Sunday, July 31, 2011

Same job, new name

When I go back to work Monday, it's the same job as Friday.
But the company has a new name - University of Virginia Physicians Group.
The company's previous name lasted from the Carter administration to Obama administration. We'll see how well the new name is received.

No new taxes; no happy campers

Sunday's debt ceiling news seems to please no one, and leave all thinking it will benefit them in the future.
But any day with no new taxes is a good day.

Perriello's greatest hit

Legal Insurrection remembers Tom Perriello's famous words - if you don't tie our hands, we will keep stealing.
Thanks Schilling Show for preserving this.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Passing bills vs. passing gas

The Other McCain blasts President Obama's "all talk, no action" plan for dealing with everything.
Obama’s “approach” is arithmetically nebulous for the very reason that he doesn’t want to have to explain or defend any actual budget reductions. An actual budget must be specific as to the amount of funding allotted to each department, each division, each agency, each program, and this Obama was unwilling or unable to do, so his big “bully pulpit” proposal on April 13 wasn’t something for which the accountants and economists at the CBO could produce a score.

How much money would Obama’s approach save? We don’t know!

Saturday song

I wanted a performance of this Jerry Reed song, and found this from 1992.


Here's a link to the original.

Facebook quote of the week

Never pluck your eyebrows in a frenzy... you might just end up with half an eyebrow a few days before you are supposed to have pictures made. True story.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Nov. 6, 2012 - where will the debt be?

One of the holdups in the debt ceiling debate is the height of the ceiling.
Democrats want a ceiling that won't have to be raised until after the next election.
How is that going to work?
People know the debt limit is $14.4 trillion now.
It's likely the debt will be around $15.5 trillion - maybe closer to $16 trillion - when President Obama faces the voters again.
Do Democrats think they can slip that fact past the voters?
Whatever happens this weekend, the debt will remain front and center in the political fight. Every dollar spent brings more Tea Party anger.

Boehner, the spaghetti chef

It's been confusing keeping up with the latest Republican proposals on the debt ceiling vote.
Every day or so, John Boehner and Republican bring out something else.
Trying to find something, anything, that Democrats and President Obama can agree with them on.
Kind of like a spaghetti cook. The spaghetti is in the pot, and he takes out a strand and throws it against the wall to see if it sticks.
Maybe a vote with a Budget Balanced Amendment attached will work.
Boehner is trying to find a way to get the Democratic children in line.
At least Boehner and the Republicans are cooking - not whining outside the door that they want candy for dinner.

What will Sarah say?

What's going on at Capitol Hill?
Hard to tell.
I can't wait for Sarah Palin's next Facebook post.

Weekend watchdog

It's time for another major race at Indianapolis - and it's not Memorial Day.
NASCAR heads to the historic home of motor sports Sunday for the Brickyard 400. ESPN starts its NASCAR run with coverage Sunday at 1 p.m.
NASCAR's stature has grown in the 17 years since the first Brickyard. And only NASCAR could bring the "kiss my bricks" tradition to the track.
The Nationwide racers are at nearby Lucas Oil Raceway for the Kroger 200 Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. But next year, they'll race the Brickyard as well.
The Cubs are in St. Louis for the weekend, playing Saturday on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. Other games on FOX are Angels at Tigers and Tampa Bay's trip to Seattle. Sunday afternoon, TBS offers the Red Sox at the White Sox.
The Orioles go to New York for a four-game series, including a Saturday day-night doubleheader, on MASN. The Nationals take on the Mets on MASN2 (MASN on Saturday night).
It's X Games weekend on ESPN. Friday's action begins on ESPN from 3-5 p.m. before four more hours starting at 7 p.m. ABC joins the party Saturday at 4 p.m., with ESPN on the air at 2 p.m. and at 10 p.m. after the Nationwide race. ESPN2 goes Saturday at 9 p.m.
The final day offers coverage from 5-7 p.m. on ESPN, and final four hours on ESPN2.
The best senior golfers gather in Toledo for the U.S. Senior Open. ESPN has coverage Friday at 3 p.m., and NBC takes over Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m.
The PGA tournament is pretty close to Fishersville - the Greenbrier Classic is less than two hours away. CBS will have coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m. Farther away, the British Women's Open will be held this weekend. Play begins at 9 a.m. Friday and Sunday, with the third round going at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The D. C. United are on the west coast this weekend, visiting San Jose Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on Comcast. The World Football Challenge continues this weekend, with Barcelona facing Manchester United at Washington's FedEx Field Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
The road to the U.S. Open continues with a pair of tournaments on ESPN2. The Farmers Classic will be on Friday at 7 p.m., with semifinals Saturday at 10:30 p.m. and the final Sunday at 5 p.m. The Best of the West Classic has late night action Friday and Saturday before Sunday's final at 3 p.m.
In WNBA action, Washington hosts Indiana Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
There's Major League Lacrosse action on Comcast Saturday at 7 p.m., with Hamilton taking on the Bayhawks.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The real recovery

The real recovery begins January 20, 2013.
Less than 18 months away.
A Republican president - anybody - is the only way.

Compromise got us where we are today

For those praising the need for "compromise" and thinking back to bygone days when they remember that was the rule - those compromises meant more spending.
More spending meant more debt.
More debt has us in a bind about the future.
Those compromises weren't good - they were passing the bad news onto the future.
And the future has arrived.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Almost school time

It's less than four weeks until Augusta County starts its school year.
In the mail today, we received a flyer on the Fall 2011 Adult Continuing Education courses.
You can learn Social Networking Basics for $35 on Thursday nights starting in October.
I wonder if Rep. Anthony Weiner will be the teacher.

