Julia Roberts has named her newborn twins Hazel and Phinnaeus. Phinnaeus !! Poor kid, he is so going to be picked on, no matter how famous his mother is. Why would you do this to your child? What happened to William, Douglas or Charles? This is just wrong.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
Hard Drives and other stuff
Howdy kids. Sorry for the absence, but my hard drive crashed on me. Just as well, since I haven't had very much to talk about lately, other than all of my teams losing this weekend!! UVa lost to Tech, Arsenal lost to Liverpool and my 'Skins lost to the Steelers. What's a guy gotta do to get a win around here!! At least I had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at my sister-in-law's place!!
On a completely different topic, a buddy of mine noticed the insane number of video games I have at home and suggested that I write some reviews of the newer ones. Good idea Barney!! As soon as I pull my ass away from the TV, I'll get right on it.
On a completely different topic, a buddy of mine noticed the insane number of video games I have at home and suggested that I write some reviews of the newer ones. Good idea Barney!! As soon as I pull my ass away from the TV, I'll get right on it.
Friday, November 12, 2004
I'm back
Sorry for the lack of postings lately. I'm still suffering from a bit of Post-Election Depression. But never fear, there's enough craziness in this great country of ours to keep me busy! For starters, the God-fearing, gay-hating folks of Alabama have decided to keep Jim Crow language in their state constitution. Really, I can't make this stuff up. Read about it here.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Looking Ahead - US Senate 2006
My better half just e-mailed this to me:
"In the five elections since World War II that featured a president in his sixth year -- so called ‘six-year-itch' cycles -- the party out of the Oval Office has picked up an average of 29 House and six Senate seats." Roll Call - November 4, 2004
Senators up for re-election in 2006:ARIZONA: Jon Kyl (R)CALIFORNIA: Dianne Feinstein (D)CONNECTICUT: Joe Lieberman (D)DELAWARE: Thomas R. Carper (D)FLORIDA: Bill Nelson (D)HAWAII: Daniel K. Akaka (D)INDIANA: Richard G. Lugar (R) MAINE: Olympia J. Snowe (R)MARYLAND: Paul S. Sarbanes (D)MASSACHUSETTS: Edward M. Kennedy (D)MICHIGAN: Debbie Stabenow (D)MINNESOTA: Mark Dayton (DFL)MISSISSIPPI: Trent Lott (R)MISSOURI: Jim Talent (R)MONTANA: Conrad Burns (R)NEBRASKA: Ben Nelson (D)NEVADA: John Ensign (R)NEW JERSEY: Jon S. Corzine (D)NEW MEXICO: Jeff Bingaman (D)NEW YORK: Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)NORTH DAKOTA: Kent Conrad (D)OHIO: Mike DeWine (R)PENNSYLVANIA: Rick Santorum (R)RHODE ISLAND: Lincoln D. Chafee (R)TENNESSEE: Bill Frist (R)TEXAS: Kay Bailey Hutchison (R)UTAH: Orrin G. Hatch (R)VERMONT: Jim Jeffords (I)VIRGINIA: George F. Allen (R)WASHINGTON: Maria Cantwell (D)WEST VIRGINIA: Robert C. Byrd (D)WISCONSIN: Herbert H. Kohl (D)WYOMING: Craig Thomas (R)
-------------------------
From Modern Vertebrate web sitehttp://www.modernvertebrate.com/elections/2006-national/
U.S. Senate Races
Retirement watch
California (Feinstein-D) - Feinstein is in her 70s and may retire, or she might run for governor. Possible opponents include Condoleezza Rice (R), Rep. Doug Ose, state Sen. Tom McClintock, Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. George Radanovich.
Connecticut (Lieberman-D) - Lieberman will be 64 in election year. After losing his bid for the presidential nomination in 2004, he may call it quits. However, if he runs, he's safe.
Indiana (Lugar-R) - Lugar is safe if he runs again, although he'll be 76 in election year and he may retire.
Massachusetts (Kennedy-D) - Kennedy will be 75 come election year, and he may retire.
Utah (Hatch-R) - He'll be 72 election year, and he may retire. If he does run, he'll coast to re-election.
