Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

good morning gang....

WOO! WOO!

morning peeps,
i am sure that enough of HRC supporters will move to BHO to win him the election (baring any more rev.wrights) but, for some he wasn't the right choice in the begining, and he is not the right choice now.

Craig..... LOVE this video....

glad I don't live anywhere near Unity..... it's a very small town and it's gonna be a zoo there today....

ET..... good luck with getting another business....
I know you make good money with your gas station.... but if you don't like it... it ain't worth it, IMO....

Happy Friday ! Everyone,

Love the video Craig.

We need to remember just how fast time flies, it will be fall before we blink .... All Barack and Hillary need to do is come up with one or two stories per week to keep themselves center stage and front page.

4th of July is next week.....

off to walk to work!

peace~

uh oh Craig,
You're going to get the gun opponents going again today, with those gun scenes you just showed.

Somehow, I don't think it's going to have as happy an ending as 'The Graduate' did, but that was great. Such a happy ending for your video.

Love it. One can always hope.

i've said from the beginning this campaign season is a movie..written and co-produced by Oprah...title of the movie..Don't Let the Media Sell You A President.

Craig...good to see you on MSNBC last night...sorry I haven't been able to post much as I am working too much! I have decided to be "undecided" in the GE.

Off to work!

Good morning everyone!

Craig -- Awesome video! The gun motif was apropos. Loved the ending too. One of my favorites.

mornin' all.

Can't watch the video, but unity in the party? Maybe between Hillary and Barack, but I don't see it among their supporters. 2/3 of Hillary's supporters (just my WAG) will vote for Obama, if for no other reason, because he's the Dem nominee and they consider themselves Dems (me, f'rinstance). Maybe half of them will be happy about it (not me, f'rinstance). And short of a monumental FU by Obama, he'll win in Nov., Gallup's daily from yesterday showing them tied notwithstanding. After that it's "Katy, bar the door."

Repost from last thread:

everyone in the DC area sleep better last night knowing you can blow intruders away again? I was on the road yesterday PM so I missed the fun here. And they think guns are dangerous? Shows that the modern equivalent of the pen is indeed mightier than the modern equivualent of the sword.

I did get a chance to think about the court's gun ruling and think it boils down to 2 key points: 1. the 2nd amendment confers on individuals the right to possess arms; and 2. a state (or territory or district) can't regulate the individual right conferred by the amendment to the extent that it can't be exercised. Everything else will have to be thrashed out in the courts. I think the self defense language - which the news media is obsessed with - was nothing more than rambling dicta by the uberconservative court elder - it is not in the amendment, and in fact is contrary to the language of the amendment.

Patsi - after you highlight the URL, try Control-C to copy it and Control-V to paste it. It might work if the right click copy function doesn't.

Hey Blonde Wino -- I'm still undecided too. But have you even started to think -- oh well, it would be nice to win...and some of my friends are now supporting Ombama...and maybe I'm feeling a little softer toward Obama because Hillary says she wants us to unify....and then I just think, no, no, no....not that guy and his Chi-town goon squad. Such tsauris!

Since the news isn't saying much about Iraq, you might enjoy this column from James Glanz

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/world/middleeast/24gao.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Krugman on oil speculation. He doesn't completely dismiss it as a possibility, but neither does he buy it as the reason oil prices are rising.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/opinion/27krugman.html?hp

On the DC gun thing -- in my part of Virginia it's not uncommon to see people open-carry. It's against state law to conceal carry in a bar or restaurant, but open carry is legal in those places.

I wonder what will happen to the crime rate in DC now that the law-abiding people can own guns.

jamie, the Bush administration lying about progress in Iraq? Who could have predicted that?

Still prefer "Two For The Road" ending with the classic, "Bitch" / "Bastard".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4WGp72peEM

i'm with alicia, being a true yellow dog, i sometimes tell myself to bite the bullet and vote BHO. but then i come to my senses, and i really truely believe that he is not prepared to lead this country. must vote for my in state dems, but i will not vote for BHO.
it may sound bitter, but it isn't a matter of him reaching out. as far as i am concerned he has burned the bridges.
as a mater of fact, the whole dnc organization has pi**ed me off-big time.

Alicia, that open carry law is not that uncommon from what I've heard. It strikes me as a remnant of the old west pre-concealed weapons permit days. Talk about a stupid law IMO. Let people carry guns only if they carry them openly? I really don't get it. I guess it does benefit the police, though.

Or, Pogo, she might try Safari to see if it will give a more Mac-like experience.

Yes the self-defense rhetoric was overdone. Granting individuals the right to have, and use, arms in the defense of home and hearth wasn't.

