Words That Confuse The CBS Censor

According to Lorre vanity card #217c

...prickly, kumquat, titter...

Two Treats In One

Combining Chuck Lorre Vanity Card with Levi Johnston advice. Is this a great country or what?

Go! Run! Live your life! Or, you could acquiesce to marriage (look up
acquiesce, you'll get a kick out of it), in exchange for a plum job fighting
crime in the frozen wilderness. Who knows, maybe there's a TV show in your life
and you'll be famous again. I'm thinking we could call it, Tundra Heat, or,
Permafrost Flatfoot, or, Glacier Gumshoe, or, Dude, I Forgot the Condoms. Oh, I
so smell an Emmy.

Paging Lake Woebegonians

Isn't there one sane person, Republican or DFL'er, to run against this loon?

I believe when it's all said and done, this service that -- I believe that
there's a very strong chance that we will see that young people will be put into
mandatory service. And the real concern is that there are provisions for what I
would call re-education camps for young people, where young people have to go
and get trained in a philosophy that the government puts forward and then they
have to go and work in some of these politically correct forums

Does This Child Have A Chance?

Poor Tripp Palin. Pity the child of an unwed mother born into a family of criminals, grifters and lowlife.

One granny abused her power as Governor. The other just sold Hillbilly Heroin. Grandpa's had his own legal troubles and unsavory associations (and for those of you who are outraged by such things, he's a Union Member in good standing.)

Throw in Great-Aunt Diana's burglary bust and Great-Uncle James' criminal driving record. Season well with unproven rumor and juicy innuendo. Then add to all that family business the fact that Tripp's Mommy is using him as a weapon against his Father and you have all the makings of a tragic childhood.

Is it time to call Social Services? Who could have imagined the Governor's Mansion as a broken home?

Unfit

Trusting Wisconsin's schools to a neophyte like Fernandez would be like taking your car to the chiropractor.

He might know what all the parts were. He might even be able to take your car apart. But do you really believe that he'd be the best person to analyze the problem and reasemble it?

Vote for Tony Evers on Tuesday.

Be A Deer And Pick Me Up Some Korbel, Please.

From Yahoo. Medicine Bow, WY.

Michelle Bachman: Galloping Stupid Or Bat-Scat Nuts?

"And so we need to once again decide, do we want to be free, or do we
want to be slaves?"

or

"Right now I'm a member of Congress. And I believe that my job here is to be a foreign correspondent, reporting from enemy lines."

Republicans And Second Graders...

If they can't win they want a do-over.

Gazette's Analogy Is Apt

The main headline on last night's Gazette said, "Rep. Ryan Tilts At Democratic Windmills." My immediate reaction was negative. After all Don Quixote is a sympathetic character to most and we all know that the Gazette is given to puffing little tinhorns for the GOP's "Rising Star." (Side note: How long can you be a rising star before you have to accomplish something?)

Paul Ryan may feel a bit like Don Quixote this week.

He's dreaming the impossible dream: Defeating the Democratic
juggernaut and forging a federal budget that borrows less, spends less and
creates more jobs than anything the Democratic leaders have come up
with.

I threw up a little in my mouth just then. But then I gave the analogy a little more thought and realized that the paper had actually hit Ryan's plan pretty close to center.

Don Quixote was delusional and launched his quest based on romantic notions of some long gone time when a knight errant may have had a noble mission. Ryan has based his budget on the belief that it's still 1994.

Quixote thought that the windmills were mighty dragons out to ravage the countryside. His affliction allowed him to see neither their true identity or use. Ryan's blind allegiance to tax cuts has blinded him to the situation they've left us in.

The Man of La Mancha travelled the countryside in the company of a whore and a fat man on an ass. Two of Ryan's proponents are David Vitter and Rush Limbaugh.

So let us raise a flagon to Rep Paul Ryan, The True Knight of the Woeful Countenance (but great hair.) He wanders the countryside in search of a romantic time when his ideas were relevant and welcomed, tilting at imaginary dragons in a land that has rejected him and his kith.

Folly Is...

...going to Chuck E Cheese for the food.

Fortunately, there was a three year old to be mollified.

A Couple Of Daily Show Questions

How do you suppose Craig Kilborn feels about his career choices right now? Do you think he stands on the corner asking strangers to answer Five Things questions?

Who thought that The Daily Show would last twelve weeks with Stewart at the anchor desk?

For Clarity

As I am not a "cat person" I will decline to participate in the "Cat-Hat Revolution."

Thank you

He Calls It, "Wasteful Spending." She Calls It Vital.

Just another glimpse at why cries to cut "waste" are so difficult to put into policy. Often the call is being made by someone who doesn't understand the problem.

"Recently there were some comments made about federal spending for volcano
monitoring being wasteful," [Alaska Senator Lisa] Murkowski said
from the Senate floor, without naming Jindal directly. "I can assure you that
monitoring volcanoes is critically important to the nation and especially to my
home state of Alaska."

Her comments referred to a rebuttal speech given by Louisiana Governor and Stimulus Denier, Bobby Jindal. Jindal doesn't understand that:

"Volcano monitoring" in some parts of the country is not all that dissimilar
from "hurricane monitoring" on the Gulf Coast.

It's Only Funny In Context

Taken by themselves these two posts are only mildly amusing. Together they rise to the level of polished parody.

Owen defines the perceived threat from the talkers using a quote from Goebbels, completly ignoring the influence of the tranplanted American, Bernays, on Goebbel's ideas.

Fascism and Bolshevism were formed by nothing more nor less than the great
orator, the great shaper of words! There’s no distinction between the
orator and the politician.”

Then our goofy friends at AFP/FBA burnish the threat to a high shine, put it on buses and send it off to the Capitol.

Speakers:
The Rock Star of Radio - Vicki McKenna
Americans for Prosperity State Director - Mark Block
WTAQ Radio- Green Bay - Jerry Bader
WSAU Radio- Wausau- Pat Snyder
Milwaukee God Squad- Pastor David King
Chairman State GOP- Reince Priebus
Hunters Alliance (HARC) - Tony Ungerer
Wisconsin Family Action - Julaine Appling

Just A Bit Of Trivia

What was Cool Hand Luke doing time for?

Cutting the heads off parking meters.

