Labels

After two months of blogging, I noticed some trends in what I like to write about. So I've added labels to those. Boys, I really love Governor Blagojevich.

Toast the new year

Marinating your steak in beer or wine is healthy, cutting the number of cancer-causing agents when grilled or fried.
h/t Instapundit.

Another place to surf

I like checking out realclearpolitics.com for the latest in political info. But I just found out today that they have realclearsports.com and realclearworld.com.
It's real clear these are websites to watch.

Thanks, Blago

The Illinois governor keeps things interesting. If you can't handle him, how can President-elect Obama handle Iran, Russia, Hamas or any other enemies out there?

Good news from London

A great column about the need for God and faith in Africa.
h/t NRO's Corner

Good idea

One of my high school friends did a family bike trip from Pittsburgh to Washington this summer. Just riding bikes and camping along the way.
Sounds like how the Detroit automakers will be traveling the next time they ask for money.

Year in review

I always liked Dave Barry's annual year in review. Here it is for 2008.

Late addition

Garth Brooks will be singing a song for Obama's inaugural, about Governor Blagojevich.
"I've got Friends in Low Places."

Break out the crying towels

The Washington Post reports on how hard it is for the press corps to do its work in Hawaii. Don't you feel sad for them?
Bring on the Wasilla White House.

Obama-mania

Instapundit coined this phrase, and the other McCain used it today to describe the media's coverage of the President-elect - like Tiger Beat covering the Bay City Rollers.
Obama was a teenager in that time frame. Hopefully, he remembers the fawning publicity didn't give the Rollers more than their 15 minutes of fame.

It's going to be a long four years

I went to cnnsi.com this morning to check out some football info. But this headline caught my eye. It tells a lot more about the writer than the photos do about the President-elect.

Wisdom from the Simpsons

Watched the Simpsons movie last night. When Bart has a bad day, he says "This is the worst day of my life."
Homer corrects him. "Worst day of your life so far."
It's the "so far" part that has us worried going into 2009.

Carnival of Christmas is up

CatHouse Chat is hosting the 2008 Carnival of Christmas. There's plenty of enjoy over there.

Empty out the press box

The Washington Post and Baltimore Sun have announced plans to share stories in areas they overlap. So now the Sun won't send anyone to Navy games, but will pick up the Washington Post stories.
You can see if the trend continues, if you attend University of Virginia football games next year. Take a look at the press box on the west side of the stadium and you may see fewer reporters attending the game.

I want to see

The NBC nightly news opened with a reporter in Hawaii following President-elect Obama - with Diamondhead and the beach in the background.
Man, I really want Sarah Palin to become president. Then the TV newsers will be standing in the cold near the "Wasilla White House."

What if?

If New York governor Eliot Spitzer had not been forced to resign due to the prostitution scandal this spring, would he have tried to sell Hillary Clinton's senate seat? Would he have talked to Rod Blagojevich to make sure both got the going rate?

Remember when

Since President-elect Obama has selected Rick Warren to offer a prayer at the inauguration, it got me thinking. Who has offered the prayers at previous inaugurals?
I found who Bill Clinton invited to his first inaugural in 1993. Rev. Billy Graham.
Don't remember any problems with that.

No more rewinding

The L.A.Times reports on the final demise of VHS videotapes. An interesting history lesson and look at what happens when technology reaches the end of the line.

Global warming?

The gas bill came today. They include the average daily temperature of the current month and the same month last year. Very helpful.
It said 2008 was 5.8 degrees colder than December 2007 (39.0 to 44.8).

Things could be worse

A friend sends along this story. Be glad an awning weakened by pigeon poop didn't fall on your car.

40 years ago today

Apollo 8 blasted off for the moon. They saw things man had never seen before, and returned safely to Earth.
h/t Jeff Jacoby

Favorite Christmas Carol

The pastor of a church I attended in South Carolina liked this song, "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He especially like how it went from down to triumphant in the final three stanzas.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men

I thought how, as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed by head
"There is no peace on earth," I said
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men"

Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep
"God is not dead nor doth he sleep;
For wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men"

Then ringing, singing on its way,
The World revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

You better watch out

The Smoking Gun collects mug shots. Some of them look like they should be busy doing nicer things this week.
h/t Don Surber

It's bowl season

The first of 34 college football bowls is underway in D.C.
The Midshipman in the crowd had the sign -

Even
Santa
Pulls 4
Navy

Guess which network is carrying the game?

