‘Democrats in Disarray!!!‘

Thu   6 Apr 2006   7:13 by Kevin McGehee in Coweta County, GA 0 comments [Get Offa My Lawn!] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

This item is the punchline to this item. State Treasurer Phil Angelides sharply attacked Democratic rival Steve Westly on Wednesday for the first time in the gubernatorial primary campaign as polls show Westly increasing in popularity among voters. Angelides portrayed Westly, the state controller, as the “sidekick” of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger while addressing an Oak Park crowd of more than 100 supporters, including his family. He added that Westly has “gone back and forth on the issue of (raising) taxes” and has offered “no plausible plan” to pay for increases in education funding. “On the tough fights that have faced this state, too often Steve Westly cuts and runs,“ Angelides said. “He does what’s easy, not what’s right.“ Westly spokesman Nick Velasquez retorted that “desperate candidates do desperate things. Phil Angelides is flailing. He’s behind in the polls. He’s behind in the money race.“ » Bee: Angelides goes on the offensive I remember Angelides from when I used to live in Sacramento. Seeing his political ambitions start to flounder brings me pleasure.

Legal Lobotomy

Thu   6 Apr 2006   7:07 by Kevin McGehee in Coweta County, GA 0 comments [Courting Disaster] [Wackadoodle] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

It’s the only plausible explanation—that they’ve somehow begun performing lobotomies on students as part of the graduation requirement in law school. Weissman contended in his March 17 letter that Lewis apparently considered his court “to be an American court, rather than a court for all persons situated in America.“ » AJC: Judge’s recital of pledge leads to recusal If it’s not an American court, maybe that explains why Supreme Court justices like Ginsburg and Kennedy are so enamored of using foreign law in their rulings.

‘...make that buffalo sausage.‘

Thu   6 Apr 2006   7:01 by Kevin McGehee in Coweta County, GA 2 comments [Yee-haw!] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

When someone mentions bison, they’re likely to conjure up images of Native Americans hunting huge herds of the beasts on picturesque, sweeping plains, or at least of some really bland exhibit in a natural history museum depicting the same. But the interest in bison meat for human consumption has brought the animal back from numbers dwindling around 1,000 in the early 1900s to more than 300,000 on modern farms and ranches today. Indeed, this is not your great-great-great grandfather’s buffalo. [...] So why the sudden interest in the meat? It’s actually not that sudden. Demand for high-end cuts of bison originally boomed in the ‘90s, which sent everyone scrambling to build herds and competing to buy animals, Dave Carter, Executive Director of the National Bison Association (NBA) said. But the consumers’ appetite for the meat didn’t last. After about a four-year slump, demand went up again in 2003, except this time people were interested in using the less expensive cuts for things like burgers and meatloaf, not just the high-end steaks. “[Consumers] are gravitating toward all the cuts of meat, which is very important to the ranchers. You’ve got to be able to sell the whole animal to make a living at it, “ Carter said. According to the NBA, bison meat has less fat than turkey, beef and chicken. It’s loaded with Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which studies say may actually help reduce body fat while preserving muscle tissue. The NBA also says that eating a 5 oz. serving of buffalo 4-5 times a week can help the health conscious reduce cholesterol levels. » FoxNews: Jump On the Buffalo Bandwagon On a local note, it appears that the Newnan location of Ted Turner’s bison-oriented eatery, Ted’s Montana Grill, has closed down—though the chain seems to still be in business. The bad news is, we still have Starbucks.

‘...and a side order of sausage.‘

Thu   6 Apr 2006   6:52 by Kevin McGehee 0 comments [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

For some reason, “Bill,“ the cartoon character in the famous Schoolhouse Rock sequence, never told us about this part of the legislative process. Senate Republicans will filibuster their own immigration bill today in the face of steadfast refusal by Democrats to allow amendments to the bill that many conservatives view as granting amnesty to illegal aliens. As an alternative, Majority Leader Bill Frist reached an agreement last night with fellow Republicans on a new comprehensive immigration plan that includes increasing border security and a guest-worker plan, but still does not resolve concerns about amnesty. The new plan would allow illegal aliens who have been in the United States for more than five years to remain in the country working while applying for U.S. citizenship. Those who have been here between two and five years would have to apply for citizenship at a point of entry, but could remain working. Anyone here for less than two years would have to leave the country, but they could still apply for citizenship from their home country. » Washington Times: Senate GOP to filibuster alien bill Why would the Republicans feel the need to filibuster? Minority Leader Harry Reid refused yesterday to allow votes on amendments to the bill that Republicans say they will filibuster, including one that would prohibit any illegal alien convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors from obtaining U.S. citizenship. Mr. Reid and other Democrats say that such an amendment would “gut” the immigration bill and they accused Republicans of being hostile to immigrants for proposing it. Mr. Reid’s tactical maneuvers came as news spread around Capitol Hill of a bill the Nevada Democrat sponsored in 1993 that was aimed at severely curtailing legal immigration and cracked down on illegal immigration. I think I can understand “Bill’s” reticence.

