Will Republicans Lead The Way For Women Again?

With the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate, the GOP is in a place to once again provide a first for women. Sure, Ferraro and Clinton led the way seeking nomination on a presidential ticket, but neither of them made the big score. If the McCain/Palin ticket wins in November all of that will change as the glass ceiling shatters and some of the West Wing urinals will need to be replaced with female-friendly commodes. For the first time a Woman will have been elected on a presidential ticket.

What other female firsts have the Republicans given us? Here are a couple critical ones:

In 1916, Montana Republican, Jeanette Rankin, became the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress. And this was before the 19th Amendment was passed to give women the right to vote.

Ronald Reagan gave us another first when he nominated Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

This is not to say that Republicans are always the first when it comes to women and high-ranking political figures. After all, the Democrats did give us Bill Clinton -- The first U.S. President credibly accused of raping a woman.

UPDATE: Why is it that the Democratic party believes that Obama has enough experience to be President, but Palin doesn't have enough experience to be Vice President? Could it be because he's a man and she's a woman?

The Democrats Respond To The Palin Selection

Are you wondering what the Democrats think of John McCain's selection for the V.P slot on the Republican ticket? Given their immediate and visceral response it's as clear as Bill Clinton's conscience after lying to millions of Americans. The Democrats are terrified!

Here are some lowlights from the left's scared shotgun attacks:

• She's not qualified (Code for "she's a woman")
• She's worse than Dan Quayle (code for "she's a stupid woman")
• Nobody checked her out (code for "she's only on the ticket because she's a senseless but sexy woman")
• Like all hunters, she hates animals (code for "not only is she a woman, but she's not even a sensitive one")
• She wants creationism in our schools (code for "she's a crazy woman who believes silly old 'wives's' tales")
• She's under investigation (code for "this investigation launched by Dems has nothing to do with trying to bring down a popular Republican, it's because she's the sister of a scorned woman, and we all know how chicks like that are")

Of course, my favorite is the fact that Obama's first TV ad in response to Sarah Palin's selection doesn't even mention her name but simply refers to her as "this." It's great to know "the party of diversity" continues to show so much class and respect for women. Little wonder Hillary is pissed.

Sarah Palin's Remarks After Joining The Ticket

She stepped up to the microphone after being introduced as John McCain's choice for the Vice Presidential slot and delivered her remarks to the country and the world:

"And I thank you, Senator McCain and Mrs. McCain, for the confidence that you have placed in me. Senator, I am honored to be chosen as your running mate. I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States.

"I know that when Senator McCain gave me this opportunity, he had a short list of highly qualified men and women, and to have made that list at all -- it was a privilege. And to have been chosen brings a great challenge. I know that it will demand the best that I have to give, and I promise nothing less.

"First, there are a few people whom I would like you to meet. I want to start with my husband, Todd. And Todd and I are actually celebrating our 20th anniversary today, and I promised him a little surprise for the anniversary present, and hopefully he knows that I did deliver.

"And then we have as -- after my husband, who is a lifelong commercial fisherman, lifetime Alaskan -- he's a production operator. Todd is a production operator in the oil fields up on Alaska's North Slope, and he's a proud member of the United Steelworkers Union, and he's a world champion snow machine racer. Todd and I met way back in high school, and I can tell you that he is still the man that I admire most in this world.

"Along the way, Todd and I have shared many blessings, and four out of five of them are here with us today. Our oldest son, Track, though, he'll be following the presidential campaign from afar. On September 11th of last year, our son enlisted in the United States Army. Track now serves in an infantry brigade. And on September 11th, Track will deploy to Iraq in the service of his country. And Todd and I are so proud of him and of all the fine men and women serving the country in uniform.

"Next to Todd is our daughter Bristol; another daughter, Willow; our youngest daughter, Piper; and over in their arms is our son Trig, a beautiful baby boy. He was born just in April. His name is Trig Paxson Van Palin.

"Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly, and this is certainly the case today. I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office. My mom and dad both worked at the local elementary school. And my husband and I, we both grew up working with our hands.

"I was just your average 'hockey mom' in Alaska. We were busy raising our kids. I was serving as the team mom and coaching some basketball on the side. I got involved in the PTA and then was elected to the city council and then elected mayor of my hometown, where my agenda was to stop wasteful spending and cut property taxes and put the people first.

