Sunday, February 15, 2009
Shovel-ready
The Obama administration has its projects are shovel-ready. I don't know what they're shoveling, but I don't think it's dirt.
Chill out
This morning, columnist George Will takes on the global warming scaremongers. One of our fellow bloggers doesn't think Will has authority in comparision to the scientists. Because he is a baseball fan.
Hey, Will is a Cubs. He knows losers and unfulfilled expectations when he sees them.
Hey, Will is a Cubs. He knows losers and unfulfilled expectations when he sees them.
Binge and purge
After passing the stimulus bill, the Obama administration may turn its' attention to the deficit.
We are know how well yo-yo dieting works in real life.
We are know how well yo-yo dieting works in real life.
High School Musical economy
I know it's a shameless plug (HSM3 is out Tuesday), but the kids watch Disney Channel. And the songs get into your head.
"We're all in this together" describes the world economy perfectly. We're in debt, but China has to buy our new debt. Why? If we can't spend, we can't buy their stuff. And no one else takes our place.
"Now or Never" and "I Want it All" from the latest movie surely sound like themes the Congressional Democrats were thinking when putting the bill together.
"We're all in this together" describes the world economy perfectly. We're in debt, but China has to buy our new debt. Why? If we can't spend, we can't buy their stuff. And no one else takes our place.
"Now or Never" and "I Want it All" from the latest movie surely sound like themes the Congressional Democrats were thinking when putting the bill together.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Newspaper news
One of bloggers' recent blogs of note was newspaperproject.org. They are trying to exchange ideas to keep newspapers vital and vibrant in the coming years.
So, do newspapers have a future? Yes. Unfortunately, 100 years ago if you asked if there was a future for people who clean horse poop off the streets, the answer would have been yes also. The future has fewer opportunities for newspaper reporters, likely less glamourous than the ones they've become used to.
In sports, it means goodbye traveling with the pro teams across the country and hello to more high school and youth coverage.
So, do newspapers have a future? Yes. Unfortunately, 100 years ago if you asked if there was a future for people who clean horse poop off the streets, the answer would have been yes also. The future has fewer opportunities for newspaper reporters, likely less glamourous than the ones they've become used to.
In sports, it means goodbye traveling with the pro teams across the country and hello to more high school and youth coverage.
Story for every newscast on Friday
Whenever there's a plane crash (unfortunately very rarely now), the local news teams go get the local angle.
Kristol clear
Bill Kristol give a perfect example of how imperfect the stimulus bill is this -
The stimulus bill the Democrats just rammed through Congress is $8 billion for high-speed rail. What makes this appropriation special is that there was no money for high-speed rail in the original House legislation. The Senate bill had $2 billion. The legislation coming out of conference "compromised" on $8 billion.
I'll take a similar offer from the county. Say my real estate assessment tax bill should be $1000. After a Congressional conference, it will be $3.
The stimulus bill the Democrats just rammed through Congress is $8 billion for high-speed rail. What makes this appropriation special is that there was no money for high-speed rail in the original House legislation. The Senate bill had $2 billion. The legislation coming out of conference "compromised" on $8 billion.
I'll take a similar offer from the county. Say my real estate assessment tax bill should be $1000. After a Congressional conference, it will be $3.
Karl Rove and DTV
Early riser From on High highlights the governments struggles in the DTV transition. Aside from the political bickering (like no one could see that coming), you have two agencies involved. Which meant one could blame the other when things weren't going right.
Which reminds me of Karl Rove's column a few weeks ago in the Wall Street Journal. With all the cabinet members, special area czars and extra advisors running around the Obama White House, are they going to work together or just blame each other for the problem when things go wrong.
It's government agencies. There's only one logical answer. Fight, fight, fight.
Which reminds me of Karl Rove's column a few weeks ago in the Wall Street Journal. With all the cabinet members, special area czars and extra advisors running around the Obama White House, are they going to work together or just blame each other for the problem when things go wrong.
It's government agencies. There's only one logical answer. Fight, fight, fight.
Friday, February 13, 2009
New catch phrase
Mark Steyn and his colleague John Gross has the term "Obamateur Hour" and Steyn looks at the pratfalls of the new president this week.
No way to make friends
If you really want the press to be skeptical of you, stiff them. Hold off-the-record talks, just like Obama campaign manager David Plouffe did Thursday. Keeping the press out of the National Press Club is not change I can believe in.
While waiting for baseball to start...