He Said-She Said

It's becoming clearer that Tony Evers violated campaign finance laws by emails to Jeff Dickert. Evers switched to his home account when the exchange became political but addressed his emails to Dickert in his work capacity and for that he'll be paying a fine. The Evers campaign contacted the GAB to notify them of the violation.

I look for the same level of hand slapping for Don Pridemore who started off by using his state legislator's email to try to influence the election. There are rumors afoot that there was coordination in that case as well but they have not been substantiated.

The kerfuffles will pass as they always do but one thing strikes me as funny in all of this. Those who spend the most time squawking about who did or didn't address what email which way are the very ones who defended the ethically challenged Justice for using his office phone to arrange a fundraiser.

Just One More Reason To Vote For Tony Evers For DPI

Rose Fernandez is a bureaucracy-creating machine. Beside her call to split up Milwaukee schools into seven separate districts with non-elected boards comes this little reality biscuit from the State Journal's endorsement of her.

Fernandez talks passionately about making sure every child is prepared for a
strong start in school. She's not just interested in more 4-year-old
kindergarten programs. She talks about the potential need for 3-year-old
kindergarten.

That seems to be a huge leap. Maybe she wants virtual three-year old Kindergartens.

Need A Lift? Head To West LaFayette

Brett Westcott, a sophomore in civil engineering from Plainfield, Ill., and
Cameron Brown, a sophomore in business management from Toledo, Ohio, stand on a prominent walkway at the center of campus every Wednesday and offer
compliments to hundreds of passersby.

No ulterior motive. No initiations. No nuffin.

The Lazich Stone Wall Goes Up

James Wigderson has been documenting his frustrations in trying to get clarification from Senator Lazich's office regarding her position on the CRG-led recall of Governor Doyle.

Lazich aide Kevin Fischer called for the recall on his blog at FranklinNow. Since Senator Lazich is not bashful about spreading her message into Rock and Green County via press releases to The Monroe Times and The Evansville Review I was sure that a simple yes/no question would be answered with due speed.

I sent an email to Senator Lazich's office on Friday without expecting an immediate response. The Senator, after all, still has her job.

On Monday I received a response asking for my home address form another aide in Lazich's office, Tricia Sieg, asking for my home address. I replied promptly giving the requested information as well as explaining that I had seen the Senator's releases in my local paper and online and was curious as to her position.

That was two days ago and Tricia has not seen fit to respond to my request. James, on the other hand, has received a response from yet another Lazich aide (she has a bigger posse than Mariah Carey), Lance Burri saying, in effect that the Senator doesn't care what Fischer said even though he adds the weight of her office to the header of his blog and that the Senator hasn't made up her mind about supporting the recall.

In the time it took Ms Sieg to ask my address she could have sent the answer. In the time it took Burri to stonewall James he could have clarified the Senator's position. Why is Senator Lazich loathe to step up and answer the question directly? She's not been bashful about making her positions about the Governor's policies known. She wouldn't even be breaking new ground. Senator Kanavas, himself rumored to be looking at Doyle's seat, has called for the recall effort.

The Senator has time to blog and three aides to help answer her emails. How can she be too busy to answer a yes/no question from a Wisconsin citizen?

Stolen, I Say

This pic is blatantly torn from the postings of Jef Hall. It shows the "patriots" opposed to handouts storming an SUV to make sure they get their free t-shirt before they're all gone.

Jef has commentary on a couple other pics from the Green Bay Serious People's Rally and Bridgewalk.

Quick Question

What the Devil is a, "toxic asset?"

If it's an asset it ain't toxic and if it's toxic it surely ain't an asset.

Can we just start calling these "poor decisions made under conditions of little or no regulation" or "wild speculation made with other people's money?"

WHEN AND HOW TO APOLOGIZE

The President said something off the cuff that was really stupid last week. I've been a big supporter of Special Olympics for years and have done some work with them at the Area 6 Athletic Events. Let's see how President Obama should have handled the apology according to those who should know.

Taken directly from University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Emphasis is mine.

One key to getting along well with people is knowing when to say you're sorry. Sometimes little comments or actions can hurt or offend others. Heavy workloads and stress may keep us from seeing how our actions make others feel. The little things can add up. It doesn't take long for someone to hold a grudge and for grudges to grow into conflicts. In most cases, if someone is offended by something you do or say, it's much better to apologize right away. That solves the small problem and keeps it from getting bigger.

It's hard to apologize. Many of us are ashamed or have too much pride. Sometimes we just don't know how to do it. Here are some tips that may make it easier to say you're sorry.

Take responsibility. The first step in apologizing is to admit to yourself that you have offended someone. You may know this right away, or the other person's reaction may let you know you have done something hurtful. But you must admit you have done wrong and accept responsibility for your actions.

Explain. It's important to let the person you hurt know that you didn't mean to do harm. At the same time, you must show that you take your mistake seriously. Recognize that your actions caused a problem for the other person.

Show your regret. The other person needs to see that you have suffered, too. Come right out and say you are sorry or ashamed. I felt bad the minute I told your secret. I'm ashamed of myself.

Repair the damage. To be complete, an apology must correct the injury. If you damaged someones property, offer to fix it. If the damage isn't so obvious, ask What can I do to make it up to you? There may be nothing concrete you can do, but the offer must be sincere. I'll try to keep my mouth shut in the future. Meantime, let me buy you a cup of coffee. Another way to repair the damage is to send a note or a small gift.

Use good timing. Apologize right away for little things. For example, if you bump into someone, say you're sorry right away. Don't wait until the next day to apologize. However, if you have done something more serious, like insult a friend, your apology should be more thoughtful. A quick apology might seem phony. Take the time to sit down, look the person in the eye, and apologize honestly.

It's not about who "won" or who "lost." It's about keeping a strong friendship.


Written material may be reprinted provided no endorsement of a commercial product is stated or implied. Please credit University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System.

Thoughts On Brackets

LSU is now a four-letter word at my house.

For What It's Worth

I sent my email to Senator Lazich's office on Friday to ask if she, personally, supports the call for Governor Doyle's recall that was made by her legislative aide and Senator Kanavas.

You'll be surpised to know that no answer has been forthcoming. The count starts on Monday.