Santa cheers for NASCAR

It's NASCAR week at Indianapolis. Time to bring back a picture of Santa enjoying a visit to the track last December.
UPDATE: Helping cool down the Rule 5 roundup at the Other McCain.

"He'd lose to my cat"

Election predictions from Instapundit.
HARRIS POLL: Obama Would Lose to Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani. The way things are going, by fall 2012 he’d lose to my cat. And I don’t have a cat.

"Architect of the 2009 stimulus package"

If there's a phrase that automatically renders your opinion worthless, this is it - architect of the 2009 stimulus package.
Whatever this economist says, do the opposite.
It's got to be better.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

This Congress - doesn't want to rack up debt

From President Obama's speech Monday, an interesting passage on the debt ceiling.
Understand – raising the debt ceiling does not allow Congress to spend more money.  It simply gives our country the ability to pay the bills that Congress has already racked up.  In the past, raising the debt ceiling was routine.  Since the 1950s, Congress has always passed it, and every President has signed it.  President Reagan did it 18 times.  George W. Bush did it 7 times.  And we have to do it by next Tuesday, August 2nd, or else we won’t be able to pay all of our bills. 
This Congress - led by Republicans - has looked at what past Congresses have done.
They see the problems ahead.
They want to stop racking up bills.
They want to cut, cap and balance.
This is the time to make hard decisions, not wait until 2013.
You need debt increases to keep spending.
The House doesn't want to spend so much. No more racking up bills means we won't be bumping up against the ceiling all the time.

Today's Tied with me

In Technorati today, this blog is tied with WordPress Explorer.
Check out the different designs I could use if I was on Wordpress.
Change might be coming soon.

We are the top 2 percent - and we're proud

To hear President Obama talking, the entire top two percent of income earners must be greedy Republicans who don't want to pay their fair share.
Yes, we are the top.
Best of the land.
We must be proud, and need a slogan.

We're here
We're rich
Get used to it
Bitch

Yes! Cuts-only approach

One way to solve the federal deficit is charge a $1 for every blistering comment/article/post on Obama's TV appearance Monday.
I'm sure we're close to a trillion blasts at Obama and it's not even noon yet.
Powerline takes its shot.
Obama went on to demagogue corporate jet owners, etc., in his predictable–and frankly stupid–way. But what he apparently didn’t realize is that most of his listeners were saying, Yes! Let’s have a cuts-only approach! We don’t need more taxes, we need the federal government to start living within its means!

Obama’s speech no doubt went down well in tony D.C. precincts where “revenue enhancement” means “money in my pocket.” But most of the relative handful of American voters who still care what Obama says perceived, no doubt, that he is on the wrong side of history.

If we raise the debt ceiling...

...will President Obama buy some new talking points?

Monday, July 25, 2011

Cut and verify

The Tea Party's goal in the budget stalemate is pretty simple - cut spending.
Really cut spending.
Not just say you're cutting when it's only a slight letup in the rate of growth.
Cut.
Stop.
Things we don't need, stop spending money on.
Saying there are cuts in a deal won't do. We want to verify the amount of cuts.
President Reagan said "Trust, but verify." Tea Party leaders say "Cut and verify."
We've run out of money and taxpayers. Cutting is the only way to go.
No more pretending to cut.
Cut, and verify.

Sad, lost children of MSNBC

The Baltimore Sun's TV columnist has an interesting post on MSNBC - catching you with the lede paragraph.
MSNBC is built on a lie, and it's one that the cable channel is never going to be able escape as long as sticks to its leftist ideological guns.
Seems Keith Olbermann talked to Cenk Uygur recently.
Who?
Exactly.
They are former MSNBC hosts caught in a trap.
You can see a video of the interview here, but there is not enough time left in my life to try and explain all the innuendo and nutsiness going back and forth between these two former MSNBC employees. In the video, Uygur once again lays out his paranoid charges that the political powers that be in Washington (read: White House) essentially called in his boss at MSNBC and told him to tone Uygur down.
Essentially, most MSNBC hosts are employees of a huge corporation that allows them air time to rail against huge corporations causing our problems. But if all hugh corporations were the problem, how come this one lets these hosts do their shows?
If many people watched MSNBC, this might matter more.
UPDATE: Linked by DaTech Guy.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Unhappy fish

Powerline said steal this video. I will post as I'm told.

Da Generous people

DaTech Guy ran into a cashflow problem in the last couple of weeks.
He made his needs known.
The e-checks have rolled in.
All without putting any silly party hats on his website.

Welcome to the Association

Checking my Technorati links, I found I've been added to a new group - Association of Miniscule to Middling Conservative Blogs.
Thanks for adding me, blogging squirrels.

