And So it Goes in Shreveport

Loose Thoughts

2012-01-26T20:13:00.001-06:00

If you're looking for debate coverage you might head on over to Legal Insurrection or The Other McCain. I.Just.Can't. Meh.

I've been busy at work and real life. I tried to watch the State of the Union, got three minutes in, and had to bail. When Obama starts spewing crap about "fairness and equity" and how the "rich" should give "their fair share" I start seeing spiders and creepy crawling things in my head and my head starts to spin. I had to turn it off.

Speaking of SOTU, what did you think of Michelle's dress? I thought it was ill fitting but I'm no fashionista. You'll usually find me in blue jeans and a sweatshirt. I liked the color and I even liked the brooch, but I thought the straps crossing above the boobs looked weird. I didn't think it was tailored well for her. I've read some blogs that criticized her for dressing as if she was going to a cocktail party rather than a SOTU speech but that part doesn't bother me. I just didn't think the dress fit well. It's not exactly "for the common man," either, at an estimated $2,400. Not a Target dress.

Let them eat arugula.

Charles Krauthammer has some thoughts on the SOTU:

It sounded like the Clinton years with their presidentially proclaimed initiatives on midnight basketball and school uniforms. These are the marks of a shrunken presidency, thoroughly flummoxed by high unemployment, economic stagnation, crushing debt — and a glaring absence of ideas.

Of course, this being Obama, there was a reach for grandeur. Hope and change are long gone. It's now equality and fairness. That certainly is a large idea. Lenin and Mao went pretty far with it. As did Clement Attlee and his social-democratic counterparts in postwar Europe.

As for the Republicans, I'm sick of Newt and Romney going after each other. When are we going to go after the incumbent, eh? At this point I'd be just fine if they ate each other alive and Santorum came out on top.

Surfing the links I see that Bride of Rove is struggling with some of the same issues.

Pundette is expecting Newt Fatigue to hit at any time.

As for me, tomorrow is Friday. Centenary College will commemorate the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with a 12 hour loop screening of the testimony of local Holocaust survivors Rose and Louis Van Thyn. I'm going straight from work to see both of them. If you're around here I'd encourage you to go.

Speaking of the Holocaust, heck out this stunning poll (H/T: Mike).

Steve and I are headed to Minden on Saturday for the kickoff of Mardi Gras season; the Fasching Carnivale and parade will be the highlight of the day, plus some shopping with Milly Rose!

Oh, and I'm going to test drive a Jeep when we go, too! Yay!

Out.

McDonald's: NOT Lovin' It

2012-01-24T19:34:00.002-06:00

Let me tell you about my experience at McDonald's today. And before I do, I bet you have one to match or better it.

4:00 this afternoon.

I drive up to a local McDonald's franchise. The drive-thru is seven cars deep but I'm worn out, long day, and figure it will be an opportunity to check my email while I wait.

Eventually I am second in line at the order window. The car in front of me sits for, oh, maybe 7 minutes before pulling up. This is a long time at a drive-thru window. But when he advances, I pull up and stop at the window. And wait.

Wait.

Wait.

"Hellooooo?" I said. "Anybody there?"

Wait.

Wait.

"Is this thing working?"

Nothing.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

So I pull to the side. "What the hell," I think. Why not. I go .... inside.

It gets good here. When I walk inside there are five people at the counter and four are pissed off. On the other side of the counter there are two employees and one of them is bitching out a customer.

"Excuse ME, MA'AM, but would you like a REBATE? WHAT can I do for you NOW?! I'm SORRY if you not happy with your ORDER but WHAT do you want ME to do about it? MA'AM?!"

And this employee is wagging her head back and forth, hands on hips and using the most sarcastic tone you can imagine. The customer is a middle aged woman with a child who looked to be about 7 or 8.

Meanwhile, another customer has a half unwrapped burger in her hand and is hopping from one foot to the other waiting to get her issue settled; another customer is standing at the counter, "Am I going to get my order? I have to be at work! If it's not coming, I've got to go....".

A manager finally walks up.

"What's the trouble here?" She attempts to sort things out. She sends Miss Sarcastic back to the window (which is why she was not there to take my order) and attempts to restore order.

This does not last long because as the woman with the child attempts to explain what's wrong with her order to the manager, Miss Sarcastic comes back from the window with that head wagging thing again and this time she's pointing her finger.

If this girl worked for me she would have been fired on the spot. The manager, clearly frustrated, sends her back to the window.

Finally my order comes out (woman with child is still waiting for her plain hamburger, and woman that needs to get to work is still waiting).

My order is wrong. It's missing one of the two sandwiches. I give it back to the manager.

Woman with child gives up and takes her order the way it came and explains to her child that they'll just scrape off the offending ingredients. Woman who has to go to work is still waiting. More customers have stacked up behind us all. Meanwhile, Miss Sarcastic is working the window.

My order comes out a second time and it is still wrong but I don't have the heart to send it back. I just take it and leave. As I go, I notice that cars are stacked up twelve deep in the drive-thru.

So tell me why McDonald's is posting record profits?

Where's the civility? The customer service? The "home-training?"

So when The Teenager feels the need for fast food, I'll route him to Burger King or Wendy's from now on.

Got a similar story?

I've Paid My Debt to the Curmudgeon

2012-01-24T16:56:00.000-06:00

I've made good on my bet with the Curmudgeon and gone one better.

If you recall, we made our annual bet on the LSU-Bama game and LSU did not manage to pull a win out of the Mad Hatter's Hat. Bama steam rolled the Tigers.

Our bet was for $100 toward the Wounded Warrior Project.

In the "one better" tradition, (last time the bet was for a six pack of Sam Adams and the Curmudgeon went "one better" and paid up $100 to WWP), I've signed up for a monthly donation of $19, which comes to $228 a year. That's about two six packs of Sam Adams a month; I think I can spare that (and so can my waistline).

1/24/2012 5:40:27 PM EST

Dear Pat Austin,

Thank you for your generous donation to Wounded Warrior Project. Your gift enables us to provide comfort and aid to the wounded and families in need.

Your information is as follows.

Your Information

Name: Pat Austin

.....

Payment Information

Payment ID: 325776
Payment Type: CREDIT
Payment Date: 1/24/2012 5:40:27 PM EST
Donation Amount: 19

Wounded Warrior Project is a public charity as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Please note your credit card will be charged $19 on or about the 20th of each month beginning next month.

Thank you again,

Wounded Warrior Project

Until next year, Curmudgeon!

Geaux Tigers!

Centenary to Screen Van Thyn Holocaust Testimonies Friday

2012-01-23T16:39:00.004-06:00

This Friday Centenary College and the Van Thyn lecture series will commemorate the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz:

The all-day event will honor the memory of local survivors Dr. Rose and Louis Van Thyn and feature a continuous screening of their video testimonies on their struggles during the Holocaust. The screening is free and open to the public and visitors may stop in throughout the day.

"Sadly, we will soon be in a world without any living Holocaust survivors to teach us about the dangers of hatred and intolerance," said Dr. Lisa Nicoletti, Professor of Art and Visual Culture. "Collections such as this one are vital to Holocaust remembrance and education. For the last decade, Dr. Rose with Louis by her side, regularly spoke on our campus about life before, during, and after the Holocaust. We miss them terribly."
What: Van Thyn Holocaust Testimony
When: Friday, January 27, 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Kilpatrick Auditorium, Smith Building
This showing marks the introduction of Centenary College as the first Shoah Foundation Visual History Collection in the state of Louisiana. The College will provide the public with free future access to these testimonies, which will be housed in Magale Library. The testimonies are from the archives of the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education.

Steven Speilberg created the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation in 1994 when he was inspired by his experience making Schindler’s List. The Institute aims to overcome prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry—and the suffering they cause—through the educational use of the Institute’s visual history testimonies that it gathers from survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust.

More here.

If you're not local and can't attend, I encourage you to listen to Rose's story here. I heard Rose deliver her testimony a few years ago; it's an amazing story and one I share with my students each year. While I've met Louis (he was always beside Rose when she spoke), I've never heard his full testimony so this will be an experience for me. These were two very special people.

Never forget.

(H/T: Nico)

At Least There Are No $16 Muffins Involved

2012-01-22T23:11:00.000-06:00

We all know that ObamaCare is awash in new regulations and bureaucracies. Here is just one more:

Embedded in ObamaCare is a toxic rule called the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. The Act requires all companies that manufacture medical products purchased by the government to disclose on a public website anything they give physicians valued above $10. Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued draft guidelines.

Wonder how many "jobs created" this one covers?

The Spin Begins

2012-01-22T18:51:00.001-06:00

My mother said to me the other day, "I'll be so glad when this election is OVER! It seems like it's been going on for a year!"

I hate to tell her, but it hasn't even started yet. We've only been dealing with the Republican primary so far. Just wait until the general election!

True, Obama has been campaigning for re-election since 2008, but only now are we beginning to see general election 2012 ads cropping up on television.

I've even seen a few "Obama 2012" stickers on a couple of cars in town. Whenever I see those bumper stickers I just can't fathom it. Given this man's record, how can anyone still support him? I tried to get Mr. SIGIS to explain it to me but he couldn't.

It's true that much of the population depends on the liberal mainstream media to inform them. Much of the general population just doesn't care - they hate politics and politicians and will vote however their editorial page tells them to vote. In truth, the number of political junkies like me (and you - you're reading this, aren't you?) are much lower in number than those who just vote blindly.

Yet still. Consider Obama's first campaign ad. Investor's Business Daily fact checks the energy statements in the ad:

The Obama re-election campaign is already shaping up as the most deceitful in American electoral history. "For the first time in 13 years our dependence on foreign oil is below 50%," the commercial declares, accompanied by goose-bumpy music.

Major economic downturns, in fact, unfailingly produce declines in oil imports. And so do higher gas prices — which went from an average of less than $2 a gallon at the time Obama took office to nearly $4 in the middle of last year and remain well above $3 today.

How could gasoline demand not drop with so many people out of work, businesses dying and jittery investors sitting on a trillion dollars?

Of course "our dependence on foreign oil" is lower. It's not because we're producing more domestically; we're not. It's because of the reasons stated above.

This is typical Obama spin.

It's sort of like saying "You will be able to keep your doctor," when ObamaCare was rammed down our throats. Sure, you'll be able to keep him as long as he's able to stay in practice but once ObamaCare really kicks in, he will probably pack his little black bag and fade into the sunset. Either that or he'll be so backlogged behind the deluge of patients waiting to see a doctor, any doctor, that you'll be a distant memory.

Deceitful.

"Oh," but you say, "All politicians do that!" And I won't argue that to some degree. I take issue with those as well.

Consider this from ABC News:

Turning to the economy, the ad hails “2.7 million Clean-Energy American Jobs,” citing a July report from the Brookings Institution, the suggestion being that Obama deserves credit for the employment in those industries.

But the Brookings report does not claim Obama created or maintained those jobs, just that 2.7 million exist in that sector – which encompasses a diverse array of roles and industries, including all of the nation’s mass transit workers (e.g. bus drivers).

But who's going to read the fine print?

Get ready for a long campaign, Mom. The lies and the spin are here to stay. I just hope voters care enough to decipher them and read between the lines. From both sides of the aisle.

The Keystone Kops Would Run America's Energy Policy Better Than Obama

2012-01-22T16:22:00.000-06:00

There's been much written in the past few days about Obama's disastrous Keystone decision. There is little doubt that Obama is simply punting on this decision and attempting to appeal to his environmental base. The thing you need to know about the Keystone decision is that the environmental threat doesn't exist and that Obama's own DOS cleared the way for it to go forward.

Jonah Goldberg:

The environmentalists to which Obama is pandering have an understandable, if at times irrational, fear of oil spills and a religious faith in the dangers of global warming. The only problem is that blocking the pipeline will, if anything, increase the likelihood of oil spills because Canada will still bring the oil to market.

The project has been studied for three years (much longer than the Solyndra bailout took) and to be sure would not be a project that creates new pipeline over virgin territory:

The Keystone pipeline had already been essentially cleared by environmental bureaucrats. Adding the pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf wouldn’t scar some pristine wilderness; it would be more like adding just one more string to a spider web, given how many pipelines already crisscross the region.

Take a good look at this map that shows all the pipelines running through the Ogallala Aquifer.

That's some 21,000 miles of pipeline there. Jonah Goldberg again:

Opponents say it would threaten the groundwater in Nebraska, where some 21,000 miles of pipeline already exist. But, as the American Enterprise Institute’s Kenneth Green notes, any spilled oil would have to flow uphill to reach the Ogallala Aquifer.

So you've got three things going on here that are all now debunked.

The first is that the big evil Republicans imposed an arbitrary deadline on the president forcing him to decide prematurely. Bunk:

The President’s claim that the State Department needs even more information before it can make a sound decision is equally ridiculous. State didn’t start reviewing the project last month when Congress set a sixty day deadline on making a decision. The review process has been going on for over three years now. The State Department has studied thousands of pages of detailed reports, data, maps and studies, and his issued thousands of pages of its own reports, including a massive eight volume environmental impact statement.

The President wants the public to believe that Congress imposed an arbitrary, impossibly short deadline on it. In fact, what Congress did was force the administration to end the years of dithering and an actual decision for a change. The President had more than enough information to make the right decision, but – sadly and all too predictably – he choose to appease the environmental fringe once more.

The second fallacy is that this pipeline would cross virgin territory and threaten previously unspoiled ground. Bunk. Look at the maps.

The third fallacy is that the administration needs more time and information. Bunk again. Obama's own State Department has already cleared the way for the pipeline to go forward:

DOS studied a number of alternative routes to minimize or completely avoid the pipeline crossing over Sand Hills. The department worked with the Bureau of Land Management and state agencies where the pipeline passes through and made more than 340 minor realignments to the pipeline route.

There is absolutely no reason to delay the entire project when DOS explicitly signed off on additional route variations that could occur throughout the construction process.

Clearly it is Obama, and not the Republicans, who are making this decision a political one. In fact, Obama phoned Prime Minister Stephen Harper to explain that the merits of the project were not the issue but that the evil Republicans are:

Obama called Prime Minister Stephen Harper to explain that the decision on Wednesday was not on the merits of the pipeline but rather on the “arbitrary nature” of a Feb. 21 deadline set by Republican legislators as part of a tax measure he signed, Harper’s office said.

Canada will grow weary of Obama's shenanigans and turn to China:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in a telephone call yesterday, told Obama “Canada will continue to work to diversify its energy exports,” according to details provided by Harper’s office. Canadian Natural Resource Minister Joe Oliver said relying less on the U.S. would help strengthen the country’s “financial security.”

The “decision by the Obama administration underlines the importance of diversifying and expanding our markets, including the growing Asian market,” Oliver told reporters in Ottawa.

Why not? Brazil already has:

Less than a month after President Obama visited Brazil in March to make a pitch for oil, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was off to Beijing to sign oil contracts with two huge state-owned Chinese companies.

The deals are part of a growing oil relationship between the two countries that, thanks to a series of billion-dollar agreements, is giving China greater influence over Brazil’s oil frontier.

Obama has made it perfectly clear that he's not interested in developing United States energy reserves.

Mark Whittington:

Obama's policy in regard to oil and gas has been a study in incompetence driven by an ideological mania against hydrocarbon fuel in favor of more politically correct forms of energy production. This has not only led to what amounts to a campaign against oil and gas production in the U.S., but embarrassing scandals such as Solyndra, brought on by unwise federal loan guarantees to dubious green energy companies.

This is occurring at a time when Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz through which much of the world's oil passes from Persian Gulf fields. The very threat has led to a spike in the price of oil and of gasoline.

Between shutting down the industry in the Gulf of Mexico for months, killing hundreds of jobs and auxiliary small businesses that go along with that, and now the Keystone decision, it's clear that Obama would rather tilt at windmills and solar panels.

So now we don't get Canada's oil, we don't get Brazil's oil, and we're stymied at nearly every turn in trying to get to our own oil (When's the last time you saw a rig in ANWR?).

Unbelievable.

(Photo/Map credit: PennWell MAPSearch)

In a Funk

2012-01-21T16:38:00.000-06:00

I've been in a funk.

It's not that I thought Rick Perry was a Perfect Candidate - he wasn't. It's not that I thought he was the second coming of Ronald Reagan. He definitely wasn't.

I'm just out of sorts with the process. When Rick Perry dropped out only Iowa and New Hampshire had voted. By the time Louisiana gets around to voting, we'll likely be down to just two candidates. 90% of the country won't get to vote for the candidate they want but will have to chose from the candidate a handful of states have deemed worthy.

Oh, I know, national polls and all that. I'm still just in a funk because I don't like any of the remaining candidates. I'll get over it.

If you are interested in the South Carolina primary, Stacy McCain is running some great coverage over there at The Other McCain, even if he is drinking a Blue Moon.

As for me, I engaged in some estate sale therapy to ease my woes. There was an estate sale in an old year 1921 home on Kings Highway today that was filled with gorgeous heavy antique furniture. I wasn't in the market for any of that but I picked up this pretty jadeite candy dish:

I love the creamy green color of jadeite. It's be great filled with chocolate covered espresso beans!

I also got this neat framed Remington print "Fight for the Waterhole." It'll look good in Steve's man-cave:

I also got a neat white and blue enamelware square piece with a lid. It's seen better days but I thought it was unusual and I wanted it:

It's about six or seven inches square.

My shopping didn't get me completely out of my funk but maybe the voters in South Carolina will cheer me up a little. I'm not sure how, but maybe.

Mittens in third place might do the trick.