"I was then appointed ethics commissioner and chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and when I found corruption there, I fought it hard and I held the offenders to account. Along with fellow reformers in the great state of Alaska, as governor, I've stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the Big Oil companies and the 'good old boy' network.

"When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska -- and we are now -- we're now embarking on a $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

"I signed major ethics reforms, and I appointed both Democrats and independents to serve in my administration. And I've championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. In fact, I told Congress thanks, but no thanks, on that "Bridge to Nowhere." If our state wanted a bridge, I said, we'd build it ourselves.

"Well, it's always, though, safer in politics to avoid risk, to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn't get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why the ship is built. Politics isn't just a game of competing interests and clashing parties. The people of America expect us to seek public office and to serve for the right reasons. And the right reason is to challenge the status quo and to serve the common good.

"Now, no one expects us to agree on everything, whether in Juneau or in Washington. But we are expected to govern with integrity and good will and clear convictions and a servant's heart.

"Now, no leader in America has shown these qualities so clearly or presents so clear a threat to business as usual in Washington as Senator John S. McCain. This -- this is a moment when principles and political independence matter a lot more than just the party line. And this is a man who has always been there to serve his country, not just his party.

"And this is a moment that requires resolve and toughness and strength of heart in the American president. And my running mate is a man who has shown those qualities in the darkest of places and in the service of his country. A colleague once said about Senator McCain: That man did things for this country that few people could go through; never forget that. And that speaker was former Senator John Glenn of Ohio. And John Glenn knows something about heroism.

"And I'm going to make sure nobody does forget that in his campaign. There is only one candidate who has truly fought for America, and that man is John McCain.

"This is a moment -- this is a moment when great causes can be won and great threats overcome, depending on the judgment of our next president. In a dangerous world, it is John McCain who will lead America's friends and allies in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"It was John McCain who cautioned long ago about the harm that Russian aggression could do to Georgia and to other small Democratic neighbors and to the world oil markets.

"It was Senator McCain who refused to hedge his support for our troops in Iraq, regardless of the political costs. And you know what? As the mother of one of those troops and as the commander of Alaska's National Guard, that's the kind of man I want as our commander in chief.

"Profiles in courage, they can be hard to come by these days. You know, so often we just find them in books. But next week when we nominate John McCain for president, we're putting one on the ballot!

"To serve as vice president beside such a man would be the privilege of a lifetime, and it's fitting that this trust has been given to me 88 years almost to the day after the women of America first gained the right to vote.

"I think as well today of two other women who came before me in national elections. I can't begin this great effort without honoring the achievements of Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, and, of course, Senator Hillary Clinton, who showed such determination and grace in her presidential campaign.

"It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.

"So for my part, the mission is clear. The next 67 days I'm going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background, in every political party, or no party at all. If you want change in Washington, if you hope for a better America, then we're asking for your vote on the 4th of November.

"My fellow Americans, come join our cause. Join our cause and help our country to elect a great man the next president of the United States. And I thank you, and I -- God bless you, I say, and God bless America. Thank you."

YES!!! It's Sarah Palin

I've had many happy moments involving politics. There was the first vote that I cast in a presidential election back in 1984 (for Ronald Reagan, of course). There was the time 8 year's ago when I was standing in John McCain's Michigan HQ after working for him when the announcement came across FoxNews that he had upset George W. Bush and won the state's primary. And there is today.

As I've mentioned in previous posts and other other sites, Sarah Palin was the perfect pick for the Campaign. Even half-sober fellow vikings agree.

The Alaska Governor will electrify the base and help set in motion reforms that will light the party and the country on fire. Thanks for reading, Senator McCain. And thanks for listening.

In The Temple Of Obama

Uff Da, the temple that Obama is mounting in the convention really gives me panzer-sized willies. And thanks to GrEaT sAtAn'S gIrLfRiEnD, I finally understand why.

Check it out here: Der Sieg

You Can Lead A Clinton To Water . . .

