Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Hey, first

Jack,

Roberts is holding slattery to 30's to his high 40's polling, but I sure do not ever remember ROberts having to put out as many ads as he has this year.

Julie

Better a travel bounce than a travel gate! lol

Jack,
also forgot to mention that I know some republicans that always have given "hands and pockets full of cash to Roberts" in previous years and they do not seem to be doing that this time. Don't know what is up with that.

Julie

Julie

I saw a Slattery ad 2or3 weeks ago, he was talking so fast he sounded like he was from the east coast. definatly too fast for Kansas. This morning his ad was a slower pace but still not down to Kansas speed.

Bed time
Jack

There seems to be a point rapidly approaching when the Obama campaign will qualify as an actual cult

http://hillbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/07/there-seems-to-be-point-rapidly.html

Here is a Chicago Sun Times write up on the Camp Obama training sessions for activists.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/540781,CST-NWS-camp04.article

Camp Obama: Eager to “Empower You”

"I cannot profess to understand what ‘techniques’ will be taught at “Camp Obama” but the verbiage of these “two day sessions” sounds like indoctrination.

I have never seen any campaign employ these methods and if some of the paid bloggers for Senator Obama are indicative of those versed in the ‘techniques’ he is talking about, then I am very worried indeed.

The vile rhetoric that has been used repeatedly all over the internet, the verbal attacks leveled at Hillary supporters out in public, the “techniques” of Obama supporters walking around with camera phones threatening to take pictures of Hillary supporters – this all strikes me as a form of voter intimidation."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/25/camp-obama-eager-to-%E2%80%9Cempower-you%E2%80%9D/

Better a travel bounce than a travel gate! lol

Posted by: Rezdog | July 29, 2008 12:19 AM

Actually to be honest, I didn't think that was humorous.

I am increasingly worried by Obama's rightward shift and absolutely freaked that he would consider a Repug as his running mate. Having said that, he is miles ahead of what else is still standing. I am a passionate Choice supporter, so NARAL should pin Obama down on the recent anti-abortion statement he made.

Ann Venneman or something?

This I find distressing: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/politics/29dems.html?hp

It's pretty clear that what we all have thought, Obama is not seriously considering Hillary as his VP running mate. For many this is good news. But I find it distressing and I am sticking with Obama but as a Clinton supporter I do feel devalued. Nonetheless... the stakes are high and we got to get the right wing loonies out of the Executive Branch.

So... even if I plug my nose, which is more likely, I begrudgingly plan to stick with my pledge that I vote for Obama.

Who is "Roberts"? Sometimes these shorthand posts are hard to follow. All I could think of was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...

i was absent. Did I miss anything?

When I was a professor, students would ask me that. Rather than punch them out, I'd ironically say, no, I'm just here talking to myself about info that I already know.

tt

Richard Cohen asks what Obama stands for:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802464.html

Ann Venneman or something?

This I find distressing: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/politics/29dems.html?hp

It's pretty clear that what we all have thought, Obama is not seriously considering Hillary as his VP running mate. For many this is good news. But I find it distressing and I am sticking with Obama but as a Clinton supporter I do feel devalued. Nonetheless... the stakes are high and we got to get the right wing loonies out of the Executive Branch.

So... even if I plug my nose, which is more likely, I begrudgingly plan to stick with my pledge that I vote for Obama.

Posted by: EuroTom | July 29, 2008 2:47 AM

Interesting Tom.
I have been out of it for some time, due to studies, but have resumed my interest today..
I like this point though. Gonna explore it good.
You just gotta love the big O.....

I respect yor choice Tom to vote for BO, on the other hand I saw this coming and am more determined to sit this one out.
I have to say, that although I won´t vote for JmC, I found him humorous this morning during an interview on Euro TV. He was loose, cracked jokes (which were funny) and presented himself as a man, not an elderly....

Morning all,

I'm just checking in. I've been busy and not able to post much lately.
But, I try to read Trail Mix most days.

In response to Euro Tom and Jason's posts, I'll add my two cents. I still haven't converted to Obama and am fairly sure I won't, even though I'm technically a Democrat. I've listed my reasons often on this blog so I won't repeat them.

Like Jason, I may not vote for president. But, I might vote for McCain, even thoughI know I have issues with him. At this moment, I guess I'm one of those
elusive undecided.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_el_pr/obama_hip
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1079339,CST-NWS-sweetside29.article

"The only person Obama would acknowledge is on his short list of running
mates includes Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton."

from "Obama looks for VP who says more than "Yes. sir."

I doubt Hillary would say "Yes, sir," to anyone.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_el_pr/obama_veepstakes

Craig, your video raised my hackles.

In it you pointed out that Mr Obama did visit with the troops, showing him doing his stuff on the gym floor.

Here's how it's supposed to work. Congressional visits accomplish three things. Knowledge building, oversight, and constituent services. You might want to add a fourth, expressing grateful thanks to wounded soldiers from any state while acting as a proxy for the soldiers' own congressional representatives.

Was Mr Obama horsing around with soldiers from Illinois? Or was he there for a photo op courtesy of the military's photojournalists?

Who were the constituents he met with during his trip? First name and home of record and unit of assignment will suffice.

I'm _really_ tired of politicians, on both sides, using our serving military as a backdrop for politically inspired photo-ops. The practice disrespects our soldiers and their service.

N.B. When I use the word 'soldiers' in a comment such as this, it's inclusive of serving members of any of our military services.

here's a simple way to decide for whom to vote:

john mccain...a brilliant mind that is prepared to lead america into the 21st century...right about iraq since the start...right about the econony...right about energy policy...and right about prospective supreme court judges...an inspiring world leader.

if you think that's true, vote mccain.

if you think that's b.s., and that mccain will continue the awful bush policies [only more so]...vote for the other guy.

Marcia
I sure understand where your coming from.I have also on more than one occasion stated my problems with Sen.Obama along with my lack of trust.I myself was a life long Dem. till the primary mess and only recentley decided to vote for Obama if its close here in Florida between him and McCain.I really don't want to vote for Obama though!! No passion here...........

"I doubt Hillary would say "Yes, sir," to anyone. "

ROFL, right on, Marcia.

I guess Craig missed the "OTHER" poll from Gallup that shows a different result. Look we need a break from polls. They should take a month off.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.cpm

Here's the problem, JP -- for some of us, both choices are poor.

We had a shot at having a president who would fight for us, and she got elbowed out of the way by the Chicago mob.

The Obama youth groups are freaky and are the final finishing touch to this cultish campaign. I Didn't like the media, RBC decisions or Obama himself before this. Now I'm just plain scared for our country and what is happening.

"We had a shot at having a president who would fight for us,and she got elbowed out of the way by the Chicago mob"

Exactly Patsi!

"...and she got elbowed out of the way by the Chicago mob."

Patsi, it was the 21st century version of the St Valentine's Day massacre.

just read something about a soldier about to be executed, approved by the bush......anyone know anything about that? first time in over a half-century an execution has been approved by a president or something.......

Tony -- you mentioned having no passion for this election....want to be completely nauseated?

Read this article in The Nation (of all places) of women getting "wet" over the sexiness of the O & Michelle love affair. Gag me with a spoon.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080804/wypijewski

"and that mccain will continue the awful bush policies"

The basic lie that gets repeated in here daily.

Jack

Hi ya, Patsi, tonyb39 and Flatus,

Just read your last posts and loved them!

Glad to see you're here this morning.

And they say politics is boring!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/NEWS15/80728079

I've had quite enough of republicans in any position of authority above postal clerk......

Any republican........

Anywhere.

Nix.

And good to see you, PM. I thought you had abandoned us; not a pleasant thought. Now, if we could get MaggiSD back...

Mornings can be good once again!

"and that McCain will continue the awful Bush policies."

Jack,

I know! It gets boring.

Last week,I posted an article from Newsweek, I think, (I'm not sure) "Frenemies" about the true relationship between Bush and McCain. According to the essay, McCain basically doesn't like or respect Bush at all.

"'ve had quite enough of republicans in any position of authority above postal clerk......"

Come-on, Sturg, we all know that there aren't any Republicans in the Low Country.

and another thing about McCain which should preclude him from any consideration for president would be that his biggest fan and supporter is Lindsay Graham.....Bozo, SC.........

there's no excuse for that.

From the "We're from the government we're here to help you" file.
due to flood plain regulations recent tornado victims are told they can't rebuild and have a basement.

"Tell a town of Kansas tornado survivors that they can’t have a basement? Amy Bemis has a word for talk like that.

“Insane,” she says."

http://www.kansascity.com/703/story/724447.html

Jack

Before I head to work, a song dedicated to Mr. Obama....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSQl1u7l5mk

Flatus......lol

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Biggerfoot/1-mccain_bush_hug.jpg

what's that about hating bush?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Biggerfoot/1-mccain_bush_hug.jpg

what's that about hating bush?

"read something about a soldier about to be executed, approved by the bush......anyone know anything about that? "

Sturge -- I just caught the very end of a news report. The guy was convicted of four murders and eight rapes, as I understood it. But I still don't know why Bush was involved.

sturgeone,

Wow! Now, tell me how you really feel about Republicans. LOL

"Unlike in the civilian courts, a member of the U.S. armed forces cannot be executed until the president approves the death sentence. Gray has been on death row at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., since April 1988."

This is why Bush was involved in that soldier's execution decision.

you are known by with whom you associate.....the republicans associated and covered up for and enabled the works of the last 8 years......may they now depart and may those responsible for the last 8 years see the inside of a prison cell.........soon.

that should cover it.