Killing conservation

It was a hot day in Baltimore Friday.
It was a lot hotter for people who signed up for an energy conservation program.
People who signed up for the Peak Rewards program had their air conditioning cut off for most of Friday afternoon.
The program offers cash incentives in exchange for letting the power company - BG&E - control your air conditioning when needed.
BG&E said the program worked. People who cooked in their houses beg to differ.
The program probably did work as planned, but not as people who signed up expected. They expected to save money, not cook inside their house.
That's the problem with this program and it's friends - mass transit and Obamacare. You give up control of your life - and hope the big program gives you goodies.
But in case of emergency - a first-ever shutout in BG&E's program history - and what's promised is not worth dealing with the emergency aftermath.
Mass transit works - until the bus breaks down and you're stranded.
Obamacare might work - until the money runs out.
BG&E gave energy conservation a bad name Friday, by running its program by its rules.
People would like to save energy and money - but not have their houses reach 90 degrees or suffer through heat when they are 37-weeks pregnant.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Read it and weep

Instapundit posts a lengthy letter from a reader about the debt ceiling talks.
What has me worried is the idea that the Democrats ACTUALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE END OF THE ROAD. What if they actually aren’t capable of recognizing when they’ve lost? Or when we’ve run out of other people’s money?
We'll find out soon enough.

Insolvency, explained

Over at Ace of Spades, Monty explains economics - and how we got into the trouble we're in.
Sovereigns are learning an uncomfortable truth about how to avoid insolvency: limit the welfare state. It is good and necessary for a sovereign to look after the most weak and helpless and downtrodden among its citizens; it is both the civilized and the moral thing to do. But when the ranks of victims expands to encompass one-third to one-half of the entire population, something has gone badly wrong and disaster cannot be far away. Kindness is a moral virtue, but it becomes a positive evil when it threatens to collapse the state itself. “Kindness” that leads to insolvency is not kindness at all, because it brings much suffering and sorrow in its wake.

Facebook quote of the week

I cleaned the fridge tonight. Fridge is almost empty. It was like throwing my children into the ocean.... Stuff had expired in '07....

Saturday song

Has the political news from Washington brought you down?
Here's ELO saying "Don't bring me down."

Friday, July 22, 2011

Obama left behind

On Facebook, Sarah Palin weighs in on Friday's debt ceiling dustup.
As I said in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Tax Day Tea Party rally, “We don’t want it. We can’t afford it. And we are unwilling to pay for it.”
The real recovery begins Jan. 20, 2013, when Obama heads back to Chicago.

Cut the crap

You don't like "Cut, Cap and Balance?"
My friend has a simple answer on Facebook - Cut the Crap.
No more blank checks! Stop spending! Downsize government!!! Means test ALL benefit and entitlement programs. Repeal Obamacare!! Do I need to bring up the NEA or Unions?

In case of shutdown

Some government agencies are letting people know their status is there's a government shutdown in a few weeks.
The good news - VA hospitals will continue treating patients.
The bad news - Barney Frank will be giving the sponge baths.

Weekend watchdog

Who's leading the Tour de France? Who knows?
It's not Lance Armstrong, I know that. At least you know where it's going to end.
Versus closes its three-week trek through France this weekend. The racers go through the Alps in Friday's stage, and have a time trial in Grenoble Saturday before the closing ride into Paris.

Back in the States, Atlanta heads to Cincinnati, getting coverage Saturday on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. FOX also has the Tigers at Twins and the Padres' visit to Philadelphia, while TBS shows the Mariners at Boston Sunday afternoon.

It's east meets west this weekend on MASN. The Orioles host the Angels on MASN, while the Nationals are in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers on MASN2.

NASCAR has the weekend off, but the IndyCar racers are in Edmonton Sunday at 2 p.m. on Versus. The Nationwide racers will hit the track, starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday from Nashville on ESPN.

CBS heads north of the border for the Canadian Open Saturday and Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. The senior golfers hung around the United Kingdom for this week's Senior Open championship. ESPN2 coverage starts at noon Friday, and coverage continues throughout the weekend on ESPN.

MLS continues the World Football Challenge through the weekend. Chicago takes on Manchester United Saturday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 while L.A. meets Manchester City Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN.

Comcast has Major League Lacrosse Saturday at 7 p.m., with Long Island taking on Chesapeake.

World Team Tennis hosts its final Sunday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. Gearing up for the U.S. Open, ESPN2 shows action from the Atlanta Tennis Championship. It takes the air Friday at 4 and 7 p.m., then Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

The World Cup of Softball goes on this weekend in Oklahoma. Bring lots of Gatorade. Friday at 8 p.m., it's the U.S. vs. Australia, and Saturday at 9 p.m. on ESPN2 Japan faces the United States. The U.S. meets Great Britain Sunday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

Hit the beach and the half-pipe for the Dew Tour Pantech Open Saturday and Sunday afternoon on NBC.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Upcoming movie news

When you get to August, the best of the movies have usually been released.
The lineup of "must-see" blockbusters starts to slow.
But this August, there will be "Spy Kids 4."
Don't you want to see Jessica Alba work with some cute kids?

I'll take a case of Obama toilet paper

Pundette has a picture of the supplies you can get to celebrate my 49th birthday August 4.
I guess the roll in the lower right is supposed to be stickers, but it looks like a roll of toilet paper to me.
Obama toilet paper.
That will be a big seller.
Sales might even balance the federal budget.

