Saturday, June 30, 2007
Blowin' smoke up The Man's arse
To borrow a line from the movie Clerks, this is one of the ballsiest moves I've ever been privy to:
"For pub-goers who enjoy a cigarette with their drink, next week's ban will make England a very different place.
"So one landlord has claims to have found a loophole to fight the new law - by declaring his pub to be part of a different country.
"The Wellington Arms in Southampton is set to transform itself from a public house into the official embassy for a tiny Caribbean island."
"For pub-goers who enjoy a cigarette with their drink, next week's ban will make England a very different place.
"So one landlord has claims to have found a loophole to fight the new law - by declaring his pub to be part of a different country.
"The Wellington Arms in Southampton is set to transform itself from a public house into the official embassy for a tiny Caribbean island."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Re: Salman Rushdie's wife
Creeder Reader Chris, who blogs at The Nightly Daily, asked yours truly this important question:
"[W]hen are you gonna post more pictures of Salman Rushdie's wife?"
Answer: Now.
To wit:
"[W]hen are you gonna post more pictures of Salman Rushdie's wife?"
Answer: Now.
To wit:
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 29, 2007
PETA: Agin' Mitt Romney
The folks at PETA have their panties in a twist 'cause of something Mitt Romney did almost 25 years ago:
"This is a distinction Mitt Romney probably could do without, but he is surely the first presidential candidate to be attacked for putting a dog with diarrhea in a carrier and tying it to the top of a station wagon.
"The episode occurred in 1983 on a 12-hour family trip from Boston to Ontario. ...
"The dog, an Irish setter named Seamus, apparently was a tad under the weather and registered his discomfort atop the family car in a fashion that necessitated a quick stop at a gas station to hose down the car.
"The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was incensed. 'If you wouldn't strap your child to the roof of your car, you have no business doing that to the family dog,' PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said."
PETA-people should be glad that Mitt Romney simply chose to strap his loose-boweled dog to the roof of his car. I know many a soul who would've dumped Pooch by the side of the road ... and they would not have subjected themselves to a guilt-trip (no pun intended) after doing so.
"This is a distinction Mitt Romney probably could do without, but he is surely the first presidential candidate to be attacked for putting a dog with diarrhea in a carrier and tying it to the top of a station wagon.
"The episode occurred in 1983 on a 12-hour family trip from Boston to Ontario. ...
"The dog, an Irish setter named Seamus, apparently was a tad under the weather and registered his discomfort atop the family car in a fashion that necessitated a quick stop at a gas station to hose down the car.
"The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was incensed. 'If you wouldn't strap your child to the roof of your car, you have no business doing that to the family dog,' PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said."
PETA-people should be glad that Mitt Romney simply chose to strap his loose-boweled dog to the roof of his car. I know many a soul who would've dumped Pooch by the side of the road ... and they would not have subjected themselves to a guilt-trip (no pun intended) after doing so.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 29, 2007
Poll: Romney still leads in New Hampshire
A new Suffolk University poll in New Hampshire shows Mitt Romney leading among likely primary voters with 26 percent support, followed by Rudy Giuliani at 22 percent and Fred Thompson at 13 percent.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 29, 2007
My life is (almost) complete
"The Spice Girls officially announced today that all five original members will reunite and perform for 11 concerts around the world in December and January," Bloomberg News reports.
Oh, joy!
If and when the members of Extreme put aside their differences and embark on a reunion tour ... then my life will be complete!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Takin' care o' (family) business
The Nigh Seen Creeder is currently taking care of some important family business.
Come back 'n' see us tomorrow ...
Come back 'n' see us tomorrow ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 28, 2007
Hey, Congressional Dems: Your left wing is showing
"For the first time since taking control of Congress, gun-control Democrats are taking on the National Rifle Association," GOPUSA reports.
"The NRA seems to be nipping the effort in the bud."
"The NRA seems to be nipping the effort in the bud."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Who's afraid of a "black caucus" ... ?
Southeast Nashville (Antioch, Priest Lake) is abuzz with the rumor that Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite is interested in forming a "black caucus" in the Metro-Nashville Council. Supporters of Ms. Wilhoite's opponent, Paul Collins, have been busy spreading said rumor; and the Nigh Seen Creeder recently learned that persons connected with Councilman Robert Duvall's campaign have reapeating the black caucus rumor as well.
The feller who first first suggested that politics ain't beanbag wasn't kidding!
The feller who first first suggested that politics ain't beanbag wasn't kidding!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Thank God for Bob Corker
"Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a bill that would have allowed labor organizations to unionize workplaces without secret ballot elections," the Associated Press reports.
"Democrats were unable to get the 60 votes needed to force consideration of the Employee Free Choice Act, ending labor's chance to win its top legislative priority from Congress."
Tennesseans who are agin' giving big labor the right to strong-arm its way into the workplace should keep this in mind: Harold Ford, Jr., aka Junior, co-sponsored the Employee Free Choice Act when he was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Democrats were unable to get the 60 votes needed to force consideration of the Employee Free Choice Act, ending labor's chance to win its top legislative priority from Congress."
Tennesseans who are agin' giving big labor the right to strong-arm its way into the workplace should keep this in mind: Harold Ford, Jr., aka Junior, co-sponsored the Employee Free Choice Act when he was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I detest dumbasses; therefore, I detest liberals
Wanna know why I detest left-wingers? Look no further than today's Nashville City Paper for your answer.
In a letter to the City Paper, Jim DeKornfeld says this 'bout the immigration issue:
"We should not use Gestapo tactics ... on millions of residents here as law-abiding, albeit, illegal immigrants."
Leave it to a liberal to reason that a person who is committing an illegal act each and every day that he or she stands on U.S. soil is "abiding" the law.
Furthermore, only a liberal would infer that a government agency, i.e., the Immigration and Naturalization Service, is engaging in "Gestapo" tactics when it enforces existing laws. (When the IRS goes after folks who, despite not paying their taxes, are upstanding, God-fearing citizens, is it engaging in Nazi-like behavior?!)
Mr. DeKornfeld is a dumbass, as are most liberals. Asserting that a person who's in the United States ILLEGALLY is a "law-abiding" citizen identifies him as such. Indeed.
I detest dumbasses; therefore, I detest liberals.
There you go.
In a letter to the City Paper, Jim DeKornfeld says this 'bout the immigration issue:
"We should not use Gestapo tactics ... on millions of residents here as law-abiding, albeit, illegal immigrants."
Leave it to a liberal to reason that a person who is committing an illegal act each and every day that he or she stands on U.S. soil is "abiding" the law.
Furthermore, only a liberal would infer that a government agency, i.e., the Immigration and Naturalization Service, is engaging in "Gestapo" tactics when it enforces existing laws. (When the IRS goes after folks who, despite not paying their taxes, are upstanding, God-fearing citizens, is it engaging in Nazi-like behavior?!)
Mr. DeKornfeld is a dumbass, as are most liberals. Asserting that a person who's in the United States ILLEGALLY is a "law-abiding" citizen identifies him as such. Indeed.
I detest dumbasses; therefore, I detest liberals.
There you go.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 26, 2007
A terrible Truth
Yesterday, the Nigh Seen Creeder received an e-mail from "CCPeace" in which my "pro-Israel" views were castigated. I've had very little to say 'bout Israel recently, so I'm not sure why CCPeace is so very up in arms about my supposed pro-Israel views.
That being said, one of the very first Nigh Seen Creeder posts took issue with folks who excessively hyperventilate about all things Israeli. I was more than happy to copy and paste it into the reply e-mail I sent to CCPeace.
I'd like to think that a person who has "Peace" in his Internet moniker will learn something from the information provided in my e-mail. I ain't gonna hold my breath ...
MEMO
TO: Paleconservatives (Pat Buchanan, Taki Theodoracopulos, et al.), Denizens of the Loony Left (The Nation, International ANSWER, CP-USA, et al.), and Howard Dean's footsoldiers (John Dingell, John Conyers, Nick Rahall, Pete Stark, Neal Abercrombie, et al.)
FROM: Joltin' Django, Esq, Edward Kaplan, PhD, and Charles Small, PhD
SUBJECT: Votre anti-Semitism
Yale University scholars Edward Kaplan and Charles Small have published a paper in which they produce solid statistical evidence to show that the harsher one's views of Israel, the likelier one is to be an anti-Semite. Here's the abstract:
"In the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, extreme criticisms of Israel (e.g., Israel is an apartheid state, the Israel Defense Forces deliberately target Palestinian civilians),coupled with extreme policy proposals (e.g., boycott of Israeli by academics and institutions, divesting from companies doing business with Israel), have sparked counterclaims that such criticisms are anti-Semitic (for only Israel is singled out). The research in this article shines a different, statistical light on this question: based on a survey of 500 citizens in each of 10 European countries, the authors ask whether those individuals with extreme anti-Israel views are more likely to be anti-Semitic. Even after controlling for numerous potentially confounding factors, they find that anti-Israel sentiment consistently predicts the probability that an individual is anti-Semitic, with the likelihood of measured anti-Semitism increasing with the extent of anti-Israel sentiment observed [emphasis mine]."
That being said, one of the very first Nigh Seen Creeder posts took issue with folks who excessively hyperventilate about all things Israeli. I was more than happy to copy and paste it into the reply e-mail I sent to CCPeace.
I'd like to think that a person who has "Peace" in his Internet moniker will learn something from the information provided in my e-mail. I ain't gonna hold my breath ...
MEMO
TO: Paleconservatives (Pat Buchanan, Taki Theodoracopulos, et al.), Denizens of the Loony Left (The Nation, International ANSWER, CP-USA, et al.), and Howard Dean's footsoldiers (John Dingell, John Conyers, Nick Rahall, Pete Stark, Neal Abercrombie, et al.)
FROM: Joltin' Django, Esq, Edward Kaplan, PhD, and Charles Small, PhD
SUBJECT: Votre anti-Semitism
Yale University scholars Edward Kaplan and Charles Small have published a paper in which they produce solid statistical evidence to show that the harsher one's views of Israel, the likelier one is to be an anti-Semite. Here's the abstract:
"In the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, extreme criticisms of Israel (e.g., Israel is an apartheid state, the Israel Defense Forces deliberately target Palestinian civilians),coupled with extreme policy proposals (e.g., boycott of Israeli by academics and institutions, divesting from companies doing business with Israel), have sparked counterclaims that such criticisms are anti-Semitic (for only Israel is singled out). The research in this article shines a different, statistical light on this question: based on a survey of 500 citizens in each of 10 European countries, the authors ask whether those individuals with extreme anti-Israel views are more likely to be anti-Semitic. Even after controlling for numerous potentially confounding factors, they find that anti-Israel sentiment consistently predicts the probability that an individual is anti-Semitic, with the likelihood of measured anti-Semitism increasing with the extent of anti-Israel sentiment observed [emphasis mine]."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
See ya!
Sen. John McCain "may drop out of the 2008 race by September if his fundraising dries up and his poll ratings continue to drop, according to Republican insiders," the Times of London reports.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 25, 2007
Me and Mike Turner down by the schoolyard ...
I asked State Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) an über-important question a couple of weeks back, and he finally responded. Check it out here.
