Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Rumbling, bumbling, stumbling

President Obama will now speak to Congress Thursday, Sept. 8 instead of Wednesday.
It's the same day as the NFL season starts.
Will somebody tell me what the president says?
Never mind. I've heard it before.
President Obama didn't have to announce and then move his speech. He could have given the talk from the White House anytime he wanted.
Instead, he talked about Wednesday - the day the House returned from vacation. There wasn't enough time from the scheduled start time to have the president speak then.
So it's Thursday, up against the NFL. Where's Chris Berman to talk of how the president is "rumbling, bumbling, stumbling?" And not to the end zone.

Facebook - misery on parade

How are things going four days after Irene passed up the East Coast?
Several of my Facebook friends from Maryland are on their fourth day without power. But they can still post that fact on Facebook.
How about the Outer Banks, where the storm came ashore?
Al Roker hung out at Duck, N.C. before things got bad. If he did a stand-up from the beach where my folks are, you might see his head - it's a five-foot drop from the pre-storm height of the beach.
Hurricanes and earthquakes - what disaster is next?
That's right. President Obama speaks Wednesday.

Why aren't you eating my crap?

It appears next Wednesday at 8 p.m. is when President Obama will unveil his jobs plan.
Probably including things Republicans in Congress won't vote for.
Supposedly, it will allow President Obama to campaign about a do-nothing Congress.
Perhaps Congress just has better taste than the president.

Fedora/Obama no mora tour

The Other McCain is excited about the possibility of Sarah Palin heading to New Hampshire to speak Labor Day.
If the funds come through, he could join DaTech Guy at the event.
Two fedoras.
And candidates working on "no mora Obama."

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Today's Tied with me

Getting ready for Labor Day, and wondering what to do?
This blog is tied with Financial Highway, which offers some ideas for your staycation on the final three-day weekend of summer.

Good news from Facebook

Having two boys, I have escaped the Justin Bieber phenomenon.
No Bieber toothbrushes.
No Bieber dolls.
No tragedies when Bieber loses his head.

Obama vs. green jobs

What's the biggest obstacle to the growth of "green jobs?"
Big business or big government.
The government that talks big puts big obstacles in the path of these jobs - unless you consider bureaucracy a green job.

My part of minor league baseball

Wednesday, the 2011 Appalachian League playoffs start. Bluefield, in its first year as a Blue Jay affiliate, has made the field.
Bluefield spent 53 years as a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles, but the last decade have seen no playoff appearances.
Back in 1990, the general manager decided to commemorate the past league pennants. One more pennant would make the display look better, so I suggested a last pennant with ? to note a future title.
The team won the league crown two years later, and moved the signage outside after adding a few more pennants.
The last pennant on the entrance still has the ?. May it move over one spot after this year's playoffs.

Great to see you; stay away

Brendan Loy posts at the Weather Nerd blog whenever the United States has a major tropical storm on the way.
He's going quiet as Irene has passed into history, after some lengthy analysis of the storm and coverage.
Hope we don't have to hear from him for a while.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Break out the jackets

Sure, Hurricane Irene sent plenty of warm water up the East Coast.
But it seems plenty of cooler air is coming down to Fishersville.
Sunday was pretty sunny and brisk, with the north wind on the back end of the storm.
This evening, walking the dog it was time to put on the jacket. And open the windows for a good night of sleep.
Just two more days until September.

Summer rerun

Ace posts a great quote from President Obama about what needs to be done about the economy.
Pick the year it was uttered
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • All of the above

Obama's rocky road

Nearby U.S. Route 11 provides the backdrop for another look at President Obama's troubles.
Not so long ago, populist-Democrat rhetoric was popular here and farther up the road, in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Americans along such roads all across the country are struggling economically. They are consumed with uncertainty. And they have tuned-out the president.

Flooded by regulations

They were giving out sandbags (limit five per residence) to citizens of Washington Saturday.
They hoped to slow the flooding waters of Irene.
Where's the sandbags to help deal with the flood of regulations coming out of Washington?
It's a long-lasting, and likely more devastating flood.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

First day of school lesson

Monday was supposed to be the first day of school for many counties around Baltimore.
Not so fast my friend.
Hurricane Irene has disrupted the schedule. Most everybody will be off due to weather related power outages or cleanup.
One more day of summer vacation - but your house doesn't have power.
It will make you appreciate the first day of school when you can go.

We've got the power

Being on the fringes of Hurricane Irene, Fishersville had some rain Saturday and bright sun all day Sunday.
Facebook provided info on family and friends around Baltimore and points north - who had power and who lost it.
Plenty of air time for New York and New England today. I'll have to check North Carolina websites to find how the beach there fared.

Farewell, old Martha Jefferson

Martha Jefferson hospital is in the midst of its move to a new location Sunday morning.
Both boys were born at this building on Locust Street. We didn't know if we'd remain in town back in 1997, so we took pictures of important landmarks in the young one's arrival.
We're still in the area, and now this building awaits its new use.


There goes Irene

Hurricane Irene has finished with Virginia, leaving a day to start cleaning up.
Reminded me of famous Irenes, like Irene Ryan from Beverly Hillbillies. She doesn't look like Granny in this picture.