In the shop

Economist Megan McArdle clearly analyzes Detroit's problems. My favorite quote:
"It doesn't really matter who should have changed their ways twenty five years ago; most of those people are retired or dead now, and there's no just reason that either management or labor should pay for their sins. Nonetheless, both will, because there's no one left."

All our problems in one tidy package

Mark Steyn wraps it all up.

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life

In all the controversy over Rick Warren speaking at the inaugural, or churches vs. gays in California over Prop. 8, I'm reminded on this simple phrase from Bill Bright. God loves you and wants what's best.

Can you remember?

Were there any columns in 2001 saying to take it easy on George W. Bush? Give me a break.

The Purpose-driven life

We now know the purpose of Rick Warren's life. To drive gay activists crazy when he speaks at the inaugural.

100th post

Just keeping the stats up to date.

Terms they can understand

When politicians talk about raising taxes on high income earners, they never seem to think higher taxes might lead to changes of behavior. And those changes will mean less money coming in than they counted on.
So let's meet politicians where they live. If you could keep more money donated to your campaign, would you do more fund-raisers. Probably so.

This stuff writes itself

Today, it's snowing in Las Vegas. Last week it snowed in Houston and New Orleans. Global warming, my foot (of snow).

Agreeing with Eleanor Clift

The New York Post found a three-year-old article by Newsweek's Eleanor Clift. She praised Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and said "he is reminiscent of another eager young governor, Bill Clinton circa '92."
She got that right.

Today's Internet advice

I hear they have really good internet access at the Pearly Gates. And St. Peter and his assistants have use of a pretty good search engine.

Good enough for VP Cheney...

...good enough for me. But hearing him say Obama has a "pretty good team" for national security may give some people stomach trouble.

Have a Merry Redneck Christmas

Shoe fly don't bother me

Ralph Peters looks at the meaning behind the shoe throw. You don't throw a shoe if you expect a bullet in return. President Bush's policies enabled someone to protest him without disappearing.

Trial run

It's been almost a week since the arrest of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. On Thursday, the office of President-elect called for him to resign. He's still there. Maybe negotiations with Iran will go better.

Good baseball news

Barry Bonds says he's not retiring from baseball. So if he doesn't retire, he can't get elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Problem solved for the baseball writers association.

News you need to know

This is a picture of the latest Ford contract with the UAW.

Today's motto

Remember, you're not the most important person in the world. I am.

Can be told to UAW members, Illinois governors and anybody else who wants government money.

Where have all the doctors gone?

The New York Times asks the question. Does President-elect Obama have an answer? More paperwork and more regulation are probably not the answer.

We need new talking points

The automakers bailout arguments are getting boring. Same old, same old. If you're against the bailout, you're against the unions.
Senator Corker, you need to join us in rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The chair aren't staying in place since we hit that iceberg.

Tell us what you really think

Michael Barone weighs in on Blagojevich.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/12/11/rod-blagojevich-the-stupidest-governor-in-the-country-puts-obama-in-a-bad-light.html
The name on the link says it all.

How many automakers do we need?

The number of Detroit automakers has been contracting since World War II (the movie Cars reintroduced us to the Hudson Hornet, which became part of AMC). Unfortunately, it's probably time for another contraction.
Toyota, Nissan and Honda are a pretty big three in car making now, with plenty of capacity in their U.S. plants. With the baby boomers starting to retire, they will not be as hard on cars and need to replace them as quickly. The current car building capacity is probably way too much for future trends, no matter what happens with the economy.

Drilling for pensions

So, how are we going to have enough money set aside for pension obligations? Drill baby, drill. The housing market and stock market are down. You can't get by with shuffling money around. We need to create wealth. Getting natural resources creates wealth. Drill baby, drill.

Tech talk

For all the talk about Republicans needing to do a better job with new technology, you get this story. Please double and triple check your devices before selling them. Or give them to your friendly neighborhood conservative bloggers. It's easy to find out who we are.

Who ya gonna blame?