More Teleprompter Funnies

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was just a few paragraphs into an address
at a St. Patrick's Day celebration at the White House when he realized something
sounded way too familiar. Turns out, he was repeating the speech President
Barack Obama had just given.

The silly people will find a grand conspiracy here.

Seven Years

Seven years ago we landed at Shannon Ireland after a 7 and a half hour flight.

The man at Avis told us to take the rental into the industrial park next to the airport to practice on that Sunday morning.

The weather was soft, the cider was sharp, the company sublime and the parade, for lack of better words was sweet.

No green beer. No drunks in the streets. No forced frivolity or Mardi Gras beads.

Seven years ago today was a good start to our travelling habit. Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Ooksi Kooksi Coolama Vee, Santia Urho Is Ta Poy For Me!

So let's give a cheer in hower pest vay
On Sixteenth of March, St. Urho's Tay.

Now in Madison, too.

GOP See And Say

The delusional people say, "Papers, please."

It's Long Past Time For Rick Santelli To Man Up

As much fun as it was to watch Jim Cramer take the drubbing that he'd asked for (You just know that Hannity goaded him into it) it remains that the original piece was intended for the visit to the Daily Show of The Great Tea Bagger, Rick Santelli.

Cramer went to the Comedy Central studio knowing he was in for a withering shot but he went. Santelli has yet to make amends for his attack on the working men and women of the US.

The Free Market At Play

Yes, I understand that change is shocking and hard to understand. No, it's not been bought by Bruce Willis.

Just imagine the marketing opportunities if Pfizer had bought it for their proprietary brand of Sildenafil citrate.

It's About Competence, Folks

Coleman campaign apparently stored credit card info, unencrypted, on the same server as the rest of their site, making it a fairly easy process to view. It didn't require any real hacking.

Coleman-supporter Kelly McShane, who donated $100 online and whose job is to
secure data for the banking industry, had this to say: "I'm in IT security for a
bank, and I can tell you that this is so ... irresponsible that I can't believe
it."

A Matter Of Semantics

Are we really calling Bernie Madoff a "disgraced financier" now? Isn't that a little like calling Lorena Bobbit an aspiring sugeon?

Madoff is a confidence man, a crook, a scam artist who scored more than 10,000 Nigerian princes together. There are enough disgraced financiers out there without lumping this guy in with them.

Don'cha Wish You Hadn't Seen This Coming?

Levi+Bristol+Tripp = Broken home

Ex-Senator, Norm Coleman, Making It Up As He Goes Along

Now that it's clear he's lost the vote, the recount, the re-recount and the court case Coleman is crossing his fingers, spitting twice and making a pinkie-swear that he'd be happiest with a do-over.

It must be fun to think you can just make up the rules.

If Enough People Tell You That You Look Sick...

...You might want to go lie down.

Even Red State's Erick Erickson says that the RNC has lost the few clues it had.

Either they don’t know what they are doing, or they’ve already picked their
consultant and are going through the motions. If it is the former, well, the RNC
is screwed. If it is the latter, Michael Steele’s claims about bidding out work
was B.S.

I now that there are competent conservative web designers out there. Why doesn't Team Steele trust them to do the job?

GOP Surrender Monkey Is Betting On "Fail"

Have Congressional Republicans given up on the problems of the nation? Is the GOP actively working aginst solutions to the problems they created?

From The National Journal comes GOP Rep Patrick McHenry:

“We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and
every week, until November 2010,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., an
outspoken conservative who has participated on the GOP message teams. “Our goal
is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House
Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Their message seems to be that GOP can only hope to win if America fails.

Hip-Hop Don't Stop

We know that Joe the Make-believe Plumber isn't down with it* but where does Flyin' Jim Sensenbrenner fit into Michael Steele's new Hip Hop GOP?


*From WisPolitics (Because Joe knows what hip-hop really means)

“Unfortunately we have a chairman up there who wants to redefine
conservatism; he wants to make it hip hop, put it in a new package and sell it,”
Wurzelbacher said, knocking Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, whose
recent statements, including a dismissive comment about talk show host Rush
Limbaugh that he’s since apologized for, have drawn the ire of some
conservatives.

What Is The Plural Of "Anecdote?"

From The Tulsa World

Thirteen-year-old Lane Dunkley just wanted to go hunting with his
grandfather. Dunkley and his father, Daniel Reddy, who live in Tulsa, went
to Broken Arrow on Tuesday night for a hunter safety course normally required to
get an Oklahoma hunting license.

The class was a reward of sorts. Dunkley, who wants to go hunting with
his grandfather, was told he could take the class only if he brought up his
grades. So he did — to a B-plus average.

But when father and son arrived at the lesson, the volunteer
instructor, Kell Wolf, asked if any of the students voted for President Barack
Obama. Reddy, a transplanted Californian — and former Marine —
raised his hand.

According to Reddy and others in the room, Wolf called Obama "the next
thing to the Antichrist" and ordered Reddy and Dunkley from the room. When Reddy
refused, Wolf said he would not teach "liberals" and would cancel the course if
Reddy didn't leave. So Reddy and Dunkley left, as did a few others.

Cooler heads prevailed, of course. Wolf no longer is listed as a volunteer for the ODWC and Dunkley is receiving the Hunter Safety Training he wanted. It's tempting to say, "No harm, no foul," but what has this thirteen year old learned about politics from his instructor? He looked up to Wolf for information and got naught but foolishness.

Whose point of view looks bad from this story? Do you think they can extrapolate to figure out why their opinions are held in such low favor right now?

A Prediction

Want to read Monday's blogs today? Here's my prediction of the conservative take-away ffrom the AFP Pancake Breakfast and Goat Rodeo.

"We Need A Federal Spending Freeze."

There will be chaff and flack aplenty. Watch for at least one swoony post about Joe the make-believe plumber. But my one prediction is that Pompadour Paul Ryan will be banging the drum for an economy-killing grand, futile gesture. Because, "[When a] situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part [they're] just the guys to do it.

Getting GOP Jiggy With It.

When you think of pop-culture and entertainment, what jumps into your mind? When you want to read a little celebrity gossip mixed with some cultural archaeology all while getting the latest rundown of what's hip and happenin', who would you turn to?

Would you look to the GOP for your daily dose of cultural analysis? There are those who hope you will.

