"...Rumors Persist That They Chose To Call It "Fox" Because Their Demo Found MSNBC A Little Tough To Spell...."

Educated guess.

Lots of make-up sex going on this morning.

That opinion is really kind of a no brainer what with it being the day after the State of the Union speech and all.

Passionate discussions/debates/conflicts/arguments were likely flying around more prolifically last night than Peyton Manning passes on any given Sunday.

Even this morning.

Maybe even carrying on as we speak (write and/or read).

And, given the level of that aforementioned passion that this particular resident of 1600 Pennsylvania conjures, a lot of harsh things were likely said in the last twelve hours or so (at this writing).

Or currently.

Even between loving spouses/partners who, most of the year, find the whole opposites attract thing works for them  but, lo, come January and the pep rally masquerading as patriotic profundity, couches of America, get ready to be slept upon.

Meanwhile, said advocates of the "anti" persuasion seem, as always, to be more visible, audible, (vegetable or mineral?) than those on the "thumbs up, Mr. Prez, good JOB!" side of whatever aisle is handy to act as demarcation line.

And, boy, oh, boy, the comments sections of the online news sites.

Yowza.

A river of bile that makes the mighty Mississip look like the kind of trickle that would indicate a trip to the urologist is in immediate order.

Personally, I don't have any problem with that.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

And they are Constitutionally assured of their right to express said opinion.

No, my problem isn't so much with the landslide of expression as much as with the lack of erudition.

And my long held, and oft expressed, sentiment that the only problem with freedom....

....is that you have to give it to everybody.

Please allow me to illustrate.

One particular, local news blog ran a piece this morning in which the blogger, a well known local news/talk radio host expressed his disdain for the whole idea of even bothering with a State of the Union address in the first place.

His contention is that.....well, actually, I think he said it, himself, very articulately.

The president travelling to the Capitol to engage in this phony bit of political theater is one of the most over rated and meaningless exercise in DC. It's very predictable, and therefore boring. The entire production reminds me of some sort of Monarchy with the King laying down the law to his subjects. It's wasteful, divisive, and inane. News people and talk hosts talk about it only because they think they have to, and have nothing to do but parrot the next guy who is talking about it.

Is there anything so fake as this? Washington puts on a play, delivering the lines already revealed to the audience before the show. The various players clap on cue like trained seals pretending they didn't know the words in advance. The camera pans to the various guests to see the pre-rehearsed responses. Afterwards the TV commentators talk to the masses and play along (like Doug Llewelyn on the old Peoples Court) pretending what they saw actually meant something, but ultimately agreeing that the "agenda" presented either will "have a tough time passing" or "will move forward a great vision", something along these lines.

My own, well thought out and carefully considered response to his observations?

You go, dude.

Because, probably not all that coincidentally (great minds and all that), I had just written and posted, earlier in the day, my own two cents (a nickel and three pennies adjusted for inflation) on the matter.


in fact, the Constitution only mandates that the President report annually on "the state of the Union"....technically, the Constitutional requirement could be fulfilled in a memo (these days, even a post it note).....the "big speech", in front of Congress and "the American public" is nothing more, or less, than a tradition (kind of like the holiday get-together with those people you really don't like but don't know how to break up with)....a tradition that actually accomplishes very little, given that those who like the current leaders will continue to like the current leaders and those who dislike will continue to dislike...and any people who might deserve credit for honest, hard work resulting in positive benefits play no part in any of this circus at all....think the Grammy Awards and take away the really cool gramophone trophies.....


So, as it turned out, this particular news/talk radio host and I, probably not all the coincidentally (great minds and all that), were, without having any contact with one another, on the same page.

Here's where erudition enters the plot.

Another listener/reader of the local host's blog site offered up, in full use of his Constitutionally mandated right to do so, his own two cents (yet another nickel and three pennies, adjusted).

(For obvious reasons, any indication of the poster's identity has been excluded, as a personal courtesy to him/her and a legal courtesy to me, what with not wanting to get hassled or sued or have the NSA move me up a couple of notches on the ol' list, there)



********· Top Commenter · **********

The king has no cloths.

Here's the thing.