Vermont (Jeffords-I) - Jim Jeffords will be 72 in election year. If he decides to run, the man without a party may have a tough time raising cash, although Democrats
West Virginia (Byrd-D) - Byrd will be 88 years old in 2006 and may retire.
In trouble???
Maine (Snowe-R) - Snowe, a moderate, might see a challenge from a more conservative Republican in the primary.
Mississippi (Lott-R) - Something tells me that Lott won't be running for re-election. If he does, he'll likely face a stiff Democratic challenge, possibly from former Attorney General Mike Moore.
New York (Clinton-D) - Clinton will no doubt run for re-election in 2006, which will likely put her against the state's Republican heavy-hitters, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki.
Pennsylvania (Santorum-R) - I'd say Sen. Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum is probably going to be in trouble in this Democrat-leaning state.
Safe seats (for now!)
Arizona (Kyl-R) - Jon Kyl will be 64 in election year and will likely run again. Arizona Democrats may go after Kyl after giving the other Ariz. senator, John McCain, a pass in 2004. Still, Kyl is pretty safe.
Delaware (Carper-D) - Carper will likely seek a second term.
Florida (Bill Nelson-D) - Former astronaut Nelson is safe if he runs (he'll turn 64 years ago in 2006), although Florida has been a toss-up state in recent years. Rep. Katherine Harris likely declined to run in 2004 to make a run for this seat or else governor.
Hawaii (Akaka-D) - Akaka is getting up there in age, but will probably run again.
Maryland (Sarbanes-D)
Michigan (Stabenow-D)
Minnesota (Dayton-D) - Sen. Dayton will likely run again.
Missouri (Talent-R) - Freshman Sen. Jim Talent will likely run again.
Montana (Burns-R) - Burns will probably run again.
Nebraska (Ben Nelson-D)
Nevada (Ensign-R)
New Jersey (Corzine-D)
New Mexico (Bingaman-D) - Bingham is pretty safe if he runs again.
North Dakota (Conrad-D)
Ohio (DeWine-R)
Rhode Island (Chafee-R)
Tennessee (Frist-R) - Frist will no doubt coast to re-election.
Texas (Hutchinson-R) - Hutchinson may run for governor in 2006. If not, she's a safe bet for re-election.
Virginia (Allen-R) - He will likely run and be re-elected.
Washington (Cantwell-D)
Wisconsin (Kohl-D) - Kohl's pretty safe if he runs again, although former Gov. and Secy. of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson may make it interesting.
Wyoming (Thomas-R)
"In the five elections since World War II that featured a president in his sixth year -- so called ‘six-year-itch' cycles -- the party out of the Oval Office has picked up an average of 29 House and six Senate seats." Roll Call - November 4, 2004
Senators up for re-election in 2006:ARIZONA: Jon Kyl (R)CALIFORNIA: Dianne Feinstein (D)CONNECTICUT: Joe Lieberman (D)DELAWARE: Thomas R. Carper (D)FLORIDA: Bill Nelson (D)HAWAII: Daniel K. Akaka (D)INDIANA: Richard G. Lugar (R) MAINE: Olympia J. Snowe (R)MARYLAND: Paul S. Sarbanes (D)MASSACHUSETTS: Edward M. Kennedy (D)MICHIGAN: Debbie Stabenow (D)MINNESOTA: Mark Dayton (DFL)MISSISSIPPI: Trent Lott (R)MISSOURI: Jim Talent (R)MONTANA: Conrad Burns (R)NEBRASKA: Ben Nelson (D)NEVADA: John Ensign (R)NEW JERSEY: Jon S. Corzine (D)NEW MEXICO: Jeff Bingaman (D)NEW YORK: Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)NORTH DAKOTA: Kent Conrad (D)OHIO: Mike DeWine (R)PENNSYLVANIA: Rick Santorum (R)RHODE ISLAND: Lincoln D. Chafee (R)TENNESSEE: Bill Frist (R)TEXAS: Kay Bailey Hutchison (R)UTAH: Orrin G. Hatch (R)VERMONT: Jim Jeffords (I)VIRGINIA: George F. Allen (R)WASHINGTON: Maria Cantwell (D)WEST VIRGINIA: Robert C. Byrd (D)WISCONSIN: Herbert H. Kohl (D)WYOMING: Craig Thomas (R)
-------------------------
From Modern Vertebrate web sitehttp://www.modernvertebrate.com/elections/2006-national/
U.S. Senate Races
Retirement watch
California (Feinstein-D) - Feinstein is in her 70s and may retire, or she might run for governor. Possible opponents include Condoleezza Rice (R), Rep. Doug Ose, state Sen. Tom McClintock, Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. George Radanovich.