Time to Stick My Head in the Oven

2012-01-19T16:42:00.001-06:00

Okay so we all saw Perry's big announcement today coming. You can't hang around in last place in the polls for too long before you become a drain on the whole system. I hate that Perry's bid played out the way that it did but what are you going to do? Wasn't his time.

Perry had improved a great deal since those first debates but maybe it was too little too late. I think also that too many people listened to Rick Perry and heard George W. Bush and they just aren't over Bush yet. Although I still think history will redeem Bush in the end. Somewhat.

So where to go from here?

Pundette has gone to Rick Santorum. Stacy McCain has been with Rick Santorum since Herman Cain dropped out. Legal Insurrection is still with Newt.

I don't know where I'm going right now.

To be honest, I just don't like any of them. I don't.

How can the Republican establishment have farked this up so badly? That's a rhetorical question - you don't have to answer it. It's because they're the Republican establishment. All this PR about "we really do have a strong field of candidates" is just crap. I don't even want to begin listing my grievances with these candidates. Not enough time and it's all been said.

Is it too late to get Michele Bachmann back?

I suspect that the Democrats are more afraid of Newt than anyone else and you can call me a conspiracy theorist if you want to but I think that's in part what pulled Marianne Gingrich back into the limelight. I don't think Team Obama wants to debate Newt.

And when in the hell did debating skills become a prerequisite for running for president, anyway? Speaking skills are important but so is executive experience, intelligence, foreign policy knowledge and experience, business acumen, character, integrity, and honor.

Coming into this election I've always said that "a dust bunny could beat Obama," because WTF is he going to run on? His record? His job killing, debt hiking, food stamp raising, partisan, scandal ridden record? Seriously?

But here's the Republican establishment about to hand it right back to him.

I'm going to stick my head in the oven. Maybe there's a beer in there. And a match.

(Cross posted at Not One Red Cent!)

Live-Blogging the South Carolina Debate UPDATED

2012-01-16T20:05:00.001-06:00

We're just getting started. Stay tuned.

Update 1: We begin with Newt trying to defend his negative attacks on Romney after vowing not to go negative. Romney defends by touting his private sector record. If an Olympics reference is on your bingo card, DRINK.

Update 2: A "vulture capitalism" question to Rick Perry. DRINK. Perry seems a little stiff. He's calling on Mitt to release his income tax records and gets applause. Perry calls for the repeal of Dodd-Frank and when he says we have way too many regulations in this country he gets lots of applause.

Romney gets a chance to respond but says he needs more than 30 seconds. Uh, okay.

Update 3: Romney: "You never want to see anyone lose a job." That ought to play well with his "I like to be able to fire people," comment. Context or not. Romney dodged the call for his tax records, by the way. Why is that? What's he hiding?

Update 4: Shift to Ron Paul who comes out swinging on Santorum by explaining he couldn't hit Santorum on everything he wanted to in one single ad. Ouch. Santorum says he voted for NCLB and "I shouldn't have." On right to work, Santorum says he supports it.

Juan Williams asks Santorum if "barbed personal attacks" should be abandoned. Dumb question. Santorum hits Romney with question about a negative ad his PAC ran. Romney dodges the question from Santorum and says "We've got plenty of time, I'll get to it when I want to." The crowd is applauding Santorum who is really drawing blood here. "It's MLK day!" he says. The question is about felons being allowed to vote. "I don't believe that people who have committed violent crimes should be allowed to vote again," Romney says.

Santorum calls him on it. Bam!

Santorum is relentless on this and Mitt is stuttering.

Update 5: Perry just stuck them both by pointing out that the "Washington insiders" need to get out of it and let the states decide. Applause.

Update 6: Fox sets Romney up give a summary of his "conservative" positions. He's pro-life, he says, against gay marriage, believes in freedom and free enterprise, on and on and on. Oh, and not a flip-flopper. Yeah, okay.

Juan to Perry on the voter ID law in South Carolina. Are you suggesting on this MLK day that the federal government should not scrutinize the voting laws in states where blacks were once denied the right to vote?

Perry's response is that the federal government should stay out of it and pulls the right to work issue into it as well. He says this administration is at war against religion too, for that matter. Strong answer by Perry, I think. "South Carolina is at war against the federal government." Huge applause, too.

Update 7: When asked how long someone should be able to draw unemployment checks, Newt says it should all be tied to a training program. "99 weeks is an Associates Degree!" he says, to applause. Newt just called Obama "the food stamp president." Heh!

Update 8: Romney: our tax rates are too high and regulations too burdensome. We have an energy policy that doesn't take advantage of our natural resources. This president has opened no new markets around the world. Bailouts aren't the answer.

To Ron Paul a defense cuts question: "what do you say to people in this state" that worry that your positions will cost jobs? Paul says we would not be weaker under his policies and says he gets lots of donations from active military. "There's a difference between military spending and defense spending," Paul points out. Building embassies is not defense spending "it's waste," he says.

What is the highest federal income tax any American should have to pay?
Flat tax - Perry
25% - Romney
15% - Newt
0% - Ron Paul

Question to Mitt: "Will you release your income tax records?" Romney says he looked at what other candidates like Bush and Reagan did, they released in April. He'll probably do that in April, then. He's stammering on this a bit. "What's happened in history is that people released them in April and that's what I'll probably do."

Update 9: Why is every question from Juan Williams race related? He's asking Ron Paul now about disparate numbers between arrested blacks and whites.

Next he goes to Newt and asks if he could be perceived as anti-black. "Only the elites despise earning money," he says. Juan says people of all races ask him if Newt's comments are "anti-poor." Juan gets boo'd. "It sounds as if you're trying to belittle people," when you use the term "food stamp president," Juan says. Newt schools him on political correctness and using uncomfortable facts. The crowd stands and applauds.

Juan should be under the desk about now.

Update 10: Ron Paul gets to spend a long time rambling about his foreign policy position. He sounds nuts.

Newt is strong on the Bin Laden question - "He's not a Chinese dissident!"; in other words, you kill your enemies.

Going to Romney after Paul only makes Romney sound more sensible. A run over dog would sound more sensible than Ron Paul when he gets cranked up on "all these WARS!!!"

Mitt says we "absolutely not" negotiate with the Taliban. "We should not negotiate with the Taliban, we should defeat the Taliban!"

Update 11: Rick Santorum does not support a military mission into Syria but wants the international community to help remove Assad.

To Rick Perry: "Does Turkey still belong in NATO?"

He advocates cutting foreign aid to zero. "Our president has a foreign policy that makes our allies very nervous and emboldens our enemies." I'm not sure he answered that question, exactly.

Perry has mentioned his military service several times in this debate. Somehow the marine urination video comes up here. He blasts Biden for calling those Marines despicable, and he says "Let me tell you what is despicable: cutting Danny Pearl's head off" is despicable. Hanging our contractors from bridges is despicable, he says. Applause. Perry suggests that this administration has strong disdain for our military.

Update 12: When asked if he would have signed the national defense act as written, Mitt says yes. He gets boo'd.

Pivot to the housing market - Perry basically says to get the federal government out of it.

To Newt - a Social Security question. The Chilean model comes back out.

Update 13: Santorum and Newt duke it out on Social Security. Santorum calls Newt's privatization "irresponsible" right now. Newt defends the personal savings account model. Draw.

Romney agrees with Santourm: "Rick is right," he says.

Update 14: A gun owners question for Romney from Juan. No race baiting on this one. "How can you convince gun owners you will be an advocate for them?" Mitt says he's signed pro-gun legislation in his state. He disagrees with new legislation and does not believe in new laws restricting gun use and gun owners. Juan asks Mitt if he's gone hunting since '07. Yep - elk hunting, he says. Heh - Romney says Rick Perry is probably a more serious hunter than he is. Perry agrees.

Update 15: Santorum attacks Ron Paul on gun liability. Sigh.

Woah. Newt just jabbed Romney saying if he can't control his SuperPAC "it makes you wonder how much influence he would have as president." Random.

Final update: We end with Romney disavowing SuperPacs and Perry vowing to secure the border. Who won this one? Man. Tough one. They all had strong moments. To my mind, though, this is the first time Romney took any hits. Perry continues to improve. Newt was strong as was Santorum.

Glad it's over.

Heigh ho - there's another damn debate this week! Thursday? Good grief.

Leaves and Acorns

2012-01-16T16:55:00.000-06:00

<------- is what I did yesterday and today. I raked up 17 bags of leaves (and acorns), filled two trashcans with sticks, pruned three crape myrtle trees and blew of the driveway twice.

As I was raking today the acorns were falling so fast it sounded like popcorn in a microwave. Like hail hitting the cars.

Meh.

Time for a beer.

Debate Prep

2012-01-16T15:15:00.001-06:00

Another day, another Republican debate. This time from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Watch live here. The moderators will be Bret Baier of Fox News' 'Special Report' and Gerald Seib of the Wall Street Journal. Kickoff: 9 ET, 8:00 SIGIS time.

SIGIS will be live-blogging, of course. Professor Jacobson will be covering at his place, too.

In the meantime, here's your debate prep:

We are down to five now that Huntsman has bowed out. Michael D. Shear and NYT has What to Watch for in Tonight's Debate.

Nate Silver has a poll analysis and says Romney is it.

Newt says he can unite Republicans.

Senator Jim DeMint won't endorse but he does predict Romney wins S.C.

South Carolina state Senator Tom Davis has endorsed Ron Paul.

Christian conservative leaders have gone with Rick Santorum although there are now cries that the vote was rigged.

Rick Perry joins the chorus of those who want Mitt Romney to release his tax returns.

Cognitive Disonance will have Bingo cards for the debate up shortly.

As for me, as long as there are no long dissertations on contraceptives again, I guess it'll all be a win.

Live-blogging later, folks.

"Are You Better off Today Than You Were Four Trillion Dollars Ago?"

2012-01-16T14:04:00.000-06:00

Rick Perry filed a great performance Saturday night at the second Huckabee forum in South Carolina.

I particularly liked this segment:

The polls are not favoring Perry, of course, although some polls have Perry making gains ahead of Santorum in South Carolina this week.

Pundette is still on the Perry bandwagon:

His limited-government message, with his impressive record as Texas governor to back it up, should appeal to conservatives who understand the terrible mess we're in.

I'm still there, too. So he had some poor debates...he's more than made up for those in his most recent performances. Perry's record in Texas is more consistent and conservative than Romney's record; Santorum's conservatism can't stack up to Perry's, and Newt has so many issues I find myself wondering why he's still polling so high.

It's time for people to take a second look at Perry before it's too late. The media has already anointed Romney as the nominee. That's enough to give me pause. Team Obama's obvious glee in a Romney nomination is enough to stop me in my tracks.

Rick Perry is the leader we need to get us out of this mess. No doubt in my mind.

Pajamas in Public

2012-01-16T08:32:00.001-06:00

How concerned are you that you might go to your local CVS or Target and find some person in their pajamas walking the aisles? Is this a big concern for you?

It is to District 3 Caddo Commissioner Michael Williams:

Caddo Parish District 3 Commission Michael Williams said it was an incident at a local Walmart that offended him and some elderly customers that spurred him to push for an ordinance that would prohibit wearing pajama pants in public."I saw a group of young men wearing pajama pants and house shoes," he said. "At the part where there should have been underwear," his private parts were showing through the fabric.

Offensive? You bet. Nanny state? Yep. Trying to legislate common sense? Absolutely.

Passing a law like this might put the People of Walmart site out of business.

Of course the ACLU has already come out against the proposed ordinance:

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana released a letter from Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman Friday afternoon, saying “clothing is a form of expression protected under the Constitution of the United States.”

I agree with Commissioner Williams that this is inappropriate behavior but I have concerns about legislating things like this. We've all seen the sagging pants and I remember the discussion when a no-sagging ordinance was passed: many people insisted it was just a passing fad and would go away on its own. (It hasn't.) Others said the ordinance was "profiling" and would target certain groups. (It didn't). Overall, the sagging ordinance in Shreveport has resulted in 31 misdemeanor charges since it was passed in 2011.

Is this a sign of an overall decline in America? Inconsideration of others? Or is it just poor "home-training?" Laziness?

I'm reminded of my mother and grandmother who would never consider going out shopping without stockings and gloves on. You dressed to go downtown! What would grandmother think of the young mother with three kids going to Walmart in her Family Guy pjs and slippers to buy PopTarts?

Since we already have indecency laws on the books, possibly we should just consider going with that one if some guy wants to go to Walmart with his junk exposed.

Added: After I posted this I went to Super One (local supermarket) and lo and behold...a gentleman about 50 or so was walking with a young child through the grocery store. He was wearing a fur hat, a white crew neck t-shirt, and cartoon print black pajama pants with his slide on fuzzy slippers.

Photo credit: Mike Silva - The Shreveport Times

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Good Friends, Good Times Edition

2012-01-14T18:21:00.001-06:00

We're lounging around today just watching football and snacking on football-watching-food; the Saints are having a tough time with the 49ers. The second half just started. Mr. SIGIS yells at the TV a lot when we watch sports. The World Series nearly did him in.

We went to Hangar 2 on base last night; it was a light crowd (holiday weekend) so our DJ friend, Larry, played lots of Jerry Jeff Walker for us in anticipation of our February date to see him. It's a nice bar, Hangar 2, and one of those places where we have good friends and have good times. That's our "bar-guard," Joy, pictured left. She makes a mean beef Thai salad!

That said, we were home early and I got up this morning, hit a couple of estate sales, then went to my mom's. The rest of the day has been fairly lazy.

Let's look at some links:

We'll start off with my currently featured blog, Andy's Place. I can't explain why but his latest video made me laugh until I nearly cried. Goofy as shit! I loved it so much I even made Mr. SIGIS watch it and he laughed too.

Doug Ross has Obama's new campaign poster.

Legal Insurrection's Saturday Night Card game is up.

American Power has video of Liz Cheney blasting Obama's defense cuts.

Smitty has a little video of John Wayne on liberals. Stacy McCain thinks it's time for Rick Perry to get out of the race.

Fuzzy is on a rant and reminds us all to keep our focus.

Pirate's Cove has a bleak outlook for all those green ventures.

Althouse celebrates 8 years.

Bride of Rove is reading Steyn's After America has has thoughts.

Reaganite Republican ponders the consequences of a third-party run.

Pundette explains Stephanopoulous's strange obsession with contraceptives at the NH debate.

Ed Driscoll has a totally depressing post about a world with no bookstores or video stores.

Sarah continues to live with a black cloud above her but manages to make it hilarious all the same.

And that's a wrap. The Saints are stressing me out. Here's a little Jerry Jeff Walker for you: love this song:

Happy Valentine's Day, Jerry Jeff!

2012-01-12T17:20:00.003-06:00

Yay!

We just got our tickets to see Jerry Jeff Walker in February at Sam's Town!

Yay!

L.A. Freeway, baby!

Thank You Senator Peacock!

2012-01-11T16:59:00.001-06:00

Back in October I endorsed Barrow Peacock for Louisiana Senate 37 in his race against term limited Rep. Jane Smith and I took some heat on this blog for it in the comments:

Thankfully, people do not take stock in what a low traffic blogger has to say about politics. Your bias against Representative Smith discredits you as a viable source of anything other then ignorant opinions.

I have to say, we at SIGIS enjoyed the give and take on that one! (It got worse from there.) Heh!

Mr. Peacock won that race and this week he showed his constituents why we voted for him. He was the lone vote against John Alario for Senate president.

John Alario has served as an elected politician for 41 years now; thirty-seven of those years he served as a Democrat until he decided it would be politically expedient to switch to Republican. I wrote about Governor Jindal's outrageous support of Alario in late October.

John Alario was quite open at the time of his party switch about the fact that the switch was motivated by political expediency.

From my American Thinker article in November:

Alario was elected to the House in 1972, was term-limited in 2007, and decided to run for the Senate. His primary goal was to serve as Senate president. As Alario said:
"Whether I'm a Democrat or Republican or the Whig party, I'd like to be president of the Senate," Alario said. Switching parties "certainly plays into the politics of the situation ... it doesn't hurt to be in that party."

If this happens, Alario will become the second politician in Louisiana history to be president of both chambers, but to attain that objective, he needed to change parties, after 37 years, from Democrat to Republican.

At any rate, the election has come to pass. Alario has been elected and as demanded by his constituents, Senator Barrow Peacock was the lone vote against him:

The lone vote against Alario was cast by Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Shreveport. He said after the housekeeping legislative session at the inauguration that he promised his conservative district during the campaign that he would vote against Alario. "It was a campaign issue in District 37," Peacock said.

Senator Peacock chose to stand up against career politicians and the good ol' boy system.

The only question now is will he be punished with a sorry committee assignment or ostracized by the system?

SIGIS thanks Senator Peacock for his courage in taking a stand and for honoring his promises. This is the kind of politician we need - one who recognizes he is a public servant, not there to feed from the taxpayer trough for 41+ years.

Loose Thoughts

2012-01-10T17:02:00.001-06:00

I've just got some quick links this afternoon. Too much going on in real life right now: the new semester started and I'm working on getting my new kids settled and accustomed to the routine of M205. This takes lots of planning, even after 16 years. On top of that, we lost a friend to cancer this week (only 46!) and that's been sad. The debacle in New Orleans didn't help last night, either.

For New Hampshire results, stay with Legal Insurrection tonight. I'm not too interested in NH for some reason. Any state that rates Jon Huntsman that high has got to have issues. Not to alienate my NH friends, but..., well, maybe it's just everything else going on. I just can't drum up the enthusiasm. Might just be the crop of candidates in general. Who knows.