First, props where props are proper...the allusion to the classic children's tale, The Emperor's New Clothes was, for my nickel and three pennies, witty and pointed.

And I'm going to assume, for the sake of courtesy, that this particular poster was, as many of us are, more and more these days, a victim of that newest of technological super villains....

the evil AutoCorrect.

And that dastardly demon quickly, sneakily, slipped the word "cloths" in where the writer had very possibly, and correctly, typed the word "clothes".

You know, to make the aforementioned witty and pointed point.

But, and I'm just puttin' this out on the stoop to see if the kitty licks it up, so, go with me here, if AutoCorrect was off somewhere else, busy struggling with what the hell to do about Ann Coulter, for example, and the poster posted what he typed as he typed it, then, okay, now we come to the problem.

At least the problem that I have with it.

People, everyday, good ol' God fearin', flag wavin', honest and well meaning Americans who are wading hip deep into the passionate, philosophical, admittedly sometimes maddeningly pedantic political discourse, giving best effort to express, profoundly, some insight, some perspective, some thought that might be that grain of sand that rubs the oyster that creates the pearl of wisdom that might actually lead us all to the practical, moral, political, even spiritual higher ground.....

And don't know how to spell the word "clothes"

Especially in a Google and/or Spell Checker world.

Unless, of course, they are Ricky Ricardo (or Gloria Pritchett for you youngers) and just say it that way.

(And if that be the case, then, sincerely, y mil perdones).

 Does that sound a little snobbish?

Probably.

Not my intention.

Here's more of the thing.

Lack of education, inevitably, results in ignorance.

And ignorance tends to manifest itself, in situations where the ignorant are faced with things they can't, don't or, worse, won't understand as fear.

Which breeds more ignorance, which breeds more fear.

Then, the wheel on the bus goes round and round.

The case, I believe, in fairness, can then be made that those who are ignorant are, by lack of other skills, offering opinions, making decisions, even acting on those decisions based on their emotional, rather than intellectual, instincts.

And, historically, decisions based on emotion rather than intellect, tend to work out not so swuft.

Custer comes to mind.

So, here's my suggestion as regards dealing with the thing about the thing.

Freedom of speech should remain sacred and unfettered.

Freedom to express, though, at least in terms of a national forum, should have, at least, a minor qualifying requirement.

So as to keep as much emotion out, and intellect in, as possible in the global gabfest.

Something fair, but uncomplicated.

Like, for example....






And, please, don't crawl up my back about being called ignorant.

It's not the same as being called stupid.

Really. Look it up.

Use Google.

And/or Spell Checker.



 

"....How To Crash A Plane Or Sink A Ship Without Having To Actually Be ON The Plane Or The Ship...."

Speech was my college major.

 

Well, at least, during that one semester that my major wasn't marketing, English, primary education, philosophy, psychology, sociology.

 

Or welding.

 

Ironically, though, never political science.

 

Which seems odd, now, given that the art of interpreting politics seems to come so easily.

 

For example, I know exactly what the Democratic Party needs to do in order to insure not only decisive victories in the upcoming 2014 mid term elections but, also, very likely maintaining residency rights at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave come 2016.

 

Stand by.

 

Simple strategy shortly.

 

 

 

(CNN) – Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin reposted a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech on Monday–and took a swipe against President Barack Obama at the same time.

 

"Mr. President, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and all who commit to ending any racial divide, no more playing the race card," she said in a Facebook post Monday, a holiday that marks the civil rights icon's birthday. 

While the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee didn't give a specific example of Obama playing the "race card," her comment comes after the President referenced his race in a New Yorker article published over the weekend.

"There's no doubt that there's some folks who just really dislike me because they don't like the idea of a black President," Obama said.

The quote came in a section of the story about his declining poll numbers among white voters over the last year. He also lost the voting demographic by a wide margin in his 2012 re-election bid, the article notes.

According to CNN national exit polls, Obama won only 39% of the white vote.

"Now, the flip side of it is there are some black folks and maybe some white folks who really like me and give me the benefit of the doubt precisely because I'm a black President," Obama added.




First, a little twist of the plot.

Contrary to what instinct and/or hunch might inspire, the path about to be taken here has nothing to do with the potential debate on whether the former Alaska doorknob's Governor's take on all of this has, or has not, validity.

