DUMP MCCAIN-- NOW!!!! (New Blog Roll)

Lem, Lord of the Hillbilly Ecosystem and congenial host of Hillbilly White Trash is getting a blog roll going to stop the man who is single handedly destroying the GOP. (well, ok, with a whole lot of help from liberal media.)

Click on the pic to get the details.
(and a very nice pic it is if I do say so myself-heh!- I designed it, long ago for Lem. Wow, the guy's psychic!)

Your Happy Thought for the Day

According to the ancient Mayans and other "enlightened" cultures of yore, the world will end in 2012.


So, who ever wins this November will only get one term, anyway.

Cheers!

Who Hijacked the Primaries? (The New Axis of Evil)

(WTR note: It's a snow day here, so I'm lazy posting. So as I heat up some hot chocolate and watch the snow come down to beat the band-possibly a foot by tonite!-and await the younguns to wake up and go completely ape, here's a good editorial from Human Events that echoes my feelings perfectly.)

Brett Winterble
Human Events.com

"Folks, we have let the liberals and RINOS set the agenda. Open Borders, Higher Taxes, and surrender to Kyoto-worshipping technocrats."


With John McCain’s all-too-easy road to the nomination paved through Florida and now nearly complete one thing is clear: The Republican Party has been hijacked. Over the past month a new Axis of Evil has emerged -- not one based in Damascus, Tehran or Pyongyang -- but instead in Cedar Rapids, Charleston, South Carolina, Derry, New Hampshire and Boca Raton, Florida. It is the liberal and “independent” voters in these 4 states that have nearly completed a deed that makes Kim Jong Il envious -- the near crippling of the American Electoral System. These four states have combined their native liberal populism with an imported liberal electorate and have forced the GOP to accept a nominee so distasteful that in more than one poll -- the numbers of voters choosing not to vote and those choosing to vote third party actually exceed those who will hold their nose and vote for Maverick, War Hero, Amnesty Supporter, John McCain.

I can hear you saying, “surely you aren’t saying that South Carolina has gone liberal -- are you?” Are you kidding me? Drive through the Carolinas and count the number of license plates from NJ, NY and Pennsylvania. There is not much Dixie in the Carolinas; it’s more like Trenton and Long Island with fireworks. “But”, you protest, “New Hampshire, is Live Free or Die, it’s been a backbone of conservatism since the 1950’s.” No longer my friends -- NH has become an exurb of Boston, with Boston’s sensibilities and, ugh, their voting tastes. NH hasn’t been reliably conservative since Reagan’s first term. These voters would rather be loved by the Boston Globe, than respected by the Union Leader.

But the evidence continues, you say, “Iowa, that’s America, with small town values and homespun sensibilities.” Wrong again -- Iowa is just a state brimming with farmers on the federal dole, college students and ex hippie professors looking to con, libs in training at Grinnell.

And Florida? As my bubbies would say in Bay Ridge -- puhleeeez. It’s the 6th borough and has been since the mid 1960’s. Liberals have been sliding down the I-95 corridor since Kennedy was elected.

Sadly these 4 states have done more than set the tone for the other 46 -- they’ve dictated terms. Frankly I could extend the analogy to include Nevada, which is down to about 13% native -- but why beat a dead horse.

What we have is the sick and twisted dreams of Pinch Sulzberger, Don Imus, Maureen Dowd, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews come true: the GOP has been forced to choose a nominee designed to cause the base to retch, and thereby not vote. Guaranteeing 4 years of Clinton score settling or Obama socializing entire corporate sectors.

Its time to simultaneously bring back democracy to the GOP and defang the left and her Rockefeller accomplices in the new Axis of Evil. It’s time for the nuclear option -- its time for the GOP to front-load the whole freaking process into one date. Make every state vote on exactly the same day. Make every candidate compete in EVERY state at the exact same time and hold every single GOP primary and caucus on Super Tuesday. When NH and IOWA complain, take a page from the Democrats and refuse to seat their delegates, or better yet, declare renegade states as straw polls.

This would balance our nomination process out. There will be no more “Big Mo”, no more singular precincts in obscure Iowa towns setting the tone for the rest of the country. If liberals from Englewood Cliffs NJ want to vote liberal, it’s going to get cancelled out by conservatives in Chattanooga -- who might actually get to vote for Fred. Its time to let Nebraska count as much as New Hampshire. Let Texas matter as much as South Carolina, let Florida be canceled out by California -- as it should be. The only two groups who have benefit from the current process are the media flacks selling the drama and John McCain establishment hacks. Does anyone think Fred Thompson got a fair hearing? Or Duncan Hunter? John McCain does not speak for me…or frankly for any one else, I know.

Folks, we have let the liberals and RINOS set the agenda. Open Borders, Higher Taxes, and surrender to Kyoto-worshipping technocrats. This is the Republican Party? But hey, the McCainiacs counter, “John McCain is a war hero -- right?” Let me be the first to say it’s not about what you did in the 60’s sir -- it’s about what you will do to America in 2009 and beyond.

This is our party, not John McCain’s or Mel Martinez's, or Lindsay Graham’s. The Republican Party is THE conservative party dammit. Let’s admit it and take it back. RINOS and Liberals have taken the GOP plane hostage, and its time for us passengers to revolt…and do what has to be done -- Let’s Roll.

Not So Fast!-UP TO 20% OF VOTES IN FL. WERE DEMS & INDEPENDENTS ??!!!

OK, roll your eyes all you want, say we're paranoid, whatever.
Damn right the base is paranoid...AND PISSED!
What do you expect when we have yet again blatant weaselry coming from a Florida election??!!
This is a juicy follow-up to the story yesterday about Inds. being allowed to vote. That was pooh-pooh'd as an isolated incident. Heck, nary a mention of it yesterday by the bobbleheads. Wonder if ANYONE will run with this one over at the (l)msm?

The lovely Michelle is on it and Suitably Flip has all the numbers.

A vote for McCain = a vote for Hill and/or Obama.
Do you really want this cantankerous, spiteful, anger management drop-out to have his finger on "the button"? That will spit upon your values and beliefs every chance he gets as he plays kissy face with the most loathsome of libs?
Se habla espanol?
Do you want the Dems force feeding us a candidate? That is exactly what's going on here.