Didn't Christopher get whacked in the sixth season of The Sopranos?

Erick Erickson still has hope for Rick Perry. As do I, but it looks grim. Like LSU in the third quarter last night.

Pundette's "disordered thoughts" are so totally not disordered.

Why wasn't Johnny Depp on the WH visitor's log?

I'm going to curl up with a book and nurse my wounds. Behave yourselves.

Live-Blogging the New Hampshire Debate

2012-01-07T19:59:00.003-06:00

Start up in a couple of minutes.

Update 1: You can watch on ABC's site if you've got NFL on your TV!

Mitt comes out swinging on Obama blaming him for the jobless rate. Santorum points to Iran as "the most pressing issue today," but I'd bet all those jobless people think the economy is the most pressing issue.

Newt defends free enterprise.

Stephanopoulos questions Mitt's jobs created numbers.

Huntsman says his record in Utah is better than Perry's in Texas. Why is he going after Perry who is floundering in the polls? Romney says having jobs experience is necessary to creating jobs (something Obama wouldn't know about).

Ron Paul rises to Stephanopoulos's bait and goes after Rick Santorum as a "big government person."

Santorum: "I'm a conservative, I'm not a libertarian." Defends his record as protecting the interests of his state. Ron Paul comes back and accuses Santorum again of being a big government person.

Is Rick Perry here?

Update 2: Ah, here comes Perry. After the Ron Paul/Rick Santorum bickering, Perry cites too much Washington insider experience; Perry says with the exception of Huntsman, he's probably the only outsider in the race.

Ron Paul attacks Santorum for voting to increase the national debt. Santorum is on shaky ground, I think, trying to defend increasing the debt ceiling.

Diane Sawyer jumps in with a national security question. She goes to Huntsman with a question on Iran. "Why would you be better as commander in chief than anyone else on this stage," she asks. Huntsman says his was the best managed state in America and he created jobs. It's all about trust, he says. Americans don't trust their leaders anymore.

Sawyers continues the baiting and offers Huntsman the chance to go after "someone on this stage," but he refuses.

Same question to Romney who says that anyone can do better than Obama. He cites Obama's total lack of experience upon election and he's made one error after another. He's blasting Obama on his Iran policy. "This is a failed presidency."

Romney refuses to attack his fellow candidates.

To Perry: "Do you believe that having worn the uniform of our country better prepares you" to be president? Perry says yep and then pivots back to Iran. You cannot cut one trillion dollars from America's defense budget and believe that we won't be compromised, he says. Obama simply doesn't understand the military. Excellent answer.

Newt cites his father's military service and his experience growing up in a military family. About veterans, Newt says, "I feel for veterans."

Ron Paul comes after Newt for his military deferments and Newt gets rankled. Accuses Paul of being dishonest. "Newt: I wasn't eligible for the draft."

Paul gets asked about the newsletters and he says it has already been explained.

Ron Paul turns this question into some civil rights, Rosa Parks moment and says blacks are disproportionately arrested and sent to death row. The drug laws are "unfairly enforced" he says.

Commercial.

Update 3: Why in the world are they spending so much time on the right to contraceptives?

This debate doesn't seem to be firing well; the candidates are seldom sure what the question is and end up answering about whatever topic they want to answer.

Diane Sawyer tries to lead them into the gay marriage issue. Huntsman is all for civil unions which "add dignity" to a relationship. Romney stands by his position that marriage is between a man and a woman. He says children will be better off if they're raised in a setting with a male and a female.

Newt seems disgusted that they've spent so much time on "these issues," and takes off on media bias and the Catholic church.

Did Romney just say that John Adams wrote the Constitution? Hunh?

Update 4: Santorum gets schooled by Ron Paul for interrupting him. I don't mean to be petty, really, but I could not stand four years of listening to Ron Paul's whiny voice.

Ah. Perry is still here. On third party candidates, Perry rejects that question and opts to answer someone else's gay marriage question. He blasts this administration for its war on religion.

Jon Huntsman says the Taliban is no longer in power. For now.

Newt runs through all of the foreign policy pitfalls that lie ahead and paints a scary picture.

Santorum fires back at Obama on foreign policy; the moderators continue to bait the candidates against each other. The candidates need to reject the baiting and stay focused on Obama.

Update 5: Perry says he would sent troops back into Iraq. Ooops. He says "this president just wants to cowtow to his liberal leftist base." He says Iran will move back in and all our efforts will have been done for nothing.

That won't help him in the polls any.

Newt says if you're worried about the Iranians in Iraq then deal with Iran. Good point.

I'm not loving this debate. No questions on Fast 'n Furious; little discussion of the economy. Baiting and pitting the candidates against each other.

Update 6: Mitt Romney hasn't taken any hits at all tonight.

Diane Sawyer is warming up to a jobs question about investing in infrastructure and economic growth. Yawn...Romney is all for it. Like, who wouldn't be? He points out that government doesn't create jobs.

I'm sure Perry is itching to get in on this question. After his send troops back to Iraq bomb, he needs to do some damage control.

Newt says you can't compete with China if you don't have a decent infrastructure. He supports and energy program that breaks us free from foreign oil and would invest some of those proceeds to infrastructure.

Huntsman is off on the tax code tangent and supports Simpson-Bowles.

Romney suggests we are "only inches away from no longer being a free economy." The middle class has been hurt in the Obama economy, he says. Simpson-Bowles becomes Bowles-Simpson under Mitt Romney, who also supports it but does not support raising capital gains taxes.

Rick Perry is being ignored again. Still. Huntsman is getting much more airtime than Perry.

Update 7: Perry finally throws himself into the debate by answering a question when not called upon. He spins off his "get America workin' again" spiel and gets applause.

Huntsman seems to be getting more air time than anyone else.

Romney rejects a question from the moderator and blasts the moderators, gently, about not being focused on the important issues, like the fate of America. He's off on an apparently untimed speech about what America needs and how we don't need to be like Europe. He's hammering Obama pretty eloquently. Score for Mitt.

Mitt gets applause at the end of his speech.

Update 8: Newt tries to land some hits on Romney saying Romney's plan is a little cautious and not as bold as his own.

Santorum seconds that.

Santorum rejects the term "middle-class" and says there are "no classes in America." Hunh? His bigger point is about not waging class warfare but it is awkwardly stated.

Romney blasts Obama for not opening up trade; he's defending his growth plan and insists it is bolder than they give him credit for. Cites his business experience and his knowledge of regulations. He steals Rick Perry's line and says he will "get America workin' again."

Shocker. Back to Huntsman. More air time than anyone so far.

Update 9: Romney interrupts Huntsman and says uh, excuse me, but you were working for Obama, dude. China is hacking into our systems, manipulating their currency, stealing patents from us, and you were right there. Ouch. If I'm president I'm not going to spend my time talking about how great China is.

If you're playing the drinking game you just got the jackpot - Huntsman responded in Chinese. Oh.My.God.

Update 10: Close and wrap up now. What else would you be doing if you were here tonight, is the question. Perry: At the shooting range. Newt: watching football. Same for Santorum. Ron Paul would be reading an economic textbook. Huntsman would be on the phone with his two sons in the US Navy.

Thankfully this horrid debate is over. Too full of non-issues and too full of candidate baiting. Nobody laid a glove on Romney, Perry was ignored, Huntsman got way too much air time for a non-contender nationally. Santorum seemed a bit stiff and off his game. Maybe that's just him, though.

When the highlight of the debate is Huntsman's Chinese, well, hell. It's not good.

Romney came off good when he blasted Huntsman for defending China and for his service for Obama.

I rather missed Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann.

If you care, there's another debate on Meet the Press tomorrow. I think I'll be skipping that one. I've had enough.

Back to the Saints game now.

Did Rush Limbaugh Endorse Rick Perry?

2012-01-07T15:04:00.001-06:00

Did Rush Limbaugh come close to endorsing Rick Perry yesterday?

You be the judge:

Let me tell you something, folks: I wouldn't have one ounce of doubt about Rick Perry. I've been hoping Rick Perry would catch fire, but I have people in my sphere who don't want to vote for Perry (and largely they're women) because he sounds too much like Bush.

Not an endorsement but darned close.

Limbaugh cites Perry's record in Texas and his tax policy as pluses, and insists debating skills and "electability" should have nothing to do with picking the most conservative candidate we can.

By the way, it's debate night again. I'll be covering the debate here.

On Those Recess Appointments...

2012-01-05T16:57:00.001-06:00

Look people, the argument that George W. Bush (or anyone else for that matter) also made recess appointments misses the fact that the Senate is not actually in recess. Moral relativism is a weak argument anyway but you've at least got to keep the facts straight if you're going to try it.

Krauthammer made this point yesterday:

The president is saying: “I won’t let Congress stop me.” But it’s in the Constitution that you have to have the Senate’s approval… He [the president] can only make a recess appointment if the Senate is in recess. It is not in recess.

In fact, his own Justice Department argued last year before the Supreme Court that the Senate has to be out of session for three days. It has not been. And that appeal was based on a ruling of the Clinton Justice Department–three days.

You can appoint anybody you want in a recess appointment. You can appoint anybody who has already been rejected by the Senate. You can appoint anybody you want as a way to make a purely cynical political point in election year in Ohio, as Obama is doing. But you can’t do it as a recess appointment if the Senate is not in recess.

And Bloomberg:

The White House called these “recess appointments,” eventhough Congress technically wasn’t in recess. In doing so, thepresident is playing with fire. He risks an election-year legalchallenge that could hamstring the consumer bureau and severalother financial regulators whose pending confirmations willprobably now stall. The president’s authority -- and that offuture executives -- to fill administration posts without Senateapproval may be limited by the courts. We think Obama risks toomuch to make what is largely a political point -- that he, morethan the Republican Party stands by American workers andconsumers.

John Yoo (H/T Pundette):

This, in my view, is not up to the president, but the Senate. It is up to the Senate to decide when it is in session or not, and whether it feels like conducting any real business or just having senators sitting around on the floor reading the papers. The president cannot decide the legitimacy of the activities of the Senate any more than he could for the other branches, and vice versa.

Is the president going to have the authority to decide if the Supreme Court has deliberated too little on a case? Does Congress have the right to decide whether the president has really thought hard enough about granting a pardon? Under Obama’s approach, he could make a recess appointment anytime he is watching C-SPAN and feels that the senators are not working as hard as he did in the Senate (a fairly low bar).

And one more: Allahpundit:

Even if there’s a constitutional argument to be made in Obama’s defense, that argument isn’t available to Democrats. They used pro forma sessions, successfully, to block Bush; the only way to square that circle is to argue that the GOP is being more obstructionist than they were, to the point where other branches are now free to ignore separation-of-powers provisions in the Constitution in order to break the impasse.

Obama is off the rails here. Off the track. Jumped the shark. FUBAR.

Back to Regular Programming

2012-01-04T19:54:00.000-06:00

I'm back at work now - we had inservice today and the kids come tomorrow so my blogging will be light for a day or two. Some quick links to check out:

On Obama's recess appointments - check out Doug Ross:

In other words, through his blatantly lawless activities, the President has initiated a Constitutional crisis.

And we all know that if a Republican President had even publicly considered this option, legacy media would be beating the war-drums for impeachment.

It's high time the clueless John Boehner and Mitch McConnell started playing hardball. Real hardball. Impeachment-style hardball. Heaven knows, there are enough charges to impeach five or six presidents at this point.

This is a big deal, folks, but you won't likely hear much about it from the legacy media. If there's a Republican candidate worth his salt he'll take this drum and bang it through the election.

Professor Jacobson has something to say about the appointments as well.

Speaking of elections, check out Pundette's coverage of Rick Perry's indecision; and ironically, it's the second reference to "Casey at the Bat" that I've heard today (on totally unrelated stories).

Stacy McCain had terrific coverage of the caucuses last night.

Obama felt the need to speak to Iowa Democrats last night in a weirdly sketchy video feed; he's trying to reinvigorate his base from four years ago:

"[O]ne of the things that we learned four years ago was that when people at grassroots level are getting involved and they're getting engaged, and they're feeling empowered and they're joining hands with each other -- that's a powerful force," the president said.

A group at "grassroots level" is empowering and wonderful as long as they're for him; if it's the Tea Party, well, that's something else again...

Donald Douglas has his own ideas about Michele Bachmann's collapse.

Hang in there. I'm busy getting to know 65 new sophomores and teaching them the lay of the land in room M205, but I'll be back online shortly.

Iowa Caucus Day: News, Aggregation and Updates

2012-01-03T10:56:00.000-06:00

Scroll for updates throughout the day.

Iowans are heading out to the caucuses tonight. The weather is beautiful and should not be a factor in keeping folks from going out. The governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad said on Fox News this morning that he is expecting record turnout.

One thing to remember about Iowa is that the percentage of people that go out and caucus is relatively small. I have several family members in various parts of Iowa and I asked them about the phone calls and the caucuses. Only one of them even knows anyone who actually goes to caucus. All of them have been barraged by phone calls and most of those have been robocalls. The robocalls are not particularly effective: it's easier to hang up on a computer than to a person. As for support for a particular candidate, I got a variety of answers, including undecideds.

That is the thing about this particular caucus event, I think, that is interesting. There are so many undecideds. This thing could be a blowout for one candidate or a photo finish among three. Who knows?

Throughout the day I'll be posting updates and linking to others who are covering the event.

Legal Insurrection is doing the same thing and he will have a live event tonight.

Stacy McCain has been traveling through Iowa with the Santorum camp and he has terrific coverage and photos.

Real Clear Politics has an Iowa Caucus Primer on how the process works.

Here is Rick Perry's latest ad hammering Rick Santorum on earmarks. Effective or no?

Stay tuned for updates.

If you're blogging the caucuses, let me know and I'll link you.

Update 1: Yet another reason why the caucuses are so unpredictable:

Update 2: Pirate's Cove has analysis of what comes after Iowa. I don't necessarily agree with this, but we shall see:

By Wednesday, we could see Bachmann and Perry out, though they say they are going to South Carolina and bypassing New Hampshire. Santorum should survive. When it comes to Newt and Paul, we’ll have to see.

It will be interesting to see if the surge of volunteers that arrived Friday in support of Rick Perry pays off. Also, Perry has the cash to stay in for a while. I don't think Iowa will be his Waterloo.

Update 3: Megyn Kelly is broadcasting today from the Iowa state capitol building. It's one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings I've ever seen. Here's a YouTube video someone shot of the inside.

And, speaking of looking past Iowa, the GOP brain trust is already considering VP candidates:

While over a dozen names were suggested by the strategists, some with the campaigns, four top the list: South Dakota Sen. John Thune and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, both surrogates for Romney, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the most talked-about Hispanic in Washington, and former Secretary of State Condi Rice.

Others receiving multiple votes were Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

"Romney is likely to have to go right," said one former Bush aide. "He'll need somebody to generate enthusiasm from the base. Rubio fits the bill."

What do you think? They're writing off Santorum as the nominee, obviously, as assuming it's Mittens even before a single vote is cast.

Update 4: The Des Moines Register has a handy guide and graphic to keep a vote tally. But...notice the ad at the top of the page. A glimpse of what is to come:

Update 5: Rush Limbaugh replayed the audio of Perry's smack down of Mike Allen. "This is NOT somebody stupid," he said. Rush said, "I LIKE Rick Perry!" Rick Perry makes him smile, he says. Rush also said he LOVES Rick Santorum and says that any of these contenders would be great. (Even Ron Paul?)

The Perry camp is fired up. He gave a motivational speech to his volunteers this morning:

“This election is about stopping a president of the United States and his administration that is abusing the Constitution of this country, that is putting America on a track to bankruptcy, and folks, we’re going to take America back. That’s what this is about,” Perry told the crowd as it gave him a standing ovation. “It is a powerful moment in America’s history, and you are on the front lines.”

Of course, then he compared it to Omaha beach which is, I think, an unfortunate comparison. He's trying to make the case that this is historic, critical even. Considering the catastrophic losses on D-Day, this might be an overreach.

Update 6: Ed Rollins, talking to Shepard Smith on Fox, says Michele Bachmanm will come in last tonight (no organization and no money, he says) and that the winners will be Romney and Ron Paul. Santorum has momentum "but no organization" he says. When asked about Rick Perry, Rollins says if Perry comes in 4th, he actually stands the best chance to challenge Romney because of his money and organization. Perry may come in first or second in South Carolina. "His campaign is very alive," he says. Rollins says Perry has done a much better job than people recognize. He doesn't see much for Santorum after Iowa.

As for Newt, Rollins says Newt isn't raising money and is going to have a hard time in New Hampshire.

Rollins predicts Ron Paul will stay in the race to the end and should be treated with respect, but there's no path to the win for him.

Update 7: Ouch. Stacy McCain:

"...the Perry campaign is a lamentable joke here in Iowa. I’ve been talking to experienced Iowa Republicans during my travels the past week, and experienced observers are united in the opinion that Perry has wasted millions of dollars on a campaign that has done him more harm than good."

Stacy is, of course, in the Santorum camp and is not a Perry fan as you can tell.

Update 8: Left Coast Rebel has a live-updating event going on as well.

On Fox, Shep Smith talks to Debbie Wasserman Schultz who says the Republican field is "interchangeable" and "lackluster". Shep points out Obama's broken promises and DSW says that is "simply not true." She says he ended the Iraq war which was one of his promises. He passed Obamacare, she says, yet Shep points out it isn't a single payer system that the base wanted.

The woman is delusional. She says Obama has turned the economy around and that unemployment is declining. The Republicans have embraced the Tea Party and "out right winged each other" throughout the campaign.