To the tune of Ghostbusters - my first political parody

There's a Senate seat in the neighborhood,
Who you gonna call? - Rod Blago
He may be weird and he don't look good
Who you gonna call? - Rod Blago
I ain't afraid of Obama
I ain't afraid of Obama
If you're seeing money running through your head
Who can you call? - Rod Blago!
Candidate 2 has good street cred
Who you gonna call? - Rod Blago!
I ain't afraid of Obama
I ain't afraid of Obama
Who you gonna call? - Rod Blago!
Think you're all alone? Pick up the phone
And call - Rod Blago!
I ain't afraid of Obama
I hear he likes to cuss
I ain't afraid of Obama
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Who you gonna call? - Rod Blago!
If you want to be the guy with the most
Then you, you'd better call - Rod Blago!
Let me tell you something
Cussin' makes me feel good
I ain't afraid of Obama
I ain't afraid of Obama
Don't get caught alone, oh no
Rod Blago!
When he calls at your house
Unless you really like the louse
I think you better blame - Rod Blago!Ow!
Who you gonna blame - Rod Blago!

Keeping secrets

You get the feeling President-elect Obama would like to unload on Gov. Blagojevich with both barrels. But he can't, because there's an investigation going on. He can't come out and say, "I now know Blagojevich is an idiot. I'm the president-elect and he tries to shake me down. He shouldn't been allowed to clean the restrooms on the Navy Pier."
But he can't. Information that may make him look good can't come out yet. And in the void flows all kinds of conspiracy theories.
Here's another way Obama now knows how George W. Bush feels. For seven years, he's kept us safe. Many of the ways he's kept us safe are secret, since we don't want the enemy to know what we know. So the wild conspiracy theories fly, and decisions made to keep us safe are called anti-American and fascist.
One day, we'll be able to tell the truth about recent history. And soon, no one will remember how to spell Blagojevich off the top of their heads.

Blago-sphere

It's where do you find all the stories and comments about the Illinois governor.
Proud to be doing my part.

Filling Obama's seat

Now, how is Illinois going to fill the last two years of Barack Obama's term.
Well, ESPN has been pushing a college football playoff the last month since that was Obama's preference. Why not a Senatorial playoff? The wiretaps from the governor showed at least six candidates. Have an eight-candidate playoff, with head-to-head meetings determining the victor.
Governor Blagojevich has given us plenty of ideas how to determine the winner.

Get this man a Pulitzer Prize

John White of the Chicago Sun-Times got the picture of the year.
While waiting for governor Blagojevich to leave via the alley, he found a sign and the right angle. And clicked at the right moment. The governor and the rat sign.

All that needs to be said

"Are we nuts in this state?" asks an Illinois resident.

Bring on Ditka

Such a happy day, the Democrat governor of Illinois is in jail. No need to link, everybody has it.
Now, who's going to take the Senatorial appointment? Must be someone without an ties to the current government. Why not pick someone who considered running against Obama in 2004 - coach Mike Ditka. He'll have a few months free after Christmas.

Linking the news

In the news section, Caroline Kennedy may take over the Senate seat of Hillary Clinton.
In the sports section, Mike Groh resigns as offensive coordinator at the University of Virginia.
Sometimes, going into the family business doesn't work out as planned.

It's a blast

(h/t Instapundit)
The FDA has approved a gun as a medical device.

Not the write stuff

New Republic offers a commentary today to help newspaper reporters facing layoffs in the shrinking economy. But why should the government pay people to write when you have bloggers doing it for free? I was a newspaper reporter once, but I married well and got out of the gig.

Real-life lessons

I know lots of schools have been teaching their students about recycling. According to this article from West Virginia, recycling may be slowing down with the economy. Do we tell kids not to recycle until the market improves? Or just focus on the best things to recycle - probably aluminum cans.

Oh no, you can't (vol. 2)

George Will takes on the Fairness Doctrine so we won't have to.
The more info I've seen on the possible return of the Fairness Doctrine, the less likely I'd see it happening. But if they want to jump off a cliff, well, go ahead.

Not a Tar Heel blue Christmas

No Christmas trees at UNC's libraries.

Best of the Web again

Sometimes, when checking the morning headlines, a story jumps out. It grabs you by the throat and screams - "Send this link to Best of the Web today." And thus is appears on opinionjournal.com.

A question

Are the Big Three automakers in trouble because they are being told to produce more environmental cars? Or are they in trouble because they haven't produced enough environment-friendly cars in the past?

