The Golden Rule
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Just a Bump in the Beltway
Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.
–Micah 6:8
How much more religion than that do you really need?
Hail to the Chief!
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Carpetblogger
Cordero is still a National. All is well in the universe….
Obama Surges in New Hampshire
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Raising Kaine - Front Page
American Research Group today released a poll of a small sample of New Hampshire voters. In it, Barack Obama has shown an astonishing surge, reducing the 15 point lead Hillary Clinton held at the end of June to a virtual tie. That's a huge shift in a short time. What's happening?Nationally, Rasmussen still has Hillary leading at 41% with Obama a "distant second" at 23%, but something is going on in the Granite State. Maybe after this week's Clinton-Obama feud, NH Voters have chosen "Authentic ChangeTM" over "ExperienceTM". So it would seem, is there more going on here?
Whichever Democrat you support, you'll love the numbers coming out of James Carville's polling organization, Democracy Corps. The Republican party is sucking wind like never before, and you've got to love this headline: Surveys Show House Dems Maintain "Nearly Landslide Leads" Heading Into '08 Elections.
Happy reading below the fold...
No matter how much Republicans would like you to believe it, the supposed conventional wisdom that Americans are angry at Democrats in Congress is pure bunk.
"Democrats are maintaining stable and nearly landslide leads in both the race for President as measured by generic performance (51-41) and the named ballot for Congress (52-42 percent)."
In a targeted survey of the 70 congressional districts most likely to be competitive in 2008 (half with Democratic incumbents, the other half with Republicans in office), Democracy Corps found that Democratic incumbents hold a solid 52-40 lead on average. In contrast, the Republicans are in trouble: when voters are asked whom they would choose between the named GOP incumbent and an unnamed (generic) Democrat, the Republicans are behind on average 44-49.
Gonzales under the gun
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Blog With No Name (LA/Pol/War)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has been coming under more scathing criticism from members of Congress in both parties, leading some to wonder how much longer he can keep his job. In today's Washington Post, Ruth Marcus wrote that "Gonzales once again dissembled and misled," but she doesn't think "he actually lied" during his latest appearance on Capitol Hill. This was in reference to a meeting with then-Attorney General John Ashcroft and whether Bush's warrantless wiretapping program was executed according to the constitutional standards of due process. Marcus concludes,
Consequently, the calls by some Democrats for a special pro
Let’s Go Shopping!
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on BLACK VELVET BRUCE LI
Mexicanos Sin Fronteras, our local chapter of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), has announced it will boycott all non-immigrant businesses between August 27th and September 3rd. The reaction I’m hearing from folks is that they’re going to make a list of things they’ve been thinking of buying, and during that week will make a point of visiting retailers and spending their money. It would be pretty humorous to see this boycott fail miserably. (more…)
Radio goes high definition
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Blog With No Name (LA/Pol/War)
After several bleak years, it looks like the "Silicon Prairie" (southeastern South Dakota, where Gateway Computers was founded) has reemerged as a cutting-edge center of high-tech industry. A startup firm called Radiosophy is manufacturing high-definition radio receivers, which can pick up digital signals. The story of their rise above adversity was reported on NPR recently. Hat tip to Dan, who recently began revamping Radiosophy's Web site.
Unbeknownst to most folks, many radio stations have already begun to broadcast digitally, with clearer audio and even multiple sub-channels for some stations. This is quite unlike the
Okay, Let’s Talk About Schools (Part I)
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on James River Maven
The rather emotional responses to my post “Shrinking Richmond” (click on “Comments”) tells me that we are dealing with an issue that is very sensitive in Richmond. The subject of Richmond Public Schools involves issues of taxes, race, and economic class that are difficult to discuss without possibly offending someone. Perhaps the fear of offending is the reason that we only deal with this issue at its perimeters. I think we need to get to the heart of the matter.
I am a great supporter of public schools. They are the basis of our American democracy. I was poor as a child and, without the quality public-school education I received in New York, I would not have achieved anything. All three of my children also benefited from a quality public-school education here in Virginia.