I dispatched the following e-mail to Rep. Turner late this afternoon. God love me, I simply cannot let things go! To wit:
The Honorable Mike Turner
Tennessee House of Representatives
Dear Representative Turner:
Thank you, sir, for - finally - answering my question.
Far be it from me to tell you what you should read, but ...
I'm of the opinion that the United States would be a better nation in which to live if each and every lawmaker - from Congress on down - not only had to read Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics and Jude Wanniski's The Way the World Works, but had to apply what they'd read when they, well, made laws.
Anti-statists like yours truly wouldn't have nothin' to cogitate over and write about if elected officials were forced to demonstrate an understanding of the basics of political economy.
How 'bout you read the Sowell and Wanniski books and e-mail me a short synopsis of each? Perhaps then you won't have to hear my smart mouth, er, smart e-mails, ever again!
Cordially,
Joltin' Django
Nashville, Tennessee
I dispatched the following e-mail to Rep. Turner late this afternoon. God love me, I simply cannot let things go! To wit:
The Honorable Mike Turner
Tennessee House of Representatives
Dear Representative Turner:
Thank you, sir, for - finally - answering my question.
Far be it from me to tell you what you should read, but ...
I'm of the opinion that the United States would be a better nation in which to live if each and every lawmaker - from Congress on down - not only had to read Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics and Jude Wanniski's The Way the World Works, but had to apply what they'd read when they, well, made laws.
Anti-statists like yours truly wouldn't have nothin' to cogitate over and write about if elected officials were forced to demonstrate an understanding of the basics of political economy.
How 'bout you read the Sowell and Wanniski books and e-mail me a short synopsis of each? Perhaps then you won't have to hear my smart mouth, er, smart e-mails, ever again!
Cordially,
Joltin' Django
Nashville, Tennessee
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 25, 2007
Amnesty, U.S. Senate-style: Round two
The Campaign for Working Families tells us what's what:
"The Senate is expected to take up the 'grand compromise' bill on comprehensive immigration reform this week with another vote to cut off debate scheduled for tomorrow. While proponents of the bill predict they have the votes to proceed, it will be close as more and more senators have announced their opposition. Friday, Senator John Cornyn of Texas said opposition to the bill was growing, and even previous supporters, such as Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, were backing off."
How many times will the "immigration reform" bill have to die before our U.S. Senators figure out that the - legal - citizenry is agin' it?!
"The Senate is expected to take up the 'grand compromise' bill on comprehensive immigration reform this week with another vote to cut off debate scheduled for tomorrow. While proponents of the bill predict they have the votes to proceed, it will be close as more and more senators have announced their opposition. Friday, Senator John Cornyn of Texas said opposition to the bill was growing, and even previous supporters, such as Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, were backing off."
How many times will the "immigration reform" bill have to die before our U.S. Senators figure out that the - legal - citizenry is agin' it?!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Alexander and Corker: Lovin' them some statist energy policy
I received an e-mail from the Club for Growth alerting me to this bad news 'bout Tennessee's two U.S. Senators:
"The Senate passed an energy bill [Thursday] (65-27) containing a grab bag of bad policies, including new price controls masquerading as laws against 'price gouging,' mandates on car companies, measures to make electricity more expensive, and massive grants and loans for energy research. Check here to see how your Senator voted (a 'NO' vote is pro-growth)."
Unfortunately, Senators Alexander and Corker didn't vote "pro-growth" ...
"The Senate passed an energy bill [Thursday] (65-27) containing a grab bag of bad policies, including new price controls masquerading as laws against 'price gouging,' mandates on car companies, measures to make electricity more expensive, and massive grants and loans for energy research. Check here to see how your Senator voted (a 'NO' vote is pro-growth)."
Unfortunately, Senators Alexander and Corker didn't vote "pro-growth" ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
"If that's Rushdie, they're real." ... "If they're real, that's Rushdie."
"British Muslims angrily denounced the decision to honor author Salman Rushdie with a knighthood Friday, noisily renewing calls for his death and setting fire to a poster depicting an English flag," the Jerusalem Post reports.
"A hard-line Iranian cleric, also speaking Friday, said the 1989 religious edict calling for Rushdie's killing remains in place and cannot be revoked, and warned that Britain was defying the Islamic world by granting the honor."
Today's Wall Street Journal has a good take on Rushdie's knighthood (subscription required):
"For many of us, however, her majesty's conferral is a welcome example of something that has grown exceedingly rare: British backbone. After years of kowtowing to every fundamentalist demand imaginable - from accommodating the burqa in schools and colleges to re-orienting prison toilets to face away from Mecca - the British seem to be saying enough is enough. Nobody expects Mr. Rushdie to be awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the Collar of the Nile or Iran's Islamic Medal, but in Britain, as elsewhere in the civilized world, great, novelists are honored for their work. A pinched view of the human condition or poorly imagined characters may harm your prospects. Blasphemy does not."
The reason I'm mentioning this is because it gives me a really good excuse to post a picture of Rushdie's super hot wife:
"A hard-line Iranian cleric, also speaking Friday, said the 1989 religious edict calling for Rushdie's killing remains in place and cannot be revoked, and warned that Britain was defying the Islamic world by granting the honor."
Today's Wall Street Journal has a good take on Rushdie's knighthood (subscription required):
"For many of us, however, her majesty's conferral is a welcome example of something that has grown exceedingly rare: British backbone. After years of kowtowing to every fundamentalist demand imaginable - from accommodating the burqa in schools and colleges to re-orienting prison toilets to face away from Mecca - the British seem to be saying enough is enough. Nobody expects Mr. Rushdie to be awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the Collar of the Nile or Iran's Islamic Medal, but in Britain, as elsewhere in the civilized world, great, novelists are honored for their work. A pinched view of the human condition or poorly imagined characters may harm your prospects. Blasphemy does not."
The reason I'm mentioning this is because it gives me a really good excuse to post a picture of Rushdie's super hot wife:
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 23, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Re: Trent Lott
Crush Liberalism hits a big ol' nail on its big ol' head:
"It wasn't bad enough that [Sen. Trent Lott] said talk radio was a problem that needed to be "dealt with." He had to take it one step further by insulting and provoking his base."
"It wasn't bad enough that [Sen. Trent Lott] said talk radio was a problem that needed to be "dealt with." He had to take it one step further by insulting and provoking his base."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 22, 2007
President Bush's "criminal" daughters
Give me a f***in' break:
"Mitchell Silverman, an attorney in Florida, noticed in a recent news-story that [President] Bush's twin daughters presented him with a mix CD of exercise music for Father's Day. Since the record industry maintains that making and distributing mix CDs is a copyright infringement, Silverman sent their legal offices a letter on letterhead asking them to sue the first twins for 'stealing music.'"
"Mitchell Silverman, an attorney in Florida, noticed in a recent news-story that [President] Bush's twin daughters presented him with a mix CD of exercise music for Father's Day. Since the record industry maintains that making and distributing mix CDs is a copyright infringement, Silverman sent their legal offices a letter on letterhead asking them to sue the first twins for 'stealing music.'"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 22, 2007
Tee Freakin' Hee!
According to a new Gallup poll, "Just 14% of Americans have a great deal or quit a lot of confidence in [the Democrat-controlled] Congress" -- the lowest in the history of the Gallup poll.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 22, 2007
Amen, Mitt
"Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney called for 'new course' in the fight against terrorists on Thursday and, in a swipe at Democrat John Edwards, said: 'The war on terror is not a bumper sticker,'" GOPUSA reports.
"Speaking to a conservative group, Romney argued that 'there is a real war being waged by violent jihadists.'"
"The former Massachusetts governor did not mention Edwards by name, but the remark was clearly directed at the Democratic presidential candidate who has contended that the war on terror is little more than a 'bumper sticker' slogan."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
I don't need no "virtual" guitar
Did you ever see the Simpsons episode in which Bart and Lisa do everything possible to avoid mowing grass and pulling weeds ... and then line up for the "yard work simulator" at the local fair? I always think about that episode when I read stories 'bout folks who "play" the guitar on vidya games (apologies to Hank Hill).
The above-pictured peripheral is cool-looking, I'll admit. However, I'll never understand why a person would rather play a virtual guitar instead of hitting a power chord on an actual guitar and feeling the ground vibrate under his or her feet.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 21, 2007
Keep an eye on Romney
While he may be stuck in third or fourth in most national polls, Mitt Romney is now leading his Republican rivals in the first three states to vote in 2008: Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. (If'n he can pull of that hat-trick, he'll have major mo' going into Super Duper Tuesday -- February 5, 2008.)
That said, when 2nd quarter fundraising reports are released in the next few weeks, Romney is expected to lead his Republican rivals by a wide margin.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Joltin' Django's bad, bad afternoon ...
If'n you're curious as to how Joltin' Django spent his Wednesday afternoon, well ...
A friend of mine works at a used truck, tractor and trailer company on Lebanon Road near downtown Nashville. He offered me two free tickets to the upcoming Earl Scruggs & Friends concert at the Ryman Auditorium, and I told him that I'd pick up said tickets at his office this afternoon.
When I left my buddy's office, I decided to drive through the historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery for a quick look-see. (Upon entering the cemetery, I lowered my window so's that I could enjoy a tobacco product that gives me great pleasure.) I was slowly driving down one of the many lanes inside Mt. Olivet when I heard a "boom" that scared the you-know-what outta me. Said boom not only scared me, but it shook my feet as well.
About 20 post-boom seconds later, I was sure that I heard someone yelling. I brought my car to a screeching halt. I heard yelling again; and this time, I distinctly heard someone yelling, "You son of a bitch!"
I looked in my rear-view mirror and I seen a guy running toward my car whilst waving his hands in the air like he just didn't care. The guy's facial expression was that of a person who'd been simultaneously kicked in the balls and force-fed a spoiled egg. I stuck my head out the window and inquired, "What the **** is your problem?" He replied, "Are you the son of a bitch who just shot a shotgun?"
I exited my car and asked, "What in God's name makes you think I fired a shotgun?" Mr. Guy responded thusly: "I heard that shotgun go off, you son of a bitch." (The stove-eye had been turned on at this point.)
"First of all," I replied through gritted teeth, "I didn't fire a shotgun." Then I said, "Calling a person who's supposedly carrying a shotgun a 'son of a bitch' is a dumbass thing to do."
Mr. Guy balled up his fists and sorta leaned toward me. He replied, "I ain't a dumbass. I know you shot a shotgun, you son of a bitch." (The stove-eye knob was now on high.)
Not only could I feel my cheeks getting hot at this point, but I realized that I was balling my fists as well. Says I: "You call me 'son of a bitch' one more f****in' time and you will be the next person buried in this cemetery ... because I will break your f***in' neck!
I took a couple of steps in Mr. Guy's direction and he turned on his heal and went back to the place from whence he'd emerged. I then sat down in my car and turned it off. I grabbed the steering wheel with both hands and attempted to put happy thoughts in my brain in an effort to, well, be cool (apologies to Mr. White).
When I reckoned that I was sufficiently cool, I resumed my tour of the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. I drove around for another 20 minutes or so.