Connecticut (Lieberman-D) - Lieberman will be 64 in election year. After losing his bid for the presidential nomination in 2004, he may call it quits. However, if he runs, he's safe.
Indiana (Lugar-R) - Lugar is safe if he runs again, although he'll be 76 in election year and he may retire.
Massachusetts (Kennedy-D) - Kennedy will be 75 come election year, and he may retire.
Utah (Hatch-R) - He'll be 72 election year, and he may retire. If he does run, he'll coast to re-election.
Vermont (Jeffords-I) - Jim Jeffords will be 72 in election year. If he decides to run, the man without a party may have a tough time raising cash, although Democrats
West Virginia (Byrd-D) - Byrd will be 88 years old in 2006 and may retire.
In trouble???
Maine (Snowe-R) - Snowe, a moderate, might see a challenge from a more conservative Republican in the primary.
Mississippi (Lott-R) - Something tells me that Lott won't be running for re-election. If he does, he'll likely face a stiff Democratic challenge, possibly from former Attorney General Mike Moore.
New York (Clinton-D) - Clinton will no doubt run for re-election in 2006, which will likely put her against the state's Republican heavy-hitters, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki.
Pennsylvania (Santorum-R) - I'd say Sen. Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum is probably going to be in trouble in this Democrat-leaning state.
Safe seats (for now!)
Arizona (Kyl-R) - Jon Kyl will be 64 in election year and will likely run again. Arizona Democrats may go after Kyl after giving the other Ariz. senator, John McCain, a pass in 2004. Still, Kyl is pretty safe.
Delaware (Carper-D) - Carper will likely seek a second term.
Florida (Bill Nelson-D) - Former astronaut Nelson is safe if he runs (he'll turn 64 years ago in 2006), although Florida has been a toss-up state in recent years. Rep. Katherine Harris likely declined to run in 2004 to make a run for this seat or else governor.
Hawaii (Akaka-D) - Akaka is getting up there in age, but will probably run again.
Maryland (Sarbanes-D)
Michigan (Stabenow-D)
Minnesota (Dayton-D) - Sen. Dayton will likely run again.
Missouri (Talent-R) - Freshman Sen. Jim Talent will likely run again.
Montana (Burns-R) - Burns will probably run again.
Nebraska (Ben Nelson-D)
Nevada (Ensign-R)
New Jersey (Corzine-D)
New Mexico (Bingaman-D) - Bingham is pretty safe if he runs again.
North Dakota (Conrad-D)
Ohio (DeWine-R)
Rhode Island (Chafee-R)
Tennessee (Frist-R) - Frist will no doubt coast to re-election.
Texas (Hutchinson-R) - Hutchinson may run for governor in 2006. If not, she's a safe bet for re-election.
Virginia (Allen-R) - He will likely run and be re-elected.
Washington (Cantwell-D)
Wisconsin (Kohl-D) - Kohl's pretty safe if he runs again, although former Gov. and Secy. of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson may make it interesting.
Wyoming (Thomas-R)
Saturday, November 06, 2004
What to do?
