I, like millions of other Americans, saw the two Palin bits on SNL last night.
I liked her interaction with Alec Baldwin who was trashing Palin thinking he was standing next to Tina Fey. When Lorne Michaels informed Baldwin it was the genuine article he said that she looked much hotter in person. Palin replied that Stephen Baldwin was her favorite Baldwin.
It is interesting to note that the AP described Palin as "mute."
Some will never be pleased.
Palin return for Weekend Update where she was supposed to do a skit but said she wouldn't but it crossed the line. Amy Poehler did it instead and it was a rap featuring Eskimoes, dancing moose and a faux Todd Palin. Sarah Palin just grooved with it and looked good doing it. I suspect most people will remember that she was there and were happy to see her. Even Democrats.
If SNL gets an Emmy next year they should share it with Palin because she has single handedly revived interest in a long moribund and stagnate show.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Links to Photos of Yours Truly at Fenway
In case there is any doubt I was at Fenway last night here's a link to a photograph taken of me and my friend, Joe Nolan. I am on the left wearing the Sox cap with my hand on my chin holding a pen. http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?evrgroupid=0&userid=fanfotogallery_id=1314093&ir.
Peggy Noonan's Impalin' Palin
Peggy Noonan holds Sarah Palin in very little regard.
This does not come as a surprise to me. A few days after McCain announced Palin as his running mate, Noonan appeared on MSNBC and while off camera referred to her selection as "political bullsh*@t."
Well, in an article the Wall Street Journal titled "Palin's Failin'", Noonan spreads this idea around. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122419210832542317.html?mod=special_page_campaign_2008_mostpop)
Noonan writes, "She was a dope and unqualified from the start."
Tell that to Frank Murkowski. How does a dope defeat a man who served 22 years in the U.S. Senate and the man who was the sitting governor in the GOP Primary in 2006? Tell that to Tony Knowles. How does a dope then go on to defeat a man who served as Governor of Alaska for two terms? Is Noonan suggesting the good people of Alaska are dopes for voting for her? At the very least, Noonan vastly underestimates Palin
Then Noonan compares Palin to Harry Truman:
Mrs. Palin came, essentially, from nowhere. But there was a man who came from nowhere, the seeming tool of a political machine, a tidy, narrow, unsophisticated senator appointed to high office and then thrust into power by a careless Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose vanity told him he would live forever. And yet that limited little man was Harry Truman. Of the Marshall Plan, of containment. Little Harry was big. He had magic. You have to give people time to show what they have. Because maybe they have magic too.
But we have seen Mrs. Palin on the national stage for seven weeks now, and there is little sign that she has the toolss, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding one hopes for, and expects, in a holder of high office.
Where does one begin? Well, John McCain sure hold Sarah Palin in higher regard than FDR held Truman. In fact, FDR held Truman in such low regard that when he assumed office in April 1945 upon FDR's death he did not know about the Manhattan Project. The only person who probably held Truman is lower regard than FDR was Truman's own mother-in-law.
Noonan refers to the containment and the Marshall Plan. Yet these policies would not be implemented until March 1947 and July 1947, respectively. That's two years into his Presidency. It's worth remembering that few at the time thought Truman had a chance of being re-elected hence the headline, "Dewey Defeats Truman." Noonan speaks of giving people time yet writes off Palin as a dope after seven weeks. If Noonan was alive in May 1945 I am sure she too would have written him off as a dope and titled her column, "Doomin' Truman."
Noonan complains that "it's unclear whether she is Bushian or Reaganite." She's neither. She's Sarah Palin. She can't fill their shoes. She can only fill her own.
Finally, the article turns to Christopher Buckley. She claims "he was shooed from the great magazine his father invented." Nonsense. He offered his resignation from National Review. They accepted. But Noonan doesn't let the facts get in the way of her rhetoric. She writes, "In all this, the conservative intelligentsia are doing what they have done for five years. They bitterly attacked those who came to stand against the Bush Administration." Who are they? I want names, Peggy. Most of the National Review writers spoke of Buckley in the highest regards while offering their respectful disagreement. Jonah Goldberg was typical in his reaction to Buckley's endorsement:
I am a great fan of Christopher's. I am proud to call him my friend and I am grateful for his kindnesses. None of that changes because of his decision to endorse Barack Obama. But I think he's wrong. I would very much like to leave it at that.
So where's the bitterness here? Where's the shooing away that she writes of?
Even so is Christopher Buckley suddenly above criticism? If a conservative endorses Obama over McCain on the basis of (amongst other things) that McCain has changed then that conservative ought to be prepared for criticism. And I put forth my two cents. (http://icblogspot.com/2008/10/christopher-buckley-will-vote-obama.html) Every time I write an article or a blog I am prepared to be told that I am full of it. That comes with the territory. If Peggy Noonan has something to say about what I've written she is welcome to reply.
This does not come as a surprise to me. A few days after McCain announced Palin as his running mate, Noonan appeared on MSNBC and while off camera referred to her selection as "political bullsh*@t."
Well, in an article the Wall Street Journal titled "Palin's Failin'", Noonan spreads this idea around. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122419210832542317.html?mod=special_page_campaign_2008_mostpop)
Noonan writes, "She was a dope and unqualified from the start."
Tell that to Frank Murkowski. How does a dope defeat a man who served 22 years in the U.S. Senate and the man who was the sitting governor in the GOP Primary in 2006? Tell that to Tony Knowles. How does a dope then go on to defeat a man who served as Governor of Alaska for two terms? Is Noonan suggesting the good people of Alaska are dopes for voting for her? At the very least, Noonan vastly underestimates Palin
Then Noonan compares Palin to Harry Truman:
Mrs. Palin came, essentially, from nowhere. But there was a man who came from nowhere, the seeming tool of a political machine, a tidy, narrow, unsophisticated senator appointed to high office and then thrust into power by a careless Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose vanity told him he would live forever. And yet that limited little man was Harry Truman. Of the Marshall Plan, of containment. Little Harry was big. He had magic. You have to give people time to show what they have. Because maybe they have magic too.
But we have seen Mrs. Palin on the national stage for seven weeks now, and there is little sign that she has the toolss, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding one hopes for, and expects, in a holder of high office.
Where does one begin? Well, John McCain sure hold Sarah Palin in higher regard than FDR held Truman. In fact, FDR held Truman in such low regard that when he assumed office in April 1945 upon FDR's death he did not know about the Manhattan Project. The only person who probably held Truman is lower regard than FDR was Truman's own mother-in-law.
Noonan refers to the containment and the Marshall Plan. Yet these policies would not be implemented until March 1947 and July 1947, respectively. That's two years into his Presidency. It's worth remembering that few at the time thought Truman had a chance of being re-elected hence the headline, "Dewey Defeats Truman." Noonan speaks of giving people time yet writes off Palin as a dope after seven weeks. If Noonan was alive in May 1945 I am sure she too would have written him off as a dope and titled her column, "Doomin' Truman."
Noonan complains that "it's unclear whether she is Bushian or Reaganite." She's neither. She's Sarah Palin. She can't fill their shoes. She can only fill her own.
Finally, the article turns to Christopher Buckley. She claims "he was shooed from the great magazine his father invented." Nonsense. He offered his resignation from National Review. They accepted. But Noonan doesn't let the facts get in the way of her rhetoric. She writes, "In all this, the conservative intelligentsia are doing what they have done for five years. They bitterly attacked those who came to stand against the Bush Administration." Who are they? I want names, Peggy. Most of the National Review writers spoke of Buckley in the highest regards while offering their respectful disagreement. Jonah Goldberg was typical in his reaction to Buckley's endorsement:
I am a great fan of Christopher's. I am proud to call him my friend and I am grateful for his kindnesses. None of that changes because of his decision to endorse Barack Obama. But I think he's wrong. I would very much like to leave it at that.
So where's the bitterness here? Where's the shooing away that she writes of?
Even so is Christopher Buckley suddenly above criticism? If a conservative endorses Obama over McCain on the basis of (amongst other things) that McCain has changed then that conservative ought to be prepared for criticism. And I put forth my two cents. (http://icblogspot.com/2008/10/christopher-buckley-will-vote-obama.html) Every time I write an article or a blog I am prepared to be told that I am full of it. That comes with the territory. If Peggy Noonan has something to say about what I've written she is welcome to reply.
McCain is on Joe the Plumber's Side
At a rally in Miami today John McCain stood up for Joe the Plumber after Joe Biden sneered, "I don't have any Joe the Plumbers in my neighborhood who make $250,000 a year and are worried." (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/17/mccain_stands_up_for_joe_html):
The response from Senator Obama and his campaign yesterday was to attack Joe. People are digging through his personal life and he has TV crews camped out in front of his house. He didn't ask for Senator Obama to come to his house. He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks.
Right on, John!!! It couldn't have been said any better.
The response from Senator Obama and his campaign yesterday was to attack Joe. People are digging through his personal life and he has TV crews camped out in front of his house. He didn't ask for Senator Obama to come to his house. He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks.