Recycling news

Just took some aluminum cans to recycle in Staunton. I got 38 cents per pound, down from the usual 60 cents. Shows how demand for raw materials is going down. How about a bailout?

Card check checkmate

One of the worries about a Democrat-run government is the "Card Check" legislation, which would make it easier to unionize.
Since the election, we've spent much of the time talking about a bailout of the automobile industry. Not the whole thing. Just the unionized American companies that ruled the road most of the 20th century. Even if union wages, benefits and pensions aren't the reason for Detroit's problems, it's the union side that's sicker than the non-union side.
Not the best commercial for adding members to the union.

Obama's computer doctors

Worried about how far left an Obama administration might go? I look at the government like a computer operating system. If you don't know what you're doing, deleting what you think is a junk file might stop the computer from working. Maybe permanently.
They will find that many of the add-ons of the George W. Bush era were crucial updates, not malware or spyware. They need to tread very carefully, as some policies may be foundational to operating the country. I hope they realize that change may be a peril.

What if?

The blog on Commentary magazine's site discusses the continuation of the Obama brand after the election. I haven't seen an O-nauguration post, but probably somebody is thinking of it.
What if Obama is actually New Coke? Sounds good in focus groups, but disliked when unveiled?

Happy Birthday, Brittney Spears

The website Extreme Mortman reminded me that she's in the top two for web searches this year. Even higher than Barack Obama. That deserves a birthday shout out.

Snapshot

When talking about the auto bailout, this cartoon by Michael Ramirez says its side loudly. Vroom, Vroom vs. Vroom, drag.

Bruce Willis strategy

After the events in Mumbai, there were reports Pakistan would move troops from the Taliban supporting areas in its western frontier to the Indian border. Which might have been a goal of the attack on Mumbai.
Just like in the movie "Die Hard with a Vengeance", when the terrorists got all the police out of the Wall Street area because their real goal was gold. The terrorists want to roam more freely in Pakistan.

In the news

Ford announced its CEO will travel by car later this week to talk to Congress about its bailout. If that doesn't work, the next trip will be by bicycle. Or dog-sled if it's cold enough.

Up in the sky

This weekend, the space shuttle returned to earth. But it was without a tool bag used during a space walk to fix solar panels on the International Space Station.
An amateur astronomer in Canada figured out when the tool bag would appear in the sky, and caught it on video.
(h/t Fox News and Opinion Journal's Best of the Web Today)

Pension tsunami

Glenn Reynolds at instapundit.com often talks about the looming problem of public and private pensions not having funds to meet their planned outlays. Last week, he highlighted this site which brings together multiple stories about the problem. Read and your Monday will feel even more Monday-er.

I'm back

Thanksgiving traveling meant the only available computer ran Windows 98 and used dial-up. And roosters in the neighborhood to wake you up a bit too early. Time to catch up.

Chilled turkey

There's still a bit of snow on the ground along I-64 traveling in West Virginia. And the Weather Channel people sound excited about some snow for Atlanta on Monday. I want my global warming.

As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly

Thirty years ago, WKRP in Cincinnati had a great Thanksgiving episode. It can be seen here.

GM all-stars

Popular Mechanics has a list of GM's 10 worst cars since 1970. How many of them have you owned? My first car out of college was an '84 Chevette, and it made 100,000 miles before dying. It did break down and leave me stranded on I-81 outside of Woodstock, Va. one Christmas.
h/t instapundit, of course

Way to go

Dr. James Dobson lets Kathleen Parker have it over her recent columns about the need to spell GOP without GOD.
h/t NRO's Corner

The young vote

Obama beat McCain by two-to-one among voters under 30, according to exit polls. And his team is trying to keep that momentum alive.
But will economic realities overcome the flash-and-dash of knowing how to blog and use facebook. The auto bailout and looming social security shortfalls are built on decisions made long before these voters were born. The automakers and the unions made deals in the '50s and '60s that they can't keep up with today.
Social security is really pay as you go, and as the youth go to work they will be paying higher and higher taxes to meet promises made by lawmakers long gone. Will the young stay Democrats when they're being asked to be pack mules.

More history

A unique part of this presidential transition is the role of the internet. The records of people being considered for positions is so much more easily accessible than when George W. Bush became president.
There's talk of Eric Holder for Attorney General. People are searching and finding what he did in the Clinton administration - the Marc Rich pardon -and comments about Gitmo and torture from 2002 that don't quite synch with Obama policy. Just google Eric Holder Gitmo to see a few listings.
There's no Zoe Baird surprises like the Clintons had in 1993. Everything he's said or done is out on the internet, easy to find.

