Instapundit links a great column on latimes.com about poor President Obama and his travel plans Thursday.
This is the big bucks kickoff for what Obama aides gleefully predict will be a $1 billion political extravaganza of "Vote for me."
A billion bucks. Think, a president once suggested, what that kind of money could do for the most vulnerable members of our society.
But it's more important right now that sum goes to people like television station owners for the broadcast and cable time to convince Americans over the remaining 572 days that they should disregard Obama's profound desire to return to private life in that faux Hyde Park.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Downhill racer
I'm glad President Obama gave a speech Wednesday.
It gives columnists another chance to bundle his blunders into a neat package.
Jay Cost looks at the campaigner who's lousy at politics.
Obama has been demonstrating his political tone deafness since he emerged as the frontrunner in early 2008: his comment about how “bitter” rural Pennsylvanians “cling” to guns and God, how Hillary Clinton is “likeable enough,” the “vero possumus” seal, the arrogant trip to Europe that summer, the grand Barackopolis, and the weirdo artwork. All of these were politically short-sighted comments or images that the media intentionally overlooked. When you get right down to it, Obama hit his high point at Iowa’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner in November, 2007. It’s been downhill ever since – with one verbal gaffe or policy misstep after another.
It gives columnists another chance to bundle his blunders into a neat package.
Jay Cost looks at the campaigner who's lousy at politics.
Obama has been demonstrating his political tone deafness since he emerged as the frontrunner in early 2008: his comment about how “bitter” rural Pennsylvanians “cling” to guns and God, how Hillary Clinton is “likeable enough,” the “vero possumus” seal, the arrogant trip to Europe that summer, the grand Barackopolis, and the weirdo artwork. All of these were politically short-sighted comments or images that the media intentionally overlooked. When you get right down to it, Obama hit his high point at Iowa’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner in November, 2007. It’s been downhill ever since – with one verbal gaffe or policy misstep after another.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Talk about bizarro
It doesn't get more bizarre than this quote from TheGreenMiles.
Of course, what no one talks about is that the deficit will fix itself if we make sure the economy recovers, allow the Affordable Care Act to take effect & let the Bush tax cuts expire.
The plan?
Pay up and shut up.
Our plan works. Your plan stinks.
Look at the numbers instead. This plan is a little too bizarre for me.
Of course, what no one talks about is that the deficit will fix itself if we make sure the economy recovers, allow the Affordable Care Act to take effect & let the Bush tax cuts expire.
The plan?
Pay up and shut up.
Our plan works. Your plan stinks.
Look at the numbers instead. This plan is a little too bizarre for me.
Tax view from Oklahoma
Dustbury pulls a great headline out of the dust bowl.
Where the gripes of Roth are stored
Where the gripes of Roth are stored
Dropping back to punt
It's been a busy day, so I've been mercifully spared hearing about President Obama's speech.
Mark Steyn takes the whacks. Enjoy.
There’s something sad about a man so carelessly revealing himself as entirely inadequate to the moment. Government spending is an existential threat to the United States. Whether or not anyone at the White House knows this, the viziers decided to shove the sultan out on stage with a pitifully unserious speech retreating to all his lamest tropes – the usual whiny, petty and unpresidential partisan snippiness, and the ponderous demolition of straw men even he barely bothered to pretend he believed in:
Politicians are often eager to feed the impression that solving the problem is just a matter of eliminating waste and abuse –that tackling the deficit issue won’t require tough choices.
Yeah, right. Why don’t we start by eliminating whatever dope got paid to write that sentence?
Hurry up, November 2012.
Mark Steyn takes the whacks. Enjoy.
There’s something sad about a man so carelessly revealing himself as entirely inadequate to the moment. Government spending is an existential threat to the United States. Whether or not anyone at the White House knows this, the viziers decided to shove the sultan out on stage with a pitifully unserious speech retreating to all his lamest tropes – the usual whiny, petty and unpresidential partisan snippiness, and the ponderous demolition of straw men even he barely bothered to pretend he believed in:
Politicians are often eager to feed the impression that solving the problem is just a matter of eliminating waste and abuse –that tackling the deficit issue won’t require tough choices.
Yeah, right. Why don’t we start by eliminating whatever dope got paid to write that sentence?
Hurry up, November 2012.
Today's tied with me
Weekend Watchdog has helped boost my sports rank in Technorati.
Today, I'm tied with nonohitters.com - a blog about the fact that no New York Met pitcher has thrown a no-hitter in franchise history.
It's a blog that will be thrilled to see it's run end.
Today, I'm tied with nonohitters.com - a blog about the fact that no New York Met pitcher has thrown a no-hitter in franchise history.
It's a blog that will be thrilled to see it's run end.
Twenty years and still waiting
If you live in Bluefield, WV and want to get to Huntington quickly, it's a three-hour ride on the interstate via Charleston.