As I drove down the cemetery's "main drag" toward the exit, I noticed a Metro-Nashville Police car sitting with its ass-end facing me. When I passed Mr. Metro Cop, he pulled up behind me and turned his car's lights on. We stopped in the cemetery's funeral home's parking lot.
With one hand on his 9mm, Mr. Metro Cop, aka Officer S. Miller, slowly approached my car. When he came to my still-open window, he cut to the chase and asked, "Did you fire a shotgun in the cemetery?" My cheeks started glowing again. I gripped the wheel and yelled, "No I did not. I heard the same noise that the %$#@& who called you did, and it didn't sound anything like a f****in' shotgun!"
Officer Miller asked me to step out of the car; then he patted me down. He asked if he could look in my car. "Sure," I said, and I let him look in every nook and cranny of my car -- trunk included. He took my driver's license back to his car and did whatever in the hell cops do when they take a person's identification back to their car.
When Officer Miller came back to where I was standing, he handed me my driver's license and apologized for "bothering" me. "You didn't bother me," I replied. "The &$%^! who called you is the one who bothered me!"
I looked out across the vast expanse that is Mt. Olivet Cemetery and started grinding my teeth yet again. In my mind's eye I was envisioning me cornering Mr. Guy somewhere in the cemetery and beating his ass to a bloody pulp. Officer Miller advised, "Just let it go, man. Just go home."
I did indeed go home. I'm glad I did ...
A friend of mine works at a used truck, tractor and trailer company on Lebanon Road near downtown Nashville. He offered me two free tickets to the upcoming Earl Scruggs & Friends concert at the Ryman Auditorium, and I told him that I'd pick up said tickets at his office this afternoon.
When I left my buddy's office, I decided to drive through the historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery for a quick look-see. (Upon entering the cemetery, I lowered my window so's that I could enjoy a tobacco product that gives me great pleasure.) I was slowly driving down one of the many lanes inside Mt. Olivet when I heard a "boom" that scared the you-know-what outta me. Said boom not only scared me, but it shook my feet as well.
About 20 post-boom seconds later, I was sure that I heard someone yelling. I brought my car to a screeching halt. I heard yelling again; and this time, I distinctly heard someone yelling, "You son of a bitch!"
I looked in my rear-view mirror and I seen a guy running toward my car whilst waving his hands in the air like he just didn't care. The guy's facial expression was that of a person who'd been simultaneously kicked in the balls and force-fed a spoiled egg. I stuck my head out the window and inquired, "What the **** is your problem?" He replied, "Are you the son of a bitch who just shot a shotgun?"
I exited my car and asked, "What in God's name makes you think I fired a shotgun?" Mr. Guy responded thusly: "I heard that shotgun go off, you son of a bitch." (The stove-eye had been turned on at this point.)
"First of all," I replied through gritted teeth, "I didn't fire a shotgun." Then I said, "Calling a person who's supposedly carrying a shotgun a 'son of a bitch' is a dumbass thing to do."
Mr. Guy balled up his fists and sorta leaned toward me. He replied, "I ain't a dumbass. I know you shot a shotgun, you son of a bitch." (The stove-eye knob was now on high.)
Not only could I feel my cheeks getting hot at this point, but I realized that I was balling my fists as well. Says I: "You call me 'son of a bitch' one more f****in' time and you will be the next person buried in this cemetery ... because I will break your f***in' neck!
I took a couple of steps in Mr. Guy's direction and he turned on his heal and went back to the place from whence he'd emerged. I then sat down in my car and turned it off. I grabbed the steering wheel with both hands and attempted to put happy thoughts in my brain in an effort to, well, be cool (apologies to Mr. White).
When I reckoned that I was sufficiently cool, I resumed my tour of the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. I drove around for another 20 minutes or so.
As I drove down the cemetery's "main drag" toward the exit, I noticed a Metro-Nashville Police car sitting with its ass-end facing me. When I passed Mr. Metro Cop, he pulled up behind me and turned his car's lights on. We stopped in the cemetery's funeral home's parking lot.
With one hand on his 9mm, Mr. Metro Cop, aka Officer S. Miller, slowly approached my car. When he came to my still-open window, he cut to the chase and asked, "Did you fire a shotgun in the cemetery?" My cheeks started glowing again. I gripped the wheel and yelled, "No I did not. I heard the same noise that the %$#@& who called you did, and it didn't sound anything like a f****in' shotgun!"
Officer Miller asked me to step out of the car; then he patted me down. He asked if he could look in my car. "Sure," I said, and I let him look in every nook and cranny of my car -- trunk included. He took my driver's license back to his car and did whatever in the hell cops do when they take a person's identification back to their car.
When Officer Miller came back to where I was standing, he handed me my driver's license and apologized for "bothering" me. "You didn't bother me," I replied. "The &$%^! who called you is the one who bothered me!"
I looked out across the vast expanse that is Mt. Olivet Cemetery and started grinding my teeth yet again. In my mind's eye I was envisioning me cornering Mr. Guy somewhere in the cemetery and beating his ass to a bloody pulp. Officer Miller advised, "Just let it go, man. Just go home."
I did indeed go home. I'm glad I did ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
U.S. Economy: Dems better crow while they can
The Democratic National Committee says this 'bout the U.S. economy on its Web site:
"According to a ... report by the Commerce Department ... the economy nearly stalled in the first quarter. The growth of the economy slowed to a pace of just 0.6 percent, which was the worst record in over four years.
"Economists blame the bloated trade deficit and businesses cutting investment in goods and inventories, as well as a sour housing market."
The Wall Street Journal's Scott Patterson informs us that the Dems won't be crowing long (subscription required):
"Economic output grew at an annual rate of just 0.6% in the first quarter. Had it not been for a 4.4% rate of increase in consumer outlays, the economy likely would have contracted.
"But the outlook for the current quarter isn't nearly as grim. Many economists expect the growth rate to bounce back above 3%. Other engines of the economy are kicking in. Economists at Merrill Lynch expect the global economy, excluding the U.S., to grow at a 5.7% pace in 2007. That should help to power export growth. Meanwhile the manufacturing sector seems to have worked through an inventory correction and put itself in a position to increase output."
"According to a ... report by the Commerce Department ... the economy nearly stalled in the first quarter. The growth of the economy slowed to a pace of just 0.6 percent, which was the worst record in over four years.
"Economists blame the bloated trade deficit and businesses cutting investment in goods and inventories, as well as a sour housing market."
The Wall Street Journal's Scott Patterson informs us that the Dems won't be crowing long (subscription required):
"Economic output grew at an annual rate of just 0.6% in the first quarter. Had it not been for a 4.4% rate of increase in consumer outlays, the economy likely would have contracted.
"But the outlook for the current quarter isn't nearly as grim. Many economists expect the growth rate to bounce back above 3%. Other engines of the economy are kicking in. Economists at Merrill Lynch expect the global economy, excluding the U.S., to grow at a 5.7% pace in 2007. That should help to power export growth. Meanwhile the manufacturing sector seems to have worked through an inventory correction and put itself in a position to increase output."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 19, 2007
"This is why I support Mitt Romney"
U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra says what I been thinkin':
"Most voters know Mitt Romney from what he did as Governor of Massachusetts, where he took a financial crisis many deemed hopeless and restored the state’s economic strength – turning deficits into surpluses without raising taxes. This built on a business career specializing in taking companies facing difficult challenges and leading them to stunning successes.
"What most voters may not know, however, is that Mitt Romney’s real world experience and vision makes him the ideal person to lead our nation as we face a new generation of global challenges. And his experience is much different from being in Washington. After 9/11, many argued that we should cancel the Winter Olympics in the wake of these terrorist attacks. Yet Mitt Romney led efforts with leaders and government representatives from around the world to secure the first major international event on U.S. soil since that tragic day. Throughout his business career, he worked with leaders from across the world and made hard decisions with companies, jobs and critical resources on the line. His work has taken him from places ranging from Beijing to Guantanamo Bay, and to critical nations such as Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan."
"Most voters know Mitt Romney from what he did as Governor of Massachusetts, where he took a financial crisis many deemed hopeless and restored the state’s economic strength – turning deficits into surpluses without raising taxes. This built on a business career specializing in taking companies facing difficult challenges and leading them to stunning successes.
"What most voters may not know, however, is that Mitt Romney’s real world experience and vision makes him the ideal person to lead our nation as we face a new generation of global challenges. And his experience is much different from being in Washington. After 9/11, many argued that we should cancel the Winter Olympics in the wake of these terrorist attacks. Yet Mitt Romney led efforts with leaders and government representatives from around the world to secure the first major international event on U.S. soil since that tragic day. Throughout his business career, he worked with leaders from across the world and made hard decisions with companies, jobs and critical resources on the line. His work has taken him from places ranging from Beijing to Guantanamo Bay, and to critical nations such as Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Nigh Seen Creeder says: Constitutional ignorance will NOT be tolerated
In case you haven't heard, Kroger recently announced that its stock of out-the-door free publications will no longer include the gay-themed Out & About. A Kroger spokesperson said Out & About was being "banned" 'cause it's too political. A big bunch of left-leaning folks, of course, are now mad, mad, mad.
Typical of the mad crowd is one Suzanne Reed. In a letter to the Nashville Scene, Ms. Reed had this to say:
"I strongly urge Kroger to consider the impact of this decision ... and opt for tolerance, the First Amendment, and freedom of choice."
I have a great many thoughts and opinions 'bout homosexuality and so-called gay rights; but that's a story for another day. What I'd like to address at this point is Suzanne Reed's assertion that Kroger's decision to ban Out & About from its stores somehow subverts the Constitution.
My question for Ms. Reed is this:
Where in the Constitution does it say that a private entity, in this case Kroger, must display, advertise, or otherwise promote a publication in which political opinions are put forth?
I hate to break it to the Suzanne Reeds of the world, but the Constitution says nary a thing about forcing folks to promote political views with which they disagree. Kroger is well within its rights to ban Out & About - or the Nashville Scene, or the Tennessean, or the New York Times - from its stores if and when it sees fit. If Ms. Reed has a beef with Kroger's decision to ban Out & About, she's free and clear - per the scroll upon which James Madison got all genius on the world - to purchase foodstuffs somewheres else.
A lot of folks reference the First Amendment whenever the world fails to stimulate them properly. Said folks are fools, pure and simple. A quick glimpse at the actual text of the Constitution is all one needs to pronounce such, indeed.
Typical of the mad crowd is one Suzanne Reed. In a letter to the Nashville Scene, Ms. Reed had this to say:
"I strongly urge Kroger to consider the impact of this decision ... and opt for tolerance, the First Amendment, and freedom of choice."
I have a great many thoughts and opinions 'bout homosexuality and so-called gay rights; but that's a story for another day. What I'd like to address at this point is Suzanne Reed's assertion that Kroger's decision to ban Out & About from its stores somehow subverts the Constitution.
My question for Ms. Reed is this:
Where in the Constitution does it say that a private entity, in this case Kroger, must display, advertise, or otherwise promote a publication in which political opinions are put forth?
I hate to break it to the Suzanne Reeds of the world, but the Constitution says nary a thing about forcing folks to promote political views with which they disagree. Kroger is well within its rights to ban Out & About - or the Nashville Scene, or the Tennessean, or the New York Times - from its stores if and when it sees fit. If Ms. Reed has a beef with Kroger's decision to ban Out & About, she's free and clear - per the scroll upon which James Madison got all genius on the world - to purchase foodstuffs somewheres else.