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Enough disasters

This week we've had an earthquake in Virginia and a hurricane coming up the East Coast.
Enough natural disasters.
Monday, it's back to talking about the man-made disaster that is the Obama administration.

Duck after the hurricane

The town of Duck, N.C. has updated its website as the storm has passed.
People with interests there can get some rest and await sunlight to see what Irene brought to town.

Why people go out into big storms

Every few minutes on TV, they advise you not to go out into the elements during a hurricane.
Yet, people do it.
Why?
Probably they can't stand another minute of the TV coverage.
See our reporters in the storm?
Hear them tell how they drove to location?
Just because we're outside and we might put your video on TV isn't a reason to go out.
Right.

Saturday song

Irene is on everybody's mind.
The name will be retired from the list of potential hurricane names after this trip up the coast.
Fame for Irene? Makes me think about Irene Cara's song.

Watching the storm

I just watched the Trafficland cameras of the Outer Banks.
Good news - I saw a green light in Kitty Hawk.
And a car driving past.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Change your viewing schedule

Were you planning on watching sports this weekend?
You'll be watching Weather Channel instead.
Hurricane Irene has caused several changes in the sports schedule in the mid-Atlantic and New England.

We're moving in the rain

Martha Jefferson Hospital has planned - for years.
They set their move to their new modern facility - for August 28.
Little did they know a major hurricane would be less than 200 miles away while the move takes place.

Weakening, but still dangerous

The Weather Nerd reports news that Hurricane Irene seems to be slightly weakening.
Less wind in the ocean means better results for us on land.

Facebook quote of the week

Interested in unusual home ornamental accessories? In West Columbia someone perched a stuffed goat atop their single wide mobile home. I wonder how feasible it would be to install a life-size stuffed cow atop my house?

Follow the weather nerd

Brandon Loy has been sounding the alarm about Irene on his blog.
He sounded the alarm before Katrina, warning about the problems at the Superdome before they happened.
Reports leading up to the storm, reporters are hanging out at the beach. I fear post-storm coverage will be focused back home at New York.

Weekend watchdog

NASCAR spends an exciting weekend in Bristol, with thousands of fans converging on the high-banked half-mile track.
It's the 50th anniversary of the small track just across the border from Virginia, which draws thousands to the area and packs all hotels within miles.
The Sprint Cup teams pack the infield for their race Saturday night on ABC. The Nationwide racers get their chance to bang around the track Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Across the country, the Indy Cars are in Sonoma Sunday at 4 p.m. on Versus.
Little League baseball crowns its champion this weekend. ABC has the International final between Mexico and Japan Saturday at noon, followed by the United States final matching Montana and California at 3 p.m. The consolation game will be Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPN, with the title game on ABC at 3 p.m.
FOX offers the choice of four games Saturday afternoon, as the Tigers face the Twins along with three National League contests - Pirates at Cardinals, Braves-Mets and Rockies taking on the Dodgers. ESPN has the Angels meeting the Rangers Sunday night.
Pending Irene's path, the Orioles will meet the Yankees on TBS Sunday afternoon and MASN. Prior to that, they have games Friday and Saturday on MASN. The Nationals head to Cincinnati for the weekend on MASN2.
The third week of the NFL preseason has CBS offering a pair of contests - Packers at Colts Friday and Patriots visiting Detroit Saturday - before NBC closes the weekend Sunday at 8 p.m. with the Saints taking on Oakland.
The PGA tour starts its playoff run this weekend at the Barclays. CBS has coverage Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday starting at 2 p.m.
It's almost time for the U.S. Open, and top players prepare at the New Haven Open and Winston-Salem Open. ESPN2 heads to New Haven Friday at 2 p.m., with the final showing Saturday at 5 p.m. CBS has the final from Winston-Salem Saturday at 12:30 p.m., after ESPN2 goes with Friday's play at 12:30 p.m.
D.C. United takes on Portland Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast. The women's soccer league holds its championship game Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.
In the WNBA, the Mystics host Phoenix Sunday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Signs of a bad week

How do you know it's been a bad week?
  • Earthquake in Virginia
  • Hurricane headed for New York
  • Instapundit loses eight hours worth of posts.

Remembering Hurricane Gloria

The path of Hurricane Irene may closely follow Hurricane Gloria from 1985.
I remember watching a new syndicated news show that debuted in New York the day Gloria approached. They kept an outside camera going while talking about the potential doom the storm might cause.
We'll see what Irene has to offer.

Beach and back

Last week on vacation, I wrote my Weekend Watchdog post and sent it to Chris Graham to post on AugustaFreePress.com.
This week, he was at the beach. I sent him an email and he posted the Weekend Watchdog.
Back in the day, all we had at the beach was local radio. Now you're connected to work and the world just like at home.
Even when the looming hurricane sends you home early.

I see beach pictures

Via the town of Duck, N.C., a website with webcams along the Outer Banks.
I'll be watching until Irene passes through.