Bill gave a fine convention speech yesterday. Not as strong as Hillary's (which could have been his lack of orange) but a fine speech nonetheless. In fact, for a moment I thought he might even take a sip from Obama's living water of hope . . . then I remembered what he had said just the day before.

“Suppose for example you’re a voter and you have candidate X and you have candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything but you don’t think that person can deliver on anything. Candidate Y disagrees with you on half the issues but you believe that on the other half, the candidate will be able to deliver. For whom will you vote?"

And then there was his comment earlier that:

“John McCain has the best record of any Republican running for president on the energy issue and on climate change.”

Could it be that the family from Hope is trying to sabotage the candidate of hope?

Who Will Be John McCain's Choice For Vice President?

As with Obama's decision to pick Joe Biden as a running mate, it's hard to steer away from conventional wisdom when it comes to the choice John McCain will make in the next day or so. I fully expect Mac to pull safely from the short list of candidates that pundits swat back and forth like a slow-motion, snooze-inducing shuttlecock. Will it be Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Tom Ridge or Charlie Crist? Sure, it's fun to talk about more dramatic possibilities like Colon Powell, Rudi, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Joe Lieberman or Condoleezza Rice, but I expect McCain to combat B.H. Obama's hollow promise of undefined change with an old-fashioned recipe of two WASPs with stingers.

My prediction: Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty.

Pawlenty is a safe choice who will certainly lock up Minnesota as a red state and probably bring Wisconsin in tow. OK, now that I've taken care of that, let's talk about the choice that I think McCain SHOULD make.

My preference: Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin

In my mind Palin is the perfect choice for a number of reasons.

• She is a woman who may force disenfranchised Hillary supporters to consider punching a chad intentionally for the GOP.
• She is a young, fresh face added to the mix. Talk to me about change!
• Her shocking addition to the ticket would focus the human interest/social barrier angle on the McCain campaign.
• She supports the 2nd amendment.
• She can pull in conservatives with her pro-life stance.
• Like McCain, she is an environmentalist.
• She has a history of fiscal conservatism.
• She is not linked to the "unpopular" Bush administration.
• While she lacks "experience," it is less an issue as V.P.
• She is easy on the eyes.
• And she gets her picture taken with dead bears.

Come on, John. Think outside of the box on this one. You have a chance to make real history! Add Sarah to the ticket and let's take it to the White House . . .

Obama Made The Right Choice For Veep

It brings to mind a number of those old sayings. "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." "Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then." "Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line." The fact is that Barack Obama has made a habit of bad decisions: he kept a hate-mongering pastor as his spiritual guide for over 20 years, befriended a terrorist who had declared war on America, and became politically involved with convicted felon Tony Rezko. And while those decisions may not have hurt him politically (yet), the murky morality of his choices have left many wondering what this guy might do when facing an important call. Would he pitch to Kirk Gibson with the game on the line? But when it came to choosing a running mate, he made the perfect choice.

Biden was the guy I predicted would get the slot . . . I predicted it like, oh, roughly 80% of those who cared enough to predict. My reasoning was as simple as Obama's silent whisper, "Joe, you complete me." Obama needed Biden because the man from Delaware is everything that Barack is not.

Joe Biden has experience. He first became a senator in 1973 while Obama was sporting leis at the plush Punahou Private School in Hawaii. During his time on the hill, Biden has been a key player for the Committee on the Judiciary (chairing two confirmation hearing biggies: Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas) as well as the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Biden knows foreign policy. This background was an absolute need for the Democratic ticket after the party nominated a presidential candidate who has demonstrated a phenomenal ignorance on the subject. Joe Biden can speak candidly and knowledgeably about the world with such conviction that it will allow Obama some slack as he continues to bungle stories about WWII, European geography and Middle Eastern history.

Joe Biden is a working-class guy. While Obama disparages folks like blue collar Pennsylvanians for clinging to guns a religion, Biden walks among them. In fact, he was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania to a working class family . . . and may well help the Democrats carry that key swing state. And while Joe Biden is many things, nobody will ever accuse him of Ivy League elitism.

Biden will speak his mind and say what he believes (or at least what he is told to say as if he believes). And this is exactly what the Obama camp needs to continue perpetrating their myth that "the chosen one" will not sully himself with negative campaigns. Instead they will send in his pitbull. Joe Biden is not the kind of guy who votes "present" on controversial bills. And he is not the kind of guy who attempts eloquence to mask uncertainty. He is a fighter and he will go after the Republicans with furious fists.