A lot of folks reference the First Amendment whenever the world fails to stimulate them properly. Said folks are fools, pure and simple. A quick glimpse at the actual text of the Constitution is all one needs to pronounce such, indeed.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 18, 2007
Hell in a handbasket
If you want proof that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, check this out:
"A new NBC show is bound to attract attention for the title alone: "Without Breasts There Is No Paradise." ...
The series is about a 17-year-old call girl who worries that her flat chest will consign her to a life of poverty."
Speechless, I am ...
"A new NBC show is bound to attract attention for the title alone: "Without Breasts There Is No Paradise." ...
The series is about a 17-year-old call girl who worries that her flat chest will consign her to a life of poverty."
Speechless, I am ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 18, 2007
Hillary and Co. shouldn't be countin' no chickens ...
Democrats have been crowing - and crowing quite loud 'bout recent polls which indicate that voters prefer Democrats over Republicans in the 2008 presidential and congressional election.
Before the Dems start counting the proverbial unhatched chickens, they might wanna take a look at this:
"It is a paradox of the 2008 presidential race. By a wide margin, several polls show, voters want a Democrat to win — yet when offered head-to-head contests of leading announced candidates, many switch allegiance to the Republican. ...
"When registered voters were asked which party they would like to win the White House, they preferred a Democrat over a Republican by 8%. But in a race pitting [NY Sen. Hillary] Clinton against [former NYC] Mayor [Rudy] Giuliani, a Republican, the former New York mayor was favored by 10%. ...
"The poll also showed Mrs. Clinton trailing when matched against two other Republicans — Senator McCain of Arizona and a former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney."
Before the Dems start counting the proverbial unhatched chickens, they might wanna take a look at this:
"It is a paradox of the 2008 presidential race. By a wide margin, several polls show, voters want a Democrat to win — yet when offered head-to-head contests of leading announced candidates, many switch allegiance to the Republican. ...
"When registered voters were asked which party they would like to win the White House, they preferred a Democrat over a Republican by 8%. But in a race pitting [NY Sen. Hillary] Clinton against [former NYC] Mayor [Rudy] Giuliani, a Republican, the former New York mayor was favored by 10%. ...
"The poll also showed Mrs. Clinton trailing when matched against two other Republicans — Senator McCain of Arizona and a former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Forum trolls beware
Here's some bad news for folks who think it's cool to make anonymous threats via the Internet:
"It bills itself as the world's 'most prestigious college discussion board,' giving a glimpse into law school admissions policies, post-graduate social networking and the hiring practices of major law firms.
"But the AudoAdmit site, widely used by law students for information on schools and firms, is also known as a venue for racist and sexist remarks and career-damaging rumors.
"Now it's at the heart of a defamation lawsuit that legal experts say could test the anonymity of the Internet.
"After facing lewd comments and threats by posters, two women at Yale Law School filed a suit on June 8 in U.S. District Court in New Haven, Connecticut, that includes subpoenas for 28 anonymous users of the site, which has generated more than 7 million posts since 2004.
"According to court documents, a user on the site named 'STANFORDtroll' began a thread in 2005 seeking to warn Yale students about one of the women in the suit, entitled 'Stupid Bitch to Enter Yale Law.' Another threatened to rape and sodomize her, the documents said."
"It bills itself as the world's 'most prestigious college discussion board,' giving a glimpse into law school admissions policies, post-graduate social networking and the hiring practices of major law firms.
"But the AudoAdmit site, widely used by law students for information on schools and firms, is also known as a venue for racist and sexist remarks and career-damaging rumors.
"Now it's at the heart of a defamation lawsuit that legal experts say could test the anonymity of the Internet.
"After facing lewd comments and threats by posters, two women at Yale Law School filed a suit on June 8 in U.S. District Court in New Haven, Connecticut, that includes subpoenas for 28 anonymous users of the site, which has generated more than 7 million posts since 2004.
"According to court documents, a user on the site named 'STANFORDtroll' began a thread in 2005 seeking to warn Yale students about one of the women in the suit, entitled 'Stupid Bitch to Enter Yale Law.' Another threatened to rape and sodomize her, the documents said."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Rep. Mike Turner don't like the Nigh Seen Creeder
A couple of weeks ago, I took Rep. Mike Turner to task for throwing a hissy fit on the House floor. Here's what I said:
Democrats in the State House were outraged when Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville) proposed an amendment to add an additional penny to Gov. Bredesen's cigarette tax increase, which would have paid bonuses to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. After Democrats turned back the amendment, Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) said the whole ordeal was the “lowest attempt at political grandstanding" he'd ever seen. And then Turner added, “This is low life.”
Oh, really?!
It would take a body two weeks - working night and day - to sift through all of the low-down, despicable legislative tricks instigated by House Democrats during Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's tenure. Indeed, Rep. Hawk's supposed "political grandstanding" is small potatoes compared to the tomfoolery Democrats have pulled at the expense of their Republican counterparts. (It's one of the reasons the GOP still finds itself in the minority in the State House.)
This ain't the first time I've had a bone to pick with ol' Mike Turner. Five months ago he was bitchin' 'bout the GOP's "partisanship." (I hesitate to say "bitchin'," but there ain't no other way to describe what Turner does when he gets wound up.)
You can read the rest here.
To be polite, I sent Rep. Turner a link to the posting in which he'd been name-checked by yours truly. He obviously didn't like what I had to say 'cause he sent this all-caps response:
IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO COME OUT FROM BEHIND YOUR HIDDEN IDENTITY, ASK ME THOSE QUESTIONS AGAIN. MIKE TURNER.
I didn't ask any questions in my original e-mail; but since ol' Mike said he'd be in a question-answering mood if I revealed myself to him, I asked this probing question (that's "question" en français):
Which five non-fiction books have had the biggest impact on your life, politically speaking?
I ain't heard back yet ...
Democrats in the State House were outraged when Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville) proposed an amendment to add an additional penny to Gov. Bredesen's cigarette tax increase, which would have paid bonuses to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. After Democrats turned back the amendment, Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) said the whole ordeal was the “lowest attempt at political grandstanding" he'd ever seen. And then Turner added, “This is low life.”
Oh, really?!
It would take a body two weeks - working night and day - to sift through all of the low-down, despicable legislative tricks instigated by House Democrats during Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's tenure. Indeed, Rep. Hawk's supposed "political grandstanding" is small potatoes compared to the tomfoolery Democrats have pulled at the expense of their Republican counterparts. (It's one of the reasons the GOP still finds itself in the minority in the State House.)
This ain't the first time I've had a bone to pick with ol' Mike Turner. Five months ago he was bitchin' 'bout the GOP's "partisanship." (I hesitate to say "bitchin'," but there ain't no other way to describe what Turner does when he gets wound up.)
You can read the rest here.
To be polite, I sent Rep. Turner a link to the posting in which he'd been name-checked by yours truly. He obviously didn't like what I had to say 'cause he sent this all-caps response:
IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO COME OUT FROM BEHIND YOUR HIDDEN IDENTITY, ASK ME THOSE QUESTIONS AGAIN. MIKE TURNER.
I didn't ask any questions in my original e-mail; but since ol' Mike said he'd be in a question-answering mood if I revealed myself to him, I asked this probing question (that's "question" en français):
Which five non-fiction books have had the biggest impact on your life, politically speaking?
I ain't heard back yet ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 16, 2007
Barack Obama: "Most liberal member of Congress"
A loyal Creeder Reader sent me a link to the following story. It is most interesting, to say the least. To wit:
"The most liberal member of Congress running for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination isn't Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
"It's Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. ...
"Those are among the interesting findings in a recent analysis of votes by all the members of Congress who are running for president.
"The study, released this month by the National Journal, a respected inside-the-Beltway research report, will help voters cut through the spin and hype of TV sound bites in coming months and judge these candidates for themselves.
"On the Democratic side, the analysis of 'lifetime' voting records shows Obama with the most liberal ranking with a score of 84.3 after two full years in the Senate. Under the National Journal's ratings formula, that means Obama's record was more liberal than 84.3 percent of his Senate colleagues."
The most liberal score possible in the National Journal's congressional ranking is 99. The lifetime liberal scores for the other Democratic presidential cadidates, in their respective chambers, are as follows:
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich, 79.4
- Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, 79.2
- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, 78.8
- Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, 76.8
"The most liberal member of Congress running for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination isn't Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
"It's Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. ...
"Those are among the interesting findings in a recent analysis of votes by all the members of Congress who are running for president.
"The study, released this month by the National Journal, a respected inside-the-Beltway research report, will help voters cut through the spin and hype of TV sound bites in coming months and judge these candidates for themselves.
"On the Democratic side, the analysis of 'lifetime' voting records shows Obama with the most liberal ranking with a score of 84.3 after two full years in the Senate. Under the National Journal's ratings formula, that means Obama's record was more liberal than 84.3 percent of his Senate colleagues."
The most liberal score possible in the National Journal's congressional ranking is 99. The lifetime liberal scores for the other Democratic presidential cadidates, in their respective chambers, are as follows:
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich, 79.4
- Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, 79.2
- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, 78.8
- Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, 76.8
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Quote of the day
"One of the frustrations is that there is more attention on Britney Spears getting out of a car without underwear than there is about who is going to be the next president."
-- GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee
-- GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 15, 2007
Pretty Boy: Spreadin' germs with glee
Someone needs to tell John "Pretty Boy" Edwards that it ain't couth to ... well, see for yourself:
Methinks it's safe to say that Edwards won't be getting the germophobe vote!
Methinks it's safe to say that Edwards won't be getting the germophobe vote!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 15, 2007
The conservative case against Ron Paul
John Hawkins has penned a column in which he explains why so many Republicans are agin' Rep. Ron Paul. A sample:
"#1) Ron Paul is a libertarian, not a conservative: I have nothing against libertarians. To the contrary, I like them and welcome them into the Republican Party. But, conservatives have even less interest in seeing a libertarian as the GOP's standard bearer than seeing a moderate as our party's nominee. In Paul's case, his voting record shows that he is the least conservative member of Congress running for President. So, although he is a small government guy, he very poorly represents conservative opinion on a wide variety of other important issues.
"#2) Ron Paul is one of the people spreading the North American Union conspiracy: If you're so inclined, you can click here for just one example of Paul talking up a mythical Bush administration merger of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but you're not missing much if you don't. Reputable conservatives shouldn't be spreading these crazy conspiracy theories and the last thing the GOP needs is a conspiracy crank as our nominee in 2008.
"#3) Ron Paul encourages 'truther' conspiracy nuts: Even though Ron Paul admits that he does not believe in a 9/11 government conspiracy, he has been flirting with the wackjobs in the "truther movement," like Alex Jones and the "Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth." Republican politicians should either ignore people like them or set them straight, not lend credence to their bizarre conspiracy theories by acting as if they may have some merit, which is what Ron Paul has done."
Read the rest of Hawkins' column here.
