An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 10 January 2008
Blech!
Now that was something I could have lived the rest of my life without seeing….Bobbette (possum) munching a mouse! Yes, I’m a wuss! Some things in nature should be known about, but not actually watched!
Debate
Mr. No Runny Eggs is once again adding to the enjoyment of watching the Republican debate. Go. See.
From The Weekly Standard
Thompson Blogger Call
Senator Fred Thompson just concluded a conference call with a number of bloggers. Before the call began, we were alerted to expect a “major conservative endorsement” of the Senator tomorrow.
Thompson opened with a brief statement, mentioning that he has been in South Carolina since Monday, traveling all over the state, and spreading the message that he is the “clear consistent conservative” in the race. He said that he’s cut taxes, reformed welfare, fought for the Second Amendment, and helped balance the federal budget four years running. He reiterated that he has a 100 percent pro-life voting record, and that he’s the same conservative he was yesterday and will be tomorrow.
He then opened it up for questions.
Ed Morrissey: A Fox poll that was just released shows lots of undecideds in South Carolina. Are you seeing the same thing?
Thompson: I see lots of people enthusiastic about my candidacy strongly supporting me. But that’s the way the campaign goes. I know there are lots of undecideds. This is a fluid campaign; one guy won Iowa, another won New Hampshire. I think we’ll have a new winner in South Carolina. I see McCain moving ahead, and Giuliani falling back. But the state is tailor-made for a consistent conservative. I’m just out there telling the people the truth about important issues.
Rob Bluey: Are you following the debate over earmarks in Washington? As president, would you issue an executive order to disregard non-mandatory earmarks in appropriations reports?
Thompson: Yes, yes. The earmarks are not part of the legislation. If they are not debated and voted up and down, they’re not part of the law. The president has the discretion to tell OMB to disregard what comes out of committee, and I would do so.
Dan Riehl: In presidential races we see a showbiz/politics nexus. But even though you’re known from show biz, you’ve put forward more comprehensive proposals than anybody. Have you thought about changing anything to generate buzz? And, where will you go after at the debate?
Thompson: On the latter point, wait and see. I won’t show my hand, but it will ‘go along the lines of what you’re talking about.’ I went from zero to third in Iowa with retail politics; it ought to work here as well.
And it’s a surprise to some — because I made some movies and had a part in a TV show — that I’m not slick and scripted. But that’s not me; it never has been. It’s a creation in the minds of others. I’m not going to try to change. If it’s too laid back, it’s too laid back. I’m going to keep working hard like I did in Iowa.
Erick Erickson: You crossed Iowa in a bus and had no stops in New Hampshire. Are you going to do anything extra in South Carolina to change the media narrative about you?Thompson: I’ll listen to any ideas anyone has, but that’s never been a possibility with me. The media will only be impressed with success on election night. They get it majorly wrong so much of the time. I watched a panel of experts a few nights before Iowa — it was on Fox News in fact — and every one said McCain would come in third. Then that report came out that I was going to get out and endorse McCain, and the press lapped it up like kittens with a saucer of milk. It made me respond everywhere I went. I can’t worry about that; I have to stick to working hard.
Quin Hillyer: The media narrative is set, but is there anything you can do to change narrative in and among the people of South Carolina — above and around the media?
Thompson: That’s what I’m doing. I’m in 35 towns and communities, talking eye to eye, meeting with every local paper, every local station. But it’s about me, not my techniques; I either work or I don’t. That’s what South Carolina and me are all about. It’s a neighboring state, and reality wins out. My guess may be wrong, but I stand based on who I am and what I believe.
He then spoke at length about how he can’t change who he is. He just has to keep getting his message out. He referenced McCain and Huckabee, and wondered about the reasons for their success. He said it wasn’t because they changed who they were; they labored out in the vineyard. And he said it’s not because the media decided one day to be with them. Lots of it had to do with what happened to the candidates around them and what they were doing.