If I lived in an environment where I thought home invasion was a real probability, I would probably have a hand gun or a riot gun loaded with 00-buckshot.

Really well done video, Craig.

But, where I am, I'm satisfied having a combat fighting knife available.

FWIW, when one of my daughters was threatened with bodily harm, I stuck a butcher knife in my belt and confronted the miscreant who was stalking her. His behavior changed and there were no further incidents with him.

And don't forget - we're in another war.

http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/26/new-high-for-afghanistan-deaths/

And it's not going so swimmingly.

flatus, even the home-hearth argument was overdone IMO, considering that Scalia is an avowed originalist. If he was true to the original intent of the amendment, the purpose of the right was two fold - to protect home and hearth against government intrusion and the country against foreign threats. His wandering Dicta doesn't really reflect that.

This is interesting:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1027788,CST-NWS-rezkoside27.article

Pogo

The quiet scotus decision was the one with Exxon.
I was wondering how that one will affect your business. Didn't it call for a real restriction of punative damages?

Jack

I wonder if in commenting on the Bush activity re Korea if any of our well educated media talking heads will point out that this is the anniversary of the day Truman sent troops to Korea

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do

IMO, open-carry is safer than concealed carry -- at least you can tell who's packin'.

Would a bad guy think twice about robbing a place that is well-sprinkled with patrons who have their guns on display?

Flatus -- the knife might work for you -- but I prefer 2.5 lbs pressure. Plus, I don't want to get that close to a would-be attacker.

Why are Obama and Clinton having their Unity-squared event on a Friday? I guess they're doing it today in order to dominate a slow news day?

Handguns Supreme
Despite the high court's misguided ruling, the District may still have some options.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/26/AR2008062603605.html

Why are Obama and Clinton having their Unity-squared event on a Friday? Alicia Knight

Alicia,
Maybe they hope the media will spend the weekend talking about it.

This is supposedly starting off a whole slew of 'Show of Unity' rallies for Obama in the near future.

To knock Mccain off the front page for a few days.

Would a bad guy think twice about robbing a place that is well-sprinkled with patrons who have their guns on display? Alicia

Now you're giving me visions of the 'Old West'. I can't quite imagine walking into Denny's and everyone having their guns sitting on the table next to them. Just in case.

What military enlisted people deserve.

--Competent leadership at every level; leadership that won't squander their lives on missions that are not truly in the national interest. Leaders who are technically competent in the military arts and impart that competence in those for whom they are responsible.

--A culture in which private soldiers have absolute confidence and trust in the people at their sides.

--Knowledge that their dependent families are free from financial worry and are provided healthcare that was promised them when their family member enlisted.

--Adequate pay.

--Absolute assurance that in the event of death or injury, the soldiers family will be well taken care of.

--Total confidence that disabilities resulting from service will be treated at the current state of medical profession for so long as the disability limits the veterans ability to function.

--Protecting the legal rights of the soldier from adverse legal actions at times when the soldier cannot properly react.

--Provide other incentives that a grateful nation may see fit in granting.

The new G.I. Bill is not something that soldiers were begging for, at least at the level that it was granted. As passed, it mandates a potential long-term liability of $60k for each member of the military. The numbers are astronomical and will surely come at the expense of other programs that may be more vital to the service member.

But, this I state unequivocally. Our honorably serving and discharged military deserve to go to the head of the line when dollars are being tossed at segments of our population.

Jack, the Exxon decision will work its way into my business. I am not sure how quickly or to what extent since it is a federal decision and most of the cases I have are in state court. That said, the last 2 punitive damages cases from the USSCt have been widely adopted and applied as strongly persuasive even though not binding - even by our court. I still haven't read the case to see how it's limited.

Alicia, you're smart not to piss off someone whose gun you can see - of course you still have to wonder, does he (or she) or doesn't he?

Flatus

My confrontation weapon of choice is an old Louisville slugger. Only used it once but it is amazing how much respect a 6'3 construction worker type can get from bad ass wannabes.
They went from going to kick my neighbors butt for telling them to quit blocking the road, to grumbling at me about how I didn't own the street. Then started telling me how bad they were as they beat a hasty retreat back to their car.

I'm just a peaceful man, leave me alone , leave my neighbors alone and we will get along.

Jack

Jack, the Exxon decision is limited to maritime cases with "no earmarks of exceptional blameworthiness". It is exceedingly limited and won't mean much in my cases.

Jack, I like your style.

Jack, you and I would make a great team! I'm 6'3 and 260-lbs and at least have the appearance of being able to fend for myself.