Why the media like Obama

The easiest answer - where he'll vacation. The media follow the president everywhere, even on vacation. George W. Bush liked spending a lot of time at his ranch in West Texas. Barack Obama lives in Chicago and will likely vacation in Hawaii.
Who would you rather hangout with? Especially when your boss picks up the tab for the trip.
Makes you look forward to the Wasilla White House.

Is it too early?

I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I think it's time for the artificial outdoor decorations to go up. It's an extra week to enjoy them. It's done, and you can work on other thing

Combining column ideas

This weekend, National Review's Corner noted a column that suggested President Bush should resign early so Barack Obama can get on with his administration.
And there's rumblings of disappointment on the left, with the likely choice of Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State and the holdover of Bush personnel to deal with Iraq.
Maybe President Bush should resign early, so the left can get boiling mad at President Obama before Christmas. Let's get to the disillusionment already.

How many more?

Thanks to Don Surber, I found a fine whine in Time. Michael Kinsley wonders how many blogs does the world need. Don says his is the only one you need. Can't argue with that logic.
Easy to argue with Kinsley's. More blogs means more work for reporters. Instead of doing an article a day, there's constant demand to update the latest info you know. And to keep up with what everybody is saying. Oh, boo hoo.
Getting paid to put your spin on the conventional wisdom isn't that hard. That's why so many people are doing it for free or little money.

While we're waiting...

...for the Clinton cabinet press conference, I saw Don Surber at the Charleston Daily Mail mention this website to analyze your blog.
Our results - 92 percent that this blog is written by a man.
Phil? 75 percent. Jason? also 75 percent
And do you think a man or woman writes SWACgirl - 59 percent likelihood female. Love those computers.

Internet warning

Being new to blogger, I was exploring yesterday. Blogger picks a "Blog of Note" each day out of all the blogs out there.
I picked one "capecodmemories" and visited. Nice pictures of the Cape in fall. But the latest message said she was keeping comments disabled because of the quality of negative feedback. Negative feedback? Of nature pictures?
I guess when swimming in the internet, you need to be wary of the "Too much time on their hands" sharks.

My dream

I had a dream where you could tell how effective a politician's policies would be by how deep they were stuck in mud.
Poor Joe Biden. All you could see were his hair plugs. Not very effective.
Barack Obama was waist deep in mud. Not too bad, I thought.
Then I saw Hillary Clinton. She barely had any mud on her shoes. I asked "Sen. Clinton, so your policies are that good." She replied, "No, I'm standing on Bill's head."



(adapted from an old joke)

What are they going to do?

In two months, George W. Bush won't be president. What will the left do? Can they keep blaming bad things on him? Is it just a reflex to blame him?
I once imagined what would happen if we found out the Sun had exploded. On TV somewhere, someone would be saying "Why didn't George W. Bush foresee this and get super spaceships built so we could evacuate Earth?"

Don't worry

For those thinking that Obama has spread the wealth plans --- a few more days like today on Wall Street and there won't be any wealth to spread.

Way to go, Glenn

Glenn Beck will be number one on the New York Times best seller list for his new book, "Christmas Sweater." He's gloating today over being ahead of Stephen King's new book. Enjoy yourself, Glenn.

Another favorite

I get the Best of the Web email each day. And today something from the Waynesboro News-Virginian gets featured. The headline from Saturday "Dead body found in cemetery" News of the Tautological, that's for sure.

I'll take Chuck in this fight

Townhall.com features a column by Chuck Norris about the post-election fight over California's Prop 8.

Are there any RINOs under 45?

In the debate about whether the Republican party is too conservative, a question. When you hear of Republicans in Name Only (RINO), it's usually northeastern people like Lincoln Chafee and Christie Todd Whitman. And the future conservative stars are people like 37-year-old Bobby Jindal and 44-year-old Sarah Palin.
How many younger Republicans follow the RINO way? Only a few, I'd bet. If you're under 45, you began voting when Reagan was president. You don't remember much of the 40-year period when Republicans were the minority in Congress, since it ended in 1994. Younger people are used to strong Republican ideas being discussed and don't see the need for offering Democrat-lite ideas.
If the dividing line is an age thing, then maybe the younger Republicans have the ideas to reach an ever-younger electorate.