But 20 years ago, people in the area between those two cities, connected by U.S. 52 through the mountains, decided to seek a new interstate through their areas.
They are still seeking money, and have very little to show for it - a few bridges and small stretches of barely usable roads.
Sen. Byrd is gone, and spending on road projects - hoping they would bring development - is out of vogue. Especially when there's congested cities begging for more help.
The roads would be nice for me, speeding the visit to the in-laws. But I doubt I'll ever see these roads completed. And it's doubtful my unborn grandchildren will see them either.
But 20 years ago, people in the area between those two cities, connected by U.S. 52 through the mountains, decided to seek a new interstate through their areas.
They are still seeking money, and have very little to show for it - a few bridges and small stretches of barely usable roads.
Sen. Byrd is gone, and spending on road projects - hoping they would bring development - is out of vogue. Especially when there's congested cities begging for more help.
The roads would be nice for me, speeding the visit to the in-laws. But I doubt I'll ever see these roads completed. And it's doubtful my unborn grandchildren will see them either.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Keep dreaming
Blue Virginia touts a poll that he thinks is good news for Democrats.
When you look at the range of possibilities, I think it's more likely President Obama wins 10 states or fewer than that the Democrats regain the House after the 2012 election.
When you look at the range of possibilities, I think it's more likely President Obama wins 10 states or fewer than that the Democrats regain the House after the 2012 election.
I support the Instapundit tax hike
Instapundit offers a great idea to raise revenue for the government.
Here’s my proposal: A 50% surtax on anything earned within five years after leaving the federal government, above whatever the federal salary was. Leave a $150K job at the White House, take a $1M job with Goldman, Sachs, pay a $425K surtax.
I'd like to tax the use of the word "Teabagger," but I'll join this effort for fairness.
Here’s my proposal: A 50% surtax on anything earned within five years after leaving the federal government, above whatever the federal salary was. Leave a $150K job at the White House, take a $1M job with Goldman, Sachs, pay a $425K surtax.
I'd like to tax the use of the word "Teabagger," but I'll join this effort for fairness.
I can drive --- 135
Dustbury publishes a photo.
Is it proof of breaking the speed limit?
On the other hand, if I’m driving that fast, and as a general rule I’m not, I’m also not simultaneously grappling with a frigging camera.
Sorry officer, it's a photoshop.
Is it proof of breaking the speed limit?
On the other hand, if I’m driving that fast, and as a general rule I’m not, I’m also not simultaneously grappling with a frigging camera.
Sorry officer, it's a photoshop.
Remembering Charleston
For the 150th anniversary of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Charleston Post and Courier has a large section of articles.
The Other McCain compares the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with the 100th - a different era.
The Georgetown Times reports on citizens traveling 60 miles south for the Charleston commemoration - with a quote some angry progressives might use.
“It’s part of history, and we are just celebrating when South Carolina said heck no to Washington, just like today,” Wolf said. “We had someone 500 miles away, telling us what to do and taxing us.”
The Other McCain compares the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with the 100th - a different era.
The Georgetown Times reports on citizens traveling 60 miles south for the Charleston commemoration - with a quote some angry progressives might use.
“It’s part of history, and we are just celebrating when South Carolina said heck no to Washington, just like today,” Wolf said. “We had someone 500 miles away, telling us what to do and taxing us.”
Monday, April 11, 2011
What's going on in Japan
One of my high school classmates lives in Japan.
Her family's school put together a video, answering the questions of a California school that sent relief supplies and questions about what happened.
Her family's school put together a video, answering the questions of a California school that sent relief supplies and questions about what happened.
More wisdom from Scott Adams
The Dilbert creator looks at higher education in the weekend Wall Street Journal.
And his experiences could help today's students.
My college days were full of entrepreneurial stories of this sort. When my friends and I couldn't get the gym to give us space for our informal games of indoor soccer, we considered our options. The gym's rule was that only organized groups could reserve time. A few days later we took another run at it, but this time we were an organized soccer club, and I was the president. My executive duties included filling out a form to register the club and remembering to bring the ball.
By the time I graduated, I had mastered the strange art of transforming nothing into something. Every good thing that has happened to me as an adult can be traced back to that training. Several years later, I finished my MBA at Berkeley's Haas School of Business. That was the fine-tuning I needed to see the world through an entrepreneur's eyes.
When I look back at my college career, I remember a little about the classes. More about time with my friends, working with the college newspaper, being in College Republicans and my four years in Campus Crusade for Christ.
It's nice to learn about communications and journalism. It's more important to learn about real life.
And his experiences could help today's students.
My college days were full of entrepreneurial stories of this sort. When my friends and I couldn't get the gym to give us space for our informal games of indoor soccer, we considered our options. The gym's rule was that only organized groups could reserve time. A few days later we took another run at it, but this time we were an organized soccer club, and I was the president. My executive duties included filling out a form to register the club and remembering to bring the ball.