Right on, John!!! It couldn't have been said any better.
Levi Stubbs, 1936-2008. R.I.P.
Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Motown group The Four Tops, died today at his home in Detroit. He was 72 years old. Stubbs had been in poor health in recent years. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1995. However, he continued to perform until he was incapacitated by a stroke in 2000. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2008/10/17/levi-stubbs.html
Suffice it to say, I regret never having seen the Four Tops, particularly Stubbs perform in concert.
The Four Tops came together in 1954 and the original four members - Stubbs, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton and Abdul "Duke" Fakir remained together for 43 years until Payton's death in 1997. Benson died in 2005. Fakir remains the only surviving member and ironically he was the oldest member of the group.
The Four Tops were at the top of the charts between 1964 and 1967. They are best remembered for such hits as "Reach Out I'll Be There", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "Baby I Need Your Loving", "Standing In The Shadows Love" and "Bernadette". All of those songs were written by the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. However, the Four Tops also went beyond the Motown sound and covered the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee" and Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter". Their last hit was "Ain't No Woman Like The One I Got" which was released in 1973.
My favorite Four Tops song is one that wasn't a hit in the U.S. but was a Top 3 hit in Britain in 1971. "A Simple Game" was a collaboration between them and the kings of progressive rock, The Moody Blues. It was originally a Moody Blues song that was re-arranged for the vocal talents of the Four Tops. In additon to arrangements, the Moody Blues also did backing vocals on "A Simple Game." You can listen to it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+73qAq9fCcz2o.
Suffice it to say, I regret never having seen the Four Tops, particularly Stubbs perform in concert.
The Four Tops came together in 1954 and the original four members - Stubbs, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton and Abdul "Duke" Fakir remained together for 43 years until Payton's death in 1997. Benson died in 2005. Fakir remains the only surviving member and ironically he was the oldest member of the group.
The Four Tops were at the top of the charts between 1964 and 1967. They are best remembered for such hits as "Reach Out I'll Be There", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "Baby I Need Your Loving", "Standing In The Shadows Love" and "Bernadette". All of those songs were written by the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. However, the Four Tops also went beyond the Motown sound and covered the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee" and Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter". Their last hit was "Ain't No Woman Like The One I Got" which was released in 1973.
My favorite Four Tops song is one that wasn't a hit in the U.S. but was a Top 3 hit in Britain in 1971. "A Simple Game" was a collaboration between them and the kings of progressive rock, The Moody Blues. It was originally a Moody Blues song that was re-arranged for the vocal talents of the Four Tops. In additon to arrangements, the Moody Blues also did backing vocals on "A Simple Game." You can listen to it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+73qAq9fCcz2o.
PBS Host to Joe the Plumber: Learn To Shut Your Mouth
Bonnie Erbe, who hosts the PBS TV show To The Contrary, wrote a blog on U.S. News & World Report where she is a contributing editor. Erbe writes that Joe Wurzelbacher "had better learn to keep his mouth shut." (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/erbe/2008/10/16/joe-the-plumber--social-security-is-a-joke-and-liberal-conspiracy-theories.html)
Why?
Well, first Joe the Plumber expresses impure thoughts such as, "Social Security is a joke." Erbe might not like his opinion but it is one man's opinion. So anyone who doesn't agree with Erbe's worldview must keep silent?
Second, Erbe tries to connect Wurzelbacher to Charles Keating of the Keating Five fame and thus a McCain stooge.
On what does Erbe base this information? From a blog entry on the hard left The Daily Kos (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/16/02217/845)
So Erbe sees fit to sully Joe the Plumber because he "may be related" to Republican donor Robert Wurzelbacher, the son-in-law of Charles Keating who served time in federal prison for his role in the S&L Scandal for misappropriation of funds. May be related?
So on the basis that Joe the Plumber might be related to Robert Wurzelbacher, Erbe writes, "Keep watching this story because if it proves to be true that "Joe the Plumber" is a wealthy, Republican regular the liberal blogs are claiming he is, the McCain campaign could go down as the most corrupt and inept in history."
Surely, Bonnie Erbe could have exericsed more due diligence here? Joe the Plumber is either related to him or he's not? Even if he is related then what? Does that make him a criminal? And since when is being rich a criminal act? Are Joe's opinions rendered irrelevant and not worth our attention? In the world of elite liberals like Bonnie Erbe, the Joe Wurzelbachers and other average Joes who put in an honest day of work are to be seen and not heared. Might I remind you that it was Obama who approached Wurzelbacher at his home and asked him for his vote. Obama has every right to ask for Joe the Plumber's vote. Joe the Plumber then has the right to ask Obama a question or two. It might be a foreign concept to the liberal media but votes in this country are earned.
But I say this to the liberal media. Keep the heat up on Joe the Plumber. If you insist on smearing Joe the Plumber because he dares to think for himself then Obama could end up squandering a lead bigger than the Tampa Bay Rays did last night and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Why?
Well, first Joe the Plumber expresses impure thoughts such as, "Social Security is a joke." Erbe might not like his opinion but it is one man's opinion. So anyone who doesn't agree with Erbe's worldview must keep silent?
Second, Erbe tries to connect Wurzelbacher to Charles Keating of the Keating Five fame and thus a McCain stooge.
On what does Erbe base this information? From a blog entry on the hard left The Daily Kos (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/16/02217/845)
So Erbe sees fit to sully Joe the Plumber because he "may be related" to Republican donor Robert Wurzelbacher, the son-in-law of Charles Keating who served time in federal prison for his role in the S&L Scandal for misappropriation of funds. May be related?
So on the basis that Joe the Plumber might be related to Robert Wurzelbacher, Erbe writes, "Keep watching this story because if it proves to be true that "Joe the Plumber" is a wealthy, Republican regular the liberal blogs are claiming he is, the McCain campaign could go down as the most corrupt and inept in history."
Surely, Bonnie Erbe could have exericsed more due diligence here? Joe the Plumber is either related to him or he's not? Even if he is related then what? Does that make him a criminal? And since when is being rich a criminal act? Are Joe's opinions rendered irrelevant and not worth our attention? In the world of elite liberals like Bonnie Erbe, the Joe Wurzelbachers and other average Joes who put in an honest day of work are to be seen and not heared. Might I remind you that it was Obama who approached Wurzelbacher at his home and asked him for his vote. Obama has every right to ask for Joe the Plumber's vote. Joe the Plumber then has the right to ask Obama a question or two. It might be a foreign concept to the liberal media but votes in this country are earned.
But I say this to the liberal media. Keep the heat up on Joe the Plumber. If you insist on smearing Joe the Plumber because he dares to think for himself then Obama could end up squandering a lead bigger than the Tampa Bay Rays did last night and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Miracle at Fenway Park
Tonight I saw the greatest game ever played in the history of Major League Baseball.
Two nights ago I received a message from my friend Joe Nolan to attend Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Although we are polar opposites politically we both a share a passion for baseball, particularly the Boston Red Sox. Joe attended Game 2 of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. When he lived in California, he would make a point of seeing the Red Sox when they were in town to play the California Angels as they were then known.
Since moving to Boston in 2000 I have attended 69 games at Fenway Park. But tonight marked the first time I had ever gone to a playoff game. While I was happy to go I had few illusions. After the Sox won Game 1 in Tampa Bay on a combined four hit shutout by Daisuke "Dice-K" Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson and Jonathan Papelbon it had been all Tampa Bay Rays.
The Sox lost a heartbreaker in Game 2 by a score of 9-8 in 11 innings. A sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton off Mike Timlin even the ALCS at one game apiece.
The ALCS resumed here in Boston on Monday. The Rays pounded Jon Lester and Paul Byrd en route to a 9-1 victory in Game 3. Tuesday would fare no better for the Sox as the Rays decimated the Sox 13-4 in Game 4. Tim Wakefield surrendered three homeruns in less than 3 innings of work. The Red Sox had a much needed day off yesterday.
So going into tonight, the Rays were up 3-1 and a victory would have sent them to the World Series against the Phillies. As things got underway it appeared the Rays were well on their way to a rout of the Red Sox en route to a Fall Classic appearance. Dice-K was not effective in Game 5. He gave up a two run home run to B.J. Upton in the top of the 1st to give the Rays a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, Dice-K surrendered back to back home runs to Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria. The Rays now had a 5-0 lead. Dice-K would be lifted in the 5th inning.
Hideki Okajima pitched two innings of effective relief but the Red Sox offense was lacklustre against Rays starter Scott Kazmir. Originally James Shields had been slated to start Game 5 but Rays manager announced yesterday that he would start Kazmir in Game 5. In Game 2, Kazmir lasted four and one thirds innings and gave up five runs. He allowed three home runs, two of them to Dustin Pedroia and one to Kevin Youkilis although he didn't figure into the decision. Tonight, Kazmir was brilliant. In six innings of work, he gave up no runs and only two hits. While he did walk three batters he also struck out seven.