Sad day in Baltimore

The passing of former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan hit his former teammates hard. MASN analysts Rick Dempsey and Jim Palmer had trouble discussing the shocking news in the post-game report.
ESPN's Tim Kurkjian provides some of his memories.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It was 28 years ago today

The Baltimore Orioles last won a World Series back in 1983.
One of the biggest games of that season occured August 24, when they beat Toronto in a memorable 10th inning.
Reliever Tippy Martinez picked off three runners, then Lenn Sakata - pressed into service as catcher in the top of the 10th - hit a three-run homer to win the contest.
The Orioles may win again, but it's doubtful a pitcher will get all three outs with pickoffs in an inning.

Tea Party friends

The day after "Tito the Builder" lost a primary, there's a report that "Joe the Plumber" might run for Congress.
It's good to see ordinary citizens making their voices heard in the political process. The game shouldn't just be for those who've lived it all their lives.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has given this blog a "green authority" this week - it's small but there.
So we're tied with Stumbling and mumbling, which shares thoughts of cats and freedom.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Going for the trifecta

My youngest brother has plans to go to the North Carolina Outer Banks this weekend.
Maybe that will be on hold.
In April, he was at the beach when a tornado roared over the house.
Monday, he told my folks he was thinking of going to California for an earthquake.
He didn't need to leave Pennsylvania.

Recurvature

Hurricane season means Pajamas Media brings out Brendan Loy's hurricane stories.
And the word of the day - recurvature.
With nearly all tropical storms approaching the U.S. East Coast, the crucial buzz word is “recurvature,” as in, precisely when and where will the storm “recurve” off to the north and east? As hurricanes travel across the deep tropics, they move generally west, or just slightly north of west, driven by the trade winds. But as they get into more northerly latitudes, they eventually get caught up in the westerlies, which drive them toward the North Atlantic, “recurving” out to sea.
Sometimes, recurvature happens long before the storm approaches land. For instance, last year, deep troughs of upper-level low pressure consistently steered tropical storms and hurricanes out to sea before they could get anywhere near the U.S. East Coast (this is why the 2010 season, while actually quite active, is not popularly remembered that way). As a result, few people really cared about the exact angle and timing of recurvature.

Yes, Virginia, we had an earthquake

My office building in Charlottesville rattled during the 5.9 magnitude earthquake, centered about 40 miles east of here.
We had a 3.2 magnitude about eight years ago, but that was nothing compared to this.

Hope we don't need this over the weekend

With Hurricane Irene eyeing the East Coast, it's time to get ready.
Georgia Tech has an idea to help when communications go down.
Just keeping working over the weekend.
Or have Irene move quickly out to sea.

Monday, August 22, 2011

They're going back

Augusta County schools start Tuesday. Back to School time is always time to remember the Staples commercial.

The natives are restless

The Other McCain notes the Democrats sweating in New York, where the special election to replace Anthony Weiner is closer than expected.
He posts a map of the district.
Do you have a boat? You'll need it in this district.
There's four different areas of land in the district, separated by water or other districts.
But not enough water to cool down angry voters.

Raise fares

There's a simple solution to cutbacks in public transportation - raise fares for each trip.
Thanks for this note -  But on average, they get around a third of their operating money from fares. Most of the money comes from state and local governments.
So, we should raise fares for the public who uses the transit.
You can't?
Why?
Because then fewer people will use the public transit?
Prices changes can change behavior?
That's why we don't want higher taxes.
But if you pay more for public transit, we might consider it. You go first.

Me, myself and Irene

The beach vacation is over, but the fun continues in the tropics.
Where will Hurricane Irene go?
Doesn't look like it will be a major storm, but should cause problems up and down the east coast Friday and Saturday.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Back to work

My week-long vacation is over.
Monday, it's back to work and catching up on what's happened while I was at the beach.
No more chillin' with the boys and watching the sun rise over the ocean.
Bummer.
No wonder President Obama's still hanging at Martha's Vineyard.

Repetition

Did you know the Baltimore Orioles have not won a series since June 26th - when they took two of three against Cincinnati?
Or that they haven't won a road series since mid-May?
If you read the Baltimore Sun, it seems every game story mentions that fact.
It's not rubbing it in. It's a filler fact, used by reporters covering breaking news.
Before you know what's going to happen - who wins the game, or the election - these filler facts are written. Writers may not have enough information to fill the needed slot at deadline, so the filler facts provide insurance that there won't be a gap at deadline.
And if the filler facts get deleted, they can always be used another day.
What are the filler facts facing President Obama as he runs for reelection in 2012?
  • Rising unemployment
  • Soaring debt
  • Loss of House in 2010
  • Hope and Change dissolving into partisan fights
  • Disillusion among his supporters
Every Obama story can feature this information, or expound on one of the themes.
Every story for 16 months.
Like every George W. Bush story talked about the struggles he faced.
Like Bush's popularity dropped, Obama's will too.
Democrats can repeat their talking points on and on. But these filler facts will fill the minds of swing voters.
That's not a pleasant fact for the Obama team to be facing.

The killer rabbit meme

Good to see "killer rabbit" and "Obama" in the same column.
I'm waiting for the "killer rabbit" moment to grab hold.

While he's on vacation

President Obama's vacation gives pundits and bloggers some time to opine on his problems.
Time to list the problems.
Time to liberals to scratch their heads in search of a solution.
Maybe 10 days isn't long enough a vacation for Obama.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Saturday song

A few weeks ago, the boys began singing this song. Don't stop singing and don't stop believing.