Flatus,

Thanks! I appreciate that.

Eisenhower was the last President to approve a military execution.

"“Insane,” she says.""

Jack, down in Florida we routinely required people to rebuild in accordance with FEMA requirements--if we didn't we would lose our city's flood insurance rating. No rating=no flood insurance=no mortgages=no people.

And, the 50% thing is cumulative. If you had 20% ten years ago then 30% this year, the trigger point has been reached.

I believe FEMA will allow a storm shelter. But not a finished basement.

sturgeone,

Don't you find it interesting that Bill Clinton was impressed and no one seems
to be able to get an impeachment hearing going against George Bush, whose crimes against the country are legendary?

dick cavett on Imus....replay

you are known by with whom you associate.....

Blogging here doesn't count, right???

oops. I meant Bill Clinton was "impeached"

interesting squared and then cubed.......

In Canada:

"Woman 44, gives birth to her 18th child."

I wonder if she's done now?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_fe_st/odd_canada_large_family

corey............yeah, but.............

lol

I just wanted to make that clear, Sturge. It's kinda like how whenever I show people that one reunion picture I quickly point out that the one guy in the photo wasn't supposed to be in the picture! LOL!

PM, I hate it when people say 'impressed' instead of 'impeached'. :))

I'd rather be impressed than impeached!

Corey, so would Mr Bush.

mornin' all.

sturg & patsi, What Corey said. He would be the avenue of last appeal in the chain of command. Probably one of those UCMJ things.

I practically rolled in the floor laughing when Joe made fun of MIka's Obama devotion this morning mock singing "Obama Mia" and referred to him as "your man". Then she had the gall to say don't call him my man. I suppose she thinks Joe doesn't watch the show.

I thought it was funny Rez,

VJ, nice to see you branch out a little

Sturg- get real. Dems are just as complicit. They let all this BS happen. Divide and Conquer. I ain't about to beatify any Republicans, but the Dems are just as bad, maybe even more chicken****.

"'I'd rather be impressed than impeached"

I bet Bill would have preferred to be impressed rather than impeached, as well.

I'm just guessing.

Sturge, et al: Here's the article about military execution

RE: Execution by military is approved by president
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/29execute.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

As commander in chief the president has the final authority to approve capital punishment under the UCMJ.

Flatus -- I completely agree with your post of 7:42 AM -- using the troops as photo ops is disgusting.

champ

Yep, like can we say FISA vote? I wish I could take back my vote for McCaskill. I'd rather have a Republican, at least I'll know where they stand.

Jack

"you are known by with whom you associate.....

Blogging here doesn't count, right???"

ROFL, Corey!

I'd rather be impressed than impeached!
Posted by: Corey

Corey, so would Mr Bush.
Posted by: Flatus

he's already im"pair"ed, what harm would a peach do?

Sturgeone,

I don't know if anyone answered you yet. I posted the info on the death peanalty authorization last night.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/07/mccains-affirmative-action-gam.html#comment-121273

Patsi

What is really disgusting is he couldn't leave the photo op people behind and quietly go visit go visit the wounded troops.

Jack

sorry corey, i meant that shrub's impaired, not you!
please forgive the misspeak.

champ.....yes, some democrats are equally to blame.....my democrats are feingold, rangle and conyers.....the rest are suspect......

Patsi,

Thought the last line of Richard Cohen's WAPO column said it all for many of us.

"I know that Barack Obama is a near-perfect political package. I'm still not sure, though, what's in it."

Does this mean that some of the "villagers" are starting to revolt or is this just more insulation for future attacks by the Republicans?

well....there's more than them but they need to be louder and more forceful.......I still want to see MC rove and company do their impression of the frogmarch......

Somebody check for ice bergs in hell. I just agreed with both Zbig Brezinski and Pat Buchanan ... or they agreed with me only they got the news coverage. Afghanistan is NOT a good idea. There are major problems that could make it an unending slog that would eventually drag us down.

Patsi et al

Yes, that "stuck with" feeling about Obama is pretty bad. I can only hope he is a better man than the actions of his campaign team and spokespeople make him seem, because I'm starting to feel as if I"m signing on the dotted line without a chance to look at the fine print.

Sturg, within your short-list, the only one I'm happy with is Mr Rangel; he's earned the privileged of saying whatever's on his mind.

"I still want to see MC rove and company do their impression of the frogmarch"

The problem is Sturge, it ain't gonna happen, nobody is going to be held acountable. That is becoming more and more obvious. I suspect too many Democrat power people are just as dirty as the Republicans.

Jack

Ya mean ol' Charlie "Rent-Controlled" Rangel? Feingold, whose claim to fame is a bill he co-authored with McCain?

From the damned if you do, damned if you don't file.

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL520037420080726?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews

Who's right and who"s wrong? You make the call. and really isn't there a certain irony in McCain trying to benefit politically by claiming that Obama's decision not to visit the Landstuhl wounded because it would be viewed as a politically motivated visit was politically motivated? I feel like I'm watching rats race on a Mobius strip.

Oh, and Sturg, add Feingold. For some stupid reason my mind had an image of Sen Boxer. Must be galloping dementia.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/07/rangels-rent-control.html

"Rangel, who has a net worth of between $566,000 and $1.2 million, according to his Congressional disclosure filings, paid a total of $3,894 a month in rent in 2007 for the four apartments, The Times reports, and he's using one as a campaign office even though state and city regulations require rent-stabilized apartments to be used as primary residences."

-they're all pigs. Ok, most, though I can't think of any exceptions.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/29/america/military.php

U.S. Air Force plans an expanded role in Iraq

"The commander of U.S. and allied air forces in the Middle East has completed a detailed plan for how air power would be refocused in Iraq if, as is widely anticipated, the number of U.S. ground troops is reduced in the final months of the Bush presidency and beyond."

Well, Americans are driving less & the consequence is: gasoline tax revenue is falling so fast that the federal government may not be able to meet its commitments to states for road projects already under way.

"Drop in miles driven is depleting highway fund; loan from mass transit is urged"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/29transport.html?scp=1&sq=drop%20in%20miles%20driven&st=cse

Short term remedy---Highway Trust Fund would borrow money from the fund's mass transit account

Vehicle miles traveled fell in May by 3.7% from May, 2007. The 7th consecutive month of year to year decline & 9th in the last 12 months.

Oink Oink

"Charles B. Rangel, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is not so caught up in the question of gas mileage. He leases a 2004 Cadillac DeVille for $777.54 a month. The car is 17 feet long with a 300-horsepower engine and seats five comfortably.

“It’s one of the bigger Cadillacs,” Mr. Rangel, of Harlem, said cheerfully this week. “I’ve got a desk in it. It’s like an airplane.”

Mr. Rangel said he frequently offers rides to constituents so they can discuss their concerns in the luxurious confines of his DeVille.

“I want them to feel that they are somebody and their congressman is somebody,” Mr. Rangel explained. “And when they say, ‘This is nice,’ it feels good.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/nyregion/01cars.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin

...leases a 4 year old car for $800 a month. I can lease a new BMW for half that. Pretty flippant with tax dollars, eh? What does he care, he'll just vote to raise them more...

Well, Pogo, I suppose you're right up to the point of the gazillion rationalizations and excuses the Obama Campaign for his not making a visit.

I believe Mr McCain would have to have been stopped with physical force if he were denied the privilege of making such a visit.

And, the extent of notice about a visit should be, "Senator {blank} visited wounded soldiers at Landstuhl today. She was there from 1 PM to 3 PM, After visiting with the soldiers, she expressed some of their concerns with the hospital commander."

good morning gang....

pogo... agree completely on the damned if you do, and damned if you don't thing.....

Obama decided not to visit the wounded troops because it might be viewed as a political stunt..... and that decision is viewed as a political stunt....

I'm no big fan of Obama's..... but I see no reason to criticize him over this....

I'm glad he was so well received in Europe..... my number one reason for voting for Hillary in the primary was because I thought she'd be best for restoring our reputation on the world stage.... I'm not going to fault Obama if he can do likewise....

Pogo

I think you have a miss file
I would file that under "this looks bad so I'd better start spinning" file.
:-)

The "oh I didn't realise that it would look political" statement by Obama is laughable.
As I understand it Obama could have visited the troops, all that was requested was he leave his campaign ontourage behind. His campaign chose not to do that for some reason and canceled the visit. It looks like a stupid decision on his campaigns part. I wonder how many egos were feeling bruised.
:-)

Jack

Champ, that's his mobile office. Works for him and his constituents. Move there and run against him.

Yeah OK Flat. Riiiigghhhttt.

on another note....
I saw Mama Mia last night..... I LOVED it....
haven't had that much fun with a movie in a loooong time...

although I will agree with the critics that say Pierce Brosnan can't sing worth a damn....

if only the euro wasn't so high compared to the dollar.... this movie would send Americans flocking over to Greece..... the scenery was spectacular!

Camp Obama is all over the net. It's starting to feel like The Borg: Resistance Is Futile You Will Be Assimilated.

There are some sites and articles that border on the totally creepy. His campaign might want to try to dampen some of this down before it hits the Obamazombie level. He doesn't deserve that.