The Rays appeared to have broke it open in the top of the 7th. Manny Delcarmen began the inning by walking the first two batters he faced. Then Delcarmen appeared to be hurt and suddenly Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was brought into the game. I know this because the Dropkick Murphys' "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" was played in its entirety during his warm up on the mound. Normally, Papelbon wouldn't be brought in with the Sox down five runs but this was the season right here and now. Papelbon gave up a two run double to B.J. Upton to make it 7-0 (the two runs were charged to Delcarmen.)
At this point, the only thing exciting the crowd was a portly middle aged man taking off his shirt and leading the crowd in cheers. I turned to Joe and said, "If I have children or grandchildren, I will not mention this game. Maybe except in passing."
However, after Papelbon intentionally walked Carlos Pena he then induced Evan Longoria to hit into a double play and Carl Crawford ended the inning by grounding out to third baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Enter the Rays bullpen. In years past, it was the team's achilles heel. This year they have the best bullpen in baseball. That is until tonight.
Australian Grant Balfour was brought in to pitch the bottom of the 7th. He gave up a lead off double to Jed Lowrie but retired both Jason Varitek and Mark Kotsay on fly balls to center fielder B.J. Upton. Then Balfour faced Coco Crisp. This might have been the at bat of the game. Crisp, who is the least popular Red Sox player because of his punch up with Rays pitcher James Shields at Fenway last June, kept fouling off pitch after pitch until he singled to make it first and third with two outs. Up came Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox Nation's favored candidate for AL MVP. Pedroia drove in the Sox first run. 7-1 Rays.
David Ortiz has been well known for his clutch home runs. But in this ALCS Big Papi was 1 for 14 with four walks. His one hit was a triple in Game 3. Big Papi isn't exactly fleet of foot. The only way he hits a triple is if it ricochets off the wall or takes a funny bounce. Indeed, I did see Ortiz hit a triple against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 14th. At that time, I was not expecting to see another game at Fenway until next April.
Well, Big Papi hit a three run home run and the Rays lead was cut to 7-4. The Sox were back in the game.
Papelbon came back out to pitch the top of the 8th. He retired all three hitters and struck out Manny Aybar and Gabe Gross. Papelbon might not have recorded a save in this game but he surely saved this game with his pitching.
Between innings, "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond was played over the PA as it of every home game in the middle of the 8th. Joe excused himself from the proceedings.
Rays reliever Dan Wheeler began the inning by walking Jason Bay. During Bay's at bat the Fenway faithful began chanting, "Wheeler!!! Wheeler!!!" in mocking unisom. Wheeler then surrendered a two run home run to J.D. Drew. The Rays lead was now cut to 7-6. The chanting became deafening by this point.
Wheeler did retire Jed Lowrie and pinch hitter Sean Casey but Mark Kotsay lined a double to keep the inning alive. The chanting was getting to Wheeler and I wondered why Rays manager Joe Maddon hadn't thought to remove him. Once again, Coco Crisp had another good at bat fouling off pitch after pitch until he a solid single that allowed Kotsay to score. The game was tied 7-7.
I should note that Crisp was thrown out at second when he tried to stretch the single into a double. But no one seemed to care. It went from 7-0 to 7-7. Victory was within sight.
Justin Masterson was brought on to pitch the 9th inning. Masterson was brought up from Pawtucket in mid-season and has both started and relieved. He's a young kid but isn't fazed by pressure. Masterson gave up a single to Josh Bartlett to begin the inning. He did retire Akinori Iwamura on a fly ball but then walked B.J. Upton. But no problem. He bore down and got Carlos Pena to hit into an inning ending double play. It was the second double play the Rays hit into in three innings.
Lefty J.P. Howell was brought in to pitch the bottom of the 9th. Dustin Pedroia hit a ground ball that took a tricky hop but third baseman Evan Longoria picked up the ball and threw out the hustling Pedroia at first. Howell then struck out Big Papi. That left things to Kevin Youkilis.
Now the worst that could have happened was the game would have gone to extra innings. But Youk wanted to end things then and there. He fouled off pitches and took pitches just outside the strike zone. He eventually hit what appeared to be weak ground ball to Longoria but he hesitated with this throw and the ball hit the bag and went into the stands for a throwing error. Youk was awarded second base.
Jason Bay had an opportunity to show the world why the Sox rid themselves of Manny Ramirez. But the Rays had other ideas. Howell intentionally walked Bay so he could face J.D. Drew who homered the previous inning. By this time, the fans were chanting "Howell! Howell!" although it didn't have same ring as Wheeler.
This was my 70th game at Fenway Park. The Red Sox were down 7-0 and had tied the game 7-7. It was all up to Drew whose number on the back of his uniform is, what else, 7.
Drew hit a drive that surged over the head of Rays right fielder Gabe Gross and Youkilis made a mad dash for home. Red Sox won 8-7. I screamed myself hoarse in a way I haven't done in years. Rarely I have ever experienced such pure unadulterated joy.
Not only was this the greatest game I had ever witnessed either in person or transmitted by television or radio but it was the greatest game ever played in the history of Major League Baseball.
Remember what I said about not telling any children or grandchildren I should ever about this game? I take it back.
Joe and I were meant to be at this game to witness this miracle. Was it sparked by the fat man who removed his shirt? Or by the fans who chanted, "Wheeler!" "Wheeler!"? Yes and by a thousands of other things in the stands, on the field and beyond.
In 2004, the Red Sox won the ALCS after being down 3-0 against the New York Yankees and went on to win their first World Series in 86 years. In 2007, the Red Sox won the ALCS after being down 3-1 against the Cleveland Indians and went on to win another World Series. Can they do it again?
As Joe said, "Summer is still with us." The Red Sox will travel to St. Pete to face the Rays in Game 6. The odds of winning two straight at Tropicana Field are against them but they have survived worse odds. Such as being down 7-0 in the 7th inning.
Even if the Sox don't prevail we will always have Game 5 and I will always have my memories witnessed first hand.
If no one understood why I love baseball so much I think you will all understand now.
Sleep peacefully. Goodnight.
Two nights ago I received a message from my friend Joe Nolan to attend Game 5 of the American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Although we are polar opposites politically we both a share a passion for baseball, particularly the Boston Red Sox. Joe attended Game 2 of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. When he lived in California, he would make a point of seeing the Red Sox when they were in town to play the California Angels as they were then known.
Since moving to Boston in 2000 I have attended 69 games at Fenway Park. But tonight marked the first time I had ever gone to a playoff game. While I was happy to go I had few illusions. After the Sox won Game 1 in Tampa Bay on a combined four hit shutout by Daisuke "Dice-K" Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson and Jonathan Papelbon it had been all Tampa Bay Rays.
The Sox lost a heartbreaker in Game 2 by a score of 9-8 in 11 innings. A sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton off Mike Timlin even the ALCS at one game apiece.
The ALCS resumed here in Boston on Monday. The Rays pounded Jon Lester and Paul Byrd en route to a 9-1 victory in Game 3. Tuesday would fare no better for the Sox as the Rays decimated the Sox 13-4 in Game 4. Tim Wakefield surrendered three homeruns in less than 3 innings of work. The Red Sox had a much needed day off yesterday.
So going into tonight, the Rays were up 3-1 and a victory would have sent them to the World Series against the Phillies. As things got underway it appeared the Rays were well on their way to a rout of the Red Sox en route to a Fall Classic appearance. Dice-K was not effective in Game 5. He gave up a two run home run to B.J. Upton in the top of the 1st to give the Rays a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, Dice-K surrendered back to back home runs to Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria. The Rays now had a 5-0 lead. Dice-K would be lifted in the 5th inning.
Hideki Okajima pitched two innings of effective relief but the Red Sox offense was lacklustre against Rays starter Scott Kazmir. Originally James Shields had been slated to start Game 5 but Rays manager announced yesterday that he would start Kazmir in Game 5. In Game 2, Kazmir lasted four and one thirds innings and gave up five runs. He allowed three home runs, two of them to Dustin Pedroia and one to Kevin Youkilis although he didn't figure into the decision. Tonight, Kazmir was brilliant. In six innings of work, he gave up no runs and only two hits. While he did walk three batters he also struck out seven.
The Rays appeared to have broke it open in the top of the 7th. Manny Delcarmen began the inning by walking the first two batters he faced. Then Delcarmen appeared to be hurt and suddenly Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was brought into the game. I know this because the Dropkick Murphys' "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" was played in its entirety during his warm up on the mound. Normally, Papelbon wouldn't be brought in with the Sox down five runs but this was the season right here and now. Papelbon gave up a two run double to B.J. Upton to make it 7-0 (the two runs were charged to Delcarmen.)
At this point, the only thing exciting the crowd was a portly middle aged man taking off his shirt and leading the crowd in cheers. I turned to Joe and said, "If I have children or grandchildren, I will not mention this game. Maybe except in passing."