Facebook quote of the week

i'm up, I'm up!
(posted before 6 a.m. on Saturday)

Vacation fore-sight

I have no problems with President Obama being on vacation - especially if he sees signs like I did on my return from vacation Friday.
A big billboard with "Foreclosures" on it.
A business "foreclosedfurniture.com"
There's signs out there the President could learn. But it takes a drive looking out the window, not a helicopter ride.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Weekend watchdog

Remember your days in Little League, with 3D cameras catching all the action?
Me neither.
But at this year's Little League World Series, many of the games will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN3D.
Play began Thursday, and ESPN has 3D games Friday at 3 and 8 p.m - along with international games at 1 and 5 p.m. (ESPN2) without the special cameras.
First game losers take the field Saturday - ESPN at noon and 6 p.m., while ABC shows a pair of American teams at 2 p.m. and ESPN goes 3D at 8 p.m. First game winners continues their quest for the title Sunday - 2 p.m. on ABC facing Thursday's winners in the American pool while ESPN2 has games at noon, 6 and 8 p.m.
The tournament goes through August 28, when the best teams in each pool battle for the championship.
FOX has a Saturday afternoon appointment in Pittsburgh, as the Reds take on the Pirates. In another NL Central contest, the Cardinals play the Cubs Saturday on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. The Brewers' game with the Mets is the other FOX game, while the Yankees take on the Twins Sunday afternoon on TBS.
The Orioles continue their west coast swing this weekend, playing the Angels on MASN2. The National play Philadelphia over the weekend.
The NFL preseason continues as the Redskins head to Indianapolis Friday at 8 p.m. on Comcast. Fox offers Atlanta at Jacksonville Friday at 8 p.m. NBC starts its preseason coverage with the Chargers at Dallas Sunday at 8 p.m., while ESPN offers the Bears taking on the Giants Monday at 8 p.m.
NASCAR heads back to Michigan, with ESPN coverage Sunday at 1 p.m. The Nationwide drivers are in Montreal Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.
The week between the PGA championship and FedEx playoff stretch belongs to the Wyndham Championships. CBS has coverage Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
NBC carries the U.S. Gymnastics championships Saturday at 8 p.m.
The women's professional soccer league gets ready for its championship with a semifinal Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

What will aliens think of Keith Olbermann?

I like the newest reason to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases - aliens may think we're a threat with the changes and attack.
But radio signals have been going out into space for over 90 years, and TV signals since the 1930s.
Aliens have had plenty of chances to hear about humanity and it's potential. But when they get a load of Keith Olbermann and his guests, what will they think?
We may be doomed. And Olbermann might have found the way to increase his audience.

Long live the DODO

Don Surber gives Obama's fair-weather friends a good name - DODOs (Dump on Dumb Obama).
Elitist liberals see the end to their short reign of error and they have begun to distance themselves from him with their Dump On Dumb Obama (DODO) campaign. Led by the New York Times, the spin is that  Obama is a poor negotiator who was rolled by those sharp Republicans — a spin that is guaranteed not to win.
We all know what happened to the Dodos.

Good morning, world

The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean.
Time to get going, or soak in the sun another day.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

This is a consultant?

CMT offers another TV movie this week with "To the Mat."
Laura Bell Bundy gets a starring role, after some good videos last year. But not what you'd expect from an "uptight Wall Street consultant."
UPDATE: Part of Rule5 Sunday posted Monday evening.

Jobs plan in September

President Obama plans to wait until September - September - to unveil his jobs plan.
Doesn't he know what happens to summer loves who must wait for September? Here's my latest song parody, based on "See you in September."

My polls are falling, it's such a fright
I don't want to hear this Election Night
"Bye-bye, so long, farewell
Bye-bye, so long"

Jobs plan in September
I'll tell you, when the summer's through
Here we are (bye money, goodbye)
Watching the debt keep on soaring (bye money, goodbye)
My stimulus plan (bye money, goodbye)
Won't make it go away (bye money, goodbye)
We had a good time, but remember
There's a danger, I call Republicans
Will you hear me in September
or lose you, to the Tea Party?

(what in the world do you really want?)
(will you fall for my next excuse?)

Bye money, goodbye
Bye money, goodbye
Bye money, goodbye (bye-bye, so long, farewell)
We had a good time, but remember
There's a danger, I call Republicans
Will you hear me in September
Or lose you, to the Tea Party?

My polls are falling, it's such a fright
Will you be there on Election Night?
Jobs plan in September
Will you listen in September?
I'll tell you my plan, in September

Here's a video of the original.


Where's Obama on this?

The Little League World Series starts Thursday.
One of the regional champions won't be there.
Uganda became the first African team to win a regional, but due to paperwork problems, they were denied visas to come to the United States.
ESPN showed the story over the weekend, and when the anchor came out afterward, I was waiting for the update. I thought for sure that someone - anyone - would overrule the decision and let the Ugandans come and play.
It's a group of 12-year-old boys, playing baseball. They come from a country where correct paperwork is a much lower priority than getting food, water and shelter.
President Obama could have come out with a great line - "As someone who's recently had problems with an African birth certificate, I think these guys ought to be allowed to play."
But when the games begin, Uganda's players will be in Africa.
Those pushing paperwork will be happy how they followed their rules.
How about some more common sense?