Missori has an "open primary"---Katie, Bar the Door!!!

NRO: It's All Over

(You n me both, Mikey. You n me both...)

It's All Over [Michael Graham]

Assuming there is no shocking revelation or health issue, the GOP nomination is over. Conservatives need to start practicing the phrase "Nominee presumptive John McCa....."

Sorry, I can't say it. Not yet.

But it's true. When the campaign comes here to Massachusetts on February 5th, I'll proudly cast my vote for any option on the GOP ballot other than You-Know-Who. But it will be a futile gesture. Mr. "1/3rd Of The GOP Primary Vote" is going to be the nominee.

He's going to win the big, left-leaning states on Tuesday. Huckabee will stay in and deny Romney a one-on-one contest for GOP voters that Captain Amnesty would almost certainly lose. The result: More wins for He Who Must Not Be Named, and fewer wins for Romney—regardless of delegate count.
Florida has launched the one ship that Romney's money and Rush Limbaugh cannot stop: The U.S.S. Inevitable. It's gonna happen. Even if there were a realistic pathway to stop him, the media have seized control of the process now and are declaring him inevitable. He is, after all, the favorite son of the New York Times.

So it is over. Finished. In November, we'll be sending out our most liberal, least trustworthy candidate vs. to take on Hillary Clinton—perhaps not more liberal than Barack Obama, but certainly far less trustworthy.
And the worst part for the Right is that McCain will have won the nomination while ignoring, insulting and, as of this weekend, shamelessly lying about conservatives and conservatism.

You think he supported amnesty six months ago? You think he was squishy on tax cuts and judicial nominees before? Wait until he has the power to anger every conservative in America, and feel good about it.

Every day, he dreams of a world filled with happy Democrats and insulted Republicans. And he is, thanks to Florida, the presidential nominee of the Republican party.

And on that note, I'm off to climb into a bottle of Bushmill's. It's going to be a LONG nine months.

The Obligatory Florida Primary Wishful Thinking Post

I have read that some early voters today report that Thompson is still on the ballot for Florida.
(link to the .pdf file)

I'll be curious to see what percentage, if any, he pulls in.

There's still a lot of disgruntles out there.
(me included.)

Boing-Boing Asks: Has Hillary Clinton seen the video for the Golden Earring song she plays?

An interesting choice for the campaign stops "mood music"- video includes nun rape and a dog eating brains.
Curious lyrics, too, considering.

"My friends tell me,
She's the beast inside your paradise
I guess you've heard it all before
A fallen angel,
That has got you hypnotized
And that always needs some more..."

My guess is that she has seen it.
Heh!

Overstimulated

I dunno about y'all, but I'd say I've easily done more than my fair share lately to tickle the economic weeny of the nation, as an old friend of mine used to say. Quite frankly, I'm tired! All this here stimulating has wore me out!

So far since last October I have poured close to over 20,000 bucks into the economy. I've done my part, I'd say.

Let's see, 1600 bucks for a rebuilt tranny.

A cash purchase of some neighboring property, 10 grand.

Paid off a piddly credit card debt, 1200 bucks.

Paid my property taxes, 585 bucks. (doubled from last year, due to new purchase-they prorated that part, it'll be even bigger next time.)

Oh, and let's not forget Christmas- that hovered around 500 bucks too. My younguns have finally transcended the gap between wanting toys to the more hip teen wants of clothes, dvds and digital gadgetry-which is good because the whole lead paint/China thing would have been problematic. No, they did not get iPods-just iPod knock-offs, because I have a real problem with dropping that much dough on something that could end up in the washer because it's not much bigger than a book of matches and therefor easily overlooked in a jeans pocket.

Hired a local company to put on a new roof on aforementioned new property, 4500 bucks.

No telling how much I have spent in the past 4 months on gas, patronizing a locally owned and operated company. Best guessitmate on that is well over 600 bucks.
And we can't omit groceries! Probably the same there-perhaps less, since it is a totally female household and we tend towards yogurt and salads a lot.

And as we trot into February, I'm estimating I will be dropping about another 7 grand, cash, on contruction costs and new septic system for my little pet project.

Whew! I'm exhausted! Would somebody else please in the Hillbilly Ecosystem pick up the slack next quarter? I need to give my bankbook a rest!

The funny thing is is that I'll probably benefit the least from this latest Washington boondoggle/ handout/ giving back the money that was ours to begin with because I'm considered the poorest of the poor and therefor I do not contribute. HA!

Dog & Pony Shows Roll into Missouri

Silky will be performing his trademark wholesale victim pandering in Springfield today.
I sweardagawd, if any politician ever used my tale of woe (that is, if I had any!) repeatedly like these jackasses are wont to do, I'd sue.

Elmer's Traveling Salvation Show is scheduled to be in Jeff City tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be stumping down along our way, too. I fear the power of Huck is strong in this region. Just a guess.

Other related campaign news: Our state treasurer, Sarah Steelman has announced her bid for the soon to be vacant Governor's spot. Rumor that Jo Ann Emerson is also considering entering the race. Hot Dog! If true, this'll be amusing. 2 chicks duking it out- guaranteed ugliness. (no word, yet...it's been a looo-ooong 24 hours, hon.)
Stocking up on the popcorn....

My Neighbor, Dave

I had no idea he was a YouTube star!! Jeez, I need to get out more!
He has amassed quite a following. Wow. Who knew?

This sweet little ditty pretty much encapsulates all my feelings towards Toofers, Ronulans and "progressives".
(But for all I know, he could be one of them, too.)
A nice general all-purpose song for those you love to hate.

CAUTION: Major spew alert and if epithets freely used offends...tough shit. You were warned.

For what it's worth

Obama ads have begun to air here Missouri, started on Monday. Hilldebeast's ads have started as of this morning. Both are pretty much the same, content-wise- health insurance, evil corporations, the downtrodden "working class" blah blah blah. Yawn.
No Rep. ads as of yet.

In a related vein, the state is buzzing over the Gov.'s surprize announcement that he won't run for re-election.
Blunt sez he's done all he set out to do. And the sweet ol' chestnut-"wanting to spend more time with the family".