He said people need to ask themselves who they want sitting across from their worst enemy. Whom do they trust? Who is courageous, truthful, and honorable enough. Thompson said this campaign ought to be different from a high school election. And he expressed confidence in the American people–”they need to choose somebody people can be proud of.”
Matt Lewis: Chuck Norris came in for Huckabee; Oprah endorsed Obama. Is there any plan to bring a celebrity to South Carolina?
Thompson: Nope. I’d be very surprised if people supported Huckabee because of Norris.
Tom Bevan: Should you have gotten in earlier?
Thompson: We’ll look back on that one of these days. It’s more important with fundraising, rather than campaign structure. I’ve not given in to the notion that with modern communications being what they are, that these campaigns need to be longer. Is it a race to the bottom? If someone gets in three years out, do we all have to? It hasn’t helped Mitt much; it hasn’t helped Rudy much.
H/T: Stop the ACLU
R.I.P.
Don’t Think We Need a Fence? Think Again!
Mexican soldiers found invading United States
Government report documents dozens of armed campaigns in Texas, Arizona
A federal document obtained and released by Judicial Watch reveals that there were dozens of armed incursions by Mexican soldiers and police into the United States during Fiscal Year 2007.
The report was obtained by the Washington-based organization that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and it documents 29 confirmed incidents along the U.S.-Mexican border involving Mexican military and/or law enforcement personnel during that time.
“These documents not only show the dangerous and chaotic situation at the Mexican border, but also the complicity of some Mexican government agents in violating U.S. law,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
“The U.S. government must begin to take these incidents more seriously, publicize them and take measures to bring the crisis at our border under control,” he said. Read on…
Does This Surprise Anyone?
Derrick left a link, Electoral Compass, to ‘discover’ which candidate holds the closest views to my own.
Farthest from my views? B. Hussein Obama.
Closest? Why, Fred Thompson, obviously.
What a shocker, eh? 
So, which is closest to yours? Be honest now!
SOMEBODY is Having an Eceptionally Good Day!
First, he calls me to tell me he passes this big exam. Something to do with insurance? I was a bit out of it at the time. Ok, it was early! There! You happy? 
THEN, he calls to tell me to tell me his ‘graduation’ gift from a VERY good friend is……………………
TICKETS! FIFTY YARD LINE! DALLAS COWBOYS VS NEW YORK GIANTS!
Sometimes, I just don’t like that boy! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Ok ok ok! I’m a grown up….sorta. It’s envy! I can admit it! Complete envy! Unequivocal! Green eyed monster!
He better not jinx ‘em!
:/
Morning Coffee 01/10/08
Middle East: Bush visit a “shame”, says Hezbollah
“The visit by American president George W. Bush to the Middle East is a shame in the history of Islam,” said Hasan Nasrallah, the leader of the militant Shia group on the second day of Bush’s Middle East tour.
“He is coming to change the truth but the Arab people will not fall for his trap.”
Which truth is he talking about? The one that so many have died at the hands of these murderous thugs, or the one that these same murderous thugs do nothing for their people? Which truth?
“The Best Political Team on Television”?
The more preposterous the advertising slogan, the greater the number of repetitions required to mallet the message into the audience’s consciousness. On the day of the New Hampshire primaries, CNN informed its viewers more than 50 times that it fields “the best political team on television.” The network’s incessant self-hype didn’t appear in on-air promos between news segments but during news programs.
CNN has viewers?
‘Liberated’ – Women voters seize the day
Her extraordinary and unexpected comeback in the New Hampshire Democratic primary was driven by women voters in record numbers. They largely shunned her in Iowa last week but came flooding back on Tuesday to make her the first woman to win a presidential primary. Yesterday she claimed to have “liberated†women politicians, after a campaign in which she revealed a previously unseen passion and personal empathy.
More primary voters turned out in the Granite State than ever before, as a clear gender gap opened up with 57 per cent of voters in the Democratic primary being women. Of these, 46 per cent backed Mrs Clinton compared with just 34 per cent for Mr Obama. Among female voters aged 40 or more, she won 70 per cent support.