Champ

Pete Townshend - Won't Get Fooled Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WYq3iON8KQ

Jack

jack, as I said, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. IMHO he chose the wrong politically motivated looking horn of the dilemma, probably thinking he'd pass between the horns. I bet in retrospect he wishes he had visited Landstuhl. McCain certainly has more bona fides on the issue of wounded troops, having walked a mile in those moccasins, but Obama has visited the wounded at Walter Reed as I understand it. I think it's a silly issue, but it could have been handled better; and I also think McCain's mean ass side is showing by trying to take political advantage of the situation, and is using the wounded troops in a kind of sneaky ass inverse way.

Renee, me, too.

Every other word or message McCain puts out there is about Obama....and usually pretty pathetic. He's playing games using the troops as pawns, that is a huge mistake.

This just provides Obama with more press, and avenues to connect with the American people on non-issues.... and it exposes McCain's pettiness and stupidity.

"McCain's mean ass side is showing by trying to take political advantage of the situation, and is using the wounded troops in a kind of sneaky ass inverse way."

Pogo, I just don't think he suffers hypocrites well or easily.

No no! Bauw bauw bawmp bauw bauw bauw! DIRNT DIRNT DIRNT DIRNT bllllllaaaaaauuuuwwwwn. DIRNT!

flatus, he is one, and on this issue.

"The Short List" as per WAPO.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802364.html?sid=ST2008072802433&pos=list

Obama's possible running mates---pros & cons

1. Timothy M. Kaine
2. Evan Bayh
3. Joseph Biden

Is this what we have been waitng for?

Obamazombie? He, Axelrod and his gang created it, he deserves it.

Good morning all-
Coreen
All I can say about that list..."gak what page is being turned there..."

Hey Champ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rmYlPUgD14

Pogo, one thing for sure, he makes you shrill and irrational. :)

Out of consideration for your feelings, I pledge I will write-in Mrs Clinton's name. Even though it will count for nothing, I will feel better for having done it. And, there will be one less vote for Mr McCain.

Coreen, yes, if it had come from Obama rather than WaPo.

Jah Jah Jah Renee. You rule. I'm learning this song immediately.

Pogo, Flatus,

Whether hyprocrite or not--does the image & message resonate with those middle- America voters, that is all that matters. Pogo-West Virginians?

Obama decided not to visit wounded soldiers while in Germany, but he had time to speak to 200,000 adoring Germans & to work out at a gym.

The Obama campaign is very active on the ground, as well as the net.....Ohio is set up and having events. All you have to do is go to the Obama sight - put in your zip.....and there you go....pick what you want to do....find what's closest, who 's speaking etc.

It is so easy and well organized.....

G Bb C, G Bb C, G Bb C, G Bb C D...

close enough ;^P

Coreen

If that is the real short list, no wonder they aren't making an announcement as yet ... the dull thud of adequate expectations. He has a chance to make it really exciting with the dream tream even if it would upset his leftist crowd or watch half his electorate go to the polls with that sinking (it's better than McCain) feeling.

RR,

I saw it this past weekend and for pure cotton candy fluff, Mama Mia is great fun. The whole audience was roaring in parts and those ending credits. Who cares if Brosnan can sing when just thinking of him in high heels and lame' makes you giggle.

Plus you are right about Greece though I wouldn't want to make that climb to the church. Christine Baranski can still dance and sing.

Pogo
It wasn't really a damned if he did situation. He was already damned. This little visit would have just faded into the bigger picture. This is really true if he had done as the army requested and went alone with no cameras. It would have been two lines in a larger story of the days events.

Somebody in the campaign threw a hissy fit and made a mistake by canceling the visit. The bruised ego is what gave McCain a serious handle on Obama. Now it is a story that can be repeated in the nastiest form possible from now to election day in every swing state with a military base.
And all because some one can't keep a handle on their ego.
Hubris, right?

Jack

Me, shrill? Irrational? I just can't stand his hypocrisy on the issue. I'm surprised you don't see it. :)

And I'm not writing in Hillary, so don't do that on my account. I am of the belief that we should all vote for whoever we think will best serve the needs of the country from among those who have a chance to do so. But I don't begrudge those who vote for whoever they want to for whatever reasons they want to unless they cause the kind of swing Nader caused in FL in '00, then you'll see me get shrill and irrational. :-) (And do you really think your voting for anyone other than McCain will swing SC out of the McCain column? I kinda doubt it. Kind of liberating ain't it?)

I got an email from Amazon this morning suggesting these are books I might like-- made me laught -sums me up pretty well.

Attack the Messenger: How Politicians Turn You Against the Media (American Political Challenges)
by Craig Crawford (already own this one)

Chocolates and Confections: Formula, Theory, and Technique for the Artisan Confectioner
by Peter P. Greweling

I Spy School Days
by Scholastic

Hey jack, like I said, I bet in retrospect he wishes he had chosen the other horn of the dilemma and just dealt with McCain's inevitable charge of the visit being nothing but a political stunt.

Well, have to go work for a while - checkin' in later.

RRRRGGGHHH... Why don't you resent the people who voted for Nader, rather than Nader himself? I just don't get it at all. Is it easier than recognizing the awful campaign Gore ran?

"Uh Dingle Norwood, Lock...Box"

I mean,
BO should be ahead by margins by now!
Come on gang, this is the dems election to lose. If BO is only ahead by 6 points and the machine hasn´t even started I am a little worried for BO.
Be advised that another backlash will happen when the VP name (which will not be HRC) will be mentioned.
Tough times ahead for BO

Allthough I have to say, I enjoyed his speach in Germany. It was a bit of a deja vu, but still I give him high marks for his tone.

"Is it easier than recognizing the awful campaign Gore ran?"

There is that point.
LOL
Best economic times we had ever seen and he runs against it.

Jack

I haven't seen any Obama voters that are even remotely close to ever voting McCain....so "Obama" mania will continue for them no matter what names they are called.

It's the disgruntled repugs, and the undecideds, who are in play here, so what do they see when they look at the two choices?

The core issues are different in the two parties.... just vote the one that best matches up with you beliefs - Or vote for the person you think is best for our country.

pretty simple

Well, you can lead a horse to water...

I'm glad Barak Obama is going to tear down the walls that divide us, including the 700 mile wall "dividing natives and immigrants." Hooray for BO! Even though he voted for it in 2006.

even a thirsty horse, might not drink just to prove a point.....but that's okay.....because in the end, no point is made and the horse is still thirsty.

McCain and his new stance on taxes - that's not going to make the repugs happy....

In case anyone need to provided information on obtaining an absentee ballot , and other voting choices.

http://www.vote411.org/bytopic.php?topicID=10

UB

Half a trillion dollar deficit can make you look at taxes that way.

"McCain backs off his no-new-tax pledge"

Well, at least he did it before the nominating convention and before the general election.

J -unfortunately that is true........may as well get use to the idea right now.

Just think if we were leaders in alternative fuel vehicles, and the whole world purchased American made cars?

walking to work.........ciao

UB

"Just think if we were leaders in alternative fuel vehicles, and the whole world purchased American made cars?"

"Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these... it might have been"

John Greenleaf Whittier

Not with big oil in the drivers seat. literally!

"(And do you really think your voting for anyone other than McCain will swing SC out of the McCain column? I kinda doubt it. Kind of liberating ain't it?)"

Pogo -- that is what made my decision to write in Hillary's name on the Tennessee ballot. It'll go red now. Hillary had a serious chance to win in this state.

See Whitier quote above :)

"His campaign might want to try to dampen some of this down before it hits the Obamazombie level."

Jamie -- I have talked to quite a few people who say that the more they see of this circus, the less they like Obama. And these are people who were on the fence, kind of liked him months back. They weren't supporters, but might have ended up voting for him.

The Berlin speech appears to have bothered some a great deal. I didn't like him acting as though he was already the president....but I'm a little surprised to hear others say it even more forcefully.

Fascinating Gallup/USA Today poll of "likely voters" yesterday. It should get you Demons and Repugs all riled up. Hmmm, McCain up by 4. I suppose Gallup will now get ripped. We independents are smiling ear to ear watching you partisans savage each other.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain moved from being behind by 6 points among "likely" voters a month ago to a 4-point lead over Democrat Barack Obama among that group in the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll. McCain still trails slightly among the broader universe of "registered" voters. By both measures, the race is tight.

The Friday-Sunday poll, mostly conducted as Obama was returning from his much-publicized overseas trip and released just this hour, shows McCain now ahead 49%-45% among voters that Gallup believes are most likely to go to the polls in November. In late June, he was behind among likely voters, 50%-44%.

Obama the Indonesian: ‘Citizen of the World’?

"... there is now a growing body of evidence suggesting that Barack Obama has held, and perhaps still holds, citizenship in multiple countries.

Dual citizenship raises troubling questions under the Constitution about the conflicting allegiances a POTUS and Commander-In-Chief could possess — a conflict that the Founding Fathers envisioned and sought to prevent.

... a two part series by Judah Benjamin challenging the Constitutionality of Obama’s bid for the Presidency based on the dual-citizenship problem."

http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/obama-the-indonesian-citizen-of-the-world/

What's all this noise about the new two-deck A380? Sheesh, nothing new there. I flew a two-decker to Vietnam back in '65:
http://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/c-124_globemaster_ii.pl

The aircraft, the Globemaster II was affectionately know as 'old shakey'. Although passengers didn't think much of the plane, the flight crews liked it because it had a tremendously large flight deck and lots of creature comforts like bunks and that sort of thing.

So, Airbus, take your A380 and shove it; we were already there fifty years ago.

