Which GOP Candidate's Wish Is Granted By Zoltar ??
We can't tell you how many times I wished I was Big too.... But alas, I'm still stuck in Trollville. OK, not troll, but a couple inches taller would be nice. Some of the Republican candidates have a much better chance of winning next year - while others have the same chance as me being 6'2".... Doesn't stop us from trying, does it? So, to give our two cents foresight into the early primary and caucuses, we have looked into our crystal ball, and we're posting ths to see if we can still prejudge voters decisions...
Honestly, we're seeing this as a 3-4 candidate race early on. Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, and to a lesser extent, Ron Paul are first tier candidates with shots at winning any of the races in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. By then, we will have a pretty good idea of which 1-2 have real shots at the nomination. The rest of the field has no shot, and barring a major new entry, we see no reason to see it changing. So, here we go!
Iowa:
Honestly, we see a little bit of a backlash from Perry here for not taking part in any debates or the Straw Poll - and especially for taking the heta awya from it by announcing the same day. He'll do well, but Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul are well organized there. No, we see no clear winner here, but we'll give the slight edge to Bachmann for bordering Iowa, and having being the only female in the race. Yeah, it goes that way sometimes... Bachmann 25%, Perry and Paul 23%, Romney 12%....
New Hampshire:
Well gee, this is Mitt Romney's backyard.... You think he'll pull it off? Of course, but the big question is will it be it the big win he needs? We don't think so... Romney's campaign lacks the fire needed to win it all, and New Hampshire will be the writing on the wall. Perry again will fare decently here as well, but Bachmann and Paul will fare worse in this least Republican of Republican states the good news is half the field will be cleared out by then... Romney 34%, Perry 28% , Bachmann 16%, Paul 13%.....
South Carolina:
Ahh.... What all of you have been waiting for! The State that Picks Winners. Why is SC the place that picks 'em? Well, we're pretty astute first of all. Secondly, we rarely have a candidate from here - or anywhere near here for that matter. So, we are the most objective. Lastly, all the candidates load up on Iowa and New Hampshire. South Carolina is where the real cmapaign begins, and by then, the imposters are gone. So, the question is who has the legs to make it this far, and the juice to rile up supporters without spending a mint to do it? I really think only one fits both.... Romney has the money, but he is a bad fit for SC, and if he is hoping to catch fire on Super Tuesday, he better think again.... ask Rudy Giuliani.
Bachmann and Paul? Good groundforce for sure on both parts, but campaigns need a certain amount of cash to win. That and both have chinks in their political armor... I listened to Bachmann in Spartanburg for 15 minutes, and it was the cliched Conservative BS (Abortion, Gay Marriage, etc) that the moderate voters who actually win elections tired of 6 years ago. BTW, please give me a plan to improve the economy, not saying "I'll fire Barack Obama". Weak, sister - very weak. Paul has all the juice to finish third everywhere, but horses that show every race never get the trophy. Good ideas on some things, and a nice idealist, but his foreign policy and personal freedoms scre the bejeezus out of a lot of voters...
Yeah, we're gonna pick Perry to finally win in the Palmetto State, and to have a nice run from there. Will he take the nomination? We're not 100% on that yet. God knows the reaction by the GOP to succeed Obama with ANOTHER Governor from Texas might go over as well as the Democrats almost nominating Hillary in 2008. But, he has caused the groundswell in the party to finish first of second just about everywhere, and to take over from there. Perry 40%, Bachmann 27%, Paul 19%, Romney 9%....
Maybe the Palmetto State Blessing comes true again in 2012 - or maybe it finally misses the mark. We'll see in the Spring. As for us, we think our compass is dead on - again. Romney will stay in until Super Tuesday, as will Ron Paul, but it wouldn't surprise us to see both drop soon afterwards. We have a feeling Bachmann is going to ride the string for as long as she can, and build her power base. Is Rick Perry our dream candidate? No, but at least he has some kind of leadership resume, and has some traction going... Zoltar says Rick's wish is granted...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjIxic9cBXU&feature=related
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Here's Our Submission to the Ex-Libyan Leader's Lost Collection
Just in case you weren't sure Moammar Qaddafi was a total self-absorbed nutjob, we are now able to convince you... Totally true story here, folks! When rebels finally took over Qaddafi's secret hideout, they found a kooky like nugget - a scrapbook filled with hundreds of pictures of former Bush National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. We shit you not....