In the nearly three years I have lived in Richmond, I have noticed a very strange demographic pattern. About half the people in my neighborhood are empty-nesters like my wife and me. Most of the rest of my neighbors are young couples, either without children or with pre-school-age children. When children in my neighborhood reach school age, their parents do one of three things: 1- they move out of Richmond to Chesterfield, Henrico or Hanover counties; 2- they send their children to private school; or 3- they home-school their children. I think that the only children who attend public school are those whose parents cannot afford any of the other options.
Two days each week, I tutor at Westover Hills School. In the classes I work in, all the children are African-American. In fact, almost all of the children in the school are African-American. I have looked at the statistics on the Richmond City Public Schools website, and I find that in most of Richmond's public schools African-Americans constitute 80% or more of the student body. My experience, and those statistics, indicates to me that although more than thirty years have passed since the end of "massive resistance," Richmond still has segregated schools. This segregation is not the result of the law but of the perception by those parents who can afford other options that their children cannot receive a quality education in Richmond public schools.
What I find particularly troubling with regard to Richmond's segregated schools is that no one seems to talk about them. I hear a lot of talk about building new school buildings or how many children are passing SOLs. But nobody talks about whether children can get a quality education in segregated schools. Nobody talks about how to overcome the perception by middle class parents that keeps them from sending their children to Richmond public schools.
So where does this perception that Richmond has low quality schools come from? We could start with His Excellency Mayor Doug. In his ongoing vendetta against the School Board and the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Wilder is continuously issuing vision newsletters indicating that Richmond Public Schools are inferior to those in the surrounding counties. In his newsletter for July 9, for example, Mr. Wilder says:
With a dismal, worst-in-Virginia graduation rate – only 47% of our children make it all the way through high school – there is plenty to be concerned about.
* * *
Today, if our students are ill-educated and ill-prepared to enter the world beyond secondary school, we cannot blame it on a lack of money. Richmond Public Schools spends almost 60 percent more per student annually than any of the surrounding jurisdictions, while lagging far behind in critical measures of student achievement.
* * *
Richmond's dropout rate in 2005 was four times that of Hanover and almost twice that of Chesterfield and Henrico. In fact, of school systems with 10,000 or more students, Richmond had the highest dropout rate statewide.
How can anyone in the City have any confidence in RPS with a cheerleader like Mayor Doug? Mr. Wilder’s statements are equivalent to the CEO of Coca Cola advising customers to drink Pepsi because it tastes better. Is it any wonder that families leave the city looking for better schools?
In addition to our cheerleader-in-chief, advertising by the counties and real estate listings support the idea that the counties have better schools. The listing for sale of a house in the counties will almost always include “near to high-quality Chesterfield (Henrico, Hanover) schools.” Have you ever seen a listing for a house in the city that mentions that there is a nearby school?
Anonymous, one of those who commented on my earlier post (not to be confused with anonymous and anonymous, who also commented), takes issue with the idea that Richmond Public Schools are inferior. He attended public school in Richmond from kindergarten through high school. He says,
I intend to continue this discussion of Richmond Public Schools until I am satisfied we have fully addressed all the issues. I hope you join me by clicking on the word “comments” below. (If you don’t want to reveal your identity, please use an alias. We already have too many people named Anonymous.)
I am a great supporter of public schools. They are the basis of our American democracy. I was poor as a child and, without the quality public-school education I received in New York, I would not have achieved anything. All three of my children also benefited from a quality public-school education here in Virginia.
In the nearly three years I have lived in Richmond, I have noticed a very strange demographic pattern. About half the people in my neighborhood are empty-nesters like my wife and me. Most of the rest of my neighbors are young couples, either without children or with pre-school-age children. When children in my neighborhood reach school age, their parents do one of three things: 1- they move out of Richmond to Chesterfield, Henrico or Hanover counties; 2- they send their children to private school; or 3- they home-school their children. I think that the only children who attend public school are those whose parents cannot afford any of the other options.