I wonder how many of those women actually LIVE in NH? Liberated? Pfft! Nope, they are still falling for the ‘ugly woman’ rhetoric.
Bredesen’s wife defends project
When Conte unveiled plans for a comprehensive restoration and modernization of the property in late 2003, it was estimated at $10 million, including $3.3 million for a new above-ground conservatory to seat up to 160 for banquets and large meetings. She committed to raising 60 to 80 percent of that from private sources and has raised about $8 million.
As the restoration proceeded, Yoakum’s firm, archimania, suggested putting the new meeting space underground.
The construction, including two hallways connecting it to a guest drop-off and to the mansion, is 15,000 square feet, but Yoakum said the dining hall is 2,800. The rest is hallway and reception areas, restrooms, kitchen and mechanical equipment.
The hall is now estimated at $4.8 million. But an additional $3.8 million is mostly attributable to it, including a new driveway for mini-buses to deliver guests and a small new anteroom to the mansion for an elevator to take guests down to a connecting tunnel.
So, the woman is building a bunker (and a conservatory) that the majority of Tennesseans with never see? Yet a good chunk of tax payer dollars will be shoveled into it? Well, ok. When is Bredesen up for re-election?
Bush Predicts Mideast Peace Treaty Before He Leaves White House
President Bush on Thursday predicted that a Mideast peace treaty would be completed by the time he leaves office, and named a U.S. Air Force general to oversee compliance with a U.S.-backed peace plan.
Bush said he’s convinced that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders understand “the importance of democratic states living side by side” in peace, and noted that he has a one-year deadline for progress on his watch.
Why do American presidents think they can solve the problems of the Middle East? They seem to promise a good chunk of change to a bunch of murdering thugs in the hopes they’ll stop being murderous thugs. They gladly take OUR money, and laugh as they blow up another bus full of innocents.
Bomber hits Pakistan high court
A suicide bomber has struck police outside the Lahore high court in eastern Pakistan, causing multiple killing at least 22 people and wounding many more.
The bomber dropped the motorcycle he was riding and ran into a row of officers who were gathering on Thursday morning ahead of a protest by lawyers outside the court.
Malik Iqbal, the city police chief, said: “Twenty-two policemen died in the attack, six are critically wounded.”
Muslims don’t want democracy. It’s as simple as that! They’ll kill anyone and everyone to prevent it. Ya see, a democracy means freedom, and if folks are free, they’ll figure out what an oppression bunch have been running the show.
Appeals court allows S.F. to enforce health care law
A federal appeals court gave San Francisco the green light Wednesday to require employers to help pay for health care for uninsured workers and residents, and it signaled that it is likely to uphold the city’s groundbreaking universal coverage law.
A three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed San Francisco to enforce its law and extend coverage to all uninsured adults while the city appeals a federal judge’s decision striking down a key funding provision.
Isn’t there any way to get rid of those socialists? They have NO business being in the health care business!
Judge blocks Missouri public schools from distributing Bibles
An attorney for the southeastern Missouri school district said Wednesday he will appeal the judge’s injunction against the practice.
For more than three decades, the South Iron School District in Annapolis, 120 miles southwest of St. Louis in the heart of the Bible Belt, allowed representatives of Gideons International to give away Bibles in fifth-grade classrooms.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit two years ago on behalf of four sets of parents. In August, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a temporary injunction against the practice.
Freedom OF….remember? As best I can see, no one is forcing the kids to actually read It! Or even take it home. So, what’s the problem?
Kerry Endorses B. Hussein
AP: John Kerry Endorsing Barack Obama
Barack Obama has won the presidential endorsement of Sen. John Kerry, the Democrats’ 2004 nominee who lost to George W. Bush.
Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts, plans to announce his support Thursday at a rally at the College of Charleston, said a Democrat familiar with Kerry’s decision. The 2004 nominee will argue that Obama can best unite the country and has the potential to create transformational change, the person said.
I wonder if that’ll be the kiss of death for him?