Next poll direction

Who pollsters question makes a difference in the strength of the poll.
Likely voter polls are better than registered voters.
Registered voters are better than all adults.
With Obama's numbers still slipping, which pollster will have a poll of "all humans."
Hey kids, do you like President Obama?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

No bypassing the bypass

I thought I heard a loud noise coming from Charlottesville this afternoon - the state has approved building the Western Bypass of U.S. 29.
I attended a VDOT presentation on the road in 1997. WINA radio picked me to be interviewed about the road, and I said it would be built.
Charlottesville residents may hate the idea of the road, but it's not for Charlottesville people. It's for people in Lynchburg and Danville, who feel they need quicker access to Washington, D.C.
Don't like the bypass?
Cut government spending.
A smaller federal government would reduce the need for people to head that direction. Lynchburg and Danville already have great access to North Carolina's growth areas.
Charlottesville is the last roadblock on U.S. 29 between I-66 and the North Carolina line. Which is why it hasn't been killed, despite overwhelming criticism from Charlottesville area residents.
Building the road will help other people. Why don't you want to help other people?

Are we in the wrong part of this business?

Maybe John Hawkins is right.
Why talk politics when you can talk wine.
In Charlottesville, and get the governor to notice you.
And check out the cool logo.

Smitty home with Frau Smitty

Famed blog sidekick Smitty has made it home, in time to give the worldest youngest blogger advice for his first outside the womb post.
Watch out, Democrats.

Banding together

What's the state of the conservative blogosphere?
John Hawkins' post has ignited bloggers in the lower tiers, looking for way to help each other.
Surely, the blogosphere is changing. Newspapers and TV stations have individual turnover, but the product keeps going. Individuals may close their blogs, but others do pick up the slack. It's just not as formal a turnover.
Iowntheworld wants to help bloggers with their traffic.
Jimmie remembers the way things were.
Paco tells why he blogs.
Hawkins’ points seem valid, but, really, so what? They are more pertinent to bloggers who dreamed of becoming the next Instapundit than to a lot (possibly the majority) of us who got involved because it seemed to be a fun thing to do.
Zilla has a good last word.
UPDATE: I link Paco, and he links me.
UPDATE2: Part of the roundup at IOwnTheWorld.com.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

"They have not led. We will"

The continuing debacle of the debt ceiling talks - and President "Let him watch and complain" Obama reminds me of George W. Bush's line from his 2000 nomination acceptance speech.
"They had their chance. They have not led. We will."
Ten words. Ten short words. Powerful in meaning.

We're red

Commentary looks at President Obama's lousy numbers among independents in Virginia.
What I found particularly interesting is the polling data that showed that among Independent voters there, the president’s approval rating is 41 percent while 54 percent disapprove. This indicates to me two things: first, Mr. Kaine is going to emphasize his tenure as governor rather than DNC chairman, when he worked closely with Mr. Obama; and second, the president faces an uphill climb in Virginia.

McDonnell's budget statement

It's as true as the Social Security trust fund.
Which is why we're in this mess in the first place.

Today's Tied with Me

In Technorati, this blog has the same rank as midtownlunch.com.
Read the post and enjoy a long lunch.

Greatest wet blanket

NRO's Jim Geraghty highlights Steve Wynn's thrashing of President Obama's economics.
I'm telling you that the business community in this company is frightened to death of the weird political philosophy of the President of the United States. And until he's gone, everybody's going to be sitting on their thumbs.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Ace sums it up

Is there a better paragraph describing President Obama's strategy than the one penned by Ace?
Barack Obama is deliberately choosing to keep the country in a state of economic disaster because he fears the left will desert him if he makes the hard decisions needed to fix the economy. In other words, Barack Obama has made the political calculation that it's better for him personally to have at least another year and a half of grinding joblessness and economic misery.

Rep. Ryan, tell us how you really feel

In an interview with National Review Online, Rep. Paul Ryan lets President Obama have it.
“Whenever I hear him speak now, I just shake my head and think, there he goes again,” Ryan says. “When it comes to actually governing, leading and fixing fiscal problems, he is not in the game.” He predicts that, with their votes this week, House Republicans will show that they are.

"Unnecessary safety risk"

Waynesboro has taken down its high dive at the pool.
Maybe only one or two injuries a year - mostly slips on the ladder.
But it had to go - an "unnecessary safety risk."
Maybe if we told Democrats that their budget plans were "unnecessary safety risks" to the future, they would change their tunes.
Aren't high deficits a safety risk to the future?

When the NFL lockout is settled...

...can those guys advise President Obama?

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Good try, USA, and thanks for the hits

The Women's World Cup has ended, with Japan pulling out a shootout win over the United States.
After the group stage, I thought the U.S. would lose to Brazil in the quarterfinals. I put up a Rule 5 post "End near for Women's World Cup."
The U.S. won instead, and the hits kept coming to the post.
Even today. When people searching Google for Women's World Cup came to my blog instead of ESPN, CNN or somewhere soccer or news site.
Headlines. So important in blogging.
Good job by Japan, coming back late twice.
The better luck next time, U.S., but the world keeps getting better in this sport.

Still working

Billy Wagner retired from major league baseball after last season, but is still pitching - to his kids and throwing out the first pitch at Saturday's Bluefield Blue Jays game.
Wagner hosted a bunch of country singers in Bluefield in a fundraiser for his Second Chance Learning Center, helping encourage youth to stay in school and become the leaders of tomorrow.
“I retired to work, that is what I keep telling people, I retired to work,” Wagner said. “This is a dream and something I feel that is more important than a baseball career. I enjoy it."

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Compromise? With them?

Blue Virginia has an ironic post about "no compromising" Republican.
You've got to love the last line.
Should liberals discard their willingness to compromise? No. Win or lose, we are in the right and our higher moral ground should not be abandoned for the mud holes that many Republican politicians always seem to be found in (e.g. Eric Cantor).