However, after Papelbon intentionally walked Carlos Pena he then induced Evan Longoria to hit into a double play and Carl Crawford ended the inning by grounding out to third baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Enter the Rays bullpen. In years past, it was the team's achilles heel. This year they have the best bullpen in baseball. That is until tonight.
Australian Grant Balfour was brought in to pitch the bottom of the 7th. He gave up a lead off double to Jed Lowrie but retired both Jason Varitek and Mark Kotsay on fly balls to center fielder B.J. Upton. Then Balfour faced Coco Crisp. This might have been the at bat of the game. Crisp, who is the least popular Red Sox player because of his punch up with Rays pitcher James Shields at Fenway last June, kept fouling off pitch after pitch until he singled to make it first and third with two outs. Up came Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox Nation's favored candidate for AL MVP. Pedroia drove in the Sox first run. 7-1 Rays.
David Ortiz has been well known for his clutch home runs. But in this ALCS Big Papi was 1 for 14 with four walks. His one hit was a triple in Game 3. Big Papi isn't exactly fleet of foot. The only way he hits a triple is if it ricochets off the wall or takes a funny bounce. Indeed, I did see Ortiz hit a triple against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 14th. At that time, I was not expecting to see another game at Fenway until next April.
Well, Big Papi hit a three run home run and the Rays lead was cut to 7-4. The Sox were back in the game.
Papelbon came back out to pitch the top of the 8th. He retired all three hitters and struck out Manny Aybar and Gabe Gross. Papelbon might not have recorded a save in this game but he surely saved this game with his pitching.
Between innings, "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond was played over the PA as it of every home game in the middle of the 8th. Joe excused himself from the proceedings.
Rays reliever Dan Wheeler began the inning by walking Jason Bay. During Bay's at bat the Fenway faithful began chanting, "Wheeler!!! Wheeler!!!" in mocking unisom. Wheeler then surrendered a two run home run to J.D. Drew. The Rays lead was now cut to 7-6. The chanting became deafening by this point.
Wheeler did retire Jed Lowrie and pinch hitter Sean Casey but Mark Kotsay lined a double to keep the inning alive. The chanting was getting to Wheeler and I wondered why Rays manager Joe Maddon hadn't thought to remove him. Once again, Coco Crisp had another good at bat fouling off pitch after pitch until he a solid single that allowed Kotsay to score. The game was tied 7-7.
I should note that Crisp was thrown out at second when he tried to stretch the single into a double. But no one seemed to care. It went from 7-0 to 7-7. Victory was within sight.
Justin Masterson was brought on to pitch the 9th inning. Masterson was brought up from Pawtucket in mid-season and has both started and relieved. He's a young kid but isn't fazed by pressure. Masterson gave up a single to Josh Bartlett to begin the inning. He did retire Akinori Iwamura on a fly ball but then walked B.J. Upton. But no problem. He bore down and got Carlos Pena to hit into an inning ending double play. It was the second double play the Rays hit into in three innings.
Lefty J.P. Howell was brought in to pitch the bottom of the 9th. Dustin Pedroia hit a ground ball that took a tricky hop but third baseman Evan Longoria picked up the ball and threw out the hustling Pedroia at first. Howell then struck out Big Papi. That left things to Kevin Youkilis.
Now the worst that could have happened was the game would have gone to extra innings. But Youk wanted to end things then and there. He fouled off pitches and took pitches just outside the strike zone. He eventually hit what appeared to be weak ground ball to Longoria but he hesitated with this throw and the ball hit the bag and went into the stands for a throwing error. Youk was awarded second base.
Jason Bay had an opportunity to show the world why the Sox rid themselves of Manny Ramirez. But the Rays had other ideas. Howell intentionally walked Bay so he could face J.D. Drew who homered the previous inning. By this time, the fans were chanting "Howell! Howell!" although it didn't have same ring as Wheeler.
This was my 70th game at Fenway Park. The Red Sox were down 7-0 and had tied the game 7-7. It was all up to Drew whose number on the back of his uniform is, what else, 7.
Drew hit a drive that surged over the head of Rays right fielder Gabe Gross and Youkilis made a mad dash for home. Red Sox won 8-7. I screamed myself hoarse in a way I haven't done in years. Rarely I have ever experienced such pure unadulterated joy.
Not only was this the greatest game I had ever witnessed either in person or transmitted by television or radio but it was the greatest game ever played in the history of Major League Baseball.
Remember what I said about not telling any children or grandchildren I should ever about this game? I take it back.
Joe and I were meant to be at this game to witness this miracle. Was it sparked by the fat man who removed his shirt? Or by the fans who chanted, "Wheeler!" "Wheeler!"? Yes and by a thousands of other things in the stands, on the field and beyond.
In 2004, the Red Sox won the ALCS after being down 3-0 against the New York Yankees and went on to win their first World Series in 86 years. In 2007, the Red Sox won the ALCS after being down 3-1 against the Cleveland Indians and went on to win another World Series. Can they do it again?
As Joe said, "Summer is still with us." The Red Sox will travel to St. Pete to face the Rays in Game 6. The odds of winning two straight at Tropicana Field are against them but they have survived worse odds. Such as being down 7-0 in the 7th inning.
Even if the Sox don't prevail we will always have Game 5 and I will always have my memories witnessed first hand.
If no one understood why I love baseball so much I think you will all understand now.
Sleep peacefully. Goodnight.
Liberal Media Going After Joe The Plumber
Byron York is an oracle.
York, blogging on National Review Online's The Corner, at 12:13 p.m. EST wrote:
I don't know anything about Joe Wurzelbacher, but I just have one bit of advice. If you have anything in your past that you're not proud of - a messy divorce, a DUI, an upaid bill, an indiscreet comment, whatever - be prepared for it to become public knowledge. The lefty blogosphere, along with allies in the press, will see to that.
Well, we didn't have to wait long did we?
At 3:58 p.m. (exactly three hours and forty five minutes later) Bloomberg.com comes out with a story that Wurzelbacher owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes to the state of Ohio. The lien was filed in January 2007. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ak7Gnw2GiKF4&refer=home) There's your unpaid bill.
The article goes on to argue that Joe The Plumber won't pay that much more in taxes under Obama's plan if he buys the plumbing business suggesting that Wurzelbacher was talking about gross sales rather than taxable income. The insinuation here is that the plumber not only doesn't pay his tax bill but he's too dumb to understand that life will get better in Obama's socialist paradise.
Now one can argue that Joe The Plumber should have exercised due dilligence in this matter. But then again there's two sides to every story but trying telling that to the liberal media. After all, would anyone outside of Lucas County have given a fig about Joe The Plumber's tax bill if he hadn't posed his question to Obama.
What bothers me here is that one must wonder if this is a sign of things to come in America under an Obama White House. If you dare to ask a tough question of The Anointed One his acolytes and the liberal media will turn your life upside down and inside out up and to interviewing people with whom you attended grade school to see if you ever took someone's lunch money.
My hope here is that the public will be angry not with Joe The Plumber but with the heavy handedness of the liberal media going all Palin on him and take it out on Obama.
York, blogging on National Review Online's The Corner, at 12:13 p.m. EST wrote:
I don't know anything about Joe Wurzelbacher, but I just have one bit of advice. If you have anything in your past that you're not proud of - a messy divorce, a DUI, an upaid bill, an indiscreet comment, whatever - be prepared for it to become public knowledge. The lefty blogosphere, along with allies in the press, will see to that.
Well, we didn't have to wait long did we?
At 3:58 p.m. (exactly three hours and forty five minutes later) Bloomberg.com comes out with a story that Wurzelbacher owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes to the state of Ohio. The lien was filed in January 2007. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ak7Gnw2GiKF4&refer=home) There's your unpaid bill.
The article goes on to argue that Joe The Plumber won't pay that much more in taxes under Obama's plan if he buys the plumbing business suggesting that Wurzelbacher was talking about gross sales rather than taxable income. The insinuation here is that the plumber not only doesn't pay his tax bill but he's too dumb to understand that life will get better in Obama's socialist paradise.
Now one can argue that Joe The Plumber should have exercised due dilligence in this matter. But then again there's two sides to every story but trying telling that to the liberal media. After all, would anyone outside of Lucas County have given a fig about Joe The Plumber's tax bill if he hadn't posed his question to Obama.
What bothers me here is that one must wonder if this is a sign of things to come in America under an Obama White House. If you dare to ask a tough question of The Anointed One his acolytes and the liberal media will turn your life upside down and inside out up and to interviewing people with whom you attended grade school to see if you ever took someone's lunch money.
My hope here is that the public will be angry not with Joe The Plumber but with the heavy handedness of the liberal media going all Palin on him and take it out on Obama.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Phillies Win NLCS
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 to win the National League Championship Series.
This marks the first time the Phillies have reached the World Series since 1993 when they fell to the Toronto Blue Jays when Joe Carter hit the walk off home run off Mitch Williams in Game 6.
It is the sixth time the Phillies have reached the World Series (1915, 1950, 1980, 1983 & 1993). Their only World Series title was in 1980 when they bested the Kansas City Royals in six games.