LAME! No ones buying it. After all, if you were so successful, why not stick around and REALLY make the state even better, eh? This has caused the state GOP to go scrambling and redo their plans-now they gotta hunt up a new gubernatorial candidate- there's good money on Jim Talent.(who's fishing for a spot with Romney-if he should win, but I'm sure he'll take the Gov. nomination as a default.) Rumors abound that Matt's bailing because of some impending scandal. Hey, who knows?

Word is is that Blunt's just clearing his calendar for a running mate bid with whomever...some say Mitt.

Hmmm, a Mitt/Matt combo? Just rolls off the tongue, don't it?

The Official WTR Non-Endorsements

In light of the sad news coming from the Fred campaign, I have decided to go ahead and come out with my official non-endorsements for a Republican nominee. Call it denial, call it grief, call it childish pettiness but if I can't get out my angst here-what good is having a blog? It's my opinion, I'm sticking to it.
So with no further adieu-here's what I really think of these guys:

Great Moments in Television Counter-Programming

At the same time CNN was broadcasting the Dem cage match last night, PBS was running the documentary "The Lobotomist".

Scott Ott Asks: Would You Recognize the Conservative Leader?

Monday, January 21, 2008 10:58
by Scott Ott

For two decades, conservatives have sought in vain for someone to lead the movement. As the years peeled away, and the long-awaited champion failed to descend from the mountain, those in elected office who bore the conservative label sat down to eat and drink at the public trough, and rose up to dance to the popular tunes of the big-government band.

Wandering in the ideological wilderness, their allegiance to principle faded, supplanted by mere loyalty to The Party. Electability became their mantra, and they whittled away at the conscience of a conservative until that mighty oak became a toothpick dangling from the lower lip.

Some said the revolution, like Krakatoa, had gone dormant.

But what would happen if that mythical leader of conservative dreams were to arise today? What characteristics would set him apart?

* He would talk of principle more than policy, ideology more than issues.

* When asked about government solutions to human problems, he would betray broad and forceful skepticism.

* He would be blunt about truth, honest about complexity, thoughtful in responding to questions, and hard to capture in seven-second sound bites.

* He would be serious about serious things, light-hearted about his own human fallibility.

* He would not suffer fools, nor reporters, gladly. (But I repeat myself.)

* He would approach elected office with a sense of respect, because the power of it flows from God, through the people, and not from any one man's personality.

* He would love America because of its matchless history, and its magnificent promise.

* He would call for firm borders and a strong military, because he loves justice and peace.

* His every public pronouncement would pulse with ideas drawn from the rich veins of the Declaration, the Constitution, the Federalist Papers and the like.

* He would speak of aggressive capitalism united with love and mercy, without contrast.

* He would carry freedom like a burning coal, diligent to keep it glowing hot and bright.

* In the sideshow atmosphere of political campaigning, he would look less like a carnival barker, more like a funeral director reluctantly passing through, unable to hide his grief over what it has become.

* And yet, to those with ears to hear, he would convey a positive, hopeful vision of American greatness, calling us to man the battlements and to fight to reclaim her glory.


Who now displays these qualities?

We might better ask: If such a one walked among us today, would we even recognize him?

And who would recognize him?

Read the rest.
When Ott's funny he's brilliant-when he's serious he's even better.

I'm Sure There is an Election '08 Metaphor Here, Somewhere

Found over at Boing-Boing

Parasite turns ants into juicy berries to entice hungry birds


But maybe it's just me.

Just Wonderin'

I will freely admit that I don't get around much and that I don't know a whole lot 'bout nothing. (-being the heavily armed recluse that I am and all.)
But can some one/any one please point me to any article from any news source (aside from personal blogs) or an editorial from any major (or minor) newspaper that has stated that Guiliani should drop out of the campaign?
I mean if all these experts are screaming for Fred to quit, then it would reason that by their standards the esteemed former mayor of New York should give up the ghost as well. Perhaps even more so because he has done even more crappier (by their yardstick) than Fred.

I'll wait while you hunt this stuff up.

I'm serious. I'm not being a smart-ass, I really want to see it in print-because I have yet to find anything on my own.
And no, article lines like "risky campaign strategy" and "low on campaign cash" and the like don't count. I want an article that all but declares the Rudy campaign dead in the water and cries for his pulling out.

I'll be around.

Oh, and...This latest article in the Washington Post doesn't count- it paints Rudy in a positive light, as some sort of evil genius for his gambit for Florida. Quite unlike the stories about Fred's S.C. stand that I saw. The closest they get anything really negative is this:
"But should he lose Florida, he could be dismissed quickly as an also-ran, his strategy will be ridiculed and the state's primary winner, especially if it's Mr. McCain, will be well-positioned to build momentum going into Feb. 5, when 21 states hold primaries and caucuses.

Mr. Giuliani is, of course, in the first camp. "I think if we win Florida, we get the nomination — simple as that," he said emphatically."

"...he could be" not "he would be".

Sad But True

Q: Why is the GOP like NASCAR these days?






A: Because it keeps going in circles and pulls to the Left at an alarming rate of speed.

There Goes My Dreams of My Own Lil' Empire!

Rats!
Just read in the local weekly rag about a provision in a state bill passed this summer is going to be repealed!
Tragically, this is the first that I even had heard about it.
Man, that would have been sweet!

This is an excerpt from our state senator's news release:
"Just to give a little background, the “village law” was contained in a large bill passed at the end of last session and allows even a single landowner to create a village that would essentially be independent of county regulations — this includes planning and zoning laws that were previously approved by county residents. In other words, essentially anyone, with relatively little effort, can stake out some property and create a village and, in many respects, make themselves “above the law.” I voted against the bill containing this dangerous provision last session and am working to repeal it this session with Senate Bill 765, which would also disincorporate any “village” incorporated after the bad law was enacted last August."

Dammit.
Mine would have been a benevolent dictatorship and I would comply with local laws, if I saw fit to.
But, I can see where this would have led to abuses by others not so tolerant as I.

She Got a Handle on It (start your Friday with a smile!)