Next time I go to the base thrift shop I'll look for a nice hunk of hickory.

Blank screen

"Mr. Obama is an introspective candidate, and perhaps the best analyst of his own political style. “I serve as a blank screen,” he wrote in “The Audacity of Hope,” “on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25404397

Chloe,

"I can't quite imagine walking into Denny's"

A lot of patrons present at the Lubey's massacre regretted that their guns were in their cars and not on the table.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hennard

Thanks to all! The control-c/v works! I didn't realize it did on PCs....fabulous....thankyouthankyou thankyou!

I'm just sitting here watching an antique tractor parade on RFDTV. Hell of a lot more interesting than the alternative channels.

Jamie,
I was joking around.
Now that you bring up Luby's, it just makes my 'joke' seem mean.

patsi, you're welcome. i live to serve.

Posted by: Flatus | June 27, 2008 9:42 AM

Hear, hear! Flatus!

Here's a decent article that looks at the likely upcoming litigation in the wake of the Heller decision.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/washington/27guns.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1214575083-pxJVKeGQVDt2+tNzrQtuEw

Jamie the problem with using the Lubys is the rareness of such events. Yet Dennys probably deals with violent angry drunks on a regular basis. If open carry or concealed carry became common I would probably avoid Dennys after the bars closed.

Jack

"I'm just a peaceful man, leave me alone , leave my neighbors alone and we will get along."

Right on, Jack. If I get into a fight, I want you and Flatus along. I also like a baseball bat....took one after a guy stalking me in my youth as a matter of fact.

I guess it's genetic, but I have a violent reaction when someone pushes, shoves, hits or anything. I instinctivily hit back.

(As the hillbilly song goes, "...might be my family's redneck nature...." That would be, of course, if you consider one of the old Dodge City outlaws a redneck. He also wrote cowboy poetry, so who the hell knows what he was about. He died long before I was born.)

In Texas, there are a lot of places of business that have posted signs near the front door that say in essence that carrying a hand gun into their place of business is against the law. In Texas, also, it is not legal to carry a weapon in the open either. Since I don't carry or have a license to carry, I don't know how enforcible those signs are if push comes to shove. I hope it never happens again. WRT's the Luby Massacre, there has been some speculation as to what the damage would have been had there been some armed patrons in the restaurant that evening. Some argue fewer would have died or been wounded and some argue that more would have died because of bad shots. It has been a long time since that happened, but I am not sure any thing would have prevented him from doing what he had set out to do.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

Patsi
The nice thing about a baseball bat is it doesn't go off by accident. Im also think people can imagine the brutal pain of a bat. Gun violence is so much more abstact.

Jack

Did Rezko prosecutors protect Obama? Or should he be worried about what comes next?

"Is it possible that there are more troubling days ahead for Sen. Obama—particularly since rumors are rumbling around Springfield that either 1.) impeachment may be on the table for Blagojevich or 2.) Rezko's prosecutors are ready to paint a target on Blagojevich's back? Either way, speculation abounds that Blagojevich is no Rezko; he may not be willing to so quickly exchange his mansion for a jail cell."

http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/search/label/follow%20the%20money

Meanwhile,Craig I finally went and watched the video.
You are getting good. I think you have mastered the medium. Fun entertaining and thought provoking.

Thanks

Jack

"Did Rezko prosecutors protect Obama"

Sure, but so what.
The Obama facts weren't relevant to the case and were not needed. Looks like a good example of prosecutorial discretion .

Jack

"In Texas, there are a lot of places of business that have posted signs near the front door that say in essence that carrying a hand gun into their place of business is against the law.

Dooty, back in the late '70s when I went to a couple of Gilley's 4th of July events -- they had those signs up as you walked in. That, and the waves of humid heat I felt as I got off the plane from Denver in Hobby.....stunned me.

"Looks like a good example of prosecutorial discretion ."

Maybe the prosecutors are waiting for the GE campaign to tie Obama to the IL corruption.

'dooty, I have to assume that there are laws in Texas, whether at the state or local level, that prohibit taking guns into restaurants and/or bars?

just noodling around, I found stats showing that only Swizerland has a higher percentage of gun ownership as a proportion of homes with guns than the US, and no one beats us when it comes to death by guns - whether homicide or suicide. Even so, homicide is beaten out by 14 other causes of death (about half lf all homicides are gun related), one of which is suicide (again, about half are with guns). Neither of them are in the top 10. Still with about 80 gun deaths per day in the US, it's nothing to be casual about.

http://www.gun-control-network.org/GF01.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/deaths.htm

Jack

I wasn't recommending open carry of firearms, or carrying at all for that matter. A drunk and a gun are a dangerous combination. It's bad enough when you combine a drunk and a ton of movable metal.