She says Obama will win "handily."

Silly.

Update 9: Today's Gallup poll:

Update 10: Rick Santorum's sweater vest is the new fashion icon. You too can have a sweater vest:

Update 11: Rick Perry's just released video:

(H/T: Pundette)

Update 12: One of our local news stations is conducting its own "caucus," sort of like the Drudge Caucus, I guess. The results so far?

Update13: Michelle Malkin has a great Iowa caucus day post.

Phew. Are you ready? There are an estimated 614,000 active registered Republicans in Iowa. A small fraction of them will turn out tonight to vote in the first-in-the-nation GOP presidential caucus. The anticipated top three placers are a toss-up. Sunday’s PPP poll had it 20/19/18 for Paul, Romney and Santorum.

She links to Stacy McCain's Santorum coverage. Both Malkin and Stacy are NOT Rick Perry fans which might explain why they don't link me. (Just kidding - Stacy has linked me often in the past. It's been a while since I got a Malkin link.)

Update 14: Rick Perry gets emotional during a speech today praising America's veterans:

Perry was joined on Tuesday by supporter Dan Moran, a Marine veteran who suffered third-degree burns on his body from a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. Perry, a former Air Force pilot, commended Nationwide for its focus on hiring veterans before turning to Moran.

“He understands the importance of selfless … selfless sacrifice,” Perry said with a pause, wiping a tear from his left eye.

Emotion.

Update 15: As the caucus results come in, here is a live, interactive map. And remember, Professor Jacobson will be hosting a live event. SIGIS will continue posts as well. The Des Moines Register also has a place where you can watch results come in but you have to put up with all the Obama advertising on the page.

Update 16: Here is a timeline of the upcoming primaries. Next event: January 10 - New Hampshire.

Update 17: I'm closing out this post now and heading over to Legal Insurrection to participate in his live event. Follow me over there. And thanks for stopping by this post today! I appreciate it.

Caucus Crash Course

2012-01-02T21:48:00.000-06:00

If you're wondering how the Iowa caucuses work, The Washington Times has a primer for you:

Only registered Republicans may participate, but with an ID that shows Iowa residency and age, voters can register at door, allowing for crossover participation. Democrats are known to have switched sides, if only for a night, to caucus with Republicans. And vice versa. And it’s legal.

The Democrats have a convoluted caucus process that involves good old-fashioned arm-twisting and can run into the wee hours of the night. It won't this year because Obama has no challenger. The Republican Caucuses, however, are a hybrid: part poll and part GOP meeting. Designated supporters of each candidate are allowed to campaign vigorously, making a speech on why their candidates deserve to win that evening’s votes. This is to convince the fence sitters to go with their candidate or to win over someone who is torn between two candidates.

Then Iowans vote by secret ballot. They are given blank sheets of paper with no candidate names on them. They write down their choice and the GOP at each precinct tabulates the results as they are phoned in. The results are then released to the media.

Mitt Romney seems pretty confident.

Newt says "I don't think I'm going to win," and then says it was a "compound sentence structure" that the media just didn't get. I've been teaching English for almost 20 years and I'm not aware that "I don't think I'm going to win" is a compound sentence, but hey, Newt is the intellectual. Not me.

Michele Bachmann won "the coffee bean caucus" but Sarah Palin says it's not her time.

Rick Perry is still hammering Santorum and is looking at this think like a long distance race. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is with Perry tonight and says:

“It is time for us now to take all of this excitement and energy and turn it into real work,” Jindal said. “It is time for us to get our neighbors, friends, family, everybody we know out and make sure that we help to elect Rick Perry as the next president of these United States of America.”

The Duggar family has joined the Santorum camp and the media is thick around the candidate.

Ron Paul is oozing confidence .

All in all I'd say there's a lot of nervous energy in Iowa tonight.

Stay with SIGIS tomorrow for caucus coverage and up to the minute reports.

Jimmy Carter Redux

2012-01-02T16:41:00.003-06:00

Victor Davis Hanson on what may come in 2012:

The result, I think, may be that in this coming year we will see a new boldness among Islamic forces in North Africa; China will show the flag far nearer to Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea; some independent-minded former Soviet Republics will be forced to move closer to Russia; Turkey won’t worry too much whether it overflies Greek or Cypriot airspace — or worse; Iran will test a missile or do something stupider; North Korea may resume its now-and-then shelling of the south; and Lebanon and the West Bank will heat up again — all on the impression that either the U.S. doesn’t much care, does care but is too broke or weary to do much about it, or beneath its public warning harbors some quiet sympathies for such “corrections” in a prior flawed global order.

It should be required reading for anyone considering a vote for Obama. That and a history class.

Read the whole thing.

Perry Punches Back

2012-01-02T16:24:00.000-06:00

It's Time For an Intervention for E.J. Dionne

2012-01-01T20:17:00.000-06:00

E.J. Dionne is delusional. There is no other explanation.

In his latest column, titled "Can A Messiah Win Twice" (gag bucket, please...), Dionne ponders the likelihood of Obama's re-election:

Most Americans still believe that Obama inherited rather than caused the economic turmoil. Barring another crisis in Europe, there is a decent chance of somewhat better times by Election Day.

Obama's fall offensive against Republicans in Congress has paid dividends. Voters seem inclined to blame Washington's dysfunction on the GOP, not on a president they still rather like. Most also think Obama's foreign policy has put the nation on a steadier course.

Wow.

Where to start?

"Obama's foreign policy has put the nation on a steadier course."

Yes, the shoot to kill drone program has netted us so much new intelligence! Oh wait....

Most Americans, I think, recognize and are disgusted by Obama's fawning, bowing, apologies to dictators and his alienation of our allies.

Most Americans would be disgusted by his embrace of the Muslim Brotherhood and the news this week that Obama is aligning with Qaradawi to negotiate (read "surrender") with the Taliban. He's preparing to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate political party.

Most Americans are disgusted by his lack of support for Israel.

Most Americans were repulsed by Obama's failure to support (until forced to make a statement) Iranians protesting a stolen election and who wanted democracy even when they were shot down in the streets by mullah enforcers.

Most Americans were stunned by Obama's complete and utter failure in Egypt. Egypt has now replaced a pro-American regime with an anti-American one. Again, he's aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood.

There's much more fisking to be done on Mr. Dionne's piece, especially on the economic portion, but frankly, I'm getting nauseous.

Clearly Obama still has plenty of fawning sycophants in the media.

Oh, and for the record, Dionne is betting that Obama gets re-elected. Bwahahahahahaaa!

BREAKING: Cuccinelli Reconsiders Virginia Ballot Position

2012-01-01T18:01:00.003-06:00

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Attorney General Cuccinelli is now reconsidering his earlier vow to intervene in the primary ballot mess in Virginia. While he earlier stated that Virginians should be able to have their choice of candidate, today he has seemingly changed his mind:

Today, he said in a statement that he still feels strongly that Virginia should change its ballot access requirements.

“However, after working through different scenarios with Republican and Democratic leaders to attempt to make changes in time for the 2012 Presidential election, my concern grows that we cannot find a way to make such changes fair to the Romney and Paul campaigns that qualified even with Virginia’s burdensome system,” he said in the statement. “A further critical factor that I must consider is that changing the rules midstream is inconsistent with respecting and preserving the rule of law – something I am particularly sensitive to as Virginia’s attorney general.”

So in Virginia, it's going to be either Romney or Ron Paul.

Great.

As for now, Rick Perry's lawsuit (now joined by four other candidates) will go forward.

Crap shoot.

"Governor Perry is Going to Do Better Than Some People Think."

2012-01-01T16:58:00.001-06:00

The final Des Moines Register poll to come out before Tuesday's caucuses did not reflect the uptick that the Perry camp was probably anticipating given his grueling schedule, multiple appearances, and extensive advertising.

Yet don't count Rick Perry out just yet.

Perry is drawing huge numbers at his appearances around Iowa:

Rick Perry’s events have taken a turn for the crowded. He’ll arrive, typically, to find that a coffee shop built to accommodate 75 people is crammed with up to twice that many, spilling out the door and jammed into every available corner.

And while Santorum's audiences seem to be comprised of as many reporters as supporters, those at Perry's appearances want to meet the candidate. They want to hear what he has to say. There are a large number of undecideds in the audiences that Perry draws but he is winning some of them:

Conversations with voters suggest Perry’s rising numbers are a result of his 14-day bus tour across the state, which gives him a chance to display his famed retail-politics skills. Some showed up to his town hall in Marshalltown with a number of candidates in mind -- but left the event saying they were sold on him.

Molly Ball at The Atlantic suggests that Perry could be the dark horse in Iowa:

As the days to the caucuses wane, Perry has things other candidates would kill for: Crowds who want to meet him, ads all over the airwaves, a decent ground organization, an anti-Washington message people are hungry for, and terrific hair. The question is whether it's too little, too late, to get through the crowded pack ahead of him.

The Des Moines Register poll, as we all know by now, has Romney once again in the lead with 24%, followed by Ron Paul at 22% and Santorum in third with 15%. Perry holds at 11%, not that far back from Santorum.

The poll covers four days:

Santorum's surge is clear; so is Ron Paul's decline.

The poll closed on Friday, the same day Perry's Strike Force began arriving in Iowa. He's got at least 400 volunteers working the state right now going door to door, talking to caucus goers, and manning phones.

The results of this Strike Force won't be known until Tuesday. Meanwhile, Perry continues to work the state with at least six more appearances before caucus day. Nate Silver points out:

But for those looking for a glimmer of hope in Mr. Perry’s numbers, I was able to identify one. Mr. Perry was fairly often named as a second-place choice in a Des Moines Register poll released on Saturday. His campaign may have some hope of converting those second-place votes into first-place votes because it has a large number of precinct leaders, who under Iowa caucus rules are allowed to make a speech in favor of their candidate before the voting takes place.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says "Governor Perry is going to do better than some people think."

Tuesday will tell.

More on the poll at Memeorandum.

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: New Year 2012 Edition

2012-01-01T12:54:00.000-06:00

Happy 2012 to you all.

Why is it that I feel like I'm at the top of the Super Slide at the State Fair?

As we get this year started I'm cooking our traditional New Year's meal: corned beef brisket and cabbage. I've souped up the cabbage this year with this terrific recipe from The Blue Willow Inn. I've made it before; it's easy and very good.

I'm watching my neighbor outside with his blower, blowing his oak leaves and acorns into my yard. Shortly I will have to go outside with a rake and clean it all up. I've been known to go out there and blow them all back in his yard, but I'm trying not to be petty.

Mr. SIGIS and I were asleep before midnight last night. We went to Ming Garden and had Pad Thai for dinner then went to our local hangout for its last night (going under new management). We were home by 9:30. We like it that way. It was foggy last night and the streets slick with the humidity. We saw enough loopy driving on the way home to be glad we weren't out any later.

We are sad that the annual outdoor hockey game isn't on today - it's become a New Year's Day tradition, but it will be on tomorrow instead. Looking forward to that.

I've been perusing the blogs today. We'll start 2012 out with some Rule 2 action:

Bride of Rove is celebrating the New Year with a new knife sharpener and some introspection.

Donald Douglas is also feeling introspective.

Althouse sums up Obama's eternal position on detainees.

Smitty has some predictions for the new year, including "a permanent golfing arrangement" for BHO.

Andy also has some predictions.

Paco offers no introspection and no retrospection, just a prayer.

Goldfish and Clowns says it's time to "rethink Romney." (H/T: Smitty)

Doug Ross reports on a challenger for John Boehner.

Professor Jacobson comments on Obama's Middle East position and also links to Andy McCarthy's article that I posted yesterday. Everyone should read that article.

Enough for now. I have acorns to rake up. I'd leave them for the squirrels but no amount of squirrels could eat all those things and besides, they roll out from under me when I walk which is dangerous for a girl with a bad ankle.

A prosperous and blessed new year to you all!

Ringing In the New Year With Sam

2011-12-31T18:12:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

Mr. SIGIS and I are headed out for dinner (Asian) and then to our local hangout with friends for a bit. We'll make it an early evening and get home before the crazies get on the road. We like to be safe at home on New Year's Eve and there is plenty of Sam Adams in the fridge.

Happy New Year to my SIGIS readers and stay safe out there. Here's to a prosperous 2012!

I Suck

2011-12-31T17:05:00.000-06:00

I suck.

Once again I didn't make the Fab 50 list over at Doug's place.

That's fine. I'll *sniff* get over it. I'm not one of the kool kidz. I'm in good company though. Bride of Rove isn't on the list and she's the smartest blogger around. The Other McCain isn't there either and nobody does better on the scene coverage than Stacy.

He does, however, credit some of my favorite bloggers. Pundit & Pundette won and she's one of the first blogs I check when I go online. The other usual winners are there like Memeorandum and Hot Air.

There's a couple of surprises too, I guess. No sour grapes though.

Oh well. I'll keep doing my thing.

I don't need no stinkin' award.

Yes Virginia, There May Actually Be More Candidates on Your Ballot!

2011-12-31T14:06:00.002-06:00

Virginia's Attorney General is stepping into the GOP ballot bust. Via Fox:

"Recent events have underscored that our system is deficient," he said in a statement. "Virginia owes her citizens a better process. We can do it in time for the March primary if we resolve to do so quickly."

Cuccinelli's proposal is expected to state that if the Virginia Board of Elections certifies that a candidate is receiving federal matching funds, or has qualified to receive them, that candidate will upon request be automatically added to the ballot.

Two former Democratic attorneys general are also backing the move, along with a former Democratic state party chairman and a former Republican state party chairman.

Doug Powers points out that things will have to work quickly, however. Absentee ballots need to be mailed out by January 21.

The last polling I saw from Virginia (and there is likely something more recent) showed Rick Perry with a decent chance there, but that was back in October. Cain was still in the race then. Much has changed.

Here is how Virginia voted in 2008:

It does appear that the Virginia process is overly onerous and with Cucinelli getting bi-partisan support on this measure, we might be able to get a better result from Virginians as to their actual candidate preference.

Added: From CNN:

Four candidates left off the Virginia Republican primary ballot joined Rick Perry Saturday in suing the state's board of elections over laws they say are "unconstitutional."Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum joined the lawsuit, originally filed Tuesday, challenging provisions that determine who can appear on the primary ballot.

Traction.

More at Memeorandum.

Obama Prepares to Surrender Afghanistan

2011-12-31T13:36:00.001-06:00

Andrew McCarthy is sounding the alarm: Obama is preparing to surrender Afghanistan back to the Taliban:

The surrender is complete now. The Hindu reports that the Obama administration has turned to Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the Muslim Brotherhood’s leading jurist, to mediate secret negotiations between the United States and the Taliban.

ABC News reported yesterday that the Taliban is preparing to open its first official office in Qatar:

The office is expected to open as early as the next few months in Qatar, the officials told ABC News, and facilitate negotiations with the Taliban that will include unprecedented local ceasefires in Afghanistan and the transfer of Afghan prisoners from American prisons — even though they are labeled “high risk” to the U.S. and associated with the death of a CIA officer in 2001.

John Hinderaker at PowerLine points out that it would be a real "coup" for Obama to run for re-election on the boast that he's ended two wars, especially as unpopular as the Afghanistan incursion has been.

According to the Hindu report:

Earlier this month, the sources said, Mr. al-Qaradawi helped draw a road map for a deal between the Taliban and the United States, aimed at giving the superpower a face-saving political settlement ahead of its planned withdrawal from Afghanistan which is due to begin in 2014.

In return for the release of prisoners still held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay, the lifting of United Nations sanctions on its leadership and its recognition as a legitimate political group, the Taliban was expected to agree to sever its links to transnational organisations like al-Qaeda, end violence and eventually share power with the Afghan government.

Yet for Team Obama to recruit Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi is stunning. McCarthy has much more on him, referring to him as the "most influential Sunni Islamist in the world." McCarthy also points out that in 2003 he issued a fatwa calling for the killing of American troops in Iraq.

Is this the best guy we can find to support American interests in the region?

McCarthy has much more on Qaradawi:

I wrote about Qaradawi at length in The Grand Jihad and, here at NRO, have regularly catalogued his activities (see, e.g., here, here, here, here, and here; see also Andrew Bostom’s “Qaradawi’s Odious Vision”).

Debra Burlingame linked to this video in her Facebook feed of Qaradawi spewing vile antisemitism and vowing to kill Jews "even if in a wheelchair." He is bent on the destruction of Israel.

This is who Obama calls upon to bring peace to the region?

McCarthy sums it up best:

After thousands of young Americans have laid down their lives to protect the United States from jihadist terror, President Obama apparently seeks to end the war by asking Qaradawi, a jihad-stoking enemy of the United States, to help him strike a deal that will install our Taliban enemies as part of the sharia state we have been building in Afghanistan. If the Hindu report is accurate, the price tag will include the release of Taliban prisoners from Gitmo — an element of the deal Reuters has also reported. The administration will also agree to the lifting of U.N. sanctions against the Taliban, and recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political party (yes, just like the Muslim Brotherhood!). In return, the Taliban will pretend to forswear violence, to sever ties with al-Qaeda, and to cooperate with the rival Karzai regime.

It would mark one of the most shameful chapters in American history.

It nauseates me.

2012 Doesn't Look So Bright After All

2011-12-30T14:52:00.000-06:00

As January 2012 rolls in the incandescent light bulb begins to fade away.

The Energy Independence and Security Act - signed into law under president George W. Bush in 2007 - requires light bulbs to use at least 25 percent less energy and that friend endangers the good old-fashioned incandescent bulb.