Primarily because the inevitable and inarguable laws of political physics are in play here.

Those who think Palin is a world class political mind will be unmoved by any argument and/or comment to the contrary.

Those who think that Palin is a doorknob lightweight will be equally unmoved by any argument, yada, yada.

What's offered here, by your humble former marketing, English, primary education, philosophy, psychology, sociology, welding major turned part time political postulator is simply the aforementioned and promised suggested strategy for Democratic victory in the next two to four years.

ATTENTION: Democrats (and, for that matter, any political participant of any kind other than card carrying, freely admitting to be members of the traditional Republican Party):

Stop any activity that even remotely runs the risk of discouraging Sarah Palin from opening her mouth and speaking.

Engage in any and all activities that will, in fact, encourage Sarah Palin to open her mouth and speak.

Include, in any text of ANY public remarks made during the forthcoming 2014 and/or 2016 political campaigns, direct and SPECIFIC mentions of the name Sarah Palin.

IMPORTANT: In each and every SPECIFIC mention of the name Sarah Palin, it is CRITICAL that the following phrase be used when making said specific mention of the former Alaska doorknob Governor:

     "REPUBLICAN Sarah Palin"

DO NOT, at any time, refer to the former Alaska doorknob Governor without referring to her as:

     "REPUBLICAN Sarah Palin"

Begin to think of it as her complete name.

As in "Mary Tyler Moore"

"Julia Louis-Dreyfus"

"Amy Farrah Fowler"

"Kim Kardashian" (this will allow for true Kardashian-ites whose taste in celebrities indicates they may struggle a little with basic math skills)

and "Jennifer Love Hewitt" as.......

      "REPUBLICAN Sarah Palin"


Trust me when I tell you that repeated use of that very key three word phrase will result in another three word phrase that practically guarantees defeat of the Republican Party in 2014, 2016 and any future years that the former Alaska doorknob Governor continues to publicly inject her unique brand of perspective and insight into the American mainstream.

Guilt by association.

Fear not, Democrats (and, for that matter, any political participant of any kind other than card carrying, freely admitting to be members of the traditional Republican Party) that damage will result from your opponents playing:

The race card.

The economy card.

The health care card.

The Benghazi card.

The IRS card.

The deficit card.

Or any card that the media can and/or will dub "the ____ card".

No worries.

As long as Sarah Palin is at the table ever ready to play the former Alaska Governor doorknob card.

Oops.

Sorry.

REPUBLICAN Sarah Palin.

 

 

It's About Time Someone Was Honest And Told Us About What It's Really All About..."

At long last, he provides us the answer.

Who?

And what question?

Momentito, por favor.


Washington (CNN) -- Just days after dismissing two top advisers for their roles in the George Washington Bridge scandal, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is facing questions over the use of Superstorm Sandy relief funds.

CNN has learned that federal officials are investigating whether Christie improperly used those relief funds to produce tourism ads that starred him and his family.

 

The news couldn't come at a worse time for the scandal-plagued Republican, who is facing two probes into whether his staff tied up traffic near the country's busiest bridge to punish a Democratic mayor who refused to endorse his successful re-election bid.

 

If the Sandy inquiry finds any wrongdoing, it could prove even more damaging to Christie's national ambitions. His performance during and after the superstorm has been widely praised and is a fundamental part of his straight-shooting political brand.

 

In the new probe, federal auditors will examine New Jersey's use of $25 million in Sandy relief funds for a marketing campaign to promote tourism at the Jersey Shore after Sandy decimated the state's coastline in late 2012, New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone told CNN

 

In an August letter, Pallone asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development inspector general to look into how Christie chose to spend the marketing money approved by the department.

Neither the governor's office nor the inspector general's office has replied to CNN's request for comment on the investigation.

 

Pallone wrote that he was concerned about the bidding process for the firm awarded the marketing plan; the winning firm is charging the state about $2 million more than the next lowest bidder. The winning $4.7 million bid featured Christie and his family in the advertisements while the losing $2.5 million proposal did not feature the Christies.