No word on whether there were any notes enscribed under any of the pics, but we imagine there had to be at least one "I'd like to cross her Line in the Sand." or "I' would give 30 wives to launch a Scud Missile in to her Airspace".... Maybe it's just us, but Condi Rice is a bit of a hokey crush, but then again, my brother had this infatuation with Kate Winslet. To each his own...
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"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn."
- George Washington, 1789.
It always amazes us how far ahead of his time our first President was. His ability to know what importance the United States and their actions from the start would affect the world was astonishing. Too often, leaders are too concerned with today. To them, the future is just the next election, when they need to think 20, 20 and 50 years down the road. If we did, we wouldn't be in the mess we are today.
One thing that stamps happiness on us is a hot redhead like Tina Hobley... Yummy!!
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We were going to post on this earlier in the week, but we forgot. Fortunately, the cartoonists took care of that for us... Times are tough all over, aren't they? Even for creepy, plastic Fast Food icons. Yes, the king is dead - at least in this form. Can't blame Burger King for axing him though... Dude was the most disturbing spokesperson since the Putterman Family from the old Duracell ads...
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"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
- John Adams to his wife, Abigail, 1780.
This may be the most practicaliy-based post ever. Most of us are victims of circumstance. You think I ever wanted to be in the car business? Hell no. But, we must pay the bills first, or in Adams' case, to allow his country to base success on ability, rather than heredity. Of course, it all does lead eventually to philanthropy, trust funds, and idiot grandkids named Skip or Trey..... One poetic thing we like? Sheila Grant's nice booty!
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That Area In the Center of the Projected Path? Yeah, That's Us.
Today, I'm blogging from my driveway... I've already bungee corded myself to the fence , in full preparation to face Hurricane Irene 100% outdoors. OK, I'm lying... This is my first hurricane since 1978 (anyone remember Hurricane Bell??). I remember a couple things about it: first, my sister decided to take us driving around in her Toyota in a driving rain as it first hit. Don't ask.... Secondly, the worst part was at night, we lost power, but it was the fastest hurricane in recorded history. Seriously, Bell moved along at about 40 MPH, so it was barely a hurrican, but it seemed worse. Five or six hours later, it was gone....
So, where am I going to fight this? Well, my apartment would be a perfect bunker: it's bricked, ground level with good drainage down the driveway, and only has 2 small windows. But , enduring a 24 hr long storm by myself is not my idea of fun. So, I'll be shortly heading to Carol & Joe's to watch the rain and wind - all while downing a couple dozen drinks... OK, 4-5 maybe.
As it moves along, Irene does seem to be getting hung up a bit in North Carolina, which is making it weaker. Will it still be a Hurricane by the time it hits here? We'll see, but I'm starting to doubt it. Either way, I'll be ready - armed and dangerous!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_03zn8Vq6iw&feature=related
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Ben Franklin said there are two certainties in life: Death and Taxes. Actually, at the start of the Civil War, only one of those was certain - but not for long. Necessity may be the Mother of Invention, but often it is a Pandora's Box. In this case, the snake was the creation of the US's first Income Tax.
Created to help pay for the War, it was started in August, 1861. It eventually was discontinued, but from 1913 on, it has been a staple of revenue for the US Treasury and Congress. We don't even want to look up and find out what the initial tax rate was - it would probably make us puke! But, just in case you needed to know when it first started, now you have your answer.....
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Cataclysmic Earthquake Fails To Swallow DC .. Millions Let Down.
Yes, we post this mostly to mark the time for historical purposes, rather to make news.... Yes, we could feel the 5.8 tremor all the way up here in Yankeeville. No, we didn't feel it personally. We were driving back from the Dr's office at 145, when it hit. However, we did did hear it as it happened, thanks to a live talk show on POTUS, based in DC. No, it wasn't quite the same...