"Not with big oil in the drivers seat. literally!"

Rez -- I know an oil guy in Texas...and one time a few years back I asked him if something-or-other was "about oil." He said, "It's always about oil."

"The Berlin speech appears to have bothered some a great deal. I didn't like him acting as though he was already the president....but I'm a little surprised to hear others say it even more forcefully."

Patsi, if you slide over just a little, I bet there's room for me. and maybe a couple more of us, on your soapbox.

No disagreement from me. It floats our boats.

The father of a good friend I visited in CA in the late 60s was working on a gasoline carburator that was testing 45+ MPG. He was getting some slack from some lawyers representing the oil industry and I remember him saying that technology like his was of a big concern to them. He died some 5 years in the mid 70s. I assume his partners cashed in on their work.

GOP will tuesday connect Reid,Pelosi, Obama to No on offshore drilling - good article.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080729/pl_politico/12130

" if you slide over just a little, I bet there's room for me. and maybe a couple more of us, on your soapbox."

Ha! You got it!

Julie

Why is this a bad thing?

Great cartoon, Obama and the media:

http://cartoonbox.slate.com/hottopic/?image=9&topicid=114

Gotta sign off...my most spoiled cat, Faron Young, is pulling his "let's take a nap" act. He jumps up and bats my hands away from the laptop, then jumps down and starts for the door to the hall. Then if I don't follow, he jumps back up and bats me in the face. He likes company during his morning nap. And I'm nerdy enough to accommodate him.

"Why is this a bad thing"

It is not for the Republicans.
For the democrats it feeds into the meme going around. "The democrats think it OK for us to pay these high gas prices."

Jack

"Great cartoon, Obama and the media"

Patsi, there were a bunch of them that were good!

Jamie
the republicans are going to use the no drilling offshore against the democrats. Tying Obama, Reid and pelosi together as no offshore drilling means higher gas prices and therefore the republicans look good and the democrats look sleazy.
Now Pelosi is backfiring with she is trying to save the environment.

julie

How about the Democrats think we can either get off the oil teat now or we can do it later.

Now is hard
Later may be too late.

BTW, I'm actually for dropping the Federal gas taxes if they can come up with some way to make up the difference for transportation (read mass transit) infrastructure. If it is combined with encouragement to drive less it would ease the impact of these prices on people who have to work for a living.

Julie

Just have to keep hollering that they have approved oil leases that they are not drilling. It is a simple matter of use what you have before you come begging for more.

The answer is consume less-whether that means invest in infrastructure, develop live work communities, ride share, alternative fuels....improve mileage....etc. all actions and programs have to work towards the same goal of consuming less petroleum.

does off-shore drilling do that?......NO

Jamie....
yeah.... the ending scenes with the credits were a scream.... thanks, harborW, for the heads up on staying in your seat....

I'm on a weird schedule starting this Thursday..... my fair runs from Aug 2nd through Aug 10th..... I won't be able to keep up with the posts and I may or may not post..... depends how tired I am at the end of the day....

you're all entitled to your opinions..... I've just decided to stop looking at only the negatives concerning this election..... I'm naturally gregarious.... and LOVE to joke around and laugh.... need to get into a good mood for my fair.....

"put the highway fund at risk. "

Isn't that an even better reason to come up with another source of revenue to direct funds to the needed infrastructure. The whole idea is to get people to switch from fossil fuels to other modes of transportation.

During the changeover (natural gas, electric, mass transit whatever), people are getting hurt. They are having trouble supporting their families. The ones being hurt most are those living on the margin of the poverty line with higher prices at the grocery store and the gas station.

Gotta love the name of their party; I D-ing themselves as radical.

"...the right-wing Serbian Radical Party..."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080729/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_karadzic

I think there are people who are taking matters into their own hands, changing their life style, maybe moving closer to their work when able,or switching jobs.....I know not everyone can do that, but those that can will benefit.

Most us realized the days of cheap gas are gone.

TJI
Stevens - AK INDICTED

We might get to 60 seats yet .:-)

When you realize just how much damage the Bush administration has caused, it seriously makes one want to scream.

How anyone can support and reward the republican party with their vote is beyond me.

RR

Jump over to my blog. I've got a modern love story for you.

Well, I'd love to see a 4-day work week & flex hours for driving at off-peak times...and permanent daylight savings time.

Shouldn't we be moving manufacturing back to this country? With oil prices so high, aren't those freighters full of stuff from China a less economical way to go these days?

I bought a frozen, spinach pizza the other week. When I got it home I noticed that is said "product of Italy." Why? It was the private label store brand for goodness sake. How was outsourcing frozen pizza a good business move & how much fuel was spent shipping it around the world?

Will high transportation costs bring back manufacturing jobs?

Blue,

You are right that government should be doing as much as they can to encourage businesses to bring back manufacturing close to the people. When it becomes more profitable to make something here than it does to ship something from thousands of miles away, then manufacturing will come home.

"penny wise, pound foolish. Where do you suggest we make up the difference, borrow more money from China?"

Oh and you are never ever snarky and catty.

"What a bitchy thing to say, shame on you. "

She hit too close to the truth?

why can't we do this?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/29/tax.energy

actually pelosi was all for a windfall tax back in nov. 2006 (but it had to do with stocks, not oil). http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/pelosi.asp

Many people moved to the outskirts, because they could get more home for their money. A studied was done a while back, that said they actually have a lower quality of life due to amount of time in commuting.....some upwards of 4 hours a day....now add high gas prices to that equation.....urban sprawl has never been a good thing

Tubes Stevens' NYT report.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-usa-crime-stevens.html

Really, could that happen to a nicer guy?

UB

If you knew how much I hate Urban Sprawl. The air turns blue when it becomes a subject for discussion. The earliest suburbs were much more densely packed. The farther out they went, the bigger the houses and yards with less and less business associations.

We need to get back to mixed use that allows people to actually live as a community and not isolated refugees.

Jamie, talking about manufacturing that is currently in this country, I see two tremendous problems. Expatriation and domestic relocation.

Taking only the second problem, from what I've seen, companies typically receive a stimulus package of incentives that entice them to relocate to a particular area. The package is an economic windfall for the company. But, like all good things, they expire after a number of years.

The expiration date of the stimulus package generally coincides with the economic life of the developed resource, So, the company goes shopping once again.

Someone is always willing to do a great deal. The company relocates again leaving community #1 with a blighted manufacturing area, diminished tax base, unemployment, and disillusionment.

That's our American system. It really sux. Depressing, eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJhM6_gZKV8

champ, getting back to your 10:05, I do. It's not an either - or situation.

Here's the problem, JP -- for some of us, both choices are poor.

We had a shot at having a president who would fight for us, and she got elbowed out of the way by the Chicago mob.

Posted by: Patsi | July 29, 2008 7:50 AM

I understand the issue and how you feel Patsi, but given two choices that are not stellar, what is the answer? I am motivated mostly by similar stances by the Obama camp with those by Mrs. Clinton. Hillary was attacked constantly as being too centrist, and now the gang that was attacking her has also seemed to move upfront and center. The larger issue is important. If we are angry at the Obama campaign, do we stay angry to the point of letting the Repugs retain the White House? I can't think of an uglier scenario. This week I am quite disillusioned by the veep discussion coming out of Obama HQ... truly... Hillary has worked as hard or even more for the nomination, and I think real unity would suggest at least offering her the position.

I am down.

Tom

if only the euro wasn't so high compared to the dollar.... this movie would send Americans flocking over to Greece..... the scenery was spectacular!

Posted by: RebelliousRenee | July 29, 2008 9:36 AM

And I live in Europe, but I have so many taxes and social costs to pay right now, and there is inflation that's unbelievable, that a trip to Greece just isn't possible! Hell a trip further than Brussel is probably not possible! :D

blue, I have to admit your example of outsourcing has me chuckling. I'm not one to complaain when the store brand pizza I buy ends up being Italian. My guess is that it is not an example of outsourcing as much as it is an example of global purchasing. I draw a distinction between products once made here in factories that close and move their manufacturing operations overseas to capitalize on tax incentives and cheap labor and those purchasing decisions that involve overseas products that are simply open market contracts and purchases, particularly when the products are not from developing countries with reputatrions for poor working conditions and wages - and when it comes to pizza, Italy doesn't strike me that way.

Jamie your comment re: the brooms was funny. I thought the photo was funny too, but in the context I thought it was mean... but yet funny. Does that make sense?

More on the Stevens indictment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/washington/30stevens.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1217354474-64xNpAlUA4d7lARb7S8CUQ

heheheh.

ET,

Mrs Clinton didn't make any significant changes to her positions from the start to the end of her campaign. Mr Obama has been like a whirling dervish, shifting positions constantly.

RR, if you're lurking: Have a great fair next week and sell out everything!

Iranian Pres Amadinejad held meeting of the non aligned movement countries. He says the Big Powers are coming down. India is a member of this NAM group. My goodness, I thought India economy was now booming because of us. guess I was unaware India was not a NATO country.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080729/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_ahmadinejad

Jamie, I thought it was clever that he found the photo. In the context it made me laugh but your message to Patsi made me laugh even more. First class!

A Rand study on the incidence of Al Qaeda attacks since 1995. If this is a benchmark in the war on terror, it's hard to say we're winning it and keep a straight face.