...the Baseball Crank takes a whack at the stimulus bill with a great closing quote -
Obama and the Democrats, by ramming the 'stimulus' bill through on a party-line basis and bulldozing Republican opposition, have taken ownership of old-time Big Government liberalism; they have surrendered to Republicans the very issues that divided the GOP and attracted moderate swing voters to the Democratic banner; they have energized and galvanized their opponents; they have discarded the pretense of bipartisanship; and they have, in the end, lashed themselves to the mast of policies that are proven not to work. The only thing the stimulus bill will stimulate is conservatism.
Grand slam.
h/t Instapundit
Obama and the Democrats, by ramming the 'stimulus' bill through on a party-line basis and bulldozing Republican opposition, have taken ownership of old-time Big Government liberalism; they have surrendered to Republicans the very issues that divided the GOP and attracted moderate swing voters to the Democratic banner; they have energized and galvanized their opponents; they have discarded the pretense of bipartisanship; and they have, in the end, lashed themselves to the mast of policies that are proven not to work. The only thing the stimulus bill will stimulate is conservatism.
Grand slam.
h/t Instapundit
Choose your sides
Who do you think know more about what's in the stimulus bill being voted on today?
The lawmakers who have to vote on it, or the bloggers collected here on blognetnews.com/virginia?
I'd take the bloggers and wouldn't have to think twice.
The lawmakers who have to vote on it, or the bloggers collected here on blognetnews.com/virginia?
I'd take the bloggers and wouldn't have to think twice.
Boogity, boogity, boogity
Are you excited about the Daytona 500 Sunday? Don't miss "The Adventures of Digger and Friends" during the prerace show.
Ought to be interesting.
Ought to be interesting.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Dilbert has the answer
Going through the archives, I found the perfect slogan for the stimulus bill.
"Measure once, cut twice." Click on the strip to see it in all its' glory.
Pick me, pick me
So President Obama's second choice for Commerce Secretary has withdrawn from consideration. Who can he pick now?
I'll volunteer. I can work from Fishersville and call myself the Secretary of E-Commerce. I'm a Republican, so it makes Obama look good. My birthday is the same as his birthday.
When this stimulus bill passes, there won't be much commerce going on. I can handle that.
I'll volunteer. I can work from Fishersville and call myself the Secretary of E-Commerce. I'm a Republican, so it makes Obama look good. My birthday is the same as his birthday.
When this stimulus bill passes, there won't be much commerce going on. I can handle that.
Bad timing
Major league baseball has launched its own cable channel. Looking at tomorrow's schedule, they planned to air the 2004 Home Run Derby that Miguel Tejada won. The same Tejada who pled guilty to lying to Congress this week.
They might be scrambling to take that out of the schedule.
They might be scrambling to take that out of the schedule.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tell us your next of kin and email list
The Wall Street Journal highlights another unusual problem of today's economy - in Detroit you could die and be buried between press runs of the city's daily papers.
Next month, the two Detroit papers will only deliver newspapers on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. So if you die late Saturday and get buried on Wednesday, your friends might not read about it in time to pay their last respects.
So if you're not feeling well, prepare the list for the final email blast.
Next month, the two Detroit papers will only deliver newspapers on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. So if you die late Saturday and get buried on Wednesday, your friends might not read about it in time to pay their last respects.
So if you're not feeling well, prepare the list for the final email blast.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Power of Congress
Last week, Congress voted to postpone the end of analog broadcast until June. For the past year, TV stations have been broadcasting numerous reminders that the deadline was going to be Feb. 17.
Don Surber points out that Charleston, WV stations are also ending analog broadcasting on the original deadline.
So much for listening to the wisdom of our Senators, Representatives and the Obama administration.
I wonder how many stations will be broadcasting both analog and digital on Feb. 18? Won't need many hands to count them.
Don Surber points out that Charleston, WV stations are also ending analog broadcasting on the original deadline.
So much for listening to the wisdom of our Senators, Representatives and the Obama administration.
I wonder how many stations will be broadcasting both analog and digital on Feb. 18? Won't need many hands to count them.
Watchdog watch
Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit.com has mentioned Sen. Chris Dodd (corrupt-Conn.) for 17 of the 21 days since the Inauguration.
He often highlights the Dodd clock, which chronicles how long it's been since Dodd said he would release his mortgage records. It's at 200 days and counting.
He often highlights the Dodd clock, which chronicles how long it's been since Dodd said he would release his mortgage records. It's at 200 days and counting.
Enjoy the last dance
Many Republicans are worried about the stimulus bill, that it adds pork to buy votes for the Democratic party for years to come.