Two days each week, I tutor at Westover Hills School. In the classes I work in, all the children are African-American. In fact, almost all of the children in the school are African-American. I have looked at the statistics on the Richmond City Public Schools website, and I find that in most of Richmond's public schools African-Americans constitute 80% or more of the student body. My experience, and those statistics, indicates to me that although more than thirty years have passed since the end of "massive resistance," Richmond still has segregated schools. This segregation is not the result of the law but of the perception by those parents who can afford other options that their children cannot receive a quality education in Richmond public schools.
What I find particularly troubling with regard to Richmond's segregated schools is that no one seems to talk about them. I hear a lot of talk about building new school buildings or how many children are passing SOLs. But nobody talks about whether children can get a quality education in segregated schools. Nobody talks about how to overcome the perception by middle class parents that keeps them from sending their children to Richmond public schools.
So where does this perception that Richmond has low quality schools come from? We could start with His Excellency Mayor Doug. In his ongoing vendetta against the School Board and the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Wilder is continuously issuing vision newsletters indicating that Richmond Public Schools are inferior to those in the surrounding counties. In his newsletter for July 9, for example, Mr. Wilder says:
With a dismal, worst-in-Virginia graduation rate – only 47% of our children make it all the way through high school – there is plenty to be concerned about.
* * *
Today, if our students are ill-educated and ill-prepared to enter the world beyond secondary school, we cannot blame it on a lack of money. Richmond Public Schools spends almost 60 percent more per student annually than any of the surrounding jurisdictions, while lagging far behind in critical measures of student achievement.
* * *
Richmond's dropout rate in 2005 was four times that of Hanover and almost twice that of Chesterfield and Henrico. In fact, of school systems with 10,000 or more students, Richmond had the highest dropout rate statewide.
How can anyone in the City have any confidence in RPS with a cheerleader like Mayor Doug? Mr. Wilder’s statements are equivalent to the CEO of Coca Cola advising customers to drink Pepsi because it tastes better. Is it any wonder that families leave the city looking for better schools?
In addition to our cheerleader-in-chief, advertising by the counties and real estate listings support the idea that the counties have better schools. The listing for sale of a house in the counties will almost always include “near to high-quality Chesterfield (Henrico, Hanover) schools.” Have you ever seen a listing for a house in the city that mentions that there is a nearby school?
Anonymous, one of those who commented on my earlier post (not to be confused with anonymous and anonymous, who also commented), takes issue with the idea that Richmond Public Schools are inferior. He attended public school in Richmond from kindergarten through high school. He says,
I know so many graduates who are becoming teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, scientists, and many are in school getting graduate degrees from great schools.
Anonymous himself is planning to go to law school.
So, who is correct? Is it Anonymous, who has been through RPS and knows that many of his fellow graduates are very successful? Or is it Mr. Wilder, who asserts that Richmond’s students are ill-educated and ill-prepared to deal with the world.
When asked about the mayor’s vision newsletter, School Board Chair George Braxton acknowledged that less than half of students who enter the 9th grade graduate from high school four years later.
So, who is correct? Is it Anonymous, who has been through RPS and knows that many of his fellow graduates are very successful? Or is it Mr. Wilder, who asserts that Richmond’s students are ill-educated and ill-prepared to deal with the world.
When asked about the mayor’s vision newsletter, School Board Chair George Braxton acknowledged that less than half of students who enter the 9th grade graduate from high school four years later.
Some earn a GED, some are held back a year sometime during their high school career, some are incarcerated, and some drop out (reasons range from working to pregnancy). We can work on much of this, but a great amount of it comes from the social problems faced when a large percentage of your costumers are at-risk.
Mr. Braxton also provided the following statistics concerning the 2007 graduating class:
Class of 2007 Statistics (As of June 30, 2007)
Continuing Education Plans
Four Year College - 48.7%
Two Year College - 24.5%
Military - 1.3%
Work Force - 19.6%
Apprenticeship - 1.8%
Voc./Technical Training - 3.8%
TOTAL 99.7%
Students in the Class of 2007 have been accepted into 127 colleges & universities. The states represented in the acceptances are Alabama, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Washington, D.C. and of course, Virginia. To date over 860 acceptances have been recorded.