Of course, Biden's penchant for speaking his mind will also create some hurdles for the Democratic ticket. The plain talking style that makes him so endearing has also made for some frightening press in the past. Just in case you've forgotten, here are just a few Joe Biden quotes that may come back to haunt him:

• Speaking of Obama: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."
• Speaking (again) about Obama: "I think he can be ready, but right now I don’t believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."
• "You cannot go into a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. Oh, I'm not joking."
• "[Delaware was a] slave state that fought beside the North. That's only because we couldn't figure out how to get to the South. There were a couple of states in the way."
• To a gun owner who referred to his gun as his baby: "I don't know that he is mentally qualified to own that gun. I'm being serious."
• Speaking of John McCain: “John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend, and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off, be well off no matter who…”

Now, I don't want to overstate this. The truth is that a Veep rarely makes a difference in the campaign, note how George W. Bush was elected twice with the nearly universally loathed Dick Cheney in tow. But in a close election, which this promises to be, every potential benefit matters and every misstep is magnified. With pressure bearing down on him Obama could have made a mistake in picking his running mate, but he didn't. He picked a man who many Dems may come to wish was at the top of the ticket.

The 9/11 Video Game That Makes Me Want To Cut Off Somebody's Joystick

Attendees at the Leipzig Games Convention in eastern Germany were startled this week to come across a modification of the classic "Space Invaders" video game — one in which the relentless crab-like aliens are blowing holes in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Well, what do you expect from a Left Coast product who split the country for a teaching gig in France.

POST NUMBER 150

Thanks for reading!

And thanks for all the great comments

What Does The Democratic Party Think Of Michigan?

It's the question I couldn't shake after waking up at 3:00 am with post-Taco Bell discomfort brewing in my bowels. I rolled out of bed and stumbled toward porcelain considering what the Dems have given us.

• A Canadian-bred Governor who has fostered a state Economy that is more fragile than a Palestinian peace agreement.
• A mayor in our largest city who may soon add to the millions he has cost the city by forcing them to pay for 3 squares a day while he is behind bars.
• A U.S. Senator who scored an "F" with the National Tax Payers Union because of a voting record that would make Mao proud.
• Another U.S. Senator who scored a 0 rating from the Christian Coalition and the NRA, probably because she didn't have a chance to raise her score, what with the time she spends making sure partial-birth abortions and the rights of illegal aliens are protected.
• Hell, the Democrats won't even give us a full vote at the Democratic National Convention.

What does the Democratic party think of Michigan? Not much, if they think of us at all.

2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

The annual Woodward Dream Cruise is the one time a year that metro Detroiters don't mind being stuck in traffic. It's the "free" event where drivers hop into their classic (and not-so-classic) cars to cruise up and down Michigan's most famous street while thousands of automobile lovers line the streets with lawn chairs and a taste for exhuast to watch the show.

Here are some highlights, courtesy of The Detroit News, starting with GM CEO Rick Wagoner climbing out of an ethanol powered Corvette Z06 E85 Concept Pace Car.

Al Gore vs. Science

From www.demanddebate.com

25 Reasons You Might Be a Liberal

I ran across this link at Queer Conservative.
I saw it. I liked it. I share it.

25 Reasons You Might Be a Liberal

I Hope Ted Kennedy Remembers To Thank Teachers For The Free Booze

Teachers are losing their jobs all over the country. Financial assistance for their continued education has been cut nationwide. Classroom supplies and support are in . . . well, short supply. Teacher raises rarely match cost of living increases. In short, while the Federal government is doling out record funding for education, teachers are still getting whacked on their financial knuckles. Where is the leadership of the teachers' union?

Well, it appears that the teachers' union has decided to put its money where it really matters: a huge party where rich democrats can listen to speeches and get tanked on all the free liquor their livers can abide. In fact, last month alone the teachers' union contributed $750,000 for the Democratic National Convention. And who can blame them? How can anyone worry about math instructor salaries when Ted Kennedy needs to get Grey Goosed?