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/on-al-qaeda-good-news-and-bad-news/index.html?hp

"In making their case, the RAND authors assert that American efforts since the Sept. 11 attacks have been a mixed bag. They bottom-line it this way in layman’s terms:

"The good news about countering Al Qaeda is that its probability of success in actually overthrowing any governments is close to zero.

"[…] The bad news is that U.S. efforts against Al Qaeda have not been successful.

"As evidence, the study notes that the number of Al Qaeda attacks worldwide — excluding Iraq and Afghanistan — had increased after 9/11 and spiked last year to nearly double the previous high. Iraq and Afghanistan were excluded, and so were any strikes by groups without “probable” connections to Osama bin Laden’s organization."

Oh, wait, of course the surge has made it safer in Iraq, but Iraq isn't part of the GWOT, or is it? I forget, but it's not in the study. I guess it depends on who you ask, and when. Didn't Cheney, or was it Dumya or Rumsfeld, or all of them, tell us that OBL and AQ had been rendered weak and ineffective by the conflated Iraq war and war on terror? Maybe not so much.

Here is an opinion piece found in the San Francisco Chronicle written by a D Liberal female stating what I, a Conservative R, have been saying since the coronation of the new Messi-Uh. It is good to see that not all D females are marching in lockstep to their party's marching orders.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/29/EDCC120QOH.DTL

Pogo

Are you talking about Al Qaeda , the brand or Al Qaeda, the organization.
The brand is going strong.

Jack

Jamie,
"When it becomes more profitable to make something here than it does to ship something from thousands of miles away, then manufacturing will come home."

Somethings are, e.g. Toyota, Honda, Nissan are made here in the US. When Ford, GM, and Chrysler separate themselves from the UAW, they too will become profitable, and they must get rid of the monster style SUV's which get about 12 miles to the gallon and start working on more fuel efficient vehicles. But there are something which will never return to the US. such as electronics. TV, radios, VCR's, etc. clothing, footwear.

Fry - from that article-
"We are disgusted with the party we have long trusted to represent our interests. We are disgusted with ourselves for being snookered - again."

I don't feel that way. Maybe it's because I never had that kind of faith in either political party.

Pogo,

The AQ attacks may have spiked, but they have spiked in countries where the respective government has little control.
1 person with 100 pounds of ammonia nitrate packed in the trunk of the car can kill 200+ people if planned correctly. So to say AQ attacks have been on the up-tick is sort of misleading in that the size and scope of the attacks have been greatly diminished.

unlikely_burrito

I wasn't aware you were a female. Are you? And it did say all D females, but there are plenty of them, including some right here on this blog.

Sorry that should have read, "And it didn't say", not "it did say"

Listening to New Yorkers discuss earthquakes is hilarious. Don't they have anyone from California on staff?

5.8 and from description it was of the hard jerk type rather than a roller. If that's all there is, a good time was had by all.

Note to people above second story: The buildings are built to sway like that.

If it's a precursor, then things might get interesting.

If you just get after shocks, "Did the earth move for you to?"

ET

What the hell are you staying in Europe for with all the high taxes and social costs. You could run a gas station and lose money right here in the good old USA.

"electronics. TV, radios, VCR's, etc. clothing, footwear. "

I can actually invisage across border industries for these rather than importation from Asia.

Mexico has actually lost business to China, Korea etc. If these come back then that would improve their economy which would mean less illegal immigration.

At some point these corporations are going to have to come to terms with paying a living wage while cutting back some on officer compensation and dividends (nothing wrong with profit, but some have gotten completely assinine).

You can't price your products low enough that people without jobs and homes can afford to buy them. If Henry Ford could figure that out, maybe Marriott and McDonalds will catch up eventually.

pogo,

"tell us that OBL and AQ had been rendered weak and ineffective by the conflated Iraq war and war on terror?"

Aq in Iraq have been weaken, and have pretty much given up that fight to fight us (the West) in Afghanistan.

China is on heighten alter and fears there maybe an attack during the Olympics by AQ idealist. I hope there are no attacks during the Olympics, as China will retaliate in such a way as to make what happen it Tiananmen Square look like a fire drill. China has a pretty good size Muslim population in it's western section, and I would believe they will take the blunt force by the Chinese Army for any attacks during the Olympics.

Just felt a big earthquake here in southern Cal.

My floor was shaking and things were rattling.

The quake was centered only a few miles from me. Creepy feeling.

It's shake and bake time in California - fires and earthquake --good thing there are other reasons to live here.

Fry & jack, I'd have to say ask the RAND corp. which AQ their study deals with. It's their study and they gathered the data. Seems to suggest that AQ, the brand (or the organization - aside from GWOT apologists, I'm not sure the two are as distinguishable as they suggest). Care to provide a link to some info that supports your "the respective government has little control" (contrasting the last 6 years with the first) and "size and scope of the attacks have been greatly diminished" statements, Fry? Excluding the WTC attacks of 9/11 (and of course Dumya's wholly unsupported statements about having the enemy on the run, winning the war on terror, etc.), I haven't seen anything substantive that supports those assertions.

Jamie, your comment about Mexico - Fender Guitars is a great example of that.

ET -- the witch photo didn't bother me a but. I would so much rather be a bitch/witch than a fool.

Patsi,

"the day that as a Democrat, I am not allowed to question our party's
candidate is the day our party is doomed."

Truer words were never spoken.

Fry, it's a classic tale of ramming a stick into the hornet's nest, and both AQ and us having done that to each others' nest. And again, your assertion about AQI - which did not exist FAIAP before we invaded Iraq under false pretenses - having given up the fight in Iraq to fight us in Afghanistan - aside from being unsupported - is cold comfort at best. No one said they are stupid - they fight us where we are less numerous. Duh.

Patsi,

I'm starting to really like the sound of

bitches, witches, and shrews - Oh My!

There's a song in there somewhere.

FryDaddy,
Thanks for article from San Fran Dem. Yes, I feel exactly the same way.

Seems like all the news today is gloomy. Bad enough being a monday, but gloomy news also..lol.

Deficit will be one - half of a TRILLION dollars when GWB leaves office.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/07/28/national/w063102D15.DTL

julie

Really enjoyed reading everyones posts today, but still haven't caught up with them all.

Reg.: "The ones being hurt most are those living on the margin of the poverty line with higher prices at the grocery store and the gas station. Posted by:Jamie July 29, 2008 12:29 PM

Jamie,
I agree that the one's living on the margin of poverty ALWAYS have it rougher in all aspects of their lives. Actually though, in this gas crisis, I think everyone is being equally hurt. Truck drivers (going out of business in record numbers and maybe losing everything), all retailers, most small businesses, as well as all of the middle class are suffering together in this one.

It's impossible to think of anyone it hasn't hurt, aside from oil people. The cost of EVERYTHING has gone up at a mind boggling speed, except real estate. And that particular detail has hurt home owners even more (insult to injury).

We're all in this one together.

Love Blues idea of "4-day work week & flex hours for driving at off-peak times". I see incentives (any way the government can guide us in beneficial ways), as the governments main job. They need to be less involved in ours lives, and more involved in adding a helping hand moving us in a beneficial direction in more creative ways than they've found so far.

Fry, I gotta run, but I want you to understand that it's not that I believe what you say is false, it's just too much like what the fool on the hill has said since the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, most evidence rported to the contrary, to take assertions like that at face value without credible support. You know how this all works - unless you can back up what you are saying, it's just words in a blog.

Renee,
Going to miss you being here.
At least drop in to let us know how your fair's going.

And Patsi,
Loved the story about your spoiled cat. Sounds so much like mine. The problem with them trying to interfere when you're typing on your laptop is that they often catch the keys with their claws. I have the laptop to prove it. And getting a new keyboard ain't cheap. But they're worth it.

USGS Earthquake map

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/

Jamie,

"Mexico has actually lost business to China, Korea etc"

Exactly! Mexico was doing very well in the begining, then when workers salary's began to increase so did the cost of making the products, so Mexico did what we did and sent it off-shore. In this case Asia. First it was China, Korea, then Thailand, then Laos, then Vietnam. India manufacturing cost is above that of Vietnam's, so I would think pretty soon manufacturing jobs will eventuality ended up on the African continent.

I know the arguments about big corporations seeking cheap labor to increase their profit margins. But cheap labor in poor countries does several things. First is provides them with a job and money. True not a lot of money by our standards but $1 or $2 dollars a day is more than they were making. And most families in these countries pool the family's money. So if husband, wife and children are working, all that money goes into the family saving's pot. It will buy them the necessities, and it will be used to send the children off to school. And it keeps the cost down which benefits us the buyer.

Why is name calling necessary in order to disagree with someone?

" it's that you've made a vocation of bashing! "

Just the crap that you emit....

"I have never told anyone what to think, nor have I told anyone on this, or any blog, how to interpret other peoples' posts. "

No, UB, all you do is throw out a passive aggressive line like, "I just don't know HOW any evil person could vote for anyone but the New Jesus. I would NEVER be so stupid, despite the fact that I haven't given politics a thought in all my years, and am TRYING to get the time to know a black person."

Somebody shoot me now.

"vocation of bashing"

That was the job of Obama surrogates, in regard to Hillary Clinton, throughout the primary, wasn't it?

The really nice people are letting the really mean people lead them in a really bad direction.

"The problem with them trying to interfere when you're typing on your laptop is that they often catch the keys with their claws. I have the laptop to prove it. And getting a new keyboard ain't cheap. But they're worth it."

YES, Chloe! I ended up giving away a laptop with several keys missing!

Marcia -- are you and yours okay? After reading yoru post I tuned to the news.....