"#1) Ron Paul is a libertarian, not a conservative: I have nothing against libertarians. To the contrary, I like them and welcome them into the Republican Party. But, conservatives have even less interest in seeing a libertarian as the GOP's standard bearer than seeing a moderate as our party's nominee. In Paul's case, his voting record shows that he is the least conservative member of Congress running for President. So, although he is a small government guy, he very poorly represents conservative opinion on a wide variety of other important issues.
"#2) Ron Paul is one of the people spreading the North American Union conspiracy: If you're so inclined, you can click here for just one example of Paul talking up a mythical Bush administration merger of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but you're not missing much if you don't. Reputable conservatives shouldn't be spreading these crazy conspiracy theories and the last thing the GOP needs is a conspiracy crank as our nominee in 2008.
"#3) Ron Paul encourages 'truther' conspiracy nuts: Even though Ron Paul admits that he does not believe in a 9/11 government conspiracy, he has been flirting with the wackjobs in the "truther movement," like Alex Jones and the "Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth." Republican politicians should either ignore people like them or set them straight, not lend credence to their bizarre conspiracy theories by acting as if they may have some merit, which is what Ron Paul has done."
Read the rest of Hawkins' column here.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 15, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Not so fast, Jimbo
"NHL sources say the possibility is growing that [Jim] Balsillie's bid to buy the Nashville Predators, said to be between $220-million and $238-million (U.S.), will be rejected by the league's board of governors," the Globe and Mail (Toronto) reports.
"Opposition is said to run from the league's New York headquarters to a number of governors who are not happy that Balsillie and his representatives are saying publicly they do not want to move the Predators, but at the same time are cutting deals with Hamilton."
After hearing Jim Basillie's jackass lawyer on 104.5's "Sports Night" program last week, I'm determined to do everything I can to make sure that the Predators do not wind up in America Jr., i.e., Canada. I encourage others to join the Save the Preds effort by clicking here and here.
When it comes to supporting the Predators, I'm one fan who puts his money where his mouth is. I certainly hope that I don't have to put my right foot somewhere as well ...
"Opposition is said to run from the league's New York headquarters to a number of governors who are not happy that Balsillie and his representatives are saying publicly they do not want to move the Predators, but at the same time are cutting deals with Hamilton."
After hearing Jim Basillie's jackass lawyer on 104.5's "Sports Night" program last week, I'm determined to do everything I can to make sure that the Predators do not wind up in America Jr., i.e., Canada. I encourage others to join the Save the Preds effort by clicking here and here.
When it comes to supporting the Predators, I'm one fan who puts his money where his mouth is. I certainly hope that I don't have to put my right foot somewhere as well ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 14, 2007
Iran's "moderate" behavior
Remember when I took Pat Buchanan's American Conservative magazine to task for suggesting that Iran has "a long history of moderate international behavior" ...? Buchanan & Company may want to revisit their opinion(s) vis-à-vis Iran after reading this:
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates tied Iran's government to large shipments of weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan and said Wednesday such quantities were unlikely without Tehran's knowledge."
"Defense Secretary Robert Gates tied Iran's government to large shipments of weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan and said Wednesday such quantities were unlikely without Tehran's knowledge."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 14, 2007
Al Gore said what ... ?
Keep this in mind the next time you hear Al Gore rantin' and ravin' (thanks to cwfpac.com for the tip):
"A lot of liberals count on Americans having amnesia, but as long as you receive this report, their efforts at revisionist history won’t work. Here’s an excellent example of what Al Gore would like you to forget: In 1992, while campaigning as his party’s vice presidential nominee, Gore delivered a blistering speech against then President George H. W. Bush’s foreign policy.
"During his tirade, Gore cited Saddam Hussein’s human rights atrocities, his numerous terrorist activities, his repeated use of weapons of mass destruction and the Iraqi regime’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. In short, it was a very compelling case for removing Saddam Hussein from power! I guess Gore was for the war before he was against it."
"A lot of liberals count on Americans having amnesia, but as long as you receive this report, their efforts at revisionist history won’t work. Here’s an excellent example of what Al Gore would like you to forget: In 1992, while campaigning as his party’s vice presidential nominee, Gore delivered a blistering speech against then President George H. W. Bush’s foreign policy.
"During his tirade, Gore cited Saddam Hussein’s human rights atrocities, his numerous terrorist activities, his repeated use of weapons of mass destruction and the Iraqi regime’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. In short, it was a very compelling case for removing Saddam Hussein from power! I guess Gore was for the war before he was against it."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Joltin' Django for Prez?! (Part deux)
The nascent Draft Joltin' Django campaign is gathering steam. More posters have appeared in the Nashville area, including the one pictured above promising $40 to each voter who's willing to vote for yours truly. (Fine print, thankfully, says "Vote Django" checks will not be honored.)
Stay tuned for more news from the Draft Django front ...
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Cheney for U.S. Senate?
The Casper Star Tribune notes a spokesperson for Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, "would not deny that she, too, was a candidate" for the U.S. Senate seat of late Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas.
A Cheney in the U.S. Senate. Won't that drive liberals nuts?!
A Cheney in the U.S. Senate. Won't that drive liberals nuts?!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Mitt Romney: "Surging" in NH
"Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has jumped to the head of the pack of 2008 Republican presidential contenders in New Hampshire," according to a CNN/WMUR poll.
"Romney shot past former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona in the latest poll, conducted Wednesday through Monday by the University of New Hampshire. Former Tennessee senator and 'Law and Order' star Fred Thompson runs fourth after taking his first steps toward a campaign, the survey found. ...
"Romney, who led New Hampshire’s southern neighbor from 2003 to 2007, drew 28 percent support in the new poll. Giuliani and McCain were tied for second at 20 percent, while 11 percent backed Thompson, who set up a campaign fundraising committee June 1."
"Romney shot past former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona in the latest poll, conducted Wednesday through Monday by the University of New Hampshire. Former Tennessee senator and 'Law and Order' star Fred Thompson runs fourth after taking his first steps toward a campaign, the survey found. ...
"Romney, who led New Hampshire’s southern neighbor from 2003 to 2007, drew 28 percent support in the new poll. Giuliani and McCain were tied for second at 20 percent, while 11 percent backed Thompson, who set up a campaign fundraising committee June 1."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
It was 20 years ago today ...
Know what happened on this date in 1987? No? Well, take a look:
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Knowing from whence I'm comin'
JBarlow sends an e-mail to ask an astute question:
"[Go get a goal girl, they're good]. Did you get that from the Goo Goo commercial?"
Yes I did.
Folks who've lived in the Nashville area for a spell may recall that Standard Candy Company, the company that makes Goo Goo candy bars, had a print and broadcast media campaign 'round 1990 featuring the slogan, "Go get a Goo Goo. They're good!"
"[Go get a goal girl, they're good]. Did you get that from the Goo Goo commercial?"
Yes I did.
Folks who've lived in the Nashville area for a spell may recall that Standard Candy Company, the company that makes Goo Goo candy bars, had a print and broadcast media campaign 'round 1990 featuring the slogan, "Go get a Goo Goo. They're good!"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Senate Dems: Agin' common sense
Contrary to what a lot of conservative bloggers have suggested, the immigration "reform" bill is not dead. Indeed, President Bush made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill today to urge U.S. Senators to revive the McCain-Kennedy immigration scheme.
That said, the Campaign on Working Families has compiled a list of amendments to the immigration bill that were defeated in the U.S. Senate over the past two weeks:
-- The McConnell amendment to require a photo ID for voting in order to combat voter fraud, defeated 41-to-52;
-- The Cornyn amendment to deny amnesty to gang members and illegal aliens with criminal records, defeated 46-to-51;
-- The Vitter amendment to guarantee a secure, biometric check in/check out visa system be in place prior to any guest worker program going into effect, defeated 48-to-49; and
-- The Coburn-DeMint amendment to guarantee full border security prior to granting illegals amnesty, defeated 42-to-54.
(To see how your U.S. Senator voted on these amendments, click here.)
Creeder Readers should be aware that Democrats voted overwhelmingly against these common sense amendments to the McCain-Kennedy bill.
Democrats shamelessly flouting common sense ... pretty pathetic, n'est-ce pas?
That said, the Campaign on Working Families has compiled a list of amendments to the immigration bill that were defeated in the U.S. Senate over the past two weeks:
-- The McConnell amendment to require a photo ID for voting in order to combat voter fraud, defeated 41-to-52;
-- The Cornyn amendment to deny amnesty to gang members and illegal aliens with criminal records, defeated 46-to-51;
-- The Vitter amendment to guarantee a secure, biometric check in/check out visa system be in place prior to any guest worker program going into effect, defeated 48-to-49; and
-- The Coburn-DeMint amendment to guarantee full border security prior to granting illegals amnesty, defeated 42-to-54.
(To see how your U.S. Senator voted on these amendments, click here.)
Creeder Readers should be aware that Democrats voted overwhelmingly against these common sense amendments to the McCain-Kennedy bill.
Democrats shamelessly flouting common sense ... pretty pathetic, n'est-ce pas?
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A chink in Sen. Empty Suit's armor emerges
"Sixteen years ago, Chicago businessman Antoin 'Tony' Rezko tried to hire bright young Harvard law student Barack Obama to work in his real estate development company," GOPUSA reports.
"Obama said no, but it was the start of a political friendship.
"Rezko contributed thousands of dollars and raised thousands more as Obama ran for the Illinois legislature, the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. He was even involved in Obama's purchase of a family home.
"But now Rezko faces federal charges as the central figure in an Illinois corruption scandal, and Obama -- whose Democratic presidential campaign emphasizes a squeaky-clean image -- is scrambling to distance himself from his old supporter."
"Obama said no, but it was the start of a political friendship.
"Rezko contributed thousands of dollars and raised thousands more as Obama ran for the Illinois legislature, the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. He was even involved in Obama's purchase of a family home.
"But now Rezko faces federal charges as the central figure in an Illinois corruption scandal, and Obama -- whose Democratic presidential campaign emphasizes a squeaky-clean image -- is scrambling to distance himself from his old supporter."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Go get a Goal Girl! They're good!
I received the latest Nashville Predators newsletter yesterday, and I learned that the Predators will be holding auditions for 2007-08 Goal Girls and Dancers July 14 and 15 at the Nashville Arena, er, the GEC, er, the Sommet Center.
According to the Predators' newsletter, potential Goal Girls and Dancers must be "dynamic, well spoken, and talented." Well spoken?! Please ...
Do we really expect the tight pants-wearing young ladies who strut 'n' skate 'n' dance at Predators games to be well spoken? If'n they do indeed speak well, what do we expect them to say? If a potential Goal Girl causes men's hearts to flutter but she stutters and stammers when asked what her name is, will the Goal Girl/Dancer judges say, "GET OUT!" ... ?
Don't get me wrong, I watch the Predators' jolies filles with rapt - and I mean rapt - attention. I just don't expect them to wow me with their oratorical skills. Hell, they can be deaf/mutes for all I care!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 11, 2007
Linin' up for Bush
I can't be the only one who understands the irony of President George W. Bush being cheered in countries in which the folks know a thing or two 'bout living under repressive regimes:
"When Bush arrived [Tirana, Albania] to begin his brief visit, the hills overlooking the capital boomed as military cannons fired a 21-gun salute, and thousands gathered in a downtown square on a brilliantly sunny day to see him and first lady Laura Bush.
