voting Thursday, Phil.

New Jersey birthday boy

Chris at Wyblog gets help from his daughter to celebrate his birthday.
Don't get too close.

Do you see what I see?

A great joy of the blogosphere is getting to directly read what someone with totally different viewpoints thinks.
Blue Virginia sees President Obama as tough.
Others see a whiny baby, unhappy things aren't going his way.
It's all in perceptions and preconceived notions. You look for what you want to see.
But how come the smartest, most powerful President ever keeps getting bested by George W. Bush and the oil companies, Republicans in Congress and public opinion?
Gee, I wrote about it last March and the Other McCain picked it up.
"Right now, the majority of the American public sees President Obama as a Jackie Robinson symbol of hope and change. But conservatives have seen his flaws. He can't hit the curve ball. He can't field his position. He's a utility infielder, not an All-Star or Hall of Famer."

School's out - for 10 weeks

Augusta County schools closed for the year at 1 p.m.
Is it August 17th yet?
(for some reason, the students and teachers didn't like me saying that to them today).

Interesting economic indictator

I used to live in Georgetown, S.C., which is in-between Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
And which will not have a new car dealership for the first time in 85 years.
Jeepy Ford is ending his contract with GM.
He does have one of the great car names, doesn't he?

Watch for falling naked ladies

Hopefully they won't need a sign for that in Myrtle Beach.
Fortunately, she was thrown from only a second floor balcony. And she received medical treatment after the incident.

Stop the spill or I'll hold my breath

I guess that's what's next for President Obama, after saying he's looking for an "ass to kick."

Monday, June 7, 2010

Steyn sums it up

Mark Steyn on Helen Thomas' farewell -
A guy with a flip camera just took out one of the most storied names in American journalism.
'Nuff said.

A non-PC bumper sticker

American Power displays a bumper sticker from the pro-Arizona rally Sunday.
You know which side he stands on.

Helen Thomas, Barack Obama and me

We were all born on August 4.
I may have to change my birthday.

If you like the oil spill, you'll love health care reform

NRO's Corner highlights the New York Times article on the government responses in the Gulf of Mexico.
Or lack of response. Or one group trying to follow their rules while another tried to solve the problem.
In one stark example of government disputes, internal e-mail messages from the minerals agency obtained by The Times reveal a heated debate over whether to ignore some federal environmental laws about gas emissions in an effort to speed the drilling of relief wells.
One agency official, Michael Tolbert, warned colleagues on April 24 that emissions of nitrous oxide from the well were “pretty far over the exemption level,” an issue that his colleague Tommy Broussard said could result in “BP wasting time” on environmental safeguards in a way that would be “completely stupid.”
But a third colleague, Elizabeth Peuler, intervened to demand that the agency take “no shortcuts.”

Sorry, Democrats, you just can't help it. You're way of dealing with health care will likely be the same. When it comes down to helping people or following your rules, you'll lean toward the rules. Because it's what you know. What makes you important.
May not make sense, but it pays the bills.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

End of the run

I like checking the weekly rankings on Blognetnews.com/Virginia, especially the 12-week rolling average. I figure the ranking there shows consistency, which is a good thing.
Back in early December, I rose to number three on that average - just behind SWACgirl and Yankee Phil. This morning, I dropped back to four. After six months, Jerry from FromOnHigh has passed me back.
Will we jockey for position all summer long? Or will he go higher? I'll be checking every Sunday morning.

Mr. 4 million

The Other McCain topped the four-million hits mark Sunday afternoon.
Then he got to rip into Will Folks and his latest nightmare accusation.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat until Tuesday at 9 p.m. Then we can wash that dude right out of our hair.

Who needs college when you have Facebook?

Glenn Reynolds has a column on the possible bust of the higher education bubble.
He describes three ways a college education helps - and the third one caught my eye.
And, third, a college degree -- at least an elite one -- may hook its holder up with a useful social network that can provide jobs and opportunities in the future. (This is more true if it's a degree from Yale than if it's one from Eastern Kentucky, but it's true everywhere to some degree).
A social network - isn't that what Facebook does? Maybe my life would have been different if I'd gone to another school besides Towson.
My wife succeeded in her career despite starting at a local tech college with a one-year degree. When she came to the University of Virginia to study in the mid-90s, her classmates all started at better schools. But they were all in the same program.
Go to a small school and get linked by Instapundit. Now that's the recipe for success.

St. Pancake

Thank goodness when the internet jogs your memory, plenty of stuff can flow out.
Read the whole thing while I'm cooking breakfast.