Kwame Kilpatrick Unconventional (Again)

Will Detroit's mayor be allowed to attend the Democratic National Convention? First he was tethered and told he would have to skip his chance to boo boyscouts at the Democrat gathering. Then another judge ruled that he could go, apparently deciding that if every lying cheater in the party were banned from the convention floor then we would truly hear the sound of one hand clapping. Finally the county prosecutor filed an appeal saying that the pending assault charges were the reason for the mayor's restrictions and the court agreed by re-tethering Kilpatrick and canceling his first-class ticket to the Rockies. The situation has flip-flopped like a Barack Obama foreign policy speech. And speaking of his holiness, if Obama had his way Mayor Kilpatrick will be watching the convention on the Manoogian Mansion's widescreen plasma TV that was so generously provided by Detroit tax payers.

Barack Obama doesn't want Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his legal troubles to be a distraction at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, and he got his wish Thursday when a judge ordered the city executive to stay home.
A Michigan spokesman for Obama, Brent Colburn, said in an e-mail Thursday that the focus of the convention in Denver this month should be on Obama and not on what Colburn called "the troubles of one individual," a reference to Kilpatrick and the two criminal cases he's facing.

Given some of Obama's other associations, you would think a mayor who lies on the stand, abuses city funds and assaults a public servant would provide a perceptible boost to his moral compass. At least Kilpatrick is proud to be an American.

But this is a serious blow for the mayor and Detroit. He has been cast from the party's biggest stage and that does not bode well for the city or the state.

Pelosi Protests In Ann Arbor

Republicans don't organize many protests. For one thing, we tend to work during the day. For another, we tend to carry solutions rather than picket signs. But when Nancy Pelosi decided to spend her vacation signing books rather than solving problems, Metro-Detroit Republicans gathered to let her know how they felt.

What a beautiful sight. I wish I could have been there.

For more on the story check out The World According To Me

Georgia On My Mind

It started as a dispute over South Ossetia, which has been claiming independence from Georgia since Georgia claimed independence from the old empire of evil (who never recovered from the miracle on ice . . . thanks again, Mike Eruzione). While Russia officially recognizes the South Ossetians as Georgians, they still took the opportunity to dust off the KGB playbook and roll out some tanks when Georgia decided to crack down on some pesky separatists. The problem is that Russia hasn't stopped with peace keeping.

According to FoxNews:

U.N. officials B. Lynn Pascoe and Edmond Mulet in New York, speaking at an emergency Security Council meeting asked for by Georgia, also confirmed that Russian troops have driven well beyond South Ossetia and Abkhazia, U.N. diplomats said on condition of anonymity because it was a closed session. They said Russian airborne troops were not meeting any resistance while taking control of Georgia's Senaki army base.

In fact, the Georgian ambassador to the UN claims that "A full military invasion of Georgia is going on." And Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili claims that Russian forces are "cleansing Abkhazia of ethnic Georgians."

Ah, but . . .

By late Monday, Russian news agencies, citing the Defense Ministry, said troops had left Senaki "after liquidating the danger," but did not give details.

Now, pardon me for saying so, but this is not the time for Russia to display super-power envy. Their bloody foray across an American ally's border could have serious repercussions concerning relations between Putin's purgatory and the U.S. -- and perhaps that is part of their intent.

Even as Saakashvili signed a cease-fire pledge Monday with European mediators, Russia flexed its military muscle and appeared determined to subdue the small U.S. ally, which has been pressing for NATO membership. "The bombs that are falling on us, they have an inscription on them: This is for NATO. This is for the U.S.," Saakashvili told CNN.

And no, I don't know how Saakashvili read the inscriptions before the bombs went boom.

The point is that Georgia is our ally. They supply troops to Iraq, land for our bases and an Eastern European name that seems strangely familiar. Putin may try to draw comparisons to the American liberation of Iraq, but only at the cost of conveniently forgetting that his signature was (metaphorically) on the UN resolutions condemning Iraq and allowing for military action.

Speaking of condemnation, where is America's leading nitwit on the subject? Shouldn't Jimmy Carter be coming to Georgia's defense?

Water Wolverines

It was a Gold and Bronze Olympic performance for Wolverine Swim team members Michael Phelps and Peter Vanderkaay in the 200-meter freestyle.