By the time I graduated, I had mastered the strange art of transforming nothing into something. Every good thing that has happened to me as an adult can be traced back to that training. Several years later, I finished my MBA at Berkeley's Haas School of Business. That was the fine-tuning I needed to see the world through an entrepreneur's eyes.
When I look back at my college career, I remember a little about the classes. More about time with my friends, working with the college newspaper, being in College Republicans and my four years in Campus Crusade for Christ.
It's nice to learn about communications and journalism. It's more important to learn about real life.
About time
Virginia is thinking about adding truck lanes on I-64 over Afton Mountain.
Glad to see it. I've often wondered why I-64 is only two lanes on the long climb up the mountain.
And don't get me started about two-lane I-64 between Richmond and Newport News. Especially on summer weekends.
Glad to see it. I've often wondered why I-64 is only two lanes on the long climb up the mountain.
And don't get me started about two-lane I-64 between Richmond and Newport News. Especially on summer weekends.
Who's better? Ike or Patton?
Since the Friday settlement to avoid a government shutdown, the right side has been battling about the deal.
Was it a good deal or not good?
DaTech Guy gives a good view why it's a good deal, and good to have unhappy conservatives.
But his post from Saturday got me thinking. He talked about Civil War battles and strategies, and this weekend's argument reminded me of the supporters of World War II generals Eisenhower and Patton.
Whoever you like, our side is winning.
The other side is spent, nothing left.
Patton would have been more aggressive getting to Berlin, but we got there by May. The war ended, we won and our troops came home.
It would be great to win quickly, but the opposition has to give up the fight as well. They've got a few rubber bands in their pockets while we've got guns.
It's a step in the march toward fiscal responsibility. We're moving in the right direction.
Was it a good deal or not good?
DaTech Guy gives a good view why it's a good deal, and good to have unhappy conservatives.
But his post from Saturday got me thinking. He talked about Civil War battles and strategies, and this weekend's argument reminded me of the supporters of World War II generals Eisenhower and Patton.
Whoever you like, our side is winning.
The other side is spent, nothing left.
Patton would have been more aggressive getting to Berlin, but we got there by May. The war ended, we won and our troops came home.
It would be great to win quickly, but the opposition has to give up the fight as well. They've got a few rubber bands in their pockets while we've got guns.
It's a step in the march toward fiscal responsibility. We're moving in the right direction.
Two days before the deluge
The best month for ice hockey fans looms.
The first two rounds of the playoffs mean ice hockey basically every night.
Usually two games a night.
Lasting through the conference semifinals.
Sure, some series will end in four games. But most go six or seven, filling your nightly schedule.
Enjoy.
The first two rounds of the playoffs mean ice hockey basically every night.
Usually two games a night.
Lasting through the conference semifinals.
Sure, some series will end in four games. But most go six or seven, filling your nightly schedule.
Enjoy.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Listen to Mr. Arithmetic
I like this quote from George Will. Newsbusters provide the transcript.
Medicare is doomed as we know it, not by Mr. Ryan, but by Mr. Arithmetic. It just doesn't work anymore.
Medicare is doomed as we know it, not by Mr. Ryan, but by Mr. Arithmetic. It just doesn't work anymore.
Who's the boss
Don Surber hails the new chief - Rep. Paul Ryan.
Presidents control the agenda. This one didn’t. Paul Ryan took control.
Hail President Paul Ryan.
Presidents control the agenda. This one didn’t. Paul Ryan took control.
Hail President Paul Ryan.
Neighborhood sweep
Saturday, members of the Maryland State police and volunteers searched for a missing teenager in the state park near my parents' house. A part of the park I've walked my times in the past 38 years.
They found the body of one missing person, but not the teen.
Her mom remains hopeful.
The now 17-year-old disappeared from her half-sister's Northwest Baltimore apartment on Dec. 28 while visiting from Monroe, N.C. Reached by telephone, her mother Janice Sallis called the results of the search "good news. It's good news that they didn't come up with anything. My baby might still be out there."
They found the body of one missing person, but not the teen.
Her mom remains hopeful.
The now 17-year-old disappeared from her half-sister's Northwest Baltimore apartment on Dec. 28 while visiting from Monroe, N.C. Reached by telephone, her mother Janice Sallis called the results of the search "good news. It's good news that they didn't come up with anything. My baby might still be out there."
15 years on the net
Dustbury celebrated the 15th anniversary of his blog Saturday.
The first newspaper I worked at traced its roots back to 1797. Dustbury has had the same author all those years, but it's been a long trip on multiple platforms and coding.
Here's to many more good years.
The first newspaper I worked at traced its roots back to 1797. Dustbury has had the same author all those years, but it's been a long trip on multiple platforms and coding.