Flyers' March Just Retro Anarchy

We begin Sunday with a FMJRA roundup. We'll end the day watching Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals as Philadelphia looks for its first ice hockey title since 1974-75. The Broad Street Bullies are looking for some championship company.
DaTech Guy continues his campaign for cash.
The Blog Prof hits lots of items with the daily linkaround.
Pat bids farewell to some friends and highlights the work of her many friends in the blogosphere. The Other McCain closes on four million hits, with some help from Will Folks. I guess he's good for something.
Carol finds some scum on the surface of the water.
Troglopundit sends a high school graduate into the world.
Pundette offers the best of Mark Steyn.
The Classic Liberal spreads the joy.
Wyblog finds the Obama administration doing something before it's supposed to happen.
Grandpa John has pride in his family.
Naked Villainy lists the ways we're doomed.
Camp of the Saints bids farewell to ads.
The Daley Gator has your sign.
Eye of Polyphemus proves there are good bloggers in South Carolina.
Pirates Cove enjoyed water views on his vacation.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Enjoy some morning sunshine, avoid scary people and live your dream.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Youth vote wakes up

Instapundit links a poll on Obamacare - and a reaction from a young voter.
I can’t even tell you how many people my own age who voted for Obama have come to me and told me how disappointed they are in what he’s done with this whole thing.

More South Carolina fun

Since Nikki Haley is attracting such attention in South Carolina, I visited the website of my former paper, the Georgetown Times.
Near Myrtle Beach, the wife of the incumbent representative tangled with the father of another candidate over signs. And her car backed into his.
I hope the state can survive Tuesday's primary.

If he were my dad, I'd get really drunk too

The Baltimore Sun reports on a policeman's dilemma - he finds an 18-year-old suffering from possible alcohol poisoning.
And it's the governor's daughter.
The governor who's running for reelection in November.
h/t Dan Riehl

"Mommy isn't enough"

The Other McCain highlights this article, of a woman's quest to be who she was made to be -
filling the role of help-meet to a faithful and hard-working man, and looking forward to a life of (cover your eyes, feminists) submission to God’s will–and my husband’s.
It leads to this new website, Raisinghomemakers.com.
I think a lot of people will be checking this out.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Carrie's words to remember

Why anybody would cheat on Carrie Underwood, no one knows.
Cool video effects at the end.


VH1 TV Shows Music Videos Celebrity Photos News & Gossip

How to settle the South Carolina showdown

Speedo contest.
Will Folks vs. Larry Marchant.
Whoever wins gets to face the king.
And nobody beats the king.

No, Miley, no

The Other McCain has the latest on Miley Cyrus' trip down the mountain.
She peaked at 16, girlfriend? So sorry.
Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days.
My boys like to watch the shows on Nick and Disney Channel. Quite a few young girls with similar talents, waiting to take Miley's place atop the charts. (And cute sidekicks like the girl who plays Harper on Wizards of Waverly Place).
In 15 years or so, Miley can star in a new series. As the mom of a precocious singer, with Billy Ray still hanging around as the wise but grumpy grandpa.

Party at Pat's

Pat in Shreveport has peaches.
And BP engineers are looking at pumping millions of peaches into the pipeline breach. Or maybe it's Playdough.
Hey, you got any better ideas?

Can I try this excuse?

I've been a stay-at-home dad since November 2004, but the boys are old enough for me to consider returning to the workforce in the fall.
My recent work experience - minimal.
College degree - journalism. (insert screams of terror here).
Maybe if I don't get a job, then I can use this excuse.

Eats lightning and craps thunder

Over at Ace of Spades, they remain impressed by New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Helpful hints

The Blogprof brings the scoop on James Cameron's ideas to plug the oil spill.

Weakness in the White House

In time for beach season, everybody kicks sand in the face of President Obama and his administration.
What these stories are bringing to light is the fact that, at best, the White House political operation is a clumsy bunch.