Phelps, of course, has already won three gold medals in Beijing, all in record time. Today's victory was his ninth career gold medal and tied him with Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis, Paavo Nurmi and Larysa Latynina for the most in Olympic history. With five more events on his Olympic itinerary there's a good chance this University of Michigan product will soon stand alone at the top of the international heap. Makes me proud to be a UM alum.

I just wish he could play quarterback.

UPDATE:
Michael Phelps has done it! 8 Gold Medals!
Congrats, Wolverine

Bernie Mac (1957 - 2008)

Rest With God

"I'm an ordinary guy with an extraordinary job."

"Whatever success I've had, I always like to top it."

"I would like to give these kids a good home. In fact, there's one a few miles away from here..."

"I have Glocks, .45s, Berettas, Remingtons. I like the marksmanship and the discipline that it takes to be a gun owner. I like the machinery. Being able to take it out and clean it is even more fascinating than having the gun."

"He's gonna have a case of "assus beatus redus". That's Latin for I'm gonna beat his ass until it glows."

"No breaking wind in my car. The only gas that Bernie Mac want to be smelling is unleaded."

"When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters on the grill, get the ice-cold beer and the cigars - that's heaven here on earth."

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick A Semi-Free Man!

The mayor is not in jail. OK, for most major American cities that's a statement so obvious that it isn't worth writing. But, Detroit? Ah, Detroit is special.

Motor City mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was dropped behind bars on Friday night after violating a court order not to leave the mitten state. Apparently the mayor decided that no court was going to stop him from slipping across the Canadian border for some frosty fun. Besides, you can buy Cuban cigars there, eh.

Kilpatrick's latest antics garnered him a night behind bars (and I don't mean in an alley off 8 Mile) and even further restrictions on travel.

[N]ew restrictions imposed by the courts that require him to wear a tether and bar him from having contact with four bodyguards and traveling outside Metro Detroit no doubt will further constrict his ability to lead. He can't attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver this month. He must change members of his Executive Protection Unit and can't spend time with his sister, Ayanna Kilpatrick, and brother-in-law, Daniel Ferguson III, who are witnesses in his new felony case. He will be barred from traveling to New York City this fall as he had promised to meet with the analysts who determine how much interest Detroit has to pay on money it borrows.

Is there anyone out there who still believes that this guy is good for the city? Unfortunately . . .

For those not familiar with the "1968" reference, that was a time when Detroit was torn by the violent throes of race rioting. And by playing the race card over and over during his trials, Kilpatrick is trying to lead us down that path again, all to maintain power he has savagely abused.

It's time, Mayor Kilpatrick.

Pack up your power suits, put away the earrings and stuff those corrupt city contracts where they belong. Resign and leave the city to recover from the scarring that your administration has caused.

The Khaki Elephant Endorses John McCain

I'm tired of riding the fence! The Khaki Elephant is endorsing Senator John McCain for President of the United States of America.Oh, I know some of my fellow bloggers may think this is a reckless choice. Why, the guy so old that he was fighting for this country while Barack Obama was still peddling his tricycle around picturesque Hawaiian shores. But I have little doubt that this is a man who can and will lead our country back to prosperity while maintaining American integrity. What evidence do I have?

He is a fiscal conservative. Despite the bellyaching I've read across the blogs that McCain is a "liberal" or a "closet Democrat" the fact is that he is conservative where it counts. While the bellyachers praised our current President who had all the spending discipline of Lindsey Lohan at happy hour, McCain simply went to work fighting pork barrel politics as usual. And don't start this nonsense about his votes against tax breaks; those votes were focused on tax breaks that didn't include reduced government spending.

He supports the 2nd amendment. The man wants us to keep our guns.

He argued for the successful surge in Iraq before Bush. Remember how Republicans attacked McCain for his criticism of Rumsfeld's strategy in Iraq and the need for a more aggressive policy with the troops? Gee, looks like Mac was right.

He is an environmentalist. I don't agree with all of his environmental policies or beliefs, but John McCain's desire for a clean America mirrors that of another great Republican, Teddy Roosevelt. And when you think about it, conservation is conservative. (pretty catchy, eh?)

