Labels: Pinstripe Politics

Posted by Gary at 11:04 PM | Permalink | |

JttR is getting a new writer!

No, I'm not going anywhere I haven't already went, but my good friend and fellow UD student Gary (he's been around here before) will be joining me as a sort of "political correspondent."

Gary's a junior here, and a big Mike Huckabee supporter (and has been since CPAC last year), though he'll be doing his best to give straight-laced commentary. He's got a good head on his shoulders, and though I don't always agree with him entirely, I trust his sense of judgment.

His posts will most typically appear on Wednesdays and Sundays. Today will be the first edition of what we're calling "Pinstripe Politics!" (Gary's a Yankees fan too.)

Labels: blogging

Posted by Ryan S. at 2:57 PM | Permalink | |

Andrew Sullivan has an interesting article on why timing might be the only thing that matters about the Obama candidacy and who is to blame for all of the strife in America: The Baby Boomers:

Obama’s candidacy in this sense is a potentially transformational one. Unlike any of the other candidates, he could take America—finally—past the debilitating, self-perpetuating family quarrel of the Baby Boom generation that has long engulfed all of us. So much has happened in America in the past seven years, let alone the past 40, that we can be forgiven for focusing on the present and the immediate future. But it is only when you take several large steps back into the long past that the full logic of an Obama presidency stares directly—and uncomfortably—at you.

At its best, the Obama candidacy is about ending a war—not so much the war in Iraq, which now has a mo­mentum that will propel the occupation into the next decade—but the war within America that has prevailed since Vietnam and that shows dangerous signs of intensifying, a nonviolent civil war that has crippled America at the very time the world needs it most. It is a war about war—and about culture and about religion and about race. And in that war, Obama—and Obama alone—offers the possibility of a truce.

Personally, I think I can speak for a lot of people in my generation when I say I'm tired of dealing with the crap the Baby Boomers keep spawning, from anti-war redux to new Rod Stewart albums of pop standards.

Labels: 2008 Watch, Baby Boomers, Barack Obama, Boomsday

Posted by Ryan S. at 4:43 PM | Permalink | |

I probably won't miss him:

Speaking to a crowd of supporters at a televised news conference in Pascagoula, Miss., Mr. Lott said he and his wife, Trish, had decided that they still had enough “time left to do something else” after his 35 years in the House and Senate.

He said he had “nothing definite at this time,” but suggested he might want to teach. He said he had called President Bush and Vice President Cheney last night to notify them of his decision.

Labels: Congress

Posted by Ryan S. at 4:34 PM | Permalink | |

I'm taking the rest of the week (and the weekend) off. See you on Monday!


Don't forget to whom we are supposed to be giving thanks.

Posted by Ryan S. at 9:46 AM | Permalink | |

WaPo:

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, buoyed by strong support from Christian conservatives, has surged past three of his better-known presidential rivals and is now challenging former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney for the lead in the Iowa Republican caucuses, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News Poll.

Huckabee has tripled his support in Iowa since late July, eclipsing former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, former senator Fred D. Thompson (Tenn.) and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). Huckabee now runs nearly evenly with Romney, the longtime Iowa front-runner.

Huckabee's rise from dark horse to contender in Iowa is one more unexpected twist in a race that has remained fluid throughout the year and adds another unpredictable element to the competition for the GOP nomination. His support in Iowa appears stronger and more enthusiastic than that of his rivals.

Labels: 2008 Watch, Huckabee

Posted by Ryan S. at 9:45 AM | Permalink | |

What Your Pizza Reveals

Your appetite is pretty average. You don't go overboard - but you don't deprive yourself either. You aren't particularly picky about pizza. It's so good... how could you be? You fit in best in the Western part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices. You are a flavorful and bold person. You should consider traveling to Spain. The stereotype that best fits you is redneck. Your friends secretly agree.

(Emphasis mine)

Well this is surprising. I'll remember that next time I chow down on a slice of Baked Ziti or Taco Salad pizza at Peace A Pizza on Main Street! They claim to serve gourmet pizza and to be hippies. Take that, internet!

Labels: Pointless things online

Posted by Ryan S. at 12:00 AM | Permalink | |

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
-Abraham Lincoln

Labels: History

Posted by Ryan S. at 2:31 PM | Permalink | |

The surge is working:

BAGHDAD -- Iraq's government today said security statistics showed that Baghdad had "defeated the forces of darkness" after more than a year of sectarian warfare, and the United States said it was crucial that Iraqi leaders use the relative calm to get their political fighting under control.

The government released numbers indicating a major decline in violent attacks in Baghdad and the surrounding areas. Attacks such as bombings numbered 323 last month, compared with 850 in February, when a U.S.-led security crackdown was launched, according to the government figures.