They ought to compromise, because we are "in the right" and have the "higher moral ground."
Fight on, Cantor. Maybe they'll learn something.

Party time

Trog's on vacation.
What will the guest-bloggers think up?

Facebook quote of the week

OK, my tech friends...is it possible to replace the screen on an I-Pod touch if, let's say, against your advice your child takes it outside and drops it on the sidewalk and the screen cracks?

Saturday song



1970s artists never die, they just keep touring. Here's 10cc from recent years, or you can click for a video closer to their time on the charts.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Happy Anniversary, Malaise speech

Where is President Obama in his term?
At the same number of days when Jimmy Carter gave his "Malaise Speech."
Feel better?
Are you better off now than you were 32 years ago?
Laura Ingraham notes the anniversary.

Festival time in Fishersville

SWACgirl has the good word on this weekend's Daylily and Wine Festival in Fishersville.
Lots of people and lots of traffic will be heading past the homestead.
Meanwhile in D.C., there will be the delay and whine festival.

Well said

Via Little Miss Attila, MEEP has words for those counted on the guarantee of government pensions.
One can cry about fairness. Or legality. But once you’ve eaten up all the cake, crying won’t make more appear.

Ready for the press conference?

I expect to see this face early and often.

Weekend watchdog

Lots of big doings across the Atlantic Ocean this weekend.
Royal St. George hosts the 151st British Open, with the second round beginning Friday at 4 a.m. on ESPN. Third round play starts Saturday at 7 a.m. and the final round gets underway on ESPN at 6 a.m. Sunday. If you don't want to get up early, ABC has highlights starting at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The women's World Cup concludes this weekend in Germany, with the United States battling Japan for the crown Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN. The third place game matches France and Sweden Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
The Tour de France continues through the high mountains Friday at 8 a.m. on Versus. There's more mountains Saturday at 6:30 a.m., then to lower terrain Sunday at 8 a.m.
Stateside, Boston's visit to Tampa Bay gets coverage Saturday afternoon on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. Other games on FOX are Angels at Oakland, White Sox-Tigers and Phillies facing the Mets (also the Sunday TBS game).
The Orioles face Cleveland on MASN2 for the weekend. The Nationals head to Atlanta for a visit with the Braves starting Friday on MASN.
TNT closes its run of NASCAR coverage in New Hampshire Sunday at 1 p.m. The Nationwide racers hit the track Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
D.C. United heads to Dallas Saturday at 9 p.m. on Comcast. The L.A. Galaxy go against Real Madrid Saturday at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

There she is

West Virginia crowned its 2011 beauty queen last week - Spencer Wimpe of Martinsburg.
Here's to a good year wearing the crown.
UPDATE: Part of the Other McCain's Rule 5 Sunday.

Obama's birthday song

The United States should reach the debt limit the week of President Obama's 50th birthday.
Will the big birthday bash go on?
Will they sing this song?

Happy Birthday to you
Poor grandma is through
No more checks are coming
'cept for Biden's choo-choo

An incompetent liberal

Karl Rove looks at President Obama's lousy moves in the debt ceiling talks.
Washington is dysfunctional. And to paraphrase the president's senior adviser, David Plouffe, Mr. Obama owns the dysfunction. The president has not only governed as a liberal—he's governed as an incompetent liberal, thereby reminding voters that electing a Republican Congress and president next year is the only way to change direction.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Entitlement poem

You paid in a pittance
and took out a ton
Now you're complaining
about what might be done

Your Women's World Cup finale

The United States women won Wednesday, and likely will be favored when they face Japan for the title Sunday.
Is it good for women's soccer, and good for U.S. interest?
Women's soccer is something Americans ought to win.
There's a bit more interest in women's soccer than past events. But it's a flash in the media pan, like the Olympic sports. We watch every four years, then turn our interest to other things.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

When going to the beach

U.S. 17 business in Murrells Inlet, S.C. gets a new name Wednesday - Mickey Spillane Highway.


UPDATE: linked by Dustbury.

Quote of the day

"After years of discussions and months of negotiations, I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is unattainable."
Republican senator Mitch McConnell says it all in one sentence.

Today's Tied with me

The blog 10,000 Birds looks at the Northern Mockingbird today.

Hurray for the bad cops

Ace praises Michelle Bachmann for her debt ceiling offer - deep cuts and end of Obamacare.
I think Bachmann and the rest of the Bad Cops are playing a very important role here (even if they're not setting out to "play a role" but are just saying what they believe).
After two and a half years of abject objective failure, with all of his "wins" coming in terms of simple political bulldozing, Obama's looking for yet another "win" which will actually punish the country further. But he wants this "win" to appease his firebreathing base.
We can't let him have it. And it's not just about politics; it's about the future of the country.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Where's the man?

Watching FOX news, there's a new commercial from a PAC - CrossroadsGPS.
Watch the commercial and what's missing from the worried mom? A man.
She's not sleeping at night. But the other half of the bed is empty. Not turned down.
The family picture? She's there with two kids. No dad.
She's worried about her mom's Medicare. No granddad for the kids?
Interesting framing of the debt debate - single women usually favor big government to help. Now a woman, seemingly by herself against the world, wants to slow spending.

Let's make the same mistake again

The fun of the debt ceiling debate - both sides have major people on both sides of the issue over time.
Republicans for an increase in the past, and against now.
Democrats against an increase in the past, and for now.
For those calling Republicans hypocrite, why not ask what's changed? The big numbers our limit is hitting.
Can those circumstances explain the Republican changes?