Mr. Braxton also provided the following statistics concerning the 2007 graduating class:
Class of 2007 Statistics (As of June 30, 2007)
Continuing Education Plans
Four Year College - 48.7%
Two Year College - 24.5%
Military - 1.3%
Work Force - 19.6%
Apprenticeship - 1.8%
Voc./Technical Training - 3.8%
TOTAL 99.7%
Students in the Class of 2007 have been accepted into 127 colleges & universities. The states represented in the acceptances are Alabama, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Washington, D.C. and of course, Virginia. To date over 860 acceptances have been recorded.
Because Richmond has so many students who are at-risk, it is very difficult to compare our schools to those in the counties. We spend more because these students have greater needs than do middle class students. Many of our students do not succeed because of the problems they face at home and in their neighborhoods.
On the other hand, Anonymous’ experiences are consistent with the statistics about graduating students. More than 70% of this year’s graduating class plans to attend four year or two year colleges. Despite Mr. Wilder’s assertion that our students are ill-educated, they are being accepted at colleges throughout the country.
On the other hand, Anonymous’ experiences are consistent with the statistics about graduating students. More than 70% of this year’s graduating class plans to attend four year or two year colleges. Despite Mr. Wilder’s assertion that our students are ill-educated, they are being accepted at colleges throughout the country.
I intend to continue this discussion of Richmond Public Schools until I am satisfied we have fully addressed all the issues. I hope you join me by clicking on the word “comments” below. (If you don’t want to reveal your identity, please use an alias. We already have too many people named Anonymous.)
A Night in Santander
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Just a Bump in the Beltway
There are beach vacation people (very popular around here) and there are mountain/lake vacation people (that would be me.) I’ve been to the Outer Banks of North Carolina a couple of times (oy, the traffic between DC and the beach. I don’t know how anybody stands it.) But in those rare years when I actually get a couple of weeks off, I head for northern Maine or Atlantic Canada. It’s steenkin’ hot and muggy in the summer in DC and my instincts say head north. I like to go someplace where I can pitch a tent under the trees and that snuggling deeply into a sleeping bag at night is a good thing. My candle lantern with a reflector attached to the attic in my tent provides ample light for reading in the sack.
That said, on my last trip to the Outer Banks I learned a recipe which is perfect beach food (too complex to take camping, however.) It’s one I make here during the summer when I can pick up the ingredients fresh at the Farmers’ Market, deliciously light and indoor cooking free for hot days (we are heading into a long streak of the 90’s and the TV weather heads see no break in the pattern anytime soon.) My appetite fades when the heat and humidity climb (not a good thing for someone still recovering from pancreatitis–my business partner informed me today that I’m too thin.) This recipe revives it and rewards me with all the good stuff of eating salads. Vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, low fat and delicious. What’s not to like?
Grilled Gazpacho Salad with Shrimp
Serves 6 as a main course, 12 as a first course
2 medium heads of garlic, separated into cloves, peeled (about 24 cloves)
3/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 1/2 pounds uncooked large shrimp, deveined but with shells intact*
8 firm plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
2 bunches green onions; root ends trimmed, onions left whole
1 1-pound sweet onion (such as Vidalia or Maui), cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 red bell pepper, quartered, cored
1 yellow bell pepper, quartered, cored
1 1/2 large English hothouse cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise
2 6×3x1-inch slices country-style bread
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved (about 1 pint)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
Lime wedges
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Set aside 2 garlic cloves for bread slices. Place remaining garlic on double layer of heavy-duty foil; drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil over. Fold up and seal packet. Place directly on grill rack and cook until garlic is very tender and golden, about 30 minutes. Open packet; cool garlic.