Faced with an idea that says building the party requires, "Reach[ing] youth via pop-culture and entertainment media." the Conservatives are launching a new Facebook based magazine aimed at the college crowd.

It's hard to launch a new magazine today. With so many outlets competing for both readers and talent the likelihood of success is small but I wonder if building your business model on conflicting ideas is the best way to start out. Can you build an audience for your take on pop culture if you hate pop culture? I wonder if they'll be able to keep the level of discourse higher than Goofus and Gallant.

I also wonder if they have a plan for reaching out and building their audience that's any better than hoping someone stumbles across their site and then saying, Hey! Do you wanna help us build our audience?" If that's their hot tip for getting the word out they may be in trouble before they get going.

"Blessed Christian Salt" Is Certified Kosher

Irony dies by inches. h/t Barry Orton

Retired barber Joe Godlewski says he was inspired by television chefs
who repeatedly recommended kosher salt in recipes.

"I said, 'What the heck's the matter with Christian salt?'"
Godlewski said, sipping a beer in the living room of his home in unincorporated
Cresaptown, a western Maryland mountain community...

If the salt takes off, Godlewski plans an entire line of
Christian-branded foods, including rye bread, bagels and pickles.

Adds the good professor,

The funniest part of this story is on the home page of the
company that's selling the Blessed Christian Salt, the Ingredients Corporation
of America, located in Memphis, TN. Right there is the proud statement that:
"All our ingredients are Kosher Certified and FDA approved."

The mind boggles.

Casie? This Is For You

Verb Of The Day

Festoon

Thank you. You may now return to your regular activities.

Evansville Community Theater Supports ECP Chili Cook-Off

Local non-profit group, Evansville Community Theater, will be participating in the ECP Chili Cook-off on March 7 at the Grove Campus Field House with two entries. Linda Draeving-Hammack returns with her award-winning “Winds Of Change Chili,” and Dave Sobeski will enter “The King’s Thai Chili.”

ECT will be supporting their upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I.” The group is looking for a large cast and will hold auditions on May 16 and 18. Watch for more information or check the ECT website at ectstagelights.org .

Evansville Community Theater’s most recent production was “Escanaba In Da Moonlight” at JC McKenna last October. This will be the group’s first musical in five years.

Make sure to stop by and support these two entries or bid on one of two four-packs of tickets to “The King and I” in the silent auction. These ticket packages are a $48 value. Proceeds from the silent auction go to Evansville Community Partnership.

If You Hurry You Can Still Be The First In Your Congressional District

There are still dozens of districts in which no Republican has yet apologized to Rush Limbaugh. If you use the "I'm Sorry, Rush" widget you can be the first in yours to pay fealty to the "brains" behind New Conservatism.

The handy drop down boxes make it easy for you to personalize your own message to the drug-addicted serial monogamist sex tourist who now speaks for all Conservatives. Rumor has it that JtP will be insulting Rushbo at the AFP Navel-Gazing Expo and Ice Fishing Jamboree just so he can apologize next week.

Accept no imitations. Use only the Official "I'm Sorry, Rush" widget. It's endorsed by leading Republicans everywhere.

Surrender Monkey Is Jindalriffic

"I'm glad [Steele] apologized. I think the chairman is a breath of fresh air for the party. As I said before, I think Rush is a leader for many conservatives and says things that people are concerned about."
-Bobby Jindal on Larry King

"Okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails."

-Drug addicted, serial matimonialist, sex tourist, surrender monkey, Rush Limbaugh

Hey! Law Dogs

Does this West Virginia case about elected judges recusing themselves that is coming to SCOTUS have any relevance to Wisconsin's circumstances?

That's En-Ter-Tain-Ment!

Sure, Rush's show is ugly and incendiary but the GOP really digs that.
-Shorter Michael Steele

"You be da man!"
-GOP Rising Star Michele Bachman, earlier, to Steele

G.R.O.S.S.= Fight Club?

I got here because I went there because Ben said I should.

And clubs like this, of course, have their beginnings in backyards,
tree houses, and garages all over America. Not surprisingly, Calvin started such
a club when he was six years old. Little did anyone realize that he would
construct another one much later in his life, again with the aid of an imaginary
friend. For just as Calvin, Hobbes, and Susie have dark future versions in Jack,
Tyler, and Marla respectively, G.R.O.S.S. (Get Rid Of Slimy girlS) has the same
in Fight Club.

G.R.O.S.S. shares the following characteristics with Fight Club:

Both have catchy names (although the "slimy" part of G.R.O.S.S. is
redundant, otherwise it doesn’t spell anything).

Both are co-run by a friendless male and his imaginary companion (Calvin
is Tyrant and Dictator-for-Life; Hobbes is President and First Tiger).

Both are exclusively male organizations, although Fight Club’s membership
is considerably larger.

Along with that, all members of both organizations are very loyal.

The leaders of both organizations constantly engage in fisticuffs (but
only in G.R.O.S.S. does a member receive a demerit for biting).

And in said fights, in both organizations, there is only one fight at a
time!

Both are supposedly very secretive (though Jack never tells his mother
about Fight Club).

At least one leader of both organizations is fond of giving speeches
(though Calvin never uses the term "space monkey").

Drama Therapy and the Timelessness of Themes

Twelve Angry Men was written as a teleplay for CBS' Studio One, was adapted to a screenplay that was directed by Sidney Lumet and has now been adapted, as Twelve Angry Lebanese, at one of the hardest places on Earth.

The latest – and most unlikely – revival of a venerable courtroom drama is
being staged by inmates at Lebanon’s most notorious prison. Eyad Houssami
reports from Roumieh.

The script, which deals with perceptions of guilt and with preconceptions about people, has always had a power to make people uncomfortable with their first look at the drama. Now it is laying open the preconceptions of a country in the wake of the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri four years ago.

“It’s a microcosm of Lebanon. People don’t want to see it,” says Daccache,
who first visited the prison 10 years ago as an assistant stage manager with
Clowns Without Borders. “But it’s fertile. Theatre is nourished by people’s
hunger: the bigger the hunger, the bigger the theatre.”

Read the rest of this amazing story.

Now We Know What He Meant

Judd Gregg said that his positions were irreconcilable with those of the President when he withdrew his name from consideration for Sec of Commerce. Today the AP shows us what he meant.