On the same day that Lem over at Hillbilly White Trash posted the story about the Arizona jr. high school kid who run off an intruder with the only available weapon to him-a metal baseball bat- we have a similar incident happen right 'chere in my neck of the woods...and we have video!

Some peckerwood has been going about nightly for almost a week up in Springfield knocking off gas stations and convenience stores. The usual M.O.-says he's got a gun, blah, blah, blah. And of course, the employees believe him and comply with handing over what little cash might be in the till. Until the other night. I reckon this gal had been around the block a few times and knew that chances were the "gun" the moron quickly flashes was either fake or not loaded. She was making good use of a slow time during her shift and sweeping up behind the counter when this id'jet walks in and well, let's go to the video tape as they say...

This morning it's being reported that they do finally have a suspect in custody.
The huge bruise around his neck made i.d. easy, I guess.

From the KY3 website:
"SPRINGFIELD – For the second night in a row, a bandit on a spree hit two more convenience stores on Wednesday. At one of the stores, he met someone who was his match: a fed-up store clerk who had a handle on the situation.

Police think the man has robbed or tried to rob eight stores since Jan. 8. At the Express Lane at 2744 E. Chestnut Expressway, the persistent robber didn't get away with anything except a nice bruise. That's because a brave clerk made it clear she wasn't going to have it in her store! She hit him with a broomstick and chased him out of the store."

Personal Rant- What's a gal gotta do?

Today is Thursday, right?
Thursday the 17th?
That's what I thought.
I even checked the clock thingy on my computer
and the info screen on the satellite TV.
Just to be certain.

You see I had 3 contractors scheduled to come over here
and shoot me some estimates for a major job I'd like to do.
One was to find out if we could do central air in this dump.
The other 2 were general carpenters.

The A/C guy was for 12:30- no show. Not even a call.
I had a carpenter coming out at 2 pm, again, no show. No call.
And another at 3 pm and here it is 3:30, still no word.

They all have cell phones.

I have just scratched off 3 companies off my very short list.
I have 2 other guys scheduled for this weekend.
I ain't holding my breath.

It's not like it's a piddly-ass job. After materials, it'll be a 5G or more
payday for just a couple of weeks work.
Now I know in the rest of the world 5 grand ain't nuthin' these days, but here
it's still a nice chunk of change.

Yeah, I'm pissed. This is totally unacceptable.
I could understand if it was Friday. On Fridays most carpenters around here are
laid out drunk. (believe me, I know how those guys are!)
But it's Thursday.

So WTF?

This is the third go 'round for me trying to get someone/ANYONE out here to give an estimate for this major remodel job.
I don't get it. My money's good. The job isn't overwhelming or impossible. I intend to pay fairly.
Why the hell do they continue to pay for advertising for work if they really don't want it, or need to work?

I'm beyond frustrated...I'm at screaming and kicking the dog level.

What this county needs are a few good Mexicans.

Blow Me: 10th Anniversary of the Lewinsky Scandal

Where were you when the news broke that night?

From Newsbusters:

"On the evening of Saturday January 17, 1998, the internet gossip merchant Matt Drudge posted a story that opened the most sensational scandal season in the history of the American presidency. He reported that Newsweek magazine had killed a story about President Clinton's sexual relationship with a former intern. The next day he had her name: Monica Lewinsky."

Bubba, the Eternal Frat Boy: the gift that keeps on giving.

Oh! THAT'S what that was!

The Lovely Michelle FINALLY had something nice to say about Fred!

She's been miffed ever since that questionable staff appointment back at the start of his campaign

In related Fred/anti-Fred news: Ann has drank the Kool-Aid.(she must dig the Hair)

Weaslery in the Palmetto State

Well, now we know who the nest of vipers are that Hucker Gantry has thrown his lot in with!
Registered Republicans in South Carolina are being swamped with push-poll calls from a group known as "ccAdvertising" also curiously operating under the name "Free Eats.com".

These jokers have been in trouble before for the very same thing.

"...And their legal record isn't encouraging. That company has already lost twice in federal court. In 2004, they challenged North Dakota's do-not-call law and lost (they'd made approximately 235,000 calls polling a range of GOP hot-button issues). The company was fined $20,000. And in 2006, they challenged Indiana's do-not-call law and lost (the group made 400,000 calls attacking Rep. Byron Hill (D-IN))." (link)

The South Carolina Attorney General is looking into it, but here the story gets even odder:

"South Carolina has a law against automated phone calls. And the state's attorney general, Henry McMaster, is co-chair of John McCain's state campaign. In a phone interview today, he told me that his office was still gathering information about the calls, but that "I'd advise anybody making automated calls that they should get some legal advice."

Hmmmmmmm. But the AG goes on to add: "It doesn’t make any difference who we’re supporting or not supporting. In my state, everybody knows everybody. It’s a small place. You just have to be ethical and do your job and overlook those kind of things."

M'kay. If you say so, Sport.

If they actually do nail these weasels the penalty could be very steep-to the tune of a grand PER CALL. At the rate they are going making these calls non-stop twixt now and primary time on Saturday it could very well exceed 2 BILLION!
I don't even think God has that kind of pocket change, Elmer.

More on the story with additional links and a vid of a typical call that residents in S.C. are getting can be found here at Fred08.com.

By their works, ye shall know them...

As I recollect, Christ openly condemned the nest of vipers.

Huckananny just has them work for him. More efficient that way.

Supporters of "Christian Leader" now push polling against Fred, Mitt

By the time this campaign is all said and done, Elmer will have driven all us normal Christians back to the catacombs. So bad will be the taste in everyones' mouths.

HT:Hot Air

"My name's Satan, Father of All Lies, and I approve this message!" (UPDATED)

(A big THANK YOU to Walker over at "Subtle Oak..." for sending me a screen caps of the pics in question! They're added below for those of you who don't wish to give Hillary any hits to her site...and who could blame you?)


Holy Crap!
See if you can spot the epic boo-boo.

Skip over to HillaryClinton.com: here. Scroll down to the post Countdown to New Hampshire, Jan 8 2008.
Load up the pic slide show, pay close attention to the 4th and 5th pics in the series.

What's wrong with these pictures? (I mean, aside from the fact that Hilly's in them.)

(I'll wait....)