The Phillies took control of the NLCS in Game 1 when they came back from a 2-0 deficit on home runs by Chase Utley and Pat Burrell. Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings with Brad Lidge earning the save.
In Game 2, the Phillies scored 4 runs in the second and third innings to take an 8-2 lead. Manny Ramirez would make it close with a three run home run in the 4th but Manny couldn't do it alone. Phillies won 8-5.
Their only loss was in Game 3 when the series went to Los Angeles. Phillies starter Jamie Moyer got tagged for six runs in just over an inning pitched. Dodgers won 7-2.
In Game 4, the Dodgers had a 5-3 lead into the 8th inning. But the bullpen gave up home runs to Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs. It gave the Phillies a 7-5 lead and they never looked back. It was nice to see a low key Canadian like Stairs have his moment in the sun after 17 years in the majors without a post-season appearance.
Tonight, Cole Hamels put in another dominant performance. It was enough for Hamels to be named the NLCS MVP.
As for the Dodgers they had a hell of a run in Joe Torre's first year at the helm. But I suspect Manny Ramirez will be in a Yankees uniform in 2009. The Dodgers didn't have to pay him in 2008 but will in 2009. Can the Dodgers afford $20 million?
The Phillies will face either the Rays or Red Sox in the 2008 World Series beginning on Wednesday. As of now, the Rays have a 3-1 lead in the ALCS. The Rays could clinch in Game 5 tomorrow night. I should note that I have been offered a ticket to this game and unless I am mauled by wolves I will be attending possibly the last game of the year at Fenway Park. It's do or die. Either way I'll be rooting for them until the last out.
This marks the first time the Phillies have reached the World Series since 1993 when they fell to the Toronto Blue Jays when Joe Carter hit the walk off home run off Mitch Williams in Game 6.
It is the sixth time the Phillies have reached the World Series (1915, 1950, 1980, 1983 & 1993). Their only World Series title was in 1980 when they bested the Kansas City Royals in six games.
The Phillies took control of the NLCS in Game 1 when they came back from a 2-0 deficit on home runs by Chase Utley and Pat Burrell. Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings with Brad Lidge earning the save.
In Game 2, the Phillies scored 4 runs in the second and third innings to take an 8-2 lead. Manny Ramirez would make it close with a three run home run in the 4th but Manny couldn't do it alone. Phillies won 8-5.
Their only loss was in Game 3 when the series went to Los Angeles. Phillies starter Jamie Moyer got tagged for six runs in just over an inning pitched. Dodgers won 7-2.
In Game 4, the Dodgers had a 5-3 lead into the 8th inning. But the bullpen gave up home runs to Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs. It gave the Phillies a 7-5 lead and they never looked back. It was nice to see a low key Canadian like Stairs have his moment in the sun after 17 years in the majors without a post-season appearance.
Tonight, Cole Hamels put in another dominant performance. It was enough for Hamels to be named the NLCS MVP.
As for the Dodgers they had a hell of a run in Joe Torre's first year at the helm. But I suspect Manny Ramirez will be in a Yankees uniform in 2009. The Dodgers didn't have to pay him in 2008 but will in 2009. Can the Dodgers afford $20 million?
The Phillies will face either the Rays or Red Sox in the 2008 World Series beginning on Wednesday. As of now, the Rays have a 3-1 lead in the ALCS. The Rays could clinch in Game 5 tomorrow night. I should note that I have been offered a ticket to this game and unless I am mauled by wolves I will be attending possibly the last game of the year at Fenway Park. It's do or die. Either way I'll be rooting for them until the last out.
McCain-Obama III
I missed the beginning of the debate. So I missed the part where McCain told Obama and I'm paraphrasing, "I'm not President Bush. You should have run four years ago." While that got a pop McCain played into Obama's mantra which has defined him as another four years of President Bush. Obama was able to say if he was confused it was because McCain voted with Bush almost every time.
McCain got a few punches when he mentioned Joe Wurzelbacher, the plumber from Toledo, Ohio who confronted Obama about his tax policy the other day. When Wurzelbacher asked Obama if he would raise his taxes Obama said he wasn't looking to raise taxes but rather "spread the wealth." McCain spoke about Joe the Plumber on taxes and health care and that was McCain at his best. It's too bad Joe the Plumber wasn't debating Obama tonight.
Even when McCain landed some good punches Obama absorbed them. When debating free trade, McCain asked Obama how he could oppose free trade with our ally Colombia and yet be willing to sit across the table from our enemy Hugo Chavez without precondition. If McCain had said Ahmadinejad it would have packed more of a punch. Does Joe the Plumber know who Hugo Chavez is? Or for that matter Bill Ayers or ACORN?
When McCain assailed Obama about John Lewis' remarks Obama distanced himself from Lewis and said it wasn't about McCain or Obama but about the American people. McCain did well against Obama on education with respect to vouchers but it was the last question of the night so I wonder if people had tuned out by that point.
McCain had to either knock out Obama or leave him bruised and bloodied. He did neither.
The only way Obama loses is if Joe The Plumber endorses McCain. That's assuming he doesn't decide to vote for Obama. Failing that McCain would need bin Laden to make an audiotape welcoming an Obama Administration.
McCain got a few punches when he mentioned Joe Wurzelbacher, the plumber from Toledo, Ohio who confronted Obama about his tax policy the other day. When Wurzelbacher asked Obama if he would raise his taxes Obama said he wasn't looking to raise taxes but rather "spread the wealth." McCain spoke about Joe the Plumber on taxes and health care and that was McCain at his best. It's too bad Joe the Plumber wasn't debating Obama tonight.
Even when McCain landed some good punches Obama absorbed them. When debating free trade, McCain asked Obama how he could oppose free trade with our ally Colombia and yet be willing to sit across the table from our enemy Hugo Chavez without precondition. If McCain had said Ahmadinejad it would have packed more of a punch. Does Joe the Plumber know who Hugo Chavez is? Or for that matter Bill Ayers or ACORN?
When McCain assailed Obama about John Lewis' remarks Obama distanced himself from Lewis and said it wasn't about McCain or Obama but about the American people. McCain did well against Obama on education with respect to vouchers but it was the last question of the night so I wonder if people had tuned out by that point.
McCain had to either knock out Obama or leave him bruised and bloodied. He did neither.
The only way Obama loses is if Joe The Plumber endorses McCain. That's assuming he doesn't decide to vote for Obama. Failing that McCain would need bin Laden to make an audiotape welcoming an Obama Administration.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Conservatives Re-Elected in Canada
After watching the Red Sox get decimated by the Rays again, I watched C-SPAN simulcast the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's coverage of the Canadian federal election.
Stephen Harper and the Conservatives have been re-elected albeit with another minority government. Harper wanted to obtain a majority in the House of Commons although the Conservatives did gain nearly 20 seats. As of this writing here are the results:
Conservatives 143
Liberals 78
Bloc Quebecois 48
NDP 37
Independents 2
TOTAL 308
When the election was called I wrote here that the odds favored the Tories but that Harper was taking a risk if he didn't win a majority government. Well, along came the global economic crisis. It might have cost him his majority but as mentioned earlier he gained nearly 20 seats gaining in Ontario and in Western Canada despite not gaining ground in Quebec and Newfoundland.
The biggest loser tonight was Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion. The Liberals have lost 23 seats. Yes, the economy doesn't help incumbents but Dion insisted on talking about the environment and implementing a carbon tax. Yes, that really appeals to forestry workers afraid of losing their jobs.
Dion is now destined to become the first Liberal Party leader not to become Prime Minister since Edward Blake in the late 1800s. The Liberals are supposed to have a leadership review convention next May but I believe Dion will bow out before then. His potential successors? Former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, former Harvard Prof Michael Ignatieff, former Ontario Cabinet Minister Gerard Kennedy and perhaps Hall of Fame NHL goalie and one time Liberal Cabinet Minister Ken Dryden. I think Rae and Ignatieff appeal to the same constituency so someone like Dryden could sneak up the middle in the way that Dion did when he won the party leadership in December 2006. One thing for sure the next Liberal leader will not be from Quebec.
When the Liberals do poorly in elections there is some benefit to the NDP. The NDP gained 7 seats winning its second highest total ever. The NDP's best showing was in 1988 when they won 43 seats. It appears the NDP might win its first ever seat from Quebec in a general election (they have won seats in by-elections only to lose them in general elections).
The Green Party showed gains in the popular vote but won no seats. Its leader Elizabeth May was soundly defeated in a Nova Scotia constituency held by Tory Cabinet Minister Peter MacKay. Perhaps May shouldn't be running in a safe Tory seat if she wants to get a foothold in Parliament.
Although all things considered many Canadians are more interested in our elections. Voter turnout is pegged at 57% - the lowest in Canadian history. Although compared to turnout here it's astounding. However, this is the third time Canadians have gone to the polls since 2004. There is a new law in Canada that calls for fixed elections. So the next election is scheduled for October 15, 2012. But with yet another minority parliament it would not be unexpected to go to the polls in either 2010 or 2011.