Pogo,

Well after 9-11, we had attacks in Bali, London, Madrid, and back to London again. Had several attempts here in the US that were stopped dead in their tracks, and one out of the UK involving blowing up airliners over the US cities. There is no doubt that, that attack would have surpassed 9-11 in deaths. Doesn't take a army to carry off such attacks, just a few true believers. AQ has a deep bench of true believers to pick from, plus they have the element of time on their side. It was almost 10 years from the first WTC bombing till 9-11. If you added up all the major AQ attacks world wide they do not surpass the attack on 9-11, both in number of dead, and cost to rebuild what they were able to destroy.

Things are pretty clear from where I'm sitting.

Champ,
Have you narrowed down your destination states?

Hi Patsi,

Yes. We're fine. Thanks for asking. I have been through worse quakes in southern Cal. But, truthfully, I never get used to them. And I do live right near the San Andreas fault line where the really big one is suppose to hit sometime
in the next ten years. There's a feeling of helplessness when experiencing
a quake that is frightening.

Hi Marcia,
I remember those quakes well. (Lived in California most of my life). But I never spent much time worrying about them. The little ones became so common, we hardly noticed. Where we are now, it's all about the storms. Nothing in Ca. would ever prepare you for the storms here.

Sure you wanna get me fired up? I got nowhere to be for the next couple hours...

Uh, I dunno, Chlo, I'll head out to OR to visit some friends, maybe stop in TX for the same. I've been just about everywhere in the US I want to except Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, hence the curiosity.

OH

You mean there is a set ?

Jack

Champ,
When choosing, it's important to think what is most important to you. With me it is weather, economy, work. I also always need to live reasonably close to the ocean. Don't know why, except I always have. But it was important to me when we moved.

But, it sounds like you have the time to experiment and move around for a while. What fun.

ET

What the hell are you staying in Europe for with all the high taxes and social costs. You could run a gas station and lose money right here in the good old USA.

Posted by: Bowmanc | July 29, 2008 2:59 PM

Excellent health care... Beyond that, I was thinking maybe of returning, but then I have a relationship and the USA is still pesky toward same sex couples, especially one who is not American, immigrating from abroad.

where u at chlo?

Tom,
Don't know how long you've been gone, but the U.S. has changed for the better toward same sex couples. Depending on the city you choose.

"the U.S. has changed"

chloe

But not the Immigration folks from what I hear.

Jack

North of Houston. I hear all the things people say about Texas and laugh. And they were true when we got here 15 years ago. But now, it's more like California (and several other states) than the Texas stories you hear. The economy here has only gotten better the longer we live here. The people have moved in from California and many other states, and things are so much more liberal and up to date. No state taxes, and to be honest, i love the way this state governs. Never looked back.

B,

At least you acknowledge that I have a right to vote for whomever I
choose. By the way, your snarky comments don't help win supporters for Obama,
if that's part of your objective.

ps.
maybe things got better because W. has been gone for 8 years!

Hey chump, pick on someone your own size.

And if you want to get into psychoanalysis, I could have a frickin' field day with you. So keep up the smack talk, I dare ya.

Chloe,

Where are you living now? What kind of storms?

I also live in an area in California where there are horrible, raging brush fires every two or three years. We've had to evacuate several times.

But, there is no perfect city, I guess. Does anyone think that they live in
the perfect place? I wonder.

Champ to whom are you speaking?

Not you, Tom. Don't worry about it.

That's exactly why a craven coward like you chooses this venue to spout your rage against the humanity you claim to love, yet inherently despise. You're nothing but a miserable bully, of the most transparent sort. I'd love to hear you run your mouth in person like you do in here, but you're too scared to walk out your front door and interact with real humans.

Marcia,
No. There are no perfect places.
But there are places that most suit your needs, depending on what they are.

The storms are lots of rain (nothing in Ca to compare), unbelievable lightning and thunder (louder than you can imagine). High humidity too. Because of that, very few fires. (I remember the fires there too). But we loved living in California. Our best memories are there. Can't beat the weather there either. Left for the economy here. We don't get tornado's where we are though. Not much danger here.

friends, friends, and you ARE my friends... let us not delve into flame throwing wars in the blog. Smile, shake hands, kisses and the like. and may the force be with you!

Champ, I feel silly asking this, but are you aware of how brilliant you are? To me, reading your posts is amazing. Especially since you're so young. I'm usually sitting here with my mouth hanging open, because I'm so taken with the insight you have.

How old is champ?

"Smile, shake hands, kisses and the like"

or ignore.

Here is a question which I have absolutely no idea what the truth is. There is actually several parts to this 1 central theme.

If Hurricane Katrina hit a bit more to the west, New Orleans would probably be a city no more. Fortunately that didn't occur, but still the damage done was pretty horrific. The attacks of 9-11 cause unmanageable destruction. This isn't to cast blame on anyone, but does anyone know for sure how much money has been spent by the federal government to date just on these 2 tragic events?

The other part of this central theme question is this. A lot of attention has been brought as to what the federal government did and didn't do right in New Orleans, and that after almost 3 years there is still much to be done. But what happens to these towns and cities in the mid-west that constantly get flooded or wiped off the face of the map by a tornado. I never hear anything be reported on their rebuilding progress, why do you think that is? How much federal money goes into these rebuilding projects?

I live in a perfect place....but I am sure I'll be called something for that comment as well... how dare anyone be happy.

Patsi,
Let's just not speak to each other.....I have been honest, I admit I am a political novice, I admit I don't know black people, and you take my honesty and turn it into an insult.....thanks but no thanks. Pick your next victim, it's not going to be me.

You bore me. Enjoy Karma, it's comin'...

ok well I am out of here... it's 10:45 pm and I am tired and need sleep

Goodnight one and all....

TRY not to play ping pong insults back and forth. You KNOW it drives Craig crazy!

Thanks chloe. I like you, too.

And don't put too much stock in intelligence. Just another contrived device to segregate the populace. Not for nuthin'.

Karma's built in to our existence.

It's not that I put stock in intelligence. It's just that i really enjoy it.

Have mine, then. I'm kind of done with it.

Obama-Clinton Ticket Is Seen as Unlikely

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/politics/29dems.html?_r=1&bl&ex=1217476800&en=8f738be5ba496284&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin

"The feeling goes both ways. Mrs. Clinton has told associates in recent days that she thinks there is little chance Mr. Obama will pick her and that she views the public pronouncements by some of Mr. Obama’s aides that she is under review as nothing more than a courtesy."

wish it were that easy.

Chloe,

Those storms you describe sound really ominous, but I imagine you get
used to them. I think of moving from California, but I don't know where
I'd like to live other than here. I'm close to the beach, the mountains, the
desert. But, it's so expensive to live in California. I can understand why
you left, because the economy here isn't very good anymore for the
average person.

Chloe....
I'll miss everyone (well.... almost) here too.....

but I'll be back.... I've been doing this fair for 17 yrs..... the third time while on this blog..... I'm still here.....

pmarcia..... so glad you're alright....

and I LOVE where I live..... southwestern NH is a great place to live if you don't mind winters..... we're a couple hrs drive from the mountains..... the same with the ocean..... we have a great airport only 45 minutes from us that will fly us anywhere in the world..... and I have deer, wild turkeys, bears, moose, coyotes, and lots of birds right here in my yard.... and yes.... I do LOVE winter.... so for me it's almost perfect.... and my hubby feels the same way......

Hey there peps! Can I fly with you or is this a private coven?

Bwwaahhahaha!

Hey Tom
I sense things in the U.S. are getting better for same sex couples.My friends Ismael and Clinton just got married in California again so things are looking up for us.I don't know as Jack said about immigration and your partner?I wonder if Mass. and California having gay marriages has forced immigration to recognize same sex couples in some way? I know of course every state is different.Here in Florida we are not allowed to adopt or marry and I doubt that changes any time soon if ever.I'm keeping my head held high and hoping for better days ahead.Come on home if you can.....

Sounds like heaven Renee.

July 29, 2008
Gallup Daily: Obama 47%, McCain 41%Obama’s surge appears to have peaked

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama's lead over John McCain, having reached a nine percentage point margin a few days ago, has been reduced for the second Gallup report in a row, and is now at a 6-point, 47% to 41%, margin among registered voters in Gallup Poll Daily tracking conducted July 26-28.

." I'm close to the beach, the mountains, the desert. "

Know what you mean Marcia.
Hard to beat.

Renee,

I hope you come back after your fair.

And about cities:

I'm glad some people love the city where they live. Perhaps there are
no perfect cities, just cities that are perfect for some people.

FD

"And it keeps the cost down which benefits us the buyer. "

Unless the jobs for all the people who have previously worked at manufacturing, assembly lines etc. disappear.

There has to be a balance. Even good ol' Adam Smith new that there had to be an ethical base in the treatment of labor or Capitalism would fail.

Sorry Gordon Gecko but Greed Is Not Good.

see ya tomorrow

I am a feeling a little pissy today about Tim Kaine going for the VEEP slot. Here is what I would like to say to him: Whatever, Tim. I can't think of a single thing you've done for Virginia. You've never been able to take on the GOP and you haven't been able to work with them either. You've been trading on your wife's name all this time but you've accomplished exactly zip. zip, zip. Our counties are failing, the schools are going down the rat hole and for all that aggro we're still sitting in traffic in NOVA. So go on with your bad self, Mr. Kaine and just take that VEEP job if Obama is dumb enough to offer it to you -- you surely won't be a threat to him. For that we Virginians will have to endure a nasty right-wing Lt. Gov. taking your place while you climb your own career ladder. Great. Good riddance, Tim Kaine.