Chloe's mention of Dennys just reminded me of this same conversation back in the early nineties.

Gordo, FAIAP we are in the GE season. I doubt you'll be seeing anything like that, considering how slowly the wheels of justice turn.

"Maybe the prosecutors are "
Yea , but my money is on:
They are all just hanging out having sex with each other, waiting for the black helicoptors wich will take them away to that secret CIA site and dispose of them.

Jack
Didn't Will Smith star in that movie?

Jack: you've had some really interesting comments today. Glad to see you back.

Did you ever study law in a past life? Or cover it for a publication?

gordo, that 'blank sreen' (9:57 post) ,i think is what troubles me.

"Yea , but my money is on:
They are all just hanging out having sex with each other, ..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could be!

"Levine was the government's star witness against Rezko, but a newly unsealed defense filing alleges that Levine only agreed to cooperate after realizing that the government had learned that he frequented male prostitutes.

During the trial, jurors heard unsavory details about all-night drug binges that Levine had engaged in with a regular group of male friends, but St. Eve had barred any testimony about Levine's sexual habits."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blago-interviewedjun27,0,6314824.story

Though he had tried to avoid taking a firm stand on either the ban or the case, an unnamed staffer last year told the Chicago Tribune that "Obama believes the D.C. handgun law is constitutional."

On Thursday, though, the Obama campaign distanced itself from that record, which would have considerable downside risk for a presidential candidate running on a 50-state landscape.

Obama's top spokesman, Bill Burton, said that the statement to the Chicago Tribune "was not worded as well as it could have been" and that Obama believes that generally the Constitution "doesn't prevent local and state governments from enacting their own gun laws."

After the high court ruling, Obama said in a statement he has "always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures."

The Court "has now endorsed that view," Obama asserted, citing a passage in Justice Antonin Scalia's majority opinion which begins: "Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11384.html

Glenn Greenwald and Olbermann

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/27/olbermann/index.html

Good morning peeps,
Today's BackChannel Blog piece is by our own Horsedooty
"Tear Down This Damn Fence"

Doots shares his feeling about the border fence

http://clistersbackchannel.wordpress.com/

A diversion from the hand gun discussion.

"The New York City Waterfalls" created by danish/icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/arts/design/27wate.html?ref=arts

4 waterfalls have been erected in the East River. So far
have only seen it on the NYC local news broadcast--
most intriguing.

So I suppose not being willing to clearly state a position and stick by it is part of the change we can expect? Oh, wait, we already have that in Dumya sort of - he, however can take a position but doesn't have the ability to state what it is clearly.

Craig I don't think the union of Obama and Hillary will prove to be all that dramatic, both have too much lose if things don't go well.

pogo,
Regarding open carry laws, I think criminals would be less likely to commit crimes if they saw that someone was carrying a gun than if the didn't know. Criminals aren't all that smart.

'dooty, your comment at the backchannel site that the fence is a 19th century solution to a 21st century problem is exactly right IMO. Go fishin'.

frank, I think they'd just find someone who wasn't carrying. They aren't that stupid.

Cute video, Craig. Sometime you're going to have to explain to us how you make these film segments? Are you constantly walking around the house with a DV camera, do you have to bring over a one/two-man crew when you film these, etc.? I'd be curious to know how you put the videos together - and then edit them with such rapidity.

Pogo by all means feel free to post on the back channel blog, all are welcome and encouraged to enter into the discussion.

There are I think about 1300 private unity events planned this weekend. I'm going to an Obama BBQ unity fund raiser tomorrow. And no, that's not a typo, 1,300!

Bill Gates moves on, but Microsoft keeps his 'quests'
SEATTLE (AP) - It is almost unthinkable that any one human could pick up where Bill Gates leaves off when he ends his full-time tenure Friday as Microsoft's leader.
alivehttp://apnews.myway.com/article/20080626/D91HVAS80.html

spinal tap's manager carried a cricket bat......seemed to work well for him..........

I am fully aware that multiple shootings are rare, however they give a different perspective when they're close to you. Having lived through the Dawson College shooting just over a year ago, with a daughter IN the atrium at the time, I find I agree with Jack. Someone with a baseball bat cannot take out 18 people at the same time. There is no reason on earth that anyone should have an assault rifle within reach. How many deer ya gonna shoot with that???