Yeah, we suppose that it was just plain bad luck that it hit while all of Congress and the President were on vacation. Then again, that may be the reason it happened. To us, it was much like a huge fart that you've been holding, and you finally let it rip to let go of the pressure building...
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We're Taking the Ups and Downs of Life on Two Wheels ...
For those of you who are Facebook friends of mine, you already are aware of this revelation. Last week, I bought my first motorcycle.... It's a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom. It only has 3600 miles, is loaded to the gills, and I got it dirt cheap.
The hard part of course, is now I have to learn to ride it responsibly, and that will take a while. The first lesson with my brother went very well - I learned taking off (no picnic, because the clutch is MUCH tighter than on a car), stopping, U-turns and shifting gears. Well, the turns are still a lot of work, especially at slower speeds - and we learned it yesterday.
I made a tighter than 90 degree turn on from a dead start on a downhill grade - and the bike had no momentum, so it stopped and leaned left. I planted my left leg to support it, and my thigh pretty much blew out and pulled.. Before you get worried, everyone drops a bike at one point or another, especially when they're first learning. More importantly, I know what I did wrong, so I know not to do it again...
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun, and I'll be doing everything to do it safely: training courses, staying off busy roads, and not trying to do too much. It may take a while to get up to speed, but that's how it goes. Next year, I hope to be able to go on mini-trips with the rest of the band for lunch or to see stuff. Can't wait..
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"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
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Thomas Paine, The American Crises, 1776.
Thought we'd drop you one of the most famous of all quotes from the Revolution. It is a trying time now as well for us, but we'll work it out. One thing that we like is rubber-suited beauty Bianca Beauchamp. Wrap that rascal !!!
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Classify this under the 'I Didn't Not Know That' category... In hindsight, it doesn't surprise us. Low Cost Labor usually does lead to low unemployment - unless it's the Pee Dee you're talking about.
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We're SC6 ... And We USED To Be a Big Deal Apparently
No, we weren't surprised to hear that Rick Perry got in the 2012 Presidential race. Or that he did it on the day of the Iowa Straw Poll, which we thought to be a smart move. Or that he did it in South Carolina, where George Bush took off and won the 2000 Primary on the way to the White House...
No, there were two things that surprised us: first, that it was at the Conservative Bloggers Conference in Charleston. Not a bad idea either... That will get lots of free press, although the amount of importance placed on bloggers is debatable. No, the biggest surprise of all is that it occurred in our home state, and no one told us about it! Yeah, we've been out of the state for almost 2 years, but we managed to be a solid Top Ten Blog in South Carolina for over a year after we left.
Honetsly, we have no idea what our influence on SC Politics is anymore. We miss BlogNetNews a lot. It gave us an idea of where we stood, and it turned out that we were more powerful than we thought. Nope, we never banged the sitting Governor, or got paid to push candidates' agendas... We just blogged it as we saw it, and we were usually right. Would we have come? Maybe. There are plenty of things going on that we would attend if we actually heard about, but maybe not too.
Basically, we don't know jack shit about the Conservative Bloggers Conference, but it seems to us that you might want to have as many of the Top Blogs as possible - especially in their home state. If you don't ask people to come, they won't come. Hope it was fun.
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Yeah Tim, Bye-Bye Now ... Grow a Pair, Buddy.
The 2012 Presidential campaign had it's first victim today, as former Minnesooota Governor Tim Pawlenty dropped out of the race after a third place finish in the Iowa Caucuses..... Wait a second. It's not the winter of 2012? This was the Straw Poll, and he quit? Ohh......
Yes, we are being very sarcastic, but Pawlenty deserves it. As much of a big deal as the Iowa Straw Poll is made, every candidate knows one thing... YOU DON'T TAKE STRAW POLLS SERIOUSLY !!! They a friggin' joke: 4000 party insiders and paid attendees show up at one place, and now we're supposed to think Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul are the leading candidates for the GOP? Please...