Anniversary time

It's now been a year since Blognetnews went dark.
My last blog post picked up by them - a note on the opening of Chick-fil-A in Waynesboro.
Chick-fil-A is still going strong after a year, celebrating lots of chikin business.
Think there will be many more anniversaries at this restaurant.

Make it bigger

Charlottesville has been fighting about a western bypass for over 20 years.
Before my oldest was born, I attended a meeting about the road. I commented on the radio that the road would have to be built - a rare opinion in Charlottesville then and now.
The bypass idea has reared its head again. Opponents say it won't work because it's too small.
I agree - a much bigger bypass is needed.
But Charlottesville's geography is a roadblock to building a big road to help Lynchburg and Danville traffic get to Washington. Which is why the smaller bypass was selected in 1990 as Charlottesville has grown around it.
Why not a new road out of Lynchburg?
Follow the James River toward Scottsville, and hook up with Route 15 in Fluvanna County. It would be easier to four-lane that road through Orange to Culpeper, where you rejoin Route 29 for the trip to Washington.
When it comes to roads in central Virginia, think bigger.
And on Friday evenings, you've got plenty of time in traffic to think of new Route 29 ideas.

Keep fighting

Good news, no new taxes from last night.
No matter how much President Obama and Democrats want more taxes.
What do higher taxes bring? More politicians.
Reason enough to avoid higher taxes.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Campaign sayings

Ronald Reagan, 1980
Are you better off now than you were four years ago?
Barack Obama, 2012
Because of me, you're better off now than you were four years ago.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

50

Is 50
A. President Obama's age on his next birthday?
or
B. The number of jobs his policies will create across the whole country in July?
Definitely A.
It feels like B will be a stretch.

Obama's finds

If President Obama can find his birth certificate (finally), why can't he find jobs for Americans?

Facebook quote of the week

YAY!! Big Brother starts tonight - my favorite guilty pleasure.... It's my birthday, 4th of July, and Christmas rolled into one!

Saturday song

This story reminded me of Sam Cooke's hit from 1960.

Friday, July 8, 2011

We ain't heavy, we're Big Brother

Why is our unemployment too high?
Is it cuts in the government workforce?
We're down from the peak during the census - a temporary inflation in the jobs numbers. Democrats think we need more government workers in this economy.
What will more government workers now produce?
More trouble.
More weight on the private sector.
The private sector can't carry the weight of government workers now. Complaining about their struggle with the crushing debt won't motivate the private sector to carry more.

Sadness around the fishing hole

Garvey Winegar, former outdoor columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, passed away this week.
He got his start in Waynesboro, after seeing the local paper lacked an outdoors writer.
He parlayed that into a career informing Virginia outdoorsmen.
He was a gifted writer, a good friend and a person who made tremendous connections with readers," said William H. "Bill" Millsaps Jr., retired executive editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch who hired Mr. Winegar in 1986. "He didn't get fan mail, he got love letters. People responded to him in an amazing way."
He retired from full-time writing in the fall of 2003, letting readers know he'd miss being in the paper too.
It's bittersweet because I do not really want to go. I know beforehand that I will miss the Richmond Times-Dispatch terribly, and I'll certainly miss all the interesting things the newspaper has allowed me to do for 18 years.

(I got pretty good at conning the paper into sending me to the Outer Banks, Wyoming, Mexico and Lake Erie - while they picked up the tab. In retirement, I'll probably be lucky to finance a trip to Bottoms Bridge.)

Weekend watchdog

In June, major league teams play against teams from the other league.

In July, the best of each league get together for the Mid-Season Classic.

The Arizona Diamondbacks host the game Tuesday on FOX, while ESPN has the Home Run Derby Monday at 8 p.m. The best minor leaguers get their chance to shine in the Futures Game Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

In the days before the game, the Braves host the Phillies Saturday on FOX and Sunday afternoon on TBS. Other games on FOX are Padres-Dodgers and Twins at White Sox. ESPN shows the Mets' visit to San Francisco Sunday night.

The Orioles visit Boston for a series on MASN, while the Nationals host the Rockies over the weekend on MASN2.

The Women's World Cup enters the elimination stage this weekend. Saturday, England goes against France at noon, then host Germany takes on Japan at 2:45 p.m.

Sunday, it's Sweden taking on Australia at 7 a.m. then the United States meets Brazil at 11 a.m. Which powerhouse will be going home before the semifinals?

NASCAR makes its first-ever visit to Kentucky Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on TNT. The Nationwide drivers have been going there for years, and race Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Indy cars head to Toronto Sunday at 2 p.m. on Versus.

While the top players get ready for the British Open, the PGA tour stops in Illinois for the John Deere Classic. CBS has coverage Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. The LPGA holds the U.S. World's Open this weekend from Colorado, with ESPN2 coverage starting Friday at 5 p.m. NBC takes over for the weekend, beginning at 3 p.m. each day.

D.C. United visit New York Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. ESPN has the MLS game between Portland and Seattle Sunday at 4 p.m.
Versus opens each day at 8 a.m. with coverage of the Tour de France. Friday offers rides through the plains, heading to the mountains for the weekend.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

End near at Women's World Cup?

The United States did not win its pool at the Women's World Cup, thus will play Brazil Sunday.
Brandi Chastain celebrated in 1999. It's doubtful an American woman will be celebrating a championship in 2011.
UPDATE: U.S. wins in penalty kicks and advances to Wednesday's semifinal against France.
UPDATE2: Lead link in Rule5 Sunday at the Other McCain.