 

On Sunday, Pallone told CNN that the inspector general conducted a preliminary review of the spending and concluded that there was enough evidence to launch a full-scale investigation into the state's use of federal funds. The audit will take several months, and the findings will be issued in an official report, he said.

 

Pallone, a 27-year veteran of the House and vocal Christie critic, said this is not about politics.

 

"This was money that could have directly been used for Sandy recovery. And, as you know, many of my constituents still haven't gotten the money that is owed them to rebuild their homes or raise their homes or to help," he told CNN.

 

Democrats slammed Christie over the summer for starring in taxpayer-funded ads as he was running for re-election in November, arguing it gave him an unfair advantage. Christie aides said at the time that the winning bid provided more value.

 

Last week, Christie dismissed two top aides for their involvement in closing down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge last year, a move that tied up traffic for four days. A New Jersey State Assembly committee is investigating whether the aides ordered the lane closures as political retribution, and the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey has opened a probe into the matter.

 

For his part, Christie has said he didn't know about the scheme and was "embarrassed and humiliated" by it. Democrats, both in New Jersey and nationally, have jumped on the scandal, saying it finally gives the nation an opportunity to see what they've known for years, that Christie is a bully who governs by fear.

 

But as bad as the bridge scandal is for Christie, if investigators find he improperly spent Sandy funds, it could get far worse, tarnishing the signature achievement that has made him a serious contender for the White House.

 

 

As with all the other garden variety improprieties that are as much a part of political news as rehab entrances are a part of entertainment news, after endless weeks of hearings and speeches and mind numbing blathering on every cable news panel west of the Pecos (and, obviously, east, north and south of it, too) this little Christie crisis will play itself out in whatever way it plays itself out.

 

That said, coupla three observations.

 

First, twenty five million bucks to essentially let people know that the Jersey beaches have been cleaned up and are open for business?

 

That's the kind of prudent cost effectiveness that makes the average American voter trust politicians only marginally more than they trust Alec Baldwin to keep a cool head.

 

Second, this "second" probe into Christie shows up almost exactly on schedule, assuming the schedule is to derail any chance the guy might have to run for President next year.

 

Yes, I know the election isn't until 2016, but we all know that the running pretty much starts, at least, a year out.

 

And third.

 

Chris Christie may, or may not, be a scoundrel.

 

Remains to be seen.

 

Pretty sure, though, that Frank Pallone is a putz.

 

At the very least, a shady pet store owner.

 

"Norwegian blue...beautiful plumage...no, he's not dead....he's just sleeping."

 

Which brings us around the earlier mentioned question and answerer.

 

The question?

 

What's it all about?

 

The answerer?

 

Alfie, of course.

 

The answer.

 

Politics, of course.

 

Perfect music segue, n'cest pas?

 

Oui.

 

But, not Alfie so much as....

 

Animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, Maybe It Will Turn Out That Jimmy Hoffa Is Actually Somewhere On The Beltway....

Remains to be seen if this bridge delay scandal will have any major effect on the ambitions of Chris Christie and/or the presidential politics of 2016.

It's not always a given that damage will fatally wound a candidate.

In contemporary times, Richard Nixon survived his "last press conference" in 1962 and went on to become President in 1968.

Ronald Reagan survived Iran-Contra and went to become revered, at least on the right side of the revered bleachers.

Bill Clinton survived Monica Lewinsky, avoided impeachment and has gone on to become, arguably, a respected statesman.
 
It's way too soon to speculate, let alone "know", how Christie will come out of this.

But speculate and "know" is what the pundits will do for a long, long time to come.

What's already getting overlooked, though, is how much things have changed.

Standard operating procedure for political dirty tricks has included, for generations, such classic moves as bugging, wiretapping, breaking and entering, not to mention heavy handed tactics by the FBI, CIA, IRS and a host of other government agencies created for the people, by the people and always seemingly too ready to blackmail the people.

And what dark, sinister, clandestine political payback did the high ranking members of Christie's staff pull?

"....Hey, man....you mess wid us....and we'll cause a traffic jam like youse ain't nevah seen..."

I guess this is all supposed to be serious.

Hard to take it that way, what with being unable to shake the image of Tony Soprano ordering the boys to meet at midnight to move the orange cones around.