It Must Be Really Maneuverable (Updated)

Wed   5 Apr 2006   22:05 by Kevin McGehee 7 comments [War] [Wackadoodle] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Tuesday it had tested what it called a “super-modern flying boat” capable of evading radar. State TV showed a brief clip of the boat’s launch. “Due to its advanced design, no radar at sea or in the air can detect it. It can lift out of the water,“ the television said. It said the boat was “all Iranian-made and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving.“ » AP: Iran: Stealth ‘Flying Boat’ Successfully Tested UPDATE: Dave Worley tracks down the origin of Iran’s “stealth” “flying boat.“ A “stealth” “flying boat.“ Have you ever seen a flying boat? Take a gander at this one: » Read more "It Must Be Really Maneuverable (Updated)"

Well, What Would We Expect?

Wed   5 Apr 2006   11:11 by Kevin McGehee in Coweta County, GA 0 comments [Here's Your Sign] [Media Ochre] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

While Democrats and the media (but I repeat myself) natter on about an alleged “culture of corruption” in the GOP… So what do former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former EPA Administrator Carol Browner, and former Clinton Administration lawyers from the White House and the Department of Justice have in common besides their administration time together? They all earned millions working for the United Arab Emirates weeks before their roles became public in the sale of American-based port operations to Dubai World Ports. This shouldn’t come a surprise to anyone; in fact, just about anyone who works with the UAE earns millions. But no one has earned more than former President Clinton. » The Prowler: Take the Money and Run I remember when Bill Clinton, campaigning for the presidency in 1992, promised his administration would be the most honest and trustworthy in American history. I think that was the first time I ever had an irony meter just plain dissolve into dust right there in my hands.

Obviously It’s Not Impossible

Wed   5 Apr 2006   11:01 by Kevin McGehee 0 comments [War] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

If they can deport 39,000 illegal Chinese, they can deport 11 million illegal Mexicans—39,000 at a time. The Department of Homeland Security is near an agreement with China to return up to 39,000 Chinese illegally living in the U.S. to the communist country, which previously had refused to accept deportations. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff yesterday said the tentative agreement, which would let the U.S. deport Chinese illegals as they are arrested, will act as a deterrent to other foreign nationals contemplating illegal immigration. “We can’t be in the position any longer where we are paying the burden and bearing the burden for countries that won’t cooperate with us and take their own citizens back,“ said Mr. Chertoff as he completed a weeklong tour of China, Japan and Singapore to discuss security and immigration issues. Mr. Chertoff said nearly 700 Chinese nationals held in U.S. detention centers are clogging the system and that more than 38,000 have been released on bond after spending the maximum 180 days in lockup. China has declined to accept the illegals, citing uncertainty about their identities. » Washington Times: U.S. near deal with China on illegals Considering what China does to dissidents, I would think we’d be, if anything, less enthusiastic about deporting Chinese illegals than others. But this administration’s stance on immigration matters has never made sense to me. Zero, zip, zilch, nada.