Here’s the good news: those bulbs don't disappear immediately because the law unfolds in phases. But starting Sunday - the traditional 100-watt bulb will no longer be manufactured in this country. The next to go is the 75 watt bulb next January... And in 2014 we'll be saying goodbye to the 40 and 60 watt versions.

It doesn't exactly speak well of the Republicans that they couldn't even save the light bulb.

The squirrely, curly CFL light bulbs, as we all know by now, practically require a hazmat team to come in when you break one:

Have people and pets leave the room.
Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb:
- stiff paper or cardboard;
- sticky tape;
- damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and
- a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.

Once you've cleaned up the mess (don't use the vacuum!), sealed it and placed it outdoors, you should continue to air out the house for several hours and leave the heat or a/c off.

Look, incandescent bulbs are inexpensive, provide nice light, and can even be a heat source, thus potentially reducing heating bills. But the bottom line is the total nanny-state-ness of the government, Republican or Democratic, telling me what kind of light bulb I can use, well, it's just intolerable.

And in case we're all too stupid to figure the light bulb situation out, some greenie has even developed an app to help us out:

View bulb images, cost, savings, and environmental impact. Create shopping lists, and buy bulbs directly through the app or at local stores.

If you haven't planned ahead and stocked up on incandescent bulbs, there is still time. Stores will be allowed to sell them until supplies run out. Home Depot and Lowes are reported to have plenty at the moment, and there's always Amazon.

As for me, I've been stockpiling 100 watt bulbs for a couple of years. I'm not likely to ever run out unless I open a black market operation. I hate the CFLs and am not a big fan of the LEDs.

I guess we could just go back to candles and do away with all of them. But then, it wouldn't be too long before liberals found something wrong with that, too.

Have an Espresso...

2011-12-29T19:32:00.000-06:00

...and Tiramisu. Heaven.

Jon Huntsman Doesn't Have a Clue What Happens in Iowa

2011-12-29T13:41:00.002-06:00

If Jon Huntsman was ever going to get any votes at all in Iowa, I'd say he just lost most of those:

"They pick corn in Iowa," Huntsman said on CBS' The Early Show, "and pick presidents here in New Hampshire."

Seriously? Jon Huntsman doesn't have a clue about Iowa (and neither do many of those folks leaving comments at the CBS link, either).

Mr. Huntsman might be interested to know that Iowa is home to over 4,100 manufacturing firms that employ over 198,000 people; in 2008 the total GDP for Iowa's industries was over $135 billion. According to this report from Iowa State University, "Iowa ranks 2nd among all states in the percentage of total GDP derived from the manufacturing sector."

Rockwell Collins has its headquarters in Cedar Rapids and is a leader in aerospace and defense engineering. They employ about 7,300 people.

John Deere has divisions in Dubuque, Urbandale, Davenport and Waterloo Iowa. The Waterloo Division alone employs about 4,700 people.

Alcoa has an aluminum manufacturing plant on the Mississippi River in Davenport which employs about 2,200 people. This plant develops the metal for America's aerospace program and for America's major aircraft for Airbus and Boeing.

Certainly Mr. Huntsman has heard of Winnebago? They're headquartered in Forest City, IA.

Vermeer Company is in Pella, IA and makes agricultural and industrial products that are distributed worldwide.

Has Mr. Huntsman even been to Des Moines? What a beautiful, wonderful city that is! There's a world class art museum, a top notch science museum, and any number of four star restaurants and fine dining at your beck and call. The city sports modern displays of public art, fountains, and sports events. The state capital is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Blank Park Zoo is one of the finest zoos anywhere with everything from birds, to bald eagles, flamingos, monkeys, elephants, lions, seals, you name it.

Do they grow corn in Iowa? You bet they do. But is that all there is to Iowa? No way.

No wonder Mr. Huntsman is polling 3% in Iowa.

I bet it's less than that after this boneheaded statement.

(H/T: Sara)

New Year's Eve 2012 in Shreveport BUMPED AND UPDATED

2011-12-29T12:41:00.000-06:00

Scroll down for updates

It's Christmas Eve but lots of folks are already making New Year's Eve plans. I'm posting my annual guide now because many of these events require advance reservations.

Here is a line up of your choices this year if you're in Shreveport:

At Harrah's Louisiana Downs there will be a free New Year's Eve party featuringentertainment by Disco Inferno, DJ Love and a spectacularfireworks show! The show starts at 8:00.

At Valencia on Cross Lake there will be a grand Gala. Website here:

BWebbConnected is looking forward to raise the bar and bring to Shreveport-Bossier City one of the hottest celebrations to welcome in 2012!~All-Star Line Up Entertainment~Shreveport-Bossier City's Own~**Alter Ego Live Band Entertainment** *Louisiana Go DJ Slim Live in the Mix**NYE Gala Details:The VIP Pass grants you Early Access -Guided escort to your VIP seating area to enjoy an intimate 5-course meal**, Champagne or Premium Brand drink of choice and a Jazz ensemble with lakefront view. Champagne Toast at Midnight. NYE Party Favors.General Admission:-Hot Hors D'Oeuvres Buffet Style-Champagne Toast at Midnight-NYE Party Favors>>Formal/Semi-Formal Dress Attire Appreciated<<~Tickets Info~ **This is an ALL-INCLUSIVE EVENT**VIP PASS-$85**General Admission (Open Bar Armband)-$40*General Admission (Entry & Hot Hors D'oeuvres)-$25Tickets can be purchased at www.nye2012gala.com or TOO GROOVE in Pierre Bossier Mall or call 318-820-6395. Space is limited!!

Dominique's Event Facility on Texas Street has a party:

Dominique's Event Facility now open: New Year's Eve party will be over the top, the tickets are $20.00 at the door come and bring in the New Years in an elegant and historical atmosphere. There will be free food and cash bar . Please call for more information (318)402-935.

Sam's Town Casino in downtown Shreveport will have Rockin' Dopsie, Jr., free party favors, and champagne at midnight.

The El Dorado Casino is having a masquerade ball with a cash prize; details here:

The Elite Masquerade Ball, sponsored by Stoli Elit Vodka, is December 31 in Eldorado’s Celebrity and Allure Ultra Lounge. Dress for the Masquerade and walk the red carpet – the best masks win cash. Reserve your table with bottle service, featuring Stoli Elit and champagne, or order your entry wrist band today. Rock in the New Year with Triggerproof live in Celebrity Lounge. Sophisticated nightlife attire required. Doors open at 7 pm and space WILL GO FAST. Table reservations and general admission wristbands are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Holiday Lanes on Old Minden Road in Bossier City is ringing in the New Year bowling. It's a kid friendly event. See here for options.

9:00 pm - Bowl in our New Year with Holiday Lanes. You can enjoy a great night of bowling, food and drinks with your friends and family. Our fantastic New Year's Eve party package gives you:

UNLIMITED Intergalactic Bowling all night (9 pm - 2 am)
Breakfast Platter
Party Favor Pack
Glass of bubbly at midnight (or regular fountain drink for under 21's)

Another kid-friendly event is at SciPort at noon:

Start the New Year off with us this year at our annual New Year's at Noon party on Saturday, December 31. As the clock strikes Noon in Shreveport, we will be commemorating our East Asian counterparts as they celebrate their New Year at Midnight. Come celebrate, and learn about the traditions of East Asian cultures, which include our traditional Dragon Dance! Plan to count down to Noon at Sci-Port with a balloon drop!

Fatty Arbuckle's in downtown Shreveport is hosting an event with Flow Tribe.

Chicky's Boom Boom Room on Texas Street downtown will have Bushrod Jenkins kicking off at 11. I can vouch for the wonderful oysters on the half shell at Chicky's!

Nearby, The Noble Savage will have Dirty Red Jazz. Dinner is from 7-10 and reservations are required. Those spots are going fast so act quickly. Wild Boar is on the menu!

Lake Street Dance Hall will feature the Bayou Boogie Band but seats are limited to 100 so make your reservations! (Bonus! Buddy Flett will be there Friday for a Blues Happy Hour from 5 - 7!)

Updates with more events to follow as they develop. If you know of an event, drop me a line and I'll post it.

Added:

The Northwest Louisiana Square and Round Dance Association will be dancing in the New Year at the Promenade Hall, 5400 Benton Road, in Bossier City. Snacks and finger foods provided; Admission is $15 per couple and $8 individual. Call 318-752-1474 for more information.

The American Legion Post 14 hosts its annual NYE bash. Music will be provided by the Rockin Red Eye band. A breakfast buffet will be served and there will be a cash bar, party favors, and fireworks. Details here.

Code 3 will host its New Years Eve bash again this year with The Smith Brothers band. This will be the club's last big party before it goes under new ownership so there will be deep discounts at the bar. It should be a grand time! Code 3 is located right next to Beams Restaurant at 2826 Barksdale Blvd.

The Robinson Film Center will be screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 10 p.m. Come dressed up, of course, and enjoy some cheap champagne. After the film, watch the ball drop on the big screen. Big fun!

(12/30/11: The event at the RFC is now sold out)

Update: Fat Cats is having a party:

One of the area's hottest, most buzzed about new bands of the year, Super Water Sympathy, will help ring in the new year at Fat Cats, 10 p.m.- 2 a.m. Dec. 31. Fresh off the release of their debut album, "Vesper Belle," the quintet will perform live with Jacob Davis on stage under a big heated tent between Fat Cats and City Bar.

The event will include drinks, a light show, Mario Kart and Super Mario 3 video games, as well as Micronesian designer Vegas Rose IV, who will be developing Oxygen Child Y.

A reader asked about taxi services - a very good point. Put some of these numbers into your cell phone before you head out:

Golden Stripe Cab: 318-675-0411
Able Taxi: 318-459-3800
Action Taxi: 318-222-8294
Yellow Checker Cab: 318-621-9823
Ace Cabs: 318-425-3325

I've used most of these companies to shuttle The Teenager to work before he got a car. I don't have complaints from any of them. Ace Cabs gets high marks here, though.

Added:

You want to eat first and you're not going to an event that serves food? Well, if you're partying at one of the casinos, they each have multiple dining options. Other than that, here are some SIGIS recommendations (and I'm noting local places, not chains. We have plenty of those too if that's your preference):

We love The Blind Tiger in the downtown area. It's casual, has great food and atmosphere, and has a bar. It's on the corner of Texas and Spring so you can people watch while you eat.

Close to downtown but on the fringes, we like the neighborhood Fat Boys Bar and Grill. They've got the best hamburgers in town. We like the onion rings and sweet potato fries, too. I also like the beef quesadillas. An added bonus, the service is the friendliest I've found anywhere.

You want something a little more formal? You can't beat L'Italiano on Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier City. It sits in the shadow of the casinos and five minutes from downtown Shreveport. It's fine dining Italian and if you're lucky, Claudio will cruise by your table and sing in Italian. Beautiful! They've got fabulous specials each day and I favor the fish dishes.

Away from downtown yet nestled amongst all the plain vanilla chain places is Vince's Southport Restaurant. We love the Steam Pot: a plate full of boiled shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn. Can't beat it!

Another great neighborhood place is Marilynn's; it's located in a renovated service station and follows that theme. There's a deck for outside seating and jazz playing over the speakers. The menu is New Orleans style: po-boys, red beans and rice, shrimp creole, and beignets on demand.

If you're in the mood for Mexican food, our favorite is Nicky's on Airline Drive. Again, great service and the best Mexican food.

Added 12/30/11: The Shreveport Times list of events.

Quote of the Day

2011-12-27T23:50:00.000-06:00

Of all the arguments for giving amnesty to illegal immigrants, the most foolish is the argument that we can't find and expel all of them. There is not a law on the books that someone has not violated, including laws against murder, and we certainly have not found and prosecuted all the violators -- whether murderers or traffic law violators. But do we then legalize all the illegalities we haven't been able to detect and prosecute?

Thomas Sowell

Irony Flips and Flops and Other Loose Thoughts

2011-12-27T21:36:00.001-06:00

Can't seem to get my head to focus on any one issue today. We've been working on Mr. SIGIS's man-cave today and I'm pondering the irony of that. If it's a Man-Cave, shouldn't HE be decorating it? Yeah, so I'm done with that.

Speaking of irony, isn't there some irony in Rick Perry suing Virginia over its "onerous" ballot requirements? Taegan Goddard beat me in noting that out loud, but it's true, nonetheless. That being said, I'm not sure he doesn't have a point. Allahpundit:

So I ask again: Is he right? A law professor interviewed by NBC says the lawsuit “now faces long odds, both legally and politically” (partly because they should have challenged Virginia’s requirements earlier), but some federal appellate courts have sided with Perry on this. Here’s one case, from the Tenth Circuit, finding state residency requirements for petition circulators unconstitutional; two other federal appellate courts have ruled similarly. The question is whether the Fourth Circuit, which covers Virginia, will rule the same way. How lucky do you feel?

Lucky!

We shall see.

And speaking of Rick Perry, his new stance on abortion is raising some eyebrows. He now opposes abortion in all circumstances:

“That transformation was after watching the DVD, ‘The Gift of Life,’” Perry said. “And I really started giving some thought about the issue of rape and incest. And some powerful, some powerful stories in that DVD.”

Perry said a woman who appeared in the movie who said she was a product of rape moved him to change his mind about abortion.

Iowa caucuses are a week away; coincidence or no?

“She said, ‘My life has worth.’ It was a powerful moment for me,” Perry said.

It sounds sincere. Allahpundit, again:

For argument’s sake, I’ll give you three reasons why this might not be pure political expedience at work. One: It wouldn’t be the first time personal testimony on a hot-button issue made a deep impression on Perry. His experience with Heather Burcham clearly touched him too. Two: It seems almost too desperate. Precisely because the timing reeks of expedience, there’s a risk that more social cons will perceive it as pandering and will dismiss him as a phony than will be charmed by his newfound commitment. If he was going to flip on this for reasons of political gain, why not do it several weeks ago instead of in the middle of his final Iowa push? Three, most importantly: How does he gain from it, really?

One of the comments at Hot Air:

It is part of the problem I have with him. He is too easily led astray of what is right by what is “right” in a progressive way. Obviously moving to the right on abortion is not a progressive direction, but what happens when it is illegal aliens or even people in other countries who want to come here on the tax payer dime for life saving medical care? I sure as hell do not want to be paying for their healthcare because Perry met some Guatemalan refugee in need of a transplant.

It's a valid point, but again, it's a stance that is consistent with Perry's faith and positions. I'm willing to believe him on this one. He's going to spend the rest of the campaign defending it, though. He's forfeited the "flip-flopper" card against Mittens now.

People that know Perry and have met him, for the most part, trumpet his sincerity and down home, plain folks demeanor. There is, it seems to me, a reason why he's never lost an election, and that may be part of it.

I'm still pulling for Perry. Even if it IS a flip-flop, it's one against the many of Mittens. This one at least has a smatch of sincerity in it.

Of course, there's Santorum, surging, who hasn't needed to flip on this issue.

Ah well, Iowa is but a brick in the long road of this campaign and Iowa's record of picking the eventual nominee is just over 50% (if you go by a Paul-Bot's analysis.)

Here's Rick Perry's latest ad:

Christmas: The Down Side

2011-12-26T11:15:00.000-06:00

SIGIS Gets Restless

2011-12-23T15:24:00.000-06:00

We got a little stir crazy yesterday and had to get out of the house. As much as I loathe the Christmas traffic, we found a way around that: there's not usually a lot of traffic in a cemetery.

Our first stop was the veterans section at the Greenwood Cemetery. I've posted before about the Kelley brothers who are buried there, and we wanted to leave a Christmas wreath for them. Regular readers will recall that Bose Kelley died on D-Day in France; his brother William died shortly after, in September. For some reason, we've sort of 'adopted' them and leave flags on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and July 4.

When we arrived someone had already been by with fresh flags for each and a little Christmas bouquet. They must have surviving family here because there is always some remembrance on the graves regardless of the holiday.

We left our wreaths anyway.

Steve has become intrigued with another soldier buried there: Kenney Dean Chappell. He was a Purple Heart recipient and died at the age of 20, apparently in Vietnam. Just a kid.

We left him a Christmas cross and a flag.

And I found this fellow:

...who died on Christmas Day, 1941. Purple Heart. We left a flag.

If I had enough time on my hands, money, and the crafty skills, I'd make a Christmas wreath for every soldier out there and place them every single year.

From there, we went to investigate a couple of antique stores in town.

I fell in love with this little dog and had to bring him home:

He just looked like he'd been loved once, a lot, by someone and needed a new home. I'm a sucker for stuff like that.

I thought this dress was Christmasy and festive, but didn't spring the $165 for it:

"Vintage Victor Costa" the tag said.

I liked this cute milk glass plate:

And my jaw dropped when I saw the price on these Shiny Brite ornaments:

I know those things are collectible, but $50? Seriously?!

I found a cut crystal powder bowl with a sterling lid that happened to have my grandmother's name engraved on it, and I bought that.

We finished off our day by coming home and watching Christmas Vacation which is funny every time I watch it!

Our restlessness abated, we are settled in now for the holiday and I don't plan to emerge until sometime next week with the exception of my daily trip to my mom's.

Merry Christmas!

Rick Perry for President: A SIGIS Endorsement

2011-12-22T12:05:00.000-06:00

The conservative blogosphere is beginning to eat its own, it seems, in a microcosm of the state of the Republican party as a whole.