Toss shrimp (in shells) and 1 tablespoon oil in medium bowl to coat; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine plum tomatoes, green onions, sweet onion, both bell peppers, and 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl; toss to coat. Arrange cucumber halves and bread slices on baking sheet; brush with 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle all vegetables with salt and pepper. Grill shrimp until just opaque, about 2 1/2 minutes per side; transfer to another bowl and cool. Grill vegetables until crisp-tender, turning frequently, about 3 minutes for plum tomatoes and green onions, 5 minutes for cucumbers, and 15 minutes for sweet onion and bell peppers. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Grill bread slices until just beginning to crisp and grill marks appear, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Rub bread with reserved garlic cloves, then discard garlic cloves.
Peel shrimp; transfer to large bowl. Cut all vegetables and bread into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces; add to shrimp along with any accumulated juices. Stir in grilled garlic cloves and grape tomatoes. Whisk vinegar, hot pepper sauce, and remaining 4 tablespoons oil in small bowl; pour over salad and toss to coat.
The key to this dish is really good tomatoes. Romas tend to be more tomato-y than your average grocery store tom. Grape tomatoes haven’t been so hybridized that they taste of nothing, like cherry tomatoes do now. Better yet are heritage tomatoes, if you can find them, sliced in wedges and halved to equal about two cups chopped. Heritage tomatoes around here are available in both red and yellow varieties and I like to use both for the color. You can find those English cucumbers in your produce department, they are usually encased in plastic wrap, but not waxed, so you can leave the skin on. They are virtually seedless.
This is a matter of taste, but I like to add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro to this recipe. The same amount of parsley will also provide a flavor spark if you don’t like cilantro. Sea salt and pepper to taste, of course. Tomatoes really love sea salt.
This recipe gets soggy if it sits for more than an hour, so make it with an entree that needs little tending. Or delegate!
This salad goes well with grilled, marinated sirloin of beef or pork loin. It will overwhelm most chicken or fish. The proportions above are enough to make it a main course and it needs little more than a loaf of good bread and some fruity olive oil for dipping the bread. Voila, you are transported to the Iberian peninsula for dinner.
The Republican Culture of Corruption
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on GOTV
Liars, thieves, cheats, and dupes
"In Violation of Federal Law, Ohio's 2004 Presidential Election Records Are Destroyed or Missing: In 56 of Ohio's 88 counties, ballots and election records from 2004 have been "accidentally" destroyed, despite a federal order to preserve them -- it was crucial evidence which would have revealed whether the election was stolen." Gosh, I guess that's not at all suspicious, is it?
Was it Cheney?
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Raising Kaine - Front Page
Well, he doesn't remember!
I'll tell you one thing: Larry King doesn't believe him.
Great writeup of NoVA Edwards Event…
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Raising Kaine - Front Page
Over at Bryan J. Scrafford- John Edwards Speaks In Northern Virginia.Bryan concludes:
All in all, I think this event provided a brief glimpse into how John Edwards would be the type of President who would truly help to bring about the change needed to restore America as a force for good. Furthermore, it was also a pleasure to see how a crowd could gather in order to both hear a presidential candidate speak and show support for local Virginia Democratic candidates.
Musical Interlude: The Automatic, Mile High School
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on snapped shot
I've got an early-morning appointment tomorrow morning that will have me away from the computer until later, so until then, I figured I'd share some musical discoveries with you. I'll hopefully be back early in the afternoon!
For the longest time, I had thought that rock on radio was dead. Most of the stuff that I have heard lately was the same old grunge "too cool for the room" garbage that's been playing since '93. So it's much to my surprise to discover that there are two bands out there that have single-handedly resurrected the genre!
The first band, The Automatic (known here in the United States as "The 'Automatic' Automatic" for copyright reasons), truly get the Rules of Rock Radio:
1. Keep it Simple Come up with short, pithy lyrics, and repeat them often. The catchier your hook, the better the song!
2. Don't Be Preachy The hallmark of "Grunge" rock is a tireless festival of preaching, be it about ending war, or about the environment. We get it already! It doesn't get any more original or urgent if you've been preaching the same junk for 10 years. The thing is, the best rock songs ever played on the radio don't really say all that much.