"Huge banners proclaimed 'Proud to be Partners' and billboards said 'President Bush in Albania Making History.' Red-white-and-blue paper top hats with stars on top were passed out to well-wishers."
'Nother country, same story:
"Bulgaria, once the most loyal Soviet ally during the Cold War but now an American friend, was Bush's last stop on a six-country journey. Thousands of Bulgarians lined the cobblestoned main street through Nevsky Square as Bush and President Georgi Parvanov watched troops goose-stepping to military music. Bush prayed before a wreath at an eternal flame that marks Bulgaria's tomb of the unknown soldier."
"When Bush arrived [Tirana, Albania] to begin his brief visit, the hills overlooking the capital boomed as military cannons fired a 21-gun salute, and thousands gathered in a downtown square on a brilliantly sunny day to see him and first lady Laura Bush.
"Huge banners proclaimed 'Proud to be Partners' and billboards said 'President Bush in Albania Making History.' Red-white-and-blue paper top hats with stars on top were passed out to well-wishers."
'Nother country, same story:
"Bulgaria, once the most loyal Soviet ally during the Cold War but now an American friend, was Bush's last stop on a six-country journey. Thousands of Bulgarians lined the cobblestoned main street through Nevsky Square as Bush and President Georgi Parvanov watched troops goose-stepping to military music. Bush prayed before a wreath at an eternal flame that marks Bulgaria's tomb of the unknown soldier."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 11, 2007
Sen. Joe Lieberman: Makin' a right turn?
Rich Galen makes a bold prediction:
"I suspect that before this year is out Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) will still be an independent, but he will be caucusing with the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate."
"I suspect that before this year is out Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) will still be an independent, but he will be caucusing with the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 11, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Put 'em up!
Senator Jim Kyle (D-Memphis), whose jackassery knows no equal in the Tennessee General Assembly, might wanna start holdin' his tounge. Who knows how many of his colleagues will find inspiration from this south-of-the-border story (way down south ... in Alabama):
"Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart.
"Republican Sen. Charles Bishop claimed that Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him 'a son of a bitch.'
"'I responded to his comment with my right hand,' Bishop said."
Update: Here's the video, courtesy of YouTube.com:
"Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart.
"Republican Sen. Charles Bishop claimed that Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him 'a son of a bitch.'
"'I responded to his comment with my right hand,' Bishop said."
Update: Here's the video, courtesy of YouTube.com:
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 10, 2007
Nitwittery from the land of Kennedy 'n' Kerry
The state of Massachusetts must not have any problems if the only thing legislators therein have to worry about is doors in public restrooms:
"If Bellingham resident Douglas Flavin has his way, all public bathroom doors in Massachusetts will open outward, not inward.
"The Legislature's Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight reviewed the bill Wednesday. State Rep. James Vallee (D-Franklin) filed the bill on Flavin's behalf.
"'[Think] how easy it would be to prevent germs and disease,' Flavin's wife Tracy told BostonNOW. 'If state residents could open bathroom doors with a knee or elbow instead of a handle.'"
"If Bellingham resident Douglas Flavin has his way, all public bathroom doors in Massachusetts will open outward, not inward.
"The Legislature's Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight reviewed the bill Wednesday. State Rep. James Vallee (D-Franklin) filed the bill on Flavin's behalf.
"'[Think] how easy it would be to prevent germs and disease,' Flavin's wife Tracy told BostonNOW. 'If state residents could open bathroom doors with a knee or elbow instead of a handle.'"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 10, 2007
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Whither New Hampshire?
Chuck Todd answers the question, "Does the New Hampshire Primary still matter?"
"Frankly, I have my doubts. It’s all in the hands of their Secretary of State Bill Gardner. When he decides to hold the primary will determine the fate of New Hampshire’s significance in the process.
"The joke among most insiders is they half expect Gardner to move the primary to the week after Thanksgiving, therefore guaranteeing that the state stays first.
"Frankly, if New Hampshire did announce this move and Iowa did NOT follow, then, maybe, it would become influential. Then again, the media and candidate backlash on moving a primary for a 2008 campaign to 2007 might be enough to cause major candidates to decide to skip the state.
"Frankly, moving into 2007, while comically interesting, is riskier than holding their primary a few days after a Nevada caucus that many candidates aren’t going to take that seriously.
"So what should Gardner do?
"I think the best chance New Hampshire has to stay relevant is to move up a bit but do so in conjunction with Iowa. Move up a week to Jan. 15 and then hope Iowa moves from Jan. 14 to Jan. 7. Then the spacing of the calendar, at least in January, has some sanity to it."
"Frankly, I have my doubts. It’s all in the hands of their Secretary of State Bill Gardner. When he decides to hold the primary will determine the fate of New Hampshire’s significance in the process.
"The joke among most insiders is they half expect Gardner to move the primary to the week after Thanksgiving, therefore guaranteeing that the state stays first.
"Frankly, if New Hampshire did announce this move and Iowa did NOT follow, then, maybe, it would become influential. Then again, the media and candidate backlash on moving a primary for a 2008 campaign to 2007 might be enough to cause major candidates to decide to skip the state.
"Frankly, moving into 2007, while comically interesting, is riskier than holding their primary a few days after a Nevada caucus that many candidates aren’t going to take that seriously.
"So what should Gardner do?
"I think the best chance New Hampshire has to stay relevant is to move up a bit but do so in conjunction with Iowa. Move up a week to Jan. 15 and then hope Iowa moves from Jan. 14 to Jan. 7. Then the spacing of the calendar, at least in January, has some sanity to it."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 09, 2007
The politics of immigration reform
William Voegeli tells us 'bout the politics of immigration vis-à-vis next year's congressional elections:
"If Democrats really like this bill, [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and [Rahm] Emanuel could pass it in the House on a party-line vote without a single Republican. (There are no cloture votes in the lower chamber.) Their reluctance to do so says something about the politics of immigration.
"There are 232 Democrats and 203 Republicans in the House. Republicans need a net gain of 15 seats in the 2008 elections to regain a majority. As Michael Tomasky has pointed out, 62 Democrats represent districts that gave majorities to Bush against Kerry in 2004, while only 8 Republicans represent districts that Kerry won. Many of those 62 Democrats are freshman in districts that have been colored red on the electoral map for a long time.
"Emanuel knows, in other words, that many of these Democrats are going to be vulnerable if they vote for McCain-Kennedy and then have to explain their vote next year in a campaign against a secure-the-border-first Republican challenger."
"If Democrats really like this bill, [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and [Rahm] Emanuel could pass it in the House on a party-line vote without a single Republican. (There are no cloture votes in the lower chamber.) Their reluctance to do so says something about the politics of immigration.
"There are 232 Democrats and 203 Republicans in the House. Republicans need a net gain of 15 seats in the 2008 elections to regain a majority. As Michael Tomasky has pointed out, 62 Democrats represent districts that gave majorities to Bush against Kerry in 2004, while only 8 Republicans represent districts that Kerry won. Many of those 62 Democrats are freshman in districts that have been colored red on the electoral map for a long time.
"Emanuel knows, in other words, that many of these Democrats are going to be vulnerable if they vote for McCain-Kennedy and then have to explain their vote next year in a campaign against a secure-the-border-first Republican challenger."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 09, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
Crush Liberalism!
I just ran across this Web site:
http://crushliberalism.blogspot.com
Add Crush Liberalism to your list of "favorite places." You will not be disappointed.
http://crushliberalism.blogspot.com
Add Crush Liberalism to your list of "favorite places." You will not be disappointed.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 08, 2007
Iowa loves Mitt!
"In an internal poll, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney holds a whopping 17 point lead over the rest of the Republican field, further evidence to Romney's senior staff that his organizational prowess and early support in Iowa scared challengers John McCain and Rudy Giuliani away," Marc Ambinder reports.
"The poll, conducted by Romney's pollster and distributed to top campaign officials last week, shows Romney with 29 percent, followed by Giuliani and 'Undecided' with 12 percent each. Fred Thompson receives 10 percent in Romney's poll. McCain receives 9 percent.
"Analysis from Alex Gage, a Romney consultant:
"'Gov. Romney’s ratings are extremely favorable in the state — 78% of caucus-goers have a favorable impression of him with only 10% having an unfavorable impression. The Governor’s favorables have increased by 10 points over the past two months. By comparison, Giuliani’s favorability rating has decreased by a net of 15 points since March, and McCain’s has dropped by a net of 11 points.'"
"The poll, conducted by Romney's pollster and distributed to top campaign officials last week, shows Romney with 29 percent, followed by Giuliani and 'Undecided' with 12 percent each. Fred Thompson receives 10 percent in Romney's poll. McCain receives 9 percent.
"Analysis from Alex Gage, a Romney consultant:
"'Gov. Romney’s ratings are extremely favorable in the state — 78% of caucus-goers have a favorable impression of him with only 10% having an unfavorable impression. The Governor’s favorables have increased by 10 points over the past two months. By comparison, Giuliani’s favorability rating has decreased by a net of 15 points since March, and McCain’s has dropped by a net of 11 points.'"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Rep. Mike Turner throws a hissy
Democrats in the State House were outraged when Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville) proposed an amendment to add an additional penny to Gov. Bredesen's cigarette tax increase, which would have paid bonuses to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. After Democrats turned back the amendment, Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) said the whole ordeal was the “lowest attempt at political grandstanding" he'd ever seen. And then Turner added, “This is low life.”
Oh, really?!
It would take a body two weeks - working night and day - to sift through all of the low-down, despicable legislative tricks instigated by House Democrats during Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's tenure. Indeed, Rep. Hawk's supposed "political grandstanding" is small potatoes compared to the tomfoolery Democrats have pulled at the expense of their Republican counterparts. (It's one of the reasons the GOP still finds itself in the minority in the State House.)
This ain't the first time I've had a bone to pick with ol' Mike Turner. Five months ago he was bitchin' 'bout the GOP's "partisanship." (I hesitate to say "bitchin'," but there ain't no other way to describe what Turner does when he gets wound up.) This was my response:
State Representative Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) is peeved because a majority of the Republicans in the General Assembly abstained from voting for the re-election of the state comptroller and state treasurer. In an interview with the Nashville City Paper, Turner took issue with his Republican colleagues with this quip:
“[W]hat they basically said is 'we're not going to vote for a Democrat.' That doesn't say much for bipartisanship.”
If Turner's so concerned about "bipartisanship," perhaps he should schedule a sit-down with his boss, House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. Naifeh hasn't a bipartisan bone in his body; and it's a bit disingenuous for Turner to castigate Republicans for being partisan when one considers how Naifeh's treated the GOP over the years. For Example:
Naifeh has steadfastly refused to appoint Republicans as officers of committees that have any policy-making authority. (In a 1996 interview Naifeh pettily name-checked Newt Gingrich as his inspiration for the way in which he chose committee chairs, as if the administrative procedures of the U.S. House have any relevance on Nashville's Capitol Hill.) Naifeh routinely instructs subcommittee chairs to kill Republican bills, and he allows Republican bills with widespread popular support to be heavily amended in order for Democrats to claim credit. Finally, Republicans - especially Republicans who are critical of Naifeh or Democrats in general - are assigned offices in the War Memorial Building, which is uncomfortably stuffy in the summer, damp and drafty in the winter, and features drinking fountains that squirt water a dog wouldn't drink.