POLLS: Electability, “That Particular Questionnaire” & The DC Gun Ban

"Be sure to thank Democratic superdelegates for television advertisements similar to the following during the months of August, September, October and November:"

Obama And The Second Amendment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifEg1aq6Emo

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/27/polls-electability-that-particular-questionnaire-the-dc-gun-ban/#more-3270

"Manager of Spinal Tap for most of their career. .. Faked his own death in 1990 to get the band back together (the impetus for their 1992 reunion tour was their meeting at his funeral).

- Carried a cricket bat around on tour with him, as partly an "affectation" in Marty DiBergi's phrasing, but also because " it's come in useful in a couple of situations. Certainly in the topsy-turvy world of heavy rock, having a good solid piece of wood in your hand is quite often...useful." -

Bears a great resemblance to Tony Hendra."
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=761446

Get a grip, NH, Obama's coming

"NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS, grab something sturdy today. Barack Obama is coming and his ability to switch positions on major issues is dizzying. It wouldn't matter, except Obama wants to become President. If that happens, hold on for dear life.

Issues like Iran and Iraq are no small thing. Our next President needs to show a steady, dependable sense of command. We don't need one who changes his basic positions as if he were changing his socks. "

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Joseph+W.+McQuaid%3a+Get+a+grip%2c+NH%2c+Obama%27s+coming&articleId=5baca95f-ab59-4265-acbe-51c03a33652a

thanks Pogo. That has always been my thinking. I also think that as Blonde wino and I have stated here on Trail Mix, those with the biggest problems with the border and who crosses are those that live the farthest away from said border.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

No, McCain Isn't 'Doomed'

"Some pundits claim John McCain has no chance of beating Barack Obama. ......"...They need to better understand the rhythms of presidential campaigns and show more humility in a year that's been chock full of political surprises.

Some Democrats claim new polls by Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times showing Sen. McCain trailing by 15 points in each seal the deal on an Obama presidency. But both polls appear to be outliers. Other polls show the race to be close."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121452433272409083.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

"on subject"......bingo.....nice site........ "quite often....useful" lol

June polls aren't elections. But if the Unity tour does what it's supposed to, you add Hillary 18,000,000 to Barack's 18,000,000, and by November THAT my friends may be the reality, there will be a dem in the whitehouse, to which I yell, "WHEW!!"

Jamie....
I forgot to tell you yesterday..... that animated cartoon about baby boomers sung to the tune of Born to be Wild....... almost made me piss my pants!

There are no guns in this household and I don't know if there ever will be.....
but I sure am glad I have a choice.....

Gordo.... I live in NH and I won't be affected by the "unity" visit at all....
and all I can say is........ thank god!

".....It's a global economy and world out there. We must strengthen ourselves here at home with Zero-tolerence against countries who do not treat us economically equitably. (Protectionism, Nationalism, Buy American) We must endure short-term pain and global derision in order to insure our longer-term viability on the World stage, because we-re now headed in the wrong direction." John Hogue
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/biden-and-clark-in-vp-fight.html#comment-107789

Patsi said, "That, and the waves of humid heat I felt as I got off the plane from Denver in Hobby.....stunned me."

I can remember way back in the olden days when cars did not have A/C as you drove south from FTW as you got to about 50 or so miles north of Houston, it was like being hit in the face with a wet wash cloth. You had to have the windows rolled down or you were gonna fry your brain cells.

July is a pretty warm month but you should come back in late August or early Sept. The ground has had all summer to heat up and it really gets hot then.

I am told that down in the Rio Grande Valley it gets hotter and the humidity is higher. I have only been there twice and I remember it being a pretty miserable place to visit. The wind was blowing at about 25mph and it was like a blast furnace.

IIRC, Nashville can get pretty hot and humid also.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

Did someone say polls? This has gotten to be seen as bad news in the McCain camp, his lead in Mississippi is only 6 points. Even more troubling for the McCain camp is that he is only leading in the state with white men. The fact that at this point in the campaign Obama is holding a solid lead (5 points) among the state's woman is a real warning signal for McCain.

"The topline numbers in the race between John McCain and Barack Obama in Mississippi remain unchanged over the past month. The first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state since Hillary Clinton’s exit from the race finds McCain leading Obama 50% to 44%, just as he did in May.

While McCain has a solid 57% to 38% lead among men, Obama leads 49% to 44% among women. Obama also dominates among the youngest set of voters (age 18-29), 75% to 22%. McCain holds the advantage in voters of all other age groups. "

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/mississippi/election_2008_mississippi_presidential_election

Dooty, Patsi,

Right now, I'm driving a car with broken air conditioning. On top of that, my office is a meat locker. To better illustrate the temperature difference...