Should we fall in line behind the bland, flip-flopping Mitt Romney with his RomneyCare baggage or the cranky, bristly, erudite Gingrich who has so many facets that invite attack? Is it too late for Rick Santorum? Will Bachmann make a comeback? Ron Paul? Out of the question. Yet, each of these candidates has supporters.

The Republicans have been struggling for quite some time to reconcile the conservative side with the "big tent" side and that argument is playing out quite clearly in the nomination process.

Several conservative bloggers have come out this week for Rick Perry. The run down:

Ace of Spades came out on the 19th with a lengthy endorsement of Perry. A snip:

The media and liberals (but I repeat myself) will attack Perry, predictably, as stupid, but there is a strong rebuttal to such a claim: If he can't perform the duties of Chief Executive, then how is he's been successfully performing the duties of Chief Executive?

America, and especially the Republican party, has long favored elevating governors to the presidency. Governors are, after all, the presidents of single states. They have nearly the exact same duties and functions (including even maintaining and controlling the state national guards). They have similar executive powers and set the agendas for their respective legislatures. In the case of border states such as Texas, they even require some foreign policy making duties.

No job in the world really prepares someone for the Presidency. But one job, more than any other, comes fairly close to doings so.

So Rick Perry cannot handle high executive office? Then how is it he's been doing just that for 11 years?

(And if you want to object that Texas has a weak-governor system, with a lot of power vested in the lieutenant governor position -- well, they claimed that about George W. Bush, too. And claimed that Rick Perry actually was doing all the hard stuff in his then-position of Lieutenant Governor. So wherever the power lies in Texas, Perry has handled it, in both jobs.)

It's a quite lengthy post and you should read the whole thing.

A group of Red State bloggers also have come out for Perry:

Perry is well-prepared by experience and temperament to take on the presidency. He’s the longest-serving Governor in the history of the nation’s second-largest state. He’s a calm, steady hand at the helm, with strong Christian faith and a stable family. He’s come up from humble, rural roots, served his country overseas in the Air Force, and made a living in the private sector as a rancher and cotton farmer. Perry is studious and deliberate in making decisions, and resolute without being unduly stubborn in carrying them out; when he’s erred, as with the Gardasil controversy, he’s backed down, but when he’s right he sticks to his guns. He’s been tested by crises in office, including Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008 (as well as the 300,000 refugees sent into Texas by Hurricane Katrina) and 2011′s wildfires. And he’ll appoint conservatives aplenty to his administration: a look at who he will owe his nomination to, if he pulls this out, tells us that. Armed with conservative convictions and surrounded by solid conservative advisors, Perry has the necessary experience and temperament to get the job done.

It's not a site endorsement, but still, ten of the Red State bloggers signed the post.

Mike Flynn at Big Government posts his personal endorsement for Perry:

Perry has clearly been a good Governor. He has not, however, been a great candidate. His early campaign was too Texas-centric. We all know about his debate performances. He has positions I disagree with. And his campaign has made some steps I also disagree with. But, I believe he could be a great President. He understand the limits of government, the power of the private sector to create prosperity and the dangers government policies pose to that. And, I believe he understands these principles in a more fundamental way than the other candidates.

Over the next few years, America will face some existential questions. Will American exceptionalism endure or will we slip into a quasi-European welfare state in permanent decline? Our present trajectory is unsustainable. Even with a Republican House and, most likely, a Republican Senate after next year, the GOP in Washington doesn’t seem quite up to the task of reclaiming that “shining city on the hill.” They can’t quite get beyond repainting a house whose foundation has cracked. We will need a President who is a strong leader with very grounded conservative convictions to navigate our way back to prosperity. One who understand that Washington has already assumed too much power and that future economic growth and personal liberty requires rolling back much of that power.

Rick Perry is that man.

Don Surber has NOT endorsed Perry but he has noted Ace's post and calls Perry "the last conservative standing":

Rick Perry needs to stop trying to work the social issues and instead relax, be himself and have fun with the whole campaign. He seems to enjoy pressing the flesh and of everyone running, including President Downgrade, Rick Perry is the guy you want to have a beer with because he’ll pay and it will be a Lone Star. I can see voting for such a man.

That said, I am not endorsing anyone at this point.

But on a scale of conservatism with 10 being Reagan and 1 being Carter, I give Rick Perry a 9. Sure, the HPV vaccine was a mistake but it was one made for the right reason: To save lives.

Michele Bachmann has no chance. Rick Santorum ditto. Rick Perry is the last conservative standing.

Pundette has not offered an endorsement yet, either, but she's had one foot on the Perry train, like myself, since day one. She offers this:

I have a dream: As the Newt balloon continues to deflate, it will come down to a choice between Perry and Romney. A comparison of their records will yield a clear choice for conservatives.

I don't think she means Romney. Pundette posts Perry's most recent ads here.

That said, Stacy McCain is very much NOT on the Perry bandwagon:

You know, I remember attending a speech Labor Day weekend where somebody talked about the problem with “crony capitalism.” Looks like there’s a sort of Solyndra thing going on in the Lone Star State.

But never mind me: I’m just a “low-information” guy, not part of the AOSHQ/Red State Rick Perry Blog Bandwagon...

In fact, Stacy seems rather befuddled that anyone would even consider Perry.

SIGIS is not one of those big traffic blogs like Red State or Big Government and my endorsement likely won't carry much weight with anyone. But I've never been shy about going on record.

When the Louisiana primary rolls around in March, I'm pulling the lever for Perry. My reasons coincide with all of those previously stated by the above cited bloggers. I can't vote for Mitt Romney. If ends up being the nominee, I'll have to vote for him. But as long as I've got a choice, I'm going with the conservatism of Perry. I like Bachmann but she doesn't have the executive experience of Perry.

The main case against Perry, as far as I can tell, is that his debate skills are not as polished as some of the other candidates (although he has improved drastically), and the Gardisil mess. If, as Newt contends, those in public service for a long time learn from their mistakes, I'm willing to believe that Perry learned from that one. He says he has, and I believe him. The other case against Perry is apparently that he sounds too much like George W. Bush and that America may not be ready to elect another Texas governor.

Bullhockey.

What America needs is a true conservative and I believe most Americans are ready to vote for one. I think a dust bunny could beat Obama at this point. Can Rick Perry stand up to the billion dollar Obama war chest and the sneaky machinations of ACORN other dirty dealings?

All I can say is don't mess with Texas. Rick Perry will make a very formidable opponent.

Via Pundette, meet Anita Perry:

Rick Perry for President.

Added: The Daley Gator endorsed Perry too, which I missed. Sorry, Doug!

Added: Pecan Corner is a longtime Perry supporter!

Christmas Links

2011-12-21T12:22:00.001-06:00

It's taken me a few days to recover from the SIGIS family Christmas gathering and to get the fall semester closed out at school, but today I slept until 9:15 and feel almost human! I got out this morning and picked up the last couple of items on my Christmas shopping list and now that's done.

I have to run mom to a doctor's appointment this afternoon and after that, well, it's time to settle in and enjoy the season. I'm going to start watching my annual lineup of Christmas movies. The Bishop's Wife (pictured) is up first. Steve and I are planning a day trip to Natchitoches to see the lights and enjoy the historic district right after Christmas.

While I'm celebrating Christmas, my blogging buddies have the political front covered:

Pundit and Pundette has some great stuff this week. There's a couple of posts on Rick Perry and/or conservatives I thoroughly enjoyed, and today she takes on Newt.

Also NOT in Newt's camp would be Bride of Rove.

Political Clown Parade has an Obama Christmas carol you shouldn't miss.

Professor Jacobson has a bit of a contest going.

In all the Christmas prep around here, I missed the news that the incandescent light bulb has been reprieved.

A Cop's Watch has cop Christmas cards.

I'll be back to political blogging in a day or so. Meanwhile, check the links and enjoy the season.

The SIGIS Christmas Party

2011-12-18T14:00:00.001-06:00

I believe we have survived the family Christmas gathering. After cooking, shopping, cleaning, and decorating since Thanksgiving, Christmas exploded all over my house last night.

The tree began to accumulate gifts underneath early in the day:

Everyone gathered around 4:00. The son-in-law played "doggie golf" with the black Lab (the dog loves this: you lob the tennis ball out into the backyard with a golf club and he'll fetch it as long as you can stand to play):

Steve and his son:

Inside, this was a popular spot:

We got my mom over and she held out for a while. She enjoyed seeing the grandkids and great grandkids. We took her back home when she got tired:

My daughter will hate this picture but I think she's so cute. She parked herself by the Chex Mix and I sent her home later with a huge bag full:

When it was time to eat we all feasted on ham, au-gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, and wild rice 'n shrimp casserole. For the sweet tooth there was fudge, pralines, rum cake, fruitcake cookies and gingerbread men:

After dinner it was time for presents...:

...which the kids loved:

The guys had to keep a check on the Dallas game:

There was lots of visiting and playing with new toys:

But eventually things wound down and Christmas is now pretty much in the books for this year.

On Christmas Day we will have a quiet day and exchange a few last gifts. The Teenager will get his haul then. On the 26th the tree will be on the curb!

All in all it was a fun evening! Two more days of school and I'm off for a couple of weeks for some much needed rest!

And now? Time to catch up on what's been happening in the world this week.

Random Thoughts

2011-12-16T22:23:00.000-06:00

It would not be Christmas without some family drama, no?

I love, love, love Darius Rucker's voice.

Why don't people send Christmas cards anymore? I mean, I get a few, but....not like I used to.

When you get down to cleaning the leaves of your corn plant, you've cleaned enough.

Why does my XM radio forsake the 40s on 4 for Holidays songs? Why not a rap channel?

I get maudlin at Christmas and really miss people that aren't here anymore.

Why doesn't the school board end the semester on a Friday rather than have kids come back on a Monday and Tuesday before we break for Christmas?

I spend a month decorating for Christmas and whip that bitch back into the closet in one day. Done!

What are the chances of a Rick Perry resurgence? I'm hopeful.

And delusional.

I wish I lived on the ocean.

I saw a TV commercial for the Wounded Warrior Project last night and told Steve: "That's who Carol will write a check to when LSU wins the BCS Championship!"

I really like The Dave Matthews Band but wish he'd keep his politics to himself. I can't even watch Sean Penn or Johnny Depp or listen to Barbra Streisand without hearing their personal political views. Entertainers should just entertain.

Steve posted this hilarious photo on his Facebook that he took today:

Seriously? You can spell "furniture" but not "huge"? And you color "Hugh Yard Sale" and NOT NOTICE?

WTF????!!!!

Is anybody there?

Live-Blogging the Sioux City Debate UPDATED

2011-12-15T19:33:00.000-06:00

We're about half an hour from debate time. I've been busy this evening wrapping gifts and making a rum cake so I haven't done much debate prep. I'll send you over to Pundette for that who has two excellent posts (and like me, seems to still be pulling for a Rick Perry resurgence). Also check out Professor Jacobson who is also blogging the debate tonight and has some excellent debate prep.

Meanwhile, I better go eat some dark chocolate covered espresso beans if I'm going to stay awake for this thing.

8:10: Wow. No fluffy introductions or battle music. Straight to the questions. Brett Baier asks Newt if he's electable. Newt's response? Merry Christmas! Oh, wait. Now Newt is saying he should get the nod because he can debate Obama. Yeah, well, that might make for interesting TV but ...

Newt is trying to convince us he's conservative. I'm not convinced. So far he's rattling off credentials that show he's been in Washington a long freaking time. Not a plus for me.

Megyn Kelley points out to Ron Paul that lots of folks don't think he can get elected. Ron Paul says anybody up there can beat Obama and the crowd loves that.

Rick Santorum is here sporting a peppermint striped tie. That is all.

Mitt smirks. Irritating.

Mitt touts himself as a private sector dude.

Bachmann has an up-do tonight. Are you too conservative, she's asked. Seriously?

To Perry: Why aren't you a great debator? How can you possibly run for president against Obama because of your lousy debating skills? Perry: I'm gettin' better at this and I hope Obama and I get to debate a lot!

He actually is getting better at debates, but that's not saying much. He pulls the Tebow card. "I hope I'm the Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses." WTF?

Huntsman is orange.

"We're getting SCREWED as Americans!" says Huntsman as he notes that we're "on the cusp of a third government shut-down."

8:20: A gridlock in Washington question with a 30 second response time down the line.

Newt: We have "a Saul Alinsky radical" as commander in chief....

Perry: Obama is the biggest example of "on the job training" we've ever seen and we need someone with executive experience that knows how to lead.

Romney doesn't like the 30 second limit.

Mitt: "This president doesn't know how the economy works. I believe to create jobs you have to have created jobs."

Chris Wallace gets a Fannie Mae question and is asked how that is not hypocritical to his current stance. "I was a private citizen engaged in business!" "I worked for years for Habitat for Humanity!"

To Ron Paul, a question about his negative Newt ads. Chris Wallace is inviting a throw-down between candidates here and I guess Newt will jump all over him for that before long.

Mitt looks confused as Ron Paul babbles.

Newt: I did no lobbying of any kind for any organization.

Bachmann: He cashed checks from Freddie Mac! He's defending the continuing practice of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae! I'm SHOCKED!

Newt: That's not true! "Sometimes people ought to have FACTS before they make wild accusations."

Throw down.

8:45: Had a computer freeze and lost a bunch of fascinating live-blog commentary but Rick Perry had a good burst there for a minute. He said, in response to the comments about Newt's lobbying activities that the fact that we can't tell the difference between "lobbying" and "consulting" is exactly what's wrong with Washington right now. He cited his part-time Congress meme and got wild applause from the audience. When it was pointed out to him that Congress worked 152 days last year and he was asked, "How much more part time do you want them to be?", Perry replied, "I would suggest to you 140 days every other year which is what we do in Texas." Wild applause. Good showing by Perry.

8:50: I'll update more often since my computer is acting funky.

8:55: Much discussion on Newt's lame-brain plan to have Congress oversee justices. Panel question: Favorite Supreme Court justice?

Perry: We should no longer have life-time terms on the bench. He likes Alito, Thomas and Roberts. As does Mitt. And Newt. He says Scalia is probably the most intellectual. Ron Paul: They're all good and they're all bad. Bachmann: Scalia at the top of her list. Likes Roberts, too. Huntsman: The great thing about this country is that we have rule of law!

Break.

What was up with that favorite justice question anyway? Did they think anyone would say Ginsberg? Lame.

9:05: Hour number two. Here we go. Foreign policy. And of course to Ron Paul first.

Why no Fast and Furious questions, by the way?

Ron Paul doesn't believe Iran has nukes. No UN evidence! It's all war propaganda!

He scares the hell out of me.

9:15: Another computer freeze.

Ron Paul babbled for several minutes about Iran not having nukes and Bachmann stared at him like he's an alien. Ron Paul is just dangerous. Period.

Romney had a good answer on American strength through the military. A strong military keeps other nations from testing us, he said.

Ron Paul is about to stroke out about a drone flying over Iran and seems convinced that we just want to go bomb Iran for the hell of it.

9:16: Bachmann says Ron Paul is dangerous. She points out the IAEA report and Ron Paul says "There's no UN report!" He falls back to Cuba and the Bay of Pigs. No real correlation there but he's stickin' to it.

From that crazy train we go back to Newt. A UN question. Newt wants to dramatically reduce our reliance on it. Amen to that.

9:17: Huntsman says fix problems at home before we fix problems overseas. He gets double dinged with the timer.

To Perry, a question on Syria. At what point should the United States consider military action there? Perry restates his previous no-fly position and says Obama has the "most muddled" foreign policy he's ever seen in his lifetime.

Cavuto moves on to energy issues and has a Keystone pipeline question. To Newt: How should Republicans force the issue? Newt: I'm trying not to appear "zany!" Heh!

So then Newt proceeds to blast Obama's position on Keystone. "Utterly irrational" is what Newt says Obama's position on that is. "It makes no sense to any normal, rational American." Wild applause.

Cavuto: You didn't answer my question.

Newt: Attach it to a middle class tax cut, send it to the president and force him to veto it. Don't back down.

9:23: To Huntsman: Does the need to protect land every trump the need to create jobs? He's babbling something about disrupting the oil monopoly. We have to have natural gas, he says. He isn't answering the environment question.

To Bachmann: What would be an acceptable period for oil drilling to cease (following a similar accident as the BP accident). She says the moratorium hurt the economy more than the original disaster. Keystone is extremely important, she says. "If I was president of the US, I wouldn't have taken the position he did." It was all political to appease the environmentalists, she says. He's put his re-election over jobs.

9:27: Perry: Today is the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights. I like the 10th Amendment a lot.

He's answering a tax policy question and Solyndra. "Government shouldn't be pickin' winners and losers from Washington!"

9:32: A border question for Perry. Finally! A Fast and Furious question! Audience applauds. "Are you and other Republicans politicizing this issue?" Perry says as president, if his Attorney General DIDN'T know about such an operation he would have him resign immediately. Applause.

Perry says despite what the president says, our border is NOT safe. Venezuela has the largest Iranian embassy in the world, he says. (Ron Paul would not see a problem with that.)

Oh! Rick Santorum is still here. He'd fire his Attorney General and not give him a chance to resign.

9:35: To Romney: "Why would illegal immigrants voluntarily leave America" and return to their country of origin in order to apply for legal status when you said you aren't going to round them up?

Because they'll have a plastic card. If they're legal, they'll have a card. If you hire them and they don't have a card, MAJOR sanctions. In other words, they won't be able to work so they'll go home. Back of the line.

9:38: Newt stands by his if-you've-been-here 25 years or more thing. He'd drop all the lawsuits against Arizona, etc.