Before Rep. Turner alerts Republicans about the partisan splinters in their eyes, he needs to point out the fact that Jimmy Naifeh has a partisan log the size of the Washington Monument in his eye. So there.
Oh, really?!
It would take a body two weeks - working night and day - to sift through all of the low-down, despicable legislative tricks instigated by House Democrats during Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's tenure. Indeed, Rep. Hawk's supposed "political grandstanding" is small potatoes compared to the tomfoolery Democrats have pulled at the expense of their Republican counterparts. (It's one of the reasons the GOP still finds itself in the minority in the State House.)
This ain't the first time I've had a bone to pick with ol' Mike Turner. Five months ago he was bitchin' 'bout the GOP's "partisanship." (I hesitate to say "bitchin'," but there ain't no other way to describe what Turner does when he gets wound up.) This was my response:
State Representative Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) is peeved because a majority of the Republicans in the General Assembly abstained from voting for the re-election of the state comptroller and state treasurer. In an interview with the Nashville City Paper, Turner took issue with his Republican colleagues with this quip:
“[W]hat they basically said is 'we're not going to vote for a Democrat.' That doesn't say much for bipartisanship.”
If Turner's so concerned about "bipartisanship," perhaps he should schedule a sit-down with his boss, House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. Naifeh hasn't a bipartisan bone in his body; and it's a bit disingenuous for Turner to castigate Republicans for being partisan when one considers how Naifeh's treated the GOP over the years. For Example:
Naifeh has steadfastly refused to appoint Republicans as officers of committees that have any policy-making authority. (In a 1996 interview Naifeh pettily name-checked Newt Gingrich as his inspiration for the way in which he chose committee chairs, as if the administrative procedures of the U.S. House have any relevance on Nashville's Capitol Hill.) Naifeh routinely instructs subcommittee chairs to kill Republican bills, and he allows Republican bills with widespread popular support to be heavily amended in order for Democrats to claim credit. Finally, Republicans - especially Republicans who are critical of Naifeh or Democrats in general - are assigned offices in the War Memorial Building, which is uncomfortably stuffy in the summer, damp and drafty in the winter, and features drinking fountains that squirt water a dog wouldn't drink.
Before Rep. Turner alerts Republicans about the partisan splinters in their eyes, he needs to point out the fact that Jimmy Naifeh has a partisan log the size of the Washington Monument in his eye. So there.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 07, 2007
Play "Free Bird" ... !
Ever wondered why rock concert-goers - drunk and sober - shout "Play 'Free Bird!' ...? Here's an interesting theory:
"It happens at nearly every rock show. During a lull, while the band's in between tunes, someone in the audience requests Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird.' It's meant as a joke, but it's never really funny. So how did the unfortunate tradition begin?
The Wall Street Journal ran a great article on the topic back in 2005. According to author Jason Fry, there are several possible explanations. The first has to do with a live album Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded in 1976 called One More From the Road. On the album, singer Ronnie Van Zant asks the crowd what they want to hear next. They respond with a deafening call for 'Freebird,' and Skynyrd obliges with a 14-minute rendition.
"Another theory involves Chicago DJ Kevin Matthews. Mr. Matthews claims he started the 'Free Bird' phenomenon when he implored his listeners to yell 'Free Bird!' at a Florence Henderson concert. Matthews says 'his request was heeded,' and he then took it upon himself to inspire his listeners to continue the tradition at other suitable (i.e., lame) concerts.
"There are other possibilities, too. Alt-rock snobs may have started screaming 'Free Bird!' in a bit of ironic posturing. Or maybe 'Free Bird!' was originally screamed with sincerity by classic rock fans. Whatever the explanation, the joke is now a cliché, and clichés never die. So here's another cliché -- if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
"'Free Bird!'"
"It happens at nearly every rock show. During a lull, while the band's in between tunes, someone in the audience requests Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird.' It's meant as a joke, but it's never really funny. So how did the unfortunate tradition begin?
The Wall Street Journal ran a great article on the topic back in 2005. According to author Jason Fry, there are several possible explanations. The first has to do with a live album Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded in 1976 called One More From the Road. On the album, singer Ronnie Van Zant asks the crowd what they want to hear next. They respond with a deafening call for 'Freebird,' and Skynyrd obliges with a 14-minute rendition.
"Another theory involves Chicago DJ Kevin Matthews. Mr. Matthews claims he started the 'Free Bird' phenomenon when he implored his listeners to yell 'Free Bird!' at a Florence Henderson concert. Matthews says 'his request was heeded,' and he then took it upon himself to inspire his listeners to continue the tradition at other suitable (i.e., lame) concerts.
"There are other possibilities, too. Alt-rock snobs may have started screaming 'Free Bird!' in a bit of ironic posturing. Or maybe 'Free Bird!' was originally screamed with sincerity by classic rock fans. Whatever the explanation, the joke is now a cliché, and clichés never die. So here's another cliché -- if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
"'Free Bird!'"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Thursday, June 07, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Jon Bruning for U.S. Senate!
One of the U.S. Senate's biggest jackasses, i.e., Chuck Hagel, is about to get some much-needed competition ...
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) "is poised to burst out of the starting gate Thursday in the 2008 Republican Senate race," reports the Lincoln Journal Star. "Bruning is expected to announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination at an event scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda."
A poll released in April showed Bruning leading Hagel by nine points.
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) "is poised to burst out of the starting gate Thursday in the 2008 Republican Senate race," reports the Lincoln Journal Star. "Bruning is expected to announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination at an event scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda."
A poll released in April showed Bruning leading Hagel by nine points.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 06, 2007
"It depends on what the meaning of 'rich' is ..."
During Sunday's Democratic presidential debate, moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Sen. John Edwards to define "rich person." The Lovely John Edwards responded thusly: "I don't know if I know what a rich person is."
Wall Street Journal reader Bart Harmon decided to give Sen. Edwards a few hints. To wit:
"You might be rich person if . . .
"You pay 400 bucks for a haircut, and that's with the ladies' day discount.
"Your house has more square footage than most Central American countries.
"You leave a larger carbon footprint than the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
"Your last three jobs were medical malpractice attorney, U.S. senator and hedge fund manager.
"You can talk easily about two Americas because you own at least one of them.
"You are paid $55,000 an hour to speak about poverty, and that's your college rate."
Wall Street Journal reader Bart Harmon decided to give Sen. Edwards a few hints. To wit:
"You might be rich person if . . .
"You pay 400 bucks for a haircut, and that's with the ladies' day discount.
"Your house has more square footage than most Central American countries.
"You leave a larger carbon footprint than the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
"Your last three jobs were medical malpractice attorney, U.S. senator and hedge fund manager.
"You can talk easily about two Americas because you own at least one of them.
"You are paid $55,000 an hour to speak about poverty, and that's your college rate."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Paris in the pokey
The Los Angeles Times has published Paris Hilton's prison diary:
"DAY 1: Arrived late Sunday night. So tired. Asked if I could check into my room immediately. Quite possibly the rudest concierge I have ever met. I told him he was fired. Not the effect I'd hoped for. And no, I did not register under the name 'Little Miss Whore.' What kind of hotel forces you to strip and delouse (maybe Marriott?). Although instead of a robe I got a fabulous orange jumpsuit with a cute number on it. Nothing to do at night. I'm told (as there was, like, no information in my room) that there is no bar or lounge area. I wish I'd brought flats.
"Day 2: My room is insane! TINY! How is it even possible that I got a room without any view? A tiny stainless steel toilet. There is an incredibly thin mattress. If I didn't know I was in prison I'd think I was in an Ian Schrager hotel."
Pretty clever stuff for a newspaper that's going downhill fast.
"DAY 1: Arrived late Sunday night. So tired. Asked if I could check into my room immediately. Quite possibly the rudest concierge I have ever met. I told him he was fired. Not the effect I'd hoped for. And no, I did not register under the name 'Little Miss Whore.' What kind of hotel forces you to strip and delouse (maybe Marriott?). Although instead of a robe I got a fabulous orange jumpsuit with a cute number on it. Nothing to do at night. I'm told (as there was, like, no information in my room) that there is no bar or lounge area. I wish I'd brought flats.
"Day 2: My room is insane! TINY! How is it even possible that I got a room without any view? A tiny stainless steel toilet. There is an incredibly thin mattress. If I didn't know I was in prison I'd think I was in an Ian Schrager hotel."
Pretty clever stuff for a newspaper that's going downhill fast.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Liberals under the bed
To heck with Harry Potter! Andrew Roth tells us 'bout an entertaining book from which our chi'dren can actually learn something:
"The LA Times described as follows a recent children's book titled, Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed!
"'Hoping to earn money for a swing set, young Tommy and Lou squeeze lemons until their little hands ache. But they are thwarted by broccoli-pushing, camera-hogging, Jesus-hating liberals who pile on taxes and regulations and drive the boys out of business.'
"World Ahead Publishing is the company that funded the book. On explaining why he's promoting children's books that bash liberals, Eric Jackson, the company's chairman, said, 'We want to teach them it's not freedom or the free market or business that's the enemy here.'
"Right on."
"The LA Times described as follows a recent children's book titled, Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed!
"'Hoping to earn money for a swing set, young Tommy and Lou squeeze lemons until their little hands ache. But they are thwarted by broccoli-pushing, camera-hogging, Jesus-hating liberals who pile on taxes and regulations and drive the boys out of business.'
"World Ahead Publishing is the company that funded the book. On explaining why he's promoting children's books that bash liberals, Eric Jackson, the company's chairman, said, 'We want to teach them it's not freedom or the free market or business that's the enemy here.'
"Right on."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Trivial Pursuit: The Movie ... ?!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Hollywood is officially out of ideas:
"According to Variety, Hasbro and the William Morris Agency have just partnered up in an effort to turn a bunch of properties into TV shows, movies and video games. Properties like G.I. Joe, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Candy Land and the Ouija Board. ...
"Apparently the toy company is shooting for something akin to Marvel's media saturation. OK, fine, Candy Land could probably make for a half-decent kids' movie, and I suppose you could maybe make a real estate comedy called 'Monopoly' -- but Clue has already been done, and so has the Ouija Board (done to death, one might say). And a movie version of Trivial Pursuit would be just that: a trivial pursuit."
How starved for something to do would a person have to be to watch a movie or t.v. version of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit? Me ... I'd have to be pretty [expletive deleted] starved!
"According to Variety, Hasbro and the William Morris Agency have just partnered up in an effort to turn a bunch of properties into TV shows, movies and video games. Properties like G.I. Joe, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Candy Land and the Ouija Board. ...
"Apparently the toy company is shooting for something akin to Marvel's media saturation. OK, fine, Candy Land could probably make for a half-decent kids' movie, and I suppose you could maybe make a real estate comedy called 'Monopoly' -- but Clue has already been done, and so has the Ouija Board (done to death, one might say). And a movie version of Trivial Pursuit would be just that: a trivial pursuit."
How starved for something to do would a person have to be to watch a movie or t.v. version of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit? Me ... I'd have to be pretty [expletive deleted] starved!