Weekend watchdog

Do you think ABC is happy?
The NBA Finals tip off Thursday at 9 p.m. with the league's most storied rivalry - Celtics vs. Lakers. Game 2 will be Sunday at 8 p.m.
Getting ready for the series, you'll see black-and-white matchups from the 1960s. And the Bird vs. Magic rivalry of the 1980s. And maybe a little bit from 2008, when the Celtics won the last Finals meeting.
The Lakers have the homecourt advantage, always big in the Finals. When it's all over, one of the most successful teams in NBA history will add another title to its list.
The Stanley Cup finals continues Friday, with Game 4 on Versus. The teams return to Chicago for Game 5 Sunday on NBC.
In Paris, it's the end of the French Open. NBC shows the mens' semifinals Friday at 11 a.m., then has the women's championship Saturday at 9 a.m. The men's winner is crowned during live coverage Sunday at 9 p.m.
NASCAR bid farewell to Digger, Darrell and the crew for the season last weekend. Sunday, TNT picks up the coverage for the next six races, starting at Pocono at 1 p.m. The Nationwide Series is in Nashville Saturday night on ESPN2.
The IRL, fresh off its biggest race of the year, heads to Texas Saturday night on Versus.
The Orioles start a nine-game homestand as the Red Sox visit Camden Yards on MASN. The Nationals host the Reds on MASN2.
The Brewers visit to St. Louis gets the most national attention in baseball this weekend - on FOX Saturday and ESPN Sunday night. The Marlins vs. Mets and Rays-Rangers are also in the FOX mix of games, while TBS shows the Yankees and Blue Jays Sunday afternoon.
Tiger Woods is back to defend his title at the Memorial. CBS has coverage Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
D.C. United hosts Real Salt Lake Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast.
Want something different? NBC has the Collegiate Rugby Sevens Championships from Columbus Saturday and Sunday, starting at 4 p.m. both days.
The NCAA softball championships start Thursday in Oklahoma City with four games -Missouri vs. Hawaii and UCLA-Florida in the afternoon on ESPN, then Arizona against Tennessee at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 followed by Georgia-Washington.
There's two winners bracket games Friday, four more games Saturday and four Sunday on either ESPN or ESPN2 to reduce the field to two teams. Those two play a best-of-three series starting Monday.
The triple crown races end Saturday with the Belmont Stakes on ABC at 5 p.m.

Latest on the political con-slut-ants

Stacy McCain brings us up-to-date on the South Carolina drama - sleazy guys who wish they had a shot at a rising star gubernatorial candidate.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Go Flyers

My brother texted me that my 15-year-old nephew is at tonight's Stanley Cup Final game.
I'm trying to find him in the crowd. I think he's wearing orange.

With global warming, it's hot chocolate

Thought for the day, via Don Surber.

Announcing my candidacy

I'd like to announce I'm going to run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in 2012. I plan on taking on Sen. Jim Webb.
Right now, I'm waiting for a call from the White House. I wonder what job they'll offer to talk me out of running?
UPDATE: With Smitty on my team, the juggernaut will not be stopped.
UPDATE2: DaleyGator gives the team some bite.
UPDATE3: Yankee Phil wants to see more power in the neighborhood.
UPDATE4: Pundette adds as a recommended read.
UPDATE5: Troglopundit declares. Watch out, Sen. Kohl.

Desperation is the new hope

Ace of Spades examines a column by Robert B. Reichhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
And gives a seal of approval. Sort of.
Reich is a sharp guy for a liberal. I've always had a modest measure of respect for him precisely because he wasn't PelosiGrade™ stupid.

Haley Joel Obama

Something about this post by Dan Riehl
Everywhere he turns, President Barack Obama sees crises
made me think of this scene.



Maybe Obama just sees Democrats dead in the polls in November.

There is hope, stay-at-home parents

Five more days of school in Augusta County. Then the students are free. And hanging around the house all day. Or asking to go places. And get toys or such.
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The school district has already posted the supply list for the 2010-11 school year.
Hang on moms (and dads like me). August 17th is coming. It will be here in just a moment.

More Flyers singers

The Stanley Cup Finals move to Philadelphia Wednesday night. When the Flyers won the Cup in the 70s, Kate Smith's singing of "God Bless America" was considered the good luck charm. Her statue stood outside the old Spectrum, and we might see the traditional song again this week.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Best of luck, Al and Tipper...

...as you pursue the Underpants Gnome theory of Divorce.

1. Unhappy marriage.
2. ?
3. Happy post-married life.

Look for the right union crew

Instapundit notes the failure of a union effort to get a third party on the ballot in North Carolina.
Remember, this isn’t a union made up of tough, disciplined coal miners. It’s a union made up of DMV clerks . . . .
That's cold.
They're mad at you and will take it up - after break.

Traveling with tween boys

I took the boys to visit their grandparents at the Outer Banks for the weekend.
This was the first trip where they began noticing the billboards on the 60-mile trek from the North Carolina line to the shore.
They really liked ads for these two businesses:
Try My Nuts
Dirty Dicks Crab House
I explained to the boys that some businesses try to catch your eye with interesting names. They giggled.
The oldest wondered if some employee would just say "Don't you think the name is inappropriate?" But they are the ones we remember. And that I'm writing about.