Thank God the tiki bar's still open
Thank God the tiki touch still shines
Thank God the tiki bar's still open
Come on in and open up your mind
-- John Hiatt
This was the theme song of my vacation even before I got to see John Hiatt and his band, The Ageless Beauties, at the other ageless beauty, the Calvin Theater in Northampton, Massachusetts. They were great. He played all my favorites, plus stuff from his new CD. I never knew until this concert that he wrote Thing Called Love – the huge Bonnie Raitt hit.
It was a pretty mellow week but I managed to keep up with politics a bit. I was going to open my comments by asking if Anita Bryant was unwilling to serve or perhaps dead, but I see you hard core lefties couldn’t even wait for a new post to start tearing up poor Governor Palin – the harpie scourge of motherhood and State Police everywhere. (Plus I’m sure Hankster is upset that I capitalized God in the lyrics above.) You guys have at her; we’ve had a lot worse in the VP job. At least she’s not a plagiarist.
I’d rather write about the Dem convention, which I thought was very well done. They are starting to learn that presentation matters. If Al Gore had spoken that well and that directly to the electorate in 2000 he would have won in a landslide. Shakespeare was wrong; first we should kill all the political consultants.
You had to watch PBS to see my favorite part of the week. The networks feel that if there is going to be any theatrics involved they’ll provide it – thank you very much – so they now only show the “major” speeches, while PBS just let’s the cameras roll. (I also think David Brooks and Mark Shields offer the most interesting commentary.)
Anyway, I think only PBS showed the six “real people” the Dems selected to precede Jobama’s acceptance speech with 3-5 minute endorsements. They were direct, well-spoken, and smartly chosen to represent larger groups to which many people might relate. One was Barney Smith, an ex-factory worker from Indiana who looks like the living embodiment of Elmer Fudd, and who told the audience, “America needs a President who will put Barney Smith ahead of Smith Barney!” Brilliant! You can see him on YouTube.
Well, there is more to come including on-the-scene photos from Denver taken by our local Daily Blank correspondent BlkPnthrGaGa. I’ll figure out the best way to post them later this afternoon.
It was a pretty mellow week but I managed to keep up with politics a bit. I was going to open my comments by asking if Anita Bryant was unwilling to serve or perhaps dead, but I see you hard core lefties couldn’t even wait for a new post to start tearing up poor Governor Palin – the harpie scourge of motherhood and State Police everywhere. (Plus I’m sure Hankster is upset that I capitalized God in the lyrics above.) You guys have at her; we’ve had a lot worse in the VP job. At least she’s not a plagiarist.
I’d rather write about the Dem convention, which I thought was very well done. They are starting to learn that presentation matters. If Al Gore had spoken that well and that directly to the electorate in 2000 he would have won in a landslide. Shakespeare was wrong; first we should kill all the political consultants.
You had to watch PBS to see my favorite part of the week. The networks feel that if there is going to be any theatrics involved they’ll provide it – thank you very much – so they now only show the “major” speeches, while PBS just let’s the cameras roll. (I also think David Brooks and Mark Shields offer the most interesting commentary.)
Anyway, I think only PBS showed the six “real people” the Dems selected to precede Jobama’s acceptance speech with 3-5 minute endorsements. They were direct, well-spoken, and smartly chosen to represent larger groups to which many people might relate. One was Barney Smith, an ex-factory worker from Indiana who looks like the living embodiment of Elmer Fudd, and who told the audience, “America needs a President who will put Barney Smith ahead of Smith Barney!” Brilliant! You can see him on YouTube.
Well, there is more to come including on-the-scene photos from Denver taken by our local Daily Blank correspondent BlkPnthrGaGa. I’ll figure out the best way to post them later this afternoon.
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17 comments:
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish. - Anonymous
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? - Epicurus
Wow. I guess summer's over for Hankster! This philosophical stuff is bit above my SAT score.
I thought the Dems did a boffo job last week. Everything on time and not a glitch to seen. Loved Barney Smith. Also like Schweitzer (not Albert) but the governor of Montana. Looked very cool in a bolo tie.
I'll take a guy that cribbed a speech or two twenty years ago over a crackpot religious zealot that thinks its okay to teach "intelligent design" in public schools and "abstinence only" is the way to teach sex-ed. How'd that work out by the way? She also belongs to the Alaska Independent Party which advocates secession from the union. My family, having been on the losing end of that move 150 years ago, I can tell her it won't work out.
I think network news including their cable subsidaries jumped the shark in that convention. Shame on them to incessantly talk over the non-superstar speeches like we give one F$%K what Keith Olbermann has to say. What the F ever happend to "broadcasting" an event...you know like you set up the cameras and let the event be the star, not the damned "talent". Man, that was infuriating! Especially during the Montana speech, the whole crowd is going strong and with 4 words left, Tom Brokaw finally says "let's listen in" Thanks Tom, the speech is over and we were all bored to tears with your dribble while he was inspiring 30,000 people!
White trash is white trash whether it is the Spears family of Mississippi or The Governor and First Dude Palin of Alaska. The Phyllis Schlafly's of the world can't have it all ways. It appears preaching abstinence doesn't work with teenagers. It also appears it is now ok if Mom works and doesn't stay home with 5 children one of whom is a Downs baby and isn't the Guv Holy Mary Mother of God for carrying a Downs baby. Those people in St. Paul make me sick. Of course McCain was blind-sided. Wonder if Mrs. Palin will withdraw for "the sake of my family". If so, look for the Mittster (he of the tying his dog on the top of his station wagon for a vacation in Canada fame) to pick up the standard.