President Barack Obama's former nominee to become commerce secretary,
Sen. Judd Gregg, steered taxpayer money to his home state's redevelopment of a
former Air Force base even as he and his brother engaged in real estate deals
there, an Associated Press investigation found.

Gregg, R-N.H., personally has invested hundreds of thousands of
dollars in Cyrus Gregg's office projects at the Pease International Tradeport, a
Portsmouth business park built at the defunct Pease Air Force Base, once home to
nuclear bombers. Judd Gregg has collected at least $240,017 to $651,801 from his
investments there, Senate records show, while helping arrange at least $66
million in federal aid for the former base.

Building A "Permanent" Minority Party

Polls show that rank and file Americans are fed up with the Republicans giddy lockstep refusal to participate in leading the country away from the failed policies of the GWB era yet GOP "leadership" continues to reward obstructionism. Compare these two stories.

From Washington Monthly:

The NYT poll found that three-quarters of Americans believe the
president has been trying to work with Republicans, but only 3 in 10 said
Republicans were doing the same. Indeed, 63% of poll respondents said Republican
opposition to the stimulus package was about politics, not policy, and 79% said
Republicans should give up on its agenda and start working more with
Democrats.

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll showed
similar results. The president enjoys a 68% approval rating;
congressional Democrats have 50% support, and congressional Republicans' rating is just 38%.

From Politico:

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says that he
might support primary challengers against the three GOP senators who voted in
favor of the stimulus package.

Asked if he was open to the move during an interview Monday on Fox
News’ “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” Steele said, “Oh, yes, I’m always open to
everything, baby, absolutely.”

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe (Maine), Susan Collins (Maine) and Arlen
Specter (Pa.) all voted in favor of the stimulus plan after much haggling with
Senate Democrats and the White House. Many conservatives have attacked the
senators for their votes. Specter is the only one of the three who is up for
reelection in 2010. Steele said that he would not defend the trio against
conservative criticism back home.

“My retribution is the retribution of the voters in their states,” he
said. “They’re going to have to go through a primary in which they’re going to
have to explain to those Republican voters in that primary their vote.”

Now, I'll grant you that Steele is listening to Reince Priebus, a guy who knows as much as anyone about losing statewide races, but it seems that threatening to run newcomers against successful party members in a time when even minor victories should be counted as victories is counterproductive.

Steele promised the party faithful that he'd steer to the right and he seems to be doing just that. Now he needs to understand the Bell Curve and the rarefied air he's steering it toward.

A Cliche Is A Cliche Is A Cliche

Mixter is right. Just freaking stop it.

It's lazy storytelling at this point.

Bad Platform To Run On

Even for Baraboo, this is a bad example for a candidate.

During an interview with the detective on Feb. 9, Cone admitted
shoplifting cigars from the humidor on Jan. 15, 16 and 23 and Feb. 6, the
documents state.

Monday afternoon, Cone said he was guilty. He said he had been
stealing the cigars, then selling them to friends to raise $5 or $10 to keep gas
in his car.

"Yeah," he said. "I don't smoke, that's what the stupid part is."

Cone said he had back surgery in April and has not been able to
return to work because the healing process is not going very well.

Cone said he plans to continue his role as District 4 Baraboo City
Council member and will continue as a candidate for mayor in the April 7 general
election.

"I can't quit now," he said, "Even though I've done stupid
things."

Baraboo has had a tough time keeping Mayors lately. Russ Will resigned abruptly in August, citing health reasons. It turns out that the symptoms were, most likely, self-administered. Let's hope that Baraboo can get their act together. Interim Mayor, and former losing candidate, Pat Liston has an idea; a code of conduct for public officials.

"I know it's hard to believe, but occasionally elected officials and
appointed officials (fail to show) good conduct," he said. "My concern now is,
because we do have an ordinance on ethics, basically the ethics code is pretty,
in my opinion, toothless, because it only speaks to illegality."

The ordinance is an eight page draft. That's a far cry from the 135 or so words of the Decalogue but it's a start.

Laissez le Bon Temps Roullez

Once upon a time, long ago; a girl named Cherry, her three friends from St Louis and I stood together and saw the Radiators at Tip's Uptown. It was a very good Mardi Gras.

I'm sure that tonight will be better for those who are there.

Will We Finally Re-engage With Cuba?

Fidel is dying and Raoul is no spring chicken. Communism has tumbled in the face of Caitalism across the globe and yet, we still maintain our economic embargo against Cuba.

Could that restriction be ready to fall as well? One member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says that it should.

The US economic embargo on Cuba "has failed," top Republican lawmaker
Richard Lugar has said in a report likely to fuel momentum for a shift in US'
decades-old policy toward the island.

"After 47 years ... the unilateral embargo on Cuba has failed to
achieve its stated purpose of 'bringing democracy to the Cuban people,' said the
senator from Indiana -- a senior member or the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, "it may have been used as a foil by the regime to demand further
sacrifices from Cuba's impoverished population."

The report, entitled "Changing Cuba Policy - In the United States
National Interest," is due for release [today].

Coupled with President Obama's stated policy of engagement around the world we could be looking at what amounts to a major shift in policy. Isolating Castro's regime was seen as a necessity in the 60's but the fall of the Soviet Empire should have signalled the need to exert our influence via other means.

According to Lugar, while "current US policy has many passionate defenders,
and their criticism of the Castro regime is justified ... nonetheless, we must
recognize the ineffectiveness of our current policy and deal with the Cuban
regime in a way that enhances US interests."

We may see a more rational Cuba policy in the coming months. President Bush began easing restrictions by allowing Cuba to purchase US foodstuffs using only cash. Allowing purchases on credit would open the market even further to US farmers.

Marrow Donor Drive On Monday

From Sen Erpenbach's Newsletter:

Marrow Donor Drive –

Thousands of patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood diseases
die every year because the only treatment available to them, a blood marrow
transplant, is impossible without a matching donor.

Monday, March 9th there will be a donor drive in honor of Ron Carlesen,
marrow cell recipient and survivor, in Evansville at the Union Masonic Lodge #32
(104 W Main St) from 11 AM to 6 PM.