"Can I fly with you or is this a private coven? "

Just fire up your broom. We're cross training with the Blue Angels this afternoon.

Yeeehawww! Jamie! Can't wait to show off my vapor trails to those jet jockeys.

Nap time will make you feel better when you're cranky.

John McCain says 'no' to raising taxes

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign30-2008jul30,0,5820215.story

"SPARKS, Nev. -- Republican John McCain today ruled out raising taxes if he is elected president, and rejected suggestions that he had flip-flopped on the issue."

[McCain] He went a step further in an interview Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Asked about payroll tax increases, McCain said: "There is nothing that's off the table. . . . I don't want tax increases. But that doesn't mean that anything is off the table."

hard to follow McCain's tax position at this point.....

"I admit I am a political novice, I admit I don't know black people, and you take my honesty and turn it into an insult....."

Then stop trying to gain some sort of cosmic superiority.

Alicia -- grab a broom and head out with us!

hey Divalicious Alicia.....

yeah.... all that about Tim Kaine...... plus he has the strangest eye brow on the planet.....

YES!..... brooms for all us Clintonistas....... saddle up!

Jamie, Patsi, Alicia, Renee,

I'd like to apply to the witchy coven, too. My broom just had a tune-up and
is stealth--mock 4. I wear a flak jacket in case of sneak attacks.

Now for all you BHO's family history buffs, here is another half-brother to go along with the other half-brother I brought to your attention last week. This new half-brother is currently working in China, export business I believe. Wonder how many more half-siblings have yet to surface? You know, they are starting to pop-up like mushrooms now aren't they.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4406813.ece

" I wear a flak jacket in case of sneak attacks. "

Ha! Good idea,,,,

What's the old saying if the broom fits?

Better make sure those are strong brooms.

My dogs are crying, which means it is time to feed them.

Beware,The Witches of Trail Mix are gathering. . .

You're right in there with the rest of us bitches, Julie!

The hauntingly menacing journalist , Robert Novack, who outed Valarie Plame, has a brain tumor and won't be writing for the Washington Post anymore.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802476.html?nav=slate

Here's to all my witchy sisters on the C-List. Goddesses all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nJsYt83B6E&feature=related

This is getting to be too much fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKAH_t0aXA

Or we can swing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCLZHgJEF3s

"The hauntingly menacing journalist , Robert Novack, who outed Valarie Plame, has a brain tumor and won't be writing for the Washington Post anymore."

Only an evil witch would delight in the suffering of others.

Reid may shortchange August break with "pro forma" sessions
Reid is considering simply adjourning Friday for the weekend and scheduling very short "pro forma" sessions throughout the August recess. The move would not only prevent President Bush from making recess appointments on controversial executive nominations, it would short circuit efforts by Senate Republicans who would like to filibuster any adjournment resolution in the Senate on Friday night.

Paulson to confer with Obama down homestretch
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has agreed to confer with Barack Obama, the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee, about developments in the financial markets during the homestretch of his campaign against Republican John McCain, an Obama aide said Tuesday.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/

Novak hit an elderly (age 86!) homeless pedestrian last week and seemed not to be aware that he hit the man. A guy on a bicycle caught up with Novak and put his bike in front of Novak's car to keep him there until the police came.

Novak seemed to be pretty shook up by it. Now he has a brain tumor? Sad. The pedestrian is okay and seemed to be forgiving of Novak.

here's my favorite witch song....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4jl-Q8dfxo

and here's another.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaQA5d2x8MQ

Yes! Renee -- Those are great witchy songs. Love, love, love it.

And for some more swing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNiIjKrn47E&feature=related

Not all witches are bad!

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

If we keep this up you know what we are going to need?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AdDF_uq-rE

Does that thing about the Treasury Secretary conferring with Obama during his campaign homestretch seem odd to anyone else. Or does it just mean that he'll confer with McCain if McCain chooses to?

Sinatra - Bewitched,bothered and bewildered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doLZhviTdvk&feature=related

McCain is cancer-free
"Senator McCain visited the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, yesterday for a routine check of his dermatological health," said Michael Yardley, the clinic's director of public affairs. "The biopsy that was performed did not show any evidence of skin cancer. No further treatment is necessary.

veep gossip

Kansas tv stations sure are ratcheting up Sebelius possibility for Obama veep. But today someone else was also mentioned, I missed the name, but what was interesting was I had not heard of anyone else in Kansas being considered.
Also Bill Bradley today said no. If you remember Bradley touted Obama to the high heavens during primary. Now I wonder if he was really for Obama or just against Mrs. Clinton.
julie

Daily pill that halts Alzheimer's is hailed as 'biggest breakthrough against disease for 100 years'

"A daily capsule of rember, as the drug is known, stops Alzheimer’s disease progressing by as much as 81 per cent...Those taking rember did not experience any significant decline in their mental function over 19 months.."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1039677/Daily-pill-halts-Alzheimers-hailed-biggest-breakthrough-disease-100-years.html

Chloe,

Both Obama and McCain are sitting Senators. As such they have the right to request meetings with Administration appointees. Those type of meetings go one with a fair amount of frequency and certainly their expertise would be available to probable Presidential nominees. Most of the time, they would happen behind the scenes.

What is odd is the announcement of the meeting. It does smack a bit of that fine line he is having to walk between looking to be Presidential caliber for people who don't pay as much attention as we do and looking a little too presumptious.

I have to wonder how much of this "look at me I'm being Presidential" is him and how much is his campaign. They may want to cool it a bit. He can be confident and self assured without looking cocky.

Richard Cohen in WaPo wrote a pretty tough piece on the subject.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802464.html

"You flatter yourself Jamie!"

Once upon a time and I have a good memory even if the body is shot. : - )

For any others interested in down loadable photos and artwork (for your blog site or whatever, including animals), Mary Kitt-Neel directed me to a nice site ( it has lots of animal pictures, as well as many others). http://morguefile.com/

Then again, maybe everyone but me already knew about it.

Thanks Jamie.
You solved the mystery for me.

Chloe,

That is a great site, but people might want to use this direct link to the archives

http://morguefile.com/archive/?MORGUEFILE=vdhbknlo6ed4eea21la2h8ejn2

Also, do you know how to do Google Image searches and copy to your files? If not, I can walk you through it.

No, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd do that.
But right now I can't stay. Thanks.

here is Obama's VP choice

http://thewizardofoz.warnerbros.com/movie/cmp/photos/photo5.html

Marie Laveau - VooDoo Queen - Music by Dr. John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb8DlC3utYE

Gee Bowman,

Are you an honorary Clintonista? :-)

Another Man Done GOne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx3Ws9yWGdI&feature=related

Sorry if this has already been posted , but wanted tohe gang here to see it.

Hi folks: Momma E has the scope of the year. She will reveal it tonight on the No Obama Talk show. This is a story that will rock Obama boat and maybe sink it. I can tell you one thing, all the major news networks will be carrying the story tomorrow, but you can hear it on our show 1st.
The time for the show is 8:30 to 10:00 pm Eastern, 7:30 to 9:00 pm central, 6:30 to 8:00 pm mountain and 5:30 to 7:00 pm Pacific time.
\YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW.
Also Plains Radio Network is adding a new show to our line up. Malcolm Cain will start doing a 30 minute music/talk show just prior to the No Obama talk show. This is aimed at our young people. Malcolm is the young man who interviewed me a few weeks back and did a great job and now I think he need his own show. Also Keith Hammons will have us on 4 radio station in Al. shortly. With the radio station and the Internet, we will be reaching over 100,000 people with this show.

To listen to the show live (or a repeat) click on this link. http://www.hcsfjm.com/chat.html.
You will find a chat room there also, so join in the chat. All you have to do it type in a user name and click connect. It will take about 30 second to load up.

REMEMBER TONIGHT IS THE STORY OF THE YEAR FROM MOMMA E. BE THE 1ST IN THE COUNTRY TO KNOW WHAT HILLARY CLINTON IS GOING TO DO.

I don’t hear a fat lady even warming up for Hillary.

whats thou sayest?

I don't know about you Mr. Fish, but I plan to watch the debut of the new season on the Sci Fi channel. Probably more realistic.

I mudst eyten dein broke forst.....because dein borguses might broiken dein steinderndernsts.......

Steinberg the Irishman from palestine

Jamie

I was going to play the Bobby Bare, Marie Laveau but after listening to the Doctor John song it was like following fine wine with Thunderbird. If you didn't listen to it the Doctor John song was very good. It was also a different song.

Jack

got froken zie out did zie?

btw I'm going back and enjoying the youtube clips. I Love that clip from the witchs of eastwick.
Thanks everybody.

Jack

Jack

I listened to the Dr. John. He's one of my favorites that I have loaded on my Pandora.

Glinda,

Wait a minute! I never, ever posted anything remotely mean about
Robert Novack. I merely pointed out he had a serious illness.

What in my post leads you think I take "delight" in the fact that
this man has a brain tumor? My father recently died of a brain tumor
so I take great offense at your baseless and dishonest smear. Only a very sick and vicious mind could construe something hateful from my benign post.

I notice you're too cowardly to post under anything but an anonymous name.