Here's to many more good years.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Robert Stacy Smith? Nah
Smitty trumps Planned Parenthood - a blog post from the uterus. Amazing pictures of the little one. Amazing what our medical technology can see. I remember the excitement of the ultrasound of my oldest, now almost 14. Looks what they can do now. Best wishes to young Smitty, with momma and daddy separated by half the globe. UPDATE: Linked among the name choices by Smitty.
Cuts now, more cuts in the future
Instapundit has a short roundup on the budget deal.
DaTech Guy takes the long view.
Ride Right through them, they’re demoralized as hell!
Right, Blue Virginia?
DaTech Guy takes the long view.
Ride Right through them, they’re demoralized as hell!
Right, Blue Virginia?
Facebook quote of the week
Could somebody please just KLUNK me on the head with a cast iron skillet for drinking a cup of coffee at 10:30??? I am WIDE AWAKE.
Friday, April 8, 2011
We need cleanup in D.C.
Watching Capitals ice hockey, you get to see this ad for Hadeed Carpet. Reminds me of Congress this week.
Good thing there's good internet in Kabul
Smitty spreads the word about SWACgirl's post on the 2012 Virginia Senate race poll.
Third link of the month. From halfway around the world and back to Augusta County.
Third link of the month. From halfway around the world and back to Augusta County.
Aborting the budget
Twelve hours until the government shutdown.
Planned Parenthood or bust.
If the difference is only a few billion dollars, why don't the Democrats give in to what the Tea Party wants? After all, in 2010, we won.
Planned Parenthood or bust.
If the difference is only a few billion dollars, why don't the Democrats give in to what the Tea Party wants? After all, in 2010, we won.
Weekend watchdog
Amen Corner.
CBS has its coverage Saturday and Sunday, through the winner's interview at Butler Cabin. And don't forget the late-night highlights Friday after your local news.
The Yankees and Red Sox have their first series of the season this weekend, so they get coverage Saturday afternoon on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. The Phillies' visit to Atlanta is the other game on FOX Saturday, and the TBS game Sunday afternoon.
The Azaleas.
The walk to the 18th green.
It's time for the Masters.
CBS has its coverage Saturday and Sunday, through the winner's interview at Butler Cabin. And don't forget the late-night highlights Friday after your local news.ESPN gets to show the second round, starting Friday at 3 p.m.
Another rite of the spring is the start of baseball.The Yankees and Red Sox have their first series of the season this weekend, so they get coverage Saturday afternoon on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. The Phillies' visit to Atlanta is the other game on FOX Saturday, and the TBS game Sunday afternoon.
The Orioles host Texas for the weekend on MASN2. The Nationals visit the Mets on MASN - Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
On the other end of the schedule, the NBA and NHL are winding down. The Bulls visit Orlando Sunday at 1 p.m. on ABC, while the Celtics face the Heat at 3:30 p.m.
At the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Wizards visit Boston Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. and host Atlanta Saturday on Comcast-plus.
Having withdrawal from the Final Four? Saturday at 8 p.m. NCAA offers the Frozen Four finale on ESPN as Minnesota-Duluth faces Michigan.
NASCAR heads to Texas for the weekend. FOX has the Sprint series drivers Saturday at 7 p.m., while the Nationwide racers hit the track Friday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
ACC college baseball gets coverage on Comcast Saturday at 1 p.m., with Boston College taking on Duke. Sunday, Comcast goes to the SEC for Auburn at Kentucky.
LSU spring football gets coverage on ESPN Saturday at 4 p.m.
The tennis tour hits South Carolina this week, with ESPN2 showing the Family Circle Cup Friday through Sunday starting at 1 p.m. each day.
Virginia hosts North Carolina in college lacrosse Saturday at noon on ESPN.
The tennis tour hits South Carolina this week, with ESPN2 showing the Family Circle Cup Friday through Sunday starting at 1 p.m. each day.
Virginia hosts North Carolina in college lacrosse Saturday at noon on ESPN.
MASN shows the Illinois Derby Saturday at 5 p.m.
Idol chatter
The people at Dialidol.com are not happy today.
They predicted Pia was one of the three contestants who was safe this week.
Instead, she's gone.
Dialidol had Paul with the lowest score.
Votefortheworst.com likes him. He's still singing on the show.
Wonder what Simon's thinking about this?
They predicted Pia was one of the three contestants who was safe this week.
Instead, she's gone.
Dialidol had Paul with the lowest score.
Votefortheworst.com likes him. He's still singing on the show.
Wonder what Simon's thinking about this?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Obama-Trump debate
Wouldn't you watch that?
Whether you like Donald Trump or not, he's got the buzz.
And he's already got his Election night speech written.
"Barack, you're fired."
Whether you like Donald Trump or not, he's got the buzz.
And he's already got his Election night speech written.
"Barack, you're fired."
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