But what if it's the final wheezing gasp of the welfare state. After this burst of spending, will their be any money left to spend on future pork? Probably not.
It's the last chance. The beer goggles are going to come off and we'll see how ugly this bill is. And no repeats.
But what if it's the final wheezing gasp of the welfare state. After this burst of spending, will their be any money left to spend on future pork? Probably not.
It's the last chance. The beer goggles are going to come off and we'll see how ugly this bill is. And no repeats.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Be a star
The continuing Obama campaign held their Economic Recovery House Parties this weekend. If you were too busy or too normal to attend, they have posted a link to Gov. Kaine's remarks you could have heard at the party.
You can even share your own economic trouble story. Like, I live in Augusta County and my property assessment is much higher than I could sell for now. If I could find the interested buyer. I wish you could help lower my taxes.
You can even share your own economic trouble story. Like, I live in Augusta County and my property assessment is much higher than I could sell for now. If I could find the interested buyer. I wish you could help lower my taxes.
How to stop the Fairness Doctrine
Janet Reno mornings
Think about it.
Instead of Bill Bennett. Swapping a Republican former Cabinet secretary for a Democratic former Cabinet secretary will help provide balance, right?
Bill Bennett does provide balance. No other talk radio host encourages long-haul truckers to call and toot their rigs' horn.
Think about it.
Instead of Bill Bennett. Swapping a Republican former Cabinet secretary for a Democratic former Cabinet secretary will help provide balance, right?
Bill Bennett does provide balance. No other talk radio host encourages long-haul truckers to call and toot their rigs' horn.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
EFCA reminder
The Democrats are supposed to be ready to push the Employee Free Choice Act. So, I visited cnnsi.com and found this story - Union to blame for Alex Rodriguez scandal.
A-Rod trusted his union. The union didn't want to give up bargaining power. They kept a list of players who tested positive for steroids, trying to find enough false positives to fend off steroid testing. Didn't work.
SI says:
That steroid survey list from 2003 was supposed to be anonymous, nameless and faceless. And the list of 104 player failures was supposed to be destroyed immediately after it was tallied up. That was the plan.
Remember this when the unions come calling. They don't always make the right decisions.
A-Rod trusted his union. The union didn't want to give up bargaining power. They kept a list of players who tested positive for steroids, trying to find enough false positives to fend off steroid testing. Didn't work.
SI says:
That steroid survey list from 2003 was supposed to be anonymous, nameless and faceless. And the list of 104 player failures was supposed to be destroyed immediately after it was tallied up. That was the plan.
Remember this when the unions come calling. They don't always make the right decisions.
One more day
Rush Limbaugh is scheduled to be on vacation again Monday.
He'll be back Tuesday.
He did more damage to the Democratic stimulus plans while on vacation than most people could do working 60-70 hours a week.
He'll be back Tuesday.
He did more damage to the Democratic stimulus plans while on vacation than most people could do working 60-70 hours a week.
Crickets in the grass(roots)
McClatchy Newspapers reports a less than rousing response to this weekend's Economic Recovery House meetings. Maybe if they tried my party games.
The answer can be obvious. It's easier to get angry people organized (I'm looking for a broom closet to hold a Citizens Happy with their Reassessment meeting). Another lesson for the new Obama administration to learn.
The answer can be obvious. It's easier to get angry people organized (I'm looking for a broom closet to hold a Citizens Happy with their Reassessment meeting). Another lesson for the new Obama administration to learn.
Remembering why Obama won
"I won" is the new mantra of the Obama presidency. Like the letter "O", there's a big hole in the argument. As Rich Lowry says
No president can adhere to every jot and tittle from his campaign, but the "I won" argument only works if the campaign program matches the governing program.
Here's various reasons Obama won in November:
1. He wasn't George W. Bush
2. He wasn't George W. Bush
3. He represented hope and change
4. Electing him president would be historic.
Don't see a $817 billion stiumulus bill filled with old Democratic wish lists among the top reasons.
No president can adhere to every jot and tittle from his campaign, but the "I won" argument only works if the campaign program matches the governing program.
Here's various reasons Obama won in November:
1. He wasn't George W. Bush
2. He wasn't George W. Bush
3. He represented hope and change
4. Electing him president would be historic.
Don't see a $817 billion stiumulus bill filled with old Democratic wish lists among the top reasons.
MASN around
Baseball season is just around the corner, and the Orioles' baseball network is gearing up. Saturday I went to Baltimore to audition for a commercial to promote the coming season. Hopefully I'll picked by MASN's version of Paula, Randy and Simon.
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