Hint: It was probably made in China. And it's really BIG...and so horribly WRONG!

O.K., time's up. Didja spot it?

The stars on the flag are UPSIDE DOWN!



And a close up. Sorry it isn't clearer, but you can see that all the stars are inverted-as in pentagram, the generally recognized symbol of Satan, if you're into fretting about that kinda thing-personally I think it's funny as hell...how appropriate!
WTF???! I have NEVER seen an American flag like that! (but, then again it is New Hampshire, no telling...)




Funny how none of her people caught that. I guess they only notice American flags if they're holding a Bic to them.




Another close up of the field from a pic of the adoring crowd.




Wonder how long it will take for someone to bring that to their attention on their site?
Or will they even care? (don't want to alienate that crucial Wiccan vote!)


Here's a real American flag, just for reference (note the star points):

I guess it's all relative...

to just what you consider "huge".
The Thompson endorsement by the Human Events WAS the big announcement the other day.
*sigh* I owe my eldest a fiver.
I'm a little disappointed...it was really talked up as a major deal and hinted that it wouldn't be revealed until later that day. The Human Events nod was on the newslines early that MORNING.
I mean, it is significant, but I wouldn't consider it "huge and major". Maybe to the hard-core political junkies, but to us white trash Repubs, all I can say is, "Well, that's nice."

Just in: Well, this might be an endorsement that us white trashers can relate to:
"Jesusland Author Endorses Fred Thompson-
Thompson best candidate for traditional Evangelicals"


-----
The Fredheads have set a new fund raising goal of a cool mil by tonight. They are just about there! It was sitting at about 900,000 when I last looked yesterday evening.
Go flip Fred some gas money, if you haven't already.
---------
And finally, once again Scott Ott comes hilariously thisclose to the truth with his latest about Fred! and the polls. A must read and a good chuckle for the morning:
"Fred Thompson Pulls Out of Presidential Polling"

(hee-hee!)

Local News in Brief

Our U.S. senator and former homegal, Claire McCaskill has endorsed Obama. No big surprize there. Apparently the local media has thought so too, because I can't find anything about it to link to!


The NWS is still (still!) surveying all the storm damage from last Mondays' tornado outbreak. The count as of this morning is at a jaw dropping 30 (thirty!) confirmed tornadoes that ripped through the area exactly a week ago. Unfriggin'real!
Below is a map of the tracks. They mostly were EF 1 and 2's but we had at least a 3. One traveled over 50 miles on the ground. The "freight train effect" of the storms can be clearly seen from the track map, as the tornadoes repeatedly touched down in the same general areas all night long from the cold front stalling along that part of the Ozarks. The closest one to us was in NW Douglas county to the north of us, about 25 miles away. Now do you see why I had anxiously stayed awake all night?!



And now, a brewing local scandal of a civil servant who was multi-tasking: Mayor, Pastor...Pervert!

The mayor of one southwest Missouri town is behind bars tonight, being held on a $50,000 bond.
Collins Mayor Allen Kauffman has been arrested and charged in Newton County with four counts of Enticement of a Child.

The Diamond Police department says the 62-year-old was arrested Thursday as a result of an online, internet investigation that began back in mid-November.
Investigators say a detective, posed as a 13-year-old girl, and was approached by Kauffman online.

Police alledge Kauffman discussed meeting her to take nude photos and to have sex.

The Diamond Police Department says Kauffman is married and serves as a pastor of the Temple Lot Church in Collins.

A court date has not yet been scheduled. (link:KY3)

Sooooo, I guess this means no re-election bid?

Must be a Kennedy kin...

JANUARY 10--In what may be the most extreme drunk driving case ever, an Oregon woman was arrested last month with a .72 blood alcohol level--nine times the state's legal limit. Terri Comer, 42, was arrested after she was discovered unconscious in her car, which sheriff's deputies found running and in a snow bank on a highway in Klamath County at 11:30 AM on December 28. After breaking a car window, rescuers removed the comatose Comer from her Toyota and transported her to a local hospital, where a blood draw revealed the .72 BAC.

She was reportedly hospitalized for a day before being released. As seen in a police photo, Comer's vehicle came to a stop about 50 feet in front of one of those portable traffic signs reminding motorists not to drink and drive (a close-up of the sign can be seen here). Comer is pictured below in a 2006 mug shot snapped after a prior drunk driving arrest. In that case, her BAC was recorded in the relatively minor .3 range. In November, another Oregon woman, Meagan Harper, was nabbed for drunk driving with an extreme BAC. In her case, Harper's BAC was measured at .55. Comer's .72 edges out what TSG has previously identified as the highest BAC we've ever seen. That fallen record (.69) was held by Willard Ashley III, an Indiana man who was busted in October 2003.

Story and pics mentioned in story are at TheSmokingGun

Teh Big Fred! Endorsment (s)

Is it ok to say I'm on pins n needles awaiting the announcement later today?
Human Events have thrown in their lot with Fred...but that ain't the 'big' endorsement Fred has alluded to. It's nice, but, trust me, that ain't it.

My money is on the NRA.
Anything less than a huge national organization like that would be disappointing. (and I would owe my eldest 5 bucks.) Some are even speculating that it will be Rush breaking his own rule about primary endorsements.
Naw, homey don't play that game. I really don't think that's it, either. Although I could see how some would read that, since the announcement time for today puts it square into Rush's national air-time slot and the guy has been making favorable remarks about Thompson. But I really don't see that happening.
We shall see.

Now about the debate last night, I didn't get to see it, wished I could have because by all accounts that I've read last night and this morning Fred wailed awesomely.
So now the msm have takened out new knives. First Fred was getting in late and he was "lazy", now he's clearly McCain's lapdog.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!!??!!

The stalking horse theory has been whispered about since Fred got in. And now Joe Scarborough has come right out and said it. (nevermind that Joe, himself, is a lapdog..and has been for years. Perhaps he could say it takes one to know one?)
Although I've read comments on blogs that do present good arguments in that vein, I keep coming back to the one question in my mind: "Why?"