Give him a brake

When I appeared on DaTech Guy's radio show in January, another guest was Aleister of American Glob.
The Other McCain has the latest on Aleister's latest trial.

He's family; he knows

I wish a member of my extended family was president. Then I could write about him like Dr. Milton Wolf does about President Obama.
Something unexpected happened along the president’s breezy cruise to re-election. “No drama” Obama is suddenly looking about as calm as Jerry Lewis in a French film, about as brave as Ted Kennedy after an evening drive through Chappaquiddick. Witness Team Obama’s recent panicky behavior.
Read and enjoy the whole thing.

Don't read at lunch

My brother alerted me to Iowahawk's latest - his Twitter questions to President Obama.
Find your favorite. Here's a good stretch that made me laugh while trying to eat.
I let my Mexican drug lord license expire. Am I still eligible for the free machine gun program?

When you're visiting his volcano lair, does George Soros let you feed the laser sharks?
The staffer who suggested this Twitter Town Hall is fired, isn't he?

I was thinking this too

Troglopundit asks a good question about the Casey Anthony trial.
By the way, not that this is, y’know, important or anything, but: does anybody have any idea who the little girl’s father is?

No God, no peace

The Other McCain has the latest on the fight among atheists.
Wonder if he'll post the girl's video for Rule 5 Sunday.
Will all this strife on Earth, how will atheists react when we all get to heaven?
Will they argue with God, saying He didn't exist or that He didn't meet their standards?
Or will they realize "Oh crap, I made the wrong decision."
One of these days, we'll find out.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Read my lips - no new taxes

Unlike George H.W. Bush, we mean it.
Why? Ask DaTech Guy.
The moment you allow a new tax, you are giving the Federal or state government a new way to feed the beast and support patronage on the state level.
Yes, some people need the government to help. More will be helped by a government that's not so big it's clogging the street.

Day of no brainers

Tuesday, David Brooks wrote a column about "no-brainer" decisions by the Republicans.
Later in the day, a "no-brainer" decision came out of Orlando.
Lots of fury all around.

Another word on Casey Anthony

...and to add insult to injury, Nancy Grace's head did not explode as expected.
h/t Facebook friend


He saw it coming

We're halfway through 2011. So Professor Jacobson looks at his "not predictions" for the year.
If only he'd predicted he'd move away from blogger.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Greece slip sliding away

Director Blue offers the latest lousy news from Europe.
When Greece inevitably defaults, the impact will, in my opinion, be severe. Its credit default swaps (basically, bets that Greece will fail to pay its debts, abbreviated as "CDS") will suddenly explode in value. The issuers of said CDS contracts must find ways to pay those bets off. Think of AIG, only with pissed-off Arab Sheikhs, Russian mobsters, African ganglords and Mel Gibson in Road Warrior. And who is exposed to such a default? Fact is, no one really knows.
Hope you get a good night's sleep after seeing that.

Four score and seven hours ago

Part of my job is to update people's addresses and phone numbers in our computer system.
Today, a person called who had just moved to Pennsylvania - the site of the big Civil War battle 148 years ago.
After inputting the new information, I said "Oh, that's your Gettysburg Address."
Bet that joke's been around a long time.

Today's Tied with Me

A nice round number for today's Technorati rank - 2000.
Also there is brainandeggs, which has been touting a poll suggesting Tommy Lee Jones run for Senate from Texas.
Good luck with that.
Also tied with me is PacoEnterprises. Always a good place to click.

14 years ago

The oldest turns 14 today.
A good day then.
A good day today.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Fireworks - not a dog's best friend

Neighbors were beginning to shoot off their fireworks as I walked the dog.
One went off in the air.
The dog heard it, turned and looked at me like "what in the world was that?"
Happy Independence Day. Keep your dogs calm.

Template for fireworks liveblogging

From 2009, my advice if you want to live-blog the local fireworks show this Independence Day. That year, the Other McCain hosted a cool show in Alabama. I'm sure he'll have some fireworks posts later today.

Adjust the times for your area as needed.
8 p.m. - Dad, can we go to see the fireworks?
8:10 p.m. - Dad, can we go to see the fireworks now?
8:15 p.m. - Dad, can we go to see the fireworks now?
8:20 p.m. - "Okay, okay. Let's go. It will be a while until the fireworks start, you know."

9 p.m. - Dad, when are the fireworks going to start?
9:10 p.m. - Dad, when will the fireworks start?
9:11 p.m. - "They'll start when it's dark enough."
9:12 p.m. - Dad, is it dark enough yet?
9:13 p.m. - "If it was dark enough, the fireworks would have started."
9:16 p.m. - Dad, I've got to go to the bathroom.

If you're attending the fireworks at camp FUBAR, you can add these comments.

9:30 p.m. - "I hear he put the names of some columnists on the side of the rockets."
9:31 p.m. - "Look at that snake-like design. Must have had David Brooks on the side.
9:33 p.m. - "A dud. Musta had Meghan McCain's name."
9:40 p.m. - "What's he saying? No more Rule 5 Sundays unless we hit the tip jar? He'll post pictures of Nancy Pelosi in a bikini instead? Open the wallet!!

If you're watching the firework shows on TV, it's easy.
9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on NBC - Less talk, more fireworks.
10 p.m. on CBS - "Stars and Stripes Forever, all right! But I do miss Arthur Fiedler."