All things considered it was a good night for the Conservatives in Canada. No majority government but it is a result that is acceptable and workable. Hey, if Obama wins perhaps we'll see an influx of conservatives moving north of the 49th. But if you're going to move from Arizona to Alberta be sure to bring a winter jacket and long underwear.
Stephen Harper and the Conservatives have been re-elected albeit with another minority government. Harper wanted to obtain a majority in the House of Commons although the Conservatives did gain nearly 20 seats. As of this writing here are the results:
Conservatives 143
Liberals 78
Bloc Quebecois 48
NDP 37
Independents 2
TOTAL 308
When the election was called I wrote here that the odds favored the Tories but that Harper was taking a risk if he didn't win a majority government. Well, along came the global economic crisis. It might have cost him his majority but as mentioned earlier he gained nearly 20 seats gaining in Ontario and in Western Canada despite not gaining ground in Quebec and Newfoundland.
The biggest loser tonight was Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion. The Liberals have lost 23 seats. Yes, the economy doesn't help incumbents but Dion insisted on talking about the environment and implementing a carbon tax. Yes, that really appeals to forestry workers afraid of losing their jobs.
Dion is now destined to become the first Liberal Party leader not to become Prime Minister since Edward Blake in the late 1800s. The Liberals are supposed to have a leadership review convention next May but I believe Dion will bow out before then. His potential successors? Former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, former Harvard Prof Michael Ignatieff, former Ontario Cabinet Minister Gerard Kennedy and perhaps Hall of Fame NHL goalie and one time Liberal Cabinet Minister Ken Dryden. I think Rae and Ignatieff appeal to the same constituency so someone like Dryden could sneak up the middle in the way that Dion did when he won the party leadership in December 2006. One thing for sure the next Liberal leader will not be from Quebec.
When the Liberals do poorly in elections there is some benefit to the NDP. The NDP gained 7 seats winning its second highest total ever. The NDP's best showing was in 1988 when they won 43 seats. It appears the NDP might win its first ever seat from Quebec in a general election (they have won seats in by-elections only to lose them in general elections).
The Green Party showed gains in the popular vote but won no seats. Its leader Elizabeth May was soundly defeated in a Nova Scotia constituency held by Tory Cabinet Minister Peter MacKay. Perhaps May shouldn't be running in a safe Tory seat if she wants to get a foothold in Parliament.
Although all things considered many Canadians are more interested in our elections. Voter turnout is pegged at 57% - the lowest in Canadian history. Although compared to turnout here it's astounding. However, this is the third time Canadians have gone to the polls since 2004. There is a new law in Canada that calls for fixed elections. So the next election is scheduled for October 15, 2012. But with yet another minority parliament it would not be unexpected to go to the polls in either 2010 or 2011.
All things considered it was a good night for the Conservatives in Canada. No majority government but it is a result that is acceptable and workable. Hey, if Obama wins perhaps we'll see an influx of conservatives moving north of the 49th. But if you're going to move from Arizona to Alberta be sure to bring a winter jacket and long underwear.
Monday, October 13, 2008
One More Thought on Hitchens
I wonder if Christopher Hitchens will ask for his job back at The Nation?
Hitchens Endorses Obama; Smears McCain-Palin
For most of the past decade, Christopher Hitchens has been on our side. This began after September 11, 2001 when he debated the likes of Noam Chomsky, Alexander Cockburn, Katha Pollitt, Michael Moore and George Galloway concerning left-wing attitudes to Islamic fundamentalism. His disaffection with the Left post-9/11 prompted him to resign as a contributor to The Nation. Hitchens has been labeled by some as a neo-conservative although he never accepted the label. He has acknowledged that he is agreement with neo-conservatives on some matters but states such an alliance is temporary.
Well, this alliance has to come to end with his endorsement of Barack Obama. (http://www.slate.com/id/2202163/) Whether you agree or disagree with Hitchens, his writing is compelling. But his vote for Obama is not so much an endorsement of him as it is a litany of smears against McCain and Palin. It's the sort of thing you would expect on The Daily Kos or The Democratic Underground. For instance, Hitchens writes that McCain is "someone suffering from an increasingly obvious and embarassing deficit, both cognitive and physical."
Gee, perhaps someone forgot to tell Hitchens that McCain spent nearly six years in a box in the Hanoi Hilton and had nearly every bone in his body broken.
Yet Hitchens spares his deepest scorn for Palin who he describes as a "deceiving and unscrupulous woman", "a national disgrace" and complains about "her bizarre religious & political affiliations." Of course, Hitchens is an avowed atheist with a strong disdain for organized religion. Sure, he is willing to be critical of Islam but he criticizes Evangelicals with the same zeal even though they don't go about beheading people they deem to be heathens. He chides Palin for stating "falsehoods" about Obama's position on Afghanistan. All Palin did was quote Obama who said U.S. troops in Afghanistan were doing nothing "but air raiding villages and killing civilians" as if U.S. troops in Afghanistan were to blame for the troubles in that country bred al Qaeda and the Taliban.
While Hitchens considers Obama "overrrated" he is quite comfortable with him and Biden on the basis that the Democratic ticket is "not a capitulationist one." What part of meeting Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez "without preconditions" doesn't Hitchens understand? Lest we forget Biden wanted to give Iran $200 million as a good will gesture after September 11, 2001, something you'd think Hitchens would recall.
Well, this alliance has to come to end with his endorsement of Barack Obama. (http://www.slate.com/id/2202163/) Whether you agree or disagree with Hitchens, his writing is compelling. But his vote for Obama is not so much an endorsement of him as it is a litany of smears against McCain and Palin. It's the sort of thing you would expect on The Daily Kos or The Democratic Underground. For instance, Hitchens writes that McCain is "someone suffering from an increasingly obvious and embarassing deficit, both cognitive and physical."
Gee, perhaps someone forgot to tell Hitchens that McCain spent nearly six years in a box in the Hanoi Hilton and had nearly every bone in his body broken.
Yet Hitchens spares his deepest scorn for Palin who he describes as a "deceiving and unscrupulous woman", "a national disgrace" and complains about "her bizarre religious & political affiliations." Of course, Hitchens is an avowed atheist with a strong disdain for organized religion. Sure, he is willing to be critical of Islam but he criticizes Evangelicals with the same zeal even though they don't go about beheading people they deem to be heathens. He chides Palin for stating "falsehoods" about Obama's position on Afghanistan. All Palin did was quote Obama who said U.S. troops in Afghanistan were doing nothing "but air raiding villages and killing civilians" as if U.S. troops in Afghanistan were to blame for the troubles in that country bred al Qaeda and the Taliban.
While Hitchens considers Obama "overrrated" he is quite comfortable with him and Biden on the basis that the Democratic ticket is "not a capitulationist one." What part of meeting Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez "without preconditions" doesn't Hitchens understand? Lest we forget Biden wanted to give Iran $200 million as a good will gesture after September 11, 2001, something you'd think Hitchens would recall.
McCain in Fighting Mode, I Hope
After stating that Americans had nothing to fear from an Obama Presidency, John McCain is finding his fighting spirit.
Yesterday, he told his volunteers he was going to whip Obama's "you know what" in Wednesday's third debate. It's the right thing to say. If I had just told voters they had nothing to fear if my opponent were elected what is the point of my volunteers committing their time and energy for me? I just finished watching C-SPAN's coverage of a speech he gave in Virginia Beach. It wasn't anything he said in particular but the tone of the speech is different than what we've normally seen. Remember when McCain got energized at the end of his acceptance speech at the RNC? That was what this speech was like from start to finish.
I just hope McCain can sustain this energy not only in the debate with Obama but in his appearance on Letterman the following night. Letterman has been giving McCain jazz about cancelling an appearance on his show last month. Ironically, McCain announced the launch of his Presidential bid on Letterman in March 2007.
Optimally, McCain needs to knock out Obama. At the very minimum, he must leave Obama bloodied and battered. Or force him to make a mistake. The bottom line is that McCain must raise doubts about Obama's ability to lead and the soundness of his judgment. If Bill Ayers is discussed, McCain should also discuss John Lewis and ask Obama if he thinks he agrees with Lewis' comparison of him and Palin to George Wallace. He's got to keep up the pressure on Obama.
McCain should also put up his dukes with Letterman as well if Letterman gets snarky with him. If McCain does well on Wednesday an appearance on Letterman could reinforce such strength especially if he gives as good as he gets from Letterman.
Yesterday, he told his volunteers he was going to whip Obama's "you know what" in Wednesday's third debate. It's the right thing to say. If I had just told voters they had nothing to fear if my opponent were elected what is the point of my volunteers committing their time and energy for me? I just finished watching C-SPAN's coverage of a speech he gave in Virginia Beach. It wasn't anything he said in particular but the tone of the speech is different than what we've normally seen. Remember when McCain got energized at the end of his acceptance speech at the RNC? That was what this speech was like from start to finish.