We did it before and we can do it again

Interesting complaint in this article against Texas governor Rick Perry.
What Perry either ignores or doesn’t know is how greatly Texas has benefited from the investments and regulations of the federal government he despises. He grew up, he tells all who will listen, on a small, hardscrabble Texas farm. But it was Franklin Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Administration that brought electricity to those farms, which, left to the mercies of the market, would have remained dark for decades. The New Deal threw money at Texas, bringing it dams, highways and schoolhouses. The cumulative effect of policies such as the federal minimum wage has been to diminish the disparity that long existed between the industrialized North and the more poverty-stricken South.
Money worked in the past, so it must work today.
What if we don't have the money now?
Or we don't use it properly.
New Deal money built roads and schools. Obama stimulus money buys consultants and environmental impact studies to think about building things down the road.
Democrats long for the glory days where their spending made a difference. If only their spending would trickle down to where it's supposed to go.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

New poll - people like free stuff

Blue Virginia highlights a poll that tells you what?
People like clean water.
Duh.
People like cool stuff and dislike dirty stuff.
Duh.
Just because you can produce a poll showing people like something - without stating the cost - it doesn't mean anything.
We need energy. The question is, how to get the energy we need with the technology we have at a cost we can afford.
If we could produce energy from blog posts, we'd be in great shape. But it takes coal or oil to make energy for machines we have now.
I'll keep working on producing usable energy from blog posts. Might work as well as any of the other "green energy" ideas.

Beach tradition

A visit to the beach means putting out the flag high above our house.
My family's been doing it for years, bringing out the flag each morning and retiring it for the night at dusk.

From poolside

I had an interesting conversation with the youngest.
Sitting in the pool, he wished he could have a pool filled with Mountain Dew.
Lots of problems with that, of course.
The cost of the Mountain Dew.
Keeping it in drinkable condition.
But the best answer for the question.
"How would tell if someone peed in the Mountain Dew pool?"

I knew him when

Jim Thome became the eighth major leaguer to hit 600 career home runs Monday.
His career included a stop in the Appalachian League in 1990, where I served as official scorer for the Bluefield Orioles.
Many players begin their pro careers in the Appy League. Very few have done as well as Thome.

Today's Tied with Me

How many crazy Texans are there?
President Obama received 3.52 votes in 2008, according to this blog.
How many votes will he get in 2012? Likely won't matter in the electoral world.

Monday, August 15, 2011

What our regulations have given us

Blue Virginia reports on a clean-air campaign, using a hand holding an asthma inhaler.
Like Primatene Mist.
Primatene Mist is one of the most popular inhaler - I've used it many times. Buy it now - it won't be available after December 31.
Why?
Government decisions. The best way to get relief to asthma sufferers has been found bad for the environment. Have a better idea to help? No time to make sure it works, we're taking Primatene off the market.
The government has decided the danger from Primatene is more important than the benefits it gives.
If government wants to help asthma sufferers, it might be easier to keep Primatene on the market than restrict that medicine.
That helps people with restricted breathing.

What's next for Palin?

Ace wonders if Sarah Palin's going to have to sit out 2012 - since she doesn't have the needed groundswell of support.
The Iowa voters didn't write in her name - even with Friday's visit.
She keeps stirring the pot, but someone else may be the Republican chef in 2012.

They're going to be mean to me

Apparently, the Democrats are afraid of being picked on by the Tea Party.
Mean old Tea Party.
Don't Democrats know that the Tea Party is made up of people? Just like corporations.

At the beach

I took a walk this morning, wearing my new company hat and t-shirt from work.
Why don't I have a swimsuit with a company logo?

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Tip of the hat

DaTech Guy's radio show must be doing well.
He's now got a toll-free number - 888-9FEDORA.
The man.
The hat.
The legend.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Bachmann Turnout Overdrive

Will anybody use the headline Saturday night?
She started taking care of business back in November 2009.

Saturday song

I'm headed to the beach, boys, so how about a Beach Boys' song?

Recycling update

Before heading out on vacation, I recycled the aluminum cans. And got 55 cents a pound.
Maybe the best investment choice is to drink beer and recycle the cans. Better value than some stocks.

Facebook quote of the week

So the 5-year-old just told the babysitter, "Lucy, if you get in an accident, Don't Sign Anything. If you have a computer and a phone, you have a lawyer." Too much TV?

Friday, August 12, 2011

Court's ruling, simplified

Obamacare
ain't got a prayer.