Why would anyone, anyone subject themselves to the rigors, slings, arrows, personal attacks, upheaval of personal life and that of their family, the exhausting schedules, the never ending travel, the speeches and media appearances, and all of the unbelievable stresses that come with being a presidential candidate in this new fangled 21st century convoluted campaign unless they really believed in what they were doing?
The argument that he's doing it because he and Capt. Queeg are buds and so Queeg can get the nomination just doesn't wash with me.

Buds loan you their car for a day or 2 when yours is in the shop.
Buds remember your birthday and buy you a drink. (or even plan a surprize party in your honor)
Buds might (might) pony up bail money for you...or at least give you the number of a good lawyer.
Buds help you paint your house.
Buds come over when you're having a bar-b-que-and might even bring a 12 pack and a side dish. If they are really good buds they may even stay late and help you with cleaning up the mess.

Your buds do this because you both are friends, enjoy one anothers' company and because you would do the same for them, if needed. But there are limits to any friendship...no matter how tight. I have one really close true friend- the kind that one would say they would do anything for- and I just about would-short of ruining my own life, that of my younguns, or endangering my financial well being or being complicit in a crime. There comes a point where you have to just say: 'Honey, I love ya, but you're on your own here. I can't do any more.'

Mounting a campaign for the highest office in the free world just to bail out so your "bud" can get the nod is just way too far fetched for me. Especially when this so-called bud is, by all appearances, the anathema of what all you, your values and your campaign embodies. I don't care how big the carrot is dangling from that stick.

Yeah, Fred might have a beer with and laughs with Capt. Queeg now and then (and it's safe to say that Fred would have the better jokes.) but to sacrifice his own political and personal life for this jackass raging rino just don't make a lick of sense to me.

But what do I know?

Obama and the Childish Left (and the Meanest Mom on the Planet)

From James Lewis at the American Thinker:

What adult would vote for a totally untested presidential candidate by falling in love? Maureen Dowd, Frank Rich, Senator Joe Biden, and a million other Democrats -- that's who. The New York Times stable of Leftie pundits is reliving the Decade of Love. The Washington press corps has the teenie bopper hots over Barack Obama -- such a romantic name. A real African! Almost.

What does he believe? What has he actually done? Uhmmmm... Well...

It's Son of Camelot! And he's got the youth vote! Children just know these things!

This is straight out of Dumb and Dumber. If you despaired about the media's endless love affair with Bill Clinton, the Master of Slick, because he Cares About You, you'll get to revisit those feelings now. For we have a new national idol!

The Good Parent

Children often have fantasies about a Good Parent -- one who loves you and takes care of you forever and ever, who forgives your transgressions whatever they may be, who demands nothing, and never, ever hurts your feelings. Obama is now the Good Parent of the childish Left -- a good majority of the Dems, it would seem.

In a child's mind the Good Parent is often played against a complementary fantasy, the Bad Parent -- call them Republicans in this case. The Bad Parent stands for the sterner aspects of reality. Since Leftism is basically an infantile protest against adulthood, Republicans represent what Sigmund Freud called the Reality Principle.

Reality is the part of the world we all need to come to terms with in order to earn a living, to deal with losses in our lives, and still be productive and moral adults. Interestingly, most of the GOP candidates look like adults with real records of accomplishment. But then GOP voters are also more adult.

The childish Left constantly needs someone to adore -- FDR, JFK, Bill Clinton before the Fall. Even Hillary during her New York senatorial run. But Hillary looks visibly older today, and the Good Parent can't be allowed to age. That shakes the foundations of a child's perfect world. So all that need for love has to be transferred to a younger Good Parent. It's like the new trophy wife of the aging executive. The Good Parent must be immortal.

Enter Obama. We still know almost nothing about him. But that's the point. The less you know the better you feel, because Obama is a projective figure, a human Rorshach test. The Dems don't want to know any sobering facts. They don't want to know, for example, his relationship with the Chicago Democrat machine. They don't want to know that he voted against saving the lives of infants who survive a botched abortion. They don't want to see his minimal competence in foreign affairs. This is just a mass craving for a Good Parent. You don't vet and check out your Good Parents to see if they qualify. You might do that for a new baby sitter, but never a Good Parent. You are just born into that endless cloud of love.

Hillary's fall from grace has been amazingly quick, because the Dems -- the Party of the Needy, those who Crave to be Cared For, the Emotional Victims -- they have all found a new fuzzy toy to cling to. Hillary Clinton is now yesterday's toy, lying discarded on the floor. And she knows it.

This is the candidate as Rock Idol. It is purely instinctive. The thinking part of the brain has nothing to do with it.

Meanwhile, the United States still needs a real adult to lead it through the next four or eight years.

The nation is at war -- though the infantile half of our population lives in denial. Benazir Bhutto was just assassinated in Pakistan, where the throw-back jihadists are eagerly looking for dirty bombs or worse. Ahmadi-Nejad just challenged the US Navy in the Strait of Hormuz with five suicide boats. Forty percent of the world's oil goes through the bottleneck of the strait. Europe is in decline. The United Nations is hopelessly sleazy and corrupt. Almost twenty years of jihadist genocide in the Sudan continues today, with African victims galore. Kenya just exploded in an orgy of jihadist violence. Vladimir Putin is running a KGB state in Russia, threatening oil and gas cutoffs to our feckless allies in Europe. And President Bush is making a Hail Mary pass in the Middle East, hoping to make some progress by traveling there. The terrorists have promised to try to assassinate him, too.

The media aren't interested. They're back in the Kennedy days, swaddled in the warm blankets of their second childhood.

Boy, do we need the grownups today.
*********
And speaking of Good Parents/Bad Parents- Meet the "Meanest Mom on the Planet"-and No, it's not an article about Hillary.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."

After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady.'"

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week — just for the feedback.



I would have done the same. Her sarcastic ad is perfect!
We need more "mean mommies" like this.
Hell, we just need more adults, period!
Wanna bet the son voted Obama...if he's even registered to vote...or even bothered?
Oh that's right...he couldn't get a ride to a caucus! HAHAHAHA!!!