Car- 100 degrees
Office- 65 degrees

If I wear long sleeves to be warm in my office, I sweat my ass off in the car.

If I dress for the heat, I find myself having to step outside just to warm up...

15 minutes to Unity! Are we all excited?

that train Ad........it says 436 miles to a gallon.....I'd guess that means while it's underway in open country.....wonder how many gallons it takes to get that lummox rolling and out of town from a standstill.........

And yet, now that Hil'ry is carrying water for BO, I will have no trouble voting for the most capable person left on the ballot: John McCain.

BO has done as little as possible, flip-flopped when pressed on issues, has questionable associations, and is only in this position because the media supported him/looked the other way.

BO would be an absolute disaster of a prez & he doesn't deserve to be the Dem nom.

Smarmy won't get my vote.

"Pogo by all means feel free to post on the back channel blog, all are welcome and encouraged to enter into the discussion. "

Your entire mission was to have your own "table" in a junior high cafeteria, and secondly, to damage Craig's blog. At least you could be honest, Brine.

Coreen

I suppose New York does the best it can. : )

http://www.steveshamesphotos.com/images/Yosemite18.jpg

His tie matches her pantsuit. His plane was her plane. She pats him. He kisses her.

Can running mates be far behind?

barff

jamie.......looking glass, in pisgah.......(nc)

Wow what a surprise blue isn't going to vote for Obama, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

rats.

http://www.dantaylors.com/Looking%20Glass%20Falls%203e.jpg

Might as well keep my support for McCain out there lest anyone else feel like they are the lone holdout.

Here plane was used because Obama's 757 is in the shop for a paint job and refit. Obama 1 will be back in the air in very short time. Here plane is much smaller.

Dooty

"those with the biggest problems with the border and who crosses are those that live the farthest away from said border. "

On the border they are your friends and neighbors. Farther north they can be gangs, drug dealers, and people undercutting wages.

There has to be a way to protect and legalize the activities of the decent and hardworking while locking up the bad guys. If the Mexican government were a little more helpful, there would probably be less animosity.

"those with the biggest problems with the border and who crosses are those that live the farthest away from said border. "

I'm continually amazed at the people here who are shocked that I haven't moved from what has become the area of choice for many Latinos. And I've noticed that some of my neighbors gossip a bit about the large Mexican family down the street. They are great people, have improved their property. Their kids are very nice. Jeezus.

And I still say that I NEVER see those families using WICA cards at the grocery store. (Am seeing lots more whites, blacks and MidEast-appearing people using them as the economy has worsened....) So I'm not sure where all that "Mexicans abusing food stamps" screaming comes from.

Does Andrea Mitchell have a speech impediment?

So, BO's plane is bigger, less fuel efficient & more of a hazard to the environment.

BO gets no bump from Edwards' endorsement. Gore doesn't endorse BO until after it's a done deal; does nothing to help him win during the primary season. Hil'ry fights him until the end & BO has to pay her to support him.

Yep, another stellar candidate brought to you by the folks who brought you John Kerrey.

"But if the Unity tour does what it's supposed to, you add Hillary 18,000,000 to Barack's 18,000,000"

Finally -- somebody admits this horse race was a photo finish. Most of the comments from the O-team seem to indicate that Hillary went down in flames and in therefore old news. Fact is, she had half the votes.

Seriously, the media treats her like some huge loser. I just shake my head over this attitude.

"So I'm not sure where all that "Mexicans abusing food stamps" screaming comes from."

Patsi,

Most of that is right wing fantasy. The ones who might be doing that are U.S. Citizens who have hit hard times, not illegal immigrants.

Now there are large costs involved in immigration such as education and medical care. Those are among the reasons for the California budget mess, but food stamps not so much.

hd, I think you may be right about the more remote citizens having a stronger desire to keep the brown folks out. But my money says more than a few of them have no problem hiring the ones who came over, under around or through. Fence, my ass. People around here have pretty strong opinions about it, and most of our Mexican looking folks are in the 2 Mexican restaurants here - or are in a pickup truck that drives around and does lawn and other similar work on a pick up basis. The best comment I heard, and I know you've all heard this, was "Show me a 20 foot fence and I'll show you a man with a 21 foot ladder."

and Patsi, despite my affection for many of the folks on the backchannel blog, I'll be commenting here.

Bear, been there, done that. Dress cool, keep a sweater in the office. Ignore the snide comments..