As much as I agree with Fenway, I can't imagine Palin dropping out. McCain would get beaten like a rented mule (to quote Dan Rather). For good or ill (hopefully), they're stuck with her.
Does Bristol's coming child out of wedlock say something about not advocating sex education in school? Shall we mention the elephant in the room? Yes, it is the unprotected sex and STDs, not the pregnancy. As the bumper sticker says, "I have one redeeming value: I make a good bad example."
On the subject of "Vegetarian is an old indian word for poor hunter." From a Darwinian point of view, hunting is not a genetically useful way to keep a herd strong. Standing in a blind with a rifle and scope does not select for any traits other than luck.
Remember, the fight is not for the hard core of either party. It is for the undecided middle of the electorate. Will it transcend skin color?
I thought the last sacred cow of the media was protection of the children...of even politicians. We protected Chelsea, even the Bush girls, and they were adults! Now the NYT has 3 articles (front page) about a minor who is pregnant. How low can you go!
I am glad to hear about the concern all the Democrats have for the Palin children. How is Mr. Obama going to be a good father if he wins the presidency? Mrs. Obama is a working mother. The Obama children will need both of their parents. Why are only women candidates held to this standard? Mr. Palin's DUI (no one was injured) was 22 years ago. If you read Obama's book that was just about the time that Mr Obama admitted snorting cocaine. Was Mr Obama's mother married when she was impregnated at age 18 (can you guess the answer)? Have we heard all we need to know about Mr. Obama's brothers and sisters in Africa and Indonesia? Does Mr Obama really want to debate the above issues? Is this an example of change and the new politics that Mr. Obama advocated? If Palin can survive the attacks and give a great speech, the Obama campaign will have a real fight on their hands. If she does not survive, then Obama will win, but it will be politics as usual, a far cry from Obama's original promise.
There was Dr. Phil on the Today Show talking with Matt about the poor pregnant daughter of the VP canidate when he said, "I sure hope the media does not cover this story".
WHAT?
Did anyone consider that maybe the condom broke?
I know half the lefties are busy holding the Governor down while the other half sew on the scarlet A, but have any of them considered the possibility that the Governor, her husband, Senator McCain’s and his staff, were all surprised with this news after she had accepted his offer? No? Oh, perhaps you’re all living in a parallel universe where the parents are the first people every child tells when they have bad news.
To quote Rob Bartlett on Imus this morning the "gun toting eskimo beauty queen with kids named after ben and jerry's ice cream flavors" must have had the toughest choice facing just about any one in America. I mean, how often are you asked to potentially be vice president, especially when you were picked purely for your gender, looks and charisma. I have to sympathize as much as I can possibly sympathize with any politician these days.
I dont know how you can be surprised. Have you seen her belly?
How about discussing a real issue? SP being a heartbeat away from a president who is 72 when he takes office? Does this say anything about JM? How many out there actually believe she is the best candidate for VP beyond state funerals and glad handing? Say what you will about BO and his "lack of experience." He has stood up to scrutiny in the election process. Do you actually feel comfortable with someone who tilts more to religion than science, who tried to have books banned in her library then fired the librarian, who feels the environment is man's providence given by god, and whose experience with Putin is being a state on the Bering Strait, dealing with North Korea, Iran, stem cell research, energy policy? Would you put your children's future on #19 and spin the wheel?
If none of this makes you feel uncomfortable, we have no common ground.
Although Brooks and Shields are good, CSPAN is the best for watching it because they don't do anything but show the podium.
The Gov gal is gittin her done. She and the First Dude represent the 21st century west. Big Dick, the current veep, may have been the old west but watch out for the Barracuda.
Dick hunted quail, she hunts moose...and as far as we know she hits her target Dick's daughter had to have artifical insemination. The Barracuda's daughter does it the old fashion way, unprotected.
Who wants designer dna when you can get some real hockey playing redneck dna.
Although I'm a little worried about her education. As a former journalism major I know that the only position a journalism grad should hold is striking a pose, beer in hand, at the end of the bar. Anything else is too much of a stretch.
Hankster -- let's go with the issues. I'm asking the same. Leave the kid out of it.
I will leave the philosophical speculative rhetoric on environment to to you earth mothers/fathers. I know something of healthcare in that I manage an inner city free standing minor ER. STD's are prevelant,chronic unemployment and poverty is a two headed demon that seems to be impossible to slay. Any sense of moral fiber is absent much like all the fathers. As a free capitalist society we are to far in to socialize healthcare much less in a position to legislate morality. Hold tight the ones you love because neither candidate has the ability to make any headway.It will be four more years of barriers,roadblocks,workarounds/reacharounds.
man, you old guys need a politician to bring you in line based upon your posting to this web sight.
BO vs McCain. Neither of these guys are going to make a difference in your life.
I have voted three times for my local congressman but no longer. I am voting for the democrat. Will this improve my life? NO.
But my GOP guy is just a yes man.
I am just frustrated and my poor congressman will feel that frustration.
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