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Poll: Romney WAY out in front in Iowa
According to a new Public Policy Polling survey of likely Iowa caucus-goers, Mitt Romney holds a double digit lead over his Republican opponents:
Mitt Romney - 31 percent
Fred Thompson - 15
Newt Gingrich - 10
John McCain - 9
Rudy Giuliani - 8
Mitt Romney - 31 percent
Fred Thompson - 15
Newt Gingrich - 10
John McCain - 9
Rudy Giuliani - 8
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 04, 2007
Science: Letterman better than Leno
I knew it!
"Science has finally proven what many of us have long intrinsically known – that late night funnyman David Letterman is more entertaining than also late night funnyman Jay Leno.
"Researchers at Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation conducted a study to determine the effect of television viewing on food consumption. The study found that distracted brains do not notice what the mouth is doing, according to the Foundation’s neurological director, Dr. Alan Hirsch. The findings would seem to indicate that the more entertaining a show is, the less the brain pays attention to the mouth.
"Study participants were allowed to eat as many potato chips as they wanted while watching monologues by Letterman and Leno, and then again while the television was off.
"The subjects consumed 42% more chips while watching Leno than they did while the set was off. When watching Letterman, they consumed 44% more.
"So, there you have it – scientific proof that David Letterman is 2% more entertaining than Jay Leno.
"There’s no point in arguing. It’s science."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 04, 2007
What's NOT what in Iraq
Matt Sanchez is embedded with the 5/10 Marine Civil Affairs Unit in Fallujah. According to Sanchez, much of what you're reading in the papers (and what you're seeing on the nightly news) vis-à-vis Iraq is bunk ... pure, unadulterated bunk:
"So, how did the death of a sole suicide bomber become the Wall Street Journal headline of 'Suicide Bombing in Fallujah Leaves 25 Dead, 50 Wounded?' To be fair, NPR, CBS, Sky News, and CNN all parroted the same numbers, as they rushed to report something—anything! The answer is a 20-minute helicopter away in Baghdad, where the majority of 'reporting' is done from the Green Zone."
Read the rest here.
"So, how did the death of a sole suicide bomber become the Wall Street Journal headline of 'Suicide Bombing in Fallujah Leaves 25 Dead, 50 Wounded?' To be fair, NPR, CBS, Sky News, and CNN all parroted the same numbers, as they rushed to report something—anything! The answer is a 20-minute helicopter away in Baghdad, where the majority of 'reporting' is done from the Green Zone."
Read the rest here.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Après le dîner
I attended last night's Statesman's Dinner at the behest of the Mitt Romney for President campaign. I was too busy to take notes for an effective - and interesting - post-event blog. You'll have to read this - GASP! - Tennessean article to learn what was what last night:
"The former Massachusetts governor won points with the 800-person crowd, heavy with Fred Thompson supporters, by making light of a situation that could have been uncomfortable. Tennessee Republicans have been buzzing for days about the comments Thompson made last week that he plans to run for president.
"'I know there's been some speculation among Republicans about a certain former senator from Tennessee getting into the presidential race,' Romney said during the state Republican party's annual Statemen's Dinner fundraiser at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
"'Everyone is waiting and wondering, all the hype is building,' he said. 'I feel great comfort in the fact that no one in this room, not a single person, will be voting for Al Gore.'"
"The former Massachusetts governor won points with the 800-person crowd, heavy with Fred Thompson supporters, by making light of a situation that could have been uncomfortable. Tennessee Republicans have been buzzing for days about the comments Thompson made last week that he plans to run for president.
"'I know there's been some speculation among Republicans about a certain former senator from Tennessee getting into the presidential race,' Romney said during the state Republican party's annual Statemen's Dinner fundraiser at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
"'Everyone is waiting and wondering, all the hype is building,' he said. 'I feel great comfort in the fact that no one in this room, not a single person, will be voting for Al Gore.'"
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 03, 2007
Quote of the day
"We are a nation of compassion, a nation of immigrants. But this is our home ... and we get to decide who comes into our home."
-- Fred Thompson, speaking at last night's Viginia Republican Party Dinner
-- Fred Thompson, speaking at last night's Viginia Republican Party Dinner
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 03, 2007
Making a GRAND exit
"The manager of a minor league baseball team lost his cool and maybe some of his sanity Thursday during an on-field tirade in which he uprooted bases and covered home plate completely in dirt," FoxNews.com reports.
"As if that wasn’t enough retribution for Wellman, the manager then got on all fours and crawled toward he pitcher’s mound like a special ops commando, grabbing the pitcher’s rosin bag, holding it to his mouth and tossing it toward the home plate umpire as if it were a grenade."
This is a scene, man:
"As if that wasn’t enough retribution for Wellman, the manager then got on all fours and crawled toward he pitcher’s mound like a special ops commando, grabbing the pitcher’s rosin bag, holding it to his mouth and tossing it toward the home plate umpire as if it were a grenade."
This is a scene, man:
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Sunday, June 03, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Welcome (back) to Nashville, Gov. Romney!
I won't be bloggin' today ... I'm gonna be helpin' the Mitt Romney for Prez campaign.
The Nigh Seen Creeder will return Sunday, June 3.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, June 02, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
Mitt: Tellin' it like it is!
"Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Thursday criticized Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as a European caricature who would turn the United States into a welfare state," GOPUSA reports.
"Speaking to about 200 people in Sioux City, Romney said he wanted to highlight the differences between himself and Clinton, the front-runner for her party's presidential nomination.
"'Her view is the old, classic, European caricature that we describe of big government, big taxation, welfare state,' said the former Massachusetts governor.
"'She gave a speech a couple of days ago and laid out her vision for America. And as I listened to her I figured her platform wouldn't even get her elected in France,' Romney, who was a missionary in France, said to chuckles and applause."
"Speaking to about 200 people in Sioux City, Romney said he wanted to highlight the differences between himself and Clinton, the front-runner for her party's presidential nomination.
"'Her view is the old, classic, European caricature that we describe of big government, big taxation, welfare state,' said the former Massachusetts governor.
"'She gave a speech a couple of days ago and laid out her vision for America. And as I listened to her I figured her platform wouldn't even get her elected in France,' Romney, who was a missionary in France, said to chuckles and applause."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 01, 2007
The liberal mind
Peter Berkowitz says the right is a cauldron of debate, but the left isn't. A sample:
"On a variety of issues that currently divide the nation, those to the left of center seem to be converging, their ranks increasingly untroubled by debate or dissent. ... One explanation of the unity on the left is its belief that today's divisive political questions have easy answers--but because of their illiberal opinions and aims, conservatives are unable to see this."
Reminds me of a letter I had published in the Tennessean a few years back:
Lee Martin would have us believe in his letter to the editor that university professors who vote for leftists candidates do so because of their "intelligence quotient" ("Gore leftist only compared to Bush," Tennessean, September 10, 2003). If that's the case, perhaps we should examine more closely the cognitive skills of those who're currently teaching at our institutions of higher learning.
Modern liberalism is not only an ideology for the intellectually lazy, it is an ideology for individuals who - to be perfectly blunt - aren't all that bright. A liberal's answer for practically all public policy questions is the same: income redistribution. Even though we're still dealing with the failures of Great Society redistributionist schemes, liberals continue to trumpet their personal brands of '60s-style idealism and liberty-crushing statism.
It's interesting to note that the past half-century's most important works in the social sciences have been penned by those who've refuted liberal nostrums: Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Charles Murray, Ludwig von Mises, Russell Kirk, James Q. Wilson, etc. If liberals were forced to read such visionary economists, sociologists, and political scientists, we might never have to be subjected to their idealistic, emotionalist claptrap again.
"On a variety of issues that currently divide the nation, those to the left of center seem to be converging, their ranks increasingly untroubled by debate or dissent. ... One explanation of the unity on the left is its belief that today's divisive political questions have easy answers--but because of their illiberal opinions and aims, conservatives are unable to see this."
Reminds me of a letter I had published in the Tennessean a few years back:
Lee Martin would have us believe in his letter to the editor that university professors who vote for leftists candidates do so because of their "intelligence quotient" ("Gore leftist only compared to Bush," Tennessean, September 10, 2003). If that's the case, perhaps we should examine more closely the cognitive skills of those who're currently teaching at our institutions of higher learning.
Modern liberalism is not only an ideology for the intellectually lazy, it is an ideology for individuals who - to be perfectly blunt - aren't all that bright. A liberal's answer for practically all public policy questions is the same: income redistribution. Even though we're still dealing with the failures of Great Society redistributionist schemes, liberals continue to trumpet their personal brands of '60s-style idealism and liberty-crushing statism.
It's interesting to note that the past half-century's most important works in the social sciences have been penned by those who've refuted liberal nostrums: Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Charles Murray, Ludwig von Mises, Russell Kirk, James Q. Wilson, etc. If liberals were forced to read such visionary economists, sociologists, and political scientists, we might never have to be subjected to their idealistic, emotionalist claptrap again.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 01, 2007
Fred Thompson: Fan o' small gov'ment
The Cato Institute says Fred Thompson is a "genuine small-government conservative":
"A preliminary look at his record suggests that while he is not quite the second coming of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, he may be much better on most issues than the alternatives.
"During his eight years in the Senate, Thompson had a solid record as a fiscal conservative. The National Taxpayers Union gives him the third highest marks of any candidate (trailing only [Rep. Ron] Paul and Rep. Tom Tancredo). While he sponsored or cosponsored legislation over the course of his career that would have resulted in a net increase in federal spending of $3.1 billion, that is the smallest increase among the contenders. (By comparison, John McCain would have increased spending by $36.9 billion). He generally shared McCain’s opposition to pork barrel spending and earmarks, and voted against the 2002 farm bill. He voted for the Bush tax cuts and has generally been solid in support of tax reduction.
"He has been a consistent supporter of entitlement reform, voting to means-test Medicare and supporting personal accounts for Social Security.
"His record on free trade is solid. In the past he has been supportive of comprehensive immigration reform, but has been critical of the current bill, shifting toward a “control the borders first” position. Still, he has not been Tancredo-like in his anti-immigration statements."
"A preliminary look at his record suggests that while he is not quite the second coming of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, he may be much better on most issues than the alternatives.
"During his eight years in the Senate, Thompson had a solid record as a fiscal conservative. The National Taxpayers Union gives him the third highest marks of any candidate (trailing only [Rep. Ron] Paul and Rep. Tom Tancredo). While he sponsored or cosponsored legislation over the course of his career that would have resulted in a net increase in federal spending of $3.1 billion, that is the smallest increase among the contenders. (By comparison, John McCain would have increased spending by $36.9 billion). He generally shared McCain’s opposition to pork barrel spending and earmarks, and voted against the 2002 farm bill. He voted for the Bush tax cuts and has generally been solid in support of tax reduction.
"He has been a consistent supporter of entitlement reform, voting to means-test Medicare and supporting personal accounts for Social Security.
"His record on free trade is solid. In the past he has been supportive of comprehensive immigration reform, but has been critical of the current bill, shifting toward a “control the borders first” position. Still, he has not been Tancredo-like in his anti-immigration statements."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Friday, June 01, 2007