Come and find out if you are a match for a patient in need! To learn
more about marrow donation please visit www.marrow.org and to find out
more about the event please call Pat or Ron at (608) 882-0956 or 1 (800)
MARROW-2.

Reality Biscuit

I just got home from performing in the Opening Night of Janesville Little Theater's production of The Moon Is Blue. It went well enough and the audience was pleased.

After performing on various school stages for the past few years it is very humbling to realize that I was working in a space and taking my bows in the same place as Tony Bennet.

Hakuna Matata, indeed.

Performances continue Friday and Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 2 on the JPAC stage in the Marshall Apartments.

It's Just So Hard To Know

Ex-Senator Tom Daschle took a lot of grief, quite correctly, for failing to pay taxes on the gift of a car and driver. One of the "reasons" given was that the tax code makes it hard to determine what is taxable and what is exempt.

Now we find another politician caught up in the vagaries of the tax code and owing back taxes. From the Anchorage Daily News:

Palin must pay tax on past per diem, state says

The story goes on to say that Palin is not alone in owing back taxes on per diems but it just goes to show ya'. Doesn't it?

I don't expect any outrage now but this is just one more data point to file away for 2011 and beyond. I know how important the letter of the law is to some folks and I'll be looking for their hard questions then.

Quick Hits

Did you guys hear something about televisions being switched to some other kind of broadcasts? My morning anchors are nattering on and on about it.

Either Roland Burris is an incredible fool or he thinks we are. Call it one more vindication for Harry Reid's BS detector.

Vote today. Do your duty and narrow down those fields.

Wanna have some fun? Sneak up behind Vicki McKenna and whisper, "Fairness Doctrine."

If any of you are theater buffs and will be near Janesville this weekend, JLT is presenting F. Hugh Herbert's, The Moon Is Blue Thursday thru Saturday night at 7:30 with a Sunday matinee. All shows are at JPAC on Main St in Janesville. Oh yeah, did I mention that I'm in that?

DMV Call Center Closed Monday

From Senator Erpenbach's office:

DMV customer service center closed Monday February 16th –

On February 16th the DMV customer service center and call center will be closed so that all customer service representatives can receive technical and procedural training. While the staff at the DMV is receiving training they will be unable to receive calls; however the automated phone system will still be available.

The automated system allows motorists to make road test appointments and receive recorded information. Many DMV services are available online at WWW.wisconsindmv.gov

Happy Anniversary, Salman

Gosh. Has it been twenty years already?

On 14 February 1989, a fatwā requiring Rushdie's execution was proclaimed on
Radio Tehran by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the spiritual leader of Iran at the
time, calling the book "blasphemous against Islam"

That Rushdie must be as good a hider as the Osama feller.

Old Clocks

In June of 1931 my Mother's parents were married. One of the presents they received that day was a Garland mantle clock. They married at a comparatively advanced age. Grandma was 28, Grandpa 25.

Grandpa has been gone for most of 15 years already but today would have been his 103 birthday. Grandma passed just a few short weeks ago and we have been tackling the task of separating and sorting and sharing.

The Garland clock sits, as it has for more than 70 years, on top of the radio cabinet that stood in my Grandparent's front parlor. Now, though, it chimes the hours and the halves in my dining room, adding its two-tone chime to the more stentorian chime of Nancy's Grandmother's clock on the opposite wall.

Two clocks from two families, each brings along with its tone the echo of ten thousand memories blending into the future. My Granddaughter plays on the living room floor and turns to watch the clocks chime. By my Grandparent's anniversary in June we will have two more grandchildren to listen for the chimes.

Life goes on, marked by memory and comforted by the familiar. It's good. It's very good.

An Observation I'd Rather Not Have Made

A cough drop will last longer in a Warm/Cold wash cycle than it will in your mouth. It will comfort you less to find it.

Yippeee! It's An Election

Wake up Evansville. We have an election day next week.

Yep. It's true. No aldermanic races. No mayoral race. No School Board primary. (Admit it. You missed my forum this year. Didn't you?)

The only race on the ballot in the city will be the primary for DPI. I like the Recess Supervisor's take on the race as much as Professor Orton does.

Hey! Beaver Dam! Quit It.

This ain't right.

A Beaver Dam Middle School teacher is on administrative leave after school
officials discovered a photo of her with a gun on Facebook.

In the photo, Betsy Ramsdale was training a rifle at the camera.

On what grounds? Having a legal personal life outside school?

I'm sorry but the School Board should have stayed out of this unless there
was something besides a picture. Schools superintendent Donald Childs says a
concerned staff member brought the photo to the district’s attention.

A concerned staff member? More like busy-body. And where were the grown-ups on the Board to say, "Not a big deal until she brings it to work?"

Childs says the use of the photo "appears to be poor judgment" and is
unaware of any sinister intent.

Please, please, please, I'm looking for a job. Can I be the one to scour Facebook pages in search of "Intent?" A picture of an employee on private time exercising a legal activity is not poor judgement by itself.

Bad School Board. No coffee for you.

What The Grown Ups Said

While the GOP on Capitol Hill stuck their fingers in their ears and mumbled, "Tax cuts. Only tax cuts," like a conservative Raymond Babbit business leaders across the US weighed in with their own impression of the GOP's non-plan.

FedEx CEO Fred Smith on the wisdom of spending on infrastructure:

"No question about it, the infrastructure of the country has been
underfunded for a long time ... it certainly would be a wise thing to invest in
all kinds of infrastructure.

Google CEO Eric Scmidt had this to say about the efficacy of a tax cut only solution:

"I'm worried that tax cuts alone won't work because people are not paying
any taxes because they're not making any money."

Republicans who refuse to engage in solutions and stand firmly on the failed policies of the past will not win over Americans who are suffering. They do not look like resolute leaders in Congress as this discussion goes on around them. They look small and petty and, more importantly, irrelevant.

Weren't We Led To Believe Michael Steele Was Smarter Than This?

New national GOP leader Michael Steele to Wolf Blitzer on CNN.

"Not in the history of mankind has the government ever created a job."

Let's overlook the hyperbolic first clause. We know that government patronage created some of the greatest works of the world, from the aqueducts to the art of Venice to the voyage to the moon.