It's back

The agenda area of the President-elect's website is back up. I checked out the service area on Nov. 7 and decided to start up SWAC corps (read or blog 50 hours a year to earn my Obama credits).
I really like the college service part. They plan to propose a $4,000 tuition credit for 100 hours of community service. That's $40 an hour. Nice work if you can get it.
I wonder if College Republicans can use their service time to get that tuition credit. Would have been nice back in the day when I was cooking burgers at Roy Rogers restaurant to help pay college expenses.

Is he President Placebo?

I listened a little to Bennett Mornings today, and the substitute host was wondering where the specifics were in the interview with President-elect Obama on 60 Minutes.
Then visited the Baltimore Sun's website, the TV critic and several commenters were pleased with his reassuring tone. One said the interview was "like medicine for the sick." I guess you see what you want to see with him.
We have a few months to find out if Obama has some cures or just makes you think he has the cures.

What's missing

In all the talk about McCain's loss/Obama's win, there's been just a little talk about a big factor - money.
Obama was the first presidential candidate since Watergate not to accept public funding. McCain accepted public funding. We know Obama brought in a lot of money, which meant more ads and more workers to reach voters. How much more money did Obama and the Democrats have to work with?
They always claimed a Republican advantage in money when the GOP won. What about when they win?

Pack Mule generation

We've had "notch babies" in Social Security and "doughnut holes" in the Medicare drug benefit. Time for something new - Pack Mule generation.
It's the generation that will be paying high taxes for promises of the past. Who's going to pay social security when the baby boomers retire? The Pack Mule generation.
Who's on the hook for all the bailout money being tossed about now - the Pack Mule generation.
Those under 30 who voted for Obama, you're part of the Pack Mule generation. How much do you want to put in your pack?

Don't know much about history

Karl Rove's weekly column looks at the numbers from past mid-term elections for encouraging signs for Republicans. Big historic gains for the out party since World War II or 1966 sound good, but our current style of redistricting remove much volatility from the electorate. If a new president brings in fewer members with his coattails, then fewer weak members are there to be easily swept out.

Contest time

The Washington Post profiles likely Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs today. The third paragraph states he "monitors coverage intensively, pushing back against the smallest blog post he considers inaccurate. "
Do you think any of our SWAC bloggers can get his attention?

Vote for the man of Steele

Michael Steele appears to be the new frontrunner for the chairmanship of the Republican Party. Shows what can happen when you visit Mrs. Rowe's.

On TV

John McCain will appear on Jay Leno tonight.
Sarah Palin has been on Fox, Today and will be on CNN Wednesday.
And several unnamed staffers will be on Cheaters.

I'm disappointed

Friday, Rush was talking about info found on the president-elect's website. But now the change agenda has been changed.
The Washington Times reports that the agenda was copied from the Obama for president website. It went live Thursday and changed over the weekend.
That's ok. We'll have SWACcorps, Rush Corps and Iowahawk Corps ready to go when the time comes.

Missing the party

Being on the losing end of this election is so much different than losing other elections. It's a cultural event. How do you respond to all the special newspapers, DVDs and TV shows?
I thought it's like Red Sox nation after they finally won the World Series in 2004, but Obama's election is probably more like the reaction when the Chicago Cubs finally win the World Series. The opponent's fans will be disappointed, then overwhelmed by the history.

Hopeful sign

The Baltimore Ravens won big today. In their short history, they have one Super Bowl title - the year George W. Bush won the White House. Maybe they'll follow another change in the presidency to another championship.

From an unnamed McCain speechwriter

How else could they try to make Sarah Palin look bad?
Have her say "Let's drill in ANWR so Todd can make enough money for me to shop at Neiman Marcus."

Wait and see

It's hard, but it's really just wait and see time. Some have great hopes of good things an Obama administration will do. Some have great fear of bad things that could happen. It's really hard to tell until he does some things.
Now, if John Kerry gets picked for the cabinet, it's really bombs away, boys.

A corps is a corps, of course

Rush has been checking out the president-elect's website. Under service, there's lots of new corps for service.
I plan to start SWAC corps, where people get credit for doing community service by reading SWAC blogs 50 hours a year. There should definitely be a Rush Limbaugh corps under education. You learn a lot listening to Rush.