"hauntingly menacing" means his demeanor and tone in his writing and
on television was often threatening to me and to many because his words had a lot of power. How is that taking delight in his sickness?

Suggestion: Get a dictionary and look up words you don't understand before you post. It makes you look ignorant, otherwise.

adios, adiew......dos vidanya......yom kippur......zon pornko dein you'll plotz........not a matter of bornkin zie.

IL duva.....good bergman parody.......

come children.....post now something of interest.....I dare ya........whatcha got? Crap need not apply.

Julie,

I love Sinatra and that song "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered."
It's from one of Sinatra's best movies, "Pal Joey," which also starred
another of my favorites, Kim Novack (no relationship to Robert).

from prof marcia
good witch of the west

the best ever version of "bewitfched bothered and bewildered" was Jackie Gleason dancing with the clotheing dummy and singing it in "Papa's Delicate Condition"

strugeone,

I didn't see your recent post. I think I'm guilty of just posting something of little interest.

marcia....never would i sell frank's version of any song short........there's frank and there's jackie......

You all oughta check this breaking news out. Looks like JE was threatened by Obama to support him and delegates want to go with Clinton. My radio isn't working- just going by the thread

http://www.hcsfjm.com/chat.html

Democrats call for EPA chief to resign, citing congressional testimony
Zachary Coile, Chronicle Washington Bureau

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

(07-29) 17:22 PDT Washington - --

Four Senate Democrats called on EPA chief Stephen Johnson to resign today, alleging he gave misleading testimony to Congress and repeatedly bowed to pressure from the White House to avoid regulating greenhouse gases.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/29/MN51121B60.DTL&tsp=1

broom you say?
http://bestuff.com/stuff/harry-potters-vibrating-broom

Bewitched was best done by jackie in that movie....the rest is arcane.....

Rogers and Hart wrote the soundtrack music for "Pal Joey." They were
a great team who gave us some of the best musicals of all time tied
with Lerner and Lowe, of course.

I cant imagine having a bill at a bar....that was years ago....first of the month brings my rent bill due....a sore subject.....for one does not live a stone's toss from the atlantic without due angst.....the bars I should happen to fall into always make me accept the compliments of the house.....it's a curse......

I mostly drink amongst myselves.

No One To Depend On

Santana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOHfjn1X368

Flying lessons for those who are broom deficient:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ie3Myg0c6U&feature=related

I like the Ella sings Gershwin. particularly

Just One of Those Things

Thats just one on the list. Much like your discription of your neighbor.

Jack

You got to change your evil ways,

Santana - Evil Ways

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

Leopards. Spots.

Appropriately since I'm going off for the evening.

So goodbye dear and Amen
Here's hoping we meet now and then
It wa great fun
But it was just one of those things.

I'll tell you who gets my vote. The guy who can add at least 4 more hours to my day.

A little song that tells a story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Mf8tRw7Ns

a song that tells a story:

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

Another song, another story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9KzrDW-b-Q

The Paper Trail: Obama’s Indonesian Background

"... this article contends that: Barack Obama was adopted by Lolo Soetoro, his Indonesian step-father, and as a result of that adoption, his original Birth Certificate was modified to reflect his new name and the name of his new father. Obama may actually have at least TWO different Birth Certificates from Hawaii. Further, Judah Benjamin asserts that “Barry Soetoro” acquired Indonesian citizenship as a result of that adoption AND that he (Soetoro/Obama) may STILL hold Indonesian citizenship today.

... if Sen. Obama has withheld from the public information related to his identity, or misled the public about his background in any way — he should step aside as a candidate.

So when it explodes in the faces of the DNC do not be surprised, be surprised if it doesn’t.

I’m betting Obama is toast and the Repubs are heading for a landslide come November."

http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/the-paper-trail-obamas-indonesian-background/

una mas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVgEABRrdT8

Sturge, the country singer Lee Ann Womack had a song a few years back called "The Wrong Girl". It included the line:

I bet she never listens to Merle....you got the wrong girl.

The man too dangerous to let in the US

Yusuf Islam - aka Cat Stevens

Father & Son

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cpX1ZjuaiA

Sturge

How long did you travel with bands? What kind of music did you normally play? I love the old Dixieland type Jazz. Mostly everything you hear today in Jazz is new progressive.

good songs tonight thanks corey , Sturge and all the ladies.

Jack

Sturg,

That was the best way I have seen on youtube yet to post a song, as far as an accompanying visual is concerned.

Off to work. Night all!

Any of you folk familiar with the Country Gentlemen? I'm looking for the title of one of their songs.

Patsi, you could probably tell me. He's talking about how rich folk will be forgotten but the legend of the poor folk won't. Says something to the effect of "the legend of my kind lives on".

wikipedia: "Bewitched" song by rogers and hart

"the original lyrics present an unabashed celebration of feminine
sexuality that has been bowdlerized to remove the song's blatant sexual allusions."

Champ

Go here for the Discography for the Country Gentlemen

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:The%20Country%20Gentlemen:1927000477:page=discography:subpage=boxsets;_ylt=ArOw8eVZ4hvdSab8rsMz6NxUvQcF;_ylu=X3oDMTBudjZmdTkzBF9zAzg0MzkzMzAwBHNlYwNhcnR0b29s

You'll need to click on each album to check the titles

A tribute site for the Country Gentlemen with a list of their songs and albums.

http://www.charliewaller.net/2007_memorial_website/site_index.htm

Country Gentlemen - Dark as a Dungeon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s3_1OcFSHQ

Is Obama taking Florida's black vote for granted?

"Florida State Sen. Frederica Wilson had a question for Barack Obama the last time he was in Miami and gave a speech at a posh, downtown hotel: When was he coming to "the hood?'' "

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/254/story/45721.html

The best version of "Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered" is by Karen Akers, on her album "Unchained Melodies."

Other interesting versions are by Rosemary Clooney, on her album "Sings Ballads," Peggy Lee, on her album "Live At The London Palladium" (the album appears in truncated version on "At Her Best," a 2-CD set on Pulse) and Diana Ross & The Supremes, on their CD "Sing Rodgers & Hart, The Complete Recordings." The last of these, released in the mid-1960s, has the more sanitized lyrics.

Thanks guys. I think I'm SOL. They have like half a billion songs through which to dig. **** it. I'll write my own; won't be as good, though.

Stan Getz, Miles Davis, Coltrane, the works. Concord is the best

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/obama-endorse-d.html

Phil Spector endorses Obama at murder trial hearing...

off to sleep now, NEW THREAD at midnight -- been enjoying the threads lately, thanks for keepin it mostly civil and definitely constructive. i learn a lot from you guys.

Back in the Spring of '68 I was in Tokyo attending an awards dinner. The entertainment was Clooney and the Smothers Brothers.

After things were over, I was on the elevator going back to my room. The Smothers Bros were also on the elevator talking about Clooney. One said to the other, "Rosie seemed pretty good tonight." The other brother nodded his agreement.

I had no idea who the Smothers were--I had spent the past several years in the Far East. Clooney I had heard. It wasn't until years later that I figured out that they were probably talking about Clooney's substance problems.

Don't remember anything about either of their acts beyond that they were nothing special.

Spring of '68 -- the beginning of one of those times when the world felt like it was on permanent "tilt" -- huh?

here's a tribute to Bessie from Dinah. Dinah is right up there in the top tier of jazz vocalists

This little tune is fitting for a political blog, listen as Dinah pleads with the judge...TO SEND HER TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMXs9ELfcs

Dinah was on fire for that one, Dex...thanks.

Yes, Patsi, it was. I was stationed in Korea and it was the middle of the Pueblo Crisis. Our base was asked to send an awardee over to the USO Gold Plate Dinner at the Tokyo Hilton.

The Base commander said to send me so they dumped my butt on an airplane and I spent three days in the big city. They also brought some people up from Vietnam, too. Most of the attendees were from Japan. Strange.

At least I was able to get on the train and go to Yokosuka to buy some stuff for the family, so that was good.

I was happy to get back to Korea/

yer welcome, patsi...now i am off to watch colbert report

oh wow, found Dinah singing
What a difference a day makes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUa5xgsij8o&feature=related

Patsi,

I sometimes refer to '68 as the year America died. You can almost draw a hard bright line between what it was before to what it was after.

If you have never read it, get Mark Kurlansky's
1968, The Year That Rocked The World.

Jamie

The GOP strategy of blaming the democrats for high gas prices, that we were talking about this morning has already started. Roberts Republican Senator for Kansas has a new ad out blasting D Slattery for high gas prices and not dem not wanting to drill offshore.
They sure didn't wait long did they?

Julie

Nice Restored Russ Columbo cut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6yAN7_5RhA

Lots of possibilities there.

can't believe you guys with the Dinah Washington memories -- i grew up on this song (always liked it better than Nat's version, what a voice!):

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

Time for the new Eureka. Have a nice rest of your night.

Julie. Typical

Pick and issue and then

Point with pride (at your own party)
View with alarm (at the other party)

Political commercials are easy to write.

NEW THREAD

Here is a very respectful version of Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeZ64tnkK9s

You can guess why it's my favourite.

I don't know how many of you will read this, but I found out something pretty interesting that I did not know. A friend of mine from high school named Scott Fisher has traveled all over the world. He also has a self-published book out called "Axis of Evil World Tour: An American's Travels In Iran, Iraq and North Korea"

There is a website for his book as well. He details his travels through these 3 countries. Some of may enjoy reading about his travels.

http://axisofeviltour.com/