Good Morning/afternoon

Sturg, you call that a waterfall? This is a waterfall:

http://www.2geton.net/martin/moonbow/moonbow.html

The only place in North America you can see a moonbow.

aaaaahahaha..on a lighter note.. i'm going to try to BUY this licence plate...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/080626/oddities/us_technology_transport_offbeat

jee....yup.....that's a goodern........

Looking at all these "Unite For Change" signs just makes me think why would he want to walk away from a match that would guarantee the election.

The Obama supporters aren't going to desert him just because she is on the ticket, and the Clinton supporters are more likely to join up with happy smiles on their faces instead of begrudging, "well maybe".

The Independents aren't going to run for McCain in a snit fit. They are too upset with Bush. That leaves the hard core Republicans, and I just don't see mud throwing from that crowd will work this time.

"you got to about 50 or so miles north of Houston, it was like being hit in the face with a wet wash cloth."

Yes indeed, Dooty. I'd flown in from humidity-free Denver. You know at Hobby, you get (or used to) off the plane outside the terminal. You could literally see the heat waves coming off the pavement. It really did hit you in the face.

I was covering the shows for a magazine....and my hair, naturally nappy anyway, turned into a Brillo Pad. But the main thing was the thirst. I could get free Gilley's beer...and I remember Billy Joe Shaver telling me that I should drink it all day long, that I'd just sweat it out and never get drunk. And that was absolutely the truth.

but i did happen to see this one in ' 63........nice here because it's a video......

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FhEKskDQ_HY

"Right now, I'm driving a car with broken air conditioning. "

Been there, Bear....here in another hot, humid place.

it's not rocket science... it was thissssss close but Obama's the nominee, and the primary season proved that Hillary is a Democrat through and through. Those who voted for Hillary can either choose to do what she's asking (support the nominee) or support that old coot who will have the same drooling oil execs and religious nutbars just waiting for a seat at the table.

sturg - Looking Glass, Pisgah, my old backpacking stomping grounds. I just love the Blue Ridge.

pogo......did you slide down the rock?

(sliding rock)

Jeejee

Very Pretty. Another of my favorites

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/885877-lg.jpg

It ends up here

http://mikebaird.com/yosemite/images/merced-river.jpg

Wow seeing them together is sending a tingle up my leg! I'm surprised just how moved I am at seeing this.

You aren't the only holdout, Blue. I'm writing in Hillary no matter what. I trusted her to start digging us out of this mess, and I don't trust McCain OR Obama. Simple as that. If I voted for either one, believing that they are both phonies, I'd be casting a dishonest vote.

ty, you score one of those plates, get 2 - I'll buy one from you. LOL

Patsi I'm sure Senator McCain appreciates your support.

Brian

Let's face it. They look good together. Can you imagine a November victory night with the new "first couple" in the foreground and the old "first couple" in the background ...

People wouldn't come down off of that high until the January swear in.

"Wow seeing them together is sending a tingle up my leg! I'm surprised just how moved I am at seeing this. "

Ah....then I see it's time for me to go to the grocery store.

*harbor raises hand*

I'd like to make a point. I know some of you are angry with Brian...and perhaps others who are on the so-called backchannel...however, how is the new blog any different from any of the others listed on Craig's blogroll? And how do invitations to comment there differ from Jamie's frequent invitations to visit and comment on hers? Not saying you should rush over to read it or comment on it...just pointing out a double standard...one that is often missed as we choose sides, both politically and personally.

No Jamie, I can't imagine it, and you shouldn't either, haven't you suffered enough disappointment already this campaign season?

sturg, nope, never slid down sliding rock.. Probably should have made the time to. Mrs. P is about due a trip to Ashville to see the Biltmore, ameirica's biggest house - I may make that happen and take LP over to SR so I can say I have. I have been to looking glass falls, though - what a gorgeous spot. Spent more time in the Great Smokies NP than in Pisgah.

And...for the record...I refuse to choose sides. I have opinions, which I largely choose to keep to myself, but I consider everyone here my friend until and unless they prove otherwise. Or choose otherwise.

My license plate starts with DMB. As in Dumb. My nephew made fun of it. But at least they took off the stupid smiley face sun that Ernie Fletcher's people stuck on there. That really was dumb.

Sturg, here's an interesting article, I just wish they had a picture with it:

http://www.kentuckyliving.com/article.asp?articleid=2259&issueid=309

HW

Everyone should visit any of the blogs on the blog roll that they enjoy.

Brian,

Couldn't resist could you? As usual, stuff it!

Sorry Jamie I prefer to save my fantasies for the bedroom and the purchasing of lottery tickets, not politics.

"and Patsi, despite my affection for many of the folks on the backchannel blog, I'll be commenting here."