The hilarious part is that Tim Pawlenty apparently does believe it. Yeah, he probably was not going to win, epsecially with Rick Perry coming in, and his lack of traction was his primary downfall. But very few REAL people are paying attention to the race right now, and they're ALL waiting for the field to be closed, then they'll decide. Bachmann has support from Tea Partyers and guys thinking with their dicks, and Ron Paul is Ron Paul - he has his fanatics that will go to the ends of the earth to support him, but not many others...
Was Pawlenty reading the Tea Leaves early, and just pushing the inevitable early? Maybe... Still, we see it as another example of Tim Pawlenty's weakness - he's a big sissy without the guts to really fight for what he wants. Winning the Presidency is not easy. They don't all lay down and vote for you - unless you're me at the 2006 Sumter County GOP Straw Poll, where I won 98-0 over Gary McLeod. How did that end? Exactly....
Pawlenty's suit and shirt are still clean, and we're sure his undies are still dry, because his political cajones apparently don't exist. He's a political Eunuch. Thanks for playing, Governor!
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"A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired."
- Alexander Hamilton, 1775.
I'll be the first to admit that power is something we all like - especially for those who seemingly have none. Of course, the more we get, the more we are inclined to want more. One thing we are fond of is Mad Men star and P-Luv favorite Christina Hendricks. BTW, we are not implying anything here..... They're real, and they're spectacular!
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We're having a sale this week only... We're overstocked, so we need to clean out our excess inventory. Our loss is your gain ! There were plenty of events for the cartoonists to pick on, so we picked two. The Iowa Debate and Straw Poll was one big story. Of course, the candidates are well aware that they need to say more than 'I'm Not Obama'. The one who actually comes up with a realistic plan will win...
Then again, some people will never get it, even when it's explained to them like a six year old...
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The next installment of our Civil War 150th Anniversary series is the curious story of what is considered to be the most sacred places in the United States. As most of you know, Washington DC is just a stone's throw across the Potomac River from Virginia. Arlington and Alexandria are directly across, so when the war broke out, protecting the US capital was of paramount importance...
To make sure DC was safe from cannon fire, it was open season on Northern Virginia. For example, Winchester changed hands 78 times during the course of the war. For Arlington and Alexandria, it was pretty simple: they were almost immediately taken over for the entire conflict. One resident was of particular interest - Robert E. Lee.
Offered the command of the entire Union Army by Abraham Lincoln, Lee waited until his home state of Virginia decided whether of not it would secede. When the Cavalier State went with the South, Lee declined the job, and went with it. A key loss for the Union to be sure.... Problem for Lee was that he lived in Arlington House, the family home of Lee's wife Mary Anna Custis, a direct descendant of Martha Washington. Ironic..
Needless to say, the Lee's evacuated Arlington House, and it soon became holding of the US Army for various reasons. Mrs. Lee kept up on the annual taxes on the place until 1864, when Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs had an idea. Meigs, who lost his son in battle earlier that year, decided to pick places to bury the mounting war dead - and Arlington was his first choice.
Mary Custis Lee sent an agent to pay her annual taxes as usual, but the US Government refused to accept it, and they purchased Arlington at auction for $26,800. Meigs then preparing the site for Union dead, starting with his own son, who was buried in Mrs. Lee's rose garden, next to the home. He ensured that if Robert E. Lee ever came home, he would be forced to see the cost of what Meigs considered his disloyalty.
The Lee's never moved back in, but their son did sue the US Government after the war for improper due process in the sale. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor of the Lee estate, and the property was returned. Useless by then for private use, Arlington House was sold back to US for $150,000. It now stands as Arlington National Cemetary - the most hallowed ground for over 300,000 US war dead. Certainly one of the more ironic stories of the Civil War, it happened 150 years ago...
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And we wonder why we never went into advertising...... Would the Snapple people sue us for copyright infringement?
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"No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm."
- George Washington, in a letter to James Madison, 1786.
Sounds a lot like the times we live in today, although it may be easier to start from scratch than try and fix the mess our government faces nowadays... One thing that is better now are the ladies, like Allison Brie - nothing cheesy about her!
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Well, the deal has been made. We'll agree with most that 2.1 Trillion over the next decade was not quite enough to satisfy us, or the financial markets for that matter. The only place a AA is better than a AAA is in a battery... About double that would have been a good start.
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