Weekend watchdog

No more legal pads. Time for shoulder pads.
The NFL preseason kicks off this weekend. After the first five games Friday, the action continues as Redskins host the Steelers Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast.
FOX has Tampa Bay heading to Kansas City Friday at 8 p.m. and the Jets take on the Texans Monday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
No more lawyers and lockouts. Now it's time for linebackers and blockers to take center stage.
The PGA tour has its final major of the season this weekend, with the PGA championship from outside Atlanta. TNT has coverage of the second round Friday starting at 1 p.m. Early birds can catch the start of the final two rounds at 11 a.m., while CBS takes over at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Pirates are on national TV this weekend, facing the Brewers on FOX. Other Saturday afternoon games are Rays at Yankees and the Rangers taking on Oakland. TBS shows the Rays-Yankees Sunday afternoon, while ESPN offers Colorado at St. Louis on Sunday night.
The Orioles host the Tigers on MASN2 this weekend, while the Nationals take on the Phillies for a weekend series on MASN.
Like your baseball with younger players? The road to the Little League World Series begins this weekend for the eight United States regionals.
The Mid-Atlantic semifinals are on Friday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., then the Southeast final goes Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPN. ESPN2 heads West for semifinals at 5 and 11.
Four regions have their finals on ESPN Saturday, starting with the Great Lakes at 11 a.m. At 5 p.m., the Northwest crowns its champion followed by the Midwest and West. New England's representative to the Little League World Series comes out of the 1 p.m. game on ESPN2. The Mid-Atlantic title game is Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
NASCAR heads to upstate New York for the Sour Cream Dips race at Watkins Glen. NASCAR coverage starts Sunday at 1 p.m, while the Nationwide racers hit the track Saturday at 2 p.m. The IndyCar racers are in New Hampshire Sunday at 3:30 p.m., with ABC at the Move that block.com 225.
D.C. United hosts Vancouver Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast.
The road to the U.S. Open continues with the Rogers Cup on ESPN2. Play begins Friday at noon, then 3 p.m. on Saturday. The finals go Sunday at 1 p.m.
NBC has skateboarding from Portland as the Dew Tour offers the Skateboard Street finals Saturday and BMX Dirt finals Sunday.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sarah Palin's coming to town

Sarah Palin is making plans to visit Iowa soon.
Will the Other McCain be able to hang around until then?
Sure it's summer, but I've been inspired by a Christmas song - Santa Claus is coming to town - for this parody.

You better watch out
as liberals cry
Here comes a force
They cannot deny
Sarah Palin's coming to town
She's riding her bus
she's riding it twice
she gonna show you the Tea Party's nice
Sarah Palin's coming to town
She knows what you've been spending
She sees the piles of pork
She knows that debt is bad, not good
so let's chant "Drill, baby, drill."
O! You better watch out
as liberals cry
Here comes a force
They cannot deny
Sarah Palin's coming to town
Sarah Palin's coming to town

UPDATE: Smitty likes the tune.
UPDATE2: Linked by Don Surber and SWACgirl.
UPDATE3: Wyblog http://wyblog.us/blog/election/tpaw-michele-rick-sarah.htmljoins the fun.

Teen spirit

Kaley Cuoco hosted the Teen Choice Awards on FOX Sunday. Jeffords didn't use this picture, so I will.
UPDATE: Part of the Rule 5 old laptop roundup.

Do you want fries with your politics?

The Other McCain is on the road in Iowa with the Republican contenders.
Good thing McDonald's has wi-fi.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

OMG

GrandpaJohn explains what the letters really mean.

"Couldn't lead a dog to kibble"

Via Instapundit, Stephen Green finds President Obama's leadership wanting.
We’ve seen over the last two years that Obama isn’t much of a leader, either. His speeches have become boring and pedantic and hectoring. His foreign policy is irresolute where it isn’t plain laughable (and laughed at from Moscow to Beijing to Caracas). His signature domestic achievements — ObamaCare and the stimulus — don’t even have his own fingerprints anywhere near them. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid cobbled them together in the dead of night. All Obama did was wave his magic pen on the dotted line, and expect everything to turn out all right.

On Wisconsin

17-16 isn't as good as 19-14, but in the Wisconsin Senate majority means Republicans hold control.
DaTech Guy catches the MSNBC pity party.
Troglopundit spent an anxious night, until the Brewers won.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Today's Tied with me

Rumor has it that this blog's Technorati rank is the same as snopes.com.

How's Obama gonna drive the downgrade?

Living in West Virginia, I've driven a few downgrades - like I-64 going to the New River outside Beckley.
When you're at the top of the downgrade, you start cautiously go you don't burn out your brakes - and end up in the runaway ramps.
How well will President Obama and his crew deal with our current downgrade? I remembered this C.W. McCall song from 1975. It sounds like Obama's driving skills might be like Earl's in the song.

She's good

Via Instapundit, Byron York has a good story from Michelle Bachmann's campaign trail.

What they're asking in Iowa




Hey,where's Perry?
Politics and a Disney cartoon. The perfect combination for bloggers.
Inspired by Wyblog.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Under Obama, the standard is poor

Instapundit receives the logo for the new era of the American economy.

UPDATE: Paco likes the logo.

Happy Blogaversary

Instapundit hits 10 today.
Where would Stacy McCain be without the professor?

Obama downgraded

Was the story of the weekend the credit downgrade or how far President Obama has fallen among his fans?
The United States can recover.
Obama? Probably not.

Buckle up

At Conservative Commune, Joy offers advice while watching the TV people panic today.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Failure find

The Other McCain looks at the blame game being pointed at Republicans.
Liberals hate Republicans and most reporters don’t know jack shit about economics, but they know failure when they see it, and Obama has proven to be an outright failure as president.