I just hope McCain can sustain this energy not only in the debate with Obama but in his appearance on Letterman the following night. Letterman has been giving McCain jazz about cancelling an appearance on his show last month. Ironically, McCain announced the launch of his Presidential bid on Letterman in March 2007.
Optimally, McCain needs to knock out Obama. At the very minimum, he must leave Obama bloodied and battered. Or force him to make a mistake. The bottom line is that McCain must raise doubts about Obama's ability to lead and the soundness of his judgment. If Bill Ayers is discussed, McCain should also discuss John Lewis and ask Obama if he thinks he agrees with Lewis' comparison of him and Palin to George Wallace. He's got to keep up the pressure on Obama.
McCain should also put up his dukes with Letterman as well if Letterman gets snarky with him. If McCain does well on Wednesday an appearance on Letterman could reinforce such strength especially if he gives as good as he gets from Letterman.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
NY Times Tells Palin to Puck Off
The New York Times is objecting to Sarah Palin having dropped the puck at last night's Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers game. Their hockey writer, Lynn Zinser, writes, "the question has been raised....whether to appearance was appropriate at a sports event like this." (http://slapshort.blogs.nytimes.com/author/zinser/)
Funny, I don't recall the NYT or any others in the liberal media questioning the propriety of John Kerry throwing out the first pitch the week of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Kerry threw out the first pitch at a Red Sox-Yankees game on July 25, 2004. (www.usatoday.com/news/politicalsections/nation/president/2004-07-25-kerry-pitch_x.htm) It was at this game that Kerry said his favorite Red Sox player was "Manny Ortez." Kerry managed to appoxy David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.
The only objections the NYT has to Sarah Palin dropping the first puck is that she is Sarah Palin and that she is a conservative Republican.
Funny, I don't recall the NYT or any others in the liberal media questioning the propriety of John Kerry throwing out the first pitch the week of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Kerry threw out the first pitch at a Red Sox-Yankees game on July 25, 2004. (www.usatoday.com/news/politicalsections/nation/president/2004-07-25-kerry-pitch_x.htm) It was at this game that Kerry said his favorite Red Sox player was "Manny Ortez." Kerry managed to appoxy David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.
The only objections the NYT has to Sarah Palin dropping the first puck is that she is Sarah Palin and that she is a conservative Republican.
North Korea Removed From State Dep't Terrorism List
Effective immediately, North Korea has been removed from the U.S. State Department's list of nations that sponsor terrorism. In exchange for this removal, North Korea agrees to allow full inspections of their nuclear facilities including Yongbyon. The North Koreans had been reactivating Yongbyon when it accused the U.S. of reneging on a promise to remove it from the terrorism list after an agreement by the six nations involved was reached in June. The U.S. had contended the North Koreans had not taken steps to allow inspectors to verify their claims of disarmament. Now the U.S. has dropped these demands despite the fact we don't know if Kim Jong-Il is still alive.
In twenty years, we have gone from "trust but verify" to "trust at face value."
North Korea is about as likely to allow full inspections of nuclear facilities as its ally Robert Mugabe is to share power in Zimbabwe.
In twenty years, we have gone from "trust but verify" to "trust at face value."
North Korea is about as likely to allow full inspections of nuclear facilities as its ally Robert Mugabe is to share power in Zimbabwe.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Mugabe Rips Up Power Sharing Agreement
The power sharing agreement between Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC appears to be done. This after the Zimbabwean strongman unilaterally appointed ZANU-PF to all government ministries despite an agreement to give most of the ministries to the MDC reflecting their narrow majority in last March's parliamentary elections.
Of course, this development comes as no surprise. Robert Mugabe will honor no agreement that diminishes his power as Zimbabwe's President for Life.
Yes, things are bad in the American economy. But it could be worse. Imagine living in a land where inflation is near a million per cent, there are chronic shortages of food and medicine, AIDS is rampant and life expectancy is 35 years of age. This is Zimbabwe in a nutshell.
Of course, this development comes as no surprise. Robert Mugabe will honor no agreement that diminishes his power as Zimbabwe's President for Life.
Yes, things are bad in the American economy. But it could be worse. Imagine living in a land where inflation is near a million per cent, there are chronic shortages of food and medicine, AIDS is rampant and life expectancy is 35 years of age. This is Zimbabwe in a nutshell.
Lewis Compares McCain-Palin to George Wallace
Georgia Democratic Representative and civil rights icon John Lewis has likened John McCain and Sarah Palin to George Wallace and segregation. (http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/11/civil-rights-icon-compares-mccain-segregationist/):
Senator McCain and Governor Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created a climate and the condition that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.
Good grief. If you read my newest article, "Obama's False Ayers", I ask that if McCain had been assisted in his political campaigns in Arizona by someone involved with bombing churches in Alabama would Obama and his cohorts in the liberal press let it slide. Well, there is no such person in McCain's life and yet John Lewis sees fit to liken McCain and Palin to someone who set bombs. Yet Obama is associated with someone who has set a bomb.
While Obama spokesman Bill Burton was quick to distance themselves from the reference to George Wallace he nonetheless said that Lewis was right to criticize "hateful rhetoric" (though the hateful rhetoric was never specified) and lambasted Palin for saying Obama was "palling around with terrorists" (despite the fact that Obama did, in fact, pal around with Bill Ayers.)
So in other words, the Obama campaign has no problem with Lewis comparing McCain and Palin with a bomber even though only Obama has ever actually associated with one.
John McCain should have told the Obama campaign he would have been perfectly happy to call on his supporters to be respectful of Obama just as soon as Obama and his surrogates were respectful of him and Sarah Palin.
Senator McCain and Governor Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created a climate and the condition that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.
Good grief. If you read my newest article, "Obama's False Ayers", I ask that if McCain had been assisted in his political campaigns in Arizona by someone involved with bombing churches in Alabama would Obama and his cohorts in the liberal press let it slide. Well, there is no such person in McCain's life and yet John Lewis sees fit to liken McCain and Palin to someone who set bombs. Yet Obama is associated with someone who has set a bomb.
While Obama spokesman Bill Burton was quick to distance themselves from the reference to George Wallace he nonetheless said that Lewis was right to criticize "hateful rhetoric" (though the hateful rhetoric was never specified) and lambasted Palin for saying Obama was "palling around with terrorists" (despite the fact that Obama did, in fact, pal around with Bill Ayers.)
So in other words, the Obama campaign has no problem with Lewis comparing McCain and Palin with a bomber even though only Obama has ever actually associated with one.
John McCain should have told the Obama campaign he would have been perfectly happy to call on his supporters to be respectful of Obama just as soon as Obama and his surrogates were respectful of him and Sarah Palin.
Did McCain Endorse Obama?
Say it ain't so, John. Say it ain't so.
Did John McCain endorse Barack Obama for President?
When speaking at a rally in Minnesota, McCain called on the audience to be respectful of Obama but was jeered for his trouble.
"I want to be President of the United States and I don't want Obama to be," said McCain, "But I have to tell you...he is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared as President of the United States."
Doesn't it scare McCain that Obama is willing to talk to Ahmadinejad without precondition? Well, it sure as hell scares me and a lot of other people. Doesn't it scare McCain that Obama associates with unrepentant terrorists like Bill Ayers? Well, it sure as hell scares me and a lot of other people. Doesn't it scare McCain that Obama will withdraw troops from Iraq resulting in the deaths of millions of innocent civilians? Well, it sure as hell scares me and a lot of other people.
If we have nothing to fear from an Obama White House then why run against him at all? He's either fit to be President or he's not fit to be President.
I understand McCain's desire for civility but civility is a two way street. It would be nice if Obama's supporters refrained from comparing him and Sarah Palin to George Wallace. McCain can fight in a respectful manner but that is rather difficult to do so when he is being hit below the belt.
Did John McCain endorse Barack Obama for President?
When speaking at a rally in Minnesota, McCain called on the audience to be respectful of Obama but was jeered for his trouble.
"I want to be President of the United States and I don't want Obama to be," said McCain, "But I have to tell you...he is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared as President of the United States."
Doesn't it scare McCain that Obama is willing to talk to Ahmadinejad without precondition? Well, it sure as hell scares me and a lot of other people. Doesn't it scare McCain that Obama associates with unrepentant terrorists like Bill Ayers? Well, it sure as hell scares me and a lot of other people. Doesn't it scare McCain that Obama will withdraw troops from Iraq resulting in the deaths of millions of innocent civilians? Well, it sure as hell scares me and a lot of other people.
If we have nothing to fear from an Obama White House then why run against him at all? He's either fit to be President or he's not fit to be President.
I understand McCain's desire for civility but civility is a two way street. It would be nice if Obama's supporters refrained from comparing him and Sarah Palin to George Wallace. McCain can fight in a respectful manner but that is rather difficult to do so when he is being hit below the belt.