Still in love

Listening to Bennett Mornings on the radio today, a caller from Texas said he took care of his McCain/Palin bumper sticker yesterday. He cut off the McCain part and left Palin on his bumper. Did SWACgirl think of that?

An historic, insprirational disaster?

Iowahawk does it again.

Watch your back, Mr. President-elect

Now that he's defeated John McCain, Barack Obama has to watch out for the left side. Will he rule Congress or will Congress try to rule him? The Wall Street Journal runs down the likely roadblocks.
And how about the hard left. I check out this website from Charlottesville where they won't be happy with the new President until the current President is in jail. What happens when the Bush haters get angry at Obama?

Oh no, you can't (vol. 1)

An easy one to start. Barney Frank floated the idea that Congress would cut the military budget by 25 percent after the election.
So after our election ends, Russia announces plans to base missiles on the border with Poland. And Israel and the Palestinians launch missiles against each other.
It's still a dangerous world. Reducing our military will only make it more dangerous.

what to do with old signs

from National Review Online's corner

It's time to put away childish things and govern

Here's Jonah Goldberg's advice to the Democrats.
That means you too, Keith Olberman.

Pick yourself up and move on

This election is over. Virginia doesn't give us much change to rest, with the gubernational election coming next November. But it's no time to hide in the closet.

A war he can't win

Slate looks at the coming war between Obama and the press.
http://www.slate.com/id/2203660/
Sign me up.

Busy morning in Fishersville

Drove by the fire station polling place about 6:30 a.m. and the parking lot was full. People were parking on the side of 250.
Just finished at Wilson precinct. Things went quickly, and they've had 300 voters at least by 7:30 a.m.

Turning cold

If Obama wins, I'm planning a series of posts to throw cold water on some of his plans and the wish list of the Democratic Congress.
Why? Well, cold water uses less energy. And if you can't build new coal-fired electricity plants, pretty soon we won't have much hot water.

Listening to Rush

Rush Limbaugh sounded like he was ready to explode near the end of today's show. Maybe it's just the toll of a long campaign, plus flying to two football games. But Wednesday's show promises to be a doozy.

A question

If Barack Obama's girls are bad, do they get coal in their stockings?

Looking back from 2012

Don't miss the New York Post's three articles looking back at a disastrous Obama presidency.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11012008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_2012__four_years_later_136356.htm

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11012008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_2012__his_triumphs_abroad_136358.htm

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11012008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_2012__a_term_of_fical_pain_136357.htm

New slogan

Aren't you glad "Bush lied, people died" is going to the history books. Time for a new slogan.
It might be "Obama taxed, we got waxed." Kind of catchy. I'm not trademarking it yet.

I also wish I could be...

...Mark Steyn. This week he perfectly dissects the way voters see the cardboard cutout of the Obama they want to see instead of the real man and his connections.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/obama-dimensional-hope-2212958-barack-government

To cheer you up

If things go poorly Tuesday, remember that you could be Hillary or Bill Clinton. Imagine how disappointed they will be. (All of this could have been ours).
I feel better just writing this.

Getting away from it all

Augusta FC is closing out its fall recreational soccer season with tournaments this weekend. So I'll be spending plenty of time at Eastside Speedway, hoping for warm weather and good games.

I wish I could be...

...the famous Iowahawk.
http://iowahawk.typepad.com/

The election is over! McCain's going to win

So says the Weekly World News' Alien.
http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/election-08/october-surprise-alien-endorses-mccain/
A friend of mine worked at the Weekly World News in the 90s, so I trust it.

Drill baby, drill

Robert J. Samuelson of the Washington Post uses his economics column to encourage offshore drilling as part of a plan to stimulate the economy. Think any Democrats are listening?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/28/AR2008102802951.html

Three oily stooges

Ralph Peters looks at the impact of failing oil prices on three countries who need the price at least $90 a barrel.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/bankrupt_rogues__beware_failing_foes_135797.htm

Trust, but verify

Ronald Reagan also said "Trust, but verify" about Soviet claims.
Can you trust Obama without verifying his claims?
I don't think Tony Blankey believes those few Republicans who now trust Obama have done much verifications.
http://www.creators.com/opinion/tony-blankley.html

First post

Before the Fairness Doctrine hits, it's time to set up a blog.