Any suggestions? Don't blame gay folks for this one kids, that would be like blaming black people for the loss of the south to the Republicans. They thrive on fear and ignorance. We need a short, simple message. And we have 2 years to come up with one (mid-term congressional elections). I'll be musing here.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
It could be worse
From Gene Weingarten:
The worst choice Americans were ever asked to make occurred in 1852. The candidates were Democrat Franklin Pierce and Whig Winfield Scott. Pierce was a senator from New Hampshire who was often derided for having obtained his fame through nepotism, his father having been governor of that state. Pierce, incidentally, is also said to be distantly related to Geo. W. Bush. ( I do not state this for partisan purposes; there was plenty in the dismal election of 1852 to find parallels to both candidates today. For example, Pierce also was a totally non-consequential senator, never authoring any piece of important legislation.) Pierce was a tepid nobody, a drooling drunk chosen on a very late ballot after several deadlocks among worthier candidates who actually had coherent positions on important subjects. That made them controversial to one faction or the other; hence, the deadlock. In the end, they chose Pierce because he had never said anything that had offended anyone, and because - this is the key - he was horribly, historically, evilly wrong on the biggest issue of the day. He was a northerner who was pro-slavery. The north tolerated him because he was one of them, and the south tolerated him because he was, well, one of them. His opponent, Scott, was a genuine war hero, as culpable as any for the shameful Trail of Tears that destroyed and emasculated the Cherokee nation. He was nicknamed "Old Fuss and Feathers" because, despite being 6 foot five and approaching 300 pounds, he dressed like a fop and a dandy. He also was a real stickler for protocol. And a self-important blowhard. The pix of him are hilarious. The best measure of how awful this election was is that historians pretty much agree that the reason Pierce won is that he didn't campaign at all. Scott, unfortunately for Scott, did. His speeches put people to sleep with his long-winded, pompous oratory. Cleverly, Pierce managed to hide his ickyness by remaining indoors. Bad choice? Add to this that the election of 1852 was probably the most important election in the country's history, to that date. It still ranks among the most important, ever. It was probably the last chance to elect someone who might have avoided the civil war. The loser, Scott, pretty much finished off the Whig party. It would never be a factor in politics again. Scott would go on to be a failed military leader in the war that Pierce could not avert. Scott eventually was fired by Lincoln for incompetence. Near the end he was so fat he could no longer mount his horse. And the winner? He went on to preside over what historians generally rank the second worst presidency in history (after the man who succeeded him.) I consider it the worst. Where to begin? How about that Pierce became the only president to be arrested while in office? He ran over a woman in his carriage, almost certainly while driving drunk. He did sober up enough to squire through passage of his pet legislation, the Kansas-Nebraska act. That's the one that pretty much gave the federal imprimatur to the virtue of slavery; it is considered the single most important catalyst of the Civil War. Pierce was so disliked even his wife didn't talk to him. He ended his presidency as the only president ever to be denied re-nomination by his own party.
The worst choice Americans were ever asked to make occurred in 1852. The candidates were Democrat Franklin Pierce and Whig Winfield Scott. Pierce was a senator from New Hampshire who was often derided for having obtained his fame through nepotism, his father having been governor of that state. Pierce, incidentally, is also said to be distantly related to Geo. W. Bush. ( I do not state this for partisan purposes; there was plenty in the dismal election of 1852 to find parallels to both candidates today. For example, Pierce also was a totally non-consequential senator, never authoring any piece of important legislation.) Pierce was a tepid nobody, a drooling drunk chosen on a very late ballot after several deadlocks among worthier candidates who actually had coherent positions on important subjects. That made them controversial to one faction or the other; hence, the deadlock. In the end, they chose Pierce because he had never said anything that had offended anyone, and because - this is the key - he was horribly, historically, evilly wrong on the biggest issue of the day. He was a northerner who was pro-slavery. The north tolerated him because he was one of them, and the south tolerated him because he was, well, one of them. His opponent, Scott, was a genuine war hero, as culpable as any for the shameful Trail of Tears that destroyed and emasculated the Cherokee nation. He was nicknamed "Old Fuss and Feathers" because, despite being 6 foot five and approaching 300 pounds, he dressed like a fop and a dandy. He also was a real stickler for protocol. And a self-important blowhard. The pix of him are hilarious. The best measure of how awful this election was is that historians pretty much agree that the reason Pierce won is that he didn't campaign at all. Scott, unfortunately for Scott, did. His speeches put people to sleep with his long-winded, pompous oratory. Cleverly, Pierce managed to hide his ickyness by remaining indoors. Bad choice? Add to this that the election of 1852 was probably the most important election in the country's history, to that date. It still ranks among the most important, ever. It was probably the last chance to elect someone who might have avoided the civil war. The loser, Scott, pretty much finished off the Whig party. It would never be a factor in politics again. Scott would go on to be a failed military leader in the war that Pierce could not avert. Scott eventually was fired by Lincoln for incompetence. Near the end he was so fat he could no longer mount his horse. And the winner? He went on to preside over what historians generally rank the second worst presidency in history (after the man who succeeded him.) I consider it the worst. Where to begin? How about that Pierce became the only president to be arrested while in office? He ran over a woman in his carriage, almost certainly while driving drunk. He did sober up enough to squire through passage of his pet legislation, the Kansas-Nebraska act. That's the one that pretty much gave the federal imprimatur to the virtue of slavery; it is considered the single most important catalyst of the Civil War. Pierce was so disliked even his wife didn't talk to him. He ended his presidency as the only president ever to be denied re-nomination by his own party.