TV Ad Jingle Leads to Terror Arrest

Wed   5 Apr 2006   10:57 by Kevin McGehee 2 comments [Wackadoodle] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

Some carmaker used the Clash’s “London Calling” in one of its commercials last year. A mobile phone salesman was hauled off a plane and questioned for three hours as a terror suspect—because he listened to songs by The Clash and Led Zeppelin. Harraj Mann, 24, played the punk anthem “London Calling” and classic rock track “Immigrant Song” in a taxi before a flight to London. The lyrics to both tracks made the driver fear his passenger was a terrorist. [...] He added: “It turned out the taxi driver alerted someone when I arrived at the airport and had spoken about my music. He didn’t like Led Zep or The Clash but there was no need to tell the police.“ » Daily Mail: Playing The Clash made man a terror suspect I can only imagine what would have happened if he had played “Muskrat Love” and “Seasons in the Sun.“

I Call This Good

Wed   5 Apr 2006   10:26 by Kevin McGehee in Coweta County, GA 0 comments [Alaska] [Out West] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

Democrats and the media (but I repeat myself) claim the Republican Party is in “disarray”—but I think these two news items are signs that the GOP is healthy and in a strong position going into 2006. First, in Alaska: Republican gubernatorial candidate John Binkley on Tuesday joined a growing chorus of those concerned about the direction Gov. Frank Murkowski’s administration has taken in the debate over oil tax reform. Binkley criticized the governor’s plan to link changes to the state’s oil tax regime to a deal with three major producers to build a North Slope natural gas pipeline. He urged lawmakers to make up their own mind on the tax bill and not bow to pressure from the administration or the industry. “I think the Legislature needs to look at the new tax regime and make their own decision on what’s best for Alaska,“ he said. “The most important thing is to make sure we get it right, even if the Legislature has to go into special session.“ » News-Miner: Binkley criticizes governor’s direction on oil tax changes I wouldn’t vote for John Binkley if he were running for speed bump (I just put two new tires on my truck, and they’re as big as I could afford), but he does represent a vociferous segment of the GOP in Alaska and there has been disappointment with Gov. Murkowski’s administration. It may very well be that Binkley’s wing of the party would be a better fit for Alaska for the next four years. In fact, Republican gubernatorial fortunes in Alaska have been piss-poor since at least 1990, when the official party nominee came in third and Wally Hickel, a Republican nominated by the Alaskan Independence Party (a bona fide secessionist party), was elected. Hickel of course went right back to the GOP after the election, but if you’re going to talk about disarray, the 1990, 1994 and 1998 gubernatorial elections in Alaska are what you find associated with the dictionary definition of the word, and the 800-pound-gorilla nature of Murkowski’s 2002 victory didn’t actually prove that the troubles were over. At least Binkley’s challenge is staying in the party. And then there’s Wyoming: A retired U.S. Navy captain says he plans to run against U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., in the August Republican primary. Bill Winney, who would be Cubin’s first primary opponent, made his intentions known at the Sublette County GOP Convention on Monday, but says he won’t formally announce his candidacy for a couple weeks. He said Tuesday he still has “a lot more homework to do” before he announces and plans to travel around the state listening to residents. Winney, 56, said he plans to adhere to President Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment of not speaking ill of a fellow Republican during the campaign and would not criticize Cubin. But, he says, he thinks he has a lot to offer voters. » AP: Cubin faces GOP challenge Cubin, coming as she does from a state with an American Indian population growing in clout—in fact, one of Wyoming’s two Indian tribes recently won the right to expand its bingo enterprise to full-scale Las Vegas-style gambling—may have some Abramoff baggage that I’m not aware of. She also was briefly embroiled in controversy over a bill by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado) to sell off federally owned lands in the West; she was listed as a sponsor but claimed she never signed on and had the sponsorship listing removed. Realistically, Winney probably won’t pose much of a threat to Cubin’s winning her party’s nomination in August. His announced intention to abide by the so-called “11th Commandment” is reassuring as to the tone of his campaign. Hopefully he’ll have some substantive issues to talk about and some worthwhile ideas to offer.

That’s Gotta Hurt

Tue   4 Apr 2006   20:58 by Kevin McGehee in Coweta County, GA 0 comments [Yee-haw!] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

The real reason Bush won re-election in ‘04? Psychologists at the University of Texas think they may know what propelled President Bush to victory in 2004 — he sounded more presidential than his Democratic opponent. Researchers analyzed 271 speeches, interviews, debates and press conferences from the 2004 presidential campaign looking for words, sentences, and speech patterns that may have affected voters’ perceptions of each candidate. The Washington Post reports that Vice President Cheney sounded by far the smartest of the four candidates, while he and President Bush sounded the most presidential. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards, meanwhile, was the most feminine sounding candidate, while John Kerry came across as depressed. » Brit Hume: Talking the Talk (Next to last item.) Anybody who was paying attention had to know Kerry never really expected to win.

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