Pogo..... count me in as staying here too..... I barely have time for this blog at the moment....... opening day for my fair is 5-weeks from tomorrow....

and sorry Craig.... I have looked at the facebook site..... not enough meat for my tastes....

Patsi..... I've dubbed the both of them as the "Pretend Politician" and the "Make Believe Maverick".....

pogo ......when i was younger sliding rock was not so crowded......now in the summer it's just jam packed with touristas.......long line to slide down it......nice to see it though and maybe before school's out during the week it may be better........

I have no problem with the other blog.....all god's chilluns got wings......live and let live......

Great pictures, Jamie. Now I have to go pee....

The facebook site isn't about meat.. more than enough meat here...

i will probably be turning on the weather channel when HRC is finished speaking....

is he just going to stand up and say,"i agree with what sen.clinton said"

."..however, how is the new blog any different from any of the others listed on Craig's blogroll?"

Well, harbor, it certainly has meaning to me. Brian told me months ago that he and two others had got this "backchannel" email thing going specifically to trash me.

Then the googling me to find and post unflattering pictures started....something seriously sick about that.

So that's why it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Nelson..why don't ya wait n see?

tylenol.... geez..... so touchy.....

I know that.... I wasn't dissing the site..... just stating why I wouldn't be going over there.... it's only my opinion..... I hope all who do choose to go there enjoy it very much.....

touchy? hmmm..

unfortuneatly, i will.
then i'll hate myself.

touchy?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pRTCbfOUTYU

Renee, I don't like Facebook either, I heard that once you sign up, you can't cancel. Same thing with my webpage at yahoo, I would like to delete it, it's going nowhere. I would like to send my dog's picture, though, how do I do that?

I know I'll hate myself in the morning so I plan to sleep till noon.........

---i forget who

tylenol....
if I mistook your intent.... I apologize...
I truly am glad to see you posting here again.....

jeejee.... I'm the last person you should be asking for computer help.... I had my hubby send my pictures to Craig.... I confess I rely on him..... because I can.....

time to go back to work.....
everyone enjoy the blog of your choice....

Just so you don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with the other blog, I just don't have the time to visit all the blogs where people I like post, and this is my preferred hangout. I occasionally visit MM to say Hi to PoP, and the same with Harp and Sword since PoP and MB don't post here anymore, but that is just occasionally. Same with FDL, and I'm a personal acquaintance with and friends with the husband of one of the principal posters there. There just ain't enough minutes in the day. Plus, the backchannel folks still come here from time to time, so they aren't lost to me by hanging out here.

Great quote, sturgeone!

not impressed

Re: Unity.. nice event.. more like 'em coming

who doesn't that surprise me, Nelson. It's a great speech.

that 'not impressed' was about the BHO speach.
yes, sturg. great quote.
the last time i went down that road was when the media decided that kerry was the man. i bit the bullet and did my best to support him.
i don't believe that BHO can walk on water. and nothing he has said shows me that he has the makings of a good president.

it is a typical rally speach

Obama's wife says he'll fight for gay equality

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gF6i4iEHstfMbiVDziPEgI7m6pFAD91I5HF00

Dog in comment
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/barack-and-hillarys-hollywood.html#comment-107857

No legal experience except for the occasional standing before the judge and haven't done that in years.

I did listen to Warren Zevon this morning

Lawyers, Guns and Money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5puAN1PGQw

Jack

Nice job on both their parts.

I just need to know where to email it to, I'm not totally helpless.

I'm glad Brian has his own blog to play in. I just wish he was there more.

Nelson.. you were expecting them to break into song? Of course it was a rally speech..

Enjoy the day everyone! I'm off to wander the jazz fest, plastic beer cup in hand.

sturg -

http://www.pegasuspublishing.com/BS-248-Sleep-till-noon-p-28017.html

ahhh shucks jeejee I luv you 2

Poor HRC. She must have been biting her lip today, having to utter those word and knowing deep down within her soul the inferior, the less qualified individual was ushered to the head of the line. Funny a CMH recipient wrote her the letter, and not BHO. Write in HRC come November, let her you know and understand she isn't forgotten, let her know that sexism will not be tolerated. There is probably not enough Listerine in the world to get the bad taste out of her mouth. Sitting there now looking at the incompetent one getting the promotion. For a person who so strongly fought for and was a promoter of women's rights, HRC became a victim of the the D party version of the glass ceiling. They were even called racist, by BHO supporters. This has to be a very bitter pill for HRC and Bill to swallow.

Norquist dropped by The Times' Washington bureau today and, as part of his negative critique of Obama's liberal stances on econ