We're back
Our man won, but none of us got too happy about it, because of what was happening elsewhere. GA's 12th district elected John Barrows to Congress. A blue island in a sea of red.
The bus ride home from Athens yesterday was long and quiet. Amber cried quite a bit. I tried not to. Still can't believe it. I know we're not that out of touch with America, are we? Now is the time of introspection, to decide what we need to do. Here are a few thoughts. Don't give up. Republicans have been where we are before, and now look. Everything is cyclical, or is that everything is cynical?
Suprisingly, I'm not mad or angry. At least not yet. I'm just profoundly sad and depressed. When you feel that you are in the right, and are told by the electorate that you're not, how do you respond? I don't know. But I do know this - watch out Louisianna, I'll be down there in December to get us a couple of House seats!!
The bus ride home from Athens yesterday was long and quiet. Amber cried quite a bit. I tried not to. Still can't believe it. I know we're not that out of touch with America, are we? Now is the time of introspection, to decide what we need to do. Here are a few thoughts. Don't give up. Republicans have been where we are before, and now look. Everything is cyclical, or is that everything is cynical?
Suprisingly, I'm not mad or angry. At least not yet. I'm just profoundly sad and depressed. When you feel that you are in the right, and are told by the electorate that you're not, how do you respond? I don't know. But I do know this - watch out Louisianna, I'll be down there in December to get us a couple of House seats!!
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Election Day
We've been up and out on the streets since 6:30 this morning. My team has reached almost 500 homes today, reminding and encouraging folks to vote. We're all exhausted, but feeling great!! C'mon , let's win this mutha!
Monday, November 01, 2004
Greetings from Athens, GA
Hey kids,
Well, we're down here in Athens, GA, home of the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). We're fighting for John Barrow, our Democratic candidate for Georgia's 12th Congressional District seat.
Athens is a beautiful town, reminds me much of Charlottesville, my favorite town on earth. We're getting out the vote, big time! My team alone has already reached over 800 voters, and we have tons of DCCC volunteers knocking on doors and handing out literature to voters. It's all about turnout folks!
And, as usual, the GOP is playing dirty. Yesterday, little kids were spotted being dropped off by their parents passing out Max Burns' (the GOP incumbent) flyers and removing Barrow's signs. It's illegal, but who's gonna prosecute little kids? Sneaky bastards!! But cheating won't win this time, MFers. We are pissed and won't take this shit anymore. Brothers and sisters are gonna vote in massive numbers, not just here, but all across this great land of ours!! Here that noise? That's karma getting ready to take a bite out of W's ass!!
Well, we're down here in Athens, GA, home of the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). We're fighting for John Barrow, our Democratic candidate for Georgia's 12th Congressional District seat.
Athens is a beautiful town, reminds me much of Charlottesville, my favorite town on earth. We're getting out the vote, big time! My team alone has already reached over 800 voters, and we have tons of DCCC volunteers knocking on doors and handing out literature to voters. It's all about turnout folks!
And, as usual, the GOP is playing dirty. Yesterday, little kids were spotted being dropped off by their parents passing out Max Burns' (the GOP incumbent) flyers and removing Barrow's signs. It's illegal, but who's gonna prosecute little kids? Sneaky bastards!! But cheating won't win this time, MFers. We are pissed and won't take this shit anymore. Brothers and sisters are gonna vote in massive numbers, not just here, but all across this great land of ours!! Here that noise? That's karma getting ready to take a bite out of W's ass!!
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