Freak January Tornado Outbreak: Algore Smiles

We're fine. Nothing amiss, aside from some pulled up tin on the barn roof.
Christ, was that a mess last nite!
Tornadoes in January are unusual here, but not unheard of. But this one was a doozy!
The front stalled right over Springfield and the storms just kept "training" along the same track from Oklahoma and kitty corner across the lower part of Missouri. We had been enjoying a warm spell and the air was very hot and juicey for storms. I had told the kids Sunday that when this finally broke it would be bad. It was.

We were lucky, by the time the front finally nudged down our way the fight had been pretty much sucked out of the storms. But lordy! To the north of us they were dealing with tornadoes occurring in almost the same areas every 20 minutes...all evening long!! Man, that'll drive you to drink, or at worst a nervous breakdown. There's at least 2 fatalities, so far.
I stayed up all nite. Yes, I never went to bed. Just drinking coffee and watching the tv. Quite frankly, this was scaring the hell out of me and I wanted to be ready if I had to grab the younguns and head for the hidey hole. That finally happened around a quarter to 4, and by then it was only a squall line-with 80 mph winds. Uh, yeah...maybe we better hunker down for that, just in case. That was strong enough to tear off the shingles or launch something through a window. So, let's err on the side of caution. We cowered for about 10 minutes in there, the house shuddered from the winds, windows rattled and then it was over. Upon emerging, my eldest said, sleepily, "Well, that was a whole lot of nuthin'!" and promptly went back to sleep in her own bed.

I have to hand it to the weather guys at KY3. They did the yeoman's work last nite and earned their keep. From about 4:30 p.m. yesterday 'til 5 a.m. they were on air keeping us poor dumb bastards informed. No local news, no network programming, just these guys and the radar images non-stop. They literally talked themselves hoarse and the exhaustion was showing by dawn. I know everyone makes jokes about tv weather guys, but when crap like this happens, I really admire our local guys.

Ok. Now I'm off for a power nap.

Laughed until I cried

If you haven't read Iowahawk's account of the Caucuses, you must. NOW. (You can thank me later.)

Dude! I so want to party with you!

Just a taste:

"7:31 PM: Jesus, what a disaster. The Huckabee people are speaking in tongues and accusing the Romney people of believing in dinosaurs. The McCain people have invited the network news people for their caucus in the garage, and that fucking Tim Russert has his lighting man standing on the hood of Tammy's Civic. I open up the garage door and shut off the garage power at the fuse box, figuring they'll get cold and go away."

The GOP Campaign...So Far

Life Imitates Art, Imitating Politics

...So I'm sitting there watching the debate on ABC when it hit me.

Mike Huckabee looks eerily a lot like President Logan from "24".

















Y'know, aside from him being a ravin' nanny statist there was something else about him I didn't like but could never put my finger on it until tonight.

Survivor: The POTUS Version

Hot Air's AP, (who doesn't try to hide his anti-Fred bias--ever.) has wrote up a series of possible scenarios for the primary season ahead.

An interesting read although all the nit pickin' details and strategies started to make my head hurt at this early hour. Much like trying to game "Survivor"-which I never watch because I can't stand trying to keep up with all the back-stabbing, sneaky dealings and gambits. That too, makes my head hurt. The commenters are going ape chiming in with their versions. But it is worth the read.

So what the hell? Since I strongly hold to the notion that God works in mysterious ways and what I think doesn't really count for nuthin' (but I'm still entitled to say what I think, for now anyway.)I'm gonna go out on a limb here, cut to the chase and give a short, sweet scenario I could live with:

By some odd stroke of luck McCain becomes POTUS with Thompson as V.P. (I came up with that simply based on their being chummy in the political arena in the past.)
6 months into the new administration, McCain suffers a debilitating stroke.
Thompson takes the reins.

Yeah....I could live with that.

I seen Fred talking to Wolf-boy on CNN yesterday afternoon and he admitted that they will probably do poorly in N.H. But he wasn't worried about that. Fred said -and I'm broadly paraphrasing here- 'Wolf, there's a whole chunk of country way to the south and west of there, and I dunno if you've noticed, but I kinda talk like all them there. We already have sent people to South Carolina...'

I think that's about as close to pandering I have ever seen Fred get. If you can even call it that (and someone will, I'm sure.) But it is the truth. Frankly, I love his accent...sounds like home. Even though I was born and raised in Southern California, my folks hail from Kentucky and south Indiana. His accent, drawl, whatever you want to call it, is a comforting cadence for me. It's what I heard all my life in my own home. Us folks here in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee,etc. all sound like Fred- even with the pauses and the 'umms' and the 'ers'-which the rest of the nation interprets as "stammering"- nope, that's just how we be. It's them Nawtherners like Guilliani & Romney who talk funny!

Anyway, looks like Fred's gearing up for the Southern Campaign and he ain't worried about New Hampshire. Neither am I.

There's a Sick Republican Joke There, Somewhere

Boing-Boing reminds us that today is the 105 anniversary of the infamous Edison's public electrocution of an elephant.
You may have seen the grainy, blurry primitive film of the event somewhere in the past. Even now, it's kinda creepy.

But what I find interesting is the crazed comments on Boing-Boing's post condemning Edison, not just for the act but for being a reprehensible human in general.
Hmmmmm, could we have found the REAL reason light bulbs have been banned?
Who knew there was such a hatred for that man?

I wonder if any of those ranters know that Edison was also deaf. So, wouldn't that make him a "protected class" in their world?

Something to ponder: If it wasn't for the development of the sound recorder and the motion picture camera (both Edison creations) would the world have video iPods now?

Fred! Speaks to the Faithful

Audio of his post caucus speech

Third? We'll take it.

As of 11 pm, cst it's still a squeaker for 3rd. But Fred's leading, if only by a couple hundred votes.
Word is that McCain's just about broke and Fred's got a secret stash of mad money for South Carolina.
On to New Hampshire.
Meanwhile, over on the Dark Side- Bubba, the former frat boy in chief is about to endure his longest plane ride EVER.
Obama is the new lib messiah. We'll see how this goes.
And, my, wasn't that Pony oh so silky?