He is not a lousy splitter like Bob Barr. When he lost the nomination to Bush, Mac dropped out an attempted to heal the party.

He is a man of character. A friend tried to provide proof that the media actually supports McCain over Obama by claiming that there have been numerous attacks against Obama's character but only a few against McCain. I explained to him the reason. Only a fool would attack McCain's character. No matter how you go at him, we know how the attack will end: McCain elected to suffer years of torture in a POW camp rather than accept early release. End of story.

He really can reach across the aisle. When did this become a bad thing? When Dubya first ran for the Presidency part of his mantra was an ability to bridge party divides as he did in Texas and heal the antagonistic politics fostered during the Clinton years. Well, he failed and may have made things even more divisive. You may not agree with McCain/Feingold, McCain/Lieberman or McCain/Kennedy, but the man has shown that he can build bridges and get things done.

John McCain's experience with both domestic and foreign policy make him the only viable choice for me in this election. And if you're not sold, keep watching this blog for more evidence . . . and you might want to read some of my previous posts . . . hmm, perhaps I wasn't sitting on the fence after all.

Kathy Hilton Calls McCain Ad Frivolous . . . Really . . . Seriously . . . She Did . . . I'm Not Kidding

Kathy Hilton, proud mother of Paris Hilton, is a little miffed by John McCain's latest political ad. Oh, she seemed fine with her daughter running panty-free. She was silent concerning the embarrassing results of her child's time in a recording studio. She even failed to yank that silly dog from her girl's paws. But when you compare her baby to a presidential candidate -- you awaken the beast.

The Hilton matriarch let her thoughts fly on The Huffington Post, which should tell you everything you need to know about the flight pattern of those thoughts.

I've been asked again and again for my response to the now infamous McCain celebrity ad. I actually have three responses. It is a complete waste of the money John McCain's contributors have donated to his campaign. It is a complete waste of the country's time and attention at the very moment when millions of people are losing their homes and their jobs. And it is a completely frivolous way to choose the next President of the United States.

After reading Momma Hilton's three responses all I can say is: I guess two out of three ain't bad.

• It is a complete waste of the money John McCain's contributors have donated to his campaign.

Not exactly. From what I've been reading on the blogs and watching on MSNBC it has evidently become necessary to explain the difference between substance and celebrity to a great number of Americans.

• It is a complete waste of the country's time and attention at the very moment when millions of people are losing their homes and their jobs.

Agreed. So, America, let's start to focus on unemployment and housing issues rather than celebrities like Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears and . . . well, Barack Obama.

• And it is a completely frivolous way to choose the next President of the United States.

I couldn't agree more. Why not choose the next president based on, oh, I don't know, experience and insight? Or how about life choices and accomplishments? Or even something as simple as knowing that America doesn't have 57 states.

Tigers Trade Pudge (or: The Day My Boys Became Yankee Fans)

I've always been a big baseball fan. I remember growing up and watching some of my favorite players step up to the plate with the ole English D bold on their chests. Al Kaline, Norm Cash, Bill Freehan, Willie Horton and when I hit my teens Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. Not all hall-of-famers, but Tigers for life who I came to know and loved to watch them play.

Things have changed.

My two boys are at the beginning of their love for sports so it's little wonder when they turn to baseball they are drawn to the man who became the face of the Detroit Tiger's resurgence. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Yes, he spent much of his career in Texas, but as far as my kids are concerned he is their Tiger. His poster is in their room, his baseball cards litter their dresser drawers, and there is rare silence in the living room when he comes up to bat. Well, there was silence. Pudge is no longer a Tiger. He was traded to New York and now the boys want to know how they can watch Yankee games.

I grew up in an era when sports free agency was in its infancy and players staying with their teams was the norm. Oh, I know sports has always been a business, but there was something about times past that at least gave the impression of loyalty. Players didn't leave and teams seemed to appreciate them. As an adult I understand that it was a naive impression created by antiquated league rules, but I wish my kids could enjoy baseball with that same naivety. I wish they could watch the same "motor city players" take the field for their team, regardless of whether or not different players would bring better results. I wish, for their sake, that Pudge was still a Detroit Tiger.