Politicians need to be like the ball girl

Just got back from Camden Yards, watching the Orioles lose again.
It was a sparse crowd compared to the mid-90s, but everyone there was on the lookout for a baseball to take home.
So one of the hardest jobs at the ball park is the ball girl. She picks up the loose baseballs on her side of the field and decides who gets one.
Around the sixth inning, the Orioles' third base coach - Willie Randolph - tossed a ball into the stands. It bounced back out, and the ballgirl retrieved it.
Did she throw the ball back in the area where the fans missed it?
Nope.
She returned to her seat further down the line, where plenty of fans were waiting for a chance at a baseball.
Everytime she tosses the ball, she has a supply of one baseball. And plenty of demand.
She doesn't ask for more baseballs from management to give to all the deserving fans. She finds one fan to give her one baseball to. Usually that's a kid with a glove, making for a memorable outing.
You had your chance and muffed the ball? Sorry, but you don't get another chance with that ball.
Politicians should think of their budgets as a limited amount. Not everyone can go home happy.
It's tough, but when demand exceeds supply some people will go home disappointed.

Democrats' legacy

Democrats have been more concerned about Arctic ice meltdown while their budgets caused a financial meltdown.

Are you ready for some football?

Did you know there's a website called sciencecheerleader.com?
Joanna of the Ravens' squad had a profile this spring.
The Ravens are in Philadelphia Thursday for the first preseason game of the season. Maybe these students will be cheering for her team instead of the Eagles.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Saturday song

Is the Tea Party facing growing pains?
That thought reminded me of the TV show "Growing Pains," and the theme sung by B.J. Thomas. Nice to find a video of him performing the song on the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Facebook quote of the week

Melting in the heat at the bus stop. Bus is 5 min late so far. Oh finally I see it

Friday, August 5, 2011

Grade him now

Legal Insurrection notes that someone leaking the college transcript of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Someone at Texas A&M leaked Perry’s college transcripts to Huffington Post, which ran an article which highlighted the less than impressive results in the headline: Rick Perry’s College Transcript: A Lot of Cs and Ds. This smells like payback for Perry’s efforts to reform the state higher education system, about which I posted yesterday.

Not an impressive collection of grades, but Perry has put together an impressive collection of economic and job growth in Texas while the rest of the nation has suffered under Obama.
Democrats can keep Obama’s academic credentials, we’ll take the jobs and economic growth.
I got one D in college - a philosophy where the professor and I didn't share the same philosophy. It's nice to have good grades in college, but then you have to grow up and move into the real world.

Weekend watchdog

Tiger golfing instead of tabloid-fodder? It's about time.
Tiger Woods returns to the PGA tour this weekend for the World Golf Championship from Akron. He's done well there in the past, giving him a good tune-up for next week's PGA championship.
CBS will be on the air Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
It's Yankee-Red Sox weekend again, with the teams on FOX Saturday afternoon and Sunday night on ESPN. The Phillies' visit to San Francisco is the other FOX game, while the Braves take on the Mets on TBS Sunday afternoon.
The Orioles host Toronto on MASN this weekend, while the Nationals play the Rockies on MASN2.
NASCAR heads back to Pocono Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN, while the Nationwide racers visit Iowa on ESPN2 Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Indy cars are in Ohio for the Honda 200 on Versus Sunday at 2 p.m.
The NFL labor troubles meant the cancellation of the Hall of Fame preseason game. But this year's class still goes in, and the induction will be on ESPN Saturday at 7 p.m.
The World Football Challenge closes its run Saturday on ESPN, with Barcelona taking on Club America at 4 p.m. from Cowboys Stadium.
It's week three of six in the U.S. Open tennis series. ESPN2 has the Legg Mason Classic Friday at 7 p.m., with coverage continuing Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. The Mercury Insurance Open goes Friday at 11 p.m., followed by action Saturday at 10 p.m. and the finals Sunday at 5 p.m.
Comcast has Major League Lacrosse Saturday at 7 p.m., with Chesapeake visiting Rochester.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

For the man who has everything

Paco shares Wall Street's birthday present for the president.

Did you say something bad about us, loser?

The strong Republican stand in the debt ceiling talks has liberals using strong words.
It boils down to two short statements.
You're side is losing.
Get over it.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

When's Bill Clinton's birthday?

Everybody knows Thursday is President Obama's birthday - big fundraiser and Democratic events.
Has such a fuss been made about a president's birthday in recent history?
Quick, when is Bill Clinton's birthday?
George W. Bush's?
Jimmy Carter's?
If you're a political junkie, you may know. But those birthdays weren't money-making and party building deals during their terms.
Can you imagine a big fuss for a John McCain birthday?
Giving money to Sarah Palin's campaign on her birthday?
Didn't think so.

Birthday thoughts

Thursday, President Obama turns 50.
And I turn 49.
I won't be having two large fundraisers in honor of my special day.
But I won't be giving you the bill for my wishes either.