Let's give Steele the benefit of the doubt on that. Is it possible that he has no eyes to see the works of the WPA, the CCC, the TVA? Is it possible that he does not know about the CDC or the EPA or NIH? Does he not understand that soldiers, sailors and airmen are government workers and that their skills and training flow back to benefit American businesses in ways that "Trickle-down Voodoo Tax Cuts" never will?

Or will he be content to parrot the talking points of past failed campaigns? Is he a leader or a follower? Will he be able to lead the GOP out of the wilderness or will he follow DeMint and Pallin down the road to the past?

So far it ain't looking good for a strong second party.

Soft On The Concept

I was all in favor of the Certified Angus Beef campaign when it first started out. It was a good way to upmarket a brand of something that was treated as a commodity. Growers contributed to the campaign and got something back for their checkoff while the consumer got a little extra information to use in their purchasing choices.

Then, one day, I saw Certified Angus Beef stew meat and I said, out loud, "That kind of defeats the purpose. Doesn't it?

"Having a higher grade of your toughest cuts devalues the brand. Instead of denoting quality and tenderness it becomes just chaff on the label."

"Oh, but Jim," I was told, "People have come to look for the label without discerning it's meaning. Just seeing the shield makes them think they are getting something special even if they can't articulate the differences."

I sighed. People have become so removed from their food prep that they are looking for the mythical Tender Stew Meat when stew is they way to make tough cuts butter-tender. I fussed in silence.

Until yesterday...We have now come to see what this all will lead to and the abomination is on your grocer's shelves now. The CAB Shield, signifying extra care and tenderness, now adorns packages of commercially processed jerky being marketed at a higher price point than ordinary pummeled meat.

I don't think they will ever catch on at this point. Now that we have faux-Kobe hamburgers and Angus jerky, I wonder if American carnivores are in a spiral down to where fast food patties are revered for their tenderness and taste rather than a well-marbled steak. What will my grandchildren eat for a special night out?

Superbowl Sunday

And this memory makes me happy.

What's He Gonna Play?

Bruce Springsteen gets 12 minutes for four songs. What should be on his playlist?

My guess?

• He should play Thunder Road but he will play Born To Run.
• Born In The USA will be his closer.
• For some reason, I'm feeling Dancing In The Dark coming on.
• What does that leave? Fire? Blinded By The Light? I say Rosalita.

The Jane Austen Book Club Massacre

This might be fun.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features the original text of Jane
Austen's beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie action.

As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet
English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life!
Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but
she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy.

What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized
sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the
blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating
undead.

Complete with 20 illustrations in the style of C. E. Brock (the
original illustrator of Pride and Prejudice), this insanely funny expanded
edition will introduce Jane Austen's classic novel to new legions of
fans.

h/t to KB and Gary Farber

An Idea Worth Thinking About

Remember phone number portability for cell numbers? Is it possible to accomplish the same sort of trick for email addresses?

Now that Charter looks to be about as viable as the Old Ashippun Buggy Whip and Chandlers Co it would be nifty if it was possible for me to not give up 8 years of email history when they eventually go belly-up.

If the system can figure out how to route cell calls properly independent of the carrier, can they do the same with Nigerian spam?

Deep Thought

So then, Michael Steele is pretty much just like Jack Olsen but without the snazzy Skipper's hat.

Even deeper? From the Defending Some Dreams Confab bio of Steele:

Michael currently oversees the Governor's Office on Community Initiatives,
partnering with faith-based, community and volunteer organizations to assist the
neediest states.

Isn't that the same as "working with community organizers?"

Two Movies

Last Chance Harvey. As my brother calls it; The AARP Love Story.

Sweet story of love and redemption. Kind and gentle, it promulgates the subversively radical notion that people can fall in love by talking rather than by bumping uglies to a grinding soundtrack.

No explosions. No punches thrown. Emma Thompson looks even lovelier than Mr Streisand (who looks marvelous.)

Seven Pounds

I can't say much about the plot without giving the twists away. Suffice it to say that I felt the scriptwriters cheated the audience by playing with the lead character's emotions. There is a really good story to be told here but I don't feel as if there was much interest in telling it.

Save this one for DVD rental on a night when you are feeling really, really good about yourself. See it with someone that will discuss it with you afterwards. For heaven's sake, see it sober.

Bad Decision, Poorly Executed

Let's hope this person gets the help they need now. This is a pretty public cry for help.

This Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 photograph provided by the Colorado National
Monument shows a 1987 Dodge van that got stuck on a rock overhang , near Grand
Junction, Colo., after the driver sent the vehicle off a cliff in an apparent
suicide attempt. The 34-year-old male driver survived the incident.

Nothing Good Lasts Forever

Goodbye, Jim Powell.

It just hurts to have him go to the team that broke Milwaukee's heart 4 decades ago.

Scooter, Running Out Of Loopholes, To Be Retried In Madison

From WTMJ

Former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen's new misconduct trial will stay
in Madison instead of moving to his home county, a state appeals court ruled
Thursday.

Jensen asked Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan last year to
move the proceedings to Waukesha under a 2007 state law that allows elected
officials to be tried in their home counties for ethics violations. Jensen had hoped the move would set him up for an acquittal: Waukesha is
a Republican stronghold, and Jensen represented the area for 14 years in the Legislature, building connections there.

Maybe 2009 won't be a total waste after all.

Obamaffects Noted

It's only been three days but already the sun is 7% brighter, my Mom is 5/8ths of an inch taller and all my eggs this morning were double yolks.

Oh yeah, don't forget to have your guns ready to be picked up on Monday. Thanks.

(That's a joke, kids)

Qualifications: Through The Filter Of Fox News

"You are one hot grandma."

Glenn Beck on his very first show on Fox News, to Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska.

Oh, Frabjous Day!

Change

Juvenile? Probably.

It's just fun to gloat for one day.

Must Be A Slow Day In Washington

All anybody is talking about is some party or another.

Presidential Tidbits

Here are a few little-known facts about US Presidents to get you through to the inauguration.

Millard Fillmore signed his name with little hearts over the two I’s

Thomas Jefferson invented the aglet

John Tyler had no vice president but carried a ventriloquist’s dummy to fill the position after someone finally noticed.

Wm Henry Harrison’s campaign slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too,” when played backwards says, “The Walrus is Buchanan.”

Thomas Jefferson’s second VP was George Clinton. Clinton would later go on to lead P-Funk to 6 Number One R&B hits.