Compilation of coverage of the AFP conference
I've tried to compile most of the coverage on the web among the blogs of the AFP conference. Faustus has quite a few posts on the conference, including pictures, a Fox News clip, and coverage of John Fund's specialty on voter fraud and Acorn. The Republic of Dave has a good discussion of what it was like for bloggers at the conference. Pete from Arizona posting on Sonoran Alliance discussed AZ AFP Director's criticism of Governor Napolitano. SWAC Girl posted some pics from the rally at the Capitol. Maggie Thurber of Thurber's Thoughts was awarded the AFP blogger of the year, which was well-deserved considering she's probably posted more about the conference than any of the rest of us bloggers. Independent Political Report has posted a couple s der's look at the bloggers. The Heritage Foundation posted a blog about conservatism's foray into the blog world. Human Events ran a full story on the conference, focusing on the Tribute to Reagan dinner. Conservatives with Attitude/Polipundit.com has been steadily blogging throughout the conference. Here's a link to some pictures from the conference. Here's even more. Aakash of University blog has some of the most humorous posts.
Now this is kinda funny, bloggers taking videos of other bloggers blogging from Fort Hard Knox who is using Web 2.0.
Now this is kinda funny, bloggers taking videos of other bloggers blogging from Fort Hard Knox who is using Web 2.0.
AFP: George Will & Dinesh D'Souza: slamming the bailout
At the AFP Tribute to Ronald Reagan dinner last night, speakers included George Will, Dinesh D'Souza, and Ed Meese. Will gave a damning critique of the bailout. People are treating their homes as ATMs (with their lines of credit and 2nd mortgages). The pain of debt has been separated from buying through credit. The welfare state has bred a state of entitlement to security. This is incompatible with a free market society. Originally, government bailouts were meant only to be utilized in case of systemic threats to society. Then we bailed out the three major automakers. Uh, why? It was "Lemon socialism." Essentially finding the losers and subsidizing them! The saying in Washington goes: "If it moves, tax it, if it keeps moving, regulate it, if it stops, subsidize it." Everyone is lining up like Oliver Twist with their hand out. We need to pass George Will's law - No executive of a company receiving a federal handout can receive more than a civil servant's salary.Healthcare: We can be like Canada where everything is free and nothing is available. We don't have a "healthcare crisis," we have people engaging in risky behavior who have brought things like lung cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes on themselves. Our kids are fat because the trial lawyers have sued to remove the teeter totters and jungle bars out of the playgrounds.
There has been an erosion of the idea of personal responsibility. Barack Obama says he's going to give a tax cut to 95% of the population. Well 38% of the population doesn't pay taxes. So Obama is going to create a new entitlement to give more money to that 38%.
Will Rogers once said the difference between death and taxes is death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. We need to give the free makrket some time to work. We're not in a "manufacturing crisis." We make as much steel as we did years ago, just with fewer workers. If we have a crisis in manufacturing, then we have one in agriculture as well. We have even fewer workers producing food, yet we still produce as much. When President Lincoln made his only mistake, creating a Bureau of Agriculture, there was 1 bureaucrat for every 220,000 farmers. Today, there is 1 bureaucreat for every 19 farms. There is a joke about an agriculture bureaucrat crying at work, because his farmer just died.
The difference between the Republicans and Democrats is the Republicans value freedom and its risks over equality and security. They are willing to accept greater inequalities in order to prioritize freedom. The good news currently is that neither of the two presidential candidates are advocating rolling back the great advances made under Reagan.
Ask not what your government can do for you, but what you can do for your government - this means you reserve a spacious portion of your life for which government isn't responsible. Right now you can put together any combination of letters and it will spell out the acronym for some government agency.
Next Dinesh D'Souza spoke about the differences between Republicans and Democrats. He said he explained to his grandma living in India that there are two political parties in the U.S.: the stupid party and the evil party. The evil party is the Democrats, and the stupid party is the Republicans. Put stupid and evil together and you get bipartisanship.JFK made it noble to go into civil service by joining the peace corps. Reagan changed all that, making the entrepreneur, not the civil servant, the embodiment of the American ideal. Once when Sam Donaldson was interviewing Reagan, he asked, "You blame Congress, the Democrats, and lobbyists for our budget problems. Do you share any of that blame? Reagan responded, "Yes, I used to be a Democrat." D'Souza ended with an old Indian saying about hard work, "After crossing the mountain, more mountains."
Friday, October 10, 2008
Christopher Buckley Will Vote Obama
This is a very bad omen. If the offspring of the father of modern conservatism is going to cast a ballot for Barack Obama well one could argue you might as well take down the masthead and cease to be. (http://thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-10/the-conservative-case-for-obama)
There's a lot of style to Buckley's arguments. He jokes that if his parents were still alive they'd cut off his allowance. But there's very little substance and even less sense in them.
First, Buckley shares the objections of Kathleen Parker and David Brooks to Sarah Palin. Buckley calls Palin "an embarrassment, and a dangerous one at that." Buckley asks of McCain, "What on earth can he have been thinking?" But Buckley never specifies what he dislikes about Palin. How did Palin embarrass Buckley? In what way is Palin dangerous? I'm going to need a lot more than Buckley's say so here.
Second, he laments "John McCain has changed." Why? Because McCain, you see, is no longer authentic. And why isn't McCain sufficiently authentic? Because McCain has, amongst other things, made "unrealistic promises." Buckley admonishes McCain for promising to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. One could argue it is an unrealistic promise but no more so than Obama's promise of providing a tax cut to 95% of Americans even though nearly half don't pay any federal tax or government funded health care for every American.
But Buckley's main objection is to what he views as McCain's changed disposition. Buckley states McCain's "once first class temperament has become irascible and snarly." O.K., Buckley claims to have known McCain since 1982 and only now he is discovering that McCain has a temper? Gee, could it be that McCain has a temper as a result of being stuck in a box for nearly six years? And that temper might come to the fore when Obama accuses McCain of playing racial politics as he did this past summer.
Third, Buckley conversely likes Obama's temperament, race-baiter notwithstanding. In fact, Buckley argues that Obama has a "first-class temperament." He also praises Obama's "first-class intellect." With a first-class temperament and first-class intellect in tow, Buckley writes Obama has "the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader." So Obama's potential tops McCain's achievements?
Let's go back to the recurring theme in Buckley's argument - class. Buckley has more in common with Obama than he does with McCain and certainly Sarah Palin. You can picture Obama palling around with Buckley on the cocktail circuit or yachting. You can't picture Buckley in hunting boots or commanding a naval squadron. Perhaps he also has his new Hollywood friends to think about as well. So could it be that Buckley simply doesn't like Palin's accent or the way McCain holds his dinner fork? If that is his reason for voting Obama then so be it. But such reasoning demonstrates, to quote Bill Buckley's old and recently departed friend Charlton Heston, that sometimes class skips a generation.
There's a lot of style to Buckley's arguments. He jokes that if his parents were still alive they'd cut off his allowance. But there's very little substance and even less sense in them.
First, Buckley shares the objections of Kathleen Parker and David Brooks to Sarah Palin. Buckley calls Palin "an embarrassment, and a dangerous one at that." Buckley asks of McCain, "What on earth can he have been thinking?" But Buckley never specifies what he dislikes about Palin. How did Palin embarrass Buckley? In what way is Palin dangerous? I'm going to need a lot more than Buckley's say so here.
Second, he laments "John McCain has changed." Why? Because McCain, you see, is no longer authentic. And why isn't McCain sufficiently authentic? Because McCain has, amongst other things, made "unrealistic promises." Buckley admonishes McCain for promising to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. One could argue it is an unrealistic promise but no more so than Obama's promise of providing a tax cut to 95% of Americans even though nearly half don't pay any federal tax or government funded health care for every American.
But Buckley's main objection is to what he views as McCain's changed disposition. Buckley states McCain's "once first class temperament has become irascible and snarly." O.K., Buckley claims to have known McCain since 1982 and only now he is discovering that McCain has a temper? Gee, could it be that McCain has a temper as a result of being stuck in a box for nearly six years? And that temper might come to the fore when Obama accuses McCain of playing racial politics as he did this past summer.
Third, Buckley conversely likes Obama's temperament, race-baiter notwithstanding. In fact, Buckley argues that Obama has a "first-class temperament." He also praises Obama's "first-class intellect." With a first-class temperament and first-class intellect in tow, Buckley writes Obama has "the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader." So Obama's potential tops McCain's achievements?
Let's go back to the recurring theme in Buckley's argument - class. Buckley has more in common with Obama than he does with McCain and certainly Sarah Palin. You can picture Obama palling around with Buckley on the cocktail circuit or yachting. You can't picture Buckley in hunting boots or commanding a naval squadron. Perhaps he also has his new Hollywood friends to think about as well. So could it be that Buckley simply doesn't like Palin's accent or the way McCain holds his dinner fork? If that is his reason for voting Obama then so be it. But such reasoning demonstrates, to quote Bill Buckley's old and recently departed friend Charlton Heston, that sometimes class skips a generation.
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