Huntsman says we don't need to pander; Republicans need to stay true to their values. The president has screwed up the economy so bad, he says, nobody is coming anymore anyway.

9:40: Abortion, gay rights, and guns. Flip-flop question to Romney. Are you a flip-flopper? Romney takes exception to the gay rights issue: I am firmly against people being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation but I am against gay marriage. Hunh?

9:42: I'm pro-gun!, Romney says. Wallace points out he supported a 5 day waiting period and an assault weapons ban.

9:44: Romney: I have been a champion of traditional marriage.

To Bachmann: Wallace now pits her against Newt on the issue of when life begins. Bachmann says Newt opted not to defund Planned Parenthood when he was Speaker. She also throws partial birth abortion at him.

Newt: "Sometimes Congresswoman Bachmann does not get her facts just right." He believes life begins at conception, he says. Says he is against experimentation on embryos. Bachmann insists on defending herself: she says "I'm a serious candidate for president of the United States and my facts are accurate." Good for her.

9:50: Brett Baier: Reagan's 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican. You've all broken that. Who is less electable than Obama?

Santorum: Let's find out who has the best record; who can stand up. Who fights for the principles we believe in?

Perry: The Republican chairman said that, not Reagan, he says. Perry gives kudos to the other candidates.

Romney: Obama has a billion dollars to go after me or whoever the nominee is, but it's Obama we have to be talking about - not each other.

Newt: Overall I've tried very hard to talk about big solutions. All these people would be better than Obama.

Paul: Iran doesn't have nukes! No, kidding. The media hasn't asked enough questions and we have to fill in! We have to draw the line and not hit below the belt.

Bachmann: Reagan brought clarity to the opponents in his primaries. "Are we better off today than we were four years ago under Jimmy Carter?" We have to ask ourselves if we are better off.

Huntsman: I worked for Reagan! Debate is good. I'm orange!

*Sigh.

Good night for Rick Perry when he got air time. Romney held his own. Slow and steady. Paul is crazy as a run over dog. Bachmann was very strong. Very strong.

So glad this is the last debate of the year.

Peace.

The Dog Ate My Christmas Present

2011-12-15T06:34:00.000-06:00

I'm going to try to live-blog the debate tonight. I'm still pulling Christmas together for the family gathering this weekend, but I want to try to watch this debate. I've been wrapping, baking, and cleaning like a madwoman.

I was in the middle of teaching Act 4 of Julius Caesar when I got a text message from The Teenager. (See photo below). I'd made the mistake of thinking the two year old Lab would not eat the presents I'd put under the tree. Wrong.

The next 48 hours are going to be filled with more cleaning, polishing, setting things up, and lots more cooking. But, the debate looms. I want to see this one.

One thing we should all keep in mind is that Iowa doesn't seal the deal. It seems that so many pundits are staking everything on Iowa but so much can change during the course of this campaign. Remember, in 2008 it looked like Hillary was going to be the nominee for the longest. Heck, Ron Paul might very well win Iowa. Just sayin'....

If you missed the National Review's Not-Newt recommendation:

We fear that to nominate former Speaker Newt Gingrich, the frontrunner in the polls, would be to blow this opportunity.

Gingrich has always said he wants to transform the country. He appears unable to transform, or even govern, himself. He should be an adviser to the Republican party, but not again its head.

The NRO editors suggest another look at Romney, Huntsman, or Santorum.

Huntsman?!

Sigh. I'm still wondering about a Perry resurgence.

There's a long way to go yet. While Iowa is important, it's not the end of the line. There's still a lot of changing ground under us.

Check back later for live-blogging.

Christmas Countdown Frenzy

2011-12-11T18:33:00.001-06:00

We're in full Christmas mode here at SIGIS. I've been cooking like crazy this week in anticipation of the big family gathering this coming Saturday here at my house. We're a small family but I'm still expecting 20 for dinner. We have much to celebrate and be thankful for this year.

So far I have made four huge batches of Chex mix (the traditional salty kind) and two batches of the sweet version. I've made two batches of fudge, one batch of pralines, and one batch of fruitcake cookies.

I've bought all the presents except for one. I've wrapped half of those. The tree is done. Since my niece's child doesn't read my blog (he's six), I'll show you one of his gifts: the sock monkey that sings jingle bells! It drives my black Lab crazy! Sock monkey sings and dances and my dog barks and barks! Of course Steve wants it but I had to remind him that Christmas is for children. He's not convinced.

This week I've got to focus on the housecleaning, finish the grocery shopping, get the bar set ups, finish the last minute decorations, and assemble the food.

Everyone arrives Saturday and I hope to have all this under control so I'm not in the kitchen the whole time they're here. Steve and my son-in-law, Brett, will be in charge of getting mom over here. We've, as is tradition, invited a couple of her life-long friends to come so I'm hoping that works out.

This is our last week of classes at school; finals are Monday and Tuesday the next week. I still have nine more research papers to grade! Eeeek! To stay I'm stretched thin at this point is an understatement! But, I'm really looking forward to Saturday and especially to the two weeks off that are coming up!

If blogging is spotty this week, bear with me. I'm probably in the kitchen making sausage balls or a seafood casserole. But for now, time for a break and a Sam Adams!

Take a Christmas Shopping Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden

2011-12-10T21:02:00.001-06:00

I'm missing the debate tonight; we just got in from a Christmas shopping trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden.

I was hoping to finish my Christmas shopping and I was, in fact, able to pick up a couple of things and knock my list down a little bit.

Milly goes all out for holidays and the shop was festooned in Christmas from front to back, from the basement to the fourth floor! Oustide, in front of the store, Milly has a vintage white Christmas tree with a couple of ceramic cats and a rocking Santa. Very festive!

I suspect Steve did a little Christmas shopping, too. Hmmmm.

For some reason I was drawn to mirrors today. I like this one:

This one is neat, too. I just don't have any place for either of them.

I thought this love seat was cool; very retro:

Pretty pictures:

An assortment of spoons:

Nobody on the planet has more Coca Cola stuff than Milly Rose. These signs are cool:

And this cast iron Coca Cola van is heavier than a bag of rocks:

And in the basement, more collectible Coca-Cola bottles than you can imagine:

If you need to finish your shopping, maybe you know somebody who needs a coconut head?

Or this one:

Maybe you need an embalmed shark:

There was plenty of Christmas bling to go around:

The bell is pretty, and as Milly pointed out, "it's dinger really works!"; that is, it moves back and forth.

"Beer: First and Last Chance":

How about these old locks:

Down in the basement I found these boxes of tiny Shiny Brite ornaments:

Maybe you know someone who needs...an astroturf purse?

This bar minder plays music whenever you pick it up. Just the thing if you want to monitor your whiskey stash:

I loved these hair combs; they'd be perfect for my friend Nancy, but alas, out of my budget.

Milly has several vintage purses and bags; these old mesh ones are cool:

Maybe someone on your list needs a vintage kitchen clock:

More cowbell?

A basket full of angels:

The Star Wars lover on your list would go crazy for this case of collectible figures:

Milly's Boston Terriers are ready for Christmas:

Need a stick pony?

These are hand-painted and just too precious:

But all good things must end so we made our purchases and headed home. Milly had a lot of work to do make preparations for her annual Christmas party she puts on for local prison inmates, their wives and children. She and her husband put on a feast for them and bring presents for everyone. This woman has a heart of gold:

If you see anything here (or in previous posts) that you can't live without for your Christmas shopping needs, give Milly Rose a call at 318-371-9830. She'll ship it right on out to you. She does gift certificates too!

And now, I'm off to see how the debate went.

Christmas Season Crush

2011-12-08T16:51:00.001-06:00

Life has trumped blogging the past few days (not to be confused with Trump, Donald, who is having trouble getting folks to commit to his debate).

We're in the last few days of the semester at school and state testing is in full swing. My kids have worked very hard and I'm anxious to see the results! I've had a GREAT group of kids this semester.

Christmas has kept me busy, too. Our family gathering is on the 17th this year; most of them live in the Dallas area now and they travel here because this is where Mom is and Mom doesn't travel. The "Christmas Tree" event will be at my house so I've been busy cooking and decorating. I've a long way to go yet before I'm ready. But, I love it!

We're headed to Minden this weekend to hopefully finish the Christmas shopping with Milly Rose. Have a little Christmas tree song here:

There's been so much to blog about this week but there I am, at school, teaching the young minds of tomorrow, and unable to blog. Luckily there are folks who are doing a great job:

Pundette is still pulling for "one of the Ricks" in 2012 and highlights Stacy's post on Santorum. I have to admit, I still have that one foot on the Rick Perry band wagon. Don't tell Pundette, but Reaganite Republican just endorsed the Newt.

Bride of Rove sums up the race.

Professor Jacobson thinks Romney is "losing it."

Andrew Stiles highlights the upcoming showdown over the Keystone Pipeline.

Doug Ross explains the notion of "fairness."

On top of everything else I have going on, I'm so far behind in my reading. I'm in the middle of Stephen King's 11/22/63. It's a massive tome like Under the Dome was and I'm afraid it skipped the editor's desk. It just bogs down in the middle. But, we'll see how it turns out. I have Michael Connelly's The Drop which arrived in the mail today. I'm still reading Condi's book; and Kurt Vonnegut is still sitting in the stack.

But you know what? I'm about to have two weeks off to do nothing but read! And blog! And enjoy family and Christmas. Can't wait!

Seventy Years Ago

2011-12-07T06:09:00.001-06:00

Seventy years ago today.

Never forget.

As we remember Pearl Harbor today, skip over and read Jim Lacey's piece at National Review:

In those dark first months after the Pearl Harbor disaster, it was not apparent to many that Japan had already lost the war. For, despite sinking much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Japanese had missed a couple of crucial targets. Foremost among these were the huge oil-storage facilities on Oahu. Their loss would have delayed the American counterattack in the Pacific by as much as a year. One can only imagine how much more costly the conquests of Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa would have been had the Japanese had another year to fortify them.

The costs were certainly high enough as it was.

There are a few survivors still among us and some are still telling their story. Listen to them.

The Washington Post has a story of remembrance ceremonies.

Take time to remember today.

There are some great memoirs to read about the war in the Pacific:

Let The Trash Talk Begin!

2011-12-05T19:11:00.001-06:00

LSU will play Alabama for the BCS championship on January 9.

My friend Carol over at Political Clown Parade has an extensive summation of the situation and the controversy around the matching. Seems some folks are upset that it's an all SEC deal.

Carol is dubbing this game "Slobberknocker Redux" and I think that's probably apt.

She is a H - U - G - E Alabama fan and, well, you know how I feel about LSU.

We are reprising our bet from last year; originally the bet was a case of Sam Adams, but when LSU beat 'Bama, and I told Carol instead of shipping beer to Shreveport just donate to her favorite charity, Carol ponied up $100 to the Wounded Warrior Project.

So, when the Honey Badger has his way with Big Al and Bama is left wondering what happened to them, Carol will once again fork over $100 to the Wounded Warrior Project! (And if, heaven forbid, LSU loses, I'll do the same.)

Let the trash talk begin!

Update: Grandpa John is into Chick Fights.

Live-Blogging the Huckabee/Fox Debate (UPDATED)

2011-12-03T18:53:00.001-06:00

Kicking off momentarily.

7:06: I'm slow getting kicked off. I couldn't find it live-streaming so I had to turn LSU off and switch to Fox. Newt is explaining his immigration board idea. I have issues with Newt on this. I have issues with Newt, period.

Ken Cuccinelli asks Newt why anyone should trust he won't advance big government measures. Newt again says the ad he did with Pelosi was "the dumbest thing" he's done in years. He says he never supported cap and trade.

Interrupted by a phone call from my mom; she's excited about the LSU victory. Off the phone with her in time for a commercial.

Fine blogger I am. I've missed the first twelve minutes. Like there aren't a million more debates before this is all done.

And I stand corrected: it's not a "debate," it's a forum. The candidates appear alone on the stage with the interviewers. I wonder if it's like the Miss America pageant when the other contestants are off stage and can't hear the answers of the contestant on stage. Weird.

7:15: Scott Pruitt asks about national problems that should be the domain of the states rather than government; education is the first thing out of Newt's mouth. I agree with him on that one. He advocates a Pell grant for K-12 to give power to the parents rather than the government with regard to education.

Pam Bondi asks if it's wrong for the federal government to intrude over the state's authority with regard to education. Newt: "It's wrong." He advocates charter schools.

Newt uses the word "radioactive" to describe Pelosi when a follow-up question to his couch ad comes.

Favorite founding father and why? George Washington. "Without George Washington there would have been no America." Newt cites his dignity, endurance and courage.

Commercial. Sam Adams break.

7:25: Rick Santorum. Bleh.

Are there any parts of the Patriot Act that run over the rights of citizens? "No."

Ah. Found a live-stream.

Santorum discusses parents of children that don't marry so they can receive more government assistance dollars as he discusses entitlement programs.

I'm listening to Santorum but honestly, he has no charisma or draw for me. He's nice enough, and sincere enough, but he's not catching me.

His discussion on entitlement reform is quite valid, however.

On abortion and marriage: "You can't have 50 definitions of marriage in this country." The definition needs to be uniform, he says.

Bondi has an EPA question citing the numerous policies of the Obama administration. What principles would you follow with regard to environmental regulations? Santorum refers to the "Endangered Species Act" as poorly drafted and overly broad. The left is "the best" at broadly written statues, he says. We need to re-evaluate these acts when they come up for re-authorization. We need "to fix them" and have Congress define them and not the regulators.

Scott Pruitt asks why the Founders allowed for separation of powers. Answer: the federal government was always intended to be limited.

The courts are not the only arbiter of the Constitution, he says.

Time's up.

Another commercial.

7:30: Rick Perry.

Question about how he can unilaterally overturn Obamacare. He's going to put people in place that share his philosophy in HHS and other agencies. He's going to use Executive Order to overturn as much as he can. Cuccinelli has issues with Perry doing it through ExO, unilaterally, it seems. Perry wanders a little and Cuccinelli pulls him back. Perry says "We can stop parts of it" through Executive Order.

Bondi: Right to Work question. Do you favor passing a national Right to Work law? The states have the responsibility of doing that, Perry says. "States compete against each other...that's how we get stronger as a country."

"Get the federal government out of makin' one size fits all...then people can vote with their feet, and that's what they do."

Pruitt: Should the federal government be required to reimburse states for expenses related to immigrant health care, incarceration, etc. Perry: "We send 'em a bill every year." Cites his experience as governor with immigration and goes into enforcing border security. Perry repeats his usual talking points: "Within 12 months from inauguration the border will be secure."

Another break. Lawsy! There are a lot of breaks!

Professor Jacobson is also providing analysis.

7:50: Back with Perry.

Does the federal government have an obligation to intervene when parents fail with kids education?

Nope. He says he'd do away with the Dept. of Education and flip it back to the states.

What does the term strict constructionist mean to you? Alito and Roberts, he says. "Not a legislator in a robe." He wants term limits on Supreme Court justices and acknowledges it would take a Constitutional amendment to do that.

He says the justices he's placed in Texas have been strict constructionists.

This is a good forum for Perry. He's more relaxed.

A question about Roe v. Wade. He cites what they've done in Texas about sonogram law, etc. He wants to protect life in the states.

Favorite founding father? Madison. Incredibly brilliant, he says.

Perry whips a constitution out of his pocket. Read it, he says. Don't add anything to it.

7:57: Bachmann:

She calls Obamacare a huge social engineering playground for the left. We have one chance to stop it, and that's this election.

Question on deporting all illegals and how expensive it will be. How are you going to do that?

She says there is already a cost to having the illegals here. We need enforcement both at the border and by ICE agents. It's the federal government's role to protect the border, not the states and the federal government should pay for deportation costs.

Another break.

8:10: Back with Bachman.

Question about eliminating the Dept. of Education. She, too, would abolish it. We need to have a full scale repeal of the education law, she says. The burdens and the mandates by the federal government are strangling our schools.

How would you deal with air pollution that crosses state lines? We can't have the current EPA, she says. They've become a government unto themselves. A lot of these pollution between states issues can be negotiated, she says. When reminded that one can't compel without legislation, she says it needs to go back to the states and there may be a need for new legislation. "I'm not opposed to the federal government" dealing with some of these issues. Basically, the EPA needs to be reigned in, she's saying.

The worst legislation in the last 50 years, she says, was the Kelo decision on eminent domain.

Break.

8:15: Ron Paul.

What are the domestic responsibilities of the federal government?

Enforcing the Bill of Rights, securing the border, and providing a sound currency.

A question about the Patriot Act: What alternative to you have to the Patriot Act to prevent domestic terrorism in the future?

Paul says there are laws for violent acts and you just can't pass enough laws to stop all violent acts. "It's not a lack of laws that's our problem," he says. We need laws at the state level, he says, not nationalization of law enforcement.

What would you call the attacks in New York City? "It's an act of violence," he says. When pressed, yes, he says, it is an act of terrorism. "We should understand that whole problem," though he says. More guns won't make us safer; we have to understand the motivation, he says.

Riiiiiigghhht.

A question on the fed. Paul says it wasn't the lack of regulations that caused Enron. Advocates free market and less bureaucrats.

Break.

8:25: Back with Ron Paul.

He says the sovereignty of the the people trumps everything else; states next, then the federal government.

If you could suggest every American read one book, what would it be? Excluding religious materials, he says, read a book called The Law by Bastiat.

Romney is up next.

8:35: Mitt Romney.

Mitt begins by thanking everyone.