If this continues and we're able to make a smooth transition, we might see a stable, free Iraq after all.

Labels: Iraq

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:28 PM | Permalink | |

Tuesday, The Killers released a compilation of B-sides called Sawdust. There are several covers on the disc, but I'm not familiar with any of the original versions, which might hamper the review.

The Killers are a band I like a lot, but I didn't become a fan until last year's Sam's Town. Their debut album, 2004's Hot Fuss, impressed me with their talent, but I'm not a fan of the New Wave/dance sound, per se. Sam's Town bowled me over, and I think Brandon Flowers is one of the most talented up and coming frontmen today in rock.

Highlights:

The disc opens with "Tranquilize," featuring a Lou Reed cameo, and is an interesting track featuring the always questionable "children singing" idea. It seems to continue the sound from Sam's Town.

Next up is "Shadowplay," an excellent Joy Division cover, and you can hear the influence that Joy Division had on Flowers. "All the Pretty Faces" is next, and is a good track from the Sam's Town sessions.

To me, the real strength of this disc is in the second half, and really shows the raw talent of this band and their capacity to master many different flavors of rock.

"Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll" is one of my favorite tracks on the disc. It's fun, light, and is just an all-around great song about rock 'n' roll. A must have.

"The Ballad of Michael Valentine" is an older track, but one I like a lot.

"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" - I'm fairly certain I have never heard the original The First Edition version of the song, but this country western track (The First Edition is Kenny Rogers' band) is a new sound from this band and one of the places that shows off their untapped talents. Flowers sings here in a radically different way.

"Daddy's Eyes" is a solid track, the B-side from the "Bones" single, and I'm glad it is on this compilation, because otherwise I would have missed it. It's kind of a haunting song, but masterfully constructed.

Following is the 'Abbey Road' version of "Sam's Town," the title track from their 2006 effort. This is a very different take from the album version, starting with just Flowers (I presume) on piano, and then opens up to the whole band. I'll have to listen to them back to back a couple times, but I almost like this version better than the album version.

"Daddy's Eyes" is a very American sounding track (The Killers are the most British US-based band ever) and has some a really sweet guitar solo on it.

Overall, I give this 4 our of 5 stars, as I'm glad this material saw release (and I wish more bands would produce discs like this), but the middle of the disc sags down in quality. Looking forward to the inevitable third Killers album.

Must download: Tranquilize, Shadowplay, Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll, Daddy's Eyes

Labels: Music

Posted by Ryan S. at 11:00 AM | Permalink | |

My friend Gary e-mails me a post in response to my previous one about 2008. Gary's a diehard Mike Huckabee supporter (and has been since CPAC last year, if I'm remembering correctly). Gary writes:

Why Mike Huckabee should win the Republican nomination:

• Experience

Mike Huckabee was governor of Arkansas for 10 ½ years. Third longest in Arkansas history. He was only the third Republican elected statewide in Arkansas since Reconstruction and dealt with an 86% Democratic controlled legislature.


• Understands Islamic Fascism without resulting to scare tactics

Rudy Giuliani is frequently criticized as invoking 9/11 into everything he says (true or not) and has many neo-conservatives advising him on foreign policy. Liberals and increasingly more and more independents view this as a negative aspect. We saw where this lead us in 2003 (Iraq); we don’t need it to lead us there again in 2008 (Iran). Huckabee understands the threat without the same kind of negativity that Giuliani invokes: “While one can negotiate with diplomats, one can not negotiate with God.”


• Articulates the pro-life position better than anyone.

For social conservatives being pro-life is a must. Giuliani is not. Romney may or may not be (depending on what office he is seeking).




• A Real Uniter

Huckabee talks about Vertical politics and had a day (September 24) dedicated to it. The idea of vertical politics is this:

“Ultimately, people don't care about whether an issue comes from the left or the right, what they want to hear about is an idea that lifts America up and makes us better. It's what I call Vertical Politics.”

In the face of a campaign against Hillary Clinton, this is probably any candidate’s single best weapon.


• He’s electable

Mike Huckabee has crossover appeal. Republicans in Iowa aren’t the only ones who like him: Democrats and independents like him, too. If Republicans are going to win in 2008 they need someone who is going to win these votes. As Governor, Huckabee won 48% of the African American vote in Arkansas. Winning just half of that in the national election would damage any democrat. He is not an ideologue, so thankfully this means less partisan politics and more practical solutions (which brings me to my next point).


• Bold, new solutions

Huckabee advocates a complete overhaul of the tax system. No more patches and incomplete solutions catering to the special interests. Abolish the IRS and the income tax, he proposes.

See my FairTax post from earlier this year when I was guestblogging here..