3. Harmony It's not just the name of some stoner hippie chick from back in your parents' era: if your songs include a touch of harmony, they'll go a long way to becoming timeless. I think the Beatles have proven this rule well enough, at least before they became drug-addled old men.
I highly recommend that you hop on over to Amazon (see the above-right box thingy) and pick their album up immediately. You won't be putting it down anytime soon, if you truly enjoy a dose of good old-fashioned yet somehow quite modern radio rock.
I'm very proud to say that the second band I'm sharing with you hails from my very own Commonwealth of Virginia, from historic Yorktown and places thereabout. These guys rock. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that these guys are the best band to come from Virginia since John Smith still lurked around these parts! We ran into Mile High School at the Automatic Automatic's concert in D.C. this past weekend, and they are totally ready for radio rock. In fact, don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself: If you are a fan of classic radio rock, give the following track a try. I promise you'll like it!
Mile High School—States Away
If you do like it, be sure to hop on over and check out more on their site. Their first album, Life of the Party, is available for preorder, and is scheduled to be released sometime in September. If you enjoy supporting up-and-coming Virginian artists, I can't think of a more deserving bunch than these guys!
I hope y'all have enjoyed this little diversion from our ordinary fare! Feel free to chime in down in the comments and let me know what you think, or if you know of any other bands that are ready to resurrect radio rock!
For the longest time, I had thought that rock on radio was dead. Most of the stuff that I have heard lately was the same old grunge "too cool for the room" garbage that's been playing since '93. So it's much to my surprise to discover that there are two bands out there that have single-handedly resurrected the genre!
The first band, The Automatic (known here in the United States as "The 'Automatic' Automatic" for copyright reasons), truly get the Rules of Rock Radio:
1. Keep it Simple Come up with short, pithy lyrics, and repeat them often. The catchier your hook, the better the song!
2. Don't Be Preachy The hallmark of "Grunge" rock is a tireless festival of preaching, be it about ending war, or about the environment. We get it already! It doesn't get any more original or urgent if you've been preaching the same junk for 10 years. The thing is, the best rock songs ever played on the radio don't really say all that much.
3. Harmony It's not just the name of some stoner hippie chick from back in your parents' era: if your songs include a touch of harmony, they'll go a long way to becoming timeless. I think the Beatles have proven this rule well enough, at least before they became drug-addled old men.
I highly recommend that you hop on over to Amazon (see the above-right box thingy) and pick their album up immediately. You won't be putting it down anytime soon, if you truly enjoy a dose of good old-fashioned yet somehow quite modern radio rock.
Virginia's Pride and Joy: Mile High School
I'm very proud to say that the second band I'm sharing with you hails from my very own Commonwealth of Virginia, from historic Yorktown and places thereabout. These guys rock. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that these guys are the best band to come from Virginia since John Smith still lurked around these parts! We ran into Mile High School at the Automatic Automatic's concert in D.C. this past weekend, and they are totally ready for radio rock. In fact, don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself: If you are a fan of classic radio rock, give the following track a try. I promise you'll like it!Mile High School—States Away
If you do like it, be sure to hop on over and check out more on their site. Their first album, Life of the Party, is available for preorder, and is scheduled to be released sometime in September. If you enjoy supporting up-and-coming Virginian artists, I can't think of a more deserving bunch than these guys!
I hope y'all have enjoyed this little diversion from our ordinary fare! Feel free to chime in down in the comments and let me know what you think, or if you know of any other bands that are ready to resurrect radio rock!
Dumb AND Lazy as Hell
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Brad's Brain
The news this week in the presidential scrum has focused a lot of attention on two sputtering campaigns. Actually only one is even a campaign, and that one is so D.O.A. it’s not even worth discussing. (McCain, if you couldn’t tell.)
The other is Fred Thompson, the “candidate” who’s not really one because that would mean he’d have to, you know, do some work. But he’s got the same problems as McCain: his staff is bleeding employees, and his fundraising thus far has been seriously lagging. And they’re both related.