Says the EPA is out of control and that they're advocating solar and wind too much. We need a government that helps the private sector rather than limiting jobs; cites fracking. He would have the EPA stop oversight of fracking and other job crushing regulations. Should go back to the states, he says. He'd also get EPA out of regulation carbon emissions.

When Obama throws RomneyCare up at you, what will you say? Romney stands by RomneyCare but says Obamacare goes way beyond that. Obama isn't just worried about people without insurance, he says, but is interested in taking over all insurance.

Yet RomneyCare does affect all those insured, he is reminded. People got private insurance, Mitt says. For most people in his state, nothing changed. The real objective is getting down the cost of health care.

On the federal government in education: He supports aspects of NCLB. (He lost me there.) Romney says the unions are killing education. "Education should be held at the local level," he says. He says NCLB was an attempt to stop the unions.

Romney says he looks at most of those programs for the poor and sending them down to the states. "Take care of your own poor."

On Supreme Court appointments: what is a strict constructionist? Romney wants people who recognize that their job is to protect the Constitution rather than depart from it to put in place their own views.

On immigration: If the government won't secure the border, states should take action. He cites what he's done as governor. "We have to recognize that the federal government has to step up and do its job," he says.

On labor law: We need to completely revamp the National Labor Relations Board. States should put in place right to work laws. He would not propose getting rid of labor law but return power to the states where you can.

Up next, all six candidates with final thoughts.

Final update: Each candidate gets one minute.

Mitt: This election is about what kind of America we're going to have and he cites David Brooks. Lost me. I don't want my president taking advice from David Brooks, thank you.

Perry: Asks for a second look; he wants to "get America workin' again," and wants a part-time Congress. Is running because "our country is in trouble."

Ron Paul: Things are a mess because we turned the Constitution on its head. We've been careless with it and the federal government is too big. The states are suffering the consequences. We have to revisit the principle of nullification.

Newt: Thanks the moderators. This might be the most important election since 1860 he says. If Obama gets re-elected he will think it vindicates his Saul Alinsky radical agenda. He asks voters to be "with" him rather than "for" him.

Bachmann: This is the most important election of our lifetime. (Only if you've been alive since 1860, according to Newt.) She promises to unite the country and grow the economy. Her experience as a tax attorney qualify her to do that. Hunh? We have to stand together.

Santorum: Thanks Huckabee for being a "great warrior" for faith and family. We have to tackle this huge behemoth of federal government. The moral decline of America is apparently the root of all our problems. "I will not surrender the values of this country."

Huck is going to offer his final thoughts but I'm done.

It was an interesting format but overall I'd say the questions were generally softball. As Jacobson pointed out, nobody was really challenged. Perry wasn't prodded on Gardisil, Santorum wasn't questioned about his record or why he suffered a crushing defeat in his state, and I'd have liked to see a question to Bachmann about the vaccination makes your children retarded comment.

At any rate. I don't think this forum changed much. Perry was at least more relaxed but he didn't do anything to propel him to the top. Mitt didn't do anything to hurt himself - except personally, NCLB is a loser for me. I see in practice what a regulatory mess it is.

Oh well. Another day, another debate.

Take a Trip to Grand Cane's Fifth Annual Pioneer and Trade Day

2011-12-03T16:25:00.001-06:00

Steve and I headed south to Grand Cane, Louisiana today for their fifth annual Pioneer and Trade Day.

Grand Cane is one of the nicest, friendliest little towns in this part of the state, and boy do they know how to put on a celebration!

It seems like they've always got something going on there.

Festivities kicked off at 10:00; we were a little slow getting there (my fault) but got there in time to see the kickoff of the Christmas parade.

Lots of horses:

There were lots of kids involved riding their own horses, and there were plenty of kids lining the street to catch candy.

Santa was even in attendance with his horse drawn sleigh.

Our first stop after the parade was finished was The Raven Bookstore. Quite the savvy bookseller, Vanessa had Michael Henry books in stock!

There was a massive book signing in progress and I was pleased to run into C. L. Bryant there:

The shop windows were decorated for Christmas; the Santas are by woodcarver Joe Hartley:

In the Town Hall, Severn Doughty was set up with a display of pioneer tools and other items. Steve was interested in the carbide lamps and Mr. Doughty was busy explaining local history and the function of all the tools to the many visitors who stopped by:

The Town Hall also had a display of arrowheads and antique badges:

I thought these were cool:

And these:

From there we headed over to Suzanne Brossette's Village Creations where she was doing a brisk business. We bought a couple of little things and then headed around to the park where the craft and food vendors were set up.

A band was set up inside the theater playing classic rock favorites and a bluegrass combo was in fine form in the park pavillion:

Santa was set up in the gazebo with a long line of children hoping to get their requests in:

There were a few dogs, too. This chihuahua was interested in food!:

And there was plenty of food. When we walked up I told Steve, "It smells like Mardi Gras," because of all the smoky, wood smells wafting across the park. Take your pick from turkey legs, bar-b-que sandwiches, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, fried crawfish pies, fried fruit pies, hamburgers, nachos, and more.

We ate plenty, too. We started with sausage on a stick:

Later, Steve got a pulled pork sandwich and I got a fried crawfish pie (AND a fried peach pie!)

We also sampled plenty. Steve picked up three jars of goodies at this tent, including candied jalapenos and some salsa:

Joe Hartley was set up with his woodcarvings:

And this lady had some interesting lighting ideas:

And just look at these cute kids having a grand time in the park on a Saturday:

Activities in the park shut down around 2 and so we walked back through the shops once more; we picked up a few things at The Raven and then headed back home in time to watch the LSU game.

If you're in the area, put Grand Cane on your list of day trips. For a little bitty town, they've got huge community spirit and heart and every one we've met there is as friendly as can be. It'll stay on our list of things to do!

And here's a little music from the festival for you from The Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band (note the cute little guy in the front!):

Estate Sale Saturday

2011-12-03T15:55:00.001-06:00

I haven't been hitting the estate sales like I was this summer because of work, but today I got lucky and found some treasures! With apologies to those who dislike "antique blogs," I'm pretty excited about my finds today!

I've become a sort of accidental collector of drip coffee pots. Steve and I saw one at King's Ransom, a local antique mall, a few years ago. We immediately got all nostalgic for the great coffee those things make, complete with the little grounds in the bottom of your coffee cup at the end of each cup. For Christmas that year I went back to the store and paid something like $25 for an old WearEver drip coffee pot. And we use it rather often! Since then I've collected a couple more, but this one was too cute to pass up. It's a 2-cup pot:

Perfect for those days when you don't want a full pot!

I also snagged this gorgeous Pyrex mixing bowl in a delicious pale turquoise:

You would not believe the great price I got on that. Old Pyrex is crazy collectible these days.

At the next sale I picked up this funky mesh eyeglasses case:

And I picked up this lovely red damask tablecloth; perfect for my Christmas table. Again, great price:

But, my favorite find was this:

It's nearly the width of my china cabinet. It's a black and white panoramic picture of what I'm guessing might be a debutante soiree. I thought at first it might be a wedding party but there's no obvious bride and it would be a huge-assed wedding party.

Here's a detail:

I love looking at the dresses and the expressions on their faces. The hairstyles! I asked the seller if she knew who the people are and she told me that she was told her great-grandmother was in there, but she had no idea which lady she was and there was no one left to ask.

My grand total today in expenditures was about $40.00. Not bad.

In the Mail

2011-12-01T17:19:00.001-06:00

The Kurt Vonnegut bio. I like the name.

What's That Line Again?

2011-12-01T16:43:00.001-06:00

Via Pundette, the new Rick Perry ad; it made me smile:

Jill makes quite the case for ol' Rick (and against Newt).

I like Perry, I really do. Why, oh why, do we all worry so about what Obama will do to Perry in a debate? Why should being a good debater be a prerequisite for president?

Touring the Aluminum Overcast

2011-11-30T06:15:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, Steve and I went to the Downtown Airport to tour the Aluminum Overcast, a fully restored WWII B-17.

The plane is owned by EAA now and tours the USA and Canada. If you've got some spare cash you can schedule a flight in the plane. This particular plane was completed in 1945 so it never saw combat, but it is one of 11 or 12 B-17s that are still flying today.

I've read lots of memoirs from WWII but I was totally unprepared for the experience of seeing this plane.

This one shows the catwalk over which one must walk to get to the back of the plane. It's extremely narrow!

Space is tight all over the plane.

The radio station:

Another view:

The ball turret:

And from the outside, you get a perspective of what those ball turret gunners had to do:

Steve checking out the rear gunner position:

I liked the nose art:

You could also walk underneath the plane and look at the bomb bay:

Another shot:

All in all, it was quite impressive. One volunteers there giving tours told of a veteran who had come to see the plane earlier in the day. He was so overcome with emotion he just couldn't go inside it, after all.

There's a great website here that tells about the plane, its restoration, and the organization that runs it. There's a schedule of appearances and lots of great videos. One video takes you on a flight and another has historic footage.

If you get a chance, get out there today to see it. Or look to the skies around 10:00; it's taking a flight group up around then.

Seeing it gave both of us a whole new appreciation for those brave fliers who went up in them in the war and gave me a whole new definition for the word courage.

Grand Cane Pioneer and Trade Day This Weekend

2011-11-28T16:45:00.001-06:00

How is cyber Monday going for you? Getting lots of shopping done?

I'm planning on doing some old-fashioned "in person" shopping this weekend in Grand Cane. If you're in the local area, put this Saturday's Grand Cane Pioneer and Trade Day on your agenda! The activities begin at 10:00 and last throughout the day.

Jody Gore and the DeSoto Arts Council will do a classroom demonstration with adults and children in the craft of making corn husk dolls. Severn Doughty will display tools and goods that typically were used by pioneers. Joe Hartley, a nationally known wood carver, will demonstrate his craft. Wayne Roberts, with experience in local archaeological digs, will have a display of assorted arrowheads.The event will also feature craft, art and food vendors.

There will be a horse & buggy parade, lots of vendors and demonstrations, not to mention shopping! There's the Raven Bookstore and Village Creations antiques, and oh, the wonderful quilt store!

It's a quick drive to Grand Cane from Shreveport/Bossier so get on out and see what's happening over there.

Cyber Monday

2011-11-28T06:19:00.001-06:00

Apologies for the light blogging this weekend; I spent the entire weekend with the Christmas decorations and putting up the tree. We do a live tree at SIGIS and it's time consuming! But, we're festive and ready to roll around here now and the baking duties will commence sometime this week.

Meanwhile, it's cyber Monday and you know what THAT means!

Use this link to get started:

When you use Amazon links through your favorite blogs it's a neat way to get the stuff you want, avoid the crazy crowds and pepper spray at the mall, and it helps support the blog.

So get shopping!

Slow News Day?

2011-11-26T18:18:00.001-06:00

The New York Times has pulled all the journalistic stops today in its profile of Rick Perry's military career and Mitt Romney's barber.

Yes, it's true. The Times dug up Rick Perry's old military and college buddies from 40 years ago and wrote a 1600 word profile on the Texas governor filled with such nuggets as this:

Uniforms were to be kept “neat and clean,” according to the student handbook, with “shoes and brass shined.” An infraction by one cadet meant punishment for the class.

The first year was so difficult, said Tony Best, a Perry classmate, “I saw guys come in and throw themselves on the floor, crying.”

Fascinating.

And Mitt Romney's barber? We learn:

“He wants a look that is very controlled,” Mr. de Magistris said. “He is a very controlled man. The hair goes with the man.”

Mr. Romney’s is a restrained, classic look: short at the neck, neat on the sides and swept back off the forehead. “It is not something stylish,” Mr. de Magistris noted. “It is clean and conservative.”

No wonder the NYT never went after Obama's college transcripts or dug into his association with Jeremiah Wright or Bill Ayers! No wonder we knew so little about the candidate with such reporting chops as this on display.

Is it just a slow news day?

2011-11-25T11:20:00.001-06:00

It seems as if the must have shopping accessory this year is pepper spray.

Via Drudge:

A woman shot pepper spray to keep shoppers from merchandise she wanted during a Black Friday sale, and 20 people suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly after 10:20 p.m. Thursday in a crowded Los Angeles-area Walmart as shoppers hungry for deals were let inside the store.

Y'all be careful out there.

The Music Is a Little Quieter Today: Sad News from Nashville

2011-11-25T09:42:00.001-06:00

The local music industry mourns the loss today of Shreveport's own George W. Clinton. (He was actually from Helena, but worked here for many years.) George died in Nashville yesterday after a lengthy illness.

Many will remember George from his work at Sound City Recording Studio on Line Avenue. With his big Buick LeSabre ("The Shark"), parked out front, he worked with many of the best in the business and for years Sound City was the place to be! George also worked the sound board at The Louisiana Hayride on Saturday nights for a few years. He had the opportunity to meet and work with many great entertainers there.

Locally George worked with Miki Honneycutt, Tag Graves, Joe Spivy, Dennis Zimmerman, Michael Grady, Eddie Giles, Reuben Bell, Ted Taylor, Geater Davis, Little Johnny Taylor, Shay Holliday, Tommie Young and the African Music Machine. Bobby Patterson ran his Soul Power label there.

Even if they weren't cutting tracks, the local greats would come by to jam, to visit, or just sit in.

In Nashville, George and his business partner at Bayou Recording Studio, Joe Spivey, worked with such acts as Booker T & The MGs, Isaac Hayes, Alabama, Charley Pride, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, KISS, Martina McBride, KT Oslin, Hank Williams Jr, and many others.

George was a personal friend of mine, though we lost touch through the years, and I had the opportunity to witness his talents behind the mixing board and his gift with people. He had an easy smile and a gentle manner that drew people to him.

The music is a little quieter today.

Added: George's obit, from The Tennessean:

CLINTON, George W. Age 68, of Nashville, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at his home. Born in Helena AR, he had lived in Nashville since 1983 where he worked in the music industry. Until earlier this year, he owned and operated Bayou Recording with his business partner and long-time friend, Joe Spivey of Hermitage, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, George V. "Buck" and Catherine Clinton, and his granddaughter, Chelsea Suzanne Weisz. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Dwayne Weisz-Keller of Nashville; his son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Christine Clinton of Asheville, NC; his sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Jack Russell of Decatur, TX; his granddaughter, Rachel Weisz of Nashville; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; many dear friends; and his canine companion, Daisy. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, December 1 at 6 p.m. at Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 516 Franklin Rd. in Brentwood, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

NYT: Black Friday Shoppers Forced To Go Out in the Dark of Night for Deals While Idle Rich Stay Home

2011-11-25T07:59:00.001-06:00

If one is to believe the New York Times, all you Black Friday shoppers out there are miserable, poor underlings forced to leave the comfort of your Thanksgiving tables and stand in line at WalMart in the dark of night with a passel of kids in tow because you can't afford a babysitter.

Meanwhile, the idle rich never leave the comfort of their warm, comfy homes simply because they don't need to do all that:

Budget-minded shoppers will be racing for bargains at ever-earlier hours while the rich mostly will not be bothering to leave home.

Toys “R” Us, Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy and Target will start their Black Friday sales earlier than ever — at 9 and 10 p.m. in some instances — with dirt-cheap offers intended to secure their customers’ limited dollars. A half a day later, on Friday morning, higher-end stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom will open with only a sprinkling of special sales.

Is The Times suggesting that retailers are sacrificing profits to help the lowly, unemployed shopper?

The low-end and midrange retailers are risking low margins as they cut prices to attract shoppers, while executives at luxury stores say that they are actually able to sell more at full price than in recent boom years.

The Times misses the point that stores are opening earlier and earlier, not so much because people have fewer dollars and they're just feeling benevolent, but because they're trying to scoop each other.

It's less of an altruistic move on the part of the big box store than a profit hugging move by savvy retailers.

And those damned rich people! They can stay home and order their cashmere sweaters while tucked under their down comforters using their iPads and their American Express cards!

Meanwhile, many affluent shoppers will avoid the scene altogether, he said. “The women who are shopping the fourth floor at Saks are not Black Friday shoppers,” he said.

The Times also misses the point that a lot of those Black Friday shoppers actually enjoy the "sport" of it:

“Those in a more modest income situation are the people who are going to the Wal-Marts and the Best Buys and the Targets at 8, 9, 10, 11 p.m. with little kids in tow because they can’t afford a baby sitter,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consultant firm. “It’s a very unpleasant shopping experience, frankly, for a lot of people.”

I know a gal who gets together with her girlfriends and they comb the ads, plot their stops, and fan out. They aren't miserable, poor shoppers having to suffer the indignities of WalMart at midnight while dragging kids behind them. They just like the thrill of the chase.

The Times is simply adding fuel to the OWS fire. The evil, idle rich get to sit home on Black Friday eating bon bons and tallying up their money market accounts while the unwashed masses sit in pup tents in front of a Best Buy in the drizzling rain.

Oh! The unfairness of it all!

(Photo: Henrietta Widsmith/The Shreveport Times)

(More at Memeorandum)

Christmas Windows

2011-11-24T19:55:00.001-06:00

I'm not one for celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving is over and we still have four more hours of Thanksgiving SIGIS time. However, I did check out Vanity Fair's Christmas windows from around the world. There's some weird stuff going on out there, man...really weird:

I mean, it's kind of cool and it's very creative, but does it just scream "Christmas!" to you?

When I think Christmas window displays, I think A Christmas Story:

And no. I'm not doing Purple Thursday, Black Friday or any of that standing in line nonsense. Crowded WalMarts, lines, and crazed shoppers are so not my thing. But if it's yours, good luck to you!

Meanwhile, it's time for a turkey sandwich.