Furthermore, Huckabee understands the difference between Wall Street, K Street and Main Street. Americans are not going to vote for a candidate who high-fives CEOs making millions of dollars while at the same time laying off hourly employees. This is not what trickle-down economics (Reagan style economics) are supposed to do, and Huckabee understands it.


• Random Thoughts:

Mike Huckabee is not the best candidate in either party’s field only because he is the most electable. His policy ideas and vision for tomorrow make him the best candidate. The reason I mention electability is because I strongly believe that Rudy Giuliani is not electable in the least, yet claims otherwise.

With the exception of Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee can articulate himself better than any other Republican or Democrat.

Labels: 2008 Watch, Huckabee

Posted by Ryan S. at 9:29 AM | Permalink | |

With the Iowa Caucuses less than two months away, I am not very optimistic about the 2008 campaign. I like Mike Huckabee a lot, but his fundraising does not seem to match how much people like him (maybe everybody's second choice?) and I'm not too fond of any of the top tier candidates on either side (Rudy really needs to stop advocating the national ID cards and using military for dealing with Iran.

Can anybody make a good argument for a particular candidate (either party)? You can respond in the comments, or e-mail me a guest post.

Labels: 2008 Watch

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:06 PM | Permalink | |

My hero this week is Delaware's State Auditor Tom Wagner. Not only is he a really fun guy, but he also is an excellent state auditor. There's corruption afoot, and he's on the trail. Check out the details at Dana's blog.

My hack this week is Bernard Kerik, who has been indicted all over the place:

The charges in the indictment include mail and wire fraud, tax fraud, making false statements on a bank application, making false statements for a U.S. government position and theft of honest services, CBS 2 HD has learned.

Kerik's troubles stem from his relationship with Interstate Industrial Corporation, which financed a six-figure renovation of his Bronx apartment while seeking a city license. The company has been accused of having ties to the mob.

Kerik has already pleaded guilty to an ethics charge, but that will most certainly be the least of his problems as he faces even tougher legal battles.

Labels: Culture of Corruption, Hero/Hack

Posted by Ryan S. at 9:53 AM | Permalink | |

This is insane:

Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) ended Guy Fawkes Day having done something no Republican has ever done before. He raised almost $4 million over the Internet without spending so much as a thin dime (beyond transaction fees, of course). This sort of thing just isn't done — usually you spend between fifty and eighty cents for every dollar you raise. We can't know for sure until the quarter's end, but Paul is probably leading Rudy Giuliani and perhaps even Mitt Romney in cash on hand at this moment.

It was the largest Internet fundraising day in U.S. history. Paul attracted 40,000 donors who gave about $98 on average. It will be very interesting to see how many unique donors that translates to when the quarter is over — such small donors can and often do give again.

That $98 average for $4 million means over 40,000 donors. This Ron Paul thing is officially serious business.

Labels: 2008 Watch, Ron Paul

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:34 AM | Permalink | |

NEW YORK—Saying he could no longer stand idly by while a vital part of American culture is lost forever, activist and Broadway producer Mel Brooks has founded a private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the word "schmuck."

An emotional Brooks stopped short of kvetching at a schmuck fundraiser Monday.

"Schmuck is dying," a sober Brooks said during a 2,000-person rally held in his hometown of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Monday. "For many of us, saying 'schmuck' is a way of life. Yet when I walk down the street and see people behaving in foolish, pathetic, or otherwise schmucky ways, I hear only the words 'prick' and 'douche bag.' I just shake my head and think, 'I don't want to live in a world like this.'"

This is an important cause, and I'm behind Mel 100%.

Labels: Pop Culture

Posted by Ryan S. at 7:39 PM | Permalink | |

My heroes this week are the biologists at Texas State University who did DNA testing on a strange animal thought to possibly be a chupacabra. Important use of science.

My hacks this week are the Hollywood writers threatening to strike:

The strike would pit union writers, whose position has been eroded by reality television and galloping technological change, against studios and networks that are backed by big corporate owners like General Electric and News Corp., but are also unsure of the future.

The walk-out threatens an instant jolt to television talk shows like “Late Night With David Letterman” and “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” which rely on guild writers to churn out monologues and skits. And if the strike drags on, audiences could see the eventual shutdown of soap operas, TV series and movie productions, as they exhaust their bank of ready scripts.

In the near term, a writers' strike will have an immediate impact on more than 200,000 workers in the movie and TV industry here and the thousands more who produce or sell entertainment elsewhere in the United States and abroad. The dispute may also signal more labor trouble to come, as directors and actors face similar issues when their contracts expire next June.

While I empathize with them wanting payment for their work when used online or phones, it seems that endangering the livelihoods of 200,000 others isn't the way to do it.

Labels: Hero/Hack

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:29 PM | Permalink | |