John Quincy Adams was the first President to use the, “Pull my finger,” gag on the French ambassador. “Tirez mon doigt,” became the formal form of address in France for 28 years following that.

For four year, from 1845 to 1849, James Knox Polk was President of the United States. No one ever told Polk and he didn’t spend a single day in Washington.

Zachary Taylor was nicknamed “Old Rough and Ready” after his service in Florida. The nickname referred to the sheets at the motel he owned in Boca.

After Lincoln, US “Hiram” Grant became the second Republican President, showing the party’s early penchant for picking candidates for their celebrity.

James Garfield’s last words were, “Well, nuts.”

Between his two non-consecutive terms Grover Cleveland was a knuckleballer for the Chicago Cubs. In four years he had a 21-12 record with 48 saves and twenty eight hit batsmen.

William Howard Taft once ate at a single sitting twelve oysters, a side of smoked salmon, a tureen of turtle soup, a brace of quail, a Porterhouse steak, a quart of ice cream, half a quince pie and his Secretary of the Interior.

Warren G Harding may have been the first to be elected because he “Looked like a President,” when compared to his opponent. In truth voters gave him a landslide because he, “Smelled all Presidenty,” according to the exit polling.

Harry Truman had the hiccups throughout the entire Korean War. A complicit Press Corps hid the fact from the public for fear of demoralizing the nation.

Five Generations 1/3/09

AFK

Forgive the time away from the keyboard, please. Some of you may have heard me speak about my grandmother. 105 years of experience and gristle, she lived life on her terms. She was in her own apartment until last Thursday morning when she fell.

Grandma did not recover and passed away in her sleep yesterday morning. A lot of the last week and some of the foreseeable future will be taken up with dealing with things which must be done.

On a lighter note, the economy ate my job last Friday so I have lots of time to take care of things.

Be well. IBB

Dear Comedy Central

I like Dane Cook as well as a lot of comedians who don't stick to family friendly material and I appreciate your efforts to keep certain words and concepts off the basic cable spectrum.

But maybe, just maybe, if you have to bleep more than five words out of a sentence in more than three sentences of a single joke you could leave that joke on the cutting room floor or save it for the DVD because the essence of timing and wordplay is just kind of wasted in a melding flurry of electronic harshness.

Thanks

Everybody Is Happy Again

It's official. Nobody is dissatisfied enough to run against the incumbents.

Neighboring On Celebrity

Supernanny airs Friday night from just down my street.

If you look close I'll bet you can see my house from there.

My Take

Let's see if it plays out like this. There are an awful lot of If/Then statements out there that allow an awful lot of wiggle room. Let's see if Harry Reid can figure out where he needs to wiggle.

Given
1- Right or wrong Blagojevich is still Governor of Illinois.
2- The Governor of Illinois has the authority to name President Obama's successor.
3- Blago is sleazy. He is not, however, indicted or convicted.
4- Roland Burris is a dedicated Party candidate and has been elected to statewide office four times.
5- Jesse White won't be able to tumble out of the fact that he can't not certify Burris.

Actions forthcoming
1- Reid has already said he'd wait to see the outcome of legal maneuvers in Illinois. That buys him time and space for wiggling.
2- White says that his hands are tied.
3- The President-elect gives his nod.
4- Reid expresses regret that Blago made all of this necessary, accepts Burris' credentials and all is forgiven.

What You Won't See
1- Blago apologizing
2- Burris apologizing
3- Harry Reid's chiropractic bill for a severly twisted arm
4- A no-run pledge from Burris for 2010. If he can run and hold the seat it won't be the Dems standing in his way.

Instant Credibility Fail

You just cannot make this stuff up.

Who does Pajamas Media turn to when they want to bringus insight from the Israel front?

Joe the Plumber.

Frivolous Lawsuits

Meh!

Former Senator Coleman pitches a hissy.

He Doesn't Get It

The voters gave myriad reasons for the Democratic victories in 2006 and 2008. They were tired of being given unworkable governments, tired of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, tired of eroding civil rights and politicized civil service. The list goes on and on.

What did Ass. Minority Leader Glenn Grothman take away from all of this?

I just think they were voting against the Republicans because of the
decline in the stock market.”

“But,” he said, “that is the hand we were dealt.”

Poor, poor fellow. You can feel the sorrow, the unremitting remorse. To be cut low by the slings and arrows of plundered fortunes.

If only someone could have foreseen. If only someone had been there to protect us from the Republicans in charge. Perhaps he should be criticizing Paul Ryan and Flyin Jim Sensenbrenner. You know. The ones who've been abetting the dealer for the past eight years.

It's good that Grothman is absolutely without introspection. It leaves the door that much more open for 2010.

Quick Question

There was a lot of folderol back in the Nineties over what we'd call the first decade of the new Millenium. Would it be the Zeroes? The Aughts? The Singles?

Did we ever get that worked out? Is somebody still working on that?

Maybe we could put George on that at the end of the month.

(The aughts? wtf?)

Barn Car

Let's see.

The car has been stored for most of 50 years. It has a racer's provenance. It is arguably one of the most beautiful body styles ever crafted on an English Wheel. It will fit nicely into the unrestored penchant the market has shown over the past few years.

I'd say this is a "Perfect Storm" car but Bonhams may well struggle to gavel it to a new record. This stunner sold at the Gooding Auction and brought the highest price ever paid for an automobile.

They are beautiful machinery.

41 Days

Pitchers and catchers report on my anniversary this year. Thank you, MLB.

“Is It Ever Wrong to do the Right Thing?”

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center has released the question for the 2009 Great American Think-Off and I am positive that there are readers of mine who will be able to tell a personal story on one or the other side of the question.

Visit Kulcher.org or think-off.org for details.

I'm Not Sure That's For Me. Thanks.

Given lay-offs and take-backs and just general uncertainty I'm not sure that I want Ford's offer to be treated like an employee when it comes to buying a new car.

I'll just stick to being a customer. Thanks.

Appropriate Response

Since Tim saw fit to accomodate Jay by posting "These Are The Daves I Know" it's only fair to post Tim Wilson's "George Is On My Mind."

Enjoy

Caption Contest

Three weeks left to the end of the error.

What is George thinking?