A soldier speaks

SI's Peter King is on vacation, so Sgt. Mike McGuire gets to talk football and his work in Afghanistan in a special Monday Morning Quarterback.
King has been updating readers on McGuire's work since 2005.
Our company's job has changed some over the years. We used to primarily clear the roads for coalition forces by looking for and disarming IEDs -- and many of our soldiers still do -- but now, every day is a new mission for us. Peter asked me to describe an average day and to tell you what we do, so here goes. We get up about 5:30 a.m. We check on the progress with a local dam project. We assist local health clinics. We provide humanitarian aid. Some of our platoons assist the Afghan Army and teach them how to function as an army on their own. We are involved in digging wells for water, or building dams to help with crops, even with a pistachio farm. Normal missions for us now also have us engaging with elders, police chiefs, security, local governors and school superintendants. It used to be we had minimal contact with the local people unless it was in a bad way. Now we train and educate them. Beats the hell out of being shot at or blown up.

Imagine better lyrics

Iowahawk takes the news of John Lennon's changing political views to change some lyrics.
I read the news today oh boy
More unemployment, unexpectedly
And though the news was rather sad
They tried to make it gla-a-ad
They said it wasn't all that bad

Hey Ferb, I know what we're going to do today

Happy Fourth of July.
Need an idea of what to do?
Pat has a great list of ideas.
I always love the Boston Pops. Stars and Stripes Forever.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Grievance No. 10

E.J. Dionne tries to say the Tea Party movement is at odds with the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.
Then he quotes from grievance number 10
"He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance”
Sounds like Tea Party words to me.

Politician on the run

Tazewell hosted a 5K and 10K race Saturday benefiting the local Young Life group.
In the 5K, finishing first in the men's 25-29 age group was local state Delegate Will Morefield.
“This is the first time I have ever participated in this race, but this is for a good cause,” said Morefield, who finds time to run about five miles every other day. “Young Life is involved in the community here, not only in Tazewell, but all across the county and in Southwest Virginia."
Knocking on doors to get votes must help build endurance for running.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

The saga continues

Walter Russell Mead continues his focus on Al Gore.
Why?
The serial rise and fall of these vacuous civil society movements and the peculiar grip they exercise over the minds of some otherwise intelligent people is an important subject: why do so many people who want to help solve global problems waste so much time and money and, sometimes, do so much harm?

Facebook quote of the week

Last year's summer school room was infested with mice. This year, I have roaches. Am I moving up or moving down?

Saturday song

A call at work got me on a Tony Orlando kick. The singer, looking different than his variety show days a few years later, sings Candida and Knock Three Times.



Friday, July 1, 2011

Oh. You thought of that

Troglopundit highlights the pre-Fourth of July kerfuffle in Wisconsin.
In Racine, Wisconsin (my original home town), the local firefighters’ union is turning its back on a July 4th float honoring 9/11 firefighters because the firefighter behind the float doesn’t support the union’s politics.
I guess they only like ideas from people who think exactly like them.
Someone else will have to catch the falling flag.

Reid hates NFL, NBA

We have two leagues in lockouts and negotiation - the NFL since March and NBA since midnight.
Sen. Harry Reid must not want to settle those lockouts.
If the players and owners know their personal taxes are going to rise, are they going to be more or less likely to settle their disputes?

Ready for the parade

Having a Fourth of July parade seems to be good for the country.
In Maryland, parade fans can't wait - they have been putting out chairs to save their spots for the Catonsville parade a week early.
We rode down the parade route Sunday while heading to the Orioles' game. Groups of chairs were out, and this story expands on the tradition.
March on.

Weekend watchdog

For your holiday weekend, spend some days at Centre Court.
NBC has two days of "Breakfast at Wimbledon," with the women's final Saturday at 9 a.m. and the men going for their title Sunday at 9 a.m.
Getting down to the final two, there's lunch at Wimbledon Friday at noon for a men's semifinal. ESPN2 has live coverage starting at 7 a.m.
Fourth of July weekend means NASCAR returns to Daytona. TNT has the race Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Nationwide racers hit the track Friday at 7:30 p.m.

It's the final weekend of interleague play in baseball, so we get Yankees vs. Mets Saturday on FOX and Sunday afternoon on TBS. Fox also shows the Cubs vs. White Sox and Indians-Reds, while the ESPN Sunday night contest matches the Dodgers and Angels.

The Orioles head to Atlanta for the weekend on MASN, while the Nationals take on Pittsburgh in a four-game series, with a doubleheader Saturday on MASN2.

The PGA tour is just outside of Philly this weekend, with CBS covering the AT&T National Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m.

Pool play continues in the Women's World Cup from Germany. Friday on ESPN, Japan plays Mexico at 8:45 a.m. and it's New Zealand against England at noon. The United States women go for their second win of the tournament against Colombia Saturday at 11:30 a.m., then Brazil meets Norway at noon Sunday.
ESPN2 has the early weekend games, with North Korea facing Sweden at 7:45 a.m. Saturday and Australia-Equatorial Guinea.

For more soccer, the Under-17 World Cup is in Mexico. ESPN2 has the quarterfinals Sunday starting at 3 p.m.

The MLS is on ESPN2 Saturday as New York visits San Jose at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Houston takes on Colorado at 9 p.m.

In France, the Tour de France gets underway Saturday. Versus has live coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 a.m.