The man is simply lazy. There’s no better way to put it. He’s been too lazy to handle his own campaign staff and then let his wife take care of it. That didn’t work out well. He’s too lazy to do any significant fundraising, hoping that that mystical “netroots” would come through for him and fling donations his way. Needless to say they haven’t.
It’s surprising to me so few have put this together. This whole “Fred is lazy” story first started popping up in earnest this cycle back in early June, with several major news organization picking up on it. Strangely it seems to be forgotten, as his money problems are now blamed on a bad environment for Republicans or the fact that he has yet to “officially” announce. Please. It’s an old saw in campaigns that if the candidate is not raising money, it’s because he or she is not trying, they’re not out busting their asses making calls, schmoozing with the big wallets, shaking hands and kissing babies. He’s known far and wide for his dislike of campaigning (good trait for a politician) and for his time in the Senate, a lot of which was spent not in the Senate but out trolling for… well, fill in the blank.
The bizarre sheen that was cast over him as the Republicans’ Reaganesque savior, illogical now as it ever was, seems to finally be fading. I’m sure with the proper backing he would have a shot at the nomination, but for some reason he really seems to think that doing nothing will get him the nod.
When I first heard about him getting in the race, I figured he could be the one to take down the Democratic nominee. That’s not looking particularly likely anymore. So we’re stuck running against a Mormon, a double divorcée, and Mr. Straight Talk himself who may be one resignation and one bad quarter away from throwing in the towel. Oh, and three of the four have established pro-abortion credentials. Can’t wait for November.
Bring the Popcorn
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Just a Bump in the Beltway
Rumsfeld to appear before Congress tomorrow.
The House Oversight Committee reports that in a late breaking development, Donald Rumsfeld will appear tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. for a hearing entitled “The Tillman Fratricide: What the Leadership of the Defense Department Knew.” The following witnesses will testify:
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Former Secretary of DefenseGen. Richard B. Myers (Retired)
Former Chair, Joint Chiefs of StaffGen. John P. Abizaid (Retired)
Former Commander, U.S. Central CommandGen. Bryan Douglas Brown (Retired)
Former Commander, U.S. Special Operations CommandLt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger, Jr. (Retired)*
(supboena issued/not confirmed)
Former Commander, U.S. Army Special Operations CommandA previous witness list had suggested Rumsfeld would not attend.
My cable company stopped carrying C-Span 3 last month (yes, I’ve lodged a protest) but you can watch online here.
“Bloggers Unleash Fury on Optimistic Op-ed”
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Dogwood Pundit
Quote of The Day. Possible good news from Iraq has Lefty bloggers apoplectic. Please note, the authors of said article are scholars, and the forum they were published in was the far Left rag, The New York Times.
One has to conclude that Leftwingers are anti-scholarship. Which is a form of anti-science, is it not?
One has to conclude that Leftwingers are anti-scholarship. Which is a form of anti-science, is it not?
John Edwards Is Right. I’d Really Like Him To Shut Up.
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Dogwood Pundit
Not because he is some sort of vanguard striving to protect us from the eleven people who make more than $100 million dollars a year in this country. But because he is a genuine horse's ass. Not to mention a demagogue and a quasi-Marxist who wants o outlaw the very financial shenanigans he himself used to make himself rich.
You're right John. For all that is good and decent, please shut the hell up.
You're right John. For all that is good and decent, please shut the hell up.
Irony, Thy Name Is Ted Stevens
Posted on July 31st, 2007 on Below The Beltway
Talk about bad timing:
There’s never exactly a convenient time to have one’s house raided by federal agents. But for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) the impolitic timing Tuesday was exquisite: One day after the feds rummaged through his property on a corruption probe, he threatened to try to kill an ethics reform package.
Cracking down on private gifts to lawmakers, Stevens warned colleagues, would make it more expensive for him to travel the vast interior of Alaska on private jets.
No, seriously, he really said that. The day after his house was raided in a corruption probe.