Jobs for me, not for thee

While President Obama turns his attention to jobs (again), his administration keeps trying to kill them.
Joy at Conservative Commune has the latest update.
Federal guidelines require the EPA to revisit these ozone standards every five years, so another review will be due in 2013. Last year, however, EPA decided to reconsider, and proposed tightening it to somewhere in the range of 70 to 60 ppb. Why? Well, apparently because they can.
Let’s note right here that there are places where naturally occurring ozone levels exceed the proposed hyperaggressive standard ;including Yellowstone National Park. In fact, Howard Feldman—the API’s Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs—tells me that around 3000 out of the 3100 counties in the entire nation would likely be “in non-attainment,” or noncompliance, if the EPA goes forward with this plan. Is smog that widespread a problem across the country?
The EPA cannot explain how the average county would even be expected to meet these new requirements. How could they? We’re now at a point where instead of making sure industries don’t pollute the air, we’re asking local authorities to figure out how they can remove a naturally occurring gas.
The only jobs left will be for EPA types, telling us how to live our lives.

Today's Tied with Me

With the debt ceiling deal done, maybe Congress can check this blog post - 12 tips to spend less money.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

My picks for the super committee

The Budget Control Act will have a "super committee" of six Democrats and six Republicans to deal with the deficit.
Who will be the members?
For Republican House members, Rep. Paul Ryan is the obvious first choice.
Then you need two others who will work well with Ryan. They must be good at promoting Ryan's ideas to help stem the federal spending.
I've found my choices.


















You got anybody better?
UPDATE: GrandpaJohn tries to improve on the picture.

Still scary after all these years

It's nice to see a blog visitor find something written years ago that fits today's agenda. Here's a song parody from the summer of 2009 about the retired Procter & Gamble vice president's letter to President Obama.
With apologies to Sam Cooke, here's the parody that it inspired.

Obama you scare me
Policies that scare me
Obama you scare me
More than swine flu, more than swine flu
That’s what you do, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Your taxes kill me
So much spending, it kills me
Obama, you, you, you keep spending
Without a clue

At first, I saw the infatuation
But woo, that didn’t last so long
Now I find myself wanting
To run screaming throughout the town
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Obama, you, you scare me
I know you scare me
Out of my pants scare me
Oh yes you do

Whoa-oh-oh, whenever I hear you speak
I know, I know it’s going to be bad
Aaah, aaah, worse than swine flu, worse than swine flu
Whoa-oh-oh, I know-oh-oh-oh

I know, I know, I know, that you scare me
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, whenever I hear you
Mmm hmm, mmm hmm, honest you do

At first, I saw the infatuation
But woo, that didn’t last so long
Now I find myself wanting
To run screaming throughout the town

Now you know, you know why you scare me
This letter I send you
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, please listen to me

Here's a video of the inspiration.

Whom would Jesus indebt?

Instapundit highlights an interesting column.
One of the great difficulties of this issue, for Christians, is that the morality of spending and debt has been so thoroughly demagogued that it’s impossible to advocate cuts in government spending without being accused of hatred for the poor and needy. A group calling itself the “Circle of Protection” recently promoted a statement on “Why We Need to Protect Programs for the Poor.” But we don’t need to protect the programs. We need to protect the poor. Indeed, sometimes we need to protect the poor from the programs. Too many anti-poverty programs are beneficial for the politicians that pass them, and veritable boondoggles for the government bureaucracy that administers them, but they actually serve to rob the poor of their dignity and their initiative, they undermine the family structures that help the poor build prosperous lives, and ultimately mire the poor in poverty for generations. Does anyone actually believe that the welfare state has served the poor well?

Next - drill, baby drill

What's next for Republicans after the debt ceiling fight?
How about a little "Drill, baby, drill?"
Getting stuff out of the ground - it makes money.
Money for companies to pay employees.
Money for companies and employees to pay taxes.
You can work on your wind and solar while we drill.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Obama - the 5.5 trillion dollar man

A reminder for November 6, 2012.
In his first term, President Obama will have overseen a government has spent $5.5 trillion more than it brought in.
I don't think we have enough millionaires and billionaires to make a dent in that.

Tea Party rules the world

If we had a dollar for each whine from a liberal, we'd be able to pay down this year's deficit.
Especially when we turn our attention to the debt - not more spending - after that.

Past spending dooms Democrats

Should Republicans feel good about the debt ceiling deal? They will if they read liberal blogs like Blue Virginia.
I like the idea of "balanced spending" as what we should do now.
What about the past 60 years?
Democrats ran the House from 1955 to 1995. A lot of the debt and obligations were dealing with now started then.
We had our chances for balance then.
Time for Democrats to watch how to really govern.

Democrats' bind

Poor Democrats.
Wondering why their policies aren't as popular as they wish they would be.
Is the answer easy?
The answer is probably, easy, and unsolvable.
Look at the excerpt at Blue Virginia. Democratic policies would be more popular if only government had more power and more money.
Democrats see themselves fighting for the people against big business.
The Tea Party sees Democrats fighting with big business against them.
Government preferences or business deals, it doesn't matter. Elites are making decisions to benefit their friends at the expense of the majority.
Lobbyist and bureaucrat - Democrats see them differently, but the result is the same.
Democrats better get used to being unpopular - since their popularity was based on spending other people's money.