I watched CSPAN's coverage of the caucae, flipping between the Dims and the Reps. At the Repubbie caucae they opened with prayer and some lil' girl singing "God Bless the USA". At the Dim's some blonde gal just stood up and said at the mike, "Let's get this party started."
I thought that was interesting.
I wonder if the Republican side did that cuz they knew the cameras would be there or if it's par for the course. I think the lil' girl singing was added for the occasion. The prayer thing I'm betting is usual.
That's just the way us dumbass, slack jawed conservatives in flyover turf are. We can't help it.

Best line tonight at our house- from my eldest, who was a big fan of Chuck Norris when she was itty bitty (Walker, Texas Ranger) and was unaware that he had thrown in his support of the Huckananny.
Upon seeing him up there with the Huckster during his speech, she shouted in shock:
"What the huck, Chuck??!!!"

The Snowball List: Candidate Caroline Killeen

"Caroline Killeen is not your typical candidate. She will be 82 years old in January. She earned food and a place to sleep in exchange for doing garden work at the youth hostel in Assisi, Italy, her home for the past year. She has no family, no telephone and no permanent place to live. But today, based out of room 203 at the Holiday Inn of Concord, NH, she is starting her campaign to become the next president of the United States."

So begins her web profile.
Her campaign managers live in Australia, she lives in Italy (but maintains an American citizenship) so could you say this is the very first "global" presidential campaign? The Catholic Caritas in Assisi is ponying up the dough for her to travel to the States.

When I saw her on the CSPAN forum she seemed genuinely disinterested in the proceedings and seemed to have trouble staying focused. While another candidate was answering a question she would absently glance under their table they were all seated at as if trying to check to see if she remembered to wear shoes. She asked frequently for the moderator to repeat his question when it was her turn and then would always veer off the topic with her answer. But she did brighten up and became quite animated when talking about her own greatist personal achievement: riding a bicycle from Pennsylvania to Florida in the '60's. That alone, she felt, qualified her for the office, I guess. (she pronounced it "buy-cycle")

More from the bio webpage: (which is based heavily on her accordingly personal biography, accordingly...heh.)

Born in 1926, Killeen grew up in an adopted family and at the age of eight realized she was gay, according to her personal biography written by Killeen, Scaysbrook and Seath.

After being expelled from a two different monasteries for stalking pure nuns and insubordination, Killeen applied for a job picking cotton in New Mexico, according to her personal biography.

Having been influenced greatly by John F. Kennedy’s physical fitness plan, Killeen rode her bicycle from Scranton, Pa. to Florida in 1964 which started a 30-year nomadic voyage along the highways of America, according to Killeen’s personal biography.

As you might have guessed, she has filed as a Democrat.

Ah, but what is her platform?
Go Solar, baby!

The first step in ending global warming and returning to nature begins with the use of “solar dryers” or clothes lines, Killeen says. Avoiding the electric dryer not only saves energy but it also saves money, according to Killeen’s campaign manifesto.

“We have the technology to overcome CO2 emissions but it’s the technology we’ve created that has brought us to this,” Killeen says. “You won’t solve global warming with more technology. You have to go back to nature which will offset all the technology.”

Killeen is organizing a press conference in which she will display her own solar dryer with a large sheet hanging and the words “my fault” written in Italian across it, she says. Everyone using a solar dryer should include a personal message, Killeen says.

Hey! I have a clothesline/solar dryer! My personal message would say: "Nuts!"

There's just so much moonbatty goodness with this gal, we have but barely scraped the surface.

Hawkeye Caucae

Can someone explain to me why the Dems caucus is akin to some obscure Victorian parlor game with rules as confusing as Yahtze and could, in theory, go on for hours and with the Republican caucus y'all just show up, b.s. for a little bit, take a vote, tally it up and have cake and coffee and go home at a decent hour?

Why such a big difference with how each one is conducted?
One version seems bloated and full of its' own self-importance and the other is just efficient and to the point.

Iffin I lived in Iowa, I most certainly would rather participate in the Republican caucus. Who the hell would want to subject themselves to what amounts to a time-share presentation combined with grade school 'team picking' for hours on end?

Just wondering...

A New Year, A New Election, A New Feature: "The Snowball List"

After the Rose Parade, which my younguns and I were spared seeing the assaholic hijinks of Cindy & the Pinkies because we wisely opted to watch on HGTV, who had a different vantage point for their cameras rather than NBC and after the ceremonial undressing of the tree for another year I was flipping through the channels trying to find something even mildly amusing to watch. After the parade coverage, TV is more abysmal than usual on New Year's Day and since we don't do football in this house it was looking like we might be better off just shutting it off and putting on some CD's. Ah! But then my dumb self had to flip over to CSPAN. (Yeah, I know-I'm a dork.)
CSPAN was airing a program (previously recorded) from some public access channel in New Hampshire. A kinda "meet the candidates" type program. A Q&A forum for the presidential hopefuls. No, the heavy hitters weren't in attendance, not even the 2nd tiers...or 3rd tiers. This was for the lesser knowns. The ones I have affectionately called The Snowballs...as in, their chances for garnering even a handful of votes, if any.

The first up was a quartet of Democratic hopefuls. 3 men and one very old and seemingly disinterested woman, who looked like any moment she was gonna pop out her dentures and deftly pop in back in after scrapping that blob of poppy seed off the upper plate.
I was spellbound. Like a bad wreck on the interstate, I could not look away.
Here, right here in front of me was the essence of the American electorial process in all it's glory. That anyone-anyone, no matter how loopy- with a thousand bucks to pay a filing fee could be a real live candidate and actually get some air time-nationally- to make your platform known. Hey, nevermind that you might be crazier than a craphouse rat, you were a presidential candidate and thus the reporters lobbing the questions at this forum had to treat you with some level of respect and at least act like they took you seriously.

Just wow. Ronpaulio's got nuthin' on these guys!

I had to know more about these people. Luckily, they actually have websites and so a new feature is born here. In the interest of fairness and because, let's face it-most of these cats are uh, rather colorful in their own Walter Mitty-like way we will be highlighting some of the lesser knowns. It's called the Snowball List. It's a chance for you to meet the others who aspire to lead and unite this fractured America.

About every other day or so (or whenever I get to it) I will profile a candidate, using the info gleaned from their website, if available. It just might be a nice diversion to all the hoopla in Iowa and all the other horrible things going on in the world.
Besides...everyone loves a freak show.